bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The associations between sleep quality, mood, pain and appetite in community dwelling older adults: a daily experience study
Authors: Wijnhoven Hanneke , Kok Almar A.L. , Schaap Laura A , Hoekstra Trynke , Stralen Maartje M van , Twisk Jos W.R. , Visser Marjolein
Published: October 2023

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the daily life experiences of sleep, mood, and pain in relation to appetite in community-dwelling older adults aged 75 years and older, stratified by sex.
DESIGN: Existing data from a daily experience study embedded in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) among the oldest-old (≥75 years)
SETTING: LASA is an ongoing cohort study of a nationally representative sample of older adults aged ≥55 years from three culturally distinct regions in the Netherlands
PARTICIPANTS: 434 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥75 years
MEASUREMENTS: Participants filled-out a one-week diary on daily experience of pain, mood, last night sleep (10-point Likert scale), and appetite (5-point Likert scale) on five measurement occasions between 2016-2021. (Hybrid) linear mixed models were used to investigate overall, within-subject and between-subject association between mood, sleep, and pain (independent variables) and appetite (dependent variable), while correcting between-subject associations for season, age, educational level, partner status, body mass index, alcohol consumption, physical activity level, smoking status, chronic diseases and use of nervous system medication, stratified by sex.
RESULTS: Averaged over all days, males reported a poor appetite on 12% of the days and females on 19% of the days. Statistically significant between-subject associations with a poorer appetite were found for lower mood (unstandardized b = 0.084 [95% CI 0.043–0.126] (males), (b = 0.126 [95% CI 0.082–0.170] (females)), poorer sleep (b = 0.045 [95% CI 0.072–0.083] (males), (b = 0.51 [95% CI 0.017–0.085] (females)) and more severe pain in males only (b = 0.026 [95% CI 0.002–0.051]). Except for pain, within-subject associations were somewhat weaker: mood: b = 0.038 [95% CI 0.016–0.060] (males), (b = 0.082 [95% CI 0.061–0.104] (females)); sleep: b = 0.029 [95% CI 0.008–0.050] (males), (b = 0.15 [95% CI 0.005–0.025] (females)); and pain (b = 0.032 [95% CI 0.004–0.059] (males)).
CONCLUSIONS: This study found that poor sleep, low mood (more strongly in females) and more severe pain (males only) are associated with poor appetite in older adults on a daily level both within and between persons. Sex differences in factors related to poor appetite should be considered in future research.
Hydrogen sulfide detection and strong methane depletion in the super-stellar metallicity atmosphere of hot Jupiter HD 189733b
Authors: Fu Guangwei , Welbanks Luis , Deming Drake , Inglis Julie , Zhang Michael , Lothringer Joshua , Ih Jegug , Moses Julianne , Schlawin Everett , Knutson Heather , Henry Gregory , Greene Thomas , Sing David , Savel Arjun , Kempton Eliza , Louie Dana , Line Michael
Published: October 2023

Atmospheric characterization has been a powerful tool to understand the chemical and physical properties of close-in gas giant exoplanets. However, limited wavelength coverage and precision from previous observations have provided inconsistent and ambiguous results. Using the JWST Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam), we detected H2O (10 sigma), CO2 (26 sigma), CO (6 sigma), and H2S (7 sigma) in the transmission spectrum (2.4-5 micron) of the archetype hot Jupiter HD 189733b. With an equilibrium temperature of ~1200K, H2O, CO, and H2S are the main reservoirs for oxygen, carbon, and sulfur in a H2-dominated atmosphere. The corresponding inferred atmospheric metallicity is 3-5 times stellar. Methane is found to be depleted to below 0.01 ppm and provides strong evidence for a low carbon-to-oxygen ratio (<0.2), indicating a formation history of accreting water-rich icy planetesimals. The low C/O inference remains robust even considering the effects of photochemistry and vertical mixing. The detection of H2S, combined with the non-detection and strict upper limits for its photochemical product SO2, provide valuable constraints on atmospheric metallicity and photochemical processes that occur on highly irradiated hot Jupiters.
Electroacupuncture may promote the repair of spinal cord injury in rats by regulating the perineuronal net through Chst11
Authors: Chen Bowen , Hu Rong , Wu Xingying , Shi Mengting , Chen Yi , Zhang Jieqi , Ying Xihan , Huang Yi , Han Dexiong , Ma Ruijie
Published: October 2023

The aim of this study was to assess the expression of perineuronal net(PNN) and parvalbumin positive interneuron(PV+IN) in spinal cord injured rats and to characterize the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on the modulation of PNN and PV+IN via Chst11. EA stimulation of jiaji acupoints (EX-B2) was started on day 1 after preparation of the spinal cord injury(SCI) model using the IH 0400 spinal cord impactor for 14 days. And chondroitinase ABC was used to treat spinal cord injured rats and compared with EA. A specially adapted adeno-associated virus (Chst11) was also injected into the T9 spinal cord of rats and combined with Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scoring, in vivo fibre optic calcium imaging, western blotting and immunofluorescence. The results suggest that EA can effectively ameliorate the destruction of PNN structure and function after SCI, increase the activity of PV+IN, promote the regeneration of chondroitin sulfate and reverse the inhibitory effect of Chst11 on injury repair, maintain the balance of neuronal plasticity and stability, and promote spinal cord repair after injury.
Transcriptomic regulation of potato in response to drought stress
Authors: Kawamoto Kenta , Masutomi Hirofumi , Matsumoto Yuma , Ishihara Katsuyuki
Published: October 2023

Limited crop production due to lower rainfall has a major impact on the supply and demand of food for the human population. In potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), one of the major crops, there is also concern about a lack of production due to drought stress. Especially the cultivar "Toyoshiro" suitable for processing, has significant reduction in drought yield. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the mechanism of gene expression changes that occur in potato "Toyoshiro" plants and tubers during drought. Seed potatoes were split in half and one was used as a control plant that was watered daily, and the other was used as a drought-stressed plant that was watered off to mimic the weather conditions of the Tokachi-Obihiro region in 2021. These tubers were harvested at week 14 and the transcriptome was analyzed. The stressed plants showed 423 downregulated genes and 197 upregulated genes compared to the control. Factors related to phytosterol metabolism, cell wall modification, and heat stress response were detected among the genes whose expression changed. Moreover, the expression of "Abscisic acid and environmental stress-inducible protein TAS14 like (TAS14)," a molecule reported to be upregulated in several cultivars under drought stress, was also upregulated, and the localization of this molecule in the nucleus and plasma membrane was confirmed in an mCherry-tagged TAS14 mutant line. These results contribute to understanding the survival strategy system of potatoes in response to drought stress.
Development of an Antimicrobial Inorganic Polymer Based on Fly Ash and Metakaolin Incorporated by Nano-TiO 2 for Reactive Dye Removal
Authors: Ahmed Doaa A. , El-Apasery Morsy A. , Ragai Shereen M.
Published: October 2023

Advanced and eco-friendly construction materials are being developed to reduce pollution and improve wastewater treatment efficiency. One such material is a photocatalytic nanocomposite that uses industrial wastes and natural substances to eliminate pollution. A recent study explored using an inorganic polymer composite (FM) made from a mixture of 70% fly ash and 30% metakaolin, with sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate as an alkali activator. The study evaluated the mechanical and hydration characteristics of the FM composite after 28 days in 100% humidity at room temperature. The study also examined the effect of adding 2.5 wt.% of Nano-TiO2 to FM composite and how it affects its properties. Results indicate that adding Nano-TiO2 to FM composite enhances its mechanical, antibacterial, and photocatalytic capabilities. Specifically, FM-TiO2 composite showed 90% removal of reactive blue 19 dye effluent in sunlight after 90 minutes, making it an excellent choice for sustainable wastewater treatment. This study presents a cost-effective, eco-friendly solution to wastewater treatment, with added antimicrobial properties from Nano-TiO2.
Prospective evaluation of a modified apnea-test without disconnection from the ventilator in brain death candidates
Authors: Lambeck Johann , Bardutzky Jürgen , Strecker Christoph , Niesen Wolf-Dirk
Published: October 2023

Background:
The apnea test (AT) is the central clinical component in the diagnosis of brain death (BD) and normally entails disconnecting the patient from the ventilator followed by tracheal oxygen sufflation to ensure adequate oxygenation. Most international guidelines state that a lack of spontaneous breathing must be demonstrated when PaCO2 ≥ 60mmHg to rate the test as positive. However, the loss of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) that is associated with disconnection from the ventilator may cause rapid desaturation, frequently leading to cardiopulmonary instability (especially in ARDS-patients) and generally putting patients at risk. This prospective study therefore aimed to investigate whether a modified version of the AT (mAT) in which the patient remained connected to the ventilator, is potentially less harmful yet remains a valid test.
Methods:
mAT was performed in all 140 BD candidates registered between January 2019 and December 2022: After 10 min of pre-oxygenation, (i) PEEP was increased by 2mbar, (ii) ventilation mode was switched to CPAP and (iii) apnea back-up mode was turned off (flow trigger 10l/min). mAT was considered positive when spontaneous breathing occurred upon increasing PaCO2 to ≥ 60 mmHg (baseline 35–45 mmHg). Clinical complications during/after mAT were documented.
Results
mAT was possible in 139/140 patients and had a median duration of 15 min (IQR 13–19). Severe complications did not occur. In n = 51 patients, the post-mAT PaO2 was lower than that during pre-mAT, while it was equal or higher in n = 88 cases. In ARDS-patients, apneic oxygenation during mAT improved PaO2. In n = 123 cases, there was a transient post-mAT drop in blood pressure, in n = 12 to a MAP < 60 mmHg.
Conclusions
The mAT is a safe and gentle means for identifying patients in whom the central respiratory drive has not failed.
A Formal Explanation Space for the Simultaneous Clustering of Neurology Phenotypes
Authors: Yelugam Raghu , Hier Daniel , Obafemi-Ajayi Tayo , Carrithers Michael , Wunsch Donald
Published: October 2023

Objective: Clustering is applied to biomedical datasets to identify meaningful subgroups of patients, proteins, genes, and diseases. Explainable AI (XAI) brings transparency and interpretability to the formation, composition, and quality of these clusters. This study creates a formal explanation space to enhance the interpretability of clusters of neurology phenotypes.
Methods: Subjects with dementia, movement disorders, and multiple sclerosis were clustered by neurological phenotype using spectral methods. To improve the interpretability of the clusters, we created an explanation space that described the data, explained the algorithm, evaluated cluster separation and quality, identified influential features, visualized cluster composition, and assessed biological plausibility.
Results: Text and equations were used to explain clustering algorithms. Cluster quality was evaluated with validity indices. The t-SNE plots illustrate cluster separation. Influential features were identified from SHAP plots. The cluster composition was visualized with heat maps and word clouds. Expert opinion assessed biological relevance. Spectral coclustering yielded clusters with higher validity indices and biological plausibility than spectral biclustering.
Conclusions: When biomedical data undergo simultaneous clustering, a formal explanation space can improve the transparency of the methods and interpretability of the results.
A Comparative Study of Reconstruction Modalities After Knee Joint-preserving Tumor Resection: Reconstruction with a Custom-made Endoprosthesis Versus Reconstruction with a Liquid Nitrogen-inactivated Autologous Bone Graft
Authors: Li Yuan , Xu Hairong , Shan Huachao , Ma Ke , Liu Weifeng , Niu Xiaohui
Published: October 2023

Background
This study evaluated the feasibility, complications, graft survival rate, and clinical outcomes of joint-preserving resection using a custom-made endoprosthesis and liquid nitrogen-inactivated autologous bone graft reconstruction in patients with malignant bone tumors around the knee joint.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed 23 consecutive patients who underwent joint preservation surgery between 2008 and 2018 at our center. The study cohort included 13 patients who underwent custom-made endoprosthesis reconstruction and 10 who underwent liquid nitrogen-inactivated autologous bone graft reconstruction. The resected bone length, distance between the resection line and the joint, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, complications, and MSTS were compared between the two groups.
Results
The median follow-up time was 68.5 months in the endoprosthesis group and 65.3 months in the inactivated autograft group.. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, resected bone length, distance between the resection line and the joint, or intraoperative blood loss between the two groups. The operative time was longer in the inactivated bone graft group than in the endoprosthesis group (p < 0.001). The endoprosthesis group had more complications (six patients) and reoperations due to complications (five) than the inactivated autograft group (one), but there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (p = 0.158). The inactivated autograft group had one patient with type 1b complications, while the endoprosthesis group had one with type 1b complications, one with type 2b complications, and one with type 4a complications. One patient in the endoprosthesis group with type 5a complications experienced two soft tissue recurrences. The overall 5-year survival rate was 86.5% and the graft survival and final limb salvage rates were 100% in both groups. After the follow-up period, the mean MSTS scores were 91%±7% in the endoprosthesis group and 94%±6% in the inactivated autograft group, with no significant difference (p = 0.280).
Conclusion
Joint-preserving resection is a reliable and effective tumor resection method that can achieve good postoperative function. There were no significant differences in the incidence of complications, overall survival rate, or graft survival rate between the two groups.
Gangrene secondary to perineal invasion by rectal cancer：A case report and literature review
Authors: Li Xinyu , Shan Junqi , Ren Bingbing , Sun Yanlai
Published: October 2023

Background
Colorectal cancer(CRC) is currently the third most common cancer in the world. It usually metastasizes through lymphatic, blood, and intraperitoneal implantation. However, rectal cancer combined with perineal invasion after treated with chemotherapy is very rare.
Case presentation:
A 53-year-old male patient had a history of rectal cancer developed a recto-perineal fistula with redness, swelling and pain in the scrotum after repeated chemotherapy. After CT examination and investigative observation, the patient was diagnosed with a recto-perineal fistula. After surgical debridement and postoperative implant treatment, the patient's infection resolved, and the skin-grafting treatment worked well.
Study of heat and mass transfer and stress analysis in wet porous media during freeze- drying process
Authors: zhu Jiaao , Zhang Fujian , Guo Yun , Chen Na
Published: October 2023

As people's demand for food quality increases, freeze-dried food is favored due to its ability to maximize the retention of nutrients in food. However, the high cost of vacuum freeze-drying technology forces freeze-dried foods to be generally expensive. In order to improve the freeze-drying efficiency and reduce the cost of freeze-drying process, an in-depth analysis of the stress-strain and heat and mass transfer of materials in the freeze-drying process is quite necessary. In this paper, based on the knowledge of heat transfer, mass transfer and theoretical mechanics, the physical and mathematical model of potato in sublimation drying and desorption drying process was established. The heat and mass transfer, stress and strain of potato slices during sublimation drying and desorption drying were simulated and analyzed using COMSOL Multiphysics version 5.6 software. The results showed that the ratio of potato ice mass to initial ice mass decreased with the increase of drying time. Considering that the simulation ignored the actual situation that steam flowed out from around the potato slices, sublimation drying could actually remove more than 85% or even 90% of the water in the potato slices, and the drying effect was good. The amount of water bound to the potato decreases with drying time. The volume strain of potato in sublimation drying and desorption drying is very small, which is hard to be observed by naked eyes, and the freeze-drying effect is better.
Utility Maximization for The IRS-Assisted Wireless Powered Communication Network with Multiple Service Providers
Authors: Sun Xinge , Li Kangbai , Cui Miao , Zhang Guangchi
Published: October 2023

We consider a multi-device wireless-powered communication network, where an intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) is deployed to assist the wireless energy transfer (WET) from the power station (PS) to the information transmitter (IT) and the wireless information transfer (WIT) from the IT to the devices. The IRS, IT, and PS belong to different service providers, where the PS receives revenue from the IT for WET and pays fees to its energy source and the IRS, and the IT receives revenue from the devices for WIT and pays fees to the PS and the IRS. We model the interactions between the IT and the PS through a Stackelberg game and aim to achieve a win-win situation between them in terms of utility. Specifically, we solve a follower problem that maximizes the utility of the PS by jointly optimizing the IRS reflect beamforming and the transmit power of the PS, and a leader problem that maximizes the utility of the IT by jointly optimizing the energy price, the transmit power allocation of the IT, as well as the time allocation and the IRS reflect beamforming in the WET and WIT phases. To solve these problems, we propose efficient algorithms based on the alternating optimization, closed-form fractional programming, penalty-based equivalent transformation, and successive convex optimization techniques. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can significantly improve the PS and IT's utilities compared to the benchmark schemes.
Impact of various drying technologies on the drying characteristics, physicochemical properties, and antioxidant capacity of walnut green husk
Authors: Ao Jingfang , Wang Jun , Shen Heyu , Xie Yongkang , Cai Yingying , Xi Meihua , Hou Yujie , Li Mei , Luo Anwei
Published: October 2023

Walnut green husk (WGH) is common agricultural by-product with high yield and serious pollution. The present study aimed to evaluate the impacts of solar drying (SD), pulsed vacuum drying (PVD), short and medium infrared radiation drying (SMIR), hot air drying based on temperature and humidity control (TH-HAD), and heat pump drying (HPD) on the drying characteristics, energy consumption, physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds content and antioxidant capacity of WGH. Drying characteristics and drying kinetics showed that artificial drying can significantly improve drying efficiency. Compared with SD, the drying time of PVD, SMIR, TH-HAD, and HPD were reduced by 63.57%, 78.68%, 66.28%, and 53.97%, respectively. Specific energy consumption analysis demonstrated that HPD showed the lowest specific energy consumption, 2.15 kW·h/kg. Hydration properties analysis revealed PVD had the best water holding capacity and HPD sample had the best water solubility index (43.44%). Structural analysis showed the cell wall structure of WGH was damaged by different drying methods. Overall, Among the five drying methods, HPD has lower energy consumption, less time, and maintains good antioxidant activity. HPD has good potential in the commercial-scale production of WGH.
Energy characteristics and on-site prevention and control of coal rock burst failure induced by dynamic load disturbance in deep roadway
Authors: Guo Penghui , Yang Ke , Li Jiazhuo , Chi Xiaolou , Liu Wenjie , Wang Changcheng
Published: October 2023

The surrounding rock of deep roadway is in the state of limit stress equilibrium, under the environment of high vertical stress and strong tectonic stress, the dynamic load disturbance is prone to impact damage, which seriously hinders the safe and efficient production of the mine. Aiming at the problem of frequent rock burst in the main roadway of Gaojiapu Coal Mine, based on the analysis of the energy characteristics of microseismic monitoring of coal-rock burst failure in deep roadway, the evolution characteristics of different types of energy when coal-rock burst failure occurs in deep roadway under dynamic load disturbance are studied by means of theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and engineering practice, and the energy criterion of burst failure of surrounding rock in deep roadway is formed. The field microseismic monitoring results show that: when there is no impact danger in the roadway, the total energy of the microseismic day continues to remain at an energy level of less than 103 J, which is in a state of stable energy release; Weak impact danger, the total energy of microseismic day is 104 J; in the case of medium impact risk, the total energy of a microseismic day during one month is 105 J; strong impact danger, the total energy of two or more microseismic days is 105 J during a month, and the energy fluctuates greatly. The results of numerical simulation show that: at the initial stage of dynamic load disturbance, the plastic zone of roadway surrounding rock roof expands rapidly; in the middle and late stages of dynamic load disturbance, the plastic zone of roadway surrounding rock gradually develops to the floor, which will cause floor heave under the influence of bottom coal. The expansion of the plastic zone consumes the shape change energy stored in the coal and rock mass, if the dynamic failure occurs in the coal and rock mass, the volumetric strain energy stored in the coal and rock mass will be converted into kinetic energy, forming the roadway rock burst. Based on the results of numerical simulation and theoretical analysis, the optimum angle of large diameter drilling construction in a panel roadway is put forward.
Anaemia in hospitalized cancer patients: a retrospective study of two cohorts before and after the 2010 guideline update
Authors: Dû Katell Le , Septans Anne-Lise , Dômont Julien , Dupuis Olivier , Emmanuel Eric , Peribois Anne , Gaillard Sophie , Allix-Béguec Caroline
Published: October 2023

Purpose
The incidence of anemia and its consequences are often underestimated during cancer management. Recommendations were updated in 2010.
Methods
In this single-centre retrospective study, we assessed patient management before and after the publication of these recommendations. Eligible patients were treated for cancer and warranted overnight hospitalization over two periods (n = 206 in 2011, n = 143 in 2018). The diagnosis of anaemia was defined by a haemoglobin level below 12 and 13 g/dl for women and men, respectively.
Results
The prevalence of anaemia was 26% in 2011 and 16% in 2018 (p < .001). Biological assessment had changed between the two periods, with more tests of iron metabolism and measurements of inflammatory parameters. Patients hospitalized in 2018 had more advanced cancer and more severe anaemia. Rate of transfusion therapy did not change, but patients with mild and moderate anaemia were transfused less in 2018. Intravenous iron and erythropoietin-stimulating agent were used more frequently in 2018, mainly for mild anaemia and life-threatening anaemia, respectively. Overall survival was poor in both cohorts at 24 months after anaemia diagnosis (15.4% in 2011 and 6.5% in 2018, p = .048).
Conclusion
Practices have changed in the diagnosis of anaemia and prescriptions for erythropoietin-stimulating agents and intravenous iron have increased. Efforts must continue to explore the causes of anaemia, optimize the quality of life of anaemic patients and reduce transfusions.
Towards a deep understanding of the biomass fractionation in respect of lignin nanoparticles formation
Authors: Xu Jiayun , Liu Rui , Wang Luyao , Pranovich Andrey , Hemming Jarl , Dai Lin , Xu Chunlin , Si Chuanling
Published: October 2023

In recent years, lignin-based nanomaterials have become increasingly relevant for researchers and producers of functional material applications due to their green and sustainable nature. However, there is still a challenge in controlling fabrication of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs). In the current study, we explored an environmentally friendly sequential hot water extraction with accelerated solvent extractor (ASE) to obtain a lignin-based fraction for the controllable production of LNPs. The lignin-based fractions are obtained from both Norway spruce heartwood (HW) and sapwood (SW) after sequential hot water extraction followed by separation with XAD 8 resin column and desorption with methanol (methanol fraction, MF). LNPs were successfully prepared from HWMF and SWMF with different physicochemical properties using acetonitrile/water binary solvent in an ultrasonic bath only within 1 min. The size of LNPs increased with the severity of wood ASE extraction, which is related to the reduction of β-O-4 bond, the increase of phenolic hydroxyl groups and the decrease of aliphatic hydroxyl groups in MF. However, no direct relationship between the size of LNPs and molar mass as well as carbohydrate content was found. The controllable preparation of LNPs was directly dependent on the ASE extraction conditions without complex chemical modification. This study presents a green method for controllable preparation of LNPs and provides a promising new value-added valorization pathway for lignin-based fractions (including lignin and lignin carbohydrate complex) from wood hot water extraction.
Existence and Blow-up of solutions for Stochastic Modified Two-component Camassa-Holm System
Authors: Lv Wujun , Huang Xing
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we consider the modiﬁed two-component Camassa-Holm System with multiplicative noise. For these SPDEs, we ﬁrst establish the local existence and pathwise uniqueness of the pathwise solutions in Sobolev spaces Hs×Hs, s > 3/2 . Then we show that strong enough noise can actually prevent blow-up with probability 1. Finally, we analyse the eﬀects of weak noise and present conditions on the initial data that lead to the global existence and the blow-up in ﬁnite time of the solutions, and their associated probabilities are also obtained.
Progressive Collapse on Asymmetrical Reinforced Concrete Frames Under Corner Column Removal
Authors: Prakash M. , SATYANARAYANAN K , Parthasarathi N. , THIRUMURUGAN V
Published: October 2023

Abnormal loadings such as a gas explosion, blast, vehicle impact, support failure, design, or construction errors. All these loads and inertial effects due to the loading rate may cause the loss of one or more load-bearing elements, which causes progressive collapse. Progressive collapse happens whenever a member, or structure members, fail. This key member or section's isolated failure then starts a series of events that cause the structure to fail fully or partially. However, the process of column failure plays an important role in redistributing the internal load and preventing a progressive collapse of the structure. This paper used an experimental study of progressive collapse of a 1/6th scaled-down three-dimensional two-bay five-storey bare and infilled asymmetrical reinforced concrete frame under the corner column removal. Initially, both bare and infilled frames are tested under 50% working loading condition, and after that, the specimen is tested under the ultimate load of the bare and infilled frame. At 50% working load, the maximum vertical displacement for the bare frame is 6.78mm, and the infilled frame is 2.73mm. The development of Infilled frame is identified as a redistribution of loads in this structure.
SGLT2i relieve proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy patients potentially by inhibiting renal oxidative stress rather than through AGEs pathway
Authors: Zeng Xiao-chun , Tian Yuan , Liang Xian-ming , Wu Xiao-bin , Yao Chun-meng , Chen Xiao-min
Published: October 2023

Aims
To estimate the effects of the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) on proteinuria and oxidative stress expression in type 2 diabetes patients.
Material and methods
68 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were divided into three groups according urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), including T2DM with non-albuminuria group (UACR < 30mg/g), T2DM with microalbuminuria group (30 ≤ UACR ≤ 300mg/g), T2DM with macroalbuminuria group (UACR＞300mg/g). They all received SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) treatment for 12 weeks. The expression of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in plasma and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in urine were measured as indications of oxidative stress. The 24-hour urine samples were collected to measure the concentration of proteinuria and 8-OHdG before and after 12 weeks SGLT2i treatment. Plasma renin activity (PRA), Angiotensin-II (Ang-II) and Aldosterone (ALD) were measured to evaluate renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RASS) levels.
Results
After 12 weeks SGLT2 inhibitors treatment, the median values of 24-hour proteinuria decreased in macroalbuminuria compared to baseline (970 vs. 821 mg/d, P = 0.006). The median values of AGEs and 8-OHdG decreased in microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria groups when compared to baseline, AGEs (777 vs. 136 ug/ml, P = 0.003) and (755 vs. 210 ug/ml, P = 0.001), 8-OHdG (8.00 vs. 1.88 ng/ml, P = 0.001) and (11.18 vs. 1.90 ng/ml, P < 0.001), respectively. Partial correlations showed that 8-OHdG were highly relevant to the baseline 24-h proteinuria (r = 0.389, p = 0.001), The reduction of OHdG (Δ8-OHdG) were positively correlated with the decrease of proteinuria (Δ24-h proteinuria) after 12 weeks of SGLT2i treatment (r = 0.283, P = 0.031). There was no significant correlation between 24-h proteinuria and AGEs in baseline (r=-0.059, p = 0.640) as well as between ΔAGEs and Δ24-h proteinuria (r = 0.022, p = 0.872) after12 weeks of SGLT2i treatment in T2DM patients.
Conclusions
SGLT2i may reduce proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy patients, potentially by inhibiting renal tubule oxidative stress, but not through the AGEs pathway and does not induce RAAS activation.
Trial registration This clinical trial was registered on 15/10/2019, in ClinicalTrials.gov, and the registry number is NCT04127084.
“Can’t Take the Pressure?”: Examining the Challenges of Blood Pressure Estimation via Pulse Wave Analysis
Authors: Mehta Suril , Kwatra Nipun , Jain Mohit , McDuff Daniel
Published: October 2023

The use of observed wearable sensor data (e.g., photoplethysmograms [PPG]) to infer health measures (e.g., glucose level or blood pressure) is a very active area of research. Such technology can have a significant impact on health screening, chronic disease management and remote monitoring. A common approach is to collect sensor data and corresponding labels from a clinical grade device (e.g., blood pressure cuff) and train deep learning models to map one to the other. Although well intentioned, this approach often ignores a principled analysis of whether the input sensor data have enough information to predict the desired metric. We analyze the task of predicting blood pressure from PPG pulse wave analysis. Our review of the prior work reveals that many papers fall prey to data leakage and unrealistic constraints on the task and preprocessing steps. We propose a set of tools to help determine if the input signal in question (e.g., PPG) is indeed a good predictor of the desired label (e.g., blood pressure). Using our proposed tools, we found that blood pressure prediction using PPG has a high multi-valued mapping factor of 33.2% and low mutual information of 9.8%. In comparison, heart rate prediction using PPG, a well-established task, has a very low multi-valued mapping factor of 0.75% and high mutual information of 87.7%. We argue that these results provide a more realistic representation of the current progress toward the goal of wearable blood pressure measurement via PPG pulse wave analysis.
Research on the influence of comprehensibility and interpretability of false privacy empowerment clues on privacy disclosure - Based on the perspective of cognitive load and immediate construction
Authors: Sun Rui , Zhu Qiuhua , Cheng Ru Xia , Tang Wenlong , Zuo Jiajia , Lv Dong , Qin Shukun
Published: October 2023

In the era of artificial intelligence, false privacy empowerment has become a crucial means for digital enterprises and platforms to "manipulate" users and create an illusion of control. It has also become an urgent and pressing topic for current research. However, existing studies have been limited in their perspectives and methodologies, making it challenging to fully explain why users express concerns about false privacy empowerment but repeatedly disclose their personal information. This study combines the APE model and cognitive load theory, using event-related potential (ERP) technology to investigate the underlying mechanisms of how the comprehensibility and interpretability of false privacy empowerment cues affect users' immediate attitudes and privacy disclosure behaviors, mediated by different psychological processing and cognitive load. The behavioral research results indicate that in the context of low comprehensibility of false privacy empowerment cues, users are more inclined to disclose their privacy when faced with high interpretability compared to low interpretability. The EEG results show that in the context of low comprehensibility of false privacy empowerment cues, high interpretability induces higher P2 amplitudes compared to low interpretability; low interpretability induces higher N2 amplitudes compared to high interpretability. This study extends the scope of the APE model and cognitive load theory in the field of privacy research, providing new insights into privacy attitudes. It offers a valuable framework for digital enterprises to gain a deeper understanding of users' genuine privacy attitudes and immediate reactions under false privacy empowerment situations. This understanding can help enhance user privacy protection and improve the overall online experience, making it highly relevant and beneficial.
Hygiene practice and diarrhea prevalence among underfive children in Myanmar: A cross- sectional study
Authors: Soe Than Kyaw , Laohasiriwong Wongsa , Sornlorm Kittipong , Mahato Roshan Kumar
Published: October 2023

Background: Over 1.7 billion instances of diarrheal illness in children are reported worldwide yearly. Diarrhea was a major cause of death in children, accounting for 9% of all global underfive child deaths in 2019. The objective of this study was to identify the association between hygiene practices and childhood diarrhea among children under five years of age in Myanmar.
Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 16 townships from 8 states and regions of Myanmar. 1207 children between the ages of 6 and 59 months were recruited by multistage random sampling. Data were collected with a preformed questionnaire after participants provided consent. Multiple logistic regressions were administered to determine the factors associated with childhood diarrhea.
Result: This study found that 86 (7.13%) underfive children experienced diarrhea disease. This study identified that children who received limited hygiene services were 2.85 times (AOR=2.85, 95% CI: 1.31 to 6.21; p value 0.01) and children without hygiene services were 2.63 times (AOR=2.63, 95% CI: 1.42 to 4.89; p value 0.01) more likely to have diarrhea disease than children with basic hygiene services. Father’s handwashing less than four steps (AOR=2.20, 95% CI: 1.29 to 3.74; p value 0.01), need for more than 15 minutes to collect water (AOR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.06 to 2.97; p value 0.03), sharing toilet usage (AOR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.15 to 3.48; p value 0.01), mother’s inadequate and problematic hygiene promotion health literacy (AOR=2.20, 95% CI: 1.24 to 3.90; p value 0.01), houses with bamboo or not having floors (AOR=2.31, 95% CI: 1.38 to 3.89; p value 0.01), three or more children families (AOR=1.68, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.79; p value 0.05) and breastmilk as primary food after 6 months of age (AOR=2.07, 95% CI: 1.09 to 3.93; p value 0.03) were other associated factors.
Conclusions: Accessing basic hygiene services, getting water at home twenty-four seven, using one’s own toilet without sharing with others, promoting hygiene health literacy, improving house floor, family planning and eating varieties of food after age 6 months could be helpful for diarrhea prevention among children under five years old in Myanmar.
Higher risk of disease progression in the grey zone relative to inactive Chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Xue Yunling , Wang Guorui , Liu Xiaoqing , Tang Qiao , Qiu Yue , Wang Jingsong , Zhang Jing , Zeng Yi , Peng Mingli , Hu Peng
Published: October 2023

Background & aims：
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a global healthcare burden. Inactive CHB(IC) is the commonest immune state. However, there are some patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT)and HBeAg negativity that cannot be clearly defined by the guidelines, which called the Grey zone corresponding to IC(GZIC). There is still confusion about the evolution of disease progression in the GZIC. So we aimed to study the natural history and antiviral treatment of IC and GZIC.
Method
This was a retrospective-prospective cohort study that included 300 patients with stage IC and GZIC. Conversion to HBeAg-negative immune-active CHB (IA) and IA corresponding grey zone (GZIA), initiation of antiviral therapy, and occurrence of end-stage liver disease events were defined as outcome events. The cumulative incidence of outcome events in the IC and GZIC groups was compared.
Results
At baseline, 201 (67.00%) patients were IC and 99 (33.00%) were GZIC.18.9% of the 300 patients with IC and 46.4% of the patients with GZIC converted to IA or GZIA.30(10%) received antiviral therapy, of which 22 (77.3%) were patients with GZIC and 8 ( 22.7%) were IC patients. Nine (3%) developed end stage liver disease of which seven (77.78%) were GZIC and two (22.22%) were IC. The cumulative event rates for conversion to IA or GZIA, initiation of antiviral therapy, and occurrence of end-stage liver events were higher in GZIC than in IC (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p = 0.0018).
Conclusion
Patients with GZIC have a higher risk of disease progression than those with IC.
Antipsychotic Prochlorperazine Restrains Bladder Cancer Growth by Regulating cell proliferation and SRC-MEK-ERK Pathway
Authors: Lu Xiongbing , Mei Jiaqi , Hu Chao , Li Jing , He Yuanqiao
Published: October 2023

The high incidence of bladder cancer and inconvenient life quality prompt us to find new therapeutic candidates. Prochlorperazine, mainly as an effective sedative, antiemetic reagent, was shown to exhibit anti-cancer activity in several studies, putting it up as a therapeutic candidate for bladder cancer. Network pharmacologic approaches is a high valuable tool in predicting rational drug targets within disease signaling module. Network based protein-protein interactome prediction, GO annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that prochlorperazine might affect bladder cancer growth through multiple signaling pathways. Cellular function experiments revealed that prochorperazine inhibited cell proliferation in several bladder cancer cell lines and in vivo mouse xenograft test confirmed its significant inhibition effect on BC. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that prochlorperazine treatment markedly modulated the expression and phosphorylation levels of MAPK1（ERK2）、MAP2K1（MEK1）and SRC, showing the possible molecular mechanism via the SRC-MEK-ERK pathway in BC cancer. These studies indicated the potential inhibitory impact of prochlorperazine and provided new ideas for the pathogenesis and treatments of BC.
Assessment of the capacity of health facilities in preventing and managing non- communicable diseases in selected regions of Somaliland
Authors: Ojo Opeolu O. , Hersi Omar O , Falobi Ayodele A , Ali Nura , Tan Lawrence , Ali Yusuf
Published: October 2023

Background
The recently published Somaliland Demographic and Health Survey indicated a growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Somaliland. However, evidence about the capacity of the capacity of Somaliland’s health system for effective management of NCDs is limited.
Methods
A previously validated questionnaire based on the World Health Organisation Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Intervention for Primary Health Care (WHO-PEN) was used to survey seven hospitals selected from Togdheer and Maroodi Jeeh regions of Somaliland. The survey focused on assessing the capacity of selected hospitals in detecting and managing NCDs by collecting data on the availability of health workers, equipment, screening and management services, medications, and laboratory tests. The impact of location, level of care provided and source of funding on the capacity of hospitals was assessed.
Results
This study observed shortage of essential health workers and lack of workers with specialist knowledge across all hospitals surveyed. Higher average number of doctors in urban (4.3-fold, P < 0.001), referral centres (3.1-fold, P < 0.001) and public (3.1-fold, P < 0.001) hospitals compared to rural, general, and private hospitals respectively. A similar trend was observed for the number of nurses across the different category of hospitals. All hospitals have adequate quantity of functional basic equipment, but advanced diagnostic facilities were generally lacking. Where available, they were either not functional or there is a lack of expertise for effective utilization. Laboratories are across all hospitals categories were sufficiently staffed but there is a need for training in cutting edge diagnostic procedures. Imaging and laboratory services were observed as major cost drivers of NCDs expenditure. All hospitals surveyed have access to first line NCD medicines, lack community engagement activities, and have guidelines and referral systems that need updating. Imaging and laboratory services were observed as major cost drivers of NCDs expenditure.
Conclusion
Though there are differences in the capacity of hospitals assessed, none of the hospitals met the WHO-PEN standard for human resources, equipment, and medicines for effective NCDs management. Interventions to train specialist health workers and laboratory technologists, procure advanced equipment, and update guidelines and referral systems in Somaliland are needed.
Seasonal Variation of Biochemical Biomarkers in Decapod Crustaces to Assess the Environmental Quality of the Perequê River Mangrove
Authors: Dias Samille Conceição , Barcarolli Indianara Fernanda
Published: October 2023

In the present study, the analysis of seasonal variations in biomarkers of neurotoxicity (Acetylcholinesterase) and the antioxidant system (catalase and glutathione-s-transferase) in the crustaceans Callinectes sapidus and Aratus pisonii collected in the mangrove of the Perequê river was carried out, to evaluate the environmental quality of this ecosystem. Collections were carried out in different seasons of the year. The tissues sampled were gills, hepatopancreas and nerve ganglion. The results indicated high levels of catalase and acetylcholinesterase mainly in autumn, in contrast, in this period there was a significant decrease in the enzyme glutathione-s-transferase, assuming a higher concentration of contaminants in this period. Furthermore, the results suggest possible signs of environmental degradation, which could cause damage to the health of local biota. In this way, the data presented in this study provide support to the scientific community regarding the health of the studied environment, and can assist in monitoring and managing the site.
Numerical Simulation of Fluid-Structure Interaction between Aqueous Humor and Implantable Collamer Lens
Authors: Gao Le , Yin Haiguo , Jiang Huili , Sun Weidong , Cui Haihang , Chen Li , Ma Bo , Wu Li'an
Published: October 2023

Purpose
This paper aims to study the Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) stability under the action of intraocular aqueous humor (AH), consider the influence of different parameters on both, and quantify the threshold of ICL deformation.
Methods
The numerical Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) method was used to calculate the AH flow field and the deformation of the ICL. This paper considers the effects of different gravity directions and intraocular temperature differences on AH flow and ICL deformation.
Results
Implantation of the ICL changes the distribution of the AH, and more than 90% of the AH flows into the anterior chamber (AC) through the central hole of the ICL. The average velocity of the AH is highest when looking flat, reaching 2.59e-2mm/s, which is about 3.5 times higher than when looking up and down. The greater the temperature difference within the eye, the higher the average AH flow rate. The maximum deformation of the ICL occurs at its central hole, which is in the order of e-4mm. The deformation of the ICL reaches a maximum of 5.41e-4mm in the downward view, which is four times and 1.7 times that in the upward and flat views, respectively. The influence of intraocular temperature difference on the deformation of ICL is about e-4mm. The amount of ICL deformation was negatively correlated with the average pressure generated by AH.
Conclusion
ICL implantation is a safe and effective way to correct myopia. Patient posture and ambient temperature had little effect on the deformation of the ICL.
The West African Productivity Growth Conundrum: A Case of Structural Burden or Growth Stagnation?
Authors: Karimu Suale
Published: October 2023

Productivity growth is lagging in most sub-Saharan African countries. This paper examines the productivity growth conundrum in West Africa over the period 1991–2015. The paper employs a shift-share decomposition of sectoral labour productivity growth and a stochastic frontier model of total factor productivity growth to examine the evolution of aggregate productivity growth in the countries. The results indicate that structural burden is a major contributor to the low real productivity growth in the countries. Labour has reallocated to low productive sectors or sectors with less capacity to induce strong sectoral productivity growth. Increased sectoral shares of labour negatively impact real labour productivity growth, meaning growth stagnation could continue in the broad sectors. Total factor productivity growth is also generally low across the countries which may be attributed to inefficiencies in sectoral production.
JEL classification: O40; O00; O55