bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pulse oximetry respiratory monitoring for assessment of acute childhood wheeze
Authors: Wertheim David , Anton Oana , Olden Catherine , Le Maistre Sophie L V , Seddon Paul C
Published: August 2022

Objective

There is a lack of objective measures to assess children with acute wheezing episodes. Increased respiratory rate (RR) and pulsus paradoxus (PP) are recognised markers, but poorly recorded in practice. We examined whether they can be reliably assessed from a pulse oximeter plethysmogram (‘pleth’) trace and predict clinical outcome.

Patients and methods

We studied 44 children aged 1–7 years attending hospital with acute wheeze, following initial ‘burst’ bronchodilator therapy (BT), and used custom software to measure RR and assess PP from oximeter pleth traces. Traces were examined for quality, and the accuracy of the RR measurement was validated against simultaneous respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP). RR and PP at 1 hour after BT were compared with clinical outcomes.

Results

RR from pleth and RIP showed excellent agreement, with a mean difference (RIP minus pleth) of −0.5 breaths per minute (limits of agreement −3.4 to +2.3). 52% of 1 min epochs contained 10 s or more of pleth artefact. At 1 hour after BT, children who subsequently required intravenous bronchodilators had significantly higher RR (median (IQR) 63 (62–66) vs 43 (37–51) breaths per minute) than those who did not, but their heart rate and oxygen saturation were similar. Children with RR ≥55 per minute spent longer in hospital: median (IQR) 30 (22–45) vs 10 (7–21) hours. All children who subsequently required hospital admission had PP-analogous pleth waveforms 1 hour after BT.

Conclusion

RR can be reliably measured and PP detected from the pulse oximeter pleth trace in children with acute wheeze and both markers predict clinical outcome.

Trial registration number

UKCRN15742.
Low dose paracetamol for management of patent ductus arteriosus in very preterm infants: a randomised non-inferiority trial
Authors: Balasubramanian Haribalakrishna , Jain Vaibhav , Bhalgat Parag , Parikh Shalin , Kabra Nandkishore , Mohan Diwakar , Sheth Kshitij
Published: August 2022

Objective

To compare the efficacy of low dose-short course intravenous paracetamol with a conventional dose regimen for early targeted closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Design

Single-centre, double-blinded, active controlled, randomised non-inferiority trial.

Setting

Level III neonatal intensive care unit in Western India.

Patients

Preterm infants <30 weeks of gestation requiring mechanical ventilation, or continuous positive airway pressure with FiO2≥0.35 and diagnosed with a haemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA) at 18–24 hours of postnatal age.

Interventions

Low dose (10 mg/kg/dose 6 hourly for 72 hours) versus conventional dose (15 mg/kg/dose 6 hourly for 120 hours) intravenous paracetamol treatment.

Main outcome measures

Comparison of the rates of ductal closure at completion of sixth postnatal day, using a prespecified non-inferiority margin of 20%.

Results

A total of 102 infants were enrolled. The median gestational age and birth weight of the included infants were 26.4 weeks and 830 g. At completion of the sixth postnatal day, closure of PDA was achieved in 92% of infants in the low dose group as compared with 94% of those in the standard dose group (risk difference: −1.6%, 95% CI: −11.6% to 8.5%, p=0.38). The rates of rescue therapies, adverse effects and other neonatal morbidities were comparable in both groups.

Conclusion

In very preterm infants on significant respiratory support, low dose-short course intravenous paracetamol treatment was non-inferior to a conventional dosing regime of paracetamol for closure of hsPDA in the first week of postnatal age. Larger studies with narrow margins of non-inferiority are required to confirm our findings.

Trial registration number

CTRI/2017/10/010012.
Unpacking the design, implementation and uptake of community-integrated health care services: a critical realist synthesis
Authors: Mukumbang Ferdinand C , De Souza Denise , Liu Hueiming , Uribe Gabriela , Moore Corey , Fotheringham Penelope , Eastwood John G
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Community-integrated care initiatives are increasingly being used for social and health service delivery and show promising outcomes. Nevertheless, it is unclear what structures and underlining causal agents (generative mechanisms) are responsible for explaining how and why they work or not.

Methods and analysis

Critical realist synthesis, a theory-driven approach to reviewing and synthesising literature based on the critical realist philosophy of science, underpinned the study. Two lenses guided our evidence synthesis, the community health system and the patient-focused perspective of integrated care. The realist synthesis was conducted through the following steps: (1) concept mining and framework formulation, (2) searching for and scrutinising the evidence, (3) extracting and synthesising the evidence (4) developing the narratives from causal explanatory theories, and (5) disseminate, implement and evaluate.

Results

Three programme theories, each aligning with three groups of stakeholders, were unearthed. At the systems level, three bundles of mechanisms were identified, that is, (1) commitment and motivation, (2) willingness to address integrated health concerns and (3) shared vision and goals. At the provider level, five bundles of mechanisms critical to the successful implementation of integrated care initiatives were abstracted, that is, (1) shared vision and buy-in, (2) shared learning and empowerment, (3) perceived usefulness, (4) trust and perceived support and (5) perceived role recognition and appreciation. At the user level, five bundles of mechanisms were identified, that is, (1) motivation, (2) perceived interpersonal trust, (3) user-empowerment, (4) perceived accessibility to required services and (5) self-efficacy and self-determination.

Conclusion

We systematically captured mechanism-based explanatory models to inform practice communities on how and why community-integrated models work and under what health systems conditions.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020210442.
PREPARE trial: a protocol for a multicentre randomised trial of frailty-focused preoperative exercise to decrease postoperative complication rates and disability scores
Authors: McIsaac Daniel I , Fergusson Dean A , Khadaroo Rachel , Meliambro Amanda , Muscedere John , Gillis Chelsia , Hladkowicz Emily , Taljaard Monica
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Frailty is a strong predictor of adverse postoperative outcomes. Prehabilitation may improve outcomes after surgery for older people with frailty by addressing physical and physiologic deficits. The objective of this trial is to evaluate the efficacy of home-based multimodal prehabilitation in decreasing patient-reported disability and postoperative complications in older people with frailty having major surgery.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a multicentre, randomised controlled trial of home-based prehabilitation versus standard care among consenting patients >60 years with frailty (Clinical Frailty Scale>4) having elective inpatient major non-cardiac, non-neurologic or non-orthopaedic surgery. Patients will be partially blinded; clinicians and outcome assessors will be fully blinded. The intervention consists of >3 weeks of prehabilitation (exercise (strength, aerobic and stretching) and nutrition (advice and protein supplementation)). The study has two primary outcomes: in-hospital complications and patient-reported disability 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes include survival, lower limb function, quality of life and resource utilisation. A sample size of 750 participants (375 per arm) provides >90% power to detect a minimally important absolute difference of 8 on the 100-point patient-reported disability scale and a 25% relative risk reduction in complications, using a two-sided alpha value of 0.025 to account for the two primary outcomes. Analyses will follow intention to treat principles for all randomised participants. All participants will be followed to either death or up to 1 year.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been granted by Clinical Trials Ontario (Project ID: 1785) and our ethics review board (Protocol Approval #20190409-01T). Results will be disseminated through presentation at scientific conferences, through peer-reviewed publication, stakeholder organisations and engagement of social and traditional media.

Trial registration number

NCT04221295.
Prognostic significance of complement factors in severely ill patients with COVID-19
Authors: Hassan Asmaa E , Fahmy Mai M , Sherif Dalia E , Habib Eman M , Ahmed Mohammed H , Nosair Nahla A , Farahat Nahla
Published: August 2022

Coagulopathy, cytokine release, platelet hyperactivity and endothelial activation are regarded as potential major contributors to COVID-19 morbidity. Complement activation might provide a bridge linking these factors in severe COVID-19 illness. In this study, we investigated the prognostic significance of selected complement factors in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 infection. The study included 300 hospitalized adults with severe COVID-19 infection. Complement factors (C3, C3a, C4, sC5b-9) were assessed by commercial ELISA kits. Outcome parameters included mortality, intensive care unit admission and duration of hospital stay. It was found that survivors had significantly higher serum C3 (median (IQR): 128.5 (116.3–141.0) mg/dL vs 98.0 (70.0–112.8) mg/dL, p<0.001) and C4 (median (IQR): 36.0 (30.0–42.0) mg/dL vs 31.0 (26.0–35.0) mg/dL, p<0.001) levels when compared with non-survivors. On the other hand, it was shown that survivors had significantly lower C3a (median (IQR): 203.0 (170.3–244.0) ng/mL vs 385.0 (293.0–424.8) ng/mL, p<0.001) and sC5b-9 (median (IQR): 294.0 (242.0–318.8) ng/mL vs 393.0 (342.0–436.5) ng/mL, p<0.001) levels when compared with non-survivors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified C3a (OR: 0.97 (95% CI 0.96 to 0.99), p<0.001) and C4 (OR: 0.92 (95% CI 0.86 to 0.98), p=0.011) levels as significant predictors of mortality. In conclusion, serum levels of complement factors are related to mortality in severely ill patients with COVID-19.
Lung cancer screening provides an opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment of interstitial lung disease
Authors: Hewitt Richard J , Bartlett Emily C , Ganatra Rea , Butt Haroun , Kouranos Vasilis , Chua Felix , Kokosi Maria , Molyneaux Philip L , Desai Sujal R , Wells Athol U , Jenkins R Gisli , Renzoni Elisabetta A , Kemp Samuel V , Devaraj Anand , George Peter M
Published: August 2022

Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) can be incidentally detected in patients undergoing low-dose CT screening for lung cancer. In this retrospective study, we explore the downstream impact of ILA detection on interstitial lung disease (ILD) diagnosis and treatment. Using a targeted approach in a lung cancer screening programme, the rate of de novo ILD diagnosis was 1.5%. The extent of abnormality on CT and severity of lung function impairment, but not symptoms were the most important factors in differentiating ILA from ILD. Disease modifying therapies were commenced in 39% of ILD cases, the majority being antifibrotic therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Interactions between American lobster (Homarus americanus) and salmonid aquaculture in the Canadian Maritimes
Authors: Horricks Ryan A. , Lewis-McCrea Leah M. , Reid Gregor K.
Published: August 2022

Salmonid aquaculture occurs in coastal Atlantic waters around the Canadian Maritimes and can overlap with the American lobster ( Homarus americanus) fishery, the most profitable fishery in the region. There has been debate around whether there is potential for salmonid aquaculture to negatively affect the fishery that has been heated in both the scientific community and public news media. This review and resultant commentary explore the developing research approaches used in the Canadian Maritimes to examine known and inferred interactions between these two important industries. We re-examine some inferences of previous research and identify low-oxygen environments and improper use of therapeutants as having the greatest potential to adversely affect lobsters, although there are knowledge gaps. We further discuss the implications of whether localized lobster displacement from a farm area would have any measurable impact on the lobster fishing industry as a whole, using examples from Nova Scotia, Canada. In most instances, existing regulatory compliance addresses the drivers that have the largest potential to adversely impact lobster.
Migratory connectivity and timing for an at-risk Canadian landbird, Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus), from two geographically distant breeding areas
Authors: Korpach Alicia M. , Davy Christina M. , Mills Alex , Fraser Kevin C.
Published: August 2022

Determining the year-round spatial distributions of at-risk avian migratory species is critical for effective conservation. High-precision tracking enables the identification of distant breeding and nonbreeding areas and their connectivity, as well as migratory routes and associated threats. We GPS-tracked two groups of Eastern Whip-poor-wills ( Antrostomus vociferus (A. Wilson, 1812)) that breed near the northern edge of their range, in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario (“west”), and in southern Ontario (“east”), Canada. The western-breeding birds were also ∼5° of latitude farther north than the eastern birds. We aimed to determine the degree of spatiotemporal overlap between the two groups during fall migration and at tropical wintering sites. We found that western-breeding birds departed earlier on migration than eastern-breeding birds, but we did not detect a difference in arrival timing to wintering sites. The two breeding groups retained spatial structure during migration, until all routes converged to circumnavigate the Gulf of Mexico. Western-breeding birds overwintered at sites farther south than eastern-breeding birds, consistent with a leapfrog pattern of migration. Quantifying the strength of migratory connectivity in at-risk species can be a first step toward defining breeding populations and informing customized conservation strategies throughout the annual cycle.
Online top N topics spread and competition
Authors: Nian Fuzhong , Liu Yang , Ren Jinhu
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates the factors influencing the spread of popular topic competition from the perspective of propagation dynamics. The popularity of a topic is directly influenced by the level of people’s interest in it. The rarity, deviation and type can influence the level of interest in such topics. In addition, the topic publisher also has an impact on the competitive dissemination of the topic. The higher the rank of the original publisher is, the easier it spreads. Compared with small bloggers without fans, it is easier to attract people’s attention, and the heat of the topic will rise faster. The results show that the rarer the topic, the greater the deviation from reality, and the more followers the originator has, the more competitive it is.
Driving State Discrimination Algorithm Based on Lightweight Network and Contrast Learning
Authors: Gao Wuqi , Li Liangliang , Yang Ting
Published: August 2022

Driver misbehavior is one of the major traffic safety hazards as car ownership increases year by year. So, it is important to have driver fatigue detection and behavior recognition. Initially, given the fatigue detection problem that the images captured by the visible light camera cannot capture the eyes of a driver wearing sunglasses or eye glasses. As a solution, this paper introduces a DCT-HSV preprocessing algorithm for infrared images, which is believed to enhance the target characteristics of infrared images. The paper also introduces a more efficient lightweight SSD detection model, which achieves a better balance in terms of model size and detection performance. It also shows a better performance in self-built datasets and basic vehicle operation datasets. Secondly, aiming at the problems of high complexity and poor accuracy of the existing driving behavior detection model, this paper designs a driver abnormal behavior discrimination model based on the comparison twin, which has good performance on the Kaggle public dataset. The relevant experimental detection results show that the method constructed in this paper has high detection accuracy, low warning delay, and good practical use value.
Neural Network-Based Entropy: A New Metric for Evaluating Side-Channel Attacks
Authors: Cheng Jiafeng , Sun Nengyuan , Liu Wenrui , Peng Zhaokang , Wang Chunyang , Sun Caiban , Wang Yufei , Bi Yijian , Wen Yiming , Zhang Hongliu , Zhang Pengcheng , Kose Selcuk , Yu Weize
Published: August 2022

Side-channel attacks (SCAs) are powerful noninvasive attacks that can be used for leaking the secret key of integrated circuits (ICs). Numerous countermeasures were proposed to elevate the security level of ICs against SCAs. Unfortunately, it is quite inconvenient to predict the security levels of these countermeasures since no solid mathematical model exists in the literature. In this paper, neural network (NN)-based entropy is proposed to model the resilience of a system against SCAs. The NN-based entropy model well links the side-channel leakages and probabilities with the neurons and weights of NNs, respectively. In such a circumstance, the NN-based entropy can be used for modeling the robustness of countermeasures since a one-to-one relationship is established between the NN-based entropy and the measurement-to-disclose (MTD) enhancement ratio related with the countermeasures. As demonstrated in the result, the proposed NN-based entropy metric shows 100% consistency with the MTD enhancement ratio if multiple SCA countermeasures are employed into a system.
Extraction of Meaningful Information from Unstructured Clinical Notes Using Web Scraping
Authors: Varshini K. Sukanya , Uthra R. Annie
Published: August 2022

In the medical field, the clinical notes taken by the doctor, nurse, or medical practitioner are considered to be one of the most important medical documents. These documents hold information regarding the patient including the patient’s current condition, family history, disease, symptoms, medications, lab test reports, and other vital information. Despite these documents holding important information regarding the patients, they cannot be used as the data are unstructured. Organizing a huge amount of data without any mistakes is highly impossible for humans, so ignoring unstructured data is not advisable. Hence, to overcome this issue, the web scraping method is used to extract the clinical notes from the Medical Transcription (MT) samples which hold many transcripted clinical notes of various departments. In the proposed method, Natural Language Processing (NLP) is used to pre-process the data, and the variants of the Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF)-based vector model are used for the feature selection, thus extracting the required data from the clinical notes. The performance measures including the accuracy, precision, recall and F1 score are used in the identification of disease, and the result obtained from the proposed system is compared with the best performing machine learning algorithms including the Logistic Regression, Multinomial Naive Bayes, Random Forest classifier and Linear SVC. The result obtained proves that the Random Forest Classifier obtained a higher accuracy of 90% when compared to the other algorithms.
Real-Time Regulation of Physical Training Intensity Based on Fuzzy Neural Network
Authors: Qu Jiale
Published: August 2022

In this paper, the fuzzy neural network model is studied, the real-time regulation model of physical training intensity is analyzed and a real-time regulation system based on a fuzzy neural network is designed. The real-time, accurate and effective regulation of the physiological load intensity in the body of the exerciser is consistent with the predetermined goals of the training program. In this paper, we propose an RBF neural network, combined with the plan and demand of physical training operation situation sensing, and considering that most of the biological training operation data is fuzzy, this paper connects a fuzzy logic inference system and a neural network and proposes a network operation situation sensing model based on an RBF neural network structure. The RBF neural network and the traditional fuzzy neural network are compared. The experiments prove that this paper’s fuzzy neural network model has a faster training speed. In this paper, we use time-realistic control equipment to monitor the physical training process of athletes so that we can grasp the training situation of athletes in real-time and ensure that athletes can achieve better training results by changing training methods and changing training loads in time for those athletes who cannot reach their sports goals. In the process of physical fitness training monitoring, an effective monitoring of training, time-accurate regulation monitoring has the advantage of timely feedback on the training situation. This model has a better convergence effect during exercise and a higher accuracy of posture prediction during testing.
Optimum Transistor Sizing of CMOS Differential Amplifier Using Tunicate Swarm Algorithm
Authors: Kamalkumar V. , Lal Raja Singh R.
Published: August 2022

In this paper, optimum transistor sizing of CMOS differential amplifier using tunicate swarm algorithm (TSA) is proposed. The designing of CMOS differential amplifier is activated to determine the best feasible design parameter values. This work proposes the optimized values of various parameters of a CMOS differential amplifier for better performance. TSA is chosen to optimize the circuit area. TSA has the ability to solve complex functions, like MOS transistor size and bias current. TSA is employed to optimize the parameters of circuit design, like area, power dissipation MOS transistor size, and also used to enhance other circuit specifications, while fulfilling circuit design criteria. The design objectives of CMOS differential amplifier are considered the fitness function of TSA algorithm. Then, weight parameters of CMOS differential amplifier design are optimized using TSA. By CMOS differential amplifier using TSA algorithm, we can optimize circuit design parameters with higher probability of yielding optimal results regarding circuit area lessening, lesser power dissipation and MOS transistor sizes. The proposed method is implemented in the MATLAB platform. The proposed CMOS-DA-TSA method attains 52.01%, 50.29% and 44.30% minimum slew rate, 64.61%, 75.30% and 55.92% minimum power dissipation compared to the existing methods like CMOS-ACD-SOA, CMOS-PAI-FOPSO and CMOS-PSO-MOL, respectively.
On universal parity on free two-dimensional knots
Authors: Nikonov Igor
Published: August 2022

We prove that the Gaussian parity on free two-dimensional knots is universal.
New superbridge index calculations from non-minimal realizations
Authors: Shonkwiler Clayton
Published: August 2022

Previous work [C. Shonkwiler, New computations of the superbridge index, J. Knot Theory Ramifications 29(14) (2020) 2050096] used polygonal realizations of knots to reduce the problem of computing the superbridge number of a realization to a linear programming problem, leading to new sharp upper bounds on the superbridge index of a number of knots. This work extends this technique to polygonal realizations with an odd number of edges and determines the exact superbridge index of many new knots, including the majority of the 9-crossing knots for which it was previously unknown and, for the first time, several 12-crossing knots. Interestingly, at least half of these superbridge-minimizing polygonal realizations do not minimize the stick number of the knot; these seem to be the first such examples. Appendix A gives a complete summary of what is currently known about superbridge indices of prime knots through 10 crossings and Appendix B gives all knots through 16 crossings for which the superbridge index is known.
On the possibility of formation of binary cosmic systems from the single cosmic objects
Authors: Adamian G. G. , Antonenko N. V. , Lenske H. , Sargsyan V. V.
Published: August 2022

In this paper, the fission of the single stars and galaxies in the mass-asymmetry (mass transfer) coordinate is considered. Using the potential energy derived as a function of mass asymmetry, the possibility of the formation of binary stars (binary galaxies) from the single stars (single galaxies) is studied.
The two halves of disjunctive correctness
Authors: Cieśliński Cezary , Łełyk Mateusz , Wcisło Bartosz
Published: August 2022

Ali Enayat had asked whether two halves of Disjunctive Correctness ([Formula: see text]) for the compositional truth predicate are conservative over Peano Arithmetic (PA). In this paper, we show that the principle “every true disjunction has a true disjunct” is equivalent to bounded induction for the compositional truth predicate and thus it is not conservative. On the other hand, the converse implication “any disjunction with a true disjunct is true” can be conservatively added to [Formula: see text]. The methods introduced here allow us to give a direct nonconservativeness proof for [Formula: see text].
Dynamic Model and Parameter Identification of Magnetic Liquid-Double-Suspension Elastic-Supported Thrust Bearing
Authors: Wang Bin , Ouyang Wu , Wang Shengtong , Sheng Chenxing , Xiao Jinhua , Li Zhe
Published: August 2022

In terms of the heavy load and low viscosity operation conditions of the marine rim-driven thruster (RDT), a novel Magnetic Liquid-double-suspension Elastic-supported Thrust Bearing (MLETB) is designed. The MLETB combines the structural features of the Rubber-supported Water-lubricated Thrust Bearing (RWTB) and Permanent Magnet Bearing (PMB). To investigate the axial stiffness and damping of the bearing, the dynamic model of MLETB incorporating a multi-layer structure is developed. Simulation indicates that the dynamic performance of the MLETB is close to that of the RWTB, but the load capacity of the MLETB is better. Besides, the load is not the most important factor to affect the dynamic performance. The parameter identification method is proposed to analyze the experiment results based on the water-lubricated bearing test rig, which show that the MLETB has a dilemma between the load capacity and dynamic performance that its stiffness and damping will be seriously affected by the specific rubber structure.
A dual equivalence for cofinal quantum B-algebras
Authors: Luan Wei , Li Qingguo
Published: August 2022

This paper introduces weak logical algebraic domains and a special class of quantum B-algebras, namely, cofinal quantum B-algebras. It proves that there is a dual equivalence between the category of cofinal quantum B-algebras and that of weak logical algebraic domains. In particular, the category of residuated posets is shown to be dual equivalent to that of logical algebraic domains. This correspondence generalizes the classical duality of posets and algebraic domains.
Restricted Kac modules of special Hamiltonian Lie superalgebras of odd type
Authors: Yuan Jixia , Liu Wende , Wang Shujuan
Published: August 2022

This paper aims to describe irreducible restricted modules of the special Hamiltonian Lie superalgebras of odd type over an algebraically closed field of characteristic [Formula: see text]. A sufficient and necessary condition for the restricted Kac modules to be irreducible is given in terms of typical weights. Furthermore, the character formulas for the irreducible quotients of the restricted Kac modules are reduced to the ones for the irreducible quotients of the restricted Kac modules of the Hamiltonian Lie superalgebras of odd type and the ones of a [Formula: see text]-dimensional central extension of the classical Lie superalgebra of type [Formula: see text]. In particular, the composition factors of restricted Kac modules are determined in a sense.
Green Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Extracts ofAllium cepaandRaphanus sativus
Authors: Varun Kumar B. , Hussain Reddy K.
Published: August 2022

Green synthesis of nanoparticles is rapidly evolving because it is cost-effective and eco-friendly, this also contributes to its preference over nanoparticles from other sources. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized from Allium cepa (AC) and Raphanus sativus (RS) aqueous extracts and the biological activities were evaluated. The silver nanoparticles AgNPs@AC and AgNPS@RS were synthesized from AC and RS extracts, respectively, using silver nitrate and characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The FT-IR spectra of AgNPs@AC and AgNPS@RS showed characteristic groups pertaining to active molecules of the respective extracts indicating their surface functionalization. The XRD pattern of AgNPs@AC revealed diffraction peaks at 38.26, 44.39, 64.65, 77.54 and 81.64 that were indexed to (1 1 1), (2 0 0), (2 2 0), (3 1 1) and (2 2 2) planes of face-centered cubic (FCC) crystalline structure, respectively. The XRD pattern of AgNPs@RS revealed diffraction peaks at 38.24, 44.32, 64.62, 77.46 and 81.65 that was indexed to (1 1 1), (2 0 0), (2 2 0), (3 1 1) and (2 2 2) planes of face-centered cubic (FCC) crystalline structure, respectively. The SEM images indicate that the particles are spherical in shape and have particle size in the range of 25–35 nm. The nanoparticles demonstrated substantial antimicrobial activity against Gram +ve and Gram −ve harmful bacteria species, such as S. aureus, E. coli and fungal species C. albicans. This study shows that A. cepa (Onion) and R. sativus (Radish) aqueous extracts can be used as an effective reducing and capping agent for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNP). AgNPS@RS showed acceptable size and shape of nanoparticles and could therefore be a potential source of antimicrobial agents.
Wormholes models in f(R) gravity inspired by non-compact matter source
Authors: Güdekli Ertan , Nazar H. , Abbas G. , Saddique M.
Published: August 2022

This paper encompassed various physically realistic models of static and spherically symmetric wormholes in extended [Formula: see text] gravitational framework by incorporating the features of non-compact matter density distribution of non-commutative geometry. For this assessment, we formulated the [Formula: see text] field equations and obtained their exact analytical solutions in presence of cosmologically well-consistent power law type [Formula: see text] corresponding to distinct values of the parameter [Formula: see text]. We conducted the physical adequacy of such proposed solutions through the graphical manifestation for the necessary existence of wormhole structures. Moreover, we revisited our field equations with a feasible choice of shape function together with reconstructed form of [Formula: see text] to provide an again authentication to the existence of wormholes structures. These all implications vigorously depicted that our discussed models are able to expect the required wormhole structures.
Bifurcation analysis based on new macro two-velocity difference model
Authors: Ai Wenhuan , Ma Yunfei , Liu Dawei
Published: August 2022

Based on the new macroscopic two-velocity difference model, this paper analyzes the linear stability of the new model and studies the nonlinear bifurcation theory. First, the linear stability analysis method is used to study the stability conditions of the shock wave in the model. Then, considering the long wave model in the coarse-grained scale, the reduced perturbation method is used to analyze the characteristics of the traffic flow in the metastable region, and the solitary wave solution of the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation in the metastable region is derived. In addition, by using the bifurcation analysis method, the type, and stability of the equilibrium solution are discussed and the existing conditions of the saddle-node bifurcation are proven. Then, taking the saddle-node bifurcation as the starting point, we draw the density space-time diagram and phase plane diagram of the system. It is proven that the newly proposed model can describe complex traffic phenomena such as stop-and-go and sudden changes in stability, which is of great help to solve traffic congestion.
Local electronic structure of carbon nanotubes consolidated by spark plasma sintering
Authors: Ulyanov Alexander N. , Suslova Evgeniya V. , Maslakov Konstantin I. , Singh Pramod K. , Savilov Serguei V.
Published: August 2022

Local electronic structure of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) consolidated by spark plasma sintering and further oxidized by nitric acid was studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopy. It was found that long time oxidation perforated and fragmented sintered CNTs and increased the oxygen content in the material causing an increase in the number of paramagnetic centers. Two components in the absorption EPR spectra were distinguished: A narrow and a broad line with different [Formula: see text]-factors, which testifies the different surrounding of paramagnetic centers associated with the lines. The results are of great importance for understanding the mechanism of nanotubes oxidation and development new types of catalysts, electromagnetic shielding materials and absorbents.
Impact of Environmental Pollution on Female Reproduction
Authors: Begum Mosammat Rashida , Ehsan Mariya , Ehsan Nazia
Published: August 2022

The increased pollution in the world atmosphere is a global concern. Water, air, and soil are polluted by various sources, such as farm fertilizer, sewage industrial waste products, fumes, and plastics, which in turn impact human health. Plastics and other mixtures of waste affect live in the water. Moreover, the ecosystem is disrupted by the use of heavy metal-containing chemicals in agriculture, and those are eventually consumed by humans. The consequences are a significant negative impact on health including reproductive health, which impairs fertility in the human population. Reproductive functions are severely affected by different chemicals which may interfere with hormonal functions. Greater consequences are faced by the women as the number of germ cells present in the ovary is fixed during fetal life, and which are nonrenewable. From the production of ovum to fertilization, to implantation, and finally continuation of pregnancy, all are affected by the heavy metals and endocrine disruptors. Lifestyle modifications such as consumption of organic foods, plastic product avoidance, separation of residential areas from industrial/agricultural areas, proper waste disposal, and so on, may help to improve the situation.
Entropy Generation Analysis in Blood-Gold Casson Nanofluid Through Horizontal Wavy Channel with Velocity and Thermal Slips: Applications in Skin Diseases
Authors: Nazeer Mubbashar , Irfan Muhammad , Hussain Farooq , Siddique Imran
Published: August 2022

Cancer is known as a deadly disease in which some of the body cells enhance irrepressibly and spread to the other parts of the body. It can start almost anywhere in the human body and these are made up of trillions of cells. Recent researches show that the gold mettle’s tiny size particles can be helpful to cure or overcome this disease due to its high atomic number, which can produce the heat that leads to deal with the distortion of tumors. The motivation of this study is to report the entropy generation and heat-transfer analysis in blood flow holding the gold nanoparticles in an asymmetric channel with electro-osmotic phenomena. The mathematical model is developed and simplified by using suitable assumptions. The thermal radiation effects are also incorporated, which are commonly used related to destroying skin diseases. The exact solutions of velocity, shear stress, temperature, stream function, pressure gradient, pressure rise, entropy generation and Bejan number have been obtained. The impact of involved parameters on important physical quantities is highlighted through the graphical method. The results show that the entropy generation and Bejan number enlarge via slip parameter, Casson parameter, Joule heating parameter and heat generation parameter. Results pointed out that the gold nanoparticles enhance the temperature distribution, which makes them capable enough to destroy the cancer cells. It is also noted that the spherical shape is effective in all solutions, but in entropy generation, the platelet shape is more effective than others.
The value of core in mature field development – examples from the UK North Sea
Authors: Kelly Sean , Worden R. H. , Mc Ardle P.
Published: August 2022

Core-based studies have had material impacts on the understanding of a number of late-life, mature North Sea Brent Group hydrocarbon reservoirs. These studies have included sedimentological, diagenetic and reservoir quality focused evaluations of core. The primary objective of the studies has been to improve conceptual and qualitative models that can be utilized in reservoir modelling and also for infill drilling and well workover evaluations. Most of these studies have been undertaken on old core samples collected in the 1980s and 1990s.

Two case studies are described here that provide examples of the utility of core in mature fields. (1) Heather Field calcite: to quantitatively assess the distribution of calcite cements and their impact on hydrocarbon volumes and reservoir quality distribution in Brent reservoirs. (2) Thistle Field Etive Formation barriers and baffles: to characterize and describe the origin and distribution of low-permeability intervals within the Etive Formation reservoir.

These two studies used a wide variety of core-based techniques including core logging and description, optical microscopy and petrographical studies, isotope analyses, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) (FEI Company analysis tool and software, QEMSCAN)-based mineralogy, portable-X-ray fluorescence (XRF), NDTr and Thermo Scientific Inc. NITON TM operational software (NDT) geochemical analysis, as well as image analysis of grain size and texture. These data were then integrated with other subsurface datasets, such as well log, seismic data and well performance data, in order to address the specific reservoir challenge.

These new and focused reappraisals of core demonstrate the dual value of core-based studies, which can:

improve the understanding of producing hydrocarbon reservoirs, leading to improved productivity and recovery. Core is a full asset life-cycle resource and provides critical insight at all stages of field maturity as production behaviour changes and alternative development strategies are considered;

further our general knowledge and understanding of clastic sedimentology and diagenesis using rich and diverse core-based datasets backed up by substantial well log and seismic datasets.
Zombie Lending: Theoretical, International, and Historical Perspectives
Authors: Acharya Viral V. , Crosignani Matteo , Eisert Tim , Steffen Sascha
Published: August 2022

This article surveys the theory on zombie lending incentives and the consequences of zombie lending for the real economy. It also offers a historical perspective by reviewing the growing empirical evidence on zombie lending along three dimensions: ( a) the role of undercapitalized banks, ( b) effects on zombie firms, and ( c) spillovers and distortions for non-zombie firms. We then provide an overview of how zombie lending can be attenuated. Finally, we use a sample of US publicly listed firms to compare various measures proposed in the literature to classify firms as “zombies.” We identify definitions of zombie firms that are adequate to investigate economic inefficiency in the form of real sector competitive distortions of zombie lending. We find that only definitions based on interest rate subsidies are able to detect these spillovers and thereby provide evidence in support of credit misallocation.
A High-Performance Non-Enzymatic Sensor Based on Nickel Foam Decorated with Co-CdIn2O4 Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Detection of Glucose and Its Application in Human Serum
Authors: Lai Tingrun , Peng Sijia , Shu Hui , Chen Ting , Xiao Xuechun , Wang Yude
Published: August 2022

Glucose concentration is an essential evaluation index for many diseases, so it is highly essential to develop a reliable sensor for quantitative glucose measurement. In this paper, based on the high conductivity of CdIn2O4, fast electron transfer rate and excellent electrocatalytic activity of transition metal Co, Co-CdIn2O4 is directly in situ grown on nickel foam conductive substrate, which has sizeable active surface area and three-dimensional interconnected properties by a simple non-aqueous sol-gel method. A series of electrochemical experiments proved that Co-CdIn2O4 material has better electrocatalytic activity than CdIn2O4. According to the detection results, it can be seen that Co-CdIn2O4/NF electrochemical sensor has high detection sensitivity for glucose, which is 13857 μA·mM−1·cm−2, a rapid response time of 1.56 s. The wide linear range of glucose is from 1–1 × 103
μM, and a low detection limit of 0.08 μM. At the same time, the prepared sensor also showed good selectivity and long-term stability. The recovery rates of glucose quantitative test in human serum samples are between 101.4% and 103.3%. All the above results demonstrate that the Co-CdIn2O4/NF sensor has promising usages in the direction of non-enzymatic glucose sensing.
The Electrochemical Detection of Dopamine Based on the Cobalt-Modified Nitrogen Doping Carbon Aerogels from Biomass
Authors: Zou Xun , Chen Yuying , Song Xiangfei , Sun Mingyan , Zheng Zhiyuan , Lin Peiru , Tao Jia , Zhao Peng
Published: August 2022

The sensitive detection of dopamine (DA), especially the accurate monitoring of cell secreted DA, is necessary to the study on pathogenesis of central nervous system disease. In this paper, the cobalt-modified nitrogen doping carbon aerogels (Co-NCA) with three dimensional pores were successfully synthesized through the hydrothermal and freeze-drying method of the biomass. As a natural substance, starch is the carbon source of Co-NCA, which is environmentally friendly. The electrochemically active area of electrode modified by Co-NCA was about 1.53 times that of carbon aerogels. Benefiting from the Co and N element, the Co-NCA modified electrode (Co-NCA/GCE) showed that Co-NCA had a wider linear range (0.2–200 μM and 200–1000 μM) and a lower detection limit (55.6 nM) towards DA. The reproducibility and repeatability of Co-NCA/GCE for detecting 500 μM DA was 2.21% and 0.797%, respectively. After stored at 4 °C for 7 days, the current response of Co-NCA/GCE still maintained 96.5% of the initial current value. Finally, the Co-NCA/GCE was successfully applied to the monitoring of DA, which was released from PC12 cells after stimulated by 50 mM K+.
Platelets and tyrosine kinase inhibitors: clinical features, mechanisms of action, and effects on physiology
Authors: Zheng Tony J. , Parra-Izquierdo Iván , Reitsma Stéphanie E. , Heinrich Michael C. , Larson Mark K. , Shatzel Joseph J. , Aslan Joseph E. , McCarty Owen J. T.
Published: August 2022

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have emerged as a promising class of target-directed, small molecule inhibitors used to treat hematologic malignancies, inflammatory diseases, and autoimmune disorders. Recently, TKIs have also gained interest as potential antiplatelet-directed therapeutics that could be leveraged to reduce pathologic thrombus formation and atherothrombotic complications, while minimally affecting platelet hemostatic function. This review provides a mechanistic overview and summarizes the known effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on platelet signaling and function, detailing prominent platelet signaling pathways downstream of the glycoprotein VI (GPVI) receptor, integrin αIIbβ3, and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). This review focuses on mechanistic as well as clinically relevant and emerging TKIs targeting major families of tyrosine kinases including but not limited to Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), Src family kinases (SFKs), Janus kinases (JAK), and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) and evaluates their effects on platelet aggregation and adhesion, granule secretion, receptor expression and activation, and protein phosphorylation events. In summation, this review highlights current advances and knowledge on the effects of select TKIs on platelet biology and furthers insight on signaling pathways that may represent novel druggable targets coupled to specific platelet functional responses.
The complicated lives of GPCRs in cardiac fibroblasts
Authors: Mazarura Grace R. , Dallagnol Juliana C. C. , Chatenet David , Allen Bruce G. , Hébert Terence E.
Published: August 2022

The role of different G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in the cardiovascular system is well understood in cardiomyocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In the former, stimulation of Gs-coupled receptors leads to increases in contractility, whereas stimulation of Gq-coupled receptors modulates cellular survival and hypertrophic responses. In VSMCs, stimulation of GPCRs also modulates contractile and cell growth phenotypes. Here, we will focus on the relatively less well-studied effects of GPCRs in cardiac fibroblasts, focusing on key signaling events involved in the activation and differentiation of these cells. We also review the hierarchy of signaling events driving the fibrotic response and the communications between fibroblasts and other cells in the heart. We discuss how such events may be distinct depending on where the GPCRs and their associated signaling machinery are localized in these cells with an emphasis on nuclear membrane-localized receptors. Finally, we explore what such connections between the cell surface and nuclear GPCR signaling might mean for cardiac fibrosis.
Long-term voluntary wheel running effects on markers of long interspersed nuclear element-1 in skeletal muscle, liver, and brain tissue of female rats
Authors: Osburn Shelby C. , Mesquita Paulo H. C. , Neal Frances K. , Rumbley Melissa N. , Holmes Matthew T. , Ruple Bradley A. , Mobley Christopher B. , Brown Michael D. , McCullough Danielle J. , Kavazis Andreas N. , Roberts Michael D.
Published: August 2022

We sought to determine the effects of long-term voluntary wheel running on markers of long interspersed nuclear element-1 (L1) in skeletal muscle, liver, and the hippocampus of female rats. In addition, markers of the cGAS-STING DNA-sensing pathway that results in inflammation were interrogated. Female Lewis rats ( n = 34) were separated into one of three groups including a 6-mo-old group to serve as a young comparator group (CTL, n = 10), a group that had access to a running wheel for voluntary wheel running (EX, n = 12), and an age-matched group that did not (SED, n = 12). Both SED and EX groups were carried out from 6 mo to 15 mo of age. There were no significant differences in L1 mRNA expression for any of the tissues between groups. Methylation of the L1 promoter in the soleus and hippocampus was significantly higher in SED and EX than in CTL group ( P < 0.05). ORF1p expression was higher in older SED and EX rats than in CTL rats for every tissue ( P < 0.05). There were no differences between groups for L1 mRNA or cGAS-STING pathway markers. Our results suggest there is an increased ORF1 protein expression across tissues with aging that is not mitigated by voluntary wheel running. In addition, although previous data imply that L1 methylation changes may play a role in acute exercise for L1 RNA expression, this does not seem to occur during extended periods of voluntary wheel running.