bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The work-lives of Canadian Registered Dietitians during the COVID-19 pandemic: a descriptive analysis of survey data
Authors: Hewko Sarah Jean , Freeburn Julia
Published: August 2023

Background
Healthcare workers experienced significant disruptions to both their personal and professional lives throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. How health providers were impacted varied, depending on area of specialization, work setting, and other factors. Dietetics is a female-dominated profession and the differential impact on women of the COVID-19 pandemic has been widely reported. While researchers have explored RDs’ experiences during the pandemic, none have looked explicitly at their experiences of redeployment. The objectives of this study were to better understand: i) the impact of COVID-19 (and related redeployments) on the work-lives of Registered Dietitians (RDs), ii) what types of COVID-19 related supports and training were made available to these RDs, and iii) the impact of RD redeployment on access to RD services.
Methods
An online survey was administered in June 2022. Any RD that that was publicly-employed in Canada during the pandemic was eligible to participate. The survey included questions related to respondent demographics, professional details, redeployment and training. We conducted descriptive analyses on the quantitative data.
Results
The survey was completed by 205 eligible RDs. There were notable differences between public health and clinical RDs’ redeployment experiences. Only 14% of clinical RDs had been redeployed, compared to 88% of public health RDs. Public health RDs were redeployed for longer and were more likely to be redeployed to roles that did not required RD-specific knowledge or skills. The most commonly reported mandatory training was for proper use of PPE. The most commonly reported reasons for a lengthy absence from work were anxiety about contracting COVID-19, school closures and limited child care availability.
Conclusions
Public health RDs are at the forefront of campaigns to reduce the burden of chronic disease, improve health equity and enhance the sustainability of food systems. Close to 90% of these RDs were redeployed, with many seeing their typical work undone for many months. More research is needed to quantify the consequences of going without a public health nutrition workforce for an extended period of time and to understand the differential impact gender may have had on work experiences during the pandemic.
Is there A Link between vaginal relaxation syndrome and pelvic tilt?
Authors: Hady Doaa Abdel
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Vaginal relaxation syndrome (Vaginal laxity) is feeling of excessive vaginal looseness; it is one of the most common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). This study to determine is there a link between vaginal relaxation syndrome and pelvic tilt in multiparous women with vaginal laxity. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study, the study included 100 women who were divided into two groups based on their vaginal laxity questionnaire (VLQ) results. The vaginal laxity group included 50 women, whereas the control group included 50 women who did not have vaginal laxity. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to assess sexual function, and ultrasound imaging was employed to measure pelvic floor muscle force and pelvic tilt in both groups. The Arabic version of the female sexual function index (FSFI) was used to assess sexual function, and ultrasound imaging was used to measure pelvic floor muscle force and pelvic tilt using a spinal mouse device. Results: There was a significant increase in PFM force and FSFI of group B compared with that of group A (p < 0.01), There was a significant increase in pelvic tilt of group A compared with that of group B (p < 0.001), There was a significant increase VLQ of group B compared with that of group A (p < 0.001) . Conclusion: Vaginal laxity negatively affected women's sexual function & PFMs strength& force and pelvic tilt. Implications of physiotherapy practice: Our finding may help in a physical therapy plan for the treatment of vaginal relaxation syndrome. Most physical therapy programs for vaginal relaxation tend to concentrate solely on the PFMs, disregarding training for pelvic tilt. Women who have vaginal relaxation syndrome and nonspecific low back pain may have pelvic tilt.
Accuracy and adequacy of photoprotection in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus patients, and the effect of education on photoprotection: a prospective study
Authors: Suebsarakam Porntipa , Mairiang Dara
Published: August 2023

Background:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease that is associated with multiple organ involvement and leads to significant morbidity and mortality. One of the important environmental factors that influences the exacerbation of preexisting SLE is ultraviolet (UV) radiation, so photoprotection is essential. The aims of this study were to evaluate the accuracy and adequacy of photoprotection in pediatric SLE patients, and to investigate the effect of education on photoprotection.
Methods:
SLE patients aged ≤ 18 years who attended pediatric outpatient clinics were prospectively enrolled. The accuracy and adequacy of photoprotection were assessed by the questionnaire, and compared between baseline and the ≥3-month follow-up timepoint. Comprehensive written and verbal photoprotection education was provided to all patients and parents/caregivers after the first assessment.
Results:
One hundred patients were included (mean age 13.6 ±2.5, 92% female). At the first assessment, 79% of patients used sunscreen with a sunburn protection factor ≥ 30 (77%) and protection grade of ultraviolet A +++ (63%). Fifty-two percent of patients applied sunscreen every day. A minority of patients applied an adequate amount of sunscreen (32%), used water-resistant sunscreen (34%), used lip balm with sunscreen (23%) and reapplied sunscreen when sweating (13%). The most commonly missed areas when applying sunscreen were the ears and dorsum of the feet. The least often practiced sun protection behavior was wearing sunglasses. The most often reported activities during the peak UV index, were playing with friends and walking to the cafeterias. At the second assessment, the majority of photoprotection practices were improved in all aspects except using water-resistant sunscreen, reapplying sunscreen when sweating, applying sunscreen on the ears and dorsum of feet, and wearing sunglasses. The main reason for not using sunscreen switched from thinking it was unnecessary at the first assessment to disliking its texture at the second assessment.
Conclusions.
The photoprotection practices that need to be specifically emphasized are applying an adequate amount of sunscreen, reapplying sunscreen when sweating, applying sunscreen on the ears and dorsum of the feet and wearing sunglasses. Education on photoprotection was effective.
Uncovering Evidence to Migrate from Face-to-Face to the Blended Learning Classroom
Authors: Schonwetter Dieter , Yerex Katherine , Monin Caroline
Published: August 2023

Introduction/Aims:The focus of the present study was to explore the impact of the traditional lecture compared to online teaching, given the critical need during the COVID pandemic. We considered the learning preferences of students and measured their achievement using both hard and soft metrics.Design/Setting:First-year dental hygiene and dentistry students were randomly assigned to one of two teaching conditions (Lecture, Online). Material/Methods: Baseline measures of achievement of the content, along with Edmond’s learning styles and comfort level learning in online and lecture conditions, were assessed. Students completed post-lecture assessments immediately after the lecture and again six months later.Results/Discussions:Regardless of the teaching condition, students showed significant improvement in their academic performance compared to the baseline measures. Their learning preferences were found to be linked with higher engagement levels, a sense of accomplishment, and control over their learning environment.Conclusions:Teaching health sciences students can be challenging, particularly when moving from traditional face-to-face in-person classes to online learning. It’s essential to accommodate and support various learning styles to make the most of using technology in education, leading to improved learning outcomes for students.
Network pharmacology-based anti-colorectal cancer activity of piperlonguminine in the ethanolic root extract of Piper longum L.
Authors: Singh Indrajeet , Das Richa , Kumar Ajay
Published: August 2023

The most frequent cancer to affect the human colon is colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC has the second highest incidence and fatality rates of any malignancy, at 10.2 and 9.2 percent, respectively. Plants and plants-based products for thousands of years, have been utilized to treat cancer along with other associated health issues. Alkaloids are a valuable class of chemical compounds with great potential as new medicine possibilities. Many of the alkaloids tested from different types of medicinal plants and herbs were found to impede proliferation of cells and kill many types of cancer cells. Piper longum Linn contains various types of alkaloids. In this research, the ethanolic root extract of Piper longum (EREPL) is the subject of study based on network pharmacology. Two alkaloids were picked from the gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. However, only piperlonguminine received preference because it adhered to Lipinski's rule and depicted no toxicity. Web tools which are available online, like, Swiss ADME, pkCSMand ProTox-II were used to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and physiochemical properties of piperlonguminine. The database that SwissTargetPrediction and TCMSP maintain contains the targets for piperlonguminine. Using DisGeNET, GeneCards and Open Targets Platform databases, we were able to identify targets of CRC. The top four hub genes identified by Cytoscape are SRC, MTOR, EZH2, and MAPK3.The participation of hub genes in colorectal cancer-related pathways was examined using the Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. The colorectal cancer pathway, the ErbB signaling pathway and the mTOR signaling pathway emerged to be important. Our findings show that the hub genes are involved in the aforementioned pathways for tumor growth, which calls for their downregulation. Additionally, piperlonguminine has the potential to become a successful medicine in the future for the treatment of CRC.
Increasing precipitation deteriorates the progress of pesticide reduction policy: a case study in the Yellow River
Authors: Ouyang Wei , Guo Zewei , Chen Ming , Tulcan Roberto Supe , Lin Chunye , He Mengchang
Published: August 2023

Precipitation variation profoundly affects agricultural development and increases the diffuse pollution risk, which may weaken the positive effects of pesticide reduction policy. This study aimed to analyze the response of pesticide discharge loads in the largest vulnerable watershed to pesticide application intensity and precipitation variance before and after implementing the pesticide reduction policy. We integrated empirical models, field observation and statistics to explore the sensitive factors of the typical pesticide atrazine before and after the pesticide reduction policy in the Yellow River Watershed. The results showed that the implementation of pesticide reduction policy effectively decreased the discharge load of atrazine within the watershed annually. In addition, the most sensitive factor of atrazine discharge loads shifted from precipitation to the atrazine application intensity after implementing the pesticide reduction policy. However, the discharge loads of atrazine significantly increased in an unusual high precipitation year after implementing the pesticide reduction policy.
Three-year clinical performance of direct Restorations using Low Shrinkage Giomer versus Nanohybrid Resin Composite
Authors: Toz-Akalin Tugba , Öztürk-Bozkurt Funda , Kusdemir Mahmut , Özsoy Alev , Yüzbaşıoğlu Emir , Özcan Mutlu
Published: August 2023

Objectives
The objective of this investigation was to compare the clinical performances of nanohybrid and low-shrinkage bioactive resin composites.
Materials and methods
Totally, 35 pairs of restorations performed with either low-shrinkage bioactive Giomer (Beautifil II LS, Shofu Inc.) or nanohybrid (Clearfil Majesty Posterior) resin composites in 35 patients by two operators using the relevant adhesives: FL-Bond II (Shofu Inc) and Clearfil SE Bond (Kuraray), according to each manufacturer’s instructions. Two clinicians assessed the restorations two weeks after restorative procedures (baseline), after six months, one, two and three years using FDI criteria (Scores 1–5). Data were analyzed using the marginal homogeneity and the McNemar test. Survival Rate was calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the survival of the two groups was compared with the Log-Rank test (p = 0.05).
Results
Mean observation period was 37.7 ± 6.8 months. All restorations completed their 3-years follow up. All criteria were rated mainly with high (1 or 2) scores for quality in both groups. Only one restoration from low-shrinkage Giomer restorative group was accepted as failure due to retention loss of the restorative.
Conclusion
Over the three-year follow-up, both the Giomer and the nanohybrid resin composite restorations’ performances were similar and clinically acceptable.
Clinical relevance
Low-shrinkage bioactive material Giomer resin composite exhibited similar clinical performance to the nanohybrid resin composite after three years in service, with both materials displaying minor surface deteriorations at three-year recall.
Trial registration
Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT02823769.
Thumbnail-preserving encryption by sum-preserving within blocks based on exponential chaotic mapping
Authors: Liu Lingfeng
Published: August 2023

In recent years, chaotic sequences have been widely used in image encryption. Wuqi proposed a new rule which one-dimensional discrete chaotic mapping should follow, based on which a noval one-dimensional chaotic mapping was created from the definition of Lyapunov exponent (LE), and this chaotic mapping was combined with a three-pixel thumbnail-preserved encryption (TPE). Diffrent from the existing TPE schemes, the scheme uses a three-pixel sum preserving encryption (SPE) scheme as an example and uses mathematical expressions to illustrate the encryption and decryption methods. The experimental results show that the proposed chaotic mapping has good chaotic properties. Based on this novel TPE scheme, the encrypted image has both high security and usability, which is also competitive with other schemes.
Specific functions of single pistil S-RNases in S-gene homozygous Pyrus germplasm
Authors: Qi Yongjie , Gao Zhenghui , Ma Na , Lu Liqing , Ke Fanjun , Zhang Shaoling , Xu Yiliu
Published: August 2023

Gametophytic self-incompatibility (SI) is regulated by S-allele recognition; that is, pollen in a style with the same S-genotype will undergo programmed cell death and stop growing so that it is unable to complete double fertilization, ultimately resulting in the SI response. S-RNase is the female determinant of SI in pear (Pyrus bretschneideri). In the Pyrus genome, there are two different S-RNase genes at the same S-locus, which generate two different S-RNase products in the pistil. The extracted S-glycoprotein is actually a protein complex. In this study, artificial self-pollination was conducted at the bud stage to overcome SI in ‘Huanghua’ (S1S2) pear. Seven plants homozygous for S1-RNase and four homozygous for S2-RNase were selected from the selfed progeny of ‘Huanghua’ by S-gene molecular identification biotechnology. We investigated the function of single S-RNases isolated from the pistils of S-gene homozygous Pyrus germplasm. The pollen of ‘Huanghua’ could smoothly pass through the style of the S-gene homozygous germplasm and complete fertilization. S-RNases were extracted from flower styles of different genotypes and used to treat different types of pollen. The S-RNase from ‘Huanghua’ completely inhibited the growth of S1S2,S1S1, and S2S2 pollen, while the S-RNase from homozygous germplasm allowed some S1S2 pollen and different single genotypes of pollen to continue growing. These results further validate the core events of SI including cytoskeleton depolymerization and programmed cell death. By iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis of style proteins, a total of 13 S-RNase-related proteins were identified. In summary, we have created reliable S-RNase gene homozygous germplasm, which will play a crucial role in further research on SI in pear and in the development of the pear industry.
Delay reduction in MTC via SDN based offloading in a Fog Computing environment with the assistance of volunteer nodes
Authors: Arefian Zahra , Khayyambashi Mohammad Reza , Movahhedinia naser
Published: August 2023

This article discusses the integration of Distributed Fog Computing (FC) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) for efficient resource management in Machine Type Communications (MTC). FC brings Cloud resources closer to the user, enhancing service quality and reducing delays. Some MTC devices have powerful processors that can be used as volunteer nodes to process lightweight requests, thereby increasing the network's distributed processing capabilities. The paper proposes a framework that uses priority and differential flow space allocation to handle heterogeneous requests in MTC and assign delay-sensitive flows to priority queues on each Fog node. To address the limited resources available on individual Fog nodes, the article recommends offloading flows to other Fog nodes and volunteer nodes through a decision-based SDN controller. The article models flow-based Fog nodes using queueing theory, employing priority polling algorithms to service the flows and alleviate the issue of resource starvation in a multi-queueing environment. It is observed that the percentage of delay-sensitive processed flows, the network consumption, and the average service time in the proposed mechanism are improved by about85%, 68%, and 62%, respectively, compared to traditional Cloud computing. Therefore, the delay reductions based on the types of flows and task offloading is proposed.
Purple acid phosphatase 10c modifies rice rhizobacterial community and its phosphorus cycling potential
Authors: Xing Hongmei , Luo Xuesong , Chen Xinghua , Deng Suren , Cai Hongmei , Xu Fangsen , Shi Lei , Ding Guangda , Zhu Qiang , Wang Chuang
Published: August 2023

· Background and Aimes
Plant roots secret acid phosphatases (ACPs) to mineralize the rhizosphere organic phosphorus (Po) for absorption. However, the ecological effects of such exudates on the rhizobacterial community and function remain unclear.
· Methods
Purple acid phosphatase 10c (OsPAP10c) is the major root-secreted ACP under both Pi-sufficient and deficient conditions in rice. To study the effect of root-secreted ACP on the rhizosphere phosphorus (P) cycling and succession of the bacterial community, the previously reported OsPAP10cmutant and overexpression lines were planted in paddy soils with or without P fertilizer (+P or -P).
· Results
The results showed that the expression of OsPAP10c significantly influenced ACP activity in rhizosphere soil, which changed bacterial composition by 6.72% to 9.54%. The expression of OsPAP10c helped to recruit P solubilizing bacteria (PSB) under -P conditions. However, OsPAP10c increased bacterial P competition potentials and rhizosphere alkali phosphatase (ALP) under +P conditions. Moreover, overexpression of OsPAP10c increased the relative abundance of bacteria with nitrogen, sulfur, and iron potential functions, which benefit the rice nutrient uptake and growth.
· Conclusion
In conclusion, this study indicated that P fertilizer and root-secreted ACPs cooperatively regulate rhizosphere P cycling potential by modifying the rhizobacterial composition.
Do coniferous plantations have an importance for biodiversity conservation? Bats as indicators in the Foreste Casentinesi National Park
Authors: Campedelli Tommaso , Londi Guglielmo , Cutini Simonetta , Scaravelli Dino , Priori Pamela , Florenzano Guido Tellini
Published: August 2023

Artificial forest and plantations are gaining an ever more central importance in the discussion about forest role in biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and in many aspects related to social and economic importance of these environment. Particularly to what regards biodiversity conservation, there is a heated debate on the potential role that these artificial habitats, if properly managed, could have as species habitat. We evaluated the role of these forest for bat species in the Foreste Casentinesi National Park, that hosts widespread coniferous plantations, many of which have now an "old-growth" type structure, with numerous large trees, relatively low densities and abundant deadwood. These forest, if compared with beech forest, the other most spread forest type, have also a more diversified structure. Our results show a strong positive effect associated with the presence of conifer forests for four out of eight species tested, specificallyP. pipistrellus, P. kuhlii, H. savii, M. schreibersi. The presence of coniferous plantations has effect at different spatial scale, suggesting that different species use this habitat in different way. Coniferous plantations have also a positive effect on the number of feeding buzz, the specific sequence of ultrasound impulses bats emitting during the approaching to preys. Although other studies have also shown that these forests can actually play a role as habitat for numerous species, including other taxa, there is still a widespread belief, even among those with active roles in forest management, that these environments are "green deserts". Particularly inside protected areas, we believe that work should be done to identify and apply correct forms of management for these forests instead of generally promoting their replacement with native species.
Structural Ultrasound of Joints and Tendons in Healthy Children: Development of Normative Data
Authors: WITTOEK RUTH , Decock Céline , Dewaele Nele , Arnold Lara , Baeyens Pieter , De Schrijver Ignace , Pardaens Lisa , Raftakis Ioannis , Renson Thomas , Rinkin Charline , Thooft Alexander D. J. , Vanhaverbeke Tine , Verbist Caroline
Published: August 2023

Background
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a well accessible technique to assess disease activity in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Knowledge of reference values of joint structures is indispensable to differentiate between physiological and pathological findings The aim of this study is to assess the structural sonographic features of joints and tendons in healthy children from several age groups (0–18 year), and develop a set of normative data.
Methods
Greyscale ultrasound was performed in 500 healthy children (age 0–18 years) according to a predefined scanning protocol including the shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, first metatarsophalangeal joint, elbow, wrist and second metacarpophalangeal joint. Demographic data and values of cartilage thickness, tendon diameters, and bone-capsular distance (BCD) were collected. Differences between sexes were assessed by unpaired t-test. Single and multiple regression analyses were performed between the ultrasound outcomes and covariates such as age, length, weight and body mass index. Growth charts and tables were developed with respect to age. Nonparametric quantile regression was applied using the R-packages quantreg and quantregGrowth.
Results
A total of 195 male and 305 female volunteers were included. Cartilage diminished markedly as children aged, and the cartilage of boys was significantly thicker compared to girls in all joints (all p < 0.001). In addition, cartilage became thinner as children's height and weight increased (beta regression coefficients between − 0.27 and − 0.01, p < 0.0001). Capsular distention (i.e., BCD > 0 mm) was uncommon in the ankle, wrist and MCP2 (resp. in 3, 6, and 3% of cases). It was more common in the suprapatellar and parapatellar knee, MTP1 and posterior recess of the elbow (resp. in 34, 32, 46, and 39% of cases). In the hip, some capsular distention was always present. Age was found to be the best predictor for BCD (beta regression coefficients between 0.05 and 0.13, p < 0.0001). Height was, in addition to age, a good predictor of tendon diameter (beta regression coefficients between 0.03 and 0.14, p < 0.0001). Growth curves and tables for each variable were developed.
Conclusions
Reference values of sonographic cartilage thickness, BCD and diameters of tendons at several joints were established from 500 healthy children, aged between 0 and 18 years.
Digital image analysis and machine learning-assisted prediction of neoadjuvant chemotherapy response in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Fisher Timothy B. , Saini Geetanjali , TS Rekha , Krishnamurthy Jayashree , Bhattarai Shristi , Callagy Grace , Webber Mark , Janssen Emiel A.M. , Kong Jun , Aneja Ritu
Published: August 2023

Background
Pathological complete response (pCR) is associated with favorable prognosis in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, only 30–40% of TNBC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) show pCR, while the remaining 60–70% show residual disease (RD). The role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in NAC response in patients with TNBC remains unclear. In this study, we developed a machine learning-based two-step pipeline to distinguish between various histological components in hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained whole slide images (WSIs) of TNBC tissue biopsies and to identify histological features that can predict NAC response.
Methods
H&E-stained WSIs of treatment-naïve biopsies from 85 patients (51 with pCR and 34 with RD) were separated through a stratified 8-fold cross validation strategy for the first step and leave one out cross validation strategy for the second step. A tile-level histology label prediction pipeline and four machine learning classifiers were used to analyze 468,043 tiles of WSIs. The best-trained classifier used 55 texture features from each tile to produce a probability profile during testing. The predicted histology classes were used to generate a histology classification map of the spatial distributions of different tissue regions. A patient-level NAC response prediction pipeline was trained with features derived from paired histology classification maps. The top graph-based features capturing the relevant spatial information across the different histological classes were provided to the radial basis function kernel support vector machine (rbfSVM) classifier for NAC treatment response prediction.
Results
The tile-level prediction pipeline achieved 86.72% accuracy for histology class classification, while the patient-level pipeline achieved 83.53% NAC response (pCR vs. RD) prediction accuracy. The histological class pairs with the strongest NAC response predictive ability were tumor and tumor tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for pCR and microvessel density and polyploid giant cancer cells for RD.
Conclusion
Our machine learning pipeline can robustly identify clinically relevant histological classes that predict NAC response in TNBC patients and may help guide patient selection for NAC treatment.
Supercritical melt flow in high-speed laser welding and its interdependence with the geometry of the keyhole and the melt pool
Authors: Reinheimer Eveline Nicole
Published: August 2023

The advent of undercuts and humping limits the applicable speed of deep-penetration laser welding. Recent findings additionally show that a significant change of the keyhole’s shape is associated with the occurrence of undercuts. Considering that undercuts and humping are melt-flow-induced defects, this leads to the question of how the geometry of the keyhole and the melt pool influence the melt flow and vice versa. In this work, the Froude number was used to characterize the melt flow around a keyhole. X-ray images of the keyhole and cross-sections of the weld were therefore used to determine the geometrical boundaries of the melt flow, to estimate the average melt velocity around the keyhole, and finally determine its Froude number. The flow around a cylindrically shaped keyhole was found to always be subcritical, whereas supercritical melt flow was observed around the elongated keyholes that are formed at higher welding speed. The findings may be interpreted in the sense that the elongation of the keyhole is a consequence of a supercritical stream of the melt flowing underneath and around the keyhole. This perception is consistent with the long-known experience that humping may be avoided by reducing the flow speed of the melt by widening the melt pool surrounding the keyhole (e. g. by means of beam shaping) and suggest a new explanation for the elongation of the keyhole at increased welding speed.
How Afghanistan is Tackling Infection Control: An In-Depth Evaluation of Practices and Strategies
Authors: Lakanwall Mohammad Naeem , Katyara Preet , Roshan Rozina , Mahmood Syed Faisal , Hamouda Mahmoud , Nadeeb Safiullah , Heweidy Iman , Amiri Karima Mayar
Published: August 2023

Background:
Infection prevention and control (IPC) practices have been recognized as the most effective strategy to reduce Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). IPC programs also play a vital role in maintaining patient safety and quality of care. Very little data is available about IPC practices and their competence in Afghanistan. We assessed IPC practices in 15 government hospitals in Afghanistan to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their IPC programs.
Methods:
A cross-sectional assessment was conducted between July 2021 and June 2022 at 15 governmental hospitals in Afghanistan including 11 tertiary hospitals from Kabul, 3 regional hospitals from Herat, Kandahar, and Nangarhar respectively, and 1 provincial hospital from Laghaman which is the only secondary healthcare facility in this assessment. Two IPC experts from the ministry of public health, conducted hospital assessments. The World Health Organization (WHO) Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF) was used to assess the strengths and weaknesses of all healthcare facilities regarding IPC.
Results:
Of the 15 hospitals evaluated, most achieved a basic IPC level with only 2 hospitals achieving an intermediate level of IPC standards; compliance levels: ≤25%=inadequate, >25%- ≤50%=basic, >50%-≤75%=intermediate, >75%-≤100%=advanced. None of the hospitals achieved advanced level. The overall hospital compliance scores ranged from 32 percent to 58 percent, with 40 percent as the average.
The highest overall IPC standard compliance score was observed with aseptic techniques (63.9%), and the lowest overall scores were observed with control of MDROs (3.3%), isolation precautions (31%), and COVID-19 measures (32%).
When average compliance by type of standard was assessed, policy dissemination was observed to score the lowest (9%) and practice/techniques of performing procedures scored the highest (52%). Communication/reminders and infrastructure/supplies and their accessibility scored 33% and 42% respectively.
Conclusion:
Significant efforts must be made considering the current dismal state of the IPC programs in Afghanistan.
Hydrogen Plasma-Assisted Atomic Layer Deposition of Ru with Low Oxygen Content
Authors: Park Geonwoo , Kim Keunhoi , Shin Jeong Woo , Han Geongu , Go Dohyun , An Jihwan
Published: August 2023

Ru is extensively used in electrical and energy applications because of its high electrical conductivity and catalytic activity. This study reports the H2 plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) of Ru thin films using a novel carbonyl cyclohexadiene ruthenium precursor. The optimized process conditions for depositing Ru thin films by PEALD were established based on the growth per cycle (GPC), chemical formation, crystallinity, conformality, and resistivity, according to process parameters such as precursor pulse time, H2 plasma pulse time, purge time, and deposition temperature. Pure Ru thin films (low carbon and oxygen) were deposited with low resistivity (28.8 µΩ·cm) and showed high conformality (> 95%) on the Si trenches. The oxidant-free PEALD Ru process reported in this study may have implications on the fabrication of high-quality interfaces between Ru and easily-oxidized substrates.
Broadcasters, receivers, functional groups of metabolites and the link to heart failure progression using polygenic factors
Authors: Yazdani Azam , Mendez-Giraldez Raul , Yazdani Akram , Schaid Daniel , Kong Sek Won , Hadi Mohamad , Samiei Ahmad , Wittenbecher Clemens , Lasky-Su Jessica , Clish Clary , Marotta Francesco , Kosorok Michael , Mora Samia , Muehlschlegel Jochen , Chasman Daniel , Larson Martin , Elsea Sarah
Published: August 2023

In a prospective study with records of heart failure (HF) incidence, we present metabolite profiling data from individuals without HF at baseline. We uncovered the interconnectivity of metabolites using data-driven and causal networks augmented with polygenic factors. Exploring the networks, we identified metabolite broadcasters, receivers, mediators, and subnetworks corresponding to functional classes of metabolites, and provided insights into the link between metabolomic architecture and regulation in health. We incorporated the network structure into the identification of metabolites associated with HF to control the effect of confounding metabolites. We identified metabolites associated with higher or lower risk of HF incidence, the associations that were not confounded by the other metabolites, such as glycine, ureidopropionic and glycocholic acids, and LPC 18:2. We revealed the underlying relationships of the findings. For example, asparagine directly influenced glycine, and both were inversely associated with HF. These two metabolites were influenced by polygenic factors and only essential amino acids which are not synthesized in the human body and come directly from the diet. Metabolites may play a critical role in linking genetic background and lifestyle factors to HF progression. Revealing the underlying connectivity of metabolites associated with HF strengthens the findings and facilitates a mechanistic understanding of HF progression.
The Various Facets of Orthorexic Eating Behavior – Five Case Reports of Individuals With Supposed Orthorexia Nervosa
Authors: Barthels Friederike , Fischer Maren , Keskini Raphaela , Schöl Amelie Marie , Pietrowsky Reinhard
Published: August 2023

Background: Orthorexia nervosa, defined as a fixation on eating healthy according to subjective criteria, is recently being discussed as another variant of disordered eating behavior. Further characteristics are rigid adherence to nutritional rules, anxieties and avoidance behavior in the context of eating as well as a focus on health, not on body shape or weight loss, which is supposed to differentiate orthorexic from other disordered eating behavior. Although diagnostic criteria have been suggested, they have rarely been used in case reports published to date. Hence, the aim of this study was to present five individuals with supposed orthorexia nervosa, using preliminary diagnostic criteria to assess their eating behavior.
Case presentation: The five cases (three females, two males) reveal the great variety of disordered eating behavior. Fear of unhealthy overweight (case A), orthorexic eating behavior as a coping strategy for anorexia nervosa (case B), the exclusive consumption of animal products with a total exclusion of fruits and vegetables (case C), the fixation on exercise and athletic goals (case D) as well as a focus on a vegan diet and unprocessed foods (case E) are facets of orthorexia nervosa with varying degrees of impairment.
Conclusions: It is concluded that orthorexia nervosa manifests itself in very different ways and that more research is needed in order to determine whether it could be a useful additional category of disordered eating behavior.
A generalisation of the method of regression calibration
Authors: Little Mark P. , Hamada Nobuyuki , Zablotska Lydia B
Published: August 2023

There is direct evidence of risks at moderate and high levels of radiation dose for highly radiogenic cancers such as leukaemia and thyroid cancer. For many cancer sites, however, it is necessary to assess risks via extrapolation from groups exposed at moderate and high levels of dose, about which there are substantial uncertainties. Crucial to the resolution of this area of uncertainty is the modelling of the dose-response relationship and the importance of both systematic and random dosimetric errors for analyses in the various exposed groups. It is well recognised that measurement error can alter substantially the shape of this relationship and hence the derived population risk estimates. Particular attention has been devoted to the issue of shared errors, common in many datasets, and particularly important in occupational settings. We propose a modification of the regression calibration method which is particularly suited to studies in which there is a substantial amount of shared error, and in which there may also be curvature in the true dose response. This method can be used in settings where there is a mixture of Berkson and classical error. In fits to synthetic datasets in which there is substantial upward curvature in the true dose response, and varying (and sometimes substantial) amounts of classical and Berkson error, we show that the coverage probabilities of all methods for the linear coefficient \(\alpha\) are near the desired level, irrespective of the magnitudes of assumed Berkson and classical error, whether shared or unshared. However, the coverage probabilities for the quadratic coefficient \(\beta\) are generally too low for the unadjusted and regression calibration methods, particularly for larger magnitudes of the Berkson error, whether this is shared or unshared. In contrast Monte Carlo maximum likelihood yields coverage probabilities for \(\beta\) that are uniformly too high. The extended regression calibration method yields coverage probabilities that are too low when shared and unshared Berkson errors are both large, although otherwise it performs well, and coverage is generally better than these other three methods. A notable feature is that for all methods apart from extended regression calibration the estimates of the quadratic coefficient \(\beta\) are substantially upwardly biased.
ROS/mtROS promotes TNTs formation via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to protect against mitochondrial damages induced by engineering nanomaterialsin human glial cells
Authors: Lin Xinpei , Wang Wei , Chang Xiangyu , Chen Cheng , Guo Zhenkun , Yu Guangxia , Shao Wenya , Wu Siying , Zhang Qunwei , Zheng Fuli , Li Huangyuan
Published: August 2023

Background
As the demand and application of engineering nanomaterials rise, their potential toxicity in the central nervous system has drawn increasing concerns. As a novel cell-cell communication, tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) plays a crucial role in pathology and physiology. Unfortunately, the relationship between TNTs and nanomaterials neurotoxicity remains scarce. Here, three types of commonly used engineering nanomaterials, Cobalt nanoparticles (CoNPs), titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were selected to address this limitation.
Results
After complete characterization of the nanomaterials, the induction of TNTs formation by all of the nanomaterials was observed by high-content screening system and confocal microscopy in both primary astrocyte and U251 cells. The positive role of TNTs formation was further unveiled, which protected against the nanomaterials-induced neurotoxicity from cell apoptosis to ATP production dysfunction. We then ought to determine the underline mechanism of TNTs positive role. Since the generation of oxidative stress is a common mechanism in nanotoxicity, we first observed a significant increase in total and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (namely ROS, mtROS), causing mitochondrial damage. Moreover, the pretreatment of U251 cells with either a ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine or a mtROS scavenger mitoquinone attenuated the nanomaterial-induced neurotoxicity and TNTs generation, suggesting the central role of ROS in nanomaterials-induced TNTs formation. Furthermore, a vigorous downstream pathway of ROS, i.e., PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was found to be actively involved in the nanomaterials-promoted TNTs development, which was abolished by LY294002, Perifosine and Rapamycin, the inhibitors of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR, respectively. Finally, Western blot analysis demonstrated that ROS and mtROS scavenger suppressed PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which then abrogated TNTs formation.
Conclusion
Our findings indicate that various types of nanomaterials promote TNTs formation through the generation of ROS/mtROS and the activation of downstream PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which could fight against cell apoptosis and ATP production dysfunction induced by nanomaterials. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the intercellular protection mechanism against neurotoxicity induced by various kinds of nanomaterials, and sheds light on potential treatments to activate the cell-cell defense system against environmental toxicants.
Frontal and cerebellar contribution to pitch and rhythm processing: a TMS study
Authors: Picazio Silvia , Magnani Barbara , Koch Giacomo , Oliveri Massimiliano , Petrosini Laura
Published: August 2023

Music represents a salient stimulus for the brain with two key features: pitch and rhythm. Few data are available on cognitive analysis of music listening in musically naïve healthy participants. Beyond auditory cortices, neuroimaging data showed the involvement of prefrontal cortex in pitch and of cerebellum in rhythm. The present study is aimed at investigating the role of prefrontal and cerebellar cortices in both pitch and rhythm processing. The performance of fifteen participants without musical expertise was investigated in a listening comparative task. The task required to decide whether two eight-element melodic sequences were equal or different according to pitch or rhythm characteristics. Before the task, we applied a protocol of continuous theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation interfering with the activity of the left cerebellar hemisphere (lCb), right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG), or vertex (Cz-control site), in a within cross-over design. Our results showed that participants were more accurate in pitch than rhythm tasks. Importantly, following rIFG or lCb relative to Cz stimulations, the reaction times were slower and with no difference in both tasks. Notably, no lateralized motor stimulation effect was observed. The present findings point to the role of the fronto-cerebellar network in music processing with a single mechanism for both pitch and rhythm patterns.
A Low Power 10NM FinFET design of the GRFU-Multiply Accumulate Unit for DNN Accelerators
Authors: Sri P , Valarmathi R S , Poongodi C
Published: August 2023

The paper presents a low power implementation of the GRFU based Multiply Accumulate unit for Deep Neural Network (DNN) Accelerators. The DNN is constructed based on the interconnections of many neurons. The neurons are most important structure to connect input, output and hidden layers incorporated in the DNN. The neuron has the basic operation of simultaneous addition and multiplications. The multiplication operation involves huge amount of power and area while designing an efficient neuron. Hence, the paper detailed that the RFU based MAC unit for DNN accelerators. The power reduction technique called GDI (Gate Diffusion Input) is infused with the RFUs and performance efficiency of the proposed design was validated by 10nm FinFET devices along with measuring different parameters in SPICE simulations.
Study of novel matrix certified reference material for accurate measurement of AFM1 in milk powder with two different concentrations
Authors: Huang ChunYuan , Liu YaXuan , Zhou Jian , Wang Ming , Yang MengRui , Li Fukai , Zhang Liyuan
Published: August 2023

In this study, two different concentrations of matrix certified reference materials (CRMs) were produced for the accurate measurement of aflatoxin M1(AFM1) in milk powder((GBW(E) 100552, GBW(E) 100553)). The raw material was obtained by feeding cows with positive drugs. The homogeneity, stability and characterization of this matrix CRMs were examined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with isotope-labeled internal standard method. The certified value for the low concentration of AFM1 in milk powder was 2.45 µg/kg with an uncertainty of 0.43 µg/kg (coverage factor k = 2, at 95% confidence). The certified value for the high concentration of AFM1 in milk powder was 3.45 µg/kg with an expanded uncertainty of 0.49 µg/kg (coverage factor k = 2, at 95% confidence). In addition, the samples were evaluated in detail for homogeneity, long-term stability at -80°C for 6 months, and short-term stability at 4°C for 7 days. The results showed that the samples were stable under the above conditions.
Fe2GeS4 /Exfoliated Graphite Composite Anodes with Enhanced Performance for SIBs
Authors: Wang Peng , Zhu Xinxin , Ding Yihong , Shao Lixiong , Jin Huile , Zhan Lichen , Wang Xintong , Zeng Tianbiao
Published: August 2023

As a new type of negative electrode material for SIBs, Fe2GeS4is considered a highly promising negative electrode material for SIBs owing to its high theoretical capacity, fast Na+diffusion kinetics, and good thermal stability. In practical applications, it is crucial to synthesize the high-capacity/reversible nanostructured Fe2GeS4-based negative electrodes through an easily executable method. In this study, a two-step synthesis method to prepare nanostructured Fe2GeS4anchored on graphite (Fe2GeS4/G-15%) was employed: the commercial FeS, S, and Ge powders were mixed and heated, and then graphite was added for ball milling. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that there is a strong interaction between the nanostructured Fe2GeS4powder and the exfoliated graphite, forming a highly stable nanocomposite material, which is beneficial for improving the reversible charge-discharge performance of the material. When used as a negative electrode material for SIBs, the prepared Fe2GeS4/G-15% exhibited a capacity of 665.5 mAh g− 1during the second cycle at 0.1 A g− 1and could maintain a capacity of 519 mAh g− 1even after the 60th cycle. Considering the simple synthesis process employed in this study, it provides a reference for the production of high-performance Fe2GeS4-based negative electrode materials for SIBs.