bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonzero θ13, CP-violation and neutrinoless double beta decay for neutrino mixing in the A4×Z2×Z3 flavor symmetry model
Authors: Barman Animesh , Francis Ng. K. , Thapa Bikash , Nath Ankur
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we study the modification of the Altarelli–Feruglio [Formula: see text] flavor symmetry model by adding three singlet flavons [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and the model is augmented with extra [Formula: see text] symmetry to prevent the unwanted terms in our study. The addition of these three flavons leads to two higher order corrections in the form of two perturbation parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. These corrections yield the deviation from exact tri-bimaximal (TBM) neutrino mixing pattern by producing a nonzero [Formula: see text] and other neutrino oscillation parameters which are consistent with the latest experimental data. In both the corrections, the neutrino masses are generated via Weinberg operator. The analysis of the perturbation parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], shows that normal hierarchy (NH) and inverted hierarchy (IH) for [Formula: see text] do not change much. However, as the values of [Formula: see text] increase, [Formula: see text] occupies the lower octant for NH case. We further investigate the neutrinoless double beta decay parameter [Formula: see text] using the parameter space of the model for both normal and inverted hierarchies of neutrino masses.
Design and Simulation of Low Dropout, Low Power Capless Linear Voltage Regulator
Authors: Vasundhara Patel K. S. , Kumar Niranjan
Published: January 2023

This paper demonstrates a low power, frequency compensated with on-chip capacitor, low dropout linear voltage regulator. The proposed low dropout regulator (LDO) delivers a constant output voltage of 2.4V for an input range of 2.5–6.8V. A minimal drop of 2mV and 20mV was observed at no load and full load output current of 0 A to 100mA, respectively. LDO is realized by a high-gain two-stage error amplifier, internally compensated by passive a high-pass filter to achieve stability over a load current range of 0–100mA without occupying as much area as an active high-pass filter. The LDO presented requires a bias current of 10[Formula: see text]mA with a reference voltage of 1.5V and is designed in 180-nm technology.
A Novel Graphical Approach for the Fast Estimation of Filter Capacitor Value and the Output Performance of Various Uncontrolled Rectifier
Authors: Akbaba Mehmet , Dakkak Omar , Atasoy Ferhat , Cora Adnan
Published: January 2023

This paper proposes a novel approach for low-power applications for the fast estimation of filter capacitor value and the output performance parameters such as average, and Root Mean Square (RMS) values for the voltage and current considering single-phase full-wave, three-phase half-wave and three-phase full-wave rectifier circuits. For this aim, the novel equations in this work are derived for the average output voltage and rms ripple voltage separately for each of the above-mentioned three rectifier types. Then % ripple factors for each rectifier type are calculated using newly derived equations and plotted versus the newly introduced Normalized Time Constant (NTC). Besides, considering the peak supply voltage as the base voltage, the Per Unit (p.u.) output average voltage and rms ripple voltage for each of the rectifier circuits are computed and plotted versus NTC. These graphs will be normalized graphs since the output values of these graphs have turned into independent of both supply voltage amplitude and supply frequency. Normalized graphs are set up only once for each type of the rectifier circuit. Then, and for a pre-selected ripple factor value, the corresponding NTC value is obtained by straightforward reading from the graphs set up between the % ripple factor and NTC. Once the NTC value has been acquired, using the formula of NTC leads to finding the capacitor value required for the pre-selected ripple factor with one simple step calculation. Furthermore, the p.u. values of the average output voltage and rms ripple voltage values that correspond to the same NTC value are obtained by reading them from the set-up graphs directly. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated through design examples for each type of rectifier circuit. The three design examples highlight how the output performance values can be obtained easily, accurately and swiftly. Furthermore, the viability of the graphical approach is verified by the experimental results which demonstrate the suitability of the derived equations in the proposed method.
Extension of Takahashi’s ribbon 2-knots with isomorphic groups
Authors: Kanenobu Taizo , Sumi Toshio
Published: January 2023

We give infinitely many pairs of ribbon 2-knots of 1-fusion in [Formula: see text] with isomorphic knot groups, which extend Takahashi’s examples. They are distinguished by the trace sets, which are calculated by using [Formula: see text]-representations of the knot groups.
Comparative Studies on Nonlinear Structures with Multiple Tuned Mass Damper and Multiple Tuned Impact Damper
Authors: Lu Zheng , Zhou Mengyao , Ma Naiyin , Du Jiang
Published: January 2023

This study proposes integrating the particle damping technology into multiple tuned mass damper (MTMD) to form a multiple tuned impact damper (MTID) system for suppressing the vibrations of nonlinear high-rise buildings under earthquakes. A systematic performance comparison comprising vibration damping effects and working strokes between the optimal MTMD and optimally designed MTID with a distinct multi-objective optimization strategy is addressed. The energy-based analysis is also conducted to essentially reveal the difference in damping mechanisms of the two dampers. Furthermore, due to the parameter deviations of engineering structures in practice, the robustness of MTID and MTMD is evaluated involving structural mass, damping and stiffness. The results show that MTID is capable of transferring more energy to the damper and reducing structural energy to a greater extent, thus presenting superiority in controlling structural root mean square (RMS) responses and nonlinear indicators comprising joint curvature and the number of plastic hinges compared with MTMD. Through parametric evaluation, greater robustness is validated in MTID under deviations of various structural parameters with downgraded performance fluctuation in both range and degree, and the efficient operating range of MTID under the deviation of structural parameters is given. Furthermore, a smaller working stroke of the optimal MTID system is required compared with MTMD, permitting the improved applicability of the MTID system and better space utilization in the practical building.
Sombor index and eigenvalues of comaximal graphs of commutative rings
Authors: Rather Bilal Ahmad , Imran Muhammed , Pirzada S.
Published: January 2023

The comaximal graph [Formula: see text] of a commutative ring [Formula: see text] is a simple graph with vertex set [Formula: see text] and two distinct vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] are adjacent if and only if [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we find the sharp bounds for the Sombor index for comaximal graphs of integer modulo ring [Formula: see text] and give the corresponding extremal graphs. Also, we find the Sombor eigenvalues and the bounds for the Sombor energy of comaximal graphs of [Formula: see text].
Graded amalgamated algebras along an ideal
Authors: Guissi Fatima Zahra , Kim Hwankoo , Mahdou Najib
Published: January 2023

Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be two commutative rings graded by an arbitrary commutative monoid [Formula: see text], let [Formula: see text] be a homogeneous ideal of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] a graded ring homomorphism. In this paper, we introduce a new graded ring construction called “the graded amalgamation of [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] along [Formula: see text] with respect to [Formula: see text]” (denoted by [Formula: see text]). Then we investigate, through the properties of the homogeneous components that build the body of this “graded” study, the transfer of the property of graded-coherence to the graded amalgamation [Formula: see text].
Object recognition from enhanced underwater image using optimized deep-CNN
Authors: Lyernisha S. R. , Seldev Christopher C. , Fernisha S. R.
Published: January 2023

Object detection from underwater sea images based on deep learning techniques provides preferable results in a controlled environment. Yet, these techniques experience some challenges in detecting underwater objects due to color distortion, noise, and scattering. Hence, enhancing the underwater imaginary is important for accurately determining the objects under water. This research presents a deep learning approach for perceiving underwater objects from enhanced underwater images. Very Deep Super-Resolution Network (VDSR), which exhibits a higher visual quality, is utilized for improving the underwater image quality, thereby it is sufficient for object detection. Then, the object is detected from the enhanced underwater image through the proposed Border Collie Flamingo optimization-based deep CNN classifier (BCFO-based deep CNN). The developed BCFO-based algorithm is the main highlight of the research, which effectively tunes the classifier’s hyperparameter. The evaluation is established using the UIEB and DUO datasets on the basis of performance standards, such as specificity, accuracy, and sensitivity. When the training percentage is 80 and the [Formula: see text]-fold is 10, the suggested model achieved accuracy results of 93.89% and 95.24%, sensitivity results of 95.93 and 97.29%, and specificity results of 98.64% and 99%, which is very efficient compared to some existing approaches.
Almost periodic solutions of memristive multidirectional associative memory neural networks with mixed time delays
Authors: Zhang Yan , Qiao Yuanhua , Duan Lijuan
Published: January 2023

Traditional biological neural networks cannot simulate the real situation of the abrupt synaptic connections between neurons while modeling associative memory of human brains. In this paper, the memristive multidirectional associative memory neural networks (MAMNNs) with mixed time-varying delays are investigated in the sense of Filippov solution. First, three steps are given to prove the existence of the almost periodic solution. Two new lemmas are proposed to prove the boundness of the solution and the asymptotical almost periodicity of the solution by constructing Lyapunov function. Second, the uniqueness and global exponential stability of the almost periodic solution of memristive MAMNNs are investigated by a new Lyapunov function. The sufficient conditions guaranteeing the properties of almost periodic solution are derived based on the relevant definitions, Halanay inequality and Lyapunov function. The investigation is an extension of the research on the periodic solution and almost periodic solution of bidirectional associative memory neural networks. Finally, numerical examples with simulations are presented to show the validity of the main results.
“More than a cliché”: Experiencing Hybrid Gifting in the Wild
Authors: Spence Jocelyn , Koleva Boriana , Benford Steve , Darzentas Dimitrios , Flintham Martin , Glover Kevin , Wagner Hanne , Gibson Rebecca , Thorn Emily-Clare
Published: January 2023

Gifting is socially and economically important. Studies of gifting physical objects have revealed motivations, values, and the tensions between them, while HCI research has revealed weaknesses of digital gifting and explored possibilities of hybrid gifting. We report an “in the wild” study of a hybrid chocolate gift deployed as a commercial product. Interviews reveal the experiences of receivers and givers, as well as the producer's friction points and tangible benefits. We reveal how in hybrid gifts the digital elevates the physical while the physical grounds the digital. We discuss how hybrid gifts bridge the tension between receiver-preference and relationship-signalling motivations, the need to further strengthen the exchange and reveal stages of hybrid gifting, and to manage the privacy of sensitive personal messages. We propose to extend the concept of hybrid wrapping to include a finer-grained interleaving of digital into complex packaging and multi-layered wrappings to create more holistic gifting experiences.
Hyper Parameter Optimization of CRNN for Printed Devanagari Script Recognition using Taguchi's Method
Authors: Akhter Shaheera Saba Mohd Naseem , Rege Priti P.
Published: January 2023

The Devanagari script is one of the most widely used scripts worldwide. The existing deep learning-based optical character recognition system for printed Devanagari scripts using
Convolutional Neural Network – Recurrent Neural Network
, or
CRNN
is not robust enough to recognize any randomly printed Devanagari scanned document. At present, the hyper-parameters of the CRNN system are selected randomly either with the trial-and-error or grid search methods. Moreover, there is no optimized way to choose the hyper-parameters of the CRNN, which improves the recognition accuracy for Devanagari documents. Furthermore, the lack of standard Devanagari script datasets has hampered the development of word recognizers. In this paper, the hyper-parameter of the CRNN system is optimized using Taguchi's method of optimization. The performance of the hyper-parameters optimized CRNN system is compared with the current state-of-the-art text recognition CRNN network. The results reveal that the CRNN optimized with Taguchi's method performs better than the CRNN-based systems.
Malayalam Natural Language Processing: Challenges in Building a Phrase-Based Statistical Machine Translation System
Authors: Sebastian Mary Priya , G. Santhosh Kumar
Published: January 2023

Statistical Machine Translation (SMT) is a preferred Machine Translation approach to convert the text in a specific language into another by automatically learning translations using a parallel corpus. SMT has been successful in producing quality translations in many foreign languages, but there are only a few works attempted in South Indian languages. The article discusses on experiments conducted with SMT for Malayalam language and analyzes how the methods defined for SMT in foreign languages affect a Dravidian language, Malayalam. The baseline SMT model does not work for Malayalam due to its unique characteristics like agglutinative nature and morphological richness. Hence, the challenge is to identify where precisely the SMT model has to be modified such that it adapts the challenges of the language peculiarity into the baseline model and give better translations for English to Malayalam translation. The alignments between English and Malayalam sentence pairs, subjected to the training process in SMT, plays a crucial role in producing quality output translation. Therefore, this work focuses on improving the translation model of SMT by refining the alignments between English–Malayalam sentence pairs. The phrase alignment algorithms align the verb and noun phrases in the sentence pairs and develop a new set of alignments for the English–Malayalam sentence pairs. These alignment sets refine the alignments formed from Giza++ produced as a result of EM training algorithm. The improved Phrase-Based SMT model trained using these refined alignments resulted in better translation quality, as indicated by the AER and BLUE scores.
A Multi-Level Consistency Network for High-Fidelity Virtual Try-On
Authors: Wei Hao , Chen Rui
Published: January 2023

The 2D virtual try-on task aims to transfer a target clothing image to the corresponding region of a person image. Although an extensive amount of research has been conducted due to its immense applications, this task still remains a great challenge to handle some complicated issues (e.g., non-rigid shapes, large occlusions and arbitrary poses). To this end, we propose a novel network with structural and textural consistency-preserving mechanism for producing high-fidelity try-on images. Specifically, we first generate the semantic layout of a clothing-agnostic person to obtain the segmentation map, which is used as the transforming conditions of the target clothes. Based on a recurrent network structure, the transform lookup is performed to iteratively update a dense flow. Then, we adopt a thin-plate-spline-based warping method to estimate the coarse offset flow for all key-point positions. Guided by this sparse flow, a multi-scale deformable convolution module is designed to further iteratively predict the fine offsets for densely sampled positions, by which the clothing item and person shape can be accurately aligned. Finally, we develop a refinement module to effectively fuse the global and local features, which can render accurate geometric structures of the body parts and maintain texture sharpness of the clothes. Extensive experiments on benchmark datasets demonstrate that our method outperforms other state-of-the-art methods in terms of quantitative and qualitative try-on results. The code is available on:
https://github.com/TJU-WEIHAO/MLCN
.
Improving Conformance of Web Services: A Constraint-based Model-driven Approach
Authors: Sun Chang-Ai , Fu An , Jia Jingting , Li Meng , Han Jun
Published: January 2023

Web services have been widely used to develop complex distributed software systems in the context of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). As a standard for describing Web services, the Web Service Description Language (WSDL) provides a universal mechanism to describe the service’s functionalities for the service consumers. However, the current WSDL only provides the description of the interfaces to a Web Service without any restrictions or assumptions on how to properly invoke the service, resulting in divergent understanding of the Web service’s behavior between the service developer and service consumer. A particular challenge is how to make explicit the various behavior assumptions and restrictions of a service (for the user), and make sure that the service implementation conforms to them (for the developer). In this article, we propose a constraint-based model-driven approach to improving the behavior conformance of Web services. In our approach, constraints are introduced in an extended WSDL, called CxWSDL, to formally and explicitly express the implicit restrictions and assumptions on the behavior of a Web service, and then the predefined constraints are used to derive test cases in a model-driven manner to test the service implementation’s conformance to its behavior constraints from the user’s perspective. An empirical study involving four real-life Web services was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of our approach, and four actual inconsistencies were discovered.
Thermoelectric Detection of H2 Gas Based on Exothermic Absorption by Pd
Authors: Aizawa Hiroaki , Negishi Kei , Katsumata Toru
Published: January 2023

The thermoelectric hydrogen (H2) gas sensor using PCB (Printed Circuit Board) technique was developed based on the exothermic absorption of H2 by a palladium (Pd) film coated on a thermocouple. A cascade connection of two thermocouples composed of copper (Cu) and constantan (55% nickel and 45% Cu) was used to detect the exothermic absorption of H2 by Pd. The differential thermoelectric voltage output between the two thermocouples (with and without the Pd film) increased linearly with the H2 gas concentration in a 2.0–50 vol% ambient atmosphere. Standard deviations (SD) for 8 measurement cycles are typically 1.1% at 4 vol% H2, 0.81% at 6 vol% H2, and 1.9% at 8 vol% H2, respectively. The differential thermoelectric voltage output can be detected from 2.0 vol% H2 atmosphere. The ambient temperature fluctuations on the measurement was also effectively reduced using the cascade connection of two thermocouples. Calibration line of H2 concentration calculated by the least square method is linear and standard error (SE), 0.44 vol%, is smaller than measured value.
Therapeutic effects of KCC2 chloride transporter activation on detrusor overactivity in mice with spinal cord injury
Authors: Watanabe Kyohei , Ishibashi Masaru , Suzuki Takahisa , Otsuka Atsushi , Yoshimura Naoki , Miyake Hideaki , Fukuda Atsuo
Published: January 2023

This study is the first report to suggest that activation of the Cl− transporter K+-Cl− cotransporter 2 may be a therapeutic modality for the treatment of spinal cord injury-induced detrusor overactivity by targeting bladder efferent pathways.
Coconut sugar derived from coconut inflorescence sap lowers systolic blood pressure and arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults: a pilot study
Authors: Carlini Nicholas A. , Romanowski Spencer , Rabalais Emily N. , Kistler Brandon M. , Campbell Marilyn S. , Krishnakumar I. M. , Harber Matthew P. , Fleenor Bradley S.
Published: January 2023

Blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness are important predictors of cardiovascular health with aging. Nutraceuticals are an easy-to-implement lifestyle strategy demonstrating promise to effectively lower BP and arterial stiffness with aging and ultimately cardiovascular disease risk. We demonstrate that coconut sap powder (CSP), a traditional Asian sweetener, lowers brachial systolic BP and carotid artery mechanical stiffness in middle-aged and older (MA/O) adults. These findings provide initial evidence for the CSP-related cardioprotective effects in MA/O adults.
Detection of Immune Microenvironment Changes and Immune‐Related Regulators in Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Bone Metastasis
Authors: Lin Jinding , Tang Haifeng , Xu Zhitong , Zeng Rongdong
Published: January 2023

The inflammation/immune response pathway is considered a key contributor to the development of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) bone metastasis. However, the dynamic changes in the immune microenvironment of LCH bone metastasis and critical regulators are still unclear. Expression profiling by arrays of GSE16395, GSE35340, and GSE122476 was applied to detect the immune microenvironment changes in the development of LCH bone metastasis. The single‐cell high‐throughput sequencing of GSE133704, involved in LCH bone lesions, was analyzed. The online database Metascape and gene set variation analysis (GSVA) algorithms were used to detect the gene function of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of hub regulators was constructed by the STRING database. In these results, key immune cells, such as Tem cells, NK T cells, CD8(+) T cells, and Th1 cells, were identified in LCH bone metastasis. These genes, which include LAG3, TSPAN5, LPAR5, VEGFA, CXCL16, CD74, and MARCKS, may significantly correlate with the cellular infiltration of B cells, aDCs, pDCs, cytotoxic cells, T cells, CD8+ T cells, T helper cells, and Tcm cells. In conclusion, our study constructed an atlas of the immune microenvironment of LCH bone metastasis. Genes including LAG3, TSPAN5, LPAR5, VEGFA, CXCL16, CD74, and MARCKS may be involved in the development of LCH bone metastasis. The hub gene‐immune cell interactive map may be a potential prognostic biomarker for the progression of LCH bone metastasis and synergetic targets for immunotherapy in LCH patients.
Prevalence of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Its Associated Factors among Chronic Disease Patients in a Resource Limited Setting in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Abetu Mehari Eden , Mekonen Tafete Getu , Tesfahun Adugnaw Melkamu , Abubeker Abdela Ousman
Published: January 2023

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affects patients with chronic diseases. Thus, chronic disease patients are among the first high-risk population groups to get vaccinated. This might be challenged by vaccine hesitancy as it is one of the top ten global health issues for 2019. Furthermore, vaccination myths and conspiracy theories have been proliferating, and the developing world can readily embrace them, which might cause vaccine hesitancy. However, there is a paucity of evidence regarding chronic illness patient’s willingness to be vaccinated. As a result, the aim of this study is to determine the magnitude of vaccine hesitancy and associated factors among chronic disease patients in Ethiopia. Method. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult ambulatory chronic disease patients who were selected using stratified sampling technique from June 1 to August 1, 2021. Data were collected through a face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire. Vaccine hesitancy was measured based on a questionnaire which was adapted from the reviewed literature. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors, and variables with

p
<
0.05

were considered statistically significant. Result. A total of 422 respondents participated in the survey; the response rate was 99.7%. The mean age of the participants was 45 years 

±

 16.95 and 228 (54%) of them were male. Almost half of the respondents (49.5%) were hesitant toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Participants who were male (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.35), having good knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine (AOR = 1.60 95% CI: 1.06, 2.41) and having a comorbidity (AOR = 3.36, 95% CI: 1.73, 6.56), were factors associated with the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion. The level of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was high. The COVID-19 vaccine’s acceptability was influenced by being a man, having knowledge about the vaccine and having comorbidities. Furthermore, the most prevalent reason for refusing to take the vaccination is a fear that it may not be safe. As a result, public awareness campaigns should concentrate on delivering more information about the COVID-19 vaccine’s safety and efficacy. Furthermore, it is critical to disseminate accurate information, particularly among women, and to educate people about the vaccine.
Inversion Study of Mechanical Parameters of Tunnel Surrounding Rock Based on Similar Test
Authors: Wang Xianyun , Cui Hewei , Xu Hailiang , An Dong , Song Yimin
Published: January 2023

Based on similar model tests and finite element simulations, inversion study of the mechanical parameters of the tunnel surrounding rock by combining artificial fish swarm algorithm (AFSA) and digital scattering correlation method is carried out. The inversion of the mechanical parameters of the tunnel surrounding rock is carried out by iterating the optimization algorithm to minimize the objective function value through similar model test with the displacement measurements obtained by the digital scattering correlation method as the known quantity and the nodal displacement simulation values obtained by numerical simulation as the unknown quantity. The results show the following: (1) The new research idea proposed in this paper is effective and feasible and can perform the inversion calculation of the parameters of the soft and weak tunnel surrounding rock. (2) Through the inversion calculation, the parameters related to the surrounding rock show a wave-like change: the parameters increase in the initial and final compaction stages due to the small deformation rate of the tunnel and decrease in the continuous loading stage due to the increasing deformation rate of the tunnel. (3) The displacement field calculated by DSCM in the test is basically the same as the displacement distribution characteristics of the numerical simulation displacement cloud map, and the error of nodal displacement value is within 3%.
Dynamic Total-Body PET/CT Imaging Reveals Kinetic Distribution of 68Ga-DOTATATE in Normal Organs
Authors: Yin Hongyan , Liu Guobing , Hu Yan , Xiao Jie , Mao Wujian , Lv Jing , Yu Haojun , Lin Qingyu , Cheng Dengfeng , Shi Hongcheng
Published: January 2023

Objective. To investigate the biodistribution and kinetic constants of 68Ga-DOTATATE in normal organs through dynamic total-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Methods. Seven patients who experienced endoscopic resection of gastric neuroendocrine tumor were enrolled. Dynamic total-body PET/CT scans over 60 min were performed. Time-activity curves were obtained by drawing regions of interest in normal organs. Rate constants, including K1, k2, k3, and vB, were computed using a two-tissue compartment model. Factor analysis was used to compare the rate constants among subjects and regions. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to identify organs with similar kinetic characteristics. Results. The highest uptake of 68Ga-DOTATATE was observed in the spleen followed by kidneys, adrenals, liver, pituitary gland, pancreas head, prostate, pancreas body, and thyroid, parotid, and submandibular glands. Low background level of 68Ga-DOTATATE uptake was observed in the nasal mucosa, bone, blood pool, and cerebrum. In addition, the uptake in the pancreas head was noted to be higher than the pancreas body (

P
<
0.001

) on the basis of each time point of dynamic PET. There were differences of rate constants among different organs. The mean K1 ranged from 0.0507 min−1 in the left nasal mucosa to 1.21 min−1 in the left kidney, and mean k2 ranged from 0.0174 min−1 in the spleen to 4.4487 min−1 in the left cerebrum. The mean k3 ranged from 0.0563 min−1 in the right cerebrum to 4.6309 min−1 in the left adrenal, and mean vB ranged from 0.0001 in the left cerebrum to 0.2489 in the right adrenal. However, none of the rate constants was significantly different among subjects or among different sites within a single organ. Three groups of organs with similar kinetic characteristics were identified: (1) cerebrum; (2) pituitary gland, liver, adrenal, and prostate; and (3) nasal mucosa, parotid and submandibular glands, thyroid, spleen, pancreas, kidney, and bone. Conclusion. Uptake and clearance of 68Ga-DOTATATE, in terms of kinetic constants, were different in different organs. The kinetic parameters of 68Ga-DOTATATE in different organs provide a reference for future dynamic PET imaging.
Research on Stability Control Technology of Mining Roadway Based on Energy Transformation
Authors: Zhang Guohua , Duan Yanwei , Qin Tao
Published: January 2023

The process of roadway surrounding rock deformation and instability is always accompanied by energy changes, and the energy transformation of surrounding rock directly drives its deformation and failure. In order to realize the stability control of mining roadway, the distribution of elastic strain energy and plastic strain energy of surrounding rock was analyzed by using FLAC3D numerical simulation software on the basis of the energy transformation law of sandstone under different confining pressures revealed by indoor triaxial compression test. Based on this, combined with the energy transformation, the principle of roadway surrounding rock stability control technology is proposed. One is to reduce the elastic strain energy of surrounding rock, that is, by increasing the extension of support body, part of the roadway energy is transferred to the support body, so as to improve the energy release of surrounding rock, or by optimizing the layout of roadway to reduce the energy accumulation of surrounding rock. The second is to increase the plastic strain energy of surrounding rock, that is, to increase the energy dissipation of surrounding rock by setting weak structure. The above research results are applied to the surrounding rock control of the right second transport roadway in the 91st coal of Xinjian coal mine. After the optimization of support measures, the roadway surface displacement and its increase rate decreased significantly, roof subsidence decreased from 247 mm to 62 mm, floor heave decreased from 120 mm to 26 mm, and the right rib shrinkage decreased from 292 mm to 94 mm, that is, the floor heave control effect was particularly obvious. The deformation of surrounding rock gradually stabilized after 45 days.
Subjective Memory Complaints and Their Relationship with the Objective Cognitive Performance of Stroke Patients
Authors: Hun Sung Jun , Kim SangYun , Shin Joon-Ho
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are common among patients with stroke, significantly affect long-term disability, and contribute to poor functional outcomes. We explored changes in the subjective memory complaints questionnaire (SMCQ) score of stroke patients, correlations among SMCs, objective cognitive performance (OCP), and functional status. We also explored whether participants could be divided into groups based on the presence or absence of SMCs and OCP impairment, which could be related to rehabilitation outcomes. Methods: A total of 102 stroke patients were recruited from a single rehabilitation center. Their OCP was determined on admission. The Mini-Mental State Evaluation (MMSE), SMCQ, and modified Barthel Index (MBI) scores were obtained at admission and at discharge. These variables were compared and time and group interactions were explored. Results: The SMCQ score did not show consistent patterns of change among individuals. The objective cognitive function and activities of daily living consistently improved after rehabilitation. The proposed cognitive impairment classification after stroke based on SMCs and objective cognitive decline was able to predict improvement attributable to rehabilitation. Conclusion: Changes in SMCQ scores of stroke patients were inconsistent and varied when compared to changes in MMSE and MBI scores, indicating that it is not a reliable metric on its own. SMCs have a clinical relationship with OCP and significant emotional and motivational effects. In clinical practice, it is important to understand and consider SMCs after stroke.
GPS-Derived Daily Mobility and Daily Well-Being in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Luo Minxia , Kim Eun-Kyeong , Weibel Robert , Martin Mike , Röcke Christina
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Mobility as a multidimensional concept has rarely been examined as a day-to-day varying phenomenon in its within-person association with older adults’ daily well-being. This study examined associations between daily mobility and daily well-being in community-dwelling older adults with a set of GPS-derived mobility indicators that were representative of older adults’ daily mobility. Methods: Participants wore a custom-built mobile GPS sensor (“uTrail”) and completed smartphone-based experience sampling questionnaires on momentary affective states (7 times per day) and daily life satisfaction (in the evening). Analyses included data across 947 days from 109 Swiss older adults aged 65–89 years. Results: Multilevel modeling showed that, within persons, a day with a larger life space area, more time spent in passive transport modes, and a higher number of different locations was associated with higher daily life satisfaction but not daily positive or negative affect. Follow-up analysis showed that the daily maximum distance from home was positively associated with daily life satisfaction, providing a first indication that exposure to non-habitual environments might be a possible underlying mechanism to explain the effects of mobility. Conclusions: Traveling a long distance away from home and visiting diverse locations may be a way to improve life satisfaction. Results are discussed in the context of research on healthy aging.
Up-to-Date Review of Meningococcal Meningitis: Global Challenges and Recommendations
Authors: Shaheen Nour , Mohamed Abdelrahman , Soliman Youssef , Abdelwahab Omar Ahmed , Diab Rehab Adel , Desouki Mariam Tarek , Rababah Ala’ Abdala , Khaity Abdulrhman , Hefnawy Mahmoud Tarek , Swed Sarya , Nashwan Abdulqadir J. , Shaheen Ahmed , Attalla Almoatazbellah , Meshref Mostafa
Published: January 2023

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is warning about a new outbreak of meningococcal meningitis among gay, bisexual, and other men that have sex with men (MSM) due to multiple cases reported in Florida. Meningococcal meningitis (MM) is a bacterial infection often spread by direct contact or through respiratory droplet dissemination from an infected person to a host. Meningitis can cause a wide range of complications, from thrombosis to cerebral edema or even septic shocks as the bacteria thrive on colonizing the submucosa of blood vessels adjacent to inflamed meninges. The CDC urged MSM to immediately take the MenACWY vaccine. 200 years ago, several outbreaks have been recorded of the disease throughout history, the first being in Africa in the 1840s. The world cannot afford more outbreaks and serious measures should be taken to contend with and contain such potential threats. In this review, we aim to provide an updated investigation of the bacterial infection relevant to the current global health status and a revision on what governments, policymakers, health providers, and individuals should do to prevent the further spread of this fatal disease.
BRAFV600E Expression Is Homogenous and Associated with Nonrecurrent Disease and Better Survival in Primary Melanoma
Authors: Naimy Soraya , Bzorek Michael , Eriksen Jens Ole , Dyring-Andersen Beatrice , Rahbek Gjerdrum Lise Mette
Published: January 2023

Background: Superficial spreading melanomas (SSMs) are the most common type of melanoma and cause the majority of skin cancer deaths. More than 50% of cases harbor a mutation in the BRAF gene that activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cancer signaling pathway. BRAFV600E is the most common BRAF mutation, and it represents an important biomarker that guides treatment selection. However, the relationship between the BRAFV600E gene expression and intratumoral protein distribution, on one side, and clinicopathological factors and patient outcomes, on the other, is not fully described. Additionally, whether MAPK cancer signaling activation in melanoma is due to increased biochemical activity of BRAFV600E, increased mRNA levels, or both requires further investigation. Here, we addressed these questions by examining expression patterns of BRAFV600E in primary treatment-naive melanomas and correlating them to clinicopathological factors and patient outcomes. Methods: In 166 SSM cases, we performed immunohistochemical staining to investigate the protein expression of BRAFV600E, and we measured BRAF mRNA levels using NanoString nCounter system. Results: Ninety-seven (49%) melanomas stained positive for BRAFV600E, with nearly 100% intratumoral homogeneity observed. Positive BRAFV600E expression was significantly associated with nonrecurrent disease and was found to be an independent predictor of better prognosis in univariate and multivariable analyses. Furthermore, presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, sentinel lymph node biopsy negativity, and low Breslow thickness were all independent predictors of better prognosis. We observed no difference in the BRAF mRNA levels in BRAFV600E-negative and BRAFV600E-positive melanomas, respectively. Validation in a larger publicly available cohort confirmed that there is only a weak correlation (Spearman 0.4) between BRAFV600E mRNA and protein levels and no differences in mRNA between BRAFV600E mutated and non-mutated patients. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that BRAFV600E is homogeneously present throughout the whole tumor and is associated with nonrecurrent disease and better survival in primary melanoma. We also showed that BRAFV600E mutation does not result in higher transcriptional levels, suggesting that activation of the MAPK signaling pathway in BRAFV600E mutated patients can be attributed to the increased biochemical activity caused by the mutation.
The Clinical and Mutational Spectrum of 69 Turkish Children with Autosomal Recessive or Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Tutal Ozum , Gulhan Bora , Atayar Emine , Yuksel Selcuk , Ozcakar Z. Birsin , Soylemezoglu Oguz , Saygili Seha , Caliskan Salim , Inozu Mihriban , Baskin Esra , Duzova Ali , Hayran Mutlu , Topaloglu Rezan , Ozaltin Fatih
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is associated with pathogenic variants in the PKHD1 gene. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is mainly associated with pathogenic variants in PKD1 or PKD2. The present study aimed to identify the clinical and genetic features of Turkish pediatric ARPKD and ADPKD patients. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study included 21 genetically confirmed ARPKD and 48 genetically confirmed ADPKD patients from 7 pediatric nephrology centers. Demographic features, clinical, and laboratory findings at presentation and during 12-month intervals were recorded. Results: The median age of the ARPKD patients at diagnosis was lower than the median age of ADPKD patients (10.5 months [range: 0–15 years] vs. 5.2 years [range: 0.1–16 years], respectively, [p = 0.014]). At the time of diagnosis, the median eGFR in the ARPKD patients was lower compared to that of ADPKD patients (81.6 [IQR: 28.7–110.5] mL/min/1.73 m2 and 118 [IQR: 91.2–139.8] mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively, [p = 0.0001]). In total, 11 (52.4%) ARPKD patients had malnutrition; 7 (33.3%) patients had growth retardation at presentation; and 4 (19%) patients had both malnutrition and growth retardation. At diagnosis, 8 (16.7%) of the ADPKD patients had malnutrition, and 5 (10.4%) patients had growth retardation. The malnutrition, growth retardation, and hypertension rates at diagnosis were higher in the ARPKD patients than the ADPKD patients (p = 0.002, p = 0.02, and p = 0.0001, respectively). ARPKD patients with malnutrition and growth retardation had worse renal survival compared to the patients without (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01). Similarly, ADPKD patients with malnutrition had worse renal survival compared to the patients without (p = 0.002). ARPKD patients with truncating variants had poorer 3- and 6-year renal outcome than those carrying non-truncating variants (p = 0.017). Conclusion: Based on renal survival analysis, type of genetic variant, growth retardation, and/or malnutrition at presentation were observed to be factors associated with progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Differentiation of ARPKD and ADPKD, and identification of the predictors of the development of CKD are vital for optimal management of patients with ARPKD or ADPKD.
Correlations of Clinical and Audio-Vestibulometric Findings with Coexisting Anxiety and Depression in Ménière’s Disease Patients
Authors: Subasi Bugra , Yildirim Nadir , Akbey Zeynep Yildiz , Karaman Nesibe Esra , Arik Ozlem
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Ménière’s disease (MD) is an inner ear disorder, characterized by vertiginous attacks, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of ear fullness. Endolymphatic hydrops has been proven as the underlying pathology. Frequently, psychopathologies accompany the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of anxiety and depression with demographic, clinical, and audio-vestibular findings in MD patients. Methods: The study included 40 consecutive unilateral MD patients. Demographic data (age, sex, education, employment, and marital status), clinical variables of drop attacks, the duration, frequency and severity of vertigo attacks, and tinnitus disturbance levels were recorded. Hearing threshold levels were graded between 1 and 4. Vestibulometric variables were taken as the presence of saccades and vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain deficits in the video head impulse tests (vHIT) and canal paresis in bithermal caloric tests. Becks’s depression and anxiety scales were used for psychometric evaluations and graded by 4 and 5 from normal to severe and normal to very severe, respectively. Results: The median age of the patients was 48.94 years, and the numbers of both sexes were almost equal (male/female = 19/21). All patients reported at least one vertigo attacks within the last year. The duration of attacks was most commonly (62.5%) 1–3 h, ranging from <1 h to 17 h. Most attacks were graded as mild (67.5%), and the frequency was 2–3 episodes per year in 22 (55%) patients. The number of attacks within the last year was 1–12. Three patients reported having drop attacks. Hearing loss in the affected ear was moderate/moderately severe in 20 (50%) patients. Thirty-seven (92.5%) patients had complaints of tinnitus. In vHIT, saccades and VOR gain deficits were found in 33 (82.5%) and 11 (27.5%) patients, respectively. Canal paresis was present in 18 (45%) patients. The depression and anxiety rates were 35% and 90%, respectively. Depression scores were correlated with education, marital status, and the presence of saccades. Anxiety was correlated only with tinnitus severity and VOR gain deficits. Depression and anxiety were also correlated. Conclusion: Vertigo appears to be more intrusive than the other MD symptoms, and a higher correlation with anxiety than depression was demonstrated in this cohort. However, depression was seen less among married and educated patients, suggesting the role of coping capability, and had more pronounced clinical/vestibulometric correlates. Overall, these results indicated that it is mainly the severity of organic/physiological pathology which determines the degree of depression and anxiety in MD rather than vice versa.
A Potential Off-Target Effect of the Wnt/β-Catenin Inhibitor KYA1797K: PD-L1 Binding and Checkpoint Inhibition
Authors: Thuru Xavier , Magnez Romain , Vergoten Gérard , Bailly Christian
Published: January 2023

Introduction: The quest for small molecule inhibitors of the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint continues in parallel to the extensive development of monoclonal antibodies directed against this immune checkpoint. Drug screening strategies are being set up to identify novel PD-L1 inhibitors. Methods: A virtual screening based on molecular docking with the PD-L1 protein dimer has been performed to identify a new binder. Binding of the identified ligand to PD-L1 has been validated experimentally using a microscale thermophoresis (MST) assay. The cellular effect of the compound was evidenced using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay based on activation of tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2. Results: We have identified the potent Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor KYA1797K as a weak PD-L1 binder. Molecular docking suggested that the compound can bind to the interface of a PD-L1 dimer, with a geometry superimposable to that of the reference PD-L1 inhibitor BMS-202. The atypical 2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinone motif of KYA1797K, derived from the natural product rhodanine, plays a major role in the interaction with PD-L1. Binding of KYA1797K to recombinant hPD-L1 was validated experimentally, using MST. The drug was found to bind modestly but effectively to hPD-L1. The FRET assay confirmed the weak capacity of KYA1797K to interfere with the activation of SHP-2 upon its interaction with human PD-1. Discussion: Collectively, the data show that KYA1797K could function as a weak modulator of the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint. This effect may contribute, at least partially, to the reported capacity of the β-catenin inhibitor to downregulate PD-L1 in cancer cells. The work also underlines the interest to further consider the rhodanine moiety as a chemical motif for the design of new PD-L1 binders.