bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled study of a multicomponent intervention to promote a sustainable return to work of workers on long-term sick leave — PROWORK: PROmoting a Sustainable and Healthy Return to WORK
Authors: Varela-Mato Veronica , Godfree Kate , Adem Anwar , Blake Holly , Bartle Craig , Daly Guy , Hassard Juliet , Kneller Richard , Meyer Caroline , Russell Sean , Marwaha Steven , Kershaw Charlotte , Newman Kristina , Yarker Joanna , Thomson Louise , Munir Fehmidah
Published: August 2022

Background

The cost of sickness absence has major social, psychological and financial implications for individuals and organisations. Return-to-work (RTW) interventions that support good quality communication and contact with the workplace can reduce the length of sickness absence by between 15 and 30 days. However, initiatives promoting a sustainable return to work for workers with poor mental health on long-term sickness absence across small, medium and large enterprises (SMEs and LEs) are limited. This paper describes the protocol of a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) to test the feasibility of implementing a RTW intervention across SMEs and LEs across all sectors.

Methods and design

A two-arm feasibility RCT with a 4-month intervention will be conducted in SMEs and LE enterprises from the Midlands region, UK. At least 8 organisations (4 controls and interventions), and at least 60 workers and/or managers, will be recruited and randomised into the intervention and control group (30 interventions, 30 controls). Workers on long-term sickness absence (LTSA) (between 8 and 50 days) and managers with a worker on LTSA will be eligible to participate. The intervention is a behavioural change programme, including a managers and workers RTW toolkit, focused on supporting sickness absence and RTW through the provision of knowledge, problem-solving, action planning, goal setting and positive communication that leads to a sustainable RTW. Organisations assigned to the control group will continue with their usual practice. Measurements of mental health, RTW, work outcomes, quality-of-life, workplace support and communication and other demographic data will be taken at baseline, 2 months and 4 months. Feasibility will be assessed based on recruitment, retention, attrition, completion of measures and intervention compliance for which specific process and research outcomes have been established. A process evaluation will explore the experiences and acceptability of the intervention components and evaluation measures. Exploratory economic evaluation will be conducted to further inform a definitive trial.

Discussion

This is a novel intervention using a worker-manager approach to promote a sustainable return to work of workers on long-term sick leave due to poor mental wellbeing. If this intervention is shown to be feasible, the outcomes will inform a larger scale randomised control trial.

Trial registration

ISRCTN90032009 (retrospectively registered, date registered 15th December 2020)
Myofunctional device use in oral care and swallowing: a protocol for a feasibility study in an aged care population
Authors: Shortland Hollie-Ann L. , Hewat Sally , Webb Gwendalyn , Vertigan Anne E.
Published: August 2022

Background

Poor oral health is a known predictor of aspiration pneumonia in vulnerable populations such as the elderly and chronically ill and has been linked to systemic disease, morbidity, and mortality. Reduced oral health not only places individuals at a greater risk of aspiration pneumonia but may result in pain or poorer dentition which can impact on mastication and swallowing. Consequences of this may include reduced oral intake, malnutrition, poorer health outcomes, and reduced quality of life. Few evidence-based protocols exist to manage oral care in aged care populations, and maintenance of good oral hygiene is difficult for nursing and care staff to facilitate. However, a recent literature review found that improvements in oral hygiene, oral behaviors, and swallowing, along with breathing and speech have been found to be associated with the use of myofunctional devices due to positive changes in orofacial functions such as lip seal, mastication, swallowing, and nasal breathing patterns. The primary aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of using a myofunctional device to improve oral care and swallowing function in an aged care population.

Methods/design

This project is a feasibility study that involves a 5-week intervention for oral hygiene and dysphagia for residents >65 years old in an aged care setting. Feasibility will be determined by the acceptability of the intervention, study recruitment and retention, and adherence to the intervention. Feasibility testing will also include an evaluation of clinical outcome measures, and sensitivity to detect changes in oral health and swallowing in an aged care population.

Discussion

The results of this trial will provide important information regarding the feasibility of utilizing a myofunctional device to improve oral care and dysphagia in elderly patients in an aged care facility. This knowledge will further guide and inform design of a larger trial or future research.

Trial registration

This trial was registered August 10, 2021, with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry and allocated the ACTRN: ACTRN12621001359820.
Audiovestibular and vaccination complications of COVID-19
Authors: Gabr Takwa , Kotait Mona , Moaty Asmaa Salah
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Since its first appearance in Wuhan December 2019, SARS-CoV2 virus received great attention due to its severe symptoms and high spread causing COVID-19 disease which spread all over the world like a pandemic. The causative virus is capable of human-to-human transmission via droplet and direct contact suggesting that upper respiratory tract is the main site to virus manifestations.

There is a great diversity in its clinical picture, although the severe respiratory and neurological symptoms are commonly present; however, other symptoms are present. Although otological manifestations are reported in many COVID-19 patients even in asymptomatic cases, they did not receive much attention compared with other critical manifestations. In this article, we paid our attention specifically to the otological manifestations of COVID-19 and their relevance either to the virus infection, treatment, or vaccination through literature review.

Conclusion

COVID-19 disease has a deleterious effect on the inner ear. This effect is not only due to SARS-Cov-2 infection, but it could be also due to the ototoxic drugs used for treatment. The COVID-19 vaccinations are found to be implicated in the otological symptoms in some cases.
“Ain’t Any Chance to Rise in the Paper Business”: Poverty, Race, and Horatio Alger’s Newsboy Novels
Authors: Gowen Emily
Published: August 2022

This essay reconsiders literary engagements with the figure of the newsboy in terms of their own ambivalences, critiques, and calls for social reform. Taking Horatio Alger’s dime novels as a primary case study, this piece explores Alger’s sense that the growth of literary business relied too heavily on the exploitation of poverty conditions produced by and disseminated through the medium of popular print.
Orientation in the European common frogRana temporariaduring the first wintering migration
Authors: Shakhparonov Vladimir V. , Golovlev Aleksander P. , Grytsyshina Ekaterina E. , Bolshakova Alisa A.
Published: August 2022

The orientation of naive animals during their first migration is extensively studied in birds and sea turtles, whereas the data for other groups such as amphibians are still scarce. To date, it is unknown whether young-of-the-year anurans perform a random or directional search for the hibernation sites, and what cues (global or local) they use. We conducted a series of field experiments to study the orientation behavior of juvenile common frogs during their first wintering migration. We captured 1614 froglets from two subpopulations with different directions of migration and assessed their orientation in large circular outdoor arenas (20 m in diameter) on the opposite sides of the river. Before the migration, froglets used local cues and moved back towards the forest (summer habitat). At the start of migration, the froglets did not move randomly: they navigated towards the river using local cues. Later, however, before approaching the hibernation site, they memorized the compass direction of migration and followed it using global cues. Orientation along a memorized compass heading begins to dominate in the hierarchy of orientation mechanisms, and this predominance is maintained even after reaching the hibernation site. Unlike in birds, no innate direction of migration was found.
Building a portfolio for not-for-profit activities rather than maximizing social return on investment ratio
Authors: Mizutani Fuminobu
Published: August 2022

Background: An influential piece of literature on effective altruism insists that not-for-profit organizations (NFPs) should concentrate their investments on a few activities to maximize their social return on investment (SROI) ratio. However, this creates greater risk for an NFP than building a portfolio of investments in activities. This study investigates whether it is desirable for executives and contributors of NFPs to build a portfolio rather than maximize the expected SROI ratio, and if so, how to build one. Solving these questions will help the chief financial officers (CFOs) of NFPs, who serve as their agents, fulfill their obligations to contributors, who are their principals, and will help advisors provide better services for their contributors, their clients.

Methods: Data were collected from a ranking of NFPs, then non-parametric tests were performed on this ranking and the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI).

Results: The HHI are between 2013 and 2688. The results of non-parametric tests do not deny that rank and HHI are independent of each other. Most of the NFPs’ investments in activities were in accord with their core competencies.

Conclusions: It was found that successful executives build portfolios. The findings of this study should be sufficiently practical in helping NFP executives and contributors decide whether to build portfolios, and if so, how.
Development of Scientific and Methodological Foundations for the Formation of Macroregion Strategies in the Russian Federation
Authors: Sorokina Natalia , Belyaevskaya-Plotnik L.
Published: August 2022

The relevance of the problem under consideration is due to the fact that the structure and content of the main sections of the strategies of socio-economic development of the macroregions in the Russian Federation require updating in response to fundamental changes in the external and internal environment of the functioning of the public administration system and the Russian Federation generally. The purpose of the work is to develop scientific and methodological provisions that can be used as the basis for the activities of public administration authorities in strategizing the socio-economic development of macroregions. As a result of the study, it was found that due to the lack of specific guidelines for the content and the degree of concretization of the main sections, the strategies of socio-economic development of macroregions had a very limited potential for application in the system of public administration of regional and spatial development of the Russian Federation. It is proved that the structure and content of the main sections of the strategies of socio-economic development of macroregions should be formed taking into account the requirements of the principles of continuity and consistency of strategic planning. In methodological terms, the success of the strategy implementation will be ensured by making clear links with strategic planning documents of higher and lower levels, as well as with documents of the same level of the hierarchy of public administration, with which the strategy should be coordinated in the format of «horizontal» links. It is recommended to supplement the development strategies of macroregions with sections: «Continuity of state policy» and «Contribution of the document to the achievement of national development goals», ensuring the continuity of goals, objectives and activities of state policy in the field of socio-economic development of the macroregions in the Russian Federation.
On the Issue of Choosing Rational Means of Increasing Labor Productivity Through Ergonomic Support During Complex Production Preparation
Authors: Logvinov Syergyey , Logvinov S.
Published: August 2022

The work is devoted to the development of methodological approaches to the choice of ways to increase labor productivity through ergonomic support during complex production preparation. Separate measures for the organization of labor at the enterprise with possible improvement of labor rationing, assessment and training of personnel, the choice of directions for automation of individual operations are considered. The characteristics of performers (operators) to be evaluated during professional selection and their use in modeling the processes of interaction of operators with the control object under certain conditions of the production environment, requirements for the quality of operations performed are analyzed. The subjective and physical environment reduces or increases the quality indicators of the operator's activity and their accounting together with the individual characteristics of the operators requires a methodology based on a systematic analysis of all factors affecting labor productivity. The results of mathematical modeling based on experimental data, taking into account the complex nature of factors operating in the production system, are presented.
Features of Supply and Demand Formation in the E-Commerce Market
Authors: Levin Yu. , Bagmanyan D.
Published: August 2022

The research is devoted to the identification and analysis of factors and principles that determine the features of the sustainable formation of supply and demand in the e-commerce market. The key factors of e-commerce development are highlighted. The signs of digital division of the development level and accessibility of digital technologies are given in relation to countries, regions, territories, firms, households. The strategic principles for the formation of sustainable demand and supply of e-commerce are analyzed and their unified, interrelated, complementary and interdependent essence is noted. The significance of the conversion rate as a special strategic condition and evaluation criterion is indicated. The weak points of trading via the Internet, directly constraining the growth of demand are analyzed. The influence of the productive forces development level on the content of goods and services and on the means used to maintain or carry out trade operations is noted. It is proposed to take into account the development level of productive forces as a basic component of the formation of supply in the digital commerce market. The objective need for large-scale investments to adapt to new market needs is substantiated. The growth of the importance of search engines in promoting the demand for e-commerce market services is predicted. The importance of coupling consumer behavior in the e-commerce market with the institutional and regulatory framework is emphasized.
Controlled Development of Dichotomies Competition and Monopolies in the Conditions of Digitalization «New Economy»
Authors: Shut'ko Larisa
Published: August 2022

Digitalization as a global challenge for the digital transformation of the “new economy” of the 21st century actualizes the issues of research on managing the development of the dichotomy of competition and monopoly in the space of national markets, regions and countries. It has been determined that digitalization and digital transformation in the "new economy" directly affect the management of the development of the dichotomy of competition and monopoly, determine its trends. Positive and negative trends in manag-ing the development of the dichotomy of competition and monopoly in the Russian economy, their features in comparison with world trends are shown. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that the development of the dichotomy of competition and monop-oly in the "new economy" is considered as a controlled process based on the action of market factors and regulatory influence to achieve the goals of inclusive economic growth. The author's research is based on theoretical and methodological approaches, scientific results contained in the works of foreign and Russian economists on competi-tion and monopoly.
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Investment Projects that Generate Con-tinuous Cash Flows
Authors: Basovskiy Leonid , Basovskaya Elena
Published: August 2022

A methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of investment projects that gen-erate continuous cash flows, which are typical for the service sector and retail trade, has been developed and substantiated. Models of discounted cash flow (DCF) for projects that generate continuous cash flows are obtained and presented. The use of models illus-trated with a concrete example are given. It is shown that in short-term projects, with a high cost of capital and, accordingly, a high discount rate, the net present value of the discounted continuous cash flow is significantly higher than the net present value of the cash flow obtained under the assumption of a discrete flow. In some cases, this may lead to errors in assessing the effectiveness of investment projects and errors in the se-lection of projects, since their implementation leads to cash flows that do not belong to the end of each period, as is assumed in well-known methods, but are distributed in the course of periods.
Trade and Foreign Economic Policy Uncertainty in Supply Chain Networks: Who Comes Home?
Authors: Charoenwong Ben , Han Miaozhe , Wu Jing
Published: August 2022

Problem definition: The uncertainty around trade and foreign economic policy contributes to supply chain risk. Academic/practical relevance: Whether such policy uncertainty will bring some production back to the United States or only redistribute the global supply chains among foreign sources is theoretically ambiguous and warrants an empirical analysis. In this paper, we study the relationship between trade and foreign economic policy uncertainty and the supply chain networks of American firms. Methodology: We use firm-level global supply chain data, transaction-level shipping container data, and policy uncertainty indexes constructed from leading media outlets to study how policy uncertainty correlates with changes in supply chain networks. Results: When U.S. trade policy uncertainty rises, firms with majority domestic sales decrease their supplier base abroad, whereas firms with majority foreign sales increase the number of foreign suppliers. Firms also substitute among foreign countries in response to their respective economic policy uncertainty—shifting suppliers from countries with higher uncertainty to ones with lower uncertainty. Firms requiring more specific inputs, producing more differentiated products, having higher market shares, and more central to the production network are more sensitive to policy uncertainty. Managerial implications: Supply chain restructuring following higher policy uncertainty puts the market value at risk. Managers should consider customers’ locations when making global supply chain restructuring decisions.

Funding: B. Charoenwong acknowledges funding from the National University of Singapore [Start-Up Grant R-315-000-119-133] and the Singapore Ministry of Education [AcRF (Academic Research Fund) Tier 1 Grant R-315-000-122-115]. J. Wu acknowledges funding from the Hong Kong RGC (Research Grants Council) [Grant 14504621].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.1136 .
Kliniğimizde Üre Döngüsü Bozukluğu Nedeniyle Takipli Olan Hastaların Klinik Özelliklerinin Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: KASAPKARA Çiğdem Seher , OLGAC Asburce , KILIÇ Mustafa , HAEBERLE Johannes
Published: August 2022

Objective: Urea cycle disorders (UCDs) are inherited deficiencies of the enzymes or transport molecules involved in the
cellular excretion of excess ammonia produced during protein metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of pediatric patients with UCDs.
Material and Methods: Our research was conducted between September 2020-March 2021 in Dr. Sami Ulus
Maternity and Child Health Training and Research Hospital. Clinical characteristics in 16 patients with UCDs [carbamoyl
phosphate synthetase I deficiency (n=1), N-acetylglutamate synthase deficiency(n=1), argininosuccinate lyase deficiency
(n=4), argininosuccinate synthetase deficiency (n=4), arginase deficiency (n=2), ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency
(n=2), hyperammonemia hyperornithinemia homocitrullinuria syndrome (n=2)] were defined. The term “neonatal-onset”
UCD was used if symptoms occurred within 28 days of life, and “late-onset” if symptoms started after the neonatal
period.
Results: Eight patients presented with acute metabolic crisis during newborn period. Core clinical phenotype in
neonatal-onset UCDs included sepsis-like findings, whereas epilepsy and mental retardation was predominant in lateonset
UCDs. For patients with neonatal-onset UCDs, hyperammonemia was more severe at the initial period.
Conclusion: Despite evolving treatment opportunities, still high mortality rates were found in neonatal-onset UCD. UCDs
should be suspected in pediatric patients with hyperammonemia and metabolic investigations should be performed
immediately to enlighten diagnosis. Neonatal-onset UCD usually present with symptoms of acute hyperammonemia, while
moresubtle neurological manifestations are frequent initial findings in the late onset UCD.
Understanding heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Brooks Poppy
Published: August 2022

Poppy Brooks looks at how to diagnose and manage this common cause of heart failure
Simulating multilevel diffractive optical elements on a spatial light modulator
Authors: Mohapi Lehloa , Geiger Leon M. , Korvink Jan G. , Dudley Angela , Forbes Andrew
Published: August 2022

Multilevel diffractive optical elements (DOEs) offer a solution to approximate complex diffractive phase profiles in a stepwise manner. However, while much attention has focused on efficiency, the impact on modal content in the context of structured light has, to our best knowledge, remained unexplored. Here, we outline a simple theory that accounts for efficiency and modal purity in arbitrary structured light produced by multilevel DOEs. We make use of a phase-only spatial light modulator as a “testbed” to experimentally implement various multileveled diffractive profiles, including orbital angular momentum beams, Bessel beams, and Airy beams, outlining the subsequent efficiency and purity both theoretically and experimentally, confirming that a low number of multilevel steps can produce modes of high fidelity. Our work will be useful to those wishing to digitally evaluate modal effects from DOEs prior to physical fabrication.
Non-paraxial diffraction analysis for developing DMD-based optical systems
Authors: Dong Xue , Shi Yingchao , Xiao Xingchen , Zhang Qian , Chen Fei , Sun Xu , Yuan Weizheng , Yu Yiting
Published: August 2022

We propose a non-paraxial diffraction model of the digital micromirror device (DMD) by combining the conventional Fraunhofer diffraction and a simple method of coordinative mapping. It is equivalent to adding aberrations of diffracted wave fields to the aberration-free Fraunhofer diffraction instead of complex integral calculations, allowing the simulated diffraction patterns to be consistent with the actual experimental counterparts. Moreover, it is verified by the experiments and literature that the diffraction angles, orders, and efficiency can all be well predicted for arbitrary incident angles and wavelengths. Especially for diffracted zenith angles within 50°, the predicted values reveal ∼1% error, and in a broader range, the predicted errors of diffracted azimuth angles are less than 4%. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first model capable of describing the non-paraxial diffraction behavior of the DMD. The proposed model with universality and effectiveness will help users to optimally construct DMD-based optical systems by guiding optical layouts, selection of light sources, and utilization and suppression of diffraction effects.
Designing and implementing a research integrity promotion plan: Recommendations for research funders
Authors: Horbach Serge P. J. M. , Bouter Lex M. , Gaskell George , Hiney Maura , Kavouras Panagiotis , Mejlgaard Niels , Allum Nick , Aubert Bonn Noémie , Bendtsen Anna-Kathrine , Charitidis Costas A. , Claesen Nik , Dierickx Kris , Domaradzka Anna , Elizondo Andrea Reyes , Föger Nicole , Kaltenbrunner Wolfgang , Konach Teodora , Labib Krishma , Marušić Ana , Pizzolato Daniel , Ravn Tine , Roje Rea , Sørensen Mads P. , Taraj Borana , Veltri Giuseppe A. , Tijdink Joeri K.
Published: August 2022

Various stakeholders in science have put research integrity high on their agenda. Among them, research funders are prominently placed to foster research integrity by requiring that the organizations and individual researchers they support make an explicit commitment to research integrity. Moreover, funders need to adopt appropriate research integrity practices themselves. To facilitate this, we recommend that funders develop and implement a Research Integrity Promotion Plan (RIPP). This Consensus View offers a range of examples of how funders are already promoting research integrity, distills 6 core topics that funders should cover in a RIPP, and provides guidelines on how to develop and implement a RIPP. We believe that the 6 core topics we put forward will guide funders towards strengthening research integrity policy in their organization and guide the researchers and research organizations they fund.
Cattle transport network predicts endemic and epidemic foot-and-mouth disease risk on farms in Turkey
Authors: Herrera-Diestra José L. , Tildesley Michael , Shea Katriona , Ferrari Matthew J.
Published: August 2022

The structure of contact networks affects the likelihood of disease spread at the population scale and the risk of infection at any given node. Though this has been well characterized for both theoretical and empirical networks for the spread of epidemics on completely susceptible networks, the long-term impact of network structure on risk of infection with an endemic pathogen, where nodes can be infected more than once, has been less well characterized. Here, we analyze detailed records of the transportation of cattle among farms in Turkey to characterize the global and local attributes of the directed—weighted shipments network between 2007-2012. We then study the correlations between network properties and the likelihood of infection with, or exposure to, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) over the same time period using recorded outbreaks. The shipments network shows a complex combination of features (local and global) that have not been previously reported in other networks of shipments; i.e. small-worldness, scale-freeness, modular structure, among others. We find that nodes that were either infected or at high risk of infection with FMD (within one link from an infected farm) had disproportionately higher degree, were more central (eigenvector centrality and coreness), and were more likely to be net recipients of shipments compared to those that were always more than 2 links away from an infected farm. High in-degree (i.e. many shipments received) was the best univariate predictor of infection. Low in-coreness (i.e. peripheral nodes) was the best univariate predictor of nodes always more than 2 links away from an infected farm. These results are robust across the three different serotypes of FMD observed in Turkey and during periods of low-endemic prevalence and high-prevalence outbreaks.
Habitat use by female desert tortoises suggests tradeoffs between resource use and risk avoidance
Authors: Nafus Melia G. , Daly Jacob A. , Tuberville Tracey D. , Klimely A. Peter , Buhlmann Kurt A. , Todd Brian D.
Published: August 2022

Animals may select habitat to maximize the benefits of foraging on growth and reproduction, while balancing competing factors like the risk of predation or mortality from other sources. Variation in the distribution of food resources may lead animals to forage at times or in places that carry greater predation risk, with individuals in poor quality habitats expected to take greater risks while foraging. We studied Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) in habitats with variable forage availability to determine if risk aversion in their selection of habitat relative was related to abundance of forage. As a measure of risk, we examined tortoise surface activity and mortality. We also compared tortoise body size and body condition between habitats with ample forage plants and those with less forage plants. Tortoises from low forage habitats selected areas where more annual plants were nutritious herbaceous flowering plants but did not favor areas of greater perennial shrub cover that could shelter them or their burrows. In contrast, tortoises occupying high forage habitats showed no preference for forage characteristics, but used burrows associated with more abundant and larger perennial shrubs. Tortoises in high forage habitats were larger and active above ground more often but did not have better body condition. Mortality was four times higher for females occupying low forage habitat than those in high forage habitat. Our results are consistent with the idea that tortoises may minimize mortality risk where food resources are high, but may accept some tradeoff of greater mortality risk in order to forage optimally when food resources are limiting.
Antiretroviral therapy initiation and outcomes of hospitalized HIV-infected patients in Uganda—An evaluation of the HIV test and treat strategy
Authors: Katende Andrew , Nakiyingi Lydia , Andia-Biraro Irene , Katairo Thomas , Muhumuza Richard , Ssemata Andrew S. , Nsereko Christopher , Semitala Fred C. , Meya David B.
Published: August 2022

Background

Uganda adopted the HIV Test and Treat in 2016. There is paucity of data about its implementation among hospitalized patients. We aimed to determine the proportion of patients initiating anti-retroviral therapy (ART) during hospitalization, barriers and mortality outcome.

Methods

In this mixed methods cohort study, we enrolled hospitalized patients with a recent HIV diagnosis from three public hospitals in Uganda. We collected data on clinical characteristics, ART initiation and reasons for failure to initiate ART, as well as 30 day outcomes. Healthcare workers in-depth interviews were also conducted and data analyzed by sub-themes.

Results

We enrolled 234 patients; females 140/234 (59.8%), median age 34.5 years (IQR 29–42), 195/234 (83.7%) had WHO HIV stage 3 or 4, and 74/116 (63.8%) had CD4 ≤ 200 cell/μL. The proportion who initiated ART during hospitalization was 123/234 (52.6%) (95% CI 46.0–59.1), of these 35/123 (28.5%) initiated ART on the same day of hospitalization, while 99/123 (80.5%) within a week of hospitalization. By 30 days 34/234 (14.5%) (95% CI 10.3–19.7) died. Patients residing ≥ 35 kilometers from the hospital were more likely not to initiate ART during hospitalization, [aRR = 1.39, (95% CI 1.22–1.59). Inadequate patient preparation for ART initiation and advanced HIV disease were highlighted as barriers of ART initiation during hospitalization.

Conclusion

In this high HIV prevalence setting, only half of newly diagnosed HIV patients are initiated on ART during hospitalization. Inadequate pre-ART patient preparation and advanced HIV are barriers to rapid ART initiation among hospitalized patients in public hospitals.
Revealing the transmission mechanism and spatial spillover of carbon emission reduction caused by high-speed rail opening
Authors: Liu Meiyu , Niu Xiaogeng , Tian Zhenxing
Published: August 2022

In the context of China’s commitment to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, as well as its strategy to build a strong transportation country, it is of foremost importance to study the carbon emission reduction effect of the opening of high-speed rail (HSR). This paper innovatively introduces the frequency of HSR stops as an indicator of HSR operation, and uses a time-varying difference-in-difference (DID) model, a mediating effect model and a spatial DID model to assess the direct and indirect impact, transmission mechanism, and spatial spillover effects of the opening and operation of HSR on carbon emission reduction based on a panel of 279 prefecture-level cities from 2003 to 2017. We found that the opening and operation of HSR significantly reduced urban carbon emissions. The direct transmission mechanism analysis shows that the opening of HSR can reduce carbon emissions by replacing highway passenger traffic. Indirect mechanism analysis shows that the opening of HSR can reduce carbon emissions through technological effect, structural effect and opening effect. The test of spatial spillover effect shows that the opening of HSR can promote carbon emission reduction not only in node cities, but also in neighboring cities.
Path planning for autonomous mobile robots using multi-objective evolutionary particle swarm optimization
Authors: Thammachantuek Ittikon , Ketcham Mahasak
Published: August 2022

In this article, a new path planning algorithm is proposed. The algorithm is developed on the basis of the algorithm for finding the best value using multi-objective evolutionary particle swarm optimization, known as the MOEPSO. The proposed algorithm is used for the path planning of autonomous mobile robots in both static and dynamic environments. The paths must follow the determined criteria, namely, the shortest path, the smoothest path, and the safest path. In addition, the algorithm considers the degree of mutation, crossover, and selection to improve the efficiency of each particle. Furthermore, a weight adjustment method is proposed for the movement of particles in each iteration to increase the chance of finding the best fit solution. In addition, a method to manage feasible waypoints within the radius of obstacles or blocked by obstacles is proposed using a simple random method. The main contribution of this article is the development of a new path planning algorithm for autonomous mobile robots. This algorithm can build the shortest, smoothest, and safest paths for robots. It also offers an evolutionary operator to prevent falling into a local optimum. The proposed algorithm uses path finding simulation in a static environment and dynamic environment in conjunction with comparing performance to path planning algorithms in previous studies. In the static environment (4 obstacles), the shortest path obtained from the proposed algorithm is 14.3222 m. In the static environment (5 obstacles), the shortest path obtained from the proposed algorithm is 14.5989 m. In the static environment (6 obstacles), the shortest path obtained from the proposed algorithm is 14.4743 m. In the dynamic environment the shortest path is 12.2381 m. The results show that the proposed algorithm can determine the paths from the starting point to the destination with the shortest distances that require the shortest processing time.
Effect of technologist and patient attributes on centering for body CT examinations: Influence of cultural and ethnic factors
Authors: Aly Antar , Ebrahimian Shadi , Kharita Mohammed H. , Heidous Mahmoud , Ashruf Mohammad Zaya , Kumar Davendra , Kalra Mannudeep K. , Al Naemi Huda Mohd
Published: August 2022

There are no published data on the effect of patient and technologist gender and ethnicity attributes on off-centering in CT. Therefore, we assessed the impact of patient and technologist variations on off-centering patients undergoing body CT. With institutional review board approval, our retrospective study included 1000 consecutive adult patients (age ranged 22–96 years; 756 males: 244 females) who underwent chest or abdomen CT examinations. We recorded patient (age, gender, nationality, body weight, height,), technologist gender, and scan-related (scanner vendor, body region imaged, scan length, CT dose index volume, dose length product) information. Lateral and anteroposterior (AP) diameters were recorded to calculate effective diameter and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE). Off-centering represented the distance between the anterior-posterior centers of the scan field of view and the patient at the level of carina (for chest CT) and iliac crest (for abdomen CT). About 76% of the patients (760/1000) were off-centered with greater off-centering for chest (22 mm) than for abdomen (15 mm). Although ethnicity or patient gender was not a significant determinant of off-centering, technologist-patient gender mismatch was associated with a significantly greater frequency of off-centering (p<0.001). Off-centering below the gantry isocenter was twice as common as off-centering above the gantry isocenter (p<0.001). The latter occurred more frequently in larger patients and was associated with higher radiation doses than those centered below the isocenter (p<0.001). Technologists’ years of experience and patient factors profoundly affect the presence and extent of off-centering for both chest and abdomen CTs. Larger patients are more often off-centered than smaller patients.
Changes in rumen fermentation and bacterial profiles after administering Lactiplantibacillus plantarum as a probiotic
Authors: Astuti Wulansih Dwi , Ridwan Roni , Fidriyanto Rusli , Rohmatussolihat Rohmatussolihat , Sari Nurul Fitri , Sarwono Ki Ageng , Fitri Ainissya , Widyastuti Yantyati
Published: August 2022

Background and Aim: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is one of the lactic acid bacteria that is often used as probiotics. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TSD10 as a probiotic on rumen fermentation and microbial population in Ongole breed cattle.

Materials and Methods: This study adopted an experimental crossover design, using three-fistulated Ongole breed cattle. Treatments were as follows: T0, control without probiotic; T1, 10 mL probiotic/day; T2, 20 mL probiotic/day; and T3, 30 mL probiotic/day. The basal diet of the cattle comprised 70% concentrate: 30% elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum). The concentration of probiotic used was 1.8 × 1010 colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL.

Results: We observed significantly lower acetate production compared with control (64.12%), the lowest values being in the T3 group (55.53%). Contrarily, propionate production significantly increased from 18.67% (control) to 23.32% (T2). All treatments yielded significantly lower acetate–propionate ratios than control (3.44), with the lowest ratio in the T3 group (2.41). The protozoal number decreased on probiotic supplementation, with the lowest population recorded in the T2 group (5.65 log cells/mL). The population of specific rumen bacteria was estimated using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We found that the population of L. plantarum, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Treponema bryantii, did not change significantly on probiotic supplementation, While that of Ruminococcus albus increased significantly from 9.88 log CFU/mL in controls to 12.62 log CFU/mL in the T2 group.

Conclusion: This study showed that the optimum dosage of L. plantarum TSD10 as a probiotic was 20 mL/day. The effect of L. plantarum as a probiotic on feed degradation in rumen was not evaluated in this experiment. Therefore, the effect of L. plantarum as a probiotic on feed degradation should be performed in further studies.
Green Synthesis of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles, Antibacterial Studies and
as Catalyst for the Conversion of Cotton Seed Oil into Biodiesel
Authors: Rudreshappa G.E. , Chennabasappa Madhu , Sreenivasa S. , Kumar S. Vijaya , Yatish K.V. , Nagaraju G. , Suresh Kumar H.M. , Aruna Kumar D.B.
Published: August 2022

Cerium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by employing solution combustion method using
environmental friendly, polypeptide and acids rich, Butea monosperma seed powder as fuel. Phase
purity, crystallite size were determined from X-ray diffraction (XRD). The trace amount of organic
species attached to the surface of the nanoparticles was identified using Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy (FTIR). Morphological studies are performed on SEM and the particle shape-size
distributions are studied using TEM. Electron diffraction on the nanoparticles revealed good crystallinity
of the synthesized samples. Band gap increased with decreasing particle size as confirmed from the
diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). White light luminescence capabilities of CeO2 nanoparticles
were studied using photoluminescence spectroscopy. In vitro antibacterial activity studies to determine
the zone of inhibition (ZOI) and catalytic property for the conversion of cotton seed oil into biodiesel
were performed.
Pulmonary Phospholipid Components as Promising Natural Inhibitors
against COVID-19 Mpro; Molecular Docking Analysis Based Study
Authors: Hussein Mohammed A. , Abo-Salem Heba M. , Moro Ahmed M. , Abdel-Wahab Ebtsam A. , Ali Ali A , Abdelkawy Shaimaa A.
Published: August 2022

The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome SARS-CoV-2
has become a global crisis. Phospholipids are structural components of mammalian cell membranes
that suppress viral attachment to the plasma membrane and subsequent replication in lung cells. Using
the molecular docking approach, the inhibitory activity of phosphatidylcholine,
dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol,
lysobisphosphatidic acid and sphingomyelin against SARS CoV-2 by targeting main protease
(Mpro, PDB code: 6LU7) has been investigated. All phospholipids established excellent binding to
Mpro active bocket by forming several H-bonds with the catalytic amino acids Cys145 and His4, as
well as various amino acids involved in the bocket. Furthermore, a potent binding affinity is increased
from -7.01 to -9.16 kcal/mol compared to compound N3 (N-[(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)carbonyl]alanyl-
L (where L = valyl-N-1-(1R,2Z)-4-(benzyloxy)-4-oxo-1-{[(3R)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl]methyl}but-2-
enyl)-L-leucinamide), a peptide linker, inhibitor for Covid-19 main protease. Co-crystalline ligand of
enzyme 6LU7 of -9.99 kcal/mol. The sphingomyelin has the same binding affinity to main protease
when compared to compound N3. These findings implied that the selected compounds have the potential
to be developed as novel SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. Therefore, improved, well-designed, potent and
structurally and pharmacokinetically effective drugs are urgently needed. Further investigations should
focus on validating and finalizing effective drugs for COVID-19 beyond preliminary in silico and in
vivo screening.
Speed of Sound, Density, Viscosity and Related Thermodynamic Excess
Properties of Binary Liquid Mixtures Containing Butyl Carbitol with
1-Butanol, Toluene and Diethylmalonate at 308.15 and 318.15 K
Authors: Revathi U. , Venis A. Rose
Published: August 2022

In present communication, measurements of experimental density, viscosity and ultrasonic velocity
of binary liquid mixtures of butyl carbitol with 1-butanol, toluene and diethylmalonate have been
carried out at 308.15 and 318.15 K at atmospheric pressure over the entire composition range of mole
fractions. To study the intermolecular interactions present in these liquid mixtures, thermodynamic
parameters like VE, ΔKS, Δη, ΔLf, ΔVf and ΔZ have been calculated. The excess functions and their
deviations from ideality have also been correlated using Redlich-Kister type polynomial equation by
the method of least-squares. The variations of thermodynamic parameters with composition and
temperature have been discussed in terms of molecular interaction in these liquid mixtures. Further,
IR spectra of these liquid mixtures have also been recorded and the obtained results have been used to
analyze the mixing behaviour of the components.
Experimental and Quantum Chemical Studies of Induced Liquid Crystal Textures
Authors: Kumar Ch. Ravi Shankar Kumar , Prasanti M. , Jha A.
Published: August 2022

Dynamics of molecular structures has its dependence on symmetry, topological defects, responsibility to shear, short range interatomic forces, interplay of thermal and potential energies in formation of supramolecular structures with mesophase. Computational studies emerged as sophisticated tool that deliver the functional aspects responsible in formation of these molecular structures. The article attempts induced textures and phase transition studies of synthesized compound from anilines and aldehydes. Infrared spectral studies infer shits in wavenumbers in formation of secondary aldemines with anilines and aldehydes. Polarizing optical microscope and differential scanning calorimetric studies were performed for observation of textures and confirmation of transition temperatures. Computational studies were performed for these compounds responsible for induced phases using 6-311++(d,p) with quantum mechanical descriptors. Studies revealed that reduced energy gap and high dipole moment is consequence of change in order of transition in synthesized compound responsible for induced phase.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Pyrazole-4-carboxamide Derivatives
Authors: Sultana Shameem , Vasanthi Rangapuram
Published: August 2022

Microbial resistance to the clinically employed antibiotics becomes a threat to the treatment protocols
of microbial infectious diseases. Current work aims to synthesize a novel series of pyrazole-4-
carboxamide derivatives (6a-j) in a multicomponent reaction between 1H-pyrazole-4-cabaldehyde
and various substituted anilines in the presence of 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene
(iPr)/TEMPO/phenol under oxidative amidation condition. All the synthesized derivatives (6a-j) were
examined for their antifungal and antibacterial activities. All compounds (6a-j) showed significant
antimicrobial potential against Gram-positive bacteria (B. subtilis and S. aureus), Gram-negative bacteria
(E. coli and P. seruginosa) and fungal strains (A. niger and C. albicans). Compounds 6a, 6f and 6g
exhibited better antimicrobial activities.
Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies of Ion Exchange Process in Removal of
Ca2+ and Mg2+ from Cooling Tower Water using Amberlite IR 120 and Amberjet 1200
Authors: Mbedzi Robert , Rutto Hilary , Seodigeng Tumisang
Published: August 2022

In this study, the thermodynamics and kinetics parameters of the ion exchange process in removing
Ca2+ and Mg2+ from cooling tower water using Amberlite IR1200 and Amberjet were investigated.
Thermodynamics and kinetics were studied by varying the amount of contact time (min), adsorbent
(mL), temperature (K), concentration (mg/L) and pH of the solutions. The effectiveness of pecentage
removal was found to rely on pH, as there was a significant increase of removal percentage Ca2+ and
Mg2+ from pH of 3 to 6. The contact time was reached after 60 min on both resins. The correlation
coefficients (R2) of Langmuir, Freundlich and Tempkin isotherms ranged from 0.92 to 1, suggesting
that the experimental data best described the models. However, correlation coefficients (R2) for the
D-R model range between 0.5 to 0.8, which means that experimental data does not fit the model well.
Thermodynamic functions such as entropy (ΔSº), enthalpy (ΔHº) and change of free energy (ΔGº)
were obtained from the gradient and intercepts of straight-line graphs. The positive values of ΔGº
indicated that the adsorption is not spontaneous. Positive values of ΔHº were found, meaning the
endothermic type of adsorption, which indicates the chances of physical adsorption. The correlation
coefficient (R2) values of pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle models
ranged from 0.89 to 1 on both metals. This observation indicates that pseudo-first-order,
pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models best describe the experimental data in removing
Ca2+ and Mg2+ from cooling tower water.