bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of fear of falling and step length on the future risk of falls in non-demented older adults
Authors: Park Ji Sun , Lee Hyang Jun , Cho Sang Hyeon , Han Ji Won , Kim Ki Woong 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of fear of falling (FOF) and not long normalized step length (NL-NSL) on the future risk of falls in older adults. We enrolled 306 community-dwelling non-demented older adults aged 60 years or older. We evaluated the FOF using a 4-point Likert scale. We obtained step length using a triaxial accelerometer and normalized it using height. We defined the lowest and middle tertiles of the normalized step length as NL-NSL. FOF tripled (OR [odds ratio] = 3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.3–7.3) and NL-NSL more than doubled (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.1–5.6) the risk of falls during the 2-year follow-up period. When the participants without a previous history of falls were analyzed separately, only NL-NSL increased the risk of falls (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.1–12.1). Older adults at risk of falls can be identified using a simple question on FOF and step length obtained from a wearable triaxial accelerometer, even if there is no accurate information on past fall experience.
Energy Saving Achieved by Conservation Voltage Reduction: Application to Induction Motor Loads
Authors: Boharb Ali , Markhi Hassane El , ALLOUHI Amine , Kotb Hossam , AboRas Kareem M. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Conservation voltage reduction (CVR) can be used to achieve power savings and improve energy efficiency. In recent years, many studies and research have focused on the effect of reducing electrical voltage to loads. By analyzing these studies, one can notice contradictions on the fact that the CVR technique gives energy savings or not. But in most studies, the heights are based on the input power draw reduction without analyzing the output power and efficiency of the studied device, and this does not always give reliable results. In this article, we propose an energy saving measurement method applied to electric motors which are widely used in the majority of electrical appliances. This article presents a theoretical and experimental study and a detailed analysis on the influence of voltage reduction on electric induction motors.
Experimental study on strength and failure characteristics of mortar specimens with prefabricated cracks under uniaxial and triaxial stress
Authors: Pan Xuwei , Wan Li , Jiang Tong , Jia Yanchang , Zhang Shuo , Wang Shaokai , He Zixin 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Cracks in rock mass have adverse effects on its mechanical characteristics and the stability of rock mass engineering. In this paper, cement mortar is used to make specimens with prefabricated cracks with different dip angles, and uniaxial compression, true triaxial compression and true triaxial unloading tests are carried out. The stress-strain curves under uniaxial compression and true triaxial compression have 4 and 5 stages, respectively. The strength of the specimen is the lowest as the dip angle of the crack is 45 °. Under uniaxial compression, the failure mode is mainly tensile failure, accompanied by a few shear cracks. With the increase of the crack dip angle of the specimen, the types of cracks generated at the tip of the prefabricated crack increase and change from shear crack to tensile crack. The distance between the crack tip and the loading end affects the failure degree of the specimen. Under true triaxial compression, the confining pressure significantly improves the strength and deformation characteristics of the specimen, and weakens the influence of the crack dip angle on the strength. The failure mode as a crack dip angle of 15 ° is mainly tensile, accompanied by tensile-shear composite and shear. The failure mode as crack dip angles of 45 ° and 75 ° is mainly tensile-shear composite, accompanied by tensile failure and shear failure. With the increase of the crack dip angle, the surface spalling of the specimen is more obvious, and the damage degree of the specimen is more severe. Under the triaxial unloading confining, the failure mode is mainly shear, accompanied by tensile and tensile-shear composite, more than two shear cracks through the top and bottom of the specimen lead to the failure. Compared with uniaxial compression, the damage degree of specimen is more severe under true triaxial compression and true triaxial unloading.
FMISO-PET and immunohistochemistry verified tumor oxygenation, stemness, and immunosupportive microenvironment after preoperative neoadjuvant bevacizumab for newly diagnosed glioblastoma
Authors: Suzuki Tomoya , Takei Jun , Fukasawa Nei , Suzuki Kenta , Ogawa Daisuke , Yamamoto Yohei , Akasaki Yasuharu , Murayama Yuichi , Shimoda Masayuki , Miyake Keisuke , Tanaka Toshihide 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and T2-weighted imaging/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging are used to determine the efficacy of bevacizumab (Bev) against glioblastoma (GBM). Positron emission tomography (PET) using 18F-fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) reflects hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment (TME). This study compared FMISO-PET findings for alterations in tumor oxygenation in the TME of GBM during Bev treatment.
Materials and Methods
We retrospectively reviewed data from 7 patients with newly diagnosed IDH (isocitrate dehydrogenase)-wildtype GBM who underwent FMISO-PET during follow-up. Three patients received preoperative neoadjuvant Bev (neo-Bev) followed by radiation therapy and temozolomide, and subsequently underwent surgical resection. Re-operation was performed for recurrence. FMISO-PET was performed at each time point. Four patients who underwent tumor resection after FMISO-PET without any preoperative interventions were also included as a Control group. Surgically obtained tumor tissues were analyzed for expression of a marker of hypoxia (carbonic anhydrase; CA9), stem cell markers (nestin, FOXM1), and immunoregulatory molecules (CD163, FOXP3, PD-1, PD-L1) by immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Results
All 3 patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy showed reduced FMISO accumulation (maximum tumor-to-blood ratio and hypoxic volume) and decreases in CA9 and FOXM1 compared with Controls. Two cases in the preoperative neo-Bev group showed recurrence with increasing FMISO accumulation. IHC showed increased CA9- and FOXM1-positive cells at recurrence in both cases. A trend toward fewer CA9-positive cells was seen in patients with low FMISO accumulation both with and without neo-Bev (r = 0.90, p = 0.006). Expressions of immunoregulatory molecules tended to be lower after neo-Bev compared with the Control group and increased at recurrence, but these differences were not significant.
Conclusion
FMISO-PET effectively visualized improvements in TME oxygenation after preoperative chemoradiotherapy including Bev. Increased FMISO accumulation at the time of recurrence, even under Bev treatment, suggests that FMISO-PET might be useful for monitoring the duration of Bev efficacy by reflecting tumor oxygenation.
QSAR modelling, ADMET prediction, molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies of novel 2-amino thiazole derivatives as Aurora kinase inhibitors
Authors: Bathula Siva Kumar , Sankaranarayanan Murugesan , Ilango Kaliappan 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The Aurora kinase is implicated in tumor growth and several small medicines that target the Aurora kinase have been found to have strong anti-cancer effects. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies on 2-amino thiazole compounds for Aurora kinase inhibitory action targeting breast cancer were conducted out by QSARINS in this study. With statistical values R2 = 0.6102, CCCtr = 0.7580, Q2 LOO = 0.6875, Q2LMO = 0.6624, CCCcv = 0.6535, R2ext = 0.7735 and CCCext = 0.8383. Best top two models created comprise five variables: Estate VSA5, PSA, MoRSEP3, MATSp5 and RDFC24. Atomic charges, atomic volume and Sanderson's electronegativity all play a part in the design and optimization of the lead. In silico docking study was performed AutoDock v4.2.6. There are eight novel compounds have been designed, the residues from the active site region, which contains both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, interacted with the best active site pockets of 1MQ4, predicted active molecules 1a, 2a, 3e, 4d, 5d and 6d. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic stable contacts were seen in the active site of compound 1a in Desmond's molecular dynamics simulation investigations lasting 100 ns. The stable binding of compound 1a with the 1MQ4 structure was verified by RMSD, RMSF, RoG, H-bond and SASA analyses. We suggest that the proposed compound 1a can be used as the best theoretical lead for further experimental investigation of selective inhibition. Furthermore, newly designed compounds exhibited good ADMET properties. The study will result in the development of new breast cancer inhibitors.
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 Induces Downregulation of Pentraxin 3 Expression in Human Granulosa Cells through the SMAD-Dependent Signaling Pathway in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Xin Xin , Chang Hsun-Ming , Leung Peter C.K. , Dong Li , Li Jiaxi , Lian Fang , Wu Haicui 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background:Pentraxin 3 contributes to the formation of cumulus-oophorus complex,its level is considered to indicate the quality and potential of oocytes. Bone morphogenetic protein 6 is a key regulator of ovary follicular development and regulates female reproduction. It is unclear whether Pentraxin 3 is differentially expressed in granulosa cells derived from Polycystic ovary syndrome and whether Bone morphogenetic protein 6 affects Pentraxin 3 in human granulosa-lutein cells.To evaluate whether Pentraxin 3 is differentially expressed in the granulosa cells derived from women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and whether granulosa cell-derived Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 can regulate the expression of Pentraxin 3 in hGL cells.
Materials and methods:The expression levels of BMP6 and PTX3 in granulosa cells were evaluated by RT-qPCR. The correlation between the expression levels of BMP6 and PTX3 and oocyte quality indexes were analyzed using clinical samples. The cells were incubated with BMP6 at different concentrations and times to check the expression of PTX3. TGF-β type 1 inhibitors and small interfering RNA targeting ALK2/3/6,SMAD1/5/8 and SMAD4 were used to study the involvement of SMAD dependent pathways.
Results:The levels of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 in hGL cells were negatively correlated with the corresponding oocyte maturation rate and high-quality embryo rate, whereas the levels of Pentraxin 3 were positively correlated with the corresponding oocyte maturation rate in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Additionally, the in vitro cell cultured results showed Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 significantly inhibited the expression of Pentraxin 3 in KGN cells. Furthermore, using a dual inhibition approach (kinase inhibitors and small interfering RNAs), we identified the ALK2/ALK3 type I receptors and BMPR2/ACVR2A type II receptors and the downstream SMAD1/SMAD5-SMAD4 signaling pathway were responsible for the BMP6-induced cellular activities in hGL cells.
Conclusions:The suppressive effect of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 on Pentraxin 3 expression was mediated by ALK2/ALK3 type 1 receptors and BMPR2/ACVR2A type 2 receptors in granulosa cells through the SMAD1/5-SMAD4 dependent signaling pathway in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.Our findings provides new insights into the understanding of the pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-related ovulatory disorders.
How much does mobility matter for value-added tax revenue? Cross-country evidence around COVID-19
Authors: Wagner Rodrigo , Lucas Rosso 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Countries need to evaluate both costs and benefits when mandating mobility restrictions for their population. This paper studies one edge of this debate. Namely, to what extent mobility reductions and confinement measures impact Value Added Tax (VAT) collection, which is an increasingly important type of fiscal revenue. Using evidence across twenty nations and over time, we measure these effects around the COVID-19 Pandemic. For that, we benefit from the novel IDB-CIAT monthly dataset on aggregate VAT revenues (2019-2020), combining it with both mobility-restriction policies and mobility outcomes. On average, monthly VAT revenues fell up to 30% around the event of largest drop in mobility for each country. We also estimate mobility elasticities of VAT revenue. Mobility-restriction policies rising by 10% were associated with drops in VAT of 1.4%; while a 10% rise in actual mobility decreased VAT revenues by 3%. Furthermore, we show both elasticities were significantly smaller in the last quarter of 2020. Beyond the pandemic, results matter as a benchmark for macroeconomic variables under large disruptions.
JEL Classification: H20, H84, E62.
Mechanical properties of the antlion larva Euroleon nostras (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae) jaws correlate with the amount of inorganic content
Authors: Krings Wencke , Gorb Stanislav N. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe diversity of insects can be explained by their ability to establish various ecological niches, which includes the foraging from diverse sources. The cuticle-based feeding structures interact with the food and show adaptations in shape, material composition and mechanical properties to it. Some predatory species are extremely specialised to a very narrow spectrum of prey. In this study, we focus on the mouthparts of a very prominent ambush predator, the antlion larvae ofEuroleon nostras. By nanoindentation, we tested the hardness and the Young’s modulus of the mouthparts, which are significantly harder and stiffer than other insect cuticle structures. To gain insight into the origins of the high values, we studied the degree of tanning using confocal laser scanning microscopy and determined the content of inorganic elements by energy dispersive spectroscopy. We could correlate the proportions of the transition metals and alkaline earth metals with the mechanical property values. We also conducted experiments on the breaking stress, the puncturing and biomechanical behaviour of the jaws, which highlighted their extraordinary strength. These findings are not only valuable for biologists, but also for material scientists, as they contribute to our understanding of the origins of mechanical property heterogeneities in insect cuticle.
Hydrochemical and Geological Investigations of Some Gully Erosion- Prone Areas in Parts of Awka- Orlu Cuesta, Nigeria
Authors: Chibuzor Stella Nwaife , Egboka Boniface Chukwukadebia. E. , Anakwuba Emma Kenechukwu , Onuigbo Evagenline Njideka , Odokuma-Alonge Ovie , Ben-Owope Ogechukwu Anastasia , Orji Akudo Ernest 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Gullies of the Awka-Orlu escarpment within Anambra State, Nigeria, were studied using hydrochemical and geological properties for understanding the geo-environmental problems which underlies the gully-prone areas. This was achieved by conducting fieldwork which includes mapping, hydrogeological surveys and samples collection, followed by laboratory analyses of soil and water samples. The soil samples were subjected to particle size analysis, compaction. Water samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer and titrimetric methods. The results of surface water and groundwater revealed pH average values of 5.99 and 6.3, indicating slightly acidic. Such slightly-acidic water facilitates decomposition of the cementing material in the soil. The chemical composition of surface water revealed average concentrations of magnesium (1.57 mg/l), calcium (3.40 mg/l), sodium (2.27 mg/l), chloride (22.28 mg/l), iron (0.38 mg/l), bicarbonates (37.85 mg/l), nitrate (4.73 mg/l), sulphate (3.81 mg/l), for groundwater magnesium (2.57 mg/l), calcium (3.50 mg/l), sodium (2.26 mg/l), chloride (15.09 mg/l), iron (0.23 mg/l), bicarbonates (25.46 mg/l), nitrate (11.61mg/l), sulphate (8.49mg/l) and total dissolved solid (TDS) average values of 63.16mg/ and 50.90mg/l. Using the cations and anions values to plot the piper trilinear diagram sodium bicarbonate (Na-HCO-3). This is attributed to geochemical reactions of ion-exchange and oxidation-reduction in the soil. These reactions contribute to soil disaggregation, erosion and destruction of engineering structures build to control gully erosion. water type was identified. The soil is permeable with good infiltration capacity. The investigations showed the vulnerability of the soil to gullying. These findings are important for any planned, well-designed and executed gully erosion control programmes.
Sociodemographic Profile Associated with Congenital Heart Disease among Infants Less than 1 Year Old
Authors: Tran Michelle , Miner Anna , Merkel Carlin , Sakurai Kenton , Woon Jessica , Ayala John , Nguyen Jennifer , Lopez Jeraldine , Votava-Smith Jodie K. , Tran Nhu N. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects thousands of newborns each year in the United States (US). Infants born with CHD have an increased risk of adverse health outcomes compared to healthy infants. These outcomes include, but are not limited to, neurodevelopmental, surgical, and mortality-related outcomes. Previous US-based research has explored how sociodemographic factors may impact these health outcomes in infants with CHD; however, their impact on the risk of CHD is unclear. This study aims to explore the sociodemographic profile related to CHD to help address health disparities that arise from race and social determinants of health. Defining the sociodemographic factors associated with CHD will encourage policy change and the implementation of preventative measures.
Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of longitudinally collected data. We compared infants with CHD and healthy controls. We used a questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data. Pearson’s chi-square test/Fisher’s exact tests analyzed the associations among different sociodemographic factors between infants with CHD and healthy controls.
Results: We obtained sociodemographic factors from 30 healthy control infants and 39 infants with CHD. We found a statistically significant difference in maternal education between our 2 groups of infants (p=0.004).
Conclusion: Maternal education is associated with CHD. Future studies are needed to further characterize sociodemographic factors that may predict and impact the risk of CHD and to determine possible interventions that may help decrease health disparities regarding the risk of CHD.
Transcription elongation factors OsSPT4 and OsSPT5 are essential for rice growth and development and act with APO2
Authors: Liu Jiajun , Jie Wanrong , Shi Xi’an , Ding Yanfeng , Ding Chengqiang 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The SPT4/SPT5 complex is a transcription elongation factor that regulates the processivity of transcription elongation. However, our understanding of the role of SPT4/SPT5 complex in developmental regulation remains limited. Here, we identified three SPT4/SPT5 genes (OsSPT4, OsSPT5-1, and OsSPT5-2) in rice, and investigated their roles in vegetative and reproductive growth. These genes are highly conserved with their orthologs in other species. OsSPT4 and OsSPT5-1 are widely expressed in various tissues. By contrast, OsSPT5-2 is expressed at a relatively low level, which could cause osspt5-2 null mutants have no phenotypes. Loss-of-function mutants of OsSPT4 and OsSPT5-1 could not be obtained; their heterozygotes showed severe reproductive growth defects. An incomplete mutant line (osspt5-1#12) displayed gibberellin-related dwarfed defects and a weak root system at an early vegetative phase, and a short life cycle in different planting environments. Furthermore, OsSPT5-1 interacts with the transcription factor ABERRANT PANICLE ORGANIZATION 2 (APO2) and plays a similar role in regulating the growth of rice shoots. RNA sequencing analysis verified that OsSPT5-1 is involved in multiple phytohormone pathways, including gibberellin, auxin, and cytokinin. Therefore, the SPT4/SPT5 complex is essential for both vegetative and reproductive growth in rice.
Effects of ecological restoration patterns on runoff and sediment in abandoned coal mine of southern China
Authors: Hao Li , Wenbo Chen 
Published: February 2023

AbstractEvaluating the ecological economical benefits of different ecological restoration patterns in abandoned mines is important in ecological restoration study. Taking the abandoned coal mines in Luoshi Township of Fengcheng county, Jiangxi province as case, this study conducted 4 different ecological restoration patterns (Pattern I- grapefruit with grass vegetation, Pattern II - pine with grass vegetation, Pattern III - only grapefruit, Pattern IV - bare slope) to study the runoff and sediment yield under natural rainfall condition. The results showed that the ecological restoration patterns and rainfall intensity significantly affect runoff and sediment yield. The runoff and sediment yield increased as rainfall intensity increased: Pattern IV > Pattern III > Pattern II > Pattern I. At the optimal ecological restoration Pattern I, the average runoff and sediment reduction was 59.01% and 77.1%, respectively, in all rainfall intensities. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed that runoff and sediment were significantly affected by ecological restoration patterns and rainfall intensity (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis of runoff and sediment yields indicated that the reduction effect on sediment yield increased with the decrease in runoff, and the relationships between runoff and sediment at different ecological restoration patterns could be fitted with a linear function. Moreover, the vegetation configuration that combines fruit farming with grass can be not only beneficial to control soil and water conservation but produce considerable economic benefits and good ecological benefits.
Patients with Colon Cancer Benefit from Using the Therapeutic Target lncRNA GAPLINC
Authors: Li Hao-Tian , Zhang Yan , Shi Yu-Sheng 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background: According to recent reports, some cancer subtypes have increased GAPLINC expression. The invasion and dissemination of cancer cells may be facilitated by GAPLINC expression. However, the therapeutic utility of GAPLINC in colon cancer (COAD) has not been studied.
Materials/Methods: We evaluated the mRNA expression of GAPLINC in COAD patients using data from the Cancer Genome Map to identify the pathway connected with GAPLINC implicated in the etiology of COAD (TCGA). In this investigation, we used 480 tumor samples and 41 standard samples.
Results: The expression of GAPLINC varied between normal and malignant samples, as seen by scatter plots and paired plots (P<0.05). An examination of overall survival time (OS) revealed that patients with COAD who had high GAPLINC expression had a poorer prognosis than patients with COAD who had low GAPLINC expression (P<0.05). GAPLINC expression and the main treatment result were independent prognostic factors for COAD patients in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model research. According to GSEA findings, the reaction group's biological oxidation and angiogenesis pathways were too varied degrees enriched in the COAD samples with the GAPLINC overexpression phenotype. Genes relevant to the differentiation of epidermal cells and the control of endocrine processes were discovered in a GO investigation of individuals with high GAPLINC expression. The G protein-coupled receptor signal transduction pathway driven by phospholipase C was altered.
Conclusions: Our findings support severe clinical characteristics associated with greater GAPLINC expression levels in COAD. A useful prognostic tool may be GAPLINC, a molecular biomarker linked to the poor prognosis of COAD patients.