bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DRAMATİK ANLATININ KUANTUM MEKANİĞİ KURALLARIYLA BİÇİMLENDİRİLMESİ VE ÇÖZÜMLENMESİ
Authors: ÇEVİKAYAK Cem
Published: December 2022

Bilimsel düşüncenin ilk iki bin yıllık sürecinde kuramsal açıklamanın temeli basit deneylere ve sezgiye

dayanmıştır. Teknolojik imkânlar geliştikçe ve gözlemleyebildiğimiz fenomenlerin alanları genişledikçe

doğanın gündelik deneyimlerden ve dolayısıyla sezgilerimizden oldukça farklı işlediği anlaşılmıştır. Klasik

bilimin dışında kalan, ancak kuantum fiziği ile açıklanabilen fenomenler, aynı zamanda dramatik sanatlarda

olayların kurgulanması, biçimlendirilmesi ve çözümlenmesi üzerine de yeni yöntemler ve yaklaşımlar

sunmuştur. Estetik ifade araçlarından biri olarak sahne sanatları da yer yer anlatım biçimlerini bu tür yenilikçi

bakış açılarıyla şekillendirerek, yazan, okuyan ve oynayan insan için zamanı, uzayı, evreni gözlemleyebileceği ve

anlayabileceği farklı kapılar aralamaktadır. Buradan yola çıkarak ilgili çalışmada, uluslararası tiyatro alanında

başarı göstermiş, İskoç oyun yazarı David Greig’in 1999 yılında kaleme aldığı “Kozmonot’un Bir Zamanlar

Eski Sovyetler Birliği’nde Âşık Olduğu Kadına Gönderdiği Son Mesaj” adlı oyun metninin kuantum fiziği

yasaları üzerinden okunması ve ilgili alanla bağlantılarının saptanması üzerine odaklanılmıştır. Ele alınan bu

oyun metninde olay dizisi ve oyun karakterleri üzerine yapılan çözümlemeler, kuantum mekaniği kapsamında

sunulan deneyler ve modellemeler ile bağdaştırılmıştır. Bu şekilde tiyatro sahnesinde canlandırılmak üzere

kaleme alınan bir oyun metninin, alışılagelmiş insan algısı ölçeklerinden çıkıp zaman/mekân bağlantılarında

kırılmalar yaratıp, olaylar zincirini üç boyutlu uzay çerçevesinde biçimlendirmesi gözlemlenmiştir.
Reliability analysis of a large curved-roof structure considering wind and snow coupled effects
Authors: Peng Yongbo , Zhao Weijie , Zhou Jian
Published: December 2022

Ensuring the safety of large curved-roof structures subjected to blizzards in cold regions remains challenging. This paper assesses the reliability of a large curved-roof structure considering the coupled effects of wind and snow. To this end, a two-way coupled simulation considering the interaction between snow particles and turbulent wind is first carried out using a computational fluid dynamics scheme and a spectral representation method based on the wavenumber-frequency joint power spectrum and stochastic harmonic function; thereby, the uneven snow distribution and stochastic wind field on a large curved roof are revealed. The probability density evolution method is then adopted to conduct a stochastic response and reliability analysis of the structure. The simulation results reveal that a credible uneven distribution of snow on the large curved roof can be obtained using the suggested snowdrift simulation scheme, and the refined spectral representation method can efficiently and accurately simulate the two-dimensional fluctuating wind field of the large curved-roof structure. It is shown that under stochastic wind, snow and self-weight loads for a 100-year return period, the large curved-roof structure has a higher risk of member yielding than of node deflection. Meanwhile, the axial stress acting on the structural member is far less than the maximum allowable stress and the structure is thus deemed to be sufficiently safe.
An Entropic Approach for Pair Trading in PSX
Authors: Islam Tanweer Ul , Amer Laiba
Published: December 2022

The perception in pair trading is to recognize two stocks that move together, and their prices will converge to a mean value in future. However, finding the mean-reverted point at which the value of the pair will converge, and optimal boundaries of the trade is not easy. As uncertainty and model misspecifications may lead to losses. To cater for the problems, this study employs the novel entropic approach that utilizes entropy as penalty function for the misspecification of the model. The use of entropy as a measure of risk in pair trading is a nascent idea and this study utilizes daily data for 64 companies listed on PSX for the years 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively to compute the returns based on the entropic approach. These companies cover the major sectors including Cement, Chemical, Automobile Assembler, Food and Personal Care Products, Oil and Gas Marketing Companies, Oil and Gas Exploration Companies Ltd, Power Generation and Distribution, Refinery and Pharmaceuticals. The returns to these stocks are then evaluated and compared with the Buy and Hold strategy. The results show positive and significant returns from pair trading using an entropic approach.
Determining Feature Based Hydraulic Geometry and Rating Curves using a Physically Based, Computationally Efficient Framework
Authors: Johnson J. Michael , Coll James , Clarke Keith C , Afshari Shahab , Saksena Siddharth , Yeghiazarian Lilit
Published: December 2022

Hydraulic relationships are important for water resource management, hazard prediction, and modelling. Since Leopold first identified power law expressions that could relate streamflow to top-width, depth, and velocity, hydrologists have been estimating ‘At-a-station Hydraulic Geometries’ (AHG) to describe average flow hydraulics. As the amount of data, data sources, and application needs increase, the ability to apply, integrate and compare disparate and often noisy data is critical for applications ranging from reach to continental scales. However, even with quality data, the standard practice of solving each AHG relationship independently can lead to solutions that fail to conserve mass. The challenge addressed here is how to extend the physical properties of the AHG relations, while improving the way they are hydrologically addressed and fit. We present a framework for minimizing error while ensuring mass conservation at reach - or hydrologic Feature - scale geometries’(FHG) that complies with current state-of-the-practice conceptual and logical models. Through this framework, FHG relations are fit for the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Rating Curve database, the USGS HYDRoacoustic dataset in support of the Surface Water Oceanographic Topography satellite mission (HYDRoSWOT), and the hydraulic property tables produced as part of the NOAA/Oakridge Continental Flood Inundation Mapping framework. The paper describes and demonstrates the accuracy, interoperability, and application of these relationships to flood modelling and presents this framework in an R package.
The Legal Rights and Challenges of COVID-19 Patients Accessing Private Healthcare in Nigeria
Authors: Aidonojie Paul Atagamen , Okuonghae Nosakhare , Ukhurebor Kingsley Eghonghon
Published: December 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed healthcare providers all over the world. Nigeria has also had its fair share of the health crisis caused by COVID-19. Despite the apparent shortcomings of public healthcare in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, the participation of private healthcare providers in caring for COVID-19 patients in Nigeria has been limited by legal and regulatory constraints. This study employs a hybrid research method. The study found insufficient medical facilities and care for COVID-19 patients in government-owned isolation centers. It was concluded and recommended that there is a need to whittle down the laws and regulations limiting private health providers from caring for COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, there is a need to set some ethics and guidelines for private healthcare providers who intend to care for COVID-19 patients.
Problems of Muslim Society in Russia Past and Present
Authors: Meirison Meirison , Bukhari Bukhari , Wahab Wisyly , Nazar Zerly
Published: December 2022

This article aims to provide an overview of the Muslim minority in Russia not living in a homogeneous environment. The Muslim community in this country is facing old and new problems at the same time. Ancient in the sense that members of this community who identify themselves with Islam have inhabited this vast land for centuries. However, they are considered young because Muslims are part of the modern Russian state. This paper seeks to place the changes experienced by Muslims in Russian society in the context of an actual historical framework. Post-Soviet Union development centered on infrastructure, economy, and society. Now, at a crucial moment, is the time to push intra-Islamic relations to a higher level. Only this allowed Islam to become an integral part of Russia's political identity.
Controlled Digital Lending of Library Books in Canada
Authors: De Castell Christina , Dickison Joshua , Mau Trish , Swartz Mark , Tiessen Robert , Wakaruk Amanda , Winter Christina
Published: December 2022

This paper explores legal considerations for how libraries in Canada can lend digital copies of books. It is an adaptation of A Whitepaper on Controlled Digital Lending of Library Books by David R. Hansen and Kyle K. Courtney, and draws heavily on this source in its content, with the permission of the authors. Our paper considers the legal and policy rationales for the process—“controlled digital lending”—in Canada, as well as a variety of risk factors and practical considerations that can guide libraries seeking to implement such lending, with the intention of helping Canadian libraries to explore controlled digital lending in our own Canadian legal and policy context. Our goal is to help libraries and their lawyers become better informed about controlled digital lending as an approach, offer the basis of the legal rationale for its use in Canada, and suggest situations in which this rationale might be strongest.
Estabilidade para sistemas impulsivos quase-lineares com impulsos em tempos variáveis
Authors: Santos Lenara Ferreira dos , Marta Cilene Gadotti
Published: December 2022

O presente artigo tem por objetivo abordar as equações diferenciais impulsivas (EDIs) no aspecto de comportamento assintótico, de modo específico, este trabalho apresenta resultados sobre estabilidade em sistemas quase-lineares com impulsos em tempos variáveis. Tais impulsos são de característica variável, pois dependem da solução do sistema em momentos específicos, determinados de acordo com o problema considerado. O estudo das EDIs é recente e composto, predominantemente, por trabalhos na literatura estrangeira, dessa forma, os resultados apontados neste texto trazem uma síntese do tratamento de soluções para estes sistemas impulsivos. A princípio, algumas definições significativas a respeito de estabilidade serão descritas para enfim enunciarmos e demonstrarmos teoremas de estabilidade para o sistema proposto.
Electromagnetism, magnetohydrodynamics and the Tokamak mathematics
Authors: Faria Josiane Cristina de Oliveira , Prates Mônica Valério
Published: December 2022

Neste artigo, descreveremos matematicamente algumas propriedades do reator de fusão nuclear denominado Tokamak, a fim de deduzirmos a equação de Grad-Shafranov que modela o equilíbrio do plasma no interior do reator. Para tal, apresentamos aspectos básicos da fusão nuclear, das equações de Maxwell e da magnetohidrodinâmica.
The functioning of the hospice in the perception of families of oncological patients
Authors: Aniśko-Trambecka Paulina , Popławska Magda , Krajewska-Kułak Elżbieta , Mickiewicz Irena , Kułak Wojciech
Published: December 2022

Purpose: A fatal disease affects a specific patient but indirectly affects family and friends. The study aimed to assess the perception of the role of hospice by families of patients treated in oncological surgery departments and a hospice.
Methods: The study included 211 family members of cancer patients, including 108 family members of cancer surgery patients (Group I) and 103 hospice patients (group II). The study used the method of a diagnostic survey with the use of a proprietary questionnaire.
Results: The first positive associations with the hospice were experienced by 74.9% of people in Group I and 84.6% in Group II. The respondents from group I believed that hospice is a place where patients can die with dignity (86%), and those from Group II believe it is where patients receive professional care (68.3%). 56.7% from Group I and 65.4% from influenza II did not feel anxious about the hospice. According to 68.6% of people in group I, informing the patient that he is in hospice and about his disease should depend on the patient condition. In the opinion of 75% of group II - the patient should always know about it. In group I (68.3%) and group II (91.5%), the dominant opinion was that the family should take part in the care/treatment of the patient. According to 87.3% of people from Group I and 59.7% from group II, society does not pay much attention to palliative care. Hospice as a form of care for the sick to other families would be recommended by 78.4% of respondents in Group I and 96.4% in Group II.
Conclusion: Most of the families of patients from both the oncological surgery departments and the hospice had positive first associations with the hospice; thinking about it did not feel fear and would recommend it as a form of care for the sick to other families. Diversity of opinions of the surveyed families on the functions of the hospice, the scope of information provided, the role and composition of staff, the participation of families in the care/treatment of the patient, the patient's feeling of loneliness, the expected support and the desired religious practices in the hospice was shown.
Influence of menopausal status on retinal and choroidal thickness using SS-OCT
Authors: Che Xin , Suo Jinshan , Zhang Yang , Wang Luoziyi , Li Qingjian , Wang Zhiliang
Published: December 2022

Background
To evaluate the influence of menopausal status on retinal and choroidal thickness.
Methods
Ninety-five postmenopausal study group and ninety-five age-matched premenopausal control group were recruited randomly. The thickness of the retina and choroid was measured by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).
Results
The postmenopausal group showed significantly decreased choroidal thickness in the inner temporal (p = 0.038) and inner superior (p = 0.036) sectors, as compared to the premenopausal group.
Conclusions
This study revealed that choroidal thickness measured by SS-OCT was significantly thinner in postmenopausal women than control group. We speculate that the decrease in choroidal thickness in postmenopausal women indicate a reduced estrogen-dependent vasodilatory effect in ophthalmic vessels.
Trial registration:
Participants enrolled in the research signed informed consent and the study was approved by the institutional ethics committee of Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University (protocol number: KY2016-274).
A Fully Digital Method to Fabricate Custom Hybrid Ceramic One-Piece Post-and-Core: A Proof of Concept
Authors: Alhasher Haifa K. , Alfarsi Mohammed A.
Published: December 2022

Digital dentistry has saved time and cost and improved quality control of several dental treatment procedures. This study aimed to describe a fully digital method to fabricate a custom one-piece post-and-core out of hybrid ceramic that do not require the conventional costly and time consuming clinical and laboratory procedures. A post space was prepared in Typodent maxillary second premolar teeth. A direct digital scan for the post space was obtained using the Medit i700 intraoral scanner. The scan was then sent electronically to the CAD/CAM machine for virtual model creation, post-and-core designing and milling out of vita Enamic®. The resulted one-piece post-and-core was then compared to a conventionally-made custom lithium disilicate ceramic post made on the same tooth to verify the successfulness of this new fully digital technique to produce identical outcome to the conventional technique. This study showed that the full digital workflow for fabrication of custom hybrid ceramic one-piece post-and-core can be an acceptable alternative to the conventional methods, thus further advancing digital dentistry.
Minimal change disease in HIV combined with monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance: a case report and literature review
Authors: Su Xing , Chen Miao , Ouyang Lingxia , Bao Beiyan , Li Jingzhen
Published: December 2022

Previous studies have shown a significant increase in monoclonal gammopathy (MG) prevalence in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV and MG both can cause renal injury and have attracted increasing nephrologists' attention. To date, there has been a lack of relevant studies on the renal pathology of HIV combined with MG. Here, we report a case of a newly diagnosed HIV patient with co-morbid MG and subsequent or concurrent massive proteinuria whose renal biopsy showed minimal change disease (MCD). After a period of administration of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), HIV viral RNA was undetectable in plasma, along with complete remission of the nephropathy. However, there was no significant effect on MG.
Gaucher Disease in 20-Month-Old Ethiopian Boy with a Massive Splenomegaly and Failure to Grow: Challenges in Case Management
Authors: Hassen Oumer Harun , abubeker Hikmet abdurehim , Tufa Derejie Weldiesielasie , Gellan Tewodros Gullema
Published: December 2022

Background: Gaucher disease is an autosomal recessive lipid storage disorder caused by genetic mutations in the GBA gene. Symptoms are variable, range from asymptomatic to perinatal lethality, and can occur at any age. Case report: This report details a case of a 20-month-old male born in Harar and referred to Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Ethiopia for evaluation of severe acute malnutrition, hepatosplenomegaly, and Developmental regression since the age of 8 months. He was well known for receiving blood transfusions due to anemia with persistent thrombocytopenia multiple times. On clinical examination, there was no dimorphism but had pallor, multiple lymphadenopathies with enlarged Liver, and a massive spleen. His assessment showed anemia was associated with marked thrombocytopenia. Bone marrow biopsy revealed Gaucher cells, confirmatory test for Gaucher disease, B-glucocerebrosidase activity results showed low activity and mutation detected in homozygous condition c. 1448 T>C p. (Leu483Pro). Over a year his abdomen became progressively distended, and he began to have breathing problems. Unfortunately, while seeking donated medical treatment, he died suddenly in the hospital after serious bleeding mainly due to a delayed diagnosis and a lack of supplies of medicines. This case was presented to demonstrate the challenges in diagnosing and treating Gaucher disease, especially in a resource-constrained environment like ours Conclusions: This case demonstrates the need to include this disease in the differential diagnosis when dealing with unexplained thrombocytopenia, anemia, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly
Statistical Downscaling of Global Climate Projections along the Egyptian Mediterranean coast.
Authors: ElBessa Mohamed , Shaltout Mohamed
Published: December 2022

The climatic parameters (surface air temperature, surface relative humidity, surface wind regime, and mean sea level pressure) are known to be important inaddressing adaptation/mitigation to the climatic changes. In particular, recent, and future of these climatic parameters along the Egyptian Mediterranean Coast (EMC) were analyzed based on hourly real observed data (2007—2020), and hourly reanalysis (ERA5) database (1979—2020) together with daily GFDL (Global climate model) mini-ensemble mean (2006—2100). Recent climatic studies along the study area have not given enough attention to the downscaling approach, underscoring the need to set up a statistical downscaling technique for a better understanding of the forces that govern climatic change. Here we analyze the current climatic and future scenarios for the studied parameters calls for three steps. The first step is to study the short-term (14 years) current weather variabilities using the real observed data. The second step is to describe the long-term (42 years) current weather variabilities using reanalysis ERA5 database after bias removal by comparing with the observations. The third step is to statistically downscale the GFDL mini-ensemble means to describe the future projection along the study area up to 2100. The used statistical downscale technique is built on developed a bias correction statistical model by matching cumulative distribution functions (CDF) of the mini-ensemble mean and corrected ERA5 during the overlapped period (2006— 2020).
The results show that ERA5 describes efficiency the weather characteristic of the five studied stations. This data along the Egyptian Mediterranean Coast (EMC), 2006—2020, displays a significant positive trend for surface air temperature, and significant negative trends for surface wind speed, relative humidity, and sea level pressure. The GFDL mini-ensemble mean projection, up to 2100, has a significant bias with the studied weather parameters. This is partly due to GFDL coarse resolution (2˚x2˚). After removing the bias, the statistically downscaled simulations from the GFDL mini-ensemble mean show that the study area’s climate will experience a significant change especially surface air temperature and relative humidity with a great range of uncertainties according to the scenario used and regional variations. Our results are the cornerstone for better understanding and developing statistical downscaling to project the future climatic studies over EMC
Safety and efficacy of an iBTA-induced autologous Biotube® vascular graft and its preparation device BTM1 in below-the-knee bypass surgery for chronic limb threatening ischemia: A protocol for an open-label, single-arm, multicenter clinical trial
Authors: Shuto Takashi , Higashita Ryuji , Sako Hidenori , Abe Fumie , Yabuuchi Nozomi , Umeno Tadashi , Mori Kazuki , Kawashima Takayuki , Nakashima Yumiko , Nakayama Yasuhide , Miyamoto Shinji
Published: December 2022

Background: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) increases the risk of lower limb amputation if revascularization is not performed properly at an early stage. The use of autologous venous conduits is the only option, especially for critically ill patients requiring below-the-knee bypass surgery, but it is limited by a lack of usable veins. Biotube Maker (BTM1), which is based on so-called in-Body Tissue Architecture (iBTA) technology, is a mold for the in vivo production of the Biotube® regenerative artificial vascular grafts. An autologous small diameter, long-length Biotube for lower limb bypass is prepared by subcutaneous embedding of the Maker for 1–2 months. This clinical trial based on an extremely specialized therapy that can prepare an autologous implantable tissue in the patient’s body. It is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous embedding of the BTM1 for Biotube preparation, and arterial bypass surgery at the lower limb for CLTI patients using Biotube obtained from the BTM1.
Methods: This trial is intended for patients with CLTI without optimal veins available for bypass surgery. The medical device to be evaluated is the BTM1, which is used to prepare Biotubes. The obtained Biotubes will also be evaluated. This is an exploratory investigator-initiated clinical trial of an open-label and uncontrolled medical device, which will be conducted in a multicenter setting. The planned number of subjects for this study is 12. The primary efficacy endpoint is the ability to form of an implantable Biotube from the BTM1 embedded subcutaneously in patients. The safety and efficacy of the resulting Biotubes will be evaluated by performing bypass surgery to the lower leg below the knee or foot artery. The biocompatibility and patency of the Biotubes, and wound healing, improvement of resting pain and limb salvage, and procedure-related death, will be confirmed up to 12 weeks after surgery.
Discussion: These findings may be promising for patients with CLTI who have no choice except to have their legs amputated. This study should be followed by a pivotal study to obtain satisfactory data for an application for marketing approval.
Trial registration: jRCT2072220062. Registered on October 19, 2022.
Regulation of Blood-Testis Barrier (BTB) proteins in Sertoli-germ cell nanotube formation in EF-treated spermatogenesis
Authors: Ordueri Nazli Ece , Elgun Tugba , Ozgurses Mete Emir , Uzunkaya Bariscan , Tasdemir Medine
Published: December 2022

Objective:The aim of this study was to analyze visual data analysis of nanotubes formation and actin expression between Sertoli germ cells, gene silencing with the use of FAK siRNA and EF application, confirmation with mRNA levels, cell viability test and immunofluorescent staining associated ezrin, Fascin 1, FAK and N-cadherin. Expressions of blood-testicular barrier (BTB) proteins were evaluated.Materials and Method:As the experimental group of the research; control group (CG), in which intercellular nanotubes and cargo proteins were followed under normal culture conditions; Sertoli and germ cells co-culture; co-culture of testosterone (T) group, Sertoli and germ cells in which intercellular nanotubes and cargo proteins are tracked; The group in which actin organization and intercellular nanotubes and cargo proteins are monitored, and the group in which the focal adhesion kinase is suppressed with siRNA (FAK RNAi) and the co-culture of Sertoli and germ cells, the electromagnetic field applied group (EF), in which intercellular nanotubes and cargo proteins are followed under normal culture conditions, were used.Results:In the control groups, nanotubes formations started at the 6th hour during the culture and increased at the 40th hour, while the number of nanotubes formation and disappearance was 52 in the Control group; 58 in the EF group; 44, 12 in the FAK RNAi group and 5 in the EF+ FAK RNAi group. It was shown that actin associated nanotubes formations were significantly decreased in FAK RNAi and EF+ FAK RNAi groups compared to control. Stable nanotubes formation rate but low disappearance rate was detected in the EF applied group. It was observed that there was a decrease in ezrin and Fascin 1 expressions in nanotubes formation regions, except for control and testosterone groups, and there was no significant difference in N-cadherin expression levels. It was determined that FAK, Ezrin and Fascin 1 cargo passage were significantly retained in the cytoplasm in the FAK RNAi groups.Conclusions:With the results we obtained; It has been shown that the FAK molecule has an important role in the germ cell development process in vitro. It has been shown that in Sertoli-germ cell co-culture in which FAK gene is silenced and FAK RNAi and EF applied together, vesicle contents cannot be released by endocytosis and these molecules affect nanotubes formation due to decreasing the ratios of FAK, ezrin and Fascin 1 proteins. Based on our results, a research pattern and culture model were proposed for the detection of intercellular signaling due to the passage of regulatory proteins and nanotubes formation.
Sediment texture influences extracellular enzyme activity and stoichiometry across vegetated and non-vegetated coastal ecosystems
Authors: Wei Mengjie , Lundquist Carolyn , Schwendenmann Luitgard
Published: December 2022

The conversion of organic matter by extracellular enzymes can reveal important insights into carbon processing and nutrient cycling. The activity and stoichiometry of hydrolytic extracellular enzymes were investigated to assess the effects of sediment texture on microbially-mediated decomposition in coastal ecosystems. Enzyme activity was quantified across transects from vegetated (mangrove) to non-vegetated (tidal flat) habitats in two New Zealand coastal ecosystems that vary in sediment texture (sandy: Hobson Bay, muddy: Snells Beach). The activity of five key hydrolyzing enzymes involved in organic matter processing and nutrient cycling were determined: 1) β-glucosidase (hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose); 2) β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (catalyzes the terminal reaction in chitin degradation); 3) alkaline phosphatase (releases soluble inorganic phosphate groups from organophosphates); 4) β-D-cellobiohydrolase (hydrolyzes cellulose to generate cellobiose); and 5) β-xylosidase (catalyzes hemicellulose degradation). All enzymes had higher activity at the muddy site but enzyme activities in these coastal habitats were generally lower than has been reported for terrestrial, freshwater, and other estuarine ecosystems. Extracellular enzyme activities (EEA) did not differ between habitats at the sandy site, whereas EEA was lower in the non-vegetated habitats for some enzymes at the muddy site. Enzyme stoichiometric ratios showed that most habitats at both muddy and sandy sites were predominately C and P limited. These results can be used to advance our understanding of the biogeochemical processes underpinning the response of coastal ecosystems to land-derived nutrient and sediment inputs.
Spin Dynamics Modulated by Rashba States in Ferroelectric α-GeTe
Authors: Cheng Zhao-Hua , Yang Xu , Qiu Liang , Xue Hao-pu , Tang Jin , Du Haifeng , Sun Rui , Yang Qing-lin , Liu Jia-nan , Wei Yan-sheng , Zhang Xiang-Qun , He Wei , Hou Yusheng
Published: December 2022

Ferroelectric Rashba semiconductor α-GeTe provides a promising arena in spintronics due to its large bulk and surface Rashba. Since most surface Rashba bands are located above Fermi level, the spin dynamics are mainly dominated by bulk states. Whether the surface states of α-GeTe can modulate the spin dynamics or not is an open question. Here, we report the manipulation of magnetic damping by the surface states of α-GeTe via ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and theory calculation. The surface states located near the Fermi level of α-GeTe is realized by doping Bi atoms and revealed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). Moreover, the magnitude of magnetic damping is related to the density of states near Fermi surfaces of Ge1 − xBixTe. Our work improves the understanding of the magnetic damping influenced by different part of Rashba bands and gives a platform for the research of α-GeTe in Rashba effect and the spintronics.
Sperm motility assessed by deep convolutional neural networks into WHO categories
Authors: Haugen Trine B. , Witczak Oliwia , Hicks Steven A. , Björndahl Lars , Andersen Jorunn M. , Riegler Michael
Published: December 2022

Semen analysis is central in infertility investigation. Manual assessment of sperm motility according to the WHO recommendations is the golden standard, and extensive training is a requirement for accurate and reproducible results. Deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) are especially suitable for image classification. In this study, we evaluated the performance of DCNN models in predicting the proportion of sperm in the WHO motility categories. The models were evaluated using 10-fold cross-validation with 65 video recordings of wet semen preparations from individual men and corresponding manually assessed data obtained from an external quality assessment programme for semen analysis. The convolutional neural network used was ResNet-50. One model was trained to predict the three categories progressive motility, non-progressive motility, and immotile spermatozoa. Another model was used in predicting four categories, where progressive motility was differentiated into rapid and slow. The resulting average MAE was 0.05 and 0.07, and the average ZeroR baseline was 0.09 and 0.10 for the three-category and the four-category model, respectively. Manual and DCNN-predicted motility was compared by Pearson’s correlation coefficient and by difference plots. The strongest correlation between the mean manually assessed values and DCNN-predicted motility was observed for % progressively motile spermatozoa (Pearson’s r = 0.88, p < 0.001) and % immotile spermatozoa (r = 0.89, p < 0.001). For rapid progressive motility, the correlation was moderate (Pearson’s r = 0.673, p < 0.001). The median difference between manual and predicted progressive motility was 0 and 2 for immotile spermatozoa. The largest bias was observed at high and low percentages of progressive and immotile spermatozoa. The DCNN-predicted value was within the range of the interlaboratory variation of the results for most of the samples. In conclusion, DCNN models were able to predict the proportion of spermatozoa into the WHO motility categories with significantly lower error than the baseline. The best correlation between the manual and the DCNN-predicted motility values was found for the categories progressive and immotile. Of note, there was considerable variation between the mean motility values obtained for each category by the reference laboratories, especially for rapid progressive motility, which impacts the training of the DCNN models.
Heavy metal sensing and catalytic applications of environment friendly fabricated silver nanoparticles
Authors: Shyam Aswathi , S Smitha Chandran , George Bini , Akshara B
Published: December 2022

The present study reports the environment-friendly, energy-efficient, one-pot green synthetic method to synthesize AgNPs from Abrus precatorious fresh leaf extract. Phytochemical screening and chemical profiling tests for the leaf extract revealed the biomolecules that acts as reducing, stabilizing and capping agent. These AgNPs can be used as sensors for toxic heavy metals like Hg 2+, Ni 2+, Cu 2+, Bi 2+, K + and Cr 2+ .Catalytic ability was studied from the dye degradation and nitrophenol reduction. Methylene blue, methyl orange and methyl red dyes were found to degrade drastically with this AgNPs as catalyst. The reaction was carried out for 15minutes, with different concentrations (0.5ml and 2ml) of AgNPs which revealed that more amount of AgNPs catalyst triggered the reaction more easily. 68% of MB dye was degraded with 2ml catalyst and with 0.5ml catalyst 62% degradation efficiency was shown. 34% MO dye was degraded with 2ml catalyst and with 0.5ml catalyst, only 29% degradation was observed. The MR dye exhibited 49% and 42% degradation efficiency for 2ml and 0.5ml catalyst respectively. For reduction of 4-nitrophenol, the catalytic efficiency was calculated to be 66%.
Predictors of the health-related quality of life in patients with mild residual deficit after ischemic stroke
Authors: Gurková Elena , Šaňák Daniel , Štureková Lenka , Šaňáková Šárka , Zapletalová Jana , Franc David , Bartoníčková Daniela
Published: December 2022

Background

Ischemic stroke (IS) has long-term effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but tools mostly used for the measurement of HRQoL do not involve all relevant domains. Our aim was to identify the factors contributing to the stroke specific HRQoL in patients with mild deficit after IS.

Methods

Consecutive IS patients with mild deficit and without cognitive deficit were enrolled in the prospective cross-sectional study and the following groups of HRQoL variables were explored: (1) stroke-related factors; (2) functional status, or disability; (3) psychological factors; and (4) general health perceptions. Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) version 3.0, WHOQOL-BREF, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Barthel Index (BI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used for the study assessments.

Results

One hundred fifty patients (58.0% men, mean age 57.6 ± 13.7 years) were enrolled at a mean follow-up of 3.8 ± 0.4 months after the onset of IS, 96.7% of them achieved good functional outcome (mRS 0–2) and 98.6% had NIHSS score 0–4. Residual stroke severity correlated significantly with activities of daily living (ADL), hand function, memory, communication, and participation/role function. General perception of health had significant associations with ADL, mobility, hand function, participation/role function, memory, and emotions; post stroke depression correlated significantly with memory, and participation/role function.

Conclusion

In IS patients with mild residual deficit, the stroke specific HRQoL within 6 months after stroke was influenced mostly by neurological impairment, functional limitations, perception of physical health, and depression.

Trial registration:

This study was conducted as a part of the prospective FRAILTY (Factors Affecting the Quality of Life After Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults) study registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04839887.
Toward Driverless AI: Automating Leukemia Detection and Classification using Hyperautomation, a Case Study
Authors: Al-Zoubi Hussein , Al-Bzoor Nisreen
Published: December 2022

This paper mainly explores how driverless AI can help researchers accurately classify leukemia diagnosis. Since Leukemia is among the most common commonly occurring types of cancer and thus early detection and classification can be of paramount significance. In this paper, we proposed a reliable method to automate the classification of leukemia in which we used the automated machine learning (henceforth, AutoML) library available in H2O.ai to select the best classification model capable of detection and classification depending on peripheral blood smear (PBS) images. The proposed framework used three datasets of bone marrow images to detect Leukemia and accordingly to classify blood cells. we compared some previous studies conducted in this field adopting traditional classification approaches with our proposed model of hyperautomation. We divide these data between training and testing using threefold cross-validation. The final AI model produced the most accurate diagnostics, and its effectiveness was evaluated using the accuracy, specificity, F-score, recall, precision, and Area Under the Curve (AUC) from the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, and it achieves an elegant performance for Leukemia classification with AUC of 1 and 1 in the testing and validation sets, accordingly. Results indicate that almost every model trained on H2O.ai driverless works relatively better than other models that work with traditional software with less time and effort.
Type 17 specific immune pathways are active in early spondyloarthritis
Authors: Hughes Catherine , Ryan Sarah , Steel Kathryn , Beukel Michelle van den , Trouw Leendert , Schie Karin van , Toes Rene , Menon Bina , Kirkham Bruce , Taams Leonie
Published: December 2022

Background
Undifferentiated, early inflammatory arthritis (EIA) can differentiate into seropositive or seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA), peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA) or other seronegative non-SpA inflammatory arthritides. Little is known about immune pathways active in the early stages of SpA and undifferentiated seronegative arthritis, in contrast to detailed knowledge of seropositive RA. We previously showed that synovial fluid (SF) IL-17A + CD8 + T cells (Tc17 cells) are enriched in patients with established SpA, but not RA. The aim of this study was to examine if specific immune pathways were active in synovial CD4 + and CD8 + T cells of patients with EIA.
Methods
SF samples from 30 patients with EIA were analysed, with final clinical diagnoses made at least 12 months after sample collection, by two independent clinicians blind to the study data. SF mononuclear cells were stimulated for 3 hours with PMA/ionomycin in the presence of GolgiStop, followed by staining for IL-17A, interferon-g and TNFa in CD8 + or CD4 + T cells.
Results
Flow cytometry analysis of all EIA samples indicated considerable variation in synovial Tc17 cell frequencies between patients. The group with a final diagnosis of SpA (PsA or peripheral SpA, n = 14) showed a significant enrichment in the percentage of synovial Tc17 cells compared with the group diagnosed with non-SpA seronegative inflammatory arthritides (n = 10). The small number of patients later diagnosed with seropositive RA (n = 6) patients had few Tc17 cells, similar to our previous findings in established disease. In contrast, a significant elevation in the percentage of CD8 + IFNg + T cells was seen in RA compared with seronegative SpA or non-SpA.
Conclusions
These results suggest that adaptive T cell cytokine pathways differ not only between RA and SpA but also non-SpA seronegative IA early in the disease process, with a particular activation of type 17 pathways in early SpA.
The orientation convection equation with variable exponents
Authors: Zhan Huashui
Published: December 2022

Note: Please see pdf for abstract with symbols.
Considering the orientation convection equation with variable exponents, a new kind of the weak solution is introduced. Basing on the definition, even if there is not boundary value condition, the stability of the solutions still might be approached. It is shown that the degeneracy of the diffusion coefficient ρα or the degeneracy of the convection coefficient b→ may take place of the usual homogeneous boundary value condition sometimes. If not, by the weak characteristic function method, we generalize the definition of the classical trace to a function space weaker than BV (Ω), a reasonable partial boundary value matching up with the equation is found.
2000 MR Subject Classification 35K55 35J25 35K65
Geo-referenced Inventorization and Mapping Drinking Quality Parameters of Groundwater in Ferozepur District of Punjab
Authors: Davinder Davinder Singh , Singh Dhanwinder-Singh Dhanwinder , Arora Mohit Arora Mohit , Singh Kuldip-Singh Kuldip
Published: December 2022

A study was carried out to assess the groundwater quality of Ferozepur district for drinking purpose. Grid based, 604 groundwater samples were collected from November 2021 to April 2022 and GPS location of each was recorded. The water samples were analysed for pH, EC, TDS, TH, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl−, F−, NO3−, SO42−, HCO3−, As, B, Se, Cr, Ni, Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn. The spatial variability maps for all these parameters were developed using ArcGIS software. Considering these parameters, groundwater quality was evaluated w.r.t drinking purpose. It was observed that parameters TDS, TH, Na+, K+, Mg2+, HCO3−, NO3−, SO42−, F−, B, As and Se were above their respective acceptable limits for drinking purpose. Among different blocks of Ferozepur district, Ghall Khurd was the most affected block with a considerable number of water samples not suitable for drinking purpose and Mamdot was the least affected one. However, the groundwater was not polluted with heavy metals as the heavy metal pollution index was < 25 for 99% of the groundwater samples.
Does the type of impacted third molar induce the formation of caries on the distal surface of the second molar? A different outcome and interpretation
Authors: Ucuncu Musa Kazim , Suradi Raghib
Published: December 2022

Investigators have different ideas about whether or not the third molars should be extracted as a preventive measure. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship of impacted third molar with the frequency of caries on the distal surface of the second molar. In this prospectively designed study, oral and orthopantomographic examinations of 438 patients were performed. All of the second and third molars on the mandible are classificated by the eruption levels and angulation degrees. The presence of caries on the distal surface of the second molars was determined with the help of ICDAS-II criteria. Pearson Chi-Square and McNemar test was used to compare categorical variables and both segments. The participants in the study ranged in age from 18 to 62, with a mean age of 28.33 ± 9.2 years. While a total of 1752 teeth were examined and both segments were evaluated for angulation type and level of eruption. The most frequent angulation type was vertical, and the most frequent eruption level was A. Mesioangulatiın was the most common type of angulation associated with caries in adjacent teeth.There was a statistically significant variation in the prevalence of caries between the two segments (p < 0.001; χ2 = 0.241). More caries was seen in adjacent teeth with vertical on the right segment and mesioangulation on the left. Prophylactic extraction of third molars should be considered comprehensively. The fact that different types of angulation increase caries susceptibility in both segments highlights the need to evaluate all caries development factors concurrently.
A multi-objective Algorithm based on Structural Information to Identify Influential Users in Social Networks
Authors: Abdollahpouri Alireza , Salavati Chiman
Published: December 2022

Social influence includes the change in behavior or action of individuals in a particular way to meet the demands of a social environment. Research on social influences indicates that accepting or rejecting a new idea by a person depends on the acceptance or rejection of his friends. Therefore, many companies are focused on “word-of-mouth” marketing to take advantage of network effects in advertisement. In such kind of advertisement, a small set of influential users in a social network are selected, such that the highest expansion in the network can be reached with the lowest cost. The set of influential users must be chosen in such a way that they do not activate similar users. In this paper, an optimization model is presented to identify the most valuable users who have little similarity to each other. This model considers two objectives of maximizing profit and minimizing user similarity, simultaneously. Evaluation on real datasets confirms that the proposed method selects a more appropriate set of target users to achieve greater profitability and higher influence power than other methods.
Follow-up Results of Permanent Epicardial Pacing in Children: A 15-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Chen Hong , Liang Dongpo , Liu ShenRong , Zeng Shaoying , Sun Ling , Wang Shushui , Zhang Zhiwei
Published: December 2022

Background
Permanent epicardial pacing is an effective treatment for pediatric patients especially for those with low body weight, small body size or complex cardiac structures. This study aimed to investigate the follow-up results and identify the associated risk factors of epicardial pacing in children.
Method
Pediatric patients who successfully received permanent epicardial pacing treatment at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from March 2005 to March 2021 were included in this study. The surgical data, echocardiographic examination parameters, incidence of reoperation, and long-term complications of these patients were recorded.
Result
A total of 139 patients were enrolled in this study. The median follow-up period was 50 months. Compared to a baseline measurement, there was a significant decrease in the postoperative left ventricular end-diastolic diameters. For patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening significantly improved after implantation. Thirty-one patients (22.3%) had complications in the follow-up period, and the most common was lead failure (14.4%). The reoperation incidence was 33.8%. Right ventricle pacing is a risk factor associated with reoperation. The five-years survival time of leads and batteries were 84.5% and 83.4%, respectively. Right ventricle pacing was the only risk factor which significantly reduced the lifespan of lead and battery.
Conclusion
Permanent epicardial pacing therapy is an effective treatment in children in spite of postoperative complications. RV pacing is a significant risk factor for reoperation, and it increases the occurrence of complications and reduces the survival time of the lead and battery.