bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Ni/Al-MCM-41 Impregnation Method on Catalytic Deoxygenation of Reutealis Trisperma Oil
Authors: Nugraha Reva Edra
Published: December 2023

Deoxygenation of Reutealis trisperma oil into green diesel has been carried out using Ni/Al-MCM-41 catalyst. The Ni/Al-MCM-41 catalyst was prepared using the wetness impregnation and incipient wetness impregnation methods, hereinafter referred to as Ni/Al-MCM-41 (WI) and Ni/Al-MCM-41 (IWI). XRD and FTIR analysis shows a characteristic of amorphous phase for solid Al-MCM-41 catalyst. FTIR pyridine was used to assess the impact of the NiO impregnation technique on Lewis acid and Brønsted acidity. The acidity test showed that the Ni/Al-MCM-41 (WI) catalyst had the highest total acidity 0,227 mmol/g. The catalytic activity of Ni/Al-MCM-41 catalyst was examined in deoxygenation reaction of Reutealis trisperma oil under inert conditions for 4 hours. In comparison to Ni/Al-MCM-41(IWI) and Al-MCM-41 catalysts, the Ni/Al-MCM-41(WI) catalyst produced better results in the deoxygenation reaction of Reutealis trisperma oil with a selectivity of hydrocarbon compounds (C11-18) of 100% and a degree of deoxygenation of 92.77%.
Luffa Cylindrica Fibers Unveiled: A Sustainable Approach for 4-Nitrophenol Removal in Aqueous Solutions through Activated Carbon Utilization
Authors: JUSOH NURFATEHAH WAHYUNY CHE , Azani Nurhanani Mohd , Ghafar Nawal Abd , Paad Khairunnisa Mohd
Published: December 2023

The prevalence of mutagenic and highly toxic compounds, such as 4-Nitrophenol (4-NP) and its derivatives, in industrial wastewater poses a significant environmental threat. This study emphasizes the critical need for public authorities to prioritize combating organic compound pollution for achieving sustainable development. The focus of this research is the preparation and evaluation of activated carbon adsorbents derived from Luffa cylindrica fibers (LC) for the efficient removal of 4-NP from aqueous solutions. The preparation involved carbonization process by heating LC in an argon furnace at 800℃, resulting in carbonized Luffa cylindrica fibers (LCC). Subsequently, chemical activation is performed using potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, denoted as LCA. The properties of the adsorbent are identified through X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). To assess the removal efficiency of 4-NP, various parameters such as pH, adsorbent dosage, and 4-NP solution concentration are investigated. Optimal conditions for maximum 4-NP removal are achieved at a concentration of 50 mg/L, an adsorbent dosage of 0.75 mg/L (LCA), and a solution pH of 5. These conditions result in an impressive 99 % removal of 4-NP in 60 minutes. This study demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing locally available raw materials, such as LC fibers, to prepare an adsorbent with a robust adsorptive capacity for toxic pollutants like 4-NP. The findings underscore the potential of eco-friendly solutions in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices in wastewater treatment.
Update on vascular control of central chemoreceptors
Authors: Moreira Thiago S. , Mulkey Daniel K. , Takakura Ana C.
Published: December 2023

At least four mechanisms have been proposed to elucidate how neurons in the retrotrapezoid (RTN) region sense changes in CO2/H+ to regulate breathing (i.e., function as respiratory chemosensors). These mechanisms include: (1) intrinsic neuronal sensitivity to H+ mediated by TASK‐2 and GPR4; (2) paracrine activation of RTN neurons by CO2‐responsive astrocytes (via a purinergic mechanism); (3) enhanced excitatory synaptic input or disinhibition; and (4) CO2‐induced vascular contraction. Although blood flow can influence tissue CO2/H+ levels, there is limited understanding of how control of vascular tone in central CO2 chemosensitive regions might contribute to respiratory output. In this review, we focus on recent evidence that CO2/H+‐induced purinergic‐dependent vasoconstriction in the ventral parafacial region near RTN neurons supports respiratory chemoreception. This mechanism appears to be unique to the ventral parafacial region and opposite to other brain regions, including medullary chemosensor regions, where CO2/H+ elicits vasodilatation. We speculate that this mechanism helps to maintain CO2/H+ levels in the vicinity of RTN neurons, thereby maintaining the drive to breathe. Important next steps include determining whether disruption of CO2/H+ vascular reactivity contributes to or can be targeted to improve breathing problems in disease states, such as Parkinson's disease.
Effects of Fiber Treatment and Humidity on the Mechanical, Fracture Toughness, Dynamic and Thermal Properties of Grewia Optiva Natural Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites
Authors: Chauhan Sonika , Gope Prakash Chandra
Published: December 2023

The effects of relative humidity and fiber treatment on the mechanical properties of Grewia optiva natural fibers reinforced composites were studied. The results revealed that the fiber reinforcement composition with benzoyl peroxide (BP) treatment on NaOH-pretreated fiber shows optimum results at 90% relative humidity. The corresponding experimental results of the tensile strength (MPa), percentage elongation, flexural strength (MPa), impact strength (kJ/m2), and fracture toughness (MPa √m) were 260.895, 5.230, 52.572, 33.226, and 2.565, respectively. The surface response method yielded the optimum properties with a D value of 0.768 and properties variation between 1% and 6%. Thermogravimetry analysis shows a considerable amount of variation in the rate of degradation after the chemical treatment of fibers. A decrease in the damping factor and an increase in glass transition temperature due to chemical treatment show increased fiber-matrix interfacial bonding and cross-linking. Scanning electron microscopy images show that BP treatment is more suitable than NaOH treatment to remove the undesirable elements from the fiber surface and higher surface roughness to obtain better bonding between fiber and matrix. The fiber diameter reduction due to BP and NaOH treatment is about 57% and 52.62% as compared to untreated fiber.
Film characteristics of ZnS:Mn phosphor prepared by metal precursor sulfurization and its application to inorganic electroluminescent devices
Authors: Kitawaki Taisei , Wani Koichi , Imai Takahito , Yamamoto Shin-ichi
Published: December 2023

A ZnS:Mn phosphor film for an inorganic electroluminescent (EL) device fabricated by metal precursor sulfurization was evaluated. Metallic ZnMn was thermally evaporated at room temperature and then sulfurized by sulfur gas flowing in a tube furnace at various temperatures from 400 to 800 °C. X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and photoluminescence observations indicated that a ZnS:Mn phosphor layer was formed after sulfurization. A thick-dielectric EL device was manufactured using the obtained ZnS:Mn phosphor. The EL luminance of 216 cd/m2 at 1.0 kHz was measured when the phosphor layer was sulfurized at 500 °C. A charge density versus voltage (Q-V) curve was also analyzed to evaluate the EL phosphor characteristics.
Apparatus design of operando hydrogen microscope for visualization of time-dependent distribution of hydrogen
Authors: Miyauchi Naoya , Yakabe Taro , Murase Yoshiharu , Kitajima Masahiro , Takagi Shoji , Itakura Akiko N.
Published: December 2023

The operando hydrogen microscope is an original apparatus that has been developed to visualize the time-dependent permeation of hydrogen through a sample. This apparatus is developed based on an ultrahigh vacuum scanning electron microscope (UHV SEM). The system consists of a lens system to focus ions produced by electron-stimulated desorption (ESD), an ion detector optimized for ESD-signal detection, and a two-dimensional measurement program synchronized with the position information of the electron beam. The developed detectors and electrostatic lenses enable highly sensitive detection of the ions. In this paper, we show the details of the instrumentation of the operando hydrogen microscope. We have succeeded in recording hydrogen and deuterium flowing from the rear of metals to the surface as a series of time-lapse images, showing the time-dependent changes in the surface distribution of hydrogen and deuterium. Deuterium permeation through the metal sample was dynamically visualized at the surface by the two-dimensional mapping of the desorbed ions induced by scanning electron beam irradiation.
Impaired Neuromotor Control During Gait in Concussed Adolescents—A Frequency Analysis
Authors: Jain Divya , Graci Valentina , Beam Megan E. , Master Christina L. , Prosser Laura A. , McDonald Catherine C. , Arbogast Kristy B.
Published: December 2023

Disruptions in gait function are common after concussion in adolescents; however, the neuromotor control deficits driving these gait disruptions are not well known. Fifteen concussed (age mean [SD]): 17.4 [0.6], 13 females, days since injury: 26.3 [9.9]) and 17 uninjured (age: 18.0 [0.7], 10 females) adolescents completed 3 trials each of single-task gait and dual-task gait (DT). During DT, participants simultaneously walked while completing a serial subtraction task. Gait metrics and variability in instantaneous mean frequency in lower extremity muscles were captured by inertial sensors and surface electromyography, respectively. A 2-way analysis of covariance was used to compare gait metrics across groups and conditions. Functional principal components analysis was used to identify regions of variability in instantaneous mean frequency curves. Functional principal component scores were compared across groups using a Welch statistic. Both groups displayed worse performance on gait metrics during DT condition compared to single-task, with no differences between groups (P < .001). Concussed adolescents displayed significantly greater instantaneous mean frequency, indicated by functional principal component 1, in the tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus (P < .05) during single-task and DT compared with uninjured adolescents. Our observations suggest that concussed adolescents display inefficient motor unit recruitment lasting longer than 2 weeks following injury, regardless of the addition of a secondary task.
Validation and Psychometric Properties of the German Version of the Adolescent Motor Competence Questionnaire
Authors: Schott Nadja , Hands Beth , McIntyre Fleur , Timler Amanda
Published: December 2023

Introduction/Background: In 2016, the Adolescent Motor Competence Questionnaire (AMCQ) was developed in Australia. The AMCQ was developed to assess perceived motor competence in adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 years. The 26 items represent four factors: participation in physical activity and sports, activities of daily living, public performance, and peer comparison. Aims/Objectives: Currently, no validated German-language self-report screening instrument exists for assessing perceived motor competence among adolescents. This study aimed to validate the German version of the AMCQ (AMCQ-GER). Methods/Approach: The German translation’s factor structure and psychometric properties were analyzed based on a community sample of 635 healthy children and adolescents between 10 and 18 years of age (12.9 ± 2.31 years, 321 boys and 312 girls) and 100 healthy young adults between 19 and 30 years of age (23.0 ± 2.92 years, 49 men and 51 women). The previously validated cutoff score of ≤83 out of 104 was used to group the sample into high and low motor competence. Results: The mean AMCQ-GER score was 84.9 (SD = 8.59), and 38.8% of the participants identified with low motor competence. The principle component analysis revealed clear evidence for a three-factorial structure comprising physical activity and sports, general clumsiness, and activities of daily living (with an explained variance of 29.2%). Reliability for all scales was excellent, with a McDonald’s ϖ of at least .70. The overall conclusion of the Rasch analysis supported the confirmatory factor analysis, although with an overall smaller number of items (18 instead of 26). The AMCQ-GER was positively correlated with age (.26**) and participation in organized club sports (.19**). It was negatively correlated with body mass index (−.23**) and school grade in physical activity (−.40**). Conclusions/Relevance: Our rigorous validation protocol has generated a remarkable reproduction of the AMCQ in German. These results suggest that the language and structure of the questionnaire is appropriate for German-speaking countries.
Effects of Acute Physical Fatigue on Gaze Behavior in Expert Badminton Players
Authors: Loiseau Taupin Mildred , Ruffault Alexis , Slawinski Jean , Bayle Dimitri
Published: December 2023

Perceptual cognitive skills in real game settings, under conditions of fatigue, such as the ability to gather relevant visual information, are key factors in achieving motor goals in sports. The objectives were to evaluate the effects of acute physical fatigue on gaze behavior during a badminton game (Study 1) and in an unfavorable force ratio situation (Study 2). Six international-level badminton players played two sets and unfavorable force ratio situations while wearing eye-tracking glasses before and after a fatiguing task. During the set, fatiguing physical exercise led to fewer fixations per exchange and more fixations on one area of interest. During unfavorable force ratio situations, fatiguing physical exercise led to shorter fixation durations per exchange, shorter fixation durations on two areas of interest, and longer fixation durations on one area of interest. The results showed that gaze behaviors were adapted in acute physical fatigue conditions to maintain performance.
An Eoarchean continental nucleus for the Fennoscandian Shield and a link to the North Atlantic craton
Authors: Petersson Andreas , Waight Tod , Kemp Anthony I.S. , Whitehouse Martin. J. , Valley John W.
Published: December 2023

Enabling the build-up of continental crust is a vital step in the stabilization of cratonic lithosphere. However, these initial crustal nuclei are commonly either destroyed by recycling or buried by younger rocks. In the Fennoscandian Shield, the oldest rocks are ca. 3.5 Ga, but ca. 3.7 Ga inherited and detrital zircons suggest the presence of an older, unexposed crustal substrate. We present U-Pb, O, and Hf isotope data from detrital zircons of three major Finnish rivers as well as zircon O and Hf isotope data from previously dated rocks of the Archean Suomujärvi and Pudasjärvi complexes, central Finland. Combined, these data indicate a previously unidentified ca. 3.75 Ga crustal nucleus in the Fennoscandian Shield. This adds to the growing number of Eoarchean nuclei recognized in Archean terranes around the globe, highlighting the importance of such nuclei in enabling the growth of continental crust. The isotope signatures of the Fennoscandian nucleus correlate with equivalent-aged rocks in Greenland, consistent with a common Eoarchean evolution for Fennoscandia and the North Atlantic craton.
Masquerading bundle branch block: an often missed electrophysiological event
Authors: Agyeman Walter Y , Seffah Kofi , Seedarnee Christian , Addo Basilio
Published: December 2023

Masquerading bundle branch block is an easily overlooked pattern on the ECG that indicates severe disease of the atrioventricular nodal conduction pathway. It is often caused by coronary artery disease, infiltrative diseases of the heart and idiopathic degeneration of the atrioventricular nodal conduction pathways. The diagnosis is easily missed as it needs a detailed interpretation of the ECG in addition to the clinical presentation of the patient. The presence of this specific bundle branch block pattern on the ECG indicates severe degeneration of the conduction system requiring intervention. Given its rarity, this clinical entity risks misdiagnosis and inappropriate management. This case highlights two diagnostic challenges for clinicians: the rarely described masquerading bundle branch block and the art of clinically differentiating between epilepsy and convulsive syncope.
Uterine carcinosarcoma showing immature teratoid-like differentiation
Authors: Naito Mio , Terasaki Mika , Ouchi Nozomi , Toyoshima Masafumi
Published: December 2023

A carcinosarcoma is a rare form of cancer characterised by the presence of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. Here, we present our experience with an extremely rare case of an uterine carcinosarcoma with immature teratoid-like differentiation. The patient was a woman in her 60s. She was referred for the evaluation of a uterine tumour. She underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy and received postoperative treatment with paclitaxel and carboplatin. On microscopic examination, the tumour had a heterogeneous appearance with a combination of carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements, and teratoid features. The tumour included immature squamous epithelial cells and immature epithelial glands, and focal atypical fused glands, which are consistent with endometrioid carcinoma, were identified in the endometrium. Pathological differentiation from extrarenal Wilms’ tumour and teratocarcinosarcoma was challenging. The final pathological diagnosis was uterine carcinosarcoma with immature teratoid-like differentiation. At 14 months after the surgery, the patient has not experienced recurrence.
NovelSTAT1mutation in a paediatric case of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis complicated by primary hypothyroidism: clinical presentation, genetic analysis and prognostic implications
Authors: Hou Feifei , Zhang Tianyu , Chen Fangman , Jiang Lu
Published: December 2023

This case report presents a young girl in her early childhood diagnosed with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) and primary hypothyroidism. Genetic analysis revealed a novel de novo mutation in theSTAT1gene (exon 11, c.972C>G, p.Cys324Trp), adding to the existing literature onSTAT1mutations, which account for approximately 53% of CMC cases. The identified mutation is predicted to have a more severe pathogenic impact based on PolyPhen-2 scoring. Our findings emphasise the importance of comprehensive genetic testing in CMC diagnosis and suggest that the specific mutation site may correlate with disease prognosis. The case underscores the need for vigilant monitoring and targeted therapeutic interventions, given the potential for poorer outcomes.
Lost in translation: the importance of addressing language inequities in global health security
Authors: Fogarty Alanna S , Ahmed Mohammed J , Linder Alexander G , Zangana Aso , Muftin Karim , Standley Claire J , Sorrell Erin M
Published: December 2023

Language inequities in global health stem from colonial legacies, and global health security is no exception. The International Health Regulations (IHRs), a legally binding framework published by the WHO, lay the foundation for global health security and state the roles and responsibilities States Parties are compelled to follow to improve their capabilities to prevent, detect and respond to potential public health emergencies of international concern. It includes the submission of a mandatory status report that assesses a nation’s implementation of IHRs. Known as the States Party Self-Assessment Annual Report (SPAR) tool, WHO has made its guidance document available in all six WHO official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). The Republic of Iraq (Iraq) experienced significant challenges during the completion and submission of the 2022 SPAR. This experience demonstrated that translation of English materials to other languages, such as Arabic, is not prioritised and further underscored how scoring of a country’s global health security capacities can be significantly impacted by users’ ability to read and comprehend the materials in English. Not only can this lead to inaccurate SPAR scoring, but it can also lead to the improper allocation of resources and prioritisation of policy developments and/or amendments. By drawing attention to this issue, we aim to inform and advocate for global health security decision-makers to consider opportunities for increasing inclusion and accessibility, especially for requirements under legally binding international instruments.
Five-year cross-sectional study to determine the burden ofCandidaspp. infections of the urinary tract system among patients attending tertiary hospital in Northwestern Tanzania
Authors: Konje Eveline T , Kizenga Omary , Charco Noel J , Kibwana Upendo Ozeniel , Shango Nyanda , Tarimo Felix , Mushi Martha F
Published: December 2023

Objective

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) stand as a prominent global health concern. This study entails a 5-year retrospective analysis, using a cross-sectional study design to examine microbiology laboratory data of individuals clinically diagnosed with UTIs at Bugando Medical Centre to gain insights into the prevalence and factors linked to candiduria.

Methodology

Data extracted were meticulously cleaned and coded in an MS Excel sheet, subsequently transferred to STATA V.15 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with candiduria. A probability value below 0.05 at a 95% CI was considered statistically significant.

Results

Urine samples for culture and sensitivity comprised 33.4% (20755) of the total biological samples (62335). The median age of the patients stood at 19 years. A slight majority were female, accounting for 52.8% (10051), and two-thirds sought treatment at outpatient departments (67.5%, 12843). Among patients with significant pathogenic growth, the prevalence of candiduria was 4.6% (221 out of 4772). Notably, inpatients exhibited a higher incidence of candiduria compared with outpatients, with rates of 9.4% (1882) versus 1.6% (2890), p value of 0.000. Non-albicansCandidaspp. (NAC) remained the most prevalent pathogen. Factors significantly associated with candiduria included being female (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.3) and hospital admission (OR=6.6, 95% CI 4.7 to 9.2). In conclusion, candiduria affect 5 out of every 100 UTI-diagnosed patients, predominantly among females and those admitted to the hospital. Clinicians at tertiary hospitals should consider urinary candidiasis as a potential diagnosis for patients at risk who present with UTI-like symptoms.
REMAP Periop: a randomised, embedded, multifactorial adaptive platform trial protocol for perioperative medicine to determine the optimal enhanced recovery pathway components in complex abdominal surgery patients within a US healthcare system
Authors: Holder-Murray Jennifer , Esper Stephen A , Althans Alison R , Knight Joshua , Subramaniam Kathirvel , Derenzo Joseph , Ball Ryan , Beaman Shawn , Luke Charles , La Colla Luca , Schott Nicholas , Williams Brian , Lorenzi Elizabeth , Berry Lindsay R , Viele Kert , Berry Scott , Masters Miranda , Meister Katie A , Wilkinson Todd , Garrard William , Marroquin Oscar C , Mahajan Aman
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Implementation of enhanced recovery pathways (ERPs) has resulted in improved patient-centred outcomes and decreased costs. However, there is a lack of high-level evidence for many ERP elements. We have designed a randomised, embedded, multifactorial, adaptive platform perioperative medicine (REMAP Periop) trial to evaluate the effectiveness of several perioperative therapies for patients undergoing complex abdominal surgery as part of an ERP. This trial will begin with two domains: postoperative nausea/vomiting (PONV) prophylaxis and regional/neuraxial analgesia. Patients enrolled in the trial will be randomised to arms within both domains, with the possibility of adding additional domains in the future.

Methods and analysis

In the PONV domain, patients are randomised to optimal versus supraoptimal prophylactic regimens. In the regional/neuraxial domain, patients are randomised to one of five different single-injection techniques/combination of techniques. The primary study endpoint is hospital-free days at 30 days, with additional domain-specific secondary endpoints of PONV incidence and postoperative opioid consumption. The efficacy of an intervention arm within a given domain will be evaluated at regular interim analyses using Bayesian statistical analysis. At the beginning of the trial, participants will have an equal probability of being allocated to any given intervention within a domain (ie, simple 1:1 randomisation), with response adaptive randomisation guiding changes to allocation ratios after interim analyses when applicable based on prespecified statistical triggers. Triggers met at interim analysis may also result in intervention dropping.

Ethics and dissemination

The core protocol and domain-specific appendices were approved by the University of Pittsburgh Institutional Review Board. A waiver of informed consent was obtained for this trial. Trial results will be announced to the public and healthcare providers once prespecified statistical triggers of interest are reached as described in the core protocol, and the most favourable interventions will then be implemented as a standardised institutional protocol.

Trial registration number

NCT04606264.
Effectiveness of a culturally tailored diabetes education curriculum with real-time continuous glucose monitoring in a Latinx population with type 2 diabetes: the CUT-DM with CGM for Latinx randomised controlled trial study protocol
Authors: Ehrhardt Nicole , Cedeno Brian , Montour Laura , Sinclair Ka'imi , Ferguson Gary , Berberian Peter , Comstock Bryan , Wright Lorena
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing in the Latinx community. Despite telehealth and technology becoming more available, these resources are not reaching the Latinx population. Diabetes education is a cornerstone of treatment; however, access to culturally tailored content is a barrier to the Latinx population. Real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) is a patient-empowering tool that can improve glycaemic control, but it is not readily available for Latinx patients with T2D. We aim to evaluate a culturally tailored diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) curriculum, using a team-based approach to improve glycaemic control, promote healthy behaviours and enhance patient access with the use of telehealth in Latinx individuals. The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the additive effectiveness of RT-CGM on glycaemia and behavioural changes among Latinx patients undergoing a culturally tailored DSMES. A sub aim of the study is to evaluate family members’ change in behaviours.

Methods

We propose a randomised controlled trial of blinded versus RT-CGM with 100 Latinx participants with T2D who will receive DSMES via telemedicine over 12 weeks (n=50 per group). The study will be conducted at a single large federally qualified health centre system. The control group will receive culturally tailored DSMES and blinded CGM. The intervention group will receive DSMES and RT-CGM. The DSMES is conducted by community health educators weekly over 12 weeks in Spanish or English, based on participant’s language preference. Patients in the RT-CGM group will have cyclical use with a goal of 50 days wear time. The primary outcomes are changes in haemoglobin A1c and CGM-derived metrics at 3 and 6 months. The secondary outcomes include participants’ self-management knowledge and behaviour and household members’ change in lifestyle.

Ethics and dissemination

The study proposal was approved by the University of Washington ethics/institutional review board (IRB) Committee as minimal risk (IRB ID: STUDY00014396) and the Sea Mar IRB committee.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT05394844
Effect of mount location on the quantification of light intensity in myopia study
Authors: Wen Longbo , Liu Hong , Chen Zhao , Xu Qinglin , Hu Ziqi , Lan Weizhong , Yang Zhikuan
Published: December 2023

Purpose

To investigate how the mounting location of wearable devices affects the measurement of light intensity.

Methods

Two commercially available wearable devices, HOBO and Clouclip, were used to compare the effects of different mount locations on light intensity measurement. We assessed the consistency of the measurements of the two devices by placing a HOBO and a Clouclip simultaneously in 26 different light environments and measuring the light intensity. To simulate the real-life usage scenarios of the two devices, we had 29 participants wear two HOBOs—one on the wrist and the other on the chest—along with a Clouclip on their spectacles for 1 day; meanwhile, the light intensity was measured and analysed.

Results

When under the same light environments, the light intensity measured by the Clouclip was 1.09 times higher than that by the HOBO, with an additional 82.62 units (r2=1.00, p<0.001). When simulating the real-life scenarios, the mean light intensity at the eye-level position was significantly lower than that at the chest position (189.13±665.78 lux vs 490.75±1684.29 lux, p<0.001) and the wrist position (189.13±665.78 lux vs 483.87±1605.50 lux, p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in light intensity between the wrist and chest positions (483.87±1605.50 lux vs 490.75±1684.29 lux, p=1.00). Using a threshold of 1000 lux for outdoor exposure, the estimated light exposure at the eye-level position was significantly lower than that at the chest position (3.9% vs 7.8%, χ2=266.14, p<0.001) and the wrist position (3.9% vs 7.7%, χ2=254.25, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Our findings revealed significant variations in light exposure among the wrist, chest and eye position. Therefore, caution must be exercised when comparing results obtained from different wearable devices.
Reducing violence and aggression: a quality improvement project for safety on an acute mental health ward
Authors: Kernaghan Katrina , Hurst Kay
Published: December 2023

Violence and aggression (V&A) are identified as an issue on mental health wards that negatively affect staff, patients, care delivery and safety. This project took place on a male acute mental health ward where V&A are known to be an issue with an average of 21.3 incidences per month in the 6 months preceding the project.

The aim was to use QI (Quality Improvement) methodology to reduce incidences of V&A by 20% over a 4-month period. A root cause analysis was completed with staff, previous QI projects and literature on interventions for V&A were reviewed. Two changes were introduced via PDSA (plan, do, study, act) cycles; first was a safewards bundle including a training package, weekly emails and noticeboard displays, the second was safety crosses displayed on the ward.

There was a reduction in incidences of V&A across the project, mean weekly incidences reduced from 2.5 at baseline audit to 2.0 at the end of the project. This equates to a 20% reduction in V&A. The project did result in an increase of safewards interventions recorded and staff ratings of ward safety improved. There was a statistically significant correlation found between incidences of V&A and rates of restrictive practices.

Further analysis of the 20% reduction did not find a special cause variation, so results may be due to a common cause variation rather than the QI interventions. Safety crosses were not found to have an impact on rates of V&A, it is likely these need to be more embedded into communication about V&A on the ward. Potential confounding patient variables such as illicit drug use and history of V&A as well as staffing should be recorded and monitored in future projects. Recommendations to enhance further change should include regular meetings with both staff and patients to support open communication about the topic.
Sustained decrease in latent safety threats through regular interprofessional in situ simulation training of neonatal emergencies
Authors: Mileder Lukas Peter , Schwaberger Bernhard , Baik-Schneditz Nariae , Ribitsch Mirjam , Pansy Jasmin , Raith Wolfgang , Rohrleitner Angelika , Mesaric Günter , Urlesberger Berndt
Published: December 2023

Simulation training at trainees’ actual workplace offers benefits over traditional simulation-based team training. We prospectively investigated whether regular in situ simulation training of neonatal emergencies in an interprofessional and interdisciplinary team could be used to identify and rectify latent safety threats (LSTs).

For this purpose, we conducted 1-day in situ simulation trainings at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Feldbach, Austria, targeting anaesthesiologists, obstetricians, midwives, nurses and consultant paediatricians. Using published criteria for categorising LSTs, we collected LSTs, either recognised by trainers or training participants, categorised them qualitatively (medication,equipment,resource/system) and based on their potential for harm, discussed them with training participants, and reported them to hospital leadership.

We conducted 13 trainings between June 2015 and April 2023, identifying 67 LSTs, most in the category ofequipment(42/67, 62.7%), followed byresource/system(14/67, 20.9%) andmedication(11/67, 16.4%). Sixty-one (91.0%) of the LSTs could be rectified by the next training. We observed a significant negative correlation between the number of delivered trainings and the frequency of identified LSTs (Pearson correlation coefficient r= –0,684, p=0.01).

While we identified a higher number of LSTs in comparison to previously published studies, regular in situ simulation training of neonatal emergencies over a period of almost 8 years positively impacted patient safety, as the majority of LSTs was rectified by the next training. Even more important, the decrease in LSTs with the increasing number of delivered in situ simulation trainings underlines the sustained effect of this educational intervention.
Supervised machine learning model to predict mortality in patients undergoing venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation from a nationwide multicentre registry
Authors: Lee Haeun , Song Myung Jin , Cho Young-Jae , Kim Dong Jung , Hong Sang-Bum , Jung Se Young , Lim Sung Yoon
Published: December 2023

Background

Existing models have performed poorly when predicting mortality for patients undergoing venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). This study aimed to develop and validate a machine learning (ML)-based prediction model to predict 90-day mortality in patients undergoing VV-ECMO.

Methods

This study included 368 patients with acute respiratory failure undergoing VV-ECMO from 16 tertiary hospitals across South Korea between 2012 and 2015. The primary outcome was the 90-day mortality after ECMO initiation. The inputs included all available features (n=51) and those from the electronic health record (EHR) systems without preprocessing (n=40). The discriminatory strengths of ML models were evaluated in both internal and external validation sets. The models were compared with conventional models, such as respiratory ECMO survival prediction (RESP) and predicting death for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome on VV-ECMO (PRESERVE).

Results

Extreme gradient boosting (XGB) (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve, AUROC 0.82, 95% CI (0.73 to 0.89)) and light gradient boosting (AUROC 0.81 (95% CI 0.71 to 0.88)) models achieved the highest performance using EHR’s and all other available features. The developed models had higher AUROCs (95% CI 0.76 to 0.82) than those of RESP (AUROC 0.66 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.76)) and PRESERVE (AUROC 0.71 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.81)). Additionally, we achieved an AUROC (0.75) for 90-day mortality in external validation in the case of the XGB model, which was higher than that of RESP (0.70) and PRESERVE (0.67) in the same validation dataset.

Conclusions

ML prediction models outperformed previous mortality risk models. This model may be used to identify patients who are unlikely to benefit from VV-ECMO therapy during patient selection.
Methylprednisolone pulse-enhanced neutrophil extracellular trap formation in mice with imiquimod-induced lupus-like disease, resulting in ischaemia of the femoral head cartilage
Authors: Ogawa Hodaka , Yokota Shunichi , Hosoi Yumeka , Shindo Ayano , Ogawa Naho , Yamamura Ryodai , Shimizu Tomohiro , Nakade Issei , Arai Suishin , Taniguchi Mai , Nishibata Yuka , Masuda Sakiko , Nakazawa Daigo , Tomaru Utano , Iwasaki Norimasa , Ishizu Akihiro
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Methylprednisolone (mPSL) pulse therapy is an essential option for patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus, but there is a risk of adverse events related to microcirculation disorders, including idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Recent studies have revealed that excessive neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are involved in microcirculation disorders. This study aimed to demonstrate that mPSL pulse could induce NETs in lupus mice and identify the factors contributing to this induction.

Methods

Six mice with imiquimod (IMQ)-induced lupus-like disease and six normal mice were intraperitoneally injected with mPSL on days 39 to 41, and five mice with IMQ-induced lupus-like disease and six normal mice were injected with phosphate-buffered saline. Pathological examinations were conducted to evaluate the ischaemic state of the femoral head and tissue infiltration of NET-forming neutrophils. Proteome analysis was performed to extract plasma proteins specifically elevated in mPSL-administered mice with IMQ-induced lupus-like disease, and their effects on NET formation were assessed in vitro.

Results

Mice with IMQ-induced lupus-like disease that received mPSL pulse demonstrated ischaemia of the femoral head cartilage with tissue infiltration of NET-forming neutrophils. Proteome analysis suggested that prenylcysteine oxidase 1 (PCYOX1) played a role in this phenomenon. The reaction of PCYOX1-containing very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) with its substrate farnesylcysteine (FC) induced NETs in vitro. The combined addition of IMQ and mPSL synergistically enhanced VLDL-plus-FC-induced NET formation.

Conclusion

PCYOX1 and related factors are worthy of attention to understand the underlying mechanisms and create novel therapeutic strategies for mPSL-mediated microcirculation disorders, including ONFH.
Clinical significance of exostosin 1 in confirmed and suspected lupus membranous nephropathy
Authors: Ye Tian , Jiang Mengya , Zeng Xueyan , Zong Dan , Du Yuanyuan , Li Xiaohong , Huang Biao , Tang Xuanli
Published: December 2023

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of exostosin 1 (EXT1) in confirmed and suspected lupus membranous nephropathy (LMN).

Methods

EXT1 was detected in 67 renal tissues of M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R)-negative and ANA-positive membranous nephropathy by immunohistochemistry, and cases were divided into confirmed LMN and suspected LMN. The clinicopathological data were compared among the above groups, as well as EXT1-positive group and EXT1-negative group.

Results

Twenty-two cases (73.3%) of confirmed LMN and six cases (16.2%) of suspected LMN exhibited EXT1 expression on the glomerular basement membrane and/or mesangium area, showing a significant difference (p<0.001). Concurrently, lupus nephritis (LN) of pure class V demonstrated a lower frequency of EXT1 positivity compared with mixed class V LN in the confirmed LMN group (31.8% vs 68.2%, p=0.007). EXT1-positive patients in the confirmed and suspected LMN group showed significant differences in some clinicopathological data comparing with EXT1-negative patients (p<0.05). Follow-up data revealed that a greater proportion of patients in the EXT1-positive group achieved complete remission post-treatment (p<0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that EXT1 positivity was significantly correlated with complete remission across the entire study cohort (HR 5.647; 95% CI, 1.323 to 12.048; p=0.019). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the EXT1-positive group had a higher rate of accumulated nephrotic remission compared with the EXT1-negative group in the whole study cohort (p=0.028).

Conclusions

The EXT1-positive group exhibited a higher active index and a more favourable renal outcome than the EXT1-negative group. It would be better to recognise suspected LMN with EXT1 positivity as a potential autoimmune disease and maintain close follow-up due to its similarities with confirmed LMN.
Psychometric properties, predictive utility and diagnostic capacity of the Persian version of the Scale of Resilience to Suicide Attempts in army conscripts
Authors: Rashtbari Alireza , Rahnejat AM , Taghva A , Jamil L , Sheykholeslami A
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Suicide among army conscripts represents a poorly understood and complex public health issue that has escalated in recent decades. The early identification of individuals at risk holds the potential to significantly contribute to the effective prevention of suicide attempts. To address this, the Scale of Resilience to Suicide Attempts-18 (SRSA-18) has been developed to assess protective factors related to suicide attempts. The present study aimed to develop a Persian version of SRSA-18 (P-SRSA) and examine its psychometric properties and predictive utility within a sample of the Iranian Army.

Methods

The initial study sample consisted of 400 male conscripts from the Iranian Army grand forces (M=19.86, SD=1.40). Subsequently, for the follow-up stage, 296 participants (M=19.83, SD=1.39) were recruited. The participants were assessed using various measures of resilience, social support, suicide and hopelessness at baseline and a 6-month follow-up.

Results

In contrast to the original version, both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported an 18-item two-factor model of the P-SRSA (root mean square error of approximation=0.076; 95% CI (0.069 to 0.086), comparative fit index=0.943, Tucker-Lewis index=0.936). P-SRSA strongly correlated with convergent/divergent measures and demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (α=0.82). Furthermore, regression analysis revealed that the P-SRSA significantly predicted suicide reattempts at baseline and during a 6-month follow-up period.

Conclusion

The study confirms that the P-SRSA, comprising a two-factor, 18-item solution, is a reliable measure of resilience, displaying robust discriminant and predictive validity. These findings provide substantial support for implementing P-SRSA in samples from the Iranian Army, highlighting its potential to identify suicidal conscripts effectively.
High-temperature superconductivity mechanism and an alternative theoretical model of Maxwell’s classical electromagnetism theory
Authors: Fan Wei
Published: December 2023

In the 21st century, understanding the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity has emerged as a pinnacle achievement in condensed matter physics, capturing the lifelong interest of numerous physicists. This paper endeavors to offer a theoretical elucidation for this mechanism, advancing the broader field of physics. Recognizing that high-temperature superconductivity is an aspect of condensed matter physics — underpinned by Maxwell’s classical electromagnetic theory — we turn to theoretical mechanics and field theory, which are foundational perspectives in the contemporary scientific era. By framing Maxwell’s classical electromagnetic theory within the context of theoretical mechanics and field theory, this paper not only sheds light on the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity but also recasts Maxwell’s theory within a purer theoretical mechanics and field theory domain. This represents a paradigmatic shift and cognitive transformation in physics. Furthermore, leveraging this theoretical mechanics and field theory interpretation of electromagnetic phenomena, we discern that electromagnetic phenomena can be more aptly explained without resorting to the concepts of charges and electric fields, leading to a reinterpretation of Coulomb’s law. We propose that protons and electrons might exist as entities devoid of charge-specific attributes and negate the possibility of a strongly correlated particle system within them.
Chinese Economic Statecraft in Southeast Asia and Its Uneven Impact in Laos and Cambodia
Authors: TUNG NGUYEN CONG
Published: December 2023

This paper examines how China has successfully translated its economic might into political clout in Laos and Cambodia. The country’s role as a major trading partner, foreign investor, and provider of aid to both countries has contributed substantially to their national development. This massive influx of Chinese investment and aid has also yielded positive results, as both countries have demonstrated a more accommodating attitude toward Beijing on a variety of issues. However, Chinese economic statecraft has had differing degrees of influence on the foreign policymaking of Laos and Cambodia, particularly with regard to their foreign policies toward Vietnam, a critical secondary state in Southeast Asia. While Cambodia has been less hesitant to bandwagon with China, Laos is still seeking to balance between China and Vietnam. This paper argues that Laos and Cambodia’s existing perceptions of Vietnam dictate in part how they respond to China’s economic inducements and affect the outcomes of Chinese economic statecraft.
Evaluating performance of SMEs using structure equation modeling
Authors: Bendi Sunil Kumar Das
Published: December 2023

Entrepreneurial skills enable people to develop new business ideas or improve existing ones. Entrepreneurship transcends firm ownership, private profit production, and the commercial exploitation of new markets, goods, or processes. The literature review demonstrates how competencies are linked with entrepreneur performance. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the role of entrepreneurs’ competency in mediating the relationship between bank funding and Small and Medium Enterprisers (SMEs’) performance. A survey was conducted among 398 SMEs owner-managers were chosen at random. The direct and mediated effects of entrepreneurs’ competency were not significant in the Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Model. However, bank financing improves SMEs’ performance. A strong mediation influence of behavioral Finance on the connection between bank loans and SMEs performance was also found. The model’s competitive mediation pattern for bank loans and behavioral finance was non-mediation for bank loans and entrepreneurs’ skill.
A Novel Neural Ensemble Architecture for On-the-fly Classification of Evolving Text Streams
Authors: Ghahramanian Pouya , Bakhshi Sepehr , Bonab Hamed , Can Fazli
Published: December 2023

We study on-the-fly classification of evolving text streams in which the relation between the input data and target labels changes over time—i.e., “concept drift.” These variations decrease the model’s performance, as predictions become less accurate over time and they necessitate a more adaptable system. While most studies focus on concept drift detection and handling with ensemble approaches, the application of neural models in this area is relatively less studied. We introduce Adaptive Neural Ensemble Network (
AdaNEN
), a novel ensemble-based neural approach, capable of handling concept drift in data streams. With our novel architecture, we address some of the problems neural models face when exploited for online adaptive learning environments. Most current studies address concept drift detection and handling in numerical streams, and the evolving text stream classification remains relatively unexplored. We hypothesize that the lack of public and large-scale experimental data could be one reason. To this end, we propose a method based on an existing approach for generating evolving text streams by introducing various types of concept drifts to real-world text datasets. We provide an extensive evaluation of our proposed approach using 12 state-of-the-art baselines and 13 datasets. We first evaluate concept drift handling capability of AdaNEN and the baseline models on evolving numerical streams; this aims to demonstrate the concept drift handling capabilities of our method on a general spectrum and motivate its use in evolving text streams. The models are then evaluated in evolving text stream classification. Our experimental results show that AdaNEN consistently outperforms the existing approaches in terms of predictive performance with conservative efficiency.