bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of process parameters in Friction Stir Welding of dissimilar aluminum alloys (AA6061–T6 and AA5052–H32)
Authors: Heramo Wondu Tesfaye , Workneh Henok Zewdu 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid-state welding method for the welding of aluminum alloys and has been used in aerospace, railway, automotive and marine applications. Solid-state welding processes solve several problems that occur during fusion welding of Al-alloys like HAZ liquation cracking, porosity, and segregation. Aluminum Alloys of two different series AA 5052 and AA6061 thickness of 6mm are FS welded using process parameters like tool rotational speed (900,1100,1400) rpm, transverse speed (40,50,60) mm/min, and pin profiles (cylindrical, conical, and square). This article aims to optimize the mechanical and metallurgical properties of the above dissimilar combination to evaluate the performance and characteristics of the welded joints. The combined Taguchi and Grey relation analysis experimental method was chosen to construct the number of welding experiments. The plates are successfully welded, and the welded plates are tested at room temperature to examine their tensile strength and hardness. The findings indicate that the square pin profile, the rotational speed of 1400 rpm, and the transverse speed of 40 mm/min are the optimum parameters for joining these dissimilar joints.
The Role of EEG Functional Connectivity Coupled with Eye Tracking in Early Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Sun Binbin , Wang Bryan , Wei Zhen , Feng Zhe , Wu Zhi-Liu , Yassin Walid , Stone William S. , Lin Yan , Kong Xue-Jun 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackground:Electroencephalography (EEG) functional connectivity (EFC) and eye tracking (ET) have been explored as objective screening methods for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but no study has yet evaluated them simultaneously to measure restricted and repetitive behavior (RRBs) to infer early ASD diagnosis.Methods:Typically developing (TD) children (n=27) and ASD (n=32), age- and sex-matched, were evaluated with EFC and ET simultaneously, using the restricted interest stimulus paradigm. Network-based machine learning prediction (NBS-predict) was used to identify ASD. Correlations between EFC, ET, and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition (ADOS-2) were performed. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) was measured to evaluate the predictive performance.Results:Under high restrictive interest stimuli (HRIS), ASD children have significantly higher α band connectivity and significantly more total fixation time (TFT)/pupil enlargement of ET relative to TD children (P<0.05). These biomarkers were not only significantly positively correlated with each other (R>0.7, P<0.05), but also with ADOS total scores and RRBs sub-score (R>0.7 P<0.01 for EFC and (R>0.6, P<0.02 )for TFT. The accuracy of NBS-predict in identifying ASD was 63.4%. ROC curve demonstrated TFT with 91% and 90% sensitivity, and 78.7% and 77.4% specificity for ADOS total and RRB sub-scores respectively.Conclusions:Simultaneous EFC and ET evaluation in ASD is highly correlated with RRB symptoms measured by ADOS-2. NBS-predict of EFC offered a direct prediction of ASD. The use of both EFC and ET substantially improves early ASD diagnosis.
On the Stability and Characteristics of Biogas/Methane/Air Flames Fired by a Double Swirl Burner
Authors: Abdulnaim A. , Elkholy A. , Elmously M. , Moneib H. , Roberts W. L. , Elbaz A. M. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
CO2-diluted methane fuel is relevant to biogas combustion applications. Despite its poor heating value and low reactivity, which limit its practical applicability, biogas gains popularity as a renewable fuel. However, implementing it in combustion systems requires either modifying or replacing the existing burners. This study investigates the stability, temperature field, and pollutant emissions of CH4/CO2/air-premixed flames fired by a double-swirl burner. A CH4/air mixture of equivalence ratio, Φout was used in the outer stream, while a CH4/CO2/air mixture was supplied to the inner stream. The CO2 mole fraction, 𝒳CO2, in the inner fuel blend varied from 0 to 0.4 for various inner stream equivalence ratios, Φin. The stability diagram of these flames was mapped in terms of Φin verses 𝒳CO2 for a fixed Φout. Based on the stability map, the inflame temperature field was investigated for six flames. Increasing the %CO2 in the biogas modifies the stability map by increasing the inner stream lean blow-off limits. However, increasing Φout sustains the flame stability, while reducing the CO2 increases the overall flame below off equivalence ratio. Flame size growth with increasing 𝒳CO2 requires a longer residence time for efficient combustion. The addition of CO2 physically and chemically affects the thermal flame structure, and hence the pollutant emissions. In this burner, ultra-low NOX emission was reported, while an increase in the CO and UHC, with increasing 𝒳CO2 was observed. However, the results show that, for a given 𝒳CO2, controlling Φin and Φout could reduce CO and UHC emissions.
Quercetin alleviates osteoporosis in rat mandibles induced by ovariectomy through modulation of autophagy and inhibition of NLRP3 pathway
Authors: Xiong Yue , Huang Cheng-Wei , Shi Chao , Peng liang , Cheng Yu-Ting , Luo Rui , Liao Jian 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background With the aging population and the popularity of implant prostheses, more and more postmenopausal patients with osteoporosis (PMOP) have a need for implant restorations, but poor bone condition affects the long-term stability of their implant prostheses. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of quercetin (QR) compared to alendronate (ALN), the primary treatment for PMOP, on mandibular OP induced by ovariectomy in female rats (OVA).
Methods Adult female rats were treated with QR (50 mg/kg/day), ALN (6.25 mg/kg/week) by gavage for 8 weeks, chloroquine CQ (10 mg/kg/twice a week), and MCC950 (10 mg/kg/three times a week) by intraperitoneal injection for 8 weeks after bilateral ovariectomy. Blood samples were collected prior to euthanasia; the mandibles were harvested and subjected to MicroCT and pathological analysis.
Results The results showed that QR administration controlled weight gain and significantly improved bone microstructure in OVA rats, increasing bone mass, and Bone mineral density (BMD), reducing bone trabecular spacing, and decreasing osteoclast numbers. WB, rt-qPCR, and serum markers confirmed that QR inhibited the differentiation of osteoclasts on the NLRP3 pathway that promotes osteoclast differentiation of IL-1β, IL-18, Immunofluorescence, WB also confirmed that QR inhibited autophagy in OVA rats and suppressed the number of Trap-stained positive osteoclasts.
Conclusion QR may protect the skeleton and prevent bone loss in osteoporotic rats by inhibiting the NLRP3 pathway and autophagy in osteoclasts with comparable effects to ALN, thus QR has the potential to be a promising alternative supplement for the preventive and therapeutic treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Does the immediate reimbursement of medical insurance reduce the socioeconomic inequality in health among the floating population? Evidence from China
Authors: He Wen 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Background
Enhancing health intervention for floating populations has become an essential aspect of public health around the world. China launched a policy reform aimed at implementing immediate reimbursement for trans-provincial inpatient treatments. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of this policy change on socioeconomic inequality in health among the floating population.
Methods
This study used two waves of individual-level data from the China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS) collected in 2017 and 2018 as well as administrative hospital data at the city level. The sample included 122061 individuals and 262 cities. Under a quasi-experimental research design, we built up the framework to employ the generalized difference-in-differences estimation strategy. We used the number of qualified hospitals that could provide immediate reimbursement to represent the degree and intensity of the implementation of this policy change. We also calculated the Wagstaff Index (WI) to measure socioeconomic inequality in health.
Results
This policy change and income level had a negative joint impact on the health status of floating population (odds ratio = 1.043, P < 0.01). Furthermore, as the number of qualified tertiary hospitals increased, the health inequality would decrease significantly on average at the city level (P < 0.05). In addition, total reimbursement significantly improved after the policy change, and the magnitude of increase was greater in the relatively lower-income group (P < 0.01), that is, after the implementation of immediate reimbursement, the floating population could obtain greater and more timely reimbursement, which significantly released its medical burdens promoted health and reduced the health inequality caused by socioeconomic factors. Last, only inpatient spending could obtain immediate reimbursement in the early stage, thus, compared with primary care, these impacts were greater in tertiary care.
Conclusions
Our study revealed that after the implementation of immediate reimbursement, the floating population could obtain greater and more timely reimbursement, which significantly released its medical burdens, promoted health, and reduced the health inequality caused by socioeconomic factors. These results suggest that a more accessible and friendly medical insurance scheme should be promoted for this group.
Optimized strategy for schistosomiasis elimination: results from marginal benefit modeling
Authors: Li Qin , Zheng Jin-Xin , Jia Tie-Wu , Feng Xin-Yu , Lv Chao , Zhang Li-Juan , Yang Guo-Jing , Xu Jing , Zhou Xiao-Nong 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Poverty contributes to the transmission of schistosomiasis via multiple pathways, with the insufficiency of appropriate interventions being a crucial factor. The aim of this paper is to provide more economical and feasible intervention measures for endemic areas with varying levels of poverty. We collected and analyzed the prevalence patterns along with the cost of control measures in 11 counties over last 20 years in China. Seven machine learning models, including XGBoost, support vector machine, generalized linear model, regression tree, random forest, gradient boosting machine, and neural network, were used for training. Among them, the XGBoost model had the highest prediction accuracy with an R2 of 0.7308. The XGBoost model was then used to calculate the marginal benefit of each measure in reducing the prevalence of the disease and to obtain the optimal integrated control strategy. Results showed that risk surveillance, snail control with molluscicides and treatment were the most effective interventions in controlling schistosomiasis prevalence; The best combination of interventions was interlacing seven interventions, including risk surveillance, treatment, toilet construction, health education, snail control with molluscicides, cattle slaughter, and animal chemotherapy. The marginal benefit of risk surveillance is the most effective interven-tion among nine interventions, which was influenced by the prevalence of schistosomiasis and cost. In conclusion, in the elimination phase of the national schistosomiasis program, emphasizing risk surveillance holds significant importance in terms of cost-saving.
TRIM69 suppressed the anoikis resistance and metastasis of gastric cancer through ubiquitin‒proteasome-mediated degradation of PRKCD
Authors: Shi Tongguo , Sun Linqing , Chen Yuqi , Xia Lu , Wang Jiayu , Zhu Jinghan , Li Juntao , Wang Kun , Shen Kanger , Zhang Dongze , Zhang Guangbo , Chen Weichang 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The tripartite motif (TRIM) protein family has been investigated in multiple human cancers, including gastric cancer (GC). However, the role of TRIM69 in the anoikis resistance and metastasis of GC cells remains to be elucidated. We identified the differentially expressed genes in anoikis-resistant GC cells using RNA-sequencing analysis. The interaction between TRIM69 and PRKCD was analyzed by coimmunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. Our results have shown that TRIM69 was significantly downregulated in anoikis-resistant GC cells. TRIM69 overexpression markedly suppressed the anoikis resistance and metastasis of GC cells in vitro and in vivo. TRIM69 knockdown had the opposite effects. Mechanistically, TRIM69 interacted with PRKCD through its B-box domain and catalyzed the K48-linked polyubiquitination of PRKCD. Moreover, TRIM69 inhibited BDNF production in a PRKCD-dependent manner. Importantly, overexpression of PRKCD or BDNF blocked the effects of TRIM69 on the anoikis resistance and metastasis of GC cells. Interestingly, a TRIM69−PRKCD+BDNF+ cell subset was positively associated with metastasis in GC patients. TRIM69-mediated suppression of the anoikis resistance and metastasis of GC cells via modulation of the PRKCD/BDNF axis, with potential implications for novel therapeutic approaches for metastatic GC.
Detection of tongue edema caused by endotracheal intubation tube in ICU patients by ultrasonography: A prospective, observational, clinical study
Authors: Bayram Hasan Huseyin , Onal Ozkan , Akpinar Seyma , Onal Merih , Ozturk Mehmet 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to detect tongue edema which may develop due to the long-term application of pressure of the endotracheal intubation (ETI) tube on the tongue using submental ultrasonography (USG). Also, we aimed to investigate the relationship between tongue edema with oxygen saturation values (SpO2) two h after extubation.
Methods: A total of 100 patients aged 18–65 years, who underwent ETI and were followed up on mechanical ventilation were included. Patients (n = 57) who were followed up on mechanical ventilation for four days or longer after ETI were included in the study group. Those who were followed up on mechanical ventilation for three days or less after ETI were included in the control group (n = 43). The tongue cross-sectional areas (TSAs) of patients in both groups were measured twice with submental USG. The first measurement (TSA1) was performed on the 0th day of ETI in all patients in both groups. The second measurement (TSA2) was performed on the 4th day of ETI in the study group and just before extubation in the control group. The difference between TSA2 and TSA1 was defined as tongue edema.
Results: The tongue edema was more prevalent in the study group (p = 0.000). The SpO2 values two h after extubation were lower in patients with tongue edema than those without tongue edema (p = 0.000).
Conclusions: Tongue edema may develop due to the long-term application of pressure of the ETI tube on the tongue and may impair oxygenation after extubation.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05249738
Biomechanical analysis of an FNS® fixation construct for femur neck fractures and clinical implications: a finite element method
Authors: Sohn Hoon-Sang , Kim Dong-Hee , Kang Sungwook , Jung Se-Lin , Lee Dong-Hyun , Jung Gu-Hee 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Background Despite widely use of femoral neck system system (FNS®), there is little evidence for mechanical property according to type of femoral neck fracture. This study is to assess the structural/mechanical stability of fixation constructs with a femur neck system by using the finite-element (FE) analysis after simulating the femur neck fractures and to introduce the clinical implications. Methods We simulated the fracture models of subcapital, transcervical, basicervical, and vertical types by using the right femur model (SAWBONES®) and imported the implant model of FNS®to ANSYS®to place the implant in the optimal position. The distal end of the femur model was completely fixed and was abducted 7°. The force vector was set laterally at an angle of 3° and posteriorly 15° in the vertical ground. We did the analysis using Ansys®software with the von Mises stress (VMS) in megapascal (MPa). Results The max VMS of the fracture site was 67.01 MPa for a subcapital fracture, 68.56 MPa for a transcervical fracture, 344.54 MPa for a basicervical fracture, and 130.59 MPa for a vertical fracture. The max VMS of FNS®was 840.34 MPa for a subcapital fracture, 637.37 MPa for a transcervical fracture, 464.07 MPa for a basicervical fracture, and 421.01 MPa for a vertical fracture. The max VMS of the implant corresponded to the value of the entire fixation construct and thus, FNS®mainly functions as a load-bearing implant. When we compared the basicervical and vertical fractures, the stress distribution between the implant and the fracture sites differed significantly, and the basicervical fracture had higher VMS in the bone, implant, and fracture sites. Conclusion Considering the stress distribution of the assembly model, FNS® fixation should consider the osseous anchorage between the proximal bolt and cancellous bone of femoral head and might be appropriate for vertical fractures. Regarding the VMS of fracture site, FNS® might be applied cautiously just in the basicervical fracture of anatomical reduction without gap and comminution.
Dose escalation of Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy (FSRT) for brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer: protocol of a phase I study
Authors: Xu Xiao , Pan Kaicheng , Wang Bing , Liang Jiafeng , Tang Yi , Ma Shenglin , Zhu Lucheng , Xia Bing 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
About half of lung cancer patients are found to have brain metastasis during the course of the disease. Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) is a reliable treatment for patients with localized brain metastases. However, there is currently controversy over the prescription doses of FSRT. The aim of this study is to determine maximum tolerated dose of FSRT for brain metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer.
Methods
This study is a prospective mono-center phase I dose escalation trial which will recruit patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer receiving FSRT in 5 fractions. A standard 3 + 3 statistical design was employed. The dose escalation consists of 7 cohorts. FSRT will starting at 6 Gy × 5 fractions (dose level 1). The highest dose level will be 10 Gy × 5 fractions. The primary objective of this study is to determine the maximum tolerated dose. Secondary outcomes include acute and late toxicities following FSRT, intracranial progression-free survival (iPFS) and overall survival (OS).
Discussion
Since the prescription dose of FSRT treatment for patients with localized brain metastases are still unknow, we conducted a Phase I study to determine the maximum tolerated dose of FSRT for limited brain metastases. This trial protocol has been approved by the Ethics committee of Hangzhou cancer hospital. The ethics number is HZCH-2022 #124. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 10/20/2022 (NCT05588206).
Robust Evidence C-Means Clustering Combining Spatial Information for Image Segmentation
Authors: Lan Rong , Mi Haowen , Qu Na , Zhao Feng , Yu Haiyan , Zhang Lu 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Although evidence c-means clustering (ECM) based on evidence theory overcomes the limitations of fuzzy theory to some extent and improves the capability of fuzzy c-means clustering (FCM) to express and process the uncertainty of information, the ECM does not consider the spatial information of pixels, which makes it to be unable to effectively deal with noise pixels. Applying ECM directly to image segmentation cannot obtain satisfactory results. This paper proposes a robust evidence c-means clustering combining spatial information for image segmentation algorithm. Firstly, an adaptive noise distance is constructed by using the local information of pixels to improve the ability to detect noise points. Secondly, the pixel’s original, local and non-local information are introduced into the objective function through adaptive weights to enhance the robustness to noise. Then, the entropy of pixel membership degree is used to design an adaptive parameter to solve the problem of distance parameter selection in credal c-means clustering (CCM). Finally, the Dempster’s rule of combination was improved by introducing spatial neighborhood information, which is used to assign the pixels belonging to the meta-cluster and the noise cluster into the singleton cluster. Experiments on synthetic images, real images and remote sensing SAR images demonstrate that the proposed algorithm not only suppress noise effectively, but also retain the details of the image. Both the segmentation visual effect and evaluation indexes indicate its effectiveness in image segmentation.
Association of preoperative serum CA72-4 with prognosis in stage I-III colorectal cancer patients and its interaction with preoperative CEA: a multicenter retrospective cohort study Running head: Preoperative CA 72-4 and CEA in outcomes of colorectal cancer
Authors: Yanli Li , Pang Xiaolin , Zhao Li , Chen Yaxue , Liu Lizhu , You Ruimin , Zhang Yin , Liu Mengmei , Yang Guangjun , Li Zhenhui , Pu Hongjiang 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Whether preoperative serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 72-4 is an independent predictor of outcome and whether has an interaction between CA72-4 and the impact of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) on colorectal cancer (CRC) patients' risk of recurrence is still unknown.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with pathologically confirmed stage I-III colorectal adenocarcinoma who received direct radical resection at 2 hospitals from 2008 to 2017 were collected. According to the levels of CEA and CA72-4 before operation, the patients were divided into 4 groups: Group A with normal CEA and CA72-4 levels preoperatively (CEA≤5.0 ng/mL,CA72-4≤6.9 U/mL, n=952) ;Group B had normal preoperative CEA but high CA72-4 levels (CEA≤5.0 ng/mL,CA72-4>6.9 U/mL, n=217) ；Group C had elevated preoperative CEA but normal CA72-4 (CEA>5.0 ng/mL,≤6.9 U/mL, n=574) ；Group D had both elevated preoperative CEA and CA72-4 (CEA>5.0 ng/mL, CA72-4>6.9 U/mL, n=182). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve and a COX regression model was used to estimate the correlation between preoperative CA72-4 and overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).
Results: A total of 3,651 patients (52.7%) are included in this study. Median age (IQR) : 60.0 (50.0, 68.0) years; Mean body mass index (BMI) (SD) : 22.718(3.256) kg/m2. Compared with normal CA 72-4 (≤6.9 U/mL, n=3252), patients with increased CA 72-4 (>6.9U/mL, n=399) had higher OS(HR:1.4;95% CI, 1.07-1.83; P = 0.0072). In Cox multivariate analysis, increased preoperative CEA and CA72-4 were associated with shorter RFS(HR:1.69;95% CI, 1.23- 2.32; P = 0.001) and OS (HR, 2.92;95% CI, 2.14-3.98; P < 0.001). However, patients with normal preoperative CEA, no matter if CA72-4 is increased or normal, were not associated with RFS and OS shortening, while patients with high CEA but normal CA72-4 were only associated with OS(HR:1.82;95% CI, 1.42-2.33; P <0.001).
Conclusion:CA72-4 is an independent predictor of outcome for patients with elevated preoperative CEA. The influence of preoperative CA72-4 level on prognosis is different under different CEA stratification. It is necessary to combine CA72-4 with CEA to predict the prognosis of patients.