bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of the Body Mass Frequency Index: a Novel Evaluation Index for Dysmotility Syndrome
Authors: Sun Wen , Wang Peige , Guo Hailing , Zhao Yongfang
Published: August 2023

Objective:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the application value of the body mass frequency index (BMFI) in older patients with dysmotility syndrome (DS) by comprehensively analyzing the differences in BMFI between community-dwelling older subjects using medical and engineering methods.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted to recruit community-dwelling older subjects aged 60–90 years. Various assessments and measurements were performed, including basic information collection, gait analysis, bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition measurement, fall and fracture risk et al. Gait analysis and BMI are in the established model to calculate BMFI. Analysis of BMFI was performed in community-dwelling older subjects, and the specificity and threshold of BMFI in predicting dysmotility syndrome (DS) were further analyzed.
Results
Significant differences in BMFI were observed between older adults with DS and those without DS. BMFI in older people was associated with bone quality, fracture risk, body fat percentage, ASMI, grip strength, and speed. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for BMFI in the non-DS and DS groups were 0.823 (0.743–0.901), respectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that BMFI had predictive value in distinguishing non-DS from DS (AUC = 0.669) (P < 0.05). The optimal threshold for predicting non-DS and DS was found to be 16.04 (sensitivities = 0.483, specificities = 0.774).
Conclusion:
The measurement of BMFI revealed significant differences in musculoskeletal status between older individuals with DS and those without DS. Furthermore, BMFI exhibits specificity in predicting DS in older individuals.
Impact of neuromuscular block on MINS incidence in the early postoperative stage of elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: An Yi , Wang Tianlong , Li Lixia , Li Zhongjia , Liang Chuanyu , Wang Pei , Jia Xuefei , Song Hongyi , Zhao Lei
Published: August 2023

Background
Myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) is a common and serious complication in elderly patients. This study investigates the impact of neuromuscular block on the MINS incidence and other cardiovascular complications in the early postoperative stage of elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection.
Methods
70 elderly patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection were separated into the deep neuromuscular block group and moderate neuromuscular block group for 35 cases in each group (n = 1:1). The deep neuromuscular block group maintained train of four (TOF) = 0, post-tetanic count (PTC) 1–2, and the moderate neuromuscular block group maintained TOF = 1–2 during the operation. Sugammadex sodium was used at 2 mg/kg or 4 mg/kg for muscle relaxation antagonism at the end of surgery. Postoperative follow-up was performed to compare MINS incidence and other cardiovascular complications during the first 7 days after surgery.
Results
MINS were not observed in both groups. The highest incidence of postoperative cardiovascular complications was lower limbs deep vein thrombosis (11.4%). The numeric rating scale score in the deep neuromuscular block group was lower than the moderate neuromuscular block group 72 h after surgery (P = 0.018). The operation time in the deep neuromuscular block group was longer (P = 0.008), the dosage of propofol and remifentanil was less (P = 0.043; P < 0.001), and the length of hospital stay was shorter than the moderate neuromuscular block group (P = 0.028).
Conclusions
Maintaining different degrees of the neuromuscular block under TOF guidance did not change the MINS incidence within 7 days after surgery in elderly patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection.
Trial registration
The present study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (10/02/2021, ChiCTR2100043323).
Kinetic Modeling of Co-Gasification of biomass and low-grade coal under flameless conditions ​
Authors: rehman Anees , unar imran nazir , Quershi khadija , abro masroor
Published: August 2023

For more than a century, gasification of coal and biomass has been the only method used to produce gas-liquid fuels and create chemicals. Current work is based on new direction of research in the field of biomass gasification. The main of work is to investigate the characterization of biomass and coal samples for feed to gasification simultaneously. Three different types of biomass utilized in the current study that is based on availability on huge level and easy of handling. The study used a pressurized thermo-gravimetric analyzer (PTGA) and a quartz fixed-bed reactor to investigate the gasification reactions. The quartz fixed-bed reactor was utilized to prepare coal char at 900°C in a nitrogen environment. Dynamic heating segments were employed with a consistent heating rate throughout the experiments. The temperature range for the experiments was from room temperature to 1000°C. The gasification reactions were studied at different pressures: 1 atm., 5 atm., and 10 atm. using pure CO2 and H2O as reacting gases. The gasification reactions of the char samples with CO2 and steam (H2O) as reacting species were observed to initiate at 750°C and were completed after reaching 950°C at atmospheric pressure (1 atm). This means that the char began to react with the gases at 750°C and continued to do so until it reached 950°C, at which point the reactions were considered complete. The weight loss data obtained from the PTGA results were used to analyze the kinetic behavior of Thar lignite char during gasification reactions with CO2 and steam (H2O). The kinetic behavior provides insights into the rate at which the reactions occur and how they are influenced by temperature, pressure, and reacting gases.
The correlation of bioactive components between human female adult peripheral and umbilical cord blood platelet-rich plasma
Authors: Cui Xiao , Li Xiongjie , Ma Yongshi , Mai Zhiming , Yang Yao , Luo Min , Xu Wenping , Chen Kui , Chen Xuri , Tang Jianbing , Cheng Biao , Tian Ju
Published: August 2023

Background: Few studies have reported the components, especially anti-aging related substances of umbilical cord blood-derived platelet-rich plasma( PRP).
Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the concentrations of bioactive components in PRP from healthy female adults and umbilical cord blood-derived PRP.
Methods: Prepare PRP with blood samples from 4 different female age groups (12 in each group): Group A, umbilical cord blood (UCB) of female neonates; Group B: aged 18-25years; Group C: aged 26-45 years; Group D: aged 46-65 years. The concentrations of epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), PLT-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA), PLT-derived growth factor-AB/BB (PDGF-AB/BB), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), RANTES, TIMP1, TIMP2, GDF11, Clusterin and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the PRP samples were determined and compared.
Results: There are statistically significant differences in the concentration of anti-aging related bioactive components, FGF-2, PDGF-AB/BB, Clusterin and GPx activity in PRP between different groups.
Conclusion: PRP prepared by UCB contains a variety of active ingredients including anti-aging proteins. Due to its rich source and low immunogenicity, the use of UCB to prepare PRP is an important research direction in the future.
Evolution of heteromorphic XY chromosomes in sea buckthorn via chromosomal fusion followed by inversions and tissue-specific dosage compensation
Authors: Li Yiling , Wang Deyan , Sun Pengchuan , Zhao Jiale , Shan Lanxing , Ru Dafu , Ren Guangpeng , Ma Tao , Renner Susanne S. , Liu Jianquan
Published: August 2023

Recombination suppression is crucial for the evolution of sex chromosomes, but remains poorly understood. Two recent models explaining recombination suppression start with the occurrence of a chance inversion that includes a sex-determining gene and that becomes established either because it shelters recessive deleterious mutations or instead because dosage compensation stabilizes the inversion. We assembled the male and female genomes of the sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), a shrub with large X and small Y chromosomes, and compared them to the chromosomes of a relative with bisexual flowers representing the ancestral condition. The sex-determining region of 13-15 Mb is located inside the fusion site of two ancestral chromosomes and coincides with a large inversion, while an adjacent younger stratum includes four inversions, and an even younger stratum two inversions. Using de novo transcriptome data from five tissues, we quantified tissue-specific gene expression and found that dosage compensation is mainly achieved through the upregulation of X-specific genes in males. Few genes with sex-biased expression were found in the three strata. These data fit with models that focus on sequential inversions and dosage compensation and poorly match the classic model of an increasing accumulation of sexually antagonistic genes leading to recombination suppression.
A general model of treeline form and dynamics
Authors: Brown David , Kummel Miroslav , McDevitt Makayla
Published: August 2023

Treeline is a global ecological phenomenon in which tree populations decline, often abruptly, above a specific elevation or latitude. Temperature is thought to be a key determinant of treeline because it affects the rates at which trees establish, grow, produce seeds, and die. As climate change causes temperature increases, treelines have been observed to move in response – but there is considerable variability. In this study we present a general mathematical model that helps to explain both the general patterns observed in treelines and some of the variation. Avoiding system-specific details, our model assumes simply that all life processes are temperature dependent. We incorporate the possibility of positive or negative feedback, in which the presence of trees either increases or decreases the temperature at their location. Our results indicate that this feedback and the relationship between temperature thresholds for growth, seed production, and seedling establishment are the key determinants of tree line form and movement. The model also shows that under many conditions bistability is predicted: treeline can equilibrate at two different elevations under the same conditions, depending on the system’s history. General, flexible models like ours are essential for generating a unifying theory of treeline form and dynamics across multiple ecosystems.
Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Features among Commercially Insured Adults in the United States
Authors: Tait Christopher , Patel Ankoor , Chen Alexander , Li You , Minacapelli Carlos , Rustgi Vinod
Published: August 2023

Background
The incidence of colorectal cancer in patients younger than 50 has been rising in the last 30 years, accounting for up to 25% of total cases. Despite the screening age recently being lowered to 45, a significant proportion of cases would still arise at younger ages prior to screening. Nonfamilial early onset colorectal cancer remain a particular concern. Identification of risk factors and clinical features in this age group is needed to improve detection.
Methods
In this retrospective cohort analysis using claims data from the Truven Health MarketScan insurance database from 2007–2017, patients were identified with colon and rectal cancer, compared across three age groups (ages 18–40, 40–50 and > 50), and analyzed for risk factors and clinical features.
Results
Females sex was more prevalent in the younger age group compared to age > 50 (54% and 51.9% vs 49.6%), with little change noted between rectal cancer age groups by sex. A higher percentage of younger patients were in the obese age groups compared with older groups for colon cancer, particularly the morbidly obese with BMI > 40 (24.94%, 25.75%, and 21.34% in the three age groups). Abdominal pain was a common presenting symptom identified in the age groups < 50 compared with age > 50 (25% and 19% vs 14%) along with hematochezia, weight loss, and anemia.
Conclusions
Morbid obesity and female sex may be important risk factors among patients with early onset CRC. The presence of abdominal pain was more common among the early onset CRC cohort.
A Global Invasion Risk Assessment of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Under Climatic Change
Authors: Ragab Sanad H. , Tyshenko Michael G.
Published: August 2023

Spodoptera frugiperda, (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) commonly known as the fall armyworm (FAW), is a serious maize and sorghum pest endemic to North and South America. Recently, the insect has invaded most of Africa, China and the Tropics where it is now considered a serious threat to small farmholder productivity and to local food security. The work presented details an assessment of the global invasion risk of S. frugiperda using 19 bioclimatic variables, altitude and land cover. We calculate Gain, Unsuitable, Stable and Loss of habitat for S. frugiperda comparing four future scenarios against the current baseline scenario. The results show that under various habitat suitability scenarios S. frugiperda will continue to be invasive and endemic. It emphasizes the ongoing need for adaptive and integrated pest management in recently invaded regions to better manage this insect, minimize crop loss and to maintain food security into the future.
An Improved ARO Model for Task Offloading in Vehicular Cloud Computing in VANET
Authors: R Mohan Das , Thirumalraj Arunadevi , T Rajesh
Published: August 2023

Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication enables a network of automobiles to perform collaborative computing, giving rise to the concept of a "vehicular cloud" (VC). However, without the need for edge nodes or cloud servers, vehicles can carry out applications needing the massive amount of processing cooperatively on their own by creating a Vehicular Ad-Hoc Network (VANET). Managing the recurrent topology alteration caused by vehicle mobility is a significant challenge for VANET cooperative computing. In this research, we present a V2V-based cooperative computing approach. The suggested method takes into account the distance between vehicles while choosing which ones to collaborate with, and it waits task offloading until the last possible moment to ensure a stable and energy-efficient cooperative computing environment. Despite its competitive performance when compared to other MH algorithms, the artificial rabbits optimisation (ARO) algorithm still suffers from poor accuracy and the issue of becoming trapped in solutions. By antagonism methods, this research creates selective opposition version of the artificial rabbit procedure (LARO), which eliminates the negative consequences of these shortcomings. To begin, during the random concealment phase, a Lévy flight strategy is implemented to increase population diversity and dynamics. The algorithm's convergence accuracy is enhanced by the richness of its various population samples. The tracking efficiency is improved, and ARO is kept from getting stuck in its existing local solutions by adopting the selective opposition technique. In comparison to traditional static scheduling techniques, the suggested strategy improves upon both energy efficiency and network reliability.
Proton Pump Inhibitors Use is Associated with Increased Liver Steatosis: A Nationally Representative Study
Authors: Yu Hongsheng , Li Mingkai , Yang Bilan , Sun Huiying , Jiang Hao , Liang Zixi , Smayi Abdukyamu , Wu Bin , Yang Yidong
Published: August 2023

Purpose
Despite the generally considered safety of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), growing evidence and concerns have raised questions about their potential long-term complications. This study aimed to investigate the association between PPIs therapy and the prevalence of hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis in the outpatient population of the United States.
Methods
The study included 7,395 individuals aged 20 years and older who underwent hepatic vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) examinations. Data were obtained from the 2017 and March 2020 pre-pandemic National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Results
Among the 7,395 adults included in this study (mean age, 50.59 years; 3,656 males), 9.8% had a prescription for PPIs. After multivariable adjustment, the use of PPIs was significantly associated with hepatic steatosis (odds ratio [OR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.53). Prolonged use of PPIs was found to increase the risk of developing hepatic steatosis over time (p for trend = 0.006). Sensitivity analyses using different definitions of hepatic steatosis, such as controlled attenuation parameter ≥ 285 dB/m (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.01–1.40), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.16–1.93), and metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.05–1.52), consistently showed an association between PPIs prescription and hepatic steatosis.
Conclusion
The administration of PPIs therapy has been found to be linked with heightened hepatic steatosis in US adults, although no significant correlation was observed with liver stiffness, as determined by VCTE.
Identification of Common Genes and Pathways Underlying Imatinib and Nilotinib Treatment in CML: a Bioinformatics Study
Authors: Hekmatshoar Yalda , Saadat Yalda Rahbar , Özkan Tülin , Bozkurt Süreyya , Gürel Aynur Karadağ
Published: August 2023

Imatinib (IMA) and nilotinib are the first and second generations of BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors which widely applied in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment. Here we aimed to provide new targets for CML treatment by transcriptome analysis. Microarray data GSE19567 was downloaded and analyzed from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to identify common genes which are downregulated or upregulated in K562-imatinib and K562-nilotinib treated cells. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were assessed, and STRING and Cytoscape were used to create the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. In imatinib and nilotinib treated groups’ comparison, there were common 626 upregulated and 268 downregulated genes which were differentially expressed. The GO analysis represented the enrichment of DEGs in iron ion binding, protein tyrosine kinase activity, transcription factor activity, ATP binding, sequence-specific DNA binding, cytokine activity, the mitochondrion, sequence-specific DNA binding, plasma membrane and cell-cell adherens junction. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that downregulated DEGs were associated with pathways including microRNAs in cancer and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Furthermore, upregulated DEGs were involved in hematopoietic cell lineage, lysosome and chemical carcinogenesis. Among the upregulated genes, MYH9, MYH14, MYL10, MYL7, MYL5, RXRA, CYP1A1, FECH, AKR1C3, ALAD, CAT, CITED2, CPT1A, CYP3A5, CYP3A7, FABP1, HBD, HMBS and PPOX genes were found as hub genes. Moreover, 20 downregulated genes, YARS, AARS, SARS, GARS, CARS, IARS, RRP79, CEBPB, RRP12, UTP14A, PNO1, CCND1, DDX10, MYC, WDR43, CEBPG, DDIT3, VEGFA, PIM1 and TRIB3 were identified as hub genes. These genes have the potential to become target genes for diagnosis and therapy of CML patients.
Ovulation Induction in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Review to Contemporary approaches
Authors: Chouhan Preeti , Garg Ayush Kumar
Published: August 2023

PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome is an endocrine disorder that impacts women's reproductive health and causes them to be infertile. Anovulation is the most common cause of PCOS infertility, although it is not alone. The ongoing hormonal imbalance causes complications such as multiple cysts in ovaries, an irregular menstrual cycle, and insulin resistance leading to infertility. A few of the reasons for PCOS have been discovered as several potential genes. PCOS is a heterogeneous syndrome that primarily affects women between the ages of 18 and 44. Several methods of ovulation induction can be made to make females fertile. Recent research has been conducted on ovulation induction using mediation, surgery, lifestyle changes, and symptom treatment. On the other hand, each of these methods was limited to single or single-pathway research. Because PCOS is complex involving a gene regulatory milieu, it may be prone to the transient, self-limiting occurrence of ENR. To induce ovulation in PCOS patients, genomic-based assessment is needed for therapeutic purposes.
Retrospective analysis of preoperative application of triple-modal pre-rehabilitation on postoperative recovery of colorectal cancer patients
Authors: HUANG Jing-Qiong , XIAO Ying , WANG Rong , GU Ling , ZHANG Lin-Tong , GU Dan , LI Xiang-Sheng , XU Cong , DU Guang-Sheng , XIAO Wei-Dong
Published: August 2023

Purpose
To retrospectively analyze the difference between triple-modal pre-rehabilitation and common treatment in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).
Methods
A total of 145 patients with CRC diagnosed by pathology and admitted to our hospital for surgery between June 2020 and June 2022 were included in the study. All patients were divided into two groups: the triple-modal pre-rehabilitation group (pre-rehabilitation group) and the common treatment group. The triple-modal pre-rehabilitation strategy included exercise (3–5 times per week, with each session lasting more than 50 min), nutritional support and psychological support. The study was designed to assess the potential of the pre-rehabilitation intervention to accelerate postoperative recovery by assessing the 6-minute walk test, nutritional indicators and HADS score before and after surgery.
Results
The pre-rehabilitation intervention did not reduce the duration of initial postoperative recovery or the incidence of postoperative complications, but it did increase the patients' exercise capacity (as determined by the 6-minute walk test), with the pre-rehabilitation group performing significantly better than the common group (433.0 [105.0] vs. 389.0 [103.5], P < 0.001). The study also found that triple-modal pre-rehabilitation was beneficial for the early recovery of nutritional status in surgical patients and improved anxiety and depression in patients after surgery, especially in those who had not received neoadjuvant therapy.
Conclusion
The triple-modal pre-rehabilitation strategy is of significant importance for reducing stress and improving the functional reserve of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) during the perioperative period. The results of our study provide further support for the integration of the triple-modal pre-rehabilitation strategy into the treatment and care of CRC patients.
Robotic lobectomy with a single robotic stapler from one 12-mm port: a multi-institutional study
Authors: Inoue Yoshimasa , Fujiu Koichi , Endo Tetsuya , Hamanaka Rurika , Tanaka Hiroto , Takei Hidefumi , Oda Makoto
Published: August 2023

Objectives: The introduction of the robotic stapler has made it possible to perform a robotic lobectomy from the console in complete autonomy. The robotic stapler fits a 12-mm port, which is larger than the standard 8-mm port and increases the risk of postoperative neuralgia. However, in many cases, to cover all possible angles of approach, two 12-mm ports are preferably placed. Meanwhile, limiting instruments and simplifying surgical procedures are also required to reduce costs.
Methods: We assessed the feasibility of robotic lobectomy with a single type of robotic stapler inserted through one 12-mm port placed at the anterior tip of the lower intercostal space, and applied a SureForm45 Curved-Tip (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA) in a multicenter setting. We also investigated the potential cost-saving of using an additional 60-mm stapler for interlobar division.
Results: A total of 135 lobectomy cases were enrolled. In all the cases, all stapling procedures were completed using a SureForm45 Curved-Tip inserted from the designated 12-mm port. We found that it was less expensive to use the SureForm60 if more than six SureForm45 Curved-Tips were needed for interlobar division. Nevertheless, in our series, only one case (0.7%) met this requirement.
Conclusion: The use of a single type of stapler from one 12-mm port in a robotic lobectomy is a technically feasible approach, which expected to allow for surgical simplification, minimize the risk of neuralgia, and reduce inventory costs.
WES-based Screening for Every Newborn - the Future is Now
Authors: Tolmacheva Ekaterina , Shubina Jekaterina , Maslennikov Dmitry , Kochetkova Taisiya , Mukosey Irina , Sadelov Igor , Goltsov Andrey , Ekimov Aleksey , Rogacheva Margarita , Stupko Olga , Dokshukina Alina , Vasiliev Grigory , Bolshakova Anna , Kovalskaia Valeriia , Korovko Anastasia , Pomerantseva Ekaterina , Tsabai Polina , Zaretskaya Nadezhda , Buyanovskaya Olga , Karetnikova Natalia , Degtyareva Anna , Bokerija Ekaterina , Kholin Alexey , Degtyarev Dmitry , Trofimov Dmitry , Sukhih Gennady , Pavlova Nadezhda , Kuznetsova Maria , Rebrikov Denis , Grebenshikova Elena
Published: August 2023

The effective implementation of WES and WGS-based diagnostics in the management of children afflicted with genetic diseases and the rapid decrease in the cost of NGS makes the idea of newborn genetic screening very appealing. Such NGS-based screening greatly increases the number of diseases that can be detected compared to conventional newborn screening, as the latter being aimed at early detection of a limited number of inborn diseases. Moreover, genetic testing provides new possibilities for family members of the proband, as many variants responsible for adult-onset conditions are inherited from the parents. However, the idea of NGS-based screening in healthy children raises issues of medical and ethical integrity as well as technical questions including interpretation of the revealed variants. A few pilot studies have shown that both parents and medical professionals have moved forward and are enthused about these new possibilities. However, the number of participants in studies so far has been limited to a few hundreds, which greatly restricts the scope of potential findings. Our current study includes over 7,000 infants born at our center between February 2021 and May 2023. Clinically significant variants that cause treatable or preventable disorders were observed in 0.9% of inconspicuous infants, 2.1% of the screened newborns being found to carry variants associated with monogenic diseases with incomplete penetrance or late onset and 0.3% having chromosomal abnormalities. Here we report our results and address questions regarding interpretation of variants in newborns who were presumed to be healthy.
Enhancement of plasmonic coupling on Si metallized with intense femtosecond laser pulses
Authors: Miyaji Godai , Tateda Mika , Iida Yuto
Published: August 2023

Using a pump-probe technique, the reflectivity of a silicon grating surface irradiated with intense femtosecond (fs) laser pulses was measured as a function of the incidence angle and the delay time between pulses. After irradiating the surface with the pump pulse, the reflectivity exhibited an abrupt decrease for an incidence angle of ~ 24°. The depth of the dip was greatest for a delay time of 0.6–10 ps, for which the reflectivity around the dip was highest. The surface was also found to be ablated most strongly for the conditions causing the deepest dip for a delay time of 5–10 ps. Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) on silicon metallized by an intense fs pulse are resonantly excited by the subsequent fs pulse, and that strong coherent coupling between the fs pulse and SPPs excited on the molten Si surface produced by high-density free electrons induces strong surface ablation due to the intense plasmonic near-field. The results clearly show that fs pulses can be used to significantly modulate the nature of nonmetallic materials and could possibly serve as a basic tool for the excitation of SPPs on nonmetallic materials using ultrafast laser–matter interactions.
Symmetric supercapacitor based on lamellar coal pitch-derived mesoporous activated carbon
Authors: Li Shuo , Zhu Yue , Fu Ning , Wang Hao , Luo JiaHuan , Wang Jing , Zhang ChuanXiang
Published: August 2023

Mesoporous activated carbon acquired from coal pitch was produced by an elementary activation process utilizing coal pitch, a coproduct of coal tar production, as a precursor material. The activated carbon CP-AC-700 with obvious pore characteristics was obtained by carbonizing the pre-carbonized coal pitch at 700°C with KOH as the activator. The CP-AC-700 exhibited excellent double-layer electrochemical performance in the three-electrode electrochemical testing system. After three-electrode testing, the material had a specific capacitance of 356 F·g− 1 at a current density of 1 A·g− 1. Assembled bilayer supercapacitor was tested in a two-electrode system. At a power density of 500·21 W·kg− 1, the corresponding energy density reached 10.15 Wh·kg− 1. Following 5000 charge/discharge cycles conducted under constant current conditions, the symmetric supercapacitor exhibited a capacity retention rate of 93.02%. Porous activated carbon prepared from coal pitch showed excellent electrochemical properties as a supercapacitor electrode material and proved to be a promising electrode material with double-layer capacitance.
Coating silicalite-1 with hollow structure by TS-1 shell as support of Au: Preparation and enhanced catalytic stability for direct propylene epoxidation
Authors: Ping Chengxin , Lin Maosheng , Guo Qirui , Ma Weihua
Published: August 2023

For conventional titanium silicalite-1 (TS-1), it is easy to generate carbon deposition for direct propylene epoxidation to produce propylene oxide (PO). And carbon deposition will influence the mass transfer and devitalize the catalyst. In this work, H-S-1 with hollow structure is synthesized. Using silicalite-1 (S-1) and H-S-1 as the core, TS-1/S-1 and TS-1/H-S-1 are successfully prepared. Compared to Au/TS-1, the best Au/TS-1/ S-1 and Au/TS-1/H-S-1 show good catalytic stability over 50 h. In addition, TGA, NH3-TPD and XPS analysis are used to elucidate the root cause of the unique catalytic stability. The weight of carbon deposition of Au/TS-1/H-S-1 (2.73 wt%) and Au/TS-1/S-1 (2.875 wt%) is much less than that of Au/TS-1 (6.29 wt%). And the silicon hydroxyl group decreases and the hydrophobicity increases, which can promote the desorption of products, and improve PO selectivity. This work provides a promising strategy for the design and synthesis of Au/TS-1 with high efficiency.
Effect of UV-B radiation and liquid smoke on Physicochemical characterization of Salvia macrosiphon gum based edible films
Authors: Amininasab Seyed Mohammad Hossein , Hojjati Mohammad , Noshad Mohammad , Soltani Mostafa
Published: August 2023

In this study, the impacts of UV-B radiation and liquid smoke (LS) on the barrier, physicochemical, thermal, and mechanical characteristics of Salvia macrosiphon seed gum (SSG) based edible films were evaluated. LS enabled a considerable rise in the SSG film thickness in comparison with the control, so the impact of raising UV-B irradiation was insignificant. Incorporating LS into film composition also influenced the films' colors, lowering the L* values. Solubility was reduced when LS was integrated into film composition. Furthermore, utilizing UV-B treatment declined the SSG film's solubility and water vapor permeability. The addition of LS raised the SSG films' tensile strength (TS). The SSG films' elongation at break declined in an LS-level manner. Further, UV-B treatment increased TS. Results of FTIR showed LS and UV-B radiation could produce new connections between the starch chains. UV-B-irradiation induced the polymer chain to dissociate. The control film possessed an uneven and coarse surface and lower thermal stability. However, the unevenness was reduced with the LS and UV-B radiation. The finding suggest the UV-B radiation and LS could be considered a sustainable, convenient, and accessible method for altering the properties of SSG-based films.
Representation Aggregation and Propagation Transformer for 3D Point Cloud Analysis
Authors: Zhong Qi , Yang Lu , Han Xian-Feng
Published: August 2023

The unstructured property challenges the applications of deep learning methods to understand 3D point clouds. While the recent appearance of Transformer architecture provides an ideal solution to address the aforementioned problem. Therefore, based on Transformer's permutation invariance and capability of building long-range context relationship, in this paper we propose an end-to-end Representation Aggregation and Propagation Transformer (RAPFormer) architecture for 3D point cloud analysis. Specifically, two core components, termed Point-wise Double Transformer and Channel-wise Double Transformer modules, are well designed for explicitly capturing interdependencies among points and channels, respectively. And both models consist of two key operations: aggregation attention mapping the point-wise/channel-wise feature maps into a global space, and propagation attention diffusing the aggregated features back to the input points or channels. We illustrate the effectiveness and competitiveness via extensive quantitative and qualitative experiments on 3D shape classification and segmentation benchmark datasets.
Use of Ultrasonography Combined with Dermoscopy for Diagnosis of Early Psoriatic Arthritis and Early Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Elkhouly Radwa Mostafa , Hamdy Dina , Gazzar Nagat Mohamed El , Khalaf Hamdy Ahmed , Hussein Mervat Ismail , Attar yasmina El
Published: August 2023

Rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis (RA and PsA, respectively) are common types of inflammatory arthritis. Differentiating between the two diseases in their early stages is challenging, especially in the absence of diagnostic biomarkers and specific psoriatic lesions. Our aim was to evaluate the role of musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) and dermoscopy in the diagnosis of PsA and RA. Sixty patients with early hand arthritis diagnosed as seronegative RA, seropositive RA, or PsA were enrolled in this case-control study. All patients underwent rheumatological and dermatological clinical assessments and MSUS and dermoscopic examinations. All patients were followed up after one year of recommended treatment. Wrist and metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) synovitis and erosions were higher in patients with RA than in those with PsA. The MSUS features of PsA, including distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) synovitis, flexor tenosynovitis, central slip enthesitis, and DIP enthesitis, were significantly higher in the PsA group than in the RA group. In addition, dermoscopic scalp, nail, and elbow findings of psoriasis are more commonly found in PsA than in RA. Similar MSUS and dermoscopic differences were detected after one year of follow-up. The sensitivity and specificity of at least one MSUS feature for PsA diagnosis were 90% and 62%, respectively, whereas those of combined MSUS and nail dermoscopy were 42% and 100%, respectively. We concluded that Both MSUS and dermoscopy could differentiate patients with PsA from those with RA, and combining both modalities may increase the likelihood of accurate diagnosis.
In silico analysis of the inhibition of propanediol dehydratase by some active compounds of Curcumna longa: A promising drug-based therapy for managing Crohn's disease
Authors: Ojo Deborah , Onyeaghala Chimaroke , Adu Oluwaseun , Giwa Abdulazeez
Published: August 2023

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a complex inflammatory bowel disease with a global impact on healthcare systems. This study explores potential therapeutic strategies against CD, focusing on inhibiting propanediol dehydratase (PduC), an enzyme linked to intestinal inflammation. In silico homology modeling was employed to predict the tertiary structure of PduC, and subsequent molecular docking with 182 phytochemicals from Curcuma longa (CL) was performed. The docking results revealed seven active compounds with superior binding affinities compared to azathioprine, a standard CD treatment. These compounds, including cyclocurcumin, curcumin, and demethoxycurcumin, exhibited strong anti-inflammatory properties through modulation of inflammatory molecules in the body. ADMET evaluation indicated their potential as drug candidates, demonstrating favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Furthermore, the compounds displayed interactions with amino acid residues in PduC’s active site, essential for inhibitory action. The study emphasizes the need for further in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials to validate CL compounds’ effectiveness against CD. Although the findings provide valuable insights into potential therapeutic targets for CD, more extensive investigations are necessary to confirm the compounds’ inhibitory potential and pave the way for the development of novel drugs for CD management.
Investigation of the Relative Contributions of Distress Tolerance, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Experiential Avoidance to Predisposing of Disordered Eating
Authors: Mayeli Peyman , Yousefi Shahab , Ashouri Ahmad
Published: August 2023

Background Disordered eating refers to a range of unhealthy eating behaviors and related clinical symptoms that can impair daily functioning and lead to physical and psychological issues. This highlights the need to explore the complex pathology of this phenomenon. Emotional functioning difficulties are often linked to disordered eating behaviors. This study investigated the predictive ability of three transdiagnostic emotion regulation constructs (distress tolerance, anxiety sensitivity, and experiential avoidance) in relation to disordered eating in a non-clinical population. Methods A total of 253 undergraduate students from Tehran universities were selected using a convenience sampling method and completed the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS), Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI-3), and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II). The research data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. Results The findings revealed significant relationships between disordered eating and distress tolerance, anxiety sensitivity, and experiential avoidance. The regression analysis indicated that these variables collectively accounted for 53% of the variance in disordered eating, with distress tolerance having the most significant explanatory role. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that transdiagnostic constructs such as distress tolerance, anxiety sensitivity, and experiential avoidance can significantly predict disordered eating. This knowledge may be valuable in the development of preventive and therapeutic transdiagnostic protocols for individuals displaying disordered eating symptoms and behaviors or those at risk of developing clinical eating disorders.
Estimation of relaxation times during free evolution from the SECSY signal of an electron-nuclear spin-coupled system in a γ-irradiated malonic acid single crystal
Authors: Salahi Hamid Reza , Misra Sushil. K.
Published: August 2023

The relaxation times T2,' characterizing the allowed and T2'', characterizing the forbidden and coherence cross resonances, during free evolutions over the coherent pathways p = ±1 are estimated from the SECSY (Spin Echo Correlation Spectroscopy) signal of the electron-nuclear spin-coupled system in a γ-irradiated malonic acid single crystal. This is accomplished by fitting the intensities of the two main peaks in the Fourier transform of the SECSY signal reported by Lee, Patyal and Freed (J. Chem. Phys. 98, 3665 (1993)) to T2' and T2''. The values of the fitted relaxation times T2'=500 ns, T2"=50,000 ns, reveal that the relaxation via the allowed resonance is two orders of magnitude faster than that via the forbidden and cross resonances. Full details of the calculation exploiting the Liouville von Neumann equation are presented.
PACS: 76.30.-v, 76.70.Dx
Quality of life following transobturator sling surgery for female stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Fernández Cristina Gómez , Naveiro Ana Otero , Mayán Andrea Raña , López Marta Pérez , López Pilar Martínez , Fernández Eugenio Paz
Published: August 2023

Purpose: This descriptive study examines quality of life in women undergoing placement of a midurethral sling for stress urinary incontinence.
Methods: This was aretrospective cohort study based on data from 51 women consecutivelyundergoing this procedure at our hospital in the years 2014 and 2015. The main outcome variable was quality of life assessed through the Sandvick severity test and International Consultation on Incontinence Short Quality of Life Questionnaire (ICIQ-IU-SF) at the time points baseline or presurgery, and 6 months and 5 years postsurgery Factors associated with treatment failure were determined through binary logistic regression.
Results:Five years after surgery, quality of life scores were good. The rate of treatment failure was 12%. Multiparity and previous gynaecological surgery were identified as predisposing factors for treatment failure. Obesity was associated with a worse treatment outcome.
Conclusion: Sling treatment for incontinence was successful in most participants and remained effective 5 years after surgery in terms of quality of life.
Cell wall of Lactobacillus sporogenes has high affinity for binding and removing arsenic from water
Authors: Rana Navya , Kumar Sunil , Kumar Arun , Ghosh Ashok , Kumar Ranjit
Published: August 2023

Groundwater arsenic contamination causes health hazards in more than 30 countries worldwide. It causes serious health hazards in arsenic arsenic-exposed populations. Existing arsenic removal technologies are not very effective in the removal of arsenic due to high costs, the requirement of continuous power supply, and honor ship conflict in rural areas. The present study focuses on the arsenic removal potential of Lactobacillus sporogenes. In this study, Lactobacillus sporogenes were incubated in 50 ppb, 100 ppb, and 200 ppb standard solution of arsenic for 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours. The solutions were filtered for separation of arsenic conjugates binds on the cell wall of Lactobacillus sporogenes from water samples. The arsenic remains in filtered water samples were also measured. A maximum of 95% arsenic was removed from the water in the 4-hour incubation group. The bacterial cell wall was further analyzed to find arsenic bound with Lactobacillus. It was observed that out of all arsenic removed almost 87.5% of arsenic was recovered from bacterial cell walls. Such a high level of recovery of arsenic from bacterial walls confirmed a high affinity of arsenic binding with the cell wall of Lactobacillus sporogenes. These findings suggest that Lactobacillus sporogenes may act as potent arsenic-removing agents from water in the future.
Early ontogeny of the African bony-tongue (Heterotis niloticus) and effects of Artemia and rotifer live feeds on larval digestive enzyme activity and performance
Authors: Ofori-Darkwah Prince , Adjei-Boateng Daniel , Edziyie Regina Esi , Agbo Nelson Winston , Lund Ivar
Published: August 2023

High larval and fry mortality has been a major challenge to the commercial culture of the African bony-tongue (Heterotis niloticus). Research indicates inadequate feeding as the possible cause of the high mortality of larvae/fry grown in captivity. An experiment was conducted to first describe the developmental stages of H. niloticus eggs and larvae until schooling, 6 days after-hatch (DAH) at 26°C. The morphological development, survival, growth (weight gain and length), and swimming behavior of the larvae were monitored. In a second set-up a feeding trial was conducted with H. niloticus fry from 6–27 DAH and four treatments: Artemia nauplii; A combined ration of 50% Artemia nauplii and 50% rotifers (w/w); Rotifers; - and fry not fed. The activity of three digestive enzymes (trypsin, lipase, and amylase) were determined in fry exposed to the live feed treatments. At hatching, the larvae had a large, vascularized yolk sac filled with yolk platelets, which occupied about one-third of the total body length of the abdominal cavity. Yolk platelet reabsorption started 1 DAH and was completely absorbed 6 DAH. Metamorphosis was completed at 6 DAH and schooling behavior observed. For the feeding trial, the fry that received Artemia nauplii had the fastest development until 27 DAH. Similarly, the survival rate was considerably higher in fry fed Artemia nauplii, than those that received a combination of Artemia nauplii and rotifers, or only rotifers. Overall, the survival rate for fry fed Artemia nauplii and larvae co-fed were 72.7 ± 0.9% and 41.2 ± 3.3%, respectively. Fry did not survive until 27 DAH in the rotifer-fed and non-fed treatments. The digestive enzyme activity differed significantly (p < 0.05) between treatments and sampling dates. All digestive enzymes were detectable at the onset of mouth opening (5DAH) and fluctuated through the 7 and 9 DAH. A lower enzyme activity were observed when fry were subjected to starvation or the rotifer treatment. Results obtained in this study give prospects for future aquaculture success of this species
Improvised Multi-Factor Authentication for End-User Security in Cyber Physical System
Authors: Maranco M. , Manikandan V. , M Sivakumar , N Krishnarajj
Published: August 2023

End-user security is the most important thing in day-to-day life. We use a security system for household appliances, vehicles, smartphones, etc., to protect and safeguard our things and the environment. The Cyber Physical System (CPS) contains an internet-enabled digital component. CPS security is applied in many areas, such as transport, healthcare, and all industry 4.0 applications. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is one of the traditional authentications that helps enhance the security level in CPS. The typical authentication method contains a strong password, biometrics, etc. Even though the current end-user security system has implemented a legacy digital control mechanism, the system has a higher chance of getting compromised through malicious activities. The major point of the MFA approach is that intruders can be blocked at any level of the authentication scheme. This study aims at developing a secure and efficient authentication gateway. The proposed system presents enhancements to end-user security using MFA techniques. Three distinct works in this study use MFA technique. The MFA technique consists of three distinct layers. The end-user's geo-location is considered the first security gateway by the user distance within the range of CPS and validates the user's current position with predefined geo-location logic. One Time Password (OTP) send through e-mail is used for the second layer. Hash algorithms such as SHA256 or SALTING use the third layer implementation. The typical CPS needs to authorize and authenticate the user's identity to ensure end-users identification in the modern security system. Efficient and secure multi-factor authentication techniques designed and evaluated on end-user digital health applications and obtained the results with the accuracy of 95.50%, 97.50% and 96.40% respect to three distinct layer authentications. The developed system also analyzed the formal and informal verifications against to the various attacks.