bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dos enemigos se juntan después de medio siglo
Authors: Orozco Orozco Víctor
Published: February 2023

Este es un curioso episodio en la historia de dos soldados, uno norteamericano y otro mexicano, que combatieron en la batalla de Sacramento, librada el 28 de febrero de 1847.
Overview of the 2019 National Health Interview Survey Questionnaire Redesign
Authors: Zablotsky Benjamin , Lessem Sarah E. , Gindi Renee M. , Maitland Aaron K. , Dahlhamer James M. , Blumberg Stephen J.
Published: February 2023

Data System. Federal health surveys, like the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), represent important surveillance mechanisms for collecting timely, representative data that can be used to monitor the health and health care of the US population.

Data Collection/Processing. Conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), NHIS uses an address-based, complex clustered sample of housing units, yielding data representative of the civilian noninstitutionalized US population. Survey redesigns that reduce survey length and eliminate proxy reporting may reduce respondent burden and increase participation. Such were goals in 2019, when NCHS implemented a redesigned NHIS questionnaire that also focused on topics most relevant and appropriate for surveillance of child and adult health.

Data Analysis/Dissemination. Public-use microdata files and selected health estimates and detailed documentation are released online annually.

Public Health Implications. Declining response rates may lead to biased estimates and weaken users’ ability to make valid conclusions from the data, hindering public health efforts. The 2019 NHIS questionnaire redesign was associated with improvements in the survey’s response rate, declines in respondent burden, and increases in data quality and survey relevancy. (Am J Public Health. 2023;113(4):408–415. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307197 )
Impact of School Shootings on Adolescent School Safety, 2009–2019
Authors: Hodges James C. , Walker Danielle T. , Baum Christopher F. , Hawkins Summer Sherburne
Published: February 2023

Objectives. To examine the impact of school shootings on indicators of adolescent school safety in the United States.

Methods. We linked 2009–2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data on 211 236 adolescents aged 14 to 18 years from 24 school districts with data on high school shootings from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security. We conducted 2-way fixed-effects logistic regression models to assess the impact of shootings on self-report of 3 indicators of school safety: avoiding school because of feeling unsafe, carrying a weapon at school, and being threatened or injured with a weapon at school.

Results. High school shootings were associated with adolescents having 20% greater odds of avoiding school because of feeling unsafe (adjusted odd ratio [AOR] = 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11, 1.29) than those who had not. Findings were slightly attenuated in sensitivity analyses that tested exposure to shootings at any school in the district or state. High school shootings were associated with a statistically nonsignificant (P = .08) elevated risk of carrying a weapon at school (AOR = 1.11; 95% CI = 0.99, 1.25).

Conclusions. The negative ramifications of school shootings extend far beyond the event itself to adolescents’ concerns about school safety. (Am J Public Health. 2023;113(4):438–441. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307206 )
Función sexual y conductas sexuales de riesgo en mujeres que usan cocaína
Authors: Calvo-Abaunza Andrés Felipe , Rueda-Monsalbe Amanecer , González-Jiménez Carolina , Gaviria-Arbeláez Silvia
Published: February 2023

El consumo de sustancias psicoactivas es considerado un problema de salud pública que afecta diariamente a hombres y mujeres. Con el paso de los años el uso de cocaína en mujeres se ha venido incrementando y dado a sus efectos “potenciadores” en el desempeño sexual no es inusual su consumo dentro de las relaciones sexuales, donde las mujeres frecuentemente desarrollan más rapidamente Trastornos por Uso de Sustancias, disfunciones sexuales femeninas y comportamientos sexuales de riesgo, ubicándolas en una situación de vulnerabilidad importante. El objetivo de este trabajo fue revisar la literatura que relaciona el uso de cocaína y las implicaciones en la función sexual y en la conducta sexual de las mujeres. La búsqueda arrojó 66 artículos que se ajustaban a los criterios de busqueda que relacionaban estas variables. Se encontró que la cocaína presenta efectos favorables y perjudiciales en el funcionamiento sexual de las mujeres, asimismo, una mayor probabilidad de verse involucradas en conductas sexuales de riesgo. Se discute sobre la necesidad de lograr mayor apropiación desde la investigación y realizar evaluaciones e intervenciones integrales que abarquen el uso de drogas y la sexualidad de las mujeres.
Pressure-Transient Analysis for Waterflooding with the Influence of Dynamic Induced Fracture in Tight Reservoir: Model and Case Studies
Authors: Wang Zhipeng , Ning Zhengfu , Guo Wenting , Cheng Qidi
Published: February 2023

It is well known that waterflooding will create fractures. The created fractures are divided into hydraulic fractures (artificial fractures with proppant) and induced fractures (formed during waterflooding without proppant). There is no proppant in the induced fracture, so it will close as the pressure decreases and extend as the pressure increases. We call it a dynamic induced fracture (DIF). Because of reduced pressure, the DIF will be closed during the shut-in pressure test (well testing). The current conventional well-testing model cannot describe the dynamic behavior of the DIF, resulting in obtaining unreasonable parameters. Thus, this work proposes a DIF model to characterize the DIF behavior during well testing (the injection well will shut in, resulting in a reduction in bottomhole pressure and induced-fracture closure). It is worth noting that a high-permeability zone (HPZ) will be formed by long-time waterflooding and particle transport. The HPZ radius will be greater than or equal to the DIF half-length because the waterflooding pressure can move particles but not necessarily expand the fracture. The point source function method and Duhamel principle are used to obtain the bottomhole pressure response. Numerical simulation methods are used to verify the accuracy of the model. Field cases are matched to demonstrate the practicability of the DIF model. Results show a straight line with a slope greater than the unit, a peak, a straight line with a slope less than one-half, and an upturned straight line on the pressure derivative curve. This peak can move up, down, left, and right to characterize the induced fracture’s dynamic conductivity (DC). The straight line with a slope greater than the unit can illustrate a fracture storage effect. The straight line with a slope less than one-half can describe the closed induced-fracture (CIF) half-length. The upturned straight line can describe the HPZ and reservoir permeability. The obtained parameters will be inaccurate if they are incorrectly identified as other flow regimes. Field cases are matched well to illustrate that identifying the three innovative flow regimes can improve the parameters’ accuracy. In conclusion, the proposed model can characterize the dynamic behavior of induced fracture, better match the field data, and obtain more reasonable reservoir parameters. Finally, two field cases in tight reservoir are discussed to prove its practicality.
Compliance of Public Health Facilities with Essential Medicines and Health Supplies Redistribution Guidelines in Mbale District, Eastern Uganda: A mixed-methods study
Authors: Kyalisiima Immaculate , Kitutu Freddy Eric , Gibson Linda , Akaso Immaculate , Ndaabe Amos , Aguma Herbert Bush , Musoke David , Adome Richard Odoi , Kutyabami Paul
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Redistribution of essential medicines and health supplies (EMHS) is a mechanism to address supply chain uncertainty by moving excess stock of health commodities from health facilities that are overstocked to health facilities with shortages where it is most needed. It prevents the wastage of scarce resources and improves efficiency within a health supply chain system. Many public health facilities in Uganda experience stock-outs, overstocking, and expiry of essential medicines. This study assessed the compliance of public health facilities with the Uganda Ministry of Health redistribution strategy for EMHS in Mbale district, Eastern Uganda.

Methods

A mixed-methods study was conducted among 55 respondents at public health facility level and five key informants at the district level. Audio-recorded data were transcribed and coded to develop themes. Thematic analysis was performed using ATLAS.ti Version 8.5. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS Version 24.0.

Results

About a third (33%) of the surveyed health facilities complied with EMHS redistribution guidelines. Respondents agreed that EMHS redistribution had helped reduce health commodity expiries and stock-outs in health facilities. Respondents who did not know about the timely release of funds for redistribution were 68% less likely to comply, and those who said the guidelines were never shared were 88% less likely to comply with the guidelines.

Conclusions

Compliance with the EMHS redistribution guidelines was low and associated with failure to share the guidelines with staff and inadequate awareness about release funds for EMHS redistribution. The district local government should allocate more funds to the EMHS redistribution.
Quality measures for palliative care in patients living with cancer in low and middle-income countries: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Motlana Mpho , Makhunga Sizwe , Jafta Nkosana , Ginindza Themba
Published: February 2023

Introduction:
Quality assessment is a critical component of determining the value of medical services, including palliative care. The utilization of palliative care quality measures could assist in assessing the degree to which patients living with cancer conform to best-practice of palliative care, identifying gaps and monitoring changes in cancer care delivery models in different setting. This scoping review aims to map the available data on the usage of palliative care quality indicators that are relevant to cancer patients in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Methods
To structure this study, we will use the framework developed by Arksey & O'Malley, the Levac et al. recommendations, and the Joanna Briggs Institute recommendations. We will search EBSCOHost, Web of Science, ProQuest One Academic, MEDLINE and Google Scholar for evidence on palliative care quality measures applicable for patients living with cancer published from inception till 2022. We will search grey literature in the form of dissertations, conference proceedings and websites of international organizations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) reporting palliative care quality measures applicable to patients living with cancer in LMICs.
Discussion
The purpose of this study is to establish the extent of existing research on the palliative care quality measures in LMICs. Although palliative care is still a new phenomenon, understanding of the palliative care quality measures applicable for cancer patients will assist to improve care across all components of health systems.
Ethics and dissemination:
No ethical approval is required for the study as the data collection and results of the proposed scoping review will be conducted and disseminated electronically using peer-reviewed journals, print and presentations at scientific conferences and stakeholder presentations.
Correlation of inflammatory biomarkers with cognitive function and glycemic and lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis
Authors: Du Yage , Zhang Qi , Zhang Xiaolan , Song Ying , Zheng Jie , An Yu , Lu Yanhui
Published: February 2023

Background
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that inflammation is connected to cognitive function and glycemic and lipid profiles in patients with T2DM. However, a quantitative synthesis of empirical studies on the correlation of inflammatory biomarkers with cognitive function and glycemic and lipid profiles is lacking and the reported data has so far been conflicting. The study aimed to examine and estimate previous inconsistent results on the correlation of inflammatory biomarkers with cognitive function and glycemic and lipid profiles in T2DM quantitatively.
Methods
The databases of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, SCOPUS, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM database were searched from inception until September 2022 (PROSPERO protocol CRD42022356889). We included original studies reporting the correlation of inflammatory biomarkers with cognitive function and glycemic and lipid profiles in T2DM patients. The Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient was collected from each included study, and a meta-analysis was conducted with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (version 3) software.
Results
Thirty-two studies were included, with a cumulative sample size of 7483 patients. In the correlation between inflammatory biomarkers and cognitive function, the findings revealed a significant moderate negative correlation between interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels and MoCA (r = -0.540, P = 0.006; r = -0.434, P < 0.001; r = -0.532, P = 0.015, respectively), and TNF-α level had a moderate negative correlation with MMSE (r = -0.491, P = 0.001). In the correlation between inflammatory biomarkers and glycemic and lipid profile, there was a significant moderate positive correlation between serum CRP and TNF-α levels and HbA1c (r = 0.467, P < 0.001; r = 0.521, P < 0.001, respectively). TNF-α level was also found to have a low positive correlation with FBG (r = 0.265, P < 0.001), CRP level was found to have a low positive correlation with TC (r = 0.286, P < 0.001), and IL-6 level was found to be lowly and positively correlated with TG (r = 0.230, P = 0.015).
Conclusions
These findings imply that IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α are potential inflammatory biomarkers and modifiable risk factors for T2DM with cognitive impairment, and that these inflammatory markers may be related to alterations in glycemic and lipid levels, including HbA1c, FBG, TC, and TG. Further research and longitudinal studies are required to assess the clinical value of these markers and to investigate potential causal mechanisms underlying this connection.
Chemical Recycling of PET Polyester Textile Wastes Using Ag-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles: An Economical Solution for Circular Economy
Authors: Vinitha Viswanathan , Preeyanghaa Mani , Anbarasu Murugan , Neppolian Bernaurdshaw , Sivamurugan Vajiravelu
Published: February 2023

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a nonbiodegradable and multi-functional plastic commodity that produces a significant amount of polyester (PES) textile waste. The management of PET solid waste is a global concern in many developing countries. Chemical recycling and material recovery from PES wastes can rebuild a circular economy in the textile sectors. The main objective of the present research is to enhance the chemical depolymerization of PES's textile wastes through microwave-induced catalytic aminolysis and glycolysis catalysed by Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Catalysts are synthesised by the sol-gel method and characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV-Vis), field emission scanning microscope (SEM-EDX), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). These parameters included the PET to catalyst ratio, microwave power, time, temperature, and catalyst recycling studies. The catalyst was discovered to be more stable and could be recycled up to six times without losing its activity. Microwave heating is typically faster than conventional heating techniques in terms of reaction time, PET conversion, product yield, and purity. In the aminolysis of PET, the effects of several factors on the conversion of PET and the yield of bis (2-hydroxy ethylene) terephthalamide (BHETA) and the glycolysis process to produce bis (2-hydroxy ethylene) terephthalate (BHET) were examined. The study's findings show that higher temperatures (180 °C) are beneficial for PES textile waste conversion and BHETA yield, which can reach nearly 95% and 94%, respectively. Finally, FT-IR, 1H NMR, and mass spectroscopy (MS) were used to characterise the depolymerized products. The study showed that 2 mol% Ag-doped ZnO showed better catalytic activity.
Fabrication of Photoluminescent Coatings Composed of Boron and Nitrogen Co-doped Carbon Dots on the Cotton Fabric by Layer-by-Layer Self-assembly Method
Authors: Ying Pan , Liang Qianyong , Du Jia , Zhao Huaiwei , Zhang Dong , Zhao Hongting , Lü Ting , Zhang Yan
Published: February 2023

Boron and nitrogen co-doped carbon dots (BN-CDs) were synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal carbonization. Then the as-prepared CDs was combined with alginate and polyethyleneimine to fabricate the multi-layered coating on the cotton fabric by Layer-by-Layer (LbL) self-assembly method. The CDs containing coating emitted visible blue light under 365 nm UV lamp. Subsequently, the UV protection property, thermal stability, flame retardancy and wash durability of the CDs treated cotton fabric were investigated. The ultraviolet protection factors of pure cotton fabric and cotton fabric treated with 12 bilayers CDs consisting coating were 6.48 and 64.10, respectively, which indicated that the synthesized CDs was an efficient UV absorber. In TGA test, more char residues at 700°C were observed for CDs consisting coatings treated cotton fabrics under nitrogen atmosphere. After B, N co-doped CDs were enriched in the PEI/alginate multi-layered coating, the PHRR of cotton-CDs-12BL were reduced 15% and TPHRR of cotton-CDs-12BL were improved 26.4°C in microscale combustion calorimeter test. This result indicated that B, N co-doped CDs presented potential application as a flame retardant on surface of cotton fiber.
Mobile Phone Dependency and Sleep Quality in College Students during COVID-19 Outbreak: The Mediating Role of Bedtime Procrastination and Fear of Missing Out
Authors: Huang Tao , Liu Yiting , Tan Teck Cheng , Wang Dong , Zheng Kefeng , Liu Wenxi
Published: February 2023

Objective
The purpose of the study was to examine the associations between mobile phone dependency and sleep quality among college students during COVID-19 outbreak. The potential mediation roles of bedtime procrastination and fear of missing out (FoMO) were investigated.
Methods
A total of 881 college students completed an online survey in May 2022 in Shanghai, China. Mobile Phone Involvement Questionnaire, Bedtime Procrastination Scale, Bedtime Procrastination Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to assess mobile phone dependency, bedtime procrastination, fear of missing out, and sleep quality, respectively. Multiple linear regression and mediation analysis were conducted.
Results
The correlation analyses indicated mobile phone dependency was positively associated with fear of missing out, bedtime procrastination, and sleep quality among college students. The structural equation modeling analyses revealed that mobile phone dependency had significant indirect effects on sleep quality through bedtime procrastination (indirect effect: 0.030, 95%CI: 0.022–0.041) and fear of missing out (indirect effect: 0.013, 95%CI: 0.003–0.023).
Conclusion
The findings indicated that bedtime procrastination and fear of missing out partially mediated on the association between mobile phone dependency and sleep quality. Bedtime procrastination and fear of missing out should be considered as potential intervention targets for reducing mobile phone dependency and improving sleep quality in college students.
The impact of the relations between the explosive power of the lower limbs measured by a force-velocity test versus field tests (horizontal jump, speed test and agility test) in young North African volleyball players.
Authors: AYED Karim BEN , HAMMAMI Mohamed Ali , LATIRI Imed , SAAD Helmi BEN
Published: February 2023

Background:In youth volleyball players, no previous study has investigated the relationships between the components of the force-velocity test (FVt) and those of the horizontal jump approach, speed test, and agility test. We aimed to determine the relationships that exist between lower-body power measured via a laboratory test (ie; FVt) and some field tests [horizontal jump (ie; 5-jump test, speed test (ie; 20-m sprint) and agility test (ie; pro-agility shuttle)] in youth volleyball players.Methods:Thirty-one youth volleyball players were investigated for changing of direction (pro-agility shuttle), 5-jump test, and absolute/relative peak leg power (Ppeak) during the FVt. Speeds (s) during a 20-m sprint were measured at 5, 10, and 20 m (T5, T10and T20, respectively). 5-jump test performance was expressed in absolute terms (5JTA, m), and relative to leg length (5JTLL) and body mass (5JTBM).Results:This study identifiedi)“high” correlations between FVtPpeak(W) and 20-m sprint [T5(r=-0.858), T10(r=-0.707), and T20(r=-0.762)], and pro-agility shuttle (r=-0.745),ii)“good” correlations between FVtPpeak(W.kg) and 5JTA(r=0.531), andiii)“fair” correlations between FVtPpeak(W) and 5JTA(r=0.499),between FVtPpeak(W.kg-0.67) and 5JTA(r=0.489), and 20-m sprint [T5(r=-0.370), T10(r=-0.364)].Conclusions:Tthe pro-agility shuttle, 20-m sprint, and 5JT can be used to evaluate lower limb explosive power in youth volleyball players.
Sustainable high-energy radiation powering selective CO2 reduction to CH3OH over atomic dual-metal-sites embedded metal-organic framework
Authors: Hu Changjiang , Jiang Zhiwen , Wu Qunyan , Cao Shuiyan , Li Qiuhao , Chen Chong , Yuan Li-Yong , Wang Yunlong , Peng Jing , Shi Weiqun , Zhai Maolin , Mostafavi Mehran , Ma Jun
Published: February 2023

The efficient use of renewable high-energy radiation (X/γ-rays or accelerated e‒) as the energy input for the chemical transformation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water to energy-rich fuels holds new promise for a carbon-neutral, sustainable energy economy; however, such processes are challenging to implement, and require the assistance of catalysts capable of sensitizing the secondary electron scattering and providing active metal sites to bind intermediates. Herein, we report that atomic Cu-Ni dual-metal-sites embedded in a metal-organic framework matrix enable efficient and selective (~ 98%) conversion of CO2to CH3OH in irradiated aqueous solutions. The reaction is initiated by the direct generation of CO2•‒radicals via aqueous electrons attachment, followed by a series of interfacial reactions. We showed that the UiO-66(Hf) matrix serves as a radiation sensitizer to break electron yield limitation in water radiolysis, dramatically promoting CO2activation and conversion efficiency. With the synergistic metal centers and a hydroxyl radical scavenger, we achieved stable and selective CH3OH production over multiple irradiation cycles. Pulse radiolysis experiments with theoretical calculations revealed the transient kinetics occurred on the nanosecond timescale and cascade hydrogenation steps. Our study highlighted an unprecedented catalytic route to produce CH3OH with CO2feedstock and introduced a desirable atomic structure to improve performance.
Cellular immunity reflects the persistent symptoms among COVID-19 recovered patients in Japan
Authors: Miyata Yoshiharu , Suzuki Kohjin , Nagano Tatsuya , Iida Keiji , Hasegawa Takehiro , Uga Hitoshi , Matsuoka Hiroshi
Published: February 2023

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) often causes persistent symptoms long after infection, referred to as "long COVID" or post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS). This phenomenon has been studied primarily concerning B-cell immunity, while the involvement of T-cell immunity is still unclear. This retrospective study aimed to examine the relationship among the number of symptoms, cytokine levels, and the (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot) ELISPOT assay data in patients with COVID-19. To examine inflammatory conditions, plasma interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-18, chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9), chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were analyzed using plasma obtained from COVID-19 recovery patients and healthy controls (HC). These levels were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group than those in the HC group. ELISPOT assays were performed to investigate the correlation between COVID-19 persistent symptoms and T-cell immunity. Cluster analysis of ELISPOT categorized COVID-19 recovery patients in the ELISPOT-high and -low groups, based on the values of S1, S2, and N. The number of persistent symptoms was significantly higher in the ELISPOT-low group than those in the ELISPOT-high group. Thus, T cell immunity is critical for the rapid elimination of COVID-19 persistent symptoms, and its measurement immediately after COVID-19 recovery might predict long-term COVID-19 or PACS.
A Screening Method for Cervical Myelopathy Using Machine Learning to Analyze a Drawing Behavior
Authors: Yamada Eriku , Fujita Koji , Watanabe Takuro , Koyama Takafumi , Ibara Takuya , Yamamoto Akiko , Tsukamoto Kazuya , Kaburagi Hidetoshi , Nimura Akimoto , Yoshii Toshitaka , Sugiura Yuta , Okawa Atsushi
Published: February 2023

Early detection of cervical myelopathy (CM) is important for a favorable outcome, as its prognosis is poor if left untreated. We developed a screening method for CM using machine learning to analyze a drawing behavior. A total of 38 patients with CM and 66 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Using a stylus pen, they traced three different shapes displayed on a tablet device. During the exercise, writing behaviors, such as the coordinates, velocity, and pressure of the stylus tip, along with drawing time were recorded. From these data, features related to the drawing pressure and time of each shape and combination of shapes were used as training data for the support vector machine, a machine learning algorithm. To evaluate the accuracy, a receiver operating characteristic curve was generated, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Models with triangular wave forms tended to be most accurate, and the best triangular wave model identified patients with and without CM with 76% sensitivity and 76% specificity, yielding an AUC of 0.80. Our model was able to classify CM with high accuracy and could be applied to the development of disease screening systems useful outside the hospital setting.
Diabetes knowledge and associated factors in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)
Authors: Zemba Daniel , Sagna Yempabou , Traore Solo , Zoungrana Lassane , Somé D. Patricia , Kissou S. Aimée , Guira Oumar , Yaméogo Ténin Marceline
Published: February 2023

Background
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in youth is becoming a public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Burkina Faso. However, little is known about the level of knowledge of these patients on T1D. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of diabetes in adolescents and young adults about the disease, and identify the factors associated in Burkina Faso.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted from April to June 2020 among youth with T1D, aged 10 to 30 years, and regularly followed in the internal medicine department of Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Data was collected using the French AJD validated diabetes knowledge and skills (DKS) questionnaire, which brings together several themes as generalities of diabetes, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, the management of insulin treatment, and self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG). DKS level was determined by calculating the scores, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to explore factors influencing DKS scores.
Results
Sixty-three participants with a mean age of 19.05 years and a sex ratio (W/M) of 1.17 were included in our study. The mean HbA1c level at the last contact was 9.79%, and 43 (68.23%) patients had an insufficient DKS level. About the sections of the DKS questionnaire, the mean score of each theme was respectively 50% for the item “generalities of diabetes”, 32.4% for the item “hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia”, 67.72% for the item “diet”, 37.34% for the item “management of insulin treatment” and 44.97% for the item “SMBG”. In univariate analysis, a better patient score was associated with university education and long duration (> 10 years) of follow-up (p < 0.05). Only age remain associated with a better knowledge score (p < 0.05) in multivariate analysis.
Conclusion
The study identified a significant need to develop relevant therapeutic education program on T1D for youth in Burkina Faso to help them manage the condition hence averting long term complications.
Phaseolus lunatus L.: pulse seeds phenotype image analysis*
Authors: Dantas Saulo de Jesus , Torres Maria Fernanda de Oliveira , MANN RENATA SILVA , Vargas Pablo Forlan
Published: February 2023

Phaseolus lunatus L. is a species with great diversity, which can be explored in breeding programs when adequately characterized. In this work, we evaluated the phenotypic variations of P. lunatus seeds by image analysis using seeds from 13 genotypes from three states: Sergipe (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, and G8), Bahia (G9 and G10) and Alagoas (G11, G12, and G13). For the analyses, the weight of 100 seeds was estimated, and, in the Groundeye (TBit®), the morphometry by area (mm²), maximum diameter (mm) and minimum diameter (mm), and the descriptors dominant color and RGB color system. The morphometric variables were submitted to variance analysis by the F test, and the means clustered by the Skott-Knott test at 5%. The data were submitted to Pearson correlation analysis (t-Student at 5%), grouped according to dissimilarity by the UPGMA, and represented in the dendrogram. The evaluated characters were submitted to principal component analysis (PCA). Concerning the dominant color, there was a predominance of orange in nine genotypes. As for the RGB color system, G1 presented the highest values and G11 the lowest. G7 was superior for morphometric variables, except for the weight of 100 seeds. There is a positive and significant association for morphometry. There are two homogeneous and distinct groups in the dendrogram, and the first two principal components were responsible for 86.80% of the genotypes' variation. Therefore, applying high-resolution images for phenotypic characteristics of creole bean seeds is a promising nondestructive tool aiming for selection.
Epidemiological Analysis of Yellow Fever Disease in Angola from December 2015 through December 2016
Authors: Manuel Eusebio , Armando António , Francisco Moisés , Paixão Joana , Aramburu Javier , Oliveira Miguel dos Santos , Freitas Helga , Pedro Alda Morais , Jandondo Domingos , Sambo Luis , Carderon Pablo Babrero , Lamezon Sandra Lopez , Fortes Filomeno , Mariscal Jorge , Cardoso Yolanda , Moreira Rosa , Morais Joana , Francisco Ngiambudulu M.
Published: February 2023

Background
In December 2015, an outbreak of yellow fever virus (YFV) infection was reported in Angola, characterized by fever and jaundice, with at least one of the following symptoms: headache, asthenia, conjunctivitis, vomiting, with a different type of haemorrhage.
Methods
A total of 4,618 cases of yellow fever (YF) were referred to the national referral laboratory of the Instituto Nacional de Investigação em Saúde, from December 5, 2015 through December 23, 2016 that were analyzed using ELISA, and subsequently samples were confirmed using consensus primers for RT-PCR assay.
Results
We detected 884 (4%) cases that were positive on ELISA and RT-PCR assays. Patients were reported from 16 provinces of Angola. The incidence was approximately three times as high among male patients (10.88% per 100,000) than among female patients (2.65% per 100,000) in the 20 to 29 age group.
Conclusions
This study represents the transmission of YFV human-to-human via the bite of the infected vector. The re-emergence of YFV is a huge concern for a national public health system. Thus, laboratory and public health surveillance systems have to be strengthened to alleviate the risk of re-emerging human infections.
Bacterial communities associated with corals out-planted on the Great Barrier Reef are inherently dynamic over space and time
Authors: Strudwick Paige , Seymour Justin , Camp Emma , Roper Christine , Edmondson John , Howlett Lorna , Suggett David
Published: February 2023

In light of accelerating pressures faced by coral reef ecosystems, coral propagation and out-planting are becoming vital components of reef stewardship strategies aimed to improve reef resilience through enhanced natural recovery and rehabilitation. The coral microbiome has a crucial role in the success of the coral holobiont and can be impacted shortly after out-planting, yet long-term characterisation of the out-plant microbiome, assessment of related survival and how this varies across sites is unexplored. We examined the bacterial communities associated with out-planted Acropora millepora corals and monitored coral survival over 12 months (February 2021-22) across three reef sites – Mojo, Rayban and Sandbox at Opal Reef (16°12'18"S 145°53'54"E), Great Barrier Reef (GBR) – with contrasting environmental features (e.g. exposure to oceanic currents and previous thermal stress impacts). Bacterial communities of out-planted corals exhibited significant changes from donor colonies 7–45 days after out-planting and bacterial community composition differed significantly across sites Sandbox and Rayban with low overall survival (0–43%) versus Mojo with higher (47–75%) overall survival. We interpret the different rate of change of coral associated bacterial community composition after out-planting, site-specific composition of bacterial communities, and differential survival of out-plants across sites to indicate the importance of site-selection in shaping coral bacterial communities and subsequent out-plant success. This research highlights, the need to resolve drivers of small-scale site differences alongside higher resolution spatiotemporal monitoring of environmental conditions to distinguish key drivers of microbial change during out-planting and subsequently inform out-plant site selection to optimise future management efforts.
Metagenomic analysis revealed the potential of lactic acid bacteria in the improvement of natural saline-alkali land
Authors: Tang Hai , Zhong Zhi , Hou Jingqing , You Lijun , Zhao Zhixin , Kwok Lai-Yu , Bilige Menghe
Published: February 2023

The management and improvement of saline-alkali land is necessary for sustainable agricultural development. We conducted a field experiment to investigate the effects of spraying lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the of cucumber and tomato plantation soil. Three treatments were designed, include spraying of non-sterilized/sterilized LAB preparation or water (control) to the soil of planting every 20 days. Treatment with either sterilized or viable LAB reduced the soil pH. Metagenomic sequencing revealed that the LAB-treated groups had higher alpha-diversity and more nitrogen fixing bacteria compared with the water-treated groups. Treatment with viable or sterilized LAB increased the complexity of soil microbial interactive network in different pattern. Differential enrichment of KEGG pathways and genes were observed between LAB-treated groups: changes in environmental information processing-related pathways in cucumber soil and metabolism-related pathways in tomato soil, respectively. RDA analysis revealed biomarker bacterial communities in different treatments were associated with soil pH and total nitrogen. Our study demonstrated that LAB might be a suitable strategy for decreasing soil pH and improving community structure of certain plants in saline-alkali land.
Behavioural effects and RNA-seq analysis of Aβ42 mediated toxicity in a Drosophila Alzheimer’s disease model
Authors: Tan Florence Hui Ping , Azzam Ghows , Najimudin Nazalan , Shamsuddin Shaharum , Zainuddin Azalina
Published: February 2023

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurological ailment worldwide. Its process comprises the unique aggregation of extracellular senile plaques composed of amyloid-beta (Aβ) in the brain. Aβ42 is the most neurotoxic and aggressive of the Aβ42 isomers released in the brain. Despite much research on AD, the complete pathophysiology of this disease remains unknown. Technical and ethical constraints place limits on experiments utilizing human subjects. Thus, animal models were used to replicate human diseases as a result. The Drosophila melanogaster is an excellent model for studying both physiological and behavioural aspects of human neurodegenerative illnesses. Here, the negative effects of Aβ42-expression on a Drosophila AD model were investigated through three behavioural assays followed by RNA-seq. The RNA-seq data was verified using qPCR. AD Drosophila expressing human Aβ42 exhibited degenerated eye structures, shortened lifespan and declined mobility function compared to the wild-type Control. RNA-seq revealed 1496 genes that were differentially expressed from the Aβ42-expressing samples against the Control. Among the pathways that were identified from the differentially expressed genes include carbon metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, antimicrobial peptides and longevity regulating pathways. While AD is a complicated neurological condition whose aetiology is influenced by a number of factors, it is hoped that the current data will be sufficient to give a general picture of how Aβ42 influences the disease pathology. The discovery of molecular connections from the current Drosophila AD model offers fresh perspectives on the usage of this Drosophila which could aid in the discovery of new anti-AD medications.
Coupling MCDM-Based ensemble and AHP for the sustainable management of erosion risk in a tropical Sub-Saharan basin
Authors: Raji Saheed Adekunle , Akintuyi Akinlabi O. , Wunude Emmanuel O. , Fashoto Busayo
Published: February 2023

One of the most pressing environmental issues of the 21st century is land degradation in fragile watersheds where acute sediment aggradation, erosion, and flooding have become everyday occurrences. Previous attempts to prioritise sub-watersheds have been plagued with uncertainty. Addressing this problem therefore requires identifying erosion-prone areas, specifically at the sub-watersheds level, and reducing the uncertainty of outcomes to a minimum. In this study, an ensemble of seven multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) models was developed to prioritise the sub-watersheds of the Anambra Basin against erosion risk. These MCDM models, namely MOORA (multi-objective optimisation based on ratio analysis), GRA (grey relational analysis), CoCoSo (combined compromise solution), CODAS (combinative distance-based assessment), TOPSIS (a technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution), COPRAS (complex proportional assessment), and VIKOR (VieKriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje), were coupled with the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS) with 23 geomorphometric parameters to provide an integrated sub-watershed ranking. The accuracy of the models was tested using Spearman's rank correlation and geometric mean to compute a uniform sub-watershed ranking. The results indicate that sub-watershed H has the highest aggregate ranking across the MCDM models, making it the top priority for erosion mitigation projects. Furthermore, the model validation assessment shows that the MOORA and COPRAS models returned similar results with the aggregated ranks and possess the most significant rank correlation coefficients, indicating the highest predictive accuracy. This study can be utilised by decision-makers in data-sparse regions for sustainable watershed management in the face of erosion risks.
Medication persistence among multiple sclerosis patients in Slovenia treated with dimethyl fumarate: a retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Jozef Maj , Locatelli Igor , Jakob Gregor Brecl , Kos Mitja , Rot Uroš
Published: February 2023

Background Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, demyelinating inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Medication persistence is an interval between initiation and last dose of a medication, followed by discontinuation of the applied medication.
Aim The aim of this observational study was to evaluate Medication persistence and discontinuation reasons in Slovenian multiple sclerosis patients treated with dimethyl fumarate.
Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we evaluated patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with dimethyl fumarate as an initial monotherapy or switched from injectable disease modifying therapy medication during 2014 and 2021. Medication refills were extracted from Slovenian National Institute of Public Health Outpatient Medication Database. Medication persistence estimation was based on treatment gaps. Patients exceeding a 60-day gap were considered nonpersistent. Mean discontinuation time was assessed using survival analyses. Considering discontinuation reasons, patients were further divided into safety and inefficacy group. The impact of confounders was evaluated by Cox regression.
Results A total of 259 patients were included (176 women, mean age 37 years). During the 7-year follow-up period, 118 patients discontinued treatment. The mean time to discontinuation was 5.6 years. A total of 85% and 77% of patients were persistent after 1 and 2 years of treatment, respectively. Age 30 and above was significantly related to higher medication persistence (P = 0.006).
Conclusion The results of our study proved high medication persistence among our patients. The most frequent discontinuation reason was gastrointestinal adverse effects. Medication persistence requires interventions in younger patients with unstable disease course.
Insecticides influence colonization and toxin accumulation by Aspergillus and Fusarium in orange and white maize flour varying in susceptibility to mycotoxigenic fungal pathogens
Authors: Ochieno Dennis M.W. , Nekesa Gloria , Naluyange Victoria , Otondi Everlyne , Obonyo Meshack , Atwebembeire Jeninah , Rugunda Grace Kagoro
Published: February 2023

Mycotoxigenic Aspergillus and Fusarium species that contaminate cereal crops with aflatoxins and fumonisins are a major threat to food security, human and animal health. Cases of mycotoxin contamination have been on the rise globally, with causes of such surges raising research interests. We conducted factorial experiments in the laboratory to test the hypothesis that some recently produced improved maize varieties that are not purposively bred for resistance to storage insect pests and mycotoxigenic fungi, require protection by synthetic insecticides, which in turn serve as nutrient sources to mycotoxigenic fungi, leading to invasive growth and enhanced toxin production by fungi, especially in conditions of high moisture. Flour from the improved white maize variety Western 505 that is not purposively bred for resistance to storage insect pests and mycotoxigenic fungi had the highest level of colonisation by A. flavus (6,633 CFU g-1) and Fusarium sp. (10,870 CFU g-1) with consequent elevated concentrations of aflatoxin (203 ppb) and fumonisin (2.23 ppm); while flour from the local yellow maize variety Spindi exhibited the least colonisation and mycotoxin production by A. flavus (4,133 CFU g-1) and Fusarium sp. (6,145 CFU g-1) with the local white Rachar being intermediate, at high moisture conditions. The synthetic insecticides Super Blue Cross (BC) and Actellic Super (AS) promoted growth and mycotoxin production by A. flavus and Fusarium sp.; while Ash promoted growth of A. flavus and Fusarium sp., but suppressed mycotoxin production by the two mycotoxigenic fungi (Aflatoxin and Fumonisin: control=114 ppb and 1.46 ppm; Ash=114 ppb and 1.46 ppm; AS=270 ppb and 2.31 ppm; BC=320 ppb and 3.55 ppm). It is concluded that flours from the local yellow Spindi and local white Rachar maize varieties are less susceptible to infection and mycotoxin contamination by A. flavus and Fusarium sp. compared to the improved white maize variety WH505, which accumulates higher levels of the mycotoxigenic fungi and their toxins, especially when treated with the synthetic insecticides Super Blue Cross and Actellic® Super that act as fungal nutrient sources under high moisture conditions. The implications of these findings are further discussed in the context of some relevant policies.
Molecular characterization of a novel amalgavirus infecting Lilium spp. in China
Authors: Yuan Zhihao , Li Zhenfeng , Lu Yuexia , Cao Mengji , Hong Ni , Wang Guoping , Cai Li
Published: February 2023

A novel plant virus with a double-stranded (ds) RNA genome was detected in Lilium spp. in China by high-throughput sequencing, tentatively named “Lily amalgavirus 2” (LAV2). The genomic RNA of LAV2 is 3432 nucleotides (nt) and encodes a large fusion protein with 1053 amino acids (aa). It encodes two open reading frames (ORFs). The two ORFs putatively encode a ‘1 + 2’ fusion protein generated by a ‘+1’ programmed ribosomal frameshift (PRF). ORF1 encodes a 386-aa protein with unknown function, ORF2 overlaps ORF1 by 350 nt and encodes a 783-aa protein consists of a conserved sequence, which is RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). The ‘+1’ ribosomal frameshifting motif sequence, UUU_CGN, which was highly conserved among known Amalgaviruses, was also found in LAV2. Sequence analysis suggested that it shared 46.04%-51.59% complete nucleotide sequence identity with those members of the genus Amalgavirus and had the highest identity (51.59%) to Lily amalgavirus 1 (accession no. OM782323). Phylogenetic analysis based on the RdRp amino acid sequences showed that LAV2 clustered with Amalgavirus. Overall, our data suggest that LAV2 is a new member of the genus Amalgavirus.
Down-scale Simplified Non-local Attention Networks with Application to Image Denoising
Authors: Chen Daiqiang
Published: February 2023

Recently, non-local (NL) attention modules or transformer-based methods have been successfully applied in various image processing tasks. The success of the techniques is owed to the fully utilization of the long-range similarity of in-depth features. However, the computation of the long-range similarity is very expensive, which greatly limits the widely application of the NL module in image processing. Various improved methods have been proposed to reduce the computational complexity. Nevertheless, the acceleration of the computation of the NL attention is based on the reduction of the range of exploring the feature-wise similarity, which may limit the ability to model the long-range relations and cause the degradation of performance. In this paper, inspired by the down-scale techniques and the recurrence law of image patches across different scales, we propose an efficient down-scale simplified NL (DSNL) attention module. By utilizing the down-scale techniques we divide the deep feature maps into several feature maps in the coarse scales, which contain the cleaner version of feature patches in the original feature maps. Our method obviously reduces the computation of the NL attention, and meanwhile the range of the NL attention is unchanged. The proposed DSNL attention module can be flexibly integrated into various convolutional networks. Numerical experiments on image denoising demonstrate that the proposed attention module yields better performance than the original NL attention modules with significantly less computational time, and the corresponding networks can product favorable results compared to many state-of-the-art methods.