bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The genetic risk of gestational diabetes in South Asian women
Authors: Lamri Amel , Limbachia Jayneel , Schulze Karleen M , Desai Dipika , Kelly Brian , de Souza Russell J , Paré Guillaume , Lawlor Deborah A , Wright John , Anand Sonia S ,   On behalf of for the Born in Bradford and START investigators
Published: November 2022

South Asian women are at increased risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Few studies have investigated the genetic contributions to GDM risk. We investigated the association of a type 2 diabetes (T2D) polygenic risk score (PRS), on its own, and with GDM risk factors, on GDM-related traits using data from two birth cohorts in which South Asian women were enrolled during pregnancy. 837 and 4372 pregnant South Asian women from the SouTh Asian BiRth CohorT (START) and Born in Bradford (BiB) cohort studies underwent a 75-g glucose tolerance test. PRSs were derived using genome-wide association study results from an independent multi-ethnic study (~18% South Asians). Associations with fasting plasma glucose (FPG); 2 hr post-load glucose (2hG); area under the curve glucose; and GDM were tested using linear and logistic regressions. The population attributable fraction (PAF) of the PRS was calculated. Every 1 SD increase in the PRS was associated with a 0.085 mmol/L increase in FPG ([95% confidence interval, CI=0.07–0.10], p=2.85×10−20); 0.21 mmol/L increase in 2hG ([95% CI=0.16–0.26], p=5.49×10−16); and a 45% increase in the risk of GDM ([95% CI=32–60%], p=2.27×10−14), independent of parental history of diabetes and other GDM risk factors. PRS tertile 3 accounted for 12.5% of the population’s GDM alone, and 21.7% when combined with family history. A few weak PRS and GDM risk factors interactions modulating FPG and GDM were observed. Taken together, these results show that a T2D PRS and family history of diabetes are strongly and independently associated with multiple GDM-related traits in women of South Asian descent, an effect that could be modulated by other environmental factors.
Chronic toxicity of shrimp feed added with silver nanoparticles (Argovit-4®) in Litopenaeus vannamei and immune response to white spot syndrome virus infection
Authors: Romo Quiñonez Carlos R. , Alvarez-Ruiz Píndaro , Mejía-Ruiz Claudio H. , Bogdanchikova Nina , Pestryakov Alexey , Gamez-Jimenez Carina , Valenzuela-Quiñonez Wenceslao , Montoya-Mejía Magnolia , Nava Pérez Eusebio
Published: November 2022

In recent years, the application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as antibacterial compounds has been widely used in human and veterinary medicine. In this work, we investigated the effects of AgNPs (Argovit-4®) as feed additives (feed-AgNPs) on shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) using three different methods: 1) chronic toxicity after 28 days of feeding, 2) Effects against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) challenged by oral route, and 3) transcriptional responses of immune-related genes (PAP, ProPO, CTL-3, Crustin, PEN3, and PEN4) following WSSV infection. The results showed that the feed-AgNPs did not interfere with the growth and survival of shrimp. Also, mild lesions in the hepatopancreas were recorded, proportional to the frequency of the feed-AgNP supply. Challenge test versus WSSV showed that feeding every 7 days with feed-AgNPs reduced mortality, reaching a survival rate of 53%, compared to the survival rates observed in groups fed every 4 days, daily and control groups of feed-AgNPs for the 30%, 10%, and 7% groups, respectively. Feed-AgNPs negatively regulated the expression of PAP, ProPO, and Crustin genes after 28 days of treatment and altered the transcriptional responses of PAP, ProPO, CTL-3, and Crustin after WSSV exposure. The results showed that weekly feeding-AgNPs could partially prevent WSSV infection in shrimp culture. However, whether or not transcriptional responses against pathogens are advantageous remains to be elucidated.
Plagio del silencio: Soledad Fariña pronuncia las palabras no escritas de Clarice Lispector
Authors:   Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (Chile), Rivas Nielsen Niels
Published: November 2022

Las prácticas de escrituras basadas en la apropiación e intervención de textos preexistentes han llegado a ocupar un lugar relevante en la literatura contemporánea. La obra Todo está vivo y es inmundo de Sole-dad Fariña -objeto de estudio de este artículo- es sin duda un claro ejemplo de lo anterior, pero al mismo tiempo representa una excepción, ya que el objeto último de la apropiación de Fariña no es un texto sino un silencio: el silencio de Clarice Lispector.Este particular giro que Fariña le da a la apropiación -la reescritura, la copia- de un texto preexistente es lo que motiva y orienta el desarrollo del presente artículo. Así, las preguntas que articularán el análisis pueden resumirse en los siguientes términos: ¿bajo qué formas se hace presente el silencio en los textos de Lispector y Fariña?, ¿qué sentidos es posible reconocer en dichas formas? Consecuentemente, ¿qué relación particular se puede establecer entre silencio y plagio?
Clinicopathological Profile of Prostate Cancer Patients: A 10 years Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Care Centre, North East India
Authors: Sailo Stephen Lalfakzuala , Sailo Laltan Puii , Stonewann Veracious Corner
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer and ranked fifth among the top causes of death among men. There is limited data on the clinical profile of prostate cancer in India, especially from North East India. Aim: To determine the clinicopathological profile of prostate cancer patients treated at a tertiary care centre in North East India. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Urology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, Shillong, India from January 2006 to January 2016. It included 66 consecutive prostate cancer patients treated over 10 years. Relevant information regarding age at presentation, presenting symptoms, investigation, stage of the disease, histological report, treatment, follow-up and death were collected from hospital records and analysed using Microsoft Excel software 2019. Continuous variables were presented as mean and standard deviation or range while categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Results: The mean age of the patients was 70.7 years, the majority (81.8%) were in the age group of ≥61 years. All patients except one were symptomatic at presentation. The mean Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) was high (264 ng/mL). Histologically, 65 tumours (98.5%) were adenocarcinoma and Gleason score between 8-10 was the most common. A total of 51 patients (77.3%) had stage IV prostate cancer. Total bilateral orchidectomy was the most common treatment, performed in 84.3% of stage IV patients. Nine patients died during the study. Conclusion: Prostate cancer was uncommon in the present study population but a majority of the patients presented with metastatic disease. Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histological type and total bilateral orchidectomy was the most common treatment, performed in the majority of the patients with stage IV disease.
Factors Influencing Drug Adherence among Different Patient Populations in India
Authors: Britto D Rock , Soundararajan S , Rizvana Shagirunisha , Ramesh Adarsh Srinivas , Agalya G
Published: November 2022

Drug adherence is an important problem faced worldwide by patients of all age groups. This article aims to address the factors hindering patient adherence to a proper medication regime. Numerous studies have demonstrated that complex dosing schedules and polypharmacy along with financial constraints are the main problems faced by patients. The problems also tend to vary among different patient populations such as diabetics, hypertensives, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients, posing different challenges in each of the chronic diseases. Multifactorial solutions are needed to improve medication adherence including efforts to improve a patient’s understanding of medication benefits, trust in their doctor and health system, and improving the physician’s recognition and understanding of patients’ beliefs, fears, and values to achieve increased medication adherence.
Supporting Mental Health in a Public Library Context: A Mixed Methods Brief Evaluation
Authors: Oudshoorn Abe , Van Berkum Amy , Burkell Jacquie , Berman Helene , Carswell Jessica , Van Loon Colleen
Published: November 2022

An ongoing consideration of community mental health services is how to optimize outreach to best support a wellness approach. Public libraries provide a potential site for mental health services due to use by a diverse range of patrons. The purpose of this study was to explore a mental health wellness hub situated in a core urban library. Following a mixed methods approach, the study explores: (1) the desirability of this form of co-location; (2) the impact on library staff; and (3) how this hub integrated, or not, with the broader mental health system. Ultimately, findings demonstrated a significantly positive experience by patrons, mental health hub staff, and library staff.
Comparative Study of Workers Exposure to Volatile Compounds in Cooking Gas and Petrol Stations in Effurun and Environs
Authors: Odilichukwu Alegimenlen Abdul Rasheed , Farouq Ado Umar , Idahosa Vanessa Amen , Augustine Onyelusiahu Chinonso
Published: November 2022

This project aimed to determine workers' exposure to volatile compounds in cooking gas and petrol stations in Effurun and its environs. A total of ten cooking gas and petrol stations were randomly sampled for the study. A gas analyzer (Eurotron 3000+ UniGas) was used to collect data, and the parameters analyzed were O2, CO2, CO, NO, NO2, and SO. It was observed that the cooking gas and petrol stations were within OSHA standard rating, for O2 = 206,000-ppm as OSHA = 195,000-ppm, for CO2 = 23-ppm as OSHA = 5000-ppm, for CO = 14-ppm as OSHA = 50, for NO = 15-ppm as OSHA = 25-ppm and for SO2 = 0-ppm as OSHA = 5-ppm, whereas NO2 calculated was 18-ppm was higher than OSHA recommended value (5-ppm), hence could make the environment not conducive for workers if exposed over a long period. According to the calculated values, all ten (10) cooking gas and petrol stations covered in this project work complied with OSHA's recommended values for O2, CO2, CO, NO, and SO2 except for NO2 (18-ppm) as it was higher than the allowable limit of 5-ppm set by OSHA, this may be due to the presence of car exhaust fumes driving in and out of the gas and petrol stations and the release of cooking gas into the atmosphere from the gas stations. It was recommended that shift work be adopted to reduce the accumulation of volatile compounds in the workers' bodies; disposable masks should be used to reduce workers' inhalation of volatile compounds.
Evaluation of Predictive Factors Associated with Resolution of Acute Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
Authors: Amin Ahmed Yousef , El-Bradey Mohamed Hosny , Serag Yasser Ragab , Moussa Magdy Salah
Published: November 2022

Background: Central serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC) is characterized by serous subretinal fluid (SRF)leakage and accumulation with subsequent serous retinal detachment We conducted this study to study the predictive factors associated with resolution of the non-treated, first episode of acute CSC including systemic factors and ocular factors using different imaging modalities.

Methods: This prospective, observational study of 30 affected eyes and 30 fellow eyes of 30 consecutive patients with non-treated, first episode of acute CSC and age and sex matched control group of 30 eyes were also studied. Detailed history taking including: name, age, residence, previous and present ocular or systemic diseases, previous ocular trauma, previous ocular surgery, assessment of systemic factors including, smoking, hypertension, Helicobacter pylori infection, pregnancy, sleeping disturbance, autoimmune diseases and psychological factors, history of intake of ocular or systemic medications especially corticosteroid and psychopharmacological medications, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Results: The baseline BCVA of the "Improvement" group was lower than that of "No Improvement" group and the difference was statistically significant (p. value 0.014*). On the other hand, the final BCVA of the "Improvement" group was higher than that of "No Improvement" group and the difference was also statistically significant (p. value 0.005*). There was a statistically significant decrease of the mean automated central retinal thickness (ACRT) (P-value 0.004*), mean vertical SRF dimension (VD) (P-value 0.012*), mean horizontal SRF dimension (HD) (P-value 0.022*) and mean SRF height (P-value 0.002*).

There was a statistically significant negative correlation between age (years) and the mean baseline SFCT (um) in both affected and fellow eyes (P-value 0.013* and 0.014* respectively). In other words, the older the patient was, the thinner the baseline SFCT in both eyes (affected and fellow) will be measured.

Conclusions: Proper assessment of systemic factors associated with CSC and ocular factors using multimodal ocular imaging help us in predicting the course and visual prognosis of CSC cases. We depended on evaluating the difference of all variables between the "improvement group, n=22 cases" (decreased SRF height after 3 months) and "no improvement group, n=8 cases" (persistent/increased SRF height after 3 months).
Review on the Preparation of Grout from Quartz Sand
Authors: Shi Yingying
Published: November 2022

Cementitious grout is a paste made of cementitious materials, mineral admixtures, admixtures and water mixed in a certain ratio, which is widely used in construction projects. Due to its good physical and chemical properties, grout is now also playing great potential in the industrial field. As grout is often used in areas with high strength requirements such as repair and reinforcement of concrete, installation of large equipment, and grouting, the particle packing density has a great impact on its performance, so how to improve the particle packing density to enhance its strength is particularly important.
Risk analysis of the Unity 1.5 T MR‐Linac adapt‐to‐position workflow
Authors: Liang Jiayi , Scripes Paola Godoy , Tyagi Neelam , Subashi Ergys , Wunner Theresa , Cote Nicolas , Chan Ching‐Yun , Ng Angela , Brennan Victoria , Zakeri Kaveh , Wildberger Cassandra , Mechalakos James
Published: November 2022

Background and Purpose

Newer technologies allow for daily treatment adaptation, providing the ability to account for setup variations and organ motion but comes at the cost of increasing the treatment workflow complexity. One such technology is the adapt‐to‐position (ATP) workflow on the Unity MR‐Linac. Prospective risk assessment of a new workflow allows clinics to catch errors before they occur, especially for processes that include novel and unfamiliar steps.

Methods

As part of a quality management program, failure modes and effects analysis was performed on the ATP treatment workflow following the recommendations of AAPM’s Task Group 100. A multidisciplinary team was formed to identify and evaluate failure modes for all the steps taken during a daily treatment workflow. Failure modes of high severity and overall score were isolated and addressed.

Results

Mitigations were determined for high‐ranking failure modes and implemented into the clinic. High‐ranking failure modes existed in all steps of the workflow. Failure modes were then rescored to evaluate the effectiveness of the mitigations.

Conclusion

Failure modes and effects analysis on the Unity MR‐Linac highlighted areas in the ATP workflow that could be prone to failures and allowed our clinic to change the process to be more robust.
Fuzzy‐dependent switched fault‐tolerant tracking control for permanent magnet synchronous generator‐based wind energy conversion system
Authors: Kuppusamy Subramanian , Joo Young Hoon
Published: November 2022

This article investigates the switched fault‐tolerant tracking control techniques for a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG)‐based variable‐speed wind energy conversion system (WECS) subject to actuator faults. To do this, a Takagi‐Sugeno fuzzy model is exploited to delineate the nonlinear WECS composed of a PMSG and wind turbine. By using the switching technique and Lyapunov functional including membership function information, fault‐tolerant tracking control is proposed to effectively track the optimal trajectory of PMSG‐based WECS states with known and unknown actuator faults. Also, the stabilization conditions are derived in the form of linear matrix inequality to determine the control gains, which assures the maximum power output and enhance the system performance. Meanwhile, the performance index is presented with membership function, for attenuating the load torque disturbance of WECS. Finally, the superiority and benefit of presented method are validated by numerical simulations.
A synthesis‐analysis of winter oilseed rape yield response to planting density under intensive cropping system in Yangtze River Basin
Authors: Cong Rihuan , Zhong Zijing , Zhang Zhi , Liu Yu , Lu Zhifeng , Ren Tao , Li Xiaokun , Lu Jianwei
Published: November 2022

Optimal yield is dependent on the collocations between plant population and individual growth. High plant population for direct‐sown winter oilseed rape would be a common method to achieve high yield under intensive cropping systems. We investigated the oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) yield response to planting density while considering the productivity environment, nitrogen (N) fertilizer, and sowing date. A synthesis‐analysis was conducted by collecting the density–yield data in the field experiments of oilseed rape from 2000 to 2019 in China. The population yield response to different planting density levels could be described by a quadratic model, with a threshold value of 45–60 plants m−2. High planting density had no remarkable influence on the attainable population yield due to the decreasing individual potential yield. The population yield increment capacity by the increasing planting density was higher in medium yield environment (i.e., average yield at 1500–2500 kg ha−1). The planting density presented a remarkable effect on population yield after the N limitation was relieved. Increasing planting density at 104 plants per hectare was equivalent to applying 1.17 kg N fertilizer on population yield, ranging from 0.42 to 4.76 kg under different yield environment levels. Yield loss caused by unsuitable sowing date (especially for the late sowing) could be compensated by increasing planting density. Planting density played a crucial role in adapting other management practices. Optimizing the allocation of plant population and individual growth, and establishing target plant phenotype under high planting density would help achieve high population yield.
Impact of periampullary diverticulum on biliary cannulation: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ho Jing Liang , Seneviratna Aruni , Yip Cherng Hann Benjamin
Published: November 2022

The prevalence of periampullary diverticulum (PAD) is relatively high in patients who undergo endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). It is currently unclear if the presence of PAD impacts the success, difficulty, and complication rates of ERCP. The aim of the study is to investigate and compare the success rate, procedure difficulty, and complication rate between patients with or without PAD. Patients with PAD were further analyzed according to location and size. A total of 548 ERCP procedures were performed at our endoscopy center from 2015 to 2016. Those patients with previous ERCP, inability to locate the ampulla or abandoned procedure were excluded. 357 procedures were analyzed. A t test (normally distributed) or Mann‐Whitney U test (skewed) for continuous data and chi‐square or fisher's exact test for categorical data. A total of 116 were found to have PAD. The ampulla was located within the diverticulum in 8.9%, on the edge in 38.9%, and near in 52.2%. 64.3% of the PAD was large and 35.7% small. Patients with PAD were significantly older (P < .001) and more likely to undergo ERCP for common bile duct stone (P = .007). There was no difference in ERCP grade, cannulation difficulty, cannulation success, procedure time, and complication rate between the two groups. Location and size of PAD also did not impact ERCP. The presence of PAD did not affect ERCP cannulation rates, increase the difficulty of cannulation or caused more complications.
Will nasal airway surgery improve my sense of smell? A prospective observational study
Authors: Gillman Grant S. , Bakeman Anna E. , Soose Ryan J. , Wang Eric W. , Schaitkin Barry M. , Lee Stella E. , Chang Yue‐Fang , Mims Mark M.
Published: November 2022

Background

The effect of nasal airway surgery on olfaction has not been well established. The goal of this study is to assess changes in olfaction after septoplasty with inferior turbinate reduction through both objective and patient‐reported measures.

Methods

Prospective, observational study was conducted of patients with nasal airway obstruction presenting between July 2017 and October 2019 who underwent septoplasty with inferior turbinate reduction. Nasal airflow was characterized with the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale and an 11‐point ease‐of‐breathing (EOB) Likert scale, and olfaction with an 11‐point olfactory Likert scale and the 40‐item University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), pre‐ and postoperatively. Pearson correlations were used to assess the relationship between measures of nasal obstruction and olfaction.

Results

Among 80 patients, mean NOSE scores improved from 67.4 preoperatively to 19.6 postoperatively (p < 0.001). EOB Likert scores improved from a mean of 3.9/10 to 8.1/10 after surgery (p < 0.001). Olfactory Likert scores improved from a baseline of 6.1/10 preoperatively to 7.9/10 after surgery (p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was noted in UPSIT testing pre‐ versus postoperatively. A moderate correlation was noted between the degree of change in NOSE scores and improved olfactory Likert scores (r = 0.51, p < 0.001), and similarly between the degree of change in EOB Likert scores and improved olfactory Likert scores (r = 0.55, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Based on our data, subjective tests of olfaction may improve with nasal airway surgery in some patients. Changes in olfaction best correlate with the extent to which surgery can improve subjective nasal obstructive symptoms.
Properties of polyamide 6/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composites: The influence of processing methods
Authors: Lei Xue , Liang Mei , Zou Huawei , Zhou Shengtai
Published: November 2022

The objective of this work was to elucidate the influence of shear rates on the properties of polyamide 6/multiwalled carbon nanotube (PA6/CNT) composites which was realized by adopting different types of processing methods that feature different orders of magnitude in shear rates, such as compression molding (CM, ~0 s−1), conventional injection molding (CIM, ~102 s−1) and microinjection molding (μIM, ~105 s−1). Electrical conductivity (σ) results indicated that the prevailing high shearing conditions in injection molding was unfavorable for the formation of intact filler network, thereby resulting in a much lower σ than CM counterparts. Moreover, the σ of PA6/CNT microparts was higher than that of CIM macroparts when the filler content was less than 5 wt%, otherwise the σ of CIM macroparts prevailed over that of μIM counterparts. A better filler distribution was observed when PA6/CNT composites were processed under higher shearing conditions, as corroborated by SEM. In addition, CNTs were preferentially aligned along flow direction and a higher degree of CNT orientation was expected with increasing shear rates, as confirmed by Raman spectral analysis. The tensile strength of injection molded PA6/CNT samples increased with increasing filler concentrations, and the more preferential orientation and better distribution of CNT were considered to be the contributing factors. The comparative study of the properties of PA6/CNT composites that processed using different methods was important for their practical applications in industrial sectors.
Bio‐Polypropylene and Polypropylene‐based Biocomposites: Solutions for a Sustainable Future
Authors: Wang Suxi , Muiruri Joseph Kinyanjui , Soo Xiang Yun Debbie , Liu Songlin , Thitsartarn Warintorn , Tan Beng Hoon , Suwardi Ady , Li Zibiao , Zhu Qiang , Loh Xian Jun
Published: November 2022

Polypropylene (PP) is among the most widely used commodity plastics in our everyday life due to its low cost, lightweight, easy processability, and exceptional chemical, thermo‐mechanical characteristics. The growing awareness on energy and environmental crisis has driven global efforts for creating a circular economy via developing sustainable and eco‐friendly alternatives to traditional plastics produced from fossil fuels for a variety of end‐use applications. This review paper presents a brief outline of the emerging bio‐based PP derived from renewable natural resources, covering its production routes, market analysis and potential utilizations. This contribution also provides a comprehensive review of the PP‐based biocomposites produced with diverse green fillers generated from agro‐industrial wastes, with particular emphasis on the structural modification, processing techniques, mechanical properties, and practical applications. Furthermore, given that the majority of PP products are currently destined for landfills, research progress on enhancing the degradation of PP and its biocomposites is also presented in light of the environmental concerns. Finally, a brief conclusion with discussions on challenges and future perspectives are provided.
Recent Advancements in Ion‐Pair Receptors
Authors: Wagay Shafieq Ahmad , Khan Lubna , Ali Rashid
Published: November 2022

Over the past two decades, non‐covalent chemistry has introduced various promising artificial receptors and revolutionized the host‐guest chemistry. These versatile receptors have particularly been entertained in sensing and recognizing of diverse neutral molecules and/or ionic entities (e. g. anions, cations and ion‐pair) of particular interest. Notably, supramolecular chemistry had given birth to a plethora of important molecules, explored in the chemical, biological, environmental, and pharmacological world to resolve the critical issues related to the human health while keeping environmental concerns in mind. Amongst the various types of supramolecular monotopic receptors (anions, cations, and neutral molecules), heteroditopic receptors (ion‐pair receptors) consisting of distinct binding sites in one system for both cation and anion, have gained much interest from the scientific community in recent past because of their unique binding abilities. Interestingly, these promising artificial receptors have shown potential applications in sensing, recognition, transport and extraction processes besides their uses in salt/waste purification. Bearing the importance of these systems in mind, we intended to report the recent developments in ion‐pair chemistry. Herein, we divided the whole document into three main sections; first one describes the introduction and history of the ion‐pairs receptors. The second portion highlights the synthesis and applications of ion‐pair receptors in sensing, recognition, molecular machines, photoswitching behaviour, extraction and transport properties, whereas the last part of this manuscript provides concluding remarks as well as future prospects of ion‐pair receptors. We hope that this manuscript will be helpful to stimulating researchers around the globe to find out the hidden opportunities in this and related areas.
Gompertz zero‐inflated cure rate regression models applied to credit risk data
Authors: Toledo Janaina S. B. , Tomazella Vera Lucia D. , Lima Cleide Mayra M. , Felix Matheus H.
Published: November 2022

In the financial market, it is important to consider that there is a proportion of customers that have settled their debt in time zero, immediately recovering their ability to pay. In this context, in this paper, we propose a survival analysis methodology that allows the insertion of times equal to zero in scenarios where credit risk is observed. The proposed model addresses the survival analysis model of the zero‐inflated cure rate which incorporates the heterogeneity of three subgroups (individuals having events in the initial time, and individuals not susceptible and susceptible to the event). In our proposal, all available survival data of customers are modeled considering that the number of competitive causes follows a Poisson distribution and the baseline risk function follows a Gompertz distribution. The model parameter estimation is obtained by the maximum likelihood estimation procedure and simulation studies are conducted to evaluate the estimators' performance. The studied methodology will be applied to a credit database provided by a financial institution in Brazil.
Anwuligan inhibits the progression of non‐small cell lung cancer via let‐7c‐3p/PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis
Authors: Niu Huikun , Wang Dexiang , Wen Tingting , Liu Han , Jie Jing , Song Lei , Li Dan
Published: November 2022

Background

Anwuligan (ANW) isolated from nutmeg, also known as myristyl lignan, has attracted attention due to its therapeutic potential in diseases. However, its effect on lung cancer is still unclear.

Methods

In this study, the cytotoxicity of ANW on non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells was detected using a Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay. In vitro, clone formation, wound healing, and Transwell assays were used to investigate the migratory and invasive abilities of NSCLC cells after ANW treatment. The expression levels of the associated proteins were detected using Western blotting. A luciferase assay was used to validate the binding of let‐7c‐3p to the 3′‐untranslated region (UTR) of PIK3CA. In vivo, an A549 cell xenograft mouse model was used to verify the effect of ANW on tumor growth.

Results

The results showed that ANW treatment (20 or 50 μM) had obvious cytotoxicity against A549 and H460 cells, suppressing cell proliferation and migration in vitro. In vivo, the growth of the implanted tumor was inhibited by ANW in a nude mouse model. The growth of NSCLC cells was also inhibited by let‐7c‐3p overexpression in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of ANW on the proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC cells was weakened by the downregulation of let‐7c‐3p, whereas it was enhanced by the overexpression of let‐7c‐3p; PIK3CA was the main target of let‐7c‐3p.

Conclusions

In summary, ANW inhibits the growth and metastasis of NSCLC cells in vivo and in vitro by upregulating the expression of let‐7c‐3p, which can regulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. PIK3CA is the main target of let‐7c‐3p.
Atomically bonding Na anodes with metallized ceramic electrolytes by ultrasound welding for high‐energy/power solid‐state sodium metal batteries
Authors: Li Dongchen , Wang Xinxin , Guo Qi , Yu Xiaole , Cen Shangxu , Ma Huirong , Chen Jingjing , Wang Dajian , Mao Zhiyong , Dong Chenlong
Published: November 2022

A solid‐state sodium metal battery has cut a striking figure in next‐generation large‐scale energy storage technology on account of high safety, high energy density, and low cost. Nevertheless, the large interfacial resistance and sodium dendrite growth originating from the poor interface contact seriously hinder its practical application. Herein, a modified ultrasound welding was proposed to atomically bond Na anodes and Au‐metalized Na3Zr2Si2PO12 electrolytes associated with the in situ formation of Na–Au alloy interlayers. Thereupon, intimate Na3Zr2Si2PO12–Au/Na interfaces with a low interfacial resistance (~23 Ω cm2) and a strong dendrite inhibition ability were constructed. The optimized Na symmetric battery can cycle steadily for more than 900 h at 0.3 mA cm−2 under a low overpotential (<50 mV) of Na electroplating/stripping and deliver a high critical current density of 0.8 mA cm−2 at room temperature. By incorporating the above interface into the solid‐state Na metal battery, taking three‐dimensional Na3V2(PO4)3 as the cathode, the full battery offers a high energy density of 291 Wh kg−1 at a high power density of 1860 W kg−1. A pouch‐type solid‐state sodium metal full battery based on a ceramic electrolyte was assembled for the first time, and it lit a 3 V LED lamp. Such a strategy of the ultrasound welding metalized solid‐state electrolyte/Na interface by engineering the Na–Au interlayer would pave a new pathway to engineer a low‐resistance and highly stable interface for high‐energy/density solid‐state sodium metal batteries.
Supplemental lighting spectrum impact on sweet potato cutting production and rooting
Authors: Veazie Patrick , Ballance M. Seth , Whipker Brian
Published: November 2022

Light is an important factor in plant growth and morphology of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam). This study explored the impact of supplemental lighting provided by three commercially available units on a stock plant cutting production and cutting rooting of two sweet potato cultivars ‘Covington’ and ‘Beauregard’. In experiment one, stock plants were grown under one of four lighting conditions, no supplemental light, high blue light emitting diode (LED), low blue LED, or halogen. Cuttings were collected twice a week for 5 wk and the total weekly cutting number and cutting caliper per plant were recorded. During this experiment plants grown under supplemental lighting exhibited significantly greater weekly total cutting numbers after 2 wk of growth when compared with those that were not exposed to supplemental lighting. In experiment two, cuttings were rooted under the same four light treatments and sampled on Days 7, 14, and 21 in which the cutting height, root weight, and shoot weight were recorded. On Day 21 Covington plants grown under low blue and halogen supplemental lighting exhibited significantly greater root dry weight when compared with those that did not receive supplemental lighting. However, no differences in rooting were observed for Beauregard. These results demonstrate that supplemental light increases stock plant growth regardless of the three commercially available light spectrums examined when compared with no supplemental light. This suggests that increasing the daily light integral (DLI) has a larger impact on plant growth than the spectrum of the commercially available lights that were examined.
A multicenter prospective randomized study comparing the incidence of periprocedural cerebral embolisms caused by catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation between cryoballoon and radiofrequency ablation (Embo‐Abl study): Study design
Authors: Miyamoto Koji , Kanaoka Koshiro , Ohta Yasutoshi , Yoh Masue , Takahashi Hiroki , Tonegawa‐Kuji Rena , Miyazaki Yuichiro , Shimamoto Keiko , Wakamiya Akinori , Ueda Nobuhiko , Nakajima Kenzaburo , Kamakura Tsukasa , Wada Mitsuru , Ishibashi Kohei , Inoue Yuko , Nagase Satoshi , Aiba Takeshi , Narai Akihisa , Nakase Tomohiro , Koga Masatoshi , Fukuda Tetsuya , Kataoka Naoya , Takagi Masahiko , Kusano Kengo
Published: November 2022

Background

Although catheter ablation (CA) has become a standard therapeutic approach to atrial fibrillation (AF), it imposes a low but relevant risk of thromboembolic complications of around 0.5%–1%, including ischemic strokes, and has an additional risk of clinically silent cerebral embolisms (SCEs) of 10%–40%. Both cryoballoon (CB) and radiofrequency (RF) ablation are routinely used clinically worldwide, yet there are few prospective data comparing the incidence of cerebral embolism after CA of AF between CB and RF ablation.

Methods

The aim of the Embo‐Abl study will be to compare the incidence of cerebral embolisms on 3 T diffusion‐weighted image magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after CA of AF between CB and RF ablation in patients with AF in a prospective, multicenter, open‐label, controlled, randomized fashion. The primary endpoint of the Embo‐Abl study will be the occurrence of MRI‐detected SCE 1–3 days after CA. The patients will be registered and randomly assigned to either the CB or RF ablation group in a 1:1 ratio. The study cohort will include 230 patients with AF from a multicenter in Japan.

Results

The results of this study are currently under investigation.

Conclusion

The Embo‐Abl study will be the first to compare the incidence of periprocedural cerebral embolisms caused by CA of AF between CB and RF ablation in a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled fashion.
The global evaluation strategy for many‐objective partial collaborative computation offloading problem
Authors: Xue Zhaoyu , Guo Wanwan , Cui Zhihua , Zhang Wensheng
Published: November 2022

With the number of services expanding in the Internet of Things (IoT), the limited resources of user terminals are insufficient to satisfy the computation needs of all running services. Therefore, we design a collaborative computation‐offloading model (CCOM) composed of multiple servers and task offloading modes to solve the problem by offloading tasks from resource‐constrained terminals to other computing entities, which achieves the following four objectives: model execution time minimization, task execution time minimization, energy consumption minimization, and most efficient device workload. And the global evaluation strategy based on angle and distance is proposed to address the individual selection problems caused by the overly localized Pareto dominance relationship and objective conflicts in the many‐objective evolutionary algorithms. In simulations, the strategy achieves the best Inverted Generation Distance (IGD) performance on 22 benchmark test problems based on Wilcoxon's rank sum statistical test and improves performance in the four objectives above by 18%, 31%, 20%, and 42%, respectively. Finally, we think that the strategy can provide adequate offloading performance for decision‐makers.
Early emotional memories and bonding as predictors of short‐term and long‐term outcome in adults with generalized anxiety disorder
Authors: Vaz Vivian Pinto , Costa Marianna de Abreu , de Moraes Flávia , Garcia Guilherme Abu Hilu , Manfro Gisele Gus
Published: November 2022

The impact of childhood experiences on the development of psychopathology is well established in the literature. Few studies, however, have assessed parental bonding during childhood as a predictor of response to anxiety disorders treatment. The aim of the study was to examine whether emotional memories of childhood parenting could predict short‐term and long‐term outcome in three different interventions for patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): mindfulness‐based intervention (Body in Mind Training [BMT]), fluoxetine (FLX), and an active control group (quality of life [QoL]). A total of 124 participants from a randomized controlled trial for GAD treatment were evaluated pre‐ and post‐treatment and after 18 months. Patients were assessed for the severity of GAD symptoms (GAD‐7, PSWQ, and DERS), early memories of warmth and safeness (EMWSS), and recall of perceived threat and subordination/submission in childhood (ELES). Negative childhood memories predicted a greater reduction in anxiety symptoms on BMT treatment compared to FLX and QoL, whereas positive childhood memories predicted more symptomatic improvement in the QoL group. Our findings suggest that individuals with GAD who have early memories of subordination and threat appear to benefit more from interventions that focus on developing emotion‐regulation strategies and enhancing self‐compassion, such as mindfulness‐based interventions.
Improved dynamic performance with discrete sampling in digital ACM controlled DC‐DC boost converter with capacitor ESR inclusion
Authors: Balapanuru Obulapathi , Lokhande Makarand M. , Aware Mohan. V.
Published: November 2022

A classical symmetrical carrier‐based digital Average Current Mode (ACM) control has two sampling choices, peak point and valley point, to control the average inductor current. If it is employed to regulate the DC‐DC boost converter, there will be a difference in the dynamic performance at peak and valley point sampling instants because of discontinuous output voltage ripple due to Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) of the output capacitor. Therefore, this paper investigates the effect of sampling instant on the dynamic performance of the PWM DC‐DC boost converter in consideration of capacitor ESR. The small‐signal transfer functions of a boost converter for both sampling positions are prominent to analyze each sampling impact on its dynamics. They are derived by using discrete‐time modeling. Further, the choices of sampling instant are investigated related to the RHP zero elimination, voltage stability, and peak‐to‐peak ripple current of the DC‐DC boost converter. The boost converter has improved stability performance by synchronizing the ADC sampling at starting position (valley point) of the symmetrical carrier signal, as evident by the analytical and hardware results of both sampling techniques working from 25% to 100% load working conditions.
State‐based curriculum making in Turkey: Curriculum modernization initiative and the latest science curriculum
Authors: Ozturk‐Akar Ebru
Published: November 2022

Turkey's politically induced ‘curricular modernization initiative’ intended a philosophical change and a system‐level transformation from behaviouristic to constructivist‐inspired pedagogies in the early 2000s. Science curriculum has been one of the curricula that has taken precedence. It has changed four times since then. The latest science curriculum for grades 3–8 – age group 9–13 – is issued in 2018. This study examines these curricula and discusses curriculum making at the macro site. Whether or to what extent the tools of state‐based curriculum making (ToSBCM) are used is also investigated. Directed content analysis and thematic analysis are used to address the research questions. Findings revealed that Turkey's latest science curriculum is a reformulation of its predecessors' goals, learning outcomes and content. ToSBCM are effectively used in introducing the new emphases of curriculum, managing discourse communities and granting the executive responsibility to teachers. Considering Turkey's curricular experiences as a country which has one of the most centralized education systems among OECD countries, and a very large hierarchical national administration with schools having the lowest levels of autonomy in determining curriculum and assessment policies among countries participating in PISA, findings offer opportunities to compare and discuss processes of curriculum making with an international perspective.
Modeling of I‐V characteristics for crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules based on a simplified equivalent circuit and a temperature correction
Authors: Ohnishi Yuki , Takahashi Yasuhito , Fujiwara Koji , Hidaka Kazuyuki , Morita Hiroshi
Published: November 2022

Electric power generated by photovoltaic (PV) systems is generally unstable because of uncertain meteorological conditions. Stably maintaining the supply‐demand balance of power systems requires an accurate prediction of the performance of PV systems. Especially for predicting the performance of the PV systems containing modules with different electrical characteristics or installed in different angles, it is necessary to calculate the generated power of the system by combining the current‐voltage (I‐V) characteristics of each module in series and parallel. Therefore, an accurate method is required for estimating the I‐V characteristics in various meteorological conditions. In this paper, a simple modeling method of the I‐V characteristics for crystalline silicon PV modules is proposed. The I‐V characteristics can be simulated in a good accuracy for practical use based on a simplified equivalent circuit of PV modules and a temperature correction of the short‐circuit current, open‐circuit voltage, and the current and voltage at maximum power point. The validity of the proposed method is examined by comparing simulated and measured I‐V characteristics of a PV module. Furthermore, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed modelling method, it was applied to simulating the power generation of a PV system containing modules installed in different angles.
Carbon‐13 labeling of ibrutinib for human microdosing
Authors: Gong Yong , Salter Rhys
Published: November 2022

Ibrutinib is an oral medication for the treatment of B cell malignancies. During its clinical development, a stable isotopologue of ibrutinib was required for the assessment of the drug's absolute oral bioavailability via intravenous microdosing. The following work describes a 10‐step, gram‐scale production of carbon‐13 labeled ibrutinib from [13C6]phenol (13C6, 99%) in 31% overall yield with >99% chemical purity and >99% enantiomeric excess (ee), suitable for intravenous microdosing in humans.
Friend or foe? The link between agency cost and financialization in Turkey
Authors: Doruk Ömer Tuğsal , Ergün Bahadır
Published: November 2022

This study aims to investigate the link between agency cost and financialization in the Turkish manufacturing sector in the period of 1990–2017 with a novel empirical methodology. A two‐step approach has been developed to examine financialization's effect on shareholder value orientation through agency costs. The first step employs a panel stochastic frontier analysis for measuring corporate efficiency, which is an inverse proxy of agency cost. In the second step, the link between financialization and corporate efficiency is investigated using panel data econometric models. The results show that agency cost leads the firms to use financialization instead of real investments.
The effect of peer education compared to education provided by healthcare providers on premenstrual syndrome in high school students: A social network‐based quasi‐experimental controlled trial
Authors: Babapour Farzaneh , Elyasi Forouzan , Hosseini‐Tabaghdehi Monirolsadate , Yazdani‐Charati Jamshid , Shahhosseini Zohreh
Published: November 2022

Aim

This study aimed to compare the effect of peer education and education provided by healthcare providers on PMS in high school students.

Materials and Methods

This quasi‐experimental non‐randomized controlled trial with a three‐armed parallel design was performed on 90 students allocated in three groups, namely, education by peer (intervention group 1 = 30), education by a healthcare provider (intervention group 2 = 30), and a control group (n = 30). The primary outcome was a change in the score of PMS, and the secondary outcomes were changes in the general health score and the frequency of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Education about PMS management was held in WhatsApp messenger in six sessions (two sessions per week) for both intervention groups. All three groups received routine school counseling. The researchers applied repeated‐measures ANCOVA, McNemar, and post‐hoc Bonferroni tests.

Results

Education in intervention group 1 (Partial Eta Squared = 0.67, p < 0.0001) and intervention group 2 (Partial Eta Squared = 0.82, p < 0.0001) significantly reduced the PMS score compared to the control group. In addition, the change in general health score in the intervention groups compared to the control group showed the effectiveness of the intervention (p < 0.001). Education did not significantly reduce PMDD frequency in the intervention groups compared to the control group (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

This study suggests education by peers and healthcare providers effects on PMS and general health in adolescents. It suggested that the effectiveness of these approaches be investigated in other adolescents' health conditions.