bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuous IV infusion of anakinra
Authors: Saunders Brittney N. , Kuijpers Marcela V. , Sloan Jason J. , Gertner Elie
Published: May 2023

Objective: A review of the use of continuous IV infusion of anakinra; a description of the protocol for continuous IV infusion of anakinra in the treatment of cytokine storm developed over the past 4 years at a tertiary level academic medical center in the United States.

Methods: We reviewed published reports of continuous IV infusion of anakinra in cytokine storm and summarize this method of treatment in other diseases. As well, over the past 4 years, continuous IV infusions of anakinra were administered at our tertiary level academic medical center in the United States (Regions Hospital, St. Paul, Minnesota) for approximately 400 patient days of treatment primarily for the cytokine storm associated with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in adults. This updated protocol is presented. While this a single center protocol, it may serve as an initial guide for further refinement of protocols in MAS and other conditions.

Conclusion:Continuous IV infusion of anakinra has advantages over subcutaneous infusions and may be important in controlling severe life-threatening cytokine storm as seen in macrophage activation syndrome. This has the potential to be an important therapy for other syndromes including Cytokine Release Syndrome related to CAR T-cell therapy. Close collaboration between Rheumatology, Pharmacy and Nursing allows this treatment to be delivered rapidly and efficiently.
Effects of “accurate measurement” comprehensive sports activities on balance ability, body composition and bone density of female college students
Authors: Zhang Zhilei , Liu Jie , Li Jianguo , Li Jianping
Published: May 2023

Background: A sedentary lifestyle with little movement has affected modern youth, and regular exercise has real benefits for people; such studies are mostly for older adults, and more evidence is needed for adolescents.

Objective: To compare differences in balance, body composition, and bone mineral density among female college students before and after an exercise intervention to provide precise evidence that exercise promotes college student health.

Methods: A whole group of female students in a university was sampled and included in the statistical analysis 50 people, divided into two cohorts, 21 people in the test group and 29 people in the control group; the test group had 4 comprehensive sports activities per week and the control group had 1 comprehensive sports activities per week, and the differences in each index of balance ability, body composition and bone density before and after the intervention were compared after 3 months.

Results: After exercise intervention, when maintaining balance, the area of the center of gravity movement trajectory increased by 32.36% in the test group compared with the pre-intervention period and increased by 42.80% compared with the control group, and the differences were all statistically significant (p < 0.01); body mass index (BMI), body fat rate (BFR), visceral fat area (VFA), skeletal muscle content, and Inbody score increased over time more reasonable, and the difference in the effect of time factor (effect) was statistically significant (p < 0.01); bone mineral density (BMD) and BMD Z value increased with time, and the difference in the effect of time factor was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Female college students’ body balance ability improved substantially after exercise intervention; at the university level, female college students had a more rational body composition and continued natural increase in BMD, which were not related to exercise intervention.
Halophytes as new model plant species for salt tolerance strategies
Authors: Mann Anita , Lata Charu , Kumar Naresh , Kumar Ashwani , Kumar Arvind , Sheoran Parvender
Published: May 2023

Soil salinity is becoming a growing issue nowadays, severely affecting the world’s most productive agricultural landscapes. With intersecting and competitive challenges of shrinking agricultural lands and increasing demand for food, there is an emerging need to build resilience for adaptation to anticipated climate change and land degradation. This necessitates the deep decoding of a gene pool of crop plant wild relatives which can be accomplished through salt-tolerant species, such as halophytes, in order to reveal the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Halophytes are generally defined as plants able to survive and complete their life cycle in highly saline environments of at least 200-500 mM of salt solution. The primary criterion for identifying salt-tolerant grasses (STGs) includes the presence of salt glands on the leaf surface and the Na+ exclusion mechanism since the interaction and replacement of Na+ and K+ greatly determines the survivability of STGs in saline environments. During the last decades or so, various salt-tolerant grasses/halophytes have been explored for the mining of salt-tolerant genes and testing their efficacy to improve the limit of salt tolerance in crop plants. Still, the utility of halophytes is limited due to the non-availability of any model halophytic plant system as well as the lack of complete genomic information. To date, although Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and salt cress (Thellungiella halophila) are being used as model plants in most salt tolerance studies, these plants are short-lived and can tolerate salinity for a shorter duration only. Thus, identifying the unique genes for salt tolerance pathways in halophytes and their introgression in a related cereal genome for better tolerance to salinity is the need of the hour. Modern technologies including RNA sequencing and genome-wide mapping along with advanced bioinformatics programs have advanced the decoding of the whole genetic information of plants and the development of probable algorithms to correlate stress tolerance limit and yield potential. Hence, this article has been compiled to explore the naturally occurring halophytes as potential model plant species for abiotic stress tolerance and to further breed crop plants to enhance salt tolerance through genomic and molecular tools.
Written products and writing processes in Swedish deaf and hard of hearing children: an explorative study on the impact of linguistic background
Authors: Gärdenfors Moa , Johansson Victoria
Published: May 2023

The small body of research on writing and writing processes in the group of deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children has shown that this group struggles more with writing than their hearing peers. This article aims to explore in what ways the DHH group differs from their peers regarding the written product and the writing processes. Participants are all in the age span 10–12 years old and include: (a) 12 DHH children with knowledge of Swedish sign language (Svenskt teckenspråk, STS) as well as spoken Swedish, (b) 10 age-matched hearing children of deaf adults (CODA) who know STS, (c) 14 age-matched hearing peers with no STS knowledge. More specifically we investigate how text length and lexical properties relate to writing processes such as planning (measured through pauses) and revision, and how the background factors of age, gender, hearing and knowledge of STS predict the outcome in product and process. The data consists of picture-elicited narratives collected with keystroke logging. The overall results show that age is a strong predictor for writing fluency, longer texts and more sophisticated lexicon for all the children. This confirms theories on writing development which stress that when children have automatized basic low-level processes such as transcription and spelling, this will free up cognitive space for engaging in high-level processes, such as planning and revision—which in turn will result in more mature texts. What characterizes the DHH group is slower writing fluency, higher lexical density, due to omitted function words, and extensive revisions (both deletions and insertions) on word level and below. One explanation for the last finding is that limitations in the auditory input lead to more uncertainty regarding correct and appropriate lexical choices, as well as spelling. The article contributes with more specific knowledge on what is challenging during writing for DHH children with knowledge of STS and spoken Swedish in middle school, in the developmental stage when basic writing skills are established.
Exercise adherence and suicidal ideation of Chinese college students: a chain mediation model test
Authors: Xing Zhi , Guo Kelei , Hui Zhen , Ma Qishuai
Published: May 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between exercise adherence and suicidal ideation in college students, as well as the mediating role of meaning in life and internet addiction.

Methods

A total of 1925 college students (Mage = 19.51 years, SDage = 2.393 years) were recruited by stratified cluster sampling method in Zhaoqing University, among which 890 were males and 1,035 were females. Exercise adherence, meaning in life, internet addiction and suicidal ideation were assessed by using standard scales. Data were analyzed by Pearson Correlation Analysis, and bias-correction percentile Bootstrap method.

Results

(1) There is a significant correlation between exercise adherence, meaning in life, internet addiction and suicide ideation; (2) meaning in life plays a significant mediating role between exercise adherence and suicidal ideation; internet addiction plays a significant mediating role between exercise adherence and suicidal ideation; meaning in life and internet addiction play a chain mediating role between exercise adherence and suicide ideation.

Conclusion

Exercise adherence can not only directly predict college students’ suicidal ideation, but also indirectly predict college students’ suicidal ideation through the independent mediation and chain mediation of meaning in life and internet addiction.
A novel approach for assessing bias during team-based clinical decision-making
Authors: Pool Natalie , Hebdon Megan , de Groot Esther , Yee Ryan , Herrera-Theut Kathryn , Yee Erika , Allen Larry A. , Hasan Ayesha , Lindenfeld JoAnn , Calhoun Elizabeth , Carnes Molly , Sweitzer Nancy K. , Breathett Khadijah
Published: May 2023

Many clinical processes include multidisciplinary group decision-making, yet few methods exist to evaluate the presence of implicit bias during this collective process. Implicit bias negatively impacts the equitable delivery of evidence-based interventions and ultimately patient outcomes. Since implicit bias can be difficult to assess, novel approaches are required to detect and analyze this elusive phenomenon. In this paper, we describe how the de Groot Critically Reflective Diagnoses Protocol (DCRDP) can be used as a data analysis tool to evaluate group dynamics as an essential foundation for exploring how interactions can bias collective clinical decision-making. The DCRDP includes 6 distinct criteria: challenging groupthink, critical opinion sharing, research utilization, openness to mistakes, asking and giving feedback, and experimentation. Based on the strength and frequency of codes in the form of exemplar quotes, each criterion was given a numerical score of 1–4 with 1 representing teams that are interactive, reflective, higher functioning, and more equitable. When applied as a coding scheme to transcripts of recorded decision-making meetings, the DCRDP was revealed as a practical tool for examining group decision-making bias. It can be adapted to a variety of clinical, educational, and other professional settings as an impetus for recognizing the presence of team-based bias, engaging in reflexivity, informing the design and testing of implementation strategies, and monitoring long-term outcomes to promote more equitable decision-making processes in healthcare.
Antiretroviral treatment interruption and resumption within 16 weeks among HIV-positive adults in Jinan, China: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ma Jing , Jin Yan , Jiao Kedi , Wang Yao , Gao Lijie , Li Xinrui , Ma Wei
Published: May 2023

Background

Treatment interruption has been found to increase the risk of opportunistic infections and death among HIV-positive adults, posing a challenge to fully realizing antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, it has been observed that short-term interruption (<16 weeks) was not associated with significant increases in adverse clinical events. There remains a dearth of evidence concerning the interruption and resumption of ART after short-term discontinuation in China.

Methods

HIV-positive adults who initiated ART in Jinan between 2004 and 2020 were included in this study. We defined ART interruption as more than 30 consecutive days off ART and used Cox regression to identify predictors of interruption. ART resumption was defined as a return to ART care within 16 weeks following discontinuation, and logistic regression was used to identify barriers.

Results

A total of 2,506 participants were eligible. Most of them were male [2,382 (95%)] and homosexual [2,109 (84%)], with a median age of 31 (IQR: 26–40) years old. Of all participants, 312 (12.5%) experienced a treatment interruption, and the incidence rate of interruption was 3.2 (95% CI: 2.8–3.6) per 100 person-years. A higher risk of discontinuation was observed among unemployed individuals [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.45, 95% CI: 1.14–1.85], with a lower education level (aHR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.06–1.82), those with delayed ART initiation (aHR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.10–1.85), receiving Alafenamide Fumarate Tablets at ART initiation (aHR: 5.19, 95% CI: 3.29–8.21). About half of the interrupters resumed ART within 16 weeks, and participants who delayed ART initiation, missed the last CD4 test before the interruption and received the “LPV/r+NRTIs” regimen before the interruption were more likely to discontinue treatment for the long term.

Conclusion

Antiretroviral treatment interruption remains relatively prevalent among HIV-positive adults in Jinan, China, and assessing socioeconomic status at treatment initiation will help address this issue. While almost half of the interrupters returned to care within 16 weeks, further focused measures are necessary to reduce long-term interruptions and maximize the resumption of care as soon as possible to avoid adverse clinical events.
A scoping review of maternal health among resettled refugee women in the United States
Authors: Yeo Sarah , Park Yuae , McClelland Deborah Jean , Ehiri John , Ernst Kacey , Magrath Priscilla , Alaofè Halimatou
Published: May 2023

Background

Globally, refugee women continue to face higher maternity-related risks from preventable complications during pregnancy and childbirth, partly due to high health care costs, unfamiliarity with the healthcare system, language barriers, and discrimination. Nevertheless, there is still a paucity of literature that evaluates the available evidence in the US. This scoping review delineated the body of literature on maternal health among refugee women resettled in the US in order to identify knowledge gaps in the literature and highlight future research priorities and directions for maternal health promotion.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and EMBASE from inception through July 2021. We included all peer-reviewed study designs; qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method if they reported on refugee women's perinatal health experiences and outcomes in the US.

Results

A total of 2,288 records were identified, with 29 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Refugee women tend to initiate prenatal care late and have fewer prenatal care visits compared to women born in the US. Some of them were reluctant to get obstetric interventions such as labor induction and cesarean delivery. Despite numerous risk factors, refugee women had generally better maternal health outcomes. Studies have also highlighted the importance of health care providers' cultural competency and sensitivity, as well as the potential role of community health workers as a bridge between refugee women and health care providers.

Conclusions

The scoping review emphasizes the need for early prenatal care initiation and more frequent prenatal care visits among refugee women. Furthermore, more needs to be done to mitigate resistance to obstetric interventions and mistrust. The mechanism by which healthy migrant effects occur could be better understood, allowing protective factors to be maintained throughout the resettlement and acculturation process. The scoping review identifies critical gaps in the literature, such as the underrepresentation of different ethnic groups of refugee women in refugee maternal studies in the US. Since this invisibility may indicate unspoken and unaddressed needs, more attention should be paid to underrepresented and understudied groups of refugee women in order to achieve health equity for all.
COVID-19 experiences of social isolation and loneliness among older adults in Africa: a scoping review
Authors: Adedeji Isaac Akinkunmi , Wister Andrew , Pickering John
Published: May 2023

Objective

Social isolation and loneliness (SI/L) are considered critical public health issues. The primary objective of this scoping review is to document the experience of SI/L among older adults in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic, given research gaps in this area. We identified the reasons for SI/L, the effects of SI/L, SI/L coping strategies, and research and policy gaps in SI/L experiences among older adults in Africa during COVID-19.

Methods

Six databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Ageline) were used to identify studies reporting the experiences of SI/L among older adults in Africa during the COVID-19 lockdown. We adopted the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR).

Results

Social isolation and loneliness due to COVID-19 in Africa affected older adults' mental, communal, spiritual, financial, and physical health. The use of technology was vital, as was the role of social networks within the family, community, religious groups, and government. Methodological challenges include the risk of selective survival bias, sampling biases, and limited inductive value due to context. Also, lack of large-scale mixed methods longitudinal studies to capture the experiences of older adults during COVID-19. There were essential policy gaps for African mental health support services, media programs, and community care service integration targeting older adults in the era of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Discussion

Like in other countries, COVID-19 lockdown policies and the lockdown restrictions primarily caused the experience of SI/L among older adults in Africa. In African countries, they resulted in a severance of older adults from the cultural structure of care for older adults and their familial support systems. Weak government intervention, personal situations, challenges regarding technology, and detachment from daily activities, disproportionately affected older adults in Africa.
Translumbar type II endoleak embolization with a new liquid iodinated polyvinyl alcohol polymer: Case series and review of current literature
Authors: Leati Giovanni , Di Bartolomeo Francesco , Maffi Gabriele , Boccalon Luca , Diaco Domenico , Segalini Edoardo , Spinazzola Angelo
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To describe our experience with the use of a novel iodized Polyvinyl Alcohol Polymer liquid agent (Easyx) in type II endoleak treatment with translumbar approach.

Methods

Our case series is a retrospective review of patients with type II endoleak (T2E) treated with Easyx from December 2017 to December 2020. Indication for treatment was a persistent T2E with an increasing aneurysm sac ≥5 mm on computed tomography angiography (CTA) over a 6-month interval. Technical success was defined as the embolization of the endoleak nidus with reduction or elimination of the T2E on sequent CTA evaluation. Clinical success was defined as an unchanged or decreased aneurysm sac on follow-up CTA. Secondary endpoints included the presence of artifacts in the postprocedural cross-sectional tomographic imaging and post and intraprocedural complications.

Results

Ten patients were included in our retrospective analysis. All T2E were successfully embolized. Clinical success was achieved in 9 out of 10 patients (90%). The mean follow-up was 14 3–20 months. No beam hardening artifact was observed in follow-up CT providing unaltered imaging.

Conclusion

Easyx is a novel liquid embolic agent with lava-like characteristics and unaltered visibility on subsequent CT examinations. In our initial experience, Easyx showed to have all the efficacy requisites to be an embolization agent for type II EL management. Its efficacy, however, should be evaluated in more extensive studies and eventually compared with other agents.
Contextual determinants influencing the implementation of fall prevention in the community: a scoping review
Authors: van Scherpenseel M. C. , te Velde S. J. , Veenhof C. , Emmelot-Vonk M. H. , Barten J. A.
Published: May 2023

Background

Successful implementation of multifactorial fall prevention interventions (FPIs) is essential to reduce increasing fall rates in community-dwelling older adults. However, implementation often fails due to the complex context of the community involving multiple stakeholders within and across settings, sectors, and organizations. As there is a need for a better understanding of the occurring context-related challenges, the current scoping review purposes to identify what contextual determinants (i.e., barriers and facilitators) influence the implementation of FPIs in the community.

Methods

A scoping review was performed using the Arksey and O'Malley framework. First, electronic databases (Pubmed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO) were searched. Studies that identified contextual determinants that influence the implementation of FPIs in the community were included. Second, to both validate the findings from the literature and identify complementary determinants, health and social care professionals were consulted during consensus meetings (CMs) in four districts in the region of Utrecht, the Netherlands. Data were analyzed following a directed qualitative content analysis approach, according to the 39 constructs of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Results

Fourteen relevant studies were included and 35 health and social care professionals (such as general practitioners, practice nurses, and physical therapists) were consulted during four CMs. Directed qualitative content analysis of the included studies yielded determinants within 35 unique constructs operating as barriers and/or facilitators. The majority of the constructs (n = 21) were identified in both the studies and CMs, such as “networks and communications”, “formally appointed internal implementation leaders”, “available resources” and “patient needs and resources”. The other constructs (n = 14) were identified only in the .

Discussion

Findings in this review show that a wide array of contextual determinants are essential in achieving successful implementation of FPIs in the community. However, some determinants are considered important to address, regardless of the context where the implementation occurs. Such as accounting for time constraints and financial limitations, and considering the needs of older adults. Also, broad cross-sector collaboration and coordination are required in multifactorial FPIs. Additional context analysis is always an essential part of implementation efforts, as contexts may differ greatly, requiring a locally tailored approach.
Apparent color picker: color prediction model to extract apparent color in photos
Authors: Kubota Yuki , Yoshida Shigeo , Inami Masahiko
Published: May 2023

A color extraction interface reflecting human color perception helps pick colors from natural images as users see. Apparent color in photos differs from pixel color due to complex factors, including color constancy and adjacent color. However, methodologies for estimating the apparent color in photos have yet to be proposed. In this paper, the authors investigate suitable model structures and features for constructing an apparent color picker, which extracts the apparent color from natural photos. Regression models were constructed based on the psychophysical dataset for given images to predict the apparent color from image features. The linear regression model incorporates features that reflect multi-scale adjacent colors. The evaluation experiments confirm that the estimated color was closer to the apparent color than the pixel color for an average of 70%–80% of the images. However, the accuracy decreased for several conditions, including low and high saturation at low luminance. The authors believe that the proposed methodology could be applied to develop user interfaces to compensate for the discrepancy between human perception and computer predictions.
Water or mineral resource? Legal interpretations and hydrosocial configurations of lithium mining in Chile
Authors: Flores Fernández Cristián , Alba Rossella
Published: May 2023

The advance of electromobility has boosted global demand and interest in lithium. The consequent expansion of lithium mining puts the sustainability of Chile's Andean salt flats at risk. In these unique ecosystems, lithium is abstracted from mineralized groundwaters, referred to also as brines. This article analyses the legal treatment of brines and its implications in assessing the socioecological impacts of lithium mining projects. For our analysis, we draw from scholarship at the intersection between hydrosocial research and critical legal geography. Methodologically, our study is based on interviews and the analysis of legal texts and judicial and administrative claims, including the environmental impact assessment studies of the three single lithium mining projects approved in the country. We show that the interpretation of brines as mining resources supported by mining companies and endorsed by environmental State agencies is based on a legal loophole. We document how such interpretation is operationalized and contested in the environmental impact assessments of three mining projects and other instances. We explore how the same legal loophole could lead to alternative interpretations and relatedly regulatory proposals and discuss their implication for the assessment of socioecological impacts of mining projects. These include first an understanding of brines as hybrids minerals/waters put forward in a recent report commissioned by State agencies, and second an interpretation of brines as a type of water. The latter is in line with the position of some indigenous groups and academics. We conclude with reflections on the implications of our analysis for lithium mining in Chile and beyond.
Addressing the unresolved challenge of quantifying skiing exposure—A proof of concept using smartphone sensors
Authors: Meinke Anita , Spörri Jörg , Brogli Luzius , Schwab Patrick , Karlen Walter
Published: May 2023

In epidemiological studies related to winter sports, especially alpine skiing, an unresolved methodological challenge is the quantification of actual on-snow activity exposure. Such information would be relevant for reporting meaningful measures of injury incidence, which refers to the number of new injuries that occur in a given population and time period. Accordingly, accurate determination of the denominator, i.e., actual “activity exposure time”, is critical for injury surveillance and reporting. In this perspective article, we explore the question of whether wearable sensors in combination with mHealth applications are suitable tools to accurately quantify the periods in a ski day when the skier is physically skiing and not resting or using a mechanical means of transport. As a first proof of concept, we present exemplary data from a youth competitive alpine skier who wore his smartphone with embedded sensors on his body on several ski days during one winter season. We compared these data to self-reported estimates of ski exposure, as used in athletes' training diaries. In summary, quantifying on-snow activity exposure in alpine skiing using sensor data from smartphones is technically feasible. For example, the sensors could be used to track ski training sessions, estimate the actual time spent skiing, and even quantify the number of runs and turns made as long as the smartphone is worn. Such data could be very useful in determining actual exposure time in the context of injury surveillance and could prove valuable for effective stress management and injury prevention in athletes.
Development and validation of a clinical cure marker based on negative lymph nodes for gastric cancer after gastrectomy
Authors: Xie Jiebin , Zhang Yuan , He Ming , Liu Xu , Dong Jing , Wang Pan , Pang Yueshan
Published: May 2023

Objective

To explore lymph node (LN)-related derived indicators as clinical cure markers for gastric cancer (GC) after gastrectomy.

Methods

Data of resected GC patients were extracted from the SEER database and our own department. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline differences between the clinical cure and the nonclinical cure groups. The area under the curve (AUC) and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to choose the optimal marker, and survival analysis was used to validate the clinical value of the most effective marker.

Results

After PSM, the differences in age, sex, race, location, surgical type, and histologic type between the two groups were significantly reduced (all P > 0.05), and the AUCs of examined LNs (ELNs), negative LNs (NLNs), ESR (ELNs/tumor size), ETR (ELNs/T-stage), NSR (NLNs/tumor size), NTR (NLNs/T-stage), EPR (ELNs/PLNs) and NPR (NLNs/PLNs) were 0.522, 0.625, 0.622, 0.692, 0.706, 0.751, 7.43, and 7.50, respectively. When NTR was 5.9, the Youden index of 0.378 was the highest. The sensitivity and specificity were 67.5% and 70.3% in the training group and 66.79% and 67.8% in the validation group, respectively. DCA showed that NTR had the largest net clinical benefit, and patients with NTR greater than 5.9 had significantly prolonged overall survival in our own cohort.

Conclusion

NLNs, NTR, NSR, ESR, ETR, NPR and EPR can be used as clinical cure markers. However, NTR was the most effective, and the best cutoff value was 5.9.
Factors Associated With Helicobacter Pylori Infection Among School-Aged Children From a High Prevalence Area in Vietnam
Authors: Che Thai Hoang , Nguyen Tu Cam , Vu Vy Ngoc Thao , Nguyen Hiep Thanh , Hoang Dung Thi Phuong , Ngo Xuan Minh , Truong Dinh Quang , Bontems Patrick , Robert Annie , Nguyen Phuong Ngoc Van
Published: May 2023

Objectives: The study aimed to identify prevalence of H. pylori infection and associated risk factors among pupils of Ho Chi Minh city (HCMC).

Methods: A total of 1,476 pupils aged 6–15 years were enrolled in this cross-sectional study using multiple-stage sampling method. Infection status was assessed using stool antigen-test. A questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic, behavioral, and environmental factors. Logistic regression was performed to assess possible factors related to the infection.

Results: Of the 1,409 children included in the analysis, 49.2% were male and 95.8% were of Kinh ethnicity. About 43.5% of parents completed college or university. The overall prevalence of H. pylori was 87.7%. Infrequency of handwashing with soap after toilet, the use of only water to clean after toilet, crowded living areas, larger family size, and younger age were independently contributing to an increased prevalence of H. pylori.

Conclusion:H. pylori infection is highly prevalent in HCMC, and is associated with poor hygienic practices, crowded living areas, larger family size, and younger age. These findings highlight the importance of fecal-oral route and the attribution of crowded living conditions to the spreading of H. pylori in HCMC. Therefore, preventive programs should be set up with a focus on education of hygiene practices, and oriented to those living in crowded conditions.
Time-Series Forecasting of Seasonal Data Using Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Kramar Vadim , Alchakov Vasiliy
Published: May 2023

The models for forecasting time series with seasonal variability can be used to build automatic real-time control systems. For example, predicting the water flowing in a wastewater treatment plant can be used to calculate the optimal electricity consumption. The article describes a performance analysis of various machine learning methods (SARIMA, Holt-Winters Exponential Smoothing, ETS, Facebook Prophet, XGBoost, and Long Short-Term Memory) and data-preprocessing algorithms implemented in Python. The general methodology of model building and the requirements of the input data sets are described. All models use actual data from sensors of the monitoring system. The novelty of this work is in an approach that allows using limited history data sets to obtain predictions with reasonable accuracy. The implemented algorithms made it possible to achieve an R-Squared accuracy of more than 0.95. The forecasting calculation time is minimized, which can be used to run the algorithm in real-time control and embedded systems.
Evaluation of Aircraft Environmental Control System Order Degree and Component Centrality
Authors: Liao Junyuan , Yang Chunxin , Yang Han
Published: May 2023

Air cycle systems (ACSs) are primarily used in aircraft environmental control systems (ECSs) to provide a suitable cabin temperature and pressure environment for passengers and avionics. It comprises heat exchangers, compressors, turbines, water separators, and various other components that are interconnected to form an information-transmission network. Traditional research on ACSs has focused primarily on their thermal performance. This study abstracted ACSs into network graphs based on their information-transmission characteristics, determined the weight of each information-transmission route using the fuel weight penalty method, calculated and compared the order degree of different ACSs using the structure entropy method, and measured the importance of each component using centrality for the first time. The results showed that the order degree of the ACSs gradually increased with an increase in the number of wheels in the air cycle machine (ACM), and ACSs with high-pressure water separation had a higher order degree under wet conditions than under dry conditions. Moreover, based on the centrality of each vertex in the graphs, the ACM and secondary heat exchanger in the ACS were fundamentally important and should be focused on during the system design. The methodology proposed in this study provides a theoretical basis for the evaluation of the ACS organizational structure and the design performance of components.
Online Trajectory Planning Method for Midcourse Guidance Phase Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Li Wanli , Li Jiong , Li Ningbo , Shao Lei , Li Mingjie
Published: May 2023

Concerned with the problem of interceptor midcourse guidance trajectory online planning satisfying multiple constraints, an online midcourse guidance trajectory planning method based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL) is proposed. The Markov decision process (MDP) corresponding to the background of a trajectory planning problem is designed, and the key reward function is composed of the final reward and the negative step feedback reward, which lays the foundation for the interceptor training trajectory planning method in the interactive data of a simulation environment; at the same time, concerned with the problems of unstable learning and training efficiency, a trajectory planning training strategy combined with course learning (CL) and deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) is proposed to realize the progressive progression of trajectory planning learning and training from satisfying simple objectives to complex objectives, and improve the convergence of the algorithm. The simulation results show that our method can not only generate the optimal trajectory with good results, but its trajectory generation speed is also more than 10 times faster than the hp pseudo spectral convex method (PSC), and can also resist the error influence mainly caused by random wind interference, which has certain application value and good research prospects.
A Wearable Patch Sensor for Simultaneous Detection of Dopamine and Glucose in Sweat
Authors: Sun Yue , Ma Junjie , Wang Yuwei , Qiao Sen , Feng Yihao , Li Zhanhong , Wang Zifeng , Han Yutong , Zhu Zhigang
Published: May 2023

Achieving quantification of biomarkers in body fluids is crucial to the indication of the state of a person’s body and health. Wearable sensors could offer a convenient, fast and painless sensing strategy. In this work, we fabricated a wearable electrochemical patch sensor for simultaneous detection of dopamine and glucose in sweat. The sensor was printed on a flexible PDMS substrate with a simple screen-printed method. This prepared four-electrode sensor integrated two working electrodes for dopamine and glucose electrochemical sensing, one Ag/AgCl reference electrode and one carbon counter electrode, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used for the evaluation of the wearable electrochemical patch sensor. It exhibits good sensitivity, wide linear range, low limit of detection, good anti-interference and reproducibility toward dopamine and glucose sensing in PBS and sweat.
Employment of Fracture Mechanics Criteria for Accurate Assessment of the Full Set of Elastic Constants of Orthorhombic/Tetragonal Mono-Crystalline YBCO
Authors: Chaudhuri Reaz A.
Published: May 2023

The effect of elastic constants, cij, on the nature (easy or difficult) of a cleavage system in mono-crystalline YBa2Cu3O7−δ is investigated by employing a novel three-dimensional eigenfunction expansion technique, based in part on the separation of the thickness variable and partly on a modified Frobenius-type series expansion technique in conjunction with Eshelby–Stroh formalism. Out of the three available, complete sets of elastic constants, only the experimental measurements using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy merit serious attention, despite reported values of c12 and, to a lesser extent, c66 being excessively high. The present investigation considers six through-thickness crack systems weakening orthorhombic mono-crystalline Yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) plates. More importantly, the present investigation establishes sufficient conditions for crack path stability/instability, which entail a cleavage system being easy or difficult, i.e., whether a crack would propagate in its original plane/direction or deflect to a different one. This criterion of fracture mechanics is then employed for accurate determination of the full set of elastic constants of superconducting mono-crystalline YBCO. Finally, heretofore unavailable results pertaining to the through-thickness variations of stress intensity factors and energy release rates for a crack corresponding to symmetric and skew-symmetric hyperbolic cosine loads, which also satisfy the boundary conditions on the plate surfaces, bridge a longstanding gap.
Limnospira indica PCC8005 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG Mixed Dietary Combination Reduces Pelvic Irradiation-Induced Symptoms in Mice
Authors: Gholam Sarah-Renée , Segers Charlotte , Mysara Mohamed , Coolkens Amelie , Baatout Sarah , Leys Natalie , Mastroleo Felice
Published: May 2023

Throughout their cancer treatments, around half of all patients will undergo irradiation that is accompanied by several side effects reducing their quality of life and leading to the interruption or extension of their treatment course. Pelvic irradiation leads to the triggering of mucositis and dysbiosis, further impairing the daily life of the patients. In this work, we address the ability of Limnospira indica strain PCC 8005 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 in alleviating the above-mentioned side effects triggered by the local pelvic irradiation of 12 Gy in a mouse model. We found that the combinatorial administration of these food supplements was able to confer partial tight junction protection while the bacterial translocation towards the mesenteric lymph nodes was found to be identical between the saline sham-irradiated and supplemented irradiated group. Furthermore, the supplemented group did not present a significant shift in microbial composition following pelvic irradiation, indicating that the bacterial formulation was able to mitigate the dysbiosis induced by the latter treatment, as observed in the saline irradiated group. These very promising results will be further completed by investigating the mode of action and/or active molecules mediating the beneficial effects of both L. indica PCC 8005 and L. rhamnosus GG.
Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients Lights and Shadows in the Current Landscape
Authors: Tsotsolis Stavros , Kotoulas Serafeim-Chrysovalantis , Lavrentieva Athina
Published: May 2023

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) presents a known risk to critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2; quantifying the global burden of IPA in SARS-CoV-2 is extremely challenging. The true incidence of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) and the impact on mortality is difficult to define because of indiscriminate clinical signs, low culture sensitivity and specificity and variability in clinical practice between centers. While positive cultures of upper airway samples are considered indicative for the diagnosis of probable CAPA, conventional microscopic examination and qualitative culture of respiratory tract samples have quite low sensitivity and specificity. Thus, the diagnosis should be confirmed with serum and BAL GM test or positive BAL culture to mitigate the risk of overdiagnosis and over-treatment. Bronchoscopy has a limited role in these patients and should only be considered when diagnosis confirmation would significantly change clinical management. Varying diagnostic performance, availability, and time-to-results turnaround time are important limitations of currently approved biomarkers and molecular assays for the diagnosis of IA. The use of CT scans for diagnostic purposes is controversial due to practical concerns and the complex character of lesions presented in SARS-CoV-2 patients. The key objective of management is to improve survival by avoiding misdiagnosis and by initiating early, targeted antifungal treatment. The main factors that should be considered upon selection of treatment options include the severity of the infection, concomitant renal or hepatic injury, possible drug interactions, requirement for therapeutic drug monitoring, and cost of therapy. The optimal duration of antifungal therapy for CAPA is still under debate.
Interdecadal Variation of Summer Extreme Heat Events in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region
Authors: Liang Yanan , Zhang Junzhi , Wang Ji , Xie Tiejun
Published: May 2023

Extreme heat events are frequent in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region due to global warming and accelerated urbanization. While previous studies have analyzed the trend of extreme heat events in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region, the interdecadal changes of these events remain unclear. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the interdecadal temporal and spatial characteristics of summer extreme heat events in the BTH region using daily mean and maximum temperature datasets from 174 stations over the period 1979–2020. The results are shown as follows: (1) From 1979 to 2020, extreme heat events showed an overall upward trend in the BTH region. There were similarities in the changes in the extreme maximum temperature (TXx) and the number of high-temperature days (Htd) between different generations, and both were low until the mid-1990s. (2) In terms of the spatial pattern, TXx and Htd both showed the spatial distribution characteristics of being high in the south and low in the north. Extreme heat events in the BTH region were mainly concentrated in Beijing City, Tianjin City, and the eastern region of Hebei, and the TXx increase in most areas reached 1.5–2.0 °C. (3) The number of high-temperature days (Htd) increased significantly in the background of global warming, especially in Beijing, Tianjin, and Shijiazhuang Cities. (4) Extreme heat events in the BTH region mainly occurred in June and July, and the interdecadal changes showed a decreasing trend in June and an increasing trend in July. A high proportion of Htd was concentrated in Northern Hebei Province in July.
Rock Phosphate Solubilizing Potential of Soil Microorganisms: Advances in Sustainable Crop Production
Authors: Khoshru Bahman , Nosratabad Alireza Fallah , Mitra Debasis , Chaithra Manju , Danesh Younes Rezaee , Boyno Gökhan , Chattaraj Sourav , Priyadarshini Ankita , Anđelković Snežana , Pellegrini Marika , Guerra-Sierra Beatriz Elena , Sinha Somya
Published: May 2023

Phosphorus (P) is one of the most important elements required for crop production. The ideal soil pH for its absorption by plants is about 6.5, but in alkaline and acidic soils, most of the consumed P forms an insoluble complex with calcium, iron, and aluminum elements and its availability for absorption by the plant decreases. The supply of P needed by plants is mainly achieved through chemical fertilizers; however, in addition to the high price of these fertilizers, in the long run, their destructive effects will affect the soil and the environment. The use of cheap and abundant resources such as rock phosphate (RP) can be an alternative strategy for P chemical fertilizers, but the solubilization of P of this source has been a challenge for agricultural researchers. For this, physical and chemical treatments have been used, but the solution that has recently attracted the attention of the researchers is to use the potential of rhizobacteria to solubilize RP and supply P to plants by this method. These microorganisms, via. mechanisms such as proton secretion, organic and mineral acid production, siderophore production, etc., lead to the solubilization of RP, and by releasing its P, they improve the quantitative and qualitative performance of agricultural products. In this review, addressing the potential of rhizosphere microbes (with a focus on rhizobacteria) as an eco-friendly strategy for RP solubilization, along with physical and chemical solutions, has been attempted.
Digital Twin Four-Dimension Fusion Modeling Method Design and Application to the Discrete Manufacturing Line
Authors: Xie Jieyu , Wan Jiafu
Published: May 2023

With the development of new-generation information technologies, such as big data and artificial intelligence, digital twins have become a key technology in intelligent manufacturing. The introduction of digital twin technology has addressed many problems in discrete manufacturing lines, including low visualization and difficult cyber–physical integration. However, the application of digital twin technology to discrete manufacturing lines still faces problems of low modeling accuracy, response delay, and insufficient production line control accuracy. Therefore, this paper proposes a digital twin four-dimension fusion modeling method to solve the above problems. First, a digital twin system architecture for a discrete manufacturing production line is designed. Then, the information control dimension is integrated into traditional digital twin modeling methods. Further, a digital twin geometry–physics–behavior–information control four-dimension fusion modeling method is proposed. This method can describe the geometric and physical characteristics of a physical entity and map its behavior mechanism. More importantly, it reveals the control logic and virtual–real mapping rules, which provides important support for the virtual–real intelligent mutual control. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method are verified by experiments on a fidget spinner discrete manufacturing line, and a digital twin operation and maintenance management system is developed. The results presented in this study could provide ideas for the digital transformation of discrete manufacturing enterprises.