bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Foreign Aid, Decentralization, Local Governance and Service Delivery in Local Governments: A Case Study of Rumbek Central County South Sudan
Authors: Thieel Peter Garang
Published: October 2023

The study focused on foreign aid, decentralization, and local administration to examine the gap in service delivery in Rumbek County, South Sudan. The study's goals were to investigate the connections between foreign assistance and service provision, the connections between foreign assistance, local governance, and service provision, and the study factor structure between foreign assistance, decentralization, local governance, and service provision. The study population consisted of 75,000 respondents, and the research style was a case study and descriptive research design. It used both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to gather data from this population. The sample of 382 respondents was chosen using simple random sampling. Only 352 were considered for analysis. The descriptive analysis option of SPSS version 20.0 was used to analyze the data before it was presented using Spearman's correlation, multiple regression, and factor structure loadings to show the relationship and prediction for international aid, decentralization, local governance, and service delivery, respectively. The major findings of the study were that there is a significant positive correlation between; foreign aid and service delivery (r = 0.728, P-value < 0.01), decentralization and service delivery (r = 0.544, P-value < 0.01), local governance and service delivery (r = 0.776, P-value < 0.01) and foreign aid, decentralization and local governance influenced 62.9% the level of service delivery. The study suggests that the county implements control measures to guarantee that funds are used for the proper purposes in the counties because research revealed that services were not worth the district budget. Adequate research should be conducted at the community level to identify services needed by the people to draw sufficient budgets for the implementation of foreign aid, decentralization, and local government.
Assessment of neutrophil NETs‑forming activity in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Livzan M. A. , Bikbavova G. R. , Novikov D. G. , Zolotov A. N. , Kirichenko N. A. , Pakhtusova P. O. , Mikhaleva L. V.
Published: October 2023

The aim of the study. To determine the non-tossing capacity of neutrophils in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Materials and methods. Ten patients with UC (study group) were included in the study; the control group consisted of 22 healthy volunteers of comparable age to the study group. All patients with UC received treatment according to clinical guidelines. We determined the non-tumorforming ability of the isolated neutrophil fraction in vitro in both groups using an original technique developed by members of the authors' team (Invention Patent No. 2768152 C 1; dated 23.03.2022. Application No. 2021129097 dated 06.10.2021).

Results. In patients with UC, after 15 minutes of in vitro stimulation with probiotic, there was a statistically significant increase in early netosis cells (p < 0.010), cloud-like traps (p < 0.001) and filamentous NVLs (p < 0.001) compared with the control group. Bacterial uptake rate by neutrophil traps in UC patients was statistically significantly lower than in controls (p < 0.010).

Conclusions. All identified features of neutrophils non-trapping capacity in UC patients may indicate changes in granulocyte reactivity, probably, under the influence of cytokines and/or due to therapeutic intervention. The neutrophil traps formed had fewer protective effects and probably more damaging effects. Studying the influence of the role of netosis on the course and prognosis of UC is a promising research area.
Comorbid patient with osteoporosis at doctor's appointment. What factors should be considered in selection of therapy
Authors: Strukov V. I. , Sergeeva-Kondrachenko M. Yu. , Vinogradova O. P. , Denisova A. G. , Moiseeva I. Ya. , Vikhrev D. V. , Poluboyarinov P. A. , Panina E. S. , Petrova E. V. , Fedorov A. V. , Burmistrova S. S.
Published: October 2023

Relevance. Osteoporosis is a systemic disease of the skeleton, which is characterized by a decrease in bone mass per unit volume and a violation of the microarchitectonics of bone tissue, which leads to an increase in bone fragility and an increased risk of fractures.

Target. The problems of comorbidity of osteoporosis and polypharmacy in the treatment of this disease are considered.

Materials and methods. On the basis of the Center for Osteoporosis of the Penza Institute for Postgraduate Medical Education, a branch of the Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Postgraduate Education of Russia, we conducted an open, prospective, randomized study of the comorbid status of age-related patients with osteoporosis in order to improve the diagnosis and pathogenetic therapy of the disease. More than 1400 women took part in the study.The results of a study of the comorbid status of age-related patients with osteoporosis are presented. The expediency of antiresorptive therapy in comorbid patients with osteoporosis is discussed.

Conclusions. The characteristics of osteoprotectors of a new generation based on the bioactive component of gonadotropic action are given, and the prospects of these agents in the implementation of a personalized approach in the treatment of osteoporosis, taking into account comorbidity and polypharmacy, are evaluated. Particular attention is paid to the problem of osteosarcopenia and its solution with the help of these osteoprotectors.
The Mystery of the Afghanistan Earthquake of the Year 1505
Authors: Bal Abhijit M.
Published: October 2023

The Afghanistan earthquake of year 1505 has been described in the memoirs of the first Timurid-Mughal Emperor, Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur. In the same year, there was a major earthquake in Agra, India. Tibetan records suggest the date of the 6th of June in relation to an earthquake in the Himalayas, which would have been felt in Agra, but Indian sources record the date of the 6th of July for the Agra earthquake. Seismologists are of the view that the Agra and the Afghanistan earthquakes were different events. It has been suggested that the Indian writers conflated the Agra earthquake with the Afghanistan earthquake. This ultimately led to the assumption that the earthquake in Kabul described by Babur occurred on the 6th of July. A careful reading of the Baburnama would reveal that the Afghanistan earthquake occurred on the 25th (or the 22nd) of July and not on the 6th of July. This comprehensive review details the sequence and chronology of events leading up to the earthquake and discusses the reasons for the probable error in dating the Afghanistan earthquake.
Reintegrating Vulnerable Youth in Jammu and Kashmir: A deradicalization process model by Maharashtra Police in India
Authors: Khaire Deepali
Published: October 2023

Amidst the debate about India’s population dividend and India’s capability to harness it. The possible radicalization of youth in India can pose a significant challenge for India. The failure to achieve any durable peace in Jammu and Kashmir over three decades after the inception of the conflict has made it a multilayered complex issue. The unilateral action of the central government of removing Article 370 and bifurcating the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories will have long-term effects. Such development is juxtaposed with the surfacing trend of radicalization among youth in India and Jammu and Kashmir and joining ISIS. It becomes essential to suggest a more proactive rather than reactionary approach.  The paper tries to draw on the insights from the Maharashtra Police Deradicalisation model and its utility for youth in Jammu and Kashmir.
Explaining the Role of Domestic Factors in Shaping Foreign Policies: India and Pakistan in Comparative Perspective (2014-2020)
Authors: Khan Muhammad Adeel , Naazer Manzoor Ahmad
Published: October 2023

Since 2014, India's domestic and foreign policies have reflected violent religious fanaticism and hyper-nationalism. If elected to power, Modi often stated that India would pursue a tough stance against Pakistan and would put Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) directly under the control of the Indian central government. This did not paint a positive picture. Since 2014, India's primary goal in foreign policy has remained to encircle Pakistan on all of its borders and isolate it from the rest of the world. Nearly all of the world's superpowers and the Muslim nations have encouraged diplomatic relations with India. India strategically employs all of the regional nations and global powers it has close ties to fight Pakistan. Without any regional or international pressure, it unilaterally changed the special constitutional status of Indian-occupied Kashmir. The reactionary foreign policy of Pakistan, on the other hand, did not rely on pre-emptive measures to fight India's foreign policy, which is primarily built on plotting against Pakistan. India consistently takes advantage of Pakistan's weak and nebulous international policies. This study aims to give a detailed analysis of the elements, in particular the internal or domestic ones that were responsible for influencing foreign policy decision-making in India and Pakistan between 2014 and 2020. Using Allison’s models of foreign policy has identified the factors accountable for Pakistan's unproductive and responsive external policy in contrast to India's proactive and forceful external strategy. One of the crucial findings that this study identified is that the democratic system and political continuity in India are the significant elements providing a strong base for effective policy making and building strong institutions as compared to Pakistan where the absence of both these elements are contributing to institutional crisis as well as weak and passive decision making.
Comparative efficacy of olaparib in combination with or without novel antiandrogens for treating metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Chen Xiangyu , Pan Yang , Wang Qihua , Ren Congzhe , Li Muwei , Hao Xuexue , Xie Lijun , Liu Xiaoqiang
Published: October 2023

Background

Studies using novel antiandrogens (NAA) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) have shown overall survival benefit. As patients develop resistance to NAA therapy, the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi) olaparib in combination with NAA may become a promising therapy. However the overall benefit of olaparib monotherapy or combination therapy still needs to be evaluated. Therefore, we performed a network meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and toxicity between olaparib, olaparib combined with abiraterone and NAA.

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) University Meeting abstracts for randomized controlled trials reporting olaparib and NAA from 2010 up to March, 2023. Network meta-analysis using Stata 16.0 and R 4.4.2, hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the results.

Results

Four trials reported olaparib, olaparib plus abiraterone and apalutamide plus abiraterone. radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) was significantly lower in patients on apalutamide plus abiraterone compared to olaparib (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.06-1.93). rPFS was similar for olaparib plus abiraterone and olaparib (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.99-1.84); likewise, olaparib plus abiraterone and apalutamide plus abiraterone were similar (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.83-1.35). In addition, there was no significant difference between the three interventions for OS. But olaparib has the highest probability of being a preferred treatment for improving rPFS and OS.

Conclusion

rPFS was in favor of olaparib compared with apalutamide plus abiraterone. But there were no difference between olaparib plus abiraterone and either olaparib or apalutamide plus abiraterone. Apalutamide plus abiraterone might be the most preferred intervention in cases where AEs are involved.

Systematic review registration

https://inplasy.com, identifier INPLASY2023100072.
Electroacupuncture exerts prolonged analgesic and neuroprotective effects in a persistent dental pain model induced by multiple dental pulp injuries: GABAergic interneurons-astrocytes interaction
Authors: Ballon Romero Sharmely Sharon , Fuh Lih-Jyh , Hung Shih-Ya , Lee Yu-Chen , Huang Yu-Chuen , Chien Szu-Yu , Chen Yi-Hung
Published: October 2023

Pain within the trigeminal system, particularly dental pain, is poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether single or multiple dental pulp injuries induce persistent pain, its association with trigeminal central nociceptive pathways and whether electroacupuncture (EA) provides prolonged analgesic and neuroprotective effects in a persistent dental pain model. Models of single dental pulp injury (SDPI) and multiple dental pulp injuries (MDPI) were used to induce trigeminal neuropathic pain. The signs of dental pain-related behavior were assessed using the mechanical head withdrawal threshold (HWT). Immunofluorescence and western blot protocols were used to monitor astrocyte activation, changes in apoptosis-related proteins, and GABAergic interneuron plasticity. SDPI mice exhibited an initial marked decrease in HWT from days one to 14, followed by progressive recovery from days 21 to 42. From days 49 to 70, the HWT increased and returned to the control values. In contrast, MDPI mice showed a persistent decrease in HWT from days one to 70. MDPI increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and decreased glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate transporter-1 (GLT1) expression in the Vi/Vc transition zone of the brainstem on day 70, whereas no changes in astrocytic markers were observed on day 70 after SDPI. Increased expression of cleaved cysteine-aspartic protease-3 (cleaved caspase-3) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), along with decreased B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 2 (Bcl-2), were observed at day 70 after MDPI but not after SDPI. The downregulation of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) expression was observed on day 70 only after MDPI. The effects of MDPI-induced lower HWT from days one to 70 were attenuated by 12 sessions of EA treatment (days one to 21 after MDPI). Changes in astrocytic GFAP, GS, and GLT-1, along with cleaved caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, and GAD65 expression observed 70 days after MDPI, were reversed by EA treatment. The results suggest that persistent dental pain in mice was induced by MDPI but not by SDPI. This effect was associated with trigeminal GABAergic interneuron plasticity along with morphological and functional changes in astrocytes. EA exerts prolonged analgesic and neuroprotective effects that might be associated with the modulation of neuron-glia crosstalk mechanisms.
Drivers of pelagic and benthic microbial communities on Central Arctic seamounts
Authors: von Jackowski Anabel , Walter Maren , Spiegel Timo , Buttigieg Pier Luigi , Molari Massimiliano
Published: October 2023

Seamounts are abundant features on the seafloor that serve as hotspots and barriers for the dispersal of benthic organisms. The primary focus of seamount ecology has typically been on the composition and distribution of faunal communities, with far less attention given to microbial communities. Here, we investigated the microbial communities in the water column (0-3400 m depth) and sediments (619-3883 m depth, 0-16 cm below seafloor) along the ice-covered Arctic ridge system called the Langseth Ridge. We contextualized the microbial community composition with data on the benthic trophic state (i.e., organic matter, chlorophyll-a content, and porewater geochemistry) and substrate type (i.e., sponge mats, sediments, basaltic pebbles). Our results showed slow current velocities throughout the water column, a shift in the pelagic microbial community from a dominance of Bacteroidia in the 0-10 m depth towards Proteobacteria and Nitrososphaeria below the epipelagic zone. In general, the pelagic microbial communities showed a high degree of similarity between the Langseth Ridge seamounts to a northern reference site. The only notable differences were decreases in richness between ~600 m and the bottom waters (~10 m above the seafloor) that suggest a pelagic-benthic coupling mediated by filter feeding of sponges living on the seamount summits. On the seafloor, the sponge spicule mats, and polychaete worms were the principal source of variation in sedimentary biogeochemistry and the benthic microbial community structure. The porewater signature suggested that low organic matter degradation rates are accompanied by a microbial community typical of deep-sea oligotrophic environments, such as Proteobacteria, Acidimicrobiia, Dehalococcoidia, Nitrospira, and archaeal Nitrososphaeria. The combined analysis of biogeochemical parameters and the microbial community suggests that the sponges play a significant role for pelagic-benthic coupling and acted as ecosystem engineers on the seafloor of ice-covered seamounts in the oligotrophic central Arctic Ocean.
Cuproptosis in ccRCC: key player in therapeutic and prognostic targets
Authors: Lv Yang , Li Qiang , Yin Lu , He Shaohua , Qin Chao , Lu Zhongwen , Chen Hongqi
Published: October 2023

Background

Classical biomarkers have been used to classify clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients in a variety of ways, and emerging evidences have indicated that cuproptosis is closely related to mitochondrial metabolism, thereby accelerating the development and progression of ccRCC. Nevertheless, the specific relationship between cuproptosis and the prognosis and treatment of ccRCC remains unclear.

Methods

We comprehensively integrated several ccRCC patient datasets into a large cohort. Following that, we systematically analyzed multi-omics data to demonstrate the differences between two cuproptosis clusters.

Results

We identified two cuproptosis clusters in ccRCC patients. Among the two clusters, cluster 1 patients showed favorable prognosis. We then confirmed the significant differences between the two clusters, including more typical cancer hallmarks were enriched in cluster 2 patients; cluster 2 patients were more susceptible to develop mutations and had a lower level of gistic score and mRNAsi. Importantly, both Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion analysis and subclass mapping algorithm showed that cuproptosis 1 patients were more susceptible to be responded to immunotherapy. In addition, a prognostic signature was successfully developed and also showed prominent predictive power in response to immunotherapy.

Conclusion

As a result of our findings, we were able to classify ccRCC patients according to cuproptosis in a novel way. By constructing the cuproptosis clusters and developing the signature, patients with ccRCC could have a more accurate prognosis prediction and better immunotherapy options.
Patent ductus arteriosus shunting direction and diameter predict inpatient outcomes in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Bao Min , Wu Tao , Guo Jinghui , Wang Ying , Cao Aimei , Liu Chao , Wei Yandong , Zheng Chunhua , Shi Lin , Ma Lishuang
Published: October 2023

Objective

To evaluate whether the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) can serve as a predictive factor for inpatient outcomes in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) patients.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 59 CDH patients at the Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2020 to August 2022. Echocardiography was performed at least three times: within 2–3 h after birth, pre-operatively, and post-operatively of CDH surgery. Based on the direction of the PDA shunt in the first echocardiogram, patients were classified into three groups: left-to-right shunting or closed PDA (L-R), bi-directional shunting, and right-to-left shunting (R-L).

Results

The mortality rate was 15.3% (9/59), with all non-survivors having R-L shunting and group mortality of 39.1% (9/23). The direction of the PDA shunt was significantly associated with the duration of ventilation and length of hospital stay (p < 0.05). Decreased PDA diameter or pre-operative shunting direction change towards L-R or bi-directional shunting were associated with higher survival rates, while increased PDA diameter or continuous R-L shunting were associated with higher mortality rates. Pre-operative PDA shunt direction, PDA size after birth and before surgery, gestational age of diagnosis, and shortening fraction before surgery were significantly correlated with patient outcomes. The direction of the preoperative PDA shunt was the most relevant factor among these relationships (p = 0.009, OR 20.6, CI 2.2∼196.1).

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the importance of monitoring changes in PDA shunt directionality and diameter in the early stage after birth, as these parameters may serve as valuable predictors of patient outcomes.
Application timing and duration of LED and HPS supplements differentially influence yield, nutrient bioaccumulation, and light use efficiency of greenhouse basil across seasons
Authors: Hammock Hunter A. , Kopsell Dean A. , Sams Carl E.
Published: October 2023

Three primary factors that impact plant growth and development are light quantity, quality, and duration. Commercial growers can manipulate these parameters using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to optimize biomass yield and plant quality. There is significant potential to synergize supplemental lighting (SL) parameters with seasonal variation of ambient sunlight to optimize crop light use efficiency (LUE), which could increase biomass while reducing SL electricity costs. To determine the best lighting characteristics and durations for different crops, particularly for enhancing the yield and nutritional quality of high-value specialty crops produced in greenhouses during the winter, a thorough efficacy comparison of progressive incremental daily light integrals (DLIs) using LED and high-pressure sodium (HPS) sources is required. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of differential application timing and DLIs of supplemental blue (B)/red (R) narrowband wavelengths from LED lighting systems and HPS lamps on greenhouse hydroponic basil (Ocimum basilicum var. Genovese) production. We assessed edible biomass, nutrient bioaccumulation, and LUE. Nine light treatments included: one non-supplemented natural light (NL) control, two end-of-day (EOD) HPS treatments applied for 6 h and 12 h, five EOD 20B/80R LED treatments applied for 3 h, 6 h, 9 h, 12 h, 18 h, and one continuous LED treatment (24 h). Each SL treatment provided 100 µmol·m-2·s-1. The DLI of the NL control averaged 9.9 mol·m-2·d-1 during the growth period (ranging from 4 to 20 mol·m-2·d-1). SL treatments and growing seasons significantly impacted biomass and nutrient bioaccumulation; some SL treatments had lower yields than the non-supplemented NL control. January growing season produced the lowest fresh mass (FM) and dry mass (DM) values compared to November, which had the highest. Mineral analyses revealed that both growing seasons and lighting types impacted macro and micronutrient accumulation. Additionally, the efficiency of each treatment in converting electrical energy into biomass varied greatly. EOD supplements using LED and HPS lighting systems both have merits for efficiently optimizing yield and nutrient accumulation in basil; however, biomass and nutrient tissue concentrations highly depend on seasonal variation in ambient sunlight in conjunction with a supplement’s spectral quality, DLI, and application schedule.
Psychometric properties of the affect integration inventory – short form in a sample of patients with personality disorder
Authors: Frederiksen Christina , Kjaersdam Telléus Gry , Solbakken Ole André
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Affect integration comprises the capacity to access and utilize the motivational and signal properties of affects. This capacity is essential for personal adjustment, mental health, and well-being. Affect integration is commonly operationalized through the Affect Integration Inventory. This study examines the psychometric properties of a short-form (AII-SF-42) of the instrument in a sample of patients with personality disorders (n = 87).

Methods

Analyses of internal-consistency reliability, along with standardized mean differences-, and associations between short- and long-forms are reported. Internal structure was assessed by confirmatory factor analyses and external criterion validity was addressed by tests of associations between the AII-SF-42-scale scores and measures of alexithymia, symptom distress, interpersonal problems and level of personality dysfunction.

Results

The study demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity for scores derived from the AII-SF-42, including acceptable internal consistency and strong correspondence with long-form scores, a consistent factor structure organized according to discrete affects, and systematic patterns of convergent and discriminant associations with external measures.

Conclusion

Taken together, the results of the study demonstrate that in clinical settings, including patients with personality disorders the AII-SF-42 is a valid and useful alternative to the full-length version of the instrument.
Systematic manipulation of experimenters' non-verbal behaviors for the investigation of pain reports and placebo effects
Authors: Daniali Hojjat , Ruben Mollie A. , Flaten Magne Arve
Published: October 2023

Objective

Non-verbal behaviors (NBs) of caregivers affect pain reports and placebo effects. However, little experimental research has systematically examined the caregivers' NBs. This study protocol and preparatory study report a systematic manipulation of experimenters' NBs to investigate pain report and placebo effects.

Methods

We propose an experiment in which videotaped experimenters (VEs) conduct a pain stimulation and a placebo treatment study. The VEs express one positively enhanced NB and keep the other NBs neutral. Participants will be randomized to either the positive facial expressions (+FE), tone of voice (+TV), body movement (+BM), or neutral NBs (i.e., neutral condition; NC) of the VEs. As a preparatory study for proof of concept, two groups of NB coders from Norway and the USA separately rated the degree of NBs (eye contact, body postures and movements, and tone of voice), and impressions of dominance and being in charge, positivity, and expressivity from each NB video. The NB videos had construct validity and reliability. The +BM and +FE were rated as more dominant and in charge than the +TV and the NC. The +FE and +BM were rated as the most positive and expressive NBs, respectively.

Expected results

+FE will have the largest placebo effects on pain and stress levels. However, transmitting the NBs to patients by VEs is challenging. Moreover, controlling for the effects of research assistants present in the testing room is challenging.

Discussion

We propose that caregivers' NBs affect pain reports and placebo effects. Moreover, different NBs elicit different impressions, and a better understanding of the role of caregiver NBs requires more rigorous investigations. Lastly, aiming to investigate the caregiver NBs, the varying degrees of micro-NBs and their effects on the formation of impressions should be considered.
Social determinants of health and lung cancer surgery: a qualitative study
Authors: Teteh Dede K. , Ferrell Betty , Okunowo Oluwatimilehin , Downie Aidea , Erhunmwunsee Loretta , Montgomery Susanne B. , Raz Dan , Kittles Rick , Kim Jae Y. , Sun Virginia
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are non-clinical factors that may affect the outcomes of cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to describe the influence of SDOH factors on quality of life (QOL)-related outcomes for lung cancer surgery patients.

Methods

Thirteen patients enrolled in a randomized trial of a dyadic self-management intervention were invited and agreed to participate in semi-structured key informant interviews at study completion (3 months post-discharge). A conventional content analysis approach was used to identify codes and themes that were derived from the interviews. Independent investigators coded the qualitative data, which were subsequently confirmed by a second group of independent investigators. Themes were finalized, and discrepancies were reviewed and resolved.

Results

Six themes, each with several subthemes, emerged. Overall, most participants were knowledgeable about the concept of SDOH and perceived that provider awareness of SDOH information was important for the delivery of comprehensive care in surgery. Some participants described financial challenges during treatment that were exacerbated by their cancer diagnosis and resulted in stress and poor QOL. The perceived impact of education varied and included its importance in navigating the healthcare system, decision-making on health behaviors, and more economic mobility opportunities. Some participants experienced barriers to accessing healthcare due to insurance coverage, travel burden, and the fear of losing quality insurance coverage due to retirement. Neighborhood and built environment factors such as safety, air quality, access to green space, and other environmental factors were perceived as important to QOL. Social support through families/friends and spiritual/religious communities was perceived as important to postoperative recovery.

Discussion

Among lung cancer surgery patients, SDOH factors can impact QOL and the patient’s survivorship journey. Importantly, SDOH should be assessed routinely to identify patients with unmet needs across the five domains. SDOH-driven interventions are needed to address these unmet needs and to improve the QOL and quality of care for lung cancer surgery patients.
Preparation of polymeric-ceramic composite membranes for use in the methanol synthesis reaction
Authors: Elvira I. , Lasobras J. , Soler J. , Herguido J. , Menéndez M.
Published: October 2023

A new kind of ceramic-polymeric membranes has been prepared and characterized towards its use in membrane reactors for synthesis of methanol from CO2 and hydrogen. In this way, PBI membranes were prepared on a ceramic support by varying parameters of the preparation process. The effect of those parameters on the separation of the compounds involved in the reaction was measured under conditions (temperature, pressure and gas composition) simulating those of the reaction. The prepared membranes were able to selectively remove water from a mixture containing hydrogen and CO2. H2O/CO2 and H2O/H2 separation factors over 18 and 12, respectively, were achieved at 160°C. The separation factors decreased by increasing the temperature with a 3-layer membrane but were quite stable with a 4-layer membrane.
A study of fracture lines distribution characteristics in complete articular fractures of the patella
Authors: Wang Xiong , Zi Shuming , Wei Wenqiang , Yao Qiang , Cao Liehu
Published: October 2023

Objective

The objective of this study was to unveil the characteristics of fracture lines distribution and explore its clinical significance of complete articular fractures of the patella.

Methods

A consecutive series of image data from 88 patients with complete articular patella fractures were retrospectively included. Three-dimensional reconstruction images of the patella fractures were created and collected. Subsequently, these reconstructed images were visually overlaid onto a standard anterior and posterior patella template. The fracture lines were then identified, traced onto the template, and utilized to generate patella fracture maps. Furthermore, the incidence rate of patella fracture lines involving the distal pole was analyzed.

Results

The maps depict the fracture lines of complete articular patella fractures. For simple and complex patella fractures, the primary fracture lines primarily converge within the Middle and Lower regions, exhibiting a transverse pattern. Conversely, the primary fracture lines in comminuted patella fractures are randomly dispersed across the patella. Examining the maps, approximately 63.6% (56/88) of complete articular patella fractures exhibited involvement of the distal pole in the anterior view, while 48.9% (43/88) displayed distal pole fractures in the posterior view. The incidence of distal pole injury increased progressively with the severity of patella fractures.

Conclusion

The patterns and distribution of fracture lines in cases of complete articular patella fractures are prominently illustrated on the constructed fracture maps. Familiarity with these common characteristics of complete articular patella fracture, especially with the distal pole injury, can aid surgeons in developing preoperative planning, executing surgical strategies effectively, and reducing inappropriate treatment.
On-farm investments into dairy cow health: evidence from 15 case study countries
Authors: Schrobback Peggy , Gonzalez Fischer Carlos , Mayberry Dianne , Herrero Mario
Published: October 2023

Managing investments in dairy cow health at a national and global scale, requires an improved understanding of current on-farm expenses for cow health (e.g., expenditure for medicine and veterinary consultations). The aim of this study was to assess on-farm health investments for typical dairy farms in 15 case study countries, including Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, India, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Kenya, New Zealand, Uganda, UK, Uruguay, and USA. The study was conducted using a descriptive analysis of a secondary data set that was obtained from the International Farm Comparison Network (IFCN). The results suggest that health expenditures take up a relatively small proportion (<10%) of the annual total production costs per cow across all countries in the sample. The means of production costs (e.g., feed, machinery) can take up to 90% of the total production costs for highly intensive systems, while these costs can be as low as 9% for extensive systems. This study highlights the importance of understanding on-farm animal health investments as a contribution to improved national and global decision making about animal health in the dairy sector.
Precision Operation Technology and Intelligent Equipment in Farmland
Authors: Ni Jun
Published: October 2023

Precision operation technology and intelligent equipment in farmland is centered on farmland cultivation, planting, management, harvesting, and other operations [...]
Characterization and Description of the Fecal Microbiomes of Pet Domestic Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) Living in Homes
Authors: Scarsella Elisa , Fay J. Skyla , Jospin Guillaume , Jarett Jessica K. , Entrolezo Zhandra , Ganz Holly H.
Published: October 2023

The domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) is a popular companion pet in the United States, with an estimated population of 500,000. Despite being obligate carnivores with a fast digestive system, little is known about their gut microbiomes. This study aims to compare the fecal microbiomes of healthy domestic ferrets and cats, which are both obligate carnivores. We collected and analyzed stool samples from 36 healthy ferrets and 36 healthy cats, sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Using QIIME 2, we assessed the alpha and beta diversities and identified the taxa differences. Compared to cats, ferrets exhibited a higher representation of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, while Bacteroidota and Actinomycetota were more prevalent in cats. The ferrets’ microbiomes displayed lower alpha diversities. The highly present bacterial genera in the gut microbiomes of ferrets included Clostridium sensu stricto, Streptococcus, Romboutsia, Paeniclostridium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and Lactococcus. Notably, the ferrets’ microbiomes significantly differed from those of cats. This research highlights the potential differences in gastrointestinal care for ferrets, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches. Future studies should explore microbiome variations in ferrets with gastrointestinal issues and their responses to dietary and medical interventions.
Effect of Hermetia illucens Fat, Compared with That of Soybean Oil and Palm Oil, on Hepatic Lipid Metabolism and Plasma Metabolome in Healthy Rats
Authors: Ringseis Robert , Marschall Magdalena J. M. , Grundmann Sarah M. , Schuchardt Sven , Most Erika , Gessner Denise K. , Wen Gaiping , Eder Klaus
Published: October 2023

Palm oil (PO) is currently the most widely used fat source for food production, but insect fat from Hermetia illucens larvae (HF) might be a suitable alternative fat source, because its production is less harmful to the environment. The present study investigated the effect of HF, as compared to PO and soybean oil (SO), on the hepatic lipid metabolism and the plasma metabolome of healthy rats, which were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 10 rats/group), and fed three different semi-synthetic diets containing either SO, PO, or HF as the main fat source for 4 weeks. Feed intake, body weight gain, liver and plasma lipid concentrations, and the hepatic mRNA levels of genes involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation did not differ between groups. Targeted plasma metabolomics revealed 294 out of 630 metabolites analyzed to be different between groups. Principal component analysis showed a clear separation of the plasma metabolomes of the SO group and the other two groups, but no separation of those of the PO and the HF groups. The present study shows that HF exerts no adverse metabolic effects in healthy rats, compared to PO or SO, indicating that HF is a safe alternative fat source to PO for food production.
Inoculum-Based Dosing: A Novel Concept for Combining Time with Concentration-Dependent Antibiotics to Optimize Clinical and Microbiological Outcomes in Severe Gram Negative Sepsis
Authors: Tilanus Alwin , Drusano George
Published: October 2023

Certain classes of antibiotics show “concentration dependent” antimicrobial activity; higher concentrations result in increased bacterial killing rates, in contrast to “time dependent antibiotics”, which show antimicrobial activity that depends on the time that antibiotic concentrations remain above the MIC. Aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones are still widely used concentration-dependent antibiotics. These antibiotics are not hydrolyzed by beta-lactamases and are less sensitive to the inoculum effect, which can be defined as an increased MIC for the antibiotic in the presence of a relatively higher bacterial load (inoculum). In addition, they possess a relatively long Post-Antibiotic Effect (PAE), which can be defined as the absence of bacterial growth when antibiotic concentrations fall below the MIC. These characteristics make them interesting complementary antibiotics in the management of Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) bacteria and/or (neutropenic) patients with severe sepsis. Global surveillance studies have shown that up to 90% of MDR Gram-negative bacteria still remain susceptible to aminoglycosides, depending on the susceptibility breakpoint (e.g., CLSI or EUCAST) being applied. This percentage is notably lower for fluoroquinolones but depends on the region, type of organism, and mechanism of resistance involved. Daily (high-dose) dosing of aminoglycosides for less than one week has been associated with significantly less nephro/oto toxicity and improved target attainment. Furthermore, higher-than-conventional dosing of fluoroquinolones has been linked to improved clinical outcomes. Beta-lactam antibiotics are the recommended backbone of therapy for severe sepsis. Since these antibiotics are time-dependent, the addition of a second concentration-dependent antibiotic could serve to quickly lower the bacterial inoculum, create PAE, and reduce Penicillin-Binding Protein (PBP) expression. Inadequate antibiotic levels at the site of infection, especially in the presence of high inoculum infections, have been shown to be important risk factors for inadequate resistance suppression and therapeutic failure. Therefore, in the early phase of severe sepsis, effort should be made to optimize the dose and quickly lower the inoculum. In this article, the authors propose a novel concept of “Inoculum Based Dosing” in which the decision for antibiotic dosing regimens and/or combination therapy is not only based on the PK parameters of the patient, but also on the presumed inoculum size. Once the inoculum has been lowered, indirectly reflected by clinical improvement, treatment simplification should be considered to further treat the infection.
Serum Selenium-Binding Protein 1 (SELENBP1) in Burn Injury: A Potential Biomarker of Disease Severity and Clinical Course
Authors: Turan Tabael L. , Klein Holger J. , Hackler Julian , Hoerner Livia , Rijntjes Eddy , Graf Theresia Reding , Plock Jan A. , Schomburg Lutz
Published: October 2023

Oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and metabolic derangements are hallmarks of burn pathophysiology. Severely burned patients are highly susceptible to infectious complications. Selenium-binding protein 1 (SELENBP1) modulates intracellular redox homeostasis, and elevated serum concentrations have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes in trauma patients. We hypothesized that serum SELENBP1 at hospital admission and during hospitalization may constitute a meaningful biomarker of disease severity and the clinical course in burn injury, with pulmonary infection as primary endpoint. To this end, we conducted a prospective cohort study that included 90 adult patients admitted to the Burn Center of the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. Patients were treated according to the local standard of care, with high-dose selenium supplementation during the first week. Serum SELENBP1 was determined at nine time-points up to six months postburn and the data were correlated to clinical parameters. SELENBP1 was initially elevated and rapidly declined within the first day. Baseline SELENBP1 levels correlated positively with the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) (R = 0.408; p < 0.0001). In multiple logistic regression, a higher ABSI was significantly associated with increased pulmonary infection risk (OR, 14.4; 95% CI, 3.2–88.8; p = 0.001). Similarly, baseline SELENBP1 levels constituted a novel but less accurate predictor of pulmonary infection risk (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 0.7–8.9; p = 0.164). Further studies are needed to explore the additional value of serum SELENBP1 when stratifying patients with respect to the clinical course following major burns and, potentially, for monitoring therapeutic measures aimed at reducing tissue damage and oxidative stress.
Study on the Energy Release Law of Overburden Rock Breaking and Anti-Rockburst Technology in the Knife Handle Working Face of a Gently Inclined Coal Seam
Authors: Cui Feng , Sun Jingxuan , Lai Xingping , Jia Chong , Zhang Suilin
Published: October 2023

This study aims at the problems of the difficulty in controlling the stability of the surrounding rock and the high-impact danger of knife handle-type working face mining. We take the I010206 working face of Kuangou Coal Mine in Xinjiang as the engineering background, establish the mechanical model of roof periodic fracture and the FLAC3D numerical model of a working face, and analyze the evolution characteristics of the surrounding rock stress and energy when the working face is widened, revealing the mechanism of induced impact caused by overburden fracture in the working face, putting forward the technology of hydraulic fracturing to relieve the danger in the roof area, and comparing the pressure relief effect. The research results show the following: (1) After the working face is widened, the overlying strata load is transferred to the coal seam in front of the working face and the upper and lower sides of the working face. after mining; the abutment pressure of the I010408 working face in the B4-1 coal seam is superimposed with the abutment pressure of the I010206 working face in the B2 coal seam, the stress concentration is higher, and the lateral support pressure of the goaf forms a high static load. The large-area roof caving forms a high dynamic load. All of them are more likely to induce rockburst. (2) In knife handle-type working face mining, the peak value of the advanced abutment pressure in working faces first decreases and then increases, and the advanced abutment pressure increases from 10.31 MPa to 14.62 MPa; the peak value and concentration degree of strain energy density increase with the increase in working face width. (3) Measures were proposed to weaken the hydraulic fracturing roof in advance. After using hydraulic fracturing technology, the pressure step distance of the working surface roof was reduced, and the microseismic energy frequency was significantly reduced. These measures reduced the impact risk of the working face and ensured the safe mining of the working face.
How Does the Built Environment Affect Drunk-Driving Crashes? A Spatial Heterogeneity Analysis
Authors: Wang Shaohua , Liu Jianzhen , Chen Ning , Xiao Jinjian , Wei Panyi
Published: October 2023

In this research, 3356 alcohol-related traffic crashes were obtained from blood-alcohol test reports in Tianjin, China. Population density, intersection density, road density, and alcohol outlet densities, including retail density, entertainment density, restaurant density, company density, hotel density, and residential density, were extracted from 2114 traffic analysis zones (TAZs). After a spatial autocorrelation test, the multiple linear regression model (MLR), geographically weighted Poisson regression model (GWPR), and semi-parametric geographically weighted Poisson regression model (SGWPR) were utilized to explore the spatial effects of the aforementioned variables on drunk-driving crash density. The result shows that the SGWPR model based on the adaptive Gaussian function had the smallest AICc value and the best-fitting accuracy. The residential density and the intersection density are global variables, and the others are local variables that have different influences in different regions. Furthermore, we found that the influence of local variables in the economic–technological development area shows significantly different characteristics compared with other districts. Thus, a comprehensive consideration of spatial heterogeneity would be able to improve the effectiveness of the programs formulated to decrease drunk driving crashes.
Event-Based Security Control for Markov Jump Cyber–Physical Systems under Denial-of-Service Attacks: A Dual-Mode Switching Strategy
Authors: Gao Mingke , Li Zhiqiang , Pang Tao , Xu Hong , Chen Siji
Published: October 2023

This paper studies the design of dual-mode resilient event-triggered control strategy for Markov jump cyber–physical systems (MJCPSs) under denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Firstly, a novel resilient event-triggering scheme dependent on the DoS signal is developed to select the corresponding control protocol based on the current network quality of services. Particularly, the potential relationship between the triggering signal and system mode under DoS attacks is discussed, aiming to eliminate both Zeno behavior and singular triggering behavior by calculating the minimum and maximum data update rates. Then, we design an event-based dual-mode security controller to ensure that the closed-loop system has stochastic stability and good robust H∞ performance under DoS attacks. By constructing a Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional which depends on the lower and upper bounds of time delay, sufficient conditions for the existence of dual-mode security controller gains and resilient triggering parameters are presented with the LMI form. Finally, simulation results show that the proposed security control strategy has good robustness against DoS attacks.