bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends and outcomes of Alcoholic Intoxication in Trauma Patients
Authors: Yeganeh Zhobin , Cuervo Catherine , Rahimi Murwarid , Kopatsis Anthony P , Kopatsis Anthony
Published: June 2022

Background:We sought to investigate the rate and trends of alcohol intoxication in different ages and sexes during last decade.Methods:Multivariate analysis was used to compare alcohol intoxication in different sexes and age groups and to investigate the trends present during the 2007-2019 period using TQP database.Results:We found 1,000,578 intoxicated trauma patients admitted to level I-III trauma centers during 2007-2019 within TQP database. Overall, 21.7% of intoxicated patients were women. The rate of intoxicated women increased significantly from 20.6% in 2007 to 33% in 2019. Intoxicated women have a significantly higher rate of self-inflicted trauma compared to intoxicated men (10.4% vs. 2.4%, P<0.01). Overall, 29.7% of intoxicated trauma patients had chronic alcohol abuse and the rate increased by age. Chronic alcohol abuse was higher in men (30.1% vs. 28.2%, OR: 1.09, CI:1.08-1.10, P<0.01) and elderly patients (age≥65) (39.8% vs. 28.9%, OR:1.62, CI: 1.60-1.65, P<0.01). Overall mortality for intoxicated trauma patients was 2.8%. Mortality of intoxicated men was higher than women (2.9% vs. 2.2%, OR: 1.32, CI: 1.28-1.37, P<0.01). Elderly intoxicated patients (age≥65) had a significantly higher mortality (4.9% vs. 2.6%, OR: 1.91, CI: 1.84-1.98, P<0.01). Also, elderly men had twice the mortality risk compared to elderly women (5.7% vs. 3%, OR: 1.96, CI: 1.80-2.14).Conclusion:There is a gradual increase in the rate of alcoholic intoxication in women with trauma during 2007-2019. Intoxicated women have a significantly higher rate of self-inflicted trauma compared to intoxicated men. Elderly patients with alcoholic intoxication, especially men, have a higher mortality. Further studies are needed to investigate preventive strategies for the increasing rate of alcoholic intoxication in women.
Analysis of albedo as well as disc effects at the Jacobi constant and their stability of equilibrium points in the generalized restricted four-body problem
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Kushvah Badam Singh
Published: June 2022

The valuable facets of the dynamics are its stability and the components that disturb stability behavior. Our purpose in this research work is to examine the fundamental analysis of equilibrium points and their linear stability under the solar radiation pressure, albedo force effects, and radiatingoblateness in the generalized restricted four-body problem. The significant elements of this problem are mass parameter µ and other disturbing parameters to the unique influential potential function and its required derivatives to the primaries. An important relation in albedo parameters and their possible range is derived. The analysis of the albedo and disc effect is observed on the Jacobi’s constant and the positions of the existing equilibrium points and their stability regions are discussed. The inhibited zone of motion by the infinitesimal body is shown for different planetary systems. The particular as well as the joint effect of solar radiation pressure at first, albedo at second, and radiating-oblateness at both primaries of the mass, a disc is observed. The scatter diagram of locations of the mass as well as equilibrium points plotted for planetary systems. The behavior of monotonicity of the existing equilibrium points is analyzed for the presence as well as the absence of perturbations of taken planetary systems. Due to such prevalence, the considered perturbing forces give a significant perturbation in the RFBP. This current study can be extended later to the design of orbits for the different planetary systems.
Expressive Speech Synthesis by Modeling Prosody with Variational Autoencoders for Bangla Text-to-Speech
Authors: Ahmad Arif , Selim Mohammad Reza , Iqbal Muhammed Zafar , Rahman Mohammad Shahidur
Published: June 2022

With the advent of deep learning, Text-to-Speech (TTS) research has made a great leap in producing natural speech. The state-of-the-art TTS systems generate average prosody, resulting in a lack of variety and expressiveness found in human speech. To avoid synthesizing monotonous speech and averaged prosody, it is desirable to have a way of modeling the variation in the speech prosody. To generate highly expressive speech, we explore two approaches of synthesizing speech in this work. The first one is a feed-forward transformer model conditioned on the fundamental frequency. The other model uses a variational autoencoder augmented with normalizing flows and an adversarial training process. We have trained three internal Bangla (also known as Bengali) datasets containing varying amounts of expressive speeches. We provide a comparative study regarding the effect of the proportion of expressive voices in the training data. Both the subjective and objective evaluations confirm that the proposed models outperform the autoregressive Tacotron2 baseline.
ADAM10 gene polymorphism and its relationship to hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian HCV patients receiving direct-acting antiviral therapies (DAAs)
Authors: fert Ashraf El , EL-Sabaawy Dalia , Ghanem Samar , elgedawy gamalat , Yehia sania , bedair hanan , razek Wael Abdel , awad samah , emam mostafa
Published: June 2022

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multifactorial disease needs widened genetic studies. Taking in consideration the probable role of new direct-acting antiviral therapies (DAAs) of Hepatitis C infection (HCV) as predisposing factor of HCC as it provides longer lifetime for many late cirrhotic patients to develop hepatocellular carcinoma. Considering the reported potential biological roles of ADAM 10 in inflammation and carcinogenesis. These intrigued the idea of the study to investigate the ADAM 10 rs.653765 SNP genetic polymorphism in the HCC occurrence (de novo and post DAAs).Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 360 participants divided to 4 groups. Group 1: 90 chronic adult patients infected with HCV received couple of DAAs regimens and evolved HCC during the period of follow up(36 months) . Group 2: Another 90 HCV patients received the same DAAs regimens and did not show HCC spread or manifestations during the same follow up period. Group 3 included 90 de novo HCC patients (did not receive any DAAs). Finally, a 90 apparently healthy participants as group4. ADAM 10 genotyping. clinical and laboratory data were evaluated in Laboratories of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics Department National Liver Institute, Menoufia University.Results: the study showed a statistically significant difference between HCC denovo and HCC deterioration on top of DAAs treatment study group regarding child Pugh scoring system, BCLC and HKLC staging scorings, p- value(<0.05) and that (90%) of HCC denovo group were in child score( A 5,6) and (40%) of them were in HKLC (IIIa )stage in addition (56.7%) were in (B) BCLC stage. Also, a statistically highly significant difference between HCC on top of treatment group and HCV study group regarding DAAs drug regimen received (p value=0.000) was found where (85.6%) of HCC on top of treatment received (SOF/DAC/RBV) drug regimen for treatment of HCV and regarding SVR in the 2 groups where (33.3%) of HCC on top of treatment group undergone relapse (p value=0.000).The study showed a statistically highly significant difference between CC versus CT+TT genotypes of HCC study groups regarding their child ,BLC and HKLC staging system. No difference in survival distribution between HCC de novo and on top of DAAs.Conclusion: No differences in the registered death rate recorded between the followed studied groups denovoHCC and HCC post DAAs treatment with more aggressiveness and advanced staging of HCC post DAAs. Also, showed increased risk of HCC incidence among HCV patients receiving(SOF/DAC/RBV) drug regimen and appreciates ADAM 10 genotyping
Changes in social mixing and attitudes and practices to precautionary measures in a maturing COVID-19 epidemic in six communities in Sudan: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Ahmed Salma A.E. , Koura Rahaf Abu , Ahmed Abd Elhameed , Abdalla Omama , Hassan Omnia Kamal , Tom Ahmed , Eldirdiri Ahmed , Ismaeil Drieg , Zainalabdeen Israa , Nurelhuda Nazik , Ahmed Aljaile , Abdan Afrah , Dahab Maysoon , Abdelmagid Nada
Published: June 2022

IntroductionWith low COVID-19 vaccination coverage, non-pharmaceutical interventions remain critical to mitigating the COVID-19 epidemic in Sudan. We explore changes in social contact patterns, risk perception, attitudes, and practices towards protective measures during an evolving COVID-19 outbreak in six illustrative communities in Sudan.Methods This qualitative study took place in six communities in five Sudanese states using focus group discussions with community members and non-participant structured observations in public spaces. A total of 117 participants joined 24 group discussions. We used a two-stage thematic analysis. ResultsThe perceived importance of precautionary measures was higher than reported and observed adherence. Adherence was consistently low throughout the epidemic and was mainly driven by enforced movement restrictions. As restrictions were lifted, social contacts outside the household resumed pre-COVID-19 levels, and risk perception and individual and institutional adherence to protective measures diminished. We identified an environment that is socially and economically unsupportive of preventive practices, compounded by widespread rumours, misinformation and mistrust in the government-led response. However, we identified new social habits that can contribute to reducing COVID-19 transmission.ConclusionThe unfavourable social and economic environment, coupled with the low visibility of the epidemic and epidemic response, has likely modulated the influence of higher risk perception on adopting precautionary behaviours by individuals. Governments and non-governmental actors should increase the visibility of the epidemic and epidemic response, enforce and incentivise infection control measures in public areas, promote emerging preventive social habits, and actively track and address rumours and misinformation related to COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines.
Assessing garden pea germplasm for powdery mildew resistance through disease phenotyping and genotyping using molecular markers
Authors: Sharada Priyambada , MAKANDAR RAGIBA
Published: June 2022

Erysiphe pisi is the causal agent of powdery mildew disease in garden pea. So far, the resistance genes comprising two recessive (er1 and er2) and one dominant (Er3) have been reported to confer resistance to powdery mildew in garden pea. A set of 46 pea genotypes were screened against the E. pisi isolate, Ep01 in greenhouse conditions to identify resistant genotypes. Disease phenotyping and genotyping were carried to test for resistance/susceptibility through gene-specific sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. The presence of the resistant genes in the control pea genotypes; JI2302 for er1 gene, JI2480 for er2 gene and P660-4 for Er3 were confirmed through their respective gene-specific markers. The pea genotype, Arkel served as a negative control. Screening of the pea germplasm revealed three genotypes as highly resistant, six genotypes as resistant while ten genotypes were moderately resistant, thirteen genotypes were moderately susceptible, nine genotypes were susceptible and five were highly susceptible. The molecular markers for er1 resistance gene Sc-OPE-161600 was found to be segregating in most of the pea genotypes except in the susceptible control, Arkel. The marker ScX17_1400 for er2 gene was found to be in homozygous condition in the resistant pea genotypes while the marker associated with Er3 resistance, SCW4637 was found to be in heterozygous condition in majority of the pea lines except in the resistant control genotype, P660-4.
Quality Identification of Kale Cultivated under Different Light Treatments by Hyperspectral Imaging Technology
Authors: Yao Zhijie , Jiang Haozhao , Wu Huilin , Tang Xinyu , Xu Haitao , Liu Houcheng , Deng Haidong , Lan Yubin , Zhang Xinlong , Liu Yutao , Zhao Jing , Long Yongbing
Published: June 2022

The development of a new method to accurately and non-destructively identify the quality of vegetables cultivated under different light treatments is urgent because traditional methods of quality identification are time-consuming, costly and destructively. A method based on hyperspectral imaging technology combined with machine learning was developed in this paper to rapidly identify the quality of kale cultivated under different light treatments in a plant factory. UV-A supplementation in different photoperiods was used to regulate the quality of kale by improving the contents of moisture, photosynthetic pigments and the phytochemicals accumulation, and the quality grades were first established based on these indicators obtained by the traditional method. Then, a non-destructive quality identification method was presented by constructing an identification model based on the hyperspectral images of kale leaves and machine learning. It was revealed that the accuracy of the identification model based on linear discriminant analysis reached a high value of 95% by employing different feature selection methods to optimize the model. The differences of model accuracy were also investigated when the reflectance spectra extracted from different regions of interest (ROIs) such as whole leaf, mesophyll and leaf veins were used for modeling. It was shown that the quality identification models had higher accuracy when the mesophyll was used as ROI than others ROIs, indicating that the selection of ROI-mesophyll was an efficient way to improve the accuracy of the model. These results demonstrate that the proposed method combining hyperspectral imaging technology and machine learning can be used to rapidly and accurately identify the quality of vegetables cultivated under different light treatments.
Flood-based Critical Sub-Watershed Mapping: Comparative Application of MCDM and Hydrological Modeling Approach
Authors: Khiavi Ali Nasiri Nasiri , Vafakhah Mehdi , Sadeghi Seyed Hamidreza
Published: June 2022

The effects of Sub-Watersheds (SWs) on each other can be more important in Flood Generation Potential (FGP). Therefore, the present study aims for prioritizing SWs based on FGP using Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) Methods including Game Theory (GT), Best-Worst Method (BWM), Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Analytical Network Process (ANP), Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP), Fuzzy Analytical Network Process (FANP) and comparing its results with Hydrological Modeling Approach (HMA) in the Cheshmeh-Kileh Watershed, Iran. In GT, Condorcet algorithm were used. The best and worst criteria were identified using the BWM and compared with other criteria. In AHP and ANP, expert opinions were used and the final weight of criteria and alternative was calculated using Expert Choice and Super Decision softwares. ArcGIS10.1 software was also used to fuzzy and provide FAHP and FANP. In HMA, HEC-HMS software was used to calculate the discharge with return periods of 10- and 100-year, and finally, in all methods, FGP maps were prepared in three classes and SWs were prioritized. Based on the results of different methods, SWs 9, 2, 7, 10 and 11 were given high FGP priority. Downstream SWs were also in a non-critical state due to dense forest cover and low slope. A comparative evaluation between the methods showed that BWM had the same result as the field evidence and HMA results and this method provided the best result. Based on SWs prioritization in BWM, high and low FGP were 33.33 and 46.67% of the study area, respectively. After BWM, GT gave a relatively good result. AHP, ANP, FAHP and FANP presented different results, but had poor performance in identifying critical areas. This study showed that optimal MCDM approaches can be used for flood management.
Effect of intravenous fluid volume on biomarkers of endothelial glycocalyx shedding and inflammation during initial resuscitation of sepsis
Authors: Macdonald Stephen , Bosio Erika , Keijzers Gerben , Burrows Sally , Hibbs Moira , O’Donoghue Helen , Taylor David , Mukherjee Ashes , Kinnear Frances , Smart Lisa , Ascencio-Lane Juan-Carlos , Litton Edward , Fraser John , Shapiro Nathan I. , Arendts Glenn , Fatovich Daniel
Published: June 2022

INTRODUCTIONIntravenous (IV) fluid resuscitation is recommended first line therapy in septic shock, but the effectiveness and safety of this approach has been questioned. To investigate potential mechanisms of harm from IV fluid resuscitation, we measured biomarkers of endothelial glycocalyx (EG) shedding, activation of the vascular endothelium and inflammation over the first 24 hours in a clinical trial comparing a fluid-restricted resuscitation regimen to usual care with no IV fluid restriction. METHODSA planned biomarker sub-study of the REFRESH trial in which emergency department (ED) patients) with suspected sepsis and a systolic blood pressure of <100mmHg after at least 1000ml of crystalloid fluid were randomised to restricted fluids (with a vasopressor infusion if needed to restore perfusion targets) or additional IV fluid resuscitation with later vasopressor if required (usual care). Blood samples were collected at randomisation (T0) and at 3 hours (T3), 6 hours (T6)- and 24 hours (T24) for measurement of Pro-Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (Pro-ANP); EG biomarkers - Syndecans 1 & 4 (SYN-1, SYN-4), Hyaluronan, Heparan Sulphate; Endothelial cell markers - Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule (VCAM), Intercellular Adhesion Molecule (ICAM), E-selectin, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor 1 (VEGFR-1); and inflammatory biomarkers - Interleukins 6 & 10 (IL-6, IL-10), Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) and Resistin. RESULTSBlood samples were obtained in 95 of 99 enrolled patients (46 usual care, 49 restricted fluid). Differences in the change in biomarker over time between the groups were observed for Hyaluronan (2.2-fold from T3-T24, p=0.03), SYN-4 (1.5-fold T3 to T24, P=0.01) and IL-6 (2.5-fold from T0 to T3, p=0.03). No difference over time was observed between groups for the other biomarkers. CONCLUSIONSDifferences in the change over time for Hyaluronan, SYN-4 and IL-6 were observed during the first 24 hours among patients with suspected sepsis randomised to difference resuscitation regimens. This supports the hypothesis that IV fluids can lead to shedding of the endothelial glycocalyx and promote inflammation. Conversely no effect was seen for other EG components (SYN-1 and Heparan Sulphate), or for a range of endothelial activation and inflammatory markers. TRIAL REGISTRATIONAustralia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN126160000006448 Registered 12 January 2016
Anthropometric characteristics and body composition of Taiwanese older adults: Age and gender differences
Authors: Su Yan-Jhu , Lee Po-Fu , Lin Chi-Fang , Hung Chang-Tsen , Chen Yun-Tsung , Lo Kai-Yang , Chen Hui-Ling , Ho Chien-Chang
Published: June 2022

A previous study provided reference data on the age and gender distribution of anthropometric parameters in Taiwanese adults. However, there are few large-scale analyses of anthropometric data of older adults in Taiwan. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to describe gender- and age-specific distributions of anthropometric measurements and body composition of Taiwanese older adults. This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 22,389 older adults who participated in Taiwan’s National Physical Fitness Survey 2014–2015.The anthropometric measurements and body composition included in the present study were assessment of height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). The results showed statistically significant differences in weight, height, WC, HC, and WHR among Taiwanese individuals aged 65 years and older. However, there was no significant difference in BMI between men and women in our sample. Anthropometric status provides an initial assessment of the overall health of the population. This study uses a representative population of Taiwanese older adults over the age of 65 for analysis and provides detailed information on anthropometric data distribution.
Utilization and influencing factors of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Three Provinces in China
Authors: Jiang Zhi-xin , Wei Yan , Chen Ying-yao
Published: June 2022

Background: The annual utilization of Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can show trends in the hospital setting and the policy implications. The Chinese government launched a new health care system reform in 2009. The reform focused on reconstructing the public hospitals and expanding primary health care. The objective of this paper is to describe the utilization of MRI services in three provinces of China during the nine years from 2009 to 2017 after the health care system reform and identify the influencing factors.Methods: We collected data from the information system and the database of 46 sample hospitals in three provinces. The approval of the research ethics board was not required as the study involved no individual patient information. The panel data was constructed to calculate the utilization rate. The research team also built the random-effects and the fixed-effect model to analyze the relevant factors.Results: The utilization of MRI services in China increased from 2009 to 2017. The average utilization rate of MRI equipment in the outpatient and emergency was 1.07%, which was relatively stable and far less than that of hospitalization (18.89%). Panel regression analysis indicates that the number of MRI equipment and beds significantly impacts utilization.Conclusion: The study demonstrated a sharply increasing trend of MRI utilization in China since the new medical reform, and also of waiting time brings both clinical benefits and financial burden. It will be possible to set up regional image centers, which may improve the efficiency of existing idle devices, and alleviate the problem of long waiting in tertiary hospitals.
Factors Shaping Good and Poor Nurse-Client Relationships in Maternal and Child Care in Rural Tanzania
Authors: Isangula Kahabi , Pallangyo Eunice Siaity , Mbekenga Columba , Ndirangu-Mugo Eunice , Shumba Constance
Published: June 2022

Background
Evidence indicates that poor nurse-client relationships within maternal and child health (MCH) continues to impact trust in formal healthcare systems, service uptake, continuity with care and MCH outcomes. This necessitates contextualized innovative solutions that places both nurses and clients at the forefront as agents of change in optimizing intervention designs and implementation. This study explored nurses and clients’ perspectives on the factors shaping nurse-client relationships in MCH care to generate evidence to guide designing effective strategies for improving therapeutic relationships by piloting human-centered design (HCD) in Shinyanga, Tanzania.
Methods
Qualitative descriptive design was employed. About 9 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 12 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with purposefully selected nurses and midwives, women attending MCH services and administrators were conducted using semi-structured interview guides in Swahili language. Data were transcribed and translated simultaneously, managed using Nvivo Software and analyzed thematically.
Results
Factors shaping nurse-client relationships were heuristically categorized into nurse, client and health system factors. Nurse contributors of poor relationship ranged from poor reception and hospitality, not expressing care and concern, poor communication and negative attitudes, poor quality of services, job dissatisfaction and unstable mental health. Client contributors of poor relationship include being ‘much know’, late attendance, non-adherence to procedures and instructions, negative attitudes, poor communication, inadequate education and awareness, poverty, dissatisfaction with care, faith in traditional healers and unstable mental health. Health system contributors were inadequate resources, poor management practices, inadequate policy implementation and absence of an independent department or agency for gathering and management of complaints. Suggestions for improving nurse-client relationship included awards and recognition of good nurses, improving complaints mechanisms, continued professional development, peer to peer learning and mentorship, education and sensitization to clients, improving service quality and working conditions, improving renumeration and incentives, strengthening nursing school’s student screening and nursing curriculum and improving mental health for both nurses and clients.
Conclusions
The factors shaping poor nurse- client relationships appear to extend beyond nurses to both clients and healthcare facilities and system. Implementation of effective interventions for addressing identified factors considering feasibility and acceptance to both nurses and clients using novel strategies such as HCD could pave the way for employing good nurse-client relationships as a tool for improving performance indicators and health outcomes within MCH care.
Perfusion Change of Hepatocellular Carcinoma during Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab Treatment: A Pilot Study
Authors: Onuoha Ezinwanne , Smith Andrew D. , Cannon Robert , Khushman Mohd , Kim Harrison
Published: June 2022

Purpose
To investigate whether the early perfusion change in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) predicts the long-term therapeutic response to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab.
Methods
We retrospectively selected 19 subjects (median age: 62 years, 4 females and 15 males) having advanced HCC and treated with atezolizumab alone (n = 3) or in combination with bevacizumab (n = 16). The 4-phased CT or MRI imaging was performed for each subject before and at 9 ± 2 and 21 ± 5 weeks after therapy initiation. The tumor-to-liver signal ratio in the arterial phase was used to estimate the tumor perfusion. The change in tumor perfusion from the baseline to the 1st follow-up exam was correlated with the tumor response evaluated using mRECIST at the 2nd follow-up exam. The difference between favorably responding and non-responding groups was statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA.
Results
The mean tumor long axis in the baseline image was 59 ± 47 mm. The HCC perfusion changes were − 26 ± 18% for complete (or partial) response (CR/PR, n = 8), -24 ± 12% for stable disease (SD, n = 8), and 9 ± 13% for progressive disease (PD, n = 3). The HCC perfusion change of the CR/PR groups was significantly lower than that of the PD group (p = 0.0040). The HCC perfusion changes between the SD and PD groups were also significantly different (p = 0.0135). The sensitivity and specificity of the early perfusion change to predict the long-term progressive disease were 100% and 94%, respectively.
Conclusion
The early change in HCC perfusion may predict the long-term therapeutic response to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, promoting personalized treatment for HCC patients.
Mental health task-sharing in South Africa – a role for clinical associates?
Authors: Moodley Saiendhra Vasudevan , Wolvaardt Jacqueline , Grobler Christoffel
Published: June 2022

BackgroundSouth Africa (SA) lacks the specialised workforce needed to provide mental health services particularly in the public sector and in rural areas. Mid-level medical workers offer a potential option for mental health task-sharing in countries where they exist including SA. The objectives of the study were to explore the roles that SA’s mid-level medical worker cadre (clinical associates) could play in mental health service delivery, and to explore views on advanced training in mental health for this cadre.MethodsThis was an explorative, qualitative study involving key informants linked to the three clinical associate training programmes in SA. A total of 19 in-depth interviews were conducted with university-based academic staff, facility-based trainers, and student representatives. The interviews were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed. Atlas.ti software was used to analyse the data and themes were identified.ResultsTwo themes were identified viz. ‘there is a place for them at the table’ and ‘earning a seat at the table’. Participants felt that there was a definite role for clinical associates in mental health service provision. The levels of care thought most appropriate were primary health care facilities and district hospitals. The most frequently identified role for clinical associates was in providing immediate care and stabilising mental health patients presenting in emergency settings. Other potential settings included inpatient wards, outpatients’ departments, and in communities (e.g. home visits). There was virtually unanimous support for additional training and in particular a postgraduate clinical specialisation in mental health . Participants felt a clinical specialisation in mental health would strengthen the health system by addressing workforce shortages as well as access and equity issues. They also held the view it would strengthen the profession by creating a career path and providing more employment opportunities for clinical associates.ConclusionsThere was broad support for a role for clinical associates in mental health service delivery in SA as well as for the establishing a clinical specialisation in mental health for clinical associates. Clinical associates with advanced training in mental health could potentially play an important role in rural settings to alleviate the shortage of specialist mental health practitioners.
Frictional energy dissipation due to phonon resonance in two-layer graphene system
Authors: Wei Zhiyong , Tao Yi , Lu Xi , Kan Yajing , Zhang Yan , Chen Yunfei
Published: June 2022

The frictional energy dissipation mechanism of a supported two-layer graphene film under the excitation of the model washboard frequency is investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that two local maxima in the energy dissipation rate occur at special frequencies as the excitation frequency increases from 0.1 to 0.6 THz. By extracting the vibrational density of states of the graphene, it is found that large numbers of phonons with frequencies equal to the excitation frequency are produced. A two-degree of freedom mass-spring model is proposed to explain the molecular dynamics results. Our study indicates that the phonons would resonate with the frictional excitation once the washboard frequency is close to the natural frequency of the frictional system, leading to remarkable local maxima in energy dissipation rate.
An Analysis of the Perspective of Last Year Medical Students in Training Allocated to Manage COVID-19 Hospital Patients in Mexico
Authors: Moreno Gabriela Y.C. , Ruiz Miguel Jesús Torres , Padilla Eleazar Lara , Zarazúa Rosalba Garduño , Vadillo Antonio Franco , Romero José de Jesús Peralta , Ramírez José Bruno Mendoza , Heald Adrian , Ramírez Javier Mancilla
Published: June 2022

BackgroundIn order to address the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems have used all their resources, including health care workers in training. Knowing the insights of these workers is of the utmost importance to generate adequate educative/political /administrative strategies. Methods An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was made by the General Directorate of Quality and Health Education in Mexico, in a convenience sample of 6,020 participants who belong to personnel in training for the health area, which included practitioners and professional technologists, undergraduate doctors, nursing, and residents in several specialties.ResultsDifferent positive and negative feelings were identified by the health workers who participated in facing this health emergency; emphasizing elements such as the need for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) that, when deficient or lacking, generate concerns that raise questions about the medical/epidemiological attention to the pandemic. Based on an analysis of feelings, 8 main feelings were identified, which by frequency of appearing were: distrust(24.83%), fear(21.97%), sadness(12.45%), anticipation(11.65%), anger(10.71%), disgust(9.69%), joy(4.97%) and surprise(3.72%) which influence health workers in training and their wrok performance day to day.Concerning their positive and negative evaluation of their experience facing this health emergency, 13.83% of participants had a positive perception about participating in this kind of health emergency to support the country, 49.94% showed a negative evaluation, and 36.23% kept a neutral evaluation about their participation.ConclusionsThe health workers in training in Mexico gave a negative evaluation of the management of the health emergency. Distrust as a response to the absence of timely information from the education/health institutions, as well as concern about lack of personal protection equipment/inputs, are the main conflicts reported. We must establish a credible globally relevant continuity plan for the education of health care personnel in training, facing emergencies and disasters, so that next time we are properly prepared.
AN APPLICATION OF SOFT COMPUTING TECHNIQUES TO PREDICT DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF MOORING SYSTEMS
Authors:   Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Department of Shipbuilding & Ocean Engineering, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey., Mentes Ayhan , Yetkin Murat ,   INHA University, Department of Naval Architecture & OceanEngineering, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
Published: June 2022

A spread mooring system (SMS) allows a ship or a floating platform to moor the seafloor using multiple mooring lines at a restricted region with a fixed heading in harsh weather. These systems can be used for the operations of ships of different tonnage at different sea depths. The optimal design of these systems is a challenging engineering problem because of the effects of many design parameters and changing environmental conditions. Modern soft computing techniques allow difficult engineering problems to be solved easily and precisely and are becoming more and more popular. In this paper, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) as soft computation techniques have been chosen to estimate the hawser tensions and displacements of a spread mooring system. The attained results show both techniques can give consistent indicators for the modelling of dynamic systems. Although these techniques performed very well, the ANFIS model is relatively superior to the ANN technique, considering the accuracy of hawser tensions and displacements in terms of the relative errors and coefficient of correlation obtained for the ANN and ANFIS.
Trend of High Consumption of Fast Foods and Its Impact on Families, Individuals, and Societies
Authors: Parvin Nusrat
Published: June 2022

Fast-food consumption has become a global trend in many nations over the last several decades, with people eating meals outside of the home or at home using takeaway or home delivery services provided by food stores. Several studies have found that when compared to children or adults, young adults consume the highest rate of fast foods. Despite the fact that eating fast food is not gender-specific, several studies have found that men consume more fast food than women. Other characteristics include age restrictions, the atmosphere, fast food outlet location, food availability, family eating patterns, and a race/ethnic minority-based location; psychosocial aspects such as fast food variety, an occasion for consuming junk foods, fast food desire, and fast food convenience; and psychosocial aspects such as fast food variety, an occasion for consuming junk foods, fast food desire, and fast food convenience. Processed foods have a large variety of negative health consequences. Overweight/ obesity, heart disease & strokes, diabetes mellitus, cancer, early death, metabolic syndrome, hypertriglyceridemia; mental health problems: depression, psychiatric distress, and violent behavior are all long-term factors. Junk food consumption has been proven in several studies to alter metabolism, diminish muscle strength, promote inflammation, and raise the risk of allergies, asthma, poor indigestion, and constipation in the short term. Fast food consumption is also influenced by social factors such as household poverty and food insecurity. Fast food has a lot of positives, including the fact that it takes less time to prepare, is a better option than skipping a meal, is economical, provides a variety of selections, and creates a large number of job chances. The research revealed a number of flaws that may be addressed in future studies, and the nutrients in fast foods could be considered for the world's future population and future health intervention programs to reduce negative health effects.
A Survey on Concepts, Frameworks, and Key Technologies for IoT-enabled Smart Cities
Authors: Kabir Farhana
Published: June 2022

Smart cities have progressed substantially in recent years, by dramatically increasing their potential. In fact, rapid innovations in the Internet of Things (IoT) have opened up new possibilities, serving as a collection of essential technological solutions for smart cities and allowing the creation and automation of innovative features and advanced applications for numerous local stakeholders. The focus of this research is to highlight the main trends and open issues of implementing IoT technologies for the development of effective and resilient smart cities by reviewing the research literatures on IoT-enabled smart cities. This paper begins with a survey of the key technologies proposed in the literature for the implementation of IoT frameworks, followed by a review of the main smart city approaches and frameworks, based on an eight-domain classification that expands on the traditional six-domain classification used in most related works.
Un fantasma recorre Cuba. La nación suturada en La neblina del ayer de Leonardo Padura
Authors: Paredes Peña César Andrés
Published: June 2022

Este artículo indaga por el concepto de nación, implícito en la séptima novelade Leonardo Padura protagonizada por el detective Mario Conde, en la cual se aborda la resolución de un crimen ocurrido en el pasado prerrevolucionario de Cuba. Lo nacional aparece como un flujo de imágenes que dialoga con la historia, en donde intervienen palimpsésticamente la nación decimonónica, con la del comienzo del siglo XX, el período revolucionario y la crisis de los años noventa. Padura emprende un proceso de indagación y sutura en el que la nación, como punto de partida de comprensión de la crisis postrevolucionaria, se enfrenta a su contraparte: la fantasmagoría producida por la mercantilización de su imagen y sus símbolos. La biblioteca, el bolero, la comida y la ciudad de La Habana son los vestigios alegóricos, en términos de Walter Benjamín, que dan cuenta de cómo la isla está expuesta a la contingencia de los tiempos.
A comparative assessment of CMIP5 and CMIP6 in hydrological responses of the Yellow River Basin, China
Authors: Guo Yuxue , Yu Xinting , Xu Yue-Ping , Wang Guoqing , Xie Jingkai , Gu Haiting
Published: June 2022

Investigation of the role of multiple general circulation model (GCM) ensembles in obtaining comprehensive knowledge of hydrological responses across the Yellow River Basin (YRB), China, is still of substantial importance. This study evaluates the performance of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models in simulating the hydrological regime in the YRB and compares the results with those from CMIP 5 (CMIP5). The comparison is performed between 21 GCMs from CMIP6 under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathway scenarios and 18 GCMs from CMIP5 under three Representative Concentration Pathway scenarios. Raw CMIP outputs are first corrected and downscaled by the Bias Correction and Spatial Disaggregation methods, and the bias-corrected GCM outputs are then employed to drive the Soil and Water Assessment Tool hydrological model and project streamflow. After correction and downscaling, areal averages for future changes (relative to 1971–2000) of temperature and precipitation are found larger in CMIP6 than in CMIP5. The emblematic annual mean temperature of CMIP6 increases by 1.64–2.20 and 2.31–5.29 °C for the future period of 2026–2055 and 2066–2095, while the counterpart of CMIP5 is 1.92–2.39 and 1.68–4.76 °C, respectively. In terms of precipitation, for CMIP6, it increases by 3.45–4.70 and 6.77–15.40%, and for CMIP5 by 2.58–2.96 and 3.83–9.95%. It is further concluded that: (1) future streamflow will probably decrease less under CMIP6 than that under CMIP5 in most cases, and climate changes of this kind will affect regional water supply and security in the YRB; (2) uncertainty in the projected streamflow is dominated by GCMs uncertainty with the contribution rate of >75%; (3) the streamflow is more sensitive to precipitation changes in comparison with temperature changes in the near future. In contrast, streamflow reduction is more attributed to an increase in temperature with a contribution rate of almost >60% than in precipitation in the far future.
Quantifying water-related ecosystem services potential of the Kangchenjunga Landscape in the eastern Himalaya: a modeling approach
Authors: Shrestha Manish , Nepal Santosh
Published: June 2022

Quantifying water-related ecosystem services (WES) helps to secure limited and valuable water resources sustainably. Mainstreaming these ecosystem services into policy and decision-making requires accurate information at the local level. This paper aims to quantify provisioning and regulating freshwater ecosystem services potential in the Kangchenjunga Landscape using a hydro-ecological model. This study is the first to use the J2000 hydrological model to estimate annual and seasonal WES. The model output was validated against snow-cover and river discharge, after conducting a sensitivity analysis of the input parameter. High precipitation and low evapotranspiration resulted in rich water availability in the landscape. It was found that the precipitation amount in the landscape is highly seasonal, resulting in high variation in water availability. Snowfall, accounting for 4% of the total precipitation still plays an important role in regulating water resources. Nearly 100% of the discharge during the dry period originates from groundwater and melt runoff. This study highlights the importance of the presence of snow and glacier to sustain the ecosystem in the landscape. This model-derived information could further be used for decision-making and evaluating the impact of climatic and land use changes.
Corona-Virus Pandemic: Time of Collaboration in Business
Authors: Nikonorova A. A. , Luchkin A. G. , Melnikov V. A.
Published: June 2022

The article studies issues dealing with one of the most popular trends of supporting business in crisis, i. e. collaboration. Corona-virus pandemic motivated executives to develop creative potential of their employees, to extend horizons of functioning and to start new projects. Collaborations became a popular way of searching for ideas aimed at supporting business. As a rule, companies of different industries participate in collaborations. Each of these companies specializes in certain direction and uses only limited resources, while after integration they get an opportunity to work in new industries. The more participants differ in their functioning and business-models, the more interesting and effective cooperation becomes. The review of collaboration practices founded in Russian business in the current epidemic situation served as a basis of the research. Cooperation with other brands and ability to form effective collaborations, which attract new clients, played a special role in the development of business during the pandemic. Practical experience showed that joint projects helped companies increase profits, attract new audience and step up customer loyalty. These factors gave business an opportunity to stay afloat and partially compensate for losses caused by the pandemic. By amalgamating finance, human and information resources collaboration participants became successful with limited costs. To set a goal and choose a partner was essential.
Uso de óleos essenciais no controle do fungo Colletotrichum orbiculare (Berk. & Mont.) Arx (1957)
Authors: Mariana Santana Guerra  , Marcelo Sousa Barbosa  , Gustavo Haralampidou da Costa Vieira
Published: June 2022

A antracnose consiste em uma das doenças da cultura do pepino e é causada pelo fungo Colletotrichum orbiculare, responsável por danos em folhas, hastes, pecíolos e frutos, tendo como principal controle a utilização de produtos fitossanitários. Os óleos essenciais são substâncias originárias do metabolismo secundário das plantas, e suas propriedades fungicidas são reconhecidas. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar o potencial fungicida de diferentes óleos essenciais sobre o fungo C. orbiculare. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 5 × 5: cinco óleos essenciais (palmarosa, tea tree, cravo-da-índia, açafrão e zimbro) em cinco concentrações (0, 100, 200, 400, 800 µL L-1), com cinco repetições por tratamento. A ação fungicida dos óleos foi determinada com base no crescimento micelial do fungo, em meio de cultura contendo as substâncias nas respectivas concentrações. As avaliações foram realizadas após 24, 48 e 72 horas da repicagem. O óleo essencial de cravo apresentou total inibição do crescimento do patógeno C. orbiculare nas concentrações de 400 e 800 µL L-1. Já o óleo essencial de palmarosa atingiu total inibição na concentração de 400 µL L-1.
Top pruning on seedlings rejuvenation: a tool for nurseries in Brazilian Atlantic Forest reforestation
Authors: Alexandre Hack Porto  , Américo Wagner Júnior  , Dionatan Gerber  , Paula Helena Pereira O’Connor  , Larissa Regina Topanotti  , Claudemir Dantas da Silva  , Murilo Lacerda Barddal  , Izaclaudia Santana da Cruz  , Fernando Campanhã Bechara
Published: June 2022

Plant nurseries produce many species simultaneously, which are often not used at the right time, remaining in the nurseries. These plants become aged and tall and, when planted in the field, often show poor performance, topple over, or die in degraded areas. This work aimed to evaluate the practice of drastic pruning in the rejuvenation of aged seedlings of native tree species for the restoration of the Atlantic Forest. Two tests (TA and TB) were conducted in southern Brazil, evaluating the relationship between pruning height × species and measuring regrowth and survival. In TA, 24 species (80%) had high survival (100%). Drastic pruning at 15- cm height generated greater regrowth heights compared to pruning at 30 cm for all species, but statistically only for 12 species. In TB, no differences were observed between pruning heights, but pruning at 15 cm and at collar level showed better values. It is recommended that seedlings be pruned for some species, to resume growth and to achieve a better height/diameter ratio in the nurseries and possibly to increase field survival, especially in degraded tropical areas, to be reforested.