bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Roles of long noncoding RNAs and small extracellular vesicle‐long noncoding RNAs in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Chang Wenguang , Wang Man , Zhang Yuan , Yu Fei , Hu Bin , Goljanek‐Whysall Katarzyna , Li Peifeng
Published: September 2022

The prevalence of a high‐energy diet and a sedentary lifestyle has increased the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D). T2D is a chronic disease characterized by high blood glucose levels and insulin resistance in peripheral tissues. The pathological mechanism of this disease is not fully clear. Accumulated evidence has shown that noncoding RNAs have an essential regulatory role in the progression of diabetes and its complications. The roles of small noncoding RNAs, such as miRNAs, in T2D, have been extensively investigated, while the function of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in T2D has been unstudied. It has been reported that lncRNAs in T2D play roles in the regulation of pancreatic function, peripheral glucose homeostasis and vascular inflammation. In addition, lncRNAs carried by small extracellular vesicles (sEV) were shown to mediate communication between organs and participate in diabetes progression. Some sEV lncRNAs derived from stem cells are being developed as potential therapeutic agents for diabetic complications. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge relating to lncRNA biogenesis, the mechanisms of lncRNA sorting into sEV and the regulatory roles of lncRNAs and sEV lncRNAs in diabetes. Knowledge of lncRNAs and sEV lncRNAs in diabetes will aid in the development of new therapeutic drugs for T2D in the future.
Mathematics Education Doctoral Students’ Attitudes Toward Statistics
Authors: Jacobbe Tim
Published: September 2022

This study examines mathematics education doctoral students’ perspectives of statistics. Several studies have been conducted regarding undergraduate students’ attitudes toward statistics during their experiences in introductory statistics courses (e.g, Gal, Ginsburg, & Schau, 1997; Wise, 1985). Far fewer studies have been conducted regarding teachers’ attitudes toward statistics (e.g, Begg & Edwards, 1999; Greer & Ritson, 1994). One area of research that has not been explored concerns mathematics educators’ and mathematics teacher education faculty members’ attitudes toward statistics. This area of research is especially important given the impediments statistics educators have encountered when trying to increase the depth and quality of statistics education in the K-12 setting. Results show there is a need to emphasize statistics more broadly in the preparation of mathematics education doctoral students.
THE PLANT ARTEMISIA ANNUA (“SWEET WORMWOOD”) KAZAKHSTAN’S SOURSE OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS POTENTIALLY CURE THE SARS-CoV-2 INFECTION
Authors: Maftakhova A. , Syzdykova L. , Keer V. , Shustov A. , Zhurinov M.
Published: September 2022

The genus Artemisia (“wormwood”) is widely represented in the flora of Kazakhstan both by the species diversity (at least 80 species) and biomass. Members of this genus, such as Artemisia annua ("annual wormwood") attract the attention of the global biomedical community because these plants produce the unusual sesquiterpene lactone artemisinin, which has a proven efficacy as an antimalarial drug and has also been tested for antiviral activity. Due to their potential antiviral properties, wormwood-derived phytocompounds are of interest as promising drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which caused the largest pandemic of the 21st century. This review presents the studied diversity of secondary metabolites synthesized by various Artemisia species, describes the actual practical significance of one species A. annua, as well as the possible use of substances from this species as antiviral agents. There is a need for further research into secondary metabolites of wormwood with antiviral properties due to the expectation of continued circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and in order to complement the arsenal of antiviral therapy.
THE EFFECT OF COMBINATIONS OF GROWTH FACTORS AND HYALURONIC ACID ON THE PROLIFERATION AND CHONDROGENIC DIFFERENTIATION OF HUMAN SYNOVIUM DERIVED MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS
Authors: Zhubanova G. , Mukhambetova A. , Karzhauov M. , Issabekova A. , Raimagambetov E. , Ogay V.
Published: September 2022

Growth factors and hyaluronic acid (HA) have been shown to stimulate functional activity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and thus may influence damaged tissue healing, including cartilage. In this study we investigated the effects of individual and combinatorial application of HA, platelet derived growth factor–BB (PDGF-BB), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) on the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of human synovium derived MSCs (SD MSCs). Isolated SD MSCs were expanded in α-MEM medium and characterized using immunocytochemistry, multilineage differentiation assay and CFU-assay. Proliferation activity of MSCs was examined with MTT-assay. Chondrogenic differentiation and glycosaminoglycan level in micro-pellet culture of MSCs were evaluated with histochemical and biochemical analysis.
Our results showed that the individual use of FGF-2 and PDGF-BB significantly increased the rate of MSC proliferation compared to the control. At the same time, TGF-β1 did not affect cell growth. Combinations of growth factors: TGF-β1+FGF-2, TGF-β1+PDGF-BB, and FGF-2+PDGF-BB were able to significantly increase the proliferative activity of MSCs. The greatest synergistic effect was found with combination of all three factors TGF-β1, FGF-2, and PDGF-BB. Histochemical and biochemical analysis revealed that combination of TGF-β1 and BMP-4 have a significant effect on chondrogenic differentiation and the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans in micro-pellet culture of MSCs. The addition of HA to growth factors has minor effect on the proliferation and does not affect the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs.
This study demonstrated that combination of growth factors can promote proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of SD MSCs and may be effective in enhancing cartilage healing.
DISTURBANCES IN BLOOD RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES DURING PHENYLHYDRAZINE INTOXICATION AND THEIR CORRECTION WITH HYBRID MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS IN RATS
Authors: Aliev O. , Sidekhmenova A. , Popova E. , Domnina N. , Vlasov P. , Plotnikov M.
Published: September 2022

A single administration of phenylhydrazine at a dose of 50 mg/kg led to a decrease in hematocrit, impaired aggregation and deformability of erythrocytes, which manifested itself in a decrease in the efficiency of oxygen delivery to tissues. Hybrid macromolecular compounds (10 mg/kg intravenously daily for 4 days) attenuated hemorheological parameters disturbances and increased the efficiency of oxygen delivery to tissues.
MAIN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF PANCREATIC CANCER IN KAZAKHSTAN
Authors: Fazyl F. , Begimbetova D , Batyrbekov K. , Spataev Z. , Aitbaev Sh. , Sarbassov D.
Published: September 2022

According to GLOBOCAN (2020), pancreatic cancer (PC) is in 12th place among oncopathology in terms of incidence - 4.9 cases per 100,000 population. Most cases of pancreatic cancer are registered in China, the USA, Japan, and Germany. In the structure of mortality among oncological diseases, pancreatic cancer occupies 9th place - 4.5 cases per 100 thousand of the population. According to epidemiological studies, by 2040, a 79.9% increase in mortality from pancreatic cancer is predicted. According to statistics, in the United States, there is an increase in the incidence of cancer in the distal pancreas. In addition, early stages of pancreatic cancer were diagnosed more often and less often - the 4th. One of the trends in the epidemiology of pancreatic cancer is an increase in the incidence of this pathology among young people. Factors contributing to the development of pancreatic cancer in people under 50 years of age are genetic mutations, smoking, and obesity. A retrospective statistical analysis of the epidemiological state of pancreatic cancer in Kazakhstan over 3 years was carried out (standardized WHO World indicators per 100,000 population and intensive indicators of morbidity, mortality, distribution by stage, age, and sex), and regional features of pancreatic cancer were studied.
Modeling Three-Dimensional-Printed Polymer Lattice Metamaterial Recovery After Cyclic Large Deformation
Authors: Wu Siqi , Sancaktar Erol
Published: September 2022

Lattice structure metamaterials generally exhibit better stiffness and/or tunable properties than natural materials. They have important applications in mechatronics and tissue engineering areas. In this work, we demonstrate crystal structure-inspired body-centered cubic (BCC)-lattice architected structures using different acrylate-based polymer materials to study the mechanical response in large deformation. Rigid BCC lattice metamaterials manifest outstanding recovery properties after undergoing multi-cycle compression. With appropriate cell wall thickness, the lattices have the capacity to recover their original shape and maintain a degree of stiffness. In further exploration, we combined mechanical tests and digital image correlation to elaborate on the deformation mechanisms. The digital image correlation (DIC) proves that displacement discrepancy exists in local positions. We propose hourglass and twist models to describe the buckling-induced pattern transformation which occurs during cyclic compressive deformation using simulation.
Aeroacoustic Interactions of Blade Skew and Leading Edge Serrations Applied to Low-Pressure Axial Fans
Authors: Biedermann Till M. , Hintzen Nils , Kameier Frank
Published: September 2022

Leading edge serrations are well known for their ability to reduce turbulence-induced noise of single aerofoils while also providing aerodynamic advantages under certain operating conditions. Continuatively, applying leading edge serrations to rotating machinery such as axial fans proved the validity to generally transfer the obtained aeroacoustic benefits of single aerofoils. However, for the rotating applications the noise reduction potential highly depends on the point of operation. The current work aims at assessing the aeroacoustic effects of serrated leading edges under the increased geometrical complexity of the fan blades through blade skew. Therefore, the question is whether combining two potentially effective noise-reducing treatments through blade skew and leading edge serrations results in leveraging or obstructing effects. By varying the skew angle from 0 deg to 38 deg, four different prototypes of the fan impeller are tested experimentally in a test rig according to ISO 5136 and ISO 5801. All configurations are tested with original blades of straight leading edges plus five sets of serrations each, parameterised by the serration amplitude and the serrations wavelength. The intensity of the incoming turbulence ranges from 2.6% to 12.1%. The results obtained show the skewed blades to improve both the aerodynamic performance and the noise radiation after exceeding an initial skew angle, complemented by a significant onset of stall. Moreover, no contraindication between blade skew and serrated leading edges is encountered, showing the potential to further extend the noise reduction capabilities by combining effects of blade skew and leading edge treatment.
Experiences and Perceptions of Women Strength and Conditioning Coaches: A Scoping Review
Authors: Thomas Gavin , Devine Kathryn , Molnár Győző
Published: September 2022

Women continue to be underrepresented and underserved in the field of strength and conditioning (S&C), yet scholarly work examining the experiences and perceptions of women S&C coaches is limited. Thus, the purpose of this study was to conduct a scoping review of the existing literature on women S&C coaches to identify current trends as well as knowledge gaps. Four electronic databases (SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and Academic Search Complete) were searched up to July 30, 2021. The initial search yielded 164 unique English-language papers, reviews, and book chapters. All in all, seven peer-reviewed articles were included, and data from these studies were charted. Each article offers insight into women’s experiences within the S&C industry, which are significantly different to their male counterparts. Based on our review of the findings, we recommend S&C coaches to participate in coach education programs and more women to be actively involved in the recruitment and hiring of S&C staff. While such findings are relevant, they have not fully explored the complexity of gender dynamics in S&C. Moreover, these recommendations will have limited long-term, sector-wide impact unless necessary policies are also implemented to help eradicate structure-level gender bias within the culture of S&C.
“They Just Dash Us to the Side”: Race, Gender, and Negotiating Access to Basketball Spaces
Authors: George Rhonda C.
Published: September 2022

Using Black Feminist Theory and qualitative data gathered from 20 Black Canadian female U.S. athletic scholarship recipients, this article identifies race–gender barriers to accessing informal athletic spaces for athletic training such as recreation centers and public gyms. I argue that these access barriers are rooted in a sexist anti-Blackness, while also examining the resistance and navigational strategies employed by the participants such as playing back and avoidance and considering how those efforts often led to additional financial expense and psychological and navigational labor. In so doing, I elucidate how the race and gender of the participants intersected to create social and athletic experiences and opportunities that are distinct from existing dominant discourses in collegiate athlete research, which tend to center American and Black males, while often neglecting the specific and more granular experiences of Black (Canadian) female athletes.
Rapamycin treatment during development extends life span and health span of male mice and
Daphnia magna
Authors: Shindyapina Anastasia V. , Cho Yongmin , Kaya Alaattin , Tyshkovskiy Alexander , Castro José P. , Deik Amy , Gordevicius Juozas , Poganik Jesse R. , Clish Clary B. , Horvath Steve , Peshkin Leonid , Gladyshev Vadim N.
Published: September 2022

Development is tightly connected to aging, but whether pharmacologically targeting development can extend life remains unknown. Here, we subjected genetically diverse UMHET3 mice to rapamycin for the first 45 days of life. The mice grew slower and remained smaller than controls for their entire lives. Their reproductive age was delayed without affecting offspring numbers. The treatment was sufficient to extend the median life span by 10%, with the strongest effect in males, and helped to preserve health as measured by frailty index scores, gait speed, and glucose and insulin tolerance tests. Mechanistically, the liver transcriptome and epigenome of treated mice were younger at the completion of treatment. Analogous to mice, rapamycin exposure during development robustly extended the life span of
Daphnia magna
and reduced its body size. Overall, the results demonstrate that short-term rapamycin treatment during development is a novel longevity intervention that acts by slowing down development and aging, suggesting that aging may be targeted already early in life.
Molecular architecture of the autoinhibited kinesin-1 lambda particle
Authors: Weijman Johannes F. , Yadav Sathish K. N. , Surridge Katherine J. , Cross Jessica A. , Borucu Ufuk , Mantell Judith , Woolfson Derek N. , Schaffitzel Christiane , Dodding Mark P.
Published: September 2022

Despite continuing progress in kinesin enzyme mechanochemistry and emerging understanding of the cargo recognition machinery, it is not known how these functions are coupled and controlled by the α-helical coiled coils encoded by a large component of kinesin protein sequences. Here, we combine computational structure prediction with single-particle negative-stain electron microscopy to reveal the coiled-coil architecture of heterotetrameric kinesin-1 in its compact state. An unusual flexion in the scaffold enables folding of the complex, bringing the kinesin heavy chain–light chain interface into close apposition with a tetrameric assembly formed from the region of the molecule previously assumed to be the folding hinge. This framework for autoinhibition is required to uncover how engagement of cargo and other regulatory factors drives kinesin-1 activation.
Scale-reconfigurable miniature ferrofluidic robots for negotiating sharply variable spaces
Authors: Fan Xinjian , Jiang Yihui , Li Mingtong , Zhang Yunfei , Tian Chenyao , Mao Liyang , Xie Hui , Sun Lining , Yang Zhan , Sitti Metin
Published: September 2022

Magnetic miniature soft robots have shown great potential for facilitating biomedical applications by minimizing invasiveness and possible physical damage. However, researchers have mainly focused on fixed-size robots, with their active locomotion accessible only when the cross-sectional dimension of these confined spaces is comparable to that of the robot. Here, we realize the scale-reconfigurable miniature ferrofluidic robots (SMFRs) based on ferrofluid droplets and propose a series of control strategies for reconfiguring SMFR’s scale and deformation to achieve trans-scale motion control by designing a multiscale magnetic miniature robot actuation (M
3
RA) system. The results showed that SMFRs, varying from centimeters to a few micrometers, leveraged diverse capabilities, such as locomotion in structured environments, deformation to squeeze through gaps, and even reversible scale reconfiguration for navigating sharply variable spaces. A miniature robot system with these capabilities combined is promising to be applied in future wireless medical robots inside confined regions of the human body.
Strain propagation in layered two-dimensional halide perovskites
Authors: Fu Jianhui , Xu Qiang , Abdelwahab Ibrahim , Cai Rui , Febriansyah Benny , Yin Tingting , Loh Kian Ping , Mathews Nripan , Sun Handong , Sum Tze Chien
Published: September 2022

Impulsive light excitation presents a powerful tool for investigating the interdependent structural and electronic responses in layered two-dimensional (2D) halide perovskites. However, detailed understanding of the nonlinear lattice dynamics in these soft hybrid materials remains limited. Here, we explicate the intrinsic strain propagation mechanisms in 2D perovskite single crystals using transient reflection spectroscopy. Ultrafast photoexcitation leads to the generation of strain pulses via thermoelastic (TE) stress and deformation potential (DP) interaction whence their detection proceed via Brillouin scattering. Using a two-temperature model together with strain wave propagation, we discern the TE and DP contributions in strain generation. Hot carrier cooling plays a dominant role in effecting the weak modulation amplitude. Out-of-plane lattice stiffness is reduced by the weak van der Waals bond between organic layers, resulting in a slow strain propagation velocity. Our findings inject fresh insights into the basic strain properties of layered perovskites critical for manipulating their functional properties for new applications.
Brain lipidomics: From functional landscape to clinical significance
Authors: Yoon Jong Hyuk , Seo Youngsuk , Jo Yeon Suk , Lee Seulah , Cho Eunji , Cazenave-Gassiot Amaury , Shin Yong-Seung , Moon Myeong Hee , An Hyun Joo , Wenk Markus R. , Suh Pann-Ghill
Published: September 2022

Lipids are crucial components of cellular function owing to their role in membrane formation, intercellular signaling, energy storage, and homeostasis maintenance. In the brain, lipid dysregulations have been associated with the etiology and progression of neurodegeneration and other neurological pathologies. Hence, brain lipids are emerging as important potential targets for the early diagnosis and prognosis of neurological diseases. This review aims to highlight the significance and usefulness of lipidomics in diagnosing and treating brain diseases. We explored lipid alterations associated with brain diseases, paying attention to organ-specific characteristics and the functions of brain lipids. As the recent advances in brain lipidomics would have been impossible without advances in analytical techniques, we provide up-to-date information on mass spectrometric approaches and integrative analysis with other omic approaches. Last, we present the potential applications of lipidomics combined with artificial intelligence techniques and interdisciplinary collaborative research for treating brain diseases with clinical heterogeneities.
Dinosaur tracks, microbial mat, and applied photogrammetry: A holistic approach to ichnology and geoheritage at Dinosaur Ridge, Colorado, USA
Authors: Lockley* Martin , Noffke* Nora , Buntin Caldwell , Breithaupt* Brent , Matthews* Neffra , LaMontagne* Jeff
Published: September 2022

The Morrison-Golden Fossil Areas National Natural Landmark, Colorado, USA, including Dinosaur Ridge, is rich in geological and paleontological history, ranking historically as the premier location and type area for Late Jurassic dinosaurs like Stegosaurus and Diplodocus. As the type area for the Morrison Formation, it famously became central in the “Bone Wars” underway in the 1870s. After a brief historical introduction at Stop 1, the trip will explore the ‘mid’-Cretaceous Dakota Sandstone (Stop 2), which yields the top-ranked dinosaur tracksite in the United States, with two type ichnospecies and the most accessible “nest scrape display trace” evidence of dinosaurian sexual display found anywhere. It also an important location for the study of microbial mat in association with dinosaur tracks, now photogrammetrically surveyed in detail. Dinosaur Ridge serves as the type area for the “Dinosaur Freeway” and the transgression of the Western Interior Seaway. Its diverse invertebrate traces have also been described in detail. After lunch at the Dinosaur Ridge Visitor’s Center exhibit (Stop 3), the trip will move a short distance to Golden to view the type localities for the first bird and crocodilian tracks ever reported from the Mesozoic (Stop 4). We will also visit the younger (Late Cretaceous) Laramie Formation, exposed in the Golden clay pits, cut by the Golden fault, and the source of historically famous paleofloras, the first known Ceratopsian tracks, and other type traces now developed as Triceratops Trail (Stop 5), constituting part of the well- documented Fossil Trace and School of Mines Geological Trail complex. The field excursion will involve easy walks and no strenuous climbs.
Exploring the nature and extent of the Mesoproterozoic Picuris orogeny in Colorado, USA
Authors: Kuiper Yvette D. , Aronoff Ruth F. , Daniel Christopher G. , Bzdok* Madison
Published: September 2022

The Mesoproterozoic is a controversial time within the Earth’s history, and is characterized by high temperature/pressure ratios in metamorphic rocks, a large volume of extensional plutons, very few economic mineral deposits, and possibly a slowdown in plate tectonic processes. In Laurentia, ca. 1.48–1.35 Ga is well known as a time of voluminous ferroan magmatism, which led to conflicting tectonic interpretations that range from continental extension to convergent margin settings. Recently, a ca. 1.50–1.35 Ga orogenic belt was proposed that spanned Laurentia from present-day eastern Canada to the southwestern United States. Unlike the preceding Paleoproterozoic Yavapai/Mazatzal orogenies and the subsequent late Mesoproterozoic Grenville orogeny, the early–mid-Mesoproterozoic Picuris orogeny in the southwestern United States was relatively unrecognized until about two decades ago, when geochronology data and depositional age constraints became more abundant. In multiple study areas of Arizona and New Mexico, deposition, metamorphism, and deformation previously ascribed to the Yavapai/Mazatzal orogenies proved to be part of the ca. 1.4 Ga Picuris orogeny. In Colorado, the nature and extent of the Picuris orogeny is poorly understood. On this trip, we discuss new evidence for the Picuris orogeny in the central Colorado Front Range, from Black Hawk in the central Colorado Front Range to the Wet Mountains, Colorado. We will discuss how the Picuris orogeny reactivated or overprinted earlier structures, and perhaps controlled the location of structures associated with Cambrian rifting, the Cretaceous–Paleogene Laramide orogeny, and the Rio Grande rift, and associated mineralization. We will also discuss whether and how the Picuris orogeny, and the Mesoproterozoic in general, were unique within the Earth’s history.
Ways of Estimating the Heat Capacity of Crystalline Phases
Authors: Uspenskaya I. A. , Ivanov A. S. , Konstantinova N. M. , Kutsenok I. B.
Published: September 2022

A brief review is presented of contemporary ways of estimating heat capacity and determining their main advantages and disadvantages. Incremental schemes that predict the temperature dependences of heat capacity are considered in detail. Results of estimating the heat capacity of (InAs)1–x(GaAs)x solid solutions using specially selected mixing rules are presented.
Non-surgical management of a large periapical lesion with internal resorption using PRF, hydroxyapatite and MTA
Authors: Gupta Geetika , Agarwal Abhilasha , Ansari Afroz Alam , Singh Rajeev Kumar
Published: September 2022

Periapical lesions of endodontic origin are caused by microbial infection of pulp. According to various studies, it is known that necrosis of pulp provides a favourable habitat for microbes to replicate and release various toxins into the periapical tissue leading to inflammation and formation of a periapical lesion. A variety of non-invasive methods to manage such lesions include conservative root canal treatment, aspiration-irrigation technique, decompression technique, calcium hydroxide therapy, lesion sterilisation and tissue repair therapy, and the apexum procedure. We present a case report describing non-surgical management of a large periapical lesion associated with a permanent central incisor displaying internal inflammatory resorption using platelet rich fibrin (PRF), bone graft and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).
Gamma Knife radiosurgery for a recurrent craniocervical junction solitary fibrous tumour
Authors: De Jesus Orlando , Carballo Cuello Cesar M , Fernández-de Thomas Ricardo J , Pastrana Emil A
Published: September 2022

Spinal solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) is an uncommon tumour with few cases reported in the literature. It rarely originates at the craniocervical junction. To our knowledge, only eight cases of spinal SFT located at the craniocervical junction have been reported in the literature. We presented a patient with a craniocervical junction SFT and discussed its clinical presentation, radiological features, pathology, management and outcome. This was the first patient reported in the literature with a recurrent craniocervical junction SFT treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery. The treatment reduced the tumour volume by more than 85% within 12 months.
Diagnosis and management of leptomeningeal disease secondary to grade IV astrocytic glioma
Authors: Lam Chon Meng , Lisacek-Kiosoglous Anthony , Paleacu Elena , Jones Elin
Published: September 2022

A man in his mid-40s presented to hospital with confusion, headache and feeling generally unwell. He had had a total resection of a grade IV astrocytic glioma 1 year prior. Initial observations, blood tests and CT head scan were unremarkable for acute features to explain the patient’s presentation. However, an MRI head scan on this admission demonstrated a clear communicating hydrocephalus with new abnormal leptomeningeal enhancement, consistent with leptomeningeal metastatic infiltration by glioma. Lumbar puncture cytology and biochemistry supported this interpretation. As a small district general hospital in rural Wales, we discuss the experience of diagnosis and coordination of specialist input from a multidisciplinary team. We share the challenges of managing leptomeningeal disease in the COVID-19 pandemic, in the context of the additional risks this presents with chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression.
Right hip gonococcal septic arthritis treatment with successful transition to oral fluoroquinolone
Authors: Kiamos Amy , Torrente Natalie , Sands Michael , Verdecia Jorge
Published: September 2022

We present a case of gonococcal septic arthritis of the right hip diagnosed via synovial fluid cultures. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the synovial fluid demonstrated susceptibility to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, cefixime and ceftriaxone. Our patient was initially treated with ceftriaxone and was successfully de-escalated to oral levofloxacin to complete the treatment. This case is interesting given the rarity of disseminated gonococcal infections in the 21st century and that most clinical isolates ofNeisseria gonorrhoeaeare increasingly resistant to fluoroquinolones.
Community prevalence and dyad disease pattern of multimorbidity in China and India: a systematic review
Authors: Zhang Xinyi , Padhi Asutosh , Wei Ting , Xiong Shangzhi , Yu Jie , Ye Pengpeng , Tian Wenijng , Sun Hongru , Peiris David , Praveen Devarsetty , Tian Maoyi
Published: September 2022

Background

Driven by the increasing life expectancy, China and India, the two most populous countries in the world are experiencing a rising burden of multimorbidity. This study aims to explore community prevalence and dyad patterns of multimorbidity in China and India.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of five English and Chinese electronic databases. Studies involving adults 18 years or older at a community level, which reported multimorbidity prevalence and/or patterns were included. A modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment. Despite large heterogeneity among reported studies, a systematic synthesis of the results was conducted to report the findings.

Results

From 13 996 studies retrieved, 59 studies met the inclusion criteria (46 in China, 9 in India and 4 in both). The median prevalence of multimorbidity was 30.7% (IQR 17.1, 49.4), ranging from 1.5% to 90.5%. There was a large difference in multimorbidity prevalence between China and India, with median prevalence being 36.1% (IQR 19.6, 48.8) and 28.3% (IQR 8.9, 56.8), respectively. Among 27 studies that reported age-specific prevalence, 19 studies found multimorbidity prevalence increased with age, while 8 studies observed a paradoxical reduction in the oldest age group. Of the 34 studies that reported sex-specific prevalence, 86% (n=32) observed a higher prevalence in females. The most common multimorbidity patterns from 14 studies included hypertensive diseases combined with diabetes mellitus, arthropathies, heart diseases and metabolic disorders. All included studies were rated as fair or poor quality.

Conclusion

Multimorbidity is highly prevalent in China and India with hypertensive diseases and other comorbidities being the most observed patterns. The overall quality of the studies was low and there was a lack of representative samples in most studies. Large epidemiology studies, using a common definition of multimorbidity and national representative samples, with sex disaggregation are needed in both countries.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020176774.
Fermionic wave functions and Grassmann fields as possible sources of dark energy
Authors: Brito L. C. T. , Pereira S. H. , Barboza L. N. , Felipe J. C. C. , Jesus J. F.
Published: September 2022

We study a cosmological model with a fermionic field which can be interpreted as a source of dark energy in the universe. Two different approaches were considered, the first one with a massless fermionic field represented by a standard wave-function and the second one where a massive field is a Grassmann variable. The first case naturally reduces to a XCDM model with a constant equation of state parameter, while the last case reproduces a w(z)CDM model for a massive field, and in the massless limit, the intrinsic Grassmannian property of the field leads always to a vacuum equation of state parameter, irrespective the specific form of the potential. Both cases leads to a dark energy contribution of the fermionic sector. The models are totally compatible with recent cosmological data from Supernovae, BAO and Hubble parameter measurements. A brief study of linear evolution of density perturbations shows that some of the small scale problems related to standard model can be at least alleviated.
Edge Detection Method Based on Nonlinear Spiking Neural Systems
Authors: Xian Ronghao , Lugu Rikong , Peng Hong , Yang Qian , Luo Xiaohui , Wang Jun
Published: September 2022

Nonlinear spiking neural P (NSNP) systems are a class of neural-like computational models inspired from the nonlinear mechanism of spiking neurons. NSNP systems have a distinguishing feature: nonlinear spiking mechanism. To handle edge detection of images, this paper proposes a variant, nonlinear spiking neural P (NSNP) systems with two outputs (TO), termed as NSNP-TO systems. Based on NSNP-TO system, an edge detection framework is developed, termed as ED-NSNP detector. The detection ability of ED-NSNP detector relies on two convolutional kernels. To obtain good detection performance, particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to optimize the parameters of the two convolutional kernels. The proposed ED-NSNP detector is evaluated on several open benchmark images and compared with seven baseline edge detection methods. The comparison results indicate the availability and effectiveness of the proposed ED-NSNP detector.
Numerical study on flow pattern in meandering channels: The effect of hydraulic conditions and meander geometry
Authors: Montaseri Hossien , Sarikhani Hossein , Esmaeili Hooman
Published: September 2022

Natural rivers are one of the main sources of water and energy for humans. The design and management of exploitation of natural rivers systems will require a complete understanding of flow and sediment transport mechanics. Meanders are one of the most common types of rivers in nature, which have a very complex flow. The three-dimensional (3D) and complex characteristics of flow in meanderings bring up the necessity of investigating the flow pattern in this channel with 3D numerical models. This study aimed to investigate the flow pattern and predict the erosion and sedimentation site in the meandering. Also, the effect of the Froude number (Fr), the ratio of width-to-depth ([Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] and meander angle parameters on the flow field are investigated. In this study, the turbulent flow pattern in a sine-generated channel and the angle of 50∘with a rectangular section with width = 40 cm and the rigid bed is studied using the 3D mathematical model SSIIM1.1. The primary and secondary flow patterns were studied using the turbulence models of [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] and SST [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]. Comparison of numerical models and experimental results showed that the flow pattern is predicted well by both turbulence models of turbulence. But in some cases, the SST [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] model has provided closer results to the experimental results. The results show that the shear stress pattern depends on the changes in the Fr. But, the secondary flow pattern does not change much by changing the Fr. Also, changes in the [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] ratio affect the secondary flow pattern and shear stress pattern, so that for [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text], a small rotary cell is made in addition to the main rotary cell near the outer coast. The results also show that the flow pattern and shear stress depend on the channel angle.
IS AN AGING POPULATION GOOD OR BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT? PANEL EVIDENCE FROM 25 OECD COUNTRIES
Authors: KIM YOORI , BAEK JUNGHO
Published: September 2022

Although CO2 emissions are purely global externalities and unlikely to be addressed by individual countries, empirical attention has typically been on the national level as national efforts have come in to plug the gap. The contribution of this study is therefore to investigate the effect of population aging on CO2 emissions, controlling for income and fossil fuel energy consumption, using panel data of 25 OECD countries during 1980–2015. After applying the panel cointegration approach such as fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), we discover that population aging appears to reduce CO2 emissions, ceteris paribus. We also confirm the existence of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) relationship with an inverted-U curve, where CO2 emissions increase with income level until it reaches the estimated turning point and then starts to turn down. Other evidence shows that fossil fuel energy consumption increases CO2 emissions, other things equal. We believe that these findings present sustainable policy directions that may help solve the problem of population aging our world is dealing with today.
EXISTENCE CRITERIA FOR THE UNIQUE SOLUTION OF FIRST ORDER LINEAR FUZZY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS ON THE SPACE OF LINEARLY CORRELATED FUZZY NUMBERS
Authors: JAMAL NOOR , SARWAR MUHAMMAD , HUSSAIN SULTAN , MUKHEIMER AIMAN
Published: September 2022

This study is concerned with the existence and uniqueness results for fuzzy differential equations (FDEs). The existence result of FDEs in the space of linear correlated (LC) fuzzy number with LC-differentiability is the goal of this work. Linear FDEs of first order in the space of LC-fuzzy number mostly have many solutions and sometimes have no solutions. Existence theory insures the existence of unique solution of FDEs. Therefore, we propose to study the existence results of LC-fuzzy solution of FDEs of first order. The existence criteria for the unique LC-fuzzy solution for both symmetric and nonsymmetric basic fuzzy number will be studied in this work. Some examples are given to show the usability of the criteria for a unique LC-fuzzy solution. The plots of the fuzzy solutions of examples are also provided.
GLOBAL STABILITY OF HYBRID SMOKING MODEL WITH NONLOCAL DIFFUSION
Authors: DJILALI SALIH , BENTOUT SOUFIANE , ZEB ANWAR , SAEED TAREQ
Published: September 2022

Smoking has many harmful effects due to its toxic chemicals, which cause serious diseases. Our major interest in this research is to formulate a spatiotemporal mathematical model that predicts the evolution of smoking in society using a mathematical model that includes the large mobility of individuals. Indeed, we are concerned to study the global asymptotic stability of the unique positive steady state related to this model. The principal objective of this paper is to show that the smoking has no threshold dynamics as it has been shown for a large sample of epidemic models, and the consumption of cigarettes is always persistent, and based on the assumption of the parameters that verify the Lipschitz condition. We proved that the investigated model is always persistent and the unique positive equilibrium state is always globally stable. The mathematical finding is supported numerically using numerical simulations.
Recap of the 30th Annual Conference on Pacific Basin Finance, Economics, Accounting, and Management
Authors: Lee Cheng-Few , Chang She-I
Published: September 2022

The 30th Annual Conference on Pacific Basin Finance, Economics, Accounting, and Management was held at National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan on May 13 and 14, 2022. The first conference was held at Rutgers University in 1993. Since then, the conference has been held in Hong Kong (1994, 1998), Taipei (1995, 1999, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2019, 2020), Bangkok (2000, 2004, 2009), Rutgers (1996, 2001, 2005, 2012, 2018, 2021), Singapore (1997, 2002, 2017), Vietnam (2007, 2015), Australia (2008, 2013), China (2010), and Japan (2014). The program directors of the conference were Cheng-Few Lee, Rutgers University, USA.
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows and Governance Nexus: Evidence from the United States, China, and Singapore
Authors: Kayani Farrukh Nawaz , Gan Christopher
Published: September 2022

This study investigates the relationship between inward foreign direct investment inflows and governance of the United States, China, and Singapore. The study employs governance indicators including control of corruption, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, political stability and the absence of violence, rule of law, voice, and accountability to examine the relationship between inward foreign direct investment flows and governance for the period 2002–2019. The baseline regression results are based on bivariate and multivariate regressions with fixed effects. The results confirm a direct and significant relationship between governance and foreign direct investment. The results are robust while applying other regression techniques such as Prais–Winsten regression, Driscoll–Kraay regression, and a two-step system generalized method of moments’ estimation. More specifically, all six governance indicators including control of corruption, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, political stability and the absence of violence, rule of law, voice, and accountability exhibit the same i.e., direct and significant relationship. The paper also suggests various recommendations for investors at the individual and country levels.
Volatility Spillovers During the Chinese Stock Market Crisis: A MEM-Based Approach
Authors: Chen Hua , Tarzia Domenico , Vittorino Giovanni , Gregoriou Andros
Published: September 2022

We study volatility spillovers from the Chinese A-share market to four Asia-Pacific (APAC) markets and three global markets during the Chinese stock market crisis. We make use of a nonlinear model and determine that volatility spillovers tend to be regional, posing greater risks to the region than elsewhere. We show that, during the crisis, the Chinese stock market is more integrated in the APAC region. We find no evidence of asymmetric effects and exclude short-run effects of the national team established by the Chinese authorities. We construct a volatility spillover balance and find that, during the financial turbulence, mainland China changes its status from being volatility spillover receiver to volatility generator.
Numerical Scheme with Convergence Analysis and Error Estimate for Variable Order Weakly Singular Integro-Differential Equation
Authors: Yadav Poonam , Singh B. P. , Alikhanov Anatoly A. , Singh Vineet Kumar
Published: September 2022

This paper represents a new application of Legendre wavelet and interpolating scaling function to discuss the approximate solution of variable order integro-differential equation having weakly singular kernel. So far, this technique has been used to solve variable order integro differential equation. In this paper, it is extended to solve variable order integro differential equation with weakly singular kernel. For this purpose, we derive the operational matrices of Legendre wavelets and interpolating scaling function. The resulting operational matrices along with the collocation method transform the original problem into a system of algebraic equation. By solving this system, the approximate solution is obtained. The convergence and error estimate of the presented method have been rigorously investigated. We also discuss the numerical stability of the method. The numerical result of some inclusive examples has been provided through a table and graph for both basis functions that support the robustness and desired precision of the method.
A Topology Optimization Method Based on the Edge-Based Smoothed Finite Element Method
Authors: Chang Guang-Bao , Wang Chao , Wu Yi , Jiang Wei-Kang
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we combined the edge-based smoothed finite element method (ES-FEM) with topology optimization. The edge-based gradient smoothing operation was introduced to overcome the accuracy-loss of the classical finite element method raised by the coarse mesh and “overly stiff” phenomenon. By employing the ES-FEM, design variables can be related to the smoothed edge, thus more design variables can be adaptively obtained without additional remeshing. Two classical topology optimization problems were considered, namely compliance minimization and stress-constrained topology optimization. We presented several numerical examples, among which the compliance minimization examples illustrated the potential of the proposed method, and the advantages of applying such a numerical method in topology optimization were demonstrated through the stress-constrained topology optimization.
Enumeration of maximum matchings in the Hanoi graphs using matching polynomials
Authors: Vukićević Žana Kovijanić
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we consider Tower of Hanoi graphs and study their matching properties. Explicit system of recurrences is derived for the matching polynomials of these graphs and their appropriate truncated variants. Consequently, we obtain exact formula for the numbers of maximum matchings in Hanoi graphs using matching polynomials, which is a new approach for old one problem.
Enhancing China–Africa Health Cooperation for a Healthier and Safer World: A Multilateral Perspective
Authors: Zhou Taidong , Ma Tianyue
Published: September 2022

China has made remarkable contributions to Africa’s health development through building public health facilities and systems, building basic medical service capacity, and improving human resources for medical services. Despite these achievements, China still faces challenges in improving project effectiveness, increasing local engagement, expanding the scope of health cooperation, and enhancing interaction with the larger international aid community. Besides, the differences in culture, communication style, history, and institution limit China and Africa on “soft” issues, as does the absence of a coherent and coordinated approach among Chinese stakeholders in health cooperation. One solution is to increase multilateral engagement in China–Africa health cooperation. Compared with other countries, China’s engagement in Africa’s health development is primarily bilateral, and its roles in the structure, management, and decision-making of the health-related multilateral organizations are also limited. Building on their acknowledged strengths, such as knowledge bases and centers, health and medical expertise, and past best practices, extensive connections with local communities, multilateral organizations should play a more prominent role in strengthening China–Africa health cooperation. To increase engagement with multilateral organizations and improve effectiveness and sustainability of China–Africa health cooperation, Beijing should conduct more field research and analysis to better understand the local development needs, ensure appropriate, targeted, and contextualized health cooperation, and jointly establish a pooled fund to guarantee stable, sustained, and predictable commitments from each side.