bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Pandemic Burnout Inventory for Health Personnel
Authors: Phuspa Sisca Mayang , Dharmastuti Anjarie , Sutomo Adi Heru , Alim Syahirul
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the workload of health personnel in Indonesia, and the risk of burnout has thus doubled. Several instruments exist to assess burnout, but none have been specifically developed for health personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, to close this gap, developing a Pandemic Burnout Inventory for health personnel is important. This study used mixed methods with a sequential exploratory design at five COVID-19 referral hospitals. A total of 30 informants were employed in the qualitative phase, selected using an intensity sampling approach, and 731 respondents in the quantitative phase were obtained in field trials and online questionnaires. Finally, a Pandemic Burnout Inventory was formed with 14 items. The content validity, based on expert judgment, showed very good results. The assessment of item discrimination and construct validity showed good results. The concurrent validity and reliability of the instrument showed fairly good results. In general, the Pandemic Burnout Inventory meets the criteria for a good instrument according to psychometrics: it is objective, standard, valid, and practical. Health care institutions can use this instrument to evaluate and prevent the deterioration of the mental health condition of health personnel handling COVID-19 or similar health crises.
Effect of Local Culture-based Nutrition Education on Compliance with Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation in Female Adolescent
Authors: Rahmiwati Anita , Djokosujono Kusharisupeni , Krianto Tri , Utari Diah Mulyawati , Djuwita Ratna , Setiarini Asih , Besral Besral , Purnama Dadang Hikmah , Dwiriani Cesilia Meti , Mulyana Nana
Published: August 2023

The non-compliance of female adolescents with the consumption of iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) poses a challenge to reducing the incidence of anemia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of nutrition education using the local culture-based approach on the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding awareness, interest, evaluation, trial, and adoption dimensions, as well as compliance of female adolescents in consuming IFAS. The intervention was conducted using a quantitative quasi-experimental design approach. The sample comprised 68 and 58 senior high school girls in the control and intervention groups. The intervention group received IFAS and local culture-based nutrition education for 12 weeks and followed up after four weeks; while, the control group was given a leaflet and IFAS. Univariate analysis was conducted to analyze the participants’ characteristics; while, bivariate analysis used an independent T-test. The multivariate analysis was carried out using multiple linear and logistic regression analyses. The study showed a statistically significant increase in knowledge and attitudes scores in the intervention group (p-value<0.01) compared to the control group. In conclusion, the compliance with IFAS in the intervention group was 82.8%.
The Role of Resilience in Quality of Life in a Productive-Age Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Nurcandra Fajaria , Ronoatmodjo Sudarto , Keliat Budi Anna , Sudaryo Mondastri Korib
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted various sectors and may trigger a decrease in quality of life (QoL), so resilience is urgently needed. This study aimed to analyze the role of resilience in the QoL of individuals during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in East Jakarta, Indonesia. An explanatory sequential mixed methods study was conducted with a cross-sectional design. The QoL was measured using the Indonesian-HRQoL on 300 respondents through multistage cluster sampling. The explanatory qualitative approach involved Focus Group Discussions and in-depth interviews. A Cox regression was used to analyze the quantitative data. The proportion of poor QoL was 26.30%. Poor resilience (individual, family, and community) contributed to poor QoL during the pandemic. Realistic perceptions determined the role of individual resilience in QoL concerning gratitude, sincerity, patience, mutual reinforcement, accepting circumstances, implementing health protocols, cognitive emotion regulation, adaptability, and optimism. The age of family decision-makers, social support, and self-control determined the role of individual resilience in QoL. The role of community resilience in mental-emotional disorders and QoL was determined by the stability of the education system, health system, political/government system, and pandemic management system.
The Influence and Feasibility of Therapeutic Exercise Videos at Home on the Functional Status of Post-COVID-19 Hospitalization
Authors: Wahyuni Luh Karunia , Harini Melinda , Sunarjo Peggy , Ramadhany Mellisya , Fitriana Ika , Hidemi Octaviany , Wijayanti Indri , Nugraha Boya , Tedjasukmana Deddy , Tamin Tirza Z
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed physicians to modify conventional practices to reduce the exposure and risk of infection among patients and health workers. Telemedicine is one of the safest methods, and telerehabilitation could prevent the sequelae of COVID-19. A quasi-experimental study with randomized sampling without masking/blinding was conducted. The study was conducted from August 2021 to March 2022 at Hospital A in Pekanbaru, Hospital B in Jayapura, and Hospital C in Jakarta, Indonesia. A total of 27 patients were recruited and divided into control and intervention groups. The control group was given conventional education on therapeutic exercise at home, while the intervention group was shown educational videos about therapeutic exercise at home. The comparison of all functional outcomes between the two groups after the intervention showed a significant difference. The intervention group improved more than the control group, except for the fatigue severity scale. Most of the responses showed that this video was feasible and useful and did not need to be supervised by health workers. Therapeutic exercise educational videos can be an option to deliver rehabilitation programs for post-COVID-19 hospitalized patients.
Kangaroo Mother Care in Improving Thermoregulation of Premature Babies During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Report
Authors: Wahyuningrum Ari Damayanti , Arief Yuni Sufyanti , Fitriyasari PK Rizki , Lei Chui Ping , Kapti Rinik Eko
Published: August 2023

Premature babies lose four times more heat than those with sufficient birth weight. Moreover, their body temperature regulation center does not function properly. This study aimed to investigate Kangaroo Mother Care's effect in increasing premature babies' thermoregulation during the COVID-19 pandemic at Hospital A in Malang City, Indonesia. This study was a case report with data from follow-up checks on premature babies discharged from the hospital. The Kangaroo Mother Care method, carried out by the mother, increased the thermoregulation of premature babies' temperature by 0.2ᴼC compared to the father. It was because women have a slightly higher body temperature than men. The comfortable body temperature for women was 2.5ᴼC higher than for men. Men had a lower body mass of fat, so it took an average longer time for metabolism. The Kangaroo Mother Care procedure, especially when done by the mother, can increase the body temperature of premature babies by conduction.
Occupational Stress among Academicians between Two Selected Universities in Malaysia and Indonesia During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study
Authors: Rusli Nur Husna , Anua Siti Marwanis , Endarti Ajeng Tias , Wan Mohd Amin Wan Siti Hajar , Mazlan Nurzafirah , E Ibrahim Tengku Azmina
Published: August 2023

Occupational stress has become a major concern for both employees and employers globally. Stress leads to a loss of interest among workers as well as unproductive and valueless outputs if not managed well. The education sector is one work setting dominated by stress. This comparative cross-sectional study aimed to determine the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among academicians as well as their work-related stressors and coping strategies between a selected public university in Malaysia and a private university in Indonesia. A total of 82 academicians from universities in Malaysia and 52 from Indonesia were recruited using convenience sampling. Data was collected using a validated self-reported questionnaire via Google Forms. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among Malaysian academicians was 19.5%, 29.5%, and 12.2%, respectively. In contrast, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among Indonesian academicians was 15.7%, 33.3%, and 9.8%. Career development, research, teaching, and interpersonal relationships significantly contributed to stress at both universities (p-value<0.05). Participants from both universities reported using active coping, planning, venting, self-distraction, positive reframing, acceptance, and religion as coping strategies. In conclusion, determining depression, anxiety, and stress prevalence; major work-related stressors; and coping strategies are essential to maintaining the safety, health, and well-being of academicians, which eventually can encourage university administrators to provide support in enhancing their quality of life.
Editorial
Authors: Asyary Al
Published: August 2023

Not available.
Efecto de la aplicación de la NTP ISO 15189 en el sistema de gestión de la calidad del servicio de bioquímica del Departamento de Patología Clínica y Banco de Sangre del Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza
Authors:   , Marmolejo Ochante Mireille Aline
Published: August 2023

Objetivos del estudio: La importancia del ISO 15189 es fundamental en el laboratorio clínico, contribuye en el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento del paciente; basados en la combinación del ciclo de Deming de Calidad con los “12 elementos esenciales del sistema de calidad” según CLSI, clasificándolos en dos ítems: Gestión (15 subítems) y Técnico (10 subítems). El presente estudio tiene como objetivo, determinar el efecto de la aplicación de la NTP ISO 15189 en el “Sistema de Gestión de Calidad del Servicio de Bioquímica del Departamento de Patología Clínica y Banco de Sangre del Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza”. Metodología: El diseño de estudio es cuasiexperimental prospectivo, se evaluará la relación de la variable independiente; Aplicación de la NTP ISO 15189, usando la Lista de Verificación Documentaria/Campo NTP-ISO 15189:2014/DA-acr-18D, junto con la variable dependiente; “Sistema de Gestión de Calidad del Servicio de Bioquímica – DPCBS – HNAL” empleando la revisión documentaria con previa autorización del jefe del servicio. Se planteará propuestas de mejora basados en la NTP ISO 15189 a través de la actualización y mejora de los manuales, reportes, formatos y registros ya existentes en el servicio, comunicándolo luego al jefe del servicio. Para evaluar su efecto se realizará la prueba estadística para variables ordinales no paramétricas conocida como Test de Wilcoxon, utilizando como intervalo de nivel de confianza 95%, p<0.05.
Eficacia diagnóstica de la prueba de riesgo de la Asociación Americana de Diabetes (ADA Test Risk Score) para hiperglicemia en trabajadores evaluados en un policlínico ocupacional en Lima, Perú
Authors:   , Vera Ponce Víctor Juan
Published: August 2023

Objetivo: Evaluar la validez de la prueba de riesgo de la Asociación Americana de Diabetes (Prueba ADA) como cribado para prediabetes en una muestra de trabajadores peruanos. Métodos: Estudio transversal de pruebas diagnósticas. Análisis secundario de los datos generados por el registro electrónico en salud de un policlínico ocupacional. La muestra estuvo conformada por trabajadores de diferentes áreas que asistieron para su evaluación médica ocupacional. La muestra estuvo conformada por trabajadores de diferentes áreas que asistieron para su evaluación médica ocupacional. Se consideró prediabetes con una glucosa en ayunas ≥ 100 mg/dl pero menor a 126 mg/dl. Resultados: Se evaluaron 397 sujetos. La prevalencia de prediabetes fue 29% (115/397). Con un corte ≥ 3 puntos, la Prueba ADA presentó un área bajo la curva de 0.868, una sensibilidad del 94,8% y una especificidad del 51,8%. El valor predictivo positio fue de 44,5% y negativo fue de 96,1%. Por último, el coeficiente de verosimilitud positivo calculado fue de 1,96, y el negativo fue de 0,101. Conclusión: La prueba ADA, con un corte de 3 puntos, demuestra ser una herramienta de detección pragmática simple para casos no diagnosticados de prediabetes. Si los resultados actuales se confirman en investigaciones futuras, debido a su simplicidad, puede facilitar diversas iniciativas orientadas a introducir y ampliar estrategias de gestión y prevención temprana a partir de esta prueba.
Clinician and patient views on janus kinase inhibitors in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis: a mixed methods study
Authors: de Souza Savia , Williams Ruth , Nikiphorou Elena
Published: August 2023

Background: Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) are new targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) licenced in the UK to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritides. Unlike currently often prescribed biological DMARDs, they target a different part of the inflammatory pathway and are taken orally. The aim of this study was to explore what UK-based rheumatology clinicians and inflammatory arthritis (IA) patients think about the awareness, prescription and use of JAKi; how they compare with biologics; and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected how JAKi are viewed and prescribed.
Methods: Rheumatology clinicians and IA patients completed online surveys and participated in interviews/focus groups between September 2021 and January 2022. Survey data were analysed descriptively and interview/focus group data underwent an inductive thematic analysis.
Results: 66.6% of patients had at least some awareness of JAKi, 73.0% from their rheumatology team. Problems getting earlier access to these drugs were raised by some patients, with many being prescribed JAKi after multiple other therapies had failed. 91.5% of clinicians prescribed JAKi in keeping with their local guidelines, with 72.3% prescribing them frequently as a monotherapy. Some clinicians had lingering safety concerns over JAKi use. Despite experiencing side effects and knowing of possible long-term risks, patients felt overall the benefits of JAKi outweighed the risks. 39.3% of patients were ‘very satisfied’ on JAKi, compared with 25.0% on biologics. Patients on JAKi appreciated their short half-life when it comes to infections, and their convenience as an oral therapy. When JAKi were discontinued in patients, it was predominantly due to inefficacy and non-cardiovascular adverse events. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increased prescription of JAKi as an alternative to injections and infusions, primarily to avoid potentially exposing patients to the coronavirus. Some patients believed their JAKi may confer some protection against developing severe COVID-19.
Conclusion: JAKi are an effective treatment option for IA and are liked by patients. The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have impacted their prescription favourably. However, clinicians have safety concerns over JAKi use. Any decision to go on a JAKi should be informed and take into account individual patient risk factors, circumstances and preferences.
Advancing Quality and Environmental Responsibility: A Stability-Indicating LC Method Development for Lenvatinib through QbD and Green Chemistry
Authors: Patel Mital
Published: August 2023

A Quality by Design (QbD) technique that was systematic and analytical was utilized to create and confirm a novel and sensitive stability-indicating method of Lenvatinib via the HPLC method. To comply with ICH Q1(A) guidelines, a study was conducted to determine the degradation behavior of Lenvatinib under various environmental conditions. The QbD approach involved screening and optimization, which included using Placket Burman to assess primary parameters, and Response Surface Design (RSD) to optimize critical factors. The degradation was examined under different degradation conditions, including acidic, basic, oxidative, neutral, thermal, and photolytic, and was separated using a Shimadzu® C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, particle size 5 µ). The mobile phase consisted of a concentration of Acetonitrile: 10 mM ammonium acetate having pH 3.5 (39:61, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min, 20 min run time, and 245 nm wavelength. The drug was particularly sensitive towards acidic and basic hydrolysis stress conditions, which generated a total of five degradant products that were successfully identified with the optimized LC-MS compatible analytical method. The optimized method was found to be sensitive, reproducible, specific, and robust, with a linearity range of 10 to 60 mg/mL and a correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.9993). The greenness score of the analytical method was calculated, and it was observed that the developed method was environmentally friendly.
IoT-based Enhanced Decision-making and data mining for digital transformation of Tobacco Companies
Authors: Lin Yu
Published: August 2023

In recent years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed various sectors, including the tobacco industry, by offering digital transformation opportunities. There is enormous potential for improving decision-making and commercial performance in the tobacco sector via integrating IoT-enabled digital transformation and data mining approaches. Tobacco businesses could achieve a competitive advantage in the market by using the features of IoT devices to improve internal processes, stimulate innovation, and provide a more satisfying consumer experience. However, this study aims to increase tobacco firms' market share, performance, core competitiveness, and digital transformation used to boost corporate performance. Data mining will be used to assess the cigarette industry's financial success after the digital revolution. The IoT's layered design helps cigarette companies increase production. Expanding manufacturing capacity in enterprises' production chains may boost productivity and yield at each IoT level. This meta-analysis examines the correlations between tobacco businesses' digital transformation and commercial success, focusing on four major dimensions: digital technology, digital strategy, digital capacity, and digital culture. This framework's functional links and contextual components are explored using IoT. The cigarette industry's success is tied to digital technology's four dimensions, with digital culture having the largest influence. The research uses an upgraded version of the Iterative Dichotomiser 3 (ID3) decision tree approach to assessing cigarette businesses' success after digital transformation. This work added attribute gain correction and information entropy calculations to the ID3 decision tree technique. Through IoT, the ID3 decision tree method's performance has been optimized. This study has shown robust data mining, great efficiency in the IoT, and high accuracy in categorizing varied data sets. Tobacco companies may increase their performance by increasing total competition capacity.
Racial Differences in Triage Assessment at Rural vs Urban Maine Emergency Departments
Authors: Puissant Madeleine , Agarwal Isha , Scharnetzki Elizabeth , Cutler Anya , Gunnell Hadley , Strout Tania
Published: August 2023

Data continues to accumulate demonstrating that those belonging to racialized groups face implicit bias in the emergency care delivery system across many indices, including triage assessment. The Emergency Severity Index (ESI) was developed and widely implemented across the US to improve the objectivity of triage assessment and prioritization of care delivery; however, research continues to support the presence of subjective bias in triage assessment. We sought to assess the relationship between perceived race and/or need for translator and assigned ESI score and whether this was impacted by hospital geography. We performed retrospective EMR-based review of patients presenting to urban and rural emergency departments of a health system in Maine with one of the top ten most common chief complaints (CC) across a 5-year period, excluding psychiatric CCs. We used multivariable regression to analyze the relationships between perceived race, need for translator, and gender with ESI score, wait time, and hallway bed assignments. We found that patients perceived as non-white were more likely to receive lower acuity ESI scores and have longer wait times as compared to patients perceived as white. Patients perceived as female were more likely to receive lower acuity scores and wait longer to be seen than patients perceived as male. The need for an interpreter was associated with increased wait times but not significantly associated with ESI score. After stratification by hospital geography, evidence of subjective bias was limited to urban emergency departments and was not evident in rural emergency departments. Further investigation of subjective bias in emergency departments in Maine, particularly in urban settings, is warranted.
Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography morphological characteristics in patients with cone dystrophy
Authors: Leung Loh-Shan , Khojasteh Hassan , bazvand fatemeh , Haidari Mostafa , Mahmoudi Alireza , Mohammadi S. Saeed , Riazi-Esfahani Hamid , Mirghorbani Masoud , Salmasi Arefeh Sheikholeslami , Azarkish Afsaneh , Regenold Jonathan , Akhavanrezayat Amir , Karaca Irmak , Park Sung Who , Uludag Gunay , Or Chris , Ghoraba Hashem , Dong Quan
Published: August 2023

Purpose: To describe spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) morphological characteristics in patients with cone dystrophy.
Methods: Forty-two patients (84 eyes) with the diagnosis of cone dystrophy based on clinical findings and electroretinogram reports (severely reduced or non-recordable cone response with preserved rod function) were included in our study. SD-OCT was performed and images were evaluated regarding the integrity and pattern of hyper-reflective outer retinal bands and other findings. The relationship between these findings, age, central subfoveal thickness (CST), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was assessed.
Results: 82 of 84 eyes (98 %) showed outer retinal layer abnormalities on SD-OCT. Five different morphological categories were identified on SD-OCT, including outer retinal atrophy (24.4%), undifferentiated outer retinal layers (22.0%), ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption (19.5%), outer foveal defect (17.1%), and prominent outer retinal layers (17.1%). Also, five isolated OCT findings were detected, including foveal hypoplasia (14.6%), trans-retinal hyperreflective dots (THD) (29.3%), outer plexiform layer (OPL) schisis (11.3%), pseudodrusen (9.8%), and EZ bowing (13.4%). Age and CST were significantly different across the morphological categories (p<0.001). Eyes with prominent outer retinal layers and outer retinal atrophy had the best and worst visual acuity, respectively; however, the difference was not significant (p=0.16).
Conclusion: SD-OCT imaging shows variety of morphologic findings in cone dystrophy, which may be utilized in the assessment of these patients and may serve as predictive biomarkers for VA.
Obesity and Abdominal hernia risk: Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Li , Fang Yuan , Zhang Xin-Feng , Wang Yu-Han , Liu Xin-Yu , Tian Yan , Luo Hua-You
Published: August 2023

With the change in people's dietary habits and lifestyles, the incidence of obesity is increasing. Obesity has been recognized as a risk factor for a number of diseases, including abdominal wall hernias. The aim of our study was to investigate the causal relationship between obesity and abdominal wall hernia development through a two-sample Mendelian randomization study and to quantify the risk of abdominal wall hernia (AH) development with respect to obesity-related assessment indicators body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and body fat percentage (BFP). Our results found a 56% increase in the risk of AH for each SD increase in genetically determined BMI, a 55% increase in the risk of AH for each SD increase in genetically determined WC, and a 60% increase in the risk of AH for each SD increase in genetically determined BFP. It is still reasonable to recommend obese individuals to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight for the purpose of preventing the development of abdominal wall hernias.
The contribution of risk perception and social norms to reported preventive behaviour against selected vector-borne diseases in Guyana
Authors: Lopes-Rafegas Iris , Cox Horace , Mora Toni , Sicuri Elisa
Published: August 2023

Preventing vector-borne diseases (VBDs) mainly relies on effective vector control tools and strategies, which in turn depend on population acceptance and adherence. Inspired by the abundant recent literature on SARS-COV-2, we investigate the relationship between risk perception and preventive behaviour for selected VBDs and the extent to which risk perception is determined by social norms. We use cross-sectional data collected from 497 individuals in four regions of Guyana in 2017. We use a conditional mixed process estimator with multilevel coefficients, estimated through a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) framework, applying a simultaneous equation structure. We find robust results on malaria: risk perception was significantly influenced by the risk perception of the reference group across different definitions of the reference group, hinting at the existence of social norms. Risk perception significantly increased the likelihood of passive behaviour by 4.48%. Less clear-cut results were found for dengue. This study applies quantitative social science methods to public health issues in the context of VBDs. Our findings point to the relevance of tailoring communications on health risks for VBDs to groups defined at the intersection of socio-economic and demographic characteristics. Such tailored strategies are expected to align risk perception among reference groups and boost preventive behaviour.
Genetic Testing of Fetal Loss of Heterozygosity Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Array and Whole Exome Sequencing
Authors: Xue Huili , Yu Aili , Zhang Lin , Chen Lingji , Guo Qun , Lin Min , lin Na , Chen Xuemei , Xu Liangpu , Huang Hailong
Published: August 2023

Background
To explore the clinical significance of fetal loss of heterozygosity (LOH), identified by single-nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array).
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed data form pregnant women who underwent invasivediagnostic procedure at prenatal diagnosis centers in Southeastern China from December 2016 to December 2021. SNP array was performed by the Affymetrix CytoScan 750K array platform. Fetuses with LOH (10 Mb as the threshold or over 5 Mb involving imprinted chromosomes) were further identified by parental verification, MS-MLPA, and/or trio whole exome sequencing (trio-WES), and the genetic results, fetal clinical manifestations, and perinatal outcome were comprehensively analyzed.
Results
Of 11 062 fetuses, 106 (0.96%) with LOH exhibiting a neutral copy number were detected; in 88 (83.0%) of these, LOH occurred in a single chromosome, while 18 (17.0%) fetuses had multiple LOHs on different chromosomes. A total of 66 fetuses had ultrasound anomalies (UAs); the most frequent UA was fetal growth restriction (18/66 (27.3%)). Further genetic analysis was performed in 42 cases (21 cases by parental SNP array verification and 21 cases by trio-WES), in which, we found clinically relevant uniparental disomy in 12 cases, pathogenic variants in five cases, likely pathogenic variants in four cases, variant of unknown significance in six cases, and identity by descent in eight cases. Significantly, the rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes in fetuses with LOH and UAs (24/66 (36.4%)) was higher than in those without UAs (6/40 (15.0%)) (p< 0.05).
Conclusions
Fetuses with LOH is not uncommon. Various molecular genetic testing techniques, such as parental SNP array verification, trio-WES, MS-MLPA, regular and systematic ultrasonic monitoring, and the placental study when necessary, should be performed to accurately assess the prognosis of fetal LOH and guide the affected pregnancy management.
On enhancing the noise-reduction performance of the acoustic lined duct utilizing the phase-modulating metasurface
Authors: Ou Yang , Zhao Yonghui
Published: August 2023

This work proposes a noise-reduction structure that integrate phase-modulating metasurface (PMM) with acoustic liners (ALs) to enhance the absorption performance of a duct with relatively small length-diameter ratio. The PMM manipulate the wavefront by introducing different transmission phase shifts, so that the spinning wave within the duct is generated. Compared with the plane wave, the generated spinning wave has a lower group velocity, which results in a greater traveling distance over the ALs in the duct. The optimization design is performed to determine the final structural parameters of the PMM, which is based on the predictions of the amplitude and phase shift of the acoustic wave at the outlet of the PMM using the theory of metascreen-based acoustic passive phased array. With the manipulation of the PMM, the incident plane wave is modulated into a spinning wave, and then enters into the ALD, whose structural parameters are optimized by maximizing the transmission loss using the mode-matching technique. Finally, the noise-reduction performance of this combined structure is evaluated by numerical simulations. The results demonstrate that, compared with the traditional ALD, the proposed structure exhibits a 83.8% increase in transmission loss, and hence the noise-reduction performance is significantly improved.
Mechanistic study on the synergistic depressant of fluorite calcite flotation by tannin and sodium humate
Authors: Zhu Zhixiong , Nie Guanghua , Tang Yun , Jiang Ying , Tuo Biyang , Li Jiaxin
Published: August 2023

Flotation tests were conducted on a low-grade refractory fluorite ore from Guizhou using tannin and sodium humate as carbonate depressants. The depressant effects of tannin and sodium humate in the flotation of carbonate-bearing fluorite ores were also investigated. The results showed that the mixed depressant of tannin and sodium humate had good depressant effect on carbonate under weak alkaline conditions. Through primary roughing, primary sweeping and flotation of four-stage concentrate of fluorite ore, qualified fluorite concentrate CaF2 with grade of 95.52% and recovery of 91.20% was obtained. Sodium humate has a good selective depressant effect on calcite. Tannic acid inhibits both fluorite and calcite. However, the selective depressant ability of tannins was best in the pH range of 6 to 8. Sodium humate and tannins are chemisorbed on mineral surfaces, and their adsorption capacity on calcite surfaces is greater than that of fluorite. The reaction products of sodium humate, tannin and calcium ions in solution interact with the organic compounds adsorbed on the calcite surface, forming a multilayer adsorption on the calcite surface and making the calcite more hydrophilic. Based on the density flood theory, Materials Studio ( MS) was used to calculate the relevant adsorption energies, and the results were obtained as follows: a. Compared to fluorite, tannin molecules and sodium humate molecules are more easily adsorbed on calcite surface; b. Compared to calcite alone, tannin molecules or sodium humate molecules adsorbed while the adsorption state will be more stable, and tannin and sodium humate synergistically inhibit calcite more effectively than the effect of depressant alone is better.
La Niña pushes an Endangered temperate soft coral species to the brink of extinction
Authors: Larkin Meryl F. , Davis Tom R. , Harasti David , Smith Stephen D. A. , Benkendorff Kirsten
Published: August 2023

Extreme weather events such as floods are becoming more frequent, and pose a substantial threat to Australia’s nearshore marine communities. In March 2021, a 450 km stretch of the eastern NSW coastline experienced a La Niña-related rainfall event over several days, resulting in large volumes of freshwater ingress to marine systems. Port Stephens, an estuary 250 km north of Sydney, recorded its highest week of rainfall on record. This was followed by two more flood events in March 2022 and June 2022. Prior to 2021, the marine-dominant eastern port of Port Stephens was home to the world’s largest aggregations of Dendronephthya australis, an Endangered species of soft coral endemic to the south-east coast of Australia. Using data from a 2019–2022 D. australis monitoring program in Port Stephens, spanning the unprecedented series of flood events in 2021-22, we detail the impacts of flood events on the population. Prior to the floods, aggregations of colonies were persisting, and individuals were growing at two of the four monitored sites. However, flooding in March 2021 caused a 91% decline in the remaining areal extent of D. australis. Modelling of likely causative factors highlighted water depth as the most significant environmental variable correlated with coral loss. Corals in shallower waters experienced lower salinity and were the most impacted. Continued monitoring during 2021 and 2022 documented the loss of all remaining aggregations in the estuary after further La Niña-related rainfall events, to the point where D. australis is now on the brink of localised extinction.
Imageless imagery in aphantasia: decoding non-sensory imagery in aphantasia
Authors: Meng Ming , Chang Shuai , Zhang Xinyu , Pearson Joel
Published: August 2023

Activity in early visual cortex is thought to tightly couple with conscious experience, including feedback-driven mental imagery. However, the state of mental imagery, what takes its place or how any activity relates to qualia in those with aphantasia (a complete lack of visual imagery) remains unknown. In the current study, univariate (amplitude) and multivariate (decoding) BOLD signals during imagery attempts were recorded in primary visual cortex. Unlike in those with imagery, neural signatures in those with validated aphantasia were ipsilateral and could not be cross-decoded with perceptual representations. Further, perception-induced neural activation was weaker in those with aphantasia compared to controls. Together, these data suggest that an imagery-related representation, but with less or transformed sensory information, exists in the primary visual cortex of those with aphantasia. Our data challenges the classic view that activity in primary visual cortex should result in sensory qualia.
On the Appearance of Action at a Distance
Authors: Willigenburg L. Gerard Van , Laidlaw Andrew
Published: August 2023

After forty years of EPR experiments, it appears on the face of the experimental facts that one of the oldest ideas in Physics has been falsified, namely the retarded interaction paradigm, the notion that long range interactions between quanta, or equivalently causal influences between point events, are mediated by physical entities - fields, particles or “causal influences” in general - that travel through space from one point to the other at or below the characteristic velocity, c. A critical examination of this basic idea shows it to be unsatisfactory in all respects. An alternative is then proposed that satisfies both causality and local action, “distributed action”, which is germane to local realist field models of the quanta, where matter and energy extend in space and interact locally and causally at all locations where they overlap. Bell Inequalities cannot be derived in this context because, with distributed fieldfield interactions, spacelike separation of events does not guarantee the fundamental “no influence” assumption from which all the various Bell Inequalities are derived. Distributed action thus explains what appears to us as instantaneous action at a distance.
PACS: 03.65.Ud 03.75.-b
Kinetic Models of Sorption of Copper (Ii) Ions on Ionite Based on Polyacrylonitrile
Authors: Orzikulov B. , Gafurova D. , Shakhidova D. , Makhkamov M. , Khudoyberdiyev I.
Published: August 2023

Kinetic models were used to analyze the mechanism of absorption of Cu2+ ions from artificial solutions by newly obtained polyampholyte containing nitrogen and phosphorus based on polyacrylonitrile. It was determined that the obtained kinetic parameters obey the pseudo-second-order model of the process, and that the sorption of Cu2+ ions to polyampholyte based on polyacrylonitrile carried at in more degree than other ions.
Ordered aqueous structures from liquid-liquid phase separation by supramolecular polymerizations
Authors: Meijer E.W. , Fu Hailin , Huang Jingyi , Tol Joost Van der , Su Lu , Dey Swayandipta , Zijlstra Peter , Vantomme Ghislaine , Dankers Patricia
Published: August 2023

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of biopolymers has recently been shown to play a central role in the formation of membraneless organelles with a multitude of biological functions1–3. Whether LLPS induces protein condensation and/or that associative interactions are required for LLPS is part of ongoing studies4,5. Biofilaments such as actin, amyloid fibrils, collagen and nanocellulose can form structured liquids or liquid crystals in vitro6–9. Here we present that the supramolecular polymerization of a variety of monomers is responsible for phase separation into anisotropic liquid droplets (tactoids) via an entropy-driven pathway. The crowding environment regulated by the concentration of dextran can influence not only supramolecular polymerizations but also properties of the LLPS, including phase separation kinetics, morphology, internal order, fluidity, and mechanical properties of the final tactoids. In addition, substrate-liquid and liquid-liquid interfaces were found to be able to accelerate the LLPS of supramolecular polymers, allowing the generation of a myriad of 3D-ordered structures, including highly ordered arrays of micrometer long tactoids at surfaces. The generality and many possibilities of supramolecular polymers to control emerging morphologies are shown with several supramolecular polymers, which opens a new area of matter ranging from highly structured aqueous solutions via stabilized LLPS to nanoscopic soft matter.
Intranasal administration of SeNPs enhances anti-tuberculosis (TB) immunity via a novel protein-based respiratory mucosal vaccine
Authors: GE Xin , Liang Zhengmin , Li Kui , Dong Yuhui , Wang Yuanzhi , Liu Yiduo , Liu ZiYi , Wang Haoran , Nan Yue , Chen SiYan , Li Lin , Guo Yanbin , Zhou Xiangmei
Published: August 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Core-shell NH 2 -UIO-66@iCOFs with built-in “adsorption engines” for improving CO 2 adsorption and conversion
Authors: Liu Ping , Cai Kaixing , Chen Peng , Tao Duan-Jian , Zhao Tianxiang
Published: August 2023

Integrating the advantages of metal-organic framework (MOFs) and ionic covalent organic frameworks (iCOFs), a range of core-shell NH2-UIO-66@iCOFs (referred to as M@iCOFs) hybrid materials were fabricated by a straightforward condensation reaction of terephthalaldehyde and NH4Cl in the presence of NH2-UIO-66. These well-designed M@iCOFs, equipped with a NH2-UIO-66 as embedded CO2 adsorption engines, acquired significantly improved CO2 uptake and faster reaction rates, making them highly favorable for CO2 capture and conversion. Excellent yields of the various cyclic carbonates were obtained under 0.1 MPa of CO2 and solvent-free conditions. Moreover, the catalyst can also be recycled without significantly reducing the catalytic activity. This work presents a simple and effective method for constructing low-cost core-shell M@iCOFs hybrid materials with good CO2 adsorption and catalytic activity.
Hybrid Index Based on 3D-Grid TPR-Tree
Authors: Jia Damiao , Liu Yongshan , Hao Tianbao , Ren Zhiqin , Liu Chaofan
Published: August 2023

With the rapid development of positioning and 5G technology, mobile objects in real life provide timely updates of location information, leading to the generation of large amounts of mobile data. However, the vast majority of mobile objects often move within a fixed spatial area, with only a few mobile objects leaving this area. If the single time-parameterized R-tree (TPR-tree) index structure is used, it will update frequently due to these “escaped” moving objects, thereby affecting the query efficiency. To address this issue, a hybrid index structure is proposed based on a three-dimensional (3D)-grid TPR-tree. A 3D grid is used to quickly locate and prune query points or regions in 3D space, and a global TPR-tree is applied to reduce the impact of the moving object update frequency on the query efficiency. The experimental results showed that the hybrid index structure based on the 3D-grid TPR-tree yielded good performances in both mobile queries and continuous k-nearest neighbor queries.
Lighting-environment-adjustable Block-type 3D Indoor PV for Wireless Sensor Communication
Authors: Sim Yeon Hyang , Hwang Jung-Hyun , Yun Min Ju , Lee Kyoungho , Lee Dong Yoon , Cha Seung I.
Published: August 2023

Demand is increasing for photovoltaics (PVs) as a result of the development of the Internet of Things and edge computing technologies. As the lighting environment is different for the applications, thus, PVs must be adjustable to various light environments in which systems are installed. PVs should therefore be capable of easily changing their morphology without damaging the cells. To address this problem, in this work, a three-dimensional (3D) structure that increases power output under omnidirectional light was applied to a crystalline silicon solar cell array using a block-type method. The resultant block-type 3D indoor PV could operate a Bluetooth low-energy module in conjunction with a power management integrated circuit when the illuminance was 532 lux and 1620 lux and each PV installation area was 129.9cm2 and 32.48 cm2 respectively.
IFN-III primes pDCs for TLR7 activation and antagonizes TGF-β mediated-immune suppression in tumors
Authors: valladeau-guilemond Jenny , SAKREF Candice , SABY Alexis , Rodriguez Céline , Ardin Maude , Moudombi Lyvia , DOFFIN Anne-Claire , GOBBINI Elisa , VOISSIERE Aurelien , Besson Laurie , LAOUBI Leo , Depil Stephane , HUBERT Margaux , Bendriss-Vermare Nathalie , CAUX Christophe
Published: August 2023

Conventional dendritic cell (cDC1, cDC2) and plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDCs) subsets have specialized functions that can be modulated by the tumor microenvironment (TME). These cells produce different interferons that are central to antitumor immune responses. While the role of Type I Interferons (IFN-I) in tumor immunity is well characterized, the role of Type III interferons (IFN-III) produced by cDC1 in the TME which is associated with good outcome remains completely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that IFN-III orchestrates pDCs survival, activation and TLR7 expression in the blood and in tumors, enhancing their capacity to respond to TLR7-ligand. Importantly, IFN-III prevents the inhibition of pDCs induced by the TME or by TGF-β, a dominant TME inhibitory cue, and restores their production of IFN-α. Because of the essential role of TGF-β in immune regulation, this mechanism is expected to impact other pathological situations.
5G mobile clinic for rapid medical treatment
Authors: Zhang Ye , Dong Liang , Ying Weifeng
Published: August 2023

Background
Mobile clinics are important means of providing health care to underserved populations, especially during pandemics. The fifth generation (5G) network technology has the advantages of high transmission rate, ultra-low latency, large bandwidth and strong coverage, and is widely used in many medical scenarios. But there is no experience in combining 5G with mobile clinics. We aim to describe a mobile clinic solution that can quickly establish and provide medical care, as a reference for future public health emergencies.
Methods
We introduce the construction and function of a 5G-based mobile clinic. The practical experience in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic was described. The patient information was collected retrospectively, and the results were analyzed statistically.
Results
A total of 3,179 patients have received the services from the 5G-based mobile clinic. The mean age was 42.50 years, with 2,014 males and 1,165 females. Among them, 2,005 patients underwent nucleic acid screening and 872 underwent CT screening for COVID-19. Of these, 92.0% of patients were satisfied with the service.
Conclusion
The 5G-based mobile clinic can screen patients quickly and ensure the health of quarantined personnel. This is a mobile medical model worth trying and learning from. It provides practical experience for dealing with other major health emergencies in the future.
Persistent enhancement of basolateral amygdala-dorsomedial striatum synapses causes obsessive-compulsive disorder-like behaviors in mice
Authors: Yoon Bong-June , Lee In Bum , Lee Eugene , Han Na-Eun , Slavuj Marko , Hwang Jeong Wook , Lee Ahrim , Sun Taeyoung , Jeong Yehwan , Baik Ja-Hyun , Park Jae-Yong , Choi Se-Young , Kwag Jeehyun
Published: August 2023

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating neuropsychiatric condition characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Despite the crucial role of the amygdala in anxiety, its role in OCD remains unclear. We found that the basolateral amygdala-dorsomedial striatum (BLA-DMS) circuit activation leads to the manifestation of OCD-related behaviors. We revealed that the BLA neurons projecting to the DMS, mainly onto dopamine D1 receptor-expressing neurons, largely overlap with the neuronal population that responds to aversive predator stress, a widely used anxiogenic stressor. Specific optogenetic activation of the BLA-DMS circuit induced a strong anxiety response followed by compulsive grooming. Furthermore, we developed a mouse OCD model displaying a wide spectrum of OCD-like behaviors by chronically activating the BLA-DMS circuit. In these mice, persistent molecular changes at the BLA-DMS synapses observed were causally related to the OCD-like phenotypes. Together, our study demonstrates the involvement of the BLA-DMS circuit in the emergence of enduring OCD-like compulsive behaviors via its persistent synaptic changes.