bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Night-Time Hot Spring Bathing Is Associated with a Lower Systolic Blood Pressure among Japanese Older Adults: A Single-Institution Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Yamasaki Satoshi , Tokunou Tomotake , Maeda Toyoki , Horiuchi Takahiko
Published: December 2023

Hot spring bathing is practiced to help manage hypertension. We retrospectively investigated the effects of hot spring bathing on hypertension with the aim of identifying a novel approach to prevent and manage hypertension. The study cohort comprised 99 patients aged ≥65 years admitted to Kyushu University Beppu Hospital between 1 December 2021 and 30 November 2022 who could walk by themselves and who used hot springs for ≥3 days during their hospital stay. The changes in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly decreased in the night-time bathing group (n = 21) compared with the noontime (n = 26) and afternoon (n = 52) groups. Night-time hot spring bathing was significantly associated with reduced systolic blood pressure the next morning in older adults. Although prospective randomized controlled trials on night-time hot spring bathing as a hypertension treatment are warranted to investigate whether the practice can prevent hypertension among adults aged ≥65 years, we have initiated a single-center, phase II study on the relationship between sleep quality and quality of life in hypertensive patients after night-time hot spring bathing.
PSEN1 His214Asn Mutation in a Korean Patient with Familial EOAD and the Importance of Histidine–Tryptophan Interactions in TM-4 Stability
Authors: Bagyinszky Eva , Kim Minju , Park Young Ho , An Seong Soo A. , Kim SangYun
Published: December 2023

A pathogenic mutation in presenilin-1 (PSEN1), His214Asn, was found in a male patient with memory decline at the age of 41 in Korea for the first time. The proband patient was associated with a positive family history from his father, paternal aunt, and paternal grandmother without genetic testing. He was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD). PSEN1 His214Asn was initially reported in an Italian family, where the patient developed phenotypes similar to the current proband patient. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed a mild hippocampal atrophy. The amyloid positron emission tomography (amyloid-PET) was positive, along with the positive test results of the increased amyloid ß (Aβ) oligomerization tendency with blood. The PSEN1 His214 amino acid position plays a significant role in the gamma–secretase function, especially from three additional reported mutations in this residue: His214Asp, His214Tyr, and His214Arg. The structure prediction model revealed that PSEN1 protein His214 may interact with Trp215 of His-Trp cation-π interaction, and the mutations of His214 would destroy this interaction. The His-Trp cation-π interaction between His214 and Trp215 would play a crucial structural role in stabilizing the 4th transmembrane domain of PSEN1 protein, especially when aromatic residues were often reported in the membrane interface of the lipid–extracellular region of alpha helices or beta sheets. The His214Asn would alter the cleavage dynamics of gamma–secretase from the disappeared interactions between His214 and Trp215 inside of the helix, resulting in elevated amyloid production. Hence, the increased Aβ was reflected in the increased Aβ oligomerization tendency and the accumulations of Aβ in the brain from amyloid-PET, leading to EOAD.
Regulation of MMP-2 by IL-8 in Vascular Endothelial Cells: Probable Mechanism for Endothelial Dysfunction in Women with Preeclampsia
Authors: Flores-Pliego Arturo , Espejel-Nuñez Aurora , Borboa-Olivares Hector , Parra-Hernández Sandra Berenice , Montoya-Estrada Araceli , González-Márquez Humberto , González-Camarena Ramón , Estrada-Gutierrez Guadalupe
Published: December 2023

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) in preeclampsia (PE) results from the convergence of oxidative stress, inflammation, and alterations in extracellular matrix components, affecting vascular tone and permeability. The molecular network leading to ED includes IL-8 and MMP-2. In vitro, IL-8 regulates the concentration and activity of MMP-2 in the trophoblast; this interaction has not been studied in endothelial cells during PE. We isolated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from women with healthy pregnancies (NP, n = 15) and PE (n = 15). We quantified the intracellular concentration of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species with colorimetric assays, IL-8 with ELISA, and MMP-2 with zymography and using an ELISA-type system. An IL-8 inhibition assay was used to study the influence of this cytokine on MMP-2 concentration and activity. HUVECs from women with PE showed significantly higher oxidative stress than NP. IL-8 and MMP-2 were found to be significantly elevated in PE HUVECs compared to NP. Inhibition of IL-8 in HUVECs from women with PE significantly decreased the concentration of MMP-2. We demonstrate that IL-8 is involved in the mechanisms of MMP-2 expression in HUVECs from women with PE. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating the ED distinctive of PE.
Molecular Mechanisms of Neuroprotection by Ketone Bodies and Ketogenic Diet in Cerebral Ischemia and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Jang Jiwon , Kim Su Rim , Lee Jo Eun , Lee Seoyeon , Son Hyeong Jig , Choe Wonchae , Yoon Kyung-Sik , Kim Sung Soo , Yeo Eui-Ju , Kang Insug
Published: December 2023

Ketone bodies (KBs), such as acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate, serve as crucial alternative energy sources during glucose deficiency. KBs, generated through ketogenesis in the liver, are metabolized into acetyl-CoA in extrahepatic tissues, entering the tricarboxylic acid cycle and electron transport chain for ATP production. Reduced glucose metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction correlate with increased neuronal death and brain damage during cerebral ischemia and neurodegeneration. Both KBs and the ketogenic diet (KD) demonstrate neuroprotective effects by orchestrating various cellular processes through metabolic and signaling functions. They enhance mitochondrial function, mitigate oxidative stress and apoptosis, and regulate epigenetic and post-translational modifications of histones and non-histone proteins. Additionally, KBs and KD contribute to reducing neuroinflammation and modulating autophagy, neurotransmission systems, and gut microbiome. This review aims to explore the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning the neuroprotective effects of KBs and KD against brain damage in cerebral ischemia and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis Reveals the B3 Superfamily Involved in Embryogenesis and Hormone Responses in Dimocarpus longan Lour.
Authors: Tang Mengjie , Zhao Guanghui , Awais Muhammad , Gao Xiaoli , Meng Wenyong , Lin Jindi , Zhao Bianbian , Lai Zhongxiong , Lin Yuling , Chen Yukun
Published: December 2023

B3 family transcription factors play an essential regulatory role in plant growth and development processes. This study performed a comprehensive analysis of the B3 family transcription factor in longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.), and a total of 75 DlB3 genes were identified. DlB3 genes were unevenly distributed on the 15 chromosomes of longan. Based on the protein domain similarities and functional diversities, the DlB3 family was further clustered into four subgroups (ARF, RAV, LAV, and REM). Bioinformatics and comparative analyses of B3 superfamily expression were conducted in different light and with different temperatures and tissues, and early somatic embryogenesis (SE) revealed its specific expression profile and potential biological functions during longan early SE. The qRT-PCR results indicated that DlB3 family members played a crucial role in longan SE and zygotic embryo development. Exogenous treatments of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), NPA (N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid), and PP333 (paclobutrazol) could significantly inhibit the expression of the DlB3 family. Supplementary ABA (abscisic acid), IAA (indole-3-acetic acid), and GA3 (gibberellin) suppressed the expressions of DlLEC2, DlARF16, DlTEM1, DlVAL2, and DlREM40, but DlFUS3, DlARF5, and DlREM9 showed an opposite trend. Furthermore, subcellular localization indicated that DlLEC2 and DlFUS3 were located in the nucleus, suggesting that they played a role in the nucleus. Therefore, DlB3s might be involved in complex plant hormone signal transduction pathways during longan SE and zygotic embryo development.
The Immune Signature of CSF in Multiple Sclerosis with and without Oligoclonal Bands: A Machine Learning Approach to Proximity Extension Assay Analysis
Authors: Gaetani Lorenzo , Bellomo Giovanni , Di Sabatino Elena , Sperandei Silvia , Mancini Andrea , Blennow Kaj , Zetterberg Henrik , Parnetti Lucilla , Di Filippo Massimiliano
Published: December 2023

Early diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) relies on clinical evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. Reliable biomarkers are needed to differentiate MS from other neurological conditions and to define the underlying pathogenesis. This study aimed to comprehensively profile immune activation biomarkers in the CSF of individuals with MS and explore distinct signatures between MS with and without oligoclonal bands (OCB). A total of 118 subjects, including relapsing–remitting MS with OCB (MS OCB+) (n = 58), without OCB (MS OCB−) (n = 24), and controls with other neurological diseases (OND) (n = 36), were included. CSF samples were analyzed by means of proximity extension assay (PEA) for quantifying 92 immune-related proteins. Neurofilament light chain (NfL), a marker of axonal damage, was also measured. Machine learning techniques were employed to identify biomarker panels differentiating MS with and without OCB from controls. Analyses were performed by splitting the cohort into a training and a validation set. CSF CD5 and IL-12B exhibited the highest discriminatory power in differentiating MS from controls. CSF MIP-1-alpha, CD5, CXCL10, CCL23 and CXCL9 were positively correlated with NfL. Multivariate models were developed to distinguish MS OCB+ and MS OCB− from controls. The model for MS OCB+ included IL-12B, CD5, CX3CL1, FGF-19, CST5, MCP-1 (91% sensitivity and 94% specificity in the training set, 81% sensitivity, and 94% specificity in the validation set). The model for MS OCB− included CX3CL1, CD5, NfL, CCL4 and OPG (87% sensitivity and 80% specificity in the training set, 56% sensitivity and 48% specificity in the validation set). Comprehensive immune profiling of CSF biomarkers in MS revealed distinct pathophysiological signatures associated with OCB status. The identified biomarker panels, enriched in T cell activation markers and immune mediators, hold promise for improved diagnostic accuracy and insights into MS pathogenesis.
Myrsinane-Type Diterpenes: A Comprehensive Review on Structural Diversity, Chemistry and Biological Activities
Authors: Mendes Eduarda , Ramalhete Cátia , Duarte Noélia
Published: December 2023

Euphorbia species are important sources of polycyclic and macrocyclic diterpenes, which have been the focus of natural-product-based drug research due to their relevant biological properties, including anticancer, multidrug resistance reversal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities. Premyrsinane, cyclomyrsinane, and myrsinane diterpenes are generally and collectively designated as myrsinane-type diterpenes. These compounds are derived from the macrocyclic lathyrane structure and are characterized by having highly oxygenated rearranged polycyclic systems. This review aims to describe and summarize the distribution and diversity of 220 myrsinane-type diterpenes isolated in the last four decades from about 20 Euphorbia species. Some myrsinane diterpenes obtained from Jatropha curcas are also described. Discussion on their plausible biosynthetic pathways is presented, as well as isolation procedures and structural elucidation using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Furthermore, the most important biological activities are highlighted, which include cytotoxic and immunomodulatory activities, the modulation of efflux pumps, the neuroprotective effects, and the inhibition of enzymes such as urease, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, and prolyl endopeptidase, among other biological effects.
Human Precision-Cut Liver Slices: A Potential Platform to Study Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
Authors: Rastovic Una , Bozzano Sergio Francesco , Riva Antonio , Simoni-Nieves Arturo , Harris Nicola , Miquel Rosa , Lackner Carolin , Zen Yoh , Zamalloa Ane , Menon Krishna , Heaton Nigel , Chokshi Shilpa , Palma Elena
Published: December 2023

Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) encompasses a range of pathological conditions that are complex to study at the clinical and preclinical levels. Despite the global burden of ALD, there is a lack of effective treatments, and mortality is high. One of the reasons for the unsuccessful development of novel therapies is that experimental studies are hindered by the challenge of recapitulating this multifactorial disorder in vitro, including the contributions of hepatotoxicity, impaired lipid metabolism, fibrosis and inflammatory cytokine storm, which are critical drivers in the pathogenesis of ALD in patients and primary targets for drug development. Here, we present the unique characteristics of the culture of human precision-cut liver slices (PCLS) to replicate key disease processes in ALD. PCLS were prepared from human liver specimens and treated with ethanol alone or in combination with fatty acids and lipopolysaccharide (FA + LPS) for up to 5 days to induce hepatotoxic, inflammatory and fibrotic events associated with ALD. Alcohol insult induced hepatocyte death which was more pronounced with the addition of FA + LPS. This mixture showed a significant increase in the cytokines conventionally associated with the prototypical inflammatory response observed in severe ALD, and interestingly, alcohol alone exhibited a different effect. Profibrogenic activation was also observed in the slices and investigated in the context of slice preparation. These results support the versatility of this organotypic model to study different pathways involved in alcohol-induced liver damage and ALD progression and highlight the applicability of the PCLS for drug discovery, confirming their relevance as a bridge between preclinical and clinical studies.
Integration of ATAC-Seq and RNA-Seq Analysis to Identify Key Genes in the Longissimus Dorsi Muscle Development of the Tianzhu White Yak
Authors: Li Jingsheng , Chen Zongchang , Bai Yanbin , Wei Yali , Guo Dashan , Liu Zhanxin , Niu Yanmei , Shi Bingang , Zhang Xiaolan , Cai Yuan , Zhao Zhidong , Hu Jiang , Wang Jiqing , Liu Xiu , Li Shaobin , Zhao Fangfang
Published: December 2023

During the postnatal stages, skeletal muscle development undergoes a series of meticulously regulated alterations in gene expression. However, limited studies have employed chromatin accessibility to unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms governing muscle development in yak species. Therefore, we conducted an analysis of both gene expression levels and chromatin accessibility to comprehensively characterize the dynamic genome-wide chromatin accessibility during muscle growth and development in the Tianzhu white yak, thereby elucidating the features of accessible chromatin regions throughout this process. Initially, we compared the differences in chromatin accessibility between two groups and observed that calves exhibited higher levels of chromatin accessibility compared to adult cattle, particularly within ±2 kb of the transcription start site (TSS). In order to investigate the correlation between alterations in chromatin accessible regions and variations in gene expression levels, we employed a combination of ATAC-seq and RNA-seq techniques, leading to the identification of 18 central transcriptional factors (TFs) and 110 key genes with significant effects. Through further analysis, we successfully identified several TFs, including Sp1, YY1, MyoG, MEF2A and MEF2C, as well as a number of candidate genes (ANKRD2, ANKRD1, BTG2 and LMOD3) which may be closely associated with muscle growth and development. Moreover, we constructed an interactive network program encompassing hub TFs and key genes related to muscle growth and development. This innovative approach provided valuable insights into the molecular mechanism underlying skeletal muscle development in the postnatal stages of Tianzhu white yaks while also establishing a solid theoretical foundation for future research on yak muscle development.
Teleost Eye Is the Portal of IHNV Entry and Contributes to a Robust Mucosal Immune Response
Authors: Wang Xinyou , Ding Guangyi , Yang Peng , Cheng Gaofeng , Kong Weiguang , Xu Zhen
Published: December 2023

The ocular mucosa (OM) is an important and unique part of the vertebrate mucosal immune system. The OM plays an important role in maintaining visual function and defending against foreign antigens or microorganisms, while maintaining a balance between the two through complex regulatory mechanisms. However, the function of ocular mucosal defense against foreign pathogens and mucosal immune response in bony fish are still less studied. To acquire deeper understanding into the mucosal immunity of the OM in teleost fish, we established a study of the immune response of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) infected with the infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV). Our findings revealed that IHNV could successfully infiltrate the trout’s OM, indicating that the OM could be an important portal for the IHNV. Furthermore, qPCR and RNA-Seq analysis results showed that a large number of immune-related genes were significantly upregulated in the OM of trout with IHNV infection. Critically, the results of our RNA-Seq analysis demonstrated that viral infection triggered a robust immune response, as evidenced by the substantial induction of antiviral, innate, and adaptive immune-related genes in the OM of infected fish, which underscored the essential role of the OM in viral infection. Overall, our findings revealed a previously unknown function of teleost OM in antiviral defense, and provided a theoretical basis for the study of the mucosal immunity of fish.
Development and Application of an Open Power Meter Suitable for NILM
Authors: Rodríguez-Navarro Carlos , Portillo Francisco , Martínez Fernando , Manzano-Agugliaro Francisco , Alcayde Alfredo
Published: December 2023

In the context of the global energy sector’s increasing reliance on fossil fuels and escalating environmental concerns, there is an urgent need for advancements in energy monitoring and optimization. Addressing this challenge, the present study introduces the Open Multi Power Meter, a novel open hardware solution designed for efficient and precise electrical measurements. This device is engineered around a single microcontroller architecture, featuring a comprehensive suite of measurement modules interconnected via an RS485 bus, which ensures high accuracy and scalability. A significant aspect of this development is the integration with the Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring Toolkit, which utilizes advanced algorithms for energy disaggregation, including Combinatorial Optimization and the Finite Hidden Markov Model. Comparative analyses were performed using public datasets alongside commercial and open hardware monitors to validate the design and capabilities of this device. These studies demonstrate the device’s notable effectiveness, characterized by its simplicity, flexibility, and adaptability in various energy monitoring scenarios. The introduction of this cost-effective and scalable tool marks a contribution to the field of energy research, enhancing energy efficiency practices. This research provides a practical solution for energy management and opens advancements in the field, highlighting its potential impact on academic research and real-world applications.
Model for Underwater Acoustic Target Recognition with Attention Mechanism Based on Residual Concatenate
Authors: Chen Zhe , Xie Guohao , Chen Mingsong , Qiu Hongbing
Published: December 2023

Underwater acoustic target recognition remains a formidable challenge in underwater acoustic signal processing. Current target recognition approaches within underwater acoustic frameworks predominantly rely on acoustic image target recognition models. However, this method grapples with two primary setbacks; the pronounced frequency similarity within acoustic images often leads to the loss of critical target data during the feature extraction phase, and the inherent data imbalance within the underwater acoustic target dataset predisposes models to overfitting. In response to these challenges, this research introduces an underwater acoustic target recognition model named Attention Mechanism Residual Concatenate Network (ARescat). This model integrates residual concatenate networks combined with Squeeze-Excitation (SE) attention mechanisms. The entire process culminates with joint supervision employing Focal Loss for precise feature classification. In our study, we conducted recognition experiments using the ShipsEar database and compared the performance of the ARescat model with the classic ResNet18 model under identical feature extraction conditions. The findings reveal that the ARescat model, with a similar quantity of model parameters as ResNet18, achieves a 2.8% higher recognition accuracy, reaching an impressive 95.8%. This enhancement is particularly notable when comparing various models and feature extraction methods, underscoring the ARescat model’s superior proficiency in underwater acoustic target recognition.
Chorea and Cognitive Impairment in JAK2V617F-Positive Myeloproliferative Disorders: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Butnariu Ioana , Antonescu-Ghelmez Dana , Moraru Adriana , Anghel Daniela Nicoleta , Cojocaru Florentina Melania , Tuță Sorin , Ciobanu Adela Magdalena , Antonescu Florian
Published: December 2023

Chorea is a hyperkinetic movement disorder, accompanied by dystonia, myoclonus, tics, stereotypies, and tremors. It is characterized by excessive, purposeless movements that are distressing, irregularly timed, and randomly distributed. Chorea can be present in many diseases, such as hereditary, metabolic disturbance, drug-induced, and functional disorders, and, rarely, genetic, autoimmune, and infectious diseases. Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm that leads to ineffective clonal hematopoiesis, fibrous tissue deposits in the bone marrow, extramedullary hematopoiesis, and splenomegaly. In rare cases, following uncertain pathological mechanisms, it can present with chorea, particularly affecting the limbs, head, and orofaciolingual muscles. We present a case of a male patient with evolving PMF over several years who was admitted for progressive cognitive impairment and generalized involuntary movement disorder. We also present a review of all cases of myeloproliferative disorders presenting with chorea published in the last 40 years.
The Use of Fine Arts to Enhance Visualization and Describing Skills in a First-Year Dental Anatomy Course: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Siddanna Geetha , Smith Bradley , Mantesso Andrea , Ramaswamy Vidya , de Peralta Tracy , Karl Elisabeta
Published: December 2023

(1) Background: In this qualitative study, we investigated the implementation of an art-based observation workshop as a tool to improve visualization and interpretation skills in a cohort of first-year dental students (N = 109) in a dental anatomy course. (2) Methods: The art workshop was held once for a total of 60 min in the pre-clinical simulation laboratory, which is the regular teaching setting for the dental anatomy course. Visualization and interpretation skills were assessed before (pre-test) and after the art-based observation workshop (post-test). The pre- and post-tests contained five images that guided students to describe dental anatomy images. The pre- and post-test had different but similar images. Dental students accessed the pre- and post-tests on CANVAS and recorded their answers. After that, the audio recording files were analyzed and compared to determine the frequency of use of dental anatomy-specific nomenclature while answering the pre- and post-test. (3) Results: Our results demonstrate that students used dental anatomy-specific nomenclature more frequently after the intervention. (4) Conclusions: we have concluded that students’ use of dental anatomy nomenclature in the first-year dental anatomy curriculum is enhanced following an art-based intervention in a regular dental simulation laboratory.
From Scalar Clouds to Rotating Hairy Black Holes
Authors: García Gustavo , Salgado Marcelo , Grandclément Philippe , Gourgoulhon Eric
Published: December 2023

First, we review the solutions of a complex-valued scalar field, termed scalar clouds, with and without electric charge, when coupled to a rotating Kerr–Newman (electrically charged) or Kerr (neutral) black hole (BH), respectively. To this aim, we determine the conditions and parameters that characterize the existence of solutions that represent bound states, with an energy-momentum tensor that respect the symmetries of the underlying spacetimes, even if the backreaction of the field is not taken into account at this stage. In particular, we show that in the extremal Kerr scenario the cloud solutions exist only when the mass of the BH satisfies certain bounds, which are obtained by analyzing an effective potential associated with the radial dependency of the scalar clouds that leads to a Schrödinger-like equation. Second, when the backreaction of the field in the spacetime is taken into account, we present a family of stationary, axisymmetric and asymptotically flat solutions of the Einstein–Klein–Gordon system that represent genuine rotating hairy black holes (RHBHs) and provide different values of some global quantities associated with them, such as the Komar mass and the Komar angular momentum. We also compute RHBH solutions with nodes in the radial part of the scalar field and also for a higher azimuthal number m.
Effects of Non-Thermal Plasma on the Transition from Nano-Crystalline to Amorphous Structure in Water and Subsequent Effects on Viscosity
Authors: Ginzburg Joshua , Shaji Mobish , Rabinovich Alexander , Vainchtein Dmitri , Sales Christopher , Fridman Alexander
Published: December 2023

Recent studies have demonstrated that the physical properties of water treated with non-thermal plasma, or plasma-activated water (PAW), significantly differ from those of distilled water. For example, contrary to expectation, the viscosity of PAW becomes lower than that of distilled water at certain temperatures. This study developed a model to explain these differences by combining the two-state model of ordinary water, which describes water as a combination of nano-crystalline clusters and amorphous, free-floating molecules, using the Debye–Huckel theory for a fluid containing ions. A model for the viscosity of PAW was then developed from the general model. It explains how PAW has a lower viscosity than distilled water as the temperature decreases and why this effect is stronger than the colligative effect for ideal solutions. Finally, the viscosity model is compared to the experimental measurements of PAW treated with gliding arc plasma, showing that the data match the predicted values quite well. The model of PAW developed here can be used to understand other physical properties beyond viscosity, such as the surface tension, contact angle, electric conductivity, heat capacity, isothermal compressibility, and density, potentially facilitating new applications of PAW.
Post-Burn and Surgical Scar Reconstruction with Tissue Expanders: Review of the Literature and Our Local Experience
Authors: Alharbi Ziyad I. , Moshref Leena H. , Badr Rahaf E. , Zahran Ola A. , Almaghrabi Maan T. , Khamis Sherif F.
Published: December 2023

Tissue expansion (TE) is a rather widely accepted technique in plastic surgery, with variable indications; among numerous other indications, it is commonly used in scar management. In our research, we focused on the significance of TE as an important armamentarium and valid solution for the treatment of large and old post-burn scars, with good cosmetic and functional outcomes. Our study is a retrospective analysis conducted at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, Jeddah, during the period from 2020 to 2023. This retrospective analysis included 15 tissue expanders, which were inserted in eight patients with large post-burn scars. Each patient underwent two stages of scar repair using variable-size tissue expanders. Post-operative assessment for scar quality and patient satisfaction was conducted using the POSAS score system in addition to standard documentation. Our study sheds light on the satisfactory and accepted cosmetic and functional outcomes for skin tissue expanders for post-burn scars and deformities.
Impact of Starting Knee Flexion Angle on Muscle Activity and Performance during Plyometrics without Jumping
Authors: Torres-Banduc Maximiliano , Chirosa-Ríos Ignacio , Chirosa-Ríos Luis , Jerez-Mayorga Daniel
Published: December 2023

Most of the existing research has focused on jump plyometrics, where landing reaction forces must be dissipated among lower limb articulations. In contrast, the investigation of resisted plyometrics without jumping, devoid of such landing forces, remains relatively limited. This study aimed to (i) investigate the impact of resisted plyometrics without jumping at two knee flexion angles (60 and 90 degrees) on vastus muscle activity relative to limb dominance and (ii) assess strength, power, and work during the concentric–eccentric phases of these exercises. Thirty-one healthy participants underwent quantification of lower limb muscle amplitude, strength, power, and work during resisted plyometrics without jumping from both 60° and 90° knee flexion positions. After anthropometric evaluations, participants used a dynamometer with a load equal to 80% of body weight while wireless surface electromyography electrodes recorded data. Statistical analyses utilized paired t-tests or nonparametric equivalents and set significance at p ≤ 0.05. Results showed significantly higher muscle activity in the vastus medialis (VM) (dominant: 47.4%, p = 0.0008, rs = 0.90; nondominant: 54.8%, p = 0.047, rs = 0.88) and vastus lateralis (VL) (dominant: 46.9%, p = 0.0004, rs = 0.86; nondominant: 48.1%, p = 0.021, rs = 0.67) muscles when exercises started at 90° knee flexion, regardless of limb dominance. Substantial intermuscle differences occurred at both 60° (50.4%, p = 0.003, rs = 0.56) and 90° (54.8%, p = 0.005, rs = 0.62) knee flexion, favoring VM in the nondominant leg. Concentric and eccentric strength, power, and work metrics significantly increased when initiating exercises from a 90° position. In conclusion, commencing resisted plyometrics without jumping at a 90° knee flexion position increases VM and VL muscle activity, regardless of limb dominance. Furthermore, it enhances strength, power, and work, emphasizing the importance of knee flexion position customization for optimizing muscle engagement and functional performance.
Research on Energy Harvesting Mechanism and Low Power Technology in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Chen Weimin , Tang Feng , Cui Fang , Chen Chen
Published: December 2023

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are widely used in various fields such as military, industrial, and transportation for real-time monitoring, sensing, and data collection of different environments or objects. However, the development of WSNs is hindered by several limitations, including energy, storage space, computing power, and data transmission rate. Among these, the availability of power energy plays a crucial role as it directly determines the lifespan of WSN. To extend the life cycle of WSN, two key approaches are power supply improvement and energy conservation. Therefore, we propose an energy harvesting system and a low-energy-consumption mechanism for WSNs. Firstly, we delved into the energy harvesting technology of WSNs, explored the utilization of solar energy and mechanical vibration energy to ensure a continuous and dependable power supply to the sensor nodes, and analyzed the voltage output characteristics of bistable piezoelectric cantilever. Secondly, we proposed a neighbor discovery mechanism that utilizes a separation beacon, is based on reply to ACK, and can facilitate the identification of neighboring nodes. This mechanism operates at a certain duty cycle ratio, significantly reduces idle listening time and results in substantial energy savings. In comparison to the Disco and U-connect protocols, our proposed mechanism achieved a remarkable reduction of 66.67% and 75% in the worst discovery delay, respectively. Furthermore, we introduced a data fusion mechanism based on integer wavelet transform. This mechanism effectively eliminates data redundancy caused by spatiotemporal correlation, resulting in a data compression rate of 5.42. Additionally, it significantly reduces energy consumption associated with data transmission by the nodes.
Graph Multi-Scale Permutation Entropy for Bearing Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Fan Qingwen , Liu Yuqi , Yang Jingyuan , Zhang Dingcheng
Published: December 2023

Bearing faults are one kind of primary failure in rotatory machines. To avoid economic loss and casualties, it is important to diagnose bearing faults accurately. Vibration-based monitoring technology is widely used to detect bearing faults. Graph signal processing methods promising for the extraction of the fault features of bearings. In this work, graph multi-scale permutation entropy (MPEG) is proposed for bearing fault diagnosis. In the proposed method, the vibration signal is first transformed into a visibility graph. Secondly, a graph coarsening method is used to generate coarse graphs with different reduced sizes. Thirdly, the graph’s permutation entropy is calculated to obtain bearing fault features. Finally, a support vector machine (SVM) is applied for fault feature classification. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, open-source and laboratory data are used to compare conventional entropies and other graph entropies. Experimental results show that the proposed method has higher accuracy and better robustness and de-noising ability.
High Specificity but Low Sensitivity of Lab-on-a-Disk Technique in Detecting Soil-Transmitted Helminth Eggs among Pre- and School-Aged Children in North-Western Tanzania
Authors: Mazigo Humphrey D. , Justine Nyanda C. , Bhuko Jeffer , Rubagumya Sarah , Basinda Namanya , Zinga Maria M. , Ruganuza Deodatus , Misko Vyacheslav R. , Briet Matthieu , Legein Filip , De Malsche Wim
Published: December 2023

An estimated 1.5 billion people are infected with soil-transmitted helminths (hookworms, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura). These infections are targeted for elimination by the World Health Organization (WHO) by 2030, with the main interventions being mass drug administration using albendazole or mebendazole. Tanzania is one of the endemic countries; it has been implementing MDA to school-aged children for more than a decade and the infection prevalence and intensity of infection have declined. Thus, at this point, the monitoring and evaluation of infection prevalence and intensity of infections, and assessing drug efficacy is crucial and requires accurate diagnostic tests. The currently used standard diagnostic test, the Kato–Katz (KK) technique, has several limitations and the WHO is calling for the development and evaluation of new diagnostic tests. The Lab-on-a-disk (LOD) was developed and tested in the endemic areas of north-western Tanzania to evaluate its sensitivity and specificity using KK and the formol-ether concentration technique. The results showed that when using a duplicate KK slide, the LOD had a sensitivity and specificity of 37.2% (95% CI: 30.7–43.9) and 67.3% (95% CI: 63.1–71.3%). Using four KK slides as a standard technique, the overall sensitivity and specificity were 37.7% (95% CI: 33.1–42.6) and 70.7% (95% CI: 65.5–75.6). The LOD attained high specificity but low sensitivity especially in detecting eggs of Trichuris trichiura. The LOD technique has potential as a promising diagnostic test, but its sensitivity still requires improvement.
A Testbench for Measuring the Dynamic Force-Displacement Characteristics of Shockmounts
Authors: Heinemann Bernhard , Simanowski Kai , Clasen Michael , Dreesen Jan , Sachau Delf
Published: December 2023

Shockmounts in naval applications are used to mount technical equipment onto the structure of naval vessels. The insulating effect against mechanical shock is important here, as it can excite the structure in the event of underwater explosions and otherwise cause damage to the equipment. Although knowledge of the dynamic properties of shockmounts is important to naval architects, the dynamic force-displacement characteristics of shockmounts are often tested and measured statically and/or in the harmonic field. Recently, an inertia-based method and a dynamic model for measuring the dynamic force-displacement characteristics of shockmounts was described. This paper presents a full description of a testbench for implementing this method. The testbench incorporates a drop table for excitation. The proposed setup can be configured for measuring the dynamic characteristics of elastomer and wire rope shockmounts, with shock loads in compression, tension, shear and roll directions. The advanced Kelvin–Voigt model for shockmounts is applied, showing that the dynamic force-displacement characteristics measured with this setup are qualified to generate model parameters for further use.
Dutch GP healthcare consumption in COVID-19 heterogeneous regions: an interregional time-series approach in 2020–2021
Authors: Homburg Maarten , Berger Marjolein , Berends Matthijs , Meijer Eline , Kupers Thijmen , Ramerman Lotte , Rijpkema Corinne , de Schepper Evelien , olde Hartman Tim , Muris Jean , Verheij Robert , Peters Lilian
Published: December 2023

Background

Many countries observed a sharp decline in the use of general practice services after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, research has not yet considered how changes in healthcare consumption varied among regions with the same restrictive measures but different COVID-19 prevalence.

Aim

To investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected healthcare consumption in Dutch general practice during 2020 and 2021, among regions with known heterogeneity in COVID-19 prevalence, from a pre-pandemic baseline in 2019.

Design & setting

Population-based cohort study using electronic health records. The study was undertaken in Dutch general practices involved in regional research networks.

Method

An interrupted time-series analysis of changes in healthcare consumption from before to during the pandemic was performed. Descriptive statistics were used on the number of potential COVID-19-related contacts, reason for contact, and type of contact.

Results

The study covered 3 595 802 contacts (425 639 patients), 3 506 637 contacts (433 340 patients), and 4 105 413 contacts (434 872 patients) in 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. Time-series analysis revealed a significant decrease in healthcare consumption after the outbreak of the pandemic. Despite interregional heterogeneity in COVID-19 prevalence, healthcare consumption decreased comparably over time in the three regions, before rebounding to a level significantly higher than baseline in 2021. Physical consultations transitioned to phone or digital over time.

Conclusion

Healthcare consumption decreased irrespective of the regional prevalence of COVID-19 from the start of the pandemic, with the Delta variant triggering a further decrease. Overall, changes in care consumption appeared to reflect contextual factors and societal restrictions rather than infection rates.
Evaluación de planes de estudio del programa de Física en Perú
Authors: De La Cruz Rioja Ricardo , Calderón Bacón Jorge Luis , Villar Valenzuela Darío Leoncio , Sarcco Usto Luciano , Pérez Falen Jorge Isaías
Published: December 2023

Los planes de estudio constituyen un factor determinante para la formación e inserción laboral del egresado, su evaluación resulta fundamental. El objetivo fue diagnosticar el estado de los planes de estudio universitarios del programa de Física, identificando las falencias y fortalezas para mejorar la construcción de planes de estudio pertinentes y contribuir a una formación de calidad. La investigación corresponde al enfoque cuantitativo, tipo básica; como muestra se consideró ocho planes de estudios de diferentes universidades públicas, evaluados con una ficha de observación de 167 ítems, instrumento validado por cinco expertos. Se obtuvo una confiabilidad de 0.9952, el análisis confirmatorio KMO indica no existen ítems con similitud. Los resultados muestran que los planes se encuentran desfasados, desarticulado y descontextualizado; cerca del 25% tienen condición deficiente. Se concluye que estos necesitan revisiones periódicas para la actualización, articulación y contextualización de contenidos y actividades que permitan formar competencias que requiere la sociedad.
HUBUNGAN MUTU PELAYANAN PERSALINAN NORMAL BIDAN DESA DENGAN KEPUASAN IBU BERSALIN
Authors: Armita Armita , Hamdiyah Hamdiyah , Tahir Muhammad , Laela Nur , Syahriani Syahriani
Published: December 2023

Siaga desa dilakukan untuk menilai kualitas layanan bidan komunitas dan mengetahui kepuasan ibu. Bidan masyarakat adalah profesional kesehatan penting yang memberikan kontribusi signifikan terhadap kemajuan kesehatan masyarakat dengan memenuhi tanggung jawab mereka dan memberdayakan masyarakat untuk mencapai kemandirian dalam upaya mereka untuk meningkatkan layanan, terutama bagi ibu yang tinggal di daerah terpencil atau pesisir, memastikan perawatan optimal selama persalinan.Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui hubungan antara standar persalinan normal dengan tingkat kepuasan yang dialami ibu. Metodologi penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kuantitatif dengan desain Cross-Sectional Study. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada bulan Mei 2023. Sampel penelitian berjumlah 52 orang yaitu ibu yang bersalin di Puskesmas Pasitallu Kabupaten Kepulauan Selayar pada bulan April sampai Mei 2023.Teknik Total Sampling digunakan untuk memilih peserta. Instrumen penelitian yang digunakan adalah kuesioner untuk menilai kualitas pelayanan dan tingkat kepuasan ibu yang menjalani persalinan. Temuan menunjukkan adanya korelasi yang signifikan (ρ = 0,003) antara kualitas pelayanan persalinan normal yang diberikan oleh bidan komunitas dengan kepuasan ibu, pada tingkat signifikansi α = 0,05. Peningkatan kompetensi personel disarankan untuk meningkatkan tingkat pelayanan yang diberikan dan memenuhi harapan
Traqueostomia precoce versus tardia em pacientes com traumatismo cranioencefálico em um hospital referência em trauma
Authors: Soares Milena Marinho de Oliveira , Brito Patrícia Rocha de , Ladeira Magdaline Trindade
Published: December 2023

Introdução. O traumatismo cranioencefálico (TCE) é um distúrbio complexo causado por forças externas que acometem o sistema nervoso central. Tais acometimentos podem ter como consequências ocasionando longo período de recuperação e necessidade de traqueostomia. Objetivo. Comparar os efeitos da realização da traqueostomia precoce (≤7 dias) e tardia (>7 dias) em pacientes com TCE, internados na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Adulto (UTI) de um Hospital referência em trauma. Método. Estudo observacional, no qual foram inclusos os prontuários de pacientes com idade ≥18 anos, de ambos os sexos com diagnóstico de TCE internados na UTI Adulto, submetidos a traqueostomia. Resultado. Foram analisados 30 prontuários de pacientes com média de idade de 53 anos, predominantemente do sexo masculino (83,9%), classificados em grupo de TCE grave (51,6%), moderado (16,12%) e leve (32,25%). Não houve diferença significante entre os grupos com relação a tempo de desmame de VM (p=0,809), tempo de internação na UTI (p=0,465), tempo de internação hospitalar (p=0,402), índice de pneumonia associada a ventilação mecânica (p=0,704) e mortalidade (p=0,622). Entretanto, houve diferença entre os grupos quanto ao tempo total de VM (p=0,002). Conclusão. Este estudo encontrou diferença significante quanto aos efeitos da TQT entre os grupos TQT precoce (≤7 dias) e tardia (>7 dias) em pacientes internados com TCE. Portanto, pacientes traqueostomizados precocemente permanecem menor tempo em VM.
Alî Şîr Nevâyî'nin Farsça Şiirleri-V
Authors: KARTAL Ahmet , ERASLAN KALELİ Saniye
Published: December 2023

Türk edebiyatının en önemli şahsiyetlerinden biri olan Alî Şîr Nevâyî; Farsçanın edebî dil olduğu ve Türkçe eser vermenin küçümsendiği bir dönemde, eserlerini şuurlu olarak Türkçe kaleme almıştır. Aynı zamanda Farsça bir dîvân da tertip eden Nevâyî’nin Farsça Dîvân’ı; gazel, müseddes, terkîb-bend, rübâ’î, kıt’a, tarih, lugaz, muammâ, müfred, Molla Câmî için yazılan mersiye ile “Sitte-i Zarûriyye” isimli kasidelerden oluşmaktadır. Ayrıca Nevâyî’nin Türkiye’de bulunan Farsça dîvânının yazma nüshalarında yer almayan ve “Fusûl-i Erba’a” başlığını taşıyan dört kasidesi daha mevcuttur. “Fusûl-i Erba’a”; dört mevsimden söz eden “Seretân”, “Hazân”, “Bahâr” ve “Dey” başlıklı dört kasideden oluşmaktadır. Nevâyî’nin kasidelerinin Türkçe tercümelerini ihtiva edecek olan bu çalışmanın ilk dört tefrikasında, “Fusûl-i Erba’a”da yer alan kasidelerin Türkçe tercümesine sırasıyla yer verilmiştir. Beşinci tefrika olan bu makalede ise “Sitte-i Zarûriyye”de yer alan dîbâce ile “Sitte-i Zarûriyye”nin ilk kasidesi olan “Rûhu’l-kuds” ele alınmış ve Türkçeye tercüme edilmiştir.
El reto de las organizaciones para la capacitación del personal
Authors: Sánchez Brenda Guadalupe Burciaga , Bencomo Myrna Isela García , Zapata Armando Javier Cabrera , Bolivar Marisol Palafox , Ávila José René Arroyo , Díaz María del Rosario de Fátima Alvídrez , Villa Jesús Robles
Published: December 2023

En un mundo donde la única constante es el cambio, obtener el beneficio del aprendizaje continuo es una oportunidad para mantener la vigencia laboral y desarrollar e innovar en los procesos de trabajo (Procuraduría Federal de la Defensa del Trabajo, 2018). Actualmente no existe ninguna área de la industria, el comercio o los servicios que esté al margen del cambio tecnológico, que representa una fuerte trasformación en los mercados y en la forma en que las empresas funcionan en el día a día (COFIDE, S/F).Es evidente que la capacitación debe de estar siempre presente en la empresa, sin embargo, para que esta de resultados efectivos para las dos partes, empresa y trabajadores, es importante tomar a los empleados en cuenta, como una forma de sensibilizarlos y participar de manera activa en los cursos que se les impartirán y que fueron previamente propuestos por ellos a través de una lluvia de ideas, y del diagnóstico de capacitación que será el principal motor para la construcción de la capacitación en la empresa .La capacitación es una de las inversiones más rentables que puede realizar una empresa.