bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pemaparan merkuri nitrat (Hg (No3)2) dengan konsentrasi berbeda pada jaringan hati benih ikan kakap putih (Lates calcarifer Bloch): tinjauan histologi
Authors: Khalil Munawar
Published: February 2023

Abstract. The aims of this study is to evaluate the effect of the mercury nitrate (Hg(NO3)2) on the histological  of the liver structure of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer Bloch) fingerling which reared in the sea water. The fingerling liver tissue structure was analyzed using histological technique method. The result shown that Hg(NO3)2 gave negatively effect on the liver of the fingerling. The Hg(NO3)2 was caused atrophy, necrosis, coat inter the liver cellparted, fatty degeneration, cloudy swelling, vacuola degeneration, forming room in the cell, hepatitis, sirrhosis and metal accumulation.Keywords : Liver tissue, Asian Seabass fingerling, heavy metal compound. Abstrak. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mempelajari pengaruh logam berat merkuri nitrat (Hg(NO3)2) pada struktur histologis hati benih ikan kakap putih (Lates calcarifer Bloch) yang dipelihara di air laut. Analisis struktur jaringan hati dilakukan melalui teknik histologi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Hg(NO3)2 memberikan efek negatif pada hati benih ikan. Pada jaringan hati, (Hg(NO3)2) menyebabkan kerusakan atrophy, necrosis, lapisan antar sel hati berpisah, perlemakan hati, pembengkakan sel yang tidak beraturan, degenerasi pada vacuola, terbentuknya ruang antar sel, hepatitis, sirrhosis dan terdapatnya akumulasi logam berat Hg(NO3)2 dalam jaringan hati.Kata kunci: Jaringan hati, benih kakap putih, Senyawa logam berat.
Estimasi limbah organik dan daya dukung perairan dalam upaya pengelolaan terumbu karang di perairan Pulau Semak Daun Kepulauan Seribu
Authors: Mansur Wan , Mukhlis Kamal M. , Krisanti Majariana
Published: February 2023

Abstract. Sea ranching activity is highly depending on the ecology of coral reef condition. Floating cages activities in Semak Daun island has potential to produce waste along with organic waste from other anthropogenic activities in land and its will lead to eutrophication causing degradation of coral reefs. This study was conducted from May to July 2013. A survey method was used to obtain primary data. Data sets also supported by secondary data. Waste loads estimation of net aquaculture that enter the waters was 1178.1 Kg/ton of fish production (N 243.9 Kg/ton of fish and P 54.1 Kg/ton of fish). Estimated of anthropogenic waste load around the Semak Daun island was 4167 Kg N and 1738.8 Kg P. Based on N load, the carrying capacity of Semak Daun Island for grouper floating cages was 32 unit (192 raft) or 2 ha of 9.99 ha area that appropriate for floating cage activities. In addition, based on dissolved oxygen, the carrying capacity was 28 units (168 raft) or 1.6 Ha of 9.99 Ha area that appropriate for floating cage activities. Keywords: Sea Ranching; Organic waste; Carrying capacity; Semak Daun Island. Abstrak. Kegiatan Sea ranching sangat tergantung kondisi ekologi terutama ekositem terumbu karang. Dengan adanya aktivitas keramba jaring apung yang terdapat di perairan Pulau Semak Daun memiliki potensi untuk menghasilkan limbah pakan bersama dengan limbah organik yang berasal dari berbagai kegiatan di darat dan apabila tidak terkendali dengan baik akan menyebabkan terjadinya eutrofikasi  sehingga menyebabkan degradasi terumbu karang. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan Mei sampai Juli 2013. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode survey. Data yang dikumpulkan meliputi data primer dan data sekunder. Menggunakan Analisis dilakukan terhadap estimasi limbah organik dan analisis daya dukung perairan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan estimasi beban limbah budidaya jaring apung yang masuk ke perairan Pulau Semak Daun yaitu sebesar 1.178,1 Kg /ton ikan produksi (N 243,9 Kg/ton ikan dan P 54,1 Kg/ton ikan). Estimasi limbah antropogenik dari daratan sekitar pulau Semak Daun diperoleh 4.167 Kg N dan 1.738,8 Kg P. Berdasarkan pendekatan beban limbah N, daya dukung lingkungan perairan Pulau Semak Daun untuk pengembangan KJA ikan kerapu adalah 32 unit (192 petak KJA) atau 2 ha dari 9,99 ha luasan yang sesuai untuk kegiatan KJA. Berdasarkan ketersediaan oksigen terlarut, daya dukung perairan diperoleh 28 unit (168 petak KJA) atau 1,6 ha dari 9,99 ha luasan yang sesuai untuk KJA.Kata Kunci :  Sea Ranching; Limbah Organik; Daya dukung perairan; Pulau Semak Daun
Otherland: accounts of ordinary childless/freeness on Mumsnet
Authors: Hall Mel , van Hooff Jenny
Published: February 2023

There has been an increase in the number of individuals who do not have children for various reasons, whether health, choice or circumstance, as well as those who have children later in the lifecourse. Concurrently, there is a moral panic surrounding the decreasing birth rate. A thematic analysis of posts on the parenting forum Mumsnet explores the significance of childless/freeness, in the context of wider relationships. We find that established categories of ‘mother’ and ‘childless/free’ are reductive, and are more porous than usually framed. We consider the impact of such categories on women’s friendships, finding that they undermine potential solidarities. Drawing on Scott (2019), we conceptualise the absence of children as significant, but not necessarily a deficit, highlighting the potential to understand childless/freeness in the everyday.
Intuitive understanding of the connection between Pancharatnam–Berry optical beam deflectors and polarization volume holograms
Authors: Xi Fenglin , Bos Philip
Published: February 2023

An approximate beam propagation method is
proposed as an intuitive simulation of the optics of
Pancharatnam–Berry phase and polarization volume hologram devices.
Using this method, the connection between and polarization properties
of these two types of devices are made clear.
Polarized light transmission characteristics in a smoky ellipsoidal particle medium
Authors: Duan Jin , Qu Ying , Fu Qiang , Yu Ting , Yang Yining , Zhang Su , Zhan Juntong , Bai Xuemei
Published: February 2023

True natural environments are more complex, and light travels through non-spherical particle media, which can affect the transmission of light. The medium environment of non-spherical particles is more common than that of spherical particles, and some studies have shown that there are differences between spherical and non-spherical particles in polarized light transmission. Therefore, the use of spherical particles instead of non-spherical particles will result in great error. In view of this feature, this paper samples the scattering angle based on the Monte Carlo method, and then constructs a simulation model of a random sampling fitting phase function suitable for ellipsoidal particles. In this study, yeast spheroids and Ganoderma lucidum spores were prepared. The effects of different polarization states and optical thicknesses on the transmission of polarized light at three wavelengths were investigated using ellipsoidal particles with a ratio of 1.5 transverse to vertical axes. The results show that when the concentration of the medium environment increases, the polarized lights of different states all show obvious depolarization, but circularly polarized light has better polarization-preserving characteristics than linearly polarized light, and polarized light with larger wavelengths also shows more stable optical properties. When yeast and Ganoderma lucidum spores were used as the transport medium, the degree of polarization of polarized light had the same trend. However, the equal volume radius of yeast particles is smaller than that of Ganoderma lucidum spores, so when the laser is in the yeast particle medium, the polarization-maintaining property of polarized light is superior. This study provides an effective reference for the variation of polarized light transmission in an atmospheric transmission environment with heavy smoke.
Precision compensation method for visual measurement based on nonuniform refractive index field reconstruction
Authors: Wu Jun , Zhang Chenping , Pan Zhixiang , Zhang Xiaoyu , Guo Runxia
Published: February 2023

Visual measurement is widely used in industrial manufacturing and
assembly fields. Due to the fact that the refractive index field of
the measurement environment is inhomogeneous, the transmitted light
for visual measurements will produce errors. To compensate for these
errors, we introduce a binocular camera for visual measurement based
on the reconstruction of a nonuniform refractive index field using the
schlieren method, followed by the reduction of the inverse ray path by
the Runge–Kutta method to compensate for the measurement error
introduced by the nonuniform refractive index field. Finally, the
effectiveness of the method is experimentally verified, with a
reduction in measurement error of about 60% in the built measurement
environment.
Microfluidic immunosensor based on a graphene oxide functionalized double helix microfiber coupler for anti-Müllerian hormone detection
Authors: Li Yujie , Luo Binbin , Liu Yanan , Wu Sehngxi , Shi Shenghui , Chen Huiji , Zhao Mingfu
Published: February 2023

A label-free microfluidic immunosensor based on the double helix microfiber coupler (DHMC) coated with graphene oxide (GO) was proposed for the specific detection of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). Two single-mode optical fibers were twisted in a parallel direction, the coning machine was used to fuse and taper them, and the high-sensitivity DHMC was obtained. To make a stable sensing environment, it was immobilized in a microfluidic chip. And then, the DHMC was modified by GO and bio-functionalized by the AMH monoclonal antibodies (anti-AMH MAbs) for the specific detection of AMH. The experimental results showed that the detection range of the immunosensor for AMH antigen solutions was 200 fg/mL∼50 µg/mL, the detection of limit (LOD) was ∼235.15 fg/mL, and the detection sensitivity and the dissociation coefficient were ∼3.518 nm/(log(mg/mL)) and ∼1.85 × 10
−
12 M, respectively. The alpha fetoprotein (AFP), des-carboxy prothrombin (DCP), growth stimulation expressed gene 2 (ST2) and AMH serum were used to confirm the excellent specific and clinical properties of the immunosensor, showing that the proposed immunosensor was easy-made and can be potentially applied in the biosensing field.
Cross-calibration method based on an automated observation site
Authors: Huang Dong , Li Xin , Zheng Xiaobing , Wei Wei , Guo Fuxiang , Zhang Quan
Published: February 2023

Cross-calibration methods are widely used in high-precision remote sensor calibrations and ensure observational consistency between sensors. Because two sensors must be observed under the same or similar conditions, the cross-calibration frequency is greatly reduced; performing cross-calibrations on Aqua/Terra MODIS, Sentinel-2A/Sentinel-2B MSI and other similar sensors is difficult due to synchronous-observation limitations. Additionally, few studies have cross-calibrated water-vapor-observation bands sensitive to atmospheric changes. In recent years, standard automated observation sites and unified processing technology networks, such as an Automated Radiative Calibration Network (RadCalNet) and an automated vicarious calibration system (AVCS), have provided automatic observation data and means for independently, continuously monitoring sensors, thus offering new cross-calibration references and bridges. We propose an AVCS-based cross-calibration method. By limiting the observational-condition differences when two remote sensors transit over wide temporal ranges through AVCS observation data, we improve the cross-calibration opportunity. Thereby, cross-calibrations and observation consistency evaluations between the abovementioned instruments are realized. The influence of AVCS-measurement uncertainties on the cross-calibration is analyzed. The consistency between the MODIS cross-calibration and sensor observation is within 3% (5% in SWIR bands); that for the MSI is within 1% (2.2% in the water-vapor-observation band); and for the cross-calibration of Aqua MODIS and the two MSI, the consistency between the cross-calibration-predicted TOA reflectance and the sensor-measured TOA reflectance was within 3.8%. Thus, the absolute AVCS-measurement uncertainty is also reduced, especially in the water-vapor-observation band. This method can be applied to cross-calibrations and measurement consistency evaluations of other remote sensors. Later, the spectral-difference influences on cross-calibrations will be further studied.
A high-sensitivity single-light-dource triaxial atomic magnetometer with double-cell and orthogonally pumped structure
Authors: Wu Zinan , Zhang Jialong , He Mengyang , Ren Bokang , Wang Zilong , Wei Chen , Ou Zhonghua , Yue Huimin , Zhou Xiaojun , Liu Yong
Published: February 2023

We first report a single-light-source orthogonally pumped triaxial atomic magnetometer with a double-cell structure. By using a beam splitter to equally allocate the pump beam, the proposed triaxial atomic magnetometer is responsive to magnetic fields in all three directions, and without sacrificing system sensitivity. The experimental results indicate that, the magnetometer achieves a sensitivity of 22 fT/Hz1/2 in x-direction with a 3-dB bandwidth of 22 Hz, a sensitivity of 23 fT/Hz1/2 in y-direction with a 3-dB bandwidth of 23 Hz, and a sensitivity of 21 fT/Hz1/2 in z-direction with a 3-dB bandwidth of 25 Hz. This magnetometer is useful for the applications that require the measurements of the three components of the magnetic field.
Improved ellipse-fitting phase demodulation technique to suppress the effect of light source intensity noise in interferometric system
Authors: Fang Chongxu , Shi Jinhui , Fu Zhenyu , Zhou Wen , Zhang Jihao , Gong Yuanfei , Guang Dong , Mu Shengquan , Zuo Cheng , Wu Xuqiang , Zhou Mingyuan , Yu Benli
Published: February 2023

An improved ellipse-fitting algorithm phase demodulation (EFAPD) technique is proposed to reduce the influence of light source intensity noise on a system. In the original EFAPD, the sum of the intensities of coherent light (ICLS) is an important part of the interference signal noise, which makes the demodulation results suffer. The improved EFAPD corrects the ICLS and fringe contrast quantity of the interference signal by an ellipse-fitting algorithm, and then calculates the ICLS based on the structure of pull-cone 3 × 3 coupler, so as to remove it in the algorithm. Experimental results show that the noise of the improved EFAPD system is significantly reduced compared with that of the original EFAPD, with a maximum reduction of 35.57 dB. The improved EFAPD makes up for the deficiency of the original EFAPD in suppressing light source intensity noise, and promotes the application and popularization of EFAPD.
Effects of helminths and anthelmintic treatment on cardiometabolic diseases and risk factors: A systematic review
Authors: Pham Khanh , Mertelsmann Anna , Mages Keith , Kingery Justin R. , Mazigo Humphrey D. , Jaka Hyasinta , Kalokola Fredrick , Changalucha John M. , Kapiga Saidi , Peck Robert N. , Downs Jennifer A.
Published: February 2023

Background

Globally, helminth infections and cardiometabolic diseases often overlap in populations and individuals. Neither the causal relationship between helminth infections and cardiometabolic diseases nor the effect of helminth eradication on cardiometabolic risk have been reviewed systematically in a large number of human and animal studies.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review assessing the reported effects of helminth infections and anthelmintic treatment on the development and/or severity of cardiometabolic diseases and risk factors. The search was limited to the most prevalent human helminths worldwide. This study followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered prospectively in PROSPERO (CRD42021228610). Searches were performed on December 10, 2020 and rerun on March 2, 2022 using Ovid MEDLINE ALL (1946 to March 2, 2022), Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Global Index Medicus, and Ovid Embase (1974 to March 2, 2022). Randomized clinical trials, cohort, cross-sectional, case-control, and animal studies were included. Two reviewers performed screening independently.

Results

Eighty-four animal and human studies were included in the final analysis. Most studies reported on lipids (45), metabolic syndrome (38), and diabetes (30), with fewer on blood pressure (18), atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (11), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP, 5), and non-atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (4). Fifteen different helminth infections were represented. On average, helminth-infected participants had less dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Eleven studies examined anthelmintic treatment, of which 9 (82%) reported post-treatment increases in dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes or glucose levels. Results from animal and human studies were generally consistent. No consistent effects of helminth infections on blood pressure, hsCRP, or cardiac function were reported except some trends towards association of schistosome infection with lower blood pressure. The vast majority of evidence linking helminth infections to lower cardiometabolic diseases was reported in those with schistosome infections.

Conclusions

Helminth infections may offer protection against dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This protection may lessen after anthelmintic treatment. Our findings highlight the need for mechanistic trials to determine the pathways linking helminth infections with cardiometabolic diseases. Such studies could have implications for helminth eradication campaigns and could generate new strategies to address the global challenge of cardiometabolic diseases.
Development and validation of small animal models for onchocerciasis and loiasis microfilaricide discovery
Authors: Ayiseh Rene Bilingwe , Mbah Glory Enjong , Monya Elvis , Ndi Emmanuel Menang , Sakanari Judy , Lustigman Sara , Cho-Ngwa Fidelis
Published: February 2023

Background

Onchocerciasis (river blindness) caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus is a neglected tropical disease that affects the skin and eyes of humans. Mass drug administration with ivermectin (IVM) to control the disease often suffers from severe adverse events in individuals co-injected with high loads of Loa loa microfilariae (mf). Thus loiasis animal models for counter-screening of compounds effective against onchocerciasis are needed, as are the corresponding onchocerciasis screening models. The repertoire of such models is highly limiting. Therefore, this study was aimed at developing and validating mf immunocompetent small animal models to increase tools for onchocerciasis drug discovery.

Methodology/Principal findings

O. ochengi mf from cattle skin and L. loa mf from human blood were used to infect BALB/c mice and Mongolian gerbils, and IVM was used for model validation. O. ochengi mf were given subcutaneously to both rodents while L. loa mf were administered intravenously to mice and intraperitoneally to gerbils. IVM was given orally. In an 8-day model of O. ochengi mf in BALB/c mice, treatment with IVM depleted all mf in the mice, unlike the controls. Also, in a 2.5-day model of L. loa mf in BALB/c, IVM significantly reduced mf in treated mice compared to the untreated. Furthermore, the gerbils were very susceptible to O. ochengi mf and IVM eradicated all mf in the treated animals. In the peritoneal L. loa mf gerbil model, IVM reduced mf motility in treated animals compared to the controls. In a 30-day gerbil co-injection model, IVM treatment cleared all O. ochengi mf and reduced motility of L. loa mf. Both mf survived for up to 50 days in a gerbil co-injection model.

Conclusions/Significance

We have developed two immunocompetent small animal models for onchocerciasis and loiasis that can be used for microfilaricide discovery and to counter-screen onchocerciasis macrofilarides
Contextual determinants of mass drug administration performance: Modelling fourteen years of lymphatic filariasis treatments in West Africa
Authors: Fuller Brian B. , Harris Vance , Parker Caleb , Martinez Andres , Toubali Emily , Ebene Blandine Clarisse , Asemanyi-Mensah Kofi , Dembele Massitan , Salissou Adamou Bacthiri , Kabré Cathérine , Meite Aboulaye , Kane Ndeye Mbacke , Kargbo-Labour Ibrahim , Batcho Wilfrid , Diaby Aissatou , Yevstigneyeva Violetta , Stukel Diana Maria
Published: February 2023

Background

Effective mass drug administration (MDA) is the cornerstone in the elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) and a critical component in combatting all neglected tropical diseases for which preventative chemotherapy is recommended (PC-NTDs). Despite its importance, MDA coverage, however defined, is rarely investigated systematically across time and geography.

Most commonly, investigations into coverage react to unsatisfactory outcomes and tend to focus on a single year and health district. Such investigations omit more macro-level influences including sociological, environmental, and programmatic factors.

The USAID NTD database contains measures of performance from thousands of district-level LF MDA campaigns across 14 years and 10 West African countries. Specifically, performance was measured as an MDA’s epidemiological coverage, calculated as persons treated divided by persons at risk.

This analysis aims to explain MDA coverage across time and geography in West Africa using sociological, environmental, and programmatic factors.

Methodology

The analysis links epidemiological coverage data from 3,880 LF MDAs with contextual, non-NTD data via location (each MDA was specific to a health district) and time (MDA month, year). Contextual data included rainfall, temperature, violence or social unrest, COVID-19, the 2014 Ebola outbreak, road access/isolation, population density, observance of Ramadan, and the number of previously completed MDAs.

Principal findings

We fit a hierarchical linear regression model with coverage as the dependent variable and performed sensitivity analyses to confirm the selection of the explanatory factors.

Above average rainfall, COVID-19, Ebola, violence and social unrest were all significantly associated with lower coverage. Years of prior experience in a district and above average temperature were significantly associated with higher coverage.

Conclusions/Significance

These generalized and context-focused findings supplement current literature on coverage dynamics and MDA performance. Findings may be used to quantify typically anecdotal considerations in MDA planning. The model and methodology are offered as a tool for further investigation.
Determinants of maternal morbidity during pregnancy in urban Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Zakir , Afroz Nilima , Sharmin Sabina , Sharmin Sayema , Kabir Enamul
Published: February 2023

Background

Maternal morbidities especially life-threatening pregnancy complications are major health concerns in developing countries. The main aim is to investigate the prevalence of maternal morbidity during pregnancy and its determinants among women from urban areas of Bangladesh.

Methods

The secondary data were used and extracted from the latest Bangladesh Urban Health Survey (BUHS) 2013. Several statistical models: Poisson, negative binomial (NB) and mixed Poisson were adapted and compared to explore the best model for investigating potential determinants of maternal morbidity. Pearson chi-square statistic was used for the detection of overdispersion in the data.

Results

Overall 13.5% of the urban women in Bangladesh suffered from at least two pregnancy complications. The study detected the overdispersion existing in the maternal morbidity count data and found the NB regression as the best choice for analyzing the data because of its smallest Akaike information criterion. Administrative division (Rangpur: p = 0.003, incidence rate ratio, IRR = 1.34, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.11 to 1.63; Sylhet: p = 0.006, incidence rate ratio, IRR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.82), unwanted pregnancy (p<0.001, IRR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.40), place of delivery (p<0.001, IRR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.53 to 1.86) and wealth index (Poor: p<0.001, IRR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.19 to 1.50; Middle: p = 0.003, IRR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.36) were found to be statistically significant determinants for maternal morbidity during pregnancy among the urban women in Bangladesh.

Conclusions

Urban women in Bangladesh with an unwanted pregnancy, from the poor/middle-income group; and living in Rangpur and Sylhet divisional cities have a higher risk of maternal morbidity during pregnancy. Study findings may help the government and relevant authorities to take necessary steps for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality due to pregnancy-related complications.
Estimation of soil salt content in the Bosten Lake watershed, Northwest China based on a support vector machine model and optimal spectral indices
Authors: Hou Jiawen , Rusuli Yusufujiang
Published: February 2023

Low-cost and efficient dynamic monitoring of surface salinization information is critical in arid and semi-arid regions, we conducted a remote sensing inversion exercise for soil salinity in the Bosten Lake watershed in Xinjiang, Northwest China, with a total area of about 43,930 km2, a typical watershed in an arid area. Sentinel MSI and Landsat OLI data were combined with measured soil salinity data in July 2020, and optimal combination bands were selected based on characteristic bands to create a grid search-support vector machine (GS-SVM) inversion model of soil salt content. The maximum value of soil salt content in the Bosten Lake watershed was 11.8 g/kg. The minimum value was 0.41 g/kg, and the average value was 4.77 g/kg, soil salinization is serious. The results of previous studies were applied to the estimation of salt content in Bosten Lake watershed and could not meet the monitoring requirements of the study area, R2 < 0.3. The GS-SVM soil salinity monitoring model was established based on the optimal DI, RI, and NDI remote sensing indexes for the Bosten Lake watershed. After model verification, it was found that the optimal model of image data was the Landsat OLI first-derivative model with R2 of 0.64, RMSE of 3.12, and RPD of 1.64, indicating that the prediction ability of the model was high. We used the first-order derivative model of Landsat OLI data to map the soil salt content in the Bosten Lake watershed in arid area, and found that soil salt content in most of the study area was between 10 and 20 g/kg, indicating severe salinization. This study not only reveals the distribution characteristics of salinization in Bosten Lake watershed, but also provides a scientific basis for soil salinization monitoring in Central Asia to lay a foundation for further soil salinization monitoring in arid areas.
Prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among older adults using Mini Nutritional Assessment tool in Womberma district, West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, North West Ethiopia, 2020
Authors: Tadesse Amsalu Dereje , Anto Tsige Gebre , Birhanu Molla Yigzaw , Agedew Eskeziaw , Yimer Belete , Abejie Ayenew Negesse
Published: February 2023

Background

Undernutrition is a frequent and serious problem in the world’s older adults. Even though life expectancy is increasing, they are more vulnerable and at risk for nutritional problems. However, not much is known about the nutritional status of this group of the population, and they are often neglected.

Objective

This study was aimed at assessing undernutrition and associated factors among older adults in Womberma District, West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2020.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study design was used among randomly selected 594 older adults aged above 60 years with a multistage simple random sampling method and proportional sample size allocation was used to address study subjects at the village level. The collected data was entered into Epi-Data version 4.2 and analyzed by using SPSS version 25. All variables with a p-value<0.25 in the bivariable analysis were considered for multivariable logistic regression for further analysis and the level of statistical significance was declared at p-value<0. 05.

Results

The prevalence of undernutrition among older adults was found to be 14.6% (95%CI: 11.9–17.7). A number of independent variables have a significant association with undernutrition, including gender, females [(AOR (95%CI): 3.14 (1.50–6.54)], age (Oldest Old [AOR (95%CI): 4.91 (2.44–6.08)] and Middle Old, [AOR (95%CI): 2.96 (1.44–6.08)], meal frequency [AOR (95%CI): 2.01 (1.12 (1.04–3.63)], dietary diversity score [AOR (95%CI): 2.92 (1.54–5.53)], depression [AOR (95%CI): 5.22 (3–9.07)], individuals with a sickness in the last 4 weeks [AOR (95%CI): 2.12 (1.02–4.41)] and individuals with a known hemorrhoid [AOR (95%CI): 3.51 (1.12–10.97)].

Conclusion

This study found that the prevalence of undernutrition in older adults is high and needs attention. Sex, age, meal frequency, dietary diversity, being sick in the last 4 weeks, having hemorrhoids, and depression were the associated risk factors. Therefore, the government, family members, and other stakeholders should give more attention to older individuals.
Mitochondrial DNA variants in a cohort from Argentina with suspected Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON)
Authors: Buonfiglio Paula I. , Menazzi Sebastián , Francipane Liliana , Lotersztein Vanesa , Ferreiro Verónica , Elgoyhen Ana Belén , Dalamón Viviana
Published: February 2023

The present study investigates the spectrum and analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants associated with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) in an Argentinean cohort, analyzing 3 LHON-associated mitochondrial genes. In 32% of the cases, molecular confirmation of the diagnosis could be established, due to the identification of disease-causing variants. A total of 54 variants were observed in a cohort of 100 patients tested with direct sequencing analysis. The frequent causative mutations m.11778G>A in MT-ND4, m.3460G>A in MT-ND1, and m.14484T>C in MT-ND6 were identified in 28% of the cases of our cohort. Secondary mutations in this Argentinean LHON cohort were m.11253T>C p.Ile165Thr in MT-ND4, identified in three patients (3/100, 3%) and m.3395A>G p.Tyr30Cys in MT-ND1, in one of the patients studied (1%). This study shows, for the first time, the analysis of mtDNA variants in patients with a probable diagnosis of LHON in Argentina. Standard molecular methods are an effective first approach in order to achieve genetic diagnosis of the disease, leaving NGS tests for those patients with negative results.
A deep learning system for heart failure mortality prediction
Authors: Li Dengao , Fu Jian , Zhao Jumin , Qin Junnan , Zhang Lihui
Published: February 2023

Heart failure (HF) is the final stage of the various heart diseases developing. The mortality rates of prognosis HF patients are highly variable, ranging from 5% to 75%. Evaluating the all-cause mortality of HF patients is an important means to avoid death and positively affect the health of patients. But in fact, machine learning models are difficult to gain good results on missing values, high dimensions, and imbalances HF data. Therefore, a deep learning system is proposed. In this system, we propose an indicator vector to indicate whether the value is true or be padded, which fast solves the missing values and helps expand data dimensions. Then, we use a convolutional neural network with different kernel sizes to obtain the features information. And a multi-head self-attention mechanism is applied to gain whole channel information, which is essential for the system to improve performance. Besides, the focal loss function is introduced to deal with the imbalanced problem better. The experimental data of the system are from the public database MIMIC-III, containing valid data for 10311 patients. The proposed system effectively and fast predicts four death types: death within 30 days, death within 180 days, death within 365 days and death after 365 days. Our study uses Deep SHAP to interpret the deep learning model and obtains the top 15 characteristics. These characteristics further confirm the effectiveness and rationality of the system and help provide a better medical service.
Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV among antenatal care attendees in Ethiopia, 2020
Authors: Yeshaneh Alex , Abebe Haimanot , Tafese Fikremariam Endeshaw , Workineh Alemu
Published: February 2023

Background

In 2020, globally approximately 37.6 million people living with HIV and 700,000 children are born infected from their parents. Every day there are nearly 1800 new Human Immune Virus (HIV) infections in children, more than 90% occurring in the developing world. Approximately 90% of these infections are associated with mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). In 2019, Ethiopia had over 100,000 pregnancies in HIV-positive women and over 12,000 HIV-positive. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pregnant mothers toward the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.ss

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 216 antenatal care (ANC) attendees in Gurage zone hospitals from June to July 2020. Data were collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. A Systematic random sampling technique with proportional allocation to size was used to select study subjects. Data entry and analysis were performed using Epi Data version 4.1 and SPSS version 25 respectively.

Results

The level of good knowledge, attitude, and practice towards Prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV among antenatal care attendees was found to be 72.2%, 79%, and 62% respectively. This study has also shown that at the time of transmission of the virus from the infected mother to her child, 38.9% of the respondents responded that it could be through breastfeeding, 38.9% during pregnancy, 16.5% during labor and 5.7% did not know respectively. All the respondents have been tested and 0.92% was positive. Nearly half, 99 (45.8%) of the respondents had tested for HIV/AIDS with their partner/husband during their ANC follow-up.

Conclusion

In this study, the level of good knowledge, attitude, and practice towards PMTCT of HIV among antenatal care attendees were low. This finding also suggests that healthcare providers should consider the potential risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV while providing clinical health assessments during antenatal care visits. Thus, improvement of counseling sessions and knowledge of PMTCT for pregnant women attending antenatal care is needed to increase their acceptance and use of PMTCT for HIV services.
Sentiment analysis and causal learning of COVID-19 tweets prior to the rollout of vaccines
Authors: Zhang Qihuang , Yi Grace Y. , Chen Li-Pang , He Wenqing
Published: February 2023

While the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been widely studied, relatively fewer discussions about the sentimental reaction of the public are available. In this article, we scrape COVID-19 related tweets on the microblogging platform, Twitter, and examine the tweets from February 24, 2020 to October 14, 2020 in four Canadian cities (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary) and four U.S. cities (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle). Applying the RoBERTa, Vader and NRC approaches, we evaluate sentiment intensity scores and visualize the results over different periods of the pandemic. Sentiment scores for the tweets concerning three anti-epidemic measures, “masks”, “vaccine”, and “lockdown”, are computed for comparison. We explore possible causal relationships among the variables concerning tweet activities and sentiment scores of COVID-19 related tweets by integrating the echo state network method with convergent cross-mapping. Our analyses show that public sentiments about COVID-19 vary from time to time and from place to place, and are different with respect to anti-epidemic measures of “masks”, “vaccines”, and “lockdown”. Evidence of the causal relationship is revealed for the examined variables, assuming the suggested model is feasible.
The double task-switching protocol: An investigation into the effects of similarity and conflict on cognitive flexibility in the context of mental fatigue
Authors: Hinss Marcel F. , Brock Anke M. , Roy Raphaëlle N.
Published: February 2023

Considerable fundamental studies have focused on the mechanisms governing cognitive flexibility and the associated costs of switching between tasks. Task-switching costs refer to the phenomenon that reaction times and accuracy decrease briefly following the switch from one task to another. However, cognitive flexibility also impacts day-to-day life in many complex work environments where operators have to perform several different tasks. One major difference between typical tasks examined in fundamental studies and real-world applications is that fundamental studies often rely on much more similar tasks, which is not the case for real-world applications. In the latter, operators may switch between vastly dissimilar tasks. Therefore, this behavioural study aims to test if task-switching costs are different for switches between similar and dissimilar tasks. The proposed protocol has participants switch between 2 pairs of two tasks each. Between pairs, there is more dissimilarity, while the two tasks within each pair are more similar. In addition, this study examines the impact of mental fatigue and interference in form of confounding information on cognitive flexibility. To induce mental fatigue the participants’ breaks between blocks will be limited. We expect that dissimilarity between tasks will result in greater task-switching costs.
Invasive predator diet plasticity has implications for native fish conservation and invasive species suppression
Authors: Glassic Hayley C. , Guy Christopher S. , Tronstad Lusha M. , Lujan Dominique R. , Briggs Michelle A. , Albertson Lindsey K. , Koel Todd M.
Published: February 2023

Diet plasticity is a common behavior exhibited by piscivores to sustain predator biomass when preferred prey biomass is reduced. Invasive piscivore diet plasticity could complicate suppression success; thus, understanding invasive predator consumption is insightful to meeting conservation targets. Here, we determine if diet plasticity exists in an invasive apex piscivore and whether plasticity could influence native species recovery benchmarks and invasive species suppression goals. We compared diet and stable isotope signatures of invasive lake trout and native Yellowstone cutthroat trout (cutthroat trout) from Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming, U.S.A. as a function of no, low-, moderate-, and high-lake trout density states. Lake trout exhibited plasticity in relation to their density; consumption of cutthroat trout decreased 5-fold (diet proportion from 0.89 to 0.18) from low- to high-density state. During the high-density state, lake trout switched to amphipods, which were also consumed by cutthroat trout, resulting in high diet overlap (Schoener’s index value, D = 0.68) between the species. As suppression reduced lake trout densities (moderate-density state), more cutthroat trout were consumed (proportion of cutthroat trout = 0.42), and diet overlap was released between the species (D = 0.30). A shift in lake trout δ13C signatures from the high- to the moderate-density state also corroborated increased consumption of cutthroat trout and lake trout diet plasticity. Observed declines in lake trout are not commensurate with expected cutthroat trout recovery due to lake trout diet plasticity. The abundance of the native species in need of conservation may take longer to recover due to the diet plasticity of the invasive species. The changes observed in diet, diet overlap, and isotopes associated with predator suppression provides more insight into conservation and suppression dynamics than using predator and prey biomass alone. By understanding these dynamics, we can better prepare conservation programs for potential feedbacks caused by invasive species suppression.
Coordinating a three-level contract farming supply chain with option contracts considering risk-averse farmer and retailer
Authors: Liao Changhua , Lu Qihui , Lin Li
Published: February 2023

We considered a three-level contract farming supply chain comprising a risk-averse farmer, a risk-neutral supplier, and a risk-averse retailer. The farmer plants and grows fresh agricultural products with yield uncertainty, the supplier is the leader of the supply chain and the designer of the contracts, and the retailer sells processed products with random demand. Under CVaR criterion, this paper discusses three option contracts between the supplier and the retailer, as well as wholesale price contracts or replenishment cost-sharing contracts between the supplier and the farmer. Results show that when the farmer is risk-neutral, option contracts with or without replenishment cost-sharing contracts can maximize the total profit and increase the profits of all members simultaneously. When the farmer and the retailer are risk-averse, only option contracts with replenishment cost-sharing contracts can ensure supply chain full coordination and Pareto improvement by adjusting the option parameters and making the farmer’s sharing ratio equal to his risk aversion coefficient. Moreover, through numerical analysis, we discovered that the interval of the Pareto improvement decreases with the retailer’s risk aversion coefficient and the quantity loss rate, and increases with the farmer’s risk aversion coefficient. The supplier will not be able to increase his own profits when the loss rate is excessively large. Therefore, the leader should consider the risk aversion degree of all parties and the quantity loss rate of fresh agricultural products before choosing contracts.
Job and life satisfaction among emergency physicians: A qualitative study
Authors: Kase Jesse , Doolittle Benjamin
Published: February 2023

The prevalence of burnout among emergency physicians is among the highest of any specialty. Multiple studies have described factors that contribute to physician burnout, such as age, institutional support, and the electronic medical record (EMR). However, there have been few studies that investigate those physicians who are satisfied with their career and their personal lives. This qualitative study evaluated emergency physicians who were satisfied with both their career and personal lives to propose a model for physician well-being. Physicians were recruited using email solicitation and referral by their peers from June-September 2020. Inclusion criteria involved those physicians who were satisfied with their life and their job and did not meet the criteria for burnout. A qualitative, non-structured interview with open-ended questions was performed with each participant. Emergent themes were identified using standard practice for qualitative studies. Twenty-three physicians participated with a mean age of 45.4 years old (range 32–65), 17 (73.9%) were men, 13 (56.5%) were Caucasian, 6 (26.0%) were Asian/South Asian, 1 (4.3%) were Latino, and 3 (13.0%) were another ethnicity. Several important themes emerged. Physicians satisfied with their lives and their jobs tended to be personally resilient, socially connected, with significant outside interests. These physicians self-identified their personality type as having both introverted and extroverted features. Threats to thriving included ineffective leadership and the EMR. This project proposes a model for job and life satisfaction among emergency physicians. Encouraging these qualities, while fostering supportive leadership, and optimizing the EMR, may improve satisfaction among physicians experiencing burnout.
Diarrhea and related personal characteristics among Japanese university students studying abroad in intermediate- and low-risk countries
Authors: Yamakawa Michiyo , Tsuda Toshihide , Wada Keiko , Nagata Chisato , Suzuki Etsuji
Published: February 2023

Despite an increasing number of students studying abroad worldwide, evidence about health risks while they are abroad is limited. Diarrhea is considered the most common travelers’ illness, which would also apply to students studying abroad. We examined diarrhea and related personal characteristics among Japanese students studying abroad. Japanese university students who participated in short-term study abroad programs between summer 2016 and spring 2018 were targeted (n = 825, 6–38 travel days). Based on a 2-week-risk of diarrhea (passing three or more loose or liquid stools per day) among travelers by country, the destination was separated into intermediate- and low-risk countries. After this stratification, the associations between personal characteristics and diarrhea during the first two weeks of their stay were evaluated using logistic regression models. Among participants in intermediate-risk countries, teenagers, males and those with overseas travel experience were associated with an elevated risk of diarrhea; the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 2.42 (1.08–5.43) for teenagers (vs. twenties), 1.93 (1.08–3.45) for males (vs. females) and 2.37 (1.29–4.33) for those with overseas experience (vs. none). Even restricting an outcome to diarrhea during the first week did not change the results substantially. The same tendency was not observed for those in the low-risk countries. Teenage students, males and those with overseas travel experience should be cautious about diarrhea while studying abroad, specifically in intermediate-risk countries.