bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health-related quality of life and subjective well-being among children aged 9-12 years in eastern China
Authors: Shi Zhao , Cao Aihua , Li Shunping , Wang Jianglin , Zhang Jin , Ratcliffe Julie , Chen Gang 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and subjective well-being (SWB) of children aged 9–12 years in eastern China, and examine concordance within parent-child dyads.
Methods
Data was collected from 9–12 years students (including their parents) in Shandong Province in 2018. Participants self-completed a hard-copy questionnaire including Child Health Utility 9 Dimension instrument (CHU9D), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)™ 4.0 Short Form 15 Generic Core Scales (hereafter the PedsQL), Student’s Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS), as well as information on socio-demographic characteristics and self-report health status. Spearman’s correlation coefficients and the difference between sub-groups were conducted to assess and compare the agreement on HRQoL and SWB instruments. The concordance of within parent-child was analyzed using Cohen’s kappa coefficient and Bland-Altman plots.
Results
A total of 810 students and 810 parents were invited to participate in the survey. A valid sample of 799 (98.6%) students and 643 (79.4%) parents completed the questionnaire. Students’ mean self-reported CHU9D/PedsQL/SLSS scores were 0.87/83.48/30.90, respectively. The parent proxy’s PedsQL and SLSS scores were 68.61 and 31.23, respectively. The CHU9D was moderately correlated with the PedsQL (r = 0.52). There was a weak correlation between CHU9D and SLSS (r = 0.27). A low level of concordance was observed across all comparisons and in all domains (kappa < 0.20) between parents and their children. Besides, a high level of disagreement was observed between children’s own and fathers’ assessment.
Conclusions
CHU9D and PedsQL instruments have a higher agreement in measuring the HRQoL in children. CHU9D/PedsQL and SLSS instruments showed a low agreement and this suggests that measuring SWB in children potentially may provide further information that might be overlooked by using HRQoL instruments exclusively. Concordance between parents and children was poor. Overall, mothers-children dyads showed a higher concordance than fathers-children dyads.
Boosting the electrochemical performances of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathodes via optimizing calcination temperature for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Han Qing , Bao Chenguang , Xiao Yongmei , Qiu Xuejing , Yang Xinli 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Exploration of high-performance cathode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is highly desirable. The ternary layered oxide LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (LNCM) is a promising cathode material for LIBs due to its high discharge voltage, large specific capacity, good thermostability and low cost. However, the LNCM cathode still has some limitations such as cationic mixing and low electronic conductivity, which result in poor cycling stability, fast voltage and capacity decay during high-rate cycling. To address these issues, we established a feasible sol-gel method combined with calcination to prepare LNCM, which can significantly improve the electrochemical activity of the LNCM cathode. The developed LNCM‒850/10 cathode displays an initial specific discharge capacity of 215.3 mAh g− 1 at a current rate of 0.2 C, and retains a high reversible capacity of 93.9 mAh g− 1 after 200 cycles. Furthermore, excellent high-rate charge-discharge capability and high-rate cycling performance are also observed in the LNCM‒850/10 cathode. These remarkable results are probably attributable to low Li+/Ni2+ cation mixing degree, good particle morphology and uniform particle size distribution of LNCM‒850/10, which effectively improves the electronic conductivity, lowers the charge transfer resistance, and simultaneously reduce Li+ diffusion distance and accelerate the insertion/extraction of Li+. Our study demonstrates that meticulous control of the calcination temperature of sol-gel synthesized LNCM precursors can boost the development of LNCM cathode suitable for advanced LIBs.
Performance Analysis of 4x4 Modified Wallace Tree Multiplier Using Different Full Adders
Authors: - Hema Chitra S , - Deepakraj R , - Boffi Rajalin R P , - Krupa Shankar S 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
In Embedded and DSP system architectures. Multipliers play a huge role for the mathematical computations. A system’s performance is generally determined by the performance of the multiplier because the multiplier is generally the slowest element in the whole system and also it is occupying more area. Adders play an important role in doing the Multiplication operation for VLSI and digital signal processing applications. In this paper, a modified full adder using multiplexer is proposed to improve the speed of multiplier. In WALLACE tree multiplier the partial sum adders can also be rearranged in a tree like structure. The partial sum adders are implemented with the proposed full adder. The optimization of adder has led to the improvement in performance of multiplier The challenge involved in this kind of multipliers is to realize the complete structure with a minimum number of AND Gates and adder elements. The designs are developed using Verilog HDL and the functional verification was done using Xilinx Vivado18.3. Simulation results are obtained for a 4x4 modified Wallace tree multiplier using various partial sum adders like RCA, CSA and CKA. The results show that the delay is reduced in multiplier using the proposed adder.
Reverse-Phase HPLC (RP - HPLC) study of the complexation of Acetamiprid, Imidacloprid and Carboxin guest molecules with thiophosphorylated calix [6] arene in Dimethylformamide-Acetonitrile-water mobile phase
Authors: Sharma Chandramauly R , Mishra Vijay , Agrawal Yadvendra 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was used to study the host-guest complexation of thiophosphacalixarenes (TPC 1–3) with acetamiprid, imidacloprid, and carboxin as guests. The Onyx Monolithic C 18 column (150 x 0.1 mm) and Phenomenex® were used with UV detection at 254 nm. The mobile phase consisted of dimethylformamide-acetonitrile-water. The association constant of the 1:1 guest-host complexes was determined from the relationship between the capacity factor of the guest and concentration of the thiophosphacalix [6] arene host in the mobile phase. The stability constants are influenced by the confirmation and stereochemical mobility, size, nature, position, and quantity of substituents in the benzene ring of the calixarene skeleton.
Protection of LP-cs on acute alcohol-induced liver and intestine injury
Authors: Xu Feng , Chen Zengqiang , Xie Longteng , Yang Shizhuo , Li Yuying , Wu Junnan , Wu Yuyu , Li Siyuan , Zhang Xie , Ma Yanyan , Liu Yanlong , Zeng Aibing , Xu Zeping 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The beneficial effects of probiotics have been studied extensively in inflammatory bowel disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Probiotic supplements are considered safer and more effective, but the potential mechanisms behind their benefits are unclear. An objective of the current study was to examine the effects of extracellular products of Lactobacillus plantarum on acute alcoholic liver injury. Mice on standard chow diet were supplemented with Lactobacillus plantarum ST-III culture supernatant (LP-cs) for 2 weeks and administered a dose of alcohol at 6 g/kg body weight by gavage. Alcohol-induced liver injury was assessed by measuring plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity levels, and liver steatosis was determined by triglyceride content. Intestine was measured by H&E staining and tight junction proteins were examined. LP-cs significantly inhibited the alcohol-induced fat accumulation, inflammatory reaction, and apoptosis by inhibiting oxidative stress and ER stress. In addition, LP-cs significantly inhibited the alcohol-induced intestinal injury and endotoxemia. According to these findings, LP-cs alleviates the acute alcohol-induced liver damage by inhibiting oxidative stress and ER stress in one way and suppressing alcohol-induced increased intestinal permeability and endotoxemia in another way. Our findings indicated that LP-cs supplements provided a novel strategy for ALD preventions and treatments.
Proposed diagnostic and prognostic markers of primary malignant hepatic vascular neoplasms
Authors: Yoo Youngeun , Shin Jinho , Jun Eunsung , Koh Eun-Young , Shin Hwa Jeong , Kang Hyo Jeong 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Primary malignant hepatic vascular tumors with various malignant potentials include epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) and angiosarcoma (AS), which may overlap pathologically. This study aimed to compare the pathological findings of hepatic EHE with those of AS, in association with patient outcomes.
Methods
Fifty-nine histologically confirmed patients with 34 EHE and 25 AS were admitted to a tertiary hospital from 2003 to 2020. Their EHE and AS pathological features were compared. Immunohistochemistry for CD31, ERG, CAMTA-1, TFE3, P53, and Ki-67 labeling was performed on paraffin-embedded blocks. Markers, along with histological findings, were analyzed for the purposes of diagnostic and prognostic significance by multivariate analysis.
Results
CAMTA-1 was 91.2% positive in EHE, but negative in AS (p = < .001). AS was significantly correlated to an aberrant p53 expression, high Ki-67 labeling, and high mitotic activity, compared to EHE (all, p = < .001). EHE can be classified as low grade (LG) and high grade (HG) using the prognostic values of mitotic activity and ki-67 labeling (sensitivity = 1, specificity = 1). Low grade-EHE showed significantly better overall survival than high grade-EHE (p = .020).
Conclusions
Immunohistochemistry for CAMTA-1, P53, and Ki-67 labeling may help distinguish EHE and AS in histologically ambiguous cases, especially small biopsied tissue. Moreover, the combination of mitotic activity and Ki-67 labeling can be a prognostic factor for EHE with various clinical features.
Mini-laparotomy in emergency general surgery in a second-level hospital in Zambia: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Karachentsev Sergiy , Kadochi Womba 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Background Being an integral part of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery methodology, the mini-invasive surgical technique is an important factor in attenuating surgical stress and minimising the risk of postoperative complications. Here we present our experience of utilising the mini-laparotomy (ML) approach in emergency surgery.Methods This prospective clinical study included adult patients operated on for acute abdominal conditions at a second-level hospital in Zambia. Thirty-four patients were explored through ML, and another 34 participants had a standard laparotomy (SL) incision. The size of ML ranged from 6 to 12 cm, with the median being 10.5 cm. ML was not attempted in abdominal malignancy, generalised peritonitis, and as an approach for the relaparotomy procedures. Length of hospital of stay (LOS) and morbidity/mortality were primary endpoints. Secondary outcomes of interest included operating time (OT) and post-operative pain control. Continuous variables were presented as mean with standard deviation or median with ranges; categorical data were given as proportions and percentages. Associations between data were estimated using the t-test and chi-square analysis, as appropriate. LOS was compared by log-rank test and presented graphically by Kaplan-Meier survival curves. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results The most common procedures performed through ML were resection of the small bowel or colon, closure of hollow viscus perforation or rupture, and adhesiolysis. Employment of ML was associated with reduced LOS (p = 0.0002), shorter OT (p = 0.0003), and minimised need for opioid analgesia (p = 0.01); however, the difference in postoperative complications was not statistically significant (ML: 21% versus SL: 27%, p = 0.57), and mortality was similar (6% in each group).Conclusions As our data showed, ML is a feasible and safe technique that could be used in emergency visceral surgery and abdominal trauma in well-selected patients. Having comparable postoperative morbidity with the SL approach, it might lead to reduced pain and enhanced recovery after the procedure. We proposed an algorithm for the selection of exploration method in patients presented with acute abdominal conditions that could be of help to acute care surgeon operating in a resource-limited setting.
Lysin (K)-Specific Demethylase 1 Inhibition Enhances Proteasome Inhibitor Response and Overcomes Drug Resistance in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Bandini Cecilia , Mereu Elisabetta , Paradzik Tina , Labrador Maria , Maccagno Monica , Cumerlato Michela , Oreglia Federico , Prever Lorenzo , Manicardi Veronica , Taiana Elisa , Ronchetti Domenica , D'Agostino Mattia , Gay Francesca , Larocca Alessandra , Merlo Giorgio , Hirsch Emilio , Ciarrocchi Alessia , Inghirami Giorgio , Neri Antonino , Piva Roberto 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy, accounting for approximately 1% of all cancers. Despite recent advances in the treatment of MM, due to the introduction of proteasome inhibitors (PIs) such as bortezomib (BTZ) and carfilzomib (CFZ), relapses and disease progression remain common. Therefore, a major challenge is the development of novel therapeutic approaches to overcome drug resistance, improve patient outcomes, and broaden PIs applicability to other pathologies.Methods We performed genetic and drug screens to identify new synthetic lethal partners to PIs, and validated candidates in PI-sensitive and -resistant MM cells. We also tested best synthetic lethal interactions in other B-cell malignancies, such as mantle cell, Burkitt’s and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. We evaluated the toxicity of combination treatments in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). We confirmed the combo treatment’ synergistic effects ex vivo in primary CD138 + cells from MM patients, and in different MM xenograft models. We exploited RNA-sequencing and Reverse-Phase Protein Arrays (RPPA) to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the synergy.Results We identified lysine (K)-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) as a top candidate whose inhibition can synergize with CFZ treatment. LSD1 silencing enhanced CFZ sensitivity in both PI-resistant and -sensitive MM cells, resulting in increased tumor cell death. Several LSD1 inhibitors (SP2509, SP2577, and CC-90011) triggered synergistic cytotoxicity in combination with different PIs in MM and other B-cell neoplasms. CFZ/SP2509 treatment exhibited a favorable cytotoxicity profile toward PBMCs and BMSCs. We confirmed the clinical potential of LSD1-proteasome inhibition in primary CD138 + cells of MM patients, and in MM xenograft models, leading to the inhibition of tumor progression. DNA damage response (DDR) and proliferation machinery were the most affected pathways by CFZ/SP2509 combo treatment, responsible for the anti-tumoral effects.Conclusions The present study preclinically demonstrated that LSD1 inhibition could provide a valuable strategy to enhance PI sensitivity and overcome drug resistance in MM patients and that this combination might be exploited for the treatment of other B-cell malignancies, thus extending the therapeutic impact of the project.
Forecasting the effects of habitat fragmentation on the distribution of Sillago larvae and juveniles: a case study in Ka Long Estuary, Vietnam
Authors: Do Anh Ngoc Thi , Do Tuyet Anh Thi , Ashley Matthew , Tran Hau Duc 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Habitat fragmentation potentially impacts animal diversity due to a decrease in ecological connectivity, especially in estuarine and mangrove environments, where many aquatic organisms spend their early developmental stages on. This study used collections of different species of Sillago larvae and juveniles from 2014 to 2015 in the Ka Long estuary, northern Vietnam to examine the above case based on deep learning models. The combined model, particle swarm optimization - gradient boosting regression, can be used to predict the spatial distribution of Sillago fish in the context of habitat fragmentation, one of the most important parameters to influence in the fish distribution. It reveals that larvae and juveniles of Sillago spp. are more abundant in areas next to mangroves. Based on deep convolutional neural network approach, land use/land cover changed considerably in 2013 and 2023 as mangrove forests and waterbody decreased due to the increase of urbanization. In addition, landscape indices additionally show that the habitat connectivity is decreasing and the number of edges is growing, which indirectly impact the fish larvae and juveniles inhabiting mangroves. Based on genetic algorithm analysis, the present work forecasts Sillago larval and juvenile distribution under the effect of landscape fragmentation in 2033 and 2043, when the Sillago density will have fallen dramatically. Yet, they will choose to reside in mangrove forests, indicating that conserving this environment is essential to maintaining this commercial fish in the study site as well as in adjacent mangrove forests in northern Vietnam.
TNMD system- A better staging in predicting prognosis of patients with stage III colon cancer
Authors: Xu Benjie , Zhu Jiahao , Li Chenyang , Pang Xiangyi , Wang Ren , Wang Xin , Wang Xing , Lian Jie , Lu Haibo 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Our study aimed to emphasize the effect of tumor deposit (TD) on the prognosis of stage III colon cancer patients and suggested the possibility of staging adjustment.
Methods
A total of 14148 patients with stage III colon cancer were enrolled from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of TD on prognosis. Our study concentrated on the clinicopathological characteristic of patients with TD positive. 956 patients from the Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital were enrolled as external validation cohort.
Results
Multivariate analysis determined that TD was an independent prognostic risk factor. Patients with regional lymph nodes (RLN) (+), TD (+) were associated with more perineural invasion (13.1% vs. 27.4%), T4 (17.9% vs. 30.0%), poorly differentiated (21.9% vs. 26.4%) and N2 (30.2% vs. 42.7%). Therefore, our study combined the status of TD and four risk factors to construct the tumor-node-metastasis-deposits (TNMD) staging system. In the new staging system, patients with RLN (+), TD (+) were divided into stage IIID (0–1) and stage IIIE (2–4) according to the number of risk factors. The estimated 5- year overall survival (OS) rates were significantly different between IIID and IIIE (61.9% vs 42.1%). In conclusion, the TNMD staging system was a reliable predictor for the OS of patients with stage III colon cancer.
Conclusion
Compared with the TNM system, the TNMD staging could better reflect the effect of TD on patients with stage III colon cancer and provide a more precise prognosis.
Exploring the Role of Government Spending in Fostering Economic Development in Kenya
Authors: Ngigi Caspar Njoroge , Goswami Arvind , Kapoor Harmanpreet Singh , Jangir Rajesh Kumar 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
This research aims to examine the relationship between government spending and G.D.P growth in Kenya, given the lack of consensus on the topic globally. While there is agreement that some level of government expenditure is necessary for economic development, the specific areas of spending that are most beneficial still need to be clarified. Through extensive research, this study will examine the variables of public spending that have the most significant effect on Kenyan economic growth and whether there have been changes in the correlation between public expenditure and G.D.P. over time. This article uses A.R.D.L. model and Support Vector Machine to explore the effect of public spending on the Kenyan economy from 1980–2021. The variables used in the study include G.D.P., infrastructure, education, health, and defense expenditures. The study hypothesizes that increased investment in infrastructure, health, education, and defense spending lead to accelerated G.D.P. growth in Kenya. The results indicate that education has a negative effect on G.D.P. in the short run but a positive effect in the long run, while health and defense spending have a positive impact on G.D.P. Infrastructure spending has adverse impact on G.D.P. in both the short and long run, but its correlation is low. The study suggests that Kenya should increase funding for education and health, maintain defense spending, and improve infrastructure spending while addressing corruption and bureaucracy.
Review about Tissue 3D Printing directed to Organ Transplant and Birth Defects
Authors: Zarante Ignacio , Suárez-Gómez Santiago Andrés 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
End stage disease, trauma or malformation require an organ transplant to treat patients. Low organ supply creates a long waiting list. 3D printed functional artificial organs may be used in future transplant surgeries. 3D printed artificial cells can emulate in vivo tissue. Also, 3D printing has other applications in medicine as a learning tool and surgical guide. Birth defects case reports indicate how 3D printing helped with patient treatment. Further development of this technology is required.
Effect of crop and canopy positions on dwarf cashew flowering pattern
Authors: Pereira Jéssica Soares , DoVale Júlio César , Melo José Wagner da Silva , Neto Francisco das Chagas Vidal , Machado Ingrid Pinheiro , de Pontes Fernanda Carla Ferreira , Melo Dheyne Silva 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Flower emission pattern in the dwarf cashew tree (Anacardium occidentaleL.) is essential for understanding the possible differences in the number, distribution over time, and/or proportion of the types of flowers affecting the reproductive dynamics of the species during the flowering. Our study aimed to explain the flowering pattern of the dwarf cashew tree, especially the emission and development of the male and hermaphrodite flowers and the influence of the flower distribution in the canopy for fruit production. Therefore, the canopy quadrants (north, south, east, and west) in two flowering seasons and two years (2018 and 2019) were considered. In each bloom, 120 panicles (one per quadrant of each plant) were randomly selected and monitored, in a randomized block design with 10 genotypes and three blocks, where each plant represented a repetition. There were significant differences in the effects of crop and canopy positions on the dwarf cashew tree. The dwarf cashew tree showed similar fluctuations in the average and cumulative number of flowers over time, regardless of flower type, but with a different pattern in the emission of male and hermaphrodite flowers. Male flowers required more time for anthesis during the harvests. Also, the northern quadrant of the crown had a greater quantity of flowers hermaphrodites, possibly due to a higher incidence of radiation because of the predominant path of the sun in the region. However, fruit production in the quadrants showed greater trends in the east and west quadrants, indicating that the flowering and fruiting patterns diverged.