bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of neighborhood built environment on cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review
Authors: Song Yiling , Bai Xiaotian , Yu Hongjun
Published: September 2023

Background
With an increasingly aging population, older adults are at increased risk for cognitive impairment. Exposure to complex neighborhood built environments may be beneficial to the cognitive health of older adults, and the purpose of this study was to systematically review the scientific evidence on the effects of neighborhood built environments on cognitive function in older adults.
Methods
Keywords and references were searched in Web of Science, Pubmed, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE. Studies examining the relationship between the built environment and cognitive function in older adults were included. The neighborhood built environment as an independent variable was classified according to seven aspects: density, design, diversity, destination accessibility, public transportation distance, blue-green space, and built environment quality. The cognitive function as the dependent variable was classified according to overall cognitive function, domain-specific cognitive function, and incidence of dementia. The quality of the included literature was assessed using the National Institutes of Health's Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Study Quality Assessment Tool.
Results
A total of 56 studies were included that met the inclusion criteria, including 31 cross-sectional studies, 23 longitudinal studies, 1 case-control study, and 1 longitudinal study design combined with a case-control design. Most of the studies reviewed indicate that the built environment factors that were positively associated with cognitive function in older adults were population density, street connectivity, walkability, number of public transportation stops around the residence, land use mix, neighborhood resources, green space, and quality of the neighborhood built environment. Built environment factors that were negatively associated with cognitive function in older adults were street integration, distance from residence to main road. The relationship between residential density, destination accessibility, and blue space with cognitive function in older adults needs to be further explored.
Conclusion
Preliminary evidence suggests an association between the neighborhood built environment and cognitive function in older adults. The causal relationship between the built environment and cognitive function can be further explored in the future using standardized and combined subjective and objective assessment methods, and longitudinal or quasi-experimental study designs. For public health interventions on the cognitive health of older adults, it is recommended that relevant authorities include the neighborhood built environment in their intervention programs.
Experiences and attitudes of clinical and academic nurses about Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Nursing Curriculum and Duties - A Qualitative Study
Authors: Gorjian Zahra , Asadizaker Marziyeh , Zarea Kourosh , Irajpour Alireza , Ahmadi Fatemeh , Rokhafroz Dariush
Published: September 2023

Background
The widespread emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and their psychological, social, economic, and social effects are evident at the national and international levels, especially in recent years. Special nurses could be effective to prevent and control such infections phenomenon. In Iran, there is no special IPC nurse who is responsible for controlling infections. This research explores clinical and academic nurses’ attitudes about Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Nursing Curriculum and Duties.
Methods
Qualitative research design was adopted with content analysis based on the data of a comparative study of a master of infection prevention and control curricula in different countries in 2022 in X. Thirty-six participants including clinical and academic nurses through a purposive sampling were recruited. Data was gathered via in-depth seven semi-structured discussions of the focused groups. The accuracy and validity of the research tools were measured by Four-Dimension Criteria (FDC) developed by Lincoln and Guba.
Results
A total of 628 codes, 30 subcategories and 4 categories were extracted from the quotes. The categories obtained were: "Necessity and importance of creating a specialized field", " Expected capabilities and skills", “General characteristics of the curriculum " and "Course evaluation".
Conclusion
Specialist nurses of IPC can play their roles in various positions and environments. Therefore, the establishment of IPC nursing courses should be taken into account by educational policymakers in Iran. It is also suggested that other policymakers and decision makers in the nursing field of other less developed countries should put this issue on their agenda.
Association between living alone and all-cause mortality of young and middle-aged patients with acute myocardial infarction: analysis of the China Acute Myocardial Infarction (CAMI) registry
Authors: Jiang Yu , Yang Jin-Gang , Qian Hai-Yan , Yang Yue-Jin
Published: September 2023

Background: Lack of social support is a known predictor of the prognosis after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Although as a common factor associated with social support, there are limited data on long-term prognostic impact of living status in young and middle-aged patients with AMI.
Methods and Results: We analyzed data from the China Acute Myocardial Infarction (CAMI) Registry, a total of 8307 consecutive AMI young and middle-aged patients admitted at 108 hospitals in China between January 2013 and September 2014 were included. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality. The secondary endpoints included in-hospital mortality and 2-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs; a composite of all-cause mortality, MI, or stroke). Multivariate logistic regression analysis and Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the effect of living status on short-term and long-term outcomes. Of the analyzed patients, living alone was associated with 2-year all-cause mortality and MACCEs among all analyzed patients after multivariate adjustment (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] =2.082 [1.192-3.636], P=0.010; adjusted HR =2.130 [1.387-3.269], P=0.001), but not with poorer in-hospital mortality.
Conclusions: The analysis suggested that living alone was associated with both 2-year all-cause mortality and MACCEs in AMI young and middle-aged patients but did not show an extra effect on the in-hospital mortality after covariate adjustment.
Registration: NCT01874691 at https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/
Evaluation of an artificial intelligence-based clinical trial matching system in Chinese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A retrospective study
Authors: Wang Kunyuan , Cui Hao , Zhu Yun , Hu Xiaoyun , Hong Chang , Guo Yabing , An Lingyao , Zhang Qi , Liu Li
Published: September 2023

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted clinical trial screening is a promising prospect, although previous matching systems were developed in English, and relevant studies have only been conducted in Western countries. Therefore, we evaluated an AI-based clinical trial matching system (CTMS) that extracts medical data from the electronic health record system and matches them to clinical trials automatically.
Methods: This study included 1,053 consecutive inpatients primarily diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma who were referred to the liver tumor center of an academic medical center in China between January and December 2019. The eligibility criteria extracted from two clinical trials, patient attributes, and gold standard were decided manually. We evaluated the performance of the CTMS against the established gold standard by measuring the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and run time required.
Results: The manual reviewers demonstrated acceptable interrater reliability (Cohen’s kappa 0.65–0.88). The performance results for the CTMS were as follows: accuracy, 92.9%–98.0%; sensitivity, 51.9%–83.5%; specificity, 99.0%–99.1%; PPV, 75.7%–85.1%; and NPV, 97.4%–98.9%. The time required for eligibility determination by the CTMS and manual reviewers was 2 hours and 150 hours, respectively.
Conclusions: We found that the CTMS is particularly reliable in excluding ineligible patients in a significantly reduced amount of time. The CTMS excluded ineligible patients for clinical trials with good performance, reducing 98.7% of the work time. Thus, such AI-based systems with natural language processing and machine learning have potential utility in Chinese clinical trials.
Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal molecular mechanism of amino acid transport between source and sink during tea shoots development
Authors: Zhang Jie , Sun Kangwei , Wang Yu , Qian Wenjun , Shen Jiazhi , Sun Litao , Ding Zhaotang , Fan Kai
Published: September 2023

Nitrogen transport from source to sink is crucial for tea shoots growth and quality formation. Amino acid represents the major transport form of reduced nitrogen in the phloem between source and sink, but the molecular mechanism of amino acid transport from source leaves to new shoots is not yet clear. Therefore, the composition of metabolites in phloem exudates collected by the EDTA-facilitated method was analyzed through widely-targeted metabolomics. A total of 326 metabolites were identified in the phloem exudates with the richest variety of amino acids and their derivatives (93), accounting for approximately 39.13% of the total metabolites. Moreover, through targeted metabolomics, it was found that the content of glutamine, glutamic acid, and theanine was the most abundant, and gradually increased with the development of new shoots. Meanwhile, transcriptome analysis suggested that the expression of amino acid transport genes changed significantly. The WGCNA analysis identified that the expression levels of CsAVT1, CsLHTL8, and CsAAP6 genes located in the MEterquoise module were positively correlated with content of amino acids such as glutamine, glutamic acid, and theanine in phloem exudates. Reducing the CsAAP6 in mature leaves resulted in a significant decrease in the content of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine, leucine, asparagine, glutamine, arginine in the phloem exudates, indicating that CsAAP6 played an important role in the source to sink transport of amino acids in the phloem. The research results will provide the theoretical basis and genetic resources for the improvement of nitrogen use efficiency and tea quality.
Adaptation of the spiritual care guideline for the Iranian elderly: Study protocol
Authors: Azadmanesh Mohammad , Keshvari Mahrokh , Karimi Tayebe , Jamalinasab Aliasghar
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND:
Spiritual health in the elderly creates integrity and wholeness in them and gives purpose and meaning to their lives. Thus, this aspect of health needs special consideration in nursing practice. Clinical practice guidelines assist the medical staff in delivering care that is more effective in this regard. This study aims to develop a spiritual care (SC) guideline for the elderly since there isn't a clinical practice guideline for spiritual care in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
The Guidelines International Network's ADAPTE process was chosen as the basis for work.
DISCUSSION:
The application of the guidelines is improved by identifying and incorporating the perspectives of patients and caregivers during the adaptation process. One of the expected effects of implementing this guideline is an improvement in the patient's quality of life.
Phenotypic Variability of Polymerase Gamma–Associated Ataxia
Authors: Wei Yanping , Guan Yuzhou , Qian Min
Published: September 2023

Objective: Mutations in the mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma (POLG) are causing a wide spectrum of overlapping disorders, including ataxia as one of the most common presentations. Our study was to determine the clinical, electrophysiological, neuroimaging, and genetic characteristics of the POLG-associated ataxias (POLG-A).
Methods: We assessed 3 adult ataxia patients with biallelic POLG mutations for exhaustive phenotypes, follow-up data, and accessory investigations, consisting of blood chemistry, metabolic survey, cerebral fluid analysis, electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction velocity (NCV), electroencephalogram (EEG), brain MRI, muscle biopsy, and gene sequencing.
Results: In these 3 POLG-A patients, ataxia was one of the first and dominant presentations, and aggravated gradually. Significant proprioceptive loss caused by sensory neuropathy indicated that sensory ataxias prevailed over cerebellar ones. Clusters of non-ataxia phenotypes consisted of ophthalmoplegia, ptosis, dysarthria, dysphagia and exercise intolerance in Patient2 and Patient3, epileptic seizures in Patient1. Consequently, Patient2 and Patient3 were identified as sensory ataxic neuropathy, dysarthria and ophthalmoparesis (SANDO), while Patient 1 conformed to spinal cerebellar ataxia with epilepsy (SCAE). Brain imaging seemed noncontributory. The final diagnosis relies on the molecular finding of deleterious mutations in POLG.
Conclusions: We confirm that the presence of prominent ataxia, mainly due to sensory neuropathy, especially when companied by diverse associations of muscle weakness involving ocular and pharyngeal muscle, epilepsy, exercise intolerance, hearing loss, should guide clinicians towards POLG-A.
Low-carbon environmentally friendly reverse-phase emulsion synthesis of polyacrylamide and rheological performance studies
Authors: Wen Xin , Wang Lei , Lai XiaoJuan , Liu Guiru , Yang Wenwen , Gao Jinhao , Liu Ya-meng
Published: September 2023

Reverse emulsion polymerization is an effective method for synthesizing high-molecular-weight polymers. Herein, isoamyl caprylate was used as a replacement for traditional white oil as the continuous phase, and sorbitan monostearate/polysorbate was used as the emulsion system. When the composite emulsion system exhibited a hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) value of 5.72, water and isoamyl caprylate formed a super-low-interfacial-tension and stable-interface membrane, thereby affording a stable reverse emulsion with a uniform particle size distribution. By studying the kinetics of the polymerization reaction, high-molecular-weight polyacrylamide spatial network structures (termed RSEs), with molecular weights of ˃18 million, were obtained. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that RSE molecules in the aqueous solution were in a microaggregate state and constituted a three-dimensional spatial network structure. The RSE polymer exhibited good temperature and shear resistances, and in an aqueous solution, it displayed typical non-Newtonian fluid behavior. Oscillatory viscoelastic tests on different concentrations of the RSE polymer demonstrated that G' ˃ G", indicating that the RSE solution was primarily elastic. This study provides a foundation and theoretical basis for the application of ester compounds in reverse emulsion polymerization. Moreover, it offers a new possibility for replacing white oil and reducing the environmental impacts of polymer production and application.
5’UTR G-quadruplex structure enhances translation in size dependent manner
Authors: Myong Sua , Lee Chun-Ying , Joshi Meera , Wang Ashley
Published: September 2023

Translation initiation in bacteria is frequently regulated by various structures in the 5’ untranslated region (5’UTR). Previously, we demonstrated that G-quadruplex (G4) formation in non-template DNA enhances transcription. In this study, we aimed to explore how G4 formation in mRNA (RG4) at 5’UTR impacts translation using a T7-based in vitro translation system and in E. coli. We showed that RG4 strongly promotes translation efficiency in a size-dependent manner. Additionally, inserting a hairpin upstream of the RG4 further enhances translation efficiency, reaching up to a 12-fold increase. We found that the RG4-dependent effect is not due to increased ribosome affinity, ribosome binding site accessibility, or mRNA stability. We proposed a physical barrier model in which bulky structures in 5’UTR prevent ribosome dislodging and thereby increase the translation output. This study provides biophysical insights into the regulatory role of 5’UTR structures in bacterial translation, highlighting their potential applications in tuning gene expression.
Peak risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection within five seconds of face-to-face encounters: an observational/retrospective study
Authors: Asai Takeshi , Kurosaki Erina , Kimachi Kaoru , Nakayama Masao , Koido Masaaki , Hong Songchan
Published: September 2023

The link between aerosol dynamics and viral exposure risk is not fully understood, particularly during movement and face-to-face interactions. To investigate this, we employed Particle Trace Velocimetry with a laser sheet and a high-speed camera to measure microparticles from a human mannequin’s mouth. The average peak time in the non-ventilated condition (expiratory volume, 30 L; passing speed, 5 km/h) was 1.33 s (standard deviation = 0.32 s), while that in the ventilated condition was 1.38 s (standard deviation = 0.35 s). Our results showed that the peak of viral exposure risk was within 5 s during face-to-face encounters under both ventilated and non-ventilated conditions. Moreover, the risk of viral exposure greatly decreased in ventilated conditions compared to non-ventilated conditions. Based on these findings, considering a risk mitigation strategy for the duration of 5 seconds during face-to-face encounters is expected to significantly reduce the risk of virus exposure in airborne transmission.
Designing a Highly Sensitive Gold-Coated Circular Photonic Crystal Fiber-based Surface Plasmon Resonance (C-PCF-SPR) Sensor
Authors: Zeydi Maryam Mirasanloo , Amiri Seyed Saleh Ghoreishi , Yousefi Reza , Aderang Habib
Published: September 2023

Wavelength and amplitude sensitivity are two important parameters in the performance of photonic crystal fiber (PCF)-based sensors. In the present study, to achieve the highest amplitude and wavelength sensitivity, a circular photonic crystal fiber surface plasmon resonance (C-PCF-SPR) sensor consisting of three central air holes with external sensing capability and a gold film as an active plasmonic material has been introduced which could obtain the resonance wavelength in the infrared region (at 3,000–3,300 nm). To analyze propagation properties of the proposed structure finite difference eigenmode solver method in Lumerical software has been used. The maximum wavelength and amplitude sensitivity of the proposed structure in refractive index (RI) range of 1.34–1.38 is equal to 18,681 nm/RIU and 942.4699 RIU− 1, respectively. Moreover, the feasibility of the introduced sensor is considered to be very high because of its similar design to the original PCF. Therefore, the proposed highly sensitive C-PCF-SPR sensor is very efficient for detection in nanotechnology, biomedical and biochemical applications.
A 3D-simulation hemodynamic study of the correlation between aortic arch morphology and aortic dissection
Authors: Wang Xianzhi , Liang Jixiang , Mu Cunfu , Zhang Wenlin , xue Chunzhu , He Yang , He Dongquan , Li Dianyuan
Published: September 2023

Background
Reverse tearing and the correlation between aortic arch morphology and aortic dissection were studied with a 3D simulation hemodynamic technique.
Methods
From 2018 to 2023, 140 patients with aortic dissection admitted to Suzhou Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University and Guangyuan First People's Hospital (age 56.5 ± 12.0 years; 52 female) and 143 healthy controls (age 53.1 ± 11.8 years; 50 female) underwent CTA examination of the whole thoracic and abdominal aorta; the diameter of the three branches of the aortic arch, the angle of the branches, the distance of the branches and the type of the aortic arch were recorded and analyzed. By adjusting the parameter values of risk factors, the morphology of the aortic arch and its branches was simulated, and the regional differences in blood flow velocity and shear force in the 3D simulation experiment were used to evaluate the hemodynamics of the aortic arch.
Results
Compared with healthy controls, patients with aortic dissection had an angle of the left subclavian artery (OR = 0.841, 95% CI = 0.752–0.942, P = 0.003). The length of the ascending aorta (OR = 0.935, 95% CI = 0.885–0.998, P = 0.017). The bifurcation of the LSA in patients with aortic dissection is the position where WSS in the aortic arch is the highest (compared with other parts of the aortic arch). Compared with patients with nonaortic dissection, the left subclavian artery angle WSS significantly differed. The location of the damaged dissection was categorized as type 1 (Z3) and type 2 (Z2 + Z3). The comparative analysis of the data on the arch in the two groups indicated that the left subclavian angle (P < 0.05) was an independent risk factor. The maximum shear force of the aortic arch was at the LSA bifurcation, and the WSS mean of type 1 and type 2 (10.48 ± 3.09 vs. 21.57 ± 7.31 Pa, p = 0.0001). The LPD of type 1 and type 2 (2.53 ± 2.14 vs. 13.83 ± 8.87 Pa, p = 0.0001).
Conclusion
The angle of the left subclavian artery and the length of the ascending aorta are independent risk factors for the formation of aortic dissection. Aortic dissection patients receive the greatest shear pressure at the bifurcation of the left subclavian artery and aorta, which is the common location of dissection. The small angle of the left subclavian artery is an independent risk factor for dissection avulsion.
Validation of SPARCC MRI-RETIC E-Tools for Increasing Scoring Proficiency of MRI Sacroiliac Joint Lesions in Axial Spondyloarthritis
Authors: Maksymowych Walter P , Hadsbjerg Anna , Østergaard Mikkel , Micheroli Raphael , Pedersen Susanne Juhl , Ciurea Adrian , Vladimirova Nora , Nissen Michael J , Bubova Kristyna , Wichuk Stephanie , de Hooge Manouk , Mathew Ashish Jacob , Pintaric Karlo , Gregová Monika , Snoj Ziga , Wetterslev Marie , Gorican Karel , Möller Burkhard , Eshed Iris , Paschke Joel , Lambert Robert G
Published: September 2023

Background.
The Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) developers have created novel web-based calibration modules for the SPARCC MRI Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) inflammation and structural scoring methods (SPARCC-SIJRETIC−INF, SPARCC-SIJRETIC−STR) based on DICOM images and real-time iterative feedback (RETIC). We aimed to test the impact of applying these modules on feasibility and inter-observer reliability (status/change) of the SPARCC SIJ methods.
Methods
The SPARCC-SIJRETIC modules each contain 50 DICOM axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) cases with baseline and follow-up scans and an online scoring interface. Continuous visual real-time feedback regarding concordance/discordance of scoring per SIJ quadrant (bone marrow edema (BME), erosion, fat lesion) or halves (backfill, ankylosis) with expert readers is provided by a color-coding scheme. Reliability is assessed in real-time by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), cases being scored until ICC targets are attained. Participating readers (n = 17) from the EuroSpA Imaging project were randomized, stratified by reader expertise with SPARCC-SIJ, to one of two reader calibration strategies that each comprised 3 stages. Baseline and follow-up scans from 25 cases were scored using SPARCC-SIJ after each stage was completed; none of these 75 cases were included in the SPARCC-SIJRETIC modules. Reliability was compared to an expert radiologist (SPARCC developer), and the Systems Usability Scale (SUS) assessed feasibility.
Results
The reliability of EuroSpA readers for scoring BME was high (ICC status/change ≥ 0.80) even after the first stage of calibration, and only minor improvement was noted following the use of the SPARCC-SIJRETIC−INF module. Greater enhancement of reader reliability from stages 1 to 3 was evident after the use of the SPARCC-SIJRETIC−STR module, especially for inexperienced readers, and was most consistently evident for the scoring of erosion (ICC status/change: stage 1 (0.42/0.20) to stage 3 (0.50/0.38)) and backfill (ICC status/change: stage 1 (0.51/0.19) to stage 3 (0.69/0.41)). The feasibility of both RETIC modules was evident by reading time per case of readers after calibration being comparable to SPARCC developers and by the high SUS scores reported by most readers.
Conclusion
The SPARCC-SIJRETIC modules are feasible, effective knowledge transfer tools for the SPARCC MRI SIJ scoring methods. They are recommended for routine calibration of readers before using these methods for clinical research and trials.
Stepping Up for All of Us: Data from the All of Us Research Program Reinforces Existence of Activity Inequality in the United States
Authors: Dunn Jessilyn , Jeong Hayoung , Roghanizad Ali , Master Hiral , Kim Juseong , Kouame Aymone , Harris Paul , Basford Melissa , Marginean Kayla
Published: September 2023

Data from digital health technologies can provide insights into a population’s daily activity levels and behaviors. Using Fitbit wearable data from 7,431 participants enrolled in the All of Us Research Program, we examined activity inequality across the US and its association with obesity. We found that there were 660 fewer daily steps on average in the southern states than in the northeastern states. In addition, with every 0.01 increase in activity inequality, a metric used to quantify activity disparity, the predicted obesity prevalence of a state increased by 5%. Surprisingly, no association was discovered between a city's walkability and activity inequality, suggesting that extrinsic factors such as the built environment may not necessarily address the gap in activity levels in the US. This study demonstrates the value of digital health technologies in exploring and understanding public health while highlighting the need to examine complex confounding factors such as socioeconomic status, eating habits, and lifestyle that may contribute to activity inequality in the US.
3D Integral Imaging of Acoustically Trapped Objects
Authors: Mohsenvand Kooshan , Carnicer Artur , Marmiroli Benedetta , Moradi Ali-Reza
Published: September 2023

3D imaging provides crucial details about the objects and scenes that may not be obtained via 2D imaging methods. However, there are several applications in which the object to be 3D-imaged requires to be immobilized. The integrated digital holographic microscopy (DHM) and optical trapping (OT) system is a useful solution for such a task, but both DHM and OT are mostly suitable for microscopic specimens. Here, for the first time to the best of our knowledge and as an analogy to the DHM- OT system, we introduce integral imaging (II) and acoustic trapping (AT) integrated system for 3D imaging of immobilized mesoscopic and macroscopic objects. Post-processing of II data enables reconstructing the scene at any arbitrary plane, therefore, it re-focuses any particular depth of the object, which is a curtail task, especially when the object is trapped by AT. We demonstrate the capability of our system by simultaneous trapping and 3D imaging of single and multiple irregularly shaped objects with mm sizes.
Increasing the uptake of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of malaria in pregnancy using Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) through seasonal malaria chemoprevention channel delivery: protocol of a multicenter cluster randomized implementation trial in Mali and Burkina Faso
Authors: Koita Kadiatou , Bognini Joel D. , Agboraw Efundem , Dembele Mahamadou , Yabre Seydou , Bihoun Biebo , Coulibaly Oumou , Niangaly Hamidou , N’Takpe Jean-Batiste , Lesosky Maia , Scaramuzzi Dario , Worrall Eve , Hill Jenny , Briand Valérie , Tinto Halidou , Kayentao Kassoum
Published: September 2023

Background
The uptake of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of malaria in pregnancy using Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (‎IPTp-SP)‎ remains unacceptably low, with more than two-thirds of pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa still not accessing the three or more doses recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). In contrast, the coverage of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), a more recent strategy recommended by the WHO for malaria prevention in children under five years living in Sahelian countries with seasonal transmission, including Mali and Burkina-Faso, is high (up to 90%). We hypothesized that IPTp-SP delivery to pregnant women through SMC alongside antenatal care (ANC) will increase IPTp-SP coverage, boost ANC attendance, and increase public health impact. This protocol describes the approach to assess acceptability, feasibility, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of the integrated strategy.
Methods and Analysis
: This is a multicentre, cluster-randomized, implementation trial of IPTp-SP delivery through ANC + SMC vs ANC alone in 40 health facilities and their catchment populations (20 clusters per arm). The intervention will consist of monthly administration of IPTp-SP through four monthly rounds of SMC during the malaria transmission season (July to October), for two consecutive years. Effectiveness of the strategy to increase coverage of three or more doses of IPTp-SP (IPTp3+) will be assessed using household surveys and ANC exit interviews. Statistical analysis of IPT3 + and four or more ANC uptake will use a generalized linear mixed model. Feasibility and acceptability will be assessed through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with health workers, pregnant women, and women with a child < 12 months.
Discussion
This multicentre cluster randomized implementation trial powered to detect a 45% and 22% increase in IPTp-SP3 + uptake in Mali and Burkina-Faso, respectively, will generate evidence on the feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of IPTp-SP delivered through the ANC + SMC channel. The intervention is designed to facilitate scalability and translation into policy by leveraging existing resources, while strengthening local capacities in research, health, and community institutions. Findings will inform the local national malaria control policies.
Trial registration
: Retrospectively registered on August 11th, 2022; registration # PACTR202208844472053
Regulatory Ecosystem Services of Forest Sacred Groves in comparison to Invasive vegetation in the urban and urban peripheries of a semi-arid region
Authors: Mohanraj Rangaswamy , Prasath Akil , K.R Balaramdas , Tagore Johny Kumar , P Raja , A Rajasekaran
Published: September 2023

Amidst anthropogenic pressures, certain forest relics in the urban and rural landscapes have been traditionally protected for centuries as sacred forest groves in the Asian regions, despite lying outside the protected area network. In the current context of climate change and ensuing disasters, these forest groves and similar kind of vegetative landscapes within urban and rural could potentially increase the resilience and buffering capacity of the surrounding environs, besides providing ecosystem services. This study attempted to evaluate 50 Sacred Groves Stands (SGS) and 50 Prosopis juliflora Stands (PJS) comprehensively for the floral diversity, carbon stock and dynamics, carbon-fixing traits, dendrochronology of trees, soil nutrient profiles, and soil erosion - deemed to be regulating ecosystem services. Structural Equation Model (SEM) was applied to derive the photosynthetic efficiency of eight dominant trees species using vital input parameters including eco-physiological, morphological, and biochemical characterization. Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model in conjunction with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS 10.3 was adopted to map soil loss. Among the 8 selected tree species, Wrightia tinctoria (SEM Estimated Coefficient: 1.28) > Prosopis juliflora (1.22) > Acacia nilotica (1.21) > Albizia lebbeck (0.97) > Azadirachta indica (0.74) showed comparatively high carbon sequestering efficacy. SEM revealed species specific carbon sequestering functional traits (stomatal density, nitrogen fixing ability, RuBisCO and chlorophyll content) are evidently attributed to high carbon sequestration potential. Carbon source/sink determinations inferred through Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP) assessments showed that mature SGS (0.06 ± 0.01 g C/m2/day) potentially acted as carbon sink, while matured PJS (-0.34 ± 0.12 g C/m2/day) as source. Soil erosion rates were significantly greater (29.5 ± 13.4 ton/ha/year) in SGS compared to PJS (7.52 ± 2.55 ton/ha/year).
UV-Dark Polar Ovals on Jupiter Trace the Depth of Magnetosphere-Atmosphere Connection
Authors: Tsubota Troy , Wong Michael , Stallard Tom , Zhang Xi , Simon Amy
Published: September 2023

We observe twenty-six global maps of Jupiter between 1994 and 2022 taken with HST WFPC2/F255W and WFC3/F275W, detecting transient UV dark ovals in the southern polar hood haze layer with a 48–53% frequency of occurrence. We find that the dark oval is an anticyclonic vortex that remains within the main southern auroral oval during most of its lifetime; these behaviors match previous observations of a similar dark oval near the north pole. The southern dark oval appears 4–6 times more frequently than its northern counterpart. Using a radiative transfer model, we find that these auroral effects cause a 20–50 times increase in haze abundance in the dark oval region and/or an overall upward shift in the stratospheric haze distribution. We estimate that the anticyclonic vorticity of the dark oval is enhanced relative to the surroundings, representing a deep continuation of higher-altitude vortices previously observed in the thermosphere and upper stratosphere. The feature is likely driven by magnetospheric momentum exchange, with enhanced aerosols producing the localized heating detected in prior infrared retrievals.
Mechano-induced homotypic patterned domain formation by monocytes
Authors: Wirtz Denis , Du Wenxuan , Zhu Jingyi , Wu Yufei , Kiemen Ashley , Wan Zeqi , Hanna Eban , Sun Sean
Published: September 2023

Matrix stiffness and corresponding mechano-signaling play indispensable roles in cellular phenotypes and functions. How tissue stiffness influences the behavior of monocytes, a major circulating leukocyte of the innate system, and how it may promote the emergence of collective cell behavior is less understood. Here, using tunable collagen-coated hydrogels of physiological stiffness, we show that human primary monocytes undergo a dynamic local phase separation to form highly regular, reversible, multicellular, multi-layered domains on soft matrix. Local activation of the β2 integrin initiates inter-cellular adhesion, while global soluble inhibitory factors maintain the steady state domain pattern over days. Patterned domain formation generated by monocytes is unique among other key immune cells, including macrophages, B cells, T cells, and NK cells. While inhibiting their phagocytic capability, domain formation promotes monocytes’ survival. We develop a computational model based on the Cahn-Hilliard equation of phase separation, combined with a Turing mechanism of local activation and global inhibition suggested by our experiments, and provides experimentally validated predictions of the role of seeding density and both chemotactic and random cell migration on domain pattern formation. This work reveals that, unlike active matters, cells can generate complex cell phases by exploiting their mechanosensing abilities and combined short-range interactions and long-range signals to enhance their survival.
A Global Database on Whole Life Carbon, Energy and Material Intensity of Buildings(CarbEnMats-Buildings)
Authors: Martin Röck , Sørensen	Andreas  , Balouktsi	Maria  , Saade	Marcella Ruschi Mendes , Nygaard Rasmussen	Freja , Birgisdottir	Harpa  , Frischknecht	Rolf  , Lützkendorf	Thomas  , Endrit	Hoxha  , Habert	Guillaume  , Satola	Daniel  , Truger	Barbara  , Tozan	Buket  , Kuittinen	Matti  , Nicolas Alaux , Allacker	Karen  , Passer	Alexander
Published: September 2023

Globally, interest in understanding the life cycle related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of buildings is increasing. Robust data is required for benchmarking and analysis of parameters driving resource use and whole life carbon (WLC) emissions. However, open datasets combining information on energy and material use as well as whole life carbon emissions remain largely unavailable – until now. We present a global database on whole life carbon, energy use, and material intensity of buildings. It contains data on more than 1,200 building case studies and includes over 300 attributes addressing context and site, building design, assessment methods, energy and material use, as well as WLC emissions across different life cycle stages. The data was collected through various meta-studies, using a dedicated data collection template (DCT) and processing scripts (Python Jupyter Notebooks), all of which are shared alongside this data descriptor. This dataset is valuable for industrial ecology and sustainable construction research and will help inform decision-making in the building industry as well as the climate policy context.
Mining inference on directed graphs phylogenetic tree of rice MYB transcription factors
Authors: Kumar Vineet , C Hemamalini H , Patil Ashok , MetiPatil Prabhuraj , Patil S S
Published: September 2023

Derive the information of evolutionary associations among diversified species of genomics compelling processes. Assembling and investigating phylogenetic trees by the information rescue method for MYB transcription factors of rice genome sequences to deduce a phylogenetic network in lieu of a vast fixed species synchronizes phylogenetic subtrees of identified minor corresponding species of diverging information that may be mislaid. Through our effort, we have inferred phylogenetic networks known phylogenetic set trees in convincing evolutionary associations within the species acknowledged to be vastly dubious. Compelling fabricating and scrutinizing a phylogenetic tree consistent all sub graphs in a usual T and not any of the rooted sub graphs (directed) in a new set F in imperative to deliver robust algorithms for formulating phylogenetic tree to rice genome MYB transcription factors. To adapt the tree into an explanatory graph established via the logic of undirected and directed subgraphs, which can be brought small into smaller quanta known as triplets to higher graphs by expanding the bottom-to-top traversing approach. Here, we introduced simple mixed triplets and a maximised mixed triplet constrained to a tree for traversing and forming a galled network.
LEI DE COTAS EDUCACIONAIS E A PARIDADE DE PARTICIPAÇÃO: DA REDISTRIBUIÇÃO AO RECONHECIMENTO E À REPRESENTAÇÃO EM UM INSTITUTO FEDERAL
Authors: Régis de Jesus Edson , Cesar Godoy Bertolin Júlio
Published: September 2023

Nas últimas décadas, governos fizeram esforços para tornar a educação superior brasileira menos elitista e mais democrática. A Lei de Cotas Educacionais é um exemplo de política de redistribuição que levou a um aumento das taxas de atendimento para grupos desfavorecidos e de menor nível socioeconômico. Todavia, o acesso é apenas parte do processo de inclusão. Tendo por objeto as cotas, discute-se qual a condição dos estudantes cotistas? Com base em dedução lógica entre a teoria da paridade de participação de Nancy Fraser e evidência empírica de um Instituto Federal, argumenta que as políticas de democratização precisam atentar para questões de reconhecimento e representação para se tornarem mais efetivas e proporcionarem relações de justiça.
BNCC: FORMAÇÃO DE COMPETÊNCIAS E HABILIDADES PARA A ADAPTAÇÃO AO MERCADO
Authors: FARIAS CRISTIANE DOS SANTOS , BOTAN RUFATO GLÁUCIA , FERREIRA RUIZ MARIA JOSÉ
Published: September 2023

O presente estudo objetiva fazer um confronto crítico entre a formação para a adaptação e a formação para emancipação, partindo da leitura da Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC). Metodologicamente, recorremos à pesquisa bibliográfica e documental para trazer uma crítica sobre os conceitos de habilidades e competências que constam na BNCC e suas implicações para os processos formativos do educando, nos espaços formais de educação. Constatamos que, ao priorizar um ensino de competências e habilidades, secundarizando os conteúdos científicos, artísticos e filosóficos, num ensino estruturado em métodos e técnicas de aprendizagem, evidencia-se uma educação pautada na formação de sujeitos adaptáveis e utilitários ao mercado de trabalho. A BNCC traz consigo um combo de ações alinhadas ao projeto de educação nos moldes empresariais, entre eles, a Base Nacional Comum para a Formação de Professores da Educação Básica (BNC-Formação), atrelados ao projeto da sociabilidade capitalista, que desconsidera a complexidade da formação humana, reduzindo o currículo e a formação escolar aos ideais contidos na Teoria do Capital Humano (TCH). Entende-se que a BNCC prescreve a inserção de competências socioemocionais e pode vir a promover o esvaziamento de conteúdos científicos relevantes à formação humana plena ao se alinhar aos ditames dos organismos multilaterais, principalmente ao Banco Mundial (BM), que considera a educação escolar voltada unilateralmente à qualificação para o mercado.
Prevalence of Primary Palmar Hyperhidrosis and its Impact on Hand Grip Strength and Quality of Life
Authors: Saigaal Duaa Ejaz , Shahzad Anam , Tahir Ramesha , Waseem Iqra , Ain Qurat-Ul- , Tariq Komal
Published: September 2023

Background: Primary palmar hyperhidrosis is a disorder resulting in abnormally excessive sweating of palmar side of hand. Patients present with cold and wet hands. It can also occur in combination with other areas like soles, axillae, and craniofacial region. Objective: To estimate prevalence of primary palmar hyperhidrosis in Faisalabad and its impact on hand grip strength and quality of life. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Dermatology departments of three tertiary care hospitals of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Sample size was calculated using formula. Both genders with age ranging from 15 to 65 years were selected as participants using convenient sampling. Participants filled self made form which included demographics, screening and valid and reliable quality of life measuring tools (HDSS and Keller scale). Then, after screening, grip strengths of hyperhidrotics (group 1) and non-hyperhidrotics (group 2) were measured using modified sphygmomanometer test (cuff method) and were compared. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: Prevalence of primary palmar hyperhidrosis was 15.5% (11/71) consisting of 6 females and 5 males. Age of onset occurred during 5-15 years. 63.64% patients had positive family history. 90.91% patients had normal (18.5-24.9) BMI. Mean right and left grip strength values of hyperhidrotic patients were 168.55±55.446 and 157.55±44.568, respectively. Mean right and left grip strength values in non-hyperhidrotic participants were 157.63±53.126 and 148.67±53.85, respectively. 54.55% patients reported 3 on HDSS. On Keller scale majority reported mild to severe distress especially when shaking hands with others, writing papers, driving cars, grasping heavy objects, and wearing gloves. Conclusion: Current study showed 15.5% prevalence rate of primary palmar hyperhidrosis. Hand grip strength values of hyperhidrotic patients were higher when compared with non-hyperhidrotic participants. Majority of patients reported barely tolerable sweating which resulted in mild to severe distress experienced during activities of daily living.
Comparison of Slit Lamp Teaching Versus Bedside Teaching in Post Graduate Ophthalmology Residency at a Teaching Hospital
Authors: Siddiqui Zahid Kamal , Rafique Asima , Shaheer Muhammad
Published: September 2023

Background: Globally, 80 % of the visual loss is preventable. A major proportion of patients presenting in tertiary care hospitals is that of ophthalmology constituting 20% emergency patients and 18 % outpatient consultations. Objective: To compare the effect of slit lamp teaching versus bedside teaching in ophthalmology residency at a tertiary level teaching hospital. Methodology: This questionnaire based cross sectional survey was conducted after ethical approval at College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences/Institute of Ophthalmology, Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Ophthalmology residents from first to fourth year of their training program were included in the study while Consultants, medical officers, fellows and house officers were excluded from the study. A web based close ended questionnaire (Google form) was developed consisting of 13 questions covering different aspects of slit lamp and bedside teaching. Paired sample t-test was applied to check significance among two methods. Results: Upon stratification of the data based on year of residency training, among 3rd year residents, the mean score of bedside teaching was significantly reduced as compared to slit lamp teaching [1.29±0.48 vs 1.86±0.37, t(6) = 2.828, p = 0.03] when they were asked whether practical skills trainings facilitated. Moreover,
mean score of bedside teaching was significantly reduced as compared to slit lamp teaching among 1st year and 3rd year students when they responded to the question “Is clinical reasoning demonstrated”, 1st year: 1.13± 0.64 vs 1.75±0.46. t(7) = 3.416, p = 0.011 and for 3rd year: 1.14±0.37 vs 2.00±0.00, t(6) = 6.00, p = 0.001. Conclusion: Both slit lamp Teaching and Bedside teaching are vital in ophthalmology residency as they complement each other in making up shortcomings of each other.
Deep and machine learning for daily streamflow estimation: a focus on LSTM, RFR and XGBoost
Authors: Terzi Özlem , Küçüksille Ecir Uğur , Baykal Tahsin , Taylan Emine Dilek
Published: September 2023

Estimation accuracy of streamflow values is of great importance in terms of long-term planning of water resources and taking measures against disasters such as drought and flood. The flow formed in a river basin has a complex physical structure that changes depending on the characteristics of the basin (such as topography and vegetation), meteorological factors (such as precipitation, evaporation and infiltration) and human activities. In recent years, deep and machine learning techniques have attracted attention thanks to their powerful learning capabilities and accurate and reliable modeling of these complex and nonlinear processes. In this paper, long short-term memory (LSTM), random forest regression (RFR) and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) approaches were applied to estimate daily streamflow values of Göksu River, Turkey. Hyperparameter optimization was realized for deep and machine learning algorithms. The daily flow values between the years 1990–2010 were used and various input parameters were tried in the modeling. Examining the performance (R2, RMSE and MAE) of the models, the XGBoost model having five input parameters provided more appropriate results than other models. The R2 value of the XGBoost model was obtained as 0.871 for the testing set. Also, it is shown that deep and machine learning algorithms are used successfully for streamflow estimation.