bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Aspect Ratio on Wave Propagation in Granular Crystals Consisting of Ellipse-Shaped Particles
Authors: Yang Deze , Chu Xihua , Xiu Chenxi , Pan Yu
Published: October 2022

The behavior of waves in granular materials is very complex and closely related to the macro-micro properties such as particle shape, packing, and particle size distribution. In this study, the influence of the aspect ratio (AR) and confining stress on wave propagation in 2D granular crystals consisting of ellipse-shaped particles is investigated based on discrete element method. The energy attenuation, wave velocity, wavefront shape, and frequency dispersion are mainly focused. The results show that the energy attenuation exhibits an increasing trend with bigger confining stress and smaller AR in the direction of wave propagation. The wave velocities increase with increasing AR, and the relation between compressive wave velocities and the confining stress and AR is obtained. Wavefront has the elliptical shape which has the same AR as elliptical particles of specimen, and its analytical expression is also obtained. The dispersion is affected by AR, which is mainly reflected in the modified particle spacing in sine fitted frequency dispersion curve. Larger confining stress allows a larger maximum frequency, and produces stronger dispersion. The above conclusion can provide a reference for wave-guided granular crystals design.
On a diffusive bacteriophage dynamical model for bacterial infections
Authors: Ndongmo Teytsa Hyacinthe M. , Tsanou Berge , Lubuma Jean , Bowong Samuel
Published: October 2022

Bacteriophages or phages are viruses that infect bacteria and are increasingly used to control bacterial infections. We develop a reaction–diffusion model coupling the interactive dynamic of phages and bacteria with an epidemiological bacteria-borne disease model. For the submodel without phage absorption, the basic reproduction number [Formula: see text] is computed. The disease-free equilibrium (DFE) is shown to be globally asymptotically stable whenever [Formula: see text] is less than one, while a unique globally asymptotically endemic equilibrium is proven whenever [Formula: see text] exceeds one. In the presence of phage absorption, the above stated classical condition based on [Formula: see text], as the average number of secondary human infections produced by susceptible/lysogen bacteria during their entire lifespan, is no longer sufficient to guarantee the global stability of the DFE. We thus derive an additional threshold [Formula: see text], which is the average offspring number of lysogen bacteria produced by one infected human during the phage–bacteria interactions, and prove that the DFE is globally asymptotically stable whenever both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are under unity, and infections persist uniformly whenever [Formula: see text] is greater than one. Finally, the discrete counterpart of the continuous partial differential equation model is derived by constructing a nonstandard finite difference scheme which is dynamically consistent. This consistency is shown by constructing suitable discrete Lyapunov functionals thanks to which the global stability results for the continuous model are replicated. This scheme is implemented in MatLab platform and used to assess the impact of spatial distribution of phages, on the dynamic of bacterial infections.
Strong restrained domination number on trees and product of graphs: An algorithmic approach
Authors: Esakkimuthu Shanmugam , Duraisamy Pandiaraja , Ganesan Prabakaran
Published: October 2022

A restrained dominating set [Formula: see text] is said to be a strong restrained dominating set of G if every vertex [Formula: see text] is adjacent to a vertex [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The minimum cardinality of a strong restrained dominating set of G is said to be the strong restrained domination number of [Formula: see text] and it is denoted by [Formula: see text]. We characterize all the trees with [Formula: see text]. We show that if [Formula: see text] is a tree of order [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] and characterize the extremal trees by achieving this lower bound. Simulation was carried out for the strong restrained domination number of Cartesian, strong and lexicographic product under four different network topologies and it was noted that [Formula: see text] under these four network topologies. Furthermore, the strong restrained domination number of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for any [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for any [Formula: see text] is determined.
Association between Different Types of Edible Oils and Anthropometric Indices Mood, and Appetite among Women
Authors: Kangani Nahid , Mohammadi Mohammadreza , Zeinolabedin Mobina , Bellissimo Nick , Azadbakht Leila
Published: October 2022

Introduction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between consumption of dietary oils and anthropometric indices, mood, and appetite among women staff of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Methods. A cross-sectional study design was used, and 245 women staff of Tehran University of Medical Sciences participated. A 168-item food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate dietary and nutrient intake. The association between liquid vegetable oils, hydrogenated vegetable oil, and animal fat intake and anthropometric indices, appetite, and mood was evaluated. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire was used to assess mood. A Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate appetite status. The tape measure was used to measure the waist circumference and height. SPSS was used to compute body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Results. In the present study, sunflower and frying oil were the most consumed liquid oils (n = 135/245 participants). Participants with a moderate intake of MUFA had greater odds ratio (OR: 3.47; 95% CI: 1.20–10.7;

P

trend = 0.025) of a high appetite compared to those with a low intake of MUFA. However, the study found no evidence of an association between consumption of edible oils (vegetable oils, animal fat oils, and other fatty acid sources) and mood, anthropometric indices, or appetite. Conclusions. In the current research, we noticed a significant connection between moderate intake of MUFA and a large appetite and no association between consumption of edible oils and other outcomes. In conclusion, a balanced diet low in fast meals, processed foods, cakes, cookies, and sweets is suggested to limit the consumption of artificial trans-fatty acids.
Optimization and Performance Improvement of Grid-Connected PV Plant Based on ANN-PSO and P&O Algorithms
Authors: Ali Abdalftah Hamed , Najafi Atabak
Published: October 2022

This research investigated the performance of a 5 MW PV grid-connected plant in Al Fashir City, Sudan. The research aims to improve the performance and increase the efficiency of the Al Fashir plant by identifying the maximum power point and increasing the tracking efficiency based on the algorithms developed. The PV systems benefit from MPPT approaches because they improve power output and energy delivery to the load while also extending the useful life of the PV system. The P&O algorithm performance is compared to the ANN trained by the PSO method by a set of solar radiation values. However, time response, oscillation, and stability are the three most important factors to consider when evaluating the effectiveness of any MPPT algorithm. The results show that the ANN trained by the performance of the PSO algorithm was better in time response, tracking speed, and oscillation than the P&O algorithm and could identify the new power point quickly. The results of this study will assist in resizing the PV plant and improve the operation performance and efficiency to provide affordable and reliable power accessible to the people in Al Fashir city.
Variability in Platelet-Rich Plasma Preparations Used in Regenerative Medicine: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Tey Raghvendra Vikram , Haldankar Pallavi , Joshi Vivek R. , Raj Rishi , Maradi Ravindra
Published: October 2022

Background. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and its derivatives are used in several aesthetic, dental, and musculoskeletal procedures. Their efficacy is primarily due to the release of various growth factors (GF), interleukins, cytokines, and white blood cells. However, the PRP preparation methods are highly variable, and studies lack consistency in reporting complete procedures to prepare PRP and characterize PRP and its derivatives. Also, all the tissue-specific (in vivo and in vitro) interactions and functional properties of the various derivatives/factors of the PRP have not been taken into consideration by any study so far. This creates a potential space for further standardization of the PRP preparation methods and customization of PRP/PRP derivatives targeted at tissue-specific/pathology specific requirements that would enable efficacious and widely acceptable usage of PRP as main therapy, rather than being used as adjuvant therapy. The main objective of our study was to investigate the variability in PRP preparation methods and to analyze their efficacy and reliability. Method. This study considered articles published in the last 5 years, highlighting the variability in their PRP preparation methods and characterization of PRP. Following the PRISMA protocol, we selected 13 articles for the study. The selected articles were assessed using NHLBI quality assessment tool. Results. We noted differences in (1) approaches to producing PRP, (2) extent of characterization of PRP, (3) small scale and large-scale preparation methods, (4) in vitro and in vivo studies. Conclusion. We identified two studies describing the procedures which are simple, reproducible, economical, provide a good yield of platelets, and therefore can be considered methods for further tissue-specific and pathology-specific standardizations of PRP and its derivatives. We recommend further randomized studies to understand the full therapeutic potential of the constituents of PRP and its derivatives.
Sandfly Blood‐Feeding Habits and Competence in Transmitting Ntepes Virus, a Recently Discovered Member of the Genus Phlebovirus
Authors: Yuko Epaphrus , Sang Rosemary , Owino Eunice A. , Ingonga Johnstone , Matoke-Muhia Damaris , Hassaballa Iman B. , Junglen Sandra , Tchouassi David P.
Published: October 2022

Phleboviruses transmitted by sandflies are among emerging public health threats. A novel Phlebovirus named Ntepes virus (NTPV) was recently described and found to infect humans from a wide geographic area in Kenya. However, the entomologic risk factors of this virus such as the potential vectors and the transmission cycles remain poorly defined. This study assessed the ability of the colonized sandfly Phlebotomus duboscqi to transmit NTPV and determined the bloodmeal host sources of field‐collected sandflies from the area where NTPV was found in Baringo County, Kenya. Five‐day old laboratory‐reared P. duboscqi were orally challenged with an infectious dose of NTPV (≈106.0 pfu/ml) and incubated for up to 15 days postinfection. Individual sandflies were dissected into abdomens, legs, and salivary glands and screened for the virus infection by cell culture. Of the 205 virus‐exposed sandflies, 19.5% developed non‐disseminated infections in the midgut, with no evidence of virus dissemination or transmission in legs and salivary glands, respectively. The midgut infection rates decreased with increasing extrinsic incubation period (Spearman’s correlation, ρ = −0.71). Blood‐fed specimens analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of a region of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, revealed almost exclusive feeding on humans (98%) represented by the sandflies Sergentomyia schwetzi, S. clydei, S. antennata, S. squamipleuris, S. africana, and Phlebotomus martini. One specimen of S. clydei had fed on cattle (2%). These findings suggest P. duboscqi is an incompetent laboratory vector of NTPV. The high human‐feeding rate by diverse sandfly species increases the likelihood of human exposure to pathogens associated with these sandflies. Assessment of the susceptibility of Sergentomyia species to NTPV is recommended given their high human‐feeding tendency.
Physical Training Reduces Chronic Airway Inflammation and Mediators of Remodeling in Asthma
Authors: Moraes-Ferreira Renilson , Brandao-Rangel Maysa Alves Rodrigues , Gibson-Alves Thiago Gonçalves , Silva-Reis Anamei , Souza-Palmeira Victor Hugo , Aquino-Santos Helida Cristina , Frison Claudio Ricardo , Oliveira Luis Vicente Franco , Albertini Regiane , Vieira Rodolfo P.
Published: October 2022

Several benefits of aerobic training for asthmatic patients have been demonstrated. However, its effects on systemic inflammation and on airway remodeling mediators and lung mechanics are unknown. This prospective study included 21 intermittent and mild asthma patients, and as primary outcomes, the evaluation of pro- and anti-inflammatory and pro- and antifibrotic mediators in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and blood were performed, beyond the cell counting in blood and in induced sputum. Aerobic training was performed for 3 months, 3 times per week. Aerobic training increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines and of antifibrotic mediators in the breath condensate: IL-1ra (

p
=
0.0488

), IL-10 (

p
=
0.0048

), relaxin-3 (

p
=
0.0019

), and klotho (

p
<
0.0043

), respectively. Similarly, in plasma, increased levels of IL-1ra (

p
=
0.0147

), IL-10 (

p
<
0.0001

), relaxin-3 (

p
=
0.004

), and klotho (

p
=
0.0023

) were found. On contrary, reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the breath condensate, IL-1β (

p
=
0.0008

), IL-4 (

p
=
0.0481

), IL-5 (

p
<
0.0001

), IL-6 (

p
=
0.0032

), IL-13 (

p
=
0.0013

), and TNF-α (

p
=
0.0001

) and profibrotic markers VEGF (

p
=
0.0017

) and TSLP (

p
=
0.0056

) were found. Similarly, in plasma, aerobic training significantly reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β (

p
=
0.0008

), IL-4 (

p
=
0.0104

), IL-5 (

p
=
0.0001

), IL-6 (

p
=
0.006

), IL-13 (

p
=
0.0341

), and TNF-α (

p
=
0.0003

) and of profibrotic markers VEGF (

p
=
0.0009

) and TSLP (

p
<
0.0076

). Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) was reduced after the intervention (

p
=
0.0313

). Regarding inflammatory cells in sputum, there was a reduction in total cells (

p
=
0.008

), eosinophils (

p
=
0.009

), and macrophages (

p
=
0.020

), as well as of blood eosinophils (

p
=
0.0203

) and lymphocytes (

p
=
0.0198

). Aerobic training positively modulates chronic airway inflammation and remodeling mediators, beyond to improve systemic inflammation in intermittent and mild asthmatic patients.
A Breast Cancer Prediction Model Based on a Panel from Circulating Exosomal miRNAs
Authors: Pan Yangyang , Xu Xiaoli , Luo Ting , Yang Shuqing , Zhou Dan , Zeng Yan
Published: October 2022

Breast cancer (BC) has been a serious threat to women’s health. Exosomes contain a variety of biomolecules, which is an excellent choice as disease diagnostic markers, but whether it could be applied as a noninvasive biomarker for BC diagnosis demands to be additional studied. In this study, we aimed at creating a predictive model and reveal the value of plasma exosomal miRNA (exo‐miRNA) in early diagnosis of BC. Firstly, exosomes isolated from plasma were identified by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), and Western Blot. miRNA expression in plasma samples from 56 BC patients and 40 normal controls was analyzed by high‐throughput sequencing. miRNAs with strong correlation characteristics were selected by Lasso logistic regression. Then, we built the training set and test set, evaluated the Lasso regression accuracy, and evaluated the performance of different models in the training set and test set. Finally, GO analysis, KEGG, and Reactome pathway enrichment analysis were used to understand the biological significance of 16 characteristic miRNAs. The successful separation of exosomes in serum was identified by NTA, TEM, and Western Blot. The training set data matrix containing 1962 miRNAs was obtained by sequencing for model construction, and 16 strongly correlated miRNAs were selected by Lasso logistic regression. The accuracy of Lasso regression in training set and test set were 97.22% and 95.83%, respectively. We built different models and evaluated the performance of each model in the training set and test set. The results showed that the AUC values of Lasso, SVM, GBDT, and Random Forest model in the training set were 1, and the AUC values in the test set were 0.979, 0.936, 0.971, and 0.979, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis showed that 16 signature miRNAs were significantly enriched in cancer‐related pathways such as herpes simplex virus 1 infection, TGF‐β signaling, and Toll‐like receptor family. The results of this study suggest that the 16 characteristic miRNAs screened from plasma exosomes can be used as a group of biomarkers, and the prediction model constructed based on this set of markers is expected to be used in the early diagnosis of BC.
Dietary Tenebrio molitor Larvae Meal Inclusion Exerts Tissue-Specific Effects on Cellular, Metabolic, and Antioxidant Status in European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata)
Authors: Bousdras Thomas , Feidantsis Konstantinos , Panteli Nikolas , Chatzifotis Stavros , Piccolo Giovanni , Gasco Laura , Gai Francesco , Antonopoulou Efthimia
Published: October 2022

The present study addresses the effects of dietary Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae meal inclusion on cytoprotective, cell death pathways, antioxidant defence, and intermediate metabolism in the heart, muscle, and digestive tract of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Three experimental diets were formulated to contain 0%, 25%, or 50% inclusion TM levels. Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) induction was apparent in both species’ muscle at 50% inclusion. Conversely, p44/42 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) activation was increased (

p
<
0.05

) in both species’ muscle and digestive tract at 25% inclusion. Regarding the apoptotic machinery, TM inclusion exerted no influence on gilthead seabream, while suppression through autophagy may have occurred in the muscle. However, significant apoptosis (

p
<
0.05

) was evident in European sea bass muscle and digestive tract. Both fish species’ heart seemed to additionally rely on lipids compared to muscle and digestive tract. In contrast to gilthead seabream, European sea bass exhibited increased (

p
<
0.05

) antioxidant activity at 50% TM inclusion. The present findings highlight the dietary derived induction of cellular responses in a species- and tissue-specific manner, whereas European sea bass appears to be more susceptible to TM inclusion.
Changes of T Lymphocyte Subsets in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Intermediate and Advanced Cervical Cancer before and after Nimotuzumab Combined with Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Teng Fei , Cui Guimin , Qian Ligang , Zhao Lujun
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Cervical cancer (CC) is the main malignant tumor of gynecology with high mortality. This study aimed to explore the changes of T lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of patients with intermediate and advanced CC (IACC) treated with nimotuzumab (Nimo) combined with chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Methods: Peripheral blood was extracted before and after treatment, and patients were randomly divided into the CRT group (N = 68) or the Nimo + CRT group (N = 68). The levels of tumor markers squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), tumor indexes leptin and insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF2), and key secretory factors (interferon γ/tumor necrosis factor α/interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13) of Th1 and Th2 cells in the serum were detected. The levels of T lymphocyte subsets CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ and the levels of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg in CD4+ cell subsets were determined by flow cytometry. The objective remission rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) of patients were analyzed, and Kaplan-Meier curves were drawn to show the prognosis of patients. Results: After treatment, the levels of SCCA, CA125, CEA, leptin, and IGF2 in the serum of patients with IACC were decreased, the level of Th1/Th2 was increased, and the Th17/Treg level was decreased. The treatment effect of Nimo + CRT was more significant than that of CRT alone. Survival curve analysis showed that Nimo + CRT could prolong PFS and OS in patients with IACC. In addition, the follow-up results of patients showed that Nimo did not increase the incidence and severity of adverse reactions caused by CRT. Conclusion: Nimo combined with CRT can protect the immune function of patients, improve the effective rate, and prolong the survival rate of patients with IACC.
Proteomics Insights into Medullary Sponge Kidney Disease: Review of the Recent Results of an Italian Research Collaborative Network
Authors: Granata Simona , Bruschi Maurizio , Candiano Giovanni , Catalano Valeria , Ghiggeri Gian Marco , Stallone Giovanni , Zaza Gianluigi
Published: October 2022

Background: Medullary sponge kidney (MSK) disease is a rare and neglected congenital condition typically associated with nephrocalcinosis/nephrolithiasis, urinary concentration defects, and cystic anomalies in the precalyceal ducts that, although sporadic in the general population, is relatively frequent in renal stone formers. The physiopathologic mechanism associated with this disease is not fully understood, and omics technologies may help address this gap. Summary: The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the current state of the application of proteomics in the study of this rare disease. In particular, we focused on the results of our recent Italian collaborative studies that, analyzing the MSK whole and extracellular vesicle urinary content by mass spectrometry, have displayed the existence of a large and multifactorial MSK-associated biological machinery and identified some main regulatory biological elements able to discriminate patients affected by this rare disorder from those with idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (including laminin subunit alpha 2, ficolin 1, mannan-binding lectin serine protease 2, complement component 4-binding protein β, sphingomyelin, ephrins). Key Messages: The application of omics technologies has provided new insights into the comprehension of the physiopathology of the MSK disease and identified novel potential diagnostic biomarkers that may replace in future expensive and invasive radiological tests (including CT) and select novel therapeutic targets potentially employable, whether validated in a large cohort of patients, in the daily clinical practice.
Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Autoantibody-Negative Pauci-Immune Crescentic Glomerulonephritis in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Chan Chee Eng , Ng Tze Jian , Ahmad Mohd Kamil , Mohamad Nor Fariz Safhan
Published: October 2022

Renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus is usually exhibited as lupus nephritis, which is a form of immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis and one of the most severe organ manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus. The pathogenesis involved glomerular immune complex deposition, which leads to glomerular inflammation and typically shows a “full-house” pattern on immunofluorescence microscopy. Other forms of glomerulonephritis are rarely observed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis is the pattern of injury most commonly observed in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated glomerulonephritis. The characteristic histological feature of pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis is focal necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis with little or no glomerular staining for immunoglobulin by immunofluorescence microscopy. We report a rare case of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-negative pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Evolution and Development of Amygdala Subdivisions: Pallial, Subpallial, and Beyond
Authors: Medina Loreta , Abellán Antonio , Morales Lorena , Pross Alessandra , Metwalli Alek H. , González-Alonso Alba , Freixes Júlia , Desfilis Ester
Published: October 2022

The amygdala is a central node in functional networks regulating emotions, social behavior, and social cognition. It develops in the telencephalon and includes pallial and subpallial parts, but these are extremely complex with multiple subdivisions, cell types, and connections. The homology of the amygdala in nonmammals is highly controversial, especially for the pallial part, and we are still far from understanding general principles on its organization that are common to different groups. Here, we review data on the adult functional architecture and developmental genoarchitecture of the amygdala in different amniotes (mammals and sauropsids), which are helping to disentangle and to better understand this complex structure. The use of an evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) approach has helped distinguish three major divisions in the amygdala, derived from the pallium, the subpallium, and from a newly identified division called telencephalon-opto-hypothalamic domain (TOH). This approach has also helped identify homologous cell populations with identical embryonic origins and molecular profiles in the amygdala of different amniotes. While subpallial cells produce different subtypes of GABAergic neurons, the pallium and TOH are major sources of glutamatergic cells. Available data point to a development-based molecular code that contributes to shape distinct functional subsystems in the amygdala, and comparative genoarchitecture is helping to delineate the cells involved in same subsystems in non-mammals. Thus, the evodevo approach can provide crucial information to understand common organizing principles of the amygdala cells and networks that control behavior, emotions, and cognition in amniotes.
Effect of Human Amniotic Epithelial Stem Cell Transplantation on Preterm Premature Rupture of Fetal Membrane Using the Amniotic Pore Culture Technique in vitro
Authors: Kang Dahyeon , Kang Min Jung , Kong Deqi , Lee Jae-eun , Lee Ah-young , Geum Dong Ho , Kim Byung Soo , Kim Yun Seop , Hong Soon-Cheol
Published: October 2022

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cell therapy using human amniotic epithelial stem cells (hAESCs) for the treatment of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) in vitro. Design: Using the amniotic pore culture technique (APCT), we mimicked the environment of PROM in vitro, thus enabling the observation of the healing process of hAESC-treated amniotic membranes. Materials: Amniotic membrane samples were collected from placentas of pregnant women who underwent elective cesarean sections. APCT model and isolated hAESCs were used in this study. All patients who participated in this study provided their written informed consent prior to the commencement of the study. Settings: To create the APCT model in vitro, isolated amniotic membranes were punched to create 5 mm diameter circles and re-punched to form a 1-mm pore at the center. Membranes were cultured in α-minimal essential medium, and the hAESCs were collected and cultured as well. Subsequently, the APCT models were divided into two groups: hAESC treated and control. Methods: Within the culture period, pore sizes were calculated to evaluate the degree of tissue regeneration in both groups. We then evaluated the histology, cell density, and epithelial thickness of the regenerated tissues. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software ver. 20.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) with repeated-measures one-way analysis of variance or paired samples t test. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: As per the evaluation of the APCT model in vitro, the pore size in the hAESC-treated group reduced by 62.2% on day 6 (62.2 ± 0.19, n = 24), whereas in the control group, it shrank by only 36.8% (p < 0.05) (36.8 ± 0.19, n = 24). Furthermore, the epithelial thickness in the amniotic epithelial stem cell-treated group (10.08 ± 1.26 μm, n = 8) was significantly higher than that in the control group (5.87 ± 0.94 μm, n = 8). Cell density in the regenerated tissue in the amniotic epithelial stem cell-treated group (57 ± 2.77, n = 8) was significantly higher than that in the control group (49 ± 2.23, n = 8). Limitations: In this study, we did not explore the molecular mechanisms by which hAESCs participate in membrane healing in the APCT model. Although our results showed a significant difference, this difference was not too obvious. Therefore, further research on the mechanisms of hAESCs is needed, with more amniotic tissues and APCT samples being tested. Conclusions: We developed an APCT model to investigate the PROM conditions in vitro. By implanting donor hAESCs in the pores of the APCT model, we observed that hAESCs seeding accelerated pore healing in vitro. Thus, hAESCs may be a valuable source of cells for cell therapies in regenerative medicine.
Comparison between the isokinetics parameters of shoulder joint and independence functional level in manual wheelchair users
Authors: Flores Roberta Cardozo , Pereira Alessandro José , Silva Francine Casagrande Costa e , Crozara Luciano Fernandes , Payão Spencer Luiz Marques
Published: October 2022

Shoulder pain is a common complaint in the wheelchair user’s population. This condition brings loss of independence and quality of life. Objective: The aim of this paper is to correlate shoulder joint isokinetic parameters and independence level of manual wheelchair users with or without pain. We hypothesize that   users more independent are exposed to overuse injury of shoulder joints. Method:  This is an explorative cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. Community patients attended at a Rehabilitation Center. Manual wheelchair users. Twenty-four patients participated, we used the Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) to investigate the independent level of wheeled patients and isokinetic parameters of internal/external rotators and flexion/extension muscles of shoulder joint was collected using Biodex System 4 Pro. Statistical analyses were made by Fisher Test, Spiro-Wilk Test, Pearson Correlation test, Spearman test and the Coefficient of correlation’s value was squared to estimate the percentage of variation in dependent variable, explained by independent variable. Results: Total FIM variation was between 79 and 117 and median ipsilateral strength ratio of rotator muscles were 0.94 on 75°/s and 0.95 on 150°/s for the right limb and respectively 0.96 and 0.93 for the left limb. Conclusion: Wheelchair users present internal/external rotators shoulder muscles imbalance and the covariations samples of time of injury and peak torque ratio external/internal shoulder rotators have a significant predictive value on total MIF. These results suggest that there is correlation between the studied patients and shoulder impairment.
Synthesis and Characterization of Nano Hydrogelators Containing Acetylene Group and Their Antibacterial Properties
Authors: Nahhas Alaa F. , Webster Thomas J.
Published: October 2022

In this study, hydrogelators of the L- and D-form of NapFF containing acetylene groups at the C-terminus peptides (labeled peptides 1 and 2, respectively) were synthesized and tested for their self-assembly behavior and biological activity, specifically antibacterial and mammalian cell
cytotoxicity. These peptides were also tested for their biological properties. Peptides were formulated using solid-phase peptide synthesis and characterized with liquid chromatographymass spectrometry, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, transmission electron microscopy, antibacterial assays
with E. coli, and mammalian toxicity assays using HeLa and T98 cells that were obtained from ATCC. The metabolism of peptides 1 and 2 was also determined using the SMARTCyp Cytochrome P450 Metabolism Prediction Server. Carbon potion numbers 39, 37, and 26 were found to be the most possible
metabolic sites for oxidation predicted using SMARTCyp. Results confirmed the synthesis of the expected chemistry and nanometer self-assembly of peptides 1 and 2 resembling that of a natural extracellular matrix. Moreover, in vitro results showed significant antibacterial activity of
peptides 1 and 2 against E. coli without inducing significant mammalian cell toxicity. In this manner, results from this study highlight the promise of these peptides for a wide range of medical applications which should be further studied.
Differences in Near-Storm Parameters Useful for Forecasting Intensity of Nocturnal and Diurnal Bow Echo Winds
Authors: Gallus William A. , Duhachek Anna C.
Published: October 2022

Because bow echoes are often associated with damaging wind, accurate prediction of their severity is important. Recent work by Mauri and Gallus showed that despite increased challenges in forecasting nocturnal bows due to an incomplete understanding of how elevated convection interacts with the nocturnal stable boundary layer, several near-storm environmental parameters worked well to distinguish between bow echoes not producing severe winds (NS), those only producing low-intensity severe winds [LS; 50–55 kt (1 kt ≈ 0.51 m s−1)], and those associated with high-intensity (HS; >70 kt) severe winds. The present study performs a similar comparison for daytime warm-season bow echoes examining the same 43 SPC mesoanalysis parameters for 158 events occurring from 2010 to 2018. Although low-level shear and the meridional component of the wind discriminate well for nocturnal bow severity, they do not significantly differ in daytime bows. CAPE parameters discriminate well between daytime NS events and severe ones, but not between LS and HS, differing from nocturnal events where they discriminate between HS and the other types. The 500–850-hPa layer lapse rate works better to differentiate daytime bow severity, whereas the 500–700-hPa layer works better at night. Composite parameters work well to differentiate between all three severity types for daytime bow echoes, just as they do for nighttime ones, with the derecho composite parameter performing especially well. Heidke skill scores indicate that both individual and pairs of parameters generally are not as skillful at predicting daytime bow echo wind severity as they are at predicting nocturnal bow wind severity.
Traditional Vs Church Wedding in Nigeria: A Call for a Resolution
Authors: Nweke Kizito Chinedu
Published: October 2022

Africa continues its struggles for identity, for a dignifying peculiarity. The struggles are evident in the political protests, social revolutions, economic tensions, and even cultural transformations across the continent. In the religious parlance, this struggle is tense and controversial. Since the re-emergence of interests and promotion for indigenous spiritualities, Christianity, for one, is being confronted over its place in Africa, over its relevance and contribution to the present state of Africa. A quintessence of this struggle is on the issue of weddings and marriage.

There is the traditionalist viewpoint that considers it an ignominy that weddings in Africa have to be done in a church and blessed by a priest for it to be valid and licit. They argue that a church wedding, cynically described as a ‘white wedding’, is another invasion of the Western culture, instrumentalized by the church to the detriment of African identity. If the parents, elders, and communities of the couples have performed the traditional rites of marriage, it should be as valuable as or even more valuable than the church wedding. They want church weddings devalued and rejected. It is either a traditional or church wedding.

This thought-line seems acceptable to an increasing number of young people. It appeals to their sense of identity as Africans. Also, it reveals the growing disinterest in Western-orientated Christianity. The church has, on her part, not been effective in communicating her standpoint and in structurally implementing it towards resolving the tension.

This article tries to articulate and expose some aspects of this problem. It proffered solutions, urging the church to implement some principles of complementarity, and calling the Catholic Bishops for a resolution on a new rite of marriage.

This research is situated mainly within the Igbo region and the Catholic Church in Nigeria.
Evaluation of a peer support intervention to improve the breakfast habits of Japanese college students
Authors: Okabe Chiho , Sai Akira , Yamauchi Taro
Published: October 2022

Objectives:

This study investigated the impact of a peer support intervention on the breakfast habits of university students in Japan. Both breakfast frequency and breakfast composition were assessed.

Design:

The study adopted a combination of convergent and intervention designs and used a mixed-methods approach.

Setting:

College-based peer-support intervention taking place in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.

Method:

Questionnaires on demographic characteristics and breakfast habits were administered to participants ( n = 27) before the online workshop, immediately afterwards, and at 3 and 6 months after the peer support intervention, coupled with a 4-week breakfast status report. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with 17 participants to gain a more detailed understanding of the impact of the intervention.

Results:

Quantitative results showed that immediately after the intervention, breakfast intake frequency and breakfast composition improved significantly; however, post-intervention, there was a difference in persistence between frequency and composition. In the qualitative element of the study, ‘peer stimulation’ and ‘coercion’ were identified as drivers of the changes identified. In addition, ‘changes in awareness and behaviour’ and ‘realisation of the need for breakfast’ were noted by participants.

Conclusion:

Peer support interventions can improve the breakfast habits of university students. A follow-up intervention within 6 months for breakfast frequency and within 3 months for breakfast composition following the intervention may help sustain the observed beneficial effects.
Quantitative analysis of monofilament architecture in three-dimensional mesh fabric using micro X-ray computed tomography
Authors: Liu Xia , Zheng Fei , Liu Yanping
Published: October 2022

Three-dimensional mesh fabric has been successfully installed in ventilated car seats due to its excellent cushioning and ventilating properties originating from a sandwich monofilament architecture. In this paper, a detailed structural analysis is presented of a 10.3 mm thick three-dimensional mesh fabric to better understand the structural features and mechanical behavior. A continuous monofilament architecture was reconstructed by using a filament centerline tracing technique and micro X-ray computed tomography data. The curvature, torsion, and length of a unit cell extracted from the monofilament architecture were calculated. Inflection points from the curvature and torsion curves were used to divide the continuous monofilament architecture into separate monofilament loops and spacer monofilaments. The monofilament loops are found to have similar maximum curvatures at their intermediate points between 1.5 and 1.8 mm−1, but the spacer monofilaments have discrepant maximum curvatures close to the ends between 0.3 and 0.75 mm−1. The monofilament loops are sinusoidally arranged with a sinusoidal torsion distribution at their ends ranging from 0.2 and 0.9 mm−1 due to the stretching and heat setting process. Spacer monofilament torsions vary nonlinearly from negative to positive and the maximum torsions are between 0.45 and 0.9 mm−1. The monofilament loops have a length of 3.07–3.90 mm, while the spacer monofilaments have a length of 10.94–12.54 mm. Spacer monofilaments within the unit cell differ in curvature, torsion, and length, so their contributions to fabric compression resistance should be different.
Leather-like composite materials prepared from natural rubber and two leather wastes: Wet blue leather and finished leather
Authors: Raksaksri Laksamon , Phunpeng Veena
Published: October 2022

In this study, leather-like composites were prepared from natural rubber (NR) and two different types of leather waste, namely wet blue leather (WBL) and finished leather (FL). Compounding was carried out on an internal mixer and two-roll mill, and curing was further conducted on a compression molding machine. The effects of leather type and content from 20 to 80 parts per hundred of rubber (phr) on cure characteristics, mechanical properties (hardness and tensile properties) and thermal stability of the as-prepared composites were investigated and compared with those of the unfilled NR compound. The curing rate and crosslink density of all composites were found to be lower than those of the unfilled NR. All WBL-filled NR composites exhibited higher tensile strength than the unfilled NR, while all FL-filled NR composites had lower values. Meanwhile, the hardness and modulus at 200% strain of all composites were increased with increasing leather waste contents compared to those of the unfilled NR. The composites containing low WBL loadings (20 and 40 phr) demonstrated higher elongation at break over the unfilled NR, while the other composites exhibited lower values. Besides, the thermal stability of all NR composites was deteriorated, but still largely retained.
Solitude and affect during emerging adulthood: When, and for whom, spending time alone is related to positive and negative affect during social interactions
Authors: White Hope I. , Bowker Julie C. , Adams Ryan E. , Coplan Robert J.
Published: October 2022

The present study examines within- and between-person associations between emerging adults’ daily time spent alone and their positive/negative affect during social interactions. We also consider whether motivations for seeking solitude (shyness, unsociability, avoidance) moderate these associations. Participants were 411 emerging adults (ages 18–26 years; 51% female; 52% ethnic minority) who reported on their motivations for solitude and completed daily reports of their time spent alone and positive/negative affect experienced during social interactions for 7 consecutive days. Among the results, multi-level modeling indicated that on days when emerging adults spent more time alone than usual, they experienced increased levels of high and low arousal positive affect when they interacted with others. Interactions between shy and avoidant motivations and change in time spent alone also emerged, with follow-up analyses indicating that for highly and moderately shy and avoidant emerging adults, days with more time spent alone than usual were associated with greater reports of anxious affect during social interactions. Findings suggest that although many emerging adults may find social interactions more enjoyable on days with increased time alone, those who actively seek solitude as an escape from perceived stressful or unpleasant social circumstances may not.
Effect of perioperative pelvic floor muscle training program on incontinence and quality of life after radical prostatectomy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gezginci Elif , Goktas Sonay , Ata Aysenur
Published: October 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a perioperative pelvic floor muscle training program on urinary incontinence symptoms and the quality of life of patients after radical prostatectomy.

Methods

This single-center, parallel-group, randomized, controlled study was conducted with a total of 60 patients undergoing open radical prostatectomy in a training and research hospital in Turkey. Patients were randomly assigned to the pelvic floor muscle training group ( n = 30) and the control group ( n = 30). The data were collected by face-to-face and phone interviews following surgery at seven days after removal of the urethral catheter (baseline) and 3 months using the Patient Information Form, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire for Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Independent-samples t-test, and paired-samples test were used to analyze the data. Primary and secondary endpoints were the differences between groups in terms of both scale scores after 3 months.

Findings

After 3 months, Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form scores ( P < 0.001) and “voiding, incontinence, frequency, nocturia” symptoms scores ( P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the pelvic floor muscle training group, and quality of life scores were higher than in the control group ( P < 0.001).

Conclusion

According to this study, the perioperative pelvic floor muscle training program was effective on patients’ urinary incontinence symptoms and quality of life 3 months after radical prostatectomy. Evidence-based practices should be used for patients to alleviate common urinary symptoms and to accelerate the recovery of urinary continence.
Compatible Swarm Intelligence Model and Construction Method to Satisfy Bridge Design and Load Rating Requirements and Considering Geotechnical Variability
Authors: Harden Chad William , Lozano Andres
Published: October 2022

This paper details the novel combination of a population-based swarm intelligence algorithm, structure mechanics, geotechnical variability, and a specific construction staging methodology, to propose an autonomous construction system which can erect a bridge over arbitrary crossing geometry while satisfying project constraints and conventional design code requirements (the Proposal). The fields of metaheuristic applications in structures (MAS), unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and additive manufacturing are all independent innovations in the transportation industry. The Proposal brings these fields together, with a vision that independent drone robots with very basic programming could construct a bridge with no user interruption and without performing a conventional structural design. A simulation as proof-of-concept is compared with a modern bridge design; the result is a modest increase in materials with an anticipated dramatic saving in labor. The paper also studies the effects of geotechnical variability for insight into preparation for possible future construction methodologies and algorithms. The Proposal has promise where socio-economic issues may be a factor, such as construction of infrastructure in remote locations or developing nations, and emergency repair or replacement of bridges. With recent U.S. policy supporting a permanent lunar presence and expanding Moon to Mars exploration through the Artemis program, the Proposal may also assist infrastructure development in advance of human missions.