bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Objects outline delineation by nonliniear filtration methods for boundary pixels
Authors: Zaerko D. V. , Lipnitski V. A. , Bobrova N. L. , Zaerko Dm. V.
Published: December 2022

A processing of border pixel from pixel map originate problem while work with outline objects segmentation algorithm on bitmap images, which are based on 2D convolution operation. The problem correspond with addition set of pixels which are outside pixel matrix border of processing image. This problem is actual also in other algorithms, which have a common feature– 2D convolution operation. The level of importance are defined by multi used nonlinear filters to border pixels and then union afew images without distortions at the boundaries. The existing methods of pixel set redefining on pre processing step are primitive and affects on subsequent stages of processing. This affects exist between methods of redefining border pixels and algorithms of outline objects segmentation: Sharra, Pruitta, Sobel. The object of investigation is pixel map of halftone image. The subject of investigation is relation assessment between algorithms of outline objects segmentation with methods redefining border pixels. The main target is describing of features special methods to redefining border pixels which positively affecting the subsequent evaluation of the responses for this pixels by algorithms of outline objects segmentation. Analysis, the influence of the algorithm for the outline objects segmentation on the boundary pixels from the preliminary selection of methods of redefinition is carried out by example of combining several satellite images along the outline of urban infrastructure. For simplicity and by necessary of large data volume visualization (pixel half tone matrix size) presented graphs: halftone codes for redefining and border pixels, pixels requests for the algorithm of outline objects segmentation. By analysis criteria and characteristics of an effective method of redefining boundary pixels are described with correspond affects on algorithms of outline objects segmentation on bitmap images.
Planning of the optimum route of movement of the pilotless flying machine by criterion of the minimum of the general expense of fuel
Authors: Zhuk A. A. , Buloichyk V. M. , Akulich S. V.
Published: December 2022

Given article is devoted features of the decision of a problem of planning of a route of a pilotless flying machine (UAV). The decision of a considered problem is offered to be carried out in two consecutive stages. At the first stage calculation of optimum closed route UAV is carried out. Thus as an efficiency indicator the fuel resource, and as criterion of an optimality of a route a minimum of the general expense of fuel is accepted. Efficiency of the received decision is estimated in relation to the known algorithm LinKernighan realised in application Concorde 1.1.  At the second stage by means of the developed algorithm updating of found route UAV taking into account an available stock of fuel is carried out, i.e. The question on returning UAV or after replenishment of a stock of fuel in intermediate point of continuation of flight of the remained sites is solved.
Mathematical model of a steganographic system based on key information in the form of stegosets
Authors: Blinova E. A.
Published: December 2022

A formal description of the mathematical model of a steganographic system based on key information in the form of stegosets is given. The mathematical model of the steganographic system is intended both for placing hidden marks to control the integrity of documents acting as a container, and for covert data transmission. Exist-ing mathematical models do not fully meet the requirements for steganographic systems. The proposed model is based on the concepts of a three-level key, a stegoset, a container component, and a message block. The three-level key is a set of actual steganographic transformations depending on the type of container. A stegoset is an element of a key set. A component of a container is such a subset of it that there is a stegoset for it. A message block is such a sequential part of the message that there is a container component for it, in which it can be hidden using the appropriate stegoset. The model implements the application of different stegosets to different container compo-nents, and the message can be divided into blocks. The model allows controlling the integrity of the message and adapts to different types of containers. Possible options for the practical application of the mathematical model are proposed, such as monitoring the integrity of the message when calculating the control number, splitting the message into blocks and sequentially monitoring their integrity by analogy with the blockchain system.
Fitoextracción de cadmio de un suelo contaminado utilizando la adelfa (Nerium oleander) y la olivarda (Dittrichia viscosa) en condiciones de invernadero
Authors:   , Galindo Edquen Ashly Evelin
Published: December 2022

La fitorremediación es una técnica que sirve para remediar el suelo que involucra ciertas plantas o microorganismo que pueden degradar, estabilizar, remover, extraer los contaminantes del suelo, entre otros ,por lo tanto, los metales pesados como el cadmio es muy resistente a la corrosión, que no tiene función biológica, ya que este metal es muy tóxico para las plantas como también para los animales, la fitoextracción es una técnica que consiste en absorber los metales pesados que se encuentra en el suelo mediante las raíces y se va transportando hasta las partes de las hojas de las plantas, existe plantas que eliminan el metal pesado como la adelfa y la olivarda, por ello la olivarda es una planta perenne que pertenece a la familia Asteráceas, ya que, esta planta es conocida como: Mosquera, Olivarda, Pulguera Valenciana, entre otras, además es muy pegajosa, tiene olor a resina, y por último se encuentra la adelfa que es una planta que es conocida como laurel de flor, baladre, trinitaria, entre otros, esta planta pertenece a la familia Apocynaceae que se origina en Europa y en Asia. Las flores de la adelfa significan seducción, ya que posee una fragancia aromática o penetrante y tiene colores llamativos.
Eficacia de la instrumentación rotatoria y reciprocante en la preparación biomecánica de conductos radiculares de dientes deciduos
Authors:   , Cano Valencia Erika Leny
Published: December 2022

Objetivo: Determinar la eficacia de la instrumentación rotatoria y reciprocante en la preparación biomecánica de conductos radiculares de dientes deciduos. Método: Se buscó y ubicó artículos potenciales en la base de datos PubMed, Science Direct y Google Académico con las palabras clave (rotary systems AND primary teeth) OR (reciprocant systems AND primary teeth), se seleccionaron 11 artículos, que respondieron al objetivo general planteado en la revisión de la literatura y con 10 años como mínimo de publicación. Resultados: La instrumentación rotatoria de los conductos generó una conformación cónica buena (disminución gradual del ancho del conducto radicular desde el tercio coronal hasta el tercio apical), la limpieza difiere según los tercios del conducto e investigaciones, mientras que el tiempo de instrumentación fue más corto en comparación a la instrumentación manual. Respecto a la instrumentación reciprocante, solo un artículo señala como buena la conformación cónica del conducto, la limpieza total se evidenció más a nivel coronal y velocidad de instrumentación fue más corta en comparación al sistema rotatorio. Conclusión: La revisión de la literatura evidencia la eficacia de la instrumentación rotatoria y reciprocante en la preparación biomecánica de conductos radiculares de dientes deciduos.
Asociación entre la calidad de vida laboral y el riesgo de disfunción sexual en enfermeras de instituciones públicas de III Nivel de la Provincia Constitucional del Callao
Authors:   , Rosales Bringas Christian Alexander , Andrade Tasayco Andrea Veronica
Published: December 2022

Introducción: La disfunción sexual femenina (DSF) es la alteración de cualquiera de las fases del orgasmo. La calidad de vida laboral (CVL) es la percepción del trabajador entre las exigencias del trabajo y las técnicas de afrontamiento. El objetivo fue determinar la asociación entre la CVL y el riesgo de DSF en las enfermeras de un hospital público, ya que las experiencias y relaciones personales insatisfactorias en el ámbito laboral se asocian a resultados negativos en el aspecto sexual. Método: Estudio observacional, transversal y analítico, realizado en enfermeras del Hospital Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión (HNDAC) de la provincia Constitucional del Callao, Perú. El riesgo de DSF fue medido con el test de Rosen. La CVL fue medida con el cuestionario de Calidad de vida profesional (CVP-35). El análisis estadístico se realizó con el programa STATA versión 15. Se consideró significativo un valor de p<0.05 con un IC de 95%. El estudio fue aprobado por el comité Institucional de ética en Investigación de la Universidad (CIEI-Científica). Resultados: El estudio contó con la participación de 168 enfermeras que respondieron de forma correcta, en el análisis entre CVL asociada a DSF fueron apoyo directo (p=0,01), motivación intrínseca (p=0,003), la pregunta sobre desconexión de trabajo (p=0,007), el ingreso mensual (p=0,003), el estado civil (p=0,001) y consumo de alcohol (p=0,014). Conclusiones: Concluimos que no existe una asociación entre las dimensiones de la CVL y el RDSF. Sin embargo, variables como la edad, el estado civil y el ingreso mensual se asociaron a la variable dependiente.
Tiempo de sangrado y grado de capacidad funcional al alta en aneurismas cerebrales rotos
Authors:   , Jorge Dejo Catherine Lisett , Loconi Vallejos Adrian Alonso
Published: December 2022

Introducción: La hemorragia subaracnoidea por ruptura de un aneurisma cerebral es una patología vascular con alta morbimortalidad que precisa de un manejo oportuno para disminuir el riesgo de complicaciones, sin embargo, el tiempo ideal para el tratamiento definitivo es aún controversial. Objetivo: Comparar el grado de capacidad funcional al alta de los pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente por ruptura de aneurisma cerebral, en diferentes periodos de tiempo de sangrado hasta la intervención quirúrgica. Materiales y métodos: Estudio analítico, observacional y de cohorte retrospectivo. La población estuvo constituida por los pacientes intervenidos mediante clipaje quirúrgico por aneurisma cerebral roto. Se clasificaron tres grupos de tiempo de sangrado hasta la cirugía (de 1 a 3 días, de 4 a 10 días y de 10 días a más) para ser comparados según su grado de capacidad funcional al alta, medida por la escala modificada de Rankin. Resultados: Se incluyeron a 132 pacientes de una edad promedio de 52,5 años. Las mujeres representaban el 69,7% del total de participantes. Al ingreso hospitalario, el 96,2% registraba un puntaje del 1 a 3 en el WFNS y 79,6% registraba puntajes del 1 a 2 en el Hunt Hess. La intervención quirúrgica en los primeros 3 días representaba el 8,32% de los casos. Una buena capacidad funcional al alta fue reportada en el 77,27% de los pacientes. En el análisis multivariado, tras ajustar por confusores, se observó una tendencia al aumento de riesgo en aquellos operados entre los 4 a 10 días (RR=2,95 IC95%: 0,80-10,87) y más de 10 días (RR=2,65 IC95%: 0,72-9,79), sin embargo, estos resultados no fueron estadísticamente significativos. Conclusiones: Los pacientes operados luego de los 3 días tras la HSA, mostraron una tendencia al aumento del riesgo de tener mala capacidad funcional al alta en comparación con los que fueron operados en los primeros…
Las 4F del marketing digital y eficiencia en el proceso de compras públicas en el plataforma de Perú Compras (Lima-Perú), 2021
Authors:   , Ponte Martinez Wendoly Pamela
Published: December 2022

El comportamiento del consumidor post pandemia del COVID 19 ha sufrido cambios drásticos sobre todo en los medios para realizar compras, debido a un incremento importante en las compras a través de comercio electrónico, por ello no solo las empresas privadas se han visto obligadas a adaptarse rápidamente a este cambio, sino que también los gobiernos a nivel mundial han reforzado sus estrategias para convertirse en e-gobiernos que brinden las facilidades a los ciudadano y entidades públicas para realizar sus operaciones de forma electrónica. El artículo busca determinar si existe relación entre las 4F’s del marketing digital y la eficiencia en el proceso de compras públicas realizadas a través de la plataforma de Perú Compras (Lima-Perú), 2021. Para ello, se llevó a cabo una investigación bajo un enfoque cuantitativo, con un diseño de investigación no experimental transaccional de tipo correlacional. Se contó con una población 349 responsables del área de logística de las Entidades Públicas de Lima que realizaron al menos una compra a través de Catálogos Electrónicos durante el 2021, obteniendo así una muestra de 184 responsables del área de Logística de Entidades Públicas a quienes se les aplicó un cuestionario con 18 preguntas bajo escala de Likert, teniendo como resultados que las 4F’s del marketing digital se relacionan de forma positiva con la eficiencia en el proceso de compras públicas en la plataforma de Perú Compras.
La vulnerabilidad y espontaneidad en estudiantes de la especialidad de teatro de una universidad privada del Perú: factores para un mejor rendimiento
Authors:   , Klara Zeuner Vanessa
Published: December 2022

La vulnerabilidad y espontaneidad son habilidades fundamentales para los actores, pues gracias a ellas se logra sensibilizar, tanto al compañero de escena como al público. Esta investigación aborda un análisis de los factores para un mayor rendimiento de estas habilidades, desde la etapa formativa de intérpretes de teatro de una universidad privada del Perú. Mediante clases grabadas, entrevistas a profundidad, Focus Group y un laboratorio escénico, se descubrió cuáles son los factores que se relacionan con el rendimiento de estas capacidades y de qué manera se están trabajando en el aula. A través de matrices de categorización, se estableció: la escucha, el contacto físico, la mirada y dinámicas de diálogo, como factores fundamentales para un mejor rendimiento. Se desarrolló una rúbrica de calificación para evaluar ambas competencias en un contexto pedagógico. Finalmente se investigó sobre distintas técnicas actorales y el “Testimonial” y la “Repetición de Meisner” fueron las más eficaces.
Protonation-induced site and field reconstruction for ultrafast adsorptive desulfurization over Cu-N-C
Authors: Tong Yibin , Li Jnuqing , Peng Junchen , Liu Minmin , Chen Yajuan , Dong Dandan , Sun Wei , Mingyuan Zhu , He Fei , Huang Chaofeng
Published: December 2022

Simultaneously manipulating adsorption thermodynamics/kinetics and site density to realize the efficient adsorption capability of single-atom materials was important for adsorption-related catalysis, separation or purification, but remained challenging. Taking adsorptive desulfurization as a model, we reported a simple protonation of pyridinic-N strategy that notably improved the adsorption capability of Cu-N-C for dibenzothiophene via the cation-π and Cu-S interaction. The pyridinic-NH+ both acted as adsorption site and modulated the N-ligand field to elongate Cu-N bond to enhance the bonding strength of single-atom Cu site for organosulfur via upshifting the d-band center, thereby causing a higher desulfurization capacity of Cu-N-C than its counterparts. Moreover, the protonation reconstructed the surface electric field of Cu-N-C to weaken the repulsion effect between Cu-N-C and dibenzothiophene, which along with the abundant porous channel accelerated mass transfer and accumulation of dibenzothiophene around adsorption sites. This endowed Cu-N-C with a 2.4~310-fold higher adsorption kinetics than most reported adsorbents, thus achieving a ultrafast decrease of sulfur level (<10 ppm) within 70s, notably outstripping that of Fe-N-C (~ 900s) and activated carbon (~ 1800s).
Detection of Suspicious Activities in Public Areas Using Staged Matching Technique
Authors: devi Pavithra
Published: December 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Combining the light-demanding Araucaria angustifolia with the shade-tolerant Cabralea canjerana: mixed plantations to produce tropical timber trees outside the rainforest
Authors: Olguin Flavia Yesica , Moretti Ana Paula , Pinazo Martín Alcides , Goya Juan Francisco , Gortari Fermín , Bahima José Vera , Graciano Corina
Published: December 2022

Atlantic Forest broad-leaved trees of high timber value require canopy cover to become established. Therefore, at present, they are only harvested from native rainforests. Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze is the only Atlantic Forest Gymnosperm; it requires high radiation to establish and is planted in monospecific stands. The main question was if the umbrella-shaped open canopy generated by A. angustifolia stands was enough to protect mid-successional timber species. We evaluated the establishment of Cabralea canjerana (Vell.) Mart under the canopy of A. angustifoliastands and we related growth with initial competition. In one stand, we measured environmental and physiological traits to evaluate seedling acclimation. C. canjerana establishment was successful in stands of different basal areas. Seven years after planting, C. canjerana plants reached a 12-meter height and 75% survived; the highest growth was observed with up to two A. angustifolia neighbors within a 5m radius. According to this evidence, it is possible to convert A. angustifolia even-aged stands to uneven-aged mixed stands. In this way, a valuable native timber species that requires canopy protection during the first years can be planted outside the rainforest. This is the first report of an uneven-aged mixed plantation of two Atlantic Forest timber species.
Lactoferrin feeding deficiency during lactation increases the risk of depression in adult mice by affecting microbiota-gut-brain axis development
Authors: Wang Wenli , Cheng Zhimei , Wang Xiong , Qin An , Huang Kunlun , Dai Yunping , Meng Qingyong , zhang yali
Published: December 2022

Background
Lactoferrin is an active protein in breast milk that plays an important role in the growth and development of infants and is implicated as a neuroprotective agent. The incidence of depression is currently increasing, and it is unclear whether the lack of lactoferrin during lactation affects the incidence of depression in adulthood.
Objectives
The purpose of our work was to investigate the effect of lactoferrin feeding deficiency during lactation on adult depression and related mechanisms.
Methods
Lactoferrin knockout mice provided lactoferrin-free milk to establish a lactoferrin feeding deficiency model during lactation. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression model was established when the mice reached 9 weeks of age. Behavioural performance, serum indicators, and the microbiota, intestine, and hippocampus injury of the CUMS mice were investigated; RNA-seq of the small intestine and hippocampus, and gut microbiota compositions in 18-day-old lactoferrin-free mice were analysed; the development of the intestine and hippocampus and microbiota compositions in adult lactoferrin-free mice were also examined.
Results
Lack of lactoferrin feeding during lactation affected the barrier and innate immune functions of the intestine, disrupted the intestinal microflora, and led to neuroimmune dysfunction and neurodevelopmental delay in the hippocampus. When exposed to external stimulation, adult lactoferrin feeding-deficient mice presented with worse depression-like symptoms; the mechanisms involved were activation of the LPS–TLR4 signalling pathway in the intestine and hippocampus, reduced BDNF-CREB signalling pathway in hippocampus, increased abundance of depression-related bacteria, and decreased abundance of beneficial bacteria.
Conclusions
Overall, our findings reveal that feeding lactoferrin during lactation can reduce the risk of depression in adults. The mechanism is related to the regulatory effect of lactoferrin on the development of the "microbial–intestinal–brain" axis.
Risk factors for periventricular-intraventricular haemorrhage severity in preterm infants: A propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Huang Jinglan , Wang Yan , Tian Tian , Zhu Tingting , Tang Jun , Xiong Tao
Published: December 2022

Background:Mostpreviousstudies comparing etiological studies in infants with and without periventricular-intraventricular haemorrhage (PV-IVH) concluded that younger gestational age (GA) was associated with a higher prevalence rate of PV-IVH. However, only few studies have examined the risk factors associated with the severity of PV-IVH after removing the influence of GA.Therefore, we investigated the risk factors apart from GA for PV-IVH severity in preterm infants less than 32 weeks.Methods:This was a retrospective case-control study of preterm infants born in West China Second Hospital with PV-IVH between 2009 and 2018. PV-IVH was defined using cranial ultrasound screening. Preterm infants with PV-IVH were divided into mild and severe groups. Both groups were matched in a 1:1 ratio using propensity score calculated from GA. Variables were collected from infant–mother pairs. A stepwise forward multivariate logistic regression model was adopted to select factors that affected the severity of PV-IVH in preterm infants.Results:A total of 3,783 preterm infants with PV-IVH were included. The total incidence of PV-IVH in preterm infants was 15.58%, and the incidence of PV-IVH of grades I, II, III, and IV was 2.50%, 9.52%, 3.13%, and 0.42%, respectively. The mortality of mild and severe PV-IVH was 0.33% and 3.25%, respectively. We matched 315 infants with severe PV-IVH with 315 infants with mild PV-IVH. The results suggested that early-onset sepsis (odds ratio [OR] 2.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50–4.16), thrombocytopenia (OR 2.37, 95% CI: 1.39–4.04), multiple gestations (OR 1.69, 95% CI: 1.15–2.49), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.10–2.31), and magnesium sulphate use (OR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.01–2.10) were associated with severe PV-IVH. Female sex (OR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.46–0.91) was a protective factor against severe PV-IVH.Conclusions: Early-onset sepsis, thrombocytopenia, multiple gestations, invasive mechanical ventilation, magnesium sulphate use, and male sex contributed to severe PV-IVH in preterm infants regardless of GA, these risk factors may combine to predict the incidence of PV-IVH in preterm infants.
Synergistic inhibitory effect of honey and Lactobacillus plantarum on pathogenic bacteria and their promotion of healing in infected wounds
Authors: Li Mei , Xiao Hong , Su Yongmei , Cheng Danlin , Jia Yan , Li Yingli , Yin Qi , Gao Jieying , Tang Yong , Bai Qunhua
Published: December 2022

Prevention and control of infections have become a formidable challenge due to the increasing resistance of pathogens to antibiotics. Probiotics have been discovered to have positive effects on the host, and it is well-known that some Lactobacilli are effective in treating and preventing inflammatory and infectious diseases. In this study, we developed an antibacterial formulation consisting of honey and Lactobacillus plantarum (honey-L. plantarum). The optimal formulation of honey (10%) and L. plantarum (1×109 CFU/mL) was used to investigate its antimicrobial effect and mechanism in vitro, and its healing effect on wound healing of whole skin infections in rats. Biofilm crystalline violet staining and fluorescent staining results indicated that the honey-L. plantarum formulation prevented the biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and increased the number of dead bacteria in the biofilms. Further mechanism studies revealed that the honey-L. plantarum formulation may inhibit biofilm formation by upregulating biofilm-related genes (icaA, icaR, sigB, sarA, and agrA) and downregulating quorum sensing (QS) associated genes (lasI, lasR, rhlI, rhlR, and pqsR). The growth curve implied that L. plantarum may have used honey to produce active antibacterial substances. Furthermore, the honey-L. plantarum formulation decreased the number of bacteria in the infected wounds of rats and accelerated the formation of new connective tissue to promote wound healing. Our study suggests that the honey-L. plantarum formulation provides a promising option for the treatment of pathogenic infections and wound healing.
Transaortic shallow septal myectomy with mitral valve repair in treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with severe interstitial fibrosis ： compared to extended Morrow procedure
Authors: Guo Yi , Li Huangjie , Wu Zhongcheng , Duan Yuyin , Meng Yanhai , An Yuling , Yan Lei
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND: There is lack of outcomes of transaortic shallow septal myectomy with mitral valve(MV) repair comparing with extended Morrow procedure in treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) with severe interstitial fibrosis.
OBJECTIVES: We report a 4-year single-center experience with transaortic shallow septal myectomy in combination with MV repair and compare it with extended Morrow surgery in a cohort of HOCM patients with severe interstitial fibrosis.
METHODS: 36 patients who received surgery have been enrolled in current study. Their perioperative characteristics with echocardiographic results, myocardial histopathology and follow up outcomes had been graded and analyzed. We included two groups:13 patients who received shallow septal myectomy concomitant with mitral valvuloplasty (MVP) due to the intrinsic abnormalities of MV apparatus (Shallow septal myectomy + MVP group), and 23 patients who only received extended Morrow procedure without any intrinsic MV abnormalities (Extended Morrow group).
RESULTS: Preoperative results revealed that left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) (46.9±1.41mm vs. 11.4±2.17mm, p＜0.05), posterior wall thickness (PWT) (13.3±2.66mm vs. 11.4±2.17mm, p＜0.05), left ventricular mass (LVM) (440.2±78.9g Vs. 310.9±127.6g, p＜0.05), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (231.7±75.39g/m2 Vs. 180.2±65.07g/m2, p＜0.05 ) and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) (72.73% Vs. 27.27%, p＜0.01 ) had showed the significant difference between the two group. In the myocardial histopathological evaluation, more severe interstitial fibrosis of the resected myocardium in Shallow septal myectomy + MVP group had showed statistical significant difference compared with Extended Morrow group (p＜0.05). Shallow septal myectomy + MVP procedure sufficiently release left ventricular outflow tract obstruction(LVOTO) and decrease mitral regurgitation (MR) with no increase of postoperative arrhythmia compared with Extended Morrow surgery.
CONCLUSIONS: Shallow septal myectomy associated with concomitant MVP provided excellent results offering adequate treatment of LVOTO with no increase of postoperative arrhythmia complication for HOCM patients with severe interstitial fibrosis.
Bridging medical doctors' education and population health needs to address health disparities in Indonesia
Authors: Sebong Perigrinus Hermin , Pardosi Jerico , Goldman Roberta E , Suryo Anindyo Pradipta , Meliala Andreasta
Published: December 2022

The diversity in contexts such as population demographics, high burden of diseases, and geographical areas experiences numerous challenges to health care accessibility and adequate health staff skills, particularly for those in the disadvantaged areas, borderlands, and outer islands. This study aims to assess the current understanding and perspectives on public health skills and competencies among doctors in remote areas. A total of 93 participants in six remote districts participated in this study which used a rapid assessment procedures approach and focuses group discussion method. Overall, we found that current medical students should have both the medical skills and the ability to work within the local sociocultural context. The ability to early detect diseases and disaster mitigation is also needed. The findings suggest doctors have adequate health program management capabilities to provide recommendations in the formulation of local health policies. Therefore, educational institutions must develop sustainable strategic human resources according to regional characteristics for health across Indonesia. Keywords Keywords: health disparities, public health competence, rural doctor, Indonesia
FHIR-DHP: A Standardized Clinical Data Harmonisation Pipeline for scalable AI application deployment
Authors: Williams Elena , Kienast Manuel , Medawar Evelyn , Reinelt Janis , Merola Alberto , Klopfenstein Sophie Anne Ines , Flint Anne Rike , Heeren Patrick , Poncette Akira-Sebastian , Balzer Felix , Beimes Julian , von Bünau Paul , Chromik Jonas , Arnrich Bert , Scherf Nico , Niehaus Sebastian
Published: December 2022

Purpose: Increasing digitalisation in the medical domain gives rise to large amounts of healthcare data which has the potential to expand clinical knowledge and transform patient care if leveraged through artificial intelligence (AI). Yet, big data and AI oftentimes cannot unlock their full potential at scale, owing to non-standardised data formats, lack of technical and semantic data interoperability, and limited cooperation between stakeholders in the healthcare system. Despite the existence of standardised data formats for the medical domain, such as Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR), their prevalence and usability for AI remains limited.
Methods: We developed a data harmonisation pipeline (DHP) for clinical data sets relying on the common FHIR data standard. We validated the performance and usability of our FHIR-DHP with data from the MIMIC IV database including > 40,000 patients admitted to an intensive care unit.
Results: We present the FHIR-DHP workflow in respect of transformation of “raw” hospital records into a harmonised, AI-friendly data representation. The pipeline consists of five key preprocessing steps: querying of data from hospital database, FHIR mapping, syntactic validation, transfer of harmonised data into the patient-model database and export of data in an AI-friendly format for further medical applications. A detailed example of FHIR-DHP execution was presented for clinical diagnoses records.
Conclusion: Our approach enables scalable and needs-driven data modelling of large and heterogenous clinical data sets. The FHIR-DHP is a pivotal step towards increasing cooperation, interoperability and quality of patient care in the clinical routine and for medical research.
Impact of COVID-19 on primary care: Addressing health concerns and patient experience of virtual care
Authors: Aghajafari Fariba , Abboud Rida , Claussen Caroline , Santana Maria
Published: December 2022

Background: During the height of the pandemic, primary care clinics were shuttered or only seeing urgent cases. Virtual consultations were adopted to ensure patients had their health concerns met. This study sought to explore the primary care experiences of older adult patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically the impact of COVID-19 on the ability of older patients’ ability to have their non-COVID-19 health needs addressed, and older patients’ specific experiences with virtual care.
Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted over Zoom or telephone and followed an investigator-designed semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to make sense of and interpret the data.
Results: Twenty-nine participants (average age 68 years) participated in the study. Participants indicated that they were able to have their health needs addressed despite COVID-19 impacted how primary care was delivered. Impacts included physicians being more rushed, not taking time with new medical concerns in some cases and creating a sense of fear and doom with the strict protocols in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Virtual care was generally well-received by participants, with some exceptions. Advanced age and difficulties with hearing were two of the main reasons for poor experiences with virtual care.
Conclusions: Overall, patients in this Study were able to have their health needs addressed. Tailoring virtual care to either phone or videoconferencing for those who have cognitive or sensory impairments, language barriers, or poor connections (and who many need to see non-verbal cues or read lips) is important.
Adsorption of ammonia on ZrO x modified graphene nanoribbon: a first-principles investigation
Authors: Ayesh Ahmad I. , Al-Muraikhi Maitha D.
Published: December 2022

Ammonia (NH3) is a main environmental pollutant related to global warming, and reduction of its emission is the subject of multiple international agreements and regulations. Accordingly, the development of highly precise detectors to monitor its content in the environment is essential to track and limit its emission. This work examines the influence of modifying of armchair-graphene nanoribbon (AGNR) by zirconium (Zr) and its oxides on its adsorption for NH3 gas. Density functional theory (DFT) computations are utilized to investigate the band structure, adsorption energy (𝐸𝑑), adsorption length (𝐷), charge transferred (Δ𝑄), and density of states (DOS) of pristine and modified structures with ZrOx (𝑥=0,1,𝑜𝑟 2). ZrOx is presented to AGNR nanostructure by two pathways: substitution of carbon atoms (doping), and introduction on top of the AGNR surface (decoration). The findings of the investigation illustrate great improvement of NH3 adsorption on AGNR due to its modification. Although the adsorption energy is enhanced in general upon modification, AGNR structures where ZrOx substitute carbon atoms exhibit greater adsorption energy as compared with the decoration scheme. The maximum energy of adsorption is for the AGNR structure doped with ZrO2, followed by that doped with Zr. As compared to the pristine structure, the adsorption energy for NH3 on AGNR doped with ZrO2 increases 22.2 times. Therefore, AGNR nanostructure doped with ZrOx can be considered for practical sensors for the applications of detection and control of ammonia emission.
How the biomechanical measures can incorporate climate change adaptation into disaster risk reduction and ecosystem sustainability
Authors: Chelan Bagher Shirmohammadi , Malekian Arash , Varamesh Saeid , Abdolahi Javad , Shahbazikia Saeed , Mohsenzadeh Mohammad
Published: December 2022

Climate change as an eminent driver of global environmental changes has adversely affected the various dimensions of human life, natural resources, and in particular the flow regimes over the last couple of decades. This study explored the pathways to obtain ecosystem stability and regulate natural processes through incorporating climate change adaptation measures into disaster risk reduction. Accordingly, the hydrological behavior of almost two adjacent similar basins (paired catchments) was assessed in terms of implemented biomechanical measures that served as climate adaptation strategies. The available water stage time series recorded by OTT devices were applied to evaluate the effectiveness of the adaptation measures. Results revealed that the constructed check dams along with the intensified vegetation cover majorly regulated the process of surface runoff generation and its transportation to downstream. The peak flow of 53 and 31 cm were shown across the Control and Treatment catchments, without and with the conservation measures, respectively. The difference in peak flow implies the high contribution of the Control catchment (approximately 41.5%) in surface runoff provision service and flood in particular. Also, the time to peak in the Treatment catchment was 3 times higher than the Control catchment where they touched their own peak 35 and 50 minutes after the rain started, respectively. The findings suggest that biomechanical measures successfully regulated the surface runoff generation which in turn increased the stability of soil to erosion. Therefore, the constructed measures would be strongly recommended as climate mitigation strategies to achieve regional low-impact development as well as environmental sustainability.
Multi-step-ahead and interval carbon price forecasting using transformer-based hybrid model
Authors: Yue Wang , Zhong Wang , Xiaoyi Wang , Xinyu Kang
Published: December 2022

Accurate and stable carbon price forecasts provide a reference for the stability of the carbon market and significantly improve investment and operational decisions. However, due to the non-linear and non-stationarity characteristics of carbon price series and its complex fluctuation features, realizing this goal is still a significant challenge, and researchers usually ignore multi-step and interval forecasting. To accurately predict the carbon price, a novel hybrid multi-step and interval carbon price forecasting model is proposed in this study, based on Hampel identifier(HI), time-varying filtering-based empirical mode decomposition (TVFEMD), and Transformer. Firstly, HI identifies and corrects outliers in carbon price. Then, carbon price is decomposed by TVFEMD into several intrinsic mode functions(imfs) to reduce the non-linear and non-stationarity of carbon price, to obtain more regular features in series, and these imfs are reconstructed by sample entropy(SE). Subsequently, the Orthogonal Array Tuning Method(OATM) is used to optimize the Transformer's hyperparameters to obtain the optimal model structure. Finally, The Transformer after hyperparameter optimization and quantile loss function is used to perform multi-step and interval forecasting on each part of the reconstruction, and the final prediction result is obtained by summing them up. Five pilot carbon trading markets in China were selected as experimental objects to verify the proposed model's prediction performance, and a variety of benchmark models and evaluation indicators were selected for comparison and analysis. The experimental results show that the proposed hybrid model is superior to the benchmark model in most aspects, and the interval forecast can well describe the uncertainty of carbon price fluctuations. Therefore, the proposed hybrid model is a reliable carbon price forecasting tool that can provide a reliable reference for policymakers and investors.
Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) receptor-based In-Silico drug discovery for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Sahoo Rajesh Kumar
Published: December 2022

In Alzheimer’s disease acetylcholine esterase is a lead enzyme for increasing the patient health. The current most effective drug was donepezil in this paper the donepezil core which is not participating in receptor-ligand binding was substituted with another core and the library was prepared. Computer-aided drug design (CADD), especially in the field of structure-based plays a significant role in the design and optimization of drug-like molecules, in CADD virtual screening, remains at the top, the virtual screening is used to screen the library generated against the receptor. Molecular docking analysis was used for the analysis of the analyzing the ligand and receptor docking. The docked compounds were then further analyzed to check their drug-likeness properties and the parameters like receptor-ligand binding energy and their modes of interaction distance from the active site of the receptor were done further synthetic and biological assays can be performed for details analysis of drug activity and study of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic properties of the drug.
Celecoxib decreases traumatic osteitis by decreasing BMP-4 and inflammatory factors
Authors: Liu Mingzhong , Zeng Rongdong , Shi Jianhui , Xie Junjie
Published: December 2022

Background
Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) is one of the important molecules regulating the formation and differentiation of bone tissue. It is the main active medium to induce ectopic ossification, and is mainly involved in bone growth, development and repair of wounds.
Methods
To investigate the expression and significance of BMP-4 in rat model of traumatic myositis ossificans (TMO), 60 SD rats aged 4–6 weeks were randomly divided into control group, model group and celecoxib group, and TMO model was established at the right Achilles tendon. Each rat in the celecoxib group was intragastrically administered with 10 mg of celecoxib per kilogram per day. Each rat in the other group was intragastrically administered with 2 mL of physiological saline per day. At the 5th week and the 10th week after operation, 30 rats were killed. X-ray film was used to examine the formation of new bone, and skin temperature of the affected side was measured before execution. BMP-4 protein and mRNA level, and IL-2 mRNA level in the Achilles tendon tissues were detected by western blotting and RT-qPCR. Before execution, 2 mL of venous blood was taken from rats, and the level of IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-a in serum was detected by ELISA.
Results
The results showed that compared with the model group, in the celecoxib group, the swelling of the affected side was significantly alleviated, the overall formation rate was slower, the osteogenesis time was later, the ossification degree was lighter, the BMP-4 mRNA and protein levels in the Achilles tendon tissues of the affected side were significantly lower, and the IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-a content in the blood and the mRNA of IL-2 in the tissues were significantly lower.
Conclusions
In conclusion, celecoxib can effectively alleviate the occurrence of TMO after Achilles tendon surgery in rats by inhibiting BMP-4 and inflammatory factors expression.
Evaluating effectiveness of a 4-Stage Experimental Training Program combined CBL with ISO 15189 technical requirements in clinical biochemistry teaching
Authors: Xu Guoying , Zhao Chuanxiang , Yan Mengdan , Zhang Xiaoxian , Zhu Ling , Liu Jiaxiu , Zhao Yaping , Zhang Yuling , Cai Weili , Xie Hongxiang , Jiang Yuzhang , Shao Qixiang
Published: December 2022

Background: ISO 15189:2012 is widely recommended for clinical laboratories. However, it has not been paid enough attention in medical laboratory education and experiments in clinical biochemistry courses.
Methods/Approach: The teaching program of clinical biochemistry aims to improve students’ awareness and ability of quality management according to ISO 15189 technical requirements. It is a 4-stage experimental training program to teaching skills: "establish an overall testing process based on the patient's clinical indicator, clarifying principles, improve operational skills, review process and continuous improvement". The program was implemented in our college during the winter semesters of 2019 and 2020. 185 students participate in the program as an experimental group, other 172 students as control group adopt the conventional method. Participants completed an online survey after each class to evaluate the class.
Results/Outcomes: The test group had significantly better examination scores not only in experimental operational skills (89.27±7.16 vs. 77.51±4.72, p<0.05 in 2019 grade, 90.31±5.35 vs. 72.87±8.41 in 2020 grade) but also total examination 83.47±6.16 vs. 68.90±5.86 in 2019 grade, 82.42±5.72 vs. 69.55±7.54 in 2020 grade) than the control group. Questionnaire results survey revealed that the test group achieved the classroom goals better and had more positive impact on learning than traditional methods (all p<0.05).
Conclusions: A 4-stage experimental training program based on ISO 15189 technical requirements combined with CBL in clinical biochemistry is an effective and acceptable teaching strategy for the conventional training program.
Torrefied mustard straw as a potential solid biofuel: A study with physicochemical characterization, thermogrevimetric and emission analysis
Authors: Gajera Bhautik , Datta Arghya , Gakkhar Nikhil , Sarma Anil Kumar
Published: December 2022

Torrefaction enhances the properties of biomass fuels which adds to their suitability as energy sources. Due to abundance availbiluty of mustard straw in the northern region of India and throughout the globe, the raw or torrefied mustard straw were investigated in the present study. The torrefaction experiments were conducted on mustard straw using heating temperatures of 200°C, 250°C, and 300°C for 60 minutes. The biomass characterization were carried out using proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, and High Heating Values (HHV). Afterward, NOx, SO2, CO2, CO, and dust emissions are evaluated from the combustion of raw/torrefied mustard straw. After the experimentation, the results have been compared with the literature. It was observed that during torrefaction, the carbon content of biomass increases with the increase in temperature, while the hydrogen and oxygen contents decreased. Further, the liginin content increases while hemicellulose content decomposes with the increase in temperature. It was seen that energy yield for a torrefied mustard straw at 200°C, 250°C, and 300°C was 76.24%, 88.98%, and 94.75%, respectively. The process of torrefaction, increases the bulk density, decreased the mass yields and improves the ignitability indices of the mustard straw. The outcomes of this research are expected to provide practical insight into how raw mustard straw can be upgraded into densified solid biofuels suitable for industrial and thermal power plant applications.
QTL mapping and transcriptome analysis identify novel QTLs and candidate genes in Brassica oleracea var. villosa for quantitative resistance against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Bergmann Thomas , Menkhaus Jan , Ye Wanzhi , Schemmel Markus , Hasler Mario , Rietz Steffen , Leckband Gunhild , Cai Daguang
Published: December 2022

Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR), caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is one of the most destructive diseases in oilseed rape growing regions. To date, there is no effective genetic resistance against S. sclerotiorum in the B. napus germplasm and knowledge of the molecular plant-fungal interaction is also limited. To identify new resistance resources, we screened a set of wild Brassica species and identified B. villosa (BRA1896) with a high Sclerotinia-resistance. Two segregating F2 populations for Sclerotinia-resistance, generated by interspecific crosses between the resistant B. villosa (BRA1896) and the wild susceptible B. oleracea (BRA1909) were assessed for Sclerotinia-resistance. Genetic mapping using a 15k Illumina Infinium SNP- array resulted in a high-density genetic map containing 1,118 SNP markers and spanning a total genetic length of 792.2 cM. QTL analysis revealed seven QTLs explaining 3.8 % to 16.5 % of phenotypic variance. Intriguingly, RNAseq-based transcriptome analysis identified genes and pathways specific to B. villosa, of which a cluster of five genes encoding putative receptor-like kinases (RLKs) and two pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins are co-localized within a QTL on chromosome C07. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis revealed enhanced ethylene (ET)-activated signaling in the resistant B. villosa, which is associated with a stronger plant immune response, depressed cell death, and enhanced phytoalexin biosynthesis compared to the susceptible B. oleracea. Our data demonstrate that B. villosa represents a novel and unique genetic source for improving oilseed rape resistance against SSR.