bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adjustment to an Appropriate Bedtime Improves Nocturia in Older Adults: A Cross Over Study
Authors: Okumura Yoshinaga , Nobukawa Sou , Ishibashi Tomoaki , Takahashi Tetsuya , Seki Masaya , Inamura Sou , Taga Minekatsu , Fukushima Masato , Kosaka Hirotaka , Yokoyama Osamu , Terada Naoki
Published: April 2024

This study examined whether nocturia can be improved by adhering to an appropriate bedtime among older adults. This prospective comparative crossover study included alternate 4-week intervention and non-intervention periods with a 2-week washout period. During the intervention, participants went to bed at a personalized bedtime, as determined by data from a wrist-wearable device. The frequency-volume chart and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were administered before and after each period. The analysis included 24 of 33 patients enrolled for the study. Twenty-two participants tended to go to bed earlier than their optimal bedtime, so the mean bedtime changed from 21:30 to 22:11 hours after intervention (p < 0.001). The least-square mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) change in nocturnal urinary frequency within-participant difference was − 0.889 (-1.30 to -0.482) times (p < 0.001). During the intervention and non-intervention periods, the average changes in nocturnal urine volume were − 105.6 ml and + 4.4 ml (p = 0.041), the mean changes in hours of undisturbed sleep were + 62.8, and + 12.7 minutes (p = 0.008), and the average changes in the Pittsburgh sleep quality index were − 2.4 and + 1.2 (p = 0.027). Older adults with nocturia tend to go to bed earlier than their ideal bedtime. Bedtime correction significantly reduces nocturnal urinary frequency and improves sleep quality.
Quantitative determination of free fatty acids in foodstuff matrix by solid phase extraction and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection
Authors: Wenming Cao , Zhang yuyang , Tingting Wei , Tong Li , Guolong Yang
Published: April 2024

Free fatty acids (FFAs) serve as crucial analytical markers in oils, fats, and food, reflecting food safety through their content variations. However, the analysis of FFAs in food samples is constrained by potential interferences from other acidic components in the sample matrix during sample processing, resulting in distorted analytical outcomes and introducing positive bias. In the present study, we developed a feasible method for the analysis of FFAs in edible oil and food samples using gas chromatography – hydrogen flame ionization detector (GC-FID) combined with in SPE extraction and derivatization method free fatty acids in edible oil and foodstuff matrices. The established method was also validated in terms of linearity, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), and matrix effect. It was proved to be linear (R2 > 0.99), with lower LODs of 0.108–0.564 µg/mL, and lower LOQs of 0.258 − 0.151 µg/mL for all FFAs. Overall, the simple, rapid, and cost-effective method developed in this study provides a potential application for the extraction and enrichment of FFAs in complex sample matrices, including edible oils, fatty foods, and high-content biological samples
IL-18 production is required for the generation of a Th1 response during chromoblastomycosis
Authors: LG Ferreira , Almeida
Published: April 2024

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic fungal infection characterized by the formation of granulomatous lesions in the skin and subcutaneous tissues that begins after inoculation trauma. The disease is more frequently observed in tropical countries such as Brazil. Important studies have been shown a predominantly cell-mediated immune response during chromoblastomycosis. Results from our laboratory showed that Th1 responses are essential to induce protection during chromoblastomycosis. IL-18 is primarily produced by macrophages and is known to induce the production of IFNγ, a cytokine associated with Th1 cell activation. Once produced, IL-18 acts to promote Th1 cell differentiation and activation. Th1 cells, in turn, secrete cytokines such as IFNγ, which are critical for the elimination of intracellular pathogens, including fungi. IFNγ enhances the fungicidal activity of macrophages, promotes the development of antifungal effector mechanisms, and contributes to the containment of fungal growth. Our results indicate that F. pedrosoi is sensed by the NLRP3 inflammasome, which induces caspase-1 activation and production of IL-18. Moreover, IL-18 plays a crucial role in activating Th1 cells and controlling fungal loads during chromoblastomycosis. Further research into the mechanisms underlying IL-18-mediated immunity may lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of this chronic fungal infection.
Influence of the Water Content in Polyamide 6 on Adhesion and Surface Pre-treatment for Adhesive Bonding
Authors: Beier Christoph J. A. , Schiebahn Alexander , Reisgen Uwe
Published: April 2024

To quantify the influence of absorbed water in PA6 on the pre-treatment and bonding process, an unfilled and unreinforced PA6 material is investigated in a dried and saturated state. The material is pre-treated by atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) with air as process gas and varying jet distances. The surfaces are investigated by contact angle measurements, DSC and FTIR to detect molecular and morphological changes in the surface. To evaluate the bonding strength, samples are bonded with a two-component polyurethane adhesive and a two-component acrylate adhesive and tested in a lap shear test and a tensile test. The results show that water content has a significant influence on the effectivity of the pre-treatment process and the resulting bonding strength and failure mechanism. The adhesion is majorly affected, however these effects do not affect the macroscopic wetting behavior and cannot be measured in contact angles. FTIR spectra and DSC scans do not show significant changes in molecular groups or crystallinity that would explain the observed adhesion improvement in dried samples. High bonding strength is only achieved with adherents at low water content.
Mononuclear Cu(II), Zn(II) Complexes with 2-Aminoethylpyridine and carboxylate ligands: Structure, DFT, DNA binding, Docking and Catecholase Like Activities
Authors: Sureshbabu Popuri , Pattanaik Koyal , Bhattacharya Suman , Sabiah Shahulhameed
Published: April 2024

Mononuclear copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of composition [Cu(2-AEP)(BA)2] 1, [Cu(2-AEP)(TPAA)2] 2, [Zn(2-AEP)(Cl)2] 3, [Zn(2-AEP)2](ClO4)2 4, and [Zn(2-AEP)(TPAA)2] 5, were synthesized by using, 2-aminoethylpyridine (2-AEP) as ligand, benzoic acid (BA) and triphenylaceticacid (TPAA) as ancillary ligands. Complexes 1-5 were characterized using elemental study, UV-Vis, FT-IR, ESI-MS, and ESR spectroscopy (incase of Cu). Single crystal XRD of complexes revealed 1 in octahedral, 2 & 5 in square pyramidal and 3 & 4 in tetrahedral geometry. The interactions towards DNA with complexes 1-5 were studied by spectral titration, electrochemical techniques, and CD measurements. These complexes were interacted strongly via groove binding with CT-DNA with binding efficacy in the range kb = 0.45-4.69 × 104 M-1. Among the complexes, zinc(II) complex 4 showed higher binding affinity than remaining complexes (1-3, 5). The binding affinity order is 4 > 5 > 3 > 1 > 2. In addition, copper(II) complexes (1 and 2) showed catecholase like activity with reaction rate, k = 2.68 × 10-3 M s-1 and 2.63 × 10-3 M s-1 respectively.
Acupuncture and related therapy for constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Kang Xueling , Zhang Honglin , Li Xiaying , Huang Zhansheng , Zhang Kai , Li Yuanyuan , Chai Yemao
Published: April 2024

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture and related therapies in adults with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) and to provide guidance for clinical management.
Methods: PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP databases were searched for clinical randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture and related therapies for IBS-C published from the inception of the database to January 2023. The literature was assessed for quality using the Cochrane 5.3 risk of bias assessment tool, and StataSE 15.0 and GeMTC 0.14.3 software were used for network meta-analysis (NMA)..
Results: Twenty-seven trials were finally included in the NMA, including 7 acupuncture-related therapies. The results of the NMA showed that 7 acupuncture-related therapies were more effective than conventional medicine. The overall efficacy rate showed that acupuncture combined with medication was the most effective therapy (OR=6.33, 95% CI: 2.01, 41.74, P<0.05). The recovery rate showed that acupoint catgut embedding was the best treatment for IBS-C (OR=8.38, 95% CI: 2.65, 38.00, P<0.05). The overall efficacy rate at follow-up showed that acupuncture combined with medication had the best sustained effect.
Conclusion: Acupuncture-related therapies are more clinically effective than conventional medicine in the treatment of IBS-C. Acupoint injection combined with medication has the best effect in both the short and long term, and combination therapy may be more beneficial. However, the existing trials have limitations and more high-quality randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm our findings.
The devil’s in the details: An ecosystem-based adaptation and adaptive governance framework for analyzing governance challenges to addressing peatland restoration problems
Authors: Pacoma Ara Joy , Pearson Leonie , Wungaeo Surichai
Published: April 2024

Peatland restoration is considered one of the most cost-effective ecosystem-based interventions for climate mitigation and adaptation, but also for sustaining local welfare and livelihoods as well as building the climate change resilience in local communities. However, despite its promise, the governance of peatland restoration as an ecosystem-based adaptation strategy poses significant challenges for local communities. Given that problems associated with peatland restoration often involve governance constraints and institutional mismatches, this paper presents an analytical framework illustrating how ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), through adaptive governance (AG) strategies, can promote for a more comprehensive and flexible practices in response to evolving environmental conditions and stakeholder needs. Located in Leyte Sab-a Basin Peatland, Philippines, this study shows that governance issues posed by peatland restoration problems often originate from a lack of comprehensive sense-making of the intricate nature of these challenges and that responses, therefore, tend to be counterproductive. These results empirically support the need for a workable governance approach capable of facilitating the necessary governance changes to address the complexities of peatland restoration problems adequately.
Wind Tunnel Bench Test of a Pitch-and-Plunge Aeroelastic Model Undergoing Nonlinear Post-Flutter Oscillations
Authors: Santos Matheus Martines dos , Adeodato Arthur , Dağlı Osman , de Sousa Vagner Candido
Published: April 2024

Purpose: The nonlinear post-flutter aeroelastic behavior of a classical pitch-and-plunge airfoil model in low-speed wind tunnel bench tests is reported in this study for a range of airflow speeds where stable oscillations are observed. Methods: An experimental airfoil prototype is designed, characterized and evaluated. Time domain data of the airfoil motion as well as other pertinent frequency and bifurcation characteristics are presented for different values of airflow speed, starting at the critical linear flutter speed of the airfoil model and increasing up to the sudden manifestation of violent unstable oscillations (when the test is interrupted for the safety of the structural apparatus). Results: Stable post-flutter nonlinear oscillations, mainly attributed to the dynamic stall phenomenon and in a lesser degree to hardening structural effects, are observed for a range of airflow speeds starting at the neutral stability boundary of the aeroelastic system. The amplitudes of oscillation increase with increasing airflow speed and settle onto a limit-cycle. The coupled frequency of oscillation is dominated by the plunge degree-of-freedom and also increases with increasing airflow speed. The observed critical airfoil cut-in speed of limit-cycle onset is about 8.1 \mps, and the observed cut-out speed of unstable response is about 9.5 \mps. Conclusion: This work contributes with the literature of Aeroelasticity by presenting the realization, evaluation, and wind tunnel test data of a pitch-and-plunge airfoil model undergoing nonlinear post-flutter oscillations that may be useful to support other studies for verification purposes of eventual numerical simulations of similar aeroelastic systems.
Liquid crystalline structuring in dilute suspensions of high aspect ratio clay nanosheets
Authors: Neto Osvaldo Trigueiro , Rosenfeldt Sabine , Michels-Brito Paulo Henrique , Seljelid Konstanse Kvalem , Akanno Andrew , Telli Bruno Ceccato , R Rini P. , Plivelic Tomás , Michels Leander , Breu Josef , Knudsen Kenneth D. , Fossum Jon Otto
Published: April 2024

Aqueous liquid suspensions of high-aspect ratio 2D clay nanosheets were investigated using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The high aspect ratio of synthetic fluorohectorite clays allows for investigation of liquid crystalline orientational order for relatively large nanosheet spacings, in the range which can produce structural coloration, thus providing two handles for determining the nanosheet spacings: SAXS and visible color. Various clay concentrations were investigated, and good agreement with previous work on structural coloration from such suspensions, was obtained. Particular attention is given to the confinement caused by the container geometry, where both cylindrical and flat confinements were investigated. In both cases, the SAXS data suggest coherent regions that have a nematic inter-orientational distribution that surprisingly is linked to the container geometry, which apparently determines the efficiency of packing of the suspension. For both geometries the analysis suggests that these coherent regions have a 1D lamellar periodic intra-structure with uniform nanosheet spacing determined by the clay concentration and a typical coherence length in the range of 200 to 500 nm.
The skull base in Cingulata (Xenarthra, Mammalia): early ossification, homologies, and consequences (presphenoid and mesethmoid, not a child's play)
Authors: Sanchez Guadalupe Rocio Sanchez , Galliari Fernando Carlos , Carlini Alfredo Armando
Published: April 2024

The mammalian skull base ossifies from chondral elements into successive bones described as the basicranial stem or axis. The axes included the basioccipital, basisphenoid, presphenoid, and mesethmoid bones. Tracing the accurate ontogenetic origin of this area is essential, as endochondral development plays a crucial role in understanding the homology of these axial bones. It contributes to building the ethmo-sphenoidal area and is reflected in the phylogeny. In our study, we examined the ontogeny of the neurocranial base and allied bones (i.e., alisphenoids and orbitosphenoids) in representatives of two living armadillo clades: Dasypus hybridus (n = 18) (Dasypodidae), Chaetophractus vellerosus (n = 9) and Chaetophractus villosus (n = 11) (Chlamyphoridae). The presphenoid is not ossified in Dasypus hybridus, Chaetophractus villosus, or C. vellerosus; moreover, there is no clear evidence that this bone ossifies in other cingulates. In addition, our evidence supports the existence of postnatal mesethmoid ossification in armadillos; reinforces the idea of a different ontogenetic trajectory in armadillos, precocial for Dasypus and altricial for Chaetophractus; and proposes that the presence of the mesethmoid is a primitive character for Eutheria.
Sectoral investments to achieve water, energy and land Sustainable Development Goals and enhance climate resilience
Authors: Vinca Adriano , Awais Muhammad , Byers Edward , Krey Volker , Riahi Keywan
Published: April 2024

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationships among water, energy, food, and land resources, particularly in the context of a growing global population and climate change. This paper explores the interplay between climate impacts and investment requirements for achieving sectoral-related SDG targets, employing the MESAGEix-GLOBIOM-Nexus model to analyze cost-optimal investment portfolios. By integrating biophysical sectoral climate impacts, including changes in water availability, crop yields, and energy demand for cooling services, the study assesses the economic implications on the SDG investment portfolios that enhance climate resilience.
Our findings underline the cross-sectoral economic benefits of achieving nutrition and food waste policies, revealing significant reductions in water withdrawal-related expenditures, particularly in South Asia. Climate impacts introduce uncertainties on the expected SDG investments and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs, leading to potential expenditure increases, especially in water-scarce regions. The study also highlights the importance of considering long-term costs and uncertainties to maintain SDG targets’ standards throughout the century, with investment requirements in Asia that could vary from 10 to 30 percentage points, emphasizing the need for climate resilience-building measures in water infrastructure to address extreme climate events.
This research contributes to understanding the complex interactions between climate impacts, socio-economic development and SDG achievement, offering insights for policymakers and stakeholders to navigate investment in pursuit of climate-resilient sustainable development. At the same time, it provides agenda inputs for research and modelling of integrated climate impacts.
Enhancing E-Learning Effectiveness: A Process Mining Approach for Short-Term Tutorials
Authors: Nai Roberto , Sulis Emilio , Genga Laura
Published: April 2024

The rise of e-learning systems has revolutionized education, enabling the col- lection of valuable students’ activity data for continuous improvement. While existing studies have predominantly focused on prolonged learning paths, short- term tutorials offer a flexible and efficient alternative that is recently gaining increasing popularity. This article presents a framework for investigating e- learning systems for short-term tutorials leveraging user behaviour tracking and process mining techniques. A case study involving a web-based tutorial with approximately one hour of learning explores the learning processes of 250 students in Italy. The study analyzes learning outcomes and investigates the impact of dif- ferent learning paths on student progress. The research questions concern i) the extraction of behavioural patterns to study learning outcomes; ii) the prediction of outcomes in the early stages of the learning process. The proposed framework not only provides descriptive insights into the learning process but it can also be used to offer prescriptive guidance to refine tutorial design and improve overall learning outcomes.
Morphological and Molecular Identification of Fungi Isolated From Spoilt Apples in OTA Metropolis
Authors: OLUMUYIWA Emmanuel O. , AJETUNMOBI Mobolaji T. , ADENIJI Omolara F. , OGUNYEMI Adewale K.
Published: April 2024

The spoilage of apples remains a prevalent issue that significantly impacts the fruit industry. This study aimed to isolate and identify fungal species from deteriorated apples collected from three different locations in Ota market, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. Eighteen samples of red delicious and Granny Smith apples with obvious spoilage were collected and surface sterilized using 85% ethanol. The samples were then cultured on potato dextrose agar supplemented with chloramphenicol (30 mg/l) and incubated for 5–7 days at 30°C. Pure cultures of the resulting fungal colonies were obtained from the subcultures of the primary plates. The identification of fungi at the genus level was carried out through macroscopic and microscopic examinations, which included colony colour, shape, hyphae, conidia, conidiophores, and arrangement of spores. The fungal DNA was extracted and amplified using specific internal transcribed spacer primers (ITS1/ITS4) via PCR. A set of ten apple fruit spoilage fungi have been identified and classified into six distinct classes. From 40 isolates, the most prevalent isolate was Trametes polyzona strain MT9, accounting for 27.5%. Secondly, Geotrichum candidum strain MT10 had six isolates, representing 15%, while the least frequent was Fusarium sp. strain MT3, with only one isolate, amounting to 2.5%. Additionally, a sequence analysis of the ITS regions of the nuclear-encoded rDNA was conducted, revealing significant alignments with Aspergillus sp., Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Curvularia aeria, and Trametes polyzona. This research aids in the development of effective control and preservation strategies aimed at reducing the incidence of spoilage and preserving the quality of the fruit.
Continuous crystallisation in a superstat: Batch kinetics informed theoretical SOP
Authors: Vashishtha Mayank , Ranjbar Mahmoud , Walker Gavin , Kannuchamy Vasanth Kumar
Published: April 2024

Developing theory informed standard operating procedure (SOP) for the continuous crystallisation of pharmaceuticals remain a bottleneck. In this communication, we propose a theoretical background and mathematics for superstat based on which we developed the theoretical SOP for the continuous crystallisation of a model compound curcumin in isopropanol. Using the proposed theory, we identified the theoretical optimum dilution rate and the corresponding mass of curcumin crystallised in isopropanol and productivity at steady state conditions as a function of initial supersaturation. Additionally, we estimated the dilution rate that corresponds to the washout conditions or no crystallisation during the continuous manufacturing of crystals.
Cloud-Based Knee Rehab Platform with IoT-Enabled Wearable Accelerometers
Authors: Wu Zong-Jie , Liu Chien-Liang , Lin Chun-Cheng , Hung Lun-Ping
Published: April 2024

With the vigorous development of medical technology, the average human lifespan is increasing year by year. However, the probability of chronic diseases and physical degeneration is also growing proportionally. Among many chronic diseases, degenerative osteoarthritis is one of the common diseases among the elderly population. Depending on its severity, the worst cases require knee arthroplasty for treatment. After replacement surgery, patients need continuous rehabilitation exercises, follow-up, and observation. The rehabilitation process heavily relies on the guidance of professional physicians and the accuracy of the patient's rehabilitation movements. In order to improve the shortage of medical resources and the demand for continuous rehabilitation tracking, we propose a novel mobile technology-assisted remote rehabilitation detection and medical platform. It utilizes a three-axis accelerometer to measure the angle of knee joint rehabilitation. Through the rehabilitation guidance platform, patients are provided with prompts such as angles, frequencies, and movement content, effectively assisting patients in medical rehabilitation. Additionally, rehabilitation data collected through IoT devices during the patient's rehabilitation process are stored in a cloud-based medical platform. This platform allows physicians to analyze the activity data of patients' home rehabilitation behaviors and provide remote prescriptions, medical reminders, and patient Q&A to promote telemedicine. This facilitates real-time access to information for each patient, thereby improving the effectiveness of rehabilitation and realizing complementary added value.
Weather Shock Vulnerability in Children’s Nutrition: A Comparative Study of Three Ecological Regions in Nepal
Authors: Shakya Prakriti
Published: April 2024

Nutrition obtained during the growth period of childhood significantly influences long-term well-being and overall productivity, ultimately contributing to the economy of a society. However, weather shocks can wreak havoc by damaging crops, changing yields of important crops and disrupting market access, which directly impacts the food intake of both adults and children. When these adverse events occur during childhood, short term and long term inadequacy in nutrition as well as disease incidence can cause malnutrition leading to stunted growth and cognitive impairment that may persist into adulthood, affecting the labor market and increasing health expenditure. To address this issue, we derive causal relations between weather changes and weight-to-height z score in the three ecological regions of Nepal. We find that there is a positive impact of average temperature on children’s weight-to-height z score in the Terai region. An increase of 19 percent in the average growing degree days leads to 1 standard deviation growth in weight-to-height z score. This relation persists in agricultural households in the Terai region of Nepal. JEL Codes: J13, O13, Q54.
Effectiveness of Two-Dimensional Shear-Wave Sonoelastography in the Diagnosis and Follow-up of Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis
Authors: Demir Sabri , Unlu Havva Akmaz , Kiris Gulsah , Oztorun Can Ihsan , Erturk Ahmet , Azili Mujdem Nur , Senel Emrah
Published: April 2024

Introduction: We sought to determine the effectiveness and utility of two-dimensional shear-wave sonoelastography (2D-SW-SE) in the diagnosis and postoperative follow-up of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS).
Material and Methods: Twenty-three infants were included in the study, thirteen in the IHPS group and ten in the control group (CG). Preoperative B-mode ultrasonography measurements (longitudinal length and single-wall thickness of the pylorus) and 2D-SW-SE measurements (pylorus tissue stiffness and shear-wave propagation speed) were compared between the groups. The infants with IHPS then underwent Ramstedt pyloromyotomy and were invited for follow-ups on the tenth day and the first, third, and sixth months postoperatively. Measurements taken at the follow-ups were compared with the preoperative values.
Results: No difference was found between the groups regarding age, gender, body weight, or week of birth. The pyloric lengths in the IHPS group were longer than in the CG (p < 0.001), and the single-wall thicknesses were thicker (p < 0.001). The pylori in the IHPS group were four times stiffer than in the CG (27.4 kPa versus 7.66 kPa), and the shear-wave propagation speed in the tissue was higher (1.34 m/s versus 2.69 m/s; p < 0.001). Both values decreased over time in the IHPS group and were normal by the third postoperative month.
Conclusions: 2D-SW-SE can be used as an assistive imaging tool alongside B-mode ultrasound for diagnosing IHPS. It can also be used to identify inadequate surgery by detecting whether the pyloric tissue has softened at follow-up.
Prevalence and Determinants of Unintended Pregnancies among pregnant women in Western Uganda: A Hospital Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kobugabe Rosette , Nabawanuka Brenda , Asiimwe Moses
Published: April 2024

Introduction
Unintended pregnancies are among the most troubling health problems and a major reproductive health issue in low income countries, imposing appreciable socio-economic burden on individuals and society. To determine the prevalence and assess determinants of unintended pregnancies among pregnant women obtaining Antenatal Care services at a tertiary hospital in Western Uganda.
Methods
From November 2, 2022 to February 5, 2023, we conducted a cross sectional analytical study among pregnant women who had come to receive antenatal care services at a tertiary health care setting. A simple random sampling technique was implemented to select participants of this study. Data obtained was cleaned, coded and analyzed using SPSSv23 to obtain the prevalence and correlates of unintended pregnancies among pregnant women.
Results
We enrolled 376 pregnant women to participate in this study. Majority of the participants 239(63.56%) were below 28 years of age and 114 (30.32%) had four or more pregnancies, whereas 115(30.59%) had a family size of at least six individuals. The study found out that the prevalence of unintended pregnancy was high at 192 (51%). Pregnant women had significantly greater odds of having unintended pregnancies if they were > 35 years (aOR = 85.9; 95%CI [2.63-2814.31], P = 0.012); had a large family size (aOR = 0.0.27, 95%CI [0.08–0.91], P = 0.035); never used family planning (aOR = 1.02; 95%CI [0.29–1.25], P = 0.026); and had ever experienced side effects of family planning methods used (aOR = 0.025; 95%CI [0.0009-0.68], P = 0.029). Having a higher parity (aOR = 0.02; 95%CI [0.005–0.108], P = 0.000) and having an intention to conceive again (aOR = 0.26; 95%CI [0.13–0.56], P = 0.058) were also significantly associated with unintended pregnancies.
Conclusion
The prevalence of unintended pregnancy is high and which puts women at risk of poor maternal and child health outcomes. Programs to promote family planning accessibility especially long-term methods for women who have attained their desired family sizes.
Factors Associated with Neonatal Mortality at Burao General Hospital, Burao, Somaliland.
Authors: JAMA MOHAMED SULEIMAN , JAMA AHMED ADAN
Published: April 2024

In 2019, Somalia had a neonatal mortality rate of 36.9 deaths per 1,000 live births, indicating a gradual decline from 44 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 (UNICEF, 2019). Despite this overall decrease, Burao General Hospital continued to experience high neonatal mortality rates, prompting a study to investigate the factors associated with neonatal mortality in this specific setting. The research aimed to identify maternal, neonatal, and obstetric factors contributing to neonatal deaths at Burao General Hospital. The study utilized a cross-sectional design with quantitative data collection and analysis methods. A sample size of 68 health workers was selected through simple random sampling, achieving an 88.23% response rate. Guided questionnaires were employed for data collection, and SPSS was used for analysis. The results, obtained through multiple linear regression, revealed significant coefficients for neonatal factors, maternal factors, and pregnancy and obstetric histories, with p-values of 0.0001, 0.0002, and 0.004, respectively. These findings led to the rejection of the null hypothesis, confirming the significant impact of neonatal factors, maternal factors, and pregnancy and obstetric histories on neonatal mortality. The study concluded that neonatal mortality at Burao General Hospital is associated with factors such as maternal age, low educational level, hypertension, rural residence, monthly income, HIV positivity, high birth weight, sepsis, low gestational age, home deliveries, and health complications during pregnancy, and lack of antenatal care. This research recommends that mothers prioritize proper nutrition, attend regular antenatal care visits, and seek prompt medical attention for any health issues arising during pregnancy. These practices can significantly contribute to reducing neonatal mortality rates.
A Novel Approach for Enhancing Drilling Efficiency through Flat Time Optimization
Authors: El-Ekhteiar Hazem Mohamed , Salem Adel Mohamed , El-Fakharany Taher
Published: April 2024

Efficient evaluation and improvement of drilling performance are crucial for companies in the oil and gas industry to optimize work plans, scale operations, and allocate financial resources effectively. Drilling operations, which are major expenditure areas, have seen efforts to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. A significant focus has been on optimizing flat time, which accounts for about 30–40% of total well time and significantly impacts well costs. A pioneering project aimed at systematically optimizing flat time analyzed over 2000 flat time sections, establishing a robust baseline and implementing a digital dashboard for real-time performance monitoring across 12 rigs. This approach led to significant time savings of 186 days within two quarters and cost savings of over 150 million dollars over five years. The project's success was also measured by improvements in the Drilling Rate Improvement Index (DRII), showcasing notable efficiency gains. Through data-driven insights and flat time optimization, this project highlighted the potential for substantial cost savings and operational efficiencies in the oil and gas sector's drilling operations.
Morphodynamic Classification of Morocco's Steep Coasts using multivariate methods and remote data
Authors: Farhaoui Isamil , Dakki Mohamed , Saloui Abdelmalek
Published: April 2024

The Moroccan coastline extends for 2,130,80 km on the East Atlantic an Western Mediterranean coasts. It shows a high diversity of estuaries, bays, beaches and steep coasts. Despite its ecological, economic, and recreational importance, Morocco does not have a comprehensive inventory of its coastal landscapes. This study attempts to develop a primary classification of Moroccan steep coasts, based on a descriptive inventory of these landscapes, using 12 morphodynamic criteria that we mainly measured on satellite images. To achieve the said classification, we organized the steep coasts and the criteria in a binary matrix, which we treated with the hierarchical ascending classification method (CAH) and Factorial Correspondence Analysis. The results of this treatment provides a clustering scheme where we distinguish six different groups of cliffs, each of them being subdivided to 2 or 3 subgroups. Three categories of criteria appear as determinant in this classification: morphometric (length, area, and elevation), geologic (dominant rock and geologic eras), hydrodynamic (swells), and aerodynamic (wind). However, the two first criteria have the most significant influence on the classification. This classification, mainly based on satellite data, remains preliminary and requires improvements such using some field data. Finally, the raw and compiled data collected in this study constitute database composed of 175 cliffs, described using parametric criteria; this database is a contribution to the national wetlands inventory and is essential to promoting their conservation as well as management.
Effect of material composition on the performance for ZnO@C/Bi as Zn anode
Authors: Wang Ziyuan , Guo Chun , Li Zheng , Hua Zhifan , Li Yifan , Tian Zhongliang , Peng Ke
Published: April 2024

Inhibiting dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution corrosion play a key role in improving the anode performance of zinc secondary batteries. ZnO@C/Bi composites with a unique core-shell structure were fabricated, in which the porous carbon coating acted as an ion sieve to inhibit dendrite growth, while the embedded Bi alleviated the hydrogen evolution corrosion of the anode due to its high hydrogen evolution overpotential. Although the design of carbon coating embedded with Bi improves the performance of zinc anode, the Bi content and carbon coating thickness still have great influence on the performance. According to the results, the corrosion current density decreases from 20.55 mA cm− 2 to 15.13 mA cm− 2 and increases to 17.22 mA cm− 2 with increasing Bi content (from 4.14 wt% to 5.66 wt% and to 8.01 wt%), and the best corrosion resistance is obtained for ZnO@C/Bi with 5.66 wt% Bi content. Likewise, when the coating layer thickens from 2.28 nm to 5.48 nm and then to 14.26 nm, the average discharge specific capacity increases from 586.87 mAh g− 1 to 591.59 mAh g− 1 and to 634.96 mAh g− 1, and the cycle life increases from 110 to more than 200 cycles. After the coating layer continues to increase to 20.38 nm, the average specific capacity decreases to 587.68 mAh g− 1. Consequently, the obtained ZnO@C/Bi with the optimal material composition (5.66 wt% for Bi content, 14.26 nm for carbon coating thickness) shows excellent electrochemical performance with a capacity retention rate of 95.79% (631.3 mAh g− 1) after 230 cycles.
Review and Inquiries on Ethics, Policies and Regulations of a Global Patient co-Owned Cloud (GPOC)
Authors: Lidströmer Niklas , Davids Joe , ElSharkawy Mohamed , Ashrafian Hutan , Herlenius Eric
Published: April 2024

Cloud-based personal health records have increased during the last thirty years across the globe. The concept of a Global Patient co-Owned Cloud (GPOC) of personal health records is presented in the GPOC series. It encompasses a systematic review and meta-analysis, a global survey among 100% of the UN member states and a technical sandbox. GPOC introduces patient co-ownership of personal health records. Here, we review the ethics, rights, privacy, co-ownership, policies, security, technique, initiatives, regulation, market, AI integration, and future challenges relevant to GPOC. We also included novel data from a series of over a hundred interviews with representatives of fifty national health ministries from all over the world and international organisations. Over 90% of the interviewees strongly endorsed the idea that co-ownership should be a human right. Similarly, consensus was attained for all the twelve reviewed aspects. Our hybrid approach, combining narrative review with interviews of senior state and organizational health experts, offers original insights and in-depth analysis of key aspects relevant to GPOC. Notably, the enthusiasm for the GPOC concept was unanimous. Moreover, we provide a comprehensive global overview of aspects of relevant human rights, ethics, privacy, policy, regulations, and integration initiatives by states and organisations. We also analysed the incumbent health record market, AI integration, and future challenges for a GPOC. Furthermore, we offer a holistic analysis of regulations, the global nature of AI, and its implications for healthcare. These discussions contribute to the ongoing discourse on the ethical and societal implications of emerging technologies in healthcare. Finally, the present study indicates that GPOC might result in a new human right to co-own one’s personal health information. GPOC could drive development and spread of artificial intelligence for healthcare globally. It may solve the lacking personal health record integration on a global scale. Thus, a decentralised GPOC with consensus from blockchain, may benefit global health.
From virtue to sin: is the installation of bat boxes an effective conservation measure or a potential pitfall for vulnerable bat species?
Authors: Lisón Fulgencio , Matus-Olivares Camilo , Carrasco Jaime , Weintraub Andrés
Published: April 2024

Bat boxes are a key element in bat conservation policies being very popular. However, it is a biased action that is only favourable for a few bat species. In this manuscript, we hypothesize that the installation of these elements and an extensive proliferation of them could threaten other bat species more vulnerable due to the niche competition. For this, we calculated the overlapping degree between the bat species that use bat boxes and those that do not, specifically: 1) To determine the favourability area of these bat species through habitat suitability models in Iberian Peninsula; 2) To compare the overlapping degree between both bat groups; 3) To elaborate optimal maps for the installation of bat boxes through optimization algorithm; and 4) To discuss the implications for the conservation of this action. Our results showed that the overlapping between bat boxes users and the other species is high (mean 51.8%) and there are areas where a bat boxes not user species could compete with at least 9 bat boxes user species. Therefore, the installation of bat boxes could be counterproductive, and we should focus on other conservation actions. We used an optimization algorithm to find out those areas where it is not recommendable to install them and developed a flowchart to evaluate its installation in an area. In conclusion, our study highlights that conservation actions on some occasions could be negative or be a pitfall for themselves, and it is necessary to discuss the effectiveness of certain measures for bat conservation.
Osteogenic promoting effect of inflammatort cytokines in Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
Authors: Wu Hao , Zhao Qi , Chen Qing , Xie Dong , Wang Longqing , Ye Cheng , Shi Mingliang , Niu Baocheng , Yang Lili
Published: April 2024

Objective
To investigate the effects of IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1, TNF-α, RANTES and IL-10 on osteogenic differentiation of Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL) cells.Methods: Posterior longitudinal ligament was collected during surgical spinal procedures in 5 patients with OPLL. OPLL cells were isolated by enzymatic digestion of the tissue.The primary OPLL cells were cultured and passed, and the post-passage OPLL cells were subjected to osteogenic culture. In the process of osteogenic culture, 10-40ng/ml concentrations of IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1, TNF-α, RANTES, IL-10 and all the above factors were added respectively.Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity levels of cells were detected After 7 days.Results: Compared with the control group (without adding any cytokine), the activity of ALP of OPLL cells was significantly increased regardless of the concentration of IL-1β, TNF-α, MCP-1, RANTES and IL-10, and the promoting effect of adding IL-1β was the most significant. For the same cytokine, in the concentration range of 10-40ng/ml, the osteogenic differentiation ability of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, MCP-1, RANTES and IL-10 groups was positively correlated with the concentration. Compared with the control group, the osteogenic differentiation ability of OPLL was significantly enhanced after the addition of all the above cytokines, and the activity of ALP was much higher than that of the control group and other single-cytokine intervention groups regardless of the concentration; At different concentrations, when the concentration reached 40ng/ml, the group had the most obvious effect on osteogenic differentiation of OPLL cells.Conclusion: Both pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, MCP-1, RANTES) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) can promote osteogenic differentiation of OPLL cells. In the range of 10-40ng/ml, the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines were positively correlated with the osteogenic differentiation ability of OPLL cells. Various inflammatory factors have a synergistic effect in the osteogenic differentiation of OPLL cells.
Increased Imaging Ligand Hydrophilicity and Improved Pharmacokinetic Properties Provides Enhanced In Vivo Targeting of Fibroblast Activation Protein
Authors: Narain Radhika , Nessler Ian , Richardson Paul , Erickson Jamie , Wang Yuzhen , Ferri Jacqueline , Knight Heather , Bryant Shaughn , Phillips Lucy , Zhang Liang , Mitra Soumya
Published: April 2024

In this work, the impact of physicochemical modifications on pharmacokinetics and in vivo targeting of a small molecule fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) imaging ligand in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis was evaluated. While similar ligands have been well-reported in oncology for molecular imaging and radiotherapy, there are limited reports of FAPI derivatives in targeted applications in immunology. As inflammation may increase both specific and non-specific delivery of targeted agents in general, we sought to identify the optimal targeted molecular imaging probe characteristics for efficient cell surface engagement. A series of FAPI derivatives were synthesized and their physicochemical properties modified via conjugation of fluorescent dyes and/or an albumin-binding small molecule. The impact of these modifications on cell surface binding affinity was assessed using an overexpressing line. Additionally, a thorough mechanistic characterization of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) cell surface internalization was evaluated in both overexpressing and endogenously expressing cells. Lastly, the pharmacokinetics and in vivo uptake in inflamed arthritic paws were characterized via near-infrared (NIR) imaging. All targeted molecular imaging agents tested maintained strong nanomolar binding affinity to cell surface FAP independent of chemical modification. The murine fibroblast-like synoviocytes expressed lower absolute cell-surface FAP compared to a transfected line, and the net internalization half-life measured for the transfected cells via flow cytometry was 7.2 h. The unmodified FAPI ligand exhibited the poorest in vivo targeting, likely resulting from its large apparent volume of distribution (62.7 ml) and rapid systemic clearance (t1/2 = 0.5 h). Conjugation of a charged, hydrophilic AF647 fluorophore decreased systemic clearance (t1/2 = 2.1 h) and demonstrated a 2-fold improvement in blocking FAPI-800CW engagement of FAP in vivo when compared to blocking of FAPI-800CW with FAPI with up to 2.8-fold improvements noted for the equivalent albumin binding construct comparison.
ESSEF: A Framework for Modeling Security Requirements in Embedded Systems
Authors: Rodrigues Daniel Albino Mosca , Leite João Paulo Reus Rodrigues
Published: April 2024

Embedded systems are crucial in various computing domains, from consumer electronics to industrial automation, but they also pose significant cybersecurity challenges. This article conducts an analysis of the current state of security requirements engineering for embedded systems and explores cybersecurity solutions tailored for them. Specific security concerns in embedded environments are addressed, leading to the proposal of a framework for modeling and documenting the security architecture of embedded systems. This framework aims to facilitate the integration of security requirements in projects involving firmware and hardware. Factors considered include security requirements fulfillment, hardware resource availability, performance overhead, compatibility, and ease of integration. Through a systematic evaluation, this article aims to provide practical guidance for researchers and practitioners in selecting effective cybersecurity solutions for embedded systems and modeling them comprehensively for improved software quality through documentation.
Cumulative Family Risk and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury among Chinese Adolescents: A Longitudinal Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Xu Yanfeng , Yang Banglin , Guo Chong
Published: April 2024

Background
This study aims to investigate the longitudinal relationship and underlying mechanism of cumulative family risk on Chinese adolescents’ non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI).
Methods
A total of 891 adolescents participated in a follow-up study with a 12-month interval, during which the Cumulative Family Risk Questionnaire, Effortful Control Scale, Zhong-Yong Thinking Style Scale, and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Scale were administered.
Result
The results indicated that: (1) cumulative family risk significantly and positively predicted NSSI in adolescents; (2) effortful control longitudinally mediated the relationship between cumulative family risk and NSSI among adolescents; and (3) the direct effect of cumulative family risk on NSSI in adolescents, as well as the initial phase of the mediating effect of effortful control, were moderated by Zhong-Yong thinking style. Furthermore, both the direct and indirect effects were moderated by Zhong-Yong thinking style, particularly in Chinese adolescents with low levels of Zhong-Yong thinking style, where the effects were weaker.
Conclusion
This study sheds light on the relationship between cumulative family risk, effortful control, and NSSI in Chinese adolescents, highlighting the moderating role of Zhong-Yong thinking style. These findings provide empirical support for the development of preventive strategies aimed at addressing NSSI among Chinese adolescents in the future.