bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic mapping and molecular characterization of the delayed green gene dg in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
Authors: Gebremeskel Haileslassie , Umer Muhammad Jawad , Hongju Zhu , Li Bingbing , Shengjie Zhao , Yuan Pingli , Xuqiang Lu , Nan He , Wenge Liu
Published: April 2023

Leaf color mutants are common in higher plants that can be used as markers in crop breeding and are important tools in understanding regulatory mechanisms of chlorophyll biosynthesis and chloroplast development. Genetic analysis was performed by evaluating F1, F2 and BC1 populations derived from two parental lines (Charleston gray with green leaf color and Houlv with delayed green leaf color), suggesting that a single recessive gene controls the delayed green leaf color. In this study, the delayed green mutant showed a conditional pale green leaf color at the early leaf development but turned to green as the leaf development progressed. Delayed green leaf plants showed reduced pigment content, photosynthetic, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and impaired chloroplast development compared with green leaf plants. The delayed green (dg) locus was mapped to 7.48 Mb on chromosome 3 through bulk segregant analysis approach, and the gene controlling delayed green leaf color was narrowed to 53.54 kb between SNP130 and SNP135 markers containing three candidate genes. Sequence alignment of the three genes indicated that there was a single SNP mutation (G/A) in the coding region of ClCG03G010030 in the Houlv parent, which causes an amino acid change from Arginine to Lysine. The ClCG03G010030 gene encoded FtsH extracellular protease protein family is involved in early delayed green leaf development. The expression level of ClCG03G010030 was significantly reduced in delayed green leaf plants than in green leaf plants. These results indicated that the ClCG03G010030 might control watermelon green leaf color and the single SNP variation in ClCG03G010030 may result in early delayed green leaf color development during evolutionary process.
Patching identity. How Russian language media in Estonia reconstitutes our understanding of citizenship
Authors: Polynin Ivan
Published: April 2023

The conceptual novelty of this article rests in seeing identity not as a nominal category, but as a complex sequence of relationships between groups and narratives. It offers a deeper reading of Engin Isin's “citizenship in practice” and an empirical interpretation of how Andersen's imagined communities are brought to life through print media. Drawing from Raivo Vetik's analysis of the Estonian ethnopolitical field the author explores narratives of two major Russian language web-portals in Estonia: Rus.Postimees and Rus.Delfi. As a result, the reader may observe how the practice of citizenship simultaneously constitutes and is constituted by the minority's identity and subject position. The content analysis conducted from the samples of the aforementioned media outlets shows that the lack of shared citizenship practices between the majority and the minority causes a voluntary grouping along the lines of legal status, language, space and ethnicity. Discussing what constitutes Isin's act of citizenship the author concludes that acts are far more elusive than the ruptures they cause. A media analysis shows that aside from bearing long-term ruptures such as geographical, linguistic or formal, Estonian citizenship practice also received a new one, namely the symbolic rupture caused by the war in Ukraine. By breaking the previous status-quo, it pushes forward securitization and forces the minority to contest, redefine, and reestablish its allegiance and perceptions of its place in Estonian society.
Detection and analysis of graduate students’ academic emotions in the online academic forum based on text mining with a deep learning approach
Authors: Xu Qiaoyun , Chen Sijing , Xu Yan , Ma Chao
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The possibility of mental illness caused by the academic emotions and academic pressure of graduate students has received widespread attention. Discovering hidden academic emotions by mining graduate students’ speeches in social networks has strong practical significance for the mental state discovery of graduate students.

Design/methodology/approach

Through data collected from online academic forum, a text based BiGRU-Attention model was conducted to achieve academic emotion recognition and classification, and a keyword statistics and topic analysis was performed for topic discussion among graduate posts.

Findings

Female graduate students post more than male students, and graduates majoring in chemistry post the most. Using the BiGRU-Attention model to identify and classify academic emotions has a performance with precision, recall and F1 score of more than 95%, the category of PA (Positive Activating) has the best classification performance. Through the analysis of post topics and keywords, the academic emotions of graduates mainly come from academic pressure, interpersonal relationships and career related.

Originality

A BiGRU-Attention model based on deep learning method is proposed to combine classical academic emotion classification and categories to achieve a text academic emotion recognition method based on user generated content.
A preliminary study on the online processing of anticipatory tonal coarticulation – Evidence from eye movements
Authors: Li Qian
Published: April 2023

While the f0 realization of lexical tones vary extensively in contexts, little has been known on how listeners process the variation in lexical tones due to contextual effects such as tonal coarticulation in spoken word recognition. This study thus aims to fill the knowledge gap in tone perception with evidence from two types of anticipatory tonal coarticulation effects in Tianjin Mandarin, i.e., the slope raising effect due to a following low-falling tone and the overall-height raising effect due to a following low-dipping tone. An eye-tracking experiment with the Visual World Paradigm was carried out to compare participants’ eye movements when they heard targets in three types of anticipatory raising conditions, i.e., the Slope Raising condition, the Overall-height Raising condition, as well as the No Raising condition (the baseline). The eye movement results showed significant differences in the proportion of looks to target between the Slope Raising condition versus the other two conditions, whereas the Overall-height Raising condition did not differ significantly from the No Raising condition. The findings thus suggest the facilitatory effect of tonal coarticulation cues in the anticipation of the upcoming tones, but listeners in this study seemed to be only sensitive to the raising in the f0 slope rather than the overall raising in the f0 height.
Active self-motion control and the role of agency under ambiguity
Authors: Rineau Anne-Laure , Berberian Bruno , Sarrazin Jean-Christophe , Bringoux Lionel
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Self-motion perception is a key factor in daily behaviours such as driving a car or piloting an aircraft. It is mainly based on visuo-vestibular integration, whose weighting mechanisms are modulated by the reliability properties of sensory inputs. Recently, it has been shown that the internal state of the operator can also modulate multisensory integration and may sharpen the representation of relevant inputs. In line with the concept of agency, it thus appears relevant to evaluate the impact of being in control of our own action on self-motion perception.

Methodology

Here, we tested two conditions of motion control (active/manual trigger versus passive/ observer condition), asking participants to discriminate between two consecutive longitudinal movements by identifying the larger displacement (displacement of higher intensity). We also tested motion discrimination under two levels of ambiguity by applying acceleration ratios that differed from our two “standard” displacements (i.e., 3 s; 0.012 m.s−2 and 0.030 m.s−2).

Results

We found an effect of control condition, but not of the level of ambiguity on the way participants perceived the standard displacement, i.e., perceptual bias (Point of Subjective Equality; PSE). Also, we found a significant effect of interaction between the active condition and the level of ambiguity on the ability to discriminate between displacements, i.e., sensitivity (Just Noticeable Difference; JND).

Originality

Being in control of our own motion through a manual intentional trigger of self-displacement maintains overall motion sensitivity when ambiguity increases.
A workplace mindfulness training program may affect mindfulness, well-being, health literacy and work performance of upper-level ICT-managers: An exploratory study in times of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Schubin Kristina , Seinsche Laura , Pfaff Holger , Zeike Sabrina
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Mindfulness-based interventions have gained more importance in workplace health promotion due to increased psychological distress in the digital era. Although managers in the information communication technology sector (ICT)-sector are at risk for lower mental health, few studies have evaluated the effects of workplace mindfulness trainings (WMT) on upper-level ICT-managers.

Methods

By applying a mixed methods approach, the study aimed at exploring differences in upper-level ICT-managers’ mindfulness, well-being, health literacy and work performance at the beginning of a WMT (t0), immediately after (t1) and 3  months after (t2) a WMT. Thirteen groups of managers (n = 56) completed the training and three corresponding surveys consecutively from October 2019 to April 2021. Managers rated their mindfulness (MAAS), well-being (WHO-5), health literacy, and work performance (HPQ). During the COVID-19-pandemic the training switched from a live on-site mode to a hybrid mode and finally to a digital mode. Repeated measures ANOVAs and Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc analyses were used for data analysis. Open-ended responses were content analyzed.

Results

We found significant differences in managers’ mindfulness [F(2.106) = 3.376, p = 0.038, ηp2 = 0.06, n = 54], well-being [F(2.106) = 73.019, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.17, n = 54], health literacy [F(2.108) = 9.067, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.15, n = 55], and work performance [F(2.80) = 7.008, p = 0.002, ηp2 = 0.15, n = 41] between t0 and t2. Significant differences between t0 and t1 were also found for well-being, health literacy and work performance, but not for mindfulness. Qualitative findings demonstrated positive training effects, barriers and facilitators to daily application of mindfulness practice.

Discussion

The results suggest that compared to the beginning of the WMT, the post and follow-up measurements showed outcome improvements. The workplace mindfulness training may thus be a promising program to facilitate mental health and working capabilities among upper-level ICT-managers. Contextual workplace factors need to be considered to sustain long-term mindfulness practice of managers.
Neurobehavioral risk factors influence prevalence and severity of hazardous substance use in youth at genetic and clinical high risk for psychosis
Authors: Amir Carolyn M. , Kapler Simon , Hoftman Gil D. , Kushan Leila , Zinberg Jamie , Cadenhead Kristin S. , Kennedy Leda , Cornblatt Barbara A. , Keshavan Matcheri , Mathalon Daniel H. , Perkins Diana O. , Stone William , Tsuang Ming T. , Walker Elaine F. , Woods Scott W. , Cannon Tyrone D. , Addington Jean , Bearden Carrie E.
Published: April 2023

Background

Elevated rates of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use are observed in both patients with psychotic disorders and individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P), and strong genetic associations exist between substance use disorders and schizophrenia. While individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22qDel) are at increased genetic risk for psychosis, initial evidence suggests that they have strikingly low rates of substance use. In the current study, we aimed to directly compare substance use patterns and their neurobehavioral correlates in genetic and clinical high-risk cohorts.

Methods

Data on substance use frequency and severity, clinical symptoms, and neurobehavioral measures were collected at baseline and at 12-month follow-up visits in two prospective longitudinal cohorts: participants included 89 22qDel carriers and 65 age and sex-matched typically developing (TD) controls (40.67% male, Mage = 19.26 ± 7.84 years) and 1,288 CHR-P youth and 371 matched TD controls from the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study-2 and 3 (55.74% male; Mage = 18.71 ± 4.27 years). Data were analyzed both cross-sectionally and longitudinally using linear mixed effects models.

Results

Controlling for age, sex, and site, CHR-P individuals had significantly elevated rates of tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use relative to TD controls, whereas 22qDel had significantly lower rates. Increased substance use in CHR-P individuals was associated with increased psychosis symptom severity, dysphoric mood, social functioning, and IQ, while higher social anhedonia was associated with lower substance use across all domains at baseline. These patterns persisted when we investigated these relationships longitudinally over one-year. CHR-P youth exhibited significantly increased positive psychosis symptoms, dysphoric mood, social functioning, social anhedonia, and IQ compared to 22qDel carriers, and lower rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to 22qDel carriers, both at baseline and at 1 year follow-up.

Conclusion

Individuals at genetic and CHR-P have strikingly different patterns of substance use. Factors such as increased neurodevelopmental symptoms (lower IQ, higher rates of ASD) and poorer social functioning in 22qDel may help explain this distinction from substance use patterns observed in CHR-P individuals.
Revealing an enabling environment: How clinical community and clinical stakeholders understand peer navigation to improve quality of life for people living with HIV in Australia
Authors: Krulic Timothy , Brown Graham , Graham Sara , Hoy Jennifer , Bourne Adam
Published: April 2023

People living with HIV have unique resources to offer each other and health systems. This study investigated how peer navigation might contribute to a socially supportive, health enabling environment in Victoria, Australia. We used semi-structured interviews with 30 program staff, management, peer workers and clinician stakeholders. Our analyses considered the interplay between the program, users, HIV-related stigma and discrimination and the health service environment. Peer relationships offered reassurance, acceptance and belonging, which people living with HIV can use to create personal change. Peer engagement coproduced insights for life with HIV and may help to overcome stigma and structural barriers to access services and community support. As a partnership between peer and clinical services, participants described how the program fostered appreciation of peer practices and insights, which were used to improve the quality and continuity of care offered in the state. These findings allude to the value of the community engagement and policy alignment peer responses produce and can be used to guide implementation of similar programs elsewhere.
Challenges and opportunities in rapid disaster research: lessons from the field in New Mexico and Vanuatu
Authors: Scott Mary Alice , Olszowy Kathryn M. , Dancause Kelsey N. , Roome Amanda , Chan Chim , Taylor Hailey K. , Marañon-Laguna Andrea , Montoya Emilee , Garcia Alysa , Mares Claudia , Tosiro Beverlyn , Tarivonda Len
Published: April 2023

Rapid research is essential to assess impacts in communities affected by disasters, particularly those communities made “hard-to-reach” due to their active marginalization across history and in contemporary practices. In this article, we describe two rapid research projects developed to assess needs for and experiences of communities hard-hit by disasters. The first is a project on the COVID-19 pandemic in southern New Mexico (USA) that was developed to provide information to local agencies that are deploying programs to rebuild and revitalize marginalized communities. The second is a project on population displacement due to a volcanic eruption in Vanuatu, a lower-middle income country in the South Pacific, with mental and physical health outcomes data shared with the Vanuatu Ministry of Health. We describe the similar and unique challenges that arose doing rapid research in these two different contexts, the potential broader impacts of the research, and a synthesis of lessons learned. We discuss the challenges of rapidly changing rules and regulations, lack of baseline data, lack of survey instruments validated for specific populations and in local languages, limited availability of community partners, finding funding for rapid deployment of projects, rapidly training and working with research assistants, health and safety concerns of researchers and participants, and communicating with local and international partners. We also specifically discuss how we addressed our own personal challenges while also conducting time-intensive rapid research. In both studies, researchers shared results with governmental and non-governmental partners who may use the data to inform the design of their own relief programs. While different in context, type of disaster, and research strategy, our discussion of these projects provides insights into common lessons learned for working with communities at elevated risk for the worst outcomes during disasters, such as the need for flexibility, compromise, and good working relationships with community partners.
Temporal and operation-induced instability of apparent soil electrical conductivity measurements
Authors: Mat Su Ahmad Suhaizi , Adamchuk Viacheslav I.
Published: April 2023

Measuring apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa), using galvanic contact resistivity (GCR) and electromagnetic induction (EMI) techniques, is frequently conducted to reveal spatial soil heterogeneity. Various studies have demonstrated the possibilities for significant changes in the measured quantities over time with relatively stable spatial structure representations. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of temporal drift and operational noise for three popular ECa mapping instruments. They were placed in stationary positions approximately 8 m apart in an area with relatively low ECa. Temporal drift was assessed using a series of 4.5-h data logs recorded under different weather conditions (from extremely hot to near freezing temperatures). The two EMI instruments were also used to quantify the effect of minor changes in the height, pitch and roll of the sensor with respect to the ground. These operational noise tests were replicated over several days. Our results reveal the GCR measurements of ECa, along with perpendicular coplanar EMI measurements, have shown relatively strong stability over time. Each operational effect introduced measurement uncertainties comparable to the impact of a change in temperature and soil water content.
Phase coherence of solar wind turbulence from the Sun to Earth
Authors: Nakanotani Masaru , Zhao Lingling , Zank Gary P.
Published: April 2023

The transport of energetic particles in response to solar wind turbulence is important for space weather. To understand charged particle transport, it is usually assumed that the phase of the turbulence is randomly distributed (the random phase approximation) in quasi-linear theory and simulations. In this paper, we calculate the coherence index, Cϕ, of solar wind turbulence observed by the Helios 2 and Parker Solar Probe spacecraft using the surrogate data technique to check if the assumption is valid. Here, values of Cϕ = 0 and 1 indicate that the phase coherence is random and correlated, respectively. We estimate that the coherence index at the resonant scale of energetic ions (10 MeV protons) is 0.1 at 0.87 and 0.65 au, 0.18 at 0.29 au, and 0.3 (0.35) at 0.09 au for super (sub)-Alfvénic intervals, respectively. Since the random phase approximation corresponds to Cϕ = 0, this may indicate that the random phase approximation is not valid for the transport of energetic particles in the inner heliosphere, especially very close to the Sun (∼0.09 au).
Analysis of variations in the bronchovascular pattern of the lingular segment to explore the correlations between the lingular segment artery and left superior division veins
Authors: Li Zhikai , Wu Wenbo , Kong Yuhong , Chen Shuangqing , Zhang Xiaopeng
Published: April 2023

Background

With the development of anatomical segmentectomy, the thoracic surgeons must master the anatomical variations of the pulmonary bronchi and vessels. However, there are only a few reports showing anatomic variations of the lingular segment (LS) using three-dimensional computed tomography bronchography and angiography (3D-CTBA). Thus, the present study aimed to analyze the bronchovascular patterns of the LS and explore the correlation between the lingular segment artery (LSA) and left superior division veins (LSDV).

Materials and methods

The 3D-CTBA data of the left upper lobe (LUL) were collected from patients who had undergone lobectomy or segmentectomy at Hebei General Hospital between October 2020 and October 2022. We reviewed the clinical characteristics and variations in bronchi and pulmonary vessels and grouped them according to different classifications.

Results

Among all 540 cases of 3D-CTBA, the branching patterns of LSA included 369 (68.3%) cases with the interlobar origin, 126 (23.3%) cases with the interlobar and mediastinal origin, and 45 (8.3%) cases with the mediastinal origin. The branching pattern of LSDV could be classified into three forms: Semi-central vein type (345/540, 63.9%), Non-central vein type (76/540, 14.1%), and Central vein type (119/540, 22.0%). There were 51 cases (9.4%) with Non-central vein type, 50 cases (9.3%) with Central vein type, 268 cases (49.6%) with Semi-central vein type in the interlobar type, and 7 cases (1.3%) with Non-central vein type, 9 cases (1.7%) with Central vein type, 29 cases (5.4%) with Semi-central vein type in the mediastinal type. Moreover, the Non-central vein type, the Central vein type, and the Semi-central vein type accounted for 18 (3.3%), 60 (11.1%), and 48 (8.9%) in the interlobar and mediastinal type. Combinations of the branching patterns of the LSA and LSDV were significantly dependent (p < 0.005). The combinations of the interlobar and mediastinal type with the Central vein type, and the interlobar type and the mediastinal type with the Semi-central vein type were frequently observed.

Conclusions

This study found the relationship between the LSA and LSDV and clarified the bifurcation patterns of the bronchovascular in the LS. Our data can be used by thoracic surgeons to perform safe and precise LS segmentectomy.
Clinical Significances of Anti-Collagen Type I and Type III Antibodies in Antibody-Mediated Rejection
Authors: Park Sehoon , Yang Seung-Hee , Kim Jiyeon , Cho Semin , Yang Jaeseok , Min Sang-Il , Ha Jongwon , Jeong Chang Wook , Bhoo Seong Hee , Kim Yong Chul , Kim Dong Ki , Oh Kook-Hwan , Joo Kwon Wook , Kim Yon Su , Moon Kyung Chul , Song Eun Young , Lee Hajeong
Published: April 2023

It is important to determine the clinical significance of non-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies and their association with antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) of kidney allografts. We collected post-transplant sera from 68 ABMR patients, 67 T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR) patients, and 83 control subjects without rejection, and determined the titers of 39 non-HLA antibodies including antibodies for angiotensin II receptor type I and MICA. We compared all these non-HLA antibody titers among the study groups. Then, we investigated their association with the risk of death-censored graft failure in ABMR cases. Among the antibodies evaluated, anti-collagen type I (p = 0.001) and type III (p < 0.001) antibody titers were significantly higher in ABMR cases than in both TCMR cases and no-rejection controls. Both anti-collagen type I [per 1 standard deviation (SD), adjusted odds ratio (OR), 11.72 (2.73–76.30)] and type III [per 1 SD, adjusted OR, 6.22 (1.91–31.75)] antibodies were significantly associated with the presence of ABMR. Among ABMR cases, a higher level of anti-collagen type I [per 1 SD, adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.90 (1.32–2.75)] or type III per 1 SD, [adjusted HR, 1.57 (1.15–2.16)] antibody was associated with a higher risk of death-censored graft failure. In conclusion, post-transplant anti-collagen type I and type III antibodies may be novel non-HLA antibodies related to ABMR of kidney allografts.
In Vitro Activity of Cefiderocol on Multiresistant Bacterial Strains and Genomic Analysis of Two Cefiderocol Resistant Strains
Authors: Padovani Michela , Bertelli Anna , Corbellini Silvia , Piccinelli Giorgio , Gurrieri Francesca , De Francesco Maria Antonia
Published: April 2023

Cefiderocol is a new siderophore cephalosporin that is effective against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, including carbapenem-resistant strains. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of this new antimicrobial agent against a collection of pathogens using broth microdilution assays and to analyze the possible mechanism of cefiderocol resistance in two resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. One hundred and ten isolates were tested, comprising 67 Enterobacterales, two Acinetobacter baumannii, one Achromobacter xylosoxidans, 33 Pseudomonas aeruginosa and seven Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Cefiderocol showed good in vitro activity, with an MIC < 2 μg/mL, and was able to inhibit 94% of the tested isolates. We observed a resistance rate of 6%. The resistant isolates consisted of six Klebsiella pneumoniae and one Escherichia coli, leading to a resistance rate of 10.4% among the Enterobacterales. Whole-genome sequencing analysis was performed on two cefiderocol-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to investigate the possible mutations responsible for the observed resistance. Both strains belonged to ST383 and harbored different resistant and virulence genes. The analysis of genes involved in iron uptake and transport showed the presence of different mutations located in fhuA, fepA, iutA, cirA, sitC, apbC, fepG, fepC, fetB, yicI, yicJ, and yicL. Furthermore, for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, we described two Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates that synthesize a truncated fecA protein due to the transition from G to A, leading to a premature stop codon in the amino acid position 569, and a TonB protein carrying a 4-amino acid insertion (PKPK) after Lysine 103. In conclusion, our data show that cefiderocol is an effective drug against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. However, the higher resistance rate observed in Enterobacterales underlines the need for active surveillance to limit the spread of these pathogens and to avoid the risks associated with the emergence of resistance to new drugs.
The Power of ECG in Semi-Automated Seizure Detection in Addition to Two-Channel behind-the-Ear EEG
Authors: Bhagubai Miguel , Vandecasteele Kaat , Swinnen Lauren , Macea Jaiver , Chatzichristos Christos , De Vos Maarten , Van Paesschen Wim
Published: April 2023

Long-term home monitoring of people living with epilepsy cannot be achieved using the standard full-scalp electroencephalography (EEG) coupled with video. Wearable seizure detection devices, such as behind-the-ear EEG (bte-EEG), offer an unobtrusive method for ambulatory follow-up of this population. Combining bte-EEG with electrocardiography (ECG) can enhance automated seizure detection performance. However, such frameworks produce high false alarm rates, making visual review necessary. This study aimed to evaluate a semi-automated multimodal wearable seizure detection framework using bte-EEG and ECG. Using the SeizeIT1 dataset of 42 patients with focal epilepsy, an automated multimodal seizure detection algorithm was used to produce seizure alarms. Two reviewers evaluated the algorithm’s detections twice: (1) using only bte-EEG data and (2) using bte-EEG, ECG, and heart rate signals. The readers achieved a mean sensitivity of 59.1% in the bte-EEG visual experiment, with a false detection rate of 6.5 false detections per day. Adding ECG resulted in a higher mean sensitivity (62.2%) and a largely reduced false detection rate (mean of 2.4 false detections per day), as well as an increased inter-rater agreement. The multimodal framework allows for efficient review time, making it beneficial for both clinicians and patients.
A Pilot Study of Implementing Diabetic Retinopathy Screening in the Oslo Region, Norway: Baseline Results
Authors: Sauesund Ellen Steffenssen , Jørstad Øystein Kalsnes , Brunborg Cathrine , Moe Morten Carstens , Erke Maja Gran , Fosmark Dag Sigurd , Petrovski Goran
Published: April 2023

Purpose: to gain insight into the baseline parameters of a population with diabetes mellitus (DM) included in a pilot diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening program at Oslo University Hospital (OUH), Norway. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of a cohort of adult patients (≥18 years) with type 1 or 2 DM (T1D and T2D). We measured the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), intraocular pressure (IOP), height and weight. We also collected HbA1c, total serum cholesterol and urine-albumin, -creatinine and -albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), as well as socio-demographic parameters, medications and previous screening history. We obtained color fundus photographs, which were graded by two experienced ophthalmologists according to the International Clinical Disease Severity Scale for DR. Results: The study included 180 eyes of 90 patients: 12 patients (13.3%) had T1D and 78 (86.7%) had T2D. In the T1D group, 5 patients (41.7%) had no DR, and 7 (58.3%) had some degree of DR. In the T2D group, 60 patients (76.9%) had no DR, and 18 (23.1%) had some degree of DR. None of the patients had proliferative DR. Of the 43 patients not newly diagnosed (time of diagnosis > 5 years for T1D and >1 years for T2D), 37.5% of the T1D patients and 5.7% of the T2D patients had previously undergone regular screening. Univariate analyses found for the whole cohort significant associations between DR and age, HbA1c, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, body mass index (BMI) and duration of DM. For the T2D group alone, there were significant associations between DR and HbA1c, BMI, urine creatinine, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and duration of DM. The analysis also showed three times higher odds for DR in the T1D group than the T2D group. Conclusions: This study underscores the need for implementing a systematic DR screening program in the Oslo region, Norway, to better reach out to patients with DM and improve their screening adherence. Timely and proper treatment can prevent or mitigate vision loss and improve the prognosis. A considerable number of patients were referred from general practitioners for not being followed by an ophthalmologist.Among patients not newly diagnosed with DM, 62.8% had never had an eye exam, and the duration of DM for these patients was up to 18 years (median: 8 years).
Structural Mechanical Properties of 3D Printing Biomimetic Bone Replacement Materials
Authors: Lv Xueman , Wang Shuo , Xu Zihe , Liu Xuanting , Liu Guoqin , Cao Feipeng , Ma Yunhai
Published: April 2023

One of the primary challenges in developing bone substitutes is to create scaffolds with mechanical properties that closely mimic those of regenerated tissue. Scaffolds that mimic the structure of natural cancellous bone are believed to have better environmental adaptability. In this study, we used the porosity and thickness of pig cancellous bone as biomimetic design parameters, and porosity and structural shape as differential indicators, to design a biomimetic bone beam scaffold. The mechanical properties of the designed bone beam model were tested using the finite element method (FEM). PCL/β-TCP porous scaffolds were prepared using the FDM method, and their mechanical properties were tested. The FEM simulation results were compared and validated, and the effects of porosity and pore shape on the mechanical properties were analyzed. The results of this study indicate that the PCL/β-TCP scaffold, prepared using FDM 3D printing technology for cancellous bone tissue engineering, has excellent integrity and stability. Predicting the structural stability using FEM is effective. The triangle pore structure has the most stability in both simulations and tests, followed by the rectangle and honeycomb shapes, and the diamond structure has the worst stability. Therefore, adjusting the porosity and pore shape can change the mechanical properties of the composite scaffold to meet the mechanical requirements of customized tissue engineering.
Risk Identification of Building Construction Projects in Egypt
Authors: Yousri Elhosin , Sayed Ahmed El Badawy , Farag Moataz A. M. , Abdelalim Ahmed Mohammed
Published: April 2023

Risk identification is integral to construction management. The severe consequences of identified risk factors on time and cost performance can be addressed by improved risk management. The identification and preparation of responses to risk factors affects the risk management process directly and indirectly. Recent changes in the valuation of the Egyptian currency against foreign currencies during the last year and measures to cut down on the importation of engineering materials and equipment have had significant effects on the existing and recognized regulations concerning construction in Egypt. A pilot survey with expert engineers is a crucial step in completing research. In this research study, 15 experts were asked to discuss the collected risk factors from previous studies to verify the workability of these factors in Egypt. Thirty-five risk factors were selected during the pilot survey, which was distributed to 95 participants. To facilitate the analysis process, the collection was based on a five-point Likert scale. Therefore, redefining and arranging the risks according to the current circumstances is the main objective of this study. The proposed model identified different high-risk factors that could cumulatively affect overall performance, such as funding problems from contractors, material price fluctuations, unrealistic estimates of the duration of project activities, and shortages of construction materials in the market. Thus, to help stakeholders achieve project success, these high-risk factor components should be identified and controlled duly.
Role for Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy for Potentially Resectable Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Smaglo Brandon G.
Published: April 2023

Despite aggressive adjuvant management, a high percentage of patients who undergo appropriate surgical resection for pancreatic cancer will see their cancer recur and thus will not be cured. An important paradigm shift to achieve better outcomes has been therapy sequence, with neoadjuvant chemotherapy preceding surgery. Patients with a borderline resectable cancer, or patients with a resectable cancer but who have other high-risk features, are ideal candidates to consider for neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Among the high-risk features, a baseline elevated CA 19-9 concentration can be particularly useful, as its response trend during neoadjuvant chemotherapy can offer important insights into the prognosis after surgery. When selecting a neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen, response data available for the use of FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine and nabpaclitaxel in the metastatic setting support their use in this space. FOLFIRINOX is perhaps the preferred regimen, given its proven adjuvant benefit and possibly its superior tumor response rate; still, patient tolerance and thus ability to complete recommended treatment must be carefully considered. This review presents the evidence supporting neoadjuvant chemotherapy for resectable pancreatic cancer, the factors to consider when making such a recommendation, the selection of specific regimens, and our institutional approach using these tools.
Venetoclax Use in Paediatric Haemato-Oncology Centres in Poland: A 2022 Survey
Authors: Bobeff Katarzyna , Pastorczak Agata , Urbanska Zuzanna , Balwierz Walentyna , Juraszewska Edyta , Wachowiak Jacek , Derwich Katarzyna , Samborska Magdalena , Kalwak Krzysztof , Dachowska-Kalwak Iwona , Laguna Paweł , Malinowska Iwona , Smalisz Katarzyna , Gozdzik Jolanta , Oszer Aleksandra , Urbanski Bartosz , Zdunek Maciej , Szczepanski Tomasz , Mlynarski Wojciech , Janczar Szymon
Published: April 2023

Venetoclax, the best established BH3-mimetic, is a practice-changing proapoptotic drug in blood cancers in adults. In paediatrics the data are fewer but exciting results were recently presented in relapsed or refractory leukaemias demonstrating significant clinical activity. Importantly, the in-terventions could be potentially molecularly guided as vulnerabilities to BH3-mimetics were re-ported. Currently venetoclax is not incorporated into paediatric treatment schedules in Poland but it has been already used in patients that failed conventional therapy in Polish paediatric haemato-oncology departments. The aim of the study was to gather clinical data and correlates of all paediatric patients treated so far with venetoclax in Poland. We set out to gather this experience to help choose the right clinical context for the drug and stimulate further research. The questionnaire regarding the use of venetoclax was sent to all 18 Polish paediatric haemato-oncology centres. The data as available in November 2022 were gathered and analysed for the diagnoses, triggers for the intervention, treatment schedules, outcomes and molecular associations. We received response from 11 centres, 5 of which administered venetoclax to their patients. Clinical benefit, in most cases consistent with hematologic complete remission (CR), was reported in 5 patients out of ten, whereas 5 patient did not show clinical benefit from the intervention. Importantly, patients with CR included subtypes expected to show venetoclax vulnerability, such as poor-prognosis ALL with TCF::HLF fusion. We believe BH3-mimetics have clinical activity in children and should be available to pae-diatric haemato-oncology practitioners in well-selected applications.
The Low Sensitivity and Specificity of a Nutrition Screening Tool in Real Circumstances in a Tertiary Care Hospital Setting
Authors: Semsawat Nithit , Dumrongwongsiri Oraporn , Phoonlapdacha Phanphen
Published: April 2023

Nutrition screening is an essential process to detect children at risk of malnutrition during hospitalization and provide appropriate nutrition management. STRONGkids is a nutrition screening tool which has been implemented in a tertiary-care hospital service in Bangkok, Thailand. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of STRONGkids in the real-situation setting. Electronic Medical Records (EMR) of hospitalized pediatric patients aged 1 month to 18 years from January to December 2019 were reviewed. Those with incomplete medical records and re-admission within 30 days were excluded. Nutrition risk scores and clinical data were collected. Anthropometric data were calculated to Z-score based on the WHO growth standard. The sensitivity (SEN) and specificity (SPE) of STRONGkids were determined against malnutrition status and clinical outcomes. In total, 3914 EMRs (2130 boys, mean age 6.22 ± 4.72 years) were reviewed. The prevalence of acute malnutrition (BMI-for-age Z-score < −2) and stunting (height-for-age Z-score < −2) were 12.9 and 20.5%. SEN and SPE of STRONGkids against acute malnutrition were 63.2 and 55.6%, stunting values were 60.6 and 56.7%, and overall malnutrition values were 59.8 and 58.6%. STRONGkids had low SEN and SPE to detect nutrition risks among hospitalized children in a tertiary-care setting. Further actions are required to improve the quality of nutrition screening in hospital services.
Gender Differences in Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices toward COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Anaam Mohammed Saif , Alsahali Saud
Published: April 2023

Days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that COVID-19 was a pandemic, Saudi Arabia took preventative and precautionary measures to avoid its spread and to safeguard its citizens. In this study, we investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of both men and women toward COVID-19 as well as associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online, self-report questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. The overall percentage of correct answers for the knowledge statements was 80.2%, with a higher rate among the female respondents (82.4% vs. 78.5%, p = 0.005). Slightly more than half (i.e., 165: 51.6%) of the participants showed that they did not go to crowded places during the pandemic; however, more female respondents recorded that they avoided crowded places than male respondents (57.7% vs. 46.2%, p = 0.04). Most participants (i.e., 272: 85.0%) reported that they had worn a mask in recent days, and more than two-thirds (84.4%) said that they still follow the strategies recommended by government authorities to prevent the spread of the virus. Again, more female respondents reported this than males (89.9% vs. 79.5%; p = 0.01). Significant correlations (p < 001) were noted between knowledge and practices (r = 0.31), knowledge and attitudes (r = 0.37), and attitudes and practices (r = 0.29). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, occupation and education were independently associated with knowledge among both the male and female respondents (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2–7.2; aOR: 5.9; 95% CI: 2.2–15.9). Residence was independently associated with attitudes, but only among the male respondents (aOR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1–4.9), and COVID-19 was independently associated with practices among both the male and female respondents (aOR: 4.5; 95% CI: 1.4–14.2; aOR: 9.8; 95% CI: 1.2–81.2). There were significant gender differences in both knowledge and practices toward COVID-19, with the female respondents achieving better scores than the male respondents. Thus, we recommend that health education campaigns are tailored to specifically target males.
Information and Divergence Measures
Authors: Karagrigoriou Alex , Makrides Andreas
Published: April 2023

The present Special Issue of Entropy, entitled Information and Divergence Measures, covers various aspects and applications in the general area of Information and Divergence Measures [...]
A Diagnosis Method of Power Flow Convergence Failure for Bulk Power Systems Based on Intermediate Iteration Data
Authors: Mu Gang , Zhou Yibo , Yang Mao , Chen Jiahao
Published: April 2023

Power flow calculation is the foundation of security analyses in a power system, and the phenomenon of convergence failure is becoming more prominent with the expansion of the power grid. The existing convergence failure diagnosis methods based on optimization modeling and local feature recognition are no longer viable for bulk power systems. This paper proposes a diagnosis method based on intermediate iteration data and the identification of the transmission power congested channel. Firstly, the transmission power congestion index is constructed, and then a method for identifying transmission congestion channels is proposed. The reasons for convergence failure of the power flow are diagnosed from two aspects: excessive power to be transmitted and insufficient transmission capacity. Finally, with the aim of alleviating transmission channel congestion, a correction strategy for power flow injection space data was constructed, which generates relaxation schemes for operational variables. The effectiveness of the proposed strategy was verified using the simulation results of an actual provincial power grid and a standard example power system with 13,659 buses. The method proposed in this paper is entirely based on intermediate power flow iteration data, which avoids the complex modeling of the power flow adjustment and provides methodological support for power flow diagnosis in bulk power systems.
Technological Developments in Control Models Using Petri Nets for Smart Grids: A Review
Authors: Castellanos Contreras Jose Ulises , Rodríguez Urrego Leonardo
Published: April 2023

Nowadays, energy generation systems that include renewable energies, substations, distribution, transmission, control, measurement, and storage applications, among others, and are interrelated are known as Smart Grids. All these techniques and technologies involve extensive research and development, which allows for the solving of key aspects, such as control, diagnosis, and fault recovery, as well as communication systems focused directly on the operation of the electrical networks. Due to the relevance of knowledge concerning developments in these areas of Smart Grids, this paper presents a review of the research related to the control systems applied to Smart Grids and Micro Grids, both in supply and demand. Likewise, some control models relate to different processes, with a special focus on techniques related to Petri nets. The paper shows, among other outcomes, the advances in the control of smart grids, the types of generation and their influence on the design of transmission lines, integrated circuits applied based on sensors, communication technologies, and automation schemes in all levels of the electrical network. Finally, patents from 1950 to 2019 related to Smart Grid in energy systems are traced and presented.
Adaptation of Inductive Power Transfer to Small Household Appliances That Can Operate on Induction Heating Cooktops: Wireless Electric Kettle
Authors: Sezer Canberk , Altintas Nihan
Published: April 2023

In this paper, an inductive power transfer (IPT) system without compensation elements is presented for small house appliances. The proposed system’s transmitter side is an independent induction heating cooktop. IPT can be achieved when the kettle with the receiving coils is placed on the transmitter coil. The coils are designed with a high coupling coefficient. The magnetic system model consisting of aligned transmitter and receiver coils is created in the Maxwell program. In the created model, the analysis depends on the air gap and frequency, which are the variables that affect the wireless power transfer. The electronic circuit simulation uses the coil model to examine the system’s dynamic behavior. The design of the transmitter/receiver coils of the IPT system is made with a cylindrical coil with a diameter of 145 mm, taking into account that it is compatible with the dimensions of the existing kettle and induction heating cooktops coil. A half-bridge series resonant converter circuit is used to adjust the power transferred to the load. To verify the simulation results and test the designed system, an experimental circuit using a 2200 W kettle is carried out. In the experiments, the air gap between the coils is kept constant at 7 mm, and measurements are taken for different powers. Experimental results confirm the magnetic model and simulation results. As a result, wireless power transfer is realized in a wide range without loss of performance in the kettle. System efficiency is greater than the 90% specified in the Ki cordless kitchen standard, and the harmonic currents drawn from the mains are lower than the values determined by the IEC 61000-3-2 standard.