bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Desertification in Spain: A Sound Diagnosis Unfollowed by Solutions
Authors: Martínez-Valderrama Jaime , del Barrio Gabriel , Sanjuán Maria E. , Guirado Emilio , Maestre Fernando T.
Published: January 2022

The latest World Atlas of Desertification represents a turning point in the diagnosis of desertification. While it forgoes desertification mapping due to the intrinsic complexity of the phenomenon and the impossibility of measuring it using a single indicator, it introduces the Convergence of Evidence paradigm, which identifies socioeconomic and biophysical variables whose behavior allows pointing out those areas prone to desertification. The Spanish National Action Program Against Desertification (PAND), back to 2008, already implemented a similar approach to identify five “desertification landscapes” within Spain using both socio-economic and climatic information. The PAND was not only pioneering but also, unfortunately, accurate. Desertification in Spain has continued to worsen and the first two decades of the 21st century have consolidated an agri-food model whose dynamics have exacerbated the desertification processes identified in the PAND. Despite its scientific value, the PAND lacked a proper action plan and was completely detached from the diagnosis. As a result the diagnosis it provided was not followed by effective actions to halt desertification in Spain. The Spanish Government's recent declaration of climate and environmental emergency requires a new strategy to combat desertification. This commitment is an excellent opportunity to update the diagnosis of the situation and, more crucially, to unify the different desertification sectoral policies and actions under a single front. We provide here elements for a roadmap to be designed around the pressures, impacts, and drivers that define today's Spanish desertification landscapes to manage them effectively and avoid their further degradation.
Event-Based Clustering with Energy Data
Authors: Greer Kieran , Bi Yaxin
Published: January 2022

This paper describes a stochastic clustering architecture that is used in the paper for making predictions over energy data. The design is discrete, localised optimisations based on similarity, followed by a global aggregating layer, which can be compared with the recent random neural network designs, for example. The topic relates to the IDEAS Smart Home Energy Project, where a client-side Artificial Intelligence component can predict energy consumption for appliances. The proposed data model is essentially a look-up table of the key energy bands that each appliance would use. Each band represents a level of consumption by the appliance. This table can replace disaggregation from more complicated methods, usually constructed from probability theory, for example. Results show that the table can accurately disaggregate a single source to a set of appliances, because each appliance has quite a unique energy footprint. As part of predicting energy consumption, the model could possibly reduce costs by 50% and more than that if the proposed schedules are also included. The hyper-grid has been changed to consider rows as single units, making it more tractable. A second case study considers wind power patterns, where the grid optimises over the dataset columns in a self-similar way to the rows, allowing for some level of feature analysis.
Dentistry after Omicron variant: Introducing a New Biosafety Protocol in Prevention of COVID-19 in Dental Care
Authors: Thurzo Andrej , Bražinová Alexandra , Markovská Neda , Waczulíková Iveta , Smatana Martin , Moravanský Norbert , Urbanová Wanda , Urban Renáta , Strunga Martin , Kurilová Veronika , Kaiferová Jana , Sabaka Peter , Vitovič Pavol , Kosnáčová Helena , Mriňáková Bela , Varga Ivan , Czakó Ladislav , Gális Branislav , Fountoulaki Georgia , Novák Bohuslav
Published: January 2022

Omicron variant is more invasive against immunity, but it's not more invasive in any change in degree against masks, and indoor air; than previous variants. With its arrival, dentistry is facing another challenge. With a mission to protect both patients and healthcare workers, we are adapting to the current epidemiologic situation and anticipate the incoming change. This article presents an unpublished prospective setting for dental care in the new chapter of pandemics after Omicron variant. Introduced biosafety protocol has been clinically tested for 18 months in the field. Three fundamental pillars of this sustainable biosafety protocol are: (1) UVC air disinfection; (2) air saturation with certified virucidal oils through nebulizing diffusers; (3) telehealth solutions. As a method of evaluation pseudonymous on-line smart form was used. This biosafety protocol is not relying on persons` identification as uninfected; it is designed for environments where healthcare workers or patients are hypothetical asymptomatic carriers. Results from 115 patient feedbacks suggest that with this protocol in place, there was no observed or reported translation of infection from patient to another patient or from patient to doctor or nurse and vice versa, albeit nine of the patients have retrospectively admitted being probably infectious during their dental appointment. The key of this protocol is its clinical sustainability, as full-body protective suits don’t represent sustainable dental care as well as there is no acceptable risk of patients getting infected during dental procedures.
“Superwobbling” and tRNA-34 wobble and tRNA-37 anticodon loop modifications in evolution and devolution of the genetic code
Authors: Lei Lei , Burton Zachary Frome
Published: January 2022

The genetic code evolved around the reading of the tRNA anticodon on the primitive ribosome, and tRNA-34 wobble and tRNA-37 modifications coevolved with the code. We posit that EF-Tu, the closing mechanism of the 30S ribosomal subunit, methylation of wobble U34 at the 5-carbon and suppression of wobbling at the tRNA-36 position were partly redundant and overlapping functions that coevolved to establish the code. The genetic code devolved in evolution of mitochondria to reduce the size of the tRNAome (all of the tRNAs of an organism or organelle). “Superwobbling” or four-way wobbling describes a major mechanism for shrinking the mitochondrial tRNAome. In superwobbling, unmodified wobble tRNA-U34 can recognize all four codon wobble bases (A, G, C and U), allowing a single unmodified tRNA-U34 to read a 4-codon box. During code evolution, to suppress superwobbling in 2-codon sectors, U34 modification by methylation at the 5-carbon position appears essential. As expected, at the base of code evolution, tRNA-37 modifications mostly related to the identity of the adjacent tRNA-36 base. TRNA-37 modifications help maintain the translation frame during elongation.
PENERAPAN PROBLEM BASED LEARNING UNTUK MENINGKATKAN MINAT DAN KETERAMPILAN MENULIS TEKS EKSPLANASI
Authors: Pinastiti Gabriella Sophia , Andayani Andayani , Sumarwati Sumarwati
Published: January 2022

The aim of this study was to improve: the students’ interest and text writing skills towards the explanatory text for 8th-grade students of SMP Kristen Satya Wacana Salatiga by applying a problem-based learning model. This study is a classroom action research conducted in two cycles. Acctivities carried out in the implementation phase consist of five stages in accordance with the problem based learning, namely (1) problem orientation, (2) organizing students for investigation, (3) guiding investigation, (4) developing and presenting results, and (5) analyzing and evaluating promblem solving. According to the results of the analysis, the students’ interest toward explanatory texts is the first cycle was 50% or as many as 10 students, in the second cycle the students’ interest increased becoming 85% or as many as 17 students. While the results of explanatory text writing skills showed significant results. In the first cycle, the students’ interest in explanation text is 65% or as many as 13 students. Then, it increased in the second cycle which is 100% or all students have succeeded in achieving the minimum completeness criteria that have been determined previously, which is 75
CITRA PEREMPUAN DAN GAYA BAHASA DALAM KUMPULAN PUISI IBU MENDULANG ANAK BERLARI SEBAGAI MATERI PEMBELAJARAN SASTRA
Authors: Novena Yuvensia Kharisma , Suhita Raheni , Suryanto Edy
Published: January 2022

This research has purpose to  describe and explain; (1) The position of woman figure in collection of poetry Ibu Mendulang Anak Berlari by Cyntha Hariadi. (2) The language style of Poetry in Ibu Mendulang Anak Berlari. (3) The collection of poetry Ibu Mendulang Anak Berlari that can be used in a poetry learning material in senior high school. This research used the method of qualitative. Data analysis of this research used interaktif analysis within 3 components: data reducing,  Data validity test is done by triangulating theory and triangulation of the data source. Based on the results of the study can be concluded: (1) on the poetry collection of ibu mendulang anak berlari has (a) Physical figure, (b) Physcological Figure, and (c) Social Figure; (2) Repetition is the most dominant  style that used in the Ibu Mendulang Anak berlari poetry collection; (3) Ibu Mendulang Anak Berlari poetry collection can be used as a poetry learning material in senior high school, especially on KD 3.16 (Identifying the atmosphere, theme, and the meaning of poetry that has been read) and KD 3.17 (Analyze the elements of poetry).
PENINGKATAN KETERAMPILAN MEMBACA DAN BERPIKIR KRITIS SISWA SMA MELALUI METODE STRATTA
Authors: Safitri Lia Nur , Cantika Ardila Putri , Chamalah Evi
Published: January 2022

This study aims to improve the reading and critical thinking skills of high school students through the Stratta method. Stratta method is derived from the writing of Leslei Stratta in his book Pattems of Language so it is called the Stratta method. In this method of teaching literature there are three stages that must be done, namely the exploration phase, the interpretation phase and the recreation stage. The research method used in this research is research and development (research and development / R & D). Data collection in this study was conducted by examining the current state of teaching and learning of high school students today. This study produced several scenarios to improve the reading and critical thinking skills of high school students through the Stratta method. Improved reading skills and critical thinking in students can be developed and produce a work both literary or non-literary. In each learning there are several scenarios that can be applied during the teaching and learning process. The exploration stage in the study of literature there are 5 scenarios and in non-literary learning there are 6 scenarios. At the interpretation and recreation stages there are 4 scenarios in literary and non-literary learning.
KEDWIBAHASAAN PADA NOVEL LOVE SPARKS IN KOREA KARYA ASMA NADIA DAN IMPLIKASINYA TERHADAP PEMBELAJARAN BAHASA INDONESIA DI SMA
Authors: Putri Shintya Anggun Kencana , Mulyati Sri , Sari Vita Ika
Published: January 2022

This study aims to describe: (1) the bilingualism of the novel Love Sparks In Korea by Asma Nadia; (2) describe the implications of bilingual learning in the novel Love Sparks In Korea by Asma Nadia. This study uses a sociolinguistic study with a sociological approach, the data source comes from the novel Love Sparks In Korea by Asma Nadia, the data form in the form of speech fragments. Data collection techniques using the method of reading with reading techniques. The technique of presenting the results of the data analysis used is informal technique. Based on the results of bilingual studies found in the novel Love Sparks In Korea by Asma Nadia, they consist of (1) compound bilingualness totaling 5 data: 11.4%, (2) coordinative bounty totaling 9 data: 20.4%, (3) subordinative bilingualism totaling 30 data: 68.2%. The results of this study can be used as a reference in language learning activities in high school. Through this learning students are expected to be able to understand the various languages used daily, and have a positive impact on future lives
ANALISIS WACANA TEKSTUAL DAN KONTEKSTUAL DALAM NASKAH DRAMA SENJA DENGAN DUA KELELAWAR KARYA KIRDJOMULYO DAN RELEVANSINYA SEBAGAI BAHAN AJAR DI SEKOLAH MENENGAH ATAS
Authors: Nuryani Nina , Setiawan Budhi , Saddhono Kundharu
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this study is to describe (1) the form of textual analysis in the drama script Senja dengan Dua Kelelawar by Kirdjomulyo; (2) the form of contextual analysis in the drama script Senja dengan  Dua Kelelawar by Kirdjomulyo; and (3) the relevance of the results of this study as teaching materials for Indonesian language learning in senior high schools. This research is a qualitative research with the main data source as the drama script Senja dengan Dua Kelelawar by Kirdjomulyo. Data validity test used is theory triangulation. The sampling technique of this study used purposive sampling. Data analysis technique used is an interactive analysis technique that includes four stages, namely: (1) data collection, (2) data reduction, (3) data presentation, and (4) drawing conclusions. The results of this study indicate that in the drama script Senja dengan Dua Kelelawar by Kirdjomulyo uses grammatical and lexical aspects to analyze textually. The use of analysis of grammatical and lexical aspects is precisely able to form a discourse that has cohesive forms. The unified form of drama script discourse is supported by grammatical aspects, namely reference, restoration, absorption, and sequencing. In grammatical aspects, it is dominated by reference. Persona referencing that is often used is single persona referencing, both my free form, mine, my left sticky form, and my right sticky form. Harmony of meaning is also supported by lexical aspects, namely repetition, synonymy, antonymy, collocation, hyponymy, and equivalence.
KONFLIK BATIN DAN NILAI PENDIDIKAN NOVEL DI TANAH LADA KARYA ZIGGY ZEZSYAZEOVIENNAZABRIZKIE SERTA RELEVANSINYA DENGAN PEMBELAJARAN SASTRA DI SMA
Authors: Imani Wafda Nurul , Wardani Nugraheni Eko , Waluyo Herman J.
Published: January 2022

This study aims to describe: (1) characterization of the characters; (2) id from the inner conflicts of the characters; (3) ego from the inner conflicts of the characters; (4) super ego from the inner conflicts of the characters; (5) educational value; and (6)  the relevance of novels Di Tanah Lada as the study for literacy in high school.  The method used is descriptive qualitative.  The sources come from documents and informants.  The sampling technique uses purposive sampling.  Writer used document analysis and interview techniques to collect data.  Validation of the data is done by theory of triangulation and source triangulation. Analysis of the data used an interactive analysis technique.  The results of the study can be described as follows.  (1) The character of the characters in the novel Di Tanah Lada is varied, both in terms of character types and physiological, psychological and sociological dimensions;  (2) Id in the inner conflict experienced by the character includes the pleasure of labeling others, conforming wild thoughts in the head, ignoring parental advice, and indulging indulgence in pleasure;  (3) The ego in the inner conflicts experienced by the characters includes fulfilling curiosity and feeling guilty for the decision that's been taken;  (4) Superego in the inner conflicts experienced by the characters include, recognizing the risk of his decision, succumbing to the common good, helping people in trouble, accepting the risk of their actions;  (5) Educational values in drama scripts consist of religious, moral, social and cultural education values.  The value of education is being dominated by the value of social education;  (4) Novels Di Tanah Lada has been meet the standards for content, language, presentation, and graphic worthiness and can be pertained in literacy learning in class XI.
Анализ динамики эпидемического процесса COVID-19 в мире за неделю с 15.01.2022 г. по 21.01.2022 г.
Authors: Чумачкова Елена , Зимирова Анастасия , Поспелов Михаил , Иванова Александра , Дмитриева Людмила , Карнаухов Игорь , Щербакова Светлана , Кутырев Владимир
Published: January 2022

В обзоре представлен анализ эпидемиологической ситуации в странах мира по COVID-19, за неделю с 15.01.2022 г. по 21.01.2022 г.
Observations and Modeling of Fiber Optic Strain on Hydraulic Fracture Height Growth in Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site 2 (HFTS-2)
Authors: Wang Jiehao , Tan Yunhui , Rijken Margaretha , Liu Xinghui , Singh Amit , Li Yan
Published: January 2022

Understanding fracture height growth can be of great significance to optimizing field development and improving recovery. The Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site 2 (HFTS-2) has provided a unique opportunity and an advanced data set to allow us to observe and understand fracture geometries rigorously. Low-frequency distributed acoustic sensing (LF-DAS) data from a vertical well in HFTS-2 showed three key observations: (i) excessive upward height growth (>1,000 ft) and limited downward growth of the hydraulic fractures during pumping, (ii) considerable additional upward fracture height growth (~300 ft) after well shut in, and (iii) very complex LF-DAS strain rate patterns for a small fiber-to-stage offset. Advanced geomechanical modeling was performed to simulate the hydraulic fracture propagation and the resulting strain responses in the vertical direction. The modeling results demonstrated asymmetric upward and downward fracture height growths as observed in HFTS-2 with a similar upward height growth rate. Simulated waterfall plots of vertical strain rate showed distinct patterns for different fiber-to-fracture distances. The upward-growing fracture tip can be clearly identified by the interfaces between compressing and extending zones. It was also found that the complex strain rate patterns observed in HFTS-2 for small fiber-stage offsets were not caused by the mechanical layering but possibly result from the simultaneous propagation of multiple hydraulic fractures at different rates. The simulation results improved the understating of the HFTS-2 LF-DAS data, and the simulated strain rate patterns could also serve as templates for fracture height interpretation from LF-DAS data in future.
A cell non-autonomous FOXO/DAF-16-mediated germline quality assurance program that responds to somatic DNA damage
Authors: Sarkar Gautam , Rautela Umanshi , Goyala Anita , Datta Sudeshna , Anand Nikhita , Singh Anupama , Singh Prachi , Chamoli Manish , Mukhopadhyay Arnab
Published: January 2022

Germline integrity is critical for progeny fitness. Organisms deploy the DNA damage response (DDR) signalling to protect germline from genotoxic stress, facilitating cell-cycle arrest of germ cells and DNA repair or their apoptosis. Cell-autonomous regulation of germline quality is well-studied; however, how quality is enforced cell non-autonomously on sensing somatic DNA damage is less known. Using Caenorhabditis elegans, we show that DDR disruption, only in the uterus, when insulin-IGF-1 signalling (IIS) is low, arrests germline development and induces sterility in a FOXO/DAF-16 transcription factor (TF)-dependent manner. Without FOXO/DAF-16, germ cells of the IIS mutant escape arrest to produce poor quality oocytes, showing that the TF imposes strict quality control during low IIS. In response to low IIS in neurons, FOXO/DAF-16 works cell autonomously as well as non-autonomously to facilitate the arrest. Activated FOXO/DAF-16 promotes transcription of checkpoint and DDR genes, protecting germline integrity. However, on reducing DDR during low IIS, the TF decreases ERK/MPK-1 signaling below a threshold, and transcriptionally downregulates genes involved in spermatogenesis-to-oogenesis switch as well as cdk-1/Cyclin B to promote germline arrest. Altogether, our study reveals how cell non-autonomous function of FOXO/DAF-16 promotes germline quality and progeny fitness in response to somatic DNA damage.
Klotho and Abdominal Aortic Calcifification: Results from NHANES 2013-2014
Authors: Ma Teng-Chi , Gao Feng , Zhou Jing
Published: January 2022

Objective:Background and purposes：Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) has been considered as an excellent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Klotho is an important anti-aging substance, but the relationship between Klotho level and AAC has not been studied before.This research aimed to dig the association between S-Klotho and AAC in middle-aged and elderly people in the United States.Methods: Cross-sectional information were collected from the National Health and Nutrition examination Survey (NHANES) from 2013 to 2014, which surveyed 1364 males and females aged 40 and over. In order to evaluate the correlation between klotho and AAC, multivariate Logistic regression analysis was carried out. Fitting smooth curve and generalized additive model. We found that after adjusting several potential confounding factors, we found that there was a U-shaped dose-response relationship between klotho and AAC, and the inflection point of 1282.3pg/ml was calculated by two-stage linear regression model.ConclusionIn a typical sample of American adults, individuals with low or high levels of klotho have an increased risk of AAC. Although low klotho levels are widely considered harmful, these outcomes emphasize the demand for potential adverse health consequences of high klotho levels.
Principal Component Analysis As a Tool to Extract Sq Variation from the Geomagnetic Field Observations: Conditions of Applicability
Authors: Morozova Anna L. , Rebbah Rania
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we analyze the applicability of the principal component analysis (PCA) as a tool to extract the Sq variation of the geomagnetic field. We tested different geomagnetic field components and used data measured at different levels of the solar and geomagnetic activity and during different months. Geomagnetic field variations obtained with PCA were “classified” as SqPCA using two types of reference series: SqIQD series calculated using geomagnetically quiet days and simulations of the ionospheric field with models. The results for the X and Y and Z components are essentially different. The Sq variation is always filtered to the first PCA mode for the Y and Z components. Thus, PCA can automatically extract the Sq variation from the observations of the Y and Z components of the geomagnetic field. For the X component, the automatic extraction of the Sq variation is not possible, and a complimentary analysis, like a comparison to a reference series, is always needed. We tested two types of reference series: the mean SqIQD and the outputs of the CM5 and DIFI3 models. Our results show that both the data-based and model-based reference series can be used but the DIFI3 model performs better. We also recommend estimating the similarity of the series not with the correlation analysis but using metrics that account for possible local stretching/compressing of the compared series, for example, the dynamic time warping (DTW) distance.
Exploring Bimetallic Au-Ag Core Shell Nanoparticles Reduced Using Leaf Extract of Ocimum Tenuiflorum as A Potential Antibacterial and Nanocatalytic Agent
Authors: nayak sneha , Rao Chandrayan Vaman , Muttalik Srinivas
Published: January 2022

Biosynthesis of bimetallic Au-Ag core shell nanoparticle under ambient condition using Ocimum tenuiflorum (Krishna Tulsi) leaf extract is being reported for the first time. For the biosynthesized bimetallic core shell nanoparticles (OTAuAgNPs) visual and spectrophotometric analysis was performed. Development of a deep purple color suggested the creation of OTAuAgNPs. It was then validated by UV-Vis spectrophotometry within 4 hours of incubation showing a surface plasmon resonance peak at 560 nm. FESEM-EDAX, FT-IR, particle analyzer and XRD were the analytical techniques employed to characterize the biosynthesized OTAuAgNPs. Using a known antibiotic as a control, OTAuAgNPs had a substantial bacteriostatic effect against Gram +ve (Bacillus subtilis) and Gram -ve (E.coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. The OTAuAgNPs showed good catalytic action for the adsorption of Coomassie brilliant blue R250 dye (CBB), confirmed by the reduction in absorbance maxima that is time dependant. A remarkable adsorption of CBB (94.79%) was attained within 120 min, and the results were best suited PSO and Elovich models with adsorption kinetic constant of 5.96E−04 g/mg.min and 37.81mg/g.min respectively. Further the toxicity studies of brilliant blue R250 dye and metabolite of CBB (post nano-remediated dye solution) was carried out on Vigna radiata (green gram) germination and growth. OTAuAgNPs as nano catalyst remediated water revealed that it was nontoxic. Thus an ecofriendly and cost effective approach for bimetallic nanoparticle synthesis could be further explored for removal of CBB from wastewater effluents.
Effects of Mineral Crystal Structure And Properties On The Macro-Mechanical Properties of Rocks
Authors: Yan Yongyan , Ding Wuxiu , Liu Guoji , Wang Hongyi
Published: January 2022

Rock is a nonhomogeneous material composed of one or more minerals. The structure and properties of internal mineral crystals have an impact on its macro-mechanical properties. Taking the Longmen Grottoes limestone as the research object, firstly, the mineral composition and macro-mechanical properties of the limestone are obtained, and through simulation and calculation of the crystal structure, chemical bond properties and elastic properties of minerals, this paper reveals how the mineral crystal structure and properties affect the macro-mechanical properties of the rock. Tests show that the main mineral components of the limestone in Longmen Grottoes are calcite and dolomite crystals. The uniaxial compression strength and elastic modulus of limestone with different calcite and dolomite contents are obviously different. From the study of crystal structure and chemical bond properties, it is learnt that the calcite and dolomite have similar crystal structures, but due to the difference of the chemical bond strength of Ca-O and Mg-O, the overall calcite crystal has a weaker chemical bond strength than the whole dolomite crystal. The First Principle simulation suggests a correlation between the overall crystal chemical bond strength and elastic modulus of the crystal. Therefore, studying the crystal structure and properties of minerals provides a significant research direction for revealing the mechanism of the macro-mechanical properties of rocks.
Diabetes Mellitus Affects Physical Activity in Patients with Moderate-To-Severe Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Fujita Remi , Ota Susumu , Yamamoto Yuri , Kataoka Akito , Warashina Hideki , Inoue Tomoe , Ozeki Shinya , Sugiura Hideshi
Published: January 2022

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been reported to be an independent risk factor for the development and severity of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Additionally, patients with DM are often obese or exercise insufficiently, and patients with knee OA and DM may have decreased physical activity at both light and moderate-to-vigorous intensity. To date, the effects of DM on physical activity in patients with knee OA have not been reported. We measured physical activity levels by intensity in patients with moderate-to-severe knee OA to confirm the effects of DM on physical activity levels in these patients.Methods: We evaluated 183 patients with moderate-to-severe knee OA (28 men, 155 women) diagnosed with knee OA by radiography and scheduled for total knee arthroplasty. We evaluated knee function (knee flexion/extension range-of-motion, knee-extension strength, knee pain), performance-based physical function (Timed Up-and-Go [TUG] test), and objectively measured physical activity. The effects of DM on physical activity were evaluated using hierarchical multiple regression analysis.Results: Fewer daily average step counts were significantly associated with DM (β = -0.200; p = 0.006) and longer TUG time (β = -0.196; p = 0.014). Shorter light-intensity physical activity (LPA) time was significantly associated with DM (β = -0.216; p = 0.004) and longer TUG time (β = -0.208; p = 0.011). Shorter moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) time was significantly associated with lower contralateral knee-extension strength (β = 0.187; p = 0.032).Conclusions: DM, mobility, and balance ability affected step counts and LPA time, and contralateral knee-extension strength affected MVPA time in patients with moderate-to-severe knee OA. Our results imply that education on the benefits of exercise is important in patients with moderate-to-severe knee OA, especially those with DM, and there is a need for therapies to improve balance and strengthen the knee-extension muscles in this patient population, in order to increase their physical activity levels.
Immunoprofiling in Breast Cancer Microenvironment with Multiplexed Immunofluorescence
Authors: Yang Yalong , Li Chengxin , Dong Xingxing , Yuan Qianqian , Liu Jiuyang , Xu Gaoran , Hou Jinxuan , Gong Yan , Wu Gaosong
Published: January 2022

Background
The immunoprofiles in tumor microenvironment (TME) has established impacts on the tumorigenesis, metastasis, therapy sensitivity and prognosis in various solid tumors, including breast cancer. Regulation of local immune cell homeostasis is considered as a promising strategy for breast cancer therapy.
Aim
Comprehensively investigate the landscape of tumor-infiltrated immune cells in breast cancer and benign tissues, and provide novel evidence for potential immunotherapy strategies.
Method
A total of 140 pairs of breast cancer and benign tissues were collected and sectioned. The multiplexed immunofluorescence was applied to simultaneously analyze the immunoprofiles in breast cancer TME. Images were captured by AKOYA-Vectra 3 and analyzed with InForm 2.1 software.
Results
Comparing the general benign with malignant samples, the mean percentages of T cells (17.03% vs 14.85%, p=0.2329), B cells (6.406% vs 3.763%, p=0.0189), and macrophages (17.06% vs 27.1%, p=0.008) showed dramatic difference. In addition, we compared segmental areas, para-cancer with cancer tissues, different pathological and molecular types, and found that the main difference was the proportion of macrophages, especially the M2 subtype.
Conclusion
Macrophages and M2 subtype were the iconic differentiated infiltrating immune cells in breast cancer, especially related with the malignancy, clinic stages and tumorigenesis, which was the promising target in cancer therapy.
College Preparatory Schools and Critical Consciousness
Authors: Merth Robert Henry
Published: January 2022

Critical Consciousness (CC) is a construct that has been linked to political motivation and behaviors intended to circumvent oppression. Much of the work to date has examined CC for students of marginalized backgrounds and has paid little attention to how CC develops for privileged students. Additionally, while much of the CC literature has examined characteristics of schools that are linked with CC (i.e., school/classroom climate), no studies have inquired into the nature of the larger school setting as impacting CC-development. This study proposes that one school setting that may be related to both privilege (i.e., race and SES) and classroom climate are College Preparatory High Schools. Therefore, the current study contributes to the literature by examining the structural relations between privilege, College Preparatory High School enrollment, classroom climate, and two dimensions of CC: Critical Reflection (CR) and Critical Motivation (CM). Results indicate that controlling for race, SES is predictive of College Preparatory High School enrollment. Furthermore, College Preparatory High School enrollment is directly related to CM but not CR, and is indirectly related to both CR and CM through classroom climate. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Computational biomarker predicts lung ICI response via deep learning-driven hierarchical spatial modelling from H&E
Authors: Xie Chensu , Vanderbilt Chad , Feng Chao , Ho David , Campanella Gabrielle , Egger Jacklynn , Plodkowski Andrew , Girshman Jeffrey , Sawan Peter , Arbour Kathryn , Hellmann Matthew , Fuchs Thomas
Published: January 2022

Determining which lung cancer patients are likely to respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) remains a crucial challenge. Existing FDA-approved biomarkers lack sensitivity and specificity for identifying treatment candidates. To overcome this problem, we present a computational biomarker for predicting ICI response directly from routine H&E stained whole slide images of the initial biopsy. To achieve this, we developed an end-to-end deep learning system (EPL-GNN) that performs hierarchical spatial modeling on whole slide images to learn both spatial and morphological features from 2.1 billion cells and output a response score for each patient. The computational biomarker was trained and evaluated on the largest reported cohort of stage 4 lung cancer patients with ICI treatment response (N=583), resulting in an AUC of 0.69 and sensitivity of 91% on the independent test cohort, which compares favorably to PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) with an AUC of 0.68 and sensitivity of 57%, and tumor mutation burden (TMB) with an AUC of 0.62. The EPL-GNN model correctly identified 81% of the patients with a negative PD-L1 IHC result as responders. Visualizations of the hierarchical spatial model revealed potential cellular patterns that correspond to ICI treatment response. In addition to the increased sensitivity achieved by the EPL-GNN model, H&E-based Computational Biomarkers offer a faster, less expensive, more objective and reproducible alternative or adjunct to existing IHC or sequencing based biomarkers.
RETRACTED: Landscape multifunctionality, agroecology and smallholders: A socio-ecological case study of the Cuban agroecological transition
Authors: Machado Mario Reinaldo , Healy Marc
Published: January 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Therapeutic endoscopy practice at a resource-limited setup: experience from a GI center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Bane Abate , Ahmed Rabia , Seid Amir Sultan
Published: January 2022

Background Endoscopic evaluation has a diagnostic and therapeutic component. With the advent of technology, many gastrointestinal problems requiring surgical intervention can now be managed endoscopically. In most resource-limited setups the practice of therapeutic endoscopy is scarce and services usually provide diagnostic endoscopic examination only. MethodsAn 8-year retrospective study was done to assess the pattern and practice of therapeutic endoscopy in patients who underwent therapeutic endoscopic procedures at Adera Medical Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The socioeconomic, clinical, and endoscopic data of the patients were collected and analyzed. Results During the study period, a total of 27,283 endoscopies and colonoscopies were performed at the center, of whom 1769 patients had therapeutic procedures. The mean age of the patients was 40.95(15.5), and the majority (75.2%) of the patients were males. Therapeutic procedures included esophageal variceal ligation (69.2%), sclerotherapy (8.5 %), polypectomy (6.8%), hemorrhoid banding (5.8%), achalasia and stricture dilatation (7.1%), endoscopic foreign body removal (1.7%), adrenaline injection (0.7%), and hemoclip application (0.1%). Immediate hemostasis was achieved through endoscopic intervention in all patients that presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Achalasia and stricture dilatations were done with immediate post-procedural symptomatic relief in 100% and 95.56% of the patients, respectively. 96.67% of the patients with GIT foreign body impaction and patients with polyps were treated endoscopically without the need for surgical intervention. Conclusion In a resource-limited setup like Ethiopia, the provision of therapeutic endoscopic services can help in the management of a variety of gastrointestinal problems. Efforts geared towards the provision of therapeutic endoscopic services help alleviate multitudes of life-threatening problems as evidenced in this study.
Valorization of Parmentiera aculeata juice in growth of probiotics in Submerged Culture and their postbiotic production: a first approach to healthy foods
Authors: Lara-Cervantes Teresa de Jesús , Carrillo-Inungaray María Luisa , Balderas-Hernández Victor Emmanuel , Aguilar-Zárate Pedro , Veana Fabiola
Published: January 2022

Actually, functional foods are good accepted for consumers for to improves health and new sources of substrates are explored. However, Parmentiera aculeate, which is a plant distributed in Mexico, has not explored. The P. aculeata juice was used as unique carbon source of promote the growth of two probiotic strains in Submerged Fermentation. Taguchi methodology with orthogonal array L9 was applied for its optimization. pH, agitation and inoculum concentration with three levels were evaluated and the best treatment was validated through a kinetic culture with monitoring some postbiotics. We observed an increase of 1.76 times in cellular concentration for Lactobacillus plantarum 14917 culture and the main produced postbiotic were short-chain fatty acids such as succinic, formic, acetic, propionic and lactic acids, which are associated the metabolisms probiotic and are important in human health. This study is the first about valorization of Parmentiera aculeata juice as substrate for growth probiotic strain and future studies are necessaries for its application in functional food.
Implementation of infection prevention and control components in 1,442 hospitals in the Republic of Korea: evaluation using the WHO Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF)
Authors: Jeong Yoolwon , Joo Hyeyoung , Bahk Hyunjung , Koo Hyunsuk , Lee Hyungmin , Kim Kinam
Published: January 2022

Background: The current epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 continues to underscore the inadequacy of infection prevention and control (IPC) and the importance of its sound establishment in healthcare facilities. The Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF), developed by the World Health Organization, allows systematic assessment of IPC capacity in healthcare facilities and was therefore applied in many national-level surveys. This study aims to assess the IPC capacity of Korean hospitals as well as their strengths and pitfalls, by analyzing the results of the first nationwide IPC survey, using the IPCAF frame.Methods: The Korean National Infection Prevention and Control Survey (KNIPCS) was conducted from February to March 2018. As the survey preceded the release of IPCAF, the survey questionnaire was developed through a series of expert consultations. Although the KNIPCS did not directly apply the IPCAF, its contents complied with the IPCAF to a large extent to allow exploration of its results with regards to IPCAF. The survey questionnaire was distributed to a total of 2,108 hospitals.Results: A total of 1,442 hospitals completed the survey with a response rate of 68.4%. All tertiary hospitals and the majority of general hospitals had implemented IPC teams and programs, whereas the percentage was lower for smaller-sized hospitals and long-term care hospitals. A similar trend was observed for surveillance and IPC practice monitoring activities. The percentage of interactive IPC training was lower than 30% in all hospital groups. While activities and guidelines were frequently applied for activities such as disinfection and, activities regarding antimicrobial resistance were relatively weak in all hospital groups except for tertiary hospitals.Conclusions: In general, essential IPC structures, such as IPC teams and programs, were well in place in most tertiary and general hospitals in Korea. These hospital groups also more actively performed various IPC activities. As most previous legislative and multimodal policy measures have targeted these hospital groups, we have speculated that future policy efforts should encompass long-term care hospitals and smaller-sized hospitals to strengthen the IPC capacity of these hospital groups. Efforts should also be put forth to promote IPC training and antimicrobial activities.
Is there correlation between measured and console CTDIvol in multislice CT scanners?
Authors: Mhagama Allen
Published: January 2022

This study investigated the relationship between measured and console volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) in multislice CT scanners. The measured CTDI values were determined from kerma length product measured using pencil ionization chamber inserted in the holes of standard CT phantoms with diameters 16 and 32 cm, which respectively mimic adult head and body using the procedures recommended by International Electro-technical Commission. Significantly large deviations were observed between the measured and console CTDI vol values in multislice CT scanners
Perceived Ideal Number of Children Among Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa: Does Exposure to Family Planning Messages Matter?
Authors: Phiri Million , Lemba Musonda , Simona Simona , Sikalunzwe Milika
Published: January 2022

BackgroundEven though evidence shows that fertility transition has begun almost everywhere in sub–Saharan Africa, the decline has been slower than in other parts of the world. Researchshows that there is a positive relationship between fertility levels and desired family size. Therefore, many countries in the region are implementing family planning education campaigns targeting at influencing reproductive behaviour of women. Thus,this studyaimed at examiningthe extent to which exposure to family planning communication is associated withdesired family size in adolescencein sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsThis study used data extracted fromthe most recent Demographic and Health Survey datasets for 28 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Analyses were conducted on a pooled weighted sample of 87,950female adolescents’ aged 15-19 yearscaptured in respective country surveys. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted in Stata version 16 software to examine the effects of exposure to family planning communication on adolescents desired family size.ResultsFindings show that regardless of the country,exposure to family planning communication among adolescentshad a significant effect on desire for fewer children. Average ideal family size among adolescents who had exposure to family planning communication was (3.8 children compared to 4.5 children;p<0.001) among those with no exposure.Marital status, wealth status, education level,contraceptive use and employment status were also significantly associated with adolescents’desiredfamily size.Country level differences were observed regarding desired family size among adolescents. Adolescents from West Africa Countries had higher desired family size.ConclusionExposure to family planning communication has shown the potential to influence adolescents’ fertility behavior in the region. Desire for large family size is predominantly high among adolescents from West and Central African countries. Suggesting that high fertility remains a social concern in these regions. Furthermore, the study found sub-regional variations in determinants ofdesired family size among adolescents. Calling for the need to scale-up family planning education programmes especially in West and Central Africa countries.
Undernutrition and associated factors of among older adults in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yisak Hiwot
Published: January 2022

Introduction: In older adults, undernutrition is a common and dangerous condition. Undernutrition contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in older adults today, without a doubt. Undernutrition and accidental weight loss contribute to health decline, decreased physical and cognitive functional status, higher healthcare consumption, premature institutionalization, and increased mortality. Undernutrition in older adults may be reduced if the overall prevalence and determinant factors were addressed. So, the goal of this study was to determine the pooled prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition among the older adults in Ethiopia.Method: The protocol in this study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database and can be accessed with the protocol number CRD42021254805.A selection of publications, data extraction, and reported results for the review was designed according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The quality of individual studies included in this meta-analysis was assessed using the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) checklist. A total of 8 independent studies were eligible and enrolled for final analysis. The heterogeneity among studies used for this meta-analysis was assessed using the I2 test. Thus, a fixed-effect model at 95% CI was used for estimating the overall effect. The meta-analysis was conducted using Stata software (version 14, STATA Corp College Station, TX), where p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: In the estimation of the pooled prevalence of undernutrition, a total of 4,628 older adults from eight studies were included. the pooled prevalence of undernutrition among older adults in Ethiopia was 20.53% (95% CI: 17.39%, 23.67%). The study revealed that males had higher odds of being undernutrition as compared to females with AOR 5.88 (95% CI: 5.00, 6.66). Older adults in the age range of 65-74 (young-old) were less likely to be undernourished as compared to those whose age was above 85 (old-old) with AOR 022(95%CI:0.22, 0.25). Older adults who were depressed had higher odds of undernutrition as compared to their counterparts with AOR 1.27 (95%CI:1.19, 1.37). On the other hand, older adults from households with poor wealth index were two (AOR=1.90; 95% CI: 1.08, 3.32) times more likely to be undernourished as compared to those who were from rich households.Conclusion: The burden of undernutrition in Ethiopia is still significant, according to this report. As a result, different intervention measures to minimize the prevalence of undernutrition among Ethiopia's older adults are urgently needed