bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deciphering the role of wound healing genes in skin cutaneous melanoma: Insights into expression, methylation, mutations, and therapeutic implications
Authors: Zhang Yulong , Gao Chenxi , Luo Juncong , Khan Arsalan , Salem‐Bekhit Mounir M. , Salem Mohamed M. , Qi Zeng , Jiang Bo
Published: April 2024

Skin Cutaneous Melanoma (SKCM) is a form of cancer that originates in the pigment‐producing cells, known as melanocytes, of the skin. Delay wound healing is often correlated with the occurrence of and progression of SKCM. In this comprehensive study, we investigated the intricate roles of two important wound healing genes in SKCM, including Matrix Metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP2) and Matrix Metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP9). Through a multi‐faceted approach, we collected clinical samples, conducted molecular experiments, including RT‐qPCR, bisulphite sequencing, cell culture, cell Counting Kit‐8, colony formation, and wound healing assays. Beside this, we also used various other databases/tools/approaches for additional analysis including, UALCAN, GEPIA, HPA, MEXPRESS, cBioPortal, KM plotter, DrugBank, and molecular docking. Our results revealed a significant up‐regulation of MMP2 and MMP9 in SKCM tissues compared to normal counterparts. Moreover, promoter methylation analysis suggested an epigenetic regulatory mechanism. Validations using TCGA datasets and immunohistochemistry emphasized the clinical relevance of MMP2 and MMP9 dysregulation. Functional assays demonstrated their synergistic impact on proliferation and migration in SKCM cells. Furthermore, we identified potential therapeutic candidates, Estradiol and Calcitriol, through drug prediction and molecular docking analyses. These compounds exhibited binding affinities, suggesting their potential as MMP2/MMP9 inhibitors. Overall, our study elucidates the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications of MMP2 and MMP9 in SKCM, shedding light on their complex interplay in SKCM occurrence and progression.
Nutrient quality in dietary therapy for diabetes and diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Tsuruta Hiroaki , Sugahara Sho , Kume Shinji
Published: April 2024

Dietary therapy is crucial for diabetes care with the aim of preventing the onset and progression of diabetes and its complications. The traditional approach to dietary therapy for diabetes has primarily focused on restricting the intake of the three major nutrients and rigorously controlling blood glucose levels. However, advancements in nutritional science have shown that within the three major nutrients – carbohydrates, proteins and lipids – there exist multiple types, each with distinct impacts on type 2 diabetes and its complications, sometimes even showing conflicting effects. In light of this, the present review shifts its focus from the quantity to the quality of the three major nutrients. It aims to provide an overview of how the differences in nutrient quality can influence onset and progression of type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease, highlighting the diverse effects and, at times, contradictory impacts associated with each nutrient type.
A scoping review of racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities in the outcomes of older adults with cancer
Authors: Gilmore Nikesha , Grant Shakira J. , Bethea Traci N. , Schiaffino Melody K. , Klepin Heidi D. , Dale William , Hardi Angela , Mandelblatt Jeanne , Mohile Supriya ,   the Cancer and Aging Research Group
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Cancer health disparities are widespread. Nevertheless, the disparities in outcomes among diverse survivors of cancer ages 65 years and older (“older”) have not been systematically evaluated.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review of original research articles published between January 2016 and September 2023 and indexed in Medline (Ovid), Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL databases. We included studies evaluating racial, ethnic, socioeconomic disadvantaged, geographic, sexual and gender, and/or persons with disabilities disparities in treatment, survivorship, and mortality among older survivors of cancer. We excluded studies with no a priori aims related to a health disparity, review articles, conference proceedings, meeting abstracts, studies with unclear methodologies, and articles in which the disparity group was examined only as an analytic covariate. Two reviewers independently extracted data following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis reporting guidelines.

Results

After searching and removing duplicates, 2573 unique citations remained and after screening 59 articles met the inclusion criteria. Many investigated more than one health disparity, and most focused on racial and ethnic (n = 44) or socioeconomic (n = 25) disparities; only 10 studies described geographic disparities, and none evaluated disparities in persons with disabilities or due to sexual and gender identity. Research investigating disparities in outcomes among diverse older survivors of cancer is increasing gradually—68% of eligible articles were published between 2020 and 2023. Most studies focused on the treatment phase of care (n = 28) and mortality (n = 26), with 16 examined disparities in survivorship, symptoms, or quality of life. Most research was descriptive and lacked analyses of potential underlying mechanisms contributing to the reported disparities.

Conclusion

Little research has evaluated the effect of strategies to reduce health disparities among older patients with cancer. This lack of evidence perpetuates cancer inequities and leaves the cancer care system ill equipped to address the unique needs of the rapidly growing and increasingly diverse older adult cancer population.
Human lip vermilion: Physiology and age‐related changes
Authors: Shang Jianli , Feng Xiaoyue , Chen Yong , Gu Zhengping , Liu Youting
Published: April 2024

Background

The human lip vermilion, also known as the red lip, is important to the quality of life and has long attracted the attention of cosmetic researchers. However, there is limited existing literature on the physiological characteristics and age‐related alterations in the human vermilion.

Objective

We aim to provide an overview of the physiological characteristics and age‐related alterations in the human vermilion.

Methods

This article is a result of previous research. We conducted a literature search using various academic databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, and PubMed. Our findings provided a comprehensive understanding of the physiological characteristics and age‐related changes of the human lip vermilion.

Results

The human lip vermilion has a unique structure and physiological characteristics, and during the aging process, a few changes may occur in the human lip vermilion.

Conclusion

Understanding the human lip vermilion's physiological characteristics and age‐related changes can provide key information for the future innovation of lip vermilion care products. Further investigations are necessary to reach a consensus on the physiological characteristics and age‐related alterations in the human vermilion.
Strategies for nursing care of critically ill multicultural patients: A scoping review
Authors: Mihu Loredana , Marques Rita Margarida Dourado , Pontifice Sousa Patrícia
Published: April 2024

Background

In society, people live in a social reality where multiculturalism is an increasingly relevant and prevalent topic in their contexts. Facing this, caring for multicultural patients in an emergency service or intensive care unit setting requires a high level of cultural competence due to the complexity, vulnerability of the patient, rapid changes in hemodynamic status, involvement of the family, their informational needs.

Objective

To map the strategies for nursing care of critically ill multicultural patients.

Method

A Scoping Review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute's recommendations, with the research question: What are the strategies for nursing care of critically ill multicultural patients? The study was guided by PRISMA. The research was conducted through the EBSCOHost platform, SciELO, Portugal's Open Access Scientific Repository, the Virtual Health Library and a search in grey literature. This was achieved by combining the descriptors DECS/MESH: cultural competence; critical care; emergency room; intensive care; and natural words: cultural care; nurs* interventions; nurs* strategies; within the time frame from 2012 to 2024.

The study screening was performed by three independent reviewers through the reading of titles, abstracts and full texts, applying exclusion criteria. The study results were then subjected to content analysis, from which categories emerged.

Results

The selected articles highlight various strategies that contribute to the improvement of nursing care for critically ill multicultural patients, focusing on care practice and cultural diversity training for both nurses and nursing students.

Conclusion

Nurses with cultural competence possess more knowledge and strategies to provide tailored care for multicultural critically ill patients, thereby enhancing the quality of care delivered and contributing to the humanization of healthcare.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Nurses need to have knowledge of existing strategies for caring for multicultural critically ill patients.

Patient or Public Contribution

No direct patient or public contribution to the review.
Prognosis algorithms for acute decompensation of cirrhosis and ACLF
Authors: Valainathan Shantha R. , Xie Qing , Arroyo Vicente , Rautou Pierre‐Emmanuel
Published: April 2024

Accurate prediction of survival in patients with cirrhosis is crucial, as patients who are unlikely to survive in the short‐term need to be oriented to liver transplantation and to novel therapeutic approaches. Patients with acute decompensation of cirrhosis without or with organ dysfunction/failure, the so‐called acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF), have a particularly high short‐term mortality. Recognizing the specificity of this clinical situation, dedicated classifications and scores have been developed over the last 15 years, including variables (e.g. organ failures and systemic inflammation) not part of the formerly available cirrhosis severity scores, namely Child‐Pugh score or MELD. For patients with acute decompensation of cirrhosis, it led to the development of a dedicated score, the Clif‐C‐AD score, independently validated. For more severe patients, three different scoring systems have been proposed, by European, Asian and North American societies namely Clif‐C‐ACLF, AARC score and NASCELD‐ACLF respectively. These scores have been validated, and are widely used across the world. The differences and similarities between these scores, as well as their validation and limitations are discussed here. Even if these scores and classifications have been a step forward in favouring homogeneity between studies, and in helping making decisions for individual patients, their predictive value for mortality can still be improved as their area under the ROC curve does not exceed .8. Novel scores including biomarkers reflecting the pathophysiology of acute decompensation of cirrhosis might help reach that goal.
Libertarianism without alternative possibilities
Authors: Dolbeault Joël
Published: April 2024

In the contemporary debate on free will, most philosophers assume that the defense of libertarianism implies the defense of the notion of alternative possibilities. This article discusses this presupposition by showing that it is possible to build a libertarianism without alternative possibilities, apparently more robust than libertarianism with alternative possibilities. Inspired by Bergson, this nonclassical libertarianism challenges the idea that all causation implies the actualization of a predetermined possibility (an idea shared by determinism and classical libertarianism). Moreover, it challenges the idea that free will is a mere choice between prefixed possibilities: for this libertarianism, free will is the result of a creative process of the mind—an entirely causal process whose outcome is not, however, predetermined. This nonclassical libertarianism describes the process of forming a will in a more realistic way than classical libertarianism does. Furthermore, it is not threatened by the problem of chance.
Genetic dissection of the tissue‐specific roles of type III effectors and phytotoxins in the pathogenicity of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae to cherry
Authors: Vadillo‐Dieguez Andrea , Zeng Ziyue , Mansfield John W. , Grinberg Nastasiya F. , Lynn Samantha C. , Gregg Adam , Connell John , Harrison Richard J. , Jackson Robert W. , Hulin Michelle T.
Published: April 2024

When compared with other phylogroups (PGs) of the Pseudomonas syringae species complex, P. syringae pv. syringae (Pss) strains within PG2 have a reduced repertoire of type III effectors (T3Es) but produce several phytotoxins. Effectors within the cherry pathogen Pss 9644 were grouped based on their frequency in strains from Prunus as the conserved effector locus (CEL) common to most P. syringae pathogens; a core of effectors common to PG2; a set of PRUNUS effectors common to cherry pathogens; and a FLEXIBLE set of T3Es. Pss 9644 also contains gene clusters for biosynthesis of toxins syringomycin, syringopeptin and syringolin A. After confirmation of virulence gene expression, mutants with a sequential series of T3E and toxin deletions were pathogenicity tested on wood, leaves and fruits of sweet cherry (Prunus avium) and leaves of ornamental cherry (Prunus incisa). The toxins had a key role in disease development in fruits but were less important in leaves and wood. An effectorless mutant retained some pathogenicity to fruit but not wood or leaves. Striking redundancy was observed amongst effector groups. The CEL effectors have important roles during the early stages of leaf infection and possibly acted synergistically with toxins in all tissues. Deletion of separate groups of T3Es had more effect in P. incisa than in P. avium. Mixed inocula were used to complement the toxin mutations in trans and indicated that strain mixtures may be important in the field. Our results highlight the niche‐specific role of toxins in P. avium tissues and the complexity of effector redundancy in the pathogen Pss 9644.
Adipose‐derived miRNAs as potential biomarkers for predicting adulthood obesity and its complications: A systematic review and bioinformatic analysis
Authors: Liu Xiyan , Sun Huayi , Zheng Lixia , Zhang Jian , Su Han , Li Bingjie , Wu Qianhui , Liu Yunchan , Xu Yingxi , Song Xiaoyu , Yu Yang
Published: April 2024

Adipose tissue is the first and primary target organ of obesity and the main source of circulating miRNAs in patients with obesity. This systematic review aimed to analyze and summarize the generation and mechanisms of adipose‐derived miRNAs and their role as early predictors of various obesity‐related complications. Literature searches in the PubMed and Web of Science databases using terms related to miRNAs, obesity, and adipose tissue. Pre‐miRNAs from the Human MicroRNA Disease Database, known to regulate obesity‐related metabolic disorders, were combined for intersection processing. Validated miRNA targets were sorted through literature review, and enrichment analysis using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes via the KOBAS online tool, disease analysis, and miRNA transcription factor prediction using the TransmiR v. 2.0 database were also performed. Thirty miRNAs were identified using both obesity and adipose secretion as criteria. Seventy‐nine functionally validated targets associated with 30 comorbidities of these miRNAs were identified, implicating pathways such as autophagy, p53 pathways, and inflammation. The miRNA precursors were analyzed to predict their transcription factors and explore their biosynthesis mechanisms. Our findings offer potential insights into the epigenetic changes related to adipose‐driven obesity‐related comorbidities.
Detoxifying bacterial genes for deoxynivalenol epimerization confer durable resistance to Fusarium head blight in wheat
Authors: He Wei‐Jie , Yang Peng , Huang Tao , Liu Yu‐Fan , Zhang Yu‐Wei , Zhang Wen‐Min , Zhang Tian‐Tian , Zheng Meng‐Ru , Ma Ling , Zhao Chang‐Xing , Li He‐Ping , Liao Yu‐Cai , Wu Ai‐Bo , Zhang Jing‐Bo
Published: April 2024

Fusarium head blight (FHB) and the presence of mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) pose serious threats to wheat production and food safety worldwide. DON, as a virulence factor, is crucial for the spread of FHB pathogens on plants. However, germplasm resources that are naturally resistant to DON and DON‐producing FHB pathogens are inadequate in plants. Here, detoxifying bacteria genes responsible for DON epimerization were used to enhance the resistance of wheat to mycotoxin DON and FHB pathogens. We characterized the complete pathway and molecular basis leading to the thorough detoxification of DON via epimerization through two sequential reactions in the detoxifying bacterium Devosia sp. D6‐9. Epimerization efficiently eliminates the phytotoxicity of DON and neutralizes the effects of DON as a virulence factor. Notably, co‐expressing of the genes encoding quinoprotein dehydrogenase (QDDH) for DON oxidation in the first reaction step, and aldo‐keto reductase AKR13B2 for 3‐keto‐DON reduction in the second reaction step significantly reduced the accumulation of DON as virulence factor in wheat after the infection of pathogenic Fusarium, and accordingly conferred increased disease resistance to FHB by restricting the spread of pathogenic Fusarium in the transgenic plants. Stable and improved resistance was observed in greenhouse and field conditions over multiple generations. This successful approach presents a promising avenue for enhancing FHB resistance in crops and reducing mycotoxin contents in grains through detoxification of the virulence factor DON by exogenous resistance genes from microbes.
Governance by artifacts: Theory and evidence on materiality of administrative burdens
Authors: Nisar Muhammad Azfar , Masood Ayesha
Published: April 2024

Administrative burden research has contributed to improved understanding of citizens' experiences while accessing state services. However, the significance of the material infrastructure within which citizen–administrator interactions take place remains largely absent from this line of research. To help address this research gap, this article uses ethnographic data to discuss the influence of material and virtual artifacts in bureaucratic offices on the administrative burden faced by citizens accessing social services. This significance of artifacts is further unpacked along their material, symbolic, and aesthetic dimensions. Our findings suggest that the instrumentality of certain artifacts (or lack thereof) can disproportionately decrease accessibility and usability of bureaucratic spaces for certain social groups thereby augmenting their administrative burden. Moreover, artifacts symbolizing power, prestige, and administrative easing are reserved for spaces occupied by the social elite while the underprivileged groups are relegated to bureaucratic spaces characterized by a general neglect of aesthetics and symbolism of decay.
Nitrogen cycling process and application in different prawn culture modes
Authors: Chen Zhao , Li Jian , Zhai Qianqian , Chang Zhiqiang , Li Jitao
Published: April 2024

Nitrogenous waste is a global concern in aquatic ecosystems. In the shrimp farming system, feeding is the main input of nitrogen, which leads to the accumulation of nitrogenous waste, such as ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Nitrogen cycling is crucial for nitrogenous waste removal and for the stability of the aquaculture system. Under the action of different functional microorganisms, a variety of nitrogen cycling pathways can be used for the transformation and removal of nitrogenous waste. Understanding the complexity of the nitrogen cycle is necessary for improving the aquaculture environment. This review examines the many components and mechanisms involved in the nitrogen cycle in shrimp farming system, including nitrification, denitrification, anammox, heterotrophic assimilation, and autotrophic assimilation. Because of the difference in aquaculture characteristics, nitrogen cycling pathways in different shrimp culture modes are diverse. The current application of the nitrogen cycle in shrimp farming system, including the outdoor pond mode and indoor industrialized mode, was presented in combination with the requirements for dissolved oxygen (DO), organic matter, carbon–nitrogen ratio, light, and other environmental factors. Overall, nitrification, heterotrophic assimilation, autotrophic assimilation, and heterotrophic denitrification are the main nitrogen cycle processes in the shrimp culture system. According to the characteristics of aquaculture modes and microorganisms, utilizing different nitrogen cycle processes can enhance the efficiency of the nitrogen cycle, facilitate the elimination of nitrogenous waste, optimize the aquaculture water environment, and improve overall aquaculture benefits.
Test–retest reliability of transfer function analysis metrics for assessing dynamic cerebral autoregulation to spontaneous blood pressure oscillations
Authors: Olsen Markus Harboe , Riberholt Christian , Capion Tenna , Plovsing Ronni R. , Møller Kirsten , Berg Ronan M. G.
Published: April 2024

Transfer function analysis (TFA) is a widely used method for assessing dynamic cerebral autoregulation in humans. In the present study, we assessed the test–retest reliability of established TFA metrics derived from spontaneous blood pressure oscillations and based on 5 min recordings. The TFA‐based gain, phase and coherence in the low‐frequency range (0.07–0.20 Hz) from 19 healthy volunteers, 37 patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage and 19 patients with sepsis were included. Reliability assessments included the smallest real difference (SRD) and the coefficient of variance for comparing consecutive 5 min recordings, temporally separated 5 min recordings and consecutive recordings with a minimal length of 10 min. In healthy volunteers, temporally separating the 5 min recordings led to a 0.38 (0.01–0.79) cm s−1 mmHg−1 higher SRD for gain (P = 0.032), and extending the duration of recordings did not affect the reliability. In subarachnoid haemorrhage, temporal separation led to a 0.85 (−0.13 to 1.93) cm s−1 mmHg−1 higher SRD (P = 0.047) and a 20 (−2 to 41)% higher coefficient of variance (P = 0.038) for gain, but neither metric was affected by extending the recording duration. In sepsis, temporal separation increased the SRD for phase by 94 (23–160)° (P = 0.006) but was unaffected by extending the recording. A recording duration of 8 min was required to achieve stable gain and normalized gain measures in healthy individuals, and even longer recordings were required in patients. In conclusion, a recording duration of 5 min appears insufficient for obtaining stable and reliable TFA metrics when based on spontaneous blood pressure oscillations, particularly in critically ill patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage and sepsis.
Asynchronous Multi-Information Source Bayesian Optimization
Authors: Khatamsaz Danial , Arroyave Raymundo , Allaire Douglas L.
Published: April 2024

Resource management in engineering design seeks to optimally allocate while maximizing the performance metrics of the final design. Bayesian optimization (BO) is an efficient design framework that judiciously allocates resources through heuristic-based searches, aiming to identify the optimal design region with minimal experiments. Upon recommending a series of experiments or tasks, the framework anticipates their completion to augment its knowledge repository, subsequently guiding its decisions toward the most favorable next steps. However, when confronted with time constraints or other resource challenges, bottlenecks can hinder the traditional BO’s ability to assimilate knowledge and allocate resources with efficiency. In this work, we introduce an asynchronous learning framework designed to utilize idle periods between experiments. This model adeptly allocates resources, capitalizing on lower fidelity experiments to gather comprehensive insights about the target objective function. Such an approach ensures that the system progresses uninhibited by the outcomes of prior experiments, as it provisionally relies on anticipated results as stand-ins for actual outcomes. We initiate our exploration by addressing a basic problem, contrasting the efficacy of asynchronous learning against traditional synchronous multi-fidelity BO. We then employ this method to a practical challenge: optimizing a specific mechanical characteristic of a dual-phase steel.
Heterosis of endophytic microbiomes in hybrid rice varieties improves seed germination
Authors: Liu Yuanhui , Zhao Kankan , Stirling Erinne , Wang Xiaolin , Gao Zhenyu , Ma Bin , Xu Chunmei , Chen Song , Chu Guang , Zhang Xiufu , Wang Danying
Published: April 2024

Seed endophytic microbiomes are shaped by host and environmental factors and play a crucial role in their host growth and health. Studies have demonstrated that host genotype, including hybridization, affects seed microbiomes. Heterosis features are also observed in root-associated microbiomes. It remains unclear, however, whether heterosis exists in seed endophytic microbiomes and whether hybrid microbiota provide noticeable advantages to host plant growth, especially to seed germination. Here, we investigated the structure of seed endophytic bacterial and fungal communities from three hybrid rice varieties and their respective parents using amplicon sequencing targeting 16S rRNA and ITS2 genes. Heterosis was found in diversity and composition of seed endophytic microbiomes in hybrids, which hosted more diverse communities and significantly higher abundances of plant growth-promoting taxa, such as
Pseudomonas
and
Rhizobium
genera compared with their parental lines. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that there are potentially tighter microbial interactions in the hybrid seeds compared with their parent seeds. Finally, inoculation of seed-cultivable endophytes, isolated from hybrids, resulted in a greater promotion of seed germination compared with those isolated from parent lines. These findings suggest that heterosis exists not only in plant traits but also in seed endophytic microbiota, the latter in turn promotes seed germination, which offers valuable guidance for microbiome-assisted rice breeding.

IMPORTANCE

Genetic and physiological changes associated with plant hybridization have been studied for many crop species. Still, little is known about the impact of hybridization on the seed microbiota. In this study, we indicate that hybridization has a significant impact on the endophytic bacterial and fungal communities in rice seeds. The seed endophytic microbiomes of hybrids displayed distinct characteristics from those of their parental lines and exhibited potential heterosis features. Furthermore, the inoculation of seed-cultivable endophytes isolated from hybrids exhibited a greater promotion effect on seed germination compared with those isolated from the parents. Our findings make a valuable contribution to the emerging field of microbiome-assisted plant breeding, highlighting the potential for a targeted approach that aims to achieve not only desired plant traits but also plant-beneficial microbial communities on the seeds.
Acute safeguarding essentials in modern-day paediatrics—sexual relationships, consent and confidentiality
Authors: Thomas Helen , Cromb Daniel , Jacob Hannah , Alcock Anastasia
Published: April 2024

As the third case in the acute safeguarding essentials in modern-day paediatrics series, this article focuses on sexual relationships, consent and confidentiality. Using the scenario of a 15-year-old girl presenting to the emergency department with a positive pregnancy test, it begins with a guide to taking a psychosocial history in young people followed by discussion about some of the legality surrounding sexual relationships in adolescents, issues around consent and considerations for confidentiality in this age group.
Diagnostic criteria of anterior segment swept-source optical coherence tomography to detect gonioscopic angle closure
Authors: Guo Philip Yawen , Zhang Xiulan , Li Fei , Lin Chen , Nguyen Anwell , Sakata Rei , Higashita Risa , Okamoto Keiichiro , Yu Marco , Aihara Makoto , Aung Tin , Lin Shan , Leung Christopher Kai-Shun
Published: April 2024

Aims

To compare the diagnostic performance of 360° anterior segment optical coherence tomography assessment by applying normative percentile cut-offs versus iris trabecular contact (ITC) for detecting gonioscopic angle closure.

Methods

In this multicentre study, 394 healthy individuals were included in the normative dataset to derive the age-specific and angle location-specific normative percentiles of angle open distance (AOD500) and trabecular iris space area (TISA500) which were measured every 10° for 360°. 119 healthy participants and 170 patients with angle closure by gonioscopy were included in the test dataset to investigate the diagnostic performance of three sets of criteria for detection of gonioscopic angle closure: (1) the 10th and (2) the 5th percentiles of AOD500/TISA500, and (3) ITC (ie, AOD500/TISA500=0 mm/mm2). The number of angle locations with angle closure defined by each set of the criteria for each eye was used to generate the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the discrimination between gonioscopic angle closure and open angle.

Results

Of the three sets of diagnostic criteria examined, the area under the ROC curve was greatest for the 10th percentile of AOD500 (0.933), whereas the ITC criterion AOD500=0 mm showed the smallest area under the ROC (0.852) and the difference was statistically significant with or without adjusting for age and axial length (p<0.001). The criterion ≥90° of AOD500 below the 10th percentile attained the best sensitivity 87.6% and specificity 84.9% combination for detecting gonioscopic angle closure.

Conclusions

Applying the normative percentiles of angle measurements yielded a higher diagnostic performance than ITC for detecting angle closure on gonioscopy.
Rapid, graded sand preparation method using grain size distribution results for cement mortar testing
Authors: Prongmanee Nutthachai , Noulmanee Amorndech , Suppaso Thawatchai
Published: April 2024

Adhering to ASTM C109/C109M-20 standards ensures quality in cement mortar specimens. However, achieving the required sand gradation per ASTM C778-21 can be challenging. This paper presents a faster method for adjusting sand gradation without compromising ASTM quality standards. The proposed method involves analyzing six silica sand samples of different gradations, pre-screening sands, using Excel Solver for optimal mixture ratios, making automated gradation tweaks with precise calculations, and validating the gradation to ensure ASTM compliance. After making the adjustments, compressive strength tests were conducted on mortars with the modified sands, and the results were compared with those of standard-graded sand. Based on statistical analysis, the new method yielded reliable outcomes with compressive strengths similar to standard sands. This innovation offers a more efficient alternative, paving the way for streamlined practices in civil engineering.
Attractor Merging and Amplitude Control of Hyperchaos in a Self-Reproducing Memristive Map
Authors: Li Yongxin , Li Chunbiao , Zhong Qing , Lei Tengfei , Liu Sicong
Published: April 2024

Memristor-type feedback provides a unique passage for chaos produced with easy control. In this work, a novel memristive map with amplitude control and coexisting hyperchaotic attractors is designed, in which two nonbifurcation parameters are extracted for partial amplitude control crossing the origin and total amplitude control. Attractor splitting and attractor merging are captured, which lead to five regimes of attractor self-reproducing. In this case, double-cavity attractors extend in the direction of 0[Formula: see text], 45[Formula: see text], 90[Formula: see text] in negative [Formula: see text]-axis, 90[Formula: see text] in positive [Formula: see text]-axis, 135[Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text]-axis forming a specific wall of self-reproduction. Furthermore, the FPGA-based hardware implementation is carried out showing consistent results with numerical simulation. Finally, a high-security chaotic encryption scheme is proposed for the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing transmission system, where the power division multiplexing technique and two-dimensional region joint encryption are effectively utilized. The security of the transmitted information is improved by the various coexisting attractors and nonbifurcation amplitude controllers.
Emergence Behavior Versus Physical-Like Behavior
Authors: Hou Xiaobo , Lin Wanshan , Tian Xueting , Zhao Xutong
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we study the dynamical complexity of points with emergence behavior but without weak face behavior, especially for points without physical-like behavior in certain dynamical systems such as transitive Anosov systems. We use the tools of saturated sets to prove that these points show strong dynamical complexity in the sense of entropy, density and distributional chaos. We obtain some observations of those results related to irregular sets and level sets. These results strengthen the previous results of [Catsigeras et al., 2019; Hou et al., 2023].
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of a General Two-Species System with Taxis Term
Authors: Zuo Wenjie , Song Yongli
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics in a diffusive two-species system with taxis term and general functional response, which means the directional movement of one species upward or downward the other one. The stability of positive equilibrium and the existences of Turing bifurcation, Turing–Hopf bifurcation and Turing–Turing bifurcation are investigated. An algorithm for calculating the normal form of the Turing–Hopf bifurcation induced by the taxis term and another parameter is derived. Furthermore, we apply our theoretical results to a cooperative Lotka–Volterra system and a predator–prey system with prey-taxis. For the cooperative system, stable equilibrium becomes unstable by taxis-driven Turing instability, which is impossible for the cooperative system without taxis. For a predator–prey system with prey-taxis, the dynamical classification near the Turing–Hopf bifurcation point is clearly described. Near the Turing–Hopf point, there are spatially inhomogeneous steady-state solution, spatially homogeneous/nonhomogeneous periodic solution and pattern transitions from one spatiotemporal state to another one.
Computation of Normal Form and Unfolding of Codimension-3 Zero-Hopf–Hopf Bifurcation
Authors: Xu Xin , Zhang Xiaofang , Bi Qinsheng
Published: April 2024

The computation of the normal form as well as its unfolding is a key step to understand the topological structure of a bifurcation. Though a lot of results have been obtained, it still remains unsolved for higher co-dimensional bifurcations. The main purpose of this paper is devoted to the computation of a codimension-3 zero-Hopf–Hopf bifurcation, at which a zero as well as two pairs of pure imaginary eigenvalues can be found from the matrix evaluated at the equilibrium point. Different distributions of eigenvalues are considered, which may behave in a non-semisimple form for 1:1 internal resonance. Based on the combination of center manifold and normal form theory, all the coefficients of normal forms and nonlinear transformations are derived explicitly in terms of parameters of the original vector field, which are obtained via a recursive procedure. Accordingly, a user friendly computer program using a symbolic computation language Maple is developed to compute the coefficients up to an arbitrary order for a specific vector field with zero-Hopf–Hopf bifurcation. Furthermore, universal unfolding parameters are derived in terms of the perturbation of physical parameters, which can be employed to investigate the local behaviors in the neighborhood of the bifurcation point. Here, we emphasize that though different norm forms based on different choices may exist, their topological structures are the same, corresponding to qualitatively equivalent dynamics.
SPILLOVER EFFECTS OF COVID-19 ON USA EDUCATION GROUP STOCKS
Authors: FERNANDES LEONARDO H. S. , DE ARAUJO FERNANDO H. A. , SILVA JOSÉ W. L. , FERNANDES JOSÉ P. V. , LEITE URBANNO P. S. , MUNIZ LUCAS M. , PAIVA RANILSON O. A. , PINTO IBSEN M. B. S. , TABAK BENJAMIN MIRANDA
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we explore the price dynamics of 16 representative records of USA Education Group stocks, encompassing two non-overlapping periods (before, during, and after COVID-19). Based on information theory and cluster analysis techniques, our study provides insights into disorder, predictability, efficiency, similarity, and resilience/weakness, considering the most diverse financial stakeholders. Our findings contribute significantly to understanding price dynamics in the education sector, encompassing non-crisis and crisis periods, and provide valuable information for financial risk management, highlighting the importance of considering financial assets’ efficiency and resilience/weakness during economic turbulence, such as the COVID-19 crisis.
A Self-Optimized Machine Learning Approach for Constitutive Parameters Identification of Aortic Walls
Authors: Li Yang , Hu Dean , Wan Detao , Yan Xue , Sang Jianbing
Published: April 2024

The accurate identification of constitutive parameters is considered the key challenge for the study of mechanical properties of biological soft tissues. The popular machine learning (ML)-based inverse identification frameworks always require large amounts of training datasets. This work proposes an ML framework called self-optimized ML for accurate identifying the constitutive parameters of aortic walls under few training datasets conditions. The self-optimized ML includes three steps: Step 1: the forward physical FEM models first simulate the nonlinear deformation of aortic walls subject to uniaxial tension tests and are used to establish the nonlinear relationship datasets, Step 2: the carefully designed inverse random forest (RF) of the ML model can offer rapid identification by learning the established nonlinear relationship datasets, and Step 3: forward physical FEM models are recalled to evaluate the error between the identification results in Step 2 and real values, and then the accuracy are embedded into RF for guiding optimization directions to ensure that the final identification results are accurately and physically reasonable. The accuracy and robustness validation of proposed framework was conducted by constitutive parameters identification of uniaxial tension experiment samples of bovine aortic walls. The approach proposed achieves the R-squared exceeding 96.90% in longitudinal direction and 98.30% in circumferential direction, which is better than directly ML approach and gradient-based approach under the same amounts of datasets, respectively. The comparison results show that self-optimized ML can not only achieve accurate identification of the constitutive parameters of aortic walls, but also can decrease the identification results dependency of the initial number of sampling data effectively. The identification approach developed herein provides a common and convenient framework for constitutive parameters identification of biological soft tissues.
Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound Consensus on Routine Pelvic US for Endometriosis
Authors: Young Scott W. , Jha Priyanka , Chamié Luciana , Rodgers Shuchi , Kho Rosanne M. , Horrow Mindy M. , Glanc Phyllis , Feldman Myra , Groszmann Yvette , Khan Zaraq , Young Steven L. , Poder Liina , Burnett Tatnai L. , Hu Eric M. , Egan Susan , VanBuren Wendaline
Published: April 2024

The Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound expert consensus provides recommendations for augmenting routine pelvic US examinations through additional maneuvers and imaging to improve diagnosis of deep endometriosis.
Powerful Analytical Platform for Diazepam Determination in Pharmaceuticals and Alcoholic Drinks Based on Batch Injection Analysis Coupled with Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry
Authors: Haššo Marek , Kekeľáková Adela , Hanko Michal , Švorc Ľubomír
Published: April 2024

The presented study focuses on the development and optimization of a powerful electroanalytical platform for the direct quantification of diazepam (DZP). This innovative approach integrates a batch injection analysis (BIA) system with a screen-printed electrode arrangement employing square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry (SWAdSV). The BIA-SWAdSV method underwent a comprehensive evaluation, wherein various experimental and instrumental parameters were systematically examined in detail. Beneficial analytical performance for detecting DZP was attained in Britton-Robinson buffer with pH 6.0, with an amplitude of 75 mV, a frequency of 10 Hz, a deposition potential of –1.2 V, a deposition time of 150 s, an injection volume of 75 μl, a dispensing rate of 7 μl s−1 and without stirring during the deposition step. Under these conditions, the proposed BIA-SWAdSV method demonstrated an adequately broad linear concentration range from 5 μM to 40 μM (R
2 = 0.997) with a micromolar limit of detection (2.0 μM) and a satisfactory precision (RSD = 5.0%). The practical applicability of the newly established and powerful analytical protocol was confirmed through the analysis of pharmaceuticals and a fortified samples of an alcoholic drink (rum) associated with potential criminal activities involving DZP abuse.
Perspective—Advances in Voltammetric Methods for the Measurement of Biomolecules
Authors: Alyamni Nadiah , Abot Jandro L. , Zestos Alexander G.
Published: April 2024

Voltammetry is a powerful electroanalytical tool that makes fast, real-time measurements of neurotransmitters and other molecules. Electroanalytical methods like cyclic, pulse, and stripping voltammetry are useful for qualitative and quantitative examination. Neurochemical sensing has been enhanced using carbon-based electrodes and waveform modification methods that improve sensitivity and stability of electrode performance. Voltammetry has revolutionized neurochemical monitoring by providing real-time information on neurotransmitter dynamics for neurochemical studies. Selectivity and electrode fouling remain issues for biomolecule detection, but recent advances promise new methods of analysis for other applications to enhance spatiotemporal resolution, sensitivity, selectivity, and other important considerations.
Dissociation of J/ψ and Y Using Dissociation Energy Criteria in N-Dimensional Space
Authors: Solanki Siddhartha , Lal Manohar , Agotiya Vineet Kumar
Published: April 2024

The analytical exact iteration method (AEIM) has been widely used to calculate N-dimensional radial Schrodinger equation with medium-modified form of Cornell potential and is generalized to the finite value of magnetic field (eB) with quasiparticle approach in hot quantum chromodynamics (QCD) medium. In N-dimensional space, the energy eigenvalues have been calculated for any states (n, l). These results have been used to study the properties of quarkonium states (i.e, the binding energy and mass spectra, dissociation temperature, and thermodynamical properties in the N-dimensional space). We have determined the binding energy of the ground states of quarkonium with magnetic field and dimensionality number. We have also determined the effects of magnetic field and dimensionality number on mass spectra for ground states of quarkonia. But the main result is quite noticeable for the values of dissociation temperature in terms of magnetic field and dimensionality number for ground states of quarkonia after using the criteria of dissociation energy. At last, we have also calculated the thermodynamical properties of QGP (i.e., pressure, energy density, and speed of sound) using the parameter eB with ideal equation of states (EoS). A preprint has previously been published (Solanki et al., 2023).
Gender Differences in Adverse Events of Ketamine Drugs: A Real‐World Study Based on FAERS
Authors: Zhang Jun , Guo Qin , Zhang Ran , Wei Menghui , Nie Zhongbiao
Published: April 2024

Objective. To identify gender differences in the adverse events (AEs) of ketamine, reduce the AEs among patients, and contribute to the advancement of personalized medicine. Methods. A normalized dataset from 2004 Q1 to the 2022 Q4 in the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) was analysed. The reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), and P value were used to detect the risk signals from the data in the FAERS database and quantify the presence and extent of gender differences in ketamine AEs. Results. Totally, 5,477 ketamine (female/male (2507/1795)) AE reports were analysed, and sedation (ROR 1.30 (1.07, 1.58)), suicidal ideation (ROR 1.30 (1.03, 1.64)), nausea (ROR 1.37 (1.05, 1.78)), depression (ROR 1.22 (1.13, 1.61)), dizziness (ROR 2.25 (1.78, 2.90)), anxiety (ROR 1.48 (1.09, 1.99)), and other adverse events were found to be significantly more frequent in male patients than in female patients. Conclusion. Using FAERS, we identified gender as factors associated with ketamine‐related AEs. With the limitations inherent to this open data source, our data need prospective validation but elucidate potential factors for a personalized side effect profiling.
Tensor z‐Transform
Authors: Chang Shih Yu , Wu Hsiao-Chun
Published: April 2024

The multi‐input multioutput (MIMO) systems involving multirelational signals generated from distributed sources have been emerging as the most generalized model in practice. The existing work for characterizing such a MIMO system is to build a corresponding transform tensor, each of whose entries turns out to be the individual z‐transform of a discrete‐time impulse response sequence. However, when a MIMO system has a global feedback mechanism, which also involves multirelational signals, the aforementioned individual z‐transforms of the overall transfer tensor are quite difficult to formulate. Therefore, a new mathematical framework to govern both feedforward and feedback MIMO systems is in crucial demand. In this work, we define the tensor z‐transform to characterize a MIMO system involving multirelational signals as a whole rather than the individual entries separately, which is a novel concept for system analysis. To do so, we extend Cauchy’s integral formula and Cauchy’s residue theorem from scalars to arbitrary‐dimensional tensors, and then, to apply these new mathematical tools, we establish to undertake the inverse tensor z‐transform and approximate the corresponding discrete‐time tensor sequences. Our proposed new tensor z‐transform in this work can be applied to design digital tensor filters including infinite‐impulse‐response (IIR) tensor filters (involving global feedback mechanisms) and finite‐impulse‐response (FIR) tensor filters. Finally, numerical evaluations are presented to demonstrate certain interesting phenomena of the new tensor z‐transform.