bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can bone scintigraphy play a role in identification and assessment of vertebral compression fractures?
Authors: Arnon-Sheleg Elite , Weiner Daniel , Haj Saeda , Rod Alon , Rahamimov Nimrod 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the role of bone scintigraphy (BS) in identifying and assessing the age of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs).
Methods: A total of 190 patients with VCFs, eligible for vertebral augmentation surgery, underwent computed tomography (CT) and BS. The CT and scintigraphic patterns of 2966 vertebrae were compared.
Results: The CT and BS findings were concordant in the majority of cases (95.5%), including 84.4% normal vertebrae, 6.4% acute VCFs, and 4.7% chronic VCFs. However, in 37 patients, 45 occult acute VCFs were only detected on BS and not on CT. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that these patients were older and had lower bone density compared to the rest of the study population. Additionally, 40 patients had acute VCFs visible on CT but with no increased or low intensity uptake on BS. These cases were associated with a shorter time period between trauma and BS, a higher prevalence of male patients, and higher bone density. Acute VCFs with no increased uptake or low levels of uptake were found within six days of the trauma.
Conclusion: BS provides valuable information about the age of VCFs, detects radiologically occult fractures, and can serve as a cost-effective alternative to MRI. To avoid missing acute VCFs, BS should be performed six days or more after the injury.
How to Nudge towards Continuous Sustainable Improvement: The ABCs of Productivity Award
Authors: Mohammadian Behzad , Pishdar Mahsa , Matin Hassan Zarei 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
This study addresses the redesign of a productivity award in the value chain, aiming to provide a comprehensive strategic framework for organizations dedicated to excellence. A notable challenge is identified in the absence of industry-specific models tailored to sector characteristics. In response, the ABCs of Productivity Award is introduced to catalyze sustainable continual improvement in value chains. The research utilizes methodological synthesis, incorporating a comprehensive case analysis across three structured phases. The first phase explores key success factors and conducts a methodical comparative assessment of the current productivity evaluation system against international and national models. This phase lays the foundational bedrock for enhancements in the next phase, involving different focus group deliberations. Informed by insights from the investigative phase, these sessions contribute to preliminary adjustments, forming a blueprint for transformative development. The third phase encompasses a diligent tripartite validation process, involving qualitative, quantitative, and pilot study components. The culmination reveals the scientific meticulous construction of the ABCs of Productivity Award, could be benchmarked in every single industry to create sustainable value while considering various issues that involve different stakeholders. This methodology has been applied to develop national award of Iran’ mining industry and the potential deficits are adjusted in this way and make it efficacious for benchmarking.
EduCodeVR: Design and Evaluation of VR Educational Software for Teaching Programming through Implementing Smart Control of Farms and Traffic
Authors: Jin Zean , Bai Yulong , Song Wei 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) technology provides innovative learning methods for science, technology, engineering , art and mathematics (STEAM) education by simulating real scenes. This study focuses on how to use the Arduino UNO microcontroller for graphical programming and hardware interfacing in VR environment. Through this approach, students can engage in the intelligent management of farms and traffic in a virtual setting, thereby gaining an in-depth understanding of the practical applications of microcontrollers and cultivating students’ programming skills and innovation abilities. We designed the course, learning achievement test and virtual reality system usability test for programming beginners The test results indicate that this VR software effectively promotes users’ STEAM literacy and computational thinking, demonstrating the immense potential of applying VR technology in STEAM education. Through this innovative teaching method, students not only acquire knowledge but also enjoy the pleasure of immersive learning.
Unveiling Therapeutic Frontiers: DON/DRP-104 as Innovative Plasma Kallikrein Inhibitors Against Carcinoma-Associated Hereditary Angioedema Shocks - A Comprehensive Molecular Dynamics Exploration
Authors: Oduro-Kwateng Ernest , Soliman Mahmoud E. S. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Human plasma kallikrein (PKa) is a member of the serine protease family and serves as a key mediator of the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS), which is known for its regulatory roles in inflammation, vasodilation, blood pressure, and coagulation. Genetic dysregulation of KKS leads to Hereditary Angioedema (HAE), which is characterized by spontaneous, painful swelling in various body regions. Importantly, HAE frequently coexists with various cancers. Despite substantial efforts towards the development of PKa inhibitors for HAE, there remains a need for bifunctional agents addressing both anti-cancer and anti-HAE aspects, especially against carcinoma-associated comorbid HAE conditions. Consequently, we investigated the therapeutic potential of the anti-glutamine prodrug, isopropyl(S)-2-((S)-2-acetamido-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-propanamido)-6-diazo-5-oxo-hexanoate (DRP-104), and its active form, 6-Diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON), recognized for their anti-cancer properties, as novel PKa inhibitors. Utilizing structure-based in silico methods, we conducted a comparative analysis with berotralstat, a clinically approved HAE prophylactic, and sebetralstat, an investigational HAE therapeutic agent, in Phase 3 clinical trials. Inhibiting PKa with DON resulted in heightened structural stability, rigidity, restricted protein folding, and solvent-accessible loop exposure, contributing to increased intra-atomic hydrogen bond formation. Conversely, PKa inhibition with DRP-104 induced restricted residue flexibility and significantly disrupted the critical SER195-HIS57 arrangement in the catalytic triad. Both DON and DRP-104, along with the reference drugs, induced strong cooperative intra-residue motion and bidirectional displacement in the PKa architecture. The results revealed favorable binding kinetics of DON/DRP-104, showing thermodynamic profiles that were either superior or comparable to those of the reference drugs. These findings support their consideration for clinical investigations into the management of carcinoma-associated HAE.
Short report of potential Myelinogenesis effects of taper up-off of opium tincture in rodent model of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Dezhakam Hossein , Dezhakam Ani , Dezhakam Amin , Dezhakam Shani , Haghighatfard Arvin 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common demyelinating autoimmune diseases that affects the central nervous system and is characterized by major immune-mediated myelin and axonal damage or axonal loss explicable to the absence of myelin sheaths. Here we present the early findings of the gene expression study of meylinogenesis-related genes of MS rat models which were treated with a novel protocol of taper up-off of opium tincture.
The study included normal Lewis rats, MS rat models by induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) without treatment, and MS rat models with a novel protocol of taper up-off treatment of opium tincture called Dezhakam-step-time (DST) in different dosages. RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized from the spinal cord tissue. Gene expression analysis was conducted for eight genes as markers of myelinogenesis (OLIG1, OLIG2, MBP, MYRF, PLP1, PMP22, EGF, and UGT8) using the Real time PCR.
All eight genes were down-regulated in EAE models vs. healthy controls and all eight genes were up-regulated after the taper up-off treatment of opium tincture. The most over-expression of myelinogenesis-related genes was revealed at higher dosages of opium tincture.
These are the early results of a gene expression study in a multiple sclerosis model treated with opium tincture. It seems that the opium tincture method may induce the activation of myelinogenesis in EAE models which could lead to a potential treatment for improvement of neural dysfunctions in MS patients.
Effects of metformin on the glucose regulation, lipid levels and gut microbiota in in high-fat diet with streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetes mellitus rats
Authors: zhou xuan , Zhou Jian , Ban Qingfeng , Zhang Mei , Ban Bo 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Among anti-diabetic drugs, metformin may regulate blood glucose through affect gut microbiotas, however, the potential mechanism between glucose regulation and gut microbiota were not clear. The study was to evaluate the effect of metformin on the the glucose regulation, lipid levels and gut microbiota in high-fat diet with streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (HFD/STZ-T2DM) rats.
Methods
Thirty experimental male rats were divided into three groups, which were fed normal diet for the first week. The first group was the control group (10 individuals), the second group and the third group were given high-fat diet to establish the diabetes model at the 2–7 weeks of feeding, the second group was the diabetes control group (10 individuals); The third group was given metformin, that is, metformin group (10). The body weight of rats in each group was measured weekly, and the levels of OGTT, HbA1C, TG, TC and LDL-C in venous blood were monitored 42d later. Acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and valeric acid were collected from the stool of rats the day before the end of the experiment, and microbial DNA was extracted. At the end of the experiment, the weight of liver, kidney, spleen and thymus tissue was measured, and the pathological analysis of pancreatic tissue was performed.
Results
The results showed that the rats gavaged with metformin significantly improving the blood glucose, serum lipids, accompanied by altering of short-chain fatty acids levels and intestinal microbiota (P < 0.05). Compared to the diabetic rats, the metformin may through increased the specific probiotics to improving the the hypoglycemic effects of the oral antidiabetic drugs. The damages of liver and kidney were well improved in the rats gavaged with metformin.
Conclusions
The metformin may be a good alternative to oral drugs for delaying progression of diabetic complications.
Optimal Sizing of a Hybrid Microgrid System for a Rural Area of Algeria
Authors: Bacha Badis , Ghodbane Hatem , Terki Nadjiba , Hamiane Madina , Charrouf Omar , Betka Abir , Bacha Aymene 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Renewable energy systems have replaced systems that use fossil fuels in many applications in different regions of the world. This is seen in the increasing use of solar and wind energy as the two most important sources for producing environment-friendly and economically convenient electrical energy. The fluctuating and unstable nature of renewable energy sources makes this type of energy complex to exploit, and related research has therefore mainly focused on Control and optimization. This work proposes an optimized configuration of two hybrid systems designed for a microgrid network with the aim to improve the power supply in isolated areas and provide a low cost, more reliable, and sustainable source of electricity for rural communities that may have limited access to traditional power grids. These hybrid setups consist of an initial system that caters for 10 houses which is then extended to serve 20 houses. Both setups utilize solar and wind energy sources, energy storage batteries, and a diesel generator. Real data collected in the Biskra region in the southeast of Algeria, is used. Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is applied to achieve the optimal size of the hybrid system components through the weighted sum multi-objective approach, whereby three factors, namely, Cost of Electricity, Loss of Power Supply Probability, and Dummy Excess are combined into one objective function. Results of simulation show that the proposed approach achieves highly satisfactory values for the electricity prices in the 10- house and 20-house scenarios, with estimates of 0.15829 $/Kwh and 0.42112 $/Kwh, respectively.
Physicians' moral distinctions between medical assistance in dying and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment in Canada: An interpretive phenomenological analysis.
Authors: Matthew Midori , Bonner Kieran , Stumpf Andrew 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
Medical assistance in dying was legalized in Canada following the Carter v. Canada ruling of 2015. In spite of legalization, the ethics of medical assistance in dying remain contentious, with a paucity of research regarding physicians’ moral perspectives on the matter. By asking physicians if they perceive the major bioethical accounts as clinically useful, we seek to distinguish between aspects of the contemporary bioethical landscape which are useful at the bedside and those which are divorced from the realities faced by clinicians.
Methods
We applied a qualitative interpretive phenomenological approach to examine the convergence and divergence of physicians’ subjective experiences and bioethical distinctions in providing MAiD and WLT.
Results
21 interview transcripts were thematically analyzed and coded, which generated four overarching themes: 1) moral differences between MAiD and WLT; 2) the causal role of the medical practitioner; 3) semantic appropriateness of ‘killing’ versus ‘allowing to die; and 4) intent of the physician. Overall, physicians emphasized the importance of understanding the realities of patients at the bedside prior to engaging in bioethical abstraction of MAiD’s legitimacy.
Conclusions
In order to have practical utility for clinical practice, it is essential for bioethicists to engage in dialogue with patients and their medical providers pursuing MAiD or WLT. Esoteric debates that are divorced from the realities of terminal illness do not assist physicians with navigating the ethical terrain of ending a patient’s life. This research captures meaningful accounts regarding MAiD and WLT that is rooted in the lived experience of the providers of these services in order for bioethical debates to have substantive impact in clinical practice and in legislation surrounding future health policies.
Doxorubicin Downregulates NEAT1 Expression in Breast Cancer
Authors: Azizi Zahra , Acikbas Ibrahim , Urganci Buket Er , Dogan Cihangir 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Doxorubicin (DOX) is considered an anthracycline derivative and conversant chemotherapeutic agent and one of the most influential chemotherapeutic drugs. In addition, it is among the most frequently applied drugs for BC. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert a particularly vital role in this respect. The current reviews demonstrate that lncRNAs can function as oncogenic and tumor suppressor and contribute to cancer development and progression. Our study addressed nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) and the effect of DOX contributing to the regulation of miR410 by NEAT1.
Methods
MTT test was conducted to ascertain the half-maximal inhibitory concentration. The initial step was RNA isolation, which came after cell culture. Then, cDNA synthesis was carried out for both microRNA and lncRNA in order to use RT-PCR to identify changes in RNA expression. Alterations in the expression level were measured by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyzes.
Results
After receiving DOX treatment, it was discovered that NEAT1 expression levels were practically decreased in human BC cells, including MDA-MB231 and MCF-7. As expected, further expression than cancer cell lines were detected in normal mammary epithelial cell MCF-10A. Simultaneously, neither the dose administration levels, nor the cell lines showed any changes in the expression of miR410.
Conclusion
This data indicates that DOX may affect BC lines via NEAT1, and miR410 is ineffective in this pathway. Our data confirmed that the contribution of NEAT1 in DOX treatment. Accordingly, it can be provided as a biomarker in the diagnosis and treatment of BC.
Biased Technological Progress, Factor Price Distortion And Factor Allocating Efficiency in China
Authors: XU Shaojun , LIU Xiuyan , NI Kejin 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
This paper constructs a two-regime model with factor flowing, studies the long-term factor allocating structure when there exists differences in biased technological progress between regions, and analyzed the influence of factor price distortion as an endogenous obstacle on factor allocating efficiency. Further, this paper adopts a state space model to estimate the production elasticity of capital and labor of the C-D production function, which in turn describes the time-varying substitution characteristics between labor and capital, and found that the path of Chinese technological progress is gradually shifting from capital biased to labor biased. Finally, in order to capture the improvement in factor allocating efficiency caused by factor reallocating cross regions, this article constructs a new factor allocating efficiency indicator, empirically verifies the relationship between biased technological progress, factor price distortions and factor allocating efficiency by using Chinese provincial-level macro data as well as China Industry Business Performance Database in the period of 2004–2015. On average, for every 1% increase in the biased technology indicator, factor allocating efficiency increases by about 28%; for every 1% increase in the degree of labor price negative distortion, factor allocating efficiency loses by about 22%; and for every 1% increase in the degree of capital price negative distortion, factor allocating efficiency loses by about 4.1%. Substantial heterogeneity is also observed, such as regional heterogeneity, differences in house prices, and degree of marketization.
JEL Classification: L52; R52; R12
Cryopreservation of Oryza Sativa L. and Evaluation of Genetic stability of the Regenerants.
Authors: Zeliang Patu Khate , Pattanayak Arunava 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Cryopreservation, a widely utilized technique for long-term preservation of in vitro cultures, effectively arrests metabolic processes, obviating the need for frequent subcultures and mitigating the risk of somaclonal variation. In this study, we applied cryopreservation methods to intact rice (Oryza sativa L.) calli to determine the optimal age for cryopreservation, investigating the timelines in order to produce chlorophyll, generate chloroplasts, and shoot initiation in R0 plants derived from calli of varying ages. Results revealed that three-month-old calli exhibited the highest regeneration percentage, with chlorophyll development and greening observed within twelve days, and shoot initiation within fifteen days. Subsequent cultivation involved seeds from these matured plants alongside seed-derived plants. Phenotypic and molecular analyses assessed the genetic fidelity of regenerated progenies in R1 and R2. Comparison of twelve qualitative and quantitative characters indicated variations among cryopreserved, control callus, and seed-derived plants. Molecular data, utilizing twenty four rice simple sequence repeat markers, demonstrated a 3.6–7.25% deviation from the control. In the R1 generation, in vitro-derived plants displayed nearly identical characteristics, except for increased plant height and spikelet fertility in seed-derived plants, and extended time to maturity in all in vitro-derived plants. However, these distinctions were absent in the R2 generation.
Continuous Sheathless Particle Separation in Viscoelastic Fluids with Different Rheological Properties
Authors: Gan Chong-Shan , Tian Zhuang-Zhuang , Liu Lv , Fan Liang-Liang , Zhao Liang 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

The separation of particles such as cells and bacteria in viscoelastic fluids has significant applications in biomedical fields. At present, one of the main challenges that limit the application of microfluidic technology is to separate particles in the viscoelastic fluids with different rheological properties. For instance, most exisiting microfluidic devices can only work in the fluid with a specific rheological property, resulting in the requirement of time-consuming design, manufacturing, testing, and optimization of different devices to separate particles in the fluids with different rheological properties. In this work, a new particle separation strategy that is first focusing, then initial separation, and then precise separation (FISPS) was proposed, and a novel hybrid three-stage microfluidic device where a micropore structure was utilized to connect two gradually contracted microchannels was designed to achieve efficient continuous separation of particles in the viscoelastic fluid over a wide range of rheological properties (0.07 < El < 340.41). The device showed a separation mechanism of initial separation and then precise separation (ISPS) at El < 0.14 while it showed the separation mechanism of first focusing, then initial separation, and then precise separation (FISPS) at El > 8.43. In addition, the transformation of the separation mechanism from ISPS to FISPS was found under different flow conditions in the fluid with the transitional rheological properties (0.21 < El < 1.10). The effect of the flow rate and the rheological property of the fluid on microparticle separation were systematically studied by the experiment. With simple structure, easy operation, high separation efficiency, the present microfluidic device would have great potentials in the biomedical and clinical applications, such as the separation of cells for different patients.
Recycling of flexible polyurethane foam wastes of automotive parts by acidolysis
Authors: Kim Gyuri , Sahu Pranabesh , Jin Woo Seok , Jeong Seongrok , Jeon Cheon Young , Lee Tae Gyu , Lee Sang Ho , Oh Jeong Seok 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
With the aim to minimize the quantity and disposal of the polyurethane foam waste residue, depolymerization of polyurethane (PU) waste scrap via acidolysis using dicarboxylic acids (DA) was successfully attained. PU flexible foam waste was recycled using different dicarboxylic acids, namely succinic and phthalic dicarboxylic acids, as the cleavage agent and polyol as a conventional solvent. The effect of reaction temperature on the conversion and properties of the recovered polyol (RP) was investigated. The degradation of PU foams and formation of reaction products was confirmed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Phthalic acid as a cleavage agent resulted in higher conversion and single-phase recovered polyols, whereas succinic acid yielded split-phase polyols. Phthalic acid-based recovered polyol has higher viscosity than succinic acid-based recovered polyol. Finally, the recovered polyol was used as a partial substitute for virgin polyol (up to 10%, w/w) for the preparation of regenerated polyurethane foam (RPUF). The RPUF showed similar cell-size morphology and foaming properties to that derived from the virgin polyol. The comfort properties of the RPUF with respect to sag factor, hardness, and hysteresis loss displayed comparable values to that of virgin foam. Overall, the applicability of this method for the recycling of PU foam waste via acidolysis was illustrated, and the recovered polyol can be used as feedstock for foam preparation with comparable performance.