bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disentangling the spatial and preferential aspects in the value realization of the spatially sensitive ecosystem service
Authors: Xu Liyan , Huang Keqing , Yin Hang , Ning Jing
Published: May 2023

Context The value realization of the ecosystem services (ES) with directional ecosystem service flows (ESF) is sensitive to the way ES supply and demand are spatially coupled, of which the nature of the propagation dynamics of ESFs and the mechanisms of effective demand generation remain to be clarified.Objectives The paper focuses on a typical directionally flowed urban ES, the park-recreational service, and proposes a formal model for analyzing its ES value realization mechanism, which discerns the ES value contribution of distance-decaying ES supply from the that of the demand-side factors. A cellular big-data supported empirical study conducted in Ningbo, China is conducted as a case illustrating the application of the model.Methods Statistical physical analysis on people’s park visitation behavior is performed to uncover the distance decay patterns of recreational ESF propagation. Further, with the conceptualization of the ES-consuming propensity, which captures the demand-side factors influencing effective ES demand generation including population demographics, socio-economic status, and urban place semantics, we construct spatial regression models that explain these factors’ contributions in ES value realization.Results The statistical physical analysis reveals both universality and park type-specific idiosyncrasies in the ESF distance decay patterns, corroborating the findings in previous studies. The spatial regression models yield up to 80% explanatory power, and results show that the ES-consuming propensity accounts for one quarter of the variation of realized ES value, with endogenous factors dominating effective ES demand generation while exogenous factors less influential.
Safety and vulnerability status of critical infrastructures against natural and man-made disasters: a case study of teaching hospitals, Kerman, Iran
Authors: Nekoei-Moghadam Mahmood , Moradi Seyed Mobin , Abbasnejad Ahmad , Abbasnejad Behzad
Published: May 2023

IntroductionInfrastructures guarantee the continuity of services and society’s life, and any damage to them can have disastrous consequences for the affected society. Healthcare facilities, and hospitals in particular, are the most important infrastructures in a society. Considering the role of hospitals in disaster management, the present study was designed and implemented to investigate the safety and vulnerability status of teaching hospitals as critical infrastructures.Material and MethodThe current cross-sectional and descriptive research was conducted in 2022 in Kerman, Iran. In this study, the 2015 version of the Hospital Safety Index (HSI) prepared by WHO/PAHO was used. The HSI calculator designed by the World Health Organization was used to calculate the safety and vulnerability index.FindingsHospital A was in average safety status (B) with a safety score of 0.57. In hospital B, The final safety score was 0.71, which is generally classified as safe (A). The final hospital safety score in hospital C was 0.50, which places it in a generally average safety status (B). Hospital D was in an unsafe condition (C) with a safety score of 0.33.ConclusionDisruption of the performance of any infrastructure can affect the performance of others. Therefore, paying special attention to infrastructure safety in any society, whether developed or developing, is one of the most important governance issues. Important point in infrastructure safety is the necessity of designing decentralized retrofitting and safety programs. If retrofitting programs are designed in a centralized manner, the result will be a waste of resources.
CD8 T cell count was not associated with the severity of pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Qi Min , Xiang Xi , Liu Quan-Xian , Tang Dao-Yan , He Jian-Qing
Published: May 2023

Purposes: Tuberculosis is still a global health threat, among those, severe pulmonary tuberculosis causes significant mortality. CD8 T cell plays an important role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. However, the association between CD8 T cell count and the severity of pulmonary TB (PTB) has not been evaluated.
Methods: Patients admitted to a tertiary hospital from January 2013 to December 2017 and diagnosed as PTB with T cell subtypes tested were screened for recruitment. We compared the demographics and clinical manifestations between severe PTB patients and non-severe PTB patients, then analyzed the independent risk factors related to severe PTB after adjusting covariates.
Results: There were 279 patients enrolled for analysis, 180 were severe PTB (64.5%) and 99 were non-severe PTB (35.5%). Through univariate and multivariate analysis, lung cavity (aOR 4.631, 95% CI [1.798-12.853], P= 0.002) and albumin (aOR 0.952,95% CI [0.905-1.000], P=0.05) were associated severe PTB. While CD4 T cell count (aOR 1.00,95% CI [0.999-1.001], P=0.794), CD8 T cell count (aOR 1.00,95% CI [0.999-1.001], P=0.973), and lymphocyte (aOR 0.82,95% CI [0.389-1.774], P=0.603) were not associated with severe PTB.
Conclusions: Lung cavity and lower albumin level were related with an increased risk of severe PTB, while CD4, CD8 T cells count and lymphocytes were not with the severity of PTB. May be not the count, but the function of T cells plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis.
A New Concept in Our Relationship with Time:Time Appropriation
Authors: Karasu Mehmet , Cesur Sevim
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study is to explore the dimensions and processes of time appropriation as a new concept. The sample of the study consists of 15 participants (Female = 7; Male = 8) in Van, Turkey reached by criterion and snowball sampling. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were analyzed through template analysis. Time appropriation is addressed in terms of recurrent time units and time zones. The results show that the process of time appropriation consists of dimensions of identification, meaning, emotion, ownership, transformativeness, sociability, and physical environment. The appropriation process involves high identification with the appropriating time, special-unique meanings, satisfying and generally positive emotions. Participants have a high degree of ownership of the time periods they appropriate time and experience more individual control over these time periods. In addition, participants are able to psychologically renew and transform themselves through these time periods. These psychological processes in the appropriating time take place in specific social and physical environments. We understand that the social and physical environments in the appropriating time consisted of social circles and environments where the participants felt free, safe and comfortable, and with which they established strong bonds. We discuss “time appropriation” as a new concept from a social-psychological perspective in this study.
Physico-chemical and antifungal properties of the paste containing the probiotic for temporary root canal filling
Authors: Khachatryan Zhanna , Hambardzumyan Sona , Tatintsyan Lyudmila , Hakobyan Gagik
Published: May 2023

Objective
This study evaluated some physical-chemical properties of pastes for temporary filling of canals on the base of oxide zinc with eugenol and antimycotic supplements (nystatin, fluconazole, “Narine”- Lactobacillus acidophilus Er-2 strain 317/402).
Material and Methods
To evaluate the Physicochemical and antifungal properties, we studied of the time of hardening, surface structure of the hardened paste, disintegration, acidity degree (pH). In order to identify the antifungal effectiveness of the proposed paste, we compared it with other pastes, nystatin - ZnO2 (2:4), fluconazole + ZnO2 (2:4), lactobacillus lactic acid bacteria concentrate + ZnO2 (2:4), lactobacillus acidophilicus + eugenol + ZnO2 (1:1:4), nystatin + eugenol + ZnO2 (1:1:4), fluconazole + eugenol + ZnO2 (1:1:4).
Results
When studying the surface structure in pastes with acidophilic lactobacilli, microdispersed particles with a size of 1.5-5x8-15 microns were revealed; in samples of the paste with nystatin and fluconazole, macro (80 µm) and aggregated particles (70–80 µm) were detected. Lactic Acid Bacteria Concentrate + Eugenol + ZnO2 (1:1:4) provides an antifungal zone of 18.4 mm on Candida albicans (Robin) Berkhout (ATCC® 10231™) and 14.1 mm on Candida albicans (Robin) Berkhout (ATCC ®) 2091™). Studies prove antifungal effectiveness, bioavailability, and no toxicity of the proposed paste.
Conclusion
Paste based on zinc oxide and eugenol with antimycotic supplements (nystatin, fluconazole, “Narine”- Lactobacillus acidophilus Er-2 strain 317/402).)by their physical-chemical properties (hardening time, disintegration, superficial structure and acidity degree) are promising for use in temporary filling of canals. Despite promising
Tescalcin knockdown inhibits osteogenic differentiation of rat bone mesenchymal stem cells by Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Dong , Piao Longhuan , Qin Sen , Liu Shuai , Wang Guangbin
Published: May 2023

Background Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have the functions of self-renew and differentiating into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondrocytes, which are regarded as one of the greatest bioscientific achievements in the regenerative medicine field. Tescalcin (TESC), an EF-hand Ca2+binding protein, plays a vital role in cell proliferation and differentiation. However, what the role of TESC in BMSCs still is unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore the functions. Methods Adenovirus was constructed to decrease the expression of TESC. BML-284 was used to active Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. qRT-PCR and western blot was used to detect the expression of mRNA and protein levels. ALP staining and activity were used to detect the change of ALP. ARS staining and quantitative analysis were used to determine the mineralization capacity. Immunofluorescence was used to show the expression of protein. Results Firstly, we found that the mRNA and protein levels of TESC was increased during the osteogenic differentiation. Next, we determined that TESC knockdown inhibited the expression of osteogenic-related genes and decreased the capacity of mineralization. Then, we found that Wnt/β-catenin signaling was inhibited after TESC Knockdown by detecting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related protein expression. Afterwards, BML-284 was demonstrated to active Wnt/β-catenin signaling successfully and utilized to rescue the negative osteogenic differentiation of TESC knockdown. Conclusion In summary, our study indicated that TESC knockdown inhibited osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. We supposed that TESC acted in the progress of osteogenic differentiation as a key regulator. We provided a new target for the application of BMSCs in regenerative medicine.
Resorbable Barrier Polymers for Flexible Bioelectronics
Authors: McDonald Samantha , Yang Quansan , Hsu Yen-Hao , Nikam Shantanu , Hu Ziying , Wang Zilu , Asheghali Darya , Yen Tiffany , Dobrynin Andrey , Rogers John , Becker Matthew
Published: May 2023

Resorbable, implantable bioelectronic devices are emerging as powerful tools to reliably monitor critical physiological parameters in real time over extended periods. While degradable magnesium-based electronics have pioneered this effort, relatively short functional lifetimes have slowed clinical translation. Barrier films that are both flexible and resorbable over predictable timelines would enable tunability in device lifetime and expand the viability of these devices. Herein, we present a library of stereocontrolled succinate-based copolyesters which leverage copolymer composition and processing method to afford tunability over thermomechanical, crystalline, and barrier properties. One copolymer composition within this library has extended the functional lifetime of transient bioelectronic prototypes in vivo over existing systems by several weeks – representing a considerable step towards translational devices.
Spatial-temporal dynamics of structural unemployment in declining coal mining regions and potentialities of the ‘just transition’
Authors: Mark Ebba , Rafaty Ryan , Schwarz Moritz
Published: May 2023

A rapid decarbonisation of the United States economy is expected to disproportionately impact regions historically embedded in domestic fossil fuel production. For decades, social scientists have documented the economic and human toll of deindustrialisation, foreshadowing the transitional risks that these regions may face amidst decarbonisation. However, econometric studies evaluating the magnitude, duration, and spatial distribution of unemployment impacts in declining mining regions remain scarce, despite their pertinence to policymaking. Therefore, using econometric estimation methods that control for unobserved heterogeneity via two-way fixed effects, spatial effects, heterogeneous time trends, and grouped fixed effects for a panel of 3,072 US counties covering 2002-2019, we demonstrate that mine closures induce a contemporaneous rise in county unemployment rate with spatial ripple effects. Furthermore, we build a novel typology of coal counties based on qualities theorised to be resilient to industrial decline. Our findings suggest the significant potential of investing in alternative sectors in localities with promising levels of economic diversity, retraining job seekers, providing relocation support in rural areas, and subsidising childcare in places with low female labour force participation.
Low transthyretin concentration linked to adverse prognosis in elderly inpatients
Authors: Wang Ting , Yang Zhi-kai , Wan Yu-hao , Chai Ke , Li Ying-ying , Luo Yao , Zeng Min , Sun Ning , Zou Song , Wang Hua
Published: May 2023

Objective: To investigate the association between low transthyretin concentration and mortality or readmission for all causes in elderly inpatients.
Methods: This was a prospective cohort study conducted from September 2018 to April 2019 in ten wards of three tertiary referral hospitals in Beijing. Patients aged 65 years or older were enrolled, and their clinical data, laboratory test results, and auxiliary test results for patients were collected. A three-year follow-up was conducted with patients. Based on the 5th and 95th percentiles of transthyretin concentration, patients were split into three groups. The correlation between transthyretin concentration and the outcome of elderly hospitalized patients was investigated. The primary outcome of the research was death or readmission from all causes within three years.
Results: Of 636 individuals in the study, 335 (52.7%) were males, and the median age (interquartile range [IQR]) was 74.7(69.3,80.1) years. 363 individuals (57.0%) had all-cause death or readmission events during a median follow-up of 1099.00( IQR:1016.25,1135.00) days. Transthyretin concentration at or below the 5th percentile increased the risk of all-cause mortality or readmission than patients with between the 5th to 95th percentiles transthyretin concentration (hazard ratio:2.25; 95% confidence interval:1.55-3.26). The results indicated that elderly inpatients with low transthyretin concentration were at risk of poor outcomes. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, low transthyretin concentration remained an independent risk factor of poor prognosis in elderly inpatients(hazard ratio:1.62; 95% confidence interval:1.01-2.59).
Conclusions: Elderly inpatients with low transthyretin concentrations have an increased all-cause mortality or readmission.
Production Scheduling on Heterogeneous Computing Environment Using Modified GRASP
Authors: kafafy ahmed , saad abla , Abd-El-Raof osama
Published: May 2023

Heterogeneous computing environment refers to the use of multiple computing Sockets with different capabilities or characteristics in a parallel computing system. The production of task scheduling is one of the key issues with heterogeneous computing systems. This production of task scheduling problem desires to map tasks to heterogeneous machines in a way that will optimize the system's overall performance, such as minimization the schedule length of execution time. Because the task scheduling problem is NP-hard, intelligent algorithms are used to solve it, allowing us to achieve at a somewhat optimal result. To handle task scheduling in heterogeneous computing systems, this work adopted two algorithms one of them is a Greedy Randomized-based Simulated Annealing algorithm and the other is a GRASP-based Tabu Search algorithm. Additionally, greedy initial solutions with relatively optimized have taken the place of the random starting population. To enhance the capabilities of the Simulated Annealing or Tabu search Algorithm, the random initial solution has also been replaced by greedy initial solution with relatively optimal solutions. Results from testing the proposed approach on random graphs and graphs from real-world applications in heterogeneous computing systems with a variety of features showed that GRASP based Tabu Search was significantly more efficient than GRASP based Simulated annealing and the two algorithms more efficient than previous scheduling algorithms.
Come Back When You’re Sick: Pharmacy Discretion and Access to Preventive Services in an Arizona Secret Shopper Study, 2023
Authors: Russell Danielle Marie , Meyerson Beth E. , Mahoney Arlene , Garnett Irene , Farrell Chris , Newgass Kylee , Agley Jon D. , Crosby Richard A. , Bentele Keith G. , Vadiei Nina , Frank David , Linde-Krieger Linnea
Published: May 2023

Background Pharmacies are critical healthcare partners in community efforts to eliminate bloodborne illnesses. Pharmacy sale of sterile syringes is central to this effort.Methods A “secret shopper” syringe purchase study was conducted in the fall of 2022 with 38 community pharmacies in Maricopa and Pima Counties, Arizona. Pharmacies were geomapped to within 2 miles of drug copping/use areas. Daytime venue sampling was used whereby three separate investigators with lived/living drug use experience attempted to purchase syringes without a prescription. Investigator response when prompted for purchase rationale was “to protect myself from HIV and hepatitis C.” A 24-item instrument measured sales outcome, pharmacy staff interaction (neutral/positive/hostile), and the buyer’s subjective experience.Results Only 24.6% (n = 28) of 114 purchase attempts across the 38 pharmacies resulted in syringe sale. Less than one quarter (21.1%) of pharmacies always sold while 44.7% never sold. Independent and food store pharmacies tended not to sell syringes. There emerged distinct pharmacy staff interactions characterized by body language, customer query, normalization or othering, response to purchase request and closure. Pharmacy discretion and pharmacy policy not to sell syringes without a prescription limited sterile syringe access. Investigators reported frequent and adverse emotional impact due to pharmacy staff negative and stigmatizing interactions.Conclusions Pharmacies miss opportunities to advance efforts to eliminate bloodborne infections by stringent no-sale policy and discretion about syringe sale. Regulatory policy focused on retail pharmacy syringe sale and use of pharmacy discretion is likely necessary to achieve public health goals of elimination of bloodborne infections in Arizona.
The impact of health-promoting lifestyle components on job adjustment of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Shakerian Sareh , Kazemi Fariba Haj , Nemati Hossein
Published: May 2023

Background: The wide spread of the Covid-19 disease has faced many challenges to health systems and health care workers. One of the areas that the coronavirus crisis had a deep impact on was lifestyle and balance in professional and work life. A lifestyle that promotes health is one of the important and influential factors in job performance. Job adjustment is influenced by the general atmosphere of life, the quality of work life, and the nature of the job. There is limited information regarding the role of various health-promoting lifestyle components in the job adjustment of health care workers. This study was aimed to determine the impact of health-promoting lifestyle components on job adjustment of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 470 health care workers of Tabriz city, the capital of East Azerbaijan province located in northwestern Iran were selected by the random cluster method. Data were collected using questionnaires of demographic characteristics, health-promoting lifestyle, and job adjustment and were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: The findings of the study showed that all components of the health-promoting lifestyle had a significant relationship and explained 39% of the changes in job adjustment. Among the health-promoting lifestyle components, nutrition (β = 0.499, P < 0.001) and responsibility for health (β = 0.160, P = 0.004) have the most positive influence on the job adjustment of health care workers in the COVID-19 pandemic. Although interpersonal support had a positive and significant correlation with job adjustment (r=0.431, β=0.146, and P=0.004), the score of this dimension in health-promoting lifestyle compared to the total score was evaluated lower than other dimensions.
Conclusion: Paying attention to eating habits, promoting responsibility regarding health, and strengthening relationships and interpersonal support among health care workers can increase the level of their job adjustment and lead to compliance with the work environment and effective implementation of new and different job duties in the conditions of the covid-19 pandemic.
A Pine in Distress: How Infection by Different Pathogenic Fungi Affect Lodgepole Pine Defenses
Authors: Zaman Rashaduz , Antonioli Federico , Shah Ateeq , Ullah Aziz , Erbilgin Nadir
Published: May 2023

In North America, lodgepole pine is frequently subjected to attacks by various biotic disturbances that compromise its ability to defend against subsequent attacks by insect herbivores. We investigated whether infections of lodgepole pine by different pathogenic fungal species have varying effects on its defense chemistry. We selected two common pathogens: Atropellis canker and western gall rust, affecting mature lodgepole pine trees in western Canada. We also included three ophiostomoid fungi associated with the mountain pine beetle, Grosmannia clavigera, Ophiostoma montium, and Leptographium longiclavatum because symbiotic fungi are commonly used to investigate induced defenses of host trees of bark beetles. We collected phloem samples from lodgepole pine trees infected with the rust or the canker, and healthy lodgepole pine trees in the same stand. We also inoculated mature lodgepole pine trees with the three fungal symbionts and collected phloem two weeks later when the defense chemistry at its highest level. All samples were analyzed for their terpene composition in gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry. Different pathogenic fungal species differentially altered the terpene chemistry of lodgepole pine trees. Western gall rust and the beetle-fungal symbionts altered the tree terpene chemistry in a similar fashion while trees responded to the infection by the Atropellis canker differently. Our study highlights the importance of considering specific biotic stress agents in tree susceptibility or resistance to the subsequent biotic attacks by insect herbivores, such as mountain pine beetle.
The Influence of Harmonious Conjugal Relationship on Education Expenditure
Authors: Wen Riguang , Rao Nuoyi , Chen Yi
Published: May 2023

As education is a national priority, it is of great significance to study the household influencing factors of education expenditure. This paper uses the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) as a research sample to explore the impact of harmonious relationship on children's education expenditure. This paper finds that the harmonious relationship between husband and wife was significantly negatively correlated with children's education expenditure. The mechanism test found that the harmonious relationship between husband and wife affects education expenditure by influencing who oversees the household, and the more harmonious the relationship between husband and wife, the more inclined the family is to let the husband be in charge, and the husband is in charge of the family has a restraining effect on the education expenditure of children. This paper also uses heterogeneity and robustness tests to enrich the research conclusions. The conclusion of this paper deepens our understanding of the household influencing factors of education expenditure and can provide a theoretical reference for the state to solve the problem of education expenditure.
Factors associated with clinical practice stress of nursing students in China
Authors: Zheng Yan-xue , Jiao Jia-Ru , Hao Wen-Nv
Published: May 2023

Objective To investigate the stress and factors influencing nursing students' clinical practice through questionnaires, and to provide reference for relieving nursing students' practice stress and proposing effective coping strategies.
Methods A information questionnaire and a stress scale for internship nursing students were used to investigate 366 undergraduate internship nursing students in a tertiary-level general hospital in Inner Mongolia.
Results The total mean stress score of intern nursing students was (2.5±0.34), indicating that the overall stress level of intern nursing students was at a medium level, and family income and the way of choosing nursing specialty were the influencing factors of intern nursing students' stress.
Conclusion Nursing students are under greater stress during clinical practice, so it is necessary for nursing managers and educators to explore effective coping strategies to reduce nursing students' stress and improve their practice outcomes.
Single-port Vs Multi-port Robot-assisted Renal Surgery: Analysis of Perioperative Outcomes for Excision of High and Low Complexity Renal Masses
Authors: Berry James M. , Hill Hayden , Vetter Joel M. , Bhayani Sam B. , Henning Grant M. , Pickersgill Nicholas A. , Sivaraman Arjun , Figenshau R. Sherburne , Kim Eric H.
Published: May 2023

There is emerging but limited data assessing single-port (SP) robot-assisted surgery as an alternative to multi-port (MP) platforms. We compared perioperative outcomes between SP and MP robot-assisted approaches for excision of high and low complexity renal masses. Retrospective chart review was performed for patients undergoing robot-assisted partial or radical nephrectomy using the SP surgical system (n = 23) at our institution between November 2019 and November 2021. Renal masses were categorized as high complexity (7+) or low complexity (4–6) using the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scoring system. Adjusting for baseline characteristics, patients were matched using a prospectively maintained MP database in a 2:1 (MP:SP) ratio. For high complexity tumors (n = 12), SP surgery was associated with a significantly longer operative time compared to MP (248.4 vs 188.1 min, p = 0.02) but a significantly shorter length of stay (1.9 vs 2.8 days, p = 0.02). For low complexity tumors (n = 11), operative time (177.7 vs 161.4 min, p = 0.53), estimated blood loss (69.6.0 vs 142.0 mL, p = 0.62), and length of stay (1.6 vs 1.8 days, p = 0.528) were comparable between SP and MP approaches. Increasing nephrometry score was associated with a greater relative increase in operative time for SP compared to MP renal surgery (p = 0.07) using best of fit linear modeling. SP robot-assisted partial and radical nephrectomy is safe and feasible for low complexity renal masses. For high complexity renal masses, the SP system is associated with a significantly longer operative time compared to the MP technique. Careful consideration should be given when selecting patients for SP robot-assisted kidney surgery.
The minimally invasive anterolateral approach promotes faster rehabilitation than the lateral approach after total hip arthroplasty: a retrospective case-control study of Asian patients
Authors: Gao Zongyan , Huang Jincheng , Chen Xiao , Gao Yanhua , Risitano Salvatore , Oremus Kresimir , Zheng Jia , Jin Yi
Published: May 2023

Background: This study sought to compare the differences in the early postoperative clinical outcomes of Asian patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) using the minimally invasive anterolateral approach (MIAL) or the lateral approach (LA).
Methods: This retrospective study examined the data of 80 consecutive patients who underwent THA between January 2020 and September 2021. Of the patients, the MIAL was used in 41 patients, and the LA was used in 39 patients. The modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) survey and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were administered during the first 3 postoperative months. Surgical parameters, the time it took to complete indoor self-care activities, and complications were also analyzed.
Results: No significant differences were found in the patients’ baseline characteristics. At 5 days postoperatively, the mHHS, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and positive rate of the Trendelenburg test were significantly better in the MIAL group than the LA group. The time it took to engage in indoor self-care was significantly shorter in the MIAL group than the LA group. At 6 weeks postoperatively, the results of the mHHS and the majority of the SF-36 items were significantly higher in the MIAL group than the LA group. At 12 weeks postoperatively, there was no statistical difference in the mHHSs between the two groups; however, the scores for most SF-36 items, except the vitality and emotional role items, were significantly higher in the MIAL group than the LA group. The complication rates were comparable between the two groups.
Conclusions: The MIAL facilitated quicker recovery for Asian patients, who showed earlier indoor self-care, better hip function, and better health related quality of life; however, the complication rates of the MIAL and LA groups were comparable.
T-ARX Model for Nonlinear Discrete System Prediction Based on A Hybrid Modelling Method
Authors: Peng Tianbo , Peng Hui , Liu Fang , Tian Binbin
Published: May 2023

A suited model is meaningful for controlling a plant. A nonlinear model composed of deep neural network impedes the application of the mature controlling methods because of its complex formation, though it may predict precisely. To model a nonlinear and dynamic system with local-linearity and global-nonlinearity, a hybrid model named T-ARX (Transformer Auto-Regression model with eXogenous variables) with good long-term prediction accuracy is proposed in this paper. The T-ARX model is one kind of SD-ARX (State Dependent ARX) model with the coefficients of regression inputs estimated by a deep Transformer network, so that the nonlinear dynamics of plant could be captured. Meanwhile, the model takes state and action sampled from a period of time as its inputs and possesses the pseudo linear structure. When its coefficients are fixed at the sample time, it can be reformed as a discrete state-space model which is quite meaningful for controller design. Because the mask is applied to the input sequence, the model can be trained through parallel schemes, thus the short-term and long-term prediction ability can be trained. To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed model in both fast-responding and slow-responding system, four experiments were conducted on a quad-rotor helicopter, a maglev ball system, a simulated inverted pendulum, and the Box-Jenkins gas furnace data, respectively. The results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed model over RBF-ARX model and some others in one-step-ahead prediction and multi-step-ahead prediction and show the feasibility of this model.
Chitosan capped MSNs as a carrier of quercetin: Preparation, release kinetic study and cytotoxicity assay on osteosarcoma cancer cell line
Authors: Keshavarz Masoumeh , Nasab Navid Ahmadi , Mozafari Masoud
Published: May 2023

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have received particular attention in drug delivery applications during recent years. In this study, we successfully synthesized MCM-41 MSNs by sol-gel method. Chitosan polymer as a pH-sensitive capping was coated on MSNs by (3-Glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) crosslinker and quercetin (Que) as a compound with anticancer properties was loaded into prepared nanoparticles (Que@Cs-MSNs) for the first time. The structural characteristics and physicochemical properties were investigated by small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXS), Nitrogen adsorption-desorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) methods. Accordingly, the pore size of the hexagonal silica structure was found to be about 3.5 nm, and the dimensions of the Que@Cs-MSNs were calculated to be about 185 nm. The release behavior and release kinetics were studied at pH of 5 and 7.4 and the results showed that the presence of the chitosan coating due to its pH-sensitive nature, in addition to affecting the release rate, caused a change in the release kinetics due to swelling in acidic pH. Also, the results of the cytotoxicity test using MTT assay demonstrated that Que@Cs-MSNs show a higher anticancer effect compared to free Que against G-292 osteosarcoma cancer cells after 72 hours of incubation.
High-strength concrete compressive strength prediction using an evolutionary computational intelligence algorithm
Authors: Jibril M. M , Malami Salim Idris , Muhammad U. J , Bashir Abba , Usman A. G. , Rotimi Abdulazeez , Ibrahim A. G , abba Sani isah
Published: May 2023

The most crucial mechanical property of concrete is compression strength (CS). Insufficient compressive strength can therefore result in severe failure and is very difficult to fix. Therefore, predicting concrete strength accurately and early is a key challenge for researchers and concrete designers. High-Strength Concrete (HSC) is an extremely complicated material, making it challenging to simulate its behaviour. The CS of HSC was predicted in this research using an Adaptive Neuro-fuzzy Inference system (ANFIS), Backpropagation neural networks (BPNN), Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), and NARX neural network (NARX) In the initial case, whereas in the second case, an ensemble model of k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN) was proposed due to the poor performance of model combination M1 & M2 in ANFIS, BPNN, NARX and M1 in GPR. The output variable is the 28-day CS (MP) and the input variables are cement (Ce) Kg/m3, water (W) Kg/m3, superplasticizer (S) Kg/m3, coarse aggregate (CA) Kg/m3, and Fine aggregate (FA) Kg/m3. The outcomes depict that the suggested approach is predictively consistent for forecasting the CS of HSC, to sum up. The MATLAB 2019a toolkit was employed to generate the MLs learning models (ANFIS, BPNN, GPR, and NARX), whereas E-Views 11.0 was used for pre-and post-processing of the data, respectively. The model for BPNN and NARX modelling was trained and validated using MATLAB code. The outcome depicts that, the Combination M3 partakes the preeminent performance evaluation criterion when associated to the other models, where ANFIS-M3 prediction outperforms all other models with NSE, R2, R = 1, and MAPE = 0.261 & 0.006 in both the calibration and verification phases, correspondingly, in the first case, In contrast, the ensemble of BPNN and GPR surpasses all other models in the second scenario, with NSE, R2, R = 1, and MAPE = 0.000, in both calibration and verification phases Comparisons of total performance showed that the proposed models can be a valuable tool for predicting the CS of HSC.
Trajectory generation algorithms for local destruction methods in robotic surgery
Authors: Pershin Andrew , Klimov Daniil , Prokhorenko Leonid , Grigorieva Elena , Astakhov Dmitry , Poduraev Yuri , Panchenkov Dmitry
Published: May 2023

Background: According to current data, 90% of liver cancers are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) which remains a global health challenge. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is one of the most used ablative techniques that shows promising results with small HCC tumors.
Aim: To improve the efficiency of RFA on large HCC tumors, it is proposed to carry out computer simulations to plan a robotic operation.
Methods: Based on anonymized medical data, we developed a set of algorithms for planning robotic RFA electrode insertion.
Results: Numerical and visual evaluations showed the possibility of achieving complete tumor coverage and constructing a trajectory with various restrictions (bones, vessels, etc.).
Conclusions: The proposed set of algorithms allows automatic planning of sequential needle placement with multiple interdependent insertions for a predictable, minimally invasive procedure.
Racial/Ethnic differences in receipt of naloxone distributed by opioid overdose prevention programs in New York City
Authors: Nolen Shayla , Trinidad Andrew J. , Jordan Ashly E. , Green Traci C. , Jalali Ali , Murphy Sean M. , Zang Xiao , Marshall Brandon D.L. , Schackman Bruce R.
Published: May 2023

Introduction: We evaluated racial/ethnic differences in the receipt of naloxone distributed by opioid overdose prevention programs (OOPPs) in New York City (NYC).
Methods: We used naloxone recipient racial/ethnic data collected by OOPPs from April 2018 to March 2019. We aggregated quarterly neighborhood-specific rates of naloxone receipt and other covariates to 42 NYC neighborhoods. We used a multilevel negative binomial regression model to assess the relationship between neighborhood-specific naloxone receipt rates and race/ethnicity. Race/ethnicity was stratified into four mutually exclusive groups: Latino, non-Latino Black, non-Latino White and non-Latino Other. We also conducted racial/ethnic-specific geospatial analyses to assess whether there was within-group geographic variation in naloxone receipt rates for each racial/ethnic group.
Results: Non-Latino Black residents had the highest median quarterly naloxone receipt rate of 41.8 per 100,000 residents, followed by Latino residents (22.0 per 100,000), non-Latino White (13.6 per 100,000) and non-Latino Other residents (13.3 per 100,000). In our multivariable analysis, compared with non-Latino White residents, non-Latino Black residents had a significantly higher receipt rate and non-Latino Other residents had a significantly lower receipt rate. In the geospatial analyses, both Latino and non-Latino Black residents had the most within-group geographic variation in naloxone receipt rates compared to non-Latino White and Other residents.
Conclusions: This study found significant racial/ethnic differences in naloxone receipt from NYC OOPPs. We observed substantial variation in naloxone receipt for non-Latino Black and Latino residents across neighborhoods, indicating relatively poorer access in some neighborhoods and opportunities for new approaches to address geographic and structural barriers in these locations.
Design and modelling of a standing surface acoustic wave-based microdevice for whole blood cell separation
Authors: Hajimoradi Maryam , Gevari Moein Talebian , Mojaddam Mohammad
Published: May 2023

Standing surface acoustic wave (SSAW)-based acoustofluidics are widely used due to their compatibility with soft materials and polymer structures. In the presence of the acoustic field, particles move either toward pressure node or pressure anti node according to their contrast factor. Using this technique, blood cells with a certain characteristic can be oriented in different stream lines in microchannel. Combination of appropriate inlet velocity ratio of buffer solution to blood, frequency, voltage, and channel geometry are essential keys of separation in these microdevices. In this study, simultaneous separation of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets at one stage is proposed using numerical simulation. Linear constitutive equation for the piezoelectric substrate, Helmholtz equation for the acoustic field, and Navier-stokes equation for fluid mechanics are solved simultaneously to precisely capture the blood cell behavior in the SSAW-based device. Results show that whole blood cells separation can be achieved by a velocity ratio of 6.25, a resonance frequency of 8.28 MHZ, and a voltage of 8.5v through the proposed five-outlet channel microchip.
Left Ventricular Fibrosis and CMR Tissue Characterization of Papillary Muscles in Mitral Valve Prolapse Patients
Authors: Spampinato Ricardo A. , Marin-Cuartas Mateo , Kampen Antonia , Fahr Florian , Sieg Franz , Strotdrees Elfriede , Jahnke Cosima , Klaeske Kristin , Wiesner Karoline , Morningstar Jordan E. , Nagata Yasufumi , Izquierdo-Garcia David , Dieterlen Maja-Theresa , Norris Russell A. , Levine Robert A. , Paetsch Ingo , Borger Michael A.
Published: May 2023

Purpose. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is associated with left ventricle (LV) fibrosis, including the papillary muscles (PM), which is in turn linked to malignant arrhythmias. This study aims to evaluate comprehensive tissue characterization of the PM by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and its association with LV fibrosis observed by intraoperative biopsies.
Methods. MVP patients with indication for surgery due to severe mitral regurgitation (n=19) underwent a preoperative CMR with characterization of the PM: dark-appearance on cine, T1 mapping, conventional bright blood (BB) and dark blood (DB) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). CMR T1 mapping was performed on 21 healthy volunteers as controls. LV inferobasal myocardial biopsies were obtained in MVP patients and compared to CMR findings.
Results. MVP patients (54±10 years old, 14 male) had a dark-appearance of the PM with higher native T1 and extracellular volume (ECV) values compared with healthy volunteers (1096±78ms vs 994±54ms and 33.9±5.6% vs 25.9±3.1%, respectively, p<0.001). Seventeen MVP patients (89.5%) had fibrosis by biopsy. BB-LGE+ in LV and PM was identified in 5 (26.3%) patients, while DB-LGE+ was observed in LV in 9 (47.4%) and in PM in 15 (78.9%) patients. DB-LGE+ in PM was the only technique that showed no difference with detection of LV fibrosis by biopsy. Posteromedial PM was more frequently affected than the anterolateral (73.7% vs 36.8%, p=0.039) and correlated with biopsy-proven LV fibrosis (Rho 0.529, p=0.029).
Conclusions. CMR imaging in MVP patients referred for surgery shows a dark-appearance of the PM with higher T1 and ECV values compared with healthy volunteers. The presence of a positive DB-LGE at the posteromedial PM by CMR may serve as a better predictor of biopsy-proven LV inferobasal fibrosis than conventional CMR techniques.
Bioremediation of Acetaminophen and Hydroxychloroquine by Kosakonia cowanii JCM 10956(T) with ecotoxicity studies
Authors: WAGHMODE MEGHMALA , PATIL NEHA , Gaikwad Dattatray
Published: May 2023

Acetaminophen and hydroxychloroquine are widely used drugs during COVID situations. Residual concentrations of acetaminophen and hydroxychloroquine have been detected in pharmaceutical industry wastewater, effluent treatment plants, and surface water. The present study was carried out on the bioremediation of acetaminophen (paracetamol) and hydroxychloroquine by using the bacterial isolate Kosakonia cowanii JCM 10956(T) (GenBank: OQ733302.1). Identification of the isolate was done using the 16S rRNA sequencing technique. The LC50 values for bacteria were determined for acetaminophen and hydroxychloroquine as 2186.70 and 1735.13 ppm, respectively. Isolate was found to degrade acetaminophen (1500 ppm) into hydroquinone after five days of incubation with an 81% biodegradation rate. Hydroxychloroquine (1000 ppm) was found to be degraded into oxalic acid with 7-chloroquinoline-4-amine and 4-aminoquinoline-7-ol as intermediates. After 15 days of incubation, 60% of hydroxychloroquine was found to be degraded. Acetaminophen and hydroxychloroquine biodegradation followed a first-order kinetic model with a rate constant of 0.339 d− 1 and 0.0618 d− 1, respectively. Half-lives for acetaminophen and hydroxychloroquine were found to be 2.05 and 11.2 days, respectively. Based on the analytical techniques of UV-visible spectra, HPLC, mass spectra, and proton nuclear magnetic spectroscopy (1H NMR) studies, biodegradative metabolites were identified. Ecotoxicological testing of the parent drug and degradative product was done using algal inhibition and shrimp lethality assays. The biodegradative product of acetaminophen, hydroquinone, has more algal toxicity and less toxicity against shrimp as compared to the parent drug. Whereas for the hydroxychloroquine biodegradative product, oxalic acid has less algal toxicity and more toxicity against shrimp compared to the parent drug. Industrial applications of hydroquinone and the metal leaching role of oxalic acid will give new insight into the bioconversion of expired paracetamol and hydroxychloroquine into value-added products.
Determinants of economic growth – A cross-country analysis
Authors: PUJARI SUDHARSANA REDDY , RAJASEKHAR MAMILLA
Published: May 2023

The current study aims to uncover the important economic factors that affect how quickly countries with various income levels grow. To examine the causal and cointegration relationship, the following variables are taken: Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Gross Domestic Savings (GDS), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Government External Debt (ED), Personal Remittances (PR), Government Final Consumption Expenditure (GFCE), Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE), Net Official Development Aid (NODA), and Consumer Price Index (CPI). The results are obtained using the ARDL Bounds Test, Engle-Granger Causality Tests, and Error Correction Models (ECM). The findings provide substantial evidence in favor of the traditional theories of economic growth, which contend that domestic savings account for a large portion of an economy's growth rate. Results from all economic classes show that saving propels the economy except in the least-developed countries, where external debt drives the economies.
Ultrasonic and Thermophysical Properties of Potassium Halides Crystals
Authors:   Department of Physics, Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, Amity University, Noida-201301, India, Srivastava Umesh Chandra , Pratap Singh Shyamendra ,   Department of Physics, Swami Vivekanand Govt.P.G. College, Lohaghat, Champawat, Uttra khand, India
Published: May 2023

In this communication, author is presenting ultrasonic and thermophysical properties of potassium fluoride (KF) and potassium chloride (KCl) by van der Waals three body force shell model with the help of second and third order elastic constants at 100 K–300 K. The elastic constants have been calculated by using Coulomb and Born– Mayer potential with the help of two parameters-distance of nearest neighbour and hardness parameter. We evaluated ultrasonic properties such as elastic constants, wave velocities, Debye temperature- average velocity, conductivity, and ultrasonic attenuation due to phonon–phonon interaction along in different direction [100], [110], and [111] orientations. The achieved results are hold good and are given very important information of these crystal for further investigation.
Three Analytical Relations Giving The Speed of Light, The Planck Constant and The Fine-Structure Constant
Authors:   Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, I2M, Bât A11, 351 cours de la Libération, 33400 Talence, France, Salmon Fabien
Published: May 2023

The fundamental physical constants are at the root of physics theories, but no theoretical framework provides their experimental values. In addition, they are assumed to be independent of each other. Here, we present two valuable dimensionless numbers based on vacuum properties and fundamental constants. The value of these dimensionless numbers provokes questioning, since they are of order 101. In particular, they mean that it is possible to build a velocity and a parameter homogeneous to the Planck constant of the same order as the speed of light and the Planck constant respectively, only based on five well-known physical parameters. These formulas are very unlikely to be two coincidences and suggest that the parameters involved depend on each other. They also seem to indicate that light is a material wave and quantum mechanics is a deterministic theory. A link between these numbers and the fine-structure constant is also established.