bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross-sectional study of carbon monoxide alarm use in patients attending the emergency department: a multicentre survey protocol
Authors: Jarman Heather , Atkinson Richard W , Babu Ashik , Moss Phil
Published: November 2022

Introduction

The most common place for unintentional, non-fire-related carbon monoxide (CO) exposure to occur is in the home, but this is preventable if CO producing sources are properly maintained and CO alarms/detectors are in use. It is estimated that less than half of all homes have a CO alarm, but there is variation across countries, housing types and different demographic and socioeconomic groups. The purpose of this study is to provide up-to-date data on the use of CO alarms by surveying attendees to emergency departments using an online anonymous questionnaire.

Methods and analysis

A multicentre prospective, cross-sectional survey of 4000 patients or carers in three emergency departments will be used. A questionnaire comprising of a maximum of 14 items will be administered following completion of an informed consent process. Data collected include participant demographics, household information and CO alarm use. Statistical analyses will comprise descriptive techniques to present respondents’ use of CO alarms and examine associations between alarm use and participant characteristics. The proportion of homes with CO alarms installed will be calculated for all subjects and for selected subgroups.

Ethics and dissemination

The study obtained ethical approval from the Westminster Research Ethics Committee (REC number 1/PR/1657). Informed consent will be obtained prior to the participant undergoing any activities that are specifically for the purposes of the study. Findings will be published in scientific journals, presented to national and international conferences and disseminated to CO safety groups.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN registry 12562718.
Perceived job demands: a qualitative study of workplace stress in the Iranian healthcare workers (HCWs)
Authors: Zeinolabedini Masoume , Heidarnia Alireza , Shakerinejad Ghodratollah , Motlagh Mohammad Esmaeil
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Work-related stress is a common risk factor among healthcare workers (HCWs). In Iran, the healthcare system has undergone extensive changes to develop services. Organisational change has led to the creation of new working conditions for HCWs. The purpose of this study is to identify job demands that health workers perceive as stressors.

Design

As a qualitative study, semistructured interviews, a focus group, and related data were analysed both inductively and deductively with reference to the job demand component based on the job demands–resources model and MAXQDA.

Setting

This investigation was conducted in 18 primary healthcare centres in Qazvin, Iran.

Participant

Twenty-one female HCWs with at least 6 months of work experience and an average age of 34.4 years.

Results

The participants identified six key elements as the stressful job demands including organisation’s supervisory function, role characteristics, workload, job insecurity, client service challenges and perceived job content.

Conclusions

After organisational changes and development, HCWs were faced with role changes and increased workload. In addition, organisational supervision in terms of quantity and quality and lack of job security intensified the pressures. These factors led to the high level of stress among employees who dealt with people and those who perceived their job content as unfavourable. Perhaps teaching stress control skills and organisational support interventions can be useful to reduce and control stress among HCWs.
Phenylephrine versus cafedrine/theodrenaline (Akrinor) for the treatment of spinal anaesthesia-induced maternal hypotension during caesarean section: a retrospective single-centre cohort study
Authors: Porsche Raphael , Steinhardt Frederic , Knoerlein Julian , Schick Martin Alexander
Published: November 2022

Objective

The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of phenylephrine and cafedrine/theodrenaline on the mother and newborn after spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section.

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Design

A single-centre retrospective data cohort study.

Patients

All obstetric patients who were scheduled for caesarean section in a 2-year period.

Interventions

Administration of either intravenous phenylephrine prophylactically or cafedrine/theodrenaline (Akrinor) reactively to maintain blood pressure after spinal anaesthesia.

Main outcome measure

Maternal hypotension, heart rate during caesarean section and after admission to IMC, fetal arterial cord pH and base excess levels, maternal volume resuscitation and the use of rescue medication.

Results

852 data sets could be included: n=440 Akrinor, n=412 in the phenylephrine cohort. During caesarean section blood pressure was slightly higher in the phenylephrine group compared with the Akrinor group, while hypotension <100 mm Hg systolic blood pressure (SBP) occurred significantly more often during arrival at the IMC after surgery when phenylephrine was used. Heart rate was lower and rescue medication was significantly more frequently given in the phenylephrine cohort. Irrespective of the medication used, women with baseline levels of <120 mm Hg SBP had a high risk to develop hypotension <100 mm Hg after spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section. While there was no statistical difference in mean umbilical arterial pH levels, the incidence of acidosis, defined as pH <7.2, was significantly higher with phenylephrine.

Conclusion

Phenylephrine was not superior to Akrinor to treat spinal anaesthesia-induced maternal hypotension during caesarean section.

Trial registration number

DRKS00025795.
Contribution of malaria and sickle cell disease to anaemia among children aged 6–59 months in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study using data from the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Chao Dennis L , Oron Assaf P , Chabot-Couture Guillaume , Sopekan Alayo , Nnebe-Agumadu Uche , Bates Imelda , Piel Frédéric B , Nnodu Obiageli
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To estimate the fraction of anaemia attributable to malaria and sickle cell disease (SCD) among children aged 6–59 months in Nigeria.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of data from Nigeria’s 2018 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).

Setting

Nigeria.

Participants

11 536 children aged 6–59 months from randomly selected households were eligible for participation, of whom 11 142 had complete and valid biomarker data required for this analysis. Maternal education data were available from 10 305 of these children.

Primary outcome measure

Haemoglobin concentration.

Results

We found that 70.6% (95% CI: 62.7% to 78.5%) of severe anaemia was attributable to malaria compared with 12.4% (95% CI: 11.1% to 13.7%) of mild-to-severe and 29.6% (95% CI: 29.6% to 31.8%) of moderate-to-severe anaemia and that SCD contributed 0.6% (95% CI: 0.4% to 0.9%), 1.3% (95% CI: 1.0% to 1.7%) and 10.6% (95% CI: 6.7% to 14.9%) mild-to-severe, moderate-to-severe and severe anaemia, respectively. Sickle trait was protective against anaemia and was associated with higher haemoglobin concentration compared with children with normal haemoglobin (HbAA) among malaria-positive but not malaria-negative children.

Conclusions

This approach used offers a new tool to estimate the contribution of malaria to anaemia in many settings using widely available DHS data. The fraction of anaemia among young children in Nigeria attributable to malaria and SCD is higher at more severe levels of anaemia. Prevention of malaria and SCD and timely treatment of affected individuals would reduce cases of severe anaemia.
Disease burden of ageing, sex and regional disparities and health resources allocation: a longitudinal analysis of 31 provinces in Mainland China
Authors: Chen Shu , Si Yafei , Hanewald Katja , Li Bingqin , Bateman Hazel , Dai Xiaochen , Wu Chenkai , Tang Shenglan
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To measure the disease burden of ageing based on age-related diseases (ARDs), the sex and regional disparities and the impact of health resources allocation on the burden in China.

Design

A national comparative study based on Global Burden of Diseases Study estimates and China’s routine official statistics.

Setting and participants

Thirty-one provinces of Mainland China were included for analysis in the study. No individuals were involved.

Methods

We first identified the ARDs and calculated the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of ARDs in 2016. We assessed the ARD burden disparities by province and sex and calculated the provincial ARD burden-adjusted age. We assessed historical changes between 1990 and 2016. Fixed effects regression models were adopted to evaluate the impact of health expenditures and health workforce indicators on the ARD burden in 2010–2016.

Results

In 2016, China’s total burden of ARDs was 15 703.7 DALYs (95% uncertainty intervals: 12 628.5, 18 406.2) per 100 000 population. Non-communicable diseases accounted for 91.9% of the burden. There were significant regional disparities. The leading five youngest provinces were Beijing, Guangdong, Shanghai, Zhejiang and Fujian, located on the east coast of China with an ARD burden-adjusted age below 40 years. After standardising the age structure, western provinces, including Tibet, Qinghai, Guizhou and Xinjiang, had the highest burden of ARDs. Males were disproportionately affected by ARDs. China’s overall age-standardised ARD burden has decreased since 1990, and females and eastern provinces experienced the largest decline. Regression results showed that the urban–rural gap in health workforce density was positively associated with the ARD burdens.

Conclusion

Chronological age alone does not provide a strong enough basis for appropriate ageing resource planning or policymaking. In China, concerted efforts should be made to reduce the ARDs burden and its disparities. Health resources should be deliberately allocated to western provinces facing the greatest health challenges due to future ageing.
Usefulness and practicality of a multidisease screening programme targeting migrant patients in primary care in Spain: a qualitative study of general practitioners
Authors: Gonçalves Alessandra Queiroga , Sequeira-Aymar Ethel , Aguilar Martín Carina , Dalmau Llorca Maria Rosa , Cruz Angeline , Evangelidou Stella , Hargreaves Sally , Requena-Mendez Ana , Jacques-Aviñó Constanza
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Some migrant groups are disproportionately affected by key infectious diseases in European countries. These pose a challenge for healthcare systems providing care to these groups. We aimed to explore the views of general practitioners (GPs) on the acceptability, adaptability and feasibility of a multidisease screening programme based on an innovative clinical decision-support system for migrants (the ISMiHealth tool), by examining the current gaps in healthcare provision and areas of good practice and the usefulness and limitations of training in the health needs of migrants.

Methods

We undertook a qualitative descriptive study and carried out a series of focus groups (FGs) taking a pragmatic utilitarian approach. Participants were GPs from the four primary healthcare (PHC) centres in Catalonia, Spain, that piloted an intervention of the ISMiHealth tool. GPs were recruited using purposive and convenience sampling. FG discussions were transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis.

Results

A total of 29 GPs participated in four FGs. Key themes identified were: (1) GPs found the ISMiHealth tool to be very useful for helping to identify specific health problems in migrants, although there are several additional barriers to screening as part of PHC, (2) the importance of considering cultural perspectives when caring for migrants, and of the impact of migration on mental health, (3) the important role of PHC in healthcare provision for migrants and (4) key proposals to improve screening of migrant populations. GPs also highlighted the urgent need, to shift to a more holistic and adequately resourced approach to healthcare in PHC.

Conclusions

GPs supported a multidisease screening programme for migrant populations using the ISMiHealth tool, which aided clinical decision-making. However, intercultural participatory approaches will need to be adopted to address linguistic and cultural barriers to healthcare access that exist in migrant communities.
Studying the aging of Laponite suspensions using extensional rheology
Authors: Hayes M. J. , Smith M. I.
Published: November 2022

The effect of aging on the break-up dynamics of Laponite suspensions was studied in an extensional geometry. It was found that samples of increased age undergo stronger necking at the midpoint. The thinning of samples, driven purely by motion of the plates, was compared with standard shear rheology to understand how the dynamics are related to the sample properties. The Laponite suspensions exhibit a growing stress overshoot with monotonically decreasing yield strain as they age. However, it is shown that the thinning curves in extension are only a good indicator of the sample’s static yield stress, being insensitive to its yield strain. These measurements suggest that following an initial linear visco-elastic regime, samples accumulate significant plastic deformations prior to the complete yielding of the sample. The implications of this for the importance of assessing changes to the ductile—brittle nature of samples are also discussed.

Graphical abstract
Fractional approximate solutions of 2D reaction–diffusion Brusselator model using the novel Laplace-optimized decomposition approach
Authors: Beghami Wahiba , Maayah Banan , Arqub Omar Abu , Bushnaq Samia
Published: November 2022

The dynamical Brusselator reaction–diffusion system of time-fractional is used to describe chemical models and chemical processes with nonlinear oscillation. In this study, the Laplace optimized decomposition scheme is proposed for approximating solutions of three applications of the two-dimensional (2D) reaction–diffusion Brusselator model with the noninteger derivative proposed in the Caputo approach. Complete descriptions of the scheme and solution steps are utilized and mentioned. By applying the procedures of the Laplace inversion operator and truncating the optimized series, the approximate solutions are drawn, tabulated and sketched. Numerical results show the efficiency, reliability and accuracy of the technique for the nonlinear systems of partial differential equations of noninteger-different order derivatives. Finally, focused notes and futures planning works are mentioned with the most-used references.
SKEWED CREDIT AND GROWTH DYNAMICS
Authors: ESTRADA GEMMA , ERCE AITOR , PARK DONGHYUN
Published: November 2022

While a large empirical literature finds that financial development is beneficial for economic growth, recent evidence suggests otherwise. We contribute to this debate by examining the link between credit growth skewness and long-run growth. Earlier literature found that economies that are characterized by negative skewness in private sector credit growth experience faster output growth. We revisit this relationship using a large panel dataset that encompasses both advanced and developing economies and the aftermath of the global financial crisis. While our results reconfirm an association between credit skewness and economic growth, the relationship is more nuanced than previously thought. The beneficial growth effects of negative skewness are evident only prior to 2000. Our findings help explain why credit cycles positively affected economic growth in emerging markets in the past and why advanced economies’ growth has been sluggish since the 2008–2009 global financial crisis.
Effects of deuteron optical model potentials on the production cross-section calculations of 66-68Ga from natZn and natGe
Authors: Şekerci Mert , Özdoğan Hasan , Kaplan Abdullah
Published: November 2022

Since it was reported that several radioisotopes might be advantageous for different medical uses in diagnostics and therapeutics, they have gained significance. Theoretical and experimental researches on such radioisotopes have contributed to the literature on a wide variety of topics, including production route research, getting activation and yield values, optimum production method analysis, clinical effects and production cross-section calculations. This study was motivated by the studies described in this domain as well as those published in the literature. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of deuteron optical model potentials in various reactions where [Formula: see text] radioisotopes, which are known to be medically important, have been generated with deuteron induced particles on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] targets. The experimental data from the literature and the calculation results generated using the five deuteron optical model potentials accessible in the TALYS code (version 1.95) were compared in line with the objective of this study. The experimental results in the literature and the data obtained as an outcome of the computations are graphically illustrated in order to comprehend these comparisons. Furthermore, to perform a numerical assessment, mean weighted deviation and relative variance calculations were also performed.
Congestion Detection and Alleviation Mechanism Using a Multi-Level Cluster Based Cuckoo Hosted Rider Search Multi-Hop Hierarchical Routing Protocol in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Patil Kavita K. , Kumaran T. Senthil
Published: November 2022

Wireless sensor networks congestion occurs easily due to its centralized traffic pattern. Normally, mono-sync wireless sensor network experiences multiple traffic flow congestion in the dense environment of the network, which leads to excess energy consumption and severe packet loss. To overcome these issues, a congestion detection and alleviation mechanism using cluster based heuristic optimized hierarchical routing protocol is proposed in this paper. Here, congestion detection and alleviation utilize the features of sensor nodes. The congestion is categorized into two types: (i) node level congestion and (ii) link level congestion. The node level congestion is detected by assessing the buffer utilization and the interval amid the consecutive data packets. The link level congestion is considered with computing link usage utilizing back-off step of round robin carrier sense multi-access with collision avoidance. Congestion detection and alleviation reactively affected node/link through cuckoo hosted rider search multi-hop routing algorithm. It has two phases: the cluster head selection and multi-path routing. Cluster head selection is performed through Taylor multiple random forest kernel fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm and multi-path routing is performed through cuckoo hosted rider search multi-hop routing algorithm. The simulation of the proposed method is done in network simulator tool. Here, the performance metrics, like packet delivery ratio, delay, energy consumption, packet drop, overhead, network lifetime and throughput are calculated. The experimental outcomes of the proposed technique shows 11.6%, 18.4% and 28.1% lower delay, 78.2%, 65.4% and 52.6% higher packet delivery ratio, and 29.2%, 37.4% and 40.8% lower packet drop compared with the existing methods, like congestion detection and alleviation using multi-attribute decision-making in optimization-based hybrid congestion alleviation routing protocol in wireless sensor networks, congestion detection and alleviation using hybrid K-means with greedy best first search algorithms in packet rate reduction utilizing adaptive weight firefly algorithm ant colony optimization based routing protocol in wireless sensor networks and congestion detection and alleviation using multi-input time on task optimization algorithm for altered gravitational search algorithm routing protocol in wireless sensor networks.
Personalized Recommendation of Educational Resource Information Based on Adaptive Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Zhu Yan
Published: November 2022

The abundance of online educational resources has made it increasingly difficult for students to identify the correct learning materials in recent years. Overcoming the information overload that has emerged in the new education systems is possible via a tailored recommendation system. It encourages students to look for new ways to get around the subject matter and to use information from all across the world. Because of this, many academics are working to create learning systems that incorporate methods for creating a unique learning experience for each user. Therefore, our proposed approach was to create an appropriate learning route for each student, and they are using Educational Resource Information Based on an Adaptable Genetic Algorithm(ERI-AGA). Evidence from studies shows that the suggested technique can provide relevant course materials for students based on the specific needs of students to help them study better in a Web-based system. Personal recommendation engine, pre-processing and learning-based model development, and implementation of the recommendation system will be researched. Participatory budgeting PB-level data storage and processing as well as the ability to suggest in real time will be studied. The capacity to make real-time suggestions and the storing and processing of PB-level data will be investigated. It was critical to check the system’s availability by running associated tasks and performance tests. The comparison values demonstrated that ERI-AGA was a reliable and accurate assessment procedure.
Diagonals of Lau product Banach algebras
Authors: Bodaghi Abasat , Valaei Mohammad
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we study and compare the types of diagonals for Lau product Banach algebras [Formula: see text] and diagonals of two Banach algebras [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a homomorphism from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]. As a consequence, we obtain the (approximate) amenability and contractibility [Formula: see text] in terms of (approximate) amenability and contractibility of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we introduce the notion of pseudo-virtual diagonal for a Banach algebra and present some characterization results for Lau product Banach algebras.
Walking Speed Control of Planar Bipedal Robot with Phase Control
Authors: Selim Erman , Alci Musa
Published: November 2022

In this study, we aim to provide the dynamic walking of a five-link planar bipedal robot without the need for optimization and regardless of initial conditions. Since bipedal robots are underactuated systems, classical control methods cannot be applied. Joint trajectories must be determined to control the robot. The trajectories that will allow the biped robot to walk can be derived with a trajectory optimization. Periodic stability and dynamic balance are provided by following the trajectories with virtual constraints method. However, determining the optimization-based trajectories before walking is the weakness of the virtual constraints method. As a solution, the method we call “phase control” is newly proposed. Thanks to the phase control method, the need for trajectory optimization is eliminated. Walking speed can be adjusted adaptively depending on user input without interrupting walking. Although the walking speed changes, it is shown with the limit cycle and Poincaré return map that the periodic stability is provided. In addition to mathematical model-based simulation, a physics engine-based Gazebo simulation is also performed to test the feasibility of the method. The advantage of the proposed phase control method is that the planned trajectories can provide limit cycles even if they are not optimized. This advantage provides freedom of trajectory selection that does not require optimization.
Light-induced energy and electron transfer occurring in tandem in tetra (bis(4′-tert-butylbiphenyl-4-yl)aniline)-zinc(II) porphyrin-fullerene supramolecular conjugates
Authors: Suneel Gangada , Jain Kanika , Anjaiah Boligorla , Mitra Hrishit , Ramnagar Ramya Athira , Bandi Srikanth , Chuncha Vijaykumar , Roy Tapta Kanchan , Giribabu Lingamallu , Chitta Raghu
Published: November 2022

[Formula: see text]-bis (4′-tert-butylbiphenyl-4-yl)aniline) tethered zinc porphyrins, (BBA)4- ZnP, (BBA- Ph)4- ZnP, and (BBA- OEtOPh)4- ZnP with varied spacer distances have been synthesized and photosynthetic antenna-reaction center models were constructed via axial co-ordination with fulleropyrrolidines, C60Im and C70Im. Selective excitation of the BBA moiety in the porphyrins at 355 nm resulted in the quenching of the emission intensity of the BBA followed by the concomitant appearance of the ZnP emission at 600–640 nm indicating the occurrence of the photoinduced energy transfer from 1BBA* to ZnP. When the zinc porphyrins are titrated with C60Im and C70Im, supramolecular complexes of the type, (BBA)4-ZnP:[Formula: see text]Im/[Formula: see text]Im are formed and the complex formation was monitored by UV-visible spectroscopic studies. Steady-state fluorescence studies involving the excitation of the ZnP at 550 nm displayed the diminished fluorescence intensity of the ZnP emission indicating the photoinduced electron transfer from 1ZnP* to fullerenes. More interestingly, when the BBA moiety is excited in the supramolecular complexes, the emission of both the BBA and ZnP were decreased gradually indicating the occurrence of PEnT from 1BBA* to ZnP followed by a sequential electron transfer from 1ZnP* to C60Im or C70Im indicating the formation of a charge-separated state in these complexes.
Syntheses and characteristics of porphyrin derivatives bearing fused five-membered rings at the periphery
Authors: Ishizuka Tomoya , Kojima Takahiko
Published: November 2022

Recently, porphyrin derivatives having ring-fused structures at the periphery have attracted attention by virtue of their unique optoelectronic characteristics. This manuscript surveys the syntheses and properties of porphyrin derivatives having fused five-membered rings at the periphery. Porphyrin derivatives with fused five-membered rings have been revealed to exhibit unique properties, which are different from those having fused six-membered rings at the periphery. For instance, porphyrins with fused five-membered rings exhibit expanded aromatic and anti-aromatic circuits passing through the outer rim of the fused rings. The expanded aromatic and anti-aromatic circuits severely affect the electronic structures of the porphyrin derivatives.
Highly soluble Ni(II) dithienylnorcorrole
Authors: Itabuchi Shiori , Nozawa Ryo , Yoshida Takuya , Fukui Norihito , Shinokubo Hiroshi
Published: November 2022

Recently, norcorrole Ni(II) complexes have received much attention because they exhibit peculiar solid-state structures and fascinating electronic properties originating from their distinct antiaromatic character. In this work, we have prepared a norcorrole Ni(II) complex with 5-hexylthien-2-yl substituents at the meso-positions, of which the antiaromatic nature was evaluated by 1H NMR analysis as well as NICS and ACID calculations. The X-ray diffraction analysis elucidated its molecular structure and crystal packing arrangement. Crystal packing structures of Ni(II) meso-di(5-methylthien-2-yl)norcorrole and Ni(II) meso-di(5-hexylthien-2-yl)norcorrole were markedly different. The latter provided a polar crystal because of the unidirectional alignment of 5-hexylthien-2-yl groups in the solid state.
A Class of Generalized Uncertain Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Fei Bingjing , Zhu Yuanguo , He Liu
Published: November 2022

In this paper, two generalized uncertain fractional differential equations (UFDEs) are proposed, which extend Riemann–Liouville type and Hadamard type into a uniform modality. Then the analytical solutions to several linear generalized (Caputo) UFDEs are provided. Furthermore, an existence and uniqueness theorem of solution for a generalized Caputo UFDE is proven.
The crossing number of Cartesian product of sunlet graph with path and complete bipartite graph
Authors: Alhajjar Mhaid , Panda Amaresh Chandra , Behera Siva Prasad
Published: November 2022

The crossing number of a graph [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text], is defined to be the minimum number of crossings that arise among all its drawings in the plane. This concept has been of interest to many researchers who have studied it for many families of graphs. In this paper, we introduce the crossing number of Cartesian product of sunlet graph [Formula: see text] with path [Formula: see text]. Further, we prove that the crossing number of [Formula: see text] is equal to [Formula: see text], along with giving a conjecture for the general case. In addition, we utilize the vertex’s rotation concept in order to prove some necessary conditions for the complete bipartite graph [Formula: see text] to be optimal when it is drawn in the plane, by presenting an upper bound for the crossing number of any subgraph in it together with determining the exact number of crossings in case the vertices of subgraph have the same rotation.
The diameter and eccentricity eigenvalues of graphs
Authors: Chen Yunzhe , Wang Jianfeng , Wang Jing
Published: November 2022

The eccentricity matrix [Formula: see text] of a graph [Formula: see text] is constructed from the distance matrix by keeping each row and each column only the largest distances with [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the distance between two vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] is the eccentricity of the vertex [Formula: see text]. The [Formula: see text]-eigenvalues of [Formula: see text] are those of its eccentricity matrix. In this paper, employing the well-known Cauchy Interlacing Theorem we give the following lower bounds for the second, the third and the fourth largest [Formula: see text]-eigenvalues by means of the diameter [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]: [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the second largest root of [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we further discuss the graphs achieving the above lower bounds.
A linear algorithm for the neighbor-component order connectivity of arbitrary trees
Authors: Luttrell Kristi
Published: November 2022

The graph parameter neighbor-connectivity was first investigated by Gunther and Hartnell in 1987 and provides important information on how reliable a network can be when failures of a node may impact its neighbors. In this model, the failure of a node causes the deletion of its closed neighborhood, i.e., the node and its adjacent neighbors as well. The minimum number of closed neighborhoods whose removal results in an empty, complete, or disconnected subgraph is called the neighbor-connectivity of the graph. Since then component order connectivity models have emerged to address inadequacies in the traditional models of connectivity, namely, that in many real-world networks, when disconnecting a graph one may be left with components that are large enough to still be operable. By adapting neighbor-connectivity to a component order model, we introduced neighbor-component order connectivity, defined as the minimum number of closed neighborhoods that must be removed from a network to ensure all remaining components have order less than some given threshold value. Given a threshold value of one, the neighbor-component order connectivity of a graph is equivalent to the well-known parameter domination number of the graph. The problem of computing the domination number of an arbitrary graph is NP-hard, and computing neighbor-component order connectivity of a graph for an arbitrary threshold value is also NP-hard. Here, we present a linear-time algorithm for computing the neighbor-component order connectivity of an arbitrary tree for an arbitrary threshold value, thus generalizing the classic linear algorithm of Cockayne, Goodman, and Hedetniemi for the domination number of the tree.
Sound transmission loss of meta-acoustic barriers with anomalous effective-mass
Authors: Bablu Muhammad Ali , Akinmolayan Oluwafemi P. , Manimala James M.
Published: November 2022

Meta-acoustic barriers (MABs) that are inspired by acoustic metamaterials (AM) offer opportunities to defy mass law-driven sound transmission loss (TL) performance that is characteristic of conventional acoustic barriers. In this analytical parametric study, the TL behavior of MABs that incorporate various local oscillator configurations are analyzed using an effective-mass modeling approach. Resonant, damped and inertant local oscillator configurations and combinations thereof that result in negative and complex effective-mass for the meta-acoustic barrier are considered. The influence of the local configuration’s orientation, oblique incidence and the presence of multiple oscillator types are examined using nondimensionalized metrics and compared to the performance of static mass and volume-equivalent limp mass and double wall barriers. It is shown that due to their anomalous effective-mass, such barriers display tunable TL bandwidths exceeding that of mass-equivalent conventional barriers indicating new device implications. The effective-mass modeling approach can easily be adapted to account for the presence of different dynamic features within various types of inclusions considered and is thus an efficient tool to evaluate meta-acoustic barrier designs. Inasmuch as these meta-acoustic barrier structures can be realized using recent advances in additive and hybrid manufacturing techniques, opportunities exist to create lightweight barriers for tonal and broadband acoustic applications.
China’s Host Diplomacy for Environment in the New Era: Achievements, Challenges and Prospects
Authors: Wang Wanfan , Zhang Yanzhu
Published: November 2022

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, leadership role in fulfilling inter-governmental responsibilities became increasingly prominent in China’s diplomacy strategy. China has frequently sponsored major events, and the host diplomacy for environmental governance embraced greater welcome both at home and abroad. Under the guidance of pursuing ecological civilization, China’s role in the global environmental governance arena has been strengthened via delivering increasingly remarkable results. As host diplomacy has been evidenced as one of the core components of China’s overall diplomacy, enhancing international cooperation and adopting host diplomacy strategy gradually manifest profound meanings and broader implementation in the new era, which also echoes the growing expectations from the international community for China to shoulder greater common responsibilities and provide more public goods globally. This thesis attempts to analyze and discuss the achievements, challenges and prospects of China’s host diplomacy for environment in the new era, and call for strengthening research and practice in such field, with the aim of serving the country’s overall diplomacy and augmenting global environmental governance in a scientific and effective way.
Conflict and Crime: Will the Russia–Ukraine Conflict Result in the Second Rise of the Russian Mafia?
Authors: Orlova Alexandra V.
Published: November 2022

This paper deals with the question of whether Russia will experience the second rise of the mafia akin to the experience of the 1990s during the current Russia–Ukraine conflict. It examines the necessary conditions for the rise of the mafia that were present in the 1990s, such as the absence of trust in the state, the demand for protection, and the supply of individuals willing to provide protection. The paper concludes that despite economic woes generated by Western sanctions, the conditions for the rise of the mafia are currently absent in Russia. Nevertheless, turbulent times frequently lead to an increase in organized criminal activity, which seems to be the case in Russia at this particular point in time. Furthermore, due to anti-Western rhetoric, the idea of organized crime as a foreign threat to Russia will likely continue to gain momentum.
Long runout distance of a block breccia density flow along a half-graben axis: latest Jurassic rift climax in East Greenland
Authors: Alsen Peter , Surlyk Finn
Published: November 2022

A basinally isolated breccia–pebbly sandstone couplet occurs in the axial part of the latest Jurassic rift-climax half-graben in Wollaston Forland, East Greenland. Synrift breccias are otherwise restricted to a narrow zone along the scarp of the basin-margin Dombjerg Fault. Towards the north the Dombjerg Fault sidesteps
en echelon
towards the east where it continues in the Thomsen Land Fault. The breccia part of the couplet was transported by a noncohesive debris flow and the pebbly sandstone by a high-density turbidity flow. The couplet is located about 15 km east of the Dombjerg scarp and flowed southwards along the half-graben axis. It is interpreted to have been derived from the southern end of the Thomsen Land Fault. This gives a runout distance of at least 25 km. Other isolated breccias have been reported towards the south along the half-graben axis, giving a runout distance of up to 40 km along the roughly horizontal half-graben axis. The angularity of the clasts is remarkable and reflects derivation directly from the fault scarp during a single catastrophic event. The occurrence of breccias thus cannot be taken as evidence of short transport and deposition at the foot of a scarp or steep slope.
Glucagon receptor blockage inhibits β-cell dedifferentiation through FoxO1
Authors: Wang Kangli , Cui Xiaona , Li Fei , Xia Li , Wei Tianjiao , Liu Junling , Fu Wei , Yang Jin , Hong Tianpei , Wei Rui
Published: November 2022

Glucagon-secreting pancreatic α-cells can interact with β-cells. However, the long-term effect of glucagon on the function and phenotype of β-cells has remained elusive. Our new finding shows that long-term glucagon induces β-cell dedifferentiation in cultured β-cells. FoxO1 inhibitor mimicks whereas glucagon signaling blockage by GCGR mAb reverses the effect of glucagon. In type 2 diabetic mice, GCGR mAb increases β-cell area, improves β-cell function, and inhibits β-cell dedifferentiation, and the effect is partially mediated by FoxO1.
An effective preselection criterion for MODY with an increasingly positive genetic testing rate by NGS: results from two cohorts of Chinese children
Authors: Cao Bingyan , Liu Meijuan , Zhang Yingxian , Chen Jiajia , Li Xiaoqiao , Su Chang , Yang Wei , Liu Min , Wu Di , Li Wenjing , Liang Xuejun , Wang Qiao , Wei Haiyan , Gong Chunxiu
Published: November 2022

We proved the clinical suspicion of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) according to the comprehensive criterion for next-generation sequencing testing, which helps to identify both common and rare MODYs, leading to accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment.
Obesity and chronic kidney disease
Authors: Jiang Zongmiao , Wang Yao , Zhao Xue , Cui Haiying , Han Mingyue , Ren Xinhua , Gang Xiaokun , Wang Guixia
Published: November 2022

The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically during the past decades, which has been a major health problem. Since 1975, the number of people with obesity worldwide has nearly tripled. An increasing number of studies find obesity as a driver of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, and the mechanisms are complex and include hemodynamic changes, inflammation, oxidative stress, and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Obesity-related kidney disease is characterized by glomerulomegaly, which is often accompanied by localized and segmental glomerulosclerosis lesions. In these patients, the early symptoms are atypical, with microproteinuria being the main clinical manifestation and nephrotic syndrome being rare. Weight loss and RAAS blockers have a protective effect on obesity-related CKD, but even so, a significant proportion of patients eventually progress to end-stage renal disease despite treatment. Thus, it is critical to comprehend the mechanisms underlying obesity-related CKD to create new tactics for slowing or stopping disease progression. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the mechanisms of obesity-related kidney disease, its pathological changes, and future perspectives on its treatment.
Enhanced burst discharges in the CA1 area of the immature versus adult hippocampus: patterns and cellular mechanisms
Authors: Shao Li-Rong , Dudek F. Edward
Published: November 2022

Burst discharges in the developing brain can provide valuable insights into epileptogenesis. We show that the immature hippocampal CA1 area is capable of generating all-or-none (i.e., network) bursts, which transitions to graded (i.e., nonnetwork) bursts in the mature brain via both synaptic and intrinsic mechanisms. Our results provide new clues to help understand possible mechanisms that may be shared in the immature and epileptic brain and how the normal brain becomes seizure prone (i.e., epileptogenesis).
The brain landscape of the two-hit model of posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: James Lisa M. , Engdahl Brian E. , Christova Peka , Lewis Scott M. , Georgopoulos Apostolos P.
Published: November 2022

The neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of PTSD are poorly understood. Here we document that massive engagement of sensory modalities during trauma exposure leads to fixed, hypercorrelated frontal, parietal, temporal, and limbic networks, reflecting the successive integration of salient sensory inputs along the framework of Jones and Powell.
Existence and Uniqueness Solution of the Model of Enzyme Kinetics in the Sense of Caputo–Fabrizio Fractional Derivative
Authors: Edessa Geremew Kenassa
Published: November 2022

In this paper, a model of the rates of enzyme-catalyzed chemical reactions in the sense of Caputo–Fabrizio a fractional derivative was investigated. Its existence and uniqueness as a solution of the model was proved by setting different criteria. An iterative numerical scheme was provided to support the findings. In order to verify the applicability of the result, numerical simulations using the MATLAB software package that confirms the analytical result was lucidly shown.
The Best Approximation of Generalized Fuzzy Numbers Based on Scaled Metric
Authors: Allahviranloo Tofigh , Saneifard Rasoul , Saneifard Rahim , Kiani Farzad , Noeiaghdam Samad , Govindan Vediyappan
Published: November 2022

The ongoing study has been vehemently allocated to propound an ameliorated α‐weighted generalized approximation of an arbitrary fuzzy number. This method sets out to lessen the distance between the original fuzzy set and its approximation. In an effort to elaborate the study, formulas are designed for computing the ameliorated approximation by using a multitude of examples. The numerical samples will be exemplified to illuminate the improvement of the nearest triangular approximation (Abbasbandy et al., Triangular approximation of fuzzy numbers using α‐weighted valuations, Soft Computing, 2019). A variety of features of the ameliorated approximation are then proved.
Soil Respiration Variations in Temperate Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum) Forest of Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) in Nepal
Authors: Dhital Deepa , Manandhar Purushottam , Gosain Bikash , Sijapati Jaishree
Published: November 2022

Temperate forests are considered most fragile hence need to recognize their vulnerability owing to continuous climatic changes and anthropogenic activities. In this study, we assessed soil respiration (SR) by using the chamber method in a natural Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum) forest which is recognized as the world’s largest forest type located at Annapurna Conservation Area in the temperate region of Nepal. We evaluated the consequences of multiple ecological parameters mainly climatic and biotic factors on SR variations during the month of October in 2016 and 2017. Our results confirmed that SR well corresponded with soil temperature (ST) variables represented with the highly significant (

p
<
0.05

) exponential curve (y = 1.049e0.529x, 2016 and y = 26.34e0.284x, 2017). And the variation in SR was mediated by a short-range (2-3°C) of ST difference in the month of October during autumn season. However, the effect of soil water content (SWC) on SR was scattered and the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) stood weak to represent the SR variation. The seasonal trend of SR was compatible with the PPFD and litter input with having accountable temporal, diurnal, and interannual variations of SR, ST, SWC, and litterfall. The SR over the entire measurement period were averaged at 269.9 mg CO2 m−2·h−1 in 2016 and 295.1 mg CO2 m−2·h−1 in 2017. Our study manifested that temperate forests could store maximum soil carbon with limited emission through SR and become a larger sink of atmospheric carbon dioxide even though SR is very sensitive to environmental changes and interactively affected by multiple ecological factors. Thus, our finding is an appreciable measure for the temperate forest to understand the regional carbon balance and suggested temperate forests are valued to incorporate them in evaluating global carbon budget.
Integrated Analysis of mRNA and lncRNA Expression Profiles Reveals Regulatory Networks Associated with Decompensated Cirrhosis
Authors: Zhang Li , Fang Xiaoyu , Wang Suhua , Ma Shasha , Zhang Jinyan , Dong Xiang , Dai Jing , Liu Chuanmiao , Gao Yu
Published: November 2022

The stage of decompensation is termed end-stage liver cirrhosis. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis (DCC) often have a variety of comorbidities that contribute to exacerbation of the disease and its high mortality rate. By comparing differential gene expression, transcriptomic analysis is useful for exploring relevant functional changes during disease progression. The purpose of this study was to identify differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and to further explore the functions as well as interactions between lncRNAs and mRNAs. Four patients with decompensated cirrhosis and four controls with liver cirrhosis were recruited in this study. RNA was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and RNA-seq was used for transcriptome analysis. The functions of differentially expressed mRNAs were revealed by Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses, and a regulatory network was also constructed. A total of 1046 differentially expressed mRNAs and 1175 lncRNAs were identified between the decompensated cirrhosis patients and cirrhosis controls. Functional enrichment analyses indicated enrichment of genes involved in pathways related to inflammation and cellular metabolic activities. In addition, the findings suggested that the phagosome/endosome/autophagy-lysosome pathway might play an important role in cirrhotic decompensation. In summary, this study identified differentially expressed mRNAs (DE-mRNAs) and DE-lncRNAs and predicted the biological processes and signaling pathways involved in cirrhotic decompensation, which might provide new ideas for further revealing the molecular mechanism of DCC pathogenesis.