bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic Identification Method of Bridge Structure Damage Area Based on Digital Image
Authors: WANG Jinchao , LIU Houcheng , HAN Zengqiang , WANG Yiteng
Published: April 2023

It is of great scientific and practical value to use effective technical means to monitor and warn the structural damage of bridges in real time and for a long time. In order to solve the shortcomings of automatic identification and parameter acquisition of bridge structure digital images, this paper proposes an automatic identification method of bridge structure damage area based on digital images, which effectively realizes the contour carving and quantitative characterization of bridge structure damage area. Firstly, the digital image features of the bridge structure damage area are defined. By making full use of the feature that the pixel value of the damaged area is obviously different from that of the surrounding image, an image pre-processing method of the structure damaged area that can effectively improve the quality of the field shot image is proposed. Then, an improved Ostu method is proposed to organically fuse the global and local threshold features of the image to achieve the damaged area contour carving of the bridge structure surface image. The scale of damage area, the proportion of damage area and the calculation rule of damage area orientation are constructed, and the key inspection and characteristic parameter diagnosis of bridge structure damage area are realized. Finally, the test and analysis are carried out in combination with an actual project case. The results show that the method proposed in this paper is feasible and stable, which can improve the damage area measurement accuracy of the current bridge structure. The method can provide more data support for the detection and maintenance of the bridge structure.
Assessment of ovarian reserve by biomarkers in female patients with primary APS, SLE-associated APS and SLE
Authors: Xu Xiao-ping , Wang Hua-bin , Wu Jun-Qi
Published: April 2023

Objectives To evaluate the ovarian reserve (OR) in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and to determine the association between OR and clinical and laboratory parameters.Methods We compared the antral follicle count (AFC) and blood parameters of patients who were diagnosed with APS or SLE but had not yet been treated. We compared the presence of anticardiolipin antibody, and concentrations of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), inhibin B (INHB), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E2) among patients with primary APS(PAPS), SLE-associated APS, and SLE who were treated at Jinhua Central Hospital between 2017 and 2020. We also conducted correlations and logistic regression analyses to identify the risk factors of OR failure in women with APS.Results Serum AMH levels were positively correlated with AFC and INHB levels in APS patients, and low AMH and high LH were independent risk factor for OR decline in APS patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve also showed a high accuracy for AMH in the prediction of OR failure. Compared to healthy subjects (HS), patients with PAPS, SLE-APS, and SLE exhibited lower serum AMH, AFC, INHB, and E2 levels and higher FSH and LH levels (P < 0.05). Of all the patients, those with SLE-APS manifested the lowest serum AMH, AFC, INHB, and E2 levels and the highest FSH and LH levels (P < 0.05).Conclusions APS and SLE patients showed lower indications of OR, including AFC, AMH and LH, compared to HS. SLE-APS patients also appeared to have a lower OR than either SLE or PAPS patients. We noted that the low E2 levels in APS and SLE patients on day 3 of the menstrual cycle were not able to inhibit FSH release.
Ectomycorrhizal synthesis between four Bolete species and two kinds of trees
Authors: Qianwen TAN , Lunhe YOU , Chen HAO , Jianrui WANG , Yu LIU
Published: April 2023

The cultivation of Bolete has very high economic value and ecological value. In order to select suitable symbionts for cultivation, we conducted greenhouse-based mycorrhizal experiments on four boletes(Suillus bovinus, Suillus luteus, Suillus grevillei and Retiboletus sinensis) and two plants(Pinus thunbergii and Quercus acutissima). All plant seedlings were either inoculated or not inoculated with the four Bolete liquid strains. Three months after inoculation, Suillus bovinus, Suillus luteus, Suillus grevillei and Retiboletus sinensis ectomycorrhizae were successfully formed on these two tree species, as evidenced by both morphological and molecular analyses. The mycorrhizal infection rate of all plants reached 40–55%, and the morphology of mycorrhiza is determined by the type of host plant and has nothing to do with the species of Bolete. Subsequently, plant growth, photosynthesis and endogenous hormone secretion were evaluated, mainly affected by host species. The infection of four boletes significantly promoted the growth and photosynthesis rate of host plants, the secretion of IAA, ZT and GA increased, and ABA decreased significantly. In addition, we found IAA in the fermentation broth of four kinds of Bolete. And Retiboletus sinensis can differentiate fruiting bodies by artificial pure culture.
Evaluation of the association between tongue posture and the transverse dental compensation in Class III skeletal patients – a retrospective, record-based study
Authors: Balaji Mayithiri , Shetty Siddarth , M.V Ashith , Singh Amoli , Kumar Harshit Atul
Published: April 2023

Objective: Assess association between tongue posture and transverse dental compensation pattern of teeth in Class III skeletal patients and compare above association between skeletal Class III and Class I patients.
Materials & Methods: Records of 126 subjects containing Skeletal Class I subjects as control group (n = 63) and Skeletal Class III patients as experimental group (n = 63) were taken. Tongue-to-palate distance was measured on lateral cephalograms. Buccolingual inclinations were measured on CBCT coronal section as angle between reference plane (line perpendicular to buccal and lingual crest of alveolar bone) and long axis of tooth.
Results: In skeletal Class III malocclusion, significant results were found. Degree of buccal tipping of 17, 15, 14, 27, 25, 24 & Tongue to Palate distance at D3 and D4 shows a significant positive correlation with p value of <0.001. Moderate correlation was seen between parameters degree of lingual tipping of molars and premolars with tongue to palate distance at D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5.
Conclusions: Based on observations, in Skeletal Class III subjects,
a) Tongue assumes a lower and more anterior position.
b) Tongue to palate distance is increased at positions D2 – D5.
c) Lingual tipping of mandibular posterior teeth was not as significant.
Clinical Relevance: Strong association exists between tongue forces and the buccal flaring of maxillary posterior teeth.
Experimental study on dynamic mechanical properties of clay under different water contents and compaction degrees
Authors: Shi Benjun , Liu Jiagui , Ding Yuqing , Li Tianrui , Li Jie , Li Gan
Published: April 2023

The effects of water content, compaction, and strain rate on the dynamic mechanics of clay soils are key issues in underground blasting excavation. Dynamic compressive stress-strain curves of clay with the interaction of water content, strain rate and compaction were obtained using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). The results showed that the kinetic properties (uniaxial compressive strength and DIF) of clay with high water content were more sensitive to the strain rate, and increasing the water content weakened the uniaxial compressive strength of clay, while increasing the compaction usually increased the uniaxial compressive strength of clay. SAE increases exponentially with increasing strain rate, and water content variation has a greater effect on SAE than compaction. Based on the measured test data, the empirical equations between the dimensionless lateral limit uniaxial compressive strength and the strain rate, water content and compaction were obtained by the dimensional analysis.
Porous Carboxymethyl Cellulose Nanocrystalline Imprinted Composite Aerogels for Selective Adsorption of Gadolinium
Authors: Li Ang , Zheng Xudong , Ji Biao , Xu Tongtong , Mei Jinfeng , Zhou Man , Li Zhongyu
Published: April 2023

Gadolinium is widely applied in medical and high-tech materials because of special magnetic properties. Recovery of gadolinium from waste rare earth products has both economic and environmental value. In this experiment, honeycomb porous composite aerogels were constructed using silk gliadin and sodium alginate mixed with functionally modified carboxymethylated cellulose nanocrystals for the adsorption and separation of gadolinium ions. There were large numbers of carboxyl groups as well as hydroxyl groups existing on the surface of sodium alginate and filamentous protein, which provided more sites for the adsorption of gadolinium ions. Besides, a stable honeycomb structure appeared on the surface of composite aerogels when the mixture of filamentous protein and sodium alginate was 1:1, which increased the specific surface area of materials to 140.65 m2 g− 1. Additionally, the imprinted composite aerogels Ic-CNCs/SSA were prepared by virtue of the imprinting technology, enhancing the adsorption selectivity of composite aerogels for gadolinium. The adsorption experiments revealed that the maximum adsorption capacity of Ic-CNCs/SSA reached 93.41 mg g− 1 at pH 7.0, indicating good selective adsorption of gadolinium ions. In summary, such composite aerogels provide great potential and reference value for the selective adsorption of gadolinium ions in industry.
Spatio-temporal analysis of a digital Trail Making Test part-A can evaluate cognitive dysfunctions in elderly rehabilitation inpatients
Authors: Kubo Kouki , Hama Seiji , Furui Akira , Mizuguchi Tomohiko , Yanagawa Akiko , Kandori Akihiko , Sakai Hiroto , Morisako Yutaro , Orino Yuki , Hamai Maho , Fujita Kasumi , Yamawaki Shigeto , Tsuji Toshio
Published: April 2023

We examined a newly developed digitized Trail Making Test using an iPad (iTMT) as a brief of cognitive function screening test. We found that the iTMT part-A (iTMT-A) can estimate generalized cognitive function in elderly rehabilitation inpatients examined using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Forty-two hospitalized participants undergoing rehabilitation (rehab participants), 30 of whom had cerebral infarction/hemorrhage (stroke participants), performed the iTMT three times and the MMSE. Each iTMT-A trial’s completion time was divided into the move and dwell times, for which the deviations in the left-right, forward-backward, or diagonal direction or position were also calculated. In stepwise analysis, the power of estimating the MMSE score was increased by using the dwell and move times with the deviation quadrant extracted from the iTMT-A, even for subjects with low MMSE scores. Moreover, the use of data from repeated iTMT-A trials reduced the error and improved the estimation ability. The final remaining factors included factors associated with physical disability of upper limbs and the cerebral lesion side. The iTMT-A extracts significant factors temporally and spatially, and by incorporating the learning effect of repeated trials, it may be possible to screen cognitive and physical functions for rehabilitation patients, including elderly or stroke patients.
Sentiment Analysis for Social Media Big Data utilizing Advanced Hybrid Deep Learning Algorithms
Authors: Ahmed Hamdan , Aljuboori Fadhil
Published: April 2023

With the increase in the use of social media sites significantly and the enlarge in the users number as they provide all the basic services and daily requirements of customers for most vital activities at all levels of commercial, social, marketing, educational and others, there is an urgent need to provide a comprehensive analytical and predictive system that works on reading and analyzing the desires of users to give a comprehensive description It facilitates searches and shortens effort, time, storage and search spaces for your servers and customers alike. In this study, three data sets have been considered and tested using sentiment analysis with optimization technique convolutional neural network (CNN), hyper parameters optimized Tree Structured Parzen Estimator with LSTM, and hybrid CNN with Groo, hyper parameters optimization using Tree Structured Parzen Estimator (TPE), and Define by Run deep learning algorithms utilizing Jupiter Python programming language. The data sets represent big data for Amazon social media containing information with different classes, items, and attributes. The classification of the analyzed data will produce a recommender system that simplify the selection process for customers and users of social networking sites by providing readings and analyzes of various types of information circulated on different types of websites, so that the information is trained as a supervisory training for various tweets by collecting different customers information to predict their various interests and needs.
Visual-attentional and phonological deficits explored in French dyslexic students: eye movements recorded during a phonological lexical decision task
Authors: Premeti Aikaterini , Isel Frédéric , Bucci Maria Pia
Published: April 2023

Whether dyslexia is a phonological or a visual attention problem remains a widely debated issue. This study aimed to compare the eye movements of 32 French university students with and without dyslexia while performing a phonological lexical decision task on 300 visually presented stimuli. Stimuli involved either a lexical (i.e., words) or a non-lexical route relying on a grapheme-phoneme correspondence (pseudohomophones and pseudowords), while others involved only a visual search (consonant and symbol sequences). We recorded the number and the duration of single and double fixations and the number and amplitude of the first saccade made on the stimuli. Compared to controls, dyslexics made fewer single than double fixations during reading regardless of the type of stimulus (lexical and non-lexical), while the number and the amplitude of the first saccade was similar in the two groups of participants. Taken together, these results suggest that both visual and phonological impairments may be observed in dyslexia and support the hypothesis that dyslexia is a multifactorial deficit.
Complex Modulus characterization of an optimized binder with SCMs: proposition of an enhanced cement formulation to improve stiffness behaviorand durability of mortars and concretes
Authors: Targino Daniel Lira Lopes , Holanda Ana Dulce de Castro , Henriquez Pablo Andrade Martinez , Freitas Ingrid Lourrany Barreto , Boukhelf Fouad , Mendili Yassine El , Babadopulos Lucas Feitosa de Albuquerque Lima
Published: April 2023

Materials optimization is an aspect of continuous endeavor for civil engineering in many applications, especially in construction where the materials’ durability and mechanical performance are crucial for structural integrity. Structures such as aerogenerators, both towers and foundations, are highly susceptible to cyclic loads with a broad range of frequencies and levels. The improvement of the stiffness behavior can significantly enhance their fatigue resistance and consequently durability. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of a high-performance binder optimization, using supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to improve the mechanical behavior of mortars and concretes, by improving stiffness response under dynamic loading, which is related to durability and fatigue life-service. Static tests (axial compressive and splitting tensile strengths) were conducted as well as cyclic stiffness tests that were proposed as a new methodology for these kinds of materials, that may better relate to dynamic behavior in field. The proposition consists of testing complex modulus tests under sinusoidal loading either in pure compression or in pure tension, adopting low (0.1 Hz to 1 Hz) and mid-range (1 Hz to 25 Hz) loading frequencies. The results show that the optimized binder resulted in a superior material with up to 23% stiffer loading response and 13.8% more energy storage elastically, with also inferences on improved durability, which is expected to delay pathological manifestations. The proposed testing protocol obtained results compatible with the literature and seems applicable for evaluating the dynamic behavior of cementitious materials.
Temperature and pH responsive behavior of wormlike micelles formed by a long chain Gemini-like surfactant
Authors: Pei Xiaomei , Pan Ting , Han Xu , Yan Yiqun , Wu Junhui , Song Binglei , Chen Zhao , Gu Yao
Published: April 2023

A Gemini-like surfactant is formed by connecting short chain dibasic acid and long chain tertiary amine in the molar ratio of 1:2 through the non-covalent action of electrostatic attraction, and does not need complicated synthesis. Due to the tertiary amine group in the Gemini-like surfactant, it exhibits pH-responsive properties. However, in the research, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the Gemini-like surfactants also showed temperature response characteristics. With the increase of temperature, the viscosity of the system increases rapidly, and it is resistant to high temperatures. At 60°C, the zero-shear viscosity of the system at the concertation of 300 mM can reach an extremely high value of 11967.73 Pa·s, which was higher than most of wormlike micelles formed by the conventional covalently linked oligomeric counterparts. The reason for this phenomenon may be that as the temperature increases, the hydrogen bonds in the system are destroyed, resulting in the reduction of the repulsive force between molecules and the shortening of the intermolecular distance, which makes the micelles more entangled closely.
Deforestation as a site of conflict and differentiation: The case of the Rohingya refugee influx in Teknaf
Authors: Ahmed Tasfia , Sabastini Priyong
Published: April 2023

The migration of refugees and displaced persons has previously been linked to deforestation globally, with reports of clashes over resources and forest rights being associated with it. This paper aims to qualitatively study the aforementioned phenomenon through the case of deforestation associated with the Rohingya refugee influx in Bangladesh, which has resulted in the deforestation of over 8,000 acres of forest land. The deforestation has reportedly led to various livelihood issues for host community members including difficulty in conducting animal husbandry, agroforestry and the ability to forage for food. This paper aims to look into the social aspects of the effects of deforestation on host community Bangladeshis, by studying whether or not its impact has resulted in raising inequalities or vulnerabilities between host community groups based on their ethnicity and/or socio-economic positioning. Additionally, this paper aims to analyse the effects of deforestation on the cohesion between the host community Bangladeshis and Rohingya refugees and relations between different host community groups as well. The data of this study has been gathered through five focus group discussions which incorporated 35 forest-dependent host community members, and six key informant interviews consisting of middle-class development workers, politicians and journalists. This study indicates that the impact of deforestation may have disproportionately affected marginalised groups, especially in terms of agroforestry and animal husbandry. Findings additionally illustrate that the resulting effects of deforestation may have negatively influenced the cohesion between host community members and Rohingya refugees, while contributing to tension between farmers and relatively powerful groups who utilised land shortages after the influx.
Talbot effect for the third order Lugiato-Lefever equation
Authors: Cho Gunwoo , Kim Seongyeon , Seo Ihyeok
Published: April 2023

We discuss the Lugiato-Lefever equation and its variant with third-order dispersion, which are mathematical models used to describe how a light beam forms patterns within an optical cavity. It is mathematically demonstrated that the solutions of these equations follow the Talbot effect, which is a phenomenon of periodic self-imaging of an object under certain conditions of diffraction. The Talbot effect is regarded as the underlying cause of pattern formation in optical cavities.
2020 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary: 35B45; Secondary: 35B10.
Investigating the cecal microbiota of broilers raised in extensive and intensive production systems
Authors: Marcolla Camila S. , Ju Tingting , Lantz Hannah L. , Willing Benjamin P.
Published: April 2023

Background Intensive broiler production practices are structured to prevent the introduction and spread of pathogens; however, they can potentially minimize the exposure of broilers to beneficial commensal bacteria. In this study, we used 16s rRNA amplicon sequencing to perform a large-scale characterization of the cecal microbiota of 35-day-old broilers from intensive production systems (IPS) and from extensive production systems (EPS), aiming to determine which microbes are normal inhabitants of the broiler ceca and which microbes might be missing from broilers in IPS. In addition, we generated a collection of bacterial isolates to be used as a resource to further explore the effects of selected isolates on bird physiology, and to elucidate the role of individual bacterial species within the cecal microbial community.Results Our results indicated major differences in the microbiota of broilers between systems: the microbiota of broilers from EPS was dominated by Bacteroidetes, whereas Firmicutes dominated the microbiota of broilers from IPS. A number of bacterial taxa ubiquitous in the EPS microbiota were shown to be infrequent or absent from the IPS microbiota, and the EPS microbiota presented higher phylogenetic diversity and greater predicted functional potential than that of broilers in IPS.Conclusions In the current study, we identified Olsenella, Alistipes, Bacteroides, Barnesiella, Parabacteroides, Megamonas, and Parasutterella as core bacteria within the broiler microbiota that seem to be depleted in broilers from IPS, which could be further investigated for their effects on bird physiology and potential application as next-generation probiotics.
Spatial distribution, formation mechanism, and health risk assessment of high-fluoride groundwater at the largest antimony mine in Hunan Province, China
Authors: Wang Yantang , Hao Chunming , He Kaikai , Peng Yingao , Sun Ximeng , Liu Min
Published: April 2023

To date, few systematic studies of the spatial distribution, formation mechanism, and health risks of high-fluoride (F−) shallow groundwater in humid and semi-humid areas of the Xikuangshan antimony mine, Hunan Province, China. In this study, during March and April 2022, a total of 39 shallow groundwater samples were collected and analyzed using factor analysis, principal component analysis, and health risk assessment. F− concentrations in the shallow groundwater were found to range from 0.08 to 15.00 mg/L (mean: 1.21 mg/L), with 25.64% of the samples having F− concentrations higher than in the Chinese national standard for drinking water (1.00 mg/L). Principal component analysis revealed that the main source of F− in the shallow groundwater samples is cation exchange, accounting for 73.40%, followed by the dissolution and precipitation of F-bearing minerals (15.10%), and human influence (11.50%). Among different age groups, children had the highest percentage of individuals (36.38%) with an F− intake above the health risk quotient safety limit, followed by adult males (23.12%), teenagers (22.21%), and infants (21.22%). The findings of this study will contribute to devising strategies for the provision of safe drinking water and management of the geological environment.
Pre-Treatment CT Radiomics and Clinical Factors Predict Malignant Esophageal Fistula in Patients with Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Zhu Chao , Sun Wenju , Chen Cunhai , Qiu Qingtao , Wang Shuai , Song yang , Ma Xuezhen
Published: April 2023

Background
Malignant Esophageal fistula (MEF), which occurs in 5–15% of esophageal cancer (EC) patients, has a poor prognosis, and patients eventually die of nutritional failure, chest infection, mediastinal abscess, or great vessel injury in a short period of time. As a result, stratification of the high-risk group and intervention to prevent the occurrence is critical. The goal of this study was to build and validate a model to predict the occurrence of esophageal fistula in EC patients.
Methods
Fifty-three patients with MEF and 69 controls were randomly assigned to a training cohort (n = 86) and a validation cohort (n = 36). To identify clinically independent predictors, logistic univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used. Radiomic features were extracted from pre-treatment CT, which were then screened using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression. A clinical nomogram based on clinical risk factors, a predictive model based on radiomic features, and a nomogram incorporating the radiomic signature and clinical independent predictors were developed. The models were validated and compared by discrimination, calibration, reclassification, and clinical benefit.
Results
Univariate analysis identified clinical risk factors including stenosis, gender, and T stage. In multivariate analysis, stenosis was found to be an independent predictor (P = 0.023). A clinical nomogram was developed that included stenosis, gender, and T stage. A radiomic signature was created by ten features selected from 851 radiomic features extracted from pre-treatment CT images using Lasso regression. In discrimination, caliberation curve, and decision curve analysis, the joint nomogram incorporating clinical factors and radiomic signature outperformed the clinical nomogram and radiomics predictive model. When compared to the clinical nomogram, the radiomics-clinical prediction nomogram improved NRI by 0.236 (95%CI: 0.153,0.614) and IDI by 0.125 (95%CI: 0.040,0.210), P = 0.004.
Conclusion
We developed and validated the first radiomics-clinical nomogram for malignant esophageal fistula, which could assist clinicians in identifying patients at high risk of MEF.
Cognition of Abdominal Pain and Abdominal Discomfort in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea of China
Authors: Lu Jia , Chen Yang , Shi Lili , Li Xiaoqing , Fei Guijun , Li Ji , Yang Aiming , Fang Xiucai
Published: April 2023

Background In Asia, the proportion of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with abdominal discomfort alone is significantly higher than that in western countries. The purpose of this study is to understand the cognition of abdominal pain and abdominal discomfort in patients with IBS in China, and to compare the clinical characteristics of patients with abdominal pain alone and abdominal discomfort alone.Methods Patients with IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) who met Rome III diagnostic criteria and had episodes of at least one day/week were consecutively enrolled. The cognition of abdominal pain and abdominal discomfort were investigated through face-to-face unstructured interview. Patients were divided into pain group and discomfort group according to the cognition interviews, then the characteristics and severity of symptoms (IBS symptom severity scale, IBS-SSS), IBS quality of life (IBS-QOL) and psychological state were compared between groups.Results A total of 88 patients with IBS-D were enrolled. Most of the patients with self-reported abdominal pain described pain as spasm/cramping; patients with self-reported abdominal discomfort had as many as 24 kinds of descriptions to report their discomfort. Most patients having abdominal pain and discomfort could accurately distinguish the two symptoms. The degree of abdominal pain in pain group was higher than abdominal discomfort in discomfort group (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in IBS-SSS, extra-intestinal pain, IBS-QOL, and scores of HAMA and HAMD between the two groups.Conclusions For Chinese patients with IBS-D, abdominal pain and abdominal discomfort are two different symptoms, but they have similar clinical features.Trial registration ChiCTR, ChiCTR1900028082. Registered 11 December 2019 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn
Changes in the severity of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting according to the menopausal stage of breast cancer patients during adjuvant chemotherapy: A prospective observational study
Authors: Yeom Chan-Woo , Lee Sangil , Lee Seonmi , Son Kyung-Lak , Lee Kwang-Min , Kim Won-Hyoung , Kim Tae-Yong , Im Seock-Ah , Lee Kyung-Hun , Hahm Bong-Jin , Jung Dooyoung
Published: April 2023

Purpose Breast cancer has been reported to be common in middle-age, but little is known about the relationship between menopausal stage and the severity of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in breast cancer patients. Therefore, we examined the association between menopausal stage and CINV severity.Methods Participants were prospectively enrolled from a tertiary general hospital. We evaluated CINV severity of 187 breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, using a Likert scale from 1 to 10, before chemotherapy (W0), 4 weeks after the first chemotherapy (W4), and 12 weeks (W12) after the first chemotherapy. Premenopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause period were classified by age 45 and 55 years, respectively. CINV severity at different time-points and change values in CINV severity (cCIN, cCIV) at each time point, relative to W0, were compared using a linear mixed modelResults Significant group-by-time interactions were observed for CIN (p = 0.011), CIV (p = 0.027), and cCIN (p = 0.030). In postmenopausal period women, unlike in premenopausal and perimenopausal period women, the mean change values for CIN and CIV at each time point relative to W0 were not significantly different. In the post-hoc analysis, there was a significant difference (p = 0.007) in cCIN at W4 between perimenopausal and postmenopausal period women.Conclusions Changes in CINV severity in breast cancer patients follow different patterns according to menopausal stage. Perimenopausal period women seem to be particularly susceptible to CINV. During chemotherapy, it is necessary to manage CINV with consideration of menopausal stage.
BayesDLMfMRI: an R package for task-based fMRI modeling based on Bayesian matrix-variate dynamic linear models
Authors: Jiménez Johnatan Cardona , Pérez Carlos , Ramírez Isabel
Published: April 2023

Background: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a technique that has caught the attention of scientists since its appearance over thirty years ago. This tool allows for analyzing human brain activity through a sequence of magnetic resonance (MR) images. One important stage in the application of the fMRI technique is the statistical analysis of the sequence of post-processed images. The General Linear Model (GLM) is perhaps the most common statistical model applied for task-based fMRI analysis. However, in the majority of applications where this model is used, the spatiotemporal structures usually present in this type of data are commonly ignored. Thus, in the package introduced in this article, we have implemented a statistical method based on Matrix-Variate Dynamic Linear Models (MDLM) that allows taking into account the spatiotemporal structures in the modeling of task-based fMRI data.
Results: The BayesDLMfMRI package performs statistical analysis for task-based fMRI data at both individual and group levels. The analysis to detect brain activation at the individual level is based on modeling the fMRI signal using MDLM. The analysis for the group stage is based on posterior distributions of the state parameter obtained from the modeling at the individual level. In this way, this package offers several R functions with different algorithms to perform inference on the state parameter to assess brain activation for both individual and group stages. Those functions allow for parallel computation when the analysis is performed for the entire brain as well as analysis at specific voxels when it is required.
Conclusions: In summary, we present a software implementation of a well-tested statistical method for task-based fMRI analysis that would complement analysis performed with more popular packages such as FSL and SPM.
Evaluation of multiple imputation to address intended and unintended missing data in case-cohort studies with a binary endpoint
Authors: Middleton Melissa , Nguyen Cattram , Carlin John B , Moreno-Betancur Margarita , Lee Katherine J
Published: April 2023

Background: Case-cohort studies are conducted within cohort studies, with the defining feature that collection of exposure data is limited to a subset of the cohort, leading to a large proportion of missing data by design. Standard analysis uses inverse probability weighting (IPW) to address this intended missing data, but little research has been conducted into how best to perform analysis when there is also unintended missingness. Multiple imputation (MI) has become a default standard for handling unintended missingness and is typically used in combination with IPW to handle the intended missingness due to the case-control sampling. Alternatively, MI could be used to handle both the intended and unintended missingness. While the performance of an MI-only approach has been investigated in the context of a case-cohort study with a time-to-event outcome, it is unclear how this approach performs with a binary outcome.
Methods: We conducted a simulation study to assess and compare the performance of approaches using only MI, only IPW, and a combination of MI and IPW, for handling intended and unintended missingness in the case-cohort setting. We also applied the approaches to a case study.
Results: Our results show that the combined approach is approximately unbiased for estimation of the exposure effect when the sample size is large, and was the least biased with small sample sizes, while MI-only and IPW-only exhibited larger biases in both sample size settings.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that a combined MI/IPW approach should be preferred to handle intended and unintended missing data in case-cohort studies with binary outcomes.
Development of an ANN based model to predict the CI engine performance and emissions fueled with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle based Biodiesel
Authors: Srinivasa M. , Srinivasa Ch. , Kumari A. Swarna
Published: April 2023

Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is an approach in artificial intelligence that can be used to train and process the data using computers. Engineering, science, and pharmaceuticals are just a few of the many fields in which ANN is used. In the present work, ANN modeling has been used to forecast engine performance and emission characteristics. For network training, test data was gathered by running test rig using multiple fuel blends for a single-cylinder high-speed diesel engine. Data for the fuel input of the three distinct fuel used in the experiment - diesel, Mahua biodiesel (MME-20 and MME-50) and nano-blended fuels (50 ppm and 100 ppm) was taken from a framework. An artificial neural network based model was created to forecast performance and emissions using data from different fuels used in diesel engines. The simulation's findings showed that the developed diesel engine ANN 6-13-9 model could precisely forecast the engine performance and emission characteristics of a variety of alternative fuel blends. The Rtrain, Rval, Rtest, and Rall correction coefficients in the ANN 6-13-9 model were 0.99713, 0.99634, 0.99381, and 0.99617 respectively, indicating a stronger relationship between the expected and observed values.
Colonic Resection, stOma, or self-expanding metal Stents for obstruCtive left cOlon cancer. The CROSCO-1 study protocol
Authors: Giordano Alessio , Podda Mauro , Montori Giulia , Botteri Emanuele , Fugazzola Paola , Ortenzi Monica , Guerrieri Mario , Vettoretto Nereo , Agresta Ferdinando , Sartori Alberto , Bergamini Carlo , Martellucci Jacopo , Guariniello Anna , Fransvea Pietro , Azzinnaro Antonio , Scatizzi Marco , Catena Fausto , Coccolini Federico , Ansaloni Luca , Sartelli Massimo , Sapienza Paolo , Mingoli Andrea , Prosperi Paolo
Published: April 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. There are several causes of a mechanical left bowel obstructive but CRC accounts for approximately 50% of cases and in 10–30% of whom it is the presenting syndrome. In most cases, the left colon is involved. At present, the range of therapeutic alternatives in the management of obstructive left CRC in emergency conditions (primary resection vs staged resection with applied self-expanding metallic stents) is broad, whereas internationally validated clinical recommendations in each condition are still lacking. This enormous variability affects the scientific evidence on both the immediate and long-term surgical and oncological outcomes. CROSCO-1 (Colonic Resection, stOma or self-expanding metal Stents for obstruCtive left cOlon cancer) study is a national, multi-center, prospective observational study intending to compare the clinical results of all these therapeutic regimens in a cohort of patients treated for obstructive left-sided CRC. The primary aim of the CROSCO-1 study is the 1-year stoma rate of patients undergoing primary emergency surgical resection (Hartmann procedure or primary resection and anastomosis) compared with patients undergoing staged resection. Secondary outcomes are 30-day and 90-day major morbidity and mortality, 1-year quality of life and the timing of chemotherapy initiation in the two groups. Future CROSCO studies will follow in which, instead, we will evaluate the long-term oncological outcomes of the two treatment strategies ClinicalTrials.Gov ID Number, NCT05801211. Date: April 13, 2023. Protocol Version V2.1.
Molecular Docking Appraisal of Dysphania ambrosioides Phytochemicals as Potential Inhibitor of a Key Triple-negative Breast Cancer Driver Gene
Authors: Anifowose Lateef O. , Paimo Oluwatomiwa K. , Adegboyega Fikayo N. , Ogunyemi Oludare M. , Akano Rukayat O. , Hammad Sherif F. , Ghazy Mohamed A.
Published: April 2023

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a lethal and aggressive breast cancer subtype. It is characterized by the deficient expression of the three main receptors implicated in breast cancers, making it unresponsive to hormone therapy. Hence, an existing need to develop a targeted molecular therapy for TNBC. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway mediates critical cellular processes, including cell proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis. It is activated in approximately 10-21% of TNBCs, emphasizing the importance of this intracellular target in TNBC treatment. AKT is a prominent driver of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, validating it as a promising therapeutic target. Dysphania ambrosioides is an important ingredient of Nigeria's traditional herbal recipe for cancer treatment. Thus, our present study explores its anticancer properties through a structure-based virtual screening of twenty-five biologically active compounds domiciled in the plant. Interestingly, our molecular docking study identified several potent inhibitors of AKT 1 and 2 isoforms from D. ambrosioides. However, cynaroside and epicatechin gallate having a binding energy of -9.9 kcal/mol and -10.2 kcal/mol for AKT 1 and 2, respectively, demonstrate considerable drug-likeness than the reference drug (capivasertib), whose respective binding strengths for AKT 1 and 2 are -9.5 kcal/mol and -8.4 kcal/mol. Lastly, the molecular dynamics simulation experiment showed that the simulated complex systems of the best hits exhibit structural stability throughout the 50ns run. Together, our computational modeling analysis suggests that these compounds could emerge as efficacious drug candidates in the treatment of TNBC. Nevertheless, further experimental, translational, and clinical research is required to establish an empirical clinical application.
Stress Response and Phytoextraction Potential of Two Noccaea caerulescens Populations in Multicontaminated Soil
Authors: Sherri Mohammad Chafik , SIRGUEY Catherine , Kanso Ali , Hamze Kassem , Ouvrard Stéphanie
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims Multi-contamination of soils by various organic and inorganic pollutants is considered an obstacle for the development of hyperaccumulator plants and phytoextraction of metals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in combination with trace elements on the antioxidant response and phytoextraction efficiency of the Ganges and Chavignée populations of the hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens.Methods Plants were grown in soil containing some heavy metals at moderate concentrations under phenanthrene (PHE), a model PAH stress condition, for 17 days.Results In general, exposure to PHE resulted in a reduction of growth parameters, along with the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes and compounds and limitations in nutrient uptake and heavy metal extraction in N. caerulescens. Variations were observed in the magnitude of enzymatic activities and the amount of extracted metals between the two studied populations. Chavignée plants exhibited a slightly more tolerant response to stress than Ganges.Conclusion The presence of PHE in the soil proved to be highly toxic for N. caerulescens. Nevertheless, to some extent, growth, metals extraction, and antioxidant defense responses differed slightly between the studied populations, suggesting that the difference in defense capacity might ensue different tolerance. This distinction may be related to the adaptations acquired by each population depending on the soil type it originated from.
Power System Fault Detection and Analysis of Distribution Line from Utility Perspective
Authors: Debnath Shourov , Kabir Shaharier , Shufian Abu
Published: April 2023

Almost a hundred percent of Bangladesh's population has access to electricity, and the country's generation capacities have expanded rapidly over the past few years. However, due to the poor distribution system, the reliability and quality of the delivered power remain significant concerns, and people still face interruptions in the power supply. Bangladesh's vision is to improve power quality and maintain uninterrupted electricity service by 2030. As distribution system faults are responsible for the majority of interruptions, this study focuses on detecting and analyzing the fault types and the timing of their occurrence. Two substations operating under the largest distribution company of Bangladesh REB from separate locations are selected for analysis purposes. And the result shows that half of the faults are L-G faults and around 35% of faults are L-L-G faults. If these faults can be minimized, the amount of interruption will be an acceptable rate. A set of recommendations is also brought out that can be used to minimize these faults. This paper aims to represent Bangladesh's current distribution network scenario.
Patterns of posterior calf injury due to sports related activities and their USG correlation
Authors: Patni Aaditya , Meena Ram Prasad , Bairwa Dinesh
Published: April 2023

Introduction– Posterior calf injury are a far less common presentation than the more commonly seen Achilles tendon injury in the orthopaedic department. Hence these need to be identified correctly for proper diagnosis and treatment of this clinical entity.
Background– Three posterior calf muscle, namely plantaris, Soleus and Gastrocnemius together constitute the ‘Triceps Surae’. Its strain is usually seen associated with sports related activities.
Aims and objectives – To identify the various patterns of posterior calf injury and their USG correlation.
Material and methods – During a period of 6 months, (April 2021 to September 2021), a total of 15 patients, who presented to orthopaedic department with complaints of sports related injury to the posterior calf were included in the study after obtaining proper informed consent. After proper history taking and examination, Realtime USG scans were done using high frequency (8 to 12 MHz) probe and findings noted.
Results– In our study, 15 patients with sports related posterior calf injury and their USG findings were evaluated. The mean age of the study group was 37.53. Left side (60%) was involved more than the right side (40%). Of the 15 patients, 12 (80%) were male and 3 (20%) were female. The most common activity associated with the injury was cricket (66.7%), followed by football (20%) and lastly running (13.3%). The USG scans showed Isolated Gastrocnemius strain to be the most frequent finding (60%), 44% of which were associated with fluid collection and 3 (33%) with thrombosis of Gastrocnemius vein. One patient with Soleus strain, one with strain of both Soleus and Tibialis posterior and one with combined Gastroc-Soleus strain were other muscular injuries noted. 3 patients had no triceps surae rupture but only fluid collection in the muscular planes (2) or thrombosis of Gastrocnemius vein (1).
Conclusion– Our study has identified that posterior calf injury is commonly seen in middle aged patients, involved with any sports activities. The strain of gastrocnemius muscle is the most common presentation (60%), more commonly on the left side (60%) and is usually associated with cricket (66.7%). These should be kept in mind while attending a patient with similar presentation.
Impact of Demographic Factors on Corneal Donor Recovery
Authors: He Xu , Munir Wuqaas M.
Published: April 2023

Purpose Death-to-preservation time (DTP) is a commonly reported, but infrequently studied, measure of efficiency for the corneal tissue procurement process and is a key screening component for corneal tissue suitability for transplantation. It is unknown whether demographic factors such as race, age, or gender may affect DTP.Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study included all deceased-donor eye tissue collected by CorneaGen Eye Banks between June 1, 2012 and June 30, 2016. Exposure variables of race, age, and gender were independently analyzed with the outcome variable, DTP, using three simple linear regression analyses. Associations were then confirmed by a multiple linear regression analysis within a single model.Results A total of 24,138 unique donors were identified from 48,207 donor eyes. Simple linear regression analysis showed that relative to White donors, Black and Hispanic donors were associated with a 2.40 hour (95% CI 2.07–2.74 hours, p < 0.001) and 2.48 hour (95% CI 2.15–2.80 hours, p < 0.001) longer mean DTP, respectively. DTP decreased with increasing age, at a rate of 30 minutes per every 10 years (95% CI 27–33 minutes, p < 0.001). Male donors were associated with a 35 minute (95% CI 26–44 minutes, p < 0.001) longer DTP relative to female donors. A multiple linear regression confirmed the results of the three simple linear regressions.Conclusions In a large cohort of corneal donors, non-White race, younger age, and male gender were associated with longer DTP.