bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural convective and Cattaneo–Christov model for couple stress nanofluid at the middle of the squeezed channel with sensor surface
Authors: Salahuddin T. , Awais Muhammad
Published: February 2024

The aim of this work is to present a natural convective and squeezing flow model of two-dimensional couple stress nanofluid which is flowing on the sensory surface with variable fluid viscosity. The fluid flowing on a microcantilever sensory surface and squeezing is happening at free stream. The sensor is also useful to detect the movement of fluid and the variations in thermal and solutal rates. The Cattaneo–Christov model is adopted along with nanoparticle and chemical reaction to explore the transmission of heat and mass rates. The analysis of heat transmission in non-Newtonian couple stress fluid flowing on squeezed sensory surface by using the Cattaneo–Christov heat conduction model has various industrial and scientific applications including the polymer processing, wastewater treatment, chemical reactors, biomedical flows, cooling and heating processes in industries, heat exchangers, microfluidics, oil and gas industries. All the assumptions are applied in the basic governing laws laws and then we get the model of the partial differential equations. The governing model of equations is transmuted into ordinary differential equations form via the transformations and then the numerical results of these ODE’s are examined with a well-defined numerical technique “Shooting Method”. For higher inputs of couple stress, squeezing index and permeability velocity, the fluid’s internal velocity decreases. Because of the Prandtl number and thermal relaxation coefficient, the heat transfer mechanism slows down. Mass transfer increases for greater inputs of the thermal diffusivity coefficient and decreases due to concentration relaxation. Further, the numerical dependency of emerging parameters on the skin friction is illustrated in tabular form. The parametric effects on the model (velocity, temperature and concentration) are introduced using numerical values shown in the table.
Who Should We Blame for Android App Crashes? An In-Depth Study at Scale and Practical Resolutions
Authors: Gong Liangyi , Lin Hao , Liu Daibo , Yang Lanqi , Wang Hongyi , Qiu Jiaxing , Li Zhenhua , Qian Feng
Published: February 2024

Android system has been widely deployed in energy-constrained IoT devices for many practical applications, such as smart phone, smart home, healthcare, fitness, and beacons. However, Android users oftentimes suffer from app crashes, which directly disrupt user experience and could lead to data loss. Till now, the community have limited understanding of their prevalence, characteristics, and root causes. In this article, we make an in-depth study of the crash events regarding ten very popular apps of different genres, based on fine-grained system-level traces crowd-sourced from 93 million Android devices. We find that app crashes occur prevalently on the various hardware models studied, and better hardware does not seem to essentially relieve the problem. Most importantly, we unravel multi-fold root causes of app crashes, and pinpoint that the most crashes stem from the subtle yet crucial inconsistency between app developers’ supposed memory/process management model and Android’s actual implementations. We design practical approaches to addressing the inconsistency; after large-scale deployment, they reduce 40.4% of the app crashes with negligible system overhead. In addition, we summarize important lessons learned from this study, and have released our measurement code/data to the community.
Numerical Solution of Burgers–Huxley Equation Using a Higher Order Collocation Method
Authors: Singh Aditi , Dahiya Sumita , Emadifar Homan , Khademi Masoumeh
Published: February 2024

In this paper, the collocation method with cubic B-spline as basis function has been successfully applied to numerically solve the Burgers–Huxley equation. This equation illustrates a model for describing the interaction between reaction mechanisms, convection effects, and diffusion transport. Quasi-linearization has been employed to deal with the nonlinearity of equations. The Crank–Nicolson implicit scheme is used for discretization of the equation and the resulting system turned out to be semi-implicit. The stability of the method is discussed using Fourier series analysis (von Neumann method), and it has been concluded that the method is unconditionally stable. Various numerical experiments have been performed to demonstrate the authenticity of the scheme. We have found that the computed numerical solutions are in good agreement with the exact solutions and are competent with those available in the literature. Accuracy and minimal computational efforts are the key features of the proposed method.
Optimization of Ultrasonic‐Assisted Extraction of Phenolics and Terpenoids from Sweet Basil Leaves Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents
Authors: Vo Tan Phat , Phan Thuy Han , Doan Luu Nguyen Thuc , Tran Thi Bich Xuong , Pham Nhat Quyen , Ho Thai Anh Thi , Ha Nguyen Minh Huy , Nguyen Minh Thu , Nguyen Dinh Quan
Published: February 2024

This investigation focused on assessing and enhancing ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) to extract phenolics and terpenoids from sweet basil leaves. The initial stage involved evaluating the extraction performance of twelve NADES and ethanol. A NADES comprising lactic acid and glucose with a 2 : 1 molar ratio and 20% water content (WC) obtained the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and total terpenoid content (TTC). Single‐factor experiments systematically examined the impact of liquid‐to‐solid ratio (LSR), water content in NADES (WC), ultrasound power, temperature, and exposure time on the extraction yield. Optimization using Box–Behnken Design (BBD) models for the lactic acid and glucose‐based UAE revealed the optimal conditions to be 80 ml/g LSR, 30% water, 300 W, 50°C temperature, and a 15‐minute exposure time. Under these optimized parameters, the extraction achieved the highest TPC and TTC at 69.88 mg GAE/g and 110.71 mg UA/g, respectively. This study presents an environmentally friendly and sustainable extraction protocol for the extraction of phenolic compounds and terpenoids from sweet basil leaves.
Optimal proportional-integral speed control for closed-loop engine timing system
Authors: Albatran Saher , Harasis Salman
Published: February 2024

In internal combustion engines, adjusting the air-fuel ratio is essential to control the speed and minimize the burnt fuel. The throttle opening is the actuator to control the air-fuel. A better design for the used/conventional controller can give a better response without additional cost. In this work, the proposed controller gains of the proportional-integral (PI) controller are tuned to enhance the speed in constant and variable drive cycle modes. The tuning process is conducted based on two of the most efficient performance indices used in this field. The performance indices are integral absolute error (IAE) and integral time absolute error (ITAE). The optimization problem is solved using three reliable stochastic optimization algorithms to ensure mature convergence of the solutions, to avoid local optima solutions, and to ensure effective shrinking of the search space. The optimization algorithms are teaching-learning-based optimization (TLBO), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and genetic algorithm (GA). Different simulations are conducted to validate the results. The results are compared with conventional tuning methods regarding the system's time response.
Mysore sentinel-2: deep learning for image classification with optimizer exploration
Authors: Sathyanarayana Natya , Singh Seema
Published: February 2024

The classification of Sentinel-2 image is presented in this work using a tile based methodology. The Mysore district of India's Karnataka state serves as the subject region of this research. By tiling Sentinel-2 images, we were able to construct a distinct dataset and get approximately 3,000 training samples for the five classes. These images are manually labelled and geo-referenced. Three different optimizers were employed in a thorough analysis with deep learning models such as ResNet50, MobileNetV2, ShuffleNet, and VGG16 to achieve better performance metrics. With a classification accuracy of 98.1% on RESNet50 using ADAM surpassed the others. This facilitates investigating various geographical data analytics applications of the study region.
Development of Competency Manual for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commanding Officers
Authors: Berbie Aries C.
Published: February 2024

The study emphasized the importance for effective leadership in the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and introduces the development of a specialized Competency Manual tailored for PCG Commanding Officers, guided by the Dreyfus model of skills acquisition. While effective leadership is vital for maritime safety and security, the absence of a structured competency framework poses challenges for PCG Commanding Officers, impeding their adaptability and effectiveness in rapidly evolving maritime environment. The development process encompassed a thorough needs assessment, which included reviewing PCG regulations, competency frameworks, and conducting a comprehensive analysis of the Dreyfus model. Collaborative efforts with subject matter experts, surveys, and pilot testing involving PCG officers played a pivotal role in refining the content of the manual. The result of the study yields a Competency Manual that meticulously defines specific competencies, knowledge, skills, and behaviors deemed essential at each stage of the Dreyfus model. Covering critical areas such as maritime regulations, navigation, decision-making, leadership, and crisis management, the manual precisely caters to the unique demands placed on PCG Commanding Officers. The Competency Manual stands out as a structured and progressive tool for skill development, ensuring that PCG Commanding Officers are well-prepared to navigate the difficult challenges inherent in their roles. Effective implementation that entails the seamless integration of the manual into PCG's training programs, conducting routine assessments, and establishing channels for continuous improvement. This strategic approach seeks to foster the development of PCG Commanding Officers into highly proficient leaders, empowering them to adeptly protect maritime interests in the Philippines.
Promoting Students’ Conceptual Understanding through Directive Teacher Guidance and Non-directive Teaching Model in a Collaborative Problem Solving
Authors: Bunag Ilene DS.
Published: February 2024

This study examined and aimed to promote students’ level of conceptual understanding in problem-solving through Directive Teacher Guidance (DTG) and the Non-directive Teaching Model (NDTM).  The study employed sequential-explanatory mixed research using quasi-experimental switching replication treatment involving quantitative and qualitative data. Two groups of Grade 8 high school students were used as participants in the study. One group had 36 students, and the other had 38 students exposed to DTG and NDTM approaches. Quantitative data were obtained from the scores of students from the pretest, first posttest, and second posttest about the topics in Mathematics subject. Qualitative data were from the analysis of participants’ responses in problem-solving, focus group discussion, and classroom observation. The t-test for the dependent sample was utilized to determine the significant change in students’ level of conceptual understanding after the first and second implementation phases, while the t-test for the independent sample was used to find out the significant difference between the pretest and posttests between the two groups. Results showed that students’ conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills significantly improved after exposure to the two approaches. The two groups’ levels of conceptual understanding in switching replication treatment are found to have no significant difference. Moreover, participants preferred guided questions and guided directions and believed in the importance of attaining a conceptual understanding of the lesson. It is suggested to integrate DTG and NDTM as teaching strategies and conduct a study considering a longer span of implementation to determine the effectiveness of the two approaches.
Awareness Level of Internal and External Stakeholders’ Participation in the Implementation of Sustainable School Programs and Projects: Input to Effective Stakeholders Management Plan
Authors: Millano Generosa D. , Callo Eden C.
Published: February 2024

Stakeholders were an important element in any institution, especially in the educational arena. It was composed of teachers, guardians, students, and local government units who play meaningful roles in achievinga quality education, affordable education, school performance as well as resources. This study aimed to assess the awareness level of internal and external stakeholders’ participation in the implementation of sustainable school programs and projects, input to effective stakeholders’ management. This paper used descriptive-correlational research designed. There were 1,198 respondents, were female, high school level, age 11-15 years old, and occupation belong to stay at home parent, unemployed, students, retired. Stakeholders perceived the level of awareness was “moderate” while they “agreed” with stakeholders’ management plan and “much effective” on the implementation of sustainable school programs and projects. This study revealed that there is a significant relationship between the awareness level of both internal and external stakeholders’ participation as well as the stakeholders’ management plan to the sustainability of school programs and projects. There is a significant difference between the awareness level of internal and external stakeholders’ participation and their perceived level of implementation to sustain the school programs and projects. The stakeholders’ management plan also predict that it has a significant effect on the awareness of stakeholders’ participation and the sustainability of school programs and projects.
Information Technology Students’ Insights from Their On-The-Job Training: Input to an Internship Manual
Authors: Casugay Jake Vincent R. , Cabauatan Wilfred F. , Esperanza Jeanely A. , Fontanilla Marie Ann G. , Subang Albert H.
Published: February 2024

This quantitative research utilizing the descriptive-survey design assessed the on-the-job training performance of the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) students. Ninety-four students have completed their on-the-job training in school year 2017-2018 and have participated in the study. The data were collected using a survey questionnaire and descriptively treated using frequency, percentage, and weighted mean. In addition, the qualitative part of the post-evaluation survey form was treated using thematic analysis. The study revealed the following: the partner-company organization is related to the student’s specialization as they utilized IT-based software and assigned tasks related to information technology. Student trainees were able to develop their communication skills while mobile application development skills were identified as the least. OJT students also identified Professional Ethics and Values Education for IT, Multimedia Systems, Operating Systems as well as Oral Communication, Fundamentals of Grammar, and Presentation Skills and Technical Writing as the most relevant subject courses; and they perceived doing work not related to information technology, extended OJT, overtime, and certain provision of existing manual as problems. The researchers concluded that the BSIT Internship manual when implemented can effectively improve their field work performance
Evidence-based care combined with chlorhexidine gluconate antimicrobial dressing in the prevention of peritoneal dialysis catheter-associated infections
Authors: Wang Zuping , Lin Zhang , Aikelamu Fayiza , Tuerhong Gulixian
Published: February 2024

To effectively prevent catheter-related infections during peritoneal dialysis (PD), we have applied evidence-based care (EBC) and chlorhexidine gluconate antimicrobial dressings (CHGAD) to the management of PD patients. CHGAD demonstrated good hygroscopic properties, effectively preventing
the pooling of blood and exudate at the catheter outlet. Additionally, CHGAD could effectively inhibit the activity of G+ and G− bacteria, providing effective antibacterial effect on the wound. Furthermore, we found that CHGAD also exhibited good biocompatibility without affecting the
activity of fibroblasts. Patients undergoing PD treatment were randomly assigned to either the control or EBC group. The control group received standard care while the EBC group received EBC along with CHGAD. Subsequently, we compared patient- and healthcare-related risk factors, treatment
adherence, self-care, catheter infection rates, and satisfaction between the two groups. The results demonstrated that EBC effectively reduced risk factors for catheter infections by improving compliance rate of patients’ Hb, HbA1c, and Alb level, as well as hand hygiene compliance,
dialysis water management, high-frequency contact table, disinfection and isolation, and catheter maintenance during dialysis. Furthermore, EBC improved patients’ treatment adherence, self-care ability, and participation in PD catheter management. The combination of EBC and CHGAD effectively
reduced the incidence of catheter infections and improved patient satisfaction with care. Consequently, EBC combined with CHGAD shows significant potential in the management of catheter infections in PD patients and should be advocated in clinical practice.
Effect of different initial tempers on creep aging behavior of 2195 aluminum-lithium alloy
Authors: Zhang Liwen , Bian Tianjun , Song Jiping
Published: February 2024

Five kinds of 2195 aluminum-lithium alloys with different initial tempers were obtained through different heat treatment methods. The creep aging test with a constant stress of 140 MPa, at 180 °C, mechanical tensile test at room temperature and the scanning electron microscope (SEM)
observation were used to study the dependence of microstructure and properties on the initial tempers of 2195 aluminum-lithium alloy under creep aging forming conditions. The results show that the creep deformation of the alloy with re-solution initial temper is the largest, followed by the
solid solution, over-aging and peak aging tempers, while the aged alloy with the regression temper has the smallest creep deformation. The order of yield and tensile strength from high to low is re-solution > solid solution > peak aging > over-aging > regression treatment. The
order of elongation to fraction from large to small is solid solution > re-solution > peak aging > over aging > regression treatment. Finally, the high-strength and ductility mechanism of the creep-aged alloy with the re-solution temper was revealed: uniformly distributed fine
strengthening phase (T1 phase) within the grain and narrowed precipitation-free zone at grain boundaries.
Curcumin targeting miR-761 influences proliferation and apoptosis of colon cancer cells through GSK-3β regulation
Authors: Yan Jiazhi , Zhang Mingdong , Tu Shuo
Published: February 2024

Abnormal miR-761 expression involves in colon cancer and curcumin has a significant anti-tumor cell proliferation effect. In this study, we investigated whether curcumin targeting miR-761 can affect colon cancer cells. Control group (NC group), miR-761 Mimics group, and miR-761 Mimics+curcumin
group were set up. miR-761 and GSK-3β levels were detected by RT-qPCR. Dual fluorescein report detected the relation between miR-761 and GSK-3β along with analysis of cell proliferation by cloning assay and apoptosis by flow cytometry. Compared with normal tissues,
miR-761 expression in colon cancer tissues was lower (P <0.01), while GSK-3β level was higher (P < 0.01). Dual fluorescein report analysis showed GSK-3β as a target of miR-761. Compared with NC group, clone number in miR-761 Mimics group decreased,
the proliferation capacity decreased, and apoptotic number increased. While compared with miR-761 Mimics group, clone number in miR-761 Mimics+curcumin cells increased, proliferation capacity increased, and apoptotic number decreased. Curcumin targeting miR-761 can inhibit GSK-3β
expression, inhibit colon cancer cells proliferation and promote apoptosis. However, when the pCDNA-GSK-3β plasmid overexpresses GSK-3β, it can prevent the action of miR-761.
Comprehensive environmental management research for indoor sports and fitness facilities in community sports center
Authors: Pan Qiji , Jia Wen
Published: February 2024

Formaldehyde, as one of the main indoor air pollutants, poses a significant threat to human health. Therefore, to effectively reduce indoor formaldehyde pollution, we prepare a novel silver carbonate (Ag2CO3)/amorphous silver silicates (a-AgSiO)/g-C3N4
nanosheets (CNNS) composite catalyst using in-situ precipitation and ion exchange methods. The Ag2CO3/a-AgSiO/CNNS composite was characterized by various methods, including XRD, FT-IR, and XPS. Compared to the a-AgSiO/CNNS composite, the formaldehyde degradation efficiency
of the Ag2CO3/a-AgSiO/CNNS composite is significantly enhanced, reaching up to 81.9% under the same conditions. Cycling stability tests also demonstrated the excellent chemical stability of the Ag2CO3/a-AgSiO/CNNS composite, with a formaldehyde degradation
efficiency of 72.6% after five cycles. By investigating the mechanism of Ag2CO3/a-AgSiO/CNNS composite, we found that the formation of double Z-type heterogeneous structure in the Ag2CO3/a-AgSiO/CNNS composite enhanced the separation efficiency of
photoinduced charge carriers and improved the photocatalytic activity. In conclusion, the prepared Ag2CO3/a-AgSiO/CNNS composite catalyst with excellent photocatalytic performance can be used for the efficient degradation of indoor formaldehyde.
A thermo-sensitive hydrogel based on Schiff base linkages with antioxidant property
Authors: Luo Yao , Wu Wei-Gang , Tian Feng , Huang Jun
Published: February 2024

Excessive oxidative stress leading to a consequently chronic inflammation remains a challenging problem for wound healing, and developing biomaterials with outstanding antioxidant property has great practical significance for wound treatment. Herein, a thermo-sensitive hydrogel based
on Schiff base linkages (Cur@HBC/OHA) was prepared, and the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities in vitro were investigated. The excellent biocompatibility, enhanced antibacterial activity and increased DPPH scavenging rate indicated that the prepared Cur@HBC/OHA hydrogel
is a promising biomaterial for tissue engineering applications.
Platinum nanozyme co-loaded reactive oxygen species-responsive prodrug integrated with dissolvable microneedle for chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy of melanoma
Authors: Chen Yuwen , Peng Shiqin , Zhou Hao , Hao Ying
Published: February 2024

Melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, is characterized by an increasing incidence rate. However, conventional treatment methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy have limitations that hinder their widespread application. In this study, we aim
to develop a platinum nanozyme (PtNP) co-loaded reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive prodrug integrated with dissolvable microneedle for chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy of melanoma. The utilization of microneedle can significantly enhance the efficiency of transdermal drug delivery
while improving treatment efficacy and minimizing toxic side effects. The nanodrug system incorporates a prodrug composed of chemotherapeutic agent, photosensitizer, and ROS-responsive chemical bond. Upon laser irradiation, it generates ROS for effective photodynamic therapy while precisely
controlling the release behavior of camptothecin (CPT) within the prodrug formulation. Furthermore, PtNP in the nanodrug exhibits nanozyme-like activity by catalyzing the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen to overcome hypoxia-related challenges and enhance the effectiveness of
photodynamic therapy. The integration of the nanodrug complex with dissolvable microneedle presents a synergistic approach for the combined delivery of chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy to melanoma patients, offering novel strategies and avenues for clinical treatment.
Influence of matrix materials on the stability of weakly layered rock slopes
Authors: Liu Guomin , Huang Mei , Li Sheng , Cao Mingming , Chen Hua , Chen Xiuxiu
Published: February 2024

In this study, a novel matrix material was developed by blending powdery clay (PC) with varying proportions of diatomaceous earth (DE) and straw, aiming to enhance the mechanical stability and ability of the water cycle of the materials. The unconsolidated-undrained triaxial, compaction,
and infiltration tests were conducted to assess the mechanical characteristics of PC containing different ratios of DE and straw. The findings revealed that the addition of straw and DE enhanced soil permeability, as their quantities increased. However, when both DE and straw were mixed with
the matrix soil at similar content levels, a decrease in the permeability coefficient was observed. Additionally, the results indicated a decrease in maximum compacted density with an increase in the proportions of straw and DE. When the straw content was below 50% and the DE content was below
40%, a rapid decrease in density was observed. In contrast, when the straw content exceeded 50% and the DE content exceeded 40%, the rate of density reduction decreased. Considering water cycle and mechanical stability comprehensively, the optimal soil matrix ratios are recommended as 50%
PC, 40% DE content, and 10% straw. At this ratio, the cohesion specimen reaches its maximum value at approximately 42.83 kPa. Therefore, the appropriate selection of matrix materials in slope projects can enhance drainage performance, shearing strength, and slope stability, effectively reducing
the likelihood of slope disasters.
Design of vibration sensors based on fibre Bragg grating type composites for earthquake detection and early warning application
Authors: Xia Bo , Ren Ye , Ye Qing
Published: February 2024

Composite materials can be rapidly moulded using additive manufacturing processes due to their excellent mechanical and physical properties. Combining fibre Bragg gratings with composites results in high-performance fibre grating vibration sensors that address the limitations of electrical
sensors and traditional materials. This study focused on developing a fibre optic acceleration sensor that utilizes a parabolic column made of silica gel. The sensor underwent fabrication, packaging, and calibration using a dedicated test system. Parametric calibrations and vibration detection
tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of the system. The experimental results indicate that the sensor exhibits an intrinsic frequency of 70 Hz, a flat response range of 5 to 40 Hz, a linearity coefficient greater than 0.99, effective control of transverse interference, and exceptional
low-frequency response, which improves the detection of vibration signals. Therefore, the sensor’s low intrinsic frequency and exceptional low-frequency response make it well-suited for detecting vibrations at low to medium frequencies.
Effect of novel composite materials on human injury and rehabilitation training in athletic long jump sports
Authors: Liu Yu’e , Liu Yuyan
Published: February 2024

Articular cartilage injuries are prevalent in track and field long jump and can affect an athlete’s health. However, current therapeutic options cannot effectively repair the damaged cartilage tissue. It is important to find alternative treatment methods that can provide better
results for injured athletes. In this study, carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were employed to enhance the properties of hyaluronic acid (HA) and develop nanocomposite hydrogel scaffolds. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells extracted from the joints of experimental mice were subsequently loaded onto
the CNFs-HA scaffolds and evaluated for bioactivity and repair capacity. The TEM photographs of CNFs-MA displayed an orderly arrangement of fibers. Observing the FT-IR spectral characteristics of CNFs-MA revealed a telescopic vibration peak at 1700 cm−1. CNFs-HA demonstrated
a rapid increase in cartilage damage repair score after 15 days, and at 1 month, the joint damage repair score of CNFs-HA was significantly different from that of pure HA and the untreated group. Based on the foregoing results, it can be inferred that CNFs-HA, as prepared, is biocompatible
and efficacious in treating articular cartilage tissue injury. Furthermore, this study this study provides a reliable solution for cartilage injury treatment and establishes an experimental basis for its clinical management.
3D cell culture of nanofiber hydrogel promotes the growth and osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC)
Authors: Jiang Chunyu , Sun Feng
Published: February 2024

Hydrogels, as a type of polymer network material with high water content, find wide application in various tissue repair procedures. In addition, a three-dimension (3D) cell culture platform similar to natural extracellular matrix can be constructed in vitro by modifying natural
polymer chains. Therefore, this study based on natural polymer hydrogel, the introduction of inorganic nanoparticles POSS to prepare GelMA-POSS nanohydrogel. The physical and chemical properties of the hydrogel were evaluated through SEM, swelling test and degradation analysis. Subsequently,
the GelMA-POSS nano-hydrogel was used as matrix material to culture rBMSCs in vitro. CCK-8 and flow cytometry were used to detect the proliferation ability and apoptosis rate of rBMSCs. The expression of osteogenic markers in rBMSCs was detected by qPCR, Western Blotting and ELISA assay,
and the osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs was detected by ALP staining and alizarin red staining. The results indicate that compared with pure gelatin (Gel) hydrogel, GelMA-POSS nanohydrogel has slower degradation rate and better water retention capacity. Furthermore, in vitro cell
culture experiments showed that GelMA-POSS nano-hydrogel had good biocompatibility, and could promote the proliferation of rBMSCs and increase the expression level of osteogenic markers in cells, and induce osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs. GelMA-POSS nano-hydrogel based on POSS significantly
improves the physical and chemical properties of Gel hydrogel, and has good biocompatibility and the ability to induce osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs, Thus, it holds great promise as a potential material for repairing bone defects.
Varying volume fractions of steel fibers on mechanical properties of concrete
Authors: Wu Liming , Wang Zijian , Jian Rong , Ye Xiangyang , Zhang Xin , Liu Guangna
Published: February 2024

This study aims to explore the influence of different volume fractions of a type of novel steel fiber material on the fundamental mechanical properties of ordinary concrete. By selecting steel fibers with volume fractions of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%, compressive strength, splitting
tensile strength, and flexural tests were conducted using cube and rectangular specimens. After a curing period of 28 days, mechanical property tests were performed according to the CECS13:2009 Standard test methods for fiber reinforced concrete. The results showed that there was significant
improvement in compressive strength, flexural strength, and splitting tensile strength for steel fiber reinforced concrete compared to ordinary concrete, with an increase of up to 11.6%, 45.6%, and 41.6% respectively. Through analysis of the test results, a relationship curve equation between
the volume fraction of steel fibers and the mechanical properties of concrete was established, providing valuable reference guidance for engineering design. This study serves as an important foundation for the application of novel steel fiber materials in concrete.
Clinical efficacy of nano-hydroxyapatite combined with one-time root canal therapy in the treatment of pulpitis
Authors: Hou Xiapei , Cao Xiaozhu
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the clinical efficacy of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) combined with one-time root canal therapy in the treatment of pulpitis. A total of 92 patients diagnosed with pulpitis and treated at our hospital between September 2021 and November 2022 were selected and randomly
designed into a control group filled with calcium hydroxide paste and gutta-percha (n = 46) or an observation group filled with nHA and gutta-percha (n = 46). We compare the cure rate, complication rate, and recurrence rate between the two groups. After treatment, the total effective
rate of patients in the observation group was 96.70%, which was significantly higher than 86.00% in the control group. Additionally, the observation group demonstrated lower Visual Analog Scale and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 scores than those of the control group. After treatment, both
groups showed reduced serum levels of various inflammatory factors compared to pretreatment values. However, the observation group displayed notably lower levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein compared to their baseline
levels. Furthermore, the occlusal force, gingival sulcus bleeding index, and gingival index were significantly lower in the observation group when compared with those in the control group. The incidence of adverse reactions after 6 months of treatment was only 4.30% in the observation group,
which was markedly lower than that observed in the control group (18.5%). In summary, we demonstrate the remarkable clinical efficacy of n-HA combined with one-time root canal therapy in the treatment of pulpitis, highlighting its significant potential for clinical application.
Clinical analysis of infectious endophthalmitis following glaucoma filtration surgery
Authors: Niu Liangliang , Luo Yan , Xu Huan , Huang Haili , Jiang Rui , Sun Xinghuai
Published: February 2024

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical correlative factors and outcomes of treatment of bleb-associated endophthalmitis (BAE) following glaucoma filtration surgery in a Chinese population from the year 2012 to 2022, and to compare them with the clinical course during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic period.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of consecutive cases of BAE treated at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China, between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2022. The clinical presentation, treatment modality, microbiological data, clinical course, and outcomes of visual acuity (VA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) in all BAE cases were collected and analyzed.

Results

A total of 28 eyes with BAE were examined, predominantly in male patients (71.4%, p = 0.023). Most patients underwent trabeculectomy (89.3%, p ≤ 0.001), while a smaller proportion underwent Ex-PRESS implantation (10.7%). Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) was the most common type of glaucoma (39.3%, p ≤ 0.001). Most patients (96.4%) presented with poor visual acuity, worse than 20/400, and IOP ranged from 3–60 mmHg. Treatment, including initial tap-and-inject procedure of antibiotics (Ceftazidime and Norvancomycin) or initial pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), was initiated 5.0 ± 7.1 days after BAE onset. Streptococcus was the most common causative organism (53.6% of cases, p ≤ 0.001). The visual acuity significantly improved from 2.58 ± 0.27 to 2.14 ± 0.85 (reported in logMAR) after treatment (p ≤ 0.001), and most patients maintained normal tension during follow-up. Poisson regression model analysis showed the annual incidence of BAE during the COVID-19 pandemic period was significantly twice greater than that of previous years.

Conclusions

BAE may cause irreversible visual impairment. POAG filtering surgery with male sex and the COVID-19 pandemic period might be potentially relevant factors for BAE. Culture positivity was closely related to BAE prognosis, with Streptococcus species being the leading pathogenic organisms. Online outpatient services, early diagnosis, and timely treatment may rescue vision and maintain IOP control in the presence of BAE.
Genome-wide profiling of histone (H3) lysine 4 (K4) tri-methylation (me3) under drought, heat, and combined stresses in switchgrass
Authors: Ayyappan Vasudevan , Sripathi Venkateswara R. , Xie Shaojun , Saha Malay C. , Hayford Rita , Serba Desalegn D. , Subramani Mayavan , Thimmapuram Jyothi , Todd Antonette , Kalavacharla Venu Kal
Published: February 2024

Background

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a warm-season perennial (C4) grass identified as an important biofuel crop in the United States. It is well adapted to the marginal environment where heat and moisture stresses predominantly affect crop growth. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with heat and drought stress tolerance still need to be fully understood in switchgrass. The methylation of H3K4 is often associated with transcriptional activation of genes, including stress-responsive. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze genome-wide histone H3K4-tri-methylation in switchgrass under heat, drought, and combined stress.

Results

In total, ~ 1.3 million H3K4me3 peaks were identified in this study using SICER. Among them, 7,342; 6,510; and 8,536 peaks responded under drought (DT), drought and heat (DTHT), and heat (HT) stresses, respectively. Most DT and DTHT peaks spanned 0 to + 2000 bases from the transcription start site [TSS]. By comparing differentially marked peaks with RNA-Seq data, we identified peaks associated with genes: 155 DT-responsive peaks with 118 DT-responsive genes, 121 DTHT-responsive peaks with 110 DTHT-responsive genes, and 175 HT-responsive peaks with 136 HT-responsive genes. We have identified various transcription factors involved in DT, DTHT, and HT stresses. Gene Ontology analysis using the AgriGO revealed that most genes belonged to biological processes. Most annotated peaks belonged to metabolite interconversion, RNA metabolism, transporter, protein modifying, defense/immunity, membrane traffic protein, transmembrane signal receptor, and transcriptional regulator protein families. Further, we identified significant peaks associated with TFs, hormones, signaling, fatty acid and carbohydrate metabolism, and secondary metabolites. qRT-PCR analysis revealed the relative expressions of six abiotic stress-responsive genes (transketolase, chromatin remodeling factor-CDH3, fatty-acid desaturase A, transmembrane protein 14C, beta-amylase 1, and integrase-type DNA binding protein genes) that were significantly (P < 0.05) marked during drought, heat, and combined stresses by comparing stress-induced against un-stressed and input controls.

Conclusion

Our study provides a comprehensive and reproducible epigenomic analysis of drought, heat, and combined stress responses in switchgrass. Significant enrichment of H3K4me3 peaks downstream of the TSS of protein-coding genes was observed. In addition, the cost-effective experimental design, modified ChIP-Seq approach, and analyses presented here can serve as a prototype for other non-model plant species for conducting stress studies.
Application of remimazolam-0.6% sevoflurane anesthesia for flash visual evoked potential monitoring during pituitary adenoma resection: a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial
Authors: Shi Fu , Tang Ranran , Du Xiangrong , Li Xin , Wu Guisheng
Published: February 2024

Background

Flash visual evoked potential (FVEP) is a critical method for monitoring intraoperative visual function during neurosurgery. A new benzodiazepine drug called remimazolam has recently been used for general anesthesia. However, the impact of remimazolam on FVEP remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate how remimazolam, in comparison to propofol, when combined with 0.6% sevoflurane anesthesia, affects the FVEP waveform during pituitary adenoma resection.

Methods

Overall, 36 patients undergoing pituitary adenoma resection under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to either the remimazolam group (Group R) or the propofol group (Group P) in a prospective, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial. For anesthesia induction, a bolus of 0.2 mg/kg remimazolam or 2 mg/kg propofol was intravenously infused for approximately one minute. The anesthesia was maintained by continuous infusion of either remimazolam (0.7-1.0 mg/kg/h) or propofol (4–6 mg/kg/h), in combination with 0.6% sevoflurane, aimed at sustaining the bispectral index (BIS) within the range of 40–60. The primary outcome was the N75-P100 amplitude of FVEP recorded at approximately 20 min after intubation (T0). 10% of the amplitude at T0 in group P was defined as the non-inferiority margin (δ). Confidence interval testing was used to evaluate the non-inferiority hypothesis. The secondary outcomes covered the P100 latency of FVEP, electroretinogram (ERG) b wave amplitude, demographic characteristics, hemodynamics, and occurrence of adverse events.

Results

The BIS index during anesthesia was comparable between the groups at the same measured time points (P > 0.05). The N75-P100 amplitude at T0 in group R was 7.64 ± 1.36 µV, while it was 6.96 ± 0.95 µV in group P (P = 0.09), with a mean difference of 0.68 µV (95% CI, -0.11 µV to 1.48 µV). The δ was set at 0.7 and the lower limit of the 95% CI exceeded the -δ. Both remimazolam and propofol had little effect on ERG b-wave amplitudes. At the designated time points, FVEP amplitude and P100 latency displayed no appreciable variation between the two groups (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events related to anesthesia, needle electrodes, or surgery between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that remimazolam-0.6% sevoflurane is non-inferior to propofol-0.6% sevoflurane for general anesthesia, based on the FVEP N75-P100 amplitude. The electrophysiological data obtained in both groups indicate that reproducible and stable FVEP and ERG waveforms can be acquired at set time points. Therefore, for reliable FVEP monitoring, remimazolam-0.6% sevoflurane appears to be a safe and effective protocol in general anesthesia.

Trials registration

This study was registered on chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2200056803, 17/02/2022).
Risk factors for one-year mortality following discharge in patients with acute aortic dissection: development and validation of a predictive model in a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhou Ting , Li Jing-Xiao , Zhang Chao-Yong , Li Yu-Gui , Peng Jun , Wei Chun-Lou , Chen Meng-Hua , Zhou Hua-Fu
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study was aimed to identify the risk factors that influence the mortality risk in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD) within one year after discharge, and aimed to construct a predictive model for assessing mortality risk.

Methods

The study involved 320 adult patients obtained from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) database. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify potential risk factors associated with mortality in AAD patients within one year after discharge and to develop a predictive model. The performance of the predictive model was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA). To further validate the findings, patient data from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (157 patients) were analyzed.

Results

Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that gender, length of hospital stay, highest blood urea nitrogen (BUN_max), use of adrenaline, and use of amiodarone were significant risk factors for mortality within one year after discharge (p < 0.05). The constructed model exhibited a consistency index (C-index) and an area under the ROC curve of 0.738. The calibration curve and DCA demonstrated that these indicators had a good degree of agreement and utility. The external validation results of the model also indicated good predictability (AUC = 0.700, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The personalized scoring prediction model constructed by gender, length of hospital stays, BUN_max levels, as well as the use of adrenaline and amiodarone, can effectively identify AAD patients with high mortality risk within one year after discharge.
Two cases of small bowel necrosis due to intussusception secondary to abnormal proliferation of intestinal Peyer’s patches in infants after MMR vaccination
Authors: Zhu Junzhao , Cheng Weiping , Xu Youbo , Guo Yingqiang , Shi Lexiang
Published: February 2024

Background

Intussusception is one of the most common acute abdominal conditions in pediatric patients, and if left untreated, it may result in intestinal necrosis and even death. The etiology of the disease is unknown and may be related to a variety of factors, and there are only limited reports of small bowel necrosis secondary to abnormal Peyer’s node hyperplasia after MMR vaccination.

Case presentation

In this report, we present two infants who had an abnormal proliferation of Peyer’s nodes secondary to intussusception eventually leading to small bowel necrosis after MMR vaccination.

Conclusions

Intestinal necrosis and infectious shock are the most common causes of infant mortality, and early detection and management are critical.