bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A performance comparison of machine learning models for stock market prediction with novel investment strategy
Authors: Khan Azaz Hassan , Shah Abdullah , Ali Abbas , Shahid Rabia , Zahid Zaka Ullah , Sharif Malik Umar , Jan Tariqullah , Zafar Mohammad Haseeb
Published: September 2023

Stock market forecasting is one of the most challenging problems in today’s financial markets. According to the efficient market hypothesis, it is almost impossible to predict the stock market with 100% accuracy. However, Machine Learning (ML) methods can improve stock market predictions to some extent. In this paper, a novel strategy is proposed to improve the prediction efficiency of ML models for financial markets. Nine ML models are used to predict the direction of the stock market. First, these models are trained and validated using the traditional methodology on a historic data captured over a 1-day time frame. Then, the models are trained using the proposed methodology. Following the traditional methodology, Logistic Regression achieved the highest accuracy of 85.51% followed by XG Boost and Random Forest. With the proposed strategy, the Random Forest model achieved the highest accuracy of 91.27% followed by XG Boost, ADA Boost and ANN. In the later part of the paper, it is shown that only classification report is not sufficient to validate the performance of ML model for stock market prediction. A simulation model of the financial market is used in order to evaluate the risk, maximum draw down and returns associate with each ML model. The overall results demonstrated that the proposed strategy not only improves the stock market returns but also reduces the risks associated with each ML model.
Characterization and prediction of individual functional outcome trajectories in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (PREDICTS study): Study protocol
Authors: Agarwal Sri Mahavir , Dissanayake Joel , Agid Ofer , Bowie Christopher , Brierley Noah , Chintoh Araba , De Luca Vincenzo , Diaconescu Andreea , Gerretsen Philip , Graff-Guerrero Ariel , Hawco Colin , Herman Yarissa , Hill Sean , Hum Kathryn , Husain Muhammad Omair , Kennedy James L. , Kiang Michael , Kidd Sean , Kozloff Nicole , Maslej Marta , Mueller Daniel J. , Naeem Farooq , Neufeld Nicholas , Remington Gary , Rotenberg Martin , Selby Peter , Siddiqui Ishraq , Szacun-Shimizu Kate , Tiwari Arun K. , Thirunavukkarasu Shanthos , Wang Wei , Yu Joanna , Zai Clement C. , Zipursky Robert , Hahn Margaret , Foussias George
Published: September 2023

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) are associated with significant functional impairments, disability, and low rates of personal recovery, along with tremendous economic costs linked primarily to lost productivity and premature mortality. Efforts to delineate the contributors to disability in SSDs have highlighted prominent roles for a diverse range of symptoms, physical health conditions, substance use disorders, neurobiological changes, and social factors. These findings have provided valuable advances in knowledge and helped define broad patterns of illness and outcomes across SSDs. Unsurprisingly, there have also been conflicting findings for many of these determinants that reflect the heterogeneous population of individuals with SSDs and the challenges of conceptualizing and treating SSDs as a unitary categorical construct. Presently it is not possible to identify the functional course on an individual level that would enable a personalized approach to treatment to alter the individual’s functional trajectory and mitigate the ensuing disability they would otherwise experience. To address this ongoing challenge, this study aims to conduct a longitudinal multimodal investigation of a large cohort of individuals with SSDs in order to establish discrete trajectories of personal recovery, disability, and community functioning, as well as the antecedents and predictors of these trajectories. This investigation will also provide the foundation for the co-design and testing of personalized interventions that alter these functional trajectories and improve outcomes for people with SSDs.
Spatial-temporal differences and influencing factors of coupling coordination between urban quality and technology innovation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area
Authors: Yang Zhichen , Wu Yuxi , Wang Fangfang , Chen Aichun , Wang Yixuan
Published: September 2023

The coordinated development of urban quality and technology innovation is an important element of China’s technology innovation development strategy in the new era. Based on entropy TOPSIS, coupling coordination models, the gravity center and standard deviation ellipse method, the geographic probe, the GWR, and other methods, we explore the spatial variation and influencing factors of the coupling coordination relationship between urban quality and technology innovation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area from 2011 to 2020. It is found that: (1) the spatial distribution of the coupling coordination shows a characteristic of "high in the middle and low in the surroundings," and (2) the level of benign interaction in the central region is becoming more prominent. The center of gravity of coupling coordination moves toward the northeast, and the standard deviation ellipse shows a contraction trend away from the southwest. (3) Agglomeration capacity, human capital, cultural development, and infrastructure can significantly drive the improvement of the coupling coordination of urban quality and technology innovation, and the two-factor influence is significantly increased after the interaction. (4) The feedback effects of the coupling and coordination states of different cities on each factor have significant spatial differences and show the characteristics of hierarchical band distribution.
Acne accounts for an almost 2.5-fold higher proportion of dermatology visits among adult females compared to adult males in the United States: A study of the national ambulatory medical care survey from 2002–2016
Authors: Chang Jungsoo , Nock Michael R. , Cohen Jeffrey M. , Bunick Christopher G.
Published: September 2023

Background

Acne vulgaris affects a significant number of females into adulthood. Juvenile acne and adult acne have different presentations and potentially distinctive pathogeneses. However, patterns in treatments specifically related to the adult female population have previously not been studied.

Methods

Retrospective database analysis of healthcare utilization and medications prescribed for acne using the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) data from 2002–2016 was performed.

Results

After age 20, acne accounted for an almost 2.5-fold higher proportion of dermatology visits among females compared to males (10.1% vs. 4.1%, P < 0.001). Tetracycline-class antibiotics were the most prescribed therapy within all age groups of females between 2002–2016. However, there was also a substantial rise in prescriptions of spironolactone beginning in 2012.

Conclusion

A significantly greater proportion of dermatology visits by adult females are for acne in comparison to adult males. Tetracycline-class antibiotics remain the most prescribed therapy in adult age groups despite a potentially different pathogenesis of adult acne. Therefore, there is a need for further studies comparing the effectiveness of therapies specifically for adult female acne.
Assessing the validity of fecal sampling for characterizing variation in threespine stickleback’s gut microbiota
Authors: Härer Andreas , Rennison Diana J.
Published: September 2023

The gut microbiota is crucial for many aspects of their hosts’ biology, and it has been characterized for many species across the animal kingdom. Yet, we still don’t have a good understanding of whether non-lethal sampling can accurately capture the diversity of gut-associated bacterial communities, as estimated from lethal sampling of intestinal tissue. We further lack knowledge on whether non-lethal sampling methods are suitable for detecting gut microbiota shifts associated with changes in environmental factors (e.g., diet). We addressed these questions in threespine stickleback fish, a model system for evolutionary ecology, by comparing bacterial communities from intestinal tissue and feces. Despite some differences in community composition between the two sample types and considerable temporal variation among fecal samples, bacterial communities appear to largely overlap. Further, we detected consistent and significant changes of fecal bacterial communities associated with an experimental diet manipulation. This suggests that fecal sampling can represent an adequate non-lethal method to characterize the gut microbiota of threespine stickleback, but additional studies will be necessary before drawing general conclusions regarding the validity of fecal sampling for gut microbiota studies. To this end, we give recommendations to improve the characterization of the gut microbiota via fecal sampling. Fecal sampling allows studying temporal gut microbiota shifts associated with environmental change at the individual level, which increases opportunities for future experimental gut microbiota research.
Meta-analysis of outcomes from drug-eluting stent implantation in femoropopliteal arteries
Authors: Li Mingxuan , Tu Haixia , Yan Yu , Guo Zhen , Zhu Haitao , Niu Jiangliang , Yin Mengchen
Published: September 2023

Objective

In recent years, studies of drug-eluting stent (DES) for femoropopliteal artery diseases (FPADs) have been gradually published. To explore whether this type of stent is superior to the traditional bare metal stent (BMS), we performed this study.

Methods

A systematic search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), and Cochrane Library was performed on November 29, 2022. We innovatively adopted the hazard ratio (HR), the most appropriate indicator, as a measure of the outcomes that fall under the category of time-to-event data. The HRs was extracted directly or indirectly. Then, the meta-analyses using random effects model were performed. The bias risks of included papers were assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. This study was registered on the PROSPER platform (CRD42023391944) and not funded.

Results

Seven RCTs involving 1,889 participants were found. After pooled analyses, we obtained results without propensity on each of the following 3 outcomes of interest: in-stent restenosis (ISR) -free survival, primary patency (PP) survival, and target lesion revascularization (TLR) -free survival (P >0.05, respectively). Because the results of pooled analyses of the other two outcomes of interest (all-cause death free survival and clinical benefit survival) had high heterogeneity both, they were not accepted by us.

Conclusion

For FPADs, the DES has not yet demonstrated superiority or inferiority to BMS, in the ability to maintain PP, avoid ISR and TLR.
ICG-mediated fluorescence-assisted debridement to promote wound healing
Authors: Zhu Gang , Gao Benjian , Fan Jun , Chen Jianfei , Su Song , Yang Xiaoli , Li Bo , Fang Cheng
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of ICG-mediated fluorescence molecular imaging (FMI) in debridement of necrotic tissue. 96 wound-infected rats were randomly divided into control group, ICG group, excitation light (EL)group and FMI group for debridement of necrotic tissue (n = 24). (I) Control group: only debridement; (II) ICG group: ICG injection before debridement; (III) EL group: Debridement under EL; (IV) FMI group: Debridement guided by ICG-mediated FMI. On the 3rd, 6th, and 9th days, the wound tissues of the rats in each group were collected for histological examination, and the levels of serum interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (INF-γ) were analyzed. The wound healing rate, wound score and body weight of the rats in each group were followed up until the wound healed. The results showed that the infected wounds of the rats in the FMI group had significant fluorescence development. The level of serum IL-4 in the FMI group was higher than that in the other three groups on the 6th day (p<0.01), while the level of INF-γ was lower than that in the other three groups on the 6th and 9th day (p<0.05). The results of dynamic wound tissue H&E staining indicated that the wound healing in the FMI group was better than the other three groups. The in vivo follow-up results showed that the wound healing rate and wound score of the FMI group were better than the other three groups, and the growth of rats had no difference with the other groups. ICG-mediated FMI can achieve accurate imaging of necrotic tissue for debridement, and so can accelerate wound healing, which has good clinical application prospects.
BlockAuth: A blockchain-based framework for secure vehicle authentication and authorization
Authors: Ali Gauhar , ElAffendi Mohammed , Ahmad Naveed
Published: September 2023

Intelligent Transport System (ITS) offers inter-vehicle communication, safe driving, road condition updates, and intelligent traffic management. This research intends to propose a novel decentralized “BlockAuth” architecture for vehicles, authentication, and authorization, traveling across the border. It is required because the existing architects rely on a single Trusted Authority (TA) for issuing certifications, which can jeopardize privacy and system integrity. Similarly, the centralized TA, if failed, can cause the whole system to collapse. Furthermore, a unique “Proof of Authenticity and Integrity” process is proposed, redirecting drivers/vehicles to their home country for authentication, ensuring the security of their credentials. Implemented with Hyperledger Fabric, BlockAuth ensures secure vehicle authentication and authorization with minimal computational overhead, under 2%. Furthermore, it opens up global access, enforces the principles of separation of duty and least privilege, and reinforces resilience via decentralization and automation.
A systematic review on the detection of volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath in experimental animals in the context of gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases
Authors: Hintzen Kim F.H. , Eussen Myrthe M.M. , Neutel Céline , Bouvy Nicole D. , van Schooten Frederik-Jan , Hooijmans Carlijn R. , Lubbers Tim
Published: September 2023

Background

Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath has the potential to serve as an accurate diagnostic tool for gastro-intestinal diseases. Animal studies could be instrumental as a preclinical base and subsequent clinical translation to humans, as they are easier to standardize and better equipped to relate specific VOCs to metabolic and pathological processes. This review provides an overview of the study design, characteristics and methodological quality of previously published animal studies on analysis of exhaled breath in gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases. Guidelines are provided for standardization in study design and breath collection methods to improve comparability, avoid duplication of research and reduce discomfort of animals in future studies.

Methods

PubMed and Embase database were searched for animal studies using exhaled breath analysis to detect gastro-intestinal diseases. Risk of bias was assessed using the SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool for animal studies. Information on study design, standardization methods, animal models, breath collection methods and identified VOCs were extracted from the included studies.

Results

10 studies were included (acute liver failure n = 1, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis n = 1, hepatic ischemia n = 2, mesenteric ischemia n = 2, sepsis and peritonitis n = 3, colitis n = 1). Rats were used in most of the studies. Exhaled breath was mostly collected using invasive procedures as tracheal cannulation or tracheostomy. Poor reporting on standardization, breath collection methods, analytical techniques, as well as heterogeneity of the studies, complicate comparison of the different studies.

Conclusion

Poor reporting of essential methodological details impaired comprehensive summarizing the various studies on exhaled breath in gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases. Potential pitfalls in study design, and suggestions for improvement of study design are discussed which, when applied, lead to consistent and generalizable results and a reduction in the use of laboratory animals. Refining the methodological quality of animal studies has the potential to improve subsequent clinical trial design.
Assessing the dynamic resilience of Urban Rail Transit Networks during their evolution using a ridership-weighted network
Authors: Tian Tian , Liang Yichen , Peng Zhipeng , Cheng Yanqiu , Chen Kuanmin
Published: September 2023

The assessment of the resilience of Urban Rail Transit Networks (URTNs) and the analysis of their evolutionary characteristics during network growth can help in the design of efficient, safe, and sustainable networks. However, there have been few studies regarding the change of resilience in long-term network development. As for the existing resilience studies, they rarely consider the entire cycle of accident occurrence and repair; furthermore, they ignore the changes in network transportation performance during emergencies. Moreover, the measurement metrics of the important nodes have not been comprehensively considered. Therefore, to remedy these deficiencies, this paper proposes a URTN dynamic resilience assessment model that integrates the entire cycle of incident occurrence and repair, and introduces the network transport effectiveness index E(Gw) to quantitatively assess the network resilience. In addition, a weighted comprehensive identification method of the important nodes (the WH method) is proposed. The application considers the Xi’an urban rail transit network (XURTN) during 2011–2021. The obtained results identify the resilience evolutionary characteristics during network growth. And longer peripheral lines negatively affect the resilience of XURTN during both the attack and the repair processes. The central city network improves the damage index Rdam and the recovery index Rrec by up to 123.46% and 11.65%, respectively, over the overall network. In addition, the WH method can comprehensively and accurately identify the important nodes in the network and their evolutionary characteristics. Compared to the single-factor and topological strategies, the Rdam is 1.17%~178.89% smaller and the Rrec is 1.68%~84.81% larger under the WH strategy. Therefore, this method improves the accuracy of the important node identification. Overall, the insights from this study can provide practical and scientific references for the synergistic development of URTN and urban space, the enhancement of network resilience, and the protection and restoration of important nodes.
A review of Coelostegus prothales Carroll and Baird, 1972 from the Upper Carboniferous of the Czech Republic and the interrelationships of basal eureptiles
Authors: Klembara Jozef , Ruta Marcello , Anderson Jason , Mayer Taran , Hain Miroslav , Valaška Daniel
Published: September 2023

We redescribe the holotype and only known specimen of the early eureptile Coelostegus prothales from the Upper Carboniferous of the Czech Republic using photogrammetric scanning and a virtual 3D rendition of its skull. New information is available on several skull and lower jaw bones, including the postorbital, supratemporal, tabular, postparietal, angular, and prearticular. The new data also permit the correct identification of previously undetected or mis-identified elements (e.g., supratemporal; quadratojugal; angular). We provide an amended diagnosis of Coelostegus and a new reconstruction of the skull in dorsal and lateral views. To evaluate the affinities of Coelostegus, we code this taxon in two recently published taxon-character matrices. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses do not permit firm conclusions on the phylogenetic position of Coelostegus or, indeed, the status and extrinsic relationships of protorothyridid amniotes. Coelostegus emerges either as the sister taxon to the recently redefined Diapsida (Araeoscelidia; Varanopidae; Parareptilia; Neodiapsida), as one of the most basal protorothyridids, or as a derived stem-group amniote in various parsimony-based analyses, or as the basalmost protorothyridid in one Bayesian analysis, with protorothyridids forming a paraphyletic array relative to Diapsida. We review the cranial similarities and differences between Coelostegus and other protorothyridid genera and discuss the implications that various phylogenetic results have for our understanding of early amniote relationships.
Understanding painful versus non-painful dental pain in female and male patients: A transcriptomic analysis of human biopsies
Authors: Patel Biraj , Eskander Michael A. , Fang-Mei Chang Phoebe , Chapa Brett , Ruparel Shivani B. , Lai Zhao , Chen Yidong , Akopian Armen , Ruparel Nikita B.
Published: September 2023

Dental pain from apical periodontitis is an infection induced-orofacial pain condition that presents with diversity in pain phenotypes among patients. While 60% of patients with a full-blown disease present with the hallmark symptom of mechanical allodynia, nearly 40% of patients experience no pain. Furthermore, a sexual dichotomy exists, with females exhibiting lower mechanical thresholds under basal and diseased states. Finally, the prevalence of post-treatment pain refractory to commonly used analgesics ranges from 7–19% (∼2 million patients), which warrants a thorough investigation of the cellular changes occurring in different patient cohorts. We, therefore, conducted a transcriptomic assessment of periapical biopsies (peripheral diseased tissue) from patients with persistent apical periodontitis. Surgical biopsies from symptomatic male (SM), asymptomatic male (AM), symptomatic female (SF), and asymptomatic female (AF) patients were collected and processed for bulk RNA sequencing. Using strict selection criteria, our study found several unique differentially regulated genes (DEGs) between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, as well as novel candidate genes between sexes within the same pain group. Specifically, we found the role of cells of the innate and adaptive immune system in mediating nociception in symptomatic patients and the role of genes involved in tissue homeostasis in potentially inhibiting nociception in asymptomatic patients. Furthermore, sex-related differences appear to be tightly regulated by macrophage activity, its secretome, and/or migration. Collectively, we present, for the first time, a comprehensive assessment of peripherally diseased human tissue after a microbial insult and shed important insights into the regulation of the trigeminal system in female and male patients.
Effect of Green and Red Thai Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) on pancreatic digestive enzymes (alpha-glucosidase and lipase) and acetyl-carboxylase 1 activity: A possible therapeutic target for obesity prevention
Authors: Janthongkaw Atikarn , Klaophimai Sirinthip , Khampaya Tanaporn , Yimthiang Supaporn , Yang Yilin , Ma Ruixue , Bumyut Apirak , Pouyfung Phisit
Published: September 2023

Regular use of Thai kratom has been linked to reduced blood triglyceride levels and body mass index (BMI) in healthy individuals. We analyzed Green Thai Kratom (GTK) and Red Thai Kratom (RTK) to investigate their effects on pancreatic digestive enzymes. The ethanol extracts of GTK and RTK inhibited lipase activity more strongly than alpha-glucosidase activity, suggesting the presence of lipase inhibitors. Mitragynine, the major compound in GTK, showed potent lipase inhibition and moderate alpha-glucosidase inhibition. Quercetin, found in both extracts, strongly inhibited alpha-glucosidase but had limited effects on lipase. These findings suggest that mitragynine and quercetin may hinder triglyceride and starch digestion. Combination inhibition studies revealed synergistic effects between mitragynine and quercetin on alpha-glucosidase activity. Additionally, both GTK and RTK extracts reduced fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells, with quercetin specifically inhibiting Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), a key enzyme in fatty acid biosynthesis. Thus, GTK and RTK extracts, particularly mitragynine and quercetin, exhibit potential anti-obesity effects. We report the novel finding that Thai kratom inhibits de novo fatty acid synthesis by targeting ACC1, resulting in decreased fat accumulation in adipocytes. Regular use of Thai kratom in specific populations may improve blood triglyceride levels and reduce BMI by inhibiting lipase, alpha-glucosidase, and ACC1 activity. Further clinical trials are needed to determine optimal dosage, duration, toxicity levels, and potential side effects of Kratom use.
Childhood abuse and opioid prescription use in adulthood: Differences between non-Hispanic Whites and non-Hispanic Blacks in the United States
Authors: Lee Hee Yun , Song Jieun , Choi Eun Young
Published: September 2023

Despite the rapid rise in opioid prescription medication usage, little research has examined the role of early life adversity, such as childhood abuse, particularly in the context of race, in opioid prescription usage in adulthood. Guided by the life course perspective, the current study investigates whether experiencing childhood abuse increases the risk of opioid prescription use in adulthood and whether this association varies by race. Data were sourced from the second wave of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study (2004–2005). The analytic sample consisted of two groups: non-Hispanic Whites (n = 714) and non-Hispanic Blacks (n = 151). Opioid prescription use was identified from the participants’ medication list using the MULTUM Lexicon Drug Database Classification System. Three types of childhood abuse—emotional, physical, and sexual—were assessed via summary scales derived from the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. The results indicate a significant interaction between childhood physical abuse and race. Among non-Hispanic Whites, higher exposure to physical abuse during childhood was associated with greater odds of opioid prescription use in adulthood, even after adjusting for chronic pain, physical and mental health, and sociodemographic characteristics. However, the association between childhood physical abuse and opioid prescription use in adulthood was non-significant among non-Hispanic Black individuals. These findings underscore the long-term adverse health effects of physical abuse in childhood, particularly for non-Hispanic Whites, and suggest support for developing and implementing tailored intervention strategies.
Nicotine flux as a powerful tool for regulating nicotine delivery from e-cigarettes: Protocol of two complimentary randomized crossover clinical trials
Authors: El-Hellani Ahmad , Hanna Elyana , Sharma Mehak , Blohowiak Reagan , Joseph Phillip , Eid Tore , Nadim Haleh , El-Hage Rachel , Salman Rola , Karaoghlanian Nareg , Adeniji Ayomipo , Salam Sally , Talih Farid , Elbejjani Martine , Breland Alison , Eissenberg Thomas , Shihadeh Alan , Baldassarri Stephen R. , Talih Soha
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Electronic cigarette (EC) use has increased rapidly in the last decade, especially among youth. Regulating nicotine delivery from ECs could help curb youth uptake and leverage EC use in harm reduction yet is complicated by varying device and liquid variables that affect nicotine delivery. Nicotine flux, the nicotine emission rate, is a parameter that incorporates these variables and focuses on the performance rather than the design of an EC. Nicotine flux therefore could be a powerful regulatory tool if it is shown empirically to predict nicotine delivery and subjective effects related to dependence.

Methods and analysis

This project consists of two complementary clinical trials. In Trial I, we will examine the relationship between nicotine flux and the rate and dose of nicotine delivery from ECs, hence, impacting abuse liability. It will also examine the extent to which this relationship is mediated by nicotine form (i.e., freebase versus protonated). At Yale School of Medicine (YSM), study participants will puff EC devices under conditions that differ by flux and form, while arterial blood is sampled in high time resolution. In Trial II, we will assess the relationship between nicotine flux, form, and subjective effects. At the American University of Beirut (AUB), participants will use EC devices with varying nicotine fluxes and forms, while dependency measures, such as the urge to use ECs, nicotine craving, and withdrawal symptoms, will be assessed. We will also monitor puffing intensity and real-time exposure to toxicants.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol of Trial I and Trial II was approved by YSM and AUB IRBs, respectively. We will disseminate study results through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Trial registration

NCT05706701 for Trial I and NCT05430334 for Trial II.
The more the better? Effects of L1 tonal density and typology on the perception of non-native tones
Authors: Zhu Min , Chen Fei , Chen Xiaoxiang , Yang Yuxiao
Published: September 2023

This study investigates the effects of L1 tonal density and typology on naïve listeners’ perception of L2 Cantonese tones and pitch-equivalent pure tones. Native speakers of two canonical tone languages (Vietnamese and Mandarin) and a pitch-accent language (Japanese) with varying degrees of tonal density were recruited as listeners in a discrimination task followed by a perceptual assimilation task. Results implied that Mandarin listeners with a sparser tone inventory exhibited significantly better performance than Vietnamese listeners, suggesting that denser tonality in L1 did not facilitate or even interfere with L2 tone perception. Furthermore, both groups of canonical tone listeners processed pitch contours in a domain-general manner, with comparable performance in the perception of lexical tones and pure tones. However, Japanese listeners of the pitch-accent language perceived pure tones better than lexical tones, showing a domain-specific mechanism. These findings suggest that both L1 tonal density and typology may modulate the perception of non-native tones.
Optical fractal in cryogenic environments based on distributed feedback Bragg photonic crystals
Authors: Zhao Miaomiao , Chen Xiaoling , Liu Qianjin , Liu Jinrui , Liu Jun , Wang Yang
Published: September 2023

We studied the optical fractal effect of the one-dimensional distributed feedback Bragg photonic crystals formed by semiconductor GaAs and dielectric TiO2. Light wave is transmitted in the intermediate dielectric slab and reflected back by the periodic photonic crystals at both ends, forming multiple fractal resonance output. The transmission channels expand exponentially by thickening the bulk in a cryogenic environment. The quality factor of each fractal resonant state improves with a greater periodic number of crystals. Furthermore, central wave of resonance has a blue-shift as the external pressure increases, while the influence of environment temperature on the fractal resonance could be ignored. It is hoped that our study can highlight the potential of these findings for designing multi-channel communication filters in cryogenic environments.
Relationship between gait parameters and cognitive indexes in adult aging
Authors: Aznielle-Rodríguez Tania , Galán-García Lídice , Ontivero-Ortega Marlis , Aguilar-Mateu Karen , Castro-Laguardia Ana M. , Fernández-Nin Ana , García-Agustín Daysi , Valdés-Sosa Mitchell
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to identify the most effective summary cognitive index predicted from spatio-temporal gait features (STGF) extracted from gait patterns.

Methods

The study involved 125 participants, including 40 young (mean age: 27.65 years, 50% women), and 85 older adults (mean age: 73.25 years, 62.35% women). The group of older adults included both healthy adults and those with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Participant´s performance in various cognitive domains was evaluated using 12 cognitive measures from five neuropsychological tests. Four summary cognitive indexes were calculated for each case: 1) the z-score of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) from a population norm (MMSE z-score); 2) the sum of the absolute z-scores of the patients’ neuropsychological measures from a population norm (ZSum); 3) the first principal component scores obtained from the individual cognitive variables z-scores (PCCog); and 4) the Mahalanobis distance between the vector that represents the subject’s cognitive state (defined by the 12 cognitive variables) and the vector corresponding to a population norm (MDCog). The gait patterns were recorded using a body-fixed Inertial Measurement Unit while participants executed four walking tasks (normal, fast, easy- and hard-dual tasks). Sixteen STGF for each walking task, and the dual-task costs for the dual tasks (when a subject performs an attention-demanding task and walks at the same time) were computed. After applied Principal Component Analysis to gait measures (96 features), a robust regression was used to predict each cognitive index and individual cognitive variable. The adjusted proportion of variance (adjusted-R2) coefficients were reported, and confidence intervals were estimated using the bootstrap procedure.

Results

The mean values of adjusted-R2 for the summary cognitive indexes were as follows: 0.0248 for MMSE z-score, 0.0080 for ZSum, 0.0033 for PCCog, and 0.4445 for MDCog. The mean adjusted-R2 values for the z-scores of individual cognitive variables ranged between 0.0009 and 0.0693. Multiple linear regression was only statistically significant for MDCog, with the highest estimated adjusted-R2 value.

Conclusions

The association between individual cognitive variables and most of the summary cognitive indexes with gait parameters was weak. However, the MDCog index showed a stronger and significant association with the STGF, exhibiting the highest value of the proportion of the variance that can be explained by the predictor variables. These findings suggest that the MDCog index may be a useful tool in studying the relationship between gait patterns and cognition.
Bolt-connected prefabricated cross-shaped I-steel tower crane foundation
Authors: Yang Jianhui
Published: September 2023

Traditional tower cranes cannot meet the sustainable development goals as they use the cast-in-place concrete foundation, with large size, long construction period, and demolition after construction, resulting in waste of resources and high costs. This paper proposes a bolt-connected prefabricated cross-shaped I-steel tower crane foundation. It offers significant advantages in terms of convenient connection, low amortization cost and recyclability. The split connection point of the foundation is determined through the force analysis of the I-steel. With the ratio of the fixed cross-sectional area to the web height-to-thickness ratio (i.e. total cost) being constant, the inertia moment and bending stiffness of the I-steel are optimized using modern optimization design methods with the ratio of the web plate area to the total section area of the I-steel as the design variable, yielding the ideal strength and stiffness of the I-steel section.
“I’d rather wait and see what’s around the corner”: A multi-perspective qualitative study of treatment escalation planning in frailty
Authors: Lound Adam , Bruton Jane , Jones Kathryn , Shah Nira , Williams Barry , Gross Jamie , Post Benjamin , Day Sophie , Brett Stephen J. , Ward Helen
Published: September 2023

Introduction

People living with frailty risk adverse outcomes following even minor illnesses. Admission to hospital or the intensive care unit is associated with potentially burdensome interventions and poor outcomes. Decision-making during an emergency is fraught with complexity and potential for conflict between patients, carers and clinicians. Advance care planning is a process of shared decision-making which aims to ensure patients are treated in line with their wishes. However, planning for future care is challenging and those living with frailty are rarely given the opportunity to discuss their preferences. The aim of the ProsPECT (Prospective Planning for Escalation of Care and Treatment) study was to explore perspectives on planning for treatment escalation in the context of frailty. We spoke to people living with frailty, their carers and clinicians across primary and secondary care.

Methods

In-depth online or telephone interviews and online focus groups. The topic guide explored frailty, acute decision-making and planning for the future. Data were thematically analysed using the Framework Method. Preliminary findings were presented to a sample of study participants for feedback in two online workshops.

Results

We spoke to 44 participants (9 patients, 11 carers and 24 clinicians). Four main themes were identified: frailty is absent from treatment escalation discussions, planning for an uncertain future, escalation in an acute crisis is ‘the path of least resistance’, and approaches to facilitating treatment escalation planning in frailty.

Conclusion

Barriers to treatment escalation planning include a lack of shared understanding of frailty and uncertainty about the future. Emergency decision-making is focussed on survival or risk aversion and patient preferences are rarely considered. To improve planning discussions, we recommend frailty training for non-specialist clinicians, multi-disciplinary support, collaborative working between patients, carers and clinicians as well as broader public engagement.
Changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate and predictors of the renal prognosis in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: A retrospective study during the 12 months after the initiation of tofogliflozin
Authors: Ito Hiroyuki , Inoue Hideyuki , Izutsu Takuma , Matsumoto Suzuko , Antoku Shinichi , Yamasaki Tomoko , Mori Toshiko , Togane Michiko
Published: September 2023

Background

The changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and predictors of the renal prognosis were retrospectively assessed over the 12 months after the initiation of tofogliflozin, which has the shortest half-life among sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment.

Methods

In total, 158 patients treated with tofogliflozin between 2019 and 2021 were studied as the safety analysis set. One hundred and thirty subjects whose medication was continued over 12 months were investigated as the full analysis set. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the eGFR: normal- (eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2, n = 87) and low- (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, n = 43) eGFR groups.

Results

The body weight, blood pressure, urinary protein excretion, and serum uric acid concentration decreased from baseline in both eGFR groups while the hemoglobin level increased. The eGFR did not significantly differ over time, except for the initial dip (-4.3±9.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the normal-eGFR group and -1.5±5.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the low-eGFR group). The change in the eGFR at 12 months after the initiation of tofogliflozin was -1.9±9.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 0.2±6.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the normal- and low-eGFR group, respectively. In the normal-eGFR group, the change in the eGFR showed a significant negative correlation with the HbA1c and eGFR at baseline, according to a multiple regression analysis. In the low-eGFR group, the change in the eGFR showed a significant negative correlation with urate-lowering agent use. The frequencies of adverse events specific for SGLT2 inhibitors were not significantly different between the normal- and low-eGFR groups.

Conclusions

Tofogliflozin may preserve renal function in the medium term in patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney impairment without an increase in specific adverse events.
Vaccine-induced inflammation and inflammatory monocytes promote CD4+ T cell-dependent immunity against murine salmonellosis
Authors: Wang Nancy , Scott Timothy A. , Kupz Andreas , Shreenivas Meghanashree M. , Peres Newton G. , Hocking Dianna M. , Yang Chenying , Jebeli Leila , Beattie Lynette , Groom Joanna R. , Pierce Thomas P. , Wakim Linda M. , Bedoui Sammy , Strugnell Richard A.
Published: September 2023

Prior infection can generate protective immunity against subsequent infection, although the efficacy of such immunity can vary considerably. Live-attenuated vaccines (LAVs) are one of the most effective methods for mimicking this natural process, and analysis of their efficacy has proven instrumental in the identification of protective immune mechanisms. Here, we address the question of what makes a LAV efficacious by characterising immune responses to a LAV, termed TAS2010, which is highly protective (80–90%) against lethal murine salmonellosis, in comparison with a moderately protective (40–50%) LAV, BRD509. Mice vaccinated with TAS2010 developed immunity systemically and were protected against gut-associated virulent infection in a CD4+ T cell-dependent manner. TAS2010-vaccinated mice showed increased activation of Th1 responses compared with their BRD509-vaccinated counterparts, leading to increased Th1 memory populations in both lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs. The optimal development of Th1-driven immunity was closely correlated with the activation of CD11b+Ly6GnegLy6Chi inflammatory monocytes (IMs), the activation of which can be modulated proportionally by bacterial load in vivo. Upon vaccination with the LAV, IMs expressed T cell chemoattractant CXCL9 that attracted CD4+ T cells to the foci of infection, where IMs also served as a potent source of antigen presentation and Th1-promoting cytokine IL-12. The expression of MHC-II in IMs was rapidly upregulated following vaccination and then maintained at an elevated level in immune mice, suggesting IMs may have a role in sustained antigen stimulation. Our findings present a longitudinal analysis of CD4+ T cell development post-vaccination with an intracellular bacterial LAV, and highlight the benefit of inflammation in the development of Th1 immunity. Future studies focusing on the induction of IMs may reveal key strategies for improving vaccine-induced T cell immunity.
In Search of a Unit of Analysis for Designing Instruments
Authors: Béguin Pascal
Published: September 2023

A welcome topic of the new journal Artifact is to promote as a distinct academic field the transdisciplinary approaches centered on design research. One of the conditions for such a transdisciplinary approach is that the different actors recognize the specificity of the contributions of other actors and the complementary nature of their respective productions. In this essay, I will argue that the different contributions of experts in design must be completed by users’ constructive activity. More particularly, my focus is to search for a unit of analysis that helps to build shared references between users and designers. I will proceed in two steps. In the first, I will suggest that an instrument cannot be confused with an artifact, and that it is the user or the worker who gives to an artifact the status of an instrument. In a second step I will describe the design process as a dialogical process in the Bakhtinien sense. I will conclude with comments on “what is an artifact?”
What is an artifact?
Authors: Jones John Chris
Published: September 2023

This is my reply to your question ‘what is an artifact?’ My answer begins as an entryin my digital diary, called ‘from a garden’.

The layout is intentionally so. (eds.)
A tantárgyi koncentráció szükségessége a testnevelés és a természettudomány tanítása során
Authors: Molnár Zsolt , Czebe Ádám
Published: September 2023

A tantárgyak szerint bontott oktatás igénypontként támasztja alá azt, hogy az egyes tantárgyak közötti kapcsolatot feltárjuk, ugyanis a tudástranszfer szempontjából mindez kardinális érdekű. Ilyen igénypont mutatkozhat meg a mozgás mint komplex életjelenség tanításakor is, amely során az általános iskola felső tagozatában a testnevelés, természettudomány és biológia tantárgy adhatja meg a komplex ismeretanyag leképezéséhez a segítséget. Jelen tanulmány célja, hogy a pedagógusi munkához elengedhetetlen tantervi követelményeket összehasonlítsuk, és elemzést hajtsunk végre a testnevelés és természettudományos tantervek megjelenésének tükrében. A célok elérése érdekében alkalmaztunk referált szakirodalmi feltárást, folyamatábrákat, mátrixokat, SWOT elemzéseket és leíró gráfot. A módszerekben alkalmazott információk segítségül szolgálnak arra, hogy a testnevelés (5–8. osztály), a biológia (7–8. osztály) és a természettudomány (5–6. osztály) tantárgy összehasonlító elemzését el tudjuk végezni, és döntéselőkészítő következtetéseket tudjunk megállapítani. Ezen ismeretekből kiderült, hogy mennyire illenek össze vagy mennyire ellentétesen épülnek fel az adott tantárgyak a mozgás tématerület és természettudományos tárgyak tükrében, illetve látható, hogy a tantárgyak tantervei, ajánlásai mennyire felelnek meg a tudományos ismereteknek.
Drying and analysis of waste from potatoes, carrots, and chayote for food purposes
Authors: Matias Silva Nayane , Gonçalves Souza Diene , Alves Mesquita Abner , Cabral de Oliveira Daniel Emanuel , Resende Osvaldo , Antônio Pereira da Silva Marco
Published: September 2023

Vegetable peels are rarely used in food preparation, causing the loss of several nutrients. Such residues caproduce flour as a possible food source with added nutritional and economic value. Thus, the objective wasto evaluate the nutritional quality and the color of the flours obtained from the peels of potato, carrot, andchayote subjected to drying at the temperatures of 40, 50, 60, and 70 °C, as well as analyzing the dryingkinetics. The peels were removed, packed in an isothermal box with ice, and taken to the laboratory. Thenthey were washed in running water to remove dirt and unwanted parts and sanitized. After this stage, theywere broken into 2 cm lengths. The drying was carried out in 150 g of peels in triplicate for each raw material.Subsequently, nutritional quality, color, and drying models were determined. Flours obtained from drying athigher temperatures showed higher protein content and lower lipid content. The higher the temperature, theshorter the drying time for the flour. All flours presented excellent nutritional quality. Among the models studiedfor potato peels, Wang and Singh, Midilli, and Logarithmic are the most suitable. For chayote and carrot peels,the Midilli model is the most adequate. Using vegetable residues added to food formulations presents itself asan excellent nutritional source, besides adding flavor and texture to foods.
Photochemical efficiency and growth of sugar apple under irrigation with saline water and foliar nitrogen
Authors: De Fatima Reynaldo Teodoro , Nóbrega Jackson Silva , Ferreira Jean Télvio Andrade , Celedônio Wilma Freitas , Ribeiro João Everthon da Silva , Pereira Walter Esfrain , Antônio Gustavo de Luna Souto  , Lima Geovani Soares de
Published: September 2023

Salt stress has compromised the worldwide expansion of fruit farming by causing damage to light energy regulation and crop growth, which can be mitigated by applying foliar nitrogen (N). From this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the chlorophyll contents, fluorescence, and the growth of sugar apple seedlings under irrigation with saline water and foliar N fertilisation. The experiment was conducted in a plant nursery and following a randomized block design referring to five electrical conductivity levels of irrigation water (0.5, 1.15, 2.75, 4.35, and 5.0 dS m-1) and five foliar N levels (0.0, 0.33, 1.15, 1.97, and 2.3 g L-1), with four replications and two plants per plot, totaling nine combinations generated by the Box central composite design. Irrigation water salinity reduces the growth of sugar apple seedlings irrigated with conductivity levels over 1.7 dS m-1 at 90 days after emergence. Foliar N fertilisation increased the photochemical efficiency and growth of sugar apple seedlings. The foliar application of 1.93 g L-1 mitigate the deleterious effects of water salinity on the photochemical efficiency and growth of sugar apple seedlings.