bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phasor-Based Analysis of a Neuromorphic Perceptron Architecture for Microwave Sensing
Authors: Forooraghi Keyvan , Soleimani Ashkan , Atlasbaf Zahra
Published: November 2023

In this article, a new architecture is proposed for real-time and low-power inference at microwave frequencies for applications such as autonomous robot control and real-time control. The architecture utilizes a hybrid coupler network that performs dot product operations using microwave components like directional couplers, microwave filters, and phase shifters. It can solve binary and multi-class classification problems by implementing shallow neural networks. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) integration is also proposed for the hybrid coupler network to address problems of high degrees of complexity. Compared to similar works, the hybrid coupler network has unique characteristics. It relies on passive components, which means there is no power consumption for matrix multiplications. Additionally, the energy consumption and calculation speed are not dependent on input dimensions. The system is cost-effective, easy to fabricate, and has been tested on the iris dataset. Overall, the proposed neuromorphic architecture offers advantages in terms of power efficiency and real-time performance in inference phase.
Assessing the implementation level of advance care planning– the first comprehensive fidelity scale
Authors: Westbye Siri Faerden , Romøren Maria , Ahmed Marc , Hermansen Karin Berg , Brøderud Linn , Wahl Astrid Klopstad , Saevareid Trygve Johannes Lereim , Thoresen Lisbeth , Pedersen Reidar
Published: November 2023

Background Many studies report that the implementation of advance care planning (ACP) is low, but we lack an instrument to actually measure this. Implementation fidelity can be such a tool and refers to the degree to which an intervention or program is delivered as intended. This method has rarely been used in trials where ACP is the intervention, and if so, only studying parts of fidelity.Methods We developed and employed the first comprehensive fidelity-scale to measure ACP practice in hospital units. The scale was used in a cluster randomized controlled trial to measure baseline implementation of ACP in the routine care for acutely admitted patients in 12 geriatric units. The scale consists of 22 items that are scored from 1 to 5, where 1 equals no implementation, and 5 equals full implementation. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and calculation of interrater reliability.Results The mean score was 1,16 for the total scale. The few items that had a higher score were the item on program philosophy, which was known to devoted professional individuals, but not owned by entire units. Furthermore, parts of what would constitute good quality of the intervention where in place in some units, but do not represent a systematic practice. As a measure of interrater reliability, the intra-class correlation coefficient was 0,99.Conclusions The level of implementation of ACP was generally low. Our novel fidelity scale shows promising preliminary psychometric properties and may prove to be a useful tool to guide the implementation strategy to accelerate the implementation of ACP in health care.
Quantifying Tipping Risks in Power Grids and beyond
Authors: Hessler Martin , Kamps Oliver
Published: November 2023

Critical transitions, ubiquitous in nature and technology, necessitate anticipation to avert adverse outcomes. While many studies focus on bifurcation-induced tipping, where a control parameter change leads to destabilization, alternative scenarios are conceivable, e.g. noise-induced tipping by an increasing noise level in a multi-stable system. Although the generating mechanisms can be different, the observed time series can exhibit similar characteristics. Therefore, we propose a Bayesian Langevin approach, implemented in an open-source tool, which is capable of quantifying both deterministic and intrinsic stochastic dynamics simultaneously. After a detailed proof of concept, we analyse two bus voltage frequency time series of the historic North America Western Interconnection blackout on 10th August 1996. Our results unveil the intricate interplay of changing resilience and noise influence. A comparison with the blackout’s timeline supports our frequency dynamics’ Langevin model, with the BL-estimation indicating a permanent grid state change already two minutes before the officially defined triggering event. A tree-related high impedance fault or sudden load increases may serve as earlier triggers during this event, as suggested by our findings. This study underscores the importance of distinguishing destabilizing factors for a reliableanticipation of critical transitions, offering a tool for better understanding such events across various disciplines.
Bioactivity of some plant essential oils against fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Wang Tao , Zhao Jinyu , Ren Yanling , Lei Yang , Liu Yao , Guo Xiaoyun , Li Mei , Tang Jian , Ji Xiaolei , Peng Jing
Published: November 2023

Fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a widely distributed and important pest of corn crops. However, the improper use of the conventional synthetic organophosphate and neonicotinoids pesticides to control S. frugiperda has led to resistant populations. Herein, the biological activities of some plant essential oils against S. frugiperda were determined to provide theoretical basis for the biological control of S. frugiperda. Our results showed that peppermint essential oil at 4.00% concentration showed the obvious ovicidal activity (96.00%) against S. frugiperda eggs, and lemon essential oil at 1.00% concentration had the greatest antifeedant activity (99.11%) against S. frugiperda larvae. Meanwhile, patchouli essential oil and patchouli essential oil at 4.00% concentration revealed remarkable fumigation and contact activities against S. frugiperda larvae at 96 h with the inhibition rates of 93.33% and 95.67%, respectively. In addition, the combination of patchouli essential oil and indoxacarb (in a ratio of 5:1) demonstrated the most effective synergistic effect (97.67%) on S. frugiperda larvae at 96 h. Moreover, the average dwell times of rosemary essential oil at 0.50% concentration against S. frugiperda larvae as well as citronella essential oil at 0.25% and 2.00% concentrations, patchouli essential oil at 1.00% and 4.00% concentrations, and lemon essential oil at 0.50% and 1.00% concentrations against both S. frugiperda male and female adults were all 0 s, indicating that some plant essential oils revealed excellent repellent activity against S. frugiperda. These findings could help to guide the development of new insecticides for the biological control of S. frugiperda.
Population Frequency of 23 Autosomal Str Loci in 500 Nigerians
Authors: Osidipe Victoria , Akande Afeez , Onabanjo Adesola , Richards Folashade , Coble Michael , Somiari Richard
Published: November 2023

With a population of about 211 million, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the 7th most populous in the world. Despite this large population, there is paucity in population frequency data useful in forensic investigations and human identification that is specifically relevant to the Nigerian population. The study utilized samples collected from 500 unrelated individuals self-reporting as Nigerians and residing in Lagos State, the most populated and cosmopolitan state in Nigeria, with a population of about 21 million. The frequencies of 23 autosomal STR loci and other forensic parameters were calculated including the gene diversity, polymorphic information content, random match probability, power of discrimination, observed heterozygosity, power of exclusion, typical paternity index and minimum allele frequency. The allele frequencies ranged from 0.001 to 0.493 and the values for PE, PD, Hobs and PIC ranged from 0.3663 to 0.8159, 0.8321 to 0.9862, 0.6580 to 0.9100 and 0.6095 to 0.9143 respectively. Amongst the markers tested, the highest and lowest values for all parameters were observed in SE33 and D13S317 respectively except for the random match probability where the reverse is the case. None of the markers deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium using a p = 0.05 significance level.
PRE loops constitute a topological chromatin structure that restricts and specifies enhancer promoter communication
Authors: Cavalli Giacomo , Denaud Sandrine , Bardou Marion , Papadopoulos Giorgio-Lucio , Grob Stefan , Stefano Marco Di , Nollmann Marcelo , Schuettengruber Bernd
Published: November 2023

3D genome folding plays a fundamental role for the regulation of developmental genes by facilitating or constraining chromatin interactions between cis-regulatory elements (CREs). Polycomb response elements (PREs) are a specific kind of CREs involved in the memory of transcriptional states in Drosophila melanogaster. PREs act as nucleation sites for Polycomb group (PcG) proteins, which deposit the repressive histone mark H3K27me3, leading to the formation of a class of topologically associating domain (TADs) called Polycomb domains. PREs can establish looping contacts that stabilize gene repression of key developmental genes during development. However, the mechanism by which PRE loops fine tune gene expression is unknown. Using CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering, we specifically perturbed PRE contacts or enhancer function and used complementary approaches including 4C-seq, Hi-C, and Hi-M to analyze how chromatin architecture perturbation affects gene expression. Our results suggest that PRE loops constitute a landmark topological structure during Drosophila development. These loops form independently of gene expression states and have a versatile function: they restrict enhancer promoter communication and contribute to enhancer specificity.
A Survey on the Perceptions and Attitudes towards Patient-Reported Outcomes among 527 Nursing Staff in China
Authors: Zhang Lumin , Fan Weinv , Nie Liangqin , Gui Zongying
Published: November 2023

Objective: This study aims to understand the current status of nursing staff’s knowledge and attitudes towards patient-reported outcomes in a tertiary hospital in China, to provide a reference related to the enthusiasm of nursing staff for its comprehensive implementation.
Methods: A survey was conducted on 527 nursing staff from a tertiary hospital in China using general information, self-designed knowledge understanding and demand questionnaires, and Liu Huan’s localized Outcome Measures Questionnaire (OMQ). Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to analyze the influencing factors of the nursing staff's attitudes towards it.
Results: The preferred methods of acquiring and wanting to understand were through reading literature (223 people, 42.36%) and academic conferences (186 people, 35.27%). The content of interest included the usage of measurement tools (382 people, 72.48%) and application (424 people, 80.51%). The total OMQ score was 64.12±0.92, with an average item score of 2.96±0.21. There were significant differences in attitudes scores among different genders, educational levels, departments, understanding, and nursing capabilities. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that gender and educational level were influencing factors for the total OMQ score and the practice barriers section of the questionnaire (P<0.05), while understanding, age, and title were influencing factors for the negative attitudes section of the OMQ (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Nursing staff in tertiary hospitals recognize the value of patient-reported outcomes, have a strong willingness to learn related content, but also harbor some negative attitudes. Measures can be taken against these influencing factors to enhance knowledge and attitudes, thus actively applying them in clinical practice.
Achieving a Rapid Na + Migration and Highly Reversible Phase Transition of NASICON for Sodium-Ion Batteries with Suppressed Voltage Hysteresis and Ultralong Lifespan
Authors: Wu Qiao , Ma Yuanzhen , Zhang Shengqiang , Chen Xin , Bai Jinbo , Wang Hui , Liu Xiaojie
Published: November 2023

Sodium ion batteries have attracted great attention for large scale energy storage devices to replace lithium ion batteries. As a promising polyanionic cathode material of sodium-ion batteries, Na3V2(PO4)2F3 (NVPF) belonging to NASICON exhibits large gap space and excellent structural stability, leading to a high energy density and ultralong cycle lifespan. To improve its stability and Na ion mobility, K+ cations were introduced into NVPF crystal as in situ partial substitution for Na+. The influence of K+ in situ substitution on crystal structure, electronic properties, kinetic properties and electrochemical performance of NVPF were investigated. Through ex-situ examination, it turned out that K+ occupied Na1 ion, in which the K+ did not participate in the charge-discharge process and played a pillar role in improving the mobility of Na+. Moreover, the doping of K+ cation can reduce the band gap energy and improve the electronic conductivity. Besides, the optimal K+ doping concentration in N0.92K0.08VPF/C was found so as to achieve rapid Na+ migration and reversible phase transition. The specific capacity of N0.92K0.08VPF/C was as high as 128.8 mAh g− 1 at 0.2 C, and at 10 C its rate performance was excellent, which showed a capacity of 113.3 mAh g− 1.
The effect of DDIT3 on luminal A type breast cancer
Authors: Huang Guoqing , Xue Jiaying , Cao Difei
Published: November 2023

Purpose: To analyze the phenotypic changes of breast cancer (BC) cell before and after DDIT3 knockdown/overexpression, and preliminarily explore the regulatory mechanism. Also, to analyze the relationship between DDIT3 and prognosis by combining with bioinformatics methods, which provide a basis for further research on DDIT3 targeted treatment of BC.
Methods: Loss- and gain-of-function studies, DDIT3 in MCF-7 (luminal A), and RNA-seq analysis were employed to investigate the functional impact of DDIT3 on BC cell proliferation and drug resistance. The relationship between DDIT3 and the prognosis of BC patients was systematically assessed using the tissue microarray technique along with qRT-PCR and publicly available data.
Results: Survival analysis showed that patients with lower DDIT3 expression in luminal A type BC or BC patient which were undergoing endocrine therapy had a poorer prognosis, and DDIT3 expression was associated with overall survival (OS) significant. Following the knockdown of DDIT3 in MCF-7 cells, the proliferation rate was significantly increased, and drug resistance ability was just reversed. On the contrary, overexpression of DDIT3 had a relative inhibitory effect on target cell proliferation. Notably, the inhibition of DDIT3 expression upregulated TP63 and downregulated PDGFR, with the results being exactly opposite after the overexpression of DDIT3.
Conclusion: These results have revealed that DDIT3 plays a critical role in luminal A type BC cell proliferation and TAM resistance, and it holds potential prognostic value in BC. Overall, DDIT3 may exert its functions in luminal A type BC by modulating the expression of TP63 and PDGFR.
Left-atrioventricular interaction and left-atrial deformation in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with or without chronic aortic regurgitation: A 3.0T cardiac magnetic resonance feature-tracking study
Authors: Shen LiTing , Jiang Li , Shi Rui , Shen MengTing , Yan WeiFeng , Jiang YiNing , Yang ZhiGang , Li Yuan
Published: November 2023

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) increases with age and might increase cardiac morbidity and mortality; however, their comprehensive effects based on cardiac strain remain unexplored. This study aimed to use cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking to investigate the additive effects of T2DM and AR on the left heart and left-atrioventricular (LA) interaction in patients with T2DM and AR.
Methods: A total of 286 patients with T2DM (203 without AR, 83 with AR) and 105 normal controls were retrospectively included from January 2015 to October 2022. The patients with T2DM and AR were divided according to echocardiographic findings into three AR groups: mild (n = 39), moderate (n = 25), and severe (n = 19)]. The LA phasic function and left-ventricular (LV) function parameters were compared to determine the additive effects of T2DM and AR and their interaction. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the independent indicators of LA longitudinal strain.
Results: Compared with controls, the patients with T2DM without AR had a lower total LA emptying fraction (LAEF) and passive LAEF (all P < 0.05). The patients with T2DM and mild AR showed decreased LA reservoir strain (εs) and passive strain (εe) (P < 0.001), whereas those with moderate and severe AR showed significant increases in LA volume and LV volume but a decrease in LAEF, LA strain, and LV ejection fraction (all P < 0.05). In the patients with T2DM and AR, the εs was independently correlated with LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) (β = −0.304), regurgitation degree (β = −0.43), and LV mass index (LVMI) (β = −0.312). The active strain (εa) was independently correlated with regurgitation degree (β = −0.478) and LVMI (β = −0.364), whereas the εe was independently correlated with age (β = −0.226) and diabetes duration (β = −0.256, all P < 0.05).
Conclusion: AR may aggravate LA and LV dysfunction in patients with T2DM. Regurgitation degree was an independent factor contributing to εs and εa. Both LVEDV and LVMI were independent determinants affecting εs, and LVMI was an independent determinant of εa in patients with T2DM and AR.
The most-economic design of a hybrid micro-grid considering different load patterns
Authors: AbdElrazek Ahmed S. , Ibrahim Khalid H. , Saleh Saber M. , Hassan Amir Y.
Published: November 2023

In this paper, the effect of the load pattern on the optimal configuration of a stand-alone PV-Wind hybrid system based on minimum cost is studied. The proposed hybrid system consists mainly of PV modules and wind turbines (WT) in addition to diesel generators (DG) and batteries (BT) for supplying both peak demand and generation shortages. Three different load patterns with the same consumption of energy are proposed to find the most economical design of a stand-alone hybrid system through two optimization techniques: cuckoo search (CS) and white shark (WS). The proposed configurations of stand-alone hybrid systems are as follows: PV/WT, PV/WT/BT, and PV/WT/BT/DG. On the other hand, the load patterns proposed are as follows; daily load, all-day distributed load, and nightly load. Results show that the optimal configuration and the cost are dependent of the load pattern. Also the results show that both of WC and CS have the same steady-state solutions, the differences appear in the number of iterations needed to reach the steady-state.
Improved Photocatalytic Performance of Cobalt Doped ZnS Decorated with Graphene Nanostructures under UV-visible Light: Towards Efficient H2 Production
Authors: Kiptarus Joan J. , Korir Kiptiemoi. K. , Githinji David N. , Kiriamiti Henry K.
Published: November 2023

Highly dispersed Cobalt doped ZnS nanostructures were successfully fabricated on the surfaces of graphene sheets via a simple hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photocurrent spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy (RS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to analyze the structural characteristics of the Cobalt doped ZnS decorated with graphene CoxZn1−xSrGO Nanostructures (NSs). UV-visible optical absorption (UV-vis) studies were conducted to investigate their optical properties. In laboratory studies utilizing water and visible light, the photocatalytic activity of CoxZn1−xS rGO NSs at (x = 0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 atm.%) were evaluated. Graphite Oxide (GO) was successfully transformed in to sheets of graphene, according to the findings of XRD and FTIR analysis. SEM investigation showed graphene sheets enhanced with ZnS NSs possessed paper like appearance. UV-vis confirmed a noticeable rapid increase in transmittance along the UV wavelength area and confirmed a highly transparent NSs in the wavelength range of (180-800 nm). Transmittance spectra revealed a direct allowable band gap range of (1.26-5.46 eV), demonstrating band gap decrease as cobalt content increased. The Co0.04Zn0.96S rGO NSs sample had the highest photocatalytic activity, measured at 7649 μmolh−1g−1. A combination of improved dispersion properties, greater surface area, increased absorption and enhanced transfer of photogenerated electrons, CoxZn1−xS rGO NSs increased the photocatalytic hydrogen H2 generation activity.
Combination of Pregabalin and Amitriptyline in Management of Chronic Idiopathic Pain Following Penile Prosthesis Implantation: A Pilot Study
Authors: Shaker Hassan , Said Nouran El , ElSaeed Karim
Published: November 2023

Background: Chronic post penile prosthesis pain is de novo pain pain persisting > 2 months post-operatively. The topic is inadequately reported and poorly understood. Our purpose was to improvise a medical approach to alleviate the condition.
Methods: This pilot study enrolled 9 patients complaining of idiopathic penile, pelvic, or scrotal pain persisting > 2 months after penile prosthesis implantation. Subjects with signs of infection, malposition or inappropriate size were excluded. We took detailed history regarding duration of pain episodes, frequency, location, character, aggravation by touch, intensity, impact on Quality of Life (QoL), any prior analgesics. Consented patients were prescribed pregabalin 75mg/12h (escalated after 1 week to 150mg/12h upon demand) and Amitriptyline 25mg once daily for 3 months. Pain was reassessed after 10, 30 and 100 days. Dose of pregabalin required and side effects of medication were noted.
Results: Significant decrease in pain duration (p=0.007), frequency (p<0.001), and intensity (p<0.001); in glanular (p=0.008), shaft pain (p=0.046) but not scrotal (p=0.112); in sharp pain (p=0.003) and pain aggravated by touch (p=0.008) but not aching pain (p=0.277). Furthermore, significant improvement in QoL (p<0.001). Dose escalation of pregabalin to 150mg/12h required in 1 case (11%).
Conclusion: The combination of pregabalin and amitriptyline is very effective in management of chronic idiopathic pain following penile prosthesis implantation. However due to the ambiguity and lack of reporting of the condition, we recommend a multicentric contribution to acknowledge the condition, weigh its prevalence accurately, whilst evaluating the efficacy of our approach.
This study received ethical approval from Ain Shams University Research Ethics Committee (REC) FWA 000017585, on 04/13/2023 (REC-FMASU@med.asu.edu.eg).
Trial Registration No.: FMASU R98/2023.
The Effect of Integration on Business Strategies
Authors: Fapohunda Gbenga , Olayide Asunmo Olakunle
Published: November 2023

The study assessed how integration affect business strategies by evaluating the impact of forward and backward vertical integration on business performance. The data used in the testing of hypotheses formulated in the study was collected using a questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale. The data of the study was analyzed using the regression technique. The result shows that forward and backward integrations have a positive and significant effect on performance. The study concluded that forward and backward integrations are the major determinants of business performance. The study recommends that management implement integration in their strategic plan to enhance their business operations in order to boost their operations and increase performance.
Atypical chest CT scan findings have higher mortality and ICU admission among older adults with COVID-19
Authors: Hasanzadeh Mehdi , Zandieh Zhale , Niksolat Maryam , Nabi Somaye , Zanjari Nasibeh , Delbari Ahmad , Yarandi Razieh Bidhendi , Jasemi Seyed Vahid
Published: November 2023

Introduction
: The global impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been particularly devastating among vulnerable populations, with a notably higher mortality rate observed among older adults. During this health crisis, chest computed tomography (CT) scans have emerged as a crucial diagnostic tool for identifying and assessing the severity of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This study sought to explore the significance of chest CT scan findings in predicting mortality and admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) among older patients affected by COVID-19.
Materials and Methods
Conducted as a cross-sectional investigation, this study analyzed demographic characteristics such as age and gender, as well as severity indicators (ICU admission, hospitalization outside the ICU), and outcomes (death or recovery) in a cohort of 411 COVID-19 patients aged 60 and above. Chest CT scan findings, categorized as normal, indeterminate, or abnormal, were scrutinized using SPSS ver. 24 software, with outcome analyses conducted through Chi-Square tests.
Results
Among the enrolled older patients, 52.3% were female, and 47.7% were male, with a mean age of 73.5 ± 8.75 years. The mortality rate reached 24.8%, and the ICU admission rate was 19%. Notably, 76.1% of subjects exhibited typical chest CT scan findings indicative of COVID-19, while 15.6% were classified as indeterminate, and 8.3% as atypical. Mortality rates were 21.4% for typical findings, 28.1% for indeterminate results, and 50% for atypical findings. Furthermore, mortality among ICU-admitted patients stood at 78.2%. The incidence of atypical CT scan findings in ICU cases was 15.4%, compared to 6.6% in non-ICU cases.
Conclusion
The presence of atypical chest CT scan findings emerged as a significant predictor of heightened mortality and ICU admission among older individuals affected by COVID-19. This underscores the poor prognostic value associated with atypical findings in this specific demographic, emphasizing the importance of considering such indicators in the clinical management of older patients with COVID-19.
A Convenient Ratiometric fluorescent Probe Based on Gold Nanoclusters and Carbon Dots for Escherichia coli Determination
Authors: Liu Yongjie , Wang Jiayu , Liu Sunan , Li Jing , Xiang Qian , Yang Zaiyue , Zhu Ling
Published: November 2023

Escherichia coli, as a prevalent foodborne pathogen, can harm people health seriously. Hence, developing the effective methods for Escherichia coli (E. coli) determination is vital. In the paper, a convenient hybridization ratiometric fluorescent probe was constructed for the prompt determination of E.coli based on red gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) and blue carbon dots (bCDs). The relevant experimental conditions were systematically optimized including copper concentration, incubation temperature and time, in order to obtain the optimal results. There existed a strong linear relationship between the fluorescence intensity ratios (I630/I450) and the concentrations of E. coli for both AuNCs and bCDs. Based on the determination, it was found that the linear concentration range spanned from 103 to 107 CFU*mL− 1, with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 120 CFU*mL− 1. This method based on the mechanism of copper cocatalysis presents a sensitive and convenient strategy for E.coli determination, and has a promising future in the field of food safety.
Extremal Gourava indices of unicyclic graphs
Authors: Yuxin Jin , Zhou Shuming , Qifan Zhang
Published: November 2023

Topological indices are useful molecular descriptors to measure Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR), Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship (QSPR) and Quantitative Structure-Toxicity Relationship (QSTR). Recently, some novel topological indices of graphs, called the first Gourava index ($CO_1$) and the second Gourava index ($CO_2$), have been proposed to characterize the nature of chemical compounds or interconnection networks. The first and the second Gourava indices of the graph $G$ are denoted by $C{O_1}(G) =\sum\limits_{uv \in E(G)} {[{d_u}} + {d_v} + {d_u}{d_v}]$ and $C{O_2}(G) = \sum\limits_{uv \in E(G)} {[({d_u}} + {d_v}){d_u}{d_v}]$, where $d_u$ is the degree of vertex $u$. In this work, we investigate the extremal values on the first and the second Gourava indices of $n$-vertex unicyclic graphs and characterize the unicyclic graphs that achieve the extremes. We show that, for $n$-vertex unicyclic graph $G$, $8n \le C{O_1}(G) \le 2{n^2} - n + 9$ and $16n \le C{O_2}(G) \le n^3 +3n + 12$, where the lower bound is achieved by $C_n$ and the upper bound is achieved by $G_{3,1}^{(n)}$, which is obtained by attaching $n- 3$ leaves to one vertex of $C_3$. Furthermore, we investigate the applications of Gourava indices to the benzenoid hydrocarbons and show that they can predict the physico-chemical properties of molecules precisely.
The complex Monge-Ampère equation in the Cegrell’s classes
Authors: Quy Hoang Nhat
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we give some precise characterizations of existence of solution to the complex Monge-Ampère equation in the classes Eχ(Ω) and Eχ,loc(Ω).
Association between glycemia and multi-vessel lesion in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Dong Hezeng , Deng Yue , Chang Liping , Liu Zhaozheng , Shi Rui , Jin Qu , Chen Hao , Shao Xiao , Tian Tenghui , Yin Jinzhu
Published: November 2023

Background: This study aims to elucidate the association between glycemia and the occurrence of multi-vessel lesions in patients undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI).
Methods: A cohort of 2,533 patients with coronary heart disease, treated with drug-eluting stents, was analysed. Of these, 1,973 patients, identified by the endpoint of multi-vessel lesions, were examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine the relationship between glycemia levels and multi-vessel lesion occurrence.
Results: The analysis included 1,973 participants, among whom 474 patients were identified with coronary multi-vessel lesions. Univariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between glycemia and the occurrence of coronary multi-vessel lesions (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01–1.08; p=0.02). The adjusted model indicated that for each unit increase in glycemia, the risk of developing coronary multi-vessel lesions increased by 4%, showing a significant correlation (p < 0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that the impact of glycemia on multi-vessel lesions in patients with PCI varied according to gender, age, and smoking status, with the effect being more pronounced in men, older patients, and smokers。
Conclusion: Our findings establish a significant association between glycemia and the incidence of multi-vessel lesions, particularly pronounced in male patients, individuals over 45, and smokers.
Identification of additional body weight QTLs in the Berlin Fat Mouse BFMI861 lines using time series data
Authors: Delpero Manuel , Korkuć Paula , Arends Danny , Brockmann Gudrun A. , Hesse Deike
Published: November 2023

The Berlin Fat Mouse Inbred line (BFMI) is a model for obesity and metabolic syndrome. The sublines BFMI861-S1 and BFMI861-S2 differ in weight despite high genetic similarity and a shared obesity-related locus. This study focused on identifying additional body weight quantitative trait loci (QTLs) by analyzing weekly weight measurements in a male population of the advanced intercross line BFMI861-S1xBFMI861-S2. QTL analysis, utilizing 200 selectively genotyped mice (GigaMUGA) and 197 males genotyped for top SNPs, revealed a genome-wide significant QTL on Chr 15 (68.46 to 81.40 Mb) for body weight between weeks 9 to 20. Notably, this QTL disappeared (weeks 21 to 23) and reappeared (weeks 24 and 25) coinciding with a diet change. Additionally, a significant body weight QTL on Chr 16 (3.89 to 22.79 Mb) was identified from weeks 6 to 25. Candidate genes, including Gpt, Cbx6, Apol6, Apol8, Sun2 (Chr 15) and Trap1, Rrn3, Mapk1 (Chr 16), were prioritized. This study unveiled two additional body weight QTLs, one of which is novel and responsive to diet changes. These findings illuminate genomic regions influencing weight in BFMI and emphasize the utility of time series data in uncovering novel genetic factors.
Faster accurate fluorometric biosensing of E. coli by preconcentration on a green-synthesized Ag/Fe 3 O 4 /chitosan nanocomposite
Authors: Moosavi Razieh , Moussavi Gholamreza
Published: November 2023

Simple, rapid and sensitive detection assay using magnetic Ag/Fe3O4/Chitosan (Ag@IO@CS) nanocomposite, was developed for efficient removal, preconcentration and fluorometric determination of trace amounts of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. For the first time, preconcentration on the green prepared nanocomposite was combined with fluorometric detection to quantify ultralow concentrations of E. coli, and several parameters of the proposed methodology were investigated. Combination of nanocomposite adsorption and magnetic separation was used to easily extraction followed by desorption of bacteria, therefore E. coli could be determined even in the presence of gram-positive interfering bacteria. A chemometric approach was used for the analysis of fluorescence data of different bacteria to show the non-disturbance of the interferences as well. Stable magnetic silver and chitosan nanocomposite showed outstanding physical and chemical properties of consisting nanomaterials besides magnetic separation capability that make this nanobiosensor excellent scaffolds for the construction of the unique probe for E. coli bacteria.
Mild intellectual disability and borderline intellectual functioning in two sisters with a 12p11.22 loss: A case report
Authors: Choi Haemi , Kim Jeong-A , Cho Kyung-Ok , Kim Hyun Jung , Park Min-Hyeon
Published: November 2023

Background
Multiple genome sequencing studies have identified genetic abnormalities as major causes of severe intellectual disability (ID). However, many children affected by mild ID and borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) lack a genetic diagnosis because known causative ID genetic mutations have not been identified or the role of genetic variants in mild cases is less understood. Genetic variant testing in mild cases is necessary to provide information on prognosis and risk of occurrence.
Case presentation:
We report two sibling patients who were 5 years 9 months old and 3 years 3 months old and presented to the hospital due to developmental delay. Clinical assessment and chromosomal microarray analysis were performed. The patients were diagnosed with mild intellectual disability (ID) and borderline intellectual functioning (BIF). Genetic analysis identified a loss of 12p11.22, including the OVCH1-AS1, OVCH1, and TMTC1 genes, which was the only variant that occurred in both sisters. Identical variants were found in their father with probable BIF. Neither patient presented any brain structural abnormalities or dysmorphism, and no exogenous factors or parenting problems were reported.
Conclusions
Loss of 12p11.22 may be associated with our patients’ cognitive impairment. The OVCH1, OVCH1-AS1 and TMTC1 variants identified in this study are the most likely disease-causing genes in the sisters. Our findings may expand as yet limited knowledge on mild ID and BIF causative variants, which would further support the diagnosis even if the severity is mild.
Investigation of Cement Kiln Process for Reducing Environmental Emissions
Authors: Hashemi Mohammad Ajam. Marziyeh Hashemi Marziyeh
Published: November 2023

The cement industry is one of the world's most important strategic industries, essential to every country's economic and infrastructure development. Also, its production is recognized as one of the growth indicators for any country. In cement production, the rotary cement kiln is one of the main components that play a significant role in producing environmental pollutants such as NOX, VOC, CO, and CO2. Hence, this research aims to determine the concentration of pollutants gases and investigate ways to reduce their emissions, especially carbon monoxide, in different conditions in the cement kiln process. The rotary kiln is a Horizontal cylinder inclined with a relatively gentle slope, in which the raw materials with air flow have direct and counter contact. For this purpose, the kiln process was modeled and optimized using the equations of transfer phenomena, operational variables, and chemical reactions. Also investigated were primary and secondary reactions resulting from incomplete combustion. Results demonstrated that increasing excess air from 0–30% decreases exhaust gas concentration. Also, if the extra air is raised to 30%, the kiln performance efficiency and the combustion flame model do not show significant variations, and the CO mass fraction decreases.
Limited memory gradient methods for unconstrained optimization
Authors: Ferrandi Giulia , Hochstenbach Michiel E.
Published: November 2023

The limited memory steepest descent method (LMSD, Fletcher, 2012) for unconstrained optimization problems stores a few past gradients to compute multiple stepsizes at once. We review this method and propose new variants. For strictly convex quadratic objective functions, we study the numerical behavior of different techniques to compute new stepsizes. In particular, we introduce a method to improve the use of harmonic Ritz values. We also show the existence of a secant condition associated with LMSD, where the approximating Hessian is projected onto a low-dimensional space. In the general nonlinear case, we propose two new alternatives to Fletcher's method: first, the addition of symmetry constraints to the secant condition valid for the quadratic case; second, a perturbation of the last differences between consecutive gradients, to satisfy multiple secant equations simultaneously. We show that Fletcher's method can also be interpreted from this viewpoint.
AMS Classification: 65K05 , 90C20 , 90C30 , 65F15 , 65F10
Exploring the Intersection of Empathy and Behavior Change Techniques in Telehealth Coaching Messages: A Survey Study
Authors: Velasco Elena Rey , Laursen Ditte , Skinner Timothy
Published: November 2023

Background: The global rise in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) demands innovative public health strategies. Key NCD risk factors are lifestyle-related, emphasizing the importance of behavior change (BC) interventions. Here, empathy plays a pivotal role by fostering rapport, enhancing patient-provider communication, and promoting an individual's motivation to change. However, the role of empathy in BC interventions and its potential intersection with BC techniques (BCTs) remains understudied, especially in telehealth. This study seeks to investigate this intersection in the context of asynchronous health coaching.
Methods: We conducted a two-round survey with 11 health coaches (HCs) who responded to 10 participant messages from the Bump2Baby and Me trial. In total, we examined 88 HC messages for empathic responses and the presence of techniques from the taxonomies of BC techniques (BCTs), Motivational BCTs (MBCTs), and Self-Determination Theory techniques (SDTTs).
Results: We identified 121 empathic responses that strongly overlapped with MBCTs (79%, n=213) in the form of Praise (47%, n=100) via unconditional positive regard and acknowledging patient perspectives and feelings, and Normalizing (23%, n=49) via neutral support and unconditional regard. While BCTs and SDTTs showed no substantial overlaps with empathic responses, 67% of BCTs elicited participants’ feelings and views about their coaching program.
Conclusions: The role of MBCTs in empathy expressions boosts patient engagement and self-perception, fostering relatedness. BCTs supported a patient-centered approach by empowering patients to articulate and plan their goals, which promotes autonomy. The lack of alignment in other categories suggests that considering empathy and BC techniques in isolation provides an incomplete picture of BC interventions.
Ultra-compact and efficient photonic waveguide bends with different configurations designed by topology optimization
Authors: Irfan Sabaina , Kim Jae-Yong , Kurt Hamza
Published: November 2023

Transporting light signals over the corners and sharp bends imposes high optical loss and distortion on the mode profiles. Usually, bends with larger radii are used in circuits to minimize the loss over transmission, resulting in a severe limitation in integration density. In this paper, we propose novel topology-optimized L-bend and U-bend structures designed for a 220 nm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform. Optimized L-bends with footprints of 2.5 µm×2.5 µm, 1.5 µm×1.5 µm, and 1 µm×1 µm show maximum insertion losses of only 0.07 dB, 0.26 dB, and 0.78 dB, respectively. For optimized U-bends with footprints of 3 µm×3.6 µm, 2.5 µm×2.5 µm, and 1.5 µm×1.5 µm, the maximum insertion losses are 0.07 dB, 0.21 dB, and 3.16 dB. These optimized bends reduce the maximum insertion loss by over 50% compared to un-optimized arc-type bends across a broad wavelength range of 1450–1650 nm. Experimental verification of a meander line with 16 optimized U-bends (3 µm×3.6 µm) demonstrates a 1.46 dB transmission at 1550 nm, agreeing with simulated results and indicating a high potential of loss reduction with optimized bends.
Anticancer drug synergy prediction based on CatBoost
Authors: Li Changheng , Guan Nana , Zhang Hongyi
Published: November 2023

Background
The research of cancer treatments has always been a hot topic in medical field. Cancer monotherapy as a common therapy has been proven to have many disadvantages such as toxicity and drug resistance. With the development of network pharmacology, multi-targeted combination drugs have become an ideal option for cancer treatment. Since the number of potential drug combinations is very huge, it is not feasible to use clinical experience or high-throughput screening to identify the complete combinatorial space. Methods such as machine learning models offer the possibility to explore the combinatorial space effectively.
Results
In this work, we proposed a machine learning method based on CatBoost to predict the synergy scores of anticancer drug combinations on cancer cell lines, which utilized oblivious trees and Ordered Boosting technique to avoid overfitting and bias. The model was trained and tested using the data screened from NCI-ALMANAC dataset. The drugs were characterized with morgan fingerprints, drug target information, monotherapy information, and the cell lines were described with gene expression profiles. In the stratified five-fold cross-validation, our method obtained excellent results and performed significantly better than three other advanced models. Additionally, when using SHAP to interpret the biological significance of the prediction results, we found that those genes with some associations with cancer occurrence played an important role in the prediction effect.
Conclusions
The model based on CatBoost has good quality for predicting drug synergy and could be considered as an optional method for anticancer drug combination research.
An investigation of the intention and reasons of senior high school students to apply for pediatrics major
Authors: Liu Wan-xin , Zhu Kai , Long Zhi , Lv Chen-cong , Yang Chao-qun , Deng Guo-ying , Wang Qian
Published: November 2023

Objective To serve as a resource for scientific recruitment techniques, it is necessary to investigate the current state of senior high school students' willingness to apply for pediatrics majors and study the pertinent affecting elements.
Methods An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 8050 high school students. The questions covered the following topics: students’ intention to apply for pediatrics, personal and family information, factors impacting a student's choice of major, and cognizance of the state of pediatrics (including education and working conditions). univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis and chi-square tests were used to compare students with and without a clear pediatric intention and to explore influencing factors.
Results Only 6.4% (513/8050) of senior high school students had intention to apply for pediatrics (IAP). The goal was directly tied to private and family information. Students' IAP is favorably connected with their interests and well-defined career objectives, particularly when considering COVID-19. The way that students view pediatric illnesses has an impact on their willingness as well. Students' significant decisions are influenced by their understanding of pediatrics; the more positive their perceptions are of the remuneration and working circumstances for physicians, the more probable it is that they will have an IAP.
Conclusion: This survey reveals the hesitancy of high school students in selecting pediatrics as their career path and explores potential contributing factors. Furthermore, these findings offer insights into the development of healthcare services in emerging economies.
An Adaptive and Late Multimodal Fusion Framework in Contextual Representation based Evidential Deep Learning Dempster-Shafer Theory
Authors: Eldin Doaa Mohey , Hassanein Aboul Ella , Hassanien Ehab E
Published: November 2023

There is a growing interest in multidisciplinary research in multimodal synthesis technology to stimulate diversity of modal interpretation in different application contexts. The current literature review focuses on modality-based systems in a specific known context and leaves a gap in fusing multiple modality data types in different contexts. Therefore, there seems to be a real requirement for an analytical review of recent developments in the field of data fusion. The real requirement for modality diversity across multiple contextual representation fields is due to the conflicting nature of data in multi-target sensors, which introduces other obstacles including ambiguous, uncertain data, imbalance and redundancy in multi object classification. Additionally, there is lack of frameworks that can analyze offline stream data to identify hidden relationships between different modal data types and different modal counts. Additionally, the lack of a multimodal fusion model capable of determining the extraction conditions of the extracted fusion data has led to low accuracy rates in classifying objects across modalities and systems.
This paper proposes a new adaptive and late multimodal fusion framework to interpret multiple modalities and contextual representations using evidence-enhanced deep learning-based Dempster-Shafer theory. The proposed multimodal fusion framework is a MultiFusion learning model solution to solve the Modality-and context-based fusion to improve remote management, intelligent systems, and decision making. The proposed multimodal fusion framework can address the contradictory nature of data uncertainty, diversity of methods, factors, conditions, and relationships for multimodal explanation in multi-context systems to improve decision making and control in diverse contextual representations. Furthermore, this research provides a comparative analysis of the current fusion and prior multimodal data fusion models, explaining the differences of the construction analysis, mathematical analysis of fusion models, pros, and cons of them. In addition, this research presents a comparative analysis between the proposed framework with previous published fusion frameworks, exploring their concepts, advantages and problems, drivers, and current techniques. The experimental accuracy results in multimodalities experiments and multi-context using the proposed multimodal fusion framework is 98.45%. Additionally, some future research directions are discussed.