bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Results of a survey on eating habits and nutritional status of university students and analysis of the correlation between different lifestyles and body composition
Authors: Liu Ling , Gong Wan , Li Jun , Zhou Wei , Lin Li 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Objective To explore the results of the survey on eating habits and nutritional status of university students and the correlation analysis between different lifestyles and body composition.
Methods College students enrolled in a university were selected as the study subjects, and a total sample size of 993 cases was included in this study from November 2021 to December 2021 to analyze the effects and correlations of different lifestyles on body composition through questionnaires as well as body composition measurements.
Results (1) Living habits. 3.02% of students smoked cigarettes, 9.96% of male students smoked cigarettes, and 0.42% of female students smoked cigarettes; 17.42% of students drank alcohol; 47.83% went online for 2-3h per day, and those who went online for ≥4h were 16.01%, 48.54% studied for 9-10h per day, and 20 48.74% of students slept less than 7h;(2) Analysis of the questionnaire on the frequency of raw and simplified food for college students. 46.32% of college students could manage to eat vegetables every day, 31.02% of college students could ensure that they ate fruits 3-4 days a week, 21.15% of college students hardly ate fish and shrimp, and 16.11% of college students could ensure that they ate dairy products every day. In terms of the frequency of major food intake types per week, there was a significant difference between male and female students in terms of the frequency of food intake types, except for soya bean products (P < 0.05);(3) Analysis of body composition of college students. The percentage of male students' body fat is significantly lower than that of female students (P < 0.05), and the percentage of male students' body water, body protein, and body mineral is higher than that of female students (P < 0.05); the rate of female students' insufficient body water content, the rate of insufficient protein content, and the rate of body fat content exceeding the standard are higher than that of male students (P < 0.05);(4) Analysis of nutritional status of college students. The hidden obesity of female students is significantly higher than that of male students (P < 0.05). The percentage of malnutrition in male students is higher than that of female students (P < 0.05);(5) Correlation analysis of body fat and protein content of university students with lifestyle. The frequency of fruit consumption was an independent influence on the body fat and protein content of college students (P < 0.05).
Conclusion College students' dietary structure is unbalanced, and sleep time is generally shorter, most college students' body protein content is insufficient, and female college students' hidden obesity problem is prominent, and increasing the frequency of fruit consumption can effectively improve the proportion of protein in college students' body.
A Dynamic Symmetric Key Generation at Wireless Link Layer: Information-Theoretic Perspectives
Authors: Bhatti David Samuel 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The expansion of wireless communication introduces security vulnerabilities, emphasizing the essential need for secure systems that prioritize confidentiality, integrity, and other key aspects of data protection. Since, computational security acknowledges the possibility of breaches when adequate computational resources are available that is why information-theoretic security is being explored that suggests the existence of unbreakable cryptographic systems, even in the presence of limitless processing power. Secret key exchange has traditionally relied on RSA or DH protocols, but researchers are now exploring innovative approaches for sharing secret keys among wirless network devices, leveraging physical or link layer characteristics. This research seeks to revolutionize secure multi-party key acquisition in wireless networks, capitalizing on information-theoretic security and collaborative data extraction. It comprehensively organize and elucidate the information-theoretic aspects of secret key generation within the lower layers of wireless networks, especially the link layer, proposes a novel theoretical framework for the dynamic acquisition of symmetric secret keys, and responds to contemporary information security challenges by relying on information theory principles rather than vulnerable mathematical relationships in the post-quantum period. A new cryptographic key can be generated using a straightforward method, and when it's combined (XORed) with the previous key, it creates a continuously changing secret for encryption and decryption. This approach enhances security because as attackers attempt to break the encryption, the system generates fresh, dynamic keys, making it progressively more challenging for them to succeed. The research work in question integrates key renewal, or how often keys are updated (dynamic keys), with a security off-period. It introduces a framework for determining the best key refresh rate based on the anticipated rate at which keys might be compromised.
Quantum Vector Signal Analyzer
Authors: Wu Hao , Mitts Grant , Ho Clayton , Rabinowitz Joshua , Hudson Eric 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

A technique that allows a harmonic oscillator to be used as a wideband vector signal analyzer is described and demonstrated using a single trapped 40ca+ ion cooled near its motional ground state. Further, the analyzer is shown to be compatible with both quantum amplification via squeezing and measurement in the Fock basis, allowing performance beyond the standard quantum limit. In addition to providing an attractive platform for quantum sensing of small fields, the technique allows in situ calibration of qubit control lines in systems using quantum harmonic oscillators and transduction of external, non-resonant drives into oscillator motion. This technique is extendable to other quantum harmonic oscillator systems.
Heparin-enriched plasma proteome is significantly altered in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Guo Qi , Ping Lingyan , Dammer Eric B , Yin Luming , Xu Kaiming , Shantaraman Anantharaman , Fox Edward J. , Golde Todd E , Johnson Erik C.B. , Roberts Blaine R. , Lah James J. , Levey Allan I. , Seyfried Nicholas T. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
Heparin binding proteins (HBPs) with roles in extracellular matrix assembly are strongly correlated to β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau pathology in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). However, it remains challenging to detect these proteins in plasma using standard mass spectrometry-based proteomic approaches.
Methods:
We employed heparin affinity chromatography, followed by off-line fractionation and tandem mass tag mass spectrometry (TMT-MS), to capture and enrich HBPs in plasma obtained from AD (n=62) and control (n=47) samples. These profiles were then correlated to a consensus AD brain proteome, as well as with Aβ, tau and phosphorylated tau (pTau) CSF biomarkers from the same individuals. We then leveraged published human postmortem brain proteome datasets to assess the overlap with the heparin-enriched plasma proteome.
Results:
Heparin-enrichment from plasma was highly reproducible, enriched well-known HBPs like APOE and thrombin, and depleted high-abundance proteins such as albumin. A total of 2865 proteins, spanning 10 orders of magnitude were detectable. Utilizing a consensus AD brain protein co-expression network, we observed that specific plasma HBPs exhibited consistent direction of change in both brain and plasma, whereas others displayed divergent changes highlighting the complex interplay between the two compartments. Elevated HBPs in AD plasma, when compared to controls, included members of the matrisome module in brain that accumulate within Aβ deposits, such as SMOC1, SMOC2, SPON1, MDK, OLFML3, FRZB, GPNMB, and APOE. Additionally, heparin enriched plasma proteins demonstrated significant correlations with conventional AD CSF biomarkers, including Aβ, total tau, pTau, and plasma pTau from the same individuals.
Conclusion:
These findings support the utility of a heparin-affinity approach for enriching amyloid-associated proteins, as well as a wide spectrum of plasma biomarkers that reflect pathological changes in the AD brain.
Azilsartan and Ceftriaxone, A Novel Combination Ameliorates Excitotoxicity Mediated Neuroinflammation in In-Vitro, and In-Vivo Models of Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Rao Gaddam Narasimha , Jupudi Srikanth , Prasad Devarakonda Krishna , Bharathi Jeyaram , Baba Mohammad Zubair , Justin Antony 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Excitotoxicity is an early event of cerebral ischemia, oxidative stress and cytokine storm plays a critical role in dysfunction of Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter-2 (EAAT-2) thereby neuroinflammatory cascade will be activated. Generally, tissue Plasminogen Activators (tPA’s) and anticoagulant therapies are being used as first line treatment options but due to its narrow therapeutic window and anticipatory drawbacks of its administration tPA’s are not much popular in clinical practice. Although, the existing treatment options would not interfere in neuroinflammatory mechanisms rather than restoring the cerebral arterial circulation, in fact EAAT-2 dysfunction during ischemic condition attributes a significant role in neuronal loss. Based on the earlier studies we designed a novel combination for target neuroinflammatory pathways in cerebral ischemia. Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) Azilsartan (Azi) and a third generation Cephalosporin Ceftriaxone (Cef) were repurposed to treat the cerebral ischemia inin vitro Oxygen Glucose deprive (OGD) primary astrocytes and N2a neuronal co-culture and in vivo middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) rat model. Novel combination was administered after ischemic reperfusion injury and then we evaluated several parameters such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, oxidative stress markers, cytokine estimation, and RT-PCR. The novel combination ameliorated the neurodegeneration by down regulating the ROS, apoptosis, oxidative stress, glutamate concentration and also enhanced the level of antioxidant enzymes like Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Reduced Glutathione (GSH). Moreover, EAAT-2 gene expression was remarkably increased with the treatment of novel combination of Azi and Cef than the individual treatment
Attitude towards Cholera Vaccination and its Related Factors in Jordan amid the 2022 Middle East Outbreak
Authors: Sallam Malik , Athamneh Rabaa Y. , Alkhazaleh Rawan , Alzayadneh Lana , Jaradat Laila , Majali Tala , Obeidat Sarah , Shhab Aseel , Hallit Souheil , Barakat Muna , Mahafzah Azmi 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background: An outbreak of cholera was reported in the Middle East by the second half of 2022. Raising public awareness and vaccination against cholera represent critical factors in the preventive efforts. The current study aimed to assess the knowledge of cholera and attitude towards its vaccination among a sample of the general public residing in Jordan.
Methods: An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the residents in Jordan using a snowball convenience-based sampling approach. The questionnaire based on previously published studies included items to evaluate sociodemographic variables, knowledge about cholera symptoms, transmission, and prevention and the willingness to accept cholera vaccination. Additionally, four items based on the validated 5C scale in Arabic were included to assess the psychological factors influencing attitude to cholera vaccination.
Results: The final study sample comprised 1339 respondents, of whom 1216 (90.8%) heard of cholera before the study. Among those who heard of cholera, and on a scale from 0 to 20, the overall mean cholera Knowledge score (K-score) was 12.9±3.8. In multivariate analysis, being over 30 years old and occupation as healthcare workers or students in healthcare-related colleges were significantly associated with a higher K-score compared to younger individuals and students in non-healthcare-related colleges. Overall, the acceptance of cholera vaccination if cases are recorded in Jordan, and if the vaccine is safe, effective, and provided freely was reported among 842 participants (69.2%), while 253 participants were hesitant (20.8%) and 121 participants were resistant (10.0%). In linear regression, the significant predictors of cholera vaccine acceptance were solely the three psychological factors namely high confidence, low constraints, and high collective responsibility.
Conclusions: In this study, the identified gaps in cholera knowledge emphasize the need to enhance educational initiatives. Although cholera vaccine acceptance was relatively high, a significant minority of the respondents exhibited vaccination hesitancy or resistance. The evident correlation between the psychological determinants and attitudes toward cholera vaccination emphasizes the need to consider these factors upon designing public health campaigns aimed at cholera prevention. The insights of the current study highlight the importance of addressing both knowledge gaps and psychological barriers to optimize cholera control strategies.
Enhancing heat transfer in double tube heat exchanger by nail rod inserts: numerical and experimental study
Authors: Marzouk S. A. , Sharaf Maisa A. , Almehmadi Fahad Awjah , Aljabr Ahmad 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Double-tube heat exchanger (DTHX) is extensively utilized in many applications because of their small size, easy maintenance, and suitability for high-pressure applications. In this study, the heat transfer enhancement in a DTHX is studied experimentally and numerically by adding a nail rod insert (NRI). The study is performed with a steel nails rod insert 1000 mm long and a turbulence flow with a Reynolds number ranging from 3200 to 5700. Three different pitches of NRI such as 100 mm, 50 mm, and 25 mm are investigated. The attained results reveal that inserting nail rods raises the Nu number, and additional improvement can be attained by reducing pitch length. Nu number enhancement ratios for 25 mm pitch NRI are 1.81–1.9 times higher than the plain tube. Pressure drop rises in all configurations with NRI due to turbulence and obstructive NRI area. Among various pitch lengths, 25 mm exhibits the highest values of pressure drop where these values are overlooked concerning potential heat transfer improvements. Exergy efficiency rises across all cases with NRI, correlating with increased heat transfer, resulting in a 128% improvement in exergy efficiency for 25 mm pitch length. The numerical findings elucidate that the novel insert augments flow turbulence with secondary flows, thereby improving heat transfer in DTHX. A comprehensive analysis is presented with temperature, velocity, and pressure drop distributions from the numerical results.
Implementation of a rapid diagnostic assay package for Cryptococcosis, Histoplasmosis and Tuberculosis in People Living with HIV in Paraguay
Authors: Aguilar Gloria , Lopez Gladys , Sued Omar , Medina Narda , Caceres Diego H , Pereira Jose , Jordan Alexander , Lezcano Virgilio , Vicenti Cristina , Benitez Gustavo , Samudio Tania , Perez Freddy 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Opportunistic infections (OIs) are common causes of mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV). We determined prevalence and 30-day mortality due to histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and TB in PLHIV with advanced HIV disease (AHD).
Methods
PLHIV 18 years and older, not receiving ART with advanced HIV were enrolled and followed for 30 days. Detection of Histoplasma Ag (HisAg) in urine was done by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), Cryptococcus antigen (CrAg) was detected in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens by lateral flow assay (LFA), and lipoarabinomannan (LAM) detection in urine was by LFA (TB LAM) and in sputum by GeneXpert for diagnosis of Mycobacterium infections.
Results
From August 2021 to June 2022, 491 PLHIV were enrolled; 482 (98%) had a CD4 result, and 381 patients (79%) were classified with AHD according to CD4 cell count (< 200 CD4/mm3). Frequency of an OI was 38% (n = 145/381). Antigen test positivity rate was 16% (72/467) for TB-LAM, 9% (43/464) for HisAg, and 11% (51/484) for CrAg. Twenty-one of 34 (62%) patients receiving CSF CrAg tests were positive, confirming meningitis. Significant differences in 30-day mortality were observed in patients with an OI (16%) vs no OI (7%) (p = 0.002). Mortality was highest in patients with histoplasmosis (25%), co-infection (22%), cryptococcosis (18% overall; 19% for cryptococcal meningitis), and TB (10%).
Conclusions
TB and fungal (OIs), including co-infection, were common in PLHIV in Paraguay and had high associated mortality. Laboratories and health facilities need access to CD4 testing and rapid diagnostic assays.
Machine learning insight: Unveiling overlooked risk factors for postoperative complications in gastric cancer
Authors: Lee Sejin , Oh Hyo-Jung , Yoo Hosuon , Kim Chan-Young 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Since postoperative complications after gastrectomy for gastric cancer are associated with poor clinical outcomes, it is crucial to predict and prepare for the occurrence of complications preoperatively. We evaluated machine learning for predicting complications after gastric cancer surgery, emphasizing its advantage in uncovering unnoticed risk factors and improving preoperative strategies over linear regression models. We retrospectively reviewed cohort data from 865 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer from 2018–2022. A total of 83 variables including demographics, clinical features, laboratory values, intraoperative parameters, and pathologic results were used to conduct the machine learning model. The data set was partitioned into 80% for training and 20% for validation. Utilizing the backward elimination method and a moderate strategy for handling missing data, machine learning models achieved an impressive area under the curve value of 0.744, outshining linear regression in performance. We pinpointed 15 significant variables linked to postoperative complications. Among these, operation time emerged as the most impactful, with pre-operative albumin levels and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) trailing closely. This research underscores the capabilities of machine learning in refining predictions of post-gastric cancer surgery complications. It highlights previously overlooked risk factors, emphasizing the nuanced role of Complete Blood Count (CBC) parameters.
The lower shear modulus of younger subjects can result in stronger Achilles tendons - an in silico analysis.
Authors: Pinto Otávio Teixeira , Klahr Bruno , Thiesen José Luís Medeiros , Carniel Thiago André , Fancello Eduardo Alberto 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Proteins such as the collagen of tendons and other structures of the body tend to form cross-links with their neighbors as a result of aging. These new chemical bonds are known to increase the lateral force transfer between collagen molecules and, as a consequence, increase the shear stresses present in tissues with a high degree of fiber organization such as the Achilles tendon. A finite element model of the Achilles tendon is proposed to compare three levels of lesion severity on two different Achilles tendon models (young and old). The low and high levels of lesion severity show no difference between the old and the young case, but the medium level of severity shows that the lower shear modulus of the young case protects the tendon by resulting in a more homogeneous stress field, whereas the old case shows an increase in the stress concentration near the lesion site.
Intensified Transesterification of Algae oil using Ultrasonic Cavitation
Authors: Deshpande Dhundiraj Padmanabha , Maheshwari Utkarsh , Rangarajan Vivek 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The fatty Acid methyl Ester (Biodiesel) was Produce from Algae oil using transesterification reaction. The variables choose for study were reaction temperature (30, 40 and 50°C), catalysts weight base oil (5wt%, 7.5wt% and 1wt%), reaction time (30mins, 45mins and 60mins) and methanol: oil molar ratio (6:1, 9:1 and 10:1). Based on the results of the optimization study, the reaction temperature, residence time, catalyst concentration and molar ratio of methanol: oil have influenced on biodiesel yield. Biodiesel using highest methyl esters yield (99.3%) was achieved under optimized (1%) NaOH catalyst concentration at 40°C,9:1 methanol: oil molar ratio is required to conduct reaction at 45minsresidence time.. Further, the quality of biodiesel produced from algal oil meet the specifications of the ASTM standard diesel fuel D-975 regarding viscosity, flash point, density. Additionally, it was found that produced biodiesel is a high quality fuel.
IL18 in acute pancreatitis: Machine learning and two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhou Kena , Liu Leheng , Bao Jingpiao , Wang Chuanyang , Wang Xingpeng , Jiang Weiliang , Wan Rong 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Objective
Acute pancreatitis is a common disease whose treatment is limited to symptomatic support, thus finding effective biomarkers is of great significance for early diagnosis and therapy.
Methods
Bioinformatics and machine learning were applied to evaluate the expression, clinical features, biological function and immunological effects of the characteristic genes in AP. Meanwhile, AP mice models were constructed to verify the results in vivo. Finally, Mendelian randomization studies were performed to determine the causal relationship between IL-18 and AP through genome-wide association studies.
Results
A total of 100 core genes were obtained via differential analysis and PPI interaction network. IL18 was identified as the characteristic gene for AP by machine learning through three algorithmic. The expression of IL18 was increased significantly in AP (P < 0.001). The AUC value of IL18 in the diagnosis of AP was 0.917, exhibiting high clinical value. Moreover, IL18 was associated with various immune cells involved in the progression of AP. Through inverse variance weighting (IVW), we found that the OR for IL18 and AP was 0.908 (95%CI = 0.843–0.978, p = 0.011).
Conclusions
IL18 is a pivotal biomarker predicting the clinical prognosis and immune response in AP, which is proved to serve as a protective factor.
The Need of Continuing Professional Development of Secondary-Level Teachers in Karachi
Authors: Hassan Ammad , Kang Muhammad Akhter , Shaheen Fayyaz Ahmed 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the need or continuing professional development (CPD) among secondary-level schoolteachers in Karachi. The education budgets of developing countries may not allow for the implementation of a continuous professional development system. The researcher proposed that schools hire a team of educational experts to work on the training of a small number of master trainers who will provide on-the-job training to untrained teachers in their respective schools. This concept of continual professional development fits well within the Karachi schools, which have limited financial resources. In this qualitative research, data were gathered from interviews with male and female teaching faculty members from 6 different private and 3 different public sector secondary-level schools in Karachi. The interviewed teachers agreed that CPD should be compulsory for teachers and schools and should motivate their staff to continue profession development; additionally, they must have a mechanism for doing so. To encourage teachers to seek professional development opportunities, schools should attract/motivate teachers to engage in CPD through rewords, especially cash rewards such as salary increases. Schools also have proper mechanisms for checking the CPDs of their staff, and promotions/appraisals should be associated with CPD programs.