bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grinding Force Estimation and Control of Grinding Robot with Variable Impedance Control Strategy
Authors: Xu Du , Wang Jun , Yin Lairong
Published: April 2024

Due to the unstable contact force during robot grinding results in an inconsistent material removal rate and leads to poor surface quality and reduced machining accuracy. In this work, an independently controlled grinding end-effector was designed to improve the cutting stability and maintain a constant contact force during the robot grinding process. To reduce the influence of vibration force noise on the measurement data and reduce the complexity of the control system, an online estimation method of external grinding force based on generalized momentum is proposed. To keep the grinding force stable, a robot grinding dynamics model and a grinding contact force compensation model are developed, and a variable impedance grinding control strategy without considering the stiffness of work piece is proposed to maintain a consistent normal grinding force and guarantee the stability of material removal rate. Finally, an experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this robotic grinding system. The experimental results show that the force estimator can accurately estimate the grinding contact force, as well as the proposed robot grinding system works well for different work piece contours while maintaining consistent normal grinding force, and the relative average roughness is reduced by 38%.
Landscape factors can improve the predictive ability of fuel moisture models for assessing wildfire risk
Authors: Ivison Katy , Graham Laura , Little Kerryn , Orpin Alice , Kettridge Nicholas
Published: April 2024

Background: Fuel moisture content (FMC) is a critical component of wildfire risk. The spatiotemporal patterns of FMC of many key temperate fuels (e.g. heather, gorse, bracken, moor grass, litter, organic soil layer) are largely unknown and unravelling the drivers of FMC is challenging. Current models designed to predict FMC, principally of dead fuels, generally consider only weather variables. However, landscape factors affect water retention and availability of moisture within soils, and are likely to influence FMC of live and organic ground fuels. We investigate the potential effects of landscape factors on FMC. We carried out a large-scale fuel sampling campaign from 2021–2023 of eighteen different fuel types across 43 sites through five different climate regions of the UK. We implemented boosted regression trees to determine the influence of fifteen variables on FMC, which included weather, temporal, and landscape data.
Results: We found that landscape influences FMC, particularly for the organic ground fuels, live bracken and live moor grass. Dead fuels were generally influenced least by landscape factors. The predictive ability of our models was good (mean correlation between predicted and observed FMC of > 0.5) in twelve of eighteen fuels and for most fuels, including landscape factors increased the variance in FMC explained. Predictive ability was greater in models including landscape factors (compared with models just containing weather and temporal variables) for live fuels, litter and the organic layer. For dead fuels, moss and twigs, including landscape factors did not increase the models’ predictive ability.
Conclusions: We have shown that landscape factors are important to consider when developing fuel moisture models, but that this is mainly important for live fuels and organic ground fuels. We therefore recommend tailoring models to each fuel type to yield the best performance.
Shared Transcriptomic Signatures of Inflammaging Among Diverse Strains of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Perna Sabrina , Tang Weihao , Blimbaum Sydney , Li Andrew , Zhou Lei
Published: April 2024

Background: A prominent hallmark of aging is inflammaging—the increased expression of innate immune genes without identifiable infection. Model organisms with shorter lifespans, such as the fruit fly, provide an essential platform for probing the mechanisms of inflammaging. Multiple groups have reported that, like mammalian models, old flies have significantly higher levels of expression of anti-microbial peptide genes. However, whether some of these genes—or any others—can serve as reliable markers for assessing and comparing inflammaging in different strains remains unclear.
Methods and Results: We compared RNA-Seq datasets generated by different groups. Although the fly strains used in these studies differ significantly, we found that they share a core group of genes with strong aging-associated expression. In addition to anti-microbial peptide genes, we identified other genes that have prominently increased expression in old flies, especially SPH93. We further showed that machine learning models can be used to predict the “inflammatory age” of the fruit fly.
Conclusion: A core group of genes may serve as markers for studying inflammaging in Drosophila. RNA-Seq profiles, in combination with machine-learning models, can be applied to measure the acceleration or deceleration of inflammaging.
Improved graft survival by using three-dimensional printing of intra- abdominal cavity to prevent large-for-size syndrome in liver transplantation
Authors: Park Sunghae , Choi Gyu-Seong , Kim Jongman , Lee Sanghoon , Joh Jae-Won , Rhu Jinsoo
Published: April 2024

Background
In liver transplantation (LT), large-for-size syndrome is not common but can result in fatal outcome. To prevent such fatal outcome, we manufactured 3-D printed intra-abdominal cavity to give intuitive understanding of the sizes of the graft and patient’s abdomen in patients with small body size between July 2020 to February 2022.
Methods
Clinical outcomes were compared between patients using our 3-D model during LT and patients who underwent LT without 3-D model by using 1:5 ratio propensity score-matched analysis.
Results
After matching, total 20 patients using 3-D printed abdominal cavity model and 100 patients of control group were included in this study. There were no significant differences in 30-day postoperative complication (50.0% vs 64.0%, p = 0.356) and the incidence of large-for-size syndrome (0% vs 7%, p = 0.599). Overall survival of 3-D printed group was similar to the control group (p = 0.665) but graft survival was significantly superior in 3-D printed group than the control group (p = 0.034).
Conclusion
Since it showed better graft survival as well as low cost and short production time, our 3-D printing protocol can be a feasible option for patients with small abdominal cavity to prevent large-for-size syndrome after LT.
Respiratory Infection- and Asthma-prone, Low Vaccine Responder Children Demonstrate Distinct Mononuclear Cell DNA Methylation Pathways
Authors: Martino David , Schultz Nikki , Kaur Ravinder , Haren Simon D. , Kresoje Nina , Hoch Annmarie , Diray-Arce Joann , Su Jessica Lasky , Levy Ofer , Pichichero Michael
Published: April 2024

Background
Infants with frequent viral and bacterial respiratory infections exhibit compromised immunity to routine immunisations. They are also more likely to develop chronic respiratory diseases in later childhood. This study investigated the feasibility of epigenetic profiling to reveal endotype-specific molecular pathways with potential for early identification and immuno-modulation. Peripharal immune cells from respiratory infection allergy/asthma prone (IAP) infants were retrospectively selected for genome-wide DNA methylation and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. The IAP infants were enriched for the low vaccine responsiveness (LVR) phenotype (Fishers Exact p-value = 0.01).
Results
An endotype signature of 813 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) comprising 238 lead CpG associations (FDR < 0.05) emerged, implicating pathways related to asthma, mucin production, antigen presentation and inflammasome activation. Allelic variation explained only a minor portion of this signature. Stimulation of mononuclear cells with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), a TLR agonist, partially reversing this signature at a subset of CpGs, suggesting the potential for epigenetic remodelling.
Conclusions
This proof-of-concept study establishes a foundation for precision endotyping of IAP children and highlights the potential for immune modulation strategies using adjuvants for furture investigation.
EP300-mutated esophageal squamous cell carcinoma exhibits unique genetic features：an Experimental Study
Authors: Lai Yutian , Dong Yingxian , Tian Long , Li Hongjun , Ye Xinyi , Hu Yang
Published: April 2024

Background: EP300mutation is common in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC). We aimed to analyze the influence of EP300 mutation on treatment effect and prognosis in ESCC.
Method: Thirty ESCC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) were enrolled in this study. After assessment of treatment response, transcriptome analyses and immunochemistry were performed for cases in well response or poor response group.
Results: Four of thirty patients harbor EP300 mutation and have poor response to nCRT. Of the remaining 26 nonmutated patients, fifteen patients have a good response, and seven patients have a poor response to nCRT. The EP300-mutated poor response cases have significantly higher immune score than EP300 wild-type poor response cases (P=0.002), but have no difference from EP300 wild-type well response cases (P=0.360). Up-regulated B cell related pathways and more CD20+ B cells are in EP300-mutated poor response group, when compared with EP300 wild-type poor response group (P<0.050). Whereas up-regulated negative regulation of cell death related pathway and higher bcl2 expression level was observed in EP300 mutated poor response group than these in EP300wild-type well response group (P<0.050). In prognosis, cases in EP300-mutated poor response group have worse disease-free survival (P=0.019) and overall survival (P=0.004) than EP300 wild-type well response group.
Conclusion: The high immune activity and treatment resistance reveal that EP300-mutated cases are special in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.
Mental Health, Professional Burnout, and Substance Use Screening Among High School Education Staff in Jalisco, Mexico. A Digital Survey from 2021
Authors: López Jesús Alejandro Aldana , Huerta Jaime Carmina , Sánchez Ana Victoria Chávez , Bizarro Alicia Denisse Flores , Sierra Jorge Antonio Blanco , Galindo Karem Isabel Escamilla , Mendoza Lorena Noemí Prieto , Cárdenas Ernesto Herrera , García Tanya Lahud , Venegas Nicolás Páez
Published: April 2024

Background: Education professionals often experience high levels of stress, burnout, and mental health problems due to the demanding nature of their work. Limited research has been conducted on these issues among education staff in Mexico. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of mental health problems, professional burnout, and substance use among high school education staff in the High School Education System of the University of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
Methods: A total of 3,333 education staff members from 45 public high schools participated in an online self-report survey between March and June 2021. Validated instruments measured mental health using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to assess burnout, and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) to measure substance use. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were performed.
Results: Nearly 30% of staff reported mental health problems, with somatic symptoms (45.2%) and anxiety/insomnia (41.3%) being the most common. Gender, marital status, and job role were associated with mental health, with women and those experiencing higher stress positions showing higher impairment. The MBI revealed that 17.49% of staff exhibited burnout, primarily characterized by emotional exhaustion. Interestingly, the personal accomplishment subscale deviated from the expected pattern. Substance use was also common, with alcohol and tobacco being the most frequently consumed substances. A significant association was found between substance use and mental health problems. Working hours had a weak correlation with burnout on their own, but a moderate correlation when combined with GHQ-28 scores, suggesting a cumulative burden on staff.
Conclusions: This study reveals a significant burden of mental health problems, burnout, and substance use among high school education staff in Jalisco, Mexico. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to promote staff well-being, such as providing mental health resources, implementing stress management programs, and offering support for healthy coping strategies. Prioritizing the well-being of education staff is crucial for maintaining a high-quality educational environment and supporting the development of future generations.
Physical Literacy-Based Intervention for Chronic Disease Management: A Quasi-Experimental Study Protocol
Authors: Mouton Alexandre , Weerts Jean-Pierre , Carl Johannes
Published: April 2024

Background
As chronic diseases proliferate globally, innovative interventions that promote sustainable physical activity are crucial. Physical literacy - conceptualised as integrating motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, social interaction, and engagement in meaningful activities - offers a holistic strategy for lifelong health promotion. This protocol describes a study investigating the effects of a physical literacy-based intervention on adults with chronic diseases, aiming to enhance long-term physical activity adherence and improve health outcomes.
Methods
This quasi-experimental study will compare three groups: a control group, a group taking part in traditional physical activity (TPA) group sessions tailored for adults with chronic disease focusing on physical fitness general improvement, and a group taking part in TPA sessions that incorporates physical literacy goals and intervention content in line with 6 core dimensions of physical literacy (TPA + PL). Intervention groups will take part in 12 one-and-a-half-hour sessions organised weekly over a 3-month cycle. The study will assess the impact of these interventions using a mixed qualitative and quantitative physical literacy assessment tool at baseline, three months (post-intervention), and six months (follow-up).
Discussion
The study protocol proposes a comprehensive approach to chronic disease management through physical literacy, hypothesising that integrating physical literacy dimensions in tailored physical activity group sessions can significantly improve physical literacy, and consequently physical activity sustainability and health outcomes. Results from this study will provide insights into the efficacy of physical literacy interventions compared to traditional approaches, potentially guiding future public health initiatives and chronic disease management strategies.
Trial registration
NCT06325306 (21/03/2024).
A mobile app to challenge obsessional beliefs in adolescents: A protocol of a two-armed, parallel randomized controlled trial
Authors: Saman Yuliya , Pascual-Vera Belén , Corberán Marta , Arnáez Sandra , Roncero María , García-Soriano Gemma
Published: April 2024

Background Adolescence is a crucial stage for the development of OCD symptoms that, in most cases, persist into adulthood. This requires designing preventive strategies tailored to this population. Therefore, we aim to describe the study protocol that will be used to examine the effectiveness of a mobile health application to challenge obsessional beliefs in adolescents. Methods A two-armed randomized controlled trial will be conducted on an adolescent sample from the general population. The experimental group will use the intervention module (GGOC-AD) of a mobile app on the GGtude platform for 14 days whereas the control group will use a non-active module (GGN-AD) of said app. Primary outcome measures will be obsessional beliefs and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and secondary measures will be self-esteem and emotional symptoms. Three assessment points will be conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up. A linear multiple regression model with an intention to treat approach will be used. The expected total sample size will be 55 participants. Discussion We expect that the intervention group will show a reduction in obsessional beliefs and OCD-symptoms at post and follow-up in comparison with the control group. Additionally, we expect that the app will improve participants’ self-esteem. This study could provide an accessible mobile health tool to prevent OCD-related symptoms in adolescents. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06033391. Registered September 4, 2023, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06033391
Emerging Technique: Stag Beetle Knife for Zenker's Diverticulum - A Meta-Analysis of Safety and Efficacy
Authors: Bhatia Mannat K , Ogwor Oghenfejiro , Doukas Panagiotis G , Bhatia Mehar K , Doukas Sotirios , Mohan Babu P. , Broder Arkady
Published: April 2024

Background and aim:
The SB Knife, a unique scissor-shaped device with rotating insulated monopolar blades, is increasingly employed in the endoscopic management of ZD, and this systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate its overall safety, efficacy, and feasibility.
Methods
A thorough search of electronic databases and conference abstracts was conducted until November 2023. Meta-analysis utilized the random-effects model, with I2% assessing heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis was based on sample size, employing SMD and a 95% confidence interval (CI) for continuous variables. Key outcomes included clinical success, recurrence rate, adverse events, and improvement in dysphagia score.
Results
Incorporating eight studies with 299 patients (60.5% males), mean age 72.75 ± 2.86 years, and ZD size 2.66 ± 0.52 cm, procedures lasted 23.06 ± 10.00 minutes. Clinical success was achieved in 86% (95% CI: [81–90; I2 0%]) after 10.98 sessions and 22.74% required multiple (up to 4) sessions. The recurrence rate was 15% [11–20; I2 0%]. Intraprocedural complications occurred in 9% [5–13; I2 = 29%], primarily minor bleeding (9.6%), micro-perforation (2%), odynophagia (1.3%), and fever (1.05%). Late-onset bleeding occurred in 3.2% after 1 week. Adverse events were conservatively managed, and subgroup analysis by sample size indicated a significant difference in mean sessions (p = 0.02). Dysphagia score improvement was SMD (95% CI) 1.59 [2.27–0.91; I2 97%], p < 0.01, with a mean 22.23 ± 11.47 months follow-up.
Conclusion
The meta-analysis confirms SB knife's success in ZD, displaying excellent safety and dysphagia improvement; however, further research is needed to define optimal patient cohorts and compare them with other management techniques.
Can DRD2 Gene Affect Mathematical Ability? The Impact of a Working Memory-Associated Gene on Mathematical Ability
Authors: Yang Qing , Zhang Ximiao , Zhang Liming , Cheng Chen , Zhao Jingjing
Published: April 2024

Mathematical ability is influenced by various factors, particularly environment and genetics. This study focused on the effect of DRD2, a candidate gene for working memory, on mathematical ability. Our analysis of the DRD2 gene and mathematical ability performance in child participants revealed associations between the DRD2 gene and mathematical ability. It was found that individual's mathematical abilities are influenced by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DRD2, both in the form of haplotypes and in the way the gene interacts with parental education. The results also showed that mathematical ability is influenced by multiple genes. These findings suggest that dopaminergic genes may be linked to mathematical ability. Additionally, dopaminergic genes affect the development of children's mathematical ability by regulating working memory and related brain functions and structures. This study provides important insights into the genetic basis of mathematical ability and offers guidance for individual learning and education.
The Effect of Physical Stability and Modified Gastrointestinal Tract Behaviour of Resveratrol-Loaded NLCs Encapsulated Alginate Beads
Authors: Manikandan Sangeethkumar , Jose Preethy Ani , Karuppaiah Arjunan , Rahman Habibur
Published: April 2024

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) have low storage and gastrointestinal stability, limiting their applicability. The work aimed to elevate the stability and behaviour of NLC in the alimentary tract by creating an Alginate bead. Through the extrusion dropping procedure, Resveratrol (RES) loaded NLC were efficiently integrated into alginate beads. The incorporation had no significant impact on the particle size, morphology, or inner structure of NLC, as assessed using DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infra-Red). Incorporating NLC into alginate beads improves its physical stability compared to Dispersion of NLC as well as NLC-Sol. An in vitro release investigation found that the NLC-alginate beads released RES more slowly than optimized NLC formulation (RES-NLCs-opt) and NLC-alginate sol. Research on simulated in vitro digestive models revealed that just a small amount of integrated NLC may permeate stomach fluid due to its tiny size. The slow diffusion of NLC from alginate to intestinal fluid prevented aggregation and allowed for gentle hydrolysis of the lipid matrix. Incorporating NLC in alginate beads shows promise for improving stability, modifying gastrointestinal behaviour, and controlling release throughout the process of digestion.
Altered brain functional networks in patients with breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy Running title: Disrupted Network in Breast Cancer After Chemotherapy
Authors: Yang Jing , Deng Yongchun , Liu Daihong , Hu Yixin , Tang Yu , Zhou Xiaoyu , Tan Yong , Zhang Jing , Liu Jiang , Wang Chengfang , Zeng Xiaohua , Zhang Jiuquan
Published: April 2024

Background In this study, we prospectively investigated changes in the brain connectome at multiple time points in breast cancer (BC) patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).
Methods Fifty-five participants with a diagnosis of BC underwent clinical assessments and fMRI at three timepoints, including before NAC (tp1), after the first cycle of NAC (tp2), and the end of the NAC regimen (tp3). Two matched healthy controls (HCs) groups received the same assessments at matching time points were also enrolled. Brain functional networks were constructed and analyzed using graph theory approaches to quantify the effect of NAC on brain cognitive dysfunction. We analyzed changes in brain connectome metrics both in HC and patient group and explored the relationship between these changes and clinical scales. Patient-subgroups were created by clinical subtype, chemotherapy regimen and menopausal status, and longitudinal subgroup analysis was performed.
Results There were no longitudinal differences within the two HC groups, and no differences between the two HC groups and patient group at tp1. BC patients who underwent NAC showed significantly increased global efficiency (p = 0.032), decreased characteristic path length (p = 0.020), and altered nodal centralities mainly in the frontal-limbic system and cerebellar cortex. There were few changes between the two chemotherapy sessions. Changes in the topological parameters were correlated with changes in clinical scales but did not differ between subgroups.
Conclusions Our findings demonstrated that NAC might affect brain functional connectivity in BC patients, especially in the early stage.
Exploring the Evaluation of Ecological Security of Water Resources in the Yangtze River Basin under the Background of Ecological Sustainable Development
Authors: Zhou Jie-Rong , Li Xiao-Qing , Yu Xin , Zhao Tian-Cheng , Ruan Wen-Xi
Published: April 2024

This paper constructs an indicator system for the ecological security of water resources in the Yangtze River Basin using theories related to ecological population evolution and the DPSIR (Driving forces-Pressures-States-Impacts-Responses) model. It assesses the ecological security status of water resources in the provinces of the Yangtze River Basin from 2010 to 2019, identifies the development trends of ecological security of water resources in these provinces, and proposes corresponding strategies for regional ecological security and economic coordination development. According to the results of the ecological population evolution competition model, the overall ecological security indicators of water resources in the Yangtze River Basin have continuously improved, with safety levels increasing year by year. In the Yangtze River Basin, maintaining robust management of water resources is crucial for the sustainable development of the social economy. Based on this, with the aim of further promote the ecological safety of water resources in the Yangtze River Basin and the coordinated development of regional economy, this paper proposes policy recommendations such as promoting the continuous advancement of sustainable development projects, actively adjusting industrial structures, enhancing public environmental awareness continuously, and actively participating in international ecological construction to seek multi-sectoral cooperation.
The causative effect of CXCR7 on experimental autoimmune prostatitis injury and fibrosis
Authors: zhang Yi , Feng Rui , Wu Weikang , Liu Xianhong , Huang Cong , Chen Xianguo , Chen Jing , Liang Chaozhao
Published: April 2024

Chronic prostatitis and Pelvic Pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by pelvic or perineal pain and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the prostate. C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CXCR7), also known as the atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3) receptor, are atypical chemokine receptors. Having been shown to play a key role in inflammatory processes, whether CXCR7 influences the role of autoimmune prostate and immune regulation and its mechanism of action are unclear. In this study, a mouse model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis was constructed by subcutaneous injection of antigen, and CXCR7 agonist was administered to investigate the effects of CXCR7 on the proportion of immune cells and fibrosis in CP/CPPS. Western blotting, immunohistochemical staining and Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and masson staining were used to study the possible regulatory mechanisms. CXCR7 agonists can significantly reduce pain and prostatic inflammation, and in vivo flow studies have shown that they affect the TH17/Treg cell ratio. To elucidate the potential mechanisms by which CXCR7 influences the pathogenesis of CNP, we conducted simultaneous RNA-seq and non-targeted metabolome sequencing. Our findings suggest that CXCR7 agonists alleviate fibrosis in autoimmune prostatitis by inhibiting the TGFβ/SMAD pathway. This study provides a valuable immunological basis for CNP to intervene CP/CPPS therapy with CXCR7 as the target.
Neuropsychiatric and Laboratory Outcomes of Hepatitis C Treatment in an Early-Treated HIV Cohort in Thailand
Authors: Ocampo Ferron F. , Sacdalan Carlo , Pinyakorn Suteeraporn , Paudel Misti , Wansom Tanyaporn , Poltubtim Nathornsorn , Sriplienc Somchai , Phanuphak Nittaya , Paul Robert , Hsu Denise , Colby Donn , Trautmann Lydie , Spudich Serena , Chan Phillip
Published: April 2024

Background
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection may further compromise immunological and cognitive function in people with HIV (PWH). This study compared laboratory and neuropsychiatric measures across the periods of HCV seroconversion and direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy with sustained virologic response (SVR) among PWH who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) during acute HIV infection (AHI) and acquired HCV after 24 weeks of ART.
Methods
Participants from the RV254 AHI cohort underwent paired laboratory and neuropsychiatric assessments during regular follow-up. The former included measurements of CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell counts, HIV RNA, liver enzymes, and lipid profiles. The latter included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Distress Thermometer (DT), and a 4-test cognitive battery that evaluated psychomotor speed, executive function, fine motor speed and dexterity. The raw scores in the battery were standardized and averaged to create an overall performance (NPZ-4) score. Parameters of HCV-coinfected participants were compared across HCV seroconversion and DAA treatment groups.
Results
Between 2009 and 2022, 79 of 703 RV254 participants acquired HCV after ≥ 24 weeks of ART; 53 received DAA, and 50 (94%) achieved SVR. All participants were Thai males (median age: 30 years); 34 (68%) denied past intravenous drug use, and 41 (82%) had a history of other sexually transmitted infections during follow-up. Following SVR, aspartate transferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) decreased (p < 0.001), while total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides increased (p < 0.01). The median CD4+/CD8 + ratio increased from 0.91 to 0.97 (p = 0.012). NPZ-4 improved from 0.75 to 0.91 (p = 0.004). The median DT score increased from 1.7 to 2.7 (p = 0.045), but the PHQ-9 score remained unchanged.
Conclusion
HCV coinfection is common in this group of high-risk PWH, highlighting the need for regular screening, early diagnosis, and treatment. There was a modest improvement in the CD4+/CD8 + T-cell ratio and cognitive performance after DAA therapy in patients who achieved SVR. Future studies should examine potential neuropsychiatric impacts during early HCV infection as well as the longer-term neuropsychiatric outcomes after DAA treatment with SVR.
An improved robust modeling of multimodal for heavy tail data
Authors: Wu Weisan
Published: April 2024

People often use finite mixing models to fit data with complex structures, but when faced with heavy tail data, the prediction accuracy is often inaccurate or the model component number is given incorrectly. In this paper, we design a semi-supervised mixture skew t distribution model for data with heavy tail structure, which can give ideal prediction accuracy for some data with labels and others without labels. Our model is more robust than the skew t distribution model, and we apply Monte Carlo sampling technique to the EM algorithm to solve the problem of expensive sampling. Finally, we give the simulation results. Compared with the skew t distribution model and the hybrid Gaussian model, our model has more robust fitting effect and smaller model prediction error.
Experimental analysis of failure modes depending on different loading conditions applied on cylindrical polyamide 66 gears
Authors: Hriberšek Matija , Kulovec Simon
Published: April 2024

Engineering plastics are increasingly used for engineering applications, such as the automotive sector, e-mobility sector, and household appliances. The use of engineering plastics is conditioned by the lack of knowledge of their material properties, especially for gears. A selection of the materials for a given gear pair has a significant impact on the mechanical and thermal response of the whole system. In this paper, steel-Polyamide 66 gear pairs were tested under various torques to define failure life and associated failure modes of the polymer gears. Additionally, to discover new knowledge on the field of tribological contact between observed gear pairs, meshing temperatures were monitored and correlated with calculated wear coefficients of Polyamide 66 material according to technical guideline VDI2736-2. The results show that gear flank wear of PA66 HT is directly proportional to the meshing temperature and torque. Thermal melting is a characteristic failure mode of the polymer gears which are exposed to higher load levels. In the middle torques, the dominant failure mode is flank fracture known as pitch point fracture. The greater impact of the gear wear mechanism occurs at lower torques where initial crack propagation starts at the pitch point and ends in the tooth root area.
Fuzzy inventory model of seasonal deteriorating products with time and price sensitive demand and holding cost under partial backlogged
Authors: Sahu A. K. , Ganesh V , Indrajitsingha S. K.
Published: April 2024

Demand is one of the key components of inventory modeling. Moreover, the rate of demand mostly depends upon both the time and the selling price of the product. Particularly for seasonal products like milk products and vegetables having low life time, demand depends on both production and stock. Since deterioration rate, production cost and holding-cost are uncertain in the case of seasonal products like fruits vegetable, we consider them as triangular fuzzy number. Hence in this paper, we discuss a mathematical model for deterioration of seasonal products with the demand depending upon production and selling price in crisp and fuzzy approach. In the proposed model shortages with partially backlogged is allowed. Defuzzification is done by using graded mean integration representation method. An algorithm is illustrated for the solution of problem, and for the validation of the model, a real-life numerical example is considered. Furthermore sensitivity analysis of the developed model is performed to investigate the effect of different system parameters with Mathematica 11.1 software.
The Contribution of Value Added Tax to Federally Collected Revenue in Nigeria: A trend Analysis 1994-2022
Authors: Mohammed Sani Damamisau , Suleiman Nura Alhaji , Olamide Balikis Sallau , Olamide Kawthar Moshuud , Yusuf Mustapha Olaoluwa
Published: April 2024

Nigeria is a country experiencing fast growing population which was 44,928,342 million in 1960 when the country got independence increasing to 218,541,212 million in 2022. Moving along this fast growing population is infrastructural decay and deficits needing huge capital investment which the country may not afford due to volatility of revenue from oil and gas as main source of revenue. Consequently, the country introduced Value Added Tax (VAT) in its tax structure in 1994 to raise more needed revenue for national development. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the contribution of VAT to total government revenue 1994–2022. To achieve this aim quantitative secondary data on VAT allocations to federal, states and local governments and total government revenue is collected from the annual publication of the Central Bank of Nigeria. The collected data is descriptively analysed using tables, figures, charts and percentages to demonstrate the contributions of VAT to total government revenue 1994–2022. Similarly, test of Analysis of Variance was carried out on collected data to statistically determine contribution of VAT. Triangulation of optimal taxation and Laffer curve theories guided the conduct of the study. Results from the study revealed that VAT is making significant contributions to total government revenue over the period of the study. The policy implication is that VAT has actually proven effective in making more revenue available to Nigerian government. Thus, this tax should be strengthened to standard of global best practices including increasing the rate to generate more revenue to the government for national development.
Recovery from Proteinuria May Attenuate the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: A Nationwide Population-based Cohort Study
Authors: Chang Younkyung , Kang Min Kyoung , Oh Chung Geun , Park Moo-Seok , Song Tae-Jin
Published: April 2024

Background: While proteinuria is recognized as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), it can exhibit both reversible and persistent courses. Our objective was to examine the relationship between the change in status for proteinuria and the risk of AF in a longitudinal cohort study on the general population nationwide.
Methods: We included participants (n = 1,708,103) who underwent consecutive health examinations. The presence of proteinuria was determined by dipstick urinalysis results. The outcome was the occurrence of AF (International Classification of Diseases-10 code: I48).
Results: All included participants, 1,666,111 (97.5%), 17,659 (1.0%), 19,696 (1.2%), and 4,637 (0.3%), were categorized into groups of proteinuria-free, recovered, developed, and chronic, respectively. The median interval between health screenings was 21.5 months. During a median follow-up of 14.5 years, 41,190 (2.4%) cases of AF occurred. In the multivariable analysis, the risk of AF occurring in the proteinuria-recovered group, (hazard ratio (HR): 1.198, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.109–1.293, ***P < 0.001), proteinuria-developed group (HR: 1.456, 95% CI: 1.362–1.558, ***P < 0.001) and proteinuria-chronic group (HR: 1.656, 95% CI: 1.476–1.858, ***P < 0.001), were higher than in the proteinuria-free group. In a further pairwise comparison, the proteinuria-recovered group had a relatively lower risk of AF compared to the proteinuria-chronic group (HR: 0.751, 95% CI: 0.652–0.865, ***P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Our study showed that the risk of AF can change according to alterations in proteinuria status. Notably, recovering from proteinuria can also be considered a modifiable risk factor for AF.
Excess mortality in low-and lower-middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gmanyami Jonathan Mawutor , Quentin Wilm , Lambert Oscar , Jarynowski Andrzej , Belik Vitaly , Amuasi John Humphrey
Published: April 2024

Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a massive death toll, but its effect on mortality remains uncertain in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs). This review summarized the available literature on excess mortality in LLMICs, including methods, data sources, and factors that might have influenced excess mortality.
Methods:
The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42022378267). We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Scopus for studies conducted in LLMICs on excess mortality. These included studies with at least a one-year non-COVID-19 period as the comparator in estimating excess mortality and with publication dates from 2019 to date. The meta-analysis included studies with extractable data on excess mortality, methods, population size, and observed and expected deaths. We used the Mantel-Haenszel method to estimate the pooled risk ratio of excess mortality with 95% confidence intervals.
Results:
The review included studies from 29 countries, of which 10 were included in the meta-analysis. Of 1,405,128,717 individuals, 2,152,474 deaths were expected, and 3,555,880 deaths were reported. The pooled excess mortality was 100.3 deaths per 100,000 population per pandemic period. The excess risk of death was 1.65 (95% CI: 1.649, 1.655 p<0.001). Data sources included civil registration systems, obituary notifications, surveys, public cemeteries, funeral counts, burial site imaging, and demographic surveillance systems. Techniques used to estimate excess mortality were mainly statistical forecast modelling and geospatial analysis. Of the 24 studies, only one found higher excess mortality in urban settings.
Conclusion:
Our results show that excess mortality in LLMICs during the pandemic was substantial. There is uncertainty around excess mortality estimates given comparatively weak data. Further studies are needed to identify the drivers of excess mortality by exploring different methods and data sources.
Oscillating flow around a circular cylindrical post confined between two parallel plates
Authors: Bárcenas-Luque Antonio J. , Moral-Pulido Francisco , Gutiérrez-Montes Cándido , Coenen Wilfried , Martínez-Bazán Carlos
Published: April 2024

This work is motivated by the interest in determining the effect of the micro-anatomy of the spinal subarachnoid space on the cerebrospinal fluid flow and on the associated transport of solutes. To that aim, we focus on a canonical model problem in which a circular post of radius 𝑎, confined between two parallel plates separated by a distance 2ℎ of order 𝑎, is subjected to an oscillatory flow. In particular, we are concerned with the steady, viscous, time-averaged flow that persists in the vicinity on the cylinder, when the stroke length of the oscillating flow, 𝑈∞/𝜔 is smaller or comparable to the radius of the post, 𝑎, where 𝑈∞ and 𝜔 are the mean velocity amplitude and the corresponding angular frequency, respectively. First, we analyze the asymptotic limit of small values of the stroke length, for a harmonic waveform, varying the aspect ratio of the post 𝜆 and the Womersley number 𝑀 = (a2𝜔/𝜈 )1/2. Firstorder steady-streaming corrections of the harmonic flow at leading order have been computed, together with associated Stokes-drift component, the sum of both yielding the mean Lagrangian velocity field. The confinement effect is seen to induce the three-dimensionality of flow. Moreover, similarly to the two-dimensional case, in the mid plane the time-averaged steady flow exhibits a recirculating vortex attached to the wall of the post that decreases as 𝑀 increases for low values of 𝑀. However, for values of 𝑀 larger than a critical one, 𝑀𝑐𝑟 (𝜆), that depends on 𝜆, a second, outer vortex is also formed. The dependence 𝑀𝑐𝑟 (𝜆) has been quantified in the range 𝜆 from 0.5 to ∞, where 𝑀𝑐𝑟 increases as 𝜆 decreases. The analysis has been corroborated experimentally for a fixed aspect ratio, 𝜆 = 2, and varying the Womersley number, the stroke length and the wave form of the oscillating flow. The experiments show similar flow patterns when the stoke length is increased from 𝜀 = 𝑈∞/𝜔𝑎 = 0.2 to 0.5, with more intense vortices at larger values of 𝜀. Consideration of an anharmonic oscillating flow shows the fort-and-aft symmetry of the steady flow is broken, with the formation of two vortices of different size when 𝑀 < 𝑀𝑐𝑟 and only one outer vortex in the systolic direction when 𝑀 > 𝑀𝑐𝑟 . Finally, the analysis is experimentally extended to consider an array of equally spaced posts, separated a semi-distance 𝑑 = 2𝑎 aligned with the flow axis of oscillation.
Network pharmacological study on the potential mechanism of Jiawei Du Huo Parasitic Decoction for treating lumbar Intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Buyuan-Tang  , Cahnghuai-Lu
Published: April 2024

Background: Jiawei Du Huo Parasitic Decoction (JDPD) is an ancient Chinese herbal medicinal compound used to treat Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (LIDD). However, its specific mechanism has not yet been clarified.
Objective: This study aims to explore the underlying mechanisms of JDPD in the treatment of LIDD using the network pharmacology method.
Methods: In this study: a network pharmacology approach was used to determine the underlying mechanism of JDPD in treating LIDD. Firstly, the effective active components and potential targets of JDPD were screened from TCMSP, TCMID, DrugBank, and Therapeutic Target Database. Then, the potential targets of LIDD were obtained from the GeneCards, DisGeNET, DrugBank, and OMIM databases. Based on the matching results of the JDPD potential targets and the LIDD targets, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed to analyze the interactions among these targets and screen the hub gene targets via topology. In addition, the DAVID database was used for the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. The active ingredient-target-pathway network was constructed and molecular docking was verified. Finally, the key targets were verified by RT-qPCR.
Results: This study screened 205 effective components of LIDD and 39 common targets of JDPD and LIDD. In total, ten key targets were obtained by constructing PPI networks and performing parameter calculations. We further confirmed that five screened gene targets were closely associated with LIDD by RT-qPCR. The results of GO and KEGG enrichment analyses suggested these key targets are primarily involved in complex therapeutic effects. Furthermore, we performed virtual docking of the targets and active components to verify they can bind stably.
Conclusions: This study used network pharmacology approaches to reveal that JDPD may be used to treat LIDD mainly by regulating inflammatory factor expression, cell apoptosis, cell proliferation, and extracellular matrix degradation, providing new insights for further research.
Precision measurements of jet and photon production at the ATLAS experiment
Authors: Callea Giuseppe
Published: April 2024

The production of jets and prompt isolated photons at hadron colliders provides stringent tests of perturbative QCD. We present the latest measurements of photon+jets and diphoton production using proton-proton collision data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC. The measurements are compared to state-of-the-art NLO and NNLO predictions.
A REVIEW ON STUDIES & RESEARCH ON PREVENTION OF OSTEOPOROSIS
Authors:   Clinical Instructor Department of Community Health Nursing Late Dr. Sau Vasudha Zade Nursing College, Chandrapur., Shankar Zade Rutuja
Published: April 2024

Osteoporosis is one of the major causes for the fracture among aged and adult population. Osteoporosis causes bone to become porous and so brittle that even mild alteration in posture may lead to fracture. Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder which affects the more than 10 million Americans. Osteoporotic fractures are more often reported in women i.e. 40% to 50% and 13% in men. However other study reported that the occurrence of fracture was similar in men and women. In primary osteoporosis, post-menopausal osteoporosis generally develops after menopause because of drop in estrogen level. Senile osteoporosis generally occurs at the age of 70 years in which thinning of bone occurred. Senile osteoporosis is degenerative osteoporosis because of wear and tear on the bones. Secondary osteoporosis is most common as it is caused by certain medical condition or treatment, which affects the bone mass and cause bone loss.
PROFIL COGNITIF DES PATIENTS UN MOIS POST AVC
Authors:   Service de Neurochirurgie, Hopital Arrazi, Chu Mohammed VI, Faculte de Medecine et de Pharmacie, Universite Cadi Ayyad Marrakech., Mala Zeus , Ntumba Victor ,   Service de Neurochirurgie, Hopital Arrazi, Chu Mohammed VI, Faculte de Medecine et de Pharmacie, Universite Cadi Ayyad Marrakech., Macalou Ibrahima ,   Service de Neurochirurgie, Hopital Arrazi, Chu Mohammed VI, Faculte de Medecine et de Pharmacie, Universite Cadi Ayyad Marrakech., Ait Benali Said ,   Service de Neurochirurgie, Hopital Arrazi, Chu Mohammed VI, Faculte de Medecine et de Pharmacie, Universite Cadi Ayyad Marrakech.
Published: April 2024

Contexte : lAVC demeure un probleme majeur de la sante publique. Il constitue un facteur de risque majeur de trouble cognitif, mais couvert par les handicaps physiques severes, le trouble cognitif reste largement sous diagnostique. Objectif : notre travail a eu pour objectif devaluer les fonctions cognitives des patients survivant dAVC un mois apres. Materiels et Methodes : cest une etude transversale descriptive realisee pendant une periode de 3 mois allant du 01 decembre au 31 decembre 2023 au sein de service de neurochirurgie du centre hospitalier Mohammed VI de Marrakech aupres des malades hospitalises pour AVC. Resultats : 36 malades etaient inclus dans notre etude 83,3% avaient le resultat de MMSE pathologique 25% etaient dun age compris entre 59-66 ans dont 22,21% dans la tranche dage 59-66ans et la tranche dage 67-74 ans avaient un trouble cognitif 44,4% etaient de gradue dont 36,1% avaient un trouble cognitif 25% etaient hypertendu dont 16% avaient un trouble cognitif 47,2% avaient fait un AVC ischemique il ny avaient pas de difference significative 36,1% etaient chez les patients dont AVC de localisation gauche le sous test MMSE le plus atteint etait lattention, le calcul et la memoire du travail. Conclusion: il ressort de notre travail que la frequence de trouble cognitif un mois post AVC est elevee, les sous test MMSE plus atteints par ordre decroissant sont lattention, le calcul et la memoire du travail, les praxies constructives, le rappel (memoire retrograde), orientation et lapprentissage. Lage, lHTA isolee et lHTA associee a la prise dalcool sont les facteurs de risque le plus prevalant de trouble cognitif.