bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sorption of CO2, CH4 and their mixtures in Amorphous Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)oxide (PPO)
Authors: Loianno Valerio , Baldanza Antonio , Scherillo Giuseppe , Musto Pellegrino , Mensitieri Giuseppe
Published: January 2023

Sorption of pure CO2 and CH4 and CO2/CH4 binary gas mixtures in amorphous glassy Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene) oxide (PPO) at 35°C up to 1000 Torr is investigated. Sorption experiments were carried out using an approach that combines barometry with FTIR spectroscopy in the transmission mode to quantify the sorption of pure and mixed gases in polymers. The pressure range is chosen to prevent any variation of the glassy polymer density. The solubility within the polymer of the CO2 present in the gaseous binary mixtures is practically coincident with the solubility of pure gaseous CO2, up to a total pressure of the gaseous mixtures equal to 1000 Torr and for CO2 mole fraction of ~0.5 mol mol-1 and ~0.3 mol mol-1. The Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics for Glassy Polymers (NET-GP) modelling approach has been applied to the Non-Random Hydrogen Bonding (NRHB) lattice fluid model to fit the solubility data of pure gases. We have assumed here that no specific interactions are occurring between the matrix and the absorbed gas. The same thermodynamic approach has been then used to predict the solubility of CO2/CH4 mixed gases in PPO resulting in a deviation lower than 9.5% from the experimental results for CO2 solubility.
Theory, Advantages, Applications and Future of Diffuse Optical Tomography
Authors: Peirson Connor
Published: January 2023

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is a medical imaging procedure using light to measure the geometric and working properties of cells, for instance, oxygen consumption, water content, and fat percentage in the tissue by performing three-dimensional visualization of the tissue. This paper aims to explain the theory behind diffuse optical tomography imaging and how the technology works. The paper explains how photon migration techniques based on diffusion theory can be used to image the optical properties of tissue. There are several reasons why near-infrared (NIR) imaging is the most effective method in terms of recovering optical parameters quantitatively in the near-infrared region. The author discusses the methods in detail. This research also presents various advantages, practical uses, and potential problems that have been related to DOT in this work. There is also a brief discussion of current research developments in medical imaging using near-infrared wavelengths, and what the future holds for that area.
Symbolic Parametric Representation of the Area and the Second Moments of Area of Periodic B-Spline Cross-Sections
Authors: Denk Martin , Jäger Michael , Wartzack Sandro
Published: January 2023

The calculation of moments of area is one of the most fundamental aspects of engineering mechanics for calculating the properties of beams or for the determination of invariants in different kind of geometries. While a variety of shapes such as circles, rectangles, ellipses or their combinations can be described symbolically, such symbolic expressions are missing for freeform cross-sections. In particular, periodic B-spline cross-sections are suitable for an alternative beam cross-section, e.g. for the representation of topology optimization results. In this work, therefore, a symbolic description of the moments of area of various parametric representations of such B-splines is computed. The expressions found are then compared with alternative computational methods and checked for validity. The resulting equations show a simple way for fast conceptual computation of such moments of area of periodic B-splines.
The GCDM Model of Universal Density Reduction
Authors: Johnson Martin Reid
Published: January 2023

The Universe at last scattering is locally treated as an unbound gas. The internal kinetic energy of the gas effectively constitutes a scalar energy field. The gas’s adiabatic expansion is entropic, giving repulsive entropic pressure. Gas kinetic energy is converted into entropic energy gain (63%) and isoentropic work against gravity (37%) at a constant 63:37 ratio. A three-term expression of the gas’s Hubble parameter is derived and found to be exclusively dependent on its mass density. At last scattering, this model gives a Hubble constant that is 125% of the value found from the ΛCDM model. After partition of Universal mass into the cosmic web of galaxies and the intergalactic medium (IGM), expansion came mostly from the IGM, presently comprising about 84% of total Universal mass and 90% of its volume. The onset of star formation within the cosmic web increased the IGM’s kinetic energy through the action of starlight, giving free electrons as an additional repository. Many of these free electrons are suprathermal. Suprathermal energy from both electrons and protons comprises about half of the IGM’s total kinetic energy and is expressed in the ΛCDM model as “dark energy” Λ. Entropic pressure derives from thermodynamic laws not found within general relativity.
Motivation and Parenting Class untuk Meningkatkan Motivasi Belajar Peserta Didik Dan Wali Siswa SD
Authors: Kumala Farida Nur , Rahayunita Cicilia Ika , Rahayu Sri , Huda Rofiul , Setiawan Dwi Agus
Published: January 2023

Community service activities aim to increase motivation and help parents in parenting. The method consists of several stages: (1). Counseling for parents by motivating parents to support their children's learning, material delivery activities, sharing sessions, ending with questions and answers, (2). Counselling for students, mainly grades 5 and 6, who will face exams to be motivated to study harder. The activities consist of delivering motivational materials for students, question and answer activities, and writing letters to their parents containing the goals that students want to achieve. Implementing the motivation and parenting classes goes according to the planned program. Parents and students were enthusiastic about participating in this training. Some suggestions include the need for regular mentoring activities, bearing in mind the limited knowledge of the community regarding parenting because parents are the first and primary source of education for children.
Pendampingan Publikasi Ilmiah sebagai Pengembangan Keprofesian Berkelanjutan Guru SMK di Surakarta
Authors: Estriyanto Yuyun , Saputra Taufik Wisnu , Towip Towip , Widiastuti Indah
Published: January 2023

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for teachers includes self-development activities, scientific publications, and innovative works. Scientific publications are often an obstacle to a teacher's career. Therefore, the skill of writing a scientific paper is a competency that must be possessed by teachers. This community service aims to provide assistance and improve scientific writing skills for Vocational High School (SMK) teachers. The method used consists of a classical approach of holding workshops and individual post-workshop assistance until submitting participant articles to scientific journals. Based on the results of the program, it was found that: (1) the teachers showed high enthusiasm in participating in the program; (2) there is one participant who successfully published his article in the Indonesian Sinta indexed journals; (3) participants who are still in the process and who have already had draft articles still need individual assistance until they can publish into scientific journals. The mentoring program is still needed on an ongoing basis so that writing culture is formed as a part of the CPD program.
İç Borçlanmanın Makroekonomik Etkileri: Türkiye Örneği
Authors: EKİNCİ İlknur , ESER Levent Yahya
Published: January 2023

Bu çalışma, Türkiye'de reel iç kamu borcunun makroekonomik etkilerini 2011-2022 dönemi için Vektör Otoregresyon (VAR) modeli kullanarak analiz etmektedir. Etki tepki fonksiyonlarının sonuçları, enflasyon ve kurun iç borç üzerinde azaltıcı bir etkiye sahip olduğunu gösterirken; iç borcun bu değişkenler üzerinde pozitif etkisi tespit edilmektedir (yüksek enflasyon ve zayıf Türk lirası). Ayrıca, faiz oranı -merkez bankası politika faizi olarak alındığında- iç borçlanma üzerinde anlamlı bir etkiye sahip değildir; ancak faiz değişkeni yerine 1 ve 12 aylık mevduat faiz oranları kullanıldığında, faiz oranındaki yükselmenin iç borçlanmayı artırdığı tespit edilmektedir.
Türkiye’nin Lojistik Performans Endeksinin İncelenmesi
Authors: PELİT İrem
Published: January 2023

Ülkelerin lojistik kapasiteleri ve alt yapıları uluslararası ticarette kilit bir noktadır. Bu açıdan ülkeler, Lojistik Performans Endeks sıralamasında üst sıralarda olabilmek adına daha çok performans göstermek durumunda kalmışlardır. Lojistik Performans Endeksi, ülkelerin lojistik faaliyetlerine ilişkin durumları göstermektedir. Lojistik performans endeksinde, ülkelerin gümrük düzenlemeleri, lojistik maliyetleri ve taşıma modlarında kullanılan altyapının durumu hakkında bilgiler yer almaktadır. Lojistik Performans Endeksi, anket yöntemi ile ülkelerin lojistik durumlarını altı farklı alt boyutta değerlendiren (‘1:en düşük, 5:en yüksek) bir puanlama sistemidir. Bu çalışmada, Dünya Bankası’nın yayınladığı Lojistik Performans Endeks raporları esas alınmıştır. Lojistik Performans Endeksi’nin ilk yayınlandığı yıl 2007 yılı, son yayınlandığı yıl ise 2018 yılıdır. Bu çalışmada 2007-2018 yılları arasındaki veriler baz alınmıştır. Lojistiğin küresel boyutu ve Türkiye’nin Lojistik Performans Endeksi (LPE) incelenmiştir. Türkiye son yıllarda lojistik performans değerlemesinde ve alt bileşenler bazında ilerleme kaydetmiştir ancak Dünya sıralamasındaki yerinde çok da önemli bir farklılık olmamıştır. Türkiye, Lojistik Performans Endeksi’nin tüm alt boyutunu iyileştirmek için gerekli teknik ve hukuki düzenlemeler konusunda daha yoğun çalışmalar yapmalıdır.
Application of Hybridized ANN-GARCH, ANN-SETAR, MARS-SPSO and CANFIS-SPSO Meta-Models for Improving Accuracy of Monthly Streamflow Prediction
Authors: Mikaeili Omidreza , Shourian Mojtaba
Published: January 2023

Among the components of the hydrological cycle, stream flow has a major role in integrated water resources management. Establishing an accurate and reliable forecasting method for prediction of stream flow is very useful. Nowadays, data-driven methods are variously applied for river flow prediction. By hybridizing, one can take advantage of the cons of different methods for the proposed purpose. In the present research, we have combined SETAR and GARCH methods with ANN and also coupled MARS and CANFIS with SPSO to predict the monthly flow of the Maroon River in south west of Iran. Thus, four hybridized data-driven models of ANN-GARCH, ANN-SETAR, MARS-SPSO and CANFIS-SPSO are developed and compared to see which method has the best performance. Although all the models yielded good results but it was seen that the ANN-SETAR model found more accurate answers in prediction of the stream flow with an average 5% higher accuracy in the results. The IQR of ANN-SETAR model is similar to observed value that this showed the efficiency of the ANN-SETAR for dependable simulation of extreme values of river flow compared to other models. So, it was concluded that the ANN-SETAR model is better than the other methods for forecasting the monthly streamflow.
Disseminated Scedosporium invasive fungal infection in critically ill newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia patient complicated with cerebritis
Authors: Saillard Colombe , Bisbal Magali , Avenin Morgan , Lehmann Pierre , Sannini Antoine , Chine Laurent Chow , Servan Luca , Gonzalez Frederic , D'Incan Evelyne , Vey Norbert , Mokart Djamel
Published: January 2023

A 66-year-old man presented with fatigue and fever. He was in excellent health status, with no comorbidity, working as a gamekeeper. Blood count revealed 80 G/L leukocytes, 84% blasts, hemoglobin 10.5 g/dL and platelets 27 G/L. He was hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU) because of oxygen requirement and acute renal failure due to tumor lysis syndrome. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML-5b) with complexe karyotype was diagnosed on bone marrow examination. After initial cytoreduction with Hydroxyurea and Dexamethasone, intensive chemotherapy (Idarubicine and Cytarabine) was initiated in the ICU under close monitoring. Extra-renal epuration was required for tumor lysis syndrome.
Effectiveness of early-treatment interventions on self-reported long COVID: A multi-arm, multi-stage adaptive platform control trial
Authors: Reis Gilmar , Wilson Lindsay , Ayers Dieter , Silva Eduardo , Medeiros Daniela , Thabane Lehana , Campos Vitoria , Ferreira Thiago , Santos Castilho dos , Nogueira Ana Maria , Almeida Ana Paula , Savassi Leonardo , Neto Adhemar , Rocha Ana Carolina , Bitarães Carina , Milagres Aline , Callegari Eduardo , Simplicio Maria , Ribeiro Luciene , França Carla , Oliveira Rosemary , Forrest Jamie , Harari Ofir , Ruton Hinda , Sprague Sheila , McKay Paula , Guo Christina , Silva Josue , Guyatt Gordon , Rayner Craig , Dybul Mark , Glenn Jeffrey S , Mills Edward
Published: January 2023

Approximately 20% of people infected with COVID-19 develop at least one persistent condition potentially attributable to their SARS-CoV-2 infection. We sought to determine the effectiveness of early COVID-19 treatment interventions on long COVID symptoms. We conducted a multi-arm multi-stage adaptive platform trial at 12 public health clinics in Brazil between June 2020 and July 2022. Participants were followed for 60. Patients received one of six interventions (doxazosin, fluvoxamine, fluvoxamine in combination with inhaled budesonide, interferon-lambda, ivermectin, or metformin) or matching placebo. The primary outcome was persistence of COVID-19 symptoms at 60 days after randomization. We analyzed data from 5,700 participants across study cohorts. Overall, approximately 22% of patients reported at least one ongoing symptom 60 days after randomization, regardless of the early treatment they received. At day 60, we did not find any statistical benefit of any intervention on recovery, cure fractions, or PROMIS scores (mental and physical).
Aquaporin-4 IgG Antibodies: Predictors of Positivity and Their Relationship with Neuropsychiatric Disorders and White Matter Lesions in Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Authors: shaaban yasmine , El-Refaey Ahmed M , elmarsafawy Hala , el-farahaty reham , el-ziny Sherine
Published: January 2023

Background
This study aimed to describe the prevalence of the various clinical features and severity of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE) and to assess predictors of AQP4-Ab positivity in jSLE. In addition, we assessed the relationship of AQP4-Abs with neuropsychiatric disorders and white matter lesions in jSLE.
Method
For 90 patients with jSLE, demographic data, clinical manifestations, and treatments received were recorded, and all of the patients were underwent clinical examinations, including assessments for the neurological manifestations of jSLE and neuropsychiatric disorders; Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score evaluations; laboratory investigations, including serum AQP4-Ab assays; and 1.5 Tesla brain MRI. Echocardiography and renal biopsy were performed for the indicated patients.
Result
Fifty-six patients (62.2%) tested positive for AQP4-Abs. These patients were more likely to have higher disease activity scores (p < 0.001); discoid lesions (p = 0.039); neurological disorders (p = 0.001), mainly psychosis and seizures (p = 0.009 and p = 0.032, respectively); renal and cardiac involvement (p = 0.004 and p = 0.013, respectively); lower C3 levels (p = 0.006); white matter hyperintensities (p = 0.008); and white matter atrophy (p = 0.03) than patients who were negative for AQP4-Abs. Furthermore, AQP4-Ab-positive patients were more likely to have received cyclophosphamide (p = 0.028), antiepileptic drugs (p = 0.032) and plasma exchange therapy (p = 0.049).
Conclusion
jSLE patients with higher severity scores, neurological disorders, or white matter lesions could develop antibodies against AQP4. We recommend more studies for systematic screening of AQP4-Ab positivity in jSLE patients to confirm its relationship with neurological disorders.
Ant Weight Lifting Algorithm for Motion Estimation
Authors: Acharjee Suvojit , Chaudhuri Prof. Sheli Sinha
Published: January 2023

Every video coding standard includes and requires motion estimation and compensation. The full search algorithm, which provides the best motion estimation, has a very high computation cost. Researchers have developed several algorithms to reduce the cost of computation. However, most of these algorithms become trapped in local minima during the search. Population-based evolutionary algorithms are widely used to develop a computationally efficient and cost-effective motion estimation strategy. The most recent effort used the Jaya algorithm to develop a motion estimation process that outperformed the state-of-the-art test zone search algorithm. In this study, a motion estimation algorithm based on the ant weight lifting approach is proposed. Previously, the ant weight-lifting algorithm was used to solve a variety of problems such as image segmentation, signal compression, and so on. The ant weight-lifting algorithm's computation cost was reduced by adopting a fitness estimation method that uses nearest neighbor interpolation and an early termination strategy. Compared to Jaya algorithm-based motion estimation, the proposed algorithm executes up to 3% more quickly and exhibits up to 1.2 dB less distortion.
Enhancement of Thermal efficiency and development of Nusselt number correlation for the solar air heater collector roughened with artificial ribs for thermal applications
Authors: Kumar Dheeraj , Layek Apurba , Kumar Amit
Published: January 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Highly alkali caustic discharges recovery using tubular and disc type of ceramic membranes and its applicability as a near zero liquid discharge opportunity in the textile industry
Authors: Dilaver Mehmet , Soydemir Gülfem , Çelebi Mehtap Dursun , Hocaoğlu Selda Murat , Keskinler Bülent , Ağtaş Meltem , Koyuncu İsmail , Alp Kadir
Published: January 2023

Ceramic membrane technology is a good alternative for the recovery of highly alkaline and heavily concentrated caustic discharges through textile causticization processes since their high robustness. Recovery of causticization processes discharges with ceramic membrane technology has not been considered in detail in previous studies. In this study, highly alkaline and heavily polluted caustic discharges was assessed recovery and reuse potential using laboratory scale disc and tubular types of ceramic microfiltration, ultrafiltration and fine ultrafiltration membranes (0.2µm, 300kDa, 50kDa, 15kDa, 3kDa and 1kDa). Causticization discharges characteristics can be defined as 13±0.2 pH, 21.2±1g NaOH/L, 27.9±9 g COD/L, 1±0.3 g TSS/L and 1785±1568 Pt-Co based on long term wastewater characterization period. Required minimum MWCO membrane and membrane filtration process configuration based on permeate quality with minimum NaOH loss, membrane geometry affect, membrane fouling mechanism and economical assessment of caustic solution recovery were studied. Achievable optimum and acceptable permeate results obtained with two stage ceramic membrane filtration, 0.2µm microfiltration followed by 15kDa ultrafiltration permeate can be reused in the causticization process again. Steady state flux values were around 7-43 LMH at 1 bar and main fouling mechanism was the physically removable resistance according to resistance in series model, flux recovery 74% and up to 99% more after chemical cleaning and tubular type of membranes shows more fouling tendency compared to disc types. Proposed two stage ceramic membrane filtration not only provides comparable less chemical consumption but also Textile BREF documents’ caustic discharge criteria might be met with near zero liquid caustic discharge.
Leucine supplementation during caloric restriction in adults at risk of metabolic syndrome: An 8 week double blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pathak Kaveri , Zhao Yun , Calton Emily , James Anthony , Newsholme Philip , Sherriff Jillian , Soares Mario
Published: January 2023

Background: Leucine (Leu) supplementation per se could benefit fat-free mass (FFM)/function and improve glucose metabolism.
Objectives: To determine whether leucine supplementation during caloric restriction blunted the loss of FFM, increased the loss of fat mass (FM) and impacted glucose tolerance.
Design: Thirty-seven adults, aged 20-65 y with increased waist circumference (>80 cm for females and >94 cm for males) and at least another component of metabolic syndrome (MetS) were studied in a parallel, double blind randomized control trial (RCT). Participants were allocated randomly to either an intervention (leucine – 3 g/d) or placebo (lactose - 2.67 g/d) group, while following an individualised calorie-restricted diet over an 8-week period. Body composition (DEXA), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin and components of MetS were measured before and after the trial. Analysis of covariance assessed the effect of the leucine intervention on an intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. Bootstrapping method with 1000 bootstrap samples was used to derive parameter estimates, standard errors, p values, and 95% confidence intervals for all outcomes.
Results: Adjusted for baseline values and other covariates, FFM (p=0.045) and lean tissue mass (LTM) (p=0.050) were significantly higher following Leu. These outcomes were modified by a significant treatment x gender interaction that indicated Leu had the greater effect in men. Adjusted for body composition changes, there were no differences in insulin sensitivity, oral glucose tolerance, or MetS components.
Conclusion: Short-term leucine supplementation resulted in a greater preservation of FFM and LTM particularly in men.
Illuminating the mechanism and allosteric behavior of NanoLuc luciferase
Authors: Nemergut Michal , Pluskal Daniel , Horackova Jana , Sustrova Tereza , Tulis Jan , Barta Tomas , Baatallah Racha , Gagnot Glwadys , Novakova Veronika , Majerova Marika , Marques Sérgio , Toul Martin , Damborsky Jiri , Bednar David , Prokop Zbynek , Janin Yves , Marek Martin
Published: January 2023

NanoLuc, a superior β-barrel fold luciferase, was engineered 10 years ago but the nature of its catalysis remains puzzling. Here experimental and computational techniques were combined, revealing that imidazopyrazinone luciferins bind to an intra-barrel catalytic site but also to an allosteric site shaped on the enzyme surface. Binding to the allosteric site prevents simultaneous binding to the catalytic site, and vice versa, through concerted conformational changes. We demonstrate that restructuration of the allosteric site can dramatically boost the luminescent reaction in the remote active site. Mechanistically, an intra-barrel arginine coordinates the imidazopyrazinone component of luciferin to attack O2 via a radical charge-transfer mechanism, as well as it protonates the excited amide product to secure high emission intensity. Concomitantly, an aspartate, supported by two tyrosines, fine-tune the electronic state of amide product, promoting the formation of the blue color emitter. This information is critical to engineering the next-generation of light-producing biosystems.
Heterodera schachtii Bactericidal Permeability-increasing protein (Hs-BPI) is a parasitism-related gene
Authors: ULUDAMAR ECE BÖRTEÇİNE KASAPOĞLU , HABASH Samer S. , POKHARE Somnath S. , GLEASON Cynthia , GRUNDLER Florian M.W. , Elashry Abdelnaser M.
Published: January 2023

Cyst nematodes are obligate parasites that feed on a wide range of plant species by inducing a specific nurse cell system (syncytium) in the host root. Nematode effectors play a key role in the induction and maintenance of the syncytia. Effectors encoded by parasitism genes are typically produced in the nematode esophageal glands and secreted into the affected plant tissue. One of the main challenges in understanding cyst nematode parasitism has been identifying effectors and then deciphering their mechanistic role in parasitism. In this study, we investigated a protein annotated as a Bactericidal Permeability-increasing protein (BPI) from the beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii. Hs-BPI is highly conserved among cyst nematodes, and the gene is upregulated in expression during early stages of nematode parasitism. In situ hybridization revealed that Hs-BPI localizes to the nematode esophageal glands. Knocking down Hs-BPI by host-delivered dsRNA negatively affected development of H. schachtii females. Our data indicate a role of BPI proteins in cyst nematode parasitism.
Does the wetland invader, Alternanthera philoxeroides cause different ecological impact compared to the native Typha angustifolia? A comparison of sediment stoichiometry and microbial pattern between urban and periurban rivers
Authors: Wang Tong , Yang Jinming , Zhu Yongfeng , Zhang Zeyu , Chi Xiaolong , Sun Zhen , Wang Chunlin , Fang Lizheng , Dou Hongrui , Fan Zhenghao , Liu Chunhua
Published: January 2023

Background and AimsPlant invasion can modify habitat characteristics for instance soil stoichiometry and microbial pattern. However, few studies concerned the effects of plant invasion on the soil properties in the urban ecosystem. The present study aims to explore the impact of aquatic plant invasion on sediment properties within the urbanization context.MethodsFirst, population density and impervious surface area, were used to construct an urbanization gradient of river wetlands and divide the two rivers of Qingdao City, China – Zhangcun River and Wenquan River into urban and periurban types. Second, sediment samples were collected from the plots invaded by the aquatic plant invader,Alternanthera philoxeroidesand its native neighbor,Typha angustifoliain urban and periurban rivers. Lastly, sediment properties were determined and a comparison was performed.ResultsFirst, a general similar fertility and stoichiometry was found between the sediment derived from the invasive and that from the native. Second, a higher bacterial diversity was found in the sediment derived fromA. philoxeroidesmerely in the periurban river, while the higher bacterial diversity was merely shown for the Shannon’s diversity index ofA. philoxeroidesin the urban river. Third,A. philoxeroidesshaped a novel soil microbial structure since more microbes relevant with nutrient cycling were accumulated compared to the native. Lastly, urbanization gradient affected the comparison between the invasive and native plants on soil properties. Conclusion The invasion of exotic aquatic plant altered the sediment microbial pattern to some extent and the potential plant-soil feedback needs further investigation.
Non-ferrule design for indirect restoration of endodontically treated premolars with severe hard tissue loss
Authors: Sterzenbach Guido , Wunderlich Paul , Blunck Uwe , Krastl Gabriel , Bitter Kerstin
Published: January 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to predict the potential of endocrown and non-retentive crown restoration designs without post-and-core build-up made of either lithium-disilicate (Li) or CAD-CAM composite resin (CR).

Materials and Methods

After removing the clinical crown sixty endodontically treated human maxillary premolars were restored accordingly to group C = glassfibre-reinforced post and composite core-build-up with ferrule design and crown restoration (control); group NRC = non-retentive crown preparation without endodontic post and no-ferrule design and group EC = endocrown design with internal extension. Prior to linear loading until failure (Fmax) all crown restorations were subjected to thermal cycling and simultaneous mechanical loading (TCML). The maximum load capabilities (Fmax) were compared using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney analyses. The marginal gap formation was evaluated before and after TCML.

Results

All specimens survived the TCML. Specimens of group C/CR (502.5 N) and NRC/CR (481.5 N) revealed significant lower load capabilities (p < 0.03). The endocrowns (EC/CR 725 N; EC/Li 637 N) show high and no significantly different Fmax values compared to groups C/Li (665 N) and NRC/Li (726.5 N). The marginal gap analyses reveals a higher percentage of restoration margin alteration for CR.

Conclusions

Regarding the load capability of endodontically treated premolars, endocrowns and non-retentive crowns made from Li and endocrowns made from CR show comparable load capabilties to post-and-core crown restorations.
Clinical Relevance: Single crown restorations for endodontically treated premolares with non-retentive crown design without post-and-core build-up and endocrowns are promising treatment alternatives to preserve a maximum of tooth hard tissue.
Calculating Nash Equilibrium on quantum annealers
Authors: Khan Faisal Shah , Okrut Olga , Cannon Keith , El-Safty Kareem H. , Elsokkary Nada
Published: January 2023

Adiabatic quantum computing is implemented on specialized hardware using the heuristics of the quantum annealing algorithm. To solve a problem using quantum annealing,the problem requires the formatting as a discrete quadratic function without constraints. The problem of finding Nash equilibrium in two-player, non-cooperativegames is a two-fold quadratic optimization problem with constraints. This problem was formatted as a single, constrained quadratic optimization in 1964 by Mangasarianand Stone. Here, we show that adding penalty terms to the quadratic function formulation of Nash equilibrium gives a quadratic unconstrained binary optimization(QUBO) formulation of this problem that can be executed on quantum annealers. Three examples are discussed to highlight the success of the formulation, and an overall,time-to-solution (hardware + software processing) speed up by seven to ten times is reported on quantum annealers developed by D-Wave System.
Trends in blackfly density, parity, and infection rates from riverside to villages of the Bafia health district in Cameroon: implication for onchocerciasis vector control
Authors: Domche André , Nana-Djeunga Hugues C. , Nwane Philippe B. , Njitchouang Guy R. , Fesuh Betrand , Njiokou Flobert , Kamgno Joseph
Published: January 2023

Background
The reduction of the contacts between humans and blackflies can lead to the interruption of the onchocerciasis transmission. Esperanza window trap (EWT) has been shown to be effective in reducing blackfly densities. Several shape-based improvements to this trapping system have been developed to optimize its performance. However, the optimisation of this trapping system has always been based on the shape of the trap, high blackfly density areas or on the addition of attractants, without considering transmission potentials and parity rates. This study aims to investigate the differences in biting rates and transmission potential between three catching points to guide the choice of EWT placement.
Methods
Monthly blackfly collection was carried out over one year using human landing method at three catching points along a transect from riverside toward the centre of two first-line villages (Biatsota and Bayomen) of the Mbam valley in Cameroon. Female blackflies caught were counted and dissected, and entomological indicators were computed and compared between catching points and villages.
Results
A total of 80,732 blackflies were caught and 57,517 dissected, of which 2,743 (4.8%) were parous and 44 (1.6%) infective. Regarding the distance to the river, a vector density gradient was observed, the highest annual biting rates (ABRs) being recorded at riverside. Furthermore, the highest annual transmission potentials were also recorded at riversides (165 vs 255 Infective larvae/man/year in Bayomen and Biatsota, respectively). Globally, the highest parity rates (PR) were recorded at the riverside in Biatsota (5.1%) where various human activities are frequent, and at the centre of the village in Bayomen (6.3%).
Conclusion
This study reveals that entomological parameters were the highest at riversides and indicates that EWTs or other trapping systems should be set up in priority at riverside for optimal performance in onchocerciasis control.
Decisive Roles of Interfacial Water Orientation and Hydrogen Bonds in the Dramatic Activity Gap of Metal-Nitrogen-Carbon Catalysts for ORR in Alkaline and Acid
Authors: Li Peng , Jiao Yuzhou , Men Yana , Chen Shengli
Published: January 2023

There is a standing question in electrochemistry and energy conversion that why the metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) catalysts generally exhibit dramatic activity drop for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) when changing the electrolyte pH from alkaline to acid regime, which has severely inhibited the application of these nonprecious metal materials as viable electrocatalysts for the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Herein, taking FeCo-N6-C double-atom catalyst as a model system and by combining the ab initio molecular dynamics simulation and the slow-growth enhanced free-energy sampling approach, the interfacial double-layer microenvironments, ORR pathways, energetics of various elementary steps, and barriers of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) steps in alkaline and acid medias have been meticulously investigated and compared to understand the pH-dependent ORR activity on the molecular scale. We conclude that the greatly different orientations of interfacial water under alkaline and acid ORR conditions play a decisive role in the formation of hydrogen bonds between the surface oxygenated intermediates and the interfacial water molecules, thereby vitally control the kinetics of the PCET steps. The present finding that it is the interfacial double-layer structure, rather than the energetics of the multistep reaction pathway, that brings about the dramatic electrocatalytic activity gap of M-N-C catalysts for ORR in alkaline and acid electrolytes, not only emphasizes the significance of interfacial microstructures in electrocatalysis, but also opens new and feasible avenues for the design of advanced M-N-C catalysts for PEMFCs.
Persistent T cell unresponsiveness associated with chronic visceral leishmaniasis in HIV-coinfected patients
Authors: de Vrij Nicky , Rezende Antonio , Pollmann Julia , Meneses Ana , Pham Thao-Thy , Hailemichael Wasihun , Kassa Mekebib , Bogale Tadfe , Melkamu Roma , Yeshanew Arega , Mohammed Rezika , Diro Ermias , Maes Ilse , Domagalska Malgorzata , Landuyt Hanne , Vogt Florian , Henten Saskia van , Laukens Kris , Cuypers Bart , Meysman Pieter , Beyene Hailemariam , Sisay Kasaye , Kibret Aderajew , Mersha Dagnew , Ritmeijer Koert , Griensven Johan Van , Adriaensen Wim
Published: January 2023

A large proportion of HIV-coinfected visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients exhibit a chronic disease course with frequent recurrence of VL, despite successful viral suppression and initial parasitological cure. Due to a hard-to-reach population, knowledge on immunological determinants underlying this chronic disease course is scarce, limiting treatment and patient management options. Thus, we studied alterations in cellular immunity with flow cytometry and single-cell RNA and T cell receptor sequencing on circulatory immune cells of a longitudinal HIV cohort in North-West Ethiopia, including asymptomatically Leishmania-infected and active VL-HIV patients. We observed that VL chronicity in VL-HIV patients was associated with persistent CD8+ T cell exhaustion and marked CD4+ T cell anergy, characterised by a high expression of PD-1 and TIGIT, and a lack of lymphoproliferative response upon stimulation. These findings provide a strong rationale for adjunctive immunotherapy for the treatment of chronic VL-HIV patients and highlight the importance of VL relapse markers.
Day-night differences in δ18O and d-excess of convective rainfall in the inland tropics of Brazil
Authors: Santos Vinícius , Gastmans Didier , Durán-Quesada Ana Maria , Sánchez-Murillo Ricardo , Rozanski Kazimierz , Kracht Oliver , Quintão Demilson Assis
Published: January 2023

The tropical central-southern part of Brazil (CSB) is characterized by strong convective systems that bring generous water supply for agro-industrial activities but also pose flood risks for large cities. Here, we present high-frequency (5-10 minutes) rainfall isotopic compositions to better understand those systems. In total, 260 intra-event samples representing 18 rainfall events were collected during the period 2019-2021. In summer, convective rainfall activity modulates regional and local isotopic characteristics, revealing a novel perspective on day-night contrast in δ18O and d-excess values. During the daytime, enhanced sub-cloud effects are related to high δ18O and low d-excess, while at night-time, continuous regional rainout results in more depleted δ18O and high d-excess values. Our results offer a new framework of key drivers controlling the isotopic variability of rainfall across the tropics.
Predictive value of NoSAS questionnaire combined with the modified Mallampati grade for hypoxemia during routine sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy
Authors: Nana Li , Wu Junbei , Lu Yunhong , Zhang Jigang , Sun Zhaochu , Liu Cunming , cao xiaofei
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUNDː
To date, there is no recognized simple method to predict hypoxemia in digestive endoscopic anesthesia, and the utility of the NoSAS questionnaire, an objective and simple assessment scale, used to assess obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), combined with the modified Mallampati grade (MMP) in screening for hypoxemia during routine sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy.
METHODSː
A total of 2207 patients admitted to our hospital for painless gastrointestinal endoscopy were studied. All patients were measured for age, height, weight, body mass index, neck circumference, snoring, MMP, and other parameters. Patients were divided into hypoxemia and non-hypoxemia groups based on intraoperative oxygen saturation of less than 95% for 10 s. The ROC curve was plotted to evaluate the screening value of the NoSAS questionnaire separately and combined with MMP for hypoxemia. The total NoSAS score was evaluated at cut-off points of 8 and 9.
RESULTSː
With a NoSAS score ≥ 8 as the critical value for analysis, the sensitivity for hypoxemia was 58.3%, the specificity was 88.4%, and the area under the ROC was 0.734 ( P < 0.001, 95%CI:0.708–0.759). With a NoSAS score ≥ 9 as a critical value, the sensitivity for hypoxemia was 36.50%, the specificity rose to 96.16%, and the area under the ROC was 0.663 ( P < 0.001, 95% CI:0.639–0.688). With the NoSAS Score combined with the MMP for analysis, the sensitivity was 78.4%, the specificity was 84%, the area under the ROC was 0.859 ( P < 0.001, 95% CI:0.834–0.883).
CONCLUSIONSː
As a new screening tool, the NoSAS questionnaire is simple, convenient, and has a certain screening value for hypoxemia. Combined with the modified Mallampati grade (MMP), it can obviously improve the screening sensitivity of hypoxemia and has a higher application value.
PFDI: A Precise Fruit disease Identification Model based on Context Data Fusion with Faster-CNN in Edge Computing Environment
Authors: Dhiman Poonam , M Poongodi , Lilhore Umesh Kumar , AlQahtani Salman A. , Kaur Amandeep , Iwendi Celestine , alsekait Deema mohammed , Raahemifar Kaamran
Published: January 2023

Fruits have a significant impact on everyday living i.e., citrus fruits. Numerous fruits have a solid nutritious value and are packed with multivitamins and trace components. Citrus fruits are delicate, so they are susceptible to many diseases and infections. Many researchers have suggested various deep learning and machine learning based fruit disease detection and classification models. In this research we are presenting precise fruit disease identification (PFDI) model based on context data fusion with Faster-CNN in edge computing environment. The goal is to develop a precise, efficient, and trustable fruit disease detection model, which is a critical component of an autonomous food production in robotic edge platform. This research examines and explores four different diseases of citrus fruits using CNN deep learning models to be adopted as edge computing solution. Identification of citrus diseases namely cankers black spot, greening, scab, melanose, and healthy citrus fruits are implemented using the proposed sequential model without pruning, with pruning having different sparsity level followed by post quantization. Through transfer learning method, we optimize this model for the assignment of fruit disease detection employing visuals from two patterns: Near-infrared (NIFR) and RGB. For integrating multi-model (NIFR and RGB) facts, early and late data fusion techniques are evaluated. The accuracy obtained from the proposed model for the canker disease is 97%,scab 95%, melanose 99% ,Greening 97%,Black spot 97% and for healthy 97%. In this paper we compared and evaluated the results of proposed model with the sparsity levels of 50–80%, 60–90%, 70–90%, 80–90% pruning and also obtained the results of post-quantization on each level. The results show that the size of the model with 60–90% pruning can be counteracted to the 47.64 of the baseline model without significant loss of accuracy. Moreover, post quantization can further reduces the of 60–90% pruning from 28.16 to 8.72. In addition to enhanced precision, the above initiative is much faster to implement for new fruits diseases because it needs bounding box annotation (BBA) instead of pixel-level annotation (PLA).
Assessing collision risk between humpback whales and multiple vessel fleets in Brazil
Authors: Portal Caroline , Bedriñana-Romano Luis , Andriolo Artur , Sucunza Federico , Zerbini Alexandre N.
Published: January 2023

Increasing anthropogenic threats in the marine environment requires continued assessments of their potential effects on the marine megafauna. In recent years, ship strikes have become an important source of mortality to large whales. Here we integrated telemetry and traffic data to assess vessel collision risk on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) off the central coast of Brazil between 2016 and 2019. A state-space model was used to account for observation error and to regularize telemetry data. Residence time and proportion of time spent at the surface (i.e., the upper 10m layer of the water column) by whales combined with fleet-specific vessel density were used as proxies to estimate the relative probability of vessels encountering whales available to a collision. We also identified areas where potential encounters were likely to inflict lethal injuries on whales based on vessel length and speed. The cargo fleet was the most densely distributed, and along with the tanker fleet, represent a great concern to humpback whales in Brazil. A higher risk of collision was recorded on the Abrolhos Bank, the main breeding ground for this population. By incorporating comprehensive whale- and vessel-related information, this study highlights the importance of spatially explicit risk assessments for the conservation of humpback whales in Brazil.
Characterizations and environmental impacts of exhaust of non-road vehicles
Authors: Li Hsing-Wang , Peng Yen-Ping , Lai Chia-Hsiang , Lin Yi-Ching , Chien Po-Yen , Chen Wei-Hsiang
Published: January 2023

Non-road vehicles equipped with diesel engine could emit air pollutants. This study measured particulate matters (PM) and gaseous pollutants of the exhaust of the non-road vehicles (excavator, bulldozers) during idling and operating. The concentrations of TPM, PM10 and PM2.5 were 14-251, 12-181 and 10-163 mg/Nm3, respectively, for three on-road vehicles. The PM10 occupy 60-70％ of TPM, while PM2.5 occupy 80-90％ of PM10. The calculated emission factors were 0.64 - 0.94, 0.53 - 0.79 and 0.32 -0.49 g/bhp-hr for TPM, PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. Metallic elements of PM were analyzed in order to evaluate the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk. The results showed that the emission of total metallic elements from the excavator and two bulldozers are 2.711 and 7.922-22.618 mg/m3, respectively, and the dominant components are Zn, Fe and Al. Total carcinogenic risk of Cd and Pb decreased from 0.094´10-6 to 0.013´10-6 by increasing the distances from three non-road vehicles and the non-carcinogenic risk of both Cd and Pb are lower than the limits (HQ=1), which is considered an acceptable risk.
Risk factors of breast malignant lesions in patients with ultrasound BI-RADS 3, 4a and 4b undergoing Mammotome minimally invasive surgery
Authors: Zhu Yue , Chen Xingyan , Dou He , Liu Yuqi , Xiao Min
Published: January 2023

Background
To sort out the basic data and imaging examination results of the patients who underwent the Mammotome minimally invasive surgery, and explore the high-risk underlying factors related to cancerization, in order to optimize the minimally invasive surgery population, and reduce the malignant rate.
Methods
A total of 1188 female patients who came to our hospital from November 2016 to August 2021 for the Mammotome minimally invasive surgery were analyzed retrospectively. According to the inclusion criteria, the clinical data of 1158 patients and 2164 lesions were finally obtained. We summarized the benign and malignant lesions of BI-RADS category 3, BI-RADS category 4a and BI-RADS category 4b by conventional ultrasound, and got 1562, 578 and 24 lesions respectively. By analyzing the clinical basic data, imaging features and pathological diagnosis of patients, the differences between benign and malignant lesions of these three types were evaluated.
Results
The malignant rates of BI-RADS category 3, BI-RADS category 4a and BI-RADS category 4b patients who underwent the Mammotome minimally invasive surgery were 0.6%(9/1562), 6.4%(37/578) and 8.3%(2/24) respectively. According to statistics, the age of patients with BI-RADS category 3 is generally younger than that of patients with category 4a and category 4b. Comparing all the three types of lesions in pairs, we found that there were statistical differences in the presence or absence of blood flow signals and the status of calcified lesions, among which category 4b blood flow signal accounted for the highest proportion. Among the category 3 of lesions, we also found that the age of menarche in patients with malignant lesions is younger compared with benign lesions. In category 4a lesions, the patients with malignant lesions were older and mainly concentrated between 40 and 50 years old, and the maximum diameter of the lesions was larger. Whether it is category 3 or category 4a malignant lesions, mammography shows that the incidence of category 4a and multifocal calcification is higher.
Conclusion
Combined with the clinical data and imaging examination results, BI-RADS category 3 patients have excellent results in choosing Mammotome minimally invasive surgery. Patients with BI-RADS category 4a should be alert to the following factors, including age between 40 and 50, older menarche age, lesion site in the outer upper quadrant, mammography grade of 4a or above, and presence of calcification. Minimally invasive surgery is not recommended for patients diagnosed as BI-RADS category 4b.
Active Vibration Suppression of Flexible Satellite With Appointed Time Convergence
Authors: Li Danyu , Zhang Liang , Xu Shijie , Li Yuan , Cui Naigang
Published: January 2023

In this paper, an appointed time active vibration suppression controller is studied for flexible satellite with piezoelectric actuators. Firstly, a piecewise sliding mode controller with the appointed time is designed to guarantee that the attitude error converges at the appointed time. The convergence time of the model can be set with a prior parameter. Secondly, a modal observer is used to estimate the vibration of the flexible elastic modal, and an active vibration suppression controller is designed to converge at a predefined time. The stability of the two controllers is demonstrated by a Lyapunov theory. The Simulink simulation framework is eventually established, and the numerical simulation results of various data demonstrate the appointed time convergence of the proposed controller. Compared with adaptive sliding mode and nonsingular terminal sliding mode, the controller can achieve higher precision control with less energy consumption.