bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smoking prevalence and purchasing of menthol cigarettes since the menthol flavour ban in Great Britain: a population-based survey between 2020 and 2023
Authors: Buss Vera Helen , Tattan-Birch Harry , Cox Sharon , Bauld Linda , Shahab Lion , Brown Jamie
Published: March 2024

Background

Menthol cigarettes have been banned in Great Britain (GB) since May 2020. Still, menthol accessories and unlabelled cigarettes perceived as mentholated are available, and people can buy menthol cigarettes overseas or illicitly. This study assessed: trends in smoking menthol cigarettes among all adults and 18–24-year-olds in GB between October 2020 and March 2023; trends in and differences between England, Scotland and Wales during the same period and purchase sources among people smoking menthol versus non-flavoured cigarettes.

Methods

Population-weighted data were from a monthly cross-sectional survey of adults in GB. Among people smoking cigarettes, we calculated the proportion smoking menthol cigarettes across all adults and 18–24-year-olds, and prevalence ratios (PR) between the first and last quarter. We also calculated the proportions of people smoking menthol/non-flavoured cigarettes by purchase source (including illicit sources).

Results

In the first quarter, 16.2% of adults smoking cigarettes reported menthol cigarette smoking with little to no decline throughout the study (PR 0.85, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.01), while it declined among 18–24-year-olds (PR 0.75, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.89). The prevalence of menthol cigarette smoking fell by two-thirds in Wales (PR 0.36, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.62) but remained relatively stable in England (PR 0.88, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.06) and Scotland (PR 0.94, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.53). The main purchasing sources were licit (93.9%), 14.8% reported illicit sources and 11.5% cross-border purchases, without notable differences from people smoking non-flavoured cigarettes.

Conclusions

Roughly one million adults in GB still smoke menthol cigarettes and, with the exception of Wales and young people, there were no noteworthy changes in the post-ban period. There was no indication that the overall persistence of menthol smoking was driven by illicit purchases.
Cross-section of the $$^{95}$$Nb production on natural molybdenum at the bremsstrahlung end-point energy up to 95 MeV
Authors: Timchenko I. S. , Deiev O. S. , Olejnik S. M. , Potin S. M. , Kushnir V. A. , V. Mytrochenko V. , Perezhogin S. A.
Published: March 2024

The photoproduction of $$^{95\mathrm m}$$

95
m

Nb on $${^\textrm{nat}\textrm{Mo}}$$

nat

Mo

was studied using the electron beam of the LUE-40 linac RDC ”Accelerator” NSC KIPT. Measurements were performed using activation and off-line $$\gamma $$
γ
-ray spectrometric techniques. The experimental flux-averaged cross-section $$\langle {\sigma (E_\mathrm{{\gamma max}})}\rangle _\mathrm{{m}}$$

⟨

σ
(

E

γ
max

)

⟩

m

for the $${^{\textrm{nat}}\textrm{Mo}}(\gamma ,x\mathrm np)^{95\mathrm m}$$

nat

Mo

(
γ
,
x
n
p
)

95
m

Nb reaction at the bremsstrahlung end-point energy range of 38–93 MeV has been first time obtained. The estimated values $$\langle {\sigma (E_\mathrm{{\gamma max}})}\rangle _\mathrm{{g}}$$

⟨

σ
(

E

γ
max

)

⟩

g

for the formation of $$^{95}$$

95

Nb in the ground state and total cross-sections $$\langle {\sigma (E_\mathrm{{\gamma max}})}\rangle _\mathrm{{tot}}$$

⟨

σ
(

E

γ
max

)

⟩

tot

for the studied reaction were determined. The theoretical values of the yields $$Y_\textrm{m,g,tot}(E_\mathrm{{\gamma max}})$$

Y
m,g,tot

(

E

γ
max

)

and flux-averaged cross-sections $$\langle {\sigma (E_\mathrm{{\gamma max}})}\rangle _\mathrm{{m,g,tot}}$$

⟨

σ
(

E

γ
max

)

⟩

m
,
g
,
tot

for the $${^{\textrm{nat}}\textrm{Mo}}(\gamma ,x\mathrm np)^{95\mathrm m,g,tot}$$

nat

Mo

(
γ
,
x
n
p
)

95
m
,
g
,
t
o
t

Nb reactions were calculated using the cross-sections $$\sigma (E)$$

σ
(
E
)

from the TALYS1.95 code for six different level density models. The comparison showed a significant excess of the experimental results over the theoretical $$\langle {\sigma (E_\mathrm{{\gamma max}})}\rangle _\mathrm{{m,g,tot}}$$

⟨

σ
(

E

γ
max

)

⟩

m
,
g
,
tot

values.
Exact solutions based on Segre classification in the f(R) modified theory of gravity
Authors: Afzal Wardah Aroosh , Feroze Tooba
Published: March 2024

In this article, the Segre classification approach is used to obtain some new solutions for spherically symmetric static spacetime metric corresponding to Segre types [(1, 111)],  [1, (111)],  [(1, 1)(11)],  or [1, 1(11)]. The eigenvalue degeneracy in these situations correlates to timelike and spacelike eigenvectors and their primary null direction, which identify the kind of matter distribution in space and aid in the consideration of novel solutions for the corresponding energy momentum tensor. The isotropic Segre type [(1, 111)] in modified theory provides the Schwarzschild de-Sitter/anti-de-Sitter solutions, whereas in types [1, (111)] and [1, 1(11)] depending upon matter distribution new obtained solutions adhere all the physical conditions and present the viable trends of energy and causality conditions. Moreover, the profiles of the adiabatic index, surface, and gravitational redshift are observed along with the hydrostatic equilibrium using the Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff equation. Additionally, for these types the solution is compared with observational data, and numerical values are calculated for central and surface densities and central pressure of compact star candidates $$KS 1731-260$$

K
S
1731
-
260

and $$PSR J1614-2230$$

P
S
R
J
1614
-
2230

. Segre type [(1, 1)(11)] relates to a non-null electromagnetic field that corresponds to models with anisotropy in dark energy, which is demonstrated by graphical analysis. Dark energy does not behave as an ordinary matter resulting in the violation of strong energy condition and the causality condition.
On the optimality of quantum circuit initial mapping using reinforcement learning
Authors: Elsayed Amer Norhan , Gomaa Walid , Kimura Keiji , Ueda Kazunori , El-Mahdy Ahmed
Published: March 2024

Quantum circuit optimization is an inevitable task with the current noisy quantum backends. This task is considered non-trivial due to the varying circuits’ complexities in addition to hardware-specific noise, topology, and limited connectivity. The currently available methods either rely on heuristics for circuit optimization tasks or reinforcement learning with complex unscalable neural networks such as transformers. In this paper, we are concerned with optimizing the initial logical-to-physical mapping selection. Specifically, we investigate whether a reinforcement learning agent with simple scalable neural network is capable of finding a near-optimal logical-to-physical mapping, that would decrease as much as possible additional CNOT gates, only from a fixed-length feature vector. To answer this question, we train a Maskable Proximal Policy Optimization agent to progressively take steps towards a near-optimal logical-to-physical mapping on a 20-qubit hardware architecture. Our results show that our agent coupled with a simple routing evaluation is capable of outperforming other available reinforcement learning and heuristics approaches on 12 out of 19 test benchmarks, achieving geometric mean improvements of 2.2% and 15% over the best available related work and two heuristics approaches, respectively. Additionally, our neural network model scales linearly as the number of qubits increases.
FinFET-Based Low-Power Improved PDP 4:2 Approximate Compressor Design
Authors: Haq Shams Ul , Sharma Vijay Kumar
Published: March 2024

In the era of low-power very large-scale integration design, approximate computing is a soaring design paradigm that assures energy-efficient circuit design at the cost of some accuracy. Multiplication is a very important operation of an arithmetic unit and compressor is the inherent part of the multiplier. In this paper, an energy-efficient design of a 4:2 approximate compressor is proposed. The inclusion of the extra leakage control transistors in the logic has led to leakage power reduction, which ultimately reduces the power dissipation in the circuits. The proposed 4:2 compressor is simulated at 10[Formula: see text]nm fin-field effect transistor (FinFET) technology. The proposed compressor has been verified for its functionality and robustness. The proposed design shows a power dissipation of 154.48[Formula: see text]nW and a delay of 9.16[Formula: see text]ps. In comparison to other 4:2 approximate compressors, the proposed compressor shows the least power dissipation, the lowest power delay product (PDP) and the highest robustness. The power dissipation of the proposed compressor is 92.84% less than that of the base compressor. The PDP of the designed compressor is 80.58% less than the minimum PDP among other compressors. The aging analysis for the negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) effect is also checked for the proposed compressor and compared with the existing designs.
Bifurcation Analysis of a Discrete Amensalism Model
Authors: Hu Xinli , Li Hanghang , Chen Fengde
Published: March 2024

By using model discretization of the piecewise constant argument method, a discrete amensalism model with nonselective harvesting and Allee effect is formulated. The dynamic analysis of the model is studied and the existence and stability of the equilibrium point are discussed. The fold bifurcation and flip bifurcation at the equilibrium point of the system are proved by using the bifurcation theory and the center manifold theorem. In order to control flip bifurcation and restore the system to a stable state, a hybrid control strategy of parameter perturbation and state feedback is adopted. Finally, the effectiveness of the theoretical results and the control strategy is verified by numerical simulations.
OPTIMIZATION OF MACHINING AA4015/B4C METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES BY TAGUCHI METHOD
Authors: THILAGHAM K. T. , KRISHNAMACHARY P. C. , SARAVANAKUMAR S. , MAHENDRAN A. , KALIAPPAN S. , SOUDAGAR MANZOORE ELAHI M. , KANNAN SATHISH , AL OBAID SAMI , ALHARBI SULAIMAN ALI
Published: March 2024

This research investigates the impact of dry machining AA4015/B4C MMCs (metal matrix composites) utilizing an uncoated B4C insert on Flank wear (VBc) and surface roughness (Ra). This work attempts to close the knowledge gap on the effects of cutting parameters (feed, depth of cut, and speed) on tool wear and surface quality in machining technology. The primary rationale lies in optimizing machining processes for MMCs, known for their challenging machinability due to their tough metallic matrix and hard ceramic reinforcement. The study’s significance is underscored by the exploration of optimal processing parameters to minimize Flank wear and improve surface roughness, crucial factors influencing component quality and lifespan. Specifically, the research identifies v1-f1-d3 (VBc) and v3-f1-d3 (Ra) as the best process parameter combinations, significantly reducing both VBc and Ra. The obtained mathematical models for VBc and Ra provide statistically significant insights into the relationships between cutting variables and performance characteristics. The employment of Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array proves invaluable in achieving these optimized process parameters efficiently. The Taguchi method’s advantage lies in its ability to systematically explore numerous variables and their interactions with minimal experiments. By reducing the number of trials required, this methodology streamlines the optimization process, saving time, resources, and costs while delivering enhanced machining performance for MMCs. This research, through its systematic approach and emphasis on optimized parameters, contributes to the advancement of machining techniques for MMCs, holding implications for various industrial applications demanding high-performance materials.
FORMATION OF NANOCONES AND GENERATION OF NEGATIVE POTENTIAL ON STAINLESS STEEL SURFACES BY ELECTROCHEMICAL ETCHING SYNERGISTICALLY REDUCE PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA'S BIOFILM
Authors: KUMAR SANJAY , DATTA SUSMITA , DEY VIDYUT , ROY DIJENDRA NATH
Published: March 2024

Hospital-acquired infections cause severe patient problems because of the augmented appearance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Material surfaces modified with several biophysical parameters can decrease bacterial biofilm formation, which could be an advantageous alternative to treatment with antibiotics. Since stainless steel is an extensively used material for manufacturing medical implants and in healthcare settings, in this study, we used stainless steel (SS 316L and SS 304) to examine the result of the material surface topographies on bacterial biofilm establishment. This work used the electrochemical etching method to modify the stainless steel surface topography as an anode. The electrochemical etching method influenced the nanocones’ formation on stainless steel surfaces of both SS316L (Disk-6: 2682 peaks/[Formula: see text]m[Formula: see text] and SS304 (Disk-12: 1654 peaks/[Formula: see text]m[Formula: see text] estimated by atomic force microscopy and 3D Profilometer reduced the biofilm by 78% and 85%, respectively. Additionally, the higher negative potential on an average of 600[Formula: see text]mV measured by Kelvin probe atomic force microscopy reduced the biofilm formation on both SS316L and SS304 surface synergistically compared to the non-electrochemically etched surface. Biofilm growth and nanopotrusions on the stainless-steel surface examined by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated significantly dead bacterial cells (20%) on the electrochemically etched surface than on the non-electrochemically etched surface after 2[Formula: see text]h contact time. Our observations exhibit that the nanotextured surface topographies and surface negative potential effectively inhibit bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.
MATERIAL DEPOSITION FOR PATTERN GENERATION USING W–Cu SINTERED TOOL IN REVERSE EDM
Authors: MAZARBHUIYA RASHED MUSTAFA , RAHANG MANESWAR
Published: March 2024

This experimental study explores the possibility of pattern generation in the reverse electric discharge machining (EDM) process using powder metallurgical (PM) sintered tool electrodes. The experimentation is conducted to generate a complex-shaped pattern by transferring tool materials using PM sintered tools on the surface of Aluminium 6061. The selected controlling process parameters are compact load (CL), pulse on-time ([Formula: see text]), and peak current ([Formula: see text]) where surface roughness (Ra) and edge deviation (ED) are chosen as output parameters. A minimum Ra of 2.6[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m and minimum ED of 14.79[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m are obtained at CL of 20 tons, [Formula: see text] of 2[Formula: see text]A and [Formula: see text] of 100[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]s. The surface characteristics of the deposited pattern are analyzed by FESEM, EDS, and XRD studies which confirm the migration of tool constituents on the pattern surface. The thickness of the deposit is found to be 86.25[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m. The migration of tool particles increases the surface hardness more than four times of base material.
STUDY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF ANODIZED COATING PREPARED ON 2024 ALUMINUM ALLOY VIA PULSE ANODIZING
Authors: LU KONGBAO , CHEN LIANG , PAN MINXIANG , YANG HANGFU , YU YUNDAN
Published: March 2024

Different anodized coatings are prepared on the surface of 2024 aluminum alloy from different solutions by pulse anodizing to improve corrosion resistance and hardness. The thickness, roughness, structure, hardness, surface morphology, and corrosion resistance of different anodized coatings are studied. It is found that the anodized coating is composed of a porous layer on the surface and a nonporous barrier layer inside, showing the structure of [Formula: see text]-Al2O3 and [Formula: see text]-Al2O3. The anodized coating prepared from sulfuric acid solution mixed with oxalic acid and glycerol has a larger thickness and higher hardness. The surface morphology of the anodized coatings is porous. The thickness of the anodized coating prepared from oxalic acid solution is small and the pore distribution is not uniform. However, the anodized coating obtained from sulfuric acid solution mixed with oxalic acid and glycerol has the smallest average pore size of 6.38[Formula: see text]nm and ordered pore distribution, resulting in the best corrosion resistance.
Cofinitely weak f-supplemented lattices
Authors: Toksoy Sultan Eylem
Published: March 2024

In this paper, weakly [Formula: see text]-supplemented and cofinitely weak [Formula: see text]-supplemented lattices are introduced and studied. Let [Formula: see text] be an element of [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text] is weakly [Formula: see text]-supplemented and [Formula: see text] is weakly [Formula: see text]-supplemented, then [Formula: see text] is weakly [Formula: see text]-supplemented. A [Formula: see text]-complemented lattice with [Formula: see text]-small [Formula: see text]-radical is weakly [Formula: see text]-supplemented if and only if [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]-semilocal. A lattice [Formula: see text] is cofinitely weak [Formula: see text]-supplemented if and only if every maximal element of [Formula: see text] has a weak [Formula: see text]-supplement in [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text] is a cofinitely weak [Formula: see text]-supplemented sublattice of a lattice [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] has no maximal element, then [Formula: see text] is cofinitely weak [Formula: see text]-supplemented. Let [Formula: see text] be a compactly generated lattice such that for every compact element [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Then [Formula: see text] is cofinitely weak [Formula: see text]-supplemented if and only if [Formula: see text] is cofinitely [Formula: see text]-supplemented. Let [Formula: see text] be a compact lattice such that for every compact element [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Then [Formula: see text] is weakly [Formula: see text]-supplemented if and only if [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]-supplemented.
Inner-star and star-inner partial orders in ∗-rings
Authors: Marovt Janko , Mosić Dijana
Published: March 2024

The notions of inner-star and star-inner generalized inverses are introduced on the set of all regular elements in a ∗-ring [Formula: see text]. We thus extend the concept of inner-star and star-inner complex matrices. We study properties of these hybrid generalized inverses on the set [Formula: see text] of all Moore–Penrose invertible elements in [Formula: see text] and thus generalize some known results. Partial orders that are induced by inner-star and star-inner inverses are introduced on [Formula: see text], their properties are examined, and their characterizations are presented.
Improving Automated Detection of FOIA Deliberative Process Privilege Content
Authors: Giannella Chris R. , Branting Luther Karl , Van Guilder James A. , Baron Jason R.
Published: March 2024

We address the problem of automatically detecting text that meets the deliberative process privilege as defined by the U.S. Freedom of Information Act. A recent study in the
ACM J. Comput. Cult. Herit.
describes an effort to create an annotated corpus wherein each paragraph was manually labeled as to whether it met this privilege. The authors tested Support Vector Machine and Logistic Regression classifiers using simple word-count-based features. We implement these classifiers as well as expanded versions of them resulting from the inclusion of more linguistically complex features. After removal of certain elements of the original corpus, we carry out experiments and observe a significant increase in classifier correctness when these features are used in conjunction with simple word-count-based features. We also implement a BERT-based classifier and observe a further improvement.
Neurocomputer System of Semantic Analysis of the Text in the Kazakh Language
Authors: Akanova Akerke , Ismailova Aisulu , Oralbekova Zhanar , Kenzhebayeva Zhanat , Anarbekova Galiya
Published: March 2024

The purpose of the study is to solve an extreme mathematical problem—semantic analysis of natural language, which can be used in various fields, including marketing research, online translators, and search engines. When training the neural network, data training methods based on the latent Dirichlet allocation model and vector representation of words were used. This study presents the development of a neurocomputer system used for the purpose of semantic analysis of the text in the Kazakh language, based on machine learning and the use of the latent Dirichlet allocation model. In the course of the study, the stages of system development were considered, regarding the text recognition algorithm. The Python programming language was used as a tool using libraries that greatly simplify the process of creating neural networks, including the Keras library. An experiment was conducted with the involvement of experts to test the effectiveness of the system, the results of which confirmed the reliability of the data provided by the system. The papers of modern computer linguists dealing with the problems of natural language processing using various technologies and methods are considered.
Warm-Starting and Quantum Computing: A Systematic Mapping Study
Authors: Truger Felix , Barzen Johanna , Bechtold Marvin , Beisel Martin , Leymann Frank , Mandl Alexander , Yussupov Vladimir
Published: March 2024

Due to low numbers of qubits and their error-proneness, Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) computers impose constraints on the size of quantum algorithms they can successfully execute. State-of-the-art research introduces various techniques addressing these limitations by utilizing known or inexpensively generated approximations, solutions, or models as a starting point to approach a task instead of starting from scratch. These so-called warm-starting techniques aim to reduce quantum resource consumption, thus facilitating the design of algorithms suiting the capabilities of NISQ computers. In this work, we collect and analyze scientific literature on warm-starting techniques in the quantum computing domain. In particular, we (i) create a systematic map of state-of-the-art research on warm-starting techniques using established guidelines for systematic mapping studies, (ii) identify relevant properties of such techniques, and (iii) based on these properties classify the techniques identified in the literature in an extensible classification scheme. Our results provide insights into the research field and aim to help quantum software engineers to categorize warm-starting techniques and apply them in practice. Moreover, our contributions may serve as a starting point for further research on the warm-starting topic since they provide an overview of existing work and facilitate the identification of research gaps.
Target-constrained Bidirectional Planning for Generation of Target-oriented Proactive Dialogue
Authors: Wang Jian , Lin Dongding , Li Wenjie
Published: March 2024

Target-oriented proactive dialogue systems aim at leading conversations from a dialogue context toward a pre-determined target, such as making recommendations on designated items or introducing new specific topics. To this end, it is critical for such dialogue systems to plan reasonable actions to drive the conversation proactively, and meanwhile, to plan appropriate topics to move the conversation forward to the target topic smoothly. In this work, we mainly focus on effective dialogue planning for target-oriented dialogue generation. Inspired by decision-making theories in cognitive science, we propose a novel target-constrained bidirectional planning (TRIP) approach, which plans an appropriate dialogue path by looking ahead and looking back. By formulating the planning as a generation task, our TRIP bidirectionally generates a dialogue path consisting of a sequence of  pairs using two Transformer decoders. They are expected to supervise each other and converge on consistent actions and topics by minimizing the decision gap and contrastive generation of targets. Moreover, we propose a target-constrained decoding algorithm with a bidirectional agreement to better control the planning process. Subsequently, we adopt the planned dialogue paths to guide dialogue generation in a pipeline manner, where we explore two variants: prompt-based generation and plan-controlled generation. Extensive experiments are conducted on two challenging dialogue datasets, which are re-purposed for exploring target-oriented dialogue. Our automatic and human evaluations demonstrate that the proposed methods significantly outperform various baseline models.
Ensuring Fairness and Gradient Privacy in Personalized Heterogeneous Federated Learning
Authors: Lewis Cody , Varadharajan Vijay , Noman Nasimul , Tupakula Uday
Published: March 2024

With the increasing tension between conflicting requirements of the availability of large amounts of data for effective machine learning-based analysis, and for ensuring their privacy, the paradigm of federated learning has emerged, a distributed machine learning setting where the clients provide only the machine learning model updates to the server rather than the actual data for decision making. However, the distributed nature of federated learning raises specific challenges related to fairness in a heterogeneous setting. This motivates the focus of our article, on the heterogeneity of client devices having different computational capabilities and their impact on fairness in federated learning. Furthermore, our aim is to achieve fairness in heterogeneity while ensuring privacy. As far as we are aware there are no existing works that address all three aspects of fairness, device heterogeneity, and privacy simultaneously in federated learning. In this article, we propose a novel federated learning algorithm with personalization in the context of heterogeneous devices while maintaining compatibility with the gradient privacy preservation techniques of secure aggregation. We analyze the proposed federated learning algorithm under different environments with different datasets and show that it achieves performance close to or greater than the state-of-the-art in heterogeneous device personalized federated learning. We also provide theoretical proofs for the fairness and convergence properties of our proposed algorithm.
Hollow Porous Cu2S Nano-Spheres as High-Rate Magnesium Battery Cathode
Authors: He Yuantai , Zhong Zhiyong , Wu Liang , Wang Ruijun , Wang An , Yao Wenhui , Yuan Yuan , Xie Zhihui , Wang Jingfeng , Pan Fusheng
Published: March 2024

The magnesium ion batteries are gaining huge attention in the field of battery energy due to high energy density, low cost potential and high safety performance. So far, the research of magnesium ion batteries has been slow. The surface and structural properties of cathode electrode materials greatly limiting the discharge performance of magnesium ion battery. Herein, a facile synthesis of Cu2S nano-hollow spheres for high performance magnesium ion battery cathode electrode materials was reported. This nano-hollow spheres have a large specific surface area (12.84 m2 g−1) which can reduce the volume expansion caused by magnesium ions during embedding and detachment, and facilitate ion diffusion during the discharge-charging process. Consequently, the nano-hollow porous Cu2S deliver a 152 mAh g−1 after 850 cycles at 560 mA g−1 hold a long-term cycling stability as cathode materials for magnesium ion battery. This work not only demonstrates the great potential of NHP-Cu2S materials, for application in magnesium ion batteries, but also sheds a new light on the application of metal sulfides in magnesium ion batteries.
The prostaglandin E2 EP3 receptor has disparate effects on islet insulin secretion and content in β-cells in a high-fat diet-induced mouse model of obesity
Authors: Neuman Joshua C. , Reuter Austin , Carbajal Kathryn A. , Schaid Michael D. , Kelly Grant , Connors Kelsey , Kaiser Cecilia , Krause Joshua , Hurley Liam D. , Olvera Angela , Davis Dawn Belt , Wisinski Jaclyn A. , Gannon Maureen , Kimple Michelle E.
Published: March 2024

The EP3 receptor is a strong inhibitor of β-cell function and replication, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target for the disease. Yet, EP3 has protective roles in extrapancreatic tissues. To address this, we designed β-cell-specific EP3 knockout mice and subjected them to high-fat diet feeding to induce glucose intolerance. The negative metabolic phenotype of full-body knockout mice was ablated, and EP3 loss improved glucose tolerance, with converse effects on islet insulin secretion and content.
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease is characterized by a post-oral glucose load hyperinsulinemia in individuals with mild metabolic alterations
Authors: Gignac Théo , Trépanier Gabrielle , Pradeau Marion , Morissette Arianne , Agrinier Anne-Laure , Larose Éric , Marois Julie , Pilon Geneviève , Gagnon Claudia , Vohl Marie-Claude , Marette André , Carreau Anne-Marie
Published: March 2024

Using an oral glucose tolerance test, we found hyperinsulinemia, lower insulin sensitivity, lower insulin clearance, and lower first-phase pancreatic β-cell function in individuals with MAFLD. This may explain part of the increased risk of incident type 2 diabetes in this population. These data also highlight implications of hyperinsulinemia and impaired insulin clearance in the progression of MAFLD to type 2 diabetes.
Negative association between neurovascular coupling and cortical gray matter volume during the lifespan
Authors: Christova Peka , James Lisa M. , Georgopoulos Apostolos P.
Published: March 2024

We report a significant negative association between resting functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal turnover (TBOLD) and cortical gray matter volume across the lifespan, such that TBOLD increased whereas volume decreased. We attribute this association to a hypothesized chronic, low-grade neuroinflammation, probably induced by various neurotropic pathogens, including human herpes viruses known to be dormant in the brain in a latent state and reactivated by stress, fever, and various environmental exposures, such as ultraviolet light.
Multivariate Statistical Analysis for the Classification of Sausages Based on Physicochemical Attributes, Using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Authors: Bui Quang Minh , Nguyen Quang Trung , Nguyen Thanh Thao , Nguyen Ha My , Phung Thi Tinh , Le Viet Anh , Truong Ngoc Minh , Mac The Vinh , Nguyen Tien Dat , Hoang Le Tuan Anh , Tran Ha Minh Duc , Le Van Nhan , Nguyen Minh Duc
Published: March 2024

Sausage is a convenient food that is widely consumed in the world and in Vietnam. Due to the rapid development of this product, the authenticity of many famous brands has faded by the rise of adulteration. Therefore, in this study, principal component analysis (PCA) was combined with chemical analysis to identify 6 sausage brands. Sausage samples were dried and then ground to a fine powder for both instrumental analyses of attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Dried measurements of ATR-FTIR was performed directly on the ZnSe crystal, while elemental data were obtained through microwave digestion before the ICP-MS analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) within the framework software of XLSTAT and STATISTICA 12 was performed on the spectroscopy and elemental dataset of sausage samples. PCA visualized the distinction of 6 sausage brands on both datasets of ATR-FTIR and ICP-MS. The classification on the spectroscopy profile showed that although more than 90% variation of the dataset was explained on the first two PCs, the difference between several brands was not detected as the distribution of data overlapped with one another. The PCA observation of the elemental composition on PC1 and PC3 has separated the sausage brands into 6 distinctive groups. Besides, several key elements contributed to the brands’ identification have been detected, and the most distinctive elements are Na, K, Ca, and Ba. PCA visualization showed the feasibility of the classification of sausage samples from different brands when combined with the results of FT-IR and ICP-MS methods. The experiment was able to differentiate the sausages from the 5 brands using multivariate statistics.
Effect of Voriconazole on Tacrolimus Blood Concentration in Renal Transplant Recipients after Voriconazole Discontinuation
Authors: Feng Lijuan , Liao Guiyi , Liu Hui , Luo Yihou , Yang Chunlan , Du Yan , Xu Dujuan , Yong Su
Published: March 2024

What is Known and Objective. Voriconazole (VRC) increases the blood concentration of Tacrolimus (TAC). However, the patterns of changes in TAC trough concentration (TAC C0) and dose‐adjustment regimens after VRC discontinuation have not been reported. We aimed to explore the changing pattern of TAC C0 after VRC discontinuation and provide strategies for TAC dose adjustment and blood concentration monitoring in renal transplant recipients. Methods. The clinical data of 46 renal transplant patients pre‐ and during VRC medication and VRC discontinuation were retrospectively recorded, including doses and concentrations 0 of TAC and VRC; biochemical indicators such as liver and kidney function; and CYP3A5, CYP3A4, and CYP2C19 gene types. Results and Discussion. After discontinuing VRC for 2–4 days, 81% of the patients returned to their initial TAC dose, although TAC C0 and TAC dose‐adjusted trough concentration (C/D) were 2.43‐fold and 3.35‐fold higher, respectively, than pre‐VRC administration. After 5–7 days, TAC C0 and C/D gradually recovered. TAC C/D was significantly higher after VRC discontinuation when the VRC trough concentration (VRC C0) was greater than 2.43 mg/L; CYP3A5, CYP3A4, and CYP2C19 genotypes and the administration of erythromycin did not affect the change in TAC C/D. What is New and Conclusion. TAC C/D remains elevated 2–4 days after discontinuing VRC compared to pre‐VRC administration, with gradual recovery observed 5–7 days after VRC discontinuation. To avoid excessive blood TAC C0 , the initial TAC dose should not be immediately reinstated upon VRC discontinuation for 2–4 days. VRC C0 are a critical factor influencing the change in TAC C/D ratio after VRC discontinuation.
Effect of Temperature Gradient on Compressive Strength and Strain Characteristics of Coarse-Grained Frozen Soil
Authors: Luo Jiajun , Hu Changtao , Zhang Zhilong , Lei Bingbing , Luo Jing , Zhang Ao , Hao Ge
Published: March 2024

The temperature field beneath a roadbed is asymmetrically distributed, which causes uneven settlement, longitudinal cracking, and even sliding and collapse, as well as other diseases of frozen soil roadbeds. Most roads in alpine mountain regions are half-filled and half-excavated. The degree and direction of the temperature gradient are utilized as variables in a numerical simulation to examine the deformation properties of coarse-grained frozen soil. The findings demonstrate that (1) coarse-grained frozen soil has a nonlinear connection between strength and the lowest temperature, with strength increasing with decreasing temperature and decreasing under the influence of the temperature gradient. (2) When an arbitrary temperature field acts on frozen soil, its monolithic character diminishes, its shear strength and maximum strength decrease as the angle θ increases, and the distribution of the shear zone takes the form of an X. (3) An asymmetrical shear zone forms when the direction of the temperature gradient θ deviates from 0°. The degree of asymmetry in the ground deformation and the angle of inclination of the shear zone are positively related to θ.
Deep Reinforcement Learning and Auto‐Differential Evolution Co‐Guided Coal Washing
Authors: Zuo Mingcheng
Published: March 2024

Background. Coal washing is a complicated process and difficult to control, which has many controlling parameters with strong coupling relationship. It is still a challenge to realize the self‐perception, self‐adjustment, and self‐evaluation of coal washing machine, improve the quality of coal washing, ensure production safety, and reduce labor cost. Methods. Through the intelligent transformation of jig, this paper proposes an intelligent washing method with cooperated deep reinforcement learning and evolutionary computation. First, it designs a fault warning method based on statistical analysis, helping to recover the normal running state of jig with manual maintenance. Then, it constructs a regulation strategy generation method with deep reinforcement learning supported by the fusion of artificial experience and historical data. Last, for the lack of monitoring data caused by poor communication quality and environment, the regulation strategy prediction method with evolutionary computation and surrogate model is proposed. Results. In practice, this method shows accurate fault warning accuracy and rapid cleaned coal ash adjustment response ability. Conclusions. This shows that the method proposed in this paper is of great significance for intelligent washing and can better cope with the special situation when the washing equipment sensing data are missing.
Risk Factors Associated with Acute Sarcopenia in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19
Authors: Silva D. M. S. , Valadão T. A. , Caporosi C. , Aguilar-Nascimento J. E. , Dock-Nascimento D. B.
Published: March 2024

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic is an extraordinary global emergency. The pandemic has changed profoundly people’s lifestyles. This resulted in reductions in physical activity and changes in dietary intakes that have the potential to accelerate sarcopenia. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with acute sarcopenia in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study conducted from January/2021 to March/2022 in a private hospital in Cuiabá/MT, central region of Brazil. The main variable was the prevalence of acute sarcopenia among adults hospitalized with COVID19. Patients were assessed for acute sarcopenia using the SARC-F ≥4 questionnaire (strength, assistance with walking, rise from a chair, climb stairs, and falls), grip strength (<20 kg (female) and <35 kg (male)), and calf circumference (<33 cm (female) and <34 cm (male)). Results. In all, 213 patients aged 57.4 ± 15.4 years, 63.8% male, were studied. Thirty-four (16.0%) patients were diagnosed with acute sarcopenia. Advanced age (older people) and the percentage of weight lost ≥3% before hospitalization were independent risk factors for acute sarcopenia in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Conclusion. Acute sarcopenia was present in 16% of patients. Advanced age and percentage of weight lost ≥3% were independent risk factors for acute sarcopenia in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
Quantitative Assessment of Gaseous Effluents during Routine Operation: A Comparative Study of Planned Nuclear Power Plants at Lubiatowo‐Kopalino and Pątnów Sites in Poland
Authors: Macieja Edyta Agata , Kim Juyoul
Published: March 2024

On September 2021, Polish government declared that six pressurized water reactors with combined capacity of 6–9 GWe will be built by 2040 to reduce Poland’s reliance on coal. Due to the adopted schedule, construction of the first nuclear power plant will begin in 2026, with the first reactor capacity of 1–1.6 GWe to be operational in 2033. The Polish authorities announced in 2022 the selection of two locations and technologies for Poland’s first commercial nuclear power plants. Westinghouse AP1000 reactor was selected by Polish government to be built as the first plant in the location of Lubiatowo‐Kopalino, on the coast of the country. In the meantime, Poland’s ZE PAK, Polska Grupa Energetyczna, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power have signed the letter of intent to collaborate on the project that evaluates the feasibility of building South Korean APR1400 on Pątnów site in central Poland. The objective of this study was to acquire and examine the gaseous effluents released during the standard operation of the AP1000 and APR1400 reactor technologies, with the primary goal of focusing on estimating the potential exposure of the general public. The effluents were calculated by using the GALE code based on each nuclear reactor technical specification. The obtained results were compared with those included in the Design Control Document for each reactor. Subsequently, the HotSpot software was used to calculate the radiation risk for downwind areas by utilizing GALE code results as source terms together with specific meteorological data corresponding for each localization. The results for AP1000 at Lubiatowo‐Kopalino site and for APR1400 at Pątnów site were analysed and compared in the study. As the study findings were evaluated with the Polish radiation limits for the general public, all doses remained below the legal thresholds. With no previous alike studies conducted, this research begins the analysis of radiation impacts associated with the planned nuclear power plant in Poland during normal operation.
FIGURE 4 from Dabrafenib Alters MDSC Differentiation and Function by Activation of GCN2
Authors: Ciudad M. Teresa , Quevedo Rene , Lamorte Sara , Jin Robbie , Nzirorera Nadine , Koritzinsky Marianne , McGaha Tracy L.
Published: March 2024

Dabrafenib-induced GCN2 activation alters proliferation and differentiation of MDSCs. A, Total cell counts in MDSC in vitro cultures from wild-type (B6) and GCN2-deficient (B6.GCN2−/−) mice differentiated in presence of ± 1.5 µmol/L DAB. P values were determined by two-way ANOVA with Šidák correction post-test. Significance considered P < 0.05. B, Representative flow cytometry contour plot of Ly6C and Ly6G expression in wild-type and GCN2−/− MDSCs differentiated in presence of ± 1.5 µmol/L DAB. C, Frequency of CD11b+MHCIInegLy6C+Ly6G+ MDSCs in wild-type and GCN2−/− MDSCs differentiated in presence of ± 1.5 µmol/L DAB. P values were determined by two-way ANOVA with Šidák correction post-test. Significance considered P < 0.05. D, qPCR of Asns and Atf4 in MDSCs lysates in wild-type and GCN2−/− MDSCs differentiated in presence of ± 1.5 µmol/L DAB, relative to 18s mRNA. P value was determined by two-tailed unpaired Student t test. Significance considered P < 0.05. Western blot analysis (E) and densitometry quantification (F) of ERK1/2, eIF2α, p38, and 4EBP1 phosphorylation relative to total protein in whole culture MDSC lysates. Quantification is shown as fold change in the intensity signal of samples treated with 1.5 µmol/L DAB compared with Ctrl sample for each genotype (wild-type or GCN2−/−). P value was determined by two-tailed unpaired Student t test. Significance considered P < 0.05. G–I, Ribosomal profiling analyzed in wild-type and GCN2−/− MDSC lysates. G, Optical density (O.D.) at 254 nm. The area designated as “polysomes” represents the fraction of RNA-forming complexes of two or more ribosomes. H, AUC of the region marked as polysomes in G. Bars indicate mean ± SD (n = 4). P values were determined by two-way ANOVA with Šidák correction post-test. Significance considered P < 0.05. I, Relative quantification (%) of the AUC in polysomes versus monosomes (40s, 60s, and 80s region). Data are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 4). P values were determined by two-way ANOVA with Šidák correction post-test. Significance considered P < 0.05. For all panels, experiments were repeated three times with similar results. DAB = dabrafenib.
Patient-Reported Quality of Recovery after Sedation for Endoscopy in the Elderly
Authors: Yahav-Shafir Dana , Orkin Dina , Zahavi Guy , Epstein Inna , Nadler Moshe , Berkenstadt Haim
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Although sedation is critical in minimizing discomforts in patients, conflicting data regarding the safety of sedation among the elderly population exist. This prospective study aimed to compare the quality of recovery (QoR) from gastrointestinal endoscopy performed under sedation between elderly and younger patients. Methods: We included 177 patients aged 40–64 (group 1, n = 66), 65–79 (group 2, n = 76), and ≥80 (group 3, n = 35) years. QoR was assessed 1 day after the procedure using the quality of recovery 15 (QoR-15) questionnaire, which is a 15-item questionnaire with scores ranging from 0 to 150. Patient demographic, procedural, and sedation data were collected, and neurocognitive function was assessed before and a day after sedation. Results: Groups 1 and 3 differed according to the Mini-Cog test and 3-word memory test performed before the procedure (p < 0.001). QoR-15 scores between groups were not different (139 ± 19 group 1, 141 ± 17 group 2, and 147 ± 26 group 3; p > 0.05). Patients in groups 3 and 2 were administered lower doses of propofol and midazolam than those in group 1. The incidence of oxygen desaturation (SaO2 <90% for >30 s) was lower in groups 1 and 2 than in group 3 (p = 0.01). Conclusions: As indicated by the QoR-15 questionnaire, the QoR from sedation was not significantly different between the study groups.
Management of Locally Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma with Sonic Hedgehog Pathway Targeted Therapy: A Case Report and Discussion
Authors: Ferrin Neal , Edmond Darwin , Jones Ryan , McCahill Laurence E.
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin malignancy in the world. While most lesions are treated using surgical methods, others may present as locally advanced or metastatic disease and are not amenable to surgical therapy alone. Treatment with sonic hedgehog pathway inhibitors (vismodegib, sonidegib) is designed to inhibit key signaling proteins and gene pathways involved with BCC to reduce the uncontrolled proliferation of basal cells in complicated disease and can be invaluable in treating patients with advanced disease. Case Presentation: We describe the course of a 68-year-old man who presented with a 7.2 × 6 cm exophytic and ulcerated locally invasive BCC of his upper back. The patient was started on daily vismodegib treatment with the goal of eventual surgical resection. After 11 weeks of therapy, he had significant improvement in both wound size and appearance. After 18 weeks of therapy, he had achieved a near complete clinical response of the central aspect of lesion with three remaining small peripheral lesions. These lesions were biopsied, and two were found to be negative for malignancy, while a small inferior nodule was positive for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Vismodegib therapy was discontinued after a total of 26 weeks of therapy. Excision of the SCC was performed, and the patient remains disease free at 2 years. Conclusion: This case report shows the efficacy of hedgehog pathway inhibitor therapy in the treatment of a locally advanced BCC with complete pathologic response, not requiring surgical intervention.