bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
24-h Urinary Calcium Excretion and Renal Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients with and without Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Guo Xinru , Wang Wanling , Ma Yangyang , Liang Yanjun , Zhou Yena , Cai Guangyan
Published: July 2023

This study investigated the impact of 24-h urinary calcium excretion (UCaE) on renal function decline in hospitalized patients with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study enrolled 3815 CKD patients in stages 1–4 and 1133 non-CKD patients admitted to the First Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 2014 and July 2022. The primary outcome for CKD patients was a composite of CKD progression, defined as a 40% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or end-stage kidney disease. Annual eGFR change was the secondary outcome. For non-CKD patients, the primary outcome was an eGFR decline of ≥20% or CKD incidence, while annual eGFR change was the secondary outcome. The association between UCaE and kidney function decline was assessed using Cox proportional hazards and generalized linear models. Primary outcomes were observed in 813 CKD patients and 109 non-CKD patients over a median follow-up of 3.0 and 4.1 years, respectively. For CKD patients, every 1-mmol/d increase in UCaE was associated with a 15% decreased risk of CKD progression. The hazard ratio (HR) was 0.85, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.77–0.93. For non-CKD patients, the risk of renal function decline decreased by 11%. The multivariate models indicated that there was an annual decrease in eGFR in both CKD and non-CKD patients, with a reduction of 0.122 mL/min/1.73 m2/year (p < 0.001) and 0.046 mL/min/1.73 m2/year (p = 0.004), respectively, for every 1-mmol/d increase in UCaE. CKD experiences a decrease in 24-h UCaE as early as stage 1, with a significant decline in stage 4. CKD and non-CKD patients with lower UCaE levels are at an increased risk of renal decline, regardless of other variables.
Final Stage of Chronic Kidney Disease with Conservative Kidney Management or Renal Replacement Therapy: A Primary-Care Population Study
Authors: Bundó Daniel , Cunillera Oriol , Arbiol-Roca Ariadna , Cobo-Guerrero Sílvia , Romano Jose , Gil-Terron Neus , Fulladosa Xavier , Comas Jordi , Rama Inés , Cruzado Josep M. , Salvador-Gonzalez Betlem
Published: July 2023

Background: Studies focus on the incidence and risk factors (RFs) associated with reaching the final stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD-G5) and receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Analysis of those related to reaching CKD-G5 while receiving conservative kidney management (CKM) has been neglected. Methods: Retrospective cohort study analysing electronic health records of individuals aged ≥ 50 with eGFR < 60 mL/min/m2. Cumulative incidence rates of CKD-G5, with and without KRT, were calculated. Multinomial regression models determined odds ratios (ORs) for CKD-G5 progression with KRT, CKM, or death. Results: Among 332,164 patients, the cumulative incidence of CKD-G5 was 2.79 cases per 100 person-years. The rates were 1.92 for CKD-G5 with KRT and 0.87 for CKD-G5 with CKM. Low eGFR and albuminuria were the primary RFs. Male gender and uncontrolled blood pressure had a greater impact on KRT (OR = 2.63 CI, 1.63) than on CKD-G5 with CKM (OR = 1.45 CI, 1.31). Increasing age and rurality reduced the probability of KRT but increased the probability of CKD-G5 with CKM. Higher incomes decreased the likelihood of developing CKD-G5 with and without KRT (OR = 0.49 CI). Conclusion: One-third of CKD-G5 cases receive CKM. Those are typically older, female, rural residents with lower incomes and with lesser proteinuria or cardiovascular RF. The likelihood of receiving KRT is influenced by location and socioeconomic disparities.
Identification of Low- Versus High-Risk Acute Coronary Syndrome for a Selective ECG Monitoring Strategy
Authors: Akodad Mariama , Meunier Pierre-Alain , Padovani Caroline , Cayla Guillaume , Zitouni Wassim , Macia Jean-Christophe , Robert Pierre , Steinecker Matthieu , Roubille François , Leclercq Florence
Published: July 2023

Background: While admission of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in cardiology intensive care unit (CICU) is usual, in-hospital major outcomes in lower risk patients may be evaluated after early coronary angiography according to the European guidelines. Methods: Consecutive ACS patients were prospectively included after coronary angiography evaluation within 24 h and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), when required. Patients were classified as high- or low-risk according to hemodynamics, rhythmic state, ischemic and bleeding risks. Major in-hospital outcomes were assessed. Results: From January to June 2021, 277 patients were enrolled (62.8% with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (n = 174); 37.2% with non-NSTEMI (NSTEMI) (n = 103). PCI was required for 260 patients (93.9%). Seventy-four patients (26.7%) were classified as low-risk (n = 47 NSTEMI; n= 27 STEMI) and 203 patients (73.3%) as high-risk of events. All patients were monitored in CICU. While 38 patients (18.7%) from the high-risk group reached the primary endpoint, mainly related to rhythmic or conduction disorder (n = 24, 11.8%) or unstable hemodynamics (n = 17; 8.4%), only 1 patient (1.3%) in the low-risk group had one major outcome (no fatal bleeding); p < 0.01. The negative predictive value of our patient stratification for the absence of major in-hospital outcome was 100% (CI95%: 100–100%) for STEMI and 97.9% [CI95%: 93.2–100%] for NSTEMI patients. Conclusions: Stratification of ACS patients after early coronary angiography and most of the time PCI, identify a population with very low risk of in-hospital events (1/4 of all ACS and 1/2 of NSTEMI) who may probably not require ECG monitoring and/or CICU admission. (NCT04378504).
Central Sensitization in Cancer Survivors and Its Clinical Implications: State of the Art
Authors: Nishigami Tomohiko , Manfuku Masahiro , Lahousse Astrid
Published: July 2023

Although the prevalence of cancer pain is 47% after treatment, cancer pain is often underestimated, and many patients are undertreated. The complexity of cancer pain contributes to the lack of its management. Recently, as the mechanism of cancer pain, it has become clear that central sensitization (CS) influences chronic pain conditions and the transition from acute to chronic pain. In this state-of-the-art review, we summarized the association of CS or central sensitivity syndrome with pain and the treatment for pain targeting CS in cancer survivors. The management of patients with CS should not only focus on tissue damage in either the affected body regions or within the central nervous system; rather, it should aim to target the underlying factors that sustain the CS process. Pain neuroscience education (PNE) is gaining popularity for managing chronic musculoskeletal pain and could be effective for pain and CS in breast cancer survivors. However, there is a study that did not demonstrate significant improvements after PNE, so further research is needed. Precision medicine involves the classification of patients into subgroups based on a multifaceted evaluation of disease and the implementation of treatment tailored to the characteristics of each patient, which may play a central role in the treatment of CS.
Validation of the Farsi Version of the Adult Concentration Inventory for Assessing Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome
Authors: Sadeghi-Bahmani Dena , Parhoon Hadi , Esmaeili Maryam , Parhoon Kamal , Sadeghi Bahmani Laleh , Khazaie Habibolah , Becker Stephen , Burns G. , Brand Serge
Published: July 2023

The internal and external validity of cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) relative to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-inattention (ADHD-IN) was evaluated herein with Farsi-speaking adults. A total of 837 Iranian adults assessed throughout the whole country (54.72% women, Mage = 23.85; SD = 7.05; age range = 18 to 58 years; 75% between 18 and 24 years old; reporting higher educational training) completed self-report measures of CDS, ADHD-IN, ADHD-hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI), depression, anxiety, and stress. Seven of the fifteen CDS symptoms showed a good convergent (high loadings on the CDS factor) and discriminant (higher loadings on the CDS factor than the ADHD-IN factor) validity. CDS also showed stronger first-order and unique associations with depression than ADHD-IN, whereas ADHD-IN showed stronger first-order and unique associations with ADHD-HI and anxiety than CDS. The first-order and unique associations of CDS and ADHD-IN did not differ in relation to stress. This study is the first to support the validity of the self-report of assessing CDS symptoms with the Adult Concentration Inventory with Farsi-speaking individuals residing in Iran, thus further strengthening the transcultural validity of the CDS, and paving the way for further transcultural research in the field of CDS among adults.
An Effective Hyperspectral Image Classification Network Based on Multi-Head Self-Attention and Spectral-Coordinate Attention
Authors: Zhang Minghua , Duan Yuxia , Song Wei , Mei Haibin , He Qi
Published: July 2023

In hyperspectral image (HSI) classification, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been widely employed and achieved promising performance. However, CNN-based methods face difficulties in achieving both accurate and efficient HSI classification due to their limited receptive fields and deep architectures. To alleviate these limitations, we propose an effective HSI classification network based on multi-head self-attention and spectral-coordinate attention (MSSCA). Specifically, we first reduce the redundant spectral information of HSI by using a point-wise convolution network (PCN) to enhance discriminability and robustness of the network. Then, we capture long-range dependencies among HSI pixels by introducing a modified multi-head self-attention (M-MHSA) model, which applies a down-sampling operation to alleviate the computing burden caused by the dot-product operation of MHSA. Furthermore, to enhance the performance of the proposed method, we introduce a lightweight spectral-coordinate attention fusion module. This module combines spectral attention (SA) and coordinate attention (CA) to enable the network to better weight the importance of useful bands and more accurately localize target objects. Importantly, our method achieves these improvements without increasing the complexity or computational cost of the network. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method, experiments were conducted on three classic HSI datasets: Indian Pines (IP), Pavia University (PU), and Salinas. The results show that our proposed method is highly competitive in terms of both efficiency and accuracy when compared to existing methods.
A Progressive Trigonometric Mixed Response Surface Method for Double-Loop Interval Optimization
Authors: Zheng Guanchao , Xu Wen , Mohd Ariffin Mohd Khairol Anuar Bin , Abdul Aziz Nuraini Binti , Ahmad Siti Azfanizam Binti
Published: July 2023

For some highly nonlinear problems, the general second-order response surface method (RSM) cannot satisfy the accuracy requirement. To improve accuracy, the highest order number has to be determined in advance. Thus, a progressive trigonometric mixed response surface method (PTMRSM) was proposed to enhance the approximation accuracy and define the highest order number, rather than determining it in advance. After that, a double-loop interval optimization process could be constructed using this PTMRSM to save time while maintaining accuracy when compared to other experimental or computational methods. Unfortunately, the traditional double-loop interval optimization method had issues with the probability of reliable constraints. Then, for the construction of this double-loop interval optimization process, the modified reliable constraints were introduced. A more reliable and effective double-loop interval optimization was introduced for addressing practical engineering problems using the effective approximate method of the PTMRSM and the amended reliable constraints. Two numerical test functions and a composite submersible hull were performed to verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the PTMRSM and the double-loop interval optimization.
Analysis of the Driving Mechanism of Land Comprehensive Carrying Capacity from the Perspective of Urban Renewal
Authors: Tang Yang , Yuan Yongbo , Tian Boquan
Published: July 2023

After a period of rapid development, the process of urbanization in China has gradually shifted from “scale expansion” to “enhanced quality”. The scarcity of urban land resources has created constraints on resources and economic development. This paper examines the carrying capacity of urban land resources from the perspective of urban renewal. A conceptual model of the driving mechanism of land comprehensive carrying capacity is constructed, incorporating six dimensions and 22 indicators, including urban renewal and urban ecology. Through questionnaire surveys and structural equation modeling, feedback data are analyzed, and measurement models, structural models, and mediation effects are examined to analyze the causal paths of factors in different dimensions on the comprehensive carrying capacity of urban land. The research results indicate that all six dimensions in the conceptual model have a direct positive impact on the land carrying capacity. In terms of direct effects, the influencing factors are ranked in descending order of magnitude as follows: urban development, urban disaster prevention and mitigation capacity, infrastructure development, urban renewal, social economy, and urban ecology. In terms of overall effects, factors are ranked in descending order of magnitude as follows: urban development, social economy, urban ecology, urban renewal, urban disaster prevention and mitigation capacity, and infrastructure development.
Spatial-Temporal Evolution Characteristics and Mechanism Analysis of Urban Space in China’s Three-River-Source Region: A Land Classification Governance Framework Based on “Three Zone Space”
Authors: Zhang Ke , Wei Wei , Yin Li , Zhou Jie
Published: July 2023

In China’s new era with a territorial spatial governance framework, the delineation of the “Three Zones and Three Lines” is a crucial step in establishing a comprehensive and vertically integrated spatial control system. The changes in the “Three Zone Space,” including ecological space, production space and living space, derived from land use abstractions, reflect the extent and manner of the impact of human activities. It serves as an important link between the macroscale (main functional zones) and the microscale (land use planning). The Three-River-Source Region is an important ecological security barrier and a demonstration area for ecological civilization in China. It is also considered one of the least suitable areas for human habitation in China. This region encompasses extensive protected natural areas, and human settlement space is scarce and valuable. The urban space, as an important spatial component of human habitation, often gives rise to significant conflicts between human activities and the environment during the implementation of development and conservation policies for remote areas in China. However, there is currently insufficient attention given to the human settlement space in this area. Therefore, it is necessary to study the evolution and driving mechanisms of urban spatial development from the perspective of the holistic and systematic nature of the “Three Zone Space”. To achieve this, the article first analyzes the characteristics of urban spatial changes from 1992 to 2020. Then, it utilizes the optimized parameter Geodetector to analyze the driving mechanisms behind these changes. The results show that: (1) urban spatial expansion has continued to grow over the past 30 years, with an increase of 774.56%; (2) agricultural space is the main source of conversion for urban spatial expansion; (3) natural factors have limited influence on urban spatial expansion, while human factors play a significant role with evident spatiotemporal heterogeneity. This study is significant for the governance and protection of river sources, the conservation of ecosystems in ecologically fragile areas, and the sustainable development of cities. It can also provide scientific references for decision-making in ecological environmental protection and the formulation of land use and spatial planning at various levels in pastoral areas.
Can Grasslands in Photovoltaic Parks Play a Role in Conserving Soil Arthropod Biodiversity?
Authors: Menta Cristina , Remelli Sara , Andreoni Matteo , Gatti Fabio , Sergi Valeria
Published: July 2023

Under the increasing global energy demand, the new European Union Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 encourages combinations of energy production systems compatible with biodiversity conservation; however, in photovoltaic parks, panels shadowing the effects on soil health and biodiversity are still unknown. This study (location: Northern Italy) aimed to evaluate the effect of ground-mounted photovoltaic (GMPV) systems on soil arthropod biodiversity, considering two parks with different vegetation management: site 1—grassland mowed with tractor; site 2—grassland managed with sheep and donkeys. Three conditions were identified in each park: under photovoltaic panel (row), between the panel rows (inter-row), and around the photovoltaic plant (control). The soil pH and organic matter (SOM), soil arthropod community, biodiversity, and soil quality index (e.g., QBS-ar index) were characterised. Differences between the two GMPVs were mainly driven by the SOM content (higher values where grazing animals were present). No differences were observed in site 1, even if a high heterogeneity of results was observed for the soil biodiversity parameters under the panels. In site 2, SOM and pH, as well as arthropods biodiversity and QBS-ar, showed low values in the row. Soil fauna assemblages were also affected by ground-mounted panels, where Acarina, Collembola, Hymenoptera, and Hemiptera showed the lowest density in the row. This study suggests that ground-mounted solar panels had significant effects on below-ground soil fauna, and was more marked depending on the system management. Furthermore, the results obtained for the inter-row were similar to the control, suggesting that the area between the panel rows could be considered a good hotspot for soil biodiversity.
A Hybrid Mode Membrane Computing Based Algorithm with Applications for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Zhao Jinhui , Zhang Wei , Hu Tianyu , Xu Ouguan , Yang Shengxiang , Zhang Qichun
Published: July 2023

Membrane computing is a branch of natural computing which has been extended to solve various optimization problems. A hybrid mode membrane-computing-based algorithm (HMMCA) is proposed in this paper to solve complex unconstrained optimization problems with continuous variables. The algorithmic framework of HMMCA translates from its distributed cell-like membrane structure and communication rule. A non-deterministic evolutionary programming method and two computational rules are applied to enhance the computational performance. In a numerical simulation, 12 benchmark test functions with different variables are used to verify the algorithmic performance. The test results and comparison with three other algorithms illustrate its effectiveness and superiority. Moreover, a case study on a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system parameter optimization problem is applied to validate its practicability. The results of the simulation and comparison with seven other algorithms demonstrate its practicability.
Directional Ring Difference Filter for Robust Shape-from-Focus
Authors: Ashfaq Khurram , Mahmood Muhammad Tariq
Published: July 2023

In the shape-from-focus (SFF) method, the quality of the 3D shape generated relies heavily on the focus measure operator (FM) used. Unfortunately, most FMs are sensitive to noise and provide inaccurate depth maps. Among recent FMs, the ring difference filter (RDF) has demonstrated excellent robustness against noise and reasonable performance in computing accurate depth maps. However, it also suffers from the response cancellation problem (RCP) encountered in multidimensional kernel-based FMs. To address this issue, we propose an effective and robust FM called the directional ring difference filter (DRDF). In DRDF, the focus quality is computed by aggregating responses of RDF from multiple kernels in different directions. We conducted experiments using synthetic and real image datasets and found that the proposed DRDF method outperforms traditional FMs in terms of noise handling and producing a higher quality 3D shape estimate of the object.
Antimicrobial Activity of Psidium guajava Aqueous Extract against Sensitive and Resistant Bacterial Strains
Authors: Pereira Geraldo Augusto , Chaves Douglas Siqueira de Almeida , Silva Taynara Monsores e , Motta Raissa Emidio de Araújo , Silva Adriana Barbosa Rocha da , Patricio Thereza Cristina da Costa , Fernandes Anna Julia Bessa , Coelho Shana de Mattos de Oliveira , Ożarowski Marcin , Cid Yara Peluso , Karpiński Tomasz M.
Published: July 2023

The inappropriate use of antimicrobials, along with environmental conditions, can lead to the emergence of resistant microorganisms. The use of phytopharmaceuticals and herbal medicines has a positive impact and represents a promising alternative. Psidium guajava extracts have been widely reported to have antimicrobial potential; however, studies reporting their activity against resistant bacterial strains are scarce. Because of the emerging resistance, the aim of this study was to analyze the antimicrobial capacity of the aqueous extract of guava leaves against wild-type and resistant bacterial strains. The aqueous extract obtained from the leaves of P. guajava was evaluated by HPLC for the content of total phenolics and tannins, antioxidant activity, and chemical composition. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was analyzed by the disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The results of the chemical analysis of the extracts showed total phenolics content of 17.02 ± 6.87 mg/g of dry extract, total tannin content of 14.09 ± 1.20 mg of tannic acid equivalents/g of dry extract, and moderate antioxidant capacity with an EC50 value of 140 µg/mL. Flavonoids are the major compounds (rutin, hesperidin, and quercetin), followed by phenolic acids. Disk diffusion test results showed the presence of inhibition halos for Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, sensitive and resistant; Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, sensitive and resistant; and Streptococcus spp., beta-hemolytic), while for Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, sensitive and resistant), there was no inhibition in the tested concentration range. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration was 6.8 mg/mL for all Gram-positive strains evaluated. The present study demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extract of P. guajava against sensitive and resistant Gram-positive bacteria. The better antimicrobial activity found in the present study compared with previously reported activity should be highlighted and may be related to the higher concentration of total phenolics present in the tested extract. Moreover, the content of tannins found suggests a species with high quality that produces tannins. These new findings suggest an innovative profile regarding therapeutic resources that can be adopted to combat resistant microbial strains.
Silicon Induces Heat and Salinity Tolerance in Wheat by Increasing Antioxidant Activities, Photosynthetic Activity, Nutrient Homeostasis, and Osmo-Protectant Synthesis
Authors: Aouz Ansa , Khan Imran , Chattha Muhammad Bilal , Ahmad Shahbaz , Ali Muqarrab , Ali Iftikhar , Ali Abid , Alqahtani Fatmah M. , Hashem Mohamed , Albishi Tasahil S. , Qari Sameer H. , Chatta Muhammad Umer , Hassan Muhammad Umair
Published: July 2023

Modern agriculture is facing the challenges of salinity and heat stresses, which pose a serious threat to crop productivity and global food security. Thus, it is necessary to develop the appropriate measures to minimize the impacts of these serious stresses on field crops. Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element on earth and has been recognized as an important substance to mitigate the adverse effects of abiotic stresses. Thus, the present study determined the role of Si in mitigating adverse impacts of salinity stress (SS) and heat stress (HS) on wheat crop. This study examined response of different wheat genotypes, namely Akbar-2019, Subhani-2021, and Faisalabad-2008, under different treatments: control, SS (8 dSm−1), HS, SS + HS, control + Si, SS + Si, HS+ Si, and SS + HS+ Si. This study’s findings reveal that HS and SS caused a significant decrease in the growth and yield of wheat by increasing electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production; sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) accumulation; and decreasing relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll and carotenoid content, total soluble proteins (TSP), and free amino acids (FAA), as well as nutrient uptake (potassium, K; calcium, Ca; and magnesium, Mg). However, Si application offsets the negative effects of both salinity and HS and improved the growth and yield of wheat by increasing chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, RWC, antioxidant activity, TSP, FAA accumulation, and nutrient uptake (Ca, K, and Mg); decreasing EL, electrolyte leakage, MDA, and H2O2; and restricting the uptake of Na+ and Cl−. Thus, the application of Si could be an important approach to improve wheat growth and yield under normal and combined saline and HS conditions by improving plant physiological functioning, antioxidant activities, nutrient homeostasis, and osmolyte accumulation.
Kinetic Analysis of Boron and Phosphorus Removal from Si-Fe Alloy by CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-Na2O Slag
Authors: Taposhe Golam Ismot Ara , Khajavi Leili Tafaghodi
Published: July 2023

A hybrid process of slag and solvent refining was used to remove boron and phosphorus from silicon. Quaternary slag of CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-Na2O was employed to remove boron (B) and phosphorus (P) from Si-20 wt% Fe alloy at 1300 °C. A slag-to-metal ratio of one was used at different reaction times. The mass transfer coefficient of B and P in the slag and alloy phases was calculated to determine the rate-limiting step. The mass transfer coefficients of B in the alloy and slag phases were 6.6 × 10−7 ms−1 and 2.8 × 10−7 ms−1, respectively. The mass transfer coefficients of P in the alloy and slag phases were determined to be 7.5 × 10−8 ms−1 and 3.5 × 10−7 ms−1, respectively. The rate-limiting stage of the slag–alloy reaction kinetics was mass transport in the liquid slag for B and mass transport in the alloy phase for P.
Correction: de Araújo et al. Relationship between Pesticide Standards for Classification of Water Bodies and Ecotoxicity: A Case Study of the Brazilian Directive. Toxics 2022, 10, 767
Authors: de Araújo Esmeralda Pereira , Caldas Eloisa Dutra , Oliveira-Filho Eduardo Cyrino
Published: July 2023

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Influenza Vaccination Uptake and Prognostic Factors among Health Professionals in Italy: Results from the Nationwide Surveillance PASSI 2015–2018
Authors: Minardi Valentina , Gallo Rosaria , Possenti Valentina , Contoli Benedetta , Di Fonzo Davide , D’Andrea Elvira , Masocco Maria
Published: July 2023

(1) Influenza causes a significant health and socio-economic burden every year, and health personnel (HP) are at higher risk of exposure to respiratory pathogens than the general population. (2) The study’s purpose was to describe and compare influenza vaccine uptake and its prognostic factors among Medical Doctors (MDs) and Non-Medical Health Personnel (NMHP) vs. Non-HP (NHP). We analyzed 2014–2018 data (n = 105,608) from the Italian Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System PASSI that, since 2008, has been collecting health-related information continuously in sampled adults. (3) MDs and NMHP represented, respectively, 1.1% and 4.6% of the sample. Among HP, 22.8% (CI 19.8–26.1%) of MDs and 8.5% (CI 7.5–9.5%) of NMHP reported to have been vaccinated vs. 6.3% (CI 6.1–6.5%) in NHP. This difference is confirmed in the three categories (MDs, NMHP, NHP), even more across age groups: in 18–34 yy, respectively, 9.9%, 4.4%, 3.4% vs. 28.4%, 13.9%, 10.6% in 50–64 yy. PASSI surveillance shows an increasing influenza vaccination uptake over time, especially among MDs (22.2% in 2014 vs. 30.5% in 2018). (4) Despite such an increase, especially among younger HP, influenza vaccination uptake is low. Even more under pandemic scenarios, these figures represent key information to address effective strategies for disease prevention and health promotion.
Development and Characterization of an In Vitro Cell-Based Assay to Predict Potency of mRNA–LNP-Based Vaccines
Authors: Patel Nisarg , Davis Zach , Hofmann Carl , Vlasak Josef , Loughney John W. , DePhillips Pete , Mukherjee Malini
Published: July 2023

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines have emerged as a flexible platform for vaccine development. The evolution of lipid nanoparticles as effective delivery vehicles for modified mRNA encoding vaccine antigens was demonstrated by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ability to rapidly develop effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccines from the spike protein genome, and to then manufacture multibillions of doses per year was an extraordinary achievement and a vaccine milestone. Further development and application of this platform for additional pathogens is clearly of interest. This comes with the associated need for new analytical tools that can accurately predict the performance of these mRNA vaccine candidates and tie them to an immune response expected in humans. Described here is the development and characterization of an imaging based in vitro assay able to quantitate transgene protein expression efficiency, with utility to measure lipid nanoparticles (LNP)-encapsulated mRNA vaccine potency, efficacy, and stability. Multiple biologically relevant adherent cell lines were screened to identify a suitable cell substrate capable of providing a wide dose–response curve and dynamic range. Biologically relevant assay attributes were examined and optimized, including cell monolayer morphology, antigen expression kinetics, and assay sensitivity to LNP properties, such as polyethylene glycol-lipid (or PEG–lipid) composition, mRNA mass, and LNP size. Collectively, this study presents a strategy to quickly optimize and develop a robust cell-based potency assay for the development of future mRNA-based vaccines.
Assessment of Vitality, Blood Profile, and Degree of Meconium Staining on the Skin in Newborn Dogs According to Its Birth Weight
Authors: Lezama-García Karina , Martínez-Burnes Julio , Baqueiro-Espinosa Uri , Olmos-Hernández Adriana , Hernández-Ávalos Ismael , Domínguez-Oliva Adriana , Mota-Rojas Daniel
Published: July 2023

Neonatal mortality in dogs reaches up to 40%. Due to the high rates, promptly detecting the causes and preventing newborns from dying are extremely important. Vitality evaluation, blood parameters, and the degree of meconium staining on the skin are valuable resources in canine perinatology. In this study, 435 puppies from 85 bitches close to parturition were recruited and divided into four quartiles according to the puppy’s birth weight: Q1 (127–200 g) n = 110 puppies, Q2 (201–269 g) n = 108 puppies, Q3 (270–388 g) n = 108 puppies, and Q4 (389–464 g) n = 109 puppies. This experimental article aimed to report the effect of birth weight on the blood profile variables, the vitality of newborn puppies, and the meconium staining degree, integrating these three aspects. It was concluded that the weight of newborns was correlated with the degree of meconium staining, presenting more cases of severe meconium staining in the puppies of the highest birth weight group. The weight of the newborns was correlated with a higher number of stillbirths and alterations in the blood variables, showing the most severe cases of metabolic acidosis, hypoxia, and hypoglycemia in the puppies of the Q4 quartile. On the contrary, no statistically significant correlations were found between the weight of newborns and vitality. Nevertheless, the analysis of the results showed that the most vigorous puppies were found at Q1; however, at minute 60 after birth (AB), all the puppies in the four quartiles standardized their vitality scores.
Feeding and Nutritional Factors That Affect Somatic Cell Counts in Milk of Sheep and Goats
Authors: Nudda Anna , Carta Silvia , Battacone Gianni , Pulina Giuseppe
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this quantitative review is to highlight the effects of feeding strategies using some mineral, vitamin, marine oil, and vegetable essential oil supplements and some agri-food by-products to reduce SCCs in the milk of sheep and goats. According to the results, only specific dietary factors at specific doses could reduce SCCs in the milk of dairy sheep and goats. The combination of Se and vitamin E in the diet was more effective in sheep than in goats, while the inclusion of polyphenols, which are also present in food matrices such as agro-industrial by-products, led to better results. Some essential oils can be conveniently used to modulate SCCs, although they can precipitate an off-flavoring problem. This work shows that SCCs are complex and cannot be determined using a single experimental factor, as intramammary inflammation, which is the main source of SC in milk, can manifest in a subclinical form without clinical signs. However, attention to mineral and vitamin supplementation, even in the most difficult cases, such as those of grazing animals, and the use of anti-inflammatory substances directly or through by-products, can improve the nutritional condition of animals and reduce their SCCs, offering undeniable benefits for the milk-processing sector as well.
The Role of the Academic Standards Released by Education and Training Evaluation Commission in Catering for the Needs of the Labour Market in the Specialization in Sunnah and Its Sciences: The Standards for Bachelor Program in the Noble Hadith as Case Study
Authors: Dakhel Wael bin Fawaz , Al-Shahri Ahmad bin Ali
Published: July 2023

Specialization in the Prophetic Sunnah is one of the most important Shari’ah majors that has gained attention in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, because its constitution was premised on the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Hence, the Ministry of Education has designed a specialization for the study of the Sunnah and its sciences, ostensibly as a national and global contributor to its propagation. Due to the mandate of Education and Training Evaluation Commission as represented in the National Center for Academic Accreditation and Evaluation, in improving the products of the university education on the national level, it had laid down certain academic standards for this specialization, which contains guide to actualizing the need of the labour market, and among these standards is: the academic standards for program in the noble Hadith, which is now represented in the Faculty of the Noble Hadith at the Islamic University of Madinah. The research sought to study the academic and skill requirements for the labour market based on the standards of the teachers of Islamic Education released by Qiyas Center, and the Unified Saudi Classification for Academic Levels and Specializations, and the aspirations of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
We seek for success and guidance from Allah.
Requirements for Applying of Total Quality Management in the College of Basic Education in the State of Kuwait
Authors: Alenezi Sharefah
Published: July 2023

The study aims to determine the reality of the requirements for total quality management implementation in the College of Basic Education in Kuwait. The study population included all faculty members at the College of Basic Education in Kuwait. The study sample involved (97) participants. The study employed the descriptive approach as a study method and used a questionnaire as a study tool. The study concluded that the general average of the reality of the requirements for the total quality management implementation at the College of Basic Education in Kuwait came with a (high) response and the general average for (senior management support, customer focus, employee participation, training, teamwork building, and continuous improvement) came with a (high) response. There were no statistically significant differences in the reality of the requirements for the total quality management implementation at the College of Basic Education in Kuwait due to the study variables, including gender, academic rank, and years of experience.
Effectiveness of Integrating E-Learning Tools on Enhancing Distance Learning to Confront the Challenges of COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of “Basics of Computer and Programming “Course at Al-Quds Open University
Authors: Hinnawi Majdi
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of integrating of e-learning tools on enhancing distance e-learning to confront the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in “Basics of Computer and Programming" course from the viewpoints of students at Al-Quds Open University The study adopted the descriptive, analytical and correlational approach. The electronic questionnaire was utilized to collect data. The questionnaire consisted of five domains consisting of (35) items. The study sample comprised (102) students in the first semester of the academic year 2020-2021. The sample represented (76%) of the whole population in the various branches of the university spread in the governorates of Palestine. The results showed the nature of e-learning tools, the stages of their development, and how they were employed in synchronous and asynchronous distance education to confront the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results also showed that the degree of students' use of these tools was very high. Besides, the results revealed that the degree of the sample's estimation of the effectiveness of integrating e-learning tools was very high on all domains, as well as on the total degree. The study revealed a statistically significant and positive relationship between students’ estimation of the effectiveness of this integration, the degree of using educational videos, the degree attending virtual classes and their recordings, as well as the total degree of using these tools.
Improving Participation of Non-Traditional Extension Audiences: The Empower Ocala Garden Project
Authors: Moore Austen , Samuel Norma , Israel Glenn
Published: July 2023

Marion County Extension created the Empower Ocala Garden project to increase participation among low-income minority populations and address "food desert" conditions around its office. The project built trusting relationships, created a community garden for 12 households, and provided bi-weekly garden skills trainings. Participation, attitudinal changes, and knowledge gains were evaluated using pre- and post-project questionnaires. On average participants attended 53.4% of sessions. Attitudes improved by 9.82% across four gardening-related indicators, while knowledge increased by 19.57% across eight indicators. Overall, the project successfully engaged new clients, positively changed attitudes and knowledge, and may benefit other Extension professionals serving these audiences.
Bringing Savings Opportunities to Public Elementary School Children in Resource-Limited, Rural Communities
Authors: Cheang Michael , Kawamura Laura
Published: July 2023

This article describes the community organizing role of an Extension educator and a research faculty to enable young children in a resource-limited community to start savings accounts and to save regularly through a school-based savings effort. The study explored whether children from low-income communities are capable of saving money regularly when parts of a community system can be brought together to support a savings effort. When barriers are removed and enabling factors put in place, young children are capable of saving regularly and achieving their savings goal. Implications for university and community partner collaborations are discussed
Evaluating the Impact of Cooperative Extension Outreach via Twitter
Authors: O’Neil Barbara
Published: July 2023

Twitter is increasingly being used by Extension educators as a teaching and program-marketing tool. It is not enough, however, to simply use Twitter to disseminate information. Steps must be taken to evaluate program impact with quantitative and qualitative data. This article described the following Twitter evaluation metrics: unique hashtags, clicks on unique links, online surveys of professionals and their followers, pre- and post-project Klout scores, and TweetReach reports. A triangulated evaluation combining several of these metrics can provide substantial evidence of program effectiveness.
Impact of 4-H on Alumni's Community Involvement
Authors: Merten Kyle , Locke Darlene , Williams Montza , Carter Meredith , Lehman Kelli
Published: July 2023

The quantitative, non-experimental descriptive study reported here sought to measure how being alumni of the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program influenced their decisions toward community involvement and leadership positions within communities. Former Texas 4-H alumni at least 18 years of age were the assessable population. The study confirms former 4-Hers are using what they learned in the 4-H program by staying involved in their community organizations and holding leadership positions. Organizations listed at the top by most volunteers included: 4-H Volunteer, Church Organization, and Fair Board/Livestock Association/Group. Leadership positions most frequently held include president and secretary.
Acquisition, Custody, and Storage of Firearms Used in 4-H Shooting Sports Programs
Authors: White David , Smith Jedediah
Published: July 2023

Shooting sports has been a 4-H program offering since the 1930's. Tragic events related to the use of firearms as weapons have caused public and private entities to evaluate and consider the appropriateness of youth access to and usage of firearms. 4-H educators have the primary responsibility for managing the risk associated with shooting sports programs. All 4-H educators should follow protocols for the acquisition, custody, and storage of firearms. In Oregon, 4-H educators and volunteers must follow an Oregon-centric risk management plan. This Tools of the Trade article focuses on Oregon's precautionary system used to administer its 4-H Shooting Sports Program.
Google Search Mastery Techniques
Authors: Hill Paul , MacArthur Stacey , Reed Nick
Published: July 2023

Knowledge is no longer something we possess, it's now something we access. The Internet requires highly developed skills to access and interpret information. Relevant information is not the same as specific information. Previous articles in this series outlined basic search skills and operators that improve the relevancy of search results. Knowing how to formulate a specific query that will return a specific answer is critical in the 21st century. Expanding your understanding of Google Search and applying the search techniques in this article will serve you in your consumption and dissemination of content as an Extension professional.
Controlling Survey Response Error in a Mail Survey of Dairy Farmers: A Case Report
Authors: Smith Julia
Published: July 2023

Survey results are often presented with minimal description of how survey error was controlled. The objective of this article is to help survey developers and survey data interpreters (1) better understand the sources of survey error and (2) consider these sources of error when developing or reading a description of a survey's methodology. The subject of this article is a survey mailed to Vermont dairy farmers to assess farm characteristics relevant to the potential spread of disease among farms. Sources of error and how they were addressed in this survey are presented.
An International Short Course for Training Professionals as Effective Science Communicators
Authors: Sarathchandra Dilshani , Maredia Karim
Published: July 2023

Scholars have recognized a need for educational programs that prepare scientists, Extension practitioners, and other stakeholders to communicate science effectively. Such programs have the potential to increase public awareness and aid policy development. Having recognized this need, faculty at Michigan State University (MSU) developed an "international short course in science and technology communication" that was offered at MSU from 2010 to 2012. This article provides an overview of the design, implementation, and impact assessment of the course. We also share lessons learnt from this program and provide suggestions for other similar programs.
Save Time and Increase Social Media Reach by Using IFTTT-If This, Then That
Authors: Skrabut Stan
Published: July 2023

Extension educators, staff, and specialists are finding that social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blogs are powerful ways to disseminate educational content, announce events, and promote Extension services. The challenge to using all of these various tools is the lack of time. Tools such as IFTTT (If This, Then That) can help to automate the distribution and collection of important content. This article discusses how to use IFTTT and offers suggestions for its use.
The New Agent: A Qualitative Study to Strategically Adapt New Agent Professional Development
Authors: Baker Lauri , Hadley Gregg
Published: July 2023

The qualitative study reported here assessed the needs of agents related to new agent professional development to improve the current model. Agents who participated in new agent professional development within the last 5 years were selected to participate in focus groups to determine concerns and continued needs. Agents enjoyed networking and struggled with the time away from their home counties. Recommendations for improvement include integrating the idea of pre-entry competencies, developing online new agent professional development sessions, introducing new agents to existing communities of practice, developing new communities of practice, and developing more resources for new agents.
Utility of On-Farm Research Reports
Authors: Watters Harold , Clevenger Bruce
Published: July 2023

The Ohio State University Agronomic Crops Team has published peer-reviewed on-farm research reports since 1997, with 10 years as an on-line publication. With 367 reports published to date, the Team reviewed the value and use of the material. Seven categories account for 74% of the reports, with fertility management the largest group. While some reports get widespread attention, this is often due to state specialist recognition. More needs to be done to promote the research results and the potential of the website to growers, industry, and other university users.
Over the Hurdles: Barriers to Social Media Use in Extension Offices
Authors: Newbury Elizabeth , Humphreys Lee , Guess Lucas
Published: July 2023

The research reported here explored the perceived barriers to social media use by Extension educators. Using a sequential mixed method approach, the research was composed of two parts. The qualitative study used interview data (n=27) from Wisconsin and New York Extension educators. The quantitative study gathered data from surveying Extension offices in New York State (n=42). We argue that key barriers to adoption of social media as an outreach platform include perceptions around time and control. Ultimately, we recommend that Extension educators receive focused, hands-on training to more efficiently and effectively use social media for education and outreach efforts.
Making a Dollar per Square Foot: Dream or Reality?
Authors: Odeh Oluwarotimi , Hairston Jewel
Published: July 2023

Small farmers often rely on Extension for farm management practices to increase their farm income. This article presents an attempt by Virginia State University Extension to demonstrate to small-scale farmers strategies for increasing farm income. It is called the 43560 initiative, and it evaluates the notion that a farmer can make a dollar per square foot. We initiate a discussion on this notion and its challenges.