bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors for Long COVID and Differences in Long COVID Symptoms, Findings on Chest Imaging and Pulmonary Function between Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with versus without Intensive Care Unit Admission
Authors: van Wincoop Maureen , Moeniralam Hazra S. , Schramel Franz M.N.H.
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Many COVID-19 survivors suffer from persisting sequelae after acute disease. This is referred to as long COVID. The objectives of this study were to assess factors associated with long COVID and to analyze differences in persistent symptoms, findings on chest imaging, and pulmonary function between intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU hospitalized patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study including patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Patients were stratified into ICU patients and non-ICU patients. We analyzed the outcomes of patients who were in clinical follow-up 6 months after discharge with persistent symptoms, radiological and/or functional abnormalities. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between long COVID and patient characteristics. Results: A total of 549 patients were included. Eighty-one ICU patients (66%) and 146 (34%) non-ICU patients had persistent symptoms or abnormalities on chest imaging or lung function test minimally 6 months after discharge. Significantly more ICU patients had residual fibrotic abnormalities on chest CT and functional impairment. Female gender, myocardial infarction, OSAS, low PCO2 at admission, and longer hospital stay were associated with a higher risk of developing long COVID. Diabetes and treatment with tocilizumab were associated with a lower risk of developing long COVID. Conclusion: Of the patients hospitalized for COVID-19, 34–66% suffered from persistent symptoms, residual abnormalities on chest imaging, or reduced lung function at around 6 months after discharge. While persistent sequelae were more frequent in ICU patients, admission to the ICU was not found to be an independent risk factor for developing long COVID.
Long-Term Efficacy Analysis of Surgical Resection of 70 Primary Right Heart Tumors
Authors: Li Tianbo , Zhang Si , Liu Chencheng , Peng Xiaobo , Gong Siming , Pan Wencheng , Wang Yong
Published: February 2024

Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical characteristics, surgical treatment, and long-term efficacy of primary right heart tumors. Methods: This study is retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 70 patients with primary right heart tumors admitted to our department between 1980 and 2022 (observation group) and 70 patients with left heart tumors during the same period (control group). The surgical treatment was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass after differential diagnosis by echocardiography, cardiac CTA, and PET-CT before the surgery. The perioperative characteristics, recurrence rate, and long-term survival rates of right heart tumor versus left heart tumor were compared. Results: The most common pathological types of right heart tumors were myxoma (60%), lipoma (8.57%), and papillary elastofibroma (7.14%). During the perioperative period, there were 1 case of systemic embolism in the observation group, compared with 6 in the control group (p = 0.026), 13 cases of malignant tumor in the observation group versus 1 in the control group (p = 0.01). During the follow-up period, there were 15 cases of tumor recurrence and 17 cases of death in the observation group versus 4 (p = 0.002) and 7 in the control group (p = 0.006), comparatively. Conclusion: Compared with left heart tumors, primary right heart tumors had a higher incidence of malignant tumors and a lower risk of systemic embolism during perioperative period. During the follow-up period, primary right heart tumors had a higher rate of tumor recurrence and a lower long-term survival rate.
Efficacy and Safety of STW 5-II for Functional Dyspepsia Treatment: A Patient Data-Based Meta-Analysis
Authors: Andresen Viola , Shah Ayesha , Fink Careen , Rabini Sabine , Wargenau Manfred , Holtmann Gerald
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a chronic relapsing gastroduodenal disorder with limited treatment options. Herbal products, like the six-herb combination STW 5-II, can target multiple FD gastrointestinal symptoms. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of STW 5-II for overall FD, and key symptoms, based on Rome IV criteria. Methods: We systematically screened the literature for randomized controlled clinical studies testing STW 5-II in FD. Meta-analysis was performed using data from individual patients with at least one key FD symptom (fullness, early satiety, or epigastric pain) of at least moderate severity at baseline. ANCOVA-based meta-analyses were performed on improvements in the total symptom sum score, and single symptoms, after 4 and 8 weeks. Safety data were analyzed by calculating odds ratios for all adverse events. Results: Four randomized controlled trials, including 613 patients, were identified, and two were eligible for efficacy analysis. STW 5-II significantly improved the FD symptom sum score (mean difference of 1.74 after 4 weeks and 2.07 after 8 weeks) and key FD symptoms of fullness (0.28 and 0.29), early satiety (0.25 and 0.26), and epigastric/upper abdominal pain (0.26 and 0.3). Treatment-related or severe adverse events did not differ between STW 5-II and placebo. Conclusion: The results support that STW 5-II significantly improves FD symptoms after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment with no difference in relation to safety signals compared to placebo. Thus, STW 5-II can be considered an effective and safe treatment option for FD.
Ear-Marking Relief: A Meta-Analysis on the Efficacy of Auricular Acupressure in Alleviating Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Hu Niaona , Soh Kim Lam , Japar Salimah , Li Ting
Published: February 2024

Background: The increasing worldwide mental health crisis, notably anxiety, emphasizes the urgency for available and effective interventions. Traditional therapies, although beneficial, pose limitations due to their considerable costs and possible adverse effects, thereby inviting alternative treatments such as auricular acupressure (AA). This non-pharmacological, integrative method, underpinned by Eastern and Western medical principles, presents a significant prospect for managing anxiety. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the existing evidence on the efficacy of AA in reducing anxiety, as elucidated through a systematic review. Methods: A comprehensive search of randomized controlled trials was conducted across various databases: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biology Medicine (CBM), Wan Fang, and Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP). Two reviewers retrieved the pertinent studies and assessed their methodological quality. A meta-analysis was then conducted, incorporating data from all relevant time points. Results: Upon examining 25 studies encompassing 1,909 participants, it was discerned that AA significantly diminished anxiety (SMD = −1.1074; 95% confidence interval, −1.348 to −0.801; z = 7.70, p < 0.01). Subgroup analyses indicated that neither an increased number of auricular points nor extended intervention augmented effects. Larger effect sizes were associated with probing and avoidance of sham acupressure. Notably, 23 of the 25 studies exhibited some bias, suggesting further research is necessary. Conclusions: The extant evidence advocates for AA as an effective supplementary intervention that reduces patient anxiety. The results hint at a potential placebo effect elicited by sham acupressure, necessitating rigorous control group definitions in future inquiries. The study findings suggest that fewer acupressure points and shorter intervention durations could effectively alleviate anxiety symptoms. Nonetheless, the significant heterogeneity across the studies underscores the requirement for more stringent research methodologies to substantiate these conclusions.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever prediction in coastal area using geographically weighted regression
Authors: Kesetyaningsih Tri Wulandari , Kusbaryanto Kusbaryanto , Widayani Prima
Published: February 2024

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is still a health problem globally, including in Indonesia. Geographical and climatic conditions in coastal areas are different from other areas, which may impact differences in environmental risk factors for dengue. This study aims to create a prediction model for the incidence of DHF in coastal areas. The research was conducted in Bantul Regency, Indonesia, involving data from 2015-2019. Dengue incidence data were collected from the health office. Climatic data were from climatology station. Data on altitude and shoreline distance were obtained by geographic information system (GIS) processing. Population density and wide settlement area are obtained from the Bureau of Statistics. The geographically weighted regression (GWR) analysis was carried out using GWR4. The results showed that GWR with a weighting of Fixed Bi-Square Kernel obtained an R2 value of 0.7768, better than the global model (R2 0.5254). It indicates that DHF (Y) in Bantul Regency is 77.68% determined by population density (X1), altitude (X2), settlement area (X3), shoreline distance (X4) and rainfall (X5) and the remaining 22.32% are influenced by other variables which are not investigated. Geographically, the predictor variables explain the DHF incidence with a strong category in the central region, and weak in coastal area.
Validation on selected breast cancer drugs of physicochemical features by using machine learning models
Authors: Gupta Vuddagiri MNSSVKR , Krishna Chitta Venkata Phani , Murthy Konakanchi Venkata Subrahmanya Srirama , Shankar Reddy Shiva
Published: February 2024

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among females today. The elbow approach determines the ideal number of clusters after determining that the Dataset is highly cluster able with the Hopkins statistic. Three distinct groups with distinct differences were produced using the dataset's proposed expectation maximization fuzzy k-means clustering algorithm (PEMFKM). Different fuzzy clustering techniques, such as fuzzy k-means (FKM), fuzzy k-means with entropy (FKM.ENT), fuzzy k-means with entropy and noise (FKM.ENT.NOISE), Gustafson and Kessel - like fuzzy k-means (FKM.GK), Gustafson and Kessel - like fuzzy k-means with entropy regularization (FKM.GK.ENT), Gustafson and Kessel - like fuzzy kmeans with entropy regularization and noise (FKM.GK.ENT.NOISE), and PEMFKM, are evaluated. The partition coefficient (PC), partition entropy (PE), and Modified partition coefficient index (MPC) index values are better for FKM.GK than the suggested PEMFKM method. When compared to the FKM.GK method, the index values for the proposed PEMFKM algorithm have superior results for the parameters Silhouette (SIL), Xie and Beni index (XB), and fuzzy silhouette index (SIL.F). The results shows that the PEMFKM algorithm will provide better clusters and that the drugs in a given cluster may be combined for use in combination therapy for breast cancer treatment.
Irritable bowel syndrome following infectious COVID-19: East Java, Indonesia, 2023
Authors: Hanum Aisyah Rizki Nirmala , Illahika Anung Putri , Santoso Aktaruddin Arief , Putra Probo Yudha Pratama
Published: February 2024

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder that causes chronic abdominal pain without a known cause. It is a common, chronic gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorder with bothersome symptoms that often lower quality of life and activity. In addition, Patients and healthcare facilities also face significant financial costs. COVID-19 directly damages the digestive system and alters the complex interaction of physical, mental, and social factors that cause digestive problems. SARS-CoV-2 survivors in personal isolation will be examined for IBS prevalence. The dates of this descriptive cross-sectional study are January through April 2023. Rome IV criteria and an online questionnaire were used to confirm the diagnosis of IBS. The principal location where polls have been sent is East Java, Indonesia. The 96 COVID-19 survivors aged 18–60 of both genders was included during self-quarantine. There were 59 females (61.46%) and 37 males (38.54%). The prevalence of IBS was discovered to be 19 (19.79%) among a total of 96 patients. This could be because self-quarantined people have more stable living conditions than hospitalized people. Based on these findings, it is suggested that future research consider gender as the primary proxy for identifying irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Food waste warriors: Indonesian communities engage through workshops and social media education
Authors: Audrey Monica , Rukmini Elisabeth
Published: February 2024

Food waste is food appropriate for human consumption but discarded in the retail or consumption process. In 2022, food waste accounts for 40.9% of Indonesia’s waste composition. Therefore, food waste community education is critical for reducing food waste. Community education can reach the young generation through workshops and social media. This research aims to evaluate various workshops and social media content in educating teenagers about food waste through community. The PRISMA guidelines become the foundation as a contribution to Sustainable Development Goals. We utilized databases such as EBSCO Host, SAGE, Taylor & Francis, and Wiley Online Library to search for relevant studies. This study’s approach is normative research including secondary data, comprehensive literature review such as workshops, social media, and food waste education journals in Indonesia. This systematic review examines food waste education content of workshops and social media in Indonesia also further content recommendations. This systematic review collected 52 papers, including journals and proceedings. The community education content in Indonesia focuses on recycling with 28.57%. Seminars/online campaigns dominate the education form with sustainable development goals (SDGs) achieved: climate action and zero hunger. This systematic review showed that it is essential to add actions toward food waste in the form of actual activities.
ELEMENTS OF COST AND SCHEDULE OVERRUN IN CONSTRUCTIONPROJECTS
Authors: WAHEED MUHAMMAD
Published: February 2024

The cost of a basic upgrade to this wonderful piece of study is typically expressed in necessary units like earned dollars. The economic activity necessary to ensure that the building projects are sufficiently finished within an approved budget is properly included in the Project Cost. Although having more practical experience in construction management, cost and schedule overruns still play a significant role in many projects. Modern literatures are studied back-to-back and divided into two parts, which costs money for particular projects, overrunning of schedules in construction projects. The main study establishes that price increase causes cost and schedule overruns. For all intents and purposes, any client who is interested in facilities in the manufacturing sector is complete in terms of scope, timing, and cost. These studies have been published under a creative commons permission with the express purpose of carefully controlling causes. Uniquely required, necessary materials and cutting-edge products have a direct impact on building projects' schedule and expense overruns. The published study clearly shows the lack of essential maintenance of the project equipment, decreased working class productivity, barriers in bill declaration, poor preservation of the useful tools, and other external factors slowly constitute the significant factors that may properly conduct the project at a typical cost over the period.
Digital Activism in Transitional Democracies
Authors: Saka Luqman , Ojo Segun Emmanuel
Published: February 2024

This study examines the deployment of digital tools in pushing citizen activism on political accountability and empowerment using the 2018 #EndSARS campaign in Nigeria as point of reference. In so doing, the article explores the utility of digital activism and analyze the successes and challenges associated with the effectiveness of its use to advance citizens’ voices in transitional democracies. The study deployed Chorus Analytics to harvest and thematically analyze 13,000 tweets of Nigerians that relate to the 2018 #EndSARS campaign. The article argues that the campaign can be deemed successful given that it elicited and raised public discourse on police abuse in Nigeria. The study observes the absence of strong institutions as a challenge to digital activism in transitional democracies. The individuality of activism leaders also poses a significant danger to digital activism. The findings demonstrate the weaknesses associated with transitional democracies in the area of building strong institutions.
Social Capital, Import Competition, and Vaccine Uptake
Authors: Etzerodt Søren Frank
Published: February 2024

This research note examines the relationship between social capital, economic globalization, and COVID-19 vaccines in U.S. counties. The author argues that the positive health benefits of community-level social capital can be undermined by import competition. Leveraging data from U.S. counties this note shows that the positive correlation between community social capital and vaccine uptake is lower in communities harder hit by import competition. This is however only the case for bridging and not for bonding social capital. These findings indicate that economic globalization can undermine the positive health impact of community social capital which has implications for inequalities in public health as well as responses to major health crises.
Elections, Type of Regime and Risks of Revolutionary Destabilization
Authors: Korotayev Andrey , Zhdanov Andrew , Krivenko Gleb
Published: February 2024

This analysis finds that the impact of elections on risks of armed insurrections is not statistically significant, whereas unarmed uprisings/nonviolent revolutions are more likely to occur in the election year. It is also shown that the influence of elections on unarmed revolutionary destabilization had tended to grow with time. The election year became a significant factor of nonviolent revolutionary destabilization only after the end of the Cold War, and the impact of elections on the probability of unarmed revolutions has become particularly strong in this century (when elections in the given year increase the probability of an unarmed uprising more than three times). At the same time, holding elections primarily increases the risks of revolutionary destabilization in intermediate regimes (anocracies). But even among anocracies, open anocracies/partial democracies stand out, as here elections increase the probability of unarmed uprisings in an especially dramatic way.
“guhte Nacht du liebſter Ort”
Authors: Saar Lina
Published: February 2024

The night plays an important role in Sibylla Schwarz’ self-presentation as a female poet. On the one hand, she expresses her poetic skills by using the night as a literary motif which she combines with metaphors of farewell and death. On the other hand, she presents the night as the time and place of the creation of her poetry, thereby marking it as a secondary activity accepted within the gender discourse of early modern culture. Schwarz’ use of the motif of the night vividly illustrates the interplay of convention, strategy and lifeworld reference that is characteristic of her poetry.
“Warheit wil gesaget sein”
Authors: Sommer Julia
Published: February 2024

This article examines the link between politics and poetry in Sibylla Schwarz’ work. In various texts, the author negotiates socio-political discourses on the hierarchical society, the position and appreciation of poets, as well as on her self-image as a woman and as a female writer. Poetry and the creation of poetry permeate her texts on a thematic level. Literature, however, is also her tool and means of expression with which she challenges injustice and false values and thus inscribes herself in the discourses of her time.
Niederländische Dichterinnen als Vorbild und Anregung?
Authors: Bremer Kai
Published: February 2024

Research has so far argued that Anna Maria van Schurman is the Dutch poet to whom Sibylla Schwarz alludes in her poem “Ein Gesang wieder den Neidt”. This article not only argues that Schwarz was rather alluding to the Dutch poet Anna Roemers Visscher; it also discusses what significance the openness of Dutch poetry towards female authors could have had for a young female poet in Germany.
The Origin of the Khanate of Karabakh
Authors: Maghalyan Artak
Published: February 2024

In the absence of the Armenian independent statehood, the Artsakh principalities (melikdoms) were the only force based on which, if possible, the Armenian state could revive. In general, the Artsakh principalities were free and sovereign, so long as the heart of the ruler of one of them was not captured with the sense of treachery. When in 1752 by the connivance of the governor Varanda Melik-Shahnazar II Panah Khan, the head of a tribe of nomadic Sarijallu, was firmed up in Artsakh, he and his son Ibrahim managed to significantly weaken the Armenian principalities. Inflicting great damage they could not change the situation in the province.

With the establishment of the Russian dominion in Karabakh the khanate was abolished because of its administrative and political failure and the lack of significant support among the local population.
Chemical Composition, Antifungal, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antiviral and Cytotoxic Activities of Ruta chalepensis L. Fixed Oil from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al Masoudi Luluah M. , Hamdi Hamida , Zaid Abeer Abu
Published: February 2024

An aromatic plant is called Ruta chalepensis L. known locally as “Fidjel,” grows in rocky, arid places. Its pharmacological activities are pleiotropic. The goal of the present investigation was to use GCMS and HPLC analysis to identify the chemical constituents of
oil extracted from Ruta chalepensis L. and assess its antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer properties. Linoleic acid was the most predominant acid found in Ruta chalepensis L. oil, then oleic acid, palmitic acid, and linolenic acid. 13.64 μg/mL
of tocopherol (α-, β-, and γ-tocopherol) was identified. The primary phytosterols are β-sitosterol and campesterol. At 200 μL/mL of Ruta chalepensis L. oil, phenolic components rated 84.4 GAE/mL and had 94.0% antioxidant activity.
Zone inhibition efficacy of Ruta chalepensis L. oil against microbial strains, particularly E. coli with a diameter of 42.3 mm, was demonstrated. MBC (30 μL/mL and 40 μL/mL) are the bactericidal action against E. coli and S. aureus, while MIC
bacteriostatic (30 μL/mL) was also demonstrated. However, Ruta chalepensis L. oil was ineffective against Saccharomyces cervisia and fungal strains. Weak inhibitory impact of Ruta chalepensis L. oil was observed against the PC-3 (prostate cancer) cell line. Nonetheless,
it had a significant inhibitory impact on the A2780 (ovarian cancer) cell line. At 100 μg/mL of oil, Ruta chalepensis L. oil showed a low antiviral impact (7.93±2.03%) against the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Oil from Ruta chalepensis L. is a promising
option for the medical management of non- transmissible illnesses, since it is wealthy in antioxidants and bioactive substances.
Effect of Piezo1 Channel-Mediated Mechanotransduction on Osteogenic Differentiation and Interleukin-6 Secretion in Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells Under Tensile Strain
Authors: Yan Xu , Fu Su , Xie Ying , Wu Xuejian
Published: February 2024

Physical stimulation plays a crucial role in the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, the mechanotransductive mechanisms remain uncleared. Recent studies have suggested that the Piezo1 channel is essential for transforming mechanical
signals. Therefore, we investigate the Piezo1-mediated mechanisms in mechanical strain-regulated MSC osteogenic differentiation and release of proinflammatory cytokines. The tensile strain was applied to rat MSCs cultured in a monolayer to induce mechanical strain. The immuno-nanomagnetic
bead enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to assess gene and protein expressions, as well as osteogenic biomarkers and interleukin-6 (IL-6) release, both in the presence or absence of a Piezo1 agonist/antagonist. Firstly, biophysical loading through mechanical strain was found to
promote MSC osteogenic differentiation. Suppression of Piezo1 using GsMTx4 antagonist or transfection with Piezo1-siRNA effectively inhibited mechanical responses associated with osteogenic gene expressions and IL-6. Activation of Piezo1 by Yoda1 mimicked the effects induced by mechanical
strain on osteogenic gene expressions and IL-6 release, which were associated with YAP activation, upregulation, and nuclear accumulation of β-catenin. In conclusion, these findings significantly enhance our understanding of MSC mechanotransduction and hold great promise for drug
development to enhance skeletal mass.
Folate Receptor-Targeted Nanodelivery of Apigenin in Breast Cancer: Formulation Development, Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation
Authors: Patra Arjun , Satpathy Swaha , Naik Pradeep K. , Kazi Mohsin , Delwar Muhammad Hussain
Published: February 2024

Cancer is a dreadful disease with a high mortality rate and breast cancer is the most common cancer among females in the world. Different strategies have been used for the treatment of breast cancer, including chemotherapy but it has a wide range of side effects. This problem can be
overcome by delivering anticancer agents with nano-formulations. Apigenin (4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavone), present in many different medicinal plants, shows potential anticancer properties in various cancers. However, its use in clinical practice is limited due to its low water solubility
and bioavailability. In this study, we examined folate receptor-targeted and PEGylated poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (PLGA-PEG-FA NPs) containing apigenin for targeted delivery to MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Apigenin-loaded PLGA-PEG and PLGA-PEG-FA NPs were small in size, had a negative
zeta potential, showed sustained release of apigenin and showed significantly higher anticancer activity than the free drug in breast cancer cells. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of apigenin, apigenin-loaded PLGA, PLGA-PEG and PLGA-PEG-FA NPs were 50.2,
49.4, 18.1 and 13.3 μM, respectively. Apigenin-loaded PLGA-PEG and PLGA-PEG-FA NPs showed 2.79- and 3.77-fold higher cytotoxicity than the pristine drug. Folate-conjugated PLGA nanoparticles could be developed for potential target-specific delivery of apigenin in the treatment of
breast cancer.
Mechanism of miR-190b with Albumin Nanoparticles as Carrier Mediating Islet β Cells in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Wang Xing , Lu Yu , Wang Suyu , Wang Xueqin , Yang Shufang , Zhao Chengyuan
Published: February 2024

A variety of diseases are often observed during pregnancy and miR-190b involves in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study assesses miR-190b’s role in GDM. Electron microscopy analyzed the size of nanoparticles. miR-190b expression in tissues was detected and its effects
on islet cells were detected by MTT method, BrdU staining method and ELISA method. Insulin secretion was further detected by molecular biology techniques. Electron microscopy showed similar average particle size of each formulation. miR-190b was overexpressed in the placental tissues of GDM
and its overexpression promoted cell proliferation and insulin secretion, whereas downregulation of miR-190b exerted opposite effects. In addition, miR-190b negatively modulated NKX6-1 level and their relationship was confirmed by bioinformatics techniques and a luciferase reporter gene. NKX6-1
overexpression reversed miR-190b mimics’ effect, and miR-190b knockdown promoted insulin secretion by upregulating NKX6-1. The inhibitory effect of miR-190b overexpression on islet β cells using nano-albumin particles as a carrier was partially reversed by NKX6-1 overexpression.
Silencing of miR-190b by nano-albumin particles as a carrier promoted β-cell function, which may be one of the mechanisms by which miR-190b affects GDM.
Preparation, Characterization, and Bioactivities of Cobalt, Strontium and Fluorine Co-Doped Oxide Films on Titanium Surface for Clinical Application
Authors: Wu Xinglin , Jiao Yang , Wu Jieshi , Zhang Sujiajun , Xu Ruisheng , Zhao Quanming , Lu Kaihang , Zhang Pengpeng , Zhang Lu , Ni Xiaohui
Published: February 2024

Titanium and titanium alloys are receiving widespread attention due to their excellent comprehensive mechanical properties, corrosion resistances, and biocompatibilities. However, titanium metal itself is biologically inert in physiological environments, and after implantation, it is
surrounded by a layer of encapsulating fibrous membrane, making it difficult to form solid bonds with the tissue. Plasma electrolytic oxidation is a new technology used to prepare bioactive porous ceramic membranes on the surfaces of titanium and titanium alloys. It has application prospects
for biomimetic surface modifications of titanium alloys. In this study, a cobalt, strontium and fluorine codoped oxide film (TAM-CSF) was prepared on a titanium surface via plasma electrolytic oxidation. The surface characteristics of the film were evaluated with field emission scanning electron
microscopy, energy spectrum analyses, atomic force microscopy, profilometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Additionally, the corrosion performance of the material was evaluated with an electrochemical workstation. The biocompatibility and bioactivity of the film were tested with in
vitro cell experiments. The results showed that the TAM-CSF on the titanium surface had a porous morphology, and the CSF was uniformly doped on the film surface. TAM-CSF improved the surface roughness of the titanium. This film exhibited good biocompatibility and promoted the extension
and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells. It was possible to prepare TAM-CSF on titanium surfaces via plasma electrolytic oxidation. The film exhibited a good morphology and good biological activity and has clinical application prospects.
Associations of Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Prognosis with IL-37 Expression in Sepsis Rats with Lung Injury
Authors: Hong Fei , Zhao Jungang , Yang Mei , Liu Qian , Chen Qin , Liu Feng , Zhu Guoji
Published: February 2024

This study aimed to investigate the role of interleukin-37 (IL-37) expression in lung tissues of sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) rats and its impact on ALI, along with the underlying mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were categorized into three groups: Control, sepsis-induced
ALI (via cecal ligation and puncture, CLP), and sepsis-induced ALI with antibiotics (CLP+An). ALI models were established, and lung tissue injuries were assessed through hematoxylineosin staining. mRNA levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-37, and tumor necrosis factor-α
(TNF-α) were measured via RT-PCR, while IL-37 protein levels in lung tissues were determined using Western blotting. Additionally, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood samples were collected to assess inflammatory factors through ELISA. In the CLP group, there was an
increase in pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1α, IL-1β, and TNF-α) in lung tissues and serum. However, in the CLP+An group, these factors decreased, IL-37 expression increased, and oxidative stress levels decreased. IL-37 demonstrated an inhibitory effect
on the release of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1α, IL-1β, and TNF-α) in sepsis rats, leading to a reduction in lung tissue inflammation. Furthermore, IL-37 exhibited a protective role by reducing oxidative stress in sepsis-induced lung tissues. These findings
highlight IL-37 as a potential therapeutic target for mitigating ALI in sepsis.
Hydraulic Analysis and Cold-Air Pool Interaction of the Raco Gap Wind
Authors: Muñoz Ricardo C. , Armi Laurence
Published: February 2024

Raco is a local wind occurring in central Chile where the Maipo River Canyon exits into the Santiago valley. The intensification of the easterly down-canyon flow starts at any time during some cold season nights, accompanied by increases in temperature and drops in humidity. The hypothesis of the raco being a gap wind controlled by the narrowest section in the 12-km canyon exit corridor is tested with data from two events in July 2018 and July 2019. The data are analyzed in the framework of hydraulic theory, and a subcritical-to-supercritical transition is documented to occur at the narrows of the gap where the Froude number is close to unity, confirmed by radiosondes launched in the narrows in 2019. For the raco flow, the sum of potential and kinetic energy is conserved upstream of the narrows, while the acceleration occurring farther downstream loses a large fraction of energy to frictional dissipation. The raco events occur under the influence of regional subsidence, but a differential nocturnal warming of the in-canyon air mass is responsible for a pressure gradient driving the raco. In the 2019 case, a ceilometer mounted on an instrumented pickup truck documented the structure and movement of the interface between the raco air and the cold-air pool (CAP) existing over the valley to the west. Together with a radiosonde launched near the CAP–raco surface front, the observations reveal the intense shear-driven mixing taking place at the interface and the factors supporting the establishment of a stationary front.
Impact of Extratropical Circulation in East Asia on Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclone Frequency and Intensity
Authors: Jin Rui , Yu Hui , Wu Zhiwei , Chan Johnny C. L. , Ying Ming , Zhang Peng
Published: February 2024

This study examines the East Asia and western North Pacific (WNP) monsoon circulation patterns for strong and weak WNP tropical cyclone (TC) numbers in summer. It suggested that years with more intense TCs are coupled with the tropical monsoon circulations, including the northward cross-equatorial airflow and the extending tropical monsoon trough toward the central-eastern WNP. However, a higher frequency of weak TCs can be largely attributed to the mutual interactions among the tropical monsoon trough west of 140°E, the westward South Asia high, and the high pressure anomaly in Northeast Asia (NEA). Then the potential influence of the NEA extratropical system is focused on. The resultant local negative potential vorticity (PV) anomaly is carried southeastward by the prevailing flow. It stimulates a descending flow around 30°N, which favors the westward retreat of the South Asian high and the decreased zonal vertical wind shear around 20°N. The associated lower-level outflow converges in the tropical WNP and reinforces the ascending motion around 10°–20°N. Meanwhile, the warm air column in NEA also contributes to anomalous easterlies in a band around 30°N, intensifying the lower-level cyclonic vorticity in the northwestern WNP. Consequently, the ascending motion, cyclonic vorticity, and the weakened zonal vertical wind shear in northwestern WNP promote the WTC formation. A set of physically based empirical models is developed using various physically based predictors to reconstruct the number of intense and weak TCs. Cross-validated hindcasts suggest that the NEA extratropical circulation can serve as an additional source of predictability for the weak TC variability.

Significance Statement

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are a highly destructive type of natural disaster that have garnered widespread attention. By comparison with intense TCs (ITCs), weak TCs (WTCs) are much more numerous and often form closer to the coastal regions of East Asia, whose mechanism has not been fully understood. In this study, we suggest that more ITCs are controlled by tropical monsoon circulations, while the WTC variability is closely coupled with both tropical and extratropical monsoon systems. In addition to the tropical monsoon trough west of 140°E and the westward South Asian high, the Northeast Asian circulation can regulate the WTC number by changing the lower-level vorticity, vertical motion, and vertical wind shear in the WTC genesis-prone region, which can be applied to improve the seasonal prediction skill of WTCs.
Nonlinear Response of Summertime Synoptic-Scale Disturbance Intensity over the Tropical Western North Pacific to ENSO Amplitude
Authors: Gu Qinlu , Wu Renguang , Yeh Sang-Wook
Published: February 2024

El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) exhibits nonlinearity in its amplitude and impacts. This study investigates the dependence of summertime synoptic-scale disturbance (SSD) intensity over the tropical western North Pacific (TWNP) on the ENSO amplitude. A tendency of nonlinearity exists in the observed response of the TWNP SSD intensity to the amplitude of tropical central-eastern Pacific (CEP) sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in boreal summer. Numerical experiments are conducted with an atmospheric general circulation model with linearly varying tropical CEP SST anomalies imposed to illustrate the nonlinearity exclusively induced by changes in the ENSO amplitude. A linear increase in the amplitude of El Niño–like SST anomalies results in a nonlinear enhancement of SSD intensity over the TWNP, manifested as the increase in SSD intensity at a rate larger than expected by linear response with an eastward shift. This is attributed to the nonlinear intensification of anomalous ascent over the TWNP induced by tropical convection response to positive tropical CEP SST anomalies and the nonlinear effect of anomalous convection on the synoptic-scale activity. In contrast, as La Niña–like SST anomalies increase linearly, the SSD intensity over the TWNP decreases at a rate slower than expected from a linear response and even reaches saturation with little longitudinal shift. Due to the thermodynamic control on the occurrence of deep convection in the tropics, enhanced negative SST anomalies do not induce additional changes in anomalous descent over the tropical CEP. Thus, the TWNP SSD intensity no longer decreases with further increase in tropical CEP cold SST anomalies.

Significance Statement

Synoptic-scale disturbances (SSDs) over the tropical western North Pacific (TWNP) play an important role in weather and climate over East and Southeast Asia. Impacts of those SSDs are contingent on their intensity. El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has substantial impacts on weather and climate worldwide, including the SSDs over the TWNP. ENSO displays a diversity in amplitude, spatial pattern, and temporal evolution. The present study investigates the response of the TWNP SSD intensity to varying ENSO amplitude during boreal summer and reveals a distinctive nonlinear response of the TWNP SSD intensity to the amplitude of El Niño and La Niña, which has important implication for understanding the impacts of ENSO on climate over the TWNP and Asia.
Why Was the Weakening of Typhoon In-fa (2021) to the East of Taiwan Island Not Forecasted in the GFS?
Authors: Liang Jia , Wu Liguang , Xiang Chunyi , Liu Qingyuan
Published: February 2024

Typhoon In-fa (2021) experienced a weakening process on 22–23 July in a large-scale environment favorable for tropical cyclone (TC) intensification. All operational forecasts and the Global Forecast System (GFS) forecasts predicted a continuous intensification, which deviated significantly from the observation. The analysis of the GFS analysis product shows a coalescence process of Typhoon In-fa with an intraseasonal monsoon gyre during the period, resulting in an increased outer size of In-fa and well-organized convection to the east, which prevented transporting the mass and moisture into the inner-core area of In-fa, thus leading to the weakening. Nevertheless, this essential coalescence process was not captured in the GFS forecasts due to the poor prediction of the monsoon gyre. The analysis shows that the forecasted monsoon gyre on 20–22 July had an eastward location at 72- and 96-h lead times and a weaker intensity and outer circulation at 24- and 48-h lead times, leading to the forecasted TC always moving in its north and west, in agreement with numerical simulation results that the monsoon gyre with a weaker outer circulation is not conducive to the coalescence. Thus, the deep convection to the east of In-fa preventing the inward transportation of mass and moisture did not develop in the GFS forecasts. As a result, the GFS forecasted that In-fa would continue intensifying in a favorable environment on 22–23 July. The findings of this study would prompt forecasters to pay attention to the prediction of the monsoon gyre and its influence on the TC intensity in forecast products available to them.
IoT-based health monitoring and fault detection of industrial AC induction motor for efficient predictive maintenance
Authors: Yousuf Muhammad , Alsuwian Turki , Amin Arslan Ahmed , Fareed Sanwal , Hamza Muhammad
Published: February 2024

This research paper presents the development and implementation of an integrated condition monitoring and fault detection system for AC induction motors using a combination of sensors, GSM communication, and a cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) platform. The proposed system aims to enhance industrial motors’ operational reliability and efficiency by providing real-time data monitoring and early fault detection. The key components of the system include temperature, vibration, current, voltage, and speed sensors, which are strategically placed to gather critical motor performance data. These sensors feed data to an Arduino-based control unit responsible for sensor data acquisition and processing. To ensure timely response to anomalies, the system is equipped with an alarm system and GSM alerts, which notify designated personnel in case of abnormal motor behavior. Moreover, the paper incorporates remote monitoring capabilities, enabling users to access motor health data and real-time status from a distance. Historical data is also stored for analysis and comparison through the integration of a cloud-based Blynk-IoT platform. Additionally, the system facilitates RPM control and utilizes relay modules for seamless motor control and protection. The proposed system was tested and validated using Proteus for circuit diagram simulation and Arduino for sensor coding. The results demonstrate its effectiveness in detecting abnormal motor behavior and its potential to prevent catastrophic failures by enabling predictive maintenance. The proposed system successfully detects and displays abnormalities in important parameters like vibration, temperature, speed, three-phase currents, and voltages with 99% accuracy.
Neural networks modeling of strain energy density and Tsai-Wu index in laminated composites
Authors: Ledesma-Orozco Elías , Galvis-Chacón Julio C. , Rodríguez-Sánchez Alejandro E.
Published: February 2024

In laminated composite materials design, optimization mainly targets the stacking sequence configuration, which is defined by the lamina thickness and fiber orientations within each layer. Recent studies emphasize the increasing role of Machine Learning in promoting innovative composite designs by facilitating the accurate modeling of essential properties such as strength and stiffness. This study introduces two metamodels that utilize feed-forward artificial neural networks, taking laminate thickness and fiber steering angles as input parameters. The output variables, including strain energy density and the Tsai-Wu failure index, enable the prediction of stacking sequence configurations for laminated materials, a capability confirmed in a case study. The results showcase neural network models with the ability to predict these variables, achieving coefficients of determination above 0.90 for testing data. Consequently, this modeling approach has the potential to be a tool for designers, aiding in decision-making processes for the subsequent optimization of stiffness and strength in structural components made of laminated composite materials.
Tomáš Halík: A Theology for the Post-Secular
Authors: Cotterill Aden
Published: February 2024

This article presents the work of Czech theologian and priest Tomáš Halík as a theology for the post-secular. The first section outlines three general post-secular themes woven throughout his corpus: the blessedness of spiritual seeking, a receptivity to the critical insights of atheism, and the affirmation of doubt and uncertainty as an integral feature of Christian faith. The second section then demonstrates what is distinctive about Halík’s contribution: his engagement with themes of both plurality and uncertainty in a single theological schema. I argue this is an apt response to the post-secular dynamics of the nova effect—as outlined by Charles Taylor and others—that is otherwise lacking in the literature to date.
Rahner and Scheeben on Grace: Reexamining a Forgotten Resemblance
Authors: Strand Vincent L.
Published: February 2024

This article demonstrates the overlooked similarity between Scheeben’s and Rahner’s accounts of God’s self-communication to the human person through uncreated grace. It then argues that though Scheeben’s conception of God’s universal offer of grace evinces similarities with Rahner’s “supernatural existential,” Scheeben differs from Rahner by emphasizing the distinction between nature and grace. This study can help theologians to better situate Scheeben’s theology amid its current renaissance and to reappropriate Rahner’s basic insight about divine self-communication.
Recognizing Collectives as Moral Agents
Authors: Keenan James F.
Published: February 2024

Until recently, discussions on moral agency focused almost exclusively on the individual moral subject. Recognizing that social structures and cultures influence human subjects but do not have agency, this article argues that we must now recognize the moral agency of organized collectives. Invoking the work of philosophers and other theologians who already do, this article turns to theological ethicists writing on community organizing, racism, and social virtues, and, finally, to feminists engaging moral luck and intersectionality to illustrate the importance of collective moral agency. It concludes by describing qualifications for estimating the ethical agency of such collectives.
NATO Expansion after 1989: An Argument from the Catholic Social Tradition
Authors: Beyer Gerald J.
Published: February 2024

Pope Francis’s statement about NATO expansion provoking Russia to invade Ukraine raises the question about whether it is legitimate to support NATO generally and its expansion after 1989 in particular. This article argues that the right of nations to self-determination and legitimate defense and the ethic of solidarity as understood in the Catholic social tradition can justify NATO’s existence and enlargement. The author concludes that not only was NATO enlargement after 1989 justified, but it should also be open to Ukraine and other countries in the region in accordance with these tenets of Catholic social teaching.
Specialized Mental Health Supervision: Revocations and Risk Composition
Authors: Powell Nicholas K. , Gunter Angela , Roberts Mari , Van Deinse Tonya
Published: February 2024

Although many studies have investigated the disproportionate representation and negative experiences of justice-involved persons with mental illness (MI), we know less about probation/parole revocations among this population. Using statewide data and propensity score matching, we compare rates of rearrests and revocations between individuals with and without MI and assess the effectiveness of Specialized Mental Health Supervision (SMHS) in reducing the likelihood of revocation. In addition, we examine whether the risk score composition differs among participants of the SMHS program from clients with MI not placed on SMHS. Findings reveal that persons with MI are more likely to have a revocation, specifically for technical violations. In addition, SMHS does not significantly lower revocations after controlling for other caseload characteristics. Finally, those with higher risk scores were significantly less likely to be placed on SMHS caseloads. Considerations for SMHS implementation are discussed.