bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Outcomes of Total Hip Arthroplasty Using Point-of-care Manufactured Patient-specific Instruments: a Single University Hospital’s Initial Experience
Authors: Trung Hieu Pham , Quyen Nang Vo Sy , Tu Nam Vu , Trung Dung Tran , Dinh Toan Duong
Published: June 2023

Background 3D printed patient-specific instruments (PSI) have been recognized as a novel solution for the optimal orientation of hip implant components and were explored to improve the postoperative functional outcomes in total hip arthroplasty (THA). The manufacturing of PSI is gradually moving towards point-of-care production. This article aims to evaluate the accuracy and safety of PSI for total hip arthroplasty produced point-of-care in Vietnamese university hospital. Methods This prospective study evaluated 34 cases of THA. Preoperative 3D computed tomography (CT) scanning of the lower limb was collected to create a template for the implant size, orientation, and design of the PSI. The position of the implants and PSI design were determined directly on the software by the main surgeon. 3D-compatible resin printers were used to create the PSI in manufacturing hospital. The PSI consists of an acetabulum and a femoral component placed press-fit on the bony surface. The PSI then guided surgeons to ream the acetabulum and cut the femoral neck precisely according to the pre-planned plane. Postoperative CT scanning was obtained and superimposed onto the 3D model of the implant to evaluate the outcome. Intraoperative clinical parameters of surgical safety were also recorded. Results The preparation for PSI required an average of three days. 94% of cup size and 91% of stem size were correct. The mean values of postoperative inclination and anteversion were 44.2° ± 4.1° and 19.2° ± 5.6°, respectively. 64.7% of cases deviation from planned within ± 50range and 94.1% within ± 10° range. The means of stem anteversion, osteotomy height, and leg length discrepancy did not have a statistically significant difference between planned and achieved (p > 0.05). The average surgical time was 82.5° ± 10.8 minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was estimated at 317.7° ± 57.6ml. 64.7% patients can walk on day of surgery. There were no complications reported. Conclusions The point-of-care manufactured PSI is a useful solution for improving the accuracy of total hip arthroplasty surgery, especially in restoring the implant orientation and reducing leg length discrepancy. However, long-term clinical follow-up evaluation is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of this approach.
IGF2BP3 expression in pan-cancer: A bioinformatics-based study of its prognostic relevance and immunological role
Authors: Wu Yating , Wu Zhongqiu , Chen Li , Cao Yue , Niu Huimin , Lai Xiaofeng , Zhao Hu , Zhao Meng , Zhang Shenghang , Wang Shuiliang
Published: June 2023

Background
According to several recent studies, the m6A reader IGF2BP3 is primarily implicated in the occurrence and immunological aspects of many cancers. To obtain further insights into IGF2BP3’s role in tumor biology, we conducted a systematic analysis of publicly available databases.
Methods
Data regarding IGF2BP3 expression in various cancers were extracted from online public databases, including TIMER, GEPIA, HPA, BioGPS, and CCLE. By using the GEPIA and PrognoScan databases, we examined the association of IGF2BP3 expression in pan-cancer with patient survival. We studied the TISIDB to determine whether IGF2BP3 expression in pan-cancer correlated with immune cell infiltration. Furthermore, we assessed whether IGF2BP3 expression showed a correlation with tumor-infiltrating immune cells by referring to the TIMER database. We used R version 4.0.3 to determine the relationship between IGF2BP3 expression and the ICP genes in pan-cancer. Moreover, we used the SangerBox database to assess correlations between IGF2BP3 expression and NEO, TMB, MSI, and DNA MMR genes in human cancers. The IGF2BP3 co-expression network was examined with the LinkedOmics database.
Results
Our results demonstrated higher IGF2BP3 expression in multiple human cancers than in paired healthy tissues. IGF2BP3 expression strongly correlated with prognosis, ICP, NEO, TMB, and MSI in pan-cancer. Moreover, IGF2BP3 contributed to immune regulation and modulated the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, the co-expression networks of IGF2BP3 mainly participated in immune regulation. The high IGF2BP3 expression group showed better treatment response to ICB in BLCA, LUAD, LGG, and PAAD.
Conclusion
Our systematic bioinformatics analysis confirmed that IGF2BP3 could function as an immunotherapeutic and prognostic biomarker in diverse human cancers. Furthermore, in future studies, it is critical to clarify the specific role of IGF2BP3 in certain cancers.
Pleasing the voters in Albania: Allowable speed limits and parking spaces increase just before elections
Authors: Pojani Dorina , Imami Drini , Lami Endrit , Zhllima Edvin
Published: June 2023

In Albania, just before elections, traffic and parking fines decrease in number and magnitude, as the government turns a blind eye to infractions in order to curry favour with voters and thus retain power. Once the elections are over, a period of stricter enforcement of traffic and parking rules typically ensues, and revenues from fines surge. We term this - so far unnamed – phenomenon “Electoral Mobility Management”. To provide evidence of EMM, we examine the fluctuations in revenues from traffic and parking fines issued by the state and municipal police in conjunction with national elections held between 2012 and 2021. We employ existing data collected by various institutions in Albania, which we model based on a robust econometric tool called intervention analysis. We find intermittent political interference in traffic police operations, both at the state and municipal levels. EMM is detrimental to road safety, traffic police legitimacy, and parking efficiency.
Design and application of a DFMA-based modular library of precast concrete components for assembled buildings
Authors: Dong Daode , Zou Yiquan , Pan Han
Published: June 2023

Assembled buildings can enable the construction industry to move in a more industrial direction. However, the design, production and installation of assembled buildings are difficult to standardise and do not meet the requirements of industrialised assembled buildings. Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA), a well-established product design concept, can assist in improving this situation. This paper analyses the links between DFMA and the construction industry. The design concept of DFMA is introduced into prefabricated concrete components in assembled buildings by proposing a secondary split modularisation of prefabricated concrete components. Combining parametric design and building information modelling (BIM), a DFMA-oriented method for creating a modular library of precast concrete components is proposed. Nevertheless, the DFMA-based parametric module creation process and the system architecture and data flow in the module library are explored and developed. To enable better application of the module library, a DFMA-oriented process optimisation process for the whole assembly building process is proposed. Finally, the optimisation of the module library for the industrialised design process of assembled buildings is verified using a case study.
Improved depth residual network based tool wear prediction for cavity milling process
Authors: guan zhiwei , Cong Junyu , Wang Fei , Wang Guofeng
Published: June 2023

The parts with integrated design technology are widely used in aerospace field because of their advantages such as high strength and high reliability compared with riveted structures, which often present multiple cavities and thin walls, and milling occupies a large amount of machining time, while it is very easy to cause rapid degradation of tool performance because their materials are mostly made of hard-to-machine metals. To address the failure of traditional methods in monitoring the tool trajectory of complex cavity milling process, this paper proposes a tool wear prediction method based on short-time Fourier transform and improved depth residual network. Firstly, the short-time Fourier transform is used to convert the signal into a time-frequency map. Then, to solve the problem that the depth residual network describes the machining state from a single perspective, the original model is improved by adding a feature fusion layer. Finally, the signal and the time-frequency map are simultaneously input into the improved deep residual network, and the tool wear sensitive features filtered by Pearson correlation coefficient are extracted from the time domain and frequency domain of the signal, and the deep features in the time-frequency domain are extracted from the residual block structure of the time-frequency map, and the tool wear sensitive features and the deep features in the time-frequency domain are fused in the feature fusion layer to complete the model training. The experimental results show that the average prediction deviation of tool wear by the regression model established in this paper is 0.76%, which is lower than that of the original deep residual network, shallow convolutional neural network and artificial feature-based machine learning model.
A clinically relevant prognostic indicator of heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction is the mean velocity of the pulmonary artery
Authors: SHI YaNan , Yuan Fang , Xu Yu
Published: June 2023

Background
In heart failure (HF), right ventricular and pulmonary artery coupling (RV-PA) can contribute to stratification of prognosis. The non-invasive measurement of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has been demonstrated to be prognostic in heart failure. Prior to a significant rise in PVR, RV-PA coupling is altered in HF early. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of mean velocity of the pulmonary artery (mvPA) on CMR in patients with HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and pulmonary hypertension both together and separately.
Methods
284 consecutive patients with HFmrEF were included in this retrospective study who were hospitalized and underwent CMR with measurement of RV-PA coupling parameters including mvPA between December 2017 and March 2021. We obtained a baseline data set that included clinical characteristics, laboratory results, and cardiac imaging examinations for patients with HFmrEF who underwent at least two echocardiograms performed three months apart.In order to follow up with patients, a phone interview, clinic visit, or community visit was required.The primary outcome was a composite of deaths due to all causes or rehospitalizations for heart failure.
Results
It was found that 139 patients met the primary endpoint over the mean follow-up period of 49 months. The optimal cut-off value of mvPA calculated by receiver operating curve(ROC) was 9.05cm/s for the prediction of the primary endpoint.According to Kaplan-Meier survival curves, mvPA ≤ 9.05cm/s was associated with higher mortality (Log-Rank:71.93, p < 0.001).It should be noted that mvPA maintained its prognostic value regardless of RV function or even when mortality and HF readmissions were taken into account separately.MvPA ≤ 9.05 cm/s was an independent prognostic marker, along with ischemic cardiomyopathy, hyponatremia.
Conclusions
By identifying a high-risk population of patients with preserved RV function, mvPA has confirmed its role as an early prognostic indicator. In this study, mvPA showed promise for stratifying long-term outcomes of patients with HFmrEF, and further research is required to confirm its effectiveness.
Levcromakalim Provokes a Rapid-Onset Migraine-like Phenotype Without Inducing Cortical Spreading Depolarization
Authors: Alpay Berkay , Akaydin Elif , Cimen Bariscan , Bolay Hayrunnisa , Sara Yildirim
Published: June 2023

Background
Migraine headache attacks and accompanying sensory augmentation can be induced by several agents including levcromakalim (LEV), that is also capable of provoking aura-like symptoms in migraineurs. We investigated whether acute LEV injection causes migraine-like phenotype in rats and induces/modulates cortical spreading depolarization (CSD), a rodent model of migraine aura.
Methods
Wistar rats were administered LEV (1mg/kg, i.p.) and compared to control (CTRL, vehicle, i.p.) and nitroglycerin (NTG, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) groups. Von Frey filaments were used to examine the periorbital and hindpaw mechanical allodynia. Dark-light box (DLB), elevated plus maze (EPM), and open field arena (OFA) were used to evaluate light sensitivity and anxiety-related behaviors. The effects of LEV on CSD parameters, somatosensory evoked potentials, and baseline dural EEG were investigated Possible CSD-induced c-fos expression was studied with Western Blot. BBB integrity in cortex is examined with Evans Blue Assay.
Results
LEV and NTG administration robustly reduced periorbital mechanical thresholds in rats and induced anxiety-like behaviors and photophobia within 30 and 120 minutes, respectively. LEV induced migraine like phenotype recovered in 2 hours while NTG group were not fully recovered before 4 hours. Both LEV and NTG did not provoke DC shift, EEG alterations or cortical c-fos expression characteristic to CSD. LEV did not affect KCl-induced CSD parameters except for an increase in propagation failure. However, NTG significantly increased both CSD susceptibility and propagation failure. Somatosensory evoked potential configurations were not altered in both LEV and NTG groups, but SSEP latencies were prolonged after CSD. Acute LEV or NTG injection did not increase cortical BBB permeability.
Conclusions
Acute systemic LEV administration induced the fastest manifestation and recovery of migraine like phenotype which was not mediated by CSD waves in the cerebral cortex. CSD modulating effects of LEV were less prominent compared to NTG, an agent without aura provoking properties. We suppose LEV triggered rapid-onset migraine-like symptoms are probably related to functional alterations in the trigeminal nociceptive system and K + channel opening properties of LEV. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of this nociceptive window, may provide a novel targets in migraine treatment.
Effects of thermal stress responses in goldfish (Carassius auratus): Growth performance, total carotenoids and coloration, hematology, liver histology, and critical thermal maximum
Authors: Khieokhajonkhet Anurak , Phoprakot Marisa , Aeksiri Niran , Kaneko Gen , Phromkunthong Wutiporn
Published: June 2023

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of thermal stress on growth, feed utilization, coloration, hematology, liver histology, and critical thermal maximum (CTmax) in goldfish (Carassius auratus) cultured at three different acclimation temperatures including 27˚C, 30˚C, and 34˚C for 10 weeks. Goldfish were assigned randomly to tanks with a quadruplicate setup, accommodating 20 fish per tank. Fish were manually fed four times a day until satiation. The result showed that fish acclimated at 34˚C exhibited suppress growth indices and significantly decreased feed utilization with linear and quadratic effects on feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio. The coloration parameter (a* value) was significantly decreased in the trunk region and total serum carotenoids at week 5, as well as a decline in L*, a*, b*values and total serum carotenoids at week 10. Total carotenoid contents in muscle and skin also decreased with increasing temperature. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and triglycerides significantly increased with increasing temperature. However, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased linearly and quadratically. Glucose and cortisol levels linearly increased with increasing temperature with a quadratic effect observed only in glucose levels. Liver histology showed swollen hepatocytes, nuclei displacement, and infiltration of inflammation in fish cultured at 34˚C. Goldfish exposed to a temperature of 34˚C displayed a higher CTmax of 43.83˚C compared to the other groups. Taken together, increasing temperature slightly improves growth (up to 30˚C) but the temperature at 34˚C significantly suppresses feed utilization, coloration as well as stress response with liver histological damage in goldfish.
A Systematic Review of the Relationship Between Muscle Oxygen Dynamics and Energy Rich Phosphates. Can NIRS help?
Authors: Maliszewski Kevin , Feldmann Andri , McCully Kevin K. , Julian Ross
Published: June 2023

Background: Phosphocreatine dynamics provide the gold standard evaluation of in-vivo mitochondrial function and is tightly coupled with oxygen availability. Low mitochondrial oxidative capacity has been associated with health issues and low exercise performance.
Methods: To evaluate the relationship between near-infrared spectroscopy-based muscle oxygen dynamics and magnetic resonance spectroscopy-based energy-rich phosphates, a systematic review of the literature related to muscle oxygen dynamics and energy-rich phosphates was conducted. PRISMA guidelines were followed to perform a comprehensive and systematic search of four databases on 02-11-2021 (PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science). Beforehand pre-registration with the Open Science Framework was performed. Studies had to include healthy humans aged 18-55, measures related to NIRS-based muscle oxygen measures in combination with energy-rich phosphates. Exclusion criteria were clinical populations, laboratory animals, acutely injured subjects, data that only assessed oxygen dynamics or energy-rich phosphates, or grey literature. The Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool was used to assess methodological quality, and data extraction was presented in a table.
Results: Out of 1483 records, 28 were eligible. All included studies were rated moderate. The studies suggest muscle oxygen dynamics could indicate energy-rich phosphates under appropriate protocol settings.
Conclusion: Arterial occlusion and exercise intensity might be important factors to control if NIRS application should be used to examine energetics. However, more research needs to be conducted without arterial occlusion and with high-intensity exercises to support the applicability of NIRS and provide an agreement level in the concurrent course of muscle oxygen kinetics and muscle energetics.
Trial Registration: https://osf.io/py32n/
Too Hot To Thrive: Community perspectives on the effect of high ambient temperature on postpartum women and neonates in Kilifi, Kenya
Authors: Lusambili Adelaide M , Khaemba Peter Wafula , Nakstad Britt , Kovats Sari , Filippi Veronique , Roos Nathalie , Part Cherie , Chersich Mathew , Luchters Stanley , Hess Jeremy , Kadio Kadiatou , Scorgie Fiona
Published: June 2023

Objective
To understand community perspectives on the effects of high ambient temperature on the health and wellbeing of neonates, and impacts on post-partum women and infant care in Kilifi.
Design
Qualitative study using key informant interviews, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with pregnant and postpartum women (n = 21), mothers-in-law (n = 19), male spouses (n = 20), community health volunteers (CHVs) (n = 22) and stakeholders from health and government ministries (n = 16).
Settings
We conducted our research in Kilifi County in Kenya’s Coast Province. The area is largely rural and during summer, air temperatures can reach 37 degrees Celsius and rarely drops to 23.
Data analysis
Data were analyzed in NVivo 12, using both inductive and deductive approaches.
Results
High ambient temperature is perceived by community members to have direct and indirect pathways in pregnancy and postpartum periods, including on the neonates. The impact of direct pathways includes injuries on the neonate’s skin and in the mouth, leading to discomfort, and affecting breastfeeding and sleeping. Participants described babies as “having no peace”. These effects were perceived to be amplified by indoor smoke pollution and heat from indoor cooking fires. Community members believed that exclusive breastfeeding was not practical in conditions of extreme heat because it lowered breast milk production, which was, in turn, linked to a low scarcity of food and time spend by mothers away from their neonates performing household chores. Kangaroo Mother Care was also negatively affected. Participants reported that postpartum women took longer to heal in the heat, were exhausted most of the time and tended not to attend postnatal care.
Conclusions
There is a widespread perception that high ambient temperatures impact on postpartum women and their neonates through direct and indirect pathways. Discomfort makes it difficult for the mother to care for the baby. Multi-sectoral policies and programs are required to mitigate the negative impacts of high ambient temperatures on maternal and neonatal health in rural Kilifi and similar settings.
Vertical Transportation Lift Capacity and Operating Policy Planning for Low-Rise Buildings with Circulatory Passengers
Authors: T Godwin
Published: June 2023

A vertical transportation lift system in a low-rise building with three or four floors such as shopping mall has a unique characteristic where the passenger traffic is circulatory. The impact of this circulatory passenger traffic on passenger service is studied through simulation model of lift system embedded with four proactive operating strategies. The capacity of lift, the number of lifts available, and the passenger traffic level are varied in simulation experimentation to empirically and statistically analyze the impact of operating strategies on passenger waiting times and transit times. It is observed that just having the required pooled capacity for a given passenger traffic level is only a necessary condition but sufficient conditions are met by defining both the number of lifts and their capacity. It is also observed that operating strategies and passenger traffic level have an impact on passenger transit times. A prediction model derived from simulation output helps in forecasting passenger service for a given system configuration. The developed approach has potential for real world application for new lift system design and improving existing lift system operations.
Diagnosis of colorectal cancer based on folate receptor-positive circulating tumor cell analysis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wei Zhijian , Zhou Baichuan , Wang Guoxing , Han Wenxiu , Li Yongxiang , Xu Aman
Published: June 2023

Background
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to improve the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). At present, there is a lack of an accurate CRC screening factor. We conducted folate receptor-positive circulating tumor cell analysis (FR + CTC analysis) in distinguishing CRC from benign colorectal diseases to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency.
Methods
Clinical data of patients admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2021 to July 2022 were retrospectively collected. Levels of FR + CTC and other indicators were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic performance of these molecular biomarkers.
Results
Data of 103 patients with CRC and 54 patients with benign colorectal diseases were collected. FR + CTC levels were observed significantly higher in CRC patients than in patients with benign colorectal diseases (P < 0.001). FR + CTC level was correlated with tumor diameter, differentiation, T-stage, pathological stage, clinical stage, and intravascular tumor thrombus in patients with CRC (P < 0.05). The optimal cutoff value of FR + CTC level for diagnosing CRC patients was 7.66 FU/3 ml, with a sensitivity of 85.4%, a specificity of 74.1%, and an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.855 (95%CI, 0.77–0.923). In < 50-years old patients with CRC, the diagnostic efficiency of FR + CTC was excellent, with an AUC of 0.936 (95%CI, 0.877–0.995).
Conclusion
FR + CTC counting has excellent diagnostic efficiency in screening of CRC. FR + CTC count can also predict the tumor stage of CRC patients before surgery, and guide the choice of treatment.
Effects of INF-γ-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on the distribution and inhibition of tumours in vivo in a glioma nude mouse model
Authors: Xuejiao Tian , Sunhu Yang , Yanying Zhang , Yindi Wang , Zhen Lv , Yahui Xie , Xiangning Xu , Yihong Tian , Jianjun Wu , Jianjun Wu
Published: June 2023

Explored the effects of INF-γ-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the distribution and inhibition of tumour tissues. BALB/c mouse BMSCs were cultured, isolated, and identified by flow cytometry. To confirm INF-γ expression in the BMSCs, we constructed a lentiviral expression vector for the INF-γgene; BMSCs transfected in vitro were labelled with SYBR Green I fluorescent dye and detected by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Tumour tissues of nude mice were subjected to terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) staining, and the number of positive cells was determined. The result that BMSCs were cultured in vivo and exhibited adherent growth. Flow cytometry indicated that CD44 (98.01%) and CD105 (96.17%) were overexpressed, whereas the CD34 (1.46%), CD45 (1.32%), and CD11b (1.48%) expression levels were low, indicating that the latter were BMSCs. Fluorescence analysis and PCR were applied to confirm INF-γtransfection into the BMSCs. Immunofluorescence staining showed clear accumulation of BMSCs in nude mouse tissues, with no fluorescence observed in the model group. TUNEL staining showed a higher apoptosis rate in the INF-γ+BMSC group than in the model group (P < 0.05). On day 9, the tumour volume differed significantly between the INF-γ+BMSC group and the other groups (P < 0.05). A lentiviral vector effectively transfected the INF-γ gene into BMSCs, where it was homed and distributed to tumour tissues, significantly inhibiting tumour growth.
Innovative Environment-Friendly liquid fertilizer bead from sodium alginate coating with IPN membrane derived from Natural rubber and Cassava starch
Authors: Phansroy Nichanan , Boonyod Saowaluk , Mulasake Oanchali , Uttha Apinya , Songkram Channarong , Somboon Theerasap , Kongon Jakkrawut , Lersuwannapong Niwat , Saengsuwan Sayant , Khawdas Wichean , Vudjung Chaiwute
Published: June 2023

This research aims to prepare liquid fertilizer beads formed with sodium alginate (SA) (SAB) that were coated with interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels based on pre-vulcanized natural rubber latex (NR) and cassava starch (St) (IPN NR/St) for controlling the release of the urea solutions. The preparation of SAB at various concentrations of SA and calcium chloride (CaCl2) solutions was investigated. It was found that the appropriate concentrations of SA and CaCl2 solutions were 1.5 and 5.0 wt%, respectively. The obtained SAB was coated with IPN NR/St, the ratio between SAB and IPN NR/St at 1.0/1.0, and the number of coated layers of IPN NR/St at 2 layers. As a result, coated alginate beads (CSAB) can decelerate the release of urea solution, and enhance the Thai eggplant growth. Thus, the CSAB could enhance not only the release control of urea solution but also lesser environmental problems, and is a novel technique for coating and the liquid release control for organic or biofertilizers.
Heavy Metal Estimation in Surface Sediments of Ujani Reservoir, North West of India
Authors: Ghule Yuvraj A. , Gavali Ravindra S , John Nissy ,   4.	Goundla Pradeep Goud
Published: June 2023

The current study was focused to assess the sediment contamination of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Ti) collected from Ujani Reservoir, a tributary of Krishna River located in the industrialized region of Solapur District, Maharashtra. Samples were detected to check the potential contamination status and analyze the degree of usability of the water for domestic purposes. Assessment of seasonal variations of the metal concentrations in the sediments during the pre- monsoon and post-monsoon months showed no significant difference. Sediment contamination was calculated on the basis of Pollution Load Index (PLI), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination Factor (CF) and Potential Ecological Risk Index/ (PERI). The results analyzed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) confirm that Chromium (Cr) and Mercury (Hg) were the major contaminants in the river which indicates direct input of wastes from agriculture and petroleum industries. The outcomes of the results demonstrated that the average value of two recognized heavy metals (Cr), and (Hg), exceeded the safe limits of drinking water, warning the consumption of water from the river is unsafe for domestic purposes. The high concentrations of the metals in the river water may be attributed to the sediment deposition due to man induced activities. These findings may help explicitly to develop new river management strategies and control heavy metal pollution to prevent further damage to fresh water bodies
Mesocosm experiments of temperate marine coastal waters: timing of changes in phytoplankton communities and attachment to plastic plates after nutrient addition
Authors: Lee Chung Hyeon , Lim Young Kyun , Yoon Ji Nam , Baek Seung Ho
Published: June 2023

Anthropogenic pollutants, such as excessive nutrients and marine plastic debris (MPD), can significantly affect marine ecosystems, but the timing and combined effects of these pollutants are poorly understand. Nutrient enrichment commonly occurs in temperate marine coastal waters during autumn due to terrestrial runoff. We established six 1000-L mesocosms and performed experiments for 15 days during November to examine the effects of nutrient enrichment and MPD. The mesocosms (2 replicates per group) had natural seawater (control), low nutrient (LN) seawater, or high nutrient (HN) seawater with polypropylene (PP) plates to mimic the effect of MPD. We recorded the timing of changes in nutrients and other abiotic factors and in phytoplankton in the water column and in the periphyton communities on the PP plates. Cryptomonas spp. was initially dominant in all three groups, but the LN and HN groups shifted to chain diatoms, such as Pseudo-nitzschia spp., and then to Cylindrotheca closterium. Due to significant nutrient uptake by bloom-forming diatoms, most of the nitrate+nitrite and phosphate were consumed within 4 days in the LN group. In contrast, the some nutrients remained in the HN group until day 15, and this was related to the nutrient requirements of other small solitary diatoms, such as C. closterium. Analysis of the PP plates showed that although small numbers of the planktonic diatom Chaetocerosspp. were present from day 4, there was a shift to the attached diatom C. closterium during the middle and end of the experiment, indicating that C. closterium in the water attached to the PP plates even when nutrients levels were low. In addition, Navicula(>20%) was prominent on the PP plates from the middle to the end of the experiment. Notably, the percentage of total Chl. a in the periphyton community, which was associated with nutrient uptake in the HN group, was higher than in the phytoplankton community. This implies that the periphyton biomass in the HN group effectively utilized the remaining nutrients. Our mesocosm experiments provide important ecological insights regarding the timing of changes of phytoplankton in the water column and of microalgae attached to MPD when nutrients and plastic debris are introduced into coastal waters through river discharge after rainfall during autumn in temperate regions.
Potential of computational models in personalized treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: a patient-specific 3-d finite element study
Authors: Ayyalasomayajula Venkat , Moxeness Mads H S , Skallerud Bjørn
Published: June 2023

The upper airway experiences mechanical loads during breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea is a very common sleep disorder, in which the normal function of the airway is compromised, enabling its collapse. Its treatment remains unsatisfactory with variable efficacy in the case of many surgeries. Finite element models of the upper airway to simulate the effects of various anatomic and physiologic manipulations on its mechanics could be helpful in predicting surgical success. Partial 3-D finite element models based on patient-specific CT-scans are generated. The pharyngeal wall, the soft palate, the tongue, and their interactions are aimed at. Anatomic and physiologic operations are then conducted on the generated models to reflect commonly employed surgical techniques. Our results showed that maxillo-mandibular advancement(MAD) surgery of just 1 cm improved the critical closing pressure by atleast 212.2%. Following MAD, the best improvement was seen via uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), with an improvement of at least 19.12%. Palatal and tongue implants also offered a certain degree of improvement. Further, we observed possible interacting mechanisms which suggested simultaneous implementation of UPPP and tongue stiffening; and palatal and tongue stiffening could be beneficial. Our results suggest that computational modeling is a useful tool for analyzing the influence of anatomic and physiological manipulations on upper airway mechanics. The goal of personalized treatment in the case of OSA could be achieved with the use of computational modeling.
Peripheral MC1R activation modulates immune responses and is neuroprotective in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Srivast Pranay , Nishiyama Shuhei , Lin Sonia H , Srivast Akriti , Su Chienwen , Peng Weiyi , Levy Michael , Schwarzschild Michael , Xu Yuehang , Chen Xiqun
Published: June 2023

Background: Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is a key pigmentation gene, and loss-of-function of MC1R variants that produce red hair may be associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). We previously reported compromised dopaminergic neuron survival in Mc1r mutant mice and dopaminergic neuroprotective effects of local injection of a MC1R agonist to the brain or a systemically administered MC1R agonist with appreciable CNS permeability. Beyond melanocytes and dopaminergic neurons, MC1R is expressed in other peripheral tissues and cell types, including immune cells. The present study investigates the impact of NDP-MSH, a synthetic melanocortin receptor (MCR) agonist that does not cross BBB, on the immune system and the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system in mouse model of PD.
Methods: C57BL/6 mice were treated systemically with MPTP.HCl (20 mg/kg) and LPS (1 mg/kg) from day 1 to day 4 and NDP-MSH (400 µg/kg) or vehicle from day 1 to day 12 following which the mice were sacrificed. Peripheral and CNS immune cells were phenotyped and inflammatory markers were measured. The nigrostriatal dopaminergic system was assessed behaviorally, chemically, immunologically, and pathologically. To understand the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in this model, CD25 monoclonal antibody was used to deplete CD25+ Tregs.
Results: Systemic NDP-MSH administration significantly attenuated striatal dopamine depletion and nigral dopaminergic neuron loss induced by MPTP+LPS. It improved the behavioral outcomes in the pole test. Mc1r mutant mice injected with NDP-MSH in the MPTP and LPS paradigm showed no changes in striatal dopamine levels suggesting that the NDP-MSH acts through the MC1R pathway. Although no NDP-MSH was detected in the brain, peripheral, NDP-MSH attenuated neuroinflammation as observed by diminished microglial activation in the nigral region, along with reduced TNF-α and IL1β levels in the ventral midbrain. Depletion of Tregs limited the neuroprotective effects of NDP-MSH.
Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that peripherally acting NDP-MSH confers protection on dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons and reduces hyperactivated microglia. NDP-MSH modulates peripheral immune responses, and Tregs may be involved in the neuroprotective effect of NDP-MSH.
Serum levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) after primary vaccination with BNT162b2
Authors: De Nitto Simone , Pighi Laura , Salvagno Gian Luca , Lippi Giuseppe
Published: June 2023

We retrospectively analyzed 37 male healthy employees (mean age: 61±8 years) of the Pederzoli Hospital in Peschiera del Garda (Verona, Italy) who completed a primary vaccination cycle with the COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2. Blood samples were drawn by standard venipuncture immediately before the first BNT162b2 dose, 21 days thereafter and thus immediately before the second BNT162b2 dose, and 1 month after the second vaccine dose (i.e., 50 days after the first BNT162b2 dose). Serum PSA levels were not significantly different from baseline (median: 0.9 ng/mL; IQR: 0.61-1.88 ng/mL) after the first BNT162b2 dose (median: 0.7 ng/mL; IQR: 0.48-1.26 ng/mL; p=0.074), and were even lower than at baseline after the second BNT162b2 dose (median: 0.7 ng/mL; IQR: 0.39-1.29 ng/mL; p=0.001). Our results suggest that the BNT162b2 vaccine may also have a beneficial effect on prostate biology and function, by reducing circulating PSA levels.
Utilizing YOLO 8x Models, Deep Learning-Based Head protector Detection for Construction Workers
Authors: Raja M. Chithik
Published: June 2023

Many organizations in the sector are becoming increasingly concerned about the safety of construction workers on project sites. At construction sites, safety helmets can help reduce worker injuries, but for a variety of reasons, they are frequently not worn correctly. Therefore, it is essential to have an autonomous safety helmet detection system that uses computer vision. The You Only Look Once (YOLO) principle of real-time computer vision is the foundation of this research poster. After power-law transformation, image rescaling was utilized as the initial stage in image improvement. The YOLOv8 object detection approach was used in the design of a computer vision system to determine whether or not employees were wearing helmets. Our research showed that the YOLOv8x architecture's 95.46% mean average precision (mAP) produced great results in identifying objects. Our experimental findings revealed that 95.46% of the mean average precision (mAP) in YOLOv8x architecture demonstrated excellent results in recognizing safety helmets even in low-light situations.
Introduction to quantum error correction and fault tolerance
Authors: Girvin Steven M.
Published: June 2023

These lecture notes from the 2019 Les Houches Summer School on “Quantum Information Machines” are intended to provide an introduction to classical and quantum error correction with bits and qubits, and with continuous variable systems (harmonic oscillators). The focus on the latter will be on practical examples that can be realized today or in the near future with a modular architecture based on superconducting electrical circuits and microwave photons. The goal and vision is “hardware-efficient” quantum error correction that does not require exponentially large hardware overhead in order to achieve practical and useful levels of fault tolerance and circuit depth.
Demand trade-off between PLSs and markups in the presence of a conventional banking relationship: The case of Moroccan companies
Authors: Ziky Mustapha , El Hamidi Nabil
Published: June 2023

Theoretical explanations based on information asymmetry constitute the dominant paradigm of the near disappearance of PLSs (profit and loss sharing). This assumption implicitly implies a hypothesis on the power of contractual choice exclusively monopolized by Islamic banks. The theoretical positioning in this study to explain the arbitrage between PLSs and markups is based on a lack of demand. In this sense, this paper attempts to verify the demand trade-off of Moroccan companies between PLSs and markups. A logistic regression was used to establish several findings. The evidence suggests that past banking relationships with conventional banks and debt maturity both favor the commercialization of markups. On the other hand, financial quality of firms has no direct impact on the choice between PLSs and markups. This assertion implies that it is incorrect to assume that sole entrepreneurs undertaking high-risk projects choose to be funded by PLSs. Combining that with the fact that companies that agree to be funded by PLSs agree to share profits, private information and decision-making power, it can be said that PLSs can have a good chance of thriving in Morocco if Islamic banks provide a favorable climate for their marketing.
Correcting systematic bias in derived hydrologic simulations – Implications for climate change assessments
Authors: Sharma Ashish , Mehrotra Rajeshwar , Kusumastuti Cilcia
Published: June 2023

Quantifying climate change impact on water resources systems at regional or catchment scales is important in water resources planning and management. General circulation models (GCMs) represent our main source of knowledge about future climate change. However, several key limitations restrict the direct use of GCM simulations for water resource assessments. In particular, the presence of systematic bias and the need for its correction is an essential pre-processing step that improves the quality of GCM simulations, making climate change impact assessments more robust and believable. What exactly is systematic bias? Can systematic bias be quantified if the model is asynchronous with observations or other model simulations? Should model bias be sub-categorized to focus on individual attributes of interest or aggregated to focus on lower moments alone? How would one address bias in multiple attributes without making the correction model complex? How could one be confident that corrected simulations for the yet-to-be-seen future bear a closer resemblance to the truth? How can one meaningfully extrapolate correction to multiple dimensions, without being impacted by the ‘Curse of Dimensionality’? These are some of the questions we attempt to address in the paper.
Assessment of dredging impact on hydrodynamics of Surma River using hydrodynamic model: HEC-RAS approach
Authors: Rony Pritam Karmakar , Uddin Md. Misbah , Amin Gazi Md. Riasat , Munna Dr Gulam Md. , Dibya Dheeman Das
Published: June 2023

Surma River is the main source of fresh water in the South-Eastern region of Bangladesh. Every year, huge amounts of sediment loads are coming from upstream, which are settling down on the Surma River bed, hindering the safe passage of flow that contributes to the change in the hydrodynamic of the river. Recently, dredging has been done in the Sunamganj area to increase the navigability of the river. In this study, the hydrodynamics of the Surma River has been investigated to check the impact of dredging with the help of HEC-RAS. Flood frequency analyses have been done for 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 years return periods, and a comparison of water level, velocity, and discharge has been done before and after dredging. Before dredging the water level, the flow path was very high, and velocity was low, but after dredging the water level, the flow path decreases and velocity increased. Discharge also decreases after dredging in the six stations, which are located in the dredged area, and the values are 1,375.41, 1,374.31, 1,373.73, 1,369.7, 1,373.11, and 1,372.08 m3/s. Before dredging, the values are 1,669.62, 1,665.53, 1,664.69, 1,658.12, 1,624.23, and 1,383.98 m3/s.
Bamboo sawdust-derived high surface area activated carbon for remarkable removal of paracetamol from aqueous solution: sorption kinetics, isotherm, thermodynamics, and regeneration studies
Authors: Wakejo Wondimu Kebede , Meshesha Beteley Tekola , Kang Joon Wun , Demesa Abayneh Getachew
Published: June 2023

Due to its widespread consumption, paracetamol (PCT) has emerged as one of the leading contaminants that pollute water. Herein, a PCT removal of 99.6% was achieved using chemically activated carbon (CAC), derived from bamboo sawdust using KOH/FeCl3 as an activating agent, at optimal conditions of PCT (20 mg/L), CAC (0.5 g/L), contact time (90 min), and pH (8). Kinetic study revealed that the PCT adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.99), indicating that chemical adsorption dominated the adsorption mechanism. On the other hand, isotherm experimental data were best described by the Langmuir (R2 = 0.98) and Freundlich (R2 = 0.96) models. CAC had a maximum Langmuir monolayer capacity of 188.67 mg/g at a PCT concentration of 120 mg/L. Moreover, the Redlich–Peterson model gave the best fit (R2 = 0.99) to the experimental data, confirming that PCT adsorption was monolayer adsorption onto the heterogeneous surface. Thermodynamically, the PCT adsorption was exothermic, spontaneous, and favorable. The reusability study depicted that CAC can be successfully reused for five consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles. Furthermore, the application of CAC to environmental samples showed interesting results. The overall adsorption study indicated that CAC could serve as a promising adsorbent for eliminating PCT from water.
Mapeamento de Vulnerabilidade Ambiental da Sub-bacia do Rio Bodó, na região da Serra de Santana, estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil
Authors: Cardoso de Araujo Raquel , Dantas Moreira Gomes Daniel , Yure Gomes dos Santos José , Martins Moura-Fé Marcelo
Published: June 2023

As Bacias Hidrográficas constituem um sistema natural equilibrado e são importantes unidades de planejamento dos recursos hídricos que compõem os sistemas ambientais. Considerando a relevância do planejamento e gestão ambiental na atualidade, este artigo tem por objetivo realizar o mapeamento de vulnerabilidade ambiental da sub-bacia do Rio Bodó, na região da Serra de Santana, RN, com a aplicação de álgebra de mapas e análise integrada de suas variáveis físicas e ambientais. Para isso, foram confeccionados mapas de declividade, índice de dissecação, geologia, pedologia e vegetação. Esses mapas receberam pesos, conforme sua estabilidade/vulnerabilidade morfodinâmica, e posteriormente combinados em álgebra de mapas. A carta gerada com a combinação desses fatores apresentou cinco classes de vulnerabilidade para a sub-bacia em questão: muito fraca, fraca, moderada, forte e muito forte. É importante destacar a necessidade de estudos com vistas a quantificar com maior acurácia a vulnerabilidade ambiental em áreas de sub-bacias e, desse modo, dirimir o planejamento e a gestão ambiental dos seus recursos com o manejo sustentável do seu território.
Óleo de Crambe (Crambe abyssinica) pré-aquecido em motor ciclo Diesel
Authors: Martins Bomfati Bruna , Colonhese Delalibera Hevandro , Riyuiti Higashibara Leandro , Alberti Gomes Jaime , Weirich Neto Pedro Henrique
Published: June 2023

Estudos apontam derivados de óleos vegetais e animais como substitutos ao petrodiesel (PD). Porém, o uso destes como combustível requerem transformações ou estratégias para reduzir sua viscosidade. Sendo assim realizou-se experimento utilizando óleo de crambe (CR) pré-aquecido a 100 °C em motor ciclo Diesel (PD). Avaliou-se CR e PD, a cada 15h de funcionamento, em quatro regimes de absorção, até 100 h de trabalho. Os regimes foram, 1100 rpm sem carga, 1800 rpm sem carga, 1800 rpm com 51% e com 66% de potência nominal. Observou-se que o consumo de CR foi superior ao de PD, com diferença mais pronunciada nos regimes sob carga, observou-se perda de potência relativa maior no uso de CR quando da mudança de carga. Não houve diferença entre os dois combustíveis para a eficiência térmica. Para o fluído de arrefecimento e lubrificante, foram observadas temperaturas maiores para o CR, porém a temperatura dos gases de exaustão e a pressão do lubrificante foram maiores para o PD. Ao fim do ensaio, houve aumento das pressões de compressão e de abertura do injetor, e os elementos injetores apresentaram carbonização, de difícil remoção, desgaste e sinais de superaquecimento. Não houveram evidências de degradação do lubrificante.