bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Both gastrocnemius aponeurosis flaps and semitendinosus tendon grafts are effective in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon ruptures – a systematic review
Authors: Nilsson Niklas , Stensöta Immanuel , Helander Katarina Nilsson , Brorsson Annelie , Carmont Michael R , Concaro Sebastian
Published: March 2023

Introduction: A chronic Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) is defined as an ATR that has been left untreated for more than four weeks following rupture. This systematic review aims to summarize the outcomes of chronic ATR treated using either a gastrocnemius aponeurosis flap or semitendinosus tendon graft.Methods: A systematic search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane), for studies describing outcomes after surgical treatment of chronic ATR using gastrocnemius aponeurosis flaps or semitendinosus tendon grafts with more than 10 patients included. The studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias using the Methodological Items used to assess risk of bias in Non-Randomized studies (MINORS).Results: Out of the 818 studies identified with the initial search, a total of 36 studies with 763 individual patients were included in this systematic review. Gastrocnemius aponeurosis flap was used in 21 and semitendinosus tendon graft was used in 13 of the studies. The mean (SD) postoperative Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) for patients treated with a gastrocnemius aponeurosis flap was 83 (14) points and the mean (SD) American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) was 96 (1.7) points compared with ATRS 88 (6.9) points and AOFAS 92 (5.6) points for patients treated with a semitendinosus tendon graft. The included studies generally had low-quality according to MINORS, with a median of 8 (range 2-13) for all studies.Conclusion:Both gastrocnemius aponeurosis flaps and semitendinosus tendon grafts give acceptable results with minimal complications and are valid methods for treating chronic ATR. The main difference is more wound healing complications in patients treated with a gastrocnemius aponeurosis flap and more sural nerve injuries in patients treated with a semitendinosus grafts. The current literature on the subject is of mainly low quality and the absence of a patient-related outcome measure validated for chronic ATR makes comparisons between studies difficult.Level of Evidence: Level IV.
Effects of income inequality on COVID-19 in Africa: a cross-country analysis
Authors: TAMWO Sévérin , Koudjom Etayibtalnam , Yeyouomo Aurelien Kamdem
Published: March 2023

The empirical literature has been unexplored regarding the analysis of transmission channels in the study of the relationship between income inequality and COVID-19 spread. The aim of this paper is to fill this gap by empirically assessing the direct and indirect effects of income inequality on COVID-19 by focusing on a sample of 52 African countries. To achieve this goal, we use the multiple linear regression model and the ordinary least square (OLS) method. In addition, two indicators of COVID-19 are identified, namely the total number of cases and the severity of the disease, as well as two transmission channels, namely the size of the informal sector and literacy. The results of the direct analysis show that income inequality positively and significantly affects the spread of COVID-19. Although the indirect analysis supports the positive and significant effect, it appears that the estimated coefficients are underestimated in the direct analysis. The results of the direct analysis are robust to the year 2021 and 2022 while the indirect analysis is robust to the use of interactions between income inequality and the different channels. These results suggest that reducing the income gap between individuals is key to effectively coping with health shocks.
JEL classification: I10 . D63 . C30
BLM helicase overexpressed in human gliomas contributes to diverse responses of human glioma cells to chemotherapy
Authors: Wojnicki Kamil , Kaczmarczyk Agnieszka , Wojtas Bartosz , Kaminska Bozena
Published: March 2023

Most of anti-tumour therapies eliminate neoplastic cells by introducing DNA damage which ultimately triggers cell death. These effects are counteracted by activated DNA repair pathways to sustain tumour proliferation capacity. RECQL helicases family, including BLM, participate in DNA damage and repair, and prevent the replication stress. Glioblastoma (GBM) is a common, malignant brain tumour that inevitably recurs despite surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ). Expression and functions of the BLM helicase in GBM therapy resistance have not been elucidated. We analysed expression and localisation of BLM in human gliomas and several glioma cell lines using TCGA datasets, immunostaining and Western blotting. BLM depleted human glioma cells were generated with CRISPR/Cas9. Effects of chemotherapeutics on cell proliferation, DNA damage and apoptosis were determined with flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, Western blotting and RNA sequencing. We found upregulated BLM mRNA levels in malignant gliomas, increased cytosolic localisation and poor survival of BLM highly expressing GBM patients. BLM deficiency in LN18 and LN229 glioma cells resulted in profound transcriptomic alterations, reduced cell proliferation, and altered cell responses to chemotherapeutics. BLM-deficient glioma cells were resistant to the TMZ and PARP inhibitor treatment and underwent polyploidy or senescence depending on the TP53 activity. Our findings of high BLM expression in GBMs and its roles in responses to chemotherapeutics provide a rationale for targeting BLM helicase in those tumours. BLM deficiency affects responses of glioma cells to chemotherapeutics targeting PARP1 dependent pathways.
Screening and functional validations of APP, PSEN1 and PSEN2 mutations from PUMCH dementia cohort
Authors: Li Jie , Dong Liling , Sha Longze , Liu Caiyan , Mao Chenhui , Huang Xinying , Wang Jie , Shang Li , Chu Shanshan , Jin Wei , Xu Qi , Gao Jing
Published: March 2023

Background: Presenilin 1 (PSEN1), presenilin 2 (PSEN2), and amyloid precursor protein (APP) genes have been verified as causative genes for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The present study aimed to (1) screen for pathogenic mutations in a large sample size Chinses dementia population (Peking Union Medical College Hospital dementia cohort, PUMCH dementia cohort), (2) determine the functional effect of the identified mutations by in-vitro study.
Methods: Next generation sequencing was performed in patients from PUMCH dementia cohort and AD variants interpretation was determined by bioinformatic analysis. AD pathogenicity of the identified variants was determined by detecting the Aβ secretion of transfected HEK293 cells.
Results: Among the 1277 participants from PUMCH dementia cohort, 46 patients with causative AD mutations (36 variants) were identified, with frequency of 3.60% (1.25% of APP, 1.25% of PSEN1 and 1.10% of PSEN2). The detected frequency of AD mutations was 6.95% (23/331), 4.24% (32/754), and 11.04% (17/154) in dementia population who have dementia family history, in early-onset dementia population, and in early-onset dementia population who have dementia family history, respectively. Among the 36 identified variants, 6 variants (PSEN1E72K, E363Q and Q223K, PSEN2 N141S, M239T and I368F) were identified to significantly increased the level of Aβ42, Aβ40 or the ratio of Aβ42/Aβ40 compared with wild-type variant by in-vitro study.
Conclusion: This study provided the profile of AD mutations of PUMCH dementia cohort and demonstrated the possible AD pathogenicity of 6 variants by in-vitro study.
Inspection of Couette and Pressure-Driven Poiseuille Entropy Optimized Dissipated Flow in a Suction/Injection Horizontal Channel: Analytical Solutions
Authors: Sukumar M. , Raju C. S.K. , Asogwa Kanayo Kenneth , Varma S. V.K. , Khan M. Ijaz , Makhdoum Basim M.
Published: March 2023

Consider the constant flow of a viscous, electrically conducting, and compressible fluid in pathways made by two infinitely equivalent permeable surfaces divided by a length h. The x-axis extends in the flow path along the bottom stationary plate, whereas the y-axis is orthogonal to the surfaces. The channel plates are subjected to a consistent transverse magnetic field that is implemented perpendicularly. In this subject, two scenarios are investigated. The first is the Couette flow, In the second scenario, both porous surfaces are parallel and fixed at a range of 2h, and the motion is Poiseuille flow controlled by pressure. The flow across the x-axis is supposed to be totally generated and dependent on y- exclusively. The governed system is solved using help of analytical solutions. It is found that the entropy generation is higher near the cloud porous plate in comparison to the hot porous plate and the rising values of suction/injection parameter boost up the fluid temperature. The enhancement of magnetic field parameter causes to reduce the momentum boundary layer thickness. The Brinkman number improves the thermal boundary thickness. The magnetic field parameter, suction/injection and Brinkmann number accelerates the entropy generation in both cases.
PAM-Flexible Genome Editing with an Engineered Chimeric Cas9
Authors: Koseki Sabrina , Hong Lauren , Yudistyra Vivian , Stan Teodora , Tysinger Emma , Silverstein Rachel , Kramme Christian , Amrani Nadia , Savic Natasha , Pacesa Martin , Rodriguez Tomás , Ponnapati Manvitha , Jacobson Joseph , Church George , Truant Ray , Jinek Martin , Kleinstiver Benjamin , Sontheimer Erik , Chatterjee Pranam
Published: March 2023

CRISPR enzymes require a defined protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) flanking a guide RNA-programmed target site, limiting their sequence accessibility for robust genome editing applications. In this study, we recombine the PAM-interacting domain of SpRY, a broad-targeting Cas9 possessing an NRN > NYN PAM preference, with the N-terminus of Sc++, a Cas9 with simultaneously broad, efficient, and accurate NNG editing capabilities, to generate a chimeric enzyme with highly flexible PAM preference: SpRYc. We demonstrate that SpRYc leverages properties of both enzymes to specifically edit diverse NNN PAMs and disease-related loci for potential therapeutic applications. In total, the unique approaches to generate SpRYc, coupled with its robust flexibility, highlight the power of integrative protein design for Cas9 engineering and motivate downstream editing applications that require precise genomic positioning.
A new blue astrangiid coral from the Southwestern Atlantic: coral diversity under globalization
Authors: Serra Saulo Freitas , Neves Elizabeth , Alves Jessika , Johnsson Rodrigo
Published: March 2023

Two Astrangia Milne Edwards & Haime, 1848 species have been identified in shallow water environments along the Brazilian coast: A. solitaria (Le Sueur, 1817) and A. rathbuni Vaughan, 1906. Astrangia woodsi Wells, 1955 is an incrusting coral with blue-gray polyps, and a darker skeleton originally described to the Eastern Coast of Australia. This species was for the first time identified out of its natural border in 2021, on a rocky reef in the Arabian Sea. In the last decades, Indo-Pacific dendrophylliids belonging to the genus Tubastraea Lesson 1830 became widespread in the Atlantic. Indeed, two other exotic marine cnidarians have been recently introduced in the Tropical Atlantic, the octocorals Sarcothelia sp. Verrill, 1928 and Briareum hamrum (Gohar, 1948). Here, we describe a new Astrangia species to the Northeastern Brazilian coast. Scanning electron microscopy images of the corallites supported the taxonomic analysis and description of the new astrangiid. Early confounded with the A. woodsi, this new coral may be promptly recognized in biofouling because of its color and solitary development. Indeed, the incorporation of iron salts into the aragonite fibers may result in blue carbonate skeletons – an exquisite condition observed in a small group of reef-building octocorals, the Helioporidae Moseley, 1876. Scleractinians have usually white aragonite skeletons. However, like the helioporids, Astrangia sp. nov. has also a blue skeleton, a natural camouflage that is likely to prevent it to be noticed somewhere else. Finally, a key of the world Astrangia species is provided for the first time.
Early-stage volume losses in the corpus callosum and thalamus predict the progression of brain atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Fujimori Juichi , Nakashima Ichiro
Published: March 2023

A method that can be used in the early stage of multiple sclerosis (MS) to predict the progression of brain volume loss (BVL) has not been fully established. Thus, to develop a method of predicting progressive BVL in patients with MS (pwMS), eighty-two consecutive Japanese pwMS—with either relapsing-remitting MS (86%) or secondary progressive MS (14%)—and 41 healthy controls were included in this longitudinal retrospective analysisover anobservational periodof approximately 3.5 years. Using a hierarchical cluster analysis with multivariate imaging data obtained by FreeSurfer analysis, we classified the pwMS into clusters. As a result, at baseline and follow-up, pwMS were cross-sectionally classified into three major clusters (Clusters 1, 2, and 3) in ascending order by disability and BVL. Among the patients included in Cluster 1 at baseline, approximately one-third of patients (12/52) transitioned into Cluster 2 at follow-up. The volumes of thecorpus callosum, the thalamus, and the whole brain excluding the ventricles were significantly decreased in the transition group compared with the nontransition group and were found to be the most important predictors of transition. Decreased volumes of thecorpus callosum and thalamus in the relatively early stage of MS may predict the development of BVL.
Efficient automated error detection in medical data using deep-learning and label-clustering
Authors: Nguyen Tuc , Diakiw Sonya , VerMilyea Matthew , Dinsmore Andrew , Perugini Michelle , Perugini Don , Hall Jonathan
Published: March 2023

Medical datasets inherently contain errors from subjective or inaccurate test results, or from confounding biological complexities. It is difficult for medical experts to detect these elusive errors manually, due to lack of contextual information, limiting data privacy regulations, and the sheer scale of data to be reviewed. Current methods for detecting errors in data typically focus only on minimizing the effects of random classification noise. More recent progress has focused on using deep-learning to capture errors stemming from subjective labelling and confounding variables, however, such methods can be computationally intensive and inefficient. In this work, a deep-learning based algorithm was used in conjunction with a label-clustering approach to automate error detection. Results demonstrated high performance and efficiency on both image- and record-based datasets. Errors were identified with an accuracy of up to 85%, while requiring up to 93% less computing resources to complete. The resulting trained AI models exhibited greater stability and up to a 45% improvement in accuracy, from 69% to over 99%. These results indicate that practical, automated detection of errors in medical data is possible without human oversight.
Elevated n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio in erythrocyte membranes of obese patients interacts with intestinal flora to promote cognitive impairment
Authors: Zhao Tong , Huang Hongying , Li Jinchen , Shen Jingyi , Zhou Cui , Xiao Rong , Ma Weiwei
Published: March 2023

Objective:Obesity increases the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, and the gut microbiota can affect brain cognitive function and obesity through a variety of pathways such as the gut-brain axis. This study aimed to discover how fatty acid affect cognitive function by regulating intestinal flora in obesity.Method:Obese subjects were recruited for cognitive function assessment, and participants were divided into obese group with cognitive impairment (MCI) and obese cognitively normal group (Non_MCI).Result:In the erythrocyte membrane, the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) and arachidonic acid (C20:4 n-6) and n-6/n-3 ratio was higher in the MCI group than in the Non_MCI group. However, the α-linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) percentage of the erythrocyte membrane was lower in the MCI group. We found thatCoriobacteriales_Incertae_Sediswas positively correlated with erythrocyte membrane C20:4 n-6 and n-6 PUFA and negatively correlated with cognitive scores in obese patients. In addition, several of the functional pathways we predicted were significantly different in the MCI and Non_MCI groups.Conclusion:Higher levels of n-6/n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio in the erythrocyte membranes may influence the inflammatory response in the organism causing obesity induced cognitive damage. Moreover, high levels of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio may also affect the intestinal flora of obese patients, which in turn may affect the cognitive function of obese patients.
Relationship between seed traits and seedling parameters in rice wild species
Authors: Kaldate Supriya , Bharti Uma , Basandrai Daisy , Bhatia Shivani , Basandrai Ashwini
Published: March 2023

Rice is everyday meal of about half of the world’s population. Demand for rice is continuously growing because of increasing population. With the impact of climate change, rice crop needs to be diversified with direct seeded cultivation. Under direct seeded condition seeds of high seedling vigour and good crop stand are preferred. Therefore, the following study was undertaken to analyse the seed traits and its effect on seedling vigour and grain yield in rice wild species. It was found that large seeds have larger embryos and better seedling vigour. Significant positive correlation found between embryo area grain yield, germination percentage nodal root number and seedling height. The cultivated Oryza sativa genotypes had largest embryo area and seed area followed by Oryza meridionalis. Oryza glaberrima had the smallest embryo area. The seed size was observed to be evolved under selection pressure. Bigger seed sizes in the Oryza sativa cultivars indicate gradual selection for increased seed size and fitness under agronomic condition.
Bioremediation of Diesel Oil Polluted Seawater by a Hydrocarbon-degrading Bacterial Consortium with Oleophilic Nutrients
Authors: Luo Qun , Wang Yunfei , Chen Qingguo , Zhu Baikang
Published: March 2023

The use of oleophilic nutrients that contained nitrogen and phosphorus is a valid strategy to enhance bioremediation rate in the open marine environments contaminated with hydrocarbons where the presence of nutrients is limited. The bioremediation effectiveness of the natural oleophilic nutrients (uric acid and soya bean lecithin) and an artificial oleophilic fertilizer prepared in this study were tested with an efficient bacterial consortium. The artificial oleophilic fertilizer was prepared using urea solution, soya bean lecithin, alcohol and oleic acid to form a water-in-oil type microemulsion system. The bioremediation potential of the oil-degrading bacterial consortium and these oleophilic nutrients were implemented by flask-shaking tests and laboratory mesocosm experiments. The diesel oil degradation ratios of the natural oleophilic nutrients and oleophilic fertilizer were upto 73% and 60%, respectively, at the optimal application rate during the shake flask trials. In the mesocosm experiments, the oil concentration of the oleophilic fertilizer + bacterial consortium group was decrease from about 8000 mg/L to 823 mg/L after six days of incubation, and the number of bacteria in the seawater increased from 3×104 to 1.8×1010 CFU/mL. The combination of these oleophilic nutrients and the consortium was an effective strategy to enhance bioremediation rate. This method could be exploited further for the development of an effective bioremediation technology for the marine oil pollution.
Composition and antifungal properties of phenolic extracts from sunflower hulls
Authors: Martinez Guadalupe , Regente Mariana , Rio Marianela Del , Radicioni Melisa Belén , Pinedo Marcela , Silveyra Maria Ximena , Canal Laura de la
Published: March 2023

Plants produce diverse types of secondary metabolites, including phenolic compounds, which are involved in protection against fungal infections. Sunflower hulls, an under-appreciated by-product of the oil industry, is a natural source of phenolic compounds. The aim of this work was to characterize the composition of natural extracts from sunflower hulls, evaluate their ability to inhibit the growth of phytopathogenic fungi and provide insights on its mechanism of action. We obtained an extract enriched in phenolic compounds (EPC) by hydroalcoholic extraction of sunflower hulls. The analysis by LC-MS/MS showed that the main phenolic compound of EPC was chlorogenic acid. The extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity determined by radical scavenging assay. Through different experimental approaches, we demonstrated that EPC at a concentration of 0.4 mg/mL exerts a fungicidal action against the phytopathogenic fungi Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Verticillium dalhiae and Botrytis cinerea. EPC displayed cytotoxic effects mediated by membrane permeabilization and oxidative stress on fungal cells. Our findings contribute to valorize an agro-industrial by-product that is usually discarded, through its potential application as a biofungicide.
Flexibility in ape gestural production
Authors: Amici Federica , Liebal Katja
Published: March 2023

Flexibility is an important hallmark of complex communication systems, yet few studies have systematically assessed it in non-human species. In this study, we investigated different aspects of flexibility in the gestural communication systems of 7 groups of captive apes (N = 53), including 19 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), 16 Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii) and 18 siamangs (Symphalangus syndactylus). We operationalized flexibility in four different ways: (i) the use of one gesture type across several contexts (i.e. contextual flexibility), (ii) the use of many gesture types in the same context, (iii) morphological variation with which individual gesture types can be produced (i.e. morphological flexibility), and (iv) the ability to combine signals into different sequences. Comparisons across individuals and species revealed variation in contextual and morphological flexibility. In particular, contextual flexibility increased through age, and it was overall higher in chimpanzees than in siamangs. However, morphological flexibility was highest in siamangs and lowest in orangutans. Overall, variation could be largely explained in terms of changes in social experience and differences in the socio-ecological characteristics of the species. Our findings suggest that contextual and morphological flexibility might be good candidates to study inter-individual and inter-specific variation in primate gestural production.
Elevated hypoxic inducible factor-1 alpha levels associated with metabolic disorders in children with obesity
Authors: Zhou Nan , Peng Ting , Sun Bin , Gao Hu , Shi Nan , Cao Yao , Xu Yao , Li Xiaonan
Published: March 2023

Objective: We aimed to examine expression and circulation levels of hypoxic inducible factor-1 (HIF1α) in children, and to evaluate its potential relationships with obesity and metabolic disorders.
Methods: To begin, mRNA and protein expressions of HIF1α in 17 paired subcutaneous (SC) and omental (OM) adipose tissues from children were determined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Subsequently, anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured in 100 normal weight children and 402 children with overweight or obesity (OV/OB). Furthermore, the serum levels of HIF1α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results: Both HIF1α mRNA and protein levels were higher in OV/OB children (p＜0.05), especially in OM adipose tissue. Additionally, serum HIF1α levels were markedly elevated in OV/OB children compared to normal children (p＜0.05). Serum HIF1α levels were positive correlated with BMI z-score, FM%, WHtR, SBP, ALT, TG, UA, and HOMA-IR. Furthermore, a binary logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds ratios the ORs for IR (OR: 1.729, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.571~10.056, p=0.021), NAFLD (OR: 1.176, 95% CI: 1.002~1.402 , p=0.030), and MS (OR: 2.821, 95% CI: 0.519~11.993, p=0.003) remained significant in the presence of all potential confounding variables. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of serum HIF1α levels in diagnosing children with IR, NAFLD, and MS were 0.698 (95% CI: 0.646~ 0.750, p < 0.001), 0.679 (95% CI: 0.628~0.731, p < 0.001), and 0.829 (95% CI: 0.749~0.910, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: HIF1α expression in adipose tissue of children appeared to be depot specific and increased in OM of children with obesity. Elevated serum HIF1α levels may predict higher risk of obesity complications.
Decreased functional connectivity is associated with increased levels of Cerebral Spinal Fluid soluble-PDGFRβ, a marker of blood brain barrier breakdown, in older adults
Authors: Contreras Joey Annette , Fujisaki Kimiko , Ortega Nancy , Barisano Giuseppe , Sagare Abhay , Pappas Ioannis , Chui Helena , Ringman John M , Joe Elizabeth B , Zlokovic Berislav , Toga Arthur W , Pa Judy
Published: March 2023

Resting-state functional connectivity (FC) is suggested to be cross-sectionally associated with both vascular burden and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. For instance, studies in pre-clinical AD subjects have shown increases of cerebral spinal fluid soluble platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (CSF sPDGFRβ, a marker of BBB breakdown) but have not demonstrated if this vascular impairment affects neuronal dysfunction. It’s possible that increased levels of sPDGFRβ in the CSF may correlate with impaired FC in metabolically demanding brain regions (i.e. Default Mode Network, DMN). Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between these two markers in older individuals that were cognitively normal and had cognitive impairment. Eighty-nine older adults without dementia from the University of Southern California were selected from a larger cohort. Region of interest (ROI) to ROI analyses were conducted using DMN seed regions. Linear regression models measured significant associations between BOLD FC strength among seed-target regions and sPDGFRβ values, while covarying for age and sex. Comparison of a composite ROI created by averaging FC values between seed and all target regions among cognitively normal and impaired individuals was also examined. Using CSF sPDGFRβ as a biomarker of BBB breakdown, we report that increased breakdown correlated with decreased functional connectivity in DMN areas, specifically the PCC while the hippocampus exhibited an interaction effect using CDR score. We conclude that BBB breakdown as measured by CSF sPDGFRβ affects neural networks resulting in decreased functional connections that leads to cognitive dysfunction.
Intrinsic capacity in acutely hospitalized older adults
Authors: Nagae Masaaki , Umegaki Hiroyuki , Komiya Hitoshi , Nakashima Hirotaka , Fujisawa Chisato , Watanabe Kazuhisa , Yamada Yosuke , Miyahara Shuzo
Published: March 2023

Objectives: We aimed to examine the association between intrinsic capacity (IC) and adverse outcomes of hospitalization.
Design: A prospective observational cohort study.
Setting and Participants: We recruited patients aged 65 years or older who were admitted to the geriatric ward of an acute hospital between Oct 2019 and Sep 2022.
Measurements: Each of the five IC domains (locomotion, cognition, vitality, sensory, and psychological capacity) was graded into three levels, and the composite IC score was calculated (0, lowest; 10, highest). Hospital-related outcomes were defined as in-hospital death, hospital-associated complications (HACs), length of hospital stay, and frequency of discharge to home.
Results: In total, 296 individuals (mean age 84.7± 5.4 years, 42.7% males) were analyzed. Mean composite IC score was 6.5 ± 1.8, and 95.6% of participants had impairment in at least one IC domain. A higher composite IC score was independently associated with lower frequency of in-hospital death (odds ratio [OR] 0.62) and HACs (OR 0.71), higher frequency of discharge to home (OR 0.50), and shorter length of hospital stay (β=-0.24, p<0.01). The locomotion, cognition, and psychological domains were independently associated with the occurrence of HACs, discharge destination, and length of hospital stay.
Conclusion: Evaluating IC was feasible in the hospital setting and was associated with outcomes of hospitalization. For older inpatients with decreased IC, integrated management may be required to achieve functional independence.
Analysis of forced vibration data using output-error methods
Authors: Pourgholi Mehran
Published: March 2023

Based on the linearization of the structure's vibration equation in the state space, the stochastic subspace (SSI) approach is often used for system identification in the time domain of structures. As a consequence of using singular value decomposition (SVD) and QR factorization, the non-linear optimization solution may be avoided, and the identification issue can be solved as a linear least-squares problem. Although SSI does not explicitly minimize a cost function to produce the system matrices, the statistical analysis is significantly more involved for subspace approaches. Alternatively, in system identification, one might choose an output-error method (OEM), whereby the model parameters are repeatedly tweaked to match the outputs of the simulated model and the observed system. The purpose of this study is to modify the OEM to obtain structural features in the following manner: First, to reduce the number of optimization iterations, the initial term is derived using the SSI. Second, the objective function's nonlinearity is reduced by considering the second-order derivatives as a linear system to optimize parameters using the Gauss-Newton approach. Finally, perform a gradient project minimization in state-space systems to prevent non-injectivity. After applying OEM to the results of a model of a three-story structure activated by seismic acceleration at SNR = 1dB, the model's damping ratio and mode shapes became more precise.
Exploring the Structural and Elastic Properties of CH 3 NH 3 GeI 3 under High Pressure Based on First Principle Calculations
Authors: Wu Wenbin , Kang Kunyong , Deng Shuduan , Zhu Gang
Published: March 2023

Methylamine iodide based chalcogenide (CH3NH3PbI3) perovskite is a new material of wide interest in the photovoltaic field because of its high conversion efficiency. However, it contains Pb, a heavy metal element, and its structure is not very stable, therefore researchers continue to explore its replacement. It has been found that CH3NH3GeI3 has similar excellent photoelectric properties to CH3NH3PbI3, but there are few literatures on its mechanical properties. In this paper, the mechanical properties of CH3NH3GeI3 are studied by first-principles to provide theoretical guidance for its experimental research and practical application. The results show that under high pressure, the T-phase transforms into C- and O- phases at 0.05 GPa and 0.10 GPa, respectively, and in addition, the Young's modulus E of the O-phase keeps decreasing with increasing pressure, and its Platts ductility index (G/B) is always greater than 0.57, while the T-phase always stays below 0.57, which proves that the T-phase is brittle and the O-phase is ductile. Mechanical stability conditions are met for all three phases as the pressure increases.
Oil flowers to oil bees? Differences on pollination niche based on pollinator performance
Authors: Oleques Suiane , Souza-Chies Tatiana , Avila Rubem
Published: March 2023

Oil-producing flowers depend on pollination by oil bees resulting in a very narrow pollination niche. However, some observations have indicated pollen bees as potential pollinator. We combined data from previous study visitation frequency and pollen deposition on stigmas to investigate the performance of these two bee groups and determine the role of each them as effective pollinators of oil-producing species. These native plant species from Pampean grasslands vary in morphological traits, elaiophore position and visitation rates. Bees differed significantly in pollination performance. Oil bees performed better as pollinators of C. herbertii, while pollen bees were more effective in H. pulchella. Both groups were equally important in the K. brasiliensis pollination. This study reinforces that pollination niches are better understood when pollination efficiency among pollinator groups in a particular community context is analysed. Although the plant set studied represents a potential oil bee fundamental pollination niche by floral attributes, the two functional bee groups determined different realized pollination niches. These findings could be useful for a better comprehensive scenario of the evolution of floral traits in oil flowers of Iridaceae.
Knowledge of Venous Thromboembolism Among Nigerian Pregnant Women: a Preliminary Survey for the 'move for Flow' Program
Authors: Petronilla Ojukwu Chidiebele , Nwagha Theresa Ukamaka , Agbo Livinus Chikere , Ezeigwe Anne Uruchi
Published: March 2023

Background: Pregnancy is a significant risk factor for Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) which results in high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality rates. Awareness creation is one of the preventable strategies of VTE. To this effect, we designed the 'Move for Flow' program aimed at maternal health education on VTE, its symptoms and preventive strategies. For the best implementation of this program, the current knowledge level of the relevant population is of great interest in guiding the program design and implementation.
Aim: To assess the knowledge levels of VTE among Nigerian pregnant women.
Methodology: In this cross-sectional survey, 1000 pregnant women residing in Enugu, Nigeria, completed a structured questionnaire which assessed their knowledge of VTE, its risk factors and prevention strategies. Quantitatively, their knowledge levels were categorized as no, poor, average and good knowledge.
Results: The majority of the respondents did not know about pregnancy-related deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (80.8%) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (88.9). Predictors of DVT knowledge levels include husbands’ level of education ( at most secondary education) ( AOR=4.2; 95%CI =2.554-6.816; p= <0.001) and maternal age (AOR=0.9; 95% CI=0.930-0.999; p=0.044) while predictors of PE knowledge level include husbands’ level of education (at most secondary education) (AOR=2.1; 95%CI=1.005-4.436; p=0.048)and maternal occupation (professionals) (AOR=0.4; 95% CI=0.219-0.794; p=0.008)
Conclusion: Pregnant women are unaware of pregnancy-related VTE in Enugu, Nigeria. Immediate designing and implementation of the 'Move for Flow' program are recommended to improve maternal knowledge levels of VTE.
Drug Carriers in The Delivery and Release of Hydroxychloroquine by Biopolymer
Authors: Al-Hayder Layth S. Jasim , Al-Hussainawy Mohammed kassim.
Published: March 2023

The successful creation of several unique and intelligent drug delivery systems with improved therapeutic effectiveness, improved patient compliance, and new developments and research in the realm of biopolymers guides cost effectiveness. Several biodegradable polymers are widely employed in the drug delivery industry because they are biologically broken down inside the body into non-toxic components. The design of diverse drug delivery systems based on biopolymers can benefit from a comprehensive understanding of the possible qualities of biopolymers, including extraction techniques and environmentally friendly manufacturing, chemistry, surface properties, rheology, bulk properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Accordingly, new biopolymers were synthesized by free radical and cross-linked molecules and their physical and chemical properties were studied, and some comprehensive examinations were conducted for the task of research, such as FT-IR-EDX, XRD, SEM, TEM, TGA, and BET-BJH. Good results were obtained for adsorption and releasing the adsorbed drug into the aqueous solution with a percentage of 20% at pH 2 and 3% at pH 7, 10. The divorce rate was high when there were different concentrations of salt.
Die digitale Hashtag-Kampagne rund um #CoronaEltern und #CoronaElternRechnenAb: Twitter-Positionierungspraktiken in der Pandemie
Authors: Truan Naomi , Fischer Friederike
Published: March 2023

As kindergartens and schools closed down during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, two hashtags emerged on Twitter: #CoronaEltern (#CoronaParents) and #CoronaEltern­Rech­nenAb (#CoronaParentsDocumentTheCosts). In this paper, we examine the positioning practices around both hashtags as expres­sions of “digital activism” (Joyce 2010: VIII). One characteristic of the hashtag campaign is that political demands are hardly ever made di­rectly. Rather, the participants resort to five main linguistic patterns: (1) they address different target groups; (2) they refer to different protagonists; (3) in the subcorpus #CoronaEltern specifically, they constitute themselves as a collective through (4) the recurring use of first-person narratives; (5) and generalization and typification. Our findings show that #CoronaParents are not just parents in times of a pandemic: #CoronaParents are only those who see themselves as such, participating in an evolving, at times misunderstood commu­nity.
Influence of Silicon on Tolerance to Water Deficit of Peach Trees
Authors: Nascimento-Silva Kelly , Coulombe Lexi , Melgar Juan Carlos
Published: March 2023

Water deficit in young fruit trees can reduce growth and future orchard productivity. Exogenous silicon (Si) applications have been associated with induced resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses such as water deficit, but the role of Si in fruit trees is still largely unexplored. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Si applications on water status and gas exchange of young peach trees. This study comprises two experiments arranged in a factorial design with two water regimens (well-irrigated or water-stressed) and three Si concentrations (0, 10, or 20 mg⋅L−1 in the first experiment; 0, 20, or 40 mg⋅L−1 in the second experiment). Si applications via foliar spray were performed weekly after the water regimens were clearly established. Tree water status (midday stem water potential), and gas exchange parameters (CO2 assimilation, leaf transpiration, stomatal conductance, leaf water use efficiency) were measured. Si application at 10 or 20 mg⋅L−1 improved water status of water-stressed trees without affecting gas exchange, but 40 mg⋅L−1 reduced CO2 assimilation. Thus, foliar applications of Si could be a promising strategy for nonirrigated, nonbearing orchards to maintain their water status during dry periods and/or improve their recovery from water deficit.
Physiological and Growth Characteristics of Tomato Seedlings in Response to Low Root-zone Temperature
Authors: Zhang Han , Sun Xuguang , Song Weitang
Published: March 2023

Root-zone temperature (RZT) is an indispensable environmental factor for the proper growth and development of plants. Low RZT is one of the major limitations for agricultural production during cold seasons. In this study, the physiological responses of tomato seedlings to low RZT stress (10 °C) and its recovery were investigated with hydroponic cultivation in an artificial climate-controlled chamber. The stress reaction of tomato seedlings was evaluated by combining various indexes, including photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, root activity, hydrogen peroxide, and antioxidants. The results showed that low RZT adversely affected root activity, and in response to the limited root-source water and mineral elements, supply for shoot metabolism, leaf photosynthesis, and chlorophyll fluorescence were negatively influenced, which led to inhibited leaf area development and biomass accumulation. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline accumulated with the time of low RZT stress. When restored to normal temperature (∼20 °C), the physiological parameters recovered to a certain degree, although most parameters were not at a similar level with the control. In crop production during cold seasons, it is necessary to improve the RZT to achieve high quality and yield production.
Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic on Immunocompromised Patients
Authors: Vijayan Rupalakshmi , Zulfiqar Ayesha , Nunes Fernanda Rodrigues Carlos , Bueno Pedro Gabriel Paiva , Nagpal Shavy , Ambadapoodi Raghava , Rahman China , Islam Samia , Lippmann Steve
Published: March 2023

Background:  The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been stressful for everyone across the globe and even more so for the immunocompromised population, bringing with it an enormous emotional impact on their lives. Fear and anxiety regarding this novel disease created a state of panic among the public. The aim was to review published cases of COVID-19 and to discuss pandemic related anxiety and stress in immunocompromised populations and describe their presentations, diagnostic processes, clinical characteristics and outcomes.
Methods: Using specific keywords, a review of scientific literature was conducted in databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar including systematic reviews, meta-analysis, case series, and case reports. Of 35 articles, 22 studies were reviewed.
Results: Of the 22 studies involved, a few of the studies had significant data. Among 603 ovarian cancer patients, 88.6% were worried, 51.4% anxious, and 26.5% depressed due to COVID-19 related delay in care. Among 167 people living with HIV patients, 25% reported generalized anxiety disorder. In another cross-sectional study with 500 respondents, anxiety (aOR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.25–2.40, p-value = 0.001), depression and anxiety (aOR = 1.80; 95% CI, 1.28–2.53, p-value <0.001), and mental health deterioration (aOR = 1.94; 95% CI, 1.48–2.55, p-value <0.001) on basis of fear of the COVID pandemic was noted.
Conclusion: As a conclusion, these articles demonstrated that patients with immunocompromised states had more symptoms of anxiety and fear as compared to the immunocompetent patients. Most of the patients had concerns of fear about future health implications, concern over social implications, and possible financial difficulties encountered and remained infectious for a longer duration with severe anxiety symptoms.
Water quality assessment and reuse potential of groundwater combined saline solution for irrigation
Authors: Abdessattar Ammari , Kateb Samir
Published: March 2023

This study aims to evaluate the water quality and reuse potential of groundwater combined with a saline solution for irrigation. The brine dilution process was done by adding groundwater by determining the total dissolved salts (TDS) value according to the irrigation criteria and then by calculating the amount of groundwater to be added using the law of concentrations to obtain the water mixture, as the TDS value decreased from 4922 and 3810 mg/l to 2587 and 2200 mg/l, respectively. The assessment aimed to determine the suitability of the water for irrigation, and the quality indices used were sodium adsorption ratio, magnesium hazard ratio percentage, sodium percentage, residual sodium carbonate, permeability index, Kelly index, and irrigation water quality index. The results indicated that the water after mixing is suitable for irrigation. The USSL diagram was used to evaluate the post-mixing water at two stations, Touggourt and El-Oued, and the results showed that the post-mixing water at Touggourt falls in the C4–S1 group (extremely high salinity with low sodium), and the post-mixing water at El-Oued falls in the C4–S2 group (very high salinity with medium sodium).
RESTRUCTURING AS A WAY TO INCREASE BUSINESS PROFITABILITY UNDER UNCERTAINTY
Authors: Panfilova Elena Evgenevna
Published: March 2023

The article is devoted to the study of the principles of business restructuring in conditions of high uncertainty and risks. A classification of types of restructuring and criteria for its successful implementation is presented. A general scheme for making a decision on business restructuring and approaches to increasing its value are proposed.
Identifying the a priori time-to-failure distribution of unique highly vital elements using the expert method
Authors: Bochkov A. V.
Published: March 2023

Abstract. Aim. Systematic failures, unlike random hardware failures, cannot be described using the mathematics of the probability theory and the dependability theory. However, such failures are the biggest problem due to their unpredictability. In the case of describing systematic failures of unique highly vital systems, a solution is presented by an approach that involves taking into account the quantitative criteria of functional performance of a facility in time that are defined, for example, by prescribing a set of parameters for each function that characterize its ability to perform, as well as acceptable limits for such parameters’ variation. The paper aims to develop an approach to the use of expert evaluation for the purpose of identifying the type and parameters of the distribution of the time to failure of unique highly vital elements. The author examined an approach to determining the a priori distribution of the time to failure of unique highly vital elements by pairwise comparison that would be useful for improving the accuracy of their dependability indicators.

Methods. Hierarchy analysis, fuzzy logic and permutation theory were used. Fuzzy variables were introduced, the degrees of belonging to which are interpreted as subjective probabilities of the time to failure and its characteristics within different time intervals. Methods were proposed for accounting for the accuracy of expert evaluation and for solving the cluster sampling problem.
A conservative method for estimating the uncertainty for the probability of an upper-level event in a fault tree
Authors: Chepurko V. A. , Pavlov A. S. , Chernyaev A. N.
Published: March 2023

Abstract. Aim. The aim of the paper is to construct a non-simulation method for finding the confidence interval for the probability of an upper-level event of a failure tree. Iterative Monte Carlo algorithms require very much time and computational resources, especially for large fault trees. Therefore, developing “fast” algorithms for finding uncertainty in a calculated fault tree is extremely important.

Methods. The algorithm was developed using classical methods of the probability theory, mathematical statistics and dependability theory. The mathematical foundation of the algorithm is the central limit theorem and certain properties of the dispersion of a random variable from the probability theory. To simplify calculations, the confidence interval was built on the assumption of a lognormal distribution of the failure rate estimate with a certain specified error factor. The initial information consists of a set of minimal cross-sections defined for the fault tree using specialized software tools, as well as dependability parameters of the events in each of the cross-sections. The cross-sections may contain dependent events that are part of common cause failure (ССF) groups. Various ССF accounting models, including the betafactor model, alpha-factor model, etc., can be used to calculate the probability of such events. To simplify the set of cross-sections, a program code is used that groups the cross-sections that are identical in value and meaning.

 Results. A conservative method for constructing a confidence interval for the probability of an upper-level event in a fault tree was developed. The method is not iterative and allows identifying the uncertainty of the final result for randomly-sized fault trees.

Conclusions. The algorithm for identifying the uncertainty can be used instead of the Monte Carlo method in specialized software suites that calculate fault trees.