bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Passty framework of Chambolle-Pock for Fast and High accuracy CT reconstruction
Authors: Kim Yongchae , Yu Jaesok
Published: January 2023

To realize low-dose CT, many iterative reconstruction methods have been proposed, but many iterations and high computational complexity are required for each scan. It is necessary to reduce the number of iterations while effectively suppressing artifacts and noise caused by reducing radiation dose for practical use. This study aims to accelerate the algorithm by improving the Chambolle-Pock (CP) algorithm, the latest first-order primal-dual. First, we introduce the Passty framework into the CP algorithm. The proposed CP becomes a row-action type algorithm, enabling the incorporation of ordered subsets to accelerate the algorithm further. Second, to step up with the latest trends, the regularization term (nonlocal TV) is designed with a combined model of the first and second-order derivatives to preserve smooth intensity changes. Third, we extend the proposed CP to the L1 and Huber data-fidelity terms for more practical application. Most CT reconstruction studies employ the L2 data-fidelity term because of its good convergence. Even if the L1 data-fidelity term has tremendous potential in noise immunity, it has a fatal drawback of poor convergence and is not adopted at present. In the proposed CP, the L1 and Huber data-fidelity terms have excellent image quality and convergence performance than the L2.
Data-driven predictions of complex mixture permeation in polymer membranes
Authors: Lee Young Joo , Chen Lihua , Nistane Janhavi , Jang Hye Youn , Weber Dylan , Scott Joseph , Rangenekar Neel , Marshall Bennett , Li Wenjun , Johnson JR , Bruno Nicholas , Finn M.G. , Ramprasad Rampi , Lively Ryan
Published: January 2023

Membrane-based organic solvent separations are rapidly emerging as a promising class of technologies for enhancing the energy efficiency of existing separation and purification systems. Polymeric membranes have shown promise in the fractionation or splitting of complex mixtures of organic molecules such as crude oil. Determining the separation performance of a polymer membrane when challenged with a complex mixture has thus far occurred in an ad hoc manner, and methods to predict the performance based on mixture composition and polymer chemistry are unavailable thus far. Here, we combine physics-informed machine learning algorithms and mass transport simulations to create an integrated predictive model for the separation of complex mixtures containing up to 400 components via any arbitrary linear polymer membrane. We experimentally demonstrate the effectiveness of the model by predicting the separation of two crude oils within 6-7 % of the measurements. Integration of ML predictors of key sorption and transport properties of molecules with transport simulators constitutes a radical departure from traditional approaches and will open new avenues for the rapid screening of polymer membranes prior to physical experimentation for the separation of complex liquid mixtures.
Identifying Protective Factors for Gender Diverse Adolescents’ Mental Health
Authors: Holt Melissa , Parodi Katharine , Elgar Frank , Vigna Abra , Moore LB , Koenig Brian
Published: January 2023

Few studies have disentangled differences in victimization exposures and mental health symptoms among gender diverse subgroups, nor considered the role of potential protective factors in ameliorating the impact of victimization on gender diverse youths’ mental health. To address this gap, we analyze data (N = 11,264) from a population-based survey of youth in participating school districts in a large Midwestern U.S. county. Relative to cisgender youth with gender conforming expression, transgender youth and cisgender youth with nonconforming gender expression are more likely to experience victimization and severe mental health concerns. Additionally, school-connectedness moderates the association between bias-based harassment and depression for cisgender youth with gender nonconforming expression, and family support/monitoring buffers the association of peer victimization with suicide attempts among transgender youth. Findings highlight the need to better understand factors which may confer protection among gender diverse adolescents, so that in turn appropriate supports across key contexts can be implemented.
IKKα inhibition re-sensitizes acquired adriamycin-resistant triple negative breast cancer cells to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis
Authors: Liao Jian , Qin Qing-hong , Lv Fa-you , Huang Zhen , Lian Bin , Wei Chang-yuan , Mo Qin-guo , Tan Qi-xing
Published: January 2023

IKKα has been shown to be responsible of multiple pro-tumorigenic functions and therapy resistance independent of canonical NF-κB, but its role in acquired chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer remains unclarified. In this study, we obtained pre-treatment biopsy and post-treatment mastectomy specimens from aretrospective cohort of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC) (n = 43). Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the expression of IKKα before and after NAC, and the relationship between IKKα and the pathologic response to NAC was examined. In addition, we developed a new ADR-resistant MDA-MB-231 cell line(MDA-MB-231/ADR) and analyzed these cells for changes in IKKα expression, the role and mechanisms of the increased IKKα in promoting drug resistance were determined in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated that the expression of IKKα in residual TNBC tissues after chemotherapy was significantly higher than that before chemotherapy, and was positively correlated with lower pathological reaction. IKKα expression was significantly higher in ADR-resistant TNBC cells than in ADR-sensitive cells, IKKα knockdown results in apoptotic cell death of chemoresistant cells upon drug treatment. Moreover, IKKα knockdown promotes chemotherapeutic drug-induced tumor cell death in an transplanted tumor mouse model. Functionally, we demonstrated that IKKα knockdown significantly upregulated the expression of cleaved caspase 3 and Bax and inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 upon ADR treatment. Our findings highlighted that IKKα exerts an important and previously unknown role in promoting chemoresistance in TNBC, combining IKKα inhibition with chemotherapy may be an effective strategy to improve treatment outcome in chemoresistant TNBC patients.
Peripheral blood white blood cells, monocytes, basophils, aspartate aminotransferase, and prothrombin time ratio after two cycles of treatment were independently associated with efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Hu Xingsheng , Hu Chunhong , Liu Xianling , Liu Chaoyuan , Zhong Ping , Xie Junpeng
Published: January 2023

Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (NCIO) is a new and effective treatment for cancer, but it is not clear for which patients it is suitable. In our previous study, we did not find any correlation between baseline peripheral blood routine tests and the efficacy of NCIO in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we aimed to investigate whether changes in these routine tests after treatment were associated with efficacy of NCIO in NSCLC. We retrospectively collected clinical data of patients with NSCLC who received NCIO followed by surgery from January 2019 to July 2022 at our institution.We included 95 patients with stage IIB-IIIC NSCLC. At week 6 after two cycles of NCIO, the absolute or changed values (or rates) in peripheral blood routine tests were associated with pathological complete response (pCR)/major pathological response (MPR). Changed rate of white blood cell (WBC) count [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 5.24, P = 0.003] and changed rate of monocyte count (adjusted OR = 4.67, P = 0.017), and absolute prothrombin time ratio at week 6 (adjusted OR = 8.27, P = 0.012) were independently associated with pCR. Changed value of WBC count (adjusted OR = 4.23, P = 0.048), absolute basophil count at week 6 (adjusted OR = 5.05, P = 0.023), changed rate of monocyte count (adjusted OR = 4.37, P = 0.034) and absolute aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level at week 6 (adjusted OR = 15.78, P < 0.001) were independently associated with MPR. Based on the five independent factors, we established easy-to-use clinical models to predict pCR and MPR with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.785 and 0.881, respectively. Of note, we found change' rate of monocyte count, absolute basophil count, AST and blood magnesium levels at week 6 may be promising biomarkers for NCIO in NSCLC. These peripheral blood routine tests at week 6 after NCIO were better predicted the efficacy of NCIO in NSCLC than at baseline. It is feasible to establish clinical predictive models through these parameters, and their predictive values were consistent with the pathological criteria of pCR and MPR.
COVID-19-Induced Workplace Health and Safety Interventions from Developing Nations: From the Big Event Perspective
Authors: Ansah Edward W. , Sarfo Jacob O. , Amoadu Mustapha , Appiah-Ankomah Emmanuel
Published: January 2023

Background: Big Events like the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in disruptions of socio-economic activities as well as work life. The disruption of social support systems and economic activities can be detrimental to human health and survival. In such situations, social structures such as workplaces need to be re-structured to effectively support individuals, communities as well protect and promote the wellbeing and safety of workers. The purpose of this study is to identify occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and measures institutions/businesses adopted to protect the health and safety and promote a safe working environment for workers during the pandemic.
Method: The interventions were identified from 21 organizations through direct phone and email conversations, search through organizations’ website publications and press releases.
Results: It was found that most of these organizations instituted policies on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and provided significant information about the biological hazards of the pandemic. The organizations also adopted work-from-home strategy for infested and exposed workers and to limit human contact at their workplaces. However, only a few organizations provided psychosocial support such as direct mental health support for COVID-19 victims and their families, reduction in workload, time-intensity and flexible working hours.
Conclusion: Maintaining a healthy business continuity during this pandemic and the future ones will help promote and protect the wellbeing and safety of employees and their families.
Preparation and characterization of dental pit and fissure sealant based on calcium sodium silicate bioactive glasses
Authors: Safwat Engie M. , Alkabani Yasmine M. , Zaki Dalia Y. , Elbatanony Mai M. , Abd-Elsatar A. G. , Saleh Reham S. , Khater G. A.
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to prepare a resin based dental sealant loaded with novel bioactive glass formulated from (50 wt% calcium silicate and 50 wt% sodium silicate) with different percentages of fluorapatite. Four glass batches were formulated then characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis, X-ray powder diffraction analysis and Transmission electron microscopy. Density, microhardness and bioactivity testing after insertion in artificial saliva were done. Four Bisphenol-A glycerolate dimethacrylate based sealant loaded with the glass batch that showed the preeminent properties and silica fillers were prepared. The prepared sealants were compared to commercial sealants regarding flow, curing depth, compressive strength and microhardness. Sealant composition that showed comparable properties to that of the commercial sealant was selected for pH changes, ion release testing after immersion in artificial saliva for different time intervals. Results indicated the structural stability, amorphous nature, and bioactive behavior with apatite forming ability of the tested glass batches. Experimental sealant revealed comparable tested properties with lower compressive strength compared to the commercial sealants at P < 0.001. The mean pH values of the tested sealants ranged from 6.75 to 6.35 with extended calcium and phosphorus ion release up to 90 days. It was concluded that the 85 wt% calcium silicate and sodium silicate with 15 wt% fluoroapatite had the best trend regarding ion release and appetite forming ability. Sealant loaded with 65 wt% bioactive glass, 10 wt% sintered nanosilica and 10 wt% nanosilica had the best acceptable mechanical properties. The novel pit and fissure sealant is a promising bioactive and ion releasing material.
The survival outcome and gender difference of elderly females with laryngeal cancer
Authors: Pan Yafeng , Hong Yuming , Qiu Enhui , Ruan Shenjiong
Published: January 2023

Background
To analyze the gender differences in epidemiology and survival of elderly females with laryngeal cancer, and possible clinical countermeasures to reduce the differences.
Methods
Patients aged ≥ 65 years with laryngeal cancer in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 2010–2018 were collected. The Kaplan-Meier method was performed to calculate overall survival (OS) and evaluate univariate factors affecting OS. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted on variables with P-value < 0.05. Propensity score matching was applied to reduce the effects of confounding factors. Gender differences were analyzed by the chi-squared test.
Results
The gender difference was significant in survival prognosis in the elderly population, with males having significantly better OS than females. The gender difference was mainly manifested in stage I. Gender, age at diagnosis, marital status, tumor site, and treatment modality were prognostic factors affecting the OS of stage I patients. Compared to male patients, females were diagnosed at an older age, with more singles, more supraglottic types, and more likely to undergo lymph node dissection (LND). The gender difference of OS in radiotherapy (RT) group was the most obvious, and the prognosis of organ preservation surgery (OPS) group was comparable to that of the OPS + RT group, but both better than that of the RT group.
Conclusion
The gender difference in survival was significant in elderly patients with stage I laryngeal cancer. To narrow gender differences: LND should be emphasized in females with supraglottic laryngeal cancer; OPS should be considered for females for a better prognosis and combination therapy was not advocated; Age at diagnosis ≥ 85 years and single females should receive more attention.
The SLAPTAG: A new molecular tag adapted for the development of a high-performance, low-cost, affinity chromatography system
Authors: Muruaga Emanuel Javier , Uriza Paula Jimena , Eckert Gonzalo Axel Klauss , Pepe Maria Victoria , Duarte Cecilia Magali , Roset Mara Sabrina , Briones Gabriel
Published: January 2023

The SLAPTAG is a novel molecular TAG derived from a protein domain present in the sequence of Lactobacillus acidophilus SlpA (SlpA284–444). Proteins from different biological sources, with different molecular weights or biochemical functions, can be fused in frame to the SLAPTAG and efficiently purified by the specific binding to a bacterial-derived chromatographic matrix named here Bio-Matrix (BM). Different binding and elution conditions were evaluated to set an optimized protocol for the SLAPTAG-based affinity chromatography (SAC). The binding equilibrium between SLAPTAG and BM was reached after a few minutes at 4oC, being the apparent dissociation constant (KD) of 4.3 uM, a value similar to the one determined for other S-layer proteins and their respective bacterial cell walls. A reporter protein was generated (H6-GFP-SLAPTAG ) to compare the efficiency of SAC against a commercial system based on a Ni2+-charged agarose matrix, observing no differences in the H6-GFP-SLAPTAG purification performance. The stability and reusability of the BM were evaluated, and it was determined that the matrix was stable for more than a year, being possible to reuse it five times without a significant loss in the efficiency for protein purification. Alternatively, we explored the recovery of bound SLAP-tagged proteins by proteolysis using the SLAPASE (a SLAP-tagged version of the HRV-3c protease) that released a tag-less GFP (SLAPTAG-less). Additionally, iron nanoparticles were linked to the BM and the resulting BMmag was successfully adapted for a magnetic SAC, a technique that can be potentially applied for high-throughput-out protein production and purification.
Steroidal Saponin Profiles and Their key Genes for Synthesis and Regulation in Asparagus officinalis L. by Joint Analysis of Metabolomics and Transcriptomics
Authors: Cheng Qin , Zeng Liangqin , Wen Hao , Brown Sylvia E , Wu He , Li Xingyu , Lin Chun , Liu Zhengjie , Mao Zichao
Published: January 2023

Background: Asparagus officinalis L. is a worldwide cultivated vegetable enrichening in both nutrient and steroidal saponins with multiple pharmacological activities. The upstream biosynthetic pathway of steroidal saponins (USSP) for cholesterol (CHOL) synthesis has been studied, while the downstream pathway of steroidal saponins (DSSP) starting from cholesteroland its regulation in asparagus remained unknown.
Results: Metabolomics, Illumina RNAseq and PacBio IsoSeq strategies were applied to different organs of both cultivated green and purple asparagus to detect the steroidal metabolite profiles & contents and to screen their key genes for biosynthesis and regulation. The results showed that there is a total of 427 compounds, among which 18 steroids were detected with fluctuated concentrations in roots, spears and flowering twigs of two garden asparagus cultivars. The key genes of DSSP include steroid-16-hydroxylase (S16H), steroid-22-hydroxylase (S22H) and steroid-22-oxidase-16-hydroxylase (S22O-16H), steroid-26-hydroxylase (S26H), steroid-3-β-glycosyltransferase (S3βGT) and furostanol glycoside 26-O-beta-glucosidases (F26GHs) which were correlated with the contents of major steroidal saponins were screened, and the transcriptional factors (TFs) co-expressing with the resulted synthetic key genes, including zinc fingers (ZFs), MYBs and WRKYs family genes were also screened .
Conclusions: Based on the detected steroidal chemical structures, profiles and contents which corelated the expressions of screened synthetic and TFs genes, the full steroidal saponin synthetic pathway (SSP) of asparagus including its key regulation networks was proposed at first time.
Effect of Rented Warehouses for Deteriorating Items Under Stock Dependent Demand, Partial Backlogging
Authors: sanju Sanjay Sharma , tyagi Anand Tyagi , bb BB Verma , sachin Sachin Kumar
Published: January 2023

In the area of two warehouses-based inventory models, various study has been carried out, authors presented their models under different parameters and environmental conditions. In most of the study, it can be seen that one warehouse assumed as own warehouse and other assumed as rented. Due to different facility and conditions both the warehouses have different rate of demand and deterioration along with different storage capacity. Shilpi et al. [2019], has developed an inventory model by considering both the warehouses as ranted. It was also assumed in the study that both warehouses having the same capacity. In addition, it has been also assumed that the items in the second ranted warehouse start decaying after some time whereas the items in the first warehouse used first to meet the demand of the customers. After critically reviewed the model by Shilpi et al. [2019], it can be observed that the storage techniques of items need to be further explored, as model used the items from first warehouse to satisfy the demand of the customers wares the items whose deterioration about to start has been stored in the second warehouse. This concept of storage has to be change, as such items in the second warehouse totally deteriorated till their turn comes up. Keeping this fact in mind, we have developed an inventory model based on two different ranted warehouses for deteriorated items whose rate of deterioration is not so much high but after a very short of time these items start decaying. According to the current model, the demand of the customers has been satisfied from the first warehouse, also to avoid deterioration in the second warehouse, we have to transfer such items whose deterioration about to start from second warehouse to first ranted warehouse so that we can avoid the deterioration of the items. In the current model we have assumed both the warehouses as rented which is suitable for the manufacturer whose product demand is very high and space is not much enough. It is obvious that the demand for the items in the stock increases due to stock up to a certain level. In the model the demand for the first warehouse is assumed as stock dependent. When we have extra stock the second warehouse used for the products and we have also assumed that the demand has becomes constant. The model is also instigated under sensitivity analysis and a brief numerical example with real data has been illustrated.
Kiln Predictive Modelisation for Performance Optimization
Authors: BENCHEKROUN MOHAMMED TOUM , ZAKI Smail , ABOUSSALEH MOHAMED
Published: January 2023

Exploiting the power of AI in the heavy industry brought back satisfactory results at the kiln level, machine learning techniques allowed predictive modeling of the baking process using powerful Machine Learning models which had a great impact on the energy consumption and kiln production rate among all the models used. Large amounts of historical data were used after analysis and preparation, for which several methods were applied such as preprocessing and feature selection. All models were tested on 20% of the data, using Mean Absolute Error and Root mean squared error as metrics to evaluate our models in order to identify the influencing variables that contribute most to the increase in energy consumption and kiln production rate.
Hsa_circ_0000026 Sponges miR-23a-5p and Upregulates PTEN Expression to Suppress Gastric Cancer Cell Progression
Authors: Meng Qiuping , Xue Fenggui , Luo Zhifei , Chen Yan , Zhang Yongfang , Huang Yousheng , Xie Na
Published: January 2023

The role of circular RNAs (ciRNAs; whose dysregulation causes various cancer types) in gastric cancer (GC) remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the expression of a ciRNA, hsa_circ_0000026 (ciR-0026), in GC tissues and deciphered the molecular mechanism by which ciR-0026 suppresses GC cell proliferation. ciR-0026 expression in GC cells was analyzed using quantitative PCR. The clinical significance of the changes in ciR-0026 expression in GC cells was analyzed using the SPSS.25 software. The effects of ciR-0026overexpression on GC cell phenotypes were determined using colony formation, cell counting kit-8, and transwell assays. Additionally, biotin-coupled probe RNA pull-down and dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed. ciR-0026 expression was downregulated in 90.5% (57/63) of the primary GC tissues compared with that in the adjacent gastric mucosal tissues (p< 0.05). The expression of ciR-0026 was affected by tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and tumor node metastasis stage (p < 0.05). An increase in ciR-0026 expression suppressed GC cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. Mechanistically, ciR-0026 acted as a sponge for microRNA (miR)-23a-5p, which directly targeted the phosphate and tension homology deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) gene. The proliferative, invasive, and migratory abilities of GC cells were inhibited by ciR-0026 upregulation. Moreover, high ciR-0026 levels inhibited epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of GC cells via the modulation of the miR-23a-5p/PTEN axis; however, suppressing PTENexpression reversed these effects. In conclusion, ciR-0026 may be a potential prognostic biomarker of GC, serving as a suppressor of GC via the miR-23a-5p/PTEN axis.
Diazotrophic endophyte Klebsiella pneumoniae N5 from sorghum show cross-colonization and plant growth promotion in Rice
Authors: Gauswami Ashvin , Jha Sanjay , Patel Swati , Suthar Harish , Parekh Vipul , Jajda Harsur
Published: January 2023

Biological N2 fixation (BNF) by endophytic diazotrophic bacteria is a spontaneous course of action where soil N is limited. A Sorghum endophytic bacterium “N5” having highest potential of nitrogen fixation, was isolated and characterized. The strain N5 was screened out by PCR amplification of the nifH gene and acetylene reduction assay of nitrogenase activity. Morphological, biochemical and 16S rDNA sequencing analyses identified the strain N5 as Klebsiella pneumoniae. The strain N5 also has other plant growth-promoting (PGP) potentials, such as phosphate solubilization, production of indole acetic acid, siderophore and ammonia, and anti-fungal activity. PGP endophyte K. pneumoniae N5 was inoculated onto rice seedlings to examine its interaction under axenic conditions and to characterize its ability to colonize non-native host plant rice. Colonization of rice root was confirmed by electron microscopy. Increase in shoot length, root length, dry and fresh weight of root and shoot, chlorophyll contents and nitrogen content of the plant and soil were observed in the K. pneumoniae N5 treated plants as compared to the untreated plants which ultimately helps to improve growth and yield of rice. Our finding expends the horizon of endophytic Klebsiella pneumoniae from sorghum (C4) to rice (C3) plant.
A smart emergency system: Case of COVID-19
Authors: Frikha Hounaida , kamoun-Abid Ferdaous , Meddeb-Makhoulf Amel , Zarai Faouzi
Published: January 2023

In the case of an epidemic, the transfer of patients to emergency departments and their physiological parameters remains the major challenge in this critical situation. Rapid and effective diagnosis can save the lives of these patients. This goal is achieved by using deep learning in classifying information into emergencies to send it first. To do this, we propose in this article, an intelligent emergency system for the rapid transmission of information from emergency patients to the hospital that has the best health care for these patients using a deep learning approach. First, the fusion method combines data collected and filtered from patients' electronic medical records with data captured by the wireless medical sensor network during the transport phase. Next, the method of selecting the parameters is used as inputs to the learning model. The information collected and learning outputs, such as emergency alerts are sent via Wi-Fi and 5G equipment in our intelligent system. Accuracy of our proposed contribution reaches 98% with 1.53s run time. This finding shows that our system is effective and is used in cases of epidemics as COVID-19.
Combined exposure to high-cholesterol diet and PM 2.5 : Brain injury and regulatory mechanism of HIF-1α in female mice
Authors: Chen Wenqi , Chen Shanshan , Bai Lirong , Zhao Lifang , Zhang Mei , Dong Chuan , Yang Zhu , Song Yuanyuan , Yung Ken Kin Lam , Cai Zongwei , Li Ruijin
Published: January 2023

High-cholesterol diet (HCD) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are related to stroke. The comprehensive influence of two factors on stroke is not well known, especially for females. In this study, we investigated brain injury and behavioral changes in female mice exposed to HCD plus PM2.5 for three months and six months, respectively. We measured gene expression of some factors related to stroke and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in different groups of mice and further explored molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). The results showed that HCD and PM2.5 co-exposure altered brain-body weight ratio, induced brain pathology damage and behavioral abnormality and elevated inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TNF-α) in mice relative to exposure to PM2.5 or HCD alone. Six-month exposure caused more severe brain damage than that three-month exposure. Co-exposure significantly changed the expressions of HIF-1α and the key genes (VEGF/COX-2/MMP-9/ZO-1/Occludin) in the HIF-1α signaling pathway in the brains of mice compared to the single exposure. Interestingly, HIF-1α was epigenetic regulated by histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) and histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac) by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. It suggests that the HIF-1α pathway exerts a crucial regulatory role in brain injury and behavioral abnormality in female mice after six-month exposure to HCD plus PM2.5, which are potential mechanisms for HCD and PM2.5-triggering stroke risk in female individuals.
Monitoring and optimization of machining process when turning of AISI316L based on response surface methodology, artificial neural network and desirability function.
Authors: benkhelifa oussama , Cherfia Abdelhakim , Nouioua Mourad
Published: January 2023

The object of this research is to investigate the effect of cutting parameters such as cutting speed (Vc), feed rate (f) and depth of cut (ap) on machining parameters including cutting temperature (TC) and tool flank wear (VB) during dry turning of AISI 316L using coated carbide tool. The experiments were conducted according to Taguchi L27 orthogonal array, RSM and ANN have been used. Results revealed that (ap) found to be the dominant factor for TC. VB mainly influenced by Vc, f and ap, respectively. The prediction results obtained by ANN and RSM models showed a good agreement with experimental data. However, ANN models proved their capability to provide more accurate results compared to RSM models. According to the optimization analysis, Desirability function showed good accuracy in optimization.
The association of isocarbophos and isofenphos with different types of glucose metabolism: the role of inflammatory indicators Running Title: Isocarbophos, isofenphos, inflammatory indicators, and glucose metabolism
Authors: Geng Jintian , Wei Dandan , Wang Lulu , Xu Qingqing , Wang Juan , Shi Jiayu , Ma Cuicui , Zhao Mengzhen , Huo Wenqian , Jing Tao , Wang Chongjian , Mao Zhenxing
Published: January 2023

Aims Our investigation focused on the associations between isocarbophos and isofenphos with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as well as how much of these associations might be accounted for by markers of inflammation. Methods There were 2701 participants in a case-control study. Plasma isocarbophos and isofenphos concentrations were measured using gas chromatography and triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry. Generalized linear models were used to calculate the relationships between plasma isofenphos and isocarbophos levels with inflammatory factor levels and T2DM. Inflammatory indicators were used as mediators to estimate the mediating effects on the above associations. Results Isocarbophos and isofenphos were positively related with T2DM after adjusting for other factors. The odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) for T2DM was 4.1% (OR (95% CI): 1.041 (1.015, 1.068)) and the odds ratio (95% CI) for IFG was 6.6% (OR (95% CI): 1.066 (1.009, 1.127)) per unit rise in ln-isocarbophos. The incidence of T2DM increased by 6.4% for every 1 unit more of ln-isofenphos (OR (95% CI): 1.064 (1.041, 1.087)). Additionally, a 100% rise in ln-isocarbophos was linked to 3.3% higher ln-HOMA2IR and a 0.029 mmol/L higher glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (95% CI: 0.007, 0.051). While a 100% rise in ln-isofenphos was linked to increases in ln-HOMA2 (95% CI: 1.6%, 5.2%) and ln-HOMA2IR (95% CI: 3.6%, 8.1%) of 5.8% and 3.4%, respectively. Furthermore, white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophilic (NE) were found to be mediators in the relationship between isocarbophos and T2DM, and the corresponding proportions were 17.12% and 17.67%, respectively. Conclusion Isofenphos and isocarbophos are associated with IFG and T2DM in the rural Chinese population, and the inflammatory indicators (WBC and NE) have a significant role in this relationship.
Intriguing physicochemical properties of N-doped Graphene oxide based ZnS nanowires for photocatalytic and biomedical applications
Authors: Dake D. V. , Raskar N. D. , Mane V. A. , Sonpir R. B. , Stathatos E. , Mutta V. , Meena R. , Asokan K. , Dole B. N.
Published: January 2023

Superparamagnetic N-doped graphene oxide (GO)- with ZnS nanowires was synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method by doping dilute amounts of Ga, Cr, In, and Al ions for water treatment and biomedical applications. In these experiments, to enhance their properties, 2% of Ga3+, In3+, and or Al3+ were codoped along with 2% Cr ions in these ZnS nanowires. The nanocomposite with the composition, In0.02Cr0.02Zn0.96S, has better photocatalytic efficiency than other co-doped nanocomposites. The In (metalloids) and Cr (transition metal ion) are the best combinations to increase the magnetic properties which are beneficial for photocatalytic activity. Synthesized nanocomposite materials were characterized by several techniques such as X-ray diffraction, Field emission-scanning electron microscope (FESEM) with EDAX, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), UV-Vis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and fluorescence spectroscopy. The correlation of intriguing magnetic properties with their photocatalytic properties is also discussed. XPS was employed for the detection of surface defects, phase transformation, and the nature of chemical components present in the nanocomposites. The Frankel and substitutional defects have a direct impact on photocatalytic activity that was determined from the fluorescence (FL) spectroscopy. FL and XPS reveal that the Cr and In codoped composite has a higher percentage of defects hence its photocatalytic efficiency reaches 94.21%.
Imaging Quality Improvement for Wavefront Colding System With Radially Symmetrical Phase Mask
Authors: Le Vannhu
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we introduce the novel method to improve the image quality of the optical imaging system with the radially symmetrical phase masks. By introduced a 0-π phase mask into the radially symmetrical phase mask, the new phase mask is generated, which produces the dark-shape point spread function. Next, by rotating this phase mask with the amplitude mask for different angles, the point spread function is rotated by the same angle. After, the digital processing is used to restore the high-quality image. The simulation results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method in comparison to the previously radially symmetrical phase mask.
Impact of the Affordable Care Act on participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program among low-income older Medicare beneficiaries
Authors: Kim Hyunmin , Mahmood Asos , Chang Cyril F. , Hammarlund Noah E. , Dobalian Aram
Published: January 2023

Background: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions, especially Medicaid expansion, in the United States (US) are believed to have spillover effects, such as boosting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation among eligible individuals. However, little is known about the impact of the ACA, with its focus on the dual eligible population, on SNAP participation. The current study investigates whether the ACA, under an explicit policy aim of enhancing the interface between Medicare and Medicaid, has improved participation in the SNAP among low-income older Medicare beneficiaries.
Methods: We extracted data from 2009 through 2018 cycles of the US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) for low-income (≤%138 Federal Poverty Level [FPL]) older Medicare beneficiaries (n=50,466; aged ≥65), and low-income (≤%138 FPL) younger adults (aged 20 to <65 years, n=190,443). MEPS respondents of >%138 FPL incomes, younger Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and older adults without Medicare were excluded from this study. Using a quasi-experimental comparative interrupted time-series design, we examined (1) whether ACA’s support for the Medicare-Medicaid dual-eligible program, through facilitating the online Medicaid application process, was associated with an increase in SNAP uptake among low-income older Medicare beneficiaries, and (2) in the instance of an association, to assess the magnitude of SNAP uptake that can be explicitly attributed to the policy implementation. The outcome, SNAP participation, was measured annually from 2009 through 2018. The year 2014 was set as the intervention point when the Duals Office started facilitating Medicaid applications online for eligible Medicare beneficiaries.
Results: Overall, a change in the probability of SNAP enrollment from the pre- to post-intervention period was 17.4 percentage points higher in low-income older Medicare enrollees, compared to the similarly low-income, SNAP-eligible, younger adults (β=0.174, P<.001). This boost in SNAP uptake was significant and more apparent among older White (β=0.137, P=.049) and Asian (β=0.408, P=.047) adults.
Conclusions: The ACA had a positive, measurable effect on SNAP participation among older Medicare beneficiaries. Policymakers should consider additional approaches that link enrollment to multiple programs to increase SNAP participation. Further, there may be a need for additional, targeted efforts to address structural barriers to uptake among African Americans.
Effect of waiting time on patients’ satisfaction in outpatient: An empirical investigation
Authors: Zhang Hui , Ma Weimin , Zhou Shufen , Zhu Jingjing , wang li , Zhang Man
Published: January 2023

Study objective

This study mainly aimed to identify the effect of waiting times on patient satisfaction.

Methods

A clever questionnaire was designed, and it contained two parts. The first part includes a series of short, standardized questions about expected waiting time (EWT), reasonable waiting time (RWT), limited waiting time (LWT), and basic personal information. This part of the questionnaire was filled in when the patient entered the waiting area. The second part includes perceived waiting time (PWT) and satisfaction evaluation, and this part was filled before patients entered the doctor’s office. The two questionnaires were summarized by the same number. The actual waiting time (AWT) was calculated based on the time difference between the registration time recorded by the experimenter and the time between entering the clinic. Linear regression was used to analyze the influence of waiting times on satisfaction. Before starting data collection, this study was approved by the hospital health ethics committee.

Results

A total of 323 questionnaires were collected, in which 292 (90.4%) were valid. EWT, LWT, RWT, and PWT had a significant effect on patient’s satisfaction (p = 0.006, p = 0.043, p = 0.009, p = 0.000), whereas AWT had no significant effect on satisfaction (p = 0.365). The difference between EWT and AWT had a significant effect on satisfaction (p = 0.000), while the difference between PWT and AWT had a significant effect on satisfaction (p = 0.000). Age, education background, gender, appointment, and hospital visit experience had no significant effect on patient satisfaction (p = 0.105, p = 0.443, p = 0.260, p = 0.352, p = 0.461).

Conclusions

The patient’s satisfaction of waiting time was not directly affected by the AWT, but by the subjective waiting times. And the difference between AWT and EWT has a significant impact on patient’s satisfaction. Meanwhile, the difference between AWT and PWT also has a significant impact on patient’s satisfaction. Therefore, service quality can be improved by hospital managers by focusing on the adjustment of patients’ subjective waiting time while reducing the objective waiting time.
Monitoring the effectiveness of a bio-fertilizer restoration technique using multi-resolution satellite and meteo-data: the case of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. Pauca
Authors: Blonda Palma , Tarantino Cristina , Scortichini Marco , Tarantino Maria , Adamo Maria
Published: January 2023

Xylella fastidiosa, subsp. pauca (Xfp), has attacked the olive trees in Southern Italy causing severe impacts on the agro-ecosystem services, such as provisioning, regulating and cultural. To reduce both the Xfp cell concentration and the symptom disease, a bio-fertilizer restoration technique has been used. Our study applied multi-resolution satellite data to evaluate the effectiveness of such restoration action at both field and tree scale. For field scale, a time series of High Resolution (HR) Sentinel-2 images, acquired in the months of July and August from 2015 to 2020, was employed. First, four spectral indices from treated and untreated fields were compared. Then, their trends were correlated to meteo-events. For tree-scale, Very High Resolution (VHR) Pléiades images were selected at the closest dates of the Sentinel-2 data to investigate the response to treatments of each different cultivar. All indices from HR and VHR images resulted higher in treated fields than in those untreated. The analysis of VHR indices revealed different cultivar response to treatments. The findings from HR data could be used to evaluate plant conditions at field level after treatments, while VHR imagery could be used to optimize treatment doses per cultivar. The findings in agreement with in-field PCR results.
Doubling the equatorial for the prescribed scalar curvatureproblem on ${\mathbb{S}}^N$
Authors: Duan Lipeng , Musso Monica , Wei Suting
Published: January 2023

Note: Please see pdf for full abstract with equations.
We consider the prescribed scalar curvature problem on SN
ΔSN v −N(N − 2)/2 v + ​​K̃ (y)v N+2/N−2 = 0 on SN, v > 0 in SN,
under the assumptions that the scalar curvature ​K̃ is rotationally symmetric, and has a positive local maximum point between the poles. We prove the existence of infinitely many non-radial positive solutions, whose energy can be made arbitrarily large. These solutions are invariant under some non-trivial sub-group of O(3) obtained doubling the equatorial. We use the finite dimensional Lyapunov-Schmidt reduction method.
Heavy metal(loid)s contamination, pollution quantification, and health risk assessment along with coal mines in the Hangu and Kurram Districts, Northwest Pakistan
Authors: Din Imran Ud , Muhammad Said , Faisal Shah , Rehman Inayat ur , Ali Wajid
Published: January 2023

Heavy metal(loid)s (HM) was considered hazardous contaminants owing to their toxicity, persistency, and bio-accumulative nature in the environment. The current study aimed to examine HM concentrations in coal, coal dust, and surrounding soil along with coal mines in the Hangu and Kurram Districts. Using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, samples of coal, coal dust, and soil were analyzed for HM concentrations. Coal, coal dust, and soil showed maximum mean concentrations of 62100, 52610, and 45300 mg/kg for iron (Fe) and a minimum of 1.14, 0.9, and 2.0 mg/kg for molybdenum (Mo), respectively. HM concentrations in coal dust and soil were evaluated for contamination factor (CF), ecological risk index (ERi), potential ecological risk index (PERI), and human risk assessment. CF indicated very high contamination (CF > 6) in coal dust 6.05 and soil 5.2 of the Hangu District for cadmium (Cd). The ERi data showed that most HM in coal dust and soil of studied districts exhibited low ecological risk (ERi < 40), except for Cd. Moreover, the coal dust and soil of Hangu District showed considerable ecological risk (190 < PERI < 380), while the coal dust of Kurram District exhibited moderate ecological risk (95 < PERI < 190). Among human exposure pathways, ingestion was the primary exposure route compared to other routes (inhalation and dermal). The non-carcinogenic risk, i.e., hazard quotient (HQ), was observed in the order of; ingestion > dermal > inhalation in humans. The hazard index (HI) values were found to be higher in children (HI > 1) than in adults via coal dust and soil and could cause chronic health problems. Cancer risk (CR) values were noted within the US EPA threshold. Therefore, the current study recommends regular monitoring of HM in the area to control the health hazard to residents in the future.
The peanut root exudate increases the transport and metabolism of nutrients and enhances the plant growth-promoting effects of Burkholderia pyrrocinia strain P10
Authors: Han Lizhen , Zhang Hong , Bai Xue , Jiang Biao
Published: January 2023

Background: Burkholderia pyrrocinia strain P10 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) that can substantially increase peanut growth. However, the mechanisms and pathways involved in the interaction between B. pyrrocinia P10 and peanut remain unclear. To clarify complex plant–PGPR interactions and the growth-promoting effects of PGPR strains, the B. pyrrocinia P10 transcriptome changes in response to the peanut root exudate (RE) were elucidated and the effects of RE components on biofilm formation and IAA secretion were analyzed.
Results: During the early interaction phase, the peanut RE enhanced the transport and metabolism of nutrients, including carbohydrates, amino acids, nitrogen, and sulfur. Although the expression of flagellar assembly-related genes was down-regulated, the expression levels of other genes involved in biofilm formation, quorum sensing, and Type II, III, and VI secretion systems were up-regulated, thereby enabling strain P10 to outcompete other microbes to colonize the peanut rhizosphere. The peanut RE also improved the plant growth-promoting effects of strain P10 by activating the expression of genes associated with siderophore biosynthesis, IAA production, and phosphorus solubilization. Additionally, organic acids and amino acids were identified as the dominant components in the peanut RE. Furthermore, strain P10 biofilm formation was induced by malic acid, oxalic acid, and citric acid, whereas IAA secretion was promoted by the alanine, glycine, and proline in the peanut RE.
Conclusions: The peanut RE positively affects B. pyrrocinia P10 growth, while also enhancing colonization and growth-promoting effects during the early interaction period. These findings may help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying complex plant–PGPR interactions, with potential implications for improving the applicability of PGPR strains.
Bioinformatics analysis of paravertebral muscles atrophy in adult degenerative scoliosis
Authors: Rong Zhigang , Yang Zhong , Zhang Chengmin , Pu Rongxi , Chen Can , Xu Jianzhong , Luo Fei
Published: January 2023

Paravertebral muscles (PVM) act as one of the major dynamic factors to maintain human upright activities and play a remarkable role in maintaining the balance of the trunk. Adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) has become one of the important causes of disability in the elderly population owing to the changes in spinal biomechanics, atrophy and degeneration of PVM, and imbalance of the spine. Previously, many studies focused on the physical evaluation of PVM degeneration. However, the molecular biological changes are still not completely known. In this study, we established a rat model of scoliosis and performed the proteomic analysis of the PVM of ADS. The results showed that the degree of atrophy, muscle fat deposition, and fibrosis of the PVM of rats positively correlated with the angle of scoliosis. The proteomic results showed that 177 differentially expressed proteins were present in the ADS group, which included 105 upregulated proteins and 72 downregulated proteins compared with the PVM in individuals without spinal deformities. Through the construction of a protein–protein interaction network, 18 core differentially expressed proteins were obtained, which included fibrinogen beta chain, apolipoprotein E, fibrinogen gamma chain, thrombospondin-1, integrin alpha-6, fibronectin-1, platelet factor 4, coagulation factor XIII A chain, ras-related protein Rap-1b, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1, complement C1q subcomponent subunit A, cathepsin G, myeloperoxidase, von Willebrand factor, integrin beta-1, integrin alpha-1, leukocyte surface antigen CD47, and complement C1q subcomponent subunit B. Further analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) and immunofluorescence showed that the neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation signaling pathway plays a major role in the pathogenesis of PVM degeneration in ADS. The results of the present study preliminarily laid the molecular biological foundation of PVM atrophy in ADS, which will provide a new therapeutic target for alleviating PVM atrophy and decreasing the occurrence of scoliosis.