bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristic Behavior of Human Multi-Joint Spatial Trajectory in Slalom Skiing
Authors: Li Peizhang ,   School of Automation, Beijing Institute of Technology No.5 Zhong Guan Cun South Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China, Fei Qing , Chen Zhen , Yao Xiaolan , Zhang Yijia
Published: September 2022

The scientific analysis of the slalom training process can significantly improve the performance of athletes. In this paper, the P matrix is defined by extracting the multi-joint space coordinate trajectories of the athletes in the video to analyze the slalom training pattern. The principal component analysis was used to extract the main eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the P matrix, which were defined as the main eigenbehaviors of slalom skiing, and six main eigenbehaviors were used to achieve a similarity of 96% between the reconstructed skiing sequence and the original sequence. Similarly, the group characteristic S matrix is constructed by using the individual eigenbehaviors, and the eigenvectors of the matrix are used to define the characteristic behavior of the group to classify the hierarchical group and determine the group to which the individual belongs. Results show that this method can better identify the movement pattern of the human body’s multi-joint space trajectory in indoor or outdoor slalom skiing, and provide scientific guidance for skiing training, so that athletes can achieve better training effectiveness.
A Genealogy of the Concept of Civilization (Medeniyet) in Ottoman Political Thought: A Homegrown Perception?
Authors: PALABIYIK Mustafa Serdar
Published: September 2022

Since the first translation of the concept of civilization into Turkish as “medeniyet” in 1837 by Sadık Rıfat Pasha, the then Ottoman Ambassador to Vienna, this coinage has turned out to be an essential component of Turkish modernization. This paper aims to establish a genealogy of the concept of “medeniyet” to demonstrate the divergences of Ottoman perceptions in different periods throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It argues that civilization was first perceived by a group of Ottoman intellectuals as a tool to reach an ideal state of being (c. 1840-1860). The next generation of Ottoman intellectuals (c. 1860-1890) defined civilization as “the” ideal state of being, yet they had different views on the concept, particularly concerning the distinction between material and moral elements of civilization. Finally, the third generation of Ottoman intellectuals (c. 1890-1920), whose thoughts were more or less crystallized under three broad political currents labeled as Westernism, Islamism, and Turkism, had different and sometimes contradicting perceptions of civilization based on their political outlooks. By referring to the writings of these intellectuals, the paper will discuss central debates on civilization in the late Ottoman Empire, such as the singularity/plurality of civilization(s), the existence of Islamic civilization as an alternative to European civilization, the degree of importing from European civilization, and the distinction between culture and civilization. Moreover, it argues that the Turkish perception of “medeniyet” is different from the European perception of “civilization”; in other words, while the Ottoman perception of the concept of civilization is not homeborn, it is homegrown. Accordingly, Ottoman intellectuals not only divided the material and moral elements of civilization and opted for importing the former, but they also questioned the singularity and supremacy of European civilization by referring to “Islamic civilization” either as an extinct yet once-present form of civilization or as a potential rival to European civilization.
The Effect of Social Deprivation on Fracture-Healing and Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Intramedullary Nailing of Tibial Shaft Fractures
Authors: Hong Zachery , Clever David C. , Tatman Lauren M. , Miller Anna N.
Published: September 2022

Background:

Social deprivation is a state marked by limited access to resources due to poverty, discrimination, or other marginalizing factors. We investigated the links between social deprivation and orthopaedic trauma, including patient-reported outcomes, radiographic healing, and complication rates following intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 229 patients who underwent intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures at our Level-I trauma center. The Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a validated proxy for social deprivation, was used to group patients into the most deprived tercile (MDT), the intermediate deprived tercile (IDT), and the least deprived tercile (LDT) for outcome comparison. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was used to measure the domains of Physical Function (PF), Pain Interference (PI), Anxiety, and Depression, and radiographic healing was assessed with the Radiographic Union Scale in Tibial fractures (RUST) system.

Results:

On univariate analyses, patients from the MDT reported worse PF, PI, Anxiety, and Depression scores than those from the LDT within the first year of postoperative follow-up. On multivariable regression analysis, PROMIS score outcomes were influenced by age, race, and smoking status, but not by social deprivation tercile. Furthermore, residing in the MDT was associated with a 31% increase in time to radiographic union compared with the LDT (β = 0.27; p = 0.01).

Conclusions:

Following intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures, social deprivation is associated with slower fracture-healing and potentially influences short-term PROMIS scores. These results warrant further investigation in additional patient populations with orthopaedic trauma and highlight the importance of developing interventions to reduce inequities faced by patients from low-resource settings.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Development and Validation of a Mobile Application for Measuring Tibial Torsion
Authors: Min Jae Jung , Youn Kibeom , Oh Seungtak , Sung Ki Hyuk , Lee Kyoung Min , Park Moon Seok
Published: September 2022

Background:

Tibial torsion lacks a single and reliable method for its measurement. While physical examination, computed tomography (CT), and EOS imaging are used complementarily, three-dimensional (3D) CT is the most widely used method for intuitive documentation and visualization. However, concern regarding the associated radiation hazard limits its use in the evaluation of pediatric patients. Moreover, EOS machines are too expensive and too large to be placed in every clinic requiring the measurement of tibial torsion. Therefore, a new method for 3D reconstruction is needed. In the present study, we tested the validity and reliability of a novel reconstruction tool for the lower leg.

Methods:

A statistical shape model and Laplacian constraint were adopted for the development of a new reconstruction tool for measuring tibial torsion. Tibial torsion measurements based on a 3D reconstruction application and CT images for 36 patients were evaluated for intraobserver and interobserver reliability. Tibial torsion measurements for 75 patients were compared for validation.

Results:

A 3D reconstruction system for the lower leg was developed as a mobile application and was installed in a portable device for easy access in the clinical setting. In terms of interobserver reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient among 3 clinicians was 0.896 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.828 to 0.941). The correlation coefficient between tibial torsion measured with use of 3D CT and that measured with the mobile application was 0.865 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The mobile application showed excellent reliability and validity for measuring tibial torsion. Concurrent utilization with mobile application for the femur allows visualization of the rotational profile of the leg without the need for CT or EOS.

Level of Evidence:

Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Synthesis, Spectroscopy of New Lanthanide Complexes with Schiff Base Derived From (4-Antipyrinecarboxaldehyde with Ethylene Di-Amine) and Study the Bioactivity
Authors: Hussein Kawther Adeeb , Mahdi Shatha , Shaalan Naser
Published: September 2022

The study involved preparing a new compound by combining Schiff bases generated from compounds for antipyrine, including lanthanide ions (lanthanum, neodymium, erbium, gadolinium, and dysprosium). The preparation of the ligand from condensation reactions (4-antipyrinecarboxaldehyde with ethylene di-amine) at room temperature, and was characterization using spectroscopic and analytical studies ( FT-IR, UV-visible spectra, 1H-NMR, mass spectrometry, (C.H.N.O), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), in addition to the magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurement of the synthesis complexes, among the results we obtained from the tests, we showed that the ligand behaves with the (triple Valence) lanthanide ions, the multidentate behavior through two oxygen atoms of the carbonyl group and two nitrogen atoms of the azomethine group with all the prepared complexes in a molar ratio (1:1). The participation of six groups of bidentate nitrate in the coordination and indicating that their complexes have values of magnetic moment and paramagnetic character and, based on the results of those measurements, the geometrical shape of the complexes was proposed. The biological activity of the prepared complexes was studied using the antibacterial activity, as the results of its effectiveness showed the direction of the bacteria used (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae) at the concentration of 1×10-3M
The Electromagnetic Prediction of the Open Porosity beyond Boreholes
Authors: Spichak V.V. , Zakharova O.K.
Published: September 2022

—Prediction of the open porosity factor below boreholes and in the interwell space, from electromagnetic sounding and electrical logging data, has been studied. Modeling porosity data are synthesized from laboratory studies on the samples of two boreholes drilled in the Bishkek geodynamic site. The porosity prediction is carried out using specific electrical resistivity data obtained from 1D inversion of magnetotelluric sounding data collected in the vicinities of these wells. A new approach to predict porosity is suggested, based on the constructing of electromagnetic resistivity pseudo-logs at the target location. The comparison of this technique with other options indicates that its application results in substantial improvement of the predicted accuracy (in particular, relative errors of prediction in double depth of the borehole and in the interwell space could be 2 and 8%, respectively). In general, the porosity predictions, based on Archie formula, give worse results.
An Exploration of Prospective Longitudinal Associations between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adult Mental Health Outcomes: A Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Thurston Christina , Murray Aja Louise , Franchino-Olsen Hannabeth , Meinck Franziska
Published: September 2022

Background: Research cites a strong, dose-response relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and poor adult mental health outcomes including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), self-harm, suicidality, and psychotic-like experiences.
Aim: To systematically investigate the existence and strength of association between ACEs and adult mental health outcomes in prospective longitudinal studies. The review will focus on the outcomes: anxiety, depression, PTSD, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and psychotic-like experiences.
Methods: Twelve electronic databases will be searched: Embase, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and Global Health through the OVID interface. ProQuest will be used to search Public Affairs Information Service (PAIS), Dissertations and Theses, Sociology Database (including Sociological Abstracts and Social Services Abstracts), PTSDpubs (formerly The Published International Literature on Traumatic Stress (PILOTS) Database) and Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA). CINAHL, World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Index Medicus, and WHO Violence Info will also be searched. Eligible studies will be double screened, assessed, and their data will be extracted. Any disagreement throughout these processes will be settled by a third reviewer. If enough studies meet the criteria and the methodological quality of each study is sufficient, a meta-analysis will be conducted.
Analysis: A narrative synthesis of included studies and the associations between ACEs and adult mental health will be completed. If the number of studies included per mental health outcome is two or more, a random effects meta-analysis will be completed using odds ratio effect sizes as outcomes.
Discussion: This review will contribute to the existing body of literature supporting the long-term effects of ACEs on adult mental health. This review adds to previous reviews that have either synthesised cross-sectional associations between ACEs and mental health outcomes, synthesised longitudinal studies exploring the effect of ACEs on different physical and mental health outcomes or synthesised longitudinal studies exploring the effect of ACEs on the same mental health outcomes using different methods. This review aims to identify methodological weaknesses and knowledge gaps in current literature that can be addressed in future primary studies.
Protocol Registration and Reporting: This protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021297882) and followed the PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) 2015 statement: recommended items to address in a systematic review protocol (1) (see checklist in Additional file 1).
clicSAND for OSeMOSYS: a user-friendly interface using open-source optimisation software for energy system modelling analysis
Authors: Cannone Carla , Allington Lucy , de Wet Nicki , Shivakumar Abhishek , Goynes Philip , Valderrama Cesar , Kapor Vedran , Wright Jarrad , Yeganyan Rudolf , Tan Naomi , To Long Seng , Harrison John , Howells Mark
Published: September 2022

Energy models are crucial for helping governments and policymakers plan long-term investments in the energy transition context. One of the most established open-source optimisation models is OSeMOSYS—the Open-Source Energy Modelling System. This paper presents a new interface—clicSAND—for OSeMOSYS, which shortens the learning curve and supports beginner energy modellers to perform long-term investment analyses efficiently. The freely available and open-source clicSAND software consists of a user-friendly Excel interface for entering data, powerful solvers, and a dashboard for visualising results. The results, which extend to 2070, can inform policy decisions and mobilise financial resources for sustainable development measures—for example, ensuring affordable and secure energy supply and mitigating the effects of climate change. This paper describes clicSAND's main benefits, architecture, and functionalities. Furthermore, a South-African case study undertaken by participants of the international capacity-building event—the EMP-A (Energy Modelling Platform for Africa) 2021—shows the results achieved by inexperienced users following a three-week training course. Finally, current applications and future extensions of the software are also presented.
A Fuzzy/Possibility Approach for Area Coverage in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: adda boualem , De Runz Cyril , Ayaida Marwane , Akdag Herman
Published: September 2022

Deterministic methods used to address the coverage problem in an uncertain deployment environment have not proven to be very successful. For this purpose, the original idea of this paper is to deal with the coverage problem in an uncertain environment with uncertain theories. We consider the imperfection in the deployment environment and in the characteristics of the sensor nodes. The selection of a minimum number of nodes for a minimum number of clusters to guarantee coverage in WSN is uncertain. As a consequence, this paper proposes a hybrid FuzzyPossibilistic model to schedule the Active/ Passive state of sensor nodes. This model helps to plan the scheduling of node states (Active / Passive) based on the possibilistic information fusion to make a possibilistic decision for the node activation at each period. We evaluated the proposed model with (a) a running example, (b) a statistical evaluation (calculation of the confidence interface), and (c) a comparison with maximum sensing coverage region problem (MSCR), Coverage Maximization with Sleep Scheduling (CMSS), Spider Canvas Strategy, Semi-Random Deployment Strategy (SRDP) and PEAS with location information protocols. The simulation results highlight the benefits of using the fuzzy and possibility theories for treating the area coverage problem.
Role of Echocardiography in the Assessment of Cardiac Involvement in Takayasu Arteritis
Authors: Fu Jiarong , Liu Jinfeng , Li Xiaoming , Wu Shan , Yu Huimei , Zhang Chun
Published: September 2022

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate echocardiographic features of patients with cardiac involvement and evaluate the value of echocardiography in Takayasu arteritis (TA).
Methods:All patients with TA admitted from January 2015 to December 2021 were classified into patients with cardiac involvement (group 1, n=68) and patients without cardiac involvement (group 2, n=59). This retrospective study compared the clinical manifestations and echocardiographic parameters between the two groups and further explored the relationship between pulmonary hypertension (PH) and echocardiographic parameters. Clinical, imaging and laboratory results of the TA patients were obtained from hospital files.
Results: In our study, 68 patients (53.54%) had cardiac involvement. Valvular abnormalities were found in 55 (80.88%) patients in group 1, coronary artery abnormalities in 10 (14.71%), myocardial abnormalities in 18 (26.47%) and PH in 11 patients (16.18%), respectively. Compared to group 2, both TA patients in group 1 associated with and without PH presented with the significantly differences of echocardiographic parameters regarding left atrial diameter (LAD), interventricular septum thickness (IVST), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular (LV) mass, LV mass/body surface area (BSA), main pulmonary artery diameter (MPAD) (P<0.05). Compared the echocardiographic parameters between the patients with and without PH in group 1, the differences were of no statistical significance (P>0.05).
Conclusions: Cardiac involvement is not infrequent in TA patients and it should be carefully evaluated. Echocardiography plays a vital role in the assessment of cardiac involvement in TA which is helpful for diagnosis and management of TA.
Global, regional, and national burden of chronic respiratory diseases and associated risk factors, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Chen Xiang , Zhou Cheng-Wei , Fu Yang-Yang , Li Yao-Zhe , Chen Lei , Zhang Qing-Wei , Chen Yan-Fan
Published: September 2022

Background
The burden of chronic respiratory diseases has changed over three decades.To describe the spatiotemporal trends of prevalence, mortality and disability adjusted life years (DALY) due to chronic respiratory diseases(CRDs), across the globe during 1990–2019 using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019(GBD 2019).
Methods
The prevalence, mortality and DALY attributable to CRDs, and risk factors from 1990 to 2019 were estimated. We also assessed the driving factors and potentiality for improvement by decomposition analyses and frontier analyses.
Results
In 2019, 454.56 (95% uncertainty interval(UI): 417.35-499.14) million individuals worldwide had a CRD, showing a 39·8% increase compared with 1990. Deaths due to CRDs numbered 3.97(95% UI: 3.58–4.30) million, and DALY in 2019 was 103.53 (95% UI:94.79-112.27) million. Declines by average annual percent change(AAPC) were observed in age-standardized prevalence rates(ASPR) (0.64% decrease), age-standardized mortality rates(ASMR) (1.92%), and age-standardized DALY rates(ASDR) (1.72%) globally and in 5 socio-demographic index (SDI) regions. Decomposition analyses represented that the increase in overall CRDs DALY was driven by aging and population growth. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the leading drivers globally. Frontier analyses witnessed significant improvement opportunities at all levels of the development spectrum. Smoking remained a leading risk factor(RF) for the mortality and DALY, although, it showed a downward trend. Air pollution, a growing factor especially in relatively low SDI regions, deserves our attention.
Conclusion
Our study clarified that CRDs remain a leading cause of prevalence, mortality and DALY worldwide, with growth in absolute numbers but declines in several age-standardized estimators since 1990. The estimated contribution of risk factors to mortality and DALY supports the need for urgent measures to improve them.
Moments Estimation for Multi-factor Uncertain Differential Equations Based on Residuals
Authors: Yao Linjie , Sheng Yuhong
Published: September 2022

Parameter estimation is always the focus of constructing differential equations to simulate dynamic systems. In order to solve the unknown parameters of multi-factor uncertain differential equations, a class of updated multi-factor uncertain differential equations is proposed. According to its uncertainty distribution, the concept of residual is proposed and its specific expression is given. Based on the characteristic that the residuals obey the linear uncertainty distribution, moment estimation and generalized moment estimation are performed on the unknown parameters. Some numerical examples are given to demonstrate.
A Clinicopathologic Analysis of 70 patients with Pure Mucinous Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Sood Rupali , Miller Karin , Tsai Hua-Ling , Cimino-Mathews Ashley , Connolly Roisin
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Pure mucinous breast carcinomas (PMBC) are rare cancers that are managed per standard breast cancer treatment protocols. In this study, we review the clinicopathologic features, treatment, and outcomes of patients with PMBC treated at our academic cancer center.
Methods: We searched institutional pathology databases for patients with histologically confirmed PMBC over a 20-year period (January 1998 - October 2018) who received any portion of clinical care at our institution. Archival pathology slides were re-reviewed to confirm the diagnosis and record pathologic features, including the presence or absence of a micropapillary component. We estimated recurrence free survival (RFS) probabilities using the Kaplan-Meier method and evaluated prognostic factors using Cox regression.
Results: A total of 70 cases of PMBC were identified, including 13 with micropapillary features. Median patient age was 65 years (range, 39-94) and approximately 40% were African American or Asian. The majority of patients had negative lymph nodes (84%), tumors < 2 cm (79%), grade I-II (94%), and hormone receptor positive (99%) disease, with Ki-67 proliferation indices ‎≤10% (54%). All patients underwent surgery, 50% received adjuvant radiation therapy, 6% adjuvant chemotherapy, and 63% adjuvant hormone therapy. Five-year RFS was 94% with no identified clinicopathologic or treatment factors significantly affecting survival, including the presence of micropapillary features.
Conclusion: We report one of the more diverse single institution series of patients with PMBC based in the United States.This rare breast cancer subtype is associated with a favorable prognosis and may benefit from omission of aggressive standard treatment approaches.
Making predictions under hypothetical interventions: a case study from the PREDICT-CVD cohort in New Zealand primary care
Authors: Lin Lijing , Poppe Katrina , Wood Angela , Martin Glen , Peek Niels , Sperrin Matthew
Published: September 2022

Background
Most existing clinical prediction models do not allow predictions under hypothetical interventions. Such predictions allow predicted risk under different proposed strategies to be compared, which is useful to support clinical decision making. We aimed to compare methodological approaches for predicting individual level cardiovascular risk under three hypothetical interventions: smoking cessation, reducing blood pressure, and reducing cholesterol.
Methods
We used data from the PREDICT prospective cohort study in New Zealand to calculate cardiovascular risk in a primary care setting. We compared three strategies to estimate absolute risk under hypothetical interventions: (a) conditioning on hypothetical interventions in non-causal models; (b) integrating existing prediction models with causal effects estimated using observational causal inference methods; and (c) integrating existing prediction models with causal effects reported in published literature.
Results
The median absolute cardiovascular risk among smokers was 3.9%; our approaches predicted that smoking cessation reduced this to a median between 2.4% and 2.8%, depending on estimation methods. For reducing blood pressure, the proposed approaches estimated a reduction of absolute risk from a median of 4.9% to a median between 3.1–4.5%. Reducing cholesterol was estimated to reduce median absolute risk from 3.1% to between 1.9% and 2.8%.
Conclusions
Estimated absolute risk reductions based on non-causal methods were very different to those based on causal methods, and there was also substantial variation in estimates within the causal methods. Researchers wishing to estimate hypothetical risk should be explicit about their causal modelling assumptions and conduct sensitivity analysis by considering a range of possible approaches.
Fluid-structure interaction simulation of visceral perfusion and impact of different cannulation methods on aortic dissection
Authors: Lee Gyu-Han , Heo Woon , Lee Youngjin , Kim Tae-Hoon , Huh Hyungkyu , Song Suk-Won , Ha Hojin
Published: September 2022

Hemodynamics in aortic dissection (AD) is closely associated with the risk of aortic aneurysm, coarctation, rupture, hypertension, and malperfusion. Altered blood flow in patients with AD can lead to severe complications such as visceral malperfusion. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of cannulation flow on hemodynamics in patients with AD using a fluid-structure interaction simulation. We developed a specific-idealized AD model including intimal tear on descending thoracic aorta. Two different cannulation methods were tested: 1) Axillary cannulation (AC) only through the brachiocephalic trunk, and 2) combined axillary and femoral cannulation (AFC) through the brachiocephalic trunk and the right common iliac artery. The AC was found to develop the pressure difference between the true and false lumens due to the difference of the flow rate through each lumen. This pressure difference collapses the true lumen, disturbing blood flow to the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries. However, in the AFC, the pressure levels between the two lumens were similar, no collapse occurred, and the visceral flow was increased compared to that in the AC. Lastly, the collapse of true lumen was affected by the cannulation flow rate and also stiffness of the intimal flap.
Structural Basis of Protein Condensation on Microtubules
Authors: Polenova Tatyana , Guo Changmiao , Alfaro-Aco Raymundo , Zhang Chunting , Russell Ryan , Petry Sabine
Published: September 2022

Targeting protein for Xklp2 (TPX2) is a key factor that stimulates branching microtubule nucleation during cell division. Upon binding to microtubules, TPX2 forms condensates via liquid-liquid phase separation, which facilitates recruitment of microtubule nucleation factors and tubulin. We report the structure of the TPX2 C-terminal minimal active domain (TPX2α5-α7) on the microtubule lattice, determined by magic-angle-spinning NMR. We demonstrate that TPX2α5-α7 can form a co-condensate with soluble tubulin and a liquid layer on microtubules, by binding between two adjacent protofilaments and at the intersection of four tubulin heterodimers. These interactions stabilize the microtubules and promote the recruitment of tubulin. Aromatic residues form dense hydrophobic interactions that stabilize folding of TPX2α5-α7. This work informs on how the phase-separated TPX2α5-α7 behaves on microtubules and represents the first structural characterization of a protein that forms a liquid layer on a cytoskeletal filament.
The emotional well-being of Long COVID patients, widening social support and stigmatization in health and social services: a qualitative study
Authors: Samper-Pardo Mario , Oliván-Blázquez Bárbara , Magallón-Botaya Rosa , Méndez-López Fátima , Bartolomé-Moreno Cruz , León-Herrera Sandra
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Long COVID patients have experienced a decline in their quality of life caused, in part but not wholly, by its negative emotional impact. Some of the most prevalent mental symptoms presented by Long COVID patients are anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. Therefore, the need has arisen to establish the personal experiences of these patients to understand how they are managing in their daily lives while dealing with the condition. Objective: To increase understanding of the emotional well-being of people diagnosed with Long COVID. Methodology: A qualitative design was created and carried out using 35 patients, with 17 subjects being interviewed individually and 18 of them taking part in two focus groups. The participating patients were recruited in November and December 2021 from Primary Health Care (PHC) centers in the city of Zaragoza (Northern Spain) and from the Association of Long COVID Patients in Aragon. The study themes were emotional well-being, social support networks and experience of discrimination. All analyzes were performed iteratively using NVivo software. Results: The Long COVID patients demonstrated a very low state of mind due to their symptoms and limitations that had been persistent for many months in their daily life. Suicidal thoughts were also mentioned by several patients. They referred to anguish and anxiety about the future as well as fear of reinfection or relapse and returning to work. Many of the participants reported that they have sought the help of a mental health professional. Most identified discriminatory situations in health care. Conclusion: It is necessary to continue delving into the impact that Long COVID has had on mental health, and to provide entities with the necessary resources to solve these problems.
Enhanced removal of aqueous Cr(VI) by the in-situ iron-loaded activated carbon through a facile impregnation with Fe(II) and Fe(VI) two-step method: Mechanism study
Authors: Kong Yanli , Huang Zhiyan , Chu Hangyu , Ma Yaqian , Ma Jiangya , Nie Yong , Ding Lei , Chen Zhonglin , Shen Jimin
Published: September 2022

In this study, a novel in-situ iron-loaded activated carbon (AFPAC) was prepared by a FeSO4/K2FeO4 impregnation and oxidation combination two-step supported on activated carbon for enhanced removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. Compared with fresh activated carbon, Cr(VI) removal efficiency by AFPAC increased by more than 70% under the same conditions, which due to rich iron oxides formed in-situ and synergistic effect between iron oxides and activated carbon. Cr(VI) adsorption behaviors on AFPAC under different water quality parameters were investigated. Multiple adsorption mechanisms of Cr(VI) removal by AFPAC included electrostatic attraction, redox reaction, coordinate complexation and co-precipitation. Cr(VI) adsorption process on AFPAC consisted of the three reaction steps: (1) fast protonation and electrostatic adsorption, (2) reduction of Cr(VI) into Cr(III) through at least two ways, (3) formation of inner-sphere complexes and then co-precipitation.
Optimizing simultaneous selection in long-term breeding: a stochastic simulation study for a tropical corn haploid inducer population
Authors: Fritsche-Neto Roberto , Sabadin Felipe , doVale Julio César , Souza Pedro Henrique , Borges Karina Lima Reis , Crossa Jose
Published: September 2022

Plant breeders widely use recurrent selection schemes to increase the frequency of favorable alleles for quantitative traits in a population. Although simultaneous selection is complex because it involves several traits combined with selection cycles, the use of selection indexes (SI) is applied to increase the chance of success of the breeding program. Moreover, many indices are available in the literature; therefore, simulations can help breeders determine which selection index can be adjusted better considering the selection goals, intensity, and genetic correlation among traits over breeding cycles. In this context, we aimed to optimize the simultaneous selection in long-term breeding programs via stochastic simulations using as an example a tropical maize inducer breeding. Furthermore, we proposed a new approach to optimize the initial weights for the Smith-Hazel method to maximize the genetic gains for all traits in a balanced way. Finally, our results confirm that the traditional Smith and Hazel approach outperformed other methods for the total and balanced response to selection for important traits in a tropical corn haploid inducer breeding population.
Systematic review of cholangiocarcinoma in Africa: epidemiology, management, and clinical outcomes
Authors: Asombang Akwi W , Chishinga Nathaniel , Mohamed Mouhand , Nkhoma Alick , Chipaila Jackson , Nsokolo Bright , Manda-Mapalo Martha , Montiero Joao Filipe G , Banda Lewis , Dua Kulwinder
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND:

The prevalence, management, and clinical outcomes of cholangiocarcinoma in Africa are unknown. The aim is to conduct a comprehensive systematic review on the epidemiology, management, and outcomes of cholangiocarcinoma in Africa.

METHODS:

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and CINHAL from inception up to November 2019 for studies on cholangiocarcinoma in Africa. The results reported follow PRISMA guidelines. Quality of studies and risk of bias were adapted from a standard quality assessment tool.

RESULTS:

A total of 201 citations were identified from the four databases. After excluding duplicates, 133 full texts were reviewed for eligibility, and 11 studies were included. The 11 studies are reported from 4 countries only: 8 are from North Africa (Egypt 6 and Tunisia 2), and 3 in Sub-Saharan Africa (2 in South Africa, 1 in Nigeria). Ten studies reported management and outcomes, while one study reported epidemiology and risk factors. Median age for cholangiocarcinoma ranged between 52 and 61 years. Despite the proportion with cholangiocarcinoma being higher among males than females in Egypt, this gender disparity could not be demonstrated in other African countries. Chemotherapy is mainly used for palliative care. Surgical interventions are curative and prevent cancer progression. Statistical analyses were performed with Stata 15.1. Descriptive data were expressed as numbers with proportions and Chi-squared test was used to compare proportions. P values < 0.05 were considered significant.

CONCLUSION:

The known global major risk factors such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini infestation are rare. Chemotherapy treatment was mainly used for palliative treatment and was reported in three studies. Surgical intervention was described in at least 6 studies as a curative modality of treatment. Diagnostic capabilities such as radiographic imaging and endoscopic are lacking across the continent which most likely plays a role in accurate diagnosis.
Digital Economy and Green Development—Based on the Empirical Research on the Resource-based Prefecture-Level City
Authors: Chen Shi , Yang Yang , Wu Tingting
Published: September 2022

Green development is the core content of the high-quality economic development, and the digital economy is the new driving force to accelerate the realization of high-quality economic development. In this regard, this paper selects 248 resource-based prefecture-level cities in China from 2011 to 2019 as the research objects and uses the fixed effect model and mediation effect model to test the relationship between digital economy and regional green development. We get the following conclusions: first, there is the nonlinear relationship between digital economy and regional green development, and this relationship shows the inverted U-shape. Secondly, digital economy can influence regional green development through the path transmission mechanism of regional technological innovation, industrial structure and environmental regulation. Finally, the effect of digital economy on regional green development is heterogeneous, especially in the eastern region and cities with high human capital level. Based on the digital economy, the findings of this paper provide theoretical basis and reference suggestions for promoting the green transformation development of regional economy.
The application of mixed reality to sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer Running title: Application of mixed reality in breast cancer
Authors: Feng Zhenchu , Liang Wenlong , Qi Yuan , Shao Nan , Jin Chenglong , Ma Fei , Tao Lin , Wang Jiyan , Qiu Zhaowen , Zhang Jianguo , Chen Xi
Published: September 2022

Background
This study aimed to explore the value of mixed reality (MR) in sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with breast cancer.
Methods
A total of 300 patients with breast cancer who underwent SLNB in the Department of Breast Surgery of The Second Affiliated Hospital between August 2018 to March 2019 were enrolled. They were randomly divided into two groups using a random number table. In group A, only dye (an injection of methylene blue) was used to detect sentinel lymph nodes, while in group B MR was used for positioning in addition to dye.
Results
During surgery, the detection time in group B was significantly shorter than in group A (3.62 ± 1.20 vs.7.87 ± 1.86; p < 0.001). At the one- and six-month post-surgery follow-ups, the incidences of pain and numbness in group B were lower than in group A (2.70% vs. 8.28%, p = 0.036; 0.68% vs. 3.45%, p = 0.094, respectively), the incidence of upper limb dysfunction in group B was lower than that of group A (2.03% vs. 8.97%, p = 0.009; 0% vs. 2.07%, p = 0.120, respectively), and the patient satisfaction score of group B was higher than that of group A (4.04 ± 0.91 vs. 3.32 ± 0.94, p < 0.001).
Conclusion
MR can construct a three-dimensional visualization model for use in surgery. The application of this technology to SLNB in patients with breast cancer can significantly reduce the detection time and the occurrence of complications and improve patient satisfaction.
Linking hydrological connectivity to gully erosion in the lateritic badland of sub-tropical environment: An in-situ experimental study within the Grand Canyon of Bengal, Eastern India
Authors: Roy Paramita , Pal Subodh Chandra , Chakrabortty Rabin , Chowdhuri Indrajit , Saha Asish , I Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul , Islam Aznarul , Costache Romulus
Published: September 2022

Geomorphological processes that occur on the surface structure of the region are included in badland geomorphology. Rapid soil erosion and the production of various geomorphic characteristics are related to badland development. The expansion of their main channels is inextricably tied to the formation of gullies. The “degree of badland formation” inside that catchment and the characteristics of the substrate may both be learned from an analysis of the longitudinal shape of these channels. In this work the mechanism and trend of erosion has been done with help of cross section analysis and prominent geomorphic process. The very high resolution DEM has been prepared in this perspective. Finding out how large-scale erosion occurs and how it contributes to the deterioration of the land is the main objective of the research. According to this viewpoint, the nature of erosion may be measured using the connectivity index and gullies. In this region, the early “rills and minor gullies emerge over the high duricrust escarpment”, where it is discovered that the ambient lateritic hardpan has a substantial impact on the gully channel character, with the majority of them having steeper portions in the middle of their course. Apart from this there is an increasing tendency of erosion from the previous period to present time.
Allergen bronchoprovocation: Correlation between FEV1 maximal percent fall and area under the FEV1 curve and impact of allergen on recovery.
Authors: Durr Sarah-Marie , Davis Beth , Gauvreau Gail , Cockcroft Donald W
Published: September 2022

Background
House dust mite (HDM) induces greater responses than other allergens during allergen bronchoprovocation (ABP) testing. The two standardized methods for reporting results of ABP tests are the maximal percent fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1, max; %) and the area under the FEV1 vs time curve (AUC; %FEV1 x min). The relationship between these two methods has not been previously investigated.
Aims
Our first objective was to measure the correlation between FEV1, max and AUC during the early asthmatic response (EAR) and the late asthmatic response (LAR). Second, we aimed to determine if the EAR recovery period for HDM would be longer than other allergens (cat, grass, horse, and ragweed).
Methods
We retrospectively calculated EAR(0−2h) and LAR(3−7h) AUC and examined correlation between FEV1, max and AUC for both EAR(0−2h) and LAR(3−7h) for each listed allergen. We compared EAR(0−3h) and LAR(3−7h) FEV1, max, AUC and absolute difference in FEV1, max to the most recovered FEV1 (FEV1, min) 3 hours post-challenge for each allergen (third hour included to measure the EAR ending). We performed pairwise comparisons of correlation and slope values using Fischer’s r to z transformation and t-tests, respectively. AUC and absolute differences in FEV1, max and FEV1, min were compared using a one-way ANOVA test, followed by a post-hoc Scheffe test.
Results
Correlation between the EAR(0−2h) FEV1, max and the AUC (n = 221) was 0.807, and for the LAR(3−7h) (n = 157 of 221) was 0.798, (difference p = 0.408). The EAR(0−3h) AUC and FEV1, max did differ between the listed allergens (both p < 0.0001) but the LAR(3−7h) AUC and FEV1, max did not (p = 0.548 and 0.824, respectively). HDM did not cause a delayed recovery, measured by AUC or FEV1, max, than all other allergens during the EAR(0−3h) or the LAR(3−7h). The absolute difference between the FEV1, max and FEV1, min during the EAR(0−3h) did not differ between allergens (p = 0.180).
Conclusion
The FEV1, max and AUC for both the EAR(0−2h) and LAR(3−7h) had excellent correlation, with no significant difference. There was no evidence of delayed EAR(0−3h) recovery following HDM challenges.
Geometric Entropy of Plant Leaves: A Measure of Morphological Complexity
Authors: M Vishnu , Rajan Sajeev C , R Jaishanker
Published: September 2022

A boundary separates a physical object from its surroundings. It defines the object's shape and regulates energy flux to and from it. Visual perception of the shape (geometry) of physical objects is an abstraction. While the perceived geometry at an object's sharp interface (macro) creates a Euclidian illusion of actual shape, the notion of diffuse interfaces (micro) allows grasping the realistic form of objects. Here we formulate a dimensionless geometric entropy of plant leaves (SL) by a 2-D description of a phase-field function. SL is estimated from the leaf perimeter (P) and leaf area (A) and correlates positively with segmental fractal complexity (DΣS ). Leaves with a higher P:A ratio has higher SL and morphological complexity. An increase in SL of plant leaves could be an evolutionary strategy. The results of morphological complexity presented in this paper will trigger discussion on the causal links between leaf adaptive stability/efficiency and complexity. We present SL as a derived plant trait to describe plant leaf complexity and adaptive stability. Integrating SL into other leaf physiological measures will help understand energy dynamics and information flow in ecological systems.
Nicosulfuron Stress on Glyoxalase System and endogenous hormone content in sweet maize seedlings
Authors: Wu Zhenxing , Wang Jian , Lin Xiaohu , Yang Qing , Wang Tingzhen , Chen Jianjian , Li Xiangnan , Guan Yuan , Lv Guihua
Published: September 2022

In order to reduce the harmful effects of nisulfuron on sweet corn, the physiological regulation mechanism of sweet corn detoxification was studied. In this study, a pair of sister lines of sweet corn(nicosulfuron-tolerant“HK310” and nicosulfuron-sensitive “HK320”)were used to analyze the effects of nicosulfuron stress on glyoxalase system, hormone content and key gene expression on sweet corn seedlings. The results showed that after spraying nicosulfuron, methyl glyoxal (MG) content in HK301 increased first and then decreased. As well as, the activities of glyoxalaseI (GlyI) and glyoxalaseII (GlyII), the content of non-enzymatic glutathione (GSH) and the glutathione redox state glutathione/ (glutathione + glutathione disulfide) (GSH/ (GSH + GSSG)) showed the same trend as the MG content. Besides, the contents of ababic acid (ABA), gibberelin (GA) and zeatin nucleoside (ZR) also increased first and then decreased, and auxin (IAA) content increased continuously. In HK301, all indexes after spraying nicosulfuron were significantly greater than those of control. In HK320, MG accumulation continued to increase after nicosulfuron spraying, and the activities of GlyI and GlyII and GSH content first increased and then decreased after 1d stress. The indicators above are significantly greater than the control. While the ratio of GSH/ (GSH + GSSG) showed a decreasing trend and significantly smaller than the control. Furthermore, the contents of ABA and IAA continued to increase, and the contents of GA and ZR first increased and then decreased. Compared with HK320, HK301 significantly upregulated the transcription levels of GlyI and GlyII genes in roots, stems and leaves. Comprehensive analysis showed that sweet maize seedlings with different drug resistance improved their herbicide resistance by changing glyoxalase system and regulating endogenous hormones. The results provided a theoretical basis for further understanding the response mechanism of glyoxalase system and the regulation characteristics of endogenous hormones in maize under the stress of nianysulfuron.