bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary health care team faultlines and team performance: the mediating role of knowledge sharing
Authors: Bao Xinyu , Dai Yao , Wu Qian , Nie Wenjin , Tao Hongbing
Published: June 2024

Family doctor teams, serving as health gatekeepers, are extensively advocated in China. Their composition, comprising a heterogeneous mix of professionals, contributes to a more comprehensive service, but also poses challenges. Consequently, scholarly interest has arisen in comprehending how these compositions, known as faultlines, influence team dynamics and outcomes. However, there is a lack of comprehensive exploration into how faultlines influence team members’ communication processes and knowledge sharing. This study aims to provide insights into the associations between faultlines in primary care teams and team performance, specifically exploring how knowledge sharing may mediate these effects, with the goal of revealing key insights to optimize contracted family doctor services. Survey data from 291 family doctor teams in China was utilized to test hypotheses, revealing a negative association between (social-category and information-based) faultlines and knowledge sharing. Team knowledge sharing acts as a mediator in the relationship between these faultlines and team performance. Our findings advance faultlines theory and emphasize the mediating role of knowledge sharing in elucidating the interplay between faultlines and team performance. These insights are crucial for fostering collaboration, managing faultlines, and enhancing healthcare team performance.
Effects of simulated multi-sensory stimulation integration on physiological and psychological restoration in virtual urban green space environment
Authors: Song Chen , Cao Saixin , Luo Hao , Huang Yinghui , Jiang Siwei , Guo Baimeng , Li Nian , Li Kai , Zhang Ping , Zhu Chunyan , Fu Erkang , Jiang Mingyan , Li Xi
Published: June 2024

Virtual urban green environment images and audio stimuli had been proven to have restorative effects on subjects’ physical and mental health. In this area, researchers predominantly focused on visual, auditory and olfactory aspects, while tactile and gustatory senses have been minimally explored. However, the optimal combination of sensory stimuli for promoting physical and mental recovery remains unclear. Therefore, a simulated sensory stimulation approach involving 240 participants was employed, with 30 individuals included in each of the eight experimental groups: the visual–auditory (VA), visual–auditory-olfactory (VAO), visual–auditory-tactile (VAT), visual–auditory-gustatory(VAG), visual–auditory-olfactory-tactile (VAOT), visual–auditory-olfactory-gustatory (VAOG), visual–auditory-tactile-gustatory (VATG), and visual–auditory-olfactory-tactile-gustatory (VAOTG) groups. This study aimed to explore the differences in participants’ physiological and psychological health recovery after exposure to different combinations of simulated sensory stimuli in virtual UGSs. The results indicated that the following: (1) In terms of physiological recovery, the blood pressure of the 8 experimental groups decreased significantly after the experiment, indicating that the virtual urban green space environment has a certain recovery effect on physiological state. The combination of VAOTG stimuli in the multisensory group resulted in the best blood pressure recovery (p < 0.05). Tactile is an important sense to enhance the physiological recovery effect. Olfactory-tactile or tactile-gustatory stimuli interactions significantly enhance physiological recovery, emphasizing the importance of tactile stimulation in improving physiological recovery. (2) In terms of psychological recovery, the common trigger of olfactory-gustatory is the most key element to enhance psychological recovery through multi-sensory stimulation of virtual urban green space environment. VAOG stimulation had the best effect on psychological recovery (p < 0.05), followed by VAOTG stimulation (p < 0.05). Gustatory is an important sense to enhance the psychological recovery effect, and both the tactile-gustatory interaction and the olfactory-gustatory interaction significantly enhance the recovery effect. At the same time, the psychological recovery effect obtained by four or more sensory combinations was higher than that obtained by two or three sensory stimulation groups. This study confirms more possibilities for ways to restore physical and mental health through virtual natural environments. It expands the research on the benefits of virtual nature experience and provides theoretical support for the application of this method.
Overall, sex-and race/ethnicity-specific prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in US adolescents aged 12–18 years
Authors: Chen Jianzhou , Zhang Lingling , Zhang Xiaowen
Published: June 2024

Background

Thyroid dysfunction significantly affects the health and development of adolescents. However, comprehensive studies on its prevalence and characteristics in US adolescents are lacking.

Methods

We investigated the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in US adolescents aged 12–18 years using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001–2002 and 2007–2012 cycles. Thyroid dysfunction was assessed using serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) measurements. We analyzed the prevalence across demographic subgroups and identified associated risk factors.

Results

The study included 2,182 participants, representing an estimated 12.97 million adolescents. The group had a weighted mean age of 15.1 ± 0.06 years, with males constituting 51.4%. Subclinical hyperthyroidism emerged as the most prevalent thyroid dysfunction, affecting 4.4% of the population. From 2001–2002 to 2011–2012, subclinical hyperthyroidism remained consistent at 4.99% vs. 5.13% in the overall cohort. Subclinical and overt hypothyroidism was found in 0.41 and 1.03% of adolescents respectively, and overt hyperthyroidism was rare (0.04%). The prevalence of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) positivity in the overall population were 5.8 and 9.8%, respectively. Positivity for TgAb was risk factors for hypothyroidism, while older age, female and Black Americans were risk factors for hyperthyroidism. Female adolescents and adolescents with an older age were more likely to be positive for TPOAb and TgAb, while Black and Mexican Americans had a lower risk of TPOAb and TgAb positivity.

Conclusion

Subclinical hyperthyroidism was the most common form of thyroid dysfunction, and its prevalence remained stable from 2001–2002 to 2011–2012. Notable disparities in the prevalence of hyperthyroidism and antibody positivity were observed among different age, sex and racial/ethnic groups.
Global incidence trends of early-onset colorectal cancer and related exposures in early-life: an ecological analysis based on the GBD 2019
Authors: Wang Ziyang , Yao Weiyuan , Wu Weimiao , Huang Junjie , Ma Yanlei , Yang Chen , Shi Jufang , Fu Jiongxing , Wang Yingying , Wong Martin C. S. , Xu Wanghong
Published: June 2024

Background

The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is increasing globally. This study aims to describe the temporal trends of incidence and explore related risk exposures in early-life at the country level based on the GBD 2019.

Methods

Data on the incidence and attributable risk factors of EOCRC were obtained from the GBD 2019. Temporal trends of age-standardized incidence were evaluated by average annual percentage change (AAPC). Early-life exposures were indicated as summary exposure values (SEV) of selected factors, SDI and GDP per capita in previous decades and at ages 0–4, 5–9, 10–14 and 15–19 years. Weighted linear or non-linear regressions were applied to evaluate the ecological aggregate associations of the exposures with incidences of EOCRC.

Results

The global age-standardized incidence of EOCRC increased from 3.05 (3.03, 3.07) to 3.85 (3.83, 3.86) per 100,000 during 1990 and 2019. The incidence was higher in countries with high socioeconomic levels, and increased drastically in countries in East Asia and Caribbean, particularly Jamaica, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. The GDP per capita, SDI, and SEVs of iron deficiency, alcohol use, high body-mass index, and child growth failure in earlier years were more closely related with the incidences of EOCRC in 2019. Exposures at ages 0–4, 5–9, 10–14 and 15–19 years were also associated with the incidences, particularly for the exposures at ages 15–19 years.

Conclusion

The global incidence of EOCRC increased during past three decades. The large variations at regional and national level may be related with the distribution of risk exposures in early life.
The interplay of psychological resilience and adolescent mobile phone addiction in Henan province, China: insights from latent class analysis
Authors: Wu Jun Xiao , Jia Lin , Li Yan , Liu Qian , Zhang Ying Ying , Zhang Jin , Jia Yan Rong , Fan Zhen
Published: June 2024

Background

The aim of this study was to classify distinct subgroups of adolescents based on the severity levels of their mobile phone addiction and to investigate how these groups differed in terms of their psychosocial characteristics. We surveyed a total of 2,230 adolescents using three different questionnaires to assess the severity of their mobile phone addiction, stress, anxiety, depression, psychological resilience, and personality. Latent class analysis was employed to identify the subgroups, and we utilized Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and multinomial logistic regression for statistical analysis. All data analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0 and Mplus 8.5.

Methods

We classified the subjects into subgroups based on their mobile phone addiction severity, and the results revealed a clear pattern with a three-class model based on the likelihood level of mobile phone addiction (p < 0.05). We examined common trends in psychosocial traits such as age, grade at school, parental education level, anxiety levels, and resilience. ROC analysis of sensitivity versus 1-specificity for various mobile phone addiction index (MPAI) scores yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.893 (95% CI, 0.879 to 0.905, p < 0.001). We also determined diagnostic value indices for potential cutoff points ranging from 8 to 40. The optimal cutoff value for MPAI was found to be >14, which corresponded to the maximum Youden index (Youden index = 0.751).

Results

The latent classification process in this research confirmed the existence of three distinct mobile phone user groups. We also examined the psychosocial characteristics that varied in relation to the severity levels of addiction.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into the categorization of adolescents based on the severity of mobile phone addiction and sheds light on the psychosocial characteristics associated with different addiction levels. These findings are expected to enhance our understanding of mobile phone addiction traits and stimulate further research in this area.
Knowledge and beliefs of endocrine disruptors in pediatrics: all hands on deck!
Authors: Portefaix Aurélie , Loppinet Thomas , Tourvieilhe Laura , Balice Giuseppe , de Veron de La Combe Nathan , Kassai Behrouz , Bacchetta Justine
Published: June 2024

Endocrine disruptors (ED) are ubiquitous pollutants, possibly implicated in chronic disease. Exposure of vulnerable populations; including neonates, infants and children; must therefore be limited. Informing parents is now a public health challenge. We conducted a quantitative cross-sectional study at the Lyon Mother and child Hospital. We used questionnaires to assess the beliefs and knowledge about ED of parents and pediatric healthcare professionals in the pediatric ward in Lyon, France. A total of 746 questionnaires were completed: 444 for professionals and 302 for parents. The majority of both populations had already heard of ED but only 10% of parents and 5% of professionals felt sufficiently informed. Professionals answered better than parents (73% vs. 60%). The main source of information was similar: media. Only 20% of professionals had read a scientific article about ED and 4% have followed a training. Environmental exposure and EDs is an increasing concern for parents but specific knowledge remains scare for parents and professionals. Specific training is needed.
Patient-reported outcome survey of user-experiences in the spinal cord injured-community with MPPT for treating wounds and pressure injuries and for controlling soft tissue infection caused by osteomyelitis
Authors: Smith Damian , Ridler Mark
Published: June 2024

Background

People with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at high risk of developing pressure injuries. Reports in the SCI-community had indicated that a new class of wound treatment, MPPT (micropore-particle-technology), was effective in treating pressure injuries. The British Spinal Injuries Association therefore conducted a survey among MPPT-users to learn from their experiences.

Methods

Online survey restricted to individuals with spinal cord injury. Participants were requested to identify themselves to permit validation of statement.

Results

The survey had 41 respondents reporting on a total of 49 wounds of which the two main categories were wounds (n = 33), primarily pelvic pressure ulcers; and draining fistulas (n = 9) caused by osteomyelitis. All wounds reported had reached full closure. Median duration of MPPT use and time to closure were 3 and 4 weeks for acute wounds (<6 weeks old) and 8 and 10 weeks for chronic wounds, respectively. On draining fistulas, MPPT had been used to reduce wound size, remove soft tissue infection, avoid sepsis, reduce autonomic dysreflexia, improve overall health, and avoid bed rest, whilst waiting for surgery. Comments on MPPT were 84% highly positive, 11% positive, and 0% negative. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

MPPT achieved a 100% closure rate of acute and chronic wounds, and, in draining fistulas, effectively controlled soft tissue infection resulting from osteomyelitis. MPPT does not require bed rest and is suitable for self-care and telemedicine, promoting independence and higher quality-of-life. The findings strongly agree with a recent clinical study of MPPT.
A semi-supervised anomaly detection strategy for drunk driving detection: a feasibility study
Authors: Harrou Fouzi , Kini K. Ramakrishna , Madakyaru Muddu , Sun Ying
Published: June 2024

Drunk driving poses a significant threat to road safety, necessitating effective detection methods to enhance preventive measures and ensure the well-being of road users. Recognizing the critical importance of identifying drunk driving incidents for public safety, this paper introduces an effective semi-supervised anomaly detection strategy. The proposed strategy integrates three key elements: Independent Component Analysis (ICA), Kantorovitch distance (KD), and double Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (DEWMA). ICA is used to handle non-gaussian and multivariate data, while KD is used to measure the dissimilarity between normal and abnormal events based on ICA features. The DEWMA is applied to KD charting statistics to detect changes in data and uses a nonparametric threshold to improve sensitivity. The primary advantage of this approach is its ability to perform anomaly detection without requiring labeled data. The study also used XGBoost for the later calculation of the SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values to identify the most important variables for detecting drunk driving behavior. The approach was evaluated using publicly available data from gas and temperature sensors, as well as digital cameras. The results showed that the proposed approach achieved an F1-score of 98% in detecting the driver’s drunk status, outperforming conventional PCA-based and ICA-based methods.
The feasibility and efficacy of pedicle fixation by the Wiltse approach in the thoracic spine
Authors: Hao Lu , Xiang Yufeng , Liu Junhui
Published: June 2024

Study design

Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives

To explore the feasibility and assess the efficacy of pedicle fixation with the Wiltse approach in the thoracic spine.

Summary of background data

The current application of Wiltse approach is mainly practiced in the lumbar and thoracolumbar spines. Its application in the thoracic spine, however, has received little attention, especially in cases that requires only pedicel screw fixation without spinal decompression.

Methods

The study analyzed the clinical records of consecutive patients with thoracic diseases who underwent pedicle fixation with either Wiltse or the conventional transmuscular approach (Wiltse group: 60 cases; Transmuscular group: 48 cases). Perioperative parameters, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, accuracy of pedicle screw placement, dead space between the muscles, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) appearance, electrophysiological changes in the multifidus muscle were compared between the two groups.

Results

Compared with the transmuscular group, the Wiltse group was significantly better in blood loss and postoperative VAS scores. No difference was observed in incision length, operation time, and hospital stay. The dead space between the muscle cross-sectional region in the transmuscular group was 315 ± 53 mm2, and no dead space was found in the Wiltse group. On MRI images, the multifidus cross-sectional area (CSA) in the Wiltse group between the preoperative period and the last follow-up reduced by only 10.1%, while transmuscular group showed 46.1% CSA reduction. Electrophysiologically, the median frequency slope of the transmuscular group grew by 47.8% with average amplitude reduced by 16.4% between the preoperative period and 12-month postoperative.

Conclusion

The Wiltse approach for pedicle fixation in the thoracic spine is a feasible and effective treatment, with fewer traumas and reliable clinical results. In particular, the Wiltse approach reduces postoperative dead space between the muscles and causes less atrophy in the multifidus muscle.
The evolution of Kenya’s animal health surveillance system and its potential for efficient detection of zoonoses
Authors: Kahariri Samuel , Thumbi S. M. , Bett Bernard , Mureithi Marianne W. , Nyaga Nazaria , Ogendo Allan , Muturi Mathew , Thomas Lian Francesca
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Animal health surveillance systems in Kenya have undergone significant changes and faced various challenges throughout the years.

Methods

In this article, we present a comprehensive overview of the Kenya animal health surveillance system (1944 to 2024), based on a review of archived documents, a scoping literature review, and an examination of past surveillance assessments and evaluation reports.

Results

The review of archived documents revealed key historical events that have shaped the surveillance system. These include the establishment of the Directorate of Veterinary Services in 1895, advancements in livestock farming, the implementation of mandatory disease control interventions in 1944, the growth of veterinary services from a section to a ministry in 1954, the disruption caused by the Mau Mau insurrection from 1952 to 1954, which led to the temporary halt of agriculture in certain regions until 1955, the transition of veterinary clinical services from public to private, and the progressive privatization plan for veterinary services starting in 1976. Additionally, we highlight the development of electronic surveillance from 2003 to 2024. The scoping literature review, assessments and evaluation reports uncovered several strengths and weaknesses of the surveillance system. Among the strengths are a robust legislative framework, the adoption of technology in surveillance practices, the existence of a formal intersectoral coordination platform, the implementation of syndromic, sentinel, and community-based surveillance methods, and the presence of a feedback mechanism. On the other hand, the system’s weaknesses include the inadequate implementation of strategies and enforcement of laws, the lack of standard case definitions for priority diseases, underutilization of laboratory services, the absence of formal mechanisms for data sharing across sectors, insufficient resources for surveillance and response, limited integration of surveillance and laboratory systems, inadequate involvement of private actors and communities in disease surveillance, and the absence of a direct supervisory role between the national and county veterinary services.

Discussion and recommendations

To establish an effective early warning system, we propose the integration of surveillance systems and the establishment of formal data sharing mechanisms. Furthermore, we recommend enhancing technological advancements and adopting artificial intelligence in surveillance practices, as well as implementing risk-based surveillance to optimize the allocation of surveillance resources.
Effects of nanoselenium on the performance, blood indices, and milk metabolites of dairy cows during the peak lactation period
Authors: Xiao Ming , Wang Yajing , Wei Manlin , Peng Wen , Wang Yuxiang , Zhang Runze , Zheng Yongjie , Ju Ji , Dong Chenyang , Du Liu , Bao Meili
Published: June 2024

To compare the impact of nanoselenium and sodium selenite on the performance, blood indices, and milk metabolites of dairy cows during the peak lactation period, two groups of dairy cows under the same conditions were selected as the control group (CON group) and treatment group (NSe group) for a 38-day (10 days for adaptation and 28 days for sampling) experiment. The control group (CON) was provided a basal diet +3.3 g/d of sodium selenite (purity1%), whereas the nanoselenium group (NSe) was offered the same diet +10 mL/d of nanoselenium (selenium concentration 1,500 mg/L). The results showed that NSe significantly increased the milk yield, milk selenium content, and feed efficiency (p < 0.05), but had no significant effect on other milk components (p > 0.05). NSe significantly increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p < 0.05), but had no significant effects on malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), blood total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), or blood selenium (p > 0.05). In addition, the nontargeted metabolomics of the milk was determined by LC–MS technology, and the differentially abundant metabolites and their enrichment pathways were screened. According to these findings, NSe considerably increased the contents of cetylmannoside, undecylenoic acid, 3-hydroxypentadecanoic acid, 16-hydroxypentadecanoic acid, threonic acid, etc., but decreased the contents of galactaric acid, mesaconic acid, CDP-glucose etc. Furthermore, the enriched metabolic pathways that were screened with an impact value greater than 0.1 included metabolism of niacin and niacinamide, pyruvate, citrate cycle, riboflavin, glycerophospholipid, butanoate and tyrosine. Pearson correlation analysis also revealed a relationship between different milk metabolites and blood selenium, as well as between milk selenium and blood biochemical indices. In conclusion, compared with sodium selenite, nanoselenium improves the milk yield, feed efficiency, and milk selenium content of dairy cows and regulates milk metabolites and related metabolic pathways in Holstein dairy cows during the peak lactation period, which has certain application prospects in dairy production.
Data Analysis of Global Research Cooperation Patterns in the Secondary Battery Industry
Authors: An Hojin , Cho Keuntae
Published: June 2024

The purpose of this study is to analyze how global research cooperation patterns in the secondary battery industry have changed over recent years and to identify the evolution in the focus of research. To this end, network analysis was performed using the nationality information of the authors of a 10-year multinational joint research paper related to lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, keyword analysis and topic modeling were performed using the abstract data from the study. The results of this study confirm that some countries that are not well-known in the field, such as Australia, Spain, and France, showed high centrality, compared with the level of cooperation scale. Additionally, six research topics were identified. According to a comparison over the first half of the decade, no difference was observed in the appearance of keywords indicating high energy density and conductivity with lithium, a key mineral. Keyword distribution was high for topics like battery charging and discharging in the first half of the decade, and for next-generation battery materials, such as solid electrolytes, lithium metal anodes, and lithium–sulfur batteries in the second. These results provide insights into the establishment of research and development (R&D) cooperation strategies by countries and pre-planning by companies in the battery industry.
Beyond CAG Repeats: The Multifaceted Role of Genetics in Huntington Disease
Authors: Pengo Marta , Squitieri Ferdinando
Published: June 2024

Huntington disease (HD) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG expansion on the huntingtin (HTT) gene and is characterized by progressive motor, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric decline. Recently, new genetic factors besides CAG repeats have been implicated in the disease pathogenesis. Most genetic modifiers are involved in DNA repair pathways and, as the cause of the loss of CAA interruption in the HTT gene, they exert their main influence through somatic expansion. However, this mechanism might not be the only driver of HD pathogenesis, and future studies are warranted in this field. The aim of the present review is to dissect the many faces of genetics in HD pathogenesis, from cis- and trans-acting genetic modifiers to RNA toxicity, mitochondrial DNA mutations, and epigenetics factors. Exploring genetic modifiers of HD onset and progression appears crucial to elucidate not only disease pathogenesis, but also to improve disease prediction and prevention, develop biomarkers of disease progression and response to therapies, and recognize new therapeutic opportunities. Since the same genetic mechanisms are also described in other repeat expansion diseases, their implications might encompass the whole spectrum of these disorders.
BIM, 3D Cadastral Data and AI for Weather Conditions Simulation and Energy Consumption Monitoring
Authors: Andritsou Dimitra , Alexiou Chrystos , Potsiou Chryssy
Published: June 2024

This paper is part of an ongoing research study on developing a methodology for the low-cost creation of the Digital Twin of an urban neighborhood for sustainable, transparent, and participatory urban management to enable low-and middle-income economies to meet the UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 successfully and timely, in particular SDGs 1, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12. The methodology includes: (1) the creation of a geospatial data infrastructure by merging Building Information Models (BIMs) and 3D cadastral data that may support a number of applications (i.e., visualization of 3D volumetric legal entities), and (2) the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms, Machine Learning (ML), and sensors that are interconnected with devices located in the various property units to test and predict future scenarios and support energy efficiency applications. Two modular platforms are created: (1) to interact with the AI sensors for building tracking and management purposes (i.e., alarms, security cameras, control panels, etc.) and (2) to analyze the energy consumption data such as future predictions, anomaly detection, and scenario making. A case study is made for an urban neighborhood in Athens. It includes a dynamic weather simulation and visualization of different seasons and times of day in combination with internal energy consumption.
Investigation of Laser-MIG Hybrid Welding of Al-Mg-Si Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Zhang Wen , Wang Shaogang
Published: June 2024

In this paper, Al-Mg-Si alloys with a thickness of 4 mm are welded by using laser beam welding (LBW) and laser-MIG hybrid welding, respectively, and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the two joints are investigated. The results show that the fusion zone (FZ) of the two joints is composed of columnar crystal and equiaxed dendrite grain, and its main constituent phases are an α-Al matrix phase and a β(Mg2Si) strengthening phase. In the case of similar heat inputs, compared with those of the LBW joint, the grain size in the laser-MIG hybrid joint is smaller and there are more second phases such as the β phase in the FZ, which is related to the different action mechanisms on the base metal (BM) by the two welding processes. Under the three strengthening mechanisms of fine grain strengthening, precipitation strengthening, and solid solution strengthening, the laser-MIG hybrid welding joint shows better mechanical properties than that of the LBW joint. The maximum tensile strength of the LBW joint and the laser-MIG hybrid joint is 202 MPa and 253 MPa, respectively, and the elongation is 3.8% and 5.1%, respectively.
A Dopamine Detection Sensor Based on Au-Decorated NiS2 and Its Medical Application
Authors: Ma Chongchong , Wen Yixuan , Qiao Yuqing , Shen Kevin , Yuan Hongwen
Published: June 2024

This article reports a simple hydrothermal method for synthesizing nickel disulfide (NiS2) on the surface of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass, followed by the deposition of 5 nm Au nanoparticles on the electrode surface by physical vapor deposition. This process ensures the uniform distribution of Au nanoparticles on the NiS2 surface to enhance its conductivity. Finally, an Au@NiS2-FTO electrochemical biosensor is obtained for the detection of dopamine (DA). The composite material is characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of the sensor are investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and time current curves in a 0.1 M PBS solution (pH = 7.3). In the detection of DA, Au@NiS2-FTO exhibits a wide linear detection range (0.1~1000 μM), low detection limit (1 nM), and fast response time (0.1 s). After the addition of interfering substances, such as glucose, L-ascorbic acid, uric acid, CaCl2, NaCl, and KCl, the electrode potential remains relatively unchanged, demonstrating its strong anti-interference capability. It also demonstrates strong sensitivity and reproducibility. The obtained Au@NiS2-FTO provides a simple and easy-to-operate example for constructing nanometer catalysts with enzyme-like properties. These results provide a promising method utilizing Au coating to enhance the conductivity of transition metal sulfides.
Ciprofloxacin Removal via Acid-Modified Red Mud: Optimizing the Process, Analyzing the Adsorption Features, and Exploring the Underlying Mechanism
Authors: Shi Jingzhuan , Wang Wanqiong , Li Ziyi , Shi Yingjuan
Published: June 2024

In this study, RM (red mud) was acidified with sulfuric acid, and the acidified ARM (acidified red mud) was utilized as an innovative adsorption material for treating antibiotic-containing wastewater. The adsorption conditions, kinetics, isotherms, thermodynamics, and mechanism of ARM for CIP (ciprofloxacin) were investigated. The characterization of the ARM involved techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and NH3-TPD analysis. Adsorption studies employed a response surface methodology (RSM) for the experimental design. The results showed that ARM can absorb CIP effectively. The RSM optimal experiment indicated that the most significant model terms influencing adsorption capacity were solution pH, CIP initial concentration, and ARM dosage, under which the predicted maximum adsorption capacity achieved 7.30 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics adhered to a pseudo-second-order model, while equilibrium data fitted the Langmuir–Freundlich isotherm, yielding maximum capacity values of 7.35 mg/g. The adsorption process occurred spontaneously and absorbed heat, evidenced by ΔGθ values between −83.05 and −91.50 kJ/mol, ΔSθ at 281.6 J/mol/K, and ΔHθ at 0.86 kJ/mol. Analysis using attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) indicated a complex reaction between the Al–O in the ARM and the ester group –COO in CIP. The C=O bond in CIP was likely to undergo a slight electrostatic interaction or be bound to the internal spherical surface of the ARM. The findings indicate that ARM is a promising and efficient adsorbent for CIP removal from wastewater.
Effects of TiO2 Nanoparticles Synthesized via Microwave Assistance on Adsorption and Photocatalytic Degradation of Ciprofloxacin
Authors: Briševac Debora , Gabelica Ivana , Ljubas Davor , Bafti Arijeta , Matijašić Gordana , Ćurković Lidija
Published: June 2024

In this study, the optimal microwave-assisted sol-gel synthesis parameters for achieving TiO2 nanoparticles with the highest specific surface area and photocatalytic activity were determined. Titanium isopropoxide was used as a precursor to prepare the sol (colloidal solution) of TiO2. Isopropanol was used as a solvent; acetylacetone was used as a complexation moderator; and nitric acid was used as a catalyst. Four samples of titanium dioxide were synthesized from the prepared colloidal solution in a microwave reactor at a temperature of 150 °C for 30 min and at a temperature of 200 °C for 10, 20, and 30 min. The phase composition of the TiO2 samples was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms were used to determine the specific surface area and pore size distributions using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. The band-gap energy values of the TiO2 samples were determined by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The distribution of Ti and O in the TiO2 samples was determined by SEM-EDS analysis. The effects of adsorption and photocatalytic activity of the prepared TiO2 samples were evaluated by the degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) as an emerging organic pollutant (EOP) under UV-A light (365 nm). The results of the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles were compared to the benchmark Degussa P25 TiO2. Kinetic parameters of adsorption and photocatalysis were determined and analyzed. It was found that crystalline TiO2 nanoparticles with the highest specific surface area, the lowest energy band gap, and the highest photocatalytic degradation were the samples synthesized at 200 °C for 10 min. The results indicate that CIP degradation by all TiO2 samples prepared at 200 °C show a synergistic effect of adsorption and photocatalytic degradation in the removal process.
One Molecule, Many Faces: Repositioning Cardiovascular Agents for Advanced Wound Healing
Authors: Gościniak Anna , Stasiłowicz-Krzemień Anna , Michniak-Kohn Bożena , Fiedor Piotr , Cielecka-Piontek Judyta
Published: June 2024

Chronic wound treatments pose a challenge for healthcare worldwide, particularly for the people in developed countries. Chronic wounds significantly impair quality of life, especially among the elderly. Current research is devoted to novel approaches to wound care by repositioning cardiovascular agents for topical wound treatment. The emerging field of medicinal products’ repurposing, which involves redirecting existing pharmaceuticals to new therapeutic uses, is a promising strategy. Recent studies suggest that medicinal products such as sartans, beta-blockers, and statins have unexplored potential, exhibiting multifaceted pharmacological properties that extend beyond their primary indications. The purpose of this review is to analyze the current state of knowledge on the repositioning of cardiovascular agents’ use and their molecular mechanisms in the context of wound healing.
Modulation of the Human Erythrocyte Antioxidant System by the 5- and 6-Membered Heterocycle-Based Nitroxides
Authors: Gwozdzinski Krzysztof , Bujak-Pietrek Stella , Pieniazek Anna , Gwozdzinski Lukasz
Published: June 2024

Nitroxides are stable radicals consisting of a nitroxyl group, >N-O•, which carries an unpaired electron. This group is responsible for the paramagnetic and antioxidant properties of these compounds. A recent study evaluated the effects of pyrrolidine and pyrroline derivatives of nitroxides on the antioxidant system of human red blood cells (RBCs). It showed that nitroxides caused an increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of methemoglobin (MetHb) in cells (in pyrroline derivatives) but had no effect on the activity of catalase and lactate dehydrogenase. Nitroxides also reduced the concentration of ascorbic acid (AA) in cells but did not cause any oxidation of proteins or lipids. Interestingly, nitroxides initiated an increase in thiols in the plasma membranes and hemolysate. However, the study also revealed that nitroxides may have pro-oxidant properties. The drop in the AA concentration and the increase in the MetHb level and in SOD activity may indicate the pro-oxidant properties of nitroxides in red blood cells.
N-Hydroxypiridinedione: A Privileged Heterocycle for Targeting the HBV RNase H
Authors: Moianos Dimitrios , Makri Maria , Prifti Georgia-Myrto , Chiotellis Aristeidis , Pappas Alexandros , Woodson Molly E. , Tajwar Razia , Tavis John E. , Zoidis Grigoris
Published: June 2024

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a global health threat. Ribonuclease H (RNase H), part of the virus polymerase protein, cleaves the pgRNA template during viral genome replication. Inhibition of RNase H activity prevents (+) DNA strand synthesis and results in the accumulation of non-functional genomes, terminating the viral replication cycle. RNase H, though promising, remains an under-explored drug target against HBV. We previously reported the identification of a series of N-hydroxypyridinedione (HPD) imines that effectively inhibit the HBV RNase H. In our effort to further explore the HPD scaffold, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated 18 novel HPD oximes, as well as 4 structurally related minoxidil derivatives and 2 barbituric acid counterparts. The new analogs were docked on the RNase H active site and all proved able to coordinate the two Mg2+ ions in the catalytic site. All of the new HPDs effectively inhibited the viral replication in cell assays exhibiting EC50 values in the low μM range (1.1–7.7 μM) with low cytotoxicity, resulting in selectivity indexes (SI) of up to 92, one of the highest reported to date among HBV RNase H inhibitors. Our findings expand the structure–activity relationships on the HPD scaffold, facilitating the development of even more potent anti-HBV agents.
Research on Mechanism of Surfactant Improving Wettability of Coking Coal Based on Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Liu Ren , Li Shilin , Ling Yuping , Zhao Yuanpei , Liu Wei
Published: June 2024

Coal dust is a major safety hazard in the process of coal mining and is of great importance to ensure production safety and maintain the health of operators. In order to understand the microscopic mechanism during coal seam water injection and reveal the mechanism of surfactants in improving the wettability of coal dust, coking coal was selected as the research object. Three surfactants, SDBS, AEO-9, and CAB-35, were chosen for molecular dynamics simulation research on the wetting and adsorption properties of water/coal/surfactants. The results show that surfactant molecules can cover the hydrophobic groups on the surface of coking coal, forming a hydrophilic adsorption layer, changing the coal surface from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, and enhancing the wettability. After adding surfactants, the thickness of the adsorption layer in the z-axis direction increases, expanding the contact area between coking coal and water molecules, thereby improving the wettability. When surfactants tightly cover the surface of coking coal, their binding strength increases, forming a more stable hydrophilic layer and further improving the wettability. At the same time, surfactants promote the diffusion of water molecules and enhance the interaction between hydrophobic alkyl chains and water molecules, further enhancing the wetting effect.
Developing and Validating Sustainability Indicators for Measuring Social Impact of University–Community Engagement Programs
Authors: Compan Pongpan , Kongyok Chanakamol , Prommachan Thongchai , Rodsaard Nuchanart , Socheath Mam
Published: June 2024

Universities are becoming more closely associated with communities, with many embracing a third mission as part of their recognized mission of sustainable development. Since holistic indicators are essential to measuring the post-intervention social impact of university–community engagement programs toward sustainable development, this study developed and validated a comprehensive set of sustainability indicators that would help universities conduct a meaningful measurement of social impact. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from 310 professionals and stakeholders in the Khanab Nak community in the Pak Phanang River Basin, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand. The collected data were analyzed using a five-stage process, including data reliability and validity, descriptive statistics, differences in group opinions, principal component analysis, model testing, and confirmatory factor analysis for fit statistics. As a result, 15 indicators were identified after synthesizing the common indicators from the sustainable development goals. The indicators were divided into three groups using exploratory factor analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis supported these findings with model fit indices, construct validity, and high reliability, as demonstrated below, i.e., social challenges, economic growth, and sustainable living. The practical implementation of the study’s findings could broaden the perspective of universities on promoting sustainable development goals and incorporating them into strategic plans to build capacity for scaling up engagement activities for community development.
PEMANFAATAN DAUN JAMBU BIJI (Psidium Guajava L) TERHADAP PENURUNAN ANGKA Staphylococcus aureus PADA PINDANG TELUR
Authors: Yety Hanurawaty Neneng , Djuhriah Nany , Septiati Yosephina Ardiani , Fikri Elanda
Published: June 2024

ABSTRAK
Telur adalah jenis bahan pangan yang rentan terhadap kerusakan, baik dari segi fisik, kimia, maupun biologi, karena kandungannya yang kaya akan nutrisi yang dibutuhkan untuk pertumbuhan mikroorganisme. Telur merupakan salah satu makananan yang mengandung bakteri  Staphylococcus aureus. Salah satu upaya untuk memperpanjang masa simpan telur dengan cara dioleh menjadi pindang telur dengan menggunakan Daun jambu biji (Psidium guajava). Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengaruh pemanfaatan daun jambu biji  (Psidium guajava L.) sebagai pengawet alami dalam memperpanjang  masa simpan pindang telur. Jenis penelitian ini adalah eksperimen, rancangan sampel menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap dengan 3 perlakuan 6 pengulangan dan 1 kontrol. 1 perlakuan menggunakan 4 buah telur, sehingga  besaran sampel pada penelitian ini sebanyak 72 butir telur. Analisis data menggunakan ONE WAY ANOVA, yaitu untuk melihat perbedaan rata-rata masa simpan pindang telur  dan melihat perbedaan rata-rata penurunan jumlah angka Staphylococcus aureus pada tiap dosis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan ada perbedaan masa simpan pindang telur diantara ketiga dosis daun jambu biji ( 50 gr, 100 gr dan 150 gr) dengan p-value= 0.000 pada alpha 5 %, ada perbedaan rata-rata penurunan jumlah angka Staphylococcus aureus  pada pindang telur diantara ketiga dosis daun jambu biji( 50 gr, 100 gr dan 150 gr dengan p-value= 0.000. Disarankan untuk melakukan pembubuhan dosis   daun jambu biji (Psidium guajava)  dengan dosis 150 gr untuk memperpanjang masa simpan pindang telur selama 9 hari
Neuroestimulação periférica na Síndrome de Tourette: uma revisão de escopo
Authors: Simões Mattos Ana Clara , Simões Mattos Beatriz , Freitas Dantas Carlos Eduardo , Da Silva Costa Matheus , Brandão Souza e Silva Pedro Augusto , Nogueira Guimarães Rafael Luiz , Ramos Silveira Stephanie Elizabeth , Matheus Leão dos Santos Pedro Henrique , De Luna Júnior Luciano Francisco , De Souza e Silva Hugo Rafael
Published: June 2024

Objetivo. Realizar uma revisão de escopo acerca da eficiência da neuroestimulação periférica em pacientes portadores da Síndrome de Tourette, comparando o resultado de diversas pesquisas e suas convergências. Método. Utilizou-se a metodologia População, Contexto, Conceito (PCC) para nortear a elaboração da pergunta-problema, empregando as bases de dados PubMed, Lilacs e Embase como fonte de busca. Os operadores booleanos e os descritores correspondentes foram usados na criação da estratégia de busca. Resultados. Diante das informações extraídas, foi possível analisar a eficácia da Estimulação Nervosa Periférica em pacientes com Síndrome de Tourette, que foi expressiva em curtos espaços de tempo (variando de segundos até alguns minutos). Já com relação aos efeitos de longo prazo, a maioria dos artigos evidenciou que estes praticamente inexistiram. Contudo, tal observação se mostra incerta, tendo em vista a existência de marcas de subjetividade na avaliação (presentes no relato dos pacientes e nos critérios do profissional avaliador quanto à expressão clínica dos tiques e a sua melhora). É de consenso final, porém, que em todos os estudos avaliados, a estimulação resultou na melhora da intensidade e/ou da frequência dos tiques. Conclusão. A utilização da Estimulação Nervosa Periférica se mostrou eficiente, principalmente em prazos curtos. Contudo, é necessário que haja o aperfeiçoamento da técnica e a realização de novos estudos com parâmetros mais objetivos para uma avaliação mais precisa dos efeitos a longo prazo provocados pela neuroestimulação periférica.
Extension Professionals Support Agricultural Education Career Awareness
Authors: Mott Rebecca , Tummons John , Simonsen Jon , Cletzer D.A. , Peckman Jaelyn , Plaugher Seth
Published: June 2024

The Covid-19-induced moratorium on campus visits allowed faculty from University of [State]’s Agricultural Education & Leadership (AEL) program and Missouri Extension time to reconsider our campus visit structure and be more purposeful in our recruitment efforts. We organized a showcase to expose high school students to career paths and help them understand how our program could help prepare them for career success in the formal agriculture classroom, Extension, or the agriculture. We urge extension professionals to consider how they can be involved with events that raise students’ awareness about career opportunities while simultaneously recruiting the next generation of extension employees.
Development of a Serious Game as a Natural Hazard Planning Decision Support Tool
Authors: Thompson Jody
Published: June 2024

As coastal populations grow, so does the exposure to natural hazards such as hurricanes and flooding, creating the potential for increased social and economic disasters. The literature indicates coastal residents remain complacent when planning before, during, and after an event. There is a growing successful use of serious games in natural resources planning, and a growth in the use of digital and electronic games. We developed the serious digital game Plan for It! in response to identified needs and to capitalize on the public’s familiarity with gamification and digital gaming.