bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital technologies for motor rehabilitation in children: protocol for a cross-sectional European survey
Authors: Pons Christelle , Brochard Sylvain , Grigoriu Anca , Newman Christopher J , Monbaliu Elegast , Mensah-Gourmel Johanne , Gaudin-Drouelle Delphine , Toumi Anis , Konings Marco , de la Cruz Javier
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Digital technologies can be used as part of paediatric motor rehabilitation to remediate impairment, promote recovery and improve function. However, the uptake of digital technologies in this clinical field may be limited.

The aim of this study is to describe and explain digital technology use for paediatric motor rehabilitation. The specific objectives will be: (1) to describe the access to, acceptance of and use of digital technologies as a function of individual factors related to professionals practicing motor rehabilitation with children, and of environmental factors related to paediatric rehabilitation practice and (2) to explain digital technology use with a causal model based on the ‘unified theory of acceptance and use of technology’.

Methods and analysis

RehaTech4child (Rehabilitation Technologies For children) is a cross-sectional study involving an online survey, that is sponsored by the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD). The survey protocol follows the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology and CHERRIES (Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys) guidelines. The survey includes 43 questions about (1) respondents’ individual and environmental characteristics; (2) the ease of access to digital technologies, and the frequency, type and purpose of use of those technologies and (3) acceptance of technologies and barriers to their use. The survey is intended for professionals involved in paediatric motor rehabilitation. It is disseminated across Europe by the EACD network in 20 languages. Participation is anonymous and voluntary. We aim to include 500 respondents to ensure sufficient precision for the description of study outcomes and to perform stratified analyses by the main determinants.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was waived by the Brest CHRU Institutional Review Board. The study is conducted according to current French legislation (loi Jardé (n°2012-300)) and the survey is GDPR compliant. Study findings will be presented at national and international meetings and submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

NCT05176522.
‘I never leave my house without praying’: a qualitative exploration of the psychospiritual experiences of ethnically diverse healthcare staff during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gill Harmandeep Kaur , Chastney Juliet , Patel Riya , Nyatanga Brian , Henshall Catherine , Harrison Guy
Published: April 2023

Objectives

The study aimed to understand the psychospiritual experiences and support needs of ethnically diverse healthcare staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

A qualitative study using focus groups conducted remotely on Microsoft Teams.

Setting

The study took place across 10 National Health Service Trusts in England: 5 were Acute Hospital Trusts and 5 were Community and Mental Health Trusts.

Participants

Fifty-five participants were recruited to the study across 16 focus group meetings. Participants were all National Health Service staff from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Results

Psychospiritual concerns were central to participants’ understanding of themselves and their work in the National Health Service. Participants felt there was limited recognition of spirituality within the health service. They described close links between their spirituality and their ethnicities and felt that the psychospiritual support offered within the healthcare setting was not reflective of diverse ethnic and spiritual needs. Improved psychospiritual care was viewed as an opportunity to connect more deeply with other colleagues, rather than using the more individualistic interventions on offer. Participants requested greater compassion and care from leadership teams. Participants described both positive and negative changes in their spirituality as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions

Culturally sensitive psychospiritual support is a key aspect of healthcare staff’s well-being, despite identified gaps in this area. Aside from affecting physical, psychological, social and financial aspects of healthcare staff’s lives, the pandemic has also had a significant impact on the ways that people experience spirituality.
Association between extreme rainfall and acute respiratory infection among children under-5 years in sub-Saharan Africa: an analysis of Demographic and Health Survey data, 2006–2020
Authors: Uttajug Athicha , Ueda Kayo , Seposo Xerxes , Francis Joel Msafiri
Published: April 2023

Objective

Despite an increase in the number of studies examining the association between extreme weather events and infectious diseases, evidence on respiratory infection remains scarce. This study examined the association between extreme rainfall and acute respiratory infection (ARI) in children aged <5 years in sub-Saharan Africa.

Setting

Study data were taken from recent (2006–2020) Demographic and Health Survey data sets from 33 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Participants

280 157 children aged below 5 years were included.

Outcome measures

The proportions of ARI according to individual, household and geographical characteristics were compared using the χ2test. The association between extreme rainfall (≥90th percentile) and ARI was examined using multivariate logistic regression for 10 of 33 countries with an adequate sample size of ARI and extreme rainfall events. The model was adjusted for temperature, comorbidity and sociodemographic factors as covariates. Stratification analyses by climate zone were also performed.

Results

The prevalence of ARI in children aged <5 years ranged from 1.0% to 9.1% across sub-Saharan Africa. By country, no significant association was observed between extreme rainfall and ARI, except in Nigeria (OR: 2.14, 95% CI 1.06 to 4.31). Larger effect estimates were observed in the tropical zone (OR: 1.13, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.84) than in the arid zone (OR: 0.72, 95% CI 0.17 to 2.95), although the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

We found no association between extreme rainfall and ARI in sub-Saharan Africa. Effect estimates tended to be larger in the tropical zone where intense rainfall events regularly occur. Comprehensive studies to investigate subsequent extreme climate events, such as flooding, are warranted in the future.
Evaluating the optimised font size and viewing time of online learning in young children: a multicentre cross-sectional study
Authors: MA LU , Yu Xi , Gong Ling , Wei Lili , Peng Zisu , Wang Kai , Li Yan , Zhou Jiawei , Zhao Mingwei
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Near viewing distance (VD) and longer viewing times are associated with myopia. This study aimed to identify the font size and viewing time that guarantee the appropriate VD and pixels per degree (PPD) for children’s online learning.

Design

This cross-sectional study comprised two experiments. In experiment A, participants read text in five font sizes on three backlit displays (a personal computer, a smartphone and a tablet), an E-ink display and paper for 5 min per font size. In experiment B, participants watched videos for 30 min on three backlit displays.

Setting

The Peking University People’s Hospital in Beijing (China) and the School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University (Zhejiang Province, China).

Participants

Thirty-five participants completed experiment A. Ten of them participated in experiment B.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

VDs were measured by Clouclip. The corresponding PPD was calculated.

Results

In experiment A, font size and display type significantly affected VD (F(4840)=149.44, p<0.001, ES (Effect size)=0.77; F(4840), p<0.001, ES=0.37). VDs were >33 cm for all five font sizes on the PC, the tablet and paper and for 18-pt on the smartphone and 16-pt on E-ink. PPD for 16-pt on the PC, 14-pt on the tablet and all five font sizes on the phone were >60. In experiment B, VD increased over the four previous 5 min periods but decreased slightly on tablets and PCs in the fifth 5 min period. PPD was >60.

Conclusion

Children demonstrated different VDs and PPDs based on font size and display type. To ensure a 33 cm VD and 60 PPD, the minimum font size for online reading should be 18-pt on smartphones, 16-pt on PCs and E-ink, 10.5-pt on tablets and 9-pt on paper. More attention should be given to children’s VD with continuous video viewing of more than 25 min.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2100049584.
Influence of multi-stratification and multi-slip on the radiative MHD flow of Carreau fluid
Authors: Faraz Faraz , Siddique Imran , Imran Syed Muhammad , Ali Bagh
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we scrutinize the impacts of multi-slip with multi-stratification on nanoparticles MHD Carreau fluid flow through a time-dependent stretching sheet with thermal radiation. We obtain the solution upon the application of the Keller-box scheme with an implicit finite-difference scheme. The influence of thermal stratification and concentration stratification is also being measured. The differentce parameters’ influence on the fluid flow is illustrated in diagrams and the quantitative numerical findings are well-argued. For increasing heavier species, fluid index and the reaction rate parameter with Prandtl number [Formula: see text], 10.0 and 15.0 will decrease the concentration of fluid within its boundary limits. Behavior of Weisenberg number on fluid velocity is studied. Moreover, fluid velocity declines as the unsteady parameter rises, while the temperature and concentration significantly decrease. Higher values of solutal and thermal stratification parameters result in decay of velocity and thermal boundary layer thickness while the fluid temperature reflects the opposite behavior.
Quantum heat engine with identical particles and level degeneracy
Authors: Zhang H. W. , Huang X. L. , Wu S. L.
Published: April 2023

In this paper, the effects of identical particles and energy-level degeneracy on the work output of the quantum Otto and Stirling heat engines are studied. For quantum Otto heat engine, we find the effects of degeneracy in the ground state and in the excited state are same in the high-temperature limitation while the work done by a system with n-fold degeneracy in the excited state (ground state) is n ([Formula: see text]) times the one without degeneracy in the single-particle case. Moreover, the effects of the identical two-level systems with degeneracy in the ground state or excited state as working substances are discussed. The results of such problem for the Stirling and Carnot heat engines are similar. By analytical derivations in two limit conditions, we conclude that for the cycles which are composed of the quantum adiabatic process, isochoric process and isothermal process have similar results.
Quadratic convection on the radiative flow of ternary nanofluid Gr–Ag–TiO2–H2O subjected to velocity slip and temperature jump
Authors: Puneeth V. , Anandika R. , Manjunatha S. , Makinde O. D.
Published: April 2023

This paper deals with the analysis of the flow and heat transfer performance of ternary nanofluid flowing past a stretching sheet under the influence of quadratic convection. The ternary nanofluid is formed by suspending three different nanoparticles, namely, titanium dioxide (TiO2), silver (Ag) and graphene (Gr) in the base fluid water (H2O). Thus, the ternary nanofluid obtained is Gr–Ag–TiO2/H2O where the hybrid nanofluid Ag–TiO2/H2O forms the base fluid for the resulting ternary nanofluid. The addition of TiO2 nanoparticles enhances the photocatalytic nature of the base fluid and makes it useful in various applications concerning the medicinal field. The presence of Gr helps in intensifying the thermal conductivity of water while the suspension of silver nanoparticles ensures chemical stability. Meanwhile, the thermophysical properties of the ternary nanofluid are mathematically defined and the system of equations that describe the flow of a ternary nanofluid past a stretching sheet is framed using differential equations. The outcomes of this study are interpreted through graphs for velocity and temperature profiles of the ternary nanofluid. It was mainly observed that the thermal conductance of ternary nanofluid was higher than the monophase and hybrid nanofluid. Also, the presence of quadratic convection had a prominent impact on the ternary nanofluid flow. The Nusselt number was found to be greater for spherical nanoparticles and it was found to be least for blade-shaped nanoparticles.
Facile synthesis of highly macroporous Gum Arabic hydrophilic cryogel for dyes adsorption
Authors: Rehman Shams Ur , Farooq Muhammad , Haleem Abdul , Ambreen Jaweria , Siddiq Muhammad , Althobaiti Saja Abdulrahman
Published: April 2023

Porous materials are promising candidates for the removal of organic pollutants from different water bodies. Among porous materials, cryogels are more attractive candidates due to their macro-porosity and rapid adsorption. This work evaluated the fabrication and adsorption capability of macro-porous Gum Arabic-based Cryogel. The fabricated Gum Arabic cryogel was modified and protonated to the protonated modified Gum Arabic Cryogel to compare its adsorption capacities for three different dyes. The successful fabrication of cryogel was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Thermal gravimetric analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The protonated modified Gum Arabic Cryogel showed enhanced adsorption capability towards subjected dyes by following second-order rate kinetics. These cryogels can be employed as an efficient adsorbent to remove toxic contaminants from wastewater effluents.
Calculating electron transport properties scattered by inhomogeneous distributed Aluminium Galium Arsenide material in cylindrical nanowire
Authors: Alqarni Manal M. , Jammal Nada H. , Aldawsari Sarah M. , Raffah Bahaaudin M.
Published: April 2023

In this paper, the R-matrix method and Wigner–Eisenbud functions (WEFs) are used to compute the transport properties of an electron scattered in a cylindrical nanowire doped with Aluminium Galium Arsenide (AlGaAs) in the scattering region. In these calculations, a Gaussian potential was used to represent the AlGaAs dopants. The nanowire is considered a closed system. By assuming quantum transport, the electron flows in an elastic process from source to drain. An electron with energy E coming from the source can either be reflected or transmitted to the drain. One-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nanowire calculations were performed. The transmission coefficients show an inverse relation with the depth of the Gaussian potential and depend on the incident energy of the electron.
Effects of coupling with a quantum oscillator on time-evolution of uncertainties of a quantum particle and entanglement entropy
Authors: He Pei-Song
Published: April 2023

The time evolution of a quantum particle’s product of uncertainties in position and momentum is calculated when it is coupled with an external source. We have used a simple toy model where the particle is subject to a harmonic potential and coupled with an equivalent harmonic oscillator via a linear term. It is found that the long-time-averaged product is an increasing function of the coupling strength. It diverges when one of the eigenmodes of the coupled system goes soft, with the singular term twice of that for the stationary state. Generally, there is a jump of finite size for this quantity when a small coupling is turned on, compared to the uncoupled case. Similar behaviors have also been found for the von Neumann entanglement entropy, which is calculated exactly using a covariance matrix formalism. We find that the mode-interference plays an important role in the main features of this work.
DYNAMICAL ANALYSIS OF TB MODEL WITH NONLINEAR INCIDENCE RATE AND OPTIMAL CONTROL
Authors: LI SHUPING , LIU HUAFANG
Published: April 2023

We propose and analyze a TB transmission model with nonlinear incidence rate, immunization and medical treatment. First, the existences and stabilities of the equilibrium are studied. The results indicate the basic reproduction number [Formula: see text] is the threshold of disease extinction and persistence. The disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable when [Formula: see text], and the disease will gradually disappear. The unique positive equilibrium is local stability and the disease is uniformly persistent when [Formula: see text]. Second, optimal control is added to the original model because of limited resources. Finally, the stability of the equilibrium and the theoretical results of optimal control are verified by numerical simulations, and the sensitivity of the parameters is analyzed by the PRCC method.
Distributional Dynamics Amidst Resource Abundance: The Implications of Structural and Institutional Transformations
Authors: Uche Emmanuel , Nwaeze Nnamdi Chinwendu , Akonye Joseph Enyioma
Published: April 2023

A critical evaluation of prior studies indicates that the roles of structural and institutional transformations in moderating natural resource-inequality dynamics is understudied. Moreover, very little is known about such dynamics in resource-rich sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. To cover the literature gaps, this study harnesses annual panel datasets comprising natural resource rent, structural transformation, institutional quality and technology for the top 10 resource-rich SSA countries over 2000–2018 for empirical evaluations. After ascertaining long-run coevolution among the series, the estimates of the panel quantile regression depict that natural resource abundance is the leading cause of income disparities in these countries; hence, it promotes inequality significantly across all quantiles of the distributions. Furthermore, at the 5th quantile, both structural and institutional transformations deaccelerate inequality insignificantly, but at the 10th quantile, institutional reforms engender equitable income distributions. Notably, beyond the 10th and 50th quantiles, institutional and structural reforms significantly promote income disparities. Additionally, at the 10th quantile, technology marginally promotes equitable income distributions, but at the 60th, 70th and 80th quantiles, technology significantly promotes inequality. Implicatively, a blend of structural reforms and technological improvements within the thresholds around 10th and 50th quantiles could ensure equitable prosperities in the region. Among other policy options highlighted herein, pro-equity redistributive policies that ensure no one is left behind are expedient to eliminate income disparities in these countries.
“Who Said That?” Applying the Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique to Social Telepresence
Authors: Coyne Adam K. , Sapkota Keshav , McGinn Conor
Published: April 2023

As with all remotely controlled robots, successful teleoperation of social and telepresence robots relies greatly on operator situation awareness; however, existing situation awareness measurements, most being originally created for military purposes, are not adapted to the context of social interaction. We propose an objective technique for telepresence evaluation based on the widely accepted Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique, adjusted to suit social contexts. This was trialled in a between-subjects participant study (
n
= 56) comparing the effect of mono and spatial (binaural) audio feedback on operator situation awareness during robot teleoperation in a simulated social telepresence scenario. Subjective data were also recorded, including questions adapted from Witmer and Singer’s Presence Questionnaire, as well as qualitative feedback from participants. No significant differences in situation awareness measurements were detected; however, correlations observed between measures call for further research. This study and its findings are a potential starting point for the development of social situation awareness assessment techniques, which can inform future social and telepresence robot design decisions.
Understanding Charge-Transfer and Mass-Transfer Effects on Dendrite Growth and Fast Charging of Li Metal Battery
Authors: Gao Li Ting , Huang Pingyuan , Guo Zhan-Sheng
Published: April 2023

Lithium (Li) metal is facing the challenge of poor cyclic performance and potential safety hazards caused by Li dendrites growth. Herein, the role of charge-transfer and mass-transfer process on dendrite growth and fast charging is illustrated. The effects of charge-transfer coefficient, applied current density, concave-convex structure, and properties of artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on guiding the Li dendrite growth are investigated via an electrochemical multiphysics model. The charge-transfer coefficient is meaningful for regulating the redox rate of electrode surface. Large applied current density and high ion conductivity of artificial SEI influence the distribution of local deposition rate significantly. Different deposition behaviors are found on concave and convex Li metal surfaces. The convex surface is sensitive than concave surface and is easy to generate Li dendrites under the conditions of high applied current density and high ion conductivity. Moreover, the experimental results can well reflect the influence of dendrite growth and dead Li on the capacity. This study not only provides an essential perspective on designing the artificial SEI for resolving the harmful dendrite issues but also boosts the practical applicability of Li metal battery.
Estimates of persistent inward currents in lower limb motoneurons are larger in females than in males
Authors: Jenz Sophia T. , Beauchamp James A. , Gomes Matheus M. , Negro Francesco , Heckman C. J. , Pearcey Gregory E. P.
Published: April 2023

Sex-related differences in motoneuron analyses have emerged with greater inclusion of female participants, however, mechanisms for these differences remain unclear. Estimates of persistent inward currents (i.e., Δ F) in motoneurons of the lower limb muscles were larger in females than in males. This suggests neuromodulatory drive, monoaminergic signaling, intrinsic motoneuron properties, and/or descending motor commands may differ between the sexes, which provides a potential mechanism underlying previously reported sex-related differences in motoneuron discharge patterns.
Dynamic Weighted Symbiotic Organisms Search Algorithm for Global Optimization Problems
Authors: Zhao Pengjun , Liu Sanyang
Published: April 2023

The symbiotic organisms search (SOS) algorithm is a current effective meta-heuristic algorithm, which is been applied to solve various types of optimization problems. However, the SOS can easily lead to overexploration in the parasitism phase, and it is difficult to balance between exploration and exploitation capabilities. In the present work, two extended versions of the SOS are proposed. Two different weight strategies (i.e., random-weight and adaptive-weight) are utilized to generate the weighted mutual vector, respectively. Meanwhile, the best organism is employed to produce the modified artificial parasite vector. The performance of the two improved algorithms is evaluated on 35 test functions. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithms are able to provide very promising results. Furthermore, five real-world problems are solved by the two newly proposed methods. Experimental results demonstrate that the presented algorithms are more efficient than the compared algorithms. All the obtained results further indicate that the two proposed algorithms are competitive and provide better results when compared to a wide range of algorithms, including SOS and its five modified versions, as well as ten other meta-heuristic algorithms.
Generalized Linear Regression Model to Determine the Threshold Effects of Climate Variables on Dengue Fever: A Case Study on Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Shamima
Published: April 2023

One of the leading causes of the increase in the intensity of dengue fever transmission is thought to be climate change. Examining panel data from January 2000 to December 2021, this study discovered the nonlinear relationship between climate variables and dengue fever cases in Bangladesh. To determine this relationship, in this study, the monthly total rainfall in different years has been divided into two thresholds: (90 to 360 mm) and (<90 or >360 mm), and the daily average temperature in different months of the different years has been divided into four thresholds: (16°C to ≤20°C), (>20°C to ≤25°C), (>25°C to ≤28°C), and (>28°C to ≤30°C). Then, quasi-Poisson and zero-inflated Poisson regression models were applied to assess the relationship. This study found a positive correlation between temperature and dengue incidence and furthermore discovered that, among those four average temperature thresholds, the total number of dengue cases is maximum if the average temperature falls into the threshold (>28°C to ≤30°C) and minimum if the average temperature falls into the threshold (16°C to ≤20°C). This study also discovered that between the two thresholds of monthly total rainfall, the risk of a dengue fever outbreak is approximately two times higher when the monthly total rainfall falls into the thresholds (90 mm to 360 mm) compared to the other threshold. This study concluded that dengue fever incidence rates would be significantly more affected by climate change in regions with warmer temperatures. The number of dengue cases rises rapidly when the temperature rises in the context of moderate to low rainfall. This study highlights the significance of establishing potential temperature and rainfall thresholds for using risk prediction and public health programs to prevent and control dengue fever.
Research on Residual Bearing Capacity Calculation Method and Changing Law of Prestressed Concrete Box Girder with Damage
Authors: Yu Zinan , Wang Jianhong , Cao Wenlong , Zhou Jianwei
Published: April 2023

Due to the simple design and convenient construction of prestressed concrete box girder bridges, it is widely used in bridge construction in China. At present, the load test of bridge is the most direct and effective method to evaluate the actual bearing capacity of the structure. However, this method has barriers including high cost, long time, and unfriendly to the damaged structure. Besides, the calculation method of the ultimate bearing capacity of damaged structures is relatively subjective and uncertain. Therefore, this study combines the full‐size model test results of a newly built 30 m prestressed concrete box girder, and the mechanical properties of the test beam under three different working states (elastic, elastic‐plastic, and plastic stage) are obtained. The stiffness degradation and bearing capacity change law of precast prestressed concrete box girder during failure are investigated. Two different stiffness damage reduction coefficients are defined. Combined with the structural characteristics of this kind of precast prestressed concrete box girder and the calculation formula of flexural rigidity of cracked members given by the code, the calculation formula of the actual residual bearing capacity of members is proposed based on the stiffness damage reduction coefficient. The results show that the reduction coefficients of flexural stiffness defined by the two methods have the same variation trend. The stiffness reduction effect of the box girder after damage is evident. The stiffness reduction of the box girder from the cracking damage to the ultimate bearing capacity state is about 40%, and the stiffness reduction of the two adjacent sections can be approximately linear distribution. The deviation between the residual bearing capacity calculated based on the stiffness damage reduction coefficient and the test value is less than 5%. Combined with the distribution law of the stiffness reduction coefficient along the longitudinal section of the box girder, the distribution law of the actual residual bearing capacity along the longitudinal section of the box girder after the damage occurred in the midspan section can be calculated. This calculation method changes the previous assessment method of structural technical condition from qualitative assessment to quantitative assessment, which can be the reference for evaluating the technical condition of damaged bridges and the calculation of residual bearing capacity in engineering.
Study on Mechanical Properties of Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular Members under Axial Tension
Authors: Gao Huaguo , Zhang Lingxin , Wang Xiuchun , Sun Renjie , Wang Qingli , Yang Lu
Published: April 2023

At present, the concrete-filled steel tube structure has been widely used in various practical projects. Due to the low tensile strength of the core concrete of round steel tube concrete (CFST) specimens, the axial tensile performance of CFST specimens is far from superior to its compressive performance. However, in practical projects, the concrete-filled steel tube members bearing tensile load often appear. In order to study the axial tensile properties of CFST specimens, the axial tensile tests of 5 CFST specimens and 1 pure steel tube specimen were carried out with steel tube diameter and concrete strength as variation parameters. The results show that the bearing capacity of CFST specimens is increased by 7.5%–16.3% compared with that of pure steel tube specimens with the same cross-sectional area, mainly because the core concrete limits the circumferential shrinkage of the outer steel tube. The larger the cross-sectional area of CFST specimens is, the higher the bearing capacity is. In this paper, the stress-strain relationship and the overall failure mode of CFST members under tensile force are studied, and the deformation characteristics and stress of steel pipe and core concrete are analyzed, which is expected to provide a reference for the application of CFST specimens in practical engineering.
[Retracted] circSOX4 Enhances Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression via miR‐218‐5p/YY1 Signaling
Authors: Jia Tengfei , Wang Li , Zhang Wenbin , Hu Yuting , Tuerxun Kamili
Published: April 2023

Liver cancer ranks fifth leading malignancy in incidence and third in mortality worldwide. Recently, its comprehensive treatment has greatly progressed; however, the prognosis is still poor due to difficulties in early diagnosis, high recurrence and metastasis rates, and lack of specific treatment. The search for new molecular biological factors that target the early diagnosis of cancer, predict recurrence, evaluate treatment efficacy, and identify high‐risk individuals and specific therapeutic targets during follow‐up becomes a great urgent task. circSOX4 is upregulated in lung cancer and plays the role of oncogene. This study attempted to assess circSOX4’s role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC tissues and cells were collected to measure circSOX4 level by qRT‐PCR, cell behaviors by CCK‐8 assay and Transwell assay, and relationship between circSOX4 and downstream targets by dual‐luciferase gene assay and RIP. circSOX4 was upregulated in HCC tissue and cell lines, and its level was correlated with reduced patient survival. Interestingly, circSOX4 knockdown reduced HCC behaviors, glucose consumption, and lactate production. Furthermore, circSOX4 knockdown resulted in decreased in vivo tumor growth. circSOX4 was confirmed to target miR‐218‐5p, and the effect of circSOX4 downregulation on inhibiting tumor growth was diminished after miR‐218‐5p inhibition or YY1 overexpression in HCC cells. circSOX4 expression is closely associated with HCC through miR‐218‐5p and YY1‐dependent pathways and may be a target and marker for HCC.
Embedded Gateway Security Detection Technology Based on the Deep Neural Network Rule Extraction
Authors: Shi Jianming , Feng Tao
Published: April 2023

Aiming at the network security problem of power system cable trench control industrial Internet system, we studied an intrusion detection method applied to the embedded industrial Internet of Things gateway. This method extracts rules from the DBN-DNN deep neural network to obtain intrusion detection models that are conducive to integration into embedded systems. We first use the DBN network to reduce the dimensionality of the data, then use the DNN to train the classification model, and extract the rules from the DNN’s neurons to form a rule tree for intrusion detection. The KDD CUP99 training database is used to verify the feasibility of the method, and the test is carried out in the embedded gateway. The results show that the detection method based on rule extraction used in this paper can ensure detection efficiency and accuracy compared to the traditional detection methods. At the same time, it saves more computing resources and is more conducive to integration in embedded gateway systems.
Current Concepts of Fracture-Related Infection
Authors: He Si-ying , Yu Bin , Jiang Nan
Published: April 2023

Currently, fracture-related infection (FRI) still represents great challenges in front of orthopaedic surgeons, despite great advances that have been achieved regarding its diagnosis and treatment. Although both FRI and prosthetic joint infection (PJI) belong to osteoarticular infections and share similarities, FRI displays unique characteristics. Diagnosis of FRI is sometimes difficult owing to the nonspecific symptoms, and treatment is usually tricky, with a high risk of infection recurrence. In addition, the long disease course is associated with a significantly elevated risk of disability, both physically and psychologically. Moreover, such a disorder still poses heavy economic burdens to the patients, both personally and socially. Therefore, early diagnosis and reasonable treatment are the key issues for increasing the cure rate, decreasing the risks of infection relapse and disability, and improving the life quality and prognosis of the patients. In this review, we summarized the present concepts regarding the definition, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of FRI.
MicroRNA-Based Markers of Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Buccal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systems Biology Approach
Authors: Shojaei Setareh , Menbari Pouya , Jamshidi Shokoofeh , Taherkhani Amir
Published: April 2023

Objective. Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) and buccal squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) are the first and second leading causes of oral cancer, respectively. OTSCC and BSCC are associated with poor prognosis in patients with oral cancer. Thus, we aimed to indicate signaling pathways, Gene Ontology terms, and prognostic markers mediating the malignant transformation of the normal oral tissue to OTSCC and BSCC. Methods. The dataset GSE168227 was downloaded and reanalyzed from the GEO database. Orthogonal partial least square (OPLS) analysis identified common differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) in OTSCC and BSCC compared to their adjacent normal mucosa. Next, validated targets of DEMs were identified using the TarBase web server. With the use of the STRING database, a protein interaction map (PIM) was created. Using the Cytoscape program, hub genes and clusters within the PIM were shown. Next, gene-set enrichment analysis was carried out using the g:Profiler tool. Using the GEPIA2 web tool, analyses of gene expression and survival analysis were also performed. Results. Two DEMs, including has-miR-136 and has-miR-377, were common in OTSCC and BSCC (

p

value <0.01; |Log2 FC| > 1). A total of 976 targets were indicated for common DEMs. PIM included 96 hubs, and the upregulation of EIF2S1, CAV1, RAN, ANXA5, CYCS, CFL1, MYC, HSP90AA1, PKM, and HSPA5 was significantly associated with a poor prognosis in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), while NTRK2, HNRNPH1, DDX17, and WDR82 overexpression was significantly linked to favorable prognosis in the patients with HNSCC. “Clathrin-mediated endocytosis” was considerably dysregulated in OTSCC and BSCC. Conclusion. The present study suggests that has-miR-136 and has-miR-377 are underexpressed in OTSCC and BSCC than in normal oral mucosa. Moreover, EIF2S1, CAV1, RAN, ANXA5, CYCS, CFL1, MYC, HSP90AA1, PKM, HSPA5, NTRK2, HNRNPH1, DDX17, and WDR82 demonstrated prognostic markers in HNSCC. These findings may benefit the prognosis and management of individuals with OTSCC/BSCC. However, additional experimental verification is required.
Comparative Assessment of Three Medicinal Plants against Diabetes and Oxidative Stress Using Experimental and Computational Approaches
Authors: Shah Md. Shahin , Talukder Md. Saddam Hossain , Uddin A. M. Kafil , Hasan Muhammad Nazmul , Sayem Syed Al Jawad , Mostafa-Hedeab Gomaa , Rahman Md. Masudur , Sharma Rohit , Swelum Ayman A. , Mohamed Amany Abdel-Rahman , Emran Talha Bin
Published: April 2023

The hilly and rural areas’ people of Bangladesh have a great history of putting into use numerous traditional medicinal plants to cure diseases. Therefore, with ethanol extract of Molineria capitulata (EEMC), methanol extract of Trichosanthes tricuspidata (METT), and methanol extract of Amorphophallus campanulatus (MEAC), we mandate evaluation of in vitro α‐amylase inhibition, antioxidants, and molecular docking, and ADMET/T analysis. According to iodine starch methods, α‐amylase inhibition was performed, and quantitative total phenolic and flavonoid content was determined by established methods, whereas DPPH free radical scavenging and reducing power assays were performed in previously established protocols, respectively. A comparative study among three plants (EEMC, METT, and MEAC) possessed a significant (p < 0.01) effect but EEMC showed the highest impact on enzyme inhibition. Plants in the measuring phenolic content METT and flavonoid measurement MEAC displayed most potent in the same way in the DPPH test was METT, and in reducing power capability MEAC has showed the highest effect between three extracts. Docking’s study also reveals the compounds of METT (Cyclotricuspidoside A and Cyclotricuspidoside C) exhibit the superior score among all the compounds. This finding indicates that EEMC, METT, and MEAC substantially impact α‐amylase inhibition along with antioxidants. In silico study also reveals the potency of these plants, but further in‐depth, precise molecular studies are needed.
Dietary Riboflavin Requirement of Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)
Authors: Sanjeewani Kokila , Lee Kyeong-Jun
Published: April 2023

This study was conducted to determine the dietary riboflavin requirement and its effects on growth performance, feed utilization, innate immunity, and diet digestibility of Litopenaeus vannamei. A riboflavin-free basal diet (R0) was formulated as a control, and six other diets were prepared by adding riboflavin of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 mg/kg to the basal diet (designated as R10, R20, R30, R40, R50, and R60, respectively). Quadruplicate groups of shrimp (initial average weight

0.17
±
0.00
 
g

) were fed the diets six times a day for 8 weeks. Weight gain, specific growth rate, and protein efficiency ratio were significantly increased by riboflavin (

p
<
0.05

). The maximum values were observed in shrimp fed R40 diet. The highest activities of phenoloxidase, nitro blue tetrazolium, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were observed in shrimp fed R40 diet. Lysozyme activity was significantly higher in shrimp fed R30 and R40 diets than that of shrimp fed R60 diet (

p
<
0.05

). Intestinal villi were significantly longer in shrimp fed R50 and R60 diets compared to those of all other groups while the shortest villi were observed in R0 group (

p
<
0.05

). Intestinal villi were clearly distinguished in shrimp fed higher levels of riboflavin compared to those of shrimp fed R0 and R10 diets. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter and protein in diets were not significantly affected by riboflavin levels (

p
<
0.05

). Whole-body proximate composition and hemolymph biochemical parameters were not significantly altered by dietary riboflavin (

p
<
0.05

). Therefore, the results of this study indicate that riboflavin is essential to enhance growth performance, feed utilization, nonspecific immunity, and intestine morphology of shrimp. An optimal riboflavin requirement for the maximum growth of L. vannamei seems to be approximately 40.9 mg/kg diet.
Mechanical Analysis of Junction Pier of Fuzhou-Xiamen High-Speed Railway Rigid-Frame Bridge
Authors: Weng Fangwen , Liu Fuxing
Published: April 2023

The continuous rigid structure bridge on both sides of the Quanzhou Bay Crossing Bridge uses double-limbed thin-walled flexible piers for the junction piers between the links, and the whole bridge has no bearings. In China, the monolithic bearing-free prestressed concrete continuous rigid-frame bridge is used in railway bridges. The junction pier between the two adjacent couplets is a double-leg thin-walled flexible pier. The single leg thin-walled pier is connected with half of the pier-top segment. During the construction process, the block with numbered zero on the top of the pier is temporarily anchored and connected. Symmetrical cantilevered baskets are used on both sides for construction, and after the mid-pier cantilevered construction is completed, the temporary anchoring device for the block with numbered zero is removed. Because the structural system conversion is required in the construction, the mechanical properties of the junction pier will change greatly before and after the conversion, so it is very necessary to calculate and analyze it to master. In this paper, the finite element model of the connecting pier is established accurately, the stress and deformation of each part of the connecting pier under unfavorable working conditions is analyzed in detail, the seismic spectrum analysis under the action of common earthquake and rare earthquake is carried out, and the stress and deformation law of the structure is expounded, which can provide some reference for the construction of similar projects in the future.
Dynamic Response of Curved Tunnels under Vertical Incidence of Transversal SV Waves
Authors: Zhao Huiling , Ma Yuheng , Yao Xupeng
Published: April 2023

Long tunnels often have curved sections when alignment designs are influenced by topography, adverse geology, and environmental factors. When the transversal SV wave is incident vertically, the curved section of the tunnel is subject to a connection between longitudinal and transversal loads, which are asymmetrical about the tunnel longitudinal axis. Compared to straight tunnels, curved tunnels are more complex in terms of forces and deformations and may become a key control section limiting the seismic safety of curved tunnels. To investigate the seismic response of curved tunnels, numerical simulations of curved tunnels with different radii of curvature under transversal SV seismic waves were carried out in this study. Local artificial boundaries were programmed and used for the 3D rock tunnel interaction system model to simulate semi-infinite rock and to eliminate fake reflections of seismic waves on local boundaries. The results show that longitudinal deformation and cross-sectional deformation occurred simultaneously in curved tunnels when the transversal SV wave was incident vertically. As the curvature increased, the longitudinal deformation of the curved tunnel increased. The cross-section of the tunnel was in oblique compression, and the cross-sectional internal force showed significant asymmetry. When the radius of curvature was 250 m, the difference in bending moment between the left and right haunch was 35.2%. These characteristics differ from those of straight tunnels and should be paid attention in the seismic design of curved tunnels.
Pricing of Basket CDS with Bilateral Default Risk under Vasicek Model with Circular Contagion
Authors: Han Qi , Wang Meng
Published: April 2023

In this study, on the basis of basket CDS, we take into account the complex correlations among market participants and choose to use the contagion model to price basket CDS. This study assumes that a basket of reference assets is defaultable and that defaults between two counterparties are contagious. Without taking into account the default of the CDS buyer, we assume that both the interest rate and the default intensity of the reference assets follow the Vasicek model. We obtain the related probability density function by the PDE method. Under the no‐arbitrage principle, we set up several scenarios to get the basket CDS pricing formula. In the numerical analysis part, we verify the validity of the formula by Monte Carlo simulation, and discuss the influence of the main parameters on the formula.
IDM for the Conceptual Evaluation Process of Industrialized Timber Projects
Authors: Rojas Wettling Claudia , Mourgues Alvarez Claudio , Guindos Bretones Pablo
Published: April 2023

Interest in industrialized timber construction systems, in particular light-frame systems, has increased worldwide due to its various benefits. However, it is very important for projects executed under the off-site construction system to consider the different manufacture and assembly requirements in their design, following the design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) concept. It is fundamental that these requirements and assumptions for manufacture and assembly be considered in a conceptual evaluation during the early stages of the project, as these have an impact on stakeholder decision making, detailed design, production, and sourcing strategies. To accomplish this, the use of building information modeling (BIM) has simplified the different processes and tasks required in the development of these projects, in addition to the synergy between both methodologies. However, it is vital to be clear about the information requirements of each process to properly use the BIM methodology. This paper presents the proposal of a BIM standard, the information delivery manual (IDM), which identifies the associated process map and the information parameters required for early evaluation, which were validated with local prefabrication companies as well as compared to the property sets present in the IFC standard.
Coupled Dufour and Soret Effects on Hybrid Nanofluid Flow through Gyrating Channel Subject to Chemically Reactive Arrhenius Activation Energy
Authors: Raizah Zehba , Khan Arshad , Gul Taza , Saeed Anwar , Bonyah Ebenezer , Galal Ahmed M.
Published: April 2023

This study explores the magnetohydrodynamic fluid flow through two rotating plates subjected to the impact of microorganisms. The nanoparticles of copper and alumina are mixed with water for formulating hybrid nanofluid with new combination

C
u

+

A
l

2

O

3

+

H

2

O

. This new combination augments the thermal conductivity of pure fluid. The flow is influenced by the coupled effects of Dufour and Soret diffusions. The joined effects of chemically reactive activation energy have been incorporated in the mass transportation equation. A constant magnetic field has been employed to the flow field with strength

B

0

in normal direction to the plates. The equations that controlled fluid flow have been transferred to dimension-free form by implementing suitable set of variables. The influence of the different factors has been examined theoretically by employing the graphical view of different flow profiles. It has been concluded in this work that, linear velocity has declined by augmentation in magnetic factor and rotational parameter whereas these factors have enhanced microrotational profiles of fluid. Higher values of radiation parameter, Dufour number, and volumetric fractions have augmented fluid’s thermal profiles. The concentration of fluid has been retarded with upsurge in Soret number and chemical reaction parameter whereas growth in activation energy parameter has supported the upsurge in concentration. The rate of motile microorganisms has retarded by upsurge in the values of Lewis and Peclet numbers. It has been noticed that when

K

r

,
 
M

, and

R
e

varies from 0.2 to 0.6 then in case of nanofluid, skin friction changes from 0.288 to 0.633 at

ϕ

1

=
0.01

and from 0.292 to 0.646 at

ϕ

1

=
0.02

and in case of hybrid nanofluid the variations in skin friction are from 0.328 to 0.646 at

ϕ

1

,
 

ϕ

2

=
0.01

and from 0.335 to 0.703 at

ϕ

1

,
 

ϕ

2

=
0.02

.