bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selecting the Best Location of Water Quality Sensors in Water Distribution Networks by Considering the Importance of Nodes and Contaminations using NSGA-III (Case Study: Zahedan Water Distribution Network, Iran)
Authors: harif Siroos , Azizyan Gholamreza , Darmian Mohsen Dehghani , Givehchi Mohammad
Published: September 2022

Water quality sensors are one of the most effective ways to minimize the catastrophic consequences of pollution in water distribution networks (WDNs). The main challenge is arranging sensors properly in the network. In this study, the NSGA-III algorithm is developed to improve the optimal locations of sensors by balancing four conflicting objectives. 1. Detection likelihood, 2. Expected detection time, 3. Detection redundancy, and 4. The affected nodes before detection. The proposed procedure is based on chlorine concentration variation between defined upper and lower limits. The upper and lower bounds of chlorine concentration were determined utilizing the Monte Carlo simulator. To deal with the problem of a large size matrix of possible contaminants a heuristic method was utilized for selecting a representative collection of contaminations with the same characteristics and effects. Importance coefficients were introduced to avoid the same importance of contamination events and network nodes. The proposed simulation-optimization approach was tested on the benchmark and real water networks, then the optimal Pareto fronts were computed for each of the two sets of conflicting objectives. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis related to the number of sensors installed in the networks was conducted for the results obtained from different objective functions. According to the sensitivity analysis, the Pareto fronts became more efficient when the number of sensors increased. Also increasing the number of sensors to more than 10 and 15 in the benchmark and real systems, respectively, will provide little additional detection likelihood.
Dexmedetomidine alleviates anxiety-like behavior in mice following peripheral nerve injury by reducing the hyperactivity of glutamatergic neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex
Authors: Gao Wei , Long Dan-dan , Pan Ting-ting , Hu Rui , Chen Dan-yang , Mao Yu , Chai Xiao-qing , Jin Yan , Zhang Zhi , Wang Di
Published: September 2022

Background: Treatment of chronic pain is challenged by concurrent anxiety symptoms. Dexmedetomidine is known to produce sedation, analgesia, and anxiolysis. However, the neural mechanism of dexmedetomidine-elicited anxiolysis remains elusive. Here, we aimed to test the hypothesis that the anterior cingulate cortex might be involved in dexmedetomidine-induced anxiolysis in pain.
Methods: A common peroneal nerve ligation mouse model was used to test the dexmedetomidine-induced analgesia and anxiolysis by assessing mechanical allodynia, open-field, light-dark transition, and acoustic startle reflex tests. In vivo calcium signal fiber photometry and ex vivowhole-cell patch-clamp recordings were used to measure the excitability of glutamatergic neurons in anterior cingulate cortex. Modulation of glutamatergic neurons was performed by chemogenetic inhibition or activation via viral injection.
Results: Compared with vehicle, dexmedetomidine (4 µg/kg) alleviated mechanical allodynia (P < 0.001) and anxiety-like behaviors (P < 0.001). The glutamatergic neurons’ excitability after dexmedetomidine administration was lower than that of the vehicle group (P = 0.001). Anxiety-like behaviors were rescued by inhibiting glutamatergic neurons in the model mice. Nociception-related anxiety-like behavior was induced by activation of glutamatergic neurons, which was rescued by dexmedetomidine.
Conclusions: The reduction in glutamatergic neuronal activity in anterior cingulate cortex may be involved in dexmedetomidine-elicited anxiolysis in chronic pain.
Optimizing variant-specific therapeutic SARS-CoV-2 decoys using deep-learning-guided molecular dynamic simulations.
Authors: Koechl Katharina , Schopper Tobias , Durmaz Vedat , Parigger Lena , Singh Amit , Krassnigg Andreas , Cespugli Marco , Wu Wei , Yang Xiaoli , Zhang Yanchong , Wang Welson Wen-Shang , Selluski Crystal , Tiehan Tiehan , Xin Xin , Bai Caihong , Lin Leon , Hu Yuxiang , Xie Zhiwei , Zhang Zaihui , Yan Jun , Zatloukal Kurt , Gruber Karl , Steinkellner Georg , Gruber Christian
Published: September 2022

Treatment of COVID-19 with a soluble version of ACE2 that binds to SARS-CoV-2 virions before they enter host cells is a promising approach, but it needs to be optimized and adapted to emerging viral variants. The computational workflow presented here consists of molecular dynamics simulations for RBD-ACE2 binding affinity assessments of ACE2 or RBD variants and a novel convolutional neural network architecture working on pairs of voxelized force-fields for efficient search-space reduction. We identified hACE2-Fc K31W along with multi-mutation variants as high-affinity candidates, which we also validated in vitro with virus neutralization assays. We evaluated binding affinities of these ACE2 variants with the RBDs of Omicron BA.3, Omicron BA.4/BA.5, and Omicron BA.2.75 in silico. In addition, candidates produced in Nicotiana benthamiana, an expression organism for potential large-scale production, showed a 4.6-fold reduction in half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) compared with the same variant produced in CHO cells and an almost six-fold IC50 reduction compared with wild-type hACE2-Fc.
A cell-free expression system using a novel bacteriophage RNA polymerase for metagenome screening
Authors: Han Yuchen , Kinfu Birhanu , Blombach Fabian , Cackett Gwenny , Zhang Hongli , Pérez-García Pablo , Krohn Ines , Salomon Jesper , Besirlioglu Volkan , Mirzaeigarakani Tayebeh , Schwaneberg Ulrich , Chow Jennifer , Werner Finn , Streit Wolfgang
Published: September 2022

The mining of genomes from non-cultivated microorganisms using metagenomics is a powerful tool to discover novel proteins and other valuable biomolecules. However, function-based metagenome searches are often limited by the time-consuming expression of the active proteins in various heterologous host systems. We here report the initial characterization of novel single-subunit bacteriophage RNA polymerase, RNAP_E, identified from a metagenome data set obtained from an elephant dung microbiome. RNAP_E and its promoter sequence are distantly related to T7 RNA polymerase. Using RNAP_E and a translation-competent Escherichia coli extract, we have developed an efficient medium throughput pipeline and protocol allowing the expression of metagenome-derived genes and the production of proteins in cell-free system is sufficient for the initial testing of the predicted activities. Here, we have successfully identified and verified 12 enzymes acting on bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) in a completely clone-free approach and proposed an in vitro high-throughput metagenomic screening method with RNAP_E.
The Effectiveness of Liu Zi Jue Exercise for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Fan Mohan , Vernooij Robin W.M. , Fu Zhanju , Shao Baoyi , Li Jiaqi , Yang Huaxi , Wang Eryu , Qiu Linjing , Wang Lei , Lao Lixing , Liu Jianping , Zhang Ying
Published: September 2022

Background
Liuzijue (LZJ), one of the traditional Chinese exercises, may influence the patients’ quality of life and pulmonary function, hence it might have beneficial effects in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But evidence is still needed to evaluate LZJ’s effectiveness and potential subgroup differences. Therefore, a systematic review of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of LZJ on patient-important outcomes.
Methods
We systematically searched the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, and Chinese databases since their inception until December 31,2021. Rigorous screening, risk of bias assessment, and data extraction have been performed in duplicate by two reviewers. A random effect model, with pre-specified subgroup analyses on type of comparisons were performed. Then we used a five-criteria list to assess the credibility of significant subgroup effects (P < 0.10). A GRADE evidence profile was established to assess the certainty of evidence.
Results
We included 22 eligible randomized controlled trials with 1304 patients. Compared with usual care, the standardized mean difference (SMD) on quality of life in the LZJ group is -0.67 (95%CI: [-0.96, -0.37], P < 0.0001). We found a statistical significance on FEV1% (MD = 5.75, 95%CI: [2.14,9.35], P = 0.002), FEV1 (MD = 0.26, 95%CI: [0.08,0.44], P = 0.004), and 6 minutes-walking distance(m)(MD = 38.04, 95%CI: [24.78,51.29], P < 0.00001). However, no differences were found for FVC (MD=-0.07, 95%CI: [-0.24,0.09], P = 0.38) and FEV1/FVC (MD = 6.51,95%CI: [-0.54,13.56], P = 0.07). The certainty of the evidence was low to very low because of the risk of bias, inconsistency, or indirectness.
Conclusion
Regularly exercising LZJ might be beneficial to the recovery of COPD based on evidence of low to very low certainty. Rigorously designed RCTs addressing patient-important outcomes with longer follow-up are still required.
Trial registration:
PROSPERO Registration number: CRD42021249739.
Effect of topical fluoride applications on residual monomer release from resin-based restorative materials
Authors: Delikan Ebru , Ertürk-Avunduk Ayşe Tuğba , Karataş Özcan , Saçmacı Şerife
Published: September 2022

Background: It is unclear to effects of the topical fluorides applications that the release of monomer ingredients from resin-based dental materials by immersion in the various extraction solutions. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of topical fluorides (APF and NaF) on the elution of residual monomers (Bis-GMA, TEGDMA, UDMA, and HEMA) from resin-based materials.
Methods: A total of 90 bulk-fill composite, nanohybrid universal composite, and compomer specimens were prepared. The specimens were randomly divided into three groups according to fluoride application procedures. Each specimens were kept in a 75% ethanol solution and residual monomers released from materials were analyzed with an High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) after 10 min, 1 h, 24 h and 30 d. The groups were compared using Mann Whitney U and Kruscall Wallis tests, and related measurements were analyzed with Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.
Results: Fluoride applications resulted in a reduction in the amount of residual monomer release generally. The amount of monomer release after topical APF application was similar to the release in the control group and was lower than the release in the NaF group.
Conclusions: Fluoride applications do not increase monomer release from resin-based restorative materials. However, compomers should be preferred by clinicans due to their less monomer release than other restorative materials. The release of monomers from any of the resin-based materials did not approach toxic levels at the applied time intervals.
Modulation instability, localized wave solutions of the modified Gerdjikov–Ivanov equation with anomalous dispersion
Authors: Guan Xue , Wang Haotian , Liu Wenjun , Liu Xiaoyan
Published: September 2022

Solving new integrable systems and exploring their physical applications have been a hot topic. This paper gives the modulation instability in the continuous wave background of the new modified Gerdjikov–Ivanov equation with anomalous dispersion. Based on the extend Lax pair, the localized wave solutions of the new model are obtained via generalized Darboux transformation method, various types solutions including breather, rogue waves, interaction solutions are presented and their dynamic properties are analyzed. The results obtained have certain application value for nonlinear optics and long-distance transmission.
Realization and current-driven dynamics of fractional hopfion and its ensembles in a helimagnet
Authors: Yu Xiuzhen , Liu Yizhou , Iakoubovskii Kostatian , Nakajima Kiyomi , Kanazawa Naoya , Nagaosa Naoto , Tokura Yoshinori
Published: September 2022

The three-dimensional (3D) topological spin textures – hopfions – were predicted in the helimagnetic systems but have not been experimentally confirmed thus far. This study utilized external magnetic field and electric current to realize 3D topological spin textures including fractional hopfions with nonzero topological index in the skyrmion-hosting helimagnet FeGe. Microsecond current pulses and in-plane magnetic field were employed to control the dynamics of the expansion and contraction of the bundle composed of skyrmion and fractional hopfion as well as the current-driven Hall motion of the bundle. The present results demonstrate how to manipulate and control 3D topological objects such as hopfion and its bound state in helimagnetic systems.
WeWalk: Walking with a buddy after stroke. A pilot study evaluating feasibility and acceptability of a person-centred dyadic behaviour change intervention using qualitative methods
Authors: Morris Jacqui , Irvine Linda , Tooman Tricia , Dombrowski Stephan , McCormack Brendan , Wijck Frederike Van , Lawrence Maggie
Published: September 2022

Background
Evidence for benefits of physical activity (PA) after stroke is unequivocal. However, many people with stroke are inactive, spending >80% of waking hours sedentary even when they have physical capacity for activity, indicating barriers to physical activity participation that are not physical. WeWalk is a 12-week person-centred dyadic behaviour change intervention to support people with stroke (PWS) to increase physical activity by walking outdoors with support from a walking buddy. This pilot study examined feasibility of recruiting dyads and explored their perceptions of acceptability and experiences using WeWalk to identify required refinements before progression to a clinical trial.
Methods
Design: A single-arm observational pilot study with qualitative evaluation. Intervention: WeWalk involved facilitated face-to-face and telephone sessions, supported by intervention handbooks, in which dyads agreed walking goals and plans, monitored progress and developed strategies for maintaining walking. Evaluation: Descriptive data on recruitment and retention was collected. Interview data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis, guided by a theoretical framework of acceptability
Results
We recruited 21 dyads comprising community-dwelling PWS and their walking buddies. Ten dyads fully completed WeWalk before government-imposed COVID-19 lockdown. Despite lockdown, 18 dyads completed exit interviews. We identified three themes: acceptability evolves with experience, mutuality, and person-centred adaptability. As dyads recognised how WeWalk components supported walking, perceptions of acceptability grew. Effort receded as goals and enjoyment of walking together were realised. The dyadic structure provided accountability, and participants’ confidence developed as they experienced physical and psychological benefits of walking. WeWalk worked best when dyads exhibited relational connectivity and mutuality in setting and achieving goals. Adapting intervention components to individual circumstances and values supported dyads in participation and achieving meaningful goals.
Conclusion
Recruiting dyads was feasible and most engaged with WeWalk. Participants viewed the dyadic structure and intervention components as acceptable for promoting outdoor walking and valued the personally-tailored nature of WeWalk. ISCTRN number
Performance Analysis of Radio Prediction Tools for the Determination of Diffraction Losses and Under-Coverage in some Mountainous Topologies of Northern Nigeria.
Authors: Udoeno Etukakpan A. , Mopta Samuel E. , Oduobuk Enobong J. , Ekpa Imoh D. , Ojuyenum Emmanuel C. , Asiya Asiya E.
Published: September 2022

Signal under-coverage due to diffraction losses, is fundamentally considered to be responsible for the hues and cries of communities residing behind mountainous topologies in Taraba and Niger State. Performance analyses of these radio tools are rudimentary for technical radio dimensioning and optimization. The epicenter of this study is to predict the depth of diffraction losses and under-coverage in mountainous areas of the study. To achieve this, an Open Source Geographical Resources Analysis Support System (GRASS) and other conventional diffraction models were employed. The result indicated that the transmitted radio signals were received via the mechanism of diffraction, as the mountain was found to obstruct the signal line-of-sight (LOS) and the ensuing effective ellipsoids of the Fresnel Zones in the analysis. Consequently, it was apparent that there was deep under-coverage in all the radio cells of the study location, as illustrated in the maps created with ArcGIS. The depth of under-coverage in Taraba State was relatively more severe than Niger State. Empirically, the skip distances of the shadow zone cast by the mountains for both States were 35.8km and 29.92km respectively. However, for ease of prediction in analogous topology and to cater to the discrepancies of the conventional models of diffraction used in this work, linear regression models were fitted to predict the measure of received signal strength (RSS) level and diffraction losses. In evaluating the validity of these models, it was realized that the measured and the calculated values were incongruent.
Ascertaining structural dynamics for a conformational plasticity in lncRNA-HSP90 interactions
Authors: Thomas Laveena X , P Archa , Nair Bipin , Suravajhala Prashanth , Suravajhala Renuka
Published: September 2022

Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) and long non-coding RNAs
(LncRNAs) are found to be upregulated in human cancer cells and
play a significant role in cancer progression and aggression. The
lncRNAs have the capability to interact with coding regions of
genes, RNA and proteins as well as regulate their functions. Here,
we sought to study the lncRNAs in HSP90 gene interactions with
HSP90 protein to identify the structural dynamics of HSP90.
Furthermore, we attempted to find the potential phytochemicals
targeted to HSP90 protein as potential anticancer drugs. It was
observed that theaflavin, epigallocatechin gallate, procyanidin,
rutin and myricetin are potential anticancer drugs. These
phytochemicals can be validated by in vitro studies in the
future.
A Secure Cloud Framework for Big Data Analytics Using a Hybrid Encryption Method
Authors: Salman Zainab , Alomary Alauddin , Hammad Mustafa
Published: September 2022

This paper proposes a hybrid encryption system that is based on Elliptical Curve Cryptography (ECC) and Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE). FHE can be used as powerful public-key encryption that allows any user to do computations on encrypted data. To develop a data analytics technique in a distributed environment, a data clustering approach is used to divide big data into several subsets. In this method, many virtual nodes process big data simultaneously and in parallel. Three datasets are used to evaluate the proposed framework. The results show that in the distributed model the execution time is decreased up to 48% using more processors working on data. Additionally, the generated results are compared with a centralized model to evaluate the efficiency and performance of the proposed framework. Experiments show that the developed framework can improve the performance of big data analytics while making sure that data is protected and secured.
Amelioration of nonylphenol-induced anxiety/depression-like behaviors in male rats using green tea and Zn-Se tea interventions
Authors: Zhang Yujie , Xu Jie , Zhu Lin , Li Shengnan , Li Mizhuan , Tong Dayan , Yu Jie
Published: September 2022

We investigated the effects of nonylphenol (NP) on anxiety/depression-like behaviors and alleviation via green tea and zinc selenium (Zn-Se) tea interventions in rats. Forty male specific-pathogen free (SPF) Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 per group): control group (C); NP group (40 mg/kg NP); green tea group (40 mg/kg NP + 0.2 g/mL GT group) and Zn-Se tea group (40 mg/kg NP + 0.2 g/mL ZST group). Following tea intervention, compared with the NP group, the residence time in the light-dark box test decreased, and the number of entries into the closed arm in the elevated plus maze test in the tea-treated group was significantly reduced. The sucrose preference index in the sucrose preference test increased, and the immobility time in the forced swimming test decreased. The effect of Zn-Se tea was better than that of green tea. The damage to the hippocampal tissues in the group treated with tea was less than in the NP group. The cellular arrangement was tighter with degeneration, deep staining, and pyknotic nerve cells were visible. The nuclei of the NP group were atrophied, and the cells were sparsely arranged. Compared with the NP group, corticosterone levels were decreased in the NP + Zn-Se tea group. Chronic NP exposure induced anxiety/depression-like behaviors in rats. Green tea effectively reduced the damage to the hippocampal and prefrontal cortex induced by NP. The effects of Zn-Se tea were slightly more optimal than those of conventional green tea.
Drospirenone 4 mg in a 24+4 regimen in women with contraindications to oestrogen use for contraception: bleeding patterns according to previous menstrual characteristics
Authors: Grandi Giovanni , Savio Maria Chiara Del , Melotti Chiara , Facchinetti Fabio
Published: September 2022

Purpose
A new POP consisting of 4 mg drospirenone (DRSP) for 24 days with a 4-day hormone-free interval was developed to improve bleeding predictability during POP use. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on bleeding patterns during use of this oral contraceptive (OC) in comparison with previous menstrual cycles before the start of OC use.
Methods
This is a pilot, prospective trial. A diary was used to collect information about daily bleeding and pelvic pain before and during treatment. During OC use, women were categorized as having 1) unscheduled bleeding or spotting days (UB), 2) scheduled bleeding or spotting days (SB) and 3) absence of bleeding/spotting (AB). SF-36 and FSFI questionnaires were used to quantify health-related quality of life and the quality of sexual life in sexually active participants.
Results
Eighteen out of 25 (72%) women completed the entire follow-up. Women with UB (44.4%) were older at inclusion (p < 0.001) and had higher BMIs (p = 0.02) than those with AB (22.2%) or SB (33.4%). Women recorded a significant reduction of menstrual flow intensity during OC use (p < 0.0001). Those with UB also experienced a significant reduction of menstrual pain intensity (p = 0.006). Women with SB during OC use had a longer baseline cycle than those who reported UB during OC use (p = 0.008). Satisfaction with this OC was very high (8.4 ± 2.2 points) with no modification in SF-36 and FSFI values.
Conclusion
A DRSP-only pill is a good OC option for women with contraindications to oestrogen use. Features of the menstrual cycle before the start of OC use may be used to predict associated changes in bleeding patterns.
Distinct immune profiles in children of high versus low socioeconomic status in Makassar, Indonesia
Authors: Dorst Marloes van , Stam Koen , Amaruddin Aldian Irma , König Marion , Hamid Firdaus , Sartono Erliyani , Wahyuni Sitti , Jochems Simon P. , Yazdanbakhsh Maria
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

Vaccinations against infectious diseases save millions of lives, however reduced vaccine responses have been observed in low-income settings. Therefore, understanding differences in immune profiles of populations with high or low socioeconomic status (SES) is of importance for optimizing vaccine efficacy.

AIM

Examining the immune profile of children of high versus low SES in the city of Makassar, Indonesia.

METHODS

Using mass cytometry, we profiled immune cells in finger-prick blood samples of children attending high and low SES schools in Makassar, Indonesia.

RESULTS

Distinct immune profiles were found in children from low versus high SES. While increased frequencies of B cells, CD161+ T helper 2 cells and CTLA-4+ Tregs and HLA-DRdimCD163+ monocytes were seen in low SES children, elevated TCRgd T cells and a trend towards expansion of T helper 1 cells were observed in the high SES group.

CONCLUSION

Socioeconomic status appears to have a significant impact on the immune system of children living in the same city. Such differences might contribute to poor vaccine responsiveness that has been reported in low income settings.
Genetic polymorphisms of FcGR2B and adalimumab effectiveness in Colombian patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Cases-controls study
Authors: Osorio Yolima Puentes , Muñoz Pedro Amariles , Aristizabal Beatriz , Peñaranda Luis Fernando Pinto , Rodriguez Carlos Andres , Colorado Juan Camilo Díaz
Published: September 2022

Background

Adalimumab is one of the main drugs used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, the effectiveness of the drug may be affected by the genetic variability of each patient. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic failure of adalimumab associated to genetic polymorphisms of FcGR2B.

Methods

A case-control study in Colombian patients diagnosed with RA was carried out. The data was collected based on clinical information reported by the patients and by genotyping and sequencing information through “Targeted Sequencing” and “Exomic Sequencing”. The cases in the study were patients in treatment with adalimumab, with therapeutic failure, on anti-TNF-α treatment for at least three months, and with exome sequencing data. The controls were patients with past treatment with adalimumab, with therapeutic effectiveness, on anti-TNF-α treatment for at least three months, and with exome sequencing data. The collected data was summarized by interquartile range and compared by chi-square test.

Results

222 patients were selected, 21 of whom met the inclusion criteria and matched for sex and age. The gene that contained the highest number of SNPs was HLA-DRB1 and the one with the second highest number of SNPs was HLA-DQA2. The other genes with great relevance were FCGR3B and FCGR2B. The risk of ineffectiveness was higher in patients with the presence of Genetic polymorphisms of FcGR2B rs6666965 (OR = 23.3; P = 0.0121). While this risk was associated with other SNPs such as rs78763831 (OR = 17. 8; P = 0.0.065), rs4778636 (OR = 15.9; P = 0.0778) and rs3933769 (OR = 7.5; P = 0.0.0974) it was not statistically significant, despite the strong association.

Conclusion

Patients diagnosed with RA with genetic polymorphisms of FcGR2B, mainly by the presence of the SNP rs6666965 have a positive association with therapeutic failure of adalimumab. The identification of these genetic variables can contribute to the availability of pharmacogenetics tests for adalimumab and the generation of a pharmacogenomics basis for patients with RA.
Trial registration NCT03352622
Hantzsch Reaction using Copper Nitrate Hydroxide- Containing Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle with C 3 N 4 Framework as A Novel Powerful and Reusable Catalyst
Authors: Rahmati Ensiyeh , Rafiee Zahra
Published: September 2022

Copper nitrate hydroxide (CNH)-containing mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) with g-C3N4 framework (MSN/C3N4/CNH) was fabricated via a four-step hydrothermal synthesis method. Functionalized MSN-based C3N4 was prepared, decorated with CNH, and identified by different physicochemical techniques such as FT-IR, XRD, SEM, EDX, and STA analyses. Then, MSN/C3N4/CNH composite was utilized as a robust catalyst for the fast fabrication of biologically active polyhydroquinoline derivatives with high yields between 88 and 97% via Hantzsch reaction under mild reaction conditions and short reaction time (within 15 min) owing to synergistic influence of Lewis acid and base sites. Moreover, MSN/C3N4/CNH can be straightforwardly recovered and used up to six reaction cycles without a conspicuous decrease in efficiency.
YOLO-CSF: an improved deep convolutional neural network for flame detection.
Authors: Yan Chunman , Wang Qingpeng , Zhao Yufan , Zhang Xing
Published: September 2022

The occurrence of fire threatens people's lives and property damage. An effective way to reduce flame damage is to detect flames in video images and take appropriate measures to contain fires at an early stage of occurrence. To solve the problem of low detection precision of current image-based flame detection methods, we propose a high precision flame detector based on yolov5 improvement. Coordinate Attention Blocks are introduced in the backbone network to obtain both channel relationships and long-range dependencies with precise positional information and increase the feature expression of the backbone network. Swin Transformer Blocks are introduced in the neck to expand the receptive field of the network and improve the flame feature extraction; the Adaptive Spatial Feature Fusion module is introduced in the head network to enhance the multi-scale feature fusion of flame features and reduce false alarms. Compared with the yolov5l, the precision of the model is improved by 4.1%. Compared with other existing detectors, it achieves the best average precision of 66.8%
Hydrodynamic spin-orbit coupling in asynchronous optically driven micro-rotors
Authors: Zion Matan Yah Ben , Modin Alvin , Chaikin Paul
Published: September 2022

Vortical flows of rotating particles describe interactions ranging from molecular machines to atmospheric dynamics. Yet to date, direct observation of the hydrodynamic coupling between artificial micro-rotors has been restricted by the details of the chosen drive, either through synchronization (using external magnetic fields) or confinement (using optical tweezers). Here we present a new active system that illuminates the interplay of rotation and translation in free rotors. We developed a non-tweezing circularly polarized beam that can rotate hundreds of silica-coated birefringent colloids simultaneously. The particles rotate asynchronously in the optical torque field while freely diffusing in the plane. We observe that neighboring particles orbit each other with an angular velocity that depends on their spins. We derive an analytical model in the Stokes limit for pairs of spheres that quantitatively explains the observed dynamics. We then find that the geometrical nature of the low Reynolds fluid results in a universal hydrodynamic spin-orbit coupling. Our findings are of significance for the understanding and development of far-from-equilibrium materials.
Evaluation of a machine learning algorithm for predicting the dental age of adolescent based on different preprocessing methods
Authors: Shen Shihui , Yuan Xiaoyan , Wang Jian , Fan Linfeng , Zhao Junjun , Tao Jiang
Published: September 2022

Background Machine learning (ML) algorithms play a key role in estimating dental age. In this study, three ML models were used for dental age estimation, based on different preprocessing methods. Aim The 7 mandibular teeth on the digital panorama were measured and evaluated according to the Cameriere and the Demirjian method, respectively. Correlation data were used for decision tree (DT), Bayesian ridge regression (BRR), k-nearest neighbors (KNN) models for dental age estimation. An accuracy comparison was made among different methods. Subjects & Methods We analyzed 748 orthopantomographs (392 males and 356 females) from eastern China between the age of 5 and 13 years in this retrospective study. Three models, DT, BRR, and KNN, were used to estimate the dental age. The data in ML is obtained according to the Cameriere method and the Demirjian method. Coefficient of determination (R2), mean error (ME), root mean square error (RMSE), mean square error (MSE) and mean absolute error (MAE), the above five metrics were used to evaluate the accuracy of age estimation. Results Our experimental results showed that the prediction accuracy of dental age was affected by ML algorithms. MD, MAD, MSE, RMSE of the dental age predicted by ML were significantly decreased. Among all the methods, the KNN model based on the Cameriere method had the highest accuracy (ME = 0.015, MAE = 0.473, MSE = 0.340, RMSE = 0.583, R2 = 0.94). Conclusions The results show that the prediction accuracy of dental age is influenced by ML algorithms and preprocessing method. The KNN model based on the Cameriere method was able to infer dental age more accurately in a clinical setting.
The predictive value of weight evolution in screening for (risk of) malnutrition in community-dwelling elderly (70+): a follow up study
Authors: Offenwert Evelien Van , Schoenmakers Birgitte
Published: September 2022

Background
Malnutrition is a heavily underestimated but frequently occurring pathology. Due to aging of the population and the increasing survival rate for a number of pathologies, the prevalence of malnutrition is increasing. Malnutrition in the home situation will increase due to the decrease in the hospitalization length and the shift of care to primary care.
Screening for malnutrition is indispensable, as only half of malnourished patients are recognized by health care providers. Experience and research show that screening in primary care mainly takes place by monitoring the weight parameter and that validated screening instruments are hardly used. With this study we want to investigate how effective and predictive weight evolution is in screening for (risk of) malnutrition in older people living at home, in comparison with the gold standard, namely the MNA-SF.
Methods
This project is a prospective, longitudinal study with quantitative data. The outcome measure is the weight evolution over six months compared with the score on the MNA-SF at month six.
The target group of this study consists of people over 70 living at home and receiving help from a nurse on a regular basis (at least once a month).
Weight is measured and recorded once a month during 6 months. At the last weight measurement, the MNA-SF is administered.
In order to assess their own nutritional state, three additional questions are asked after taking the MNA-SF
Results
A total of 143 patients consented to participate. Based on the MNA-SF score measured after six months, 37.8% (54/143) was at risk of malnutrition and 4.9% (7/ 143) was malnourished. In order to detect people with (risk of) malnutrition, a sensitivity of 19.3% and a specificity of 96.0% were established with a weight evolution of ≥5% weight loss at six months. To detect malnutrition, this was 71.4% and 92.3%, respectively.
Conclusion
Weight evolution has a low sensitivity in screening for malnutrition in people over 70 living at home compared to the MNA-SF as the gold standard. In order to detect people with malnutrition, weight loss seems to have a considerable predictive value in this study.
Heterogeneous graph construction and HinSAGE learning from electronic medical records
Authors: Cho Ha Na , Ahn Imjin , Gwon Hansle , Kang Hee Jun , Kim Yunha , Seo Hyeram , Choi Heejung , Kim Minkyoung , Han Jiye , Kee Gaeun , Jun Tae Joon , Kim Young-Hak
Published: September 2022

Graph representation learning is a method for introducing how to effectively construct and learn patient embeddings using electronic medical records. Adapting the integration will support and advance the previous methods to predict the prognosis of patients in network models. This study aims to address the challenge of implementing complex and highly heterogeneous dataset, including the following: (1) demonstrating how to build a multi-attributed and multi-relational graph model (2) and applying a downstream disease prediction task of patient’s prognosis using HinSAGE algorithm. We present a bipartite graph schema and a graph database construction in detail. The first constructed graph database illustrates a query of a predictive network which provides analytical insights using graph representation of a patient’s journey. Moreover, we demonstrate an alternative bipartite model where we apply the model to the HinSAGE to perform the link prediction task for predicting the event occurrence. Consequently, the performance evaluation indicated that our heterogeneous graph model successfully predicted as baseline models. Overall, our graph database successfully demonstrated efficient real-time query performance and showed HinSAGE implementation to predict cardiovascular diseases event outcomes on supervised link prediction learning.
Outcomes and Influencing Factors of 126 Pregnancy Patients with Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease: A Real-world Prospective Study
Authors: Li Shuting , Zhao Yingjie , Sun Zhijian , Guo Yunfei , Deng Xiaohui , Liu Yuan , Zhang Tongchao , Shu Qiang
Published: September 2022

Background: Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) patients have various clinical manifestations and tend to relapse during pregnancy. To analyze the factors influencing pregnancy outcomes, we observed the clinical characteristics of pregnant patients with UCTD and fetal abnormalities events, and compared the disease activity and differences in treatment between adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) and normal pregnancy outcomes (NAPO).
Methods: 126 pregnancies of 124 UCTD patients were enrolled from September 2018 to October 2021. Participants were divided into the non-aPL (no positive aPL or NC-aPL) group and aPL group. Subgroups (APO and NAPO group) were set according to the outcomes of pregnancy (failed pregnancy group and successful pregnancy group). The clinical characteristics, treatment, and the differences in pregnancy outcomes of each subgroup were analyzed.
Results: The incidence of fetal Doppler ultrasound abnormalities events (DUAE) and APO was different in patients with different antibodies during pregnancy. In the previous pregnancy outcomes, failed pregnancies (especially the unexplained spontaneous abortion within 10 weeks, p=0.033) were more common in the aPL group (p=0.048).
The usage of low dose asprin (LDA) combined with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in the aPL group was significantly higher than that in the non-aPL group (p<0.001, p=0.005, p<0.001, respectively). In APO group, the percentage of late fetal loss (≥10 weeks of gestation) in previous pregnancies was 34.4% (11/32)，compared to the 12.8% (12/94) in NAPO cases (p=0.006). Positive aβ2GPI-IgG and the incidence of thrombocytopenia were higher in APO than the NAPO group, that was 31.3%vs. 13.8% (p=0.028), 18.8% vs. 4.3%, (p=0.025), respectively. Multivariate analysis confirmed that the occurrence of late fetal loss in the past, positive aβ2GPI-IgG, and thrombocytopenia was involved as the risk factors of this oncoming APOs.
Conclusion: UCTD patients, whether with aPLs or not, had high-risk pregnancies, and the live birth rate was around 90%. Anti-coagulations were more likely to be needed in patients with positive aPLs and can improve some DUAEs in pregnancies. The influencing factors of APO included the history of late fetal loss, positive aβ2GPI-IgG, and thrombocytopenia.
Displaying Projectile Motion with Nonlinear Air Resistance Using Caputo’s Definition
Authors: Jaradat Emad , Akour Abdulrahman Nawaf , Aloqaly Amer Dakheel , Habashneh Wajd Abd , Jaradat Omar
Published: September 2022

Displaying projectile in a resisting medium for two dimension have two forms; An Ordinary differential equation and a fractional differential equation describe its behavior. The two equations include a nonlinear term, which represents the effect of the air resistance on the motion of the projectile. The development of the Ordinary differential equations for all nonlinear cases is obtained using a developed technique that combines the linear operator Laplace transform and the Adomian decomposition method (ADM) to solve the nonlinear part. To discuss the behavior of the projectile motion we plot the obtained results for several values and study the effect of the order of the nonlinear term on the achievable maximum height. On the other hand, the effects of the proportional factor and the projected mass on the motion have been shown by substituting different values and in the equations of motion. In addition to the Laplace Decomposition Method (LDM), we use the Caputo definition of the fractional derivative to investigate the fractional form of the projectile motion equation. The results show that all the results obtained in the ordinary case may be obtained from the fractional case when α=1.
Mathematics Subject Classification 70K25; 34K37; 44Axx
Sexual dimorphism based on the sternum bone morphometry in human fetuses
Authors: Aragão José Aderval , Matos Ícaro Quintela , Carvalho Higor Dantas Gonçalves , Aragão Iapunira Catarina Sant’Anna , Aragão Felipe Matheus Sant’Anna , Feitosa Vera Lúcia Correa , Reis Francisco Prado
Published: September 2022

Background
Sex determination of unidentified remains found in archaeological or forensic situations has been one of the primary tasks for specialists such as forensic anthropologists or bioarchaeologists. In cases of mass disasters such as armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, plane crashes, war-related crimes, etc., when decomposed, mutilated or damaged mortal remains consisting of only a few bones or their fragments are recovered from the scene, it becomes crucial to establish the biological identity, especially the sex of a missing individual. Although several bones, such as the pelvis, skull and femur, have contributed significantly as an indicator in the determination of sex, we often make use of less dimorphic elements of the skeleton, as is the case of the sternum. The objective of this study was to investigate the sexual dimorphism of the sternum of human fetuses from northeastern Brazil and to verify through statistical methods the accuracy of the sternum measurements to estimate the sex. All measurements of the sternum bones in human fetuses were made with the aid of a digital caliper with a precision of 0.01 mm by 3 different observers and the average was calculated. The means differences were evaluated using the T test and Mann-Whitney test and discriminant analysis.
Result
It was observed that all measurements (length and width of the sternum) in males showed slightly higher means. We can also infer for the model with all variables that the length and widths 2 and 3 of the sternum had an accuracy of 73.3%, whereas in the individual models, width 3 of the sternum had better accuracy (60%).
Conclusion
We can conclude that the sternum measurements of fetuses have not been shown to be reliable as an indicator in the determination of sex. Further development of these methods, as well as the expansion of the database, may help us to develop further sternum-based sex estimation functions and standard measurements for other potentially useful bones.
How has endourological experience in childhood kidney stones changed the indications for open surgery?
Authors: Tiryaki H Tuğrul , Demirtaş Gökhan
Published: September 2022

With the developments in endourology in the last 30 years, the indication for open stone surgery in the urinary system has gradually decreased. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the cases and the indications who underwent open stone surgery by examining the cases that were operated for urinary system stones in the first four-year learning period (2009-2012) and the following five-year period (2013-2018). Open surgery was required in 25 cases due to renal stones (17.24%) at learning period. In the second period 217 cases were operated due to renal stones, while 4 cases (1.84%). Also open surgery was performed in a total of six cases due to stone-related complications or complications related to endoscopic procedures. In almost all of our patients who underwent endoscopic stone treatment, stone-free was achieved with repeated procedures. More than one anesthesia was required in all patients In the second period of endourological experience, open surgical procedures were performed only because of the complications of endourological procedures. Stone-free status can be achieved even in infants by applying more than one session of endourological interventions. If necessary, staged interventions can be planned and urinary system stone treatment can be provided in children without open surgery.
Transmission of Light through K-feldspar
Authors: Uzorka Afam
Published: September 2022

In this paper, the experimental details and results are presented concerning the light transmission through K3 samples and its dependence on the polarization of the light. Very little absorption was found with wavelengths of light between 500 and 820 nm, but below 500 nm the absorption increased significantly. There was a polarization dependence for this absorption, the difference between the maximum and the minimum transmission is about 18% for 1.5 mm thick samples at 400 nm. It was also found that the maximum and minimum in the transmission occurred when the external polarizer transmission axis was aligned with one of the refractive index ellipsoid axes of the sample.
Evaluation of Aflatoxin Content in Cheka (Traditional Beverage in South-Western Ethiopia) and Its Major Ingredient (Maize)
Authors: Kayola Kefita Kashala , Gebre Solomon Genet , Addisu Sisay , Kussia Amanuel Dubale
Published: September 2022

Background: Aflatoxin is a toxic cancerous fungal secondary metabolite produced by Aspergillus species. Consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated cereals and their products can cause several health-related effects including acute and chronic aflatoxicosis. This study is aimed to evaluate the total aflatoxin content in Cheka and its major ingredients using the Immuno-Affinity Column Clean-up technique by sensitive HPLC with fluorescence detection.
Methods:This study followed a completely randomized experimental design to evaluate the level of aflatoxin in traditionally brewed Cheka and its major ingredients (maize) by HPLC from November 2019 to June 2020. Traditionally brewed 6 Cheka beverage and 6 maize seed samples were collected randomly from Konso and transported to Bless Agri Food Laboratory in Addis Ababa for laboratory evaluation of aflatoxin in samples. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 25.
Results: In the present study aflatoxin contamination was detected in all maize and Cheka samples. A mean total aflatoxin level of 6.78 ± 8.28 μg/kg and 10.76 ± 4.50 μg/kg were observed in maize and Cheka samples respectively. AFB1 predominantly contributed to the contamination of all samples. Although there was no significant difference while comparing between mean total aflatoxin of any other sample types, a significant difference was observed for the AFB1 mean of pitfall maize and their respective Cheka samples (P= 0.033).
Conclusion: The mean level of AFB1 in pitfall maize differs from a respective Cheka sample. As most of the samples evaluated for aflatoxin contamination showed levels above healthy cut-off points of aflatoxin set by different authorities like the European Union, CODEX, and Ethiopian standards agency, there must be a protracted interventional approach to reduce aflatoxin contamination in maize and its products in the region.