bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ferritin Thresholds for Cardiac and Liver Hemosiderosis in β-thalassemia Patients: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study
Authors: Khezri Hadi Darvishi , Aliasgharian Aily , Naderisorki Mohammad , Kosaryan Mehrnoush , Ghazaiean Mobin , Fallah Hanie , Zahedi Mohammad , Karami Hossein
Published: August 2022

Background and Aim: Ferritin is frequently used to screen some dire consequences of iron overload in β-thalassemia patients. The study aimed to define the best cutoff point of ferritin to screen for cardiac and liver hemosiderosis in these cases.Methods: This was a registry-based study on β-thalassemia patients living throughout Mazandaran province, Iran (n=1959). In this diagnostic research, the index test was ferritin levels measured by a chemiluminescent immunoassay. As a reference test, T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (T2*-weighted MRI) was applied to determine cardiac and liver hemosiderosis.Results: A cutoff point of 2027 ng/mL for ferritin showed a sensitivity of 50%, specificity 77.4%, PPV 42.1%, and NPV 82.5% for cardiac hemosiderosis (area under curve [AUC] 0.66, 95% CI 0.60–0.71, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.05, 95% CI 1.05–4.01). At an optimum cutoff point of 1090 ng/mL, sensitivity 66.7%, specificity 68%, PPV 82.9%, and NPV 46.8% for liver hemosiderosis were estimated (AUC 0.68, 95% CI 0.63–0.73, adjusted OR 3.93, 95% CI 2.02–7.64. Conclusion: The likelihood of cardiac hemosiderosis serum ferritin levels below 2027 ng/mL is 17.5%. Moreover, 82.9% of ꞵ-thalassemia patients with serum ferritin levels above 1090 ng/mL may suffer from liver hemosiderosis, regardless of the grades.
Analysis of the disease burden trend of malignant tumors of the female reproductive system in China from 2006 to 2020
Authors: Han Xiting , Wang Zhihong , Huang Dongmei , Deng Kehong , Wang Qian , Li Cancan , Zhu Jicun
Published: August 2022

Background
Chinese women account for 17.51% of the world's deaths because of malignant tumors of the reproductive system, which is a serious threat to women's life and health. We analyzed the changes in mortality and disease burden of cervical cancer, uterine cancer and ovarian cancer in China from 2006 to 2020 to provide a basis for formulating scientific prevention and control measures.
Methods
Annual death data for cervical cancer, uterine cancer and ovarian cancer were collected from the Chinese Cause of Death Surveillance. The crude mortality rate (CMR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), annual percentage change (APC), and average APC (AAPC) were applied to analyze the trend of mortality. Loss of life expectancy (LLE) and years of life lost (YLL) were used to assess disease burden.
Results
From 2006 to 2020, a total ASMR and standardized YLL rates of malignant tumors of the reproductive system showed a relatively stable trend, leading to an average LLE of 0.18 years. The YLL rate was the highest in the 55–59 age group. The mortality rate and disease burden of the three types of cancer have changed from uterine cancer higher than cervical cancer and ovarian cancer in 2006 to cervical cancer higher than ovarian cancer and uterine cancer in 2020. The ASMR and standardized YLL rate of uterine cancer showed a downward trend, and AAPC was − 5.21% (-9.31%~-0.91%) and − 6.07% (-9.45%~-2.58%), respectively. The mortality rates of cervical cancer and ovarian cancer remain high.
Conclusion
The mortality and disease burden of malignant tumors of the female reproductive system in China are still at a high level. It is necessary to improve screening and prevention strategies as soon as possible, improve the techniques of diagnosis and treatment, and take adequate measures to protect women's life and health.
When Humans Were the Hunted: Bone-Tipped Arrowpoints in Prehispanic Sierras of Córdoba, Argentina
Authors: Medina Matías E. , Lallami Cristian , Pastor Sebastián
Published: August 2022

Projectile points are one of the most commonly preserved artefacts at archaeological sites worldwide, yet few studies have investigated how hunting and warfare intended use affected the design and morphological variation of this technology. This paper presents the techno-typological study carried out on seven bone projectile points closely associated to a burial assemblage excavated from El Alto 5 (~ 550 cal BP, Sierras of Córdoba, Argentina). The bone point assemblage provides a useful comparative model for interpreting the function of arrowpoints where this contextual data is unavailable, concerning primarily with the question of how archaeologists can accurately differentiate the arrow tips used for defense or attack from those used for hunting. Bone arrowpoints have barbed shoulders to resist removal from the wound and stems with serrated edges for a secure hafting. They required shafts few millimeter thicker than stone-tipped arrows for hafting, involving more kinetic energy to inflict severe injuries. The identification of a dark residue spattered over the blades opens the possibility that poison was applied to enhance the effectiveness of the shoot. The study is considered a starting point to build more accurate models to identify interpersonal violence during the Late Prehispanic Period of Sierras of Córdoba and neighboring regions, where most bone points occurred as domestic refuse and are not directly associated to human skeletal remains.
Neodymium-coated PECVD-designed silicon nanostructures: A comprehensive structural, morphological and spectroscopic investigation
Authors: Mefoued Amine , Mahmoudi Bedra , Benrekaa Nasser , Tiour Faiza , Menari Hamid , Naitbouda Abdelyamine , Manseri Amar , Brik Afaf , Mezghiche Salah , Debbab Moustafa
Published: August 2022

We report the optical, structural, and spectroscopic properties of thermally evaporated neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) thin films deposietd on a nanostructured silicon (Si-ns) matrix. The Si-ns thin films were grown by depositing silicon nitride (SiN) thin films using plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD). The gas ratio R=NH3/SiH4 was varied between 2.5 and 5 to obtain different stoichiometries and Si amounts in the SiN layers. Two sets of samples were analysed. The first set comprised samples prepared with gas ratios R=2.5, 3, 4, and 5 and annealed at 900°C for 15 min. For the second set, R was 2 and 4 for the samples annealed at 1100°C for 2 h. Both sets were thermally treated under nitrogen (N2) ambient. The nanocrystalline formation and layer thickness were assessed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). UV-Vis absorption spectra revealed that the reflectance was lower for the Nd2O3-coated samples than for to the uncoated ones. This trend remained unchanged after the annealing. Optical band gap (Eg) was found to increase with increasing R (2.5, 3, and 4) with Eg = 1.28, 1.31 and 1.55 eV respectively for annealed samples. Refinement of nanostructures size was observed with higher Eg values. The presence of Nd, Si, oxygen (O) and phosphorus (P) was confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) data. Moreover, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy were employed to determine and confirm amorphous silicon (a-Si), crystalline silicon (c-Si), Nd2O3 and SiN phases present in the Nd2O3-SiN bilayers. Crystallite sizes for Nd and Si found to be 40.7 and 6.82 nm respectively. After the annealing process, a Raman shift toward lower wavenumbers was observed for Si peak. XPS data revealed the formation of Nd2O3 thin films with a Nd-O bonding incorporating trivalent Nd ions (Nd3+).
Effect of peritoneal transport characteristics on prognosis of peritoneal dialysis patients: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Xia Yangyang , Jiang Chunming , Liu Ying , Zhang Qingyan , Feng Yuan , Zhang Miao
Published: August 2022

Objective: We aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with different baseline peritoneal transport characteristics and the effect of peritoneal transport characteristics on prognosis of PD patients.Methods: Patients who received PD for over 1 months in the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between January 2006 and December 2019 were included. They were divided into four groups according to the baseline dialysate/plasma creatinine (D/Pcr) value. The clinical characteristics, changes in peritoneal transport, and risk factors of death and technique failure were analyzed.Results: A total of 323 patients were enrolled, comprising 70 patients in the low transport group, 135 in the low average transport group, 101 in the high average transport group, and 17 in the high transport group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that male sex (OR = 1.529, 95%CI 1.003–2.330) and low albumin levels (OR = 0.910, 95%CI 0.869–0.952) were risk factors for baseline high peritoneal transport status. The survival rate in the high transport group was significantly lower than that of the low transport (χ2 = 3.953, P = 0.047), LA (χ2 = 4.355, P = 0.037) and high average transport groups (χ2 = 9.359, P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in technique failure rate among these four groups (χ2 = 0.107, P = 0.991). Multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that age (HR = 1.053, 95%CI 1.026–1.082), Charlson's comorbidity index (HR = 1.630, 95%CI 1.307–2.032), and baseline high transport (HR = 3.280, 95%CI 1.109–9.699) were independent risk factors for patient death. Male sex (HR = 1.851, 95%CI 1.123–3.052), C-reactive protein levels (HR = 1.008, 95%CI 1.001–1.015), and peritonitis (HR = 2.312, 95%CI 1.430–3.739) were independent risk factors for technique failure.Conclusions: Initial high peritoneal transport status is an independent risk factor for patient death. Male sex and low albumin levels were determinants of baseline high peritoneal transport.
Hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy in patients with a history of bariatric surgery
Authors: Lorenz F. Jeffrey , Goldenberg David
Published: August 2022

Purpose
A growing body of literature has suggested that a history of bariatric surgery increases the risk of hypocalcemia after subsequent thyroidectomy, however little is known about the risk after parathyroidectomy. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy in patients with prior bariatric surgery.
Methods
The TriNetX Research Network was queried using diagnosis and procedure codes to identify patients with a history of bariatric surgery who were subsequently diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) and underwent parathyroidectomy between 2012 and 2022. The rate of short-term and permanent hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy was compared between those with a history of bariatric surgery and matched controls who underwent parathyroidectomy alone.
Results
There were 34,114 patients diagnosed with PHP who underwent parathyroidectomy. Of this cohort, 1.5% (n = 520) had prior bariatric surgery. There were 91% females and 9% males in this subset of patients, and the average age was 59 years. Compared to matched controls who underwent parathyroidectomy alone, these patients had a significantly increased risk of short-term (RR, 95% CI, P) (21.5% vs. 12.3%; 1.8, 1.3–2.3, P < 0.001) and permanent (7.7% vs. <1.9%; 4.0, 2.0-7.9) hypocalcemia.
Conclusion
The current study is the first to indicate that patients with a history of bariatric surgery are at increased risk for short-term and permanent hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy. Further research is required to determine optimal prevention and treatment strategies to decrease associated morbidity in this subset of patients.
Aerobiological investigation, meteorological impacts on pollen distribution and allergenicity of major pollen types in the atmosphere of Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Alebiosu Olugbenga Shadrak , Adekanmbi Olusola Helen
Published: August 2022

Airborne palynomorphs are regarded as important organic granules causing human allergic reactions such as pollinosis and asthma. In the present study, monthly depositional amount of airborne pollen and fern spores, impact of the surrounding plants on pollen distribution and allergenicity of common airborne pollen types, were investigated at selected sampling stations in Ebonyi and Anambra States, Southeastern Nigeria. Bioaerosols were collected with Tauber-like pollen samplers and subjected to conventional palynological treatment processes, microscopy and photomicrography. Enumeration of plants within the immediate vegetation showed that local plants produced some atmospheric pollen types at the study locations. Among other meteorological parameters, only relative humidity was found to yield statistically significant and positive correlation with monthly total airborne pollen concentrations in Anambra State. A positive but not significant correlation was also found between total airborne pollen counts and relative humidity in Ebonyi State. Nephrolepis sp., Pteris sp. and a trilete fern produced spores, while diatoms were also recovered. Some common pollen types including those of Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. and Senna siamea (Lam.) Irwin et Barneby in Ebonyi State; Mariscus alternifolius Vahl. and Zea mays L. in Anambra State, were collected in order to quantify and extract their crude protein contents for Mus musculus sensitization to achieve serology (ELISA) and haematology (differential and total white blood cell counts). Statistical significance was tested and observed in the correlation between amounts of haematological and serological parameters yielded by each test group; variations between amounts of these parameters yielded by each test group and those of the control, as well as at differing periods of sensitization. In the Senna siamea test group of Mus musculus, histopathological morbid characteristics were observed, including areas of necrosis (presence of dead cells) in the bronchi of a mortality; areas of necrosis and congestion in the bronchi and lungs of another mortality, respectively, after second sensitization. The study confirmed all the selected pollen types as potential sources of allergy at the study areas and revealed a multiplex of interplay among triggers of pollen allergy at different intervals of administration in mice, establishing a model of immunological reactions to varied pollen antigens in humans.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome need consultation support from the health care providers: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Kazemi Ashraf , Farajzadegan Ziba , Salehi Mehrdad , ZareMobini Fatemeh
Published: August 2022

Background
Despite the fact that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) experience many psychological problems, the need of these women to planning appropriate to improve their mental health seems to be ignored. Therefore, this study will conduct to exploring needs of women's with PCOS using a qualitative approach in Iranian sociocultural context.
Methods
Five women with PCOS and seven health care providers participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Sampling was purposive and continued until data saturation was reached. Data analysis was based on conventional content analysis. The validity of the data was verified through measures including credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability and authenticity.
Results
Data analysis yielded 3 main categories and 7 sub categories including: (1) Need to reassurance and consultation by health care providers (The positive effect of health care providers counseling on the patient's psychological, Importance of receiving confidence from the health care providers that the disease can be controlled); (2) providing counseling services to improve patient awareness and stress management (Patient stress due to receiving insufficient information about the disease and its complications, the health care provider neglects to provide the patient with comprehensive information on how to manage and treat the disease and (3) the importance of Providing consulting services by a multidisciplinary team (The health care provider neglect of patients' psychological health, proposing the establishment of a specialized place to receive care by a multidisciplinary team, the positive effect of providing services as by a multidisciplinary team to improve the patient's psychological condition).
Conclusion
Controlling the psychological problems of woman with PCOS needs the consultation support of health care providers and comprehensive and long-term planning by a multidisciplinary team to promote the mental health of these women.
A Scalable Cybersecurity Framework for Anomaly Detection in User Behaviour
Authors: Folino Gianluigi , Godano Carla Otranto , Pisani Francesco Sergio
Published: August 2022

Nowadays, the speed of the user and application logs is so quick that it is almost impossible to analyse them in real-time without using scalable systems and platforms. In cybersecurity, human behaviour is responsible directly or indirectly for the most common attacks (i.e., ransomware and phishing). To monitor user behaviour, it is necessary to process fast user logs coming from different and heterogeneous sources, having part of the data or some entire sources missing. A scalable framework based on the Elastic Stack (ELK) to process and store log data from different users and applications is proposed for this aim. This system generates an ensemble of models to classify user behaviour and detect anomalies in real-time. The scalability of the system is guaranteed by the ELK-based software architecture, running on top of a Kubernetes platform. In addition, a distributed evolutionary algorithm is used to classify the users by exploiting their digital footprints derived from many data sources. Experiments conducted on two real-life datasets verify the approach's goodness in detecting anomalies in the user behaviour, coping with missing data and lowering the number of false alarms.
The influence of freezing on the nail withdrawal capacity of Norway Spruce and European Larch wood
Authors: Gašparík Miroslav , Karami Elham , Kytka Tomáš , Das Sumanta , Houska Tomáš
Published: August 2022

Environmental conditions and temperature oscillations can influence wood properties. Accordingly, the performance of wood connections such as nails could be affected by freezing and heating temperature. Thus, in the present work, the impact of freezing/heating temperatures on the nail withdrawal power of Norway Spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) and European Larch (Larix decidua Mill.) has been studied. Three types of the wood nail; smooth, helically threaded, and annularly threaded were studied, and two different freezing heating steps have been implemented (-15°C/70°C and − 25°C/70°C). Withdrawal capacity was distinguished on two various anatomical directions; radial and tangential surfaces. The freezing could cause a considerable destructive impact on the nail withdrawal capacity of both wood species. The highest drop has found for smooth nail (A) for larch wood in the tangential direction with 73% and 69% decrease and radial direction, with 70% and 63%, at temperatures − 15°C/70°C and − 25°C/70°C, respectively. Furthermore, spruce wood exhibited a meaningful reduction for both tangential (69% and 63%) and radial (54% and 56%) directions and smooth nail (A), at temperatures − 15°C/70°C and − 25°C/70°C, respectively. The highest reduction was found for annularly threaded nails (C).
Association of a genetic variant in Angiopoietin-like 3 with HDL-C and risk of cardiovascular disease: MASHAD cohort study over 10 years
Authors: Aghasizadeh Malihe , Hoseini Asieh Ahmadi , Sahebi Reza , Kazemi Tooba , Zare-Feyzabadi Reza , Esmaily Habibollah , Samadi Sara , Avan Amir , Ferns Gordon A. , Khosravi Saeede , Ghazizadeh Hamideh , Miri-Moghaddam Ebrahim , Ghayour-Mobarhan Majid
Published: August 2022

Background
Angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3)-deficiency due to loss-of-function variants are being reported to have a link with triglyceride (TG) level, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and thereby affecting the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Objective
In the present study, we examined the association of rs10789117 in the ANGPTL 3 gene locus and the risk of CVD in the group of people who were part of the group of Mashhad-Stroke and Heart-Atherosclerotic-Disorders (MASHAD) cohort.
Method
1002 cases with/without CVD following 10 years follow-up were recruited from the MASHAD cohort, followed by DNA extraction and genotyping. The association of the variant with CVD even and lipid profile was assessed using Univariate and Multivariate analysis.
Result
our data showed that CVD patients after 10 years follow up with AC/CC genotypes have been related to higher risk of CVD events compared to AA genotype (OR = 1.43, 95%CI = 1.01–2.02, P = 0.041) as well as its C allele with CVD risk (OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.06–1.72, P value = 0.038). Moreover, we realized that significant association between the variant and serum TG and HDL-C.
Conclusion
We demonstrated the potential value of g.14079A > C in ANGPTL3 in CVD, indicating further investigations of the emerging biomarker in a multi-center setting as a risk stratification biomarker in cardiovascular disease.
Learning process analysis of robotic lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for local advanced rectal cancer: CUSUM-curve of 78 consecutive patients
Authors: Lei Xing , Zhang Lei , Qin Qian , Hu Chenhao , Shi Feiyu , Zhang Zhe , She Junjun
Published: August 2022

PurposeRobotic lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) has been suggested as a safe and feasible procedure for local advanced rectal cancer. However, no large case series has documented the learning curve for this technically demanding procedure.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the learning curve for robotic-assisted LLND for local advanced rectal cancer by a surgeon at a single institute.MethodsData on 78 consecutive patients who underwent robotic-LLND operation for rectal cancer were collected to evaluate surgical outcomes, postoperative urinary function changes and mid-term oncological outcomes. The learning curve was analyzed using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) method to assess changes in the unilateral LLND operative times across the case sequence.ResultsAmong the 78 patients, 52 patients underwent bilateral LLND and 28 patients underwent unilateral LLND. A total of 130 consecutive data were recorded. We arranged unilateral robotic-LLND operative times and calculated cumulative sum values, allowing differentiation of three phases: phase I (learning period), Cases 1–51; phase II (proficiency period), Cases 52–83; and phase III (mastery period), Cases 84–130. As the learning curve accumulated, the operation time and estimated blood loss of unilateral robotic-LLND decreased significantly with each phase (P＜0.05). At 12months after surgery, the International Prostatic Symptom Score of patients at phase III was significant lower than phase I (P＜0.05). No significant difference was observed in the overall survival, relapse-free survival and local recurrence among the three phases of the learning curve (P＞0.05).ConclusionThe CUSUM curve shows three phases in the learning and use of robotic-LLND which correspond to the phases of initial learning of the technique, proficiency and mastery. The data obtained suggest that the performance of robotic-LLND is safe in all of the three phases of the learning curve. And, the estimated learning curve for robotic assisted rectal-LLND is achieved after 51 cases.
Ramadan diurnal intermittent fasting is associated with significant plasma metabolomics changes in subjects with overweight and obese: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Faris MoezAlIslam , Madkour Mohamed , Bustanji Yasser Al , Semreen Mohammad , Giddey Alexander D , Soares Nelson C , Zeb Falak
Published: August 2022

During the holy month of Ramadan, adult healthy Muslims are mandated to abstain from dawn to sunset, with free eating night hours that may extend up to 12 hours. The current work was designed to investigate the metabolomics changes incurred upon the observance of Ramadan diurnal intermittent fasting (RDIF). Twenty-five metabolically healthy participants with overweight and obesity (7 females and 18 males, with a mean age of 39.48 ± 10.0 years) were recruited for the study and were followed before and at the end of RDIF month. Dietary, anthropometric, biochemical, and physical activity assessments were performed before and at the end of the fasting month. The metabolomic assay was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for the two-time points. Metabolomics assay revealed a significant reduction in a few metabolites. The analysis revealed that 27 metabolites differed significantly (P < 0.05) between pre-and post-RDIF. Among the differentially abundant metabolites, 23 showed a decrease with fasting, these included several amino acids such as aspartame, tryptophan, phenylalanine, histidine, and other metabolites including valeric acid, and cortisol. On the other hand, only four metabolites showed increased levels with RDIF including traumatic acid, 2-pyrrolidinone, PC(18:1(9Z)/18:1(9Z)), and L-sorbose. The MetaboAnalyst® platform reported that the top enriched metabolic pathways included: (1) histidine metabolism; (2) folate biosynthesis (3) phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis; (3) aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis; (3) caffeine metabolism (4) vitamin B6 metabolism; and several other pathways relating to lipid metabolisms such as arachidonic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and linoleic acid metabolism. In conclusion, RDIF entails significant changes in various metabolic pathways that reflect different dietary and lifestyle behaviors practiced during the fasting month.
Study on modulation bandwidth of GaN-based micro-light-emitting diodes by adjusting quantum well structure
Authors: Yin Pan , Zhi Ting , Tao Tao , Liu Xiaoyan
Published: August 2022

GaN-based blue micro-light-emitting diodes (µ-LEDs) with different structures were designed, of which the effect of quantum well (QW) structure on modulation bandwidth was numerically explored. By using trapezoidal QWs, the quantum-confined Stark effect (QCSE) can be reduced, leading to an enhanced electron-hole wave function overlap, thereby increasing the recombination rate and reducing the differential carrier lifetime. In addition, the improved hole transport also creates favorable conditions for shortening the differential carrier lifetime. It is found that the − 3 dB modulation bandwidth of µ-LEDs with trapezoidal QWs was higher than those of ordinary ones. In this work, the − 3 dB modulation bandwidth of µ-LEDs can be raised to 1.13 GHz at 10 kA/cm2.
Plant species-specific basecaller improves actual accuracy of nanopore sequencing
Authors: Ferguson Scott , McLay Todd , Andrew Rose L. , Bruhl Jeremy J. , Schwessinger Benjamin , Borevitz Justin , Jones Ashley
Published: August 2022

Background
Long-read sequencing platforms offered by Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) allow native DNA containing epigenetic modifications to be directly sequenced, but can be limited by lower per-base accuracies. A key step post-sequencing is basecalling, the process of converting raw electrical signals produced by the sequencing device into nucleotide sequences. This is challenging as current basecallers are primarily based on mixtures of model species for training. Here we utilise both ONT PromethION and higher accuracy PacBio Sequel II HiFi sequencing on two plants, Phebalium stellatum and Xanthorrhoea johnsonii, to train species-specific basecaller models with the aim of improving per-base accuracy. We investigate sequencing accuracies achieved by ONT basecallers and assess accuracy gains by training single-species and species-specific basecaller models. We also evaluate accuracy gains from ONT’s improved flowcells (R10.4, FLO-PRO112) and sequencing kits (SQK-LSK112). For the truth dataset for both model training and accuracy assessment, we developed highly accurate, contiguous diploid reference genomes with PacBio Sequel II HiFi reads.
Results
Basecalling with ONT Guppy 5 and 6 super-accurate gave almost identical results, attaining read accuracies of 91.96% and 94.15%. Guppy’s plant-specific model gave highly mixed results, attaining read accuracies of 91.47% and 96.18%. Species-specific basecalling models improved read accuracy, attaining 93.24% and 95.16% read accuracies. R10.4 sequencing kits also improve sequencing accuracy, attaining read accuracies of 95.46% (super-accurate) and 96.87% (species-specific).
Conclusions
The use of a single mixed-species basecaller model, such as ONT Guppy super-accurate, may be reducing the accuracy of nanopore sequencing, due to conflicting genome biology within the training dataset and study species. Training of single-species and genome-specific basecaller models improves read accuracy. Studies that aim to do large-scale long-read genotyping would primarily benefit from training their own basecalling models. Such studies could use sequencing accuracy gains and improving bioinformatics tools to improve study outcomes.
Integrative multi-omics analysis reveals the landscape of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase (CDK) family genes in pan-cancer
Authors: Wang Peng , Xie Mingjie , Yang Dongmei , Wang Feiran , Chen Erlin
Published: August 2022

Objective
Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs) get widely involved in cancer development. However, A wealth of conflicting data raise the question of whether CDKs serve as oncogenes or cancer suppressors. Direct evidence from a same-batch cohort with matched multi-omics sequencing data is still lacking.
Methods
Here, we integrated multi-omics analysis to explore CDKs across multiple cancer types using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. First, we evaluated the expression levels of CDKs in pan-cancer. Second, we conducted copy number variants (CNV) and somatic mutation analysis of CDKs in pan-caner. Third, the biological functions of CDKs were obtained through pathway analysis. Finally, in order to explore effective drugs for tumors with obvious effects of CDKs, drug sensitivity analysis is also explored.
Results
To our surprise, CDKs are overexpressed in a wide range of cancers (39 upregulated, 12 downregulated cases), among which CDK1 is the top overexpressed gene (7 of 10 cancers). We next observed that CDK gene regions are heterozygously amplificated in cancer genomes. Further pathway analysis revealed that CDK genes cancer hallmarks such as apoptosis and cell cycle. CDK genes associate with 58 drug sensitivity including Trametinib and I-BET-762.
Conclusions
Taken together, our study identified a panel of clinically relevant CDK genes, defined the genomic/epigenomic/transcriptomic landscape of CDKs at a system level, and opened potential therapeutic opportunities for cancer patients.
Intensity, Frequency and Coverage of Hydro-Meteorological Droughts and Agriculture in the Semi-Arid Region of Maharashtra (India)
Authors: Todmal Rahul
Published: August 2022

The present investigation attempted to understand the intensity, frequency and spatial coverage of rainfall, runoff, groundwater and agricultural droughts in the semi-arid region of Maharashtra during 1981–2014. For this, the SPI, SRI, SWI and SCPI indices of probabilistic nature were applied. The linear regression, partial correlation and Student’s t-Test techniques were also used to evaluate inter-connections in hydro-meteorological and agricultural droughts. The hydrological deficiencies mimic the pattern of meteorological droughts in the study area with respect to coverage and intensity. The frequency of moderate hydro-meteorological droughts is observed to be high (once in 3 to 4 years). The study also highlighted that the frequency and intensity of hydrological droughts were increased during the post-1990 period which perhaps associated with anthropogenic interventions. Although the El Niño events resulted in below-average rainfall, runoff and groundwater level in the study area, other phenomena such as EQUINOO/IOD may have played an important role in the occurrence of major droughts in 1986, 2003 and 2012 (occur once in > 30 years). The hydro-meteorological droughts lead to agricultural droughts, as the rainfall and groundwater deficits significantly affected the rainfed as well as irrigated crops (productivity and cropped area). It is notably observed during the severe and region-wide droughts in 1985-86, 2002-03 and 2011-12. Furthermore, this investigation suggested that the study area is very likely to experience hydro-meteorological deficiencies in 2029-30, 2040 and 2050 along with a significant rise in temperature (by 1.05°C) which will exacerbate the water scarcity and agricultural distress in the future (up to 2050).
Analisis Kemampuan Representasi Matematis Mahasiswa pada Teori Graph Ditinjau dari Karakteristik Cara Berpikir
Authors: Oktaviana Dwi , Abdillah Abdillah
Published: August 2022

Students abilities differ when given questions that require representing aspects to appear. This is because the ability of mathematical representation is influenced by the characteristics of the student way of thinking. The purpose of this study was to analyze the mathematical representation abilities of students in graph theory in terms of the characteristics of the way of thinking. This type of research uses qualitative research in the form of case studies. The research subjects were class B students in the sixth semester of IKIP PGRI Pontianak with one student taken for ways of thinking in Concrete Sequences (SK), Abstract Sequences (SA), Concrete Random (AK), and Abstract Random (AA) with selected using purposive sampling technique. The main instruments in this research is the researcher and the necessary supporting instruments include test questions on mathematical representation abilities, questionnaires on the characteristics of ways of thinking, and interview guidelines. To test the validity of the data used triangulation techniques. Data analysis was performed by data reduction, data presentation and conclusion. The results of the study showed that students with the SK and Sa way of thinking had fulfilled all the indicators of mathematical representation abilities, namely verbal, visual, and symbolic representations because their way of thinking was detailed and mastered the concept, while students with the AA and AK thinking only met the indicators of verbal representation due to the unstructured way of thinking and not mastering the concept.
Assessment of the Capacity of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors to Provide Contraceptive Services to Adolescents in Kaduna State, Nigeria
Authors: Ibrahim Muhammad Murtala
Published: August 2022

The contraceptive Prevalence Rate among adolescents has remained extremely low in Kaduna State due to limited access to health facilities with youth-friendly services. Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMV) are the most widespread health facilities and the first point of access for family planning commodities in Nigeria. Providing contraceptive services to adolescents requires specific sets of skills and an environment that are youth friendly. This study examines the capacity of PPMV to offer contraceptive services to adolescents. The study used a cross-sectional descriptive design. We interviewed 462 PPMV selected from urban and sub-urban Local Government Areas (LGA) of Kaduna State using a multistage random sampling technique. Data analysis was based on percentages conducted with SPSS software, version 20. Findings from the assessment show that PPMV are a mix of professionals and lay providers. 43.1% possess a qualification in Nursing, midwifery, or community health, and 18.8% have received specific training on contraceptive services. 91.6% are dispensing contraceptives that are suitable for adolescents, and 97.4% are willing to acquire additional training to provide adolescent-friendly contraceptive services for both the married and unmarried. The study equally shows that most PPMVs have private space (70.1%) for confidential counselling and operate seven days a week (86.6%) and twelve or more hours a day (83.3%). Pharmacists Council of Nigeria should consider expanding the scope of contraceptive services that PPMV can provide based on their training.
Exploring the Understanding of Technical University Lecturers on Continuous Professional Development in Ghana
Authors: Boateng William Owusu
Published: August 2022

The main objective was to determine the understanding of technical university lecturers in Ghana on continuing professional development and the importance it plays in their career prospects. The study was qualitative with a sample size of forty-eighty. The sample was taken from six deans of faculties, six heads of departments, and thirty-six lecturers. The participants were chosen from two technical universities. Two interview schedules were used to interview the participants. The deans and heads were interviewed with a different schedule, and the other was used to interview the lecturers. Some of the research findings included that CPD is any training, activity, or program that improves one’s knowledge, competencies, and skills in their field of specialty. It was also revealed that CPD allows lecturers to develop themselves. The ultimate objective of CPD is to help lecturers be efficient and effective in their teaching to impact their students positively. The study recommends that lecturers above fifty years who do not qualify for study leave with pay to embark on terminal degrees but certify all the criteria for promotion be promoted not above the senior lecturer position. Keywords: Career prospects, Competencies, Knowledge, Professional Development, Skills.
Evaluating the Implementation of Components of the Performance Management System in the Zambian Public Service: A Case Study of Development Bank of Zambia
Authors: Banda Charles Tennard
Published: August 2022

The Government of the Republic of Zambia has been undertaking public sector reforms beginning with Ministries and cascading to State Owned Enterprises such as the Development Bank of Zambia whose main thrust has been to improve service delivery by introducing performance management systems. The Bank has been implementing performance management systems since 2015. Despite these efforts, the Zambian public service is considered inefficient in its quest to deliver services. This study was conducted at Development Bank of Zambia in Lusaka, Zambia. Therefore, the aim of the study was to Evaluate the Implementation of Components of the Performance Management System in the Zambian Public Service: A Case of the Development Bank of Zambia. The study also sought to determine the origins of the concept performance management, define the concept, describe the approaches to performance management, the nature and content of a performance management system, outline the steps to be followed in developing a performance management system, identify the objectives and benefits of implementing the performance management system, identify the general problems associated with the implementation of the performance management system and make recommendations on how to improve the implementation of performance management and suggest areas for further research. Keywords: Public Sector Reforms, Performance Management System, Service Delivery, Zambia.
Angle of Humeral Torsion: Comparative Analysis with Length and Mid-Shaft Circumference
Authors: Yadav Subodh Kumar
Published: August 2022

The humeral torsion angle is a bony twist of the head of the humerus formed between the proximal and distal articular axis of the humerus, which is essentially significant to measure as it depends on biological activity. The present study was conducted with the aim to document anthropometric variables so as to provide a frame for prosthesis design of humeral components in arthroplasty. A total of 50 dry, normal adult human humeri were obtained from the Department of Anatomy in Nobel Medical College and teaching hospital to measure the angle of torsion, length, and mid-shaft circumference of each bone. The measurement of the angle of humeral torsion was performed by the Kingsley Olmsted method, whereas length and mid-shaft were measured with measuring tape. The data analysis was done in SPSS version 17 to correlate and compare the means. The average (mean± SD) angle of torsion for 50 unpaired dry humeri of both sides was compared and found to be statistically significant (p= 0.004, Right= 66.24± 8.67°, Left= 59.56± 6.7°). Mid-shaft circumference was positively correlated with the angle of torsion and was statistically significant (p=0.012, r= 0.351). The study concludes that mid-shaft circumference was found to be more with a large angle of humeral torsion, but there was no significant correlation with the length of the humeral shaft.
The Effect of a Systematic Workout Routine on Medical Students’ General Wellbeing and Academic Performance at the Texila American University
Authors: Rickford Lianne
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this study is to discover how many students have a systemic workout routine. The members of this group aimed to investigate the types of workout routines the students practiced, how often they did so, and to determine the impact of a systematic workout routine on the well-being of medical students at Texila American University. This study was established from the responses of one hundred and twenty medical students at Texila American University to a questionnaire distributed by the members of the group via online. The questionnaire consisted of fourteen questions that mainly focused on the workout routine, well-being, and academic performances of each student. In view of the fact that “well-being can be understood as how people feel and how they function both on a personal and social level, and how they evaluate their lives as a whole,”. The findings revealed that even though less than half of the students regularly worked out, having a workout routine, or simply exercising ever so often helped boost students’ mood, strengthen their mental, emotional, and physical health as well as improve their academic performance overall. The results of our research were in accordance with our hypothesis, which was: “A regular workout routine has a positive effect on the general well-being and academic performance of medical students at Texila American University by improving brain function and mood.” While the results obtained were in agreement with our hypothesis, they were somewhat hampered by the fact that only 43% (52 students) of our respondents had a systematic workout routine. Keywords: Medical students, Workout routine, Academic performance, General well-being
Strategi Kepala Madrasah dalam Menciptakan Budaya Belajar pada Masa Covid-19 di Yayasan Maharesi Siddiq Kab Cirebon
Authors: Yuliasari Tika , Ikhrom Ikhrom
Published: August 2022

Penelitian ini dilatar belakangi oleh penurunan budaya belajar selama pandemi covid-19. Tergerusnya budaya belajar menjadi tanggung jawab kepala madrasah dalam menentukan akuntabilitas keberhasilan siswa. Oleh karena itu, Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengungkap strategi kepala madrasah dalam menciptakan budaya belajar selama covid-19 di Yayasan Maharesi Siddiq. Penelitian kualitatif dengan pendekatan deskriptif ini didukung dengan data wawancara secara langsung dengan pihak terkait, observasi lapangan dan dokumentasi tentang budaya belajar. Data dianalisis menggunakan teknik analisis model Miles dan Huberman yakni reduksi data, display data, dan verifikasi data. Penelitian ini menemukan bahwa penciptaan budaya belajar siswa baik di dalam kelas maupun di luar kelas dilakukan melalui tiga strategi yakni strategi perencanaan program budaya belajar, strategi pelaksanaan dan strategi pengawasan program. Ketiga strategi tersebut terbukti mampu menciptakan budaya belajar siswa yang mencakup dimensi kognitif, tata nilai, dan tradisi.
Manajemen Waka Kesiswaan dalam Mengoptimalkan Kegiatan Pramuka di SMP N 1 Boja
Authors: Faidah Nur , Fatkuroji Fatkuroji , Pamungkas Fanzal
Published: August 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan manajemen waka kesiswaan dalam mengoptimalkan kegiatan pramuka di SMP N 1 Boja. Penelitian ini menggunakan jenis penelitian lapangan kualitatif. Dengan menggunakan teknik pengumpulan data melalui wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Kemudian untuk mengecek keabsahan data tersebut dilakukan melalui teknik triangulasi pengumpulan data.  Rumusan masalah dalam penelitian ini meliputi: (1) bagaimana perencanaan waka kesiswaan dalam mengoptimalkan kegiatan pramuka di SMP N 1 Boja. (2) bagaimana pelaksanaan waka kesiswaan dalam mengoptimalkan kegiatan pramuka di SMP N 1 Boja. (3) bagaimana evaluasi waka kesiswaan dalam mengoptimalkan kegiatan pramuka di SMP N 1 Boja. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: (1) Perencanaan manajemen kesiswaan dalam mengoptimalkan kegiatan pramuka di SMP N 1 Boja adalah mengadakan rapat bersama untuk membahas hal-hal seperti: penyusunan kegiatan, penjadwalan serta pengalokasian waktu kegiatan, dan sistem evaluasi peserta didik. (2) Pelaksanaan manajemen kesiswaan dalam mengoptimalkan kegiatan pramuka di SMP N 1 Boja berjalan baik. Penyusunan kegiatan sudah berjalan sesuai panduan pengembangan diri dan ekstrakurikuler, penjadwalan dan alokasi waktu kegiatan juga sudah sesuai dengan program pramuka, dan sistem evaluasinya menggunakan 3 jenis tes. (3) Evaluasi manajemen kesiswaan dalam mengoptimalkan kegiatan pramuka di SMP N 1 Boja berjalan optimal. Kegiatan pramuka memberi dampak positif sehingga dapat menambah pengetahuan dan keterampilan bagi siswa.
Semiquantitative microbiological risk assessment for water reuse in agriculture: a case study in Brazil
Authors: Damaceno Maria Gabriela de Souza , Cruvinel Karla Alcione da Silva , Santos Ana Silvia Pereira
Published: August 2022

Water reuse is a feasible alternative for non-potable and potable needs, e.g., irrigation. Nonetheless, this option is associated with environmental and public health risks. Therefore, a microbiological health risk assessment was carried out regarding the application of agricultural reuse of water in the neighborhood of Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP). This study was carried out in cities in the central region of Brazil, using a semiquantitative methodology. Escherichia coli density in treated wastewater was used as an input, which was obtained from the city wastewater utility. The same exposure scenario was defined for two crops – sugarcane and pasture – at the surroundings of four WWTP under study. As receptors, the following were adopted: farmers; water reuse transport workers; the local community; and sugarcane industry workers. The estimated risks for all groups were considered acceptable. Furthermore, such risks should be reduced to despicable (despicable risk should be understood as low risk) if improvements in the wastewater treatment system and more efficient configurations of barriers are adopted. It can be concluded that risk assessment clarifies the options for system-management, allowing for better informed decision-making and encouraging public confidence in the safe application of water reuse.