bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Area-Specific COVID-19 Effects on Health Services Utilization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo using Routine Health Information System Data
Authors: Angeles Gustavo , Silverstein Hannah , Worges Matt , Hotchkiss David R. , Wisniewski Janna M. , Lusamba Paul , Weiss William , Ahsan Karar Zunaid
Published: January 2023

Background
From March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has shocked health systems worldwide. This analysis investigated the effects of the pandemic on basic health services utilization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and examined the variability of COVID effects in the capital city Kinshasa, in other urban areas, and in rural areas.
Methods
We estimated time trends models using national health information system data to replicate pre-COVID-19 (i.e., January 2017–February 2020) trajectories of health service utilization, and then used those models to estimate what the levels would have been in the absence of COVID-19 during the pandemic period, starting in March 2020 through March 2021. We classified the difference between the observed and predicted levels as the effect of COVID-19 on health services. We estimated 95% confidence intervals and p-values to examine if the effect of the pandemic, nationally and within specific geographies, was statistically significant.
Results
Our results indicate that COVID-19 negatively impacted health services and subsequent recovery varied by service type and by geographical area. COVID-19 had a lasting impact on overall service utilization as well as on malaria and pneumonia-related visits among young children in the DRC. We also found that the effects of COVID-19 were even more immediate and stronger in the capital city of Kinshasa compared with the national effect. Both nationally and in Kinsahsa, most affected services had slow and incomplete recovery to expected levels. Therefore, our analysis indicates that COVID-19 continued to affect health services in the DRC throughout the first year of the pandemic.
Conclusions
The methodology used in this article allows for examining the variability in magnitude, timing, and duration of the COVID effects within geographical areas of the DRC and nationally. This analytical procedure based on national health information system data could be applied to surveil health service disruptions and better inform rapid responses from health service managers and policymakers.
Association of socioeconomic deprivation on gestational diabetes incidence and perinatal outcomes
Authors: Jeyaparam Srirangan , Agha-Jaffar Rochan , Robinson Stephen , Khunti Kamlesh
Published: January 2023

Hypothesis: Socioeconomic disparities have been shown to correlate with perinatal mortality and the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Few studies have explored the relationship between deprivation and the incidence of gestational diabetes (GDM). We aimed to identify the relationship between deprivation and incidence of GDM, after adjusting for age, BMI, and ethnicity. We also examined for relationships between deprivation and perinatal outcomes.
Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of 23490 pregnancies from a major hospital in Northwest London was conducted. The 2019 English Indices of Multiple Deprivation was used to identify the deprivation rank and decile for each postcode. Birthweight centile was calculated from absolute birthweight after adjusting for ethnicity, maternal height, maternal weight, parity, sex and outcome (live birth/stillbirth). Logistic regression and correlation analyses were used to identify relationships between variables.
Results: After controlling for age, BMI & ethnicity, there was no correlation between a woman’s IMD postcode decile and their odds of developing GDM. Each increase in decile of deprivation was associated with an increase in birthweight centile by 0.471 (p<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, age was associated with increased odds of developing GDM by 7.6% (OR: 1.076, p<0.001); BMI increased odds by 5.9% (OR: 1.059, p<0.001). There was no significant correlation between IMD rank and perinatal outcomes.
Conclusions: Genetic predispositions and poorer lifestyle choices are likely play a larger role in the development of GDM compared to socioeconomic deprivation alone. Socioeconomic deprivation is not associated with incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes.
Worsening nutritional status in non-obese patients with inflammatory bowel disease is reflected by nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a retrospective study
Authors: Nagata Takahiro , Funakoshi Sadahiro , Morihara Daisuke , Shakado Satoshi , Yokoyama Keiji , Takata Kazuhide , Tanaka Takashi , Fukunaga Atsushi , Yamauchi Ryo , Fukuda Hiromi , Matsuoka Hiroki , Imakiire So , Sakisaka Hideto , Matsuoka Satoshi , Kuno Nobuaki , Abe Koichi , Ishibashi Hideki , Ashizuka Shinya , Hirai Fumihito
Published: January 2023

Aim
The frequency and details of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) complications in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify characteristics of NAFLD in non-obese patients with IBD.
Methods
Patients with IBD who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) examination at our hospital between 2005 and 2020 were retrospectively identified and enrolled in the study. The primary endpoint was the complication rate of NAFLD in patients with IBD. Secondary endpoints were the clinical characteristics of patients with IBD and comorbid NAFLD and their association with nutritional and inflammatory parameters.
Results
Twenty-one (21.9%) of 96 eligible patients with IBD also had NAFLD. In non-obese patients (defined as patients with a body mass index < 25 kg/m2), CRP (P < 0.0001) and alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.0183) levels were higher and the albumin level (P = 0.0046) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI; P = 0.0022) values were lower in patients with NAFLD than in those without NAFLD. The PNI value was positively correlated (P = 0.0001) and the CRP level was negatively correlated (P = 0.0008) with the hepatosplenic ratio. However, the PNI (P < 0.05) and CRP level (P < 0.001) improved numerically over time after computed tomography in the group with NAFLD than in the group without NAFLD.
Conclusions
Worsening nutritional status may be an indicator of NAFLD in patients with IBD. Diagnosis of NAFLD on CT imaging might be useful in patients with IBD not only for early detection of NAFLD but also for assessment of the need for therapeutic intervention for IBD.
Do small for gestational age fetuses have placental pathologies?
Authors: Calis Pinar , Gundogdu Ayse , Turgut Ezgi , Seymen Cemile Merve , Saglam Atiye Seda , Karcaaltincaba Deniz , Kaplanoglu Gulnur Take
Published: January 2023

Purpose: Although small for gestational age (SGA) does not cause adverse perinatal outcomes, placental pathology for fetal growth restriction (FGR) and SGA fetuses is still unknown. Aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between placentas of early onset FGR, late onset FGR, SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) pregnancies in manner of microvasculature and expression of anti-angiogenic PEDF factor and CD68.
Methods:Study included four groups (early onset FGR, late onset FGR, SGA and AGA). Placental samples were obtained just after labor in all groups. Degenerative criteria were investigated with Hematoxylin-eosin staining. Immunohistochemical evaluation with H score and m RNA levels of Cluster of differentiation 68 (CD 68) and pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) were performed for each group.
Results:The highest levels of degeneration were detected in early onset FGR group. In means of degeneration in SGA placentas were found to be worser than AGA placentas. Intensity of PEDF and CD 68 were significant in early FGR, Late FGR and SGA groups compared to AGA group (p<0.001). mRNA level results of PEDF and CD 68 were also parallel to immunostaining results.
Conclusion: Although SGA fetuses are thought as constitutional smallness, SGA placentas also demonstrated signs of degeneration similar to FGR placentas. These degenerative signs were not seen among AGA placentas.
Growing season temperature and precipitation affect nutrient resorption in herbaceous species through foliar stoichiometric control strategies
Authors: Liu Xiaowei , Wang Youqi , Fu Wenhui , Yuan Zhiyou , Yu Qiang , Peng Changhui , Koerner Sally E. , Guo Liang
Published: January 2023

Aims: Nutrient resorption affects ecosystem nutrient cycling. Previous studies have described the independent responses of nutrient resorption to climatic factors, plant traits, and soil nutrient status. Little is known about the comprehensive effects of all above factors on nutrient resorption, especially based on observations in situ.
Methods: We conducted an eight-year field survey in a semi-arid grassland for exploring interannual variation in foliar nutrient resorption in two herbaceous functional groups (i.e., graminoids and forbs) and the factors driving this variation.
Results: Results showed nitrogen and phosphorus resorption efficiencies (NRE and PRE) in graminoids, not in forbs, varied significantly among years, indicating more flexible nutrient resorption strategies in graminoids. There was no significantly direct effect on nutrient resorption because of the insignificant changes of soil nutrients across the selected years. However, NRE was positively related to the N:P ratio in green leaves ([N:P]g) and PRE negatively related, supporting a foliar “stoichiometric control” strategy on nutrient resorption. Moreover, growing-season temperature and precipitation had positive and negative effects on nutrient resorption in graminoids, respectively, via the regulation of [N:P]g. Comparatively, precipitation affected forbs NRE positively and PRE negatively, again acting through regulating [N:P]g.
Conclusion: Our study showed growing season hydro-thermal factors control foliar nutrient resorption by foliar [N:P]g, emphasizing the role of both climatic variables and foliar “stoichiometric controls” on foliar nutrient resorption under low nutrient-variability conditions. Meanwhile, more positive responses of graminoids could help explain their current and future dominance in this grassland.
Association between Circadian Dissonance and MAFLD in employed adults: a longitudinal study in Southwestern China
Authors: Fu Yao , Yu Bin , Yang Bo , Feng Chuanteng , Pan Jia , Jia Peng , Zeng Honglian , Yang Shujuan
Published: January 2023

Objectives: Circadian system is an essential physiological regulator of mammals, and circadian dissonance may be associated with the risk of metabolic disorders. However, evidence regarding its role in the development of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is scarce, particularly in employed adults.
Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study of 1,309 employed adults in Southwestern China with a five-year follow-up from 2017 to 2021. MAFLD was assessed by the presence of hepatic steatosis using abdominal ultrasonography,overweight/obese status, diabetes mellitus, metabolic dysregulation, or elevation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Circadian dissonance was assessed by the sleep chronotype questionnaire. The logistic random effects model was applied to analyze the 5-year panel data to estimate the association between circadian dissonance and MAFLD, and the potential effect modification of demographics on such association.
Results: The MAFLD prevalence of participants was 38.7% at baseline and showed an increasing trend during follow-up (p for trends <0.001). We observed that severe circadian dissonance was positively associated with MAFLD (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.81). Participants who were minority had a higher risk of developing MAFLD (OR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.09, 7.33), and those who had an undergraduate education or above had a lower risk (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.40, 0.90). Participants’ follow-up year (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.70, 1.94), higher level of AST (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.02),and higher level of ALT (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.03) were positively associated with the risk of MAFLD.
Conclusions: Severe circadian dissonance may increase the odds of MAFLD in employed adults. Improving circadian rhythms could reduce the risk of MAFLD and increase life expectancy among employed adults.
Association of Genetic Variations in Lean Adults with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Asian Populations
Authors: Lu Chia-Wen , Chou Tzu-Jung , Wu Tsan-Yu , Lee Yi-Hsuan , Yang Hung-Jen , Huang Kuo-Chin
Published: January 2023

Background and purposesLean adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have a higher risk of metabolic syndrome than lean controls. The clinical and genetic features of lean NAFLD in Asian populations remain unclear.MethodsThis was a case‒control study conducted in the HAVO Health Exam Clinic in 2020-2021 in Taiwan. Adults with a body mass index less than 24 kg/m2were enrolled. Fatty liver was defined by ultrasonography. The candidate gene approach was based on the library of the NHGRI-EBI website. Global Screening Array-24 v1.0 BeadChip was used for single nucleotide polymorphisms selection. After removing duplication and nonsignificant variants, rs12483959 in the PNPLA3 gene and rs3761472 in the SAMM50 gene were chosen. Multiple logistic regression models and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used.ResultsA total of 1,652 lean controls and 602 lean NAFLD patients were enrolled. The average age was 43.8±11.5 years. Lean NAFLD subjects were older and more metabolic syndrome (case vs. control: 10.5% vs. 1.5%). The GG genotypes of PNPLA3 rs12483959 (OR: 3.06; 95% CI: 2.15-4.37) and SAMM50 rs3761472 (OR: 2.90; 95% CI: 2.04-4.14) had a higher risk of fatty liver after adjusting for age, gender, BMI and metabolic syndrome, etc. The areas under the ROC curve for PNPLA3 rs738409 and SAMM50 rs3761472 in the detection of lean NAFLD were 0.859 (95%CI: 0.841, 0.877) and 0.860 (95%CI: 0.843, 0.877), respectively.Conclusion:The PNPLA3 rs738409 and SAMM50 rs3761472 gene polymorphisms are independently associated with a higher risk of fatty liver in lean individuals in Asian populations.
Prestoring Lithium into SnO2 Coated 3D Carbon Fiber Cloth Framework as Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Anode
Authors: Wei Tao , Zhou Yanyan , Sun Cheng , Liu Lesheng , Wang Sijia , Wang Mengting , Liu Ye , Chen Shanliang , Zhuang Quanchao , Tang Yongfu
Published: January 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) conductive frameworks have been studied extensively in lithium (Li) metal anodes for their good electronic conductivities and superior structural integrity. In this work, we demonstrated a carbon fiber cloth (CFC) framework coated with SnO2 nanoparticles through a hydrothermal process combined with a carbonization method, which served as a reliable host for pouring molten Li to produce a CFC@SnO2@Li composite anode with dendritic suppression and long-life cycling performances. XRD, TEM, HRTEM, XPS and different electrochemical characterizations were carried out. Compared with the routine bare Li||LiFePO4 cells, the CFC@SnO2@Li||LiFePO4 cells had a strong specific ability, excellent rate performance, and stability for a long time, which confirm its great potential as lithium metal anodes in practical battery applications.
Development of a risk prediction score for screening for HBV, HCV and HIV among migrants in France (STRADA study)
Authors: Duracinsky Martin , Yaya Issifou , Yombo-Kokule Lisa , Bessonneau Pascal , Thonon Frédérique , Rousset-Torrente Olivia , Roudot-Thoraval Françoise , Lert France , Zucman David , Chassany Olivier
Published: January 2023

Background: Migrants from high HIV, HBV or HCV endemicity regions, have a great burden of these infections and related diseases in the host countries. This study aimed to assess the predictive capacity of the TROD Screen questionnaire for HIV, HBV and HCV infections among migrants arriving in France.
Methods: An observational and multicenter study was conducted between January 2017 and March 2020 among migrants in centers of the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII). A self-questionnaire on demographic characteristics, personal medical history and sexual behaviors was completed. Participants were tested for HIV, HBV and HCV with rapid tests. For each infection, the test performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristics curves, using area under the curve (AUC) as a measure of accuracy.
Results: Among 21133 regular migrants seen in OFII centers, 15343 (72.6%) were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 35.6 years (SD±11.1). The prevalence [95%CI] of HBV, HCV and HIV was 2.0% [1.8–2.2], 0.3% [0.2–0.4], and 0.3% [0.2–0.4] respectively. Based on the sensitivity–specificity curve analysis, the cutoffs point [95%CI] chosen for the risk score were: for HBV infection in men, 2.5 [95%CI: 2.5; 7.5]; for HBV infection in women, 6.5 [95%CI: 0.5; 6.5]; for HCV infection, 9.5 [95%CI: 9.5; 12.5]; and for HIV infection, 10.5 [95%CI: 10.0; 18.5]. Test performance was highest for HIV (AUC=82.15%, 95%CI 74.54%; 87.99%), followed by that for HBV in men (AUC=79.22%, 95%CI 76.18%; 82.26%), for HBV in women (AUC=78.83, 95%CI 74.54%; 82.10%) and that for HCV (AUC=75.95%, 95%CI 68.58%; 83.32%).
Conclusion: The TROD screen questionnaire showed good overall performance for predicting HIV, HBV and HCV infections among migrants in OFII centers. It could be used to optimize screening for these infections and to propose rapid screening test to those who are at high risk
Quantitative Human Health Risk Assessment of Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM) from Petrochemical Industries
Authors: Omar Mohamed Y. , Faramawy Usama A. , El-Nadry Maram
Published: January 2023

Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) is about climate action and is one of 17 SDGs established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The official mission statement of this goal is to "Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts and focusing on tackling climate change. According to the most recent report on Sustainable Development Goal 13, rising greenhouse gas concentrations, more frequent and extreme weather events, and rising sea levels have caused global temperatures to rise by 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. To reduce emissions and prepare for climate change, immediate action is necessary. Comprehensive risk assessment and management require complete information. However, it is not always possible to gather information using a probabilistic or quantitative risk assessment (QRA). This study concentrated on the quantitative assessment of the risks that might result from a vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) release accidentally as a result of various activities during production and handling operations in petrochemical industries. ALOHA (Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres) is employed to calculate the rate of release and total amount of Vinyl Chloride Monomer released from various potential leaking expected sources through a 1.0-inch orifice from a polymerization reactor in the PVC production and its effect on human health.
Inhibiting Wnt Secretion Reduces High Bone Mass Caused by Sost Deficiency or Point Mutations in Lrp5
Authors: Williams Bart , Diegel Cassandra , Foxa Gabrielle , McDonald Mitchell , Madaj Zachary , Kramer Ina , Moes Charles , Guth Sabine , Liu Jun , Harris Jennifer , Kneissel Michaela
Published: January 2023

Proper regulation of Wnt signaling is critical for normal bone development and homeostasis. Mutations in several Wnt signaling components, which increase the pathway's activity in the skeleton, cause high bone mass in human patients and mouse models. Increased bone mass is often accompanied by severe headaches from increased intracranial pressure, which can lead to fatality and loss of vision or hearing due to the entrapment of cranial nerves. In addition, progressive bossing of the forehead and mandibular overgrowth occur in almost all patients. Treatments that would provide symptomatic relief in these patients are limited. Porcupine-mediated palmitoylation is necessary for Wnt secretion and binding to the Frizzled receptor. Chemical inhibition of porcupine is a highly selective inhibitor of all Wnt signaling. We treated three different mouse models of high bone mass caused by aberrant Wnt signaling: homozygosity for loss-of-function in SOST, which models Sclerosteosis, and two strains of mice carrying different point mutations in LRP5 (equivalent to human G171V and A214V) with porcupine inhibitors for 5–6 weeks. Treatment significantly reduced both trabecular and cortical bone mass in all three models. This demonstrates that porcupine inhibition is potentially therapeutic for symptomatic relief in patients who suffer from these disorders and further establishes that the continued production of Wnts is necessary for sustaining high bone mass in these models.
Vitamin C injection improves antioxidant stress capacity through regulating blood metabolism in post-transit yak
Authors: Zhang Li , Chen Yi , Zhou Ziyao , Wang Zhiyu , Fu Lin , Zhang Lijun , Xu Changhui , Loor Juan J. , Wang Gaofu , Zhang Tao , Dong Xianwen
Published: January 2023

Transportation stress is one of the most serious issues in the management of yak. Previous studies have demonstrated that transport stress is caused by a pro-oxidant state in the animal resulting from an imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant status. In this context, vitamin C has the ability to regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesis and alleviate oxidative stress. Although this effect of vitamin C is useful in pigs, goats and cattle, the effect of vitamin C on the mitigation of transport stress in yaks is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to better assess the metabolic changes induced by the action of vitamin C in yaks under transportation stress, and whether these changes can influence antioxidant status. After the yaks arrived at the farm, control or baseline blood samples were collected immediately through the jugular vein (VC_CON). Then, 100 mg/kg VC was injected intramuscularly, and blood samples were collected on the 10th day before feeding in the morning (VC). Relative to the control group, the VC injection group had higher levels of VC. Compared with VC_CON, VC injection significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the blood concentrations of ALT, AST, T-Bil, D-Bil, IDBIL, UREA, CRP and LDH. However, VC injection led to greater (P < 0.05) AST/ALT and CREA-S relative to VC_CON. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in GGT, ALP, TBA, TP, ALBⅡ, GLO, A/G, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, GLU and L-lactate between VC_CON and VC. The injection of VC led to greater (P < 0.05) concentration of MDA, but did not alter (P > 0.05) the serum concentrations of LPO and ROS. The injection of VC led to greater (P < 0.05) serum concentrations of POD, CAT and GSH-PX. In contrast, lower (P < 0.05) serum concentrations of SOD, POD and TPX were observed in VC relative to VC_CON. No difference (P > 0.05) in GSH, GSH-ST and GR was observed between VC_CON and VC. Compared with the control group, metabolomics using liquid chromatography tandem–mass spectrometry identified 156 differential metabolites with P < 0.05 and a variable importance in projection (VIP) score > 1.5 in the VC injection group. The injection of VC resulted in significant changes to the intracellular amino acid metabolism of glutathione, glutamate, cysteine, methionine, glycine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, alanine and aspartate. Overall, our study indicated that VC injections were able to modulate antioxidant levels by affecting metabolism to resist oxidative stress generated during transport.
A Poisson Hidden Markov Model and Fuzzy based Chicken Swarm Optimization algorithm for efficient fault node detection in wireless sensor network
Authors: B Nagarajan , S.V.N Santhosh Kumar
Published: January 2023

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) is built with miniature sensor nodes (SN) which are deployed into the geographical location being sensed to monitor environmental condition which transfer the sensed physical information to the base station for further processing. The sensor nodes frequently experience node failure as a result of their hostile deployment and resource limitations. In WSN, node failure can cause a number of issues, namely Wireless Sensor Networks topology changes, broken communications links, disconnected portions of the network, and data transmission errors. An important concern of WSN is the detecting, diagnosing and recovering of sensor node failures. In the course of this effort, an effective strategy for sensor node failure detection algorithm using Poisson Hidden Markov Model (PHMM) and the Fuzzy based Chicken Swarm Optimization (F-CSO) is proposed for efficient detection of sensor nodes fault in the WSN. The proposed work offers optimal false alarm, false positive, energy consumption, detection accuracy, network lifetime, and least delay rates. Moreover, the F-CSO provides improved localization to locate the defective sensor nodes which are present in the WSN. The proposed work is implemented in the NS2 simulator with realistic simulation parameters and the simulation result demonstrate that the proposed work is more effective in terms of false alarm rate, false positive rate, detection accuracy, delay, energy consumption and network lifetime when it is compared with other existing state of art systems.
The Role of Oral and Prenatal Healthcare Providers in the Promotion of Oral Health for Pregnant Women
Authors: Agili Dania E. Al , Khalaf Zeinab I.
Published: January 2023

Background
Hormonal alterations and lowered immunity during pregnancy aggravated by poor oral hygiene increase the risk of pregnant women of developing oral diseases. We conducted this study to examine the role of oral and prenatal health providers in promoting dental care for pregnant women attending primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Saudi Arabia.
Methods
We conducted an analysis of women (n = 515) who visited a dentist before pregnancy from a population of women who attended prenatal care at PHCs. We examined associations between oral practices of dental and prenatal health providers (exposures) and women’s utilization of dental care during pregnancy (outcome). Covariates included age, education, family income, health insurance, nationality, and presence of dental problems.
Results
Only 30.0% of women were informed by a dentist before pregnancy about the importance of visiting a dentist during pregnancy. About 37.0% of women were asked about oral health, 34.4% were informed about the importance of dental care during pregnancy, and 33.2% had their mouths inspected by prenatal health providers. Women informed by dentists about the importance of dental visits during pregnancy were twice as likely (Odds ratio [OR]: 2.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.63–3.60) to visit a dentist during pregnancy. Women who were referred to dentists, had their mouth inspected, or were advised to visit a dentist during pregnancy by prenatal providers were 4.29 (95% CI: 2.67–6.88), 3.79 (95% CI: 2.47–5.82), and 3.37 (95% CI: 2.16–5.27) times as likely to visit a dentist during pregnancy.
Conclusion
The partaking of oral and prenatal healthcare providers in evidence-based oral health promotion practices, antenatal-dental collaboration and closing the referral loop increase pregnant women’s access to and utilization of preventive and treatment dental services.
Machine learning-based tumor malignancy prediction based on PBMC methylome landscape in canine mammary tumor
Authors: Nam A-Reum , Heo Min , Lee Kang-Hoon , Kim Ji-Yoon , Won Sung-Ho , Cho Je-Yoel
Published: January 2023

Background
Genome-wide dysregulation of CpG methylation accompanies tumor progression and characteristic states of cancer cells, prompting a rationale for biomarker development. Understanding how the archetypic epigenetic modification determines systemic contributions of immune cell types is the key to further clinical benefits.
Results
In this study, we characterized the differential DNA methylome landscapes of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 76 canines using methylated CpG-binding domain sequencing (MBD-seq). Through gene set enrichment analysis, we discovered that genes involved in the growth and differentiation of T- and B-cells are highly methylated in tumor PBMCs. We also revealed the increased methylation at single CpG resolution and reversed expression in representative marker genes regulating immune cell proliferation (BACH2, SH2D1A, TXK, UHRF1). Furthermore, we utilized the PBMC methylome to effectively differentiate between benign and malignant tumors and the presence of mammary gland tumors through a machine-learning approach.
Conclusions
This research contributes to a better knowledge of the comprehensive epigenetic regulation of circulating immune cells responding to tumors and suggests a new framework for identifying benign and malignant cancers using genome-wide methylome.
Investigation of influence of Kerr and detuning parameters over instability gain in the three wave resonant interaction of Stimulated Raman backscattering
Authors: Joseph Ancemma , Mohanraj P.
Published: January 2023

In this article, we study the modulation instability that rules over the evolution of three wave resonant interaction of backward stimulated Raman process. We intend to investigate the influence of Kerr and detuning parameters over the conventional instability gain under both the anomalous and normal dispersion regimes. We also tend to reveal the inertial instability gain arising in the absence of dispersion and explore its dependence over the system parameters.
Effect of lanthanum doping on structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of YVO4
Authors: Karacaoglu Erkul , Yildirim Ozlem Altintas , Ozturk Teoman , Gul Mert
Published: January 2023

Yttrium vanadate (YVO4) based undoped and La3+-doped powders were prepared through a solid-state reaction method. The structural characterization carried out with XRD indicating that the samples are crystalline tetragonal type crystal structure of YVO4. XRD of the YVO4: La3+ powder contain same YVO4 diffraction lines and no other lanthanum related impurity and/or secondary phases were detected. Both undoped and La3+-doped YVO4 samples show combined white light emission peaks appeared at 478, 571 and 613 nm. The higher intensity of peaks located at 478 and 571 nm in YVO4: La3+ sample can be attributed to O2−-La3+ and O2−-V5+ charge transfer mechanisms. Besides, photocatalytic activities of the undoped and La3+ doped YVO4 samples were investigated under the UV light irradiation monitoring the aqueous solution of methylene blue (MB) dye. Hence, the effects of La3+ dopant ion on the photoluminescence properties are discussed in detail. While the degradation of MB reaches to 38.8% after 180 minutes of UV light exposure with undoped YVO4, the degradation efficiency of La3+ doped YVO4 reaches 76.7%. Pseudo-first-order reaction rate constant (k) of La3+-doped YVO4 (0.00846 min− 1) is determined 66% greater than undoped one (0.00287 min− 1).
Deep learning-based TCP congestion control algorithm for disaster 5G environment
Authors: Kuppusamy Senthil Prakash , Subramaniam Mahendrakumar , t Gunasekar
Published: January 2023

The 5G mobile telecommunication network is becoming known as one of the finest communication networks for transmitting and controlling emergencies due to its high bandwidth and short latency. The high-quality videos taken by a drone, an incorporated Internet of Things (IoT) gadget for recording in a catastrophe situation, are very helpful in controlling the crisis. The 5G mm-Wave frequency spectrum is susceptible to intrusion and has beam realignment concerns, which can severely reduce Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) effectiveness and destroy connections. High-speed devices and disaster zones with multiple barriers make this problem significantly worse. This research offers a Deep-Learning-oriented Congestion Control Approach (DLCCA) for a catastrophic 5G mm-Wave system to solve this problem. By analyzing the node's transmitted data, DLCCA predicts when the network will be disconnected and reconnected, adjusting the TCP congestion window accordingly. To accomplish this, the proposed approach estimates the bottleneck link's queue length using the average Round Trip Time (RTT) and its data collected across the connection. Consequently, the proposed approach can use this buffer size to examine the congestion state and differentiate it from the randomized loss situation. This would stop the window length from getting smaller, increasing the amount of data transferred and speeding up the recommended method. Additionally, DLCCA frees up bottleneck bandwidth. The research provides simulated tests for TCP DLCCA compared to Newreno, Cubic, Compound, and Westwood while sustaining a two-way connection under heavy load and a wide range of randomized loss rates using the networking simulation NS-2. Experimental results show that DLCCA performs better than other TCP variants and significantly boosts throughput.
An RNA seq-based reference landscape of human normal and neoplastic brain
Authors: Arora Sonali , Szulzewsky Frank , Jensen Matt , Nuechterlein Nicholas , Pattwell Siobhan S , Holland Eric C.
Published: January 2023

In order to better understand the relationship between normal and neoplastic brain, we combined five publicly available large-scale datasets, correcting for batch effects and applying Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) to RNA-seq data. We assembled a reference Brain-UMAP including 702 adult gliomas, 802 pediatric tumors and 1409 healthy normal brain samples, which can be utilized to investigate the wealth of information obtained from combining several publicly available datasets to study a single organ site. Normal brain regions and tumor types create distinct clusters and because the landscape is generated by RNA seq, comparative gene expression profiles and gene ontology patterns are readily evident. To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis that allows for comparison of gene expression and pathways of interest across adult gliomas, pediatric brain tumors, and normal brain regions. We provide access to this resource via the open source, interactive online tool Oncoscape, where the scientific community can readily visualize clinical metadata, gene expression patterns, gene fusions, mutations, and copy number patterns for individual genes and pathway over this reference landscape.
All-optical logic gates using E-shaped silicon waveguides at 1.55 μm
Authors: Kotb Amer , Zoiros Kyriakos E. , Guo Chunlei
Published: January 2023

Owing to the advanced fabrication technology of silicon, silicon waveguides are particularly attractive for implementing all-optical signal processing devices and switches. Therefore, in this paper, a silicon-on-silica waveguide that consists of four slots arranged in the shape of the letter E is proposed to be employed as the building block for simulating fundamental all-optical logic gates, including XOR, AND, OR, NOT, NOR, NAND, and XNOR, at 1.55 μm telecommunications wavelength. The operation concept of these logic gates relies on the constructive and destructive interference that results from the phase difference induced by optical beams that are incident on the E-shaped waveguide. The performance of the target logic gates is assessed against the contrast ratio (CR) metric. The simulation results suggest that, by exploiting the E-shaped waveguides, these gates can operate with higher CR and faster speed compared to other designs.
Comparison of bacterial profiles in human milk from mothers of term and preterm infants
Authors: Miura Kumiko , Tanaka Miori , Date Midori , Ito Mizuho , Mizuno Noriko , Mizuno Katsumi
Published: January 2023

Background
Bacteria in human milk (HM) can be endogenous or exogenous, and the latter can carry the risk of various infections in very low-birth weight infants because of the possibility of contamination with pathogenic bacteria. The mother's lifestyle and environment have a major influence on such bacterial contamination, and it is thought that there are differences in the number and types of bacteria cultured from HM between term mothers whose infants are at home and mothers of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). This research aimed to compare the bacterial profiles of HM among mothers of term and preterm infants.
Methods
The data comprised 214 milk samples (term: 75, preterm: 139) donated by 47 registered donors (term: 31, preterm: 16) from January to November 2021. Bacterial culture results were compared between term and preterm HM samples. Differences in the mean total bacterial count and bacterial species count per batch were analyzed using Welch’s t-test and Student's t-test, respectively. The bacterial contamination rate was analyzed using Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test.
Results
Coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas fluorescens were frequently found in both term and preterm HM. Serratia liquefaciens (p < 0.001) and two other bacteria contaminated term HM, while five types of bacteria, including Enterococcus faecalis and Enterobacter aerogenes (p < 0.001) contaminated preterm HM. The mean (SD) total bacterial count was 351,141 (1,060,949) CFU/100 µL for term HM and 872,272 (2,324,477) CFU/100 µL for preterm HM (p = 0.026). Similarly, the number of bacterial species in HM was more diverse in preterm donors (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
This study revealed that HM from preterm donors has a higher total bacterial count and greater diversity and characterization of bacterial types compared with HM from term donors. These results also suggested there was a trend toward greater contamination with nosocomial-infection-causing bacteria in the NICU. Enhanced hygiene instructions for preterm donors may reduce the need to dispose of valuable donated HM as well as the risk of BM pathogen transmission to infants in the NICU.
Analysis of a Rock Mass Overburden Consolidation Grouting Method by Lugeon and Acoustic Tests
Authors: Dou Jinxi , Yang Xiaolong , Gong Pan , Wang Zhilin , Wang Kexiang , Zhou Tiangang , Zhou Mengxia
Published: January 2023

The Baihetan superhigh arch dam is the largest hydropower station under construction in the world. Columnar jointed basalt (CJB) is widely distributed and densely jointed at the foundation of the Baihetan superhigh arch dam and poses a potential risk to its overall stability. A method of overburden consolidation grouting of the rock mass is proposed that solves the problem of unloading relaxation of CJB due to excavation of the exposed rock mass. The results show the following. 1) The method of nonoverburden grouting cannot achieve the quality inspection standard requirement that at least 90% of the wave velocities be greater than or equal to 4200 m/s, and the overall wave velocity of the rock mass before excavation is greater than that after grouting. 2) After overburden consolidation grouting of the rock mass, which includes controlling grouting pressure and concentration and performing perforation and sequence grouting, the water permeability of the inspection holes is less than 3 Lu, more than 90% of the wave velocities in the rock mass are greater than 4200 m/s, and the integrity of the rock mass is greatly improved. 3) The problems of conventional consolidation grouting technology are solved to protect the thin layer of breccia lava at the foundation of the Baihetan dam. In addition, the problem of unloading relaxation of CJB due to exposure to consolidation grouting is solved in the Baihetan superhigh arch dam project. This application has reference significance for the design and application of consolidation grouting in similar projects.
Multivariate Multiscale Entropy (mMSE) as a tool for understanding the resting-state EEG signal dynamics: the spatial distribution and sex/gender- related differences
Authors: Lewandowska Monika , Tołpa Krzysztof , Rogala Jacek , Piotrowski Tomasz , Dreszer Joanna
Published: January 2023

Background
The study aimed to determine the resting-state EEG (rsEEG) dynamics quantified using the multivariate Multiscale Entropy (mMSE), and the sex/gender (s/g) differences in the mMSE features. The rsEEG was acquired from 95 healthy adults. For each channel set the AUC, that represents the total complexity, the MaxSlope and AvgEnt referring to the entropy at the fine- and coarse-grained scales, respectively, were extracted. The difference in the entropy between the #9 and #4 timescale (DiffEnt) was also calculated.
Results
We found the highest AUC for the channel sets corresponding to the somatomotor (SMN), dorsolateral network (DAN) and default mode (DMN) whereas the visual network (VN), limbic (LN), and frontoparietal (FPN) network showed the lowest AUC. The largest MaxSlope were in the SMN, DMN, ventral attention network (VAN), LN and FPN, and the smallest in the VN. The SMN and DAN were characterized by the highest and the LN, FPN, and VN by the lowest AvgEnt. The most stable entropy were for the DAN and VN while the LN showed the greatest drop of entropy at the coarse scales. Women, compared to men, showed higher MaxSlope and DiffEnt but lower AvgEnt in all channel sets and there were no s/g differences in the AUC.
Conclusions
Novel results of the present study are: 1) an identification of the mMSE features that capture entropy at the fine and the coarse timescales in the channel sets corresponding to the main resting-state networks; 2) an indication of the sex/gender differences in these features.
The excito-repellent activity of five essential oils extracted from local plants against dengue and malaria vectors in Burkina Faso
Authors: Balboné Mahamoudou , Gnankine Olivier , Namountougou Moussa , SOMA Diloma D. , DRABO Samuel F. , ROMBA Rahim , BASSOLE Imael Henri Nestor , DABIRE Roch Kounbobr
Published: January 2023

Using chemical insecticides is the main way to prevent and manage dengue and malaria, two main mosquito-borne diseases. However, the vectors of these diseases have developed resistance to chemical insecticides. Essential oils (EOs) could be used as alternatives because besides their larvicidal and adulticidal properties, they have repellent properties. In Burkina Faso, studies on the repellent properties of essential oils on mosquitoes remained limited. The EOs extracted from five plants (Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon nardus, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Lippia multiflora, and Ocimum americanum) collected in Ouagadougou were tested on populations of Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae s.l collected in Bobo-Dioulasso and the Kou of Valley, respectively. Susceptible strains of the two species were also tested. DEET and permethrin were used as positive controls. Most of the 5 EOs tested produced irritant effects on adults of Ae. aegypti and An. gambiae. The irritant effects on mosquito adults were significantly influenced by the concentration of the EOs and species of mosquitoes. On An. gambiae s.l, the repellent-irritant effects of C. citratus, C. nardus, and E. camaldulensis EOs were very close to that of DEET. On Ae. aegypti, all our EOs had higher repellent-irritant effects and some of them were very close to DEET. EOs could be used as alternative repellents to pyrethroids in vector control.
Establishment of Integrated Propagation System on Grafting Plantlets of Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis)
Authors: Lo Hui-Ping , Lou Long-Yi , Huang Tzu-Bin
Published: January 2023

As a result of virus disease, producers have to renew passion fruit plantlets every year to ensure yield and fruit quality in Taiwan. Currently, the entire procedure—from the preparation of rootstock seeds to having plantlets ready for planting—may take ∼3 months. The shortage of grafted plantlets in internal and foreign markets is a continuous challenge for the industry. The objective of this study is to improve the production mode to establish a rapid production system of grafted plantlets. The results show that the germination rate and time of rootstock seeds improved remarkably at 30 °C. The final germination rate was 100% within 10 days on average. Application of a complex chemical fertilizer Hyponex No. 4 solution, diluted 1000-fold, by soil drench weekly resulted in seedlings ready for grafting 28 days after treatment. Stem diameter reached 2.5 mm and plant height was ∼10 cm. After grafting, keeping the plantlets at 25 °C with a relative humidity of more than 85% ensured all incisions were healed within 7 days. After moving the plantlets to a semishaded greenhouse for hardening, and maintaining the same temperature and relative humidity for another 7 days, the propagation process was complete. Compared with double-node and shoot-tip scions, the growth and plantlet height of the single-node scion were not the best. However, considering the convenience of scion acquisition and the high rate of propagation, the use of a single-node scion is recommended. It takes only 56 days to propagate grafted plantlets, which is 1 month less using current processes.
WHITHER ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION?
Authors: Fu’adi Imam , Naim Ngainun
Published: January 2023

Traditionally dated from the 8th to the 14th century, historians generally agree on the period of the golden age of Islamic civilization. They count that the keys to this civilizational achievement laid on the flourishing educational institutions, scientific findings, and the births of influential Muslim scholars. This article tries to reframe the significance of education in the creation of Islamic golden age and offer a brief reminder to the importance of education for contemporary Muslim societies. It is a bibliographical study for the materials for the discussion are taken from books, journal articles, and other written sources related to the topic. The collected data were then analyzed by content analysis. This article argues that the state policies on education is the key for the past Muslim golden age. Scientific culture ranging from namely research tradition, translation tradition, reading tradition to scientific habitus are essential in the making of Muslim golden age. This historical records reserves as a reminder for contemporary Muslim to reestablish the past golden age that lies on the reformation of educational system.
STRATEGI PEMBELAJARAN KIAI DALAM MEMBENTUK KARAKTER JUJUR DAN DISIPLIN SANTRI
Authors: Haryanti Nik , Indarti Luluk
Published: January 2023

Penelitian   ini dilatarbelakangi oleh    fakta yang terjadi  kiai  harus mempunyai strategi untuk pembentukan karakter santri. Strategi dalam pembentukan karakter merupakan salah satu metode pendidikan nilai yang komprehensif.  Pembelajaran dalam pembentukan karakter santri sudah mulai mengenai dimana santri sudah mempunyai rasa kepedulian terhadap sesama santri yang terwujud dengan saling membantu, mempunyai sifat jujur jika memang melanggar mengakui saja dan siap mendapatkan hukuman. Metode pendekatan penelitian kualitatif. Teknik pengumpulan datanya adalah observasi partisipan, wawancara atau interview mendalam, dan dokumentasi. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah menganalisis data dilakukan dalam dua tahap, yaitu: (1) analisis data kasus individu, dan (2) analisis data lintas situs. Hasil penelitiannya adalah:    Strategi  pembelajaran kyai dalam membentuk karakter jujur santri di Pondok Pesantren Panggung Tulungagung dan Pondok Pesantren Hidayatul Mubtadiin Ngunut Tulungagung dilakukan dengan jalan: a) kyai memberikan kesadaran etika dengan mengajarkannya sebagaimana yang dalam kitab menuntun para santri untuk berkata benar, pengetahuan tentang  etika berkata benar bahkan diajarkan  mengendalikan diri. b) kyai mengajarkan pada santri  untuk jujur  dalam  perkataan.   c) Kyai memberikan pengarahan untuk membiasakan diri untuk berhenti berbohong.