bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconstructing the erosional and tectonic record of Laramide contraction to Rio Grande rift extension, southern Indio Mountains, western Texas, USA
Authors: Conley Aaron , Ramirez Samantha E. , Ricketts Jason W. , Langford Richard P. , Pavlis Terry L. , Heizler Matthew T.
Published: April 2023

Rocks exposed in the southern Indio Mountains provide an important geologic record of the transition from Laramide contraction to Rio Grande rift extension. These rocks include (1) a package of folded and faulted Mesozoic rocks deformed during Laramide compression, (2) Eocene volcanic and sedimentary rocks that are tilted (but not folded) and fill a paleovalley, and (3) Miocene conglomerate deposited within a Rio Grande rift halfgraben. We present a combination of geologic mapping, sedimentological and structural analysis, and geothermochronology to document the timing and nature of this transition in western Texas as an important comparison with the more thoroughly studied tectonic and erosional history of New Mexico and Colorado. Detailed geologic mapping and cross-section reconstruction reveal a highly irregular angular unconformity overlying Mesozoic rocks and that post-Laramide topography funneled local Eocene deposition through an EW-trending paleovalley. New and existing 40Ar/39Ar geochronology constrains the timing of paleovalley deposition to 38.1–36.6 Ma. The presence of megabreccia units, coupled with paleoflow analysis, argue that major Laramide topographic relief in western Texas persisted into the Middle Eocene and that detritus was shed toward the Tornillo basin to the east. These data, when viewed within the context of regional tectonic patterns, suggest that Laramide deformation in western Texas had ceased by 38.1 Ma, although they do not preclude translation along an underlying buried thrust. Eocene paleovalley cutting and filling are reminiscent of widespread Eocene erosion and fluvial deposition that occurred in Colorado and northern New Mexico and suggest that this event may have been more widespread than previously thought, extending into Chihuahua and western Texas.

Subsequent Rio Grande rift extension occurred primarily along several NW-striking normal faults that dissected the older structures and the paleovalley and led to deposition of conglomerate within a half-graben. Apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronology applied to normal fault footwall rocks indicates exhumational cooling was occurring by 27 Ma, and detrital sanidine 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of basin fill indicates a maximum depositional age of 11.9 Ma. Clast count data from the conglomerate show a prominent unroofing trend, wherein clasts include locally derived Mesozoic units and Eocene volcanic rocks.
Non-syndromic generalised hypotaurodontism in a case of Stage III Grade C periodontitis
Authors: Sethuraman Priya , Baliah John , Reddy Jagat R C , Umar Mohamed
Published: April 2023

Taurodontism is a rare dental morphological anomaly characterised by an unusual increase in the vertical height of the pulpal chamber along with an apical displacement of the pulpal floor. The tooth lack constriction at the cementoenamel junction is mimicking a bull tooth. Taurodontism is usually observed as an isolated tooth aberration. However, it can also be associated with specific syndromes such as Down’s syndrome, amelogenesis imperfecta, Klinefelter syndrome, Tricho-Dento-Osseous syndrome, Mohr syndrome, Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome, Ellis van Creveld syndrome and Lowe syndrome. Periodontitis is characterised by microbially associated, host‐mediated inflammation that results in loss of periodontal attachment. This case report describes a rare case of non-syndromic generalised taurodontism in a male patient with Stage III Grade C periodontitis. The patient was promptly given periodontal care by root planing and Kirkland flap surgery.
Altered cytokeratin 5 expression in breast lobular myoepithelial cells
Authors: Li Anqi , Ruan Miao , Fei Xiaochun , Xu Haimin , Deng Shijie , Bi Rui , Yang Wentao , Dong Lei
Published: April 2023

Aims

Cytokeratin 5 (CK5) is a surrogate maker of progenitor cells and early glandular and myoepithelial cells (MECs) in the breast, and CK5 expression in breast MECs varies from ducts to lobules, and from normal to diseased tissue. However, the mechanisms underlying immunophenotypic alterations of CK5 expression in MECs remain unclear.

Methods

CK5 expression in MECs of 20 normal breast samples, 58 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS; including 21 DCIS with extensive lobular involvement), 11 atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), 18 non-invasive lobular neoplasia consisting of 11 atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) and 7 lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), 20 cystic lobules and 10 usual ductal hyperplasia (UDH) involving lobules were observed to evaluate the effects of contact with benign hyperplastic or cancerous luminal cells and pressure of dilated glands on CK5 expression.

Results

CK5 expression in normal ductal MECs was exclusively positive, whereas most normal lobular MECs were negative. In DCIS, cancerous ducts were primarily surrounded by CK5-positive MECs (91.0%), as were lobular acini involved by DCIS (89.2%), while the remaining normal acini maintained CK5-negative. CK5-positive MECs were found in 57.5% of acini in ALH and were more prevalent in LCIS (70.7%). CK5 expression was occasionally positive in both cystic lobules (16.7%) and lobules involved by UDH (14.3%), while an increase of CK5-positive MECs was found in ADH (38.2%).

Conclusions

These results suggest that CK5 expression in lobular MECs may be altered by contact with cancerous luminal cells rather than benign hyperplastic luminal cells or pressure from dilated glands.
Use of cytokine-induced killer cell therapy in patients with colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Celine Man Ying , Tomita Yoko , Dhakal Bimala , Li Runhao , Li Jun , Drew Paul , Price Timothy , Smith Eric , Maddern Guy J , Fenix Kevin Aaron
Published: April 2023

Background

The number of clinical studies evaluating the benefit of cytokine-induced killer cell (CIK) therapy, an adoptive immunotherapy, for colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing. In many of these trials, CIK therapy was coadministered with conventional cancer therapy. The aim of this review is to systematically assess the available literature, in which the majority were only in Chinese, on CIK therapy for the management of CRC using meta-analysis and to identify parameters associated with successful CIK therapy implementation.

Methods

Prospective and retrospective clinical studies which compared CIK therapy to non-CIK therapy in patients with CRC were searched for electronically on MEDLINE, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data databases. The clinical endpoints of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), OS and PFS rates, overall response rate (ORR), and toxicity were meta-analyzed using HR and relative ratio (RR), and subgroup analyses were performed using chi-square (χ2) test and I-squared (I2) statistics for study design, disease stage, cotherapy type, and timing of administration.

Results

In total, 70 studies involving 6743 patients were analyzed. CIK therapy was favored over non-CIK therapy for OS (HR=0.59, 95% CI: 0.53 to 0.65), PFS (HR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.63), and ORR (RR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.57 to 0.74) without increasing toxicity (HR=0.59, 95% CI: 0.16 to 2.25). Subgroup analyses on OS and PFS by study design (randomized vs non-randomized study design), disease stage (Stage I–III vs Stage IV), cotreatment with dendritic cells (DCs) (CIK vs DC-CIK therapy), or timing of therapy administration (concurrent vs sequential with coadministered anticancer therapy) also showed that the clinical benefit of CIK therapy was robust in any subgroup analysis. Furthermore, cotreatment with DCs did not improve clinical outcomes over CIK therapy alone.

Conclusion

Compared with standard therapy, patients who received additional CIK cell therapy had favorable outcomes without increased toxicity, warranting further investigation into CIK therapy for the treatment of CRC.
Application of cooling processes for the impact of variable thermal conductivity on the MHD flow of kerosene-based nanofluid
Authors: Pattnaik P. K. , Mohanty S. , Mohanty B. , Mishra S. R.
Published: April 2023

This paper studies the recent flow phenomena based upon the kerosene-based nanofluid through vertical parallel channel for the consideration of the variable thermal conductivity. The free convection of electrically conducting MHD fluid due to the interaction of inertial drag along with thermal radiation, heat source and the dissipative heat enriches the study as well. The structural behavior of the physical quantities is useful in recent applications like the cooling processes in refrigerators, semi-cryogenic rocket engine, etc. because of the practical application of the kerosene-based nanofluid. Also, the models associated with the thermophysical properties such as viscosity and thermal conductivity for the choice of volume concentration are favorable for the thermal enhancement. The designed model for the transport phenomena is transformed to its non-dimensional form for the suitable choice of similarity variables and the set of equations are handled by traditional numerical technique. Further, the involvement of the physical parameters and their physical significance is described briefly for the appropriate values within the specified range. Finally, the important outcomes of the study are that nanoparticle concentration has vital role in decelerating the fluid velocity and the fact is due to the heavier density and the inclusion of porous matrix is useful to retard the wall thickness at both the ends. Moreover, the increasing concentration favors in enhancing shear rate at the first wall whereas near the second wall, the impact is opposite.
Theoretical study of Sutterby nanofluid considering heat sink/source and activation energy
Authors: Irfan M. , Arshad Z. , Khan W. A. , Nadeem Aamir
Published: April 2023

Recently, the polymer methodologies, in addition to polymer melt, are actually the rheological occurrences containing the normal stresses, non-Newtonian viscous influence and fluctuating with respect to the time elastic properties. The Sutterby liquid that defines the governing model for extremely polymeric aqueous solutions is amongst the utmost essential non-Newtonian liquids. The scientists have established a massive obligation to re-establish exhausting Sutterby nanofluids for heat transfer with respect to the numerous uses of nanofluids. Here, in this paper, the thought of Sutterby nanofluid considering the aspects of activation energy has been elaborated. Additionally, the heat sink/source and magnetic properties have been studied. The suitable conversions have been utilized to attain the ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and solved via bvp4c algorithm. The study indicated that velocity field decays for magnetic factor; however, temperature field enhancing for Brownian and thermophoresis is a factor. Furthermore, activation energy and Lewis factors, respectively, have a reversed impact on the concentration field.
Pattern Selection in Multilayer Network with Adaptive Coupling
Authors: Feng Peihua , Wu Ying
Published: April 2023

Feed-forward effect strongly modulates collective behavior of a multiple-layer neuron network and usually facilitates synchronization as signals are propagated to deep layers. However, a full synchronization of neuron system corresponds to functional disorder. In this work, we focus on a network containing two layers as the simplest model for multiple layers to investigate pattern selection during interaction between two layers. We first confirm that the chimera state emerges in layer 1 and it also induces chimera in layer 2 when the feed-forward effect is strong enough. A cluster is discovered as a transient state which separates full synchronization and chimera state and occupy a narrow region. Second, both feed-forward and back-forward effects are considered and we discover chimera states in both layers 1 and 2 under the same parameter for a large range of parameters selection. Finally, we introduce adaptive dynamics into inter-layer rather than intra-layer couplings. Under this circumstance, chimera state can still be induced and coupling matrix will be self-organized under suitable phase parameter to guarantee chimera formation. Indeed, chimera, cluster and synchronization can propagate from one layer to another in a regular multiple network for a corresponding parameter selection. More importantly, adaptive coupling is proved to control pattern selection of neuron firing in a network and this plays a key role in encoding scheme.
Stability of Periodic Orbits and Bifurcation Analysis of Ship Roll Oscillations in Regular Sea Waves
Authors: Kumar Ranjan , Mitra Ranjan Kumar
Published: April 2023

Response, stability, and bifurcation of roll oscillations of a biased ship under regular sea waves are investigated. The primary and subharmonic response branches are traced in the frequency domain employing the Incremental Harmonic Balance (IHB) method with a pseudo-arc-length continuation approach. The stability of periodic responses and bifurcation points are determined by monitoring the eigenvalues of the Floquet transition matrix. The primary and higher-order subharmonic responses experience a cascade of period-doubling bifurcations, eventually culminating in chaotic responses detected by numerical integration (NI) of the equation of motion. Bifurcation diagrams are obtained through the period-doubling route to chaos. Solutions are aided with phase portrait, Poincaré map, time history and Fourier spectrum for better clarity as and when required. Finally, the same ship model is investigated under variable excitation moments that may result from different wave heights in regular seas. The biased ship roll model exhibits primary and subharmonic responses, jump phenomena, coexistence of multiple responses, and chaotically modulated motion. The stable, periodic, and steady-state roll responses obtained by the IHB method are validated by the NI method. Results obtained by both methods are found to agree very well.
A Fast Hyperchaotic Image Encryption Scheme
Authors: Ma Xiaojuan , Wang Chunhua , Qiu Wenlu , Yu Fei
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we propose a fast hyperchaotic image encryption scheme based on RSVM and step-by-step scrambling-diffusion. In this scheme, we firstly propose a new algorithm named ring shrinkage with variable modulo (RSVM), which can randomly scramble the elements in a one-dimensional array, which are composed of the row numbers or column numbers of the pixel matrix to be encrypted. Before encryption, we use RSVM algorithm to generate two random one-dimensional arrays of pixel matrix (i.e. row array [Formula: see text] and column array [Formula: see text]), and each element in the [Formula: see text] represents the row/column number in the pixel matrix. Then the rows/columns of the pixel matrix are scrambled-diffused step-by-step according to the row/column numbers in the [Formula: see text]. The initial control parameters of RSVM algorithm are controlled by SHA-256 of plaintext pixels, and RSVM algorithm controls the step-by-step scrambling-diffusion process of pixel matrix, rows and columns, so the small changes of plaintext pixels will lead to great differences in ciphertext images. In addition, the overall time complexity of the image encryption scheme is only [Formula: see text], which can greatly reduce the time cost. Finally, the experimental results and extensive security analysis prove the efficiency and feasibility of this image encryption method.
Unsupervised classification applications in enhancing lithological mapping and geological understanding: a case study from Northern Ireland
Authors: Smillie Z. , Demyanov V. , McKinley J. , Cooper M.
Published: April 2023

Pattern classification algorithms can help us to recognize and predict patterns in large and complex multivariate datasets. Self-organizing maps (SOMs), which use competitive learning, are unsupervised classification tools that are considered to be very useful in pattern classification and recognition. This technique is based on the principles of vector quantification of similarities and clustering in a high-dimensional space and the method can handle the analysis and visualization of high-dimensional data. This tool is ideal for analysing a complex combination of categorical and continuous spatial variables, with particular applications to geological features. We used SOMs to predict geological features based on airborne geophysical data acquired through the Tellus Project in Northern Ireland. The SOMs were applied through 20 experiments (iterations), incorporating radiometric data in combination with geological features, including elevation, slope angle, terrain ruggedness and geochronology. The SOMs were able to differentiate contrasting bedrock geology, such as acidic v. mafic igneous rocks, although data clustering over intermediate rocks was less clear. The presence of a thick cover of glacial deposits in most of the study area presented a challenge for data clustering, particularly over the intermediate igneous and sedimentary bedrock types.

Supplementary material:
Twenty iterations were carried out during this research. Only six are included in the article. The rest of the iterations are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6603098
Structural styles of the Tierra del Fuego fold–thrust belt foothills, Argentina
Authors: Fuentes Facundo
Published: April 2023

Regional structural cross-sections based on seismic, borehole and surface data portray the foothills geometry of the Tierra del Fuego fold–thrust belt. Andean contraction was accommodated by two main deformation mechanisms: (1) a lower duplex thrust system that involves mainly Cretaceous deposits, with floor and roof thrusts at the base of the Cretaceous and close to the base of the Cenozoic, respectively; and (2) a series of detachment and faulted detachment anticlines in the Cenozoic, detached in mudstones above the roof thrust of the underlying duplex thrust system. Less common structures include fault-bend and fault-propagation folds. Basement fault reactivation is only locally important, with most Jurassic graben and half-graben preserved without inversion. Shortening along the foothills is modest, with values ranging from ∼8 to 4.6 km. This region of the fold–thrust belt has hydrocarbon exploration interest, but is still largely underexplored. Several large anticlines preserving Cenozoic clastic rocks have not yet been tested. The key risk for these structures is the charge because the thick mudstone package forming their detachment isolates potential Cenozoic reservoirs from the Lower Cretaceous source rocks. Duplex thrust systems at depth may constitute a potential exploration play if the brittle intervals are naturally fractured.
Stratigraphic and geographic distribution of dinosaur tracks in the UK
Authors: Edgar Kirsty M. , Haller Lewis , Cashmore Daniel D. , Dunne Emma M. , Butler Richard J.
Published: April 2023

Dinosaur tracks are a key means of determining the palaeoecology and distribution of dinosaurs through time. They provide an information source that is highly complementary to the body (skeletal) fossil record, but differ in preserving direct evidence of the animals’ interactions with their environment. The UK has a rich history of
c.
200 years of dinosaur track discovery, but no recent synthesis exists. Here, we present a new dataset of dinosaur tracks in the UK. This dataset shows a close correlation between the distribution of terrestrial sediments and the preservation of dinosaur tracks through the Mesozoic, providing discrete snapshots into dinosaur communities in the Late Triassic, Mid-Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. The dinosaur track record shows similar broad patterns of diversity and relative abundance of the major dinosaur groups (Theropoda, Sauropodomorpha, Ornithopoda and Thyreophora) through time to the body fossil record, although it differs in that body fossils are also found (albeit infrequently) in marine sediments. There is a broad trend towards higher numbers of track occurrences through time and a notable increase in the relative abundance of ornithopod tracks following the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary. The track record remains an underutilized resource with the potential to provide a much fuller view of Mesozoic dinosaur ecosystems.

Supplementary material:
Our new UK dinosaur track database, the PBDB body fossil record and the relative abundance of non-marine/marine rocks in England and Wales used in this study are provided in Supplementary Tables 1–3, respectively, the R-code used to analyse the data and generate
Figures 2
and
3
and Supplementary Figures 1–4 is given in Supplementary Information 1 and 2, and are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6606634
Biostratigraphy v. geophysics; correlation of Middle Turonian chalks in the Anglo-Paris Basin
Authors: Gale Andy
Published: April 2023

High-resolution correlations between boreholes are commonly based on a combination of geophysical well-log data and biostratigraphy, and when these conflict resolution can be contentious and difficult. Such a situation exists in the Middle Turonian chalks of the Anglo-Paris Basin, where electrical resistivity logs, registering thin but seemingly laterally continuous beds of clay-rich chalk (marls) in mostly uncored boreholes, provide apparently straightforward correlations across broad regions. In contrast, detailed biostratigraphical analysis using microcrinoids provides very different results, showing the presence of a major hiatus associated with a hardground and differing significantly from the geophysical correlations. Detailed re-examination of this contentious problem, utilizing exposures adjacent to boreholes, demonstrates the supremacy of detailed biostratigraphical analysis, independently supported by regional thickness patterns, cyclostratigraphy and geochemistry. Although closely spaced geophysical well logs can afford convincing correlations, their use in correlation over broader geographical regions leads to erroneous and misleading conclusions.
Derrick: A Three-layer Balancer for Self-managed Continuous Scalability
Authors: Jackowski Andrzej , Gryz Leszek , Wełnicki Michał , Dubnicki Cezary , Iwanicki Konrad
Published: April 2023

Data arrangement determines the capacity, resilience, and performance of a distributed storage system. A scalable self-managed system must place its data efficiently not only during stable operation but also after an expansion, planned downscaling, or device failures. In this article, we present Derrick, a data balancing algorithm addressing these needs, which has been developed for HYDRAstor, a highly scalable commercial storage system. Derrick makes its decisions quickly in case of failures but takes additional time to find a nearly optimal data arrangement and a plan for reaching it when the device population changes. Compared to balancing algorithms in two other state-of-the-art systems, Derrick provides better capacity utilization, reduced data movement, and improved performance. Moreover, it can be easily adapted to meet custom placement requirements.
Identity Feature Disentanglement for Visible-Infrared Person Re-Identification
Authors: Chen Xiumei , Zheng Xiangtao , Lu Xiaoqiang
Published: April 2023

Visible-infrared person re-identification (VI-ReID) task aims to retrieve persons from different spectrum cameras (i.e., visible and infrared images). The biggest challenge of VI-ReID is the huge cross-modal discrepancy caused by different imaging mechanisms. Many VI-ReID methods have been proposed by embedding different modal person images into a shared feature space to narrow the cross-modal discrepancy. However, these methods ignore the purification of identity features, which results in identity features containing different modal information and failing to align well. In this article, an identity feature disentanglement method is proposed to disentangle the identity features from identity-irrelevant information, such as pose and modality. Specifically, images of different modalities are first processed to extract shared features that reduce the cross-modal discrepancy preliminarily. Then the extracted feature of each image is disentangled into a latent identity variable and an identity-irrelevant variable. In order to enforce the latent identity variable to contain as much identity information as possible and as little identity-irrelevant information, an ID-discriminative loss and an ID-swapping reconstruction process are additionally designed. Extensive quantitative and qualitative experiments on two popular public VI-ReID datasets, RegDB and SYSU-MM01, demonstrate the efficacy and superiority of the proposed method.
The Structural Stability Limit of Layered Lithium Transition Metal Oxides Due to Oxygen Release at High State of Charge and Its Dependence on the Nickel Content
Authors: Oswald Stefan , Gasteiger Hubert A.
Published: April 2023

The composition of layered transition metal oxides (LiMO2, M = Ni, Co, Mn) as cathode active materials (CAMs) is currently trending towards higher nickel contents, which can provide more capacity and energy. The origin of this performance improvement is often ascribed to the lower potential of nickel-rich CAMs, suppressing detrimental electrochemical electrolyte oxidation. In this study, it is shown that the stability limit of LiMO2-based CAMs is not determined by the stability window of typical electrolytes in terms of potential but by the CAM composition, governing the structural stability at high degrees of delithiation. The latter is investigated for five CAMs with distinct composition (LCO, NCM111, NCM622, NCM851005, and LNO) as a function of upper cutoff potential and thus state of charge (SOC). Short-term cycling experiments with an increasing upper cutoff potential as well as extended cycling to selected SOCs reveal stability limits between 66 and 86 %SOC depending on the CAM composition. On-line electrochemical mass spectrometry (OEMS) does not only allow to exclude any impact of electrochemical electrolyte oxidation on the determined stability window of the CAMs but also illuminates the concurrence of capacity fade and lattice oxygen release, with the latter being the origin of the CAM degradation.
WS2-Pt Nanostructure-Based Composite for Hydrogen Gas Sensing with Ultra-Fast Response and Recovery Rates
Authors: Gottam Sandeep Reddy , Wang Li-Wen , Wu Tai-Yu , Liu Yi-Hung , Chu Sheng-Yuan
Published: April 2023

Hydrogen is regarded as a secondary energy carrier derived from hydrogen evolution reactions. To ensure safety when utilizing this hazardous gas, hydrogen gas sensors with rapid response and recovery times, high sensor sensitivity, and stability are essential. A high surface-to-volume ratio with complete adsorption and desorption of ions renders WS2 a promising candidate for hydrogen gas sensor applications. This study introduces a novel high-performance hydrogen gas sensor based on a metal sulfide-platinum (WS2-Pt) composite. The WS2-Pt composite was successfully synthesized using a solution-based process and spin-coating techniques. WS2-Pt nanostructures were densely distributed on a gallium nitride/sapphire substrate, and a hydrogen sensing device was fabricated. The metal sulfide/platinum composite demonstrated ultra-fast sensor response of approximately 3 s toward 500 ppm hydrogen with a satisfactory sensor sensitivity. The response rate was notably encouraging. This research represents the first attempt in the sensor domain to enhance the performance of hydrogen sensing devices using metal sulfide/Pt active layers.
Review—Process Research on Intrinsic Passivation Layer for Heterojunction Solar Cells
Authors: Shi Jiajian , Shi Cuihua , Ge Jia , Guan Zisheng
Published: April 2023

On top of a crystalline silicon wafer, heterojunction solar cells have a thin layer of amorphous silicon (a-Si) placed on it. The efficiency of heterojunction solar cells can be increased by decreasing the electron complex loss by adding an inherent passivation layer to a monocrystalline silicon (c-Si) substrate. In this study, we examine the development of the intrinsic passivation layer deposition technique on c-Si substrates over the previous ten years by several research teams. First, a description of the structure, benefits, and passivation of heterojunction solar cells is given. Following that, the impact of modifying process variables on the functionality of the passivation layer and cell efficiency is explored in terms of the passivation material, hydrogen dilution ratio, substrate temperature, and post-deposition annealing. Last but not least, the ideal process parameters are summed up and potential future research areas are predicted. One of the best ways to increase the conversion efficiency of heterojunction solar cells is through surface passivation technology, and future domestic and international research will focus heavily on the process technology of its intrinsic passivation layer.
“The Standard Procedure” for Investigation of Oral Neutrophils in Oral Diseases
Authors: Jensen Peter Østrup , Rikvold Pernille Dukanovic , Larsen Kristine Røn , Jørgensen Mette Rose , Kragelund Camilla
Published: April 2023

Aim. There is need of an objective “standard procedure” that is reliable and clinically applicable for estimating oral neutrophil content in relation to oral diseases. Methods. Forty-one patients with suspected oral candidosis (OC) and nine healthy controls with no oral mucosal disease were flushing with 10 ml mouth rinse (MR) (sterile phosphate-buffered saline) for 1 min. Aliquots were stored on different conditions to explore stability, storage, and fixation conditions for analysis by flow cytometry. Results. The optimal storage and fixation condition for MR was by fixation 1 : 1 in 10% formalin and stored at 5°C. This procedure yielded stable results up to 7 days after collection. The ability of the optimized method to relate oral neutrophils to inflammation was demonstrated by the significantly higher number of neutrophils in patients with primary OC (

p
=
0.0334

) compared to healthy controls. Conclusion. This method is rapid, reliable, and clinically applicable for establishing the content of oral neutrophils. We demonstrate increased density of oral neutrophils in the MR of patients with OC. The potential of the method is to be “the standard procedure” for investigation of the oral inflammation in patients with oral diseases as it is noninvasive and provides high stability, clinical relevance, and minimal handling.
IoT Networks-Aided Perception Vocal Music Singing Learning System and Piano Teaching with Edge Computing
Authors: Li Qian , Liu Heng , Zhao Xiaoming
Published: April 2023

The research on Internet of Things (IoT) network and edge computing has been a research hotspot in both industry and academia in recent years, especially for the ambient intelligence and massive communication. As a typical form of IoT network and edge computing, the intelligent perception vocal music singing learning system has attracted the attention of researchers in education and academia. Piano teaching is an important course for music majors in higher education. Strengthening piano teaching can cultivate outstanding piano talents for the country and promote the development of music art. This paper applies IoT perception technology to piano teaching, constructs an intelligent piano teaching system, and uses edge computing algorithms to accurately deploy sensors into the system by exploiting the ambient intelligence and massive communication. The system includes data acquisition, data perception, data monitoring, and other modules, making piano teaching more humanized and intelligent. Experiments show that the research in this paper provides important guidance for the application of IoT networks and edge computing, especially for the ambient intelligence and massive communication.
GDF-15 Is Associated with Poor Physical Function in Prefrail Older Adults with Diabetes
Authors: Merchant Reshma Aziz , Chan Yiong Huak , Duque Gustavo
Published: April 2023

Introduction. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) has been shown to be a metabolic and appetite regulator in diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity. We aimed to investigate (i) the association between GDF-15 and DM with and without poor physical function independent of inflammation and (ii) the prediction model for poor physical function in prefrail older adults. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 108-prefrail participants ≥60 years recruited for multidomain interventions. Data was collected for demographics, cognition, function, frailty, nutrition, handgrip strength (HGS), short physical performance battery (SPPB), and gait speed. Serum concentrations of GDF-15, IL-6, and TNF-α were measured. GDF-15 was classified into tertiles (T1, T2, and T3), and its association was studied with DM and physical function (DM poor physical function, DM no poor physical function, no DM poor physical function, and no DM no poor physical function). Results. Compared with T1, participants in T3 were significantly older, had a lower education level, had almost three times higher prevalence of DM, slower gait speed, longer chair-stand time, and lower SPPB scores. On multivariate analysis, the odds of having both DM and poor physical performance compared to having no DM and no poor physical performance were significantly higher in GDF-15 T3 vs. GDF-15 T1 (aOR 9.7, 95% CI 1.4-67.7;

p
=
0.021

), and the odds of having DM no poor physical function compared to having no DM and no poor physical performance were significantly higher in GDF-15 T2 (aOR 12.7, 95% CI 1.1-143.7;

p
=
0.040

) independent of BMI, IL-6, TNF-α, nutrition, physical function, education, age, and gender. Conclusion. The association of GDF-15 with DM-associated poor physical function is independent of inflammation in prefrail older adults. Its causal-association link needs to be determined in longitudinal studies.
Entomological Exploration of Sand Flies in Human Communities Affected by Cutaneous and Visceral Leishmaniasis in El Hajeb Province, Morocco
Authors: El-Mouhdi Karima , Fekhaoui Mohammed , Chahlaoui Abdelkader , Mehanned Smahane , Faraj Chafika , Boussaa Samia
Published: April 2023

Sand flies are the exclusive vectors of leishmaniasis. This group of parasitic diseases is a serious public health problem in Morocco. The aim of this study was to investigate the sand fly fauna, mainly the species composition, biodiversity, and seasonal activity of sand flies in El Hajeb in central Morocco. A total of six stations (Aït Naaman, Aït Rbaa, Aït Brahim, Ain Taoujdate, Sidi Mbarek, and Aït Oufella) were studied, five of which had recently recorded cases of leishmaniasis. Sand fly bimonthly captures were carried out using a sticky paper trap in different biotopes from March to December 2019. A total of 14590 adult sand flies were collected. The activity of the sand fly started in April and declined in November. The periods of high abundance were July, September, and November. Morphological identification of sand flies shows the presence of twelve species: Phlebotomus papatasi, P. longicuspis, P. perniciosus, P. sergenti, P. bergeroti, P. alexandri, P. dreyfussi, P. ariasi, Sergentomyia fallax, S. minuta, S. schwetzi, and S. antennata. The analysis showed that species belonging to the genus Phlebotomus were the most dominant (93.3%) and the risk periods were spread during the summer and autumn seasons. The present study provides for the first time information on the species of sand flies in El Hajeb. It, therefore, provides decision makers with an important tool to conduct vector control actions during peak periods in order to limit the transmission of leishmaniasis. A preprint was made available by the research square in the following link: “https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-1409330/v1/dfef7013-0327-4a54-897f-214924a2d950.pdf?c=1646838874.”
On an Extended Time-Varying Beverton–Holt Equation Subject to Harvesting Monitoring and Population Excess Penalty
Authors: De la Sen Manuel , Alonso-Quesada Santiago , Ibeas Asier , Garrido Aitor J.
Published: April 2023

This paper considers a more general eventually time-varying Beverton–Holt equation for species evolution which can include a harvesting action and a penalty for overpopulation numbers. The harvesting action may be positive (typically consisting of hunting or fishing) or negative which refers to repopulation within the environment. One considers also a penalty of quadratic type on the overpopulation and the introduction of a term related to Allee effect to take account of small levels of population. The intrinsic growth rate is assumed either to exceed unity or to be under unity. In the second case, the extinction point is a locally stable attractor while the other positive equilibrium point is unstable contrarily to the commonly studied case of intrinsic growth rate exceeding unity where the above roles are inverted. This consequence implies that the extinction point is also globally asymptotically stable for any given finite initial condition. In the case when the eventual overpopulation is penalized with a sufficiently large coefficient which exceeds a prescribed threshold, to quantify such an excess, only a globally asymptotically stable extinction attractor is present and no other positive equilibrium points exist. In the case of a positive moderate quadratic evaluation term for such an overpopulation, one or two positive equilibrium points coexist with the extinction one. The smaller one is unstable contrarily to the extinction equilibrium which is locally asymptotically stable. If it exists a second largest positive equilibrium point, being distinct to the above-given one, then it can be unstable or locally stable depending on the parameterization. Also, some methods of monitoring the population evolution through control laws on the harvesting action are discussed.
A Retrospective Observational Study on Disease Characteristics and Treatment Patterns of Giant Cell Tumor of the Bone in China
Authors: Xu Hairong , Li Yuan , Wang Tao , Liu Weifeng , Ma Ke , Yang Yongkun , Huang Zhen , Li Chuang , Niu Xiaohui
Published: April 2023

Aims. Giant cell tumor of the bone (GCTB) is associated with considerable morbidity. As GCTB epidemiological data for China are limited, this study is aimed at describing the disease characteristics of GCTB in China and establishing the historical context for its treatment before recent advances in treatment options. Methods. The disease characteristics, treatment patterns, and local GCTB recurrence rate after primary surgery for GCTB were evaluated in this single-center, retrospective, noninterventional, observational study of patients treated for GCTB at Ji Shui Tan Hospital, Beijing, from 2009 to 2016 based on medical chart review. Patients with unmet need were defined as those whose surgical treatment was difficult or who had to undergo high-morbidity surgery. Results. Among the 668 patients with a primary GCTB diagnosis, 578 (86.5%) of target lesions were in the extremities, and 89 (13.3%) were in the pelvic or axial bone. Of these, 173 (25.9%) were characterized as having an unmet need. Almost all GCTB patients received surgical treatment at both primary diagnosis (666/668 (99.7%)) and last disease recurrence (196/200 (98.0%)). Additionally, about one-third of patients received nonsurgical treatment at primary diagnosis (205/668 (30.7%)) and disease recurrence (67/200 (33.5%)), with neoadjuvant therapy being the most common treatment. The rate of high-morbidity surgery increased for recurrent disease (65/200 (32.5%)) compared with primary diagnosis (111/668 (16.6%)). The 2-year cumulative incidence of postoperative disease recurrence was 29.2%, in line with rates observed in prior studies. Conclusion. As many patients with primary and recurrent disease received high-morbidity surgery, more effective treatments are needed.
Financial Audit Method Innovation of Qinghai Energy Enterprises Based on Panel Data Regression Model
Authors: Qu Yan , Ji Hongping , Cofell David
Published: April 2023

In the process of promoting the internal audit work, we can find the operation and management of the enterprise, which is affected by the internal audit work. Therefore, it can be seen that the internal audit plays an important role, and it is also a necessary link in the internal management of the enterprise. With the development of China’s current economic market and the corresponding transformation, energy enterprises are facing serious development problems in the process of operation and management. The existence of these problems is concentrated in the internal audit management, mainly because many internal auditors fail to clearly recognize the necessity of establishing a good internal audit during the development of energy enterprises, which will inevitably have a negative impact on the development of enterprises. In addition, internal audit has not been fully recognized and concerned by all leaders, so the emergence of these situations will lead to the difficulty of internal audit in playing its real role to a certain extent. Therefore, in this paper, the author will start from the energy enterprises, study the financial audit method innovation of energy enterprises in Qinghai Province based on the panel data regression model, discuss the problems faced by internal design in enterprise management, and focus on how to effectively solve this problem, hoping to provide more reference for energy enterprises to carry out financial audit in the future.
Design and Application Research of Embedded Voice Teaching System Based on Cloud Computing
Authors: Li Yueying , Wu Feng
Published: April 2023

Deep changes are occurring in the components and forms of education as a result of the ongoing integration and development of emerging technologies like cloud computing, mobile computing, and artificial intelligence with teaching and learning, and the digital transformation of education is consistently being pushed to new heights. Simultaneously, China’s higher education has concurrently reached the stage of popularization. The digitalization of higher education is related to the development quality and value proposition of higher education and determines whether it can adapt to the needs of quality diversification, lifelong learning, training personalization, and governance modernization in the popularization stage. As a result, the current and future phases of China’s higher education reform call for accelerating the pace of higher education’s digital transformation and guiding the high-quality growth of higher education with digital innovation. The application potential of intelligent learning systems in higher education is becoming more and more clear in this context. In view of this, this work draws from previous research and experiences to build and implement an embedded voice teaching system based on cloud computing and a deep learning model to meet the development needs of the current digital transformation of higher education. On the one hand, the new system can well compensate for the flaws and shortcomings of the current teaching means in universities and realize the accompanying ubiquitous learning by relying on the powerful storage and computing capacity of the cloud computing platform. On the other hand, this study designs a set of voice recognition methods integrating

HMM
+
LSTM

to enhance the embedded voice system’s recognition performance, ultimately allowing for the voice recognition feature to be implemented in the pedagogical system. When it comes to processing audio signals, the hybrid model makes use of both the HMM’s robust time processing capability and the deep neural network’s robust characterization capability and generalization performance. As a result, the voice recognition rate, anti-interference performance, and noise robustness can all be significantly improved. Finally, the embedded voice system is put through its paces in an experimental setting to gauge its performance and functionality. The results of the tests demonstrate that the created hybrid model has high recognition accuracy and good noise immunity, which will be utilized as a foundation for the design and development of the final system. Meanwhile, the new system’s functional modules have achieved the expected results with good stability and reliability. Trial results gathered through interviews and questionnaires demonstrate that the new system significantly enhances the intelligence and adaptability of college teaching methods and is conducive to promoting the improvement of college students’ cultural literacy and innovation ability.
Physical and Chemical Investigation of TiO2 Nanotubes Treated with Isopropyl Triisostearoyl Titanate (KR-TTS)
Authors: Sabri Ban Ali , Satgunam Meenaloshini , Manap A. , Gnanasagaran Constance L. , Ramachandran Karthikeyan
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of isopropyl triisostearoyl titanate (KR-TTS) as a titanate coupling agent (TCA) on surface modification of TiO2 nanotube (TNT) material. From the physical and chemical studies that have been performed on the modified TiO2 nanotube, scanning electron microscope micrographs, energy-dispersive X-ray and viscosity indicated that there was significant reduction in particle aggregation of the modified TiO2 Nanotube. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed that the functional group of the TCA reacted with the hydroxyl groups present on the surface of TiO2 nanotube resulting in an altered surface property from being hydrophilic to hydrophobic. X-ray diffraction indicated that crystalline structure did not change upon the modification with the coupling agent. Isopropyl triisostearoyl titanate (KR-TTS) is found to be superior in performance and has a significant effect on the dispersion and resolving of agglomeration. This paper presents the effect of surface modification with the TCA of isopropyl triisostearoyl titanate (KR-TTS) type on the TiO2 nanotube material.
CD8+ T Cell‐Mediated Therapeutic Antitumor Effect of an Herbal Mixture Containing Ganoderma lucidum
Authors: Takaku Shun , Shimizu Masumi , Morita Rimpei
Published: April 2023

Although Kampo—a traditional Japanese herbal medicine—contributes in the control of tumor growth in vivo in experimental animals, most of the antitumor effects are prophylactic and not therapeutic. In this study, we determined whether oral administration of an herbal mixture containing Ganoderma lucidum (WTMCGEP; Wisteria floribunda, Trapae fructus, Myristica fragrans, Coicis semen, Ganoderma lucidum, Elfvingia applanata, and Punica granatum), anecdotally used in Japan for the palliative care of patients with cancer, exhibits a therapeutic effect on tumor growth in vivo in a hypodermic murine CT26 colorectal tumor model. An in vitro tumor assay revealed that WTMCGEP extract has some direct influence over suppression of tumor growth. In wild‐type BALB/c mice, WTMCGEP did not show any antitumor effect in vivo. However, in BALB‐CD1d−/− mice with partly mitigated immunosuppression by reason of them being devoid of both antitumoral type I and immunosuppressive type II natural killer T (NKT) cells, WTMCGEP therapeutically suppressed tumor growth. CD8+ T cell depletion significantly accelerated tumor growth in WTMCGEP mice; therefore, its antitumor activity was primarily in a CD8+ T cell‐dependent manner. Regarding immunosuppressive cells in tumor‐bearing CD1d−/− mice, WTMCGEP did not influence the abundance of tumor‐infiltrating CD4+ and Forkhead box protein 3+ regulatory T cells. However, it reduced both intratumoral and splenic Ly6G+ Ly6Clo polymorphonuclear myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, which were most likely involved in tumor growth inhibition related to higher frequency of intratumoral CD107a+ CD8+ T cells in these mice. Overall, these data illustrate that the deficiency of NKT cells urges WTMCGEP to exert a therapeutic antitumor effect mainly through CD8+ T cells. Our efforts are the first to scientifically demonstrate the WTMCGEP’s contribution to tumor immunity.