bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ligamentum flavum analysis in patients with lumbar discus hernia and lumbar spinal stenosis
Authors: Aleksić Vuk , Todorović Jovana , Miladinović Nenad , Aleksić Nemanja , Bogosavljević Vojislav , Đurović Marko , Kocić Svetlana , Aleksić Radmila , Joković Miloš
Published: December 2022

The normal ligamentum flavum (LF) is a well-defined elastic structure with specific innervation. Several studies investigated LF in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and used lumbar discus hernia (LDH) patients as control group, only on the presumed thesis that LF in this patients have normal morphology. In patients with LSS thickening of the LF is the main cause of stenosis, which is most often presented with neurogenic claudication, whose pathophysiological mechanism is not completely understood.
Methods: we conducted observational cohort study of 60 operated patients divided into two groups. The first group of 30 patients underwent micro-discectomy (LSH group), and second group with 30 patients underwent decompression, after which analysis of harvested LF was performed.
Results: patients from the LDH group and LSS group differed significantly in the frequencies of chief complaints, duration of symptoms, physical examination, and specific morphological/radiological parameters. The LF analysis showed that the groups differed significantly in the amount of collagen and elastic fibers, as well as in the histological appearance/architectonics of elastic fibers. Also, groups differ in the presence of LF nerve fibers.
Conclusion: our findings speak in favor of the inflammatory theory in the origin of spinal neurogenic claudication’s.
Population-specific facial traits and diagnosis accuracy of genetic and rare diseases in an admixed Colombian population
Authors: Echeverry Luis Miguel , Candelo Estephania , Gómez Eidith , Solís Paula , Ramírez Diana , Ortiz Diana , González Alejandro , Sevillano Xavier , Cuéllar Juan Carlos , Pachajoa Harry , Martínez-Abadías Neus
Published: December 2022

Up to 40% of genetic and rare disorders (RD) present facial dysmorphologies, and visual assessment is commonly used for clinical diagnosis. Although quantitative approaches are more objective and accurate, most current methods based on European descent populations disregard population ancestry. Here we assessed the facial phenotypes associated to Down (DS), Morquio (MS), Noonan (NS) and Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) syndromes in a Latino-American population from Colombia. We recorded the coordinates of 18 landmarks in 2D images from 79 controls and 51 pediatric patients. We quantified facial differences using Euclidean Distance Matrix Analysis, and assessed the diagnostic accuracy of Face2gene, an automatic deep-learning algorithm. Individuals diagnosed with DS and MS presented severe phenotypes, with 58.2% and 65.4% of significantly different facial traits. The percentage decreased to 47.7% in NS and 11.4% in NF1. Each syndrome presented characteristic dysmorphology patterns, supporting the diagnostic potential of facial biomarkers. However, population-specific traits were detected, and the diagnostic accuracy of Face2Gene was affected by ancestry. Accuracy was high in DS, moderate in NS and NF1, but low in MS, with low facial gestalt similarity in admixed individuals. Our study underscores that facial quantitative analysis in populations with diverse Amerindian, African and European ancestry are crucial to improve diagnostic methods.
Thermodynamic origin of nonvolatility in resistive switching
Authors: Li Yiyang , Li Jingxian , Appachar Anirudh , Peczonczyk Sabrina , Harrison Elisa , Roest Brianna , Ievlev Anton , Hood Ryan , Yoo Sangmin , Sun Kai , Talin Albert , Lu Wei , Kumar Suhas , Sun Wenhao
Published: December 2022

Electronic switches based on the migration of high-density point defects, or memristors, are poised to revolutionize post-digital electronics. Despite significant research, key mechanisms for filament formation and oxygen transport remain unresolved, thus hindering our ability to predict and design crucial device properties. For example, predicted retention times based on current models can be 10 orders of magnitude lower than ones experimentally realized. Here, using electrical measurements, chemical spectroscopy, and first-principles calculations on tantalum oxide memristors, we reveal that the formation and stability of conductive filaments crucially depend on the stability of the amorphous oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor compounds, which undergo composition phase separation. Including the previously neglected effects of this amorphous phase separation reconciles unexplained discrepancies and enables predictive design of key performance indicators such as retention stability. This result emphasizes non-ideal thermodynamic interactions as key design criteria in post-digital devices with defect densities substantially exceeding those of today’s covalent semiconductors.
Effectiveness of Non-Face-to-Face Dementia Prevention Program on Cognitive function and Depression in Community-dwelling Elderly during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea
Authors: Min Kyoung-chul , Kim Eun-hee , Woo Hee-soon
Published: December 2022

Background: Continuous participation of dementia prevention program is important to the community-dwelling elderly. Therefore, reducing treatment gaps using non-face-to-face program is important in COVID-19. The aim of this study is to introduce evidence-based non face-to-face dementia prevention program in Korean context, and to identify the effect of non-face-to-face dementia prevention program on cognitive function and depression of community-dwelling elderly during the COVID 19 pandemic.
Methods: A total of 101 community-dwelling elderly without dementia participated in 12 sessions of a non-face-to-face dementia prevention program designed by occupational therapist. Cognitive functions and depression were tested.
Results: Every item of cognitive function was maintained, and memory increased. The symptoms of depression decreased significantly. From the opinions of the participants, participation in new activities, reduction of boredom, communication, and reminisce were benefits of this program.
Conclusions: Non-face-to-face dementia prevention program is an effective method to maintain and increase cognitive function and prevent depression on community-dwelling elderly. The community-based non-face-to-face occupational therapy program of this study is useful to give chance to participate in continuous activities during the COVID 19 pandemic.
A co-formulation of Interferons alpha2b and gamma distinctively targets Cell Cycle in the glioblastoma-derived cell line U-87MG
Authors: Miranda Jamilet , Vázquez-Blomquist Dania , Bringas Ricardo , Fernandez-de-Cossio Jorge , Palenzuela Daniel , Novoa Lidia I. , Bello-Rivero Iraldo
Published: December 2022

BackgroundHeberFERON is a co-formulation of α2b and γ interferons, based on their synergism, which has shown its clinical superiority over individual interferons in basal cell carcinomas. In glioblastoma (GBM), HeberFERON has displayed promising preclinical and clinical results. This led us to design a microarray experiment aimed at identifying the molecular mechanisms involved in the distinctive effect of HeberFERON compared to the individual interferons.MethodsTranscriptional expression profiling includinga control (untreated) and three groups receiving α2b-interferon, γ-interferon and HeberFERON was performed using an Illumina HT-12 microarray platform. Unsupervised methods for gene and sample grouping, identification of differentially expressed genes, functional enrichment and network analysis computational biology methods were applied to identify distinctive transcription patterns of HeberFERON. Validation of most representative genes was performed by qPCR. For the cell cycle analysis of cells treated with HeberFERON for 24h, 48h and 72h we used flow cytometry.ResultsThe three treatments show different behavior based on the gene expression profiles. The enrichment analysis identified several mitotic cell cycle related events, in particular from prometaphase to anaphase, which are exclusively targeted by HeberFERON. The FOXM1 transcription factor network that is involved in several cell cycle phases and is highly expressed in GBMs, is significantly down regulated. Flow cytometry experiments corroborated the action of HeberFERON on the cell cycle in a dose and time dependent manner with a clear cellular arrest as of 24h post-treatment. Despite the fact that p53 was not down-regulated, several genes involved in its regulatory activity were functionally enriched. Network analysis also revealed a strong relationship of p53 with genes targeted by HeberFERON. We propose a mechanistic model to explain this distinctive action, based on the simultaneous activation of PKR and ATF3, p53 phosphorylation changes, as well as its reduced MDM2 mediated ubiquitination and export from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. PLK1, AURKB, BIRC5 and CCNB1 genes, all regulated by FOXM1, also play central roles in this model. These and other interactions could explain a G2/M arrest and the effect of HeberFERON on the proliferation of U-87MG.ConclusionsWe proposed molecular mechanisms underlying the distinctive behavior of HeberFERON compared to the treatments with the individual interferons, where cell cycle related events were highly relevant.
Molecular characterization of a novel Victorivirus (Gharbivirales: Totiviridae) infecting Metarhizium anisopliae
Authors: Camargo Matheus Silva , Geremia Felipe , Sbaraini Nicolau , Staats Charley Christian , Filho Márcio Silva , Schrank Augusto
Published: December 2022

In this study, we described the occurrence and complete genome of a novel Victorivirus infecting Metarhizium anisopliae, named “Metarhizium anisopliae victorivirus 1” (MaVV1). The genome is 5,353 bp in length and contains two ORFs, encoding a Coat Protein and an RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp), which are overlapped in an octanucleotide (AUGAGUAA). Among characterized viruses, the identified ORFs showed similarity with Ustilaginoidea virens RNA virus L (68.23%) and Ustilaginoidea virens RNA virus 1 (58.11%), both belonging to Totiviridae family. Phylogenetic analysis based on RdRp sequences revealed the MaVV1 placement in the Victorivirus genus. This is the first genome sequence report of a virus belonging to the genus Victorivirus infecting the entomopathogenic fungus M. anisopliae.
Non-trivial solutions and their stability in a two-degree-of-freedom Mathieu-Duffing system
Authors: Barakat Ahmed A. , Weig Eva M. , Hagedorn Peter
Published: December 2022

The Mathieu-Duffing equation represents a basic form for a parametrically excited system with cubic nonlinearities. In multi-degree-of-freedom systems, other interesting instability conditions take place and are considered in this work. Accordingly, the non-trivial solutions are obtained, especially when the trivial solution is unstable. At resonant frequencies a bifurcation analysis is carried out using the multiple scales method, followed by investigating the effect of an asynchronous parametric excitation. Since various micro- and nano-systems include cubic nonlinearities and subjected to parametric excitation, this work should be of relevant importance.
Genome-wide characterization and comparative analysis of the OSCA gene family and identification of its potential stress-responsive members in legumes
Authors: Chakraborty Srija , Gangwar Rashmi , Zahra Shafaque , Poddar Nikita , Singh Amarjeet , Kumar Shailesh
Published: December 2022

Cicer arietinum, Cajanus cajan, Vigna radiata, and Phaseolus vulgaris are economically important legume crops with high nutritional value. They are negatively impacted globally by different biotic and abiotic stresses. Hyperosmolality-gated calcium-permeable channels (OSCA) have been characterized as osmosensors in Arabidopsis thaliana, but not previously reported in legumes. This study provides a genome-wide identification, characterization and comparative analysis of OSCA genes in legumes. Our study identified and characterized 13 OSCA genes in C. cajan, V. radiata, P. vulgaris and 12 in C. arietinum, classified into four distinct clades. We found evidence to suggest that the OSCAs might be involved in the interaction between hormone signalling pathways and stress signalling pathways. Furthermore, they play a major role in plant growth and development. The expression levels of the OSCAs vary under different stress conditions in a tissue-specific manner. Our study can be used as a platform to develop a detailed understanding of stress regulatory mechanisms of the OSCA gene family in legumes.
Microsphere-assisted digital holographic microscopy integrated with on-line thermal lens spectrometry for 3D imaging and enhanced photothermal detection
Authors: Kabi Sareh , Moradi Ali-reza , cabrera Humberto
Published: December 2022

Acquiring morphological and photothermal information is essential for characterization of a variety of samples in biochemistry, material science and process technologies. In this paper, we report on the integration of digital holographic microscopy (DHM) and thermal lens (TL) spectrometry techniques enabling simultaneous measurement of both class of properties: morphological images and photothermal parameters. DHM in transmission mode is an effective technique for label-free, non-contact, real-time, and non-invasive imaging and measurement of phase objects, such as biomaterials. On the other hand, TL is a highly sensitive methodology to detect low concentrations of analytes in low absorbing samples. We demonstrate the usefulness of the DHM-TL integrated system by applying it to obtain morphometrical information of samples as well as for acquisition of their photothermal maps. Further, by extending the concept of “microsphere-assisted (MS) imaging” into TL, we show that MS-TL enables detection and counting of particles, which otherwise their photothermal signals cannot be detected. The system has the potential to be applied for a variety of objects including bio-samples and may be proposed as a bench-top characterization device.
Modeling of Tow-to-spot Diameter Ratio for Laser Cutting of Single-layer Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP)
Authors: Luo Yonghao , Zhu Xiaowu , Zhang Weiye , Chang Cheng , Gao Shuohong , Lu Bingwen , Yan Xingchen
Published: December 2022

Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) is a kind of advanced composite material with resin as matrix and carbon fiber as reinforcing phase. Laser cutting is considered as a high-efficiency and high-quality processing method of CFRP because of its high removal rate, narrow slit and no cutting force. Due to the differences in physical properties between carbon fiber and resin in CFRP, the whole composed of these two phases in different arrangement is a typical anisotropic material, which leads to the high complexity of its laser cutting process compared with isotropic materials. In order to study the influence of material anisotropy on energy conduction in laser cutting CFRP, taking single-layer CFRP as the research object, based on the heat conduction theory and the mixing rate of composite materials, the three-dimensional finite element models of single fiber arrangement with tow-to-spot diameter ratio of 1:1, 1:2, 1:5 and 1:10 are established by using the commercial software ANSYS. Through the numerical simulation of the same direction laser cutting process, the material temperature field and cross-section temperature gradient are analyzed. The results show that with the increase of fiber arrangement density (tow-to-spot diameter ratio approaching 1:10), the width of heat affected zone decreases, but the maximum temperature increases, which means that the temperature gradient increases. Therefore, it is speculated that when laser cutting with large spot diameter is used, i.e. K < 1:10, CFRP can be treated as homogeneous composite. In order to verify the effectiveness of the model, a slit aperture is used to control the tow-to-spot diameter ratio at about 1:7, and a CO2 continuous laser is used for cutting experiments. By fitting the experimental measurements with the width of carbon fiber ablation area and heat affected zone in the numerical simulation results, it is found that there is a logarithmic correlation between both of the width and the tow-to-spot diameter ratio. There are 3.37% and 1.92% deviations between the experimental result and the theoretical value, respectively. The agreement is relatively good, which can prove the effectiveness of the model. In conclusion, the establishment of tow-to-spot diameter ratio model reveals the response characteristics of anisotropic materials to energy input and conduction in the process of laser cutting, especially the difference of radial and axial conduction efficiency. The influence mechanism of fiber arrangement mode (mainly density in this work) on temperature field and cutting effect is clarified, which provides important theoretical support and experimental basis for laser precision cutting method of CFRP materials.
Drivers of retention of the HIV workforce transitioned from PEPFAR support to the Uganda government payroll
Authors: Zakumumpa Henry , Rujumba Joseph , Kyomuhendo Marjorie , Stempler Ilyse , Amde Woldekidan
Published: December 2022

Background
Health worker (HW) retention in the public health sector in Uganda is an enduring health system constraint. Although previous studies have examined the retention of in-service HWs, there is little research focusing on donor-recruited HWs with private-sector work backgrounds. The objective of this study was to explore drivers of retention of the HIV workforce transitioned from PEPFAR support to the Uganda government payroll between 2015 and 2017.
Methods
We conducted ten focus group discussions with HWs (n = 87) transitioned from PEPFAR support to the public sector payroll in 10 purposively selected districts across Uganda. Qualitative interviews were conducted with national-level stakeholders (n = 17), district health and personnel officers (n = 15) and facility in-charges (n = 22). Data were analyzed by thematic approach as guided by the analytical framework proposed by Schaefer and Moos regarding individual-level and organizational-context drivers.
Results
At the individual level, job security in the public sector was the most compelling driver of health worker retention. Community embeddedness of HWs in the study districts, opportunities for professional development and career growth and the ability to secure salary loans due to ‘permanent and pensionable’ terms of employment and the opportunity to work in ‘home districts’ where they could serve their ‘kinsmen’ were identified as enablers. HWs with prior private sector backgrounds perceived public facilities as offering more desirable challenging professional work. Organizational context enablers identified include perceptions that public facilities had relaxed supervision regimes and more flexible work environments. Work environment barriers to long-term retention include frequent stock-out of essential commodities, heavy workloads, low pay and scarcity of rental accommodation, particularly in rural Northern Uganda. Compared to mid–cadres (such as nurses and midwives), higher-calibre cadres, such as physicians, pharmacists and laboratory technologists, indicated a higher affinity to seek alternative employment in the private sector in the immediate future.
Conclusion
Overall, job security was the most compelling driver of retention in public service for the health workforce transitioned from PEPFAR support to the Uganda government payroll. Monetary and non-monetary policy strategies are needed to enhance the retention of upper cadre HWs, particularly physicians, pharmacists and laboratory technologists in rural districts of Uganda.
Contrast-enhanced Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography for Functional Assessment of the Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Knieling Ferdinand , Paulus Lars-Philip , Buehler Adrian , Wagner Alexandra , Raming Roman , Jüngert Jörg , Simon David , Tascilar Koray , Schnell Alexander , Rother Ulrich , Lang Werner , Hörning André , Schett Georg , Neurath Markus , Waldner Maximilian , Trollmann Regina , Wölfle Joachim , Bohndiek Sarah , Regensburger Adrian , Eckstein Markus
Published: December 2022

Real-time imaging and functional assessment of the intestinal tract and its transit poses a significant challenge to traditional clinical diagnostic methods. Multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT), a molecular-sensitive imaging technology, offers the potential to visualize endogenous and exogenous chromophores in tissue. Herein we present a novel approach using the orally administered clinical-approved fluorescent dye indocyanine green (ICG) for bed-side, non-ionizing evaluation of gastrointestinal passage. We were able to show the detectability and stability of ICG in phantom experiments. Furthermore, ten healthy subjects underwent MSOT imaging at multiple timepoints over eight hours after ingestion of a standardized meal with and without ICG. ICG signals could be visualized and quantified in different intestinal segments, while its excretion was confirmed by fluorescent imaging of stool samples. These findings indicate that contrast-enhanced MSOT (CE-MSOT) provides a translatable real-time imaging approach for functional assessment of the gastrointestinal tract.
Engineering Nanoenzymes Integrating Iron-based MOFs with Pt NPs for Enhanced PDT-Ferroptosis Therapy
Authors: Ye Yuyun , Yu Hongli , Zhao Yifan , Bai Lv , Xue Guanghe , Sun Yong , Cao Jie
Published: December 2022

Background
Photodynamic therapy (PDT), as a promising strategy in cancer treatment that utilizes photosensitizers (PSs) to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), has been widely used for eliminating cancer cells under specific wavelength light irradiation. However, the low aqueous solubility of PSs, and special tumor environments (TME), such as high glutathione (GSH) and tumor hypoxia remain challenges towards PDT for hypoxic tumor treatment.
Results
To address these problems, we constructed a novel nanoenzyme (HMPC) for enhanced PDT-ferroptosis therapy by integrating small Pt nanoparticles (Pt NPs) and near-infrared photosensitizer CyI into iron-based metal organic frameworks (MOFs). In addition, hyaluronic acid (HA) was adhered to the surface of the nanoenzymes to enhance the targeting ability. In this design, MOFs act not only as a delivery vector for PSs, but also a ferroptosis inducer. Pt NPs stabilized into MOFs were functioned as an oxygen (O2) generator by catalyzing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into O2 to relieve tumor hypoxia and increase 1O2 generation. In vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that under NIR irradiation, HMPC could effectively relive the tumor hypoxia and decrease the level of GSH in TME, resulting in enhanced PDT-ferroptosis therapy against hypoxic tumor.
Conclusion
The proposed nanoenzymes represent an important advance in altering TME for improved clinical PDT-ferroptosis therapy, as well as their potential as effective theranostic agents for hypoxic tumors.
A unified fracture model for X65 pipeline material under various constraints using the eXtended finite element method (XFEM)
Authors: Sichani Mohammadmehdi Shahzamanian
Published: December 2022

It is generally accepted that the fracture strain is dependent on geometry/constraints in metals. However, the current available implementation of XFEM assumes a fixed fracture strain criterion independent of the constraints. The objective of this paper is to develop and implement a variable fracture strain criterion in XFEM that is capable of predicting a wide range of fracture conditions in X65 pipeline steels with various crack tip constraints. Various small-scale tests with different out of plane constraints obtained from the literature were simulated using the XFEM in ABAQUS software. These tests included smooth bar, notched bar, single edge notch tension (SENT), and single edge notch bending (SENB) tests. For each test, the value of the maximum principal strain (Maxpe) as a fracture initiation criterion in the cohesive zone model (CZM) in XFEM framework was varied while keeping the fracture energy constant until the model was able to accurately replicate the reported experimental results. For each test, the crack tip constraints were characterized and the stress triaxialities and Lode angle parameters at the onset of fracture initiation were calculated from the models. The results allowed expressing the fracture strain as an explicit function of stress triaxiality which was then implemented in ABAQUS XFEM using UDMGINI subroutine. For the sake of comparison, the tests were simulated in finite element method (FEM) using a similar damage initiation model namely, the Johnson-Cook (J-C) model. A single model in XFEM was able to accurately replicate the experimental observations for all specimens and compared well to experiments in the way simulated by FEM damage model. However, it was observed that XFEM was more suitable to simulate specimens with pre-existing cracks such as in SENT and SENB tests since the crack grew through elements when mesh refinement was not required around the crack tips. Lastly, the simulated results were found to be less mesh sensitive in XFEM than in FEM damage models.
Cost-Utility Analysis of a Supervised Exercise Intervention for Women with Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Wang Yufan , McCarthy Alexandra L. , Tuffaha Haitham
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death after treatment for endometrial cancer (EC). There is clinical evidence that exercise significantly reduces the risks of CVD and cancer recurrence; however, it is unclear whether there is value for money of integrating exercise into clinical cancer care for women treated for EC. This study aims to assess the long-term cost-effectiveness of a 12-week supervised exercise intervention for women diagnosed with early-stage EC compared to standard care.

Method

A cost-utility analysis was conducted from the Australian health system perspective. A Markov cohort model was designed with six mutually exclusive health states: i) No CVD, ii) Post-stroke, iii) Post-coronary heart diseases (CHD), iv) Post-heart failure, v) Post-cancer recurrence, vi) Death. The model was populated using the best available evidence in the literature. The cohort was followed for a time horizon of 5 years. Costs and outcomes were discounted at 5% annual rate. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and net monetary benefit were estimated. Decision uncertainty was characterised using univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analysis.

Result

The incremental cost of supervised exercise versus standard care was AUD $496 and the incremental QALY was 0.064, resulting in an ICER of AUD $9,148 per QALY gained. The likelihood that the supervised exercise intervention was cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of AUD $50,000 per QALY was 97.8%.

Conclusion

This is the first economic evaluation of exercise after treatment for EC. The results suggest that exercise is cost-effective in this population.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Given the low uncertainty in the results, efforts should focus on implementation of exercise as part of clinical cancer care.
Marginally Trapped Ruled Surfaces and Their Gaussmap in Minkowski Space
Authors: Jung Sun Mi , Kim Young Ho
Published: December 2022

In 1991, B. -Y. Chen proposed a conjecture which is the relationship between bi-harmonic submanifolds and harmonic submanifolds in Euclidean space and quite a few related studies have supported it. Around the same time, it was proved that Chen’s conjecture does not extend to submanifolds in Minkowski space. In this paper, as part of these researches, we investigate bi-harmonic marginally trapped ruled surfaces in Minkowski m-space and then construct some examples about them in which Chen’s conjecture does not hold.
Hourglass Shell Design of a Wooden Material for Making Talking Drum, and Their Sound Properties
Authors: Olaoye K.O. , Oluwadare A. O.
Published: December 2022

The talking drum is gaining a wide acceptance in the music industry. However, it sometimes perform below expectation when in service, thus necessitating different research studies. To optimizing the sound properties of a talking drum, we explored the contribution of the design of the wooden hourglass shell making the talking drum. We fell three fifteen year old Gmelina arborea trees, and collected bolts from their base wood to make the hourglass shell designs comprising six geometric shapes (Funnel, Twofoil, Inverted Crescent, Cone, Half-ellipse, and Conic Rectangular) and three interior finishes (rough, smooth, and glazed). Hence, the making of the drums. Test were carried out at no extension (ne) and extension limit (el) on the tension cord, while sound frequency, amplitude, timbre harmonic, and sound damping time (SDT) measured had mean of 107.70Hz, 43.85dB, 0.11, 646.66ms at ne, and 243.93Hz, 46.55dB, 0.12, 800.92ms at el, respectively. The significant interaction between the geometric shapes and interior finishes implies that the design of the hourglass shell influenced the amplitude, timbre harmonic and SDT only. At the end of the study, we found that SDT of a talking drum can be greatly optimized by glazing the interior surface of a Cone hourglass shell.
A framework for stakeholder engagement in the adoption of new antimalarial treatments in Africa: a case study of Nigeria
Authors: Mokuolu Olugbenga Ayodeji , Bolarinwa Oladimeji Akeem , Opadiran Oluwatumobi Racheal , Ameen Hafsat Abolore , Dhorda Mehul , Cheah Phaik Yeong , Amaratunga Chanaki , Haan Freek , Tindana Paulina , Dondorp Arjen M.
Published: December 2022

Introduction:
Recent reports of artemisinin partial resistance from Rwanda and Uganda are worrisome and suggest a future policy change to adopt new antimalarials. We conducted a case study on the evolution, adoption, and implementation of new antimalarial treatment policies in Nigeria. The main objective is providing perspectives to enhance the future uptake of new antimalarials, with an emphasis on stakeholder engagement strategies.
Methods
This case study is based on an analysis of policy documents and stakeholders’ perspectives drawn from an empirical study conducted in Nigeria, 2019–2020. A mixed methods approach was adopted, including historical accounts, review of programme and policy documents, and qualitative in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Themes for the framework were developed and applied to the case study.
Results
Based on policy documents reviewed, the adoption of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) in Nigeria was swift due to political will, funding and support from global developmental partners. However, implementation of ACTs was met with resistance from suppliers, distributors, prescribers, and end-users, attributed to market dynamics, costs and inadequate stakeholder engagement. Deployment of ACTs in Nigeria witnessed more developmental partner support, robust data generation, ACT case-management strengthening and evidence on antimalarial use in severe malaria and antenatal care management. We propose a framework for effective stakeholder engagement for future adoption of new antimalarials or antimalarial treatment strategies. The framework covers the pathway from generating evidence to making treatment accessible and affordable to end-users. It addresses who to engage with, the content of engagement and what strategies would support effective engagement with key stakeholders at different levels of the transition process.
Conclusion
Early and staged engagement of stakeholders from global bodies through regulatory authorities to end-users at the community level is critical to the successful adoption and uptake of new antimalarial treatment policies. A framework for these engagements has been proposed as a unique contribution to enhancing this process.
Automating Control of Overestimation Bias for Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Kuznetsov Arsenii , Grishin Alexander , Tsypin Artem , Ashukha Arsenii , Kadurin Artur , Vetrov Dmitry
Published: December 2022

Majority of high-performing off-policy reinforcement learning algorithms use aggregated overestimation bias control techniques.However, most of them rely on a pre-defined bias correction policies that are either not flexible enough or require environment-specific tuning of hyperparameter.In this work, we present a data-driven approach for automatic bias control.We demonstrate its effectiveness on three algorithms: Truncated Quantile Critics, Weighted Delayed DDPG and Maxmin Q-learning. Our approach eliminates the need for an extensive hyperparameter search.We show that it leads to the significant reduction of the actual number of interactions while, in most cases, matching the performance of a resource demanding grid search method.While on average the reduction of the bias improves the performance, elimination of the aggregated bias does not always lead to the best performance. To the best of our knowledge, that is the first case where it is proven on complex environments which highlights the important pitfalls of overestimation control.
RETRACTED: Numerical investigation of the effect of swirl number on performance, combustion, and emissions characteristics in a converted heavy-duty natural gas engine
Authors: Aktas Fatih
Published: December 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Feeding and ovipositional responses of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda on different host plants under laboratory conditions
Authors: Nandhini D. , Deshmukh Sharanabasappa S. , Kalleshwaraswamy C. M. , Satish K. M. , Sannathimmappa H. G.
Published: December 2022

In India, the invasive fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has emerged as the most devastating pest of maize. Being a polyphagous pest, it feeds on almost 353 host plants and keeps widening its host range. In this study, we assessed the preference for feeding and oviposition in both choice and non-choice scenarios among various host plants such as maize, sorghum, castor, cowpea, cotton, banana and marigold. In choice tests, the number of larvae on maize cob was the most whereas it was the least on cotton leaves, after 24 hours of release. In non-choice study, the third instar larvae fed on maize leaves and cobs had the shortest larval growth periods (2.05 and 2.20 days, respectively), whereas the larvae fed on marigold flowers had the longest (5.20 days) larval growth periods in order to reach the next instar. In oviposition tests, maize supported egg laying to the greatest rate (8.67 egg masses/host in the choice test and 11.67 egg masses/host in the no-choice test) when compared to other hosts under study. The remaining hosts were used by the pest only in the absence of its usual host (maize) for oviposition. Thus, maize was the most suitable host for fall armyworm and it may also be able to survive in crops other than maize during the off-season thus posing a high risk to other economically important crop plants.
Proportion of Births Protected Against Neonatal Tetanus and Its Associated Factors Among Mothers Who Gave Birth Within the Past 6 Months in Gozamn District, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022
Authors: Gashaw Anteneh
Published: December 2022

Introduction:
An estimated 3.3 million newborn deaths occur each year around the world, with 9,000 babies dying every day in their first 28 days. Neonatal tetanus is tetanus that occurs within the first 28 days of life, and maternal immunization can reduce neonatal tetanus by 94%. However, not enough mothers were vaccinated to protect against neonatal tetanus globally, and only 49% of mothers in Ethiopia were protected. The proportion of mothers who were protected from neonatal tetanus was not determined yet in the study area. Because neonatal tetanus is such a serious disorder with such a high fatality rate and there is a need for more recent evidence on it, more research on birth protection against neonatal tetanus is needed.
Objective
To assess the proportion of births protected against neonatal tetanus and its associated factors among mothers who gave birth within the past 6 months in Gozamn district, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022.
Method
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Gozamn district, Northwest Ethiopia from April 1–30, 2022. A total sample size of 831 was used, and a two-stage stratified sampling technique was used. A structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect the data, and the data was analysed by using StataV14. A logistic regression analysis was conducted, and the level of statistical significance was determined by a p-value of less than 0.05.
Result
The proportions of birth protected against neonatal tetanus were 58.57% in the study. Mother who had radio (AOR = 3.09,95%CI: 2.09, 4.56), mother who travel less than one hour to reach nearest health facility (AOR = 1.96,95%CI: 1.23,3.10), mother who gave birth of their last child in the health institution (AOR = 4.17,95%CI:2.39,7.28), mothers who had information from health professional (AOR = 2.56,95%CI:1.56,4.19) and > 4 ANC visit (AOR = 2.57,95%CI:1.55,4.26) were positive predictors of birth protected against neonatal tetanus.
Conclusion
In this study area, the proportion of mothers protected against neonatal tetanus was low. Professional based counselling related to TT vaccine, as well as interlinks and strength of different health care services such as ANC and delivery services are vital to increase proportion of birth protected against neonatal tetanus.
Post-discharge follow-up of congenital duodenal obstruction patients: A systematic review
Authors: Min Suyin A. Lum , Imam Malaz , Zrinyi Anna , Shawyer Anna C. , Keijzer Richard
Published: December 2022

PURPOSE Long-term follow-up of congenital duodenal obstruction patients often falls on care providers with little experience of this condition. We performed a systematic review of the long-term outcomes of duodenal obstruction and provide a summary of sequelae care providers should anticipate. METHODS In 2022, after registering with PROSPERA, Medline (Ovid), EMBASE, PSYCHINFO, CNAHL and SCOPUS databases were searched using the title keyword ‘intestinal atresia’. Abstracts were filtered for inclusion if they included the duodenum. Papers of filtered abstracts were included if they reported post-discharge outcomes. Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies was used to grade the papers. RESULTS Of the 1068 abstracts were screened, 32 papers were reviewed. Eleven studies were included. Thirty additional papers were included after reviewing references, for a total of 41 papers. The average MINORS was 7/16. CONCLUSIONS There is good evidence that children with congenital duodenal obstruction do well in terms of survival, growth and general well-being. Associated cardiac, musculoskeletal and renal anomalies should be ruled-out. Care providers should be aware of anastomotic dysfunction, blind loop syndrome, bowel obstruction and reflux. Reflux may be asymptomatic. Laparoscopic repair does not change long-term outcomes, and associated Trisomy 21 worsens neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Land suitability assessment for urban growth analysis using geospatial techniques and integrated ensemble models
Authors: Rudra Somnath , Das Pritiranjan , MALLICK SURAJ KUMAR , Maity Biswajit , Sahu Netrananda , Khan Ulfat
Published: December 2022

In order to achieve the socio-environmental sustainability, it is important to identify the suitable zone for urban built-up area development in highly populous countries in the global south. Therefore, this study has been conducted in a medium class city in eastern India based on some significant influential factors and their sub-criteria. Different geophysical data, official data, and open street data were used to assess the land suitability for future urban growth by integrating MCDM techniques and different geo-statistical models namely Analytical Hierarchy Process, Frequency Ratio, Weights of Evidence, and Evidential Believe Function. Based on the land suitability assessment (LSA) outcomes, four different zones were identified such as very high suitability zone, high suitability zone, moderately suitable zone and low suitable zone. The findings of this study revealed that the central part of Midnapore municipality has been observed low suitability while > 50% area is under moderate suitability zone. Moreover, the peripheral regions, especially in western, northern, and eastern parts are observed to be high to very high suitable zones for urban expansion. The outcome of the selected models has been validated (> 80%) by the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Therefore, proper planning is required for western and eastern surroundings, as these areas are predominately forest cover and agricultural land respectively. Hopefully, the identification of proper site suitability will helpful for urban planner to reshaping the urban landscape as sustainable urban future.
Do Municipal Contexts Matter for Adolescent Mental Health? A Within-Municipality Analysis of Nationwide Norwegian Survey Data Across Six Years
Authors: Yu Baeksan , von Soest Tilmann , Nes Ragnhild Bang
Published: December 2022

Background Despite growing concerns about substantial socio-economic differences between districts in many developed nations, limited attention has been paid to how adolescent mental health may be shaped by district characteristics. A few studies have shown that adolescent mental health is related to contextual factors such as district socio-economic status, neighborhood disorder, and quality of infrastructure. However, prior estimates may be an artifact of unmeasured differences between districts. Methods We used data from the nationwide Norwegian Ungdata surveys (N = 278,764), conducted across the years 2014 to 2019. We applied three-level hierarchical linear models to examine within-municipality associations between municipal factors and adolescent mental health in the domains of internalizing problems (i.e., depressive symptoms), externalizing problems (i.e., behavioral problems), and well-being (i.e., self-esteem), thereby accounting for all time-invariant municipality-level confounders. Results Our results showed that municipal-level safety, infrastructure, and youth culture, beyond individual characteristics, are associated with adolescent mental health problems. Further, cross-level interaction models indicated gender-specific associations, with stronger associations of municipality infrastructure and community belongingness with increased self-esteem and reduced problematic behaviors among girls than boys. Conclusion Our findings highlight that municipality-level interventions may be a feasible strategy for adolescent mental health, even in a society characterized by low inequality and high redistribution.
Akzeptierende Medienpädagogik und professionelles Handeln aus Sicht der Wissenssoziologie Karl Mannheims
Authors: Kiefer Florian
Published: December 2022

Die Wissenssoziologie von Karl Mannheim wird (nicht nur) in der Medienpädagogik vornehmlich aufgrund der darin ausgearbeiteten Methodologie, die Dokumentarische Methode der Interpretation, zur Kenntnis genommen. Wesentlich hierfür sind bspw. die Beiträge zur Theorie der Weltanschauungs-Interpretation (Mannheim 1964a), die Unterscheidung zwischen konjunktivem und kommunikativem Wissen (Mannheim 1980) und der Aufsatz über «Das Problem der Generationen» (Mannheim 1964b). Der Beitrag geht davon aus, dass das Potenzial dieser Theorieschule durch die Reduktion auf ihre methodologischen Implikationen nicht hinreichend ausgeschöpft wird. Deshalb wird vorgeschlagen, die Wissenssoziologie als grundlagentheoretisches Fundament für ein medienpädagogisches Verständnis von professionellem (Denken und) Handeln zu entwickeln. Unter Zuhilfenahme der Medien-Pädagogik als partikulare Einmischung und als akzeptierende Disziplin (Fromme und Meder 2000) einerseits und dem Umgang mit dem Nicht-Wissen (Hugger 2007) andererseits werden die professionstheoretischen Implikationen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des dynamischen Relationismus als wissenssoziologischen Programmatik reformuliert.
Parasoziale Interaktionen in Dating-Simulationen
Authors: Rehfeld Steffi
Published: December 2022

Unter Otome-Games werden Dating-Simulationen verstanden, die es den Spielerinnen und Spielern ermöglichen, eine Liebesgeschichte mit einer fiktiven Figur zu erleben. Auf der Annahme basierend, dass diese Spiele potenziell die Illusion einer sozialen Wechselbeziehung vermitteln, möchte der Beitrag den Gegenstand mit Hilfe des Begriffs «parasoziale Interaktion» (beruhend auf Horton und Wohl 1956) rahmen. Es wird der Frage nachgegangen, wie Otome-Games ihre Protagonist:innen inszenieren und damit womöglich parasoziale Interaktionen offerieren können. Dabei soll insbesondere die Struktur der Spiele mit Hilfe der neoformalistischen Computerspielanalyse (vgl. Fromme und Könitz 2014) in den Blick genommen werden. Innerhalb des interaktiven Mediums manifestieren sich vor allem die Option, die Adressat:innen direkt mit dem Namen anzusprechen und somit in das Spielgeschehen zu involvieren. Auch die stets präsente Inszenierung der medialen Charaktere (bspw. stetiger Augenkontakt, vermögen mediale Kommunikation in Form von Chats und Anrufen zu simulieren) bietet neue Möglichkeiten der parasozialen Interaktion. Trotz dieser Optionen bleibt die Interaktion limitiert und einseitig, da die Figuren nicht auf die Belange der Nutzer:innen eingehen können.
Die digitale Transformation in der Erwachsenen- und Weiterbildung als Herausforderung für die Organisationsentwicklung
Authors: Schäfer Erich
Published: December 2022

Digitale Medien halten verstärkt Einzug in das Lehren und Lernen im quartären Bildungssektor. Die Coronakrise erweist sich dabei als Katalysator der digitalen Transformation in der Erwachsenen- und Weiterbildung. Vor dem Hintergrund der Auseinandersetzung mit Erwartungen und Hoffnungen an medial unterstützte Weiterbildung wird die kontinuierliche organisationsbezogene Selbsterneuerung als eine Herausforderung einer Kultur der Digitalität skizziert. Es lassen sich Gelingensbedingungen im Prozess der Digitalisierung identifizieren auf deren Grundlage unterschiedlicher gesellschaftliche Zukunftsszenarien beurteilt werden können.
Biomarcadores de intoxicação humana em trabalhadores rurais expostos à agrotóxicos no Brasil
Authors: Kaufmann Back Lize Elena , Schlotefeldt Klein Marcieli , Baroni Suzymeire , Endruweit Battisti Iara Denise
Published: December 2022

Entre os riscos ocupacionais do trabalho agrícola, destaca-se o uso de agrotóxicos, que estão relacionados às intoxicações agudas, doenças crônicas e problemas reprodutivos. Assim, faz-se necessário estudos nesta temática para monitoramento de incidência de intoxicação pelo uso de agrotóxico em trabalhadores rurais. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a frequência de intoxicação por agrotóxicos pela análise de micronúcleo da mucosa bucal de agricultores expostos a esses compostos. Todos os participantes do estudo são do sexo masculino, com idade entre 18 e 59 anos, não fumantes, não etilistas e residem em um município do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Foram coletadas amostras da mucosa bucal para análise de micronúcleos de 27 agricultores na estação do verão, quando há intenso uso de agrotóxicos. Foram confeccionadas três lâminas por indivíduo, coradas com Giemsa, analisadas em microscopio óptico, contadas 1.000 células por lâmina, perfazendo 3.000 células por participante. Foram contabilizadas células com micronúcleo e com anormalidades nucleares. Os dados foram analisados no software estatístico R. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul. Como resultado principal observa-se que 74,0% dos trabalhadores rurais possuíam mais que três células com micronúcleos em 3.000 células, com diferença significativa comparado ao grupo controle. Isso evidencia intoxicação aguda devido ao uso de agrotóxicos, que pode estar associada ao não uso do Equipamento de Proteção Individual (EPI), incluindo outros fatores de exposição. Existe, portanto, a necessidade de monitoramento de trabalhadores rurais expostos a agrotóxicos.