bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strengthening Resilience: Parent Experiences in Developing their Children Executive Function Skills
Authors: Sangsuk Nisachon , Saengkaew Rarin , Klankaradi Kuephan , Wongkruasorn Watcharawan
Published: August 2024

Executive functions (EF) play a key role in child development. However, Thai parents’ knowledge and practice skills for their children’s EF are still limited. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Thai parents in developing their children’s EF skills in a semi-rural sociocultural context. The theme pattern was interpreted using the Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenological approach, and the themes were reflected in Van Manen’s fundamental existential themes of the life world. As many as 16 parents were selected using the purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. The results of this study revealed seven themes: 1) strong resilience, self-confidence, and responsibilities; 2) challenges in handling misbehaving family members and children with poor self-control; 3) living in a natural and peaceful environment; 4) staying away from terrible things; 5) practicing time management; 6) trying to use the mobile phone safely; and 7) organizing belongings and toys. In conclusion, nurses can help parents to increase their children’s EF skills by strengthening parents’ resilience, self-confidence, and responsibilities; supporting parents and co-parents to deal with terrible situations; time management; and preparing a safe, green, and natural environment for children to develop their EF skills.
Concentration Cadmium and Chromium in Green Mussels (Perna viridis) and Sediment on Grinting Coast, Brebes
Authors: Putri Atika Amelia , Fajriyah Istna Nurul , Sanjayasari Dyahruri , Hidayati Nuning Vita , Imlani Ainulyakin Hasan
Published: August 2024

Kadmium dan kromium merupakan logam berat yang sulit terdegradasi dan dapat terakumulasi di perairan, terutama pada kerang hijau dan sedimen. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kandungan logam berat kadmium (Cd) dan kromium (Cr) pada kerang hijau (Perna viridis) dan sedimen, serta untuk mengetahui tingkat kelayakan konsumsi kerang hijau dari sudut pandang kemanan pangan. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan pada bulan Juni 2022 di Pesisir Grinting, Kabupaten Brebes. Metode penelitian menggunakan metode deskriptif dengan pengambilan sampel dilakukan secara purposive sampling. Konsentrasi logam Cd dan Cr dianalisis menggunakan metode AAS. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa konsentrasi logam Cd dan Cr pada kerang hijau berada di bawah ambang batas sebesar 0,18 mg.kg-1 dan 0,12 mg.kg-1. Pada sedimen, kandungan Cd sebesar 46,61 mg.kg-1 yang mana melebihi baku mutu sedangkan untuk kandungan Cr masih dibawah ambang batas yaitu sebesar 0,10 mg.kg-1. Batas maksimum konsumsi kerang hijau yang dapat ditoleransi dalam kg/minggu ditinjau dari konsentrasi Cd dan Cr bagi laki-laki sebesar 2,333 kg/minggu dan 11,650 kg/minggu. Sedangkan untuk wanita sebesar 1,750 kg/minggu dan 8,738 kg/minggu. Dari segi keamanan pangan, nilai EDI (Estimate Daily Intake) berdasarkan konsentrasi logam berat Cd dan Cr berturut-turut adalah 0,108 dan 0,072 µg.kg-1 dan nilai THQ (Target Hazard Quotient) Cd dan Cr sebesar 0,108 dan 0,048 µg.kg-1. Nilai EDI dan THQ ini menunjukkan risiko rendah terhadap kesehatan manusia dan kerang hijau memenuhi standar keamanan pangan.
The significance and legal assessment of Zoophilia and Zoophilic Acts, with special reference to Hungary
Authors: Paulovics Anita , Vetter Szilvia
Published: August 2024

The recognition of the inherent intrinsic value of living beings clearly characterizes the legislation of Europe in the last few decades, a process that can be seen in the refinement of the legal status of animals, in the increasingly detailed regulations of animal welfare rules, in the tightening of regulations against animal cruelty, in some constitutional changes, and in the prohibitions related to zoophilic acts. Zoophilia is as old as humanity, and although the attitude towards it was not uniform in different historical eras, it was rather negatively judged and prohibited. It is important to distinguish between zoophilia as a psychiatric paraphilia and zoophilic acts as legally relevant acts. In the past few years, sexual abuse committed against vulnerable groups has been in the spotlight in Europe, society's sensitivity is growing and we can witness the tightening of regulations. Although animals cannot be considered victims in the narrow legal sense due to their lack of legal capacity, these processes will also affect the legal assessment of zoophilic acts. In the case of zoophilia, there seems to be a high latency, few cases come to light, but they cause strong public indignation. In the long term, it is likely that even those countries that currently do not sanction or do not sanction zoophilia at the criminal law level (such as Hungary) will take stronger action against it in the future.
Short considerations regarding the Romanian deposit return system : “How imperfect but perfectible” the system really is now?!
Authors: Pătaru-Negură Laura-Cristiana
Published: August 2024

On 30 November 2023, a historic moment in Romania was marked, being officially launched the Deposit Return System (DRS - called in Romanian `sistemul de garantie returnare` and abbreviated `SGR`). This represents a huge step towards a greener and a more sustainable future of Romania. The deposit return system is an important component of the circular economy, and through this implementation, Romania must attain the recycling objectives of the European Union and to be clean. On short, through this deposit return system, consumers and end-users will pay a guarantee of 0.50 RON (i.e. ten euro cents) when they purchase from a retailer any product from certain categories of beverages (i.e. water, soft drinks, beer, cider, wine or spirits), in primary non-refillable glass, plastic or metal packaging, with volumes between 0.1 l and 3 l inclusive. For the ease of identification, the products included in the DRS are marked with the packaging with guarantee symbol, as shown below. In this study we want to present the main legal provisions applicable to DRS, what is the current status of the DRS implementation in Romania, after less than two months of application, and the visible challenges of this system. But several questions appear in our mind? How is intended the DRS to work? Was Romania ready, on 30 November 2023, for the operation of the DRS, especially that it is supposed to collect more than 7 billion recipients at the national level? Did Romania manage to put in place a functioning operating system? Were all stakeholders involved in the DRS ready to take their positions in the system? All of these questions will be answered in this present study.
The Role of Institutional Review Boards in Improving the Inclusion of Sex and Gender as Variables in Clinical Research
Authors: Bierer Barbara E.
Published: August 2024

In orthopaedic clinical research, as in other fields, sex and gender-specific analyses are not consistently performed, despite evidence of sex differences in outcomes. Both institutional review boards (IRBs) and journal editors have a role in impacting the rate at which such analyses are performed and reported. The authority, responsibilities, and potential actions of IRBs are discussed herein, with the aim of setting investigator expectations and propelling changes to the study plan before the research is initiated.
Investigating the Effects of Dark Period Light Exposure on Sex Expression In Female Cannabis sativa
Authors: Oliver William
Published: August 2024

Hermaphroditism in female plants is a common problem in the cannabis industry. Cannabis sativa florogenesis is dependent on photoperiod, and industry experts suspect disruptions to the photoperiod contribute to hermaphroditism. The goals of this report are to (i) determine the relationship between hermaphroditism and dark period light exposure in C. sativa, (ii) identify a causal mechanism that could explain female hermaphroditism, and (iii) recommend a course of action for indoor cultivators. A literature search suggested that hermaphroditism in C. sativacould be the result of a very low fluence response. To test this idea, 403 plants grown indoors were inspected for male flowers. The distance of each plant from the nearest grow room door—the proposed source of dark period light—was used to calculate relative dark period light intensity values for each plant. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between relative light intensity and males per plant. The average males per plant was 0.136, compared with an intercept coefficient of 0.125 (p=0.00197, R2=0.0162). Based on these results, proximity to a door does not affect hermaphroditism. Because the actual light intensities during dark periods in this study were likely too low to cause very low fluence responses, this study cannot confidently evaluate the relationship between dark period light exposure and hermaphroditism in C. sativa. Management at the study site would be advised not to spend resources addressing grow room door light leaks.
Navigating Earth Sciences: Addressing Equity and Sustainability Through Interdisciplinary Endeavors
Authors: Rashid Barira
Published: August 2024

GeoScienceWorld launched the GeoScienceWorld Diversity and Representation Award, a new annual scholarship program for graduate students in geosciences. The essay describes the awardee’s aspirations and visions in terms of equity and sustainability. It describes the ambition for awardee’s career and the impact she hopes to have on earth sciences.
Developing Halal Tourism in Ngebel Lake Ponorogo
Authors: Sodiq Auliya Ja'far , Anggraini Rooza Meilia
Published: August 2024

This research aims to determine how to develop a Halal Tourism Area in Ngebel Lake Ponorogo in terms of DSN MUI Fatwa Number 108/DSN-MUI/X/2016. There are two discussions, namely: 1) How to implement halal tourism development in Ngebel Lake Ponorogo based on DSN-MUI Fatwa Number 108/DSN-MUI/X/2016 Guidelines for Organizing Tourism Based on Sharia Principles. 2) What is the inhibiting and supporting factors in the development of the Ngebel Lake Ponorogo tourism area based on the DSN-MUI Fatwa Number 108/DSN-MUI/X/2016 Guidelines for Organizing Tourism Based on Sharia Principles? The type of research carried out by the researchers is field research using qualitative methods. Data collection techniques included observation, interviews, and documentation. The data analysis method used by researchers is inductive. The research results show that, first, the implementation of development based on DSN-MUI Fatwa Number 108/DSN-MUI/X/2016 has not been fully carried out in accordance with the guidelines for implementing halal tourism, even though it has fulfilled several development aspects as stated in the fatwa, namely, related to the provision of tourist-friendly Muslim facilities and services. Second, the fulfillment of implementation factors in accordance with DSN-MUI Fatwa Number 108/DSN-MUI/X/2016 influenced the success factors in supporting halal tourism activities at Ngebel Lake Ponorogo. However, the non-implementation of some of the supporting factors has created an obstacle in developing halal tourism in the Ngebel Lake Ponorogo area because it has not been implemented, as stated in the implementation guidelines according to Fatwa.
Mapping the Evaluation of the Electronic Health System PEC e-SUS APS in Brazil: A Scoping Review Protocol
Authors: Felisberto Mariano , de Oliveira Júlia Meller Dias , Mohr Eduarda Talita Bramorski , Scandolara Daniel Henrique , Celuppi Ianka Cristina , Fantonelli Miliane dos Santos , Wazlawick Raul Sidnei , Dalmarco Eduardo
Published: August 2024

Background
The Brazilian Ministry of Health has developed and provided the Citizen’s Electronic Health Record (PEC e-SUS APS), a health information system freely available for utilization by all municipalities. Given the substantial financial investment being made to enhance the quality of health services in the country, it is crucial to understand how users evaluate this product. Consequently, this scoping review aims to map studies that have evaluated the PEC e-SUS APS.
Methods
This scoping review is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) framework, as well as by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Checklist extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The research question was framed based on the“CoCoPop” mnemonic (Condition, Context, Population). The final question posed is, “How has the Citizen’s Electronic Health Record (PEC e-SUS APS) been evaluated?” The search strategy will be executed across various databases (LILACS, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, ACM Digital Library, and IEEE Digital Library), along with gray literature from ProQuest Dissertation and Theses Global and Google Scholar, with assistance from a professional healthcare librarian skilled in supporting systematic reviews. The database search will encompass the period from 2013 to 2024. Articles included will be selected by three independent reviewers in two stages, and the findings will undergo a descriptive analysis and synthesis following a ‘narrative review’ approach. Independent reviewers will chart the data as outlined in the literature.
Discussion
The implementation process for the PEC e-SUS APS can be influenced by the varying characteristics of the over 5500 Brazilian municipalities. These factors and other challenges encountered by health professionals and managers may prove pivotal for a municipality’s adoption of the PEC e-SUS APS system. With the literature mapping to be obtained from this review, vital insights into how users have evaluated the PEC will be obtained.
Review registration:
The protocol has been registered prospectively at the Open Science Framework platform under the number 10.17605/OSF.IO/NPKRU.
Temporal dynamics of Legionella (Proteobacteria, Legionellaceae) in two Pampean shallow lakes from Argentina
Authors: Bianchelli Julieta , Sagua Mara Inés , Quiroga María Pía , Nuozzi Guillermina , Fernández Julia , Schiaffino María Romina
Published: August 2024

Aquatic systems have traditionally played a key role in the development of human life, providing multiple ecosystem services to society and being a reservoir for a wide biodiversity of organisms. Among them, bacteria belonging to Legionella stand out, mainly because they are of great interest both in the field of microbial ecology and public health, since some of them turn out to be pathogenic for humans. The aim of this work was to study the monthly temporal dynamics of Legionella spp. and its relationship with the environmental variables measured in two Pampean shallow lakes (Gómez and Carpincho, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). The analysis was carried out using a quantitative approach by real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and a non-quantitative approach using bacterial diversity data obtained by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Our results showed that the overall Legionella abundance was very high in the studied Pampean shallow lakes. Notably, fluctuations in dissolved organic carbon and temperature influenced the dynamics shifts in Legionella abundances. Correlation analyses between Legionella reads from NGS and copy numbers obtained through qPCR revealed positive relationships, unveiling distinctions attributable to the diverse sequence processing algorithms employed in the analysis of NGS data.
Multimodal Feature Extraction and Fusion for Determining RGP Lens Specification Base-Curve through Pentacam Images
Authors: Ebrahimi Leyla , Veisi Hadi , Jafarzadepour Ebrahim , Hashemi Sara
Published: August 2024

Patients diagnosed with irregular astigmatism require certain means of vision correction. In this regard, the use of a Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lens is among the most effective treatment methods. However, RGP lens base-curve detection is among the challenging issues. Current techniques have faced drawbacks in providing accuracy in detection. In this paper, a new method is defined based on multi-modal feature fusion on Pentacam images for automatic RGP lens base-curve detection using image processing and machine learning techniques. To this end, four types of features have been extracted from Pentacam images followed by a serial feature fusion mechanism. The fusion technique provides all possible combinatory views of these feature types to a Multi-Layered Perceptron (MLP) network to determine the base-curve. The first type of feature is obtained from the middle layer after passing the RGB combination of maps through a Convolutional Autoencoder (CAE) neural network. The second set is obtained by calculating the ratio of the area of the colored areas of the front cornea map. A feature vector is derived from the Cornea Front parameters as the third modality and the fourth feature vector is the radius of the reference sphere/ellipse of the front elevation map. Our evaluations on a manually labeled dataset show that the proposed technique provides an accurate detection rate with a 0.005 means square error (MSE) and a coefficient of determination of 0.79, superior to previous methods. This can be considered an effective step towards automatic base-curve determination, minimizing manual intervention in lens fitting.
Synchrotron-X-ray fluorescence provides elemental signatures for diverse coloration mechanisms in fossil insects
Authors: Alvarez-Armada Nidia , Webb Samuel L. , Gill Fiona , McNamara Maria
Published: August 2024

Numerous fossil insects exhibit color patterning, but the coloration mechanisms responsible are largely unknown. Here, we use non-destructive SRS-XRF to characterize the spatial distributions of elements in the cuticles of 78 extant and 15 fossil insects collected from six independent fossil localities. LDA reveals a strong taxonomic signal whereby members of the same order or family show similar chemical signatures. Within genera, cuticle regions containing different pigments have distinct chemistries, i.e. broad taxonomic trends in chemistry are overprinted by a strong pigment-specific signal. The chemistry of fossil insect cuticles differs to that of extant analogues and is controlled by both taxonomy and depositional context, indicating diagenetic overprinting of original cuticle chemistry. Despite this, cuticle regions with different visual tones in fossils contain specific suites of elements, suggesting that original color influences the preserved chemical signal.
Application of the Cone-ANP in Assessing Community Emergency Management Capabilities
Authors: Jia Jinzhang , Tian Hao , Jia Peng , Shan Shiwen , Song Hailong
Published: August 2024

In light of the increasing frequency of natural disasters and emergencies, evaluating the emergency management capabilities of communities has become particularly important. This study employs the Cone-ANP method to propose an innovative model for assessing community emergency management capabilities. The model constructs a comprehensive index system that encompasses six major aspects: organizational system, emergency plan, resource allocation, emergency drills, emergency response, and emergency evaluation, including a total of 17 specific evaluation indicators. Using Cone-ANP, the weights of these indicators are accurately calculated, and their interrelationships are analyzed. Expert evaluations are utilized to obtain the weight vectors of each evaluation indicator, identifying the refinement of community accident evaluation methods as the apex element. The experimental results validate the effectiveness of this evaluation model, demonstrating its capability to provide scientific and objective assessments for community emergency management and robust support for related decision-making.
Influence of rock mass properties and powder factor on the fractal dimension of the natural rock mass blocks during blasting
Authors: Tomar Ajay Pratap Singh , Panthee Suman , Dahal Sanjaya , Pandey Sandesh
Published: August 2024

The rock mass fragmentation in discontinuous rock mass is a concern issue in rock mass blasting. The purpose of the study is to find out the influencing parameters of rock mass and blast design in degree of fragmentation of natural block during blasting. The fragmentation conditions were evaluated by block fragmentation method in three different rock types. Blasted block size reduction from in-situ block size distribution (ISBD) to blasted block size distribution (BBSD) were analyzed based on modified Kuz-Ram models and other empirical models which were used to predict D50 of the blocks. Similarly, blastability index (BI), blastability designation (BD), and Fragmentation index (FI) were used to analyzed fractal dimension of block (i.e. volume reduction) from in-situ to blasted rock blocks where average reduction amount in block fragmentation were found 80.3%, 76.41% and 60.14% in Gneiss, Phyllite, and Metasandstone respectively. The result of this study revealed that the blastability and fragmentation index of rock mass depends on in-situ block size, rock mass strength, and powder factor used during blasting. Based on the outcome of the study rock fragmentation and fragmented block size can be predicted by understanding of the discontinuity characteristics of the rock mass along with rock mass class and powder factor of that blasting. Therefore, desired level of block fragmentation, blastability and fragmentation index of blasting rock mass can be got by modifying the blasting design according to the natural block size and rock mass strength of the rock mass.
Subjective aging and Instrumental activities of daily living: Moderation by healthcare access and mediation by healthcare resources.
Authors: udoh Idorenyin Imoh , Mpofu Elias
Published: August 2024

Older adults experience subjective aging associated with a decline in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), for which healthcare resources and access would be beneficial. How they manage their IADL across age cohorts with healthcare support is less well known. We aimed to address this gap in knowledge by analyzing the National Health and Aging Trends round 11, 2021 data set on 2325 older adults (females = 54.1%, age range 1 to 90 and above) by age cohort (middle-old − 71–79, n = 1074; older-old − 80–89, n = 965, oldest- old- 90 plus, n = 286). Results indicate that regardless of healthcare access and resources, subjective aging is associated with a decline in IADL among all old age groups. However, this decline in IADL increases is higher at older-old (80–89 years) compared to the middle-old (71–79 years) and oldest-old (above 90 years old). These findings indicate a “doughnut effect” of higher subjective aging in IADL at older-old (80–89 years) may reported with IADL distress their subjective aging compared to the middle-old (71–79 years) and oldest-old (above 90 years old). The “doughnut effect” suggests that older-old (80–89 years) may be with higher subjective aging in their IADL transitioning from middle-old (71–79 years), whereas the oldest-old (above 90 years) may be more adjusted to their IADL limitations.
Unveiling the Nexus of Environment, Nutrition, and Affordability in City-level Sustainable Dining Out Choice
Authors: Long Yin , Huang Liqiao , Huang Yuyan , Lv Xuejie , Montagna Sebastian , Yoshikuni Yoshida
Published: August 2024

Global cities are forging unique culinary identities through a rich array of restaurant offerings, driven by rapid urbanization and the fast-paced urban lifestyle. Dining out has become an integral part of city dwellers' lives, influenced by factors such as convenience, affordability, taste, and nutrition. As urban populations increasingly seek healthy and convenient dining options, our study introduces an integrated framework for quantifying sustainable dining within urban environments. Using data from 1,727 representative menu items and 112,892 restaurants in Tokyo, Japan, we examined the spatial distribution and optimization pathways for city-scale sustainable dietary choices. The findings reveal a high concentration of restaurants around railway stations and significant disparities in the availability of sustainable dining options, with up to six million passengers daily exposed to unsustainable dining environments in Tokyo. We identified spatial collective features and explored multiple pathways to visualize how urban residents can achieve fair and convenient access to sustainable dietary choices. These insights, provided by our analysis framework, offer valuable guidance for citizens, urban planners, and policymakers, advancing the concept of planetary health at an urban scale.
Research on signal enhancement technology of ultrasonic guided wave detection of rail crack based on spread spectrum technology
Authors: Wenhao Guo
Published: August 2024

During the propagation of guided waves in rail tracks, there are issues such as poor anti-interference ability and severe signal attenuation. This article proposes a signal enhancement technique for the processing of guided wave signals, aiming to improve the signal-to-noise ratio by enhancing the detection signals. Building upon traditional ultrasonic guided wave detection, this technique utilizes Barker codes as pseudo-random sequence codes and employs Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) modulation to encode the original excitation signal, resulting in a new excitation signal. This achieves spread spectrum processing of the excitation signal and subsequent despreading of the received signals. An experimental platform for detecting subsoil cracks in rail tracks using ultrasonic guided waves was established. Comparative experiments were conducted on artificial cracks of different sizes at the bottom of rail tracks under both spread and non-spread conditions, calculating the attenuation coefficient of received guided wave signals. The results demonstrate that after applying this signal enhancement technique to guided wave signals, compared to unprocessed original guided wave signals, there is a significant reduction in attenuation coefficient when propagating over the same distance. As a result, ultrasonic guided wave signals can propagate over longer distances with increased sensitivity towards cracks of similar sizes at the bottom of rail tracks. These findings provide support for ultrasonic guided wave detection of subsoil cracks in rail tracks.
Development and validation of survival nomograms for patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: a SEER Program-based study
Authors: Chen Xinming , Zhao Pingwu , He Yunsheng , Zhao Pan , Liao Fengwan , Liu Yang , Huang Kun
Published: August 2024

Background
We aimed to study the prognostic risk factors affecting patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma(ATC), develop a clinical prognostic model, and assess patient survival outcomes.
Methods
Patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma from 2000 to 2019 were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program to extract the clinical variables used for analysis. The dataset was divided into training (70%) and validation (30%) sets based on a 7:3 ratio. Univariate and LASSO regression analyses were performed on clinical variables from the training set to identify independent prognostic factors. Independent prognostic factors were determined by Univariate and lasso regression according to the clinical variables of the training set, and a nomogram model was established to construct a prognostic model based on the contribution degree of the predictors. The prognostic model was evaluated and internally verified by C-index, ROC curve and calibration curve.
Results
A total of 713 ATC patients were included in the SEER database. LASSO regression results indicated that age, marital status, race, tumor size, whether the primary lesion was limited to the thyroid gland, surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, were associated with overall survival prognosis of ATC, and were used to construct nomograms.In the training cohort, the OS nomogram's C-index was 0.708 (95% CI: 0.672–0.745); in the internal validation cohort, the C-index was 0.677 (95% CI: 0.620–0.735). ROC curves demonstrated that the OS nomogram exhibits excellent predictive accuracy and discriminative ability. Calibration curves indicated strong consistency between the the OS nomogram's predicted survival rates and actual survival rates.
Conclusions
We established a survival prediction model for ATC, which can assist clinical physicians in assessing patient prognosis and making personalized treatment decisions.
Association of Weight Waist Adjustment Index (WWI) and A Body Mass Index (ABSI) with Serum Neurofilament Light Chain Levels in a national study of US adults
Authors: Yan Zixuan , Gu Qingxin , Yin Hong , Yi Mingliang , Wang Xiao , Liang Fanrong , Cai Dingjun , Qi Wenchuan
Published: August 2024

Objective
This study explores how the Weight-Adjusted Waist Index (WWI) and A Body Shape Index (ABSI) relate to serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels among US adults. We aim to clarify sNfL that serves key roles in neuronal injury in neurological diseases, given its understudied connection to obesity.
Methods
Focusing on people with complete information on the Weight-Adjusted Waist Index (WWI), A Body Shape Index (ABSI), and serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL), we used cross-sectional data from the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Multiple linear regression analysis let us investigate the separate connections of WWI, ABSI, and sNfL. To assess any nonlinear correlations, we also performed threshold effect analysis and smoothed curve fitting. Moreover, interaction testing and subgroups analysis were done to improve the general validity of our results.
Results
1,995 people were finally enrolled for this study. WWI and ABSI were positively linked with sNfL (WWI: β = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.01–0.09; ABSI: β = 1.65, 95% CI: 3.53–13.72). There was no clear reliance in this association according to subgroup analysis and interaction tests. Furthermore, studies of smoothed curve fitting and threshold effects revealed a positive connection of WWI and ABSI with reference to sNfL.
Conclusion
In the adult American population, while WWI and ABSI are linearly positively correlated with serum neurofilament light protein (sNfL), the effect size is more pronounced for ABSI. This correlation provides fresh evidence connecting obesity to neurological conditions, deepening our comprehension of the extensive health impacts associated with obesity.
Level of Evidence: Level I, experimental studies
Optimizing Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation: Excitability of Evoked Spinal Reflexes is Dependent on Electrode Montage
Authors: Thatcher Kelly Lynn , Nielsen Karen Emily , Sandler Evan Blake , Daliet Oliver John , Iddings Jennifer Ann , Field-Fote Edelle Carmen
Published: August 2024

Background
There is growing interest in use of transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) for people with neurologic conditions both to augment volitional control (by facilitating motoneuron excitability), and to decrease spasticity (by activating inhibitory networks). Various electrode montages are used during TSS, with little understanding of how electrode position influences spinal circuit activation. We sought to identify the thoracolumbar electrode montage associated with the most robust activation of spinal circuits by comparing posterior root-muscle reflexes (PRM reflexes) elicited by 6 montages. Additionally, we assessed tolerability of the stimulation during PRM reflex testing.
Methods
Fifteen adults with intact neurological systems participated in this randomized crossover study. PRM reflexes were evoked transcutaneously using electrode montages with dorsal-ventral (DV) or dorsal-midline (DM) current flow. DV montages included: [1] cathode over T11/T12, anodes over iliac crests (DV-I), [2] cathode over T11/T12, anodes over umbilicus (DV-U), [3] dual paraspinal cathodes at T11/12, anodes over iliac crests (DV-PI), and [4] dual paraspinal cathodes at T11/12, anodes over umbilicus (DV-PU). DM montages included: [5] cathode over T11/12, anode 5cm caudal (DM-C), and [6] cathode over T11/12, anode 5cm rostral (DM-R). PRM reflex recruitment curves were obtained in the soleus muscle of both lower extremities.
Results
DV-U and DV-I montages elicited bilateral reflexes with lower reflex thresholds and larger recruitment curve area than other montages. There were no differences in response amplitude at 120% of RT(1.2xRT) or tolerability among montages.
Conclusions
Differences in spinal circuit recruitment are reflected in the response amplitude of the PRM reflexes. DV-I and DV-U montages were associated with lower reflex thresholds, indicating that motor responses can be evoked with lower stimulation intensity. DV-I and DV-U montages therefore have the potential for lower and more tolerable interventional stimulation intensities. Our findings optimize electrode placement for interventional TSS and PRM reflex assessments.
Clinical Trial Number:
NCT04243044
KRT23 acts as an oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway via P21
Authors: Guo Dan , Li Yarui , Ma Wenhui , Zhang Xu , Chowdhury Abu Taiub Mohammed Mohiuddin , Ren Mudan , Lu Xinlan , Lu Guifang , Liu Peijun , He Shuixiang
Published: August 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cancer worldwide. Keratin23 maybe a potential biomarker for HCC development; however, regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this research we explored the expression and effect of KRT23 in HCC. GEPIA, Kaplan-Merier survival analysis IHC, qRT-PCR and western blot were applied to further detect the expression of KRT23, as well as prognosis. Functionally, Relative cell biology experiments were applied. Moreover, xenograft tumors were conducted in vivo. Mechanically, Immunofluorescence, western blot and Co-immunoprecipitation were operated. As for results, we discovered the high expression of KRT23 in HCC. Functionally, KRT23 knockdown reduced cell proliferation and metastasis. KRT23 knockdown inhibited EMT and PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway. In summary, KRT23 accelerated HCC proliferation and metastasis by regulating PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway via P21.
Active-Passive Collaborative Compensation Support Technology and Application in Deep Large Deformation Soft Rock Roadways: A case study
Authors: Hao Jian , lv jia-Qing , Tang Jian-Quan , Wang Xiao , Zhao Li-Jin
Published: August 2024

Deep large deformation soft rock roadways pose significant challenges to the safety of coal mining operations and supply due to the development of cracks, loose fragmentation, and deformation failure of surrounding rocks. To effectively control fractured soft rock roadway surrounding rocks in deep mining areas, this paper analyzed the causes of deformation and failure of surrounding rock in deep soft rock roadways using the Xin’an Coal Mine 2301 working face as the engineering background. By establishing active and passive support mechanical models, the interaction mechanism between active and passive supports was clarified, and the effectiveness of active-passive collaborative support was further validated. The research results indicate that: 1) The original single active or passive support scheme on the Xin’an Coal Mine 2301 working face cannot provide effective strong support for fractured surrounding rock, resulting in a short period of rock control. Therefore, the concept of active-passive collaborative compensation support for controlling the stability of surrounding rock in roadways was proposed. 2) Passive support provides impedance to the roadway, preventing stress attenuation around anchor points and enhancing the effect of active support, while active support strengthens the bearing capacity of the surrounding rock and improves the overall integrity, providing support. Based on the excavation compensation theory, a mechanical model of active-passive collaborative compensation support was established, and the amplification effect of active-passive collaborative support was revealed. 3) A collaborative support scheme of “bolts, W-shaped steel belts” + “anchor cables, anchor cable beams” + “I-beam sheds” was proposed and applied in the field, with average convergence values of both slopes and roof/floor 334.2 mm and 508.4 mm, respectively, and the average relative convergence rate of roof/floor and both slopes 11.9%, effectively controlling the deformation of the roadway surrounding rock. The active-passive collaborative compensation support scheme achieves positive application outcomes in deep fractured soft rock roadway mining, providing reference for the design of similar support parameters in deep fractured soft rock roadway.
Confronting Cultures: An Exploration of Madagascar's Cultural Diversity and the Coexistence of Owls and Humans
Authors: ARSENE Manana Oclin , Xiaoya Shan
Published: August 2024

This study was conducted in 16 villages located in Andapa in 2023, a northern district of Madagascar. It aimed to explore the challenges of coexisting with owls and humans. The research aimed to discover the confrontation on coexistence between owls and humans. It utilized a mixed-method approach including questionnaires, interviews, observation checklists, and Focus Group Discussions. The study focused on witch-hunting operations in these villages between 2021 and 2022 and investigated the cultural beliefs surrounding the relationship between traditional religion and population killing owls' motivation. The study presented the quantitative data collected in tables with frequencies and percentages, integrating regression analysis and correlation tests. Meanwhile, the qualitative data was thematically presented through narrative reports. The findings revealed that the local community strongly believed in the close association between witches and owls. Additionally, they lacked awareness of environmental regulations and laws. These two factors influenced the high motivation in owl-hunting behavior. The correlation analysis showed that the variables, such as "people seeing dead owls" and “traditional beliefs attachment,” move in the same direction as the dependent variable "Owls killing," indicating a high frequency of owl-killing incidents in the region and a high level of traditional belief adherence. On the other hand, the variables, such as "law knowledge in the population," "high school graduates in the population," "awareness of the environmental value," and "awareness of owls' importance in life," all strongly move in a divergent direction with the dependent variable "Owls killing." The increase of one unit in them can reduce the owl-hunting behavior in the population. Thus, the study's findings provide valuable insights into the interactions between human communities and owls, accentuating the importance of raising ecological value awareness and promoting education in the region.
Socio-Demographic and Related Indicators of Underwent Hysterectomy: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted among the Women of District Bilaspur (CG), India
Authors: Sahu Suman , Gautam Rajesh K.
Published: August 2024

The advancement of medical science and newer technologies has witnessed the prevalence of hysterectomy in recent times. Consequently, an attempt has been made to find out the socio-demographical and related issued of women who have undergone hysterectomies from the district of Bilaspur, Chhatisgarh, India. A sub-sample of 105 respondents from rural and urban (≤ 30 years of age) who had undergone hysterectomy, included through a cross-sectional study. Data collection was carried out using a culturally validated semi-structured schedule. Body composition, related health issued and Socio-demographic data were collected using standard tools and techniques. Statistical analysis of the data was done by using MS Excel and SPSS Software. The prevalence of hysterectomy was higher among women in urban areas (57.1%) than the rural ones (42.9%). The mean age was 39.70 ± 26.86 years. Hysterectomy at an early age was observed among the women of OBC (36.2%) followed by the General category (35.2%), SC (25.7%) and ST (2.9%). It can be concluded that women who underwent hysterectomy were from a particular socio-demographic background, reproductive history and ethnic background. Further most of the common indicators for underwent hysterectomy who had undergone hysterectomy were excessive menstrual bleeding, frequent menstruation and uterus infection.
Understanding and predicting the thermodynamic behavior of fission products encountered between the (U,Pu)O2 fuel pellet and the cladding: Characterization and modeling approaches
Authors: Oulfarsi Mostafa , Guéneau Christine , Ginestar Kevin , Guillou Raphaëlle , Martinelli Laure
Published: August 2024

This study provides a comprehensive investigation of the formation and behavior of a layer enriched in fission products encountered between the (U,Pu)O2 fuel pellet and the cladding, designated as JOG (“Joint Oxyde Gaine” in French). Employing a multifaceted approach that combined thermodynamic calculations, experimental synthesis, and advanced characterization techniques, simulated JOG has been synthetized (without radioactive fission products). Using thermodynamic calculations with the TAF-ID database, the phase compositions in the JOG was assessed for various temperatures, pressures, and oxygen potential conditions, revealing insights into the environmental factors influencing JOG formation. Experimental simulation of the JOG composition, exposed to controlled conditions, confirmed the presence of key compounds such as Cs2MoO4, CsI, and PdTe, as evidenced by SEM, EDS, and XRD analyses. The results of the calculations highlighted notable differences in the nature of the phases constituting the JOG under varying pressure and oxygen potential conditions. At 873 K and oxygen partial pressure of 10− 4 bar, Cs2MoO4, Pd-Te, and a gas phase rich in tellurium and CsI were predominant, contrasting with the emergence of liquid phases at 70 bar. This study offered a comprehensive understanding of JOG microstructure, and highlighting the importance of accurate characterization for reactor safety. This information lays the foundations for future studies on the chemical interaction between the JOG and the steel cladding.
The Impact of Long-Term Care Insurance on Household Expenditures of the Elderly: Evidence from China
Authors: Hu Zeping , Zhang Tianshu , Zhang Kaiyue , Li Xinran
Published: August 2024

This study aims to investigate the impact of China’s long-term care insurance (LTCI) pilot on household expenditures of the elderly. Utilizing the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2015–2020 three-period longitudinal panel data, we examine the policy effects of LTCI using the Differences-in-Differences(DID) approach. The results indicate that the implementation of LTCI significantly reduces medical (p < 0.05) and healthcare expenditures (p < 0.05) for elderly households, while substantially increasing non-medical healthcare expenditures (p < 0.01) and total expenditures (p < 0.01). This effect is more pronounced for older households in rural areas or with lower levels of education. Furthermore, the improvement in household expenditures is strongly associated with the health status of the elderly and intergenerational economic support. These findings provide empirical evidence that LTCI enhances household expenditures and the quality of life for the elderly, which is crucial for the development of LTCI in China and other middle-income developing countries.
Advanced Catalytic Approaches for Synthesizing 1,2-dihydro-1-aryl-3H-naphtho[1,2-e]-[1,3]oxazin-3-one Derivatives through Electrophilic Substitution Reactions using Mono- and Bimetallic Phosphate Catalysts: A Study of Co₃(PO₄)₂ and CoCa₃(HPO₄)(PO₄)₂(OH)
Authors: HALLAOUI Achraf EL , FERRAA Nouhaila , MERROUN Yousssef , Chehab Soukaina , BOUKHRIS Said , Ziatni Mounia Bennani , HASSOUNE Hicham , SOUIZI Abdelaziz , GHAILANE Rachida
Published: August 2024

This research introduces a novel catalytic approach for the synthesis of 1,3-oxazinone derivatives through a multicomponent reaction that relies on an electrophilic substitution mechanism, employing two cobalt-based phosphate catalysts. This approach, allowed us to synthesize oxazine derivatives, known for their significant biological activities, achieving impressive yields of up to 97% in a remarkably short time of only 7 minutes, all under conditions environmentally friendly according to the principles of green chemistry using the ethanol/water mixture as a green solvent. In our study, we utilized two catalysts derived from cobalt-modified phosphate, which were synthesized in our laboratory using simple methods. The first support consists of a monometallic catalyst, denoted as Co3(PO4)2, whereas the second is a bimetallic phosphate catalyst modified with cobalt and calcium CoCa3(HPO4)(PO4)2(OH). Our developed methods had various advantages including simplicity of the process, rapid reaction time, simple clean-up, ability to recover and reuse the catalyst and overall simplicity. All these advantages render this developed approach effective and viable for synthesizing oxazine derivatives suitable for large-scale applications.
Predictors of septation in malignant pleural effusions: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Sekowski Viktor , Gillson Ashley-Mae , Nazari Sahar , Li Pen , Stollery Daniel , Chan Chrystal
Published: August 2024

Background
Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) are often managed with indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) insertion, however drainage can be limited by internal septations. Predictors of septated MPE remain uncertain. We aimed to determine the predictors of septated MPE.
Methods
Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected for 437 adult patients and 515 IPCs inserted at a Canadian pleural effusion clinic from 2012 to 2018. We utilized logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors for development of septated pleural effusion.
Results
Systemic therapy (OR 1.78, p = 0.011) and moderate to large effusion size (OR 2.44, p = 0.004) were predictors of septated MPE among our studied cohort. The most common IPC-related complications were superficial skin/soft tissue infection (4%) followed by pleural infection (3%). No IPC-related deaths were observed in our study.
Conclusions
Systemic therapy and moderate to large pleural effusions may be independent risk factors for the development of septated MPE.
Data-driven prediction of the mechanical behavior of nanocrystalline graphene using a deep convolutional neural network with PCA
Authors: Shin Wonjun , Jang Seongwoo , Hwang Yunhyoung , Han Jihoon
Published: August 2024

The mechanical properties of nanocrystalline graphene significantly depend on its complex grain boundary configurations and defect distributions, with its inherent nanostructural complexity posing substantial challenges for existing computational methods. This study addresses these challenges by developing an artificial intelligence model that predicts the mechanical behavior of nanocrystalline graphene through the extraction of characteristics from randomly arranged grain boundaries based on grain size. Utilizing Voronoi tessellation, we modeled realistic grain boundaries at the atomic level, while principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to effectively reduce data dimensionality, greatly enhancing the learning efficiency of the convolutional neural network (CNN). By implementing simple yet efficient data augmentation method based on periodic boundary conditions, we substantially expanded the training dataset, providing a robust foundation for model training and validation. The model demonstrated high accuracy in predicting the mechanical responses of nanocrystalline graphene, effectively capturing the crucial impacts of defects and grain boundary distributions. The implementation of PCA proved essential in enhancing prediction accuracy for unseen data, particularly in interpolation and extrapolation scenarios, by concentrating on learning the principal components that govern mechanical behavior. Additionally, by applying explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) tools such as Grad-CAM, we validated the applicability of a pretrained network using minimal data, confirming its ability to identify crucial features impacting material properties.