bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An experimental study to determine the effects of particle size and bifurcation angle on the distribution of flow and sediment transport parameters in a bifurcated channel.
Authors: Das Amit , Barman Bibhas Chandra , Nandi Nityananda
Published: June 2024

Flow and sediment sharing in a bifurcated channel are considered to be a
very important issues in river engineering and flood management. The
present study has been conducted based on the field bifurcation of the
Kangsabati river bifurcates at Kapastikri, about 75 km downstream of
Kangsabati reservoir of West Midnapore, West Bengal, India. A scaled
physical model simulating bifurcation region was conducted on a
fixed-bed model at the Laboratory of River Research Institute (RRI),
West Bengal (WB), India. The model set-up has been run with a range of
discharges, including low, moderate, and high with three different sets
of bifurcation angles. Furthermore, three different sizes of sediment of
varying densities have been used to find the transport capacity of
sediment for individual bifurcated angle. A set of data have been
collected for different conditions like varying discharge, angle of
bifurcation, mean size of sediment ( d 50 ) particle and a comprehensive
analysis have been done with respect to collected data to see how
discharge and sediment load (bed-load) are distributed over the
bifurcated branches. The present physical model study has determined the
optimum discharge in the main channel for which the sediment and
discharge get equally distributed over the bifurcated branches. The
experimental data confirm that the distribution of bed load is dependent
on the shape of the bifurcation and the sediment transport ratio (
s/s) is sensitive to the angle
of bifurcation in which s &
s represent sediment transport rate (kg/hr) in
respective branches.
Enhancing the performance limits of hydrophobic charge-induction chromatography with the introduction of a second ligand
Authors: Shi Wei , Zhang Si-Qi , Li Kai-Bin , Zhang Xiao-Bin , Fang Chao-Ying , Zhang Tian-Yi , Han De-Man
Published: June 2024

Chromatography is pivotal in separation and analysis, necessitating
continuous performance enhancements. Yet, conventional methods exhibit
limitations. This study introduces a novel approach by incorporating a
second ligand, pushing chromatographic performance boundaries. Notably,
this method can integrate with most optimization techniques, fostering
synergy. Hydrophobic charge-induction chromatography (HCIC) serves as
the focal point. Initially, an optimal resin, influenced by ligand
density, was targeted. Various densities of the second ligand were
coupled, assessing performance enhancement. Characterization, including
scanning electron microscopy and BET analysis, was conducted.
Subsequently, optimization effects under different pH, salt, and flow
rate conditions were systematically studied, involving both static and
dynamic adsorption experiments. Emphasis was placed on comparing the
performance effects of the second ligand. Results showcase significant
chromatographic enhancement with the second ligand, synergizing with
optimization strategies, achieving breakthrough performance. In the
final phase, the resin proves effective in the separation and
purification of hIgG from human serum, achieving 96.6% purity and
91.6% recovery compared to the control, with increments of 10.6% and
20.4%, respectively. Meanwhile，the resin with the second ligand,
exhibits commendable repeatability and stability. In conclusion, this
study underscores how the addition of a suitable second ligand can
elevate chromatographic performance, offering a novel strategy to
augment existing ligand libraries and enhance chromatographic
capabilities.
GC-MS determination of nicotine and cotinine in urine. A study of the effect of passive smoking
Authors: Krokos A. , Orfanidis A. , Mastrogianni Orthodoxia , Mitsa F. , Avgeri M. , Eboriadou M. , Theodoridis Georgios , Raikos Nikolaos
Published: June 2024

Recent data suggest that passive smoking has a risk comparable to active
smoking. Passive smoking is considered dangerous in children and is
suspected as a cause of asthma. However, some reports are opposing such
claims, indicating the need for solid results and large-scale studies.
This scientific work aims to develop a method for the determination of
nicotine (NCOT) and major nicotine’s metabolite cotinine (COT) in urine
samples, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). For sample
preparation, liquid-liquid extraction was applied after an optimization
study with different extraction media. Eventually, 1 mL of
dichloromethane was selected for the extraction of 0.5 mL of urine.
Suitable chromatographic conditions were found for the rapid and
accurate determination of NCOT and COT. The method was validated to meet
the criteria for application in a bioanalytical laboratory. Injection of
2 μL was done in GC/MS, and SIM (selected ion monitoring) analysis was
performed with the following ions (m/z): 162 (quantifier ion) and 84,
133, 161 qualifier ions for NCOT, and 176 (quantifier ion) and 98, 118,
119, 147 qualifier ions for COT. Nicotine-D4 (NCOT-D4) and cotinine-D3
(COT-D3) and were used as internal standards with quantifier ions 101
and 166, respectively. The retention time (Rt) for NCOT was 7.557 min
and for COT 9.743 min. The duration of the GC-MS analysis was 20
minutes. The method showed a linear dynamic range from 0.5 to 50 ng/mL.
Finally, the method was applied to the analysis of sixty clinical
pediatric samples obtained from Aristotle University’s pediatric clinic
to check for possible exposure to smoke.
Multi-class steroid profiling in short-finned pilot whale blubber using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Authors: Wisse Jillian , Nowacek Douglas P. , Boggs Ashley
Published: June 2024

Rationale: Wildlife scientists are quantifying steroid hormones in a
growing number of tissue types and employing novel methods which must
undergo validation before application. This study tested the accuracy
and precision of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
(LC-MS/MS) methods for use on blubber samples from short-finned pilot
whales ( Globicephala macrorhynchus). We expanded upon a method
for corticosteroid quantification by increasing the number of analytes
and optimizing internal standards application. Methods: We optimized a
method for the quantification of seven steroid hormones using LC-MS/MS
with a C18 column. We assessed the accuracy and precision of this
updated C18 method and an existing Biphenyl method for use with
short-finned pilot whale blubber tissue by conducting a spike-recovery
experiment and calculating percent recovery and relative standard
deviation (RSD) for each analyte. To explore the potential for running
this method more cost-effectively with fewer matched internal standards
(IS), we compared the performance of multiple internal standards for
each analyte. Results: The C18 method produced reliable quantitation for
the seven target adrenal steroids. The measurement of all 11 adrenal and
gonadal analytes was both accurate and precise, with percent recoveries
between 82 % to 110 % and RSDs below 10 %. IS comparisons showed 10
of 11 analytes could be calculated accurately and precisely with at
least one of the IS substitutes. Though many internal standard
substitutions met percent recovery and RSD requirements, some of these
substitutions significantly altered the analyte concentrations
calculated. Discussion: The methods developed and tested in this study
provide reliable detection and quantification of 11 steroid hormones,
including DHEA, which has not been previously quantified in blubber.
These methods can be used for more comprehensive assessments of adrenal
and gonadal steroid hormones from whales. Laboratories can reduce costs
through IS substitution but should consider how these substitutions
might affect results.
YouTube Career Analysis with the Combination of Trending Analysis and Sentiments Analysis
Authors: Nyunt Khin , Khin Naw Thiri
Published: June 2024

The advances in technology users frequently utilize online platforms and
direct applications to access YouTube. The amount of people who make a
career from YouTube has also increased dramatically along with the
growth in the number of people who use the platform nowadays. They are
having trouble selecting a YouTube career since it is extremely hard to
determine which of the many categories and channels is most popular and
appropriate for a particular country. The user can choose a successful
career path and potentially become a successful YouTuber if they are
aware of the most popular category or channel. Consequently, it has been
suggested that YouTube Trending Analysis can assist those who are
struggling to decide on a professional life, especially those who want
to use YouTube as a source of income. The most popular careers in the
United States (U.S.), Japan, and India right now are determined based on
the content criteria of each video in YouTube. Additionally, the
proposed machine learning model compares with Naïve Bayes Classifier, a
method-based approach, to do sentiment analysis. Linear regression model
is used to get the predicted results from trending analysis, then user
is given an accurate, robust, and genuine recommendation for the
proposed model’s outcome in the visualization.
Combined detection of T cell number secreting IFN-γ and IL-2 in different tuberculosis populations and their clinical value
Authors: Mi Jie , Xue Yong , Liu Yinping , Sun Wenna , Xue Juanmin , Zhang Chunxia , Qiao Juan , Bai Xuejuan , Wei Ruda , Wang Lan , Lei Hong , Wu Xueqiong
Published: June 2024

Objective: The interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release assays still fail to meet
the diagnostic needs of etiology negative tuberculosis (TB) patients.
The purpose of this paper is to explore the value of the
IL-2-enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay in the auxiliary diagnosis
of TB. Methods: We recruited 127 TB patients, 49 non-TB patients with
other diseases (NTB), and 198 healthy people, whose peripheral blood
mononuclear cells were isolated and stimulated by Mtb-specific antigen
CFP-10/ESAT-6 fusion protein to study the changes of T cells secreting
IFN-γ and Interleukin-2 (IL-2) by ELISPOT method. Results: The
combination of IFN-γ and IL-2 had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.867
(IFN-γ: 0.835, IL-2: 0.866) in the diagnosis of TB and could increase
the sensitivity of IFN-γ detection alone from 79.5% to 86.6%. The
cut-off value for IL-2 and IFN-γ was 16. IL-2 could increase the
positive diagnostic rates of IFN-γ-ELISPOT (-) in the etiologically
positive and negative ATB patients by 9.4% and 7.1%. In the ATB group,
the positive rates and the numbers of spot-forming cells (SFC) of IFN-γ
and IL-2 showed significant differences compared to the normal control
subjects and NTB group (P<0.05). And SFCs of IFN-γ-ELISPOT
were significantly higher than that of IL-2-ELISPOT in ATB patients.
Before the treatment, the SFC values of the etiologically positive TB
patients were higher than those of the etiologically negative patients.
However, this situation was totally reversed after anti-TB treatment.
After effective treatment, the positive rates and SFC values of IFN-γ
and IL-2 in TB patients decreased and exhibited a decreasing and
increasing trend in etiologically positive and negative TB patients,
respectively. Conclusions: The combination of IL-2 and IFN-γ could
improve the diagnostic sensitivity of single-factor detection in TB
patients and these two cytokines could be used as effective biomarkers
for the treatment monitoring in TB patients.
Burden of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection among adults in nursing and care homes: a systematic review
Authors: Osei-Yeboah Richard , Amankwah Stephen , Begier Elizabeth , Adedze Miranda , Nyanzu Franklin , Appiah Pious , Ansah Jochebed Ode Boakye , Campbell Harry , Sato Reiko , Jodar Luis , Gessner Bradford D. , Nair Harish
Published: June 2024

Background Older adults in nursing and care homes (NCHs) are
vulnerable to severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection,
hospitalisation, and death. This study aimed to gather data on RSV
disease among older adults in NCHs and identify reported risk factors
for RSV hospitalisation and case fatality. Methods The study
protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022371908). We searched
MEDLINE, EMBASE and Global Health databases to identify articles
published between 2000 and 2023. Observational and experimental studies
conducted among older adults in NCHs requiring assistive care and
reporting RSV illness were included and relevant data were extracted.
Results Of 18,690 studies screened, 32 were selected for
full-text review and 20 were included. Overall, the number of NCH
residents ranged from 42 to 1,459 with a mean age between 67.6 and 85
years. Attack rates ranged from 6.7 – 47.6% and annual incidence
ranged from 0.5 – 14%. Case fatality rates ranged from 7.7 – 23.1%.
We found similar annual incidence rates of RSV-positive acute
respiratory infection (ARI) of 4,582 (95% CI: 3,259 – 6,264) and 4,785
(95% CI: 2,258 – 10,141) per 100,000 reported in two studies. Annual
incidence rate of RSV-positive lower respiratory tract infection was
3,040 (95% CI: 1,986 – 4,454) cases per 100,000 adults. Annual RSV-ARI
hospital admission rates were between 600 (95% CI: 190 -10,000) and
1,104 (95% CI: 350 – 1,930) per 100,000 person-years. Among all RSV
disease cases, commonly reported chronic medical conditions included
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, ischemic
heart disease, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, kidney
dysfunction, cerebrovascular accident, malignancies, dementia, and those
with a Charlson comorbidity score > 6.5.
Conclusion Data on RSV infection among NCH residents are
limited and largely heterogeneous but document a high risk of illness,
frequent hospitalisation, and high mortality. Preventive interventions,
such as vaccination should be considered for this high-risk population.
Nationally representative epidemiologic studies and NCH-based viral
pathogen surveillance could more precisely assess the burden on NCH
residents.
Possible Viral Interference Leading to Protection from Subsequent Respiratory Viral Infections -- Results of an Observational Study at a Singapore Teaching Hospital
Authors: V Gopal , HC Wong , MY Sim , WPP Thu , A Farhana , ZX Dai , A Gupta , N Farhanah , A Sharma , C Tan , MX Loy , RH Teo , KQ Lim , Nair Smeetha , MF Nazira , R Sridhar , J Somani , Tambyah Paul
Published: June 2024

Background Viral interference is the concept that different viruses have
an effect on the incidence of other viruses– either positive or
negative. While this has been demonstrated in vitro and in animal
models, it is not well described in large observational studies. Methods
We analysed all patients tested for positive respiratory viruses between
January 2016– December 2019 just prior to the pandemic in the National
University Hospital laboratory, Singapore. Nasal, throat, and/ or
nasopharyngeal swabs were collected by treating clinicians and tested by
either multiplex PCR or immunofluorescence. Survival plots were created
to study the time for a second viral infection following the initial
respiratory viral detection. Results RSV (HR: 0.63, 95%CI: 0.43–0.92;
p<0.01) and influenza (HR: 0.41, 95%CI: 0.27-0.61;
p<0.001) -positive cases showed a greater delay in subsequent
respiratory infections compared to other pathogens, suggesting relative
protection, while enterovirus/ rhinovirus (HR: 2.05, 95%CI: 1.52-2.77;
p<0.001) and Parainfluenza (HR: 1.76, 95%CI: 1.18-2.63;
p<0.001) showed heightened susceptibility. No significant
associations were found for Adenovirus, seasonal coronaviruses, and
other pathogens. Conclusion We found that it is possible that prior
infections with Influenza virus or RSV conferred significant
cross-protection against subsequent circulating respiratory viral
infections for the next 4 years. Larger studies are needed to explore
mechanisms behind this possible broad-spectrum antiviral response in
human hosts as this may have implications for vaccination strategies.
A subjective and intuitive approach to rapid, holistic assessment of natural ecosystem integrity across a community-managed conservation area in southern Tanzania
Authors: Duggan Lily , Walsh Katrina , Tarimo Lucia , Kavishe Deogratius , Crego Ramiro , Eliza Manase , Butler Fidelma , Mombo Felister , Killeen Gerard
Published: June 2024

Formal quantitative surveys of wild animal abundance or activity, and
assessments of the integrity of the complex natural ecosystems they live
in, are typically quite laborious and meaningful analysis of the data
obtained may require considerable time and expertise. This study
describes the development and evaluation of a practical procedure for
semi-quantitative synthesis of consensus subjective impressions
accumulated by a small team of investigators who visited 32 different
locations distributed in or around a community-based Wildlife Management
Area in southern Tanzania. The subjective natural ecosystem integrity
index scores obtained represent a holistic indicator of all aspects of
land use, wildlife and human activities, which correlated strongly with
objective indicators of wild animal community or whole natural ecosystem
integrity that were estimated directly from formally collected
quantitative survey data by the same investigators at the same
locations. Also, comparative regression analysis indicated that the
SNEII was a far more sensitive to variations in observed human
activities than any of the objective alternatives, correspondingly
yielding far more detailed insights into ongoing conservation
challenges. This simple procedure for summarizing the overall,
multi-faceted subjective impressions of individuals traversing extensive
conservation areas may well be applicable through participatory
approaches to routine programmatic monitoring by community-based staff
with minimal training, and may therefore be more practically useful to
devolved conservation areas like WMAs than conventional objective
statistical synthetic indices relying on laborious collection and
analysis of quantitative survey data.
Underlying mechanisms of ( R,S )-ketamine’s treatment efficacy for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression: a review
Authors: Hartman Richard , Cutting Thomas
Published: June 2024

Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of (R,S)-ketamine as a
treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (1), treatment
resistant depression (2, 3), and co-morbid occurrences of these
conditions (4). The (R,S), (R), and (S) stereoisomers of ketamine have
also demonstrated efficacy in attenuation of stress and depressive
symptoms (5), with (R)-ketamine demonstrating reduced abuse potential
and side effects (6). Although research on (R,S)-ketamine’s and its
metabolites’ efficacy has been promising, less is known about the
mechanisms by which these compounds elicit their therapeutic effects.
Here, we review the research literature concerning the hypothesized
mechanisms of (R,S)-ketamine and its metabolites. The pharmacodynamics
of (R,S)-ketamine’s effects on depression involve the dentate gyrus,
prefrontal cortex, hippocampal CA3, dorsal raphe nucleus, and the
prelimbic to dorsal raphe nucleus (PL-DRN) circuit. The current evidence
suggests that, although brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF)
expression through activation of tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) is
likely necessary for (R,S)-ketamine’s therapeutic effects, NMDA receptor
antagonism may be unrelated to its antidepressant efficacy.
Species diversity advances autumn senescence in grasslands
Authors: Qiao Yuxin , Cheng Huan , Zhu Huazhong , Zhu Yunqiang , Jia qianru , Yang Yuchuan , Zhong Huaping , zohner constantin , Liu Jianquan
Published: June 2024

The timing of autumn leaf senescence is crucial for ecosystem dynamics,
influencing plant productivity and nutrient cycling. Despite its
importance, the influence of species diversity on senescence and its
implications for predicting phenological shifts in plant communities
under climate change remain poorly understood. Here we address this
knowledge gap by integrating ground-sourced data from Northern China
with global remote sensing data to examine grassland ecosystems. Our
analysis reveals that increased species diversity in grasslands leads to
earlier autumn senescence, regardless of climatic and soil attributes.
This effect is largely attributed to the effect of species diversity on
resource allocation, enhancing belowground biomass at the expense of
aboveground resources, thereby advancing senescence. Our findings
highlight the role of biodiversity in modifying resource distribution
and the growing season length, offering essential insights for
understanding ecosystem responses to climate change.
Local forest structure and host-specificity influence liana community composition in a moist central African forest.
Authors: Kaçamak Begüm , Réjou-Méchain Maxime , Rowe Nick , Rossi Vivien , Barbier Nicolas , Bazan Samantha , Forni Eric , Guibal Daniel , Harris David , Panzou Grace Jopaul Loubota , Loumeto Jean Joël , Marcon Eric , Pinho Bruno , Zombo Isaac , Gourlet-Fleury Sylvie
Published: June 2024

Lianas are important components of tropical forest diversity and
dynamics, yet little is known about the drivers of their community
structure and composition. Combining extensive field and LiDAR data, we
investigated the influence of local topography, forest structure and
tree composition on liana community structure and composition in a moist
forest in northern Republic of Congo. We inventoried all lianas ≥ 1 cm
in diameter in 144 20×20 m quadrats located in four 9-ha permanent
plots, where trees and giant herbs were inventoried. We characterized
the functional strategies of selected representatives of the main liana
taxa using a set of resource-use leaf and wood traits. Finally, we used
complementary statistical tests, including multivariate and
randomization schemes, to test whether forest structure, topography and
tree composition influence the structure, floristic, and functional
composition of liana communities. The structure of liana communities was
strongly shaped by local forest structure, with higher abundances and
total basal areas in relatively open-canopy forests, where lianas
competed with giant herbs. Liana floristic composition exhibited a weak
spatial structure over the study site, but was marginally influenced by
local forest structure and topography. Only forest structure had a weak
but significant effect on liana functional composition with more
conservative strategies—higher stem tissue density and lower PO4 leaf
concentration and SLA values—in tall and dense forests. Finally, we
found evidence of host specificity with significant attraction/repulsion
for 19% of the tested liana and tree species associations, suggesting
that the unexplained floristic variation may be partly attributed to
these host species-specific associations, although the underlying
mechanisms behind remain elusive. Overall, our findings demonstrate that
the structure of liana communities can be much better predicted than
their composition, calling for a better understanding of the implication
of the large functional diversity observed in liana communities.
Eco-evolutionary interactions with multiple evolving species reveal both antagonistic and additive effects.
Authors: Vanvelk Héléne , Govaert Lynn , Berg Edwin van den , Meester Luc De
Published: June 2024

Most eco-evolutionary research focuses on ecological effects of
single-species evolution. We therefore know little of eco-evolutionary
dynamics when multiple species evolve simultaneously. We quantified
evolution-mediated ecological effects in communities equivalent in
genetic diversity and starting biomass, but different in selection
background (heatwave exposure) of one or all four zooplankton species
(three Daphnia and one Scapholeberis species). We observed
transient eco-evolutionary effects that differed depending on which
species in the community had evolved. Evolution did not always lead to
higher abundances of the evolved species. Indirect effects on species
abundances caused by evolution of another species could be as strong as
direct effects mediated by its own evolution. The cumulative effect of
evolution in multiple species was antagonistic for community composition
and grazing pressure but additive for community-wide biomass. Our
results imply that focusing on single species’ evolutionary effects on
ecology may lead to unreliable predictions when multiple species evolve
simultaneously.
Osseous pathologic changes in the thoracic region of the equine vertebral column: A descriptive post-mortem study in three breeds.
Authors: Spoormakers Tijn , Veraa Stefanie , Graat E.A.M. , Weeren Rene van , Brommer Harold
Published: June 2024

Background: Data on equine thoracic pathology hardly exist in
other breeds than Thoroughbreds. Objectives: To describe
pathological changes of the osseous thoracic vertebral column in
Warmblood horses, Shetland ponies and Konik horses, and to compare
prevalence and severity. Study design: Descriptive post-mortem
study. Methods: Computed tomography examined the thoracic
vertebral column of 34 Warmblood horses, 28 Shetland ponies, and 18
Konik horses. Osteoarthritis (OA), periarticular osteolysis (PO),
cyst-like lesions (CLL) and fragments of articular processes (APJs),
costovertebral (CVJs) and costotransverse (CTJs) joints, soft tissue
(ST) mineralisation surrounding these joints, intervertebral disc (IVD)
mineralisation, impingement of spinous processes (SPs) and spondylosis
were scored. Results: APJ aplasia (98%; 58/ 59) occurred in 14
Shetland ponies. OA predominated in Warmblood horses across all joints
(45% vs. 29 and 32%, p<0.001). OA and PO were particularly
found in CTJs (p<0.001) across all breeds. Warmblood and Konik
horses showed more and severe ST mineralisation than Shetland ponies
(2.3%, score 1.5 and 3.2%, score 1.3, respectively, vs. 0.3%, score
0.9, p<0.01). Mid location was most often affected with
highest severity score (4.2%, 1.5, p=0.001). Konik horses displayed the
highest IVD mineralisation (20%, p<0.001), which notably
increased with age (p<0.001) compared to Warmblood horses
(4.5%) and Shetland ponies (1.1%). SPs impingement was absent in
Shetland ponies, and most prevalent in Warmblood horses (11.2%,
p=0.0004) compared to Konik horses (2.2%). CLL, fragments and
spondylosis were minimal in all breeds, nearly absent in Shetland
ponies. Main limitations: Clinical histories were unavailable.
Conclusions: Distinct breed differences exist in prevalence and
severity of thoracic vertebral column osseous pathologies. CTJ pathology
prevails over APJ in all breeds. Warmblood horses are prone to OA,
spondylosis and SPs impingement; Konik horses exhibit significant IVD
mineralisation, and Shetland ponies demonstrate high APJ aplasia
. PO, CLL, fragments and ST mineralisation are notably low in
Shetland ponies.
Pulse-oximetry and supplemental oxygen utilization in low-resource, pre-hospital settings: An exploratory cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Newton James B. , Hawkes Michael T. , Smith Kenneth J.
Published: June 2024

Pneumonia is the leading cause of death globally in children aged 0-5
years. Early access to pulse-oximetry and supplemental oxygen in
low-resource, pre-hospital settings may result in improved pediatric
pneumonia outcomes. However, few data exist regarding their application
in such settings. We performed an exploratory cost-effectiveness
analysis using a decision analysis model to examine use of
pulse-oximetry and supplemental oxygen in low-resource, pre-hospital
settings. Our model yielded an Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio
(ICER) for pre-hospital pulse-oximetry use of $229 (USD) per life-year
(LY) saved compared to no pulse-oximetry use. Given that inpatient
management is the standard of care for hypoxemic pneumonia, when only
pre-hospital costs were considered the result was an ICER of $13/LY
saved. Both values were considered cost-effective according to a strict
willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold set for the lowest GDP per capita in
the world. When oxygen was analyzed in combination with pulse-oximetry,
we found a baseline WTP threshold for pre-hospital oxygen of $1.18 per
patient. Again, when the payer perspective included only pre-hospital
costs, that WTP for oxygen rose to $26.64. For every 1% reduction in
total pediatric pneumonia mortality consequent to pre-hospital oxygen
use, we determined the recommended WTP allowance for oxygen would
increase by approximately $1.75. We conclude that pulse-oximetry is
likely cost-effective in low-resource, pre-hospital environments. We
acknowledge the need for further research on the effectiveness of
pre-hospital oxygen in reducing pediatric pneumonia mortality and
suggest ranges of cost and efficacy for which oxygen is likely to be
found cost-effective in tandem with pulse-oximetry.
Nonparametric estimation of uncertain differential equations based on Laguerre polynomials
Authors: Lin Xinran , Sheng Yuhong
Published: June 2024

There has been a great deal of progress in the research on parameter
estimation for uncertain differential equations (UDEs). However, in the
modeling process, sometimes the amount of information obtained is not
sufficient to construct a parametric model. For UDEs with nonparametric
functions, this paper proposes a method based on Laguerre polynomials to
convert nonparametric functions into parametric functions with weights.
Estimates of the weights are derived with the help of the goodness of
fit properties of the residuals, and the reasonableness is verified
using uncertain hypothesis testing. Then two numerical examples are
given to verify the feasibility of the proposed method. Finally, the
proposed methodology is applied to the actual modeling of carbon dioxide
emissions in China.
Design and fabrication of a simple and cost-effective microalgae culture photobioreactor and optimization of culture conditions
Authors: Arabian Daryush
Published: June 2024

In connection with the cultivation of microalgae, the type of
photobioreactors is one of the major parameters that should be
considered as it directly affects the economy and efficiency of the
process. In this study, a new design and fabrication of a microalgae
culture photobioreactor using a plastic bag were performed. The
performance of the photobioreactor was enhanced, and technically
evaluated through tests such as stability, physical strength, light
penetration rate, mass transfer rate, temperature control and mixing.
The experimental results on plastic photobioreactors indicated that the
main issues were related to the aeration and mixing in the system. To
address this problem, an airlift pump was designed and installed at the
end of the photobioreactor. The performance of the photobioreactor in
the production of microalgae biomass was tested using the municipal
effluent of Malek Ashtar University as a culture medium and inoculation
of Chlorella vulgaris species. To optimize the culture conditions
of microalgae, three factors: urea, phosphate, and baking soda
concentrations were considered. The results showed the relationship
between carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus sources in increasing the
cellular content of microalgae, which in the minimum amount of organic
carbon source, with increasing the concentration of nitrogen and
phosphorus, cell biomass production increases significantly.
Accordingly, the production of more than 14 g/l of biomass in the amount
of 0.9 g/l of baking soda, 0.25 g/l of urea, and 0.5 g/l of phosphate
was obtained..
The Impact of Labor Oxytocin Use on Newborn Liver Enzymes
Authors: Abdollahi Samira , Poorbahri Shamime Ghesmat , Khoshnamrad M
Published: June 2024

Background: Oxytocin is commonly used during labor and delivery for
induction of labor and prevention of postpartum hemorrhage. This study
aimed to assess the effects of labor oxytocin use on liver enzyme
function in newborns. Methods: A case-control study was conducted. The
case group consisted of 70 newborns whose mothers received oxytocin
during labor, while the control group consisted of 70 newborns whose
mothers did not receive oxytocin. Complete blood count (CBC), lactate
dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total and
indirect bilirubin levels were measured in all newborns on the second
day of life. Results: The levels of AST and total and indirect bilirubin
were found to be higher in the case group than in the control group (51
vs. 42, 7.8 vs. 4.6, and 7.4 vs. 4, respectively; p < 0.005).
The levels of CPK and LDH were also higher in the case group (p
< 0.005). However, the difference in ALT levels was not
significant between the study groups. Conclusion: The observed increase
in liver enzymes in this study can indicate the effect of maternal
oxytocin on the newborn’s liver function. The changes in liver enzyme
levels due to oxytocin use were not found to be high enough to cause
liver damage.
Automated Framework for Dynamic Assessment of Power Converter-Dominated Distribution Grids
Authors: Pandey Ravikant , Giuntoli Marco , Bolzoni Alberto , Larsson Mats , Kawamoto Naoki , Ohara Shinya , Yoshihara Tohru , Tomobe Osamu
Published: June 2024

The increasing prominence of converter-based assets in power systems has
raised concerns about grid stability, necessitating the development of
advanced performance analysis tools for effective grid planning and
operations. To address this issue, we propose an automated architecture
based on MATLAB/Simulink, which enables a comprehensive examination of
converter-dominated distribution grids. This architecture facilitates
analysis across various scenarios, including voltage and frequency
instabilities, using techniques such as time domain and small-signal
analyses. Moreover, it allows the aggregation of grid models to conduct
more detailed studies. The integration of the Common Information Model
(CIM) import tool enhances collaboration and interoperability with grid
operator data. Case studies were conducted on a 1500-node UK
distribution system dataset featuring over 500 dynamic assets to
demonstrate the effectiveness of the architecture in analyzing voltage
and frequency stability, fault responses, and the impact of energy
storage reserve (ESR) under different converter control modes, including
legacy grid-following and advanced grid-forming strategies. Furthermore,
we outline future enhancements aimed at capturing more intricate
converter dynamics and highlight the educational value of the proposed
framework, which promises to advance the field of power system dynamic
analysis.
Oppimisen ja oppimateriaalien sekä tutkimusjulkaisujen avoimuus. Korkeakoulu- ja tutkimusyhteisön kansallinen linjaus ja toimenpideohjelma 2021–2025: Opinnäytetöiden avoimuuden osalinjaus
Authors: Avoimen tieteen ja tutkimuksen koordinaatio
Published: June 2024

Avoimen tieteen ja tutkimuksen julistuksessa todetaan: “Tutkimusyhteisössä vastuullinen avoimuus on osa tutkimuksen arkea läpi koko tutkimusprosessin, ja tutkimusorganisaatioissa on tätä tukevat arviointikäytännöt, kannustimet ja palvelut.” Tämä koskee myös opinnäytetyöprosessia, ja tämä avoimuuden osalinjaus koskee kaikkia korkeakoulujen opinnäytetöitä (tutkintoon johtavat kandidaatintutkielmat, pro gradu -työt, syventävien opintojen opinnäytetyöt, AMK- ja YAMK-opinnäytetyöt, lisensiaatintyöt ja väitöskirjat).
Tutkimuksen avoimuudella mahdollistetaan tutkimustulosten laajempi käyttö tutkimusyhteisössä ja yhteiskunnassa, mikä lisää tutkitun tiedon vaikuttavuutta, sivistystä ja innovaatioita. Avoimuuden ja prosessin läpinäkyvyyden on tarkoitus myös tukea tutkimuksen laatua. Ammattikorkeakoulukontekstissa opinnäytetyö on asiantuntemusta edellyttävä ja osoittava tehtävä, jossa huomioidaan työelämän haasteiden näkökulmat, jolloin avoimuudesta voidaan katsoa olevan hyötyä erityisesti ammatillisesta näkökulmasta. Opinnäytetöiden avoimen saatavuuden osalinjaus on tehty palvelemaan näitä perustavoitteita opinnäytetöiden näkökulmasta.
Öppen utbildning och öppna lärresurser samt öppen tillgång till forskningspubliktioner. Policy och åtgärdsprogram för det finländska högskole- och forskarsamfundet 2021–2025: Delpolicy för öppen tillgång till lärdomsprov
Authors: Samordningen av öppen vetenskap och forskning
Published: June 2024

I Deklarationen för öppen vetenskap och forskning konstateras att "[a]nsvarsfull öppenhet är en del av forskningssamfundets vardag genom hela forskningsprocessen. Forskningsorganisationerna har utvärderingspraxis, incitament och tjänster som stöder öppen vetenskap och forskning." Detta gäller också lärdomsprovsprocessen, och denna delpolicy omfattar alla lärdomsprov som genomförs vid högskolor (kandidatavhandlingar som leder till examen, avhandlingar pro gradu, lärdomsprov för fördjupade studier i medicin, odontologi och veterinärmedicin, examensarbeten för yrkeshögskoleexamen och högre yrkeshögskoleexamen, licentiatavhandlingar samt doktorsavhandlingar).
Öppenhet i forskning möjliggör bredare användning av forskningsresultat i forskningssamfundet och samhället, vilket ökar den forskningsbaserade kunskapens genomslag samt bildning och innovation. Processens öppenhet och transparens ska också främja forskningens kvalitet. Sett ur yrkeshögskolesynvinkel kräver och demonstrerar ett lärdomsprov sakkunskap, och det beaktar också olika aspekter på arbetslivets utmaningar. Därmed kan öppenhet ses som särskilt värdefullt ur ett yrkesperspektiv. Delpolicyn för öppen tillgång till lärdomsprov är utformad för att tillgodose dessa grundläggande mål ur lärdomsprovens perspektiv.
Open education and educational resources, open access to scholarly publications. National policy and executive plan by the higher education and research community for 2021–2025: Policy component for open access to theses
Authors: Open Science and Research Coordination
Published: June 2024

The Declaration for Open Science and Research states that "In the research community, responsible openness is a part of everyday research throughout the research process, and research organisations have assessment practices, incentives, and services in place to support this." This also applies to the thesis process, and this policy component on open access to theses applies to all theses completed in higher education institutions (bachelor’s and master’s theses at universities and universities of applied sciences, advanced studies theses, licentiate theses, and doctoral theses). 
Open science enables a broader use of research results by the research community and society, thus increasing the impact of research as well as the level of scholarship and innovation in society. Openness and the transparency of the process are also intended to support the quality of research. In the context of universities of applied sciences, a thesis is a task that requires and demonstrates expertise and takes into account aspects of the challenges of working life, thus making openness particularly useful from a professional point of view. The policy component on open access to theses has been developed to serve these basic objectives from the perspective of theses.
The Effect of Graphene Oxide Biomass as Filtration Loss Control Agent of Water-Based Mud Fluid
Authors: Mursyidah  , Nur Hadziqoh  , Binti Mod Zaid Hasnah , Rahmayeni Foni
Published: June 2024

Water-based drilling fluids are complex chemical systems that are essential for water drilling excavation. Biomass of Graphene Oxide (GO) is a submicrometer-thick material with unique and specific properties. GO can be entirely impermeable to liquids, vapors, and gases. It has water dispersibility and a huge specific surface area that is the potential material suitable for filtration loss control agents of water-based mud fluid. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of Oil Palm Shell Graphene Oxide Biomass as an additif material to filtration control in water-based mud fluid. Making  GO biomass sample starts from biomass Oil Palm Shell into graphite biomass, then the graphite biomass was sinthesized using an ultrasound-assisted liquid Phase Exfoliation (LPE) method to obtain thin GO biomass. Graphite biomass and GO biomass were characterized using FTIR, UV-Vis Spectroscopy and SEM-EDX. Drilling fluid samples with graphite biomass and GO biomass were prepared by adding 0.5 gr Graphite biomass and GO biomass into the based fluid (water-based bentonite fluid), The Filtration loss and the mud cake thickness of all the samples are measured and compared. Based on the measurement results, GO biomass additive is very effective in reducing fluid loss compare to graphite biomass additif. The volume of fluid lost was decreases from 13.9 ml to 10.8 ml compare to graphite biomass which was only able to decrease it to 12,3 ml.
Implementation of the Simple Multi-Attribute Rating Technique (SMART) for Decision Making on the Selection of the Best Prospective Employee
Authors: Mihuandayani  , Sanggilalung Rida P. , Mamuaya Supit
Published: June 2024

Human resource management is the important part of the company, it can affect the success of the company. In the process of selecting new employees at the company, several problems often occur such as ineffective time, the company still sorts out the prospective employee files conventionally and then compared them with other files for assessment, so it took a long time because there are many applicants who apply with different quality. In addition, there can be subjectivity to the data from the assessment results of prospective employees for certain reasons such as having emotional closeness with stakeholders. It needed a system to handle these problems such as Decision Support System (DSS). This study proposed the Simple Multi-Attribute Rating Technique (SMART) approach in evaluating prospective employees. There are five criteria used in this study, namely written tests, interviews, education, award certificates, and work experience. This decision support system can help stakeholders, especially the head of the company's branches, to determine the best candidate for employees with accurate and objective results. In this research, a comparison was also made between the SMART method and a manual system, which obtained an accuracy rate of 91.33% with the proposed method. The SMART method can be an effective and reliable option for selecting job candidates, as it can minimize errors and improve recruitment efficiency, thereby positively impacting company productivity and employee performance.
The Relationship of Facial Skin Personal Hygiene to The Onset of Acne (Acne Vulgaris) in Adolescent Boys
Authors: Damayanti Indah Sri , Minerva Prima
Published: June 2024

Acne is a common problem that often occurs at a young age and is influenced by factors such as climate, hygiene, cosmetic use, age, race, diet, gender, and genetics. This research was conducted at SMAN 1 Pangkalan Koto involving 155 male students. Of these, 111 students (71%) experienced acne problems. The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between facial skin hygiene (Personal Hygiene) with the incidence of acne vulgaris in adolescent boys at SMAN 1 Pangkalan Koto Baru. The research method used is correlation analytics with a cross-sectional design. The independent variable is personal hygiene, while the dependent variable is the incidence of acne vulgaris. The study sample consisted of male students who had acne vulgaris and met the research criteria. Primary and secondary data were collected through questionnaires. Data analysis was carried out by univariate and bivariate analysis methods. The results showed that around 51.6% of adolescent boys at SMAN 1 Pangkalan Koto Baru experienced moderate acne vulgaris. Their level of personal hygiene was also categorized as moderate, with 69.4% of respondents having a similar level of hygiene. The results of the analysis showed a significant relationship between facial skin hygiene and the incidence of acne vulgaris in adolescent boys at SMAN 1 Pangkalan Koto (Sig. Pearson Chi-Square: 0.021 < 0.05).
Leucocyte Value as a Signs of Microvascular Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
Authors: Amelia Ria , Aulia Fadila , Luhulima Danny
Published: June 2024

Problems in the pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) to complications are often overlooked, and routine blood tests are rarely performed in individuals with T2DM. Inflammation is an important early sign for detecting complications. One of the factors that can be used as an indicator of inflammation is the value of leukocytes. The purpose of this study was to assess leukocyte counts in patients with T2DM as a sign of inflammation in T2DM patients. This study used a cross-sectional approach method, with data analyzed descriptively and correlative using SPSS software. The subjects of the study involved residents assisted by the Kota Baru and Kalibaru Health Centers who suffered from DMT2 in the period from January to February 2019. The results of the Pearson test showed a value of p = 0.49, which indicated that there was no significant relationship between leucocytosis and blood glucose levels. The conclusion of this study is that the high number of leukocytes in T2DM patients is thought not to be caused by high blood glucose levels, but may be influenced by other factors related to the development of complications of T2DM disease. This research has important implications in understanding the pathogenesis and prevention of complications of T2DM.
Gamma Spectroscopy Prototype Design to Identify Radioactive Elements
Authors: Djokorayono Rony , Sulaksono Santiko Tri , Seno Haryo , Utomo  , Saptowati Hasriyasti , Santoso Puji , Hermana Ferly , Wiranto BS  , Sumaryanto Agus
Published: June 2024

The identification system for radioactive elements used the single-channel analyzer (SCA) gamma spectroscopy method. However, the process of producing the spectrum was still quite long because it had to go through the process manually by scanning its energy; one of the other radioactive elements is gamma spectroscopy. This research aims to develop a prototype gamma spectroscopy that allows the identification of radioactive elements. In this study, researchers used an experimental method by designing a gamma spectroscopy prototype consisting of a 2.5 cm diameter NaI(TL) detector equipped with a photomultiplier, high voltage module, preamp module, pulse shaping module, sample hold module, and Atmega microcontroller with an LCD display resolution of 128 × 64. The results of testing this prototype were carried out with various radioactive samples. Researchers managed to identify radioactive elements by measuring electrical pulses produced by NaI(TL) detectors. Background counting, which is the result of enumeration from detectors without radioactive material, was identified and eliminated. The distribution pattern has a random nature, the energy resolution of the spectroscopy consists of 1024 channels, and the counting time can be set as needed via the reset button. The main finding of the study was that the gamma spectroscopy prototype was able to provide a clear picture of the energy spectrum of nuclear radiation, allowing good identification of radioactive elements. The results of this study have important implications in the field of identification of radioactive elements and can be used in a variety of scientific and industrial applications involving nuclear radiation.