bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurological Outcomes in Traffic Accidents: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis of Medical and Non-Medical Origin Cases of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Miyashita Yumiko , Toyama Gen , Takahashi Tsukasa , Adachi Tetsuhiro , Omatsu Kentaro , Ozaki Akane , Takei Yutaka
Published: January 2024

Aim: This study aimed to comprehensively compare the characteristics of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with medical and non-medical origins attributed to traffic accidents and explore the potential association between the cases with a medical origin and neurologically favorable outcomes.
Methods: In this retrospective nationwide population-based study, baseline data were collected between January 2018 and December 2020. We analyzed 5,091 OHCA associated with traffic accidents on the road scene. Only those encounters involving treatment or transport by prehospital emergency medical technicians were included. The characteristics of OHCA incidents and their outcomes were analyzed by categorizing patients into "medical origin" and "non-medical origin" groups.
Results: Medical-origin cases exhibited several distinct characteristics, including higher frequencies of occurrence during the daytime (79.3% [706/890] vs. 68.9% [2,895/4,201], p< 0.001), a higher prevalence among male (77.8% [692/890] vs. 68.3% [2,871/4,201], p < 0.001) and younger patients (median [25–75%]: 63 years [42–77] vs. 66 years [50–76], p = 0.003), a higher proportion of shockable initial rhythms(10.5% [93/890] vs. 1.1% [45/4,201], p < 0.001), an increased number of cases requiring advanced airway management (33.8% [301/890] vs. 28.5% [1,199/4,201], p = 0.002) and adrenaline administration by emergency medical teams (26.9% [239/890] vs. 21.7% [910/4,201], p < 0.001), and shorter transport times (55.3% [492/890] vs. 60.9% [2,558/4,201], p = 0.002) compared to non-medical-origin cases. However, medical-origin cases also had lower witness rates (42.8% [381/890] vs. 27.2% [1,142/4,201], p < 0.001) and were less likely to be transported to higher-level hospitals (55.3% [492/890] vs. 60.9% [2,558/4,201], p = 0.002). Propensity score matching analysis identified factors associated with favorable neurological outcomes in medical-origin traffic accidents. The adjusted odds ratios were as follows: 8.46 (3.47–20.61) for cases with shockable initial rhythms, 2.36 (1.01–5.52) for cases involving traffic accidents due to medical origin, and 0.09 (0.01–0.67) for cases where advanced airway management was provided.
Conclusion: In this retrospective study, the occurrence of OHCAs of medical origin involving traffic accidents were associated with favorable neurological outcomes. These cases more frequently demonstrated favorable factors for survival compared to those classified as of non-medical origin. The findings have important implications for public health and EMS professionals, they will guide future research aimed at optimizing prehospital care strategies and improving survival rates for similar cases.
Theoretical and experimental analysis of springback compensation for four-roll roll forming
Authors: Jiang Shangsheng , Jing Yigang , Liu Haoyuan , Sun Qun , Zhao Ying
Published: January 2024

The four-roll bending machine is large-scale bending equipment. It has a wide range of applications in various engineering industries.Rebound is an unavoidable phenomenon in the process of profile roll forming, which directly affects the processing accuracy of the profile.In order to improve the forming quality of four-roll bending machine bending profiles after rebound, the forming process flow is first analyzed, and according to the relationship between its four-roll bending and side roll displacement, the establishment of a mathematical model of the side roll displacement in the state of no rebound; Secondly, the Bouhêlier rebound equation is combined with the mathematical equation of side roll displacement to obtain the theoretical forming radius-side roll displacement relationship equation and finite element simulation to verify; Then, through the prototype of the actual roll forming, the measured roll forming data through MATLAB processing, through the Power function fitting to get the actual forming radius - side roll displacement relationship and generate functional equations, and with the theoretical forming radius - side roll displacement of the relationship between the equation combined with the final elasticity of the compensation value of the equation;Finally, the elastic compensation value equation is verified practically by the prototype machine, and the results are good and meet the expected requirements.
Biology of Plassey Borer, Chilo Tumidicostalis (Hampson) (Crambidae: Lepidoptera)
Authors: Vishwajeet VISHWAJEET , Kumar Anil
Published: January 2024

Biological studies of Chilo tumidicostalisHampson (Crambidae; Lepidoptera) revealed that the female lays eggs in 3-4 batches which averaged 410.64±45.21 eggs per female. The incubation period of the eggs was 7.05±0.60 days with hatching percentage as 97.56±0.90 %. There was a total of 5 larval instars and the duration of first, second, third, fourth and fifth larval instars were 3.20±0.52, 3.7±0.47, 4.75±0.79, 6.05±0.69 and 6.35±0.67 days, respectively. The pupa and adult showed sexual dimorphism and variation in duration of pupal and adult period. The length of the male and female pupa was 26.78±0.10 and 32.85±0.07 mm, respectively. The length of the adult male and female was 11.62±0.15 and 12.74±0.24 mm, respectively. The width of the adult male and female was 24.31±0.63 and 28.73±0.78 mm, respectively. The average pupal period of male and female was 7.25±1.21 and 8.1±1.37 days, respectively. Also, the adult male and female longevity was 3.9±0.64 and 4.8±0.77 days, respectively. The sex ratio was found to be 1:1.24 (male:female).
Study on the regulation of deformation uniformity and microstructure law in the forming of gear shafts by cross wedge rolling
Authors: Chen Lulu , Shu Xue-dao , Chen Xiaogu , Gong Wenwei , Li Zixuan , Xu Haijie
Published: January 2024

Gear shafts are commonly manufactured by machining of gear teeth and shaft separately. This kind of approach entails quite some problems, such as long processing time, large die and low production efficiency. To tackle these problems, this paper innovatively proposes a new process of cross wedge rolling (CWR) that is specifically tailored to the manufacturing of gear shafts, with which the shaft and teeth are formed at one go. The finite element model of CWR forming of gear shaft is established to simulate and analyze the CWR forming process. A three-factor and three-level response surface test is designed to optimize the processing parameters, where the friction coefficient, rolling temperature and die movement speed are chosen as three factors, and inhomogeneous deformation is set as the response. The optimal parameters are obtained as follows: the rolling temperature is 1240 ℃, the speed of the die movement is 336 mm/s, and the friction coefficient is 0.8. This result is subsequently verified by experiments. Further on, the microstructure evolution of the characteristic points of the CWR forming process of gear shaft are analyzed. It is found that the grains at the gear teeth section are continuously refined and grown from the boundary at the early section of deformation, and the final grains grown are much smaller than the original ones. In addition, the grains appear to grow in a short range of time in the process of deformation, but the overall trend is towards refinement. In the shaft section, the evolutions of the grains in the two stepped shaft segments are almost the same; the grain deformation shows cyclic changes; the degree of grain refinement in the shaft is higher than that in the teeth; and the degree of grain refinement in the shaft center is higher than that in the shaft edge. The results of the study provide a theoretical basis for short-process forming of high-performance gear shafts by cross wedge rolling.
High-resolution Environmental Monitoring Adc’s Empowered by 18nm Finfet Technology
Authors: Malathi D , Malavika S
Published: January 2024

Analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) are essential components in contemporary electronic systems for translating continuous analog signals into digital formats. Emphasizing low power consumption and high conversion efficiency, the project addresses the escalating demand for high-resolution electronic devices. The primary objective is to achieve optimal resolution, crucial for environmental monitoring which demands precision. ADC architecture Ramp ADC is the focal point of the design, implemented within an 18nm FinFET technology framework. The Ramp ADC, with its comparator array and ramp generator, offers simplicity and potential for high-speed applications. The primary objective of this project is to employ a range of design techniques and modifications aimed at reducing power consumption in ADC architecture, all while minimizing the impact on crucial performance metrics, including resolution, speed, and complexity. The comparative analysis focuses on the average power of the ADC, each possessing a resolution of 13 bits. Specifically, modifications applied to the Ramp ADC yield an impressive 47% reduction in average dynamic power, coupled with a notable 28% reduction in static power compared with the existing.
Porcine deltacoronavirus nonstructural protein 2 inhibits type I and III IFN production by targeting STING for degradation
Authors: Liu Xiqian , Sun Jianhe , Yan Yaxian , Ji Likai , Cheng Yuqiang , Kong Linghe , Xie Songhua , Yang Juan , chen Jiaqi , Wang Zhaofei , Ma Jingjiao , wang Hengan
Published: January 2024

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is an enteropathogenic coronavirus that has reported to employ various strategies to counter host antiviral innate immune responses. The cGAS-STING signaling pathway plays an important role in antiviral innate immunity. However, it remains unclear whether PDCoV achieves immune evasion by regulating the cGAS-STING pathway. Here, we demonstrate that the nonstructural protein 2 (nsp2) derived from PDCoV inhibits cGAS-STING-mediated type I and III interferon (IFN) responses via regulation of porcine STING (pSTING) stability. Mechanistically, PDCoV nsp2 was found to interact with N-terminal region pSTING. Consequently, pSTING undergoes degradation through K48-linked ubiquitination and proteasomal pathway, leading to the disruption of cGAS-STING signaling. Furthermore, K150 and K236 of pSTING were identified as crucial residues for nsp2-mediated ubiquitination and degradation. In summary, our findings will provide a basis for elucidating the immune evasion mechanism of PDCOV and will contribute to the development of targets for anti-coronavirus drugs.
Chromatography Affinity Resin with Photosynthetically-Sourced Protein A Ligand.
Authors: Kolotilin Igor , Owens Nisha , Anborgh Pieter
Published: January 2024

Green, photosynthesizing plants can be proficiently used as cost-effective, single-use, fully biodegradable bioreactors for environmentally-friendly production of a variety of valuable recombinant proteins. Being near-infinitely scalable and most energy-efficient in generating biomass, plants represent profoundly valid alternatives to conventionally used stationary fermenters. To validate this, we produced a plastome-engineered tobacco bioreactor line expressing a recombinant variant of the protein A from Staphylococcus aureus, an affinity ligand widely useful in antibody purification processes, reaching accumulation levels up to ~ 250 mg per 1 kg of fresh leaf biomass. Chromatography resin manufactured from photosynthetically-sourced recombinant protein A ligand conjugated to agarose beads demonstrated the innate pH-driven ability to bind and elute IgG-type antibodies and allowed one-step efficient purification of functional monoclonal antibodies from the supernatants of the producing hybridomas. The results of this study emphasize the versatility of plant-based recombinant protein production and illustrate its vast potential in reducing the cost of diverse biotechnological applications, particularly the downstream processing and purification of monoclonal antibodies.
Subthalamic nucleus single-unit activity in humans with Parkinson's Disease encodes both the rate of change and the magnitude of force during a sustained grip-force task
Authors: Walker Harrison , Olson Joseph , Wahid Shaikh , Irwin Zachary , Kuhman Daniel , Gonzalez Christopher , Boolos Maria , Black Sarah , Gutherie Barton , Wichmann Thomas
Published: January 2024

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a primary target for Parkinson's disease (PD) neuromodulation therapies, yet its role in sensorimotor neural circuits remains unclear. We investigated the neuronal activity in the dorsolateral STN during a visually cued isometric grip-force task in the contralateral hand in humans with PD who were undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery. We found significant force-related changes in STN unit activity, especially immediately after force onset and offset, but minimal changes during movement preparation. The most substantive changes in single-unit activity occurred with changes in grip force (15 of 21 units, 71%) rather than during sustained grip (12 of 21, 57%). During sustained force, the neuronal spike frequency positively correlated with force magnitude in seven units (33%), and the spike frequency during the applied force differed from baseline in nine (43%) units, all clustered in the dorsolateral STN. During a phase of the task when force changes, six units increased their spiking, while four units decreased their activity. Units with increases in activity discharged at a median of 56.5 (IQR: 25 to 156) ms after mechanical squeeze onset, whereas units with decreases preceded squeeze onset by 69.5 (23 to 79) ms. When force was released, five units increased their activity, while eight units decreased their activity, at latencies of 153.0 (84 to 260) ms and 58.0 (38 to 76) ms after release onset, respectively. Our findings suggest that neurons in the dorsolateral STN encode dynamic changes in force to a greater extent than sustained force magnitude and may play greater roles in sensory feedback and movement refinement rather than movement preparation.
Training microrobots to swim by a large language model
Authors: Xu Zhuoqun , Zhu Lailai
Published: January 2024

Machine learning and artificial intelligence have recently represented a popular paradigm for designing and optimizing robotic systems across various scales. Recent studies have showcased the innovative application of large language models (LLMs) in industrial control [1] and in directing legged walking robots [2]. In this study, we utilize an LLM, GPT-4, to train two prototypical microrobots for swimming in viscous fluids. Adopting a few-shot learning approach, we develop a minimal, unified prompt composed of only five sentences. The same concise prompt successfully guides two distinct articulated microrobots—the three-link swimmer and the three-sphere swimmer—in mastering their signature strokes. These strokes, initially conceptualized by physicists, are now effectively interpreted and applied by the LLM, enabling the microrobots to circumvent the physical constraints inherent to micro-locomotion. Remarkably, our LLM-based decision-making strategy substantially surpasses a traditional reinforcement learning method in terms of training speed. We discuss the nuanced aspects of prompt design, particularly emphasizing the reduction of monetary expenses of using GPT-4.
Spatial distribution and determinants of optimal intermittent preventive treatment for malaria during pregnancy: A secondary data analysis of the 2019 Ghana Malaria Indicators Survey
Authors: Ndayishimiye Jean Claude , Tabong Philip Teg-Nefaah
Published: January 2024

Background: Malaria duringpregnancy is associated with poor maternal, foetal, and neonataloutcomes. To prevent malaria infection during pregnancy, the World Health Organization recommended the use of intermittent preventive therapy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethaminein addition to vector control strategies. Despite that recommendation, the uptake of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) has remained low in Ghana;between 2017 and 2019, only 61% of pregnant women received optimal SP (three or more doses) during their most recent pregnancy. This study sought to map the geospatial distribution and identify factors influencing optimal SP uptake during pregnancy in Ghana.
Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted using the Ghana Malaria Indicators Survey 2019 (GMIS-2019). The data analysed wererestricted to women aged 15-49 years who reported having a live birth within the two years preceding the survey. A logistic regression model was usedto determine the factors influencing optimal SP uptake. Geospatial analysis was employed to map the spatial distribution of optimal SP uptake across the ten regions of Ghana using R software.
Results: The likelihood that pregnant women received optimal SP (three or more doses) correlated with early initiation of first antenatal care (ANC), the number of ANC visits, and family size. Overall, the greater the number of ANC visits, the more likely for the pregnant woman to receiveoptimal SP. Women with four or more ANC visitswere 4.5 times (aOR: 4.51; 95% CI: [2.49 - 8.16]) more likely to receive the optimal SP thanpregnant women with fewerthan four ANC visits. For the spatial distribution, ahigh uptake of optimal SPwas observed in the Upper East and Upper West regions,whereas the lowest was observed in the Eastern region of Ghana.
Conclusions: In Ghana, the uptake of SPduring pregnancy is influenced mainly by the number of ANC contacts. To achieve the country’s targets for malaria control duringpregnancy, there is a need to strengthen intermittent preventive treatment for malaria duringpregnancy by prioritizing comprehensive ANC services.
Experiences of Formal Caregivers of Elderly Inpatients with Physical Disabilities in China: A Qualitative Study
Authors: SUN Li-li , ZHENG Li , CHEN Liu-liu , WANG Zhao-di , LI Qian , LIU Li
Published: January 2024

Aim
To explore the views and experiences of paid carers caring for older inpatients with physical disabilities.
Methods
It was a qualitative phenomenological study. Using purposive sampling, twelve formal caregivers were chosen in a tertiary comprehensive hospital in Hangzhou, China. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted, guided by open-ended questions that focused on gaining rich insights into participants' views and experiences. Coding reliability thematic analysis was used to guide data analysis and categorize, based on Lazarus and Folkman's theory of transactional coping.
Results
Four themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) Caregiving Threats. (2) motivations. (3) Responsibility Management. (4) Fear.
Conclusion
The job of paid carers can be demanding, identifying their sources of motivation and coping strategies can assist in providing prompt support, ultimately enhancing their resilience to stress and maintaining the stability of care services for elderly individuals with disabilities.
Modeling and Optimization of Penetration Depth in Submerged Arc Welding: Focused on Boehmite Nanoparticles
Authors: Rahmati Farhad , Aghakhani Masood , Kolahan Farhad
Published: January 2024

The depth of penetration, a crucial metric representing the distance from the plate surface to the pool bottom, holds pivotal significance in determining the weld metal's strength. This investigation delves into the influence of various factors, such as arc voltage, electric current intensity, electrode stick-out, welding speed, and nanoparticle layer thickness, on penetration depth. Utilizing methodologies like the Central Composite Rotatable Design and analysis of variance facilitates a methodical examination of how input variables impact output results, optimizing both time and cost efficiency. Additionally, the implementation of the Genetic Algorithm helps identify the optimal levels of these parameters. The findings reveal that heightened arc voltage and electric current intensity contribute to increased input heat transfer, leading to more extensive melting of the base metal and subsequently augmenting the penetration depth. The dissimilarity in thermal conductivity between the base metal and nanoparticles results in decreased heat transfer to the inner layers of the workpiece, culminating in a reduction in penetration depth with a higher thickness of the nanoparticle layer. Conversely, an increased thickness of the nanoparticle layer is associated with heightened weld dimensions, including both height and width.
Optimal First-Line Treatment for EGFR-Mutated NSCLC: A Comparative Analysis of Osimertinib and Second-Generation EGFR-TKIs
Authors: Chen Hsu-Yuan , Chen Chia-Hung , Liao Wei-Chih , Lin Yu-Chao , Chen Hung-Jen , Hsia Te-Chun , Cheng Wen-Chien , Tu Chih-Yen
Published: January 2024

Background
Osimertinib is an irreversible third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). It is the preferred first-line treatment for EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared to first-generation EGFR-TKIs. However, limited research has compared its clinical effectiveness with second-generation (2nd G) EGFR-TKIs.
Materials and Methods
This study recruited patients diagnosed with stage IIIb-IV EGFR-mutated NSCLC who received first-line treatment with either 2nd G EGFR-TKIs (afatinib and dacomitinib) or osimertinib between April 2020 and April 2023.
Results
The final analysis included 168 patients, of whom 113 received 2nd G EGFR-TKIs (afatinib or dacomitinib) and 55 received osimertinib. The median progression-free survival (PFS) did not differ significantly between 2nd G EGFR-TKIs and osimertinib (del 19: 17.6 months; L858R: 20.0 months vs. 28.3 months, p = 0.081). In patients with the EGFR exon 19 deletion, osimertinib conferred a longer median PFS (28.3 vs. 17.6 months, p = 0.118) and time to treatment failure (30.2 vs. 22.7 months, p = 0.722) than 2nd G EGFR-TKIs. However, the differences were not statistically significant. In patients with with the EGFR exon 19 deletion and central nervous system metastasis, the median PFS did not differ significantly between those treated with osimertinib (14.3 months) and those treated with 2nd G EGFR-TKIs (17.6 months; p = 0.881). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the NSCLC stage was the only independent negative predictor of PFS. The treatment patterns in the second line also differed significantly between groups (p = 0.008).
Conclusions
This study found comparable effectiveness between osimertinib and 2nd G EGFR-TKIs as first-line treatment for advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC, with only the NSCLC stage identified as a negative predictor of PFS. However, whether the different second-line treatments affect overall survival should be examined.
Multi-objective Intelligent Dynamic Optimization Design for Well Trajectory while Drilling in Horizontal Wells
Authors: YIN HU , Fan Tao , ZHAO XIUWEN , LI QIAN
Published: January 2024

During the landing process of horizontal wells, the target formation may deviate from the expected depth, either deeper or shallower, which presents a significant challenge for the trajectory to accurately penetrate the reservoir. Wellbore track monitoring while drilling and dynamic intelligent optimization of the wellbore trajectory can effectively enhance the accuracy of hitting geological targets. To achieve this goal, it becomes particularly important to rapidly and accurately design an optimal wellbore trajectory that meets geological and engineering requirements. The traditional method of wellbore trajectory design is to give a set of wellbore trajectory design parameters and the corresponding evaluation target of the trajectory, and then get the wellbore trajectory design parameters in line with the expectation by continuously adjusting the parameters and carrying out trial calculations. This method is computationally intensive and time-consuming, and cannot meet the current requirements of intelligent drilling for the intelligent design of trajectory. This paper describes a multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm for the optimal design of track parameters, which takes the wellbore energy and the length of the track as the objective of evaluating the track, and uses the multi-objective particle swarm algorithm's characteristics of fast convergence and good optimization to rapidly design the optimal wellbore trajectory design parameters to meet the geologic and engineering requirements, so as to improve the efficiency of the design of the wellbore trajectory. A solution based on dynamic penalty function was proposed to address the constraint problem of the objective solution, aiming to improve the quality of the solution. Additionally, the TOPSIS algorithm was used to select the most suitable solution from the Pareto front. By analyzing the real well landing into target cases of shale gas horizontal wells, the method can quickly and effectively optimize the optimal design parameters of the required trajectory, which helps to improve the efficiency of the trajectory design and reduce the economic and time costs of the trajectory design.
Additive Manufacturing of a Topology Optimized Automotive Flange Fork – A Step Towards Cleaner Production of Automotive Components
Authors: Bhat Chinmai , Romario Yulius , Jiang Cho-Pei , Toyserkani Ehsan , Ramezani Maziar , Pasang Tim
Published: January 2024

The sustainable replacement of automotive manufacturing sector is necessary to strengthen the sustainable development goals. Additive manufacturing (AM) equipped with topology optimization is known for fabricating components with reduced material and energy. In this study, the automotive flange fork is fabricated using laser-based powder bed fusion process (L-PBF). The topology optimization is carried out using the Ntopology software to generate two designs (i.e., design – 1 and design – 2) with the volume reductions of 26% and 46%, respectively. The compressive stresses exerted on the shaft and on the chassis by both the optimal designs of flange fork are examined using the finite element analysis (FEA). Considering the factor of safety of 2.5, design – 1 was found to be the optimal choice. The design is fabricated with the L-PBF using Inconel-718 material. Manufacturing quality analysis of the component shows the hatch distance of printed sample to be 18% lower than the set parameter. This difference was attributed to the non-homogenous size of the powder particles. Furthermore, the fabricated component is tested for its efficiency to withstand the torque of 300 Nm which is generated in most of the 4-wheeler automobiles. The torque analysis successfully demonstrated component’s ability without damage or cracks.
Double-sided Information Asymmetry in Double Extortion Ransomware
Authors: Meurs Tom , Cartwright Edward , Cartwright Anna
Published: January 2024

Double extortion ransomware attacks are a form of cyber attack where the victims files are both encrypted and exfiltrated for extortion purposes. There is empirical evidence that double extortion leads to an increased willingness to pay a ransom, and higher ransoms, compared to encryption-only attacks. In this paper we model two important sources of assymetric information between victim and attacker: (a) Victims are typically uncertain whether data is exfiltrated, due to for example misconfigured monitoring systems. (b) It is hard for attackers to estimate the value of compromised files. We use game theory to analyse the payoff consequences of such private information. Specifically, we analyse a signaling game with double-sided information asymmetry: (1) attackers know whether data is exfiltrated and victims do not, and (2) victims know the value of data if it is exfiltrated, but the attackers do not. Our analysis indicates that private information substantially lowers the payoff of attackers. In interpretation, this suggests that private information is valuable to victims and a means to reduce incentives for criminals to pursue ransomware.
SULF1 Regulates Malignant Progression of Colorectal Cancer by Modulating ARSH via FAK/PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling
Authors: Zhu Wenjie , Wu Changlei , Liu Zitao , Zhao Shimin , Cheng Xiufeng , Huang Jun
Published: January 2024

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has the third highest incidence and second mortality rate of malignant tumors globally. It is urgent for us to explore the underlying mechanisms of CRC progression, which can provide better guidance for the treatment of CRC.
Methods: R Studio was used for data sorting and analysis. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle detection was performed by flow cytometry. Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to explore mRNA expression levels. Western blotting was used to explore protein expression levels. CCK8, Edu and colony formation assays were performed to explore the proliferation capacity of CRC cells. Transwell invasion assay was performed to explore the invasion ability of CRC cells. Transwell migration assay and wound healing assay were performed to explore the migration capacity of CRC cells. Subcutaneous Xenograft Assay was utilized to testify tumorigenic capacity of CRC cells in vivo.
Results: SULF1 was highly expressed in CRC samples and cell lines. The knockdown of SULF1 inhibited proliferation, invasion and migration of CRC and increased the rate of cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, we also demonstrated that SULF1 negatively regulates ARSH through the FAK/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
Conclusion: We demonstrated that SULF1 could promote CRC progression by regulating ARSH. And SULF1/ARSH/FAK/PI3K/ AKT/mTOR signaling pathway might be a new guidance for the treatment of CRC patients.
Analysis of differences between clinical indicators of SARS and SARS-CoV-2: a preliminary study
Authors: gao bingrui , chen haiyan , han xiaobo , xie lixin , guo yinghua
Published: January 2024

Objective
To investigate the difference in clinical indexes between SARS and SARS-CoV-2 and explore immune mechanisms.
Methods
We recorded age, sex, clinical symptoms, immunoglobulin index, arterial blood gas analysis, and other indicators of SARS patients hospitalized at the Eighth Medical Center of the People’s Liberation Army. From June 2022 to April 2023, we recorded data from patients with SARS-CoV-2 hospitalized at the Tropical Medicine Department of Hainan Hospital of the PLA General Hospital.
Results
There were 116 patients with SARS pneumonia and 114 with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. The ratio of males to females was 64/52, with an average age of 35.36 ± 15.19 years. The ratio of males to females in the SARS-CoV-2 group was 69/45, with an average age of 66.89 ± 15.00 years. There were no significant differences in PCO2, peripheral blood white blood cell count, platelet count, neutrophil ratio, serotonin ratio, blood pressure, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, C-reactive protein, immunoglobulin IgA, and IgG indexes in blood gas analysis. There were significant differences in heart rate, blood gas analysis partial pressure, lymphocyte percentage, immunoglobulin IgM, and myocardial injury markers.
Conclusions
Young and middle-aged patients with SARS pneumonia were more common, while elderly patients with SARS-CoV-2 were more common. There were differences in clinical indicators between patients infected with the two viruses, and there may be differences in virulence and interaction mechanisms.
Effects of parenteral nutrition vs. best supportive nutritional care on quality of life in patients with pancreatic cancer – A secondary analysis of PANUSCO
Authors: Emanuel Aline , Rosenberger Friederike , Krampitz Julia , Decker-Baumann Christiane , Märtens Angela , Jäger Dirk , Rötzer Ingeborg
Published: January 2024

Purpose
Parenteral nutrition (PN) can be an effective treatment to improve the nutritional status of patients with pancreatic cancer, but the effects of PN on quality of life (QoL) are still understudied. Therefore, we aimed at investigating whether best supportive nutritional care (BSNC) in combination with PN at home compared to BSNC alone changed QoL in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer undergoing chemotherapy over a period of seven weeks.
Methods
n = 12 patients in the PANUSCO study received nutritional counselling only (control group (CG)) and n = 9 patients was also given supportive PN (intervention group (IG)). Primary endpoint was the change of QoL (EORTC-QLQ-C30 and QLQ-PAN26) over seven weeks between the groups.
Results
There was a significant worsening in social functioning in IG (p = 0.031) and a significant difference between groups in change of social functioning (p = 0.020). In all other domains of QoL, there was no significant difference between groups. Within groups, there was a significant improvement in the domain weight loss in IG (p = 0.031), showing that patients were less worried about their weight being too low. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the change of BW over time between groups (p < 0.001) with IG showing an increase (p = 0.004) and CG showing no change (p = 0.578).
Conclusion
The administration of PN had in one of five domains negative consequences on QoL. The decision to administer PN should always be made individually and together with the patient, and the impact on QoL should be included in the decision to administer PN.
Fabrication of polymeric membrane with high salt rejection by embedding poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-functionalized halloysite nano tubes
Authors: Heidari Yasaman , Maghsoudi Shahab , Noroozian Ebrahim
Published: January 2024

The fabrication of membranes for water desalination and wastewater treatment is an important strategy to overcome water quality problems worldwide. Herein, the influence of the presence of the poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM) on the performance of the cellulose acetate (CA) membrane was investigated. Halloysite nanotube (HNT) was functionalized with the third generation of PAMAM dendrimer and incorporated into the CA membrane by phase inversion process to improve the properties of the membrane. The composite membranes' characterization was determined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle measurements, zeta potential, thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). A dead-end filtration system examined the performance of the incorporated cellulose acetate membrane. Based on the results, the membrane permeability, salt rejection, and antifouling properties were improved due to the addition of hydrophilic HNTs- PAMAM nanocomposite in the membrane casting solution. The loading of 1wt% of HNTs/PAMAM was optimized as filler composition. It showed salt rejection of 91% and 75.6% for sodium sulfate and magnesium chloride respectively along with the maximum porosity (82%), antifouling performance (85%), reversible fouling ratio (45%), and the lowest contact angle (~ 32).
Autoantibodies research in patients with endometriosis: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Capellari Cesar Augusto , Rahal Danilo , Sobrinho Carlos Bezerra , Boas Laura Vilas , Skare Thelma , NISIHARA RENATO
Published: January 2024

Background
Endometriosis is a common inflammatory disease with an unknown etiology; dysregulation of the immune system appears to play a role in this context.
Objective
To study the presence of autoantibodies in patients with endometriosis.
Methods
Two hundred and two females (111 with endometriosis and 91 controls) were studied for the presence of Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA), Extractable Nuclear Antigens (ENA) profile; anti-dsDNA, anticardiolipin (aCl) IgG and IgM and anti endomysial Antibodies (EmA-IgA). Clinical data, obstetric and gynecological history were collected.
Results
ANA was positive in 26/111 (23.4%) females with endometriosis vs. 5/91 (5.4%) in the control sample (p = 0.0004; OR = 5.26; 95% CI = 1.92–14.30). None of the samples were positive for aCl IgG or IgM; ds-DNA, ENA profile or EMA. No associations between ANA positivity and clinical, obstetrical and gynecological data were found.
Conclusion
Patients with endometriosis showed high positivity for ANA, but not to the more specific autoantibodies.
Tester and environment affecting genomic prediction in exotic maize germplasm and derivation penal in China
Authors: Sun Qi , Wang Jianjun , Zeng Tingru , Li Wencai , Zhao Meng , Li Wenlan , Yue Runqing , Lu Shouping , Ding Zhaohua , Meng Zhaodong
Published: January 2024

Exotic maize germplasm and derivation have formulate new heterotic groups in China. The breeding value are urgent to evaluate for better application. Genomic prediction(GP) could predict breeding values using all the genomic markers jointly rather than testing the significance of each of them. A panel of 636 exotic maize lines derivated from national project were genotyped and crossed to two testers Jing2416 and Z58. The testcrosses were evaluated in 2017 and 2018 in two sites. The mean performance of two testcrosses for each line were used to train a whole GP model. Fivefold cross validation was performed to assess the prediction accuracies of the GP models for all traits in the same population. Meanwhile the tester GP model of each type testcrosses for one tester was also constructed. The result indicated that the accuracy of prediction for all the traits ranged from 0.36 to 0.56 in whole GP model. The accuracy of ear width was highest 0.56, plant height second 0.53. The forecast of grain yield was 0.49 lower than ear width and plant height. The prediction accuracy of Jing2416 model were always above that of the Z58 model, the whole model in the middle for most traits. The major reason was that the genetic relationship of Jing 2416 with training population was more far. Thus more consanguinity ties of tester should be chosen with training-validation population. The prediction accuracy of whole model were always more than that of Jinan model and Xinxiang model for all the traits. It underlines that the prediction model basing multi-environments had better forecast result. Single environment phenotypic value had lower prediction effect.
The Relationship of Facial Skin Biophysical Properties to Age and the Potential Role of Lifestyles in Chinese Rural and Urban Females
Authors: YANG Xiao-xiao , HUANG Xao-dong , Zhang Hao-chen , YI Fan , MENG Hong , Dong Yin-mao , WU Yue
Published: January 2024

As a developing country, China has a large population base of county women, but previous studies showed a significant lack of attention towards their skin status. This study is supposed to recruit, measure and portray the facial skin biophysical properties of rural females. The individual lifestyles were also investigated and analyzed to assess the risky or protective factors. There were 10 skin parameters measured of 350 rural female aged 18–65 years subjects (skin barrier status, color and elasticity). The trend of subject's skin parameters with age was analyzed through curve fitting, analysis of variance and Krustal-Wallis H test, with 0.05 as the significance threshold. The lifestyles related to "unfavorable" skin parameters were initially evaluated by chi-square test and crude OR, and then re-evaluated by logistic regression model and adjusted OR to control age. Rural females experience significant adverse changes in skin biophysical parameters with age, and they had lower facial skin hydration level and sebum secretion, higher transepidermal water loss and higher melanin content. Urban women had poorer skin gloss, more yellowish skin tone, and poorer elasticity. Self-reported oily or mixed skin was associated with high sebum and hemoglobin content. Skincare product use was a significant protective factor for skin hydration. Sunscreen product use was a protective factor for a number of skin biophysical parameters, but was not statistically significant after controlling for age. In conclusion, distinct skincare measures are recommended for rural and urban women based on their different facial skin biophysical properties and trends with age.
Mitigation of capacitor voltage unbalance and common mode voltage for 3-phase 5-Level NPC inverter using hexagonal SVPWM
Authors: Palanisamy R.
Published: January 2024

Capacitor Voltage Unbalance and Common Mode Voltage (CMV) issues leads to affects the performance of the inverter, magnitude of load current increase and THD increase. So to diminish unbalance in the capacitor voltage and CMV, a hexagonal based Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM) is implemented for three-phase five-level Neutral Point Clamped inverter (NPCI) at high modulation index of 0.905. The performance of the inverter is improved, when the number of level of inverter increases. Simultaneously, the switching pulse creation becomes more sophisticated. SVPWM is a digital PWM control approach that maximizes the use of the dc link voltage while lowering the system's THD. And capacitor voltage (CV) imbalance and CMV are reduced by adopting the Nearest-State-Vector (NSV) technique, which selects only null, small, and large vectors and ignores medium vectors. Using Matlab Simulink and an FPGA processor, the proposes system's simulation and experimental results are established.
Determining the Optimal Design Characteristics of Trapezoidal Piano Key Weirs for Improved Water Discharge
Authors: Seo Ye-jin , Lee Sangik , Lee Jong-hyuk , Seo Byung-hun , Kim Dongsu , Kim Dongwoo , Choi Won
Published: January 2024

This study attempts to evaluate the influence of design factors and flow characteristics on the discharge capacity of trapezoidal piano key weirs. To evaluate the influence of the main design factors on discharge rates, 9 models were simulated, with width ratios of 1.25, 1.75, and 2.25 and sidewall angles of 2, 4, and −2°. As the auxiliary design factors, the square Sq-parapet from previous research and the newly proposed triangular Tri-parapet were integrated into the models with high discharge capacity. We used the computational fluid dynamics simulation to analyze the fluid dynamics and provide the optimal design characteristics for trapezoidal piano key weirs. Our findings reveal that certain changes in the design, namely in the sidewall angle and width ratio, can increase the discharge rates by up to 14.7 and 13.6%, respectively. Furthermore, as a result of applying Sq-parapet and Tri-parapet to the model weirs, we found that the discharge efficiency of Tri-parapet was significantly higher compared to the existing Sq-parapet models, with improvement of up to 53.8 and 49.5%. This study contributes to understanding the influence of various design factors on the discharge capacity of trapezoidal PK weirs and offers insights for optimizing their design.
Emerald Horizons: A Bibliometric Analysis of Green Marketing's Evolutionary Trajectory
Authors: Kumar Vikas
Published: January 2024

Researchers' interest in green marketing is growing as a result of the movement in enterprise and consumer behavior toward environmental sustainability. By analyzing the diverse national and international scientific papers in the relevant field, an attempt has been made to detect current patterns in its progress and to assess future research potential in this area. This research provides a bibliometric analysis of the green marketing literature from 1990 to 2022. The bibliometric package in R software and VOS viewer was used to analyze the data. Scopus database containing 1,240 documents from 1990 to 2022 was used. The outcomes provide a structured picture and highlight that there is lots of room for more integrative research on green marketing because green marketing is a long-lasting economic trend, and it is indeed critical to look at further aspects of it.
Recommendation Model with Fusion of Heterogeneous Graph Neural Networks and Attention Mechanisms
Authors: Whitman Leona , Reyes Emiliano , Hurst Fletcher
Published: January 2024

Traditional recommendation systems, particularly those based on collaborative filtering, have exhibited robust performance by harnessing the advantages of big data. In these systems, the essence lies in identifying users whose interests closely align with a target user and subsequently recommending items that align with their preferences, showcasing commendable effectiveness in delivering personalized suggestions. Traditional recommender algorithms based on Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) face limitations as they can only handle regular topological graphs composed of a single type of node. However, in contemporary networks, data is often not exclusively comprised of a singular node type. Additionally, conventional GNNs are constrained to incorporating only first-order neighbor features of nodes, lacking the ability to capture deeper structural relationships within the network. Consequently, when dealing with sparse datasets where nodes have very few neighbors, the recommendation quality of algorithms based on traditional GNNs significantly diminishes. To address the aforementioned limitations, this paper proposes a deep recommendation model that combines Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) with heterogeneous networks. By integrating GNNs with heterogeneous network structures, the aim is to overcome the challenges posed by single-node type limitations and the inability to capture deeper structural relationships in traditional recommendation algorithms.
The G36S, M147I, G265S, T568I, N852S new mutations in the Spike of Omicron JN.1 subvariants: New subvariants JN.1.1 to JN.1.5 nomenclature and oligonucleotides design for JN.1 subvariants detection
Authors: CHAKRABORTY ASIT KUMAR
Published: January 2024

The JN.1 omicron coronavirus spread is havoc. Recently, few old people were died following JN.1 infections with co-morbidity. We are tracking the new mutation profiles of JN.1, JN.2 and JN.3 coronaviruses in the database to predict the newer mutations in the spike that could be important for virus entry in the lung cells. The SARS-CoV-2 sequences deposited on 12th January, 2024 by Opentrons P and Howard D were analyzed in a pilot scale. The new spike mutations in the JN.1 variants were found as: G36S (accession no. PP115250), M147I (accession no. PP116273), T568I (accession no. PP115301) and N852S (PP106538). The role of such mutations located outside the RBD region of spike was not known but NH2-terminal deletions (24LPP, 69HV, 143VYY) and insertions (17MPLF, 147RWMD) were allowed in different omicron variants. BLASTP search with G36S-peptide produced six identical sequences deposited by four independent US investigators with spike 17MPLF insertion and L452S mutation but new T568I (OR941013) and N852S (PP106538) spike mutations were found. BLASTP search with T568I-peptide gave 25 identical sequences deposited by eight independent US investigators demonstrating T568I mutation in the spike was authentic. Multi-alignment of those spike detected T568I mutation but PP030032 sequence had no 17MPLF insertion and PP051563 sequence had no L452S mutation being pre-JN.1 lineages. Similarly, M147I-peptide produced seven 100% similarity sequences. But the sequences OR082643, OR985352 and OR833719 had no L452S mutation and PP029920 had no 17MPLF insertion being pre-JN.1 variants whereas PP077772, PP016544 and OR976328 appeared authentic JN.1 and G265S spike mutation in PP106544 was new. The new mutations detected in the ORF1ab polyprotein nsp3 protein were: E1559K and T1998A mutations (accession no. PP116246) and S2500F mutation (accession no. PP116233). Thus, characterized JN.1 RefSeq sequences with L452S mutation plus other new mutation in the spike were given JN.1.1 to JN.1.5 subvariants nomenclature and variant specific oligonucleotides were made for their detection after WGS. However, selection with JN.1-S-L452S-oligo and JN.123-S-MPLF-oligo must be done first and then other oligonucleotides will be used to select JN.1.1. to JN.1.5 subvariants. The T568I mutation spread suggested such spike interacted with ACE-2 receptor better similar to N501Y and D614G mutated spike whereas both dominant mutations were also appeared in JN.1.