bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disease Specific Quality of Life as Part of the Long-term Follow-up for Children Born With Esophageal Atresia in an Academic Unit in South Africa - a Pilot Study
Authors: de Vos C , Dellenmark-Blom M , Sikwete FM , Sidler D , Wyk L van , Goussard P 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Purpose:
As neonatal mortality rates have decreased in esophageal atresia (EA), there is a growing focus on Quality of Life (QoL) in these children. No study from Africa has reported on this topic. This pilot study aimed to describe disease specific QoL in EA children and its applicability as part of long-term follow-up in an academic facility in South Africa.
Methods:
Disease specific QoL in children born with EA was assessed utilizing the EA-QoL questionnaire for children aged 2-17 years during a patient-encounter.
Results:
Thirteen questionnaires for children aged 2-7 years were completed by 5 parents. A perceived impact on their child’s eating was reported by 46-92% of parents, and less perceived impact in the other two domains. Twenty-seven questionnaires were completed by 8 children aged 8-17 years and 10 parents. Similar percentages children and parents reported a perceived impact in the eating, social relationships, and body perception domains. More than half reported a perceived impact on the child’s health and well-being.
Conclusion:
This study supports the concept that assessment of disease specific QoL should play a vital role in the comprehensive follow-up approach for children born with EA. We identified that parents of younger children were more likely to report eating disorders whereas parents of older children were more likely to report health difficulties with different perceptions when it came to the child’s scar.
Thermal stability and detonation characters of nitro- substituted derivatives of 4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) pyrimidine
Authors: li butong , Ou Jiaqian , Li Lulin , Yi Guobin , Peng Yanhong , Wang Taoyu 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
The nitro groups are introduced into 4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) pyrimidine to substitute the hydrogen atoms one by one, through which total 31 derivatives are constructed to looking for high energy density compounds (HEDCs). To probe the thermal stabilities, the heats of formation (HOFs) are calculated by using the G3MP2 method. To explore the dynamic stability, the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis is performed to confirm the trigger bond, for which the bond dissociation energy is calculated using the B3PW91 method with the 6-311 + G(d,p) basis set. Furthermore, the detonation velocity (D), the detonation pressure (P), the molecular density (ρ), and the explosive heats (Q) are also predicted by using the Kamlet-Jacobs equation. Based on our calculation, it is confirmed that E is a potential high energy density compound with sufficient stability and excellent detonation performance.
A Novel Study on Tempered $({\upkappa},\uppsi)$-Hilfer Fractional Operators
Authors: Salim Abdelkrim , Lazreg Jamal Eddine , Benchohra Mouffak 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
The objective of this paper is to introduce new definitions of the tempered (κ,ψ)-fractional operators and establish their various properties. Our research is primarily focused on applying these newly proposed operators to investigate the existence, uniqueness, and κ-Mittag-Leffler-Ulam-Hyers stability of a specific class of boundary value problems involving implicit nonlinear fractional differential equations and tempered (κ,ψ)-Hilfer fractional derivatives. To accomplish this, we make use of the fixed point theorem of Banach and a generalization of the well-known Gronwall inequality. Additionally, we provide illustrative examples to demonstrate the practical effectiveness of our main findings.
S1 Nuclease Activity on Poly- Adenine- Mediated Spherical Nucleic Acids
Authors: Shen Weiwei , Zhong Letian , Qian He , Yao Weirong , Guo Yahui , Chang Qiaoying 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background
Recently, spherical nucleic acids ( SNA ) have attracted the attention of many professionals and scientists. However, due to the very limited and incomplete researches, the mechanism of the SNA and nuclease remains confusing and ambiguous.
Methods and results
In this work, the poly-adenine-modified spherical nucleic acid ( polyA-SNA ) was selected as the experimental subject for the first time to study the activity of S1 nuclease on the surface of gold nanoparticles. We have systematically investigated the regulation of S1 nuclease activity changing by many factors, including PEG, DNA combining form, particle size, DNA combining density and DNA strand length.
Conclusion
The mechanism of biomolecular - nanoparticle interface affecting S1 nuclease activity was preliminarily discussed. The results will also be helpful to understand and construct high stability SNA probes and lay a foundation for expanding their biological applications in complex environments.
Impact of increasing dietary concentrations of quebracho tannins on the ruminal and fecal microbiota of dairy goats
Authors: Cremonesi Paola , Severgnini Marco , Battelli Marco , Monistero Valentina , Penati Martina , Gazzonis Alessia Libera , Castiglioni Bianca , Rapetti Luca , Manfredi Maria Teresa , Addis Maria Filippa 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Condensed tannins may reduce enteric methane emissions in dairy goats by acting on feed digestibility and promoting microbial community composition shifts. We assessed the impact on the ruminal and fecal microbiota of a dietary integration with condensed quebracho tannins (CT) at three different levels (2%, Q2; 4%, Q4; 6% on dry matter, Q6) compared with a control diet (C), in a repeated 4 × 4 Latin square feeding scheme with four goats per square. The ruminal and fecal bacterial, archaeal, fungal, and protozoan microbiota were assessed at the end of each feeding period. The results were then evaluated in relation to CH4 and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, nitrogen excretion, and feed efficiency. In the rumen, a reduction in prokaryotic alpha-diversity was observed. Beta-diversity was also significant, with the strongest impact for the Q6 diet. Increasing CT concentrations induced more significant community shifts. The phylum Bacteroidota were enriched by all three CT levels, leading to inversion of the Bacteroidota/Firmicutes ratio. Methanobrevibacter with the corresponding phylum (Euryarcheota) and family (Methanobacteriaceae) were reduced by Q6. Ruminococcaceae, Synergistaceae and Flexilinea and Fretibacterium decreased, while Prevotellaceae, Acidaminococcaceae, Succiniclasticum and Fibrobacter increased. The diet did change the overall fungal biodiversity of the rumen, dominated by Neocallimastix, Feramyces, and Caecomyces. In the protozoal microbiota, dominated by Entodinium, only Diplodinium decreased, while Polyplastron and Isotrichia increased. In the feces, alpha and beta-diversity did not change significantly. In feces, the genus Methanobrevibacter and the corresponding phylum and family (Euryarcheota and Methanobacteriaceae, respectively) were increased by CT. The Q6 diet reduced fecal Arcanobacterium, Anaerococcus, and Megasphaera, while it enriched Alistipes and Corynebacterium. Malassezia dominated the fecal fungal microbiota with an average relative abundance of over 95%. Significant changes were observed in the feces for different fungal genera. In conclusion, increasing levels of CT in the diet induced increasingly relevant changes in the rumen microbiota of goats, including a reduction in the abundance of microbial taxa responsible for methane production. On the other hand, CT affected feed conversion efficiency, and this should be taken into account as a contributing factor in the total reduction of methane emissions.
Parent Psychological Flexibility in Pediatric Chronic Pain
Authors: Hanania Joan , George Jessica Edwards , Rizzo Christie , Manjourides Justin , Goldstein Laura 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Pediatric chronic pain is embedded in a broader social context, especially within parent-youth relationships. Parent risk factors have been associated with poor functional outcomes in youth with chronic pain. Research delineating the adaptive role of parent psychological flexibility in the context of pediatric chronic pain remains limited. The study applied a biopsychosocial and ecological framework towards understanding adaptive influences of parental responses to youth’s pain related functional outcomes. The study aims to examine associations between adaptive parental responses and youth’s functional disability, specifically related to parent psychological flexibility. 127 youth (66.1% female) with mixed etiology chronic pain, ranging in age from 8 to 17 years (M = 12.24; SD = 1.598), and their parent or guardian participated in the study at an interdisciplinary pediatric pain clinic within a public hospital and online pain peer support groups. Measures of demographic and pain characteristics, youth’s functional disability, pain acceptance, and parent psychological flexibility were collected. Regression results indicated that youth’s reported pain intensity [B = 3.01, SE = 0.441, p < .0005], and parent psychological flexibility [B = -0.006, SE = 0.003, p = 0.042] were independently associated with youth’s self-reported functional disability. Findings underscore the importance of assessing parental factors when examining pain-related functional disability in pediatric chronic pain. Findings further support how parent psychological flexibility positively impacts youth’s pain related functioning. Implications highlight the need for inclusion of parents as targets for change in clinical interventions and may further optimize treatments aimed at improving the functioning of youth with pain by addressing parent coping. Perspective: The article explores the adaptive role of parent psychological flexibility in the context of pediatric chronic pain. Findings underscore the importance of assessing parental factors when examining pain related functional disability and support targeting parents in clinical interventions to optimize pediatric pain-related functional outcomes.
Visualization and Analysis of the Curvature Invariants in the Alcubierre Warp-Drive Spacetime
Authors: Rodal Jose 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
In the Alcubierre warp-drive spacetime, we investigate the following scalar curvature invariants: the scalar I, derived from a quadratic contraction of the Weyl tensor, the trace R of the Ricci tensor, and the quadratic r1 and cubic r2 invariants from the trace-adjusted Ricci tensor. In four-dimensional spacetime the trace-adjusted Einstein and Ricci tensors are identical, and their unadjusted traces are oppositely signed yet equal in absolute value. This allows us to express these Ricci invariants using Einstein’s curvature tensor, facilitating a direct interpretation of the energy-momentum tensor. We present detailed plots illustrating the distribution of these invariants. Our findings underscore the requirement for four distinct layers of an anisotropic stress-energy tensor to create the warp bubble. Additionally, we delve into the Kretschmann quadratic invariant decomposition. We provide a critical analysis of the work by Mattingly et al., particularly their underrepresentation of curvature invariants in their plots by 8 to 16 orders of magnitude. A comparison is made between the spacetime curvature of the Alcubierre warp-drive and that of a Schwarzschild black hole with a mass equivalent to the planet Saturn. The paper addresses potential misconceptions about the Alcubierre warp-drive due to inaccuracies in representing spacetime curvature changes and clarifies the classification of the Alcubierre spacetime, emphasizing its distinction from class B warped product spacetimes.
An ensemble method for cross lingual semantic textual similarity
Authors: Piroozfar Poorya , Abdous Mohammad , Bidgoli Behrouz Minaei 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Today, it is particularly important to recognize the semantic similarity between texts in different languages due to the emergence of new natural language processing models like ChatGPT and Bard. These models can provide more accurate and comprehensive answers to users' questions by identifying semantic similarity between two texts in different languages. Cross-lingual semantic similarity refers to the process of calculating similarity between two pieces of text in different languages. This paper aims to present an improved method for finding similarities between sentences in different languages. Some of the current methods create the same vector space to achieve this, while others use machine translation to translate the text into another language and then determine similarity between the two sentences using monolingual sentence similarity methods. The degree of similarity is expressed as a number between 0 and 5. Over the past few years, the progress in language models based on transformers has paved the way for improvements in detecting text similarity. This article discusses the utilization of ensemble models with transformers to determine the semantic similarity of sentences in Persian and English languages utilizing the Persian-English corpus. According to our findings, this ensemble approach has a correlation rate of 95.28% in detecting the extent of semantic similarity between cross-lingual sentences. These results indicate that our method surpasses previous techniques for discovering similarities between sentences in different languages.
Integrated analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data reveals a CD8+ T cells signature predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ni Meng , Deng Yanan , Qin Changling , Zhao Bingqian , Wang Ning , Li Qiong , Song Zhan , Liu Chi 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background As we know, immune infiltration play an important role in tumor initiation and progression. Therefore, we devoted to exploring the effect of dynamic evolution of CD8 + T cells on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression.Methods We comprehensively analyzed gene expression and clinical information in 2,423 HCC cells and 837 HCC samples. Seurat and Monocle algorithms were used to identify CD8 + T cell cluster. Prognostic models were constructed by seven machine learning algorithms, and risk stratification was performed for HCC patients. Immune abundance, enriched function, and mutational profiles of patients in different risk groups were further delineated. Finally, we further validated the results using mIHC in 32 paired HCC and paracancer samples.Results A total of 240 CD8 + T cell trajectory genes were obtained by pseudo-time analysis. Seven machine learning algorithms were used to build optimal prognostic models (ICPM). Patients with high ICPM score had dismal prognosis. Notably, comprehensive analysis revealed that the high-risk group had a higher abundance of immune infiltrates and immunotherapy response rate. The mIHC results further demonstrate the accuracy of our analysis.Conclusion Establishment of ICPM promotes the development of precision therapy for HCC patients and provides new insights for the management and treatment.
Integrated life skill training and executive function strategies in children with autism spectrum disorder in Qatar: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yousef Bara , Raj Naresh Bhaskar , Wan-Arfah Nadiah , Dhas Brightlin Nithis , Rosal Florence Vargas , Mansour Ahmad Mohammad , Alhadi Samah ahmad Abd , Dizon Marnel Morada , Ajouly Rana Moufeed , Sboui Nadhira 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background: Executive function (EF) impairment is common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). EF strategies are considered effective in improving therapeutic outcomes of children with ASD. This study primarily aims to explore whether integrating EF strategies combined with regular occupational therapy intervention is more effective in improving daily life skills (DLS) and sensory integration/processing (SI/SP) skillsthan regular occupational therapy alone in children with ASD and secondarily aimsto assess treatment outcomes on improving visual motor integration (VMI) skills.
Methods: A total of 92 children with ASD will be recruited and following baseline assessments randomly assigned to the treatment group (45-min once weekly individual occupational therapy plus EF strategies) and control group (45-min once weekly individual therapy sessions alone).
Discussion: All children will be evaluated systematically by assessing SI/SP, DLS, and VMI, skills at baseline, 7 weeks, and 14 weeks of treatment. Data will be analyzed using analysis of covariance and t-test. This single-blind randomized controlled trial will provide empirical evidence for the effectiveness of EF strategies when combined with regular occupational therapy programs. Based on trial results, EF strategies could be recommended in multidisciplinary programs for children with ASD.
Clinical trial registration: This trial has been registered on the clinicaltrail.gov for registry, protocol ID: MRC-01-22-509 ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05829577, registered April 25, 2023.
Development of an inclusive and cost-effective Afrocentric predictive model for stroke: A novel approach
Authors: (NM) Nweke Martins , (PO) Oyirinnaya Praise , (GN) Govender Nalini , Sara Mitha , Polycarp Nwoha , Chidi Ibeneme Sam 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background:Prediction of stroke is indispensable for the initiation of the necessary preventive and prophylactic measures. The conspicuous omission of African data in most of the validated prediction models questions their appropriateness for the region. This study therefore aimed to develop an inclusive and cost-effective Afrocentric predictive model for stroke (CAPMS).Methods and Analyses:We employed an evidence synthesis approach namely meta-analysis structured as per the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched PubMed, Scopus, African Journals, Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature, from inception to date. Case-control and cohort studies that reported the risk factors of stroke and corresponding risk estimates were included. Screening of the titles and abstracts was undertaken by two independent reviewers. We conducted meta-analyses using Comprehensive Meta-analysis (CMA) version 3.Result:Majority of the eligible studies (>50%) investigated both ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke. In Africa, more than 20 risk factors of stroke were identified however only 18 met the eligibility for meta-analysis. Our findings shows that homocysteine (Rw = 13.9, Ri = 0.67), hypertension (Rw = 5.6, Ri =0.94) and cardiac events (Rw =3.1, Ri = 0.8) were the three most powerful independent predictors of stroke in Africa. Low consumption of green vegetables (Rw =2.4, Ri = 1.0), stress (Rw = 1.76, Ri =1.0) and hypertension were the most clinically responsive risk factors of stroke. All biomarkers except homocysteine were cost-effective having an investigative price of less than $13.6. Critical risk point was fitted at the 90thpercentile being 12.7. The cumulative Rw and investigative costs of CAPMS 1 (15.8 and $2.4) and CAPMS 2 (14.9 and $7.2) showed good performance index and cost-effectiveness.Conclusion:Targeted screening with the CAPMS 1 & CAPMS 2 model represents cost-effective innovation in practice of stroke screening in African clinics and communities. We recommend immediate validation of CAPMS to ascertain its performance, feasibility and acceptability in the region.Registration:The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023430437).
Spore germination and lactic acid combined treatment: A new strategy for the shelf-life extension of instant wet noodles
Authors: Zhang Qiaozhen , Gu Fengying , Li Tian , Guo Xin , Li Yang , Liang Manzhu , Wang Feng , Guo Qin , Wang Qiang 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BAM) was the primary spoilage bacteria in instant wet noodles (IWNs), so reducing BAM spores was crucial to extending shelf-life. This study proposed a strategy combining spore germination (SG) and lactic acid (LA) treatment for the shelf-life extension of IWNs. In liquid culture medium, L-histidine was an efficient germinant and increased the SG rate 1.05 times. The acid mortality of spores was increased to 83.57% at pH 3.0 while increasing the membrane permeability of the spores. In IWNs, compound germinants (1% L-histidine, 0.5% D-glucose, and 1% sodium chloride) increased the SG rate by 3.61 times. The strategy further increased spore heat death by 34.41%-41.68%, and led to a spore acid-heat death rate of 76.52%-94.03%. This strategy was significantly effective in IWNs processing, extending shelf-life by 3.00-5.50 times, and the pH to 5.5-6.6 for IWNs. Meanwhile, the comprehensive quality of IWNs improved. The strategy has potential applications in the development of IWNs with high quality and a long shelf-life.
Influence of GaN Cap Layer on E-Mode AlGaN/GaN HEMT Device with Nitrogen Implanted Gate Using TCAD Simulations
Authors: Song Yu-Lin , Reddy Manoj Kumar , Issac Kutagulla 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
This study presents an optimized and novel AlGaN/GaN HEMT structure which is developed using TCAD (Technology Computer-Aided Design) simulations. The calibrated D-Mode AlGaN/GaN HEMT is converted into an E-Mode transistor using nitrogen implantation and the device optimization is achieved by changing the thickness of the GaN cap layer. With the increase of GaN cap layer thickness from 0nm to 2nm the device achieved an increment in the breakdown voltage from 159V to 720V and drain current from 1.11×10− 05 A/mm to 1.99×10− 02 A/mm. The large Ids of the HEMT with GaN cap layer are attributed to the increase of the concentration of two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). The leakage current is reduced from 1.07×10− 08 A/mm to 5.35×10− 11 A/mm thereby increasing the device performance with the use of the GaN cap layer. The shift in Vth, bandgap, and an increase of Electron Density is also observed by altering the GaN cap thickness from 0nm to 2nm. The current gain of the 2nm GaN cap device is shown with an increase in gate voltage ramping (Vgs).
A Novel Computational Approach for Solving Fully Implicit Singular Systems of Ordinary Differential Equations
Authors: Benhammouda Brahim 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
This paper presents a novel computational approach to solve fully implicit singular nonlinear systems of ordinary differential equations. These systems have a two fold difficulty: being fully implicit and singular at the same time. Such systems cannot be solved in general by software packages such as Maple due to their fully implicit structure. Furthermore, numerical methods like Runge-Kutta cannot be applied. The proposed method here is based
on the idea of applying the differential transform method (DTM) directly to these systems while exploiting an important property of Adomian polynomials. This new idea has led to a general and efficient algorithm that can be easily implemented using Maple, Mathematica or Matlab. We stress here that our technique does not require transforming the implicit system in hands to an explicit differential system. Also our technique equips the DTM with a powerful
tool to solve other fully implicit differential systems. To illustrate the capability and efficiency of the proposed method, four numerical examples that are not solvable by software packages like Maple are given. Numerical results show that our method has successfully solved these examples by providing the exact solutions in a convergent power series form.