bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sport Nutrition Practice and Performance of Short Distance Runners: the Case of Oromia Athletics Clubs
Authors: Dano Gizaw Warji , Demena Tesfaye , Merga Lencho , Umeta Bekama , Kidane Tekalegn Fikadu , Denu Dawit Atomsa
Published: September 2023

The study was aimed to assess the impact of sport nutrition practice on performance of sprinters of Oromia selected athletics club. The athlete's diet affects his or her performance directly. Competitive athletes must eat a balanced diet containing all four food groups, and eating a variety of foods within each group is essential. However, no studies conducted on the impact of nutrition on Oromia short distance runners. A cross-sectional research design was employed.Out of eight (N=8) athletics clubs Oromia athletics club, five (n=5) of them were selected as target population namely; Adama, Nekemte, Asella, Dukam and Laga-Tafo Laga Dadhi athleticsclubs. The clubs were selected by using a simple random sampling technique. The total population of athletes in selected clubs was (N=175) and sampled athletes were 120 Adama (23), Nekemte, (24) Asella, (23) Dukam (26) and Laga-Tafo-Laga Dadhi (24) athletics) were selected using a stratified sampling technique. While coaches (N=5) were selected using census sampling techniques. Data collection instrument such as questionnaire, document analysis, interviews and observation were used. Analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) software. Frequency percentage and Simple regression was used quantitative data. Qualitative analysis was used to supplement the quantitative analysis. The result of this study shows that inadequate sprinters nutritional practice affects sprinters performance at p< 0.05. The finding of this study reveals that the majority of sprinters confirmed that sprinters did not get balanced sprinters diet due to this the sprinters performance was poor. As a recommendation, Oromia athletics club should plan for sport nutrition education and allocate enough budgets. Sprinters better extra meal apart from their clubs.
Membrane Dehumidification Technology for Removing Water Vapor from Exhaust Gas in Sludge Drying Process: Full-scale Application and Membrane Autopsy
Authors: Jeon Mi-Jin , Jeon Yong-Woo , Park Young-Kwon
Published: September 2023

Manufacturing solid fuels by drying sewage sludge is an effective method for increasing the production of renewable energy sources; however, the existing technology presents considerable economic challenges owing to high energy consumptions of the drying process. Here, an innovative sludge-drying process that combines microwave drying and membrane dehumidification technologies, using a gas-separation membrane, was developed and applied for the first time. Additionally, a membrane autopsy study was conducted on the dehumidification membranes. The 10 t/d system was continuously operated, and after the stabilization period, a highly efficient sludge drying process was observed; the consumed energy for drying was maintained at ≤ 650 kcal/kg water. Mean water vapor removal ratio in the membrane dehumidifier and dry air circulation rate was 82.2% and 85.2%, respectively. After 80 d of continuous operation, membrane autopsy was done to compare the performances of the contaminated and virgin membrane modules. We observed that long-term operation did not induce any significant change in membrane performance, except for slight organic contamination; this is a very meaningful result. Thus, we showed and verified that even under specific adverse conditions during the sludge-drying process, the combined membrane drying process was effective during long-term operation.
Genomic analysis of Plasmodium vivax identifies putative drivers of adaptation and connectivity across diverse districts in Ethiopia
Authors: Kebede Alebachew Messele , Sutanto Edwin , Trimarsanto Hidayat , Benavente Ernest Diez , Barnes Mariana , Pearson Richard , Siegel Sasha , Erko Berhanu , Assefa Ashenafi , Getachew Sisay , Aseffa Abraham , Petros Beyene , Lo Eugenia , Mohammed Rezika , Yilma Daniel , Rumaseb Angela , Nosten Francois , Noviyanti Rintis , Rayner Julian , Kwiatkowski Dominic , Price Ric , Golassa Lemu , Auburn Sarah
Published: September 2023

Ethiopia has the greatest burden of Plasmodium vivax in Africa, but little is known about the epidemiological landscape of parasites across the country. We analysed the genomic diversity of 137 P. vivax isolates collected nine Ethiopian districts from 2012-16. Signatures of selection were detected by cross-country comparisons with isolates from Thailand (n = 104) and Indonesia (n = 111), representing regions with low and high chloroquine resistance respectively. 26% (35/137) of Ethiopian infections were polyclonal, and 48.5% (17/35) of these comprised highly related clones (within-host identity-by-descent > 25%), indicating frequent co-transmission and superinfection. Parasite gene flow between districts could not be explained entirely by geographic distance, with economic and cultural factors hypothesised to have an impact on connectivity. Amplification of the duffy binding protein gene (pvdbp1) was prevalent across all districts (16%-75%). Cross-population haplotype homozygosity revealed positive selection in a region proximal to the putative chloroquine resistance transporter gene (pvcrt-o). An S25P variant in amino acid transporter 1 (pvaat1), whose homologue has recently been implicated in P. falciparum chloroquine resistance evolution, was prevalent in Ethiopia (96%) but not Thailand or Indonesia (35–53%). The genomic architecture in Ethiopia highlights circulating variants of potential public health concern in an endemic setting with evidence of stable transmission.
The anomalous Hall effects and Rashba-Edelstein magnetoresistance in the ferrimagnetic Mn1.84Co0.46V0.86Al film
Authors: Xu Xiaoguang , Dou Chunyue , Zhao Xiaoyi , Zhu Zhiqiang , Zhang Tanzhao , Li Chexin , Meng Kangkang , Wu Yong , Li Ang , Khovaylo V.V. , Jiang Yong
Published: September 2023

Ferrimagnets have attracted increasing attention in spintronics due to the possibility of easy manipulation by magnetic or electric fields. In this study, we report the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) and Rashba-Edelstein magnetoresistance (REMR) in the new ferrimagnetic Mn1.84Co0.46V0.86Al (MCVA) films. The anomalous Hall resistivity (ρxy) changes gradually from negative to positive values with increasing film thickness. By separating the contributions of AHE, it is demonstrated that the thickness dependence origins from the competition between the skew scattering contribution and the sum of the side jumping and intrinsic terms. Besides the intrinsic bulk effect of MCVA, the interface Rashba-Edelstein effect also obviously influences the transport property of MCVA-based devices due to interfacial spin-orbit coupling (SOC). As the magnetic field increasing, the magnetic moments of MCVA switch from collinear to non-collinear, resulting in an inversion of the REMR signal of MCVA/Al2O3 devices. The magnetic coupling state evolution in MCVA gives a pathway for signal inversion in REMR at interfaces without heavy metal layer, which provides valuable ideas for spintronic device design.
Structure-rheology Properties of Polyethylenes with Varying Macromolecular Architectures
Authors: Li Jixiang , Touil Ibtissam , de Alba Carlos Fernández , Boisson Fernande , Boyron Olivier , Narimissa Esmaeil , Lu Bo , Zhang Huagui , Maazouz Abderrahim , Lamnawar Khalid
Published: September 2023

It is proverbial that the rheological properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) are disparate because of their different molecular microstructures due to the unlike methods of polymerization. In this work, multiple characterizations including Size-Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) coupled with low-angle light scattering and viscosmeter, 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Crystallization Elution Fractionation (CEF) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) were conducted to get detailed information of branching on different LDPEs and LLDPEs. It was found that, in our case, LDPEs possessed higher molecular weight and greater amounts of long-chain branching (LCB) in comparison with LLDPEs. The Chemical Composition Distribution (CCD) of each LLDPE sample depends strongly on the catalyst used. LLDPE produced by Z-N catalyst exhibited broad short-chain branching (SCB) distribution (less uniform composition distribution), whereas LLDPE obtained by metallocene catalyst showed more uniform microstructure. Unlikely, the two LDPEs displayed wider but unimodal distribution corresponding to the free-radical polymerization mechanism. Both linear and nonlinear rheological results were strongly influenced by the presence of LCB. LDPEs in this work exhibited higher zero shear-viscosity, higher values of storage modulus, longer relaxation times, and higher activation energy comparing to LLDPEs. The presence of LCB leads to more pronounced strain hardening behavior in the elongational flow which is neglected in LLDPE. The molecular structures of linear and branched PEs were consistent with the rheological properties.
Childhood Forced Feeding and Associated Factors Among Mothers or Caregivers Inaddis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Ahmed Sindew Mahmud , Degif Abinet Besufikad , Baraki Semere Gebremariam , Getahun Genanew Kassie
Published: September 2023

Objective
To assess childhood forced feeding and associated factors among mothers or caregiver selected sub-cities, Addis Ababa, 2021.
Method
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2021 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A single population proportion formula was used. A total of 561 mothers or caregivers were selected using systematic sampling. The data was collected by a structured interview administered by a questioner, and the collected data was entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for further analysis. Binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. Texts, tables, and graphs were used to present the findings of the study.
Results
The prevalence of forced feeding was 74% (95% CI: 70.4–77.8%). Mothers or caregivers with less than $50 in monthly income (AOR = 0.292; 95% CI: 0.102–0.835), mothers with a perception that their child is underweight (AOR = 3.875; 95% CI: 1.519–9.886), mothers or caregivers concerned about being underweight (AOR = 8.872; 95% CI: 4.993–15.766), and mothers with three or more birth orders (AOR = 3.584; 95% CI: 1.4 to 1.4 to 3.676)
Conclusion
In comparison to previous studies, the magnitude of forced feeding by mothers or caregivers was high. Our data show that low-income households experience more force. Mothers who were anxious that their children were not eating enough had a higher likelihood of being forced to feed than mothers who were concerned that their children were eating too much. Forced feeding was more
An Analysis of the Psychological Well-being and Perspectives of Dental Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned
Authors: Alrawashdeh Mohammad , Alibrahim Anas , alhabashneh rola , Abualteen Tahani , Aljabary Leen
Published: September 2023

Objective: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dental students’ education and psychological status.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, an online survey was prepared and distributed to dental students and interns from two dental schools in Jordan. The psychological status of students was measured using the short-form version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS).
Results: Of the 332 dental students surveyed, 230 (69.3%) were female. Approximately two-thirds of students expressed interest in receiving more guidance on COVID-19, while more than half (58%) were dissatisfied with the support offered by their schools during the pandemic. On a scale from 0-10, students reported a high potential influence of COVID-19 outbreak on dental practice in the short term (mean 8.9 ± 1.7), but a reduced impact in the long term (6.9 ± 2.3). Participants showed moderate levels of depression (mean 19.0 ± 12.2), anxiety (mean 10.4 ± 9.9), and stress (mean 19.6 ± 12.4), and these scores were significantly higher in females.
Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial psychological impact on dental students and the education process. Dental and healthcare educational institutions need more preparation to provide the required psychological support, information, and training to their students.
Safety and immunogenicity and efficacy of the self-amplifying mRNA ARCT-154 COVID-19 vaccine
Authors: Hồ Nhân , Hughes Steven , Tạ Văn , Phan Lan , Đỗ Quyết , Nguyễn Thượng , Pham Anh , Đặng Mai , Nguyễn Lượng , Trinh Quang , Phạm Hùng , Chử Mến , Toan Nguyen Trong , Luong Quang , Lê Vy Thi , Nguyễn Thắng , Trần Lý-Thị-Lê , Lưu Anh , Nguyễn Anh , Nguyễn Nhung-Thị-Hồng , Vu Hai-Son , Edelman Jonathan , Parker Suezanne , Sullivan Brian , Sullivan Sean , Ruan Qian , Clemente Brenda , Luk Brian , Lindert Kelly , Berdieva Dina , Murphy Kat , Sekulovich Rose , Greener Benjamin , Smolenov Igor , Chivukula Padmanabh , Nguyễn Vân , Nguyen Xuan-Hung
Published: September 2023

Combination of waning immunity and lower effectiveness of approved COVID-19 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants necessitates new vaccines. We evaluated the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of a novel self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine against the D614G variant, ARCT-154, in an integrated phase 1/2/3a/3b, randomized, observer-blind trial in Vietnamese adults. Two doses of ARCT-154 or placebo 28 days apart were well tolerated with mild to moderate transient adverse events. Four weeks after the second dose 94.1% (95% CI: 92.1–95.8) of vaccinees seroconverted for neutralizing antibodies, with a geometric mean-fold rise from baseline titers of 14.5 (95% CI: 13.6–15.5). Most cases of confirmed COVID-19 eligible for efficacy analysis were due to the Delta variant. Absolute efficacy of ARCT-154 was 56.6% (95% CI: 48.7–63.3) against any COVID-19, and 95.3% (80.5–98.9) against severe COVID-19. We show ARCT-154 vaccination is well tolerated, immunogenic and efficacious, particularly against severe COVID-19 disease and COVID-associated death.
Short-latency prepulse inhibition of the trigeminal blink reflex
Authors: Shingaki Megumi , Itoh Yasushi , Bayasgalan Borgil , Kida Tetsuo , Inui Koji
Published: September 2023

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) refers to the phenomenon in which a weak sensory input, that by itself does not reliably induce a startle reflex, suppresses the startle reflex induced by a subsequent strong sensory stimulus. A major challenge in studying PPI is the incomplete understanding of the startle reflex pathway as well as inhibition mechanisms. Here we focused on short-latency PPI of the trigeminal blink reflex R1 signal with an oligosynaptic reflex arc to clarify whether the PPI mechanism involves GABA-A equivalent inhibition. The reflex was elicited by electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve, and was recorded from the ipsilateral lower eyelid using an accelerometer. The stimulus intensity was 1.5 times the R1 threshold for the test stimulus and 0.9 times for the prepulse. The prepulse–test interval (PTI) was 5–150 ms. Results yielded two distinct inhibitions with different time scales; early inhibition peaking at 40-ms PTI or earlier, and a later one after 80-ms PTIs, which corresponds well to the common early and late components of inhibitory post synaptic potentials. There is clinical benefit to understanding the relative behavior of these two components in inhibitory function related diseases.
Association Between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Denu Mawulorm KI , Revoori Ritika , Eghan Cherita , Kwapong Fredrick Larbi , Hillman Andrew , Normeshie Cornelius A , Berko Kofi Poku , Aidoo Emily L. , Buadu Maame Araba E
Published: September 2023

Background: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a medical condition characterized by severe and prolonged fatigue that is not relieved by rest or attributed to any underlying medical or psychological condition. Individuals with CFS/ME are considered to have an increased risk of a wide range of comorbid conditions, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). The association between CFS/ME and CVD is not fully understood.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of CFS/ME in a sample population and examine its association with CVD.
Methods: Data was analyzed from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Information on sociodemographic factors, CVD risk factors, and history of CFS/ME and CVD were collected. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine the association between CFS/ME and CVD, adjusting for traditional CVD risk factors (age, sex, race, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and body mass index (BMI).
Results: Median age of participants was 53 years, and majority of participants were female (53.9%). Prevalence of CFS/ME was 1.4%. A history of CFS/ME was significantly associated with CVD (aOR: 3.13, 95%CI: 2.37, 4.15, p-value: <0.001) after adjusting for traditional CVD risk factors.
Conclusion: A history of CFS/ME was independently associated with CVD after adjusting for traditional CVD risk factors. Patients with CFS/ME need close evaluation for CVD. Further studies are needed to better understand the relationship between CFS/ME and CVD.
A comparative study of cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation combined with vertebroplasty and PKP alone in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral burst fracture
Authors: Zheng Jianqing , Wu Yue , Guo Chunliang , Zhang Qin , Xue Yuntao , Ding Tao
Published: September 2023

To compare the clinical efficacy of cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation combined with vertebroplasty (PS-VP) and PKP alone in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral burst fracture (OVBF), The clinical data of 41 OVBF patients admitted to our department from January 2017 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 18 patients who underwent PS-VP and 23 patients who underwent PKP alone. The age, BMI, LSS, NRS, ODI, KA and AHR were compared between the two groups to assess the efficacy of the two procedures. The differences between the postoperative clinical indicators of the two procedures were statistically significant compared with the preoperative ones (P＜0.05). The NRS, ODI, KA and AHR showed great difference between the two groups at 6 months postoperatively(P＜0.05). The KA and AHR in the PS-VP group at 6 months postoperatively were close to those at 3 days (P＞0.05), whereas the KA in the PKP alone group at 6 months postoperatively was larger and AHR was lower than that at 3 days postoperatively with statistical significance (P＜0.05). To conclude, there is no significant difference in the near-term efficacy between PS-VP and PKP alone for OVBF, but the former has advantages in improving clinical symptoms and dysfunction, restoring height of the injured vertebra and maintaining spinal loading capacity in the medium and long term.
Effect of temperature on the growth, reproduction, and germination pattern of two populations of Chloris virgata
Authors: Desai Het , Chauhan Bhagirath Singh
Published: September 2023

A holistic knowledge about the growth of weed species (i.e., from germination to seed production) in response to environmental factors (e.g., temperature, sunlight, moisture, etc.) is of utmost importance to understand the intensity of infestation, especially for Chloris virgata which demonstrates year-round germinability. An experiment in naturally lit greenhouse was conducted to assess the vegetative and reproductive growth of two C. virgata populations [FTR3 (glyphosate-susceptible, GS) and FTR11 (glyphosate-resistant, GR)] at two alternating temperature regimes: 25/15°C, low temperature and 35/25°C, high temperature. The average seed production of both populations was about 78% higher (12635 seeds/plants) at 25/15°C than at 35/25°C (7117 seeds/plants), indicating that late-winter/early-summer maturing cohorts will produce more seeds compared to the cohorts that mature in mid/late summer. The germination pattern of FTR3 and FTR11 maturing at two alternating temperature regimes (25/15°C and 35/25°C) was evaluated in an incubator calibrated to deliver 30/20°C with a 12 h/ 12 h photoperiod. The seeds collected from FTR3 and FTR11, which completed the lifecycle at 35/25°C, released dormancy faster than those matured at 25/15°C, suggesting the late-winter maturing flushes will have an extended germination period. In the light of climate change, these results could aid in designing sustainable integrated management programs to effectively manage this weed species in Australian farming systems.
Total Synthesis of Tetracyclic Spirooxindole Alkaloids via a Double Oxidative Rearrangement/Cyclization Cascade
Authors: Qi Xiangbing , Wang Xin , Zhang Mengjiao , liu Xiaolei , Lou Mingliang , Li gen
Published: September 2023

Piperidine and pyridine are the most significant structural components of bioactive molecules. Aza-Achmatowicz rearrangement is a broadly appliable approach to access piperidine or pyridine derivatives owing to the easily adjustable electronic properties of the amino group. When combined with other chemical transformations, such as nucleophilic cyclization or cycloaddition, it provides entries to a variety of polycyclic skeletons present in naturally-derived alkaloids. Herein, we developed a one-pot reaction cascade of double oxidative rearrangement of furan and indole followed by a nucleophilic cyclization that was successfully applied for the formal synthesis of rhynchophylline/isorhynchophylline and the first total synthesis of 7(R)-geissoschizol oxindole/7(S)-geissoschizol oxindole. The reaction cascade has a broad substrate scope, with a variety of substitutions on the indoles and furans. Other innovative features include the chemo-selective dearomatization of the pyridinium moiety to form the C(sp3)-enriched, three-dimensional spiro[indolizidine-1,3´-oxindole] skeleton and a late-stage, regio- and stereoselective carbene insertion into a C(sp3)-H bond that enabled the successful installation of the adjacent carbon functionality for rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline. In addition, 7(R)-geissoschizol oxindole/7(S)-geissoschizol oxindole were revised to their C-3 epimers and the mechanism for the reversed stereochemistry through the retro-Mannich/Mannich cascade was proposed and supported by the DFT calculations.
Analysis of the top-down and bottom-up controls on the zooplankton of eutrophic freshwater Yeniçağa Lake (Turkey)
Authors: Sorguç Bura Uğur , Demirkalp Fatma Yıldız , Saygı Yasemin
Published: September 2023

The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between zooplankton biomass and the factors that affect it and to assess the trophic status in Yeniçağa Lake, Turkey. For this purpose, chlorophyll-a values were used as the bottom-up effect, while planktivorous fish CPUE was used as the top-down effect. Additionally, to understand which nutrient has a stronger impact on chlorophyll-a, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus values were determined. Structural Equation Modeling was used to examine the bottom-up and top-down relationships, and it was understood that Cladocera, Calanoida, and Rotifera groups were negatively controlled by bottom-up effects, while Calanoida is negatively controlled and Cyclopoida and Rotifera are positively controlled by top-down effects. Moreover, it was understood that chlorophyll-a is influenced by both total nitrogen and total phosphorus, with a higher impact of total nitrogen. To determine the trophic status, chlorophyll-a, total phosphorus, Secchi depth, and Carlson TSI Indices obtained from these values were used. According to the findings from these values, the lake can be considered to be at the eutrophic level with a hypertrophic tendency.
Dosimetric study of line scanning for prostate cancer in comparison with passive scattering and volumetric modulated arc therapy
Authors: Takagi Masaru , Hasegawa Yasuhiro , Tateoka Kunihiko , Takada Yu , Hareyama Masato
Published: September 2023

Purpose
We performed a planning study to compare the dose distribution of the line scanning (LS) method with that of passive scattering (PS) method and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for patients with localized prostate cancer.
Methods
Thirty patients treated in 2017–2019 were randomly selected. The dose constraints were the clinical target volume (CTV) D98 ≥ 73.0 Gy (RBE), rectal wall V65 < 17% and V40 < 35%, and bladder wall V65 < 25% and V40 < 50%. The CTV doses and rectal and bladder wall dose volumes were calculated and evaluated using the Freidman test. P < 0.05 was determined to be statistically significant.
Results
In all patients, the LS technique satisfied the dose restrictions for the CTV, rectal wall, and bladder wall. Ten (33.3%) and 21 (70.0%) patients using the PS method and five (16.7%) and one (3.3%) patients using the VMAT, respectively, failed to meet the requirements for the rectal and bladder walls. Wide ranges of the rectal and bladder wall volumes of V10–V70 were lower with LS than with PS and VMAT. LS was superior to VMAT in all dose-volume rectal and bladder wall indexes. PS outperformed the other two methods at Dmax.
Conclusion
Compared with PS and VMAT, the LS method enables further reduction of the rectal and bladder doses while maintaining the CTV dose. Our results suggest that proton therapy for patients with localized prostate cancer could lower gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities by changing from PS to LS.
Exploring the interplay of phytohormones and polyamines in drought-stressed Cress (Lepidium sativum) leaves
Authors: Alsharafa Khalid
Published: September 2023

The study investigated prolonged drought stress effects on phytohormone and polyamine levels in cress leaves, elucidating plant responses to harsh environments. The study found that various phytohormones, including 12-oxophytodienoic acid (OPDA), Jasmonic acid (JA), Jasmonyl-Isoleucine (JA-Ile), Abscisic acid (ABA), and salicylic acid (SA), increased during drought stress. ABA rose progressively. Similarly, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) responded similarly to ABA and SA. Cytokinins, zeatin (ZT) and isopentenyl adenine (iP), played diverse roles in cress leaves' drought tolerance. ZT declined, while iP remained stable. Gibberellic acid (GA3) levels fell, but brassinolide (BL) increased significantly with drought. The study also explored drought stress's impact on polyamines, which decreased, revealing their sensitivity to severe drought. The research highlighted the complex regulatory mechanisms governing plant adaptation to water scarcity. The interplay between phytohormones (OPDA, JA, JA-Ile, ABA, SA, auxin, cytokinins, GA3, and BL) and polyamines contributes to plants ability to withstand drought stress and maintain physiological balance under adverse conditions. These findings provide insights into cress leaves dynamic response to drought and enhance our understanding of drought tolerance mechanisms in plants.
Impact of ohmic heating and ultrasound pretreatments on oil absorption and other quality parameters of fried potato
Authors: Sari Ferda , Incedayi Bige , Erol Nihal Turkmen , Akpinar Pınar , Copur O.Utku
Published: September 2023

In this study, the effect of pretreatments ((hot water blanching (HWB), ultrasound (US) and ohmic heating (OH)) on reducing the oil absorption of potato during frying and the changes in the quality parameters of the product ((total polyphenol (TP), in vitro digestion, total flavonoid (TF), antioxidant capacity (AC), chlorogenic acid (CA), textural and sensorial properties)) were investigated. The pretreatments applied significantly affected oil absorption and quality parameters of fried potato. The oil content of fried potatoes ranged from 26.06% to 32.01% depending on the pretreatment. OH pretreated potato had the highest content of TP (41.27 mg GAE/100g DM), TF (32.89 mg RE/100g DM) and CA (1.72 mg/100g DM). However, there was no significant difference between the pretreatments in terms of bioaccessibility of polyphenols at the end of digestion. Also, AC value of fried potato pretreated by OH (124.13 mmol AAE/100g DM) was higher compared to that of fresh potato (83.91 mmol AAE/100g DM), but other two pretreatments caused a decrease in AC. The highest hardness was observed in HWB treated potato strips. OH treated potato had the best color parameters. Sensory data indicated that US pretreated potato had the highest sensory scores followed by OH and HWB pretreated ones, respectively. Consequently, based on the above comprehensive quality evaluation, it can be suggested that OH pretreatment is a better choice for preparing deep fried potato.
Plasmonic Characterization of 3D Printing Metal-Polymer Nanocomposites
Authors: Mata María de la , de León Alberto Sanz , Valencia-Liñán Luisa , Molina Sergio
Published: September 2023

Plasmonic polymer nanocomposites (i.e., polymer matrices containing plasmonic nanostructures) are appealing candidates for the development of manifold technological devices relying on light-matter interactions, provided their inherent properties and processing capabilities. The smart development of plasmonic nanocomposites requires from in-depth optical analyses proving the material performance, along with correlative studies guiding the synthesis of tailored materials. Importantly, plasmon resonances emerging from metal nanoparticles affect the macroscopic optical response of the nanocomposite, leading to far- and near-field perturbations useful to address the optical activity of the material. We analyze the plasmonic behavior of two nanocomposites suitable for 3D printing, based on acrylic resin matrices loaded with Au or Ag nanoparticles. We compare experimental and computed UV-Vis macroscopic spectra (far-field) with single particle EELS analyses (near-field). We have extended the calculations of Au and Ag plasmon related resonances over different environments and nanoparticle sizes. Discrepancies between UV-Vis and EELS are dependent on the interplay between the metal considered, the surrounding media and the size of the nanoparticles. The study allows comparing in detail the plasmonic performance of Au- and Ag- polymer nanocomposites, whose plasmonic response is better addressed accounting for their intended applications (i.e., whether they rely on far- or near- field interactions).
Safety and Efficacy of 3% Hypertonic Saline Bolus Via Peripheral Intravenous Catheter for Neurological Emergencies
Authors: Khasiyev Farid , Hakoun Abdullah , Christopher Kara , Braun James , Wang Fajun
Published: September 2023

Background:
Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is a neurological emergency in patients suffering from acute brain injuries. Such a state requires immediate and effective interventions to prevent potential neurological deterioration. Current clinical guidelines recommend hypertonic saline (HTS) and mannitol as first-line therapeutic agents. Notably, HTS is conventionally administered through central venous catheters (CVC), which may introduce delays in treatment due to the complexities associated with CVC placement. These delays can critically affect patient outcomes, necessitating the exploration of more rapid therapeutic avenues. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of administering rapid boluses of 3% HTS via peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheters.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients admitted to SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital from March 2019 to September 2022 who received at least one 3% HTS bolus via PIV at a rate of 999 mL/hour for neurological emergencies. Outcomes assessed included complications related to 3% HTS bolus and its therapeutic effects as determined by changes in ICP, sodium, chloride, and serum osmolality.
Results:
Out of 216 3% HTS boluses administered in 124 patients, complications occurred in 8 administrations (3.7%). Pain at injection site (4 administrations; 1.9%) and thrombophlebitis (3 administrations; 1.4%) were most common. The median ICP reduced by 4.6 mmHg after 3% HTS bolus, with significant increases in serum sodium, chloride and osmolality (all p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Rapid bolus of 3% HTS via PIV presents itself as a relatively safe and efficacious approach, with a compellingly low rate of complications. Its implementation could provide an invaluable alternative to the traditional CVC-based administration, potentially minimizing CVC-associated complications and expediting life-saving interventions for patients with neurological emergencies.
Impact and Post-Impact Damage Response of Interlayer Nonwoven Reinforced Hybrid Composites
Authors: Tiyek Tebernuş , Kaya Gaye
Published: September 2023

This study aims to increase the ductility and the damage tolerance capability of composite structures with interlayer nonwoven reinforcement. The novelty of this study stems from its innovative approach: a comprehensive examination of the arrangement of warp and weft fibres, as well as the preform layer, coupled with both intra-layer and inter-layer hybridization, all while accounting for the incorporation of nonwoven reinforcement. The flexural, compressive, impact and post-impact compressive strengths of unreinforced and interlayer nonwoven reinforced glass/carbon/epoxy hybrid composites are carefully investigated and compared. The nonwoven reinforcement led to a reduction in flexural strength and modulus for composite structures, while enhancing their strain, thus imparting greater ductility to the structure. Both hybridization and interlayer nonwoven reinforcement increased the peak forces of composites while reducing deformations. The cracks occurring in the composite structure under load were arrested by the barrier created by the nonwoven surfaces used between the layers, which was considered an enhancement in the damage tolerance of composite structures.
Virtual screening to investigate the potential targets and mechanisms of action of "Astragalus-Ligustrum" drug pair in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Deng Zhengting , Tian Hu , Ding Yuanhua , Jin Qiming , Liu Yichen , Liu Tao , Zhao Tong
Published: September 2023

Astragalus membranaceus and Ligustrum lucidum are the common main components in Chinese patent medicine preparations which have been widely used in combination chemotherapy for tumor treatment. However, the specific mechanism of their anti-cancer effect has not been fully elucidated, and the traditional monomer research mode can hardly reflect the feature of Chinese medicine in treating diseases. In this study, virtual screening was used to explore the mechanism of “Astragalus-Ligustrum” drug pair in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 28 active ingredients and 180 active ingredient targets were screened out from the drug pair by network pharmacology. Among them, 10 components, including quercetin and kaempferol, are the main active ingredients in the drug pair, whose mechanism of anti-NSCLC is to modulate the pathways of PI3K-Akt, PD-1/PD-L1, and T-cell receptor, and by affecting the biological processes such as protein phosphorylation and cellular response to growth factor stimulation. Then molecular docking and molecular dynamics validation showed that the complexes can bind tightly to target proteins in the active pocket through van der Waals, hydrophobic and π-bonds. The binding of PD-L1 to the main active ingredient may be one of the important mechanisms of its anti-NSCLC action. At last, Survival curve analysis and immunohistochemical analysis showed TP53, PIK3R1, PD-L1 and other target genes above had significant differences in expression in lung cancer patients. In conclusion, this study explored the active components of "Astragalus-Ligustrum" drug pair in anti-NSCLC and elucidated the mechanism of its action.
Unraveling the Causal Relationship between Blood Metabolites and Acne: A Metabolomic Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Li Min , Huang Yu-Liang , Zhan Dan Dan , Wang Yu , Hu Xiao Han , Zhang Ming , Zhou Zhou
Published: September 2023

Background: Acne is a prevalent skin disorder with potential links to metabolic dysfunction. The causal impact of blood metabolites on acne remains underexplored.
Methods: Using a genome-wide association dataset, we conducted a metabolome-wide Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis on 486 blood metabolites and acne. The study included preliminary IVW analysis, multivariable MR analysis, linkage disequilibrium score (LDSC)analysis, and colocalization analysis, with reverse MR to address reverse causation.
Results: We identified 12 metabolites with significant associations with acne. LDSC analysis revealed a genetic correlation between nonanoylcarnitine and acne. Colocalization analysis confirmed shared genetic variants, and metabolic pathway analysis implicated the Arginine biosynthesis pathway and the Selenocompound metabolism pathway in acne development.
Conclusion:Our study provides a comprehensive understanding of the causal relationships between plasma metabolites and acne. The findings offer insights into potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for acne treatment and emphasize the need for further research.
Global Trends on β-thalassemia Research over 10 Years: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: lv aixiang , li jingmin , Chen Meihuan , Wang Wei , Xu Liang-pu , Huang Hai-long
Published: September 2023

Introduction
Thalassemia, an inherited quantitative globin disorder, is the most prevalent monogenic disease globally. While severe alpha thalassemia results in intrauterine death, β-thalassemia manifests during childhood due to the "second conversion of hemoglobin," garnering increased attention in recent decades.
Methods
In this study, a bibliometric analysis will be conducted of thalassemia articles published in the Web of Science Core Collection database between 2013 and 2023 to establish a comprehensive overview and to identify emerging trends. A total of 5655 studies published between 2013 and 2023 were systematically retrieved, and annual publications demonstrated a steady increase, maintaining a high level over the past decade.
Results
The United States contributed the highest number of publications, followed by China. Notably, the journal Blood emerged as the leading authority in β-thalassemia research. Analysis of research hotspots revealed that the pathogenesis of β-thalassemia is primarily linked to iron overload, anemia, gene mutations, and ineffective erythropoiesis. Furthermore, recent studies focusing on gene editing therapies present promising avenues for future investigation.
Conclusion
These findings grasp the research status of β-thalassemia and shed new light on future research frontiers.
Analytical Investigation on BER Performance and Power Spectral Density in Constant Envelope OFDM Optical Fiber Communication Systems
Authors: M Sathish Kumar.
Published: September 2023

Theoretical analysis of a direct detection Constant Envelope Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (CEOFDM) optical communication link is carried out with a motivation to arrive at its Bit Error Rate (BER) performance. Insights on the spectral densities of the signal as well as noise at various key points of the direct detection CEOFDM optical communication link is discussed. Improvement in the BER performance for increasing optical signal to amplified spontaneous noise power was observed. The theoretical analysis results in an interesting observation that there exists an optimum bias voltage Vb of the Mach Zehnder Modulator which optimizes the BER performance.
Bio-based poly(butylene 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate-co-butylene 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylate) with excellent ultraviolet shielding properties and barrier properties
Authors: Liang Yin , Wang Guoqiang , Wang Bo , Zhou Guangyuan
Published: September 2023

To improve the glass transition temperature and ultraviolet shielding properties of poly(butylene 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate) (PBTF), a series of poly(butylene 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate-co-butylene 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylate) (PBTFBs) were synthesized from 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid (TDCA), 1,4-butanediol (BDO), and dimethyl 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylate (BDD). The composition and molecular weights of PBTFBs were investigated by 1H NMR, .13C NMR and GPC. The results showed that the glass transition temperature of PBTFBs gradually increased, and the thermogravimetric analysis results also showed that the thermal stability gradually increased with increasing the BDD content. Compared with PBTF, the polyester with 40% butylene 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylate unit (PBTFB40) showed a higher Young's modulus (1166.8 MPa) and tensile strength (25.8 MPa). In addition, the ultraviolet (UV) shielding ability of PBTF was greatly enhanced, and the UV transmittance at 350 nm decreased from 19.66% (PBTF) to 0.29% (PBTFB40). The average transmittance at wavelengths of 320–400 nm decreased from 26.25–3.71%. The gas permeability coefficient of CO2 decreased from 0.3120 to 0.0321. Because the biphenyl structure was successfully introduced into PBTF, the rigidity of the chain segment was improved, and excellent thermal stability, mechanical properties and UV shielding properties were obtained. PBTFB40 has potential application in outdoor products.
Tracking induced pluripotent stem cells differentiation with a fluorescent genetically encoded epigenetic probe
Authors: Stepanov Afanasii I. , Shuvaeva Alexandra A. , Putlyaeva Lidia V. , Galiakberova Adelya A. , Pronina Valeriya , Dylov Dmitry V. , Terskikh Alexey V. , Lukyanov Konstantin A. , Gurskaya Nadya G.
Published: September 2023

Epigenetic modifications (methylation, acetylation, etc.) of core histones play a key role in regulation of gene expression. Thus, the epigenome changes strongly during various biological processes such as cell differentiation and dedifferentiation. Classical methods of analysis of epigenetic modifications such as mass-spectrometry and chromatin immuno-precipitation, work with fixed cells only. Here we present a genetically encoded fluorescent probe, MPP8-Green, for detecting H3K9me3, a histone modification associated with gene repression. This probe, based on the chromodomain of MPP8, allows for visualization of H3K9me3 epigenetic landscapes in single live cells. We used this probe to track changes in H3K9me3 landscapes during the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into induced neurons. Our findings revealed two major waves of global H3K9me3 reorganization during this process. The first wave occurred 16-24 hours after the induction, followed by a minor change on the second day. Then, on the third day, cells underwent another significant epigenetic change. By combining live visualization of epigenetic landscapes via genetically encoded probes and machine learning approaches, we can identify and characterize multiparametric epigenetic signatures of single cells during stem cell differentiation. This approach provides valuable insights into the dynamics of epigenetic changes during cellular differentiation processes.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of psoriasis patients with COVID-19: a retrospective, multicenter cohort study in China
Authors: Liu Yanhua , Xu Zhongrui , Wang Gang , Yu Chen , Chen Aijun , Zhang Junling , Kang Xiaojing , Jiang Xian , Shi Chunrui , Shi Yuling , Liu Xiaoming , Li Fuqiu , Yang Bin , Huang Yongmei , Lv Chengzhi
Published: September 2023

Objective and design
Limited information is available on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in psoriasis patients, and we aim to identify clinical factors associated with the prognosis of psoriasis following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Subjects and methods
A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted between March and May 2023. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were employed to identify factors associated with COVID-19-related psoriasis outcomes. A total of 2371 psoriasis patients from 12 clinical centers were included in the study, with 2049 of them being infected with COVID-19.
Results
Among the infected group, individuals treated with biologics exhibited lower exacerbation rates compared to those receiving traditional systemic or non-systemic treatments (26.7% vs.39.8% vs.37.5%, P<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that psoriasis progression with lesions (adjusted odds ratio[OR]=8.197, 95% confidence interval[CI]=5.685-11.820, compared to no lesions), hypertension (adjusted OR=1.582, 95%CI=1.068-2.343), traditional systemic (adjusted OR=1.887, 95%CI=1.263-2.818), and non-systemic treatment (adjusted OR=1.602, 95%CI=1.117-2.297) were associated with exacerbation of psoriasis after SARS-CoV-2 infection but not biologics (adjusted OR=0.931, 95%CI =0.680-1.274, compared to no treatment).
Conclusions
Biologics may reduce the risk of psoriasis exacerbation after SARS-CoV-2 infection, compared to traditional systemic and non-systemic treatments. The presence of existing psoriatic lesions and hypertension have been identified as significant risk factors for exacerbation after infection.
Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Retroperitoneal Resection of Large Adrenal Tumors: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Analysis
Authors: Gong Binbin , Huang Hao , Liu Ziwen , Xi Ping , Mei Ming , Ma Ming , Fu Bin , Wang Gongxian , Sun Ting , Xie Wenjie
Published: September 2023

Background
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the first-line treatment for benign adrenal tumors, but when the tumor is larger than 6 cm, its resection is controversial. The purpose of this study was to understand and compare the effects of robot-assisted and laparoscopic adrenalectomy on large adrenal tumors via a retroperitoneal approach.
Methods
We reviewed the perioperative data of patients who underwent robot-assisted and laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between 2011 and 2020. After propensity score matching, the clinical data were analyzed by using the t test and chi-square test, as well as univariate and multivariate analysis.
Results
There is no significant difference between the two groups in operation time (RRA 191 ± 136min vs. 165 ± 83.8min, P = 0.158), postoperative complications (18.2% vs. 14.4%, P = 0.536), estimated blood loss (181 ± 167ml vs. 214 ± 341ml, P = 0.359), conversion rate (1.5% vs. 1.5%, P = 1.000) and postoperative hospital stay (6.55 ± 2.12 vs. 6.06 ± 2.39, P = 0.149). Multivariate analysis showed that larger tumors were associated with longer operative times. Female gender and postoperative complications were associated with longer hospital stays. BMI, conversion, history of abdominal surgery, and pathological type of patients affected the occurrence of postoperative complications.
Conclusion
it is safe and feasible for experienced surgeons to perform robotic adrenalectomy and laparoscopic adrenalectomy after the possibility of infiltration is ruled out on imaging before operation. However, when there is evidence of infiltration, we still recommend open surgery.