bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Specimens with the effect anisotropy of mass
Authors: Salamatin Serhii
Published: February 2024

A test body is an object that is used to investigate various physical phenomena. It should be measurable and represent the class of objects being studied. Using test bodies, we can conduct various experiments, measure physical quantities, test the predictions of theories and establish new physical laws or clarify already known ones. In this way, test bodies play an important role in the development of the physical sciences and provide a deeper understanding of the basic principles and laws of nature. The obtaining of a new type of test bodies and a method for the measurement of their parameters is the main task of the research carried out. The article describes the technique of obtaining specimens with the anisotropy of mass property and measuring its value. With the application of a new type of test body and measurement method, our research capabilities can be greatly expanded, and they can open up new directions for development. One of the most important tasks should be the theoretical explanation of the discovered anisotropy of mass property of specimens.
A Generalized Model of Growth in the Data Economy
Authors: Xie Danxia , Zhang Longtian
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we develop a generalized model to describe the long-run effects of various data types. In addition to the conventional data types generated from consumption activities, we introduce two new types---producer data and nature data---generated from the production process and nature, respectively. To utilize these data, labor is required to collect and clean them; however, we assume no privacy concerns as in previous studies that solely focus on consumer data. Our investigation delves into the balanced growth path and find that the economy's growth rate is higher than that derived from the model using consumer data alone---a revelation previously unreported in existing studies. Moreover, we extend our analysis to incorporate all data types and present a comprehensive picture of the transformations of different growth regimes. Our framework has novel and crucial implications for understanding the developing trend of the data economy.
JEL Classification: O33, O38, and O41
Innovative Approaches to Torsion Analysis in Functionally Graded Iso/Orthotropic Sections: A Differential Quadrature and pb2-Rayleigh Ritz Exploration
Authors: Sundaramoorthy
Published: February 2024

This study focuses on the determination of torsional rigidity and maximum shear stresses in arbitrarily shaped isotropic and orthotropic composite sections with functional grading of material. A series of numerical examples are solved to validate this approach, with a comprehensive parametric study also conducted. The paper presents the practical application of the DQM and pb-2 Rayleigh-Ritz methods for evaluating shear stress and torsional rigidity in various section shapes, including quadrilaterals and triangles with both straight and curved edges, as well as elliptical, circular, and rounded polygonal shapes. The boundary conditions are specified as Dirichlet. To facilitate the analysis, four-nodded (for sections with straight edges) or eight-nodded (for sections with curved edges) iso-parametric rectangular elements, and three-nodded (for sections with straight edges) or six-nodded (for sections with curved edges) for triangular elements are used to map the irregular physical domain into a square or triangular computational domain, as appropriate. A noteworthy advantage of this approach is that the governing equation for torsion, which relies on the Prandtl stress function approach, reduces to a second-order differential equation (Poisson's equation). The transformation to this second-order equation is efficiently accomplished, resulting in reduced computational effort. Both within the computational domain and along its boundary, the primary unknowns are the values of Prandtl's stress functional (for Poisson's equation) or the warping displacement function (for Laplace's equation). This approach streamlines the analysis, making it a powerful tool for understanding the torsional behaviour of functionally graded isotropic and orthotropic and composite sections with complex shapes.
Comparison of Scrotal Orchiopexy and Traditional Inguinal Orchiopexy for Palpable Undescended and Retractile Testis in Children: A Single Center’s Study in Greece
Authors: Florou Maria , Koletsa Triantafyllia , Raptou Georgia , Syrnioti Antonia , Spyridakis Ioannis , Kaselas Christos
Published: February 2024

PURPOSE: Congenital cryptorchidism and retractile testes are two of the commonest abnormalities of the genitourinary system in boys. Orchidopexy is the final surgical treatment for both clinical conditions. It can be applied either with the traditional two-incision inguinal approach, or with the single-scrotal incision technique. This study aimed to investigate the complications of each orchidopexy procedure in a pediatric surgery department, and then to compare the traditional two-incision with the single incision technique in children diagnosed with cryptorchidism or retractile testes.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients with congenital cryptorchidism or retractile testes who underwent orchidopexy from 2015 to 2019 was conducted. Diagnosis, patients’ details, the applied orchidopexy technique, the short-term complications and the long-term complications were recorded. Patients were separated based on the applied orchidopexy either two-incision inguinal approach or single-incision scrotal orchidopexy, and a descriptive statistical analysis followed.
RESULTS: We identified 362 children who underwent 443 orchidopexies. The 227 of them were inguinal orchidopexies and the 216 were scrotal orchidopexies. Sixteen orchidopexies (3.6%) applied in fourteen patients (3.8%) had complications. The short-term complications were in four cases (0.9%) and included wound dehiscence. The long-term complications regarding the rest twelve cases (2.7%) included: the recurrence of cryptorchidism for 6 testes (1.3%), the testicular atrophy for 3 patients (0.6%), the presentation of hydrocele and inguinal hernia for 2 (0.4%) and 1 (0.2%) patient respectively. For the 13 out of the 16 orchidopexies the preoperative diagnosis was congenital cryptorchidism, p=0.01, and 12 of them were performed with the two-incision inguinal technique, p=0.07.
CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of cryptorchidism associates with the orchidopexy complications. Specifically, the preoperative diagnosis of congenital cryptorchidism is a possible risk factor of complications in comparison with the retractile testis diagnosis. Regarding the surgical technique, the single scrotal orchidopexy is a safe management for the palpable undescended testes, in comparison to the two-incision, inguinal orchidopexy. Concerning the high-lying cases of undescended testes, although the single scrotal technique provides also good results and low complication rate, more prospective studies with selected impalpable UDT cases are needed to compete the existing literature.
Normal-mode splitting, sideband cooling and force sensitivity in a linear and quadratic optomechanical system with phase noise
Authors: He Qing , Bai Yufeng , Badshah Fazal , Li Liping , Qi Haoqiang
Published: February 2024

In a linear and quadratic optomechanical system (OMS) with optical parametric amplifier's phase noise, we consider a study on normal-mode splitting, sideband cooling and force sensitivity. The system encompasses an optical cavity, a mechanical membrane and a degenerate optical parametric amplifier (OPA). When there is OPA's pump phase noise, normal-mode splitting still occurs and displays more complex splitting than the case of no phase noise. Specifically, for increasing quadratic coupling, the left peak shrinks steadily until it vanishes while the right peak increases to a larger value. In addition, the nonlinear gain of OPA and the quadratic coupling parameter play a key role as cooling the mechanical membrane in the existence of certain phase noise. Phase noise needs to be reduced, and the proper parameters (i.e., the nonlinear gain of OPA and the quadratic coupling) are helpful to improve the cooling effect. Furthermore, in the presence of OPA's phase noise, when the value of quadratic coupling is negative, the standard quantum limit is beaten and force sensitivity can be enhanced with the higher negative values of quadratic coupling. In the realm of quantum optomechanics, our proposed scheme has viable applications in enhancing the performance of quantum manipulation and precision measurement.
Preparation and Simulation of AlGaN/CdS/Si Double Heterojunction for Solar Cell Application
Authors: Salih Bashar M. , Ramizy Asmiet , Afzal Naveed
Published: February 2024

This study presents a simple pulsed laser deposition technique (PLD) for the preparation of aluminium gallium nitride (AlGaN) thin film on CdS/Si substrate for solar cell application. A CdS layer was deposited on Si using thermal evaporator system and then AlGaN was grown on CdS/Si using the PLD technique using AlN and GaN targets. The effect of varying the number of laser pulses (300 and 600) and GaN/AlN ratio on structural, optical and morphological properties of the AlGaN thin film was investigated. Structural characterizations by x-ray diffraction revealed (0002) plane of AlGaN along with the diffraction peaks of GaN and AlN. The crystallite size of the AlGaN was decreased by increasing the GaN/AlN ratio. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra revealed that the energy band gap of AlGaN was slightly varied between 3.6 eV and 3.7 eV due to change of the GaN/AlN ratio. Surface roughness of the AlGaN was increased on increasing then laser pulses from 300 to 600 at lower GaN/AlN ratio, while it showed opposite trend in the case in which relatively higher ratio was used. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy showed semi-spherical grains of the films whose size was changed by changing the number of laser pulses and also the GaN/AlN ratio. The results of solar cell efficiency indicated a low efficiency (0.27%) of CdS/Si based solar cell which was significantly improved due to the growth of AlGaN on CdS/Si. solar cells based on AlGaN/CdS/Si prepared under various were found to be 2.50%, 2.83%, 2.23% and 2.81%. The solar cell efficiency obtained from the simulation study (2.68%, 2.50%, 3.29% and 3.25%) was in good agreement with the experimental results.
Soliton Management for ultrashort pulse: dark and anti-dark solitons of Fokas-Lenells equation with a damping like perturbation and a gauge equivalent spin system
Authors: Dutta Riki , Saharia Gautam K. , Talukdar Sagardeep , Nandy Sudipta
Published: February 2024

We investigate the propagation of an ultrashort optical pulse using Fokas-Lenells equation (FLE) under varying dispersion, nonlinear effects and perturbation. Such a system can be said to be under soliton management (SM) scheme. At first, under a gauge transformation, followed by shifting of variables, we transform FLE under SM into a simplified form, which is similar to an equation given by Davydova and Lashkin for plasma waves, we refer to this form as DLFLE. Then, we propose a bilinearization for DLFLE in a non-vanishing background byintroducing an auxiliary function which transforms DLFLE into three bilinear equations. We solve these equations and obtain dark and anti-dark one-soliton solution (1SS) of DLFLE. From here, by reverse transformation of the solution, we obtain the 1SS of FLE and explore the soliton behavior under different SM schemes. Thereafter, we obtain dark and anti-dark two-soliton solution (2SS) of DLFLE and determine the shift in phase of the individual solitons on interaction through asymptotic analysis. We then, obtain the 2SS of FLE and represent the soliton graph for different SM schemes. Thereafter, we present the procedure to determine N-soliton solution (NSS) of DLFLE and FLE. Later, we introduce a Lax pair for DLFLE and through a gauge transformation we convert the spectral problem of our system into that of an equivalent spin system which is termed as Landau-Lifshitz (LL) system. LL equation (LLE) holds the potential to provide information about various nonlinear structures and properties of the system.
Diagnostic performance of adenosine-stress dynamic CT myocardial perfusion imaging in detecting myocardial ischemia in patients with intermediate coronary stenosis
Authors: Li Yiwen , Jia Chongfu , Liu Shuang , Yin Da , Lv Haichen , Zhou Xuchen , Li Xinsheng , Pan Shuang , Wang Hao , Zou Yujie , Sun Xixia , Yang Zhiqiang , Wang Zhaoqian
Published: February 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of CT myocardial perfusion imaging (CT-MPI) in detecting myocardial ischemia in patients with intermediate coronary stenosis (50%–70%) using fractional flow reserve (FFR) as the reference standards.
Methods: Consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosed using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) were prospectively enrolled and scanned with adenosine-stress dynamic CT-MPI and referred to invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and FFR within 10 days. The inclusion criteria were as follows: intermediate coronary artery stenosis confirmed using quantitative ICA, and the FFR was measured to assess its hemodynamic significance.
Results: In 31 patients, intermediate stenosis was confirmed using ICA in 31 vessels, and FFR was measured in these vessels. Based on the FFR results, 24 vessels were assessed as causing ischemia in 24 patients (FFR £ 0.80). On a per-vessel basis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy of absolute myocardial blood flow (MBF) and relative MBF were 79.17%, 85.71%, 54.54%, 95%, and 80.65% and 95.83%, 85.71%, 85.71%, 95.83%, and 93.55%, respectively. With FFR £ 0.8 as a positive event, the area under the curve (AUC) values for the qualitative (visual) assessment, absolute MBF, and relative MBF were found to be 0.601, 0.792, and 0.899, respectively. The relative MBF was higher than the qualitative assessment (P < 0.05). The AUC of the relative MBF value was higher than the absolute MBF value, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.0649). The absolute MBF cutoff value was 116.275 mL·100 mL-1·min-1, and the relative MBF cutoff value was 0.736.
Conclusion: The CT-MPI is feasible in detecting myocardial ischemia in patients with intermediate coronary stenosis.
Optimization Methods for Graph Applications Based on GPGPU Prefetcher
Authors: Wei Xiong , Zhang Haoran
Published: February 2024

As artificial intelligence models continue to grow in size, the demand for computing and storage resources has increased significantly. Optimizing artificial intelligence models on GPUs to fully utilize the available resources is currently a major challenge in the field of High-Performance Computing (HPC). Graph structures in computers are commonly stored in matrix form, and to conserve computer storage resources, Compressed Sparse Row (CSR) or Compressed Sparse Column (CSC) matrix compression is often employed. Previous GPGPU Prefetcher studies have primarily focused on thread-aware prefetching. However, due to the complexity of graph structures, it is challenging to determine the storage location of the next traversed node during traversal. Therefore, thread-aware prefetching methods are not suitable for graph structures. In this work, we address the application of graph structures in GPGPU architecture and design two new Prefetchers (C-Prefetcher and X-Prefetcher) based on CSR and CSC. When the SIMT Core loads Cache Line from Global memory to L2 Cache, C-Prefetcher fetches the next accessed data to L2 Cache based on CSC or CSR. Building upon C-Prefetcher, This work further propose X-Prefetcher. Through experimental comparisons in this paper involving multiple graph applications, the results indicate that the LLC (Last Level Cache) Miss rates during graph traversal are respectively reduced by 4.5% and 11% compared to the Baseline architecture, where no Prefetcher is employed, for C-Prefetcher and X-Prefetcher architectures. Additionally, the IPC (Instructions Per Cycle) is increased by 3.2% and 6.8% for C-Prefetcher and X-Prefetcher architectures, respectively, compared to the Baseline architecture during graph traversal.
Biochemical characterization and biocatalyticapplication of a novel L- isoleucine-4-dioxygenase (RaIDO) from Rahnella aquatilis
Authors: 单 瑞达 , Yang Xiaohui , Wang Yishu , Li Xia , Li Piwu , Sun Dengyue
Published: February 2024

The L-isoleucine-4-dioxygenase can convert isoleucine into (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxyisoleucine (4-HIL), a naturally occurring hydroxy amino acid which is a promising compound for drug and functional food development because of its management of diabetes mellitus and reducing of total cholesterol levels in the body. Here, a novel L-isoleucine-4-dioxygenase (RaIDO) from Rahnella aquatilis was cloned, expressed and characterized, as one of only a few reported L-isoleucine-4-dioxygenase. Compared to functionally and structurally characterized BtIDO, recombinant RaIDO showed a higher catalytic efficeinecy (kcat/Km, against L-isoleucine) and stability. Homologous sequences analysis showed that shares a below 30% similarity with reported BtIDO. Notably, the RaIDO revealing a temperature tolerance range with the highest catalytic activity observed at 40℃, and an optimal reaction temperature range of 30℃-45℃. Additionally, the enzyme exhibited an optimal pH of 8.0. In a word, a new L-isoleucine-4-dioxygenase (RaIDO)has been discovered with higher catalytic efficiency and stability, making it a strong candidate for mass production within the industry.
Studying the role of elevated eosinophils in warning of an acute attack of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Joubeh Mohammed
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disorder, with patients varying in response to treatment. Blood eosinophils are a potential biomarker to stratify subgroups of patients for treatment of COPD. In general, clinical data suggest that in patients with a history of COPD exacerbations, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a higher blood eosinophil count predicts an increased risk of future exacerbations and is associated with improved response to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (in combination with long-acting bronchodilators).
Methods and materials: A descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study to determine the role of elevated eosinophils in warning of an acute attack of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among those who visited the chest clinic or were admitted to the chest diseases department at Al-Mujtahid Hospital in the period between 9/1/2023 and 1/1/2024. The study included 76 patients. They meet the exclusion and inclusion criteria.
Results: The sample included 75% males and 25% females, and the most prevalent age group was over 60 years, with a percentage of 76.3%. Death occurred in the hospital in (18%) of the patients. Our study showed that high eosinophils play an important role in predicting the deaths of patients in the hospital, as they increased an eosinophil value higher than 300 increases the probability of death in hospital with a risk ratio of 4.11, and patients with eosinophil levels higher than 1500 are at high risk of death. An increase in peripheral blood eosinophils is associated with a longer length of stay in the hospital, and high eosinophils are not related to the need for intensive care or a ventilator. Mechanism: High eosinophils in the peripheral blood play a major role in predicting seizure remission and diagnosing acute exacerbations.
Conclusion: Blood acids must be monitored when acute attacks occur because they have an important role in diagnosing an acute attack and also have a role in predicting the decline of the attack, predicting mortality, and the length of stay in the hospital.
Variability and High Temperature Reliability of
Graphene Field-Effect Transistors with Thin
Epitaxial CaF2 Insulators
Authors: Illarionov Yury , Knobloch Theresia , Uzlu Burkay , Banshchikov Alexander , Ivanov Illiya , Sverdlov Viktor , Vexler Mikhail , Waltl Michael , Wang Zhenxing , Manna Bibhas , Neumaier Daniel , Lemme Max C. , Sokolov Nikolai , Grasser Tibor , Otto Martin , Stoll Stefanie Linda
Published: February 2024

Graphene is a promising material for applications as a channel in graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) which may be used to produce optoelectronics, high-frequency devices and sensors. However, these devices require gate insulators which ideally should form atomically flat interfaces with graphene and at the same time contain small densities of traps to maintain high device stability. Previously used amorphous oxides, such as SiO2 and Al2O3, however, typically suffer from oxide dangling bonds at the interface and numerous border oxide traps. In order to address these challenges, here we use for the first time 2 nm thick epitaxial CaF2 as a gate insulator in GFETs. By analyzing device-to-device variability for about 200 devices fabricated in two batches, we find that tens of them show similar gate transfer characteristics. Our statistical analysis of the hysteresis up to 175C has revealed that while an ambient-sensitive counterclockwise hysteresis can be present in some devices, the dominant mechanism is thermally activated charge trapping by border defects in CaF2 which results in the conventional clockwise hysteresis. We demonstrate that both the hysteresis and bias-temperature instabilities in our GFETs with CaF2 are comparable to similar devices with SiO2 and Al2O3. In particular, we achieve a small hysteresis below 0.01 V for equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) of about 1 nm at the electric fields up to 15 MV/cm and sweep times in the kilosecond range. Thus, our results demonstrate that crystalline CaF2 is a promising insulator for highly-stable GFETs.
Implication of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus coexistence on malaria elimination efforts in a peri-urban setting in Ndola district, Zambia
Authors: Hamwata Westone P. , Muleba Mbanga , Hazyondo Mwendalubi , Daka Victor , Shimaponda-Mataa Nzooma M.
Published: February 2024

Background
Malaria remains a public health issue in Zambia and insecticide-based vector control is the main malaria elimination strategy. Success of vector control is dependent on a clear understanding of bionomics and susceptibility of the local vectors to insecticides used. Therefore, this study was conducted to generate baseline data on vector behaviour and phenotypic resistance for effective vector control programming.
Methods
Data collection was conducted in Ndola district from July 2021 to October 2021 from four sites; two peri-urban and two rural sites using Centre for Disease Control – light traps (CDC – LT), Pyrethrum Spray Catches (PSC) and Larval Collection. Mosquito identification was done using standard identification keys and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Williams’s mean was used to determine mosquito densities and Kruskall Wallis H test was used to compare the distribution of mosquitoes. A negative binomial with a log link function was used to determine factors affecting mosquito counts. Susceptibility of the local vectors was determined using WHO tube and CDC bottle bioassay.
Results
The main breeding sites identified were irrigation trenches (4.67 larvae/dip) and garden ponds (2.72 larvae/dip) created from extensive urban agriculture practices. Anopheles funestus and Anopheles gambiae were found to coexist in all the four sites with An. funestus identified as the most dominant malaria vector. Densities of An. gambiae s.s were found to be higher in urban than rural sites compared to An. funestus s.s which had similar distribution across the four study sites. Sprayed houses were significantly associated with reduced mosquito numbers (B = -0.956, IRR = 0.384, P ˂ 0.05). An. gambiae s.s was fully susceptible to organophosphates and neonicotinoids but highly resistant to pyrethroids, carbamates and organochlorines.
Conclusions
The emergence of An. funestus s.s in an area previously dominated by An. gambiae s.s and its coexistence with An. gambiae s.s in the dry season pose a risk of sustaining malaria transmission all year round. Agriculture practices in peri-urban areas resulted in highly productive mosquito breeding sites, thus the need for targeted vector control. Lastly, the two main vectors in Ndola vary in bionomics and control measures must be tailored to these findings.
Factors Influencing the Acceptability of the Test, Treat and Refer Practice for Malaria among Caregivers of Under 5 Children at Community Pharmacies and Drug Shops in Nigeria
Authors: Akomolafe Toyin O. , Baruwa Sikiru , Okafor Emeka Emmanuel , Daniel-Ebune Ene , Ajibade Theophilus , Ubuane Osimhen , Morakinyo Oluwatobi , Diallo Rodio
Published: February 2024

Background
The burden of malaria affects children under the age of five and pregnant women, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. In sub-Saharan Africa, Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) have been identified as key players in the provision of malaria treatment due to their accessibility and availability in communities, but PPMVs are not usually tested before fever cases are treated as malaria or refer clients. The aim of this study was to explore the factors influencing caregivers’ acceptance of the test, treatment and referral practices for malaria management provided by CPs and PPMVs in Kaduna and Lagos states, Nigeria.
Methods
A cross-sectional quantitative telephone survey was conducted among 150 caregivers of children under five years old who received malaria services from trained CPs and PPMVs between May and July 2022. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed to identify factors significantly associated with the acceptability of malaria management services. All statistically significant factors from the bivariate analysis were explored using logistic regression models, and odds ratios (ORs) with confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to predict acceptability. The 95% level was used to define statistically significant associations (p ≤ 0.05).
Results
All caregivers were asked questions that aided in obtaining a diagnosis of malaria. More than two-thirds of the caregivers (68%) reported that the child was tested by a CP/PPMV. Among those treated (148), 89% reported that the child was administered artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) irrespective of whether the child tested positive or negative for malaria. At the bivariate level, acceptability was greater among caregivers of children aged 13 months and older than among caregivers of children aged 0–12 months (93% vs. 76%, p = 0.004). Caregivers of children prescribed ACT had greater acceptance than did those not prescribed ACT (92% vs. 69%, p = 0.010). Multivariate analysis revealed that these relationships held.
Conclusions
The adoption of the test, treat, and refer practice as a standard approach by CPs and PPMVs could replace the widespread practice of prescribing medications without conducting tests. This shift has the potential to improve the quality of malaria management services and enhance patient outcomes.
Percutaneous Sperm Retrieval Technique: a reliable and effective sperm retrieval procedure for intracytoplasmic sperm injection in patients with obstructive azoospermia
Authors: Furtado Thiago Pardini , Zeh Andrea Kauffmann , Furtado Marcelo Horta
Published: February 2024

Purpose
To study the reliability and effectiveness of repeated percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) procedures regarding sperm yields and reproductive outcomes following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Also, to review and critically analyze the literature to evaluate whether repeated PESA procedures can reliably be used for assisted reproduction.
Materials and Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the records of 123 consecutive patients with obstructive azoospermia who underwent percutaneous sperm retrieval and ICSI using PESA with or without a rescue Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA). We compared patients who had the first sperm retrieval ever and patients who had more than one sperm retrieval performed. In addition, the rate of adequate sperm retrieved for ICSI and reproductive outcomes between the groups and literature were compared. The primary outcome was the rate of adequate sperm retrieved for ICSI, whereas the secondary outcomes were reproductive outcomes.
Results
The cumulative sperm retrieval rate was 100%, whether it was the first or repeated retrieval attempt. The reproductive outcomes (fertilization rate, cleavage rate, biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates) were similar in both patients who had the first sperm retrieval ever and patients who had more than one sperm retrieval performed with a clinical pregnancy rate of 33.3% vs. 51.7% (p = 0.085), respectively.
Conclusion
PESA associated with or without rescue TESA is a reliable and effective strategy either for retrieving sperm for ICSI, demystifying the concerns about the reliability of repeated PESA, or for reproductive results. This information is reassuring, especially but not exclusively to places with limited resources.
The Effectiveness of Ketamine on Non-invasive Ventilation Compliance in Acute Respiratory Failure
Authors: Nuhoğlu Çağatay , Solakoğlu Görkem Alper , Arslan Ferhat , Gülsoy Ömer Faruk , Döker Kamil Oğuzhan
Published: February 2024

Background In patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute respiratory failure, non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) is applied when conventional oxygen support is not sufficient. Patients who are agitated often have very low NIMV compliance and a transition to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) is often required. To avoid IMV, a suitable sedative agent can be utilized. The aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between ketamine administration to patients who are non-compliant with NIMV due to agitation and the outcome of their intubation.Methods This retrospective study included patients with acute respiratory failure who were admitted to the ED from 2021 to 2022 and used Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) for identify agitation level of patients. The relationship between ketamine administration in this patient group and NIMV compliance and intubation outcome was evaluated.Results A total of 81 patients, including 35 (43.2%) men and 46 (56.8%) women, were included in the study. Of these patients, 46 (56.8%) were intubated despite ketamine administration, while 35 (43.2%) were compliant with NIMV and were not intubated. When evaluating the RASS, which shows the agitation levels of the patients, the non-intubated group was found to be 2.17 ± 0.68, while the intubated group was 2.66 ± 0.73, and it was statistically significant that the NIMV intubated group was higher (p = 0.003).Conclusion This study showed that agitation can impair NIMV compliance in patients with acute respiratory failure. However, a significant proportion of this patient group can be avoided through IMV with proper sedative agents.
Recent Trends in Agriculturally Relevant Climate in Central America
Authors: Nakamura Jennifer , Seager Richard , Liu Haibo , Cottier Fabien , Puma Michael J. , Wrathall David J. , Katz Brian , de Sherbinin Alex , Adamo Susana B.
Published: February 2024

This study examines the climatology and trends in climate in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador over the past four decades, against the background of potential impacts on rainfed agriculture, livelihoods, and migration. The results show that there has been a significant warming of surface temperatures, an earlier start to the monsoon, a drier and longer mid-summer drought, and a delay in the second peak of precipitation from September to October. These changes have led to an increase in vapor pressure deficit (VPD) in northern Guatemala and along the Pacific coast in winter. High VPD can stress plants and lead to reduced yields. The study also finds that the thresholds that cause a decline in coffee yield have already been reached in El Salvador, but the average VPD has also risen in Guatemala and Honduras over the past 42 years. Maize yields have also been negatively affected with an inverse relationship with daily maximum temperatures during the summer flowering season. Observed changes and trends in these climate factors are believed to have direct implications for crop yields and livelihoods, potentially driving shifts in migration patterns.
Tail-dependence of masting synchrony results in continent-wide seed scarcity
Authors: Szymkowiak Jakub , Foest Jessie , Hacket-Pain Andrew , Journé Valentin , Ascoli Davide , Bogdziewicz Michal
Published: February 2024

Spatial synchrony is the tendency of spatially separated populations to display similar temporal fluctuations. Spatial synchrony may be tail-dependent, meaning it is stronger for peaks rather than troughs, or vice versa. High interannual variation in seed production in perennial plants, called masting, can be synchronized at subcontinental scales. Resulting resource pulses and periods of seed scarcity have important but distinct ecosystem consequences that are amplified by their scale of synchrony. In this study, we used data from 99 populations of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) sampled across the species range to examine whether masting synchrony differs between mast peaks and years of seed scarcity. The association between masting and the weather cue driving regional synchrony was stronger in the upper tails (corresponding to large values of the driver), translating into synchrony of mast peaks reaching 1000 km. However, the synchrony of seed scarcity was even higher, exceeding 1800 km. Consistently low seed production across a large range of low cue values homogenizes seed production across extensive spatial scales. Extensive synchrony in the masting lower tail means that famines caused by beech seed scarcity are amplified by their extensive spatial synchrony, with diverse consequences for food web functioning and climate change biology.
Depositional structures, Tectonic and Stratigraphic units and their effect on the Reservoir Rock units of South Lake Albert basin, Albertine rift, Uganda.
Authors: Tumushabe Wilson Mbile , Nagudi Betty , Echegu Simon , Aanyu Kevin , Helland-Hansen Willian
Published: February 2024

The study focused on interpretation of three-dimension (3D) seismic and suites of wireline log datasets, to construct and interpret models and facies analysis to assess the depositional structures, tectonic and stratigraphic unit’ settings. Challenges and uncertainties of low to moderate reservoir quality parameters attributed to limited understanding of depositional structures, tectonic and stratigraphic units had been identified in previous studies within the study area. From the study undertaken, the study area is structurally complex with compartments and flower structures. The stratigraphic interpretation, realized that sediments were highly intercalated (clay, silt, fine and coarse sands) majorly attributed to the short changes in climatic (wet and dry) conditions. It was further deduced that compartmentalization and intercalations of sediments had a very high effect on the reservoir rock properties which might affect the recovery of the available fluids.
Implementation of Weight Adjusting GNN With Differentiable Pooling for User Preference-aware Fake News Detection
Authors: Maurya Jay Prakash , Richhariya Vivek , Gour Bhupesh , Kumar Vinesh
Published: February 2024

In the last few years, false news has hurt people and society, drawing attention to classify and identify news as fake or True. Major fake news detection algorithms either largely trust textual information via learning the internal knowledge of the extracted news material or writing style, or they focus on mining news content. To differentiate between fake and real news, the proposed experiment processes news information as a graph neural network with an attention-based differentiable pooling model. This sets the way for the user preference-aware fake detection (UPFD) in a graph-based structure. The attention-based differentiable pooling approach allows GNNs to adaptively extract information from the network by focusing on the most relevant nodes for a given task. One significant improvement is in the way the input data is formatted for the learning schema; in paired scenarios, tweet vectors are essential. Each pair includes a potential fake vector and a true vector; the latter's classification accuracy depends on how similar or different it is from the former. In particular, when it comes to historical events, the novel way that knowledge sets are handled in graph form and arranged in pairs of related terms provides a unique method for determining the veracity of news. To improve validation accuracy and learning, the proposed GNN-DP model also presents a comparison between the standard layer and the embedding layer. Moreover, comprehensive analyses and direct comparisons of the graph convolutional network (GCN) model's performance have been achieved by experimental evaluations.
Fertility Desire and Associated Factors among People Living with HIV/AIDs Attending Anti-Retroviral Therapy Clinic in Wachemo University Negist Eleni Mohammed Memorial Teaching Hospital, southern Ethiopia.
Authors: Kidane Bitania Degu , Mekonnen Hussen , Mekango Dejene Ermias , Moges Sisay , Ejajo Tekle
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Reproductive decisions of people living with HIV/AIDS and their partners have long-term implications for their families, culture, and the world. Understanding fertility desire is essential for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. This study aimed to assess fertility desire and associated factors among HIV/AIDS patients attending an Anti-Retroviral Therapy Clinic at Wachemo University Negist Eleni Mohammed Memorial Hospital in southern Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the hospital's ART clinic from November 2021 to July 2022. A sample of 422 clinic patients was systematically selected. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed and odds ratios with 95% CIs were estimated.
Results: The prevalence of fertility desire among PLWHA was 56%. Being aged 17-29 years (AOR=5.68, 95%CI: 1.64, 19.63) or 30-39 years (AOR=5.32, 95%CI: 1.96, 14.46), married (AOR=4.29, 95% CI: 1.32, 13.92), more educated (AOR=7.90; 95%CI: 3.47, 17.96), nulliparous (AOR=4.26, 95% CI: 1.48, 8.27), and experiencing parental pressure to have children (AOR=3.89, 95% CI: 2.07, 7.31) were predictors of fertility desire.
Conclusion: PLWHAs have a high percentage of fertility desire. Fertility desire was predicted by age, marital status, educational status, previous childlessness, and paternal pressure. The government should strive to provide quality maternal therapy and prevent vertical transmission.
Cannabis Triploids Exhibit Reduced Fertility and Similar Growth and Flower Production Compared to Diploids
Authors: Kurtz Lauren E. , Brand Mark H. , Lubell-Brand Jessica D.
Published: February 2024

Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) grown for flowers containing cannabinoids requires all female plants, which are susceptible to seed set from exposure to pollen. Created triploids demonstrated reduced seed production compared with diploids in field and greenhouse studies in which plants were challenged with pollen from males. In the field, seed production as a percent of floral biomass ranged from 6.7% to 18.0% for triploids and from 52.6% to 57.1% for diploids. The photoperiod-insensitive triploid genotype ‘Purple Star’ × ‘Wilhelmina’ had 98.5% fewer filled (containing a developed embryo) seeds than the photoperiod-insensitive diploid genotype ‘Tsunami’ × ‘Wilhelmina’. In the greenhouse, triploid ‘Wife’ had 99.5% fewer filled seeds than diploid ‘Wife’. Plant growth and flower production were similar with eight triploid and seven diploid genotypes evaluated over three greenhouse studies. There were a few superior triploid and diploid genotypes; however, their performance was more likely attributable to the parental cultivar combination than ploidy level. The optimal cross direction for producing triploid seed in large quantities is tetraploid × diploid because the diploid × tetraploid cross exhibits triploid block caused by endosperm paternal excess. Colchicine-induced tetraploid parent plants should be tested over a prolonged period to eliminate cryptic chimeral mixoploids or tetraploid plants should be derived from seed produced by crossing two colchicine-induced putative tetraploid plants to ensure that seeds from tetraploid × diploid crosses will be triploid. The latter approach is necessary for photoperiod-insensitive cultivars because a prolonged period of ploidy testing is not possible for these plants. These findings indicate that triploid plants have significantly reduced fertility and are a suitable alternative to diploids in situations in which pollen exposure is possible.
CHILDHOOD TUBERCULOSIS: STUDY OF CLINICAL PROFILE OF TUBERCULOSIS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AND CORRELATION OF CB-NAAT RESULT IN CLINICALLY SUSPECTED TUBERCULOSIS
Authors:   Senior Resident, Department of Pediatrics, GMERS Valsad., A. Patel Krunal , Patel Kinjal ,   Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, GMERS Valsad., Gandhi Pooja ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Smt. Shardaben Hospital, Ahmedabad., Rathwa Bhavini ,   Resident Doctor, Department of Pediatrics, Smt. Shardaben Hospital, Ahmedabad., M. Nakum Dipak ,   2nd Year Resident Doctor, Department of Pediatrics, Smt. Shardaben Hospital, Ahmedabad.
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by predominantly Mycobacterium tubercle bacilli. Pediatric tuberculosis is among the top 10 causes of death in children. India accounts for one fourth of the global tuberculosis burden, standing one among the thirty high TB burden countries. Hence, children in India are at increased risk of acquiring TB infection and developing TB disease and death following infection. Latent TB infection in children may be reactivated in later life and become active adulthood tuberculosis and thereby a potent TB reservoir in the community. Aim: To study clinical profile of tuberculosis in pediatric patients and correlation of CB-NAAT result in clinically suspected tuberculosisat tertiary care center. Method: Prospective Observational study from1 August 2020 to 31 August 2022. Result: Out of 52 patients cough was presenting symptom of 19(36.53%), fever was present in 25(48.07%), loss of weight >5% in last 3 month was present in 12(23.07%),fever(83.8 %) was most dominant symptom. Out of 52 patients, tachypnoea was presenting sign in 5(9.6%), ascites was present in 5(9.6%) and lymphadenopathy for more than 2 weeks were present in 25(48.07%). Out of 52 patients Anaemia was present in 42(80.76%), High ESR was present in 22(42.30%) and Mantoux test was positive in 16(30.76%). Conclusion: Reliable diagnosis of tuberculosiscan be done by clinical parameters like presence of tachypnea, fever and lymphadenopathy. CB NAAT in correlation to clinical parameters is very useful for diagnosis of tubercular cases.
A STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE REGARDING PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS AMONG WORKING WOMEN IN SELECTED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, BENGALURU, WITH A VIEW TO CRAFT AN INFORMATION BOOKLET
Authors:   Guide & Assistant Professor, Dept. of OBG., a Nagammal , Nanjappan Devi ,   Principal, Smt. Nagarathnamma College of Nursing., Modak Joyita ,   Final Year B.Sc. Nursingstudent., Abdullah Fatma ,   Final Year B.Sc. Nursingstudent., Jangid Harish ,   Final Year B.Sc. Nursingstudent., Roy Himanshu ,   Final Year B.Sc. Nursingstudent., Alam Faruk ,   Final Year B.Sc. Nursingstudent., Hussain Farid ,   Final Year B.Sc. Nursingstudent.
Published: February 2024

Objectives: 1. Toassessthelevelofknowledgeregardingpreventionandmanagementofosteoporosisamongworkingwomen. 2. Todeterminetheassociationbetweenknowledgealongwiththedemographicvariables . Methods: Descriptive approach was used for this study to assess theknowledge regarding prevention and management of osteoporosisamongworkingwomentocollectdatafrom30subjectsselectedbysimple random technique through non probability samplingapproachused whichconsistsof2sections. Results: Themajorityoftherespondentshadmoderateknowledgeregardingosteoporosis. Conclusion: Thestudywasconcludedtoassesstheknowledgeregardingpreventionand management of osteoporosis among working women in selectededucational institutions, Bengaluru, with a view to develop aninformation booklet. In this descriptive study was used taking 30sample through simple random technique from two selectedinstitutions Sri Krishna Institute of Technology and Acharya Institute ofTechnology. The data was analysed and interpreted by applyingdescriptivestatistical method. Overallmeanpercentageofknowledgescoreis? Methods: Research methodology involves the systemic procedure by theresearcherwhichstartsfromtheinitialidentificationofproblemtoitsfinal conclusion. It helps the researcher to project a print of theresearchundertaken. Researchapproach:Theselectionofresearchapproachisthebasicprocedurefortheconductofresearch inquiry. A descriptive approach was considered to be the most appropriate andadopted for the presence in order to assess the knowledge of regardingpreventionandmanagementofosteoporosisamongworkingwomeninselected educational institutions, Bengaluru with a view to craft aninformationbooklet. Researchdesign: Theresearchdesignreferstotheresearchersoverallplanforobtaininganswer to the research questions it spell out strategies that theresearcher adopted to develop information that is accurate, objectiveand interpretable. Descriptive research design was to achieve theobjectiveofthestudy.
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE OF SALMONELLA SPECIES ISOLATED FROM DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS IN SAUDI ARABIA AT MAKKAH REGION
Authors:   Researcher at Umm Al- Qura University., Hussein Awaji Abdulelah , S. Dablool Anas ,   Public Health Department, Health Sciences College at Al-Leith, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Published: February 2024

Salmonellais the most widespread type of bacteria, which causes many diseases around the world, as it spreads in developed and developing countries alike, and its resistance to antibiotics, which has recently increased, has caused panic and concern about global public health, as its spread in various countries of the world is almost at the same rate.The lack of control and quality of food and beverages, which leads to their contamination to a large extent, is one of the biggest reasons for the spread of Salmonella in different environments, in addition to infection with humans. So,Comparing ofSalmonella isolates from different environments with those isolated from humans, whether blood or feces, through their resistance to antibiotics was our target.In this study, 58 samples were isolated from different environments, which were divided into 18 samples of human feces - 2 samples of human blood, 24 samples of different types of vegetables. In addition to 2 samples from each of the sewage water and 2 of well water, and 10 samples were isolated from chicken internal organs.The isolates were identified by BPW, SSA and XLD media, as well as using of BECKMA COULTERcompact system for biomedical identification and test the antibiotics resistance of isolates.The results came out positive, 20 samples matching the phenomena, the morphology on the dishes of the different culture media, in addition to the physiological results of BECKMA COULTER. The sensitivity of the isolates to antibiotics was somewhat different from previous studies, where all the isolates were resistant to Ampicillin, and all of them were sensitive to many types of antibiotics such as Cefepime - Levofloxacine - Amoxcillin / clav and other antibiotics. Salmonella is found in different environments and spreads widely, which increases scientific health concern, as it increases its resistance to antibiotics known for their strength.