bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Reconfigurable 3-DOF Parallel Kinematics Machine
Authors: Rosyid Abdur , Stefanini Cesare , El-Khasawneh Bashar
Published: January 2023

This paper proposes a novel, reconfigurable parallel kinematics machine with three degrees of freedom that can be used for various three-axis manipulation tasks, including machining. By locking some joints, the proposed parallel kinematics machine (PKM) can be transformed into four topologies with eight configurations to attain certain kinematic properties while keeping the number of its degrees of freedom unchanged. Either the proximal or intermediate prismatic joints of the reconfigurable PKM can be actuated. Some of the configurations are orthogonal configurations having a large rectangular cuboid workspace, and some other configurations are non-orthogonal configurations which provide the capability to perform a machining task to a large workpiece in various positions with respect to the machine. Accordingly, the proposed machine can be transformed from an orthogonal machine to a non-orthogonal machine with the advantages of each. The mobility of the various topologies of the reconfigurable PKM is rigorously analyzed using the screw theory. The workspace is analyzed using a graphical approach and verified by a computational approach. The pose kinematics shows that the various topologies have unified kinematics. The differential kinematics shows that the singularities in the various configurations occur at the workspace boundary. Similarly, the stiffness analysis shows that the low-stiffness postures occur around the workspace boundary. Accordingly, a used workspace far from the workspace boundary easily avoids the singularities and the low stiffness.
La religiosidad morabita entre trabajadores informales de origen senegalés en Barcelona. El caso de los módou-módou o manteros
Authors: Delgado Ruiz Manuel
Published: January 2023

Se trata de establecer cuál es la articulación que se da entre una determinada ideología religiosa –el islam marabú– así como de la organización de que se dota para agrupar a sus seguidores –las da'arias–, y las dinámicas de asentamiento en Barcelona del colectivo de móudu-móudu o manteros, en particular sus formas de resistencia al acoso legal, policial, mediático y social que sufren como consecuencia del trabajo de la mayoría de ellos como empleados en la venta ambulante informal, el top-manta. La aportación informa de una investigación en marcha que atiende la actividad religiosa de la Mouraidiyya y de la Tijaniyya –las dos cofradías sufís más importantes en Senegal– en la capital catalana, pero también las actividades económicas informales de sus miembros y las formas de asociación sindical de que se valen sus trabajadores para defender sus intereses. La voluntad es contribuir a comprender qué papel juega la religión en hacer frente a la precariedad material, cultural y simbólica y la hostilidad que sufren personas y colectivos que han hecho un proceso migratorio y qué papel tienen las organizaciones y expresiones religiosas a la hora de canalizar su malestar y hacerlo, como en este caso, en clave de lucha social.
Modeling individual head-related transfer functions from sparse measurements using a convolutional neural network
Authors: Jiang Ziran , Sang Jinqiu , Zheng Chengshi , Li Andong , Li Xiaodong
Published: January 2023

Individual head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) are usually measured with high spatial resolution or modeled with anthropometric parameters. This study proposed an HRTF individualization method using only spatially sparse measurements using a convolutional neural network (CNN). The HRTFs were represented by two-dimensional images, in which the horizontal and vertical ordinates indicated direction and frequency, respectively. The CNN was trained by using the HRTF images measured at specific sparse directions as input and using the corresponding images with a high spatial resolution as output in a prior HRTF database. The HRTFs of a new subject can be recovered by the trained CNN with the sparsely measured HRTFs. Objective experiments showed that, when using 23 directions to recover individual HRTFs at 1250 directions, the spectral distortion (SD) is around 4.4 dB; when using 105 directions, the SD reduced to around 3.8 dB. Subjective experiments showed that the individualized HRTFs recovered from 105 directions had smaller discrimination proportion than the baseline method and were perceptually undistinguishable in many directions. This method combines the spectral and spatial characteristics of HRTF for individualization, which has potential for improving virtual reality experience.
Effect of Ischemic Preconditioning on Acute Recovery in Elite Judo Athletes: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Crossover Trial
Authors: Ceylan Bayram , Taşkın Hasan Basri , Šimenko Jožef
Published: January 2023

Purpose: The ischemic preconditioning (IPC) method has been shown to aid the recovery processes; however, no studies have been done to assess its acute recovery use in judo. This study aimed to examine IPC of lower limbs effects on recovery after a judo-specific performance in highly trained male judokas and its applicability during a competition day. Methods: A single-blind, placebo-randomized crossover study was carried out on a sample of 13 elite male judo athletes. They undertook measurements of body composition, judo-specific task (Special Judo Fitness Test), jump performance, handgrip strength, lactate, blood pressure, perceived exertion, and delayed-onset muscle soreness. IPC was applied on the legs and inflated 50 mm Hg above the systolic blood pressure for 5 minutes and repeated 3 times for each leg, with 5 minutes of reperfusion. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measurements was used to determine changes between interventions and measurement times. Paired-sample t test and 1-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to determine the difference among measurement times. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. Results: The IPC intervention resulted in (1) decreased heart rate at 30 and 60 minutes during recovery (P = .002; P = .001), (2) better countermovement jump performance at 60 minutes (P = .05), (3) lower perceived-muscle-soreness scores (P = .006), and (4) maintained handgrip strength compared with placebo. Conclusions: The present study revealed that IPC applied to judo athletes following judo-specific exercise resulted in better cardiovascular and neuromuscular recovery and could be a useful tool to enhance recovery during judo competition breaks between preliminaries and final block.
Draft Genome Sequence and Annotation of Pseudomonas carnis Strain 20TX0167, Isolated from an Onion (Allium cepa)
Authors: Khanal Manzeal , Malla Subas
Published: January 2023

The draft genome sequence of
Pseudomonas carnis
strain 20TX0167, isolated from a cold stored onion bulb, is described here. A comparative genomic study against the type strain of this species, B4-1
T
, revealed differences in some genetic aspects.
Supplemental Material: Buoyant doming generates metamorphic core complexes in the North American Cordillera
Authors: Levy Drew A. , al. et
Published: January 2023

Supplemental geological maps, photomicrographs, and detailed methodologies for SEM and SIMS data collection and analysis, and modeling. 
Supplemental Material: Transient tin mineralization from cooling of magmatic fluids in a long-lived system
Authors: Li Yang , al. et
Published: January 2023

Deposit geology, sample information, methods and data. 
Incidence and multimodal imaging characteristics of macular neovascularisation subtypes in Chinese neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients
Authors: Zhang Yining , Gan Yuhong , Zeng Yunkao , Zhuang Xuenan , Zhang Xiongze , Ji Yuying , Su Yongyue , Wen Feng
Published: January 2023

Aims

To investigate the incidence of macular neovascularisation (MNV) subtypes of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and summarise these subtypes’ clinical features in the Chinese population using multimodal imaging.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 506 consecutive treatment-naïve nAMD patients (582 eyes). Incidence of MNV subtypes and clinical features were recorded based on their multimodal images. The classification of MNV subtypes in nAMD patients were referred to Consensus on Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration Nonmenclature (CONAN) study group classifications.

Results

460 eyes of 389 nAMD patients were included in our study. 68.5% (315/460) of nAMD eyes were from male. According to CONAN, we identified type 1 macular neovascularisation (MNV) in 61.1% of eyes (281/460), type 2 MNV in 16.3% of eyes (75/460), type 3 MNV in 2.0% of eyes (9/460), mixed type 1 and type 2 MNV in 20.6% of eyes (95/460). 58% of eyes (267/460) were diagnosed as polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy lesions (PCV). 45.2% of eyes (208/460) with PCV lesions were type 1 MNV and 12.8% of eyes (59/460) with PCV lesions were co-occurred with type 2 MNV.

Conclusion

Based on the consensus anatomical classification system developed by the CONAN Study Group, we updated the incidence of MNV subtypes and found that PCV was the most common subtype and type 3 MNV was the least common subtype among Chinese nAMD patients. In addition, the co-occurrence of PCV and type 2 MNV was typically observed, and its frequency was reported in our study.
Akkermansia muciniphilacounteracts the deleterious effects of dietary emulsifiers on microbiota and host metabolism
Authors: Daniel Noëmie , Gewirtz Andrew T , Chassaing Benoit
Published: January 2023

Background

Accumulating evidence indicates that some non-absorbed food additives, including emulsifiers carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and polysorbate 80 (P80), can negatively impact intestinal microbiota, leading to microbiota encroachment, chronic low-grade intestinal inflammation and, subsequently, promotion of metabolic dysregulations. Detrimental impacts of emulsifier consumption on gut microbiota include depletion of the health-associated mucus-fortifying bacteria,Akkermansia muciniphila.

Objective

Investigate, in mice, the potential of administration of exogenousA. muciniphilaas a means to protect against detrimental impacts of emulsifiers.

Results

Daily oral administration ofA. muciniphilaprevented phenotypic consequences of consumption of both CMC and P80, including hyperphagia, weight gain and dysglycaemia.A. muciniphilaadministration also counteracted the low-grade intestinal inflammation-induced CMC and P80. Furthermore,A. muciniphilasupplementation prevented the proximal impacts of CMC and P80 on gut microbiota that are thought to drive low-grade chronic inflammation and metabolic dysregulations. Specifically,A. muciniphilaprevented alterations in species composition and encroachment of gut microbiota that were otherwise induced by CMC and P80. Remarkably, we finally report that CMC and P80 altered the colonic transcriptome, whileA. muciniphilalargely protected against these alterations.

Conclusion

Daily administration ofA. muciniphilaprotects against the detrimental impact of emulsifiers on both the microbiota and host. These results support the notion that use ofA. muciniphilaas a probiotic can help maintain intestinal and metabolic health amidst the broad array of modern stresses that can promote chronic inflammatory diseases.
Distinct disease mechanisms may underlie cognitive decline related to hearing loss in different age groups
Authors: van 't Hooft Jochum J , Pelkmans Wiesje , Tomassen Jori , Smits Cas , Legdeur Nienke , den Braber Anouk , Barkhof Frederik , van Berckel Bart , Yaqub Maqsood , Scheltens Philip , Pijnenburg Yolande AL , Visser Pieter Jelle , Tijms Betty M
Published: January 2023

Background

Hearing loss in older adults is associated with increased dementia risk. Underlying mechanisms that connect hearing loss with dementia remain largely unclear.

Methods

We studied the association of hearing loss and biomarkers for dementia risk in two age groups with normal cognition: 65 participants from the European Medical Information Framework (EMIF)-Alzheimer’s disease (AD) 90+ study (oldest-old; mean age 92.7 years, 56.9% female) and 60 participants from the EMIF-AD PreclinAD study (younger-old; mean age 74.4, 43.3% female). Hearing function was tested by the ‘digits-in-noise test’ and cognition by repeated neuropsychological evaluation. Regressions and generalised estimating equations were used to test the association of hearing function and PET-derived amyloid burden, and linear mixed models were used to test the association of hearing function and cognitive decline. In the oldest-old group, mediation analyses were performed to study whether cognitive decline is mediated through regional brain atrophy.

Results

In oldest-old individuals, hearing function was not associated with amyloid pathology (p=0.7), whereas in the younger-old individuals hearing loss was associated with higher amyloid burden (p=0.0034). In oldest-old individuals, poorer hearing was associated with a steeper decline in memory, global cognition and language, and in the younger-old with steeper decline in language only. The hippocampus and nucleus accumbens mediated the effects of hearing loss on memory and global cognition in the oldest-old individuals.

Conclusions

Hearing loss was associated with amyloid binding in younger-old individuals only, and with cognitive decline in both age groups. These results suggest that mechanisms linking hearing loss with risk for dementia depends on age.
Late time cosmology in $$f(R,{{\mathcal {G}}})$$ gravity with exponential interactions
Authors: Chanda A. , Halder A. , Majumdar A. S. , Paul B. C.
Published: January 2023

Cosmological models with f(R) modified gravity are significant to investigate the present and late-time behavior of the Universe. The dynamics of the Universe is studied in the framework of $$f(R)= R + \gamma R^2- \lambda \left( \frac{R}{3m_s^2} \right) ^{\delta }$$

f

(
R
)

=
R
+
γ

R
2

-
λ

R

3

m
s
2

δ

gravity ($$\gamma $$
γ
, $$\lambda $$
λ
, $$\delta $$
δ
are arbitrary constants) with a coupled Gauss–Bonnet (GB) term in the gravitational action and estimate the constraints on the model parameters as well as the late time behavior of the Universe. In this case, the coupled Gauss–Bonnet term is coupled with a free scalar field in the presence of interacting fluid. In addition, we investigate the same for a different form of gravity $$f(R)=R$$

f
(
R
)
=
R

, where the coupled GB term is coupled with a scalar field in a self-interacting potential.
A high-robustness hybrid scheme of finite-difference WENO-THINC for compressible multicomponent flow scheme on general curvilinear grids
Authors: Li Jingqi , Liu Cheng , Yang Xiaobin , Hu Changhong
Published: January 2023

In this study, a high-robustness hybrid scheme of weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) scheme with a modified tangent of hyperbola for interface capturing (THINC) algorithm is developed for compressible multicomponent flow on general curvilinear grids. Numerical errors induced by mesh deformation bring loss of numerical accuracy and simulation instability, resulting in inaccurate results such as interface distortion, numerical oscillations or even simulation failure. To address this issue, the WENO scheme combined with an improved THINC strategy is designed to alleviate these errors and maintain the high resolution of interfaces. A modified THINC algorithm is developed for the non-uniform grids, in which the steepness parameter is scaled adaptively according to varying grid spacings. This approach is capable of reducing numerical dissipations for interface reconstruction. The overestimated quasi-conservative WENO formulation are employed to hold the equilibriums of velocity, pressure, and temperature at the material interface. Numerical validations are tested on non-uniform grids with various randomness amplitudes to verify the effectiveness in one- and two-dimensional benchmark problems showing the better performances in shock- and interface-capturing capabilities.
The DC Microgrid-Based SoC Adaptive Droop Control Algorithm
Authors: Yang Hongyu , Zhang Nannan , Gao Bo
Published: January 2023

In the direct current (DC) microgrid, a communication-less control algorithm to keep a stable state of the isolated DC microgrid is presented in this paper. In order to get balance of the state of charge (SoC) among multiple battery energy storage systems (BESs), a control algorithm with adaptive droop coefficient is proposed. When the SoC of BESs has a deviation, the droop coefficient will change with the SoC. The DC bus voltage is kept at a stable value within a small range of deviation using the proposed adaptive control algorithm, thus improving the voltage quality. The coordinated control strategy is significant to keep the system stable and to ensure the power balance of the DC microgrid. Finally, several representative cases are discussed and verified. The simulation results show that the DC bus voltage regulation has better stability and robustness without communication and the proposed control algorithm has a desirable performance on the balance of the SoC.
Double phase implicit obstacle problems with convection term and multivalued operator
Authors: Zeng Shengda , Bai Yunru , Papageorgiou Nikolaos S. , Rădulescu Vicenţiu D.
Published: January 2023

This paper is devoted to studying a complicated implicit obstacle problem involving a nonhomogenous differential operator, called double phase operator, a nonlinear convection term (i.e. a reaction term depending on the gradient), and a multivalued term which is described by Clarke’s generalized gradient. We develop a general framework to deliver an existence result for the double phase implicit obstacle problem under consideration. Our proof is based on the Kakutani–Ky Fan fixed point theorem together with the theory of nonsmooth analysis and a surjectivity theorem for multivalued mappings generated by the sum of a maximal monotone multivalued operator and a bounded pseudomonotone mapping.
Understanding the Redox Mechanism of Sulfurized Poly(acrylonitrile) as Highly Rate and Cycle Stable Cathode Material for Sodium-Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Kappler Julian , Tonbul Güldeniz , Schoch Roland , Murugan Saravanakumar , Nowakowski Michal , Lange Pia Lena , Klostermann Sina Vanessa , Bauer Matthias , Schleid Thomas , Kästner Johannes , Buchmeiser Michael Rudolf
Published: January 2023

Room temperature sodium-sulfur (RT Na-S) batteries are considered potential candidates for stationary power storage applications due to their low cost, broad active material availability and low toxicity. Challenges, such as high volume expansion of the S-cathode upon discharge, low electronic conductivity of S as active material and herewith limited rate capability as well as the shuttling of polysulfides (PSs) as intermediates often impede the cycle stability and practical application of Na-S batteries. Sulfurized poly(acrylonitrile) (SPAN) inherently inhibits the shuttling of PSs and shows compatibility with carbonate-based electrolytes, however, its exact redox mechanism remained unclear to date. Herein, we implement a commercially available and simple electrolyte into the Na-SPAN cell chemistry and demonstrate its high rate and cycle stability. Through the application of in situ techniques utilizing electronic impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at different depths of charge and discharge, an insight into SPAN’s redox chemistry is obtained.
AI Enabled Ensemble Deep Learning Method for Automated Sensing and Quantification of DNA Damage in Comet Assay
Authors: Mehta Prateek , Namuduri Srikanth , Barbe Lise , Lam Stephanie , Faghihmonzavi Zohreh , Kamat Vivek , Finkbeiner Steven , Bhansali Shekhar
Published: January 2023

Comet assay is a widely used technique to assess and quantify DNA damage in individual cells. Recently, researchers have applied various deep learning techniques to automate the analysis of comet assay. Image analysis using deep learning allows combining multiple parameters of images and performing computation at a pixel level to provide quantifiable information about the comets. The current deep learning analysis algorithms use a single neural network as a standard method, which relies on many comet images and prone to high variance in predictions. Here, we propose a new ensemble model consisting of a collection of deep learning networks with different configurations and different initial random weights trained on the same dataset to calculate one weighted prediction for DNA damage quantification. To develop this model, we curated a trainable comet assay image dataset consisting of1309 images with 9204 extracted features of cell head and tail length, area, etc With the proposed method we could achieve significantly higher accuracy (R2 = 89.3%, compared to 74% with the standard single neural network as reported in data published by M. D. Zeiler and R Fergus (European conference on computer vision, pp. 818–833 2014). Furthermore, deep regression with the proposed architecture produced much more reliable and accurate results than conventional method.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells repress renal transplant immune rejection by facilitating the APRIL phosphorylation to induce regulation B cell production
Authors: Xie Hong-Chang , Wang Zhi-Gang , Feng Yong-Hua , Wang Jun-Xiang , Liu Lei , Yang Xian-Lei , Li Jin-Feng , Feng Gui-Wen
Published: January 2023

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) exert pivotal roles in suppressing immune rejection in organ transplantation. However, the function of BMSCs on immune rejection in renal transplantation remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect and underlying mechanism of BMSCs on immune rejection in renal transplantation. Following the establishment of the renal allograft mouse model, the isolated primary BMSCs were injected intravenously into the recipient mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and Western blot assays were conducted to investigate BMSCs’ function in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, the underlying mechanism of BMSCs on immune rejection in renal transplantation was investigated in in vivo and in vitro models. Functionally, BMSCs alleviated the immune rejection in renal transplantation mice and facilitated B cell activation and the production of IL-10+ regulatory B cells (Bregs). Furthermore, the results of mechanism studies revealed that BMSCs induced the production of IL-10+ Bregs by facilitating a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) phosphorylation to enhance immunosuppression and repressed renal transplant rejection by promoting APRIL phosphorylation to induce IL-10+ Bregs. BMSCs prevent renal transplant rejection by facilitating APRIL phosphorylation to induce IL-10+ Bregs.
Practical Noise Model of an Active Electronically Scanning Array
Authors: Mi Jian , Wang Kan , Li Zhao , Sun Hongbing
Published: January 2023

Active electronically scanning arrays are now widely used in radar and communication systems. The noise characteristics are critical to the system signal-to-noise ratio, thus modeling of the antenna array noise is useful. In this paper, a two-port noise model of an active electronically scanning array is presented, which is more practical than the model in previous publications. In this model, an antenna array with a multistage combiner network is equivalent to a one-stage combiner network, thus the calculation of the noise figure is greatly simplified. Since the model is based on measurable parameters, it can be applied directly to the design of electronically scanning arrays. The noise model of a spaceborne synthetic aperture radar antenna system is displayed for example. Some useful conclusions are got about the noise figure for tapered antenna arrays. For a weighted antenna array with taper efficiency εT, if the gain of low noise amplifiers is sufficiently large, the noise figure of the antenna array is increased by 1/εT, compared to a uniformly weighted array. Besides, the deterioration of the signal-to-noise ratio for a tapered antenna array system originates from the increase of antenna noise temperature, rather than the decrease of antenna aperture gain.
P2X7R Mediates the Synergistic Effect of ATP and MSU Crystals to Induce Acute Gouty Arthritis
Authors: Li Xiaoling , Wan An , Liu Yiming , Li Manyun , Zhu Ziwen , Luo Chengyu , Tao Jinhui
Published: January 2023

Activation of the nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome by monosodium urate (MSU) crystals has been identified as the molecular basis for the acute inflammatory response in gouty arthritis. However, MSU crystals alone are not sufficient to induce acute gouty arthritis (AGA). Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an endogenous signaling molecule involved in the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. We aimed to explore the role of ATP in MSU crystal-induced AGA development. In peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived macrophages obtained from gout patients, we observed a synergistic effect of ATP on MSU crystal-induced IL-1β release. Furthermore, in a rat model of spontaneous gout, we demonstrated that a synergistic effect of ATP and MSU crystals, but not MSU crystals alone, is essential for triggering AGA. Mechanistically, this synergistic effect is achieved through the purinergic receptor P2X7 (P2X7R). Blockade of P2X7R prevented AGA induction in rats after local injection of MSU crystals, and carrying the mutant hP2X7R gene contributed to the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by costimulation of MSU crystals and ATP in vitro. Taken together, these results support the synergistic effect of ATP on MSU crystal-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation facilitating inflammatory episodes in AGA. In this process, P2X7R plays a key regulatory role, suggesting targeting P2X7R to be an attractive therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AGA.
An Environmentally Friendly Compact Microfluidic Hydrodynamic Sequential Injection System Using Curcuma putii Maknoi & Jenjitt. Extract as a Natural Reagent for Colorimetric Determination of Total Iron in Water Samples
Authors: Namjan Maneerat , Kaewwonglom Natcha , Dechakiatkrai Theerakarunwong Chonlada , Jakmunee Jaroon , Khongpet Wanpen
Published: January 2023

The miniaturization of analytical systems and the utilization of nontoxic natural extract from plants play significant roles for green analytical chemistry methodology. In this work, the microfluidic hydrodynamic sequential injection (HSI) with the LED-phototransistor colorimetric detection system has been proposed to create an ecofriendly and low-cost miniaturized analytical system for online determination of iron in water samples using Curcuma putii Maknoi & Jenjitt. extracts as high stability and good selectivity of a natural reagent. The proposed method was designed for online solution mixing and colorimetric detection on a microfluidic platform. The Curcuma putii Maknoi & Jenjitt. extracts and standard/samples were sequentially aspirated to fill the channel before entering the built-in flow cell. The intensity of iron-Curcuma putii Maknoi & Jenjitt. extract complex was monitored under the optimum conditions of flow rate, sample volume, mixing zone length, and aspiration sequences, by altering the gain control of the colorimetric detector to achieve good sensitivity. The results demonstrated a good performance of the green analytical systems. A linear calibration graph in the range of 0.5–6.0 mg L−1 was obtained with a limit of detection at an adequate level of 0.11 mg L−1 for water samples with a sample throughput of 30 h−1. The precise and accurate measurement results were achieved with relative standard deviations in the range of 1.61–1.72%, and percent recoveries were found in the range of 90.6–113.4. The proposed method offers cost-effective, easy operation over an appropriate analysis time (2 min/injection) with good sensitivity and is environmentally friendly with low consumption of solutions and the use of high stability and good selectivity of nontoxic reagents. The achieved method was demonstrated to be a good choice for routine analysis.
ICL Postimplantation Decentration and Tilt in Myopic Patients with Primary Iridociliary Cysts
Authors: Wang Ying , Yang Ruibo , Huang Yue , Zhang Chen , Liu Hui , Jia Zhe , Zhao Shaozhen
Published: January 2023

Purpose. To observe the decentration and tilt of implantable collamer lens (ICL) as well as possible visual effects postimplantation in primary iridociliary cysts. Methods. The present investigation was a retrospective cohort study. All 48 patients (91 eyes) who underwent ICL surgery at the Center of Refraction Surgery of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital between July 2018 and May 2020 were split into two groups based on the absence or presence of primary iridociliary cysts established by ultrasonic biological microscopy (UBM) examination. Intraocular pressure (IOP), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), anterior chamber angle (ACA), anterior chamber volume (ACV), and anterior chamber depth (ACD) were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively at 1, 6, and 12 months. Additionally, we performed an analysis of the ICL vault, decentration, and tilt using a rotating Scheimpflug Oculus Pentacam camera system at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results. No serious complications were observed. Significant postoperative improvement (P < 0.05) of UDVA was established in the two studied groups; however, we did not observe statistically significant intergroup differences (P > 0.05) throughout the entire research period. In each group, the preoperative ACA, ACV, and ACD were statistically significantly reduced (P < 0.05), but no such decrease was established between their postoperative values (P > 0.05). We observed no statistical differences between both groups with regard to their values of IOP, ACA, ACV, ACD, ICL vault, ICL decentration, and tilt at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Similarly, no statistically significant within‐group correlation (P > 0.05) of the decentration of ICL and the tilt and the CDVA values was established. Conclusion. No postimplantation effect of ICL with a central hole on vision was established in myopia patients with primary iridociliary cysts, within certain limits of ICL decentration and tilt values.
Thin Central Corneal Thickness May Be a Risk Factor for Myopia Progression in Children
Authors: Zhou Peng , Wang Dan-Dan , Fan Lei , Yang Lin , Zhao Ming-Wei
Published: January 2023

Purpose. This study investigated the correlation between corneal biomechanical parameters and the speed of myopia progression. Methods. This is a retrospective, multicenter study. Both Chinese and Caucasian children were involved. The follow‐up time was at least 12 months. Ocular biometry data including the central corneal thickness (CCT), axial length (AL), corneal keratometry (K), anterior chamber depth (ACD), white‐to‐white (WTW) distance, and pupil size (PS) were measured. The age of onset, speed of progression of spherical equivalent (SE), and speed of AL elongation were calculated. Data were analyzed using the R programming language. Results. This study comprised 306 eyes of 153 myopic children. 122 children were Chinese, and 31 children were Caucasian. The myopia progression was faster in Chinese children than that in the Caucasian group in both SE progression speed and AL elongation speed. The CCT was negatively correlated with the SE speed of progression (correlation coefficient, R = −0.65, and p = 7.25 × 10−38) and AL speed (R = −0.47 and p = 1.62 × 10−18). CCT was positively correlated with the age of onset (R = 0.35 and p = 4.53 × 10−10). No significant correlation (R > 0.3 and p < 0.01) was found between other ocular biometries (K, ACD, WTW, and PS) and the onset and speed of the progression of myopia. The same trends were found in both Chinese and Caucasian children and in both the right eye and left eye. Conclusion. CCT was negatively correlated with myopia (SE) progression speed and AL elongation speed. Thin CCT may be associated with faster myopia progression.
Integrative Analysis of Transcriptome and Metabolome to Illuminate the Protective Effects of Didymin against Acute Hepatic Injury
Authors: Pang Lijun , Xiong Yuhua , Feng Zhongwen , Li Cuiyu , Fang Bin , Huang Quanfang , Lin Xing
Published: January 2023

Based on the multiomics analysis, this study is aimed at investigating the underlying mechanism of didymin against acute liver injury (ALI). The mice were administrated with didymin for 2 weeks, followed by injection with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus D-galactosamine (D-Gal) to induce ALI. The pathological examination revealed that didymin significantly ameliorated LPS/D-Gal-induced hepatic damage. Also, it markedly reduced proinflammatory cytokines release by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation, alleviating inflammatory injury. A transcriptome analysis proved 2680 differently expressed genes (DEGs) between the model and didymin groups and suggested that the PI3K/Akt and metabolic pathways might be the most relevant targets. Meanwhile, the metabolome analysis revealed 67 differently expressed metabolites (DEMs) between the didymin and model groups that were mainly clustered into the glycerophospholipid metabolism, which was consistent with the transcriptome study. Importantly, a comprehensive analysis of both the omics indicated a strong correlation between the DEGs and DEMs, and an in-depth study demonstrated that didymin alleviated metabolic disorder and hepatocyte injury likely by inhibiting the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway through the regulation of PLA2G4B, LPCAT3, and CEPT1 expression. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that didymin can ameliorate LPS/D-Gal-induced ALI by inhibiting the glycerophospholipid metabolism and PI3K/Akt and TLR4/NF-κB pathways.
Blockchain-Based Reputation Sharing for High-Quality Participant Selection of MCS
Authors: Wang Li-e , Ma Shiqian , Sun Zhigang
Published: January 2023

Mobile crowdsensing (MCS), as a novel large-scale data acquisition method, has attracted more and more attention. Since the participants’ quality directly affects the quality of perceptual task completion in MCS, participant selection has become a focus of researchers. However, due to the sparsity of participants’ information and data privacy, existing solutions have certain limitations in terms of security and accuracy in participant selection. To tackle these problems, this paper proposes a secure and accurate participant selection (SAPS) method. It employs blockchain-based cross-domain reputation sharing while labeling participants with personalized reputation tags as quality references to achieve security and accuracy in participant selection. In particular, SAPS utilizes a model of differential privacy to protect privacy during cross-domain sharing while guaranteeing the credibility of the data sources by leveraging the traceability and non-tamper nature of the blockchain. Comprehensive experiments on real datasets indicate that compared with CMABA, the tasks’ completion quality in SAPS is improved by 18%, and the execution cost of SAPS is reduced by 6%.
Xuanhuang Runtong Tablets Relieve Slow Transit Constipation in Mice by Regulating TLR5/IL‐17A Signaling Mediated by Gut Microbes
Authors: Liang Xuejuan , Wan Dan , Cai Yigao , Yue Wei , Wang Xionglong , Zhou Huarong , Zhou Rongrong , Du Qing , Xiao Juan , Zhang Shuihan
Published: January 2023

This study aims to investigate the regulation effects of Xuanhuang Runtong tablets (XHRTs) on intestinal microbes and inflammatory signal toll receptor 5 (TLR5)/interleukin‐17A (IL‐17A) in STC mice. First, high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to verify the composition of XHRT and quality control. Then, the defecation ability of STC mice was evaluated by measuring fecal water content and intestinal transit function. The pathological examination of colonic mucosa was observed by Alcian Blue and periodic acid Schiff (AB‐PAS) staining. 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) genes were sequenced to detect the fecal microbiota. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and real‐time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT‐PCR) were applied to detect the expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3), connexin 43 (Cx43), TLR5, and IL‐17A. The defecation function of the STC mice was significantly decreased. The amount of mucus secretion and the thickness of the colonic mucus layer were decreased, and the number of microbial species in the intestinal wall, such as Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, anaerobic bacteria, and Alistipes, were also decreased. In addition, the expression of AQP3 and Cx43 was disordered, and the inflammatory factorsTLR5 and IL‐17A were activated in the colon. The changes in the above indicators were significantly reversed by XHRT. This study demonstrates that XHRT provides a new strategy for the treatment of slow transit constipation by regulating the activation of the intestinal inflammatory signal TLR5/IL‐17A mediated by gut microbes.
Subobjects and Compactness in Point-Free Convergence
Authors: Angulo Emilio , Mynard Frédéric
Published: January 2023

We consider subobjects in the context of point-free convergence (in the sense of Goubault-Larrecq and Mynard), characterizing extremal monomorphisms in the opposite category of that of convergence lattices. It turns out that special ones are needed to capture the notion of subspace. We call them standard and they essentially depend on one element of the convergence lattice. We introduce notions of compactness and closedness for general filters on a convergence lattice, obtaining adequate notions for standard extremal monos by restricting ourselves to principal filters. The classical facts that a closed subset of a compact space is compact and that a compact subspace of a Hausdorff space is closed find generalizations in the point-free setting under the form of general statements about filters. We also give a point-free analog of the classical fact that a continuous bijection from a compact pseudotopology to a Hausdorff pseudotopology is a homeomorphism.
Sound Pressure Level at Terminals through Data Mining
Authors: Pastor Monteza Luis , Castro Rivera Marco , Quiñones Huatangari Lenin , Morales Rojas Eli
Published: January 2023

The land transportation is a cause of noise in cities, thus breaking the natural balance and bringing with it physiological and mental illnesses, as well as occupational accidents. In this sense, the objective of the research was to estimate the sound pressure in land terminals in the city of Jaen, Peru, using data mining algorithms. The methodology consisted in environmentally monitoring six terminals in the city of Jaen, during 2019, using a class 1 sound level meter; the exploratory analysis of the collected variables that influence the noise of the terminals (minimum and maximum sound pressure level, number of light and heavy vehicles, and equivalent sound pressure level) was performed, which were grouped into three groups of variables for the purpose of using data mining algorithms. Three algorithms were used, namely, artificial neural network, linear regression, and M5Rules, using the free software Weka. Considering all variables, the M5Rules method performed the best, because the value of the mean absolute error (0.7462), the root mean square error (1.0575), and uncertainty analysis (0.09) was the smallest compared to the other two methods. However, for the two remaining groups of variables, the linear regression model showed the lowest mean absolute error and mean square root of the error; in addition to presenting coefficients of determination close to one. The algorithms show good behavior when estimating the sound pressure of the terminals in the city of Jaen.
A Novel Approach for Sleep Arousal Disorder Detection Based on the Interaction of Physiological Signals and Metaheuristic Learning
Authors: Badiei Afsoon , Meshgini Saeed , Rezaee Khosro
Published: January 2023

The vast majority of sleep disturbances are caused by various types of sleep arousal. To diagnose sleep disorders and prevent health problems such as cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment, sleep arousals must be accurately detected. Consequently, sleep specialists must spend considerable time and effort analyzing polysomnography (PSG) recordings to determine the level of arousal during sleep. The development of an automated sleep arousal detection system based on PSG would considerably benefit clinicians. We quantify the EEG‐ECG by using Lyapunov exponents, fractals, and wavelet transforms to identify sleep stages and arousal disorders. In this paper, an efficient hybrid‐learning method is introduced for the first time to detect and assess arousal incidents. Modified drone squadron optimization (mDSO) algorithm is used to optimize the support vector machine (SVM) with radial basis function (RBF) kernel. EEG‐ECG signals are preprocessed samples from the SHHS sleep dataset and the PhysioBank challenge 2018. In comparison to other traditional methods for identifying sleep disorders, our physiological signals correlation innovation is much better than similar approaches. Based on the proposed model, the average error rate was less than 2%–7%, respectively, for two‐class and four‐class issues. Additionally, the proper classification of the five sleep stages is determined to be accurate 92.3% of the time. In clinical trials of sleep disorders, the hybrid‐learning model technique based on EEG‐ECG signal correlation features is effective in detecting arousals.
Optimization of Pregelatinized Taro Boloso‐I Starch as a Direct Compression Tablet Excipient
Authors: Balla Tamrat Balcha , Joseph Nisha Mary , Belete Anteneh
Published: January 2023

Background. Tablets are still the most preferred means of drug delivery. The search for new and improved direct compression tablet excipients is an area of research focus. This is because the direct compression method overcomes the drawbacks of granulation methods of tablet production. It exempts several treatment steps associated with the granulation methods. The requirements for the powders to be directly compressible include flowability, low friction tendency, compressibility, and fast disintegration capacity. Taro Boloso‐I is a new variety of Colocasia esculenta (L. Schott) yielding 67% more than a previously reported variety (Godare) in Ethiopia. This study is aimed at enhancing the flowability while keeping the compressibility and compactibility of the pregelatinized Taro Boloso‐I starch. Methods. Central composite design was used for the optimization of two factors which were the temperature and duration of pregelatinization against 4 responses. The responses were angle of repose, Hausner’s ratio, Heckel’s yield pressure, and tablet breaking force. Results and Discussions. An increase in the temperature resulted in decrease in both the angle of repose and the Hausner ratio and that of time decreased angle of repose as well. The Heckel yield pressure was observed to increase with increasing levels of both temperature and time. The pregelatinized starch prepared by heating 15% slurry of Taro Boloso‐I starch at the pregelatinization temperature of 66.22°C for 20 min showed desired flow property and compressibility. Conclusions. Pregelatinized Taro Boloso‐I starch could be regarded as a potential direct compression excipient in terms of flowability, compressibility, and compactibility. The PGTBIS could perform better as filler and binder in direct compression tablets than the Starch 1500® in terms of compactibility.
The Dynamic Interplay of Objective and Subjective Balance and Subsequent Task Performance: Implications for Fall Risk in Older Adults
Authors: Mejía Shannon T. , Su Tai-Te , Hsieh Katherine L. , Griffin Aileen M. , Sosnoff Jacob J.
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Falls occur in daily life when an activity results in a loss of balance that is too great to recover from. Our purpose in this study was to examine how fall risk differentiates the dynamic interplay of objective and subjective balance on a given day and subsequent task performance on that day. Methods: For 30 consecutive days, following a baseline fall risk assessment, 41 older adults (56% female, Age M = 75.22, SD = 6.75) self-assessed balance and task performance using a smartphone. The Activity-specific Balance Confidence scale measured subjective balance. Postural sway and chair-stand performance were measured within a smartphone using accelerometry. Data were analyzed using multilevel random coefficient models. Results: Tests of heterogeneity in level one residuals showed day-to-day variability in balance confidence and postural sway to be greater in individuals with higher fall risk at baseline. Baseline fall risk differentiated how the interplay of balance confidence and postural sway on a given day related to chair-stand performance on that day. For those with higher fall risk, on days that balance confidence was higher, greater postural sway was followed by greater chair-stand performance. Conclusion: Findings indicate that older adults, especially those with higher fall risk, may be unaware of subtle fluctuations in balance, which could lead to engaging in activities that exceed the capacity to maintain balance at that moment. Fall prevention efforts should address older adults’ understanding of and responses to fluctuations of physical function in daily life.
The sustainability of technology-aided leadership adoption among school leaders: If it could ever be this real forever
Authors: Yusof Mat Rahimi , Awang Hapini , Yaakob Mohd Faiz Mohd , Jaafar Mohd Fairuz , Ibrahim Mohd Yusri , Chaw Pang Lai
Published: January 2023

The 21st century has become a challenging moment for all sectors including education. The rapid advancement of technology has brought a huge impact to leadership style among school leaders in Malaysia. Hence, this quantitative identified the level of technology-aided leadership and analyze the behavioral constructs that contribute to technology-aided leadership. A total of 365 questionnaires adapted from the national educational technology standards for administrators (NETS-A) were answered by respondents. statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) version 26 and Smart PLS 3 were used to analyze the data. Interestingly, the results revealed that the level of technology-aided leadership is high and the six constructs of technology-aided leadership among principals are valid. The constructs are i) Productivity and professional practice; ii) Teaching and learning; iii) Social, legal, and ethics; iv) Leadership and vision; v) management support and operations; and vi) Assessment and evaluation. In general, school leaders should take the opportunity to develop themselves to become high-tech leaders. Meanwhile, the 31 indicators that are verified in this study can be used to evaluate the behavior of technological leadership. Finally, further research is strongly encouraged to enlarge the scope by collecting the data from all Malaysian states to obtain more accurate and generalizable results.
Level of self-esteem: Is there any difference among physical, verbal, anti-social, and cyber bullies?
Authors: Nakman Siti Jaizah , Azid Nurulwahida , Nur Abdul Hamid Busthami
Published: January 2023

Bullying is one of the major issues worldwide and is one of the most prevalent school violence. Bullying is a negative behavior toward an individual or group of individuals that are considered weak. Bullying is often associated with self-esteem. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the influence of students’ tendency to be bullies (physical, verbal, anti-social, and cyber) on self-esteem. This study involved 150 secondary school students in the north of peninsular Malaysia. The study also used the cross-sectional survey method by distributing a set of questionnaires to the respondents. The findings of the study found that students who tend to be bullies for the four categories of bullying, namely physical bullying (ß=0.076, t=3.048, p<0.05), verbal (ß=0.080, t=3.052, p<0.05), anti-social (ß=0.084, t=3.055, p <0.05) and cyber (ß=0.046, t=2.815, p<0.05) had a significant influence on level of self-esteem.