bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Finite element and regression analysis for improving Terzaghi’s, Meyerhof’s, Hansen’s and Vesic’s bearing capacity methods
Authors: Pantelidis Lysandros 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

The bearing capacity of shallow foundations is one of the major fields in soil mechanics and foundation engineering. Since 1943, when Terzaghi suggested his famous equation with the three N-factors, several dozens of bearing capacity methods for centrically-vertically loaded strip footings have been proposed in the literature, mainly focusing on refining the Nγ factor. However, the methods proposed by Terzaghi, Meyerhof, Hansen and Vesic remain by far the most popular ones, with the last one to be component of many contemporary design codes. In this paper, the author put these four methods into extensive comparison against the finite element method. From the results it is clear that the scatter of values is a common characteristic, while none of these methods is superior to the others. During the last 100 years, Nγ was either a demon needing exorcise or a scapegoat. The regression analysis carried out by the author, however, clearly showed that it is not Nγ that prevents us from having a reliable analytical prediction for the bearing capacity of (strip) footings. Instead, all methods need a) to get rid of all original depth factors and b) calibration against the Df⁄B parameter (use of the same parameter for all three N-factors). The author applied both non-linear and linear regression analysis. Generally, the performance of all these methods was significantly improved after using a (const_1+ const_2∙Df⁄B) term as multiplier in front of the (untreated) bearing capacity formula and calibrating the constants against regression analysis and finite elements. Finally, the author offered corrected expressions for the four methods mentioned above, not only for the case of rigid footings but also for the case of flexible footings, as regression analysis was also carried out against the respective finite element results. In addition to the above it is mentioned that, in the calibration procedure against finite element analysis, the author considered the non-associated flow rule (ψ=0°). As known, an analysis with a non-associated flow rule is more representative of the actual soil behavior, while it is on the safe side.
Distinction between small RNA-bound and free ARGONAUTE via an N-terminal protein-protein interaction site
Authors: Bressendorff Simon , Sjøgaard Ida Marie , Prestel Andreas , Kragelund Birthe , Poulsen Christian , Brodersen Peter 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

ARGONAUTE (AGO) proteins bind to small non-coding RNAs to form RNA Induced Silencing Complexes (RISCs). In the RNA-bound state, AGO proteins are stable while RNA-free AGOs turn over rapidly. Molecular determinants unique to RNA-free AGO that allow its specific recognition and degradation remain unknown. Here, we show that a confined, linear region in Arabidopsis AGO1, the N-coil, is accessible to antibodies preferentially in the RNA-free state of AGO1. Reanalysis of hydrogen-deuterium exchange data on human Ago2 indicates similar structural flexibility of the N-coil depending on small RNA binding. Unloaded Arabidopsis AGO1 interacts with the autophagy cargo receptor ATI1 via direct contact to specific amino acid residues in the N-coil, and mutation of residues required for ATI1 interaction reduces the degradation rate of unloaded AGO1 in vivo. These results provide insight into the molecular basis for specific recognition and degradation of the RNA-free state of eukaryotic AGO proteins.
Microlensing sheds light on the detection of strong lensing gravitational waves
Authors: Shan Xikai , Chen Xuechun , Cai Rong-Gen , hu bin 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The strong lensing gravitational wave (SLGW) is a promising transient phenomenon containing rich physics. However, due to the long-wave nature of gravitational waves (GW), poor sky localization makes identifying such events challenging. We propose a new method based on the wave optics effect of the microlensing field embedded in SLGW. The microlensing diffraction/interference fringes can produce frequency-dependent random fluctuations in the waveform. To pin down the microlensing-induced stochastic features in the waveform, we utilize both the template-independent method, cWB and the template-dependent method, Bilby, to reconstruct the waveform with and without microlensing imprints. The mismatching degree of these two waveforms can be treated as an indicator of SLGWs. We forecast the identification rate of this method with the third-generation GW observatory, such as Cosmic Explorer. Our result shows that this method can successfully identify about 2 (out of 180) SLGW events with strong enough microlensing effects per year. This method is entirely data-driven, immune to model priors, and can significantly avoid false positive errors formed by coincident unlensed events.
Building information extraction and earthquake damage prediction in an old urban area based on UAV oblique photogrammetry
Authors: Zhao Yu , Huang Bo , Zhu Zhizhong , Guo Jiachen , Jiang Jianqun 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Seismic performance investigation and earthquake damage prediction of buildings in old urban areas are of great significance for the resistance to earthquake risks. Building properties are fundamental to the regional earthquake damage prediction. However, the properties of buildings in old urban may be insufficient and outdated. In this paper, the following researches are carried out to address the above problems: based on tilt photogrammetry, the properties including the spatial characteristics of footprint outline, number of storeys, footprint area, roof style and distribution density, etc. are extracted; The typical buildings in the old urban area are further distinguished with the direct spatial features of house, and the age of house is predicted by machine learning; The house model parameters are determined based on the extracted building properties that determine the seismic performance, and the floor shear model is used to carry out elasto-plastic time history analysis to complete the earthquake damage prediction.
Simplified treatment of children 6-59 months with severely low weight-for-age z-score: a study protocol for a 3-arm randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kangas Suvi T. , Ouédraogo Césaire T , Tounkara Moctar , Ouoluoguem Bareye , Coulibaly Issa Niamanto , Haidara Alhousseyni , Diarra Niele Hawa , Diassana Koniba , Tausanovitch Zachary , Ritz Christian , Wells Jonathan C , Briend André , Myatt Mark , Radin Elizabeth , Bailey Jeanette 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Admissions criteria which treat children with low mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC), low weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) are not aligned with the evidence on which children are at risk of mortality. An analysis of community-based cohort data from Senegal found that a combination of weight-for-age (WAZ) and MUAC criteria identified all children at risk of near-term death associated with severe anthropometric deficits. This study will address whether children with WAZ<-3 but MUAC ≥ 125mm benefit from therapeutic feeding with ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) and whether a simplified protocol is non-inferior to the weight-based standard protocol.
Methods
This is a prospective individually randomized controlled 3-arm trial conducted in the Nara health district in Mali. Children aged 6–59 months presenting with MUAC ≥ 125 mm and WAZ <-3 will be randomized to: 1) control group receiving no treatment, 2) simplified treatment receiving 1 sachet of RUTF daily until WAZ ≥-3 for 2 visits, 3) standard treatment receiving RUTF according to WHZ category: a) WHZ<-3 receive 200 kcal/kg/d until WHZ ≥-2 for 2 visits, b) WHZ ≥-3 but <-2 receive 1 sachet daily until WHZ ≥-2 for 2 visits or c) WHZ ≥-2 receive no treatment. All children will be followed-up first fortnightly for 12 weeks and then monthly until 6 months post-enrolment. The primary endpoint will be measured at 2 months with the primary outcome being WAZ as continuous measure. Other outcomes include other anthropometric measurements and a secondary endpoint will be observed at 6 months. A total of 1397 children will be recruited including 209 in the control and 594 in both the simplified and standard arms. The sample size should enable us to conclude on the superiority of the simplified treatment compared to no treatment and on the non-inferiority of the simplified treatment versus standard treatment with a margin of non-inferiority of 0.2 WAZ.
Discussion
This trial aims to generate new evidence on the benefit of treating children with WAZ <-3 but MUAC ≥ 125 mm in order to guide the choice of admission criteria to malnutrition treatment and build evidence on the most efficient treatment protocol.
Trial registration
This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05248516.
Theta-burst rTMS in schizophrenia to ameliorate negative and cognitive symptoms: study protocol for a double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Gábor Csukly , Orbán-Szigeti Boglárka , Suri Karolin , Zsigmond Réka , Hermán Levente , Simon Viktória , Kabaji Anita , Bata Barnabás , Hársfalvi Péter , Vass Edit , Csibri Éva , Farkas Kinga , Réthelyi János 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackground Treatment effects of conventional approaches with antipsychotics or psychosocial interventions are limited when it comes to reducing negative and cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia. While there is emerging clinical evidence that new, augmented protocols based on theta-burst stimulation can increase rTMS efficacy dramatically in depression, data on similar augmented therapies are limited in schizophrenia. The different patterns of network impairments in subjects may underlie that some but not all patients responded to given stimulation locations. Methods Therefore, we propose an augmented theta-burst stimulation protocol in schizophrenia by stimulating both locations connected to negative symptoms: (1) the left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC), and (2) the vermis of the cerebellum. Ninety subjects with schizophrenia presenting negative symptoms and aging between 18–55 years will be randomized to active and sham stimulation in a 1:1 ratio. The TBS parameters we adopted follow the standard TBS protocols, with 3-pulse 50-Hz bursts given every 200 ms (at 5 Hz) and an intensity of 100% active motor threshold. We plan to deliver 1800 stimuli to the left DLPFC and 1800 stimuli to the vermis daily in two 9.5-minute blocks for four weeks. The primary endpoint is the change in negative symptom severity measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Secondary efficacy endpoints are changes in cognitive flexibility, executive functioning, short-term memory, social cognition, and facial emotion recognition. The safety outcome is the number of serious adverse events. Discussion This is a double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized medical device study to assess the efficacy and safety of an augmented theta-burst rTMS treatment in schizophrenia. We hypothesize that social cognition and negative symptoms of patients on active therapy will improve significantly compared to patients on sham treatment. Trial registration The study protocol is registered at 'clinicaltrials.gov 'with the following ID: NCT05100888. All items from the World Health Organization Trial Registration Data Set are registered. Initial release: 10/19/2021.
Breeding practice of indigenous village chickens, and traits and breed preferences of smallholder farmers
Authors: Desta Takele Taye , Wakeyo Oli 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

In developing nations, indigenous village chickens, or IVCs, significantly contribute to rural livelihoods. IVCs are well-suited for small-scale farmers' multiple breeding objectives and low-input, low-output production systems. Although natural selection has a disproportionate impact on the genetic structure of IVCs, small-scale farmers have developed locally tailored breeding practices to get the most out of their flocks. Small-scale farmers' insights on traits and breed preferences and family flock breeding management are presented in this cross-sectional study. Small-scale farmers prefer IVCs that are optimally good in several traits. In contrast to policymakers, who frequently underestimate the significance of IVCs in rural life, small-scale farmers have a balanced view and acknowledge the coexistence of local and commercial chickens. Farmers are unable to achieve their breeding goals by keeping IVCs or production breeds because of the complexity of their breeding goals; instead, this aspiration needs the rearing of both types of chickens. Only 15.7 percent of farmers recruited homegrown cocks to breed their chickens, whereas 84.3 percent outsourced breeding cocks (47.9 percent from the local market and 36.4 percent from neighbors) (χ-squared = 15.976, df = 2, p = 0.0003395). This practice is important to reduce the negative impacts of inbreeding. About 49.2 percent of small-scale farmers believed that consanguineous mating-induced inbreeding had only minor effects. High flock turnover and uncontrolled breeding significantly reduce the rate of inbreeding. Despite the low production of eggs and meat, small-scale farmers prefer local (rank = 1.47) chickens to commercial (rank = 1.61). Farmers' preferences are influenced by the wide range of products and services offered by IVCs. For cocks, fertility, and growth traits were highly sought after, whereas for hens, maternal traits and laying performance were prioritized. Compared to the highlands, the lowlands had a longer egg storage period (t = 2.677, df = 117, p = 0.009, 95 percent CI: -3.7607, -0.5622). The low demand for eggs in the sparsely populated lowland region may be linked to this extended storage, which was practiced regardless of the higher temperature in the lowland region. This study acknowledges the wisdom of small-scale farmers and advocates the incorporation of their insights into a sustainable genetic improvement program.
Performance And Egg Quality Parameters Of Laying Chickens Fed Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Plant Meals Based Diets
Authors: Asaniyan Emmanuel Kehinde 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of partial replacing maize with cassava plant meal on the performance and egg qualities of laying birds. One thousand (1,000) day old Isa Brown pullets were randomly assigned to four treatments of 10 replicates per treatment with each replicate comprising 25 laying pullets. The feeding trial lasted 12 months. The treatments were control (maize-based), cassava plant meal products (CPM 1, CPM2, CPM3). The CPMs were then used to constitute three experimental diets. The diets were 100% cassava-based on replacement of maize and a maize-based control diet. Result showed that CPM3 had a similar (P < 0.01) final weight and weight gain with the control diet (maize based) while CPM1 had the lowest and consumed the highest feed which result in a similar pattern for the FCR. Surprisingly, the highest mortality were recorded in birds fed CPM2 while the lowest (P < 0.0001) was recorded in CPM1 and CPM3. The control diet and CPM3 birds were the fastest birds to lay first egg while CPM 1 were the latest. Diet CPM 1 supported internal egg quality especially egg yolk colour while either CPM 2 or CPM 3 equally supported efficient egg production in terms of FCR/Kg egg mass as maize based diet without compromising the overall egg quality. Thus, CPM3 can successfully be used for partial replacement of maize during maize scarcity and high cost among farmers in developing countries.
i-MoMCARE – Innovative Mobile Technology for Maternal and Child Health Care in Cambodia: study protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Saing Chan Hang , Ung Mengieng , Suy Sovanthida , Oy Sreymom , Dary Chhavarath , Yam Esabelle Lo Yan , Chhorn Sophea , Nagashima-Hayashi Michiko , Khuon Dyna , Mam Sovatha , Kim Rattana , Saphonn Vonthanak , Yi Siyan 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
The government of Cambodia established the village health support groups (VHSGs) in 2003 to facilitate primary healthcare activities, including maternal and child health (MCH) services. However, VHSGs face several challenges that hinder them from performing optimally, including a lack of regular structured training and remuneration and limited and inconsistent support and supervision from the health centers. This implementation research aims to develop, implement, and evaluate a digital health intervention to improve the performance of VHSGs through better support and supervision and increase the MCH service coverage in rural Cambodia.
Methods
i-MoMCARE, a two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial, will be conducted between 2022 and 2025. Five operational districts have been randomized to an intervention arm and the other five operational districts to the control arm. The intervention will last for 24 months. Around 200 VHSGs in the intervention arm will be equipped with a mobile application as a job aid and 20 health center staff with a web interface to improve support and supervision of VHSGs. The potential beneficiaries will include pregnant women, mothers, and children under two years old. We will measure the outcomes at baseline and endline. The primary outcomes will consist of a composite MCH index constructed from maternal and newborn care indicators, child immunization, and treatment of under-two children. Secondary outcomes will include coverage of selected MCH services. We will conduct the intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. We will conduct qualitative interviews with selected beneficiaries and stakeholders to evaluate the intervention’s acceptability, feasibility, and scalability. We will also conduct a cost-effective analysis using decision-analytic modeling incorporating a societal perspective that explores different time horizons, intervention effects, and when scaled up to the national level.
Discussion
i-MoMCARE is expected to increase MCH service access and coverage in rural Cambodia. It will contribute to advancing digital health use in primary healthcare interventions, which remains in its infancy in the country. Furthermore, the study findings will be a valuable addition to a growing body of literature on the effectiveness and feasibility of mHealth to improve coverage of MCH services in rural low- and middle-income country settings.
Trial registration:
ClinicalTrial.Gov, NCT05639595. Registered 06 December 2022, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05639595
The efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatments in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Beibei , Zhao Jikai , Li Zhi , Xia Lin , Yu Liming 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common inherited heart disease and the first to identify its genetic basis. Currently, there are no specific drugs for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and attempts have been made to evaluate whether various drugs are beneficial for the treatment of HCM.
Methods
Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were systematically searched from inception to March 10, 2023. A network meta-analysis with a Bayesian framework with Aggregate Data Drug Information System (ADDIS, version 1.16.8) was conducted to assess the clinical outcomes of pharmacological interventions. The odds ratio (OR) was employed for the dichotomous effects, and the mean difference (MD) was used for the continuous effects, both of which were featured with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results A total of 8 trials were included, including 899 patients. We found that the incidence of palpitations for ranolazine was lower than that for mavacamten (0.00 (0.00, 0.45)) and placebo (0.00 (0.00, 0.33)). The incidence of palpitations for trimetazidine was higher than that for ranolazine (2.22e + 13 (343.85, 3.81e + 32)). The incidence of headache for trimetazidine was higher than that for ranolazine (390457.40 (1.53, 5.2e + 16)).
Conclusion
In addition to trimetazidine, HCM patients had the lowest incidence of syncope, but it was more likely to cause dizziness. All other drugs are safe to use. Ranolazine might have the lowest incidence of palpitations and headache.
Systematic review registration
PROSPERO CRD42023398778.
MicroRNA-15a-5p suppresses hypoxia-induced tumor growth and chemoresistance in bladder cancer by binding to eIF5A2
Authors: Yang Jinsong , Xiang Haoyi , Cheng Mengjing , Jiang Xue , Chen Ying , Zheng Lingyan , Yan Senxiang , Zhang Shufen , Chen Wei , Chen Dajin 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
In various malignant tumors (including bladder cancer) poor prognosis is associated with hypoxia and therapeutic resistance. Evidence indicates that in bladder cancer, microRNAs (miRNAs) have vital functions in acquired drug resistance. However, the involvement of miRNAs in hypoxia-mediated bladder cancer doxorubicin (Dox) resistance is unknown. Herein, we showed that hypoxia and Dox treatment downregulated miR-15a-5p expression.
Methods and Results
Using UM-UC-3 and J82 bladder cancer cell lines, and in vivo mouse models of bladder cancer, we confirmed that miR-15a-5p arrests tumor cell growth and Dox resistance in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we determined the interaction between miR-15a-5p and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A-2 (eIF5A2) using dual luciferase reporters and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays. We also showed that an miR-15a-5p agomir repressed EIF5A2 expression in bladder cancer cells, thereby inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by Dox or hypoxia. Moreover, ectopic expression of miR-15a-5p abrogated eIF5A2-mediated Dox resistance in bladder cancer cells. Collectively, these data indicated that hypoxia promotes tumor growth and chemoresistance through the HIF-1α/miR-15a-5p/eIFTA2/EMT pathway.
Conclusion
This new finding not only has implications for improving our understanding of the Dox resistance process during bladder cancer progression, but also indicated that the miR-15a-5p agomir is a promising tool to prevent Dox resistance in patients with bladder cancer.
Can We Develop a More Targeted Approach to Mitigating Seismic Risk?
Authors: Zhang Zhenguo , Xin Danhua , Chen Bo , Wenzel Friedemann , Li Yilong , Chen Xiaofei 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The recent high death tolls caused by large earthquakes are a further indication that earthquakes remain one of the most destructive natural disasters in the world and can seriously threaten the achievement of sustainable development goals. To effectively reduce the existing seismic risk, the limited available mitigation resources should be allocated to areas where the potential risk is most severe. However, such areas are typically uncertain and difficult to locate. Here, we propose a strategy to delineate regional high seismic risk zones at a fine resolution and with high confidence. Our analyses reveal that the delineated zone accounts for only ~7% of the regional land area but for ~85% of the total financial loss. We recommend that seismic risk mitigation measures be prioritized in such high-risk zones, especially for densely populated cities in seismically active areas, to better meet the disaster risk reduction targets in the Sendai Framework.