bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transitioning from Host-Pathogen Dynamics to Social Interactions: Assessing Vaccination Strategies through the IABM Model
Authors: Gonzaga Marlon Nunes , De Oliveira Marcelo Martins , Atman Allbens
Published: July 2024

This study presents extended Immunity Agent-Based Model (IABM) simulations to evaluate vaccination strategies in controlling the spread of infectious diseases. The application of IABM in the analysis of vaccination configurations is innovative, as a vaccinated individual can be infected depending on how their immune system acts against the invading pathogen, without a pre-established infection rate. Analysis at the microscopic level demonstrates the impact of vaccination on individual immune responses and infection outcomes, providing a more realistic representation of how the humoral response caused by vaccination affects the individual’s immune defense. At the macroscopic level, the effects of different population-wide vaccination strategies are explored, including random vaccination, targeted vaccination of specific demographic groups, and spatially focused vaccination. The results indicate that increased vaccination rates are correlated with decreased infection and mortality rates, highlighting the importance of achieving herd immunity. Furthermore, strategies focused on vulnerable populations or densely populated regions prove to be more effective in reducing disease transmission compared to randomly distributed vaccination. The results presented in this work show that vaccination strategies focused on highly crowded regions are more efficient in controlling epidemics and outbreaks. Results suggest that applying vaccination only in the densest region resulted in the suppression of infection in that region, with less intense viral spread in areas with lower population densities. Strategies focused on specific regions, in addition to being more efficient in reducing the number of infected and dead people, reduce costs related to transportation, storage, and distribution of doses compared to the random vaccination strategy. Considering that, despite scientific efforts to consolidate the use of mass vaccination, the accessibility, affordability, and acceptability of vaccines are problems that persist, investing in the study of strategies that mitigate such issues is crucial in the development and application of government policies that make immunization systems more efficient and robust.
Challenges of Urologic Oncology in Low‐to‐Middle Income Countries
Authors: Majdalany Sami E , Butaney Mohit , Tinsley Shane , Corsi Nicholas , Arora Sohrab , Rogers Craig G , Abdollah Firas
Published: July 2024

We performed a literature review to identify articles regarding the state of urological cancers in low-to-middle income countries (LMIC). The challenges that LMIC face are multifactorial and can include, poor health education, inadequate screening, as well as limited access to treatment options and trained urologists. Many of the gold standard treatments in high income countries (HIC) are scarce in LMIC due to their poor socioeconomic status leading to advanced stage of disease at diagnosis and ultimately a higher mortality rate. These standards of care are vital components of oncological disease management, however, the current and sparse literature available from LMIC indicate that there are many obstacles delaying early diagnosis and management options in LMIC. In the era of evolving medical diagnosis and treatments, sufficient data must be gathered and understood in order to provide appropriate diagnostic and treatment options to curtail rising mortality rates, and therefore help to alleviate the bur-den in LMIC.
Smart Governance Tool's Design to Monitor the Commitments of Bio-Business Licensing in Indonesia
Authors: Maulana Muhammad Mahreza , Suroso Arif Imam , Nurhadryani Yani , Seminar Kudang Boro
Published: July 2024

Some business license commitments in online single submission (OSS) currently only consist of an independent statement from the business actor, and there is no time limit for fulfilling the license, especially for low-risk bio-business licenses. Therefore, a system design is needed to monitor the fulfillment of business license commitments and to provide confidence to the public regarding the business provided. The system design started with discussing the importance of smart governance tools, defining the requirements for monitoring the commitment of bio-business licenses, selecting documents, determining important words and document types, and proposing a design. This research produces a prototype of a business license monitoring system. This smart governance tool checks the validity of business license documents. The proposed smart governance tool will overcome the complexity of the integration process for fulfilling business licenses from the Indonesian government units or agency systems with the OSS system. Apart from that, it is also very effective by looking at the thousands of government applications that currently exist and the desire to become one application solution that contains many functions that can fulfill the many needs of business actors for simple and transparent business licenses.
Polymers and their Use in Ecological Construction Materials
Authors: Ioana Adrian , (Craciun) Diana Cristina Labes , Constantin Nicolae , Semenescu Augustin , (Iordachescu) Roxana Marina Solea , (Manolescu) Daniela Alice Luta , Istrate Alexandra
Published: July 2024

This study evaluates the efficiency of biodegradable polyurethane foams as thermal insulation materials compared to conventional materials like expanded polystyrene (EPS). Key parameters analyzed include thermal conductivity, energy savings, CO2 emission reductions, and investment payback periods. Biodegradable polyurethane foams demonstrated a thermal conductivity of 0.022 W/(m·K), significantly lower than EPS's 0.035 W/(m·K), leading to higher energy savings. Calculations reveal an annual energy saving of 443,820 kWh for polyurethane foams, compared to 441,330 kWh for EPS. Financially, polyurethane foams save approximately €53,258.4 annually, while EPS saves €52,959.6. In terms of environmental impact, polyurethane foams reduce CO2 emissions by 88,764 kg annually, versus 88,266 kg for EPS. Despite the higher initial cost of polyurethane foams (€50/m² compared to €30/m² for EPS), the payback period is remarkably short at 0.094 years (1.13 months) compared to EPS's 0.057 years (0.68 months). These findings highlight biodegradable polyurethane foams as a superior option for thermal insulation, offering significant energy, financial, and environmental benefits.
Attraction of the Indian Meal Moth Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) to Commercially Available Vegetable Oils: Implications in Integrated Pest Management
Authors: Liu Junyan , Yu Zhuoer , He Xiong Zhao , Zhou Guoxin , Guo Mengbo , Deng Jianyu
Published: July 2024

The Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella, poses a significant threat to global agricultural products. Although pheromone-based technologies show promise for P. interpunctella management, limitations like single-sex targeting necessitate exploring complementary strategies. Vegetable-based oils represent a potential alternative, but their efficacy, sex-specificity, and interaction with sex pheromones remain unclear. To answer these questions, we first examined attraction of P. interpunctella female and male adults to ten different vegetable oils, i.e., camellia, corn, olive, peanut, rapeseed, sesame, soybean, sunflower, walnut, and a blended oil (mixture of sunflower seed, rapeseed, soybean, peanut, and sesame oils), in the semi-field conditions. Sesame, olive, and blended oils demonstrated most attractive, capturing significantly more adults compared to other oils. We then evaluated effectiveness of these three attractive oils and their combinations with P. interpunctella sex pheromone in a grain warehouse. Traps baited with these oils captured significantly more females and males compared to control traps without attractants. However, sex pheromone addition did not improve male capture and significantly reduced female capture, suggesting an inhibitory effect. Our findings highlight the potential of blended, olive, or sesame oil trap alone as alternative monitoring and trapping tools for P. interpunctella, delivering novel insights into the development of efficient integrated pest management strategies for stored products.
ANALYSIS OF INDIVIDUAL AND STRUCTURAL POVERTY IN URBAN (CASE STUDY IN SEMANGGI VILLAGE)
Authors: Nurhayati Nurhayati , Wiyono Vincent Hadi , Henryanto Aria Ganna
Published: July 2024

This article aims to identify several individual and structural factors that are thought to be explanations for the phenomenon of urban poverty. This study uses mixed research methods, namely by combining quantitative and qualitative research. Based on a household census conducted in the two poorest and richest RTs in the poorest RW in Semanggi Sub-District, this research found that first, individual poverty occurs due to low levels of education which have an impact on low-paid jobs, early marriage and a tendency to have more children. Second, structural poverty occurs as a result of illegal residence status which results in limited access to available public services. Moreover, the social safety net programs in the form of Raskin and Raskinda, for example, are distributed equally among all residents, as a result the target households do not really benefit from the program.
Fenomena Fear of Floating Nilai Tukar di Indonesia Periode 1998-2007: Identifikasi, Alasan Ekonomi, dan Implikasinya terhadap Kebijakan Moneter
Authors:   Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Statistik, Budiasih Budiasih
Published: July 2024

Fluktuasi nilai tukar (Rp/US$) yang relatif stabil selama 2002{2007 di Indonesia memunculkan potensi fenomena fear of floating. Dengan metode GARCH ditemukan bahwa fenomena tersebut terjadi di Indonesia. Kemudian dengan metode Time Varying Parameter dan Error Correction Mechanism, studi ini menunjukkan alasan ekonomi bagi Otoritas Moneter untuk menstabilkan perilaku nilai tukar rupiah. Depresiasi dan peningkatan volatilitas rupiah diketahui berdampak pada kenaikan in asi dan Non-Performing Loans bank, sebaliknya apresiasi dan peningkatan volatilitas rupiah berdampak pada penurunan ekspor neto. Lalu, dengan Vector Autoregressive ditemukan bahwa jika terjadi gangguan pada nilai tukar, maka Otoritas Moneter merespons melalui tingkat bunga selama empat bulan dan cadangan devisa selama dua bulan.
Pengeluaran Pemerintah Daerah, Produktivitas Pertanian, dan Kemiskinan di Indonesia
Authors:   Laboratorium Komputasi Departemen Ilmu Ekonomi, Fakultas Ekonomi Universitas Indonesia, Suwardi Akbar
Published: July 2024

Studi ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara pengeluaran pemerintah daerah, produktivitas pertanian, dan kemiskinan di Indonesia selama periode 2005-2008. Dengan mempergunakan model ekonometrika panel dan panel-simultan, studi ini membuktkan bahwa pengeluaran pemerintah daerah di sektor infrastruktur dan pendidikan signifikan memengaruhi produktivitas pertanian dan kemiskinan. Studi ini juga menemukan bahwa efek pengeluaran pemerintah daerah terhadap kemiskinan paling besar ditunjukkan oleh panjang jalan, diikuti tingkat melek huruf dan irigasi.
Tinjauan Buku: Menerawang Indonesia: pada Dasawarsa Ketiga Abad ke-21
Authors:   Departemen Ilmu Ekonomi, Fakultas Ekonomi Universitas Indonesia, Soelistianingsih Lana
Published: July 2024

Menerawang Indonesia: pada Dasawarsa Ketiga Abad Ke-12 merupakan judul buku yang ditulis oleh Prof. (Emeritus) Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Ph.D. {Guru Besar Fakultas Ekonomi Universitas Indonesia, mantan Menteri Koordinator bidang Perekonomian era kepemimpinan Presiden Megawati Soekarnoputri- yang diluncurkan pada Selasa, 10 April 2012 lalu. Buku tersebut merupakan 'hadiah' pemikiran Pak Jatun yang selama ini dikenal sebagai salah satu ekonom Indonesia yang futuristic dengan bauran pemikiran yang multidispilin, tidak hanya melibatkan ekonomi- politik, tetapi juga keamanan dan sosial budaya.
Artful Subversion: Empress Dowager Cixi’s Image Making. By Ying-chen Peng. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2023. ISBN 978-0-300-26343-5. ix+196 pp. $50.
Authors: Miller Alison J
Published: July 2024

Review of Ying-chen Peng, Artful Subversion: Empress Dowager Cixi's Image Making (New Haven: Yale, 2023).
Introduction: Historians and the Trouble of Defining Aristocracy
Authors: Sarti Dr. Cathleen
Published: July 2024

This introduction to the special issue Defining Aristocracy eases the reader slowly into the various troubles historians have in defining aristocracy. It argues for embracing the fuzziness of the term, and building research from there. The introduction also gives an overview of the special issue, and a short summary of the articles. The trouble historians have of defining aristocracy is discussed and contextualised within the broader historiography, but, based on the four articles on eighteenth-century Geneva, modern Swedish historiography discussing early modern aristocracy, nineteenth-century Habsburg, and finally Tudor England, a way forward is offered. Despite the trouble of actually defining aristocracy, speaking about it, thinking about it, and trying to elucidate it is indeed meaningful and fruitful for research.
PERENCANAAN DAN PEMBUATAN ALAT PENGUPAS KULIT JAGUNG
Authors: Sulaiman Sulaiman , Aprilianto Karolus
Published: July 2024

Komoditas tanaman pangan merupakan komoditas yang dominan dan dikembangkan secara intensif terutama jagung. Setelah jagung dipanen perlu dilakukan beberapa langkah penanganan salah satunya dengan cara pengupasan kulit dan pemipilan jagung, sebelumnya para petani melakukan proses pengupasan kulit dan pemipilan jagung secara manual yang membutuhkan tenaga kerja dan biaya yang sangat banyak serta waktu yang panjang. Hal ini menyebabkan hasil yang didapat sangat lah sedikit, dan tak jarang banyak jagung yang kualitasnya buruk akibat proses pengolahan yang kurang efektif. Dari masalah yang ada penulis merancang dan membuat kombinasi mesin pengupas dan pemipil jagung. Perancangan alat pengupas dan pemipil jagung menggunakan motor listrik dengan kapasitas 0,5 HP sebagai penggerak. Dari hasil pengujian mesin pengupas dan pemipil jagung uji coba dillakukan sebanyak tiga kali pengujian dengan masa 2 kg, 3 kg, dan 4 kg jagung yang masih utuh dengan kulit. Setelah jagung selesai ditimbang selanjutnya jagung dimasukan ke dalam mesin pengupas dan pemipil jagung dengan perlakuan yang berbeda, yaitu  memasukan jagung kedalam mesin satu persatu dengan jeda, memasukan jagung secara satu persatu, dan uji coba ketiga yaitu memasukan jagung secara satu per satu tanpa jeda, sehingga rata-rata waktu yang dihasilkan 1 menit 6 detik dari proses pengupasan dan pemipilan.
Physicochemical Characteristics of Cream Cheese Based on Different Ratios of Bromelin Enzyme and Rennet Enzyme
Authors: Ningrum Sugiyati , Prayitno Sutrisno adi , Yahya Achmad Tantowi
Published: July 2024

Milk belongs to the food group that is readily ruined and provides complete nutrients; therefore, adequate processing is necessary to extend its shelf life. One of the most popular dairy products is cream cheese. This cream cheese has a soft texture, a white color, and a savoury flavour. It can be used as a topping or a complimentary element. This objective of this study was to determine the differences effect in the ratio of bromelain and rennet enzymes on the physicochemical characteristics of cream cheese. The experimental design used in this research was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with the following treatments: 8% bromelain enzyme (P1); 8% rennet enzyme (P2); bromelain enzyme 7% + rennet enzyme 1% (P3); bromelain enzyme 4% + rennet enzyme 4% (P4); 1% bromelain enzyme + 7% rennet enzyme (P5) where each treatment will be repeated 3 times. Some of the parameters tested were yield, pH, water content, protein content, color degree and spreadability. Based on the effectiveness test to determine the best treatment, the highest value was obtained for the P4 treatment with a yield of 11.14%, pH value of 5.83, water content of 55.50%, protein content of 5.62%, color degree of 78.21, and spreadability of 3.50 cm.
Caregivers’ perceptions of and experiences with severe acute malnutrition among children aged 6 to 59 months in the Ari Zone, South Ethiopia: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative study.
Authors: Hareru Tagay Sahelu
Published: July 2024

Background: Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) threatens millions of lives of children under 5 years old worldwide. People sometimes do not perceive SAM symptoms in children as a problem, and most often, consult traditional health practitioners to solve the situation when it worsens. As studies have shown, there are different factors that hinder service from the context of awareness to practical situations.
Objective: To explore caregivers’ perceptions of and experiences with severe acute malnutrition among children aged 6 to 59 months in the Ari Zone, South Ethiopia, 2023.
Results: The ways in which caregivers manage SAM and its shared challenges were described using four predominant themes, namely, community-related challenges, hygiene and sanitation, food insecurity, and health system-related challenges.
As a result, malnutrition is not well understood by families of children, and traditional practices, especially kella, have predominantly been performed in study areas with paradoxical diagnoses and identical symptoms of SAM. Economic incapability influences tackling SAM in children. The health system has limitations in terms of supplies, service delivery, and professional ethics. These situations need to be improved by working on community awareness and empowerment, strengthening the system and further investigating traditional practices.
Prefrontal circHomer1 regulates synaptic and behavioral adaptations induced by psychostimulants
Authors: Shi Jie , Chen Yun , Zhang Zhongyu , Li Xianfeng , Chen Wenjun , Huang Shihao , Zhang Guipeng , Yu Zhoulong , Zhang Libo , Xue Yan-Xue
Published: July 2024

Substance use disorder (SUD) represents a substantial challenge in neuropsychiatric medicine, with the molecular mechanisms underlying its etiology remaining elusive. The molecular underpinnings of SUD suggest a pivotal role for circular RNAs (circRNAs) in its pathophysiology. Herein, we present a study on circHomer1, a circRNA enriched in neurons, which is abnormal expression upon cocaine exposure. Employing models of repeated cocaine exposure and conditioning place preference (CPP), alongside virus-mediated gene regulation techniques, we revealed the contributory function of circHomer1 in cocaine-induced rewarding effects and synaptic adaptations. We found a notably downregulation of circHomer1 expression in the prelimbic cortex consequent to repeated cocaine exposure in both rat model and patients with cocaine use disorder. Elevation of circHomer1 levels resulted in a pronounced attenuation of cocaine-induced CPP, whereas suppression of circHomer1 expression enhanced the rewarding effects. These outcomes were specifically observed in excitatory neurons, implicating a cell type-specific function of circHomer1. Furthermore, the restoration of circHomer1 rescued the reduction of mushroom-type dendritic spines and rectified deficits in the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents associated with prolonged cocaine exposure. The modulatory actions of circHomer1 on cocaine-induced behavioral and synaptic responses were mediated by the dopamine receptor D1. Intriguingly, the effects of circHomer1 were selective to psychostimulant drugs, with no influence on food or opioid reward. Our findings highlight the significant role of circHomer1 in regulating psychostimulants reward and identify a novel molecular regulator of the actions of psychostimulants on the brain’s reward circuitry, providing a new strategy for treating drug addiction.
Flute-like marks at the base of Plinian pumice-fall deposits at Ohachidaira caldera, Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Yasuda Yuki , Maeno Fukashi
Published: July 2024

We describe flute-like marks at the boundary between the sub-Plinian and overlying Plinian units of the 34 ka eruption at the Ohachidaira caldera and discuss their formation mechanisms. These scours are observed at a proximal section ~ 1.8 km from the caldera center (~ 0.9 km from the rim) and show asymmetric cross-sectional shapes that closely resemble flute marks typically found in subaqueous sedimentary rocks; they cut into underlying strata of the immediately preceding sub-Plinian fallout deposits and are filled with pumice lapilli of the Plinian phase. Another characteristic erosional feature is shear deformation of the top ash layer of the sub-Plinian deposits; this ash layer is locally bent, folded, split, or fragmented. These erosional features appear to be coeval with the basal part of the Plinian unit. We interpret these features, based upon their field characteristics, to have been formed by dilute turbulent pyroclastic currents that occurred at the beginning of the Plinian phase. Observations allow the estimation of timescales for formation of the flute-like marks to be at ~ 0.5–5 min, which is rarely obtained from flute marks in sedimentary rocks. The only deposit left by the erosive currents is a thin fine ash lens that occurs at the bases of the flute-like marks, and no pyroclastic current deposits or erosional features were observed at the base of the Plinian sequence beyond 1 km from the caldera rim, suggesting short runout distances of the dilute pyroclastic currents; such small currents might have resulted from a local collapse along the margin of the Plinian column.
They always say time changes things – a comparative study of epibenthic assemblage in high Arctic fjord between 2005 and 2020
Authors: Sowa Anna , Balazy Piotr , Chelchowski Maciej , Włodarska-Kowalczuk Maria , Barnes David , Iglikowska Anna , Kotwicki Lech
Published: July 2024

Accelerated warming has been reported in the Arctic in recent years. Climate change forcing has been detected in many aspects of high-latitude ecosystem ecology. Given previous reports of shifts within the Arctic benthos, we anticipated changes when revisiting the structure of epibenthic assemblages colonising the shallow subtidal zone in Svalbard’s largest sill-less fjord, Isfjorden. To investigate that, experimental constructions holding replicate settlement plates (artificial substrata) were set up at two stations on the rocky bottom of southern Isfjorden in the summer of 2004 and were retrieved after a year of immersion. The same procedure was conducted again after 15 years, in summer 2019. The comparison of the samples from those two periods showed significant differences in assemblage structure. The most substantial change observed was a shift in species dominance suggesting a reorganisation of the assemblage. Most notable was a difference in the abundance of the typically Arctic bryozoan Harmeria scutulata (from 100 to 0 ind. per 100 cm2 between 2005 and 2020), which before 2004 was found to account for more than 50% of bryozoan individuals encrusting stones around Svalbard. The overall taxonomic composition was, however, representative of West Spitsbergen. The Arctic, particularly the Eurasia sector, has been under sustained climate change forcing long prior to the establishment of our field experiment, thus even the 2005 results may showcase an epibenthic assemblage in an already altered state. We think this emphasises how important robust baseline data are to provide crucial reference points to measure and understand change.
Using Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing in Triage for Prediction of Clinical Disposition in the Emergency Department
Authors: Chang Yu-Hsin , Lin Ying-Chen , Huang Fen-Wei , Chen Dar-Min , Chung Yu-Ting , Chen Wei-Kung , Wang Charles C.N.
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:
Accurate triage is required for efficient allocation of resources and to decrease patients’ length of stay. Triage decisions are often subjective and vary by provider, leading to patients being over-triaged or under-triaged. This study developed machine learning models that incorporated natural language processing to predict patient disposition. The models were assessed by comparing their performance with the judgements of emergency physicians (EPs).
METHOD:
This retrospective study obtained data from patients visiting EDs between January 2018 and December 2019. Internal validation data came from China Medical University Hospital (CMUH), while external validation data were obtained from Asia University Hospital (AUH). Nontrauma patients aged ≥ 20 years were included. The models were trained using structured data and unstructured data (free-text notes). The primary outcome was death in the ED or admission to the intensive care unit, and the secondary outcome was either admission to a general ward or transferal to another hospital. Six machine learning models (CatBoost, light gradient boosting machine, logistic regression, random forest classifier, extremely randomized trees, and gradient boosting models) and one logistic regression model were developed and evaluated using EPs' predictions as reference.
RESULT:
A total of 168,235 and 27,645 patients were enrolled from CMUH and AUH, respectively. EPs achieved AUC values of 0.752 and 0.659 for the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. Among the machine learning models, CatBoost exhibited the highest AUCs (0.935 for primary outcome and 0.857 for secondary outcome) and F1 scores (0.488 for primary outcome and 0.610 for secondary outcome). In external validation, gradient boosting achieved the highest AUC (0.933) for the primary outcome, while light gradient boosting machine achieved the highest AUC (0.817) for the secondary outcome.
CONCLUSION:
The machine learning models outperformed the reference model in predicting clinical outcomes. Integrating these models into triage systems may enhance triage processes and resource allocation.
A randomized controlled trial of a self-guided mobile app targeting repetitive negative thought to prevent depression in university students: study protocol of the Nurture-U Reducing Worry prevention trial
Authors: Watkins ER , Phillips D , Cranston T , Chouieri H , Newton M , Cook H , Taylor G
Published: July 2024

Background
Tackling poor mental health in university students has been identified as a priority in higher education. However, there are few evidence-based prevention initiatives designed for students. Repetitive Negative Thought (RNT, e.g. worry, rumination) is elevated in university students and is a well-established vulnerability factor for anxiety and depression. Furthermore, there are now evidence-based cognitive-behavioural interventions to tackle RNT. A mobile self-help cognitive-behavioural app targeting RNT, adapted for students may therefore be an effective, scalable, and acceptable way to improve prevention in students.
Methods
An online single blind, two-arm parallel-group Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) to examine the incidence of major depression and symptoms of anxiety and depression across 12 months in university students aged over 16 who screen into the study with self-reported high levels of worry and/or rumination and no current diagnosis of major depression. Eligible participants will be randomised to the active intervention arm (usual practice plus using a self-guided mobile app targeting RNT) or to the control arm (usual practice). In total, 648 participants aged over 16, with no current major depression, bipolar disorder or psychosis will be recruited from UK universities. Assessments will take place at baseline (pre-randomisation), 3 months and 12 months post- randomisation. Primary endpoint and outcome is incidence of major depression as determined by self-reported diagnostic criteria at 12-month follow-up. Depressive symptoms, anxiety, well-being, health-related quality of life, functioning and academic outcomes are secondary outcomes. Compliance, adverse events, and potentially mediating variables will be carefully monitored.
Discussion
The trial aims to provide a better understanding of the causal role of tackling RNT (worry, rumination) using a self-help mobile app with respect to preventing depression in university students. This knowledge will be used to develop and disseminate innovative evidence-based, feasible, and effective mobile-health public health strategies for preventing common mental health problems.
Trial registration
https//www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN86795807 Date of registration 27 October 2022
Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form as a mortality risk factor in patients with respiratory disease undergoing urgent hospitalization
Authors: Ishiwari Mayuko , Kono Yuta , Togashi Yuki , Kobayashi Kenichi , Kikuchi Ryota , Kogami Mariko , Suekawa Ami , Miyazawa Yasushi , Abe Shinji
Published: July 2024

Background
Studies of nutritional status in geriatric patients with respiratory diseases are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the mortality risk of older patients undergoing urgent hospitalization for various respiratory diseases.
Methods
This was a retrospective study of patients aged ≥ 65 years with respiratory diseases who were urgently hospitalized between April 2022 and March 2024. The Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF) was evaluated at the time of urgent admission, and the risk of malnutritional status was defined by the MNA-SF score of 0–10. Biomarkers of inflammation and acute respiratory failure such as neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), ROX index, and the pulse oximetric saturation (SpO2)/ fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) [S/F] ratio were calculated and analyzed as risk factors of in-hospital mortality.
Results
A total of 99 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study with median age of 78 (IQR: 73–85) years. Twenty-six patients (26.3%) died during hospitalization, and the mean period until death was 19 (IQR: 11–37) days. Univariate analysis demonstrated that older age (> 79), low S/F ratio (< 315), low ROX (< 8.3), low NLR (< 7.7) and low MNA-SF (< 11) were associated with in-hospital mortality, multivariate analysis revealed that older age and low MNA-SF were independent predictors.
Conclusions
MNA-SF is a mortality risk factor in older patients undergoing urgent hospitalization for various respiratory diseases.
Effect of Neuromuscular Control Exercise Program Using Non-elastic Taping on The Knee Joint in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Yoon Sang-woo , Kim Suhn-yeop
Published: July 2024

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a neuromuscular control exercise program for knee joint using non-elastic taping on pain, functional disability, quality of life, balance ability, thickness, and contraction ratio of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) muscles in adults aged 65 years and older with knee osteoarthritis.
Objects: A total of 46 elderly individuals aged 65 years and older with knee osteoarthritis participated in the study. Using a randomization process, participants were allocated into an experimental group (n=23) and a control group (n=23). Both groups underwent a knee joint neuromuscular control exercise program. In addition, the experimental group received a non-elastic taping application, while the control group received sham taping. All interventions were conducted for approximately 30 minutes per session, three times a week, for a total of four weeks. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (K-WOMAC), Euro Quality of Life 5 Dimension (EQ-5D), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), muscle thickness, and contraction ratio were measured before and after the intervention to compare the effects.
Results: Both groups showed significant differences in VAS, K-WOMAC, EQ-5D, BBS, muscle thickness, and contraction ratio before and after intervention (p<0.05). In addition, the experimental group showed more significant differences in the amount of change in K-WOMAC stiffness, K-WOMAC function, EQ-5D, BBS, muscle thickness, and contraction ratio values than the control group.
Conclusion: A neuromuscular control exercise program using non-elastic taping for knee joints is an effective intervention method for improving knee joint pain, function, quality of life, balance ability, muscle thickness and contraction ratio in elderly patients aged 65 years, and older with knee osteoarthritis.
Changes of laminar angle in cervical double-door laminoplasty -Comparison of conventional method and suture anchor method using computed tomography images
Authors: Morishita Shingo , Hirai Takashi , Yuasa Masato , Matsukura Yu , Yamada Kentaro , Egawa Satoru , Onuma Hiroaki , Hashimoto Jun , Yoshii Toshitaka
Published: July 2024

Background
Laminar closure rarely occurs in conventional laminoplasty (LAMP). Thus, various techniques have been developed to maintain the laminar opening using the suture anchor. However, no studies have examined the two surgical methods using computed tomography. This study aimed to compare LAMP using the suture anchor and conventional LAMP in terms of laminar opening maintenance.
Methods
This study included patients who underwent double-door LAMP from C3 to C7 according to the Kirita-Miyazaki method (conventional group, where the lamina was sutured to the deep fascia) or using suture anchors (anchor group). The laminar angles from C3 to C6 were measured using cervical spine computed tomography intraoperatively, 1 week postoperatively, and 1 year postoperatively, respectively, in the conventional and anchor groups. We measured the C2–C7 lordotic angle, T1 or C7 slope, and cervical sagittal vertical axis by X-ray and investigated the 1-year postoperative recovery rate with Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores.
Results
The anchor group consisted of 11 patients and the conventional group consisted of 9 patients. The laminar angles at C4, C5, and C6 were significantly greater in the anchor group both intraoperatively, 1 week postoperatively, and 1 year postoperatively. C3 had a slightly larger laminar angle in the anchor group but was not significant. The C3 laminar angle decreased over time in both groups. The laminar angle for C4, C5, and C6 in the anchor group was maintained intraoperatively to 1 year postoperatively. The laminar angle did not change beyond 1 week postoperatively in the conventional group.
Conclusions
The laminar angle in the anchor group was maintained intraoperatively to 1 year postoperatively, while the conventional group tended to close immediately postoperatively. The suture anchor technique may maintain laminar opening more rigidly than the conventional suture method.
Paper battery powered iontophoresis microneedles patch for hypertrophic scar treatment
Authors: Jiang Lelun , Gao Jie , Chen Fuqian , Wang Chen , Yang Jingbo , Zheng Ying , Liu Bin , Nie Gang , Zhu Linyu , Wu Shuo , Xie Xi
Published: July 2024

Hypertrophic scar (HS) is a plaque fibrous and indurated dermal lesion that may cause physical, psychological, and cosmetic challenges for patients. Intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) is commonly used in clinical practice, which cause unbearable pain and uneven drug delivery within HS tissue. Herein, we developed a paper battery powered iontophoresis-driven microneedle patch (PBIMNP) for self-management and painless treatment of HS. The high integration of PBIMNP was achieved by incorporating a paper battery as the power source for iontophoresis. The transdermal drug delivery strategy of PBIMNP combined microneedles and iontophoresis techniques, involving "pressing and poking, phase transformation, and diffusion and iontophoresis", which can actively deliver 90.19% drug into the HS tissue with excellentin vitrodrug permeation performance. PBIMNP administration effectively reduced the mRNA and protein levels, leading to a decrease in the expression of TGF-β1 and Col I associated with HS formation, demonstrating its efficacy in HS treatment. The painless microneedles and wearable design endow the PBIMNP as a highly promising platform for self-administration on HS treatment.
Developing a framework for identifying risk factors and estimating direct economic disease burden attributable to healthcare-associated infections: case study of a Chinese Tuberculosis hospital
Authors: Ren Nili , Liu Xinliang , Luo Yi , Li Guofei , Huang Ying , Ji Desheng , Peng Cheng , Sun Jing , Li Hao
Published: July 2024

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent a major global health burden, necessitating effective frameworks to identify potential risk factors and estimate direct economic disease burden. We proposed a framework designed to address these needs through a case study conducted in a Chinese Tuberculosis hospital using data from 2018 to 2019. The framework incorporates a comprehensive multistep process, including ethical application, participant inclusion, risk factor identification, and direct economic disease burden estimation. In the case study, ethical approval was obtained, and patient data were anonymized to ensure privacy. All TB hospitalized patients over study period were included and classified into groups with and without HAIs after screening the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Key risk factors, including gender, age, and invasive procedures were identified through univariate and multivariate analyses. Then, propensity score matching was employed to select the balanced groups with similar characteristics. Comparisons of medical expenditures (total medical expenditure, medicine expenditure, and antibiotic expenditure) and hospitalization days between the balanced groups were calculated as the additional direct economic disease burden measures caused by HAIs. This framework can serve as a tool for hospital management and policy-making, enabling the implementation of targeted infection prevention and control measures. It has the potential to be applied in various healthcare settings at local, regional, national, and international levels to identify high-risk areas, optimize resource allocation, and improve internal and external hospital management, as well as inter-organizational learning. Challenges to implement the framework are also raised, such as data quality, regulatory compliance, considerations on unique nature of communicable diseases and other diseases, and training need for professionals.
Highly active electrocatalytic alcohol oxidation coupled hydrogen production with unsaturated Ni-O(OH) coordination
Authors: Yang Nianjun , Xu Wenli , Zhang Qin , Sun Bing , Shang Qing , Chen Shuni , Li Qiqi , Gao Yinhong , Chen Yongting , Li Xuanke
Published: July 2024

Electrocatalytic H2 production coupled with valuable chemical fabrication is highly desirable and sustainable approach for a carbon neutral future. The prerequisite for its industrialization on terawatt-scale is the exploitation of an electrocatalyst that can operate steadily at current densities exceeding ampere levels. In this work, a Ni-O(H)-C electrocatalyst is proposed to realize the exceptional performance at the ampere-level current densities towards ethanol electrooxidation to acetic acid (EOR), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and their integrated system. This catalyst achieves a current density of 2 A cm–2 for EOR and 1.5 A cm–2 for HER at approximately 320 mV overpotential. This remarkable activity is achieved by the unsaturated atomic confinement of Ni-O(OH) species on the surface layer of Ni crystal, which offers an optimized electronic structure to suppress the kinetic processes, and block unfavorable structural transformation during electrocatalysis. A Ni-O(H)-C catalytic HER||EOR integration system offers a 220 mV voltage reduction at 1 A cm–2 in comparison to that of Pt/C||RuO2 water electrolysis cell. A Zn-ethanol-air battery is equipped with a Ni-O(H)-C catalyst, exhibiting more than 500 h of stable operation. Thanks to extensive universality of the proposed alcohol systems, our findings shine a bright future for the efficient and scalable manufacture of the value-added chemicals, together with high-purity hydrogen production.
Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors for Clostridioides difficile Infection in the Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Population
Authors: Deshpande Abhishek , O'Brien Joseph , Hamilton Betty , Pappas Matthew
Published: July 2024

Background Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients are at increased risk of developing primary and recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). The objective of our study was to characterize the risk factors for primary and recurrent CDI in a large cohort of patients hospitalized for HCT.Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults who underwent HCT from 2010–2023 to analyze the epidemiology, timing, and risk factors for CDI. We compared patients who developed CDI with those who did not, controlling for patient demographics, comorbidities, transplant factors, medications, and laboratory values.Results Of the 2,725 adults who underwent HCT, 252 (9.3%) developed primary CDI within one-year of transplantation. The incidence was higher among allogenic HCT recipients (17.8%) compared to autologous recipients (4.1%). Independent risk factors for primary CDI included receipt of penicillin antibiotics, prior chemotherapy, and umbilical cord stem cells. Receipt of macrolide antibiotics was an independent risk factor for recurrent CDI, while receipt of autologous HCT was associated with a reduced risk of both primary and recurrent CDI.Conclusions CDI presents an early complication after HCT, particularly in allogenic recipients who experience higher incidence rates and severe complications. Early recognition and management of these risk factors are essential to prevent these adverse outcomes.
Association of dietary niacin intake with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the general population
Authors: Song Zikai , Deng Dayong , Wu Haidi
Published: July 2024

Dietary niacin, a vital nutrient needed for the metabolism of mitochondrial energy, has been linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cancer mortality. There is, however, little information available about how dietary niacin intake affects mortality risk in the general population. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the relationship between dietary niacin consumption and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the general population. 39428 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2008 were analyzed. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models, restricted cubic splines (RCS), trend tests, subgroup analysis and inflection point analysis were employed. Over a median follow-up period of 110 months, all-cause mortality accounted for 15.1% of cases, and cardiovascular mortality accounted for 3.387%. During Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, no linear trend was observed between dietary niacin intake and all-cause (P for trend = 0.001) or cardiovascular mortality (P for trend = 0.008) after adjusting for confounding factors. RCS revealed a non-linear association between dietary niacin intake and all-cause mortality (Non-linear P=0.001), but linear association between dietary niacin intake and cardiovascular mortality (Non-linear P = 0.384) when 99.9% of the data was shown. In the inflection point analysis, the HR of all-cause mortality was 0.995 (95% CI:0.991–0.995, P = 0.039) in general population with dietary niacin intake of <54.6 mg/day and 1.007 (95% CI:0.993–1.020, P = 0.296) in general population with dietary niacin intake of ≥54.6 mg/day. The effect of dietary niacin intake was consistent across most subgroups in terms of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, with no significant interaction with randomized factors (all-cause mortality: P for interaction = 0.047–0.719, cardiovascular mortality: P for interaction = 0.257–0.784). Dietary niacin intake was nonlinearly associated with all-cause mortality but linearly associated with cardiovascluar mortality in general population of United States.
Robust Robot Motion Retargeting: Rig Unification and Application to Diverse Robots
Authors: Jeong Taemoon , Byun Taehyun , Kim Jihoon , Choi Keunjoon , Oh Jaesung , Lee Sungpyo , Darwish Omar , Kim Joohyung , Choi Sungjoon
Published: July 2024

Humanoid robots are increasingly being developed for seamless interaction with humans in various domains. However, generating expressive and feasible motions for these robots remains a significant challenge due to their complex kinematic structures and physical constraints. We propose a robust and automated pipeline for motion retargeting that enables the generation of natural motions for diverse humanoid robots using various motion data sources. Our approach unifies different kinematic configurations into a single predefined rig and refines the motion trajectory, considering factors such as balance and contact. The retargeted motion is then fine-tuned to closely follow the source motion while adhering to the robot's physical limits. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our methodology through successful applications on 12 simulated robots and validation on three real robots. This work represents a significant step towards automating expressive motion generation for humanoid robots, enabling their deployment in various real-world scenarios.
Modified Water Balance Model for Groundwater Recharge Estimations Using Cloud Integration
Authors: Das Arup Kumar , Gupta Saurabh Kumar , Singh Suraj Kumar , Kanga Shruti
Published: July 2024

This study introduces the Modified Water Balance Model (MWBM), leveraging Google Earth Engine (GEE) and high-resolution remote sensing data to enhance Groundwater Recharge (GWR) estimations in West Bengal. Utilizing MODIS land surface temperature and CHIRPS precipitation data, the MWBM provides precise and spatially extensive GWR estimates. The study area, encompassing diverse climatic and geological conditions, reveals significant variations in GWR influenced by factors such as the Himalayan foothills, urban infrastructure, and soil types. Key findings indicate high GWR values in districts like Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri due to heavy rainfall, while areas such as Bankura and Purba Bardhhaman show lower, more stable GWR due to less permeable laterite layers. The MWBM's integration of satellite data and advanced computational tools marks a substantial advancement in groundwater management, providing critical insights for sustainable water resource planning. Future research should focus on incorporating dynamic meteorological data and assessing the impact of anthropogenic activities on groundwater recharge.
Oxidative Valorization of Spruce Bark to Yield Vanillin
Authors: Samec Joseph , Muangmeesri Suthawan , Lebedeva Daria , Ramazanova Lala , Liu Sarah , Khalili Houssine , Mathew Aji , Ralph John
Published: July 2024

A competitive and environmentally sustainable biorefinery should valorize all parts of biomass, including bark. Currently, bark, which constitutes 10 wt% of timber and pulp wood, is burned at a low value. Softwood bark comprises 38% lignin, suggesting that this component could be an important source of valuable aromatic compounds; this lignin also contains substantial amounts of interlinkages with strong C–C bonds, such as β-5 linkages, which are not cleaved during standard depolymerization methods. In contrast to wood lignin which is linear, bark lignin appears to be cyclic, which further hinders depolymerization. Here, we present a method using oxygen to oxidatively depolymerize spruce bark lignin to yield valuable monophenols at 30-fold higher levels than expected from nitrobenzene oxidation. This is an important step in making biorefineries more sustainable and competitive and a new source to green vanillin.