bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Resource Management and Selected Personnel Indicators in Sustainable Development
Authors: Sukalova Viera , Stofkova Zuzana , Stofkova Jana
Published: August 2022

The article deals with human resource management and selected personnel indicators in 10 sustainable development. The main goal of this paper is to analyse and describe human resource 11 management focused on audit of workload, motivation of employees, the competence of staff, their 12 knowledge and experience. The article shows how the selected personnel indicators are examined 13 in selected establishments of multinational company in Slovakia, as an attractive employer inter-14 ested in growth of its employees, thus employer branding. For research methods, a case study meth-15 odology is used. Data collection was carried out through a questionnaire survey with employees in 16 the company as well as an interview with sale advisors and managers. The research aimed to point 17 out a case study of the investigation of selected personnel indicators in human resources manage-18 ment in a selected company and to examine the perception of the performance of employees in 19 connection with their financial evaluation and their satisfaction in the selected company with an 20 impact on employees´ performance. Furthermore, the research aimed to determine whether there 21 was a dependence between the subjectively perceived performance of the employees and selected 22 aspects. Further indicators were calculated, such as employment rate, proportion of wasted time 23 and labour productivity.
Synovial Sarcoma of the Foot as an Atypical Cause of Persistent Metatarsalgia
Authors: Rodríguez-Zamorano Patricia , Galán-Olleros María , Manrique Elena , Puerto Velázquez María Gaudiosa , García-Maroto Roberto , Galeote Rodríguez Enrique , Marco Fernando , Cebrián-Parra Juan Luis
Published: August 2022

Case:

Three cases of atypical metatarsalgia are presented, all diagnosed with foot synovial sarcomas (SSs) at different stages of evolution, after a year of medical consultations. One case was treated with marginal excision without requiring bone excision; the second patient required amputation of the first ray; and the third patient, with advanced disease, required amputation through Chopart's joint.

Conclusion:

Metatarsalgia is a recurrent reason for consultation in orthopaedics. Even so, patients with persistent symptoms should be studied further in depth. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging can detect tumor pathology, such as SS, of insidious development.
Liner Dissociation and Acetabular Erosion Treated by Implant Retention and Dual-Mobility Liner Cementation
Authors: Nabet Austin , Sax Oliver C. , Nace James , Delanois Ronald E. , Peroutka Robert M.
Published: August 2022

Case:

A 56-year-old woman underwent a left total hip arthroplasty (THA) after developing avascular necrosis after chemotherapeutic treatment of breast cancer. She presented approximately 2 years after index THA with left groin pain and complaints of instability. Imaging revealed pseudodislocation of the ceramic femoral head with erosion through the acetabular component. Intraoperative evaluation revealed a dissociated polyethylene liner, damaged acetabular locking mechanism, metallosis, and well-fixed and aligned components. Treatment consisted of component retention, bone grafting, and dual-mobility liner cementation into the acetabular component.

Conclusions:

The two-year follow-up demonstrated a pain-free, well-functioning hip, bone graft incorporation, and no evidence of loosening.
Sağlık Çalışanlarının Çalışma Yaşam Kalitesinin Covid-19’a Bağlı Hastalık Kaygısı, İş Stresi ve İş Tatmini Çerçevesinde İncelenmesi: Alternatif Model Analizleri
Authors: EYİTMİŞ Ahmet Melih , YILDIRIM Alev
Published: August 2022

Pandemiler insanlık tarihi kadar eski ve toplumsal açıdan ciddi sonuçları olan sağlık olaylarıdır. Küreselleşmenin de etkisi ile pandemilerin bugün olduğu gibi gelecekte de daha fazla etkisi olabileceği söylenebilir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Kahramanmaraş il merkezinde bulunan hastane çalışanlarının COVID-19 pandemi sürecinde hastalık kaygısı, iş tatmini ve iş stresinin çalışma yaşam kalitesi üzerindeki etkisini araştırmaktır. Hastane çalışanlarının bu araştırmayla ilgili fikirlerini ölçebilmek için veri toplama tekniği olan anket formundan yararlanılmıştır. Araştırmanın evreni Kahramanmaraş il merkezindeki hastanelerde, 7000’in üzerindeki sağlık çalışanları oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmanın örneklemini ise Kahramanmaraş il merkezindeki devlet hastanesi, üniversite hastanesi ve özel hastanelerdeki 544 sağlık çalışanı meydana getirmiştir. Verilerin analizi için SPSS 23.0, SPSS AMOS ve SPSS Process Macro programları kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada katılımcıların demografik özellikleri ortaya konulduktan sonra korelâsyon, faktör vb. analizler yapılmıştır. Ayrıca yapısal eşitlik modeli, aracılık ve düzenleyicilik analizleri de yapılmıştır. Çoklu düzenleyici etki analizi sonucunda hastalık kaygısı ve iş stresinin düşük olduğu durumlarda iş tatminin çalışma yaşam kalitesi üzerindeki pozitif etkisini olumlu yönde etkilemiştir. Ancak hastalık kaygısı ve iş stresi algıları yükseldikçe iş tatminin çalışma yaşam kalitesini etkileme düzeyi azalmaktadır. Yeni üretilen istatistiksel analiz yöntemleri araştırmalarda farklı bakış açıları geliştirilebilir. Bu yolla bağımlı değişkenin bağımsız değişken üzerindeki etkisi incelenirken birden fazla aracı/düzenleyici değişkenin varlığı ortaya konulabilir.
Algılanan Aşırı Nitelikliliğin İş Doyumu ve Örgütsel Özdeşleşme ile İlişkisi: Doktor ve Hemşireler Üzerine Bir Araştırma
Authors: GÜZEL Şerife , SIĞIRCI Hamza
Published: August 2022

Algılanan aşırı niteliklilik, örgütsel özdeşleşme ve iş doyumu kavramları organizasyonların verimlilik ve etkililiğini etkileyen, önemi yadsınamaz kavramlardır. Bu kavramlar genel itibariyle kişilerin kendilerini yaptıkları iş için fazla nitelikli düşünmeleri, kendilerini işleri ile özdeşleştirmeleri ve işlerinden tatmin olmalarını ifade etmektedir. Bu niteliklerin sağlık sunucuları açısından ele alınması ve aralarındaki ilişkinin ortaya çıkarılması bu çalışmanın amacını ortaya koymaktadır. Araştırma Karaman ilinde bulunan bir hastanede görev yapan 301 doktor ve hemşire ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Katılımcılardan toplanan veriler normal dağılımı karşıladığından dolayı ikili grupların karşılaştırılmasında t testi ve ikiden fazla grubun karşılaştırılmasında ise Anova testinden yararlanılmıştır. Katılımların demografik özellikleri incelendiğinde %54,2’sinin kadınlardan oluştuğu, %59,8’inin evli olduğu, %73,1’inin hemşire olarak çalıştığı, %43,5’inin 28-35 yaş arasında olduğu gözlemlenmektedir. Sonuç olarak algılanan aşırı niteliklilik ve örgütsel özdeşleşme arasında zayıf düzeyde, negatif yönlü, anlamlı bir ilişki gözlemlenmektedir. Ayrıca algılanan aşırı niteliklilik ile iş doyumu arasında orta düzeyde, negatif yönlü, anlamlı bir ilişki ve iş doyumu ile örgütsel özdeşleşme arasında orta düzeyde, pozitif yönlü, anlamlı bir ilişki tespit edilmiştir.
Detection Performance and Grading-Selection-Based Inversion of Low-Frequency Alternating Current Resistivity Logging in Moderate-High Resistance Formations
Authors: Wu Yizhi , Fan Yiren , Cai Lianyun , Fang Zhou , Li Chaoliu
Published: August 2022

With the development of high-angle/horizontal well technology, unconventional tight reservoirs with moderate/high resistivity have gradually become the focus of exploration and development. However, in moderate-high-resistance reservoir environments, distorted responses can be observed regularly in the array laterolog curves, which will lead to misjudgment for the oil-gas reservoirs. Therefore, the detection performance of the array lateral instrument powered by low-frequency alternating current urgently needs to be clarified and the true resistivity of the formation is necessary to be analyzed and extracted. In this paper, the reasons for distorted responses are investigated as well as the qualitative and quantitative assessments of the detection performance of low-frequency alternating current lateral instrument in moderate-high resistance formations. Moreover, a rapid inversion method is proposed based on the initial value grading optimization strategy to invert the anisotropic resistivities from the observed data with outliers. Numerical simulation results show that the current flow characteristics vary significantly across stratigraphic models and the distorted responses are primarily caused by the high-resistance characteristics and borehole enlargement. The combination of the initial value grading optimization strategy and the regularization inversion algorithm improves the accuracy of the inverted resistivities even further. Synthetic and field examples are analyzed to illustrate the detailed implementations and the performance of the proposed inversion method.
A Note on Scheduling Equal-Length Jobs on Uniform Machines
Authors: Vakhania Nodari
Published: August 2022

We consider a basic problem of scheduling n equal-length jobs with release times on a group of m uniform machines with the objective to minimize the maximum job completion time, the makespan. According to our understanding, the status of this problem remained open. Here we propose a fast heuristic algorithm that solves the problem.
Shackleton Principle vs. the Weakest-link-of-the-chain Principle in Optimizing Project Teams
Authors: Prašnikar Janez , Bole Velimir , Fink Laura , Redek Tjaša
Published: August 2022

This paper discusses project team performance in relation to team structure. First, the importance of the strength and distribution of static and dynamic competencies for the achievement of budget, deadline, and quality goals is determined based on the relevant literature. Second, we built an analytical model, which we tested on data from 1400 cross-department executive project teams in a company from the construction industry, in the period 2006–2012. Detailed market-oriented (MO) competencies and performance data are investigated. The empirical analysis shows that for the achievement of budget and deadline goals, it is primarily static competencies that matter, whereas it is also dynamic competencies that matter for the achievement of quality goals. Moreover, the role of the strength distribution of competencies is stressed by arguing that team members with strong competencies matter for budget and deadline goals (Shackleton principle), while the weakest member has a critical impact on quality goals (weakest-link-of-the-chain principle).JEL classification: O22, M31, L74
Household Water Use Efficiency and its Implication for Sustainable Water Accessibility:
A case study
Authors: Ogunbode Timothy , Afolabi Christiana , Oyebamiji Victor , Akande John
Published: August 2022

The existential value of water for human survival and sustenance prompted the need to determine factors responsible for water use efficiency (WUE) which is an index for sustainability. The investigation was done among twenty-seven households working in Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria. The households are made up of educated academic and non-academic staff who, by virtue of their exposure and experience are knowledgeable enough to respond accurately to the insightful questions. Specialized variables of indoor water use like (1). Drinking (2). Washing (3). Cooking (4). Bathing (5). Auto-wash (6) Lawn/garden watering (7). Livestock feeds (8). Cleaning and (9). Other incidental uses were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Estimates of used volume of each variable/day were expressed in litres and the frequency of use, also sources of the used water were obtained. The respondents, all have tertiary education and are largely females having traditional roles in water provision. The family size ranged between 2 and 5 and they generally source their water (96.37% groundwater) close to their homes and premises. The t-test conducted revealed that there is a significant difference between CWU and NCWU showing that due attention is required in NCWU to ensure efficient use of the resource. Potential areas of excessive water use in homes were identified, using Factor Analysis, to be cloth washing, incidental uses and auto-wash which are in the non-consumptive category. These three areas of water wastage constitute 53.33% of all water uses in homes. A figure evidently beyond sustainability threshold that demands further attention. In other words, water use efficiency in homes should conservatively address non-consumptive uses. Recommendations are made for more efficient use of water in water-propelled machines at full capacities, water-reuse/recycling and taking practical responsibilities for resource sustainability.
Living and Working in Rural Healthcare During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a qualitative study of rural family physicians' lived experiences
Authors: Anaraki Nahid Rahimipour , Mukhopadhyay Meghraj , Karaivanov Yordan , Wilson Margo , Asghari Shabnam
Published: August 2022

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has been pervasive in its impact on all aspects of Canadian society. Along with its pervasiveness, the disease provided unprecedented complexity to the Canadian healthcare infrastructure, eliciting varying responses from the afflicted healthcare systems in Canada. However, insights into the various parameters and complexities endured by Canadian rural physicians and rural healthcare institutions during the pandemic have been scarce.
Objective
This paper explores the conditions and complexity of living and working of Rural Family Physicians (RFPs) in rural healthcare in Canada during the pandemic.
Methods
Community-based participatory research was utilized as a collaborative and partnership approach, equitably engaged community members in all aspects of research, ranging from designing the research question to analyzing data. Participants of this study include RFPs with at least one year of experience working in rural Canada. Data were collected through in-depth telephone interviews and thematically analyzed. Data collection halted upon saturation.
Results
Five significant compiled categories reflect the lived experiences of Rural Family Physicians. 1- Virtual care as a backslide or forward progress; 2- Increasing accessibility or damaging care; 3- Shortage of health care providers and supporting staff; 4-Ongoing coping process with the pandemic guidelines; 5-Covid combat fatigue.
Discussion
The inception of COVID-19 has significantly impacted rural physicians across several silos of experiences. This study illuminates the lesser-known effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which heavily impacts rural healthcare.
A Promising Ka Band Leaky-Wave Antenna Based on a Periodic Structure of Non-Identical Irregularities
Authors: Shaaban Mohamed NourElDin Mohamed , Ali Mohamed Hassan Essai , Yasseen Mohamed Sabry , Nasybullin Aydar R. , Sedelnikov Yuri E.
Published: August 2022

This paper presents a new periodic grooved dielectric leaky-wave antenna (LWA) with non-identical irregularities for an extremely high-frequency (EHF) range capable of performing efficiently in the Ka band through a stable gain, a decrease in the level of the side lobes, and the achievement of a narrower main lobe beam. It consists of a dielectric waveguide antenna placed inside a channeled rectangular metallic waveguide to improve performance. A dielectric rod was used to overcome the losses related to the propagation of electromagnetic waves in metal conductors. A grooved dielectric of a 21-element linear array is used to propose a simple approach for the synthesis of such antennas based on a modified energy method and is fed by a standard waveguide. It was designed and simulated at 37.2 GHz for satellite, 5G antennas, and radar applications. The major novelty of this study is the ability to control the direction of the main lobe through non-identical irregularities in geometric parameters, such as the width, height, and distance between each element. Radiation techniques have been studied extensively using simulations. A performance antenna with radiation efficiency 99.35%, gain 22 dBi, width of radiation pattern 3.2 ◦ , and side lobe level (SLL) -18.3 dB has been achieved.
An improved method for estimating soil moisture over cropland using SAR and optical data
Authors: Luo Dayou , Wen Xingping , Li Shuling
Published: August 2022

The paper aims to construct simple soil moisture(SM) retrieval model using Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. The water cloud model (WCM) removed the contribution of vegetation to the radar backscattering coefficient, and the backscattering coefficient of soil was estimated. Based on the established SM retrieval model without soil roughness parameters, the SM in farmland and forest land was retrieved using radar VV-VH dual-polarization data. The accuracy of the results showed the Pearson correlation coefficient (R) of 0.65973. The SM retrieval model for removing soil roughness parameters can estimate soil moisture with reasonable accuracy. The influence of topographic factors (elevation, slope and aspect) on the retrieval results of the model was analyzed. It was found that the area with the steep slope and blocked radar signal is not conducive to estimate SM. After removing the SM data in this area, the R between the estimated and measured SM was 0.74623. We considered the interference of uneven surfaces on the radar signal, added the radar local incidence angle parameter to improve the model, and constructed a semi-empirical SM retrieval model. The SM estimated by the improved model had a higher accuracy, and the R between the estimated and measured SM was 0.81532. The SM retrieval method constructed in this paper provides many advantages for some research and practical applications, and its application in other SAR data remains to be further studied.
Synthesis, Characterizations, Crystal structure, DFTand Hirshfeld surface analysis of4-cyclohexyl-1-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)thiosemicarbazide
Authors: Pandey Shivendra K. , Gupta S. , Jaiswal S. , Gond M. K. , Bharty M. K. , Butcher Ray J. , Jasinski Jerry P.
Published: August 2022

The crystal structure of the thiosemicarbazide derivative 4-cyclohexyl-1-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)thiosemicarbazide (ChtcTSC), C12H17N3OS2, is reported here. The title compound ChtcTSC has been characterized by various physicochemical techniques viz UV-vis., Infrared, and NMR. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system having space group P 21/c. The dihedral angle between the thiophene and cyclohexyl rings is 60.7(4)°. The crystal packing is established by intermolecular N-H∙∙∙O packing interactions involving a three-center donor hydrogen bond between the keto oxygen atom of the thiophene group and H atoms belonging to the hydrazine group which links the molecules into chains along the (011) plane of the unit cell. Hydrogen bonds between the hydrazine hydrogen atom and one of the thiophene groups and C-H∙∙∙Cg π-ring interactions provide added stability to the crystal packing. The fingerprint plots associated with Hirshfeld surface analysis indicate that there are different types of weak interactionsviz.O···H-C, O···H-N and S···H-C. The geometry optimization has been performed using the DFT method, and geometrical parameters thus obtained for ChtcTSC correlate with the single-crystal X-ray data. The TD-DFT studied showed a small HOMO and LUMO energy gap of 2.869 eV. The electronic transition from the ground state to the excited state due to a transfer of electrons from HOMO to LUMO levels is mainly associated with the n→π* transition.
A Big Data Study of Language Use and Impact in Radio Broadcasting in China
Authors: Zhang Ruihua , Zhou Jincheng , Hai Tao , Zhang Shixue , Iwendi Marvellous , Shah Mohd Asif , Osamor Jude
Published: August 2022

Broadcasting more educating and language-reviving contents are ways radio stations can help revitalize the use of the English language in the Hunan province of China. The challenges faced in communicating in English in Chinese radio stations are majorly caused by the lack of language professionals and linguists in the broadcast stations. The absence of these professionals is a major constraint to the development of the community. The broadcast media can help manage multilingualism through the introduction of new words which would give little or no room for lexicon dearth but would expand the language lexicon. Using the English language during broadcast reduces language dearth, and helps reach a much larger audience, even those not in China. Programmes anchored in English in places where the language is barely spoken enhances the vocabulary, comprehension and language vitality of the listeners. This study examined the impact of the English language used in radio broadcasting using a descriptive Big Data survey research design. The study’s population comprises of the inhabitants of the Hunan province in China, from which a sample of 50 broadcast staff and 150 regular inhabitants was drawn using a stratified random sampling technique. The instrument of data collection was a structured questionnaire with closed questions and a self-structured interview. The sample employed frequency distribution tables, percentages, and charts in the presentation and analysis of data. The results revealed that majority of the respondents in Hunan listened to radio broadcast indicating that the use of English language can have massive impact on the people. The study also found that majority of the respondents use their indigenous languages in their day-to-day activities as well as their schools with English being used majorly only in schools with only English-speaking students. The study recommends, amongst others, that the Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC) review their policy on the allocated time of broadcast in English languages, and that more English language experts and linguists should be incorporated into the broadcast system.
Chronic gut inflammation impairs contextual control of fear
Authors: Matisz CE , Patel M , Nhung H , Gruber AJ , McDonald RJ
Published: August 2022

Chronic inflammatory diseases are highly comorbid with anxiety in humans. The extent to which chronic inflammation is responsible for this relationship remains to be determined. We therefore tested the hypothesis that prolonged, but not brief, gut inflammation is sufficient to evoke anxiety-related behaviours in mice. We used the discriminative fear to context conditioning paradigm to assess fear generalization, which is a prominent feature of anxiety disorders. Gut inflammation was induced by exposure to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in the drinking water, a well-established rodent model of ulcerative colitis evoking prolonged inflammation. Neither acute (1 x 5 day cycle) nor chronic (3 x 5 day cycles) exposure to DSS affected fear responses when tested shortly after conditioning. Mice in all groups generated more fear responses (freezing) in a chamber previously paired with mild shock, as compared to a chamber with no pairing. This suggests DSS exposure had no effect on acquisition or expression of conditioned fear. Acute and control animals showed this same contextual control of freezing when tested 9 days later. In contrast, at this remote time point, the chronically treated animals exhibited increased freezing in the unpaired chamber such that freezing was equivalent in both contexts. These animals, however, showed intact preference for the unpaired chamber when allowed to freely move between chambers. These data suggest that some mnemonic process engaged after training, such as memory consolidation, is affected by past chronic inflammation so as to generalize negative associations and engage fearful responding in inappropriate contexts, despite intact knowledge that the chambers have different affective associations sufficient for place preference.
Automated Software for Counting and Measuring Hyalella Genus Using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Pineda Ludy , Zuluaga Maycol , Ruíz Santiago , McCann David Fernandez , Vélez Fabio , Aguirre Nestor , Puerta Yarin , Cañón Julio
Published: August 2022

Amphipods of the Hyalella genus are aquatic macroinvertebrates of interest in areas such as limnology and ecotoxicology that use data on the number of Hyalella individuals and their allometric measurements to assess the environmental dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. We introduce the software HyACS, aimed at counting individuals and extracting morphological metrics of the Hyalella genus by means of artificial vision based on YOLOv3 and digital image processing techniques. The software detects body metrics of length, arc length, maximum width, eccentricity, perimeter, and area of Hyalella individuals, using basic imaging capture equipment. The method requires images for training and prediction stages. Results show high prediction levels with HyACS, reaching metrics above 90%, in the correct identification of individuals, performing up to five times faster than traditional visual counting, and offering precise morphological measurements of Hyalella individuals that may improve further studies of the species populations and boost their use as bioindicators of water quality.
Development of Vertical Garden Constructed Wetlands (VGCWs) for Treating Septic Tank Effluent
Authors: Koottatep Thammarat , Pussayanavin Tatchai , Prapasriket Pimchanok , Saetan Pitchaya , Suwannakeaw Mayulee , Polprasert Chongrak
Published: August 2022

Vertical Garden Constructed Wetland (VGCW) system has been used as a post-treatment system to improve effluent quality of septic tanks and cesspools by enhancing nutrients, organic and solid removal according to the guidelines of effluent discharge. This study aimed to investigate the treatment performance of the VGCWs used as post-treatment for conventional or solar septic tanks. Laboratory-scale VGCWs, VGCWs with the media (mVGCW) and mVGCW with plants (mpVGCW) were fed with effluent collected from a septic tank and operated at various HRTs and plant types. Treatment performance of the VGCWs, mVGCWs and mpVGCWs treating effluent from the septic tank and operating at the 24h HRT or more was found to achieve the highest organic matters, nutrients and solids removal efficiencies (up to more than 90%). Moreover, the highest log reduction of E.coli of 2.8 was also observed at the 24h HRT. The Water Pennywort, Spider Ivy, Coleus, and Selaginella frosty can be planted in the VGCW system to enhance the overall treatment efficiencies. These results suggested the potential of the VGCWs as a post-treatment system for polishing septic tank effluent and improving environmental quality.
HPLC and ELISA Methods for Detection and Quantification of Fumonisins in Naturally Contaminated Maize
Authors: Sokolovic Marijana
Published: August 2022

Fumonisins are naturally occurring secondary metabolites of pathogenic fungi that frequently contaminate maize and other cereals in the field and/or during storage. Although the mass spectrometry multi-mycotoxin detection methods are considered as the state-of-the-art in this area of research, the lack of necessary equipment and experience in many laboratories as well as difficulties to analyze fumonisins in multi-toxin methods are the main reasons for use of ELISA and/or HPLC methods for routine testing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of HPLC method with post column derivatisation method for confirmation of the restults of competitive ELISA assay for detection and quantification of fumonisins (FB1, FB2 and FB3) in maize intended for use in feed industry. Calculated correlation parameters showed strong linear relationship of tested methods indicating that both methods are sensitive, reliable, reproducible, cost-effective and applicable for quantitative routine determination of fumonisins in maize.
Outcomes of Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Infected with SARS-nCoV2 infection.
Authors: Kumar Krishna Mylavarapu , Joshi Aditya , MADABUSHI SHYAM , Dhawan Manish
Published: August 2022

Background:Veno Venous Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VV-ECMO) in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome infected with the novel coronavirus SARS-nCoV2.Patients & Methods:Adult patients with age more than 18 years on VV ECMO were evaluated on the duration of the onset of symptoms to hospital admissions (direct or referred), mechanical ventilation (MV), time to initiate ECMO, Murray score, PaCO2, and PaO2/FiO2 ratio, associated organ injury, duration of ICU, Hospital stay and mortality.Results:From 01 June 20 to 30 May 2022, 8 patients were placed on Veno-Venous Extra Corporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). The mean age of cannulation was 46 years with 25% (2) being healthcare workers. The mean Murray score, PaCO2, and the PaO2 / FiO2 ratio were 3.375, 72.5 mmHg, and 65.98 respectively. The average time to initiate ECMO was 8.375 days from the time of admission, with an average duration of ECMO of 16.375 days. One (12.5%) survived the intervention and was discharged uneventfully.Conclusions:Early referral and initiation of VV-ECMO in severe SARS-nCoV2 ARDS may improve outcomes.
Retinal circulation time/arm-to-retina time ratio in the fluorescein angiography to evaluate retina-specific hemodynamics
Authors: Mushiga Yasuaki , Nagai Norihiro , Ozawa Yoko
Published: August 2022

To evaluate dynamic circulatory flow in the retinal or choroidal circulatory disease, we retrospectively reviewed medical charts of 128 eyes of 128 patients who underwent video recorded fluorescein angiography (FA), at Department of Ophthalmology, St Luke’s International Hospital, between April and September 2020. Mean age was 64.2 ± 14.0 (range, 37–93) years, and 87 (67.9%) patients were men. Mean arm-to-retina (AR) time was 16.2 ± 4.1 s, and mean retinal circulation (RC) time was 10.9 ± 3.3 s. Mean RC time/AR time (RC/AR) ratio was 0.69 ± 0.22. AR time was correlated with age, whereas RC time was not. RC time was positively correlated with AR time (R = 0.360, P = 0.017). Moreover, mean RC time was significantly longer, and RC/AR ratio was greater, in the retinal-disease group after adjusting for age and sex. Patients who had an RC/AR ratio ≥ 0.8 more frequently presented with retinal diseases. Given that AR time reflects systemic hemodynamics, RC time, which reflects local circulatory fluency, was influenced by the systemic circulatory condition. Moreover, RC/AR ratio revealed that circulatory changes peculiar to the retina may also be involved in retinal-disease pathogenesis. This study may help elucidate the mechanisms of retinal diseases and assist in diagnosis, although further studies are required.
Association between dating app use and unhealthy weight control behaviors and muscle enhancing behaviors in sexual minority men: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Darboe Mabintou , Goyal Anirudh , Birk Nick , Tran Alvin
Published: August 2022

Background: The present study assessed the association between dating app use and unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs) and muscle enhancing behaviors among a sample of adult sexual minority men (SMM) in the United States. Method: 549 SMM participated in an anonymous survey from Qualtrics Survey Panels. UWCBs and muscle enhancing behaviors were assessed through items adapted from national surveys. Body image dissatisfaction was assessed using the Male Body Attitudes Scales. Participants also reported their history of dating app use. We performed descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and student’s t-tests. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed the relationship between dating app use and UWCBs and muscle enhancing behaviors.Results: Dating app users had significantly higher body image dissatisfaction scores than non-users. Dating app users also demonstrated significantly elevated odds of engaging in four UWCBs and muscle enhancing behaviors: laxatives, diet pills, muscle-building supplements, and protein powders.Conclusions: This is one of the first studies to assess dating app use and its association with UWCBs and muscle enhancing behaviors among SMM. Increased surveillance and detection for such behaviors among SMM, particularly those using dating apps, are needed.
Investigation of Magneto Optic effect in scattered light from microcrystals
Authors: Olyaei Abbas , Tehranchi Mohammad Mehdi , Pourmahdian Saeed
Published: August 2022

We have investigated magneto-optics in scattered light from microcrystals of ethylene terephthalate oligomers. These crystals, which are mainly cyclic trimers, has different sinusoidal responses in the magneto-optic test for right and left circularly polarized light. These responses originate from the scattering of light from an organic microcrystal. Because of the local conductivity of these oligomers, their crystals act as quantum multi-wells, the most probable mechanism for magneto-optics effect. Here we present a proper setup for magneto -optic investigation and notice the phase difference in adjacent rays of scattered beam as an origin of different results that may confuse the researchers.
Prognostic Markers of Geriatric Patients in the Intensive Care Unit with Acute Hypoxic Respiratory Failure Secondary to COVID-19
Authors: Reano Katherine , Gaisinskaya Polina , Bhupatiraju Naren , Gebara Christopher , Lavin Arye , Sayeed Raihan , DeDonno Michael , Saxena Anshul , Ahmed Md Ashfaq , Zhang Zhenwei , Itty Kevin
Published: August 2022

Purpose: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has continued to be a public health emergency, affecting almost 450 million people worldwide, with a disproportionate significant disease burden in the elderly community. Our main purpose of this study was to provide population specific prognostic markers upon description of demographic factors, clinical characteristics, diagnostic variables, treatment characteristics and outcome variables in critically ill geriatric patients with acute hypoxic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 infection. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of 165 patients admitted to a single institution’s medical and cardiovascular intensive care unit between the dates of March 01, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Inclusion criteria was patients age greater than or equal to 65 years, documented positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test result and a diagnosis of acute hypoxic respiratory failure. Our primary end point evaluated the rate of mortality in relation to multiple variables during intensive care unit admission. Results: Of 165 patients, 45 patients were excluded. Of the remaining 120 patients, 41 were females and 79 were males. Four independent risk factors are significantly associated with higher odds of mortality for the concerned population: presence of solid tumor (AOR: 0.002, 95% CI: <0.001, 0.31), maximum value of PaCO2 (AOR: 1.094, 95% CI: 1.029, 1.163), Charlson comorbidity index (AOR: 2.962, 95% CI: 1.59, 5.52), and use of diuretics (AOR: 0.015, 95% CI: <0.001, 0.49). Conclusion: Certain factors were found to be poor prognostic markers during intensive care unit admission, which may predict a higher rate of mortality in those patient populations.
Effect of doctor allocation policies on the equitable distribution of doctors in Thailand
Authors: Noree Thinakorn , Pagaiya Nonglak , Nimnual Intira
Published: August 2022

Background: Equitable geographic distribution of doctors is crucial for the provision of an accessible and efficient health service system. This study aimed to assess the effects of doctor allocation by the Thai Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in relation to equity distribution.Methods: This descriptive study compared secondary data on the number of doctors, gross provincial products (GPP), and populations of 76 Thai provinces for the years 2017 and 2021. The ratio of doctors to 1,000 population was used to measure the spatial distribution of doctors by province. Lorenz curves and the Gini coefficient were used to determine the equity of doctor distribution.Results: The results showed that the Gini coefficient decreased from 0.191 in 2017 to -0.03 in 2021 indicating that the equitable distribution of doctors improved after the MoPH commenced allocating newly graduated doctors according to health utilization in 2017. Compared to 2017, the percentage changes in the number of doctors were higher in provinces with lower doctor densities and in provinces with higher GPPs.Conclusion: The equitable distribution of doctors in Thailand was affected by two main causes: the allocation of newly graduated doctors by the MoPH and the turnover rate of existing doctors.
Utilizing Electronic Medical Records Identifies Similarities and Differences in Alzheimer’s Disease Comorbidities Between Racialized Populations
Authors: Woldemariam Sarah , Tang Alice , Oskotsky Tomiko , Yaffe Kristine , Sirota Marina
Published: August 2022

Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) is a currently incurable neurodegenerative disease that is disproportionately prevalent in racially marginalized populations. However, due to underrepresentation in AD research, the full spectrum of AD-associated comorbidities that increase AD risk or suggest potential AD treatment disparities in these populations is not completely understood. Here, we perform low-dimensional embedding, enrichment analysis, and disease network-based analyses of 5,664 patients with AD and demographically matched controls across two electronic medical record (EMR) systems and five medical centers, with equal representation of Asian-, Non-Hispanic Black-, Latine-, and Non-Hispanic White-identified individuals. Our results suggest that while AD-associated comorbidities may be generally similar across racialized populations, some comorbidities may be enriched in subsets of racialized populations. Our approach could be a starting point for hypothesis-driven studies that can further explore the relationship between these comorbidities and AD in racialized populations, potentially identifying interventions that can reduce AD health disparities.
Predicting the Eyebrow from the Orbit Using Three-dimensional CT Imaging: An Application in Forensic Facial Reconstruction and Identification
Authors: Kim Yi-Suk , Lee Won-Joon , Yun Ji-Su , Kim Dong-Ho , Lozanoff Scott , Lee U-Young
Published: August 2022

Eyebrows are the most important facial feature in facial recognition with its shape rated to be more helpful than color or density for facial reconstruction or approximation. However, little extant research has estimated the position and morphological territory of the eyebrow from the orbit. Three-dimensional craniofacial models, produced from CT scans of 180 Koreans autopsied at the National Forensic Service Seoul Institute, were used to conduct metric analyses of subjects (125 males and 55 females) between 19 and 49 (mean 35.1) years. We employed 18 craniofacial landmarks to examine the morphometry of the eyebrow and orbit with 35 pairs of distances per subject measured between landmark and reference planes. Additionally, we used linear regression analyses to predict eyebrow shape from the orbit for every possible combination of variables. The morphology of the orbit has more influence on the position of the superior margin of the eyebrow. In addition, the middle part of the eyebrow was more predictable. The highest point of the eyebrow in female was located more medially than the male. Based on our findings, the equations for estimating the position of the eyebrow from the shape of the orbit is useful information for face reconstruction or approximation. The rest of this paper is structured as follows. We explain the method employed in the next section, after which we explain our findings and results. We then discuss these findings and conclude with the impact of our findings.
High-risk factors for metabolic bone disease in very low birth weight infants: a multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Chen Yuyun , Yang Jian , Wang Yi , Liu Wei , Guo Zhenhua
Published: August 2022

Background: The occurrence of metabolic bone disease in preterm newborns is not uncommon in follow-up, although there is no consistent data on the precise incidence and potential high-risk variables contributing to its occurrence.This study aims to identify the independent risk factors of metabolic bone disease in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Methods: Between January 2017 and June 2020, clinical data from 662 newborns with VLBW were retrospectively summarized in 3 pediatric academic centers. Based on the serum alkaline phosphatase and phosphorus levels, infants were split into the MBD and control groups. General health factors, mother birth status, mechanical breathing, enteral nutrition (EN), parenteral nutrition (PN), time on EN, drug use, complications, and biochemical MBD indexes were gathered and compared between the two groups.Results: The prevalence of MBD among the 662 cases was 17.37% in the VLBW infants. The mean birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA) in the MBD group, were 1083.92±126.25g and 28.07±2.09wk, respectively. Between the two groups, there were significant variations in GA and BW (P < 0.05). When compared to the control group, the MBD group's incidence of IUGR was considerably greater (P < 0.05). Starting EN, PN duration, and mechanical ventilation were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). In infants with VLBW, GA and BW each functioned as a protective factor against MBD. In VLBW newborns, MBD was attributable to three separate risk factors: PN time, commencing EN time, and IUGR.Conclusions: There are numerous contributing variables to MBD. In infants with VLBW, GA and BW each functioned as a protective factor against MBD.
RETRACTED: Effect of Morphologic Changes in the Posterior Glenoid Rim on Rotator Cuff Impingement in Baseball Players
Authors: Takahashi Makoto , Mutsuzaki Hirotaka , Iwamoto Koji , Monma Masahiko , Mizukami Masafumi
Published: August 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Exploring the pathophysiological mechanism of pulmonary edema focusing on the role of macrophages and their interaction with the glycocalyx: Using an immunological model of pulmonary edema induced by cognate anti-MHC antibody
Authors: Nishida Rie , Suzuki Dai , Akimoto Yoshihiro , Matsubara Sachie , Hayakawa Junri , Ushiyama Akira , Sasa Kiyohito , Miyamoto Yoichi , Iijima Takehiko , Kamijo Ryutaro
Published: August 2022

Background: Pulmonary tissue is protected from fluid leakage by an endothelial structural barrier, the glycocalyx (GCX). Once this barrier is disrupted, pulmonary edema rapidly develops. The depletion of the GCX is associated with leukocyte accumulation in the pulmonary vasculature, possibly causing the endothelial cells to become hyperpermeable. Whether neutrophils or macrophages are responsible for the development of pulmonary edema remains controversial. We used a mouse model of pulmonary edema induced by cognate anti-MHC antibody to explore the pathophysiological mechanism of pulmonary edema by examining the role of responsive neutrophils and macrophages and their interactions with the GCX.Methods: Anti-MHC class I antibody was administered intravenously to male BALB/c mice to induce pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema was evaluated by measuring the wet-to-dry weight ratio of the lungs. Changes in the GCX were evaluated by electron microscopy and measurements of the serum level of soluble syndecan-1, a major GCX component. Heparin sulphate was administered to examine its protective effect on the GCX. Macrophages were depleted using clodronate to examine their role in the development of pulmonary edema. Results: The GCX of the pulmonary vascular endothelium degraded after the administration of an anti-MHC class I antibody, accompanied by an increase in the serum syndecan-1 and heparan sulfate levels. Macrophage depletion inhibited the development of pulmonary edema, and the administration of supplemental heparin, an inhibitor of heparan sulfate-degrading enzymes, suppressed the pulmonary edema. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the GCX is degraded in a mouse model of pulmonary edema induced by anti-MHC class I antibody. Macrophage depletion suppressed the development of the pulmonary edema. These results suggest that macrophages (and/or monocytes) may play a key role in pulmonary edema. Heparin inhibited both the degradation of the GCX in the pulmonary vascular endothelium and pulmonary edema. Our study may suggest an interventional mechanism for inhibiting pulmonary edema.
Fungicidal activity of human antimicrobial peptides and their synergistic interaction with common antifungals against multidrug resistant Candida auris
Authors: Shaban Siham , Patel Mrudula , Ahmad Aijaz
Published: August 2022

Emergence of Candida auris, a multidrug resistant yeast, demonstrates the urgent need for novel antifungal agents. Human antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are naturally occurring molecules with wide spectrum antimicrobial activity, particularly against a variety of fungi. Therefore, this study examined the antifungal activity of seven different human AMPs against C. auris following the CLSI guidelines. The antifungal activity was further assessed using time kill curve and cell viability assays. For combination interaction, effectiveness of these peptides with three antifungals, fluconazole, amphotericin B and caspofungin, was done following standard protocols. To elucidate the antifungal mechanism, the effects of peptides on membrane permeability was investigated using propidium iodide staining method and confocal imaging. Antifungal susceptibility results showed that all the examined peptides possessed fungicidal effect against C. auris at different levels, with human β-Defensin-3 being the most potent antifungal with MIC values ranging from 3.125–12.5 µg/ml. Time kill curves further confirmed the killing effect of all the tested peptides. Viability assay showed a significant decrease in the percentage of viable cells exposed to different inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations of each peptide (p < 0.01). Furthermore, peptides showed mostly synergistic interaction when combined with conventional antifungal drugs, with caspofungin showing 100% synergy when combined with different AMPs. As antifungal mechanism, peptides disrupted the membrane permeability at concentrations that correlated with the inhibition of growth. Overall, the findings of this study point towards the application of the tested peptides as a monotherapy or as a combination therapy with antifungal drugs to treat multidrug resistant C. auris infections.
Surface Plasmon Resonance in Metal Nano-spheres Explained with LCR Circuits
Authors: Kumar Kuldeep , Dubey Shivangi , Palakandy Arun
Published: August 2022

The manuscript details various simple LCR circuits to explain the experimentally observed Surface Plasmon Resonance behavior of spherical metal nano-particles. The results of the circuit’s performance simulated using standard software like “QUCS” show
similarity with SPR results in literature., thus successfully explaining the size-effect, influence of surrounding dielectric medium and the proximity effect of dense packed metal nano-particles. The study also explains these material dependent observations in terms of circuital parameters. This opening an avenue to detail the exact role of the material parameters in influence of surrounding dielectric medium and the proximity effect.
An anthracene and indole-based fluorescent probe for the detection of chromium(III) ions in real water samples
Authors: Suna Garen , Gunduz Simay
Published: August 2022

A novel fluorescent probe possessing anthracene with an indole unit was designed and synthesized to detect chromium(III) ions (Cr3+) with high sensitivity and selectivity. The probe was synthesized in one step by mixing two commercially available chemicals, 2-aminoanthracene and 1H-indole-5-carbaldehyde. The probe molecule (ANT–In) demonstrates distinct properties, for instance, "turn-on" fluorescence response, high sensitivity and selectivity in less than one minute, and low detection limit (0.2 µM) via hydrolysis of the C = N bond. Additionally, the probe ANT–In was successfully used to identify the presence of chromium(III) ions in real water samples.