bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crust and upper mantle electrical structure of the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt revealed by the MT line from Zhangwu County to East Ujimqin Banner
Authors: Zhao Pengfei , Liu Cai , Liu Yang , Tian You , Chen Xiaodong , Cui Yang
Published: October 2022

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt is bounded on the north by the Siberian Craton and on the south by the North China Craton and the Tarim Craton. It is one of the largest Phanerozoic accretionary orogenic belts on Earth. Since the early Paleozoic, its eastern part has experienced the compound orogenesis and mineralization of three major tectonic systems: the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean, the closure of the Mongolian–Okhotsk Ocean, and the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate. From Zhangwu County in the south to East-Ujimqin Banner in the north, a 500 km magnetotelluric profile adjacent to Northeast China has been studied. With 100 sites of magnetotelluric data processing and analysis, we apply a two dimensional inversion in TE and TM modes and obtain a resistivity model up to a 100 km depth. We have discovered two high-resistivity anomalies with opposite dip directions in the upper mantle on both sides of the Solonker Suture Zone, which provide an evidence of the bi-directional subduction pattern of the oceanic crust and the position of the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. In addition, the whole study area presents an approximate basin-range coupling relationship. In the northern part of the study area, the low-resistivity anomalies below it have an apparent north-dipping characteristic, which may be related to the asthenosphere upwelling from west to east. In addition, they may be related to the upwelling of mantle materials, and provide sources of ore-forming material for the Baiyinnuoer mining area through post-collision extension. In the central part of the study area, there are several large-scale high-resistivity anomalies below the Baolidao Belt. The different dip directions reveal the experiences of several subductions and collisions. In the southern part of the study area, the Bainaimiao Belt is located between the southern margin of the Songliao Basin and the northern margin of North China Craton. The main resistivity anomalies below are all south-dipping.

Graphical Abstract
A historical sketch of cultural anthropology in Japan: associations, museums, research projects and textbooks
Authors: NAKAMAKI Hirochika
Published: October 2022

The aim of my presentation is to introduce a brief history of anthropological studies in Japan, particularly focusing on the associations, museums, research projects and textbooks. As for associations, I will describe about the Anthropological Society of Nippon (founded in 1884), the Japanese Society of Ethnology (founded in 1934) and its renamed association, the Japanese Society of Cultural Anthropology (since 2004). JASCA has approximately 2000 members. Regarding museums, I will pick up mainly National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku, founded in 1974), as well as Little World Museum of Man (founded in 1983) and National Ainu Museum (Upopoy, founded in 2020). With regard to research projects, special research projects and inter-university research projects of Minpaku and panels of JASCA conferences are major targets of analysis. Lastly, I can cite at least 50 textbooks for students and several encyclopedias on anthropology. I will also show the variety of anthropological publications and popular topics in the contemporary book market.
Prevalence of tobacco smoking in a sample of general secondary school students in Cairo and its correlation to other psychiatric disorders
Authors: ElShahawi Heba Hamed , Amin Ghada Refaat , Khalil Sherien Ahmed , Morsy Mahmoud Hassan , Farwiez Mohamed Gamal , Nawara Mayar Medhat
Published: October 2022

Background

Tobacco smoking is considered currently a global public health concern among youth especially school students. There is a scarcity of data about the impact of this global phenomenon in Middle Eastern countries. This study assesses the prevalence of tobacco smoking, including conventional cigarettes, E-cigarettes, and water pipe and its sociodemographic and psychiatric correlates among a sample of general secondary school students in Cairo, Egypt.

Results

A convenient sample of 391 Egyptian general secondary students from different areas of Greater Cairo were assessed using the Socioeconomic scale, Fagerstrom Test For Nicotine Dependence, The Lebanon Water pipe Dependence Scale, questionnaire for electronic cigarette use, Barratt impulsivity scale 11, and The MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents. 12.8% (n = 50) were smokers. There is a significant relation between family history of smoking and substance use and smoking and significant relation between smoking, impulsivity, and mood symptoms.

Conclusions

Prevalence of tobacco smoking in Egyptian adolescents was 12.8% with significant relation between smoking and impulsivity and mood symptoms.
Low Gestational Weight Gain in Women With Gestational Diabetes Is Safe With Better Metabolic Profile Postpartum
Authors: Minschart Caro , Lammertyn Astrid , Van Crombrugge Paul , Moyson Carolien , Verhaeghe Johan , Vandeginste Sofie , Verlaenen Hilde , Vercammen Chris , Maes Toon , Dufraimont Els , Roggen Nele , De Block Christophe , Jacquemyn Yves , Mekahli Farah , De Clippel Katrien , Van Den Bruel Annick , Loccufier Anne , Laenen Annouschka , Devlieger Roland , Mathieu Chantal , Benhalima Katrien
Published: October 2022

Context

More data are needed on the potential benefits and risks of gestational weight gain (GWG) less than recommended and excessive GWG in women with gestational diabetes (GDM) compared to women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) during pregnancy.

Objective

This work aimed to evaluate association of gestational weight gain (GWG) as low, within, or above (excessive) according to Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines, with pregnancy outcomes in women with gestational diabetes (GDM) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT).

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 7 Belgian hospitals and 1843 women receiving universal GDM screening with a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Pregnancy outcomes and postpartum characteristics were the main outcome measures.

Results

Women with GDM and low GWG (n = 97, 52.4%) had similar rates of small-for-gestational age infants and preterm delivery, were less often overweight or obese postpartum (35.7% [30] vs 56.5% [26]; P < .022) and less often had postpartum weight retention (PPWR) (48.8% [41] vs 87.9% [40]; P < .001) compared to GWG within range (n = 58, 31.3%). GDM with excessive GWG (n = 30, 16.2%) more often had neonatal hypoglycemia (30.8% (8) vs 5.9% [3], aOR 7.15; 95% CI, 1.52-33.63; P = .013) compared to GWG within range. NGT with excessive GWG (28.3% [383]) more often had instrumental delivery (15.9% [61] vs 11.9% [64], aOR 1.53; 95% CI, 1.03-2.27; P = .035) and more large-for-gestational age infants (19.3% [74] vs 10.4% [56], aOR 1.67; 95% CI, 1.13-2.47; P = .012) compared to GWG within range.

Conclusion

GWG below IOM guidelines occurred frequently in GDM women, without increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes and with better metabolic profile postpartum. Excessive GWG was associated with increased risk for neonatal hypoglycemia and worse metabolic profile postpartum in women with GDM, and with higher rates of LGA and instrumental delivery in NGT women.
Radioactive Iodine-Refractory Pulmonary Metastases of Papillary Thyroid Cancer in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults
Authors: Tian Tian , Huang Shuhui , Dai Hongyuan , Qi Mengfang , Liu Bin , Huang Rui
Published: October 2022

Context

Few studies have explored radioactive iodine–refractory (RAIR) disease in children, adolescents, and young adults with papillary thyroid cancer (CAYA-PTC).

Objective

This study systematically investigated the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of CAYA-PTC with RAIR disease.

Methods

Sixty-five patients with PTC aged ≤20 years were enrolled in this study, and all patients were confirmed to have pulmonary metastases. Clinicopathologic profiles were compared between the radioactive iodine–avid (RAIA) and RAIR groups. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for RAIR status and progressive disease (PD). Gene alterations were detected in 17 patients.

Results

Overall, 20 patients were included in the RAIR group, accounting for 30.8% (20/65) of all patients. No significant difference in pathologic characteristics was observed between patients aged <15 years and patients aged 15-20 years, but younger patients were more likely to develop RAIR disease (hazard ratio [HR] 3.500, 95% CI 1.134-10.803, P = .023). RET fusions were the most common genetic alterations in CAYA-PTC, but an association with RAIR disease was not detected (P = .210). RAIR disease (HR 10.008, 95% CI 2.427-41.268, P = .001) was identified as an independent predictor of PD. The Kaplan–Meier curve revealed a lower progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rate in the RAIR group than in the RAIA group (P < .001 and P = .039). Likewise, RAIR disease was a risk factor for unfavorable PFS in patients aged <15 years (P < .001).

Conclusion

RAIR disease occurs in one-third of CAYA-PTC with pulmonary metastases. Younger patients (aged < 15 years) are more susceptible to RAIR status, which leads to unfavorable PFS and DSS.
Are Viscoelastic Tests Clinically Useful to Identify Platelet-Dependent Bleeding in High-Risk Cardiac Surgery Patients?
Authors: Baryshnikova Ekaterina , Di Dedda Umberto , Ranucci Marco
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND:

Postoperative use of platelet function testing to rule out microvascular bleeding due to platelet dysfunction after cardiac surgery still lacks strong reference data and reliable cutoff values, yielding a clinically adequate sensitivity and specificity. The present study aims to investigate the performance of two different point-of-care viscoelastic devices and platelet aggregometry in expressing surgery-dependent platelet dysfunction and anticipating postoperative major bleeding in a cohort of high-risk patients.

METHODS:

Prospective cohort study of 50 adult patients who were on antiplatelet drugs discontinued for no more than 7 days (clopidogrel and prasugrel) or 5 days (ticagrelor) undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Coagulation and platelet function testing, including QUANTRA, ROTEM, and Multiplate, were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. Chest drain blood loss was measured in the first 12 postoperative hours. Perioperative bleeding was assessed using a modified version of the Universal Definition of Perioperative Bleeding (UDPB) in cardiac surgery, modified to not consider anemia-correcting packed red cells transfusions in the absence of bleeding >600 mL/12 h. Major bleeding was identified as UDPB class II or higher.

RESULTS:

Multiplate adenosine diphosphate (ADPtest) was significantly (P = .001) reduced after CPB, whereas TRAPtest was not. The platelet component (PC) as extrapolated by ROTEM data (EXTEM MCF–FIBTEM MCF) was unchanged after CPB, while the A10 PC (PC at 10 minutes) was significantly (P = .001) reduced. The QUANTRA platelet contribution to clot stiffness (PCS) was significantly (P = .001) reduced, as well. At the ROC analysis for the predictive ability of the post-CPB platelet function testing, the best discrimination was obtained by the QUANTRA PCS, with an area under the curve (AUC) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 0.80 (0.66–0.91), P = .001, followed by the ROTEM A10 PC with AUC (95% CI) of 0.75 (0.51–0.99), P = .004, and PC with AUC (95% CI) of 0.74 (0.50–0.99), P = .009. The Multiplate ADPtest had an AUC (95% CI) of 0.67 (0.42–0.91), and the TRAPtest had an AUC (95% CI) of 0.62 (0.37–0.86). The cutoff values identified were 13 hPa for the QUANTRA PCS, 40 mm for the ROTEM A10, and 48.5 mm for the ROTEM PC, with negative predictive values of 84%, 81%, and 86%, respectively, and positive predictive values of 55%, 53%, and 69%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

QUANTRA PCS, ROTEM A10 PC, and Multiplate ADPtest showed a significant decrease after CPB, whereas ROTEM PC and Multiplate TRAPtest did not. Major bleeding was predicted with a moderate to good discrimination by the post-CPB viscoelastic tests (PCS, PC, and A10 PC).
CA19.9 Response and Tumor Size Predict Recurrence Following Post-neoadjuvant Pancreatectomy in Initially Resectable and Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Maggino Laura , Malleo Giuseppe , Crippa Stefano , Belfiori Giulio , Nobile Sara , Gasparini Giulia , Lionetto Gabriella , Luchini Claudio , Mattiolo Paola , Schiavo-Lena Marco , Doglioni Claudio , Scarpa Aldo , Bassi Claudio , Falconi Massimo , Salvia Roberto
Published: October 2022

Background

Data on recurrence after post-neoadjuvant pancreatectomy are scant. This study investigated the incidence and pattern of recurrence in patients with initially resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who received post-neoadjuvant pancreatectomy. Furthermore, preoperative predictors of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and their interactions were determined.

Patients and Methods

Patients undergoing post-neoadjuvant pancreatectomy at two academic facilities between 2013 and 2017 were analyzed using standard statistics. The possible interplay between preoperative parameters was scrutinized including interaction terms in multivariable Cox models.

Results

Among 315 included patients, 152 (48.3%) were anatomically resectable. The median RFS was 15.7 months, with 1- and 3-year recurrence rates of 41.9% and 74.2%, respectively. Distant recurrence occurred in 83.3% of patients, with lung-only patterns exhibiting the most favorable prognostic outlook. Normal posttreatment CA19.9, ΔCA19.9 (both in patients with normal and elevated baseline levels), and posttreatment tumor size were associated with RFS. Critical thresholds for ΔCA19.9 and tumor size were set at 50% and 20 mm, respectively. Interaction between ΔCA19.9 and posttreatment CA19.9 suggested a significant risk reduction in patients with elevated values when ΔCA19.9 exceeded 50%. Moreover, posttreatment tumor size interacted with posttreatment CA19.9 and ΔCA19.9, suggesting an increased risk in the instance of elevated posttreatment CA19.9 values and a protective effect associated with CA19.9 response in patients with tumor size >20 mm.

Conclusion

Recurrence following post-neoadjuvant pancreatectomy is common. Preoperative tumor size <20 mm, normal posttreatment CA19.9 and ΔCA19.9 > 50% were associated with longer RFS. These variables should not be taken in isolation, as their interaction significantly modulates the recurrence risk.
Exploring the perspectives of people with stroke, caregivers and healthcare professionals on the design and delivery of a mHealth adaptive physical activity intervention: a qualitative study protocol
Authors: Hunter Andrew , Carter Daniel , O’Donoghue Mairead , Cardy Nathan , Walsh Jane , Bernhardt Julie , Fitzsimons Claire , Richardson Ita , Salsberg Jon , Glynn Liam , Walsh Cathal , O’Driscoll Edina , Boland Pauline , Cunningham Nora , Forbes John , Galvin Rose , Hayes Sara
Published: October 2022

Background: Despite recent advances in acute stroke intervention, secondary prevention strategies are lacking. Physical activity (PA) is the second-largest predictor of stroke and a cornerstone of secondary prevention therapies. Interventions to promote PA post-stroke include components aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour and increasing participation in lifestyle PA and structured exercise. Despite guidelines to adapt PA to individuals’ needs, there is no evidence on the empirical development of adaptive PA interventions post-stroke. This study will explore patient, caregiver and multidisciplinary healthcare professional perspectives on the design and delivery of adaptive, personalised PA interventions, delivered using a smartphone application, following mild-to-moderate stroke. Findings will directly inform the protocol of an experimental trial, using a novel adaptive trial design.  

Methods: A descriptive qualitative study will be undertaken to inform the design, delivery and subsequent acceptability of a smartphone application to reduce sedentary behaviour and promote PA post-stroke. Data will be collected via one-to-one interviews and focus groups and analysed according to a six-step thematic analysis. Findings will be reported in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist. One-to-one interviews and focus group interviews will be conducted with three stakeholder groups: 1) People post-stroke, who are independently mobile, without communication and cognitive deficits, living in the community, and without other diagnosed neurological conditions. 2) Caregivers (formal and informal) involved in post-stroke care.  3) Healthcare professionals who are members of multidisciplinary stroke teams.

Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval has been granted by the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee at the University of Limerick [Ref: 2019_10_03_ EHS]. Findings will be shared locally with all stakeholder groups, submitted for publication, and will inform the protocol and conduct for a novel and flexible experimental trial, examining the effectiveness of an adaptive PA intervention post-stroke.
Features of the Pedagogical Experiment (by the Example of the Postgraduate Seminar-Workshop)
Authors: Viktoruk Elena , Chernyaeva A.
Published: October 2022

The article describes and analyzes the experience of conducting workshops on the topic "Ethics and axiology of science" for graduate students and applicants for academic degrees of the Krasnoyarsk State Pedagogical University named after V.P. Astafiev. The authors reveal the effectiveness of this type of educational technology for the formation of professionally important qualities of highly qualified teaching staff. Workshops on this topic, included in the course "History and Philosophy of Science", proved to be effective in the formation of both research and professional ethical competencies. The authors show how the participants of the seminar develop the skills to identify problematic, ethically ambiguous situations in science, analyze violations and their consequences, and offer acceptable solutions in the course of the classes. The material of the article is an illustrative example of how future teachers (and their already practicing colleagues) get the opportunity to reflect on their own professional activities and its methodological foundations.
The Experience of the People's Republic of China in the Development of the Digital Educational Environment
Authors: Hay Van
Published: October 2022

Digitalization of higher education is a major strategic issue affecting and even determining the qualitative development of the entire educational system of the country. China's higher education has a huge historical contribution to economic and social development, especially in the context of digitalization. The use of various educational software and hardware and cooperation with data processing technologies are designed to improve the quality of education and help education become more effective.
Peculiarities of the terminological field of the study of the problem of formation of the pedagogical culture of future officers of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Authors: Sevruk Viacheslav
Published: October 2022

The article is devoted to highlighting the peculiarities of the terminological field of research on the problem of formation of the pedagogical culture of future officers of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Humanitarian training is an important aspect of military education. It is necessary to determine the peculiarities of the formation of the pedagogical culture of future officers.
„Ja nie znam Ojczyzny jak Polska, w jej zmartwychwstanie wierzę jak w Boga”
Authors: Miławicki OP Marek
Published: October 2022

“I DO NOT KNOW THE MOTHERLAND LIKE POLAND, I BELIEVE IN ITS RESURRECTION AS IN GOD”: DOMINICAN PIOTR ZACHARIASZ KOROTKIEWICZ (1803-1873) AS ONE OF THE SPIRITUAL LEADERS OF THE PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL MOVEMENT IN LVIV IN 1848 

Piotr Zachariasz Korotkiewicz (1803-1873) was one of the Polish Dominicans who played an important role in the religious, social and political life in Galicia in the 19th century. This friar was especially known for his patriotic attitude and political commitment to Poles living in the Habsburg Empire. Both through participation in political institutions and through preaching sermons – he became one of the spiritual leaders of all those for whom the Polish cause during the Spring of Nations was important. He can certainly be classified as an intellectual elite, as through his words and deeds he influenced the moral and political attitude of the Galician society.
„Przy partyjnym stole”. Dostawy towarów spożywczych dla nowej elity lwowskiej w latach 1944-1947
Authors: Heneha Roman
Published: October 2022

“AT THE TABLE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY”: FOOD SUPPLY FOR THE NEW LVIV ELITE IN 1944-1947 

The article covers the change of the Lviv food paradigm after the arrival of Soviets. On the basis of archival materials and specialised literature, the city’s limited system of product distribution was analysed. Furthermore, the role of the Soviet elite in this system and in providing Lviv with food was studied in this work. Taking advantage of their official position, the Bolshevik leaders received food from their subordinates, used the food services of the Executive Committee, had their own departmental food establishments, and, finally, thanks to better salaries, could have better food from commercial establishments. The basis of the food of the Lviv communist party elite was the food of letter types “A” and “B”, which in terms of calories and set of products significantly exceeded the usual card system. The diet of the Soviet authorities was supplemented by various order tables, where they periodically received improved sets of products according to particular lists and previously declared needs. During the transition period that started after the abolition of the limited product distribution system, which was extended for a selected number of city officials, they were using special coupons for identification of the “right people”. Despite the theoretical defense of the classlessness of Soviet society, the new authorities of Lviv widely used their dominant position and tolerated a pronounced stratification and deep caste system while providing Lviv with food in the first postwar years. In the end, this approach led to the blurring of the original face of Lviv and, to some extent, deprived the city of the colours formed by many generations of Lviv residents.
Niños y adultos armando un rompecabezas digital e interactivo en el hogar
Authors: Sartori Mariana , Castellaro Mariano , Peralta Olga
Published: October 2022

Esta investigación se propuso explorar y analizar las características que presenta la interacción entre niños y adultos con un juego digital e interactivo que implica la solución de un problema, el armado de rompecabezas en una tablet. Se realizaron observaciones seminaturalísticas en los hogares y se indagó mediante un cuestionario la tenencia y hábitos de uso de tecnologías. Las interacciones se analizaron con un sistema de categorías construido inductivamente. Adultos y niños participaron de manera activa en la tarea. Los adultos ayudaron a los niños en su mayoría por medio de preguntas, guías e informaciones, acompañadas con frecuencia de acciones no verbales como señalamientos y arrastre de las piezas. Las intervenciones infantiles fueron en su mayoría no verbales. A pesar de encontrar una fuerte presencia de tecnologías en los hogares, se diferenciaron dos grupos respecto a hábitos de uso: un grupo reportó un bajo uso y los niños no accedían a tablets, otro expresó mayor uso y los niños las utilizaban con frecuencia. Las intervenciones en el armado del rompecabezas se diferenciaron en función de la experiencia infantil con tecnologías. Los resultados se discuten a la luz de investigaciones previas sobre la interacción adulto-niño con herramientas analógicas y digitales.
A circulação e o perfil das elites burocráticas federais: de FHC a Bolsonaro
Authors: Lopez Felix , Guedes Ademar
Published: October 2022

Neste capítulo, analisamos dados sobre a burocracia de alto escalão, utilizando métricas e séries mais detalhadas que aquelas empregadas em Lopez et al. (2015). Tais dados, a nosso ver, contribuem para o debate sobre a lógica de funcionalismo do presidencialismo brasileiro.
Burocratas e políticas públicas no plano federal: o caso da política de direitos autorais (2011-2021)
Authors: Albrecht Nayara
Published: October 2022

Por meio de um estudo de caso único e rico em detalhes, buscou-se averiguar os perfis de burocratas que ocuparam cargos comissionados de níveis 4 a 6 na Secretaria Nacional de Direitos Autorais e Propriedade Intelectual (SDAPI) entre 2011 e 2021.
A autonomia do Banco Central do Brasil: uma proposta de mensuração empírica
Authors: Dantas Eric Gil , Codato Adriano
Published: October 2022

Tendo em vista os debates realizados nas partes I e II desta coletânea, o presente capítulo visa propor formas de mensuração da autonomia do Banco Central. Como já mencionado nesta coletânea, os estudos sobre burocracia concentram a dimensão política na atividade partidária. Em contraste, propomos uma forma de mensuração que considera também a autonomia burocrática face ao mercado, não apenas em relação às autoridades políticas, o que consiste em inovação em relação aos estudos anteriores.
What do practice staff know about data protection?
Authors: Hancock Dave
Published: October 2022

A recent survey by NHS Digital sought the views of practice managers and staff, GPs and nurses about the collection and storage of health data. This article outlines the results and future plans for research on GDPR in the NHS
Lead and Cadmium Ions Mitigation in Soil using Calcium Carbide Waste-Carbonised Lophira Alata Sawdust Composite (CCW-CLAS) as Immobilizing Agent
Authors: Moses Okponmwense , Asekhame Queen Omone
Published: October 2022

Soil contamination with heavy metals is a global environmental matter of interest due to its thinkable dangers to humans, environmental health and ecosystem preceding shortfalls in agricultural produce and dangerous health outcomes as they penetrate the food chain. The aim of this study was to mitigate lead and cadmium ions contaminant in soil using calcium carbide waste-carbonized lophira alata sawdust composite (CCW-CLAS). Contaminated soil samples were collected from Evbareke spare parts market, Benin City, Edo state Nigeria, using a grid sampling method at the depth of 0-20cm with the aid of soil auger. 50% W/W of the powdered calcium carbide waste and lophira alata sawdust was placed in a ceramic crucible and put into muffle furnace and heated at 350oC for 3 hours. The X-ray diffraction analysis for the calcium carbide waste-carbonized lophira alata sawdust composite (CCW-CLAS) revealed that it was made up of predominantly calcite fraction (55.0%), portlandite (25.0%), coesite (7.3%), muscovite (6.7%), dolomite (4.0%) and lime (2.1%) this was supported by FTIR analysis. SEM analysis revealed that calcium carbide waste-carbonized lophira alata sawdust composite (CCW-CLAS) possess a rough surface with pore of varied size and irregular shape. The contaminated soil from the Evbareke spare parts market was heavily polluted with petroleum hydrocarbons, and the soil was highly saline with low C.E.C. The soil texture was loamy-sand. As the amount of CCW-CLAS increased in the soil, the amount of cadmium and lead ions that was releasable in the soil reduced, indicating that CCW-CLAS was effective in immobilizing cadmium and lead ions. The optimum amount of the amender in the contaminated soil to immobilize lead ion was 4% w/w and cadmium ion was 2%.
2D shape reconstruction of irregular particles with deep learning based on interferometric particle imaging
Authors: Fan Wenbo , Sun Jinlu , Qiu Yue , Wu Yuhang , Chen Shengyong
Published: October 2022

Interferometric particle imaging (IPI) technology is widely used in the measurement of various particles. Obtaining particle shape information directly by IPI is challenging because of the complex relationship between the speckle distribution of interference-defocused speckle patterns and the shape of the corresponding irregular particles. Considering this challenge, we implement a deep learning method based on the convolutional neural network (CNN) to reconstruct defocused images of sand particles with sparse features. We also introduce the negative Pearson correlation coefficient as the loss function. To verify the feasibility of our method, we implemented it to reconstruct defocused images obtained from IPI experiments. Finally, compared with another common CNN-based structure, we confirmed that our network structure has good performance in the shape reconstruction of irregular particles.
Inter-day repeatability assessment of human retinal blood flow using clinical laser speckle contrast imaging
Authors: Qiu Chen , Situ Josephine , Wang Sheng-Ya , Vaghefi Ehsan
Published: October 2022

Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) can generate retinal blood flow maps inexpensively and non-invasively. These flow maps can be used to identify various eye disorders associated with reduced blood flow. Despite early success, one of the major obstacles to clinical adoption of LSCI is poor repeatability of the modality. Here, we propose an LSCI registration pipeline that registers contrast maps to correct for rigid movements. Post-registration, intra(same)-day and inter(next)-day repeatability are studied using various quantitative metrics. We have studied LSCI repeatability intra-day by using the coefficient of variation. Using the processing pipelines and custom hardware developed, similar repeatability was observed when compared to previously reported values in the literature. Inter-day repeatability analysis indicates no statistical evidence (p = 0.09) of a difference between flow measurements performed on two independent days. Further improvements to hardware, environmental controls, and participant control must be made to provide higher confidence in the repeatability of blood flow. However, this is the first time that repeatability across two different days (inter-day) using multiple exposure speckle imaging (MESI) has been analyzed and reported.
Motion-tracking Brillouin microscopy for in-vivo corneal biomechanics mapping
Authors: Zhang Hongyuan , Asroui Lara , Randleman J. Bradley , Scarcelli Giuliano
Published: October 2022

Corneal biomechanics play a critical role in maintaining corneal shape and thereby directly influence visual acuity. However, direct corneal biomechanical measurement in-vivo with sufficient accuracy and a high spatial resolution remains an open need. Here, we developed a three-dimensional (3D) motion-tracking Brillouin microscope for in-vivo corneal biomechanics mapping. The axial tracking utilized optical coherence tomography, which provided a tracking accuracy better than 3 µm. Meanwhile, 10 µm lateral tracking was achieved by tracking pupils with digital image processing. The 3D tracking enabled reconstruction of depth-dependent Brillouin distribution with a high spatial resolution. This superior technical performance enabled the capture of high-quality mechanical mapping in vivo even while the subject was breathing normally. Importantly, we improved Brillouin spectral measurements to achieve relative accuracy better than 0.07% verified by rubidium absorption frequencies, with 0.12% stability over 2000 seconds. These specifications finally yield the Brillouin measurement sensitivity that is required to detect ophthalmology-relevant corneal biomechanical properties.
Approaches to quantify the contribution of multiple anemia risk factors in children and women from cross-sectional national surveys
Authors: Ko Yi-An , Williams Anne M. , Peerson Janet M. , Luo Hanqi , Flores-Ayala Rafael , Wirth James P. , Engle-Stone Reina , Young Melissa F. , Suchdev Parminder S.
Published: October 2022

Background

Attributable fractions (AF) of anemia are often used to understand the multifactorial etiologies of anemia, despite challenges interpreting them in cross-sectional studies. We aimed to compare different statistical approaches for estimating AF for anemia due to inflammation, malaria, and micronutrient deficiencies including iron, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and folate.

Methods

AF were calculated using nationally representative survey data among preschool children (10 countries, total N = 7,973) and nonpregnant women of reproductive age (11 countries, total N = 15,141) from the Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutrition Determinants of Anemia (BRINDA) project. We used the following strategies to calculate AF: 1) Levin’s formula with prevalence ratio (PR) in place of relative risk (RR), 2) Levin’s formula with odds ratio (OR) in place of RR, and 3) average (sequential) AF considering all possible removal sequences of risk factors. PR was obtained by 1) modified Poisson regression with robust variance estimation, 2) Kleinman-Norton’s approach, and 3) estimation from OR using Zhang-Yu’s approach. Survey weighted country-specific analysis was performed with and without adjustment for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and other risk factors.

Results

About 20–70% of children and 20–50% of women suffered from anemia, depending on the survey. Using OR yielded the highest and potentially biased AF, in some cases double those using PR. Adjusted AF using different PR estimations (Poisson regression, Kleinman-Norton, Zhang-Yu) were nearly identical. Average AF estimates were similar to those using Levin’s formula with PR. Estimated anemia AF for children and women were 2–36% and 3–46% for iron deficiency, <24% and <12% for inflammation, and 2–36% and 1–16% for malaria. Unadjusted AF substantially differed from adjusted AF in most countries.

Conclusion

AF of anemia can be estimated from survey data using Levin’s formula or average AF. While different approaches exist to estimate adjusted PR, Poisson regression is likely the easiest to implement. AF are a useful metric to prioritize interventions to reduce anemia prevalence, and the similarity across methods provides researchers flexibility in selecting AF approaches.
Saliency guided data augmentation strategy for maximally utilizing an object’s visual information
Authors: An Junhyeok , Jang Soojin , Kwon Junehyoung , Jin Kyohoon , Kim YoungBin
Published: October 2022

Among the various types of data augmentation strategies, the mixup-based approach has been particularly studied. However, in existing mixup-based approaches, object loss and label mismatching can occur if random patches are utilized when constructing augmented images, and additionally, patches that do not contain objects might be included, which degrades performance. In this paper, we propose a novel augmentation method that mixes patches in a non-overlapping manner after they are extracted from the salient regions in an image. The suggested method can make effective use of object characteristics, because the constructed image consists only of visually important regions and is robust to noise. Since the patches do not occlude each other, the semantically meaningful information in the salient regions can be fully utilized. Additionally, our method is more robust to adversarial attack than the conventional augmentation method. In the experimental results, when Wide ResNet was trained on the public datasets, CIFAR-10, CIFAR-100 and STL-10, the top-1 accuracy was 97.26%, 83.99% and 82.40% respectively, which surpasses other augmentation methods.
Tests and analyses on physical and mechanical properties of fresh black fungus in picking season
Authors: Wang Shuaiyang , Song Weidong , Wang Mingyou , Wang Jiaoling , Ding Tianhang , Zhou Dehuan , Ma Shixin
Published: October 2022

This study determined the physical and mechanical characteristics of fresh black fungus during the harvesting season to provide basic data for the development of mechanical equipment for black fungus harvesting and processing. We have conducted a comprehensive test of black fungus cultivars “Heishan”. The mono-factor separation force experiments of black fungus and black fungus virgulate medium were conducted. It was noted that the tension angle was an important factor affecting the separation force, which was mainly distributed between 1.06 and 3.65 N. Besides, the average value of Poisson’s ratio of black fungus was measured to be 0.445 in the tensile test of black fungus leaves using image recognition and analysis techniques, with a test error within 2.5%; and the average value of tensile elastic modulus and shear elastic modulus of black fungus leaves was 0.947 MPa and 0.327 MPa, respectively; we also found that the average tensile strength at the root of black fungus was not significantly different from that at the leaf, which was around 0.436 MPa. In addition, it was obtained that the height and thickness dimensions of black fungus in the picking season conformed to a normal distribution, and concentrated around 34.39mm and 0.92mm respectively.
Sweetpotato-based infant foods produce porridge with lower viscosity and aflatoxin level than cereal-based complementary blends
Authors: Amagloh Francis Kweku
Published: October 2022

The viscosity, protein, and total aflatoxins contents in orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) and cereal-based commercial complementary formulations and the effect of dilution on the protein content of the formulations were investigated. Standard procedures were used for the determination of these parameters. Over 80% of the formulations had a viscosity above the recommended consistency of 1000–3000 cP for feeding young children. The consistency of OFSP-legume porridge was significantly (2392.5 cP; p < 0.001) lower, about 1.7 and 3.4 times than cereal-only and cereal-legume blends, respectively. All the complementary flours, except the cereal-only, met the proposed protein requirement of 6 to 11 g per 100 g for feeding children aged 6 to 23 months on an as-is basis. However, the protein content in the porridges on an as-would-be-eaten basis was about 6% lower than the as-is basis value. About 38% of the complementary foods had total aflatoxin level above the acceptable limit of 10 ppb, mainly in blends containing peanuts, maize, or both. Adding more water to meet the required thickness of cereal-only and cereal-legume porridges diluted the protein content. More efforts are needed from regulatory bodies and all stakeholders to ensure complementary foods are safe in terms of mycotoxin levels, particularly those containing maize, peanut, or both as ingredients.
Subtractive genomic analysis for computational identification of putative immunogenic targets against clinical Enterobacter cloacae complex
Authors: Bolourchi Negin , Fereshteh Sepideh , Noori Goodarzi Narjes , Badmasti Farzad
Published: October 2022

Background

Enterobacteris a major nosocomial genus ofEnterobacteriaceaeresponsible for a variety of nosocomial infections, particularly in prolonged hospitalized patients in the intensive care units. Since current antibiotics have failed treating colistin- and carbapenem-resistantEnterobacteriaceae, efforts are underway to find suitable alternative strategies. Therefore, this study conducted a reverse vaccinology (RV) to identify novel and putative immunogenic targets using core proteome of 20 different sequence types (STs) of clinicalEnterobacterspp. Moreover, we introduced a structural-based approach for exploration of potential vaccine candidates against theEnterobacteriaceaefamily using their conserved domain analysis.

Results

A number of 2616 core coding sequences (CDSs) were retrieved from 20 clinical strains ofEnterobacterspp. with a similarity of ≥ 50%. Nine proteins with a score of ≥ 20 considered as the shortlisted proteins based on the quartile scoring method, including three TonB-dependent receptors, WP_008500981.1, WP_058690971.1 and WP_058679571.1; one YjbH domain-containing protein, WP_110108068.1; three flagellar proteins, WP_088207510.1, WP_033145204.1 and WP_058679632.1; one spore-coat U domain-containing protein, WP_039266612.1; and one DD-metalloendopeptidase family protein, WP_025912449.1. In this study, proteins WP_058690971.1 and WP_110108068.1 were detected as the top candidates with regard to immune stimulation and interactions with TLRs. However, their efficacy is remaining to be evaluated experimentally.

Conclusions

Our investigation introduced common ferrichrome porins with high sequence similarity as potential vaccine candidates against theEnterobacteriaceaefamily. These proteins belong to the iron acquisition system and possess all criteria of suitable vaccine targets. Therefore, they need to be specifically paid attention for vaccine development against clinically important members ofEnterobacteriaceaefamily.
Impact of early life shocks on educational pursuits–Does a fade out co-exist with persistence?
Authors: Dhamija Gaurav , Sen Gitanjali
Published: October 2022

Background

Changes in climatic conditions have increased the variability in rainfall patterns worldwide. A negative rainfall shock faced by children in the initial 1000 days of life and the resulting malnutrition can harm the likelihood of children’s survival, overall growth, development of the brain, motor skills, and cognitive abilities, leading to poor performance in education and labor market. While the existing findings about the long-run outcomes are mixed, it is essential to understand the nuances in such an estimation.

Methods

Using the exogenous variation in rainfall in India, we estimate the impact of adverse shocks at birth on the cognitive abilities of children at ages 5, 8, 12, and 15, on educational attainments, and the likelihood of studying STEM at higher secondary school.

Results

The Young Lives Survey data from Andhra Pradesh, India, presents evidence of the negative impact of rainfall shocks at birth on cognitive abilities from age 5 to 8, attenuating at age 12. Using nationally representative data, while we investigate the impact of adverse rainfall shocks at birth on academic performance measured by the high school grades and STEM choice at higher secondary school, we do not find a persistent impact.

Conclusion

We unfold the impact of rainfall shocks on a chain of outcomes connected to long-run educational pursuits, as it helps to identify the most crucial stage for policymaking. Since STEM subjects are strongly associated with the labor market, connecting the association with early life shocks seems to be an essential addition to the literature. While we find evidence of reduced cognitive abilities in the early years, those do not seem to persist in the long run. The potential sample selection or attrition biases and the estimates of those biases can explain the nuances of estimating the long-run impact of adverse shocks at birth.
A deep-learning approach for automatically detecting gait-events based on foot-marker kinematics in children with cerebral palsy—Which markers work best for which gait patterns?
Authors: Kim Yong Kuk , Visscher Rosa M. S. , Viehweger Elke , Singh Navrag B. , Taylor William R. , Vogl Florian
Published: October 2022

Neuromotor pathologies often cause motor deficits and deviations from typical locomotion, reducing the quality of life. Clinical gait analysis is used to effectively classify these motor deficits to gain deeper insights into resulting walking behaviours. To allow the ensemble averaging of spatio-temporal metrics across individuals during walking, gait events, such as initial contact (IC) or toe-off (TO), are extracted through either manual annotation based on video data, or through force thresholds using force plates. This study developed a deep-learning long short-term memory (LSTM) approach to detect IC and TO automatically based on foot-marker kinematics of 363 cerebral palsy subjects (age: 11.8 ± 3.2). These foot-marker kinematics, including 3D positions and velocities of the markers located on the hallux (HLX), calcaneus (HEE), distal second metatarsal (TOE), and proximal fifth metatarsal (PMT5), were extracted retrospectively from standard barefoot gait analysis sessions. Different input combinations of these four foot-markers were evaluated across three gait subgroups (IC with the heel, midfoot, or forefoot). For the overall group, our approach detected 89.7% of ICs within 16ms of the true event with a 18.5% false alarm rate. For TOs, only 71.6% of events were detected with a 33.8% false alarm rate. While the TOE|HEE marker combination performed well across all subgroups for IC detection, optimal performance for TO detection required different input markers per subgroup with performance differences of 5-10%. Thus, deep-learning LSTM based detection of IC events using the TOE|HEE markers offers an automated alternative to avoid operator-dependent and laborious manual annotation, as well as the limited step coverage and inability to measure assisted walking for force plate-based detection of IC events.
Incidence and factors associated with being lost to follow-up among people living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy in Nyarugenge the central business district of Kigali city, Rwanda
Authors: Ntabanganyimana Daniel , Rugema Lawrence , Omolo Jared , Nsekuye Olivier , Malamba Samuel Sewava
Published: October 2022

Background

Lost to follow-up (LTFUP) continues to threaten the sustainability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) benefits and success of ART programs. We determined the incidence and predictors of LTFUP among people living with HIV (PLHIV) on ART in Nyarugenge the Central Business District of Kigali city.

Methods

A cohort of PLHIV who initiated ART in 2018 was retrospectively studied for 24 months. Using health facility records, a person who had no record of contact with the health facility for at least three consecutive months was considered LTFUP. LTFUP incidence rates were computed, and the Fine-Gray’s competing risk regression models were used to determine factors associated with time to first LTFUP. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to analyze repeated measurement outcomes of LTFUP and predictors of LTFUP.

Results

Of 950 participants, 581 (61.2%) were females and 866 (91.2%) were 15 to 49 years old. From 1,586.1 person years of observation (pyo), 148 participants got LTFUP for 451 times. The incidence rate to first event was 9.4 per 100 pyo (95%CI:7.9–10.9) and 31.8 per 100 pyo (95%CI:29.0–34.4) to multiple events. WHO stage, marital status, employment status and person to contact when PLHIV is not reachable were associated with time to first LTFUP event. However, an average participant with a contact person who was not a Community Health Worker (CHW) or a peer educator had higher incidence of LTUP (aIRR = 2.69, 95%CI: 1.43–5.06), an average single patients had higher incidence of LTFUP (aIRR = 1.74, 95%CI: 1.28–2.34) compared to married/co-habiting, and an average self-employed had higher incidence of LTFUP (aIRR = 1.51, 95%CI: 1.14–2.01) compared to participants employed by others. Furthermore, an average PLHIV living out-of-the health facility catchment area had higher incidence of LTFUP (aIRR = 1.55, 95%CI: 1.19–2.01) compared to an average PLHIV living in the health facility catchment area whereas, an average children initiated on first line had lower incidence of LTUP (aIRR = 0.43, 95%CI: 0.21–0.86) compared to adults.

Conclusion

Using CHW and peer educators as contact persons can help to reduce LTFUP while, targeted sensitization and service delivery are needed for single, self-employed and, patients living out of the health facility catchment area.