bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between falls and musculoskeletal pain among middle-aged and older adults: Findings from the China health and retirement longitudinal study
Authors: Mei Fengyao , Li Jiaojiao , Xing Dan , Lin Jianhao , Dong Shengjie
Published: July 2023

Background
Falls are common particularly in elderly people and usually associated with poor prognosis or healing outcomes. Musculoskeletal pain is considered an independent risk factor for falls, by being associated with joint pathology and instability, neuromuscular effects of pain, and changes in cognitive and psychological function. Understanding the relationship between musculoskeletal pain and the risk of falls will help with falls prevention among older adults.
Methods
A nationally representative sample for the Chinese population was derived from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Information on the patients’ demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, other health-related behavior, as well as history on musculoskeletal pain and falls were obtained. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to explore the effect factors of falls, including individual factors and musculoskeletal pain factors. P for trend test was performed to examine the trend of each continuous variable.
Results
Among 18813 respondents, 3697 have experienced a fall. The risk of falls was lower for respondents who were male, lived in urban areas, had higher education level, and were married (P < 0.05). The risk of falls increased with higher age (P < 0.05), as well as for respondents who were still drinking alcohol or who used to drink alcohol at the time of the survey (P < 0.05). The risk of falls also increased for respondents who had suffered from pain in the fingers, waist, legs and knees (P < 0.05), as well as for those who had a higher number of painful sites (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Factors including gender, age, education level and health-related behavior may affect the risk of falls. Musculoskeletal pain is one of the factors that could be targeted to help prevent falls in older people.
Examining Airflow Velocity Distribution Measurement in Large Ducts: Introducing an Innovative Automatic Positioning-Based Concept for Multipoint Single Probe Hot-Wire Anemometry
Authors: ADANKPO Miguel Thomas Yaovi , Xiang Zhong , Qian Miao
Published: July 2023

This paper presents a case study on the application of an automated multipoint single probe hot-wire anemometry in the context of a stenter machine, which is used for textile processing. The study focuses on capturing the airflow velocity distribution within the stenter machine ducts to ensure consistent and uniform drying of fabrics. The research explores the effectiveness and practicality of the automated multipoint single probe hot-wire anemometry in capturing airflow velocity profiles within the ducts. The article discusses various traditional techniques used for airflow velocity measurement, such as Pitot Tube Traverse, Hot-Wire Anemometry, Ultrasonic Anemometry, Laser Doppler Anemometry, Particle Image Velocimetry, Thermal Imaging, Constant Temperature Anemometry, and Volumetric Velocimetry. However, recent advancements in automation and sensing technologies have paved the way for more sophisticated and efficient measurement methods. The case study introduces the concept of automated multipoint single probe hot-wire anemometry and its potential in steady-state conditions. The methodology includes a detailed presentation of the experimental setup, including device configuration and calibration methods. The obtained results are presented and discussed, followed by an evaluation of the measurement uncertainty associated with airflow and mass flow measurements. The experimental setup utilizes a combination of hardware components controlled by an Arduino microcontroller for precise positioning of the hot-wire anemometer probe. The study also discusses the characteristics of the hot-wire anemometer used in the experiment. The data acquisition system involves an Arduino Mega 2560 microcontroller board and customized code for precise positioning of the anemometer probe at multiple locations. The acquired data is recorded using PLX-DAQ, an Excel add-in, and further analyzed using OriginPro software. The article emphasizes the importance of sensor calibration and discusses the calibration by comparison method used in the experiment. The findings of the case study contribute to the broader understanding of airflow dynamics in industrial duct systems and highlight the potential benefits of using automated multipoint single probe hot-wire anemometry for enhancing process efficiency in textile processing.
Enhancing Eye Diseases Diagnosis through Transfer Learning: Study of Deep Convolutional Neural Networks for Accurate Classification of Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy from Healthy Eye Using Fundus Images
Authors: Tajerian Amin , Keshtkar Mohsen , Almasi-Hashiani Amir , Tajerian Mohammad
Published: July 2023

Fundoscopy, or ophthalmoscopy, is a medical procedure used to examine the inner structures of the eye. Fundoscopic images are valuable resources for developing artificial intelligence systems to aid in the diagnosis and management of eye conditions. This paper focuses on enhancing the robustness and generalizability of machine learning-based retinal image classification systems. A diverse and large-scale dataset of approximately 100,000 retinal images was utilized, along with a complex machine learning model. The study employed multiple datasets, including Kim's Eye Hospital, Drishti-GS1, DR HAGIS, APTOS 2019 Blindness Detection, ACRIMA, and Diabetic Retinopathy Detection 2015, to evaluate the performance of the model. Preprocessing techniques, including contrast enhancement and image resizing, were applied to prepare the dataset. The DenseNet121 model, which addresses the vanishing gradient problem, was used for transfer learning. The model created in this study can classify fundus images to three classes of Diabetic retinopathy, Glaucoma, and healthy eye with an average accuracy of 84.78%, a precision of 84.75%, and a recall of 84.76%. Although by training a model on a mild DR omitted dataset, these metrics increased significantly to an accuracy of 97.97%, a precision of 97.97%, and a recall of 97.96%. Results demonstrated that excluding mild diabetic retinopathy cases from the dataset significantly improved the model's performance.
A Deep-Learning Approach for Identifying Prospective Chemical Hazards
Authors: Habiballah Sohaib , Heath Lenwood S. , Reisfeld Brad
Published: July 2023

With the aim of helping to set safe exposure limits for the general population, various techniques have been implemented to conduct risk assessments for chemicals and other environmental stressors; however, none of these tools facilitate the identification of completely new chemicals that are likely hazardous and elicit an adverse biological effect. Here, we detail a novel in silico, deep-learning framework that is designed to systematically generate structures for new chemical compounds that are predicted to be chemical hazards. To assess the utility of the framework, we applied the tool to four endpoints related to environmental toxicants and their impacts on human and animal health: (i) toxicity to honeybees, (ii) immunotoxicity, (iii) endocrine disruption via ER-α antagonism, and (iv) mutagenicity. In addition, we characterized the predicted potency of these compounds and examined their structural relationship to existing chemicals of concern. As part of the array of emerging new approach methodologies (NAMs), we anticipate that such a framework will be a significant asset to risk assessors and other environmental scientists when planning and forecasting. Though not in the scope of the present study, we expect that the methodology detailed here could also be useful in the de novo design of more environmentally-friendly industrial chemicals.
Total and Differential Ionization Cross Sections in collision between Nitrogen atom and Singly Charged Sodium Ion
Authors: Al-Ajaleen M , Tőkési K
Published: July 2023

We present a theoretical study of the ionization of nitrogen atom by a singly charged sodium ion using the classical trajectory Monte Carlo (CTMC) method. Although we suffer from a lack of cross section data of this collision system, the knowledge of the basic cross sections is essential in fusion science, because this reaction has potential applications in the diagnostic of magnetically confined fusion plasmas. In our investigations, the Na +-N(2p) collision system is reduced to a three-body problem. The interaction between the collision partners is described by the Garvey-type model potential. The results of our study provide insight into the dynamics of singly charged sodium-nitrogen interactions. The total cross sections are presented in the impact energy range between 10 keV and – 100 MeV and compared them with the available experimental data. The single and double differential cross sections are presented at 30, 40, 50 and 60 keV energies related to the energies of the plasma diagnostic used in the nuclear fusion.
Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHQoL) in implant-supported rehabilitations: a longitudinal prospective single-center observational cohort study
Authors: Manfredini Mattia , Pellegrini Matteo , Rigoni Marta , Beretta Mario , Maiorana Carlo , Poli Pier Paolo
Published: July 2023

Background.To evaluate Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) perceived by the patient before and after implant-prosthetic rehabilitation, to determine the physical and psychological impact that dental implants and related prosthetic rehabilitations could have in partial or edentulous patients. Finally, it was evaluated if demographic and clinical variables could influence the patient's perceived OHRQoL.
Methods.A longitudinal prospective single-center observational cohort study was conducted with patients requiring implant-prosthetic rehabilitation to evaluate OHRQoL before (T0), during (T1), and after treatment (T2) with implant-prosthetic rehabilitations. The three scores obtained at T0, T1, and T2, respectively, were compared with the variables patient's sex, age, implants placed in the aesthetic zone versus nonaesthetic zone, number of implants used in the rehabilitation, site of rehabilitation, type of definitive prosthetic rehabilitation, and type of recipient's bone.
Results. A total of 100 patients rehabilitated with 427 implants were enrolled. Statistically significant data emerged regarding the total OHRQoL score, its 7 domains, and VAS score in the 3 times considered and in relation to gender, age, aesthetics, implants number, dental arch, type of prosthesis, and type of surgery.
Conclusions. Implant-prosthetic rehabilitations significantly improve OHRQoL and aesthetics in edentulous or partially edentulous patients. The change in OHRQoL is accompanied by a marked improvement in the patient's aesthetic perception of the new smile similar in all intervals of the study.
Hemoglobin-to-platelet-count ratio is an independent predictor of cardiovascular fitness in children: Does residential air quality provide the mechanism?
Authors: Nevill Alan M , Reuter Cézane Priscila , Brand Caroline , Sehn Ana Paula , Renner Jane Dagmar Pollo , Lemes Vanilson Batista , Duncan Michael
Published: July 2023

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a well-known and robust indicator of health in childhood, as well as a valuable predictor of all-cause mortality in adulthood. Understanding the associations and possible mechanisms between CRF and residential location is an important focus for public health research. A cross-sectional sample of 2250 children and adolescents, aged 6 to 17 years, were recruited from public and private schools in Santa Cruz do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In addition to age, sex, and body size measurements, we also recorded hemoglobin and platelet count measurements using venous blood samples (10ml). CRF was predicted using the 6-minute run/walk test. The association between CRF and a range of possible predictors was explored using allometry. Results identified a novel and independent association between the hemoglobin-to-platelet count ratio and children’s CRF, having controlled for the usual confounding variables of age, sex, and body size. We also provide evidence of a possible mechanism for this association, having identified reduced measures of hemoglobin and increased platelet counts observed in children living in urban (vs rural) areas. These results suggest the need for more effective public health practices and policies related to the health effects of the built environment for children and adults in Brazil. We can also speculate that similar changes in health policy are necessary in congested cities worldwide, such as the introduction of ultra-low emission zones in London (introduced in April 2019).
Genomic analysis of the marine fungi Rhodotorula sphaerocarpa ETNP2018 reveals adaptation to the open ocean
Authors: Lane Dylan M. , Valentine David L. , Peng Xuefeng
Published: July 2023

Background
Despite a rising interest in the diversity and ecology of fungi in the ocean, there are few published genomes of fungi isolated from the ocean. The basidiomycetous yeast genus Rhodotorula are prevalent and abundant in the open ocean, and they have been isolated from a wide range of other environments. Many of these environments are nutrient poor, such as the Antarctica and the Atacama deserts, raising the question as to how Rhodotorula yeasts may have adapted their metabolic strategies to optimize survival under low nutrient conditions. In order to understand their adaptive strategies in the ocean, the genome of R. sphaerocarpa ETNP2018 was compared to that of fourteen representative Rhodotorula yeasts, isolated from a variety of environments.
Results
Rhodotorula sphaerocarpa ETNP2018, a strain isolated from the oligotrophic part of the eastern tropical North Pacific (ETNP) oxygen minimum zone (OMZ), hosts the smallest of the fifteen genomes yet encodes an average number of proteins and transcription factors. Its genome exhibits a distinct reduction in genes dedicated to Major Facilitator Superfamily transporters as well as biosynthetic enzymes. However, its core metabolic pathways are fully conserved. Our research indicates that the selective pressures of the ETNP OMZ favor a streamlined genome with reduced overall biosynthetic potential balanced by a stable set of core metabolisms and an expansion of mechanisms for nutrient acquisition.
Conclusions
In summary, this study offers novel insights into the adaptation of fungi to the oligotrophic ocean and provides valuable information for understanding the ecological roles of fungi in the ocean.
The impact of residual inflammatory risk of albumin combined with C-reactive protein on long-term mortality in cardiovascular disease patients
Authors: Zhu Houyong , Wang Hanxin , Zhu Xinyu , Xu Xiaoqun , Yang Chao , Liu Xiao , Chen Qilan , Fang Xiaojiang , Gao Beibei , Ping Yan , Tong Guoxin , Xie Jianchang , Jin Xiangbo , Guan Yihong , Zhao Guoying , Chen Tielong , Huang Jinyu
Published: July 2023

Purpose
The secondary prevention strategy for cardiovascular disease (CVD) does not include anti-inflammatory treatment, which may lead to some patients being in a high inflammatory state for a long time. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the residual inflammatory risk based on Glasgow Outcome Score (GPS) and long-term mortality in patients with CVD.
Methods
This study included 3833 patients (≥ 20 years old) with CVD in the National Health and Nutrition Survey from 1999 to 2010. The death result is determined by the correlation with the national death index on December 31, 2019. GPS consists of serum C-reactive protein and albumin. The main outcome was all-cause death, including cardiac death and non-cardiac death. The Cox proportional hazards adjusted for demographic factors and traditional cardiovascular risk factors were used to test the impact of GPS level on mortality. The sensitivity analysis included components of CVD, heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina, heart attack, and stroke.
Results
Among 3833 CVD patients with a median follow-up of 9.6 years, 2431 all-cause deaths, 822 cardiac deaths, and 1609 non-cardiac deaths were recorded. After full model adjustment, compared with the GPS (0) group, the risk ratio (HR) of all-cause death for GPS (1) and GPS (2) were 1.667 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.490–1.865) and 2.835 (95% CI, 2.077–3.869), respectively (P for trend < 0.001). Compared with the GPS (0) group, the HR of cardiac death for GPS (1) and GPS (2) were 1.693 (95% CI, 1.395–2.053) and 2.268 (95% CI, 1.264–4.070), respectively (P for trend < 0.001). Compared with the GPS (0) group, the HR of non-cardiac death for GPS (1) and GPS (2) were 1.656 (95% CI, 1.443–1.901) and 3.136 (95% CI, 2.171–4.530), respectively (P for trend < 0.001). The results of the sensitivity analysis were almost consistent with the overall cohort.
Conclusions
Using the US national database, and adjusting for a large number of potential confounders through flexible modeling, we found that residual inflammatory risk based on GPS was strongly associated with a increased risk of death in patients with CVD and that the higher GPS level was associated with an increased risk of death, and this score, which consists of readily available biomarkers, may in the future be used for risk stratification and potentially for improving patient outcomes.
Short and decadal impacts of seafloor physical perturbation on the abundances of Lebensspuren ‘traces of life’ in the Peru Basin manganese nodule province.
Authors: Purser Autun , Vornsand Ina , Boehringer Lilian , Thomsen Laurenz
Published: July 2023

Interest in deep sea mining for polymetallic nodules as an alternative source to onshore mines for various high technology metals has risen in recent years, as demands and costs have increased. The need for studies to assess its short- and long-term consequences on polymetallic nodule ecosystems is therefore also increasingly prescient. Recent image-based expedition studies have described the temporal impacts on epi-/megafauna seafloor communities across these ecosystems at particular points in time. However, these studies have failed to capture information on large infauna within the sediments or give information on potential transient and temporally limited users of these areas, such as mobile surface deposit feeders or fauna responding to bloom events or food fall depositions. This study uses data from the Peru Basin polymetallic nodule province where the seafloor was disturbed in 1989 and 2015 to simulate mining disturbance. To try and address the shortfall on transient fauna and infauna use of these various disturbed and undisturbed regions of nodule-rich seafloor, images collected 6 months after the 2015 disturbance event were inspected and all Lebensspuren, ‘traces of life’ were characterized by type and logged, along with whether they occurred on undisturbed seafloor, or regions disturbed in 1989 or 2015. The results show that traces of surface/ocean interface use of disturbed areas by infauna and mobile fauna are at least 50% lower, even 26 years after disturbance, with many trace categories not present in even low numbers on disturbed seafloor areas.
Safety assessments and clinical features of PARP inhibitors from real-world data of Japanese patients with ovarian cancer
Authors: Uekusa Ryosuke , Yokoi Akira , Watanabe Eri , Yoshida Kosuke , Yoshihara Masato , Tamauchi Satoshi , Shimizu Yusuke , Ikeda Yoshiki , Yoshikawa Nobuhisa , Niimi Kaoru , Suzuki Shiro , Kajiyama Hiroaki
Published: July 2023

Background
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, such as olaparib and niraparib, have been increasingly used in ovarian cancer treatment. However, the real-world safety data of these drugs in Japanese patients and the predictability of treatment interruptions are limited.
Methods
This retrospective study included 181 patients with ovarian cancer who received olaparib or niraparib at two independent hospitals in Japan between May 2018 and December 2022. Clinical information and blood sampling data were collected. Patient characteristics, treatment history, and hematological data trends were compared, and the predictability of treatment interruptions based on blood sampling data was examined.
Results
Regarding patient backgrounds, the olaparib group had higher proportions of patients with serous carcinoma, BRCA positivity, homologous recombination deficiency, and those receiving maintenance therapy after recurrence treatment than the niraparib group. Regarding toxicity properties, the most common reasons for discontinuation in the olaparib group were anemia, fatigue, and nausea, while discontinuation was primarily due to thrombocytopenia in the niraparib group. Thrombocytopenia caused by niraparib treatment occurred earlier than anemia caused by olaparib treatment. Patients with a low body mass index or who had undergone several previous treatment regimens were more likely to discontinue treatment due to adverse effects within the first 3 months. Although we analyzed blood collection data, predicting treatment interruptions due to blood toxicity using blood data was challenging.
Conclusions
In this study, we revealed the characteristics of patients and the timing of interruptions for each drug, highlighting the importance of carefully managing adverse effects, particularly during the early treatment stages.
The role of antipsychotics and other drugs on the development and progression of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Authors: Kyotani Yoji , Zhao Jing , Nakahira Kiichi , Yoshizumi Masanori
Published: July 2023

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but serious and sometimes fatal complication in patients taking antipsychotic drugs, and its underlying mechanism still remains unclear. The pharmacotherapy for psychotic disorders is complicated and often involves a combination of two or more drugs, including drugs other than antipsychotics. In the present study, we used the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database to broadly investigate the drugs associated with NMS, following their related pathways, as well as the drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in NMS. All analyses were performed using data from the JADER database from April 2004 to May 2022. Single-drug signals were evaluated using the reporting odds ratio (ROR) and proportional reporting ratio (PRR), and drug pathways were investigated using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). DDIs were evaluated using the Ω shrinkage measure and Chi-square statistics models. All drugs associated with 20 or more NMS cases in the JADER database exhibited signals for NMS, including non-antipsychotics. Pathways associated with the drugs included the dopaminergic or serotonergic synapses related to antipsychotics. DDIs leading to NMS were confirmed for several drug combinations exhibiting single-drug signals. This study confirmed the significant association of various drugs, including non-psychotics, with NMS and suggested that various pathways related to these drugs may be involved in the progression of NMS. In addition, several combinations of these drugs were found to interact (DDI), increasing the risk of NMS, which suggests that appropriate caution should be taken when administering these drugs.
Assessment of Hypoxemia among Young Adults with Sickle Cell Anaemia in Steady State: A cross‑sectional study
Authors: Asafa Muritala A. , Ahmed Ibrahim O. , Afolabi Michael S. , Bolarinwa Rahman A. , Ogunlade Oluwadare
Published: July 2023

Objectives
Hypoxia is a known feature of sickle cell anaemia (SCA) which results from chronic anaemia and recurrent vaso-occlusive crisis which can cause tissue ischaemia that leads to an end organ damage. The hallmark of SCA is chronic anaemia and recurrent vaso-occlusive crisis. The aim of this study is to compare the oxygen saturation of sickle cell anaemic individuals with the normal haemoglobin type (Hb AA) control and also to determine the prevalence of hypoxemia among SCA.
Results
Two-hundred and twenty-two (136 Hb SS and 86 Hb AA) participated in the study. The mean ± SD of age (years), oxygen saturation (%) and pulse rate (bpm) of participants with sickle cell anaemia and Hb AA control were 21.85 ± 3.04 and 22.14 ± 3.18 (t = 0.701, p = 0.436), 95.21 ± 3.02 and 98.07 ± 0.81 (t=-8.598, p < 0.0001) and 77.10 ± 9.28 and 73.16 ± 8.52 (t = 3.173, p = 0.002) respectively. The prevalence of hypoxemia among SCA participants was 47.1%. Prevalence of hypoxemia in males with SCA was 60.9% while 39.1% of the females had hypoxemia.
Surviving a tiger attack at a Japanese safari park: A case report
Authors: Fujii Kouichi , Kikuchi Jin , Uchida Masatoshi , Machida Masanari , Tsuchiya Midori , Hayashi Kentaro , Maekawa Nana , Houzimi Hajime , Honda Arata , Wake Koji
Published: July 2023

Background:Big cat bites are highly lethal due to the enormous bite force of these animals. This article reviews the morphology of these types of injuries and key points of management through a survival case at a Japanese safari park.
Case presentation: We report the case of a 26-year-old female keeper who was attacked by a tiger. She was quickly transported to our university hospital by ambulance helicopter. The keeper was severely bitten on the head and face and had wounds all over her body. Craniofacial repair was performed by emergency surgery. She suffered mild facial nerve paralysis and trismus because of being bitten by the tiger, and is currently recovering.
Conclusions:A multidisciplinary approach of the severe tiger bites successfully treated a young woman cosmetically and mentally. Animal farms and zoos that keep tigers should take strict measures to avoid direct confrontation with tigers.
Surgical and radiological perspectives for the Spinal Accessory Nerve passing through a fenestrated Internal Jugular Vein: case series and literature review
Authors: Guarino Pierre , Tesauro Paolo , Mattioli Francesco , Caporale Claudio Donadio , Presutti Livio , Giordano Leone
Published: July 2023

Rationale
The preservation of the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) represents a key goal in head and neck oncologic surgery during selective neck dissection. This study aims to illustrate the anatomical variants of the XI cranial nerve, delving into the relationship between the spinal nerve and the internal jugular vein (IJV), as well as the surgical implications.
Materials and Methods
Two cases of patients who underwent oncologic surgery with neck dissection are described. Both cases found the SAN passing through the fenestration of the internal jugular vein.
An independent literature review was conducted alongside the case report using the Medline and PubMed databases. Articles were selected by searching for the following key words: "spinal accessory nerve," "cranial nerve XI," "shoulder syndrome," "fenestrated jugular vein," "anatomy," "surgical anatomy," and "anatomical variant."
This review aims to describe: the incidence of the anatomical variants of the accessory nerve, its resulting surgical implications, the imaging techniques useful in their identification and the underlying embryology.
Results
According to the literature, in the majority of cases (67–96%), the SAN traces a lateral course to the IJV. Less frequently, the XI cranial nerve courses medial to the IJV. A rarer anatomical variant, as described in the case report of this article, sees the nerve crossing through the fenestration of the vein (incidence: 0.48–3.3%). One report also indicates the nerve splitting around the internal jugular vein.
Conclusions
Anatomic variants of the spinal nerve are less frequent but their knowledge is of paramount importance to the head and neck surgeon in order to avoid iatrogenic damage to the SAN and the IJV.
Possible Influence of Psychological Distance to Women’s Intrasexual Mating Competition
Authors: Widman David R. , Fisher Maryanne L. , Burch Rebecca L.
Published: July 2023

Purpose
Researchers have studied intrasexual competition by priming the competition using a variety of techniques, including manipulated sex ratios and vignettes implying a competition either for resources critical for obtaining mates or directly for mates. When priming intrasexual competition, changes in the dependent variable of interest are generally taken as prima facie evidence of intrasexual competition; few researchers have tried to independently assess intrasexual competition.
Methods
The studies presented here replicate and extend one such state measure of intrasexual competition using words taken from the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) with additional competition words (PANAS-Short Form with an added competitive subscale). The first study used a vignette manipulation and the second used a sex ratio manipulation. Participants then responded to the modified PANAS, the Intrasexual Competition Scale (ICS) and the Intrasexual Rivalry Scale (IRS).
Results
Results indicated that neither manipulation resulted in differences on the ICS or IRS. There were differences on the negative and competitive subscales of the modified PANAS, but only for the vignettes manipulation; sex ratio did not result in effects on any of the subscales. These results suggest that different intrasexual competition primes may not be accessible by a single measure.
Conclusion
One explanation may be that the vignettes specify a target while the unbalanced sex ratios do not, which could create a difference in the psychological distance to a target. Studies in non-human animals have shown that distance and time to reinforcement affects the types of responses and conditioned responses that the reinforcer can support (e.g., behavior systems, Timberlake & Lucas, 1989), which we apply to this work.
Prognostic impact and predictors of persistent renal dysfunction in acute kidney injury after percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Nakamura Takuya , Watanabe Makoto , Sugiura Junichi , Kyodo Atsushi , Nobuta Saki , Nogi Kazutaka , Nakada Yasuki , Ishihara Satomi , Hashimoto Yukihiro , Nakagawa Hitoshi , Ueda Tomoya , Seno Ayako , Nishida Taku , Onoue Kenji
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact and predictors of persistent renal dysfunction in acute kidney injury (AKI) after an emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A total of 877 patients who underwent emergency PCI for AMI were examined. AKI was defined as serum creatinine (SCr) ≥ 0.3 mg/dL or ≥ 50% from baseline within 48 h after PCI. Persistent AKI was defined as residual impairment of SCr ≥ 0.3 mg/dL or ≥ 50% from baseline 1 month after the procedure. The primary outcome was the composite endpoints of death, myocardial infarction, hospitalization for heart failure, stroke, and dialysis. AKI and persistent AKI were observed in 82 (9.4%) and 25 (2.9%) patients, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated that persistent AKI, but not transient AKI, was an independent predictor of primary outcome (hazard ratio, 4.99; 95% confidence interval, 2.30–10.8; P < 0.001). Age > 75 years, left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%, and a high maximum creatinine phosphokinase MB level were independently associated with persistent AKI. Persistent AKI was independently associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients who underwent emergency PCI for AMI. Advanced age, poor cardiac function, and large myocardial necrosis were predictors of persistent AKI.
Optimizing the baiting strategy for oral vaccine delivery to wild boar
Authors: Pachauri Richa , Martínez-Guijosa Jordi , Ferreras-Colino Elisa , Ferreres Javier , Relimpio David
Published: July 2023

Baits are a means of orally delivering toxicants, medicaments or chemical markers to wild boar and feral pigs (Sus scrofa). We tested three bait types, the paraffin-feed-sugar based IREC bait (green and colorant-free versions), a puffed leguminous bait with the same flavoring as the IREC bait (Flavor), and a plain puffed leguminous bait without flavoring (Plain). Baits were deployed in a fenced hunting estate with year-round feeding to assess bait type preference and study the effect of bait flavoring and coloring, pre-feeding, baiting device, and habituation on bait consumption and bait selectivity. Baits were deployed under heavy pavel stones, targeting adult wild boar, or in piglet-selective feeders. The main bait consumer was the wild boar (IREC 54%; Flavor 15%; Plain 16%) followed by Azure-winged magpies (Cyanopica cooki; IREC 11%; Flavor 8%; Plain 17%). The most consumed bait was IREC (n = 164; 71%, mean 4.1 baits per site/day), followed by Flavor (102; 40%; 2.5) and Plain (70; 29%; 1.7). Pre-feeding increased bait consumption of all bait types (IREC 92%; Flavor 63%; Plain 40%). IREC baits were more consumed when deployed under stones (86%) than when deployed in piglet feeders (57%), while no difference between baiting devices was observed for Flavor and Plain baits. Birds preferred color-free baits (consumption ratio of 10% for color-free baits and 0% for green baits), while no other animal showed color preference. We suggest using green IREC-type baits, deployed after pre-baiting using species- and age-specific baiting devices.
Circadian rhythm dysregulation aggravates adipose tissue depletion in heart failure-induced cachexia
Authors: Ma Dufang , Qu Yiwei , Wu Tao , Liu Xue , Cai Lu , Wang Yong
Published: July 2023

Background
The circadian clock is involved in lipid metabolism in adipocytes. The impairment of circadian clocks is a major cause of metabolic diseases, but the pathophysiological role of the circadian clock in adipose tissue depletion, in cachexia, remains unclear. To address this issue, we investigated the effects of circadian clock misalignment on adipose tissue metabolism in cardiac cachexia.
Methods
We produced cardiac cachexia rat models through injection of monocrotaline (MCT), which caused pulmonary hypertension-induced heart failure (HF). Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography. The histological features in fat and liver tissue were observed by H&E staining, Oil Red O staining and Picrosirius red staining. Immunohistochemical staining, Western blotting and RT‒qPCR were used to detect markers of lipolysis, lipogenesis and beiging of adipose tissue in white adipose tissue (WAT) and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT).
Results
We found that rats with MCT injection exhibited right and left ventricular dysfunction. Compared with rats in the control group, rats housed in the light: dark cycle (LD group) exhibited disrupted circadian rhythm reflected by increased BMAL1 protein and decreased REV-ERBα. Meanwhile, these rats displayed decreased adipose mass and increased ectopic lipid deposition; moreover, smaller adipocytes and reduced lipid contents as well as increased extracellular matrix were found. In WAT, rats in the LD group exhibited elevated PKA-mediated lipolysis and WAT browning, while lipid storage was decreased as lipogenesis was inhibited. Meanwhile, in BAT, PKA-mediated thermogenesis was increased. NT-proBNP levels in blood and NE and IL-6 contents in adipose tissue were higher in the LD group than in the control group. Remarkably, compared with rats in the LD group, rats with circadian misalignment in the DL group and LV-Bmal1 shRNA group exhibited aggravated lipolysis and WAT browning, inhibited lipid storage in WAT, and elevated PKA-mediated thermogenesis in BAT. Moreover, rats in the DL group and LV-Bmal1 shRNA group showed higher levels of NT-proBNP in blood and NE and IL-6 contents in adipose tissue than rats in the LD group.
Conclusion
Our study suggested that a disrupted circadian rhythm aggravated fat wasting in patients with HF-induced cachexia by increasing lipolysis, preventing lipid storage in WAT and promoting beiging/brown adipocyte thermogenesis. This result indicated that stabilizing adipose tissue rhythms may help to combat disrupted energy homeostasis and alleviate excessive adipose tissue expenditure in HF-induced cachexia.
Seismic kernel matrix and the effect of a surface receiver array on the condition number
Authors: Landschulze Marcus
Published: July 2023

Moment tensor inversion is a valuable tool for understanding what is happening below the surface during hydraulic fracturing or reservoir monitoring. The reliability of the inversion is critical to estimating the source mechanism, and the condition number is used as a measure of accuracy. The lower the condition number, the better the inversion. But how to estimate the maximum condition number to provide a reliable inversion result? I present 3D simulation results of the condition number around the source location and how real seafloor noise and the receiver position error affect the inversion misfit. These simulation results can be used for planning seismic monitoring projects to find an optimal array geometry and to evaluate the inversion accuracy at a given target area.
Earthquake risk assessment using OpenQuake and GIS: A case study of Cyprus.
Authors: Azizi Amir , Yaghoobi Mahdi , Kamel Reza
Published: July 2023

In recent times, earthquakes have surpassed droughts and floods as the most devastating natural disasters. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to evaluate, analyze, and simulate the seismic vulnerability of Cyprus. The outcomes will be invaluable for humanitarian and governmental organizations in the face of large-scale calamities, as well as for implementing preventive measures to mitigate earthquake impacts. To achieve this, the research focused on assessing the seismic vulnerability of buildings in Cyprus through seismic hazard analysis and the development of vulnerability curves. Two scenarios were employed to determine the potential damage caused by ground accelerations on different structures and elements. The proposed methodology offers effective solutions for disaster management and risk reduction in the region, offering a comprehensive evaluation of the seismic vulnerability of buildings in Cyprus. Additionally, a risk analysis map was utilized to estimate the seismic losses incurred by the buildings under investigation. The results indicate that, on average, the first and second earthquake scenarios resulted in structural damage percentages of 29% and 43% respectively. Moreover, simulation results indicate that, in the worst-case scenario, approximately 2% of the buildings in Cyprus could be destroyed. These findings provide valuable insights for reducing the vulnerability of buildings in Cyprus to earthquake events.
Geotechnical changes of Thypha domingensis fiber-derived geotextile under degradation due to climatic variables
Authors: Holanda Francisco Sandro Rodrigues , Santos Luiz Diego Vidal , De Melo Jeangela Carla Rodrigues , Boge Gizelio Menezes , Sussuchi Eliana Midori , Nascimento Brenno Lima , Santos Marcos Vinícius Quirino dos , de Oliveira Marla Ibrahim Uehbe
Published: July 2023

Geotextiles made from plant fibers creates a suitable environment for plant growth as part of soil bioengineering techniques. The faster decomposition of plant fiber geotextiles compared to synthetic ones demands the use of composites that enhance their waterproofing and extend their durability in the environment. The objective of this work was to assess the resistance of a geotextile made with Thypha domingensis to degradation caused by climatic variables. Tensile strength tests were conducted in the laboratory in order to evaluate the degradation of geotextiles treated with single and double layers of waterproofing resin. Based on Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images, it was verified that applying waterproofing resin twice delays the degradation of the fibers for up to 120 days of exposure to the effects of climatic variables other than temperature. The maximum resistance losses due to the geotextile's exposure to degradation were statistically significant for the all three treatments: control-without waterproofing resin, with one layer of resin, and with two layers of resin. Therefore, waterproofing resin, as a low-cost material, provides a long-term protective solution for geotextiles made from cattail fibers.
Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis in pediatric patients: a case series of 7 patients
Authors: Hu Minhua , Zeng WenXing , Tang XinTao , Huang Feng , Xiong Hao , Fang Bing , Li Yue
Published: July 2023

Background:
Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare auto-inflammatory disorder that often eludes accurate diagnosis due to its atypical symptomatology. This retrospective study aims to investigate the clinical manifestations, laboratory parameters, imaging characteristics, and therapeutic approaches employed in the management of CRMO among pediatric patients.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of seven pediatric patients diagnosed with CRMO, who sought treatment at the Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, between January 2018 and February 2022. The objective was to enhance clinicians' comprehension of CRMO through an in-depth exploration of pertinent clinical data.
Results:
The study cohort consisted of five males and two females, with a median age of 12 years (range: 3-13 years). The median duration from symptom onset to hospital admission was 6 months (range: 1.5-24 months). All patients presented with recurrent pain, accompanied by manifestations such as hypothermia (14.28%), swelling (42.85%), localized elevated skin temperature (42.85%), and plantar pustules (14.28%). The femur (71.42%) and tibia (71.42%) were the most frequently affected bones. Radiographic and computed tomography (CT) imaging unveiled osteosclerosis and osteolytic lesions, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed evidence of bone marrow edema. Histological examination of bone biopsies from four patients demonstrated conspicuous fibrous tissue hyperplasia, along with lymphocytic and neutrophilic infiltration, despite negative bacterial culture results. Laboratory assessments unveiled predominantly normal or slightly elevated indices. Symptomatic remission was achieved in six patients (85.72%) following nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy, whereas one patient (14.28%) exhibited resistance to NSAID treatment but exhibited a favorable response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor therapy.
Conclusions:
The clinical presentation of CRMO lacks specificity, with unexplained bone pain emerging as the most prevalent symptom. Accurate diagnosis and timely intervention heavily rely on meticulous MRI evaluation, facilitating lesion detection and bolstering the diagnostic yield of CRMO. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the clinical manifestations, laboratory parameters, imaging characteristics, and therapeutic strategies employed in the management of CRMO among pediatric patients.
Receipt of seasonal malaria chemoprevention by age-ineligible children and associated factors in nine implementation states in Nigeria
Authors: Ibinaiye Taiwo , Rotimi Kunle , Balogun Ayodeji , Aidenagbon Adaeze , Oguoma Chibuzo , Rassi Christian , Baker Kevin , Oresanya Olusola , Nnaji Chuks
Published: July 2023

Background: As part of implementation quality standards, community distributors are expected to ensure that only age-eligible children (aged 3 – 59 months) receive seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) medicines during monthly campaigns. There is uncertainty about the extent to which SMC medicines are administered to ineligible children. This study therefore aimed to assess the magnitude of this occurrence, while exploring the factors associated with it across nine states where SMC was delivered in Nigeria during the 2022 round.
Methods: We extracted data from representative end-of-round SMC household surveys and analyzed data of 3,299 caregiver-child pairs sampled from nine SMC-implementing states in Nigeria. Prevalence of receipt of SMC medicines by ineligible children was described by child-, caregiver- and SMC-related factors. Mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to explore the factors associated with the occurrence.
Results: 30.30% (95% CI: 27.80 – 32.90) of ineligible children sampled received at least one dose of SMC medicines in 2022, the majority (60.60%) of whom were aged 5-6 years while the rest were aged 7-10 years. We observed higher odds of an age-ineligible child receiving SMC among caregivers who had poor knowledge of SMC age eligibility (OR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.24 – 2.57, p=0.002), compared with those who were knowledgeable of age eligibility. Higher odds of receipt of SMC were also found among age-ineligible children whose caregivers had higher confidence in the protective effect of SMC against malaria (OR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.3 – 4.2, p=0.007), compared with those whose caregivers were less confident. Conversely, ineligible children whose caregivers were older than 20 years had lower odds of receiving SMC than those whose caregivers were younger; with lower odds among children of caregivers aged 20-29 years (OR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.28 – 0.81, p = 0.007), 30-39 years (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.24 – 0.69, p=0.001), and 40-49 years (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.29 – 0.91, p=0.024).
Conclusions: This study contributes important evidence on the magnitude of the receipt of SMC by age-ineligible children, while identifying individual and contextual factors associated with it. The findings provide potentially useful insights that can help inform and guide context-specific SMC implementation quality improvement efforts.
3D Network-On-Chip Data Acquisition System Mapping Based on Reinforcement Learning and Improved Attention Mechanism
Authors: Xu Chuanpei , Shi Xiuli , Wang Yang
Published: July 2023

The 3D Network-on-Chip (NoC) data acquisition system utilizes NoC technology to establish a time-interleaved data acquisition system The mapping scheme determines the location of each Intellectual Property (IP) node in the NoC topology. The optimization of the mapping algorithm is one of the important means to reduce the communication delay of the acquisition system. The abundance of functional IP nodes in the 3D NoC data acquisition system creates a mapping challenge. To address this, we propose a mapping algorithm called Reinforcement Learning and an improved Attention Mechanism Mapping algorithm (RA-Map). The RA-Map mapping algorithm employs node function encoding and node position encoding to express the properties of an IP node in the task graph preprocessing. The local attention mechanism is used in the mapping network encoder, and the fusion of dynamic key node information is proposed in the decoder. The mapping result evaluation network achieves unsupervised training of the mapping network. These targeted improvements ultimately lead to an enhancement in mapping quality. Experimental results demonstrate that when compared to the discrete particle swarm algorithm and simulated annealing algorithm, the RA-Map mapping algorithm reduces the average communication cost by 6.5% and 8.5%, respectively. Furthermore, while ensuring mapping quality, it also shortens the mapping time.