bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chapter 1 - Preliminary investigations on the Zard Formation at its type locality (North Khorasan Province, Iran)
Authors: Granier Bruno , Mortazavi Seyedeh Saeideh , Taherpour-Khalil-Abad Morteza , Ghaemi Farokh
Published: November 2023

This chapter presents a revision of the Zard Formation in its type area, i.e., in the North Khorasan Province (Iran), including at its type locality. It comprises a description of the sedimentological and micropaleontological criteria that permit it to be distinguished from the Mozduran Formation (below) and the Tirgan Formation (above). At its type locality, its lower boundary is a heavily bored surface. Actually, both contacts with the framing formations correspond to transgressive surfaces, which imply that this lithostratigraphic unit is an Unconformity-Bounded Unit. With respect to biostratigraphy, this formation contains a few second-order markers: Holosporella sugdeni, Kopetdagaria sphaerica, and Torinosuella peneropliformis, which are also found in the unit above, i.e., in the Tirgan Formation. Because the latter contains markers that first appear in the Barremian: Bakalovaella elitzae, Pseudoactinoporella iranica, and Balkhania balkhanica, but also Montseciella arabica, the total range of which spans the Upper Barremian, the Zard Formation (i.e., the Zardian regional stage) should partly covers the Hauterivian to Barremian interval. Finally, although it cannot be definitely excluded that the lowermost part of the Zard Formation could be Valanginian in age, this option still requires proper documentation.
Application of Deep Learning Methods in Seismic Image Enhancement
Authors: Yeleskina T. , Malikov R. , Karimli J. , Mammadov O. , Asgarov H. , Shafiyev A. , Shahsenov I.
Published: November 2023

This article presents a novel methodology designed to enhance the quality of seismic images through the combination of deep learning algorithms with conventional signal processing and modeling techniques. The algorithms described in this study are designed to operate independently of well data, making them universally applicable across vast datasets. They address the challenges of noise reduction effectively separating geology from disturbances and uncovering geological features by implementing nonlinear enhancements to the frequency spectrum. The primary objectives of this research were the development of two unconventional methodologies, the first aimed at improvement the signal-to-noise ratio and the second at vertical resolution enhancement. The paper also showcases the effectiveness of the devised approach by employing it on real seismic data collected from the South Caspian Basin. A detailed description of the obtained results is provided. The results of this study open up significant potential for improving the accuracy and reliability of seismic exploration procedures in the field of geophysics.
Values of Serum CEA, CA199, CA72-4 and CA125 Levels in Evaluating Lymph Node Metastases in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Nie Shuangfa , Li Lei , Hu Xiaofeng , Wang Tao , Fei Jiandong
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to investigate the association between the serum levels of carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199), carbohydrate antigen 72 − 4 (CA72-4), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and lymph node metastases in patients with gastric cancer. 200 gastric cancer patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University were selected to determine the concentrations of serum CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4 and CA125. The levels of serum CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4 and CA125 increased with the number of lymph node metastases. The results showed statistically significant differences in the levels of CEA, CA199 and CA72-4 among groups of N0, N1, N2 and N3 (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the CA125 level among the groups of N0, N1 and N2 (p > 0.05), while the level of CA125 in group N3 was significantly higher than that in the other groups (p < 0.05). Comparing to the N0 group, the positive rates of four tumor markers in the N1 + N2 + N3 group were significantly increased in both single-marker detection and combined detection (p < 0.05). In the N1 + N2 + N3 group, the positive rates of combined detection of two, three and four tumor markers were significantly higher than that of the single-marker detection (p < 0.05). The results of combined detection showed no statistically significant difference between the groups that included CA125 and the groups that only contained other tumor markers (p > 0.05). Combined detection of CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4 and CA125 tumor markers may be of great significance in determining lymph node metastases in gastric cancer. CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4 may have higher clinical value compared to CA125.
Impact of an integrated health, nutrition, and early child stimulation and responsive care intervention package delivered to preterm or term small for gestational age babies during infancy on growth and neurodevelopment: study protocol of an individually randomized controlled trial in India (Small Babies Trial)
Authors: Chowdhury Ranadip , Manapurath Rukman , Sandøy Ingvild Fossgard , Upadhyay Ravi Prakash , Dhabhai Neeta , Shaikh Saijuddin , Chellani Harish , Choudhary Tarun Shankar , Jain Abhinav , Martines Jose , Strand Tor A , Bhandari Nita , Taneja Sunita
Published: November 2023

Background: Preterm and term small for gestational age (SGA) babies are at high risk of experiencing malnutrition and impaired neurodevelopment. Standalone interventions have modest and sometimes inconsistent effects on growth and neurodevelopment in these babies. For greater impact, interventions may be needed in multiple domains - health, nutrition, and psychosocial care and support. Therefore, the combined effects of an integrated intervention package for preterm and term SGA on growth and neurodevelopment are worth investigating.
Methods: An individually randomized controlled trial is being conducted in urban and peri-urban low to middle-socioeconomic neighborhoods in South Delhi, India. Infants are randomized (1:1) into two strata of 1,300 preterm and 1,300 term SGA infants each to receive the intervention package or routine care. Infants will be followed until 12 months of age. Outcome data will be collected by an independent outcome ascertainment team at infant ages 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, and at 2, 6, and 12 months after delivery for mothers.
Discussion: The findings of this study will indicate whether providing interventions that address factors known to limit growth and neurodevelopment can offer substantial benefits to preterm or term SGA infants. The results from this study will increase our understanding of growth and development and guide the design of public health programs in low- and middle-income settings for vulnerable infants.
Trial registration: The trial has been registered prospectively in Clinical Trial Registry – India # CTRI/2021/11/037881, Registered on 08 November 2021
Non-predatory mortality assessment of zooplankton in Magdalena Bay, Mexico, during El Niño 2015.
Authors: Alemany-Rodríguez Emilio Alejandro , Hernández-Trujillo Sergio
Published: November 2023

During 2015, monthly zooplankton sampling and measurements of surface temperature (SST), salinity, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a were conducted. Collections were made during neap tides at four locations between the inner and near the mouth of Magdalena Bay, Mexico. Thirty-three taxonomic groups were identified, and the most abundant taxa were copepods, diplostracans, decapods, ichthyoplankton (fish eggs) and chaetognaths. Zooplankton abundance did not vary significantly over time, but did vary between sampling stations. SST and salinity were significantly correlated with the spatial distribution of organisms. Differences were found between the mortality percentages for the sampling stations and also for the taxonomic groups analyzed (Copepods 18%; Decapods 32%; Chaetognaths 33%), which implies the importance of carrying out mortality determination analyses in ecological studies of zooplankton.
Evaluation of novel radiation protection devices during radiologically guided interventions
Authors: Larsson Maria E V , Jonasson Pernilla I , Apell Petra S , Kearney Peter P , Lundh Charlotta J
Published: November 2023

Background: In radiologically guided interventions, medical practitioners are subjected to radiation exposure, which may lead to radiation-induced diseases. In this study, novel radiation shields for the head and neck were evaluated for their potential to reduce radiation exposure.
Method: An anthropomorphic phantom was exposed on its left side to scattered radiation from beneath to simulate the exposure of an operator in a x-ray operating room. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were positioned at different depths in five slices in the phantom, measuring personal dose equivalent. Two different set up situations were evaluated: a head protector designed to reduce radiation in the upper section of the head: and a novel thyroid protector prototype extended in the front and on both sides, designed to reduce radiation in the lower and middle sections of the head. A standard thyroid collar prototype and a ceiling mounted lead glass shield were used as comparisons.
Furthermore, the head protector was evaluated in a clinical study in which TLDs were positioned to measure scattered radiation exposure to the heads of operators during endovascular interventions.
Results: The extended thyroid protector reduced the scattered radiation in the throat, chin, and ear slices. Some shielding effect was seen in the brain and skull slices. The head protector showed a shielding effect in the skull slice up to two cm depth where it covered the phantom head. As expected, the ceiling mounted lead glass shield reduced the scattered radiation in all measuring points.
Conclusions: A ceiling mounted lead glass shield is an effective radiation protection for the head, but in clinical practice, optimal positioning of a ceiling mounted lead shield may not always be possible, particularly during complex cases when radiation protection may be most relevant. Added protection using these novel guards may compliment the shielding effect of the ceiling mounted lead shield. The head protector stand-alone did not provide sufficient protection of the head. The extended thyroid protector stand-alone provided sufficient protection in the lower and middle sections of the head and neck.
Bioethanol Production from Sugarcane Bagasse: Optimization Through Response Surface Methodology and Experimental Validation
Authors: Parveen Fouziya , Saxena Ayush , Hussain Akhtar , Muzammil Khursheed , Saeed Mohd , Alabdallah Nadiyah M , Ashfaque Mohammad
Published: November 2023

Sugarcane bagasse is byproduct of sugarcane juice processing. After juice extraction, each tonne of sugarcane produces 130 kg dry weight of bagasse. The present study attempts to produce microbial bio-ethanol using sugarcane bagasse as substrate. After size reduction and chemical pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse using 1M of NaOH 35.68% of hydrolysis was achieved. Ethanol fermentation was carried out in 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask comprising pretreated SCB (30 g/100 ml) containing beads of 6.5% calcium alginate entrapped cellulase with the supplementation of 10 g/l of yeast extract as a nitrogen source using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. After 24 hours, the fermentation broth's alcohol production began, and it reached maximum after 72 hours. The estimated alcohol concentration was 8.1%, and the productivity was 1.14 ml/l/h. The central composite design (CCD) of response surface method (RSM) was used to estimate the levels of variables pH (5.0), incubation time (72 h), inoculum size (10 ml/l), and substrate concentration (40g/100ml) and the impact of their interactions on ethanol production. The fitted model's validity was assessed, and the F-test was used to control its statistical significance. The model F value was calculated to be 92.362 which imply that the model is significant. The experimental model was validated by the laboratory results.
The neuroinflammation imaging of bifidobacterium and fecal microbiota transplantation: therapeutic effects evaluation in chronic hepatic encephalopathy rats by [18F]PBR146 in-vivo imaging
Authors: Kong Xiang , Wu Shi Yao , Jiang Jing Zhou , Luo Song , Zhang Jun , Yang Gui Fen , Lu Guang Ming , Zhang Long Jiang
Published: November 2023

Neuroinflammation is an important pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The radiotracer [18F]PBR146 targeted to translocator protein (TSPO) is been applied for neuroinflammation vivo-imaging. Bifidobacterium (BIF) and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) are promising therapeutic approaches for HE. The purpose of this study was to in vivo monitor and compare BIF and FMT treatment efficiencies on neuroinflammation in chronic HE rats by [18F]PBR146 micro-PET/CT. Bile duct ligation (BDL) operation was performed in male rats to induce chronic HE. Thirty rats were divided into Sham + NS, BDL + NS, BDL + BIF, and BDL + FMT groups. Behavioral assessment, fecal samples collection, and micro-PET/CT scans were performed sequentially after chronic HE model successful established. We analyzed the average %ID/g values of whole brain, brain regions, and main organs in each group rats, and performed biochemical and pathological analysis. The mortality of BDL operated rats was 25% (6/24). The behavior results showed no significant difference among groups except rotarod test result. The plasma IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α levels had no differences among 4 groups except 5-HT and IFN-γ. Although global brain uptake values of [18F]PBR146 had no significant difference among 4 groups (P = 0.053), the regional brain comparison showed that bilateral accumbens, retrosplenial cortex, posterior hippocampus, left striatum, cingulate cortex, right frontal association cortex, antero-dorsal hippocampus had significant differences among groups (all P < 0.05). Sham + NS group was mainly enriched in Parasutterella, Streptococcus, and Anaeroplasma, BDL + FMT group was mainly enriched in Enterococcus, Aestuariispira, Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas, and Globicatella, BDL + BIF group was enriched in Enterorhabdus. The results show that BIF had inhibitory effect to neuroinflammation of BDL rats, while FMT showed no positive effects to chronic HE model rats might because of dysbiosis. [18F]PBR146 could effectively and noninvasively monitor gut-targeted treatment efficacy of chronic HE model.
What is the potential of digital aggregators to support the mental health of children and young people? Findings from a community survey in the UK
Authors: Asmar Marie Line El , Karki Manisha , El-Osta Austen
Published: November 2023

Background
Mental illness is a major global public health concern. With the doubling of referrals for mental health support in the UK, increased wait times for accessing care, and a rising number of individuals who are unable to secure timely support, online tools offer potential solutions. These tools can empower individuals to understand their symptoms better and offer people on waiting lists access to safe and appropriate support while awaiting professional assistance.
Objective
Investigate the attitudes and perceptions of young adults within the community regarding the necessity and potential efficacy of online resources in supporting mental health and overall wellbeing
Methods
A cross-sectional online survey was conducted to assess community members' attitudes and perceptions regarding using online resources for mental health and wellbeing support. The survey aimed to understand obstacles and motivations influencing the integration of these resources. CYP 16 to 34 in the UK were eligible to participate in the survey that was disseminated via social media and personal contacts.
Results
The study received 614 respondents. After exclusions, data was analysed from 547 participants. The majority of respondents (69.5%) valued mental health support, yet 85.6% experienced poor mental health, with 46.0% seeking professional help and facing waiting lists. While 65.6% were inclined to use online resources, satisfaction varied, and awareness of digital mental aggregators like "Health Place" was low at 3.3%.
Conclusion
The study reveals valuable insights into the attitudes of young adults towards online mental health resources, suggesting that online resources can complement traditional support systems, but improvements in accessibility and the quality of offered resources are needed. Overall, these findings can guide the development of more effective mental health support strategies, particularly for young adults, within the community.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Strain for the Prediction of Cardiac Outcomes. Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Based on Individual Patient Data.
Authors: Korosoglou Grigorios , Sagris Marios , André Florian , Steen Henning , Montenbruck Moritz , Frey Norbert , Kelle Sebastian
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND.Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold standard for the diagnostic classification and risk stratification in most patients with cardiac disorders.
PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS.To investigate the ability of Strain-encoded MR (SENC) for the prediction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). STUDY TYPE Systematic review and meta-analysis according to the PRISMA Guidelines.
POPULATION.Patients with or without cardiovascular disease and asymptomatic individuals. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE Myocardial strain by HARP in 1.5T scanners.
ASSESSMENT.Published literature in MEDLINE (PubMed) and Cochrane’s databases were explored before February 2023 for studies assessing the clinical utility of myocardial strain by Harmonic Phase Magnetic Resonance Imaging (HARP), Strain-encoded MR (SENC) or fast-SENC. In total, 8 clinical trials (4 studies conducted in asymptomatic individuals and 4 in patients with suspected or known cardiac disease) were included in this systematic review, while 3 studies were used for our meta-analysis, based on individual patient level data.
STATISTICAL TESTS. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard models were used, testing the ability of myocardial strain by HARP and SENC/fast-SENC for the prediction of MACE. RESULTS Strain enabled risk stratification in asymptomatic individuals, predicting MACE and the development of incident heart failure. Of 1,332 patients who underwent clinically indicated CMR, including SENC or fast-SENC acquisitions, 19 patients died, 28 experienced non-fatal infarctions, 52 underwent coronary revascularization and 86 were hospitalized due to heart failure during 22.4(17.2-28.5) months of follow-up. SENC/fast-SENC, predicted both all-cause mortality and MACE with high accuracy (HR=3.0, (95%CI=1.2-7.6), p=0.02 and HR=4.1, 95%CI=3.0-5.5, respectively, p<0.001). Using hierarchical cox-proportional hazard regression models, SENC/fast-SENC exhibited incremental value to clinical data and conventional CMR markers.
DATA CONCLUSION. Reduced myocardial strain predicts of all-cause mortality and cardiac outcomes in symptomatic patients with a wide range of ischemic or non-ischemic cardiac diseases, whereas in asymptomatic individuals, reduced strain is a precursor of incident heart failure.
‘Nimble peri-urban land purchase transactions’: How marginalised migrants access, hold and trade land
Authors: Bhanye Johannes Itai
Published: November 2023

How do marginalised migrants access, hold and trade land for settlement? This ethnographic inquiry based on a case study of Malawian migrants in peri-urban Zimbabwe revealed the practice of ‘Nimble peri-urban land purchase transactions’ - the flexible, informal, and extralegal means through which marginalised migrants secure land in a dynamic peri-urban environment. The study highlights the powerful role played by community leaders, neighbours and fictive kin in authenticating and registering land rights, mediating land disputes, and maintaining spatial orderliness within the community. The informal land transactions closely mimic formal land acquisition practices, demonstrating a sophisticated system underpinning these seemingly informal processes, grounded in local customs and trust-based relationships. Crucially, the study dispels the misconception surrounding the illegality of informal settlements, revealing that ‘Nimble peri-urban land purchase transactions’ constitute a crucial component of land access strategies for marginalised migrants. These transactions not only provide a lifeline to individuals and families seeking a place to call home but also contribute to the overall urbanisation and development of peri-urban areas. Thus, the study emphasises the need for recognising and addressing the informal yet vital aspects of land dynamics in peri-urban contexts.
Coconut dust extract as a pitting corrosion inhibitor for reinforcing steel in concrete in the presence of chlorides
Authors: Cao Nhat Linh , Shevtsov Dmitry Sergeevich , Zartsyn Ilya Davidovitch , Nguyen Van Chi , Nguyen Van Hoa , Nguyen Nhu Hung , Kozaderov Oleg Alexandrovitch
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of coconut dust extract on the pitting corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete via potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and weight loss measurements. Different solvents (water, ethanol, methanol, and acetone) were used for the extraction of coconut dust, in which water indicated the most efficiency due to the highest of flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, saponins, phlobatannins, and anthraquinones contents. Then, the obtained coconut dust extract was tested in two cases: (i) mixing with a water extract obtained from concrete with the addition of 3% NaCl and (ii) adding to the mortar-making process before immersing it in a 3% NaCl solution. In the first case, the highest protection degrees of ~95% (from PDP), ~99% (from EIS), and ~89% (from weight loss) were obtained using the inhibitor concentration of 1.5 g·L–1. In the second case, the protection degree was increased at inhibitor concentrations of ≥ 0.5 g·L–1. The highest protection degree is ~95% (from weight loss) and ~97% (from PDP) at a concentration of 2.0 g·L–1. The findings indicated the high potential of coconut dust extract as a green corrosion inhibitor for the corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete in the presence of chlorides.
Ears Cartilage Calcification, Case Report
Authors: Escalante Luis , Santamaria Carmen , Maldonado Astrid , Escalante Edgar
Published: November 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
College Students’ Epistemic Cognition, Epistemic Emotion, and Engagement: A Mediation Analysis
Authors: Ma Ke , Hui Bei-He
Published: November 2023

Background:
The college students' engagement has attracted the attention of scholars from various countries because it can impact student’s learning performance, which in turn affects national social development. Epistemic cognition refer to individuals' understanding of the nature of epistemic, sources, and the criteria for its validation. Epistemic emotion, on the other hand, are the emotions experienced by individuals during the process of learning and serve as important factors influencing their learning experiences.
Methods:
This study posits that college students' epistemic cognition indirectly influence theirs’ engagement through epistemic emotion. This study focuses on undergraduate students from physical education in Zhejiang province of China. After excluding invalid questionnaires, a total of 558 valid questionnaires were collected. This study conduct item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and reliability testing for the four scales. Moreover, we tested confirmatory factor analysis and the mediation effects in the proposed models.
Results:
The investigation conducted in this study revealed that college students' epistemic cognition positively influences their positive epistemic emotion and negatively influence their negative epistemic emotion. The mediating effect of student engagement was supported in the relationship between epistemic cognition and positive epistemic emotion, while the mediating effect in the relationship with negative epistemic emotion was not supported.
Conclusions:
More research is needed to explore the potential mediating effects of different variables between college students' epistemic cognitions and student engagement. Considering the current lack of research on the mediating effects of these three variables, future studies could continue to investigate the mediating effects of epistemic cognitions, epistemic emotions, and student engagement.
Characterization of Sugarcane QTLs for Tillering and stalks Quality through a Two-Way Pseudo-Testcross
Authors: Fang Junteng , Chen Xinglong , Chachar Zaid , Fan Lina , Lin Huanzhang , Cai Weijun , Su Yueping , Chen Weiwei , Xue Xiaoming , Li Yucong , Lai Ruiqiang , Xu Liping , Chachar Sadaruddin , Li Xuhui , Qi Yongwen
Published: November 2023

Sugarcane is grown worldwide from cultivars with complex genetic constitutions. Tillers and effective stalks are important agronomic traits of sugarcane that play important roles in yield. Using a two-way pseudo-testcross mapping strategy, we obtained a total of 172 F1 population of Yuenong73-204 (low tillering sugarcane variety) × CP72-1210 (ultra-high tillering germplasm), then, a total length of 1578.04 cM genetic map was constructed using 572 polymorphism SNPs genotyped by chip array. In addition, sprouts, tillers, and effective stalks of the F1 population were collected from four different environments. The total number of sprouts and tillers and the number of effective stalks were significantly positively correlated. The broad-sense heritability of tiller rate and effective stalk ranged 0.44, from 0.74. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping showed 5 QTLs associated with tillers and 5 QTLs associated with effective stalks, one of which was identified in at least two environments. The phenotypic contribution rates of these (QTLs) ranged from 7.7–11.1% for tillers and 5.6–10.7% for effective stalks. A total number of 23 candidate genes, including 5 transcription factors and 5 proteins, were further identified in these QTLs intervals, among which the C2H2 transcription factor and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase were the most significantly expressed in tillers and the effective stalk. These findings provide a reference for the genetic improvement of tillers and effective stalks of sugarcane.
Synergetic enhancement of the electrical-thermal-mechanical properties of EPDM composites modified by Kaolin and BNNSs
Authors: Feng Hao , Deng Wenhao , Xiao Chenglong , Xu Zhuang , Li Guochang , Wei Yanhui , Zhu Yuanwei , Li Shengtao
Published: November 2023

Offshore wind power is clean energy with rapid growth in recent years. As a key part of wind turbines, improving the combination performance of wind turbine cable insulation has a crucial impact on the development of wind power systems. In this paper, kaolin is selected to improve the tensile strength of Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber, and Boron Nitride Nanosheeets (BNNSs) with good electrical insulation and thermal conductivity are co-doped into kaolin/EPDM to improve the breakdown strength and thermal conductivity of the composite. The results show that the properties of the composites are improved when the powders are doped into EPDM. When the kaolin doping amount is 30wt%, the dielectric properties and the mechanical properties are improved, but the breakdown strength has deteriorated. Based on 30wt% kaolin content, BNNSs are added to EPDM. The breakdown strength is improved. The breakdown strength of the 30wt% Kaolin/5wt%BNNSs co-doped EPDM is 83.33kV/mm. In addition, due to the synergistic effect between the two powders, the tensile strength of the composite is increased to 8.06MPa. Meanwhile, with the increase of BNNSs, the thermal conductivity of composite is improved. It increases to 1.247 W/(m⋅K) This work has important guiding significance for improving the combination performance of the wind turbine cable insulation.
‘Life became harder with COVID-19’: An exploration of grief, intensified hardships, and silver linings of COVID-19 among youth living in eThekwini district, South Africa
Authors: Closson Kalysha , Dong Erica , Zulu Bongiwe , Dietrich Janan J. , Zharima Campion , Jesson Julie , Pakhomova Tatiana , Beksinska Mags , Kaida Angela
Published: November 2023

Background
In South Africa, pervasive age and gender inequities have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and public health response. We aimed to explore experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic among youth in eThekwini, South Africa.
Methods
Between December 2021-May 2022 we explored experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth aged 16–24 residing in eThekwini, South Africa using open-ended responses to an online survey focused on understanding multi-levelled health and social impacts of the pandemic. Thematic analysis summarized open-ended responses to the question “Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected you in any other way you want to tell us about?”.
Results
Of 2,068 respondents, 256 (12.4%, median age = 22, 62.1% women or non-binary) completed the open-ended survey question (11% in isiZulu). Results were organized into three main themes encompassing 1) COVID-19-related overwhelming loss, fear, grief, and exacerbated mental and physical health concerns; 2) COVID-19-related intensified hardships, which contributed to financial, employment, food, educational, and relationship insecurities for individuals and households; and 3) positive impacts of the pandemic response, including the benefits of government policies and silver linings to government restrictions. South African youth experienced significant grief and multiple losses (e.g., death, income, job, and educational) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusions
We found that South African youth experienced significant grief and multiple losses (e.g., death, income, job, and educational) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trauma-aware interventions that provide economic and educational opportunities must be included in post-COVID recovery efforts.
Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and dynamics analyses to predict the antiviral activityof ginger constituents against coronavirus infection
Authors: Samy Asmaa , Hassan Afnan , Hegazi Nisrine , Farid Mai , Elshafei Moustafa
Published: November 2023

Background: COVID-19 is a global pandemic that caused a dramatic loss of human life worldwide, leading to accelerated research for antiviral drug discovery. Herbal medicine is one of the most commonly used for of alternative medicine for prevention and treatment of many conditions including respiratory system diseases.
Methods: In this study, a computational pipeline was employed, including network pharmacology, molecular docking simulations, and molecular dynamics simulations, to analyze the common phytochemicals of ginger rhizomes and identify candidate constituents as viral inhibitors. Furthermore, experimental assays were performed to analyze the volatile and non-volatile compounds of ginger and to assess the antiviral activity of ginger oil and hydro-alcoholic extract.
Results: Network pharmacology analysis showed that ginger compounds target human genes that are involved in related cellular processes to the viral infection. Docking analysis highlighted five pungent compounds and zingiberenol as potential inhibitors for the main protease (Mpro), spike receptor-binding domain (RBD), and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Finally, (6)-gingerdiacetate was selected for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations as it exhibited the best binding interactions and free energies over the three target proteins. Trajectories analysis of the three complexes showed that RBD and ACE2 complexes with the ligand preserved similar patterns of root mean square deviation (RMSD) and radius of gyration (Rg) values to their respective native structures. These pungent compounds contribute to the higher antiviral activity of ginger extract than HD oil with CC50 of 3.480 μg/ml and IC50 of 2.727 μg/ml.
Conclusion: Our study provides predictive insights that could be useful for development of anti-coronavirus drugs especially (6)-gingerdiacetate that may enhance the host immune response and block RBD binding to ACE2, thereby, inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Prognostic value of combined assessment of cardiac autonomic system activity in appropriate cardioverter-defibrillator therapy prediction
Authors: Atabekov Tariel Abdilazimovich , Sazonova Svetlana I. , Khlynin Mikhail S. , Muslimova Elvira F. , Krivolapov Sergey N. , Kurlov Igor O. , Rebrova Tatiana Yu. , Mishkina Anna I. , Afanasiev Sergey A. , Batalov Roman E. , Popov Sergey V.
Published: November 2023

Objective.
This prospective study aimed to determine the prognostic value of the combined assessment of cardiac autonomic nervous system (CANS) activity in appropriate implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy predicting in patients (pts) with coronary artery disease (CAD) during mid-term follow-up period after ICD implantation.
Methods.
We enrolled 45 pts with CAD and ICD implantation indications. Before ICD implantation CANS was assessed by using myocardium scintigraphy with iodine-123-metaiodobenzylguanidine (I-123-MIBG), heart rate variability (HRV) and erythrocyte membranes β-adrenoreactivity (EMA). Patients were grouped based on the presence of appropriate ICD therapy according to the device interrogation data during 30.0 months [28.0; 52.0] follow-up period.
Results.
The 1st group included 15 (33.3%) pts with appropriate ICD therapy, the 2nd group – 30 (66.7%) pts without appropriate ICD therapy. There were significant differences between groups in cardiac I-123-MIBG (p < 0.001), HRV (p < 0.05) and EMA (p < 0.001) indicators. In multivariate logistic regression summed I-123-MIBG score late (SSd) (odds ratio [OR] 1.5109; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0767–2.1203; p = 0.017), I-123-MIBG washout rate (WR) (OR 0.5810; 95% CI 0.3666–0.9207; p = 0.02) and standard deviation of average NN intervals (SDANN) (OR 1.1686; 95% CI 1.0140–1.3468; p = 0.03) were independent predictors of appropriate ICD therapy. Predictive model with using of indicators (SSd, WR and SDANN) combination showed that prognostic coefficient increase > 0.25 was associated with appropriate ICD therapy (AUC 0.982; p < 0.001).
Conclusion.
Combined CANS activity assessment is useful in prediction of appropriate ICD therapy in pts with CAD during mid-term follow-up period after ICD implantation.
Unraveling the Complex Relationships Between Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life in Schizophrenia: A Network Analysis Study
Authors: Tang Yanqing , Wang Yucheng , Deng Wei , Zhang Huanrui , Wu Peiyi , Zhou Yang , Li Zijia , Xin Yide , Xu Yixiao
Published: November 2023

Background
Schizophrenia, a debilitating mental disorder, impacts cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functions. Co-occurring anxiety and depression worsen its complexity and diminish patients' quality of life. This study uses a network analysis approach to explore the relationships among anxiety, depression, and quality of life in hospitalized schizophrenia patients.
Methods
Cross-sectional study on 1328 inpatients with schizophrenia. Data included demographics, clinical details, and self-reported depression (HAMD-17), anxiety (HAMA-14), and quality of life (SQLS-R4). Network analysis employed Gaussian graphical models and Lasso for sparse network estimation.
Results
The analysis revealed hopelessness as the central node in quality of life, emphasizing its role in overall well-being. Somatic anxiety emerged as the central node in depression, highlighting the need to address somatic symptoms. Sleep disturbances were prominent central nodes in anxiety, indicating the need for targeted interventions.
Discussion
This study provides valuable insights into the relationships between anxiety, depression, and quality of life in inpatient schizophrenia populations. Addressing key symptoms such as hopelessness, somatic anxiety, and sleep disturbances can significantly improve overall well-being. Integrated interventions for anxiety and depression, along with comprehensive strategies addressing psychosocial factors, are crucial for optimizing therapeutic outcomes and enhancing quality of life in individuals with schizophrenia.
Booster Disinfection Scheduling under Uncertainty in Water Distribution Systems: Approximate Robust Reformulation Approach
Authors: Boindala Sriman Pankaj , Jaykrishnan G , Ostfeld Avi
Published: November 2023

One key aspect of ensuring water safety in water distribution systems (WDS) is the controlled use of disinfectants like chlorine within these systems. The amount of disinfectant levels in WDS directly impacts the quality and safety of the water supplied to consumers thus chlorine/disinfectant regulation in WDS is paramount. An upper residual Chlorine limit controls the formation of disinfection by-products, while a lower residual Chlorine limit guarantees that the water remains free of organic contaminants. However, accurately modelling the Chlorine reaction in WDS is a complex task due to various influencing factors, including pipe material, pipe age, water pH, temperature, and more. The variability in the Chlorine reaction rate in WDS poses a significant challenge in accurately predicting water quality provided to the consumers and also affects the optimal scheduling of Chlorine booster injections. To ensure the water quality remains within the acceptable range, we consider the chlorine reaction rate as an uncertain parameter and propose an approximate robust reformulation approach for the booster chlorination scheduling problem. We utilize two benchmark WDS systems to perform rigorous testing and analysis of our methodology. The proposed approach provides a systematic and robust method to obtain chlorine injection scheduling that adheres to predefined aims to maintain safe water quality levels while considering the uncertain reaction rate coefficients to be within ellipsoidal uncertainty sets.
The Impact of Corporate Green Bond Issuance on Green Technology Innovation —— Evidence from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area
Authors: Cai Xiaohan , Yan Bo
Published: November 2023

This paper uses a multi-period DID model to examine the impact of green bond issuance by listed companies in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area on green technology innovation. The results show that the issuance of corporate green bonds has a positive effect on the number of green patent applications. This beneficial effect is achieved by easing financing constraints and investing more R&D funds in green technology innovation. The green technology innovation effect of green bonds issued by state-owned enterprises and enterprises in the pilot zones for green finance reform and innovations is stronger. By introducing the internal rate of return and coupon rate of green bonds into the baseline regression model, we find that green bond issuers can not only carry out green technology activities at a lower cost of capital, but also make investors willing to support green technology innovation projects at a lower return on investment. In addition, compared with enterprises that have not issued green bonds, green bond issuers can maintain stronger profitability when the annual number of green patent applications is between 0 and 6, and the growth rate of enterprise value will increase with the increase of green technology innovation.
A friendly pathological type of cervical carcinoma: Pure Cervical Adenoid Basal Cell Carcinoma: An asymptomatic case report and literature review
Authors: Li Mianmian , Su Xinhui , Huang Li , Fan Yao , Yang Xin , Zeng Zhen , Xu Xiaoyan
Published: November 2023

Background: Cervical adenoid basal cell carcinoma (CABCC) is a rare pathological type of cervical cancer. According to the statistics of the World Health Organization (WHO), CABCC accounts for less than 1% of all cervical carcinomas. Since the clinical symptoms of patients with pure CABCC are not typical unless there are other types of cervical cancer present, early diagnosis and treatment are of great importance.
Case Presentation: This report presents a case of pure cervical adenoid basal cell carcinoma without typical symptoms at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. The intention is to analyze its clinical features, morphology, and pathology, aiming to provide insights for a better understanding of the disease.
Discussion and Conclusion: Pure CABCC is a rare type of cervical cancer with a relatively favorable prognosis. However, regular cervical cancer screening remains highly significance for early detection and treatment.
Analysis of the actor-partner interdependence effect of social support on benefit finding in advanced lung cancer patients and caregivers
Authors: Zhao Mengjiao , Na Na , Xing Naijiao , Zhu Hua , Wu Guixia , Xu Guangyi , Jiang Yunxia
Published: November 2023

Purpose:The mental health of patients with advanced lung cancer and their primary caregivers may influence each other. This study used dyadic analyses to explore the dyadic effects of social support on benefit finding and whether hope level mediates the patient-caregiver dichotomy in advanced lung cancer.
Methods: 295 pairs of patients with advanced lung cancer and primary caregivers completed the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), the Herth Hope Index (HHI), and the Benefit Finding Scale (BFS). Dyadic analyses were conducted using structural equation modelling based on the actor-partner interdependence mediation model.
Results: The results indicated that for both patients and their primary caregivers, hope level mediated the actor effect of social support on benefit finding; social support was positively associated with hope level and further enhanced benefit finding. Regarding partner effects, primary caregivers' social support had a significant indirect effect on patients' benefit finding through patients' hope level.
Conclusion: There is an interaction between social support, hope level, and benefit finding in patients with advanced lung cancer and their primary caregivers. Healthcare professionals should be mindful of identifying vulnerable patients and caregivers with poorer social support and hope levels and develop effective targeted interventions to improve benefit finding for patients with advanced lung cancer and caregivers.
MS Faster-RCNN: A noval multi-scale feature fusion based object detection scheme
Authors: Sun Yibo , Liu Chenlei , Xu Bixiao , Gong Jin , Sun Zhe
Published: November 2023

Object detection technology identifies and locates instance objects in a givenimage or video. It is a critical direction in computer vision research, whichpromotes intelligent monitoring, face recognition, and image segmentation devel-opment. However, deep learning-based object detection models still have a lowdetection accuracy for small-scale objects. In this paper, we propose a novel objectdetection model based on an improved multi-scale feature fusion method namedMS-Faster R-CNN. We adopt an optimized multi-scale feature fusion on the basicarchitecture of Faster R-CNN. The strategy, combined with the Feature Pyra-mid Network(FPN), uses two links to complete the feature fusion, making thesemantics of the fused features richer and adapted to different scale objects. Inthe candidate box recommendation stage, we use the cascaded Region ProposalNetwork(RPN) and the optimized Non-Maximum Suppression(NMS) so that the candidate box of the small-scale object would not be over-suppressed. So the rec-ommendation efficiency of the candidate box will be improved. Finally, the Regionof Interest(ROI) Align pooling technology based on the bilinear interpolationmethod is considered to avoid the loss of accuracy caused by quantization. Exten-sive experiments show that our MS-Faster R-CNN scheme has better detectionaccuracy than other existing methods on three classic datasets: Pascal VOC2007,Pascal VOC2012 and Microsoft COCO.
Significant benefit of high-dose furmonertinib in the treatment of leptomeningeal metastases from non-small-cell lung cancer with EGFR ex19Del mutation: Two case reports and a literature review
Authors: Han Huan , Zhang xiao , Liu Xiao , Zhao Jiuzhou , Zhang Jianwei , Zhu Hui , Jiao Shuyue , Tang Hong
Published: November 2023

Background:
Leptomeningeal metastases (LMs) are a devastating metastatic complication of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There is no standard treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant NSCLC, and improving the clinical prognosis for patients with LMs has become an urgent problem in clinical treatment. Preclinical data suggest that third-generation epidermal growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) have greater blood-brain barrier penetration than first- and second-generation EGFR-TKIs and can effectively inhibit central nervous system (CNS) metastases. Furmonertinib is a potent and irreversible third-generation EGFR-TKI. The parent drug and its metabolites can be distributed to brain tissue.
Case Description:
Here, we report for the first time that high-dose furmonertinib is not only effective in improving neurological symptoms caused by LMs, but also prolongs the survival time of patients. Side effects were limited but manageable. Following the diagnosis of LMs, genetic testing of blood or tissue samples from both patients resulted in the EGFR ex19del mutation. The first case was a 58-year-old woman with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. Furmonertinib (240mg/day) was given as initial treatment. The patient's neurological symptoms resolved significantly after 1 month, and she achieved complete response (CR) of the intracranial lesions after 10 months. In addition, the therapeutic effect has lasted for > 13 months and remained in close follow-up. The second case was a 69-year-old woman with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. She was treated with furmonertinib (160mg/day) as initial treatment and experienced immediate relief of neurological symptoms. The CNS response lasted >14 months and partial response (PR) was achieved. As of the last follow-up, iPFS, PFS and OS were not achieved in neither patient.
Conclusion: Furmonertinib may be an optional and effective management strategy for patients with NSCLC and EGFR-mutated LMs.
GNSS TEC and Swarm Satellites for the detection of Ionospheric Anomalies Possibly associated with 2018 Alaska Earthquake
Authors: Haider Zeeshan , Yan Jianguo , Shahzad Rasim , Naqvi Najam Abbas , Afzal Zohaib , Barriot Jean-Pierre
Published: November 2023

In the hunt for seismic precursors with GNSS to detect earthquake-related anomalies in ionosphere are proved as an effective strategy. One method is to use GNSS TEC to distinguish between seismic anomalies in ionosphere and anomalies induced by geo magnetic storm. In this study, TEC data of four GNSS sites near the epicenter of November 30, 2018, Alaska earthquake (Mw 7.1) are examined. We also examined the TEC from Swarm satellites during the local day and nighttime to further support the EQ-induced perturbations in ionosphere. One to six days before the major EQ, the GNSS stations' TEC displayed considerable disturbance positive anomalies crossing the upper bound. The GNSS TEC from the four stations near the EQ epicenter detected ionosphere perturbations in 1 to 6 days prior to the EQ. The swarm satellites TEC data also confirmed these findings. On the other hand, retrieving TEC from all GNSS sites during the EQ preparation phase and weak geo magnetic storm (Kp 4, Dst − 50 nT), we discover evidence of low-intensity anomalies in ionosphere 25–30 days prior to the major shock. Further research shows that EQ-induced TEC anomalies are considerable between UTC 17:30 and 23:00 and that the storm-induced TEC anomaly (caused by Dst = -50 nT and Kp 4) predominates in all GNSS stations between UTC 17:00 and 23:30. In the EQ preparation phase, all of these anomalies before the primary shock are helpful in separating seismic from geomagnetic storm anomalies. Additionally, using TEC monitoring, this work contributes to the growing lithosphere-ionosphere connection concept.