bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epstein-Barr Virus DNAemia and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Chang Yeh-Chung , Young Rebecca R. , Mavis Alisha M. , Chambers Eileen T. , Kirmani Sonya , Kelly Matthew S. , Kalu Ibukunoluwa C. , Smith Michael J. , Lugo Debra J.
Published: October 2022

Background

Pediatric solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients commonly have Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNAemia and are at risk of developing post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). EBV DNAemia has not been analyzed on a continuous scale in this population.

Methods

All children ≤ 18 years of age who underwent SOT at a single center between January 1, 2007 and July 31, 2018 were included in this retrospective study. Transplant episodes in which PTLD occurred were compared to transplant episodes without PTLD. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the development of EBV DNAemia and maximum height of EBV DNAemia. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios for time to PTLD.

Results

Of 275 total transplant recipients and 294 transplant episodes, there were 14 episodes of PTLD. Intestinal and multivisceral transplant were strongly associated with PTLD (p = 0.002). Risk factors for the development of EBV DNAemia include donor and recipient positive EBV serologies (p = 0.001) and older age (p = 0.001). Maximum level of EBV DNAemia was significantly associated with development of PTLD (p<0.0001). Every one log (log10) increase in the maximum level of EBV DNAemia was associated with a more than doubling of the hazard on developing PTLD (HR: 2.18, 95% CI 1.19–3.99).

Conclusions

Transplant type was strongly associated with development of PTLD in pediatric SOT recipients. EBV serologies and age were associated with the development of EBV DNAemia and height of DNAemia. High levels of EBV DNAemia were strongly associated with an increased hazard for PTLD.
Quantification of cytosol and membrane proteins in rumen epithelium of sheep with low or high CH4 emission phenotype
Authors: Bond J. J. , Donaldson A. J. , Woodgate S. , Kamath K. S. , Mckay M. J. , Wheeler D. , Tucker D. , Oddy V. H.
Published: October 2022

Background

Ruminant livestock are a major contributor to Australian agricultural sector carbon emissions. Variation in methane (CH4) produced from enteric microbial fermentation of feed in the reticulo-rumen of sheep differs with different digestive functions.

Method

We isolated rumen epithelium enzymatically to extract membrane and cytosol proteins from sheep with high (H) and low (L) CH4 emission. Protein abundance was quantified using SWATH-mass spectrometry.

Results

The research found differences related to the metabolism of glucose, lactate and processes of cell defence against microbes in sheep from each phenotype. Enzymes in the methylglyoxal pathway, a side path of glycolysis, resulting in D-lactate production, differed in abundance. In the H CH4 rumen epithelium the enzyme hydroxyacylglutathione hydrolase (HAGH) was 2.56 fold higher in abundance, whereas in the L CH4 epithelium lactate dehydrogenase D (LDHD) was 1.93 fold higher. Malic enzyme 1 which converts D-lactate to pyruvate via the tricarboxylic cycle was 1.57 fold higher in the L CH4 phenotype. Other proteins that are known to regulate cell defence against microbes had differential abundance in the epithelium of each phenotype.

Conclusion

Differences in the abundance of enzymes involved in the metabolism of glucose were associated with H and L CH4 phenotype sheep. Potentially this represents an opportunity to use protein markers in the rumen epithelium to select low CH4 emitting sheep.
Data augmentation based on multiple oversampling fusion for medical image segmentation
Authors: Wu Liangsheng , Zhuang Jiajun , Chen Weizhao , Tang Yu , Hou Chaojun , Li Chentong , Zhong Zhenyu , Luo Shaoming
Published: October 2022

A high-performance medical image segmentation model based on deep learning depends on the availability of large amounts of annotated training data. However, it is not trivial to obtain sufficient annotated medical images. Generally, the small size of most tissue lesions, e.g., pulmonary nodules and liver tumours, could worsen the class imbalance problem in medical image segmentation. In this study, we propose a multidimensional data augmentation method combining affine transform and random oversampling. The training data is first expanded by affine transformation combined with random oversampling to improve the prior data distribution of small objects and the diversity of samples. Secondly, class weight balancing is used to avoid having biased networks since the number of background pixels is much higher than the lesion pixels. The class imbalance problem is solved by utilizing weighted cross-entropy loss function during the training of the CNN model. The LUNA16 and LiTS17 datasets were introduced to evaluate the performance of our works, where four deep neural network models, Mask-RCNN, U-Net, SegNet and DeepLabv3+, were adopted for small tissue lesion segmentation in CT images. In addition, the small tissue segmentation performance of the four different deep learning architectures on both datasets could be greatly improved by incorporating the data augmentation strategy. The best pixelwise segmentation performance for both pulmonary nodules and liver tumours was obtained by the Mask-RCNN model, with DSC values of 0.829 and 0.879, respectively, which were similar to those of state-of-the-art methods.
Dose-sparing effect of two adjuvant formulations with a pandemic influenza A/H7N9 vaccine: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1 clinical trial
Authors: Vanni Tazio , Thomé Beatriz C. , Sparrow Erin , Friede Martin , Fox Christopher B. , Beckmann Anna Marie , Huynh Chuong , Mondini Gabriella , Silveira Daniela H. , Viscondi Juliana Y. K. , Braga Patrícia Emilia , Silva Anderson da , Salomão Maria da Graça , Piorelli Roberta O. , Santos Joane P. , Gattás Vera Lúcia , Lucchesi Maria Beatriz B. , Oliveira Mayra M. M. de , Koike Marcelo E. , Kallas Esper G. , Campos Lucia M. A. , Coelho Eduardo B. , Siqueira Marilda A. M. , Garcia Cristiana C. , Miranda Milene Dias , Paiva Terezinha M. , Timenetsky Maria do Carmo S. T. , Adami Eduardo A. , Akamatsu Milena A. , Ho Paulo Lee , Precioso Alexander R.
Published: October 2022

The emergence of potentially pandemic viruses has resulted in preparedness efforts to develop candidate vaccines and adjuvant formulations. We evaluated the dose-sparing effect and safety of two distinct squalene-based oil-in-water adjuvant emulsion formulations (IB160 and SE) with influenza A/H7N9 antigen. This phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding trial (NCT03330899), enrolled 432 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 59. Participants were randomly allocated to 8 groups: 1A) IB160 + 15μg H7N9, 1B) IB160 + 7.5μg H7N9, 1C) IB160 + 3.75μg H7N9, 2A) SE + 15μg H7N9, 2B) SE + 7.5μg H7N9, 2C) SE + 3.75μg H7N9, 3) unadjuvanted vaccine 15μg H7N9 and 4) placebo. Immunogenicity was evaluated through haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and microneutralization (MN) tests. Safety was evaluated by monitoring local and systemic, solicited and unsolicited adverse events (AE) and reactions (AR) 7 and 28 days after each study injection, respectively, whereas serious adverse events (SAE) were monitored up to 194 days post-second dose. A greater increase in antibody geometric mean titers (GMT) was observed in groups receiving adjuvanted vaccines. Vaccinees receiving IB160-adjuvanted formulations showed the greatest response in group 1B, which induced an HI GMT increase of 4.7 times, HI titers ≥40 in 45.2% of participants (MN titers ≥40 in 80.8%). Vaccinees receiving SE-adjuvanted vaccines showed the greatest response in group 2A, with an HI GMT increase of 2.5 times, HI titers ≥40 in 22.9% of participants (MN titers ≥40 in 65.7%). Frequencies of AE and AR were similar among groups. Pain at the administration site and headache were the most frequent local and systemic solicited ARs. The vaccine candidates were safe and the adjuvanted formulations have a potential dose-sparing effect on immunogenicity against influenza A/H7N9. The magnitude of this effect could be further explored.
Discovery of a MUC3B gene reconstructs the membrane mucin gene cluster on human chromosome 7
Authors: Lang Tiange , Pelaseyed Thaher
Published: October 2022

Human tissue surfaces are coated with mucins, a family of macromolecular sugar-laden proteins serving diverse functions from lubrication to the formation of selective biochemical barriers against harmful microorganisms and molecules. Membrane mucins are a distinct group of mucins that are attached to epithelial cell surfaces where they create a dense glycocalyx facing the extracellular environment. All mucin proteins carry long stretches of tandemly repeated sequences that undergo extensive O-linked glycosylation to form linear mucin domains. However, the repetitive nature of mucin domains makes them prone to recombination and renders their genetic sequences particularly difficult to read with standard sequencing technologies. As a result, human mucin genes suffer from significant sequence gaps that have hampered the investigation of gene function in health and disease. Here we leveraged a recent human genome assembly to characterize a previously unmapped MUC3B gene located at the q22 locus on chromosome 7, within a cluster of four structurally related membrane mucin genes that we name the MUC3 cluster. We found that MUC3B shares high sequence identity with the known MUC3A gene and that the two genes are governed by evolutionarily conserved regulatory elements. Furthermore, we show that MUC3A, MUC3B, MUC12, and MUC17 in the human MUC3 cluster are expressed in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Our results complete existing genetic gaps in the MUC3 cluster which is a conserved genetic unit in vertebrates. We anticipate our results to be the starting point for the detection of disease-associated polymorphisms in the human MUC3 cluster. Moreover, our study provides the basis for the exploration of intestinal mucin gene function in widely used experimental models such as human intestinal organoids and genetic mouse models.
Derivation and validation of a predictive model for chronic stress in patients with cardiovascular disease
Authors: Malik Ali O. , Jones Philip G. , Mena-Hurtado Carlos , Burg Matthew M. , Shishehbor Mehdi H. , Hejjaji Vittal , Tran Andy , Spertus John A. , Smolderen Kim G.
Published: October 2022

Background

Chronic stress in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), including peripheral artery disease (PAD), is independently associated worse outcomes. A model that can reliably identify factors associated with risk of chronic stress in patients with CVD is needed.

Methods

In a prospective myocardial infarction (MI) registry (TRIUMPH), we constructed a logistic regression model using 27 patient demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors, adjusting for site, to identify predictors of chronic stress over 1 year. Stress at baseline and at 1-, 6- and 12-month follow-up was measured using the 4-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) [range 0–16, scores ≥6 depicting high stress]. Chronic stress was defined as at least 2 follow-up PSS-4 scores ≥6. We identified and validated this final model in another prospective registry of patients with symptomatic PAD, the PORTRAIT study.

Results

Our derivation cohort consisted of 4,340 patients with MI (mean age 59.1 ± 12.3 years, 33% females, 30% non-white), of whom 30% had chronic stress at follow-up. Of the 27 factors examined, female sex, current smoking, socioeconomic status, and economic burden due to medical care were positively associated with chronic stress, and ENRICHD Social Support Instrument (ESSI) score and age were inversely related to chronic stress. In the validation cohort of 797 PAD patients (mean age 68.6±9.7 years, 42% females, 28% non-white, 18% chronic stress) the c-statistic for the model was 0.77 and calibration was excellent.

Conclusions

We can reliably identify factors that are independently associated with risk of chronic stress in patients with CVD. As chronic stress is associated with worse outcomes in this population, our work identifies potential targets for interventions to as well as the patients that could benefit from these.
Health care use and spending for Medicaid patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder receiving primary care in Federally Qualified Health Centers and other primary care settings
Authors: Peterson Lauren , Murugesan Manoradhan , Nocon Robert , Hoang Hank , Bolton Joshua , Laiteerapong Neda , Pollack Harold , Marsh Jeanne
Published: October 2022

Introduction

This nationwide study builds on prior research, which suggests that Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other primary care providers are associated with increased access to opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment. We compare health care utilization, spending, and quality for Medicaid patients diagnosed with OUD who receive primary care at FQHCs and Medicaid patients who receive most primary care in other settings, such as physician offices (non-FQHCs). We hypothesized that the integrated care model of FQHCs would be associated with greater access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and/or behavioral health therapy and lower rates of potentially inappropriate co-prescribing.

Methods

This cross-sectional study examined 2012 Medicaid Analytic eXtract files for patients diagnosed with OUD receiving most (>50%) primary care at FQHCs (N = 37,142) versus non-FQHCs (N = 196,712) in all 50 states and Washington DC. We used propensity score overlap weighting to adjust for measurable confounding between patients who received care at FQHCs versus non-FQHCs and increase generalizability of findings given variation in Medicaid programs and substance use policies across states.

Results

FQHC patients displayed higher primary care utilization and fee-for-service spending, and similar or lower utilization and fee-for-service spending for other health service categories. Contrary to our hypotheses, non-FQHC patients were more likely to receive timely (≤90 days) MOUD (buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, or suboxone) (Relative Risk [RR] = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.12) and more likely be retained in medication treatment (>180 days) (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.14). However, non-FQHC patients were less likely to receive behavioral health therapy (mental health or substance use therapy) (RR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.88, 0.92) and less likely to remain in behavioral health treatment (RR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.89, 0.94). Non-FQHC patients were more likely to fill potentially inappropriate prescriptions of benzodiazepines and opioids after OUD diagnosis (RR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.40).

Conclusions

Observed patterns suggest that Medicaid patients diagnosed with OUD who obtained primary care at FQHCs received more integrated care compared to non-FQHC patients. Greater care integration may be associated with increased access to behavioral health therapy and quality of care (lower potentially inappropriate co-prescribing) but not necessarily greater access to MOUD.
Diagnostic accuracy of multiorgan point-of-care ultrasound compared with pulmonary computed tomographic angiogram in critically ill patients with suspected pulmonary embolism
Authors: Girardi Adriana M. , Turra Eduardo E. , Loreto Melina , Albuquerque Regis , Garcia Tiago S. , Rech Tatiana H. , Gazzana Marcelo B.
Published: October 2022

Background

Critically ill patients have a higher incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) than non-critically ill patients, yet no diagnostic algorithm has been validated in this population, leading to the overuse of pulmonary artery computed tomographic angiogram (CTA). This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) combined with laboratory data versus CTA in predicting PE in critically ill patients.

Methods

A prospective diagnostic accuracy study. Critically ill patients with suspected acute PE undergoing CTA were prospectively enrolled. Demographic and clinical data were collected from electronic medical records. Blood samples were collected, and the Wells and revised Geneva scores were calculated. Standardized multiorgan POCUS and CTA were performed. The discriminatory power of multiorgan POCUS combined with biochemical markers was tested using ROC curves, and multivariate analysis was performed.

Results

A total of 88 patients were included, and 37 (42%) had PE. Multivariate analysis showed a relative risk (RR) of PE of 2.79 (95% CI, 1.61–4.84) for the presence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, of 2.54 (95% CI, 0.89–7.20) for D-dimer levels >1000 ng/mL, and of 1.69 (95% CI, 1.12–2.63) for the absence of an alternative diagnosis to PE on lung POCUS or chest radiograph. The combination with the highest diagnostic accuracy for PE included the following variables: 1– POCUS transthoracic echocardiography with evidence of RV dysfunction; 2– lung POCUS or chest radiograph without an alternative diagnosis to PE; and 3– plasma D-dimer levels >1000 ng/mL. Combining these three findings resulted in an area under the curve of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.77–0.94), with 50% sensitivity and 96% specificity.

Conclusions

Multiorgan POCUS combined with laboratory data has acceptable diagnostic accuracy for PE compared with CTA. The combined use of these methods might reduce CTA overuse in critically ill patients.
Intensive versus conservative glycemic control in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A protocol for systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Liu Yi , Sun Xia-xuan , Du Wen-ya , Chen Ting-ting , Lv Meng
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are common during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and are associated with a variety of postoperative outcomes. Therefore, the strategy of intraoperative glycemic control is an important issue for the patients undergoing CABG. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effect of different intraoperative glycemic control strategies on postoperative outcomes.

Methods and analyses

We will perform this systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) according to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Relevant studies will be searched in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Two independent reviewers will conduct study selection, data extraction, risk of bias and quality assessment. The primary outcome is postoperative mortality, and the secondary outcomes include the duration of mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU), the incidence of postoperative myocardial infarction (MI), the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF), the type and volume of blood product transfusion, the rate of rehospitalization, the rate of cerebrovascular accident, the rate of significant postoperative bleeding, the rate of infection, the incidence of acute kidney failure (AKF), hospital and ICU lengths of stay (LOS). ReviewManager 5.4 will be used for data management and statistical analysis. The Cochrane risk-of -bias tool 2.0 and GRADEpro will be applied for risk of bias and quality assessment of the evidence.

Discussion

There is no consensus that which strategy of glycemic control is better for improving postoperative complications of patients undergoing CABG. The results of our study might provide some evidence for the relationship between intraoperative glycemic control strategies and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing CABG.
Meaning of death among care workers of geriatric institutions in a death-avoidant culture: Qualitative descriptive analyses of in-depth interviews by Buddhist priests
Authors: Ogawa Yukan , Takase Akinori , Shimmei Masaya , Toishiba Shiho , Ura Chiaki , Yamashita Mari , Okamura Tsuyoshi
Published: October 2022

Objective

Care workers’ views of clients’ death have not been explored in Japan because of a cultural tendency to avoid talking openly about death. However, given the arising problems in end-of-life care settings, such as abuse and burnout, understanding care workers’ views regarding death is essential for designing effective interventions. We had two main research questions: Do care workers in Japan have their own ideas about death after working in the landscape of dying and death? Do these ideas influence care workers’ professional lives?

Methods

We recruited interviewees based on a quantitative survey of care workers at 10 geriatric institutions in Tokyo. Among the 323 respondents, 23 survey respondents were willing to participate in an interview. After the scheduling process, nine individuals were able to participate in an in-depth interview.

To overwhelm cultural avoidance regarding death that prevents care workers from talking openly about death, Buddhist priests conducted interviews in the current study. Physicians and researchers assisted the interviews.

Because this was exploratory studies in which little is known about the topic in question, we adapted a qualitative descriptive approach.

Findings

Thematic analysis revealed that: 1) care workers had clear views about conditions of clients’ good death after working in the field of dying and death; 2) care workers were motivated by past experiences of being close to dying themselves; and 3) care workers regarded their care for the dying as an experience that enriched their lives. In addition, the results revealed that the concept of spiritual care in Japan is still its infancy among care workers because of its vague definition.

Conclusions

Care workers were willing to work for dying people with their view of death, and regarded their jobs as important opportunities for personal growth through caring for the dying.
Investigating fecal microbial transplant as a novel therapy in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease: A preliminary study
Authors: Collier Allison J. , Gomez Diego E. , Monteith Gabrielle , Plattner Brandon L. , Verbrugghe Adronie , Webb Jinelle , Weese J. Scott , Blois Shauna L.
Published: October 2022

Background

There are limited studies investigating the use of fecal microbial transplant (FMT) in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this preliminary study was to assess the feasibility of adding FMT to standard therapy (corticosteroids and a hypoallergenic diet) for dogs with IBD and to and to describe the changes in measured outcomes after 30 days of treatment.

Methods

Thirteen client-owned dogs with IBD were enrolled in this double blinded, randomized clinical trial. All dogs received corticosteroid therapy and a hypoallergenic diet; dogs were randomized to receive either placebo or FMT. Measured outcomes included the canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI) at 1 week and 1 month after enrolment. Fecal microbiota were analyzed after extracting DNA from fecal samples and profiling using 16S amplicon sequencing. Dogs in the placebo group not responding to treatment after 1 month were offered FMT.

Results

The CCECAI significantly decreased over time in both groups (p = 0.001). There were no significant differences between the CCECAI of the placebo and FMT group at each time point (F test from ANOVA, p = 0.40). No adverse effects were reported in the 30 days following FMT.

Conclusions

The addition of FMT to standard therapy for IBD was feasible. No significant differences were observed in the CCECAI between groups at each time point. Large scale clinical trials can be performed using these methods to evaluate the longer term effect of FMT on clinical signs, microbial diversity, and other outcomes.
Cross-reactive inhibitory antibody and memory B cell responses to variant strains of Duffy binding protein II at post-Plasmodium vivax infection
Authors: Thawornpan Pongsakorn , Changrob Siriruk , Kochayoo Piyawan , Wangriatisak Kittikorn , Ntumngia Francis B. , De Sai Lata , Han Eun-Taek , Adams John H. , Chootong Patchanee
Published: October 2022

Duffy binding protein region II (DBPII) is considered a strong potential vaccine candidate of blood-stage P. vivax. However, the highly polymorphic nature of this protein often misdirects immune responses, leading them to be strain-specific. Details of cross-reactive humoral immunity to DBPII variants have therefore become an important focus for the development of broadly protective vaccines. Here, cross-reactive humoral immunity against a panel of Thai DBPII variants (DBL-THs) was demonstrated in immunized BALB/c mice and P. vivax patients, by in vitro erythrocyte-binding inhibition assay. Sera from immunized animals showed both strain-transcending (anti-DBL-TH2 and -TH4) and strain-specific (anti-DBL-TH5, -TH6 and -TH9) binding to DBL-TH variants. Using anti-DBL-TH sera at 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the homologous strain, anti-DBL-TH2 sera showed cross inhibition to heterologous DBL-TH strains, whereas anti-DBL-TH5 sera exhibited only strain-specific inhibition. In P. vivax patients, 6 of 15 subjects produced and maintained cross-reactive anti-DBL-TH inhibitory antibodies through the 1-year post-infection timepoint. Cross-reactive memory B cell (MBC) responses to DBL-TH variants were analyzed in subjects recovered from P. vivax infection (RC). The plasma samples from 5 RC subjects showed broad inhibition. However, MBC-derived antibodies of these patients did not reveal cross-inhibition. Altogether, broadly anti-DBP variant inhibitory antibodies developed and persisted in P. vivax infections. However, the presence of cross-reactive anti-DBL-TH inhibitory function post-infection was not related with MBC responses to these variants. More detailed investigation of long-lasting, broadly protective antibodies to DBPII will guide the design of vivax malaria vaccines.
Health professionals’ readiness to implement electronic medical recording system and associated factors in public general hospitals of Sidama region, Ethiopia
Authors: Abore Kibruyisfaw Weldeab , Debiso Alemu Tamiso , Birhanu Betelhem Eshetu , Bua Bezahegn Zerihun , Negeri Keneni Gutema
Published: October 2022

Background

Electronic medical recording system is one of the information technologies that has a proven benefit to improve the quality of health service. Readiness assessment is one of the recommended steps to be taken prior to implementing electronic medical recording system to reduce the probability of failure.

Objective

To determine the level of health professional readiness to implement Electronic medical recording system and associated factors in public general hospitals of Sidama region, 2022.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study design complemented with qualitative study was employed at three public general hospitals in Sidama region on a sample of 306 participants. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data and in-depth interview was used for the qualitative study. Bivariate and multivariate Binary logistics regression was performed to determine predictors of readiness at α = 0.05, using an odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Thematic analysis was done for qualitative data collected through in-depth interview.

Result

The overall readiness for health professionals was 36.5%. Of the study participants, 201 (73.4%) were computer literate, 176(64.23%) had good knowledge, and 204 (74.45%) had favorable attitude towards EMR. Only 31 participants had previous training (11.3%), while 64 (23%) had previous experience. EMR knowledge (AOR = 3.332; 95%CI: (1.662, 6.682)) and attitude towards electronic medical recording (AOR = 2.432; 95%CI: (1.146, 5.159)) were statistically significant predictors of readiness to implement electronic medical recording. Qualitative analysis has revealed lack of training, ease of use concerns, information security concerns, and perceived inadequacy of infrastructures including internet connectivity and electricity as common barriers for health professional readiness to implement EMR.

Conclusion

Health professionals’ readiness in this study was low. Capacity building efforts to increase the awareness and skills of health professionals should be done before implementing the system.
Regionality of short and long period oscillators in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and their manner of synchronization
Authors: Morimoto Tadamitsu , Yoshikawa Tomoko , Nagano Mamoru , Shigeyoshi Yasufumi
Published: October 2022

In mammals, the center of the circadian clock is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. Many studies have suggested that there are multiple regions generating different circadian periods within the SCN, but the exact localization of the regions has not been elucidated. In this study, using a transgenic rat carrying a destabilized luciferase reporter gene driven by a regulatory element ofPer2gene (Per2::dLuc), we investigated the regional variation of period lengths in horizontal slices of the SCN. We revealed a distinct caudal medial region (short period region, SPR) and a rostro-lateral region (long period region, LPR) that generate circadian rhythms with periods shorter than and longer than 24 hours, respectively. We also found that the core region of the SCN marked by dense VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) mRNA-expressing neurons covered a part of LPR, and that the shell region of the SCN contains both SPR and the rest of the LPR. Furthermore, we observed how synchronization is achieved between regions generating distinct circadian periods in the SCN. We found that the longer circadian rhythm of the rostral region appears to entrain the circadian rhythm in the caudal region. Our findings clarify the localization of regionality of circadian periods and the mechanism by which the integrated circadian rhythm is formed in the SCN.
Design and fabrication of a stereo-video camera equipped unoccupied aerial vehicle for measuring sea turtles, sharks, and other marine fauna
Authors: Piacenza Susan E. H. , Piacenza Joseph R. , Faller Kenneth J. , Robinson Nathan J. , Siegfried Tabitha R.
Published: October 2022

The recent commercialization of unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs) has facilitated their incorporation into a variety of ecological studies. While UAVs are able to provide accurate visual data of marine species from an aerial perspective, these devices have some limitations that make measuring marine animals below the surface challenging. Many marine organisms are often visible from the air, but are deeper in the water column, and current methods cannot measure animals below the surface. Here, we developed and tested a stereo-video camera (SVC) system that was mounted onto a commercially-available UAV. We used the SVC-UAV to conduct remote body-size measurements for two marine species: the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum). When comparing SVC measurements to those taken by hand, the SVC-UAV had a mean absolute error (MAE) of 4.44 cm (n = 6; mean percent error (MPE) = 10.6%) for green sea turtles and 7.16 cm absolute error (n = 1; PE = 3.6%) for the nurse shark. Using a linear model, we estimated the slope of the SVC versus hand measurements for green sea turtles to be 1.085 (±0.099 SE), and accounting for the standard error, a measurement bias was not apparent. Using model selection, based on a global model predicting MAE from animal distance to the SVC and body size, the top ranked model was the intercept-only model. This indicates that neither animal distance nor body size strongly influenced measurement error. Incorporating SVC systems into UAVs can allow for relatively accurate measurements of near surface-dwelling marine species. To our knowledge, there is no other stand-alone SVC for UAVs available that offers similar accuracy and utility.
Worldwide moderate-resolution mapping of lake surface chl-a reveals variable responses to global change (1997–2020)
Authors: Kraemer Benjamin M. , Kakouei Karan , Munteanu Catalina , Thayne Michael W. , Adrian Rita
Published: October 2022

Anthropogenic activity is leading to widespread changes in lake water quality—a key contributor to socio-ecological health. But, the anthropogenic forces affecting lake water quality (climate change, land use change, and invasive species) are unevenly distributed across lakes, across the seasonal cycle, and across space within lakes, potentially leading to highly variable water quality responses that are poorly documented at the global scale. Here, we used 742 million chlorophyll-a (chl-a) estimates merged over 6 satellite sensors (daily, 1 to 4 km resolution) to quantify water quality changes from 1997 to 2020 in 344 globally-distributed large lakes. Chl-a decreased across 56% of the cumulative total lake area, challenging the putative widespread increase in chl-a that is expected due to human activity. 19% of lakes exhibited both positive and negative chl-a trends (p-value < 0.1) across different locations or times of the year. This spatiotemporal complexity demonstrates the value of moderate resolution mapping of lake chl-a to inform water management decision-making and to determine the local ecological consequences of human activity.
Yugofuturistic Performing of History: Demythologizing Kingdom of Heaven (Nebesko Carstvo)
Authors: Mrdenović Maja
Published: October 2022

The war which caused the breakup of Yugoslavia and its transition from socialism to capitalism in newly-established states, oriented the region towards a “rebirth” of nationalistically defined values. In spite of the exclusion of the narrative about Yugoslavism from official discourse, it continues to influence the lives and co-habitation of residents in nationalist states established on the territory of the former Yugoslavia. This is also precisely where the potential for a vital political stance can be found. The text, by choosing to analyze Kingdom of Heaven, a theatre performance, as an example, offers a premise that Yugofuturism in theatre – in the sense of an emancipatory potential of Yugoslav heritage – is manifested by critically demythologizing nationalist history and the construct of the ethno-nationalist identity that is based on it.
Remember When We Were Queer: Yugoslav Queer Futurism
Authors: šepetavc Jasmina
Published: October 2022

The article focuses on the Yugoslav video scene of the 1980s, specifically the videos of the music group Borghesia, and, in them, searches for the period’s ideas of alternative futures and ways of life. The group’s works placed sexually ambivalent bodies and non-heteronormative sexual practices at the centre of their imagery, which not only represented a deviation from the relatively conventional Yugoslav morality, but became a key position of enunciation for the alternative “dissidents.” The article therefore argues that Yugoslavia produced a specific queer futurism that once had a strong political potential.
Contribuição da geotecnia para o eventual surgimento de uma sismotecnia
Authors: Nascimento Úlpio
Published: October 2022

Na sequência de trabalhos publicados na GEOTECNIA sobre fricção, fluência friccionai e mecanismo da fonte sísmica, e como resultado de uma conferência realizada na Academia de Engenharia em 25/05/00 sobre "O distante objectivo da previsão dos sismos", foi constituído na AE um Grupo de Trabalho da Previsão dos Sismos (GTPS). Nos relatórios anuais respectivos descrevem-se as actividades desenvolvidas pelo GTPS.

No presente artigo resume-se a referida conferência bem como algumas exposições do autor nas reuniões da GTPS sobre o modelo que propõe para o mecanismo da fonte sísmica; e conclui-se com algumas considerações sobre o eventual surgimento de uma Sismotecnia.
Uma solução analítica para a propagação de ondas em barras cónicas aplicável à medição da resistência à tracção dinâmica de materiais sólidos
Authors: Dinis da Gama C.
Published: October 2022

Apresenta-se um estudo sobre a propagação de ondas elásticas de tensão em barras cónicas e tronco-cónicas de comprimento finito, com o objectivo de desenvolver uma solução analítica para os estados de tensão que se manifestam quando determinado impacto e aplicado sobre a base da barra, caminhando em direcção ao seu vértice.

O método é baseado na sobreposição de ondas longitudinais que se propagam no núcleo cilíndrico da barra e de ondas reflectidas  (longitudinais e  transversais) que são criadas junto à superfície lateral do cone, de modo a permitirem determinar o estado de tensão em qualquer secção circular do interior da barra.

Verifica-se que dessa sobreposição se geram tracções transientes suscetíveis de conduzir a ocorrência de fragmentos cónicos, cujas dimensões permitem determinar a resistência à tracção dinâmica do material que constitui a barra. Exemplifica-se a aplicação do método com resultados de ensaios laboratoriais.
Aspectos geotécnicos do projecto do açude-ponte de Coimbra
Authors: Neves E. Maranha
Published: October 2022

Descreve-se o açude-ponte de Coimbra, no rio Mondego, dedicando especial atenção aos aspectos geotécnicos. À data (Março, 1978) encontra-se a obra na fase final dos trabalhos de fundações.
Contribuição para uma teorização do estudo da heterogeneidade
Authors: Charrua-Graça José
Published: October 2022

Partindo de resultados obtidos para a deformabilidade de corpos compostos obtêm-se leis para o "Efeito de Escala" na deformabilidade.
Critérios de cálculo aos sismos de barragens de terra
Authors: Folque José
Published: October 2022

Os métodos pseudo-estáticos têm sido ultimamente reputados incapazes para cálculos de dimensionamento de barragens de terra. porque algumas delas que sofreram importantes danos, e mesmo ruína. quando atingidas por um sismo. tinham sido calculadas por esse método. Todas as barragens que sofreram danos importantes tinham sido construídas, total ou parcialmente. com areia, ou eram fundadas em areia.

As barragens construidas com terrenos argilosos bem compactados mostraram grande resistência em relação a acções sísmicas, nenhuma tendo sofrido ruína. Contudo. para sismos intensos, algumas destas barragens sofreram acentuadas deformações. podendo nalguns casos ter ficado comprometido o funciona­ mento. especialmente por sensível diminuição da folga.  Isto justifica que estas barragens sejam calculadas por métodos que incluem o cálculo de deformações. o que obviamente não pode ser efectuado utilizando métodos pseudo-estáticos.

Um cálculo de deformações que mostra. para uma larga gama de dimensões de barragens e para diversas intensidades de sismo de projecto, que as deformações são desprezáveis, pode ser comparado com um método pseudo-estático de forma a determinar que alterações.  no sísmico, de ser introduzidas para poder usar este método pseudo-estático assim calibrado. corno método empírico de cálculo de barragens que se pode antecipar que terão deformações desprezáveis e segurança aceitável em relação ao colapso.
Estudo da resistência à compressão simples de granitos numa prensa rígida
Authors: Ferreira M. Quinta , Pinto A. Veiga
Published: October 2022

Para se entenderem os mecanismos envolvidos no processo de rotura das rochas graníticas efectuaram-se ensaios de compressão simples numa prensa rígida servocontrolada, utilizando como variável independente a velocidade de deformação. Verificou-se que a textura, a fissuração e o grau de alteração condicionam o modo como as amostras se comportam quando sujeitas ao aumento de cargas uniaxiais. O processo de rotura foi analisado a partir da morfologia da curva tensão-deformação e do modo particular de fractura durante o ensaio. As amostras resistentes acumulam energia que tendem a libertar de um modo violento quando é atingida a tensão de rotura.  As amostras mais alteradas acumulam menos energia, pois a partir de níveis de tensão baixos geram-se fracturas axiais que dissipam essa energia.
Estudo de túneis em meios com simetria elástica de revolução
Authors: Lopes A. M.
Published: October 2022

Apresenta-se um modelo matemático que permite estudar equilíbrios tridimensionais em estruturas axissimétricas, admitindo-se que são constituídas por materiais com comportamento elástico linear. Descreve-se o sistema computacional, baseado no método dos elementos finitos, que foi desenvolvido com o objectivo de analisar este tipo de estruturas e, em especial, túneis com secção circular, actuados por solicitações que podem não ter simetria.
Sugestões para uma abordagem do efeito de escala em maciços rochosos
Authors: Gomes M. J. Leal
Published: October 2022

No presente trabalho procuram sugerir-se algumas vias de investigação que permitam equa­ cionar e eventualmente solucionar o problema do efeito de escala na determinação das propriedades dos maciços rochosos. Introduz-se o conceito de amostra representativa e tecem-se considerações em torno duma filosofia geral de resolução do problema.
Um esboço da história da mecânica dos solos
Authors: Folque José
Published: October 2022

Considera-se a história da Mecânica dos Solos dividida em quatro períodos: pré-histórico, clássico, moderno e actual. Em relação aos três primeiros resumem-se os principais desenvolvimentos ocorridos e que, de cada um, são característicos
Estudo estatístico de areias parâmetros CU e MG
Authors: Ferreira H. Novais , Machado Jorge
Published: October 2022

Utilizaram-se no estudo os resultados de ensaios de granulometria de 219 amostras provenientes de duas zonas diferentes da China, uma na margem de um grande rio (Zhong Shan) e outro de praia marítima próxima da foz (Zhu Hai).

Utilizaram-se dois parâmetros numéricos:

- Cu, coeficiente de uniformidade; MG, módulo granulométrico.

 

Foi possível separar as duas origens e mostrar a independência dos parâmetros Cu e MG, o que aconselha a usar ambos os parâmetros na definição de areias.
Empreendimento hidroeléctrico de Cahora-Bassa: Novo sistema de observação
Authors: Sousa L.R. , Ramos J. Mora , Silva H.S.
Published: October 2022

A barragem de Cahora-Bassa localiza-se no rio Zambeze, Moçambique, inserindo-se num empreendimento de fins múltiplos. Descrevem-se as características gerais do empreendimento, assim como a geologia e os estudos efectuados para caracterização geotécnica do maciço rochoso. Apresenta-se, ainda, o sistema de observação inicialmente estabelecido e o seu complemento recente.
Zonamento do potencial de liquefacção. Tentativa de aplicação a Portugal
Authors: Jorge Celeste , Coelho António
Published: October 2022

Este trabalho representa uma tentativa de zonamento do potencial de liquefacção do território português. Basicamente, o estudo consiste na identificação e delimitação das áreas que, além de possuírem as condições geológicas necessárias para o desenvolvimento do fenómeno de liquefacção, estão expostas a níveis de sismicidade suficientemente fortes para o desencadearem.

Por se verificar a necessidade de um estudo a diferentes escalas, mediante o pormenor exigido e/ou viável, efectuou-se a abordagem do fenómeno e do zonamento, propriamente dito, a três níveis: o nível de zonamento territorial (nível 1), o nível de zonamento regional (nível 2) e o nível de zonamento local (nível 3). Nos níveis I e 2, o zonamento foi obtido a partir da sobreposição de dois mapas de base:  o mapa da susceptibilidade à liquefacção e o mapa da oportunidade de liquefacção.
Conservação de monumentos. Aspectos técnicos e metodológicos e seu enfoque na conservação da pedra
Authors: Rodrigues J. Delgado
Published: October 2022

A conservação do património edificado histórico é uma actividade que requer multidisciplinaridade, que deve ser orientada por princípios teóricos sólidos e apoiada nos mais modernos conhecimentos técnicos e científicos. O texto que se apresenta, e que resume o conteúdo da XV Lição Manuel Rocha, aborda alguns conceitos teóricos desta área de actividade e ilustra certos aspectos controversos ou insuficientemente conhecidos e que, por isso, justificam a investigação científica e a discussão teórica.
Estudo do comportamento ao punçoamento estático de geotêxteis e geomembranas sob a acção de agentes de degradação
Authors: Lopes M. Lurdes , Monteiro A. Vieira
Published: October 2022

Neste trabalho estudar-se-á o papel de quatro agentes de degradação no comportamento ao punçoamento estático de dois tipos de geossintéticos. Para tal, seleccionaram-se três geotêxteis não tecidos agulhados de filamento longo em polipropileno da mesma marca mas com massas por unidade de área diferentes (I 50g/m2, 235g/m2 e 400g/m2) e três geomembranas lisas em polietileno de alta densidade da mesma marca mas com espessuras diferentes (1mm, 1,5mm e 2mm).  Os seis materiais foram submetidos por períodos de 5, 15 e 30 semanas à acção de quatro soluções: Jixiviado de um aterro de RSU e soluções ácida, alcalina e de cloreto de sódio. Para cada agente de degradação e para cada um dos materiais foi definida a resistência ao punçoamento estático no fim de cada período de exposição, tendo-se comparado os valores obtidos com os valores do mesmo parâmetro da amostra do material virgem. Neste trabalho descrever-se-ão os materiais utilizados e as metodologias de análise seguidas, analisar-se-ão os resultados obtidos e formular-se-ão as conclusões julgadas mais importantes face aos resultados obtidos.
Aplicação integrada de métodos geoeléctricos em áreas de disposição de resíduos industriais: Cidade de Franca, Brasil
Authors: Elis Vagner , Zuquette Lázaro
Published: October 2022

Actualmente existe um crescente interesse pelo estudo de técnicas combinadas de investigação geológico-geotécnica para caracterizar áreas expostas aos mais variados tipos de fontes de poluição. Nesse campo de estudo têm sido extensamente aplicados métodos geofisicos, especialmente os métodos da resistividade eléctrica e electromagnético indutivo, que possibilitam a investigação de uma série de características do meio fisico frente ao processo de contaminação, de uma maneira rápida e a baixos custos. A utilização integrada de outros métodos ainda pouco aplicados, como o potencial espontâneo e a polarização induzida, com esses métodos tradicionalmente utilizados, como a resistividade eléctrica, permitem uma análise ainda mais detalhada do problema ambiental, fornecendo informações espaciais e temporais que possibilitam avaliar e orientar com maior rigor as investigações directas, técnicas de monitoramento e remediação. Nesse trabalho são apresentados os resultados de aplicação integrada de métodos geofisicos eléctricos na caracterização de uma área de disposição de resíduos industriais na região de Franca, estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Os resultados permitiram definir e delimitar as zonas que foram afectadas pelo fluxo dos líquidos percolados a partir das cavas.
Desempenho e concepção de estruturas subterrâneas submetidas a acções sísmicas: uma revisão
Authors: Gomes R.  Carrilho , Oliveira C. Sousa , Correia A. Gomes
Published: October 2022

No dimensionamento de estruturas subterrâneas a componente sísmica não é geralmente tida em consideração, mesmo em regiões de elevada sismicidade. Neste trabalho apresenta-se uma revisão da literatura, em que se analisam os mecanismos de rotura, se descrevem as conclusões de relatos sobre o desempenho sísmico, se estuda a resposta sísmica de túneis e se ilustram os danos característicos no seu suporte. Dada a relevância que a fase de concepção tem na qualidade final do projecto, faz-se uma abordagem aos conceitos de dimensionamento de estruturas subterrâneas. Incluem-se também referências à filosofia da regulamentação europeia para zonas sísmicas, à forma de incorporar a componente sísmica nas várias etapas de projecto, bem como a recomendações, regras de boa prática e resultados mais significativos de um método simplificado de análise sísmica da secção transversal de cavidades subterrâneas.