bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical Activity Level and Influencing Factors in Junior High School Students in China: A Cross‐ Sectional Study
Authors: Ma Huijun , Li Xuefeng , Ma Chengliang , Teng Da
Published: February 2024

Purposes: Engaging in regular physical activity has been consistently linked to improved physical health and academic performance. Despite its known benefits, there is a concerning trend of decreased physical activity among children globally. The study primarily aims to investigate the level of physical activity among junior high school students in Taiyuan and analyze the main affecting factors from a socio-ecological perspective.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 650 junior high school students from 7 schools in Taiyuan, and 648 valid questionnaires were collected. Physical activity levels were assessed using the Children’s Leisure Activities Study Survey Questionnaire. Factors influencing physical activity were evaluated through the Student Perceived Factors Affecting Physical Activity Questionnaire.
Results: In this study, students from the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades participated in physical activities, averaging 214.5 minutes per week in moderate-intensity and 25 minutes in high-intensity activities, cumulatively averaging 280 minutes weekly. Notably, a significant disparity (p<0.05) was observed in the combined duration of moderate and high-intensity activities, with male students engaging more time compared to their female counterparts (307.500 vs 255.000 minutes). This variance extended across different grades, particularly evident in 8th graders who recorded the highest weekly high-intensity activity duration (31.000 minutes) and overall physical activity time (320.500 minutes), surpassing the 7th graders. Furthermore, an exploratory factor analysis of a 32-item questionnaire, designed to identify determinants of physical activity, revealed six principal components. These components were found to positively correlate with both moderate and high-intensity physical activities.
Conclusion: This study emphasizes the necessity for educational institutions and community programmes to provide engaging physical activities, especially during weekends. It highlights the importance of tailoring physical education curricula to address gender and grade differences and investing in quality sports equipment and facilities by schools and local governments.
Progress in Fruit Cracking Control of Gibberellic Acid and Abscisic Acid
Authors: Zhang Mengmeng , Liu Yiteng , Chen Zhuo , Zhi Zhaokun , Wang A-ning , Yue Huafeng , Li Fangdong , Zhang Shulin , Zhu Gaopu
Published: February 2024

Fruit cracking or splitting, a severe physiological disease that highly affects appearance and quality, compromise the commodity value of fruit and also causes huge economical losses to the producers of several fleshy fruit crops. The growth-promoting phytohormone gibberellic acid (GA) and growth-inhibiting phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) antagonistically regulate numerous developmental processes throughout the plant life cycle. Homeostasis of endogenous GA and ABA play a significant role in the normal growth of fruits, and its imbalance may lead to the occurrence of cracking or splitting during the process of fruit growth, development, ripening and postharvest storage. The pathways of GA and ABA metabolism and signaling have been studied widely, and the major components were well characterized, which including the genes encoding major biosynthesis and catabolism enzymes and the key signaling components. Nevertheless, our knowledge of the mechanisms of GA and ABA governing fruit cracking is not comprehensive enough. In this review, we not only focus on the scenarios of effects of endogenous GA and ABA contents in the fruit and exogenous plant growth regulators GA and ABA treatments, but also endeavor to provide some genetic cues on the function of GA and ABA responsible for fruit cracking modulation. Information from this review aims to strengthen the understanding of potential molecular bases underlying GA and ABA in fruit cracking control and provide guidance in breeding of fruit cultivars with cracking-resistant ideotypes, and also make great theoretical signiﬁcance in guiding the establishment of integrated prevention and control measures to fruit cracking or splitting.
Strategies for Software and Hardware Compatibility Testing in Industrial Controllers
Authors: Rothhaupt Marcus , Vogt Lucas , Urbas Leon
Published: February 2024

Mass customization, small batch sizes, high variability of product types and a changing product portfolio during the life cycle of an industrial plant are current trends in the industry. Due to an increasing decoupling of the development of software and hardware components in an industrial context, compatibility problems within industrial control systems arise more and more frequently. In this publication, a strategy concept for compatibility testing is derived and discussed by means of literature review and applied research. This 4-phased strategy concept identifies incompatibilities between software and hardware components in the industrial control environment and enables test engineers to detect problems at an early stage. By automating the compatibility test on an external I-PC, the test can be run both when new software is installed on the industrial controller and when the controller is restarted. Thus, changes to the components are constantly detected and incompatibilities are avoided. Furthermore, early incompatibility detection can ensure that a system remains permanently operational. Based on a discussion, additionally strategies are identified to consolidate the robustness and applicability of the presented concept.
Soft Tissue Substitutes in Periodontal and Peri-Implant Soft Tissue Augmentation. A Systematic Review.
Authors: Rotundo Roberto , Bonafede Vanessa , Pancrazi Gian Luca , Grassi Alessia , Ceresoli Lara , Di Domenico Giovanna Laura
Published: February 2024

The present review compared the efficacy of soft tissue substitutes (STS) and autogenous free gingival graft (FGG) or connective tissue graft (CTG) in mucogingival procedures to increase keratinized tissue (KT) width around teeth and implants.
Two independent examiners performed the electronic search on Medline and Cochrane Library based on the following PICO’s format: (P) adult patients; (I) soft tissue substitutes and FGG/CTG; (C) STS vs CTG; STS vs FGG; STS vs CTR; (O) KT width gain; (S) Systematic Reviews, Randomized Controlled Trials. Results showed that around teeth, all biomaterials showed superior performance compared to CAF alone for treating gingival recessions. However, when compared to CTG, ADM yields the most similar outcomes to the gold standard (CTG), even though in multiple recessions CTG still continue to be considered the most favorable approach. Use of STSs (acellular matrix or tissue engineered) in combination with an apically positioned flap resulted in a significantly less gain of KTW compared to what achieved with FGG and APF.
Around dental implants, free gingival grafts were deemed more effective than soft tissue substitutes in enhancing keratinized mucosa width.
Upper and Lower Bounds of the State Variable of M/G/1 Psffa Model of the Non‐Stationary m/Ek/1 Queueing System
Authors: A Mageed Dr Ismail
Published: February 2024

The current work reports the upper bound of the state variable of the of the Pointwise Steady Fluid Flow Approximation (PSFFA) model of non-stationary M/Ek/1 queueing system.
A Digital Vaccination Pass Using Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources: A Proof of Concept
Authors: Klausen Tobias , Hartig Valentin , Fuchs Dominik , Krueger Nils , Jeltsch Vincent Melchior , Bild Raffael , Scheible Raphael
Published: February 2024

The traditional manual recording of vaccination records in Germany faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the introduction of a Covid smartphone app with QR codes. However, this solution brought new challenges, emphasizing the need for a centrally managed European digital vaccination record for efficiency and validity. Thus, this study assesses the feasibility of using the HL7 FHIR standard in the healthcare industry for implementing a digital vaccination pass management and monitoring system. The system aims to offer convenience and improved efficiency for both patients and healthcare providers while promoting interoperability with other healthcare systems. We developed a prototype using modern technologies, such as React, Quarkus, and Keycloak, evaluating the applicability of FHIR in promoting interoperability within the healthcare industry. Results indicate potential benefits for patients and healthcare providers, offering secure access to immunization records, personalized recommendations, and streamlined management. However, challenges in integrating nuanced vaccination processes into the standardized FHIR system, necessitating custom extensions, and issues with manual data entry and identity provider integration, pose obstacles. Despite these challenges, the study suggests that implementing HL7 FHIR can enhance efficiency, data accessibility, and accuracy in the vaccination process, supporting broader digitization efforts in the German healthcare system and beyond.
Numerical simulation of thermo-gasdynamic processes in model solid propellant rocket engines using a three-dimensional parallel code
Authors: Zhukov Victor Timofeevich , Krasnov Mikhail Mikhailovich , Kritskiy Boris Viktorovich , Novikova Natalia Dmitrievna , Feodoritova Olga Borisovna , Arnst Egor Alexandrovich , Gross Irina Nikolaevna , Milekhin Yuri Mikhailovich , Sadovnichii Dmitrii Nikolaevich , Shkurin Alexey Igorevich
Published: February 2024

An approach for calculating non-stationary thermo-gasdynamic processes in model chambers of solid rocket engines is described. A three-dimensional mathematical model of viscous multicomponent gas mixture is an extended system of Navier-Stokes equations with the component diffusion equations. The computational model and the computer code are based on the developed original mathematical methodology that combines the advantages of splitting method by physical processes, robustness of Godunov's scheme for the convective stage and efficiency of explicit iterative Chebyshev’s scheme for diffusion stage. The code is written in C++ and uses a hybrid three-level parallel structure, including the use of MPI, OpenMP and CUDA technologies.
Későn beszélni kezdő gyermekek beszédfeldolgozási sajátosságai
Authors: Gósy Mária , Abari Kálmán
Published: February 2024

A megkésett beszédfejlődés azt jelenti, hogy a gyermek anyanyelv-elsajátítása késve indul, a fejlődés jellegzetes elmaradásokat mutat. A beszéd késése rendszerint akkor tűnik fel, ha a gyermek kétévesen még nem mond szavakat, avagy a beszéde csak néhány szóra korlátozódik. Kérdés, hogy vajon ezeknek a gyermekeknek a rejtett beszédfeldolgozása életkor-specifikusan működik-e. A keresztmetszeti kutatásban 52 hatéves és 52 nyolcéves gyermeket vizsgáltak, akik három-, illetve négyévesen kezdtek el beszélni. A kontrollcsoportokat szám, életkor és nem szerint illesztett, tipikus fejlődésűek alkották. A kutatásban a GMP-diagnosztika hat tesztjében nyújtott teljesítményüket elemezték. A megkésett beszédfejlődésűek az anyanyelv-elsajátítás kezdetétől és az életkoruktól függetlenül csoportszinten szignifikánsan gyengébben teljesítettek, mint a tipikus fejlődésűek. A tanulmány a kapott adatokat a nyelvelsajátítás kezdetének, a beszédfeldolgozási folyamatoknak és a vizsgált életkornak a függvényében tárgyalja.
Interdiszciplináris identitáskonferencia Veszprémben
Authors: Szabó T. Annamária Ulla
Published: February 2024

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(El)gondolkodtató anyanyelvtanítás
Authors: Schirm Anita
Published: February 2024

A tanulmány a grice-i maximák középiskolai tanításához feladatötleteket adva az (el)gondolkodtató, ám mégis élményszerű és szórakoztatva informáló anyanyelvtanítás szükségessége és a változatos, a diákokhoz közeli szövegtípusok alkalmazása mellett érvel. Grice elmélete a tananyag voltán kívül azért alkalmas e szemléletmód illusztrálására, mert a maximák betartása, illetve szándékos megsértése, valamint a sugallt tartalmak felismerése és felismertetése a mindennapi kommunikációban is a diákok segítségére lehet, egyúttal rámutathat az anyanyelvi ismeretek hétköznapiságára és hasznosságára is.
The Meaning of Profit in Traditional Markets in Frame of Understanding Manunggaling Kawula Lan Gusti
Authors: Indah Rakhma Ningtyas Harfiahani
Published: February 2024

This study focuses on a traditional market in Pasuruan, East Java, using an ethnographic approach to explore the cultural significance of profit. The concept is deeply influenced by "Manunggaling Kawula Lan Gusti," impacting culture, business, and subjective interpretation. From a cultural standpoint, profit goes beyond finances, intertwining with spiritual values, ethics, and societal contributions. Business practitioners adopting this philosophy view profit as a result of honest service, community empowerment, environmental conservation, and high ethical standards. Subjective interpretations vary, reflecting personal experiences and values. Benefits are seen as reflections of personal well-being, cultural contributions, community empowerment, and enriching relationships. The study suggests further research to explore integrating "Manunggaling Kawula Lan Gusti" in modern business. Understanding perceptions of businesses embracing these values can offer insights into their relevance and sustainability in contemporary contexts. Practically, businesses can draw inspiration from this research to develop more sustainable, ethical, and spiritually-oriented models, creating positive impacts financially, socially, and environmentally
Multidisciplinary Approach Optimizes Characterization, Completion in Shale Play
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: February 2024

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This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper URTeC 3871303, “Using a Multidisciplinary Approach to Reservoir and Completion Optimization Within the Woodford Shale Play of the Arkoma Basin,” by Stephen C. Zagurski, SPE, and Steve Asbill, SPE, Foundation Energy Management, and Christopher M. Smith, Advanced Hydrocarbon Stratigraphy, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

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Subsurface complexities related to the formation of peripheral foreland basins can have significant effects on unconventional resource development. In the Arkoma Basin of southeast Oklahoma, the onset of thrusting and tectonic loading induced a complex series of dip/slip and strike/slip faults during basin formation. The operator used a series of technologies to increase understanding of the reservoir and its hazards and provide insight into economic implications for future development plans and strategies.

Introduction

The Woodford is primarily a Type II kerogen source rock. The formation typically is classified as either siliceous mudstone or cherty siltstone. Variable thermal maturity across the basin places the Woodford in both the wet-gas and dry-gas phase windows (moving west to east across the basin). Complex faulting regimes within the Arkoma add a layer of complexity to horizontal development of the Woodford.

The operator wanted to increase the understanding of the Woodford and the effects of faulting through the reservoir in a recent development unit in the liquids-rich fairway. The development unit consists of an existing parent well (Well X) and a pair of child wells (Well Y and Well Z).

The background of Unit XYZ begins with the completion of parent Well X 4–6 years before infill development. In this portion of the basin, Well X’s initial production rate and its cumulative production to date rank it in the top 25% of wells. The wellbore is subjected to a pair of faults and was drilled in the upper half of the Woodford. Placement of Well X is substantially further east than most parent wells because it is approximately 1,600 ft from the unit boundary. This limited infill development to two wells instead of three; the Arkoma typically has seen spacing of four, and sometimes five, wells per section. Wells Y and Z were planned and drilled east of Well X with 1,100–1,600 ft of well spacing. Well spacing in the unit was slightly hindered by surface location limitations and limited true vertical depth (TVD) between surface casing and landing point.

Structural complexity within the unit partially impaired infill development of the unit. Specifically, Well Y and its lateral length was shortened. In this portion of the Arkoma, fault-derived water production typically is the highest-weighted variable in a well’s operating expenditure. Thus, the ability to limit excess water production within Unit XYZ and the surrounding acreage is of paramount importance.
Fiber-Optic Strain Measurements Aid Fracture Characterization
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: February 2024

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This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper URTeC 3864861, “Geomechanics Modeling of Strain-Based Pressure Estimates: Insights From Distributed Fiber-Optic Strain Measurements,” by Wei Ma and Kan Wu, Texas A&M University, and Ge Jin, Colorado School of Mines. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

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The combination of Rayleigh frequency shift distributed strain sensing (RFS-DSS) and pressure-gauge measurements has been reported recently in field applications. The main objective of the study detailed in the complete paper is to investigate the relationship between strain change and pressure change under various fractured reservoir conditions and provide guidelines for better using this novel strain/pressure relationship to estimate conductive fractures and pressure profiles.

Introduction

With a spatial resolution of 20 cm and a sensitivity of less than 1 με, RFS-DSS can measure mechanical strain changes along the fiber with higher accuracy and sensitivity than low-frequency distributed acoustic sensing measurements. The field applications of RFS-DSS have improved the understanding of near-well and far-field fracture characteristics and the relationship between stimulation and production in unconventional reservoirs.

Although some numerical modeling works have been conducted to study the mechanisms of RFS-DSS data sets, the sensitivity, or influencing factors, of the relationship between strain change and pressure change along the fiber are still unclear.

In this work, the authors use a coupled geomechanics and fluid-flow simulator to simulate the strain change and pressure change measured along the producing and monitoring wells during both stable production and shut-in periods.

Methodology

A 3D multilayer reservoir model with dimensions of 300×400×55.82 m was created using Permian Basin data sets. The reservoir was discretized into 553×129×5 gridblocks. To ensure accurate simulation of field RFS-DSS measurements, the mesh was refined around the fracture and wellbore. The fracture width was set to be the same as the RFS-DSS spatial resolution (0.2 m), and the grid size was set to 5 m except for the refined region. As shown in Fig. 1, the reservoir had 11 perforation clusters along the producing well and the monitoring well was 65 m away from the producing well. A fiber cable was installed on both wells to measure the RFS-DSS data set. The producing well was operated for 240 days before being shut in for 4 days, followed by a 1-day reopening and then continued production for 1 year. The pressure decline was 30–40 psi during the 1-day stable production period. Note that the moment after producing 239 days was taken as the reference time to calculate the strain change during the 1-day production (239–240 days) and the moment after 240 days as the reference time to calculate the strain change during the shut-in period (240–244 days).
PAIN2.0: Study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of a 10-week outpatient interdisciplinary multimodal pain therapy to manage recurrent pain for patients with risk factors of developing chronic pain in Germany
Authors: Meyer-Moock Sandra , Szczotkowski Daniel , Schouten Leonie , Petzke Frank , Milch Lena , Metz-Oster Beatrice , Zinndorf Louise , Geber Christian , Hoffmann Greta , Preißler Anke , Marschall Ursula , Rottke Felix , Weidner Anja , Möller André , Isenberg Thomas , Lindena Gabriele , Gärtner Anne , Kaiser Ulrike , Kohlmann Thomas
Published: February 2024

Background: Up to 27% of the German population suffers from recurrent or persistent pain (lasting more than three months). Therefore, prevention of chronic pain is one major object of pain management interventions. The aim of this nationwide, multicentre, randomised controlled trial is to evaluate the efficacy of a 10-week ambulatory (outpatient) interdisciplinary multimodal pain therapy (A-IMPT) for patients with recurrent pain and at risk of developing chronic pain. This project was initiated by the German Pain Society (Deutsche Schmerzgesellschaft e.V.) and the public health insurance provider BARMER. It is currently funded by the German Innovation Fund (01NVF20023). The study PAIN2.0 focuses on reducing pain intensity and pain-related disability and investigates whether this intervention can improve physical activity, psychological well-being, and health literacy.
Methods: PAIN2.0 is designed as a multicentre 1:1 randomised controlled trial with two parallel groups (randomisation at the patient level, planned N = 1094, duration of study participation 12 months, implemented by 22 health care facilities nationwide). After 6 months, patients within the control group also receive the intervention. The primary outcomes are pain intensity and pain-related impairment, measured as Characteristic Pain Intensity (PI) and Disability Score (DS) (Von Korff), as well as patient-related satisfaction with the intervention. Secondary outcomes are the number of sick leave days, sickness allowance, treatment costs, psychological distress, health-related quality of life, and catastrophizing. The effects of the intervention will be analysed by a parallel-group comparison between the intervention and control groups. In addition, the long-term effects within the intervention group will be observed and a pre-post comparison of the control group before and after the intervention will be performed.
Discussion: Recurrent or persistent pain is common in the German population and causes high costs for patients and society. The A-IMPT aims to improve pain and pain-related impairments in pain patients at risk of chronification, thereby reducing the risk of developing chronic pain with its high socioeconomic burden. This new therapy could easily be integrated into existing therapy programs if positively evaluated.
Trial registration: The trial PAIN2.0 has been registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) since 21/11/2022 with the ID DRKS00030773 [https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00030773].
Sequence-Based Drug Design Using Transformers
Authors: Vendruscolo Michele , Zhang Shengyu , Huo Donghui , Horne Robert , Qi Yumeng , Ojeda Sebastian Pujalte , Yan Aixia
Published: February 2024

Protein-ligand interactions play central roles in biological processes and are of key importance in drug design1,2. Deep learning approaches hold the promise of becoming cost-effective alternatives to high-throughput experimental methods for ligand identification3-6. Here, to predict the binding affinity between proteins and small molecules, we introduce Ligand-Transformer, a deep learning framework based on the AlphaFold2 architecture7. We applied Ligand-Transformer to screen inhibitors targeting the mutant EGFRLTC kinase8,9, identifying compounds with low nanomolar potency. We then used this approach to predict the conformational population shifts induced by ABL kinase inhibitors10-14. To show the applicability of Ligand-Transformer to disordered proteins, we explored the binding of small molecules to the Alzheimer’s Aβ peptide15,16, identifying compounds that delayed its aggregation. Overall, Ligand-Transformer illustrates the potential of transformers in accurately predicting the interactions of small molecules with both ordered and disordered proteins, thus uncovering molecular mechanisms and facilitating the initial steps in drug discovery.
Synthesis and Analysis of Biomass based briquettes prepared by blend of natural and inorganic binders as an alternate fuel
Authors: Mariadhass Arul Jayan , Govindarajan Rajendran , Jayaprakash Sakthidasan , Chellakkannu Marimuthu , Joseph David Gnanaraj
Published: February 2024

Recent years it is found that the availability of conventional fuels like coal, lignite for domestic and industrial purposes is in scarce. The usage of these materials emits flue gases to the environment leading to air pollution. The cost of liquefied petroleum gas is very high recent years. Considering all the above said factors there is a need in developing a substitute called biomass briquettes with best properties for the conventional fuels which prevent air pollution, are less in cost and has maximum availability. The primary constituents of biomass briquettes consist of agricultural biomass residues, including sugarcane bagasse, maize stalk, straw, coconut shell and leaves, wood, groundnut shells, and rice husk. Additionally, sawdust and waste papers derived from municipal waste serve as binding agents in the briquette production process. In this research work waste bio-based materials having good range of calorific value like sawdust, rice husk, corn cobs and coconut shell were collected as raw materials for production process. Both organic binder algae and Inorganic binder Al2O3 were added to the carbonized bio-based materials to improve adhesive forces in briquettes.Al2O3 synthesized by sol gel method is a novel material used as an inorganic binder along with organic binders. Al2O3 synthesized is characterized by XRD to study the nature of the material. The obtained briquettes were analyzed for fixed carbon, volatile matter, moisture content, ash and calorific value. Briquettes synthesized showed good characteristics with respect to all the above said analysis. The calorific value which is known as heating value was around 26.67 MJ/kg. The value obtained was in the range of other fuels used and thus this biomass solid briquette finds its place as one of the best alternate source of fuel for domestic and industrial purposes. The comparative results obtained in this study give more insights in the encouragement, design and development of eco friendly bio-based briquettes in rural areas as an alternate fuel.
Selective adsorption of zearalenone by a novel magnetic molecularly imprinted carbon nanomaterial
Authors: deng Shaolin , Tan WenYuan , Xiong YaLin , Xie ZhiJin , Zhang Jing
Published: February 2024

In this paper, The objective is to immobilise molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) onto the surface of Magnetic carbon nanoparticles(Fe3O4@SiO2@C) for adsorption of Zearalenone (ZEN) provides an effective method. Synthesized MIPs by using warfarin as dummy templates of zearalenone, The functional monomer is 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES), and the cross-linker is tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). The carrier employed for the synthesis of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) was Fe3O4@SiO2@C. The materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Laser particle size analyzer, Scanning electron microscope(SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results indicate that the particle size of MMIPs is approximately 27.31 µm. In addition, adsorption capacity of MMIPs was compared with MNIPs, The saturated adsorption capacity of MMIPs was 1.56mg/g, and that of MNIP was 0.86mg/g. The Scatchard analysis revealed the presence of two distinct binding sites in MMIPs.The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) in actual sample testing were 0.3 mg/L and 0.9mg/L respectively. The recovery of corn with standard addition of ZEN was 73.6%- 88.1%, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 2.86% − 5.63%. The results demonstrated that MMIPs possess the advantages of straightforward operation, high precision, and cost-effectiveness, rendering them suitable for rapid ZEN detection..
Potentially functional genetic variants of the N7-methylguanosine modification LARP1 gene predict hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma survival
Authors: Lu Qiunan , Liu Yingchun , Gong Rongbin , Cao Ji , Zhou Zihan , Wei Yuying , Wen Qiuping , Lin Qiuling , Wei Xiaoxia , Liang Xiumei , Jiang Yanji , Chen Peiqin , Wei Junjie , Zhan Shicheng , Qin Liming , Guo Qian , Qiu Moqin , Yu Hongping
Published: February 2024

Background
N7-methylguanosine (m7G) modification is an important RNA modification, which plays a key role in tumorigenesis and progression. However, few studies have explored the effects of genetic variants in m7G modification genes on survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods
We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to evaluate associations between genetic variants in 28 m7G modification genes and overall survival (OS) of 866 hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) patients.
Results
In the present study, we identified that two potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in LARP1 (rs12055336 G > C and rs6580113 G > C) were associated with OS of HBV-HCC patients, with an adjusted hazards ratio (HR) of 1.24 (95% confidence interval[CI] = 1.06–1.45, P = 0.008) and 0.83 (95% CI = 0.72–0.96, P = 0.011), respectively. The number of risk genotypes of these two SNPs showed a significant association with a poor survival of HBV-HCC patients (Ptrend=0.004). Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis demonstrated that LARP1 rs12055336 C allele was associated with elevated mRNA expression levels in 670 whole blood samples in Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) (P < 0.001), but not in 1000 Genomes Project. In addition, LARP1 rs6580113 C allele was associated with decreased mRNA expression levels in whole blood samples in GTEx (P < 0.001) and 76 lymphoblastoid cells samples in 1000 Genomes Project (P = 0.049). Furthermore, compared with adjacent normal tissues, LARP1 mRNA expression levels were higher in HCC tissues and were associated with a poorer OS of HCC patients.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that genetic variants of the m7G modification LARP1 gene may be predictors for HBV-HCC survival, likely by regulating the mRNA expression of corresponding gene.
A Large Scale Digital Twin for British Cities
Authors: Batty Michael , Milton Richard
Published: February 2024

Computer models of cities are being rapidly extended to simulate entire systems of cities, accessible through user-friendly visual interfaces. These enable fast evaluation of scenarios pertaining to future patterns of employment, population and modal trip frequencies. Here we build a platform, essentially a digital twin, for over 8000 urban places in Great Britain (GB) based on multi-modal spatial interaction models which simulate the connectivity that stitches locations together. We present the structure of the model and outline the form and function of the scaling of employment and population that define the system. After tuning the model, we illustrate how we measure the impacts of new scenarios, for example, simulating current plans for Integrated and High Speed Rail. We finally detail methods for organising the data, tuning the model, assessing its performance, and proposing how the twin can be used to evaluate many thousands of possible urban futures.
Decoupled Faecal Indicator Bacteria abundances in salinity gradient: field study and experimental approach
Authors: González-Pérez Joaquín , Ibargoyen Julián , Betancurt Diego , Díaz Martina , García-Alonso Javier
Published: February 2024

Water bodies receive and accumulate pollutants, including faecal pollution. The European Union Directive 2006/7/EC and the Recreational Water Quality Criteria of US EPA (2012) recommend the use of Escherichia coli in freshwaters and Enterococcus in marine/ brackish and freshwaters as Faecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB). Other bacteria such as Thermotolerant coliforms are also used as FIB. Different FIB reacts in particular ways with environmental conditions. The relative abundance of specific FIB at different salinity conditions is still poorly understood in estuarine environments, despite of numerous efforts to determine which FIB should be recommended to assess water quality in coastal environments. We performed an experimental approach and a field survey to evaluate the effect of salinity in the abundance of thermotolerant coliforms and Enterococcus. In the lab, the temporal abundance of both FIBs at different salinity concentrations were measured at 0, 24 and 48 hours. In the field, we estimated the abundance of FIBs in two environmental gradients of Uruguayan coast (beaches of the Rio de la Plata estuary and the Maldonado River basin). We observed that FIBs abundance associate distinctively with salinity gradients in the lab, where estuarine and oceanic conditions decreased the abundance of thermotolerant coliforms, while Enterococcus increased with high salt concentration. At the environment, both FIBs negatively associate with salinity probably denoting the freshwater source of FIBs. The results support the use of coliforms in freshwater environments and Enterococcus in marine and estuarine waters.
A qualitative interview study to explore costing of implementation strategies to support digital health adoption “it’s the difference between success and failure”
Authors: Donovan Thomasina , Carter Hannah E , McPhail Steven M , Abell Bridget
Published: February 2024

Background
Economic evaluations determine the relative value for money of health innovations and are important for decision makers when allocating scarce resources. However, implementation strategies to support digital health adoption require additional resourcing which is typically not accounted for in published economic evaluations. This study sought to understand current practices for capturing the costs associated with implementing digital health initiatives in hospital settings, where the complexities of technology and systems present unique challenges for implementation efforts.
Methods
A qualitative study of semi-structured interviews with purposefully sampled experts in implementation science, health economics and/or digital health was conducted. The interview guide was informed by a literature review and was pilot tested. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed. A hybrid inductive/deductive framework analysis was conducted using thematic analysis to elicit key concepts related to the research question.
Results
Interviews were conducted with 16 participants of which eight had specialist expertise in implementation science, six in health economics, and eight in digital health. Five participants were experienced in more than one field. Five key themes were elicited from the data: terminology and boundaries of implementation; types of costs; why implementation is costed; how to cost implementation; and barriers and enablers to costing implementation. Broadly, while interviewees recognised implementation costs as important, only some costs were considered in practice likely due to the perceived ill-defined boundaries and inconsistencies in terminology of implementation. Labour was highlighted as being the main cost associated with implementation strategies to support digital health adoption. A variety of methods were used to collect and analyse implementation costs; the most frequent approach was staff time tracking. Implementation costs were typically recorded to support the delivery of high value care. Multidisciplinary collaboration facilitated this process, but the burden of collecting the necessary data was highlighted.
Conclusions
Current practices for costing implementation in the context of digital health initiatives discussed by participants highlighted inconsistent approaches that were likely to underestimate organisational implementation costs. Although participants had industry exposure, most were also academic researchers and findings may not be representative of non-academic industry settings. Development of appropriate methodology for costing implementation strategies to support digital health adoption remains a priority.
The potential influence of habitat composition on seasonal lobster movements and their distribution in the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire
Authors: Goldstein Jason Seth , III Winsor H. Watson , Grizzle Raymond E.
Published: February 2024

Although estuaries create many physiological challenges for lobsters (Homarus americanus), there may also be some advantages for lobsters residing in these unique systems. While some lobsters in the Great Bay Estuary (GBE) make seasonal migrations into and out of the GBE, many remain year-round, including ovigerous (egg-bearing) females. Furthermore, lobsters that are resident in the GBE tend to aggregate in specific areas. The overall goal of this study was to determine why lobsters (both ovigerous and non-ovigerous) tend to spend more time in certain areas of the GBE. Specifically, we set out to test the hypothesis for two disparate areas of GBE that have features potentially making them conducive habitats for long-term lobster residency. We used a combination of habitat mapping using underwater videography and diver surveys to compare areas where lobsters aggregated compared with those areas where lobster density was known to be low. Areas where lobsters spent the most time in GBE were similar to coastal marine habitats, comprised mostly of rocky (hardbottom) complexes interspersed with macroalgae. In contrast, areas with the fewest lobsters were primarily comprised of sandy, soft sediment. The strong relationship between complex, rocky habitats and lobster residency in GBE suggest that habitat quality in other estuaries might have a strong impact on the distribution, abundance, and residency of lobsters and increases the likelihood that some estuaries may support year-round resident lobster populations.
Design a Smart Medical Service Quality Evaluation System Based on Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision Model
Authors: Wang Gang , Shao Qigan
Published: February 2024

With the deepening of medical informatization, smart medical (SM) systems and the level of medical services has been greatly improved. However, there is little literature on service quality assessment frameworks based on the context of SM. Based on the hybrid multi-criteria decision model, which combined the best and worst method and VIKOR method, this study proposed a SM service quality evaluation framework. The best and worst method (BWM) is used to obtain the weights of all dimensions and indicators under each dimension. The service quality of hospitals H1, H2 and H3 in Xiamen is evaluated by the VIKOR method. The results show that smart appointment, diagnosis and treatment are three important dimensions to evaluate the service quality of smart medicine in medical institutions. The stability and robustness of the model are proved through sensitivity analysis. Hospitals can strengthen the construction of their appointment information platforms, quality management of internal doctors, and information connection between self-service terminals and information platforms to improve hospital service quality in the construction of smart medicine.
Prognostic value of hibernating myocardium and cardiac remodeling using gated 99mTc-MIBI SPECT and gated 18F-FDG PET in patients with ischemic heart failure and diabetes
Authors: Duan Lili , Meng Jingjing , Zheng Yaqi , Lu Yao , Tian Jing , Bai Yujie , Zhang Xiaoli
Published: February 2024

Background
The prognostic value of hibernating myocardium (HM) and left ventricular (LV) remodeling in patients with ischemic heart failure (IHF) and diabetes mellitus (DM) remains undetermined. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of HM and LV remodeling in such patients.
Methods
A total of 333 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and LV ejection fraction ≤ 35% who underwent gated 99mTc-MIBI single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (G-MPI) and gated 18F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) myocardial metabolic imaging at Beijing Anzhen Hospital between April 2016 and February 2019 were enrolled and followed up for a median of 3.6 (range, 0.3–5.1) years. Patients were divided into DM (n = 141) and non-DM (n = 192) groups. HM + was defined as HM > 10%. LV remodeling + was defined as end-systolic volume index ≥ 92 mL/m2 by G-MPI. The endpoint was all-cause death.
Results
More HM was observed in DM than that in non-DM group (18.0 [10.0, 27.0]% vs. 10.0 [0.5, 20.0]%, P < 0.001, respectively). In DM patients, survival for patients with LV remodeling was lower than that for those without LV remodeling (55.1% ± 10.0% vs. 79.9% ± 7.1%, P = 0.007, respectively), but there was no significant difference in survival between HM + and HM- (P > 0.05). Revascularization was associated with better long-term survival than medical therapy in patients with HM+ (DM+, 87.1% ± 7.6% vs. 45.3% ± 10.4%; DM-, 95.7% ± 2.9% vs. 41.9% ± 10.7%, all P value < 0.001), or LV remodeling+ (DM+, 95.2% ± 4.6% vs. 40.3% ± 10.9%, P = 0.001; DM-, 87.1% ± 9.6% vs. 52.3% ± 8.7%, P = 0.004).
Conclusions
HM may be more prevalent in IHF patients with DM compared with those non-DM. Assessing HM and LV remodeling using nuclear imaging techniques allowed for risk stratification and guided strategy decision-making in DM patients.
A comprehensive care bundle reduces harm in patients with central venous access devices: A pre and post intervention study.
Authors: Parikh Harshel , Grove Kelvin , Gudivada Kiran Kumar , Nourse Mary , Bath Jennifer , Chiong Fabian , Deacon Andrew
Published: February 2024

Introduction:
Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and major vascular injuries (MVIs) are serious but preventable complications in patients requiring central venous access devices (CVADs).
Aims
To determine the effectiveness of a comprehensive care bundle (CCB) in reducing the incidence of CLABSIs and MVI in adult patients with central venous access devices (CVAD) in a major tertiary hospital.
Methods
A pre- and post-intervention study of 9204 patients admitted to The Canberra Hospital ICU between February 1, 2018, and January 31, 2021, using ICU-CLABSI data reported to the Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) and MVI data from a CVAD audit. A preintervention (February 1, 2018, to January 31, 2020) review of CVAD complications indicated significantly greater CLABSIs and MVI than peer hospitals.
Intervention:
At the institutional level, we introduced an evidence-based CCB, checklist, policy and education package through literature review and multidisciplinary collaboration addressing system- and operator-focused changes on February 1, 2020.
Results
The postintervention cohort had a significantly lower CLABSI rate than the preintervention (0.32 vs.1.1 per 1000-line days, 3 incidences per 9283-line days vs. 10 incidences per 9079-line days, P < 0.001) despite significantly higher risk factors in the form of mean CVAD line days (387vs378, P < 0.001), number of patients on mechanical ventilation (1739 Vs. 1687,P = 0.005), immunosuppressive diseases (318 vs.119, P < 0.001), leukaemia (99 Vs. 81, P = 0.038) and hepatic diseases (97 Vs. 71, P = 0.006). No MVI was reported postintervention compared to four in the preintervention cohort.
Conclusions
CCB therapy decreased the incidence of CLABSIs and MVI in patients in a tertiary ICU.
A-B transition in superfluid 3He and cosmological phase transitions
Authors: Hindmarsh Mark , Sauls James A. , Zhang Kuang , Autti Samuli , Haley Richard P. , Heikkinen Petri J. , Mayer Adam J. , Levitin Lev V. , Lopez-Eiguren Asier , Rummukainen Kari , Saunders John , Zmeev Dmitry , Huber Stephan J
Published: February 2024

First order phase transitions in the very early universe are a prediction of many extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics and could provide the departure from equilibrium needed for a dynamical explanation of the baryon asymmetry of the Universe. They could also produce gravitational waves of a frequency observable by future space-based detectors such as the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). All calculations of the gravitational wave power spectrum rely on a relativistic version of the classical nucleation theory of Cahn-Hilliard and Langer, due to Coleman and Linde. The high purity and precise control of pressure and temperature achievable in the laboratory made the first-order A to B transition of superfluid 3He ideal for test of classical nucleation theory. As Leggett and others have noted the theory fails dramatically. The lifetime of the metastable A phase is measurable, typically of order minutes to hours, far faster than classical nucleation theory predicts. If the nucleation of B phase from the supercooled A phase is due to a new, rapid intrinsic mechanism that would have implications for first-order cosmological phase transitions as well as predictions for gravitational wave (GW) production in the early universe. Here we discuss studies of the A-B phase transition dynamics in 3He, both experimental and theoretical, and show how the computational technology for cosmological phase transition can be used to simulate the dynamics of the A-B transition, support the experimental investigations of the A-B transition in the QUEST-DMC collaboration with the goal of identifying and quantifying the mechanism(s) responsible for nucleation of stable phases in ultra-pure metastable quantum phases.
Screen time as a health determinant for kindergarten children in the Australian Capital Territory (including a comparison of First Nations and non-Indigenous children): analysis of a cross-sectional complete enumeration survey
Authors: Bannerman Clair , O'Brien Kathleen , Ciszek Karen , Douglas Kirsty A
Published: February 2024

Background
Australian First Nations children have poorer outcomes across a range of health measures. High levels of screen time are associated with a range of adverse health outcomes. Relatively little is known on the association between screen time and health outcomes for different demographic groups, including First Nations children. We aimed to describe the screen time behaviours of First Nations and non-Indigenous kindergarten children in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), identify disparities in key health outcomes, and explore whether screen time was a risk factor for these outcomes.
Methods
5,516 children participated in the cross-sectional population-based ACT Kindergarten Health Check (KHC) survey, including 146 First Nations children. The association between screen time of more than two hours per day and health outcomes (body mass index, respiratory health, development and wellbeing) was assessed for both First Nations and non-Indigenous cohorts using comparative statistics.
Results
Non-Indigenous children who had an average of more than two hours of screen time per day were 1.5 (95% CI, 1.3–1.7) times more likely to be overweight/obese, 1.2 (95% CI, 1.0-1.4) times more likely to have had a wheeze/whistle in their chest in the 12 months before the KHC, 1.5 (95% CI, 1.3–1.7) times more likely to have developmental concerns and 1.5 (95% CI, 1.3–1.8) times more likely to have reduced wellbeing measures compared to non-Indigenous children with screen time of two hours or less per day. None of these associations were statistically significant amongst First Nations children.
Conclusions
Screen time more than two hours per day is associated adverse health outcomes in non-Indigenous children, including overweight/obesity, respiratory problems, developmental concerns, and reduced wellbeing. Further analysis is required to enable a more robust assessment of the effect of screen time on health outcomes for First Nations children.