bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Polonium-210 in Commonly Consumed Vegetables and Fruits in Kuwait
Authors: Alboloushi Aishah , Alboloushi Omar
Published: May 2023

210Po is the dominant contributor to the effective dose in humans, where a quarter of the total annual committed effective dose from ingestion of the food is coming from 210Po according to UNSCEAR data. Such a study is crucial nowadays because the consumption rate of vegetables and fruits has remarkably increased. Also, 210Po/210Pb activity in Kuwait air has been reported as a ratio of about 1, and this may result in the enhancement of 210Po concentration in locally cultivated leafy vegetables due to the deposition of air-suspended solid particles since Kuwait is known to be a dusty country; however, the radiological data available on 210Po concentrations and its associated ingestion dose for the Kuwaiti local diet is still limited. 210Po wet activity concentration (Bq/kg), an annual intake (Bq/y), and committed effective dose due to the ingestion of most consumed vegetables and fruits (µSv/y) were calculated and evaluated (annual dose was assessed to be 13.6 ± 2.5 µSv/y. Moreover, washed and non-washed leafy vegetables have been analyzed for 210Po to investigate the atmospheric fallout contribution. Conclusively, 210Po baseline data has been established for fruits and vegetables in Kuwait, and they are considered lower than some reported international data confirming their radiological safety. Further determination of 210Po in different consumed meat and seafood species will be carried out.
Corticospinal Adaptation to Short-term Horizontal Balance Perturbation Training
Authors: Hu Nijia , Piirainen Jarmo M , Walker Simon , Avela Janne
Published: May 2023

Sensorimotor training and strength training can improve balance control. Currently, little is known how repeated balance perturbation training affects balance performance and its neural mechanisms. This study investigated corticospinal adaptation assessed by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and H-reflex measurement during balance perturbation induced by perturbation training. Fourteen subjects completed three perturbation sessions (PS1, PS2, and PS3). The perturbation system operated at 0.25 m/s, accelerating at 2.5 m/s2 over 0.3 m displacement in anterior or posterior direction. Subjects were trained by 200 perturbations in PS2. In PS1 and PS3, TMS and electrical stimulation elicited motor evoked potentials (MEP) and H-reflexes in the right leg soleus muscle, at standing rest and two-time points (40 ms and 140 ms) after perturbation. Body sway was assessed using the displacement and velocity of the center of pressure (COP), which showed a decrease in PS3. No significant changes were observed in MEP or H-reflex between sessions. Nevertheless, Δ MEP at 40 ms demonstrated a positive correlation with Δ COP, while Δ H-reflex at 40 ms demonstrated a negative correlation with Δ COP. Balance perturbation training indicated less body sway and a potential increase of spinal-level involvement was observed when movement automaticity enhances after perturbation training.
Implementation of Rapid COVID-19 Testing in Criminal Justice Residential Re-entry Sites
Authors: Ngassa Yvane , Finn Julie , Brinkley-Rubinstein Lauren , Wurcel Alysse
Published: May 2023

The goal of our project was to study the implementation of rapid BINAX COVID-19 testing at criminal justice re-entry sites, focusing on several framework-guided implementation outcomes. We implemented rapid COVID-19 testing at nine re-entry sites in four states (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and New York) and collected test results to measure the 1) adoptability and 2) implementability of COVID-19 testing at re-entry sites. We also collected data on the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the implementation of COVID-19 testing using an anonymous employee Qualtrics survey.Testing was available to symptomatic and exposed residents and employees. COVID-19 testing results were collected from October 2021 to March 2022. Guided by the Expert Recommendations in Implementing Change (ERIC) framework, we chose nine implementation strategies to address barriers during the implementation process. Eight testing sites used a total of 302 BINAX COVID-19 tests and reported a total of 26 positive cases. Across all testing sites, 47% of employees participated in the survey. Most survey participants agreed that the implementation of rapid COVID-19 testing at re-entry sites was acceptable, feasible and appropriate. COVID-19 testing at nine re-entry sites was possible through collaboration with CRJ leadership. Several cases of COVID-19 were identified, especially during the peak months of the pandemic. Funding and attention toward COVID-19 testing at re-entry sites should be provided to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in re-entry sites and their surrounding communities.
In-Season Growth Forecasting in Cotton Using Unmanned Aerial System- based Canopy Attributes and LSTM Models
Authors: Dhal Sambandh Bhusan , Bhandari Mahendra , Gadepally Krishna Chaitanya , Acharya Bharat Sharma , Pal Pankaj , Landivar Jose , Zhao Lei , Rout Tapas , Landivar Juan , Nowka Kevin , Kalafatis Stavros
Published: May 2023

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is one of the important cash crops in the United States. Monitoring in-season growth metrics, from early season growth to harvest, is crucial for predictive and prescriptive cotton farming. In recent years, forecasting models have garnered considerable attention to predict canopy indices. This allows selection of management options during crop growth to boost cotton yield and profitability. Here, we used unmanned aerial system-derived canopy features, including canopy cover, canopy height, and excess green index, collected from 3500 plots at Driscoll in Corpus Christi, Texas during the years 2019, 2020, and 2021 for in-season growth forecasting. Training datasets in our model were produced by K-Means clustering and Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) techniques were used to compare various Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models in predicting the three canopy features. Accuracy was determined using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). Results indicated higher predictive capacity of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) LSTM for canopy cover, and multi-layer stacked LSTMs for canopy height and excess green index respectively. Overall, results show tremendous potential for in-season growth forecasting and management of agricultural inputs like pesticides and fertilizers for improving crop health and productivity.
Ophthalmic nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice toward venous thromboembolic prevention: A dual-center cross-sectional survey
Authors: Zhou Xiaoxi , Dai Minhui , Sun Lingyu , Li Chunyan , Xiang Wendi , Lin Yaoyao , Jiang Dandan
Published: May 2023

Background
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a severe preventable complication among ophthalmic surgical patients. The knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of nurses play a key role ineffective VTE prevention. However,little is known about the KAP of ophthalmic nurses’ prevention. This study aimed toexamine the level of KAPtoward VTE prevention among Chinese ophthalmic nurses, and to investigate the influencing factors of VTE practice.
Design
Cross-sectional study.
Methods
A total of 610 ophthalmic nurses from 17 cities in Hunan and Zhejiang Provinces, China, participated in our study. Data was collected via Sojump online platform from March to April 2021. A self-administered VTE questionnaire was developed to assess nurses' KAP toward VTE prevention. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of ophthalmicnurses’ VTE prevention practice.
Results
The scores (correct rates) of ophthalmic nurses’ knowledge, attitude, and practice were 103.87 ± 20.50 (76.4%), 21.96 ± 2.72, and 48.96 ± 11.23 (81.6%), respectively. The three lowest-scored knowledge items were related to VTE complications, physical prevention, and risk assessment. The three lowest-scored attitude items were related to nurses' training, VTE risk, and patient education. The three lowest-scored practice items were related to the assessment scale, VTE assessment, and patient education. Nurses’ knowledge, attitude, and practice were significantly correlated with each other. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that Hunan Province (B = 2.77, p = 0.006), general hospital (B = 2.97, p = 0.009), outpatient department (B = 3.93, p = 0.021), inpatient department (B = 2.50, p = 0.001), previous VTE prevention training (B = 3.46, p < 0.001), VTE prevention management in hospital (B = 4.93, p < 0.001), better knowledge (B = 0.04, p = 0.038), and positive attitude towards VTE prevention (B = 1.35, p < 0.001) were all significantly and positively associated with higher practice scores in VTE prevention.
Conclusion
Ophthalmic nurses generally have a satisfactory level of KAP in VTE prevention, but there is still room for improvement in certain areas. Nurses’ practice in VTE prevention was affected by environmental factors, training and management, knowledge and attitude, which may inform future intervention and education programs to improve VTE prevention.
Single-cell transcriptomic landscape reveals a cell atlas of chicken amygdala and key genes in response to social hierarchy
Authors: Chen Siyu , Xing Limin , Ma Zheng , Deng Hanlong , Xie Zhijiang , Zhao Lei , Zhao Mengqiao , Zheng Duo , Liu Jinling , Gan Jiankang , Yu Hui , Zhao Haiquan , Li Hua
Published: May 2023

Dominance hierarchy, is described as the priority to feed, resting and territory in term of aggressive interactions. Increased studies have revealed the underpinned mechanism mediating social hierarchy in mammal, vertebrate and fishes, however, there is rare studies conducting on how brain amydala on social hierarchy in poultry. We performed cross-species analysis with mammalian amygdala, and find that cell types of human and rhesus monkeys were more closely related and that of chickens were more distant. We identified 26 clusters and divided it into 10 main clusters. Of which, GABAnic and glutamatergic neurons are associated with social behaviors, and their sub-neurons GABA_LEG and Glu3, and hub genes RHOB and CDK14, are considered mediating the social hierarchy of chickens. Additionally, high-rank chickens may have better immune functions and stress tolerance than low-rank chickens. Our results provide to serve the developmental studies of amygdala neuron system, and new insights into the underpinned mechanism of social hierarchy in poultry.
Preparation and Electrochemical Properties of PSi@PEDOT/GO as an Anode Material for Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Ding Nengwen , Liao Simin , Li Rui , Shi Xiang , Xu Yefei , Li Xiaocheng , Li Zhifeng
Published: May 2023

The high energy density of Si makes it a preferred anode material for lithium-ion batteries. However, the low conductivity and large volume changes associated with the charging and discharging processes lead to a rapid decay in capacity during cycling, which hinders its commercialization. In this study, micron-scale PSi@PEDOT/GO composites were prepared by coating commercial Al–Si alloys with poly 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) and graphene oxide (GO) using in situ polymerization and freeze-drying methods. The core layer of the PSi@PEDOT/GO composite has abundant internal pores to provide sufficient space to adapt to the volume change of silicon, whereas the PEDOT and GO coating layers can accelerate the ion and electron transport and accommodate the volume change of silicon, which can effectively improve the cycling stability and rate performance of the silicon anode. The characterization results show that the PSi@PEDOT/GO-2 (mass ratio = 6:4:5) composite electrode material has a specific capacity of 1102.30 mAh/g after 100 cycles. When the current density is 0.3A/g, the specific capacity is still 1102.30 mAh/g after 100 cycles, and the capacity retention rate is 75.8%. In addition, it exhibits a specific capacity of 406.87 mAh/g at a current density of 4 A/g, indicating excellent cycling and rate performance and good application prospects.
Honey bees rob flowers after observing conspecifics and carpenter bees
Authors: Kapdi Khatija , De Jager Marinus Louis , Allsopp Mike , Minnaar Corneile , Anderson Bruce
Published: May 2023

Individuals may add to their behavioural repertoire by observing conspecifics, and possibly heterospecifics. Here we test Darwin’s intriguing hypothesis that honey bees rob nectar from flowers after observing the behaviour of other bees. We trained naïve honey bees to forage for sucrose by entering the flower-tube opening of custom designed 3D-printed model flowers before exposing individual bees to experimental flowers. In these flowers, nectar could only be accessed via a small hole at the base of the corolla tube, thereby simulating secondary nectar-robbing. Bees had to change their foraging behaviour from foraging via the mouth of the flower to foraging from the tube-base to rob. Different demonstrators were used to indicate the presence of a robbing hole. To explore the efficiency of information transfer from different demonstrators, we moved dead conspecific and heterospecific (carpenter bees and crickets) demonstrators towards this small hole to imitate nectar robbing. Differences in the ability and speed of honey bees to imitate robbing behaviour were recorded for each demonstrator treatment. Naïve honey bees switched to robbing behaviour more frequently when observing honey bee and carpenter bee demonstrators than when observing cricket demonstrators or controls that lacked a demonstrator. However, honey bees switched to robbing behaviour significantly faster after observing conspecifics than after observing any other demonstrators. This study demonstrates that honey bees can gather information from conspecifics and even heterospecifics while foraging, which can influence foraging behaviour such as flower robbing. Utilizing foraging cues from other individuals may lead to conspecific and heterospecific learning.
“I can hardly doubt they [honeybees] were profiting by the workmanship and the example of the humble-bees: should this be verified, it will, I think, be a very instructive case of acquired knowledge in insects.” Darwin 1841
Percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures, unilateral OR bilateral？A large retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhao Xuequan , Li Chenxu , Han Xixi , Liu Qinglei , Yao Shuzhang
Published: May 2023

Background:Percutaneous vertebroplasty（PVP）has become one of the main methods for the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures. There is still lack of medium term data on the long-term outcome comparisons between unilateral and bilateral approach.
Objective: To compare the efficacy of unilateral and bilateral approach Percutaneous vertebroplasty（PVP）in the treatment of elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures( OVCF).
Methods: One hundred and ninety-three patients with symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) treated with PVP were retrospectively reviewed in a single institution.Patients were divided into Group A(unilateral approach) and Group B(bilateral approach), based on operative approach. The efficacy was evaluated by perioperative indicators, follow-up results and imaging evaluation.All computations were performed with standard software (SPSS version 22.0 for Windows; IBM).
Results：One hundred and sixtyty-nine of 193 eligible patients were included. All the patients received the follow-up visits for 49-70 months.In this case, there were no serious postoperative complications.A significant difference was found between group A and group B in terms of operation time，puncture time，amount of bone cement injected，the number of X-ray fluoroscopy (P < 0.05). the difference in the incidence of cement leakage between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05)，and the length of hospitalization and hospital costs in group A were lower than those in group B was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).The time of postoperative mobilization was(3.00 ±0.80)weeks in group A and(3.60 ± 0.79)weeks in group B，The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).As VAS and ODI scores, the short-term efficacy of the group A was worse than that of the group B, but the difference between the two groups was smaller at the final follow-up(P > 0.05). In terms of imaging evaluation, there were no significant differences between the two groups(P > 0.05).
Conclusions: All patients were assessable for safety and efficacy. At the final follow-up, both groups showed significant improvements in the height of the height of the vertebral body and Cobb's angle of kyphosis (P < 0.05).Changes in VAS after PVP, the preoperative pain reduced significantly. Unilateral approach resulted in less blood loss intraoperatively, a shorter operation time, and less number of fluoroscopy(P > 0.05).However, There were no significant differences in the symptomatic scores at the last follow-up.
Heavy metal association with chronic kidney disease of unknown cause in central India-results from a case control study
Authors: Atlani Mahendra , Kumar Ashok , Ahirwar Rajesh , MN Meenu , Goel Sudhir K , Kumari Ravita , Anirudhan Athira , Krishna Sai , Reddy V Sai Tharun
Published: May 2023

Background Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown cause (CKDu) a disease of exclusion, and remains unexplained in various parts of world including India. Previous studies have reported mixed findings about the role of heavy metals or agrochemicals in CKDu. These studies compared CKDu with healthy controls, but lacked subjects with CKD as controls. The purpose of this study was to test hypothesis whether heavy metals i.e. Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr) are associated with CKDu, in central India.Methods The study was conducted in case-control manner at a tertiary care hospital. CKDu cases (n = 60) were compared with CKD (n = 62) and healthy subjects (n = 54). Blood and urine levels of As, Cd, Pb and Cr were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma- Optical Emission Spectrometry. Pesticides use, pain killers, smoking and alcohol addiction were also evaluated. The median levels of blood and urine metals were compared among the groups by Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test.Result CKDu had significantly higher pesticide use. Blood As levels (median, IQR) were significantly higher in CKDu 91.97 (1.3-132.7) µg/L compared to CKD 4.5 (0.0-58.8) µg/L and healthy subjects 39.01 (4.8–67.4) µg/L (p < 0.001). Urine Cd was higher in CKD 1.0 (0.3–1.7) µg/L compared to CKDu 0.5 (0.0-1.5) µg/L with a trend (p-0.06) of significance. Blood and urinary Pb and Cr were higher in CKD compared to CKDu (P = 0.5). Urinary Cd, Pb and Cr were undetectable in healthy subjects and were significantly higher in CKDu and CKD compared to healthy subjects (P = < 0.001).Conclusion The study showed a significant association of As with CKDu and a trend of association of Cd with CKD in this Indian cohort. Subjects with renal dysfunction (CKDu and CKD) have significantly higher metal burden of Pb, Cd, As, Cr as comparedto healthy controls.
SSR marker analysis for genetic diversity in the Zimbabwean Virginia tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) germplasm
Authors: Shava Justify Gotami , Richardson-Kageler Susan , Dari Shorai , Muzhinji Norman
Published: May 2023

Tobacco is one of the most economically important non-food crop in Zimbabwe and other tobacco producing countries globally. Currently, little is known about the genetic diversity of tobacco germplasm in Zimbabwe. Understanding the genetic diversity of tobacco germplasm offers significant help in the selection of suitable material for breeding superior cultivars. In this study, 10 SSR markers were employed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of 93 tobacco breeding lines and cultivars. A total of 50 alleles on 10 SSR loci were detected and the allele number per loci ranged from 3 to 14. The average gene diversity index and average polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.53 and 0.48, respectively, showing low levels of genetic diversity among tobacco cultivars. The AMOVA result revealed a low level of differentiation among accessions from different origins. Based on SSR markers, the tobacco germplasm collections consistently showed very low levels of genetic differentiation using the Bayesian statistical analysis, cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis consistently revealed the lack of differentiation among the germplasm collections. The genetic characterization of tobacco germplasm in seed bank repositories could be very useful for monitoring and preventing further genetic erosion andpreventing excessive inbreeding in new variety development.
Welfare Effects of Implicit Auction on Interconnector Capacity: Evidence from Japan
Authors: Sugimoto Kota
Published: May 2023

This study examines the welfare impact of implicit auction on the interconnector transmission capacity in Japan. The first-come-first-served rule allows incumbent generation or retail firms to exercise vertical market power by withholding the interconnector capacity and create congestion in the day-ahead market. The implicit auction allocates all the capacity simultaneously with energy in the day-ahead market. It prevents them from strategically reserving their physical transmission capacity ex ante and increases cross-zonal trade volumes in the day-ahead market. Increased trade reduces the price gap between the import and export zones. I use machine-learning methods to estimate the welfare impact of implicit auction. I predict the counterfactual market outcomes without implicit auction, and find that the trade effect of implicit auction is over $ 200 million per year. The study also finds that implicit auction does not necessarily reduce the price gap between export and import zone because it not only has a trade effect but also a counteracting volume effect.
JEL codes: L94, Q41
A novel bipartite negative-stranded RNA mycovirus of the order Bunyavirales isolated from the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium sibiricum
Authors: Li Pengfei , Bhattacharjee Pallab , Gagkaeva Tatiana , Wang Shuangchao , Guo Lihua
Published: May 2023

A novel negative-stranded RNA mycovirus was isolated from the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium sibiricum strain AH32. This virus, tentatively named Fusarium sibiricum coguvirus 1 (FsCV1), has a bipartite genome consisting of two RNA segments (RNA1 and RNA2). The negative-sense RNA1 is 6737 nt in length, encoding the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp, p251) in the viral complementary (vc) strand. The ambisense RNA2 (1232 nt long) encodes two overlapping proteins: the nucleocapsid protein (NP, p38) in the vc strand and an unknown function protein (UFP, p36) in the viral (v) strand, different from the typical features of Bunyavirales members: the two open reading frames are separated by a long AU-rich intergenic region (IR). Phylogenetic analysis based on the RdRp demonstrated that FsCV1 belongs to the genus Coguvirus, family Phenuiviridae, order Bunyavirales. This is the first report of a coguvirus infecting a fungus.
Survey of salicylic acid effect on Clopyralid efficiency in control of Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.)
Authors: Hassannejad Sirous , Abbasvand Elham , Fadaei Behrouz , Shiri Nazila , Nasirpour Zahra , Ghafarbi Soheila Porheidar
Published: May 2023

This study investigated the physiological characteristics and fluorescence reflection of Field bindweed after exposure to various doses of Clopyralid alone or in combination with salicylic acid. High doses of Clopyralid increased the concentrations of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide, while decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes. High concentrations of this herbicide also decreased the amount of protein and photosynthetic pigments but increased the proline content compared to the control treatments. Applying SA three days before Clopyralid spraying intensified oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation due to the disruption of the plant's hormonal balance as a result of the use of high dose of SA. PSII performance index was reduced under Clopyralid + SA. Field bindweed photosynthetic apparatus was further altered after SA application three days before Clopyralid spraying. This study highlighted that, for a better use of Clopyralid, the use of SA could be beneficial, not only for the herbicide efficacy against field bindweed weed, but also for the environment due to lower applied doses of herbicide.
Assessment of clinical and functional outcome in patients with cancer and acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Ohno Makoto , Miyakita Yasuji , Takahashi Masamichi , Yanagisawa Shunsuke , Ozeki Yukie , Yonezawa Hajime , Omura Takaki , Satomi Natsuko , Mukai Takayuki , Kawaguchi Yuki , Narita Yoshitaka
Published: May 2023

The treatment of cancer-associated stroke is determined based on stroke etiology; however, the optimal treatment and therapeutic benefits remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of patients with cancer and acute ischemic stroke, especially focusing on patients with cryptogenic stroke. We retrospectively reviewed consecutive cancer patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke at our institution between January 2018 and December 2019. Stroke subtype, cancer treatment after stroke, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores before and at ischemic stroke, 3 months after ischemic stroke or last follow-up, and discharge destination were evaluated. We analyzed 48 cancer patients with acute ischemic stroke, including 24 with cryptogenic stroke and 24 with known stroke mechanisms. The median survival time of the patients was 62 days. Thirty-one patients (64.6%) discontinued cancer treatment after stroke. Forty patients (83.3%) and 37 (77.1%) were in poor functional states (defined as mRS score ≥ 3) at stroke onset and 3 months after stroke or last follow-up. Twenty-two patients (91.7%) with cryptogenic stroke discontinued cancer treatment after stroke, whereas 15 patients (62.5%) with known stroke mechanisms continued cancer treatment (p = 0.0004). Home or rehabilitation hospital discharge destinations were less frequently seen in patients with cryptogenic stroke (n = 7, 29.2%) than those with known stroke mechanisms (n = 15, 62.5%, p = 0.021). Stroke has a significant negative impact on patients’ functional states and cancer treatment strategy, leading to short survival times, especially in patients with cryptogenic stroke.
Radiation therapy in older adult patients with cervical cancer: A single-center retrospective study
Authors: Miyata Yusaku , Ogo Etsuyo , Nishio Shin , Obara Hitoshi , Kakuma Tatsuyuki , Murotani Kenta , Tsuji Chiyoko , Eto Hidehiro , Tsuda Naotake , Tasaki Kazuto , Akeda Ryosuke , Muraki Koichiro , Hattori Chikayuki , Suefuji Hiroaki , Ushijima Kimio , Abe Toshi
Published: May 2023

Purpose The number of older adult patients with uterine cervical cancer is continuously increasing in Japan. This study aimed to investigate the patient characteristics, treatment outcomes, and adverse effects (AEs) of older adult patients with cervical cancer.Methods We retrospectively analyzed 89 patients who had undergone definitive radiation therapy (RT). Based on patient age at the time of study inclusion, patients were divided into the older (≥ 75 years [n = 21]) and younger (< 75 years [n = 68]) adult groups, between which the patient characteristics and three-year cumulative overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were compared. We assessed potential prognostic factors, the association between reductions in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) before treatment and six months post-treatment, and treatment-related factors.Results Histological type (adenocarcinoma) was associated with OS, whereas average Hb concentration during treatment was associated with PFS in older adult patients. Moreover, the external beam RT field, concurrent chemotherapy dose, and overall treatment time were not associated with a worsening of ECOG PS among older adult patients. Acute AEs of grade ≥ 3 were significantly more common in the younger adult group; however, three of the older adult patients (14%) had Grade 3 leukopenia, and two were concurrently receiving ≥ 200 mg of cisplatin.Conclusion Concurrent chemoradiation therapy may cause severe leukopenia in older adult patients; therefore, it should be considered carefully in older adult patients with cervical cancer.
Comparison of the clinical efficacy and prognosis of the two techniques for treating partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon tears under arthroscopy
Authors: Zhang Li , Fang Zhanglu , Zhang Yin , Wang Xun , Hong Zheping
Published: May 2023

Background: At present, shoulder arthroscopy is usually used for treatment of rotator cuff injuries.
Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of the arthroscopic transtendon repair method and the arthroscopic full-thickness repair method in the treatment of patients with Ellman III partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon tears and to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative efficacy.
Study Design: Cohort study; level of evidence,4
Methods: A total of 84 partial-thickness rotator cuff tear (PTRCT) patients with Ellman III injuries who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital between January 2017 and January 2020 were selected and divided into the arthroscopic trans-tenon repair group (32 cases) and the arthroscopic full-thickness repair group (54 cases). Shoulder joint pain and functional status were assessed by the Constant score, ASES score and VAS score; shoulder mobility was assessed by measuring shoulder ROM. The clinical outcomes of the two groups of patients were compared, and the factors affecting the postoperative efficacy of the patients were investigated.
Results: All patients were followed up for at least 2 years. The Constant score, ASES score, and VAS score of the two groups of patients were all improved compared with those before surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the Constant score, ASES score, or VAS score between the two groups (P>0.05). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that the preoperative ASES score and whether biceps tenotomy was performed were independent risk factors for satisfactory postoperative efficacy (P<0.05).
Conclusion: For patients with Ellman III partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon tears, the arthroscopic transtendon repair method and the arthroscopic full-thickness repair method can both significantly improve the shoulder pain and function of the patient, but there is no significant difference between the efficacy of the two surgical methods. Surgeons can choose the appropriate surgical method according to his own habits and skill level. The preoperative ASES score and whether biceps tenotomy was performed were independent risk factors for satisfactory postoperative efficacy in PTRCT patients with Ellman III injury.
“Multiple-Choice Items should be sequenced in order of difficulty with the easiest ones placed first”. Does it really affect performance?
Authors: Gyamfi Abraham , Acquaye Rosemary , Adjei Charles
Published: May 2023

The purpose of the study was to find out if order of arrangement of multiple-choice test items significantly affects students’ performance. The study made use of a descriptive research design. The target population for the study was all education students of Valley View University, Ghana from the Oyibi, Takoradi and Kumasi study Centres. The accessible population for the study was all Sandwich education students of Valley View University who registered for the Measurement and Evaluation course for the 2022/2023 academic year and sat for the end of semester examination at Oyibi study centre. The census procedure was used to select the sample for the study. Five sets of 25 multiple-choice test items in Measurement and Evaluation were administered to the 183 students as their end of semester examination. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and three-way ANOVA. The results indicated that order of arrangement of multiple-choice test items has no effect on performance and that the order of arrangement of multiple-choice test items has no effect on performance due to gender and study centre. It therefore recommended that using varying order of arrangement of multiple-choice items should be encouraged as a way of checking examination malpractice.
Wild Mushroom (Daedalea sp) as Biosource for Silver Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Enhance antimicrobial, Biomedical & Environmental Applications
Authors: kamal Asif , Ahmad Shabir , wahab Abdul , Okla Mohammad K. , Saleh Ibrahim A.
Published: May 2023

The current study presents novel, green, and mycosynthesized silver nanoparticles (NPs) for various biomedical and environmental applications, using the biosource Daedalea sp. In the study, AgNO3 was converted into stable elemental silver (Ag0) at a nanometric scale using a aqueous extract of Daedalea sp mushroom. The NPs were extremely pure and stable, with an average size of 24.3 nm and an irregular morphology. A wide range of biomedical applications, such as bactericidal, fungicidal, leishmaniasis, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and biocompatibility studies, made use of the characterized nanoparticles. Our research revealed that MDR bacterial strains and spore-forming fungal strains were both highly responsive to Daedalea sp mediated AgNPs. All of the tested UTI bacterial isolates were resistant to non-coated antibiotics, but by adding 1% of the synthesized AgNPs, the antibiotics' bactericidal potential was greatly increased. The NPs also demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxic activity against Leishmania Tropica, with significant LC50 values for promastigote and amastigote parasites of 248 and 251 g/mL, respectively. Additionally, significant inhibition of -amylase, -glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butrylcholineterase (BChE) were noted, suggesting possible disease and anti-diabetic effects. Additionally, the particles' remarkable biocompatibility with human red blood cells was discovered. The photocatalytic activity of mycosynthesized AgNPs resulted in 98.2% degradation of indigo carmine dye in 140 minutes. Daedalea sp AgNPs can be used as novel candidates for a variety of biomedical and environmental applications due to their eco-friendly synthesis, biosafe nature, and excellent physicochemical properties.
Anti-nephrin antibodies in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in Japanese children
Authors: Horinouchi Tomoko , Watts Andrew J B , Nagano China , Ichikawa Yuta , Tanaka Yu , Kitakado Hideaki , Ueda Chika , Nagai Sadayuki , Kondo Atsushi , Sakakibara Nana , Fujimura Junya , Kamiyoshi Naohiro , Ishimori Shingo , Kaito Hiroshi , Shima Yuko , Nozu Kandai , Sampson Matthew G , Weins Astrid , Iijima Kazumoto
Published: May 2023

Background
Many patients with childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome are steroid-sensitive. Several genome-wide association studies have suggested a polygenic contribution, particularly in the HLA DR/DQ region and a locus including nephrin, but the etiology remains unclear. Anti-nephrin antibodies have recently been reported in both adults and children with biopsy proven minimal change disease (MCD), but the presence of anti-nephrin antibodies in Japanese childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) has not been investigated.
Methods
Anti-nephrin antibodies were measured by ELISA in paired plasma samples obtained from 14 Japanese pediatric patients with INS (male/female: 8/6), at onset (active disease) and following steroid monotherapy.
Results
The median age at the onset was 75.5 months (interquartile range (IQR): 45-113). Steroid sensitivity resulted in complete remission in 13 patients and almost complete remission in one patient after 4 weeks of glucocorticoid monotherapy. Circulating anti-nephrin antibodies were detected in seven of 14 patients during active disease. In all cases, anti-nephrin antibodies were significantly reduced following treatment concordant with clinical response. There were no differences between the positive and negative groups in pre-treatment parameters. Of the 13 patients who achieved complete remission, nine had at least one relapse during a median follow-up of 851 days (IQR: 808-973). There was also no significant difference in the relapse-free period after the onset between the two groups (P=0.658).
Conclusions
We identified circulating anti-nephrin antibodies in half of Japanese pediatric patients with INS at initial presentation, which is higher than has been previously reported in a North American cohort.
Prevalence and factors associated with depression and anxiety among COVID-19 survivors in Dhaka city
Authors: Kibria Md. Golam , Rahman Ummay Salma , Islam Taslima , Amin S M Sayadat , Rahman Md. Mahbubur , Ahmed Shakil
Published: May 2023

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health concern. Evidence shows that depression and anxiety are common among patients with COVID-19 after recovery. About one-third of the total COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh have been reported in Dhaka city. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety and associated factors among COVID-19 survivors in Dhaka city.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 384 COVID-19 survivors aged 18 years or older. Data collection was done through face-to-face and telephone interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scales were used to assess depression and anxiety, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with depression and anxiety.Results The overall prevalence of depression and anxiety was 26.0% and 23.2%, respectively. Respondents aged ≥ 60 years were 2.85 and 3.59 times more likely to have depression and anxiety, respectively than those aged 18–39 years. Hospitalized COVID-19 patients had a 1.98 and 2.28 times higher chance of having depression and anxiety, respectively than non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. COVID-19 patients with comorbidities were at a 3.48 and 2.87 times higher risk of depression and anxiety, respectively compared to those without comorbidities.Conclusions The study reported a high prevalence of depression and anxiety among COVID-19 survivors in Dhaka city. The findings suggest the need for appropriate interventions to reduce mental health complications in COVID-19 survivors.
Unique Human Identification under the GDPR Article 9 (1) (2)
Authors: Bulgakova Daria
Published: May 2023

The rapid development of information technology has exacerbated the need for robust personal data protection safeguarded by the European Union instrument. Safeguarding a fundamental right to data protection entails new and significant challenges as technological advances expand the frontier of data processing. The large-scale employment of digital biometric technology has shaken the private sector. Biometric data processing already became crucial for a person’s unique identification in the private sector and posed a risk to the unique characteristics of a human being. The research seeks to study the recent defining biometric data and automatizing processing as legally established categories under GDPR Article 9 (1) (2) when the subject and object of the processing are uncertain. The study calls to protect a person from whom unique human data is extracted and finds a way to protect biometric characteristics based on its differentiation form defined in the studied article’s else special categories of personal data. To this end, the studied article assumes a natural person, but it is used only in the context of the finality of processing. Therefore, there are possible prior risks for the process and after processing that shall be defined and mitigated under the high level of legal protection. In this regard, a study thinks unique characteristics of human origin shall be carried in the legal field by having clearly defined status, preservation measures regardless of biometric nature, and finding a solution for a biometric data subject to control automotive employment as the Personal Information Management System in the EU does.
Would Genetically Engineering a Child’s Preferences Diminish Her Autonomy?
Authors: Hocking Connor Hocking , Sych Valeriia
Published: May 2023

Proponents of “moral enhancement” argue that we should harness emerging technologies such as genome editing to instill preferences for performing morally good actions over bad ones, and they suggest that this would be worthwhile even if it made performing bad actions psychologically impossible. Critics object that such a gain in moral behavior would not be worth the resulting loss to human autonomy. This debate has remained confined within the context of moral preferences. Genetic engineering for non-moral preferences (GENP) – such as enjoying music or athletics – however, has not been discussed. Since preferences – what an agent likes, values, or tends to desire – form the core of who she is and what she pursues in life, and since autonomy requires that an agent be her own person and pursue her own life projects, her autonomy might seem to be diminished if her preferences were selected before birth by a third party. Plausible as this may seem, we disagree. In this paper, we argue that parents could select for a wide variety of substantive (i.e. not merely insignificant) non-moral preferences without compromising their child’s autonomy, provided that certain criteria that we propose are satisfied, e.g. the selected preferences must not be such as to inhibit the agent’s capacity for rational deliberation, which is a key component of the conception of autonomy we employ. We then respond to two objections: (a) GENP would be inherently incompatible with autonomy, regardless of whether it meets any such criteria, and (b) even if GENP would not be inherently incompatible with autonomy, people might still regard it as an alienating influence and might regard their selected preferences as non-autonomous. We then argue that this second objection would be less forceful according to a more “externalist” rather than “internalist” conception of autonomy.
Persistence of heavy metals and human health risk assessment in the South Indian industrial area
Authors: Arunakumari Kondarathi , Begum Farveen , Surinaidu Lagudu , Nandan Mogali Jayaraja , Alapati Umamaheswari
Published: May 2023

The present study provided a comprehensive evaluation of heavy metal contamination from soil to groundwater and the associated risk to human health in an industrial area situated in Telangana state, South India. Soils at three depth levels (0, 20, and 80 cm) and groundwater samples at 32 locations have been collected in the area. The samples have been analyzed for trace metals (Mn, B, Zn, Cr, Pb, Ni, Hg, Cd, and As) to understand the heavy metal contamination. Furthermore, geo-accumulation (Igeo) of heavy metals, contamination factor, pollution index, and human health risks due to prolonged exposure to contaminated water are estimated. The results indicated that soils are moderately contaminated at 18.5, 25.9, 7.4, 14.8, and 7.1% of locations by B, Zn, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Cd, respectively, as per Igeo at 80-cm depth. However, the contamination factor indicated that 14.8% of the locations were contaminated by Mn and Zn and 7.4, 70.3, 66.6, 74, and 3.7% by B, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Cd, respectively. However, groundwater is only contaminated when levels are less than 3 m below ground level. The results also indicated higher carcinogenetic health risks if groundwater is used for a longer time.
Estimating the energy dissipation of flow passing over triangular and trapezoidal plan weirs using the GMDH model
Authors: Parsaie Abbas , Dehdar-Behbahani Sadegh , Chadee Aaron Anil , Haghiabi Amir Hamzeh
Published: May 2023

Weirs are one of the most common hydraulic structures used in water engineering projects. In this research, a group method of data handling (GMDH) was developed to estimate the energy dissipation of the flow passing over the labyrinth weirs with triangular and trapezoidal plans. To compare the performance of this model with other types of soft computing models, a multilayer perceptron neural network (MLPNN) was developed. The dimensionless parameters derived from dimensional analysis, including the relative upstream head (ho/P), the number of cycles (Ncy), the Froude number ( Fr), and the magnification ratio (Mr) were used as input variables. The error statistical indicators of the GMDH model in the training phase were R2 = 0.913, RMSE = 0.010, and in the testing phase were R2 = 0.829, RMSE = 0.015. The error statistical indicators of the MLPNN in the training phase were R2 = 0.957, RMSE = 0.007, and in the testing phase were R2 = 0.945, RMSE = 0.009. Examining the structure of the GMDH network shows that ho/P, Ncy, and Mr play more meaningful roles in the development network.
Evaluation of Lemna minor phytoremediation performance for the treatment of dairy wastewater
Authors: Sahi Wassila , Megateli Smain
Published: May 2023

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of Lemna minor to purify synthetic dairy wastewater (SDW) and real dairy wastewater (RDW), both diluted and undiluted. Results showed that Lemna significantly reduced electrical conductivity (EC); the removal efficiency for EC was 19.4% in RDW and 9.8% in SDW. Higher values were recorded for diluted real dairy wastewater (DRDW) (41%) and for diluted synthetic dairy wastewater (DSDW) (35.8%). Total suspended solids were slightly reduced in RDW (14%) and SDW (13.5%), compared to DSDW (25%) and DRDW (29%). Greater removing efficiency of chemical oxygen demand was recorded in DRDW (60%) and DSDW (55.5%) compared to RDW (27.6%) and SDW (27%). In RDW, nitrogen and phosphorus removal were 24.8 and 37.4% and in SDW were 25 and 48.6%, respectively, compared to much higher results in diluted effluents, and nitrogen removal was 65.4% in DRDW and 63.5% in DSDW, but the best results were recorded for phosphorus removal in DSDW (78.8%) and DRDW (87%). The higher elimination of all the parameters investigated in the units populated with duckweed compared to the control attests to the effectiveness of L. minor in the phytoremediation of dairy wastewater, especially when reducing the primary pollutant load.