bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring storm evolution using high density seismic arrays
Authors: Diaz J. , Ruiz M. , Udina M. , Polls F. , Martí D. , Bech J.
Published: July 2022

Data acquired by a dense seismic network deployed in the Cerdanya basin (Eastern Pyrenees) is used to track the temporal and spatial evolution of meteorological events such as rainfall episodes or thunderstorms. Comparing seismic and meteorological data, we show that for frequencies above 40 Hz, the dominant source of seismic noise is rainfall and hence the amplitude of the seismic data can be used as a proxy of rainfall. The interstation distance of 1.5 km provides an unprecedented spatial resolution of the evolution of rainfall episodes along the basin. Two specific episodes, one dominated by stratiform rain and the second one dominated by convective rain are analyzed in detail, using high resolution disdrometer data from a meteorological site near one of the seismic instruments. Seismic amplitude variations follow a similar evolution to radar reflectivity values, but in some stratiform precipitation cases it differs from the radar-derived precipitation estimates in this region of abrupt topography where radar may suffer antenna beam blockage. Hence, we demonstrate the added value of seismic data to complement other sources of information such as rain-gauge or weather radar observations to describe the evolution of ground-level rainfall fields at high spatial and temporal resolution. The seismic power and the rainfall intensity have and exponential relationship and the periods with larger seismic power are coincident with raindrop diameters above 3 mm. The time periods with rain drops diameters exceeding 4 mm cannot be detected in the seismic data, suggesting that there is a threshold value above which seismic data are not sensitive any more to larger rain drop impacts. Thunderstorms can be identified by the recording of the sonic waves generated by thunders. We show that single thunders can be recorded to distances of a few tens of kilometers. As the propagation of these acoustic waves is expected to be strongly affected by parameters as air humidity, temperature variations or wind, the seismic data could provide an excellent tool to investigate atmospheric properties variations during thunderstorms.
Risk factors for lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in pathological stage I and II non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhang Hongwang , Li Xue , Wang Yanming
Published: July 2022

Objective
To study the influencing factors of lymph node metastasis and survival in pathological stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ non-small cell lung cancer.
Methods
Clinical data of 381 patients were collected and followed up. The primary outcome measure was overall survival and 5-year survival rate.
Results
Binary logistic regression results showed that tumor size (OR = 1.422; 95%CI: 1.174 ~ 1.723), increased preoperative CEA (OR = 1.056; 95%CI: 1.012 ~ 1.101) and gender (OR = 0.476; 95%CI: 0.243 ~ 0.934) were the factors affecting lymph node metastasis in pathological stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ non-small cell lung cancer (all P-value < 0.05). Results from multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that age (hazard ratio = 2.716 for age > 60 years; p = 0.001), larger tumor size (hazard ratio = 1.400 for tumor size ≥ 2.25cm; p = 0.004) and visceral pleural invasion (hazard ratio = 2.919 for visceral pleural invasion; p < 0.001) were the predictors of poor prognosis (all P-value < 0.05).
Conclusion
In pathological stage I and II non-small cell lung cancer, being males, tumor size ≥ 2.25cm and the preoperative CEA ≥ 3.47ug/L were risk factors for lymph node metastasis. Age > 60 years, visceral pleural invasion, and larger tumor are predictors of postoperative poor prognosis.
A DFT Approach to the adsorption of the Levodopa anti- neurodegenerative drug on pristine and Al-doped boron nitride nanotubes as a drug delivery vehicle
Authors: Shadi Melina , Hamedani Shahla
Published: July 2022

The adsorption behavior of the anti-neurodegenerative drug levodopa (LD) on pristine and aluminum-doped (Al-doped) boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) has been investigated in the current study using the DFT approach at the B3LYP/6-31G** level of theory. The aim was to improve and expand boron nitride nanotubes drug carriers used in biomedical systems, i.e. drug delivery systems. The binding qualities of pure and doped BNNT complexes as adsorbents with LD were explored using Natural Bond Orbitals (NBO) analysis, Density of State (DOS), electrical and structural characteristics, and Atoms in Molecules (AIM) properties. Due to doping heteroatoms in the adsorbent's molecular structure, the obtained data reveal a gradual shift in LD adsorption, with a significant rise in negative adsorption energy values. The electronic perturbation caused by doped atoms, particularly Al, improves boron nitride nanotube sensitivity to adsorbed levodopa, and the electronic properties of the nanotubes are altered following levodopa adsorption in the complex. As the frontier molecular orbital distributions were transferred from LD to BNNT in the complex of LD-BNNT, it was also shown that LD drugs could be loaded on pristine and Al-doped BNNTs while remaining safe from interactions with other substances. Furthermore, AIM-based investigations revealed that O–Al interaction in LD adsorbed on Al-doped boron nitride nanotube and O–N interaction in the LD-BNNT complex are partially covalent. Finally, the findings showed that pristine and Al-doped BNNTs could be used in drug delivery processes by controlling the loaded LD contribution to future interactions.
Aberrant effects on solar absorbance enhancement with the inclusion of dielectric coated plasmonic Cu-NP within hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cell
Authors: Sahai Shreya , Varshney Anshu
Published: July 2022

In this paper we study the anomalous effects on solar absorbance with the insertion of dielectric coated plasmonic metal nanoparticle within hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cell. It has been observed that the insertion of the metal@dielectric core-shell nanoparticles in the active layers of thin film organic solar cells enhance their conversion efficiency. The metal core increases the optical absorption, subsequently the conversion efficiency of thin film organic solar cells due to Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) based field enhancement effect, the dielectric shell plays a key role to keep the metal core inaccessible so that it cannot offer recombination centre of the light-induced excitons. A comparative study conducted between the incorporated Au@SiO2, Ag@SiO2, and Cu@SiO2, to validate the utilisation of coreshell copper nanoparticles for designing Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with enhanced light trapping ability. The simulation results based on finite difference time domain shows the absorbance enhancement depends on the refractive index and the depth of the dielectric coating. The dielectric layer with high refractive index demonstrates the steady change in enhancement than the low refractive index dielectric layer with the variation in the depth of the shell. These unusual effects expand our knowledge on plasmonic PSCs and thus open the doors for its optimised design with enhanced light trapping ability. On comparison with different available core metals it is being observed that the copper@dielectric offers better chemical and thermal stability with increased absorption. It further lowers down the production costs of these designs, enabling them to be utilized even within the underdeveloped countries.
Comprehensive analysis of the associations of LOXL1-4 with prognosis and immune infiltration in breast cancer
Authors: Lin Jiediao , Lin Yun , Huang Peizhi , He Lifang , Pan Hongchao
Published: July 2022

Objective: Invasive breast carcinoma (BRCA) is the most common cancer in women, and the prognosis of BRCA patients is poor. Lysine oxidase-like (LOXL) family genes have been demonstrated to be dysregulated in some malignancies and play crucial roles in tumor progression. However, the exact expression patterns and prognostic value of LOXL1-4 in BRCA remain unclear.Methods: Here, we investigated the expression levels, genetic variation, gene–gene interaction network, and prognostic value of LOXL1-4 in patients with BRCA using R and existing public bioinformatics databases. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed to explore biological functions via DAVID 6.8 and R. Moreover, GDSC and CTRP drug sensitivity data were analyzed to reveal that LOXL1-4 were correlated with the drug response across cancers. The relationship between LOXL1-4 expression and tumor immune infiltration was studied in the TIMER database.Results: The results revealed that LOXL1/2/4 were aberrantly expressed in BRCA. Moreover, LOXL1/2/4 expression was significantly associated with relapse-free survival (RFS), and LOXL4 expression was significantly associated with overall survival (OS). LOXL2 expression was associated with distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). Immune score analysis showed that LOXL1-4 were significantly related to the tumor immune microenvironment and markedly correlated with immune cell infiltration. Further analysis demonstrated that copy number variations (CNVs) of LOXL1-4 were obviously associated with immune infiltration in BRCA and that CNV of LOXL2 was markedly associated with the OS and PFS of patients with BRCA.Conclusion: Our study reveals that LOXL1-4 expression is correlated with prognosis and immune infiltration levels, possibly providing new insights into immunotherapy for patients with breast cancer.
Pairwise comparative analysis of six haplotype assembly methods based on users’ experience
Authors: Sun Shuying , Cheng Flora , Han Daphne , Wei Sarah , Zhong Alice , Massoudian Sherwin , Johnson Alison Bertie
Published: July 2022

Background. A haplotype is a set of DNA variants inherited together from one parent or chromosome. Haplotype information is useful for studying genetic variation and disease association. Haplotype assembly (HA) is to obtain haplotypes using DNA sequencing data. Currently, there are many HA methods with their own strengths and weaknesses. In this paper, we focus on comparing six HA methods or algorithms: HapCUT2, MixSIH, PEATH, WhatsHap, SDhaP, and MAtCHap using two NA12878 sequencing datasets named hg19 and hg38. We run the 6 HA algorithms on chromosome 10 of these two datasets, each with 3 filtering levels based on sequencing depth (DP1, DP15, and DP30), and then compare them. Result. To assess 6 HA methods’ efficiency, we compare their run time. HapCUT2 is the fastest HA for 6 datasets, with run time always under 2 minutes. In addition, WhatsHap is relatively fast and its run time is always less than about 20 minutes for all 6 datasets. The other 4 HA algorithms’ run time may vary across different datasets and coverage levels. To assess their accuracy, we perform pairwise comparisons for each pair of the six packages by generating their disagreement rates for both haplotype blocks and single nucleotide variants (SNVs). We also compare them using switch distance (error), which is the number of positions where two chromosomes of a certain phase must be switched to match with the known haplotype or another phase. We find that HapCUT2, PEATH, MixSIH, and MAtCHap generate output files with similar numbers of blocks and SNVs, and they have relatively similar performance. In addition, we find that WhatsHap generates a much larger number of SNVs in the hg19 DP1 output, causing it to have high disagreement percentages with other methods. However, when using the hg38 data, WhatsHap has similar performance as the other 4 algorithms, except SDhaP. We find that SDhaP has much larger disagreements with the other algorithms in all 6 datasets. Conclusion. The comparative analysis is important because each algorithm is different. Our findings provide a deeper understanding of the performance of currently available HA algorithms and useful input for other users.
A Study on Performance Parameters of Three-Level T-type Inverter based PMSM Drives for Electric Vehicles Applications
Authors: Roy Priyankar , Banerjee Atanu
Published: July 2022

In this paper a comparative analysis is conducted to analyse the performances of two-level conventional and three-level diode clamped voltage source inverter-based drives. Carrier-based space vector modulation technique is employed in both three-level & two-level voltage source inverter (2L-VSI) inverter-based drives. Comparative study for 2L-VSI, three-level neutral-point-clamped (3L-NPC) and three-level T-type neutral-point-clamped (3L-TNPC) inverters are performed in view of conduction & switching losses and harmonic profile. Also presented in this work the dynamic response of field-oriented control (FOC) controlled permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive under varying load conditions towards EV applications. Rapid changes in speed and loading in Electric vehicle (EV) traction drives lead to sharp fluctuations in modulation depth and power factor (PF). With variation of modulation index and power factor, power loss of all the three inverters are analysed. Also, in the present work control logics are simulated in MATLAB to observe various speed-torque combinations of 54 kW PMSM drive. Additionally, inverters power losses are developed in PLECS environment. By using a scaled-down prototype of 5 hp PMSM drive, the results are carried out for hardware validation.
Detecting and Classifying Online Health Misinformation with ‘Content Similarity Measure (CSM)’ algorithm: An Automated Fact-checking based Approach
Authors: Barve Yashoda , Saini Jatinderkumar R.
Published: July 2022

In the digital world information dissemination takes place through the 'word-of-media'. The fraudulent, and deceitful content such as misinformation has detrimental effects on people. To assess the credibility of content and detect misinformation, fact-based automated fact-checking is considered effective. Automated fact-checking comprises of information retrieval, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and machine learning techniques. Previous studies focused on linguistic and textual features and similarity measures-based approaches. However, these studies lack knowledge of facts, and similarity measures are less accurate when dealing with sparse or zero data. To fill these gaps, we propose a ‘Content Similarity Measure (CSM)’ algorithm that can perform automated fact-checking of URLs in the healthcare domain. A novel set of content similarity score, domain-specific, and sentiment polarity score features are introduced to perform a journalistic way of fact-checking. An extensive analysis of the proposed algorithm in comparison with standard similarity measures and machine learning classifiers showed that the CSS feature outperformed other features with an accuracy of 88.26%. In the algorithmic approach, CSM showed improved accuracy of 91.06% compared to the Jaccard similarity measure with 74.26% accuracy. Another observation is that the algorithmic approach outperformed the feature-based approach. To check the robustness of the algorithms authors have tested the model on three state-of-the-art datasets viz. CoAID, FakeHealth and ReCOVery. With algorithmic approach CSM showed highest accuracy of 87.30%, 89.30%, 85.26%, and 88.83% on CoAID, ReCOVery, FakeHealth (Story) and FakeHealth (Release) datasets respectively. With a feature-based approach, proposed CSM showed the highest accuracy of 85.93%, 87.97%, 83.92%, and 86.80% respectively. Further, the proposed feature-based approach with CSS showed an improvement in accuracy of 0.6% compared to the existing study.
Prioritizing Colombian plant genetic resources for investment in research using indicators about the geographic origin, vulnerability status, economic benefits, and food security importance
Authors: Cerón-Souza Ivania , Delgadillo-Duran Diego A. , Polo-Murcia Sonia M. , Sarmiento-Naizaque Zaida X. , Reyes-Herrera Paula H.
Published: July 2022

Germplasm banks are the most significant repository for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) worldwide. Despite their strategic importance, national germplasm banks of tropical megadiverse developing countries such as Colombia have extremely limited funds. Therefore, making strategic decisions about research investment is essential. Here, we designed a data-driven approach to build an index that sorts Colombian PGRFA into three groups: high, medium, or low priority, based on four pillars of information from open-access databases and aligned with the sustainable goals of no poverty and zero hunger: Geographic origin, vulnerability status, economic benefits, and food security importance. We analyzed 345 PGRFA using the index, separating them into two groups, 275 already conserved in the Colombian germplasm bank (BGVCOL group) and 70 not currently conserved in the BGVCOL (NCB group). We used fuzzy logic to classify each PGRFA by each pillar and integrate it to obtain a priority index. Missing data for native crops were frequent in the BGVCOL group. Therefore we adopted an imputation strategy to fill the gaps and calculated the uncertainty. After applying the index, PGRFA with higher priority were 24 (8.72%) from the BGVCOL (i.e., 15 potatoes, three tomatoes, two tree tomatoes, pineapple, cocoa, papaya, and yacon) and one from NCB (i.e., coffee). We concluded that this methodology successfully prioritized PGRFA in Colombia and shows the big holes of knowledge for future research and alternatives to improve this index. The versatility of this methodology could be helpful in other genebanks with budget limitations for research investment.
The Impacts of the Use of Biomass Solid Fuels for Household Cooking in Sub-Saharan Africa - A Review
Authors: Oluwatosin Dada , Ola Kamiyo , Olayinka Adewumi
Published: July 2022

The establishment of weak and inefficient institutions frameworks has left many Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries in continuous use of biomass solid fuels (BSF) which hinders economic growth and development. The literature on BSF use in SSA shows significant variation in the type of fuel preferences for domestic purposes. This study performs a critical analysis of the impact of continual usage of solid biomass fuel for cooking among households across SSA countries. The analysis was carried out via a comprehensive search of systematic peer-reviewed database across disciplines and an extensive review of literature from 2010 to 2021 with a view to make recommendations. The findings indicate that over 900 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still rely on traditional, unprocessed biomass solid fuels for cooking. This poses a great risk as the fuel generates high levels of poisonous particulate matters and biomass smoke. In view of this, it is recommended that the government of various SSA countries should implement and strictly enforce WHO guidelines on air quality in the cooking area for improved health and safety. Interdisciplinary research and policy intervention on the adoption of improved stoves as well as clean fuel cooking solutions should be encouraged. There must also be an aggressive afforestation and conservation of natural vegetation by government through tree planting and control of flow of wood fuels.
Identifying polymorphic cis-regulatory variants as risk markers for lung carcinogenesis and chemotherapy responses in tobacco smokers from Eastern India
Authors: Sengupta Debmalya , Mukhopadhyay Pramiti , Banerjee Souradeep , Ganguly Kausik , Mascharak Prateek , Mukherjee Noyonika , Mitra Sangeeta , Bhattacharjee Samsiddhi , Mitra Ritabrata , Sarkar Abhijit , Chaudhuri Tamohan , Bhattacharjee Gautam , Nath Somsubhra , Roychoudhury Susanta , Sengupta Mainak
Published: July 2022

Aberrant expression of xenobiotic metabolism and DNA repair genes is critical to lung cancer pathogenesis. This study aims to identify the cis-regulatory variants of the genes modulating lung cancer risk among tobacco smokers and altering their chemotherapy responses. From a list of 2984 SNVs, prioritization and functional annotation of 22 cis-eQTLs of 14 genes present within the gene expression-correlated DNase I hypersensitive sites were done using lung tissue-specific ENCODE, GTEx, Roadmap Epigenomics, and TCGA datasets. The 22 cis-regulatory variants predictably alter the binding of 44 transcription factors (TFs) expressed in lung tissue. Interestingly, 6 reported lung cancer-associated variants were found in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with 5 prioritized cis-eQTLs from our study. Case-control study with 3 promoter cis-eQTLs (p < 0.01) on 101 lung cancer patients and 401 healthy controls from eastern India with confirmed smoking history revealed association of rs3764821 (ALDH3B1) (OR = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.57–4.07, p = 0.00014) and rs3748523 (RAD52) (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.17–2.47, p = 0.006) with lung cancer risk. The effect of different chemotherapy regimens on the overall survival of lung cancer patients in relation to the associated variants showed that the risk alleles of both variants significantly decreased (p < 0.05) patient survival.
Distributive Politics of Medical Commodities: An Overview of Transaction Costs and State-Center Relations During India’s Second Wave
Authors: Mahurkar Arnav
Published: July 2022

Using a transaction costs approach, this paper attempts to understand the allocation of medical oxygen during India’s second wave. In this background, it argues for transparency in allocative decision making of health related commodities. Through process tracing methodology, it focuses on the case of the oxygen crisis in Delhi at a time when different governments within India’s federal set-up accused each other of mismanagement of this commodity. The sequence of events in the case are traced to understand the grounds of allocative decisions during this emergency. Understanding the issue of allocation of medical resources becomes important as matters of life and death are often policitized. In this case, it appears that certain questionable decisions were made by both the Central government and the state government at the peak of the country’s second wave. However, the lack of availability of good quality data even hindered the judicial committee from reaching a conclusive opinion. As a result, this paper recommends the usage of Information Communication Technology tools for sharing health related information in real time. With ICT tools, the costs of exchanges made between Central and State governments could be lowered, which could in turn result in fairer or more optimal decisions. This paper argues that within India’s federal structure, if information costs are too high, factors other than efficiency and fairness can affect allocation of resources. It concludes by recommending the creation of centralized health supply data exchange can help increase allocative efficiencies. This study uses a process tracing method to answer its research question. Process tracing refers to an in-depth empirical analysis of causal processes in a real case. Through a standardized process of data acquisition and transmission with ICT tools, transaction costs made in exchanges between central and state governments could be lowered. By automating collection and transmission processes through tamper-proof devices, the integrity of the local level data will be maintained, and transaction costs will be lowered further. As a consequence, economic efficiency and fairness would underpin the allocation of the critical medical commodity.
Features of interaction of factors of social and communication activity
Authors: Mitchuk Olha , Haidur Nataliia
Published: July 2022

The purpose of the study is to determine the features of the interaction of factors of social and communication activities in the context of modern media. It is noted that the audience does not trust the propaganda, but trusts the media, which are carriers of particular propaganda. The content information of the media is analyzed through the prism of the phenomenon of communication reflux. It is noted that communication in its real functional capacity, pursuing the interests of the future, is reduced for the present, for the current needs of the audience. The audience does not have the opportunity to react to the effects, to structural manipulation, to the processes that may lead to the cessation of the supply of mass media distorted reality that is spreading in society.
Recent Highlights from Spin-Physics Experiments
Authors: Riedl Caroline
Published: July 2022

A snapshot of the current experimental status of
spin-dependent nucleon structure prior to the arrival of the Electron Ion Collider will be attempted.
Highlights of recent results from fixed-target experiments at JLab, Fermilab, CERN and DESY and collider experiments from RHIC are presented. Many of the recent results address the topics of transverse proton or parton spin and transverse parton momenta (TMDs), and their their (spin-orbit) correlations. Results on generalized parton distributions (GPDs), which provide an alternative pathway to mapping nucleon structure, are also discussed.
Azimuthal single- and double-spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep-inelastic lepton scattering by transversely polarized protons
Authors: Pappalardo Luciano L. , Schnell Gunar
Published: July 2022

A comprehensive set of azimuthal single-spin and double-spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive leptoproduction of pions, charged kaons, protons, and antiprotons
from transversely polarized protons is presented. These asymmetries include the previously published HERMES results on Collins and Sivers asymmetries, the analysis of which has been extended to include protons and antiprotons and also to an extraction in a three-dimensional kinematic binning and enlarged phase space. They are complemented by corresponding results for the remaining single-spin and double-spin asymmetries for transverse target-polarization orientation.
Towards EPPS21 nuclear PDFs
Authors: Eskola Kari , Paakkinen Petja , Paukkunen Hannu , Salgado Carlos
Published: July 2022

We report on the progress in updating our global analysis of nuclear PDFs. In particular, we will discuss the inclusion of double differential 5.02~TeV dijet and D-meson measurements, as well as 8.16~TeV W-production data from p-Pb collisions at the LHC. The new EPPS21 analysis will also involve recent JLab data for deep-inelastic scattering. As a novel aspect within our approach, we now also quantify the impact of free-proton PDF uncertainties on our extraction of nuclear PDFs.
Time scale and influencing factor variations of water and heat fluxes in sandy land
Authors: Li Xiaoyuan , Zhang Shengwei , Liu Tingxi , Lin Xi , Li Ruishen , Wang Shuai
Published: July 2022

The transfer process and variation characteristics of water and heat fluxes play an important role in both the ecosystem function and the climatic patterns of arid and semi-arid areas. However, both water (latent heat flux, Fe) and heat (sensible heat flux, Fh) fluxes, and the factors impacting each, operate on different time scales. Therefore, the wavelet transformation was used to reconstruct water and heat flux data measured by an eddy covariance system installed in Horqin sandy land, China. The distribution and response regularity of water and heat fluxes in response to control factors were then analysed across different time scales. The results indicated that the responses of Fe and Fh to controlling factors were similar on 30 min and daily scales, to which the energy terms of net radiation (Fn) and available energy (Fa) showed an extremely significant positive contribution. Removing the interference of the energy terms, Fe and Fh are strongly correlated with the vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and air temperature (Ta) at the daily scale. The water conditions of VPD and relative humidity (RH) were the main influencing factors at the monthly scale. At the seasonal scale, Fe was positively correlated with Fa and Fn but negatively correlated with soil heat flux (Fg), RH and wind speed (WS). On the contrary, Fh was positively correlated with RH but negatively correlated with Fn. At the annual scale, Fe and Fh showed a significant positive correlation with all factors. By the increasing time scale, the cross-correlations between various hydroclimatic processes become better. Generally, at the daily and annual scales, there is a high correlation between Fe, Fh and the control factors, and a pronounced periodicity is exhibited. Another factor that is known to cause such effects is the so-called long-term persistence (or else long-range dependence or the Hurst phenomenon). These results suggest that the time scales of flux and impacting factors should be considered when undertaking water and heat flux analyses of sandy land and other ecosystems.
Government institutional emergent issues and gaps in disaster management mechanisms for WASH: a case study of Zambia's Kanyama peri-urban area
Authors: Mulekwa Mudenda Sydney Haanzuki , Banda Ian Nzali , Tembo James Madaliso , Agabu Kelvin Lungu
Published: July 2022

This paper endeavours to characterise emergent issues and gaps in government institutional disaster management mechanisms for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in peri-urban areas. It is a case of Zambia's Kanyama peri-urban area and focuses on disaster management issues related to prevention, preparedness, and response. To gain an in-depth inductive perspective of emerging issues and inferred gaps, the study used a Straussian Grounded Theory approach by conducting semi-structured interviews with government institutions. Following that, the qualitative data were analysed using open and axial coding. Emergent issues and gaps with regard to mechanisms for emergency sanitation in peri-urban areas have been characterised. The characterised emergent issues and associated gaps include the following: (a) mandate and institutional policy; (b) responsiveness of authorities; (c) community engagement; and (d) stakeholder engagement. Of these emergent issues, mandate and institutional policy is the most outstanding and the critical institutions in the disaster management mechanisms generally are the disaster management and local government authorities. Inadequacies and inefficiencies in the preparedness and response by institutions is highly influenced by the centralisation of preparedness for response. Furthermore, community engagement is cardinal in the effective implementation of preparedness, prevention, and response to disaster management mechanisms in peri-urban WASH by planning authorities.
Nitrate removal from groundwater using an activated sludge as a source of bacteria
Authors: Amarine Mohammed , Jerroumi Sarah , Lekhlif Brahim , Zouheir Yassine , Chafik Amine , Mliji El Mostafa , Echaabi Jamal
Published: July 2022

In this study, the denitrification of nitrate-contaminated groundwater by the heterotrophic denitrification (HD) method was studied to produce drinking water. Preliminary tests were carried out in a denitrification reactor, consisting of an opaque PVC column filled with a plastic packing, and fed with a synthetic solution based on glycerol, in which activated sludge bacteria were added. The performance of the reactor was monitored by measuring physicochemical parameters such as pH, turbidity, nitrates, and nitrites. This monitoring was carried out for different tests within the same reactor to evaluate the adaptation possibilities of the denitrifying bacteria. At the end of each test when the substrate was exhausted, a new synthetic solution was added to the reactor under discontinuous aeration (aeration period = 1 h). The results obtained showed that the nitrate removal efficiency reached a value of 99.42% after 8 h of treatment depending on the adaptation of the denitrifying bacteria. This experiment also showed that the concentration of produced nitrite depends on the aeration mode and it reached a value below the detection limit in the sequential aeration mode after 12 h of treatment under discontinuous aeration (aeration period = 1 h).
A study of highly efficient phenol biodegradation by a versatile Bacillus cereus ZWB3 on aerobic condition
Authors: Zhang Jianfeng , Zhou Xu , Zhou Qi , Zhang Jiejing , Liang Jing
Published: July 2022

As one of the organic pollutants in industrial wastewater, phenol seriously threatens the environment and human health. Among various methods, microbial degradation of phenol possesses the advantages of nontoxicity and no secondary pollution. Therefore, search for microbial resources that can efficiently degrade phenol has become an important issue. In this study, a strain that could efficiently degrade phenol was isolated. The strain was identified as Bacillus cereus based on its morphology, physiological and biochemical features and 16S rRNA sequence analysis. The strain can completely degrade phenol up to 1,500 mg/L within 26 h (57.7 mg·L−1·h−1), under the optimum conditions, faster compared with the known degrading bacteria. The strain could efficiently remove phenol at a wide range of temperatures (22–37 °C) and pH (7–9), and Mn2+ and Zn2+ stress. Interestingly, this strain displayed the potential on microthermal environment, which could degrade 1,200 mg/L phenol within 36 h at 22 °C. Further, the strain had capacity that used a variety of aromatic compounds as the sole carbon source for growth. This study shows a useful biodegradation route on the wastewater treatment under high phenol concentration conditions, providing alternatives for environmental remediation.
effect of quality of service, promotion and prices on customer satisfaction of Semen Baturaja
Authors: Rinaldi Ricky , Sulastri Sulastri , Wahab Zakaria , Widiyanti Marlina
Published: July 2022

This study means to decide the impact of administration quality, advancement, and cost on consumer loyalty of Semen Baturaja. The populace in this study were all building material shops in the Palembang region, with upwards of 535 structure shops in 2022. The example utilized in this study was 100 respondents who were customers of building shops in the Palembang region who bought Semen Baturaja in 2022 utilizing a straightforward irregular examining method. The numerous straight relapse investigation results show that help quality, advancement, and cost decidedly and fundamentally influence consumer loyalty at Semen Baturaja. Quality of service, apart from direct telephone calls and WhatsApps and Tokopedia, it is better if PT Semen Baturaja (Persero), Tbk also provides ordering services through more diverse e-commerce services. Promotion, PT Semen Baturaja (Persero), Tbk should not only give gifts to consumers who buy cement in large quantities but also give gifts to consumers who make small quantities even though the gifts given are not too expensive, such as gifts of tools. Construction support (plastic buckets, cement spoons, etc.).
Symphysiopathy during pregnancy, assessment of risk factors
Authors: Vorobyev A. А. , Selikhova M. S. , Yаkovenko M. S.
Published: July 2022

Objective: to assess the significance of clinical and anamnestic characteristics of women as risk factors for the development of symphysiopathy during pregnancy. Materials and methods: a retrospective analysis of 26 birth histories of patients with a diagnosis of symphysiopathy/symphysitis delivered in the GUZ «Clinical Maternity Hospital No. 2» in Volgograd at 38–39 weeks of pregnancy from 2016 to 2020. All patients diagnosed symphysiopathy was made at the management of pregnancy in the antenatal clinic on the basis of complaints, the data of physical examination and by ultrasound. The data of all pregnant women were ordered, encoded and entered into tables in the program MS Excel. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS program for windows 16.0. Results: clinically, symphysiopathy was manifested by pain in the area of the pubic in 100% of cases. According to the medical cards, only two cases (7.7%) were treated with physical therapy. The conducted statistical analysis showed that such risk factors for the development of symphysiopathy as age, parity and body mass index (BMI) do not have statistical significance as possible factors affecting the course of symphysiopathy. A statistical analysis of the possible effect of weight gain on the width of the diastasis was carried out, according to which the compared groups have a statistical difference in the width of the diastasis (p=0.007). Conclusion: the study shows that there is no significance of such clinical and anamnestic factors as age, parity, BMI for the manifestation of symphysiopathy during pregnancy. In this study, the only statistically significant criterion affecting the course of symphysiopathy is increased overall weight gain during pregnancy.
Improving Tolerance and Compliance of New Targeted Therapies with Homeopathy: A Major Challenge in Oncology
Authors:   Saint Vincent Hospital Group, Integrative Care Outpatient Department. Clinique de la Toussaint, 11, rue de la Toussaint 67000 Strasbourg, France, BAGOT Jean-Lionel ,   Surgery, 5, place des Halles 67000 Strasbourg, France
Published: July 2022

The application of targeted therapies (TT) in oncology has prolonged survivals and even enabled complete remission of cancers previously considered incurable. With small therapeutic indices, the reduction in dosage or spacing out of the doses of TT due to side effects, represents a significant loss of treatment opportunity for the patients. In the absence of drug interaction and significant side effects, homeopathy used in supportive care improves the quality of life of patients, compliance with oncological treatments and consequently their survival. Based on the author’s clinical experience and published studies, a therapeutic regimen for systematic supportive care of TT is proposed in this study. The originality of the treatment lies in combining a symptomatic diluted and dynamised homeopathic medicine with the patient’s constitutional homeopathic medicine as well as the isotherapeutic agent used for targeted therapy in 7c (10-14). If needs be, the eponymous organotherapy of the organ most affected by the side effects can be added in 4c (10-8). This therapeutic regimen is well accepted and well tolerated. It has been prescribed to approximately 5,000 patients over 25 years including those patients who were given hormone therapy. Facilitating tolerance and acceptance of targeted therapies is very important in oncology in order to fully benefit from the TT efficacy. Homeopathy, organotherapy and isotherapy, by supporting the whole body and treating the major side effects, might improve observance and consequently therapeutic results. Clinical trials could be carried out following the designs and protocols presented in this article.
Implementation of a Digital Healthcare Management Ecosystem to Address Post Discharge Complications in India (Preprint)
Authors: Taylor J Andrew , Rao Jyotsna , Singerman Richard , Sharma Prem , Hsieh Christine
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Hospital to home transition disrupts care, challenging patients, caregivers, and clinicians. Innovative solutions are needed that maintain patient engagement thereby decreasing readmissions and reducing care cost. India is attractive for digital healthcare because of the large population, high teledensity, large out-of-pocket costs, and positivity towards telehealth.

OBJECTIVE

We developed a digital healthcare management ecosystem connecting patients to clinicians through an expert medical team and maintaining engagement via “personalized digital health.” It was implemented in a tertiary care hospital in India to address complications after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and percutaneous coronary angiography (PTCA).

METHODS

We retrospectively assessed outcomes and quality of experiences over a one-year implementation. We used an all-comers, real-world approach without exclusions based on internet access to assess feasibility of implementation. Net Promoter Scores (NPS) were used to assess patient satisfaction with the app and with the hospital

RESULTS

799 patients were enrolled (325 CABG, 474 PTCA). Clinical care escalations totaled 7665 (CABG=4772, PTCA n=2893) with 101 requiring increased care. 41 were resolved by the care team and 60 required hospital care. Of the latter, 35 required emergency department visits and 17 required hospitalization. Patient/caregiver Net Promoter Scores indicated patients were loyal and likely to recommend the system. Net Promoter Score increased by 60% for the hospital, from 47 to 75.

CONCLUSIONS

This intervention resulted in serious clinical complaints in only 10.3% of patients after discharge with relatively few emergency department visits (4.4% of patients) and even fewer rehospitalizations (1.9% of patients). This work demonstrates successful development of a patient-centered digital healthcare management ecosystem to provide improved post-discharge patient care.
Understanding Public Attitudes and Willingness to Share Commercial Data for Health Research: Survey Study in the United Kingdom (Preprint)
Authors: Hirst Yasemin , Stoffel Sandro T , Brewer Hannah R , Timotijevic Lada , Raats Monique M , Flanagan James M
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Health research using commercial data is increasing. The evidence on public acceptability and sociodemographic characteristics of individuals willing to share commercial data for health research is scarce.

OBJECTIVE

This survey study investigates the willingness to share commercial data for health research in the United Kingdom with 3 different organizations (government, private, and academic institutions), 5 different data types (internet, shopping, wearable devices, smartphones, and social media), and 10 different invitation methods to recruit participants for research studies with a focus on sociodemographic characteristics and psychological predictors.

METHODS

We conducted a web-based survey using quota sampling based on age distribution in the United Kingdom in July 2020 (N=1534). Chi-squared tests tested differences by sociodemographic characteristics, and adjusted ordered logistic regressions tested associations with trust, perceived importance of privacy, worry about data misuse and perceived risks, and perceived benefits of data sharing. The results are shown as percentages, adjusted odds ratios, and 95% CIs.

RESULTS

Overall, 61.1% (937/1534) of participants were willing to share their data with the government and 61% (936/1534) of participants were willing to share their data with academic research institutions compared with 43.1% (661/1534) who were willing to share their data with private organizations. The willingness to share varied between specific types of data—51.8% (794/1534) for loyalty cards, 35.2% (540/1534) for internet search history, 32% (491/1534) for smartphone data, 31.8% (488/1534) for wearable device data, and 30.4% (467/1534) for social media data. Increasing age was consistently and negatively associated with all the outcomes. Trust was positively associated with willingness to share commercial data, whereas worry about data misuse and the perceived importance of privacy were negatively associated with willingness to share commercial data. The perceived risk of sharing data was positively associated with willingness to share when the participants considered all the specific data types but not with the organizations. The participants favored postal research invitations over digital research invitations.

CONCLUSIONS

This UK-based survey study shows that willingness to share commercial data for health research varies; however, researchers should focus on effectively communicating their data practices to minimize concerns about data misuse and improve public trust in data science. The results of this study can be further used as a guide to consider methods to improve recruitment strategies in health-related research and to improve response rates and participant retention.
SNapp, a Tailored Smartphone App Intervention to Promote Walking in Adults of Low Socioeconomic Position: Development and Qualitative Pilot Study (Preprint)
Authors: Vos Anne L , de Bruijn Gert-Jan , Klein Michel C A , Lakerveld Jeroen , Boerman Sophie C , Smit Edith G
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Adults of low socioeconomic position (SEP) are generally less physically active than those who are more socioeconomically advantaged, which increases their cardiovascular disease incidence risk. Moreover, individuals of low SEP are often less easily reached with physical activity (PA) interventions than individuals of higher SEP. Smartphone apps have been presented as a promising platform for delivering PA interventions to difficult-to-reach individuals of low SEP. Although PA apps are widely available, they are rarely based on health behavior theories and most predominantly offer generic PA advice. Consequently, it is unlikely that available apps are the most effective PA intervention tools.

OBJECTIVE

To respond to these areas for improvement, we developed SNapp, an app-based intervention encouraging adults of low SEP to increase PA by providing tailored coaching messages targeting walking behavior. This study aimed to describe SNapp’s stepwise development and pilot evaluation process.

METHODS

We applied a stepwise approach: analyzing the health problem, developing a program framework, developing tailoring assessments, writing tailored messages, automating the tailoring process, and implementing and evaluating the program in a qualitative pilot study (11 participants).

RESULTS

SNapp consisted of several elements. First, an app was developed to collect step count and geolocation data using smartphone sensor functionalities. In addition, a survey measure was created to assess users’ behavior change technique (BCT) preferences. These 3 data types were used to tailor SNapp’s coaching messages to stimulate walking. This allows SNapp to offer feedback on performance levels, contextually tailored prompts when users are near green spaces, and coaching content that aligns with individual BCT preferences. Finally, a server-based Python program that interacts with databases containing user data and tailored messages was built using Microsoft Azure to select and automatically send messages to users through Telegram messenger. Pilot study findings indicated that SNapp was rated positively, with participants reporting that its design, technical functioning, and message content were acceptable. Participants suggested additional functionalities that are worth considering for future updates.

CONCLUSIONS

SNapp is an app-based intervention that aims to promote walking in adults of low SEP by offering tailored coaching messages. Its development is theory based, and it is among the first to incorporate contextualized feedback and content tailored to individual BCT preferences. The effectiveness of SNapp will be evaluated in a 12-month real-life parallel cluster-randomized controlled trial.
Proposal to Combat Violence against Women from Women's Social and Financial Emancipation
Authors: Dantas Suelen Cipriano Milhomem Dantas , Lima Nyedja Rejane Tavares , Pereira Elayne de Araújo , Ramos Ramisson Corrêa , Araújo Nathalia do Vale Carvalho de , Sampaio Ana Alice Torres , Silva Irlene Veruska Batista da , Silva Mariana Queen Cardoso da , Oliveira Ana Caroline Amorim , Façanha Luciano da Silva
Published: July 2022

The present study aims to bring reflections about violence against women (MVC), in order to reduce these indexes, it is necessary to seek theoretical gender reference, promotion of gender equality and Brazilian public policies already developed to combat MVC, based on a brief historical incursion. The method used was a bibliographic survey with literature review obtained in articles, course completion papers, theses and dissertations on the Google Scholar platform and statistical data updated in sources such as the Brazilian Public Security Forum (FBSP), Intelligence in Research and Consulting (IPEC), the latter, in their reports published between the years 2019 to 2021. Thus, in the research conducted, it was observed that education about gender, emancipation, emotional autonomy, financial and equity are effective alternatives in coping with the problem rooted in Brazilian society.