bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between medical complications according to continuity of care and medication adherence in patients with hypertension in Korea: a national population-based cohort study
Authors: Kim Dayea , Cha Jaewoo
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To analyse the differences in hypertensive complications according to continuity of care (COC) and medication adherence in patients with hypertension.

Design

A national population-based retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Secondary data analysis using National insurance claims data at all levels of hospitals in South Korea.

Participants

A total of 102 519 patients diagnosed with hypertension were included in this study.

Primary outcome measures

The levels of COC and medication adherence were estimated within the initial 2 years of the follow-up period, and the incidence of medical complications was estimated within the subsequent 16 years. We used the level of COC to measure COC and the medication possession ratio (MPR) to measure medication adherence.

Results

The average level of COC in the hypertension group was 0.8112. The average proportion of the MPR in the hypertension group was 73.3%. COC in patients with hypertension showed varying results: the low COC group had a 1.14-fold increased risk of medical complications compared with the high COC group. In terms of the level of MPR in patients with hypertension, the 0%–19% MPR group had a 1.5-fold risk of medical complications relative to the 80%–100% MPR group.

Conclusions

In patients with hypertension, high COC and medication adherence for the first 2 years of diagnosis can help prevent medical complications and promote patients’ health. Therefore, effective strategies to improve COC and medication adherence are required. Future research should include some factors that may affect the incidence of hypertensive complications, such as familial aggregation, and hazard stratification by the level of blood pressure, which were not considered in this study. Therefore, there may be residual confounding and still room for improvement.
Parental detection of neonatal jaundice using a low-cost colour card: a multicentre prospective study
Authors: Xue Guochang , Zhang Huali , Ding Xuexing , Xiong Fu , Liu Yanhong , Peng Hui , Wang Changlin , Zhao Yi , Yan Huili , Ren Mingxing , Ma Chaoying , Lu Hanming , Li Yanli , Meng Ruifeng , Xie Lingjun , Chen Na , Cheng Xiufang , Wang Jiaojiao , Xin Xiaohong , Wang Ruifen , Jiang Qi , Zhang Yong , Liang Guijuan , Li Yuanzheng , Kang Jianing , Zhang Huimin , Zhang Yinying , Yuan Yuan , Li Yawen , Su Yinglin , Liu Junping , Duan Shengjie , Liu Qingsheng , Wei Jing
Published: June 2023

Background

Since most infants are usually discharged before age 48–72 hours, peak bilirubin levels will almost always occur after discharge. Parents may be the first to observe the onset of jaundice after discharge, but visual assessment is unreliable. The jaundice colour card (JCard) is a low-cost icterometer designed for the assessment of neonatal jaundice. The objective of this study was to evaluate parental use of JCard to detect jaundice in neonates.

Methods

We conducted a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study in nine sites across China. A total of 1161 newborns ≥35 weeks of gestation were enrolled in the study. Measurements of total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels were based on clinical indications. The JCard measurements by parents and paediatricians were compared with the TSB.

Results

JCard values of parents and paediatricians were correlated with TSB (r=0.754 and 0.788, respectively). The parents’ and paediatricians’ JCard values 9 had sensitivities of 95.2% vs 97.6% and specificities of 84.5% vs 71.7% for identifying neonates with TSB ≥153.9 µmol/L. The parents’ and paediatricians’ JCard values 15 had sensitivities of 79.9% vs 89.0% and specificities of 66.7% vs 64.9% for identifying neonates with TSB ≥256.5 µmol/L. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of parents for identifying TSB ≥119.7, ≥153.9, ≥205.2, and ≥256.5 µmol/L were 0.967, 0.960, 0.915, and 0.813, respectively, and those of paediatricians were 0.966, 0.961, 0.926 and 0.840, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.933 between parents and paediatricians.

Conclusion

The JCard can be used to classify different levels of bilirubin, but it is less accurate with high bilirubin levels. The JCard diagnostic performance of parents was slightly lower than that of paediatricians.
Rapid weight loss can increase the risk of acute kidney injury in wrestlers
Authors: Trivic Tatjana , Roklicer Roberto , Zenic Natasa , Modric Toni , Milovancev Aleksandra , Lukic-Sarkanovic Mirka , Maksimovic Nemanja , Bianco Antonino , Carraro Attilio , Drid Patrik
Published: June 2023

Objective

Restrictive diets, forced starvation or voluntary weight loss are attracting more and more attention from scientists. Overall trends show that about 80% of combat sports athletes use specific methods of reducing body mass. Rapid weight loss could be a risk factor for kidney-related adverse outcomes. This study aimed to examine the impact of high-intensity specific training combined with rapid weight loss in the first and without rapid weight loss in the second phases on body composition and biochemical markers of kidney function.

Methods

The study was conducted on 12 male wrestlers. Kidney function markers were measured, including blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, uric acid and serum Cystatin-C. Alterations in analysed markers were noted in both phases of the research.

Results

According to the data, a significant increase was noted in blood urea nitrogen (p=0.002), uric acid (p=0.000) and serum creatinine (p=0.006) during the first phase in comparison with the second phase. The levels of serum Cystatin-C were slightly elevated after both phases compared with the initial measurement.

Conclusion

It is evident that high-intensity specific training combined with rapid weight loss significantly affects the increase in kidney function markers compared with identical training without rapid weight loss. The findings in this study suggest that rapid body mass reduction is associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury in wrestlers.
Phase 1 dose-escalation study of SEA-CD40: a non-fucosylated CD40 agonist, in advanced solid tumors and lymphomas
Authors: Coveler Andrew L , Smith David C , Phillips Tycel , Curti Brendan D , Goel Sanjay , Mehta Amitkumar N , Kuzel Timothy M , Markovic Svetomir N , Rixe Olivier , Bajor David L , Gajewski Thomas F , Gutierrez Martin , Lee Hun Ju , Gopal Ajay K , Caimi Paolo , Heath Elisabeth I , Thompson John A , Ansari Sahar , Jacquemont Celine , Topletz-Erickson Ariel , Zhou Peigen , Schmitt Michael W , Grilley-Olson Juneko E
Published: June 2023

Background

SEA-CD40 is an investigational, non-fucosylated, humanized monoclonal IgG1antibody that activates CD40, an immune-activating tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member. SEA-CD40 exhibits enhanced binding to activating FcγRIIIa, possibly enabling greater immune stimulation than other CD40 agonists. A first-in-human phase 1 trial was conducted to examine safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of SEA-CD40 monotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors and lymphoma.

Methods

SEA-CD40 was administered intravenously to patients with solid tumors or lymphoma in 21-day cycles with standard 3+3 dose escalation at 0.6, 3, 10, 30, 45, and 60 µg/kg. An intensified dosing regimen was also studied. The primary objectives of the study were to evaluate the safety and tolerability and identify the maximum tolerated dose of SEA-CD40. Secondary objectives included evaluation of the pharmacokinetic parameters, antitherapeutic antibodies, pharmacodynamic effects and biomarker response, and antitumor activity.

Results

A total of 67 patients received SEA-CD40 including 56 patients with solid tumors and 11 patients with lymphoma. A manageable safety profile was observed, with predominant adverse events of infusion/hypersensitivity reactions (IHRs) reported in 73% of patients. IHRs were primarily ≤grade 2 with an incidence associated with infusion rate. To mitigate IHRs, a standardized infusion approach was implemented with routine premedication and a slowed infusion rate. SEA-CD40 infusion resulted in potent immune activation, illustrated by dose dependent cytokine induction with associated activation and trafficking of innate and adaptive immune cells. Results suggested that doses of 10–30 µg/kg may result in optimal immune activation. SEA-CD40 monotherapy exhibited evidence of antitumor activity, with a partial response in a patient with basal cell carcinoma and a complete response in a patient with follicular lymphoma.

Conclusions

SEA-CD40 was tolerable as monotherapy and induced potent dose dependent immune cell activation and trafficking consistent with immune activation. Evidence of monotherapy antitumor activity was observed in patients with solid tumors and lymphoma. Further evaluation of SEA-CD40 is warranted, potentially as a component of a combination regimen.

Trial registration number

NCT02376699.
Intratumoral PPT1-positive macrophages determine immunosuppressive contexture and immunotherapy response in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Weng Jialei , Liu Shaoqing , Zhou Qiang , Xu Wenxin , Xu Minghao , Gao Dongmei , Shen Yinghao , Yi Yong , Shi Yi , Dong Qiongzhu , Zhou Chenhao , Ren Ning
Published: June 2023

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Macrophages are enriched in the HCC microenvironment and have a significant impact on disease progression and therapy efficacy. We aim to identify critical macrophages subsets involved in HCC development.

Methods

Macrophage-specific marker genes were identified through single-cell RNA sequencing analyses. The clinical significance of macrophages with palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1) positive was investigated in 169 patients with HCC from Zhongshan Hospital using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The immune microenvironment of HCC and the functional phenotype of PPT1+macrophages were explored using cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF) and RNA sequencing.

Results

Single-cell RNA sequencing analyses revealed that PPT1 was predominantly expressed in macrophages in HCC. Intratumoral PPT1+macrophages abundance was associated with inferior survival durations of patients and an independent risk factor of prognosis for HCC. High throughput analyses of immune infiltrates showed that PPT1+macrophage-enriched HCCs were characterized by high infiltration of CD8+T cells with increased programmed death-1 (PD-1) expression. PPT1+macrophages exhibited higher galectin-9, CD172a, and CCR2 levels but lower CD80 and CCR7 levels than PPT1−macrophages. Pharmacological inhibition of PPT1 by DC661 suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activity but activated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway in macrophages. In addition, DC661 enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-1 antibody in the HCC mouse model.

Conclusions

PPT1 is mainly expressed in macrophages in HCC and promotes immunosuppressive transformation of macrophages and tumor microenvironment. PPT1+macrophage infiltration is associated with poor prognosis of patients with HCC. Targeting PPT1 may potentiate the efficacy of immunotherapy for HCC.
Continuous long-term heart rate variability and risk assessment in pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Andersen Mads Ørbæk , Diederichsen Soren Zöga , Svendsen Jesper Hastrup , Carlsen Jørn
Published: June 2023

Objective

Current multimodal risk assessment for pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been redefined with a simplified assessment for follow-up in the new European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society (ESC/ERS) guidelines. Follow-up risk assessment parameters include WHO functional class, 6 min walk test and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide. Although these parameters have prognostic implications assessment reflect data relating to specific time points.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with PH received an implantable loop recorder (ILR) to monitor daytime and night-time heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV) and daily physical activity. Associations between the ILR measurements and established risk parameters were analysed using correlations, linear mixed models as well as logistical mixed models for addressing the ESC/ERS risk-score.

Results

41 patients (median age: 56 years, range: 44–61.5 years) were included. Continuous monitoring had a median duration of 755 days (range: 343–1138 days), totalling 96 patient-years. In the linear mixed models, HRV and physical activity indexed by daytime HR (PAiHR) were significantly associated with the ERS/ERC risk parameters. In a logistical mixed model, HRV revealed a significant difference between 1-year mortality (<5% vs >5%) (p=0.027) with an OR of 0.82 for being in the group with 1-year mortality >5% for every increase by one HRV unit.

Conclusions

Risk assessment in PH can be refined with continuous monitoring of HRV and PAiHR. These markers were associated with the ESC/ERC parameters. Our study with continuous risk stratification in PH demonstrated that a lower HRV predict worse prognosis.
Dual ultrasound-guided totally implantable venous access ports via the right internal jugular vein in pediatric patients with cancer: a preliminary experience in a single institution
Authors: Deng Xiao Bin , Peng Liang , Zhang Jun , Kong Xiangru , Zhao Zhenzhen , Wang Shan , Li Changchun , Du Yifei , Zhou Jianwu , Liu Lifei , Yang Chao
Published: June 2023

Objective

To assess the efficacy and safety of dual ultrasound-guided (DUG) totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) implantation (namely, using ultrasound-guided percutaneous puncture with transesophageal echocardiography-guided catheterization) via the right internal jugular vein (IJV) in pediatric patients with cancer.

Methods

Fifty-five children with cancer requiring chemotherapy underwent DUG-TIVAP implantation via the right IJV. Clinical data were recorded, including the procedure success rate, first attempt success rate, and perioperative and postoperative complications.

Results

All 55 cases were successfully operated on. The first puncture success rate was 100%. The operation time was 22–41 min, with a mean time of 30.8±5.5 min. The mean TIVAP implantation time was 253±145 days (range 42–520 days). There were no perioperative complications. The postoperative complication rate was 5.4% (3/55), including skin infections around the port in one case, catheter-related infection in one case, and fibrin sheath formation in one case. The ports were all preserved after anti-infection or thrombolytic therapy. No unplanned port withdrawal was recorded in this study.

Conclusions

DUG-TIVAP implantation is a technique with a high success rate and a low complication rate; therefore, it provides an alternative for children with cancer. Further randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of DUG-TIVAP via the right IJV in children.
Charge gap in SU(3) Yang–Mills-plus-nonlinear-spinor-field theory
Authors: Dzhunushaliev Vladimir , Folomeev Vladimir , Berkimbayev Daulet
Published: June 2023

Particlelike solutions in SU(3) gauge Yang–Mills theory with color magnetic and electric fields sourced by a nonlinear spinor field are obtained. The asymptotic behavior of these fields is studied. It is shown that the electric field exhibits the Coulomb asymptotic behavior, and one of the color components of the magnetic field behaves asymptotically as the field of a magnetic dipole. This allows one to determine the corresponding charge and magnetic moment. It is shown that profiles of the color charge and magnetic moment have global minima, which may be called charge and magnetic moment gaps. The relationship between the total energy of the system and the color charge is obtained. The physical reason for the appearance of the mass, charge, and magnetic moment gaps in the theory under consideration is discussed.
Spinor domain wall and test fermions on an arbitrary domain wall
Authors: Dzhunushaliev Vladimir , Folomeev Vladimir , Zholdakhmet Dina
Published: June 2023

We consider a spinor domain wall embedded in a five-dimensional spacetime with a nondiagonal metric. The corresponding plane symmetric solutions for linear and nonlinear spinor fields with different parameters are obtained. It is shown that in the general case the metric functions and spinor fields do not possess $$Z_2$$

Z
2

symmetry with respect to the domain wall. We study the angular momentum density of the domain wall arising because of the presence of the spinor field creating the wall. The properties of test fermions located on an arbitrary domain wall are considered. The concepts of the “second spin” (arising due to the properties of the Lorentz group generators in a five-dimensional spacetime) and of the “second magnetic field” (representing the components $$F_{i 5}$$

F

i
5

of the electromagnetic field five-tensor) are introduced. We find eigenspinors of the “second spin” and show that some of them represent the Bell states. In the nonrelativistic limit we derive the Pauli equation for the test fermions on the domain wall which contains an extra term describing the interaction of a spin-1/2 particle with the “second magnetic field”; this allows the possibility of an experimental verification of the existence of extra dimensions.
A Deep Regression Approach for Human Activity Recognition Under Partial Occlusion
Authors: Vernikos Ioannis , Spyrou Evaggelos , Kostis Ioannis-Aris , Mathe Eirini , Mylonas Phivos
Published: June 2023

In real-life scenarios, Human Activity Recognition (HAR) from video data is prone to occlusion of one or more body parts of the human subjects involved. Although it is common sense that the recognition of the majority of activities strongly depends on the motion of some body parts, which when occluded compromise the performance of recognition approaches, this problem is often underestimated in contemporary research works. Currently, training and evaluation is based on datasets that have been shot under laboratory (ideal) conditions, i.e. without any kind of occlusion. In this work, we propose an approach for HAR in the presence of partial occlusion, in cases wherein up to two body parts are involved. We assume that human motion is modeled using a set of 3D skeletal joints and also that occluded body parts remain occluded during the whole duration of the activity. We solve this problem using regression, performed by a novel deep Convolutional Recurrent Neural Network (CRNN). Specifically, given a partially occluded skeleton, we attempt to reconstruct the missing information regarding the motion of its occluded part(s). We evaluate our approach using four publicly available human motion datasets. Our experimental results indicate a significant increase of performance, when compared to baseline approaches, wherein networks that have been trained using only nonoccluded or both occluded and nonoccluded samples are evaluated using occluded samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first research work that formulates and copes with the problem of HAR under occlusion as a regression task.
Novel algorithm for compressible Newtonian axisymmetric thermal flow
Authors: Al-Haboobi Anas , Al-Muslimawi Alaa H.
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we mainly focus on the development of the Taylor-Galerkin/Pressure-Correction method (TG/PC) method to solve the flow of a compressible Newtonian fluid under nonisothermal conditions. The process of development needs applying the two-step Lax–Wendroff method on the energy equation, after which two new steps for energy equations will be obtained within the TG/PC algorithm. In addition, for the density component, the Tait equation of state is adopted to relate density to pressure, which also yields a new step within the novel method to give the correction formula of compressible pressure. To perform the analysis of the new algorithm, Poiseuille flow through axisymmetric rectangular channel for the Newtonian thermal flow is utilized as a simple problem test. The effect of nondimensional factors such as Reynolds number (Re) and Prandtl number (Pr) is discussed in this study. The influence of thermal conductivity [Formula: see text] and viscosity [Formula: see text] on the solution components is presented as well. Also, comparison for both compressible and incompressible flows is provided in addition to a comparison between both cases’ convergence, as it turns out that the convergence of the incompressible case is better than the compressible case. All the results of the effects presented in this study agree well with the approved physical trend.
Couple effect of joule heating and multiple slips on an unsteady electromagnetic nanofluid towards a stagnation point: A statistical inspection
Authors: Chakraborty Tanmoy , Uhasini Ponnapalli
Published: June 2023

This research is focused on the examination of an unsteady flow of an electromagnetic nanofluid close to a stagnation point over an expanded sheet kept horizontally. Buongiorno’s nanofluid model is revised with the combined influence of the externally applied electric and magnetic fluxes. Moreover, the underneath surface offers multiple slips into the nanofluid flow. The leading partial differential equations (PDE) are renovated to the nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODE) with the assistance of similarity transformations. Thus, the outcomes are received numerically by using the RK-6 with Nachtsheim–Swigert shooting technique. The enlistment of the outcomes for the momentum, energy and concentration profiles along with the skin-friction coefficient [Formula: see text], Nusselt number [Formula: see text] and Sherwood number [Formula: see text] for several parametric values are presented in a graphical and tabular form and discussed in detail. The variation of streamlines with respect to the unsteadiness parameter is also recorded. Statistical inspection reveals that the flow parameters are highly correlated with the wall shear stress, wall heat and mass fluxes. Findings indicate that the escalation of electric flux tries to intensify the hydrodynamic boundary layer meanwhile the magnetic flux assists to stabilize the growth by reducing it for both the steady and unsteady flow patterns. Influence of velocity slip parameter [Formula: see text] from 0.0 to 1.5 causes the reduction in [Formula: see text] by 16.98% for steady flow while 60.27% for time-dependent flow case. Moreover, we expect that these theoretical findings are very much helpful for several engineering and industrial applications such as polymer sheet productions, manufacturing automobile machines, cooling microelectronic chips, etc.
Optical spatiotemporal solitary wave solutions of the generalized (3+1)-dimensional Gross–Pitaevskii equation with distributed coefficients
Authors: Das Nilkanta , Ray S. Saha
Published: June 2023

In this work, the extended Jacobi elliptic function expansion approach is used to analyze a generalized [Formula: see text]-dimensional Gross–Pitaevskii equation with distributed time-dependent coefficients because of its use in the Bose–Einstein condensation. The Gross–Pitaevskii equation plays a significant role in Bose–Einstein condensation, where it characterizes the dynamics of the condensate wave function. By using this approach with a homogeneous balance principle, the spatiotemporal soliton solutions and exact extended traveling-wave solutions of governing equation have been successfully obtained. A few double periodic, trigonometric and hyperbolic function solutions from the Jacobi elliptic function solutions have been found under specific constraints on a parameter. It is obvious that the proposed approach is the most straightforward, efficient and useful way to handle numerous nonlinear models that arise in applied physics and mathematics in order to generate various exact solutions. A case with variable gain, constant diffraction and parabolic potential strength has been considered in this study to derive exact solutions. Numerous novel varieties of traveling-wave solutions have been revealed in this work, including the double periodic singular, the periodic singular, the dark singular, the dark kink singular, the periodic solitary singular and the singular soliton solutions and these newly obtained results differ from those previously investigated for this governing equation. In addition to addressing a scientific explanation of the analytical work, the results have been graphically presented by 3D plots and contour plots for some suitable parameter values to understand the physical meaning of the derived solutions. Due to their applicability to a variety of quantum systems, the acquired solutions are of considerable importance.
Nimbus++: Revisiting Efficient Function Signature Recovery with Depth Data Analysis
Authors: Chen Ligeng , Qian Yi , Wang Yuyang , Mao Bing
Published: June 2023

Function signature recovery is vital for many binary analysis tasks, led by control-flow integrity enhancement. To minimize human effort, existing works attempt to replace rule-based methods with learning-based methods. These works put a lot of work into improving the system’s performance, but this had the unintended consequence of increasing resource usage. However, recovering the function signature is more about providing information for subsequent tasks, e.g. reverse engineering, so both efficiency and performance are significant.

To identify the fundamental factors that increase efficiency, we attempt to optimize data-driven systems throughout their lifecycle from a data perspective. To this end, we perform detailed data analysis on a carefully collected dataset. After analysis and exploration, selective input is adopted and a multi-task learning (MTL) structure is introduced for function feature recovery to make full use of mutual information, and the computing resource overhead is optimized based on the observation of information deviation and sub-task relationship. The resource usage of the entire process is significantly reduced by our suggested solution, named Nimbus++ for efficient function signature recovery, without sacrificing performance. Our test findings demonstrate that we even surpass the state-of-the-art method’s prediction accuracy across all function signature recovery tasks by about 1% with just about 12.5% of the processing time.
INVESTIGATION OF MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF MAGNESIUM ALLOY COATED WITH INCONEL 625/WC COMPOSITES BY HVOF METHOD
Authors: SOMER MEDENI , GURGENC TURAN , ILKILIC CUMALI , MACIT CEVHER KURSAT
Published: June 2023

In this study, Inconel 625 (IN625) alloy and tungsten carbide (WC) with additive ratios of 10%, 30% and 50% by weight were coated on the magnesium alloy surface. The coating process was carried out with the High Speed Oxy-Fuel Spray (HVOF) technique. Microstructure characterizations were performed by profilometry, optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy distribution X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Microhardness measurements and wear tests were also used to determine mechanical properties. Dry sliding wear tests were carried out at loads of 2, 6 and 10 N and at a sliding distance of 150 m. It has been observed that powder mixtures with different additive ratios form different microstructures. It was observed that the Surface Centric Cubic Structure (FCC) [Formula: see text] (gamma) matrix and WC carbide as well as W2C, W6C[Formula: see text], M6C and M[Formula: see text]C6 carbides were formed on the obtained coating layers. Depending on the increase in WC additive ratio, the surface roughness values increased. The microhardness values in the coating layers varied between 392 and 508 HV[Formula: see text]WC additive to Inconel 625 improved its hardness and wear resistance. While 0.64, 0.97 and 1.19 mg weight loss was measured for 2, 6 and 10 N in the pure AZ91 sample, these values were 0.12, 0.2 and 0.31 mg in the IN625WC-50 sample measured. The coating with the highest hardness and wear resistance was obtained with a high WC ratio.
Nonlinear bi-skew Jordan derivations in prime ∗-rings
Authors: Siddeeque Mohammad Aslam , Shikeh Abbas Hussain
Published: June 2023

Let [Formula: see text] be a unital prime ∗-ring containing a nontrivial symmetric idempotent and let [Formula: see text] be the maximal symmetric ring of quotients of [Formula: see text]. Using the technique of Peirce decomposition and the theory of functional identities, we prove that a map [Formula: see text] satisfies[Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text] if and only if [Formula: see text] is an additive ∗-derivation unless [Formula: see text] and char(S) = 2. As an application, we shall characterize such maps in different operator algebras.
Absolutely pure covers of sheaves
Authors: Hosseini Esmaeil , Zarei Zahra
Published: June 2023

Let [Formula: see text] be a scheme and [Formula: see text] be the category of all sheaves of [Formula: see text]-modules. Enochs’ conjecture states that any covering class in [Formula: see text] is closed under directed colimits. In this work, if Abs[Formula: see text] is the class of all absolutely pure objects in [Formula: see text], then we prove the validity of the conjecture for Abs[Formula: see text]. This gives a characterization of locally coherent schemes. In addition, we study some homological properties of absolutely pure sheaves of [Formula: see text]-modules and answer a question raised in [P. Rothmaler, When are pure injective envelopes of flat modules flat? Comm. Algebra 30(6) (2002) 3077–3085].
AI and Global Governance: Modalities, Rationales, Tensions
Authors: Veale Michael , Matus Kira , Gorwa Robert
Published: June 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a salient but polarizing issue of recent times. Actors around the world are engaged in building a governance regime around it. What exactly the “it” is that is being governed, how, by who, and why—these are all less clear. In this review, we attempt to shine some light on those questions, considering literature on AI, the governance of computing, and regulation and governance more broadly. We take critical stock of the different modalities of the global governance of AI that have been emerging, such as ethical councils, industry governance, contracts and licensing, standards, international agreements, and domestic legislation with extraterritorial impact. Considering these, we examine selected rationales and tensions that underpin them, drawing attention to the interests and ideas driving these different modalities. As these regimes become clearer and more stable, we urge those engaging with or studying the global governance of AI to constantly ask the important question of all global governance regimes: Who benefits?
Green Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticle Decorated Polypyrrole-Chitosan on Pencil Graphite Electrode for Enzyme-Free Glucose Sensors
Authors: Yazar Sibel , Arvas Melih Besir , Polat Bulent , Ozeroglu Cemal
Published: June 2023

Here we report that we use Vitis vinifera as a reducing and stabilizing agent during the green synthesis of CuO nanoparticles (NPs). Compared to chemical and physical synthesis methods, this approach is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and inexpensive. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and UV–visible spectroscopy were used to investigate the characteristics of the gained particles. It showed that NPs synthesized with Vitis vinifera extract had high purity and an average particle size average of 60 nm. Then, the sensor activity of materials obtained at different concentrations of copper oxide nanoparticles decorated polypyrrole-chitosan on pencil graphite electrode was investigated. PPy-Chi(2.5 mg)/PGE containing 2.5 mg CuO NP electrode exhibited a linear range at concentrations of 0.2–10.0 mM and a detection limit as low as 0.740 μM. The incorporation of CuO NPs has greatly increased the sensor activity of the surface electrode, which serves as a highly active site. In addition, the stability achieved along with excellent sensing ability in beverages means that the electrodes are suitable for practical applications.
Congruent visual cues speed dynamic motor adaptation
Authors: Franklin Sae , Leib Raz , Dimitriou Michael , Franklin David W.
Published: June 2023

We demonstrate that adaptation to novel dynamics is stronger when additional online visual cues that are congruent with the dynamics are presented during adaptation, compared with either a constant or incongruent visual cue. This effect was found regardless of whether a bidirectional or unidirectional velocity-dependent force field was presented to the participants. We propose that this effect might arise through the inclusion of this additional visual cue information within the state estimation process.
Biodegradable Composite of Gelatin Blend Microcrystalline Cellulose for Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cr3+ Adsorption from an Aqueous Solution
Authors: Sultana Marzia , Ahmmed Md. Raju , Ul Hoque Md Inzamam , Ebna Mohsen Tanvir , Mondal Atol , Rahaman Md. Hafezur , Yesmin Moumita , Rahman Md. Shahedur , Alam S. M. Nur
Published: June 2023

Biodegradable and eco-friendly composite adsorbent was synthesized from modified jute fiber and gelatin and evaluated its efficacy in removing cadmium (Cd2+), lead (Pb2+), and chromium (Cr3+) ions from an aqueous solution. The prepared sample was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analyses, which revealed that gelatin successfully intercalated into the microcrystalline cellulose matrix. In batch adsorption studies, the effects of pH, adsorbent dosage, initial metal ions concentration, and temperature on the removal of heavy metal ions were investigated. The adsorption capacity of the composite varied with changing parameters, and the maximum removal efficiency obtained for Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cr3+ was 95%, 88%, and 70%, respectively, at pH 6 with 60 ppm of each metal ions concentration and an adsorbent dosage of 1.0 g L−1. Different functional groups in composite adsorbent facilitated heavy metal ions adsorption. Five error analysis methods were used to evaluate the fit the goodness of the data. The equilibrium adsorption and kinetic data were well-fitted with the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order, respectively. Moreover, the thermodynamic study showed that the adsorption was spontaneous, chemisorption, and endothermic. Our work offers a sustainable and biodegradable composite synthesized from modified jute fiber and gelatin for multimetal ions removal from an aqueous, which is an eco-friendly alternative to conventional nonbiodegradable adsorbents with potential environmental risks.
Stress Factors, Stress Levels, and Coping Mechanisms among University Students
Authors: Alkhawaldeh Abdullah , Al Omari Omar , Al Aldawi Samir , Al Hashmi Iman , Ann Ballad Cherry , Ibrahim Amal , Al Sabei Sulaiman , Alsaraireh Arwa , Al Qadire Mohammad , ALBashtawy Mohammed
Published: June 2023

Aims. To explore university students’ levels of stress, stressors, and their coping style. Methods. A cross-sectional correlational design with a convenience sample (n = 676) of university students who completed the Student-Life Stress Inventory (SSI) and Coping Strategies Indicator (CSI) was used. Findings. Overall, two-thirds of the participant reported moderate levels of stress. Students with chronic illness, living alone, low CGPA, and having exams today experienced a statistically higher mean level of stress. Students who are living alone used the “avoidance” method more significantly and the “social support” method significantly less compared with students who are living with their families and friends. Conclusion. This study concurs with others that university students are prone to distress. To our knowledge, this is the first study in the region to explore the students’ coping skills. Some of the employed coping and associated factors could be used to lay the groundwork for evidence-based prevention and mitigation.
Evaluation of the Water Quality Status and Pollution Load Carrying Capacity of Way Umpu River, Way Kanan District, Lampung Province, Indonesia, Based on Land Use
Authors: Tugiyono Tugiyono , Setiawan Agus , Suharso Suharso , Risgiyanto Anang , Huda Muhammad Nuril , Hadi Sutopo
Published: June 2023

This research aims to evaluate the water quality status and pollution load-carrying capacity of the Way Umpu River based on land use. This was carried out using the survey method by directly measuring the river water debit, pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen (DO) on-site, taking the water sample to analyze the parameters of water quality such as total dissolved solid (TDS), total suspended solid (TSS), water color, turbidity, salinity, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), fecal coli, total coliform, and plankton in the lab, and monitoring the land use. The results showed that the use of land for illegal mining and the settlement of inhabitants in station-4 (ST-4) caused water pollution. Furthermore, based on Class III water use, the parameters in ST-4 exceeded the standards for TSS, color, and BOD, while other stations such as ST-1, ST-2, ST-3, ST-5, and ST-6 showed clean and good water quality statuses. It was also found that the pollution load-carrying capacity of the Way Umpu River has not yet been exceeded for Class III and the quality of the water may be improved when the river water debit increases. In addition, the plankton community structure on ST-1, ST-2, and ST-3 showed the number of species and individuals, and the diversity index was relatively high compared to ST-4, ST-5, and ST-6. It was concluded that the integrated evaluation was based on water quality status, plankton community structure, and pollution load analyses. The land use for illegal mining will decrease the water quality and the plankton community structure compared to other land uses.
A Rare Microsporidial Infection in Lamellar Corneal Tissue, following Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy
Authors: Alabduljabbar Mohammad , Sirajuddin Fatima , Maktabi Azza , AlShabeeb Rawan
Published: June 2023

The aim of this study was to report a unique case of microsporidial keratitis over deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy surgery that was successfully treated with therapeutic lamellar keratoplasty without recurrence at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The patient presented with recurrent attacks of eye pain, redness, photophobia, and decreased vision. The patient was initially treated as a case of presumed herpetic keratouveitis using antiviral medication and topical steroids with partial improvement. During the last episode, the condition deteriorated and patient underwent therapeutic lamellar keratoplasty. Histopathology indicated an infected graft with evidence of microsporidial infection. The patient was discharged with complete corneal epithelial healing and no signs of recurrence during follow-up. Microsporidial infection is a rare cause of stromal keratitis that affects both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. Microsporidia should be suspected after surface ablation refractive surgery if the patient presents with recurrent symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis or stromal keratitis that are partially responsive to topical steroid therapy.
A Case of a Low Vault after Posterior Chamber Acrylic Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation
Authors: Saliev Ikbol , Yusupov Azamat , Mukhamedova Nazokat
Published: June 2023

When implanting a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (pIOL), it is crucial to maintain a safe distance. The patient was a 29-year-old man with high-degree bilateral myopia. In February 2021, posterior chamber acrylic pIOLs (Eyecryl Phakic TORIC; Biotech Vision Care, Gujarat, India) were implanted in both his eyes. After the surgery, the right eye vault was 6 μm, and the left eye vault was 350 μm. Moreover, the internal anterior chamber depth values were 2,270 and 2,220 μm for the right and left eyes, respectively. In our case, we found a fairly high crystalline lens rise (CLR) in both eyes, but it was greater in the right eye. The CLR value was +455 in the right eye and +350 in the left eye. In our patient, anterior segment anatomical parameters were higher in the right eye than in the left eye, and a greater pIOL length was calculated for the right eye, but the vault was very low. In our opinion, this was associated with the high CLR in the right eye. If an even larger pIOL had been implanted, there would have been a greater narrowing of the anterior chamber angle. This case would be contraindicated if those parameters were considered in selecting the indications and determination of the pIOL length.
Heart Rate Variability for Evaluating Psychological Stress Changes in Healthy Adults: A Scoping Review
Authors: Immanuel Sarah , Teferra Meseret N. , Baumert Mathias , Bidargaddi Niranjan
Published: June 2023

The utility of heart rate variability (HRV) for characterizing psychological stress is primarily impacted by methodological considerations such as study populations, experienced versus induced stress, and method of stress assessment. Here, we review studies on the associations between HRV and psychological stress, examining the nature of stress, ways stress was assessed, and HRV metrics used. The review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines on select databases. Studies that examined the HRV-stress relationship via repeated measurements and validated psychometric instruments were included (n = 15). Participant numbers and ages ranged between 10 and 403 subjects and 18 and 60 years, respectively. Both experimental (n = 9) and real-life stress (n = 6) have been explored. While RMSSD was the most reported HRV metric (n = 10) significantly associated with stress, other metrics, including LF/HF (n = 7) and HF power (n = 6) were also reported. Various linear and nonlinear HRV metrics have been utilized, with nonlinear metrics used less often. The most frequently used psychometric instrument was the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (n = 10), though various other instruments have been reported. In conclusion, HRV is a valid measure of the psychological stress response. Standard stress induction and assessment protocols combined with validated HRV measures in different domains will improve the validity of findings.
HLA Linked Regional Differences in Donor Selection: A 9-Year Study of the Swiss Registry
Authors: Kürsteiner Oliver , Nicoloso Grazia , Demont Tizian , Büchler Marcel , Tiercy Jean-Marie
Published: June 2023

Introduction: The large HLA diversity in worldwide populations is a major challenge for matched unrelated haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) donor searches. The impact of regional diversity on the effective HSC donor selection has not been documented so far for national registries. Methods: The aim of the study was to analyse the 532 consecutive work-up (WU) requests received by Swiss Blood Stem Cells (SBSC), over a 9-year period (2011–2019) with respect to criteria including the geographical origin of the donors as derived from the postal codes, countries requesting SBSC donors, HLA-matching parameters, and patients’ HLA haplotype frequencies. Results: Highly matched donors (10/10) represented 73.5% of the WU, whereas 8–9/10 mismatched donors accounted for 24.0%. The remaining donors were 7–8/8 matched (1.7%) or had an unknown matching grade (0.8%). Among the 10/10 matched patient/donor pairs with full HLA-DPB1 typing information, the rate of 11–12/12 matched donors was 73.3%. Of the 532 WU requests, 47.6% were for patients of the four neighbouring countries and for national patients. The ratio of WU requests was directly proportional to the total number of donors registered in each region (Pearson’s r = 0.977). However, for two regions (lemanic and north-eastern areas of Switzerland (CH)), the proportion of selected donors was slightly above the min-max ratio of registered donors throughout the study period. The number of WU requests differed between countries when considering donors from the northern and southern parts of the country delineated by the alpine barrier. Conclusion: This study shows the value of the SBSC registry for both national and international patients. Two countries (USA and Germany) which operate the two worldwide largest registries (>19 million donors) requested 30% of SBSC registered donors, while the Swiss transplant centres accounted for 13% of the WU requests. When considering the geographic origin of SBSC donors, we observe a correlation of WU requests with the total number of registered donors in each subregion. This finding thus supports recruitment efforts throughout all regions. Interestingly, donors from three regions (lemanic area, Zurich and Ticino) are slightly over-represented, which is possibly related to higher HLA haplotypic diversity. A focus on planning recruitment in these regions might contribute to more successful donor searches.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Morning Salivary Cortisol in the Assessment of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Recovery after Prolonged Corticosteroid Therapy in Children
Authors: Ballerini María Gabriela , Freire Analía Verónica , Rodríguez María Eugenia , Suco Valle Sofía , Castro Sebastián , Arcari Andrea , Bergadá Ignacio , Ropelato María Gabriela
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is necessary after prolonged glucocorticoid therapy withdrawal. Salivary cortisol reflects 65% of the free circulating cortisol fraction. Saliva collection is non-invasive and child friendly. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of morning salivary cortisol (mSAF) to determine HPA recovery after prolonged corticosteroid therapy in children. Methods: We conducted a prospective, validation study in 171 paediatric patients (mean ± SD age: 13.0 ± 4.4 years) who received glucocorticoids for >4 weeks (median and interquartile range: 11 [7–14] months) and were referred for therapy withdrawal. Serum and saliva samples were collected between 8 and 9 a.m. on the same day. Cortisol was measured by an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) 48 h after cessation of glucocorticoid therapy. Serum cortisol ≥193 nmol/L was used as the reference cut-off value for HPA recovery after glucocorticoid withdrawal and mSAF as the index test. Results: The cut-off concentration obtained by ROC for mSAF was ≥5.0 nmol/L. True positive and true negative results were observed in 85/171 and 40/171 children, respectively. The false-positive rate was low (3/171, 1.7%); however, false-negative results were observed in 43/171 (25%) children. The main ROC results (95% CI) were area under curve: 0.98 (0.96–0.99), sensitivity: 0.66 (0.57–0.75), specificity: 0.93 (0.81–0.99), positive predictive value: 0.97 (0.90–0.99), negative predictive value: 0.48 (0.37–0.59), LR+: 9.5, and diagnostic accuracy: 73.1%. Conclusion: The present study supports that mSAF ≥5.0 nmol/L by ECLIA is a non-invasive biomarker for the assessment of HPA recovery after prolonged glucocorticoid therapy in paediatric patients, with a positive predictive value of 97%. This proposed cut-off should be further validated using gold standard techniques for steroid quantification such as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.