bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Relationship among Malnutrition, Intake of Various Food Groups, and Sarcopenia in Elderly Population: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Nasab Mohammad Mehdi Mousavi , Khavandegar Armin , Fakhrzadeh Hossein , Moodi Mitra , Karimi Keyvan , Salehi Sarmad , Khorashadizadeh Masoumeh , Ejtahed Hanieh-Sadat , Sharifi Farshad
Published: May 2024

Malnutrition and specific food groups may cause sarcopenia in elderly persons. This study examined this possible link. Cross-sectional analysis of an ongoing cohort study was performed in this study. Data from 1344 elderly people was collected from September 2018 to April 2019. Gait speed, handgrip strength, and muscle mass determined sarcopenia and likely sarcopenia. A Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire was used to assess malnutrition. In the crude models, consumption of animal protein sources (OR = 0.59, 95%CI = 0.37 to 0.96) as well as fruits and vegetables (OR = 0.52, 95%CI = 0.32 to 0.85) had a significant preventive effect on sarcopenia. Milk and dairy products also reduced the risk of sarcopenia by 37% (OR = 0.63, 95%CI = 0.41 to 0.98). After correcting for confounders, most relationships disappeared and no dietary group predicted sarcopenia. Malnutrition was a risk factor for sarcopenia in the crude model (OR = 2.82, 95%CI = 1.93 to 4.12) and after age and sex adjustment (aOR = 2.05, 95%CI = 1.33 to 3.15). Besides, malnutrition was a risk factor for probable sarcopenia in the fully adjusted model for all confounding factors (aOR = 1.36, 95%CI = 1.03 to 1.81). Malnutrition may enhance geriatric sarcopenia risk. Consuming animal protein, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products protected against sarcopenia slightly. Long-term studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Investigation into the Damage State and Safety Assessment of Concrete Bridge Deck Slabs
Authors: Ding Sheng-Xuan , Li Ji-Ren , Yang Jia , Liu Peng-Lin , Wei Jia-Liang , Zhang Chuan-Jun
Published: May 2024

The present study introduces an analytical approach grounded in fuzzy hierarchical analysis, aimed at detecting and analyzing bridge deck deterioration, with the overarching objective of enhancing the efficiency and safety of bridge maintenance operations.This methodology assesses the structural integrity of bridge deck slabs by scrutinizing variables including traffic volume, service life, traffic duration, temperature, and other pertinent factors, followed by meticulous weight calculation.Employing finite element modeling and computational techniques, this study delves into the analysis of principal stress and displacement distribution across the bridge deck, both pre- and post-reinforcement measures.This analysis serves as a pivotal reference point for maintenance endeavors, ensuring the structural integrity and safety of the bridge infrastructure.Moreover, this approach enables prompt implementation of repair and reinforcement measures, mitigating the risk of accidents and concurrently augmenting the efficacy and safety standards of bridge maintenance protocols.Given the pivotal role of transportation infrastructure in societal development, the efficacy of such measures bears significant ramifications for overall transport advancement.
A giant benign myoepithelioma of the palate: report of a case
Authors: Chidzonga Midion Mapfumo , Zambuko Blessing , Muungani Welcome , Katiro Munyaradzi Phillip
Published: May 2024

Myoepithelioma, previously recognized as a subtype of pleomorphic adenoma, is a rare benign salivary gland neoplasia composed predominantly of myoepithelial cells with variable cellular morphologies: spindle, epitheliod, plasmacytoid, and clear cells. In the World Health Organisation, International Histological Classification of Tumours myoepithelioma is now recognised as a distinct histological entity. Myoepithelial cells are present in salivary glands, breast, larynx, and sweat glands. It is a rare tumor comprising 1-1.5% of all benign and malignant salivary gland tumors, 2.2% of all benign tumors of major salivary glands, and 5.7% of all benign minor salivary gland tumors. It occurs predominantly in the parotid gland and is rare in the minor salivary glands. We are reporting a 44-year-old female who presented with a giant benign myoepithelioma on the palate that grew slowly over 27 years.
The effect of blood glucose levels on serum triglyceride clearance in patients with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis
Authors: Liu Yuxin , Qin Shuqi , Dai Si , Zhou Jing , Wang Zhendan , Yin Guojian
Published: May 2024

Background/Aims:Preventing moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP & SAP) is the primary goal of the management of hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP). The main aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting serum triglyceride (TG) clearance, particularly blood glucose (GLU) levels, which potentially help to prevent the development of MSAP & SAP.Methods:The clinical data from 181 patients with MSAP & SAP and 207 patients with mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) on days 1–6 after the onset were collected and analyzed by multivariate logistic regression to identify the factors that have an impact on the severity of HLAP, especially TG. The optimal TG threshold was obtained by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to differentiate TG fast-clearance patients from TG slow-clearance patients, as defined in this study. Metabolism-related factors that may interfere with TG clearance, such as GLU, diabetes mellitus (DM), obesity, and uric acid, were further analyzed.Results:Day 2 TG was an independent risk factor for MSAP & SAP in patients with HLAP (OR: 3.718, 95% CI: 2.042–6.77;P< 0.001). And patients with TG slow-clearance (day 2 TG ≥ 7.335 mmol/L) were more susceptible to MSAP & SAP, with a sensitivity of 0.932 and a specificity of 0.898. DM (OR: 3.574, 95% CI: 1.13–11.308,P< 0.001) and day 2 GLU level (OR: 1.537, 95% CI: 1.292–1.675;P< 0.001) were independent risk factors for TG slow-clearance but not for HLAP severity (OR: 1.728,P= 0.253 and OR: 1.119,P= 0.059). Day 2 GLU decreased below 13.07 mmol/L and 6.575 mmol/L in patients with DM and non-diabetes mellitus (NDM), respectively, contributing to the reduction of day 2 TG to 7.335 mmol/L.Conclusions:Day 2 TG levels had the most impact on the severity of HLAP, which also accurately predicted the occurrence of MSAP & SAP. It is worth noting whether the GLU can reach the target value on day 2, as it can directly affect the TG clearance rate and indirectly affect the severity of HLAP.
A Prospective Study in Evaluating Clinical Utility of Novel Lipid Parameters and TyG index for Risk Stratification in Diabetes Mellitus Patients with STEMI
Authors: zhao Xiaoxiao , Zhao Hanjun , Chen Runzhen , Li Nan , Li Jiannan , Zhou Jinying , Yan Shaodi , Liu Chen , Zhou Peng , Chen Yi , Song Li , Yan Hongbing
Published: May 2024

Background Abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism are very commonplace in individuals with myocardial infarction, while insulin resistance plays a vital role in this biological process. Nevertheless, cardiovascular risk estimation by novel lipid biomarkers based on classic lipid parameters needs assessment in myocardial infarction cohorts with diabetes mellitus (DM) according to triglyceride–glucose index (TyG) level, followed up for incident ischemic stroke events, to estimate any modification in risk estimation warrants a change in treatment. We report results from prospective cohort in such a continuing study.
Methods Three novel lipid biomarkers (including proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, Fatty acid-binding protein 4 and Resolvin D1) from different pathophysiological pathways with six traditional lipid parameters were evaluated in 1580 DM and non-DM of the myocardial infarction population cohort with 449 incident cardiovascular events (fatal or nonfatal coronary or ischemic stroke events) at median 2.02 years with follow up.
Resluts 1）In the group with lower TyG levels, the risk of MACEs decreased significantly during first group (0-1 lipid parameters increased) in the DM population (HR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.12–0.81; P=0.017) but not in patients with higher TyG levels. Similarly, among male patients, increasing number of lipid parameters index levels were associated with a stepwise higher incidence of MACEs over time (group 2, HR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.12–0.59; P =0.001; group 3, HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.19–0.90; P =0.0026) in the fully adjusted Cox regression models. 2) Furthermore, among DM patients, group 1 (0-1 lipid parameters increased) and group 2 (2-4 lipid parameters increased) had significantly better ischemic stroke-free survival than other groups (p=0.025) when TyG index ≥median. 3) Adding novel lipid associated parameters and TyG index to the conventional lipid risk factors model in the cohort validated it by improved net reclassification index (p＜0.05) and integrated discrimination improvement and led to significant reclassification of individuals into risk categories.
Conclusion The addition of a biomarker score including novel lipid associated biomarkers and TyG index to a conventional risk model improved risk estimation for ischemic stroke events in myocardial infarction populations with DM. Further validation is needed in other populations and age group.
Management of Urinary Incontinence in Girls with Congenital Pouch Colon
Authors: Yadav Partap Singh , Kapoor Kanu , Khanna Vikram , Pant Nitin , Choudhury Subhasis Roy , Chadha Rajiv
Published: May 2024

Purpose
This study describes the management of urinary incontinence (UI) in 8 girls with congenital pouch colon (CPC) associated with anorectal malformation (ARM).
Methods
From 2013 to 2015, 6 girls with CPC and UI underwent bladder neck reconstruction (BNR). Four girls had complete UI (CUI) and 2 girls partial UI (PUI). From 2019 to 2023, 4 girls, including 2 with failed BNR, underwent bladder neck closure (BNC) and augmentation cystoplasty (AC) with a continent stoma. Subtypes of CPC were Type I (n=1); Type II CPC (n=5); and Type III CPC (n=2). All girls had a double vagina; short, wide urethra; and reduced bladder capacity with an open, incompetent bladder neck (BNI).
During BNR, a neourethra was constructed from a 1.5-2 cm wide and 1.5-3 cm long trigonal strip. During BNC, AC was performed using a 20-cm ileal segment (n=3) and by a colonic pouch segment, preserved during earlier colorraphy (n=1). Continent stoma included a Monti’s channel (n=3) and appendicovesicostomy (n=1).
Results
BNR produced moderate improvement of UI (n=2) while UI was still very severe (n=4). During BNC, intraoperative complications included iatrogenic vaginal tears (n=4). Early complications included partial dehiscence of the ileocystoplasty (n=1), partial adhesive small bowel obstruction (n=1), and difficulty in stomal catheterization with prolonged drainage from the pelvic drain (n=1). Late complications included unilateral grade II vesico-ureteric reflux (n=2), and vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) (n=2) needing trans-vaginal closure in one girl. Urinary stones (n=2) with stomal leakage of urine in one girl needed open cystolithotomy twice (n=1), and endoscopic lithotripsy (n=1). At follow-up, all patients have high overall satisfaction with the procedure and their continence status.
Conclusions
BNC with AC and a catheterizable stoma satisfactorily achieves continence in girls with CPC and UI, vastly improving quality of life. If lower urinary tract (LUT) anatomy is favorable, BNR with/ without AC can be the initial surgical procedure. BNC should be the primary procedure in girls with unfavorable LUT anatomy and for failed BNR.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV
Economic Analysis of Set-Asides in Public Procurement: Advancing Human Rights Goals
Authors: Srivast Astha
Published: May 2024

Set-Aside policy is a common tool in public procurement to promote horizontal objectives like support to small businesses, domestic produce etc. Under set-aside policy, a fraction of the procurement volume (termed the quantum of set-aside) is reserved for vendors that comply with the condition/standards stipulated in the policy. In this paper, an economic analysis of set-aside policy in public procurement is made to find out the extent to which a set-aside policy can induce vendors to comply with the stipulated standards.
The analysis is then extended to make a specific study on use of set-asides for promoting human rights in business connections of public procurement agencies. Under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, States are expected to utilise their leverage in public procurements to engender respect for human rights in their business connections. Set-asides for human rights compliance is a natural choice for achieving this horizontal objective of public procurement. The analysis departs from the traditional economic analysis and the usual economic conception of “maximum utility”. Instead, this analysis focusses on the notion of “universal compliance”, the hallmark of human rights discourse, as a measure of efficiency. This allows the researcher to suggest some practical measures that states can adopt for ensuring universal compliance by vendors with stipulated standards using set-aside policy. This analysis also enables the researcher to arrive at an economic definition of the term “leverage” used in the Business and Human Rights discourse which underpins the additional responsibility of states for protecting human rights in its business connections. The paper makes the following original contributions to the existing literature.
Firstly, a new economic model for set-aside policies in public procurement has been developed and used for understanding how and why the policy works to promote desired social goals. Secondly, a new concept of “maximum compliance/universal compliance” instead of “maximum utility”, as a measure of economic efficiency, is introduced and used for economic analysis of set-aside policy. Thirdly, an economic definition of “leverage”, as used in the field of Business and Human Rights, is presented.
JEL Classification: K23, K38
Psychometric evaluation of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) among Afghans
Authors: Neyazi Ahmad , Rahimi Bilal Ahmad , Mohammadi Abdul Qadim , Satapathy Prakasini , Shikhulislamy Yasamin , Qaderi Farima , Qarizada Bibi Shahd , Afzali Habibah , Neyazi Mehrab , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: May 2024

Background
Depression, anxiety, and stress are psychological mood states that have close relationships. Moreover, they are influenced by situational factors such as living in conflict zones (e.g., Afghanistan). The World Health Organization's assessment suggests that a significant proportion, specifically one-tenth, of the population residing in areas of conflict endure varying degrees of mental health disorders, ranging from moderate to severe. The most used psychometric instrument to assess these mood states is the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21). However, the scale has not been validated in Dari, the most spoken language in Afghanistan.
Methods
A cross-sectional investigation was undertaken between June and September of 2023 across various locales within Afghanistan, aiming to assess the psychometric attributes of the Dari iteration of the DASS-21 instrument. The sample comprised 1318 participants (69% females) with mean age of 32 years.
Results
Cronbach’s alpha of the total scale was 0.94. Findings indicated a robust and consistent level of test-retest reliability across all three dimensions. All subscales and the overall DASS-21 scale exhibited favorable fit indices supporting the proposed factor structure.
Conclusions
The Dari version of DASS-21 is a reliable and valid instrument to assess the magnitude of depression, anxiety, and stress among the Afghan adult population. The availability of the Dari adaptation of the DASS-21 will facilitate Afghan clinicians and researchers in the screening of prevalent mental health disorders within the Afghan populace.
Cholangiocyte RAGE drives the ductular reaction which provides biliary drainage but fuels liver injury
Authors: Vartak Nachiket , Damle-Vartak Amruta , Joers Simone , Guenther Georgia , Lam Macrina , Sator-Schmitt Melanie , Poth Tanja , Hofmann Ute , Kovacevic Jasna , Ringelhan Marc , Ghallab Ahmed , Dürl Stephanie , Schmid Roland , Angel Peter , Hengstler Jan , Geisler Fabian
Published: May 2024

Ductular reactions inevitably co-occur with liver tissue injury along with inflammation, cholestasis, and fibrosis. However, it remains unknown whether they represent an adaptive response facilitating bile drainage, or if they exacerbate dysfunction. By using a reporter mouse with cholangiocyte-specific deletion of the pattern recognition receptor RAGE, specific effects of the DR could be differentiated from the consequences of the cytotoxicity of the CDE-diet. While CDE-diet induced hepatoxicity triggers the DR via RAGE-dependent DAMP-sensing on cholangiocytes, it does not itself lead to loss of liver function. Instead, the presence of DR causes downregulation of basolateral bile acid transporters. Thus, although the DR forms a contiguous network capable of draining bile, it remains unutilized due to interrupted bile acid transport from blood to hepatocytes. The de-differentiating influence of the DR on hepatocytes thereby results in cholestasis and eventual fibrosis, that are more insidious to liver function than its initial cytotoxic trigger.
Reimagining Scientific Literacy: A Framework for Future-Focused Science Education
Authors: Kumar Vishal , Choudhary Sanjiv Kumar
Published: May 2024

Scientific literacy is a crucial goal of science education that must adapt to the needs of the time. Different scientific literacy frameworks (such as the PISA 2018 scientific literacy framework; Cansiz & Cansiz, 2019) have been used for evaluating textbooks to evaluate the content. However, in recent years, a significant body of literature about contemporary challenges, such as ‘environmental issues, misinformation, science denial, responsible and transformative actions,’ has emerged, necessitating an update to the current framework. This paper seeks to address this research gap by critically reviewing and synthesizing the recent literature on scientific literacy. This research paper proposes a reconstructed scientific literacy framework for evaluating textbooks that align with science education's evolving needs and challenges by analyzing and incorporating the latest insights, also considering the latest PISA 2025 framework. After careful analysis, considering the Cansiz & Cansiz (2019) framework as the base, descriptors of the aspect ‘Interaction of STSE’ have been reconceptualized, the aspect ‘Affective side of science’ has been reconceptualized as ‘Affective engagement with science,’ and the addition of a new aspect, ‘Environmental awareness and responsibility’ dedicated explicitly to environmental challenges and suitable actions, is suggested. The reconstructed framework will serve as a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, and researchers to enhance the teaching and assessment of scientific literacy in educational settings. The findings of this research have the potential to contribute to the ongoing discourse on scientific literacy and provide valuable guidance for future curriculum development and educational practices.
Co-creating community wellbeing initiatives: What is the evidence and how do they work?
Authors: Powell Nicholas , Dalton Hazel , Lawrence-Bourne Joanne , Perkins David
Published: May 2024

Background
Addressing wellbeing at the community level, using a public health approach may build wellbeing and protective factors for all. A collaborative, community-owned approach can bring together experience, networks, local knowledge, and other resources to form a locally-driven, place-based initiative that can address complex issues effectively. Research on community empowerment, coalition functioning, health interventions and the use of local data provide evidence about what can be achieved in communities. There is less understanding about how communities can collaborate to bring about change, especially for mental health and wellbeing.
Method
A comprehensive literature search was undertaken to identify community wellbeing initiatives that address mental health. After screening 8,972 titles, 745 abstracts and 188 full-texts, 12 exemplar initiatives were identified (39 related papers).
Results
Eight key principles allowed these initiatives to become established and operate successfully. These principles related to implementation and outcome lessons that allowed these initiatives to contribute to the goal of increasing community mental health and wellbeing. A framework for community wellbeing initiatives addressing principles, development, implementation and sustainability was derived from this analysis, with processes mapped therein.
Conclusion
This framework provides evidence for communities seeking to address community wellbeing and avoid the pitfalls experienced by many well-meaning but short-lived initiatives.
Assessment of the Awareness, Attitude and Practices of Materiovigilance amongst Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Chalasani Sri Harsha , Attri Lakshay Kumar , BJ Subhash Chandra , Ramesh Madhan , Syed Jehath , Pal Nikita
Published: May 2024

Background
The healthcare sector is laden with life-saving medical equipment, and the rate and pattern of medical-device-induced adverse events are more alarming for patient safety. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) lack an adequate understanding of and underreported medical device-associated adverse events (MDAEs) observed in the literature review. The present study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and awareness of materiovigilance among HCPs.
Methods
A descriptive, cross-sectional, self-administered, validated questionnaire-based study was conducted on HCPs. A 15-item questionnaire comprising the knowledge, attitude, and awareness domains of Materiovigilance was given to the volunteers, and their responses were collected and analyzed.
Results
A total of 49 responses were collected from different HCPs from distinct professional and demographic backgrounds, where the majority of the respondents [n = 26 (53%)] were males; the majority of them belonged to the age group of 20-25years [n = 21 (42%)], and [n = 30 (61%)] belonged to the group of 0–3 years in terms of their experience. Among them, the highest percentage of 30 (61.2%) of the personnel (physicians, clinical pharmacists, biomedical engineers, and nurses) were involved in detecting and reporting MDAEs in a hospital setting, and 13 (26.5%) of them responded to promote and enhance patient safety by improving device manufacturing and opined the purpose of the Materiovigilance Programme of India (MvPI).
Conclusion
Despite inadequate knowledge and practice of Materiovigilance among HCPs, their attitude towards Materiovigilance was reassuring. Therefore, MDAEs require meticulous patient monitoring, and workshops, seminars, and training sessions on Materiovigilance are needed for HCPs to enhance the detection, handling, and reporting of MDAEs for the sake of patient care.
Estimation of real and complex roots of cubic polynomials using quadratics
Authors: Othman Slim Ben , Bagul Yogesh J.
Published: May 2024

We present here a new method to estimate the solution of a cubic equation with real and complex coefficients. Our method is based on a derived quadratic from the original cubic allowing a reliable evaluation of the roots through a few simple and fast steps without needing extended formulae or logarithms. This approach is suitable for engineering applications and scientific research.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2010). 11D25, 12D10, 26C10, 30C15.
Topical Insulin: A Novel Frontier in Ocular Disease Management - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Andrade Luís Jesuino de Oliveira , de Oliveira Gabriela Correia Matos , Bittencourt Alcina Maria Vinhaes , David Tulio Matos , Rocha Roseanne Montargil , de Oliveira Luís Matos
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Background: Ocular surface disorders (OSD) are highly prevalent, affecting millions globally. While conventional treatments offer some level of success, they often fall short in addressing challenging refractory cases. This unmet need has spurred the investigation of novel therapeutic approaches, including the exploration of topical insulin as a potential alternative.
Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the safety and efficacy of topical insulin for OSD management.
Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search across major databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library) for studies investigating the use of topical insulin for ocular conditions. Studies were rigorously selected based on pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria and assessed for methodological quality using established tools. We extracted and analyzed data pertaining to safety, efficacy, and relevant outcomes for meta-analysis, including healing time.
Results: Ten studies (diverse designs: 1 case-control, 3 randomized prospective, 3 retrospective, and 3 double-blind) met the inclusion criteria. These studies explored a range of OSD, including neurotrophic corneal ulcers, persistent epithelial defects, recurrent epithelial erosions, dry eye disease, and postoperative corneal wound healing in diabetic patients. The findings suggest encouraging outcomes for topical insulin across these indications, demonstrating its potential to OSD. A meta-analysis comparing healing times between topical insulin and placebo revealed a statistically significant advantage for the insulin group (Q = 26.81, df = 3, P = 0.000, I² = 96%).
Conclusion: This comprehensive review and meta-analysis provide promising evidence for the therapeutic potential of topical insulin in diverse OSD. While methodological limitations exist, particularly in non-randomized studies, the current body of evidence suggests that topical insulin may offer a safe and effective treatment option for patients with refractory OSD.
Acute Mechanical Bowel Obstruction: Clinical Presentation, Etiology, Management, and Outcome
Authors: Matar Ahmed Iessa , Obadiel Yasser Abdurabo , Jowah Haitham Mohammed
Published: May 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical presentation and etiology of acute mechanical bowel obstruction while assessing the incidence of complications such as intestinal perforation and necrosis.
Patients and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at Al-Thawra General Modern General Hospital (TMGH) in Sana'a, Yemen, spanning the period from October 2022 to October 2023. A total of 106 patients diagnosed with AMBO were enrolled, and comprehensive data were collected on demographics, clinical presentation, management strategies, surgical interventions, etiology, complications, and patient outcomes.
Results: The study included 106 patients with AMBO. The majority of patients were male (66.0%), and the most affected age group was 31-60 years (51%). The common presenting symptoms included constipation (90.6%), vomiting (96.2%), and absolute constipation (75.5%). Adhesions were identified as the predominant cause of AMBO (41.5%), followed by hernias and large bowel masses. Surgical intervention was performed in the majority of cases (71.7%), with resection and anastomosis (29.2%) being the most frequently performed procedures. Intraoperative complications included bowel ischemia (17.0%), necrosis (12.3%), and perforation (6.6%). Postoperative complications primarily manifested as wound infections (31.6%). The majority of patients showed improvement and were discharged (89.6%), but the mortality rate was 10.4%.
Conclusion: Our study on AMBO in Yemen found a higher prevalence in males and middle-aged individuals, with small bowel obstruction being more common. Adhesions, hernias, and large bowel masses were identified as the primary causes. Surgical intervention was frequently required, with resection and anastomosis being the most common procedures. Postoperative complications, including wound infections, were observed. Further multicenter studies are warranted to validate and generalize the findings of this investigation.
Urban land use, land cover change and urban microclimate dynamics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Authors: Demisse Mulugeta
Published: May 2024

Land surface temperature (LST) increases and urban heat island (UHI) variability are the major urban climatology problems arising in urban development. This study attempts to assess the effects of urban land use and land cover change on microclimate dynamics in Addis Ababa city. Three different sets of remotely sensed data from Landsat 5 TM (1990), Landsat 7 ETM+ (2005) and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS (2021) were used for the study. LSTs were retrieved from Landsat5 TM and Landsat7 ETM + using a mono window, and Landsat8 OLI/TIRS used split window algorithms. Regression and correlation analyses of the LST, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalized difference built-up index (NDBI) were performed in SPSS V23. The study also examined the different residential urban morphology types (UMTs) of the LST and NDVI. The selected UMTs included apartments, villas and mud houses. These UMTs are extracted by digitizing them from the Google Earth explorer. The results from this study showed that the proportion of urban green space (UGS) to other LULC types decreased from 120.4 km2 in 1990 to 76.26 km2 in 2021. However, the built-up area increased at a rate of 216.5 km2 (39.03%) from 1990 to 2021. The rapid expansion of built-up land in the study area was the main factor influencing the increase in LST. The residential UMTs exhibited significant differences in mean LSTs and NDVIs. The results indicate that UMT inhibited by Villia had the highest mean NDVI value and that the highest mean LST was observed in Apartment. The results of multiple linear regression analysis clearly indicate that built-up and green vegetation contributed 92.2% of the LST variations in Addis Ababa city. The results of the study indicate that strengthening public participation in urban greening and optimizing the NDVI and NDBI are important strategies for mitigating the effects of microclimate change and that sustaining urban development and providing better quality of life for the urban population are important.
Determining Eastern Red Cedar Biochar Soilless Media Supplementation Rates for Potted Ornamental Kale and Chrysanthemum Production
Authors: Lamichhane Babita , Dunn Bruce L. , Singh Hardeep , Kumar Ajay , Norwood Bailey
Published: May 2024

The increasing demand for soilless media, sustainability issues with peatmoss, and increasing cost of peatmoss have prompted studies of more environmentally friendly and less expensive substitutes. Biochar, a lightweight black carbon material produced by the pyrolysis of biomass, has gained popularity as a soilless media supplement. The objective of this study was to evaluate Eastern red cedar (ERC) biochar as a supplement to soilless media for the production of chrysanthemum and ornamental kale. Treatments included ERC biochar produced at three different temperature ranges of 300 to 350 °C, 400 to 450 °C, and 500 to 550 °C that were applied at 25%, 50%, and 75% v/v plus a control (100% v/v of standard commercial mix). Additionally, ERC bark was applied at the same rate as biochar. The 300 to 350 °C and 400 to 450 °C temperature ranges increased the bulk density of the media, whereas total porosity was greatest with just bark. Regarding the physical properties of the media, in general, the 75% v/v supplementation rate of ERC bark or biochar at any temperature increased air porosity but decreased the water holding capacity, except for the water holding capacity at 500 to 550 °C. As the biochar production temperature increased, so did the pH and electrical conductivity (EC), whereas volatile matter decreased. Plant height, width, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, number of flowers (chrysanthemum only), flower diameter, and water use efficiency were greatest with the 100% v/v soilless media for both species. In general, chrysanthemum plants grown with 25% v/v biochar supplementation or bark had similar height, width, and shoot dry weight at any temperature compared with those grown with the 100% v/v soilless media. For ornamental kale, the 25% v/v 400 to 450 °C biochar supplementation showed plant height and water use efficiency similar to those of the 100% v/v soilless media. In general, 25% ERC bark performed similar to 25% v/v and 50% v/v biochar at any temperature for plant width, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, water use efficiency, and root-to-shoot ratio. The media nutrient content and EC were greater with 100% v/v soilless media and a lower rate (25% v/v) of ERC bark and biochar than with higher rates. The higher levels of biochar were harmful and reduced the ornamental kale growth and quality. These results suggest that supplemented soilless media with lower rates (25% v/v) of ERC biochar could be recommended for chrysanthemum, but that less than 25% v/v may be necessary for ornamental kale.
Rare metal concentration features at a caldera type deposit in the Miocene-Quaternary boron-lithium province of North America. Search for analogues
Authors: Pogrebnaia D. A. , Vakhromeev A. G.
Published: May 2024

The fact that lithium has a wide range of applications in many fields including the production of lithium-ion batteries determines an increased interest in lithium mining. The most common types of lithium raw material sources are underground brines, saline lakes (“salars”), and ore minerals. In 2021, the first and unique deposit of lithium clays was discovered in the McDermitt caldera (Nevada, USA). Its resources are estimated at 13.7 million tons of lithium carbonate with the lithium concentration of 2231 mg/l. The uniqueness of this deposit raises the interest in the formation of model ideas about lithiumclay genesis to search for analogous deposits and explore them.

   The purpose of the article is to provide an overview of the geological structure and describe the main development periods of the McDermitt caldera.

   The authors also characterize the potential sources of lithium (felsic igneous rocks and hydrothermal fluids), migration paths of lithium-bearing brines as well as the formation mechanism of clays with a high lithium content (hectorite, illite and smectite). A generalized formation model of this type of deposits is proposed. Particular attention is paid to the role of hydrothermal fluids as a potential additional source of lithium “supply” to the caldera basin. Key criteria characteristic of industrial accumulations of lithium of this type have been formed in order to explore and identify analogous deposits. In conclusion, the authors put forward a hypothesis about the presence of deposits that are analogous to the Thacker Pass in the McDermitt caldera in the lithium province on the Altiplano-Puna plateau in one of the calderas of the Altiplano-Puna volcanic complex, and in Eastern Kamchatka.
Evaluation of employee turnover among public secondary teachers in Kisii Central District, Kisii County, Kenya
Authors: Justus Nyongesa Wesonga , Van Der Westhuizen Johan
Published: May 2024

Knowledge and expertise have become essential components of wealth growth and development that organizations continue to foster employee retention. Statistics show that over 800 teachers quit to pursue other opportunities, making delivering services in Kenyan schools hard. The study aimed to identify factors that influenced turnover among secondary school teachers. The Study's survey research design was cross-sectional. Three hundred seventy-six teachers from 47 public secondary schools attended. A sample of 188 teachers was recruited using a planned stratified random sample of 47 principals and 141 teachers. A self-administered questionnaire was used. The Chi-square test determined the impact the characteristics had on the turnover of trained teachers. The findings established that coming up with a professional path, developing attractive compensation, inspiring teachers to stick to their positions at work, boosting teacher evaluations, and finding ways to communicate, have a significant positive effect, for they helped reduce labour turnover. The study recommends that managers strengthen professional development programs, salary and benefits packages, a positive work environment, performance evaluations that work, communication channels, and leadership possibilities. The study is novel in identifying specific geographical dynamics important in turnover mitigation. It also analyzes interconnected elements contributing to labour turnover and suggests complicated mitigation approaches to assist policy development and resources
Sociological interventions for the diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria: addressing misconceptions, cultural biases, and promoting vaccination
Authors: Michael Turnwait Otu
Published: May 2024

Diphtheria is a fatal bacterial infection primarily affecting the respiratory system, characterized by a thick membrane formation in the throat, caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This manuscript elucidates sociological interventions, aimed at protecting the population of Nigeria from diphtheria, a preventable yet persisting health threat. It delves into diverse strategies that could be employed to combat misconceptions, navigate deeply ingrained cultural biases, and instill the significance of vaccination within the context of diphtheria outbreak and prevention. The research question was: "What are the sociological interventions, used to address misconceptions, cultural biases, and promote vaccination in the context of diphtheria prevention in Nigeria?" In response to this inquiry, a comprehensive review methodology was employed to systematically gather, evaluate, and synthesize relevant literature outputs. The literature search, conducted across diverse academic databases and repositories, yields a rich collection of studies, reports, and case studies. The lens of Symbolic Interactionism was applied. The sociological interventions, considered in this context, engage directly with communities, healthcare providers, and local leaders. It addresses the vital need to combat misconceptions, cultural biases, and vaccine hesitancy, fostering a deeper understanding of the dynamic interplay between sociological factors and healthcare interventions. Sociological interventions for diphtheria protection in Nigeria require culturally sensitive approaches, community engagement, health education, addressing vaccine hesitancy, offering accessible vaccination services, tackling socioeconomic barriers, targeted messaging, behavioral change communication, data collection, and research collaborations to understand and address sociocultural factors influencing vaccine uptake and prevention. The findings and implications offer valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers, and lay the groundwork for more effective strategies to protect the population from this preventable disease
The author's modification of the existing praxis classification among children with special needs in the context of their psycho-speech development
Authors: Moga Mykola
Published: May 2024

The well-known value for the speech development of children is a mastering of all praxis types. Unfortunately, no attention is paid to general praxis in the existing speech therapy literature. In addition, experts do not have a unified approach to the classification of all existing praxis types. The lack of a unified approach to the classification of main praxis types introduces some misunderstanding of its use. The purpose of the study is to develop the methodological and methodical basis for manual praxis among preschoolers with speech disorders using adaptive physical education.
Materials and Methods: analysis of existing literature on research issues, systematization of the received information and its further classification; and generalization.
The role of wrist functions among preschool children with speech disorders is considered. The analysis of the coordination wrist functions as the basis of manual praxis was made. The phylogenetic value of each coordination function is described. The prospects of combining the possibilities of physical education and occupational therapy in the development of wrist praxis are separately considered.
A new author's classification of praxis was created based on: the ontogenetic principle of movement construction according to M. Bernstein; the topographic principle; the degree of praxis complication; and the degree of praxis development. The main methodological directions of the manual praxis development among preschoolers with speech disorders in combination with other types of praxis are formulated
A narrative review on psychosocial factors associated with suicide amongst youth
Authors: Shophi Tsholofelo
Published: May 2024

Youth just like people of different age bands around the world face a multitude of challenges daily and continuously in their lives. For some of them, suicide is the ultimate answer to all their battles. Suicide continues to be on the rise for concern in South Africa and the entire world. Despite authors’ attempts to understand, conceptualise, and bring awareness about it, it seems inevitable. This paper was aimed at mapping the existing literature on psychosocial factors, associated with suicide amongst youth. The author used narrative as the research method. Data was collected from different databases with a trajectory of 10 years. The author used databases, such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Jstor and Sabinet African Journals. The author used purposive sampling in selecting relevant articles using keywords. Data was then analysed thematically using thematic content analysis. The study found that youth encounter a lot of challenges, categorised under social factors, such as family, and psychological risk factors, such as psychopathology, which ultimately led them to have suicide ideation or attempt. The paper recommends an incorporation of a topic in Life Orientation for pupils in High School in South Africa, which raise awareness on the issues of mental health and conscientize parents and or guardians in symposiums about psychosocial factors, associated with suicide. The study concludes that youth around the world indeed encounter multiple challenges. Researchers should fundamentally contemplate about the programmes or guidelines of dealing with emotions that may be evoked by several crises that the youth face to normalize them.
Assessing the effects of climate and land-use change on flood recurrence in Kokcha River, Afghanistan
Authors: Shams Hedayatullah , Khan Asif , Haleem Kashif , Mahmood Saqib
Published: May 2024

This study critically assesses the combined effects of climate and land-use change on flood recurrence in the Kokcha River, Afghanistan, spanning the period from 2010 to 2021 and projecting forward to 2088–2099. Through the application of a bias-corrected model, we achieved high accuracy in temperature and precipitation simulations, with notable NSE values of 0.9 and 0.69, and R2 values of 0.92 and 0.78, respectively. Future streamflow simulations under different scenarios highlight climate change as the major driver influencing flood recurrence in the Kokcha River, contributing to 101.1% of the total variation, while land-use change has a minimal contribution of −1.1%. Our analysis of precipitation, average temperature, and streamflow data reveals significant patterns and changes, with future projections indicating a gradual decline in precipitation levels, mean temperature, and streamflow. Flood frequency analysis for return periods of 10, 50, 100, 200, and 500 years, considering different scenarios, underscores the likelihood of floods of varying magnitudes. Notably, the highest streamflow spikes under both scenarios highlight the impact of futuristic air temperature and precipitation on flood recurrence. The study advocates prioritizing climate change adaptation and resilient land-use strategies to ensure sustainable water resource management, emphasizing the mitigation of potential flood risks.
A statistical model for estimating porosity based on various parameters of flow through porous media
Authors: Kango Rajat , Chandel Abhishish , Shankar Vijay
Published: May 2024

Flow through porous media is a process with a momentous impact on the environment. Hydraulic conductivity, which depends on the particle size, shape, and porosity of the media, has applications in different fields of science, e.g., groundwater, seepage, and soil stability. Precise estimation of porosity leads to accurate computation of the hydraulic conductivity of porous media. The present study investigates the effect of particle size on the porosity of porous media, i.e., crushed quartzite, river gravel, marble chips, and sand. The influence of the wall effect on packing and porosity of porous media based on the diameter ratio, i.e., the ratio of permeameter-to-particle size (Dp/dg) has also been investigated. The hydraulic conductivity and the porosity of porous media are observed to increase with an increase in the particle size. The study postulates a dependable relation between hydraulic conductivity and porosity. The experimentally obtained and the model-generated porosity values for crushed quartzite, river gravel, marble chips, and sand range between 0.38–0.42 and 0.37–0.43, respectively. Experimental data have been used to derive a statistical model based on the diameter ratio (5.08 ≤ (Dp/dg) ≤ 254) for estimating the porosity of media. The validation of the statistical model using experimental data establishes the efficacy of the developed model.
Research of numerical indicators for the development of the Asselskaya area of Orenburg oil and gas condensate field using the material balance method
Authors:   Ufa State Petroleum Technological University, Ufa, Russia, Fetisov A.E. , Khatmullina R.S.
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this work is to analyze and forecast the development indicators of the Assel deposit of Orenburg oil and gas condensate field. To complete this task, a large amount of data is required, which was obtained from the technological development project. The calculation is performed using a program written in the Python programming language. The variables for the material balance equation are given, some of them are calculated using intermediate formulas. The average values of the parameters over the last 15 years of development were chosen as the optimized parameters, since small amounts of cumulative production in the first years of development can lead to a significant error in the calculation of the material balance equation. Also, a comparison was made of the estimated forecast for the development of the Assel deposit with the forecast, according to the state plan, presented in the field development project. The comparison was made on the main parameters: cumulative oil production, annual oil production, oil recovery factor and water cut. For a visual comparison of the calculated parameters, dependency graphs are presented that reflect the forecast made by the material balance method, as well as the forecast based on the data of the state plan. The difference in the behavior of the curves shown on the graphs can be explained by the inaccuracy of the parameters describing the reservoir, as well as the inaccuracy of determining the initial recoverable reserves. This is also affected by the difference in reservoir drawdowns for injection and production wells, proposed in the state plan and in the forecast. Of course, the inaccuracy of the injectivity and productivity coefficients of wells, which were selected based on the estimated volumes of water injection and oil production, also affects. Based on the calculation performed, it can be concluded that it is expedient to further exploit the Asselskaya area of Orenburg oil and gas condensate field with the introduction of a reservoir pressure maintenance system until 2079. According to the forecasts, the water cut equal to 96% will be achieved in 2079, while the oil recovery factor will be 0.427.