bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Catastrophic Health Expenditures in China: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)
Authors: Yu siying , Xie Shiyu , Ma Yue , Luo Jing , Zhang Yonghui , Wang Rui , Wang Yafei , Wang Yuling , Wang Xueqiang
Published: February 2024

Background: Associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and catastrophic health expenditures (CHEs) among middle-aged or older Chinese individuals have not been well documented. In addition, the role of chronic diseases is not entirely clear. This study was conducted using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) to examine association of ACEs with hospital visits and medical expenditures and the mediating effect of chronic diseases.
Methods: Negative binomial regression models were used to assess associations of the ACEs with the number of outpatient visits and inpatient hospital days. Logistic regression models were used to assess associations between the ACEs and catastrophic health expenditures (CHEs). The influence of chronic diseases is discussed by mediating analysis.
Results: The prevalence of each ACE indicator ranges from 0.27% (incarcerated household member) to 31.5% (emotional neglect). Moreover, 75.18% were exposed to at least one ACE. Our main analysis identified a significant dose–response relationship for the cumulative ACE scores and the number of outpatient visits (p-trend < 0.001), inpatient hospital days (p-trend < 0.001), and CHEs (p-trend < 0.001). After adjusting for chronic diseases, the dose-response relationship between ACEs and inpatient hospital days was not significant (p-trend = 0.305), but was still significant with outpatient visits and catastrophic health expenditures.
Conclusions:Populations with more ACEs are predisposed to chronic diseases, which consequently lead to higher medical expenditures and incur greater economic burdens. It is necessary to formulate corresponding policies to provide catastrophe health services and financial risk protection for different numbers and types of chronic diseases.
Characterization of diurnal cycle of rainfall over peanut basin in Senegal
Authors: Fall Cheikh Modou Noreyni , Wane Dahirou , Dione Cheikh , Kucera Paul , Diatta Samo , Dramé Mamadou Simina , Jenkins Gregory , Badiane Daouda , Sall Saidou Moustapha , Gaye Amadou Thierno
Published: February 2024

The diurnal cycle and intra-seasonal variation of the rainfall amount, frequency and intensity, and durations are analysed using rainfall data from a dense network of 18 raingauges over Ndiaganiao in Thiès region in Senegal, during the 2007-2015 period. This study uses a high temporal resolution of rainfall data. Raingauge tilts are converted to precipitation rate per hour to further investigate the diurnal cycle across the study area. The results show that the mean rainfall amount and frequency peaks are observed around 18 00 GMT for the whole season, while the intensity peak occurred between 13 00 and 14 00 GMT. The rainfall intensity indicated the strongest spatial variability compared to rainfall amount and frequency. Most of the rainfall events had a short lifetime between 1 and 3 hours (up to 80\%). These short rainfall events contribute up to 75\% of the total rainfall over this region. However, the heavy rainfall are much longer with a lifetime between 4 and 5 hours. The intra-seasonal variability of the rainfall diurnal cycle indicates a strong variability between the start and end of the monsoon season. Indeed, rainfall events occur between 12 00 and 14 00 GMT during the onset phase of the West African Monsoon (WAM) in June-July. During the active phase of the WAM (August-September), rainfall amount and frequency show a similar pattern with a peak observed around 18 00 GMT. These results have important implications for the nowcasting early warning system over western Sahel and will contribute to the improvement of the parametrization of convection in the numerical weather prediction model.
Exploring the Influence of Leadership Styles on Psychological Well-being and Satisfaction in Pilates Classes
Authors: Chae Soowon , Kim Youngmi , Sim Insuk , Kim Buom
Published: February 2024

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered daily life, increasing indoor physical activities, including Pilates. This study investigates the influence of Pilates instructors' leadership styles on class satisfaction and psychological well-being, addressing the gap in research regarding the specific impact of leadership within the context of Pilates classes.
Methods: The study surveyed 388 participants from 39 Pilates studios across South Korea, utilizing a questionnaire to assess leadership styles (transformational, transactional, and servant leadership), class satisfaction, and psychological well-being. Using statistical analyses, leadership styles were assessed for their correlation with class satisfaction and psychological well-being.
Results: Findings revealed that transformational and transactional leadership styles were positively correlated with class satisfaction and psychological well-being. Specifically, transformational leadership significantly enhanced educational satisfaction and personal growth, while transactional leadership most strongly influenced social satisfaction and the sense of purpose in life. Servant leadership was notably effective in improving physical class satisfaction. The study also highlighted the critical role of class satisfaction in promoting psychological well-being among participants.
Conclusion: This research underscores the importance of leadership styles in enhancing the Pilates class experience, suggesting that instructors' leadership approaches can significantly impact participants' satisfaction and psychological well-being. The study advocates developing training programs that equip Pilates instructors with the skills to adopt effective leadership styles, fostering a more positive and fulfilling class environment.
Ring closing metathesis reaction of citronellene by utilising simple mesoporousSBA-15 loaded ruthenium alkylidene supercatalyst
Authors: Shinde Tuhsar , Jirimali Harishchandra
Published: February 2024

The immobilization of Hoveyda Grubbs form of metathesis catalyst (Z.C.) exhibited simple non-covalent interactions with the mesoporous SBA-15.It was discovered that the Z.C. catalyst worked well to speed up the citronellene ring closing metathesis reaction. Using cyclohexane as a solvent, the citronellene ring closing metathesis reaction was performed at various temperatures.A very low (almost negligible) catalyst leaching was observed. A high turnover number (TON) was obtained by using a very small amount of catalyst. The activation energy was calculated in the case of ring closing metathesis reaction of citronellene at different temperatures. By using the high concentration of citronellene, a high turnover number was obtained (4674), which indicates that active catalytic centers were not demolished by a large concentration of citronellene molecule. Turnover number (264) was produced when the Ru/substrate molar ratio 1:300 was used.
Evaluation of the effect of two preparation designs on the fracture resistance and marginal adaptation of two types of ceramic crowns using CAD/CAM technology (In vitro study)
Authors: Ashour Akram Moomen , El-Kateb Mohamed Mahmoud , Azer Amir Shoukry
Published: February 2024

Background
Recently, prosthodontic approaches involve more conservative procedures that include less invasive finish line preparations that use less ceramic thickness.
Aim of the study:
This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effect of vertical preparation and modified vertical preparation designs on the marginal adaptation and fracture resistance of two types of ceramic crowns using CAD/CAM technology.
Materials and methods
Two typodont maxillary first premolars were embedded in acrylic resin. Forty positive replicas of epoxy resin dies were used that were divided into two groups depending on the preparation design (n = 20); Group V (Vertical): dies with feather edge finish line and Group MV (Modified vertical): dies with feather edge finish line, where a reverse shoulder of 1 mm depth was placed on the buccal surface 1.5 mm from the occlusal surface. Each group was further subdivided into two subgroups according to the type of ceramic material (n = 10): Subgroup Va and subgroup MVa for lithium disilicate (e.max CAD) and subgroup Vb and subgroup MVb for zirconia (zolid ht+). All crown restorations were fabricated using CAD-CAM technology. The marginal adaptation was measured before cementation and after cementation and aging using a stereomicroscope. To evaluate fracture resistance, each crown was placed under compressive load using a universal testing machine. Data was gathered and statistically analyzed.
Results
For Marginal adaptation (µm), there was no statistically significant difference shown between the study subgroups neither before cementation nor after cementation and aging. According to three-way ANOVA, there was no significant effect of the preparation design (p = 0.516) and material (p = 0.269) on the marginal adaptation with significant effect of the cementation (p < 0.0001). For Fracture resistance evaluation, results revealed a significant difference between study groups (p < 0.0001). According to two-way ANOVA test, Subgroup (MVb) showed the highest result followed by subgroup (Vb) and subgroub (MVa) and the least was subgroub (Va). The modes of fracture had no statistically significant difference among the four studied subgroups (p = .982).
Conclusions
Modified vertical preparation design could be a better conservative choice over other preparation designs.
A Novel Fuzzy Forest Health Index (FFHI) for Standardizing Stochastic Forest-Smart Mining
Authors: Sarkheil Hamid , Rostamian Emad , Rahbari Shahrokh , Lak Razieh
Published: February 2024

The pressing concerns associated with climate change underscore the critical need for environmental conservation and sustainable resource management. As technological and industrial advancements continue to drive an escalating demand for materials, the extraction of which often involves mining, the imperative to explore novel methodologies for assessing and mitigating the environmental impact of such operations becomes evident. This study proposes a novel approach utilizing fuzzy logic to calculate the Forest Health Index (FHI), introducing both a Fuzzy Constructive FHI and a Fuzzy Destructive FHI index, each ranging from 0 to 100. The disparity between these indices, ranging from − 100 to 100, elucidates the overall forest health index. The study employs the Sungun copper mine as a case study, situated within the Arasbaran environmental protected area, which necessitates the application of forest-smart mining regulations and policies. To examine the impact of mining operations on forest health, remote sensing is employed to identify potential porphyry copper mineralization areas and to visualize deforestation trends at the Sungun copper mine from 2008 to 2023. Vegetation indices are utilized to estimate the Forest Health Index (FHI) through remote sensing methodologies, incorporating a combination of expert opinions and guest numbers to assess variables influencing the FHI. Results indicate that the Forest Health Index (FFHI) for Sungun is 2.1, with maximum and minimum FFHIs observed in Merian (37.92) and Nimba Range Mineral Province (NRMP) (-25.7), respectively. The outcomes emphasize the importance of implementing forest-smart mining practices to mitigate the adverse effects of mining activities on the Arasbaran forest and promote conditions conducive to forest health.
Thermal Vibration of Nonhomogeneous Orthotropic Tapered Skew Plate
Authors: Lather Neeraj , Sharma Amit , Yadav Vijay K.
Published: February 2024

In this article, an analysis is carried out on nonhomogeneous skew (orthotropic) plate with circular profile in thickness. One dimensional circular variation in density parameter along with bi-linear temperature profile is considered. The technique of Rayleigh-Ritz is implemented to solve the resultant frequency equation. Along with this, the convergence study of frequency modes on orthotropic skew plate, rectangle plate, square plate were conducted for different boundary conditions. The major conclusion made from the current research that the circular variation in thickness parameter reduces the variation in time period as compared to linear, exponential and parabolic variation in thickness.
Analysis of milling chatter stability and experimental study on cutting performance with discrete-edge end milling cutters
Authors: Dong baojuan , Yang Yuting , Song Ming , Gao Siyuan , Zheng Minli
Published: February 2024

Discrete-edge end milling cutters are a new type of tool that regularly grinds a certain number of chip breaking grooves on the circumferential edge. The original cutting state is changed due to the presence of chip breaking grooves. In order to further explore the milling performance of the type of tools, discrete-edge end milling cutters with chip breaking grooves are designed and simulated by using NUM software. Then, they are processed and ground by using SAACKE five axis grinding machine. Orthogonal milling experiments were established using aluminum alloy samples as the processing object and an end milling cutter of the same specification without chip breaking grooves as a control group. Combined with modal parameter identification experiments and milling force coefficient experimental data, time-domain analysis was used to solve the stability of the milling system and blade diagrams were drawn. In addition, vibration signals, milling forces and chip shapes were analyzed. The results show that the minimum limit axial cutting depth of the discrete-edge end milling cutters are about 20% higher than that of the conventional end milling cutter within the same radial cutting width and calculated spindle speed. It shows that the milling stable area of the discrete-edge end milling cutters are larger and have a wider scope of application. At the same time, due to the existence of the chip breaker, it can effectively break chips and facilitate chips removal.
A Silent Scream in the Pediatric Emergency Department: Child Abuse and Neglect
Authors: Akkaya Bilge , İnan Cihan , Ünlü İpen İlknur , Güneylioğlu Muhammed Mustafa , Bodur İlknur , Göktuğ Aytaç , Öztürk Betül , Yaradılmış Raziye Merve , Aydın Orkun , Özcan Ahmet Serkan , Güngör Ali , Tuygun Nilden
Published: February 2024

The aim of this study is to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients suspected of child abuse or neglect in the pediatric emergency department and to draw attention to this issue, which poses a great threat to the development of children. Between July 1, 2017 and July 1, 2022, the files of 851 patients who were admitted to the emergency department of a tertiary children's hospital without a trauma center and reported to the medical social services unit with a preliminary diagnosis of neglect and/or abuse were retrospectively scanned through the registry system. The patients' age, gender, time period when they were admitted to the hospital, reason for admission, presence of recurrent admission for different reasons suggestive of maltreatment, physical examination findings, forensic reports, management of the patients, and outcome were recorded. The patients were divided into five groups according to their victimization: physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect and Medical Child Abuse (MCA) - Munchausen by Proxy. A total of 371 children who were found to have been subjected to child maltreatment were included in the study. 222 (59.8%) of the patients were female and the median age was 161 months [IQR (46–192)]. 56.3% of the patients were in the adolescent age group. The most common admission time period was between 16.00 and 24.00, 163 (43.9%). 24.2% of the patients were exposed to physical abuse, 8.8% to sexual abuse, 26.1% to emotional abuse, 50.4% to neglect, and 3.2% to MCA. 108 (29.1%) patients were followed up as inpatients in the pediatric intensive care unit. 4 of the patients (1%) had cardiac arrest outside the hospital, and the deaths were in patients under 2 years of age. Conclusion: Pediatric emergency departments are the units most frequently visited by patients suffering from child maltreatment. Victimized children may try to make their silent screams heard through different clinical presentations. Babies are at the greatest risk of suffering serious or fatal injuries. Health professionals working in the emergency department have an important role in detecting, treating and preventing recurrence of child neglect and abuse. Emergency department physicians must be able to hear these screams of patients while struggling with the dense crowd.
Global burden, trends, and inequalities of atrial fibrillation and flutter among young adults from 1990 to 2019: a population-based study
Authors: Fu Huanjie , Zhao Yisheng , Yu Hao , Gan Yongkang , Chen Jinhong , Liu Zhichao
Published: February 2024

Purpose: Atrial fibrillation and flutter (AF/AFL) represents a common, persistent arrhythmia. However, its impact on adults aged 25–49 years remains under-researched. This study aims to thoroughly evaluate the global burden and trends of AF/AFL over the past three decades (1990–2019) in the aforementioned age group, while also investigating health disparities linked to socioeconomic progress.
Methods: The incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates of AF/AFL in young adults worldwide were analyzed, utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019). Trends over the study period were assessed using joinpoint regression analysis. The study also explored variations in the AF/AFL burden related to the socio-demographic index (SDI) across different countries through health inequality analysis.
Results: According to GBD 2019 data, the global incidence, deaths, and DALYs of AF/AFL patients were 2,210,732 (95% UI, 1,444,894–3,250,516), 408,336 (248236–604689), 2,017 (1,798–2,306), and 275,258 (190,070–382,740), respectively. These figures represent 3.70%, 8.65%, 0.64%, and 3.28% of the total world population. Over the last three decades, the prevalence [AAPC = 0.42%, 95% CI (0.37%–0.47%)], incidence [AAPC = 0.31%, 95% CI (0.27%-0.35%)], years lived with disability (YLDs) [AAPC = 0.43%, 95% CI (0.38%–0.48%)], and DALY [AAPC = 0.48%, 95% CI (0.42%-0.53%)] rates of AF/AFL in young adults have exhibited increasing trends. Additionally, young adults in countries with higher SDI had disproportionate increases in AF/AFL burdens. Shifts in the inequality slope index for DALYs and the concentration index were detected in young adults with AF/AFL from 7.02 [95% CI (5.71–8.34)] in 1990 to 8.10 [95% CI (6.81–9.40)] in 2019 and from 13.25 [95% CI (11.54–14.97)] in 1990 to 12.33 [95% CI (10.49–14.18)] in 2019. In addition, shifts in the inequality slope indices for the prevalence and concentration indices were detected in young adults with AF/AFL from 68.49 [95% CI (55.44–81.54)] in 1990 to 83.54 [95% CI (70.45–96.62)] in 2019 and from 15.87 [95% CI (13.49–18.26)] in 1990 to 18.32 [95% CI (16.09–20.55)] in 2019.
Conclusions: In addition to the increase in the incidence, YLD, and DALY rates of AF/AFL in young adults worldwide in the last three decades, the degree of SDI-related inequality in different countries has shown an increasing trend. Therefore, wise resource allocation and effective strategy implementation should be taken into consideration by immune makers from different countries; thus, improving the global AF/AFL burden in young adults and addressing related health inequalities.
Cardiac Surgery During Wartime in Israel
Authors: Keizman Eitan , Jamal Tamer , Sarantsev Irena , Ram Eilon , Kogan Alexander , Raanani Ehud , Sternik Leonid
Published: February 2024

Background
A war in Israel started on 7 October 2023 and has affected all major tertiary centers in Israel. In the largest cardiac surgery department in Israel, there has been a surprising increase in the number of open-heart procedures, while approximately 50% of surgeons were recruited to military service. The purpose of this study is to characterize this increase in the number of procedures during wartime and to assess whether the crisis has affected the results.
Methods
Patients who underwent cardiac surgery in the first two months of the war were compared to the same period of the year before, namely from 7 October 2023 to 7 December 2022 and 2023.
Results
120 patients (43.6%) were operated on in 2022, and 155 (56.4%) during wartime in 2023. This signifies a 33.0% increase in open-heart procedures (109 in 2022 vs. 145 in 2023, p-value 0.26). There were no differences in baseline characteristics of patients in the two years and no differences in intraoperative characteristics, including also the type of surgery. However, compared to 2022, there was a 233% increase in the number of transplantations (p-value 0.24). The results during wartime were similar to those of 2022, including postoperative complications, length of stay, and mortality.
Conclusions
Patients who underwent cardiac surgery during wartime presented similar results to those of last year and, despite the significant increase in workload, had comparable outcomes. There was a notable increase in the number of transplants this year, attributed to the unfortunate increase in organ donors.
Association Between the γ-Glutamyltransferase–High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio and All-Cause Mortality in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study–Health
Authors: han heeyoun , Jung Dong Hyuk , Heo Seok-Jae , Lee Yong Jae
Published: February 2024

Background
The ratio of γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a novel noninsulin-based marker for assessing the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, it is unclear whether the GGT/HDL-C ratio is related to all-cause mortality. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the longitudinal effect of GGT/HDL-C on all-cause mortality in a large cohort of Korean adults.
Methods
Data were assessed for 87,668 participants (25,767 men and 61,901 women) from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study–Health Examinees cohort. These data were combined with the death certificate database from the National Statistical Office. The participants were divided into four groups according to GGT/HDL-C quartiles. We prospectively assessed hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality in the 11.7 years following the baseline survey using multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models.
Results
During the follow-up period, 3,214 individuals (3.6%; 1,728 men and 1,486 women) died. The respective HRs (95% CIs) of mortality for GGT/HDL-C quartiles 2–4 were 1.15 (0.99–1.33), 1.50 (1.30–1.72), and 2.00 (1.72–2.32) in men and 1.22 (1.02–1.45), 1.37 (1.15–1.62), and 1.70 (1.43–2.02) in women after adjusting for confounders.
Conclusions
GGT/HDL-C may be a useful predictive marker for all-cause mortality in men and women.
HIF-PHI regulates the STING-TBK1-IRF3 signaling pathway and mediates macrophage polarization to alleviate renal interstitial fibrosis
Authors: Wang Menghua , Huang Xin , Zhang Chuanshu , Wan Pengzhi , Xu Tianhua , Zhai Xiaoyue , Yao Li
Published: February 2024

Purpose: Hypoxia-inducible factor proline hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHIs) may affect the STING-TBK1-IRF3 pathway by targeting the polarization of macrophages to prevent the progression of Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF). However, the mechanism of action remains unclear.
Methods: A total of 60 patients were enrolled in the clinical study with 30 each for control and RIF group. Kidney tissue and blood samples were collected and the expression of M1-type macrophage markers (MHC-II, CD86) and components of the STING pathway (STING, P-IRF3, IRF3), together with MCP-1/CCL2 and TNF-α were examined. THP-1 and HK-2 cells were treated with a STING pathway activator (SR-717) and inhibitor (H151). A mouse model of kidney fibrosis was also established to examine the effects of HIF-PHI.
Results: The expression levels of MCP-1/CCL2, TNF-α, iNOS, CD86 and STING protein were significantly higher in RIF patients than controls. Treatment of THP-1 cells with SR-717 led to a significant increase in CD86, MHC-II, TNF-α , IL-6 and IFN-γ expression levels (P<0.05), while H151 had no effect (P>0.05). The expression of ECM deposition markers including α-SMA, fibronectin, and collagen IV was higher in TGF-β-induced HK-2 cells, but reduced following H151 treatment (P<0.05). HIF-PHI treatment of RIF mice led to a significant reduction in serum creatinine and blood urine nitrogen, CD86 and MHC-II, STING, α-SMA, collagen IV, and fibronectin expression levels (P<0.05).
Conclusions: HIF-PHIs reduced the infiltration of M1-type macrophages and release of inflammatory factors in the kidneys of mice through inhibition of the STING-TBK1-IRF3 pathway, thereby reducing kidney damage and ECM deposition.
Frictional Contact Mechanics for a Functionally Graded Porous Materials
Authors: Çömez İsa
Published: February 2024

This paper investigates the plane sliding contact problem of a functionally graded (FG) porous layer pressed by a rigid flat punch analytically. According to the actual behavior of the contact, the friction effect between the punch and the FG porous layer is considered. It is assumed that it is completely bonded to the rigid base from the lower surface of the porous layer. With the help of the Fourier transform, the governing equations were reduced to ordinary differential equations, and the expressions for the general stress displacement and the change in the volume fraction of the pores were derived. Using the problem's boundary conditions, the contact problem is reduced to a Cauchy-type singular integral equation of the second kind where the contact stress and the contact widths under the punch are unknown. The Gauss-Jacobi integration formula is utilized for the numerical solution of the singular integral equation. Numerical results for contact and in-plane stresses under the rigid punch are presented for various parameters as graphs.
Navigating Social Impact: Assessing Sustainability through UTAUT Model in India's Social Good Landscape
Authors: Arora Anisha , Siddhey Prashant kumar
Published: February 2024

This research investigates the transformative impact of social media on driving positive societal change, focusing on users in Punjab within the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework. The study, encompassing 422 participants, employs a combination of surveys, interviews, and social media interaction observations. Findings highlight social media's pivotal role in shaping decisions for social good, influenced by performance expectations, social influence, effort, and a conducive environment. Risk and attitude emerge as crucial factors connecting social media use to engagement in charitable initiatives. The research adds originality by contextualizing insights within the Punjab region, contributing significantly to the understanding of technology acceptance in the realm of social good. Quantitative techniques reveal patterns, while qualitative data undergoes thematic analysis for nuanced insights.
Microplastic contamination and risk assessment in salts from India
And Sri Lanka
Authors: Jamila Patterson -- , Radampola Kumudu , Kumara to Terney , Esmeralda Glen , Jeyasanta Immaculate , Sathish Narmatha
Published: February 2024

The pervasive contamination of the environment with microplastics (MP) poses a potential threat to food safety because MPs enter and move up the food chain. However, the impact of MPs on humans is limited. In this study, we analysed MP contamination of the commonly available brands of crystal and iodized powder salts from India and Sri Lanka. The abundance of MPs in Indian salt is higher (17.16 ± 8.81 items/kg) than in Sri Lankan salt (7.9 ± 6.2 items/kg). In both countries, a higher abundance of MPs is found for crystal salt (27 ± 7.12 items/kg, India; and 19 ± 9.53 items/kg, Sri Lanka). Fiber-shaped, black and white MPs with < 1 mm size were found to be dominant in both counties' salts. ATR-FTIR analysis confirmed the polymer of MPs. PP and PE are found dominantly in both the Indian (56%, 24%) and Sri Lankan (42%, 28%) salt samples. Based on the hazard score of polymers, the chemical risk of salts was categorized as hazard levels Ⅱ (Sri Lanka) and Ⅳ (India). If a person consumes 5 g of salt a day (WHO), Indians will consume 0.085 MPs/day and 31.025 MPs/year, and Sri Lankans will intake 0.0395 MPs/day and 14.4175 MPs/year. The occurrence of MPs in the salts may be attributed to the use of contaminated water in salt production, the kind of production process employed, and packaging of the products.
The effects of BMP2 and the mechanisms involved in the invasion and angiogenesis of IDH1 mutant glioma cells
Authors: Xu Hui , Cao Yu , Ruan Jianqiao , Wang Fei , He Yuhong , Yang Lina , Yu Tian , Du Fang , Zhang Ningmei , Cao Xiangmei
Published: February 2024

Purpose
This study investigated the effect of an isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation (mutIDH1) on the invasion and angiogenesis of human glioma U87 cells.
Methods
Doxycycline was used to induce the expression of mutIDH1 in U87 cells. Transwell and wound healing assays were conducted to assess U87 cell migration and invasion. Western blotting and cell immunofluorescence were used to measure the expression levels of various proteins. The influence of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) on invasion, angiogenesis-related factors, BMP2-related receptor expression, and changes in Smad signaling pathway-related proteins were evaluated after treatment with BMP2. Differential gene expression and methylation analysis were also performed.
Results
Successful infection with recombinant lentivirus expressing mutIDH1 was demonstrated. The IDH1 mutation promoted U87 cell migration and invasion while positively regulating the expression of vascularization-related factors and BMP2-related receptors. BMP2 exhibited a positive regulatory effect on the migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of mutIDH1-U87 cells, possibly mediated by BMP2-induced alterations in Smad signaling pathway-related factors. After BMP2 treatment, the differentially methylated sites in mutIDH1-U87 cells were mainly distributed in pathways related to cell cycle, cell proliferation, and transcriptional regulation. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses further confirmed the relevance of these pathways.
Conclusion
Mutation of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 promotes the migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of glioma U87 cells, through its effects on the BMP2-driven Smad signaling pathway. Additionally, BMP2 alters the methylation status of mutIDH1 glioma cells, with differentially methylated sites enriched in pathways related to proliferation, invasion, and vascular formation.
An assessment of the statistical performance of the horizontal point sampling (HPS) in an open coppice forest
Authors: Ramezani Habib , Ramezani Alireza , Nazariani Nastaran , Naghvi Hamed
Published: February 2024

Sampling surveys are broadly employed in forest inventories due to their efficiency in evaluating forest characteristics. However, the selection of an appropriate sampling method is essential. This study introduces a novel application of horizontal point sampling (HPS) in a coppice forest. The study evaluates the statistical characteristics of the horizontal point sampling (HPS) method when used in conjunction with crown relascope (CR). It further examines the variations in the crown basal area factor (CBAF) and the impact of different sample sizes (n). The study also conducts a comparative analysis between horizontal point sampling and fixed-radius (FR) plot sampling methods. This study was conducted in an open coppice forest. To achieve this, a sampling simulation with a large number of repetitions was employed. In HPS, a greater CBAF for a given sample size leads to a higher relative coefficient variation (CV %). Multiple regression model shows that both sample size (n) and CBAF influence CV %. There is an inverse relationship between n and CV%, whereas a positive relationship exists between CBAF and CV%. A combination of HPS and CR is easily applicable in fieldwork. This combined method demonstrates enhanced efficiency when compared to the traditional FR for estimating some forest attributes in CFs.
An Analytical Study of Mass Transport in Viscoelastic Fluid Under the Influence of Gravity Modulation
Authors: Singh Anupama , Kumar Anand
Published: February 2024

An analytical study of mass transfer has been done on a horizontal porous fluid layer. In the consideration of a non-Newtonian viscoelastic fluid, we investigated the influence of gravity modulation. We used weakly nonlinear stability analysis and the perturbation approach to construct the Ginzburg Landau equation, which dictated the Sherwood number. The Ginzburg-Landau equation solution was found using the software MATH-EMATICA. The impact of relaxation and retardation times of viscoelastic fluid on mass transfer has been discussed graphically. We established in this work that the rate of mass transmission can be efficiently regulated by correctly varying the frequency and amplitude of modulation, and that substantial mass diffusion lowers mass transfer. In the present article we discussed the outcomes for both the modulated and unmodulated scenarios. The main discovery is that the changes in gravitational acceleration over time have a considerable impact on convection dynamics because they increase mass transfer and destabilize the system.
Transparency in Decision-making: the Role of Explainable Ai (Xai) in Customer Churn Analysis
Authors: ÖZKURT Cem
Published: February 2024

In many industries, as in the telecommunications sector, identifying the reasons for customer loss is a primary challenge. Predicting which customers will churn or continue their subscriptions is of utmost importance in the telecommunications sector. Machine learning and data science offer numerous solutions to this issue. These proposed solutions hold a significant place in decision-making processes across various sectors. This study aims to predict lost customers and explain the reasons behind it using machine learning algorithms. The dataset used includes Linear Regression, Logistic Regression, Naive Bayes, Decision Tree, Random Forest, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Gradient Boosting, XGBoost (eXtreme Gradient Boosting), LightGBM, AdaBoost and CatBoost algorithms to find the best-performing classification model. Performance metrics such as $R^2$ score, Mean Squared Error, Mean Absolute Error, Root Mean Squared Error, and Accuracy are used in this process. Finally, the best prediction model is explained using eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI).
The Association Between Maternal Sleep and Circadian Rhythms During Pregnancy and Infant Sleep and Socioemotional Outcomes
Authors: Hoyniak Caroline P. , Donohue Meghan R. , Luby Joan L. , Barch Deanna M. , Zhao Peinan , Smyser Christopher D. , Warner Barbara , Rogers Cynthia E. , Herzog Erik D. , England Sarah K.
Published: February 2024

Studies have established that maternal sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances during pregnancy are associated with poor prenatal and perinatal outcomes for mothers and offspring. However, little work has explored its effects on infant sleep or socioemotional outcomes. The current study examined the relationship between maternal sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances during pregnancy and infant sleep and socioemotional outcomes in a diverse sample of N=193 mothers and their infants (51% White; 52% Female; Mage= 11.95 months). Maternal sleep and circadian rhythms during pregnancy were assessed using self-reports and actigraphy. Mothers reported on infants’ sleep and socioemotional outcomes when infants were one year old. When controlling for infant sex, age, gestational age at birth, and family income-to-needs, mothers who reported more sleep problems during pregnancy had infants with more sleep disturbances and dysregulation (e.g., increased feeding difficulties, sensory sensitivities) when they were one year old. Moreover, mothers who had later sleep timing (i.e., went to bed and woke up later, measured via actigraphy) during pregnancy had infants with more dysregulation and externalizing problems, and mothers with increased intra-daily variability in rest-activity rhythms (as measured via actigraphy) had infants with more externalizing problems. Findings suggest that maternal sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances during pregnancy may be a risk factor for infant sleep problems and socioemotional difficulties.
Subcellular Systems Observe Onsager Reciprocity
Authors: Horowitz Arie
Published: February 2024

The complexity of prokaryotic and, exceedingly, of eukaryotic cells, challenges the implementation of methodologies to determine causality and quantify intracellular dynamics. Though stochastic thermodynamics can effectively quantify the dynamics of single proteins or complexes, there is no statistical approach that can generalize subcellular microstates to derive the macrostates of a whole cell. Onsager reciprocity, a coupling between thermodynamic flows, has not been used systematically to quantify and establish causality among cellular dynamics. A prototypical thermodynamic profile of the cell is formulated as a model system to enable representation of its dynamics as force-driven thermodynamic flows. The explanative potential of the methodology of thermodynamic reciprocity is validated against molecular mechanisms wherein the coupling between internal fluxes is recognized. Its predictive potential is then tested on mechanisms wherein coupling is unacknowledged, ruling out reciprocity between the contractile ring of the bacterial ortholog of tubulin, which facilitates the separation of dividing Escherichia coli cells, and the bacterial actin ortholog, which polymerizes along the cells' walls. In contrast, reciprocity is identified between the actomyosin ring that facilitates the division of fission yeast cells and treadmilling longitudinal micro-tubules. Directly pertinent to the definition of the cell's prototypical thermodynamic profile, the reciprocity that had been suggested between AMP-regulated kinase (AMPK) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTORC1) in the regulation of cell proliferation is confirmed thermodynamically.
CAERS-CF: Enhancing Convolutional Autoencoder Recommendations through Collaborative Filtering
Authors: Ghadami Amirhossein , Tran Thomas
Published: February 2024

Recommendation systems are crucial in boosting companies' revenues by implementing various strategies to engage customers and encourage them to invest in products or services. Businesses constantly desire to enhance these systems through different approaches. One effective method involves using hybrid recommendation systems, known for their ability to create high-performance models. We introduce a hybrid recommendation system that leverages two types of recommendation systems: first, a novel deep learning-based recommendation system that utilizes users' and items' content data, and second, a traditional recommendation system that employs users' past behaviour data. We introduce a novel deep learning-based recommendation system called Convolutional Autoencoder Recommendation System (CAERS). It uses a Convolutional Autoencoder (CAE) to capture high-order meaningful relationships between users' and items' content information and decode them to predict ratings. Subsequently, we design a traditional model-based collaborative filtering recommendation system (CF) that leverages users' past behaviour data, utilizing Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). Finally, in the last step, we combine the two method's predictions with linear regression. We determine the optimal weight for each prediction generated by collaborative filtering and the deep learning-based recommendation system. Our main objective is to introduce a hybrid model called CAERS-CF that leverages the strengths of the two mentioned approaches. For experimental purposes, we utilize two movie datasets to showcase the performance of CAERS-CF. Our model outperforms each constituent model individually and other state-of-the-art deep learning or hybrid models. Specifically, the hybrid CAERS-CF model exhibits improvements across various metrics, highlighting the effectiveness of our approach in enhancing recommendation systems.
Exploring the impact of biosynthetic gene cluster BGC3 on the cariogenic virulence of Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Yang Jingyi , Zhang Yixin , Zhang Yuwei , Chen Ying , Xu Mindi , Wang Dandan , Chen Yihua , Wang Yixiang , Xia Bin
Published: February 2024

This study focused on the biosynthetic gene cluster BGC3 of Streptococcus mutans, a primary pathogen in dental caries, and its effects on the cariogenic virulence of Streptococcus mutans. BGC3 and ∆BGC3 Streptococcus mutans strains were constructed, and their growth curves were evaluated. Further, their acid production capacity was assessed by comparing their pH reduction levels. The survival of bacteria in phosphate citrate buffer solution (pH 3.0) was quantified. The expression levels of virulence genes (atpF, gtfC, gtfD, spaP, vicR, and ftf) were analysed using the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Bacterial viability was determined by microscopical examination of live/dead staining. Co-culture experiments were conducted to evaluate bacterial adaptability. The elimination of BGC3 did not significantly impact Streptococcus mutans growth or acid production in biofilms. The ∆BGC3 strain exhibited enhanced acid resistance and higher expression levels of virulence genes. In co-culture, ∆BGC3 exhibited superior bacterial viability. BGC3 reduced the cariogenic virulence of Streptococcus mutans in terms of acid tolerance and the expression of related genes. The knockout strain exhibited a more robust survival capability than the wild-type strain.
Spatial Transcriptomic Alignment, Integration, and de novo 3D Reconstruction by STAIR
Authors: Yu Yuanyuan , Xie Zhi
Published: February 2024

Spatial transcriptomics (ST) has emerged as a transformative approach for comprehending tissue architecture with molecular profiles. However, amalgamating discrete two-dimensional (2D) ST snapshots into a unified 3D atlas remains an outstanding challenge. To this end, we introduce STAIR, an end-to-end solution for ST alignment, integration, and de novo 3D reconstruction. STAIR uses a heterogeneous graph attention network with spot-level and slice-level attention mechanisms to obtain a unified embedding space and guide 3D space reconstruction in an unsupervised manner. We demonstrate STAIR's marked improvements in slice alignment and integration across samples and platforms over the previous methods. Furthermore, STAIR shows first-of-its-kind performance in de novo 3D reconstruction, with demonstrations in mouse hypothalamus preoptic area, mouse brain, and breast tumor tissue, which provides precise delineation of brain regions and reveals tumor progression in 3D space. Additionally, STAIR integrates additional slices into the existing 3D atlas incorporating both molecular features and physical coordinates. STAIR is the first to address the core obstacles limiting 3D positioning and harnessing alignments for atlas construction and assimilation. It lays a computational foundation to construct unified tissue maps and provides novel biological insights from a 3D perspective.
Apparent fine tunings for field theories with broken space-time symmetries
Authors: Nicolis Alberto , Rothstein Ira Z.
Published: February 2024

We exhibit a class of effective field theories that have hierarchically small Wilson coefficients for operators that are not protected by symmetries but are not finely tuned. These theories possess bounded target spaces and vacua that break space-time symmetries. We give a physical interpretation of these theories as generalized solids with open boundary conditions. We show that these theories realize unusual RG flows where higher dimensional (seemingly irrelevant) operators become relevant even at weak coupling. Finally, we present an example of a field theory whose vacuum energy relaxes to a hierarchically small value compared to the UV cut-off.
Ab initio electron-lattice downfolding: Potential energy landscapes, anharmonicity, and molecular dynamics in charge density wave materials
Authors: Schobert Arne , Berges Jan , van Loon Erik G. C. P. , Sentef Michael A. , Brener Sergey , Rossi Mariana , Wehling Tim O.
Published: February 2024

The interplay of electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom presents an outstanding problem in condensed matter physics and chemistry. Computational challenges arise especially for large systems, long time scales, in nonequilibrium, or in systems with strong correlations. In this work, we show how downfolding approaches facilitate complexity reduction on the electronic side and thereby boost the simulation of electronic properties and nuclear motion-in particular molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Three different downfolding strategies based on constraining, unscreening, and combinations thereof are benchmarked against full density functional calculations for selected charge density wave (CDW) systems, namely 1H-TaS_22, 1T-TiSe_22, 1H-NbS_22, and a one-dimensional carbon chain. We find that the downfolded models can reproduce potential energy surfaces on supercells accurately and facilitate computational speedup in MD simulations by about five orders of magnitude in comparison to purely ab initio calculations. For monolayer 1H-TaS_22 we report classical and path integral replica exchange MD simulations, revealing the impact of thermal and quantum fluctuations on the CDW transition.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS AND LABORATORY PROFILE OF DENGUE FEVER CASES AT THE TIME OF PRESENTATION IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Department of General Medicine, ACSR Government Medical College, Nellore., Baby Rohini B. , Radhika R. ,   Assistant Professor, Department of General Medicine, ACSR Government Medical College, Nellore., Suneel Babu CH.V. ,   Assistant Professor, Department of General Medicine, ACSR Government Medical College, Nellore., Rakesh K. ,   Assistant Professor, Department of General Medicine, ACSR Government Medical College, Nellore.
Published: February 2024

Dengue is the most common arboviral disease worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions. Clinical manifestations of dengue fever are mild illnesses like classical dengue fever and severe illnesses like dengue shock syndrome, and dengue hemorrhagic fever. The study was aimed to determine the clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters of patients with Dengue fever Materials And Methods: This prospective study was conducted at a tertiary teaching hospital, Nellore over 6 months. All the patients above the age of 14 years who were diagnosed with Dengue with a positive result for NS1Ag or IgM or IgG antibodies were included. All the necessary clinical and laboratory investigation parameters of the patients were noted and the data was analyzed by frequency and percentage. Results: During the study period, a total of 73 dengue cases were included in the study. Of these, there were 38 (52%) males and 33 (48%) females between 15 and 80 years of age. The most common clinical presentations were fever (100%), headache 56 (76.7%), myalgia 52 (71.2%), and nausea/vomiting 46 (63%). The common hematological findings were thrombocytopenia 58 (79.4%), followed by raised liver transaminases 42 (57.5%), leucopenia 37 (50.6%), leucocytosis 22 (30.1%) and raised hematocrit 21(28.7%) Conclusion: Fever, headache, and anorexia are the most prevalent clinical manifestations of Dengue fever. Low platelet count, raised liver transaminases, and a rise in hematocrit are the most prevalent laboratory abnormalities. Early detection and monitoring of dengue cases can prevent the serious complications of dengue fever.