bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estudo de caso de aplicação da extonsometria em análise experimental
Authors: Parente Neto Tarcísio Gomes , Sousa Filho Ricardo Antônio Lima , Dias Tyhago Aragão , Monteiro Nágila Veiga Adrião , Ximenes Mariana Medeiros , Cavalcante Filho Antônio Carlos Moreira , Lopes Elis Ferreira
Published: December 2023

O artigo aborda a importância da extensometria na avaliação das condições de cabeamento em projetos e análises estruturais. Destaca-se a necessidade de uma avaliação mais elaborada das forças existentes para evitar falhas por sobrecarga ou desgaste durante a vida útil das peças. Em um mercado competitivo que exige redução de custos e qualidade, a extensometria surge como uma técnica fundamental. A extensometria é apresentada como uma técnica experimental para análise de tensão e deformações estruturas em mecânicas e de alvenaria. Entretanto, na prática, o extensômetro é descrito como um sensor colado na superfície do objeto de estudo, capaz de medir deformações e, por conseguinte, tão complexo. A mudança no parâmetro elétrico, geralmente resistência, resulta em uma variação de corrente, cujos valores são interpretados por uma placa de aquisição de dados e ferramenta computacional. O objetivo do trabalho é encontrar o módulo de elasticidade e a relação de deformação inicial e regressão linear do compósito fibroso utilizado, quando submetido a cargas, tal análise feita por meio do extensômetro. Contudo, é feito a análise do comportamento do compósito com a forma de acréscimo de carga crescente e depois decrescente. Todavia, por meio dos dados obtidos é realizado uma regressão linear da curva do gráfico. O texto destaca as peculiaridades dos strain gages, que são usados para medir diversas variáveis, como carga, tensão, alongamento, variação e vibração. Por esse âmbito, as análises feitas no trabalho tiveram resultados positivos, conseguindo encontrar o módulo de elasticidade do compósito por meio das equações e gráficos.
Estudo epidemiológico da dengue no município de Jacareí no período de 2020 a 2023
Authors: Silva Sabrina Clímaco da , Bissoli Cleber Frigi , Oliveira Fernanda Sant Ana de Siqueira e
Published: December 2023

A dengue se consolidou como uma doença endêmica nos países tropicais, onde as condições climáticas favorecem o desenvolvimento do mosquito vetor, Aedes aegypti. Diante deste contexto, atualmente é a arbovirose de maior relevância no Brasil, sendo uma doença de notificação compulsória por se tratar de um problema de saúde pública. Objetivo: estabelecer um perfil epidemiológico da dengue no município de Jacareí – SP, correlacionando detalhes do perfil comportamental e sociodemográfico obtidos na pesquisa com os dados epidemiológicos específicos da dengue registrados no município. Métodos: foi aplicada uma pesquisa via questionário on-line através da plataforma Google Forms aos residentes de Jacareí e suas cidades limítrofes. O link de acesso foi compartilhado em redes sociais. Resultados: Considerando os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, a pesquisa foi composta por 145 participantes, onde houve maior participação de mulheres (100), jovens entre 21 a 29 anos (68) e ensino médio completo (60). Dentro dos participantes que se infectaram por dengue, foi observado maiores taxas de infecção em mulheres (54,2%), idosos (26,1%), e moradores da zona leste (29,2%). Também foi observado alta taxa de infecção em idosos com baixa escolaridade. Referente ao combate à dengue, diretamente relacionado a cobrir qualquer recipiente que acumule água parada, foi observado que esta é a profilaxia mais adotada entre os participantes (87,7%). Conclusão: a dengue é endêmica na região de Jacareí, apresentando maiores incidências em grupos mais sensíveis como mulheres, e idosos de baixa escolaridade, uma vez que, o acesso à informação é a chave pro conhecimento e segurança.
Sea turtle density surface models along the United States Atlantic coast
Authors: DiMatteo A , Roberts JJ , Jones D , Garrison L , Hart KM , Kenney RD , McLellan WA , Lomac-MacNair K , Palka D , Rickard ME , Roberts KE , Zoidis AM , Sparks L
Published: December 2023

Spatially explicit estimates of marine species distribution and abundance are required to quantify potential impacts from human activities such as military training and testing, fisheries interactions, and offshore energy development. There are 4 protected species of sea turtle (loggerhead, green, Kemp’s ridley, and leatherback) commonly found along the east coast of the USA, our study area, and which require impact assessments. Data from 7 different survey organizations were used to create density surface models for the 4 sea turtle species utilizing 1.2 million km of line-transect surveys. A substantial portion (29.7%) of available sightings were not identified to the species level. Not including these sightings would underestimate density, so a conditional random forest model was used to assign unidentified sightings to species. Higher densities of loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were predicted south of the Outer Banks in cool months, transitioning northwards in late spring to occupy seasonal neritic habitats. The highest leatherback densities were predicted off the coasts of Georgia and Florida. Leatherbacks were also predicted throughout offshore areas. The predicted distribution patterns generally matched satellite tracking and strandings data, indicating the models reproduced established seasonal movements. Surveys rarely detect sea turtles smaller than 40 cm, so these age classes are not represented. The models are the first for the study area to apply availability bias estimates developed in or near the study area and attempt to classify unidentified sightings to the species level, providing an updated, critical tool for conservation management along the eastern seaboard.
Protective Effect of Topical Alpha-Tocopherol Acetate on UVB Irradiation in Guinea Pigs: Importance of Free Radicals.
Authors: Saral Y , Uyar B , Ayar A , Naziroglu M , Yilmaz S
Published: December 2023

Reactive oxygen species can be generated by daily exposure of the skin to ultraviolet light and may cause some subchronic and chronic skin disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible preventive role of
a-tocopherol acetate (ATA) on ultraviolet B (UVB) induced peroxidation by assessing lipid peroxide (LPO) levels and activity of reactive oxygen scavenging enzymes including glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in guinea pigs. ATA was topically applied to the skin for three weeks before a single dose of 0.9 J/cm2 UVB irradiation on the skin and lipid peroxide levels and antioxidants in plasma, skin and liver and erythrocytes were determined after decapitation. Topical application of ATA prevented the UVB irradiation-induced reduction of scavenging enzyme activities in skin and erythrocytes. In conclusion, we suggest that topical applications of ATA before UVB irradiation is effective in protecting the skin from unwanted effects of UVB irradiation.
Evaluasi Tata Kelola Kerangka COBIT 5.0 Sistem Informasi Penyediaan Barang dan Jasa (SIM-RS Prima)
Authors: Syuhada Nur , Haryanti Tuti , Kurniawati Laela
Published: December 2023

Proses penyediaan barang dan jasa di RS Persahabatan sudah menggunakan sistem informasi, tetapi sistem saat ini masih memiliki kekurangan atau kelemahan seperti belum terpenuhinya kebutuhan penyediaan dari segi waktu, sehingga menyebabkan tidak terpenuhi kebutuhan Rumah Sakit. Pembelanjaan dilakukan berdasarkan stok barang yang akan habis, sehingga proses penyediaan barang terkadang kurang tepat sasaran. Hal tersebut menjadi hambatan dalam proses belanja bagi bagian penyediaan. Kerangka kerja yang digunakan dalam evaluasi tata kelola sistem penyediaan barang dan jasa saat ini adalah Framework COBIT 5.0 karena COBIT 5.0 lebih berorientasi pada prinsip dengan harapan jika prinsip-prinsip terpenuhi maka proses yang berjalan telah memenuhi standar dan kebutuhan rumah sakit. Hasil audit sistem penyediaan barang dan jasa menggunakan COBIT 5.0, menunjukkan rata-rata indeks keseluruhan pada domain adalah 3.68 pada level Managed and Measurable sedangkan target yang ingin dicapai adalah 4, sehingga menghasilkan GAP sebesar 0.32, yang menunjukkan tingkat kematangan belum sesuai dengan tingkat kematangan seperti yang diharapkan Rumah Sakit Persahabatan. Usulan rekomendasi yang diberikan adalah perlu dilakukan perbaikan atau upgrade sistem untuk penambahan fitur monitoring dan pelaporan penyediaan barang dan jasa berdasarkan tingkat kebutuhan (high, medium, dan low), jangka waktu (long dan short), dan jumlah permintaan, sehingga proses pembelanjaan atau penyediaan barang dan jasa lebih efektif, akurat serta tepat sasaran.
Machine learning analysis with the comprehensive index of corneal tomographic and biomechanical parameters in detecting pediatric subclinical keratoconus
Authors: Ren Shengwei , Yang Kaili , Xu Liyan , Fan Qi , Gu Yuwei , Pang Chenjiu , Zhao Dongqing
Published: December 2023

Background: Keratoconus (KC) occurs at puberty but diagnosis is focused on adults. The early diagnosis of pediatric KC can prevent its progression and improve the quality of life of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of corneal tomographic and biomechanical variables through machine learning analysis to detect subclinical keratoconus (SKC) in a pediatric population.

Methods: Fifty-two KC, 52 SKC, and 52 control pediatric eyes matched by age and gender were recruited in a case-control study. The corneal tomographic and biomechanical parameters were measured by professionals. A linear mixed-effects test was used to compare the differences among the three groups and a least significant difference analysis was used to conduct pairwise comparisons. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the Delong test were used to evaluate diagnostic ability. Variables were used in a multivariate logistic regression in the machine learning analysis, using a stepwise variable selection to decrease overfitting, and comprehensive indices for detecting pediatric SKC eyes were produced in each step.

Results: PE, BAD-D, and TBI had the highest area under the curve (AUC) values in identifying pediatric KC eyes, and the corresponding cutoff values were 12 μm, 2.48, and 0.6, respectively. For discriminating SKC eyes, the highest AUC (95% CI) was found in SP A1 with a value of 0.84 (0.765, 0.915), and BAD-D was the best parameter among the corneal tomographic parameters with an AUC (95% CI) value of 0.817 (0.729, 0.886). Three models were generated in the machine learning analysis, and Model 3 (y = 0.400*PE + 1.982* DA ratio max [2 mm]−0.072 * SP A1−3.245) had the highest AUC (95% CI) value, with 90.4% sensitivity and 76.9% specificity, and the cutoff value providing the best Youden index was 0.19.

Conclusion: The criteria of parameters for diagnosing pediatric KC and SKC eyes were inconsistent with the adult population. Combined corneal tomographic and biomechanical parameters could enhance the early diagnosis of young patients and improve the inadequate representation of pediatric KC research.
Assembly strategies for rubber-degrading microbial consortia based on omics tools
Authors: Cui Chengda , Jiang Mengke , Zhang Chengxiao , Zhang Naxue , Jin Feng-Jie , Li Taihua , Lee Hyung-Gwan , Jin Long
Published: December 2023

Numerous microorganisms, including bacteria and fungus, have been identified as capable of degrading rubber. Rubber biodegradation is still understudied due to its high stability and the lack of well-defined pathways and efficient enzymes involved in microorganism metabolism. However, rubber products manufacture and usage cause substantial environmental issues, and present physical-chemical methods involve dangerous chemical solvents, massive energy, and trash with health hazards. Eco-friendly solutions are required in this context, and biotechnological rubber treatment offers considerable promise. The structural and functional enzymes involved in poly (cis-1,4-isoprene) rubber and their cleavage mechanisms have been extensively studied. Similarly, novel bacterial strains capable of degrading polymers have been investigated. In contrast, relatively few studies have been conducted to establish natural rubber (NR) degrading bacterial consortia based on metagenomics, considering process optimization, cost effective approaches and larger scale experiments seeking practical and realistic applications. In light of the obstacles encountered during the constructing NR-degrading consortia, this study proposes the utilization of multi-omics tools to discern the underlying mechanisms and metabolites of rubber degradation, as well as associated enzymes and effective synthesized microbial consortia. In addition, the utilization of omics tool-based methods is suggested as a primary research direction for the development of synthesized microbial consortia in the future.
Understanding the diagnosis of catheter-related bloodstream infection: real-time monitoring of biofilm growth dynamics using time-lapse optical microscopy
Authors: Díaz-Navarro Marta , Samaniego Rafael , Piqueras Juan Carlos , Díez Rafael , Hafian Rama , Manzano Irene , Muñoz Patricia , Guembe María
Published: December 2023

Background

The differential time to positivity (DTTP) technique is recommended for the conservative diagnosis of catheter-related bloodstream infection (C-RBSI). The technique is based on a 120-minute difference between microbial growth in blood drawn through the catheter and blood drawn through a peripheral vein. However, this cut-off has failed to confirm C-RBSI caused by Candida spp. and Staphylococcus aureus.

Objective

We hypothesized that the biofilm of both microorganisms disperses faster than that of other microorganisms and that microbial load is rapidly equalized between catheter and peripheral blood. Therefore, our aim was to compare the biofilm dynamics of various microorganisms.

Methods

Biofilm of ATCC strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans was grown on silicon disks and analyzed using time-lapse optical microscopy. The time-lapse images of biofilms were processed using ImageJ2 software. Cell dispersal time and biofilm thickness were calculated.

Results

The mean (standard deviation) dispersal time in C. albicans and S. aureus biofilms was at least nearly 3 hours lower than in biofilm of S. epidermidis, and at least 15 minutes than in E. faecalis and E. coli biofilms.

Conclusion

Our findings could explain why early dissemination of cells in C. albicans and S. aureus prevents us from confirming or ruling out the catheter as the source of the bloodstream infection using the cut-off of 120 minutes in the DTTP technique. In addition, DTTP may not be sufficiently reliable for E. coli since their dispersion time is less than the cut-off of 120 minutes.
Adaptive immune protection of the middle ears differs from that of the respiratory tract
Authors: Dewan Kalyan K. , Caulfield Amanda , Su Yang , Sedney Colleen J. , Callender Maiya , Masters Jillian , Blas-Machado Uriel , Harvill Eric T.
Published: December 2023

The efficacy of the adaptive immune system in the middle ear (ME) is well established, but the mechanisms are not as well defined as those of gastrointestinal or respiratory tracts. While cellular elements of the adaptive response have been detected in the MEs following infections (or intranasal immunizations), their specific contributions to protecting the organ against reinfections are unknown. How immune protection mechanisms of the MEs compares with those in the adjacent and attached upper and lower respiratory airways remains unclear. To address these knowledge gaps, we used an established mouse respiratory infection model that we recently showed also involves ME infections. Bordetella bronchiseptica delivered to the external nares of mice in tiny numbers very efficiently infects the respiratory tract and ascends the Eustachian tube to colonize and infect the MEs, where it causes severe but acute inflammation resembling human acute otitis media (AOM). Since this AOM naturally resolves, we here examine the immunological mechanisms that clear infection and protect against subsequent infection, to guide efforts to induce protective immunity in the ME. Our results show that once the MEs are cleared of a primary B. bronchiseptica infection, the convalescent organ is strongly protected from reinfection by the pathogen despite its persistence in the upper respiratory tract, suggesting important immunological differences in these adjacent and connected organs. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells trafficked to the MEs following infection and were necessary to robustly protect against secondary challenge. Intranasal vaccination with heat killed B. bronchiseptica conferred robust protection against infection to the MEs, even though the nasopharynx itself was only partially protected. These data establish the MEs as discrete effector sites of adaptive immunity and shows that effective protection in the MEs and the respiratory tract is significantly different. This model system allows the dissection of immunological mechanisms that can prevent bacteria in the nasopharynx from ascending the ET to colonize the ME.
Attending to the voices of parents of children with Reactive Attachment Disorder
Authors: Schlein Candace , Taft Raol J.
Published: December 2023

This article discusses the findings of a narrative inquiry case study into the school experiences of adoptive and/or foster parents with children with Reactive Attachment Disorder. The data from families of children with an attachment disorder were collected through interviews and support group observations. The major finding of this study is that the caregivers of students with this attachment disorder feel as though they have been silenced by schools. The data highlights how the social, emotional, and academic needs of children with attachment disorders might not align with the components of educational accountability that are currently in place. Considerations are also raised about how educational accountability for students with special needs might need to be re-imagined in accordance with the perspectives and experiences of parents on school landscapes.
A tau fragment links depressive-like behaviors and cognitive declines in Alzheimer’s disease mouse models through attenuating mitochondrial function
Authors: Wang Yamei , Wang Jianhao , Chen Hongyu , Li Xiang , Xu Ruifeng , Gao Feng , Yu Hang , Li Fang , Qin Dongdong , Wang Jiabei , Shi Yuke , Li Yiyi , Liu Songyan , Zhang Xi , Ding Shuai , Hu Yiqian , Huang Liqin , Gao Xin-Ya , Lu Zuneng , Luo Jin , Wang Zhi-Hao
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease characterized by extracellular senile plaques including amyloid-β peptides and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles consisting of abnormal Tau. Depression is one of the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD, and clinical evidence demonstrates that depressive symptoms accelerate the cognitive deficit of AD patients. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of depressive symptoms present in the process of AD remain unclear.

Methods

Depressive-like behaviors and cognitive decline in hTau mice were induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS). Computational prediction and molecular experiments supported that an asparagine endopeptidase (AEP)-derived Tau fragment, Tau N368 interacts with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPAR-δ). Further behavioral studies investigated the role of Tau N368-PPAR-δ interaction in depressive-like behaviors and cognitive declines of AD models exposed to CRS.

Results

We found that mitochondrial dysfunction was positively associated with depressive-like behaviors and cognitive deficits in hTau mice. Chronic stress increased Tau N368 and promoted the interaction of Tau N368 with PPAR-δ, repressing PPAR-δ–mediated transactivation in the hippocampus of mice. Then we predicted and identified the binding sites of PPAR-δ. Finally, inhibition of AEP, clearance of Tau N368 and pharmacological activation of PPAR-δ effectively alleviated CRS-induced depressive-like behaviors and cognitive decline in mice.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that Tau N368 in the hippocampus impairs mitochondrial function by suppressing PPAR-δ, facilitating the occurrence of depressive-like behaviors and cognitive decline. Therefore, our findings may provide new mechanistic insight in the pathophysiology of depression-like phenotype in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease.
Binaural advantages in sound temporal information processing by neurons in the rat inferior colliculus
Authors: Li Yan , Zhang Jiping
Published: December 2023

Previous studies on the advantages of binaural hearing have long been focused on sound localization and spatial stream segregation. The binaural advantages have also been observed in speech perception in reverberation. Both human speech and animal vocalizations contain temporal features that are critical for speech perception and animal communication. However, whether there are binaural advantages for sound temporal information processing in the central auditory system has not been elucidated. Gap detection threshold (GDT), the ability to detect the shortest silent interval in a sound, has been widely used to measure the auditory temporal resolution. In the present study, we determined GDTs of rat inferior collicular neurons under both monaural and binaural hearing conditions. We found that the majority of the inferior collicular neurons in adult rats exhibited binaural advantages in gap detection, i.e., better neural gap detection ability in binaural hearing conditions compared to monaural hearing condition. However, this binaural advantage in sound temporal information processing was not significant in the inferior collicular neurons of P14-21 and P22-30 rats. Additionally, we also observed age-related changes in neural temporal acuity in the rat inferior colliculus. These results demonstrate a new advantage of binaural hearing (i.e., binaural advantage in temporal processing) in the central auditory system in addition to sound localization and spatial stream segregation.
Molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and its roles in leukemia
Authors: Chen Zhe , Zheng Suying , Han Jiongping , Fu Leihua , Fu Jiaping , Zhang Zhijian , Hong Pan , Feng Weiying
Published: December 2023

Cell death is a complex process required to maintain homeostasis and occurs when cells are damage or reach end of life. As research progresses, it is apparent that necrosis and apoptosis do not fully explain the whole phenomenon of cell death. Therefore, new death modalities such as autophagic cell death, and ferroptosis have been proposed. In recent years, ferroptosis, a new type of non-apoptotic cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, has been receiving increasing attention. Ferroptosis can be involved in the pathological processes of many disorders, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury, nervous system diseases, and blood diseases. However, the specific mechanisms by which ferroptosis participates in the occurrence and development of leukemia still need to be more fully and deeply studied. In this review, we present the research progress on the mechanism of ferroptosis and its role in leukemia, to provide new theoretical basis and strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical hematological diseases.
Urologic practice patterns of pediatricians: a survey from a large multisite pediatric care center
Authors: Stewart Courtney A. , Jeong Kim Soo , Phillips Daniel , Bhatia Vinaya , Janzen Nicolette , Gerber Jonathan A.
Published: December 2023

Objective

To evaluate the practice patterns of pediatricians as they relate to common urologic concerns.

Materials and methods

An anonymous 15-question survey was created and distributed to all pediatricians at our institution, a large multisite care center. This study was deemed exempt by the institutional review board.

Results

55 of the 122 (45%) providers queried responded. 93% of the participants were female, and 7.3% were male. 55% recommended testicular self-examination at adolescence, while 39% did not recommend at any age. 78% stated that they were “Fairly confident” in the exam for undescended testicle (UTD). One-third referred patients with UDT to a subspecialist upon recognition at birth, 13% at 3 months of age, and 28% at 6 months of age. 10% reported obtaining a VCUG after the first febrile urinary tract infection (UTI), 26% after the second, and 36% only if there were abnormal findings on renal ultrasound. 28% of providers reported that they refer to pediatric urology after the initial febrile UTI. 19% provided antibiotics for UTI symptoms alone with negative urinalysis and urine culture.

Conclusions

Despite established guidelines, practice patterns varied among pediatricians. Pediatricians typically followed the AAP's guidelines regarding VCUGs (62%), with only a few adhering to urologic recommendations (9%). Despite the consistency between AAP and AUA guidelines regarding the age at which to refer a patient for cryptorchidism, about 70% of practitioners referred patients too early or too late. Harmonized, consolidated guidelines between pediatricians and pediatric urologists would improve patient care and efficiency of the healthcare system.
Case Report: A new case of YARS1-associated autosomal recessive disorder with compound heterozygous and concurrent 47, XXY
Authors: Kuan Janene , Hansen Ashleigh , Wang Hua
Published: December 2023

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases play a pivotal role in catalyzing the precise coupling of amino acids with their corresponding tRNAs. Among them, Tyrosyl tRNA synthetase, encoded by the YARS1 gene, facilitates the aminoacylation of tyrosine to its designated tRNA. Heterozygous variants in the YARS1 gene have been linked to autosomal dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth type C, while recent findings have unveiled biallelic YARS1 variants leading to an autosomal recessive multisystemic disorder in several cases. In this report, we present a novel case characterized by dysmorphic facies, and multisystemic symptoms, prominently encompassing neurological issues and a microarray conducted shortly after birth revealed 47, XXY. Utilizing whole exome sequencing, we uncovered a paternally inherited likely pathogenic variant (c.1099C > T, p.Arg367Trp), previously reported, coinciding with the father's history of hearing loss and neurological symptoms. Additionally, a maternally inherited variant of uncertain significance (c.782T > G, p.Leu261Arg), previously unreported, was identified within the YARS1 gene. The observed phenotypes and the presence of compound heterozygous results align with the diagnosis of an autosomal recessive disorder associated with YARS1. Through our cases, the boundaries of this emerging clinical entity are broadened. This instance underscores the significance of comprehensive genetic testing in patients exhibiting intricate phenotypes.
FEM/Wideband FMBEM coupling based on subdivision isogeometry for structural-acoustic design sensitivity analysis
Authors: Chen Xiuyun , Huang Yajun , Zhou Zhongbin , Xu Yanming
Published: December 2023

A computer simulation approach known as the isogeometric (IGA) method may directly use the surface information of geometric model. In 3D computer graphics, Loop subdivision surfaces are a common method for creating complicated shapes. In this study, we propose a coupling algorithm that utilizes Loop subdivision surfaces and a direct differentiation method for the computation of acoustic-fluid-structure interaction and the performance of structural-acoustic sensitivity analysis. This algorithm combines the finite element method (FEM) and wideband fast multipole boundary element method (FMBEM). Because of that the proposed method is of a great ability of integrating the numerical calculation and computer-aided modeling, the current technique can deliver results quickly and accurately. The numerical prediction of the effects of vibrating structures with arbitrary shape within sound field is made feasible by the FEM/Wideband FMBEM technique. Calculation examples are provided to show the applicability and effectiveness of the suggested method.
Measuring a motivational interviewing practice orientation in criminal justice practitioners: initial validation of the response style screening questionnaire
Authors: Tafrate Raymond Chip , Mitchell Damon , Cox Stephen M. , Hogan Tom
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The use of collaborative communication techniques by criminal justice practitioners has been identified as a component of core correctional practices (CCPs). Criminal justice agencies and programs are investing in motivational interviewing (MI) training for their staff with varying intensity, follow-up coaching, and expectations for integration into practice. The present article describes the development and initial validation of the Response Style Screening Questionnaire (RSSQ), a practitioner completed tool assessing an MI-consistent practice orientation. Over three studies, we examined the factor structure, reliability, and correlations between the scale and self-reported and behavioral validity indicators.

Method

Study 1 examined the factor structure of the RSSQ with a sample of 825 criminal justice practitioners. In Study 2, data from 350 probation officers completing the RSSQ alongside measures of work-orientation and attitudes was used to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis and an initial assessment of its construct validity. In Study 3, correlations between the RSSQ and audio recorded office visits of 33 probation officers coded for MI and relationship building skills examined the scale’s criterion validity.

Results

In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis with an oblique rotation yielded 18 items on four factors. In Study 2, four and five factor models were tested, with the 4-factor model of Study 1 yielding the best fit. Two of the 4 factor-derived subscales reflect styles inconsistent with MI: (1) Confrontational style, and (2) Sustain Talk style; while the remaining two reflect styles consistent with MI: (3) Eliciting style, and (4) Change Talk style. Confrontational style scores were correlated with a work-orientation reflecting probation as a law enforcement endeavor, while Eliciting and Change Talk scores were correlated with a behavior change and resource broker work-orientations. In Study 3, Confrontational and Sustain Talk style scores were negatively correlated with a variety of MI skills and CCPs displayed on audio recordings, while Change Talk style scores were positively correlated with use of such skills.

Discussion

Overall, the findings suggest the RSSQ is a potentially useful new practitioner self-report tool for assessing an MI practice orientation.
Women's input and decision-making in agriculture are associated with diet quality in rural Tanzania
Authors: Madzorera Isabel , Bliznashka Lilia , Blakstad Mia M. , Bellows Alexandra L. , Canavan Chelsey R. , Mosha Dominic , Bromage Sabri , Noor Ramadhani A. , Webb Patrick , Ghosh Shibani , Kinabo Joyce Ludovick , Masanja Honorati , Fawzi Wafaie W.
Published: December 2023

Background

Women's empowerment is one critical pathway through which agriculture can impact women's nutrition; however, empirical evidence is still limited. We evaluated the associations of women's participation, input, and decision-making in key agricultural and household activities with women's diet quality.

Methods

We analyzed data from a cross-sectional study of 870 women engaged in homestead agriculture. We used food frequency questionnaires to assess women's diets and computed women's diet quality using the Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS) (range 0–42), which captures healthy and unhealthy foods. We evaluated women's decision-making in 8 activities, food crop farming, cash crop farming, livestock raising, non-farm economic activities, wage/salary employment, fishing, major household expenditures, and minor household expenditures. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) linear models were used to evaluate associations between (a) women's participation, (b) decision-making, (c) adequate input, (d) adequate extent of independence in decision-making in agriculture, and (e) adequate input in use of agricultural income with their PDQS. Adequate input was defined as input into some, most or all decisions compared to input into few decisions or none. Adequate extent of independence was defined as input to a medium or high extent compared to input to a small extent or none.

Findings

Median PDQS was 19 (IQR: 16–21). Women's adequate input in decision-making on wage and salary employment (estimate: 4.19, 95% CI: 2.80, 5.57) and minor expenditures were associated with higher PDQS vs. inadequate input. Women with independence in decision-making on livestock production (estimate: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.05, 1.90) and minor household expenditures, and women with adequate decision-making in the use of income from wages/salaries (estimate: 3.16, 95% CI: 2.44, 3.87) had higher PDQS. Participation in agricultural activities was positively associated with PDQS.

Conclusions

Women's participation and input in decision-making in wage and salary employment, livestock production, and minor household expenditures were strongly associated with the consumption of better-quality diets. Women participating in multiple farm activities were also likely to have better diet quality. This study adds to the growing evidence on the pathways through which women's empowerment may influence women's nutrition in rural Tanzania.
Was China's zero-COVID policy the right choice? The multiple factor analysis of variables that affected the course of COVID-19 pandemic in China
Authors: Sobczak Marharyta , Pawliczak Rafał
Published: December 2023

Background

After 3 years of the COVID-19 pandemic and zero-COVID policy, a rapid increase in the number of daily COVID-19 infections was observed in China from November to December 2022. Therefore, we decided to analyze the factors that have been related to the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

Methods

The multiple factor analysis was conducted, using the data from publicly available databases from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to 30 January 2023.

Results

Our study showed that each year of the pandemic in China had different profiles and can be described by different variables: year 2020 was characterized by restrictions, such as international travel controls, stay at home requirements, and health system policies including contact tracing and protection of older adults; year 2021 was characterized by Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants; 2022 was characterized by new cases per million, Omicron lineages, and a few restrictions-related variables; and year 2023 was mainly described by the number of new deaths per million and Omicron variant 22B (BA.5) but also by testing and vaccination policies, as well as the number of people fully vaccinated per 100 and total boosters per 100.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed over time. Therefore, the anti-pandemic policies implemented must be dynamic and adapted to the current situation.
Dichotomous outcomes vs. survival regression models for identification of predictors of mortality among patients with severe acute respiratory illness during COVID-19 pandemics
Authors: Tasca Karen Ingrid , Alves Camila Gonçalves , Grotto Rejane Maria Tommasini , de Moraes Leonardo Nazario , Assato Patrícia Akemi , Fortaleza Carlos Magno Castelo Branco
Published: December 2023

Introduction

As the studies predicting mortality in severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) have inferred associations either from dichotomous outcomes or from time-event models, we identified some clinical-epidemiological characteristics and predictors of mortality by comparing and discussing two multivariate models.

Methods

To identify factors associated with death among all SARI hospitalizations occurred in Botucatu (Brazil)/regardless of the infectious agent, and among the COVID-19 subgroup, from March 2020 to 2022, we used a multivariate Poisson regression model with binomial outcomes and Cox proportional hazards (time-event). The performance metrics of both models were also analyzed.

Results

A total of 3,995 hospitalized subjects were included, of whom 1338 (33%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. We identified 866 deaths, of which 371 (43%) were due to the COVID-19. In the total number of SARI cases, using both Poisson and Cox models, the predictors of mortality were the presence of neurological diseases, immunosuppression, obesity, older age, and need for invasive ventilation support. However, the Poisson test also revealed that admission to an intensive care unit and the COVID-19 diagnosis were predictors of mortality, with the female gender having a protective effect against death. Likewise, Poisson proved to be more sensitive and specific, and indeed the most suitable model for analyzing risk factors for death in patients with SARI/COVID-19.

Conclusion

Given these results and the acute course of SARI and COVID-19, to compare the associations and their different meanings is essential and, therefore, models with dichotomous outcomes are more appropriate than time-to-event/survival approaches.
Actualizing societal membership in imaginary interaction: The “real construction of society” in the opening of current affairs TV discussion
Authors: Rautajoki Hanna
Published: December 2023

The wonder of modern mass-scale society has preoccupied sociological theorists for centuries. How does the whole live on and function? At the extreme of strong empirical traditions, conversation analysis focuses on studying the interactional organization of ongoing action and identities. My article puts these two inquiries together to explore the broader relevancies of situated talk and evidence the skillfulness of social actors in managing multi-scaled cultural memberships simultaneously. Approaching society as a processual accomplishment, this article investigates the instantiation of “societal membership” in a mundane institutional setting of broadcast television. The aim of the article is to experiment with how classical theoretical conceptualization can feed into methodological insight and how detailed empirical scrutiny can enrich our theoretical understanding of the mysteries of modern co-existence. This entails casting an analytic eye on the duality of structure and action. The article re-examines the structural scope of on-site interactional achievements. From an opposite angle, it highlights how integrative societal structures are made real and maintained in the art of interactional encounters. This two-way dynamic is exemplified by scrutinizing a fragment of a televised current affairs program. A set of theoretical key concepts is introduced to shed light on the societal orientations of participants in the opening talk of the program. The opening talk addresses an imaginary audience directly via the camera. It provides a view of the interactional methods used by journalists to invoke relevant identifications for the anticipated recipient at a distance. The encounter is imagined, yet instead of imagining a community in the reception, the analytic focus of the article is on actualizing society in the production of the talk. The spatially and temporally organized societal membership materializes in social relations and interdependencies, which are constituted through intersubjective interpretations, normative positionings, and interactional choices by intentional and knowledgeable actors in the routines of everyday life. The article reverse-engineers the relational framework of the deliberative public sphere enacted in mediated interaction as a collaborative scene of the democratic system. This is achieved by explicating the contextually embedded acts of societization taking place in a journalistically regulated field of participation by means of quasi-interactive public speech.
Refinement of the acute inhalation limit test for inert, nano-sized dusts by an in silico dosimetry-based evaluation: case study for the dissolution of a regulatory dilemma
Authors: Stratmann Heidi , Ma-Hock Lan , Tangermann Simone , Corley Richard A.
Published: December 2023

This case study aims to describe the dilemma faced when exposing rats to very high concentrations of fine, pulverulent materials for acute inhalation studies and to address the regulatory question of whether the effects seen here are relevant to humans and the subject of classification according to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Many powders match the definition of nanomaterials in the EU; therefore, information on acute inhalation testing of powders up to the GHS cutoff of 5 mg/L is required. However, testing rats at such a high aerosol concentration can cause physical obstruction of the airways and even mortality by suffocation. Therefore, to evaluate whether the physical effects on airway obstruction in rats exposed to 5 mg/L for 4 hours and alternative exposures to 1 and 2 mg/L are relevant for humans, an in silico evaluation of aerosol deposition was conducted using the multiple-path particle dosimetry (MPPD) model. For this evaluation, actual exposure conditions for an organic, nano-sized pigment which produced 100% lethality in rats at 5 mg/L, but not at 1 mg/L, were used to assess the potential for airway obstruction in rats and accordingly in humans. As an indicator of the potential for airway obstruction, the ratio of the diameter of the deposited, aggregated aerosol to airway diameter was calculated for each exposure condition. For rats exposed to 5 mg/L for 4 h, approximately 75% of tracheobronchial and 22% of pulmonary/alveolar airways were considered vulnerable to significant or complete obstruction (ratios >0.5). In humans, an equivalent exposure resulted in just over 96% of human tracheobronchial airways that received deposited mass to airway diameter ratios between 0.3 and 0.4 (nasal) or 0.4 and 0.5 (oral), with no airways with ratios >0.5. For the pulmonary/alveolar region, ∼88% of the airways following nasal or oral breathing were predicted to have deposited aerosol diameter to airway diameter ratios <0.1, with no airways with ratios >0.5. Thus, the in silico results obtained for rats are in line with the pathological findings of the animal test. The predicted results in humans, however, affirm the hypothesis of a rat-specific high dose effect which does not justify a classification according to GHS.
Emergence and Early Growth of Four Desmanthus Species in Three Alkaline Clay Soils
Authors: McLachlan Jonathan W. , Gunadasa Sajanee G. , Guppy Chris N.
Published: December 2023

Tropical pasture legumes such as Desmanthus are expected to improve pasture productivity in the extensive grazing systems of Northern Australia. However, the soils in these areas are often hostile (e.g., hard-setting and nutrient-deficient), which reduces legume emergence and establishment. Furthermore, these soils are often not ameliorated with amendments such as gypsum or starter fertilisers before planting. A pot trial was conducted to investigate differences in the emergence and early growth of four Desmanthus species. The legumes were grown in three alkaline clay soils that were unamended or amended with either gypsum (1 t CaSO4.2H2O ha−1 equivalent), a starter MAP fertiliser (12 kg P ha−1 equivalent), or both gypsum and the starter fertiliser. Seedling emergence was recorded daily and shoot yield was determined after six weeks’ growth. Final seedling emergence (as a percentage of viable seeds) varied among the Desmanthus species (c.f. D. leptophyllus = 63%, D. pernambucanus = 68%, D. bicornutus = 85%, and D. virgatus = 86%). On average, across the treatments, gypsum increased seedling emergence by 15%, whereas the starter fertiliser had no effect. The shoot yields and shoot phosphorus content of the Desmanthus species generally increased in response to the starter fertiliser. The collective results demonstrated that there were differences in emergence and early growth among the four Desmanthus species, which indicates that Desmanthus cultivar selection may be important in the relatively hostile soils of Northern Australia. Gypsum was an effective amendment for seedling emergence, whereas the starter fertiliser was an effective amendment to increase legume productivity.
Effects of Azotobacter and Carbon Dioxide Concentrations on the Growth and Yield of Rice Plants Grown in Two Paddy Soils
Authors: Chen Syuan-Lu , Huang Cheng-Hua
Published: December 2023

Rice is an important staple crop influenced by rising CO2 and related climate change, but it is not well-known how N-fixing Azotobacter affects rice growth and yield under different CO2 concentrations. This study aimed to determine the effects of Azotobacter strains on the growth and yield of rice plants grown in two paddy soils under varying CO2 conditions. Rice plants inoculated with three Azotobacter strains were grown in a conventional rice soil (Dali) and an organic rice soil (Houlong) under 500 or 1000 ppm CO2. These three Azotobacter strains significantly increased the harvest index of rice plants grown in Dali soil under 1000 ppm CO2, but they did not significantly increase the harvest index for rice plants grown in Houlong soil under elevated CO2. Interestingly, only A. beijerinckii CHB 461 significantly promoted the thousand-grain weight of rice plants grown in both Dali and Houlong soils under elevated CO2. Dali soil had a high level of soil organic matter, exchangeable Ca and Mg, and available Cu and Zn, probably resulting in a better response of the rice plants to Azotobacter inoculation under elevated CO2. In conclusion, in the application of Azotobacter to promote rice growth and yield under future rising CO2 conditions, the soil properties and characteristics of Azotobacter strains may need to be considered.
Detection of the Grassland Weed Phlomoides umbrosa Using Multi-Source Imagery and an Improved YOLOv8 Network
Authors: Guo Baoliang , Ling Shunkang , Tan Haiyan , Wang Sen , Wu Cailan , Yang Desong
Published: December 2023

Grasslands are the mainstay of terrestrial ecosystems and crucial ecological barriers, serving as the foundation for the development of grassland husbandry. However, the frequent occurrence of poisonous plants in grasslands weakens the stability of grassland ecosystems and constrains the growth of grassland livestock husbandry. To achieve early detection of the grassland weed Phlomoides umbrosa (Turcz.) Kamelin & Makhm, this study improves the YOLO-v8 model and proposes a BSS-YOLOv8 network model using UAV images. Using UAV, we can obtain early-stage image data of P. umbrosa and build a seedling dataset. To address challenges such as the complex grassland background and the dwarf seedlings of P. umbrosa, this study incorporated the BoTNet module into the backbone network of the YOLO-v8 model. Enhancing the integrity of feature extraction by linking global and local features through its multi-head self-attention mechanism (MHSA). Additionally, a detection layer was added in the model’s neck structure with an output feature map scale of 160 × 160 to further integrate P. umbrosa feature details from the shallow neural network, thereby strengthening the recognition of small target P. umbrosa. The use of GSConv, as a replacement for some standard convolutions, not only reduced model computational complexity but also further improved its detection performance. Ablation test results reveal that the BSS-YOLOv8 network model achieved a precision of 91.1%, a recall rate of 86.7%, an mAP50 of 92.6%, an F1-Score of 88.85%, and an mAP50:95 of 61.3% on the P. umbrosa seedling dataset. Compared with the baseline network, it demonstrated respective improvements of 2.5%, 3.8%, 3.4%, 3.19%, and 4.4%. When compared to other object detection models (YOLO-v5, Faster R-CNN, etc.), the BSS-YOLOv8 model similarly achieved the best detection performance. The BSS-YOLOv8 proposed in this study enables rapid identification of P. umbrosa seedlings in grassland backgrounds, holding significant importance for early detection and control of weeds in grasslands.