bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Efficacy and Tolerability of Duodenal Released Ferrous Glycine Sulfate Supplement versus Ferrous Sulfate in Anemic Pregnant Women
Authors: Hantoushzadeh Sedigheh , Shariat Mamak , Raznahan Maedeh , moradi raheleh
Published: December 2022

Background: Anemia is a common cause of perinatal outcomes, including preterm delivery, neonatal neurodevelopmental problems, and indirect maternal death. As iron deficiency is the first acquired factor in the development of anemia, the appropriate nutrition of mothers and an accurate supplementation is recommended.
Objectives: To determine the effects and gastrointestinal tolerance of one type of oral supplements with Ferrous sulfate glycine compared with Ferrous sulfate in anemic pregnant women.
Methods: This study was performed on anemic pregnant women referring to the prenatal clinic in Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, from 2019 to 2021. The women randomized into two groups of Ferro fort duodenal or Ferrous sulfate. In 16-20 and 24-28 weeks of gestation, data including of hemoglobin and ferritin changes as well as gastrointestinal tolerability were evaluated and analyzed by SPSS version 23.
Results: From a total of 50 participants in every group, 16 and 33 women respectively completed the study with Ferrous sulfate and Ferro fort duodenal. After 8 weeks of starting the supplementation, decrease of hemoglobin and increase of ferritin were respectively observed in the groups of Ferrous sulfate and Ferro fort duodenal. Comparison between the two groups also showed a significant increase of hemoglobin in women consuming Ferro fort duodenal compared to Ferrous sulfate (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Although improvement of hematology indices in Ferro fort duodenal group compared with Ferrous sulfate was shown, further clinical trials are needed to lead to confirmation or modification of our results.
Impact of the 2018-2020 Democratic Republic of Congo Ebola epidemic on health system utilization and health outcomes
Authors: Quattrochi John , Malemo Luc Kalisya , Niehuus Rachel
Published: December 2022

Background.In the 2018-2020 Ebola epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, 3,481 people were infected, resulting in 2,299 deaths. We assessed the impact on health system utilization and health outcomes.
Methods.From January to March 2020, a retrospective cross-sectional survey was administered to 3,631 households in Ebola-affected and non-affected health zones in North Kivu province. We tested for associations between residence in an Ebola zone and outcomes using linear models. Administrative data from health facilities in Ebola zones was also used to test for statistically significant changes in operative volume and disease rates before and during the epidemic.
Findings. Operative volume before the epidemic was statistically indistinguishable from during the epidemic, but households in Ebola zones were 16 percentage points more likely to report going to the hospital more often than normal because of free access (p<0.01). Households in Ebola zones reported fewer measles vaccinations and less willingness to vaccinate children compared to non-Ebola zones; however, the administrative data showed no change in vaccination before and during Ebola in Ebola zones. Households in Ebola zones reported fewer cases of childhood measles and diarrhea compared to non-Ebola zones, although the administrative data showed no change in either, comparing before-Ebola to during-Ebola in Ebola zones.
Conclusion. The Ebola epidemic does not appear to have had large effects on health system utilization or health outcomes (other than Ebola virus disease). This suggests that the Congolese and international response were successful in maintaining health system capacity during the epidemic.
Deep Medullary Vein Score is Associated with Burden of White Matter Hyperintensities
Authors: Lan HaiYuan , Lei Xinjun , Wang Huimei , Xu ZhiHua , Wu Ling Xiu , Zhang Hong , Yu Jie
Published: December 2022

Background
To explore the correlation between the deep medullary vein (DMV) score and the burden of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs).
Methods
The baseline clinical and imaging data of 130 patients were analyzed prospectively. DMVs were divided into 6 anatomic regions on susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) images, with each region scored 0 to 3 based on the visual condition of the vessels, and the DMV score was obtained by adding the scores of the 6 regions. The WHM burden was calculated with the WMH volumes and Fazekas scores for periventricular white matter hyperintensities (PWMHs) and deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMHs) on FLAIR images.
Results
The WMH volumes and PWMH and DWMH Fazekas scores were correlated with age ,the DMVscore,and blood pressure (P < 0.05), while not correlated with gender, diabetes, hyperlipidemia or smoking (P > 0.05). After multivariate analysis, the DMV score was independently associated with the WMH volume and the PWMH and DWMH Fazekas scores (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
The DMV score is correlated with the WMHs burden.
Reform of Environmental Protection Fee - to - Tax and Firms' Labor Share: Quasi-Natural Experimental Evidence Based on the Enforcement of the Environmental Protection Tax Law of the People's Republic of China
Authors: Xiao Qian , Jiang Yaohui , Li Rong , Xiao Sidi
Published: December 2022

There is no conclusion on whether green development can symbiotically coexist with shared development, and the effect of environmental protection tax on labor share provides new evidence to answer this question. This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the change in labor share in the exogenous impact of the enforcement of the Environmental Protection Tax Law of the People's Republic of China and proposes relevant hypotheses. At the same time, the empirical data of listed firms on the main board from 2013 to 2019 are collected. A difference-in-differences model is constructed to test the hypotheses empirically. The study found that the reform of environmental protection fee-to-tax reduced the labor share of high-polluting firms by an average of about 1.43%. However, it did not significantly reduce the share of corporate executives' income. The reform of environmental protection fee-to-tax reduces the labor share of high-polluting firms through the crowding-out effect and the substitution effect of production technology. The heterogeneity study revealed that the reform of environmental protection fee-to-tax has more substantial negative impacts on firms with high financing constraints, low market concerns and low government subsidies. There is no significant difference between the impact on state-owned and private firms. The reform of environmental protection fee-to-tax has a more substantial negative impact on the firms in Central and Western China than those in more economically developed Eastern China.
KRAS activation in gastric cancer stem-like cells promotes tumor angiogenesis and metastasis
Authors: Yoon Changhwan , Lu Jun , Jun Yukyung , Suh Yun-Suhk , Kim Bang-Jin , Till Jacob , Kim Jong Hyun , Ryeom Sandra , Yoon Sam S. , Keshavjee Sara
Published: December 2022

Our previous work showed that KRAS activation in gastric cancer cells leads to activation of an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program and generation of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). Here we analyze how this KRAS activation in gastric CSCs promotes tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. Gastric cancer CSCs were found to secrete pro-angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), and inhibition of KRAS markedly reduced secretion of these factors. In a genetically engineered mouse model, gastric tumorigenesis was markedly attenuated when both KRAS and VEGF-A signaling were blocked. In orthotropic implant and experimental metastasis models, silencing of KRAS and VEGF-A using shRNA in gastric CSCs abrogated primary tumor formation, lymph node metastasis, and lung metastasis far greater than individual silencing of KRAS or VEGF-A. Analysis of gastric cancer patient samples using RNA sequencing revealed a clear association between high expression of the gastric CSC marker CD44 and expression of both KRAS and VEGF-A, and high CD44 and VEGF-A expression predicted worse overall survival. In conclusion, KRAS activation in gastric CSCs enhances secretion of pro-angiogenic factors and promotes tumor progression and metastasis.
The effects of HIV/AIDS family dysfunction trajectories and psychosocial wellbeing among adolescents in Ghana: the mediating role of child maltreatment
Authors: Doku Paul , Ananga Mark Kwame , Jehu-Appiah Noranolda , Akohene Kofi Mensah , Debrah Timothy Pritchard , Nsatimba Frederick
Published: December 2022

Background
The relationship between parental HIV/AIDS status or death and child mental health is well known, although the role of child maltreatment as a confounder or mediator in this relationship remains uncertain. This study examined the potential path mechanism through child maltreatment mediating the link between HIV/AIDS family dysfunction trajectories and psychosocial wellbeing.
Method
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Lower Manya Municipal Assembly of Ghana. A questionnaire which consisted of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Social and Health Assessment (SAHA), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS) was completed by 291 adolescents.
Results
Controlling for relevant sociodemographic confounders, mediation analyses using linear regression were fitted to examine whether the association between family dysfunction and psychosocial wellbeing is mediated by child maltreatment. The results indicate that, among adolescents, child maltreatment fully mediated the association between being orphaned by AIDS and self-esteem (b = .59 [95%CI .32, .91], delinquency and risky behaviours (b = .56 [95%CI .31, .86] and peer problems (b = .74 [95%CI .48, 1.03]. Similarly, child maltreatment fully mediated the association between living with an HIV/AIDS-infected parent and self-esteem (b = .78 [95%CI .43, 1.23], delinquency and risky behaviours (b = .76 [95%CI .45, 1.11], depression/emotional problems (b = .64 [95%CI .40, .92] and peer problems (b = .94 [95%CI .66, 1.26]. Partial mediation was found for hyperactivity.
Conclusion
Child maltreatment mediates the association between the family dysfunction trajectories of parental HIV/AIDS or death and psychosocial wellbeing among adolescents. This implies that efforts to address child maltreatment among families affected by HIV/AIDS may be helpful in the prevention of psychological distress among these children, thus enhancing their wellbeing. The findings therefore underscore the need for comprehensive psychosocial interventions that addresses both the unique negative exposures of HIV/AIDS and maltreatment for children affected by HIV.
Family Wellbeing in General Practice: A study protocol for a cluster-randomised trial of the web-based Resilience Programme on Early Child Development
Authors: Overbeck Gritt , Kragstrup Jakob , Gørtz Mette , Rasmussen Ida Scheel , Graungaard Anette Hauskov , Siersma Volkert Dirk , de Voss Sarah Strøyer , Ertmann Ruth Kirk , Shahrzad Sinead , Appel Clara Lundmark , Wilson Philip
Published: December 2022

Background: Social, emotional and behavioural problems in early childhood are associated with increased risk for a wide range of poor outcomes associated with substantial cost and impact on society as a whole. Some of these problems are rooted in the early mother-infant relationship and might be prevented. In Denmark, primary health care has a central role in preventive care during pregnancy and the first years of the child’s life and general practice provides opportunities to promote a healthy mother-infant relationship in early parenthood.
Objective: In the context of standardised antenatal and child development assessments focused on psychosocial wellbeing, we examine the impact of a complex intervention designed to improve maternal mentalisation skills, involving training of general practice clinicians and signposting towards a web-based resource. Joint main outcomes are child socio-emotional and language development at age 30 months measured by parentally reported questionnaires (Communicative Development Inventory and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire).
Methods: The study is a cluster-randomised controlled trial based in general practices in the Capital Region and the Zealand Region of Denmark. Seventy practices were included. Practices were randomised by a computer algorithm in a ratio of 1:1 to intervention or control groups. Each practice was asked to recruit up to 30 women consecutively at their first scheduled antenatal assessment. Clinicians in both groups received one day of training in preventive antenatal and child development consultations with added focus on parental psychosocial well-being, social support, and parent-child interaction. These preventive consultations delivered in both trial arms require enhanced data recording about psychosocial factors. In intervention clinics, clinicians were asked to signpost a web page at three scheduled antenatal consultations and at four scheduled consultations when the child is five weeks, five months, one and two years.
Discussion: We hypothesise that the intervention will increase mothers’ ability to be sensitive to their child’s mental state to an extent that improves the child’s language and mental state at 30 months of age measured by parent-reported questionnaires.
Trial registration:Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04129359. Registered Oct 16 2019 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04129359
Defects in canine sperm motility associated with telomere shortening and changes in expression of shelterin genes
Authors: Hassanpour Hossein , Mirshokraei Pezhman , Salehpour Marzieh , Amiri Khadije , Ghareghani Parvin , Nasiri Leila
Published: December 2022

Background
Motion quality is a critical property of sperm to do its essential functions. Several endogenous and exogenous factors are involved in sperm motility. Here, we, for the first time, measured the relative telomere length and evaluated the gene expression of its binding-proteins, as shelterin complex (TRF1, TRF2, RAP1, POT1, TIN2, and TPP1) in sperm of dogs using relative quantitative real-time PCR and compared them between two sperm subpopulations with low and high motion qualities (separated by swim-up method). Telomere shortening and alterations of shelterin gene expression result from ROS, genotoxic insults, and genetic predisposition.
Results
Sperm kinematic parameters were measured in two subpopulations and then telomeric index of each parameter was calculated. Telomeric index for linearity, VSL, VCL, STR, BCF, and ALH were significantly more in the up-sperms group (high quality) than the down-sperms (low quality) group. We demonstrated that low motion quality is associated with shorter telomere, higher expression of TRF2, POT1, and TIN2 genes, and lower expression of the RAP1 gene in dog sperm. Expression of TRF1 and TPP1 genes was stable with changing of sperm quality and telomere length.
Conclusion
Data provided evidence that there are considerable changes in gene expression of many shelterin components (TRF2, TIN2, POT1and RAP1) associated with shortening telomere in the spermatozoa with low motion quality. Possibly, the downward motion quality is the result of defects in the shelterin complex and telomere length. Our data suggests a new approach in the animal semen assessment and etiologic studies of animal male infertility.
Recognising and responding to acute deterioration in care home residents: a scoping review
Authors: Hodge Sevim Y. , Ali Mohammad R. , Hui Ada , Logan Pip , Gordon Adam L.
Published: December 2022

Objectives
To collate evidence on how care home workers recognise and respond acute deterioration (AD) in residents using published primary research, non-indexed and grey literature including policies, guidelines and protocols.
Methods
A systematic scoping review was conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology. Searches were conducted using: CINAHL (EBSCOhost), EMCARE (OVID), MEDLINE (OVID) and HMIC (OVID). Snowball searches of reference lists of included studies were conducted. Studies that featured care homes with/without nursing and provided 24/7 care to residents were included.
Results
382 studies were identified from four databases. After reviewing all studies against inclusion criteria, four were included in the review. No further studies were identified from snowball searches. All included studies used qualitative methods and were conducted in Australia. Three themes were identified from the review: identifying residents with AD; managing AD and factors affecting recognition and response to AD.
DMA2022-Martensite transformation and its microscopic mechanism of TRIP duplex stainless steel under cyclic loading
Authors: Zou Zongyuan , Liu Guannan , Wang Hongzhong , Zhai Donglin , Chen Lei , Jin Miao
Published: December 2022

Because of the features of high strength and high plasticity, TRIP duplex stainless steels can achieve the purpose of lightweight and reduce fuel consumption and emissions. In order to further develop and apply the lightweight metastable duplex stainless steel, the martensite transformation and the microscopic mechanism of Mn-N alloyed TRIP duplex stainless steel under the cyclic loading were studied. The in-situ measurement platform of martensite transformation under the cyclic loading was built by the INSTRON 8801 series servohydraulic testing machine and FMP30 ferrite measuring instrument. The volume fraction of martensite transformation under symmetrical cyclic loading of different cycles with strain amplitudes of 0.5%, 0.7%, 0.9%, 1.1% and 1.3% were measured. The transformation law of martensite under the cyclic loading was analyzed, and the kinetics model of martensite transformation under the cyclic loading was established; The martensite transformation law, the effect of austenite grain orientation on martensite transformation and the microscopic mechanism of martensite transformation under the cyclic loading were analyzed by the electron backscattering diffraction(EBSD) and the transmission electron microscope(TEM).
Improvement of Spatial Estimation for Soil Organic Carbon Stocks in Yuksekova Plain using Sentinel 2 imagery and Gradient Descent Boosted Regression Tree
Authors: Budak Mesut , Günal Elif , Kılıç Miraç , Çelik İsmail , Sırrı Mesut , Acir Nurullah
Published: December 2022

Carbon sequestration in earth surface is higher than the atmosphere, and the amount of carbon stored in wetlands is much greater than all other land surfaces. The purpose of this study was to estimate soil organic carbon stocks (SOCS) and investigate spatial distribution pattern of Yuksekova wetlands and surrounding lands in Hakkari province of Turkey using machine learning and remote sensing data. Total carbon stock in study area was calculated at 10-cm vertical resolution in 0 to 30 cm depth for 50 sampling locations. Vegetation, soil and moisture indices were calculated using Sentinel 2 Multispectral Sensor Instrument (MSI) data. Significant correlations were obtained between the indices and SOCS, thus, the remote sensing indices were used as covariates in Multi-Layer Perceptron Neural Network (MLP) and Gradient Descent Boosted Regression Tree (GBDT) machine learning models. Mean Absolute Error, Root Mean Square Error and Mean Absolute Percentage Error were 3.94 (Mg C ha − 1), 6.64 (Mg C ha− 1) and 9.97%, respectively. The Simple Ratio Clay Index (SRCI), which represents the soil texture, was the most important factor in the SOCS estimation variance. In addition, the relationship between SRCI and Topsoil Grain Size Index revealed that topsoil clay content is a highly important parameter in spatial variation of SOCS. The spatial SOCS values obtained using the GBDT model and the mean SOCS values of the CORINE land lover classes were significantly different. The wetlands had the highest SOCS (61.46 Mg C ha− 1), followed by the lands principally occupied by natural vegetation and used as rangelands around the wetland (50.22 Mg C ha− 1). Environmental conditions have significant effect on SOCS which has high spatial variation in the study area. Reliable spatial SOCS information was obtained with the combination of Sentinel-2 guided multi-index remote sensing modeling strategy and the GBDT model. Therefore, the spatial estimation of SOCS can be successfully carried out with up-to-date machine learning algorithms only using remote sensing data. Reliable estimation of SOCS in wetlands and surrounding lands can help understand policy and decision makers the importance of wetlands in mitigating the negative impacts of global warming .
Assessing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a solution-focused resource-orientated approach (DIALOG+) to improving the quality of life for people with psychosis in India and Pakistan - a cluster RCT.
Authors: Bird Victoria Jane , Sajun Sana Zehra , Peppl Renata , Evans-Lacko Sara , Priebe Stefan , Singh Sawarn , Venkatraman Lakshmi , Ramachandran Padmavati , Pasha Aneeta , Malik Ashar , Qureshi Onaiza
Published: December 2022

Background: Severe Mental Illness (SMI) presents a major challenge worldwide, affecting approximately 5-8% of the world’s population. It causes significant distress to affected people, families and wider communities, generating high costs through loss of productivity and ongoing healthcare use. Over 75% of patients with psychosis receive inadequate care and experience a negative financial impact and reduced Quality of Life (QoL). It is therefore a priority to reduce the treatment gap by providing low-cost, effective interventions for people with psychosis.
Our research project, PIECEs, is designed to explore, adapt and test a low-cost, approach (DIALOG+) that makes use of existing resources to improve community-based care for patients with psychosis. The research will be conducted in two urban sites with high levels of socio-economic deprivation: Karachi, Pakistan and Chennai, India. DIALOG+ is a novel, technology-assisted and resource-oriented intervention, based on QoL research, concepts of patient-centred communication, IT developments and solution-focused therapy. However, the approach has not been rigorously tested within India and Pakistan. Our randomised controlled trial (RCT) aims to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of DIALOG+ in improving the QoL and clinical outcomes for individuals with long-term psychosis being treated in the community in India and Pakistan.
Methods: To assess the acceptability, feasibility, and cost effectiveness of DIALOG+, we will conduct a cluster RCT with 210 patients and 14 clinicians in each country. The intervention will be used during a routine interaction between a clinician and a patient. It consists of a patient-centred assessment (the DIALOG scale) whereby the clinician invites the patient to rate their satisfaction with different life domains and treatment aspects, which forms the active control group. The intervention group will follow this up with a four-step solution-focused approach to identify the patient’s resources and develop solutions to deal with the patient's concerns (DIALOG+).
Discussion: If shown to be effective DIALOG+ has the potential to improve community-based care and the QoL for millions of people within India and Pakistan who experience psychosis.
Trial Registration: The trial was registered prospectively on the ISRCTN Registry: ISRCTN13022816 on 9th Feb 2022, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN13022816
Uncertainty analysis of contagion processes based on a functional approach
Authors: López-Pintado Dunia , López-Pintado Sara , Yao Zonghui
Published: December 2022

The spread of a disease, product or idea in a population is often hard to predict. We tend to observe one or few realizations of the contagion process and therefore limited information can be obtained for anticipating future similar events. The stochastic nature of contagion generates unpredictable outcomes throughout the whole course of the dynamics. This might lead to important inaccuracies in the predictions and to the over or under-reaction of policymakers, who tend to anticipate the average behavior. We analyze the unpredictability (or uncertainty) of a contagion process exploiting the functional nature of the data and define a novel non-parametric measure of variance based on a weighted version of the depth-based central region area. We apply this methodology to the susceptible-infected-susceptible epidemiological model and the small-world networks. We find that maximum uncertainty is attained at the “stable contagion threshold”, which represents the parameter conditions for which the steady state is reaching a plateau as a function of the contagion rate. The density of the network has a significant effect on the uncertainty of contagion, whereas only a mild effect is seen for the network’s structure.
Should lymphadenectomy be routine procedure for primary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients undergoing curative hepatectomy? a retrospective cohort study with propensity-score matching analysis
Authors: Huang Shan , Song Jiu-Lin , Li Bo , Yi Peng-Sheng , Yang Jian
Published: December 2022

Background
Whether routine lymphadenectomy (LD) leads to better outcomes in patients with primary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) undergoing curative hepatectomy is unclear.
Materials and Methods
This study enrolled 269 consecutive patients who underwent liver resection for primary ICC from January 2009 to July 2020 in West China hospital. The association of the nodal status with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model and 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.
Results
75 (27.9%) patients had undergone curative liver resection combined with LD (LD + group), and 194 (72.1%) patients had only received curative liver resection without LD (LD- group and Nx group). Metastatic nodal disease was observed in 48% of LD + patients (N1 groups, n = 36), and the remaining 39 patients without metastatic nodal disease were classified as N0 group. During the follow-up period, 116 patients (43.1%) have developed tumour recurrence and 101 patients (37.5%) died with recurrence. Multivariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis (N1, OR 3.682, 95%CI 1.949–6.957, p < 0.001) was associated with worse OS, but LD+ (OR 0.504, 95%CI 0.298–0.853, p = 0.011) was associated with improved OS. And adjuvant therapy was a protective factor for both DFS (OR 0.602, 95%CI, 0.447–0.810, p = 0.001) and OS (OR 0.683, 95%CI 0.484–0.963, p = 0.030). After 1:1 PSM, the LD + patients (n = 74) expressed similar 1-, 3- and 5-year DFS rates (40.0%, 7.9% and 7.9% vs 29.0%, 13.7% and 13.7%, p = 0.741) and OS rates (56.0%, 26.6% and 22.2% vs 58.9%, 25.6%, and 16.4%, p = 0.644) with LD- patients (n = 74). Furthermore, among the 75 LD + patients, 48 patients underwent hepatic hilar lymphadenectomy (HHL), and 27 patients underwent extended hepatic hilar lymphadenectomy (EHL). Both DFS (p = 0.504) and OS (p = 0.215) were similar between the HHL and EHL groups.
Conclusion
Routine LD and adjuvant therapy may contribute to improved OS in crude analysis. LD may contribute to accurate staging without excessive risk, and recommended adjuvant therapy according to tumor stage, which may contribute to better survival. Therefore, LD could be still recommended as a routine procedure during curative hepatectomy for ICC patients.
A note on “An improved solution for the neutrosophic linear programming problems based on Mellin’s transform”
Authors: Ahuja Raina , Kumar Amit
Published: December 2022

Tamilarasi and Paulraj (Soft Comput (2022) 26:8497–8507), firstly, proposed a Mellin’s transform based ranking method for comparing single-valued triangular neutrosophic numbers. Then, using the proposed ranking method, Tamilarasi and Paulraj proposed an approach to solve neutrosophic linear programming problems. Tamilarasi and Paulraj pointed out that their proposed approach is better than Khatter’s approach (Soft Comput (2020) 24:16847-16867). In future, other researchers may use Tamilarasi and Paulraj’s approach to solve real-life neutrosophic linear programming problems. However, after a deep study of Tamilarasi and Paulraj’s approach, it is observed that a mathematical incorrect result, pointed out by Bhatia et al. (Soft Comput (2022) 26:8479–8495) in Khatter’s approach, is also considered in Tamilarasi and Paulraj’s approach. Hence, Tamilarasi and Paulraj’s approach is not valid. Also, it is observed that the ranking method, proposed by Tamilarasi and Paulraj, is not valid. In this note, these observations are discussed in details. Furthermore, it is suggested to use Bhatia et al.’s approach to solve real-life neutrosophic linear programming problems.
Ultrasonography of the multifidus muscle in student circus artists with and without low back pain: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Rossini Bianca , Anstruther Meagan , Wolfe Daniel , Fortin Maryse
Published: December 2022

Background
Degenerative structural changes and functional deficits of the lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle were observed in athletes with low back pain. While spinal injuries are common in circus artists, there is no information on LM characteristics in this population. The aims of this study were to investigate LM morphology and function and explore the relationship between LM characteristics and low back pain in student circus artists.
Methods
Thirty-one college circus students were recruited. Participants completed an online survey to acquire demographic data and low back pain history. Body composition was measured using multi-frequency bio-impedance analysis. Ultrasound examinations at the 5th lumbar vertebrae in prone and standing positions were performed to assess LM cross-sectional area, echo-intensity, thickness. Independent and dependent t-test assessed the difference between sex and side, respectively. The relationships between measures were assessed with Person’s correlations. The LM characteristics’ difference between artists with and without low back pain was assessed with Analysis of covariance using lean body mass, height and % body fat as covariates.
Results
Males had significantly larger LM cross-sectional area, lower echo-intensity and greater thickness change from rest to contracted than females. LM cross-sectional area asymmetry in prone was greater in artists reporting low back pain in the previous 4-weeks (p = 0.029) and 3-months (p = 0.009). LM measures were correlated with lean body mass, height, and weight (r = 0.40–0.77, p ≤ 0.05).
Conclusion
This study provided novel insights into LM characteristics in circus artists. Greater LM asymmetry was observed in artists with a history of low back pain. In accordance with previous studies in athletes, LM morphology and function were highly correlated with body composition measurements.
Preponderant alleles at Hd1 and Ehd1 lead to photoperiod insensitivity in japonica rice varieties
Authors: Sun Liting , Lin Tianzi , Jing Dedao , Yu Bo , Zeng Shengyuan , Li Chuang , Qian Huafei , Du Cancan , Hu Qingfeng , Yang Jun , Zhou Yiwen , Wu Zhangping , Gong Hongbing
Published: December 2022

Adaptation of photoperiod-sensitive japonica rice varieties from long-day (LD) to short-day (SD) conditions is impeded by their extremely early flowering in response to photoperiod change. In this study, we characterized a photoperiod-insensitive variety of rice (Oryza sativa L.), named Zhenjing2400. We mapped the causal gene of the photoperiod insensitive to a 4.1-Mb interval on chromosome 6 that contained the major flowering gene Hd1. Sequencing analysis detected two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a 123-bp insertion in Hd1 in Zhenjing2400, leading to the early termination of translation. Genome resequencing of the varieties Zhenjing2400 and Jiahe218 also identified SNPs in the other flowering-related genes Ehd1, SDG725, OsCOL15, DTH2, and DTH7. To dissect the individual contribution of these six genes, we constructed recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between Zhenjing2400 and Jiahe218, and selected homozygous lines with different genotype combinations of these six genes. We established that photoperiod insensitivity is caused by a defective Hd1 gene. In addition, the effect of Hd1 and Ehd1 on heading date was stronger than the other four genes. Measurements of agronomic traits and quality traits in homozygous lines demonstrated the superiority of the hd1 ehd1 genotype for eating quality and photoperiod-insensitive high yield.
Soil nitrification process played a key role in alleviating continuous cropping limitation induced by fumigation
Authors: Xiong Jing , Liu Yongjun , Liu Tianbo , Peng Shuguang , Cao Mingfeng , Wang Zhenhua , Zhou Lei , Zou Junliang , Liu Zhenghua , Gu Yabing , Ai Jixiang , Yin Huaqun , Meng Delong
Published: December 2022

Background and Aims

Continuous cropping causes huge crop produce reduction, and soil fumigation is an effective approach to alleviate the limitation. Understanding the impacts of agriculture management on microbial community and its association with nutrient availability would provide strong supports for alleviating continuous cropping limitation. However, the mechanisms of fumigants in enhancing plant growth and alleviating continuous cropping barriers was not clear.

Methods

In this study, fumigation treatments including chloropicrin (CP), dazomet (DZ), and untreated control (CK) were carried out at field scale, and rhizosphere bacterial community and plant phytochrome were analyzed.

Results

The results showed that fumigation had strong effects on rhizosphere microbial community and soil properties. Fumigation treatment caused significantly reduction in rhizosphere bacterial diversity. The nitrifiers (Nitrospira and Nitrospirillum) and functional gene (ammonia oxidizing bacterial AOB amoA) were significantly inhibited by fumigation treatment, which caused significant reduction in nitrification potential (PNF). The inhibition of nitrifiers, AOB amoA gene and PNF led to significant reduction of soil NO3−-N, but increase of NH4+-N. Subsequently, plant photosynthesis was enhanced as a result of increasing leaf chlorophyll a content caused by fumigation treatment. Therefore, the photosynthesis would promote crop growth.

Conclusion

The study indicated the key mechanisms fumigation promoting plant growth and alleviating cropping limitation were closely related to soil nitrifiers and nitrogen nutrients.
NP-1 Reverses Left Ventricular Remodeling in Hypertension through Inhibiting NF-KB Signaling Pathway
Authors: duan Xiaorong , Yu Zhenqiu , Si Xiaoyun , Lu Deqin , Liu Dan , XU Dianqin , Zhou Pinwei , Zhao Xue , meng meng , He Qinhui
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND
Reversing hypertensive ventricular remodeling could reduce cardiovascular disease, but it’s reversal rate is low. Neutrophil Peptide 1 ( NP-1 ) is under intensive investigation as a potential therapeutic agent. But it’s role in hypertensive ventricular remodeling remains unclear.
METHODS
We collected data from hypertensive patients and measured NP-1 levels using an ELISA. We established hypertensive ventricular remodeling models and then treated with NP-1 or BAY 11-7082, an inhibitor of NF-кB. The cardiac hypertrophy markers and NF-кB factors were detected through HE, Masson, IHC, qPCR, and WB. We also established hypertrophic cardiomyocyte models and then dealt with NP-1 or BAY 11-7082. The myocardial hypertrophy indicators and NF-кB factors were measured by IF, qPCR, and WB.
RESULTS
We found the NP-1 level was decreased in patients with hypertensive ventricular remodeling. It’s demonstrated that NP-1 expression was decreased in hypertensive ventricular remodeling models. While NP-1 treatment has the potential to raise NP-1 levels and reverse ventricular remodeling. It’s also noticed a decrease with NP-1 in hypertrophic cardiomyocyte models. NP-1 disposal could improve NP-1 expression and reverse cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Besides, our study found the activation of NF-кB in animal and cell models. And it could be inhibited by dealing with NP-1, which was similar to an inhibitor of NF-кB.
CONCLUSIONS
NP-1 could reverse ventricular remodeling and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through inhibiting the activation of NF-кB. This may serve as a potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease.
Radiomics based predictive modeling of rectal toxicity in prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: CT and MRI comparison
Authors: Hassaninejad Hossein , Abdollahi Hamid , Abedi Iraj , Amouheidari Alireza , Tavakoli Mohammad Bagher
Published: December 2022

Background: Rectal toxicity is one of the common side effects after radiotherapy in prostate cancer patients. Radiomic studies have been considered a new method to predict these side effects. This study was performed by evaluating the radiomic features of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images and using machine learning (ML) methods for predicting radiation-induced rectal toxicity.
Methods: Seventy men with pathologically confirmed prostate cancer, eligible for three-dimensional radiation therapy (3DCRT) participated in this prospective trial. Clinical and dosimetric data were gathered, and radiation toxicity was assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). Rectal wall CT and MR images were used to extract first-order, shape-based, and textural features. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used for feature selection. Classifiers such as Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree (DT), Logistic Regression (LR), and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) were used to create models based on radiomic, dosimetric, and clinical data alone or in combination. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were used to assess each model's performance.
Results:The best outcomes were achieved by the radiomic features of MR images in conjunction with clinical and dosimetric data, with a mean of AUC: 0.79, accuracy: 77.75%, specificity: 82.15%, and sensitivity: 67%. The top-performing model was KNN, with an AUC of 0.86, accuracy rates of 79%, sensitivity rates of 63%, and specificity rates of 91%, respectively.
Conclusions: This research showed that as a biomarker for predicting radiation-induced rectal toxicity, MR images outperform CT images.
Prevalence of OCD symptoms in the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross- sectional study
Authors: Nasere Noura B. Al , Ali Amena M. , Ali Leena A. Mohamed , Ibrahim Hend E. , Kassas Leen M. , Askari Hamid M. , Alhusaini Meera S , Alhaj Hamid A
Published: December 2022

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterised by repetitive, undesirable thoughts or acts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health authorities worldwide urged people to take proper health measures. It is expected that such sudden change would cause excessive hygiene habits in people predisposed to OCD.
Methods:This was a quantitative cross-sectional study that used an online survey platform to collect responses from UAE residents. The self-administered questionnaire collected a total of 343 responses from participants fitting the inclusion criteria. Their scores were evaluated based on the Y-BOCS criteria scale. People who have been previously diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder were excluded from this study.
Results:The study included 99 males, and 244 females. A significant correlation was found between the Emirate of residence and the severity of OCD-like-symptoms (P= 0.042). The results showed that the emirate with most frequent OCD symptoms is Dubai, with 54.5% displaying mild, moderate, and severe/ extreme symptoms. Female to male distribution showed higher trend of females displaying OCD symptoms although this was not statistically significant. Level of education, occupation and age had no statistically significant role in the exhibition of the symptoms.
Conclusion: The symptoms of potential clinical significance of OCD are high, especially in females compared to the global prevalence studies prior to COVID-19, although a within-subject comparison is not possible. The results need to be interpreted with caution given that the study sample may not represent the population of the UAE, especially given the online questionnaire used limiting access to certain resident groups in the country. Further research is warranted to investigate the long-term effect of COVID-19 on OCD-like and other neuropsychiatric symptoms and elucidate possible mechanisms.
Green Growth Practice in Indonesia: Some Insight for Gambir Commodity in West Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Maryanti Maryanti , Sumarni Leli , Hasnidar Hasnidar
Published: December 2022

The agricultural sector plays a very important role in sustainable development. Indonesia and West Sumatra are agricultural countries and regions where it is possible to apply green growth practices to food commodities. Gambir commodity (Uncaria Gambir Roxb) as one of the leading agricultural products from West Sumatra which makes up 80 percent of the global market. The purpose of this research is to analyze the green growth practices of gambir in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The analytical method used is descriptive analysis of the five indicators measuring performance green growth for commodity gambir, namely sustainable economic growth; inclusive and equitable growth; healthy and productive ecosystem providing services; economic, social, and environmental resilience; and greenhouse gas emission reduction whose opinions were taken on a research sample of 98 farmers. The sampling technique is based on purposive sampling techniques. The result of this research is that four of the five components of the performance of green growth practices on gambir commodities in Kenagarian Maek, Kabupaten Lima Puluh Kota , West Sumatra Province, Indonesia have been well implemented.
Machine learning-based Radiomics analysis of preoperative functional liver reserve with MRI and CT image
Authors: Zhu Ling , Wang Feifei , Chen Jingjing , Li Zheng , Zhu Chengzhan
Published: December 2022

Objective: Comparing indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min (ICG-R15) can accurately evaluate functional liver reserve, we investigated the ability of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced hepatic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) image in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients’ radiomics models for evaluation of functional liver reserve. To assist doctors in evaluating hepatic functional reserve in the hospitalthat lacks expensive ICG equipment.
Methods: 190 HCC patients in total were retrospectively enrolled and randomly classified into a training dataset (CT: n = 152, MR: n = 90) and a test dataset (CT: n = 38, MR: n =22). Then, radiomics features from MRI and CT images were extracted. The features associated with the ICG-R15 classificationwere picked out. Six machine learning (ML) classifiers were used for the ML-model investigation, and the accuracy (ACC) and area under ROI curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) utilized for ML-model performance evaluation.
Results: 107 different radiomics features were extracted from MRI and CT respectively. The features related to ICG-R15 classification were selected. In MRI groups, when ICG-R15=10% was selected as a threshold, classifier LightGBM performed best for its AUC was 0.932 and ACC 0.955. When ICG-R15=20%, classifier LightGBM performed best for its AUC was 0.938 and ACC 0.913. When ICG-R15=30%, classifier XGBoost performed best for its AUC was 0.972 and ACC 0.955. For CT groups, when ICG-R15=10% was selected as a threshold, classifier LightGBM performed best for its AUC was 0.891 and ACC 0.868. When ICG-R15=20%, classifier SVM performed best for its AUC was 0.877 and ACC 0.842. When ICG-R15=30%, classifier LightGBM performed best for its AUC was 0.927 and ACC 0.947.
Conclusions:Both the MRI and CT machine learning models are considered valuable noninvasive methods for the evaluation of functional liver reserve. The performance of the MRI model was better than that of the CT model in the assessment of functional liver reserve.
Mechanical behavior for coal under true triaxial loading test connecting the effect of excavation- and mining-induced disturbances
Authors: Gao Mingzhong , Zhou Xuemin , Wang Xuan , Xie Jing , Wang Chen , Zhang Qi , Lv Heqiang , Guo Chenchen
Published: December 2022

Mining of underground resources is generally accompanied by frequent geological disasters. To understand the mechanical behavior of a stope, the stress conditions of the surrounding rocks after ventilation shaft excavation and the abutment stresses of the top coal mining layout were analyzed. In situ uniaxial stress monitoring tests were performed to understand field abutment pressure evolution, and the variation of stress concentration factor was studied, using a case of Tongxin Mine 8309 mining face of the TongMei Group, China. The loading model of coal rock under excavation- and mining-induced disturbances was proposed, and the stress path and experimental method were designed to investigate the high excavation damaged zone (HDZ), excavation damaged zone (EDZ), and undisturbed zone (UZ). The mechanical characteristics of the coal rock in different zones under site disturbance were obtained. The results indicated that the strengths of the UZ, EDZ, and HDZ samples declined gradually. The maximum principal strains of the HDZ and EDZ sample are 2.30 times and 2.21 times that of the UZ sample at the peak stress, respectively. The intermediate principal strains of the HDZ and EDZ samples are 0.91 and 0.88 times that of the UZ sample, respectively. The volume of the UZ sample continuously expanded, whereas the volumes of the EDZ and HDZ samples expanded when the peak stress was reached. The shear bands presented in all three samples resulted in failure. The stress path used in the laboratory with mining-induced stress throughout the stope could well reproduce in situ mining process, which is of significance for safe and efficient mining of deep resources.
Sustainability Factors of Building Information Modeling (BIM) implementing for Successful Construction Project Managemet Life Cycle in Indonesia
Authors: Latupeirissa Josefine Ernestine , Arrang Hermin
Published: December 2022

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an important asset in construction projects from conceptual planning, pre-construction to operation stage. While many construction projects in developed countries are gradually implementing BIM, the development of this technology in developing countries is still lagging behind. Some research results state that the application of BIM for certain uses can improve the performance of construction projects, but in Indonesia its use is still very less. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the factors what can answer the challenges in the sustainability of BIM implementation in construction projects in Indonesia for success in its life cycle.. Data were obtained from 44 respondents who answered the questionnaire questions, are owners, supervisory consultants, and contractors representing construction parties in Indonesia. Empirical analysis using multiple linear regression states that there are five factors which, if sustainably support the application of BIM, will affect the success of construction project management in its life cycle. The ranking of five factors based on the results of the analysis is Understanding and Awareness of the importance of BIM; Establishment of BIM standards, codes, rules, and regulations; Competencies and Skills; Commitment and Consistency; and Monitoring and Evaluation. The development of BIM has resulted in new work processes and new ways to interact in a construction project throughout its life cycle.