bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Inclusion for Farmworkers in a Pandemic: The North Carolina Farmworker Health Program Internet Connectivity Project, 2020‒2021
Authors: Cofie Leslie E. , Rivera Natalie D. , Santillán-Deras Jocelyn R. , Knox Glenn , Lee Joseph G. L.
Published: October 2022

The North Carolina Farmworker Health Program (NCFHP) implemented an emergency program in response to North Carolina migrant and seasonal farmworkers’ urgent need for Internet access for health information, family connections, and telehealth services during COVID-19 isolation and quarantine. This article describes the NCFHP Internet Connectivity Project implementation and evaluation from June 2020 to December 2021. The project placed 448 devices across the state and provided Internet access to more than 3184 farmworkers during the 2021 peak farming season. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(11):1551–1555. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307017 )
Benzodiazepines and Related Drugs in Orthopaedics
Authors: Hozack Bryan A. , Kistler Justin M. , Vaccaro Alexander R. , Beredjiklian Pedro K.
Published: October 2022

➤ Benzodiazepines are among the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide and are often used as anxiolytics, hypnotics, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.

➤ The risk of dependence on and abuse of these medications has recently gained more attention in light of the current opioid epidemic.

➤ Benzodiazepines can increase the risk of prolonged opioid use and abuse.

➤ Given the prevalence of the use of benzodiazepines and related drugs, orthopaedic patients are often prescribed these medications.

➤ Orthopaedic surgeons need to be aware of the prevalence of benzodiazepine and related drug prescriptions in the general population, their current uses in orthopaedic surgery, and the risks and adverse effects of their use.
Application of Data Mining to Small Data Sets: Identification of Key Production Drivers in Heterogeneous Unconventional Resources
Authors: Ning Yanrui , Schumann Harrison , Jin Ge
Published: October 2022

In this study, we developed a data mining-based multivariate analysis (MVA) workflow to identify correlations in complex high-dimensional data sets of small size. The research was motivated by the integration analysis of geologic, geophysical, completion, and production data from a 4-square-mile study field located in the Northern Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin, Colorado, USA. The goal is to establish a workflow that can extract learnings from a small data set to guide the future development of surrounding acreages. In this research, we propose an MVA workflow, which is modified significantly based on the random forest algorithm and assessed using the R2 score from K-fold cross-validation (CV). The MVA workflow performs significantly better in small data sets compared to traditional feature selection methods. This is because the MVA workflow includes (1) the selection of top-performing feature combinations at each step, (2) iterations embedded, (3) avoidance of random correlation, and (4) the summarization of each feature’s occurrence at the end. When the MVA workflow was initially applied on a complex synthetic small data set that included numerical and categorical variables, linear and nonlinear relationships, relationships within independent variables, and high dimensionality, it correctly identified all correlating variables and outperformed traditional feature selection methods. Following that, a field data set consisting of the information from 23 wells was investigated using the MVA workflow aiming at identifying the key factors that affect the production performance in the study area. The MVA workflow reveals the weak correlation between production and legacy well effect. The results show that the key factors affecting production in this study area are total organic carbon (TOC) percentage, open fracture densities, clay content, and legacy well effect, which should receive significant attention when developing neighboring acreage of the DJ Basin. More importantly, this MVA method can be implemented in other basins. Considering the heterogeneity of unconventional resources, it is worthwhile to identify the key production drivers on a small scale. The outperformance of this MVA method on small data sets makes it possible to provide valuable insights for each specific acreage.
Study on Synergistic Demulsification Mechanism of Microwaves and Ionic Liquids on Heavy Oil Emulsions
Authors: Jiang Huayi , Wang Ding , Sun Nana , Su Ruiyu , Hu Jianbo
Published: October 2022

Heavy oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions must be treated before refinement and transportation, and microwave and ionic liquid (IL) synergistic effects are stable, efficient, and environmentally friendly methods of demulsification. In this study, the synergistic effects of various IL anion and cation types and concentrations upon microwave emulsion demulsification were investigated. The interfacial tension (IFT) and zeta potential of the ILs and the distribution of oil droplets were measured before and after microwave radiation using a spinning drop tensiometer, zeta potential analyzer, and biological microscope to elucidate the synergistic mechanism of microwave and IL demulsification. The results indicate that microwave radiation parameters that are set too high or low can have an inhibitory effect on demulsification. When [C16MIM]Br with a concentration of 1 mmol/L was used as the IL, and the microwave radiation parameters were set to 300 W for 30 seconds, the demulsification efficiency reached 89.29%, which was 3.23 times and 2.08 times higher than the individual demulsification efficiency of microwave radiation and IL, respectively. This study provides a novel approach for examining high-performance demulsification, and it extends the applicability of microwave-IL synergy.
Multivariate screening of Brugia spp. adults
Authors: Wheeler Nicolas J. , Ryan Kaetlyn T. , Gallo Kendra J. , Zamanian Mostafa
Published: October 2022

The following protocol is for performing multivariate (motility, fecundity, metabolism, and viability) phenotypic drug screens against Brugia spp. adults.Adults are allowed to recover in complete media after extraction and (if applicable) shipment in order to equilibrate. The assay is initiated the next day and terminated after 48 hrs, after which females will no longer release progeny.
Multi-objective optimization for the selection of construction sub-contractors considering time, cost, and quality aspects
Authors: Mohammadrezaytayebi Shayan , Afshar Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2022

Project managers always try to do their best to conduct their projects as fast as they can. Additionally, not only do they try to reduce the required financial resources, but also they aim to reach the highest possible quality. As a result, time, costs, and quality are three important parameters which need to be considered not only in the process of decision-making but also in the process of conducting a project. For a general contractor, who conducts a significant part of a project by subcontracting, a proper selection of sub-contractors which simultaneously optimizes time, cost, and quality is a great challenge. In this paper, a new model is presented for solving sub-contractor selection problem considering time, cost, and quality aspects. Also, two metaheuristic approaches, namely non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm version III (NSGA-III), and a multi-objective imperialist competitive algorithm (MOICA) are presented for solving the proposed model. Since the effect of different parameters on the performance of the algorithm is significant, the Taguchi method with a novel response value is used to adjust the parameters of the proposed algorithms. Four performance metrics are used to evaluate the outcomes of these algorithms. A comparative study is done to compare the performance of the proposed methods with NSGA-II. The findings demonstrate that the proposed MOICA provides a wide range of options for project manager, while proposed NSGA III improves the quality of solutions in construction projects. When the project is facing many constraints, having more options helps to make more appropriate decisions. The quality of the solutions becomes more important if the project constraints are less. The current study provides an applicable tool for project manager for selection of sub-contractors considering time, cost, and quality aspects. This research also assists general contractor to propose a suitable price in tender stage. As a lack of efficient tool selecting the sub-contractors considering project constraints, this study is one of the first research studies that proposed a tool in order to select sub-contractors so that the project constraints are met.
An evaluation of truncated birth histories for the rapid measurement of fertility and child survival
Authors: Masquelier Bruno , Menashe-Oren Ashira , Reniers Georges
Published: October 2022

Background: Full birth histories (FBHs) are a key tool for estimating fertility and child mortality in low-and middle-income countries, but they are lengthy to collect. This is not desirable, especially for rapid turnaround surveys that ought to be short (e.g., mobile phone surveys). To reduce the length of the interview, some surveys resort to truncated birth histories (TBHs), where questions are asked only on recent births.
Methods: We used 29 Malaria Indicator Surveys from 17 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to compare full and truncated birth histories. Each set of TBHs was paired and compared to an overlapping set of FBHs. We conducted a variety of data checks, including a comparison of the proportion of children reported in the reference period and a comparison of the fertility and mortality estimates.
Results: Fertility and mortality estimates from TBHs are lower than those based on FBHs. These differences are driven by the omission and displacement of births outside the reference period.
Conclusions: TBHs are prone to misreporting errors that will bias both fertility and mortality estimates. These errors are not systematically associated with interviewer characteristics, but data quality markers correlate with respondent attributes, suggesting that truncation creates confusion among respondents. Rigorous data quality checks should be put in place when collecting data through this instrument in future surveys.
Practical self-management system for women with postnatal hypertension
Authors: Chang Chung-Wei , Tsai Yi-Jing , Hsu Yu-Yun , Hou Ting-Wei
Published: October 2022

High blood pressure would present in postpartum women diagnosed with hypertension during their perinatal period. Few studies are available regarding the self-management of postnatal hypertension via the eHealth system. This study aimed to develop a self-management eHealth system for women with postnatal hypertension during the postpartum period. We applied this system on multi-platform, not only on web interface but also on the platform of varied smartphones. The proposed system possessed three novel features: (1) Population was limited to postnatal women with hypertension; (2) self-care record, which allowed the postnatal women to keep tracking their blood pressure, pulse, weight, medication record, exercise record, and risk factor assessment; and (3) through this system, nurse-midwife could keep track of postnatal women's health status maintaining the complete record and could communicate directly with the users if their health monitor values reach beyond normal range. A survey was conducted among the postnatal women to evaluate the usability and acceptance of the eHealth system. The results showed that the overall satisfaction rate of the system reached 94.9% suggesting that the system was helpful to the users.
Geographic transitions of domestic cats in urban areas through animal adoption centers and the implications for population dynamics
Authors: Flockhart D. T. Tyler , Moore Sophie M. , Decker Samuel T. , Kilgour R. Julia
Published: October 2022

Animal shelters address animal welfare in communities through the intake and outcome of companion animals, but these efforts affect population dynamics of companion animals based on the distance animals are moved and the factors that underlie intake and outcome. Using data from an animal shelter in Washington, D.C., we analyzed cat intakes and outcomes based on geographic and socioeconomic factors. Most intakes were stray cats (59%) and cats relinquished by owners (38%) whereas most outcomes were adoptions (84%). The highest number of intakes were in high development, low-income neighborhoods whereas the lowest number of intakes were in low development, high-income neighborhoods. The highest number of outcomes were to high-income neighborhoods and there was a trend towards more outcomes in neighborhoods further from the shelter. Cats returned to the shelter were more likely to originate nearer the shelter compared to relinquishment. Stray intakes were less common, and return to shelter were more common, in high-income, high development areas. Seized cats originated from low-income neighborhoods. Relative to adoptions, the proportion of returned to owner outcomes was higher in low-income neighborhoods that were closer to the shelter as well as high-income neighborhoods that were distant the shelter. Our results highlight the factors underlying cat intakes and outcomes in shelters that ultimately determine where, when, and how animals are moved across urban areas; these factors must be considered when developing cat population management plans to reach animal welfare and societal goals.
Modeling the biological growth with a random logistic differential equation
Authors: Ornelas Arelly , Delgado-Vences Francisco , Morales-Bojórquez Enrique , Cruz-Escalona Victor Hugo , Marín-Enríquez Emigdio , Hernández-Camacho claudia J.
Published: October 2022

We modeled biological growth using a random differential equation (RDE), where the initial condition is a random variable and the growth rate is a suitable stochastic process. These assumptions let us to obtain a model that represents well the random growth process observed in nature, where only a few individuals of the population reach the maximal size of the species and the growth curve for every individual behaves randomly. Since we assumed that the initial condition is a random variable, we assigned a priori density and we performed Bayesian inference to update the initial condition’s density of the RDE. Karhunen-Loeve expansion was then used to approximate the random coefficient of the RDE. Then, using the RDE’s approximations, we estimated the density f(p, t). Finally, we fitted this model to the biological growth of the giant electric ray (or Cortez electric ray) Narcine entemedor. Simulations of the solution of the random logistic equation were performed to construct a curve that describes the solutions’ mean for each time. As a result, we estimated confidence intervals for the mean growth that described reasonably well the observed data. We fit the proposed model with a training dataset and the model is tested with a different dataset. The model selection is performed with the square of the errors.
MSC Classification: 34F05, 62M20, 62P10, 62F15, 92B05
Evaluation and comparison of ocular biometric parameters obtained with Tomey OA-2000 in silicone oil-filled aphakia eyes
Authors: Xiong Yongqun , Lin Yongdong , Zhao Zifeng , Wang Hongxi , Zhang Guihua
Published: October 2022

Purpose
To evaluate a new non-contact instrument (OA-2000) measuring the ocular biometry parameters of silicone oil (SO)-filled aphakia eyes, as compared with IOLMaster 700.
Methods
Forty SO-filled aphakia eyes of 40 patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional clinical trial. The axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), keratometry (Kf [flattest keratometry] and Ks [steep keratometry, 90° apart from Kf]), and axis of the Kf (Ax1) measured with OA-2000 were compared with those measured with IOLMaster 700. The agreements of the results between the two devices were evaluated by Bland-Altman analysis. The differences of measurement results were evaluated by paired t test, and the correlation was evaluated by the Pearson coefficient. The coefficient of variation (CoV) was calculated to assess the repeatability.
Results
The mean AL obtained with the OA-2000 was 23.57 ± 0.93mm (range: 21.50 to 25.68mm), and that obtained with the IOLMaster 700 was 23.69 ± 0.94mm (range: 21.85 to 25.86mm), resulting in a mean offset of 0.124 ± 0.125mm (p < 0.001). The mean offset of CCT measured by OA-2000 and IOLMaster 700 was 14.6 ± 7.5µm (p < 0.001). However, the Kf, Ks and Ax1 values from the two devices were comparable (p > 0.05). All the measured parameters of the two devices showed strong linear correlations (all r ≥ 0.966). Bland-Altman analysis showed a narrow 95% limits of agreement (LoA) of Kf, Ks and AL, but 95%LoA of CCT and Ax1 was wide, which were − 29.3 ~ 0.1µm and-25.9 ~ 30.7°respectively. The CoVs of the biometric parameters obtained with OA-2000 were lower than 1%.
Conclusion
In SO-filled aphakia eyes, the ocular parameters (including AL, Kf, Ks, Ax1, and CCT) measured by the OA-2000 and IOLMaster 700 had a good correlation. Two devices had an excellent agreement on ocular biometric measurements of Kf, Ks and AL. OA-2000 provided excellent repeatability of ocular biometry parameters in SO-filled aphakia eyes.
Changing landscapes: habitat monitoring and land transformation in a long-time used Mediterranean coastal wetland
Authors: Tomaselli Valeria , Mantino Francesca , Albanese Giuseppe , Tarantino Cristina , Adamo Maria
Published: October 2022

Zone Umide della Capitanata, located in the northeastern part of the Apulia Region, is one of the most extensive coastal wetlands of the Italian peninsula and one of the largest components of the Mediterranean wetland system. Despite its high ecological importance, this site has been undergoing a variety of pressures intensified in recent decades. This study analyzes and evaluates the changes occurred in this area between 2010 and 2020. Land cover and habitat maps were performed by photointerpretation and on-site surveys, and classified according to the FAO-LCCS and EUNIS taxonomies, respectively. To focus on local dynamics, four subset areas were analyzed separately. A set of landscape metrics was computed to analyze the landscape structure. The anthropogenic pressures affecting the study area were described through the DPSIR (Driving Forces-Pressures-State-Impact-Response) conceptual framework. Numerous changes were identified, deriving from both finest thematic redefinition and anthropogenic pressures. Both class conversions and class modifications were identified and quantified by means of transition matrices. Most of the observed conversions were borne by classes belonging to saltmarshes and to coastal dune systems. In particular, landscape configuration of coastal dune classes was well highlighted by a set of specific landscape metrics. Agriculture practices and changes in water flow pattern turned out to be the main driving forces exerting pressures on these natural systems. Significant differences were found between the four subsets under analysis, thus, indicating that different management strategies lead to different levels of conservation.
Object Mapping for Obsolete characterization in their variation of changing movements
Authors: M Pradeep , Naveen N
Published: October 2022

Mapping of an image with a dataset for categorizing the order provides variation in the movement, for computing service to acquire the model for arranging the dataset. To order model position in a dataset for computing the method in a image that sequence the order in a generating function. In order to distribute the object position of changing movements, that incurs the cross sectional fact on various position sequence. Instance to collaborate with the order of movements in various position that map the image order in position from the sequence. Order with the mapped image for order the movement position in a generated function that possess the model sequence in a coordinate generated function, mapping objects should be variable in the existing system. In the Proposed method, in the coordinate generated function in the darkened area with the minimum level as origin mapped with the ordered in the reduced sequence, Order a map to coordinate function renders the movement mapped with the function that acquire relation mapped in the order generated function.Sequence the variational coordinates in the mapped function that originate from 148963.21 in a marked value to attain those features in a darkened area with associate function.
Insights on post-injection seismicity through analysis of the Enhanced Geothermal System at Basel (Switzerland)
Authors: Boyet Auregan , De Simone Silvia , Ge Shemin , Vilarrasa Victor
Published: October 2022

Induced seismicity is a limiting factor for the development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and has led to the cancellation of a few projects. Its causal mechanisms are not fully understood, especially those of post-injection seismicity. Here, we revisit the controversial case of the Basel EGS (Switzerland) to better understand the mechanisms that induced seismicity by simulating the hydro-mechanical response to hydraulic stimulation of a pre-existing fault network built on the basis of the monitored seismicity. Simulation results show that the faults located in the vicinity of the injection well fail during injection, triggered by pore pressure buildup coupled with poroelastic stressing, whereas distant faults are stabilized by poroelastic effects depending on the orientation. After injection stops, poroelastic stress relaxation leads to the immediate rupture of these previously stabilized faults. Shear-slip stress transfer, which also contributes to post-injection reactivation of distant faults, is enhanced in faults with slip-induced friction weakening. This work presents a modeling approach to understand the multiple processes leading to the rupture of pre-existent fractures in EGS reservoirs, which is key to improve our induced seismicity forecasting and mitigating capability.
Fetal genetic findings for fetal growth restriction without structural malformations at a territory referral center: 10-year experience
Authors: Wu Xiaoqing , He Shuqiong , Li Ying , Guo Danhua , Chen Xuemei , Liang Bing , Wang Meiying , Huang Hailong , Xu Liangpu
Published: October 2022

Background: Prenatal invasive genetic testing is always offered in pregnancies of FGR. The aim of this study was to explore the fetal genetic factors for FGR without structural malformations according to conventional karyotyping and single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array) analysis during a 10-year period.
Methods:We retrospectively reviewed 488 fetuses who diagnosed with FGR and without structural malformation. Conventional karyotyping was performed on all subjects, and SNP array was performed on 272 of them. The cohort was classified into groups diagnosed at ≤24, 25-28, 29-32, and > 32 weeks of gestation. According to the ultrasonography, they were grouped into isolated FGR, FGR with soft markers, and FGR with nonstructural anomalies. Based on the maternal serum screening (MSS), they were categorized into high-risk and low-risk MSS groups. The rates of abnormal karyotypes and incremental yield of clinically significant aberrations detected by SNP array were compared among groups in different classifications.
Results: According to conventional karyotyping for the whole cohort, 19 (3.9%) cases of chromosomal anomalies were detected, including 11 cases of numerical abnormalities, 5 of structural abnormalities, and 3 of mosaicism. Abnormal karyotypes were more frequently detected in cases diagnosed at ≤24 weeks (7.2%), cases with soft markers (5.2%), and cases with high-risk MSS (7.5%) than in other groups within each classification. Among cases with normal karyotype, additional 4.2% of clinically relevant aberrations were detected by SNP array. The incremental yields in cases diagnosed at ≤24 weeks (6.5%), cases with soft markers (9.5%), and cases with high-risk MSS (12.0%) were higher than those in other groups within each classification.All fetuses with abnormal karyotypes and 7 out of 11 fetuses with clinically relevant aberrations detected by SNP array only resulted in terminations of pregnancy, and the rest 4 fetuses were live born.
Conclusion:Fetal chromosomal aberration is an important etiology for FGR without structural malformation, and plays an important role in pregnancies decision-making. SNP array improves the detection of genetic anomalies especially in fetuses diagnosed at ≤24 weeks, fetuses with soft makers, and fetuses with high risk of MSS.
Additive Role of Susceptibility weighted image To Diffusion weighted image in the diagnosis Of Patients with Acute Stroke
Authors: Rahma Mahmoud Nabil , khadrah Rania sobhy Abou , El-safa Ashraf Ali Abo , El-Ahwal Hanan Mohamed
Published: October 2022

Background
Acute ischemic stroke is defined as decrease in the brain blood supply caused by a blood vessel burst or being blocked by a thrombus, resulting in decreased oxygen and nutrients supply, causing brain tissue damage. Diffusion weighted sequences (DWI) gave us data on the pathophysiology of ischemia and may contribute to therapeutic decisions. Susceptibility weighted (SWI) sequences also have the potential to assess tissue viability. An ischemic area showed increased oxygen extraction fraction and slow flow contributed to greater level of deoxyhemoglobin and vein dilatation, which increases the prominence of vessels on SWI. This prominent vessel sign (PVS) on SWI has been reported due to increased oxygen extraction and matches well with venous and capillary deoxyhemoglobin levels. We aimed in this study to highlight the role of the addition of susceptibility weighted MR images to diffusion weighted images of the brain in the diagnosis of patients with acute stroke. Results: Prominent vessel sign (PVS) on SWI was found in 46 (76.7%) patients. Twelve (20%) patients had haemorrhage (low signals) on SWI and 2 (3.3%) patients had no SWI findings. DWI showed a sensitivity of (100%) and SWI showed a sensitivity of (96.7%) for the detection of infarct All of the 60 (100%) patients showed hyperintense signals on T2WIs, FLAIR sequences, and on DWI and hypointense signals on the ADC map. Conclusions: SWI is a potential adjunct in individuals with acute infarction, SWI may be helpful in identifying asymmetrical conspicuous hypointense arteries, positive DWI-SWI mismatch is an indicator of the ischemic penumbra and a prognostic indicator for infarct expansion.
Body size and countermeasure exercise: implications upon resource utilization during human space exploration missions with female astronauts
Authors: Scott Jonathan P. R. , Green David A. , Cheuvront Samuel N. , Weerts Guillaume
Published: October 2022

Employing a methodology reported in a recent theoretical study on male astronauts, this study estimated the effects of body size and aerobic countermeasure (CM) exercise in a four-person, all-female crew composed of individuals drawn from a stature range (1.50- to 1.90-m) representative of current space agency requirements upon total energy expenditure (TEE), oxygen (O2) consumption, carbon dioxide (CO2) and metabolic heat (Hprod) production, and water requirements for hydration, during space exploration missions. Assuming geometric similarity across the stature range, estimates were derived using available female astronaut data (mean age: 40-y; BMI: 22.7-kg·m− 2; resting VO2 and VO2max: 3.3- and 40.5-mL·kg− 1·min− 1) on 30- and 1080-d missions, without and with, ISS-like countermeasure exercise (modelled as 2x30min aerobic exercise at 75% VO₂max, 6d·wk1). Where spaceflight-specific data/equations were not available, terrestrial equivalents were used. Body size alone increased 24-h TEE (+ 30%), O₂ consumption (+ 60%), CO₂ (+ 60%) and Hprod (+ 60%) production, and water requirements (+ 17%). With CM exercise, the increases were 25–31%, 29%, 32%, 38% and 17–25% across the stature range. Compared to the previous study of theoretical male astronauts, the effect of body size on TEE was markedly less in females, and, at equivalent statures, all parameter estimates were lower for females, with relative differences ranging from − 5% to -29%. When compared at the 50th percentile for stature for US females and males, these differences increased to -11% to -41% and translated to larger reductions in TEE, O2 and water requirements, and less CO2 and Hprod during 1080-d missions using CM exercise. Differences between female and male theoretical astronauts result from lower resting and exercising O2 requirements – based on available astronaut data of female astronauts who are lighter than male astronauts at equivalent statures, and having lower relative VO₂max values. These data, combined with the current move towards smaller diameter space habitat modules point to a number of potential advantages of all-female crews during future human space exploration missions.
In vitro regeneration of Allophylus serratus. Roxb (Kurz), an important medicinal plant
Authors: Jemal Kero
Published: October 2022

Background
Allophylus serratus Roxb (Kurz.) is a medicinal plant with various therapeutic properties. It has been used for the treatment of various alignments such as elephantiasis, edema, fractured bones, in bone dislocations, wound, several gastrointestinal disorders such as dyspepsia, anorexia, and diarrhea. The aim of this study is to establish protocol for surface sterilization, in vitro callus induction and plant regeneration from leaf and nodal segment explants of Allophylus serratus.
Results
From the tested media, the maximum callus induction frequency (81.11%) from leaf and 84.44% from nodal segment explants were achieved on MS medium supplemented with 3 mg l− 1BAP) combined with 0.5mgl− 1 NAA. The highest shoot regeneration frequency (57.78%) and root regeneration frequency (65.55%) were achieved on growth regulators free MS medium and MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg l− 1IBA respectively. Acclimatization of the regenerated plantlets was established successfully (100%) in a pot containing sand, soil and compost in 1:2:2 ratios.
Conclusions
In this study successful callus induction protocol from leaf and nodal explants of A. serratus using MS media supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators (2,4-D, NAA, and BAP). MS media containing 3mg/l BAP and 0.5mg/l NAA was the most efficient for callus induction. these callus induction and plant regeneration protocols are very important for mass propagation of the species and also opens a new way to facilitate secondary metabolites production and isolation of pharmaceuticals from callus rather than harvesting the plant.
Association of Workload and Practice of Respectful Maternity Care Among the Healthcare Providers, Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Western Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Pokharel Alpha , Kiriya Junko , Shibanuma Akira , Silwal Ram Chandra , Jimba Masamine
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Respectful maternity care is an approach that involves respecting women’s belief, choices, emotions, and dignity during the childbirth process. As the workload among maternity care workforce affects intrapartum quality care, respectful maternity care might have also been affected, particularly during the pandemic. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the association between workload among healthcare providers and their practice of respectful maternity care, before and during the pandemic.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in South Western Nepal. A total of 267 healthcare providers from 78 birthing centers were included. Data collection was done through telephone interviews. The exposure variable was workload among the healthcare providers, and the outcome variable was respectful maternity care practice before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multilevel mixed-effect linear regression was used to examine the association.
Results: The median client-provider ratio before and during the pandemic was 21.7 and 13.0, respectively. The mean score of respectful maternity care practice was 44.5 (SD 3.8) before the pandemic, which was decreased to 43.6 (SD 4.5) during the pandemic. Client-provider ratio was negatively associated with respectful maternity care practice for both times; before (Coef. -5.16; 95% CI -8.41 to -1.91) and during (Coef. -7.47; 95% CI -12.72 to -2.23) the pandemic.
Conclusions: While a higher client-provider was associated with a lower respectful maternity care practice score both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the coefficient was larger during the pandemic. Therefore, workload among the healthcare providers should be considered before the implementation of respectful maternity care, and more attention should be given during the pandemic.
Optimal emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) control across the United States
Authors: Hudgins Emma J. , Hanson Jeffrey O. , MacQuarrie Chris J. K. , Yemshanov Denys , Baker Christopher M. , Chades Iadine , Holden Matthew , McDonald-Madden Eve , Bennett Joseph
Published: October 2022

The invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) causes damages to street trees estimated to reach US$ 900 million over the next 30 years. Although millions of dollars are spent annually to control this species, such approaches are often based on heuristics. Here, we reveal an optimal management strategy to protect urban trees in North America from A. planipennis. To achieve this, we embedded a pest dispersal model within a mixed integer programming framework. We discovered that optimized strategies consistently outperformed those based on heuristics, potentially resulting in the protection of an additional one million street trees and savings of $585 million. Critically, the best management strategies always relied on quarantines and biological control (constituting 74-89% and 11-26% of the project budget, respectively), in contrast with current practices, which have shifted responsibility for quarantines to state authorities. Our findings serve to inform future pest control efforts, and can potentially protect many more trees from this invasive species.
Aligned carbon nanotube integrated circuit downsizing toward a sub-10 nm node
Authors: Zhang Zhiyong , Lin Yanxia , Cao Yu , Ding Sujuan , Xu Lin , Liu Chenchen , Hu Qianlan , Jin Chuanhong , Peng Lian-Mao
Published: October 2022

Transistors on aligned semiconducting carbon nanotubes (A-CNTs) have been considered a promising substitute for mainstream Si transistors to extend integrated circuit (IC) technology owing to their potential advantages of easy miniaturization and high energy efficiency, but whether A-CNT FETs can be scalably fabricated with ultrascaled whole dimensions while maintaining high performance remains questionable. Here, we explore the whole size scaling down potential of A-CNT transistors and demonstrate the possibility of implementing such small-geometry transistors in ultra-large-scale ICs that consist of billions of transistors. A-CNT transistors with a contacted gate pitch (CGP) of 175 nm have been achieved by simultaneously scaling the gate length and the contact length, and exhibit an on-current of 2.24 mA/μm and a peak transconductance of 1.64 mS/μm, surpassing silicon 45 nm node transistors in terms of both size and electronic performance. A static random-access memory (SRAM) cell has been built using six A-CNT transistors in an area of 0.967 μm2, which is comparable to the commercial silicon 90 nm technology node and is the smallest SRAM cell based on non-Si semiconductors. Furthermore, a full-contact structure is introduced between the metal and A-CNTs to achieve a contact resistance as low as 90 Ω·μm and to reduce the dependence on the contact length. A-CNT transistors downsized to a CGP of 55 nm (corresponding to the silicon 10 nm technology node) have been demonstrated to outperform 10 nm Si MOS transistors in terms of carrier mobility and Fermi velocity, indicating the tremendous potential of A-CNT transistors in high-performance digital ICs of sub 10 nm nodes.
A community informed cross-sectional analysis of the sexual and reproductive health barriers and recommendations of MSM and TGW in Rwanda
Authors: Hickey Jenna Nicole , Urujeni Moureen , Tuli Shagun , Wong Rex , Isano Sandra
Published: October 2022

Background
Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Rwanda are at higher risk than the general population of being subject to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) disparities pertaining to discrimination and marginalization. There is a significant gap in the literature concerning the experiences of MSM and TGW seeking SRH care, and the challenges that ensue. This study uses an MSM and TGW community-informed survey to analyze the barriers and recommendations to accessing SRH care.
Methods
A quantitative survey was administered to 134 MSM and TGW members of Hope and Care Organization (local non-government organization) in Rwanda to ascertain the magnitude of barriers and assign weight to the recommendations.
Results
COVID-19 induced restrictions, societal stigma, perceptions of community/local leaders, fear of disclosure/outing, and violence were found as barriers for both MSM and TGW (p≤ 0.05). Unsupportive policy/legal environment and long waiting times/delays were barriers specifically for the MSM whereas healthcare provider lack of knowledge was specifically for TGW (p≤ 0.05). More than 90% of respondents across both groups recommended unrestricted operation and capacity building of LGBTQI+ organizations, strengthening legal support, peer education & mentorship, mental health support/counsellors, increased community outreach, expansion of care to rural areas, sensitization of local, religious leaders and employers. Further specialized training for healthcare providers and more inclusive and accepting insurance were specific to MSM whereas increased media awareness and sensitization of the general population were specific to TGW.
Conclusion
This study highlights the unmet SRH needs of TGW and MSM while eliciting community informed recommendations that must drive policy change in Rwanda. The most emphasized recommendations include capacity building, economic support, accessible insurance, sensitization of healthcare providers and increased community outreach. The populations reiterated the need for SRH care to be holistic, highlighting the integral role of mental health care inclusion. Overall, psychosocial safety has been a pervasive theme that needs to be addressed to ensure SRH care delivery.
Food born pathogen contamination of some meat products in Damanhur City, Egypt
Authors: Saad Saber Ali Saad , El-Sayed Amal Mohamed , Abdelgawad Mohamed Hassan , Batiha Gaber El-Saber , Simal-Gandara Jesus
Published: October 2022

Purpose : The study assessed the chemical and microbial quality of some meat products (Liver, Luncheon, minced meat, and Sausage) in addition to detecting some virulence genes associated with some isolated strains.
Method: Two hundred random samples of meat products including 50 samples each of (minced meat, Liver, luncheon and sausage) were randomly collected from different butchers at Damanhur city, El Behera Governorate for some chemical (TVN and TBA) and microbiological evaluation (APC, Staph. aureus, E.coli, Salmonella, Bacillus cereus, and Clostridium perfringens), in addition, detection of virulence genes in some isolated strains.
Result: The obtained results revealed that mean values of TVB-N and TBA was higher in liver than other meat products. In regard to microbiological evaluation, results revealed that incidence of staph. aureus, E.coli, Salmonella, Bacillus cereus and clostridium perfringens were (40, 24, 20 and 30%), (36, 10, 8 and 30%), (2, 4, 0, 4%), (16, 20, 24 and 34%) and (28, 10, 18, and 36%), in the examined minced meat, liver, luncheon and sausage, respectively. Salmonella could not be detected in examined luncheon samples. Regarding virulence genes (Pvl and Sea) and (invA and Stn) were detected in 100% of isolated Staph. aureus and Salmonella strains, respectively. eaeA was detected in 100% of isolated E.coli strains while Stx2 was detected in only one strain. Isolated strains of Clostridium perfringens were positive for enterotoxin gene (cpe) and alpha-toxin (cpa) at percent 100%.
Conclusion: The presence of aerobic bacteria like Staphylococci aureus, E. coli, bacillus cereus, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens may be due to poor hygienic measures during processing and handling of meat products. So, consumption of these products could be associated with possible risk of infection, suggesting the need for the institution of strict hygienic measures during handling of meat products.
Comparative analysis of genetic diversity between local landraces and current breeding lines of pepper in China
Authors: Guo Guangjun , Pan Baogui , Yi Xixi , Khan Abid , Zhu Xuemei , Ge Wei , Liu Jinbing , Diao Weiping , Wang Shubin
Published: October 2022

Based on 22 qualitative traits, 13 quantitative traits, and 27 molecular markers (26 SSR and 1 InDel), in the current study we systematically compared the diversity and population structure of 94 local landraces and 85 current breeding lines of pepper in China. The results showed that the Shannon Diversity indices of 9 qualitative traits and 8 quantitative traits in current breeding lines were greater than those of landraces, of which 11 were fruit organ-related traits. Compared with current breeding lines, the mean values of Gene Diversity index and Polymorphism Information content of local landraces were higher by 0.08 and 0.09, respectively. Population structure and phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the 179 germplasm resources could be divided into two taxa, dominated by local landraces and current breeding lines, respectively. The above results indicated that the diversity of quantitative traits of current breeding lines were higher than that of local landraces, especially traits related to fruit organs, but the genetic diversity based on molecular markers was lower than that of local landraces. Therefore, in the future breeding process, we should not only focus on the selection of target traits, but also strengthen the background selection based on molecular markers. Moreover, the genetic information of other domesticated species and wild species will be transferred to the breeding lines through interspecific crosses to expand the genetic background of the breeding material.
Improvement in water pollution control alters reservoir nutrient stoichiometry of Guanting Reservoir in the Winter Olympic host cities, North China
Authors: Dan Dai , Huang Guoxian , Lei Kun , Cai Wenqian , Zhao Xianfu , Sun Qingqing , Hu Jun
Published: October 2022

Significant improvement in wastewater treatment is the most effective way for eutrophication control in semiarid regions. However, its effect on the nutrient status of the receiving water body has remained poorly considered and understood at broad temporal scales. Taking Guanting Reservoir (GR) in Hebei-Beijing (P. R. China) as an example, we present a study that links a continuous monitoring dataset for GR with corresponding estimates of human-induced nutrient discharges in its watershed from the year 2006 to 2019. We find that GR showed decreasing total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations and increasing TN/TP mass ratios, and the decreasing trend of TP was faster than that of TN. The improved municipal wastewater treatment capacity is mainly responsible for the decreasing TN, and TP concentrations and the increasing TN/TP ratios in GR, as phosphorus is easier to remove from wastewater than nitrogen. Although wastewater treatment capacity has improved, the observed TP of GR (93.7 μg L-1) is higher than the threshold value of harmful algae blooms occurring (50 μg L-1) in recent years (2016-2019). Given the potential ecological impact on aquatic biodiversity as well as ecosystem function of changes in TN/TP ratios and higher retention rate of TP (97.4%) compared with TN (93.1%) in GR, our findings highlight that future strategy for water pollution control should not only concentrate on more nutrient reduction efficiencies but attach importance to their stoichiometric balance to reduce the potential risk of eutrophication during the recovery of GR.
UTP23 is a promising prognostic biomarker and is associated with immune infiltration in breast cancer
Authors: Li Jindong , Xie Siman , Zhang Benteng , He Weiping , Zhang Yan , Hua Huilian , Yang Li
Published: October 2022

Background
Breast cancer is one of the malignant tumors with a high incidence and mortality rate among women worldwide, and its prevalence is increasing year by year, posing a serious health risk to women. UTP23 (UTP23 Small Subunit Processome Component) is a nucleolar protein that is essential for ribosome production. As we all know, disruption of ribosome structure and function results in improper protein function, affecting the body's normal physiological processes and promoting cancer growth. However, little research has shown a connection between UTP23 and cancer.
Methods
We analyzed the mRNA expression of UTP23 in normal tissue and breast cancer using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the protein expression of UTP23 using The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database. Next, we examined the relationship between UTP23 high expression and Overall Survival (OS) using Kaplan-Meier Plotters and enriched 980 differentially expressed genes in UTP23 high and low expression samples using GO/KEGG and GSEA to identify potential biological functions of UTP23 and signaling pathways that it might influence. Finally, we also investigated the relationship between UTP23 and immune infiltration and examined the effect of UTP23 on the proliferation of human breast cancer cell lines by knocking down UTP23.
Results
We found that UTP23 levels in breast cancer patient samples were noticeably greater than those in healthy individuals and that high UTP23 levels were strongly linked with poor prognoses (P = 0.008). Functional enrichment analysis revealed that UTP23 expression was connected to the humoral immune response. Besides, UTP23 expression was found to be positively correlated with immune cell infiltration. Furthermore, UTP23 knockdown has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 and HCC-1806.
Conclusion
Taken together, our study demonstrated that UTP23 is a promising target in detecting and treating breast cancer and is intimately linked to immune infiltration.
Accelerating the transition to cobalt-free batteries: a system level solution
Authors: Onori Simona , Pozzato Gabriele , Li Xueyan , Lee Donghoon , Ko Johan
Published: October 2022

The increased adoption of lithium iron phosphate batteries by the automotive sector, in response to the need to reduce the battery manufacturing process dependence on scarce and expensive materials, and have a resilient and ethical supply chain, comes with intrinsic modeling and control challenges. To design an effective and high performing battery management system (BMS), such challenges must be tackled in a timely fashion.
In this work, a physics-based model describing the two-phase transition operation of iron-phosphate positive electrode - in a graphite anode battery - is integrated with a machine learning model to capture the hysteresis and path dependent behavior during transient operation. The machine learning component of the proposed \hybrid" model is built upon the knowledge of the electrochemical internal states of the battery during charge and discharge operation over real driving cycles. It is shown that the machine learning component of the hybrid model is responsible for a small percentage of the total battery behavior. The proposed modeling strategy can be used for battery performance analysis, synthetic data generation, and the development of reduced order models for BMS design.