bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Practitioners Perspective of the Implementation Effectiveness of the Optimal Forager Theory Methodology within the United Kingdom
Authors: Halford Eric
Published: March 2022

The use of crime mapping has been used by the police to inform deployment of resources for many decades. Such approaches are commonly used to underpin crime control strategies designed to prevent or reduce acquisitive crimes such as domestic burglary. In recent decades there has been a shift away from simple hot spot identification to more complex geospatial mapping methodologies, such as near repeat analysis which was developed through research regarding burglary victimisation. One of these newly emerging methodologies is built upon the ecological, optimal forager theory (OFT). Research using this theory to examine domestic burglary offending intimated potential for positive results in predicting areas at risk of future crime. This led to a number of police services using crime analysis methodologies built upon OFT to underpin their deployment of resources in an effort to prevent or reduce domestic burglary through increased capable guardianship. However, to date, there has been no detailed examination of how the police services implemented such approaches. As such, this study seeks to fill this gap by examining OFT strategies implemented within 5 police services. By interviewing participants directly involved in the programs the study gathers views and perspectives of its relative success. As a result, we identify that participants felt the strategies produced limited impact on recorded burglary crime. We discuss how despite some positive by-products of the strategies, failure to comprehensively apply the theoretical foundations of OFT, and a variety of implementation failures have undermined the various programs, ultimately impacting their effectiveness.
Analysis and Research on Borehole Shrinkage Mechanisms and Their Control in Directional Wells in Deep Composite Salt Formations
Authors: Li Shiyuan , Fang Chao , Chen Chaowei , Xiang Degui , Li Fuyao , Huang Hao
Published: March 2022

The composite salt formations in West China are characterized by the deep burial, complex tectonic stress, and alternating development of salt rock and mudstone, and salt rock creep during drilling poses great challenges to the safety of drilling. This research is aimed at the serious blockage and sticking in build-up sections in deep composite salt formations. A 2D mechanical model for inclined wells penetrating multiple vertical layers was established by combining the analysis of creep mechanisms of composite salt formations with the high-temperature creep experiment results so as to investigate the wellbore stability of directional wells in composite salt formations in a certain block from the perspective of rock mechanics and probe the influence of inclination angles on borehole shrinkage under different in situ stress and interlayer conditions. Moreover, a directional well in the block was taken as an example to analyze the creep and borehole shrinkage in composite salt formations. The method for wellbore stability control was proposed, and the drilling fluid density chart was established. This research reveals the relationship among the wellbore trajectory, the degree of borehole shrinkage, and drilling fluid density in build-up sections of directional wells in composite salt formations and provides a theoretical reference for the establishment of the method for controlling blockage and sticking accidents in directional wells.
Análisis multi-temporal de los cambios geomorfológicos y de la cubierta vegetal en un cauce extenso de gravas: el río Cinca, Aragón (España)
Authors: Trullenque Blanco Víctor , Montealegre Gracia Antonio Luis , Ollero Ojeda Alfredo
Published: March 2022

El curso medio-bajo del río Cinca ha sufrido importantes cambios en los últimos 90 años, tanto en la geomorfología de su cauce como en la vegetación que ocupa su Territorio Fluvial. En este estudio se han analizado los cambios observados entre las fotografías aéreas de nueve fechas distintas, desde 1927 a 2018, mediante fotointerpretación. Paralelamente, se ha analizado la hidrología, la extracción de gravas, la introducción de defensas y las roturaciones –entendidas como la puesta en cultivo por primera vez de tierras eriales o montes descuajados– como factores de influencia sobre el sistema fluvial. Los resultados obtenidos evidencian una gran reducción de la superficie ocupada por el canal activo en beneficio de la vegetación riparia y de otras cubiertas antropizadas. El cauce se ha simplificado, viéndose reducida su superficie activa y pasando de tener un patrón trenzado a otro divagante. Asimismo, la movilidad reciente es muy reducida y la lámina de agua ocupa la mayor parte del canal activo. En resumen, la reducción de la dinámica del amplio cauce de gravas del Cinca supone una notable pérdida de patrimonio natural en el marco hidrogeomorfológico de la Península Ibérica.
Three Step Plan to Put Canada at the Front of the Petroleum Sector's Race to Net-Zero
Authors: Malik Humera , Askari Forogh
Published: March 2022

Globally, the oil and gas industry, directly and indirectly, accounts for 42% of global emissions, according to a Mckinsey study. In Canada, the oil and gas industry is the single biggest source of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, contributing 10% to the country's total gas emissions. At the same time, the sector is crucial for Canada's growth, accounting for 5% of its GDP and generating employment for several thousands. It is then no surprise that the industry is under tremendous pressure to produce energy with reduced emissions.

AI plays a pivotal role in helping the oil and gas industry to reduce their emissions. In fact, the WEF estimates that with AI the oil and gas industry can reduce 350 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and 800 million gallons of water consumed by 2025. When it comes to process and asset optimization, oil and gas companies can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% with minimal capital investment.

However, deploying AI is not without challenges. If not implemented properly, it can prevent the company from realizing the benefits of the deployment. In fact, Gartner says that 85% of the AI projects will continue to fail by 2022. World Economic Forum states that 36% of oil and gas companies have already invested in big data and analytics. However, only 13% use the insights from this technology to drive their approach towards the market and their competitors. Both of these point to companies applying the technology in a piecemeal manner and how a lack of lack of effective strategy can make it challenging to accomplish the desired goals.

In this presentation, Humera Malik and Forogh Askari will outline the three-step plan for oil and gas companies to effectively deploy AI across their operations that augments their workforce with AI insights to accelerate their sustainability efforts in the race to net zero.
Characterizing a Complex Induced Fracture Network: A Case Study of a Diagnostic Fracture Injection Test in the Heterogeneous Overpressured Montney Formation
Authors: Sarvaramini Erfan , Dusseault Maurice
Published: March 2022

This study provides new insights into hydraulic fracture growth during a Diagnostic Fracture Injection Test (DFIT) in the presence of mechanical heterogeneity in the overpressured Montney Formation in British Columbia. A novel continuum non-local poro-elastic-plastic model of a Stimulated Rock Volume (SRV) developed in the context of the Finite Element Method is used for analysis. It is shown that DFITs in the Montney Formation can generate substantial fracture network complexity. We provide insights on potential complex fracturing patterns and distributions at the well spacing scale. Additionally, the SRV tends to span and extend several meters away on each side of the induced fracture plane. We quantify the fracture tortuosity factor which appears to deviate significantly from unity, as in the cubic law. It is further demonstrated that the aperture within the SRV can significantly drop after shut-in before it reverts and begin to heal mechanically. We show that the onset of the aperture self-healing coincides with the time when the pressure during the fall-off period becomes equal to the final effective ISIP.
Effect of Natural Fracture Characteristics on Proppant Transport and Placement in an Irregular, Nonplanar Fracture
Authors: Qu Hai , Liu Ying , Zeng Shunpeng , Xiao Hui , Lu Yu , Liu Zhonghua
Published: March 2022

Hydraulic fracturing is recognized as the primary stimulating technique to enhance recovery in unconventional reservoirs. Connecting natural fractures and filling proppant are crucial elements to achieve the effective development of the reservoirs. Many studies have investigated the interaction characteristics between hydraulic fracture and natural fracture and proppant transport in complex fracture systems. However, few studies show how natural fracture affects proppant migration and placement. In this work, we experimentally explore proppant transport in an irregular, nonplanar fracture containing hydraulic fractures and a natural fracture. The objective is to identify the influence of natural fractures on proppant transport and placement.

In this paper, proppant transport in a nonplanar fracture with bends is studied experimentally by a laboratory size slot, and the bending section represents a natural fracture. A high-resolution particle image velocimetry (PIV) system is used to detect the instantaneous velocity field in the complex pathway to understand particle transport behaviors. Proppant placement is quantitatively evaluated by the proppant coverage area as the proppant bed reaches the equilibrium state. Also, the effects of natural fracture width and height, intersection angle with hydraulic fracture, and relative location with the inlet on proppant placement are investigated.

The results identify that the natural fracture would significantly increase the complexity of proppant transport and lead to a discontinuous and irregular proppant bed in the complex fracture. The vorticity flow appears around the bend and resuspends deposited proppants through the bending section. The small natural fracture width and height increase flow erosion and are not conducive to proppant settlement, resulting in no proppant. The more the bending angle, the lower the coverage area and bed height. When the natural fracture is close to the inlet, a depleted region without proppants would be formed around the wellbore. The multiple linear regression method developed two reliable models expressed by four normalized parameters to predict the bed coverage areas. The experimental results and laws provide ways to quantitatively analyze natural fracture characteristics' effect on proppant transport and placement in unconventional reservoirs and fissured formations.
taxaTarget: Fast, sensitive, and precise classification of microeukaryotes in metagenomic data
Authors: Commichaux Seth , Javkar Kiran , Muralidharan Harihara Subrahmaniam , Ramachandran Padmini , Ottesen Andrea , Rand Hugh , Pop Mihai
Published: March 2022

BackgroundMicrobial eukaryotes are nearly ubiquitous in microbiomes on Earth and contribute to many integral ecological functions. Metagenomics is a proven tool for studying the microbial diversity, functions, and ecology of microbiomes, but has been underutilized for microeukaryotes due to the computational challenges they present. For taxonomic classification, the use of a eukaryotic marker gene database can improve the computational efficiency, precision and sensitivity. However, tools which use marker gene databases often implement universal thresholds for classification rather than dynamically learning the thresholds from the database structure, impacting the accuracy of the classification process.ResultsHere we introduce taxaTarget, a method for the taxonomic classification of microeukaryotes in metagenomic data. Using a database of eukaryotic marker genes and a supervised learning approach for training, we learned the discriminatory power and classification thresholds for each 20 amino acid region of each marker gene in our database. This approach provided improved sensitivity and precision compared to other approaches, with rapid runtimes and low memory usage. Additionally, taxaTarget was better able to detect the presence of multiple closely related species as well as species with no representative sequences in the database. Several algorithms were implemented, including threshold padding, which effectively handled the scarce training data available and reduced classification errors. Using taxaTarget on metagenomes from human fecal microbiomes, a broader range of genera were detected, including multiple parasites that the other tested tools missed.ConclusionData-driven methods for learning classification thresholds from the structure of an input database can provide granular information about the discriminatory power of the sequences and improve the sensitivity and precision of classification. These methods will help facilitate a more comprehensive analysis of metagenomic data and expand our knowledge about the diverse eukaryotes in microbial communities.
Research on the Economic Impact of Environmental Tax under the Background of State-Owned Enterprise Shareholding Reform in an Open Economic System
Authors: Wang Zongxian , Wang Hui , Wang Yi
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we construct a Stackelberg-Cournot tripartite game model and discuss the impact of tariff policy on the privatization of the state-owned enterprise, environmental tax, pollutant emission and social welfare in an open economic system. We find that with the increase in tariff, the proportion of privatization of the state-owned enterprise increases, environmental tax falls, and environmental pollution alleviates. The relationship between social welfare and tariff is inverted U-shaped. A closed trade environment is most conducive to environmental protection, but the environmental tax at this time is very detrimental to social welfare. When social welfare is optimal, environmental damage is not the smallest.
Analysis of the molecular mechanism of Evodia rutaecarpa fruit in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma using network pharmacology and molecular docking
Authors: He Yingchun , Xu Runshi , Yang Ximing , Tao Yangyang , Luo Wang , Xiong Yu , He Lan , Zhou FangLiang
Published: March 2022

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a neoplasm of the head and neck, has high incidence and mortality rates in East and Southeast Asia. Evodia rutaecarpa is a tree that is native to Korea and China, and its fruit (hereafter referred to as Evodia) exhibits remarkable antitumor properties. However, little is known about its mechanism of action in NPC. In this study, we employed network pharmacology to identify targets of active Evodia compounds in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and generate an interaction network.Methods: The active ingredients of Evodia and targets in NPC were obtained from multiple databases, and an interaction network was constructed via the Cytoscape and STRING databases. The key biological processes and signaling pathways were predicted using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses. Molecular docking technology was used to identify the affinity and activity of target genes, and The Cancer Genome Atlas and Human Protein Atlas databases were used to analyze differential expression. Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8 and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) dual-fluorescence staining were used for experimental verification.Results: Active Evodia compounds included quercetin, isorhamnetin, and evodiamine, and important NPC targets included MAPK14, AKT1, RELA, MAPK1, JUN, and p53, which were enriched in lipid and atherosclerosis signaling pathways. Additionally, we verified the high affinity and activity of the active compounds through molecular docking, and the target proteins were verified using immunohistochemistry and differential expression analyses. Furthermore, CCK-8 assays and Annexin V-FITC/PI dual-fluorescence staining showed that isorhamnetin inhibited the proliferation of NPC cells and induced apoptosis.Conclusion: Our results identified the molecular mechanisms of Evodia and demonstrated its ability to alter the proliferation and apoptosis of NPC cells through multiple targets and pathways, thereby providing evidence for clinical application of Evodia.
A Novel Easy-to-use Index to Predict Institutionalization and Death in Older Population – a 10-year Population-based Follow-up Study
Authors: Heikkilä Elisa , Salminen Marika , Viljanen Anna , Katajamäki Taina , Koivula Marja-Kaisa , Pulkki Kari , Isoaho Raimo , Kivelä Sirkka-Liisa , Viitanen Matti , Löppönen Minna , Vahlberg Tero , Venäläinen Mikko S , Elo Laura L , Viikari Laura , Irjala Kerttu
Published: March 2022

Background: Various indexes have been developed to estimate the risk for mortality, institutionalization, and other adverse outcomes for older people. Most indexes are based on a large number of clinical or laboratory parameters. An index based on only a few parameters would be more practical to use in every-day clinical practice.Methods: A prospective study with a 10-year follow-up period. Thirty-six clinical and fourteen laboratory parameters were combined to form an index. Cox regression model was used to analyze the association of the index with institutionalization and mortality. A backward statistical method was used to reduce the number of parameters to form an easy-to-use index for predicting institutionalization and mortality.Results: The mean age of the participants (n=1172) was 73.1 (SD 6.6, range 64‒97) years. Altogether, 149 (14%) subjects were institutionalized, and 413 (35%) subjects deceased during the follow-up. Institutionalization and mortality rates increased as index scores increased both for the large 50-parameter combined index and for the reduced indexes. After a backward variable selection in the Cox regression model, three clinical parameters remained in the index to predict institutionalization and six clinical and three laboratory parameters in the index to predict mortality. The reduced indexes showed a slightly better predictive value for both institutionalization and mortality compared to the full index.Conclusions: A large index with fifty parameters included many unimportant parameters that did not increase its predictive value, and therefore could be replaced with a reduced index with only a few carefully chosen parameters, that were individually associated with institutionalization or death.
Influence of emotionally affective imaginations on the Adaptive Force in young women: unpleasant imaginations reduce the holding capacity of muscles
Authors: Schaefer Laura V , Dech Silas , Wolff Lara L , Bittmann Frank N
Published: March 2022

Emotionally affective imaginations can influence the Adaptive Force (AF) in healthy participants as was recently shown in an exploratory study. The AF describes the neuromuscular holding capacity in reaction to an increasing external force, which was suggested to be especially vulnerable for interfering inputs. The present study investigated the influence of pleasant and unpleasant food imaginations on the manually assessed AF of elbow and hip flexors objectified by a handheld device in 12 healthy young women in an improved design. Baseline measurements, randomization of imagination tasks and single-blinding were implemented. The maximal isometric Adaptive Force was significantly reduced during unpleasant vs. pleasant imaginations and baseline (p < 0.001, dz = 0.98 to 1.61). During unpleasant imaginations muscle lengthening started at 59.00 ± 22.50% of the maximal AF, which was reached during eccentric muscle action. For baseline measurements and pleasant imaginations, this ratio amounted ~97.90 ± 5.00% for both muscles, indicating that the participant was able to maintain the isometric position during the entire external force increase. For those stable adaptations, oscillations arose in force signal at a level of ~72.26 ± 12.89% of AFmax, whereby they occurred under isometric conditions. For unpleasant imaginations, the onset of oscillation was at a force of 84.28 ± 14.03% of AFmax, which in most cases was after the muscle started to lengthen.In conclusion, healthy participants showed an impaired holding function triggered by unpleasant imaginations, which are assumed to be related to negative emotions. This muscular instability is suggested to lead to joint destabilization which can result in musculoskeletal complaints. Therefore, the findings might support the understanding of the causal chain of linked musculoskeletal pain and mental stress. A case example (current stress vs. positive imaginations) will be presented, underpinning the hypothesis this approach might support psychomotor diagnostics and therapeutics.
THRESHOLD VOLTAGE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF SURROUNDING GATE MOSFET FOR BIOSENSING APPLICATIONS
Authors: Das Amit , Rewari Sonam , Deswal S.S. , Kanaujia Binod Kumar , Gupta R.S.
Published: March 2022

A simulation based novel and unique approach of controlling and modulating the threshold voltage sensitivity of a short channel surrounding gate MOSFET biosensor is investigated for improved biosensing applications. Different results show that the biosensor with symmetric doping is more sensitive to charged and neutral biomolecules when compared with the asymmetric doping. Threshold voltage sensitivity and subthreshold slope sensitivity of 4.5 and 0.44 have been obtained which shows the significance of doping attributed sensitivity. It is so find that sensitivity increases on increasing drain to source voltage because of stronger horizontal electric field across the channel. A remarkable percentage change due to the doping variation shows the improved biosensing action in terms of threshold voltage change and subthreshold slope change.
An Investigation Into the Causes of Tax Evasion in Amhara Region: Evidence from Selected Metropolitan Cities in the Region
Authors: Belayneh Tsegaye Wondwosen , Yasin Mesfin Yemer
Published: March 2022

This study is designed to investigate the causes for tax evasion in Amhara regional state evidencing Gondar, Bahirdar and Dessie city tax administrations. For the purpose of the study explanatory research designs along with descriptive research design was adopted and a quantitative research approaches was adopted. The study predominantly relied on primary source of data gathered through self-administered survey questionnaire distributed to sample taxpayers. Samples of 387 business income taxpayers were selected using proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Inferential statistical tools are used to analyze data collected through survey questionnaire with the help of Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 22.0. The finding of the study revealed that effectiveness of tax administration and trust in government have Negative and statistically significant influence on the level of tax evasion in the region. Taxpayer Attitude towards tax evasion and corruption in tax administration have Positive and statistically significant influence on the level of tax evasion in the region.
Using Fixed-Potential Electrodes To Quantify Iron And Manganese Redox Cycling In Upland Soils
Authors: Hodges Caitlin , Regan John M. , Forsythe Brandon , Oakley David , Kaye Jason , Brantley Susan L.
Published: March 2022

Changes in metal redox in soils can exert strong controls on carbon mineralization but are difficult to measure in real time. Recently, potentiostatically poised electrodes (fixed-potential electrodes) have been demonstrated as promising for measuring the rate of oxidation and reduction at a specific reduction potential in situ in riparian soils but are yet untested in upland soils. Here for the first time, we explored the fine-scale temporal fluctuations of redox of both iron and manganese in response to environmental conditions. We used three-electrode systems with working electrodes fixed at 100 mV (vs. SHE) in 2019 and added 400 mV in 2020 at 50 cm and 70 cm in the valley floor soil of a headwater watershed at the Susquehanna Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory (SSHCZO). Electrodes fixed at 100 mV mimic iron oxides and at 400 mV mimic manganese oxides, and real-time reduction and oxidation rates can be calculated from measured changes in the electric current over time. Alongside the electrodes, soil porewater chemistry, pCO2, pO2, groundwater level, and precipitation were measured. Results indicate that fixed-potential electrodes successfully detected temporally fine-scale fluctuations in metal redox state, which was confirmed by the coordinated datasets. Water table fluctuations at the electrode depth drove metal reduction, and rainfall events stimulated oxidation reactions in the vadose zone. For the first time in soils, we directly measured the frequency, period, and amplitude of oxidation and reduction events. All of these are key variables that control the biogeochemical impact of metal oxide redox in terrestrial systems. At the SSHCZO we observed multi-day reduction or oxidation events with a return interval of 5 – 10 days, controlled by precipitation frequency. Such measurements with fixed-potential electrodes hold promise for accurately exploring the fast-changing biogeochemical impacts of metal redox in upland soils where such reactions have been difficult to quantify.
Quantification and identification of microplastics in organic fertilizers: the implication for the manufacture and safe application
Authors: Xu Jieru , Yang Aiping , Yan Yu , Xu Yuqi , Tang Minyi , Li Penghui , Zhao Lanfeng , Zhang Xinming , Ren Zongling
Published: March 2022

The application of organic fertilizers has been suspected as an important source of microplastic (MP) pollution in agricultural soils. However, limited data have been reported regarding the quantity and characteristics of MPs in organic fertilizers, giving rise to the difficulties in their risk assessment. This study investigated the occurrence of MPs in 23 commercial organic fertilizers and 2 farm composts, covering different raw materials and treatment processes. The average MP concentration in the commercial organic fertilizers was 9210.4 ± 1743.1 items/kg, significantly lower than that in farm composts (24344.1 ± 2697.2 items/kg). Among commercial organic fertilizers, the MP loads varied significantly with the source materials and their processing. Organic fertilizers derived solely or proportionally from plant-derived materials through mechanical shredding and sieving had lower MP abundances. The polymer sizes, morphotypes, and colors of MPs in studied samples were mainly < 3 mm, fiber, and black, respectively. The variations in the MP characteristics implied their diverse sources. This study provided a detailed assessment of MP accumulation in organic fertilizers, and confirmed their significance to the MP pollution in terrestrial ecosystem. The results also highlighted the importance of establishing standards to regulate the contents of plastics in raw materials and end products and the treatment processes for the manufacture, thus ensuring the safe application of organic fertilizers.
Leaching of Sulfadiazine and Florfenicol in an Entisol of Chicken-raising Orchard: Impact of Manure-derived Dissolved Organic Matter
Authors: Gbadegesin Lanre Anthony , Liu Xinyu , Liu Chen , Tang Xiangyu
Published: March 2022

As antibiotic pollution from manured farmland soils has aroused public concern, their potential interaction with manure matrix/colloids especially manure-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) often complicated their leaching behavior. This study investigated the leaching of sulfadiazine (SDZ), and florfenicol (FFC) in undisturbed field lysimeters of chickens-integrated orchard farmland under continuous natural rainfall events. Repacked column experiments were also conducted with manure-DOM treatments under soil matrix flow. The results indicate that manure presence could reduce SDZ mass flux, but the real-time migration may increase under favorable soil hydrological processes and heavy rainfall events. Whereas FFC was more prone to leaching in manured plot (0.48 µg m-2 h-1) as compared to the control (0.12 µg m-2 h-1), suggesting manure-DOM facilitated FFC leaching in field via a cotransport mechanism favored by abundant macropore flow in the soil. In contrast, SDZ and FFC’s mobility was reduced in repacked columns under manure-DOM conditions, suggesting increased adsorption, complexation and straining effects in soil matrix pores. Two kinetic site model and two-site nonequilibrium adsorption model fitted the breakthrough curves of SDZ and FFC well (0.988> r2 > 0.995 for SDZ and 0.973> r2 > 0.989 for FFC), revealing non-equilibrium conditions and kinetic sorption process in the repacked column. FFC exhibits lower leaching potential compared to SDZ in both column and field trials. Redundancy analyses revealed close relationship of FFC with humic-like components (C1 and C3), but SDZ is more related to protein-like component (C2) of manure-DOM. Therefore, as manure-DOM has a potential of increasing adsorption of highly mobile antibiotics on soil surface, however, scenario of macroporous soil under heavy rainfalls still leads to accelerated leaching. These findings highlight the combined impacts of manure-DOM and soil hydrological processes in modulating the ecological risks of antibiotics under natural conditions.
Exploring Facilitators to the Implementation of Electronic Health Records in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alzghaibi Haitham A , Hutchings Hayley A.
Published: March 2022

The introduction of IT was one of the key priorities for policy-makers in healthcare organisations over the last two decades, due to the potential benefits of this technology to improve healthcare services and quality. However, about 50% of those projects failed to achieve their intended aims. This was as a result of several factors, and included the cost of these projects. The Saudi MoH was planning on implementing EHRS in around 2200 PHCs nationwide. It was acknowledged that this project may face hurdles, which might result in the failure of the project, if implementation facilitators were not first determined. According the Saudi MoH, previous EHRS implementation in the PHCs failed as a consequence of several barriers, such as poor infrastructure, lack of connectivity and lack of interoperability. However, the facilitators to the successful EHRS implementation in the Saudi PHCs not understood. Objective:To determine the facilitators that enhance the success of the implementation of the EHRS in the PHCs in SA.Method:A mixed methods approach was used with both qualitative and quantitative methods (Qualitative using semi-structured interviews and quantitative with a closed survey). The purpose of the utilization of exploratory mixed-methods was to identify a wide range of facilitators that may influence EHRS implementation. The data were obtained from two different perspectives (PHCs practitioners and project team members), 351 practitioners from 21 PHCs participated in the online based, while 14 key informants at the Saudi MoH who were directly involved in the EHRS implementation in the PHCs agreed to be interviewed face to face.Results:The findings from both studies revealed several facilitators. Among these facilitators, financial resources were found to be the most influential factor which assisted in overcoming some barriers such as software selection. The size of the PHCs was the second facilitator to successful implementation. This was despite the scale of the project. The perceived usefulness was another facilitator identified in both the interviews and survey. More than 90% of the participants thought that the EHRS was useful and could contribute to improving the quality of healthcare services. While high level of satisfaction was expressed toward the EHRS usability and efficiency, low levels of satisfaction were recorded toward organisational factors such as user-involvement, training and support. Hence, the system usability and efficiency were documented to be other facilitators of successful EHRS implementation in the Saudi PHCs Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that sufficient financial support is essential to enhance the success of the EHRS implementation, despite the scale of the project. Also, effective leadership and project management were found core factors to overcome many obstacles and thus ensure the success of large-scale projects
Chicken Feather Protein Hydrolysate Ameliorates Cold Resistance by Upregulating Physiologic and Biochemical Responses of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.)
Authors: GEZGİNCİOĞLU Ebru , ATICI Ökkeş
Published: March 2022

Chicken feathers are one of the waste products of the poultry industry and millions of tons of waste feathers produced by poultry processing plants are increasingly causing a serious waste problem in almost every country. We produced a chicken feather protein hydrolysate (CFPH) and investigated its effect on the low-temperature stress response of two wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L., cvs. Altındane and Bezostaya). CFPH obtained by an alkaline process contained 19 proteinogenic and 3 non-proteinogenic amino acids, as well as helpful salts for plants. The aqueous solution of CFPH (0.1%) was applied to the seedling leaves before cold stress and then the seedlings (treated and untreated) were transferred to cold conditions (5/2 oC, day/night) for 3 days. The CFPH treatment increased Rubisco expression, and the contents of photosynthetic pigment, soluble sugar, and free proline while decreasing phenolic content in the seedling leaves of both cultivars under cold stress. Moreover, CFPH treatment suppressed the levels of reactive oxygen species (like O2.− and H2O2), and lipid peroxidation (as malondialdehyde) whose contents were increased by the cold alone. The cold alone stimulated SOD, CAT, GPX, APX, and GR activities but CFPH treatment further stimulated all the antioxidant enzyme activities in both cultivars, except APX and GR activities in Altındane. This finding of the activities in both cultivars was generally supported by the accumulation in the isoenzyme profiles of the same enzymes on native PAGE. In addition, CFPH treatment caused an improvement in ASA/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios, and plant growth parameters that are impaired by the cold. We propose that CFPH derived from waste chicken feathers not only supports the growth and development of wheat under normal conditions as a biostimulant but also ameliorates its tolerance to low-temperature stress.
Effect of input parameters on chip morphology in surface grinding of Al/SiC-MMC
Authors: Shakur Ashab , Sultana Nazma , Dhar Nikhil Ranjan
Published: March 2022

Chip morphology has been utilized as a potential source to predict the performance of the grinding process. This paper focuses on the effect of input parameters on chip type and chip size (chip length, chip width, and chip surface area) to get suitable chips that may be used as an indication of desired response values. As grinding chips are small in size, scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of different magnifications were captured for an enlarged view of the chips. SEM images were then calibrated and their length, width, and surface area were measured using image pro software. The measurements showed that when the spindle speed and infeed rise, chip sizes increase as well. Besides, the application of cutting fluids through minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) produced smaller chips and lower temperatures than that's of the traditional flood cooling approach. It was also observed that chip sizes rise as grinding temperature increases. Aspect ratios of chips were calculated to quantify the range of aspect ratios for different chip types. Finally, it was found that 1500 r.p.m. spindle speed, 10 µm infeed, and MQL environment produced the smallest chip as well as the lowest temperature value.
Adjusting the social footprint methodology based on findings of subjective wellbeing research
Authors: Weidema Bo Pedersen
Published: March 2022

Purpose
Following some years of practical application, some weaknesses has been identified in the original 2018 version of the ‘social footprint’ methodology, where wellbeing was seen as exclusively related to consumption activities and as inseparably linked to production through the budget constraint, implying that the value of wellbeing was limited to be a mirror of the value of production. Several improvements in both methodology and data are presented here.
Methods
The theoretical improvements are inspired by the suggestion of Juster et al. (1981) that wellbeing can be seen as the sum of the value added generated from work and the intrinsic activity benefits, i.e., the positive affect from performing or taking part in specific work or leisure activities. This implies a relatively low preference for income relative to intrinsic activity benefits, which is confirmed by recent findings of subjective wellbeing research.
Results and discussion
Other findings of subjective wellbeing research provide a constraint on the conversion factor between Disability-Adjusted Life-Years (DALY) and Quality-Adjusted person-Life-Years (QALY), leading to a surprising 0.3 QALY/DALY, against the more intuitive 1 QALY/DALY. These theoretical improvements, combined with the availability of more recent country-specific data on impacts on wellbeing, allows to calculate a global potential level of wellbeing of 0.958 QALY/person-life-year, replacing the global potential productivity of the 2018 version of the ‘social footprint’ methodology. The new country-specific data allows the valuation of impacts on wellbeing to be assessed separately from the valuation of inequality, the latter now done with equity-weights relative to country-specific average income baselines, rather than to the global baseline used in the 2018 version.
Conclusion
The new data confirm the dominating role of impacts of missing governance, now quantified at 78% of all sustainability impacts, which was the original motivation and rationale behind the 2018 version of the ‘social footprint’ methodology.
Genome-wide association study identifies novel loci associated with skin autofluorescence in individuals without diabetes
Authors: Vollenbrock Charlotte E. , Roshandel Delnaz , Klauw Melanie M. van der , Wolffenbuttel Bruce H.R. , Paterson Andrew D.
Published: March 2022

Background
Skin autofluorescence (SAF) is a non-invasive measure reflecting accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in the skin. Higher SAF levels are associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. An earlier genome-wide association study (GWAS) revealed a strong association between NAT2 variants and SAF. The aim of this study was to calculate SAF heritability and to identify additional genetic variants associated with SAF through genome-wide association studies (GWAS).
Results
In 27,534 participants without diabetes the heritability estimate of lnSAF was 33% ± 2.0% (SE) in a model adjusted for covariates. In meta-GWAS for lnSAF five SNPs, on chromosomes 8, 11, 15 and 16 were associated with lnSAF (P < 5 x 10− 8): 1. rs2846707 (Chr11:102576358,C > T), which results in a Met30Val missense variant in MMP27 exon 1 (NM_022122.3); 2. rs2470893 (Chr15:75019449,C > T), in intergenic region between CYP1A1 and CYP1A2; with attenuation of the SNP-effect when coffee consumption was included as a covariate; 3. rs12931267 (Chr16:89818732,C > G) in intron 30 of FANCA and near MC1R; and following conditional analysis 4. rs3764257 (Chr16:89800887,C > G) an intronic variant in ZNF276, 17.8 kb upstream from rs12931267; finally, 30 kb downstream from NAT2 5. rs576201050 (Chr8:18288053,G > A).
Conclusions
This large meta-GWAS revealed five SNPs at four loci associated with SAF in the non-diabetes population. Further unravelling of the genetic architecture of SAF will help in improving its utility as a tool for screening and early detection of diseases and disease complications.
Veronicastrum wulingense (Plantaginaceae), a new species from Southwestern Hubei, China
Authors: Ding Shi-Xiong , Jiang Hui , Tian Jing , Ren Jing , Mutie Fredrick Munyao , Waswa Emmanuel Nyongesa , Hu Guang-Wan , Wang Qing-Feng
Published: March 2022

Background: Veronicastrum, perennial herbs, the traditional herbs treated ascites diseases that caused by schistosomiasis in China, are mainly distributed in East Asia, and only Veronicastrum virginicum (L.) Farw. is disjunctively distributed in eastern North America. The south area of China (including Taiwan Island) is the richest in Veronicastrum species. During a field investigation of plant resources in Pingbaying National Forest Park, Southwestern Hubei, China, an unknown flowering population of Veronicastrum was found and collected on the thick humus layers adjacent to rocks under broad-leaved forests by walkways.Results: This new species is similar to V. axillare and V. rhombifolium, but can be distinctly differs by these diagnostic characteristics of peduncles up to 7 cm, flowers clustered densely in rachis apex and steadily ca. 2–3 cm long, and pedicels up to 2.5 mm, which are unique in the all known Veronicastrum species of axillary inflorescences.Conclusions: This new species Veronicastrum wulingense is supported by morphological and molecular evidence, and its plastid genome is reported in this study.
A minute in time saves minds: Psychosocial Safety Climate (PSC– 4) cut-points for early detection of mental distress
Authors: Dollard Maureen Frances , Bailey Tessa , Owen Mikaela
Published: March 2022

Background Mental health disorders are a major public health issue accounting for 10% of the global burden of disease and are the single largest contributor to global disability. An important social determinant of worker mental health is the corporate climate for psychological health (i.e., Psychosocial Safety Climate, PSC). This study aimed to develop PSC-4 risk levels for predicting job strain and mental ill-health and determine the population attributable risk (PAR) of these criteria to PSC. Method Australian Workplace Barometer survey interviews were used yielding cross-sectional (Time 1, n=2970; Time 2, n=4140) and longitudinal (n=1476) data. PSC-4 risk levels were determined by comparative mean level and ROC analyses. Logistic regression assessed the predictive validity of PSC-4 risk on criteria controlling for baselines and PAR was estimated.Results Workers reported high job strain (jobs combining high demands and low control) (20%), and mild/moderate to severe symptoms of psychological distress (16%), and depression (8%). PSC-4 risk levels were estimated as > 13 low risk and < 12 high risk for job strain and worker mental ill-health. The PAR revealed that eliminating high risk PSC could reduce 22% of the Australian worker population burden of psychological distress, 32% of depressive symptoms, and 12% of job strain.Conclusion This easy-to-use one minute tool could help shift clinical medical thinking to social determinants of mental health, such as the corporate climate. PAR results show large scope for job strain and mental ill-health prevention by improving PSC. Advocacy by public health, psychiatrists, and physicians could bolster social protection for worker mental health.
Non-wilms' Renal Tumors in Children: Experience With 139 Cases Treated at a Single Center
Authors: Fang YiWei , Song HongCheng , Sun Ning , Zhang Wei Ping
Published: March 2022

Introduction: To determine the clinical characteristics, management and prognosis of children with Pediatric non-Wilms renal tumors (NWRTs).Methods: Medical records of all patients (n = 139) treated for NWRTs over a 12-year period (2008.01–2019.10) at a single center were reviewed retrospectively.Results: The histopathological groups of NWRTs included malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (MRTK) (n: 30, 21.6%), renal cell cancer (RCC) (n: 26,18.7%), clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) (n: 24,17.3%), congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN) (n: 21,15.1%), cystic nephroma (CN) (n: 16,11.5%), metanephric tumors (n: 12, 8.6%), renal angiomyoliporma (RAML) (n: 3, 2.2%), renal primitive neuroectodermal tumor (rPNET) (n: 2, 1.4%), renal hemangioma (n: 2, 1.4%), inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) (n: 2, 1.4%), ossifying renal tumor of infancy (ORTI) (n: 1, 0.7%). The distribution of all malignant NWRTs, including MRTK, CCSK, RCC and PNET, according to stage was as follows: stages I (n=26), II (n=16), III (n=29), and IV (n=11). The summary table shows the treatment offered to children with NWRTs. A total of 123 children were followed up for an average of 42 months. Sixteen children were lost to follow-up. Tumor-free survival was observed in 94 children. One patient who suffered from RCC is currently receiving targeted therapy and survives with the tumor. Twenty-eight children (22.8%) died.Discussion: Pediatric NWRTs comprise 19.1% of all renal tumors in our single center. The mainstay treatment of malignant NWRTs, including MRTK, CCSK, RCC and PNET, is comprehensive treatment. The mainstay treatment of benign NWRTs, including RAML, CN, ORTI, CMN, metanephric tumors, and renal hemangioma, is surgical resection alone.
Social Network-based Group Intervention to Promote HIV Prevention in Uganda: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial of Game Changers
Authors: Wagner Glenn , Bogart Laura , Green Harold , Storholm Erik , Klein David , McBain Ryan , Serunkuuma Richard , Mubiru Kuraish , Matovu Joseph , Okoboi Stephen
Published: March 2022

IntroductionInnovative strategies are needed to disseminate HIV prevention messages across communities efficiently, as well as reduce HIV stigma while promoting HIV prevention. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the efficacy of a social network-based group intervention, Game Changers, which trains persons living with HIV (PLWH) to encourage members of their social network to use HIV protective behaviorsMethodsPLWH in HIV care for at least one year will be randomly assigned to receive the 8-session group advocacy training intervention or no-intervention control group. Each enrolled PLWH (index participant) will be asked to recruit up to four social network members (alter participant). Assessments will be administered at baseline and month 6, 12 and 18 to both index and alter participants. The primary outcomes are HIV testing and condom use among alter participants; secondary outcomes are engagement in HIV prevention advocacy and internalized HIV stigma among index participants. Repeated-measures multivariable regression analyses will be conducted to compare outcomes between the intervention and control arms, in addition to a cost-effectiveness evaluation.DiscussionThis social network-based approach to HIV prevention is particularly timely in the era of biomedical interventions, which require widespread penetration of effective HIV prevention and care messaging into communities. Positioning PLWH as central to the solution for controlling (vs. causing) the HIV epidemic has the potential to reduce HIV stigma and improve prevention outcomes at the individual and network levels.Trial RegistrationNIH Clinical Trial Registry NCT05098015 (clinicaltrials.gov; date: 10/18/2021).