bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lung Abscess as a Delayed Complication in a COVID-19 Pneumonia Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Rahmawati Indah , Pinastika Regia Anadhia , Wicaksono Raditya Bagas
Published: October 2022

Introduction: In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a global pandemic. Indonesia is one of the nations that is still dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak. COVID-19 has several complications, including lung abscess in extremely rare cases. We presented the first reported COVID-19 patient in Indonesia with a delayed lung abscess.
Case: A 30-year-old man presented to the hospital with breathlessness and tested positive for COVID-19. Chest X-ray revealed typical COVID-19 pneumonia. He was discharged after 16 days of hospitalization and was educated on using oxygen at home lest the breathlessness recurred. We planned to evaluate the patient’s chest X-ray after 2 weeks of being discharged. The follow-up chest X-ray revealed an air-fluid level in the upper lobe of the right lung, indicating a lung abscess. The patient was treated with antibiotics for 2–3 weeks. Clinical follow-up 4 weeks after the treatment revealed no symptoms, and chest X-ray showed significant improvement.
Conclusion: Lung abscess is one of the rare complications of COVID-19. It is a pulmonary infection that creates an air-fluid level by forming a cavity in the lung parenchyma. Notably, this complication manifested 2 weeks after the patient was discharged. COVID-19 can have several unexpected complications, including lung abscess. It is crucial to monitor patients after being discharged for such complications, especially if they are symptomatic.
Ketangguhan Keluarga Menghadapi Pandemi COVID 19: Perspektif Psikologi dan Islam
Authors: Nuranisah Djamal Nani , Nurlaila Hidayat Ila , Tahrir Tahrir , Jaenudin Ujam
Published: October 2022

Often stressful or traumatic events have different effects on different individuals in the family. However, family resilience refers to the ability to maintain the family functions, including to provide supports for all family members. This study aims to explain the relevance of the meaning contained in the concept of family resilience through Islamic values, associated with its implementation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research method was Islamic Psychology development. The results found that there are a number of verses of the Quran and Hadith that have relevant meaning to the six dimensions of family resilience according to Oh dan Chang (2014). The dimension of collective confidence is relevant to the concepts of patience, self-confidence, firm conviction and being not desperate. Dimension of interconnectedness is relevant to the command to protect oneself and the family, to unite (not being divorced) and to avoid prejudice. The dimension of positive life view is relevant to have the positive thinking (husnudzan) towards the decree of Allah, to believe that after difficulties there will be ease, and to believe that each self is only burdened according to the limits of his ability. The dimension of resourcefulness is relevant to the command to make effort on the things we do and to have th hard work. The dimension of open communication patterns is relevant to have love and affection, to have dialogue with others, and to remind each other. Whereas the dimension of collaborative problem solving is relevant to help each other, to compete in good deeds, and to prioritize others.
Introducing a Structured Daily Multi-Disciplinary Board Round to Safely Enhance Surgical Ward Patient Flow in the Bed Shortage Era: A Quality Improvement Research Report
Authors: Valente Roberto , Santori Gregorio , Stanton Lorna , Abraham Ajit , Thaha Mohamed
Published: October 2022

Hospital bed shortage is a worldwide concern. Beds unavailability has caused elective surgery cancellations, at our hospital peaking in spring 2016 at over 50%. This is often due to difficult patient step-down from intensive care (ICU) and high-dependency units (HDU). In our general/digestive surgery service admitting approximately 1000 patients yearly, ward rounds were run on a consultant firm basis. We report a quality improvement (ISRCTN13976096) introducing in our service a structured daily multi-disciplinary board round framework (SAFER Surgery R2G) adapted from the “SAFER patient flow bundle” and the "Red to Green days” approaches to enhance flow, comparing the previous year to 2017, when our framework was applied for 12 months.We used a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology. Our intervention consisted in 1) systematic communication of the key care plan after the afternoon ward rounds to the nurse in charge; 2) 30’ 10AM Monday-to-Friday multidisciplinary board rounds, attended daily by the senior-team and weekly by hospital and site managers, revising the key care plan aiming at safe, early discharges, assessing the appropriateness of each inpatient day and tackling any cause of delay. We measured patient flow by average length of stay (LOS), ICU/HDU step-downs and operation cancellations count, monitoring safety through early 30-day readmissions. Compliance was assessed by board round attendance and staff satisfaction rate surveys.After 12 months (PDSA 2, N=1032), LOS significantly decreased from 7.2(±8.9) to 6.3(±7.4) days (p=0.003); ICU/HDU bed step-down flow increased by 9.3% from 345 to 375 (p=0.197), surgery cancellations dropped from 38 to 15 (p=0.100). 30-day re-admissions increased from 0.9% (N=9) to 1.3% (N=14)(p=0.390). Average cross-specialty attendance was 80%. Satisfaction rates were >75%, regarding enhanced teamwork and faster decisions.The SAFER Surgery R2G framework has shown an increase in patient flow in the context of an enhanced multidisciplinary approach, requiring senior staff commitment to remain sustainable.
A Clinical Outcome of the anti-PD-1 Therapy of Melanoma in Polish Patients Is Mediated by Population-Specific Gut Microbiome Composition
Authors: Pietrzak Bernadeta , Tomela Katarzyna , Olejnik-Schmidt Agnieszka , Galus Łukasz , Mackiewicz Jacek , Kaczmarek Mariusz , Mackiewicz Andrzej , Schmidt Marcin
Published: October 2022

Gut microbiota is considered a key player modulating the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. The study investigated the association between response to the anti-PD-1 therapy and the baseline gut microbiome in the Polish cohort of melanoma patients, alongside selected agents modifying the microbiome. Sixty-four melanoma patients enrolled for the anti-PD-1 therapy and 10 healthy subjects were recruited. Response to the treatment was assessed according to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors, and patients were classified as responders or non-responders. The association between selected extrinsic factors and response was investigated using questionnaire-based analysis, and metataxonomics of the microbiota. The Bacteroidota to Firmicutes ratio was higher, and the richness was decreased in the responders. The abundance of Prevotella copri and Bacteroides uniformis was related to the response, whereas non-responder gut microbiota was enriched with Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Desulfovibrio intestinalis, and some unclassified Firmicutes. Dietary patterns, including plant, dairy, and fat consumption, but also gastrointestinal tract functioning were significantly associated with the therapeutic effects of the therapy. The specific gut microbiota alongside diet were found associated with response to the therapy in the Polish population of melanoma patients.
Spin-Orbital Coupling and Conservation Laws in Electromagnetic Waves Propagating through Chiral Media
Authors: Lee Hyoung-In
Published: October 2022

We examine here characteristics of electromagnetic waves that propagate through an unbounded space filled with a homogeneous isotropic chiral medium. Resulting characters are compared to those of the electromagnetic waves propagating through an achiral free space. To this goal, we form energy conservation laws for key bilinear parameters in a chiral case. Due to a nonzero medium chirality, conservation laws turn out to contain extra terms that are linked to the spin-orbit coupling, which is absent for an achiral case. As an example, we take a plane wave for achiral case to evaluate those bilinear parameters. Resultantly, the conservation laws for a chiral case are found to reveal inconsistencies among them, thereby prompting us to establish partial remedies for formulating proper wave-propagation problems.
A Method for Improving Interspecies Welfare Comparisons
Authors: Gaffney Leigh , Lavery J. Michelle , Schiestl Martina , Trevarthen Anna , Schukraft Jason , Miller Rachael , Schnell Alexandra , Fischer Bob
Published: October 2022

The number of animals bred, raised, and slaughtered each year is on the rise, resulting in increasing impacts to welfare. Farmed animals are also becoming more diverse, ranging from pigs to bees. The diversity and number of species farmed invites questions about how best to allocate currently limited resources towards safeguarding and improving welfare. This is of the utmost concern to animal welfare funders and effective altruism advocates, who are responsible for targeting the areas most likely to cause harm. For example, is tail docking worse for pigs than beak trimming is for chickens in terms of their pain, suffering, and general experience? Or are the welfare impacts equal? Answering these questions requires making an interspecies welfare comparison; a judgment about how good or bad different species fare relative to one another. Here, we outline and discuss an empirically-based methodology that aims to improve our ability to make interspecies welfare comparisons by investigating welfare range, which refers to how good or bad animals can fare. We begin our proposal with a theory of welfare. We operationalize that theory of welfare by identifying metrics that are defensible proxies for measuring welfare, including cognitive, affective, behavioral, and neuro-biological measures. We assign differential weights to those proxies that reflect their evidential value for the determinants of welfare, such as the “Delphi'' structured deliberation method with a panel of experts. Then we review the evidence and score its quality to ascertain whether a particular taxa may possess the proxies in question to construct a taxa-level welfare range profile. Finally, we use a Monte Carlo simulation to generate an overall estimate of comparative welfare range relative to our hypothetical index species - humans. Interspecies welfare comparisons will help facilitate empirically informed decision-making to streamline the allocation of resources and to ultimately better prioritize and improve animal welfare.
Produktivitas Kelapa Dalam Lokal di Pulau Taliabu – Maluku Utara
Authors: Novarianto Hengky , Anggono Alvin Tri , Latuconsina Palangsong , Latif Ahmad Abdul , Soamole Jafrin JJ
Published: October 2022

Pulau Taliabu adalah salah satu pulau terbesar di Kabupaten Taliabu, dan besebelahan dengan Kabupaten Kepulauan Sula, Provinsi Maluku Utara. Salah satu komoditi utama di pulau Taliabu adalah tanaman kelapa, yaitu kelapa Dalam lokal. PT.NICO adalah salah satu perusahaan swasta yang akan mengembangkan dan mengolah produksi buah kelapa di pulau Taliabu. Kondisi dan status produksi buah kelapa perlu diketahui, sebagai dasar pengambil kebijakan, baik ketersediaan bahan baku untuk industri kelapa, maupun usaha untuk peningkatan produksi buah kelapa. Pada tahap pertama telah dilakukan observasi di lahan kelapa Dalam lokal seluas 20.000 ha. Kelapa Dalam ini tersebar di 12 Desa, yaitu Kecamatan Taliabu Utara dan Kecamatan Lede, dan masing-masing Desa sekitar 1.000 ha. Waktu observasi dilakukan sejak 30 Juni sampai 6 Juli 2021. Tujuan kegiatan ini adalah untuk mengetahui status produksi dan produktivitas tanaman kelapa Dalam lokal di wilayah tersebut.  Kegiatan observasi produksi kelapa digunakan dengan metode purpose sampling pada beberapa populasi kelapa. Pengamatan data karakter terutama data produksi dan komponen buah. Hasil pengamatan memperlihatkan bahwa kelapa Dalam lokal di 12 Desa pulau Taliabu memiliki jumlah tandan buah 8-10 tandan/pohon. Kemudian untuk jumlah buah per tandan diperoleh pada umumnya 6 butir/tandan, dan jumlah buah beragam antara 53 butir sampai 64 butir/pohon. Berat biji kelapa rata-rata diatas 800 g/butir, yakni antara 846 g sampai 971 g, dan berat daging buah rata- rata 400 gr/butir. Hasil observasi kelapa Dalam lokal di Desa Mintun, Nata Kuning, Tikong, dan  Tolong, pulau Taliabu diperoleh produktivitas buah kelapa 4.000-6.000 butir/ha/tahun. Peningkatan produksi dan produktivitas buah kelapa dapat dilakukan dengan peremajaan dan rehabilitas menggunakan bibit kelapa unggul, dan pemeliharaan hamparan kelapa, tanaman kelapa, serta menanam tanaman sela yang sesuai
A Load Balancing Method for Avionics Systems via Artificial Bee Colony and Simulated Annealing Algorithms
Authors: Du Xiaoyan , Du Chenglie , Chen Jinchao , Liu Yifan , Han Pengcheng
Published: October 2022

Avionics systems are a crucial part of aircraft, and the heterogeneity of resources also leads to load differentials within these systems. Inefficient load balancing technology faces the dual challenge of over-utilization and under-utilization of resources, which results in the decline of service performance (in the case of over-utilization) or the waste of resources (in the case of under-utilization). However, it is necessary to control avionics systems via an efficient load balancing method under time constraints and resource states. Therefore, this paper proposes a load balancing method for avionics systems by using both artificial bee colony ( ABC ) and simulated annealing (SA) algorithms. First, the load balancing model of avionics systems is established, this model can reflect the demands of the tasks for the resources in detail. Then, the load balancing of avionics systems is realized by artificial bee colony and simulated annealing algorithms, the hybrid algorithm not only retains the advantages of simple and easy implementation of ABC algorithm, but also utilizes the probability jump of SA algorithm to jump out of the local extreme and achieve the effect of global optimization. Finally, compared with the existing algorithms, the experimental results show that the algorithm proposed in this paper produces a good and stable load-balance performance.
Preparation of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) derived from palm fiber waste: Effect of ozone pretreatment on CMC properties
Authors: Pujokaroni Agustu Sholeh , Ichiura Hideaki
Published: October 2022

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was prepared using cellulose extracted from palm fiber (CPF). The effect of ozone pretreatment on the CMC properties [degree of substitution (DS) and viscosity] was investigated. After treatment of CPF with ozone, CMC was prepared by alkalization followed by etherification using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium monochloroacetic acid (NaMCA) in an alcoholic medium. The DS of CMC increased with increased ozone pretreatment time and with increased amounts of NaOH and NaMCA reagents. The CMC solubility increased with increasing DS. Therefore, the solubility increased with ozone pretreatment time. The favored treatment conditions were ozone pretreatment for 3 h, followed by the addition of 10 mL of 30% NaOH and 4.5 g of NaMCA. Under these conditions, the DS, purity, and solubility were 1.05, 79.6%, and 94.6%, respectively. The viscosity of CMC prepared using cellulose treated with ozone decreased with increasing ozone pretreatment time, which was caused by the reduced degree of polymerization. Therefore, use of ozone pretreatment for CMC preparation is an effective method for controlling CMC properties.
Considerations on the Origin of the Inferior Thyroid Artery Emerging From the Subclavian Artery Determined by Ct Examination
Authors: Bunea Maria Cristina , Rusali Lavinia Maria , Bratu Iulian Cătălin , Tudorache Sorin , Bordei Petru
Published: October 2022

Purpose and background
The specialized literature has a low degree of information regarding the origin of the inferior thyroid artery (ITA). Our study was performed on computed tomography angiographies (CTAs), and the following aspects were observed: the origin of the ITA from the subclavian artery (SCA) or thyrocervical trunk (TCT), taking note of the distance of the origin of the ITA in relation to the origin of the SCA or the corresponding TCT, as well as the origin of the ITA, comparing right to left and according to gender.
Methods
Our study was realized on a total of 108 ITA (64 on the right side and 44 on the left, with 48 in male subjects and 60 in females), analyzed on CTA.
Results
From the 108 arteries, we found the origin of ITA directly from the SCA in 31.48% of cases, and in 68.52% from the TCT. The distance between the origin of the right SCA and the origin of the corresponding ITA, was between 29.1–53.1 mm, while on the left side, the same distance was between 43.7–68.1 mm. The distance between the right TCT and the origin of the right SCA, was between 22.5–75.0 mm, and for the left side, it’s between 48.7–56.8 mm.
Conclusions
The inferior thyroid artery is one of the arteries most susceptible to variations in terms of origin and size. With differences between the two sides (right and left), as well as differences related to gender.
Health insurance and household savings: Evidence from Ghana
Authors: Ampaw Samuel , Appleton Simon , Lou Xuyan
Published: October 2022

People save more in response to future income uncertainties, meaning health insurance could crowd out savings by reducing medical spending. This relationship has yet to be emphasised in the sub-Saharan African context, where income variability is pronounced. We quantify the relationship between health insurance and household savings using censored quantile regressions with and without instrumental variables. Data were obtained from the last two Ghana Living Standards Survey rounds: 2013 & 2017. We find a positive relationship between health insurance and household savings. Ghana’s health insurance generally reduces out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure. But insurance-induced utilisation and unofficial healthcare payments are observed, as well as falling public healthcare spending and increasing dependence on private healthcare financing. The insured perhaps save more to complement the cover provided by health insurance since complete coverage is not guaranteed.
JEL classification: D91; E21; I3; I18; G22
Local Anesthesia vs. General Anesthesia for Percutaneous Microwave Ablation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma, an Efficacy, Safety, and Cost Analysis
Authors: Zhan Jing-Yin , Tang Zhen-Lei , Leng Hao-Qun
Published: October 2022

Purpose
To compare the efficacy, safety, and cost between local anesthesia and general anesthesia modality for hepatocellular carcinoma patients who received percutaneous microwave ablation for curative treatment purposes.
Methods
This comparative, retrospective analysis analyzed 175 patients treated for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from July 2015 to September 2020. Patients were divided into two cohorts according to the anesthesia modality applied during the percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) procedure. To investigate the differences in efficacy between the two groups, overall survival (OS) and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed using a caliper width of 0.2 between the two groups. Cost and safety between the two groups were also compared accordingly.
Results
There were 105 patients with 128 HCC lesions in the local anesthesia (LA) group while 70 patients with 107 lesions in the general anesthesia (GA) group. No significant differences in OS (P = 0.798) and LRFS (P = 0.406) between the two groups. 51 pairs of patients were matched with 78 lesions in the GA group and 68 lesions in the LA group after PSM. There were no significant differences in the OS (P = 0.522) and LRFS (P = 0.410) between the two groups. Compared to the LA group, there was more MWA procedure time spent, medical resources consumption, and financial stress undertaken in the GA group. No statistical differences were observed in post-ablation pain, adverse events, and complications between the two groups.
Conclusion
Due to the higher cost of general anesthesia, local anesthesia may be more adaptable during ablation procedure for HCC patients within Milan criteria.
A 36-year-old lady with type three Female Genital Mutilation (Infibulation) – its long-term complications: a case report and literature review
Authors: jidha tafese dejene , Feyissa Abdi Kebede
Published: October 2022

Background:Female genital mutilation comprises all procedures involving the partial or total removal of female external genitalia or other injury to the female external organs, whether for religious, cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. The impact of female genital mutilation is diverse, including physical, social and psychological impact. We report a case of a 36-year-old woman with type three female genital mutilation who did not seek medical treatment due to lack of awareness that there was no treatment for it, and use this case as an entry point to comprehensively review literature regarding long-term complications associated with female genital mutilation and its impact on women’s quality of life.
Case presentation: We present a case of a 36-year-old woman with type three female genital mutilation who had presented with difficulty with urination since childhood. She had difficulty with menstruation since her menarche, and she had never had sexual intercourse. She never sought treatment, but recently went to hospital after she heard of a young lady who had the same problem in her neighborhood who was treated surgically and got married. On external genitalia examination, there was no clitoris, no labia minora, and labia majora were fused to each other with a healed old scar between them. There was a 0.5 cm by 0.5 cm opening below the fused labia majora near to the anus through which urine was dribbling. De-infibulation was done. Four months after the procedure, she was married and at that moment she was pregnant.
Conclusion:
The physical, sexual, obstetrics and psychosocial consequences of female genital mutilation are neglected issues. The improvement of women’s socio-cultural status in combination with planning programs to enhance their information and awareness as well as trying to change the cultural and religious leaders’ viewpoints regarding this procedure is essential to reducing female genital mutilation and its burden on women’s health. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also recommended to treat psycho-social disorders in both girls and women.
Risk assessment of transgene introgression from genetically modified soybean into its wild relatives
Authors: Zhang li , Liu Laipan , Fang Zhixiang , Shen Wenjing , Dai Ying , Jia Ruizong , Liang Jingang , Liu Biao
Published: October 2022

Background: Crop-wild hybridization has generated great concerns since gene flow can be an avenue for transgene escape. However, a rather limited number of studies on risk assessment regarding the dispersion of transgenes from GM soybean to its wild relative populations have been conducted before.
Results: The results of the 3-year experiment demonstrated that F1, F2 and F3 had lower seed germination, higher pod and seed production than GM soybeans, and the seed productivity of hybrids (especially F2 and F3) were close to those of wild soybean. Furthermore, the foreign protein was stably expressed in F1, F2 and F3 EPSPS positive plants, conferring to hybrids herbicide tolerance. However, despite being stably inherited, neither the presence of the EPSPS transgene nor the number of its copies does affect the detected hybrid vigor, since no difference is observed in agronomic measurements between hybrids that are glyphosate sensitive or resistant, homozygous or heterozygous for the transgene.
While EPSPS genes had little effect on crop growth and reproduction, hybridization between GM soybean to wild soybean may have more impact on hybrid growth and fecundity, this increase in biomass and yield conferring a potential competition benefit to hybrids.
Conclusions: Hybrids between GM soybean and wild soybean had similar germination characteristics and seed productivity as wild parent, such characteristics acquired by gene flow have the potential to promote the adaptability of hybrids and may increase the possibility of dispersal of transgenes through seed systems.
Transmission Scheduling of P2P Real-Time Communication Based on Restless Multi-Armed Bandit
Authors: Wu Ting , Tian Shikun , Tang Shengda
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we consider a transmission scheduling problem of the point-to-point (P2P) real-time communication over fading channel. Specifically, we assume each transmission task with a strict time delay arrives into the system randomly, we consider the transmission scheduling strategy under the time delay constraint of the communication system so as to maximize the total discounted expected reward of the system. The communication model is formulated in the framework of the Markov decision process (MDP), and since the curse of dimensionality of the proposed MDP architecture, the transmission scheduling problem is analyzed based on the restless multi-armed bandit (RMAB) process. We show the
existence of the Whittle index of the P2P transmission communication, and based on which, the closed solution of Whittle index based transmission scheduling strategy is obtained. Finally, the numerical results are given to verify the availability of the Whittle index based transmission scheduling algorithm, and it is also shown that our proposed transmission scheduling algorithm is with low computational complexity, and it reduces the computational time greatly in comparison to the MDP method.
Unique case of pelvic congestion syndrome caused by a new communication branch of the portal-vena cava system
Authors: Zheng Wei , Sun Chun , Yang Jinming , Wu Yingfeng
Published: October 2022

Congenital portosystemic shunt (CPS) is a developmental anomaly of the portal vein system. The disease can cause blood from the portal vein to flow into the vena cava, resulting in various atypical clinical manifestations. Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) caused by CPS is particularly rare. A young woman with PCS had an abnormal communicating branch of the left ovarian vein (OV). Her left OV drained normally into the left renal vein, and at the same time communicated with the portal vein, forming an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt. With embolization of her left OV, the patient was cured of PCS.
Experience of pediatric nurses in nursing dying children- A Qualitative Study
Authors: bian weina , yang hongwei , cheng Junxiang , dong yue , xue ying , zhang qian , zheng qinghua , song rui
Published: October 2022

Purpose: To explore the challenges and effective coping strategies of pediatric nurses in caring for dying children.
Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was adopted.Data were collected using semi-structured interview with 10 nurses from the pediatrics, pediatric emergency department and neonatology department.
Results: Three themes were generated: stressors, stress consequences, coping strategies.Ten sub-themes were generalized: negative emotions; helpless; question rescue behavior; fear of communication; lack of workforce for night rescue; compassion fatigue; burnout; changes in life attitudes; self-regulation; leadership approval and no accountability.
Conclusions: Through qualitative research, the challenges and effective coping strategies faced by nurses in caring for dying children were found, which provides information for nurses' career development and related policy formulation in China.
Clinical Relevance: While there are many articles in China on hospice care, there is little research on the nurses’ experience of caring for dying children. In foreign countries, many studies have mentioned the adverse consequences of caring for dying children, and even led to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However,the domestic discussion of such problems is rare and there are no corresponding coping strategies.This study aims to explore the challenges and effective coping strategies of pediatric nurses in caring for dying children.
Energy landscapes of Kodiak brown bears: A comparison of accelerometer and global positioning system derived estimates
Authors: Finnegan S. P. , Pagano A. M. , Svoboda N. J. , Schooler S. L. , Belant J. L.
Published: October 2022

Within optimal foraging theory animals should maximize their net energy gain while minimizing energetic costs. Energetic expenditure in wild animals is therefore key to measure proxies of fitness. Accelerometers are an effective tool to study animal movement-based energetics but retrieval of the device is usually required and often difficult. Measuring energetic expenditures using a global positioning system (GPS) approach could provide an alternative method to study energetic ecology. We compared accelerometer and GPS methods to estimate energetic expenditures in brown bears (Ursus arctos) on the Kodiak Archipelago, Alaska, USA. We then applied the GPS method to examine how intrinsic and extrinsic factors influenced brown bear movement-based daily energetic expenditures (MDEE). We predicted that bears would have greater energetic expenditures during the high food abundance period, while females with dependent young would have lower energetic expenditures due to reduced movements. We found that while the two energetic measurements differed (Wilcoxon signed rank test: V = 2116, p < 0.001), they were positively correlated (r = 0.82, p < 0.001). The GPS method on average provided 1.6 times greater energy estimates than did the accelerometer method. Brown bears had lower MDEE during periods of high food abundance, supporting optimal foraging theory. Reproductive status and age did not influence MDEE, however movement rates had a positive linear relationship with MDEE. Energetic ecology is important for understanding drivers of animal movements. A GPS-derived estimate of energetic expenditure may be suitable when accelerometer data are unavailable, but the GPS-derived estimate should be validated for the specific taxa, ecosystem, and GPS sampling rate used. Additionally, while movement-based estimates of energy expenditure can elucidate the mechanisms driving habitat use decisions, they may not fully reflect an animal’s overall energy demands. Brown bear movement-based energetic expenditure was influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors which highlighted the importance of access to prime foraging sites to enhance energetic efficiency.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-efficacy scores and intensity of depressiveness in people aged over 60 years providing kinship foster care
Authors: Giezek Marta , Landowski Marek , Kożybska Marta , Karakiewicz Beata
Published: October 2022

Background: The objective of this study has been to investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic has had impact on self-efficacy scores and intensity of depressive severity in people aged over 60 who provide kinship foster care to their grandchildren. Methods: The study subjects were selected from among individuals aged over 60 years providing kinship foster care to their grand-children. The participants were asked to complete the Generalised Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) before and during the pandemic. The questionnaire was com-pleted in whole twice by 40 participants. Results: There are no statistically significant differences between the GSE and GDS scores obtained before and during the pandemic. In study subjects with the oldest child in foster care aged 10 years or less, the GDS score decreased in a statistically sig-nificant way (p=0.03). The correlation coefficient of the GSE and GDS scores before the pandemic was -0.46 (p = 0.003), while that of scores during the pandemic was -0.43 (p = 0.006).Conclusions: Neither the sense of self-efficacy nor the intensity of depressiveness of the study subjects changed significantly during the pandemic. Both before and during the pandemic, the intensity of depres-siveness decreased as the sense of self-efficacy increased.
Theoretical study of the electronic features of Silicon-Carbon crystal as a semiconductor using Quantum Espresso
Authors: Ayoubi-Chianeh Mojgan
Published: October 2022

In this research, quantum simulations are applied to determine the electronic features of the Silicon-Carbon (SiC) crystal. The band structure (BS), density of states (DOS), k-resolved DOS, and convergence calculations are conducted for the optimized SiC, using the plane-wave (PW) method as implemented in Quantum Espresso (QE) program. The calculated values of the band gap and Fermi energy show the values of 1.41 and 9.80 eV, respectively. Therefore, our scrutinized SiC crystal appears as a notable semiconductor that can promise a new generation of solar cells.
Challenging Organizational Factors Associated With Admission Delay to the Intensive Care Unit – A Novel Quality Indicator
Authors: Jakobson Daniel J. , Bashkin Osnat , Kalatskaya Viktoria , Veinberg Halel , Chernoguz Evgeny , Nesi Vicky , Levy Chezy , Sherer Yaniv
Published: October 2022

Background: Delays in admitting patients to the ICU can defer the timely initiation of life-sustaining therapies and invasive monitoring, jeopardizing the success of the treatment. The current study aimed to assess the factors related to delays in admission times of critically ill patients transferred to the ICU using a proactive approach to admission process analysis.Methods: A specifically designed software was created to follow up, compare and measure the defined laps of the time to admission, implemented at the ICU for six months. Measurements included five time-lapse, referral department, and work shift at admission. Data of 1004 patients admitted to the ICU between July 2017 to January 2020 were analyzed in a retrospective observational study.Results: A significant shortening of time to admission before and after the intervention done by the institutional Quality Control Commission. The mean time to admission was shortened by 14 minutes, from a mean of 92.4 minutes to 78.6 minutes. Insights about the organizational factors delaying transfer provide meaningful information for future efficacy interventions.Conclusions: The current study shows the positive effect of a protracted follow-up of the complex process divided into several stations, where possible preventable situations can be found and modified.Trial registration:The study was approved by the Ashkelon Academic College Ethics Committee with a waiver of informed consent. (Approval # 25/1-2020).
Development of a genetic risk score to predict the risk of hypertension in European adolescents from the HELENA study
Authors: Pérez-Gimeno Gloria , Seral-Cortes Miguel , Sabroso-Lasa Sergio , Esteban Luis Mariano , Lurbe Empar , Béghin Laurent , Gottrand Frederic , Meirhaeghe Aline , Muntaner Manon , Kafatos Anthony , Molnár Dénes , Leclercq Catherine , Widhalm Kurt , Kersting Mathilde , Nova Esther , Salazar-Tortosa Diego F. , Gonzalez-Gross Marcela , Breidenassel Christina , Sinningen Kathrin , Ruyter Thaïs , Labayen Idoia , Rupérez Azahara I. , Bueno-Lozano Gloria , Moreno Luis
Published: October 2022

Background
Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with blood pressure (BP) levels. A combination of SNPs, forming a genetic risk score (GRS) could be considered a useful genetic tool to identify individuals at risk of developing hypertension from early stages in life. Therefore, the study aims to predict the genetic predisposition to hypertension in European adolescents from a GRS.
Methods
A total of 869 adolescents (53% female), aged 12.5–17.5, were included from the “Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence” (HELENA) cross-sectional study. The sample was divided into altered (≥ 130 mmHg for systolic and/or ≥ 80 mmHg for diastolic) or normal BP.
Results
From 1534 SNPs available, An initial screening of SNPs univariately associated with BP (p < 0.10) was established, to finally obtain a number of 16 SNPs significantly associated with BP (p < 0.05) in the multivariate model. Both unweighted GRS (uGRS) and weighted GRS (wGRS) were associated with altered BP. The area under the curve was explored using ten-fold internal cross-validation for uGRS (0.796) and wGRS (0.803). Further covariates were added to obtain a higher predictive ability.
Conclusions
Both GRSs, could be useful to evaluate the genetic predisposition to hypertension in European adolescents.
What do Black-box Machine Learning Prediction Models See?- An Application Study With Sepsis Detection
Authors: Strickler Ethan A. T. , Thomas Joshua , Thomas Johnson P. , Benjamin Bruce , Shamsuddin Rittika
Published: October 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify additional clinical features for sepsis detection through the use of a novel mechanism for interpreting black-box machine learning models trained and to provide a suitable evaluation for the mechanism.
Methods
We use the publicly available dataset from the 2019 PhysioNet Challenge. It has around 40,000 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients with 40 physiological variables. Using Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) as the representative black-box machine learning model, we adapted the Multi-set Classifier to globally interpret the black-box model for concepts it learned about sepsis. To identify relevant features, the result is compared against: i) features used by a computational sepsis expert, ii) clinical features from clinical collaborators, iii) academic features from literature, and iv) significant features from statistical hypothesis testing.
Results
Random Forest (RF) was found to be the computational sepsis expert because it had high accuracies for solving both the detection and early detection, and a high degree of overlap with clinical and literature features. Using the proposed interpretation mechanism and the dataset, we identified 17 features that the LSTM used for sepsis classification, 11 of which overlaps with the top 20 features from the RF model, 10 with academic features and 5 with clinical features. Clinical opinion suggests, 3 LSTM features have strong correlation with some clinical features that were not identified by the mechanism. We also found that age, chloride ion concentration, pH and oxygen saturation should be investigated further for connection with developing sepsis.
Conclusion
Interpretation mechanisms can bolster the incorporation of state-of-the-art machine learning models into clinical decision support systems, and might help clinicians to address the issue of early sepsis detection. The promising results from this study warrants further investigation into creation of new and improvement of existing interpretation mechanisms for black-box models, and into clinical features that are currently not used in clinical assessment of sepsis.
Revealing a conservation challenge towards floodplain disconnection: Decreasing turnover and increasing nestedness of mollusc metacommunities
Authors: Zhang Kun , Jiang Xiaoming , Zheng Peng
Published: October 2022

Floodplain disconnection (FDC) has become a profound threat to many large river floodplains. Despite current researches examining the impacts of FDC on aquatic biodiversity, little is known about how FDC affected freshwater molluscs from multifaceted biodiversity perspectives, especially at long-term temporal scales. We selected the 7 lakes in the Yangtze River floodplain to evaluate how river-lake disconnection impacted taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic alpha and beta diversity of molluscan assemblages during past 60 years. Our results showed that five disconnected lakes (DLs) experienced dramatic decline in species richness (decreased by 62.4%) and functional richness (54.6%) but increases in functional evenness (20.0%) and Δ+ (5.5%) after disconnection. Whereas such temporal changes in the two connected lakes (CLs) were much slighter. Somewhat unexpectedly, the overall taxonomic (increased by 7.0%) and phylogenetic (12.2%) dissimilarities only slightly increased through time, due to opposite changes in the turnover (40%-50% decrease) and nestedness-resultant (100%-110% increase) components through time. The functional nestedness experienced more significant increase (162.0%), leading to relatively considerable increase in functional overall dissimilarity (64.0%). Such opposite changes in multifaceted turnover and nestedness distinctly modified the structure of beta diversity and highlight the conservation priority of CLs keeping relative high levels of biodiversity. The overall correlations between changes in both alpha and beta diversity among different facets were generally weak, indicating the different diversity facets would provide complementary information for biodiversity conservation and restoration. Thus, we recommended incorporating functional and phylogenetic information of species into traditional taxonomy-based approaches in large river floodplains studies.
OptiCogs: Feasibility of a multicomponent intervention to rehabilitate people with cognitive impairment post-stroke
Authors: Donoghue Mairead O , Boland Pauline , Taylor Sinead , Hennessy Edel , Murphy Eva , Leahy Siobhan , McManus John , Lisiecka Dominika , Purtill Helen , Galvin Rose , Hayes Sara
Published: October 2022

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Despite the prevalence and associated burden of cognitive impairment post-stroke, there is uncertainty regarding optimal cognitive rehabilitation for people post-stroke. This study aimed to assess whether a multicomponent intervention, called OptiCogs, is feasible, acceptable and safe for people with cognitive impairment post-stroke. A secondary aim was to explore changes in cognitive function as a result of the intervention, on fatigue, quality of life, physical function and occupational performance, from pre-intervention to post-intervention.
Methods: A feasibility study was conducted where people post-stroke with cognitive impairment enrolled in a 6-week multicomponent intervention. The primary outcomes recorded included recruitment rate, retention rate, adherence to the intervention protocol, adverse events and acceptability of the intervention to people post-stroke. Secondary outcomes included (i) change in cognitive functioning using the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III, (ii) fatigue using the Fatigue Severity scale, (iii) quality of life using the the Stroke Specific Quality of Life scale (iv) physical function using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, and (v) patient-reported occupational performance using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials extension reporting guidelines were followed, for pilot and feasibility studies, to standardise the conduct and reporting of this study.
Results: Nine eligible participants were enrolled during the 4 month recruitment period, with eight participants completing the entire six-week intervention, as well as the pre and post-intervention outcome measures. There were no reported adverse events. Participants were satisfied with the intervention and found it acceptable overall. Results of the secondary outcomes were promising for cognitive function (ACE III, Pre: 63.3±23.9 to Post: 69±24.6), fatigue (FSS, Pre: 52.5±7.3 to Post: 45.6±7.2), quality of life (SSQoL, Pre: 131.0±26.3 to Post: 169.9±15.3), physical function (PROMIS-PF, Pre: 15.5±6.3 to Post: 15.8±5.3) and occupational performance (COPM Performance, Pre: 9.3±2.3 to Post: 22.9±4.2) and COPM Satisfaction, Pre: 9.9±2.1 to Post: 22.7±3.5).
Conclusion: Preliminary results suggest low-modest recruitment and high retention rates to the OptiCogs intervention. Changes in cognitive function, fatigue, quality of life and self-reported occupational performance show improvement from pre to post-intervention. These potential benefits require further testing in a larger pilot trial.
Trial Registration: NCT05414539
Molecular characterization of a novel fusarivirus isolated from the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium pseudograminearum
Authors: Wei Chenxing , Guan Zhengzhe , Zhong Rongrong , Wang Ganlin , Du Hongyan , Zhang Yuanyuan , Meng Haoguang , Xie Jiatao , Fu Yanping , ying zhao , Wen Caiyi
Published: October 2022

Fusarium pseudograminearum is a pathogenic fungus causeing crown rot. Only two mycovirus have been reported in F. pseudograminearum thus far. Here, we report a fungal virus (mycovirus), Fusarium pseudograminearum fusarivirus 1 (FpFV1), isolated from the F. pseudograminearum strain ZZ-1. FpFV1 has a single-stranded positive-sense RNA (+ ssRNA) genome of 6622 nucleotides containing four open reading frames (ORFs). ORF1 encodes for a large 1,550 amino acids (aa) polypeptide with a conserved RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and two helicase domains. The ORF2, ORF3 and ORF4 have overlapping regions and encode putative proteins of 154 aa, 53aa and 429aa, respectively. All three ORFs have unknown functions. Based on the genomic structure, homology searches, and phylogenetic analysis, FpFV1 could be a new member of the proposed “Fusariviridae”. This is the first study to report a fusarivirus that infects F. pseudograminearum.
Vitamin D3 Improves Spatial Memory and Modulates Cytokine Levels in Aged Rats
Authors: Bellettini-Santos Tatiani , Garcez Michelle Lima , Mina Francielle , Magnus Natália Quadros , Pereira Nathalia de Souza , Marques Ariandne de Oliveira , Keller Gabriela Serafim , Zabot Gabriel Casagrande , Nascimento Natália Baltazar do , Medeiros Eduarda Behenck , Rempel Lisienny Campoli Tono , Kucharska Ewa , Frizon Tiago Elias Allievi , Dal-Bó Alexandre Gonçalves , Budni Josiane
Published: October 2022

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is associated
with an increased risk of dementia. An association between vitamin
D deficiency and subjective cognitive complaints in geriatric
patients has been reported.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the
neurochemical and behavioral effects of vitamin D3 (1α-25
Dihydroxyvitamin D3) on 2-, 6-, 13-, 22-, and 31-month-old male
Wistar rats.

Research Methods & Procedures: The animals
were supplemented with vitamin D at doses of 42 IU/kg and 420 IU/kg
for 21 days. The radial maze test was performed to evaluate spatial
memory. After the behavioral test, the frontal cortex and
hippocampus were dissected for the enzyme immunoassay analyses to
measure cytokine levels (TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10).

Results: Our results showed that vitamin D
supplementation was able to reverse the spatial memory impairment
at the supplemented doses (42 and 420 IU/kg) in 6-, 13-, and
22-month-old animals and at a dose of 420 IU/kg in 31-month-old
animals. Conclusion: Our results suggest vitamin D
has a modulatory action on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines,
since older animals showed increased cytokine levels than the
2-month-old animals. The lower dose (42 IU/kg) was able to regulate
both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus. Our
results suggest that vitamin D may exert an immunomodulating effect
on aging