bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of platelet function testing in acute coronary syndromes: a meta-analysis
Authors: Aluvilu Anastasia , Ferro Albert
Published: December 2022

Objective

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether using platelet function testing (PFT) in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) to personalise antiplatelet therapy including a P2Y12antagonist offers any clinical benefits to indicate incorporation into routine practice.

Methods

A search was conducted on five databases for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted between 1 January 2000 and 17 July 2022, which included an ADP-specific platelet function assays and P2Y12antagonists as part of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and have reported the efficacy and/or safety outcomes. The reported event frequencies were used to calculate the risk ratios (RRs) with a 95% CI. The χ2heterogeneity statistical test and sensitivity analysis were used for heterogeneity assessment.

Results

Five RCTs with 7691 patients were included in the analysis. No significant risk reduction was seen in major adverse cardiovascular events (RR=0.95, p=0.42), individual cardiac events (cardiovascular death: RR=0.76, p=0.26; myocardial infarction: RR=0.96, p=0.74; stent thrombosis: RR=0.92, p=0.83; stroke: RR=0.91, p=0.72; target vessel revascularisation: RR=1.06, p=0.47) and overall clinical outcome (RR=0.90, p=0.22). There was also no difference in the rate of bleeding between PFT-guided and standard therapies (major bleeding: RR=0.97, p=0.78, minor bleeding: RR=0.89, p=0.19 and any bleeding: RR=1.04, p=0.33).

Conclusion

Compared with standard DAPT with P2Y12antagonists, using PFT to adjust antiplatelet therapy does not improve clinical outcomes. Therefore, the positions of key guidelines on routine testing in ACS should remain unchanged. In addition, the study highlights the need for well-designed and powered RCTs and standardised testing methodologies to provide reliable findings and definitive conclusions.
Latent trajectory modelling of pulmonary artery pressure in systemic sclerosis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kida Takashi , Matsuzaki Keiichi , Yokota Isao , Kawase Nozomu , Kadoya Masatoshi , Inoue Hironori , Kukida Yuji , Kaneshita Shunya , Inoue Takuya , Wada Makoto , Kohno Masataka , Fukuda Wataru , Kawahito Yutaka , Iwami Taku
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To visualise the trajectories of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and identify the clinical phenotypes for each trajectory, by applying latent trajectory modelling for PAP repeatedly estimated by echocardiography.

Methods

This was a multicentre, retrospective cohort study conducted at four referral hospitals in Kyoto, Japan. Patients with SSc who were treated at study sites between 2008 and 2021 and who had at least three echocardiographic measurements of systolic PAP (sPAP) were included. A group-based trajectory model was applied to the change in sPAP over time, and patients were classified into distinct subgroups that followed similar trajectories. Pulmonary hypertension (PH)-free survival was compared for each trajectory. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed for baseline clinical characteristics associated with trajectory assignment.

Results

A total of 236 patients with 1097 sPAP measurements were included. We identified five trajectories: rapid progression (n=9, 3.8%), early elevation (n=30, 12.7%), middle elevation (n=54, 22.9%), late elevation (n=24, 10.2%) and low stable (n=119, 50.4%). The trajectories, in the listed order, showed progressively earlier elevation of sPAP and shorter PH-free survival. In the multinomial logistic regression analysis with the low stable as a reference, cardiac involvement was associated with rapid progression, diffuse cutaneous SSc was associated with early elevation and anti-centromere antibody was associated with middle elevation; older age of onset was associated with all three of these trajectories.

Conclusion

The pattern of changes in PAP over time in SSc can be classified into five trajectories with distinctly different clinical characteristics and outcomes.
MUC5Bpromoter variant rs35705950, rare but significant susceptibility locus in rheumatoid arthritis-interstitial lung disease with usual interstitial pneumonia in Asian populations
Authors: Joo Young Bin , Ahn Soo Min , Bang So-Young , Park Youngho , Hong Su Jin , Lee Youkyung , Cho Soo-Kyung , Choi Chan-Bum , Sung Yoon-Kyoung , Kim Tae-Hwan , Jun Jae-Bum , Yoo Dae Hyun , Bae Sang-Cheol , Lee Hye-Soon
Published: December 2022

Background

MUC5Bvariant rs35705950 is the common and most significant risk variant for rheumatoid arthritis-interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) in Western populations. However, little is known about its significant association with RA-ILD in Asian populations. We here investigate the association of rs35705950 with Korean patients with RA-ILD.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we genotyped rs35705950 in 2444 patients with RA. Among them, 683 patients with RA who have chest CT were divided into RA-ILD and RA-noILD. RA-ILD was classified as usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and other than UIP. The associations of rs35705950 with RA-ILD and its subtype were analysed using multivariable regression adjusted for age at RA diagnosis. Meta-analysis of a previously reported Japanese dataset and Korean dataset obtained for this study was conducted.

Results

The minor allele (T) frequency of rs35705950 was 0.37%, 1.43% and 2.38% in 2444 patients with RA, 105 patients with RA-ILD and 63 patients with UIP, respectively. Genotypic association of rs35705950 with RA-ILD was insignificant (OR 2.49, 95% CI 0.64 to 9.69, p=0.187), but showed significant association with UIP (OR 4.90, 95% CI 1.23 to 19.59, p=0.024) compared with RA-noILD. In meta-analysis (123 UIP and 878 RA-noILD) combining our data with previously reported Japanese data, this variant was found to be significantly associated with UIP (OR 3.51, 95% CI 1.19 to 10.37, p=0.023).

Conclusion

MUC5Bvariant rs35705950 is a rare but significant risk factor for Asian patients with RA-ILD with UIP, suggesting a sharing of the genetic background between Asian and Western populations.
COVID-19 communication resources in a major health system: development and dissemination
Authors: Christensen April , Havyer Rachel , Lorenz Amanda , Alli Adebisi , Kilpatrick Molly , Feely Molly , Carey Elise
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Early in the pandemic, institutional leadership recognised the importance of providing staff with practical, clinically based communication resources. This paper describes the process of cultivating and disseminating rapid communication resources across a multisite institution to assist others who may need to rapidly respond to communication challenges in the future.

Methods

In April 2020, the Mayo Healthcare Incident Command System charged the Center for Palliative Medicine with developing and disseminating clinical communication resources within several weeks. The Education Chair for the Center for Palliative Medicine created a COVID-19 communication task force composed of clinician-educators with expertise in serious illness communication from all three academic Mayo Clinic sites. The task force elected to focus on providing accessible, just-in-time online content curated from existing resources and adapted to situational needs.

Results

The task force developed one-page resources with example language on 16 topic areas. Topics included exploring patient values, discussing time-limited trials and making recommendations. The COVID-19 communication website was launched on 28 May, 6 weeks after the institutional request.

Conclusions

Key takeaway lessons were the need for: (1) alignment with institutional need and priority, (2) rapid team formation with communication education experts across a variety of institutional geographic settings, (3) quick consensus on topic and content delivery to be practically helpful to clinicians, (4) collaboration with outside groups to use and adapt already available resources when possible and (5) early and iterative involvement with information specialists to help facilitate institutional dissemination.
Multidisciplinary supportive care in cancer: cost analysis
Authors: Monnery Daniel , Liu Yan , Griffiths Ann , Lockhart Jill , Coyle Seamus , Olsson-Brown Anna
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Enhanced supportive care (ESC) is the early implementation of supportive care in cancer. In England, this model is being developed to support patients with treatable but not curable cancer and implements a multiprofessional approach.

Objective

To describe the workforce and cost-effectiveness of an outpatient ESC service in a tertiary cancer centre in England.

Methods

Workforce costs to deliver ESC to 265 patients was collected. Service impact on secondary care usage in the last year of life was compared against the regional and national average derived from the National Health Service Digital Secondary Uses Service dataset.

Results

Our ESC service required the input of seven professional groups and cost £125 542 for 12 months. ESC patients had an average of 1.72 fewer admissions per patient per last year of life than the national average. Length of stay was reduced from an average of 9.2 days to 4.78 days per admission in the last year of life. The reduced secondary care usage saved £2 398 537.68.

Conclusions

Outpatient ESC in this cohort required an multidisciplinary team approach and saved money through secondary care use reduction.
Central limit theorems for heat equation with time-independent noise: The regular and rough cases
Authors: Balan Raluca M. , Yuan Wangjun
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we investigate the asymptotic behavior of the spatial average of the solution to the parabolic Anderson model with time-independent noise in dimension [Formula: see text], as the domain of the integral becomes large. We consider three cases: (a) the case when the noise has an integrable covariance function; (b) the case when the covariance of the noise is given by the Riesz kernel; (c) the case of the rough noise, i.e. fractional noise with index [Formula: see text] in dimension d = 1. In each case, we identify the order of magnitude of the variance of the spatial integral, we prove a quantitative central limit theorem for the normalized spatial integral by estimating its total variation distance to a standard normal distribution, and we give the corresponding functional limit result.
λ-TD algebras, generalized shuffle products and left counital Hopf algebras
Authors: Luo Hengyi , Zheng Shanghua
Published: December 2022

Operated algebras, that is, algebras equipped with linear operators, have important applications in mathematics and physics. Two primary instances of operated algebras are the Rota–Baxter algebra and TD-algebra. In this paper, we introduce a [Formula: see text]-TD algebra that includes both the Rota–Baxter algebra and the TD-algebra. The explicit construction of free commutative [Formula: see text]-TD algebra on a commutative algebra is obtained by a generalized shuffle product, called the [Formula: see text]-TD shuffle product. We then show that the free commutative [Formula: see text]-TD algebra possesses a left counital bialgebra structure by means of a suitable 1-cocycle condition. Furthermore, the classical result that every connected filtered bialgebra is a Hopf algebra, is extended to the context of left counital bialgebras. Given this result, we finally prove that the left counital bialgebra on the free commutative [Formula: see text]-TD algebra is connected and filtered, and thus is a left counital Hopf algebra.
On the average codegree of a finite group
Authors: Wang Zhongbi , Qian Guohua , Lv Heng , Chen Guiyun
Published: December 2022

Let G be a finite group, we define the average codegree of the irreducible characters of G as [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text]. We prove that if [Formula: see text] is non-solvable, then [Formula: see text], and the equality holds if and only if [Formula: see text]. Also, we show that if [Formula: see text] is non-supersolvable, then [Formula: see text], and the equality holds if and only if [Formula: see text]. In addition, we obtain that if [Formula: see text] is the smallest prime divisor of [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] if and only if [Formula: see text] is an elementary abelian [Formula: see text]-group.
Linking Experimental and Theoretical Studies of CO2 Binding for Insight into the Structure of Activated Carbon
Authors: Sohlberg Karl
Published: December 2022

Five different physically motivated analytic isotherm models are fit to experimental [Formula: see text] data from seven different sources reporting studies of the adsorption of CO2 by activated carbon. The model behavior upon parameter optimization suggests that multi-layer adsorption does not play a dominant role in CO2 uptake by activated carbon. Only by explicitly modeling two distinct types of binding sites in the first adsorption layer does the model fully capture the nuances of the data. The values of the best-fit parameters provide good support for a widely used structural model of activated carbon: that it may be represented by nanoscopic flakes of hexagonally bonded carbon, the edges of which are terminated by functional groups. This conclusion is confirmed by comparison of the fitting parameter values to published results of first-principles calculations of the interaction of CO2 with systems having chemical features representative of this structural model.
Identifying the Suitability of MoS2 Nanoparticles by Two Different Methods for Photo Catalytic Applications
Authors: Leelavathi R. , Vivekanandan K. , Hariharan V. , Abirami R.
Published: December 2022

We report two different methods to synthesize MoS2 nanoparticles such as co-precipitation and sol–gel. The MoS2 nanoparticles were characterized by Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, UV–Visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with Energy Dispersive Analysis X-ray (EDAX). The nanoparticles prepared by sol–gel method had enhanced average crystallite size and better morphology at the nanoscale level for photo harvesting property. The synthesis methods of MoS2 nanoparticles are interesting which can be used to control the grain size and surface morphology of nanoparticles. The occurrence of indirect band gap of MoS2 nanoparticles synthesized by sol–gel method causes efficient photo response activity provided compared to co-precipitation method. The corresponding photocatalytic property of prepared samples with Methylene blue dye under illumination of UV and visible light at room temperature clearly showed that the sample prepared using sol–gel had remarkable efficiency when compared to that of the samples by co-precipitation method.
Wrapper-Based Feature Selection and Optimization-Enabled Hybrid Deep Learning Framework for Stock Market Prediction
Authors: Patil Pankaj Rambhau , Parasar Deepa , Charhate Shrikant
Published: December 2022

Stock market is a significant element of economic market. Accurate forecasting of stock market is very helpful to shareholders because future prediction of a stock value will elevate the profits of investors. The data acquired from the stock market is a time-series data, in which the values of the stock prices are inherently varied with respect to time. Due to its complexity nature and nonlinearity characteristics, the prediction of stock market becomes very difficult and still it remains a challenging task. In order to cope up with such limitation, this research proposes an effective strategy called Deep Recurrent Rider LSTM to provide an accurate detection of stock market values. The accurate forecasting of stock market is carried out with two classifiers, namely Rider Deep Long Short-Term Memory (Rider Deep LSTM) and Deep Recurrent Neural Network (Deep RNN). The Rider Deep LSTM is derived by the integration of Rider concept with Deep LSTM, whereas the Deep RNN is trained using the proposed Shuffled Crow Search Optimization (SCSO). Moreover, the SCSO is derived by the integration of Shuffled Shepherd Optimization (SSO) algorithm and Crow Search Algorithm (CSA). Finally, the predicted output is determined based on the error condition. Furthermore, the proposed Deep Recurrent Rider LSTM achieved the MSE and RMSE of 0.018 and 0.132 that shows higher performance with better accuracy. The stock market prediction using the proposed classification model is accurate and improves the effectiveness of the classification.
An Uncertain Mean-AVaR Portfolio Selection via an Artificial Neural Network Scheme
Authors: Talebi Fatemeh , Nazemi Alireza , Ataabadi Abdolmajid Abdolbaghi
Published: December 2022

This paper focuses on the computation issue of portfolio optimization with scenario-based mean-average value at Risk (AVaR) in uncertain environment. The portfolio optimization problem is designed in two cases: risk-taker and risk-averse models. The main idea is to replace the portfolio selection models with linear programming (LP) problems. Since the computing time required for solving LP greatly depends on the dimension and the structure of the problem, the conventional numerical methods are usually less effective in real-time applications. One promising approach to handle online applications is to employ recurrent neural networks based on circuit implementation. Hence, according to the convex optimization theory and some concepts of ordinary differential equations, a neural network model for solving the LP problems related to portfolio selection problems is presented. The equilibrium point of the proposed model is proved to be equivalent to the optimal solution of the original problem. It is also shown that the proposed neural network model is stable in the sense of Lyapunov and it is globally convergent to an exact optimal solution of the portfolio selection problem with uncertain returns. Some illustrative examples are provided to show the feasibility and the efficiency of the proposed method in this paper.
On Einstein-reversible mth root Finsler metrics
Authors: Majidi Jila , Tayebi Akbar , Haji-Badali Ali
Published: December 2022

The theory of mth root Finsler metrics has been applied to Biology, Ecology, Gravitation, Seismic ray theory, etc. It is regarded as a direct generalization of Riemannian metric in a sense, namely, the second root metric is a Riemannian metric. On the other hand, the Riemannian curvature faithfully reveals the local geometric properties of a Riemann–Finsler metric. The reversibility of Riemannian and Ricci curvatures of Finsler metrics is an essential concept in Finsler geometry. Here, we study the Riemannian curvature of the class of third and fourth root [Formula: see text]-metrics. Then, we find the necessary and sufficient condition under which a cubic and fourth root [Formula: see text]-metric be Einstein-reversible.
Analysis of Bending Properties of FG-SMA Beam Under Thermo-Mechanical Coupling
Authors: Li Shoubao , Jia Xiaoli , Liu Zhiqian , Ke Liaoliang , Yang Jie , Kitipornchai Sritawat
Published: December 2022

The mechanical properties of functional-graded shape memory alloy (FG-SMA) is of highly significance for its applications and structural design. This paper establishes a constitutive model of the FG-SMA beam, considering the influence of the temperature variation and the tension-compression asymmetry coefficient. The fiber element method and the virtual work principle were employed to establish the governing equation of the bending of FG-SMA beam, which is solved using the Newton–Raphson algorithm. Furthermore, the effect of the tension-compression asymmetry coefficient, temperature, gradient index, bending moment, and axial load on the mechanical properties of the FG-SMA beams was analyzed. The results showed that the tension-compression asymmetry coefficient, gradient index, bending moment, and axial load significantly have relatively obvious influence on the cross-sectional mechanical response of the FG-SMA beams, while the effect of the temperature was not noticeable.
On Ostrowski-type inequalities via Fink identity
Authors: Khan Asif R. , Nabi Hira , Pečarić Josip E.
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we use the well-known classical Fink identity and some new and previously defined Green’s functions to derive new Ostrowski-type inequalities. For this purpose, we use some identities which are defined under the conditions of sum and integral. We also estimate the difference between the two integral means.
A Taxonomy Study on Key Dimensions Which May Help SMEs for Industry 4.0 Implementation
Authors: Kumar Love , Sharma Rajiv Kumar
Published: December 2022

The fourth industrial revolution is enticing businesses to go digital. In this paper, we have determined the dimensions that help in implementing industry 4.0 in SMEs. A systematic literature review (SLR) protocol has been used to identify the dimensions. A database search has been conducted to get an overview of industry 4.0 adoption that includes 68 studies from 2007 to 2022. The results of SLR revealed 15 potential dimensions which affect industry 4.0 implementation. The evidence in support of these dimensions is assessed by performing rigor and relevance study. Quality assessment of the studies has been done based on rigor and relevance criterion. 21 of the 32 studies have a high degree of significance. The studies’ relevance score, on an average, is around 3, indicating strong evidence in support of industry 4.0. Research for industry 4.0 requires a high level of rigor. The findings of this study can be applied to industry 4.0 implementation research, with an emphasis on empirical evidence. More research can be undertaken on the dimensions with the help of industry professionals for successful implementation of industry 4.0 concept.
Editorial Introduction - Supporting Group Work
Authors: Pater Jessica , Prates Raquel Oliveira
Published: December 2022

Explorations into groupwork research have expanded over the years to encompass broader themes like human-centered computing, human-computer interaction, social computing, and human- centered data science, and other related contexts. Like the previous PACM:HCI volumes for Group Work (volumes 5 and 6), this volume contains the tradition of design fictions in addition to short- form and long-from research articles. The work presented in this issue spans a wide range of disciplines, methods, and theoretical foundations. Paper topics range from perceptions of justice and participation to using AI to increase inclusivity and participation to safety. Application domains were varied ranging from social media norms to internet safety to robotics to collaborative programming and beyond. Specific communities were also the focus of the research, including specific gender and ethnic groups to non-profits and other community groups.
Evaluating the Social Media Profiles of Online Harassers
Authors: Schoenebeck Sarita , Shen Yu Yin , Davidson Jill
Published: December 2022

Online harassment is pervasive. While substantial research has examined the nature of online harassment and how to moderate it, little work has explored how social media users evaluate the profiles of online harassers. This is important for helping people who may be experiencing or observing harassment to quickly and efficiently evaluate the user doing the harassing. We conducted a lab experiment (N=45) that eye-tracked participants while they viewed profiles of users who engaged in online harassment on mock Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram profiles. We evaluated what profile elements they looked at and for how long relative to a control group, and their qualitative attitudes about harasser profiles. Results showed that participants look at harassing users' post history more quickly than non-harassing users. They are also somewhat more likely to recall harassing profiles than non-harassing profiles. However, they do not spend more time on harassing profiles. Understanding what users pay attention to and recall may offer new design opportunities for supporting people who experience or observe harassment online.
Improving Non-Native Speakers' Participation with an Automatic Agent in Multilingual Groups
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Yamashita Naomi , Duan Wen , Shirai Yoshinari , Fussell Susan R.
Published: December 2022

Non-native speakers (NNS) often face challenges gaining the speaking floor in conversations with native speakers (NS) of a common language. To help NNS to contribute more, we developed a conversational agent that opens up the speaking floor either automatically, after NS have taken a certain number of consecutive speaking turns, or manually, upon NNS request. We compared these automatic and manual agents to a control condition in a laboratory study in which one NNS collaborated with two NS using English as a common language. Participants (N=48) communicated over video conferencing from separate locations in a research institution to collaborate on three survival tasks. Based on data gathered from the experiments, the automatic agent encouraged NNS to participate more, which previous studies had attempted but failed to achieve. Excerpts from group discussions further showed the crucial role of the automatic agent on NNS participation. Interview results suggested that while NNS appreciated the automatic agent's help to participation, NS perceived the agent's interruption as unfair because they thought all members were speaking equally, which was not the case. The mismatch in their perceptions further emphasizes the need to intervene, and we provide design implications based on the results.
"It's Just Like doing Meditation"
Authors: Vyas Dhaval , Quental Diogo
Published: December 2022

Men's sheds are community makerspaces where retired men can socialize and cooperatively organize craftwork type activities (predominantly - woodworking). The HCI and CSCW literature has increasingly shown the importance of positive health outcomes associated with makerspace-type environments. This paper aims to study how men's shed members engage in making practices and what health benefits such a hyper-masculine maker culture brings to retired older men. Informed by the occupational wellbeing framework, we report on eight-month-long ethnographic fieldwork at an Australian men's shed. Our findings show that factors such as post-retirement support, materiality afforded by the space and social factors associated with the men's shed create a positive sense of experience among retired men. We situate our findings into the CSCW literature on making and maker cultures; and provide a nuanced view on how such a maker culture can be seen a site for positive health outcomes.
The Stoop
Authors: Klassen Shamika , Fiesler Casey
Published: December 2022

Inspired by previous research examining the challenges and benefits of Black Twitter (a community gathered on a platform used by Black people but not created by or for them), this design fiction presents a fictional study of a successful yet speculative social media platform named The Stoop. We envision this digital space as one that a Black woman created and a predominantly Black team designed and developed. Imagining what future online communities of marginalized people could be based on current struggles and shortcomings provides the inspiration for this design fiction. Proactively addressing content moderation, harassment, content controls, and the need for reducing appropriation while centering on the lived experiences and preferences of Black people allows this design fiction to joyfully speculate on what it can look like to get it right as a way of thinking through best practices for current technology design.
Neural Variational Gaussian Mixture Topic Model
Authors: Tang Yi-Kun , Huang Heyan , Shi Xuewen , Mao Xian-Ling
Published: December 2022

Neural variational inference-based topic modeling has gained great success in mining abstract topics from documents. However, these topic models usually mainly focus on optimizing the topic proportions for documents, while the quality and the internal construction of topics are usually neglected. Specifically, these models lack the guarantee that semantically related words are supposed to be assigned to the same topic and are difficult to ensure the interpretability of topics. Moreover, many topical words recur frequently in the top words of different topics, which makes the learned topics semantically redundant and similar, and of little significance for further study. To solve the above problems, we propose a novel neural topic model called Neural Variational Gaussian Mixture Topic Model (NVGMTM). We use Gaussian distribution to depict the semantic relevance between words in the topics. Each topic in NVGMTM is considered as a multivariate Gaussian distribution over words in the word-embedding space. Thus, semantically related words share similar probabilities in each topic, which makes the topics more coherent and interpretable. Experimental results on two public corpora show the proposed model outperforms the state-of-the-art baselines.
On The Validity of the Defect- Induced Negative Thermal Quenching of Eu2+-Doped Phosphors
Authors: Yan Shirun
Published: December 2022

In this paper, defect-induced negative thermal quenching (NTQ) of Eu2+-doped phosphors is overviewed. NTQ denotes that the integrated emission intensity of a given phosphor increases continuously with increasing temperature up to a certain elevated temperature. The NTQ phenomenon of Eu2+ luminescence was reportedly observed in a broad variety of lattices. The NTQ of these Eu2+-doped phosphors was generally ascribed to thermally stimulated detrapping of the excitation light stored in defects (traps) and subsequent energy transfer from the defects to the Eu2+ 5d levels. Validity of defect- induced NTQ of Eu2+-doped phosphors is assessed and factors that may contribute to the measured emission intensity of a given phosphor at elevated temperatures are discussed. It is suggested that it is debatable whether NTQ could be an intrinsic property of the blue-emitting phosphor Na3Sc2(PO4)3: Eu2+, and whether the emission intensity enhancement with increasing temperature for Eu2+-doped phosphors could be related to energy transfer from defects. The temperature dependence of the measured emission intensity alone seems not to be a good measure for evaluating TQ property of a phosphor, since it is affected by not only the quantum efficiency of the phosphor but also some extrinsic factors at elevated temperatures.
Elucidating the Effect of Pressure on Structural, Electronic, Magnetic, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Mn2ZrZ (Z=Ge and Si): DFT Overview
Authors: Kanwal Shamsa , Imran Jamil M. , Tariq Saad , Ahmed Afaq , Alrashdi Ayash O
Published: December 2022

In this work, structural, electronic, magnetic, thermal and mechanical properties of Mn2ZrZ (Z=Ge and Si) under pressure up to 50 GPa is studied using state of the art density functional theory. In structural properties, under pressure ground state optimizations are performed to check the thermodynamic stability of studied alloys. Furthermore, enthalpy of formation and elastic stability criteria affirms the thermodynamic stability in studied alloys. Pugh ratio suggests that Mn2ZrGe and Mn2ZrSi remain ductile and brittle in nature, respectively throughout pressure up to 50 GPa. Moreover, large elastic anisotropic response is observed for both alloys. In electronic properties density of states and band gaps are discussed in detail which affirms the ferromagnetic half metallic nature of alloys. Our computed results, such as optimized ground state lattice constant, band-gap and magnetic moment are consistent and have matched excellently with available literature at ambient conditions. In mechanical properties, Debye temperature factor, minimum thermal conductivity and melting temperature is observed to increase with pressure while, Grüneisen anharmonicity factor decreases. However, to date, there are no reports available in literature with under pressure results up to 50 GPa. Therefore, this work illustrates new findings of Mn2ZrZ under pressure for potential applications in thermal actuators and spintronic devices.
A Case-Control Study of the Association of Leptin Gene Polymorphisms with Plasma Leptin Levels and Obesity in the Kerala Population
Authors: Manju Sudharmadevi K. , Anilkumar Thottathil R. , Vysakh G. , Leena Balakumaran K. , Lekshminarayan Vijayalekshmi , Kumar Pradeep G. , Shenoy Trivikrama K.
Published: December 2022

Background. Over the last few years, the importance of leptin in energy metabolism has been extensively studied in both animal models and in humans. Very few results are available on the association between human leptin gene (LEP) variants and obesity traits in India. We designed this study to analyse the polymorphisms in human leptin gene and the association of sequence variants with obesity among the population in Kerala, South India. Methods. In this case-control design of 148 study participants, data were collected on socioeconomic aspects and anthropometric measurements. Plasma glucose, insulin, leptin, and lipid profile were measured. Genotyping was done by automated DNA sequencing. Results. The common Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) of 5′-UTR of LEP − 2548G/A was found to be present in the study population with “A” variant as dominant allele. A novel synonymous mutation Thr5Thr of exon 2 of LEP was identified in heterozygous form in one subject with morbid obesity with hyperleptinemia. A novel missense mutation Phe17Leu was observed in two subjects with obesity in heterozygous condition. A novel missense mutation Lys36Arg in exon 2 of LEP was observed in one subject with abdominal obesity and decreased serum leptin level. Conclusion. LEP − 2548G/A at 5′-untranslated region was found to be common with the mutant “A” variant in the study population. SNPs of exons in LEP were found to be rare but associated with morbid obesity and altered levels of serum leptin in the study population in Kerala, India.
Elemental and Proximate Compositions of Sesame Seeds and the Underlying Soil from Tsegede, Ethiopia
Authors: Seid Fuad , Mehari Bewketu
Published: December 2022

The proximate compositions and elemental contents of sesame (Sesamum indicum) seeds and the underlying soil from different cultivation areas of Tsegede, Ethiopia, were investigated. The ash, protein, fiber, fat, and carbohydrate contents of the sesame seeds were determined following standard methods. Essential major (Ca and Mg) and trace metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Ni) in the sesame seeds and the underlying soil were determined by using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The sesame seeds contained high levels of fat (52.9 ± 1.5%), followed by protein (23.5 ± 0.9%). The seeds contained 525 ± 1 and 453 ± 38 mg/kg of Mg and Ca, respectively. Iron was the most abundant (37.8 ± 1.4 mg/kg) of the trace metals, followed by Zn (14.6 ± 2.2 mg/kg) and Cu (7.26 ± 0.84). Manganese and Ni were found only in minute amounts. The concentrations of the trace metals varied significantly across the different cultivation areas. Similar to the sesame seeds, iron was found in higher amounts (212.6 ± 2.6 mg/kg) in the underlying soil followed by Zn and Cu, which were both 28.8 mg/kg. The amounts of the trace elements, Fe, Cu, and Zn found in the soils were about 2 to 6 times higher than that found in the sesame seeds. Whereas, the concentrations of Mg and Ca present in the seeds were comparable with that determined in the soils. Correlation analysis indicated that the Fe and Cu contents of the sesame seeds are negatively influenced by the amounts of Mg and Ca present in the soil. Ca in the seeds was also negatively associated with the Mg levels in soil.
Updates on Quantitative MRI of Diffuse Liver Disease: A Narrative Review
Authors: Zerunian Marta , Pucciarelli Francesco , Masci Benedetta , Siciliano Francesco , Polici Michela , Bracci Benedetta , Guido Gisella , Polidori Tiziano , De Santis Domenico , Laghi Andrea , Caruso Damiano
Published: December 2022

Diffuse liver diseases are highly prevalent conditions around the world, including pathological liver changes that occur when hepatocytes are damaged and liver function declines, often leading to a chronic condition. In the last years, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is reaching an important role in the study of diffuse liver diseases moving from qualitative to quantitative assessment of liver parenchyma. In fact, this can allow noninvasive accurate and standardized assessment of diffuse liver diseases and can represent a concrete alternative to biopsy which represents the current reference standard. MRI approach already tested for other pathologies include diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and radiomics, able to quantify different aspects of diffuse liver disease. New emerging MRI quantitative methods include MR elastography (MRE) for the quantification of the hepatic stiffness in cirrhotic patients, dedicated gradient multiecho sequences for the assessment of hepatic fat storage, and iron overload. Thus, the aim of this review is to give an overview of the technical principles and clinical application of new quantitative MRI techniques for the evaluation of diffuse liver disease.
A Mathematical Evaluation of the Cost-Effectiveness of Self-Protection, Vaccination, and Disinfectant Spraying for COVID-19 Control
Authors: Nana-Kyere Sacrifice , Seidu Baba
Published: December 2022

The world is on its path from the post-COVID period, but a fresh wave of the coronavirus infection engulfing most European countries makes the pandemic catastrophic. Mathematical models are of significant importance in unveiling strategies that could stem the spread of the disease. In this paper, a deterministic mathematical model of COVID-19 is studied to characterize a range of feasible control strategies to mitigate the disease. We carried out an analytical investigation of the model’s dynamic behaviour at its equilibria and observed that the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable when the basic reproduction number,

R

0

is less than unity. The endemic equilibrium is also shown to be globally asymptotically stable when

R

0

>
1

. Further, we showed that the model exhibits forward bifurcation around

R

0

=
1

. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine the impact of various factors on the basic reproduction number

R

0

and consequently, the spread of the disease. An optimal control problem was formulated from the sensitivity analysis. Cost-effectiveness analysis is conducted to determine the most cost-effective strategy that can be adopted to control the spread of COVID-19. The investigation revealed that combining self-protection and environmental control is the most cost-effective control strategy among the enlisted strategies.
Damage Effects of Shaped Charges on Concrete Piles
Authors: Xue Chao-yang , Kong De-ren , Xu Chun-dong
Published: December 2022

Concrete piles are a common obstacle in an antilanding obstacle field. To research the damage ability of concrete piles with different shaped charges, penetration tests of concrete piles with different standoff distances (SODs) were carried out with explosively formed projectiles (EFPs) and jetting projectile charges (JPCs). The pressure was measured at different positions inside the concrete piles during the penetration process, and the failure mechanism and damage characteristics of the concrete piles were analyzed. The penetration velocity of the JPC was measured by placing reticular targets inside the concrete pile. The results show that the damage ability of JPCs to concrete piles is stronger than that of EFPs. When the SOD is in the range of 20∼50 cm, an EFP causes slight damage to a concrete pile. With the increase in SOD, the penetration capacity of JPCs increases, but the damage ability of JPCs decreases. When the SOD is 15 cm, a JPC causes severe damage to a concrete pile, and when the SOD is in the range of 20∼40 cm, a JPC causes moderate damage. When attacking targets with obvious side boundary effects, such as concrete piles, the SOD that results in the strongest damage is not the SOD that results in the strongest penetration ability.
Unraveling the Difference in the Composition/Content of the Aroma Compounds in Different Tobacco Leaves: For Better Use
Authors: Yan Tiejun , Zhou Ping , Long Fei , Liu Jing , Wu Fengguang , Zhang Maolin , Liu Jialei
Published: December 2022

The composition/content of aroma compounds in tobacco leaves in the different producing areas varies too much, and it is very meaningful to develop advanced analysis techniques to investigate the composition/content-producing area correlation. Here, gas chromatography-ion mobility spectroscopy (GC-IMS) was used to analyze the composition/content of aroma compounds in tobacco samples from eight different producing areas. With this technique, ion mobility spectrum, differential ion mobility spectrum, and fingerprint spectrum were constructed for two-dimensional analysis. Then, the principal component analysis (PCA) and similarity analysis were performed for the eight tobacco samples. The results showed that the GC-IMS can detect 197 volatile aroma compounds in tobacco leaves and 75 of them are well identified. The fingerprint spectrum directly showed the difference in the composition/content of volatile aroma compounds in tobacco leaves from different producing areas. PCA and similarity analysis can clearly distinguish tobacco samples from different producing areas. This work demonstrated that the application of GC-IMS in analyzing the composition/content of aroma compounds in tobacco leaves is efficient. GC-IMS is a very powerful tool to give a direct and visual comparison of the composition/content of aroma compounds in tobacco leaves from different producing areas. The relationship between the composition/content of aroma compounds and producing areas could be established by this advanced technology. This work offers the possibility of planting or grading tobacco with different taste and smell more precisely in the future.
The Association between Hypertension and Insomnia: A Bidirectional Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies
Authors: Liu Dingwei , Yu Chao , Huang Ke , Thomas Shawn , Yang Wei , Liu Song , Kuang Jie
Published: December 2022

Background. Studies on bidirectional associations between hypertension and insomnia are inconclusive. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to systematically review and summarize the current evidence from epidemiological studies that evaluated this relationship. Materials and Methods. PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang, and VIP databases were searched for studies published up to May 2021. Prospective cohort studies that reported the relationship between hypertension and insomnia in adults were included. Data were extracted or provided by the authors according to the prevalence rate, incidence rate, unadjusted or adjusted odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed by I2 statistics. ORs were pooled by using random-effects models. Results. A total of 23 prospective studies were identified. Twenty cohort studies recorded OR-adjusted value with the outcome for hypertension (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.07–1.16; I2 = 83.9%), and three cohort studies reported OR-adjusted value with the outcome for insomnia (OR = 1.20, 95%CI: 1.08–1.32; I2 = 35.1%). Subgroup analysis showed that early morning awakening and composite insomnia were significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusions. The result indicates a possible bidirectional association between hypertension and insomnia. Early identification and prevention of insomnia in hypertension patients are needed, and vice versa.
Directing the Diffusion of Public Opinions in Incidents with Not‐in‐My‐Back‐Yard Projects: An Evolutionary Perspective
Authors: Liu Xiaofeng , Wu Xiaoling , Qiu Yumin , Cheng Shuping
Published: December 2022

How should the public administrative department direct the diffusion of public opinions in a not‐in‐my‐backyard (NIMBY) crisis? This paper first analyzes the macroevolutionary characteristics of the public opinion associated with a NIMBY crisis. We then examine the perceptive interactions among individuals towards NIMBY projects from a microscopic perspective and develop an evolutionary game model (i.e., replicator dynamics) to describe the interactions among individuals. We also use information entropy and dynamic equations to construct an interaction entropy model and a dynamic equation to capture administrative‐department‐led public opinion. Through examining the existence and stability of the evolutionary equilibrium of these models, we analyze the evolution of NIMBY public opinion.
The Effect of Zao Ren An Shen Capsule on Insomnia among Patients with Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yu Ge , Cheng Xi , Jin Chenggang
Published: December 2022

Background. Zao Ren An Shen capsule (ZRASC) is one of the most widely used Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in treating insomnia, but its effect on insomnia patients with anxiety remains unclear. We aimed to examine the effect of ZRASC combined with alprazolam in anxiety patients compared with those only with alprazolam prescription. Methods. We conducted a single-blind, parallel-group, randomized trial involving persons from 2 hospitals in China. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1 : 1 ratio to the intervention group, in which the participants were provided with ZRASC and alprazolam, or to the control group, in which the participants were provided with alprazolam. The primary outcomes were insomnia symptoms measured by the insomnia severity index (ISI). The secondary outcomes were anxiety symptoms measured with the Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA). All participants were followed up at 2-week and 4-week after the treatment. The effect was estimated using the mixed-effect models. Results. A total of 334 patients were enrolled in the trial. 167 of them (mean (SD) age, 44.4 (12.8) years; 43.1% female) were assigned to the usual treatment group, while 167 (mean (SD) age, 46.0 (13.4) years; 43.7% female) were assigned to the ZRASC group. From baseline to the 4-weekfollow-up, the mean differences in ISI and HAMA scores between the ZRASC group and the usual care group were −2.542 and −2.563, respectively (both

p
<
0.001

). Patients in the ZRASC group were more likely to have remission of insomnia and anxiety than those in the control group at the 4-weekfollow-up, with incidence rate ratios of 265% and 213%, respectively (both

p
<
0.001

). Proportions of remission were 74.93% (

p
<
0.001

) for insomnia and 85.80% (

p
<
0.001

) for anxiety at 4-weekfollow-up. Conclusions. This randomized study showed that adjunctive treatment with ZRASC was able to reduce insomnia and anxiety symptoms at the 4-weekfollow-up. Trial Registration. This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1800019913).