bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scaling up noncommunicable disease care in a resource-limited context: lessons learned and implications for policy
Authors: Mamo Yoseph , Mekoro Mirchaye , Phillips David , Mortimore Andrew
Published: March 2024

Background:Although primary care models for the care of common noncommunicable diseases (NCD) have been developed in sub-Saharan Africa, few have described an integrated, decentralized approach at the community level. We report the results of a four-year, Ethiopian project to expand this model of NCD care to 15 primary hospitals and 45 health centres encompassing a wide geographical spread and serving a population of approximately 7.5 million people.Methods:Following baseline assessment of the 60 sites, 30 master trainers were used to cascade train a total of 621 health workers in the diagnosis, management and health education of the major common NCDs identified in a scoping review (hypertension, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and epilepsy). Pre- and post-training assessments and regular mentoring visits were carried out to assess progress and remedy supply or equipment shortages and establish reporting systems. The project was accompanied by a series of community engagement activities to raise awareness and improve health seeking behaviour.Results:A total of 643,296 people were screened for hypertension and diabetes leading to a new diagnosis in 24,313 who were started on treatment. Significant numbers of new cases of respiratory disease (3,986) and epilepsy (1,925) were also started on treatment. Mortality rates were low except for hypertension in the rural health centres where 311 (10.2%) died during the course of the project. Loss to follow up (LTFU), defined as failure to attend clinic for >6 months despite reminders, was low in the hospitals but represented a significant problem in the urban and rural health centres with up to 20 to 30 % of patients with hypertension or diabetes absenting from treatment by the end of the project. Estimates of the population disease burden enrolled within the project, however, were disappointing; asthma (0.49%), hypertension (1.7%), epilepsy (3.3%) and diabetes (3.4%).Conclusion:This project demonstrates the feasibility of scaling up integrated NCD services in a variety of locations, with modest cost and methodology that is replicable and highly sustainable. However, the relatively small gain in the detection and treatment of common NCDs highlights the huge challenge in making NCD services available to all.
Effects of dietary crude protein on antioxidant activity, immunocompetence and the structural properties of the rumen in Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries), as determined by transcriptomic analysis
Authors: Wu Zhenling , Zhang Fengshuo , Su Quyangangmao , Ji Qiurong , Zhu Kaina , Zhang Yu , Wang Zhiyou , Hou Shengzhen , Gui Linsheng
Published: March 2024

Background: The rumen is a balanced ecosystem harboring a variety of microorganisms and plays an important role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients for ruminant. However, there are few studies on the effects of dietary crude protein on development and function in rumen of Tibetan sheep. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) on the antioxidant activity, immunocompetence and the structural properties in the rumen of Tibetan sheep. Sixty two-month-old rams with an average weight of 15.40±0.81 Kg were randomly assigned to low-protein diet (10.20% of dry matter, L group) and high-protein diet (11.58% of dry matter, H group). The experiment was conducted over 97 d, including 7 d of adaption to the diets.
Results: Hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) results showed that high-protein diet increased papilla length, papilla width and muscular layer in rumen (P < 0.05). Compared with L group, supplementation with 11.58% crude protein increased the activities of T-AOC and SOD significantly (P < 0.05). A total of 612 significant differentially expressed genes (158 up-regulated and 456 down-regulated) were found in response to high-protein diet. Pathways and genes related to fatty acid biosynthesis, nutrition metabolism and muscle development were verified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
Conclusions: In conclusion, 11.58% crude protein diet had superior papillary development and antioxidant activity of Tibetan sheep, likely through modulating the expression of functional genes.
Via inhibiting glycolysis and oxidative respiration and promoting ferroptosis, ETFDH inhibits the proliferation of colorectal cancer
Authors: Feng Yaoyao , Zhong Ziyuan , Zang Yufei , Geng Congcong , Yan Shujun , Wang Fangjian , Zhan Fengxia
Published: March 2024

Purpose
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the digestive system worldwide.There is substantial evidence indicating the downregulation of the ETFDH gene in tumor tissues. However, the role and mechanism of ETFDH in CRC has not yet been reported. In this study, we aim to investigate the functions of ETFDH in CRC tumorigenesis.
Methods
To investigate if the expression of ETFDH is downregulated in colorectal cancer, colorectal cancer tissues and cells were used to detect the mRNA level by RT-PCR and Q-PCR. Cell function experiments were taken to explore the role of ETFDH gene in HCT116 and SW480 cells. In order to investigate the underlying mechanism, the cellular energy metabolism, lipid peroxidation MDA and
Analyzing unexploitable, agronomic, and non-agronomic yield gaps in irrigated barley growing areas of arid and frost-prone regions from Iran
Authors: Rahimi Mohammad Reza , Deihimfard Reza , Noori Omid
Published: March 2024

The yield gap analysis is an important topic for researchers worldwide as it aims to identify the factors influencing the gap between actual and potential yields and to enhance food security. In the current study, the APSIM-Barley model was calibrated for three irrigated barley cultivars, validated using 31 field experiment reports, and applied to simulate long-term (1989 to 2019) yields under eight production levels in eight major barley growing locations of Iran (Arak, Hamedan, Kabudarahang, Marvdasht, Neyshabour, Sabzevar, Saveh and Shiraz). Three major yield gaps, namely unexploitable, agronomic and non-agronomic ones, were analyzed. The results revealed a huge difference between potential and actual yields (on average, 5.4 t ha− 1 yield gap) across the studied locations indicating that the farmers could be able to achieve only 38.6% of the potential yield. Yield gap values varied over locations and seasons. Unexploitable, agronomic, and non-agronomic yield gaps in the studied locations averaged 26.7%, 55.9%, and 17.4% of total yield gap, respectively. The major part of the agronomic yield gap in the studied locations was owing to water limitation, which accounted for ~ 40% of the agronomic yield gap, followed by other agronomic (30%), frost-limited (15.8%), cultivar-limited (13.7%), and sowing date-limited (10.4%) yield gaps. Our findings showed that by improving agronomic management practices, particularly water management and farmers’ non-agronomic conditions, the current yield gaps could be reduced considerably in arid and frost-affected locations.
Residual stress evaluation in innovative layer-level continuous functionally graded materials produced by Powder Bed Fusion-Laser Beam
Authors: Campanelli Sabina Luisa , Carone Simone , Casavola Katia , Errico Vito , Pappalettera Giovanni , Posa Paolo
Published: March 2024

Powder Bed Fusion-Laser Beam (PBF-LB) can manufacture advanced multi-material metal components that outperform conventional material restrictions by combining different properties within a single structure. This process increasingly incorporates functionally graded materials (FGMs) to facilitate smooth transitions between dissimilar materials. However, high thermal gradients experienced by materials during construction can result in the development of a complex and high residual stress field. If not adequately managed, component failure is possible, even during construction. The main objective of this study is to evaluate residual stresses in AISI 316L and 18Ni Maraging 300 FGMs with continuous variation of composition within a single layer, using the contour method. The manufacture of this kind of layer-level continuous FGMs by employing PBF-LB system utilizing a blade/roller-based powder spreading technique has only been recently devised and a proper residual stress analysis is still required. In fact, as the mechanical properties in additively manufactured samples are significantly influenced by the direction of construction, the same holds true for the direction along which the compositional variation is made. Furthermore, in this study the impact of solution annealing and aging heat treatment, necessary for enhancing the mechanical properties of martensitic steel, on residual stresses was explored. Additionally, the effect of adopting material-differentiated process parameters was investigated. The results indicated that each specimen displayed areas of tensile stress concentration on the upper and lower surfaces, balanced by compression in the center. The application of heat treatment led to a decrease in the maximum tensile stress and provided a uniform and significant stress reduction within the maraging steel. Finally, the implementation of material-specific process parameters for the three composition zones in conjunction with the heat treatment resulted in a reduction in the maximum residual stress of 35% and also a significantly lower residual stress field throughout the specimen.
HomoGenius: a Foundation Model of Homogenization for Rapid Prediction of Effective Mechanical Properties using Neural Operators
Authors: Wang yizheng , Li Xiang , Yan Ziming , Du Yuqing , Bai Jinshuai , Liu Bokai , Rabczuk Timon , Liu yinghua
Published: March 2024

Homogenization is an essential tool for studying multiscale physical phenomena. However, traditional numerical homogenization, heavily reliant on finite element analysis, requires extensive computation costs, particularly in handling complex geometries, materials, and high-resolution problems. To address these limitations, we propose a numerical homogenization model based on operator learning: HomoGenius. The proposed model can quickly provide homogenization results for arbitrary geometries, materials, and resolutions, increasing the efficiency by a factor of 80 compared to traditional numerical homogenization methods. We validate effectiveness of our model in predicting the effective elastic modulus on periodic materials (TPMS: Triply Periodic Minimal Surface), including complex geometries, various Poisson's ratios and elastic modulus, and different resolutions for training and testing. The results show that our model possesses high precision, super efficiency, and learning capability.
The effects of photosynthetic rate on respiration in light, starch/sucrose partitioning, and other metabolic fluxes within photosynthesis
Authors: Xu Yuan , Kaste Joshua , Weise Sean , Shachar-Hill Yair , Sharkey Thomas
Published: March 2024

In the future, plants may encounter increased light and elevated CO2 levels. How consequent alterations in photosynthetic rates will impact fluxes in photosynthetic carbon metabolism remains uncertain. Respiration in light (RL) is pivotal in plant carbon balance and a key parameter in photosynthesis models. Understanding the dynamics of photosynthetic metabolism and RL under varying environmental conditions is essential for optimizing plant growth and agricultural productivity. However, measuring RL under high light and high CO2 (HLHC) conditions poses challenges using traditional gas exchange methods. In this study, we employed isotopically nonstationary metabolic flux analysis (INST-MFA) to estimate RL and investigate photosynthetic carbon flux, unveiling nuanced adjustments in Camelina sativa under HLHC. Despite numerous flux alterations in HLHC, RL remained stable. HLHC affects several factors influencing RL, such as starch and sucrose partitioning, vo/vc ratio, triose phosphate partitioning, and hexose kinase activity. Analysis of A/Ci curve operational points reveals that HLHC's major changes primarily stem from CO2 suppressing photorespiration. Integration of these fluxes into a simplified model predicts changes in CBC labeling under HLHC. This study extends our prior discovery that incomplete CBC labeling is due to unlabeled carbon reimported during RL, offering insights into manipulating labeling through adjustments in photosynthetic rates.
Effects of different surface preparations of fluorotic enamel on the bonding strength of attachment in Clear aligners
Authors: Lei Jie , Xia Rui , Luo Maoxuan , Xiao Yao
Published: March 2024

Improving the bonding ability of the attachment on fluorotic enamel has great potential in clinical application and alternative orthodontic treatment for patients with dental fluorosis. To investigate the effects of different combination of Er: YAG laser and acid etching, 20 healthy teeth and 90 dental fluorosis were randomly allocated to different groups and separately handled. We evaluated shear bonding strength of each group. The changes of enamel structure and fracture mode of attachments were observed by Scanning Electron Microscope and stereo-microscope, respectively. The shear bonding strength of attachment group was higher than bracket group (P < 0.01). On the attachment, the combination of Er: YAG laser and acid etching improved bonding strength than only acid etching group (P < 0.01). The main fracture modes of attachment in the etching group were adhesive interface fracture and mixed fracture, while those in the combination group were mixed fracture and resin cohesion fracture (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the shear bonding strength of the attachment was higher than that of the bracket under the same conditions, and prolonging the etching time improved the bonding performance of the enamel. The excessive etching led to the dissolution of the enamel column structure and reduced the bonding performance. The combination of Er: YAG laser and acid etching improve the bonding ability of clear aligner attachment on the surface of dental fluorosis.
Investigation of proton transport through carbon nanotube segment
Authors: Khademi Azadeh , Kheirmand Mehdi , Azami S. M.
Published: March 2024

Proton transport plays key role in fuel cell technology and development. Therefore, carbon nanotubes can be employed for proton transport. In this research, segments of carbon nanotubes are used as molecular-scale channel to transport proton. Two rings of a small carbon nanotube is considered as segment and transport of proton from one end of the segment to the other end is investigated. Results show that proton undergoes minimum and maximum structures with respect to their energies and can be absorbed inside the segment. Energy profile of the proton transport structures is calculated and barrier and Gibbs free energies of the specie are also reported.
Investigation and analysis of the posture characteristics and risk factors implicated in scoliosis among college students
Authors: YANG Zhaoyi , KANG Zhenghong , Gao Xing , DING Huixian , XUAN Junjie , LIU Hua
Published: March 2024

Objective
The health of the spine is a lifetime problem that may influence function, mobility, and everyday living. The purpose of this research is to investigate spinal morphology screening on college students at Wuhan Sports University, analyze the incidence of scoliosis, associated improper posture features, and other risk factors, and provide evidence for avoiding scoliosis.
Methods
The questionnaire survey was used to collect basic student information such as gender, height, weight, major, training years, and so on. A physical examination and functional movement screen were used for the primary screening of scoliosis. The angle of trunk rotation (ATR) was measured by the Adams Test, and the thoracic kyphosis angle and the angle of trunk inclination (ATI) were measured by a spinal scan electronic spine measuring instrument. The subjects with anteroposterior X-ray Cobb angle > 10 ° were diagnosed as scoliosis patients. Analyze the influencing factors of scoliosis through the Chi-square test, independent sample t-test, logistic binary regression, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. All data were analyzed by SPSS 26.0 statistical analysis software.
Results
The screening rate for scoliosis among 1,003 college students was 2.2%. Scoliosis was associated with the values of stable trunk rotation (r = -0.113, P < 0.001) and push-up (r = -0.109, P < 0.05). There were also big differences in body shape (high and low shoulders, pelvic tilt, the angle of trunk rotation (ATR), the angle of trunk inclination (ATI), body mass index (BMI), and the arch index (AHI), disciplinary expertise, and grip strength (P < 0.05). Disciplinary majors (OR = 2.994, 95% CI: 1.26–7.11), rotation angle (OR = 3.53, 95% CI: 1.49–8.4), and BMI (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.06–1.34) of subjects were risk factors for scoliosis, and the cut-off value of BMI for scoliosis was 20.69.
Conclusion
The incidence of scoliosis is quite low among college students in technical disciplines (mainly referring to sports and arts majors) and is strongly associated with anomalies in several morphological markers, including BMI, grip strength, and functional motions. Furthermore, it is advisable to use the anticipated cut-off values of body mass index (BMI) of 20.69 and FMS for the purpose of screening for scoliosis, in addition to considering signs of aberrant body morphology.
Bidirectional causality between Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Depression: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: wu chuanyu , Yu Ya , Zhao Tongtong , Xie Hui
Published: March 2024

Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (ISSHL) is a sudden onset, unexplained sensorineural hearing loss. Depression is a common mental disorder and a leading cause of disability. Here, We used a two-sample Mendelian randomization approach using pooled statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of ISSHL (1,491 cases, 196,592 controls) and depression (23,424 cases, 192,220controls) in European populations. This study investigated the bidirectional relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with depression and ISSHL using inverse variance weighting (IVW).Additional sensitivity analyses, such as Mendelian randomization-Egger (MR-Egger), weighted median estimates, and leave-one-out analysis, were performed to assess the reliability of the findings. Significant causal association between genetic susceptibility to ISSHL and depression in a random-effects IVW approach (OR = 1.037, 95% CI = 1.004–1.072, P = 0.030). In contrast, genetic depression was not risk factors for ISSHL (OR = 1.134, 95% CI = 0.871–1.475, P = 0.350). After validation by different MR methods and the sensitivity analysis, all of the above results are consistent. The evidence we have gathered suggests a causal relationship between ISSHL and depression. The presence of the former induces or further exacerbates the latter, whereas a similar situation does not exist when the latter is an influencing factor.
A method of minimizing solid board in designing a paperboard carton
Authors: Pyr’yev Yuriy , Piłczyńska Katarzyna , Kibirkštis Edmundas , Gegeckienė Laura , Venytė Ingrida , Vaitasius Kęstutis
Published: March 2024

The conducted research was aimed at increasing the accuracy of predicting the maximum force compressing a solid cardboard box. Changes in the technology of solid cardboard production and the design of packaging help to increase the durability of packaging; however, typical estimation methods do not take these changes into account. By determining the number of important parameters of the box and using a specific approach, it was possible to develop a semi-empirical model of the maximum force compressing the box and simplify it. By using this model, you can reduce the amount of solid board required for a specific package without reducing the life of the box. The maximum force prediction method presented in the article is also suitable for creating other box models.
Differences between the normal and perceived appropriate portion sizes of discretionary foods
Authors: Rangan Anna , Liu Qingzhou , Allman-Farinelli Margaret
Published: March 2024

Background There are limited data on the amount of discretionary foods that people normally consume and consider as appropriate at one eating occasion. This study aimed to provide an overview of the range and assess differences of the ‘normal portion size’ and ‘perceived appropriate portion size’ of energy-dense nutrient-poor discretionary foods among consumers aged 18–65 years.Methods To measure normal and perceived appropriate portion sizes, a validated online image-series questionnaire consisting of eight successive portion size options for 15 discretionary foods was completed at two timepoints. Quantile regression models were used to estimate the ranges (lower boundary at 17th percentile, upper boundary at 83rd percentile) of normal and perceived appropriate portion sizes selected by two thirds of the study population. Models were adjusted for the effects of potential influencing factors including biological sex, age, usual physical activity level, cooking confidence, socio-economic status, body mass index, and baseline hunger levels.Results A final sample of 295 participants were included in the analysis (51% females, mean age 39.5 ± 14.1 years). The normal portion sizes were significantly higher than the perceived appropriate portion sizes across all test foods, with the effects of sex, age, and BMI being significant for some foods.Conclusion The finding suggests that consumers would normally consume a portion size that was larger than what they perceive to be appropriate for discretionary foods. The estimated lower and upper boundaries would be valuable for the development of pragmatic public health messages to empower consumers towards better portion control.
Medical Image Analysis using Improved SAM-Med2D: Segmentation and Classification Perspectives
Authors: Sun Jiakang , Chen Ke , He Zhiyi , Ren Siyuan , He Xinyang , Liu Xu , Peng Cheng
Published: March 2024

Recently emerged SAM-Med2D represents a state-of-the-art advancement in medical image segmentation. Through fine-tuning the Large Visual Model, Segment Anything Model (SAM), on extensive medical datasets, it has achieved impressive results in cross-modal medical image segmentation. However, its reliance on interactive prompts may restrict its applicability under specific conditions. To address this limitation, we introduce SAM-AutoMed, which achieves automatic segmentation of medical images by replacing the original prompt encoder with an improved MobileNet v3 backbone. The performance on multiple datasets surpasses both SAM and SAM-Med2D. Current enhancements on the Large Visual Model SAM lack applications in the field of medical image classif ication. Therefore, we introduce SAM-MedCls, which combines the encoder of SAM-Med2D with our designed attention modules to construct an end-to-end medical image classification model. It performs well on datasets of various modalities, even achieving state-of-the-art results, indicating its potential to become a universal model for medical image classification.
Temporal-Spatial Characteristics of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) near Petrochemical Industrial Complex using PTR-ToF-MS
Authors: Kim Jong Bum , Kim Jeongho , Kim Kyung Hwan , Hwang Kyucheol , Park Sechan , Noh Sujin , Lee Seonyeop , Lee Jooyeon , Park Duckshin
Published: March 2024

Petrochemical complexes cause local air pollution and deteriorate the health of local residents by emitting a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study used a real-time analysis system to check the spatiotemporal distribution of pollutants discharged from petrochemical complexes. The proton transfer reaction time of a flight mass spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS) was used as the measurement system. We performed measurements from July 21 to 26, 2021, mobile observations from July 21 to 22, 2021 and fixed observations from July 23 to 26, 2021. Meteorological analysis indicated that the prevailing wind direction was northwesterly, and pollutants discharged from industrial complexes in upwind regions have a high impact on villages in downwind regions. Mobile observation confirmed high concentrations in the section with the village hall, raw petroleum storage, landfill, and petrochemical production process. Methanol and acetone were in high concentrations at all times, and the concentrations of acetaldehyde, acetone, acetic acid, methylethyl ketone, and toluene increased once the production process started. The concentrations of benzene, known carcinogens, were particularly high, at times exceeding the acceptable threshold, indicating the need for improvement measures in the future.
Duration of effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine in Japan: A retrospective cohort study using large- scale population-based registry data
Authors: Uemura Kohei , Ono Sachiko , Michihata Nobuaki , Yamana Hayato , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: March 2024

Background
Most evidence of the waning of vaccine effectiveness is limited to a relatively short period after vaccination.
Methods
Data obtained from a linked database of healthcare administrative claims and vaccination records maintained by the municipality of a city in the Kanto region of Japan were used in this study. The study period extended from April 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022. The duration of the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine was analyzed using a time-dependent piecewise Cox proportional hazard model using the age, sex and history of cancer, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease as covariates.
Results
Among the 174,757 eligible individuals, 14,416 (8.3%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 and 936 (0.54%) were hospitalized for COVID-19. Multivariate analysis based on the time-dependent Cox regression model revealed a lower incidence of COVID-19 in the one-dose group (hazard ratio, 0.76 [95% confidence interval, 0.63–0.91]), two-dose (0.89 [0.85–0.93]), three-dose (0.80 [0.76–0.85]), four-dose (0.93 [0.88–1.00]), and five-dose (0.72 [0.62–0.84]) groups. A lower incidence of COVID-19-related hospitalization was observed in the one-dose group (0.42 [0.21–0.81]), two-dose (0.44 [0.35–0.56]), three-dose (0.38 [0.30–0.47]), four-dose (0.20 [0.14–0.28]), and five-dose (0.11 [0.014–0.86]) groups. Multivariable analyses based on the time-dependent piecewise Cox proportional hazard model revealed significant preventive effects of the vaccine at 0–1, 1–2, 2–3, 3–4, 7–8, ≥ 12 months for the incidence of COVID-19 and 0–1, 1–2, 2–3, 3–4, 4–5, 5–6, 7–8, and 9–10 months for hospitalization.
Conclusions
Vaccine effectiveness showed gradual attenuation with time after vaccination; however, protective effects against the incidence of COVID-19 and hospitalization were maintained for 4 months and ≥ 6 months, respectively. These results may aid in formulating routine vaccination plans after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Digging Deeper: Gender-Related Stressors and Coping Strategies Among Farmers (N=1,394)
Authors: Montgomery Anne , Dunaway James , Basey Stephanie , Scoggins Chris
Published: March 2024

Background
Farmer mental health - including stress levels, stressors, and coping mechanisms - has rarely been investigated in quantitative work. In addition, gender differences among farmers are seldom studied.
Aims:
The aim is to uncover gender-based disparities in stress experiences and coping strategies among agricultural workers.
Methods:
The study included 1,394 farmers (67.7% male, 32.3% female) from Georgia, USA, who completed an online questionnaire on various aspects of mental well-being.
Results
The findings highlight distinct differences in characteristics between male and female farmers, with a notable proportion of female farmers being first-generation, suggesting unique challenges for this subgroup. While Perceived Stress Scores were similar between genders, male farmers reported more unhappiness in their farm roles, while a significantly higher proportion of female farmers experienced depression 5-12 times per year. Additionally, females exhibited a slightly higher frequency of suicidal ideation.
Stressors were generally consistent among farmers, yet females expressed greater concern about work-life balance and financial issues, while males were more worried about sexual issues and alcohol use. Coping mechanisms varied, with male farmers employing a wider array of strategies, including alcohol consumption as a prominent coping method.
A stratified propensity score matching analysis was conducted to explore the gender effect on suicidal ideation. After controlling for relevant covariates, the gender difference in suicidal ideation disappeared. This suggests that gender-based stress responses may be influenced more by external stressors and environmental factors, potentially mediated by gender roles, rather than inherent sex differences.
Conclusion:
These findings underscore the significance of considering job-related variables when studying mental health outcomes in farmers, as these factors significantly influence suicidal ideation patterns. Identifying and addressing gender-specific challenges can inform targeted interventions to support the mental health and well-being of agricultural workers.
Purpose
Literature on the mental health of farmers has been scarce. The most common studies focus on the potential outcome of poor mental health, such as depression or suicide. Although some work is emerging on farmer’s stressors, there has not been a cross-sectional survey that compares male and female farmers’ stressors and coping mechanisms. Throughout this study, the term "farmers" will encompass agricultural workers of various roles, including farm workers, managers, and owners.
Oscillometric Blood Pressure Measurements on Smartphones using Vibrometric Force Estimation
Authors: Barry Colin , Xuan Yinan , Fascetti Ava , Moore Alison , Wang Edward Jay
Published: March 2024

This paper proposes a smartphone-based method for measuring blood pressure (BP) using the oscillometric method. To measure BP, it is necessary to measure (1) the pressure applied to the artery and (2) the local blood volume change. This is accomplished by performing an oscillometric measurement at the finger’s digital artery, whereby a user presses down on the phone’s camera with steadily increasing force. The camera is used to capture the blood volume change using photoplethysmography. We devised a novel method for measuring the force applied by the finger without the use of specialized smartphone hardware with a technique called Vibrometric Force Estimation (VFE). The fundamental concept of VFE relies on a phenomenon where a vibrating object is dampened when an external force is applied on to it. This phenomenon can be recreated using the phone’s own vibration motor and with powerthe resulting damped vibration measured using the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). A cross device reliability study with three smartphones of different manufacturers, shape, and prices results in similar force estimation performance across all smartphone models. In an N = 24 validation study of the BP measurement, the smartphone technique achieves a MAE of 9·35 mmHg and 7·94 mmHg of systolic and diastolic BP, respectively, compared to an FDA approved BP cuff. The vision for this technology is not necessarily to replace existing BP monitoring solutions, but rather to introduce a downloadable smartphone software application that could serve as a low-barrier hypertension screening measurement fit for widespread adoption.
Subclassification of obesity for precision prediction of cardiometabolic diseases: an IMI SOPHIA study
Authors: Franks Paul , Coral Daniel , Smit Femke , Farzaneh Ali , Gieswinkel Alexander , Fernández-Tajes Juan , Sparsø Thomas , Delfin Carl , Bauvin Pierre , Wang Kan , Temprosa Marinella , De Cock Diederick , Blanch Jordi , Fernández-Real José Manuel , Ramos Rafael , Ikram M. Kamran , Gomez Maria , Kavousi Maryam , Panova-Noeva Marina , WIld Philipp , Kallen Carla van der , Adriaens Michiel , Greevenbroek Marleen van , Arts Ilja , Roux Carel Le , Ahmadizar Fariba , Frayling Timothy , Giordano Giuseppe , Pearson Ewan
Published: March 2024

Obesity and cardiometabolic disease often, but not always, coincide. Distinguishing sub-populations within which cardiometabolic risk diverges from the risk expected for a given body mass index (BMI) may facilitate precision prevention of cardiometabolic diseases. Accordingly, we performed unsupervised clustering in four European population-based cohorts (N ~ 173K). We detected five discordant profiles consisting of individuals with cardiometabolic biomarkers higher or lower than expected given their BMI, in total representing ~20% of the total population. Persons with discordant profiles differed from concordant individuals in prevalence and future risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and diabetes. Subtle BMI-discordances in biomarkers affected disease risk. For instance, a 10% higher probability of having a discordant lipid profile was associated with a 5% higher risk of MACE (HR in women: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.06, p = 4.19x10-10; HR in men: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.06, p= 9.33x10-14). Multivariate prediction models for MACE and diabetes performed better when incorporating discordant profile information (likelihood ratio test P < 0.001). This enhancement represents an additional net benefit of 4 to 15 additional correct interventions, and 37 to 135 additional unnecessary interventions correctly avoided for every 10,000 individuals tested.
Effects of screening colonoscopy in preventing colorectal cancer:
re-analysis of the NordICC trial
Authors: Brenner Hermann , Holland-Letz Tim , Kopp-Schneider Annette , Heisser Thomas , Hoffmeister Michael
Published: March 2024

Background. In the NordICC trial, the first randomized trial reporting on the effects of screening colonoscopy, reduction of colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence during 10 years of follow-up was estimated as 18% in intention-to-screen analysis, and 31% in adjusted per-protocol analysis. However, the „incident“ cases considered in these analyses included large proportions of CRCs that were already prevalent at recruitment and could not possibly have been prevented by the screening. We derived effect estimates for the reduction of truly incident, actually preventable cases from the published trial results.
Methods. Numbers of truly incident cases, which were directly observable only among screening attenders, were estimated for all groups of participants under the following plausible assumptions: (i) equal CRC prevalence and incidence in the invited and the usual-care group in the absence of screening effects (plausible due to the randomized design and the large sample size), and (ii) equal share of prevalent CRC cases among all CRC cases in screening non-attenders and attenders in the absence of screening effects (assumption needed for intention-to-screen analyses only). We calculated screening effects with respect to reduction of truly incident cases.
Results. With relative risk estimates (95% CI) of 0.72 (0.59-0.91) and 0.43 (0.26-0.78), offer and use of screening colonoscopy were estimated to reduce truly incident cases by 28% in intention-to-screen analysis and by 57% in adjusted per-protocol analysis.
Conclusion. The ability of screening colonoscopy to prevent incident CRC is much stronger than originally reported from the so far only RCT on long-term effects of screening colonoscopy.
Evaluation of the resection plane three-dimensional positional accuracy using a resection guide directional guidance slot. A randomized clinical trial
Authors: El-Mahallawy Yehia , Dessoky Noha , Abdelrahman Hams , Al-Mahalawy Haytham
Published: March 2024

Objective
The study was performed to compare the mandibular resection guide with a directional guidance slot with the conventional guide regarding three-dimensional positional accuracy.
Materials and methods
Twenty-six patients with lateral segmental mandibular defects were selected, and randomly allocated into two groups. All defects were managed with preoperative virtual surgical planning. Resection in the test group was conducted using a resection guide with a directional guidance slot, while a conventional resection guide design was utilized in the control group. The linear and angular deviation of the osteotomy planes was analyzed for both groups, along with the accuracy of the insertion of the reconstruction bone block in the resected defect. Data were documented, absolute deviation was calculated, statistical analysis was performed and significance was set at the 5% level.
Results
The cases conducted with a directional guidance templet reported a statistically significant difference when compared to the conventional edge-cutting guide regarding the linear and angular spatial osteotomy plane position (P < 0.001). The defect span analysis reported excellent levels of agreement in both groups (ICC = 1.00, ICC = 0.995), however, the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001).
Conclusion
The study demonstrated the enhanced positional accuracy of the resection plane and reconstruction block placement when a directional slot is incorporated in the computer-generated resection guide.
Effects of Various Air Flow Modification Techniques on Design and Development of a Multi-fan Blower Type Open-Section Civil Wind Tunnel
Authors: Nasrollahi Saeid , Yazdi Saeid Reza Sabbagh
Published: March 2024

The wind tunnel is widely used as an efficient and effective tool for conducting aerodynamic and civil engineering research. This study focuses on the design, construction, and analysis of the results of an open-circuit wind tunnel specifically designed for civil engineering purposes in the Civil Engineering Department of KNT University of Technology in Iran. The wind tunnel has a 2.9 x 4.3 meters cross-section in the downstream open section and is equipped with six fans upstream. These fans are driven by a 1440 rpm engine with a power of 30 kW (40 hp). One crucial aspect of wind tunnel design is controlling turbulence and creating a uniform flow in the test section while minimizing the reduction in airflow velocity. To improve the airflow velocity, reduce the turbulent intensity, and optimize the wind tunnel's output parameters (such as distributions, turbulent intensity, and airflow velocity), various equipment was added to the upstream and downstream of the airflow generating conduit. This equipment includes proper bell-mouth intakes, electromotor, propeller caps, multiple honeycombs (with coarse and fine sizes at sequential positions), and wire mesh inside the diffuser and main tunnel. The effect of each of these components on the airflow parameters was evaluated through tests conducted at three different engine speeds: 600, 1000, and 1200 rpm. Airflow velocity Cartesian components measurements in the test section were obtained using a hot wire flowmeter and a differential pressure sensor. The results indicate that installing such equipment sets significantly improved the flow uniformity in the test section. It reduced the average turbulence intensity by 15%, 42%, and 42% for propeller rotation speeds of 600, 1000, and 1200 RPM, respectively. This improvement was achieved with only a 21%, 23%, and 12% reduction in airflow velocity. Additionally, the uniform air velocity distribution parameters within the downstream section of the flow were improved by approximately 55% and 25%, respectively.
A computational study of adsorption of noxious gases on the activated carbon surfaces
Authors: Hussain Akhtar , Javaid Saqib
Published: March 2024

Adsorption capacity of activated carbon (AC) for ammonia (NH3), nitric oxide (NO), carbon mono oxide (CO) and iodine (I) molecules employing DFT is investigated. 2-ring, 3-ring, 6-ring, and 9-ring carbon structures are used as adsorbent surfaces. These models are investigated by creation of defects on surfaces and functionalization with hydrogen. Planar and non-planar mode adsorption is considered. The planar-mode interactions have much higher adsorption energy and shorter connecting distances than non-planar mode adsorption. The adsorption properties dependent on the adsorption mode, surface size, hydrogenation and whether the system is perfect or defected. Defect produced at the central position of the surface helps to bind the adsorbent more strongly. However, the adsorption energy varies depending upon various factors and does not follow any consistent rule. The smaller sized structures are favorable for CO and NO capture. Conclusively, AC is promising material for adsorption of the noxious gases.
A novel cooling and lubrication approach: Device development and machining performance evaluation of ultrasonic vibration-assisted MQL
Authors: Zhang Minxiu , Wu Bangfu , Zhao Biao , Ding Wenfeng , Cui Hailong
Published: March 2024

Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) as a sustainable technology has gained popularity in addressing the conflict between environmental protection and the machining requirements during cutting processes. However, conventional MQL systems employ pneumatic atomization, resulting in the generation of oil droplets with large particle sizes and uneven distribution, eventually leading to the inadequate lubrication performance of the MQL jet. In this case, the present study employed a combination of ultrasonic atomization and MQL technique to propose a novel cooling and lubrication approach and fabricate the ultrasonic vibration-assisted MQL (UVMQL) device. Geometric parameters of the ultrasonic vibrator of this device were designed and optimized using the theoretical design and finite element simulation techniques. Additionally, the impedance and amplitude detected to evaluate the performance of the UVMQL device. Subsequently, the comparative experiments were carried out under five cooling and lubrication conditions in machining of ultra-high strength steels: dry cutting, wet cutting, high-pressure air cooling, MQL and UVMQL. Then, the machining performance of the UVMQL was discussed, in terms of cutting forces, cutting temperature, surface roughness, surface topography and chips. Results demonstrate that in comparison to MQL, UVMQL has a lower cutting force by 5.3N, leading to the formation of a more effective oil film lubrication layer. Due to the excellent penetration of fine oil droplets, UVMQL possesses a slightly higher cutting temperature than that of wet cutting by 43℃, whereas results in optimal surface roughness value and surface topography of the workpiece. Additionally, under UVMQL condition, the length of chip bonding zone is reduced by 39.8%, and the saw-tooth height of chip is decreased by 35.9% compared to dry cutting.
The influence of vertical coastal land movement on relative sea level rise: a case study of Shanghai, China
Authors: Beining Wen , Miao Yu , Qihang Kai
Published: March 2024

Understanding the current Vertical Land Motion (VLM), subsidence or uplift, is the basis for Relative Sea Level Rise (RLSR) projection and related risks estimation. However, in Shanghai, the impacts of the spatiotemporal change of VLM are little known. The purpose of this study is to quantify how VLM impacts RSLR and investigate the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of VLM through tide gauge records, satellite altimetry observations, and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) measurements. The calculations indicate that the RSLR (5.67±0.58 mm/year) from 1969 to 2019 was approximately twice the SLR trend (2.44±0.28 mm/year) from 1993 to 2019, and the VLM, especially subsidence, is the main driver for RSLR. Moreover, spatial and temporal patterns of VLM are highly uneven and nonlinear. These results reveal that VLM is the main driver of RSLR. Unfortunately, previous studies mostly underestimated or even overlooked the impact of VLM on risks of RSLR and subsequential coastal flooding. Thus, prevention strategies for controlling VLM are warranted to minimize the negative impact related to the RSLR. Our research provides a theoretical basis for urban disaster prevention in Shanghai and the construction planning of coastal cities around the world.
Improved liver cancer hyperthermia treatment and optimized microwave antenna power with magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Fakhradini Soheil S , Ahmadikia Hossein , Mosharaf-Dehkordi Mehdi
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the influence of input power variations in microwave antenna-based thermal treatment for liver cancer, utilizing numerical simulations through the finite element method. Investigating nanoparticle type, treatment duration, and associated side effects, our research yields insightful findings. Maghemite nanoparticle injections demonstrate a reduction in treatment time from 7.35 seconds at 10 W to 6.1 seconds at 100 W, with the ratio of healthy tissue volume destroyed with the ratio of healthy tissue volume destroyed to tumor volume remaining relatively consistent across this power range (16% at 10 W to 19% at 100 W), indicate a degree of independence from input power. Conversely, magnetite and FccFePt nanoparticles display power-dependent decrease in treatment duration, illustrating the interplaction between input power and therapeutic efficiency. Treatment duration at 10 W are 176 seconds and 295 seconds for magnetite and FccFePt, respectively, diminishing to 58 seconds and 74 seconds at 100 W. Side effects, quantified as the ratio of healthy tissue destroyed to tumor volume, decline for both nanoparticle types with increasing power, reaching a minimum at intermediate powers (60 W and 50 W). Notably, at 10 W, 4.89 and 8.93 times the tumor volume are destroyed from healthy tissue for magnetite and FccFePt, respectively, decreasing to 4.05 and 5.6 times at 100 W. This nuanced understanding of comprehension of treatment duration and side effects’ dependency on input power levels provides valuable insights for refining treatment parameters and optimizing therapeutic outcomes in liver cancer interventions. Furthermore, the study incorporates a model within the hyperthermia treatment framework, integrating the evaporation temperature as a distinguishing factor. Systematic numerical results enhance the scientific discourse on liver tumor treatment, contributing to the advancement of understanding and refining therapeutic strategies.
Preparation and rheological properties of associative salt tolerant polymer by inverse-phase emulsion polymerization
Authors: Wen Xin , Wang Lei , Lai XiaoJuan , Liu Guiru , Yang Wenwen , Liu Yameng
Published: March 2024

An associative and salt tolerant p(AM/AMC12S/GTE-10) polymer was synthesized through reverse-phase emulsion polymerization of acrylamide (AM), 2-acrylamide-sodium dodecyl sulfonate (AMC12S), and the hydrophobic monomer 29-(4-octylphenoxy)-3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27-nonaoxanonacosyl methacrylate (GTE-10). The structure and morphology of the polymer obtained were then characterized by FTIR, 1H-NMR, SEM, TEM, and a laser particle size distribution analyzer. This was followed by an evaluation of its rheological properties, thixotropic properties, and viscoelasticity. The results showed that the hydrophobic monomer GTE-10 was successfully incorporated into the polymer, resulting in a narrow and uniform particle size distribution of the emulsion after polymerization. The addition of salt made the aggregation of p(AM/AMC12S/GTE-10) molecules more compact, resulting in a more stable spatial network structure. The p(AM/AMC12S/GTE-10) polymer aqueous solution with a mass fraction of 0.7% exhibited excellent temperature resistance at 140 ℃. After being sheared at 120 ℃ and 170 s–1 for 1 h, the polymer solutions with a mass fraction of 0.7%, prepared at a mass concentration of 20000 mg/L NaCl and CaCl2 aqueous solutions exhibited viscosities of 64.7 and 54.2 mPa·s, respectively, with good shear recovery performance. The energy storage modulus was higher than the loss modulus, and the complex interaction between the metal ion and phenoxyethylene group enhanced the intermolecular forces, resulting in a more stable spatial structure and increased viscoelasticity.