bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety and feasibility of single-incision laparoscopic distal gastrectomy in overweight and obese gastric cancer patients: a propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Lee Eunju , Suh Yun-Suhk , Yoo Mira , Hwang Duyeong , Kang So Hyun , Lee Sangjun , Park Young Suk , Ahn Sang-Hoon , Kong Seong-Ho , Park Do Joong , Lee Hyuk-Joon , Kim Hyung-Ho , Yang Han-Kwang
Published: July 2024

Background

The technical challenges and safety concerns of single-incision laparoscopic gastrectomy for overweight and obese gastric cancer patients remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of single-incision laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (SIDG) compared to multiport laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (MLDG) in overweight and obese gastric cancer patients.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed overweight and obese patients (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2) and pathologic stage T1 primary gastric adenocarcinoma treated with either SIDG or MLDG. The SIDG and MLDG groups were propensity score matched at a 1:2 ratio using age, sex, height, body weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, year of surgery, pathologic N stage, and anastomosis method as covariates.

Results

After 1:2 matching, the study included patients who underwent SIDG (n = 179) and MLDG (n = 358). No significant difference in the number of retrieved lymph nodes was found between the SIDG and MLDG groups (52.8 ± 19.3 vs. 53.9 ± 21.0, P = 0.56). Operation times were significantly shorter in the SIDG group (170.8 ± 60.0 min vs. 186.1 ± 52.6 min, P = 0.004). The postoperative hospital length of stay was comparable between the 2 groups (SIDG: 5.9 ± 3.4 days vs. MLDG: 6.3 ± 5.1 days, P = 0.23), as was postoperative complication rate (SIDG: 13.4% vs. MLDG: 12.8%, P = 0.89).

Conclusions

SIDG was shown to be as safe and feasible as MLDG for overweight and obese gastric cancer patients, with comparable early postoperative complication rates without compromising operation time compared to MLDG.
Analyzing optical soliton solutions in Kairat-X equation via new auxiliary equation method
Authors: Faridi Waqas Ali , Tipu Ghulam Hussain , Riaz Muhammad Bilal , Mostafa Almetwally M. , AlQahtani Salman A. , Myrzakulov Ratbay , Umurzakhova Zhanar
Published: July 2024

The paper introduce a novel auxiliary equation method for the successful derivation of traveling wave solutions for the non-linear Kairat-X (K-X) equation. Along with other novel results, soliton, singular, triangular periodic, and doubly periodic topological solutions are among the solutions obtained. The study revisits the concept of optical solitary waves, enhancing our understanding of the model. Previous studies have already derived analytical solutions using diverse approaches, contributing to the discovery of new soliton solutions within this framework. These solutions are characterized through three-dimensional, contour plot, and two-dimensional profile analyses. Additionally, the impact of time on the propagation of wave patterns is explored. The outcomes show how well our suggested approach works to solve non-linear evolution equations by producing fresh, more thorough solutions, making it a powerful mathematical tool for doing so. Through this article, we elucidate how leveraging NAEM with the Kairat-X equation can lead to optimized optical systems, improved data transmission rates, and the evolution of nonlinear optics towards more efficient and reliable communication technologies.
Calendar anomalies and dividend announcements effects on the stock markets returns
Authors: Hasan Fakhrul , Al-Najjar Basil
Published: July 2024

In this study, we extend the existing literature around dividend signaling theory and calendar anomalies by addressing the question of whether calendar anomalies, including Halloween, Turn-of-the-Month (TOM), January, Monday, and Friday effects, have any influence on the relationship between stock returns and dividend announcements. Previous studies have primarily focused on demonstrating the impact of calendar anomalies on overall stock market returns. Our main aim is to investigate whether the Cumulative Abnormal Returns (CARs) associated with dividend announcements made by firms listed in the FTSE 350 index exhibit deviations from the norm due to these calendar anomalies. Our findings reveal a notable asymmetry in the reactions to dividend increase and decrease announcements. Specifically, the timing of dividend increase announcements appears to have no significant effect on their associated CARs. However, dividend decrease announcements made during periods characterized by seasonality exhibit CARs that differ significantly from those observed during normal times. Importantly, these findings remain robust across various alternative economic model specifications, including interaction models, binary models, and GMM estimations. Consequently, our results suggest that calendar anomalies, such as Halloween, January, and Friday effects, play a key role in shaping the association between stock returns and dividend announcements.
Peri-Implant Wound Healing and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Emecen-Huja Pinar , Leblebicioglu Binnaz
Published: July 2024

Purpose of the Review

This review provides an in-depth evaluation of the existing information on peri-implant wound healing basics with a specific focus on local and systemic determinants affecting short and long-term clinical outcomes.

Recent Findings

Peri-implant wound healing has been heavily studied in relation to biocompatibility of biomaterials and various surgical techniques for predictable and stable osseointegration. Short-term outcomes have been explored as a response to immediate, early and delayed implant placement and/or mechanical loading while long-term stability has been investigated as a response of time, restorative design and well-established risk factors such as periodontitis and smoking. It has been also reported that peri-implant bone remodeling is a continuous phenomenon, and several ill-described local factors may differentially affect implant fixture and bone interface.

As research presents better evidence on implant soft tissue interface, we now understand that established peri-implant sulcus consists of a modified mucosal seal/ soft tissue attachment with short junctional epithelium, significant fibrotic connective tissue and limited wound healing capacity. In addition, long-term response of the soft tissue against titanium alloy as a transmucosal device within oral cavity has raised significant challenges negatively affecting success of implant supported dental restorations.
Automated Scoring of Constructed Response Items in Math Assessment Using Large Language Models
Authors: Morris Wesley , Holmes Langdon , Choi Joon Suh , Crossley Scott
Published: July 2024

Recent developments in the field of artificial intelligence allow for improved performance in the automated assessment of extended response items in mathematics, potentially allowing for the scoring of these items cheaply and at scale. This study details the grand prize-winning approach to developing large language models (LLMs) to automatically score the ten items in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Math Scoring Challenge. The approach uses extensive preprocessing that balanced the class labels for each item. This was done by identifying and filtering over-represented classes using a classifier trained on document-term matrices and data augmentation of under-represented classes using a generative pre-trained large language model (Grammarly’s Coedit-XL; Raheja et al., 2023). We also use input modification schemes that were hand-crafted to each item type and included information from parts of the multi-step math problem students had to solve. Finally, we finetune several pre-trained large language models on the modified input for each individual item in the NAEP automated math scoring challenge, with DeBERTa (He et al., 2021a) showing the best performance. This approach achieved human-like agreement (less than QWK 0.05 difference from human–human agreement) on nine out of the ten items in a held-out test set.
Confused Constitutionalism in Hungary—New Assessment Criteria for Recognising a Populist Constitutional Court
Authors: Gárdos-Orosz Fruzsina
Published: July 2024

The starting point of the paper is that the early constitutional changes after the populist transformation of Hungarian majority state politics (from 2010) and the application of the new Fundamental Law (since 2012) have created difficulty in achieving constitutional justice by judicial means. The fundamental populist constitutional transformation and, within this, the transformation of the regulation of the Constitutional Court have created great challenges for constitutional adjudication. Scholarship on the transformation of the Hungarian Constitutional Court regards the change of jurisprudence as a consequence of the constitutional environment, which ended up in institutional state capture. Basing my arguments on the classic competence-related issues of constitutional justice, activism and deference, I argue here that for constitutional courts, there is always a limited room for manoeuvre by interpretation except for in a ‘hard’ dictatorship. Populist Hungarian jurisprudence is, therefore, not only a consequence of constitutional change but a contribution per se—a cause of the construction of a populist constitution. This job has been done by constitutional interpretation in an activist or deferent manner with regard to specific politically sensitive issues. EU- and emergency-related constitutional conflicts are used here as examples to explain the proposed assessment criteria. The conclusion is that either the Court is activist or deferent, it contributes actively to the populist construction by constitutional interpretation.
Heterogeneous CuxO Nano-Skeletons from Waste Electronics for Enhanced Glucose Detection
Authors: Pan Yexin , Yu Ruohan , Jiang Yalong , Zhong Haosong , Yuan Qiaoyaxiao , Lee Connie Kong Wai , Yang Rongliang , Chen Siyu , Chen Yi , Poon Wing Yan , Li Mitch Guijun
Published: July 2024

Electronic waste (e-waste) and diabetes are global challenges to modern societies. However, solving these two challenges together has been challenging until now. Herein, we propose a laser-induced transfer method to fabricate portable glucose sensors by recycling copper from e-waste. We bring up a laser-induced full-automatic fabrication method for synthesizing continuous heterogeneous CuxO (h-CuxO) nano-skeletons electrode for glucose sensing, offering rapid (< 1 min), clean, air-compatible, and continuous fabrication, applicable to a wide range of Cu-containing substrates. Leveraging this approach, h-CuxO nano-skeletons, with an inner core predominantly composed of Cu2O with lower oxygen content, juxtaposed with an outer layer rich in amorphous CuxO (a-CuxO) with higher oxygen content, are derived from discarded printed circuit boards. When employed in glucose detection, the h-CuxO nano-skeletons undergo a structural evolution process, transitioning into rigid Cu2O@CuO nano-skeletons prompted by electrochemical activation. This transformation yields exceptional glucose-sensing performance (sensitivity: 9.893 mA mM−1 cm−2; detection limit: 0.34 μM), outperforming most previously reported glucose sensors. Density functional theory analysis elucidates that the heterogeneous structure facilitates gluconolactone desorption. This glucose detection device has also been downsized to optimize its scalability and portability for convenient integration into people’s everyday lives.
Identity and Culture Based on the Traditional Cuisine of Bello city, Antioquia, Colombia
Authors: Gallego Esteban Ortiz , Vidal Luis Alfonso Ramírez , Tapias Brayan Montoya , Bedoya Juan Pablo Ramírez
Published: July 2024

The text focuses primarily on the peasant food and culinary culture that takes place inside the stoves and kitchens of the municipality of Bello - Antioquia - Colombia, in order to make the rural kitchen visible as an essential element in the constitution of the municipality’s identity. To this end, it starts from a bibliographic analysis that supports and structures the axes through which the project circulates: food and culinary culture, as well as the kitchen, understood as a feature of identity.

The research was approached using a qualitative and ethnographic methodology, in which participant observation was applied, in-depth interviews with inhabitants and tradition bearers of the villages of the municipality of Bello, in addition to tools such as field diaries and photographs. In general, this article provides an overview of the peasant cuisine of the municipality of Bello, its continuities and changes, promoting the knowledge and dissemination of the traditional cuisines of the territory.
“Dear Dairy, It’s Not Me, It’s You”: Australian Public Attitudes to Dairy Expressed Through Love and Breakup Letters
Authors: Bolton Sarah E. , Vandresen Bianca , von Keyserlingk Marina A. G.
Published: July 2024

Understanding evolving public views on food production is vital to ensure agricultural industries remain socially sustainable. To explore public attitudes to the dairy industry, a convenience sample of Australian citizens were asked to write their choice of a ‘love letter’ or ‘breakup letter’ to dairy. The present study provides results from the 19 letters submitted. Participants varied in age, gender identity, income and frequency of consumption of dairy products. The letters were on average 144 words long (range: 48–285), and were categorized into 8 love letters, 6 break-up letters, and 5 ‘distance’ letters that conveyed a conflicted stance. We undertook inductive thematic analysis of all letters, identifying three main themes: (1) personal relationship with dairy; (2) views about dairy as an industry; and (3) views on dairy products. Support for dairy was mainly communicated through participants’ love of dairy products, whilst opposition to dairy largely centered on participants’ ethical concerns about farming practices. Some participants were conflicted in their relationship with dairy, struggling to balance their love of the products and their concerns about farming practices. In contrast, participants who conveyed that they had ‘broken up’ with the dairy industry described an unfailing commitment to their decision. Our findings demonstrate the key role of people’s core values in their relationship with dairy. Efforts to identify and address areas of concern that lead to values misalignment with the public may aid in maintaining the social sustainability of the dairy industry into the future.
MAS-Bench: a benchmarking for parameter calibration of multi-agent crowd simulation
Authors: Shigenaka Shusuke , Takami Shunki , Tanigaki Yuki , Watanabe Shuhei , Onishi Masaki
Published: July 2024

Multi-agent simulation (MAS) has attracted significant attention for the prevention of pedestrian accidents and the spread of infectious diseases caused by overcrowding in recent years. In the MAS paradigm, each pedestrian is represented by a single agent. Control parameters for each agent need to be calibrated based on pedestrian traffic data to reproduce phenomena of interest accurately. Furthermore, observing all pedestrian traffic at large-scale events such as festivals and sports games is difficult. In such cases, parameter optimization is essential so that the appropriate parameters can be determined by solving an error minimization problem between the simulation results and incomplete observed pedestrian traffic data. We propose a benchmark problem, namely MAS-Bench, to discuss the performance of MAS parameter calibration methods uniformly. Numerical experiments demonstrate the baseline performance of four well-known optimization methods on six different error minimization problems that are defined on MAS-Bench. Moreover, we investigate the validity of the error function in the calibration by evaluating the correlation between the calibration and estimation scores. These scores are error functions relating to the available and unavailable observations, respectively.
Applying UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS to profile the phytochemical constituents associated with docking studies of major components of Ziziphora capitata L as well as antimicrobial and antioxidant activity assessments of its subsequent fractions
Authors: Youssif Youssif M. , Ragab Ahmed , Zahran Medhat A. , Ahmed Fatma A. , Elhagali Gameel A. M.
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical constituents, antimicrobial activity, and antioxidant effects of successive extracts of Ziziphora capitata L. aerial parts. UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS identified 79 phytoconstituents, including phenolic acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, as major phytoconstituents. Additionally, primary phytochemical investigations revealed the presence of terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins in various plant fractions. The MICs of successive extracts were tested against a range of microorganisms, including gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus mutants, Enterococcus faecalis, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis), gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, and Enterobacter cloacae), fungi (Aspergillus niger and Penicillium aurantiogriseum), and yeast (Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis), using the disk diffusion technique. The ethyl acetate and 95% ethanol extracts exhibited significant antibacterial activity against the tested microorganisms; however, the hexane fraction affected only P. aeruginosa. The effects of the CHCl3 and H2O fractions varied in their activities against most of the bacteria examined. Additionally, the AcOEt and 95% EtOH extracts exhibited significant antioxidant activity with IC50 = 18.6 ± 0.97 and 30.4 ± 1.86 µg/mL, respectively, compared to that of ascorbic acid (IC50 = 10.6 ± 0.8 µg/mL, reference drug). Antibacterial and antioxidant activities can be attributed to phytoconstituents, which were identified using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Furthermore, docking simulations of the top ten phytochemicals of the 70% methanolic extract were carried out inside the active site of S. aureus DNA gyrase (PDB: 2XCT) and dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) from S. pneumoniae (PDB: 2VEG) as bacterial targets and these compounds exhibited good binding modes with different types of interactions.

Graphical Abstract
Transnational corporate influence and local politics: how mining companies intervene in neighbouring communities
Authors: Bechtum Alexandra
Published: July 2024

This paper analyses how transnational mining companies influence decision-making processes and public policies in communities adjacent to industrial gold mines. Most social science research on mining focuses on the emergence and dynamics of social conflicts over mining and overlooks the political influence mining companies exert by implementing development programmes to gain social acceptance. This paper fills this gap and develops a refined understanding of the multiple layers of political influence of companies in mining areas. It finds that mining companies spatialise corporate interests, contribute to an informalisation of political decision-making, assume quasi-governmental functions and, in this way, intensify the privatisation of local politics. This paper draws on approaches from critical governance research, critical geography and participation theory. It analyses corporate influence by distinguishing between socio-spatial, political-institutional and political-developmental forms of influence that companies use to create social acceptance for their particular mining project. Empirically, this paper is based on a comparative case study of corporate influence in communities near industrial gold mines in the Argentine north-west and southern Patagonia. For conflict research, the article offers a novel framework for shedding light on the workings of corporate micropolitics in mining areas beyond manifest conflicts. This contribution illustrates that mining companies have the capacity to mould political institutions and public policies by implementing development programmes that are in fact designed to serve corporate purposes.
Soil Physicochemical Properties under Selected Avocado Cultivars in Ethiopian Smallholder Agroforestry
Authors: Seid Hadia , Kessy John , Asfaw Zebene , Dahlin A. Sigrun
Published: July 2024

This study investigated the impact of three avocado cultivars on selected soil physicochemical properties in Central Ethiopia, to enhance the knowledge on the influence of avocado cultivars on soil physicochemical properties, and assist smallholders in cultivar selection in agroforestry. Trees planted in farmers´ fields 8 years earlier were revisited. Soil samples were collected from 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm depth at three radial distances from trees (1 m and 2 m from tree trunk, and at 5 m from the canopy edge as a control). Soil texture, bulk density, moisture content, pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphorus were determined. Soil moisture content and electrical conductivity were overall higher and bulk density was lower (p < 0.05) under the canopies of the avocado trees than in the control and soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphorus tended to increase in spite of nutrient inputs to the control whilst the trees were unfertilized. Differences between the studied cultivars were small, but Hass tended to have the largest impact on soil nutrient levels, whilst Ettinger and Nabal tended to have a somewhat larger effect on the soil organic carbon concentration. Integrating these avocado cultivars on farms can improve soil fertility in the study area. However, for optimal agricultural soil health and sustainable avocado production, cultivar and site-specific soil management practices must be applied.
Magnesium-doped biochars increase soil phosphorus availability by regulating phosphorus retention, microbial solubilization and mineralization
Authors: Ibrahim Muhammed Mustapha , Lin Huiying , Chang Zhaofeng , Li Zhimin , Riaz Asif , Hou Enqing
Published: July 2024

Despite fertilization efforts, phosphorus (P) availability in soils remains a major constraint to global plant productivity. Soil incorporation of biochar could promote soil P availability but its effects remain uncertain. To attain further improvements in soil P availability with biochar, we developed, characterized, and evaluated magnesium-oxide (MgO) and sepiolite (Mg4Si6O15(OH)2·6H2O)-functionalized biochars with optimized P retention/release capacity. Field-based application of these biochars for improving P availability and their mechanisms during three growth stages of maize was investigated. We further leveraged next-generation sequencing to unravel their impacts on the plant growth-stage shifts in soil functional genes regulating P availability. Results showed insignificant variation in P availability between single super phosphate fertilization (F) and its combination with raw biochar (BF). However, the occurrence of Mg-bound minerals on the optimized biochars’ surface adjusted its surface charges and properties and improved the retention and slow release of inorganic P. Compared to BF, available P (AP) was 26.5% and 19.1% higher during the 12-leaf stage and blister stage, respectively, under MgO-optimized biochar + F treatment (MgOBF), and 15.5% higher under sepiolite-biochar + F (SBF) during maize physiological maturity. Cumulatively, AP was 15.6% and 13.2% higher in MgOBF and SBF relative to BF. Hence, plant biomass, grain yield, and P uptake were highest in MgOBF and SBF, respectively at harvest. Optimized-biochar amendment stimulated microbial 16SrRNA gene diversity and suppressed the expression of P starvation response and P uptake and transport-related genes while stimulating P solubilization and mineralization genes. Thus, the optimized biochars promoted P availability via the combined processes of slow-release of retained phosphates, while inducing the microbial solubilization and mineralization of inorganic and organic P, respectively. Our study advances strategies for reducing cropland P limitation and reveals the potential of optimized biochars for improving P availability on the field scale.

Graphical Abstract
Optimizing fairness and accuracy: a Pareto optimal approach for decision-making
Authors: Nagpal Rashmi , Shahsavarifar Rasoul , Goyal Vaibhav , Gupta Amar
Published: July 2024

In the era of data-driven decision-making, ensuring fairness and equality in machine learning models has become increasingly crucial. Multiple fairness definitions have been brought forward to evaluate and mitigate unintended fairness-related harms in real-world applications, with little research on addressing their interactions with each other. This paper explores the application of a Minimax Pareto-optimized solution to optimize individual and group fairness at individual and group levels on the Adult Census Income dataset as well as on the German Credit dataset. The objective of training a classification model with a multi-objective loss function is to achieve fair outcomes without compromising utility objectives. We investigate the interplay of different fairness definitions, including definitions of performance consistency and traditional group and individual fairness measures, amongst each other coupled with performance. The results presented in this paper highlight the feasibility of incorporating several fairness considerations into machine learning models, which can be applied to use cases with multiple sensitive features and attributes that characterize real-world applications. This research is a valuable step toward building responsible and transparent machine learning systems that can be incorporated into critical decision-making processes.
Modified simple equation technique for first-extended fifth-order nonlinear equation, medium equal width equation and Caudrey–Dodd–Gibbon equation
Authors: Hossain A. K. M. Kazi Sazzad , Akbar M. Ali , Hossain Md. Ismail
Published: July 2024

In order to figure out the interior construction and intricacy of nonlinear physical events in the real world, exact solutions and traveling wave solutions of the nonlinear equations are very crucial. The modified simple equation technique is a powerful and proficient technique for investigating traveling wave solutions of nonlinear equations found in applied mathematics, science and engineering. Exact solutions and traveling wave solutions allow researchers to predict the activities of the system under different circumstances. The aforementioned technique is utilized to investigate exact and traveling wave solutions for three important equations: the first-extended fifth-order nonlinear equation, the nonlinear medium equal width equation, and the Caudrey–Dodd–Gibbon equation. Here we obtained kink shape solution, singular kink, periodic solutions, bell shape solution and compacton solutions. The above approach performs better than other approaches nowadays in use in terms of consistency, competence, and effectiveness.
Characteristics of mental health literacy measurement in youth: a scoping review of school-based surveys
Authors: Coughlan Emma C. , Heyland Lindsay K. , Sheaves Ashton , Parlee Madeline , Wiley Cassidy , Page Damian , Hill Taylor G.
Published: July 2024

Mental health literacy (MHL) was introduced 25 years ago as knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid in their recognition, management, or prevention. This scoping review mapped the peer-reviewed literature to assess characteristics of secondary school-based surveys in school-attending youth and explore components of school-based programs for fostering MHL in this population. The search was performed following the method for scoping reviews by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Searches were conducted in four scientific databases with no time limit, although all sources had to be written in English. Primary studies (N = 44) provided insight into MHL surveys and programs for school-attending youth across 6 continents. Studies reported that most youth experience moderate or low MHL prior to program participation. School-based MHL programs are relatively unified in their definition and measures of MHL, using closed-ended scales, vignettes, or a combination of the two to measure youth MHL. However, before developing additional interventions, steps should be taken to address areas of weakness in current programming, such as the lack of a standardized tool for assessing MHL levels. Future research could assess the feasibility of developing and implementing a standard measurement protocol, with educator perspectives on integrating MHL efforts into the classroom. Identifying the base levels of MHL amongst school-attending youth promotes the development of targeted programs and reviewing the alignment with program components would allow researchers to build on what works, alter what does not, and come away with new ways to approach these complex challenges, ultimately advancing knowledge of MHL and improving levels of MHL.
Cost of Cholera for Households and Health Facilities, Somalia
Authors: Figuereo Salvador , Yoon Ian , Kaddu Ssentamu Simon , Lubogo Mutaawe , Baruch Joaquin , Hossain Asm Amjad , Mohamed Sahra Isse , Abubakar Ali H. A. , Mohamud Khalid Mohamed , Malik Sk Md Mamunur Rahman
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Cholera remains a substantial public health challenge in Somalia. Ongoing droughts in the country have caused significant outbreaks which have negatively affected the lives of many individuals and overwhelmed health facilities. We aimed to estimate the costs associated with cholera cases for households and health facilities in Somalia.

Methods

This cost-of-illness study was conducted in five cholera treatment centres in Somalia and 400 patients treated in these facilities. Data collection took place during October and November 2023. Given that a significant portion of the patients were children, we interviewed their caregivers to gather cost data. We interviewed staff at the centres and the patients. The data obtained from the household questionnaire covered direct (medical and non-medical) and indirect (lost wages) costs, while direct costs were estimated for the health facility (personnel salaries, drugs and consumables used to treat a patient, and utility expenses). All costs were calculated in US dollars (USD), using 2023 as the base year for the estimation.

Results

The average total cost of a cholera episode for a household was US$ 33.94 (2023 USD), with 50.4% (US$ 17.12) being direct costs and 49.6% (US$ 16.82) indirect costs. The average total cost for a health facility to treat an episode of cholera was US$ 82.65. The overall average cost to households and health facilities was US$ 116.59. The average length of stay for a patient was 3.08 days. In the households, patients aged 41 years and older incurred the highest mean total cost (US$ 73.90) while patients younger than 5 years had the lowest cost (US$ 21.02). Additionally, 61.8% of households had to use family savings to cover the cost of the cholera episode, while 14.5% had to borrow money. Most patients (71.8%) were younger than 16 years– 45.3% were 5 years or younger– and 94.0% had never received a cholera vaccine.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that preventing one cholera episode in Somalia could avert substantial losses for both the households and cholera treatment centres. The findings shed light on the expenses associated with cholera that extend beyond healthcare, including substantial direct and indirect costs borne by households. Preventing cholera cases could lead to a decrease in this economic burden, consequently our study supports the need for preventive measures.
Medical students perception of learning environment evidence from Jimma University Medical Centre
Authors: Gedamu Shewatatek , Tadesse Tefera , Ferede Bekalu
Published: July 2024

This study aims to assess medical students’ perception of the quality of the learning environment at Jimma University Medical Centre (JUMC), Ethiopia using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM). A cross-sectional survey design was applied to assess students’ perceptions during their clinical attachment wards in JUMC. The DREEM inventory consisted of five sub-domains such as student perception of learning (SPL), student perception of teacher (SPT), student academic self-perception (SAP), student perception of the atmosphere (SPA), and student social self-perception (SSSP) that administered to 323 undergraduate medical students. Descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA were computed using SPSS 20 to analyse the data. The overall DREEM mean score was found to be 111.35 and SD of 13.67 from the maximum score of 200. In this study, the overall DREEM mean score of female was significantly higher than the mean of their male counterparts. Despite the ANOVA result across years, first year clinical year I students had higher perception of learning environment as compared to senior batches. In general, the overall means score of students on the DREEM scale revealed that they perceive the learning environment more positively. However, some areas need to be revised across all five domains of the learning environment to make improvements.
Effects of Oral Versus Intravenous Linezolid Administration on Treatment Effect and Incidence of Thrombocytopenia in Patients with Severe Infection
Authors: Liu Yanxin , Liu Tingting , Xiao Kun , Wang Jiang , Yan Peng , Fang Xiangqun , Xie Lixin
Published: July 2024

Background

Patients with severe infection often require careful fluid management. Intravenous linezolid can increase the fluid volume, whereas oral linezolid can effectively limit the fluid volume. However, the differences in the treatment effect and incidence of thrombocytopenia between oral and intravenous linezolid in patients with severe infection remain unclear.

Methods

Patients who received linezolid in the intensive care unit of PLA General Hospital from December 2010 to December 2020 were divided into an oral group and intravenous group according to the route of administration, and we further established the PO group and PO-match group by propensity score matching. The anti-infection effect of linezolid and incidence of thrombocytopenia were compared between the two groups.

Results

In total, 177 patients were enrolled in the study (59 in PO group and 118 in PO-match group). The microbial clearance rate and clinical cure rate were similar between the two groups (70.0% vs. 79.3%, P = 0.293; 72.9% vs. 83.9%, P = 0.213). The 30-day mortality rate was slightly higher in the PO group than in the PO-match group, but the difference was not statistically significant (13.6% vs. 6.8%, P = 0.138). There was no difference in the incidence of thrombocytopenia between the two groups (62.7% vs. 65.3%, P = 0.739).

Conclusions

There were no significant differences in the treatment effect or incidence of thrombocytopenia between oral and intravenous administration of linezolid in patients with severe infection.
Strategic reuse of rapid antigen tests for coagulation status assessment: an integrated machine learning approach
Authors: Sun Allan , Nasser Arian , Chen Chaohao , Zhao Yunduo Charles , Zhao Haimei , Wang Zihao , Cheng Wenlong , Qian Pierre , Ju Lining Arnold
Published: July 2024

Addressing the pressing demand for rapid and inexpensive coagulation testing in cardiovascular care, this study introduces a novel application of repurposed COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs) as paper-based lateral flow assays (LFAs) combined with machine learning for coagulation status evaluation. By further developing a mobile app prototype, we present a platform that enables clinicians to perform immediate and accurate anticoagulant dosing adjustments using existing post-pandemic resources. Our proof-of-concept employs a random forest machine learning classifier to interpret image feature variations on RAT NC membrane, correlating red blood cell (RBC) wicked diffusion distance in recalcified citrated whole blood with changes in coagulative viscosity, easily interpreted. Enhanced by confocal imaging studies of paper microfluidics, our approach provides insights into the mechanisms dissecting coagulation components, achieving high classification precision, recall, and F1-scores. The inverse relationship between RBC wicked diffusion distance and enoxaparin concentration paves the way for machine learning to inform real-time dose prescription adjustments, aligning with individual patient profiles to optimize therapeutic outcomes. This study not only demonstrates the potential of leveraging surplus RATs for coagulation management but also exemplifies a cost-effective, rapid, and smart strategy to enhance clinical decision-making in the post-pandemic era.

Graphical Abstract
Biopesticide effect on crops for the bioactive components extracted from Tagetes erecta and Tagetes patula
Authors: Kannan Keerthana , Raju Pavithra , Keerthy B. N. , Rajagopal Ananya , Sabat Sasmita
Published: July 2024

Botanicals from Marigold, Chrysanthemum, Basil, Rosemary and other medicinal plants have been analysed as potential replacements of chemical pesticides as they are effective and non-hazardous to the environment. The bioactive components thiophene is present in large amount in Tagetes sp. which have a wide range of biocidal properties. In this study the crude extracts of different parts of Tagetes erecta and Tagetes patula were obtained by Soxhlet extraction method. The leaf extracts were subjected to GC–MS to identify their components and to confirm the presence of thiophenes. Two major disastrous crop pests namely, Spodoptera litura and Corcyra cephalonica belongs to Order Lepidoptera, Family Noctuidae and Pyralidae were used for the experimental study. The effect of bioactive extract was tested by direct and indirect methods for their larvicidal effect. The S. litura larvae was allowed to feed on castor leaves coated with spraying different concentrations of methanolic sample extracts as indirect method. In the direct spraying method, the S. litura and C. cephalonica larvae were sprayed with low and high concentrations of crude sample extracts of both T. patula and T. erecta. Significant decrease in larval activity and survival rate within 24 h to 48 h were recorded for both the methods. The trials were performed using variousvolumes from 10 to 1000 µl to check larvicidal activity. The roots and stem extracts of T. erecta for 25 µl kill 100% larvae within 24 h whereas 50 µl of T. patula flowers, roots and stem extract effectively kill only 50% of the larvae in 48 h. A mini nursery evaluation were conducted by direct spraying method on larvae growing on jowar saplings, which displayed 100% mortality of larvae within 24 h for 25 µl of T. erecta leaf and flower extracts and T. patula flower extract. From these trials, it can be inferred that the extracts of T. patula and T. erecta provided effective outcomes as larvicides of S. litura and C. cephalonica.
Revitalizing the American Republic by reinvigorating voluntary association
Authors: Wright Robert E.
Published: July 2024

In Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville famously described the depth and breadth of voluntary association in the antebellum United States. Recent empirical research shows that de Tocqueville did not exaggerate. Between the founding of the republic in 1788 and the start of their Civil War in 1861, Americans voluntarily chartered over 23,000 business and over 15,000 nonprofit corporations across a wide swathe of activity. Contrary to the “state capacity” view, which holds that the weak state of early American governments rather ironically forced Americans to voluntarily associate to address social ills, the reverse is closer to the truth. In other words, Americans voluntarily associated to keep regulations relatively few and taxes relatively low. Americans today could revitalize their deeply divided republic by reinvigorating voluntarism, the non-mandated unilateral transfer of resources, making it once again the main mechanism for mitigating socioeconomic problems.
Watching and Listening for Signs of Slope Failure
Authors: Owen Rebecca
Published: July 2024

Ten years of data preceding a rockfall in the French Alps suggest the need for more comprehensive monitoring systems.
PRIME‐SH: A Data‐Driven Probabilistic Model of Earth's Magnetosheath
Authors: O’Brien C. , Walsh B. M. , Zou Y. , Qudsi R. , Tasnim S. , Zhang H. , Sibeck D. G.
Published: July 2024

A data‐driven model of Earth's magnetosheath is developed by training a recurrent neural network (RNN) with probabilistic outputs to reproduce Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) measurements of the magnetosheath plasma and magnetic field using measurements from the Wind spacecraft upstream of Earth at the first Earth‐Sun Lagrange point (L1). This model, called Probabilistic Regressor for Input to the Magnetosphere Estimation‐magnetosheath (PRIME‐SH) in reference to its progenitor algorithm PRIME, is shown to predict spacecraft observations of magnetosheath conditions accurately in a statistical sense with a continuous rank probability score of 0.227σ (dimensionless standard deviation units). PRIME‐SH is shown to be more accurate than many current analytical models of the magnetosheath. Furthermore, PRIME‐SH is shown to reproduce physics not explicitly enforced during training, such as field line draping, the dayside plasma depletion layer, the magnetosheath flow stagnation point, and the Rankine‐Hugoniot MHD shock jump conditions. PRIME‐SH has the additional benefits of being computationally inexpensive relative to global MHD simulations, being capable of reproducing difficult‐to‐model physics such as temperature anisotropy, and being capable of reliably estimating its own uncertainty to within 3.5%.
Evaluating the effects of tDCS on depressive and anxiety symptoms from a transdiagnostic perspective: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zheng Esther Zhiwei , Wong Nichol M. L. , Yang Angela S. Y. , Lee Tatia M. C.
Published: July 2024

Depressive and anxiety symptoms are prevalent among patients with various clinical conditions, resulting in diminished emotional well-being and impaired daily functioning. The neural mechanisms underlying these symptoms, particularly across different disorders, remain unclear, limiting the effectiveness of conventional treatments. Therefore, it is crucial to elucidate the neural underpinnings of depressive and anxiety symptoms and investigate novel, effective treatments across clinical conditions. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulatory technique that can help understand the neural underpinnings of symptoms and facilitate the development of interventions, addressing the two research gaps at both neural and clinical levels. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the existing evidence regarding the therapeutic efficacy of tDCS in reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms among individuals with diverse clinical diagnoses. This review evaluated evidence from fifty-six randomized, sham-controlled trials that administered repeated tDCS sessions with a parallel design, applying a three-level meta-analytic model. tDCS targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) at 2-mA intensity demonstrates moderate efficacy in alleviating depressive symptoms, identifying the left DLPFC as a transdiagnostic neural mechanism of depressive symptoms across clinical conditions. In comparison, the findings on anxiety symptoms demonstrate greater heterogeneity. tDCS over the left DLPFC is effective in reducing depressive symptoms and shows promising effects in alleviating anxiety symptoms among individuals with diverse diagnoses. These findings enhance our understanding of the neuropsychological basis of depressive and anxiety symptoms, laying the groundwork for the development of more effective tDCS interventions applicable across clinical conditions.
MAZ-mediated up-regulation of BCKDK reprograms glucose metabolism and promotes growth by regulating glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase stability in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Li Yan , Lin Yuxiang , Tang Yali , Jiang Meichen , Chen Xiaobin , Chen Hanxi , Nie Qian , Wu Jinqiao , Tong Xin , Li Jing , Yu Liuwen , Hou Jialin , Guo Wenhui , Chen Lili , Chen Minyan , Zhang Jie , Lin Shuhai , Fu Fangmeng , Wang Chuan
Published: July 2024

Tumour metabolic reprogramming is pivotal for tumour survival and proliferation. Investigating potential molecular mechanisms within the heterogeneous and clinically aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype is essential to identifying novel therapeutic targets. Accordingly, we investigated the role of branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK) in promoting tumorigenesis in TNBC. We analysed The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset and immunohistochemically stained surgical specimens to investigate BCKDK expression and its prognostic implications in TNBC. The effects of BCKDK on tumorigenesis were assessed using cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, and cell cycle assays, and subsequently validated in vivo. Metabolomic screening was performed via isotope tracer studies. The downstream target was confirmed using mass spectrometry and a co-immunoprecipitation experiment coupled with immunofluorescence analysis. Upstream transcription factors were also examined using chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays. BCKDK was upregulated in TNBC tumour tissues and associated with poor prognosis. BCKDK depletion led to reduced cell proliferation both in vitro and vivo. MYC-associated zinc finger protein (MAZ) was confirmed as the major transcription factor directly regulating BCKDK expression in TNBC. Mechanistically, BCKDK interacted with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), leading to increased flux in the pentose phosphate pathway for macromolecule synthesis and detoxification of reactive oxygen species. Forced expression of G6PD rescued the growth defect in BCKDK-deficient cells. Notably, the small-molecule inhibitor of BCKDK, 3,6-dichlorobenzo(b)thiophene-2-carboxylic acid, exhibited anti-tumour effects in a patient-derived tumour xenograft model. Our findings hold significant promise for developing targeted therapies aimed at disrupting the MAZ/BCKDK/G6PD signalling pathway, offering potential advancements in treating TNBC through metabolic reprogramming.
LILRB4 regulates multiple myeloma development through STAT3-PFKFB1 pathway
Authors: Xie Li , Chen Chiqi , Zhang Tinghua , Yang Wenqian , Zheng Denghao , Cao Liyuan , Yuan Jin , Xu Yilu , Zhang Yaping , Liu Ligen , Liang Aibin , Yu Zhuo , Zheng Junke
Published: July 2024

Although multiple myeloma (MM) responds well to immunotherapeutic treatment, certain portions of MM are still unresponsive or relapse after immunotherapy. Other immune molecules are needed for the immunotherapy of MM. Here, we revealed that leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B4 (LILRB4) was highly expressed in multiple myeloma cell lines and patient samples and that the expression of LILRB4 was adversely correlated with the overall survival of MM patients. Knockdown of LILRB4 efficiently delayed the growth of MM cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, IKZF1 transactivated LILRB4 expression to trigger the downstream of STAT3-PFKFB1 pathways to support MM cell proliferation. Blockade of LILRB4 signaling by blocking antibodies can effectively inhibit MM progression. Our data show that targeting LILRB4 is potentially an additional therapeutic strategy for the immunotherapeutic treatment of MM.