bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How a Point-of-Care Dashboard Facilitates Co-production of Health Care and Health for and with Individuals with Psychotic Disorders: A Mixed-methods Case Study
Authors: Gremyr Andreas , Holmberg Christopher , Thor Johan , Malm Ulf , Gäre Boel Andersson , Andersson Ann-Christine
Published: August 2022

Background:Individuals with psychotic disorders experience widespread treatment failures and risk early death. Sweden’s largest department specializing in psychotic disorders sought to improve patients’ health by developing a point-of-care dashboard to support joint planning and co-production of care. The dashboard was tested for 18 months and included more than 400 patients at two outpatient clinics. Methods:This study evaluates the dashboard by addressing two questions:1) Can differences in health-related outcome measures be attributed to the use of the dashboard?2) How did case managers experience the accessibility, use, and usefulness of the dashboard for co-producing care with individuals with psychotic disorders?This mixed-method case study used both Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROM) and data from a focus group interview with case managers. Data collection and analysis were framed by the Clinical Adoption Meta Model (CAMM) phases: i) accessibility, ii) system use, iii) behavior, and iv) clinical outcomes. The PROM used was the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), which assesses functional impairment and disability. Patients at clinics using the dashboard were matched with patients at clinics not using the dashboard. PROM data were compared using non-parametric statistics due to skewness in distribution. The focus group included five case managers who had experience using the dashboard with patients.Results:Compared to patients from clinics that did not use the dashboard, patients from clinics that did use the dashboard improved significantly overall (p=0.045) and in the domain self-care (p=0.041). Focus group participants reported that the dashboard supported data feedback-informed care and a proactive stance related to changes in patients’ health. The dashboard helped users identify critical changes and enabled joint planning and evaluation.Conclusion:Dashboard use was related to better patient health (WHODAS scores) when compared with matched patients from clinics that did not use the dashboard. In addition, case managers had a positive experiencing using the dashboard. Dashboard use might have lowered the risk for missing critical changes in patients' health while increasing the ability to proactively address needs. Future studies should investigate how to enhance patient co-production through use of supportive technologies.
The white star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don), a revealed potential pan tropical forest food species in the context of climate and global changes
Authors: GANGLO Jean Cossi
Published: August 2022

Chrysophyllum albidum is a forest food tree species of the Sapotaceae family bearing large berries of nutrition, sanitary, and commercial values in many African countries. It naturally grows in lowland rain forest and is widely distributed in West, Central, and East Africa. Because of its socio-economic importance, C. albidum is threatened at least by human pressure. However, we do neither know at which extent climate change can impact its distribution, nor whether it is possible to introduce the species in other tropical regions. In order to resolve our concerns we decided to model the spatial distribution of the species. We then used the SDM package for data modelling in R to compare predictive performances of algorithms among the most common used: three machine learning algorithms (MaxEnt, Boosted Regression Trees, and Random Forests) and three regression algorithms (Generalized Linear Model, Generalized Additive Models, and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline). We performed model transfers in tropical Asia and Latin America. At the scale of Africa, predictions with respect to Maxent, under Africlim (scenarios rcp 4.5 and rcp 8.5, horizon 2055) and MIROCES2L (scenarios SSP245 and SSP585, horizon 2060) showed that the favorable areas of C. albidum will extend mostly in West, East, Central, and Southern Africa as well as in East Madagascar. As opposed to Maxent, in Africa, the predictions of BRT and RF were unrealistic with respect to the known ecology of C. albidum. All the algorithms were consistent in predicting a successful introduction of C. albidum in Latin America, both at present and in the future. Predictions of spatial distribution of C. albidum at present and in future under MIROCES2L, scenarios SSP245 and SSP585, horizon 2060 were coherent and even complementary between BRT and RF and showed that the species can be successfully introduced in tropical Asia.
Montana flume aeration performance evaluation with machine learning models
Authors: Tiwari Ashwini , Ojha C.S.P. , Tiwari N.K. , Ranjan Subodh
Published: August 2022

Montana flume is derived from Parshall flume by eliminating diverging part and throat. The mass transfer of oxygen from the atmosphere into the water is known as aeration. The dissolved oxygen (D.O.) concentration present in the water body determines water quality. The experiment was performed on six different Montana flumes fixed in a tilting prismatic rectangular channel. Experimental observations were used to develop classical and machine learning models to predict Montana flume aeration efficiency. The developed models are namely multi non-linear regression (MNLR), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), and artificial neural network (ANN). The models were tested, and the results show that all these three developed models perform very well. However, ANN gives better results than other models as it has the highest cc and lowest rmse values. According to the sensitivity analysis results, the Reynolds number (Re) was the most crucial input element in determining the aeration efficiency of the Montana flume in the case of dimensionless datasets. However, discharge per unit width (q) is found to be of relative significance in the case of dimensional datasets.
A flexible compartment model for simulation specific to COVID-19
Authors: Ohmori Hiroo
Published: August 2022

The dynamic relation among ‘Susceptible’, ‘Infected’, ‘Removed (Recovered)’, ‘Death’ and others for COVID-19 disease is a kind of multibody problem. It has been simulated mainly by compartment models, of which the representative is the SIR model. For the SIR model, ‘Infected’ infects ‘Susceptible’ through the recovery period, and ‘Infected’ is removed as ‘Removed’ not only from the disease but also from the community after the recovery period is ended. For COVID-19, however, the infected individuals should be isolated from the community when they become symptomatic after the latent period is ended. Thus, the infected individuals do not infect susceptible individuals in the community after the latent period, even during the recovery period. Additionally, the infection has occurred in the community even during the latent period before the infected individuals are isolated due to being symptomatic. These two facts for COVID-19 suggest that the simulation by the SIR model would be less accurate in calculating the number of infected individuals and that the results might mislead political and medical interventions. For the model proposed here, the infected individuals are isolated from the community when they become symptomatic after the latent period is ended, but the recovered individuals who have medically recovered and have immunity return to the community, and the infection occurs even during the latent period. The model shows remarkably different results from those simulated by the SIR model. The model also provides the processes evaluating the political and social countermeasures against COVID-19.
Empirical Analysis of Normal Selenium Level in Taiwanese
Authors: Chien Du-Shieng , Chao Ting-Yu , Chen Yen-Ling , Chu Yi-Wen
Published: August 2022

Selenium (Se) is an essential micromineral that is incorporated into the active center of selenoproteins which play important roles in immune regulation, thyroid function, antioxidant defense, and glucose homeostasis. Se deficiency is commonly observed in patients of chronic illness, cancer, and severe trauma; Se supplementation to this group has been shown to provide clinical benefits including reduced mortality rates and better prognosis. However, there is a lack of consensus to determine Se adequacy and deficiency in terms of health and disease in the context of the local Taiwanese population. To obtain the normal Se range of the general adult Taiwanese by which to assess an individual’s Se status, studies reporting on plasma and serum Se values in Taiwanese adults from databases and available data from government-accredited clinical laboratories were gathered. After assessment for suitability against predefined criteria including sample size, subject characteristics, method of Se measurement, Se levels, and year of publication, six sources were included for subsequent mathematical calculations. The combined mean Se levels from a total of 5,508 subjects were 182.8 ± 124.3 µg/L. The range was estimated to be 58–307 µg/L, and Se levels between 100–270 µg/L were considered the normal range in Taiwanese adults, whereas Se levels < 100 µg/L were suggestive of deficiency and Se supplementation was recommended.
Riemannian Complex Fuzzy Sets with Applications in Signals
Authors: Zeeshan Muhammad , Khan Madad
Published: August 2022

The objective of this paper is to introduce the innovative concept of Riemannian complex fuzzy sets (RCFSs). We discussed some new operations and laws of a RCFS such as Riemannian complex fuzzy union, intersection, complement, disjunctive sum, simple difference, bounded difference, simple product, Cartesian product, probabilistic sum, bold sum, convex linear sum, relations, and distance functions. We studied the basic results and particular examples of these operations. We used RCFSs in signals and systems because its behavior is similar to a Fourier transform in certain cases. Moreover, we develop a new algorithm using RCFSs for applications in signals and systems by which we identify a reference signal out of large input signals detected by a system. We restricted the amplitude of the inverse discrete Fourier transform for incoming signals and a reference signal. Thus, a method for measuring the resembling values of two signals is provided by which we can identify the reference signal.
Greater extreme precipitation from Borneo Vortices in a warmer climate
Authors: Liang Ju , Catto Jennifer , Hawcroft Matthew , Tan Mou Leong , Hodges Kevin , Haywood Jim
Published: August 2022

Borneo Vortices (BVs) are weather systems that are responsible for devastating hydrological extreme events and significant losses of life and property in Southeast Asia. The typical resolution of most current climate models is insufficient to resolve these high-impact, synoptic-scale weather systems. Here, an ensemble of high-resolution models projects that future BVs may become less frequent and more stationary, driven by the northward shift of the winter monsoon steering flow and associated cold surges across the South China Sea. However, substantial increases in both the intensity and the total amount of precipitation from BVs are projected. Such changes are driven by the more humid and convectively unstable lower troposphere. As a result, the contribution of BVs to the accumulation of both total precipitation and extreme precipitation is projected to increase considerably in the vicinity of the southern South China Sea, making individual BVs more threatening to the adjacent coastal regions.
Identification of novel B cell epitopes in Fiber-2 protein of the duck adenovirus 3 and their application
Authors: Lin Yun , Zhang Wenyuan , Xie Jing , Wang Weikang , Xie Quan , Li Tuofan , Shao Hongxia , Qin Aijian , Wan Zhimin , Ye Jianqiang
Published: August 2022

Duck adenovirus 3 (DAdV-3), a newly emerged duck adenovirus, has resulted in significant economic losses to the duck industry across China since 2014. However, little is known about the B cell epitopes in major antigen of DAdV-3 and the serological approach for detection of DAdV-3 is not available. In this study, four monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to Fiber-2 protein of DAdV-3 were firstly generated and designated as 2G10, 3D9, 5E6, and 6B12. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) showed that all of the mAbs reacted with the Fiber-2. Moreover, mAbs 2G10, 5E6, and 6B12 demonstrated good activity with Fiber-2 in Western blot. Notably, the Fiber-2 could be immunoprecipitated efficiently by mAb 3D9. Epitope mapping revealed that mAbs 2G10, 3D9, 5E6, and 6B12 recognized 397-429aa, 463-481aa, 67-99aa, and 1-66aa of Fiber-2, respectively. Besides, a novel sandwich ELISA for efficient detection of DAdV-3 was developed based on mAb 3D9 and HRP conjugated mAb 3D9. The sandwich ELISA only reacted with DAdV-3 but not with other duck-associated viruses. The limit of detection of the ELISA was 6.25×103 TCID50/mL. Overall, the mAbs generated laid the foundation for elucidating the critical role of Fiber-2 in mediating infection and pathogenesis, and the sandwich ELISA approach established provided efficient and rapid serological diagnostic tool for DAdV-3.
An Implementation of Active Learning Strategies for Effective Use of In-class Hour to Achieve Complete Knowledge Transfer in an Engineering Course
Authors: Kamath Sunil Bola
Published: August 2022

Active Learning encompasses a much wider scope in teaching than conventionally presumed in current teaching learning scenarios as it has the potential to identify and fuel learning of students at the under graduate level. It includes the ARCS model, effective lecturing, active learning activities, dynamic classroom considering various learning styles, flipped mode of learning, simulations planning, smart board learning, collaborative learning and finally evaluating the outcomes with rubric creation. Each of these is a challenge to understand and implement for teachers nonetheless worth the effort. The paper discusses Implementation of each of these paradigms in greater detail, which helped engineering teachers excel at their work by knowing how to carefully prepare, plan and implement effective lecture sessions using these techniques. The paper holds an optimistic view for active learning when compared to traditional classroom learning which do not involve students in activities in classroom. The implementation details with corresponding results have been discussed.
Increased retinoic acid signalling decreases lung metastasis in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma by inhibiting the noncanonical Notch1 pathway
Authors: Kong Lu , Zhou Mengjiao , Yang Jiajie , Ma Tingyao , Feng Gexuan , Wang Xuelian , Wang Liyong , Ge Yuze , Gao Ran , Liu Hongliang , Shan Lin , Chen Xiaohong
Published: August 2022

MYB-NFIB fusion and NOTCH1 mutation are hallmark genetic events familiar in SACC that promote lung metastasis. However, abnormal expression of MYB and NOTCH1 was also observed in without MYB-NFIB fusion and NOTCH1 mutation. Here, through single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and exome target capture sequencing in two SACC patients without MYB-NFIB fusion and NOTCH1 mutation, we explore in-depth the molecular mechanisms of lung metastasis. Twenty-five types of cells in primary and metastatic tissues were identified via Seurat clustering and categorized into four main stages ranging from near normal to cancer state based on the normal tissue occupancy for each cell cluster. In this context, we identified the Notch signalling pathway enrichment in almost all cancer cells; trajectory and sub-clustering analyses investigated deeply cancer progenitor-like cell clusters in primary tumour-associated lung metastases, in which signature genes enriched in the ‘MYC_TARGETS_V2’ gene set. In vitro, we detected the complexes of the NICD1-MYB-MYC by Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and incidentally identified retinoic acid (RA) signalling as endogenous antagonists of the ‘MYC_TARGETS_V2’ gene set. Following this, we validate that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) reduces the lung metastasis in SACC via correcting erroneous cell differentiation mainly caused by aberrant NOTCH1 or MYB expression. Bioinformatic and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses of four primary tissues and eleven metastatic lung tissues from patients with SACC suggested that RA system insufficiency partially promotes lung metastasis. These findings imply the value of diagnosis and treatment of the RA system.
‘Something that facilitates our work…rather than a hindrance’: Clinical pharmacist perspectives on the use of data analytics to support polypharmacy medication reviews in primary care
Authors: Ruth Hurley , Jury Francine , Tjeerd P. van Staa , Palin Victoria , Christopher J. Armitage
Published: August 2022

Background: Polypharmacy and overprescribing pose an enormous challenge to safe healthcare and efficient use of resources. Patient record data could inform safer prescribing and deprescribing, but it is unclear how these complex data should be summarised and displayed to clinicians. The current study examined the perspectives of clinical pharmacists (CPs), a newly expanding workforce of primary care medication specialists, to explore ways that novel analytics could help improve health outcomes for frail and elderly (>65yrs) patients.Methods: Primary care clinical pharmacists (n=14) discussed examples and uses of analytics in a participatory design workshop. Data presented comprised of risk scores of negative outcomes for frail and elderly with polypharmacy derived from patient record data. Verbal and textual contributions were analysed using the framework method of exploratory content analysis. Results: Overarching themes of data uses, reservations and digital tools acceptance factors were identified. Participants valued several uses of polypharmacy analytics including clinical effects of drug-drug interactions, and risk scores to highlight high-risk patients (including cumulative medication risks). They expressed concerns that their current digital systems contribute to cognitive overload, and whether analytics could be relied upon. Experience of existing barriers mean that CPs’ acceptance of digital analytics tools is heavily contingent on ease of use, clear targeting and ability to support clinicians’ understanding and confidence in the strengths, limitations, and validity of using the analytics in patient care decisions. Conclusions: CPs would benefit from digital systems designed to better meet the needs of their role. Analytics from patient records could help address a concerning deficit in evidence of the real world clinical effects of polypharmacy medication interactions and help clinicians prioritise medication reviews. Clinical digital tools must be carefully designed to help, not hinder clinicians. Criteria are suggested to inform user-focused onward development of acceptable analytics.
The Impact of Renewable Energy Consumption, Fertiliser Consumption and Agricultural Economic Growth on Agricultural Carbon Emissions: An Application of FMOLS and DOLS Approaches
Authors: Zwane Talent Thebe , Udimal Thomas Bilaliib , Pakmoni Lariba
Published: August 2022

We used data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation for the period 1990 to 2019 to investigate the impact of renewable energy consumption and agricultural economic growth on agricultural carbon emissions in Africa. Thirty-four countries were included in the study based on the availability of data. This paper is the first to examine this association in Africa and sheds light on the empirical puzzle by implementing panel fully modified ordinary least square (PFMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least square (PDOLS) estimation techniques. The empirical results established that agriculture growth had a strong, statistically significant positive impact on agricultural carbon emissions. However, the results on quadratic show a negative relationship between agriculture growth and agricultural carbon emissions. The results showed a negative relationship between renewable energy consumption and agricultural carbon emissions. On Granger causality, the result shows that there is a unidirectional causality between agriculture growth and agricultural carbon emissions. Based on these findings, we recommend that countries promote and encourage the use of renewable energy to curb agricultural carbon emissions. There is a need to adopt agricultural practices that have the potential to limit carbon emissions.
Carbon-Doped TiO2/ZIF-8 Composite for Solar Light Harvested Degradation of Methylene Blue
Authors: Semwal Anubhi , Sajwan Devanshu , Rawat Jyoti , Gambhir Lokesh , Sharma Himani , Dwivedi Charu
Published: August 2022

Zinc imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) have been extensively studied as photocatalysts and have shown promising results. Herein we are reporting a composite of carbon-doped TiO2 (C-TiO2) and ZIF-8 for solar light harvested methylene blue degradation. Pure ZIF-8 is an ultraviolet entity with a wide band gap energy of 4.9 eV due to which the analysis of its visible light assisted photocatalytic performance is a challenging task. C-TiO2 has been chosen owing to its low band gap energy as compared to TiO2 which enables the free radical initiated reaction to shift in the visible region instead of the ultraviolet region. The doping of C-TiO2 in the ZIF-8 matrix accounts for the abatement in the band gap energy of the C-TiO2/ZIF-8 composite. Moreover, ZIF-8's large surface area makes it easier for pollutants to adhere to the catalyst's surface. To construct a C-TiO2/ZIF-8 heterostructure, the zinc based ZIF matrix has been built upon the exterior of C-TiO2 nanoparticles. UV-Vis-DRS spectroscopy confirmed the reduction in the band gap of the composite in contrast to ZIF-8. The XRD analysis revealed the reduction in the average d-spacing as well as the average crystallite size. Raman spectra analysis confirmed the blue shift in Zn-N stretching band. The prepared composite of ZIF-8 decorated on C-TiO2 showed an efficient capacity of solar light harvested degradation of methylene blue which follows pseudo first-order kinetics.
Promoting Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture through Participatory System Dynamics with Crop-Water-Income Dynamics
Authors: GORRIPATI RAVI , Thakur Mainak , Kolagani Nagesh
Published: August 2022

The groundwater shortage for agriculture in upland villages in southern India has revealed the inter-relationship between the farmers' income, crop, and water with social, economic, and climatic variables. System Dynamics models such complex problems and leads to more effective solutions if done with stakeholder participation. In this work, participatory System Dynamics modeling of crop-water-income dynamics has been carried out in a village with the last five decades' data to develop an action plan for ecologically and economically sustainable agriculture. Causal loop diagrams and Stocks-and-flows diagrams were developed and validated through stakeholders' focused group discussions and individual meetings. Multiple 'what-if' scenarios suggested by stakeholders are simulated and analyzed. The benefits of less water-intensive, chemical-free, climate-resilient 'Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)' are clear compared to other scenarios. A post-project survey indicated that 90% of stakeholders agreed that the framework is unbiased, encourages new ideas, and promotes a better understanding of the issues.
Inhibition of Vesicular Glutamate Transporters (VGLUTs) with Chicago Sky Blue 6B Before Focal Cerebral Ischemia Offers Neuroprotection.
Authors: Pomierny Bartosz , Krzyżanowska Weronika , Skórkowska Alicja , Jurczyk Jakub , Bystrowska Beata , Budziszewska Bogusława , Pera Joanna
Published: August 2022

Brain ischemia is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the world. Interruption of the blood supply to the brain is a direct stimulus for many pathological events. The massive vesicular release of glutamate (Glu) after ischemia onset induces excitotoxicity, which is a potent stress on neurons. Loading of presynaptic vesicles with Glu is the first step of glutamatergic neurotransmission. Vesicular glutamate transporters 1, 2, and 3 (VGLUT1, 2 and 3) are the main players involved in filling presynaptic vesicles with Glu. VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 are expressed mainly in glutamatergic neurons. Therefore, the possibility of pharmacological modulation to prevent ischemia-related brain damage is attractive. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of focal cerebral ischemia on the spatiotemporal expression of VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 in rats. Next, we investigated the influence of VGLUT inhibition with Chicago Sky Blue 6B (CSB6B) on Glu release and stroke outcome. The effect of CSB6B pretreatment on infarct volume and neurological deficit was compared with a reference model of ischemic preconditioning. The results of this study indicate that ischemia upregulated the expression of VGLUT1 in the cerebral cortex and in the dorsal striatum 3 days after ischemia onset. The expression of VGLUT2 was elevated in the dorsal striatum and in the cerebral cortex 24 h and 3 days after ischemia, respectively. Microdialysis revealed that pretreatment with CSB6B significantly reduced the extracellular Glu concentration. Altogether, this study shows that inhibition of VGLUTs might be a promising therapeutic strategy for the future.
Properties of the SSIM metric in medical image assessment: Correspondence between measurements and the spatial frequency spectrum
Authors: Maruyama Sho
Published: August 2022

In radiological imaging, the acquisition of the required diagnostic image quality under optimized conditions is important. Although techniques based on structural similarity (SSIM) have been investigated, concerns have been raised regarding their application to medical images. This study aims to clarify the properties of SSIM as an image quality index in medical images, focusing on digital radiography and verifying the correspondence between the evaluation results obtained by SSIM and the frequency spectrum. The analysis target was chest X-ray images of a human-body phantom. Two types of filtering were applied to the images, and several regions of interest (ROIs) were placed in local areas for analysis. The SSIM was measured using the unprocessed data as a reference while changing the calculation parameters, and the spatial frequency spectrum of each local region was analyzed. As a result, a significant effect of ROI size was observed when calculating the SSIM. This indicates that a the larger the ROI size leads to SSIM values closer to 1 for all analysis conditions. In addition, a relationship between the size of the ROI in the analysis and the frequency components is demonstrated. It was shown that the careful attention should be paid to the structures included in the ROI, and parameter settings should be reconsidered. Furthermore, when using SSIM to assess medical images, a multiscale SSIM method obtained by changing the ROI size would be useful.
A Novel Framework for Nonparametric Rainfall Generator Based on Deep Convolutional Wasserstein Generative Networks (DC-WGANs)
Authors: Mirzaei Majid , Dehghani Adnan , Dehghani Amin
Published: August 2022

A novel rainfall generator based on Deep convolutional Wasserstein Generative Adversarial Networks (DC-WGANs) is implemented to generate spatial-temporal hourly rainfall for the Kelantan River basin in Malaysia. DC-WGAN as a deep generative model consists of two deep neural networks, generator and discriminator, which compete against each other in a min-max game. The final output of this contest is a generator capable of generating unlimited realistic samples from the dataset. The novelty of our generator is converting time series rainfall data of multi-station to images, then building realistic images based on them, and finally converting back to multivariate time series rainfall. Models' outcomes were reasonable in terms of occurrence, extremes, and amount of rainfall, in hourly, daily, and yearly time resolutions. The model's ability to cover a wide range of rainfall variability can be used in uncertainty analysis and dataset augmentation. In our limited number of stations, a high correlation between synthetic data and original data was observed, ranging R from 0.97 to 0.99; also, despite other nonparametric methods, the proposed generator was able to generate extreme events in good quality and quantity. The conclusion is drawn from a case study in Malaysia but can be generalized worldwide by using global data.
Cavitation characteristics and suppression of pilot stage two-dimensional valve
Authors: Zhao Yonghua , Xing Tong , Ding Chuan , Wang Heyuan , Ruan Jian
Published: August 2022

The two-dimensional (2D) valve integrates the spool pilot and power stages to realize the valve's fast operation and high-frequency response. It has the advantages of simple structure, stable performance, and large power-to-weight ratio. In this paper, the cavitation flow in the pilot stage of the 2D valve is analyzed utilizing computational fluid dynamics. The effects of inlet and outlet pressure difference, outlet pressure, and valve opening velocity on cavitation are studied, and a U-shaped groove structure is designed to restrain cavitation. The results demonstrate that the greater the pressure difference, the higher is the cavitation intensity. Furthermore, the cavitation intensity increases with decrease in outlet pressure. The cavitation phenomenon occurs in the 2D valve pilot stage when the valve opening speed is high, and there is no cavitation in the flow channel with the decrease of the valve opening speed. After U-shaped grooves are opened on both sides of the valve sleeve groove, the cavitation number in the 2D valve pilot stage increases significantly compared with the original inclined groove structure under the same pressure difference. Additionally, the effect of restraining cavitation is pronounced with the increase of the width–depth ratio of U-shaped grooves, and the cavitation number increases.
Shrink of an ocean gyre in the Pacific Arctic and Atlantification open a door of shadow zone
Authors: Nishino Shigeto , Jung Jinyoung , Cho Kyoung-Ho , Williams Bill , Fujiwara Amane , Murata Akihiko , Itoh Motoyo , Aoyama Michio , Yamamoto-Kawai Michiyo , Kikuchi Takashi , Yang Eun Jin , Kang Sung-Ho
Published: August 2022

The Arctic Ocean is now facing dramatic environmental and ecosystem changes. In this context, an international multiship survey project was undertaken in 2020 to obtain current baseline data. For the first time, extremely low dissolved oxygen and acidified water were found in a fishable area of the western Arctic Ocean. The data suggested that the Beaufort Gyre shrank to the east of an ocean ridge and formed a front between the water within the gyre and the water expanded from the eastern Arctic. That phenomenon triggered a frontal northward flow that was 2–3 times faster than before. This flow could transport the low oxygen and acidified water, which had ever appeared only in the shelf-slope of the East Siberian Sea, toward the fishable area.
Distinctive blood CD56bright NK cell subset profile and increased NKG2D expression in CD56bright NK cells in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Lee Jae-Kyung , Weber Stephen , Menees Kelly , Agin-Liebes Julian , Lin Chih-Chun , Alcalay Roy
Published: August 2022

Mounting data suggest an important role of the immune system in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Previous evidence of increased natural killer (NK) cell populations in PD suggests a potential role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of the disease. Previous studies have analyzed NK populations using aggregation by a variable expression of CD56 and CD16. It remains unknown what differences may exist between NK cell subpopulations when stratified using more nuanced classification. Here we profile NK cell subpopulations and elucidate the expressions of activating NKG2D receptor, inhibitory NKG2A receptor, and homing CX3CR1 receptor on NK cell subpopulations in PD and healthy controls (HC). The cryopreserved PBMC samples were analyzed using a 10-color flow cytometry panel to assess NK cell subpopulations on 36 individuals with sporadic PD and 35 HC participants. Among PD cases, we observed that NKG2D frequency and expression level was higher in CD56bright NK populations in patients with more severe motor symptoms as measured by the UPDRS III. Additionally, NKG2D expression intensity in CD56bright NK populations was associated with disease duration. NK subpopulations revealed a significant difference in CD56brightCD16+/− NK cell subpopulations, with all PD groups showing significantly greater expression of NKG2D on CD56brightCD16bright NK cells compared to HC. Overall, we identified changes in NK profiles in PD that change with disease duration and motor symptom severity. Future studies should assess whether these changes in NK populations account for disease progression.
A Description of Experiences of Women and Significant others in Accessing Comprehensive Healthcare in the First 1000 Days of Life Post-conception During COVID-19 in Rural Uganda
Authors: Nakate Mary-Grace , Fleming Valerie , MacKay Sean , Ndirangu-Mugo Eunice
Published: August 2022

Background: COVID-19 presented an unprecedented global public health challenge because of its rapid and relentless spread, and many countries instituted lockdowns to prevent the spread of infection. Although this strategy may have been appropriate to reduce infection, it presented unintended difficulties in rural Uganda, especially in maternal and newborn care. For example, some services were suspended, meaning the nearest health facility was at a considerable distance. Aim: This study explored the experiences of women and their significant others of comprehensive care in the first 1000 days of life post-conception during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bunghokho-Mutoto sub-county, Mbale District, Uganda.Methodology: A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used with data collected in semi-structured interviews. Women (pregnant or with a child under 2 years) and their significant others were purposively recruited for this study. The sample size (N=14) was determined by data saturation. Results: Data were analysed using thematic analysis. One theme emerged ‘Increasing barriers to healthcare’, which encompassed six sub-themes: accessing healthcare, distressing situations, living in fear, making forced choices, and navigating the gatekeepers, and ‘coping with increased poverty.Conclusion: This study found that the COVID-19 pandemic increased barriers to accessing healthcare services in the region. Participants’ narratives emphasised the lack of access to expert care and the shortage of skilled health workers, especially midwives.
A Comparative Study of Two Adenoidectomy Technics for Efficacy and Safety: Conventional Curettage Adenoidectomy versus Endoscopic Microdebrider Adenoidectomy
Authors: Yanılmaz Muhammed , AKDUMAN DAVUT
Published: August 2022

Purpose: Conventional cold curettage adenoidectomy(CCA) is the most used method for Adenoidectomy. With the advances in surgical instruments, endoscopy assisted less invasive techniques are coming into use. Herein we compared CCA with endoscopic microdebrider adenoidectomy(EMA) in terms of safety and recurrence.Methods: Patients who underwent adenoidectomy in our clinic between 2009-2021 years were included into the study. Study performed retrospectively. Patients operated with CCA accepted as GroupA and EMA as GroupB. Two groups compared for the recurrence rate and post-operative complications. Results: We studied 833 children aged between 3-12 years (mean 4,2 years old), had adenoidectomy, including 482 male(57.86%) and 351 female(42.14%). There were 473 patients in GroupA, and 360 patients in GroupB. Seventeen patients(%3.59) in GroupA had reoperation for the recurrence of adenoid tissue. There was no recurrence in GroupB. Residual tissue, recurrent hypertrophy, and postoperative otitis media rates were higher in GroupA, and this was statistically significant(p<0.05). Whereas ventilation tube insertion rates didn’t differ significantly(p>0.05). Although hypernasality rate at second week was slightly higher in GroupB, this was not statistically significant(p>0.05), and in further period it resolved in all patients. No major complications were reported. Conclusion: Our study indicates that EMA is a safer technique than CCA, and prominent postoperative complications like residual adenoid tissue, recurrent adenoid hypertrophy, and postoperative otitis media with effusion rates are lower.
Spatiotemporal expression profiling of HvGA20ox, HvGA3ox and HvGA2ox transcripts for lodging resistance under different water conditions in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Ali Zulfiqar , Liaqat Shoaib , Saddique Muhammad Abu Bakar , Ikram Rao Muhammad , Ali Imtiaz
Published: August 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Promoting Resilience: Measurement of Utu, Risk, Coping and Resilience Among Adolescents in Tanzania
Authors: Cherewick Megan , Dahl Ronald E. , Rubin Daphna , Leiferman Jenn A. , Njau Prosper F.
Published: August 2022

Background: Utu is a Kiswahili term with a long history of cultural significance in Tanzania. It conveys a value system of shared, collective humanity. While variants of Utu have been studied in other contexts, its constructs have never been defined and measured in Tanzania. The primary aim of this study was to develop a measure for Utu appropriate for children and adolescents and to explore its relationships with risk, coping strategies and resilience. Methods: This study collected survey data from adolescents from three districts in peri-urban Tanzania in two samples: 189 orphan adolescents ages 10-17 in May 2020 and 333 non-orphan adolescents ages 10-14 in August 2020. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to validate the hypothesized factor structure of the developed Utu measure. Then Utu was measured in relation to other variables including coping strategies, resilience, and adverse life experiences or risk using a structural equation. Results: The five dimensional constructs comprising the Utu measure, Resource Sharing, Group Solidarity, Respect and Dignity, Collectivity and Compassion demonstrated excellent fit and internal consistency among adolescents in this study. Positive, significant associations were found between the collective asset Utu, and internal assets (coping strategies). Coping strategies and Utu were both positively associated with intra/interpersonal and collective resilience. Utu was not significantly associated with adverse life experiences, age or gender. Conclusion: A five-dimensional measurement scale for Utu was validated in a sample of orphan and non-orphan adolescents in Tanzania. Utu is a collective asset associated with higher levels of reported resilience in both orphan and non-orphan adolescent populations in Tanzania. Promoting the collective asset of Utu may be an effective universal public health prevention approach. Implications for adolescent programming are discussed.
Individual participant data meta-analysis to compare EPDS accuracy to detect major depression with and without the self-harm item
Authors: Qiu Xia , Wu Yin , Sun Ying , Levis Brooke , Tian Jizhou , Boruff Jill , Cuijpers Pim , Ioannidis John , Markham Sarah , Ziegelstein Roy , Vigod Simone , Benedetti Andrea , Thombs Brett
Published: August 2022

Item 10 of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is intended to assess thoughts of intentional self-harm but may also elicit concerns about accidental self-harm. It does not specifically address suicide ideation but, nonetheless, is sometimes used as an indicator of suicidality. The 9-item version of the EPDS (EPDS-9), which omits item 10, is sometimes used in research due to concern about positive endorsements of item 10 and necessary follow-up. We assessed the equivalence of total score correlations and screening accuracy to detect major depression using the EPDS-9 versus full EPDS among pregnant and postpartum women. A medical librarian searched Medline, Medline In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, PsycINFO, and Web of Science from database inception to October 3, 2018 for studies that administered the EPDS and conducted diagnostic classification for major depression based on a validated semi-structured or fully structured interview among women aged 18 or older during pregnancy or within 12 months of giving birth. We conducted an individual participant data meta-analysis. We calculated Pearson correlations with 95% prediction interval (PI) between EPDS-9 and full EPDS total scores using a random effects model. Bivariate random-effects models were fitted to assess screening accuracy. Equivalence tests were done by comparing the confidence intervals (CIs) around the pooled sensitivity and specificity differences to the equivalence margin of δ = 0.05. Individual participant data were obtained from 41 eligible studies (10,906 participants, 1,407 major depression cases). The correlation between EPDS-9 and full EPDS scores was 0.998 (95% PI 0.991, 0.999). For sensitivity, the EPDS-9 and full EPDS were equivalent for cut-offs 7 to 12 (difference range − 0.02, 0.01) and the equivalence was indeterminate for cut-offs 13 to 15 (all differences − 0.04). For specificity, the EPDS-9 and full EPDS were equivalent for all cut-offs (difference range 0.00, 0.01). The EPDS-9 performs similarly to the full EPDS.
Genome, biology and stability of the Thurquoise Phage - a new virus from the Bastillevirinae subfamily
Authors: Węglewska Martyna , Barylski Jakub , Wojnarowski Filip , Nowicki Grzegorz , Łukaszewicz Marcin
Published: August 2022

BackgroundBacteriophages from the Bastillevirinae subfamily have proven effective against bacteria from the Bacillus genus including organisms from B. cereus group which causes food poisoning and persistent contamination of industrial installations. However, successful application of these phages in biocontrol depends on understanding of their biology and stability in different environments.MethodsIn this study we isolated a novel virus from the garden soil in Wrocław (Poland) and named it Thurquoise. Genome of the phage was sequenced using Illumina technology and assembled as a single continuous contig that represents consensus result of different assembly algorithms. Its morphology was determined using Cryo-EM imaging while the dynamics of replication by turbidimetric lysis assay. We also determined phage host range in the efficiency of plating (EOP) assay. Finally, the stability of the Thurquoise was tested by long term incubation in buffers containing different ions (Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, K+, Co2+, Fe3+, Cs+) and freezing with various cryoprotectants (glycerol, gelatin, saccharose, trehalose).ResultsWe present a complete, carefully annotated genome of the Thurquoise phage with 226 identified protein genes and 18 tRNAs. The complex virion structure of this phage is typical for the Bastillevirinae family. Confirmed hosts include selected bacteria from the Bacillus cereus group - specifically B. thuringiensis and B. mycoides. Latent and eclipse periods of Thurquoise in the isolation host last ~40 min and ~50 min respectively. The phage remains viable for more than 8 weeks in variants of SM buffer with magnesium, calcium, cesium, manganese or potassium and can withstand numerous freeze-thaw cycles if protected by the addition of 15% glycerol or, to a lesser extent, 2% gelatin.ConclusionThe Thurquoise phage is the exemplar of the new candidate species in Caruleovirus genus in the Bastillevirinae subfamily of the Herelleviridae family with genome, morphology and biology typical for these taxa.With proper buffer formulation, this virus (and likely related phages) can be safely stored in common freezers and refrigerators for a considerable time.
Genetic polymorphism detection in semi-domesticated perennial cotton (Gossypium ssp.) using an ISSR marker system and its application for molecular interspecific differentiation
Authors: Araújo Fernando dos Santos , Bruno Riselane de Lucena Alcântara , Arriel Nair Helena Castro , de Medeiros Everaldo Paulo , de Lima Liziane Maria , de Souza Mayara Andrade , de Andrade Alberício Pereira , Silva Richeliel Albert Rodrigues , Felix Francival Cardoso , Belarmino Karialane da Silva
Published: August 2022

Background The perennial cotton species Gossypium hirsutum L. r. marie-galante Hutch. and Gossypium barbadense L. are sources of variability for creating modern cotton varieties. However, these species are similar in shape and easily confused in young stages of their life, leading to difficulties in identification based on their morphology. Thus, in this study, an Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) marker system was used as a measure of genetic differentiation among 28 genotypes of perennial cotton from a Brazilian collection. Methods and Results A set of eleven ISSR primers yielded 101 bands, of which 48 (47.5%) were polymorphic. The mean values of polymorphism information content (PIC=0.304) and polymorphism (P=45.8%) showed that the ISSR primers are moderately informative. The ISSR markers exposed the high genetic differentiation (GST = 0.598) and a low level of gene flow (Nm = 0.338) between species, which suggests a pattern of reproductive isolation. The Cluster Analysis, based on Nei's genetic identity, clustered the 28 genotypes into two groups consistent with the taxonomical delimitation, occurrence mode (semi-domesticated and improved types) and partial concordance with geographic origin. Bayesian model-based structural analysis also suggests the existence of two genetic groups (Delta K = 2) and high membership likelihood (Q>0.98). Conclusions The ISSR marker system offers a new molecular approach to differentiate the G. hirsutum L. r. marie-galante and G. barbadense L. species. This study can expand the molecular marker resources for the identification and improvement of our knowledge about the genetic relationships between perennial cotton genotypes from Brazilian collections.
Prediction of acute ischemic stroke incidence rate by serum uric acid level for low-risk population in men
Authors: Bian chunhua , Xue Hongmei , Xie Ying , Zhao Xiaopeng , Ren Yuwei , Du Hongzhen , Song Shiming , Wang Haiyue , Zhai Yijing , Hu Huanyu , Luo Bin , Li Zengning
Published: August 2022

Background We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and the severity of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients and the ability of different SUA levels to predict the risk of developing AIS in patients. Methods This hospital-based case-control study comprised 422 study subjects. Questionnaires and serological tests were used to obtain subgroups of study subjects (160 patients with AIS, 169 low-risk control and 93 high-risk control) and biochemical indicators. Random forest algorithms and logistic regression were used to obtain factors influencing AIS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to predict the risk and severity of SUA on the occurrence of AIS in study subjects. Result After removing the known high-risk factors of AIS, the influence of SUA on the incidence rate of AIS ranked fifth in the total population, eighth in the male population, and tenth in the female population. Multiple logistic regression results revealed that in the male and female population, the risk of AIS was higher in high-risk controls with higher SUA levels than in low-risk controls. (male: p < 0.001 medium: OR (95% CI) = 1.13 (0.52–2.49); high: OR (95% CI) = 1.02 (0.43–2.41):female: p < 0.001 medium: OR (95% CI) = 5.83 (1.14–29.77); high: OR (95% CI) = 8.76 (1.73–44.26)). ROC curve results revealed that the ability of SUA level to predict AIS was statistically significant in male. (low-risk: AUC = 0.618, 95% CI (0.551–0.692); high-risk: AUC = 0.602, 95% CI (0.514–0.690); low-risk + high-risk: AUC = 0.621, 95% CI (0.528–0.708)). Conclusion Compared with female serum uric acid content, male serum uric acid content is more valuable in predicting AIS, and male uric acid content has better effect in predicting AIS incidence rate in low-risk population.