bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between proximal femoral morphology and bone mineral density around the stem and the effects of osteoporosis treatment in patients with femoral neck fracture: a multicentre prospective cohort study
Authors: Oe Keisuke , Hayashi Shinya , Fukui Tomoaki , Sawauchi Kenichi , Kumabe Yohei , Niikura Takahiro , Sakai Yoshitada , Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Hoshino Yuichi , Matsushita Takehiko , Takahara Shunsuke , Tsunoda Masaya , Iwakura Takashi , Sakurai Atsushi , Shibahara Katsunori , Shoda Etsuo , Ito Kenjiro , Ueda Yasuhiro , Kawakita Kohei , Ozaki Takuma , Fukazawa Takahiro , Sasaki Yu , Kuroda Ryosuke
Published: August 2023

Background
This study aimed to classify older patients with femoral neck fractures who underwent hemiarthroplasty using a full hydroxyapatite-collared compaction short stem to evaluate the change in bone mineral density (BMD) around the stem.
Methods
This multicentre, prospective study included 96 older patients with femoral neck fractures registered for surgery from November of 2018 to October of 2020, who were followed up for 1 year after surgery. The patients were classified into three types according to Dorr classification. The BMD around the stem of each patient was determined based on seven Gruen zones using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Clinical scores were measured concurrently. Further, we compared the BMD change rate around the stem in terms of Dorr classification and clinical scores, and investigated the relationship between osteoporosis treatment intervention and the BMD change rate.
Results
After excluding patients with missing data, 40 patients were included in the analysis. The BMD change rate in zone 2 was significantly different between Dorr types B and C. Clinical scores did not significantly differ between the three groups. Regarding the relationship between osteoporosis treatment and BMD change rate, the pre-injury intervention group had significantly suppressed BMD change rate decline compared with the post-injury intervention and no-intervention groups in zones 1 and 7.
Conclusion
Careful follow-up examination is critical when performing hemiarthroplasty in patients with femoral neck fractures of Dorr type C because the BMD change rate may decline postoperatively. Pre-injury osteoporosis intervention therapy may suppress BMD loss around the stem.
The association of TNF-alpha secretion and mtDNA copy number in CD14+ monocytes of patients with obesity and CHD
Authors: Tolstik Taisiya V. , Kirichenko Tatiana V. , Markin Alexander M. , Bogatyreva Anastasia I. , Markina Yuliya V. , Kiseleva Diana G. , Shaposhnikova Nataliya N. , Starodubova Antonina V. , Orekhov Alexander N.
Published: August 2023

Monocytes are key cells in the pathogenesis of inflammation. They migrate from the blood to the tissues where the inflammatory process occurs and differentiate into activated macrophages, which play an important role at all stages of the development of chronic inflammation. Mitochondrial dysfunction may be one of the causes of inflammatory activation of monocytes and macrophages, which leads to a violation of the inflammatory response, excessive secretion of inflammatory mediators and the development of chronic inflammation. Among inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is key in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the inflammatory status of circulating monocytes in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and obesity. In particular, the study was aimed at studying the secretion profile of inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the primary culture of monocytes/macrophages, as well as to analyze the relationship between this profile and the number of copies of mitochondrial DNA in the blood of patients with coronary heart disease and obesity.
Estimating deer density from the number of pellet groups per individual: strip transect vs line transect
Authors: Bicho Cláudio , Alpizar-Jara Russell , Santos Pedro
Published: August 2023

Red and fallow deer have become overabundant species in some areas of the Iberian Peninsula, namely in enclosures located in agro-silvo-pastoral systems called “montado” in Portugal and “dehesa” in Spain. Reliable methods to estimate deer density in such conditions are required for proper population management. Inconsistent conclusions regarding the best method to estimate deer abundance from pellet group counts show the need for additional information. In this study, instead of the defecation rate and the pellet groups’ mean time of decay, we use the number of pellet groups per individual (Pgi) to improve the precision and cost-effectiveness of the faecal standing crop approach to estimate deer density. We conducted fieldwork in two fenced areas, which replicated the conditions found in large enclosures in “montado”/”dehesa”. These were small areas easy to monitor and where the number of deer was known. Two methods for estimating Pgi were compared: strip transect and line transect. Results show that the two methods in both study areas presented good and similar levels of precision. For evaluating the accuracy, line transect estimates were used as accepted values. The discrepancy between the line transect estimate and the strip transect estimate in one of the study areas revealed that systematic double counting occurred while executing the strip transect method. Although, bearing in mind the practical recommendations herein made to overcome this problem, strip transect, which is considerably less time-consuming than line transect, appears to be the method of choice to estimate Pgi and deer density in the studied conditions.
Cardiometabolic Index (CMI), Lipid Accumulation Products (LAP), Waist Triglyceride Index (WTI), and Acute Pancreatitis (AP) Risk: A Prospective Study conducted on Adults in North China
Authors: Sun Qiu , Du Liming , Ren Qingshuai , Chen Shuohua , Wu Shouling , Zhang Bing , Wang Bangmao
Published: August 2023

Objective: To investigate the correlation between anthropometric indexes [cardiometabolic index (CMI)，lipid accumulation products (LAP), waist triglyceride index (WTI), and body mass index (BMI)] and acute pancreatitis (AP) in a Chinese adult population.
Methodology: The present investigation consisted of a prospective group including 117,326 subjects who were enrolled in the Kailuan investigation. The individuals were categorized into quartiles based on their baseline levels of CMI, LAP, and WIT. BMI was categorized into three distinctive groups: normal weight group (BMI<24 kg/m2), overweight group (BMI 24–28 kg /m2), and obesity group (BMI≥28 kg/m2). The data were subjected to analysis in order to investigate the correlation between these anthropometric indexes and the incidence of AP. Cox regression models were employed to assess the relative risk of AP while accounting for known risk factors through appropriate adjustments.
Outcomes: Over the course of a median follow-up duration of 12.59+0.98 years, we documented 401 incident AP cases. Incidence density and cumulative incidence rates of AP increased with the increase of CMI, LAP, and WTI. After multivariate adjustment, the fourth quartile of CMI, LAP, and WTI exhibited the greatest risk of AP [CMI: hazard ratio (HR)
1.93, 95% confidential interval (CI) (1.45–2.57); LAP: HR 2.00, 95% CI（1.49–2.68); WTI: HR 2.13,95% CI（1.59–2.83）]. In comparison to the normal weight group, the obesity group (BMI≥28 kg/m2) had an elevated risk of AP (HR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.21–2.05). Furthermore, the incremental effect of BMI combined with CMI on the prognostic value of AP was greater than that of BMI alone (the C statistics demonstrated a result of 0.607 versus 0.546; the integrated discrimination improvement revealed a result of 0.321%; net reclassification improvement was 1.975%).
Conclusion: We found that CMI, LAP, and WTI were positively and independently connected to the risk of AP. Additionally, CMI demonstrates a superior prognostic capacity than other indexes in anticipating AP.
Genetic diversity and genome wide population structure analysis of a grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) diversity panel using Genotyping by Sequencing
Authors: Pandey Dinesh , Chauhan Rashmi , Prabhakaran Sharat , Tiwari Apoorv , Joshi Dinesh , Chandora Rahul , Taj Gohar , Jahan Tarannum , Singh S. P. , Jaiswal J. P. , Kumar Anil
Published: August 2023

Amaranth, a gluten-free pseudo-cereal, is grown, cultivated, and adapted in diverse ecological zones all over the world. In recent years, increased attention has been paid on its nutritional eminence, particularly in terms of its seed protein, which specifically contains high levels of the essential amino acids. This important food and nutritional security crop's gene pool, which is diverse, needs to be characterized and genotyped in order to broaden its genetic base and to boost production. Genotyping by sequencing data of diverse germplasm serve useful tool for identification of important candidate genes associated with important traits of plants. In the present study, genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach was used to characterize a genetically diverse collection of 192 Amaranth accessions. This resulted in an estimated 41,931 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) segregating across the entire collection and several thousand SNPs segregating within every accession. A model-based population structure analysis reveals the presence of three subpopulations among the Amaranth accessions, which are in parallel with the results of phylogenetic analysis. A total of 1796 gene ontology (GO) terms were assigned to SNP-carrying genes for three main categories: biological process, cellular component, and molecular function. High-throughput genotyping and sequencing data generated, will be very useful not only for breeders for further enhancement of Amaranth but also for molecular biologists for isolation and identification of nutritionally important genes from Amaranth, which can be used for biofortification programs.
Pleistocene climatic changes and topography drove genetic variation in southern Atlantic Forest treefrogs from Boana polytaenia complex species (Anura, Hylidae)
Authors: Nehemy Ibrahim Kamel Rodrigues , Camurugi Felipe , Santana Diego José
Published: August 2023

Mountainous regions play a crucial role in shaping genetic differentiation among organisms. Climate change and topographical complexity are considered as the most important processes influencing the diversification of these areas. We used two tree frog species, Boana polytaenia and Boana bandeirantes to access how such biogeographical factors shaped their evolutionary history in the highly biodiverse Brazilian mountain range Serra do Espinhaço, that comprises two main mountain chains (Serra do Mar and Serra da Mantiqueira). We investigate whether the patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation were related to Pleistocene climate shifts and/or climate dynamics through elevational gradients in the mountains. We used a multilocus dataset comprising mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences from both species. We assessed the genealogical relationships of lineages, population structure, changes in effective population sizes over time, time of divergence of lineages, climatic suitability through time with ecological niche modeling and whether niche of linegaes are more or less similar than expected. Both species exhibited well-structured lineages in each of the mountain chains, B. polytaenia for Serra da Mantiqueira and B. bandeirantes for Serra do Mar. Diversification primarily occurred during the Middle Pleistocene, with glacial periods influencing B. polytaenia and interglacial periods favoring B. bandeirantes. The combination of Pleistocene climate changes and mountain topography influenced spatial distribution, leading to genetic variation among B. polytaenia complex species.
Integrated vegetation management within electrical transmission landscapes promotes floral resource and flower-visiting insect diversity
Authors: Kimmel Chase B. , Oliveira Ivone de Bem , Campbell Joshua W. , Khazan Emily , Bremer Jonathan S. , Rossetti Kristin , Standridge Matthew , Shaw Tyler J. , Epstein Samm , Tsalickis Alexandra , Daniels Jaret C.
Published: August 2023

Context
Electrical transmission rights-of-way (ROW) are ubiquitous and critical infrastructure across the landscape. Active vegetation management of these ROW, a necessity to deliver electricity more safely, maintains these landscape features as stages of early successional habitat, a rarity in many regions, making these areas viable movement corridors for many taxa.
Objectives
The goals of this study were to (i) evaluate the effects of different landscape management practices on flowering plant and flower-visiting insect diversity and (ii) generate conservation management inferences considering electrical transmission landscape management.
Methods
In this study we tested the impact of three vegetation management levels across 18 sites. We evaluated the effects of treatment on bloom abundance and species richness as well as flower-visiting insect abundance and family richness.
Results
We identified 76541 flowers/inflorescences across 456 transects, including 188 species in 56 plant families. Additionally, we obtained data on 11361 flower-visitors representing 33 families from 2376 pan trap sets. High vegetation management favored the reduction of coarse woody debris in the sites and harbored the highest level of diversity of both floral resources and flower-visiting insects.
Conclusions
We show that we can align social and ecological values of ROW, ensuring their sustainability by applying regular and targeted integrated vegetation management. Thus, we can use ROW landscapes not only as an effective management strategy for the delivery of essential human services, but also to provide conservation benefits for wild pollinators.
Algae induced tritium organification promotes human exposure risk
Authors: Mao Liang , lu kun , Miao Yu , Dong Shipeng , Cui Fengmei , Zhang Yanxu , Diwu Juan , Chai Zhifang , Wang Shuao
Published: August 2023

The human radiation exposure caused by tritiated water (HTO) release has long been underestimated due to neglecting the transfer of its bioconversion products (organically bounded tritium, OBT) along the food chain. Here we systematically assessed the enrichment and organification of tritium (3H) by algae and the transfer OBT in the marine food chain. We found that algae rapidly incorporate and transfer HTO into OBT as part of nutrients for trophic transfer to fish, specifically retaining in brain to conduct behavioral toxicity. Additionally, the obtained concentration factors (CF) and transfer factors (TF) are crucial for estimating internal exposure dose to human individuals (IEDI), providing more rigorous risk assessment for planted 3H release and some leakage accidents.
Quick Porting of Virtual Simulation Experiment Interactions from the Web 3D to VR
Authors: Liu Dexin , Chen Hengxin
Published: August 2023

Virtual reality (VR) technology is developing rapidly, and many 3D virtual simulation experiments on the web can be quickly ported to the VR environment to enhance user experience. The manner of interacting with a quickly ported two-dimensional user interface (2DUI) is a matter of preference. In this study, we focused on finding a more effective interaction scheme when a web 3D virtual simulation experiment is ported into the VR environment. When the development time is short, ray interaction and touch interaction can be easily and quickly ported while retaining the 2DUI of the original web-side experiment. We selected the architecture optics virtual simulation experiment for porting, divided the interactions into two levels, namely, L1 ray and L2 touch interactions, and recruited 30 volunteers to participate in the experiment in groups. The efficiency and user experience of L1 and L2 were compared by designing interactive tasks and collecting data. Overall, L1 was more efficient than L2. For the four common user interfaces, buttons, sliders, toggles, and dropdowns, L2 was only slightly better at interacting with the dropdown boxes than L1. However, both were slower than the web interface. L2 also received higher workload scores, based on user feedback and workload surveys. We also designed an interaction level, L3, for VR with reference to Worlds in Miniature and compared it with L1/L2/web by using the same interaction tasks. L3 was as efficient as the web. Finally, based on the experimental results, we provide suggestions for quick porting development.
Effect of MoS2 decoration on energy storage of wheat straw-derived porous carbon for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Jia Pengcheng , Liang Jicai , Yue Liufei , Liu Meina , Wang Xiaofeng , Liang Ce , Yu Kaifeng
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we report a simple and reliable hydrothermal carbonization method to prepare high-performance energy storage materials. Herein, Using wheat straw as a carbon source and ammonium ferrous sulfate hexahydrate (AFSH) as a regulator, porous wheat straw carbon (PWSC) materials were prepared by hydrothermal and high-temperature carbonization treatment. Using the obtained porous carbon as a carbon matrix, a triblock copolymer F127 was selected to control the morphology of MoS2, and a porous wheat straw carbon and flower-like MoS2 composite (PWSC@MoS2) was synthesized by hydrothermal method. The effects of the amount of structural modifier on the overall electrochemical properties of the composites were investigated. It was finally determined that the composite (PWSC@ MoS2-2) at the optimal structural modifier ratio of 1:2 showed high lithium storage capacity (907.8 mAh g− 1 after 300 cycles at 1C), excellent cycling stability and superior rate performance. Therefore, this efficient and environmentally friendly method of preparing PWSC@MoS2 composites from wheat straw can realize the secondary utilization of biomass waste and is a new choice of anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.
Significance of mitochondrial DNA in neonates with acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Qi Lina , Su Chang , Zhou Qian , Jiang Junsheng
Published: August 2023

Background
To analyze peripheral blood mitochondrial DNA levels in neonates with neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) and to assess their correlation with the severity of ARDS.
Method
Neonates diagnosed with ARDS from January 2021 to January 2023 were included as a study group prospectively. According to the Oxygen index (OI), they were divided into mild ARDS group (4 ≤ OI < 8), moderate ARDS group (8 ≤ OI < 16), and severe ARDS group (OI ≥ 16). The control group was selected from jaundiced neonates who were observed in the neonatal unit of the hospital during the same period. Peripheral blood samples were collected on days 1, 3, and 7 after admission in the ARDS group, and on admission in the control group. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression levels of mtDNA and cGAS -STING mRNA, and ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum IL-6, IL-23, and IFN-γ. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between serum mtDNA and serum IL-6, IL-23, and IFN-γ levels.
Results
50 newborns were enrolled in the ARDS group, including 25 with mild ARDS, 15 with moderate ARDS, and 10 with severe ARDS, control group included 25 neonates. Compared with the control group, serum levels of mtDNA, cGAS -STING mRNA, IL-6, IL-23, and IFN-γ were significantly increased in the ARDS groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the mild ARDS group, serum mtDNA, cGAS -STING mRNA, IL-6, IL-23, and IFN-γ levels were significantly increased in the moderate and severe ARDS groups (P < 0.05). Compared with day 1, serum mtDNA, cGAS -STING mRNA, IL-6, IL-23, and IFN-γ levels significantly increased on day 3 and significantly decreased on day 7 in all ARDS groups (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum mtDNA levels were correlated with serum IL-6, IL-23, IFN-γ, and cGAS -STING mRNA levels (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Elevated ARDS mtDNA levels may produce inflammatory mediators IL-6, IL-23, and IFN-γ by activating the cGAS -STING mRNA signaling pathway. MtDNA levels may have clinical value in assessing the severity of neonatal ARDS and in the earlier diagnosis of ARDS.
Different Surgical interventions for Unstable intertrochanteric fracture of the femur: Network meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Yuqiao , Zhou Chunlin , Zhang Xiufang , Xun Yuhao , Feng Min , LIN JUN , Zhang Xiufang
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Although there is a large body of literature indicating the presence of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures (UIFF) surgical approaches to treatment, and studies that comprehensively evaluate treatment outcomes are limited. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of extramedullary [i.e.dynamic hip screw (DHS)], intramedullary [i.e. the proximal femoral nail (PFN)], and hemiarthroplasty (HA) for the treatment of UIFF using a network meta-analysis..
Methods: The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, EMBASE, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases were searched to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) . The primary outcomes were harris hip score、operation time、superficial wound infection、deep venous thrombosis、deep wound infection、implant cut out、varus malunion、bedsore and mortality (e search time was from the inception of each database up to November 2022. Following data extraction and quality assessment, network meta-analysis was conducted with Stata 16.0.
Results: A total of 15 RCTs were included, including 1282 patients. In comparison to the DHS, Harris hip score had the lowest values with PFN and HA [standardized mean difference (SMD) -1.38 (-2.25, -0.51)] and [SMD -1.50 (-2.31, -0.68)] respectively. DHS [SMD 2.18 (0.42,3.93) had a significantly longer running time in comparison to the PFN. In comparison to HA, there was a lower risk of Superficial wound infection with PFN [odds ratio (OR) = -1.07; The 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.48–0.73], DHS, and PFN were significantly more likely to have Implant clipped than HA [2.20 (0.76, 3.64)] and [1.88 (0.48, 3.28)], Compared with DHS, PFN 1.18 (0.02, 2.34) and HA 2.09 (0.97, 3.20) had a lower risk of Malunion.
Conclusion: The comprehensive comparison of the outcome indicators in 3 different treatments indicates that HA and PFN have good efficacy in improving HHS scores and avoiding joint deformities.while HA has a higher risk of superficial infection compared to PFN, which carries a risk of screw removal. However, it is impossible to find out more high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to further confirm this in the future.
Level of Evidence: Level I
Inter-individual, hemispheric and sex variability of brain activations during numerosity processing
Authors: Zang Zhongyao , Chi Xiaoyue , Luan Mengkai , Hu Siyuan , Zhou Ke , Liu Jia
Published: August 2023

Numerosity perception is a fundamental and innate cognitive function shared by both humans and many animal species. Previous research has primarily focused on exploring the spatial and functional consistency of neural activations that were associated with the processing of numerosity information. However, the inter-individual variability of brain activations of numerosity perception remains unclear. In the present study, with a large-sample functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) dataset (n = 460), we aimed to localize the functional regions related to numerosity perceptions and explore the inter-individual, hemispheric, and sex differences within these brain regions. Fifteen subject-specific activated regions, including the anterior intraparietal sulcus (aIPS), posterior intraparietal sulcus (pIPS), insula, inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), inferior temporal gyrus (ITG), premotor area (PM), middle occipital gyrus (MOG) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), were delineated in each individual and then used to create a functional probabilistic atlas to quantify individual variability in brain activations of numerosity processing. Though the activation percentages of most regions were higher than 60%, the intersections of most regions across individuals were considerably lower, falling below 50%, indicating substantial variations in brain activations related to numerosity processing among individuals. Furthermore, significant hemispheric and sex differences in activation location, extent, and magnitude were also found in these regions. Most activated regions in the right hemisphere had larger activation volumes and activation magnitudes, and were located more lateral and anterior than their counterparts in the left hemisphere. In addition, in most of these regions, males displayed stronger activations than females. Our findings demonstrate large inter-individual, hemispheric, and sex differences in brain activations related to numerosity processing, and our probabilistic atlas can serve as a robust functional and spatial reference for mapping the numerosity-related neural networks.
6mA-stackingCV: An improved stacking ensemble model for predicting DNA N6-methyladenine site
Authors: Huang Guohua , Huang Xiaohong , Luo Wei
Published: August 2023

DNA N6-adenine methylation (N6-methyladenine, 6mA) is a key regulation in the cellular processes. Precisely recognizing 6mA sites is of importance to further explore its biological functions. Although there are many computational methods developed for 6mA site prediction over the past decades, there is a large root left to improve. We presented a cross validation-based stacking ensemble model for 6mA site prediction, called 6mA-stackingCV. The 6mA-stackingCV is a type of meta-learning algorithm, which uses output of cross validation as input to the final classifier. The 6mA-stackingCV outperformed the state of the art performances in the Rosaceae independent test. Extensive tests demonstrated the stability and the flexibility of the 6mA-stackingCV. We implemented the 6mA-stackingCV as a user-friendly web application, which allows one to restrictively choose representations or learning algorithms. This application is freely available at http://www.biolscience.cn/6mA-stackingCV/.
Vaccination of autologous dendritic cells induces early protection against the Foot-and-mouth disease virus in pigs by enhancing T-cell immunity
Authors: Mu Su , Chen Ling , Li Shuai , Dong Hu , Zhang Yun , Yin Shuang , Tian Yunfei , Ding Yaozhong , Sun Shi , Shang shaobin , Guo Hui
Published: August 2023

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) remains a challenge for cloven-hooved animals. The currently-licensed FMDV vaccines induce neutralizing antibody (NAb)-mediated protection but have early protection defects. Dendritic cell (DC) vaccines have shown great potency in producing rapid T-cell immunity in humans and mice. However, this strategy has not been elaborately explored in domestic animals, and it is unknown how much effectiveness can be achieved for a specific pathogen in pigs. In this study, we tested the potency of DC immunization in the protective immunity against FMDV in pigs. Autologous DCs were differentiated from each pig's periphery blood mononuclear cells, pulsed with inactivated FMDV (iFMDV-DC), and injected into the original pigs. The cellular immune responses and protective efficacy elicited by the iFMDV-DC were examined by multicolor flow cytometry and tested by FMDV challenge. The results showed that autologous iFMDV-DC immunization induces predominantly FMDV-specific IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T cells and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells (CTLs), high NAb titers, compared to the inactivated FMDV vaccine, and accelerated the development of memory CD4 and CD8 T cells, which was concomitantly associated with early protection against FMDV virulent strain in pigs. Early protection was associated with the rapid proliferation of secondary T cell response after the FMDV challenge and conferred more by secondary CD8 effector memory T cells rather than NAbs. These results demonstrated that rapid induction of cellular immunity by DC immunization is critical to improving early protection. To enhance cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in addition to Th1 immunity via a strategy or adjuvant comparable to DC immunization may facilitate the development of more effective FMDV vaccines and overcoming the defects of the current FMDV vaccines in the future.
The impact of maxillary dimensions on determining surgical approach of fungal ball in the maxillary sinus
Authors: Lee Young-Ha , Cho Won Ki , Kim Dong Hyun , Kim Ji Heui
Published: August 2023

Endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy (MMA) is commonly used for maxillary sinus (MS) fungal ball removal. For challenging cases involving anterior or inferior recess, an additional inferior meatal approach (IMA) might be needed. We analyzed the differences in MS dimensions on CT scans according to the surgical approach to suggest preoperative variables that could facilitate an additional IMA. CT scans of 281 adult patients who underwent ESS for the MS fungal ball (139 MMA, 62 MMA & IMA) were evaluated for comparative analysis of 8 MS measurements based on the surgical approach. Complete removal was achieved in all cases. Age and sex didn't differ significantly (p > 0.05). The maximum distances between the anterior-posterior walls, the inferior ostium border to the lateral recess, and the ostium to the inferior wall of the MS were statistically greater in the MMA & IMA group compared to the MMA group (p = 0.003, p = 0.005, and p = 0.010, respectively), especially among females. This study underscores the clinical importance of specific measurements—anterior to posterior wall, medial wall to lateral recess, and ostium to inferior wall of the maxillary sinus—for guiding optimal surgical approaches in MS lesions.
Stability analysis and Hopf bifurcation for two-species reaction-diffusion-advection competition systems with delays
Authors: Alfifi H. Y.
Published: August 2023

This paper examines a class of two-species reaction-diffusion-advection competition models with two time delays. A system of DDE equations was derived, both theoretically and numerically, using the Galerkin technique method. A condition is defined that helps to find the existence of Hopf bifurcation points. Full diagrams of the Hopf bifurcation points and areas of stability are investigated in detail. Furthermore, we discuss three different sources of delay on bifurcation maps, and what impacts of all these cases of delays on others free rates on the regions of the Hopf bifurcation in this model. We find two different stability regions when the delay time is positive ($\tau>0$), while the no-delay case ($\tau=0$) has only one stable region. Moreover, the effect of delays and diffusion rates on all free others parameters in this model have been considered, which can significantly impact upon the stability regions in both population concentrations. It is also found that, as diffusion increases, the time delay increases. However, as the delay maturation is increased, the Hopf points for both proliferation of the population and advection rates are decreased and it causes raises to the region of instability. In addition, bifurcation diagrams are drawn to display chosen instances of the periodic oscillation and two dimensional phase portraits for both concentrations have been plotted to corroborate all analytical outputs that investigated in the theoretical part.
Mathematics Subject Classification (MSC2010): 34K18; 35K57; 92D25; 35B35; 35B32; 35B10
Study on evolution law of pore characteristics of freeze-thaw coal based on fractal theory
Authors: Yuan Junwei , Chen Jianxun , Wang Yao , Xia Jingyi , Chen Min , Ge Tengfei , Nie Jinlong
Published: August 2023

To investigate the characteristics of pore structure change of coal under freeze-thaw cycles, the surface and internal pore structure distribution of coal samples with long flame and different freeze-thaw times were measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption method, and the law of pore structure change of coal after freeze-thaw was analyzed by fractal theory. The results of scanning electron microscopy experiments show that after freeze-thaw, the phenomenon of crack pore enlargement on the surface of coal samples occurs to different extents, and the phenomenon of crack pore enlargement on the surface of coal samples increases with the duration of freeze-thaw; at the same time, the porosity and fractal dimension DS of microcracks on the surface increased by 214.2% and 8.8%, respectively, corresponding to the change of macrocracks. The low-temperature nitrogen adsorption results show that the freezing and thawing changes the internal pore structure from simple to complex, and the maximum nitrogen adsorption capacity, specific surface area and pore volume in the pore parameters increase by 67.57%, 49.12% and 35.55%, respectively, compared with those before freezing and thawing. After freezing and thawing, the fractal dimension of the pores decreased to different degrees in the high-pressure and low-pressure stages. It decreased by 6.6% in the high pressure stage and by 8.9% in the low pressure stage. The change in fractal dimension DL in the low-pressure stage is greater than that of fractal dimension DH in the high-pressure stage, and the difference between the two decreases with increasing number of freeze-thaw cycles.
Exploring shared genes and molecular mechanisms between primary Sjögren's syndrome and pulmonary hypertension based on transcriptome data
Authors: Yang yi , Xie Lili , Zhong Yinglian , Zhong Xiuqin , Jiang Shan , Du Haoming , Zhang Xiuling , Yu Le , Shang Jingjing , Fan Jie , Zhang Rongwei , Ren Jie , Duan Xinwang
Published: August 2023

Background Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that mainly invades the salivary gland and lacrimal gland. Compared with other populations, pSS in Asian populations is more prone to pulmonary hypertension (PAH). Most of the studies on pSS-PAH are case-control studies with a small sample size, and few studies have explored its pathogenesis, especially at the gene level. The goal of this work is to investigate the shared molecular mechanism of the pSS and PAH genes.Methods After obtaining the expression profiles of pSS and PAH from the GEO database, we used limma software package to find the differential expression genes (DEGs) between the two diseases. In addition, we built protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, carried out GeneMANIA analysis, immune infiltration analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), TF-miRNA-hub regulatory network analysis, and chemical-gene interaction network analysis on these DEGs. Furthermore, the accuracy of the hub genes was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.Results As shared DEGs between pSS and PAH, we found a total of 18 elevated genes. The findings of the enrichment analysis revealed that these genes primarily regulate the viral immune defense response and the type I interferon signaling pathway. In the ROC curve study, six hub genes (IFIT2, IFIT3, RSAD2, PARP9, GBP1, and EPSTI1) shown good sensitivity and specificity. Immune infiltration study revealed that in both the pSS and PAH cohorts, Monocyte, MDSC, Central memory CD8 T cell, and Activated CD8 T cell had a high infiltration level. A TF-miRNA-hub regulatory network was built using validation data from databases, and it included 7 transcription factors (TFs), 157 miRNAs, and 6 hub genes. The CTD database constructed a Chemical–Gene network that included 204 chemicals and 6 hub genes, among which 4 chemicals were targeted by these 6 hub genes.Conclusion The six hub genes (IFIT2, IFIT3, RSAD2, PARP9, GBP1, and EPSTI1) might be exploited as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for pSS and PAH therapy. And they may play a biological function through modulating the viral immune defense response and the type I interferon signaling pathway. Cyclosporin may be an effective treatment for pSS in combination with PAH.
Experimental Study on Key Effectiveness of Bioaerosol Alarm
Authors: Ruan Xiaohu , Hong Hanhan , Huang Hai , Ren Hao , Tang Hailin
Published: August 2023

A dual-channel bioaerosol monitoring device based on intrinsic fluorescence measurement was built, and biological particle species and concentration were taken as variables to study the detection limits and alarm response time of aerosol particles of different biological warfare agents under the conditions of the same temperature and humidity and different concentrations. The alarm threshold of aerosol particles of different biological warfare agents under different temperature and humidity conditions and the detection ability under the interference of pollen and different disturbers were studied to form preliminary performance indicators and certain evaluation indicators and methods for the biological aerosol monitoring device, so as to demonstrate and evaluate similar aerosol detection in the future. The results showed that for the selected single and mixed strains of bacteria, the results obtained by culture method had a strong linear relationship with the results measured by counter, R2 values were also maintained above 0.88, although the ratio of β=β (culture counting/biological particle counter) of different bacteria was different, but the overall was indeed similar. At last, the anti-interference ability test is carried out, and it is found that it is very sensitive to the selected common disturbers. In general, it shows that the device has high sensitivity, strong accuracy, fast detection time, but weak anti-interference ability.
Simultaneous modeling of maize smallholder farmers’ perceived vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Mugisho Gilbert M. , Ngalo Luc Murhandikire , Nfuamba Fabrice Lukeba
Published: August 2023

Maize smallholder farmers face a threat from climate change, resulting in decreased agricultural productivity, a disruption in the agricultural calendar, and crop diseases. The purpose of this research was to analyze maize farmers' perceptions of climate change vulnerability and adaptation strategies in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. A structured survey of 210 maize smallholder farmers in South Kivu Province was conducted between October and November 2021. The data were analyzed using simultaneous modeling with the Tobit regression model and structural equations, which demonstrated that demographic and socioeconomic factors influenced farmers' perceptions and adaptation strategies to climate change. The findings revealed that the level of education, size of the field, and activities of the household head had significant effects on climate change perception and adaptation strategies. Farmers' perceptions had a negative (p < 1%) influence on maize smallholder farmers' adaptation to climate change. Common efforts should be made to encourage farmers to feel committed enough to implement climate change adaptation measures that are effective in mitigating or preventing climate change risk.
The Effect of Different Substitutions (Cobalt, Copper, Strontium and Zinc) on the Properties of Akermanite Bioceramic: A Comparative Experimental Study
Authors: Zare Maryam , Khodaei Mohammad , Savabi Omid
Published: August 2023

Bioactive ceramics paly vital role in tissue engineering. One of the most important silicate base bioceramics is akermanite. In this research, the akermanite powder, was synthetized using sol-gel method and the effect of different substituents of Cobalt, Copper, Strontium and Zinc on its properties investigated. Results of Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) observation and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), revealed that the substituents had significant effect on the morphology of powder particles of akermanite, and also the phases of samples. The results of 3-point bending test on sintered samples in cubic form, revealed that substituents affect the bending strength of akermanite, and highest strength were 97 MPa related to the Co- substituted akermanite. After soaking akermanite samples including different substituents in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) for apatite forming ability measurement, the results of SEM observation, Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and XRD analysis revealed that all samples had appropriate apatite forming ability and Zn-substituted and unsubstituted akermanite samples had the highest. Also, the result of cell viability measurement via MTT test indicated that the Zn-substituted akermanite had the highest cell viability among all. Noting all results, the Zn-substituted akermanite had the optimum properties for bone tissue engineering.
Current account deficits in selected Emerging Market Economies
Authors: Ndzama Nwabisa
Published: August 2023

The 2022 IMF External Sector Report paints a clear picture of large current account imbalances in the build-up to the global financial crisis (GFC). Many analysts have argued that one fundamental cause of the GFC was global financial imbalances caused by large current account imbalances between the United States as the leading deficit country and China as the leading surplus country. Thus, renewed interest in the current account dynamics emerged following the crisis. This paper gives an insight into current account adjustments using a comparative analysis between selected emerging market economies (Hungary, India, Mexico and South Africa). We answer the following question: Why did some countries with persistent current account deficits experience external crises and similar peers did not? Our analysis shows that the external crisis episodes from the countries that have had large and persistent current account deficits can be associated with sizeable current account deficits, appreciation of real exchange rate, low ratio of exports to GDP and depletion of international reserves.
JEL Codes: F41, F49, F62
Evolutionary and Swarm Intelligence in Optimization of α-Amylase From Bacillus velezensis Sp.
Authors: SASIDHAR BHIMANA , RAVINDRAN SARAVANAN
Published: August 2023

Background
To optimize α-amylase synthesis from fermented broth, this research employed evolutionary and swarm intelligence-based techniques such as genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimisation (PSO). The nonlinear response surface model (RSM) of α-amylase from Bacillus velezensis sp.was used as the objective function.
Results
In contrast to the enzyme activity, 418.25 U/mL, achieved by the thirteen factors OFAT technique was increased by 2.76 times using GA and PSO optimization with only nine significant parameters. The optimal process parameters predicted using GA and PSO were pH (5.37), temperature (34.18 oC), carbon source (4.12%), nitrogen source (2.04%), K2PO4 (0.34%), MgSO4 (0.2%), NaCl (0.14%), fructose (2.0%), and NaNO3 (0.47%).
Conclusions
The results showed that α-amylase activity was significantly improved with both approaches, with similar predictions of optimized process parameters and α-amylase activity of 1157.2 U/ml. PSO, on the other hand, surpasses GA in terms of optimized α-amylase activity and convergence rate, which might be attributed to its simple structure and efficient memory capabilities. In conclusion, the suggested GA and PSO techniques are thought to be natural and may be used instead of existing gradient-based optimization strategies in downstream enzyme processing.
Revolutionizing Italian Homes: Embracing the Smart Home Era in the Housing Landscape
Authors: Barbera Salvatore La
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we delve into the captivating integration of Italy's rich architectural heritage with the cutting-edge implementation of smart home technologies. Our study embarks on a meticulous journey through Italian history, systematically exploring the seamless fusion of enduring architectural principles and contemporary technological advances. By unraveling the aesthetic paradigms that have defined traditional Italian dwellings, we unveil the methodological process of assimilating novel technologies into the cultural framework. Through compelling case studies, we shed light on the delicate balance achieved between classical design ethos and progressive, environmentally-sustainable technologies, culminating not only in structural transformations but also in the radical redefinition of domestic lifestyles. We meticulously dissect challenges, critically appraise successes, and cogently extrapolate future directions, presenting a visionary outlook on the prospective era of Italian domesticity—a realm where efficiency and elegance harmoniously coexist. Going beyond mere empirical analysis, our scholarly synthesis offers profound insights into the evolution of Italian living spaces, where historical context and modern innovation converge to create environments imbued with functionality, aesthetic grace, and intellectual sophistication. Join us as we witness the Italian renaissance of smart homes, an enthralling journey that epitomizes the symbiotic relationship between tradition and technology in contemporary living.
Improving Behavioral and Social Skills in Children With Down Syndrome Through Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: Effects on Parenting Skills and Stress in Caregivers
Authors: Shahzad Ruhaba
Published: August 2023

• This research employed a new intervention, Parent Child Interactive Therapy, to explore patterns of behavioral and social skills among children with Down syndrome and parenting skills and stress among their caregivers. It aimed to improve these elements to create a more informed environment for Down syndrome children to live in that can decrease their mortality rate in Pakistan. The research was performed as a pre-post quasi-experimental study where different scales were used to tap all the elements and divided behavioral and social skills into further categories. • The experiment took 11 sessions with every participant in the study. However, the treatment was first provided to the experimental group and the effect was seen in two ways: pre and post and in between the groups. The sessions were performed in the playroom of the university clinic where various toys were accessible to the children which strengthened the communication between the child and the parents. • The results were evaluated using version 21 of SPSS which showed that the intervention showed statistical significance on almost every variable involved except the parental stress. This indication shows that parents needed a more intensive intervention for themselves to target their stress and it was not related to their children entirely.