bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Palliative care screening tools and patient outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Zhang Meiying , Zhao Yuxia , Peng Mengyun
Published: August 2024

Background

Palliative care (PC) refers to providing patients with physical, psychological, mental, and other care and humanistic care services in a multidisciplinary collaborative mode with end-of-stage patients and family members as the centre. The PC screening tool (PCST) was developed to identify individuals who may benefit from PC services and is widely assumed to improve patient outcomes.

Objectives

The purpose is to understand which specific PCST has been applied to clinical patients and to analyse and summarise the impact of using these tools on patient outcomes.

Methods

A systematic review of articles published on PCST was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and MEDLINE in January 2024. All original research articles on PCST fulfilling the following eligibility criteria were included (1) utilisation and evaluation of tools was the primary objective and (2) at least one patient outcome was reported.

Results

A total of 22 studies were included, 12 studies used a prospective study, 4 studies used a non-RCT and 6 studies used an RCT. The studies were heterogeneous regarding study characteristics, especially patient outcomes. In total, 24 different patient outcomes were measured, of which 16 outcomes measured in 12 studies significantly improved.

Conclusions

We found that the majority of included studies reported that implementing PCST can improve patient outcomes to some extent, especially when used to improve in reducing hospitalisation time and patient readmission rate. However, there is a lack of high-quality research on this widely used screening tool.
Impact of TAS2R38 polymorphisms on nasal nitric oxide and
Pseudomonas
infections in primary ciliary dyskinesia: relation to genotype
Authors: Pifferi Massimo , Boner Attilio , Maj Debora , Michelucci Angela , Donzelli Gabriele , Cangiotti Angela M , Guazzo Raffaella , Bertolucci Giulia , Bertini Veronica , Doccioli Chiara , Piazza Michele , Valetto Angelo , Caligo Maria Adelaide , Peroni Diego , Bush Andrew
Published: August 2024

Objective

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) severity has been related to genotype and levels of nasal nitric oxide (nNO). The most common TAS2R38 haplotypes (PAV/PAV, PAV/AVI, AVI/AVI) encoding the bitter taste receptor can affect nNO levels and thus could play a role in the susceptibility to respiratory infections. We assessed the impact of these polymorphisms on nNO production and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(
P.a
.) infections in different PCD genotypes.

Methods

Prospective, longitudinal, single-centre study in patients with PCD with known genotype and one of three TAS2R38 haplotypes evaluated for up to 10 years. We related nNO values to TAS2R38 haplotypes in all patients, and in the three most frequent genotypes (
CCDC39/CCDC40
,
DNAH5
,
DNAH11
). In the genetic group(s) with different mean trends of nNO in relation to the polymorphism, we evaluated longitudinal lung function as a clinical outcome measure. We also studied any associations between the prevalence of chronic
P.a
. infection and PAV alleles. Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate longitudinal associations.

Results

119 patients with PCD underwent 1116 study visits. Only in the
DNAH11
mutations group was there a mean trend of nNO production which was significantly higher in PAV/PAV than AVI/AVI haplotype (p=0.033), with a better trend in spirometric and plethysmographic parameters. In patients with
DNAH11
mutations the PAV allele was also associated with a significantly reduced prevalence of chronic
P.a
. infection.

Conclusion

TAS2R38 may be a modifier gene for PCD severity, but only in mild phenotype disease. Further study of TAS2R38 polymorphisms might enable new management strategies to prevent chronic
P.a
. infections.
Hubble tension and cosmological imprints of $$U(1)_X$$ gauge symmetry: $$U(1)_{B_3-3 L_i}$$ as a case study
Authors: Ghosh Dilip Kumar , Ghosh Purusottam , Jeesun Sk , Srivastava Rahul
Published: August 2024

The current upper limit on $$N_\textrm{eff}$$

N
eff

at the time of CMB by Planck 2018 can place stringent constraints in the parameter space of BSM paradigms where their additional interactions may affect neutrino decoupling. Motivated by this fact in this paper we explore the consequences of light gauge boson ($$Z'$$

Z
′

) emerging from local $$U(1)_X$$

U

(
1
)

X

symmetry in $$N_\textrm{eff}$$

N
eff

at the time of CMB. First, we analyze the generic $$U(1)_X$$

U

(
1
)

X

models with arbitrary charge assignments for the SM fermions and show that, in the context of $$N_\textrm{eff}$$

N
eff

the generic $$U(1)_X$$

U

(
1
)

X

gauged models can be broadly classified into two categories, depending on the charge assignments of first generation leptons. We then perform a detailed analysis with two specific $$U(1)_X$$

U

(
1
)

X

models: $$U(1)_{B_3-3L_e}$$

U

(
1
)

B
3

-
3

L
e

and $$U(1)_{B_3-3L_\mu }$$

U

(
1
)

B
3

-
3

L
μ

and explore the contribution in $$N_\textrm{eff}$$

N
eff

due to the presence of $$Z'$$

Z
′

realized in those models. For comparison, we also showcase the constraints from low energy experiments like: Borexino, Xenon 1T, neutrino trident, etc. We show that in a specific parameter space, particularly in the low mass region of $$Z'$$

Z
′

, the bound from $$N_\textrm{eff}$$

N
eff

(Planck 2018) is more stringent than the experimental constraints. Additionally, a part of the regions of the same parameter space may also relax the $$H_0$$

H
0

tension.
A Pertinence Score for Political Discourse Analysis: The Case of 2018 Colombian Elections
Authors: Garcia Juan Carlos , Fernández Pedemonte Damián , Vaca Carmen , Baquerizo-Neira Maria
Published: August 2024

This study proposes a quantitative method to assess the pertinence of political language on national issues, addressing the complexity of analyzing political discourse and its relevance to citizens’ concerns. Using word embeddings and linguistic models trained on Wikipedia, a “pertinence score” was developed to measure the relevance of political discourse in contexts such as the economy and health. The method was applied to the 2018 Colombian presidential election, revealing significant differences in thematic pertinence between candidates. Survey validation confirmed the correlation between automatic and human scores, highlighting the model’s ability to discriminate ideological positions through lexical analysis.
Distinguish Confusion in Legal Judgment Prediction via Revised Relation Knowledge
Authors: Xu Nuo , Wang Pinghui , Zhao Junzhou , Sun Feiyang , Lan Lin , Tao Jing , Pan Li , Guan Xiaohong
Published: August 2024

Legal Judgment Prediction (LJP) aims to automatically predict a law case’s judgment results based on the text description of its facts. In practice, the confusing law articles (or charges) problem frequently occurs, reflecting that the law cases applicable to similar articles (or charges) tend to be misjudged. Although some recent works based on prior knowledge solve this issue well, they ignore that confusion also occurs between law articles with a high posterior semantic similarity due to the data imbalance problem instead of only between the prior highly similar ones, which is this work’s further finding. This article proposes an end-to-end model named
D-LADAN
to solve the above challenges. On the one hand, D-LADAN constructs a graph among law articles based on their text definition and proposes a graph distillation operator (GDO) to distinguish the ones with a high prior semantic similarity. On the other hand, D-LADAN presents a novel momentum-updated memory mechanism to dynamically sense the posterior similarity between law articles (or charges) and a weighted GDO to adaptively capture the distinctions for revising the inductive bias caused by the data imbalance problem. We perform extensive experiments to demonstrate that D-LADAN significantly outperforms state-of-the-art methods in accuracy and robustness.
Inpatient Growth in Infants Requiring Pharmacologic Treatment for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
Authors: Siddappa Ashajyothi M. , Morris Erin , Evans Michael D. , Pelinka Sarah , Adkisson Constance
Published: August 2024

Aim: To assess inpatient growth parameter trajectories and to identify the type of opioid exposure and treatment characteristics influencing growth parameters of infants admitted to the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) for pharmacological treatment of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS).

Methods: Charts of term infants with NOWS admitted to NICU from 2012 to 2019, who received pharmacologic treatment, were reviewed. Intake (volume: mL/kg/day; calorie: kcal/kg/day) and growth parameter trajectories (weight, head circumference, and length) were analyzed based on the type of prenatal opioid exposure (short‐acting opioids (SAOs), long‐acting opioids (LAOs), and polysubstance), pharmacologic treatment, and sex. Growth measurement patterns over time were compared between groups using longitudinal mixed‐effects models.

Results: One hundred nineteen infants were included in the study with median birth weight Z‐score of −0.19 at birth and decreased to a median of −0.72 at discharge. Exposure to SAO was associated with an increase in Z‐scores nearing discharge across all growth parameters (Z‐score for weight p = 0.03). Polysubstance exposure was associated with a decrease in Z‐scores for length and head circumference throughout hospitalization. Infants with adjunct clonidine treatment had an increase in Z‐score for weight trends. Male infants had a decrease in Z‐scores for weight (male −0.96, female −0.59, interaction p = 0.06) and length (male −1.17, female −0.57, interaction p = 0.003) at Day 28. Despite the difference in growth trajectories, intake in terms of amount (mL/kg/day) and calorie intake (kcal/kg/day) was similar based on prenatal exposure, treatment, and sex.

Conclusion: Infants with NOWS requiring pharmacologic treatment have a decrease in Z‐scores for weight, length, and head circumference at birth and at hospital discharge. Infants with prenatal polysubstance exposure were at particular risk for poorer inpatient growth relative to infants exposed to SAO and LAO, indicated by lower Z‐scores for length and occipital frontal circumference (OFC).
Antimicrobial Potential of Organic Phenolic Compounds from Wild Mushroom Extracts: Impact on Proliferation and Kinetic Growth of Multidrug‐Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae Strains
Authors: Yakobi Sinethemba , Zuma Lindiwe , Gasa Nothando , Pooe Ofentse
Published: August 2024

Extracts derived from various mushroom species have been documented to possess notable antimicrobial properties. However, the current corpus of knowledge pertaining to the precise evaluation of their structural characteristics is currently inadequate. In this study, a comprehensive analysis was undertaken to ascertain the antimicrobial attributes and effectiveness of phenolic compounds, such as ferulic acid, o-coumaric acid, p‐coumaric acid, rutin, quercetin, gallic p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and protocatechuic acid, identified from P. ostreatus. These compounds were examined for potential antiproliferative properties against multidrug‐resistant gonococcal clinical isolates. The results of this study revealed that p-hydroxybenzoic acid, o-coumaric acid, and chysin exhibited no antibacterial activity (MIC > 50 µg/ml) against any of the target N. gonorrhoeae isolates in the range of tested concentrations (0.1–50 µg/ml). A notable reduction in the growth activity of the target organisms was observed when subjected to cultivation in the presence of flavonoid compounds. The statistical significance of the parameter estimate for quercetin was observed at intercept (ISID 59), with a p value less than 0.0001 and a Chi‐square value of 44.84. The combination of ferulic acid with either protocatechuic acid or p-coumaric acid showed a trend towards reduced antimicrobial efficacy against most target isolates. However, our findings highlight its remarkable promise, as quercetin exhibited both independent and cooperative effectiveness.
A Novel Nomogram for Early Identification of CFS‐Like Symptoms in University Students with Infectious Mononucleosis
Authors: Sun Deping , Liang Yanan , Yang Fuwei , Liu Lan , Yan Yuqin
Published: August 2024

Objective. This study aims to develop and evaluate a nomogram for predicting the risk of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)‐like symptoms in university students diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis (IM), using clinical characteristics and laboratory findings as predictive variables. The nomogram will be designed to assist healthcare providers in assessing the likelihood of CFS‐like symptoms developing post‐IM, rather than providing a definitive diagnosis of CFS. Methods. Clinical data and laboratory findings were collected from university students with IM. The variables included age, gender, smoking and drinking habits, relationship status, university grade, residence registration, number of symptoms and signs (NSS), body mass index (BMI), C‐reactive protein (CRP) level, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte–lymphocyte ratio (MLR), aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase ratio (AST/ALT, DeRitis), basophil percentage (Baso%), eosinophil percentage (Eos%), and albumin‐to‐globulin ratio (ALB/GLO). LASSO regression analysis was employed to identify significant predictors of CFS‐like symptoms. A nomogram model was constructed based on these predictors and evaluated using performance metrics such as the concordance index (C‐index), area under the curve (AUC), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis. Results. The LASSO regression analysis identified the NSS, CRP, NLR, and MLR as significant predictors of CFS‐like symptoms in university students with IM. The nomogram demonstrated robust predictive performance, with a C‐index of 0.846 (95% CI: 0.790–0.902) in the training set and 0.867 (95% CI: 0.8–0.954) in the validation set. High AUC values indicated excellent overall predictive accuracy. Calibration curves revealed a close match between predicted and observed probabilities. Additionally, decision curve analysis showed positive net benefits across a broad spectrum of threshold probabilities, underscoring the nomogram’s clinical applicability. Conclusion. The nomogram developed in this study serves as a valuable predictive tool for assessing the risk of CFS‐like symptoms in university students with IM. The identified predictors, including NLR, the NSS, CRP, and MLR, can assist clinicians in evaluating individual risk profiles and inform decision‐making processes. This nomogram model advances personalized risk assessment for the development of CFS‐like symptoms in IM‐affected university students.
MicroRNA Regulation for Inflammasomes in High Glucose‐Treated ARPE‐19 Cells
Authors: Kim Ji Hong , Yu Hyoseon , Kang Ji Hye , Hong Eun Hee , Kang Min Ho , Seong Mincheol , Cho Heeyoon , Shin Yong Un
Published: August 2024

Purpose. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) and inflammasomes in diabetes‐induced retinal cells and to determine their role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods. To establish diabetes‐induced cell models, ARPE‐19 cells were treated with high glucose. The expression levels of five miRNAs (miR‐185, miR‐17, miR‐20a, miR‐15a, and miR‐15b) were measured in high glucose‐treated ARPE‐19 cells using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Western blotting was performed to measure inflammasome expression in cellular models. miR‐17 was selected as the target miRNA, and inflammasome expression was measured following the transfection of an miR‐17 mimic into high glucose‐treated ARPE‐19 cells. Results. In high glucose‐treated ARPE‐19 cells, miRNA expression was substantially downregulated, whereas that of inflammasome components was significantly increased. Following the transfection of the miR‐17 mimic into high glucose‐treated ARPE‐19 cells, the levels of inflammasome components were significantly decreased. Conclusions. This study investigated the relationship between miRNAs and inflammasomes in diabetes‐induced cells using high glucose‐treated ARPE‐19 cells. These findings suggested that miR‐17 suppresses inflammasomes, thereby reducing the subsequent inflammatory response and indicating that miRNAs and inflammasomes could serve as new therapeutic targets for DR.
Development and Application of an RPA‐Based Rapid Point‐of‐Care Testing (POCT) Method for the Detection of Feline Panleukopenia Virus
Authors: Hong Liang , Huang Qian , Zhou Yuhang , Zheng Qi , Wang Shipeng , Chen Fangfang , Chang Xinyue , Jiang Guosheng , Zha Lisha
Published: August 2024

Feline panleukopenia (FP) is a highly prevalent and consequential disease that poses a substantial threat to both adult and juvenile cats across all geographical regions. The causative agent responsible for this disease is the feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). Therefore, it is imperative to develop a facile, efficient, and accurate detection method for FPV. Hence, a recombinase polymerase amplification–lateral flow dipstick assay (RPA–LFDA) method was specifically designed for the detection of FPV. The amplification process was optimized. This investigation focused on evaluating the expansion temperature detection system and revealed an optimal reaction temperature of 39°C. Then, primer combination screening involving nine groups identified F3R2 as the most effective primer set, while dilution ratio experiments determined that a 10‐fold dilution yielded the best amplification products. Our findings demonstrated that the RPA‐LFDA assay had an analytical sensitivity that was capable of detecting as low as 10 target copies per reaction. Furthermore, cross‐reactivity tests demonstrated no interference between feline herpesvirus‐1 (FHV‐1) and feline calicivirus (FCV). To validate our newly developed method against existing techniques in clinical samples from three common sources on the market, we observed superior sensitivity and specificity compared to those of the colloidal gold method (CGM), with a higher positive detection rate using our nucleic acid detection system than CGM. Compared to qPCR as a reference standard, RPA‐LFDA detected 39 out of 44 positive samples (including one false positive), whereas CGM detected 26 out of 44 positive samples. Based on the RPA‐LFDA, the sensitivity was calculated to be 100%, the specificity was 83.33%, the mistake diagnostic rate was 16.67%, the omission diagnostic rate was 0%, and the overall accuracy reached 97.73%. Moreover, the positive coincidence rate was 97.44%, while the negative coincidence rate reached 100%. The agreement κ value was 0.8962. In conclusion, this approach exhibits greater sensitivity than CGM and offers greater convenience and cost‐effectiveness than the qPCR methodology, making it a viable option for the clinical detection of FPV.
Systemic and Lung Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Associated With Behavioral Changes Induced by Inhaled Paraquat Are Ameliorated by Carvacrol
Authors: Memarzia Arghavan , Amin Fatemeh , Mokhtari-Zaer Amin , Arab Zohre , Saadat Saeideh , Heydari Mahrokh , Ghasemi Zahra , Naghdi Farzaneh , Hosseini Mahmoud , Boskabady Mohammad Hossein
Published: August 2024

Paraquat (PQ) is an herbicide toxin that induces injury in different organs. The anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects of carvacrol were reported previously. The effects of carvacrol and pioglitazone (Pio) alone and their combination on inhaled PQ‐induced systemic and lung oxidative stress and inflammation as well as behavioral changes were examined in rats. In this study, animals were exposed to saline (control [Ctrl]) or PQ (PQ groups) aerosols. PQ‐exposed animals were treated with 0.03 mg/kg/day dexamethasone (Dexa), 20 and 80 mg/kg/day carvacrol (C‐L and C‐H), 5 mg/kg/day Pio, and Pio+C‐L for 16 days. Inhaled PQ markedly enhanced total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts, nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels but decreased catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and thiol levels both in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood and increased interferon‐gamma (INF‐γ) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) levels in the BALF (p < 0.001 for all cases) except lymphocyte count in blood which was not significantly changed. The escape latency and traveled distance were increased in the PQ group. However, the time spent in the target quadrant in the Morris water maze (MWM) test and the duration of time latency in the dark room in the shuttle box test were reduced after receiving an electrical shock (p < 0.05–p < 0.001). Inhaled PQ‐induced changes were significantly improved in carvacrol, Pio, Dexa, and especially in the combination of the Pio+C‐L treated groups (p < 0.05–p < 0.001). Carvacrol and Pio improved PQ‐induced changes similar to Dexa, but ameliorative effects produced by combination treatments of Pio+C‐L were more prominent than Pio and C‐L alone, suggesting a potentiating effect for the combination of the two agents.
An Efficient Ontology‐Based Semantic Interoperability Using MSGO‐RNN in Cloud Computing
Authors: R. Chithambaramani , K. Jayashree , B. V. Krishna , Mohan Prakash
Published: August 2024

Semantic interoperability (SI) is defined as the capability of interpreting the nature of the information exchanged inside cloud computing (CC). For SI, ontology is selected as a solution. A hierarchical structure is offered by an ontology that comprises semantic relations between the application and the cloud server (CS). Even though different methods are introduced, ontology centered on semantic relation between the application and CS is not yet attained for achieving accurate interoperability. An ontology‐centered SI in CC utilizing a modified Shell Game optimization‐centered recurrent neural network (MSGO‐RNN) is presented in this work. Here, accessing the data from the data warehouse is initiated that experiences different standardization functions for improving the data’s quality, namely, data extraction, data cleaning, data transformation, data loading, and refreshing. Then, the data are passed via the semantic layer (SL), which offers a constant way of interpreting data. Then, for enhancing the accuracy rate of interoperability along with offering a low computational time, the relevant feature is chosen utilizing genetic crossover mutation‐centered improved fertile field (GCM‐IFF) optimization. Ontology is created utilizing the Protégé tool centered on the data, and respective manipulation is executed utilizing HermiT ontology web language (OWL) reasoner. Lastly, to attain cloud interoperability, the features are trained and tested by employing the MSGO‐RNN. The experimental outcome exhibits that when compared with the top‐notch methods, an accuracy of 96.32% is acquired by the framework for choosing the CS, and less time of 22567 ms is acquired by the framework for training.
Frequency of Functional Constipation in Lebanese Children: A Cross‐Sectional Study Based on Parental Reporting
Authors: Tannoury Theresia , Assy Jana , Yazbeck Nadine
Published: August 2024

Aim: To determine the frequency and possible associated dietary and environmental factors of functional constipation (FC) among children in Lebanon followed at a single pediatric health system.

Method: A prospective cross‐sectional study was conducted in all pediatrics clinics at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC). Children aged 2–7 years presenting for a well‐child visit were recruited. Data relating to the child’s bowel habits and other history items were obtained from parental questionnaires.

Results: The mean age of the 172 recruited participants was 4.94 years with 56.4% being males. FC was present in 32.6% of the participants. Although there was no difference in the frequency of FC based on age and gender, the peak frequency of FC was at 5 years. The daily frequency of withholding stools was 64.3%, and 46.6% of the children with FC always experienced straining while stooling for the past 2 months. Decreased physical activity and diet were not significantly associated with FC.

Conclusion: The present study shows that 32.6% of children aged 2–7 years in Lebanon suffer from constipation while only 51.7% of the recruited children’s physicians inquire about the child’s bowel movement during the well check visit. These numbers highlight the need to raise more awareness among pediatricians on the need to screen for constipation during clinic visits as a standard of care practice.
Major Shift of Influenza A Virus of Swine (IAV‐S) by Human‐to‐Swine Spillover of the 2009 Pandemic Virus in Korea
Authors: Kim Seung-Chai , Lee Taek Geun , Na Eun-Jee , Moon Sung-Hyun , Kim Hwan-Ju , Jeong Chang-Gi , Choi Young Ki , Oh Yeonsu , Lee Chung-Young , Oem Jae-Ku , Kim Won-Il , Cho Ho-Seong
Published: August 2024

The 2009 influenza A H1N1 pandemic (pdm09) originated from the influenza A virus of swine (IAV‐S) through multiple reassortment events with avian and human IAVs. The pdm09 reportedly reintroduced the virus to pigs, contributing to the evolution and diversity of IAV‐S through frequent reassortment and drifts. Surveillance and whole‐genome sequencing of IAV‐S from conventional pig farms in Korea during 2021–2022 revealed that the genetic diversity of H1 and H3 IAV‐S was continuously enriched after human‐to‐swine spillover of pdm09 viruses with long‐term maintenance, persistence, and reassortment of virus lineages. Evidence of additional human‐to‐swine spillover of viruses that are different from the 2009 virus but close to that of the recent H1N1pdm09 human vaccine was identified in this study. The identification of swine‐adapted pdm09 viruses, which have accumulated amino acid mutations with potentially altered antigenicity and a unique potential N‐glycosylation site within the haemagglutinin (HA) gene, suggests the distinctive evolution of spillover pdm09 viruses in swine. The genetic constellation of the recently emerging Eurasian avian‐like swine lineage and the preexisting classical swine lineage H1 viruses in Korea has been expanded through reassortment with cocirculating pdm09 viruses and/or H3N2 IAV‐S harboring the pdm09 M gene (H3N2pM). Collectively, after the major shift of Korean IAV‐S from the classical swine lineage to the pdm09 lineage in 2009, the frequent spillover of pdm09 viruses and the circulation of IAV‐S harboring pdm09 gene segments led to the continuous diversification of IAV‐S through antigenic drift and shift, raising concerns about the potential reintroduction of these viruses to humans.
Groundwater Exploration for Sustainable Development and Management in a Hard Rock Basin
Authors: Subramani Deepa , Kamaraj Pradeep
Published: August 2024

An attempt was made to use the geoelectrical resistivity method to classify the aquifer zones and ground lithology of the upper Manimuktha sub‐basin (a hard rock basin) from the Vellar River in Tamil Nadu. It is more appropriate to compare the electrical conductivity to geophysical resistivity surveys in these areas since the conductivity of the subsurface layer is poor in arid and semiarid regions. A 3 km equal grid was created to use the Schlumberger electrical resistivity method by using the SSR‐MP‐AT resistivity meter due to its great utility in defining the pattern of subsurface layers (weathered zone and fracture pattern, among others). Forty‐eight vertical electrical sounding surveys were performed with a maximum electrode distance of 200 m in different lithologies such as syenite complex (N = 1), garnet‐sillimanite‐graphite gneiss (N = 1), hornblende biotite gneiss (N = 1), fissile hornblende biotite gneiss (N = 6), and charnockite (N = 39) for sustainable management of groundwater. The thickness and resistivities of subsurface layers were derived from IPI2WIN. Regions with low resistivity and high thickness showed good groundwater potentiality. The results revealed that weathered and fractured formations were favorable for groundwater occurrences. Fourteen types of curves were identified with three‐layer, four‐layer, and five‐layer formations. The “AA” and “AK” types of curves represented the availability of groundwater in appreciable amounts. In addition, the curves associated with the “H” type represented the weathered formation, which is favorable for groundwater occurrences. The high topsoil thickness regions were characterized by potential regions of groundwater. The aquifer thickness showed the most favorable groundwater potential zones in the eastern, small central portion, and it ranged from 12.1 to 192 m. The longitudinal conductance (S) showed good aquifer conditions in the foothills of the northern side and a part of the eastern region. Six resistivity and pseudosection profiles were made in the NW to SE and N to S directions to identify the vertical and lateral variation of groundwater potential. These results were further confirmed by water level data from 48 different locations. It revealed that the excellent groundwater potential was represented towards the eastern direction with a resistivity range of less than 65 ohm.m. This study provides numerous details about groundwater sustainability.
Study on Hydraulic Fracture Propagation Behavior from Oriented Perforation Based on Particle Flow Method
Authors: Wang Haiyang , Li Ming , Wang Bo , Zhou Desheng , Wang Qingqing
Published: August 2024

Studying the hydraulic fracture(HF) propagation behavior of oriented perforation is crucial for optimizing perforation schemes and achieving effective hydraulic fracturing stimulation. In this study, a fully dynamic fluid‐mechanical coupling HF propagation model based on the particle flow method was established to investigate oriented perforation hydraulic fracturing. The fracture propagation results obtained by numerical simulations were in good agreement with published experimental results, indicating the reliability of the numerical results. Then, the model was used to study the effects of different perforation and fracturing parameters on the geometrical morphology of the HF under different in situ stresses. The simulation results show that the perforation angle and length have a significant impact on the fracture morphology and redirection of the directional hydraulic fracturing (DHF). As the perforation angle and length increase, the HF will require a longer distance to redirect. The induced compressive stress zones on both sides of the fracture and the tensile stress zone at the tip directly control the reorientation of HFs. The fracturing fluid viscosity and displacement have an important influence on the pore pressure field and induced stress field around the DHF fractures. Under the high perforation angle, the speed of HF redirection slows down with the increase of the fracturing fluid viscosity and displacement. Reducing the seepage effect of fracturing fluid and increasing the displacement is beneficial for controlling the directional propagation of fractures. Choosing reasonable perforation and fracturing parameters can minimize the redirection of fractures.
Monitoring Everyday Upper Extremity Function in Patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Secondary, Retrospective Analysis from ncRNAPain
Authors: Kindl Gudrun-Karin , Reinhold Ann-Kristin , Escolano-Lozano Fabiola , Degenbeck Johannes , Birklein Frank , Rittner Heike L. , Teichmüller Karolin
Published: August 2024

Objective. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) represents a rare complication following injury to a limb. The DASH questionnaire (disability of arm, shoulder, and hand) evaluates everyday arm function. We assessed the DASH and its subitems in comparison to patients with brachial plexus lesions or fracture controls, analysed it over time, and in relation to active range of motion (ROM), to determine patients’ impairment and trajectory. Methods. The dataset included 193 patients with upper extremity CRPS from the noncoding RNA (ncRNA) Pain cohort, 36 fracture controls, and 12 patients with traumatic brachial plexus lesions. For the clinical and psychological characterisation, questionnaires and a goniometer for the measurement of ROM were utilized. Thirty‐three patients were followed up after approximately 2.5 years of guideline treatment. Results. CRPS patients had a similar mean DASH of 54.7 (standard deviation (S.D.) ±21) as brachial plexus lesion patients (M = 51.4, S.D. ± 16.1) but different significantly from fracture controls (M = 21.2, S.D. ± 21.1). Pain and older age were predictors of the DASH. Activities requiring force or impact on the arm, shoulder, or hand were mostly affected in patients with CRPS. After 2.5 years of standard treatment, the mean DASH score fell to 41.3 (S.D. ± 25.2), weakness in leisure activities was recuperated, pain feelings were lessened, and ROM, e.g., wrist flexion, recovered by 36°. Two‐thirds of patients improved in both the DASH and the ROM. Conclusions. CRPS is as disabling as a complete loss of arm function in brachial plexus lesions and exhibits only partial recovery. Developing QuickDASH versions for CRPS patients could reduce the load of questions in clinical studies. It would be prudent to consider the unexpected age dependency of the DASH in future studies. This trial is registered with DRKS00008964.
Adoption of Smart Contracts in the Philippine Government Construction Industry
Authors: Verde Leslie Ashlyn , Ganiron Tomas U. , Verde Leslie Ashlyn
Published: August 2024

Poor payment practices continue to plague not only the private construction industry but also the government construction sector. According to recent studies, conditions and instructions can be encoded into smart contracts to allow automatic payments. The construction industry in the Philippines is slow to adapt to new technologies. This research proposes the adoption of smart contracts for implementing Philippine government infrastructure projects. By analyzing datasets from the Cordillera Administrative Region, this study determined the willingness of government employees and contractors to adopt smart contracts for government projects and identified factors causing doubt among contractors and government employees about its implementation. A total of 218 professionals responded to a Google Form questionnaire, and 20 participants were involved in unstructured interviews, which supported the data and results from the questionnaire. To interpret and validate the data gathered, a two-tailed t-test analysis was used. The study revealed that the Philippine government construction industry, specifically in the CAR region, is not yet ready to adopt smart contracts. It was also found that smart contracts will only be effective with proper introduction through seminars and training.
Exploring Sustainable Agricultural Techniques for Enhanced Pineapple Production in the Municipality of Bataraza, Palawan
Authors: Cabaña Jonas P. , Dela Cruz John Michael M.
Published: August 2024

Agriculture is one of the important sectors for economic development and food security all over the world. This study described and examined the sustainable agricultural techniques and practices in pineapple cultivation in the Municipality of Bataraza, Palawan. The study utilized descriptive correlational research which was participated by 30 pineapple farmers. Results of the study showed that Pineapple farmers efficiently utilized farming methods to increase the harvest and production of pineapple in Bataraza and gained profitable income that helped them to supplement the needs of their family. The production of pineapple depends largely on the farming methods and techniques they utilized.
The Effectiveness of Classroom Management Using the Resource Based Learning (RBL) Learning Model on Mathematics Learning Outcomes of Class VIII Students of SMP Negeri 2 Rantau Selatan
Authors: Astuti Kasdianti , Siregar Sakinah Ubudiyah , Julianti Eva
Published: August 2024

This research aims to determine the effectiveness of classroom management using the Resource Based Learning (RBL) learning model on student mathematics learning outcomes. This research is Classroom Action research which applies data collection methods through observing learning activities and learning results tests. The research subjects consisted of 36 students in class VIII 4 at SMP Negeri 2 Rantau Selatan for the 2023/2024 academic year. In this research, a significant increase in the effectiveness of classroom management in solving mathematics problems was seen, which was realized through the use of various learning resources such as Student Worksheets (LKPD), mathematics books, internet sources, and teaching aids. This is better than students who receive normal learning. Meanwhile, student learning outcomes were successfully improved by using LKPD using the Resource Based Learning (RBL) learning model. We can see the improvement in students' mathematics learning outcomes from the average score, where there was an increase in cycle I and cycle II. The average score from cycle I was 75.15 and in cycle II was 82.00 with a learning completeness percentage of 66.6%, 93%.
Effects of the Technology-Enhanced Lessons in Optics (TELO) on the Academic Performance of Grade 10 Students
Authors: Calzada Marc Paul T. , Antonio Vida V.
Published: August 2024

This study investigated the effects of Technology-enhanced Lessons in Optics (TELO) on the academic performance of grade 10 students. A researcher-made Physics Achievement Test was used to measure student performance, and mean scores were utilized to describe the student’s performance in both pretests and post-tests. The study employed statistical tests, including the t-test of difference between dependent samples and the t-test of difference between means of two independent samples, to analyze the data.
During the 2nd Quarter of the School Year 2022-2023, the Technology-enhanced Lessons in Optics (TELO) intervention was implemented for twenty meetings with grade 10 Science, Technology, and Engineering students. The control and experimental groups, consisting of two heterogeneous students, were randomly assigned. Pretest and post-test scores showed a significant improvement in both groups, indicating the acquisition of knowledge and skills. However, the experimental group achieved significantly higher scores in the post-test. TELO's interactive features and ICT-based instruction facilitated active learning and enhanced student performance. The study provides evidence for the effectiveness of TELO in improving the academic performance of grade 10 students, highlighting the value of interactive and ICT-based approaches grounded in constructivist principles and the SAMR model in enhancing Physics learning outcomes.
Instructional Leadership Skills of School Heads and Its Relation to the Self-Efficacy of Elementary Teachers in Castillejos District
Authors: Battad Jovelle L.
Published: August 2024

This study focused on the instructional leadership skills of School Heads and their relation to the self-efficacy of elementary teachers in all schools in Castillejos District, Division of Zambales. The data gathered were treated using Mean, Standard Deviation, One-Way ANOVA, and Pearson r. Overall, the teacher’s perception of instructional leadership skills of the school heads in terms of being Resource Providers, Instructional Resources, Communicators, and Visible Leaders got a descriptive rating of “Always”. Generally, teacher’s perceived self-efficacy in terms of Encouraging Student Engagement, Instructional Strategies, and Classroom Management stipulated a descriptive rating of “A Great Deal”. There is a significant difference in the school head’s instructional leadership skills when grouped according to their age, number of years as school head, and number of seminars/trainings attended related to instructional leadership. There is no significant difference in the school head’s instructional leadership skills when grouped according to their sex and highest educational attainment. Lastly, the school head’s instructional leadership is significantly correlated to teachers’ self-efficacy. Based on the findings and conclusions, the following are recommended: School heads should continue their professional growth and development by enrolling in Graduate School. Likewise, attend more training related to instructional leadership. School heads should strengthen their instructional leadership skills.
Attitudes Towards Workload Vis-À-Vis Time Management Practices of Pub-lic Elementary School Teachers in District II-B Olongapo City
Authors: Battad Arjay Balmes
Published: August 2024

This research investigated a total population of 135 elementary school teachers' attitudes toward workload vis-à-vis their level of time management practices in District IIB, Division of Olongapo City from January to March 2023. The researcher employed a descriptive correlational study using a questionnaire as its main instrument. The weighted mean, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Pearson r Product Moment Correlation Coefficient were used to treat data gathered statistically. In general, the findings indicated a positive teacher’s attitude towards workload. Also, results postulated neutral time management practices among teacher-respondents. Moreover, there is no significant variation in teachers’ attitudes towards workload across schools. On the other hand, there is considerable variation in teachers’ time management practices across schools. Lastly, there is a moderate and positive significant correlation between teachers’ attitudes toward workload and time management practices. It is recommended that schools communicate effectively with teachers about workloads. Schools should ensure that the compensation is appropriate to the workload assigned. Schools are advised to provide opportunities for teachers' professional development. Also, schools should assess their leadership and organizational cultures to determine areas where improvement is needed. Schools should encourage teachers to reflect on their time management practices and offer them training and resources to enhance their skills. Lastly, future researchers should explore other variables affecting attitudes toward workload and time management practices, such as teacher support networks and work environments.
A Comparative Analysis of Media Viability between Bantay Balita and Dateline Weekly Newspaper in the Digital Age of Journalism
Authors: Ongue Ann Marie Vera S. , Tarrobago Rocellen E. , Gomez Abigail C. , Cabrito Joshua
Published: August 2024

The study aimed to analyze the survival of two operational community newspapers in Cavite: Bantay Balita and Dateline Weekly Newspaper, amidst the surge of the digital age of journalism. The researchers employed a qualitative method, specifically a descriptive type, through semi-structured interviews for the research design. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were utilized in the study. The selected editorial board members of Bantay Balita and Dateline Weekly Newspaper were the main criteria for participant selection. During data analysis, the researchers examined the gathered data using thematic analysis. In this method, researchers interpreted the extracted codes from participants’ responses.
The results revealed that Dateline Weekly Newspaper is more stable than Bantay Balita due to its long-standing presence, digital adaptability, additional business opportunities, and strong networks with accredited partners, substantially contributing to its survival. Dateline maintains a good reputation, is free from lawsuits and criticism, and actively avoids competition. However, it faces challenges in the editorial process, production, and distribution resources. It is observed that Dateline Weekly Newspaper lacks the ABCs of news writing—accuracy, brevity, and clarity—in some of its news articles, often relying on outsourced press releases and encountering issues with operators and delivery systems.
On the other hand, Bantay Balita struggles with digital adaptation but remains viable due to its quality journalism. Most of its connections are with governmental sectors, limiting its business potential. Despite legal accusations and financial distress, Bantay Balita continues to operate by engaging in friendly competition, contributing to its resilience in the industry.
Engagement Strategies and Academic Performance of the Learners in Online Distance Learning, Zone 3, Division of Zambales
Authors: Evangelista Gladys D. , Sepillo Geoffrey S.
Published: August 2024

This study aimed to determine the learner engagement strategies and academic performance in online distance learning, Zone 3, Division of Zambales. A descriptive-correlational research design and quantitative analysis were employed in the study.  The learner engagement strategies of intermediate learners in online distance learning were described and the academic performance tested its relationship. Findings revealed that learners are female, early adolescents, have smartphones, and are connected to the internet via WIFI broadband. The learners are highly engaged in the learner engagement strategies in online distance learning as learner-to-learner, learner- to- teachers and learner-to-content strategies in online distance learning. The learners obtained an outstanding academic performance. There is a significant difference in the learner engagement strategies in online distance learning as to learner-to-learner, learner- to- teachers and learner-to-content strategies in online distance learning when grouped according to the profile of the respondents in terms of age. There is a negligible relationship on the academic performance and learner engagement strategies of the learners. The proposed dissemination plan was developed based on the results of learner-to-learner, learner-to-teacher, and learner-to-content engagement strategies. The researcher recommends the following based on the findings that the teacher may still provide learning materials to be available to the learners. The teachers may encourage the learners to participate in the forum actively created so that they may ask questions about the lesson. The participation of the learners in virtual meetings during discussions is highly encouraged.
The Beauty of the Seoul: Determinants of Korean Cosmetic Usage among Young Filipina University Students
Authors: Correa Olivia Maria D. , Villamonte Gabriella M. , Manaois Alexa D. , Basto Orange Q. , Arcinas Myla M.
Published: August 2024

The global ascendancy of Korean cosmetic products, propelled by the Korean Wave phenomenon, has fundamentally reshaped beauty standards and consumer behaviors worldwide. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing the use of Korean cosmetics among female university students in the Philippines, focusing on perceived authenticity, aesthetic appeal, and facial perception. A structured questionnaire was administered to 175 respondents from a private university in Metro Manila. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and regression analysis. Results indicated a statistically significant positive correlation between the perceived aesthetic appeal of packaging (β = .211, p < .006) and the usage of Korean cosmetics. Regression analysis confirmed that perceived aesthetic appeal was a determinant of product usage (R2 = 0.176, P ≤ 0.05). Facial attractiveness (β = .107, p = .165) were found to be statistically significantly correlated with usage, however, found to be not statistically significant determinant. Perceived authenticity (β = .005, p = .950) showed no correlation with product usage and not a determinant as well. These findings underscore the importance of visual aesthetics in consumer behavior among young Filipino consumers, providing strategic insights for brands in the competitive beauty market of the Philippines.