bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Techno-economic Study and Environmental Analysis for the Production of Bio-methanol Using a Solar-aided Dual-bed Gasifier
Authors: nwai Christian Yakan a , Patel Bilal
Published: September 2022

The study aimed to evaluate the effect utilizing solar energy as the heat source for gasification reactions during the production of methanol from corn stover. For this purpose, two biorefinery scenarios were modelled: a standalone scenario where gasification was performed in a conventional dual-bed gasifier, and a solar-aided scenario where solar energy was used to drive the gasification reactions. In the solar-aided scenario, biochar was exported as a co-product rather than combusted. Results obtained revealed that the incorporation of solar energy could enhance the net gasification efficiency by 10 to 24%, depending on the biomass moisture content. Also, the biorefinery energy conversion efficiency was found to be 48% for the standalone scenario and 61% for the solar-aided scenario. Moreover, the export of biochar as a co-product resulted in a 35% decrease in potential environmental impact. Furthermore, the methanol production costs could be 13.35 $/GJ for the standalone scenario and 21.29 $/GJ for the solar-aided scenario. While the minimum biochar selling price was estimated to be 13.04 $/GJ. These results suggest that the adoption of solar-aided gasification could be one way to advance the circular bioeconomy concept, where lignocellulose is used to produce not only fuels but also bio-products capable of gradually substituting fossil-based alternatives.
Neoadjuvant docetaxel, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide with or without metformin in breast cancer patients with metabolic abnormality: results from the randomized Phase II NeoMET trial
Authors: Huang Jiahui , Tong Yiwei , Hong Jin , Huang Ou , Wu Jiayi , He Jianrong , Chen Weiguo , Li Yafen , Chen Xiaosong , Shen Kunwei
Published: September 2022

Purpose Breast cancer patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components show worse treatment responses to chemotherapy. Metformin is a widely used antidiabetic drug which also shows potential anticancer effect. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and metabolic parameters change of metformin combined with docetaxel, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide (TEC) in neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) for breast cancer patients with metabolic abnormality.
MethodsEligible breast cancer patients were randomized to receive six cycles of TEC (docetaxel 75mg/m2, epirubicin 75mg/m2, and cyclophosphamide 500mg/m2, d1, q3w) or TEC with metformin (TECM, TEC with oral metformin 850mg once daily for the first cycle, then 850mg twice daily for the following cycles). The primary end point was total pathological complete response (tpCR, ypTis/0N0) rate.
ResultsNinety-two patients were enrolled and randomized from October 2013 to December 2019: 88 patients were available for response and safety assessment. The tpCR rates were 12.5% (5/40) and 14.6% (7/48) in the TEC and TECM groups, respectively (P=0.777). There was no difference in Ki67 decrease after NAT between two groups (P=0.456). Toxicity profile were similar between two groups. No grade 3 or higher diarrhea were recorded. Total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol worsened after NAT in the TEC arm but remained stable in the TECM arm. The absolute increase of TC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was significantly lower in the TECM group compared with the TEC group. After a median follow up of 40.8 (4.7-70.8) months, no survival difference was observed between TEC and TECM groups (all P>0.05).
ConclusionAdding metformin to TEC didn’t increase pCR rate and disease outcome in breast cancer patients with metabolic abnormality. However, additional metformin treatment with chemotherapy would prevent TC and LDL-C increase after NAT, deserving further clinical evaluation.
Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifer: NCT01929811
Characterization of Landfills Solid Waste in Muscat and Estimation of their Energy Recovery
Authors: Etri Talal , Samsami Omaima Al , Baawain Mahad
Published: September 2022

Solid waste management is one of the most important issues faced by the Sultanate of Oman. Disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) in engineered landfills without any pre-treatment or separation is the only option available. Engineered landfills themselves are still new and their waste properties have not been well studied. A reliable database of the solid waste compositions, properties, and estimated energy content is important and the first stage in an efficient waste management system. This is an essential requirement, notwithstanding the complexity of the investigations in this area and the associated logistical challenges. This study investigates the sort of the MSW from landfills in Muscat Governorate. Muscat MSW samples were gathered from Al Amerat and Barka landfills in 2020. MSW compositions were analyzed in terms of the materials ratios (food, plastics, papers… etc.), followed by investigating the ability of recycling that waste. MSW physiochemical properties of both landfills were studied. Therefore, eleven solid waste samples were collected in February from each landfill. Another eleven solid waste samples were collected from Barka landfill in March 2020. All solid waste samples preparation was done manually, and they were converted from solid into the liquid phase for laboratory analysis. The results demonstrated that about 50% of the weight of disposed waste at both landfills is a recyclable material. MSW biodegradable organic content was high observed. MSW moisture content was observed to be within the range from 21.5 to 43.3%. In addition, MSW volatility and loss of ignition both were on the high sides; between 47.0 and 82.0% and between 56 and 91%; respectively. Total oxides ratio in the MSW were within the range of 12.4 and 44.06%. Silica was the highly influential oxide followed by Calcium Oxide. Furthermore, Muscat MSW found more than 18000 kJ/kg which results in high energy content. Six chemical formulas of the MSW were derived from the waste categories elemental analysis with and without sulfur element. It has been noticed from this study that almost half of Muscat's municipal solid waste can be recyclable. Thus, the recycling industry should be adopted to utilize solid waste for the production of renewable material sources that can be an alternative to oil resources. Moreover, MSW biodegradable portion is high with a suitable degree of moisture content for the composting and biodegradation process. Waste-to-energy technologies are also feasible for Muscat MSW because of their high energy content associated with high volatility.
The Effect of Low Dose Nicotine on Working Memory and Positive Emotion in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Samnia Zeinab , Yousefi Zhila , Mahdavi Abed , Suksatan Wanich , Nouri Shadi , Khodadadi Esmail
Published: September 2022

Background
The persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment are more likely to develop dementia. This condition can lead to permanent memory impairment and dementia if left untreated. So far, several non-pharmacological treatments have been used to prevent the progression of this disorder, but their effectiveness needs to be further investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of low dose nicotine on working memory and positive emotion in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Methods
This is a quasi-experimental study with a control group. Fifty male patients referred to neurology clinics in Tabriz city were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to the control and experimental groups. Data collection tools included Wechsler Memory Scale (WISC-IV) and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Data were analyzed using SPSS software ver. 24.
Results
The findings indicated that the mean scores of working memory and positive emotion in experimental group were not statistically significantly different from the control group before intervention (P > 0.05). But after intervention the mean scores of working memory and positive emotion in experimental group were statistically significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
The study findings indicated that low dose nicotine enhances working memory and increases positive emotions in patients with mild cognitive impairment. Therefore, the findings of this study can be used in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with mild cognitive disorders.
High potential for surprising heat and drought events in wheat-producing regions of USA and China
Authors: de Perez Erin Coughlan , Ganapathi Hamsa , Masukwedza Gibbon I. T. , Griffin Timothy , Kelder Timo
Published: September 2022

Previous analyses of the possibility of global breadbasket failures have extrapolated risks based on historical relationships between climate and yields. However, climate change is causing unprecedented events globally, which could exceed critical thresholds and reduce yields, even if there is no historical precedent. This means that we are likely underestimating climate risks to our food system. In the case of wheat, parts of the USA and China show little historical relationship between yields and temperature, but extreme temperatures are now possible that exceed critical physiological thresholds in wheat plants. Novel UNprecedented Simulated Extreme ENsemble (UNSEEN) approaches use large ensembles to generate plausible unprecedented events, which can inform our assessment of the risk to crops. We use the UNSEEN approach with a large ensemble of archived seasonal forecasts to generate thousands of plausible events over the last 40 years, and compare the results with historically observed extreme temperature and precipitation. In Kansas, USA, extreme temperatures that would have happened approximately 1-in-100-years in 1981 now have a return period of 1-in-10 years, while in China, the current return period is on the order of 1-in-20 years. Record-breaking years exceeding critical thresholds for enzymes in the wheat plant are now more likely than in the past, and these record-breaking hot years are associated with extremely dry conditions in both locations. However, recent temperature extremes, especially in Kansas, have not kept pace with the change in risk, and we find the region has “gotten lucky” in recent years with a lower trend in extremes in the observations than in the UNSEEN results. We find that there is a high potential for surprise in these regions if people base risk analyses solely on historical datasets, and we characterize plausible extremes from the UNSEEN ensemble that can be used to inform adaptation planning in these regions.
Reveal linear optical effects of the liquid crystal by Stokes-Mueller calculus and θ-scan technology
Authors: Li Jian , Meng Xiangshen , Lin Yueqiang , Liu Xiaodong , li decai , He Zhenghong , Huang Yan
Published: September 2022

Based on the Stokes-Mueller calculus, linear optical effects of liquid crystals were investigated using the θ-scan technology. Usually, when a circularly polarized light beam passes through an anisotropic optical medium, the transmitted light beam behaves as elliptically polarized light. The Stokes-Mueller calculus shows that the change of the transmitted light intensity includes the linear optical characteristics of the medium, such as dichroism, birefringence, and ellipticity. Meanwhile, these optical characteristics can be probed simultaneously from the transmittance curve using an angular scan (T-θ), i.e., θ-scan technology. As the nanoparticle (NP) concentration in the liquid crystal increases from 0 to 0.1 wt%, the apparent dichroism monotonously decreases with the NP concentration. LC molecules are highly birefringent, resulting in Nπ uncertainty on the T-θ curve. As a result, when the NP concentration rises from 0 to 0.06 wt %, the ellipticity decreases; when the NP concentration rises from 0.06 wt % to 0.1 wt %, the ellipticity increases. However, from the change in the apparent phase delay with the NP concentration, Nπ can be distinguished. As well, birefringence decreases monotonously with the NP concentration.
Multiple sclerosis relapse after discontinuation of oral disease modifying therapies: Comparison of fingolimod and dimethyl fumarate
Authors: Etemadifar Masoud , Sabouri Masih , Feiz Fatemeh Sadat , Sigari Amirhossein Akhavan , Salari Mehri
Published: September 2022

Background: The discontinuation of oral disease modifying therapies before pregnancy, especially in the patients receiving fingolimod, may lead to disease relapse and progression. The intent of this study is to compare the number of attacks and EDSS scores after fingolimod and dimethyl fumarate cessation due to pregnancy.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on pregnant women with multiple sclerosis (MS) who were on fingolimod or dimethyl fumarate and discontinued the drugs before their pregnancy. Evaluation was done by a checklist and patients’ file. Disease attacks and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores before, during, and after pregnancy were evaluated.
Results: In our study, 13 people with MS (pwMS) using fingolimod and 16 pwMS using dimethyl fumarate discontinued their medication due to pregnancy. In the fingolimod and dimethyl fumarate groups, the median (range) number of attacks after drug withdrawal was 3 (0-4) and 0 (0-2), respectively. The median (range) six month post-delivery EDSS scores was 3.00 (1-8) in the fingolimod group and 1.5 (1-4) in the dimethyl fumarate group. Attacks were see 4.92 times more often after fingolimod cessation as compared to dimethyl fumarate discontinuation.
Conclusion: Fingolimod discontinuation due to pregnancy was linked to higher rates of attacks as compared to dimethyl fumarate cessation.
Efficacy of 0.01% atropine and orthokeratology (OK) in controlling myopia progression and effects on ocular surface in children
Authors: Hao Qian , Liang Douli
Published: September 2022

Purpose: To compare the effects of a two-year course of 0.01% atropine and OK on axial length (AL) and the ocular surface.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in 350 children aged 8–12 years with myopia attending the refractive error clinic of the Aier Eye Hospital of Shenzhen Shendong between May 2020 and Aug 2022. Participants with spherical equivalent (SE) values at the first visit between −1.00 diopters (D) and −3.00 D were assigned to the low myopia cohort and participants with SE between −3.00 D and −6.00 D were assigned to the moderate myopia cohort. Participants were then randomly assigned to receive spectacles and 0.01% atropine (SA group) or orthokeratology (OK group). Comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations were performed at three month intervals.
Results: After two years, lower AL values were observed in the OK group compared with the SA group in the low myopia cohort and the moderate myopia cohort. We observed 0.01% atropine was more effective in the second year than the first year; however, OK was more effective in the first year. No statistically significant differences were observed in Schirmer’s test (Schirmer) or tear film break-up time (TBuT) assessments between before and after treatment in either cohort.
Conclusions: The clinical efficacy of OK in controlling axial elongation was greater than 0.01% atropine regardless of the SE after two years of treatment. While 0.01% atropine was more effective in the second year, OK was more effective in the first year. Neither 0.01% atropine nor OK had a significant effect on Schirmer or TBuT values after two years.
Investigating the effect of virtual education and multimedia based on the Health Belief Model in preventing COVID-19 among pregnant women
Authors: Hatemzadeh Nasser , Nejad Ghodratolah Shakeri , Haghigizadeh Mohammad Hossein , Navak Tayebeh , haghi mehdi
Published: September 2022

Background
Pregnant women are considered one of the high-risk groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, so paying attention to preventive behaviors among them is highly important. This study aimed to examine the effect of virtual education and multimedia based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) in preventing COVID-19 among pregnant women.
Methods
This quasi-experimental intervention study was conducted on 120 pregnant women referring to Comprehensive Health Services Centers affiliated with East and West health centres of Ahvaz city, Iran, in 2021. Participants were divided into two control (n = 60) and intervention (n = 60) groups. A researcher-made questionnaire was used for data collection. The intervention group was given the required educational content using social networks virtually and multimedia in 12 sessions. Both groups were reinvestigated after two months. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24, independent t-test and paired t-test tests.
Results
The mean age and mean gestational age of participants were estimated at 28 years old and 18 weeks, respectively. Before the educational intervention, there was no significant difference in mean constructs of HBM. In contrast, the mean of all constructs increased significantly in the intervention group after intervention. The greatest change was related to the constructs of self-efficacy and perceived susceptibility, and the lowest change was related to the perceived barriers construct.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest multimedia education using the HBM to COVID-19 preventive behaviors among pregnant women can benefit behavior change.
Gender Differences in the Relationships between Meaning in Life, Mental Health Status and Digital Media Use during Covid-19
Authors: So Wendy Wing Yan , Woo Bowie Po Yi , Wong Clifford , Yip Paul Siu Fai
Published: September 2022

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on individuals’ social lives, mental health status, and meaning in life (MIL). Globally, the use of different types of digital media has become a proxy for pre-COVID social lives for many people. This study investigated gender differences in the relationship between use of digital media, mental health status and MIL, during COVID-19 in Hong Kong.
Methods
This cross-sectional study surveyed 1,488 young people recruited via city-wide random sampling in 2021. Respondents completed a phone survey on digital media use, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2), COVID-19 impact, meaning in life, and demographics. Gender differences in MIL were tested with an independent sample t-test. Gender-specific multiple linear regression models tested associations between MIL and explanatory variables of age, educational level, history of diagnosis, digital media use, and mental health status.
Results
There was a significant gender difference in MIL (males (M = 12.90, SD = 4.12); females (M = 13.45, SD = 3.96); t (1485) = -2.656, p = .008). For males, all predictor variables significantly contributed to MIL (F (9, 759) = 15.731, p < .000, R2 = .157). However, for females, while the overall model for MIL was significant (F (9, 709) = 12.105, p < .001, R2 = .133), the only significant predictor variable was mental health status.
Conclusion
Females had significantly better MIL under COVID-19 than males. Digital media use contributed to MIL in males but not females, and there were gender-specific predictors of MIL.
How effective are the seasons and different applications in semi-intensive broiler rearing in terms of welfare?
Authors: Çürek Deniz İlaslan , Aksoy Tülin , Özdem Sebahat , Narinç Doğan
Published: September 2022

In this study, it was aimed that to evaluate the effects of season, genotype, and various semi-intensive production systems on broiler welfare. Fast-growing and slow-growing broilers were used, different semi-intensive production systems (extensive indoor, free-range, and traditional free-range) were applied according to EU standards, and trials were carried out in spring and summer in Antalya beside the Mediterranean Sea. Some welfare parameters were collected on day before slaughter (81 d for the traditional free-range, 55 d for the other systems). Recorded data were deal with fear and stress parameters, leg health, bruises on the breast and thighs, breast feather dirtiness, and certain blood parameters. Additionally, outdoor use was identified. The proportion of chickens on the outside was higher in spring than in summer, and slow- used more of the outdoor area than fast-. As a conclusion, the high ambient temperature decreased prominently the welfare of the birds, the welfare of the slow-growing chickens was clearly higher than fast- ones and the welfare-improving effect of grazing was limited.
An Adaptive Hand exoskeleton for Teleoperation System
Authors: Wei Wei , Zhou Bangda , Fan Bingfei , Du Mingyu , Bao Guanjun , Cai Shibo
Published: September 2022

Teleoperation can assist humans in completing various complex tasks in inaccessible or high-risk environments. Adequate adaptability should be available to enable the exoskeleton master hand to capture the motion of human fingers and reproduce the contacting force between the slave hand and its object. This paper presents a novel finger exoskeleton based on the cascading four-link closed-loop kinematic chain. Each finger has an independent kinematic chain, and the angle sensor is employed to measure the finger movement including the flexion/extension and the adduction/abduction angle. The servo motor controls the tension of the tendon to transmit the contacting force to the fingers in real-time. An adaptive hand exoskeleton is consequently developed based on the finger exoskeleton. The experiment results show that the adaptive hand exoskeleton could be worn without any mechanical constraints, and the slave hand could follow the motions of each human finger. The accuracy and the real-time capability of the contacting force reproduction were validated to be superior. The designed adaptive hand exoskeleton could be employed as the master hand to remotely control the humanoid five-fingered dexterous slave hand, thus, enabling the teleoperation system to complete complex dexterous manipulation tasks.
Enhancing the Emergence of Hyperchaos Using an Indirect Coupling and Its Digital Implementation
Authors: Arellano-Delgado Adrian , Méndez-Ramírez Rodrigo Daniel , López-Gutiérrez Rosa Martha , Murillo-Escobar Miguel Angel , Cruz-Hernández César
Published: September 2022

In this work, an indirect coupling used in a pair of simple autonomous discrete systems in order to enhance the emergence of hyperchaos is presented. The peculiarity that the used systems will never generate chaotic or hyperchaotic dynamics by itself makes this case an interesting problem to address. Moreover, it is possible to achieve inphase or anti-phase synchronization by varying some parameters of the indirect coupling. Additionally, different methods to analyze the emerging dynamics of the coupled systems using an indirect coupling compared to a conventional coupling are presented. Finally, an electronic digital implementation is conducted by using the SPI protocol of two coupled PIC-24FJ64GA006 16-bit Microcontrollers.
Effect of psilocybin on marble-burying in ICR mice: Role of 5-HT1A receptors and implications for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Lerer Bernard , Singh Sandeep , Botvinnik Alexander , Shahar Orr , Wolf Gilly , Yakobi Corel , Saban Michal , Salama Adham , Lotan Amit , Lifschytz Tzuri
Published: September 2022

Preliminary clinical findings, supported by preclinical studies employing behavioral paradigms such as marble-burying, suggest that psilocybin may be effective in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. On this background, we set out to explore 1) the role of 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A receptors in the effect of psilocybin on marble-burying; 2) the effect of staggered versus bolus psilocybin administration and persistence of the effect; 3) the effect of the 5-HT1A partial agonist, buspirone, on marble-burying and the head-twitch response (HTR) induced by psilocybin, a rodent correlate of psychedelic effects. Male ICR mice were administered psilocybin 4.4 mg/kg, escitalopram 5 mg/kg, 8-OH-DPAT 2 mg/kg, M100907 2 mg/kg, buspirone 5 mg/kg, WAY100635 2 mg/kg or combinations, intraperitoneally, and were tested on the MBT. HTR was examined in a magnetometer-based assay. The results show that 1) Psilocybin and escitalopram significantly reduced marble-burying. The effect of psilocybin was not attenuated by the 5-HT2A antagonist, M100907. The 5-HT1A agonist, 8-OH-DPAT reduced marble-burying as did the 5-HT1A partial agonist, buspirone. The effect of 8-OH-DPAT was additive to that of psilocybin but that of buspirone was not. The 5-HT1A antagonist, WAY100635, attenuated the effect of 8-OH-DPAT and buspirone but not the effect of psilocybin. 2) Psilocybin injections over 3.5 hours had no effect on marble-burying and the effect of bolus injection was not persistent. 3) Co-administration of buspirone with psilocybin blocked its effect on HTR. These data suggest that neither 5-HT2A nor 5-HT1A receptors are pivotally implicated in the effect of psilocybin on marble-burying. Co-administration with buspirone may block the psychedelic effects of psilocybin without impeding its anti-obsessional effects.
Recurrence and survival of patients with stage III endometrial cancer after radical surgery followed by adjuvant chemo- or chemoradiotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cao Si , Fan Yu , Zhang Yu-Fei , Ruan Jia-ying , Mu Yi , Li Jin-ke
Published: September 2022

Objective
To compare recurrence and survival in patients with stage III endometrial cancer after radical surgery, followed by either adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (ACR) or adjuvant chemotherapy (AC).
Methods
We searched for relevant studies in PubMed Central, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Data were pooled on rates of recurrence as well as rates of progression-free, disease-free and overall survival. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 test. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to identify potential sources of heterogeneity.
Results
Data from 55,440 patients in 22 retrospective studies and one randomized controlled trial were meta-analyzed. Compared to the AC group, the ACR showed significantly lower risk of local recurrence (OR 0.43, 95%CI 0.31–0.58) and total recurrence (OR 0.71, 95%CI 0.58–0.87). ACR was also associated with significantly better overall survival (HR 0.68, 95%CI 0.63–0.74), progression-free survival (HR 0.54, 95%CI:0.38–0.77) and disease-free survival (HR 0.54, 95%CI 0.30–0.96).
Conclusions
Adding adjuvant radiotherapy to adjuvant chemotherapy after radical surgery may significantly reduce risk of local and overall recurrence, while significantly improving survival of patients with stage III endometrial cancer.
Considering ecosystem modeling by examining the creation of microcosms for Daphnia coexistence using an inorganic medium
Authors: Kakazu Kunihiko
Published: September 2022

To conserve natural ecosystems, we require suitable experimental methods with which to investigate them. Ecosystem models, called microcosms, have the potential to predict and improve our understanding of the phenomena in natural ecosystems. However, it is known that there are discrepancies between microcosms and natural ecosystems, such as different phosphorus circulation depending on the scale of the microcosm. Therefore, it is necessary to understand why the differences appear and to consider the coexistence of species, the medium composition, and the internal structure of microcosms in order to reproduce more of the phenomena that occur in natural ecosystems. To address this, in this investigation a microcosm (DMC) was constructed in which a variety of organisms could coexist by circulating the necessary nutrients which had been biosynthesized from essential elements (31 elements) inserted into the medium as inorganic substances. The growth of Daphnia, which requires vitamins (B12, B1, B7), was then observed by changing the sediment inside the microcosm with the inorganic medium containing all the essential elements. Using quartz sand with a particle size of 0.3–0.6 mm as the sediment, resulted in the stable growth of Daphnia, from 3 to approximately 26 individuals over 35 days, due to the growth of algae such as diatoms, which are feed for Daphnia. This suggests that 0.5 mm particle spaces are suitable for anaerobic bacteria, and that the nutrients necessary for the organisms, such as vitamins, were biosynthesized from the essential elements in the space. These results indicate that the DMC, which can duplicate the cycles that occur in natural ecosystems, such as the production of nutrients from inorganic substances, and the diversification of organisms in the microcosm, will be a useful tool for understanding natural ecosystems and factors that impact them, such as the effects of chemicals.
Management, clinical Outcomes, and Its Predictors among Heart Failure Patients Admitted to Tertiary Care Hospitals in Ethiopia: Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Beri Berhanu , Fanta Korinan , Bekele Fekede , Bedada Worku
Published: September 2022

Background
Heart failure is a global pandemic, as it affects approximately 64.34 million people worldwide with a $346.17 billion global economic burden. The prevalence of heart failure has increased from 43.4–46.5% in the last 10 years in lower and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess management, clinical outcomes and their predictors among heart failure patients admitted to tertiary care hospitals in Ethiopia.
Methods
A prospective observational study design was conducted on heart failure patients admitted at two tertiary care hospitals in Ethiopia from September 2020 to May 2021. The primary outcome of the study was 90-day all-cause mortality. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. A multivariate Cox regression model was performed to identify independent predictors of 90-day all-cause mortality. Variables with P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results
Out of 283 patients enrolled in this study, 52.3% were male and the mean (± SD) age was 52.4 ± 17.9 years. The most common medications prescribed during hospitalization and discharge were diuretics (98.9% vs 95.6%), ACEIs/ARBs (48.8% vs 67.3%), and beta-blockers (46.6% vs 64.7%), respectively. In the present study, the 90-day all-cause mortality was 10.2%. Hypertension (HR = 3.70, 95%CI = 1.18–11.61), cardiogenic shock (HR = 8.66, 95%CI = 3.15–20.82), and reduced ejection fraction (HR = 1.47, 95%CI = 1.06–3.79) were predictors of 90-day all-cause mortality.
Conclusion
High 90-day all-cause mortality was observed among heart failure patients in the present study. Alcohol drinking, hypertension, cardiogenic shock, and reduced ejection fraction were predictors of poor treatment outcomes for whom closer follow-up or further interventions may be considered.
RNN-combined graph convolutional network with multi-feature fusion for tuberculosis cavity segmentation
Authors: Xiao Zhitao , Zhang Xiaomeng , Liu Yanbei , Geng Lei , Wu Jun , Wang Wen , Zhang Fang
Published: September 2022

Tuberculosis is a common infectious disease in the world. Tuberculosis cavities are common and important imaging signs in pulmonary tuberculosis. Accurate segmentation of pulmonary tuberculosis cavities has practical significance for indicating the activity of lesions and guiding clinical treatment. However, this task faces challenges such as blurred boundaries, irregular shapes, different location and size of lesions, and similar structures on computed tomography (CT) to other lung diseases or tissues. To overcome these problems, we propose a novel RNN-combined graph convolutional network (R2GCN) method, which integrates the bidirectional recurrent network (BRN) and graph convolution network (GCN) modules. First, feature extraction is performed on the input image by VGG-16 or ResNet-50 to obtain the feature map. The feature map is then used as the input of the two modules. On the one hand, we adopt the BRN to retrieve contextual information from the feature map. On the other hand, we take the vector for each location in the feature map as input nodes and utilize GCN to extract node topology information. Finally, two types of features obtained are fused together. Our strategy can not only make full use of node correlations and differences, but also obtain more precise segmentation boundaries. Extensive experiments on CT images of cavitary patients with tuberculosis show that our proposed method achieves best segmentation accuracy than comparison segmentation methods. Our method can be used for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis cavity and the evaluation of pulmonary tuberculosis cavity treatment.
Evaluating an ultrasonic magnetostrictive transducer with conical nickel core: performance and application
Authors: Gandomzadeh Danial , Abbaspour-Fard Mohammad Hossein , Sabeghi Yeganeh , Fakhr Soheil Movahed
Published: September 2022

In recent years, ultrasonic machining has been developing rapidly and it is used in areas such as abrasive machining, cleaning, and welding. In this research, a magnetostrictive device with pure nickel conical core with cone angle of 30 degrees was constructed. The observed sound pressure level was used as a measure of transducer performance. Also the ability of the device to reduce the residual pesticide on cucumber surface due to cavitation was evaluated. The results showed that the sound pressure from simulation by JMAG-Designer software is almost the same as the sound pressure produced in the constructed transducer. To assess the performance of the device in removing residual pesticide from cucumber surface and evaluate the changes in peel texture of cucumber, the GC and SEM methods were used, respectively. The GC results showed that with 20 min treatment, the removal of pesticide based on height and chromatogram area were 75% and 83%, respectively. The SEM results showed that by increasing the treatment time, the stomatal pore area reduced from 144.74 \({\mu m}^{2}\) (reference) to 30.56 \({\mu m}^{2}\) (20 min treatment). This results are promising, hence further research is suggested towards enhancing the device for commercial use in biomaterials processing operations such as cleaning and removing pesticides from fruits and vegetables.
A standard dose of linezolid put patients with hepatic impairment at risk of overexposure
Authors: Liao Ru , Dong Yalin , Chen Lihong , Wang Taotao , Li Houli , Dong Haiyan
Published: September 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective observational study conducted in patients with hepatic impairment was to determine the risk factors for linezolid overexposure and the relationship between it and thrombocytopenia.Methods: All enrolled patients received a standard dose of linezolid and underwent therapeutic drug monitoring. The Child-Pugh-Turcotte score was used to divide patients into three groups: mild, moderate, and severe hepatic impairment. The risk factors for linezolid overexposure (Cmin > 8 mg/L) and thrombocytopenia were examined using logistic regression. And the Kaplan-Meier curve was used to describe the association between linezolid overexposure and thrombocytopenia.Results: Seventy-seven patients were included. Patients with severe hepatic impairment had a substantially higher median Cmin of linezolid than those with mild (20.65 mg/L vs 5.51 mg/L, P < 0.001) or moderate (20.65 mg/L vs 6.70 mg/L, P = 0.001) hepatic impairment. Severe hepatic impairment was significantly associated with linezolid overexposure (OR 7.037, 95%CI 1.426-34.727, P = 0.017). In addition, Cmin > 8 mg/L was a significant predictor of linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia (OR 3.024, 95%CI 1.083 - 8.541, P = 0.035).Conclusion: Patients with hepatic impairment who received standard doses of linezolid are at greater risk of linezolid overexposure, which may lead to a higher incidence of thrombocytopenia.
A novel 1.38-kb deletion combined with a single nucleotide variant in KIAA0586 as a cause of Joubert syndrome
Authors: Shen Yue , Lu Chao , Cheng Tingting , Cao Zongfu , Chen Cuixia , Ma Xu , Gao Huafang , Luo Minna
Published: September 2022

Background: KIAA0586, also known as Talplid3, plays critical roles in primary cilia formation and hedgehog signaling in humans. Variants in KIAA0586 could cause some different ciliopathies, including Joubert syndrome (JBTS), which is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive neurological disorders.
Methods and Results: A 9-month-old girl was diagnosed as JBTS by the “molar tooth sign” of the mid-brain and global developmental delay. By whole-exome sequencing, we identified a single nucleotide variant c.3303G>A and a 1.38-kb deletion in KIAA0586 in the proband. These two variants of KIAA0586 were consistent with the mode of autosomal recessive inheritance in the family, which was verified using Sanger sequencing.
Conclusions: This finding of a compound heterozygote with a 1.38-kb deletion and c.3303G>A gave a precise genetic diagnosis for the patient, and the novel 1.38-kb deletion also expanded the pathogenic variation spectrum of JBTS caused by KIAA0586.
Clinical Characteristics Depending on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Patterns in Idiopathic Isolated Optic Neuritis
Authors: Park Sang Min , Kim Ungsoo Samuel
Published: September 2022

Purpose: To investigate differences in clinical features based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in idiopathic isolated optic neuritis patients.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 68 eyes of 59 patients diagnosed with optic neuritis and showed inflammatory findings indicative of optic neuritis on MRI. We investigated clinical features, such as the presence of accompanying pain, visual acuity, and optic disc swelling. Optic disc swelling was classified as normal, mild, or severe. The MRI results were divided into intraorbital, intracanalicular, and whole optic nerve according to the lesion, and these were compared and analyzed with clinical features.
Results: The study included 29 men and 30 women, with a mean age of 42.6 ± 16.6 years. Among 59 patients, 48 (81.4%) complained of pain. Optic disc swelling was not observed in 48.5% of patients (33 eyes). Inflammatory changes were the most common in the intraorbital region (33 eyes), intracanalicular region (20 eyes),and the entire optic nerve (15 eyes). There was no statistical difference in the pain pattern according to the location of the lesion (p=.677), but when inflammation was present in the entire optic nerve, optic disc swelling was severe (p=.023). The initial and final visual acuity did not significantly correlate with the MRI pattern, presence of pain, or optic disc swelling (p=.156, p=.714, and p=.436).
Conclusion: The MRI contrast enhancement pattern was associated with optic disc swelling but was not associated with pain or initial visual acuity. It should be noted that it is insufficient to judge the clinical features of optic neuritis based on MRI findings.
Risk factors for cage subsidence following oblique lumbar interbody fusion for patients with lumbar degenerative disease: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhen Zihao , Gao Xianda , Miao Dazhuang , Yang Dalong , Xu Jiaxin , Ding Wenyuan
Published: September 2022

Purpose:To identify potential risk factors for cage subsidence after oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) using imaging and clinical date, and provide guidance for surgical planning in clinical practice.
Methods: Data of 107 patients who underwent OLIF were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with cage subsidence distance＞3 mm were included in the cage subsidence group (CS group), and the remaining patients were involved in the non-cage subsidence group (NCS group). The characteristics (age, gender, Body Mass Index (BMI), main diagnosis, comorbidities etc), vertebral body-related variables (disc height (DH), endplate morphology, and Modic changes) and surgery-related variables (internal fixation, cage position, and endplate injury) were collected. Moreover, the visual analog scale (VAS) score, and the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score were determined preoperatively, postoperatively, and at follow-up. Firstly, univariate analysis was used to compare the risk factors related to cage subsidence, and then, the multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the possible risk factors (p＜0.10) for cage subsidence after OLIF.
Results:In total, 21 (19.63%) patients were involved in the CS group. The factors significantly associated with cage subsistence included intraoperative endplate injury (odds ratio (OR) =6.620; p=.020), osteoporosis (OR =6.179; p=.004), irregular endplate morphology (OR =5.192; p=.012) and without internal fixation (OR =6.672; p=.013).
Conclusion:Cage subsidence did not affect the neurological function, while it led to low back pain in the later stage. The risk factors for cage subsidence included intraoperative endplate injury, osteoporosis, irregular endplate morphology, and treatment with standalone OLIF.
Microsatellite DNA analysis revealed increased homozygosity and recent decline of the population size in the European flounder (Platichthys flesus) from the southern Baltic Sea
Authors: Kucinski Marcin , Jakubowska-Lehrmann Magdalena , Góra Agnieszka , Mirny Zuzanna , Nadolna-Ałtyn Katarzyna , Szlinder-Richert Joanna , Ocalewicz Konrad
Published: September 2022

The European flounder (Platichthys flesus) is presently the third most commercially fished species in the Baltic Sea. According to the available data from the Polish Fisheries Monitoring Centre and reports from fishermen, the fitness of the species in the Baltic Sea has declined in the last years. The aim of this study was to obtain the information on the current genetic condition of the European founder and to check if the observed decline in the fitness of the species in the Baltic Sea is associated with the adverse alterations in its gene pool. For this purpose, 150 fish were collected from three locations across middle part of the Polish seacoast, i.e., Mechelinki, Władysławowo (in 2018) and Słupsk Bank (in 2020) and were genetically screened with application of ten microsatellite DNA markers. Moreover, the correlation analyses between biological and genetic characteristics in the sampled fish were carried out. The examined European flounder specimens displayed a high level of genetic diversity (PIC = 0.887–0.905, I = 2.697–2.709). Lack of significant genetic differentiation (Fst = 0.003, P > 0.05) within all the examined fish was observed, indicating that the European flounder in the sampled area constitute single genetic cluster. Significant deficiency of heterozygotes (Fis = 0.079–0.130, P < 0.05) and signs of past bottleneck(s) under Infinite Allele Model (IAM) mutation model and by Garza-Williamson index (M-value) were also detected in the examined fish. The estimated effective population size (Ne) among the sampled fish groups varied from 712 (Słupsk Bank) to 10012 (Władysławowo and Mechelinki). The obtained results in the present study suggest that European flounder in the southern Baltic Sea have recently experienced a significant census size reduction. The correlation analysis between genetic and morphological characteristics did not detect signs for directional selection and the density-dependent adaptive changes in gene pool of the examined fish.
Diagnosing Suspects by Analyzing Human Behavior to Prevent Crime by Using Deep and Machine Learning
Authors: Sarkar Pranta Kumar , guho Amit , Abdullah Abu Bakar Muhammad
Published: September 2022

In both developed and developing countries, crime is undoubtedly increasing for the uncontrolled growth of the population. As a result, demands are rising to tackle issues like being concerned about everyday life and personal property through video surveillance. However, the security personnel cannot visually focus on all the CCTV footage at a time. Consequently, a system is required that we effectively recognize human behavior in real-time. Researchers have recently researched human activity recognition by machine learning and deep learning. In order to avoid fraud, we presented a procedure that uses human activity recognition to analyze a few events and determine whether or not a person is a suspect. This system labeled the video based on human action using deep learning. On the other hand, the CNN classifier is the best deep learning model for object classification, where we achieve our system with 99.98% accuracy. Furthermore, we detect suspicious based on the above classified human activity and time duration using machine learning that reaches 92.51% of accuracy. This research paper will detect suspicious through optimized, effective, and rapid. More discussion of the results, as well as limitations and future research.
The Application of Machine Learning in Primary Energy Consumption in China: Comparative Analysis of Artificial Neural Networks and Multiple Linear Regression
Authors: Liang Jinqiang , Liu Danzhu , Han Liangjun , Xu Shuliang , Ye Mao
Published: September 2022

Energy is the main driving force for economic and social development. While a reliable prediction of a country's primary energy consumption (PEC) is paramount, it remains a daunting task because many factors in various sectors of society affect the primary energy consumption in complex nonlinear ways. Based on China's energy statistics from 1952 to 2019, 25 influencing factors are considered from five dimensions of economy, energy, environment, technology and policy, and the correlation analysis method is used to evaluate the relationship between the primary energy consumption and each influencing factor. In addition, multicollinearity of variables is diagnosed by R program. Multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural networks (ANN) model are applied to fit PEC curve. The discriminatory machine learning algorithms are compared and analyzed. The results show that the MLR model has the advanced of fitting compared with ANN in small sample data. Moreover, forward selection (FS), backward elimination (BE), forced introduction (FI) and ridge regression (RR) are used to obtain the fitting equation of the PEC. The mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE) of FS, BE, FI, RR and ANN are 2.16%, 1.68%, 1.91%, 1.31% and 19.89%, respectively. Finally, scenario analysis is used to predict China's PEC in 2050.
Aedes albopictus host odor preference does not drive observed variation in feeding patterns across field populations
Authors: Fikrig Kara , Rose Noah , Burkett-Cadena Nathan , Kamgang Basile , Leisnham Paul T. , Mangan Jamie , Ponlawat Alongkot , Rothman Sarah E. , Stenn Tanise , McBride Carolyn S. , Harrington Laura C.
Published: September 2022

Laboratory and field-based studies of the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus demonstrate its competency to transmit over twenty different pathogens linked to a broad range of vertebrate hosts. Our understanding of the true vectorial capacity of Ae. albopictusin nature is incomplete, partly due to uncertainty surrounding its feeding behavior. Blood meal analyses from field-captured specimens have shown vastly different feeding patterns, with a wide range of anthropophagy (human feeding) and host diversity. To address this knowledge gap, we asked whether differences in innate host preference may drive observed variation in Ae. albopictus feeding patterns in nature. Low generation colonies were established with field-collected mosquitoes from three populations with high reported anthropophagy (Thailand, Cameroon, and Florida, USA) and three populations in the United States with low reported anthropophagy (New York, Maryland, and Virginia). The preference of these colonies for human versus non-human animal odor was assessed in a dual-port olfactometer along with control Ae. aegypti colonies already known to show divergent behavior in this assay. All Ae. albopictus colonies were less likely (p<0.05) to choose the human-baited port than the anthropophilic Ae. aegypti control, instead behaving similarly to zoophilic Ae. aegypti. Our results suggest that variation in reported Ae. albopictus feeding patterns are not driven by differences in innate host preference, but may result from differences in host availability. This work is the first to compare Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti host preference directly and provides insight into differential vectorial capacity and human feeding risk.