bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Círculos de Mulheres:
Authors: Fernandes Maso Tchella
Published: February 2024

O objetivo do artigo é sistematizar parcela do trabalho de investigação doutoral em Círculos de Mulheres entre os anos de 2018 e 2022. Ancorada na antropologia feminista, a pergunta que acompanhou meu trabalho de campo foi: o que é um Círculo de Mulheres? Uma pergunta que segue aberta tamanha a heterogeneidade das experiências que se multiplicam no Brasil nas duas últimas décadas. Nesse texto minha intenção é caracterizar os Círculos a partir de duas dimensões: as intenções manifestas pelas participantes e a cadencia do ritual, frisando em este último aspecto pontos de convergência entre os Círculos que participei com o objetivo de criar um imaginário acerca dessas manifestações contemporâneas que atuam nos campos religioso, espiritual e secular.
Comparison of CHA₂DS₂VASc and R₂CHA₂DS₂VASc score estimation of in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients
Authors: Boyacı Faruk , Şahin Mustafa Kürşat , Boyacı Yankı , Yanık Ahmet , Aksan Gökhan
Published: February 2024

Objectives: This study aims to compare of CHA₂DS₂VASc and R₂CHA₂DS₂VASc score estimation of in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients and find a new scoring system that can better predict the hospital mortality by adding some laboratory parameters to the CHA₂DS₂VASc and R₂CHA₂DS₂VASc scores.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 1076 COVID-19 patients with confirmed COVID-19 PCR tests were included from September 2020 to March 2021. Age, sex, comorbidity, laboratory, survival times, and death status of the patients were recorded. The scores CHA₂DS₂VASc and R₂CHA₂DS₂VASc of each patient were calculated. A new mortality prediction score was created to establish the most effective model with logistic regression analysis, including laboratory values.

Results: Of the 1076 patients hospitalized for COVID-19, 15.1% died, while 84.9% survived. There was no significant difference between the two groups in sex. All comorbidities were significantly higher in the deceased than in the survivors (p
La verdad real en el marco de la inteligencia sentiente de Xavier Zubiri
Authors: Carrera Umaña Randall
Published: February 2024

En este artículo se realiza un análisis de la categoría de verdad real en el pensamiento del filósofo español Xavier Zubiri. El estudio se estructura en cuatro apartados, en los cuales se parte de una introducción a los principales elementos de la teoría de la verdad desarrollados por dicho autor, y posteriormente se propone un abordaje partiendo de las tesis presentes en Sobre la esencia, profundizando de manera específica en lo relacionado con la verdad real y sus dimensiones en el marco de la intelección sentiente. Luego se estudia el curso dictado en 1966 titulado El hombre y la verdad, en el cual se visualiza a la verdad como un elemento constitutivo de la realidad humana, enfatizando de manera particular en su vínculo con la historicidad. Finalmente, se asume el primer tomo de la trilogía sobre la inteligencia sentiente como un insumo clave para comprender el pensamiento maduro de Zubiri sobre esta temática. El problema de investigación que estructura esta investigación gira en torno a la interrogante: ¿Cuáles son los fundamentos de la verdad real planteada por Xavier Zubiri en el marco de la inteligencia sentiente? Se pretende que su alcance ofrezca un insumo sistematizado al lector interesado en la obra de Zubiri sobre una de sus temáticas más importantes. Metodológicamente se ha optado por una lectura directa de las fuentes primarias, desde una perspectiva eminentemente hermenéutica. Se concluye que la teoría de la verdad zubiriana se ubica en el nivel primario y originario, donde no hay espacio para el error.
As tarde de férias do CDCC/EIC: uma experiência de integração dos servidores de diferentes setores
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo, Santos Giovanna DAgostini Tostes dos , Santos Loide Devecchi dos ,   Universidade de São Paulo, Orlandi Angelina Sofia ,   Universidade de São Paulo, Pegoraro Silvelene ,   Universidade de São Paulo, Bongiorno Vanilde de Fátima ,   Universidade de São Paulo, Machado Carolina Codá ,   Universidade de São Paulo, Silva Giuliana Carla Correa Soares da ,   Universidade de São Paulo, Santos Gislaine Costa dos ,   Universidade de São Paulo
Published: February 2024

Introdução: O evento "Tardes de Férias do CDCC/EIC" é promovido pelo Centro de Divulgação Científica e Cultural (CDCC) da USP São Carlos, em colaboração com o Espaço Interativo de Ciências (EIC-IFSC-FAPESP) desde 2018, durante as férias escolares de janeiro e julho. Foi proposto pela Direção em conjunto com servidores e a educadora do EIC, com o objetivo de envolver servidores administrativos em atividades científicas e culturais para o público infanto-juvenil. Objetivo: Aproximar esses servidores do público que frequenta o CDCC e o EIC, promovendo sua participação direta nas atividades científicas-culturais e divulgando o centro a um público novo. Metodologia: Inicialmente estabeleceu-se uma comissão organizadora, que levantou atividades, organizou calendário, materiais, profissionais necessários, apoiou a divulgação nas redes sociais e mídia local, e distribuiu tarefas. Resultados: Nas oito edições do evento foram oferecidas atividades diversas, como oficinas, palestras, brincadeiras, contações de história, jogos lúdicos, segmentadas para um público de 5 a 16 anos, alcançando mais de 7.000 pessoas (SÃO CARLOS (SP), 2023). O investimento médio foi de 3 mil reais por edição., oriundos do orçamento da Unidade. Conclusão: Destaca-se a união dos servidores como anfitriões, sua capacidade de contribuição além de suas atividades regulares, o surgimento de qualidades inesperadas e um forte senso de pertencimento e orgulho em mostrar seu local de trabalho.
The Effect of Community Police on Community Development in Addis Ababa City Administration
Authors: alehegn derese
Published: February 2024

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of community policing on maintaining community safety and security by measuring the rate of crime prevention. Specifically, it sought to find out how the city administration of Addis Ababa demonstrated and promoted understanding of the community policing effort, information sharing, and community members' opinions regarding community policing in relation to local security procedures. Law enforcement initiatives to improve quality of life and reduce crime are also included. In order to be successful, community policing requires concrete actions and projects, and given the pervasive mistrust in today's public, both police departments and individual officers must take the lead. The findings demonstrated the influence of community policing, information sharing, and their results on local security practices as well as community policing among community members. According to one suggestion, the police should make sure that they interact positively with the community and that people are aware of their involvement in community policing. This way, people will be happy to provide the police with information that could help prevent crime. The public should be encouraged to maintain good connections with the police, as they can enhance community policing. Because it were obvious that doing so will improve society's peace and security, this study showed the need for additional efforts to further cement relationships of collaboration between the police and the community.
Methods to Calculate Entropy Generation
Authors: Osara Jude A. , Bryant Michael D.
Published: February 2024

Entropy generation, formulated by combining the first and second laws of thermodynamics with an appropriate thermodynamic potential, emerges as the difference between a phenomenological entropy function and a reversible entropy function. The phenomenological entropy function is evaluated over an irreversible path through thermodynamic state space via real time measurements of thermodynamic states. The reversible entropy function is calculated along an ideal reversible path through the same state space. Entropy generation models for various classes of systems—thermal, externally loaded, internally reactive, open and closed––are developed via selection of suitable thermodynamic potentials. Here we simplify thermodynamic principles to specify convenient and consistently accurate system governing equations and characterization models. The formulations introduce a new and universal Phenomenological Entropy Generation (PEG) theorem. The systems and methods presented––and demonstrated on grease degradation, battery charging and discharging, metal fatigue and pump flow––can be used for design, analysis, and support of diagnostic monitoring and optimization.
Modern River-Sand Geochemical Mapping in the Manufahi Municipality and its Surroundings, Timor-Leste: Implications for Provenance
Authors: Vilanova Vital Cruz Malai Araujo , Ohtani Tomoyuki , Kojima Satoru , Yatabe Kazuma , Cristovao Nene Valente Soares , Araujo Aniceta
Published: February 2024

A regional modern river-sand geochemical mapping study in the majority of the Timor-Leste territory, including the research area, has not been previously reported. This study demonstrated the potential of modern river sand geochemical mapping as an effective method for lithological mapping, particularly in areas that face challenges in conducting efficient geological fieldwork and have limited geological information. A total of 53 modern river sand samples were collected and analyzed. Before examining the samples using wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence for ten major elements, the loss-on-ignition method was employed. In the Clerec drainage basin, SiO2, CaO, and K2O showed positive correlations, and CaO was positively correlated with MnO. Similarly, in the Sahe River catchment, a positive relationship was observed between CaO, MnO, and TiO2. These findings suggested the presence of quartz, manganese, secondary K-bearing minerals, and secondary Ti-bearing minerals in carbonate rocks that have undergone silicification and other alteration processes. The principal component analysis results corroborated the SiO2/Al2O3 and K2O/Na2O ratios and the ICV findings. PC1 was related to the variations in Ca-poor and Ca-rich rocks; PC2 indicated notable inputs from SiO2-rich and SiO2-poor rocks; and PC3 revealed the possibility of contributions from secondary mineral assemblages related to silicification and low-grade metamorphic processes.
How the Choice of the Starting Time of the Observation Day May Affect Daily Precipitation Amounts and Extremes: Problem Analysis and Adjustment Methods
Authors: Becherini Francesca , Stefanini Claudio , Della Valle Antonio , Rech Francesco , Zecchini Fabio , Camuffo Dario
Published: February 2024

The study of precipitation amount at different time scales constitutes an important issue in climate research and risk assessment. When dealing with daily totals, a frequent but sometimes underestimated problem is at what time the observation day begins. The choice of different starting times may lead to incompatibility between stations and incorrect identification of extreme events. In this work, the problem of temporal misalignment between precipitation datasets characterized by different starting time of the observation day is analyzed. The most widely used adjustment methods (1day and uniform shift) and two methods based on reanalysis (NOAA and ERA5) are evaluated in terms of temporal alignment, precipitation statistics and percentile distributions. As test series, the precipitation amount collected from 9 a.m. local time (09 LT) on the previous day to 09 LT on the target day (9-9 datasets) of the Padua and nearby stations in the period 1993-2022 have been selected. Results show that the reanalysis-based methods, in particular ERA5, outperform the others in temporal alignment, regardless the station. But, for the periods in which reanalysis data are not available, “1day” method, which shifts the daily amount back one calendar day, and “unif” method, which distributes uniformly the daily total from a 2-day moving window surrounding the target date, can be considered valid alternatives. On the other side, concerning the precipitation statistics, the reanalysis-based methods are not the best option, as they increase the precipitation frequency and reduce the mean value over wet days, NOAA much more than ERA5. Nevertheless, the uniform method provides a larger deviation from the original daily series. The use of the series of a station nearby the target one, which is mandatory in case of missing data, gives similar or better results than applying any adjustment method to the 9-9 series. General conclusions can hardly be drawn as they depend on the method and station. For the Padua dataset, the analysis was repeated at monthly and seasonal resolution. In general, the adjustment series show the most relevant changes in the precipitation statistics in summer and less temporal alignment with the original series in summer and autumn, the two seasons mainly affected by heavy rains in Padua. Finally, the percentiles distribution, analyzed for all the methods and stations, indicates that any adjustment method underestimates the percentile values, except ERA5. Only Legnaro, the station most correlated with Padua, gives results like ERA5.
A Prospective Study on the Progression, Recurrence, and Regression of Cervical Lesions: Assessing Various Screening Approaches
Authors: Giscă Tudor-Catalin , Munteanu Iulian-Valentin , Vasilache Ingrid Andrada , Melinte-Popescu Alina-Sinziana , Volovat Simona-Ruxandra , Scripcariu Ioana Sadyie , Balan Raluca Anca , Socolov Răzvan , Pavaleanu Ioana , Carauleanu Alexandru , Vaduva Constantin Cristian , Melinte-Popescu Marian , Adam Ana-Maria , Adam Gigi , Vicoveanu Petronela , Socolov Demetra
Published: February 2024

(1) Background: The prediction of cervical lesions evolution is a challenge for clinicians. The prospective study aimed to determine and compare the predictive accuracy of cytology, HPV genotyping, and p16/Ki67 dual staining alone or in combination with personal risk factors for the prediction of progression, regression or persistence of cervical lesions in human papillomavirus (HPV)-infected patients; (2) Methods: This prospective study included HPV-positive patients with or without cervical lesions that underwent follow-up. Descriptive statistics and sensitivity analysis for individual or combined index tests were used for data analysis; (3) Results: The highest predictive performance for the progression of cervical lesions was achieved by a model that comprised a Pap smear suggestive of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), the presence of 16/18 HPV strains, a positive p16/Ki67 dual staining result along with the presence of at least 3 clinical risk factors, which had a sensitivity (Se) of 74.42%, a specificity of 97.92%, an area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) of 0.961, and an accuracy of 90.65%. The prediction of cervical lesions regression or persistence was modest; (4) Conclusions: Multiple testing or new biomarkers should be used to improve HPV-positive patient surveillance, especially for cervical lesion regression or persistence prediction.
Comparative Targeted Metabolomics in Ischemic Stroke Patients: Profiling Thrombi and Serums Samples for Identification of Stroke-related Metabolites
Authors: Karmelić Ivana , Rubić Ivana , Starčević Katarina , Ozretić David , Poljaković Zdravka , Sajko Mia Jurilj , Kalousek Vladimir , Kalanj Rafaela , Rešetar-Maslov Dina , Kuleš Josipa , Roje Bedeković Marina , Sajko Tomislav , Rotim Krešimir , Mrljak Vladimir , Fabris Dragana
Published: February 2024

Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death and permanent disability in the world. Rapid diagnosis and intervention are crucial for reducing its consequences on individuals and societies. Identifying reliable biomarkers for early detection, prognostics and therapy is a criti-cal imperative for improving the stroke patient treatment. Metabolomics has been shown as a promising tool for biomarker discovery since many of the post-ischemic metabolites can found in the plasma or serum of the patient. In this research, we have performed comparative targeted metabolomic analysis of stroke thrombi, patient serums and healthy control serums in order to determine the alteration in the patients’ metabolome. The most statistically altered metabolites characterized in patient compared to control serums were glutamate and serotonin, followed by several lipid metabolites (phospholipids and triacylglycerols) and glucose. In stroke thrombi compared to patient’s serums, the most significantly altered metabolites were classified as li-pids, with choline-containing phospholipids and sphingomyelins having the highest discrimi-natory score. The results of this study could help in understanding the roles of different meta-bolic changes occurring during thrombosis and cerebral ischemia and possibly suggest new metabolic biomarkers of the ischemic stroke.
Phytochemical Composition of 50 Medicinal Plants, Their Antioxidant and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activities
Authors: Anwar Khurshid , Mueed Abdul , Muhammad Dr. Jahangir , Al-Anazi Khalid Mashay , Farah Mohammad Abul , Ali Akhtar
Published: February 2024

Pakistan flora is enriched with potent bioactive compounds that must be explored while Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a global challenge driven by neurochemical imbalances. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors traditionally alleviate symptoms, but addressing the root cause remains elusive. This gap has led to the exploration of herbal sources for interventions. In this context, we analyzed fifty 50 medicinal plants for their phytochemical composition and antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities. AChE activity was measured using Ellman’s method. Santalum album exhibited significant AChE inhibition (86.2%), surpassing galantamine hydrobromide (81.8%). Promising inhibition was also seen in Bombax ceiba (77.8%), Acacia karoo (52.9%), and Phaseolus lunatus (50.1%). Detailed analysis revealed Santalum album's abundance in terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, and phenolics, potentially correlating with its antioxidant and AChE inhibitory effects. Acacia karoo demonstrated elevated levels of total alkaloids, antioxidants, terpenoids, and tannins. Both Acacia karoo and Santalum album show promise for AD intervention due to their AChE inhibitory activities and unique phytochemical attributes, warranting further exploration, particularly for Acacia karoo's novel potential in AChE inhibition, to advance targeted AD therapeutics utilizing natural resources. This study contributes to the search for effective AD strategies from nature's pharmacological resources.
A Comparison of Beta-Phenyl elimination in Nickel and Palladium Alkyl Complexes, a Potentially Relevant Process in the Mizoroki-Heck Reaction
Authors: López Jorge Albino , Cabo Diego Alexandre , Palma Pilar , Cámpora Juan
Published: February 2024

There is currently much interest in avoiding precious metals in Catalysis. The devel-opment of nickel catalysts to replace palladium in the Mizoroki-Heck reaction is a relevant case in this line of research since both elements share many chemical features. This contri-bution focuses on -Phenyl elimination in alkylnickel complexes. This is the microscopic reverse of olefin insertion (or carbometallation), a fundamental step of the Heck cycle that is usually considered irreversible and selectivity-determining. However, the potential reversibil-ity of carbometallation is generally concealed by the facile beta-hydrogen elimination that follows. Where -hydrogen elimination is hindered, beta-aryl elimination may ensue. We have previously shown that cationic 2-methyl-2-phenylpropyl (neophyl) palladium com-plexes supported by bidentate ligands experience -Ph elimination, which can be seen as an example of olefin de-insertion. In this contribution, we report that -phenyl elimination can also occur in their nickel analogs, in which case fast hydrolyses of the resulting phenyl product can follow the reaction. We investigated the mechanism of these processes and compared their feasibility for nickel and palladium catalysts using DFT calculations. These results are relevant information for the design of nickel-based catalysts for the Heck reac-tion.
Designing for Successful Circular Action: A Longitudinal Case Study in the Energy Sector
Authors: Holwerda Henrike , Haanstra Willem , Braaksma Jan
Published: February 2024

Distribution System Operators (DSOs) are adapting to changing energy demands and the shift toward renewable and decentralized energy. Circularity is increasingly relevant for DSOs as their distribution systems age and need replacing. Taking circular action, however, is generally regarded as challenging as the current circular economy (CE) landscape is highly fragmented and rarely touches the implementation level. A longitudinal case study at Dutch DSO Liander on the circu-larity of distribution transformers was used to understand empirical success factors for taking circular action and to generate prescriptive knowledge on the operationalization of circularity. Six design propositions for circular action were formulated that suggest to 1) initiate small-scale cir-cularity experiments, 2) involve technical and strategic experts, 3) synergize circularity with more urgent, primary goals 4) translate circular initiatives bottom-up and top-down, 5) collaborate with other DSOs, and 6) create multidisciplinary teams. At DSO Liander, selecting the right interventions depending on the changing context contributed to operationalizing circularity for distribution transformers and achieving circularity targets. The generalizable design propositions could assist other DSOs in optimizing their strategy toward circular action.
Based on the Periodic Dynamic of Water Level in Well BB to Es-Timate the Time Series Changes of Aquifer Parameters
Authors: Qiao Peng , Lan Shuangshuang , Gu Hongbiao , Mao Zhengtan
Published: February 2024

Due to the long duration and high cost of traditional pumping tests, the response of well water level to seismic wave, earth tide, and barometric pressure provides a feasible method for determining continuous changes in aquifer hydraulic parameters. Aiming at the problem that the response phase shift of well BB water level to tidal tide M2 is greater than that of tide O1, this paper preferentially calculated the time series changes of S, Be, n and BKu based on the response mechanism of well water level to barometric pressure and earth tide and with the help of smooth moving method. Then by using the mixed flow model, the variation of transmissivity and leakage coefficient over time were simultaneously obtained, and the evolution process and characteristics of aquifer parameters near well BB caused by the Wenchuan earthquake were ultimately discussed. The calculation results are basically consistent with the previous pumping test, and have been verified and compared by using other scholars' methods. This solving process avoids the problems such as excessive dependence on initial values, multiple solutions, and unstable tide O1, which has a promoting effect on the study of the impact of seismic activity on aquifer systems.
Licence, Edward the Confessor: Last of the Royal Blood, (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2020)
Authors: Lavelle Ryan
Published: February 2024

Review of Edward the Confessor: Last of the Royal Blood. By Tom Licence. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2020. ISBN 9780300211542. xv + 369pp. £25 (hb) 2022. ISBN 9780300260823 (pb). xv+ 327 pp. £12.99.
Prospective Validation of the Spinal Cord Shape Classification System in the Prediction of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Data Loss
Authors: Bakhsheshian Joshua , Lenke Lawrence G. , Hassan Fthimnir M. , Lewerenz Erik , Reyes Justin L. , Zuckerman Scott L.
Published: February 2024

Background:

The Spinal Cord Shape Classification System (SCSCS) class has been associated with spinal cord monitoring data loss during spinal deformity surgery. The objective of the current study was to prospectively validate the SCSCS as a predictor of spinal cord monitoring data loss during spinal deformity surgery.

Methods:

A prospective cohort study of consecutive patients who were undergoing primary deformity surgery at a single institution from 2018 to 2023 and whose major curve was in the spinal cord region was undertaken. Spinal cord morphology at the apex of the major curve on preoperative axial T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was used to categorize patients into 3 spinal cord shape types based on the SCSCS. The primary outcome was intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) data loss related to spinal cord dysfunction. Demographics and surgical and radiographic variables were compared between patients with IONM data loss and those without loss. Predictors of IONM loss were determined using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results:

A total of 256 patients (168 adult, 88 pediatric) were included and were separated into 3 SCSCS types: 110 (43.0%) with Type I, 105 (41.0%) with Type II, and 41 (16.0%) with Type III. IONM loss was observed in 30 (11.7%) of the 256 patients, including 7 (6.4%) of 110 with SCSCS Type I, 7 (6.7%) of 105 with Type II, and 16 (39.0%) of 41 with Type III. IONM loss was associated with SCSCS Type III, the preoperative deformity angular ratio, performance of 3-column osteotomies, greater operative time, greater transfusion volume, and greater postoperative sagittal corrections. SCSCS type was the strongest independent predictor of IONM data loss. SCSCS Type III had the greatest odds of IONM loss (odds ratio [OR] = 6.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.45 to 18.23 compared with Types I and II combined). The overall predictive performance with respect to IONM loss (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.827) was considered excellent.

Conclusions:

This prospective cohort study of patients undergoing spinal deformity correction confirmed that patients with a Type-III spinal cord shape had greater odds of IONM loss. Inclusion of the SCSCS in preoperative risk stratification and intraoperative management of spinal deformity corrective surgery is recommended.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Morbidity and Mortality of HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants in a Tertiary Referral Facility in Yaoundé, Cameroon
Authors: Nlend Anne E. Njom , Avenec Pascal , Ngoué Jeannette Epée , Sandie Arsène B.
Published: February 2024

Background and Objective:

Following the recorded progress in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the proportion of HIV-exposed infants who are uninfected (UIH) is increasing. These children are subject to infectious and non-infectious fragility. The purpose of this study was to assess infectious morbidity and mortality rates among UIH in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study. Infants were included in the study and defined as the study subjects if they were between the ages of 24 months or younger, if they were born to HIV-positive mothers, and if they were confirmed to be HIV-negative. The main study outcomes were morbidity rate (defined as infectious, clinical events that required consultation or hospitalization) and death. Data were entered and saved in the Census and Survey Processing System (Cspro) 7.3. Statistical analyses were performed in R Software 3.6.2. The significance level was set at 0.05.

Results:

In total, 240 subjects were recruited of whom 53.3% were males. Most of the HIV-positive mothers (95.7%) had used combination antiretroviral (ARV) therapy for at least four weeks during pregnancy. Among the subjects, 93.2% received ARV prophylaxis, 68.7% were exclusively breastfed for six months, 94.7% were fully vaccinated, and 60.6% had received cotrimoxazole up to the detection of the non-infection. Overall, the morbidity rate stood at 34.2%. The incidence of morbidity was 3 per 1,000 child months of the follow-up. The main pathologies were acute respiratory infections (60.79%) and malaria (17.65%). Three deaths were recorded, representing an overall mortality rate of 1.25% for an incidence of 1.1 per 1,000 child months of the follow-up (FU). Clinical events were more frequent in mothers diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy under the azidothymidine (AZT) + lamivudine (3TC) + névirapine (NVP) -based protocol (odds ratio of 3.83 [1.09-14.45; p = 0.039]). Morbidity was also higher for the follow-up periods of less than six months.

Conclusion and Global Health Implications:

The overall mortality rate among UIH was low. However, the morbidity rate was considerably higher. Emphasis should be focused on in-care retention for up to 24 months for all UIH, which should include monitoring of HIV-infected mothers prior to pregnancy.
A New Calculation Model for Equivalent Circulating Density Considering Interface Effect between Various Fluids during Cementing Process
Authors: Sun Jinfei , Yang Fujie , Qi Ben , Li Zaoyuan , Li Jin
Published: February 2024

Equivalent circulating density (ECD) is an essential parameter in the construction of oil and gas wells, which can be used to control the downhole pressure and prevent serious incidents such as well leakage or blowouts. Different engineering tasks will lead to changes in the ECD calculation model; the classical pipe flow theory can be used to calculate the ECD of circulating drilling fluid, but it is not suitable for the cementing displacement because it does not consider the interface effect between various fluids. In this paper, a new ECD calculation model has been developed that accounts for the changes in fluid interface morphology between displacing fluid and displaced fluid during the cementing process. Moreover, a simulation of the effects of borehole radius, casing eccentricity, displaced fluid density, and flow rate on the ECD were analyzed and quantified by a numerical approach to solve the fluid dynamics equilibrium equations that describe the flow in the eccentric annuli based on the semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equations (SIMPLE) algorithm. The results show that the calculated ECD predicted by the proposed model is larger than the traditional model with the reduction in the borehole radius, and the maximum deviation at the inlet position can reach 0.03 g·cm−3. Variation in the length of the interface transition zone is the main reason for the deviation in ECD prediction accuracy. In the case of constant casing outer diameter, fluid rheology, and displaced fluid density, the ECD decreases with increasing borehole radius. Meanwhile, it increases with higher displaced fluid density, eccentricity, and annular velocity. It is also shown that the length of the mixing zone can reach up to 40% of the pipe length under the conditions of eccentricity and displacement described in the paper. The proposed model predicts the ECD in the annulus by considering the influence of different engineering parameters on the movement of displacement interface, which can effectively ensure the safety of the cementing operation.
Study of detoxification enzymes in whitefly population collected from four districts of Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Asghar Sabeen , Asrar Muhammad , Hussain Dilbar , Saleem Muhammad , Jabeen Farhat
Published: February 2024

Bemisia tabaci is a perilous pest of cotton and other crops due to its wide host range. It is responsible for the large scale economic devastation owing to the transmission of various lethal diseases. In Pakistan, B. tabaci is threatening the agricultural stability and food security by damaging the crops through direct and indirect means. Globally, the most prevalent practice to control B. tabaci is application of insecticides. Unfortunately, the persistent and erroneous use of insecticides is responsible for control failure and resistance in whitefly. Activation of detoxifying enzymes in Bemisia tabaci population with evolving resistance has been vastly studied. Resistance in whitefly against insecticides leads to the adverse results for growers. This experiment conducted to study the activities of detoxifying enzymes CarE and GST and kinetic parameters Km and Vmax in B. tabaci. Biochemical assay revealed that carboxylesterase activity recorded significantly high (2.15-fold) in Multan population and Bahawalpur (2.09-fold) as compared to other districts Jhang and Toba Tek Singh and susceptible strain. Detoxifying enzyme glutathione s-transferase activity (GST) recorded high in Bahawalpur population (3.83-fold) as compared to Multan, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh and susceptible strain. The activities of CarE and GST recorded significantly lower in Jhang and Toba Tek Singh populations as compared to other districts. Kinetic parameter (Km) value for CarE was significantly high 4.71 mmol L− 1 of Multan and Bahawalpur 4.07 mmol L− 1 as compared to Toba Tek Singh 2.99 mmol L− 1 and Jhang 2.46 mmol L− 1 populations. The values of Km for GST were noted higher in Bahawlpur 5.72 mmol L− 1 and Multan 5.24 mmol L− 1 populations as compared to other districts. Vmax values for CarE was recorded significantly higher 14.42 µ mol min− 1 for Multan population as compared to other districts and susceptible strain. Vmax values for GST activity were recorded higher in Toba Tek Singh 11.37 µ mol min− 1 as compared to other Vmax values of remaining districts and susceptible strain. The systematic study of enzymes to evaluate the pivotal role of detoxifying enzyme involved in detoxification process of insecticides and results will be used to make rational choices about insecticides selection to prevent resistance in B. tabaci in future.
A novel fuzzy DEMATEL method based on social network analysis and α-level sets considering experts’ hesitant information
Authors: Fan Jianping , Yuan Jiu , Wu Meiqin
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the method of determining experts' weights based on social network analysis (SNA) and to propose a novel fuzzy DEMATEL method based on α- level sets to identify critical factors in supplier evaluation. First, we employ hesitant fuzzy linguistic preference relationships (HFLPRs) to accurately express experts' preferences among evaluation attributes. Subsequently, using SNA, we specify the centrality index of the experts to calculate the expert dependency, which in turn yields the weights of each expert. Next, using the α-level sets, we transform the triangular fuzzy numbers (TFNs) into confidence intervals and constructed three correlation preference matrices via probability density function to maximize the preservation of the original information. Subsequently, we process these three preference matrices by applying the DEMATEL method to identify the key factors under different conditions. Finally, we demonstrate in detail the feasibility and superiority of the proposed method in this paper through case studies and comparative studies.
Research on Online Compensation and Anti-interference of Pneumatic Muscle Quadruped Robot Model with Spindle Reflection
Authors: Wang Lina , Chen Zeling , Wang Xiaofeng , Wang Binrui
Published: February 2024

In this paper, the single leg joint of pneumatic muscle quadruped robot is taken as the control object. Based on the establishment of dynamic model and sliding mode controller, an online identification and compensation control strategy of model parameters based on error feedback is proposed. In order to enhance the anti-disturbance ability of the pneumatic muscle driving joint, an anti-interference control strategy integrating the muscle spindle reflection is proposed. Firstly, the dynamic model parameters are identified online by recursive least square method with forgetting factor, and the angle error is fed back to the input side for real-time update of the dynamic model parameters. Secondly, the change rate of pneumatic muscle contraction velocity under disturbance is analyzed, the muscle spindle reflection pathway is fused to compensate for disturbances. Finally, the simulation results show that the root-mean-square error of the dynamic parameter identification and compensation controller is reduced by 14.82% and 21.84% respectively under the two equivalent disturbances. and the mean absolute error is reduced by 47.27% and 56.25% respectively. After the spindle reflection system is fused, the expected signal under disturbance is compensated. The mean absolute error is reduced by 38.55% and 62.16%, and the root mean square error is reduced by 31.94% and 59.18%, respectively, when there is step interference and slope interference.
Enhancing Response Inhibition Behavior through tDCS Intervention in College Students with Smartphone Addiction
Authors: Bai Xue , Liu Huafang , Li Tongshu , Liu Xiaolong
Published: February 2024

Smartphone addiction, emerging from excessive use of smartphones, poses a challenge to inhibitory control functions within society. This research employed Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as an intervention alongside the Stop Signal Task (SST) to explore behavioral distinctions between individuals with smartphone addiction and a non-addicted control group, focusing on the efficacy of tDCS intervention. The participant cohort comprised 80 individuals, divided into an addiction group (39 participants, with 19 receiving active tDCS and 20 receiving sham tDCS) and a control group (41 participants, with 20 receiving active tDCS and 21 receiving sham tDCS), with anodal stimulation applied over the right dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (dlPFC) and cathodal placement over the left arm. Findings indicated that university students grappling with smartphone addiction demonstrated diminished inhibitory control compared to their non-addicted counterparts, albeit maintaining comparable levels of general cognitive control. Notably, tDCS intervention was found to enhance inhibitory control in both groups, with a pronounced improvement observed in the addicted group. This study underscores the utility of tDCS in fostering healthier smartphone usage habits, informing clinical interventions, and furthering the development of tDCS methodologies.
Effect of Oropharyngeal Colostrum Immunotherapy on Weight Gain in Very Low Weight Premature Newborns: A Clinical Trial
Authors: Cerqueira Ellayne Souza , Martins Camilla da Cruz , Ramos Michelle de Santana Xavier , Amaral Mara Viana Cardoso , Costa Jessica Santos Passos , Machado Maria Ester Pereira Da Conceição , Vieira Tatiana de Oliveira , Vieira Graciete Oliveira , Costa Priscila Ribas de Farias
Published: February 2024

Context: The present study evaluated the effect of oropharyngeal colostrum immunotherapy (OCI) on weight gain in preterm newborns with very low birth weight admitted to a public maternal and child care unit.
Methods: This is a nonrandomized clinical trial with a historical control of preterm newborns weighing less than 1,500 gat birth who were allocated into two groups according to their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission period: in the control group, those admitted between 2015 and 2018; and in the intervention group, those admitted after the implantation of an OCI protocol between 2018 and 2020. The treatment regimen consisted of eight daily administrations of 0.2 ml (four drops) of colostrum for 10 seconds in the oropharyngeal mucosa every three hours until the child’s seventh day of life. Historical control group data were collected retrospectively using medical records. Weight gain was calculated in grams/kilogram/day and z score by age at 28 days of life. The generalized estimating equation(GEE) method was adopted to evaluate the effect of OCI on weight gain in preterm infants.
Results: Greater weight gain was observed in the OCI group between 21 and 28 days (pre-OCI: mean: 11.79; SD: 10.24; OCI: mean: 16.29; SD: 11.72; p=0.05). In multivariate analysis, OCI increased the speed of weight gain by 1.99 g/kg/day (p<0.01) and the z score by age by 0.33 (p<0.01) after adjusting for confounding factors.
Conclusion: The OCI favored weight gain and increased the z score by age in the postneonatal period of very low preterm newborns.
Study registration: REBEC U1111-1222-0598. Registered 17/12/2018, https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-2cyp7c/
Association of COVID-19 vaccine intake with diagnosis, hospitalization, and oxygenation/ventilation: A longitudinal analysis, 2021-2022, Japan
Authors: Odani Satomi , Honda Hitoshi , Tabuchi Takahiro
Published: February 2024

Limited national-level data exist on COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against infection outcomes based on individual characteristics. We analyzed 19,482 individuals aged 16-81 who responded to baseline (2021) and follow-up (2022) Internet-based surveys. COVID-19 vaccine intake (0/1/2+ doses) during the follow-up period was examined, and outcomes included COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalization, and oxygenation/ventilation. Adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) were computed using Poisson regression models, controlling for baseline characteristics including precautionary measures practiced.
81.6% of respondents received ≥1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine during the follow-up period. Among those without COVID-19 history at baseline (N=19,182), 10.9% and 6.6% reported COVID-19 diagnosis within the past year and past 2 months at follow-up, respectively. Respondents who received 1 or 2+ doses were less likely to be diagnosed in the past year (APR=0.76 and 0.43) and past 2 months (APR=0.87 [not statistically significant] and 0.51) compared to those who did not. Among 1,999 respondents diagnosed with COVID-19 during the follow-up, those with 1 or 2+ vaccine doses showed lower likelihoods of hospitalization (APR=0.78 and 0.86) and receipt of oxygenation/ventilation (APR=0.87 and 0.61), although not statistically significant.
Considering the interaction of socioeconomic and behavioral characteristics, the results supported the protective effect of the COVID-19 vaccine against infection.
Establishment and application of the environment evaluation model for beneficiation plant
Authors: Liu Houdong , Kang Qian , Zhao Kui , Ke Yuxian , Yu Songtao
Published: February 2024

In order to evaluate the environment of beneficiation plant in a more scientific and reasonable way, this project took the workshop environment of beneficiation plant as the research object. This project divided the beneficiation plant into 7 evaluation units according to their functions. The evaluation indexes are dust, noise, light environment, microclimate, benzene, toluene and xylene. This project combined G1 method and entropy weight method to evaluate the weight of each evaluation index, the element extension model of the working environment of the concentrator is established by element analysis method, and the matter element analysis method is used to establish an evaluation index system of a beneficiation plant in East China. The results show that the evaluation level of the breaking workshop and the auxiliary facilities are unqualified, the auxiliary facility is qualified, the culling workshop, culled yard and accessory building are medium, the screening workshop and grinding workshop are good.
A rare case of Posterior dislocation of hinge knee prosthesis due to wear of Anti-luxation device: A case report
Authors: Somani Vasav , Shaikh Ashraf , Desai Mohan , Karwande Nikhil
Published: February 2024

Interference in the normal framework of knee anatomy distorts its intrinsic stability. This interference can be in variable form such as bone deficiency, infection, multiple revision surgeries, ligamentous laxity. Restoration of intrinsic stability in today's world has been made possible by a highly constraint, hinged knee prosthesis. Although there have been positive results in the form of patient satisfaction and knee society scores reported with these prostheses, long-term follow-up is limited, and complications such as infection, periprosthetic fractures and aseptic loosening have been reported. We report one such rare complication of posterior dislocation of hinged knee prosthesis due to wear of anti-luxation device.
Early skin seeding regulatory T cells modulate PPARγ-dependent skin pigmentation
Authors: Cho Inchul , Xu Jessie , Aziz Hafsah , Lui Prudence , Xie Boyu , Tsai Pei-Hsun , Jeon Hee-Yeon , Choi Jinwook , Ali Shahnawaz , Ali Niwa
Published: February 2024

The maintenance of adult tissue homeostasis is dependent on the functional cross-talk between stem cells (SCs) and tissue-resident immune cells. This reciprocal relationship is also essential for tissue organogenesis during early life. The skin harbors a relatively large population of Regulatory T cells (Tregs) that accumulate within the first two weeks after birth. A functional role for early skin seeding Tregs (ETregs) during the first week of life is currently unexplored. Here, we show that skin Tregs are detected early as postnatal day 3 (P3) where they localize to hair follicle (HF) structures and enter a dynamic flux of activation marker expression. Punctual ETreg depletion from P6-P8, but not later, results in defective HF melanocyte SC (MeSC) mediated skin pigmentation in juvenile life. Transcriptomic analysis of the whole skin on P9 exhibited immediate and pronounced changes in MeSC markers and perturbation of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) target genes in the HF. Accordingly, punctual ETreg depletion combined with short-term PPARγ agonization restored skin pigmentation. Single cell profiling of P9 skin revealed that PPARγsignalling activity is preferentially diminished in the HF epithelium upon loss of ETregs. Finally, we explored changes in the single cell transcriptome of the human tissue disorder, vitiligo, characterized by a lack of melanin and consequent skin depigmentation. These analyses showed that the HF cells from lesional vitiligo skin exhibited a significant downregulation in PPARγ pathway activation, relative to heathy controls. Overall, ETregs in neonatal skin are critical for sustaining HF PPARγ signaling, which is vital for facilitating MeSC mediated skin pigmentation during postnatal development.
One Sentence Summary: PPARγ pathway functions downstream of neonatal Tregs to regulate melanocyte stem cell function.
Dietary lipid is largely deposited in skin and rapidly affects insulating properties
Authors: Riley Nick , Kasza Ildiko , Barrett-Wilt Greg , Michaud Julian , Jain Raghav , Trautman Michaela E. , Simcox Judith A. , Yen Chi-Liang E. , MacDougald Ormond A. , Lamming Dudley W. , Alexander Caroline M.
Published: February 2024

Skin has been shown to be a regulatory hub for energy expenditure and metabolism: mutations of skin lipid metabolism enzymes can change the rate of thermogenesis and susceptibility to diet-induced obesity. However, little is known about the physiological basis for this function. Here we show that the thermal properties of skin are highly reactive to diet: within three days, a high fat diet reduces heat transfer through skin. In contrast, a dietary manipulation that prevents obesity accelerates energy loss through skins. We found that skin was the largest target in a mouse body for dietary fat delivery, and that fat was assimilated both by epidermis and by dermal white adipose tissue. Dietary triglyceride acyl groups persist in skin for weeks after feeding. Using multi-modal lipid profiling, we have implicated both keratinocytes and sebocytes in the altered lipids which correlate with thermal function. In response to high fat feeding, wax diesters and ceramides accumulate, and triglycerides become more saturated. In contrast, in response to the dramatic loss of adipose tissue that accompanies restriction of the branched chain amino acid isoleucine, skin becomes highly heat-permeable: skins shows limited uptake of dietary lipids and editing of wax esters, and acquires a signature of depleted signaling lipids, which include the acyl carnitines and lipid ethers. We propose that skin should be routinely included in physiological studies of lipid metabolism, given the size of the skin lipid reservoir and its adaptable functionality.