bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FORECASTING THE PROBABILITY OF COPD DEVELOPMENT DEPENDING ON THE SMOKING EXPERIENCE OF WOMEN OF FERTILE AGE
Authors:   Samara State Medical University, LOTKOV VYACHESLAV S. , DZYUBAILO ANNA V. ,   Samara State Medical University
Published: October 2023

Introduction. The article presents the results of assessing the likelihood of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depending on the history of smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked per day by women of fertile age. Aim. The aim is to establish the probability and degree of influence of nicotine addiction on the formation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in women of fertile age. Material and methods. А cohort of 107 smoking women of fertile age with varying degrees of nicotine dependence observed was studied: 53 patients are active smokers exposed to passive smoking at home (first group 1), 54 patients are active smokers without passive smoking (group 2). The control group - 42 non-smoking women who do not have chronic diseases. The reliability of the results was evaluated using nonparametric statistical methods (Statistica 10, Microsoft Excel 2010). Results and discussion. With smoking experience in the range from one year to ten years in the second group, the probability of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease formation develops more slowly compared to that in the first group. This difference in probabilities is gradually decreasing from year to year. With ten years of smoking experience, the probabilities of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in both groups become equal, and then the situation changes to the opposite. In the first group, the probability of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease begins to develop more slowly compared to the second group. The difference in probabilities is gradually decreasing from year to year, practically comparing with the smoking experience of twenty-two years.Conclusion. Passive smoking, in addition to active smoking, increases the nicotine load with the formation of more pronounced prerequisites for the pathogenetic processes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease development. The probability of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease development in the second group decreases and it is possible that it is the number of cigarettes (from 10 to 16 cigarettes per day) more than passive smoking that is the main factor in the development of the disease. When overcoming the 11-year interval, regardless of the absence of passive smoking, the predominant factor is the smoking experience of 20 or more years.
THE IMPACT OF STATE INSTITUTIONAL NORMS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE RANGE POLICY OF ORGANIZATIONS WHOLESALE MEDICINES
Authors:   Volgograd State Medical University, URUSOVA LEYLA K. , GORYACHEV ANDREY B. ,   First Moscow State Medical University, KABAKOVA TAISIA I. ,   Volgograd State Medical University
Published: October 2023

Introduction. Continuous analysis of regulatory norms and their implementation is a significant factor that affects the efficiency of the wholesale segment of the pharmaceutical market in the dynamically evolving legal field. Aim. Summarize and analyze state institutional norms that affect the processes of managing the assortment policy of drug wholesalers in the modern pharmaceutical market. Material and Methods. The object of the study was the regulatory legal acts that influence the formation and management of the assortment policy in the wholesale segment of the pharmaceutical market. In the course of the work, methods of documentary observation and comparison, content analysis of legislative acts and regulatory legal documents were used. Results and discussion. It was revealed that the formation of the medicinal assortment is significantly influenced by institutional norms that determine the procedure for the circulation of medicines (state regulation of maximum selling prices, preferential provision of medicines for decreed groups of citizens, and others). It has been established that institutional norms, on the one hand, provide a guaranteed demand for pharmaceutical products of a reduced range, and on the other hand, limit profits due to state regulation of selling prices. However, the share of goods of this assortment does not exceed 15-20% in terms of the number of inventory units and 25% in terms of wholesale sales, which allows us to provide a stable, complete assortment with a high turnover and profitable commercial activity. Conclusion. Thus, state institutional norms have a significant impact on the formation of the product range of Russian pharmaceutical distributors, but this does not undermine the profitability of their economic activities and ensures the social responsibility of the business.
THE ASSESSMENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP SIGNIFICANCE BETWEEN VASCULAR REMODELING, INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE AND POLYMORPHISM OF ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION GENES IN MALE PATIENTS WITH MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION DUE TO HYPERTENTION HISTORY
Authors:   Bashkir State Medical University, SADIKOVA REGINA I. , MUTALOVA ELVIRA G. ,   Bashkir State Medical University, FRID SVETLANA A. ,   Bashkir State Medical University, NIGMATULLINA ALBINA E. ,   Bashkir State Medical University
Published: October 2023

Introduction. Endothelial dysfunction, arterial hypertension and surrogate events of myocardial infarction are interrelated phenomena, while the genetic predisposition in these patients is an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular pathology. Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the significance of the interaction of associations of polymorphic loci of adhesion molecule genes (immunoglobulin VCAM1), MCP-1 chemokine, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA), nitric oxide control enzyme (DDAH1), markers of the inflammatory response, vascular remodeling and endothelial dysfunction in patients with male myocardial infarction, depending on the presence or absence of arterial hypertension in history in the development of myocardial infarction. Material and methods. 667 male patients and 621 practically healthy individuals in the comparison group were examined. Patients underwent determination of general clinical parameters, serum concentrations of monocyte-chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA), cytokines (IL-1,6; TNF-α), molecular genetic study, measurement of media intima thickness of the common carotid artery. Selected in the group of patients with myocardial infarction, individuals with or without a history of arterial hypertension. Results and discussion. As a result of a comparative analysis of groups of patients with and without a history of arterial hypertension with a group of healthy individuals, significant differences in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles for the following polymorphic gene loci were revealed: MCP-1, VEGFA, DDAH1, VCAM1. The serum concentration of cytokines (IL-1,6; TNF-α) in patients, regardless of the presence or absence of a history of hypertension, significantly exceeded the level in the comparison group. The VEGFA index in patients with myocardial infarction with arterial hypertension was significantly increased compared to the serum level in patients with myocardial infarction without arterial hypertension. Conclusion. A higher significance of the interaction between indicators of vascular remodeling, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction gene polymorphism in the development of myocardial infarction in patients with a history of hypertension, in contrast to non-hypertensive patients with myocardial infarction, was revealed, which indicates a powerful contribution of arterial hypertension to the etiology and implementation of myocardial infarction.
ON THE THEORY OF SYNTHESIS OF MINIMAL SCHEMES OF SYSTEMS CONTROL OF HYDRAULIC AND PNEUMATIC DRIVES
Authors: Cherkashenko Mikhaylo
Published: October 2023

Showed the strict compliance of the scientific direction "Synthesis of minimum control schemes of hydraulic and pneumatic drive systems" developed by the author with the point of view of general algebra, algebra of logic, graph theory and automata theory. The synthesis of the minimum graph of operations, which is a mathematical model of the control system, has been proved. The legitimacy of the methods of undivided decomposition of equations describing the scheme of the control system has been proved. The control system is considered as a cyclic Moore finite automaton. By a cyclic automaton (CA) we will understand the mathematical model of a device designed to control cyclic processes, which are a set of technological operations performed in a certain sequence. In this regard, the automaton at each clock necessarily passes into some new state, and for a finite number of cycles the target reaches any state, and its graph contains a contour, covering all states. In general, the CA may contain several circuits, so that each circuit is interpreted either as one of the possible sequences of technological operations due to the corresponding mode of operation, or as an independent and simultaneous execution of a number of sets of technological operations. A sequential decomposition of the CA is presented in order to represent it by the sequential operation of automata with one internal state. Such a consideration of the function of transitions will naturally lead to a decrease in the number of elements in the implementation of the CA. The study will be subjected to the CA, the graph of which consists of a single circuit, since the results obtained are easily generalized to multi-circuit CA. Obtaining a breakdown of the states of a cyclic automaton in the manner indicated above is performed directly according to any automaton description without any additional calculations, tables and other constructions.
EXPERIMENTAL AND CALCULATION STUDY OF PRESSURE PULSATIONS IN THE RADIALAXIAL HYDROTURBINE
Authors: Kukhtenkov Yurii
Published: October 2023

The force interaction of the vortex swirls in the draft tube of the hydraulic turbine RO with the elements of the flow path can lead to serious accidents. Reducing low-frequency pressure pulsations is an urgent task, as it helps to increase the reliability and increase the power of hydraulic units. For this, special devices are sometimes used. The aim this of the work was to compare modern methods for calculating low-frequency bundle pressure pulsations in a draft tube with experiment. Experimental studies of pressure pulsations in the flow part and the impeller blade of the RO115 hydraulic turbine were carried out in a wide range of operating modes. Numerous experiments were carried out to determine the bundle pressure fluctuations using a spatial mathematical model according to the method of NTU ''KhPI''. In addition, calculations of pressure fluctuations were performed based on a modern hydrodynamic software package that solves problems of continuum mechanics and uses the Reynolds equation. The process of solving problems in this case is carried out by means of the CFD application package, which includes the following steps: creating a three-dimensional model of the object under consideration using the CAD system; construction of the computational grid; choice of mathematical model of turbulence; problems of limiting conditions. A comparison of the experimental and calculated results indicates their good agreement. Prediction of pressure fluctuations using the above methods when designing hydraulic turbines makes it possible in the future to choose the best flow path with lower pressure fluctuations (with lower losses) and with higher energy-cavitation performance. In the first case, the task requires insignificant resources of computer time, and the error in calculating the amplitudes of pressure fluctuations is up to 15 % compared with the experimental data, in the second case it is 10 % with a much longer calculation time. In the future, the results of calculations of bundled pressure pulsations are used in strength calculations of elements of the flow path of a hydraulic turbine with large margins in terms of strength factors, so it is possible to use mathematical models of varying complexity in predictive calculations of bundled pressure fluctuations in a draft tube.
Análisis territorial de la Política Agraria Común (PAC) en el periodo 2014-2020. Estudio de caso: Extremadura
Authors: Martínez García Francisco Manuel , Nieto Masot Ana , Cárdenas Alonso Gema , Pérez Pintor José Manuel
Published: October 2023

As Spain joined the European Union (EU), the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) plays an important role in the agricultural sector in Extremadura with the intention of progressing a fundamental sector for the development of the regional economy and with sufficient capacity to maintain the population in rural areas. Hence, since Agenda 2000, there have been a series of reforms that have established decoupled aid by paying farmers for the environmental benefits they produce in the rural environment, as well as addressing the problems of Europe's rural areas through rural development aid. The aim of this study is to describe the latest CAP 2014-2020 budget framework in Extremadura, through a territorial analysis that has provided in-depth knowledge of the distribution of this aid. Thus, the results obtained show the concentration of the amounts in certain aids introduced in the last CAP reform, as well as how the total amounts of aid are located in the main municipalities of the region where the agricultural sector is more dynamic and concentrates a large number of farms.
Mathematics Designed for Engagement: from tasks promoting situational interest to sustained positive mathematics experiences
Authors: UNSW Laura Tuohilampi
Published: October 2023

Efforts to engage students with mathematics should better take the knowledge of interest development into account. This is a comprehensive study combining personal, philosophical and evidence based considerations aiming for productive contributions to the understanding of the role of interest in long term mathematics engagement. The three parts of the study consist of 1) theoretical review of the interplay of interest development and long term engagement, following with a proposal of interest developing features in mathematics tasks, 2) case study of mathematics tasks following with a model for interest promoting task design and 3) pilot study of teachers’ role in applying interest developing tasks. I will explain how situational interest can be triggered and maintained in ways that result in long term engagement. I will show that common mathematics tasks may lack interest-promoting features. I will provide principles to interest-developing mathematics task design. Finally, I will argue that by unraveling the confusion of the interplay between interest and engagement in research, in practice, in policy documents and in teachers’ professional development, we can improve the quality of students' personal mathematics experiences. The study bridges important gaps in the knowledge of how to promote long term mathematical engagement.
Impact of antenatal corticosteroids on postnatal growth of infants born between 23 and 29 weeks of gestation
Authors: Chou Fu-Sheng , Clark Reese , Yeh Hung-Wen
Published: October 2023

Objective: To assess the effect of antenatal corticosteroids on postnatal growth in infants born at 23-29 weeks’ gestation.
Study Design: This study used data from the Pediatrix Clinical Data Warehouse to emulate a target trial, in which inverse propensity weighting (IPW) was used to balance pre-treatment confounders. Maternal-infant dyads from 2018 to 2020 were included. Primary outcomes included postnatal weight, length, and head circumference growth trajectory percentiles.
Result: The unadjusted cohort consisted of 11,912 dyads. After IPW adjustment, there were 23,231 dyads. Exposed infants showed higher postnatal trajectory percentiles for weight (by 3.4%), length (by 1.8%), and head circumference (by 2.5%) when compared to non-exposed infants. The positive effect of antenatal corticosteroids on postnatal growth was only observed among infants without exposure to preeclampsia/eclampsia/HELLP syndrome or fetal growth restriction.
Conclusion: Antenatal corticosteroid exposure is associated with better postnatal growth. The study is limited by its retrospective nature.
Maternal Smoking during pregnancy and Its effects on Neural tube defects: a holistic systematic review
Authors: Elahi Zeynab , Hassanzadeh Farideh , Satarzadeh mohammad
Published: October 2023

BackgroundMaternal smoking is a potent teratogen among congenital malformations, however its role in the development of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) is still unclear. In this systematic review, we intend to further investigate the interaction of smoking during pregnancy and the incidence of NTDs.MethodThis article was written according to PRISMA criteria from February 2015 and August 2022. After examining the four stages of PRISMA criteria, we selected clinical articles. These articles were selected from PubMed, Scopus and Google scholar (for results follow-up) databases. The words we searched in these databases include: · Smoking · Maternal smoking · Neural tube defectsResultsSmoking was associated with an increase NTDs in the population of pregnant mothers and also among babies whose fathers smoked. The main side effects that were considered to be the cause of NTDs besides smoking were alcohol and BMI (18.5-24.9). Smoking also affects the level of folic acid as a substance with an essential role that affects the closure of the neural tube. folic acid available to infants changing along with the level of other blood elements such as zinc, that necessary prevent for NTDs condition.ConcludeAccording to the results obtained from the available articles, parental smoking can be considered as one of the strong teratogens in the occurrence of NTDs. In order to reduce the prevalence of NTDs, we advise pregnant mothers and neonate’s fathers to quit smoking.
Prediction of Reservoir Compressibility Using Subsurface Cores, Well Logs, and Seismic Data by Neural Network
Authors: VALI Jafar , HajiZadeh Farnusch
Published: October 2023

In this study, three-dimensional pore volume compressibility of a carbonate reservoir was predicted. The primary data of the model were petrophysical parameters, measured compressibility factor on core samples, conventional well logs, and three-dimensional seismic attributes. Neural network algorithms were employed to propagate the compressibility data along the well axis and to predict the distribution of compressibility within three-dimensional seismic acquisition area. A probabilistic neural network algorithm resulted in a correlation of 85% between the predicted and measured compressibility along the wells-axis. The seismic attributes were extracted to find the best correlation and minimum error between the generated and target attributes. The correlation coefficient of 78% indicates the high accuracy of the model and the optimal choice of neural network algorithms. The results of this study provide insights into the application of seismic data to field-wide prediction of reservoir compressibility.
Quantitative Evaluation of Molecular Generation Performance of Graph-based GANs
Authors: Zhang Jinli , Wang Zhenbo , Jiang Zongli , Wu Man , Li Chen , Yamanishi Yoshihiro
Published: October 2023

Deep generative models have been widely used in molecular generation tasks because they can save time and cost in drug development compared with traditional methods. Previous studies based on generative adversarial network (GAN) models typically employ reinforcement learning (RL) to constrain chemical properties, resulting in efficient and novel molecules. However, such models have poor performance in generating molecules due to instability in training. Therefore, quantitative evaluation of existing molecular generation models, especially GAN models, is necessary. This study aims to evaluate the performance of discrete GAN models using RL in molecular generation tasks and explore the impact of different factors on model performance. Through evaluation experiments on QM9 and ZINC datasets, the results show that noise sampling distributions, training epochs, and training data volumes can affect the performance of molecular generation. Finally, we provide strategies for stable training and improved performance for GAN models.
Discontinuation Risk from Adverse Events: Immunotherapy Alone vs. Combined with Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis
Authors: Shin Sangwon , Moon Jimin , Oum Chiyoon , Kim Seulki , Cho Soo Ick , Lim Yoojoo , Ock Chan-Young , Shin Seunghwan
Published: October 2023

Background
While immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy (Chemo-IO) is generally recognized for providing superior outcomes compared to monotherapy (mono-IO), it is associated with a higher incidence of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). However, there have been few direct comparisons of treatment discontinuation rates between these two treatments. In this study, we compared the rates of treatment discontinuation between mono-IO and Chemo-IO as first-line treatments for various solid tumors.
Methods
We systematically reviewed clinical trials from databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and an additional source) published from January 1, 2018, to July 10, 2023. We included phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that utilized immunotherapy agents in at least one arm as first-line treatments for a variety of solid tumors. Data extraction followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) extension statement for network meta-analysis. A random effects model was used for the network meta-analysis, with the risk of bias assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool II. The primary outcomes encompassed treatment discontinuation rates due to TRAEs among patients who underwent immunotherapy, either alone or combined with chemotherapy, for various solid tumors. Pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to compare between treatment groups.
Results
From 29 RCTs, a total of 21,677 patients and 5 types of treatment were analyzed. Compared to mono-IO, Chemo-IO showed a significantly higher rate of discontinuation due to TRAEs (RR 2.68, 95% CI 1.98–3.63). Subgroup analysis for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients also exhibited a greater risk of discontinuation due to TRAEs with Chemo-IO compared to mono-IO (RR 2.93, 95% CI 1.67–5.14). Additional analyses evaluating discontinuation rates due to either treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) or AEs regardless of causality (any AEs) consistently revealed an elevated risk associated with Chemo-IO.
Conclusions
Chemo-IO was associated with an elevated risk of treatment discontinuation not only due to TRAEs but also any AEs or TEAEs. Given that the treatment duration can impact clinical outcomes, a subset of patients might benefit more from mono-IO than combination therapy. Further research is imperative to identify and characterize this subset.
A cross sectional study of role of health literacy on the differences in health behaviors between shift workers and day workers
Authors: Morikawa Yuko , Teranishi Keiko , Sakurai Masaru , Ishizaki Masao , Kido Teruhiko , Naruse Yuchi , Nakagawa Hideaki
Published: October 2023

Background
Shift work is a common working style in the manufacturing industry. Many studies have reported that shift workers have unfavorable health behaviors. To investigate using a cross-sectional study whether health literacy had a mediating influence on the differences in health behaviors between the shift workers and day workers.
Methods
The target population was employees in a light metal product manufacturing company in Japan. In 2020, we conducted a survey on job characteristics, health literacy, and health behaviors using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 2152 manual workers aged between 18-64 years were enrolled in the study (961 fixed day and 1191 shift workers). The odds ratios for favorable habits in shift workers relative to those in daytime workers were calculated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Logistic regression structural equation models were used to analyze the mediating role of health literacy on the relationship between shift work and health behaviors.
Results
The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of shift workers, with daytime workers as the reference group, following adjustment for age, health literacy, educational attainment, marital status, and working hours were 0.85 (95%CI, 0.70-1.02) for performing leisure time exercise, 0.68 (95%CI, 0.56-0.80) for not currently smoking, 0.63 (95%CI, 0.52-0.76) for brushing their teeth, 0.79 (95%CI, 0.65-0.95) for having breakfast, and 0.58 (95%CI, 0.48-0.70) for eating green and yellow vegetables. With the exception of smoking, health literacy was associated with health behaviors independent of job characteristics. The odds ratios of the direct effects of shift work on favorable habits were almost the same as the total effect.
Conclusions
Health literacy did not have a mediating influence on the association between the shift work and health behaviors in manual workers. Both job characteristics and Health literacy were related independently with health behaviors in the workers. Our findings suggest that in order to improve health behaviors in workers, both improvement in the working environment and efforts to improve Health literacy are required.
Level of Aflatoxins in Dairy Feeds, Poultry Feeds and Feed Ingredients Produced by Feed Factories in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Mengesha Genet , Bekele Tilahun , Ashagrie Henok , Woldegiorgis Ashagrie Zewdu
Published: October 2023

Aflatoxins are one of the major factors that affect the quality and safety of feeds. They can be transferred into livestock through contaminated feed and then onto humans via animal sources of food such as milk, meat and egg. The objective of this study was to detect and quantify the level of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2, and total aflatoxin) in dairy feeds, poultry (layer and broiler) feeds and feed ingredients produced in Addis Ababa. A total of 42 feeds and feed ingredients consisting of dairy feeds (n = 5), poultry broiler feeds (n = 6), layer feeds (n = 6), and feed ingredients (n = 25) were collected. The aflatoxins were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography after clean-up with an Immunoaffinity columns. Aflatoxin B1 levels in feeds ranged from (51.66 to 370.51) µg/kg in dairy cattle feed; from (1.45 to 139.51) µg/kg in poultry layer feed; and from (16.49 to 148.86) µg/kg in broiler feed. Aflatoxin B1 levels in maize ranged from (2.64 to 46.74) µg/kg and in niger seed cake from (110.93 to 438.86) µg/kg. Aflatoxin B1 levels in wheat bran, wheat middling, and soybean were below 5 µg/kg. 100% of dairy feeds, 67% of poultry layer, 67% broiler feeds, and 24% of ingredients contained aflatoxin in levels higher than the maximum tolerable limit set by the US Food and Drug Administration and Ethiopian Standard Agency. This shows the need for a strong regulatory monitoring and better feed management practices to prevent consumers of animal source foods from significant health impacts associated with aflatoxins.
Opalski Syndrome; A rare variant of Wallenberg Syndrome: A case report and literature review
Authors: Mansour Marah , Qubaitary Kenan Al , Almaalouli Bsher , Charaf Obada , Chama Mohd Beshr , Qasem Yasmine , Alwaw Ricarda , Hassan Khalil , Mansour Nawar , allabwani Abd alqader , Hammad Yousha
Published: October 2023

Background
Opalski Syndrome, first described in 1946, is a rare variant of Wallenberg Syndrome (Lateral Medullary Syndrome) associated with ipsilateral hemiplegia, which is attributed to concomitant lateral medullary and cervical spine infarction and its extension downwards to comprise the post-pyramidal decussation corticospinal tract.
Case presentation
We report a case of a 56-year-old man who initially complained of unilateral headache with right cervical pain, and after a brief period, developed Wallenberg Syndrome’s classical symptoms-vertigo, dysphonia, and dysarthria, right limb ataxia with a tendency to fall, ptosis- in addition to ipsilateral hemiparesis. Initial diffusion weighted-imaging magnetic resonance imaging (DWI MRI) results were suggestive of an acute infarct in the dorsolateral medulla. A hyperintense focal region in the dorsolateral medulla was visible on an axial T2-weighted MRI. According to magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), the right vertebral artery revealed complete stenosis.
Conclusion
This interpretation demonstrates that Opalski Syndrome must be considered when findings suggest lateral medullary infarction in patients who also experience ipsilateral hemiparesis with hyperacute onset.
Analysis of related factors of plasma antibody levels in patients with severe and critical COVID-19
Authors: Xie Yudi , Xia Yang , Xu Haixia , Wang Jue , Zhang Wei , Li Ling , Liu Zhong
Published: October 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to impact global public health. The sever acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become less virulent as it mutates, so China relaxed its control the at the end of 2022. With the full opening, many COVID-19 patients have begun to appear. Therefore, we conducted a study to explore the correlation between plasma antibody level and baseline conditions or clinical outcomes in severe and critical patients. We collected the basic information of 79 included patients. ELISA tests were performed on plasma samples. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG antibody level of mild group was significantly higher than that of severe/critical group (P = 0.00049). And in severe/critical group, there existed association between plasma antibody levels and age (P < 0.001, r = - 0.471), as well as plasma antibody levels and vaccination status (P = 0.00147, eta2 = 0.211). Between the mild and severe/critical patients, the level of RBD (Omicron BA.4/5) IgG antibody was significantly different. Besides, the level of plasma antibody seemed to be correlated with the age, suggesting that infection in the elderly should be paid more attention. And plasma antibody levels were strongly associated with vaccination status in the severe/critical patients.
3D printed Microfluidic Valve on PCB for Flow Control Applications using Liquid Metal
Authors: Hamza Ahmed , Navale Anagha , Song Qingchuan , Bhagwat Sagar , Pezeshkpour Pegah , Rapp Bastian E.
Published: October 2023

Direct 3D printing of active microfluidic elements on PCB substrates enables high-speed fabrication of stand-alone microdevices for a variety of health and energy applications. Microvalves are key components of microfluidic devices and liquid metal (LM) microvalves exhibit promising flow control in microsystems integrated with PCBs. In this paper, we demonstrate LM microvalves directly 3D printed on PCB using advanced digital light processing (DLP). Electrodes on PCB are coated by carbon ink to prevent alloying between gallium-based LM plug and copper electrodes. We used DLP 3D printers with in-house developed acrylic-based resins, Isobornyl Acrylate, and Diurethane Dimethacrylate (DUDMA) and functionalized PCB surface with acrylic-based resin for strong bonding. Valving seats are printed in a 3D caterpillar geometry with chamber diameter of 700 µm. We successfully printed channels and nozzles down to 90 µm. Aiming for microvalves for low-power applications, we applied square-wave voltage of 2 Vpp at a range of frequencies between 5 to 35 Hz. The results show precise control of the bistable valving mechanism based on electrochemical actuation of LMs.
Neopterin production in relation to COVID-19 in the Haut-Ogooué Province, Gabon
Authors: Dibakou Serge Ely , Mbani-Mpega-Ntigui Chérone Nancy , Oyegue-Liabagui Sandrine Lydie , Ekore Desire Otsaghe , Nguema Yasmine Okome , Lekana-Douki Jean Bernard , Ngoubangoye Barthelemy
Published: October 2023

Background
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the immunological aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 were not at the forefront of research in sub-Saharan Africa. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the association between plasma neopterin concentrations and COVID-19 infection, with a focus on changes over time and age-related changes in immune response.
Methods
We included a cohort of 325 individuals, consisting of 124 with COVID-19 and 201 healthy controls between June to August 2020. Whole blood and associated symptoms and comorbidities were collected from all individuals at the time of enrollment and longitudinally over 28 days. Concentrations of plasma neopterin were measured using a commercial competitive neopterin ELISA (Neopterin ELISA, IBL International GmbH, Germany).
Results
We found elevated plasma neopterin concentration in individuals with COVID-19 (mean ± SD: 50.0 ± 15) compared to healthy controls (mean ± SD: 34.0 ± 1.6), indicating active immune responses in COVID-19 cases. Longitudinal analysis showed a decline in neopterin levels over time, at the initial sampling (first day) it was 42.00 ± 12.00 nmol/l, measure at day 10 it was 30.00 ± 02.00 nmol/l and at day 14 it was 25.00 ± 05.00 nmol/l. Moreover, a significant positive correlation was found between plasma neopterin concentrations and age. This age-related increase in neopterin may indicate a more pronounced immune response in older individuals.
Conclusion
This study provides evidence of an association between neopterin levels and COVID-19 infection, and indicates neopterin as a marker capable of diagnosing age related changes in older individuals compared to young one. Our study suggests also that neopterin may serve as a valuable biomarker for assessing the immune response and monitoring disease progression during an outbreak.
Current status and influencing factors of decision fatigue among nursing staff in NICU: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Tuan , Zhou Yu-e , Liu Tianyun , Fu Yingping
Published: October 2023

Background
The work in NICU puts forward higher requirements for nurses' professional ability and emergency response ability. Nurses often need to face a variety of complex emergencies, quickly make decisions, which easily lead to decision fatigue. At present, the domestic research mainly focuses on the decision-making fatigue of patients' families, and no relevant research has been found on the decision-making fatigue of NICU nurses.
Objectives
To investigate the status of decision fatigue of nursing staff in NICU and analyze its influencing factors, so as to provide reference for formulating and implementing corresponding intervention measures.
Design
An online cross- sectional survey.
Participants
Nurses working at provincial tri Service hospitals in Yunnan, China
Primary and secondary outcome measures
In February, 2023, 218 NICU nurses in four Class III A hospitals in Yunnan Province were investigated by using general information questionnaire, Chinese version of decision fatigue scale and self-control scale, and the influencing factors of decision fatigue of NICU nurses were analyzed by multiple stepwise regression.
Results
The total score of decision fatigue scale for 218 nursing staff in NICU was (18.56±2.812) and the score of self-control was (49.37±9.962). Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that age, length of service, professional title, monthly income, and self-control were the influencing factors of decision fatigue for nursing staff in NICU (all P <.05).
Conclusion
Nurses in NICU had higher degree of decision-making fatigue. Managers should pay attention to the status quo of decision-making fatigue of nursing staff in NICU and take corresponding intervention measures on influencing factors.
Association between serum lipid and papillary thyroid cancer: a retrospective study in China
Authors: Zhang Zike , Lan Xingyu , You Long , Han Dongsheng , Tang Hui , Zhao Ying , Hu Xiao
Published: October 2023

The incidence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has increased drastically in recent decades. Various studies have reported a concurrent rise in PTC morbidity in the obese, implying a possible role of lipids in the pathogenesis of PTC. However, the role of serum lipids in the pathogenesis of PTC requires further investigation. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum lipid level and PTC. From January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020, a total of 1,650 PTC and 882 control samples were enrolled for this study. PTC subjects were more likely to have higher Body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, triglyceride (TG) levels, and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) when compared to controls (P < 0.05). Although age and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) did not appear to change across all age groups, the PTC patients exhibited obvious differences in terms of TG and HDL-C when compared to controls (P < 0.05) for each age group. BMI (Odds Ratio, OR and 95% CI: 1.045(1.002–1.089), P < 0.038), FGB (OR and 95% CI: 2.543(1.968–3.286), P < 0.001), TG (OR and 95% CI: 1.267(1.025–1.566), P < 0.001), and HDL-C (OR and 95% CI: 0.422(0.289–0.616), P < 0.001) were risk factors of PTC in the multivariate analysis of females. For males, FBG (OR and 95% CI: 2.136(1.551–2.941), P < 0.001), TG (OR and 95% CI: 1.264(1.039–1.615), P < 0.05), total cholesterol (TCH) (OR and 95% CI: 0.778(0.626–0.968), P < 0.001), and HDL-C (OR and 95% CI: 0.154(0.077–0.308), P < 0.001) were risk factors of PTC. Both in the female and male subgroups, patients with tumors > 1 cm in size and multifocality had a greater risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) among PTC subjects (P < 0.001). The study results revealed that elevated TG and declined HDL-C were related to increased PTC risk among Chinese of both sexes.
Research progress in detection methods of biomechanics and metabolic changes of human tendons
Authors: Zhao Liping , Wang Chuhuai , Ge Ruidong , Jiang Shan , Fu Ruochen , Bai Shuo
Published: October 2023

Research on tendon biomechanics and metabolism spans several decades. However, most previous tendon experiments have used animal models in vitro cell cultures, among other methods. Factors such as anatomical and metabolic distinctions between these models and isolated cell cultures detached from the human physiological environment may lead to a biased interpretation of experimental results. Recently, advancements in human tendon detection methodology have sparked interest in studying human tendon biomechanics and metabolic cycles, consequently generating numerous related studies. This study aimed to summarize novel methods for detecting biomechanical and metabolic changes in human tendons over the past two decades. It is a valuable reference in this research field and elucidates potential future direction for human tendon detection and research endeavors.
Spatial Distribution and Landscape Impact Analysis of Quarrying in the Highly Fragmented Ecosystem of Tandilia System (Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Authors: Carabia-Sanz Irati , Simoy María Verónica , Cortelezzi Agustina , Trofino-Falasco Clara , Berkunsky Igor
Published: October 2023

Quarrying generates significant changes in the grasslands, by reducing ecological functions, reducing connectivity, impairing biodiversity, and degrading soil. Unlike other forms of destruction such as agriculture or urbanization, mining is characterized by eliminating soil and exposing the bedrock, facilitating groundwater contamination processes. Quarrying in Pampean grassland has been expanding for a century and little is known about the extent and distribution of quarries over the native environment.
In this work, we analyze the spatiotemporal variation of quarrying activity on the Highland grassland in the Tandilia mountains of Argentina. Based on Landsat 5, 7, and 8 satellite imagery, from 1996 to 2022, and using QGIS software, we identified the location and extension of quarries, and we analyzed their change through time. Quarries covered 6428 ha, which was originally part of the Pampean grassland. The number of open quarries increased by 129%, from 69 in 1996 to 158 in 2022, and the area used for this activity increased by 172%, with a greater expansion being detected in the last ten years. At least 87 quarries were abandoned in 2022. Quarries are often abandoned without any kind of remediation, leading to further ecosystem deterioration. The current extension of quarrying activity (active and abandoned quarries) reduced the connectivity and a significant area (5.2%) of the Highland grassland of the Tandilia Mountains. Grassland conservation planning should include quarrying as a significant threat, and management actions must be considered to reduce its impact.
Towards Energy-Balance Closure With a Model of Dispersive Heat Fluxes
Authors: Wanner Luise , Jung Martin , Paleri Sreenath , Butterworth Brian J. , Desai Ankur R. , Sühring Matthias , Mauder Matthias
Published: October 2023

The energy-balance-closure problem in eddy-covariance measurements has been known for decades. It has been thoroughly investigated from different angles, resulting in approaches to reduce but not completely close the surface energy balance gap. Energy balance transport through secondary circulations has been identified as a major cause of the remaining energy imbalance, which is not captured by eddy covariance measurements and can only be measured additionally with great effort. Several models have already been developed to close the energy balance gap that account for factors affecting the magnitude of the energy transport by secondary circulations. However, to our knowledge, there is currently no model that accounts thermal surface heterogeneity and that can predict the transport of both sensible and latent energy. Using a machine-learning approach, we developed a new model of energy transport by secondary circulations based on a large data set of idealized large-eddy simulations covering a wide range of unstable atmospheric conditions and surface-heterogeneity scales. In this paper, we present the development of the model and its promising test on more realistic large-eddy simulations and field measurements from the CHEESEHEAD19 project. We further show that it can be applied without additional measurements and, thus, can retrospectively be applied to other eddy covariance measurements to model energy transport through secondary circulations. Our work provides a promising mechanistic energy balance closure approach to 30-minute flux measurements.
Surface-Based Ultrasound Scans for the Screening of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Bennett Rory , Tse Zion , Barrett Tristan
Published: October 2023

Surface-based ultrasound systems have shown a remarkable improvement over the years, both in enhanced image quality, ease-of-use, and reduction in overall system size. Their ability to image organs non-invasively make them a prime technology for the diagnosis and monitoring of various diseases and conditions. One such potential use case is the screening of prostate cancer using prostate-specific antigen density (combining prostate-specific antigen values with prostate volumes). Current literature predominantly focuses on prostate volume estimation techniques that make use of magnetic resonance- or transrectal ultrasound-imaging, while surface-based techniques are largely skipped over. If a reliable surface-based ultrasound prostate cancer screening method can be introduced, a portion of patients may be able to forgo unnecessary magnetic resonance- or transrectal ultrasound-scans. This would save healthcare systems both time and resources as such a screening procedure could potentially be introduced into standard primary care settings with portable point-of-care ultrasound systems available at a fraction of the cost of their larger hospital counterparts. This review considers whether published literature suggests it is possible to use surface-based ultrasound devices in the calculation of prostate volume with high enough efficacy to be used in prostate cancer screening in primary health care, prior to secondary referral.
GAIT Analysis based on GENDER Detection Using Pre- trained Models and Tune Parameters
Authors: Vora Charmy , Katkar Vijay , Lunagaria Munindra
Published: October 2023

In past several decades, gait biometrics has expanded rapidly and is now a viable alternative to traditional methods of identification. The technique used for gait surveillance, monitoring, and analysis is constantly evolving. In applications that use computer vision, it’s challenging to determine someone's gender by their stride. This study suggests a reliable and adaptable technique for determining gender based on gait to address this issue. More than ever, there is a requirement of dataset which is based on gait analysis and recognition that enables the extraction of useful data. Furthermore, most of research studies utilizing gait datasets and machine learning techniques are image-based. Thus, research on gait recognition has been conducted on the vast majority of available datasets. The OULP-Age dataset from OU-ISIR is used to evaluate the proposed system for gait analysis based on gender predication. It represents a person's gait using a gait energy image (GEI).Moreover, these GEIs images were used to extract the feature using pre-trained models and we used the XGBoost classifier to classify the gender prediction. After that, the XGBoost classifier’s parameters are tuned to improve the outcomes. Finally, DenseNet models achieved good results with use of XGBoost tune parameters.
Individual-level double burden of malnutrition among children in India: Evidence from Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS), 2016-18
Authors: Ashraf Sana , Ramesh Sowmya , Porwal Akash , Khan Nizamuddin , Sarna Avina , Acharya Rajib
Published: October 2023

Background
While different forms of malnutrition exist around the world, the present study aimed to assess the prevalence of stunting, overweight or obesity and double burden of malnutrition (DBM). As well, the study aimed to identify the factors associated with DBM. Further, the study also estimated the burden of DBM at the national and state-level.
Methods
The study used data from the 2016–2018 Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) conducted across 30 Indian states. The CNNS survey collected data on anthropometric and other socio-demographic indicators of 76,415 children. The outcome variable of interest of DBM is define as the co-existence of stunting and overweight among children aged 0–9 years. Children whose height-for-age was at least 2 standard deviation below the mean for their age were classified as ‘stunted’ and those whose weight-for-age was more than 2 standard deviation above the mean were classified as overweight or obese. A binary variable was created if the child had both conditions.
Results
The prevalence of stunting, overweight and DBM was 28.2%, 4.9% and 1.9%, respectively. Despite low prevalence of DBM, 4.4 million children are double burdened in India. Male children had higher odds of being malnourished. Further, mother’s age, parity, wealth index and caste were significantly associated with children being stunted, overweight or obese and DBM. Mother’s education was significantly associated with stunting and overweight.
Conclusion
This study provides evidence that Indian children are experiencing DBM. Therefore, nutrition initiatives in the country need to strategies and remodel standalone interventions to tackle under-nutrition and overweight concurrently.