bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recruiting and retaining community-based participants in a COVID-19 longitudinal cohort and social networks study: lessons from Victoria, Australia
Authors: Nguyen Thi , Thomas Alexander J. , Kerr Phoebe , Stewart Ashleigh C. , Wilkinson Anna Lee , Nguyen Long , Altermatt Aimée , Young Kathryn , Heath Katherine , Bowring Anna , Fletcher-Lartey Stephanie , Lusher Dean , Hill Sophie , Pedrana Alisa , Stoové Mark , Gibney Katherine , Hellard Margaret
Published: September 2022

Background: Longitudinal studies are critical to informing evolving responses to COVID-19 but can be hampered by attrition bias, which undermines their reliability for guiding policy and practice. We describe recruitment and retention in the Optimise Study, a longitudinal cohort and social networks study that aimed to inform public health and policy responses to COVID-19.
Methods: Optimise recruited adults residing in Victoria, Australia September 01 2020–September 30 2021. High-frequency follow-up data collection included nominating social networks for study participation and completing a follow-up survey and four follow-up diaries each month, plus additional surveys if they tested positive for COVID-19 or were a close contact. This study compared number recruited to a-priori targets as of September 30 2021, retention as of December 31 2021, comparing participants retained and not retained, and follow-up survey and diary completion October 2020–December 2021. Retained participants completed a follow-up survey or diary in each of the final three-months of their follow-up time. Attrition was defined by the number of participants not retained, divided by the number who completed a baseline survey by September 30 2021. Survey completion was calculated as the proportion of follow-up surveys or diaries sent to participants that were completed between October 2020–December 2021.
Results: At September 30 2021, 663 participants were recruited and at December 31 2021, 563 were retained giving an overall attrition of 15% (n=100/663). Among the 563 retained, survey completion was 90% (n=19,354/21,524) for follow-up diaries and 89% (n=4,936/5,560) for monthly follow-up surveys. Compared to participants not retained, those retained were older (t-test, p <0.001), and more likely to be female (χ2, p=0.001), and tertiary educated (χ2, p=0.018).
Conclusion: High levels of study retention and survey completion demonstrate a willingness to participate in a complex, longitudinal cohort study with high participant burden during a global pandemic. We believe comprehensive follow-up strategies, frequent dissemination of study findings to participants, and unique data collection systems have contributed to high levels of study retention.
Optimization of Production System of Shale Oil Development in Ordos basin, China
Authors: WAN Xiaolong , MA Shuwei , Fan Jianming , Zhang Yuanli , Zhang Chao
Published: September 2022

In this paper, production system(PS) of shale oil is optimized according to production data and indoor experiments, including core and fluid tests. Results showed that: ① Pressure drop rate at wellhead is a reasonable reference for the determination of post-fracture shut-in duration (PFSID). When pressure at a wellhead of horizontal well is relatively stable and the pressure drop less than 0.1mpa per day for three consecutive days, PFSID ends; ② Flowback intensity of fracturing fluid affects the effectiveness of proppant underground, thus flowback intensity can be determined by the critical flow rate and safety factor of each proppant; ③ Flowback intensity should be varied during different development stages, which could be divided into four according to production gas and oil ratio(GOR) of a shale oil horizontal well: low, medium-high, high and high-low production GOR. During the stage of low production GOR, ratio of flow pressure and saturation pressure should be maintained greater than 1.0, and the initial daily liquid productivity for a hundred-meter oil-bearing lateral length in a horizontal well is 2.0-2.5m3/d; and during the medium -high production GOR, high production GOR and high-low production GOR stages, the responding initial daily liquid productivity should be maintained between 0.8-1.0 or less than 0.8 respectively.
High Temperature Failure and Microstructural Investigation of Additive Manufactured Rene 41
Authors: James William Sean , Ganguly Supriyo , Pardal Goncalo
Published: September 2022

In developing a wire-arc direct energy deposition process for creep resistant alloys used in high-speed flight applications, structures were built from nickel-based superalloy Rene 41. Samples of AM material were analysed for their microstructural and mechanical properties, in both as deposited (AD) and heat-treated (HT) conditions. Tensile specimens were tested at room-temperature, 538, 760, and 1000 °C. Macroscopically, large columnar grains made up of a typical dendritic structure were observed. Microscopically, significant segregation of heavier elements, grain boundary precipitates, and secondary phases were observed, with key differences observed in HT material. There was a clear distinction between failure modes at different testing temperatures and between AD and HT variants. A fractographic investigation found a progressive move from brittle to ductile fracture with increasing testing temperature in both AD and HT conditions, as well as microstructural features which support this observation.
Path planning and pose correction of robot laser cleaning process for specific surfaces of parts
Authors: Pan Zhigui , Liu DeFu , Li Shudan , Deng Zixin , Liu Jian , Chen Tao
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this paper is to solve a series of problems, such as the difficulty in accurately controlling the specific surfaces, and the interference between the laser beam and the parts, when the laser is used to clean mechanical parts with complex surfaces by using robots. Firstly, a region segmentation algorithm of the stereo lithography (STL) model was designed, and the feature surfaces of the model were obtained by using the dihedral angle as the criterion. Then the path points which could easily cause interference between the laser beam and the part to be cleaned were detected by the method of ray intersection, and the pose of the robot was modified according to the normal vector of two non-interference points that were adjacent to the continuous interference points respectively. Finally, the proposed method was validated by scanning path visualization and robot laser cleaning process experiments. The results showed that the robot can successfully clean the specific surface of the test workpiece without interference by following the laser cleaning path generated by the proposed algorithm, and the transition of the robot pose is smooth, which proves the effectiveness of this study. The method is also useful for the path planning of robots in other processing fields.
Observation and simulation investigation for the crater formation under discharge plasma movement in RT-WEDM
Authors: Xi Xue-Cheng , Li Zi-Lun , Gao Qiang , Zhang Ya-Ou , Zhao Wan-Sheng
Published: September 2022

Observations of the discharge gap were conducted to investigate the discharge plasma motion in reciprocated traveling wire electrical discharge machining (RT-WEDM). It was found that the discharge plasma continuously slides on the surface of a workpiece. An oscillating moving heat source is proposed to better conform the characteristics of the discharge plasma motion. Based on the oscillating moving heat source, a novel thermal-fluid coupling model by adopting a level-set method was proposed to investigate the formation of a crater and the effects of machining parameters on the crater. Discharge plasma sliding, latent heat, and molten pool forces are comprehensively considered in the proposed model. Simulation and experimental results show that the sliding discharge plasma has a significant effect on a crater. At the end of a discharge, a considerable proportion of molten material remains in the molten pool. A high sliding speed of discharge plasma can lead to a low aspect ratio in a crater and a thin recast layer. Besides, due to the discharge plasma sliding, an increase in pulse duration can significantly increase the length of the crater and decrease the aspect ratio, while an increase in peak current can significantly increase the depth and volume of a crater. Simulation and experimental results also show that the morphologies of the simulated crater and experimental crater are consistent, verifying the feasibility and accuracy of the proposed simulation model in explaining the mechanisms of crater formation in RT-WEDM.
Relationship between spatial topology and loess permeability based on computed tomography–scanning technology
Authors: Yang Guohui , Li Chi , Shang Yan , Gao Yu , Li Shuanhu
Published: September 2022

Loess’s permeability properties increase under alternating wet and dry conditions, a phenomenon that is closely related to the soil’s pore structure. Among the pore structure properties, spatial topology is important. To further investigate the relationship between loess’s spatial topography and its infiltration properties under alternating wet and dry conditions, loess with different water contents is scanned by an industrial computed tomography (CT) scanner, and single-phase seepage simulations are performed. The results show that the diameters of the connected pore spaces increase along with water content; the pore throat length is positively correlated with the water content, reaching a maximum of 753.32 μm; and greater water contents result in stronger pore connectivity and larger increases of connected pore space coordination numbers. The results of the permeability simulation show that increases in connected pores, pore throat lengths, and coordination numbers lead to increased permeability, and the correlation is strongest between the coordination number and permeability. It is important to study the relationship between spatial topology and loess permeability for practical engineering applications.
Calmodulin Modulation of Insect Ryanodine Receptor
Authors: Lin Lianyun , Jiang Heng , Hadiatullah Hadiatullah , Korza Henryk , Gu Yucheng , Yuchi Zhiguang
Published: September 2022

Ryanodine receptor (RyR) is a giant calcium release channel located on the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). As a key protein in the calcium signaling pathway, RyR function is modulated by a number of protein and small molecule modulators. Although RyR has been identified as an important insecticide target, the regulation of insect RyR by some of these modulators is still largely unknown. Here, we report the regulation of RyRs from two major agricultural pests, diamondback moth and fall armyworm, by insect calmodulin (CaM). The recombinantly expressed full-length insect RyR could be pulled down by insect CaM in the presence of Ca2+, but the efficiency is lower compared to rabbit RyR1 and insect RyR with the CaM-binding domain (CaMBD) replaced by a mammalian RyR sequence. Interestingly, the enhanced binding of CaM in the mutant insect RyR resulted in increased sensitivity to the diamide insecticide chlorantraniliprole (CHL), suggesting that this CaM-CaMBD interface could be targeted by potential synergists. The thermodynamics of the binding between insect CaM and CaMBD was characterized by ITC and the key residues responsible for the insect-specific regulation were identified through mutagenesis studies. Finally, a homology model was created to predict the CaM-binding mode in insect RyR, which can be used to guide the structure-based design of future pesticides.
Performance Evaluation of Reinforced Concrete Building
Authors: Amatya Nikshan
Published: September 2022

High rise buildings are increasing rapidly in all over the world. The overall performance of building must be evaluated to ensure the safety of all the structural component of a building against multiple hazards. A 36-story building with 3-story basement was selected to study the effect of seismic and wind load on the performance of reinforced concrete building. Three different analyses; linear static analysis for gravity and wind load, response spectrum analysis for design-basis earthquake (DBE) using code-based design and nonlinear time-history analysis (NLTHA) for maximum considered earthquake (MCE) using performance-based design was conducted. The elastic model was created in ETABS for linear static wind analysis and traditional code-based response spectrum analysis at DBE level. The inelastic model was created in Perform 3-D for performance-based analysis at MCE level. The result obtained from analyses were evaluated using these three analyses and the overall performance of building was compared. The study demonstrated that the demands obtained from the MCE level using performance-based design were higher and it must be considered for the design of high-rise building to ensure the overall serviceability and safety.
Characterization of Lantana camara roots (Pentacyclic Triterpenoid)and Mutagenicity Testing of extracted Oleanolic acid Using Salmonella typhimurium.
Authors: Gupta Navika Gupta Navika , Chandra Saurabh Chandra Saurabh , Singh Anu T.Singh Anu T , Jaggi Manu jaggi Manu
Published: September 2022

Objective
The objective of the present study was to isolate oleanolic acid from the roots of Lantana camara, and characterize it chemically using DSC, HPLC, and FTIR methods, and additionally carrying out a short term assay for assessment of its mutagenic potential by conducting bacterial reverse mutation test to evaluate the ability of the “Oleanolic acid (Pentacyclic Triterpenoid)” to induce point mutations in tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium in both presence and absence of exogenous metabolic activation system (S9) containing microsomal enzymes.
Methods
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), High Performance Liquid chromatography (HPLC), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers were used to chemically analyze the isolated molecule. Oleanolic acid was utilized to carry out Preliminary Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity study.
Results
According to the results of spectrophotometric research, oleanolic acid extracted from Lantana camara roots exhibits identical spectrum characteristics to standard oleanolic acid also the mutagenic potential of Oleanolic acid (Pentacyclic Triterpenoid). Oleanolic acid was found to be non-mutagenic in all five test strains of Salmonella typhimurium—TA98, TA100, TA102, TA1535, and TA1537 employing plate incorporation assays
Conclusion
It may be determined that oleanolic acid isolated from Lantana camara roots gives identical, identifiable signals and absorbance like previously reported reference standard based on the results of DLC, HPLC, and FTIR spectra and their interpretation and was determined that oleanolic acid purified from Lantana camara roots is non-mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium.
Mechanical thrombectomy combined with Intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Zheng Meiling , Li Li , Chen Lizhou , Li Bin , Feng Cuiling
Published: September 2022

Purpose
To assess the clinical value of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) combined with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) by comparing it with the direct MT (dMT).
Method
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis involving studies from four databases including PubMed, Embase, WOS, and Cochrane Library. We collected observational studies and randomized controlled studies (RCTs) published from January 2011 to June 2022, providing data about outcomes in terms of functional independence (FI), excellent outcomes (mRS score:0–1), successful recanalization (SR), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), any intracerebral hemorrhage (aICH), and mortality at three-month or discharge.
Results
A total of 55 eligible studies (nine RCTs and 46 observational studies) were included. For RCTs, the MT + IVT group was superior in FI (OR:1.27, 95%CI:1.11–1.46), excellent outcomes (OR:1.21, 95%CI:1.03–1.43), SR (OR:1.23, 95%CI:1.05–1.45), mortality (OR:0.72, 95%CI: 0.54–0.97) in crude analyses. In adjusted analyses, the MT + IVT group reduced the risk of mortality (OR:0.65, 95%CI: 0.49–0.88). For observational studies, the results of FI (OR:1.34, 95%CI:1.16–1.33), excellent outcomes (OR:1.30, 95%CI:1.09–1.54), SR (OR:1.23, 95%CI:1.05–1.44), mortality (OR:0.70, 95%CI:0.64–0.77) in the MT + IVT group were better. Additionally, the MT + IVT group increased the risk of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) including sICH (OR:1.16, 95%CI:1.11–1.21) and aICH (OR:1.24, 95%CI:1.05–1.46) in crude analyses. In crude analyses, significant better outcomes were seen in the MT + IVT group on FI (OR:1.36, 95%CI:1.21–1.52), excellent outcomes (OR:1.49, 95%CI:1.26–1.75), and mortality (OR:0.73, 95%CI: 0.56–0.94).
Conclusions
The MT + IVT therapy did improve the prognosis for AIS patients and did not increase the risk of HT compared with dMT therapy.
Risk factors and prognosis of early neurological deterioration in patients with posterior circulation cerebral infarction
Authors: Li Hui , Zheng Yi , Zhang Ding-Ding , Cui Xiu-Ying , Zhao Xin , Zhang Guan-Wen , Yang Fei , Yu Fu , Fan Xiao-Tian , Jiang Hao , Shi Jian-Ming , Wang Bo , Zhang Jiang-Tao , Zhang Ran
Published: September 2022

Background: The incidence, risk factors, and pathogenesis of early neurological deterioration (END) in posterior circulation stroke are still unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine the risk factors and prognosis of END in patients with acute posterior circulation cerebral infarction.
Methods: Acute posterior circulation ischemic stroke patients who had completed neuroimaging within 72 hours of onset were selected from a prospective registry study.
Demographic characteristics, physiological data, medical history, laboratory data, in-hospital evaluation, neurological severity and TOAST classification, treatment, and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of patients were assessed. Early neurological deterioration was defined as an increase of ≥2 points in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score between the baseline and 72-hour evaluation. Favorable and poor outcomes were defined as mRSs of 0–2 and ≥3, respectively, at 3 months. The incidence and risk factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate regression analysis (step-back method).
Results: The analysis included 455 subjects with an acute posterior circulation non-cardiac ischemic stroke, 330 (72.53%) of them male, with an average age of 63.12 (±10.14) years and with 47 (10.33%) having END. The results of univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that BATMAN scores ≥5 (OR: 0.1, 95% CI: 0.02–0.53, P < 0.01), large artery atherosclerosis (OR: 11.55, 95% CI: 4.18–31.93, P < 0.01), vascular stenosis >50% (OR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.1–5.42, P = 0.029), reperfusion therapy (OR: 4.21, 95% CI: 1.66–10.64, P < 0.01), and the distribution of pontine lesions (OR: 5.66, 95% CI: 2.39–13.44, P< 0.01) were significantly associated with END. Patients with END had a lower rate of favorable outcomes at discharge and long-term follow-up (P < 0.001), regardless of whether they received reperfusion therapy.
Conclusion: The lesion distribution of the pons, the progression of temporo-occipital lobe lesions, and large arterial atherosclerosis are independent risk factors of END that might predict a poor short- and long-term prognosis.
Switchable moiré potentials in ferroelectric WTe2/WSe2 superlattices
Authors: Kang Kaifei , Zhao Wenjin , Zeng Yihang , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Shan Jie , Mak Kin Fai
Published: September 2022

Moiré materials, with superlattice periodicity many times the atomic length scale, have enabled the studies of strong electronic correlations and band topology with unprecedented tunability. However, nonvolatile control of the moiré potentials, which could allow on-demand switching of the superlattice effects, has not been achieved to date. Here we demonstrate the switching of the correlated and moiré band insulating states and the associated nonlinear anomalous Hall effect by the ferroelectric effect. This is achieved in a ferroelectric WTe2 bilayer of the Td structure with a centered-rectangular moiré superlattice induced by interfacing with a WSe2 monolayer of the H structure. The results can be understood in terms of polarization-dependent charge transfer between two WTe2 monolayers, which possess very different moiré potential depths; ferroelectric switching thus turns on/off the superlattice. Our study demonstrates the potential of creating new functional moiré materials by incorporating intrinsic symmetry-breaking orders.
Clinical Characteristics of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease: Baseline Data of a Single-Centre Prospective Cohort
Authors: Kim Hyoungyoung , Cho Soo-Kyung , Song Yeo-Jin , Kang Juyeon , Jeong Seung-A , Kim Hye Won , Choi Chan-Bum , Kim Tae-Hwan , Jun Jae-Bum , Bae Sang-Cheol , Yoo Dae-Hyun , Lee Hyun , Park Dong Won , Sohn Jang Won , Yoon Ho Joo , Hong Su Jin , Yoo Seung-Jin , Choi Yo Won , Lee Youkyung , Kim Sang Heon , Sung Yoon-Kyoung
Published: September 2022

Objectives: To establish a prospective cohort for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and to identify their clinical features compared to those without ILD.
Methods: With a multidisciplinary collaborative approach, a single-centre cohort for RA patients with ILD (RA-ILD) was established in May 2017, and enrolment data from May 2017 to March 2021 was used to compare the clinical features of RA patients without ILD (RA-non ILD). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with ILD in RA patients.
Results: Among 148 RA-ILD patients and 410 RA-non ILD patients, the RA-ILD group were older (65.8 ± 9.9 vs. 58.0 ± 10.4 years, P < 0.001) and included more males (35.8% vs. 14.6%, P < 0.001) than the RA-non ILD group. The RA-ILD group had a higher proportion of late-onset RA patients (age ≥ 60 years) than in comparators (43.9% vs. 14.2%, P < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that higher age at RA onset (OR 1.056, 95% CI 1.021-1.091), higher body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.036-2.629), smoking history (OR 2.484, 95% CI 1.071-5.764), and oral glucocorticoid use (OR 3.562, 95% CI 2.160-5.874) were associated with ILD in RA patients, whereas methotrexate use was less likely to coexist with ILD (OR 0.253, 95% CI 0.155-0.412).
Conclusions: Higher RA onset age, smoking history, and higher BMI were associated with presence of ILD among RA patients. Oral glucocorticoids were more frequently used whereas methotrexate was less likely to be used in RA-ILD patients.
An Effective Security Comparison Protocol in Cloud Computing
Authors: Chen Yuling , Tao Junhong , Li Tao , Cai Jiangyuan , Ren Xiaojun
Published: September 2022

Secure comparison protocol is an important branch of secure multi-party computation(SMPC), which compares the size of input data without disclosing any information between participants. The development of cloud computing provides an application platform for SMPC, but it also brings new challenges. In cloud computing with SMPC, clients need to process their own data and submit the processed data to a cloud server, which then performs the computation. In this process, not only the clients need to maintain an honest state at all times, but sensitive data on the cloud server side may also be exposed. In this paper, zero-knowledge proof and homomorphic encryption techniques are used to improve Damgård-Geisler-KrØigaard(DGK) comparison protocol. The improved secure comparison protocol can not only safely calculate private data, but also be applicable to malicious participant model. Finally, the security analysis shows that the proposed scheme not only ensures the privacy security of participants, but also ensures the data fairness of comparison protocols.
The ways our hearts tick together – A vegetative hyperscanning study involving a self-paced interpersonal motor entrainment task
Authors: Flory Stephan , Guglielmini Sabino , Scholkmann Felix , Marcar Valentine , Wolf Martin
Published: September 2022

Cardiac physiological synchrony between two persons is considered to be an important component of social interaction. Yet, the processes underlying physiological synchrony remain unclear. We aim to investigate these processes. 20 dyads (19 men, 21 women, age: mean 23.7, range: 18–35) engaged in a self-paced interpersonal tapping synchronization task under different conditions of blocking sensory communication channels. Applying wavelet transform coherence analysis, a significant increase in heart rate synchronization from baseline to task execution was found while there was no statistically significant difference across conditions. Furthermore, the control analysis, which assessed the synchrony between randomly combined dyads of participants showed no difference from the original dyads’ synchrony. We showed that interindividual cardiac physiological synchrony during self-paced synchronized finger tapping resulted from a task-related stimulus equally shared by all individuals. We hypothesize that by applying mental effort to the task, individuals changed into a similar mental state, altering their cardiac regulation. This so-called psychophysiological mode provoked more uniform, less variable oscillation patterns across all individuals leading to similar heart rate coherence independent of subsequent pairings. With this study, we provide new insights into heart rate coherence and highlight the importance of appropriate study design and control analysis.
The potential and shortcomings of mitochondrial DNA analysis for cheetah conservation management
Authors: Meißner René , Winter Sven , Westerhüs Uta , Sliwa Alexander , Greve Carola , Godsall-Botriell Lena , Botriell Paul , Fernandes Carlos Rodríguez , Vercammen Paul , Hunter Luke , Abramov Alexei , Khalatbari Leili , Horin Petr , Burger Pamela Anna , Prost Stefan
Published: September 2022

There are only about 7,100 adolescent and adult cheetahs remaining in the wild. With the majority occurring outside protected areas, their numbers are rapidly declining. Evidence-based conservation measures are essential for the survival of this species. Genetic data is routinely used to inform conservation strategies, e.g., by establishing conservation units (CU). A commonly used marker in conservation genetics is mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Here, we investigated the cheetah's phylogeography using a large-scale mtDNA data set to refine subspecies distributions and better assign individuals to CUs. Our dataset mostly consisted of historic samples to cover the cheetah’s whole range as the species has been extinct in most of its former distribution. While our genetic data largely agree with geography-based subspecies assignments, several geographic regions show conflicting mtDNA signals. Our analyses support previous findings that evolutionary forces such as incomplete lineage sorting or mitochondrial capture likely confound the mitochondrial phylogeography of this species, especially in East and, to some extent, in Northeast Africa. We caution that subspecies assignments solely based on mtDNA should be treated carefully and argue for an additional standardized nuclear single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker set for subspecies identification and monitoring. However, the detection of the A. j. soemmeringii specific haplogroup by a newly designed Amplification-Refractory Mutation System (ARMS) can already provide support for conservation measures.
Variable physical functions in individuals in response to sensory stimuli
Authors: Tsujimoto Masashi , Yoshida Takahiro , Tanaka Seiya , Shitara Hitoshi , Suzuki Keisuke
Published: September 2022

PURPOSE: Sensory stimulation affects physical functions; however, the type and range of physical function change remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the type and extent of changes in the simple physical functions resulting from exposure to color and taste stimuli.
METHODS: Five basic colors (red, blue, yellow, green, and black) and foods representative of five basic tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami) were used as stimuli. Three different physical function tests, muscle strength (grip strength), flexibility (bending length), and balance (stabilometer trajectory area) were measured while wearing color-tinted goggles or after tasting food stimuli. Tests were repeated for six successive days in a controlled environment.
RESULTS: Each stimulus had different effects on participants. For color stimulation, the median change ratio between the minimum and maximum effects was 5.68% (4.14%–8.07%) for muscle strength, 8.52% (5.11%–13.39%) for flexibility, and 30.60% (26.81%–36.18%) for balance. The corresponding values in taste stimulation were 4.96% (3.67%–7.89%), 6.11% (4.37%–8.86%), and 28.92% (21.38%–34.01%). The rate of change in balance was the highest among the three physical tests and was significantly different from the rate of change in the other physical functions (balance vs. muscle power, P < 0.001; balance vs. flexibility, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Color and taste stimuli have differential effects on physical function. The extent of physical change to stimuli differed among the participants, suggesting individual-level differences in sensitivity to stimuli. Sensory stimuli affect physical functions individually and affect balance more than any other physical function.
Mediating Role of Risk Management and Profitability of Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Mwelu Noah , Watundu Susan , Moya Musa
Published: September 2022

Over decades, manufacturing firms are struggling to remain competitive in an intense manufacturing industry. The struggle is due to increasing manufacturing companies dealing in similar or related products. Given the competitive dynamics in the manufacturing industry, firms are proactively searching for viable strategies to ensure profitability and survival. Scholars and management have jointly conducted studies to find amicable strategies influencing firms’ profitability. Whereas various studies have been conducted on profitability, majority of these studies were concerned with strategies directly influencing profitability with little attention on the mediating role of other strategies. Specifically, little is known on mediation studies in manufacturing industry. Despite strategies directly influencing profitability being established, firms’ are in receivership with several kicked out of business indefinitely. This study bridges the gap by considering the mediating role of risk management on outsourcing and profitability of manufacturing firms. A cross-sectional research design was adopted. Specifically, a partial mediation approach was adopted following Baron and Kenny mediation guidelines. Results from Med-Graph and Sobel tests proved that risk management significantly mediated the relationship between outsourcing and profitability (Sobel Z-value = 3.441, p = 0.002). Hence, firms are encouraged to embrace mediation strategies in ensuring profitability and survival in the competitive environment.
Acupuncture Combined with Chinese Herbal Medicine for Tubal Obstructive Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Huang Wenrui , Han Xia , Li Yixin , Huang Tingting , Jie Huimin
Published: September 2022

Background: Tubal obstruction is the leading cause of infertility. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) are widely used in treating tubal obstruction infertility (TOI), and clinical research is increasing. However, there is still controversy about its efficacy and safety. This systematic review aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and CHM in treating TOI.
Methods: We searched eight databases to collect randomized controlled trials comparing Hydrotubation with Acupuncture combined with CHM from inception to July 31, 2022. A total of 1580 papers were collected, and the methodological quality of the included trials was assessed in line with the criteria of the Cochrane risk of the bias assessment tool. In the end, only 18 randomized clinical trials met the requirements and were included.
Results: Meta-analysis showed that acupuncture and CHM was associated with a higher pregnancy rate [RR 1.74, 95% CI (1.54, 1.95), P < 0.00001] and a lower ectopic pregnancy rate [OR 0.61, 95 % CI (0.19, 1.92), P＜0.0001]. The success rate of tubal recanalization was significantly improved with acupuncture combined with CHM treatment[RR 1.37, 95 % CI (1.20, 1.57), P＜0.0001], and signs and symptoms were better relieved [OR 3.44, 95 % CI (2.22, 5.33), P＜0.00001].
Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that acupuncture and CHM can be used as complementary therapies to treat tubal obstructive infertility with better outcomes than Hydrotubation.
Clinical outcomes of the intraocular lens injector for Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in patients with iridocorneal endothelial syndrome
Authors: Li Saiqing , Sun Binjia , Zheng Qinxiang , Ren Yueping , Zhao Zelin , Wang Haiou , Chen Wei
Published: September 2022

Purpose: To report the outcomes of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) performed in iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome patients using the intraocular lens injector (injector), which was compared with those using the Busin glide.
Methods: In this retrospective, case-control study, we evaluated the outcomes of DSAEK performed using the injector (n=7) or the Busin glide (n=7) for patients with ICE syndrome. Graft position and postoperative complications were recorded. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and endothelial cell loss (ECL) were monitored over a 12-month follow-up period.
Results: DSAEK was conducted successfully in the 14 cases, and no one was noted with graft dislocation during the follow-ups. The BCVA improved from the preoperative 1.18±0.60 to 0.41±0.40 at 12-month after operation (P < 0.001), with no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.455). ECL at 1 month after DSAEK was 21.56±12.28% in the injector group, which was significantly lower than 36.84±11.18% of the Busin group (P=0.032). No complications were observed in the 14 cases intraoperatively or postoperatively.
Conclusions: The graft injector to deliver the endothelial graft for DSAEK may cause significantly less endothelial cell damage than the pull-through technique using the Busin glide. The injector allows safe endothelial graft delivery without the need of anterior chamber irrigation, which increase the ratio of successful graft attachment.
Trial registration number: ChiCTR2100048371
Trial registration date: 2021-07-06 (retrospectively registered)
Research on Diffusion Wear Mechanism of WC Tool Cutting Al2024 Based on MD
Authors: LI Xueguang , ZHAGN Wang , MIAO Liqin
Published: September 2022

Al2024 belongs to a typical Al-Cu-Mg series alloy. It has the advantages of high strength, low specific gravity, stress resistance, corrosion resistance, good heat resistance and high fatigue resistance. It is widely used in aerospace, Automobiles, ships, chemicals and other fields. aluminum alloys play a pivotal role in industry and manufacturing. Cemented carbide tools are often used in the processing of aluminum alloys, and diffusion wear is prone to occur during the processing. It is of great significance to study the diffusion phenomenon of WC tools in the process of cutting aluminum alloys for improving tool life and workpiece surface machining accuracy. In this paper, based on the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method, the WC tool and the Al2024 model were established, the Morse potential parameters between the tool and the workpiece atoms were calculated, and the diffusion wear mechanism of the WC tool in the process of cutting Al2024 was studied. Through the displacement nephogram in the tool-worker X direction, it is found that the workpiece atoms have a tendency to diffuse to the tool. Using the mean square displacement (MSD) method, the diffusion velocities of Al, Cu and Mg atoms in the workpiece were obtained. The results show that the activation energy of atomic vacancies at the grain boundary is smaller than that at the lattice, and the Al, Cu and Mg atoms at the grain boundary of the workpiece are more likely to diffuse, and the diffusion rate of Mg atoms is the fastest. The total energy of single atoms in the cutting process was analyzed, and it was found that the energy required for Al, Cu and Mg elements at the grain boundary of the workpiece to diffuse into the WC tool and the energy required for the Mg and Al elements at the workpiece lattice to diffuse into the WC tool were satisfied.
Progranulin in the Nucleus Accumbens Contributes to Neuroinflammation-Induced Depression-Like Behavior in Mice
Authors: Wang Jing , Lai Simin , Zhou Ting , Xia Zhihao , Li Weina , Sha Wenqi , Liu Jingjie , Chen Yanjiong
Published: September 2022

Background
Neuroinflammation in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is well known to influence the progression of depression. However, the molecular mechanisms triggering NAc neuroinflammation in depression have not been fully elucidated. Progranulin (PGRN) is a multifunctional growth factor that is linked to the innate immune response and inflammation, and PGRN plays a key role in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, the purpose of this study was to validate whether PGRN was involved in the NAc neuroinflammation-promoted depressive-like phenotype.
Methods
A NAc neuroinflammation-relevant depression-like model was established using wild-type (WT) and PGRN knockout (KO) mice after NAc injection with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and various behavioral tests related to cognition, social recognition, depression and anxiety were performed with WT and PGRNKO mice with or without NAc immune challenge. RT‒PCR, ELISA, western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were used to determine the expression and function of PGRN in the neuroinflammatory reaction in the NAc after LPS challenge. The morphology of neurons in the NAc from WT and PGRNKO mice under conditions of NAc neuroinflammation was analyzed using Golgi-Cox staining, followed by Sholl analyses. The potential signaling pathways involved in NAc neuroinflammation in PGRNKO mice were investigated by western blotting.
Results
Under normal conditions, PGRN deficiency induced frontotemoral dementia (FTD)-like behaviors in mice and astrocyte activation in the NAc, promoted the release of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 and increased dendritic complexity and synaptic protein BDNF levels in the NAc. However, NAc neuroinflammation enhanced PGRN expression, which was located in astrocytes and microglia within the NAc, and PGRN deficiency in mice alleviated NAc neuroinflammation-elicited depression-like behaviors, seemingly inhibiting astrocyte- and microglia-related inflammatory reactions and neuroplasticity complexity in the NAc via the p38 and nuclear factor of kappa (NF-κB) signaling pathways present in the NAc after neuroinflammation.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that PGRN seems to exert distinct effects on different behaviors, such as FTD-like behavior and depression-like behavior, resulting from mediating astrocyte and microglial functions from the NAc in different status.
Mechanism of loess planar erosion and numerical simulation based on CFD-DEM coupling model
Authors: Wen Feng , Li Xi-An , Yang Wenfu , Li Jie , Zhou Bingquan , Gao Rongrong , Lei JingWei
Published: September 2022

Planar erosion is an important mode of soil erosion, which occurs in the process of loess slope erosion, gully erosion, and cave erosion. It is of great significance to understand the characteristics and mechanism of planar erosion to reveal the mechanism of loess erosion and the prevention and treatment of soil and water loss. In this paper, a series of loess planar erosion tests have been carried out through self-developed large-scale loess scour instrument. The erosion process and stage characteristics of subsurface erosion under different conditions have been analyzed and summarized, and the internal mechanism of the loess planar erosion process in different erosion characteristic stages has been revealed. Then, based on the characteristics of loess microstructure, a discrete element fluid-solid coupling numerical model suitable for characterizing loess microstructure and anti-erosion property was established. The whole process of loess planar erosion is successfully inverted by numerical simulation. Loess has a special "nuclear + measuring" microstructure characteristics of clay attached to silt skeleton as cement particle surface connects skeleton particles, and the skeleton particles between the relay strength are directly related to the moisture content, the microstructure characteristics of powder of action between skeleton particles are very suitable for the connection with the discrete element keys to characterization. The numerical simulation results carried out based on the numerical model of inter particle linkage established in this paper are in good agreement with the main results of the physical simulation of planar erosion. The results all show that the loess planar erosion at the scale of large test blocks can be divided into three characteristic stages: uniform planar erosion stage, micro gully erosion stage, and collapse failure stage. This indicates that the fluid-solid coupling simulation method of CFD-DEM proposed in this paper has high simulation accuracy and has great application potential in the research and application of loess erosion. This provides a new and feasible idea for the study of loess slope erosion and hydraulic loss control on the Loess Plateau, which is worthy of further promotion.
Subtypes of Early-Onset Restrictive Food Intake Disorder in Children: A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Stordeur Coline , Ayrolles Anaël , Trebossen Vincent , Barret Ségolene , Baillin Florence , Poncet-Kalifa Hélène , Meslot Carine , Clarke Julia , Bargiacchi Anne , Peyre Hugo , Delorme Richard
Published: September 2022

Rationale. The two most frequent early-onset restrictive food intake disorders are early-onset anorexia nervosa (EOAN) and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorders (ARFID). Although the core symptoms of EOAN(i.e., fear of gaining weight and disturbed body image) are not present in ARFID, these symptoms are difficult to assess during the initial phase of hospitalisation.
Objectives: (i) To identify restrictive food intake disorder subtypes in children using latent class analysis (LCA) based on information available at admission to hospital, and (ii) to determine the agreement between the subtypes identified using LCA and the final diagnosis: EOAN or ARFID.
Method: We retrospectively included 97 children under 13 years old with severe eating disorders (DSM-5) at their first hospitalisation in a specialized French paediatric unit. LCA was based on clinical information, growth chart analyses and socio-demographic parameters available at admission. We then compared the probabilities of latent class membership with the diagnosis (EOAN or ARFID) made at the end of the hospitalisation.
Results: The most parsimonious LCA model was a 2-class solution. Children diagnosed with EOAN at the end of hospitalisation had a 100% probability of belonging to class 1 while children diagnosed with ARFID had an 8% probability of belonging to class 1 based on parameters available at admission.
Discussion: Our results indicate that clinical and socio-demographic characteristics other than the core symptoms of EOAN may be discriminating for a differential diagnosis.
Physical Injuries and Burns among Refugees in Lebanon: Implications for Programs and Policies
Authors: Al-Hajj Samar , Moustafa Moustafa , El-Hechi Majed , Chahrour Mohamad A. , Nasrallah Ali A. , Kaafarani Haytham
Published: September 2022

Background: Refugees are prone to injury due to often austere living conditions, social and economic disadvantages, and limited access to health care services in host countries. This study aims to systematically quantify the prevalence of physical injuries and burns among the refugee community in Western Lebanon and examine injury characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes.
Methods: We conducted a cluster-based population survey across 21 camps in the Beqaa region of Lebanon from February to April 2019. A modified version of the ‘Surgeons Overseas Assessment of Surgical Need (SOSAS)’ tool (Version 3.0) was administered to the head of the refugee households and documented all injuries sustained by family members over the last 12 months. Descriptive and univariate regression analyses were performed to understand the association between variables.
Results: 750 heads of households were surveyed. 112 (14.9%) households sustained injuries in the past 12 months, 39 of which (34.9%) reported disabling injuries that affected their work and daily living. Injuries primarily occurred inside the tent (29.9%). Burns were sustained by at least one household member in 136 (18.1%) households in total. The majority (63.7%) of burns affected children under 5 years and were mainly due to boiling liquid (50%). Significantly more burns were reported in households where caregivers cannot lock children outside the kitchen while cooking (25.6% vs 14.9%, p-value=0.001). Similarly, households with unemployed heads had significantly more reported burns (19.7% vs 13.3%, p-value=0.05). Nearly 16.1% of the injured refugees were unable to seek health care due to the lack of health insurance coverage and financial liability.
Conclusions: Refugees severely suffer from injuries and burns, causing substantial human and economic repercussions on the affected individuals, their families, and the host healthcare system. Resources should be allocated toward designing safe camps as well as implementing educational awareness campaigns specifically focusing on teaching heating and cooking safety practices.
A Data Science Approach to Risk Assessment for Automobile Insurance Policies
Authors: Hosein Patrick
Published: September 2022

In order to determine a suitable automobile insurance policy premium one needs to take into account three factors, the risk associated with the drivers and cars on the policy, the operational costs associated with management of the policy and the desired profit margin. The premium should then be some function of these three values. We focus on risk assessment using a Data Science approach. Instead of using the traditional frequency and severity metrics we instead predict the total claims that will be made by a new customer using historical data of current and past policies. Given multiple features of the policy (age and gender of drivers, value of car, previous accidents, etc.) one can potentially try to provide personalized insurance policies based specifically on these features as follows. We can compute the average claims made per year of all past and current policies with identical features and then take an average over these claim rates. Unfortunately there may not be sufficient samples to obtain a robust average. We can instead try to include policies that are``similar" to obtain sufficient samples for a robust average. We therefore face a trade-off between personalization (only using closely similar policies) and robustness (extending the domain far enough to capture sufficient samples). This is known as the Bias-Variance Trade-off. We model this problem and determine the optimal trade-off between the two (i.e. the balance that provides the highest prediction accuracy) and apply it to the claim rate prediction problem. We demonstrate our approach using real data.