bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Assessment on Optical Properties as a Basis for Bioluminescence Imaging: An Experimental and Numerical Approach to the Transport of Optical Photons in Phantom Materials
Authors: Karstens Tim , Staufer Theresa , Buchin Rasmus , Grüner Florian
Published: July 2023

Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is a widely used technique in preclinical scientific research, particularly in the development of mRNA-based medications and non-invasive tumor diagnostics. It has become an essential tool in current science. However, the current state of bioluminescence imaging is primarily qualitative, making it challenging to obtain quantitative measurements and to draw accurate conclusions. This fact is caused by the unique properties of optical photons and tissue interactions. In this paper, we propose an experimental setup and Geant4-simulations to gain a better understanding of the optical properties and processes involved in bioluminescence imaging. Our goal is to advance the field towards more quantitative measurements. We will discuss the details of our experimental setup, the data we collected, the outcomes of the Geant4-simulations, and additional information on the underlying physical processes.
Real-Time Deep Learning-Based Drowsiness Detection: Leveraging Computer-Vision and Eye-Blink Analyses for Enhanced Road Safety
Authors: Safarov Furkat , Akhmedov Farkhod , Abdusalomov Akmalbek Bobomirzaevich , Nasimov Rashid , Cho Young Im
Published: July 2023

Drowsy driving can significantly affect driving performance and overall road safety. Statistically, the main causes are decreased alertness and attention of the drivers. The combination of deep learning and computer-vision algorithm applications has been proven to be one of the most effective approaches for the detection of drowsiness. Robust and accurate drowsiness detection systems can be developed by leveraging deep learning to learn complex coordinate patterns using visual data. Deep learning algorithms have emerged as powerful techniques for drowsiness detection because of their ability to learn automatically from given inputs and feature extractions from raw data. Eye-blinking-based drowsiness detection was applied in this study, which utilized the analysis of eye-blink patterns. In this study, we used custom data for model training and experimental results were obtained for different candidates. The blinking of the eye and mouth region coordinates were obtained by applying landmarks. The rate of eye-blinking and changes in the shape of the mouth were analyzed using computer-vision techniques by measuring eye landmarks with real-time fluctuation representations. An experimental analysis was performed in real time and the results proved the existence of a correlation between yawning and closed eyes, classified as drowsy. The overall performance of the drowsiness detection model was 95.8% accuracy for drowsy-eye detection, 97% for open-eye detection, 0.84% for yawning detection, 0.98% for right-sided falling, and 100% for left-sided falling. Furthermore, the proposed method allowed a real-time eye rate analysis, where the threshold served as a separator of the eye into two classes, the “Open” and “Closed” states.
Dual-Function Meta-Grating Based on Tunable Fano Resonance for Reflective Filter and Sensor Applications
Authors: Liu Feifei , Jia Haoyu , Chen Yuxue , Luo Xiaoai , Huang Meidong , Wang Meng , Zhang Xinping
Published: July 2023

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-based sensors exhibit enormous potential in the areas of medical diagnosis, food safety regulation and environmental monitoring. However, the broadband spectral lineshape of LSPR hampers the observation of wavelength shifts in sensing processes, thus preventing its widespread applications in sensors. Here, we describe an improved plasmonic sensor based on Fano resonances between LSPR and the Rayleigh anomaly (RA) in a metal–insulator–metal (MIM) meta-grating, which is composed of silver nanoshell array, an isolation grating mask and a continuous gold film. The MIM configuration offers more freedom to control the optical properties of LSPR, RA and the Fano resonance between them. Strong couplings between LSPR and RA formed a series of narrowband reflection peaks (with a linewidth of ~20 nm in full width at half maximum (FWHM) and a reflectivity nearing 100%) within an LSPR-based broadband extinction window in the experiment, making the meta-grating promising for applications of high-efficiency reflective filters. A Fano resonance that is well optimized between LSPR and RA by carefully adjusting the angles of incident light can switch such a nano-device to an improved biological/chemical sensor with a figure of merit (FOM) larger than 57 and capability of detecting the local refractive index changes caused by the bonding of target molecules on the surface of the nano-device. The figure of merit of the hybrid sensor in the detection of target molecules is 6 and 15 times higher than that of the simple RA- and LSPR-based sensors, respectively.
Validation of In-Shoe Force Sensors during Loaded Walking in Military Personnel
Authors: Kong Pui Wah , Iskandar Muhammad Nur Shahril , Koh Ang Hong , Ho Mei Yee Mavis , Lim Cheryl Xue Er
Published: July 2023

The loadsol® wireless in-shoe force sensors can be useful for in-field measurements. However, its accuracy is unknown in the military context, whereby soldiers have to carry heavy loads and walk in military boots. The purpose of this study was to establish the validity of the loadsol® sensors in military personnel during loaded walking on flat, inclined and declined surfaces. Full-time Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel (n = 8) walked on an instrumented treadmill on flat, 10° inclined, and 10° declined gradients while carrying heavy loads (25 kg and 35 kg). Normal ground reaction forces (GRF), perpendicular to the contact surface, were simultaneously measured using both the loadsol® sensors inserted in the military boots and the Bertec instrumented treadmill as the gold standard. A total of eight variables of interest were compared between loadsol® and treadmill, including four kinetic (impact peak force, active peak force, impulse, loading rate) and four spatiotemporal (stance time, stride time, cadence, step length) variables. Validity was assessed using Bland–Altman plots and 95% Limits of Agreement (LoA). Bias was calculated as the mean difference between the values obtained from loadsol® and the instrumented treadmill. Results showed similar force-time profiles between loadsol® sensors and the instrumented treadmill. The bias of most variables was generally low, with a narrow range of LoA. The high accuracy and good agreement with standard laboratory equipment suggest that the loadsol® system is a valid tool for measuring normal GRF during walking in military boots under heavy load carriage.
DNN-Based Estimation for Misalignment State of Automotive Radar Sensor
Authors: Kim Junho , Jeong Taewon , Lee Seongwook
Published: July 2023

The reliability and safety of advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles are highly dependent on the accuracy of automotive sensors such as radar, lidar, and camera. However, these sensors can be misaligned compared to the initial installation state due to external shocks, and it can cause deterioration of their performance. In the case of the radar sensor, when the mounting angle is distorted and the sensor tilt toward the ground or sky, the sensing performance deteriorates significantly. Therefore, to guarantee stable detection performance of the sensors and driver safety, a method for determining the misalignment of these sensors is required. In this paper, we propose a method for estimating the vertical tilt angle of the radar sensor using a deep neural network (DNN) classifier. Using the proposed method, the mounting state of the radar can be easily estimated without physically removing the bumper. First, to identify the characteristics of the received signal according to the radar misalignment states, radar data are obtained at various tilt angles and distances. Then, we extract range profiles from the received signals and design a DNN-based estimator using the profiles as input. The proposed angle estimator determines the tilt angle of the radar sensor regardless of the measured distance. The average estimation accuracy of the proposed DNN-based classifier is over 99.08%. Therefore, through the proposed method of indirectly determining the radar misalignment, maintenance of the vehicle radar sensor can be easily performed.
AI-Enabled IoT Framework for Leakage Detection and Its Consequence Prediction during External Transportation of LPG
Authors: Dash Amiya , Bandopadhay Shuvabrata , Samal Soumya Ranjan , Poulkov Vladimir
Published: July 2023

An accident during the transport of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) via a tanker vehicle leads to the leakage of a flammable substance, causing devastation. In such a situation, the appropriate action with the shortest possible delay can minimize subsequent losses. However, the decision-making mechanism remains unable to detect the occurrence of an accident and evaluate its extent within the critical time. This paper proposes an automatic framework for leakage detection and its consequence prediction during the external transportation of LPG using artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT). An AI model is developed to predict the probable consequences of the accident in terms of the diameter of risk contours. An IoT framework is proposed in which the developed AI model is deployed in the edge device to detect any leakage of gas during transportation, to predict its probable consequences, and to report it to the remotely located disaster management team for initiating appropriate action. A prototype of the proposed model is built and its performance is successfully tested. The proposed solution would significantly help to identify efficient disaster management techniques by allowing for quick leakage detection and the prediction of its probable consequences.
A New Target Detection Method of Ferrography Wear Particle Images Based on ECAM-YOLOv5-BiFPN Network
Authors: He Lei , Wei Haijun , Wang Qixuan
Published: July 2023

For mechanical equipment, the wear particle in the lubrication system during equipment operation can reflect the lubrication condition, wear mechanism, and severity of wear between equipment friction pairs. To solve the problems of false detection and missed detection of small, dense, and overlapping wear particles in the current ferrography wear particle detection model in a complex oil background environment, a new ferrography wear particle detection network, EYBNet, is proposed. Firstly, the MSRCR algorithm is used to enhance the contrast of wear particle images and reduce the interference of complex lubricant backgrounds. Secondly, under the framework of YOLOv5s, the accuracy of network detection is improved by introducing DWConv and the accuracy of the entire network is improved by optimizing the loss function of the detection network. Then, by adding an ECAM to the backbone network of YOLOv5s, the saliency of wear particles in the images is enhanced, and the feature expression ability of wear particles in the detection network is enhanced. Finally, the path aggregation network structure in YOLOv5s is replaced with a weighted BiFPN structure to achieve efficient bidirectional cross-scale connections and weighted feature fusion. The experimental results show that the average accuracy is increased by 4.46%, up to 91.3%, compared with YOLOv5s, and the detection speed is 50.5FPS.
Variation of Flow Hydrodynamic Parameters and Prediction of Particle Separation Indices in the Spiral Concentrator with the Regulation of Pitch-Diameter Ratio
Authors: Gao Shuling , Zhou Xiaohong , Meng Lingguo , Zhao Qiang , Liu Wengang
Published: July 2023

The pitch-diameter ratio is an important design indicator affecting the separation performance of spirals. Based on the numerical simulation method, this paper systematically investigated the variation of flow hydrodynamic parameters in the spiral concentrator with the regulation of the pitch-diameter ratio. The radial distribution and variation trend of hematite and quartz particles with different particle sizes are further analyzed. Additionally, the separation indices of hematite and quartz with different particle size combinations were predicted. The results show that the tangential velocity, maximum radial velocity, velocity shear rate, and Reynolds number of fluid in each region decrease with the increase of the pitch-diameter ratio. The range of laminar flow gradually expands as the pitch-diameter ratio increases. There are significant differences in depth of water, ratio of inward and outward flows, and secondary flow velocity in different regions. Some flow hydrodynamic parameters at the inner trough reach relative equilibrium at a pitch-diameter ratio of 0.675. Hematite and quartz particles form a selective distribution in the trough surface, which comprehensively reflects the density effect, particle size effect, following flow effect of fine particles, and the effect of interstitial trickling of high-density fine particles. Fine hematite and coarse quartz form a large amount of misplaced material, and there is a corresponding mixing area. With the increase in pitch-diameter ratio, coarse and fine hematite particles migrate inward and outward, respectively. With the increase in pitch-diameter ratio, the misplaced amount of quartz on the inner trough decreases, but the outward migration distance of coarse quartz is smaller. Increasing the pitch-diameter ratio is beneficial to the separation of combined feedings of coarse hematite and quartz but unfavorable to that of fine hematite and quartz. The maximum separation efficiency of coarse hematite and fine quartz can reach 85.74%, and the iron grade of the inner product can reach 65.96% when the pitch-diameter ratio is 0.675 and the splitter location is 115 mm. The changing trend of separation indices in this feeding is closely related to the variation of fluid parameters and the change in the radial distribution of single mineral particles. The research results can provide references for the structural design of spirals, the selection of feed particle size, and the adjustment of splitter location.
Assessing Regional Variation in Support for the Radical Right-Wing Party ‘Alternative for Germany’ (AfD)—A Novel Application of Institutional Anomie Theory across German Districts
Authors: Nickel Amelie , Groß Eva
Published: July 2023

The paper at hand aims to address a research gap by examining the spatial impact of economic and non-economic institutions on regional variation in the support for the German populist far-right party ‘Alternative for Germany (AfD)’. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach and drawing on institutional anomie theory, the study explores the relationship between economic dominance—economic inequality and economic strength—and regional AfD vote share, as well as the role of non-economic institutions in shaping support for the party. Using various regional indicators, the study assesses the strength of different institutions and their impact on the AfD’s electoral results in the year 2021 across 401 German districts (NUTS 3-level). The results point to significant differences between eastern and western Germany in the analysis of regional populist voting patterns. Economic dominance emerges as a stronger predictor of the AfD’s vote share in eastern regions. However, the findings on the protective effect of strong non-economic institutions against AfD voting are ambiguous and partly contrary to theoretical expectations. Overall, the study’s findings show that the newly introduced indicators deduced from institutional anomie theory contribute to the existing literature to help better understand regional variances in AfD support. Furthermore, the study contributes to the existing literature on the rise of contemporary radical right movements by employing Karl Polanyi’s framework of ‘disembedded’ markets. In doing so, it sheds light on the complex interplay between social change, anomic tendencies, and the growth of radical right movements in capitalist societies.
Revealing the Combined Effects of Microplastics, Zn, and Cd on Soil Properties and Metal Accumulation by Leafy Vegetables: A Preliminary Investigation by a Laboratory Experiment
Authors: Bethanis John , Golia Evangelia E.
Published: July 2023

A pot experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of polyethylene (PE), a broadly utilized polymer type, on soil properties and lettuce growth. Two Zn- and Cd-contaminated soil samples were obtained from urban and rural areas of Greece, respectively. PE fragments (<5 mm) were added at different concentrations (2.5%, 5% w/w). Lettuce seeds were then planted in the pots in a completely randomized experiment. Plant growth patterns and tissue metal accumulation were investigated. The presence of PE in soils resulted in a reduction in pH, significantly enhanced the organic matter content, and increased the cation-exchange capacity. The availability of both metals was also increased. Metal migration from soil to plant was determined using appropriate tools and indexes. A higher metal concentration was detected in lettuce roots compared with that in the edible leaves. The presence of PE MPs (2.5% w/w) increased the amount of available Zn more than that of Cd in highly contaminated soils. When PE MPs were added to agricultural soil, Zn concentrations increased in the plant leaves by 9.1% (2.5% w/w) and 21.1% (5% w/w). Considering that both metals and microplastics cannot be easily and quickly degraded, the fact that the less toxic metal is more available to plants is encouraging. Taking into account the physicochemical soil features, decision makers may be able to limit the risks to human health from the coexistence of heavy metals and microplastics in soils.
The Participation of Trans Women in Competitive Fencing and Implications on Fairness: A Physiological Perspective Narrative Review
Authors: Tidmas Victoria , Halsted Clare , Cohen Mary , Bottoms Lindsay
Published: July 2023

Debate has surrounded whether the participation of trans women in female sporting categories is fair, specifically the retained male physiological advantage due to increased testosterone compared to cisgender females. Recently, individual sporting organisations have been investigating and assessing policies regarding trans women athlete participation in female categories, resulting in several banning participation. This review aims to discuss the scientific evidence and provide appropriate guidance for the inclusion of trans women in elite competitive female fencing categories. Fencing is an intermittent sport, where competitions can span 1 to 3 days. The lunge is the most common movement used to attack opponents, where a successful hit relies on the speed of the action. Male puberty induced increased circulating testosterone promotes a greater stature, cardiovascular function, muscle mass, and strength compared to cisgender females, culminating in a ~12–40% sport performance advantage. Elite cisgender male fencers perform significantly higher, ~17–30%, jump heights and leg power measures compared to elite cisgender female fencers, resulting in faster lunges. Trans women receiving androgen-suppression therapy for 12 months showed significant reductions in strength, lean body mass, and muscle surface area, but even after 36 months, the measurements of these three indices remained above those for cisgender females. Previous male muscle mass and strength can be retained through continuation of resistance training. The literature reviewed shows that there is a retained physiological advantage for trans women who have undergone male puberty when participating in the elite competitive female fencing category. A proposed solution of an open or third gender category for elite fencing competition promotes fair competition, while allowing trans women to compete in their chosen sport.
Injury Prevalence among Young Elite Baseball Players
Authors: Ha Daeho , Nagai Satoshi , Noh Byungjoo , Mukai Naoki , Miyakawa Shumpei , Takemura Masahiro
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to describe the injury profiles of young Korean baseball players according to position and age as the proportion and distribution of injuries based on playing position and age remains unclear. A total of 271 elite youth baseball players aged 8 to 16 years were divided into two groups: elementary school (ES) (n = 135) and middle school (MS) (n = 136). The participants’ basic, baseball practice, and injury information were collected. Injuries in the MS group were not limited to the elbow and shoulder, and injury prevalence varied by age group and baseball position. The most injured body region in the ES group was the elbow joint, regardless of the position. In contrast, the most injured body region in the MS group was the lower back, except for infielders whose elbows were the most injured. Additionally, the MS group was more likely to experience injuries to the lower back (OR = 4.27, 95% CI = 2.47–7.40), shoulder (OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.08–3.43; p = 0.024), and knee (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.17–3.94; p = 0.012). Our findings indicate that excessive practice and a lack of rest during MS (growth spurt period) can significantly increase the risk of lower back problems in young baseball players.
Determination of the Prevalence of Knee and Hip Clinical Osteoarthritis in the Active Professional Male Footballer and Its Association with Pain, Function, Injury and Surgery
Authors: Pillay Lervasen , Janse van Rensburg Dina C. , Ramkilawon Gopika , Maas Mario , Orhant Emmanuel , Rantanen Jussi , Salo Jari , Kerkhoffs Gino , Gouttebarge Vincent
Published: July 2023

Objective: To comment on and explore (1) the prevalence of clinical knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA); (2) the association between pain or function and clinical knee or hip OA; (3) the association between injury or surgery and clinical knee or hip OA. Methods: Participants were recruited from FIFPRO members. A total of 101 footballers consented to answer (1) a developed questionnaire, (2) patient-reported outcome measures, and (3) be evaluated by their team physician for clinical knee or hip OA. Results: Of the 53% evaluated for clinical knee and hip OA, a prevalence of 9.43% and 7.55% of knee and hip OA, respectively, was found. There was a significant and strong association between knee (p = 0.033; Cramers v Value = 0.523) and hip pain (p = 0.005; Cramers v Value = 0.602) and clinical OA. A significant association existed between Hip dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Outcome short form Scores and clinical OA of the hip (p = 0.036). The odds of clinical knee OA were 1.5 and 4.5 times more after one or more injuries or surgeries, respectively. There was no association between playing position and clinical OA. Conclusion: There is a low prevalence of a clinical knee or hip OA in the active professional male footballer. Pain may be a valid symptom to predict or monitor knee or hip OA. Validated assessment tools should be utilised to identify a negative effect on function. The odds of developing clinical OA in the knee with the number of injuries or surgeries. The hip presents with earlier clinical signs of OA compared to the knee.
Construction-Monitoring Analysis of a Symmetrical Rigid Frame Tied Steel Box Arch Bridge in Southwest China Based on Segmental Assembly Technique
Authors: Zhang Yuanchong , Wang Longlin , Nong Yu , Wang Wensheng
Published: July 2023

Tied steel box arch bridges are increasingly being used due to their attractive appearance, high load-bearing capacity, and good stress performance. Their construction involves multiple processes and factors. Construction monitoring can ensure that such a bridge remains in its intended stress and linear states during and after construction. This helps to minimize deviations from the design state at every stage of construction. Using the segmental assembly construction technique, this study conducted construction monitoring of the alignment and force at each stage of the reconstruction of bridges using MIDAS Civil software. The construction monitoring analysis indicated that the arch rib and lattice beam were correctly placed, thereby meeting the specified requirements for arch rib closure. Displacement errors between the measured and theoretical values at each stage of construction fell within an allowable range, resulting in overall smooth bridge alignment. The measured stress in the main arch and the lattice beam generally corresponded to the theoretical stress derived from the control section stress of the entire bridge. The deviation between the cable force of the suspender and the tie rod and theoretical value fell within 10%, indicating good stress reserve. The symmetrical monitoring points in the analyzed rigid-frame tied steel box arch bridges exhibited symmetrical displacement, stress, and cable force results under various working conditions. This observation further confirms the effectiveness of construction monitoring using the segmental assembly technique.
Research on Incentive and Coordination Strategy of Fresh Products’ Supply Chain with Delivery Time under New Retail
Authors: Zhang Shuiwang , Ding Qianlan
Published: July 2023

The new retail focuses on the high integration between online and offline channels. The main problems faced by the development of the new retail are the interest balance of all decision subjects, the pricing strategy, and the coordination of online and offline channels. This paper considers the effect of the new retail firms’ delivery time and establishes a two-part tariff contract to study the decision-making and coordination of the new retail fresh products supply chain. This paper constructs cooperative and non-cooperative models and employs the cooperative model as the benchmark case to realize the coordination. It is found that when the delivery time has little effect on the market demand, the offline store often should pay more fixed charges to the new retail firm. With the increased impact of delivery time on market demand, the fixed charges paid by the offline store become smaller. Under the coordination decision model, the offline store pays fixed charges to compensate for the new retail firm’s early delivery costs, but its interests still increase compared with the decentralized decision model. This study models the time-dependent demand for fresh products and proposes an incentive mechanism to coordinate the new retail fresh products’ supply chain; further, it demonstrates that the prices can be significantly decreased with the designed contract, and all the supply chain members can benefit from Pareto improvement.
Accumulation of Trace Metals in Fruits from Mango and Syzygium guineense Growing in Residential Households from a Contaminated District of Lubumbashi (DR Congo): Is Fruit Consumption at Risk?
Authors: Langunu Serge , Imabo Precis Mpia Imanda , Bibi Fwanda Benie , Kilela Mwanasomwe Jacques , Colinet Gilles , Ngoy Shutcha Mylor
Published: July 2023

Copper smelting has been a source of soil contamination with trace metals in Penga Penga (Lubumbashi). The residents are exposed to trace metal ingestion, and planting trees is challenging in such soil conditions. Nevertheless, planting trees in former household dumps or using various types of amendments has allowed the provisioning of fruits in a few residences. From the perspective of scaling up the process, a survey has been conducted with the aim of assessing the effectiveness of the planting processes on the trace metal content in fruits and leaves of Mangifera indica L. and Syzygium guineense (Willd) DC. Samples were collected from residential households in Penga Penga and Kalebuka (a non-polluted suburb). The bioconcentration factor (BCF) and the safe weekly consumption (SWC) were calculated for each species. The results showed higher values of total and soluble concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn in the rhizosphere of the two species in Penga Penga. Metal concentrations were higher in the fruits and leaves from Penga Penga, with 47% of samples above the FAO and WHO thresholds (vs. 18.5% in Kalebuka). The BCF values were below 1, demonstrating the effectiveness of the process in reducing the translocation of metals to leaves and fruits. Recommendations from the SWC limit Pb consumption to 9 kg for mango flesh and Cd consumption to 6.6 kg for S. guineense fruits in Penga Penga (vs. 78 kg and 68 kg in Kalebuka). Finally, the results of this study provide interesting lessons for the scaling up and technical itinerary of planting trees in Penga Penga.
Geospatial Health (GeoHealth): Current Trends, Methods, and Applications
Authors: Osei Frank Badu , Sasidharan Santanu
Published: July 2023

As an emerging field, Geospatial Health (GeoHealth) integrates geospatial technologies, (spatial) epidemiology, and health services/resource allocations (health accessibility), with a focus to fight the burden of diseases [...]
Seroprevalence and Genotype Diversity of Hepatitis C Virus in the Caribbean—A Review
Authors: Brown Michelle G. , Lindo John F. , Vickers Ivan E. , Nelson Kereann , Phillips Yakima , Wilson-Clarke Cameil , Gavi Samuel , Morse Gene D. , Talal Andrew H.
Published: July 2023

Hepatitis C (HCV) continues to present a global public health challenge, with no vaccine available for prevention. Despite the availability of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) to cure HCV, it remains prevalent in many regions including the Caribbean. As efforts are made to eliminate HCV from the region, existing barriers, such as the high cost of DAAs and lack of an established database of HCV cases within the Caribbean, must be addressed. This review seeks to assess epidemiologic trends (seroprevalence and genotypic diversity) of HCV in the Caribbean and identify gaps in surveillance of the disease. The literature for the period 1 January 2005 to October 2022 was reviewed to gather country-specific data on HCV across the Caribbean. References were identified through indexed journals accessed through established databases using the following keywords: Caribbean, genotype distribution, and general epidemiologic characteristics. The usage pattern of HCV drugs was determined from information obtained from pharmacists across the Caribbean including Jamaica. The prevalence of HCV in the Caribbean was 1.5%; the region should therefore be considered an area of moderate HCV prevalence. The prevalence of HCV among intravenous drug users (21.9–58.8%), persons living with HIV/AIDS (0.8 to 58.5%), prisoners (32.8–64%), and men who have sex with men (MSM) (0.8–6.9%) was generally higher than in the general population (0.8–2.3%). Genotype 1 (83%) was most prevalent followed by genotypes 2 (7.2%) and 3 (2.1%), respectively. Less than 50% of countries in the Caribbean have reliable or well-curated surveillance data on HCV. Drugs currently being used for treatment of HCV infections across the Caribbean include Epclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) and Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir). Some of these drugs are only available in the private sector and are sourced externally whenever needed. While trends point to a potentially higher prevalence of HCV, it will require well-designed random surveys to obtain better estimates of the infection seroprevalence, supported by strong public health laboratory systems. DAAs that are pan-genotypic should translate into treatments that are affordable, accessible, and available to improve cure rates and reduce the HCV burden in the population.
Alternative Splicing of RIOK3 Engages the Noncanonical NFκB Pathway during Rift Valley Fever Virus Infection
Authors: Bisom Thomas Charles , Smelser Hope , Lanchy Jean-Marc , Lodmell J. Stephen
Published: July 2023

Although the noncanonical NFκB pathway was originally identified as a cellular pathway contributing to lymphoid organogenesis, in the past 20 years, its involvement in innate immunity has become more appreciated. In particular, the noncanonical NFκB pathway has been found to be activated and even exploited by some RNA viruses during infection. Intriguingly, activation of this pathway has been shown to have a role in disrupting transcription of type 1 interferon (IFN), suggesting a rationale for why this response could be co-opted by some viruses. Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a trisegmented ambisense RNA virus that poses a considerable threat to domestic livestock and human health. Previously, we showed the atypical kinase RIOK3 is important for mounting an IFN response to RVFV infection of human epithelial cells, and shortly following infection with RVFV (MP12 strain), RIOK3 mRNA is alternatively spliced to its X2 isoform that encodes a truncated RIOK3 protein. Alternative splicing of RIOK3 mRNA has an inhibitory effect on the IFN response but also stimulates an NFκB-mediated inflammatory response. Here, we demonstrate alternative splicing of RIOK3 mRNA is associated with activation of the noncanonical NFκB pathway and suggest this pathway is co-opted by RVFV (MP12) to enhance viral success during infection.
Rapid Generation of Recombinant Flaviviruses Using Circular Polymerase Extension Reaction
Authors: Dong Hao-Long , He Mei-Juan , Wang Qing-Yang , Cui Jia-Zhen , Chen Zhi-Li , Xiong Xiang-Hua , Zhang Lian-Cheng , Cheng Hao , Xiong Guo-Qing , Hu Ao , Lu Yuan-Yuan , Cheng Chun-Lin , Meng Zhi-Xin , Zhu Chen , Zhao Guang , Liu Gang , Chen Hui-Peng
Published: July 2023

The genus Flavivirus is a group of arthropod-borne single-stranded RNA viruses, which includes important human and animal pathogens such as Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Zika virus (ZIKV), Dengue virus (DENV), yellow fever virus (YFV), West Nile virus (WNV), and Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). Reverse genetics has been a useful tool for understanding biological properties and the pathogenesis of flaviviruses. However, the conventional construction of full-length infectious clones for flavivirus is time-consuming and difficult due to the toxicity of the flavivirus genome to E. coli. Herein, we applied a simple, rapid, and bacterium-free circular polymerase extension reaction (CPER) method to synthesize recombinant flaviviruses in vertebrate cells as well as insect cells. We started with the de novo synthesis of the JEV vaccine strain SA-14-14-2 in Vero cells using CPER, and then modified the CPER method to recover insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFs) in mosquito C6/36 cells. Chimeric Zika virus (ChinZIKV) based on the Chaoyang virus (CYV) backbone and the Culex flavivirus reporter virus expressing green fluorescent protein (CxFV-GFP) were subsequently rescued in C6/36 cells. CPER is a simple method for the rapid generation of flaviviruses and other potential RNA viruses. A CPER-based recovery system for flaviviruses of different host ranges was established, which would facilitate the development of countermeasures against flavivirus outbreaks in the future.
PENGARUH TERAPI BEKAM TERHADAP PENURUNAN KADAR GULA DARAH PADA PASIEN DIABETES MELLITUS DI KLINIK PRATAMA INTERMEDICA BEKASI
Authors: Fatimah Siti , Sofiyat Ali Ilham
Published: July 2023

Diabetes melitus (DM) merupakan salah satu diantara penyakit tidak menular yang masih menjadi permasalahan di dunia. IDF (2017) menyebutkan bahwa jumlah kematian DM setiap tahunnya adalah 1,9% dan menjadikan DM sebagai penyebab kematian urutan 7 di dunia. RISKESDAS (2018) DKI Jakarta menyebutkan   peningkatan jumlah kasus DM 2,5% pada tahun 2013 menjadi 3,4% di tahun 2018, sedangkan prevalensi kejadian DM adalah  6,3% pada tahun 2013 menjadi 8,5% di tahun 2018. Selanjutnya pada tahun 2019 prevalensi 9,3% menjadi 10,20% di tahun 2030 (IDF, 2019). DM tidak saja diderita orang dewasa, menurut IDAI (Ikatan Dokter Anak Indonesia), angka kejadian DM pada rentang usia 0 – 18 tahun sebesar 70% dalam 10 tahun terakhir. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengaruh terapi bekam  terhadap kadar gula darah pasien diabetes mellitus tipe 2 di Klinik Pratama Intermedica Bekasi. Metode  eksperimen dengan desain one group pretest-posttest design. Hasil penelitian rata-rata kadar gula darah sewaktu (GDS) dari semua pasien  sebelum dilakukan terapi bekam sebesar 295,03 mg/dL, sedangkan rata-rata kadar gula darah sewaktu setelah dilakukan terapi bekam adalah 264,03 mg/dL Hasil uji Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test diperoleh  p value = 0,000, artinya terdapat pengaruh terapi bekam terhadap penurunan kadar gula darah pada pasien diabetes mellitus di Klinik Pratama Intermedica Bekasi. Saran diharapkan masyarakat luas mengetahui manfaat dan kegunaan pengobatan melalui terapi bekam untuk menjaga kesehatan tubuh, menghilangkan letih, lesu, lelah, meningkatkan daya tahan tubuh, sakit bahu, alergi, darah tinggi dan menghilangkan 72 macam penyakit lainnya.
Health Care Costs Associated with the Development and Combination of Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Diseases
Authors: Nichols Gregory A. , Amitay Efrat L. , Chatterjee Satabdi , Steubl Dominik
Published: July 2023

Key Points

Onset of any new cardio-renal-metabolic condition drove substantial increase in health care costs.

Overall costs increased by $10,316 (130%) when CKD developed, $6789 (84%) for type 2 diabetes, $21,573 (304%) for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and $36,522 (475%) for heart failure.

However, as a result of prediagnosis costs being higher as more conditions were present, the percentage increases in costs associated with incidence were lower when more prevalent conditions existed.

Background

The cardio-renal-metabolic (CRM) syndrome is a constellation of conditions which includes atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure (HF), CKD, and type 2 diabetes. The economic consequences of developing each of these comorbidities in the context of the others have not been studied.

Methods

We used the electronic medical records of Kaiser Permanente Northwest to identify 387,985 members aged 18 years or older who had a serum creatinine measured between 2005 and 2017. Patients were followed through 2019. We used a statistical approach that assesses time dependency for continuous measures; the total observation period for each patient was divided into quarters (91-day increments), and each patient contributed a record for every quarter in which they were members of the health plan. CRM status was determined for each quarter.

Results

The incremental annualized cost of each of these chronic diseases was similar regardless of which other conditions were present when the new condition developed. Overall costs increased by $10,316 (130%) when CKD developed, $6789 (84%) for type 2 diabetes, $21,573 (304%) for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and $36,522 (475%) for HF. However, as a result of prediagnosis costs being higher as more conditions were present, the percentage increases in costs associated with incidence were lower when more prevalent conditions existed.

Conclusions

Onset of any new CRM condition drove substantial increase in health care costs. Our findings indicate a clear interplay of CRM conditions and emphasize the need for better simultaneous prevention and management of these disease states to reduce the economic burden on health care systems.
PENGALAMAN ORANG TUA DALAM MERAWAT ANAK SAKIT DI RUMAH SELAMA MASA PANDEMI DI PROVINSI RIAU
Authors: Elka Fitri Dwi , Nora Anggreini Silvia , Ulfah Ayudhyta Awaliyah
Published: July 2023

Sejak awal kehidupan, anak-anak bergantung kepada orang tuanya untuk melindungi dan memenuhi kebutuhan mereka. Setiap orang tua memiliki tugas untuk merawat anak mereka. Banyak penyakit yang menyerang anak-anak, namun penyakit yang sering dialami anak-anak antara lain diare, demam dan ISPA. Banyak orang tua ragu untuk membawa anak ke rumah sakit pada masa pandemi covid 19 ini, dan melakukan perawatan anak sakit dirumah. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk melihat lebih dalam, apa saja  cara yang orang tua lakukan dalam merawat anak sakit dirumah. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan fenomenologi, penentuan informan dipilih secara purposive sampling. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode triangulasi data, dengan metode analisis data yaitu teknik analisis Interaktif Kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan setiap ibu memiliki cara unik untuk melakukan perawatan anaknya yang sakit dirumah, namun hal-hal yang telah orang tua lakukan ini hampir rata-rata merupakan hal yang benar dan tepat dilakukan untuk merawat anak sakit dirumah. . Diharapkan dari hasil penelitian ini orang tua  dapat memberikan tindakan yang baik dalam merawat anak sakit pada masa pandemi. Tenaga kesehatan juga diharapkan semakin gencar dalam memberikan informasi-informasi yang dapat meningkatkan pengetahuan sehingga sikap dan tindakan orang tua dalam peraawatan  anak sakit dirumah juga semakin baik.
PENGENDALIAN HIPERTENSI DALAM PEMANFAATAN SUMBER LITERASI KESEHATAN DI PUSKESMAS SIMPANG TIGA KOTA PEKANBARU PROVINSI RIAU
Authors: Masfalah Febri , Saputra Bayu , Lita Lita
Published: July 2023

Hypertension is not an infectious disease but is one of the causes of premature death worldwide. The effort in hypertension control is done through self-management or the change of lifestyle of the patients, such as dieting, resting, exercising, and taking the medication regularly (hypertension cannot be cured but can be controlled). Utilizing health literacies can increase one’s ability to understand and maintain attitudes toward caring for his health. This research intended to figure out the picture of the efforts in hypertension control by utilizing the health literacy sources in the health center (puskesmas) of Simpang Tiga, Pekanbaru City, Riau province. This research employed a quantitative study with a simple descriptive survey. The total sample was 95 respondents chosen by purposive sampling technique. The data in this research was collected by a questionnaire that passed the validity test. The data analysis was univariate. Univariate tests were age, gender, education, job, and the utilization of health literacy sources to control hypertension. The result of the research showed that the average age was 54-66 years old; 59 respondents (62,1%) were female; people with SMA/senior high school education background were 50 respondents (52,6%); the unemployed people were 66 respondents (69,5%); the effort in hypertension control was performed by 85 respondents (89,5%) of patients with hypertension; and patients who utilize health literacy sources obtained from health center workers were 80 respondents (84,2%). This research is expected to inform patients with hypertension about the importance of the effort in hypertension control.
PERCEPTIONS OF LOW ACHIEVING DIPLOMA STUDENTS TOWARDS JIGSAW COOPERATIVE LEARNING METHOD AND POLYA PROBLEM SOLVING MODEL IN LEARNING INTRODUCTION TO QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUES
Authors: Anak Sipang Katherine , Siew Nyet Moi
Published: July 2023

This qualitative study was carried out to explore the challenges faced by low-achieving diploma students in the subject of Introduction to Quantitative Techniques. In addition, this study explored how the Jigsaw cooperative learning method and the Polya Problem Solving Model can help low-achieving students and their perception on this alternative method in learning. This study was conducted at a private college in Sabah involving five low-achieving second semester Management Diploma students. Data was collected through interviews, field notes, and document analysis. The findings of the study show that low-achieving students faced difficulties in understanding the requirements of the question and cannot identify the correct formula in the solution. Polya's Problem Solving Model helped students to better understand the requirements of the questions and solve long sentence problems step by step. Help from classmates who act as facilitators improved the skills of low-achieving students in understanding concepts and formulas and solving long sentence problems, at the same time obtaining better grades. The results of the study provide positive implications for low-achieving Management Diploma students to improve problem-solving skills in the subject of Introduction to Quantitative Techniques.
INFLUENCE OF LANGUAGE ON MARITAL SATISFACTION AMONG COUPLES IN INTERCULTURAL MARRIAGES, KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA
Authors: Chomba Zipporah Nduta , Kiarie Jane , Njani Elizabeth
Published: July 2023

Language is essential for marital functioning and contentment. Conversely, couples in heterosexual monogamous intercultural marriages may experience exceptional challenges emanating from conveying or interpreting messages based on divergent cultures that influence their marital satisfaction. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of language on marital satisfaction among couples in intercultural marriages in Kiambu County, Kenya. Bowen Family System Theory (BFST) and Cognitive Behavioral Theory guided this study. Convergent mixed methods research design was applied in the study. The target population was 11,028 individuals in intercultural marriages with a sample size of 99 participants. Snowball sampling was helpful to recruit participants for the study. Data was collected using questionnaire that adapted relevant items from The Five Love Languages Test (FLL). Quantitative data was analysed through descriptive statistics of means and standard deviation. Inferential statistics applied linear and multiple regression computed through SPSS version 25.0. Qualitative data was thematically analysed. Findings were presented in tables and respondents’ descriptions. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from accredited Institutional Review Board, National Council for Science and Technology and Kiambu County Government, Kenya. Findings of the study revealed that language has a positive, significant influence on marital satisfaction (β=0.872, p=0.000). This implies that an increase in marital language positively increases marital satisfaction by 0.872. Participants descriptions equally supported language influence on marital satisfaction. The study recommends that policy makers develop strategies that increase awareness of the importance of mental health services. The study also recommends further research by mental health professionals on the influence of language on couples’ marital satisfaction to attain comprehensive understanding which is crucial for couples’ marital management that boosts satisfaction.
THE TECHNOLOGICAL PEDAGOGICAL CONTENT KNOWLEDGE OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL MATHEMATICS TEACHERS
Authors: Jalil Nor Atika A , Siew Nyet Moi
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this research was to identify the level of technological pedagogical content knowledge of secondary school mathematics teachers. This study also aimed to find out the differences in those variables from the aspect of gender and teaching experience. The questionnaire was administered to 248 mathematics teachers from 22 secondary schools in the West Coast Zone of Sabah, Malaysia. The results of the study showed that the technological pedagogical content knowledge of secondary school mathematics teachers was at high level (M=4.071, SD=0.540). The Welch t-test results showed that there was no significant difference in technological pedagogical content knowledge based on gender (p= .0560, p> .05). The one-way ANOVA analysis also showed that there was no difference in technological pedagogical content knowledge based on the teaching experience. The findings of this study are useful as a guide for stakeholders to plan relevant strategies and training for mathematics teachers in implementing teaching and learning. This study implicated that teachers regardless of gender and teaching experience, need to remain committed in planning and implementing their teaching based on the element found in the technological pedagogical content knowledge framework.