bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Motion Capture and Recognition Based on Sparse Inertial Sensor
Authors: Xia Huailiang , Zhao Xiaoyan , Chen Yan , Zhang Tianyao , Yin Yuguo , Zhang Zhaohui
Published: September 2023

The field of human motion capture technology represents an emergent and multifaceted domain that encapsulates various disciplines, including but not limited to computer graphics, ergonomics, and communication technology. A distinct network platform within its domain has been established to ensure the reliability and stability of data transmission. Moreover, a sink node has been configured to facilitate sensor data reception through two distinct channels. Notably, the simplicity of the measurement system is directly proportional to the limited number of sensors used. This study focuses on accurately estimating uncertain human 3D movements via a sparse arrangement of wearable inertial sensors, utilizing only six sensors within the system. The methodology is based on a time series sequence throughout the motion process, wherein a series of discontinuous actions constitute the sequential motion. Deep learning methodologies, specifically recurrent neural networks, were employed to refine the regression parameters. Our approach integrated both historical and present sensor data to forecast future sensor data. These data were amalgamated into a superposed input vector, which was fed back into a shallow neural network to estimate human motion. Our experimental results demonstrate the viability of this approach: the six sensors could accurately replicate representative poses. This finding carries significant implications for advancing and applying wearable devices within the realm of motion capture, offering the potential for widespread adoption and implementation.
Three Fuzzy c-Shapes Clustering Algorithms for Series Data
Authors: Fujita Mizuki , Kanzawa Yuchi
Published: September 2023

Various fuzzy clustering algorithms have been proposed for vectorial data. However, most of these methods have not been applied to series data. This study presents three fuzzy clustering algorithms for series data based on shape-based distances. The first algorithm involves Shannon entropy regularization of the k-shape objective function. The second algorithm is similar to the revised Bezdek-type fuzzy c-means algorithm obtained by replacing the membership of the hard c-means objective function with its power. The third algorithm involves Tsallis entropy regularization of the objective function of the second algorithm. Theoretical observations revealed that the third algorithm is a generalization of the first and second algorithms, which was validated by numerical experiments. Furthermore, numerical experiments were performed using 11 benchmark datasets to demonstrate that the third algorithm outperforms the others in terms of accuracy.
Az osztenzív stimulusok szerepe a mesék átadásában és megértésében
Authors: Papp Melinda
Published: September 2023

Jelen írás hátterében az a feltételezés áll, hogy a mesékben őrzött kulturálisan releváns tudás csak akkor tud terjedni (Sperber 1996; Ivaskó–Papp 2017), ha a történetmondó képes a megfelelő történetmondási stratégiákkal a hallgatóság figyelmét felkelteni és fenntartani, elősegítve ezzel a történettel átadni szándékozott információk feldolgozását. A tanulmány szempontjából a legfontosabb kérdés a mesélés mikéntjének a kutatása. Az óvodás gyermekekkel végzett önálló kísérlet eredményei azt igazolják, hogy a mesemondási szituációban a megfelelő osztenzív ingerek (Sperber–Wilson 1995) alkalmazása döntő jelentőséggel bír a közös figyelmi jelenet (Tomasello 1999) megteremtésében és fenntartásában. A kapott adatok alapján a mesemondó dajkanyelvi prozódiát alkalmazó szövegmondása és a szemkontaktus fenntartása ilyen osztenzív ingernek bizonyultak kisgyermekkorban.
Módszertani ötletek a szleng tanításához
Authors: Hollóy Zsolt
Published: September 2023

A szociolingvisztikai szemléletnek köszönhetően az anyanyelvi tanórákon egyre hangsúlyosabb szerepet kap a köznyelvtől eltérő nyelvváltozatok tanítása is. Ennek a tendenciának a következtében a diákok megismerhetik az általuk mindennap használt, egyéb nyelvváltozatokhoz kapcsolódó elméleteket, valamint tudatosíthatják ezek használatát. A területi és a társadalmi nyelvváltozatok megismerése elengedhetetlen az anyanyelvről alkotott átfogó és pozitív szemlélet kialakulásához. A társadalmi nyelvváltozatok egyik legkülönlegesebb része a szleng, amelynek kutatása és tanítása kihívást jelent összetett, szinte megfoghatatlan jellege miatt. A tanulmány e nyelvváltozat tanításához szolgál elméleti háttérrel, illetve kipróbált gyakorlati ötletekkel, tanácsokkal, lehetőségekkel.
Nyelv, kultúra, identitás. Alkalmazott nyelvészeti kutatások a 21. századi információs térben
Authors: Sólyom Réka
Published: September 2023

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A betűtípus és a szövegértés összefüggésének vizsgálata felső tagozatos tanulók körében
Authors: Gombos Péter , Látics Barbara
Published: September 2023

A kutatás alapvető kérdése, hogy mekkora szerepe van a betűtípus megválasztásának egy szöveg megértésében, illetve felidézésében felső tagozatos tanulók körében.  A vizsgálat hipotézise szerint a felső tagozatos tanulók szövegértésére, az információk felidézésére kedvezőbb hatással van a talpas betűtípussal írt szöveg, mint a talpatlan. A szakirodalomban nincs egységes álláspont ebben a kérdésben. Korábban főleg a betűtípusok képernyőről történő olvashatóságát mérték, jellemzően felnőttek körében.  A kutatás egy talpas (Cambria) és egy talpatlan (Candara) betűtípusú szövegértési tesztet alkalmazott. Összesen 450 felső tagozatos tanuló vett részt a felmérésben, amelyben a szöveg olvasását egy szövegértési teszt követte, majd két héttel később 5-5 kérdésből álló felidézéses tesztet töltött ki 196 tanuló. A teszt célja annak felmérése volt, hogy a talpas vagy a talpatlan szöveg esetében eredményesebb-e az információk előhívása. Kétmintás, párosított t-próbát alkalmazva történt a szövegértési, valamint felidézéses tesztek eredményeinek az összehasonlítása. Szignifikáns különbség nem mutatkozott az eredmények között. A hipotézisek nem igazolódtak: felső tagozatos tanulók esetében sem a szövegértésre, sem az információk felidézésére nincs kedvezőbb hatással a talpas betűtípussal írt szöveg.
Green Economy and Partnership Program in the Tofu Processing Industry: Towards Social-Economic Systems Driving Sustainable Development
Authors: Thaliya Adinda , Amrina Dania Hellin
Published: September 2023

With the development of the population which continues to increase along with the times, there is also a shift in people's lifestyles and human desires to be able to meet their needs, this can be seen from the many community businesses that make ends meet and encourage the family's economy without thinking about the impact on the surrounding environment. The purpose of this study is to find out how the implementation of the green economy and partnership program is carried out in the tofu processing industry in a socio-economic system to encourage sustainable development, so that later it is hoped that the results of this research resume can serve as an example for other processing industries to implement green economy and partnership programs. good for the socio-economic system. This research is a descriptive study using literature and summarizing the results of previous studies. This research shows the results that the tofu processing industry on Singkep Island, Bandar Lampung City has implemented a partnership program, and through this research it can also be seen that the processing industry studied has implemented green economy principles in promoting sustainable development. development. The existence of an exemplary application of partnership programs and the green economy can foster a socio-economic system that is in accordance with the main objectives of Islamic economics, namely creating a prosperous society based on justice, equity and balance.
Wage Returns to Field of Study-Occupation Mismatch in Turkish Graduate Labor Market: Quantile Regression Approach
Authors: AYTUN Ugur , MEÇİK Oytun
Published: September 2023

In this paper we estimate the income effects of horizontal mismatch and its interaction with fields of study for Turkish higher education graduates using Turkish Labor Force Survey dataset. After controlling the vertical mismatch to reduce potential bias, our baseline findings show that one point (decrease) increase in (mis)matching index leads to 21.9% wage (penalty) growth. However, the return to the matching varies significantly between fields of study. We also explore extent to which impact of horizontal mismatch is sensitive to the ability levels represented by conditional quantile of the income distribution of graduates. Our quantile regression estimations point us heterogenous matching returns for different quantiles of fields of study. While positive wage effect of matching is significantly valid at the above and below the median income in six and three majors respectively, three majors’ negative matching is at above the median income.
Duelo y optimismo en tiempos de covid-19
Authors: Sánchez-Martínez María José ,   UCAM, Gómez-Díaz Magdalena , Orteso-Rivadeneira Javier , Gómez-Martínez Carmelo Sergio , Rosa-Alcazar Ángel , García-Mercader Emilio José , Morán-Sánchez Inés , Moya-Faz Francisco José ,   UCAM,   UCAM,   UCAM,   UCAM,   UCAM,   UCAM,   UCAM
Published: September 2023

Marco Teórico: El duelo ha sido uno de los procesos más importantes a nivel emocional en esta pandemia del covid-19. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo mostrar el proceso de duelo y el optimismo en estado de pandemia, relacionándolo con el sexo. Método: La muestra que compo-ne este estudio es de 106 participantes, de los cuales el 68,9% son mujeres y el 31,1% hombres, cuya característica principal es que han sufrido una pérdida en época de pandemia. Los instrumentos utilizados han sido el Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), y el Inventario Texas Revisado del Duelo. Resultados: Los resultados respecto a la comparación de medias de las dos variables con respecto al sexo son significativos en optimismo (U=845.0; p=.014) y duelo (U=660.0, p=.000), siendo mayor el optimismo en hombres y mayor la puntuación en duelo en mujeres. Se encuentra una correlación negativa entre optimismo y duelo (rho=-.321; p=.01). Conclusiones: Los resultados indican que puede existir relación entre optimismo y duelo, además de que hay resultados significativos entre duelo, optimismo y sexo.
The effect of urbanization and behavioral factors on coyote net displacement and its implications for seed dispersal
Authors: Gelmi-Candusso Tiziana A. , Wheeldon Tyler J. , Patterson Brent R. , Fortin Marie-Josée
Published: September 2023

Coyotes (Canis latrans) may be important seed dispersal vectors in urban areas, given their omnivorous diet and wide-ranging movement patterns potentially able to bypass fragmentation. However, fragmentation itself, anthropogenic food sources, and human activity can limit their natural movement patterns. Previous research has found urbanization limits movement range across mammals; however, it remains unclear the degree to which this may cascade into seed dispersal as seed retention time plays an important role in seed dispersal distance. Additionally, social and temporal changes in behavior influence coyote movement patterns, likely interacting with the effect of urbanization on net displacement and seed dispersal. We used GPS telemetry data to analyze the effect of urbanization on coyote net displacement (n = 94 individuals), in interaction with social and temporal factors, for a series of seed retention timeframes. We found that urbanization led to shorter net displacement in comparison to rural areas. The effect of urbanization increased with increasing seed retention timeframe and disproportionately affected long-distance seed dispersal. While seasonality did not influence the effect of urbanization, social status had a strong interaction effect, whereby the effect of urbanization was strong for transient and dispersing coyotes but negligible for resident coyotes, as territoriality was likely the main limiting factor for the latter, whereas the former, which were wider ranging, were most affected by the urban matrix. Interestingly, despite the urban effect, coyote net displacement varied across social statuses and seasons in both landscape types, suggesting coyotes can provide a heterogenous seed dispersal contribution within and across plant species. Future research on fine-scale movement patterns and scat analysis is needed to better understand the cascading effects of decreased long-distance net displacements on urban plant populations.
First report of Fusarium anthophilum causing drying on Butia odorata in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Arellano Alfonso Daniel Victoria , Chaves Fabio , Marquez-Licona Guillermo , Solano-Báez Alma Rosa , Martinez Francisco Javier Camacho , Dallagnol Leandro J.
Published: September 2023

Butia spp. is a palm tree native to southern Brazil and Uruguay. The fruits are consumed fresh and used to make many food products, while the leaves are commonly used to make crafts. In January 2018, severe symptoms of wilt and drying were identified in clusters of Butia odorata occurring on the leaf and the rachis (in a proportion of 50% of leaf area). The pathogen was isolated from a stump extracted from a symptomatic tree. The morphologic characters showed a presence of macroconidia and microconidia with a classic salmon color of some species of the Fusarium genus. The molecular identification of the locus of actin (ACT), calmodulin (CAL), factor elongation 1-alpha (TEF1) and histone (HIS3), confirmed the identity of Fusarium anthophilum. This finding will help growers and agronomists prevent and manage this disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Fusarium antophilum causing disease in Butia odorata.
Flavonoids are Involved in Salt tolerance through ROS scavenging in the HalophyteAtriplex canescens
Authors: feng shan , Yao Yu-Ting , Wang Bei-Bei , Li Yi-Meng , Li Li , Bao Ai-Ke
Published: September 2023

Atriplex canescens is a halophytic forage shrub with excellent adaptation to saline environment. Our previous study showed that a large number of genes related to the biosynthesis of flavonoids in A. canescens were significantly up-regulated by NaCl treatments. However, it remains unclear whether flavonoids are involved in A. canescens response to salinity. In this study, we found that the accumulation of flavonoids significantly increased in either the leaves or roots of A. canescens seedling under 100 mM and 300 mM NaCl treatments. Correspondingly, AcCHS, AcCHI and AcF3H, which encode three key enzymes (chalcone synthases, chalcone isomerase, and flavanone 3-hydroxylase, respectively) of flavonoids biosynthesis, were significantly induced in the roots or leaves of A. canescens by 100 mM or 300 mM NaCl. Then, we generated the transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana overexpressing AcCHI and found that transgenic plants accumulated more flavonoids through enhancing the pathway of flavonoids biosynthesis. Furthermore, overexpression of AcCHI conferred salt and osmotic stress tolerance in transgenic A. thaliana. Contrasted with wild-type A. thaliana, transgenic lines grew better with greater biomass, less H2O2 content as well as lower relative plasma permeability in either salt or osmotic stress conditions. In conclusion, our results indicate that flavonoids play an important role in A. canescens response to salt stress through reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and the key enzyme gene AcCHI in flavonoids biosynthesis pathway of A. canescens has the potential to improve the stress tolerance of forages and crops.
Ultrawide-Field Fluorescein Angiography Features in Patients with Anterior Uveitis
Authors: Kodati Shilpa , Nguyen Nam , Oyeniran Enny , Zeleny Alexander , Chen Michelle , Sherif Noha , Konstantinou Eleni , Vitale Susan , Sen Hatice Nida
Published: September 2023

Purpose:
To evaluate the utility of ultrawide-field fluorescein angiography (UWFFA) in patients with anterior uveitis by investigating the detection of retinal vascular leakage (RVL) and the subsequent implications on disease diagnosis and management.
Study Design/Materials and Methods:
Patients, who were referred to the National Eye Institute (NEI) for evaluation of anterior uveitis and underwent UWFFA imaging at the initial visit, were included in this study. The electronic medical records of eligible patients were reviewed. The UWFFA images were assessed for severity of retinal vascular leakage, presence of macular leakage, and optic disc leakage by a two-grader system, and intergrader agreement was calculated using the κ-value. Patients with altered diagnoses and management attributable to UWFFA results were noted.
Results:
A total of 93 eyes of 63 patients were included in the study. Of 93 eyes, 31 (33.3%) eyes had RVL on UWFFA, with 26 (28.0%) eyes and 5 (5.4%) eyes showing mild and moderate-severe RVL, respectively. Twenty-five (26.9%) eyes showed macular leakage and 7 (7.5%) eyes showed optic disc leakage. The κ-values ranged from 0.85–0.87 indicating excellent intergrader agreement. Of the 31 eyes with RVL, the diagnosis was changed to anterior/intermediate uveitis for 9 (29.0%) eyes and to panuveitis for 4 (12.9%) eyes. Systemic treatment was escalated in 5 patients based on the UWFFA findings.
Conclusion:
Our results suggest that UWFFA imaging is useful in detecting subclinical posterior involvement in patients with anterior uveitis. Moreover, UWFFA results in altered diagnosis and treatment approaches in a portion of patients.
Drivers of functional diversity in small-bodied mammals across a deforestation frontier in the Southern Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Santos-Filho Manoel , Ribeiro Thalita , Silva Dionei José da , Bogoni Juliano A. , Palmeirim Ana Filipa
Published: September 2023

Deforestation remains the most pervasive driver of biodiversity erosion across tropical forests. Understanding on how species can cope with such habitat changes is particularly important along the rapidly expanding agricultural frontiers. To do so, we used a functional perspective examining small mammal responses to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation across the ‘Arc of Deforestation’ in Southern Brazilian Amazon. Small mammals were surveyed using a combination of conventional and pitfall traps across 20 forest fragments — ranging from 42 to 4,743 ha — in addition to two relatively continuous forest sites (> 7,000 ha). These fragments lie isolated by a cattle pasture matrix of varying grazing intensity. We then analysed taxonomic and functional diversity patterns — represented by Simpson Diversity and Rao Quadratic entropy indices — in Generalised Linear Models containing local- to landscape-scale predictors of variation. Further, we used a functional trait composition approach based on community-weighted mean trait values to depict and predict small mammal functional variations across this degradation gradient. From a total of 847 individuals recorded belonging to 24 taxa, functional responses tended to follow the taxonomic diversity, both increasing with fragment area. The functional dimension further was promoted from low fire-related disturbance. Functional trait composition was mainly driven by habitat quality, represented by tree density, arthropod biomass, and fire-related disturbance. Our results reinforce that small forest fragments not only sustain depauperate small mammal assemblages, as those fragments are likely to have their ecosystem functioning disrupted. Accounting for habitat quality further allows to boost the persistence across functional groups. Our findings can be used to improve the efficiency of management practices thereby allowing to maximise the multiple dimensions of small mammal diversity and their associated ecosystem services across tropical deforestation frontiers.
TITRE: Viability predictive factors of the daughter vesicles in hepatic hydatid cyst
Authors: Trigui Aymen , Khmekhem Nahed , Fendri Sami , Daoud Rahma , Akrout Amira , Trabelsi Jihene , Mzali Rafik , Cheikhrouhou Fatma , Dziri Chedli , amar Mohamed Ben , Ayadi Ali , Boujelbene Saleh
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Management of hepatic hydatidosis requires knowledge of certain aspects related to the survival of Echinococcus granulosus. The viability of daughter vesicles (DV) is a determining factor in guiding therapeutic indications, particularly for transiently active Cysts type CE3b. Purpose: To determine the predictive factors of DV viability and its impact on the therapeutic management of CE3b type. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective pilot study with analytical aim on patients with hydatid cysts of the liver type CE2 and CE3b, operated in the General Surgery Department of Habib-Bourguiba Academic Hospital, Sfax-Tunisia during 22 months from March 2018 until December 2019. The unit of the study is the DV. A parasitological study of the DV was done in the parasitology laboratory. Results: During the study period, 27 (40.9%) of 66 operated Cystic Hydatid Disease from 21 patients containing 248 DV were explored. The median viability of DV protoscoleces was 16.7%. In bivariate analysis, factors for viability of DV protoscoleces were: fever, acute cholangitis, hyperbilirubinemia, left liver location, rock water and bilious hydatid fluid (HF), cyst size ≥ 43mm, intracystic pressure ≥ 35 mmHg, DV size ≥ 6.5mm, volume, number of DV/cyst ≥ 5, and opaque wall (p < 0.05). Predictive factors for Non-viability of DV were: CE3b type, purulent HF and gelatinous HF. In multivariate analysis, only CE2 type, cyst size ≥ 43 mm, number of DV/cyst ≥ 5 and DV size ≥ 6.5 mm were factors significantly associated with the viability of DV protoscoleces. Conclusion: CE3b cysts without the criteria of viability of DV protoscoleces may become candidates for 'Wait-and-Watch' procedure.
Environmental Strategic Performance of SMEs in Developing Countries: Perspectives of Environmental Strategic Capabilities, Environmental Strategic Assessment and Stakeholder Engagement
Authors: Khan Missal , Majid Abdul
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this study is to empirically evaluate the model that explains the methods involved in the transformation of environmental strategic Capabilities (ESC) into environmental strategic performance (ESP) of manufacturing SMEs in developing economies such as Pakistan. This study also analyzes the role of environmental strategic assessment (ESA) as a mediator as well as the contingent impacts of stakeholder engagement (SE). To evaluate the conceptual model, a cross-sectional design was employed in this study. Data from 489 owners, production managers, finance managers, and CEOs of 133 production units dealing with agriculture equipment (31 units), auto parts (18 units), electrical equipment (25 units), gas appliances (23 units), pharmaceutical instruments (15 units), and plastic products manufacturing (21 units) was gathered to validate the moderated mediation framework. The outcomes of the study support the notion that ESC and ESP are positively correlated. Furthermore, results also support the mediation role of ESA in the association between ESC and ESP. Additionally, the moderation of SE is validated, and this construct is portrayed as a catalyst in interaction of ESC and ESP. The current study contributes to strategic management literature by concentrating on intangible assets such as ESC and its key aspects. As a result, it introduces a new framework as well as a roadmap that will support in the accomplishment of ESP's aspirations. Through focusing on the mediating mechanism in which ESC may well be transformed to ESP of manufacturing SMEs by ESA, the study findings significantly contributed to the understanding of environmental dynamism in contemporary management era. The findings of the study also assist in clarifying the moderating impact of SE and how its interactions with ESC and ESP strengthen the influence that enterprises have on ESA.
Hemoglobin Levels and Clinical Outcomes after Extracorporeal Circulation Auxiliary to Open Heart Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Fan Zhao-kun , Zhang Zhirong , Yi Ru-qin , Feng Wen , Li Chenen , Chen Wei , Shen Ying-ying
Published: September 2023

Background: Extracorporeal circulation auxiliary to open heart surgery is a common procedure used to treat heart diseases. However, the optimal transfusion strategy for patients undergoing this surgery remains a subject of debate. This study aims to investigate the association between hemoglobin levels and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing extracorporeal circulation auxiliary to open heart surgery, with the ultimate goal of improving surgical success rates and enhancing patients' quality of life.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from the MIMIC-IV 2.2 database, including 4144 patients. The patients were categorized into five groups based on their minimum hemoglobin levels during hospitalization. Baseline characteristics, clinical scores, laboratory results, and clinical outcome data were collected. Statistical analyses utilized descriptive statistics, ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests, Kaplan-Meier method, and Log-rank test.
Results: The results revealed a significant correlation between hemoglobin levels and in-hospital mortality, as well as mortality rates at 30 days, 60 days, and 180 days (p < 0.001). Patients with lower hemoglobin levels exhibited higher mortality rates. However, once hemoglobin levels exceeded 7g/dL, no significant difference in mortality rates was observed (p = 0.557). Additionally, lower hemoglobin levels were associated with prolonged hospital stay, ICU admission time, and mechanical ventilation time (p < 0.001). Furthermore, hemoglobin levels were significantly correlated with complication risk, norepinephrine dosage, and red blood cell transfusion volume (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference among the groups in terms of major complications, specifically sepsis (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of managing hemoglobin levels in patients undergoing heart surgery with extracorporeal circulation. Hemoglobin levels can serve as valuable indicators for predicting clinical outcomes and guiding treatment decisions. Physicians should carefully consider hemoglobin levels to optimize transfusion strategies and improve postoperative patient outcomes. Further research and intervention studies are warranted to validate and implement these findings in clinical practice.
Genetic compatibility exceeds possible ‘good genes' effects of sexual selection in lake char
Authors: Wedekind Claus , Garaud Laura , Nusbaumer David , de Guttry Christian , Cunha Lucas Marques da , Ançay Laurie , Atherton Audrey , Lasne Emilien
Published: September 2023

Mating is rarely random in nature, but the genetic effects of mate choice are still poorly understood. We sampled 47 wild lake charr(Salvelinus umbla) during two breeding seasons and used their gametes to investigate the genetic consequences of different mating scenarios. In a first study, 1,464 embryos that resulted from sperm competition trials were raised singly in either a stress- or non-stress environment. Offspring growth turned out to be strongly reduced with increased genetic relatedness between the parents while male coloration (which is known to reveal aspects of male health) was no significant predictor of offspring performance. To test the robustness of this finding, we did another experiment one year later, using block-wise full-factorial in vitro breeding to produce 3,094 embryos that were raised singly with sublethal exposures to a pathogen or water only. Offspring growth was again strongly reduced with increased genetic relatedness between the parents while male coloration was no significant predictor of offspring performance. We conclude that, in lake char, the genetic benefits of mate choice would be strongest if females avoided genetic similarity, while male breeding colors seem more relevant in intra-sexual selection.
Retrospective audit compares screening and treatment of pregnancy-related anaemia in regional New South Wales with Australian guidelines
Authors: Ebrahim Mariam , Vadive Priya Dharshini , Dutton Tegan , Anyasodor Edward Anayo , Osuagwu Uchechukwu levi , Bailey Jannine
Published: September 2023

Background. Anaemia during pregnancy is common worldwide. In Australia, approximately 17% of non-pregnant women of reproductive age have anaemia, increasing to a rate of 25% in pregnant women. This study sought to determine the rate of screening for anaemia in pregnancy in regional New South Wales, and to determine whether screening and treatment protocols followed the recommended guidelines.
Methods: This retrospective study reviewed antenatal and postnatal (48hrs) data of women (n=150) who had a live birth at Bathurst Hospital between 01/01/2020 and 30/04/2020. Demographic data, risk factors for anaemia in pregnancy, antenatal bloods, treatments provided in trimesters one (T1), two (T2) and three (T3), and postpartum complications were recorded. These were compared to the Red Cross Haemoglobin Assessment and Optimisation in Maternity Guidelines using descriptive statistics.
Results: Of the women with screening data available (n=103), they were mostly aged 20-35yrs (79.6%), 23.3% were obese, 97.1% were iron deficient, 17% were anaemic and only a few (5.3%) completed the full pregnancy screening as recommended by the Red Cross Guidelines while a majority completed only partial screenings specifically Hb levels in T1 (56.7%), T2 (44.7%) and T3 (36.6%). Compliance to oral iron was largely undocumented, but constipation was a common side effect among the women. IV iron was administered in 14.0% of women, approximately 1.75x higher than recommended rate.
Conclusions: This study provided useful information about compliance to screening and treatment guidelines for anaemia in pregnancy. We identified the need for improved documentation and communication between various health providers to ensure adequate antenatal care to prevent maternal complications during pregnancy. This will improve patient care and encourage further developments in maternal care, bridging the rural health gap.
How many cities of antiquity are located in today’s urban areas?
Authors: Portnov Boris
Published: September 2023

Many cities of the past disappeared from the map over the course of history.1,2 After wars or natural disasters, people never returned to these cities and they remain in ruins. Yet others cities survived and became today’s urban areas. How many cities of antiquity remain on the world’s map today? What differs these cities from the cities of antiquity that vanished? In this article, an attempt is made to answer these questions by using geo-information tools and newly available data sources, as lessons learnt from the past might have important implications for sustainable urban development in the future. As the analysis shows, only about 36 percent of the cities of antiquity remain living urban areas today. Yet, quite remarkably, chances to remain a functional urban area increase steadily in the line with the number of locational advantages the city has. As our world is mostly urban today and will become even more urbanized in the future, places and areas with multiple locational advantages should thus be identified, to reserve such spots for future urban development that will occur there sooner or later.
A skin-conformal and breathable humidity sensor for emotional mode recognition and non-contact human-machine interface
Authors: Zhao Tingting , Li Tongkuai , Zhang Hao , Yuan Li , Cheng Congcong , Dai Junshuai , Xue Longwei , Zhou Jixing , Liu Hai , Yin Luqiao , Zhang Jianhua
Published: September 2023

Noncontact humidity sensor overcomes the limitations of its contact sensing counterparts, including mechanical wear and cross infection, which becomes a promising candidate in healthcare and human-machine interface application. However, current humidity sensors still suffer the ubiquitous issue of uncomfortable wear and skin irritation hindering the long-term use. In this study, we report a skin-conformal and breathable humidity sensor assembled by anchoring MXenes-based composite into electrospun elastomer nanofibers coated with a patterned electrode. This composite is highly sensitive to the water molecules due to its large specific surface area and abundant water-absorbing oxhydryl groups, while the elastomeric nanofibers provide an ultrathin, highly flexible, and permeable substrate to support the functional materials and electrodes. This sensor presents not only excellent air permeability (0.078 g·cm-2·d-1), high sensitivity (S = 704), and fast response/recovery (0.9 s/0.9 s), but also high skin conformability and biocompatibility. Furthermore, this humidity sensor is confirmed to realize the recognition of motional states and emotional modes, which provides a new way for the advanced noncontact human-machine interface.
Evidence for genetic causality between iron metabolism and depression: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Wang Xie , Chen Hong , Chang Ze , Zhang Juan , Xie Daojun
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Depressive disorder (DD) is a is a common clinical affective disorder whose specific etiology is still unclear. Although many previous studies have suggested that iron metabolism is involved in the development of DD, there is a lack of validated genetic evidence on whether iron metabolism-related indices (total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation, ferritin, and serum iron) are causally related to DD.
METHODS: This study was based on the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) data to date. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to investigate the causal relationship between iron metabolism indices and DD, controlling for confounders and using genetic instrumental variables that were randomly assigned and not subject to any causal effects.
RESULTS: By coordinated analysis of 86 iron metabolism marker-associated SNPs and 16,380,457 DD-associated SNPs, 65 iron homeostasis and DD-associated SNPs with genome-wide significance were finally screened out.The results of the IVW analyses suggested that total iron binding capacity (TIBC) ( β = 0.021; β = -0.059 to 0.101; P-value = 0.6104069), transferrin saturation (TSAT) ( 95%Cl = -0.059 to 0.101; P-value = 0.6104069), Transferrin saturation (TSAT) ( β = -0.038; 95%Cl = -0,146 to 0.070; P-value = 0.4886324), Ferritin (FER) ( β =0.002 ; 95%Cl = -0.139 to 0.143; P value = 0.9818161 ) had no genetic causality with DD. Serum iron (SI) ( β =-0.100; 95%Cl = -0.194 to -0.006; P-value = 0.03996619) was found to be genetically causally associated with DD.Mr-ivw's Cochran's Q test suggested that TSAT ( P-value = 0.1250508), FER ( P-value = 0.08852702), and SI ( P-value= 0.6674221) were not heterogeneous with the results of Mr-analysis of DD, and the MR-PRESSO global test showed that the presence of horizontal pleiotropy was not detected for TIBC ( P-value= 0.404), TSAT ( P-value= 0.192), and SI ( P-value= 0.628).
CONCLUSIONS: The iron metabolism markers TIBC, TSAT and FER are not genetically causally associated with DD, whereas SI is genetically causally associated with DD, and higher levels of SI may reduce the risk of DD.
Between personal events and professional growth: A qualitative dive into Japanese pharmacy faculty members
Authors: Nagata Misa , Aoe Mai
Published: September 2023

Background: Pharmacy educators are pivotal to the future of Japan’s healthcare. Although women comprise 61.4% of registered pharmacists, a figure consistent since 1976, they often work in non-regular roles, reflecting Japan's gender disparity. This is evident from its 125th ranking in the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report. In higher education, female representation is less than 30% among pharmacy faculty members, and fewer pursue doctoral programs. Many face career interruptions due to personal events, resulting in a “leaky pipeline phenomenon.” Understanding the interplay between personal experiences and career choices is vital for pharmacy education and healthcare research.
Methods: Eight Japanese nationals were interviewed, from the perspective as a university faculty member or researcher and as a parent with primary responsibility for childcare, to identify their faculty members' difficulties and thoughts regarding the challenges of life events and career development. Using a modified version of grounded theory, our aim is to understand the relationship between significant life events, faculty research, and teaching activities.
Results: A total of 50 concepts and 12 categories were extracted from the analysis. The results revealed that faculty members and researchers often encounter difficulties in their work environments. A fundamental finding was that faculty members perceived life events as potential career disruptors—events that would force anyone to leave their job. While these events were sometimes perceived as setbacks, they also served as a lens through which faculty members viewed the future of their careers.
Conclusions: Encountering and overcoming challenges often prompt the reassessment of self-belief. For some, it strengthened their self-confidence and steered them toward an environment in which they felt more competent. This study provides valuable insights into the relationships among life events, self-efficacy, and career choices among pharmacy faculty members. Based on the findings of this study, a quantitative approach that provides statistically reliable characteristics of pharmacy educators’ career trajectories is required.
Burden of Liver Cancer in China from 1990 to 2019 and projections to 2044: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study
Authors: Han Jianglong , Chen Chao , Tang Tian , Chen Ruyan , Li Si , Deng Haiyu , Zhao Liang , Fu Zhenming
Published: September 2023

Background
China has the highest liver cancer burden in the world. Prediction and comparison of the future trends of liver cancer in China and some representative areas may guide further control action.
Methods
Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study, we assessed incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years of liver cancer in Mainland China, with reference to representative East Asia areas (Taiwan China, Japan, and Korea) and Western areas (the United Kingdom and the United States). The burden of liver cancer was evaluated and predicted using NOREPRED model from 1990 to 2044.
Results
Overall, the liver cancer incidence (28.1 to 10.6 per 100,000) and mortality (27.5 to 9.7 per 100,000) decreased from 1990 to 2015 in Mainland China, which were consistent with the trends of Eastern Asia areas. However, the disease burden in Mainland China were then plateaued and started to increase during 2015–2044 (10.6 to 14.8 per 100,000 for incidence; 9.7 to 14.02 per 100,000 for mortality), including the hepatitis-related liver cancer incidence (increase from 8.6 to 11.7 per 100,000). While the changing patterns of alcohol- and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related liver cancer incidence were found similar among Mainland China (0.93 to 1.51 per 100,000 for alcohol; 0.5 to 0.73 per 100,000 for NASH) and Western countries in our projection.
Conclusion
The liver cancer burden in Mainland China is unexpectedly predicted to increase again after decades of decline. Future efforts must be made to resolve both the remaining hepatitis-related cancer burden and the changing etiologies.
TOP1 and R-loops facilitate transcriptional DSBs at hypertranscribed cancer driver genes
Authors: Aqeilan Rami , Hidmi Osama , Oster Sara , Monin Jonathan
Published: September 2023

DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) pose a significant threat to genomic integrity, and their generation during essential cellular processes like transcription remains poorly understood. In this study, we employed advanced techniques to map DSBs, R-loops, and Topoisomerase 1 cleavage complex (TOP1cc) and re-analyzed ChIP-seq and DRIP-seq data to comprehensively investigate the interplay between transcription, DSBs, Topoisomerase 1 (TOP1), and R-loops. Our findings revealed the presence of DSBs at highly expressed genes enriched with TOP1 and R-loops, indicating their crucial involvement in transcription-associated genomic instability. Depletion of R-loops and TOP1 specifically reduced DSBs at highly expressed genes, uncovering their pivotal roles in transcriptional DSB formation. By elucidating the intricate interplay between TOP1cc trapping, R-loops, and DSBs, our study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying transcription-associated genomic instability. Moreover, we establish a link between transcriptional DSBs and early molecular changes driving cancer development. Notably, our study highlights the distinct etiology and molecular characteristics of driver mutations compared to passenger mutations, shedding light on the potential for targeted therapeutic strategies. Overall, these findings deepen our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms governing DSBs in hypertranscribed genes associated with carcinogenesis, opening avenues for future research and therapeutic interventions.
Explanation of social support for labor children in Tehran: a qualitative study
Authors: Sahbaeiroy Faezeh , Koshanfar Ali
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Social support understanding can prevent the occurrence of adverse social effects, increase people's progress, leave a positive impact on the physical, mental, and social condition of people, and ultimately lead to an increase in their performance.
Research method: The present study was a qualitative type, with a content analysis approach; this research was conducted in the workplace and where the participants felt comfortable. To this end, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 experts on the issue of labor children, The collection tool was an interview guide, and the participants were selected based on purposeful sampling among experts and decision-makers in the matter of labor children. The process of selecting participants continued until no new information was obtained in the interviews and the data reached saturation. Then the interviews along with the desired codes were entered into MAXQDA version 10 software and data analysis was done.
Findings: From the total interviews, 10386 initial codes, 265 overlapped initial codes 67 classes, and 19 merging data and five axial codes including lack of responsibility, unfair distribution of the country's wealth, lack of social support, increasing unemployment in the country and also Non-application of child rights laws were found. "Lack of responsibility of an individual or organization"was identified as the selective code of the participants in the research and the main variable of the research, which connected all the variables or classes with this concern.
Conclusion: managers and broker's responsibility is to protect people and defend their rights. Accountability and transparency are one of the main tools against corruption and achieving an accountable system is one of the main goals of any country. The existence of an efficient and accountable system helps maintain the acceptability of the political system and on the other hand, it can prevent corruption's growth.
Selective Aortic Arch Perfusion: A First-in-Man Report of a Novel Endovascular Resuscitation Modality
Authors: Marsden Max E R , Barratt Jon , Donald-Simpson Helen , Wilkinson Tracey , Manning Jim , Rees Paul
Published: September 2023

Background
Selective aortic arch perfusion (SAAP) is a novel endovascular technique that combines thoracic aortic occlusion with extracorporeal perfusion of the brain and heart. SAAP may have a role in both haemorrhagic shock and in cardiac arrest due to coronary ischaemia. Despite promising animal studies, no data is available that describes SAAP in humans. The primary aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of selective aortic arch perfusion in humans. The secondary aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of achieving direct coronary artery access via the SAAP catheter as a potential conduit for salvage percutaneous coronary intervention.
Methods
Using perfused human cadavers, a prototype SAAP catheter was inserted into the descending aorta under fluoroscopic guidance via a standard femoral percutaneous access device. The catheter balloon was inflated and the aortic arch perfused with radio-opaque contrast. The coronary arteries were cannulated through the SAAP catheter.
Results
The procedure was conducted four times. During the first two trials the SAAP catheter was passed rapidly and without incident to the intended descending aortic landing zone and aortic arch perfusion was successfully delivered via the device. The SAAP catheter balloon failed on the third trial. On the fourth trial the left coronary system was cannulated using a 5Fr coronary guiding catheter through the central SAAP catheter lumen.
Conclusions
For the first time using a perfused cadaveric model we have demonstrated that a SAAP catheter can be easily and safely inserted and SAAP can be achieved using conventional endovascular techniques. The SAAP catheter allowed successful access to the proximal aorta and permitted retrograde perfusion of the coronary and cerebral circulation.
MouseGoggles: an immersive virtual reality headset for mouse neuroscience and behavior
Authors: Isaacson Matthew , Chang Hongyu , Berkowitz Laura , Zirkel Rick , Park Yusol , Hu Danyu , Ellwood Ian , Schaffer Chris
Published: September 2023

We present MouseGoggles, a miniaturized virtual reality (VR) display for head-fixed mice that delivers independent, binocular visual stimulation over a wide field of view. Neural recordings in the visual cortex validate the quality of image presentation, while hippocampal recordings, associative reward learning, and innate fear responses demonstrate an immersive VR experience. Our open-source system’s simplicity, low cost, and compact size will allow for broader adoption of VR methods in neuroscience.
Mother-offspring chemical communication and tadpole aggregation in a Neotropical foam-nesting frog
Authors: Carrillo JUAN F C , Ortega Zaida , Santana Diego J , Prado Cynthia P A
Published: September 2023

Communication during parental care represents an advantage for eliciting offspring behaviour and sibling recognition. In aquatic environments, chemical communication is usually the most effective, playing different roles in amphibian parental behaviour. Attending females of some Neotropical anurans (Leptodactylus) lead entire tadpole schools through the water. However, little is known about this aggregation behaviour, such as the type of signal used by attending females or if they are specific between mothers and offspring. Here we conducted behavioural experiments to investigate these questions. Firstly, we tested the effect of visual, tactile, and chemical stimulus of attending females on tadpole aggregation behaviour. Following, we compared the effects of the chemical stimulus from attending females with those from other conspecifics (non-attending females and males) on schooling behaviour. Finally, we tested whether tadpoles prefer related attending females instead of unrelated ones. Our results indicated that only chemical stimulus from attending females, and not visual or tactile, increased tadpoles´ aggregation time. Chemical stimulus from non-attending females and males did not affect tadpoles’ behaviour. Contrary to what we expected, we did not find school preference for related attending females. We were able to demonstrate the presence of chemical signals in mother-tadpole school relationship of Leptodactylus species. Besides, we showed that chemical signals both attract and aggregate tadpoles, which can be crucial for attending females, who guide the entire school through aquatic habitats. Furthermore, our results suggest that tadpoles do not prefer related attending females and may benefit from following unrelated attending female tacking advantage of alloparental care.