bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers and facilitators to the recruitment of disabled people to clinical trials: a scoping review
Authors: Shariq Sameed , Pinto Alexandra Cardoso , Budathoki Shyam Sundar , Miller Marie , Cro Suzie
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Underrepresentation of disabled groups in clinical trials results in an inadequate evidence base for their clinical care, which drives health inequalities. This study aims to review and map the potential barriers and facilitators to the recruitment of disabled people in clinical trials to identify knowledge gaps and areas for further extensive research. The review addresses the question: ‘What are the barriers and facilitators to recruitment of disabled people to clinical trials?’
Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Scoping review guidelines were followed to complete the current scoping review. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched via Ovid. The literature search was guided by a combination of four key concepts from the research question: 1) Disabled Populations, 2) Patient Recruitment, 3) Barriers and Facilitators, and 4) Clinical Trials. Papers discussing barriers and facilitators of all types were included. Papers that did not have at least one disabled group as their population were excluded. Data on study characteristics and identified barriers and facilitators were extracted. Identified barriers and facilitators were then synthesised according to common themes.
Results: The review included 56 eligible papers. The evidence on barriers and facilitators was largely sourced from articles considering empirical evidence and drawing on researcher perceptions and experiences. Carer and clinician perspectives were rarely represented in articles. The most common disability types for the population of interest in the literature were neurological and psychiatric disabilities. A total of five emergent themes were determined across the barriers and facilitators. These were: Risk vs benefit assessment, design and management of recruitment protocol, balancing internal and external validity considerations, consent and ethics, and systemic factors.
Conclusions: Both barriers and facilitators were often highly specific to disability type and context. Assumptions should be minimised, and study design should prioritise principles of co-design and be informed by a data-driven assessment of needs for the study population. Person-centred approaches to consent that empower disabled people to exercise their right to choose should be adopted in inclusive practice. Implementing these recommendations stands to improve inclusive practices in clinical trial research, serving to produce a well-rounded and comprehensive evidence base.
Correlated flat bands and quantum spin liquid state in a cluster Mott insulator
Authors: Hu Jiayu , Zhang Xuefeng , Hu Cong , Sun Jian , Wang Xiaoqun , Lin Hai-Qing , Li Gang
Published: November 2022

Flat bands are rare in pristine solid systems and are unstable against electronic correlations or other types of order. Compared to the atomic scale Hubbard systems and the Moiré materials, where the electronic correlations are confined to the lattice sites in the former and operate in a long-range fashion in the latter, flat band systems with short-range interactions that are free of spontaneous symmetry breaking are severely lacking. Such systems would nicely interpolate the atomic Mott insulator and the Moiré correlated insulators, providing a platform for understanding the connection of the two phases. With elegant analytical analysis and further verified by advanced numerical calculations, we convincingly reveal that monolayer Nb3Cl8 is a novel pristine flat band system with short-range nonlocal interactions. We provide strong evidence for it being a cluster Mott insulator and argue that it may constitute a rare candidate for molecular quantum spin liquid with flat bands. Furthermore, based on the cluster Mott insulator picture, we nicely solved the discrepancy recently observed in angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and density-functional theory calculations.
Bilinear form, Pfaffian, soliton and breather solutions for a (2+1)-dimensional generalized Konopelchenko-Dubrovsky-Kaup-Kupershmidt system in fluid mechanics and plasma physics
Authors: Cheng Chong-Dong , Tian Bo , Shen Yuan , Zhou Tian-Yu
Published: November 2022

In this paper, a (2+1)-dimensional generalized Konopelchenko-Dubrovsky-Kaup-Kupershmidt system in fluid mechanics and plasma physics is studied. Bilinear form under certain constraints is given via the Hirota method. The Nth-order Pfaffian solutions are proved via the Pfaffian technique, where N is a positive integer. N-soliton and the higher-order breather solutions are derived from the Nth-order Pfaffian solutions. Y/X-type solitons are constructed via adding some conditions to the N-soliton solutions. Elastic and inelastic interactions between the two solitons are presented graphically. Y/X-type breathers are constructed via adding some conditions to the higher-order breather solutions. Y-type breathers describe the inelastic interactions between the two breathers, and the X-type breathers describe the different two-breather structure. We investigate the influence of the coefficients in the system on those solitons and breathers as follows: the amplitudes of those solitons and breathers are related to l1 and l2; the periods of those breathers are related to l1, l2, l3 and l5, where l1, l2, l3 and l5 are the constant coefficients in the system.
A Local Water Molecular-heating Strategy for NIR Long-lifetime Imaging-guided Photothermal Therapy of Deep-tissue-bearing Tumor
Authors: Kang Dongkyu , Kim Hyung Shik , Han Soohyun , Lee Yeonju , Kim Young-Pil , Lee Dong Yun , Lee Joonseok
Published: November 2022

1.0 µm near-infrared (NIR) is considered unsuitable as an imaging and analytical signal in biological environments owing to the strong absorption of water at around the regions. Conversely, the 1.0 µm NIR can be converted to heat and used as a local water-molecular heating strategy for photothermal therapy of biological tissues. Herein, we designed a Nd-Yb co-doped nanomaterial (water-heating nanoparticles (NPs)) as a strong 1.0 µm emissive NP to target the absorption band of water. Furthermore, introducing Tm ions into the water-heating NPs improved the NIR lifetime, and it was developed as an NIR imaging-guided water-heating probe (water-heating NIR NPs). In the glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) mouse model, tumor-targeted water-heating NIR NPs reduced the tumor volume by 78.9% in the presence of high-resolution intracranial NIR long-lifetime imaging. Hence, water-heating NIR NPs can be used as a novel nanomaterial for imaging and photothermal ablation in deep-tissue-bearing tumor therapy.
Neural Network Modeling and Dynamic Behavior Prediction of Nonlinear Dynamic Systems
Authors: Zhang Luying , Sun Ying , Wang Aiwen , Zhang Junhua
Published: November 2022

In the complex dynamic problems of practical engineering, the method of establishing dynamic equations and numerical analysis based on theories of mechanics is difficult to meet the needs of high dimension, multi-scale and high precision. In this paper, data-driven models of nonlinear dynamic systems are built through neural network. The numerical solution of state equations is used to simulate the experimental data as well as training data of neural network. The loss function with two coefficients is constructed according to the relationship between the data. Forward Euler method and the trained neural network are combined to predict the response data of different excitation frequencies. Then, whole data-driven modeling and substructure data-driven modeling are presented to model and analyse a five-degree-of-freedom duffing oscillator. By comparison, the prediction accuracy of substructure data-driven modeling is higher. Furthermore, the influence of loss function, hidden layer, training data and noise on the accuracy of the model is studied. The results show that the selection of training data and the number of hidden layers have a great impact on the prediction ability, and verify accuracy, generalization and robustness of the model. In order to improve the prediction accuracy of substructure data-driven modeling, adjustable learning rate is adopted in the optimizer. The effects of adding control parameters to the network input (APNI) and not adding control parameters to the network input (NAPNI) on the dynamic characteristics are considered respectively. The prediction accuracy of the model can be effectively improved by adding control parameters to the network input.
Evaluation of dietary hemp seed meal as soybean meal substitution on productive performance, egg quality, and yolk fatty acid composition of laying hens
Authors: Ozturk Ergin , DARMAWAN Arif , ÖZLÜ Şevket , ABACI Samet Hasan
Published: November 2022

Hemp seed meals contain high protein and unsaturated fatty acids which have the potential as a substitute for soybean meal and yield eggs rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the impact of dietary hemp seed meal as a substitute for soybean meal protein on productive performances, egg quality, and yolk fatty acid composition. A total of 120 Lohmann Brown laying hens aged 50 weeks were separated into 4 groups and 10 repetitions with 3 birds each. Birds received treatment without hemp seed meal (control group), or soybean meal substituted with 4%, 8%, and 12% hemp seed meal. Dietary 4% hemp seed meal significantly increased (p < 0.05) feed efficiency and egg production compared to the 8% and 12% hemp seed meal group. Meanwhile, feed intake, egg weight, body weight loss, egg shape index, albumen index, albumen weight, Haugh unit, yolk weight, yolk index, and eggshell thickness had no significant influence (p > 0.05). However, dietary 8% and 12% hemp seed meal significantly increased (p < 0.05) eggshell weight and yolk color score compared to the control and 4% hemp seed meal group. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in omega-3 fatty acid levels and a significant decrease in yolk omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids ratio with an increase in dietary hemp seed meal. It concluded that dietary 4% hemp seed meal as soybean meal substitution was able to increase egg production, and feed efficiency compared to the level of 8% and 12% hemp seed meal. Increasing dietary levels of hemp seed meal increased eggshell weight, yolk color, and omega-3 fatty acids content, and decreased the omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids ratio.
Climate warming will affect the range dynamics of East Asian Meehania species: A maximum entropy approach.
Authors: Tiamiyu Bashir Bolaji , Ngarega Boniface K. , Zhang Xu , Zhang Huajie , Li Lijuan , Sun Jiao , Deng Tao , Wang Hengchang
Published: November 2022

Global climate change is among the major anthropogenic factors impacting species distribution, with significant conservation implications. Yet, little is known about the effects of climate warming on the distributional shifts of East Asian species. In the current study, we used the maximum entropy model (MaxEnt) to determine present and possible future habitats for five Meehania species occurring in the East Asian region. Our objectives were to evaluate how climate change would influence the species' habitat under current and future climate scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 and 8.5). The mean area under the curve (AUC) ranged between 0.896 and 0.973, while the TSS values for all species varied between 0.811 and 0.891. The modelled current habitat of the species corresponded with the recorded distribution localities, confirming the model's robustness. Analysis of variable contribution demonstrated that the distribution of the species had differential environmental requirements; however, isothermality, precipitation of driest month, and elevation variables were among the main influential variables. Based on present climatic conditions, the projected habitat suitability maps showed a total of 662,846.0 to 2,039,180.1 km2 as suitable regions for the distribution of Meehania species. In addition, there was a substantial loss in habitat range under future climatic scenarios for all the species. While the East Asian region is rich in biodiversity, more attention should be given to its management conservation. The current findings provide a scientific foundation for the conservation of Meehania and other species' habitats in the region.
Soliton solutions and their degenerations in the (2+1)-dimensional Hirota-Satsuma-Ito equations with
time-dependent linear phase speed
Authors: Chen Xin , Liu Yaqing , Zhuang Jianhong
Published: November 2022

This paper focuses on the exact soliton solutions of the (2+1)-dimensional generalized Hirota-Satsuma-Ito equations with time-dependent linear phase speed. Based on the Painlevé integrability test of this equation, the condition of the integrability is determined. Then the general N-soliton solutions are constructed by Hirota bilinear method. Not only the expressions of exact solutions and their degenerations, but also the spatial structures are presented for different choices of the parameters, including the line soliton, periodic soliton, lump soliton and their interaction forms.
Machine-Learning based process monitoring of automated composites manufacturing to enable digital twin development
Authors: Mujtaba Ahmed , Islam Faisal , Kaeding Patrick , Lindemann Thomas , Prusty B. Gangadhara
Published: November 2022

Automated fibre placement (AFP) is an advanced robotic manufacturing technique which can overcome the challenges of traditional composite manufacturing. The interlaminar strength of AFP-manufactured composites depends on the in-situ thermal history during manufacturing. The thermal history is controlled by the choice of processing conditions and improper interfacial temperatures may result in insufficient bonding. Being able to better predict such maintenance issues in real-time is an important focus of smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 to improve manufacturing operations. This study focuses on developing a digital tool for process monitoring which integrates the physical and digital space of the AFP process. The digital tool constitutes a machine learning model to predict the in-situ thermal history during AFP manufacturing. The predicted thermal history can be compared with the real-time in-situ temperatures during manufacturing to predict the quality of the layup. A GUI application is developed to provide benchmarking data for comparison with real-time temperatures during manufacturing enabling monitoring and predictive maintenance of the AFP process paving way for the development of a digital twin of the AFP composites manufacturing process.
Use of Stochastic Finite Fault Simulation Method for a Target Mw=5.5 event, 2016 Kumamoto foreshock (Mw=6.5) and mainshock (Mw=7.0) at ESG6 – Blind Trial Sites
Authors: Askan Aysegul , Karimzadeh Shaghayegh , Asten Michael
Published: November 2022

In this study, the authors aim to test practical simulations with the stochastic finite-fault method with a dynamic corner frequency for ground motion simulation at the SEVO and KUMA stations for the earthquakes listed by the ESG6 – Blind Trial Step 2 and 3 (BP2 and BP3) Working Group. The Step 2 exercise includes simulation of an Mw = 5.5 event while Step 3 involves simulation of 2016 Kumamoto foreshock (Mw = 6.5) and Kumamoto mainshock (Mw = 7.0). After validation at the reference station SEVO for Mw = 5.5 event, the ground motion at KUMA station is amplified in the frequency domain by generic site amplification factors using the site class NEHRP-D according to the Vs30 value computed on the 1D soil model established for the Step 1 result at KUMA. In Step 3, the same simulation method is used for ground motion simulation of the 2016 Kumamoto foreshock (Mw = 6.5) and mainshock (Mw = 7.0) at SEVO and KUMA stations. For both of these events, after validation at station SEVO, the hard rock ground motion at KUMA is simulated and then propagated through the 1D soil model established for KUMA, with an equivalent linear approach. The results prove that use of local earth models to model site amplifications along with well-defined source and path parameters in ground motion simulations yield accurate simulated motions.
Multi-omics analysis reveals changes in tryptophan and cholesterol metabolism before and after sexual maturation in captive macaques
Authors: Liu Xu , Liu Xuyuan , Wang Xinqi , Shang Ke , Li Jiawei , Lan Yue , Wang Jiao , Li Jing , Yue Bisong , He Miao , Fan Zhenxin
Published: November 2022

Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta, RMs) are widely used in sexual maturation studies due to their high genetic and physiological similarity to humans. However, judging sexual maturity in captive RMs based on blood physiological indicators, female menstruation, and male ejaculation behavior can be inaccurate. Here, we explored changes in RMs before and after sexual maturation based on multi-omics analysis and identified markers for determining sexual maturity. We found that differentially expressed microbiota, metabolites, and genes before and after sexual maturation showed many potential correlations. Specifically, genes involved in spermatogenesis (TSSK2, HSP90AA1, SOX5, SPAG16, and SPATC1) were up-regulated in male macaques, and significant changes in genes (CD36), metabolites (cholesterol, 7-ketolithocholic acid, and 12-ketolithocholic acid), and microbiota (Lactobacillus) related to cholesterol metabolism were also found, suggesting the sexually mature males have stronger sperm fertility and cholesterol metabolism compared to sexually immature males. In female macaques, most differences before and after sexual maturity were related to tryptophan metabolism, including changes in IDO1, IDO2, IFNGR2, IL1Β, IL10, L-tryptophan, kynurenic acid (KA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indoleacetaldehyde, and Bifidobacteria, indicating that sexually mature females exhibit stronger neuromodulation and intestinal immunity than sexually immature females. Cholesterol metabolism-related changes (CD36, 7-ketolithocholic acid, 12-ketolithocholic acid) were also observed in female and male macaques. We explored changes before and after sexual maturation through a multi-omics approach and identified potential biomarkers for judging sexual maturity in RMs, including Lactobacillus (for males) and Bifidobacterium (for females), which is valuable for RM breeding and sexual maturation research.
A new family of sulfamidophosphonates derivatives: Microwave-accelerated multicomponent synthesis, characterization and X-Ray Crystallographic Study.
Authors: GHODBANE Racha , K'TIR Hacène , BOUACIDA sofiane , ibrahim-ouali malika , aouf zineb , aouf nour-eddine
Published: November 2022

In this present study we describe a simple, effective and greener one-pot microwave-assisted synthesis of novel α-sulfamidophosphonates4(a-n)that were rationally designed and synthesized following the principle of the superposition of bioactive substructures. This reaction was accomplished by the condensation of various aromatic aldehydes, sulfamide and diethyl phosphiteviaKabachnik-Fields reaction using ethanol as solvent under catalyst-free condition. The corresponding products were obtained with good yield, in short reaction time and no side product was observed. All the newly synthesized compounds were systematically characterized byIR,1H NMR,13C NMRand31P NMRanalysis and the structures of the compounds4band4cwere further analyzed by single crystal X-ray diffraction.
Different cold tolerances among three strains of large yellow croaker: related to antioxidant defense and energy metabolism
Authors: Zeng Lin , Wang Yong-Hong , Ai Chun-Xiang , Zhang Hui , Huang Yu-Cong , Zou Wei-Guang
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study was to compare low-temperature tolerances in different strains of large yellow croaker. Dai Qu (DQ), Min-Yue Dong (MY) and Quan Zhou (NZ) strains of large yellow croaker were subjected to cold stress (8.6°C) for 12h, 24h, 48h and 96h. Survival rate, histological observation, antioxidant and energy metabolism indicators were determined. The results showed that compared with DQ group and MY group, NZ group aggravated hepatic structure, enhanced ROS, lactate and anaerobic metabolism (PK gene expression and activity), while inhibited ATP, GSH, antioxidant enzymes (mRNA levels and activities of SOD, GPx and CAT) and aerobic metabolism enzymes (mRNA levels and activities of F-ATPase, SDH and MDH), indicating the reduction of cold tolerance in NZ group was closely correlated with the decrement of antioxidative capacity and energy metabolism efficiency. Nrf2 and AMPK gene expressions were correlated with antioxidant and energy metabolism mRNA levels, respectively, suggesting Nrf2 and AMPK might participate in the modulation of target genes during the cold-stress adaptation. In conclusion, low temperature tolerance of fish depended on the antioxidant defense and energy metabolism efficiency, which contributes to understanding the underlying mechanisms of cold adaptation in large yellow croaker.
Large silicic magma chambers at the Moho depth characterize the multi-level plumbing system of back-arc spreading ridge
Authors: Gennaro Emanuela , Iezzi Gianluca , Cocchi Luca , Ventura Guido
Published: November 2022

The plumbing system of volcanoes in crustal convergent settings consists of vertically superimposed, sill-like reservoirs filled by less dense and SiO2-richer magmas moving upward. The plumbing systems of spreading ridges is supposed to be simpler and characterized by prevailing sub-parallel dikes. Here, we present the results of thermo-barometric determinations from minerals and modeling of field potential data at the Marsili spreading ridge in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea back-arc oceanic basin. The Marsili plumbing system consists of sill-like, large SiO2-rich magma reservoirs located at the Moho depth and sub-vertical basaltic dikes crossing the whole oceanic crust. The formation of deep-seated silicic reservoirs is associated with a decrease in the back-arc spreading rate. The geometry of the plumbing system of spreading ridges may be not dissimilar from that of volcanoes at convergent margins.
Effect of Systemic Teriparatide (PTH1-34) versus Placebo on Bone MineralDensity (BMD) after Lumbar Spinal Arthrodesis: A Secondary Analysis of aRandomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Gimbel Astrid , Andersen Mikkel Ø. , Hermann Pernille , Jespersen Annette B. , Carreon Leah Y.
Published: November 2022

Background
The present study is a secondary analysis of data from a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. Patients undergoing decompression and non-instrumented lumbar arthrodesis may have initial bone loss after surgery, increasing their fracture risk. The aim of this analysis is to determine whether short term systemic Teriparatide has a beneficial effect on Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in patients 60 years and older undergoing non-instrumented lumbar arthrodesis.
Method
Patients were 87 Danish patients eligible for spinal decompression and non-instrumented arthrodesis, who received either 20 micrograms Teriparatide (N=43) or placebo (N=44) daily for 3 months starting prior to surgery. Randomization and allocation were computer-generated. Outcome measures were BMD and Patient reported Outcome measures (PROs) containing Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for leg pain. DXA scans were performed preoperatively and at 1,3,6 and 12 months after surgery. PROs were collected at the same time points aside at 1 month after surgery. ANCOVA comparing Lumbar Spine BMD and Hip BMD in Teriparatide vs Placebo with gender, weight, age and baseline BMD as covariates were performed.
Results
There was some improvement in BMD in the Teriparatide group compared to placebo at 3 months after surgery, but not sustained at 6 and 12 months. There was a loss of Lumbar Spine BMD at 1 month after surgery in both groups.
Conclusion
Systemic Teriparatide provided a short term beneficial effect on BMD compared to placebo in patients undergoing decompression and non instrumented lumbar arthrodesis. There was an initial rapid bone loss 1 month after surgery in both groups.
Deep learning-based prediction of mandibular growth trend in children with anterior crossbite using cephalometric radiographs
Authors: Zhang Jia-Nan , Lu Hai-Ping , Hou Jia , Wang Qiong , Yu Feng-Yang , Zhong Chong , Huang Cheng-Yi , Chen Si
Published: November 2022

Background
It is difficult for orthodontists to accurately predict the growth trend of the mandible in children with anterior crossbite. This study aims to develop a deep learning model to automatically predict the mandibular growth result into normal or overdeveloped using cephalometric radiographs.
Methods
A deep convolutional neural network (CNN) model was constructed based on the algorithm ResNet50 and trained on the basis of 256 cephalometric radiographs. The prediction behavior of the model was tested on 40 cephalograms and visualized by equipped with Grad-CAM. The prediction performance of the CNN model was compared with that of three junior orthodontists.
Results
The deep-learning model showed a good prediction accuracy about 85%, much higher when compared with the 54.2% of the junior orthodontists. The sensitivity and specificity of the model was 0.95 and 0.75 respectively, higher than that of the junior orthodontists (0.62 and 0.47 respectively). The area under the curve (AUC) value of the deep-learning model was 0.9775. Visual inspection showed that the model mainly focused on the characteristics of special regions including chin, lower edge of the mandible, incisor teeth, airway and condyle to conduct the prediction.
Conclusions
The deep-learning CNN model could predict the growth trend of the mandible in anterior crossbite children with relatively high accuracy using cephalometric images. The prediction decision was made by a direct and comprehensive detecting and analyzing system instead of doctor’s opinion from clinical experience.
Isolation and characterization of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria from Cenchrus fungigraminus and their potential role in plant growth promotion
Authors: Jing Li , Zhou Bingxin , Li Tingting , Lin Hui , Lin Zhanxi , Lu Guodong , Liu Yanling , Lin Biaosheng , Lin Dongmei
Published: November 2022

Aims To understand the species composition, the relative content, and diversity of nitrogen fixing bacteria inCenchrus fungigraminusrhizophere, and to screen nitrogen-fixing bacteria to study their potential role in plant growth promotion. Methods Soil samples were collected from 4 depth (G1, G2, G3 and G4) ofC. fungigraminusrhizophere and physical and chemical properties were determined. The diversity and abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria andnifH gene copy were analyzed. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria were screened and selected for studying theC. fungigraminusseedlings growth promotion. Results The highest diversity and abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria were observed inC. fungigraminusrhizosphere (G2), which mainly included Proteobacteria (93.91%), Actinobacteria (0.42%), Firmicutes (0.18%) and significantly effected by total nitrogen, available nitrogen and depth. ThenifH gene copy was also highest (1.56 ± 0.17×107copies/g) in G2.Rhizobium pusenseNO.8 and NO.28 were isolated in G1 and G2, respectively, with nitrogenase activity of 1.45 ± 0.04 and 2.00 ± 0.07 U/g. The promotion experiment revealed that plant height, root length, leaf length ofC. fungigramminusseedlings treated with both strains were significantly increased 56.79%, 76.99% and 55.71%, and significantly increased on moisture and total nitrogen of planting soil compare with control (P < 0.05). The available nitrogen, organic matter and organic carbon in soil withR. pusenseNO.28 have significantly increased 3.09, 5.77 and 5.77 times. Conclusion Nitrogen-fixing bacteria inC. fungigraminusrhizosphere soil is rich and play a significant role in promoting its seedlings growth. The study provides the development of PGPRs fromC. fungigraminusrhizosphere to be biological fertilizers.
The Wakayama earthquake swarm in Japan
Authors: Nakajima Junichi
Published: November 2022

An earthquake swarm in the Wakayama prefecture, Japan, is known as the most active and persistent swarm, with ~ 100,000 earthquakes occurring during the 2003–2020 period. However, no systematic studies have highlighted the source of this intriguing non-volcanic earthquake swarm to date. In this study, we systematically investigate the temporal and spatial evolution of the Wakayama earthquake swarm and estimate the seismic velocity structure around the Kii peninsula, where there are series of anomalous geophysical and geochemical signatures, such as high 3He/4He ratios, deep low-frequency earthquakes that occur far from active volcanoes, and hot springs with high salinity and solute concentrations. We reveal that seismicity associated with the Wakayama earthquake swarm occurs almost evenly in both time and space, and that the majority of the earthquakes occur along well-defined planes that dip to the west at 30–45º. Although the focal depths of the earthquakes in the swarm are 5–10 km shallower than those for the surrounding crustal earthquakes, b value (0.96) of the earthquake swarm is not distinct from the surrounding earthquakes. The seismic tomography results reveal the presence of an inclined low-velocity anomaly beneath the Wakayama swarm that is sandwiched by high-velocity, impermeable materials on both sides in the subduction direction. This unique tectonic setting controls a pathway that facilitates the upward migration of slab-derived fluids, with the high fluid concentration in this inclined low-velocity zone interpreted as a permeable zone. Therefore, we infer that the location of the Wakayama swarm is controlled by structural heterogeneities in the crust. This study further suggests that the anomalous geophysical and geochemical signatures observed across the Kii peninsula can be explained by the upward migration of the slab-derived fluids, with these varying signatures that are caused by the fluid migration pathways to the surface.
Impact of cranial bone-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for functional recovery in experimental spinal cord injury
Authors: Shimizu Kiyoharu , Maeda Yuyo , Kuwabara Masashi , Hosogai Masahiro , Mitsuhara Takafumi , Takeda Masaaki , Yuge Louis , Horie Nobutaka
Published: November 2022

Impairments of the central nervous system, such as in stroke, brain trauma, and spinal cord injury (SCI), cannot be reversed using current treatment options. This study compared the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of transplanted rat cranial bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rcMSCs) and rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rbMSCs) in a rat model of cervical SCI (cSCI). Rats were intravenously administered rcMSCs, rbMSCs, or phosphate-buffered saline (control) 24 h after undergoing cSCI. The rcMSC-treated group showed improved functional recovery over the rbMSC-treated and control groups, as well as reduced lesion volume compared to the control group. mRNA expression levels of transforming growth factor-β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and nitric oxide synthase 2 at the spinal cord lesion site were significantly higher in the rcMSC-treated group than in the control and rbMSCs-treated groups. Comprehensive comparative bioinformatics analysis of rcMSC and rbMSC RNA sequencing results indicated that genes associated with leukocyte transendothelial migration and chemokine signaling were significantly downregulated in rcMSCs. The study findings demonstrate that rcMSCs have more potent anti-inflammatory effects than rbMSCs, likely induced by inhibiting neutrophil migration and suppressing chemokine expression, thereby leading to improved functional recovery in cSCI model rats.
The Effect of Adding Different Doses of Exercise Training to a Diet-Induced Weight Loss on Beta-Cell Function in Persons with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes: Primary Findings from the DOSE-EX Multi-Arm, Parallel-Group, Randomized Trial
Authors: Ried-Larsen Mathias , Legaard Grit , Lyngbaek Mark , Almdal Thomas , Karstoft Kristian , Bennetsen Sebastian , Feineis Camilla , Nielsen Nina , Durrer Cody , Liebetrau Benedikte , Nystrup Ulrikke , Østergaard Martin , Thomsen Katja , Trinh Becky , Solomon Thomas , Hall Gerrit van , Brønd Jan , Holst Jens , Hatmann Bolette , Christensen Robin , Pedersen Bente
Published: November 2022

Diet-induced weight loss improves beta-cell function in persons with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with remaining secretory capacity. It is unknown if adding exercise to a diet-induced weight loss improves beta-cell function and if exercise volume is important for improving beta-cell function in this context.
In this four-armed randomized trial (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03769883) 82 persons (35% females, mean age (SD) of 58.2 (9.8) years) with newly diagnosed T2D (<7 years) were randomly allocated to standard care (N=21), calorie restriction (25% energy reduction; N=20), calorie restriction and exercise 3 times per week (N=20) or calorie restriction and exercise 6 times per week (N=21) for 16 weeks. We determined beta-cell function by calculating the disposition index (insulin secretion multiplied by insulin sensitivity), during the first stage of a 3-stage hyperglycemic clamp technique (primary outcome) and based on a liquid mixed meal tolerance test (MMTT). Glucagon-like peptide-1 and arginine was infused during the 2nd and 3rd stage of the clamp, respectively.
The beta-cell function during the clamp increased more in all three intervention groups compared to standard care (diet control group (DCON), 58%; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 16 to 116; moderate exercise dose group (MED) 105%; 95% CI, 49 to 182 and high exercise dose group (HED), 137%; 95% CI, 73 to 225) and followed a linear dose-response relationship (p<0.001 for trend). The beta-cell function during the MMTT also increased more in all three intervention groups compared to standard care (DCON, 87%; 95% CI 40 to 148; MED 133%; 95% CI, 73 to 213 and HED, 141%; 95% CI, 80 to 223) but with no linear dose-response improvement. Glucagon-like peptide-1 infusion increased insulin secretion more in all interventions (p≤0.001 for differences to CON) but only MED was associated with higher mean insulin secretion compared to DCON (p=0.045).
Adding an exercise intervention to a diet-induced weight loss improves glucose stimulated beta-cell function in newly diagnosed persons with T2D in an exercise dose-dependent manner. However, when the beta-cell function was assessed during a MMTT, no consistent evidence of additional improvements in beta-cell function was observed when increasing exercise dose from 3 to 6 times per week.
Cancer Patients’ Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and Its Predictor Factors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Survey Study in China
Authors: Sun Lingyun , Peng Rongyan , Liu Jiaxi , Yan Yunzi , Zhang Haibo , Yang Yufei
Published: November 2022

Objective
To evaluate Chinese cancer patients’ health related quality of life and its predictor factors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Method
We conducted an online cross-sectional survey study among Chinese cancer patients in 2020 around China by utilizing the validated Mandarin version of COVID-19 IHRQOL questionnaire.
Results
387 patients participated in this survey, in which 283(72.9%) patients worried the pandemic’s impact on their cancer care, 69% feared getting infected by COVID-19. 30.7% and 17.3% patients had experienced depression and social isolation. More than 80% patients reported perceived benefits such as feeling more grateful. 26.3% patients reported financial hardship and 44.9% reported cancer care disruption. Multivariate analyses showed that more financial hardship was significantly associated with higher level of COVID-19 specific distress (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Addressing health care services disruption and financial hardship, as well as promoting functional social support might help Chinese cancer patients acquire better HRQoL during the pandemic.
Clinical efficacy of transforaminal endoscopic discectomy in the treatment of recurrent lumbar disc herniation: A single-center retrospective analysis
Authors: Xu Gang , Zhang Xuexue , Zhu Mengye , Yan Yi , Zhang Yong , Zhang Jinjin , Li Fan , Xu Mu , Zhang Daying
Published: November 2022

Purpose
To investigate the clinical efficacy of transforaminal endoscopic discectomy in treating recurrent lumbar disc herniation.
Methods
Clinical datal of 31 patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Pain Management, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, between 2015 and 2018 due to recurrent lumbar disc herniation were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were used to assess alterations of patients’ pain intensity and nerve function, respectively. The Modified MacNab criteria were used to evaluate patients’ excellent and good rates.
Results
Compared to clinical data before surgery, there was a significant reduction in VAS scores (P < 0.01) along with a significant improvement in JOA scores (P < 0.01) at 2 years after revision surgery. The patients’ excellent and good rates were 83.87% at the 2 years after surgery.
Conclusion
The transforaminal endoscopic discectomy is safe and effective in the long term and is applicable to the treatment of recurrent lumbar disc herniation.
Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Growth, Carcass Characteristics and Intestinal Tight Junction Protein Gene Expression in 35-day old Broiler Chickens
Authors: Mozhiarasi V. , Karunakaran R. , Radhakrishnan L. , Raja P. , Pazhanivel N.
Published: November 2022

In the present study, the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) at different concentrations (20, 40 and 60 mg/kg) in broiler chicken diet on growth, carcass characteristics and intestinal health of broiler chicks were evaluated. The ZnONPs synthesized by physical method was characterized for its nanoparticle properties and evaluated for its in vitro toxicity using different cell lines. In vivo feeding trials was conducted with 150-day-old broiler chicks randomly assigned to five dietary treatments in three replicates for the period of 35 days with ZnONPs. The results indicated that ZnONPs supplemented group showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) body weight gain and the lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to control. The carcass characteristics like meat pH and dressing percentage revealed the significance differences in the ZnONPs supplemented group. The intestinal histomorphology revealed significantly higher (p < 0.05) crypt depth in ileum and villi length to crypt depth ratio in duodenum of ZnONPs supplemented group. The zinc elemental concentration in the serum found to be significantly higher and the mRNA expression of intestinal tight junction protein genes like mucin-2 and claudin-3 found to be significantly upregulated in the ZnONPs supplemented group. It could be concluded that supplementation of ZnONPs in broiler diet could improve production performance, intestinal health status and can be used as an effective feed additive in broilers.
Multi-Objective Optimization for IoT Tasks based Data Replication Placement in Fog Computing
Authors: awad ahmed , Alburaikan Alhanouf , Khalifa Hamiden Wahed , Elaziz Mohamed Abd , Abualigah Laith , M.AbdelMouty Ahmed
Published: November 2022

IoT applications have recently grown, quickly influencing cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications. Cloud computing has drawn more and more attention, particularly replication techniques and their uses. Cloud computing also provides different spaces according to usage from users and pay-for usage. It also provides flexibility in expanding or reducing the spaces according to use. Data on cloud computing is kept in several locations due to the data's growth and size. It's essential to shorten data transmission times between nodes, reduce bandwidth usage, lighten the pressure on the network, and balance the load across different regions. The expense of maintaining the system's data availability, performance, and reliability will rise as the number of replicas is increased and distributed across more locations. In this paper, we developed an Equilibrium Optimizer (EO) with Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) to optimize a data replication placement based on IoT on fog computing. Second, we used a levy distribution to distribute a replica between nodes in cloud computing. Also, data transfer via cloud computing with a minimum bandwidth reduction. The performance of the proposed Multi-Objective Equilibrium Optimizer (MOEO) strategy was evaluated with the selection and placement of data replication using different criteria and sizes of data. To confirm the suggested algorithm's outcomes, comparisons were made between it and other algorithms. Experimental results demonstrated the superiority of the proposed algorithm over other algorithms in terms of addressing the problem of data replication placement, improving cost, and reducing data transmission time and distribution across geographically distributed sites.
Geometrical Defects in Graphene Oxide Sheets and their Response to External Load: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Yang Fei , Yang Zhi , Jiang Lei
Published: November 2022

Graphene oxide has been broadly used in seawater desalination systems owning to its controllable interlayer spacing through a defect engineering approach. These defects can provide effective migration channels for ions or molecules. However, defects weaken graphene oxide sheets, and so revealing the influence of defects on the mechanical properties of materials becomes a hot topic. In this paper, we designed different structural defects in a rectangular graphene oxide sheet, and simulated their tensile deformation process by molecular dynamics simulation. Through the analysis of the response mechanism of defects to tensile load stimulus, the influence of defects with different shape, size, quantity and distribution on the mechanical properties of graphene oxide sheets were explained systematically. The current work can provide insights into the control of mechanical properties by preparing graphene oxide defects, and promote the application of the types and effects of defects in graphene oxide in different research fields.
Characterization of microglia activation patterns in anti-LGI1 encephalitis based on TSPO PET and symptom clustering analysis
Authors: Wang Jing-guo , Ge Jing-jie , Jin Lei , Deng Bo , Tang Wei-jun , Yu Hai , Zhang Xiang , Xue Le , Zuo Chuan-tao , Chen Xiangjun
Published: November 2022

Purpose

TSPO PET with radioligand 18F-DPA714 is an emerging molecular imaging technique that reflects cerebral microglial activation and has been recently used in central nervous system diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the microglial activation pattern of anti–leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) protein autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) and to evaluate its correlation with clinical phenotypes.

Methods

Twenty patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis from the autoimmune encephalitis cohort in Huashan hospital and ten with other AIE and non-inflammatory diseases underwent TSPO PET imaging were included in the current study. TSPO PET abnormalities in anti-LGI1 AIE were detected on a voxel basis using statistic parametric mapping analysis. Multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical clustering were conducted for discriminate subgroups in anti-LGI1 AIE. Standardized uptake value ratios normalized to the cerebellum (SUVRc) were calculated for semiquantitative analysis of TSPO PET features between different LGI1-AIE subgroups.

Results

Increased distribution of 18F-DPA714 was identified in the bilateral hippocampus, caudate nucleus and frontal cortex in anti-LGI1 patients. Two subgroups of anti-LGI1 patients were distinguished based on the top seven common symptoms. Patients in cluster 1 had a high frequency of facio-brachial dystonic seizures than those in cluster 2 (p = 0.004), whereas patients in cluster 2 had a higher frequency of general tonic clonic seizures than those in cluster 1 (p < 0.001). Supplementary motor area and superior frontal gyrus showed higher 18F-DPA714 distribution in cluster 2 patients compared with those in cluster 1 (p = 0.024; p = 0.04,
respectively).

Conclusions

Anti-LGI1 AIE has a distinctive molecular imaging pattern presented by TSPO PET scan. Different characteristics in LGI1-AIE subgroups indicate underlying mechanisms of microglia in pathogenesis and clinical phenotypes. Further studies are required for verifying its value in clinical application.
Medical X-ray examination frequency and correlation with health economic index: a survey in east China’s Jiangsu province
Authors: Du Xiang , Wang Jin , Xu XiaoSan , Yang ChunYong , Miao Yuji , Zhu Baoli
Published: November 2022

Objective:To conduct the survey on medical X-ray examination, and to explore the correlation with health economic index, including GDP, numbers of bed, outpatient, medical staff by assessing the frequencies of two categories of medical X-ray examinations.
Methods: The numbers of medical radiological equipment and medical X-ray examinations in each medical institution were surveyed, and the frequencies of conventional X-ray examinations and CT scans were calculated, respectively. Their distribution characteristics were discussed through a correlation analysis between number of examination and health economic index, including GDP, beds, outpatients and medical staff.
Results: The number of conventional X-ray examinations and CT scans performed in Jiangsu in 2019 was 38,255,027 and 25,149,658, respectively. Based on the total population province wide, the frequencies of the conventional X-ray examinations and CT scans were 452 and 297 per 1,000 population, respectively. The average numbers of conventional X-ray examinations were largely identical between the three categories of institutions, whereas the numbers of CT scans showed great differences. The number and frequencies of both examinationsshowed a strong linear correlation with GDP, number of beds, outpatients and medical staff.
Conclusion: Number and frequency of radiodiagnostic examinations have seen a rapid increase in recent years, especially for CT scanning. The correlation between examination number and frequency and GDP, number of beds, outpatients, and medical staff may suggest a new strategy to extrapolate the frequency to the population in a sample survey.
Cellulose nano-fiber and fly-ash based nanohybrids: a facile and sustainable thermal insulating material
Authors: Sen Sourav , Singh Ajit , Kailasam Kamalakannan , Bera Chandan , Roy Sangita
Published: November 2022

Recent years have witnessed a huge surge in energy consumption by the building sector, for maintaining a pleasant atmosphere inside the building. Keeping in mind the possible energy crisis in future, the use of thermal insulators can present an extensive solution to reduce energy consumption. Due to the high demand for energy, a higher amount of coal is used in thermal power plants, which produce a huge amount of fly-ash as industrial waste that poses a serious environmental problem. In this direction, the extensive utilization of fly-ash to make useful materials is highly demanding for societal benefits. This strategy will offer a dual advantage in transforming waste to wealth coupled with potential to serve in the energy sector through effective thermal insulation. On this similar line, we have fabricated biomass-derived cellulose nano-fiber based thermal insulators and incorporated fly-ash as a reinforcer to increase the mechanical strength and fire-retardancy. Interestingly, after incorporation of fly-ash, low thermal conductivity of 0.034 W m− 1 K− 1 was achieved in the nanohybrid material with reinforcement of mechanical strength up to 2.9 MPa. Furthermore, the thermal stability was enhanced in this novel organic-inorganic nanohybrid, which may create a sustainable solution for energy related issues in future.