bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plastic Pollution from River to Ocean: A Comprehensive Review in Indian Scenario
Authors: Shivhare Shubham , Sharma Atul
Published: November 2023

Plastic poses a significant threat to the environment, polluting land, water, and air. It is a broad term encompassing a variety of polymers. In the form of microplastics and nanoplastics, it can induce toxicity in water bodies. Plastic debris not only physically pollutes freshwater, but also chemically, undergoing changes over time due to hydroclimatic effects. Rivers serve as conduits, transporting plastics from minor tributaries to major rivers and ultimately into the ocean, endangering marine life. India, as a developing country with the largest population and numerous rivers, generates a significant amount of plastic waste, a substantial portion of which finds its way into rivers, leading to alarming rates of plastic accumulation in the ocean. Previously, policymakers focused primarily on landfills for plastic waste, neglecting the pollution of water bodies. The consequences of this neglect are evident, with major rivers in the country severely affected by plastic waste, necessitating advanced, efficient, and sustainable solutions. This study aims to establish a comprehensive framework for managing plastic waste, understanding its transport mechanisms to the ocean, and recognizing the threats it poses to life. It also expounds on harmful plastic pollutants in water, globally adopted technologies, and emphasizes the need for further research and data collection in this field. The primary concluding point is to prevent plastics from entering waterways and to actively collect river and marine plastic pollution. Banning single-use plastics and implementing efficient collection methods are crucial in containing plastic pollution. Effluents from industries should not be overlooked, as they often contain harmful micro and nanoplastics with ecotoxicological effects. The innovative concept of the "4Rs" - Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle - stands as the cornerstone for safeguarding the environment against plastic pollution.
Learning Adaptive Quantization Parameter for Consistent Quality Oriented Video Coding
Authors: Vu Tien Huu , Do Minh Ngoc , Nguyen Sang Quang , Phi Huy Cong , Sisouvong Thipphaphone , Hoang Xiem Van
Published: November 2023

In industry 4.0 era, video applications such as surveillance visual systems, video conferencing, or video broadcasting have been playing a vital role. In these applications, for manipulating and tracking objects in decoded video, the quality of decoded video should be consistent because it largely affects to the performance of the machine analysis. To cope with this problem, we propose a novel perceptual video coding (PVC) solution in which a full reference quality metric named Video Multimethod Assessment Fusion (VMAF) is employed together with a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) to obtain the consistent quality while still achieving the high compression performance. First of all, to achieve the consistent quality requirement, we propose a CNN model with an expected VMAF as input to adaptively adjust the quantization parameters (QP) for each coding block. Afterwards, to increase the compression performance, a Lagrange coefficient of Rate-Distortion optimization (RDO) mechanism is adaptively computed under Rate-QP and Quality-QP models. Experimental results show that the proposed PVC has achieved two targets simultaneously: the quality of video sequence is kept consistently with an expected quality level and the bit rate saving of the proposed method is higher than traditional video coding standards and relevant benchmark, notably with around 10% bitrate saving in average.
Effects of a Healthy Diet in Reducing Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome and Improving Quality of Life among Omani Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Open-Label Trial
Authors: Al Kiyumi Maisa Hamed , Al Belushi Zalikha , Al Amri Amal , Al Masharfi Rawan , Al Rashdi Fathiya , Jaju Sanjay , Al Shidhani Asma Said , Al-Mahrezi Abdulaziz
Published: November 2023

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) continues to impact the health outcomes and emotional well-being of reproductive-age women, globally. Several studies have provided conflicting evidence concerning the role of dietary approaches in improving PMS symptoms. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the possible influence of a healthy diet and motivational strategies on PMS symptoms and health-related quality of life among Omani adolescents. This open-label, randomized, prospective controlled trial was conducted in two randomly selected secondary schools, in Al Seeb Willayah, in Muscat region. Adolescents with PMS symptoms, who were at grade 10 or 11, aged 16 years or above, had regular menstrual cycles and not known to have psychiatric disorder, were included in this study. Participants in the intervention group received an individual face-to-face dietary consultation and motivational phone consultation. The health outcomes, including the PMS symptoms in both groups, and quality of life, were recorded via a daily record of severity of problems questionnaire (DRSP) and the 14-item Self-Reporting-Based Perceived Stress Scale tools, respectively. The primary outcome was the differences in the mean premenstrual symptom scores between the two groups. Secondary outcomes included the quality of life and stress levels of participants. The study period was from 1 February and ended 30 June 2021. SPSS was used to analyze the data and intention-to-treat analysis was utilized.A total of 72 adolescents with PMS were randomized to the intervention and control groups (n=36 each). Both groups were similar at baseline (P-value>0.05). No significant association was found between healthy-diet and PMS symptoms (P-value>0.05). In addition, no significant association was found between healthy-diet and quality of life at follow-up (P-value=0.216). The outcomes of this study refuted any possible relationships between healthy diet and PMS symptoms. Accordingly, dietary consultations may not facilitate the clinical management of PMS symptoms in adolescent females.
Assistive Learning Intelligence Navigator (ALIN) Dataset: Predicting Test Results from Learning Data
Authors: He Guijia , Huang Chengwei , Yang Steven , Lwin Kelvin , Ouh Eng Lieh , Ju Ran , Zhu Xiaoming
Published: November 2023

Data mining techniques have garnered significant attention within the realm of education. However, the procurement of ample student data poses a formidable challenge. In response to this challenge, we present a student dataset characterized by its size and distinctive attributes. This dataset encompasses various task-related topics interconnected through a learning pathway, thereby enabling researchers to delve into the data from novel perspectives. Moreover, it encompasses extensive longitudinal student behavioral data, a rarity that adds substantial value. Spanning the years from 2010 to 2021, our dataset comprises a cohort of 7,933 students, 64,344 test scores, and 183,390 behavior records, solidifying its status as a valuable resource for educational research. In our experiments, we achieved successful predictions of students' test outcomes based on behavioral learning data. The strengths of our dataset render it apt for analyzing the nexus between student conduct and academic performance, crafting personalized learning recommendations, and pursuing various other research pursuits.
Properties of Water Soluble Extracts of Feta, Metsovone and Related Cheeses
Authors: Kalle Athina , Lambropoulos Ioannis , Bourazas Konstantinos , Roussis Ioannis G.
Published: November 2023

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and peptide levels of Feta cheese and other brined cheeses, and Metsovone cheese, and other smoked cheeses. The antioxidant activity was determined by Folin and FRAP assays, while the peptide content was determined by Bradford and Lowry assays. The assays were applied in the water soluble extract of cheeses. The results showed that Feta cheese and brined cow cheese differ in antioxidant activity. Feta cheese and brined goat cheese also differ in both antioxidant activity and peptide levels. Results also showed that Metsovone cheese and other smoked cheeses exhibit antioxidant activity and significant peptide levels. Moreover, the water soluble extracts of all cheeses show some anti-inflammatory activity, suggesting that may peptides exhibit anti-inflammatory activity.
Development of a Digital Data Narrative EdTech Model: 3D Modeling Software Class for University Students in Republic of Korea
Authors: CHOI WONJAE , KIM SEONGGYU
Published: November 2023

This research discusses the development of a software-centered EdTech (Education Technology) class model through the implementation of a course titled "3D Time Machine" at a 4-year university in Republic of Korea over two semesters. The course focused on teaching 3D modeling software, Blender, within the history department. The primary objective of offering this course was to equip students from the digital generation with the capability to manipulate digital technology effectively. Through studying historical materials and accumulating domain knowledge, students could construct their narratives from their unique perspectives. This aimed to foster their proficiency in digital technology operation, preparing them for an education environment increasingly centered around virtual worlds. As the use of virtual worlds gains prominence in educational settings, there is a growing need to incorporate curricula that prepare students to thrive as well-prepared citizens in future societies. Assessing the digital competencies of contemporary university students and designing instructional models with particular attention to their needs is becoming increasingly important. This research draws insights from interviews, conducted in both face-to-face and written formats, with students who participated in the "3D Time Machine" course. The interviews revealed valuable insights that can be actively incorporated into the development of software-centered EdTech instructional models. They reported that they expanded their perceptions as they learned how to make their ideas tangible. The course helped students overcome their fear of digital technology. In conclusion, the course effectively employs 3D modeling technology, a software-centered EdTech, as a core element in helping students develop their narratives rapidly and diversely, thereby playing a crucial role in their ability to articulate their unique perspectives.
Upcycling of Wood Dust From Particleboard Recycling as a Filler in Lignocellulosic Layered Composites Technology
Authors: Wronka Anita
Published: November 2023

Due to its size, wood dust often plays the role of a raw material used as a source of energy. However, it is nevertheless an unavoidable byproduct generated during the milling of wood or wood-based composites. The research presented here is focused on the selected properties of 3-layer plywood, produced with the utilization of dust from the milling of three-layer particleboard as a filler in the bonding mass. Four types of filler were used in the study: commercial rye flour, wood dust naturally occurring in the composition of particles used industrially for particleboard production, wood dust from the first batch of shredded particleboard, and dust from the second round of milled particleboard. In the context of this investigation, the highest modulus of elasticity (MOE) values were observed in reference samples. Conversely, for samples featuring filler material from the initial milling process, there were no substantial differences in filler content. Notably, in samples where the filler was sourced from the secondary milling of particleboard, the modulus of elasticity exhibited an upward trend in conjunction with increasing filler content. A similar trend was observed in samples utilizing the naturally occurring dust. Meanwhile, the modulus of rupture (MOR) decreased with an elevated degree of milling, though it displayed a slight increase as the filler content increased. With regard to shear strength testing, the most favorable outcomes were achieved in samples incorporating filler material from the initial milling of particleboard. The thickness swelling of the plywood reached its peak in variants utilizing filler material from both the initial and secondary milling of particleboards. In contrast, water absorption testing exhibited a more pronounced response in the newly introduced variants, although samples incorporating filler from the initial and secondary milling processes eventually yielded results akin to the reference sample, with the naturally occurring dust displaying higher water absorption values. In terms of density profiles, the highest density values were observed in samples utilizing rye flour as the filler material. A similar density profile was observed in samples with 5 parts of wood flour as filler, although the density of the adhesive was slightly lower in these cases. An increase in the quantity of wooden filler material resulted in a commensurate increase in plywood thickness. The research confirms the possibility of using the aforementioned dust as an alternative to conventional fillers in plywood technology. It also raises the question of how to effectively remove glue residues from wood-based composite dust, which would enhance their absorption properties.
Wheat Seedling Response to Ionic and Physical Constraints in Sodic Soils May Not Be Closely Linked
Authors: Anzooman Monia , Christopher Jack , *Dang Yash P. , Menzies Neal W. , Kopittke Peter M.
Published: November 2023

Soil sodicity is a major constraint to seedling emergence and crop production, potentially reducing plant growth due to physical and chemical constraints. Examining responses to ion imbalances may assist in the identification of genotypes tolerant to chemical constraints in sodic soils and improve productivity. We evaluated the performance of four wheat (Triticum aestivum. L) genotypes in solutions with five sodium adsorption ratios (SARs) ranging from 0 to 60. For all four genotypes, seedling emergence and shoot dry matter (DM) decreased significantly with increasing SAR. A significant positive correlation was observed between Ca concentration in roots, as well as both root and shoot DM for all genotypes. At SAR values >20, a more tolerant genotype (EGA Gregory), had higher Ca concentrations in root tissues, while a more sensitive genotype (Baxter) exhibited Na-induced Ca deficiency. Thus, selection for genotypes that are able to accumulate Ca in roots in sodic conditions may be a useful trait for selecting genotypes tolerant of soils with high ESP values. However, for soils that restrict plant growth at ESP (SAR) values of 6-10%, it is likely that growth is restricted by physical constraints rather than by a Na-induced Ca deficiency.
Explainable Machine Learning Techniques to Predict Muscle Injuries in Professional Soccer Players from Biomechanical Analysis
Authors: Calderón-Díaz Mailyn , Silvestre Rony , Vásconez Juan P. , Yáñez Roberto , Roby Matías , Querales Marvin , Salas Rodrigo
Published: November 2023

There is a significant risk of injury in sports and intense competition due to the demanding physical and psychological requirements. Hamstring strain injuries (HSI) are the most prevalent type of injury among professional soccer players and are the leading cause of missed days in the sport. These injuries stem from a combination of factors, making it challenging to pinpoint the most crucial risk factors and their interactions, let alone find effective prevention strategies. Recently, there has been a growing recognition of the potential of tools provided by artificial intelligence (AI). However, current studies primarily concentrate on enhancing the performance of complex machine learning models, often overlooking their explanatory capabilities. Consequently, medical teams encounter difficulty interpreting these models and are hesitant to trust them fully. In light of this, there is an increasing need for advanced injury detection and prediction models that can aid doctors in diagnosing or detecting injuries earlier and with greater accuracy. Accordingly, this study aims to identify biomarkers of muscle injuries in professional soccer players through a biomechanical analysis, employing several ML algorithms, such as Decision tree (DT) methods, Discriminant methods, Logistic regression, Naive Bayes, Support vector machine (SVM), K-nearest neighbor (KNN), Ensemble methods, Boosted and bagged trees, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), and XGBoost. In particular, XGBoost was also used to obtain the most important features. The findings highlight that the variables that most effectively differentiate the groups and could serve as reliable predictors for injury prevention are the maximum muscle strength of the hamstrings and the stiffness of the same muscle. With regards to the 35 techniques employed, a precision of up to 78% was achieved with XGBoost, indicating that by considering scientific evidence, suggestions based on various data sources, and expert opinions, it is possible to attain good precision, thus enhancing the reliability of the results for doctors and trainers. Furthermore, the obtained results strongly align with the existing literature, although further specific studies about this sport are necessary to draw a definitive conclusion.
Evaluation of Geographical and Annual Changes in Rice Planting Patterns with Satellite Images in Flood-Prone Area of Pampanga River Basin, the Philippines
Authors: Hosonuma Kohei , AIDA Kentaro , Ballaran Vicente Jr , Nagumo Naoko , Sanchez Patricia Ann J , SUMITA Tsuyoshi , Homma Koki
Published: November 2023

Floods are some of the most devastating crop disasters in Southeast Asia. The Pampanga River Basin in the Philippines is a representative flood-prone area, where cultivation patterns are varied according to the flood risk. However, quantitative analyses on the effects of flooding on cultivation patterns remain quite limited. Accordingly, this study analyzes MODIS LAI data (MCD15A2H) from 2007 to 2022 to evaluate annual and geographical differences in cultivation patterns in the Candaba municipality of the basin. The analysis consists of two stages of hierarchical clustering: a first stage for area classification and a second stage for the classification of annual LAI dynamics. As a result, Candaba is divided into four areas, which are found to be partly consistent with the observed flood risk. Subsequently, the annual LAI dynamics in each area are divided into two or three clusters. The obvious differences among the clusters are caused by flooding in the late rainy season, delaying the start of planting in the dry season. The clusters also indicate that the cultivation patterns slightly changed over the 16 years of the study period. The results of this study suggest that the two-stage clustering approach provides an effective tool for the analysis of MODIS LAI data when considering cultivation patterns characterized by annual and geographical differences.
Sociodemographic Characteristics and Risk Factors Related to Hypertension among Individuals from Huambo, Angola
Authors: Pakisi Job , Sebastião Cruz , Vasconcelos Jocelyne , Valdeón Leticia , Darkistad Enrique
Published: November 2023

WHO estimates that around 600 million people suffer from high blood pressure which causes high costs for health systems and influences the economy of these countries. In this study, we investigate the sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors related to hypertension among individuals from Huambo, Angola. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 158 participants consulted in the Cardiology services at Hospital Geral do Huambo, between January and July 2023. A total of 67.1% of the studied patients were hypertensive. The mean age of the hypertensive (55.8±11.3) patients was higher than non-hypertensive (53.1±13.4) patients, although no significance was observed (p=0.199). Patients aged between 30 and 40 (OR=1.19, P=0493), male (OR=1.17, P=660), employees (OR=9.94, P=0935), patients consuming alcohol (OR=1.11, P=0.864), and practising physical activity (OR=1.12, P=0.742) presented a high chance of developing hypertension, while those living in urbanized areas (OR=0.78, P=0.59) and with a low educational level (OR=0.43, P=0.194), had a low chance to develop hypertension. There was no statistical significance between demographic or behavioural characteristics with hypertension (P>0.05). Regarding clinical characteristics, body mass index was statistically related to hypertension (p=0.011). Our findings show that hypertension is a major health problem for the young population of Huambo. There is an urgent need to create strategies to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertension, not only in Huambo but throughout the country. Further studies to understand determinants related to hypertension should be carried out among the young population in Angola.
Synthesis of Cobalt-Based Nanoparticles as Catalysts for Methanol Synthesis from CO2 Hydrogenation
Authors: Carrasco-García Anna , Vali Seyed Alireza , Ben-Abbou Zahra , Moral-Vico Javier , Markeb Ahmad Abo , Sánchez Antoni
Published: November 2023

The increading emission of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere has urged the scientific community to investigate alternatives to alleviate such emissions being the principal contributor to the greenhouse gas effect. One major alternative is carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) towards the production of value-added chemicals using diverse technologies. This work aims at the study of the catalytic potential of different cobalt-derived nanoparticels for methanol syntheis from carbon dioxide hydrogenation. Thanks to its abundance and cost-efficacy, cobalt can serve as an economical catalyst compared to noble-metal-based catalysts. In this work, we present a systematic comparison among different cobalt and cobalt oxide nanocomposites in terms of their efficiency as catalysts for carbon dioxide hydrogenation to methanol as well as how different supports can enhance their catalytic capacity. The oxygen vacancies in the cerium oxide act as carbon dioxide adsorption and activation sites, which facilitates a higher methanol production yield.
Production of High-Resolution Map of Biomass Carbon over Forests in Malaysia Estimated using Aboveground Carbon Density Indicator (ACDI) and a Collection of 12 Years Inventory Data
Authors: Omar Hamdan , Misman Muhamad Afizzul , Linggok Valeria , Haron Suhaini , Bohari Ahmad Ashrin Mohd , Haji Sariee Mohammad Nor Firdaus
Published: November 2023

The accurate estimation of biomass carbon in forests is of paramount importance for effective forest management and mitigating climate change. This study presents a novel approach to produce a high-resolution map of biomass carbon over forests in Malaysia using the Aboveground Carbon Density Indicator (ACDI) and a comprehensive collection of 12 years of inventory data, i.e., from 2012 to 2023. The ACDI was derived based on several vegetation indices (VIs) that were produced from the original Landsat images to indicate the level of aboveground biomass carbon (AGC) stock in the forested areas. The VIs includes Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalised Burn Ratio (NBR), Shadow Index (SI), Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), Iron Oxide Index (IO), Modified Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI), and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). The ACDI was then integrated with ground-based measurements, and serves as a robust indicator for estimating AGC. This calculation was conducted on Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to match the date of field observation with the satellite imagery datasets. The production of seamless mosaic of the latest date of Landsat imagery and the forest type classification were also performed on GEE. The forested areas were classified into three major types, which are dry inland forest, mangrove forest, and peat swamp forest. Results indicated significant spatial variations in AGC across Malaysia's forests. The derived AGC prediction models based on the ACDI varied among the forest types. Based on the estimates, a 30-metre resolution, wall-to-wall map of AGC across the entire forested region of Malaysia has been created. The ACDI was calibrated and validated using a separate validation plots dataset to ensure the accuracy of the AGC estimates. The total AGC in all types of forests in Malaysia was estimated at 3.0 billion Mg C with an attainable accuracy of about 80%. These estimates were also divided into categories and reported to the AGC at the state level. This high-resolution map provides essential information for various stakeholders, with critical implications for carbon sequestration efforts, conservation priorities, and sustainable forest management. The presented methodology not only showcases the value of combining advanced remote sensing techniques with long-term inventory data but also underscores the potential for similar approaches in other tropical forest regions globally. Ultimately, this study contributes to the understanding of carbon dynamics in Malaysian forests and promotes effective strategies for mitigating climate change through better-informed forest conservation and management practices.
The Enhanced Wagner-Hagras OLS-BP Hybrid Algorithm for Training IT3 NSFLS-1 for Temperature Prediction in HSM Processes
Authors: Mendez Gerardo Maximiliano , Lopez Juarez Ismael , Alcorta Garcia Maria Aracelia , Martinez Peon Dulce Citlalli , Montes Dorantes Pascual Noradino
Published: November 2023

This paper presents a) the novel hybrid learning method to train the type-1 non-singleton interval type-3 (IT3) fuzzy logic systems (IT3 NSFLS-1) and b) the novel method named enhanced Wagner-Hagras (EWH) IT3 NSFLS-1 fuzzy systems which includes the level alpha 0 output to calculate the output y alpha using the average of the outputs y alpha k instead of their weighted average. The development of the proposed methodology uses the orthogonal least square (OLS) method to train the consequent parameters and the back propagation (BP) method to train the antecedent parameters. This proposal dynamically changes the parameters of only the level alpha 0 minimizing some criterion function as new information becomes available to each level alpha k. The antecedent sets are type-2 fuzzy sets, the consequent sets are fuzzy centroids, the inputs are type-1 non-singleton fuzzy numbers with uncertain standard deviations, and the secondary membership functions are modeled as two Gaussians with uncertain standard deviation and the same mean. Based on the firing set of the level alpha 0, the proposed methodology calculates each firing set of each level alpha k to dynamically construct and update the EWH IT3 NSFLS-1 (OLS-BP) system. The algorithm was tested in a hot strip mill facility to predict the transfer bar surface temperature showing its superior capability to obtain the industrial pyrometer’s knowledge uncertainty for tuning and its better performance when compared with IT2 SFLS, IT2 NSFLS-1, GT2 SFLS, GT2 NSFLS-1, IT3 SFLS, and IT3 NSFLS-1 trained with the BP-BP algorithm.
Changes in the Impacts of COVID-19 over Time on Families with Older Adults Living on Remote Islands in Japan: A Study in Family Ethnographic Research
Authors: Hohashi Naohiro , Watanabe Mikio , Taniguchi Minami , Araki Shiho
Published: November 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affected not only individuals but also families. The purpose of this study was to clarify the temporal changes in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on entire families with older adults susceptible to infection living on small islands in Japan over the duration of the pandemic. Family ethnographic research was conducted from 2021 to 2023, using the Concentric Sphere Family Environment Theory as the theoretical framework. Formal interviews were conducted with 20 families. In addition, data from informal interviews, participant observation and other sources were compiled into field notes. All data on the impact on the entire family were extracted and content analysis was conducted. Five categories and a total of 85 subcategories were extracted. The results show that COVID-19 exerted not only negative but also positive impacts on the entire family, and their temporal changes are clarified. The impact on families is believed to have been influenced by the family external environment, such as increases and decreases of infection cases or events that occurred outside the family. The knowledge acquired from these studies will help healthcare professionals in providing appropriate family support.
Change over Five Years in Important Measures of Methodological Quality and Reporting in Cardiovascular Clinical Research Trials
Authors: Baasan Odgerel , Freihat Omar , Nagy David U , Lohner Szimonetta
Published: November 2023

Objectives: The aim of our current study was to analyze whether the use of important measures of methodological quality and reporting of randomized clinical trials published in the field of cardiovascular disease research have changed over time. Further aim was to investigate whether there was an improvement over time in the ability of these trials to provide a good estimate of the true intervention effect. Methods We conducted two searches in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTAL) database to identify cardiovascular clinical research trials published in either 2012 or 2017. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) trials in cardiovascular disease research with adult participants were eligible to be included. We randomly selected 250 RCTs for both publication year 2012 and 2017. Trial characteristics, data on measures of methodological quality and reporting were extracted and risk of bias for each trial was assessed. Results As compared to 2012 in 2017 there were significant improvements in the reporting of the presence of a data monitoring committee (42.0% in 2017 compared to 34.4% in 2012), and a positive tendency of registering cardiovascular disease research RCTs in clinical trial registries (83.6% in 2017 compared to 72.0% in 2012). On the other hand, we also observed that significantly fewer RCTs reported sample size calculation (60.4% in 2017 compared to 98.4% in 2012) in 2017 as compared to 2012. RCTs in 2017 were more likely to have low overall risk of bias ( RoB ) than in 2012 (29.2% in 2017compared to 21.2% in 2012). Conclusion: As compared to 2012 in 2017 there were significant improvement in some, but not all the important measures of methodological quality. Although more trials in the field of cardiovascular disease research had a lower overall RoB in 2017, the improvement over time was not consistently perceived in all RoB domains.
Life Cycle Assessment Method for Avoided Impact Enabled by Specific Digital ICT Services
Authors: Andrae Anders S.G.
Published: November 2023

Certain services can help avoid environmental impact in larger contexts. However, there is no commonly agreed bottom-up methodology for calculation of the total net reduction effect of specific digital services. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a common denominator for most methodologies. The most common method is the Attributional LCA (ALCA), and recently the emerging handprint ALCA estimating so-called positive environmental impacts. Moreover, Consequential LCA (CLCA) can be used to capture market effects. The third conceptual approach is Input-Output LCA. The purpose is to propose and test a new method based on some of the existing ones. The existing concepts are compared and a synthesis is made to create a practical but still useful method. The new method is applied to two illustrative cases in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) domain; the introduction of a 5G enabled drone for pipe inspection and the 5G enabled health consultation. Compared to simplified ALCA, the difference between the absolute score for the baseline system and the target system changes up to 15% when the proposed simplified CLCA (SCLCA) method is used. The results show that SCLCA, when combined with analytical methods for expressing digital ICT services’ own impact, is a fruitful approach which is both practical and feasible.
The Use of Flexible Bronchoscope for Diagnostic Medical Thoracoscopy in a Resource Limited Setting: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Kaushik Rajnish , Dahiya Roopali , Chaudhry Aditya , Singh Pawan Kumar , Ahuja Aman , Chaudhry Dhruva , Arya Geetika
Published: November 2023

Exudative-pleural-effusion (ePE) is a common presentation in pulmonology clinics. Pleural biopsy is indicated for identifying the aetiology in undiagnosed ePE especially the ones with low adenosine-deaminase levels. The access to rigid and semi-rigid medical thoracoscopy is scarce and heterogeneous in a resource limited country like India. In such circumstances, using flexible bronchoscope via intercostal-chest-tube for visualization of parietal pleura and pleural biopsy offers a way out. Here, in this retrospective study, we have presented our experience of such practice on 25 cases. Mean age was 52.4±1 years. Adhesions were present in 40% of the subjects. Most common finding was presence of nodules. On an average 6.8 passes were taken with maximum of 10. In 32% cases only tiny tissue was obtained, hence requiring multiple passes. Large tissue could be obtained in 44% of the subjects. Mean duration of the procedure was 35.6±9.0 minutes. Tissue diagnosis was established in 80% with most common being malignancy (48%) followed by tuberculosis (20%). In 3 cases, the final diagnosis was made by exclusion. No major complications were recorded. In conclusion, medical thoracoscopy using flexible video bronchoscope via intercostal-chest-tube was a feasible alternative for the diagnosis of ePE effusion in resource limited settings.
Effect of Nitrogen on White Corn Yield (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Ndege Douglas Otieno , Kidwaro Fanson , Rhykerd Robert , Barrowclough Michael
Published: November 2023

CONTEXT: The sustained White corn (Zea mays L.) yield relies on supply of Nitrogen (N), which is an important element in improving soil fertility.

OBJECTIVE: The research aim to determine the effect of Nitrogen on white corn yield and grain mass.

METHOD: The experimental design was a 4 × 4 factorial arranged in randomized complete block design with 2 replications each. The effect of nitrogen was determined in terms of the flow within the soil, initial component, addition, uptake, loss and use of nitrogen by the White corn plants. Nitrogen was applied as Granular Urea using zero broadcast method. The grain yield was determined hand-harvesting and shelling.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistically significant differences between the mean samples from the two replicates (blocks 1 & 2) across the two seasons for corn sugar concentration, corn yield estimates and grain yields. In 2021, the mean yield estimate was 12,552 Kg ha-1, while that of 2022 averaged 12687 Kg ha-1. Similarly, the grain yield achieved in 2022 was 844.1kg more than the average grain yield in 2021. The white corn yield estimate and grain yield increased linearly with an increase in nitrogen application level, with the highest yields achieved when nitrogen fertilizer was applied at 150kg N/ha. This demonstrates that nitrogen has a positive influence on the yield quantity of white corn.

SIGNIFICANCE: The White maize model may be used to improve the formulation of decisions and enhance the precision of estimates for yield and N fate within the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Further, the findings of this study can significantly enhance agricultural productivity while keeping an eye on the environment.
A Case-Control Study on Risk Factors for Visceral Leishmaniasis in West Pokot County, Kenya
Authors: Dijk Norbert van , Carter Jane , Kiptanui David , Mens Petra F , Schallig Henk D F H
Published: November 2023

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe parasitic disease transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. VL is endemic in West Pokot County, Kenya, where effective strategies to interrupt transmission are impeded by the limited understanding of VL risk factors. Therefore, this case-control study aimed to explore environmental, behavioral and household determinants of VL in West Pokot. From November 2022 to January 2023, a structured questionnaire was administered to 36 symptomatic primary VL cases attending the Kacheliba Sub-County Hospital and to 50 controls from local villages. The VL status of all participants was confirmed using an rK39 rapid diagnostic test. In an age-corrected univariate logistic regression analysis, significant associations were found between VL and housing characteristics, such as window presence and floor type. Furthermore, outdoor activities, including traveling outside the residence for more than 2 weeks, activities near termite mounds, and forest activities during the rainy season increased the risk of VL. VL cases more frequently reported the presence of cattle, dogs and sheep in their house yards at night. VL was also associated with cutting down trees in the house yard and house proximity to several Acacia tree species. To conclude, this work reports a number of previously undescribed risk factors for VL in the understudied West Pokot focus. Our findings warrant further research into sandfly ecology and potential zoonotic parasite reservoirs in West Pokot.
Anesthetic Management for Urgent Caesarean Section in Patient with Uncontrolled Hyperthyroidism and Severe Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: Khaidar Reyfal , Subiantoro Andri , Sugiharto Wahyu , Prasiska Tomy Oky
Published: November 2023

Background :The prevalence of hyperthyroidism in pregnancy approximately 0.05% to 3% and mostly caused by Graves’ Disease (GD). The prevalence of Hyperthyroid Heart Disease (HHD) in pregnancy is 3.87%. Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism during pregnancy can increase maternal and fetal mortality. We report a case of a pregnant woman with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism and severe mitral regurgitation that underwent cesarean section with spinal anesthesia for delivery.

Case Illustration :A 33 years-old patient G4P1A2 visited the Obstetric-Gynecology outpatient clinic at our hospital at 23 weeks of gestation (WoG) due to uncontrolled hyperthyroidism caused by GD that diagnosed 3 years ago and shortness of breath. The echocardiography test obtained severe mitral regurgitation and left atrial dilatation with 58% LVEF. It was decided to maintain the pregnancy till the fetus is viable while still monitoring the patient’s condition. At 32 WoG, the patient came to the ED due to shortness of breath, chest pain, and nausea. Fetal movement and fetal heart rate (FHR) were within normal limits. The patient was given a nasal cannula at 3 liters/minute, extra furosemide 20 mg, and fetal lung maturation with dexamethasone injection. The patient was prepared for termination by cesarean section. Spinal anesthesia was performed in a sitting position using a 27 G spinal needle. Inserted at L 3-4, using a low dose of heavy bupivacaine 0.5% 7.5 mg combined with 25 g fentanyl and 0.1 mg morphine intrathecally. C-section was successfully performed and hemodynamics during surgery was stable, resulting the delivery of a preterm baby who weighed 1.9 kg at birth and the baby was transferred to the NICU for further treatment.

Conclusion : Spinal anesthesia with low dose bupivacaine combined with opioids for cesarean section was revealed maternal and neonate safe.
Do technological innovation and militarization influence climate change? Evidence from BRICS economies
Authors: Zhu Huaijia , Chang Shiwei , Chen Bo
Published: November 2023

In the complex international society, the economic development and defense construction of BRICS countries have attracted increasing attention. This article incorporates technological innovation, militarization, and climate change into a unified analytical framework to assess the potential impact of technological progress and defense military expenditure on the environment in BRICS countries. Based on CSD tests, unit root tests, and cointegration tests, this study constructs a CS-ARDL model to examine the long-term and short-term relationships among various variables from 1990 to 2021. The results show that technological innovation, military expenditure, and economic growth can significantly increase ecological footprint in the long run, while in the short term, technological innovation and economic growth significantly increase ecological footprint, and the impact of military expenditure is not significant. It is suggested that BRICS countries should focus on supporting low-carbon technology policies and research and development investment, while also considering the use of cutting-edge technology to improve military intelligence capabilities in order to reduce the negative impact of technological innovation and military activities on the environment.
B cell heterogeneity in human tuberculosis highlights compartment-specific phenotype and putative functional roles
Authors: Krause Rob , Ogongo Paul , Tezera Liku , Ahmed Mohamed , Mbano Ian , Chambers Mark , Ngoepe Abigail , Magnoumba Magalli , Muema Daniel , Karim Farina , Khan Khadija , Lumamba Kapongo , Nargan Kievershen , Madansein Rajhmun , Steyn Adrie , Shalek Alex , Elkington Paul , Leslie Alasdair
Published: November 2023

B cells are important in tuberculosis (TB) immunity, but their role in the human lung is understudied. Here, we characterize B cells from lung tissue and matched blood of TB patients and found they are decreased in the blood and increased in the lungs, consistent with recruitment to infected tissue, where they are located in granuloma associated lymphoid tissue (GrALT). Flow cytometry and transcriptomics identified multiple B cell populations in the lung, including those associated with tissue resident memory, germinal centers, antibody secretion, proinflammatory atypical B cells, and regulatory B cells, some of which are expanded in TB disease. Additionally, TB lungs contained high levels of Mtb-reactive antibodies, specifically IgM, which promoted Mtb phagocytosis. Overall, these data reveal the presence of functionally diverse B cell subsets in TB disease lung tissue and suggest several potential localized roles that may represent a target for interventions to promote immunity or mitigate immunopathology.
Parents attitudes towards the No Jab No Play legislation in Western Australia: a mixed methods study
Authors: Burns Sharyn , Bhoyroo Ranila , Leavy Justine E. , Jancey Jonine , Saltis Hanna , Millar Lynne , Hendriks Jacqueline , Portsmouth Linda , Tohotoa Jenny , Seewoo Danveer , Pollard Christina
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Mandates provided a relatively cost-effective strategy to increase vaccinate rates. Since 2014, five Australian states have implemented No Jab No Play (NJPlay) policies that require children to be fully immunised to attend early childhood education and childcare services. In Western Australia, where this study was conducted, NJNPlay legislation was enacted in 2019. This research forms part of a broader study to explore the influence of the NJNPlay legislation on the decision to vaccinate; and the impact of the NJNPlay legislation in Western Australia, two years after its implementation. Methods: This mixed-methods study used an online parent/carer survey (n = 261) representing 427 children and in-depth interviews (n = 18) to investigate: 1) the influence of the NJNP legislation on decision to vaccinate; and 2) the financial and emotional impacts of NJNP legislation. Descriptive and bivariate tests were used to analyse the survey data and open-ended questions and interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to capture the experience and the reality of participants. Results: Approximately 60% of parents intended to vaccinate their child. Parents who had decided not to vaccinate their child/ren were significantly more likely to experience financial [p < 0.001] and emotional impacts [p < 0.001], compared to those who chose to vaccinate because of the mandate. Qualitative data were divided with around half of participants supporting childhood immunisation and NJNPlay with others discussing concerns. The themes a) belief in the importance of vaccination and ease of access, b) individual and community protection, and c) vaccine effectiveness, safety and alternatives help understand how parents beliefs and access may influence vaccination uptake. Unintended impacts of NJNPlay included: a) lack of choice, pressure and coercion to vaccinate; b) policy and community level stigma and discrimination; c) financial and career impacts; and d) loss of education opportunities. Conclusion: Parents’ appreciation of funded immunisation programs and mandates which enhance individual and community protection was evident. However, for others unintended consequences of the mandate resulted in significant social, emotional, financial and educational impacts. Long-term evidence highlights the positive impact of immunisation programs. Opinions of impacted families should be considered to alleviate mental health stressors.
A novel Sub-Radix-2 technique for low power Time – Interleaved SAR ADC
Authors: Atchaya A Josephine , Sam D. S. Shylu , Paul P. Sam , Pillai Manoj , Sri S.
Published: November 2023

A new architecture for a low-power successive approximation register analog to digital converter (SAR ADC) is presented in this paper. In addition to the channel, there is a fast coarse SAR quantizer and a 2-way time-interleaved (TI) fine SAR ADC interleaved with the channel. The SAR ADC is used to find all the quantization levels by converting the analog input signal into digital output. Comparing interleaved SAR ADCs to pipeline ADCs, interleaved SAR ADCs can help reduce the overall cost, power consumption, and size of an equivalent system. The proposed ADC power consumption is gradually reduced by optimizing the transfer sequence using the subradix-2 technique .The optimized subradix-2 scheme is compared with the conventional scheme in TI and single-channel and TI states. Simulated results show that the proposed ADC consumes 3.85 mW of power consumption in 45 nm CMOS, which demonstrates its efficiency at 1V supply voltage.
Sulbactam protects neurons against double neurotoxicity of amyloid beta and glutamate load by upregulating glial glutamate transporter 1
Authors: Li Li , Li Wenbin , Jiang Wei , Xu Renhao
Published: November 2023

Amyloid beta (Abeta) synergistically enhances excitotoxicity of glutamate load by impairing glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1) expression and function, which exacerbates the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our previous studies have suggested that sulbactam can upregulate the expression levels and capacity of GLT1. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether sulbactam improves neuronal tolerance against neurotoxicity of Abeta and glutamate load by up-regulating GLT1 in primary neuron-astrocyte co-cultures. Early postnatal P0-P1 Wistar rat pups’ cortices were collected for primary neuron-astrocyte cultures. Hoechst-Propidium Iodide (HO-PI) stain and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays were used to analyze neuronal death. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) was applied to determine cell viability. Immunofluorescent staining and western blotting were used to assess protein expressions including GLT1, BAX, BCL2, cleaved caspase 3. Under double effect of Abeta and glutamate load, neurons lost more than that induced by Abeta or glutamate alone, shown as decreased cell viability, increased LDH concentration in the cultural medium, HO-PI positive stains and high cleaved caspase 3 expression and BAX/BCL2 ratio resulting from increased BAX and decreased BCL2 expression. Notably, pre-incubation with sulbactam significantly attenuated the neuronal loss and activation of apoptosis induced by both Abeta and glutamate in a dose-dependent manner. Simultaneously, both astrocytic and neuronal GLT1 expression was upregulated after sulbactam incubation. Taken together, it could be concluded that sulbactam protected neurons against double neurotoxicity of Abeta and glutamate load by upregulating GLT1 expression. The conclusion provides evidence for potential intervention using sulbactam in AD research.