bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A writer’s suicide: On creativity, mental health, gender and ethics
Authors: G Urmila
Published: May 2022

The correlation between creativity and mental illness has been at the centre of ongoing debates for quite some time. This has its roots in the Romantic era (late 18th to mid-19th century), when melancholia and madness were considered to be the signs of creativity and genius. Because of this, writers like Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and many other prominent creative minds have been represented in popular narratives as having reached the heights of their creative careers while struggling with their mental health. This paper addresses the need for moving away from Romantic era notions of the relationship between madness, genius, and melancholia that reinforce the inseparability of the writer and the text, thereby trivialising the real causes and effects of mental illness. The paper also addresses the need for a health humanities intervention within the Indian literary public, using examples from the existing narratives on the late Malayalam writer Rajelakshmy ‒ an established woman writer in the 1960s ‒ who died by suicide in her mid-thirties. This paper will also reflect on the author’s own experience of reading and working with Rajelakshmy’s writings over the years.
Why Read (Diffractively)?
Authors: du Preez P. , du Toit J.
Published: May 2022

Academics should produce quality scholarly research. However, the demands of the marketised, neoliberal higher education institution and the increase in the academic’s bureaucratic and administrative tasks do not allow for adequate engagement with the deep work and slow forms of scholarship that are needed to produce cutting-edge and insightful research. Many academics find it challenging to think critically and creatively under such conditions, yet they are unwilling to fill their time with shallow work instead. Thus, they are torn between producing an institutionally-determined number of research outputs, and striving towards producing quality scholarly work that advances knowledge in the academic’s discipline. Reading groups serve to rework this tension by providing a communal and scheduled place and mind-space for reading major academic works. Reading takes time and persistence. We find that setting aside time and creating creative spaces for reading groups offer an opportunity for silent revolt against the pressures of the higher education institution. In this (post)qualitative inquiry we diffractively read – “through one another” – two autoethnographical accounts to experiment with our experiences of various reading groups over a period of three years while positioning ourselves in relation to Barad’s notion of diffraction. This speculative experimentation entails a myriad of ideas and methods that serve to decentre hegemonic, monolithic knowledge systems through seeking alternative ways of knowing, and recognises the importance of the entanglement of matter and meaning in tracing (and countering) the social relations produced in neoliberalist contexts. Such (re)thinking is thus a vital counterpoint to the neoliberal obsessions of the higher education context, (re)directing the scholar to new non-autonomous and mutable landscapes.
Investigating the self-perceived acquired competencies of humanities graduates at a South African university
Authors: Botha P. A. , Botha A.
Published: May 2022

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the self-perceived competencies acquired by humanities graduates at a South African university. This self-assessment enables graduates to assess their strengths and weaknesses regarding their competencies and estimate their employability. The secondary objective was to measure the employment status of humanities graduates. The study followed a quantitative approach using a cross-sectional survey design. The convenience sampling method was used since the self-administered questionnaire was distributed to graduates at two graduation ceremonies. Independent samples t-tests were done to compare the mean scores on the six dimensions of the competencies scale between gender, schools and degrees. Chi-square tests were done to establish whether there are associations between gender, faculty schools, degrees and employment status. Spearman rank-order correlation was performed to measure the correlations between the six factors of the competencies scale. The six individual competencies that scored the highest means were: “(1) tolerance, appreciation of different points of view, (2) written communication skills, (3) critical thinking, (4) English language proficiency, (5) working in a team, and (6) taking responsibility for decisions”. A follow-up study should be done among employers to determine what competencies they require from humanities graduates.
Academic, social and economic experiences of first-year students: Case study
Authors: Bayaga A. , Lekena L. L. , Selepe C. , du Plessis A. , Blignaut S. , Morar T.
Published: May 2022

The main precept of the current study was to explore first-year students’ academic, social and economic experiences at a University of Technology (pseudonym: University of Hard Knocks (UHK)). In response to the research questions, the study sought to interrogate the challenges faced by students by finding out whether they would choose the university again given a second chance, and if not why not. It also sought to establish how students would like the institution to improve in order to enhance first-year students’ experiences (FYSE). The approach applied was both quantitative and qualitative to allow students to reveal their experiences of the university, while simultaneously expressing such perceptions in descriptive format (for the quantitative part). Guided by Tinto’s (2013) student departure theory, data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires distributed and sent through invites to all 16 000 first (1st) year students – which served as the population. However, rested upon the research questions for the current study and given that the instrument used was semi-structured, data was received from participants totally 4020 for the quantitative aspect (mainly descriptive). Of this sample (4020), and for the purpose of the current research questions, forty (40) participants were further selected randomly, to evaluate their responses as directed and coordinated by the current research objectives. The results revealed that to ensure appropriate economic and social integration, efforts should be made to automate and secure university processes and, most importantly, provide accredited/licensed accommodation. To achieve effective academic integration systems, learning space and the lack of transparency in accommodation allocations should be addressed. It is therefore recommended that UHK considers economic, social and academic integration processes and procedures to improve the campus experience.
An Investigation into the Mathematical and Physical Origins of the Fine-Structure Constant
Authors: Williams Lamont
Published: May 2022

The fine-structure constant, α, unites fundamental aspects of electromagnetism, relativity, and quantum physics. As such, it is one of the most important constants in nature. However, why it has the value of approximately 1/137 has been a mystery since it was first identified more than 100 years ago. This study explores the possibility that the value of α is linked to the spacetime geometry of the electromagnetic field between two elementary charges, connecting the smooth manifold responsible for gravity with the discreteness of the electromagnetic field. In a step-by-step manner, the study presents a logical basis for the establishment of a particular equation for α, connecting concepts from general relativity and the Standard Model. It is shown how the equation and the model upon which it is built provide plausible explanations for several important phenomena in particle physics: 1) the increase in the value of α with increasing energy levels, adding critical information to the prevailing explanation of this phenomenon; 2) the formation of the Landau pole in such a way that avoids the major problem the pole creates in quantum electrodynamics; and 3) the discrepancy between the theoretical and observed values of the muon anomalous magnetic moment, currently a perplexing problem in particle physics. Strengths and limitations of the study are also discussed.
Climate Policy Development and Implementation from United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Perspective
Authors: Kluza Krzysztof , Ziolo Magdalena , Postula Marta
Published: May 2022

Climate change is a challenge nowadays. Governments all over the world are debating how to mitigate environmental risk and how to address climate policies to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). This study aims to understand the interactions between climate policy development and different SDGs. The study analyses data from 2008 and 2018 for European Union Member States. Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) were used as a dependent variable. The study tests the non-linear effects, which allow Environmental Kuznets curve phenomena to be identified and extends this line of research by checking the non-linearity and time-lagging of all explanatory variables. The research results show that it is possible to achieve climate policy goals not only directly, but also indirectly by facilitating the implementation of other SDG goals like inter alia SDG9 (innovation and infrastructure), SDG5 (gender equality), SDG11 (sustainable cities and communities) and SDG17 (environmental taxation). The impact of particular policies is also dependent on geographic-specific effects, analysed in this research with the use of factorial analysis.
Capability Verification and Error Source Investigation of External Force Sensing Methods of Continuum Robot
Authors: zhang anfan , Yan BoWen , Wang Xueqian , Liang Bin , Li ZhiHeng
Published: May 2022

This paper studies mainly error sources of current external force sensing algorithms and presents external force sensing algorithms of continuum robots using superelastic NiTi backbones. Axial compression is deliberately taken into consideration in analytical dynamics for facilitating the later analysis of error sources. The analytical dynamics of multibackbone continuum robots is established by Lagrange equation in a simple and concise manner. Experiments show that the force-strain relationship is significantly different with or without external force, and we provide some insights into the feasibility and limitations of dynamic model. Then an extend intrinsic force sensing algorithm (EIFS) and an external force observer based on generalized momentum method (EFOGM) is developed, Both of them only depend on joint-level information. The effectiveness of both force sensing algorithms is validated through simulations and experiments. Mean absolute error of EIFS is 0.1903 N using constant axial strain and 0.0866 N using real-time axial strain, respectively. While mean absolute errors of EFOGM is 0.1908 N using constant axial strain and 0.0293 N using real-time axial strain, respectively. The estimation effect of EFOGM is slightly preferable to that of EIFS. Experiments shows that the main sources of force sensing algorithm error are: 1) the estimated external force compensates the force part caused by axial compression, 2) model error from nonlinear stress-strain relationship of cable tension-induced deformation and external force-induced deformation under the loading and unloading force stage.
Blood return at the end of renal replacement therapy provided clues on fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients with shock
Authors: Huang Daozheng , Ma Jie , Wang Shouhong , Qin Tiehe , Song Feier , Hou Tieying , Ma Huan
Published: May 2022

Objectives To observe if blood return, also defined as the blood infusion test (BIT) could predict fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients with shock and continuous renal replacement therapy.MethodsBefore BIT, the passive leg raise test (PLRT) was performed to record the changes of cardiac output (ΔCO) by thermodilution and ΔCO >=10% was defined as fluid responders. Meanwhile, the changes in velocity time integral (ΔVTI) were recorded by echocardiography and ΔVTI>=15% was defined as fluid responders. Then the changes in COs and VTIs were recorded during BIT about several minutes after PLRT. The receiver-operating characteristic curves of ΔCO and ΔVTI were compared between PLRT and BIT.ResultsForty-three patients were enrolled in our study. 25 patients (58.1%) were recognized as responders during PLRT while 22 of these patients (51.2%) had increased COs during BIT. And according to the receiver-operating characteristic curves, the optimal cutoff value of ΔCO was 8.5% and ΔVTI was 19% during BITs with the area under curve were 0.947 (95% CI 0.87-1.0) and 0.952 (95% CI 0.893-1), respectively. ConclusionsBIT in continuous renal replacement therapy could identify fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients with shock.(Trial registration: ChiCTR-DDD-17010534). Registered on 30/01/2017 (retrospective registration).
AQP4-dependent glioma cell features affect the phenotype of surrounding cells via extracellular vesicles
Authors: Simone Laura , Pisani Francesco , Binda Elena , Frigeri Antonio , Vescovi Angelo Luigi , Svelto Maria , Nicchia Grazia Paola
Published: May 2022

BackgroundExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed particles released systemically by all cells, including tumours. Tumour EVs have been shown to manipulate their local environments as well as distal targets to sustain the tumour in a variety of tumours, including glioblastoma (GBM).We have previously demonstrated the dual role of the glial water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4) protein in glioma progression or suppression depending on its aggregation state. However, its possible role in communication mechanisms in the microenvironment of malignant gliomas remains to be unveiled.ResultsHere we show that, in GBM cells, AQP4 are released via EVs that are able to affect the GBM microenvironment. To explore this role, EVs derived from invasive GBM cells expressing AQP4-tetramers or apoptotic GBM cells expressing AQP4-OAPs were isolated, using a differential ultracentrifugation method, and were added to pre-seeded GBM cells. Confocal microscopy analysis was used to visualize the interaction and uptake of AQP4-containing EVs by recipient cells. Chemoinvasion and Caspase3/7 activation assay, performed on recipient cells after EVs uptake, revealed that EVs produced by AQP4-tetramers expressing cells were able to drive surrounding tumour cells toward the migratory phenotype, whereas EVs produced by AQP4-OAPs expressing cells drive them toward the apoptosis pathway. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that the different GBM cell phenotypes can be transferred by AQP4-containing EVs able to influence tumour cell fate toward invasiveness or apoptosis.This study opens a new perspective on the role of AQP4 in the brain tumour microenvironment associated with the EV-dependent communication mechanism.
Facile one-step synthesis of PhC2Cu nanowires with enhanced photocatalytic performance
Authors: Zhao Gao-yu , Li Hai-yan , Yang Yu , Zhao Qing-hua , Su Ting-ting , Ma Jiang-li
Published: May 2022

In recent years, the research of Phenylethynylcopper (PhC2Cu) in the field of photocatalysis has attracted much attention. However, its preparation requires two steps, which take lengthy 9 days. In this paper, A highly rapid and facile one-step method that directly used copper acetate and phenylacetylene as raw materials and ascorbic acid as reducing agent to synthesize PhC2Cu nanowires was successfully developed. The kinetic studies indicated that the synthetic reaction follows a pseudo-second-order equation through electrical conductivity. Comparative studies on the crystal structures, morphologies, optical properties of PhC2Cu prepared by the traditional two-step and this one-step method were conducted by using XRD, SEM, UV–vis Drs, FT-IR, Raman Spectra and Photocurrent. Meanwhile, the PhC2Cu nanowires exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MV (methyl violet) and glyphosate. Importantly, this facile and rapid method greatly improves the preparation efficiency of PhC2Cu, and the obtained PhC2Cu also shows higher photocatalytic activity. This remarkable progress enables the possibility of large-scale and efficient preparation of PhC2Cu with high photocatalytic activity, indicating their good application prospect in the fields of photocatalysis.
The effective of Otago Exercise Program on the physical frailty，cognitive function and ADL of elderly with cognitive frailty living in Nursing Homes: a randomized control trial
Authors: Chen Xi , MA Caili , LIU Youshuo , ZHOU Zhiming , ZHANG Hua , WEI Dongli , FU Min , CHEN Jianliang , LI Yan , OU Jinnan , HUANG Jin , YANG Xiaomei , ZHAO Liping , ZHANG Haiwan
Published: May 2022

Introduction:Cognitive frailty can affect elderly in multiple domian which including poor quality of life, dementia, disability even death. Timely intervention may become the main target for primary prevention. This study was to assess the effectiveness of group OEP program for elderly with cognitive frailty.Method:This study was conducted from July 2020 to October 2020. Participants were elderly aged 75-95 years old who lived in nursing homes. Individuals in the study were randomly assigned to Otago Exercise Program(OEP) group (n = 31) and control group (n = 31). Besides sleep and diet-related health education, The intervetion in the OEP gourp consisted of 30-min session, twice a week and 12-week group exercise programme. The physical frailty, cognitive function and activities of daily living(ADL) were used to assess. Results:After intervention, the mean score (SD) of frailty scores in the OEP group VS control group at T1 was (2.03 (0.81)) vs (1.41 (0.98)); At T2 was (2.00 (0.96)) vs (1.17 (1.00)).The mean score (SD) of MOCA scores in the OEP group VS control group at T1 was ( 22.17 (2.99)) vs (20.30 (2.96)); At T2 was (23.45 (3.66) ) vs (19.90 (3.25)). But group effect (p < 0.05) and the interaction effect (p < 0.05) was significant which indicated that the group effects on the frailty score and MOCA score change from baseline differed significantly over time. However, there was no significant group and interaction effect (P>0.05) of ADL scores between the intervention groups. Conclusion:12-week OEP had better outcomes with respect to physical frailty and cognitive function for cognitive frailty elderly,but no effective on ADL.Further studies may also be able to find the OEP scheme on improving ADL.Trial registration: The study was registered in the Chinese Ethics Clinical Trials Registry ( Registration Number - ChiCTR2000039592- Date of Registration 02/11/2020. Accessed on http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx)
Oxygen as a Molecular Additive to Enhance Utilization Efficiency of H2O2 for Photocatalytic Conversion of Methane to Liquid-Phase Oxygenates
Authors: Sun Xiao , Chen Xuanye , Fu Cong , Yu Qingbo , Zheng Xu-Sheng , Fang Fei , Liu Yuanxu , Zhu Junfa , Zhang Wenhua , Huang Weixin
Published: May 2022

H2O2 is widely used as an oxidant for photocatalytic methane conversion to value-added chemicals over oxide-based photocatalysts under mild conditions, but suffers from low utilization efficiencies. Herein, we report that O2 is an efficient molecular additive to enhance the utilization efficiency of H2O2 by suppressing H2O2 adsorption on oxides and consequent photogenerated holes-mediated H2O2 dissociation into O2. In photocatalytic methane conversion over an anatase TiO2 nanocrystals predominantly enclosed by the {001} facets (denoted as TiO2{001})-C3N4 composite photocatalyst at room temperature and ambient pressure, O2 additive significantly enhances the utilization efficiency of H2O2 up to 93.3%, giving formic acid and liquid-phase oxygenates selectivity respectively of 69.8% and 97% and formic acid yield of 486 μmolHCOOH·gcatalyst-1·h-1. Efficient charge separation within TiO2{001}-C3N4 heterojunctions, photogenerated holes-mediated activation of CH4 into ×CH3 radicals on TiO2{001} and photogenerated electrons-mediated activation of H2O2 into ×OOH radicals on C3N4, and preferential dissociative adsorption of methanol on TiO2{001} are responsible for the selective photocatalytic conversion of methane to formic acid over TiO2{001}-C3N4 composite photocatalyst.
Comparative analysis of machine learning techniques for estimating groundwater deuterium and oxygen-18 isotopes
Authors: Cemek Bilal , Arslan Hakan , KÜÇÜKTOPCU ERDEM , Simsek Halis
Published: May 2022

Isotope techniques are most frequently used when hydrochemical analysis are insufficient to determine the origin and quality of groundwater and reveal seawater intrusion into groundwater along coastlines. In this study, the potential of the multilayer perceptron, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, generalized regression neural networks, radial basis neural networks, classification and regression tree, Gaussian process regression, multiple linear regression analysis, and support vector machines were compared using known hydrochemical properties of waters for estimating deuterium (δD) and oxygen-18 (δ18O) isotopes in groundwater of the Bafra plain, Northern Turkey. The data were divided into training (70%) and testing (30%) sets. Cluster analysis was performed to decrease the number of input variables. The data on electrical conductivity, chloride, magnesium, and sulfate were introduced into the models after examining different combinations of these variables in the studied models. The determination coefficient (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE) were used to evaluate the performances of the models. In addition, visualization techniques (Taylor diagram and heat maps) were prepared to assess the similarities between the measured and estimated δD and δ18O values. The R2, RMSE, and MAE for δ18O (0.98, 0.31‰, and 0.20‰, respectively), and δD (0.95, 2.85‰, and 1.89‰, respectively) values for the testing datasets revealed that the performance accuracy of multilayer perceptron is the best among the applied models tested. Therefore, the study suggests using data-driven methods, multilayer perceptron in this case, when lacking appropriate laboratory isotope analysis or facing high laboratory analysis costs.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of Long Non-Coding RNA in barley roots in response to Piriformospora indica colonization
Authors: Li Liang , Guo Nannan , Liu Tiance , Yang Shuo , Hu Xinting , Shi Shuo , Li Si
Published: May 2022

Barley, as an important crop, is poorly understood in terms of non-transcriptome regulation of its growth and development It remains unclear whether barley lncRNAs are responsive to Piriformospora indica colonization. Considering the increasing demand for grain, it is necessary to study the molecular mechanism lying behind growth and development in barley. We found barley roots exhibited fast development and large roots branched after P. indica colonization. Genome-wide high throughput RNA-seq and bioinformatical analysis showed that 4356 and 5154 differentially expressed LncRNAs (DELs) were found in responsive to P. indica at 3 and 7 day after colonization (dai), respectively. And 2456 DELs were found at 7 dai compared to 3 dai. Among these, 2024 were up-regulated and 2332 were down-regulated after 3 days’ colonization, and 2486 were up-regulated and 2668 were down-regulated after 7 days’ colonization, 1433 were up-regulated and 1023 were down-regulated in 7 dai to 3 dai comparison group. Based on the co-expression correlation of lncRNA-mRNA, we found that 98.6% lncRNAs (10726 out of 10878) were positively correlated to 3430 mRNAs at 3 dai and 7 dai. GO and KEGG analysis indicated that a few lncRNAs might be involved in diverse biological processes upon P. indica colonization. Further GO analysis showed that 30 lncRNAs might play roles as transcription factor (TF); 23 lncRNAs might participate in cell cycle regulation. Moreover, the metabolites analysis indicated that Chlorophyll a, sucrose, protein, gibberellin and auxin were accordance with the results of the transcriptome and the respective lncRNAs were positively correlated to these target RNAs. Gene silencing experiment suggested that lncRNA TCONS_00262342 is probably a key regulator of the GA3 synthesis pathway which participate in P. indica and barley interaction. We concluded that, acting as molecular material basis and recource, lncRNAs response to P. indica colonization by regulating metabolites distribution in barley and coordinate the complex regulatory process of higher life by constructing highly positively correlations with its target mRNA. As our understanding of lncRNAs improves, interactions of lncRNAs with respective coding sequences and with various classes may define new functional networks that may be modulated for molecular breeding.
Measuring the recycling potential of typical high-end equipment and its implications on anthropogenic circularity
Authors: Xiong Xin , Zhang Zhengyang , Pell Robert , Hu Zhaoji , Matsubae Kazuyo , Zeng Xianlai
Published: May 2022

Driven by industrial development and technology substitution and, high-end equipment has inevitably become a powerful engine driving the upgrade of the manufacturing industry. However, its metabolism mechanism and quantity in stock and end-of-life stream remain unclear. Here we estimated the recycling potential of typical high-end equipment in China through an ownership coefficient method. The end-of-life quantity of railway and aviation transportation equipment between 2000 and 2050 was predicted. The results show that the recycling potential remained at a low amount since 2000, but underwent rapid growth in recent years and exceeded 28 Mt in 2020. Furthermore, the recycling potential in 2050 was estimated to hit 74 Mt, roughly three times that in 2020. The waste high-end equipment in 2050 will include at least 72 Mt of steel, 831 kt of aluminum, 179 t of neodymium, and 2.3 kt of titanium. Compared with e-waste and end-of-life vehicles, recycling also plays an important role in the long-term use of resources. Due to the lack of scientific identification and clear rule for recycling, this study aims to make a preliminary effort on recycling waste the high-end equipment by providing scientific processing data and decision references.
The Influence of Geographic Environmental Factors on the Distribution of Cholinesterase Reference Value in Healthy Chinese People
Authors: Yang Wenjie , Ge Miao , Li Tao , Wang Congxia
Published: May 2022

This paper screened the factors that may influence the distribution of Cholinesterase (CHE) reference value in healthy people in China, and explored the space distribution trend of CHE reference value in China. We collected the CHE of 17,633 healthy people in 172 cities and counties. Spearman regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between CHE and 22 geography secondary indexes. We extracted 6 indexes with significant correlation, built a ridge regression model, and predicted the CHE reference value of countrys urban healthy people. By using the disjunctive Kriging method, we obtained the geographical distribution trend of CHE reference value of healthy people. The CHE reference value of healthy Chinese was significantly correlated with the 6 secondary indexes, namely, Latitude (°), Altitude(m), Annual average temperature (℃), Annual average relative humidity (%) and annual precipitation (mm),Topsoil sand gravel percentage(% wt).The geographical distribution of CHE reference value of healthy Chinese showed a trend of being high in the southeast and low in the northwest of China.This study lays a foundation for further research on the mechanism of different influencing factors on the reference value of CHE index. A ridge regression model composed of significant influencing factors has been established to provide the basis for formulating reference criteria for the treatment factors of the liver damage diseases and liver cancer using CHE reference value in different regions.
Study on the causes of death of hospitalized neonates from 2012 to 2021 at a tertiary hospital in east China
Authors: Wang Huawei , Wu Zhixin , Geng Haifeng , Zhu Xiaoli , Zhu Xueping
Published: May 2022

Background: This study aimed to analyze the clinical data of neonatal deaths in a tertiary children’s hospital in east China by investigating the causes and differences among neonatal deaths over the past ten years. By estimating the levels and trends of neonatal deaths, the treatment level could be improved, and preventive measures could be taken to decrease the mortality rates of hospitalized neonates.Methods: The clinical data of deceased neonates admitted to the Department of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, were collected between January 2012 and December 2021. We estimated and analyzed the number of neonates dying during the first 28 days of life as a function of their gestational age, birth weight, and age at death.Results: From 42,004 hospitalized neonates, we identified 469 cases of death (1.12%). The mortality rate of hospitalized neonates decreased from 2.15% in 2012 to 0.66% in 2021. Similarly, the mortality rate of term neonates decreased from 1.26% to 0.53%, and that of preterm neonates was reduced from 6.03% to 2.67%. The proportion of neonates with gestational age <32 weeks gradually increased from 2012 to 2021, but for neonates with gestational ages ≥37 weeks, they were lower between 2017 and 2021 than between 2012 and 2016 (P<0.05). The proportion of dead neonates with birth weights less than 1,499g gradually increased from 2012 to 2021 but was greater between 2017 and 2021 than between 2012 and 2016. While neonatal deaths within 1 day progressively increased, the opposite was true for deaths between 8 and 28 days. The incidence of pregnancy complications, gestational diabetes, and the using of corticosteroids before birth were higher between 2017 and 2021 than from 2012 to 2016 (P < 0.05). The proportion of preterm with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) increased, although neonatal asphyxia was rarer in the second than the first half of the investigated decade (P<0.05).In the first half, the leading causes of neonatal death in declining frequency were infectious diseases, neonatal asphyxia, preterm/NRDS, severe congenital malformations, and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis. In contrast, from 2017 to 2021, the leading causes of neonatal death have been preterm/NRDS, infectious diseases, neonatal asphyxia, neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis, and severe congenital malformations.Conclusions: With the advancement of neonatal medicine, the hospitalized neonatal mortality rate has significantly decreased in the last 10 years. Infectious diseases and neonatal asphyxia follow preterm/NRDS as the most frequent causes of neonatal deaths in recent years. Therefore, we should strengthen the prevention and control of infection, encourage cooperation with obstetrics departments to avoid premature deliveries, and improve resuscitation.
Knock-in mouse models for studying somatostatin and cholecystokinin expressing cells
Authors: Mirnics Karoly , Anderson Allison , Balog Marta , Gurumurthy Channabasavaiah , Quadros Rolen , Korade Zeljka
Published: May 2022

Somatostatin (SST) and Cholecystokinin (CCK) are peptide hormones that regulate the endocrine system, cell proliferation and neurotransmission. Knock-in mouse models to study cell types that produce these critically important molecules are limited to date. To address this, we utilized the novel Easi-CRISPR system to generate two knock-in mouse strains with Cre recombinase in SST- and CCK-expressing cells and validated their utility in the developing and adult brain tissues. Developmental and adult SST and CCK expressions were preserved and showed an appropriate expression pattern in both models. These two mouse models serve as valuable tools for research studies related to SST and CCK biology. Specifically, they can be used as reporters to study development, physiology, or pathophysiology of SST and CCK expressing cells. In addition, they can be used as Cre driver models to conditionally delete floxed genes in SST and CCK expressing cells across various tissues.
Multi-objective Optimization of Nd:YAG Laser Drilling of optical-grade Acrylic Plate by using Taguchi-Grey Relational Analysis
Authors: Tsai Ming-Jong , Wu Lung-Fa
Published: May 2022

This study proposes an effective method for optimizing laser drilling processing (LDP) by using grey relational analysis (GRA) for multiple performance characteristic requirements. First, We developed a system using a Quantel Brilliant neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser with pulse width of 5–6 ns and an F-theta lens to obtain a focused laser beam with a diameter of 0.2 mm. The developed system was employed to drill holes in a 3-mm-thick optical-grade acrylic polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plate on a safe window with high optical density and grade of OD 7+ @950 ~ 1085nm. Four major control factors include laser pulse energy, repetition rate, focusing position offset, and drill time. Then, 9 sets of experiments were performed using Taguchi method with orthogonal arrays in L9(34). The experimental results with multiple quality characteristics are measured and used to optimize the control parameters by using Grey relational analysis (GRA) with equal weighting and different weighting factors of four qualities (Roundness, Hillock ratio taper, HAZ and taper). From the experimental results with equal weighting factors, the combination of the laser energy at level 2, focusing position offset at level 3, drill time at level 1, and repetition rate at level 2 can achieve the optimal results. The combination is implemented in Run 6 of the orthogonal arrays of L9(34). It is found that models predicted by the grey correlation analysis (GRA) are in close agreement with the experimental values. Hence, the models may be further used for optimization of process parameters using evolutionary algorithms. From the experimental results, it was found that HAZ has less effect on this experimental method design, and the focusing position offset affects the Taper. When the average laser energy increases, the drill hole and shallow cracks in the Hillock hole will also increase.
Inverse-design of high-dimensional quantum optical circuits in a complex medium
Authors: Goel Suraj , Leedumrongwatthanakun Saroch , Valencia Natalia , McCutcheon Will , Conti Claudio , Pinkse Pepijn , Malik Mehul
Published: May 2022

Programmable optical circuits form a key part of quantum technologies today, ranging from transceivers for quantum communication to integrated photonic chips for quantum information processing. As the size of such circuits is increased, maintaining precise control over every individual component becomes challenging, leading to a reduction in the quality of the operations performed. In parallel, minor imperfections in circuit fabrication are amplified in this regime, dramatically inhibiting their performance. Here we show how embedding an optical circuit in the higher-dimensional space of a large, ambient mode-mixer using inverse-design techniques allows us to forgo control over
each individual circuit element, while retaining a high degree of programmability over the circuit. Using this approach, we implement high-dimensional linear optical circuits within a complex scattering medium consisting of a commercial multi-mode fibre placed between two controllable phase planes. We employ these circuits to manipulate high-dimensional spatial-mode entanglement in up to seven dimensions, demonstrating their application as fully programmable quantum gates. Furthermore, we show how their programmability allows us to turn the multi-mode fibre itself into a generalised multi-outcome measurement device, allowing us to both transport and certify entanglement within
the transmission channel. Finally, we discuss the scalability of our approach, numerically showing how a high circuit fidelity can be achieved with a low circuit depth by harnessing the resource of a high-dimensional mode-mixer. Our work serves as an alternative yet powerful approach for realising precise control over high-dimensional quantum states of light, with clear applications in next-generation quantum communication and computing technologies.
Prophylactic antibiotics for postcataract surgery endophthalmitis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of 6.5 million eyes.
Authors: Kato Ai , Horita Nobuyuki , Namkoong Ho , Nomura Eiichi , Masuhara Nami , Kaneko Takeshi , Mizuki Nobuhisa , Takeuchi Masaki
Published: May 2022

To reveal optimal antibiotic prophylactic regimen for postoperative endophthalmitis (POE), we conducted systematic review and network meta-analysis. A total of 47 eligible original articles, including two randomized controlled trials, were identified among 1,281 articles that were extracted from the search. In total, 4,317 POE cases occurred in 6,547,513 eyes (0.066%). Intracameral injection of vancomycin had the best preventive effect (odds ratio [OR] 0.03, 99.6% confidence interval [CI] 0.00-0.53, corrected P-value = 0.006, P-score = 0.943) followed by intracameral injection of cefazoline (OR 0.09, 99.6% CI 0.02–0.42, corrected P-value < 0.001, P-score = 0.817), cefuroxime (OR 0.18, 99.6% CI 0.09–0.35, corrected P-value < 0.001, P-score = 0.660), and moxifloxacin (OR 0.32, 99.6% CI 0.13–0.80, corrected P-value = 0.005, P-score = 0.474). While one randomized controlled trial supported intracameral cefuroxime and moxifloxacin, no randomized controlled trial evaluated vancomycin and cefazoline. Sensitivity analysis focusing on the administration route revealed that only intracameral injection (OR 0.18, 99.4% CI 0.11–0.28, corrected P-value < 0.001, P-score = 0.726) significantly decreased the risk of postoperative endophthalmitis. We recommend intracameral injection of either vancomycin, cefazoline, cefuroxime, or moxifloxacin for the prevention of POE.
Climate Change Runoff Modeling using MIKE 11 in Temperate Himalayan Region, India
Authors: Maryam Munjid , Kumar Rohitashw
Published: May 2022

The aim of the present study was to simulate the rainfall-runoff process under changing climate using MIKE 11 rainfall-runoff model of the river Jhelum flowing through Srinagar city. The model was calibrated for the years 2006-2009 and validated for the year 2010-2013. The maximum discharge during the simulation period was found to be 746.745 m3/s. The MIKE 11 statistical results between observed and simulated discharge for the calibration period showed Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) equal to 0.907, the Coefficient of Determination (R2) equal to 0.954 and Volume Difference (Dv%) equal to 17.8% respectively. For the validation years of 2010-2013, the obtained NSE was 0.963, the R2 obtained was 0.892 and Dv% obtained was 13.2% respectively. The simulated results were used for climate change detection using IPCC’s SRA1B and SRA2 scenario with the increase of 2.8º C temperature. In the SRA1B scenario, the maximum discharge was found to be 856.399 m3/s and in the SRA2 scenario, the maximum discharge was found to be 950.745 m3/s. The climate change detection shows that there is a great difference on carrying capacity and distinct increase in runoff when the temperature rises by 2.8º C and since the drainage capacity of river Jhelum has reduced, therefore, flood threats will increase. This research demonstrates the utility of the established model for runoff prediction in Srinagar, which can be used as an application for basin-scale integrated water resource management and production. Thus, the model can be successfully used for hydrological simulations in temperate catchments for effective water resource planning and management.
Internal benchmarking and investigation to formulate practical innovations in the Moroccan construction industry
Authors: Gartoumi Khalil Idrissi , Aboussaleh Mohamed , Zaki Smail
Published: May 2022

The renovation of the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Owner Operators (AECOO) industry is at the forefront of countries' concerns. Despite its important place in national economies, it suffers from several challenges. Faced with this paradox, rethinking inspiration has not attracted many countries like Morocco. Any improvement must be based on a thorough analysis for efficient solutions. In this context, the main objective of this paper is to trigger, investigate, and analyse the state and paradoxical aspects of the Moroccan construction industry (MCI). A triangular approach was conducted, consisting of a literature review, official documents, and a survey of 25 professionals and 15 academics in the sector. The results reveal two main failures, one is managerial and the other technological, and the enumeration of ambitions which are also conditioned by the emergence of technology and new managerial approaches. These findings provide a platform for understanding future interventions, support the literature and suggest avenues of research for neighbouring construction industries, developing countries, and Africa due to similarities with Morocco. Furthermore, it provides recommendations for future studies, especially a new research framework for MCI and other similar countries based on the implementation of Building Information Modelling and Lean Construction.
Impressive clinical factors in success rate for IVF/ICSI treatment: Trusted by Multicenter
Authors: Mehrjerd Ameneh , Rezaei Hassan , Eslami Saeid , Ghaebi Nayyere Khadem
Published: May 2022

Background:
Research has shown various influential factors, but a standard for different treatments has not yet been developed. We want to identify principle predictors in IVF/ICSI treatment success rate using a machine learning approach.
Methods:
We selected the well-known filter, embedded and wrapper methods for selecting features and applied them to the random forest model. In the first step, the best reduce dimension method is selected using hesitant fuzzy sets (HFS). Then, the principle predictors are obtained by the proposed hybrid method. Finally, we evaluated the performance of the proposed method using MCC, runtime, Accuracy, and AUC, PPV, recall, and F-Score.
Results:
The proposed hybrid feature selection method has the best performance with obtaining the highest ACC (0.795), AUC (0.72), and F-Score (0.8) and lowest number of features (n = 7). Finally, the features selected are included FSH, 16Cells, FAge, Oocytes, GIII, Compact, and Unsuccessful.
Conclusion:
In the decision-making to select impressive features on success rate of infertility, HFS are suggested for the first time in our proposed method and trusted by multi-center dataset. The HFS utilized the standard deviation among of various criteria which could increase the quality of feature selection and reduce features numbers. The mean of pregnant and non-pregnant groups was significantly different in the Features selected, including FSH, FAge, 16Cells, Oocytes, GIII, and Compact. According to the results, FAge significantly correlated to FHR and CPR, and the highest FSH with 31.87% is obtained for FSH dose in the range of 10 to 13 (mIU/ml).
Energy Use Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emission of Cotton Cultivation in Turkey
Authors: BARAN Mehmet Fırat , Gokdogan Osman
Published: May 2022

In this research, the energy use efficiency (EUE) and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) of cotton cultivation in Beşiri region of Batman province in Turkey were determined. This research was conducted through face-to-face surveys with 64 farms selected by simple random sampling method in the 2018–2019 cultivation season. The energy input (EI) and energy output (EO) in cotton cultivation were calculated as 52,302.62 MJ/ha and 60,341.03 MJ/ha. Energy inputs consist of electricity energy with 19,948.86 MJ/ha(38.14%), chemical fertilizers energy with 14,163.83 MJ/ha (27.08%), diesel fuel energy with 13,218.49 (25.27%), irrigation water energy with 2563.79 MJ/ha(4.90%), machinery energy with 1071.14 MJ/ha(2.05%), chemicals energy with 797.96 MJ/ha (1.53%), seed energy with 291.46 MJ/ha (0.56%) and human labour energy with 247.09 MJ/ha(0.47%), respectively. Total energy inputs in cotton cultivation can be categorized as 68.79% direct, 31.21% indirect, 5.93% renewable and 94.07% non-renewable. EUE, specific energy (SE), energy productivity (EP) and net energy (NE) in cotton cultivation were calculated as 1.15, 10.23 MJ/kg, 0.10 kg /MJ and 8038.41 MJ/ ha, respectively. Total GHG was calculated as 3742.59 kgCO2-eq ha− 1 for cotton cultivation with the greatest share taken by nitrogen (26.19%). Nitrogen was followed by electricity (24.73%), irrigation water (18.48%), diesel fuel (17.31%), seed (5.04%), chemicals (2.93%), phosphorous (2.74%), human labour (2.36%), potassium (0.19%) and machinery (0.03%), respectively. GHG ratio value was calculated as 0.73 kgCO2-eq kg− 1 in cotton cultivation.
Spin coherence in 2D materials point defects from first principles
Authors: Ali Sajid , Thygesen Kristian
Published: May 2022

The spin coherence time of 69 triplet defect centers in 45 different 2D host materials is studied by density functional theory (DFT) and the cluster correlation expansion (CCE) method. Several of the triplets are found to exhibit extraordinarily large spin coherence times making them interesting for quantum information processing. The dependence of the spin coherence time on various factors, including the hyperfine coupling strength, the dipole-dipole coupling, and the nuclear g-factors, are systematically investigated. The analysis shows that the spin coherence time is insensitive to the atomistic details of the defect center and rather is dictated by the nuclear spin properties of the host material. Symbolic regression is then used to derive a simple expression for spin coherence time, which is validated on a test set of 55 doublet defects unseen by the regression model. The simple expression permits order-of-magnitude estimates of the spin coherence time without expensive first principles calculations.
Relationships between radiation flux and ENSO in the tropical Pacific over the last 170a
Authors: Boyu Chai , Feng XU , Jian-jun XU , Li-guo HAN , Si-qi CHEN , Ya-jie LI , Jin-yi YANG , Shao-jing ZHANG , Mei-ying Zheng , Yong-chi LI
Published: May 2022

We used synthetic analysis, EOF decomposition, correlation coefficient analysis and causal analysis to investigate relationships between radiation flux and ENSO in the tropical Pacific in recent 170a. Our results indicate that SDLR increased significantly, by c.0.05 W / (M 2 * a), TOLR decreased slightly, by c.0.02 W / (M 2 * a), SDSR did not change significantly, and TISR increased slightly, by c.0.001 W / (M 2 * a). In the tropical western Pacific region, the average state of the tropospheric atmosphere rising and sinking intersecting area shifted eastward by 0.05 ° / a, and El Niño Modoki events increased. In the Middle East Pacific, especially Niño 3.4 with an ocean depth > 700 m, ocean heat content increased significantly, the maximum ILD region moved eastward, upward movement in the intersecting area was abnormally enhanced, the number of westerly wind bursts weakened, and the probability of El Niño Modoki occurrence increased. There was a correlation and causal relationship between marine heat content in zones Niño3 and Niño4, radiation flux, w and u, v anomalies near the intersecting zone. When the time series of the factor was ahead or behind, the lead lag correlation coefficient generally increased. The location of the ILD maximum only affected TOLR, and only SDLR can affect the longitudinal location of the ILD maximum. The longitudinal location of the ILD maximum and H niño3 , H niño3.4 interact as both cause and effect.