bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and factors associated with unmet need for menstrual hygiene management in six countries in Sub-Saharan Africa: a multilevel analysis
Authors: Akoth Catherine , Wambiya Elvis Omondi Achach , Kibe Peter M , Mbuthia Grace Wambura , Ng'ang'a Loise , Otieno Peter O. , Oguta James Odhiambo
Published: September 2023

Background: Menstruation is a normal biological process experienced by more than 300 million women globally daily. Women need clean menstrual absorbents that can be changed as often as needed in private and safe place with proper hygiene and disposal facilities. All these needs must be met throughout the duration of the menstrual cycle. Access to menstrual needs of women is important for their health, wellbeing, and human dignity. This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with unmet need for menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Niger.Methods: We used data from the performance monitoring for action (PMA) surveys. We defined the unmet need for MHM as “lackof resources, facilities and supplies for MHM.” Sample characteristics were summarised using frequencies and percentages while prevalence was summarised using proportions and their respective confidence intervals (CI). Factors associated with unmet need for MHM were assessed using a multilevel logistic regression model.Results: In the six countries, majority of women were aged 20-34 years, were married, or cohabiting and had never given birth. The prevalence of unmet need for MHM was high among the uneducated and multiparous women, those who reused MHM materials, practiced open defaecation and lived in rural areas in all the six countries. The prevalence of unmet need for MHM was highest in Burkina Faso (74.8%) and lowest in Ghana (34.2). Age, education level, wealth status and marital status were significantly associated with unmet need for MHM. Reuse of MHM materials and open defaecation increased the odds of unmet need for MHM.Conclusion: More than half of women in five of the six countries have unmet need for MHM withodds of unmet need significantly higher among younger women, those with low wealth status, the unmarried, and those with poor access to sanitary facilities. This study highlights the state of period poverty in Sub-saharan Africa. Efforts to end period poverty should approach MHM needs as a unit as each need is insufficient on its own.
Synergies of reducing greenhouse gases and atmospheric nitrogen pollutants in China
Authors: Gu Baojing , Xu Xin , Zhang Xiuming , Zhang Shaohui , Winiwarter Wilfried , Wang Chen , Reis Stefan , Xu Jianming
Published: September 2023

Climate change and environmental degradation caused by greenhouse gases (GHGs) and reactive nitrogen (Nr) emissions are getting exacerbated globally. As a major emitter of both GHGs and Nr, China faces double pressure of GHGs and Nr mitigation to achieve carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability. This study performed the first integrated analysis of the potential and the synergies of GHG (CO2, CH4, and N2O) and atmospheric Nr pollutant (NOx and NH3) mitigation based on multiple models. Here we show that with an integrated policy implementation, China can achieve a 66% reduction of GHG and 68% of air N pollutants by 2050, which would bring society benefits of 2,500 billion USD, 5 times exceeding the implementation costs. Synergistic emission reductions led by industry would be in advantage until around 2030 with carbon peak achieved, while agriculture-led reductions show improved synergies in abatement potential and cost-effectiveness after peak carbon. This demonstrates that the control priority on GHG and atmospheric Nr pollution needs to be switched in the post-peak period to achieve future zero carbon and clean air in China.
Pyramidal traveling waves for a Belousov-Zhabotinskii system with obstacles
Authors: Han Bang-Sheng , Chang Meng-Xue
Published: September 2023

This paper is concerned with pyramidal traveling waves for Belousov-Zhabotinskii reaction-diffusion system in external domains $\Omega=\mathbb{R}^N\backslash K$ with a compact obstacle $K$ and aims to investigate the large time dynamics of an entire solution emanating from a pyramidal traveling wave. By constructing several super- and sub-solutions with desirable characteristics, some favorable properties of the pyramidal traveling wave are obtained. We show that by providing propagation completely of the entire solution, the pyramidal traveling wave will converge to the same shape of the pyramidal traveling wave after far behind the obstacle.
AMS Subject Classification (2010): 35A18, 35B08, 35C07, 35K57
Causal effect of negative emotions and insomnia on sepsis and its associated clinical indicators: A Mendelian randomisation and mediation analysis
Authors: Wang ShaoKun , Dong Ning , Xu Tingting , Li Yaqi , Xing Jihong
Published: September 2023

Background
Negative emotions and insomnia (NEI) are associated with changes in inflammatory factors, which play a role in sepsis.
Methods
We performed Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis of genome-wide association study (GWAS) data of NEI and sepsis to investigate the causal effect of NEI on sepsis. We employed linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) to calculate the genetic correlation between NEI and sepsis. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) was primarily used for investigating causality, while the weighted median and MR-Egger methods ensured the reliability of the findings. To assess heterogeneity, we employed RadialMR and Cochran’s Q test, and we used MR-Egger regression and Mendelian randomisation pleiotropy residual sum and outlier analyses to evaluate the bias of gene polymorphism. Mendelian mediation analysis was conducted to quantify the intermediate effect of inflammatory factors in mediating the relationship between NEI and sepsis, including the percentage of this mediating effect.
Results
LDSC analysis revealed a genetic correlation between NEI and sepsis. Two-sample MR analysis revealed a causal relationship between NEI and sepsis (odds ratio = 1.21, 95% confidence interval: 1.08–1.36, p = 1.07×10− 3), with no significant heterogeneity and pleiotropy bias. Mendelian mediation analysis revealed an intermediate effect of NEI on sepsis mediated by chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) (0.12, 10.31%).
Conclusions
Our findings prove the causal relationship between NEI and sepsis. We identified CHI3L1 as a potential mediator, offering insight into the pathogenesis of sepsis.
Ensemble Machine Learning Prediction of Hyperuricemia Based on a Prospective Health Checkup Population
Authors: Zhang Yongsheng , Lv Haoyue , Li Delin , Zhang Guang
Published: September 2023

Objectives
An accurate prediction model for hyperuricemia (HUA) is urgently needed. This study aimed to develop a stacking ensemble prediction model for the risk of hyperuricemia and to identify the contributing risk factors.
Methods
A prospective health checkup cohort of 40899 subjects was examined and randomly divided into the training and validation sets with the ratio of 7:3, and then the ROSE sampling technique was used to handle the imbalanced classes. LASSO regression was employed to screen out important predicting features. An ensemble model using stacking strategy was constructed based on three individual models, including Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree C5.0 (C5.0), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). Model validations were conducted using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the calibration curve, as well as metrics including accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and F1 score on both the validation set and the extra-validation set. The iBreakdown algorithm was used to illustrate the black-box nature of our ensemble model, and to identify contributing risk factors.
Results
Fifteen important features were screened out of 23 clinical variables. Our stacking ensemble model with an AUC of 0.854, outperformed the other three models, SVM, C5.0, and XGBoost with AUCs of 0.848, 0.851 and 0.849 respectively. Calibration accuracy as well as other metrics including accuracy, specificity, NPV, and F1 score were also proved our ensemble model’s superiority over the other three models. The contributing risk factors were estimated using six randomly selected subjects, which showed that being female and relatively younger, together with having higher BUA, BMI, GGT, TP, TG, Cr, and FBG values can increase the risk of HUA. To further validate our model’s applicability in the health checkup population, we used another cohort of 8559 subjects that also showed our ensemble prediction model had favorable performances with an AUC of 0.846.
Conclusions
In this study, the stacking ensemble prediction model for the risk of HUA was developed, which outperformed the individual machine-learning models that compose it, and the contributing risk factors were identified with insightful ideas.
Effect of vildagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, on parameters of glucose metabolism and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in individuals with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Nagayama Daiji , Kawana Hidetoshi , Watanabe Yasuhiro , Horikawa Osamu , Ohira Masahiro , Shirai Kohji , Saiki Atsuhito
Published: September 2023

Background
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are the most frequently used first-line agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in Japan. This study aimed to examine the effects of vildagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, on glucose metabolism and arterial stiffness.
Methods
Twenty treatment-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes (8 males and 12 females) received vildagliptin 50 mg twice daily for 6 months. Self-monitored blood glucose measurements and a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were performed during the study. Systemic arterial stiffness was assessed using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI).
Results
After 6 months of vildagliptin treatment, a significant decrease in median HbA1c (from 8.3 to 6.4%, p < 0.001) and γ-GTP (from 25 to 19 IU/L, p < 0.001), an increase in fasting HOMA-β (from 26.1 to 34.5%, p = 0.013), and a marginally significant decrease in CAVI (from 8.9 to 8.4, p = 0.087) were observed. The glycemic variability parameters also improved, whereas insulin sensitivity and oxidative stress remained unchanged. Participants with lower glycemic variability in the 75-g OGTT after 6 months of vildagliptin treatment showed a significant decrease in CAVI. The baseline BMI was significantly higher in participants with decreased CAVI than in those with no change in CAVI (24.5 vs. 20.8 kg/m2, p = 0.047).
Conclusions
After 6 months of vildagliptin treatment, glucose metabolism parameters including insulin secretion improved. A decrease in the CAVI was also observed, especially in individuals with improved glycemic variability in the 75-g OGTT. Vildagliptin may be suitable for vascular protection in individuals with high glycemic variability and/or an elevated BMI.
High-throughput in vivo synaptic connectivity mapping of neuronal micro-circuits using two-photon holographic optogenetics and compressive sensing
Authors: Chen I-Wen , Chan Chung Yuen , Navarro Phillip , de Sars Vincent , Ronzitti Emiliano , Oweiss Karim , Tanese Dimitrii , Emiliani Valentina
Published: September 2023

Understanding the intricate synaptic connectivity in living neural circuits is crucial for unraveling the relationship between network structure and function, as well as its evolution during development, learning, and recovery from injury. However, current methodologies for identifying connected neurons in vivo suffer from limitations, particularly with regards to their throughput. In this study, we introduce a groundbreaking framework for in vivo connectivity mapping that combines two-photon holographic optogenetics for activating single or multiple potential presynaptic neurons, whole-cell recording of postsynaptic responses, and a compressive sensing strategy for efficiently retrieving individual postsynaptic neurons' responses when multiple potential presynaptic neurons are simultaneously activated. The approach was validated in the layer 2/3 of the visual cortex in anesthetized mice, enabling rapid probing of up to 100 cells in approximately 5 minutes. By identifying tens of synaptic pairs, including their connection strength, kinetics, and spatial distribution, this method showcases its potential to significantly advance circuit reconstruction in large neuronal networks with minimal invasiveness. Moreover, through simultaneous multi-cell stimulation and compressive sensing, we demonstrate up to a three-fold reduction in the number of required measurements to infer connectivity with limited loss in accuracy, thereby enabling high-throughput connectivity mapping in vivo. These results pave the way for a more efficient and rapid investigation of neuronal circuits, leading to deeper insights into brain function and plasticity.
Prolonged abdominal pregnancy incidentally discovered during cesarean section. A case report
Authors: Diaouga Hamidou Soumana , Yacouba Maimouna Chaibou , Hissen Tidjani Mahamat , Oumara Maina , Bako Inoussa Daouda , Garba Rahamatou Madeleine , Idi Nafiou , Nayama Madi
Published: September 2023

Background: Abdominal pregnancy is a rare pathology still encountered in developing countries due to insufficient medicalization. The clinical signs are polymorphic and nonspecific, which makes the diagnosis difficult and late. However, obstetric ultrasound plays a key role in early diagnosis. The objective was to share an experience of our service on this pathology and to show the need for early ultrasound diagnosis through optimal monitoring of pregnancy in our regions. Case presentation: We report a case of prolonged abdominal pregnancy in a 35-year-old black african women who consulted in our department for absence of active movements of the fetus with ten-month amenorrhea. The clinical examination and the ultrasound made it possible to evoke the diagnosis of a non-grogressing pregnancy of 39 weeks. The fetus was in a transverse position motivating the indication of a cesarean section. Intraoperatively, the fetus was discovered in the abdominal cavity with a placenta inserted into the left ovary. The uterus and right adnexa were normal. We performed an extraction of the macerated fetus weighing 2600g. The extraction of the placenta and membranes was without difficulty. The maternal prognosis was good.
Conclusions: Abdominal pregnancy is still undiagnosed early in developing countries. Emphasis must be placed on raising awareness among pregnant women about quality prenatal care from conception, early obstetric ultrasound, continuous training of health professionals and modernization of the technical platform. The diagnosis of the location of the gestational sac must be made in any pregnant woman seen for the first time in the ultrasound room.
Comparison of Polyolefin Pyrolysis in Open or Closed Systems
Authors: Jiang Guozhan , Seville Jonathan P. K. , Monsalve Ale Sanchez , Bhattacharya Suchismita , Leeke Gary A.
Published: September 2023

Polyolefin pyrolysis in open or closed systems were compared in terms of the differences in the carbon number distribution of the produced wax and oil to better understand the product formation mechanism for the two processes. The pyrolysis was conducted in a small tube reactor either in a closed mode or in an open mode at a temperature range from 400oC to 500oC. In the closed mode, the sample was sealed in the reactor. In the open pyrolysis mode, the pyrolysis vapour was continuously carried out of the reactor by nitrogen and then condensed. The carbon number distribution of the wax and oil was measured using simulated distillation. In the open pyrolysis mode, the carbon number distribution did not vary significantly by varying pyrolysis temperature, and the distribution agreed with the prediction of random scission model of free radical depolymerisation. This is mainly attributed to the evaporation effect in the open reactor, which reduced the chances of secondary reactions. In the closed mode, the carbon number distribution had a significant change with pyrolysis temperature and time, and it did not obey the random scission model, indicating the existence of secondary reactions.
Bacterial polysaccharide cues invertebrate settlement and metamorphosis
Authors: Hadfield Michael , Freckelton Marnie , Nedved Brian
Published: September 2023

Metamorphosis for many marine invertebrates depends on exposure to an external cue, commonly produced by bacteria. For larvae of the marine tubeworm Hydroides elegans, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the biofilm-dwelling, Gram-negative bacterium Cellulophaga lytica was previously demonstrated to induce metamorphosis. To determine whether LPS is a common metamorphosis-inducing factor in this species, we compared LPS from inductive and non-inductive Gram-negative marine biofilm bacteria (Cellulophaga lytica, Thalassotalea euphilliae, Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea, and Tenacibaculum aiptasiae) with commercial LPS from human pathogens (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). LPS from inductive bacteria triggered metamorphosis, while LPS from non-inductive bacteria did not. Furthermore, we show that the inductive property of LPS resides within the polysaccharide (O-antigen) component from multiple species, suggesting a crucial role for conserved polysaccharide elements in triggering metamorphosis in H. elegans. These results provide insights into bacterial involvement in animal development and how marine benthic communities are established and maintained.
Deep Learning-based FemNet for Key Frame Selection in Ultrasound Videos of Breast Cancer Screening: Distilling Responsible Frames with Feature Entropy for Improved Diagnostic Accuracy
Authors: Jing Chen , Wu Huaiyu , Jiang Yitao , Tang Shuzhen , Cui Chen , Shi Siyuan , tian Hongtian , yang Keen , huang Zhibin , xu Jinfeng , Xu Dong , dong Fajin
Published: September 2023

Objective
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. However, heavy workload and a shortage of ultrasound specialists hinder the effectiveness of breast cancer screening. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel deep learning-based framework, called FemNet, to automatically select responsible frames from breast ultrasound videos and classify breast nodules.
Methods
We designed a feature entropy minimization (FEM) technique and integrated it with a deep learning architecture to create the FemNet framework. We used a dataset of 13,702 breast ultrasound images and 2,141 videos to train and evaluate the proposed framework. We conducted a five-fold cross-validation on the videos set to compare the diagnostic performance of FemNet-selected responsible frames with physician-selected ones. We also compared FemNet's performance with that of physicians under different sensitivity and specificity levels based on the Physician-BIRADS system.
Results
Our results showed that FemNet-selected responsible frames had statistically superior diagnostic performance compared to physician-selected ones, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.916 ± 0.008 vs. 0.906 ± 0.019 (p = 0.012). Moreover, compared to physicians, FemNet achieved a 7.14% improvement in specificity under the Physician-BIRADS's sensitivity level and a 4.27% improvement in sensitivity under the Physician-BIRADS's specificity level.
Conclusions
Our study demonstrates that FemNet can effectively select a few frames from lengthy ultrasound videos for breast nodule assessment, similarly to physicians. The proposed framework has the potential to reduce the workload of sonographers and empower physicians to improve the accuracy of breast cancer screening.
Combination of High-Intensity Interval Training and Creatine Intake Enhances Leg Strength and Anaerobic Power without Changes in Body Composition in Physically Active Adult Men
Authors: Erdogmus Tugce Nur , Aras Dicle , Gulu Mehmet , Aldhahi Monira I. , Dahesh Abdulkareem M. , Badri Sameer
Published: September 2023

Background Different training methods and ergogenic aids has been used to increase athletic performance. In this study, to understand the effect of the combination of the six-week high intensity interval training (HIIT) and creatine supplementation on body composition, leg strength, and anaerobic power in physically active male adults was purposed. Methods In this six-week study a total of fifteen physically active men with the mean age of 21.13 ± 1.68 years were divided into two groups as Wingate based HIIT training group (HIIT) and Wingate based HIIT training + Creatine supplementation group (C-HIIT). Both groups performed a total of six weeks three days a week of HIIT training, the scope of which increased in the second three-week period and organized based on Wingate. In addition to these trainings, the C-HIIT group took a total of 10 g of creatine each training day, 5 grams 30 minutes before the load and 5 grams immediately after the load. Their body composition, leg strength, anaerobic power measurements were taken three days before the study started and three days after it ended. Results According to the findings, although there was no significant difference in body composition values between the two groups, it was observed that leg strength (p < 0.05) and anaerobic power parameters such as peak power, average power, and minimum power improved significantly in the C-HIIT group (p < 0.01). Conclusions Comparative effectiveness of additive of 10 gram of creatine monohydrate to HIIT appears to be efficient in improving leg strength and anaerobic power in physically active adult men. Trial registration This research was registered retrospectively on August 7, 2023 with the number NCT05981820.
Functional networks of inhibitory neurons orchestrate synchrony in the hippocampus
Authors: Cossart Rosa , Bocchio Marco , Vorobyev Artem , Sadeh Sadra , Brustlein Sophie , Reichinnek Susanne , Emiliani Valentina , Clopath Claudia , Dard Robin
Published: September 2023

Inhibitory interneurons are a critical component of cortical circuits. Beyond providing inhibition, they have been proposed to coordinate the firing of excitatory neurons within cell assemblies. While many studies have dissected the function of specific interneuron subtypes, the relationship between interneurons and pyramidal cell synchrony in vivo remains unclear. We use an all-optical approach to simultaneously record hippocampal interneurons and pyramidal cells, and test the network influence of single interneurons. We show that CA1 interneurons form a functionally interconnected network that promotes synchrony through disinhibition during awake immobility without altering endogenous cell assemblies. A network model indicates that cell assemblies and dense but unspecific connectivity between interneurons are necessary ingredients to explain our experimental results. Thus, interneurons may not only operate via division of labor, but also through concerted activity. Our data challenge the idea of a purely decorrelating or segregating function of inhibition.
A phylogenetic approach to explore the Aspergillus fumigatus conidial surface-associated proteome and its role in pathogenesis
Authors: Goldman Gustavo , Valero Clara , Pinzan Camila , de Castro Patrícia , Rhijn Norman van , Earle Kayleigh , Liu Hong , Horta Maria Augusta , Kniemeyer Olaf , Kruger Thomas , Pschibul Annica , Coemert Derya , Heinekamp Thorsten , Brakhage Axel , Steenwyk Jacob , Mead Matthew , Rokas Antonis , Filler Scott , Rosa-Garzon Nathalia da , Delbaje Endrews , Bromley Michael , Angeli Claudia , Palmisano Giuseppe , Ibrahim Ashraf , Gago Sara , Reis Thaila does
Published: September 2023

Aspergillus fumigatus, an important pulmonary fungal pathogen causing several diseases collectively called aspergillosis, relies on asexual spores (conidia) for initiating host infection. Here, we used a phylogenomic approach to compare proteins in the conidial surface of A. fumigatus, two closely related non-pathogenic species, Aspergillus fischeri and Aspergillus oerlinghausenensis, and the cryptic pathogen Aspergillus lentulus. After identifying 62 proteins uniquely expressed on the A. fumigatus conidial surface, we assessed null mutants for 42 genes encoding conidial proteins. Deletion of 33 of these genes altered susceptibility to macrophage killing, penetration and damage to epithelial cells, and cytokine production. Notably, a gene that encodes glycosylasparaginase, which modulates levels of the host pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, is important for infection in an immunocompetent murine model of fungal disease. These results suggest that A. fumigatus conidial surface proteins and effectors are important for evasion and modulation of the immune response at the onset of fungal infection.
New structural features of the APC/C revealed by high resolution
cryo-EM structures of apo-APC/C and the APC/CCDH1:EMI1 complex
Authors: Barford David , Höfler Anna , Yu Jun , Yan Jing , Zhang Ziguo , Chang Leifu , Grime Geoffrey , Garman Elspeth , Boland Andreas
Published: September 2023

The multi-subunit anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) is a master regulator of cell division. It controls progression through the cell cycle by timely marking mitotic cyclins and other cell cycle regulatory proteins for degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The APC/C itself is regulated by the sequential action of its coactivator subunits CDC20 and CDH1, post-translational modifications, and its inhibitory binding partners EMI1 and the mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC). In this study, we took advantage of the latest developments in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to determine the structures of human APC/CCdh1:EMI1 and apo-APC/C at 2.9 Å and 3.2 Å, respectively, providing novel insights into the regulation of APC/C activity. The high resolution maps allowed the unambigious assignment of a previously unassigned a-helix to the N-terminus of CDH1 (CDH1α1) in the APC/CCdh1:EMI1 ternary complex. CDH1α1 binds at the APC1:APC8 interface, thereby interacting with a loop segment of APC1 through electrostatic interactions only provided by CDH1 but not CDC20. We also indentified a novel zinc-binding module in APC2, and confirmed the presence of zinc ions experimentally. Finally, due to the higher resolution and well defined density of these maps we were able to build, aided by AlphaFold predictions, several intrinsically disordered regions in different APC/C subunits that play a fundamental role in proper complex assembly.
Association between triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 and flow-mediated vasodilatation in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kong Wenwen , Sha Wenjun , LU Jun , Lei Tao
Published: September 2023

Background
The conclusion between triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1(TREM-1)and type 2 diabetes vascular function complication was controversial. The purpose of this study is to explore the possible association between TREM-1 with flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods
This is a retrospective cohort study. 201 patients with type 2 diabetes were included. They were assigned into two groups, including the endothelial dysfunction and non-endothelial dysfunction groups, based on the results of endothelial function evaluated by FMD. Serum TREM-1 levels were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The correlation between TREM-1 and FMD was determined by the Spearman correlation test. The relationship between TREM-1 and FMD was evaluated by univariable logistic regression. The predictive value of TREM-1 for FMD was calculated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Two-tailed P-values < 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant.
Results
Median serum TREM-1 amounts were markedly elevated in the endothelial dysfunction group in comparison with the non-endothelial dysfunction group (58.0pg/mol vs 33.6pg/mol, P < 0.001). Univariable logistic regression showed that the TREM-1 was associated with FMD(P < 0.05). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for Model 1 (TREM-1) was 0.66 (0.58–0.74)(P < 0.001). According to the maximum Youden index criteria, the optimal cut‐off of TREM-1 was 38.16 ng/ml, which yielded a sensitivity of 75.4% and a specificity of 54% in predicting endothelial dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that TREM-1 was negatively correlated with FMD, which further demonstrates the importance of TREM-1 in predicting the progression of type 2 diabetic vasculopathy.
Embedding c0(Γ) and ℓ∞(Γ) in Banach spaces of homogeneous polynomials
Authors: Rincón Michael Alexander , Pérez Sergio Andrés , Reyes Diego
Published: September 2023

We study Pw∗ (nX∗, Y), the Banach space of all n−homogeneous polynomials which are w∗ −w−continuous, endowed with the sup norm. The following facts are proved:
(1) c0(Γ) embeds in Pw∗ (nX∗, Y ) iff either ℓ∞(Γ) embeds in Pw∗ (nX∗, Y ) or c0(Γ) embeds in the sum X ⊕ Y.
(2) If c0(Γ) is isomorphic to a complemented subspace of Pw∗ (nX∗, Y ), then c0(Γ) embeds in X ⊕ Y .
We also extend some linear techniques in order to embed complementably c0(Γ) in either Pw∗ (nX∗, Y ) or P(nX, Y), the Banach space of all n−homogeneous polynomials from X to Y , endowed with the sup norm.
Finally, if Pw∗K(nX∗, Y) is the closed subspace of all compact polynomials in Pw∗ (nX∗, Y), we prove that ℓ∞ embeds in Pw∗K (nX∗, Y) iff ℓ∞embeds in either X or Y . As a consequence, we prove that if c0 embeds in Pw∗K(nX∗, Y), then Pw∗K(nX∗, Y ) = nX∗ (nX∗, Y) iff only one of the following statements is true:
(1) c0 embeds in Y and X has the Schur property,
(2) c0 embeds in X and Y has the Schur property.
2020 Mathematics Subject Classification. 46B03, 46B25, 46E40, 46G25.
Highly-sensitive wafer-scale transfer-free graphene MEMS condenser microphones
Authors: Pezone Roberto , Anzinger Sebastian , Baglioni Gabriele , Wasisto Hutomo Suryo , Sarro Lina , Steeneken Peter , Vollebregt Sten
Published: September 2023

Since the performance of micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based microphones is approaching fundamental physical, design, and material limits, it has become challenging to improve them. Several works have demonstrated graphene’s suitability as a microphone diaphragm. The potential for achieving smaller, more sensitive, and scalable on-chip MEMS microphones is yet to be determined. To address large graphene sizes, graphene-polymer heterostructures have been proposed, but they compromise performance due to added polymer mass and stiffness. This work demonstrates the first wafer-scale integrated MEMS condenser microphones with diameters of 2R = 220 - 320 μm, thickness of 7 nm multi-layer graphene, that is suspended over a backplate with a residual gap of 5 μm. The microphones are manufactured with MEMS
compatible wafer-scale technologies without any transfer steps or polymer layers that are more prone to contaminate and wrinkle the graphene. Different designs, all electrically integrated are fabricated and characterized allowing us to study the effects of the introduction of a back-plate for capacitive read-out. The devices show high mechanical compliances Sm = 0.081 - 1.07 μmPa−1 (10 - 100× higher than the silicon reported in the state-of-the-art diaphragms) and pull-in voltages in the range of 2 – 9.5 V. In addition, to validate the proof of concept, we have electrically characterized the graphene microphone when subjected to sound actuation. An estimated sensitivity of S1kHz = 24.3 - 321 mVPa−1 for a Vbias = 1.5V was determined, which is 1.9 - 25.5× higher than of state-of-the-art microphone devices while having a ∼ 9× smaller area.
Crosstalk between KDEL receptor and EGF receptor mediates cell proliferation and migration via STAT3 signaling Short title: KDELR regulates EGFR-STAT3 signaling
Authors: Jia Jie , Yue Xihua , Tang Shuocheng , Jing Shuaiyang , Zhu Lianhui , Tan Chuanting , Du Yulei , Gao Jingkai , Lee Intaek , Qian Yi
Published: September 2023

Hostile microenvironment of cancer cells provoke a stressful condition for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and stimulate the expression and secretion of ER chaperones, leading to tumorigenic effects. However, the molecular mechanism underlying these effects is largely unknown. In this study, we reveal that the last four residues of ER chaperones, which are recognized by KDEL receptor (KDELR), is required for cell proliferation and migration induced by secreted chaperones. By combining proximity-based mass spectrometry analysis, split venus imaging and membrane yeast two hybrid assay, we present that EGF receptor (EGFR) may be a co-receptor for KDELR on the surface. Prior to ligand addition, KDELR spontaneously oligomerizes and constantly undergoes recycling near the plasma membrane. Upon KDEL ligand binding, the interactions of KDELR with itself and with EGFR increase rapidly, leading to augmented internalization of KDELR and tyrosine phosphorylation in the C-terminus of EGFR. STAT3, which binds the phosphorylated tyrosine motif on EGFR, is subsequently activated by EGFR and mediates cell growth and migration. Taken together, our results suggest that KDELR serves as a bona fide cell surface receptor for secreted ER chaperones and transactivates EGFR-STAT3 signaling pathway.
Brazilian physicians' attitudes and feelings towards palliative care in pediatrics
Authors: Rocha Anderson , Freitas Lurdiano , Meirelles Bianca , de Assis Lais , Nunes Rui Manuel Lopes
Published: September 2023

Fundamentals:Pediatric palliative care is defined as a care network whose objective is to improve the quality of life of children and adolescents with a disease that threatens the continuity of life and that of their families. In this context, the feelings and attitudes of the team responsible for palliation are evident. To assess and understand the feelings and attitudes of Brazilian physicians regarding the implementation of palliative care in pediatric patients.Methods:Between July 2018 and December 2019, 236 questionnaires were sent to physicians on the National Academy of Palliative Care list. The data collected through the intended questionnaires were analyzed using the programs IRAMUTEQ (Interface de R pour les Analyzes Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires).Results:Based on the analysis performed by IRAMUTEQ, a dendrogram was obtained, containing words with p<0.05. Feelings of sadness, anguish, relief, regret and fulfillment were perceived as relevant. Relevant attitudes, understanding, communication, instructing, dealing well, strategy and multi-professional conferences were described. Thus, it was noticed that these professionals experience different contradictory feelings and make use of different strategies so that they do not harm the treatment performed, in addition to maintaining a good relationship with the patient's family.Conclusion:In the present study, we demonstrate that there are intrinsic characteristics of pediatric palliative care that are a source of mixed feelings for medical professionals. In this context, there are still several feelings, attitudes and challenges. New studies addressing this topic are essential. Attention to these feelings promotes better management of palliative care in pediatrics.
Management of Occupational Injuries and Diseases Compensation Process at Selected Health Facilities in West Rand District, Gauteng Province, South Africa
Authors: Foromo Robert Muraga , Pilusa Mogale Ludwick , Mogotlane Sophie , Paul Yvonne
Published: September 2023

Background: Despite the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act being available at workplace, employees in health facilities still experience challenges on the management process of occupational injury and disease compensation. The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act is meant to compensate employees who acquire occupational injuries and/or diseases at workplace. The study aimed to: (a) describe managers and employee’s knowledge and challenges experienced in the management of occupational injuries and diseases compensation process, at selected health facilities in Gauteng Province and (b) describe recommendations made to enhance the management of occupational injuries and diseases compensation process at workplace.
Methods: The study employed a descriptive, quantitative, and contextual research design. Data were gathered using a self-administered questionnaire on 594 purposively sampled participants. Data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics in Strata version 16.0, at 95% confidence level.
Results: The results of the study revealed that, of the 594 participants, 77% (n=458) lacked knowledge on how to manage occupational injuries and diseases compensation, and 89% (n=529) lacked training in this area. All participants 100% (n=594) reported being unable to use the electronic CompEasy system, which is used to manage occupational injuries and diseases compensation process at workplace.
Conclusion: Recommendations made will assist managers and employees to enhance management of occupational injuries and diseases compensation process. The study results could have significant implications on how managers and employees manage occupational injuries and diseases compensation at workplace.
Macrophage-Derived miR-100-5p Orchestrates Synovial Proliferation and Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis through mTOR Signaling
Authors: Liu Huan , Chen Yuehong , Huang Yupeng , Wei Ling , Ran Jingjing , Li Qianwei , Tian Yunru , Luo Zhongling , Yang Leiyi , Liu Hongjiang , Yin Geng , Xie Qibing
Published: September 2023

Background
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by synovial inflammation, causing substantial disability and reducing life quality. While macrophages are widely appreciated as a master regulator in the inflammatory response of RA, the precise mechanisms underlying the regulation of proliferation and inflammation in RA-derived fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) remain elusive. Here, we provide extensive evidence to demonstrate that macrophage contributes to RA microenvironment remodeling by extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and downstream miR-100-5p/ mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis.
Results
We showed that cBMDM-sEVs exhibited a notable increase in abundance compared with nBMDM-sEVs. cBMDM-sEVs induced significant RA-FLS proliferation and potent inflammatory responses. Mechanistically, decreased levels of miR-100-5p were detected in cBMDM-sEVs compared with nBMDM-sEVs. miR-100-5p overexpression ameliorated RA-FLS proliferation and inflammation by targeting the mTOR pathway. Partial attenuation of the inflammatory effects induced by cBMDM-sEVs on RA-FLS was achieved through the introduction of an overexpression of miR-100-5p.
Conclusions
Our work reveals the critical role of macrophages in exacerbating RA by facilitating the transfer of miR-100-5p-deficient sEVs to RA-FLS, and sheds light on novel disease mechanisms and provides potential therapeutic targets for RA interventions.
Study on Impact of Gap Difference on Plasma Distribution of Direct Current Vacuum Circuit Breaker with Double-Break
Authors: Huang Chongyang , Yin Yongshuai , Liu Shuxin , Du Hanwen , Shan Zengyu , Cao Yundong
Published: September 2023

During the fault current breaking process of a mechanical direct current vacuum circuit breaker (DC VCB) with double-break (DB), the mechanism's dispersion can result in a gap difference between the two breaks. A DB DC VCB breaking experiment platform is constructed in order to investigate the impact of gap difference on plasma distribution during the DB DC VCB breaking process. During the experiment, a high-speed camera is used to capture the vacuum arcing process at the two breaks under varying gap difference conditions. Then, the arc feature parameters and their variations during the zero zone process are extracted using image processing techniques, and the distribution patterns of plasma and arc energy at the two breaks are analyzed and compared. When there is no gap difference between the two breaks of the experimental DB DC VCB, there are no significant differences in arc energy and the sizes of high, medium, and low-temperature plasma zones between the two breaks. When there is a gap difference between two breaks, the break with the smaller gap has larger high and medium-temperature plasma zones, more concentrated arc energy, higher particle concentration, lower arc diffusion velocity and arc energy decay velocity, and a greater amount of residual plasma after the extinguishing of the arc. When the gap difference exceeds a certain threshold, energy spots appear on the contact surfaces, and a high concentration corridor of residual particles remains between the contacts after the current crosses zero, forming a breakdown weak point that eventually leads to arc re-ignition (hence interruption failure) under the action of transient recovery voltage (TRV).
“Green Synthesis of Sulphur Nanoparticles via Psidium Guajava Leaf Aqueous Extract and Study of their Antimicrobial Activity and Antifungal activity.’’
Authors: Ghodke vrushali Ghodke vrushali , Athare Anil Athare Anil
Published: September 2023

Now a day’s researchers focus on medicinal plant parts which used to synthesize metallic or metal oxide nanoparticles by a green route. This green technique was used for synthesis of sulphur nanoparticles by biologically reducing sodium thiosulphate pentahydrate and citric acid with aqueous leaf extract of Psidium gujava. These synthesized Sulphur nanoparticles are characterized by UV visible Spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The aqueous extract of leaves of Psidium gujava acts as capping and stabilizing agents for the synthesize. These biologically synthesized sulphur nanoparticles were tested for antimicrobial activity against E. coli and Bacillus subtilis bacteria.by Agar well diffusion method and Antifungal activity against Candida albicans by Agar well diffusion method.
An Investigation on the Effect of the Surface Modifications and HNTs loading on the Cure behaviours, Abrasion Resistance, Mechanical and Morphological Properties of NR/EPDM
Authors: S Vishvanathperumal , J Vasanthe Roy , G Anand , K.N. Ramu , S Praveenkumar
Published: September 2023

Research was conducted to investigate the modification of natural halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) using amino silanes, namely (γ-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) and Diethoxydimethyl silane (DMS). The impact of these modified HNTs, referred to as APTES-HNTs and DMS-HNTs, on various properties of nanocomposites made from natural rubber (NR) and ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) was studied. The properties examined included cure characteristics, tensile properties, hardness, rebound resilience, and compression set qualities of the NR/EPDM nanocomposites. Swelling and cross-link density measurements, abrasion resistance analysis, and fracture morphology examination using FESEM were also performed to validate the experimental outcomes. Utilizing APTES-HNTs as fillers resulted in noteworthy improvements in multiple attributes such as tensile strength, stress at 100% elongation, abrasion resistance, hardness, tear strength, and curing behavior. Notably, the APTES-HNTs filled nanocomposites demonstrated superior resistance to swelling when compared to both HNTs and DMS-HNTs. The enhanced interaction between the filler and rubber matrix, owing to the increased contact surface area, contributed to advancements in mechanical properties and resistance to swelling. Comparing nanocomposites with a base vulcanizate, the incorporation of 10 parts per hundred rubber (phr) APTES-HNTs led to a 36% reduction in abrasion loss. The research findings indicated that the addition of 8 phr APTES-HNTs could potentially increase tensile strength, elongation at break, and stress at 100% elongation by approximately 112%, 31%, and 66%, respectively.
Scaling Performance Frontiers Across Multiple Perioperative Services
Authors: Zhang Erik J. , Saffary Roya , Sharma Soniya , Hagood Joshua M. , Elhajj Andrea J. , Tsai Mitchell H.
Published: September 2023

Background: One of the primary principles governing operating room management includes maximizing clinical efficiency and optimizing the time used in the high-cost, high-revenue environments represented by operating rooms. Under-utilized and over-utilized times are elementary metrics that describe the operating room performance. Performance frontiers visualize the maximal efficiency of systems and their existing constraints.
Methods: Monthly aggregated operating room metrics from services at the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVM), Stanford Hospital, and the University of Alabama (UAB) at Birmingham Hospital were extracted. Paired under- and over-utilized times were plotted against each other. Performance frontiers representing the optimal performance of each service were overlaid.
Results: The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for goodness-of-fit at 95% level of significance confirms that the performance frontiers representing UVM and Stanford (K-S = 0.9507, p < 0.0001), UVM and UAB (K-S = 0.9989, p < 0.0001), and Stanford and UAB (K-S = 0.9773, p < 0.0001), indicating each service is represented by a different performance frontier.
Conclusions: Our analysis shows that the performance frontier defining the optimal efficiency of UVM is more efficient than that of Stanford and UAB. Differences in efficiency must be due in part to organizational differences between institutions, limited in scale due to the size of institutions; normative statements must be made in relation to the existing organizational structures of each institution and their specific capacity to make changes in tactical decisions. Systemic interventions should be implemented via qualitative analysis of more efficient services, defined by the relative positioning of relevant performance frontiers.
CXCL14 Accelerates Fibroblast Ferroptosis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease by Regulating Lipid Metabolism via SCD1
Authors: HE Zhihua , Lin Lan , Nini Chen , Tingting Li , Chuxiang Huang , Wenxu Pan , Danqiong Liu , Xinhua Liang , Rui Tang , Wenjun Du , Yanling Cheng , Shuzhe Xiao , Yang Cheng , Lanlan Geng , Sitang Gong
Published: September 2023

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), historically subdivided into Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic, relapsing and heterogeneous condition, resulting in intestinal tissue destruction and dysfunction, such as fibrosis. Currently, there is no effective therapy against colon fibrosis. Fibroblasts are known to contribute to the pathogenesis of IBD-related fibrosis. Recently, our laboratory found that inflammatory fibroblasts in IBD had significantly upregulated Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 14 (CXCL14) expression, suggesting a potential role of CXCL14 in IBD-related fibrosis. Employing Dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)-induced chronic colitis, we showed that CXCL14 was specifically upregulated in collagen-secreting fibroblasts in fibrotic mouse colons. In addition, we showed that CXCL14 was upregulated in human colon fibroblast (HIF and CCD18) culture supernatants induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), whereas CXCL14 overexpression was sufficient to promote colon fibroblast ferroptosis. Mechanistically, we showed that CXCL14, transcriptionally decreasing the transcript abundance of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), mediated its pro-ferroptosis effects by enforcing ERK signaling activity and inhibiting p70 KDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K) activation in colon fibroblasts. Using a S100 calcium binding protein A4 (S100a4)-cre mice, we generated an intestinal fibroblast-specific CXCL14 knockout mouse line through Adeno-associated virus vectors (AAV) injection into the tail veins. We demonstrated that deletion of CXCL14 in colon fibroblasts accelerated the progression of established colon fibrosis in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis, suggesting the therapeutic potential of CXCL14 targeting for colon fibrosis and IBD.