bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pensamiento computacional basado en realidad virtual y razonamiento complejo: caso de estudio secuencial
Authors: George-Reyes Carlos Enrique , López-Caudana Edgar Omar , Ramírez-Montoya Maria Soledad , Ruiz-Ramírez Jessica Alejandra
Published: February 2023

The development of Computational Thinking (CT) in school education is considered essential to enable students to solve complex problems through the deployment of skills such as pattern identification and algorithm design. This article describes the evaluation of a learning experience of PC components from the complex reasoning approach (R4C) using a web-based virtual reality (WebVR) application called Virtual Campus. The method was intrinsic single case with a sequential study design based on quantitative methods. Two instruments were applied to 176 high school students, the first to measure the acceptance of the virtual environment and the second to assess the development of complex reasoning. The results indicate that the approval of the environment and its tools was very satisfactory, likewise, living the learning experience favored the achievement of scientific and critical thinking skills. Due to the above, it can be affirmed that the PC-R4C-WebVR convergence allows generating innovative learning dynamics, aligned with the demands of a constantly changing education and that contribute to the improvement of practices for problem solving.

El desarrollo del Pensamiento Computacional (PC) en la formación escolar es considerado indispensable para habilitar a los estudiantes en la resolución de problemas complejos mediante el despliegue de habilidades como la identificación de patrones y el diseño de algoritmos. En este artículo se describe la evaluación de una experiencia de aprendizaje de los componentes del PC desde el enfoque del razonamiento complejo (R4C) utilizando una aplicación de realidad virtual basada en web (WebVR) llamada Virtual Campus. El método fue intrínseco de caso único con diseño de estudio secuencial basado en métodos cuantitativos. Se aplicaron dos instrumentos a 176 estudiantes de nivel medio superior, el primero para medir la aceptación del entorno virtual y el segundo para valorar el desarrollo del razonamiento complejo. Los resultados indican que la aprobación del entorno y de sus herramientas fue muy satisfactorio, asimismo, vivir la experiencia de aprendizaje favoreció el logro de las competencias de pensamiento científico y crítico. Por lo anterior, se puede afirmar que la convergencia PC-R4C-WebVR permite generar dinámicas de aprendizaje innovadoras, alineadas con las demandas de una educación en constante cambio y que contribuyen en la mejora de prácticas para la resolución problemas.
El pensamiento algorítmico como estrategia didáctica para el desarrollo de habilidades de resolución de problemas en el contexto de la educación básica secundaria
Authors: Pinzón Pérez Diego Fernando , Román González Marcos , González Palacio Enoc Valentín
Published: February 2023

The present research proposes a connection between algorithmic thinking skills and problem solving skills based on a quantitative quasi-experimental study supported by a multiple linear regression model. The results indicate that the applied intervention had statistically significant effects on problem solving skills in the experimental groups and an improvement in the control group; in addition to this, a model equation was determined that predicts the incidence of algorithmic thinking skills on problem solving with a model fit of 47.5% (R2). It is concluded with empirical bases that algorithmic thinking, and the skills that underlie it, decomposition, abstraction and algorithmization, as a didactic strategy in the context of secondary education, has a significant impact on the development of problem-solving skills in students, an issue considered fundamental for the 21st century.

La presente investigación propone una conexión entre las habilidades de pensamiento algorítmico y las habilidades de resolución de problemas con base en un estudio cuantitativo cuasi experimental sustentado en un modelo de regresión lineal múltiple. Los resultados indican que la intervención aplicada tuvo efectos estadísticamente significativos en las habilidades de resolución de problemas en los grupos experimentales y una desmejora en el grupo control; adicional a esto, se determinó una ecuación de un modelo que predice la incidencia de las habilidades de pensamiento algorítmico en la resolución de problemas con un ajuste de modelo del 47,5% (R2). Se concluye con bases empíricas que el pensamiento algorítmico, y las habilidades que le subyacen, descomposición, abstracción y algoritmización, como estrategia didáctica en el contexto de la educación secundaria, incide significativamente en el desarrollo de habilidades en los estudiantes para la resolución de problemas, asunto considerado fundamental para el siglo XXI.
Comparison of the open access status and metrics of Scopus journals published in East Asian countries: a descriptive study
Authors: Kim Eungi , Jeong Da-Yeong
Published: February 2023

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare Scopus journals published in East Asian countries—China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan—in terms of their open access status and metrics and to explore the implications of those findings for South Korea.Methods: To conduct this study, we selected four East Asian countries: China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. We used journal information provided by SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) and Scopus. The following parameters were analyzed for journals published in East Asian countries: open access status, subject categories, quartiles, number of published documents, h-index, publishers, and citation rate.Results: In all East Asian countries, numerous commercial publishers publish journals. One exception is Science Press, a Chinese government-sponsored publisher, which published the largest number of journals in the East Asian region. Japan had the highest median number of years covered by SJR. However, the proportion of Q1 journals in Japan was the lowest of the East Asian countries. South Korea had the highest proportion of Q1 journals in the country’s total journal production. Publishers in South Korea published more open access journals than any other East Asian country. Despite publishing a high proportion of prestigious journals, South Korea lagged behind China and Japan in the number of Scopus-indexed journals.Conclusion: The findings indicate that South Korea has made significant progress in locally producing influential journals over the years. However, more efforts to publish international journals are required for South Korea to increase the number of Scopus journals.
Monitoring of Land Surface Temperature from Landsat Imagery: A Case Study of Al-Anbar Governorate in Iraq
Authors: Morsy Salem , Ahmed Shaker
Published: February 2023

Land surface temperature (LST) estimation is a crucial topic for many applications related to climate, land cover, and hydrology. In this research, LST estimation and monitoring of the main part of Al-Anbar Governorate in Iraq is presented using Landsat imagery from five years (2005, 2010, 2015, 2016 and 2020). Images of the years 2005 and 2010 were captured by Landsat 5 (TM) and the others were captured by Landsat 8 (OLI/TIRS). The Single Channel Algorithm was applied to retrieve the LST from Landsat 5 and Landsat 8 images. Moreover, the land use/land cover (LULC) maps were developed for the five years using the maximum likelihood classifier. The difference in the LST and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values over this period was observed due to the changes in LULC. Finally, a regression analysis was conducted to model the relationship between the LST and NDVI. The results showed that the highest LST of the study area was recorded in 2016 (min = 21.1°C, max = 53.2°C and mean = 40.8°C). This was attributed to the fact that many people were displaced and had left their agricultural fields. Therefore, thousands of hectares of land which had previously been green land became desertified. This conclusion was supported by comparing the agricultural land areas registered throughout the presented years. The polynomial regression analysis of LST and NDVI revealed a better coefficient of determination (R2) than the linear regression analysis with an average R2 of 0.423.
The development of tourism in the Historical Silver Mine and the groundwater management system in Tarnowskie Góry - a case study of mining heritage tourism
Authors: Polak Małgorzata
Published: February 2023

This article presents the values of the Silesian mining heritage in the context of accessibility of the Zabytkowa Kopalnia Srebra (Historical Silver Mine) in the Tarnowskie Góry. Simultaneously, this is the largest, best-preserved and accessible historicallead-silver mine in Poland with its unique, integrated historical groundwater management system of drainage adits and a potable water supply network. In this area, industrial heritage is now becoming a precious touristic and cultural value in and of itself. The scope of the article includes the characterization of all objects added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, the description of ground and underground tourist trails and the history of their accessibility. Not all underground workings have been included into the tourist trail, due to their preservation conditions, accessibility and mine safety measures. The paper also presentsa multi-faceted evaluation of the accessibility to all objects of mining heritage, including sites that are currently inaccessible, but still have the potential for tourism development.
MorphoFeatures for unsupervised exploration of cell types, tissues, and organs in volume electron microscopy
Authors: Zinchenko Valentyna , Hugger Johannes , Uhlmann Virginie , Arendt Detlev , Kreshuk Anna
Published: February 2023

Electron microscopy (EM) provides a uniquely detailed view of cellular morphology, including organelles and fine subcellular ultrastructure. While the acquisition and (semi-)automatic segmentation of multicellular EM volumes are now becoming routine, large-scale analysis remains severely limited by the lack of generally applicable pipelines for automatic extraction of comprehensive morphological descriptors. Here, we present a novel unsupervised method for learning cellular morphology features directly from 3D EM data: a neural network delivers a representation of cells by shape and ultrastructure. Applied to the full volume of an entire three-segmented worm of the annelid Platynereis dumerilii, it yields a visually consistent grouping of cells supported by specific gene expression profiles. Integration of features across spatial neighbours can retrieve tissues and organs, revealing, for example, a detailed organisation of the animal foregut. We envision that the unbiased nature of the proposed morphological descriptors will enable rapid exploration of very different biological questions in large EM volumes, greatly increasing the impact of these invaluable, but costly resources.
SUMOylation of NaV1.2 channels regulates the velocity of backpropagating action potentials in cortical pyramidal neurons
Authors: Kotler Oron , Khrapunsky Yana , Shvartsman Arik , Dai Hui , Plant Leigh D , Goldstein Steven AN , Fleidervish Ilya
Published: February 2023

Voltage-gated sodium channels located in axon initial segments (AIS) trigger action potentials (AP) and play pivotal roles in the excitability of cortical pyramidal neurons. The differential electrophysiological properties and distributions of NaV1.2 and NaV1.6 channels lead to distinct contributions to AP initiation and propagation. While NaV1.6 at the distal AIS promotes AP initiation and forward propagation, NaV1.2 at the proximal AIS promotes the backpropagation of APs to the soma. Here, we show the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) pathway modulates Na+ channels at the AIS to increase neuronal gain and the speed of backpropagation. Since SUMO does not affect NaV1.6, these effects were attributed to SUMOylation of NaV1.2. Moreover, SUMO effects were absent in a mouse engineered to express NaV1.2-Lys38Gln channels that lack the site for SUMO linkage. Thus, SUMOylation of NaV1.2 exclusively controls INaP generation and AP backpropagation, thereby playing a prominent role in synaptic integration and plasticity.
Network-based multi-omics integration reveals metabolic at-risk profile within treated HIV-infection
Authors: Mikaeloff Flora , Gelpi Marco , Benfeitas Rui , Knudsen Andreas D , Vestad Beate , Høgh Julie , Hov Johannes R , Benfield Thomas , Murray Daniel , Giske Christian G , Mardinoglu Adil , Trøseid Marius , Nielsen Susanne D , Neogi Ujjwal
Published: February 2023

Multiomics technologies improve the biological understanding of health status in people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (PWH). Still, a systematic and in-depth characterization of metabolic risk profile during successful long-term treatment is lacking. Here, we used multi-omics (plasma lipidomic, metabolomic, and fecal 16 S microbiome) data-driven stratification and characterization to identify the metabolic at-risk profile within PWH. Through network analysis and similarity network fusion (SNF), we identified three groups of PWH (SNF-1–3): healthy (HC)-like (SNF-1), mild at-risk (SNF-3), and severe at-risk (SNF-2). The PWH in the SNF-2 (45%) had a severe at-risk metabolic profile with increased visceral adipose tissue, BMI, higher incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), and increased di- and triglycerides despite having higher CD4+ T-cell counts than the other two clusters. However, the HC-like and the severe at-risk group had a similar metabolic profile differing from HIV-negative controls (HNC), with dysregulation of amino acid metabolism. At the microbiome profile, the HC-like group had a lower α-diversity, a lower proportion of men having sex with men (MSM) and was enriched in Bacteroides. In contrast, in at-risk groups, there was an increase in Prevotella, with a high proportion of MSM, which could potentially lead to higher systemic inflammation and increased cardiometabolic risk profile. The multi-omics integrative analysis also revealed a complex microbial interplay of the microbiome-associated metabolites in PWH. Those severely at-risk clusters may benefit from personalized medicine and lifestyle intervention to improve their dysregulated metabolic traits, aiming to achieve healthier aging.
Geometric variation of the human tibia-fibula: a public dataset of tibia-fibula surface meshes and statistical shape model
Authors: Keast Meghan , Bonacci Jason , Fox Aaron
Published: February 2023

Background

Variation in tibia geometry is a risk factor for tibial stress fractures. Geometric variability in bones is often quantified using statistical shape modelling. Statistical shape models (SSM) offer a method to assess three-dimensional variation of structures and identify the source of variation. Although SSM have been used widely to assess long bones, there is limited open-source datasets of this kind. Overall, the creation of SSM can be an expensive process, that requires advanced skills. A publicly available tibia shape model would be beneficial as it enables researchers to improve skills. Further, it could benefit health, sport and medicine with the potential to assess geometries suitable for medical equipment, and aid in clinical diagnosis. This study aimed to: (i) quantify tibial geometry using a SSM; and (ii) provide the SSM and associated code as an open-source dataset.

Methods

Lower limb computed tomography (CT) scans from the right tibia-fibula of 30 cadavers (male n = 20, female n = 10) were obtained from the New Mexico Decedent Image Database. Tibias were segmented and reconstructed into both cortical and trabecular sections. Fibulas were segmented as a singular surface. The segmented bones were used to develop three SSM of the: (i) tibia; (ii) tibia-fibula; and (iii) cortical-trabecular. Principal component analysis was applied to obtain the three SSM, with the principal components that explained 95% of geometric variation retained.

Results

Overall size was the main source of variation in all three models accounting for 90.31%, 84.24% and 85.06%. Other sources of geometric variation in the tibia surface models included overall and midshaft thickness; prominence and size of the condyle plateau, tibial tuberosity, and anterior crest; and axial torsion of the tibial shaft. Further variations in the tibia-fibula model included midshaft thickness of the fibula; fibula head position relative to the tibia; tibia and fibula anterior-posterior curvature; fibula posterior curvature; tibia plateau rotation; and interosseous width. The main sources of variation in the cortical-trabecular model other than general size included variation in the medulla cavity diameter; cortical thickness; anterior-posterior shaft curvature; and the volume of trabecular bone in the proximal and distal ends of the bone.

Conclusion

Variations that could increase the risk of tibial stress injury were observed, these included general tibial thickness, midshaft thickness, tibial length and medulla cavity diameter (indicative of cortical thickness). Further research is needed to better understand the effect of these tibial-fibula shape characteristics on tibial stress and injury risk. This SSM, the associated code, and three use examples for the SSM have been provided in an open-source dataset. The developed tibial surface models and statistical shape model will be made available for use at: https://simtk.org/projects/ssm_tibia.
A logística humanitária no gerenciamento de desastres naturais: Revisão Sistemática da Literatura (RSL) orientada ao COVID-19
Authors: Dos Santos Maria Luani Pereira , Lopes Harlenn dos Santos
Published: February 2023

Desastres são cada vez mais frequentes ao redor do mundo e geram perdas materiais e humanas incontáveis, demonstrando a vulnerabilidade da população mundial ao lhe dar com desastres, sejam eles naturais ou causados pelo homem. Ter um bom gerenciamento das operações logísticas e da cadeia de suprimentos após a ocorrência de um desastre é um ponto importante para garantir uma operação eficaz na logística humanitária. A partir do final de 2019, um desastre natural começou a chamar atenção do mundo todo: uma doença que é conhecida como novo Coronavírus (COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2) que está gerando grandes perdas, tanto materiais quanto imateriais, aos seres humanos.  Portanto, é importante verificar e analisar como a logística humanitária pode auxiliar em casos de desastres como este. Mediante a isso, este trabalho aplica a revisão sistemática da literatura (RSL) para desenvolver uma abordagem conceitual, como também apresentar o conceito e a aplicação Logística Humanitária (LH) e Cadeia de Suprimentos Humanitária (CSH) no gerenciamento de desastres naturais mais especificamente orientada a desastres biológicos, com foco no novo Coronavirus. Os resultados apontam que há muitos estudos relacionados a revisões bibliográficas da LH e da CSH e que há uma carência de trabalhos correlacionando COVID-19 a LH e/ou a CSH como forma de auxiliar no combate dos danos que essa doença está causando na vida dos seres humanos. Ao se entender como aplicar a LH e o gerenciamento da CSH aos desastres naturais pode-se tentar aliviar o sofrimento das vítimas.
Diagnosing Descemet Membrane Detachment in Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery using an AS-OCT-based HELP Algorithm: A Prospective Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Joshi Ajit Kamalakar , Kakulavaram Manasa Reddy , Gotekar Rajesh Balkrishna
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Descemet Membrane Detachment (DMD) is a rare complication of cataract surgery which is more likely to occur during the learning curve especially during surgical training in residency. There are various methods of diagnosing DMD using slit lamp biomicroscopy, Ultrabiomicroscopy (UBM) and Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography (AS-OCT). AS-OCT can be utilised to confirm, classify DMD and decide the plan of management by using Height, Length, Extent and Pupil (HELP) algorithm. Descemetopexy is the gold standard treatment in the management of DMD. The management of DMDs usually depends upon the site and extent of the detachment. Prompt diagnosis and timely management, leads to a good functional and anatomical outcome. Aim: To study the occurrence and management of DMDs during cataract surgeries using an AS-OCT-based HELP algorithm in a training hospital. Materials and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study, included 25 eyes of 25 patients, who underwent cataract surgery which resulted in DMD in Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) Medical College and Hospital, Sangli, Maharashtra, India, from June 2021 to December 2021. AS-OCT-based HELP algorithm was used for diagnosis and determining, whether medical management needs to be done or surgical management. Either medical or surgical management (Descemetopexy) was done in all the 25 eyes. All the study subjects were followed on Postoperative Day (POD)- 1,7,30 for Descemet’s Membrane (DM) reattachment. The outcome measures were successful DM reattachment and/or improvement in visual acuity by atleast two Snellen lines. Paired t-test was used to test the mean difference between LogMAR visual acuity values pre and postoperatively. The p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Out of 1008 cataract surgeries, 25 patients had DMD intraoperatively. The mean age of the patients was 61.12±7.29 years with a male:female ratio of 10:15. The most common surgery preceding DMD was Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) (84%; n=21). The mean pre- and postmanagement visual acuities were 0.96±0.445 and 0.215±0.196, respectively (p<0.0001). A successful DM reattachment was seen in 92% (n=23) with the first attempt. There was a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity after management (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Management of DMD is crucial, as early diagnosis and treatment of patients with DMD leads to good visual outcome. AS-OCT-based HELP algorithm is very beneficial in the diagnosis of DMD. Descemetopexy is the gold standard in the management of DMD.
Clinical and Social Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Older Prelinguals
Authors: Tyagi Pragya , Chauhan Divya , Singh Anup , Bhutada Mayank , Sikka Kapil , Chaudhary Tanvi , Sharma Sonam , Agarwal Shivani , Verma Hitesh , Sagar Prem , Kumar Rakesh , Thakar Alok
Published: February 2023

Background and Objectives: Cochlear implantation in late implanted prelinguals necessitates a complex decision-making process for clinicians and patients due to the uncertainty of achieving adequate benefit in auditory and speech perception. This study longitudinally evaluated clinical and social outcomes of prelingually deaf children with implantation in their late childhood.Subjects and Methods: A total of 113 (49 females and 64 males) participants, with an age range of 5-15 years, were assessed for the pre-implant parameters such as hearing loss etiology, aided responses, anatomical aspects, and psychological evaluation. The Category of Auditory Performance, Speech Awareness Threshold, Speech Reception Threshold, and Speech Discrimination Score were administered to assess the patient’s auditory skills. Further, the Speech Intelligibility Rating scale was administered to evaluate the patient’s speech intelligibility at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months post-surgery. Subjectively perceived benefits were evaluated using the satisfaction rating scale and a questionnaire.Results: The statistical results showed a significant impact of cochlear implantation in all domains. Positive impact and improvement post-implantation were noted in all the spheres, including auditory, linguistic, social, and educational.Conclusions: The study highlighted that the outcomes of a cochlear implant at a later age might not parallel with the implantation at a younger age. However, this still provides measurable benefits even after a longer period of auditory deprivation.
Testing of Electrical Properties and Synthesis of MnO2-Graphene Composites from Leaching Results of Manganese Rocks
Authors: Saleh Asri
Published: February 2023

This study aims to synthesize and test the electrical properties of the MnO2-graphene composite from the leaching of manganese rock. The test method is carried out by testing the electrical properties with the parameters, namely capacitance (C), current (I), voltage (V), resistance (R), and conductometer. Each tested three concentration variations, 0.25: 0.75, 0.5: 0.05, and 0.75: 0.5. Supporting parameters for testing use X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The results showed that the effect of varying the mass ratio of the MnO2-Graphene composite on the capacitance value was 192.3ꙡF in the variation of 0.25 gr: 0.75, meaning that the higher the concentration of the graphene carbon ratio, the higher the absorption capacity to store charge and electrical energy. For the variation of the voltage obtained by 353 mV at 0.25 gr: 0.75 variations, the current testing variation obtained a value of 13.6 mA at 0.25 gr: 0.75 variations, the variation on resistance obtained the lowest resistance value of 1.6 kΩ in the 0.25 gr variation: 0.75. The X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) test produces α manganese and graphene ranging from 6.8% to 93.2%. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) test produces Mn-O, CO, and OH bonds. Mn-O with wave numbers 479.44 cm-1, 1.618.35 cm-1, 1.877.47 cm-1, and 992.07 cm-1. CO with wave numbers 1104.27 cm-1, 1190.69 cm-1, and 1384.21 cm-1. OH with wave numbers 1438.44 cm-1 and 1627.70 cm-1 electrical storage medium.
A Young Healthy Woman with Supraventricular Tachycardia Reveals an Underlying Left Ventricular Non-compaction Cardiomyopathy: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Tahir A. Fadoul , Njie M. , Mulendele P. M. , Foudail M. , Haboub M. , Arous S. , Benouna M. Ghali , Drighil A. , Azzouzi L. , Habbal R.
Published: February 2023

LVNC (left ventricular non-compaction) is a rare congenital cardiomyopathy with a reported incidence of 0.05% in adults. It can occur in isolation or affect both ventricles. It’s characterized by prominent LV trabeculae and deep intertrabecular recesses which are filled with blood from the ventricular cavity without evidence of communication to the epicardial coronary artery system. Frequent premature supra ventricular tachycardia as unique finding in LVNC cardiomyopathy is rare manifestation of this disease. We report a case of a frequent persistent supraventricular tachycardia as first manifestation of a patient with LVNC cardiomyopathy in a young healthy woman who despite radio frequency ablation therapy of the supraventricular tachycardia remains symptomatic. The patient was later placed on medical therapy based on a non-cardio selective beta-blocker with a good clinical outcome without recurrent of supra-ventricular arrythmias.
Effect of Irrigation Scheduling and Level of Nitrogen on Chandrasur (Lepidium sativum Linn.) in Zone III-B of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Sharma Nupur
Published: February 2023

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of irrigation and nitrogen levels on growth and yield of Chandrasur (Lepidium sativum Linn.) in two consecutive years Rabi 2018-19 and Rabi 2019-20 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sawaimadhopur, Rajasthan. Results revealed that higher yield attributes No of branches plant-1, Fresh weight at harvest (g plant-1), 1000 seed weight (g), plant height (cm) were found significantly higher under three irrigation (25, 50 and 75 Days After Sowing) which was at par with two irrigations (25 & 50 Days After Sowing (DAS) and with 80 kg of N ha-1 which was at par with 60 kg N ha-1. Under different level of irrigations application of three irrigation (25, 50 & 75 Days After Sowing (DAS) found higher seed yield (1593.34 kg ha-1) which remained at par with two irrigation (25 & 50 DAS) compared to (one irrigation at 25 Days After Sowing), respectively. In sub plot treatments of different nitrogen levels Application of 80 kg of N ha-1 resulted in highest yield (1586 kg ha-1) which was statistically at par with 60 kg of N ha-1 as compared to 40 & 20 kg N ha-1 respectively.
Physico-chemical Evaluation of Different Cultivars of Guava under Gird Region of Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Poonam . , Singh K. V. , Rathour Shubham Singh , Dawar Intzar Singh , Uikey Ashwini , Kushwah Asha
Published: February 2023

The present investigation was conducted in the University Laboratory, RVSKVV, Gwalior, MP, India during the period of February, 2020 to March, 2021. Guava fruits were randomly collected and cleaned in tap water to remove surface dust and leaves before weighing, sorting. This study was limited to five guava varieties viz., Allahabad Safeda, Gwalior-27, Lucknow- 49, Sheopur local and Lalit. The maximum fruit weight (292.14 gm) and volume of fruit (296.4ml) was found in the Sheopur local varieties. The maximum acidity (1.02%) was found in Allahabad safeda and no. of seeds/100gm of guava fruit (183.79) was found under lalit. The maximum TSS: acid ratio (21.76) and vitamin-C (ascorbic acid, 230.44mg/100gm) was found under Gwalior-27.
Population Studies of Pecari tajacu Collared Peccary (Artiodactyla:Tayassuidae) in Tzucacab, Yucatán, México
Authors: Rubén Montes-Pérez , Gualberto Pacheco-Sierra , Ermilo López-Cobá , Christian May-Cruz
Published: February 2023

Aims: To estimate the population density of Pecari tajacu, determine the distribution pattern of this population in the sampling sites, determine habitat preference and evaluate the sustainability of the harvest in the three-year period.

Study Design: Population study of collared peccaries in the wild, descriptive, and vertical in the municipality of Tzucacab, Yucatan, Mexico, during the years 2003-2004, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009.

Methodology: Seven linear transects of 5 km each were installed randomly in the municipality in 2003-2004 and 18 in each year from 2007 to 2009. The population estimate was made by direct sighting and counting of footprints in the same transects. The comparison of densities with the footprints’ counting method was by analysis of variance and t-student for samples paired with the sighting method. The distribution pattern was analyzed by the standardized Morisita index; habitat preference was analyzed by Bonferroni intervals and the harvest model was applied to evaluate sustainability.

Results: Population densities decreased significantly (P < 0.01) by the footprints´ counting method from 2003-04 to 2007-09, from 1.16 to 0.26 animals/km2 respectively, with the sighting method was 1.87 and 1.78 animals/km2, the years 2003-04 and 2007-08 respectively, without significant difference (P = 0.05); In 2008-09 there was only one record. Local populations are distributed by clusters and prefer the acahual habitat between 2008-09. The sighting records and footprints are distributed mainly in the limits of the municipality of Tzucacab with the surroundings and the state of Quintana Roo. Harvest indices are within sustainability values but show a tendency to increase as the years progress.

Conclusion: Local populations of collared peccaries show vulnerability, if the trend of the harvest index increases progressively.
Effect of the Substitution of Wheat Flour with Purple Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Flour on the Antioxidant Activity and Baked Product Quality
Authors: Inawaty . , Asmerida . , Asnurita . , Arita Yonny , Afrida .
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to determine the effect of substitution of wheat flour with purple sweet potato flour on the end-quality and antioxidant activity of the resulting roll cakes. Furthermore, the objective was to determine the optimal percentage of the substitution of wheat flour with purple sweet potato flour that would be graded as the best and most preferred by the panelists. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatment levels and 3 replications. Observational data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) at 1% significance level. The treatment in this study was the substitution of purple sweet potato flour for wheat flour in the manufacture of roll cakes, namely 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60%. The results showed that the substitution of purple sweet potato flour for wheat flour in the production of sponge rolls had a very significant effect on the content of water, ash, fat, protein, crude fiber, carbohydrates, and had no significant effect on antioxidant activity. The most preferred sponge cake was treatment E (substitution of purple sweet potato flour for 60% wheat flour) with a moisture content of 8.65%, ash content of 1.19%, fat content of 17.41%, protein content of 10.18%, crude fiber content 19.23%, carbohydrate content 62.56%, and antioxidant activity 62.47%.
Impact of Oilfield Wastewaters from Soku Swamp Rig on the Population and Diversity of Microbes in Soku River in Niger Delta
Authors: Ntongha Oyibo , Omokaro Obire
Published: February 2023

Oilfield wastewater contains poisonous and dangerous compounds that harm microorganisms and the quality of the water. An ongoing environmental concern in the Niger Delta is the rapid deterioration of water quality brought on by oilfield wastewater discharged from Nigerian oil industry operations. For a period of two months, biweekly studies were conducted to evaluate the microbiological effects of oilfield effluent from the Soku swamp oil rig on the Soku River in Rivers State in the Niger Delta. A total heterotrophic bacterial count, a hydrocarbon-utilizing bacterial count, a total fungal count, a hydrocarbon-using fungal count, and a microflora count were all determined using water samples obtained from upstream, downstream, drilling points, Deck drainage, and a control point. Total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) counts ranged from 0.2 to 2.4 (log10cfu/ml), total fungal (TF) count ranged from 0.1 to 0.95 (log10cfu /ml), while the total hydrocarbon utilizing bacterial (THUB) count ranged from 0.01 to 0.25 (log10cfu/ml), and the total hydrocarbon utilizing fungal (THUF) count ranged from 0.01 to 0.85 (log10cfu/ml). A statistical study revealed no appreciable difference in THB between the sampling stations and the controls. Streptococcus spp., Bacillus spp., Pediococcus spp., Kurthia, Staphylococcus, and Micrococcus spp. were among the bacteria species isolated for the study. Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium adamatzii, Rhizopus oligosporus, and Penicillium spp. were among the fungi that were isolated. The study's bacterial and fungal counts showed how oilfield effluent affected aquatic microorganisms. The abundance of microorganisms that use hydrocarbons demonstrated that the water body under study had active native hydrocarbon utilizers that can be used in the bioremediation process.
Risk Matrix as a Tool for Risk Analysis for Work-Related Hazard in Offshore Installation in the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Oyamienlen Oseibhi , Nwaogazie Ify L. , Patricks Chinemerem
Published: February 2023

This study aims to investigate the likelihood of hazard occurrence, the frequency level, the level of severity, and the consequences of work-related hazards in Offshore Installations. This study was a cross-sectional design assessment and the instrument used for this study was a well-structured questionnaire on Analysis of Work-related Accidents which was sent to e-mails of oil and gas workers. The reliability of the instrument was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Data analyses were carried out using descriptive statistics, Risk Matrix, and Fault tree analysis. The 4 by 4 risk assessment matrix for the likelihood and consequences showed that 12 of the hazard were categorized as having high risk and Wind/Strong current was classified as extreme risk,  However, 5 of the identified hazards, H5, H6, H7, H8 & H10 are risks that can be easily controlled to prevent an incident from occurring. All the offshore risks identified were either rated as high or extreme, which indicated that offshore hazards have severe consequences for the People, Environment, Asset and Reputation of the company. Therefore, high safety measures must be put in place to control these risks.
States’ Methods for Capturing and Reporting Local Responses to Suspected Nonfatal Drug Overdoses
Authors: Johnson Christian , Catlin Megan , Sinow Lisa , Gupta Rahul , Holtgrave David R.
Published: February 2023

This study examines the available data used to surveil state-level drug overdoses and characterizes them based on their timeliness, drug involvement, and specification of nonfatal outcomes.
Accuracy of Gallium-68 Pentixafor Positron Emission Tomography–Computed Tomography for Subtyping Diagnosis of Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Hu Jinbo , Xu Tingting , Shen Hang , Song Ying , Yang Jun , Zhang Aipin , Ding Haoyuan , Xing Naiguo , Li Zhuoyuan , Qiu Lin , Ma Linqiang , Yang Yi , Feng Zhengping , Du Zhipeng , He Wenwen , Sun Yue , Cai Jun , Li Qifu , Chen Yue , Yang Shumin ,   Chongqing Primary Aldosteronism Study (CONPASS) Group, Mei Mei , Luo Suxin , Liao Kangla , Zhang Yao , He Yunfeng , He Yihong , Peng Bin , Xiao Ming
Published: February 2023

Importance

Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is the recommended procedure for subtyping primary aldosteronism (PA) as unilateral PA (UPA) or bilateral PA (BPA), with different treatment needed for each: adrenalectomy for UPA and medication for BPA. However, AVS is invasive and technically difficult, and how to subtype PA noninvasively is currently a great challenge.

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy of gallium-68 pentixafor positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) in subtyping PA using AVS as a reference standard.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This diagnostic study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in China among patients diagnosed with PA. Enrollment was started in November 2021, with follow-up ending in May 2022.

Exposures

: Patients were recruited to undergo gallium-68 pentixafor PET-CT and AVS.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of each adrenal gland during PET-CT was measured to calculate the lateralization index of SUVmax. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), specificity, and sensitivity were used to analyze the accuracy of the lateralization index based on SUVmax for subtyping PA.

Results

Among 100 patients with PA who completed the study (47 female [47.0%] and 53 male [53.0%]; median [IQR] age, 49 [38-56] years), 43 individuals had UPA and 57 individuals had BPA. Aldosterone-cortisol ratio (Spearman ρ = 0.26; P < .001) in adrenal veins was positively correlated with SUVmax of adrenal glands at 10 minutes during PET-CT. Using lateralization index based on SUVmax at 10 minutes to identify UPA, the AUROC was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.83-0.97). A cutoff value for lateralization index based on SUVmax at 10 minutes set at 1.65 conferred a specificity of 1.00 (95% CI, 0.94-1.00) and sensitivity of 0.77 (95% CI, 0.61-0.88). The diagnostic concordance rate of PET-CT and AVS was 90 patients (90.0%) compared with 54 patients (54.0%) between traditional CT and AVS.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found good diagnostic accuracy of gallium-68 pentixafor PET-CT in differentiating UPA from BPA. These findings suggest that gallium-68 pentixafor PET-CT may be used to avoid invasive AVS in some patients with PA.
Severe Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Among Immigrant and Canadian-Born Women Residing Within Low-Income Neighborhoods in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Jairam Jennifer A. , Vigod Simone N. , Siddiqi Arjumand , Guan Jun , Boblitz Alexa , Wang Xuesong , O’Campo Patricia , Ray Joel G.
Published: February 2023

Importance

Evidence indicates that immigrant women and women residing within low-income neighborhoods experience higher adversity during pregnancy. Little is known about the comparative risk of severe maternal morbidity or mortality (SMM-M) among immigrant vs nonimmigrant women living in low-income areas.

Objective

To compare the risk of SMM-M between immigrant and nonimmigrant women residing exclusively within low-income neighborhoods in Ontario, Canada.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This population-based cohort study used administrative data for Ontario, Canada, from April 1, 2002, to December 31, 2019. Included were all 414 337 hospital-based singleton live births and stillbirths occurring between 20 and 42 weeks’ gestation, solely among women residing in an urban neighborhood of the lowest income quintile; all women were receiving universal health care insurance. Statistical analysis was performed from December 2021 to March 2022.

Exposures

Nonrefugee immigrant status vs nonimmigrant status.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome, SMM-M, was a composite outcome of potentially life-threatening complications or mortality occurring within 42 days of the index birth hospitalization. A secondary outcome was SMM severity, approximated by the number of SMM indicators (0, 1, 2 or ≥3 indicators). Relative risks (RRs), absolute risk differences (ARDs), and odds ratios (ORs) were adjusted for maternal age and parity.

Results

The cohort included 148 085 births to immigrant women (mean [SD] age at index birth, 30.6 [5.2] years) and 266 252 births to nonimmigrant women (mean [SD] age at index birth, 27.9 [5.9] years). Most immigrant women originated from South Asia (52 447 [35.4%]) and the East Asia and Pacific (35 280 [23.8%]) regions. The most frequent SMM indicators were postpartum hemorrhage with red blood cell transfusion, intensive care unit admission, and puerperal sepsis. The rate of SMM-M was lower among immigrant women (2459 of 148 085 [16.6 per 1000 births]) than nonimmigrant women (4563 of 266 252 [17.1 per 1000 births]), equivalent to an adjusted RR of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.88-0.97) and an adjusted ARD of −1.5 per 1000 births (95% CI, −2.3 to −0.7). Comparing immigrant vs nonimmigrant women, the adjusted OR of having 1 SMM indicator was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.87-0.98), the adjusted OR of having 2 indicators was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.76-0.98), and the adjusted OR of having 3 or more indicators was 1.02 (95% CI, 0.87-1.19).

Conclusions and Relevance

This study suggests that, among universally insured women residing in low-income urban areas, immigrant women have a slightly lower associated risk of SMM-M than their nonimmigrant counterparts. Efforts aimed at improving pregnancy care should focus on all women residing in low-income neighborhoods.
Structural Changes in Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy Revealed With Adaptive Optics Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Kadomoto Shin , Muraoka Yuki , Ooto Sotaro , Tsujikawa Akitaka
Published: February 2023

This case report discusses using adaptive optics imaging in a patient with acute macular neuroretinopathy with retinal structural changes.
Pressure Driven Alkane Dehydrogenation by Palladium Metal
Authors: Frost Mungo , McBride Emma E. , Smith Dean , Smith Jesse S. , Glenzer Siegfried H.
Published: February 2023

Dehydrogenation of alkanes is of increasing importance in fulfilling global demand for olefins and offers a potential source of carbon‐neutral hydrogen as a co‐product. Currently commercial dehydrogenation processes occur at high‐temperatures (500–900 °C) which is energy intensive and results in side reactions and rapid coking of the catalysts. In addition, the hydrogen produced is often burned to maintain temperature and to inhibit the back reaction. Here, pressure is utilized as a parameter to enable novel chemical catalytic processes, and ambient‐temperature dehydrogenation of alkanes by palladium is observed at 50–100 MPa, with both hydrogen gas and olefins recovered on decompression. This reaction follows a fundamentally different path to current commercial high‐temperature low‐pressure dehydrogenation processes with the palladium catalyst reversibly forming a hydride intermediate.
Contact Geometry and Pathway Determined Carriers Transport through Microscale Perovskite Crystals
Authors: Zhao Zhibin , Li Yuelong , Ni Lifa , Nam Jongwoo , Adijiang Adila , Zhang Xubin , Li Shanshan , Wang Mingwei , Lee Takhee , Xiang Dong
Published: February 2023

With the miniaturization of crystals‐based photoelectric devices, electrode contact‐geometries may play a critical role in determining the device performance. However, investigation of the role of electrode contact geometries in situ faces great challenges due to the electrode contact geometry is typically unmodifiable. To this end, a kind of liquid metal is employed as an adaptive‐deformable electrode to study the carrier transport through perovskite microcrystals, in which the electrode contacts geometries/positions and thus the carrier‐pathways can be adjusted. Under light illumination, a spike feature of photocurrent is observed when carriers transport along the perovskite microcrystal surface upon an edge‐contact geometry, which is absent as the carrier mainly transport through crystal interior upon a top‐contact geometry. Switching, rectifying, and memristor functions are selectively realized just by modifying the contact geometry. The underlying mechanism for the observations is further elucidated. This study provides a platform for studying carrier transport through microscale crystals with adjustable contact geometry and supplies an approach for fabricating diverse functional devices by changing the electrode contact‐geometries.
Emerging Trends in 2D Flexible Electronics
Authors: Aftab Sikandar , Hegazy Hosameldin Helmy , Kabir Fahmid
Published: February 2023

Potential for integrated flexible electronics has been shown for 2D materials with atomically thin layers and dangling‐bond‐free surfaces. Strain engineering is a fascinating technique for tuning or controlling the electronic and optical properties of 2D materials. In the review article, an effort to condense the most recent and promising approaches that can be used to create flexible nanoelectronic and optoelectronic devices in the future and expand their range of useful applications is made. In order to investigate their electrical behavior, the majority of the devices are created using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or mechanical exfoliation of ultrathin 2D TMD materials. This makes it possible to develop flexible piezo‐phototronic photodetectors, self‐powered sensors, and wearable and implantable devices with higher strain tolerance. On the basis of 2D TMDs materials, a comparison of the performance and characteristics of 2D flexible electronic devices is also carried out. In order to advance the development of wearable and implantable electronics with greater strain tolerance for health monitoring and usher in a new era of flexible technologies, this overview of recent research on 2D flexible electronics based on nanomaterials is intended to aid in the advancement of the field. Finally, it summarizes the current challenges and opportunities.
Explainable Deep Hypergraph Learning Modeling the Peptide Secondary Structure Prediction
Authors: Jiang Yi , Wang Ruheng , Feng Jiuxin , Jin Junru , Liang Sirui , Li Zhongshen , Yu Yingying , Ma Anjun , Su Ran , Zou Quan , Ma Qin , Wei Leyi
Published: February 2023

Accurately predicting peptide secondary structures remains a challenging task due to the lack of discriminative information in short peptides. In this study, PHAT is proposed, a deep hypergraph learning framework for the prediction of peptide secondary structures and the exploration of downstream tasks. The framework includes a novel interpretable deep hypergraph multi‐head attention network that uses residue‐based reasoning for structure prediction. The algorithm can incorporate sequential semantic information from large‐scale biological corpus and structural semantic information from multi‐scale structural segmentation, leading to better accuracy and interpretability even with extremely short peptides. The interpretable models are able to highlight the reasoning of structural feature representations and the classification of secondary substructures. The importance of secondary structures in peptide tertiary structure reconstruction and downstream functional analysis is further demonstrated, highlighting the versatility of our models. To facilitate the use of the model, an online server is established which is accessible via http://inner.wei‐group.net/PHAT/. The work is expected to assist in the design of functional peptides and contribute to the advancement of structural biology research.