bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi-points assisted surrogate-based design and optimization of forklift key components
Authors: zhang wei , Lu Yujun , Lv Liye 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

To better balance adaptive sampling strategies between global exploration and local exploitation and improve the prediction accuracy of the ensemble surrogate model. Based on the individual adaptive sampling (IAS) strategy, an efficient and robust PAI strategy for ensemble surrogate (ES) model (ES-PAI) is proposed. The surrogate model library built into the ES model consists of several typical individual surrogate (IS) models, such as PRS, RBF, Kriging, SVR. Based on the IAS strategy, each IS model in the surrogate model library is used to guide the selection of new infilling sample points, after which new sample points satisfying the diversity are selected by screening with the Euclidean distance criterion. Then, the new samples are added to the training point set to guide the construction of new surrogate models. The effect of IAS strategies used in the ES-PAI strategy and whether the strategy can be applied to most of currently available ensemble surrogate models are explored. Results show that the ES-PAI strategy always outperforms the IAS strategies in terms of global and local performance and is more robust. The ES-PAI strategy is applied into the design and optimization of the forklift gantry. In this practical problem, to save costs, deformation, stress, and mass of a forklift gantry are approximated by surrogate models. The weight of the forklift gantry was reduced by about 4.1% under the condition of stress and deformation.
Omicron’s Spike Receptor-Binding Domain Mutations Significantly Stabilize its Conformational State
Authors: Peters Michael H. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The Omicron variant and its sub lineages are the only current circulating SARS-CoV-2 viruses world-wide. In this study, the conformational stability of the isolated Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the virus’s spike protein, which has been used for highly successful vaccines (Ref. 12), is examined in detail. The conformational stability of Omicron’s RBD over the Wild-type (WT) strain is shown to be greatly increased and traceable to just a few mutations: K417N, S373P, E484A. The mutation S373P,which is shown to represent a significant beta strand enhancement within the receptor binding domain, has been previously identified through atomic force microscopy (Ref. 19) as critical to the increased biomechanical stability of the Omicron variant. Here it is demonstrated that these stabilizing mutations significantly increase the internal energy of the RBD, which is specifically associated with its β hairpin loop domain interactions (intra-loop and loop-RBD interactions). These internal energy increases are traced to the formation of new hydrogens bonds between non-mutated RBD residues that are brought closer together in the more stable Omicron structure. Furthermore, the enhanced stability of the isolated Omicron receptor binding domain over WT results in its configurational alignment with the RBD bound state conformation to its binding partner (human) Angiotensin Converting Enzyme II. The bound state conformation of the RBD is shown to be nearly identical across WT and Omicron variants. This suggests that a dynamic, energetic analysis of protein bound and unbound state conformations may potentially provide a general “road map” for site directed mutational stabilizing of proteins as antigens for vaccines.
Topological optimal design of composite magnetic actuators to improve driving force and thermal conductivity
Authors: Oh Minkyu , Yoo Jeonghoon 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

The aim of this study is to introduce a topology optimization approach to improve the driving force of magnetic actuators along with their thermal conductivity considering the nonlinearity of composite materials. The anisotropic magnetic composite is composed of two parts, taking into account differences in magnetic saturation effect and thermal conductivity. The first part has low magnetic reluctivity and high conductivity, while the other part has high reluctivity and low conductivity. The representative volume element (RVE) method and deep neural network (DNN) were used to obtain a dataset of effective composite material properties and generate a machine learning (ML) module for material property determination used in the optimization process. To optimize and verify both performances, a multi-objective function was established. By employing gradually changing preferences with an initial and utopia points-based adaptive weighting method, design processes were performed to obtain Pareto-optimal solution sets evenly distributed in the objective space. Numerical examples are presented for both symmetric and asymmetric magnetic actuator models, aiming to validate the effectiveness of the proposed design process. To investigate the effects of nonlinearity in magnetic material properties, design results are compared when subjected to high and low currents.
In vitro and In vivo experimental study of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Selected Medicinal Plants for Free Radical Scavenging and Hypoglycemic Activity
Authors: Baral Rishiram , Rawal Prakash , Panta Sushil 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a condition affecting metabolism characterized by a high level of glucose in the bloodstream, either due to failure of the Islets of Langerhans of the pancreatic beta cell to produce enough insulin (Type I diabetes) or when there is insulin resistance in body cells (Type II diabetes). Oxidative stress caused by the free radicals produced during the oxidation of glucose, protein glycation by non-enzymatic pathway, and the gradual breakdown of glycated protein by oxidation, is a significant factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. This study was designed for the qualitative and quantitative phytoconstituent determination, free radical lowering activity, and in-vitro and in-vivo glucose-lowering effect of selected parts of five medicinal plants of Nepal using two solvents, i.e., methanol and water of different polarity. The selected plant species are Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Dendrocalamus hamiltoni, Fagopyrum megacarpumH. Hara., Somallanthus sonchifolius (poepp)H. Rob., Urtica parvifloraRoxb.
Results
The result from the study revealed that among the tested samples, A. heterophyllus, F. megacarpum, and S. sonchifoliushave higher Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), conclusively showing significant free radical scavenging properties. The in-vitrostudy for the hypoglycemic activity of plant samples showed that ethanolic and water extracts of S. sonchifolius have potent alpha-amylase inhibitory effect showing the half-maximal inhibitory concentration as 0.136 mg/ml and 0.168 mg/ml respectively. In vivo hypoglycemic activity study of S. sonchifolius depicted the blood glucose lowering effect in a dose-dependent manner having a comparative release profile to standard Metformin. S. sonchifolius with the dose of 500 mg/kg showed the optimal decrement in blood glucose level in normal mice by 17.99%, while the same dose of S. sonchifolius diminished the glucose level in blood by 15.74% in glucose-loaded hyperglycemic mice in 120 minutes.
Conclusion
The results from the study outlined that the positive qualitative and quantitative phytoconstituent determination and the ability to eliminate free radicals align with the in vitro and in vivohypoglycemic activity test.
The effect of molding conditions on product properties in the production of flexible polyurethane foam using a Box–Behnken design
Authors: Akbal Büşra , SARA Osman Nuri , Şimşek Barış 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Polyurethane (PU) foams have become an increasingly important research field due to their use in many areas, such as advanced polymer applications. Many factors affect PU quality during production, and the interaction of these factors with each other also directly affects product quality. For this reason, the study examined the factor effects on PU quality with a systematic design of the experiment and optimization approach. The isocyanate index had the greatest effect on selected quality criteria, such as indentation force deflection, hysteresis loss, wet and dry constant deflection compression, compression force deflection, flammability, and density, synergistically. The strongest interaction effect was from molding temperature and time, which reduced the PU density. Furthermore, optimal process conditions were specified by the desirability function approach as 96.41 (I/P) for isocyanate index, 43.31°C for molding temperature, and 2.15 min. for molding time. Cost-effective PU production with low density by the desired standard is possible.
Acoustic Emission Analysis for crack initiation in AA7075-T6 Alloy Under Multiaxial Fatigue
Authors: Lay Ali Bastani , Beigi Amirhossein , Najafabadi Mehdi Ahmadi 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

In most critical components, fatigue occurs under mixed loadings, such as bending and tensile cyclic loading. Thus, preventing the multiaxial fatigue failure of sensitive structures, such as airframes, is crucial. Furthermore, in the realm of multiaxial fatigue conditions, scant information has been documented regarding the combination of cyclic bending and tensile loading. Therefore, in this paper, Acoustic Emission (AE) as a non-destructive method was used to investigate crack initiation in AA7075-T6 specimens subjected to multiaxial fatigue conditions involving bending and tensile cyclic loading. The results showed that generated AE signals had the same trend in all tests, and there was a reasonable correlation between AE and mechanical characteristics. By correlating mechanical data and AE data using the sentry function, the failure process, which includes dislocation movement, plastic deformation, work hardening, micro-crack formation, and crack initiation, respectively, was identified. The S-N curve was plotted for multiaxial fatigue conditions by using AE monitoring. This curve was depicted as non-destructive and based on the crack initiation cycle. Obtaining the S-N curve by AE monitoring will be of great help to designers in the design of sensitive structures under multiaxial fatigue loading conditions.
Study Protocol: A Parallel-group, Randomized Controlled Trial of Enhanced Cue Exposure Therapy for Negative Emotional Eating
Authors: Chan Wai Sze , Cheng Wing Yee 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background: Negative emotional eating (NEE) refers to overeating in response to negative emotions. Cue exposure therapy (CET) has shown preliminary efficacy for treating disordered eating in pilot trials but its efficacy for treating specifically NEE has not been evaluated in a full-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT). Moreover, previously tested CET did not fully utilize theory-informed intervention strategies. Hence, an enhanced version of CET (E-CET) is here developed and evaluated. E-CET will integrate theory-informed intervention strategies including (1) exposures that incorporate not only food cues but also emotional cues and idiosyncratic contextual cues, (2) homework exposures that are conducted in the participant’s naturalistic environment to enhance the generalizability of the effects of exposures, and, (3) explicit instructions during exposures to violate the conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus (CS-US) expectancies believed to be maintaining NEE. E-CET is hypothesized to promote greater reductions in NEE than an active control intervention, behavioral lifestyle intervention (BLI), and its efficacy will be mediated by the reduction in the believability of CS-US expectancies.
Methods: A parallel-group, participant-blinded RCT will be conducted. One-hundred-and-thirty-eight participants who have recurring NEE will be randomly assigned to E-CET or BLI. Both E-CET and BLI will be delivered in six weekly individual sessions. The primary outcome is the change in the emotional eating subscale score measured by the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire at posttreatment, 3-month, and 12-month follow-up from baseline. Secondary and mechanistic outcomes include changes in NEE measured by ecological momentary assessments, external eating, eating disorder symptoms, caloric consumption, body weight, mood, quality of life, and the believability in CS-US expectancies will be measured in the same period. Exploratory outcomes including the within-session changes in CS-US expectancies and the degree of habituation will be assessed in each exposure session, and treatment acceptability and satisfaction will be measured at posttreatment.
Discussion: If shown to be efficacious, E-CET can be implemented to reduce NEE. Furthermore, this study will be the first experimental evaluation of the mediating effects of CS-US expectancy violation in the working of E-CET for NEE. This knowledge will inform developments of the theories on CET and NEE.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06012045, registered on 21 August, 2023.
Cross-sectional post-pandemic study of the relationship between psychological distress and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in a group of Mexican university students
Authors: Cano-Ramírez Hugo , García-Torres Esmeralda , Hoffman Kurt Leroy 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background. University students are particularly vulnerable to mental health difficulties, given the elevated levels of social and academic pressure. The recent COVID-19 pandemic caused worldwide disruptions in most aspects of social, academic, and work. Many negative effects persisted well after public health measures to contain the pandemic, such as home confinement, were no longer in effect.
Methods. In order to assess psychiatric symptoms in university students 1 year after their return to normal on-site classes (fall semester of 2022; normal classes were resumed in fall of 2021), we administered the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) to 348 undergraduate students enrolled in a Mexican public university, Symptom severity was compared across gender, age, and academic major. We also compared our results to published DASS-21 data collected before, during, and after the pandemic. Linear regression was applied in order to identifiy relationships between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and DASS-21 depression, anxiety, and stress.
Results. Women presented greater anxiety, stress, and ordering symptoms compared to men, while younger students presented greater anxiety, stress, obsessing, and OCI-R total symptoms. The OCI-R obsessing subscale was a significant predictor of DASS-21 depression and anxiety, while the ordering subscale predicted DASS-21 stress. Regression analysis with individual obsessing items as predictor variables suggested that frequency and persistence of intrusive (obsessive) thoughts may be selectively associated with DASS-21 depression and anxiety.
Limitations. Since this is a cross-sectional study of students at a single university in Mexico, our conclusions may not fully extrapolate to other contexts.
Conclusions Our data on prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety and stress in the present sample are similar to those reported in other post-pandemic studies and are consistent with an overall increase in symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic. University students may have been particularly vulnerable to anxiety after returning to normal academic activities (i.e., return to on-site classes). Gender and age of students should be considered when planning strategies to mitigate mental health problems associated with future pandemic responses. Specific relationships between obsessive compulsive symptoms, depression, anxiety and stress may provide clues to underlying psychopathological processes.
Association of Gene Polymorphisms in Programmed Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) with susceptibility and prognosis of B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in a Cohort of Egyptians
Authors: Hegazi¹ Laila A , El-Masry¹ Manal W , Gouda¹ Heba M , Matter Mervat M , Hassan Marwa T 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the possible relation between polymorphisms of PD-L1 rs4143815 and rs2890658 with the susceptibility and prognosis of B-NHL in a Cohort of Egyptians, we conducted a case-control study.
Methods: Genotyping was done using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) for 100 adult B-NHL patients and 100 healthy adults (controls).
Results:Our results did not show any significant association between PD-L1 (rs4143815, rs2890658) SNPs and risk of B-NHL occurrence. However, the relationship between allele distribution of rs4143815 (C>G) and rs2890658 (A>C) and adverse clinico-pathological features of B-NHL patients revealed positive results.
Conclusions: Our results provided the first evidence that PD-L1 rs4143815 (C>G) and rs2890658 (A>C) are not molecular susceptibility markers for B-NHL in Egyptians, at least in the studied population. However, these polymorphic sites could be candidates for predicting some adverse clinico-pathological features and might have a potential prognostic role in B-NHL.
Psychological services for people with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Care co-designed by consumers
Authors: Lores Taryn , Mikocka-Walus Antonina , Andrews Jane M , Evans A /Prof Subhadra , Lynch Kate D , Chur-Hansen Anna 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
There is a need to improve psychological care for people with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), noting the high psychosocial burden of disease.
Aims
This study qualitatively explored the views of people living with IBD to help co-design future services that better meet the psychological needs of consumers.
Methods
Adults with IBD were recruited to attend virtual focus groups to discuss what they want most in an IBD-specific psychological service. The discussions were recorded and transcribed, and data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Draft results were summarized midway and reviewed by remaining focus groups and a final expert consumer. A quantitative dataset was created of comment frequencies.
Results
Thirty-one participants took part in the study: ten focus groups were held with an average of three participants per group. The analysis identified 254 codes, 38 sub-categories and six categories. Five main categories were identified for an IBD-specific psychological service: People-Centered Healthcare (commented on by 90% of participants), Education and Preparation (83%), Social Connection (83%), Psychological Input (93%), and Accessible Services (97%). Results were summarized in a set of proposed clinical guidelines.
Conclusions
The findings of this study identify important insights from people living with IBD regarding priorities for psychological services. IBD services should focus on improving education, addressing social connection, and integrating psychological input, as well as becoming more people-Centered and accessible. It is hoped that IBD services consult the proposed clinical guidelines to inform co-designed service improvements.
Spectral Clustering with Scale Fairness Constraints
Authors: Yang Zhijing , Zhang Hui , Yang Chunming , Li Bo , Zhao Xujian , Long Yin 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Spectral clustering is one of the most common unsupervised learning algorithms in machine learning and plays an important role in data science. Fair spectral clustering has also become a hot topic with the extensive research on fair machine learning in recent years. Current iterations of fair spectral clustering methods are based on the concepts of group and individual fairness. These concepts act as mechanisms to mitigate decision bias, particularly for individuals with analogous characteristics and groups that are considered to be sensitive. Existing algorithms in fair spectral clustering have made progress in redistributing resources during clustering to mitigate inequities for certain individuals or subgroups. However, these algorithms still suffer from an unresolved problem at the global level: the resulting clusters tend to be oversized and undersized. To this end, the first original research on scale fairness is presented, aiming to explore how to enhance scale fairness in spectral clustering. We define it as a cluster attribution problem for uncertain data points and introduce entropy to enhance scale fairness. We measure the scale fairness of clustering by designing two statistical metrics. In addition, two scale fair spectral clustering algorithms are proposed, the Entropy Weighted Spectral Clustering (EWSC) and the Scale Fair Spectral Clustering (SFSC). We have experimentally verified on several publicly available real datasets of different sizes that EWSC and SFSC have excellent scale fairness performance, along with comparable clustering effects.
Specialized multi-disciplinary comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of rapidly progressing hidden PSC: a rare case report
Authors: 王 德淳 , Zhu Rong 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a rare chronic disease of the hepatobiliary system, characterized by multifocal bile duct strictures and progressive liver damage. Its diagnosis and treatment are both a major challenge. To provide a new direction, we described a very rare case of PSC in a woman who had an insidious onset and a very rapid progression, with a method of specialized multi-disciplinary comprehensive diagnosis and treatment.
Case presentation:
A 32-year-old Chinese female presented with only hypohepatia on a physical examination. The diagnosis was not clear by biochemical tests, imaging, liver biopsy, and genetic test. The patient, however, had recurrent hypohepatia for over 2 years, so she was re-visited. Through further review of imaging, laboratory tests, endoscopy, and a discussion by the specialized multidisciplinary team, the diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis was finally confirmed. And there was a significant improvement in her hypohepatia after taking ursodeoxycholic.
Conclusions
Physicians should be alert to the occurrence of PSC when their patients have unexplained recurrent hypohepatia dominated by elevated ALP and GGT. And maybe specialized multi-disciplinary comprehensive diagnosis and treatment could be a new method to confirm this rare disease.