bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental confirmation of drive pressure boosting and smoothing for hybrid-drive inertial fusion at the 100-kJ laser facility
Authors: Yan Ji , Li Jiwei , He Xian-Tu , Wang Lifeng , Chen Yao-Hua , Wang Feng , Han Xiaoying , Liang Juxi , Li Yulong , Guan Zanyang , Liu Xiangming , Che Xingsen , Chen Zhongjing , Zhang Xing , Xu Yan , Li Bin , He Minqing , Cai Hongbo , Hao Liang , Liu Zhanjun , Zheng Chunyang , Dai Zhensheng , Fan Zhengfeng , Qiao Bin , Li Fuquan , Jiang Shaoen , Yu Mingyang , Zhu Shaoping
Published: January 2023

In laser-driven inertial fusion, drive pressure boosting and smoothing to suppress hydrodynamic instabilities are major challenge. A proposed hybrid-drive (HD) scheme of a coupling of the indirect-drive (ID) and direct-drive (DD) offers two new effects, ″bulldozer″ like and thermal smoothing, to boost and smooth the HD pressure far greater than the radiation ablation pressure to perform stable implosion and nonstagnation ignition. In this article, we report that such HD pressure was first verified experimentally by a planar ablator target in a semicylindrical hohlraum. Using laser energy of 43 kJ for ID and 3.6-4.0 kJ (intensity about 1.8×1015 W⁄cm2 ) for DD, the HD pressure measured by VISAR is about 3.5 times the radiation ablation pressure with measured radiation temperature 200 eV(peak) by FXRD. How the symmetric HD shock driven by the HD pressure catches up with and stops the asymmetric ID shock is observed as well. While total fractions for DD laser backscattering and hot electron energy about 4.5% and about 2%, respectively, both about one-third of the traditional DD for the same intensity, are measured.
Investigating Role of Tropical-extratropical Interactions in Formation of Atmospheric Rivers and Supplying Extreme-widespread Precipitation Moisture in Iran: A Case Study on March 25, 2019
Authors: Fahimi Helaleh , Faraji Abdollah , Alijani Buhloul , Asakereh Hossein , Raispour Koohzad
Published: January 2023

This study aims to investigate the role of tropical-extratropical interactions in the formation of atmospheric rivers as an important source of moisture in extreme-widespread precipitation of Iran. Extreme precipitation events are extracted based on the 95th percentile index from 1989 to 2019 in Iran. Then, the threshold of widespread precipitation is determined. A day is defined as having extreme-widespread precipitation if one-third of the selected stations have mostly extreme precipitation. Finally, 9 days with the highest extreme precipitation and spatial continuity are selected. The upper air data of the 9 selected days are extracted and, accordingly, synoptic charts are plotted. The used data include ERA5, which are extracted from the lower (800 and 850 hPa) and middle (500, 600 and 700 hPa) levels. The results indicate an interaction with tropical circulation patterns by penetration of extratropical circulation patterns into tropical and subtropical regions. The interaction between patterns could lead to the formation of atmospheric rivers with tropical origin from ITCZ, their transport to subtropical and extratropical regions and their moisture supply along the path by different moisture sources in tropical, subtropical and extratropical regions. The formed atmospheric rivers are divided into two categories, namely continental and oceanic, based on their formation origin. The continental atmospheric river is formed at the lower level and, in some cases, at the middle level, while the oceanic atmospheric river is only formed at the middle level. With the emergence of atmospheric rivers in Iran, there have been extreme-widespread precipitation events due to unstable conditions and rising atmosphere.
The rworkflows suite: automated continuous integration for quality checking, documentation website creation, and containerised deployment of R packages
Authors: Schilder Brian M. , Murphy Alan E. , Skene Nathan G.
Published: January 2023

Reproducibility is essential to the progress of research, yet achieving it remains elusive even in computational fields. Continuous Integration (CI) platforms offer a powerful way to launch automated workflows to check and document code, but often require considerable time, effort, and technical expertise to setup. We therefore developed the rworkflows suite to make robust CI workflows easy and freely accessible to all R package developers (https://github.com/neurogenomics/rworkflows). rworkflows consists of 1) a CRAN/Bioconductor-compatible R package template, 2) an R package to quickly implement a standardised workflow, and 3) a centrally maintained GitHub Action. Each time it is triggered by a push to a GitHub repository, it automatically creates virtual machines across multiple OS, installs all dependencies, runs code checks, builds/deploys a documentation website, and builds/deploys version-controlled containers with a built-in RStudio interface.
Additional analyses demonstrate that >50% of all R packages are only available via GitHub, highlighting the need for accessible solutions. Thus, rworkflows greatly reduces the barriers to implementing robust and reproducible best practices.
A nomogram model based on neuroendocrine markers for predicting the prognosis of neuroendocrine carcinoma of cervix
Authors: Jia Mingzhu , Pi Jiangchuan , Zou Juan , Feng Min , Chen Huilin , Lin Changsheng , Yang Shuqi , Deng Ying , Xiao Xue
Published: January 2023

Purpose
Combining traditional clinical parameters with neuroendocrine markers to construct a nomogram model to predict the postoperative recurrence of neuroendocrine carcinoma of cervix (NECC).
Methods
257 patients were included in this study, of which, 171 patients diagnosed with NECC who underwent surgery at West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University were considered as part of the training cohort. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used in screening the high-risk factors related to cancer recurrence in the training cohort to establish a nomogram model which was further independently validated in the remaining 86 patients who underwent surgery at First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. The calibration curve was used to conduct the internal and external verification of the model.
Results
Overall, 41 relapse cases were observed in the training (23 cases) and validation (18 cases) cohorts. The univariate analysis preliminarily showed that FIGO stage, stromal invasion, nerve invasion, lymph vascular space invasion, lymph node involvement, cervical-uterine junction invasion and CgA were correlated with NECC recurrence. The multivariate analysis further confirmed that FIGO stage (P = 0.023), stromal invasion (P = 0.002), lymph vascular space invasion (P = 0.039) and lymph node involvement (P = 0.00) were independent risk factors for NECC recurrence, which were ultimately included in the nomogram model. In addition, superior consistency indices were demonstrated in the training (0.863, 95%CI 0.784–0.942) and validation (0.884, 95%CI 0.758–1.010) cohorts.
Conclusion
The established nomogram model combining traditional clinical parameters with neuroendocrine markers can reliably and accurately predict the recurrence risks in NECC patients.
The Ross-Mcdonald model revisited: linking transmission and within-host dynamics
Authors: López Mayra Núñez , Echeverría Jocelyn Anaid Castro , Hernández Jorge Xicoténcatl Velasco
Published: January 2023

We present a model that explicitly links the epidemiological Ross-Macdonald model with a simple immunological model through a virus inoculation term that depends on the abundance of infected mosquitoes. We explore the relationship between the reproductive numbers at the population (between-host) and individual level (within-host), in particular the role a certain measure of infectivity (defined in terms of the number of target cells infected) and viral clearance rate play in the coupled dynamics. The conditions for a disease outbreak require, for the average individual in the population, to have an active (within-host) viral infection. This infection depends on the viral load and the proportion of infected cells which are quantities that change in time. Only when these two quantities are sufficiently large, the epidemic outbreak may occur. We also describe a particular kind of transmission-clearance trade off for vector-host systems with a simple structure.
On-orbit Geometric Calibration Method Based on Star Observation to Correct Thermal Deformation of GEO Optical Satellite
Authors: Huang Jie , Xi Juntong , Wu Yayun
Published: January 2023

The thermal environment in geostationary orbit is much complicated than low orbit. Thermal deformation is a primary factor to deteriorate geometric quality of remote sensing image of geostationary optical satellite. The on orbit geometric quality testing results of the SDLT-1 satellite of China show that the light of sight (LOS) deviation in longitude and latitude are 26 pixels and 14 pixels respectively which are out of the accuracy requirement of the satellite. Therefore a novel on-orbit geometric calibration method based on star observation is proposed to correct thermal deformation of geostationary optical satellite. The images embodied stars are employed as experiment sources to evaluate the proposed method which are compared with traditional method based on landmarks. The results show that the geometric accuracy of the proposed method can achieve 3.2 pixels which are better than traditional calibration method based on landmarks.
Prognostic Biomarkers Based On GUF1, EFTUD2 and GSPT1 Targets Affecting Migration of Gastric Cancer Cells.
Authors: Ma Haixiu , Wang Xiaowu , Zhao Jing , Ma Ronghua , Wang Qi , Liu Jun , Qiao Jinwan , Wu Juan , An Juan , Liu Yan , Xing Yonghua , Ma Xueman , Wu Qiong , Wang Haiyan , Su Zhanhai
Published: January 2023

Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 1 Alpha 2 (EEF1A2) is a protein coding gene which involved in tumor development and progression in several types of human cancer, but little is known about the function of EEF1A2 proteins in gastric cancer (GC).The ONCOMINE and the TCGA databases were used to evaluate the expression of GUF1, EFTUD2, GSPT1 and GSPT2 in GC and the association of EEF1A2 family with individual clinical characteristics. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) Plotter hint the prognostic value of GUF1, EFTUD2, GSPT1 and GSPT2. GSE62254 and GSE66222 dataset were used to validated the expression of GUF1, EFTUD2, GSPT1. Human AGS and GES cells lines were also used for validating the function of GUF1, EFTUD2, GSPT1. RNA interference (RNAi) of GUF1, EFTUD2 and GSPT1 have been used to query those genes expression pattern and dissect the proliferation and migration in GC cells line. The results showed that GUF1, EFTUD2 and GSPT1 were significantly up-regulated in GC cell lines. High expression of GUF1, EFTUD2 and GSPT1 was correlated with cell proliferation and migration induced in GC cells. We report GUF1, EFTUD2 and GSPT1 may be potential novel oncogenes that helps to maintain the survival of GC cells. Our study identified that high level of GUF1, EFTUD2 and GSPT1 expression are predictive biomarkers for a poor prognosis in GC.
Healthcare Workers’ Delivery of Adolescent Responsive Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Services: An Assessment in Plateau State, Nigeria
Authors: Envuladu Esther Awazzi , Massar Karlijn , de Wit John
Published: January 2023

Background
Adolescents should have access to high quality and responsive sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS), and recently, in Nigeria a national policy on the health and development of adolescent and young people was developed to ensure adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health needs will be met. However, it is unclear to what extent the policy is implemented by healthcare workers (HCW’s) in health facilities across the country. The current study assessed the general availability of SRHS and the delivery of SRHS to adolescents in primary care facilities from the perspective of HCW. We also assessed HCWs views of facilities meeting the SRH needs of adolescents, and their understanding of what constitutes adolescent responsive SRHS.
Methods
Using a cross sectional design, we included 409 HCWs selected by multistage sampling technique, mostly females (66.3%) and above 40 years, across six Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State, Nigeria and interviewed them using an interviewer-administered survey questionnaire.
Results
The most frequently available SRHS was antenatal and delivery care (69.2%). Availability of contraception was reported by 25.9%, and 14.9% reported the availability of post abortion care. Only 1.2% indicated that all four SRHS recommended for adolescents (counselling/information provision, provision of contraceptives, testing/treatment for sexually transmitted infection (STI) /HIV, and post abortion care) were available. Little over half (58.4%) felt their facilities were adequate in meeting the SRH needs of adolescent, and this was associated with duration of working experience (AOR = 0.407; CI = 0.238–0.698; p = .001), delivery of post abortion care (AOR = 3.612; CI = 1.886–6.917; p = .001), and providing SRHS to adolescents without parental consent (AOR = 3.612; CI = 1.886–6.917; p = .001). Most HCWs had poor understanding of adolescent responsiveness of SRHS, and better understanding was associated with lower HWC’s age, and also better among HCWs who provided SRHS without parental consent and in a separate room for privacy and confidentiality.
Conclusion
We conclude that ASRHS is not yet as stipulated in the national policy in Plateau State, Nigeria and HCW’s perception of their services being adolescent responsive was higher when they actually delivered relevant ASRHS. In general they have poor understanding of what it means to provide adolescent-responsive services.
Prevalence of potato blackleg and soft rot in Georgia
Authors: Muradashvili Maka , Tsror Leah , Sikharulidze Zoia , Meparishvili Soso , Sara Lebiush Mordechai , Meparishvili Galina
Published: January 2023

Potato is an important commodity in Georgia, but the average yields are considerably low (12 t/ha) mainly due to bacterial diseases. During 2020-2021, 73 samples of diseased potato tubers and stems were collected from fields and storage facilities, in different locations in Georgia. Following microbiological and biochemical tests, 54 strains (74%) were gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, oxidase negative, catalase-positive, they developed at 37oC and in 5% NaCl, non-fluorescent on King´s B medium, and produced cavities on CVP, thus indicating they were either Dickeya or Pectobacterium spp. Twenty-seven out of selected 33 strains were identified as Dickeya spp. using conventional PCR and 21 of them were further characterized as D. solani (using TaqMan RT-PCR). According to the present research, D. solani is the major pathogen associated with potato soft rot and black leg in different regions of Georgia. The most prevalent species in Europe, P. brasiliense, as well as D. dianthicola have not been detected in the current research.
Time to death and its predictors among asphyxiated neonates admitted to Jimma University Medical Center, Ethiopia: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kajela Lencho , Berhanu Solomon , Kune Guta , Gezahegn Yenealem
Published: January 2023

Background
Perinatal asphyxia is the second leading cause of neonatal mortality in sub-Saharan African countries. Preterm birth complications, perinatal asphyxia, and infection account for greater than 80% of neonatal mortality in Ethiopia. There is limited study in Ethiopia on the survival status of asphyxiated neonates; therefore, this study aimed to assess time to death and its predictors among asphyxiated neonates admitted to Jimma University Medical center.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted on all eligible 373 asphyxiated neonates admitted to Jimma University Medical Center from April 12/2019 to May 5 /2022. Data were extracted from May 18 to June 3/2022, entered into Epidata 3.1, and analyzed by R 4.2.1. Bivariable Cox regression was used to select candidate variables for Multivariate cox regression. Multivariate cox regression was fitted to identify predictors of time to death of the neonates at 0.05 level of Significance and corresponding confidence interval of the adjusted Hazard ratio.
Results
in this study, 84(22.52%( 95CI:18.38–27.10))) neonates died during 2888 person days, yielding an incidence rate of 29.09 (95%CI: 23.20-36.01) per 1000 person-days. The median survival time was 20 days (95%CI: 18–23)). Stage III Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (AHR: 3.46(95%CI: 1.55–7.70)), acute kidney injury (AHR: 2.82 (95%CI: 1.28–6.23)), and stress ulcers (AHR: 2.24 (95%CI: 1.26–3.97)) were independent predictors of time to death.
Conclusions
The incidence of neonatal mortality was high; therefore, early identification of the stage of Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, acute kidney injury, stress ulcers, and close follow-up is suggested.
A semi-Markov model with geometricrenewal processes
Authors: Zhang Jingqi , Fouladirad Mitra , Limnios Nikolaos
Published: January 2023

We consider a system modeled by a semi-Markov process where we include geometric renewal process for sojourn times. Pérez-Ocón and Torres-Castro first study this system [1]. In our work here we consider an extended state space for up and down times separately. This allows us to use the standard theory for semi-Markov processes in order to obtain all reliability related measurements as reliability, availability (point and steady-state), mean times and rate of mortality of the system with general initial law. We proceed with a convolution algebra, which allows us to obtain final closed form formulas for the above measurements. Moreover, we present numerical examples.
Plant growth promoting bacteria mitigates salt stress during Handroanthus impetiginosus in vitro rooting
Authors: Yarte Mauro Enrique , Gonzalez Ana Julia , Llorente Berta Elizabet , Larraburu Ezequiel Enrique
Published: January 2023

Salinity is one of main abiotic stresses that causes adverse effects on plant growth and affects millions of hectares around the world. Variability of physical and chemical properties of soils has made field experiments notoriously difficult to evaluate. Plant tissue culture has been used as a model system to study physiological responses induced by salinity. The aim of this work was to evaluate the tolerance to salinity of Handroanthus impetiginosus ‘pink lapacho’ and the effect of inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria previously isolated from adult plants. Shoots induced for 3 days in half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium with 30 µM of indole butyric acid were used and then transferred to auxin-free medium, supplemented with 0, 40, 80 or 160 mM NaCl and inoculated or not with 108 cfu of Bacillus sp. L15 or Sphingobacterium sp. L22. At the end of experiments (40 days), 50% Inhibitory Concentration 50 (IC50) was determined from regression curves constructed with rooting percentages. Bacterization with L15 and L22 strains displaced IC50 to higher NaCl concentrations (147 and 160 mM, respectively) relative to controls (109 mM). Furthermore, inoculation with L22 improved biometric parameters index (BPI) at 40 mM NaCl. Finally, bacterization and NaCl concentration modified proline, phenolics and chlorophylls contents during the first 15 days of culture. Bacteria inoculation also mitigated anatomical alterations produced by salt stress. In conclusion, bacteria tested in this work promoted in vitro rooting and alleviated negative effects from salt stress in H. impetiginosus.
Facile synthesis of few-Layered MoS2 Nanoroses Covering TiO2 Nanowires as improved bacterial inactivation and photodegradation devices
Authors: Allahyar Soheil , Taheri Milad , Allahyar Sina
Published: January 2023

Recently, much attention has been paid to heterogeneous nanostructures. Its versatile properties include morphology stimulants, surface oxygen vacancies, and chemical compounds to enhance the production of reactive oxygen species. In addition, phase junction construction and surface modification are two practical engineering strategies toward efficient photocatalysis. In this study, a novel and efficient TiO2-MoS2hybrid structure photocatalyst has been fabricated through microwave irradiation method. Investigation of the phase, structural, morphological and optical properties of nanohybrids were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis absorption;Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Interlacment few layers MoS2and distribution MoS2nanoroses (NRs) on TiO2nanowire (NWs) have been carefully evaluated from HRTEM images. The amount of photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) solution was investigated using UV visible absorption spectroscopy. According to the results, TiO2-MoS2hybrids were effective in the photodegradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. Here, the photodegradation efficiency of the nanohybrids after 60 minutes of irradiation time was about 96% with a reaction rate of 3.34 x 10− 3min− 1. The electron trapping recombination and acceptable photocatalytic mechanism have also been investigated, and the reported work could be promising as an efficient photocatalyst for industrial wastewater treatment. The photocatalytic antibacterial activity of the nanohybrids was estimated to kill 98% of E. coli in 60 minutes, so they are excellent in water disinfection.
Gender-specific associations between weight-adjusted-waist index and peripheral arterial disease in adults: Evidence from NHANES 1999-2004
Authors: Xie Feng , Gong Ren , Fang Haiyang , Xu Jinsong , Wu Yanqing
Published: January 2023

The relationship between weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI, a newly developed obesity index) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is unclear. We aimed to explore the association between WWI and the prevalence of PAD in US adults. A total of 7,344 participants (males: 50.60%; females: 49.40%) from the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included in this study. WWI was calculated as waist circumference (WC) divided by the square root of weight. PAD was defined as an ankle-brachial index < 0.90 in either leg. The prevalence of PAD was 7.84%, which was respectively 3.72%, 7.23%, and 12.58% in WWI tertiles 1–3 (P < 0.001). WWI was positively associated with an elevated likelihood of PAD (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.06–1.48), and the association was robust in stratified subgroups (all P for trend > 0.05). For male participants, there was a nearly linear relationship between WWI and PAD (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.01–1.82). However, non-linear positive relationships were detected in females with an inflection point of 10.98 cm/√kg. A positive association was observed on the left of the inflection point (OR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.27–5.78), while the association on the right was of no statistical significance (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.77–1.33). In summary, WWI was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of PAD in US adults, with a differential association between males and females.
Glutathione Trisulfide Prevents Lipopolysaccharide-induced Retinal Inflammation via Inhibition of Proinflammatory Cytokine Production in Glial Cells
Authors: Tawarayama Hiroshi , Umeki Kota , Inoue-Yanagimachi Maki , Himori Noriko , Takahashi Naoki , Tsuda Satoru , Kunikata Hiroshi , Akaike Takaaki , Nakazawa Toru
Published: January 2023

We aimed to investigate the impact of glutathione trisulfide (GSSSG) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in retinal glia. Inflammatory responses in mouse-derived glial cells and Wistar rat retinas were stimulated with intravitreal LPS injection. Cell survival and proinflammatory cytokine production were examined using the Calcein-AM assay, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Retinal microglia were visualized with immunohistochemistry for Iba1. Administration of LPS (10 µg/mL) or GSSSG (less than 100 µM) did not affect survival of cultured primary Müller cells and established microglial cells. RT-qPCR and ELISA indicated that GSSSG inhibited LPS-induced gene upregulation and protein secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in these glial cells and rat retinas. Finally, immunohistochemical studies indicated that GSSSG inhibited LPS-induced accumulation of Iba1-immunopositive microglia in rat retinas. GSSSG has the potential to prevent pathogenesis of inflammation-associated ocular diseases by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine expression in retinal glial cells.
Retrospective analysis of 21 cases of Marchiafava-Bignami disease in alcoholic in Southwest China
Authors: Wu xiaohui , Li Wenju , Wang Yuzhu , Chen Xuan , Xi Zhi-Qin
Published: January 2023

Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a rare disease with only a few reports worldwide. To describe clinical features and identify difficulties in the treatment of alcohol-related MBD, we performed a retrospective study of 21 MBD inpatients at a hospital in Southwest China. The interquartile range (IQR) for age was 53-66, with a mean age of 59 years. The IQR for drinking duration was 30-40, with a mean drinking length of 35.5 years. Cognitive impairment and unconsciousness were the most common symptoms (n=13, [61.9%]). Consciousness disorders, delirium, irritability, and ataxia are more prevalent in type A MBD patients; seizures, cognitive impairment, and limb weakness are more common in type B MBD patients. Routine blood and biochemical tests in alcoholic MBD patients may demonstrate orthocytic hypochromic anaemia and impaired liver function. Patients' uric acid (UA), potassium, and sodium levels may be normal. Eight patients received thiamine, while one received steroids. The average stay was 15 days. At the time of discharge, there had been no deaths. One patient died six months after being discharged, while another died two years afterwards. Indeed, MBD is a rare alcohol-related disorder with a variety of clinical symptoms. With thiamine treatment, prognosis is positive.
Clinical Implications of Fractional Flow Reserve Measured Immediately after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Csanadi Bettina , Ferenci Tamas , Fulop Gabor , Piroth Zsolt
Published: January 2023

Purpose
The purpose of the present study was to find the independent predictors of Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) measured immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention with drug eluting stent implantation (post-PCI FFR) and investigate if applying vessel-specific post-PCI FFR cut-off values to predict target vessel failure (TVF), a composite of cardiac death (CD), non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and target vessel revascularisation (TVR) or a composite of CD and MI ameliorated its predictive power.
Methods
Consecutive patients with post-PCI FFR measurement at our center between 2009 and 2021 were included in this analysis.
Results
434 patients with 500 vessels were included. Median pre-PCI FFR was 0.72 with no difference between LAD and non-LAD vessels. Median post-PCI FFR was 0.87. LAD location, male gender, smaller stent diameter and lower pre-PCI FFR proved to be significant predictors of a lower post-PCI FFR. On a vessel-level, post-PCI FFR, stent length, and diabetes mellitus proved to be significant predictors of TVF and the composite of CD and MI. The best post-PCI FFR cut-off to predict TVF or a composite of CD and MI was 0.83 in the LAD and 0.91 in non-LAD vessels.
Conclusion
LAD location is a predictor of a lower post-PCI FFR. Post-PCI FFR is an independent predictor of TVF as well as of the composite of CD and MI. No uniform target post-PCI FFR value exists; different cut-off values should be applied in LAD as opposed to non-LAD vessels.
Pd decorated ZnO nanosheets for enhanced hydrogen sensing performance
Authors: Dong Hua-Dong , Zhao Jian-Ping , Peng Ming-Xing , Xu Pei-Yuan , Yang Xuan-Yu , Zhang Yong-Hui
Published: January 2023

With the exhaustion of fossil energy, hydrogen (H2), as a kind of clean energy with extensive source and high calorific value, has attracted great attention. However, in the process of H2preparation, transportation and storage, safety accidents such as leakage and explosion often occur, which greatly hinders the development and utilization of H2. Therefore, fast and accurate detection of H2plays an important role in H2industry. Based on this, we have synthesized two-dimensional (2D) zinc oxide (ZnO) nanosheets by hydrothermal method, and further optimized its sensing performance through Pd modification. H2sensitivity test results show that Pd load can greatly enhance the sensing performance of 2D ZnO materials. At 160°C, the sensing response of Pd load ZnO sensitive materials (PZO) towards H2(100 ppm) is 17.6, which is much higher than the pure ZnO nanosheets (3.2). Additionly, the H2sensing performance of the prepared gas sensor did not change significantly during the 30-days test, showing excellent stability. The H2sensing mechanism of PZO sensitive materials is mainly attributed to the synergistic mechanism of Pd catalytic site and oxygen vacancy (OV). Therefore, the synthesized PZO sensitive material provides an effective strategy for the preparation of high-performance H2sensors.
Second-order Optimality Conditions for Nonsmooth Multiobjective Fractional Optimization Problems
Authors: Wang Haijun , Kang Gege
Published: January 2023

The aim of this paper is to discuss the theoretical aspects of multiobjective fractional problems. We consider a class of multiobjective fractional optimization problems (FOP) with inequality and degenerate equality constraints in which the objective function and the inequality constraints are only locally Lipschitz. We give second-order necessary conditions for the existence of local weak Pareto minimum and strict local Pareto minimum of order two for (FOP). Then we establish Fritz-John type necessary conditions for local weak Pareto minimum to problem (FOP), meanwhile, by introducing two constraint qualifications, we prove that the Fritz-John type necessary conditions become the Kuhn-Tucker type. The applicability of our conclusions is illustrated with some examples.
WITHDRAWN: Optimization Technique For Optimal Location Selection Based On Medical Image Watermarking On Healthcare System
Authors: Umaamaheshvari A. , Sivasankari K. , Suguna N. , Kshirsagar Pravin R. , Tirth Vineet , Rajaram A.
Published: January 2023

The optimization algorithms mimic the process of natural evolution. In watermarking, appropriate positions to insert the watermark is identified by the image that covers. These positions represent the populations of genetic algorithms. The major drawback in genetic algorithm are that it may get stuck-up at a local optimum while moving towards the best global solution and hence the result is poor when compared to other local optimization techniques. The proposed work based on Bandelet based biogeography firefly hybrid algorithms. The Number of pixels, Intensity of the pixel and contrast are considered for watermarking. The redundancy is reduced by Bandelet and used to determine the best location to embed the information into an image both locally and globally. Results of these techniques are compared based on coefficient correlation, index structural similarity, and noise ratio from peak signal.
Neuroprotective role of DPP-4 inhibitor Linagliptin against neurodegeneration, neuronal insulin resistance and neuroinflammation induced by intracerebroventricular streptozotocin in rat model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Siddiqui Nazia , Ali Javed , Parvez Suhel , Najmi Abul Kalam , Akhtar Mohd
Published: January 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-related, multifactorial progressive neurodegenerative disorder manifested by cognitive impairment and neuronal death in the brain hippocampus, yet the precise neuropathology of AD is still unclear. Continuous failure of various clinical trial studies demands the utmost need to explore more therapeutic targets against AD. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and neuronal insulin resistance due to serine phosphorylation of Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 at 307 exhibits correlation with AD. Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) have also indicated therapeutic effects in AD by increasing the level of Glucagon-like peptide-1 in the brain after crossing Blood Brain Barrier. The present study is hypothesized to examine Linagliptin, a DPP-4i in intracerebroventricular streptozotocin induced neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation and hippocampal insulin resistance in rat model of AD. Following infusion on 1st and 3rd day, animals were treated orally with Linagliptin (0.513mg/kg, 3mg/kg, and 5mg/kg) and donepezil (5 mg/kg) as a standard for 8 weeks. Neurobehavioral, biochemical and histopathological analysis was done at the end of treatment. Dose-dependently Linagliptin significantly reversed behavioral alterations done through locomotor activity (LA) and morris water maze (MWM) test. Moreover, Linagliptin augmented hippocampal GLP-1 and Akt-ser473 level and mitigated soluble Aβ (1–42), IRS-1 (s307), GSK-3β, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, AchE and oxidative/nitrosative stress level. Histopathological analysis also exhibited neuroprotective and anti-amylodogenic effect in Hematoxylin & eosin and Congo red staining respectively. The findings of our study concludes remarkable dose-dependent therapeutic potential of Linagliptin against neuronal insulin resistance via IRS-1 and AD-related complication. Thus, demonstrates unique molecular mechanism that underlie AD.
Improved reliability of intraoperative language testing through pre-operative baseline linguistic scores and baseline object naming
Authors: Moritz Ina , Dreyer Felix R. , Ohlerth Ann-Kathrin , Koerber Mareike , Chenitir Chokri , Schneider Heike , Gebert Pimrapat , Vajkoczy Peter , Picht Thomas , Faust Katharina
Published: January 2023

Visual object naming (vON) is the most commonly applied linguistic test during awake surgeries with electrical stimulation mapping. Little is known about the predictive value of general preoperative linguistic and cognitive function for the intraoperative object naming ability of the patient. We aimed at analyzing these correlations, in order to potentially define cut-off values for when intraoperative vON tasks may no longer be gainful. Also, we aimed to assess the benefits of patient-specific tailoring of object-images. 46 patients with left-sided perisylvian tumors, scheduled for awake surgeries, underwent a preoperative workup including a comprehensive test battery for general linguistic function, a cognitive function test, and an object naming task, employing a set of objects that was validated prior in an inhouse study. For intraoperative use, the initial set of 80 objects was tailored down to a slack of objects, each patient could reproducibly name. Correlations between the respective tests were drawn using multivariate analyses. On average, patients were only able to correctly name 81% of the original validated baseline set of objects (range from 16%-88%). Aachen Aphasia Test (AAT) scores and DemTect test scores (DS) correlated tightly with the vON. Patients with initial AAT scores of < 80%, DS of < 50%, and baseline vON scores of < 50% were no longer able to reliably comply with the intraoperative task. Patient specific tailored sets of objects improve the reliability of intraoperative object naming tasks. An elaborate preoperative language evaluation will give an estimate of the expected object naming ability of the patient and will help put into perspective intraoperative performances. There may be cut-off values in a-priori language function that may disqualify for awake surgeries.
Traditional Chinese Patent Medicine Qizhijiangtang Capsule for Non- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Pang Bing , Guo He , Zhang Yue-ying , Feng Shuo , Hu Hua-jie , Sun Ye , Cao Ai-mei , Lu Chun-qian , Zhang Wei-hua , Ni Qing
Published: January 2023

Background: Diabetic retinopathy remains a leading cause of vision loss globally. Here, we investigated the efficacy and safety of Qizhijiangtang capsule (QZJC), a kind of traditional Chinese patent medicine, for patients with NPDR.
Methods: This study is a multi-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial. A total of 100 participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to QZJC group or QZJC placebo group. The treatment duration lasts 24 weeks. The primary outcome is the changes in the degree of retinal microaneurysm lesions assessed by fundus photography and fundus fluorescence angiography before and after treatment. The secondary outcomes include the changes in corrected visual acuity, blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, urinary microalbumin excretion rate, the improvement of TCM syndromes and TCM symptoms.
Discussion: We postulate that NPDR patients will benefit from QZJC. If successful, this work will provide preliminary evidence that QZJC could delay the progress of DR.
Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry no. ChiCTR1900023506. The protocol has registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=39622. Registered 31 May 2019.
Template (preprint statement): This manuscript has been preprinted [https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-596869/v1].
Effect of composite coating of konjac glucomannan with green tea polyphenols on antioxidant activity and shelf-life of post-harvest passion fruit
Authors: Feng Shaobiao , Pan Huahong , Li Gangfeng , Li Xiang , Luo Linjie , Yang Tao , Lv Zhenzhen
Published: January 2023

In this study, the effect of konjac glucomannan (KGM) and green tea polyphenols (GTP) on the preservation quality of passion fruit was explored by using different GTP (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%) in combination with 0.5% KGM. Quality indexes, physicochemical parameters, and antioxidant enzyme activities of passion fruit were measured every three days during storage. Overall, the results revealed that the 0.2% GTP/0.5% KGM composite coating prevailed as the best preservation group, effectively delaying the increase of shrinkage index, weight loss rate, and respiratory intensity. Moreover, the GTP/KGM composite coating could inhibit the increase of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities while retarding the aging and browning of passion fruit. In conclusion, these results suggested that the treatment of natural composite materials (GTP/KGM) has positive effects on extending post-harvest life and improving the quality of passion fruit.
Proximate chemical analysis and effect of age and height of Oxytenanthera abyssinica on fiber morphology and chemical compositions for pulp and paper production potential
Authors: Worku Limenew Abate , Bachheti Archana , Tadesse Mesfin Getachew , Bachheti Rakesh Kumar
Published: January 2023

This study examined the chemical composition, fiber morphology, and physical properties of Oxytenanthera abyssinica culm to assess its pulping potential. TAPPT and Franklin's methods have been used for experiments. The statistical analysis showed that the chemical composition of Oxytenanthera abyssinica is influenced by the age of the plant.The amount of cellulose in the culm increases with age, while ash and extractive content decrease with an increase in age. Thethree-year agedaverage chemical content of the plant was 49.26 ± 0.13, 21.31 ± 0.15, and 20.63 ± 0.12 cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents respectively. There is a significant difference between one, two, and three-year-aged plants (P < 0.05) in cellulose, lignin, ash, and extractive content. The position of the culm also affectsthe fiber morphology of Oxytenanthera abyssinica. The fiber's length, diameter, cell wall thickness, and lumen diameter increase from top to bottom, whereas the flexibility and slenderness ratio decrease. The average fiber morphology of Oxytenanthera abyssinica was flexibility ratio (0.72 ± 0.10), Runkel ratio (0.35 ± 0.10), slenderness ratio (109.98 ± 0.21), lumen diameter (15.63 ± 0.03 µm), cell wall thickness (2.74 ± 0.03 µm), fiber length (2.40 ± 0.10 mm) and fiber diameter (21.83 ± 0.09 µm). The above data showed that the mean value of the fiber length of the plant is greater than 1.5mm, the Runkel ratio was less than 1, and the slenderness ratio was greater than 70 standard values. The result also showed that the average bulk density and the moisture content were 660 kg/m3 and 9.6%, respectively. Although Oxytenanthera abyssinica is widely grown in the study area, no comprehensivestudies have been carried out on fiber morphology, chemical composition, and physical properties based on age and height. Thus, this research was carried out to study the plant's fiber characteristics to assess its suitability for pulp and paper production.Based on the above data, the three-year aged bottom part of Oxytenanthera abyssinica is recommended for moreyield of pulp and high-quality paper production than the first and second-year aged plant.
Application Value of Mind Mapping and Self-Drawing in the Residency Standardized Training Examination During the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lin zimei , Zhang Chao , Pan Hui-li , Xu Wen , Hong Yu-rong , Huang Pin-tong
Published: January 2023

Purpose To explore the effect of mind mapping and self-drawing on medical residents preparing for the standardized national residency training examination.
Methods Eighteen residents (third year) in an ultrasound program were enrolled in this study. All residents used traditional methods plus mind mapping and self-drawing to study for the examination. The effect of the learning methods on residents was evaluated and analyzed by test scores and surveys.
Results The mean pretest score was 74.33 ± 11.08, compared to a mean posttest score of 89.54 ± 4.21. For each body system— urology, obstetrics/gynecology, cardiology and alimentary system— posttest scores were significantly higher than pretest scores (P < 0.01). The difference was not significant for the superficial and general principles of the ultrasound system (P = 0.94, 0.13). However, overall, residents obtained significantly higher practical posttest scores than those on the pretest (P < 0.01), and the level of satisfaction among residents was high(94.4%).
Conclusions Mind mapping and self-drawing can be applied to the review process for standardized residency training examinations and can help medical residents improve review efficiency and retain medical knowledge.
Seismic Performance and SSI effects of a Two-Storey RC School Building during the 2014 Cephalonia, Greece, earthquake sequence
Authors: Giarlelis Christos , Repapis Constantinos , Lamprinou Evlalia , Mylonakis George , Manolis George , Sextos Anastasios
Published: January 2023

The response of a two-storey RC school building in the town of Argostoli, Cephalonia Island, Greece, during the seismic sequence of January and February 2014, is examined. The structure was built following an older generation of seismic codes dating from the 1950s, which provide limited strength and ductility against lateral loads. Despite the severity of ground shaking, the building suffered relatively minor damage, like most of the RC buildings in the town. Following a short presentation of some basic seismological, structural and geotechnical aspects of the seismic sequence, the paper focuses on the seismic performance of the structure at hand. To this end, a series of detailed non-linear static and time-history dynamic analyses are reported, which highlight the interplay of soil, foundation and superstructure in modifying the seismic demand. It is demonstrated that SSI had an unexpectedly important (detrimental) role in the behaviour of the structure, by increasing its natural period by about 11-13% and aggravating ductility demand in almost all columns, despite the stiff soil conditions (Vs = 440 m/s). The results shed light on the seismic performance of the building and help drawing conclusions on the engineering effects of the 2014 Cephalonia earthquake sequence.
Fabrication of graphitized carbon fibers from fusible lignin and their application in supercapacitors
Authors: Zhou Linfei , You Xiangyu , Wang Lingjie , Qi shijie , Wang Ruichen , Uraki Yasumitsu , Zhang Hui Jie
Published: January 2023

Lignin-based carbon fibers (LCFs) with graphitized structures decorated on their surfaces were successfully prepared using simultaneous catalyst loading and chemical stabilization of melt-spun lignin fibers, followed by quick carbonization functionalized as catalytic graphitization. This technique not only enables surficial graphitized LCF preparation at a relatively low temperature of 1200 °C but also avoids additional treatments used in conventional carbon fiber production. The LCFs were then used as electrode materials in a supercapacitor assembly. Electrochemical measurements confirmed that LCF-0.4, a sample with relatively low specific surface area of 89.9 m2 g−1, exhibited the best electrochemical properties. The supercapacitor with LCF-0.4 had a specific capacitance of 50.2 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, power density of 644.9 kW kg−1, energy density of 15.7 Wh kg−1, and capacitance retention of 100% after 1500 cycles even without activation.
Prenatal and childhood exposure to per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and its associations with childhood overweight and/or obesity: a systematic review with meta- analyses
Authors: Frigerio Gianfranco , Ferrari Chiara Matilde , Fustinoni Silvia
Published: January 2023

Background.
Per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent organic pollutants and suspected endocrine disrupters.
Objective.
The aim of this work was to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to summarise the associations between prenatal or childhood exposure to PFASs and childhood overweight/obesity.
Methods.
The search was performed on the bibliographic databases PubMed and Embase with text strings containing terms related to prenatal, childhood, overweight, obesity, and PFASs. Only papers describing a biomonitoring study in pregnant women or in children up to 18 years that assessed body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), or fat mass in children were included. When the estimates of the association between a PFAS and an outcome were reported from at least 3 studies, a meta-analysis was conducted; moreover, to correctly compare the studies, we developed a method to convert the different effect estimates and made them comparable each other.
Results.
In total, 354 and 565 articles were retrieved from PubMed and Embase, respectively, resulting in a total of 613 articles after merging duplicates. The papers included in this systematic review were 31: 18 evaluating prenatal exposure to PFASs, 11 childhood exposure, and 2 both. Overall, results were conflicting, with positive, negative, and null associations. 17 papers were included in meta-analyses (12 prenatal, 3 children, and 2 both). The method implemented for data conversion allowed a suitable comparison of different effect estimates. Meta-analyses evaluating the associations between prenatal exposure to PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and the outcomes BMI, WC, and Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) showed no significant results. Meta-analyses for the associations between childhood exposure to PFASs and the outcomes BMI showed no significant results except for a negative association between PFNA and BMI (pooled estimate from a random effect model: -0.045; 95%CI: -0.087, -0.002), however, more studies are required to confirm the strength of this association.
Conclusion.
To increase the reliability of meta-analyses in environmental epidemiology we suggest the conversion of effect estimates to compare different studies. The pooled evidence of the meta-analyses of the present study suggests that there is no overall association between exposure to PFASs and childhood overweight/obesity.