bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epstein–Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes Simplex-1/2 reactivations in critically ill patients with COVID-19
Authors: Mattei Alessia , Schiavoni Lorenzo , Riva Elisabetta , Ciccozzi Massimo , Veralli Roberta , Urselli Angela , Citriniti Vincenzo , Nenna Antonio , Pascarella Giuseppe , Costa Fabio , Cataldo Rita , Agrò Felice Eugenio , Carassiti Massimiliano
Published: April 2024

Objectives

To assess the incidences of Herpes Simplex-1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) reactivations in critically ill COVID-19 patients. To determine the association between viral reactivation and in-hospital mortality, Intensive Care Unit Bloodstream infection (ICU–BSI), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Design

Observational retrospective cohort study.

Setting

COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit.

Patients

From November 2020 to May 2021, one hundred and twenty patients with COVID-19 severe pneumonia were enrolled and tested for HSV-1, HSV-2, CMV and EBV at the admission in ICU and weekly until discharge or death. The presence of VAP and ICU–BSI was evaluated according to clinical judgement and specific diagnostic criteria.

Measurements and main results

One hundred and twenty patients were enrolled. Multiple reactivations occurred in 75/120 (63%) patients, single reactivation in 27/120 patients (23%). The most reactivated Herpesvirus was EBV, found in 78/120 (65%) patients. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that viral reactivation is a strong independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality (OR = 2.46, 95% CI 1.02–5.89), ICU–BSI (OR = 2.37, 95% CI 1.06–5.29) and VAP (OR = 2.64, 95% CI 1.20–5.82).

Conclusions

Human Herpesviruses reactivations in critically ill patients with COVID-19 severe Pneumonia are associated with mortality and with a higher risk to develop both VAP and ICU–BSI.
Kinetics and synthesis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) by a putative-mutant of Bacillus licheniformis
Authors: Ali Sikander , Lodhi Faiza Shabbir , Ahmad M. Usman , Khan Qaiser Farid , Asad-ur-Rehman  , Ahmed Abeera , Liaqat Iram , Aftab M. Nauman , Shah Tawaf Ali , Salamatullah Ahmad Mohammad , Wondmie Gezahign Fentahun , Bourhia Mohammed
Published: April 2024

The present study deals with the kinetics of improved poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) production by an L-cysteine HCl-depressed mutant of Bacillus licheniformis. Production of biodegradable polymers is to eliminate use of materials derived from petrochemicals and also because of their environmental impact. For the current study, mutant strain (NA-21) & wild-type (IIB-isl19) were used for PHB production. Submerged culture with two-stage fermentation technique was used for PHB production. Results indicated that PHB production was improved with 300 mM of –HNO2. The superior mutant strain (NA-21) resulted in 2-fold more PHB as compared to the wild-type (IIB-isl9). It was selected, and resistance against L-cysteine HCl was developed. At 4 ppm concentration of L-cysteine HCl, PHB production by mutant strain (NA-cys4) was higher than its wild counterpart by 5.7-fold. Kinetic study of parameters including specific growth rate (µ h− 1), growth (Yx/s,Ys/x), product yield coefficients (Yp/s,Yp/x), volumetric rate constants (Qp, Qs, Qx) and specific rate constants (qp, qs, qx), were also accomplished. Moreover, Yp/x, Qp and qp = µ × Yp/x were found to be very significant as 1.254 ± 0.06 (g/g biomass), 0.134 ± 0.01 (g/l/h) and 0.168 ± 0.01 (g/g/h), respectively. The effect of fatty acids on PHB production highlighted the improvement in PHB production by 1.94-fold. The highest PHB production during the study was 16.35 ± 3.12 g/l which highlighted its significance (p ≤ 0.05) and impact on the overall process. The variation in PBH yield between wild-type and mutant B. licheniformis is possibly because of induced DNA interstrand thus making unstable thymidine-thymidine dymers. From the results, it was concluded that improved PHB production on industrial scale is fairly possible and it holds the potential to contribute significantly to plastic circularity in the future.
Detection of a recent large Hyuga-nada long-term slow slip event and estimation of its spatiotemporal slip distributions
Authors: Kawabata Hiroki , Seshimo Yukinari , Yoshioka Shoichi , Ortega-Culaciati Francisco
Published: April 2024

Using horizontal and vertical GNSS time series data from the GSI in sotheastern Kyushu from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2022, we detected a recent long-term slow slip event (L-SSE) that occurred in the Hyuga-nada region, southwest Japan, and estimated its spatiotemporal slip distribution. We performed such analysis considering the piecewise evolution of slip over time with time windows of 0.8 years to ensure a good signal-to-noise ratio in the horizontal displacements in each time window. The results showed that a slip of more than 2 cm occurred in the central part of Miyazaki Prefecture from 2018.5 to 2019.3 (the units were 0.1 years = 36.5 days). Then, the amount of slip increased and expanded slightly to the southern part of Miyazaki Prefecture from 2019.3 to 2020.1, and the amount of slip reached a maximum of 3.9 cm in the subsequent period (2020.1–2020.9). A smaller slip occurred at almost the same location in the following 0.8 years. Therefore, the duration of the L-SSE was approximately 3.2 years from approximately 2018.5 to 2021.7. The annual average maximum slip rate was approximately 4.9 cm/yr (3.9 cm/0.8 yr) during the period from 2020.1 to 2020.9. The maximum total slip was estimated to be approximately 12.9 cm, and the equivalent release moment was 4.9 × 1019 Nm, corresponding to Mw7.1. Compared to previous L-SSEs that occurred in the Hyuga-nada region, the annual average maximum slip rate was relatively low, and the main total slip was estimated at almost the same location on the plate interface. On the other hand, the slip duration of this L-SSE was the longest, and the release moment and moment magnitude were the greatest. The total slip area of more than approximately 10 cm in the Hyuga-nada L-SSE estimated in this study almost overlapped with the afterslip area of the December 3, 1996 Hyuga-nada earthquake, with a depth range of approximately 30–40 km. Short-term SSEs also occurred in the same depth range. These coincidental same depth ranges of interplate seismic events stem from large thermal gradients. The large thermal gradients play an important role in narrowing the depth range of frictional parameters (a–b) at the plate interface. In addition, the pore pressure and normal stress are closely related to the critical stiffness. In particular, contrasting values of pore pressure and normal stress at the shallow and deep sides of the mantle wedge corner may also contribute to transient aseismic slip within the same depth range.
Joint EURADOS-EANM initiative for an advanced computational framework for the assessment of external dose rates from nuclear medicine patients
Authors: Struelens Lara , Huet Christelle , Broggio David , Dabin Jérémie , Desorgher Laurent , Giussani Augusto , Li Wei Bo , Nosske Dietmar , Lee Yi-Kang , Cunha Lidia , Carapinha Maria J. R. , Medvedec Mario , Covens Peter
Published: April 2024

Background

In order to ensure adequate radiation protection of critical groups such as staff, caregivers and the general public coming into proximity of nuclear medicine (NM) patients, it is necessary to consider the impact of the radiation emitted by the patients during their stay at the hospital or after leaving the hospital. Current risk assessments are based on ambient dose rate measurements in a single position at a specified distance from the patient and carried out at several time points after administration of the radiopharmaceutical to estimate the whole-body retention. The limitations of such an approach are addressed in this study by developing and validating a more advanced computational dosimetry approach using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations in combination with flexible and realistic computational phantoms and time activity distribution curves from reference biokinetic models.

Results

Measurements of the ambient dose rate equivalent Ḣ*(10) at 1 m from the NM patient have been successfully compared against MC simulations with 5 different codes using the ICRP adult reference computational voxel phantoms, for typical clinical procedures with 99mTc-HDP/MDP, 18FDG and Na131I. All measurement data fall in the 95% confidence intervals, determined for the average simulated results. Moreover, the different MC codes (MCNP-X, PHITS, GATE, GEANT4, TRIPOLI-4®) have been compared for a more realistic scenario where the effective dose rate Ė of an exposed individual was determined in positions facing and aside the patient model at 30 cm, 50 cm and 100 cm. The variation between codes was lower than 8% for all the radiopharmaceuticals at 1 m, and varied from 5 to 16% for the face-to face and side-by-side configuration at 30 cm and 50 cm. A sensitivity study on the influence of patient model morphology demonstrated that the relative standard deviation of Ḣ*(10) at 1 m for the range of included patient models remained under 16% for time points up to 120 min post administration.

Conclusions

The validated computational approach will be further used for the evaluation of effective dose rates per unit administered activity for a variety of close-contact configurations and a range of radiopharmaceuticals as part of risk assessment studies. Together with the choice of appropriate dose constraints this would facilitate the setting of release criteria and patient restrictions.
Cross-continental national nutrition surveys: a narrative review
Authors: Alkhaldy Areej A. , Aljaadi Abeer M. , Jalil Abbe M. Mhd. , Alyoubi Doaa A. , Saleemani Haneen H. , Eid Ruba H. , Almohmadi Najlaa H. , Al-Otaibi Hala H. , Ajabnoor Sarah M.
Published: April 2024

Many countries use national nutrition surveys (NNSs) to assess their population’s health and nutrition needs. However, NNS aims, approaches, tools, and measurements vary among countries. To date, there has been no review evaluating the NNSs and their practices worldwide to help conduct future NSSs. Therefore, this narrative review was conducted to 1) explore and tabulate current NNSs in five continents (Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, and Australia) and 2) help lay the foundation for establishing clear guidelines for future NNSs. The NNSs were identified using two approaches. First, an electronic database search was conducted with key terms in PubMed database. Second, a general web-based search on the survey webpages of governmental organizations was conducted using the same key terms to identify eligible surveys. The review included general adult population (≥ 18 years) with a cross-sectional design, excluding NNSs related to household-only surveys, specific age groups, or insufficient sample sizes. A total of 41 NNSs were identified in 37 countries across four continents: Asia (n = 15), Europe (n = 21), North America (n = 3), and Australia (n = 2). Broad differences between the surveys were identified, including survey purposes and designs, definitions of geographic areas and target groups, and dietary assessments. Currently, there are 26 ongoing NNSs, while 15 have ended. Among the ongoing NNSs, the cycles of the surveys were either at regular intervals (n = 8) or irregular intervals (n = 8). Of the 41 surveys, 24-h dietary recalls were used in 27 surveys, while only 6 surveys used diet diaries and 8 surveys relied on FFQs. Some surveys (n = 17) utilized multiple tools to assess dietary intake. Most of the surveys that assessed biochemical status (n = 12) focused on blood glucose, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and lipid status, whereas some surveys (n = 6) tested for vitamin and mineral status in blood and/or urine samples. The review identified key characteristics, time frames, sampling methods, and dietary and physical assessment methods obtained from different surveys worldwide. The information organized in this review will be important for researchers, policymakers, and public health programme developers in developing and improving NNS.
Feasibility of an early progressive resistance exercise program for acute Achilles tendon rupture
Authors: Christensen Marianne , Silbernagel Karin Grävare , Zellers Jennifer A. , Kjær Inge Lunding , Rathleff Michael Skovdal
Published: April 2024

Background

Long-term strength deficits are common after Achilles tendon ruptures. Early use of progressive resistance exercises may help reduce strength deficits, but the feasibility of this approach is unknown. The aim was to investigate the feasibility of early progressive resistance exercises regarding patient acceptability and compliance with the intervention.

Methods

We recruited patients with an acute Achilles tendon rupture treated non-surgically. During 9 weeks of immobilisation with a walking boot, participants attended weekly supervised physiotherapy sessions of progressive resistance exercises and performed home exercises, consisting of isometric ankle plantarflexion, seated heel-rise, and elastic band exercises. Acceptability was evaluated using a 7-point Likert scale (1 = very unacceptable and 7 = very acceptable) with feasibility threshold at 80% of the participants rating ≥ 4. Adherence to the exercises was defined as 80% of the participants performing at least 50% of the home exercises. During the intervention, tendon healing and adverse events were monitored.

Results

Sixteen participants (mean age 46 (range 28–61), male/female = 13/3) completed the intervention. Pre-injury Achilles tendon total rupture score was 98 (SD 8). All participants rated the acceptability of the exercises ≥ 5 (moderate acceptable to very acceptable) at 9- and 13-week follow-up and 9/16 rated 7 points (very acceptable). Participants performed 74% (range 4–117) of the total prescribed home exercises and 15/16 performed > 50%. One participant was not compliant with the home exercises due to feeling uncomfortable performing these independently. There were no re-ruptures, but one case of deep venous thrombosis.

Conclusions

The early progressive resistance exercise program for treatment of non-surgically treated Achilles tendon rupture was feasible. Future studies should investigate the efficacy of the progressive intervention.

Trial registration

The study was registered at Clinical Trials (NCT04121377) on 29 September 2019. ClinicalTrials: NCT04121377.
Selection and molecular identification of specific entomopathogens in South Sulawesi and the pathogenicity to fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda JE. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Najamuddin Erwin , Sebayang Amelia , Tenrirawe Andi , Yasin Muhammad , Manwan Sri Wahyuni , Djaya Ernawati , Arrahman Ayyub , Salim  , Rohimatun  , Djaenuddin Nurasiah , Saenong M. Sudjak , Fattah Abdul , Bahtiar  , Kuswinanti Tutik , Aminah  , Hasbi
Published: April 2024

Background

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), known as fall armyworm (FAW), is a wide-scale invasion pest that resulted in crop yield loss and certainly caused critical economic damage. Therefore, several control strategies such as the application of entomopathogen agent to control the population can be applied. The study aimed to designate and identify the candidate entomopathogens fungi (EPF) from South Sulawesi to control FAW.

Results

The research was conducted in several stages: field exploration, isolation, purification, bioassay, and morphological or genetical identification of selected fungi. The identification found out that: Sarocladium strictum, Talaromyces purpureogenus, and Aspergillus terreus had significant mortality percentages and incubation time in killing FAW. The highest mortality percentage was obtained in the case of the A. terreus (MLN8) isolate with an average mortality of 83.33% (2 days after incubation); A. terreus (4b) with an average mortality of 76.67% (4 days after incubation); both S. strictum (3) and T. purpureogenus (2B) required 3 and 5 days to control FAW, respectively, with 73% mortality percentage.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the exploration of several areas in South Sulawesi discovered potential EPF to suppress the FAW population biologically. Therefore, the identification of those EPFs contributes to FAW strategies control and the development of biopesticides.
Centralized smart energy monitoring system for legacy home appliances
Authors: Ahmad Shahed S. , Almasalha Fadi , Qutqut Mahmoud H. , Hijjawi Mohammad
Published: April 2024

The increasing global population and reliance on electrical devices for daily life resulted in sharply rising energy consumption. Also, this leads to higher household electricity bills. As a result, there is a growing demand for energy monitoring systems that can accurately estimate energy usage to help save power, especially for older home appliances that are difficult or expensive to update with monitoring sensors. However, current energy monitoring systems have some drawbacks, such as the inability to detect different types of appliances and the deployment complexity. Moreover, such systems are too costly to use in older power infrastructures. To address this issue, we proposed a centralized smart energy monitoring system designed for legacy home appliances, aiming to address the limitations of current energy monitoring systems by avoiding costly infrastructure upgrades to calculate the power consumption of legacy home appliances. The proposed system employs a two-layered architecture comprising hardware (Emontx device, Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADC), and Current Transformer (CT) sensors) and a software layer that includes Artificial Intelligence (AI) predictors using a pre-defined set of rules and K Nearest Neighbours (KNN) algorithms. We conducted three experiments on real home appliances to evaluate the proposed work. The accuracy of the proposed system showed positive results after several modifications and hard tuning of several parameters in devices, specifically for Jordanian power plants.
Refined protocol for newly onset identification in non-obese diabetic mice: an animal-friendly, cost-effective, and efficient alternative
Authors: Liao Chia-Chi , Hsieh Chia-Chun , Shia Wei-Chung , Chou Min-Yuan , Huang Chuan-Chuan , Lin Jhih-Hong , Lee Shu-Hsien , Sung Hsiang-Hsuan
Published: April 2024

Background

Therapeutic interventions for diabetes are most effective when administered in the newly onset phase, yet determining the exact onset moment can be elusive in practice. Spontaneous autoimmune diabetes among NOD mice appears randomly between 12 and 32 weeks of age with an incidence range from 60 to 90%. Furthermore, the disease often progresses rapidly to severe diabetes within days, resulting in a very short window of newly onset phase, that poses significant challenge in early diagnosis. Conventionally, extensive blood glucose (BG) testing is typically required on large cohorts throughout several months to conduct prospective survey. We incorporated ultrasensitive urine glucose (UG) testing into an ordinary BG survey process, initially aiming to elucidate the lag period required for excessive glucose leaking from blood to urine during diabetes progression in the mouse model.

Results

The observations unexpectedly revealed that small amounts of glucose detected in the urine often coincide with, sometimes even a couple days prior than elevated BG is diagnosed. Accordingly, we conducted the UG-based survey protocol in another cohort that was validated to accurately identified every individual near onset, who could then be confirmed by following few BG tests to fulfill the consecutive BG + criteria. This approach required fewer than 95 BG tests, compared to over 700 tests with traditional BG survey, to diagnose all the 37–38 diabetic mice out of total 60. The average BG level at diagnosis was slightly below 350 mg/dl, lower than the approximately 400 mg/dl observed with conventional BG monitoring.

Conclusions

We demonstrated a near perfect correlation between BG + and ultrasensitive UG + results in prospective survey with no lag period detected under twice weekly of testing frequency. This led to the refined protocol based on surveying with noninvasive UG testing, allowing for the early identification of newly onset diabetic mice with only a few BG tests required per mouse. This protocol significantly reduces the need for extensive blood sampling, lancet usage, labor, and animal distress, aligning with the 3Rs principle. It presents a convenient, accurate, and animal-friendly alternative for early diabetes diagnosis, facilitating research on diagnosis, pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment.
Underreporting of implementation strategies and barriers in physical activity interventions for young people at risk of problematic substance use: a brief report
Authors: Klamert Lisa , Craike Melinda , Bedi Gillinder , Kidd Susan , Pascoe Michaela C. , Parker Alexandra G.
Published: April 2024

Background

Several studies have assessed whether physical activity interventions can reduce substance use in young people at risk of problematic substance use. This report identifies and describes the reporting of implementation characteristics within published studies of physical activity interventions for young people at risk of problematic substance use and provides recommendations for future reporting.

Methods

Reported implementation strategies (including intervention manualization), barriers, implementation fidelity, and personnel acceptance were extracted from studies of physical activity interventions for young people aged 12–25 years at risk of problematic substance use that were included in a previous systematic review of intervention efficacy.

Results

Implementation strategies were reported in less than half of the included studies (42.9%), implementation barriers in only 10.7% of studies, intervention fidelity in 21.4%, and personnel acceptance in a single study (3.6%).

Conclusions

Results indicate insufficient reporting of implementation strategies, barriers, fidelity, and personnel acceptance. Consideration of implementation characteristics is essential for implementing physical activity interventions in practice. Inadequate or limited reporting of these characteristics may contribute to delayed uptake and adoption of evidence-based interventions in clinical practice. Recommendations to improve the reporting of implementation information include integrating standards for reporting implementation characteristics into existing reporting guidelines, developing an international taxonomy of implementation strategies, and upskilling intervention researchers in the fundamentals of implementation science.
Integrated encoder-decoder-based wide and deep convolution neural networks strategy for electricity theft arbitration
Authors: Kumawat Manoj , Onaolapo Adeniyi , Sharma Gulshan , Barutcu Ibrahim Cagri , Adefarati Temitope , Bansal Ramesh
Published: April 2024

Integrating energy systems with information systems in smart grids offers a promising avenue for combating electricity theft by leveraging real-time data insights. Suspicious activity indicative of theft can be identified through anomalous consumption patterns observed in smart networks. However, a smart model is required for capturing and analysing the data intelligently to accurately detect electricity theft. In the paper, electricity theft has been detected using an encoder-decoder-based classifier that integrates two models of convolutional neural networks (CNN). The aim is to scan the strength of the data and built a smart model that analysed the connections in complex data and determine the pattern of theft. The model comprises three compartments: the auto-encoder, the wide convolutional neural network (1-D CNN model), and the deep convolutional neural network (2-D CNN model). The auto-encoder has been trained on the complex and in-depth linkage between the theft data and the normal data as it removes noise and unnecessary information. The 1-D CNN model gathers relevant connections and general features, while the 2-D CNN model determines the rate at which energy theft occurs and differentiates between the energy-stealing consumers and normal consumers. The efficacy of the approach is underscored by its superiority over traditional deep learning and machine learning techniques. This paper elucidates the distinct advantages and applications of the proposed model in combating electricity theft within smart grid environments.
Anticoccidial activity of essential oils containing eugenol against Eimeria tenella in broiler chickens
Authors: Geng Tiantian , Peng Xinran , Wu Linyue , Shen Bang , Fang Rui , Zhao Junlong , Zhou Yanqin
Published: April 2024

The development of alternative therapies to treat chicken coccidiosis has become a hot topic because of the widespread use of conventional medicines. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of eugenol in treating Eimeria tenella infection in broilers. Broiers, at the age of 14 d, were orally infected with sporulated Eimeria tenella oocysts, and then, eugenol essential oil was added to chicken feed at three different dosages (0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 g/kg). The anticoccidial effects of eugenol essential oil were assessed using the anticoccidial index (ACI). As a result, eugenol exhibited a moderate anticoccidial effect, with an ACI of 167.37 at 0.2 g/kg. After eugenol treatment, the expression of occludin in the epithelial cells of the chicken cecum was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than that in the epithelial cells of the nontreated control (IC) group. The proportion of intestinal Lactobacillus_agilli increased. Eugenol therapy dramatically increased the activity of superoxide dismutase. After high-dose treatment, the expression of the proinflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-6 significantly decreased, while the expression of the cytokines IL-4 and IFN-γ significantly increased. The safety of eugenol essential oil was evaluated at the 1, 3 or 6 recommended doses. Overall, no significant differences were detected in the blood tests or serum biochemistry of the chickens between the treatment groups and the control group. As a result, eugenol essential oil can cure chicken coccidiosis by improving the intestinal microbial structure in the chicken cecum and decreasing the cecum's inflammatory reactions, thus strengthening immune function and eventually demonstrating anticoccidial properties.
Weakly anelliptical traveltime analysis: Ambiguity between subsurface and elasticity
Authors: Rommel Björn E.
Published: April 2024

The building of a subsurface and (anisotropic) velocity model from a single gather of reflection traveltime (kinematic) data is inherently ambiguous because the processing of such data can only determine a horizontal slowness component, not a vertical one. Based thereon, I derive a simple algorithm that generates an infinite series of combinations of the subsurface-velocity models, all of which will show nearly the same seismic kinematic response, as further demonstrated by simulating wave propagation through a model with different interface dips. This algorithm assumes, first, that all interface dips remain constant over the distance considered and, second, that an approximation of the elasticity model — that is, the linearization of a phase velocity — valid for weak anisotropy can be used. Furthermore, when applied to the classic and analytically solvable case of traveltime analysis for a stack of flat layers with weak transverse isotropy, the algorithm theoretically explains the combination of anisotropy parameters that govern the nonhyperbolic term of a traveltime series: the established [Formula: see text] and its new counterpart [Formula: see text] for a [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] wave, respectively.
Method for predicting the injection pressure for horizontal wells in fractured tight sandstone reservoirs
Authors: Liu Jingshou , Lu Yuanhong , Luo Yang , Yang Haimeng , Lu Lin
Published: April 2024

Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal well drilling are the key technologies for increasing the production of continental tight sandstone reservoirs. Taking the typical fractured tight sandstone in the Yuan-287 block of the Ordos Basin as an example, a reservoir geologic model is established based on the stratigraphic correlation of 206 wells. The model and 3D paleostress field are combined to predict fracture parameters such as fracture density and strike. Using reservoir breakdown pressure (RBP) monitoring data and other data such as reservoir physical and mechanical parameters, tectonic fracture characteristics, and in situ stress parameters, a quantitative evaluation model of the RBP, which predicts the 3D distribution of RBP, is established via stepwise regression, and the factors controlling the RBP are analyzed. The rock P-wave velocity, horizontal minimum principal stress, and fracture density are found to be three key parameters that control the breakdown pressure of this tight sandstone reservoir. By comparing the fracture opening pressure of subsurface tectonic fractures with the RBP, a new method for predicting the optimal water injection pressure of this reservoir is developed. This work provides a valuable evaluation model for accelerating the efficient development of continental tight sandstone reservoirs.
A generalized stochastic block model for overlapping community detection
Authors: Liu Xuan-Chen , Zhang Li-Jie , Xu Xin-Jian
Published: April 2024

Over the past two decades, community detection has been extensively explored. Yet, the problem of identifying overlapping communities has not been fully solved. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach, called the generalized stochastic block model, to address this issue by allowing nodes to belong to multiple communities. This approach extends the traditional representation of nodal community assignment from a single community label to a label vector, with each element indicating the membership of a node in a specific community. We develop a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm to tackle the model. Through numerical experiments conducted on synthetic and empirical networks, we demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed framework in accurately detecting overlapping communities.
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors vs Metformin for New-onset Dementia: A Propensity Score-matched Cohort Study
Authors: Liu Siyang , Wan Heng , Nie Sheng , Cao Huanyi , Liu Lan , Liang Hua , Xu Hong , Liu Bicheng , Chen Chunbo , Liu Huafeng , Yang Qiongqiong , Li Hua , Kong Yaozhong , Li Guisen , Wan Qijun , Zha Yan , Hu Ying , Xu Gang , Shi Yongjun , Zhou Yilun , Su Guobin , Tang Ying , Gong Mengchun , Guo Aixin , Weng Jianping , Wu Hongjiang , Hou Fan Fan , Shen Jie
Published: April 2024

Background

Hypoglycemic pharmacotherapy interventions for alleviating the risk of dementia remain controversial, particularly regarding dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors vs metformin. Our objective was to investigate whether the initiation of DPP4 inhibitors, as opposed to metformin, was linked to a reduced risk of dementia.

Methods

We included individuals with type 2 diabetes over 40 years old who were new users of DPP4 inhibitors or metformin in the Chinese Renal Disease Data System database between 2009 and 2020. The study employed Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression for survival analysis and the Fine and Gray model for the competing risk of death.

Results

Following a 1:1 propensity score matching, the analysis included 3626 DPP4 inhibitor new users and an equal number of metformin new users. After adjusting for potential confounders, the utilization of DPP4 inhibitors was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause dementia compared to metformin [hazard ratio (HR) 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45-0.89]. Subgroup analysis revealed that the utilization of DPP4 inhibitors was associated with a reduced incidence of dementia in individuals who initiated drug therapy at the age of 60 years or older (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.48-0.98), those without baseline macrovascular complications (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41-0.96), and those without baseline microvascular complications (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47-0.98).

Conclusion

In this real-world study, we found that DPP4 inhibitors presented an association with a lower risk of dementia in individuals with type 2 diabetes than metformin, particularly in older people and those without diabetes-related comorbidities.
Germline Variants in Sporadic Pituitary Adenomas
Authors: Alzahrani Ali S , Bin Nafisah Abdulghani , Alswailem Meshael , Alghamdi Balgees , Alsaihati Burair , Aljafar Hussain , Baz Batoul , Alhindi Hindi , Moria Yosra , Butt Muhammad Imran , Alkabbani Abdulrahman Ghiatheddin , Alshaikh Omalkhaire M , Alnassar Anhar , Bin Afeef Ahmed , AlQuraa Reem , Alsuhaibani Rawan , Alhadlaq Omar , Abothenain Fayha , Altwaijry Yasser A
Published: April 2024

Context

Data on germline genetics of pituitary adenomas (PAs) using whole-exome sequencing (WES) are limited.

Objective

This study investigated the germline genetic variants in patients with PAs using WES.

Methods

We studied 134 consecutive functioning (80.6%) and nonfunctioning (19.4%) PAs in 61 female (45.5%) and 73 male patients (54.5%). Their median age was 34 years (range, 11-85 years) and 31 patients had microadenomas (23.0%) and 103 macroadenomas (77%). None of these patients had family history of PA or a known PA-associated syndrome. Peripheral blood DNA was isolated and whole-exome sequenced. We used American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) criteria and a number of in silico analysis tools to characterize genetic variant pathogenicity levels and focused on previously reported PA-associated genes.

Results

We identified 35 variants of unknown significance (VUS) in 17 PA-associated genes occurring in 40 patients (29.8%). Although designated VUS by the strict ACGM criteria, they are predicted to be pathogenic by in silico analyses and their extremely low frequencies in 1000 genome, gnomAD, and the Saudi Genome Project databases. Further analysis of these variants by the Alpha Missense analysis tool yielded 8 likely pathogenic variants in 9 patients in the following genes: AIP:c.767C>T (p.S256F), CDH23:c.906G>C (p.E302D), CDH23:c.1096G>A (p.A366T), DICER1:c.620C>T (p.A207V), MLH1:c.955G>A (p.E319K), MSH2:c.148G>A (p.A50T), SDHA:c.869T>C (p.L290P) and USP48 (2 patients): c.2233G>A (p.V745M).

Conclusion

This study suggests that about 6.7% of patients with apparently sporadic PAs carry likely pathogenic variants in PA-associated genes. These findings need further studies to confirm them.
Επιδράσεις της κοινωνικής οικονομίας στην κοινωνική και οικονομική ανάπτυξη των χωρών της ΕΕ
Authors: Αλεξόπουλος Γεώργιος
Published: April 2024

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή στοχεύει στη θεωρητική αποτύπωση των επιδράσεων που ασκεί η ανάπτυξη της κοινωνικής επιχειρηματικής δράσης, καθώς και των στοιχείων της κοινωνικής οικονομίας στην κοινωνική και οικονομική ανάπτυξη των χωρών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης (ΕΕ). Επιπλέον, μέσω της ανάλυσης που διενεργείται με τη χρήση και τον συνδυασμό οικονομετρικών μεθόδων και αλγορίθμων τεχνητής νοημοσύνης, επιχειρείται να διερευνηθεί η επιρροή που ασκεί η μεγέθυνση των μακροοικονομικών ροών της κοινωνικής οικονομίας στο επίπεδο του Ακαθάριστου Εγχώριου Προϊόντος (ΑΕΠ) των χωρών της ΕΕ. Για τον σκοπό αυτό, μελετήθηκε μια περίοδος 28 ετών (1995-2023) για 27 χώρες της ΕΕ, χρησιμοποιώντας διαστρωματικά δεδομένα. Από τα αποτελέσματα της μελέτης προέκυψε ότι οι κύριοι παράγοντες της κοινωνικής οικονομίας,οι οποίοι επιδρούν θετικά στην οικονομική μεγέθυνση είναι το επίπεδο της παραγωγής αγαθών και υπηρεσιών και το επίπεδο του ακαθάριστου λειτουργικού πλεονάσματος, με την αύξηση της ακαθάριστης προστιθέμενης αξίας και του επιπέδου της καθαρής λήψης/χορήγησης δανείων να ασκούν αρνητική επίδραση στο επίπεδο του ΑΕΠ. Επιβεβαιώθηκε η μακροχρόνια αιτιατή σχέση συν ολοκλήρωσης των μακροοικονομικών μακροχρόνιων μεταβλητών των ροών της κοινωνικής οικονομίας και του επιπέδου του ΑΕΠ. Eνώ σε ό, τι αφορά τη βραχυχρόνια περίοδο παρατηρήθηκε η παρουσία αμφίδρομης αιτιώδους σχέσης μεταξύ των ροών της κοινωνικής οικονομίας και του επιπέδου του ΑΕΠ. Αποδεικνύεται ότι η Κοινωνική Οικονομία δημιουργεί στεγανά εμπόδια στην μετάδοση των χρηματοοικονομικών κρίσεων σε βραχυχρόνιες περιόδους. Τέλος αναδεικνύεται η συνοριακή περιφερειακή συνεργατικότητα, κοινωνικές επιχειρήσεις που βρίσκονται στα σύνορα των χωρών αλληλοεπιδρούν έντονα με αντίστοιχες κοινωνικές επιχειρήσεις συνορευόντων χωρών και διευκολύνουν τις κοινωνικές αλληλεπιδράσεις και οικονομικές συναλλαγές.
Neck pain and distance learning: A pain in the neck for university students during COVID-19
Authors: Musaad Mohamed Awab , Abdulkafi Abbara Mohamad , Alaaeldin Bashier Sara , Aasim Elkhidir Danya , Hussein Amal , Ranade Anu Vinod
Published: April 2024

Objective The shift to online learning during COVID-19 led to increased musculoskeletal discomforts and impacted students’ quality of life. Neck pain, once a minor issue, has become more prevalent due to prolonged electronic device use in new learning methods. This study aims to measure the prevalence of neck pain among University of Sharjah (UOS) students during the COVID-19 online learning period and to investigate the factors that provoked it. Methods This cross-sectional study used an online survey distributed to UOS students via social media from February 16 to March 12, 2021. Demographic data, Neck Disability Index (NDI) assessments, and pain management information were gathered and analyzed using SPSS 24 through univariate and bivariate methods. Results The prevalence of neck pain during COVID-19, among 325 UOS students was found to be 62.7%, 64.41% of which had neck pain at the time of doing the survey. The mean NDI percentage point was 19.19%. The most common location of pain was the back of the neck 38.77%). Participants reported prolonged sitting (81.23%) while leaning forward as the most prevalent cause of their neck pain. Bivariate analysis showed that the most significant factors affecting the NDI were lifting, personal care, headaches, concentration, sleeping, recreational activities, reading, anxiousness, depression, and work. Moreover, subjects who did not seek medical attention treatment had significantly higher NDI scores as compared to those who did (83.89 vs 125.80, p=0.002). Conclusion By determining the prevalence of neck pain among UOS students, this research can attract attention to the importance of postural changes and time spent in e-learning on neck pain, and the gaps of previously published articles can be filled. Future studies about neck pain and additional preventative measures should be catalyzed in the UAE.
Gamificación: alternativa didáctica orientada a favorecer el aprendizaje de herramientas para la inclusión laboral de personas en desventaja social
Authors: López-Santamaría Mónica , Grueso Hinestroza Merlin Patricia , Ávila Sastre Maribel
Published: April 2024

El surgimiento de la covid-19 implicó, entre muchos cambios, la adopción de dinámicas de clase por acceso remoto y favoreció la adecuación de didácticas como las de la gamificación para hacer frente a los retos propios de estas nuevas modalidades de formación. En el marco del módulo de Comportamiento Organizacional de la Especialización de Gestión Humana en la Escuela de Administración de la Universidad del Rosario, se está implementando esta didáctica para dinamizar el aprendizaje de herramientas que favorecen la inclusión laboral de personas en desventaja social, en consonancia con la adherencia de la Escuela a los principios para la educación responsable en gestión y la adopción del enfoque pedagógico de aprender a aprender al que se inscribe la universidad. Este capítulo tiene el propósito de describir esta experiencia y compartir las lecciones aprendidas después de su implementación.
Una aproximación educativa centrada en los estudiantes: el aprendizaje basado en retos como modelo para la formación posgradual en administración
Authors: Sanabria Rangel José Mauricio , Useche Arévalo Alejandro José
Published: April 2024

En el contexto de la Universidad del Rosario, tal como lo señala su Proyecto Educativo Institucional, la docencia se considera la función más importante de todas. Esta se sustenta en un enfoque centrado en el estudiante que privilegia las pedagogías activas e innovadoras, desarrolladas en el marco del principio del aprender a aprender. En consonancia con esto, la Rosario Graduate School of Business o Rosario GSB, una unidad de la Escuela de Administración centrada en la formación empresarial posgradual de alto nivel, seleccionó el aprendizaje basado en retos como su modelo educativo fundamental. Este capítulo da cuenta de los fundamentos, el desarrollo y el contexto de aplicación de ese enfoque en las escuelas de administración y, en particular, de lo que su implementación ha significado en el interior de la Rosario GSB.
Fast Friends: The Impact of Short-Term Visits on Firms’ Invention Outcomes
Authors: Kang Hyo , Eklund John C.
Published: April 2024

We examine how employees’ short-term visits between research and development (R&D) centers across different countries can enhance a firm’s invention outcomes through enhancing intraorganizational knowledge flows and mutual trust between scientists. We utilize the staggered introduction of the U.S. visa waiver program (VWP) to 41 countries in 1988–2023, which substantially increased short-term visits to the United States. Following the introduction of the VWP, global pharmaceutical companies with R&D centers in VWP countries showed a significant increase in invention quantity and scope compared with those without R&D centers in VWP countries. Notably, we find that the benefits of short-term visits are greater when there is an intermediate knowledge distance between firms’ R&D centers in the United States and VWP countries. If R&D centers have similar knowledge bases, efficient knowledge flows can occur even without visits. For centers with very different knowledge bases, short-term visits do not provide enough time for sufficient knowledge flows. Benefits of short-term visits are also magnified when the cultural distance is greater between firms’ R&D centers. Our findings highlight that even short-term face-to-face interactions can enhance the sharing of tacit knowledge and subsequent invention, thereby offering important managerial and policy implications.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2021.16081 .
Some results on the finite rings with maximal size of pairwise non-commuting elements is 5
Authors:   Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Chan Tai Chong , Qua Kiat Tat ,   Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Wong Denis Chee Keong ,   Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
Published: April 2024

Let R be a finite ring and let X be a non-empty subset of R. If ab=ba for any two distinct a,b∈X, then X is called a set of pairwise non-commuting elements of R. Moreover, X is said to be a set of pairwise non-commuting elements of R with maximal size if its cardinality is the largest one among all suchsets. In this paper, we study the structures for some finite rings with maximal size of pairwise non-commuting elements is 5.
Minimal lattice points in the Newton polyhedron and application to normal ideals
Authors:   Sultan Qaboos University, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Al-Ayyoub Ibrahim
Published: April 2024

Let a1,...,an be positive integers and let ∆=NP(a1,...,an) be the Newton polyhedron associated to these integers, that is, the convex hull in Rn of the axial points that haveaiin the xi-axis. We give some characterization of the minimal elements of ∆, and then use this characterization to give an alternative simpler proof of a main result of [7] on the normality of monomial ideals.
Leavitt inverse semigroups of polynomial growth
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Bezushchak Dmytro
Published: April 2024

We relate growth functions of graph inverse semigroups, Leavitt inverse semigroups and Leavitt path algebras and discuss structure of Leavitt inverse semigroups of polynomially bounded growth.
Teachers’ Attitudes Toward the Use of a Minority Language as the Language of Instruction in Primary Schools in India
Authors:   Department of English Language Teaching, Gauhati University, India, Barua Nivedita Malini , Rabha Subhash ,   District Mission Office, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Udalguri, India
Published: April 2024

This study evaluates the attitudes of primary school teachers in Rabhalanguage- majority areas of Assam, a state in India about the use of Rabha as a language of instruction in the light of the new National Education Policy 2020. Fifty one school teachers were surveyed and 15 teachers were interviewed using the triangulation method. This article makes a case for advocacy and mobilization of the community for successful implementation of educational policies. Even well-intended policies might not achieve success if the target community is not convinced of the positive outcomes of the policy recommendations. The findings of the study reveal that though the teachers were overtly supportive of the use of Rabha in the classroom, they displayed subtle resistance toward its use due to the widespread misconception that if education is not imparted in more mainstream languages, students will lose important educational and employment opportunities. The authors make recommendations for carrying out proper advocacy and mobilization drives in order to create awareness about the advantages of mother tongue-based multilingual education.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Project-Based Learning: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis of Student Achievement between 2010 and 2023
Authors:   School of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Zhejiang, China, Rehman Nadia , Huang Xiao ,   School of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Zhejiang, China, Batool Samia ,   Sichuan University, Chengdu, China, Andleeb Irum ,   Virtual University of Pakistan, Mahmood Amir ,   School of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Zhejiang, China
Published: April 2024

Project-Based Learning (PBL) has been lauded as a robust alternative to traditional, didactic instructional methods. Despite its growing adoption, comprehensive syntheses of its effect on student learning remain scarce. This study aims to fill this gap by systematically reviewing and meta-analyzing the impact of PBL on students’ academic performance across various disciplines. Employing the PRISMA guidelines, we evaluated 70 research articles published between 2010 and 2023 that quantitatively measured PBL educational outcomes. Our analysis, facilitated by advanced meta-analysis software, revealed a consistent, moderate to substantial enhancement in student performance under PBL compared to conventional teaching. The aggregate mean weighted effect size (d+) was 0.652, indicating a significant and positive influence of PBL on academic achievement. This effect persisted across different sample sizes and time frames within the study period. The findings underscore PBL’s superiority in fostering academic success, particularly in science subjects. Consequently, this article contributes to the scholarly discourse by delineating the specific conditions and magnitudes of PBL’s effectiveness and recommends its broader implementation in educational strategies. Based on the robust findings of this meta-analysis, the study strongly suggests education institutions integrate PBL, particularly in science education. Additionally, the study advocates for continuous, empirical research to refine and optimize PBL methodologies, ensuring their evolving effectiveness and adaptability in the dynamic landscape of educational pedagogies.