bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potentiometric determination of aliphatic amines by a synthetized allyltrifluoromethanesulfonyl imide ([C4H5O2F3NS]− ) cation exchanger
Authors: Fei Jiayu , Shi Jinwei , Chen Xiaofeng , Li Ming
Published: November 2023

In this study, an allyltrifluoromethanesulfonyl imide ([C4H5O2F3NS]−) cation exchanger was synthesized to readily measure low molecular weight (LMW) aliphatic amines by potentiometric detection. The [C4H5O2F3NS]− was used to modify the glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) of the potentiometer via electrochemical polymerization. The modified electrode was used to construct a potentiometric ion chromatography (IC) detector as well as trimethylamine (TMA)-specific molecularly imprinted membrane electrodes on a GCE surface using aniline as a functional monomer. When applied to river water, the relative deviation of the chosen LMW aliphatic amine concentration between the developed detector and a commercial conductivity detector provided with an IC column was less than 5.0%. Notably, the trimethylamine (TMA)-specific membrane electrode presented a linear potential response within the range of 0.01–1 µmol/L of TMA, and the TMA sensor was successfully used to determine TMA in human urine.
Synchronous Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of Stomach: The First Report of an Odd Couple
Authors: Nath Jyotiman , Neog Moniprom , Iqbal Asif , Sarma Anupam , Khanikar Duncan , Gowda Anjana
Published: November 2023

The unique case study presented here explores an exceptionally rare occurrence in an HIV-positive female—synchronous diagnoses of anal squamous cell carcinoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the stomach. With limited existing literature on such clinical scenarios, this case serves as an unprecedented insight into the complexities of managing such synchronous malignancies in HIV-positive patients. The article also examines the heightened risk of specific cancer types in individuals living with HIV compared to those without the virus, focusing on AIDS-defining cancers such as Kaposi sarcoma, various lymphomas (including Burkitt lymphoma, immunoblastic Lymphoma, and primary central nervous system lymphoma), and invasive cervical cancer. Additionally, it highlights an increased incidence and severity of other cancers among HIV-positive individuals, including Hodgkin lymphoma, anal cancer, testicular cancer, melanoma, various skin and superficial eye cancers, and leiomyosarcoma. The article discusses the challenges in the treatment plan, the impact of HIV status on the patient's condition, and the evolving landscape of cancer risk in people living with HIV. Despite significant progress in HIV care, cancer remains a paramount health concern for this population, necessitating tailored approaches and further research to ensure improved outcomes for individuals facing this dual challenge. The case highlights the need for greater inclusivity of PLWH in cancer clinical trials and reinforces the importance of equitable cancer care for this unique patient demographic.
Effectiveness and safety of anlotinib plus anti-programmed cell death 1/ligand 1 (anti-PD-1/PD-L1) antibodies as maintenance therapy after first-line chemotherapy combined with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer: A real-world study
Authors: Tang Chunlan , Yang Pan , Luo Hu , Zhao Lintao , Xiong Fu
Published: November 2023

Background Currently, chemotherapy plus immunotherapy followed by maintenance therapy with immune monotherapy is the preferable first-line treatment option for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), but with limited overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) benefits. The combination of anti-angiogenic drugs with immunotherapy has shown encouraging anti-tumor activity and tolerability, with some degree of overcoming immune resistance. This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of anlotinib plus anti-programmed cell death 1/ligand 1 (anti-PD-1/PD-L1) antibodies as maintenance therapy after first-line chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy in ES-SCLC. Methods Between June 2020 and December 2021, 12 patients with newly diagnosed ES-SCLC in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All patients without disease progression after 4–6 cycles of first-line platinum-containing chemotherapy plus anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies received anlotinib (12 mg, days 1–14) plus anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies as maintenance therapy. Several patients underwent chest radiotherapy (intensity-modulated radiotherapy using a 6MV X-ray) without disease progression before maintenance therapy. The effectiveness and safety of anlotinib plus anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies as maintenance therapy after first-line chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy in ES-SCLC were evaluated. Results The median follow-up time was 31.1 months. During first-line treatment (including maintenance therapy), 1 patient achieved a complete response, 8 patients achieved a partial response (PR), and 3 patients had stable disease, with an objective response rate of 75.0% and a disease control rate of 100.0%. During maintenance therapy with anlotinib plus anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies, 50.0% of patients achieved further lesion remission on the basis of the prior initial treatment, of which 1 patient achieved a PR. The median PFS was 13.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.2–15.6) months, and the median OS was 19.5 (95% CI, 14.5–24.5) months. Treatment-related any grade and grade 3–4 adverse events (AEs) were reported in 100.0% and 58.3% of patients, respectively. No life-threatening AEs were observed. Grade 3–4 AEs included leukocytopenia (58.3%, 7/12), thrombocytopenia (33.3%, 4/12), nausea (33.3%, 4/12), anemia (16.7%, 2/12), and fatigue (8.3%, 1/12). All AEs during maintenance therapy were tolerated and were regarded as grade 1–2, with the majority being fatigue, nausea, rash, and hemoptysis. Conclusion The combination of anlotinib with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies demonstrated encouraging effectiveness and safety in treating patients with ES-SCLC, suggesting that it may be a preferable option for maintenance therapy after first-line chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy.
A DNA damage repair associated signature for HNSCC
Authors: Ma Zhaoen , Liao Wenjing , Yang Saixuan , Xu Yali , Chen Guangui , Song Lijuan , Zhang Xiaowen
Published: November 2023

Background:
DNA damage repair (DDR) genes play a vital role in tumorigenesis and the tumor microenvironment. However, the specific role of DDR genes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is not fully understood.
Method:
Gene expression profiles from the TCGA HNSCC cohort were used to identify DNA damage repair genes with prognostic value. LASSO regression was used to construct a prognostic model for HNSCC. Survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to validate the model. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed to identify potential pathways associated with the signature model. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and the Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) algorithm were used to investigate the tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy response of HNSCC patients, respectively. Finally, a nomogram was constructed to validate the clinical usefulness of the signature model.
Result:
We constructed a six-gene DNA damage repair-related signature consisting of DCLRE1C, TOP3B, POLE2, POLD2, ERCC2, and RAD23B. The results of survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested that the signature had good prognostic value. The risk score based on the signature model was significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration and expression levels of immune markers in HNSCC, and could predict the immunotherapy response for HNSCC patients. Finally, a nomogram was constructed and showed good consistent fitness between the predicted and observed values for 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS).
Conclusion:
We developed a DNA damage repair signature for HNSCC that is associated with survival prognosis and the tumor microenvironment, suggesting its potential for clinical management.
Gunning Fog Index and Automated UML Generation
Authors: Djaber ROUABHIA , HADJADJ Ismail
Published: November 2023

This research investigates the influence of the Gunning Fog Index (GFI) on the production of PlantUML use case diagrams by ChatGPT, within the context of software development projects, particularly focusing on E-commerce for Special Shoes.
The study emphasizes the impact of linguistic complexity, as measured by GFI, on the automated code-generation process. It reveals that lower GFI scores, indicative of clearer text, lead to more easily comprehensible code representations, while higher scores correlate with intricate but potentially less accessible code artifacts. This reflects a nuanced balance between detail and clarity in the specifications. A key finding is the significant contribution of integrating linguistic clarity met-rics like GFI into the code generation workflow. This integration is shown to enhance code quality, usability, and facilitate collaboration among stakeholders. Despite the study’s focus on GFI to the exclusion of other readability metrics, it provides valuable insights into the role of linguistic complexity in shaping software artifacts generated by ChatGPT. Recognizing the importance of readability allows developers to more effectively translate natural language specifications into machine-generated code, yielding benefits in diverse project scenarios.
Assessment of the correlation between renal function markers and serum ferritin levels in thalassemia patients
Authors: Tammadondar Mohammad , Vatankhah Ali , Khatibzade-Nasari Niloufar
Published: November 2023

The aim of this study was to analyze renal function markers and correlate the results with serum ferritin levels in patients with thalassemia who were referred to the Abu Reihan Thalassemia Clinic of Payambar Azam Medical Center in Bandar Abbas, Iran in 2020. We conducted a cross-sectional study and included patients with a proven hemoglobinopathy diagnosis. Fasting blood was obtained to measure creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, uric acid, and ferritin. In addition, a 24-hour urine specimen was collected to determine microalbuminuria, creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, uric acid, and β2-microglobulin. Fractional excretion of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and uric acid was calculated. Finally, all the information was recorded using checklists, and data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20. Spearman’s coefficient of correlation was used to determine the correlations between serum ferritin level and other variables. Sixty-six patients aged 3 to 42 years were studied. In total, 2 patients (0.3%) had sickle cell thalassemia, 53 patients (80.3%) had major thalassemia, and 11 patients (72.7%) had intermediate thalassemia. Serum ferritin, 24-hour urine protein, and fractional excretion of sodium, calcium, and urine were elevated in thalassemia patients. There was no significant correlation between serum ferritin level and age, fractional excretion of potassium, β2-microglobulin, 24-hour urine protein, and serum creatinine (P value > 0.05). On the other hand, there was a significant correlation between serum ferritin level and fractional excretion of magnesium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, and uric acid with a negative correlation coefficient (p-value ≤0.05). We also found that the serum ferritin levels strongly correlated with microalbuminuria (p value=0.005).
Devastating fungal endocarditis involving ascending aorta in a patient with a history of aortic valve replacement: A case report
Authors: Koohsari Parisa , Nakhaee Akram , Rahmanian Mehrzad , Salahshour Faeze , Parkhideh Roya , Larti Farnoosh
Published: November 2023

Background
Fungal endocarditis is a rare disorder with high mortality rates. Several predisposing conditions are identified, including underlying cardiac abnormality and surgery, prosthetic cardiac devices, and central venous catheters as the most common situations. Diagnosing fungal endocarditis, especially Aspergillus, is challenging due to negative blood cultures.
Case Presentation:
This case report presents massive ascending aorta involvement with Aspergillus endocarditis (AE) in a young man with a history of bioprosthesis aortic valve replacement (AVR). Three months after AVR, he presented with pericardial effusion and aortic rupture, which treated with redo Bentall surgery. Despite treatment, extensive involvement of the tubular graft resulted in disruption of the aortic tubular graft and massive peri-aortic involvement with Aspergillus. He underwent a second redo of aortic homograft root replacement. Unfortunately, He died two days after the surgery.
Conclusion
A combination of medical and surgical therapy is suggested as the best treatment for fungal endocarditis. Nevertheless, the mortality rate of Aspergillus endocarditis is still unacceptably high without a significant difference between combination therapy and antifungal therapy alone.
Examining the Influence of Budget Formulation Structures and Processes on the Efficiency of County Health Systems in Kenya
Authors: Musiega Anita , Tsofa Benjamin , Nyawira Lizah , Njuguna Rebecca G , Munywoki Joshua , Hanson Kara , Mulwa Andrew , Molyneux Sassy , Maina Isabel , Normand Charles , Jemutai Julie , Barasa Edwine
Published: November 2023

Background
Public Finance Management (PFM) processes guide the translation of government resources to services and determine health system efficiency. PFM processes are implemented within the budget cycle which entails the formulation, execution, and evaluation of government budgets. We examined how the budget formulation structures and processes influence health system efficiency at the county level in Kenya.
Methods
We conducted a mixed methods case study using counties classified as relatively efficient (n = 2) and relatively inefficient (n = 2) as our cases. We collected qualitative data through document reviews, and in-depth interviews (n = 70). We collected quantitative data from secondary sources, including budgets and budget reports. We analyzed qualitative data using the thematic approach and carried out descriptive analyses on quantitative data.
Results
Budget ceilings were historically allocated, insufficient, late, or not availed at all. This led to development of budgets that were unresponsive to health system needs. Counties developed both programme-based and line budgets with line budgets as the functional budgets. Line budgets limited accountability and flexibility to reallocate resources. County health funds were fragmented resulting in duplications and wastage. Limited stakeholder participation compromised priority setting and social accountability. Priority setting that was not evidence-informed limited efficiency. Finally, budget changes at the budget approval process compromised alignment of plans to budgets.
Conclusion
This study has highlighted six aspects of the budget formulation process in Kenyan counties that ought to be strengthened to enhance health system efficiency: budget ceilings, budget structure, participatory budget formulation, pooling of health funds, priority setting processes and the budget approval process.
DIA proteomics reveals potential biomarkers for T2DM in acute myocardial infarction patients
Authors: Wang Zhibo , Peng Ju Qin , Li Ying , Miao Lan , Ren Junguo , Liu Jinghua , Liu Jianxun
Published: November 2023

Background： Early intervention using specific biomarkers to predict type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) would be effective in reducing the global prevalence of diabetes, especially in high-risk patients with coronary heart disease who develop acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We compared the proteomic profile of AMI patients with T2DM (AD) and without T2DM (A) to obtain potential predictors and treatment factors that can be used for T2DM in AMI patients.
Methods： Twelve AMI patients and twelve AMI patients with T2DM had their serum proteomic profiles analyzed using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS). A bioinformatics analysis of the differentially expressed proteins was conducted after proteomics analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and ELISA were used to evaluate the diagnostic and predictive ability of the candidate proteins.
Results： Patients belonging to two groups had similar baseline clinical data, and there were no statistically significant differences between them. Through serum proteomic profiles, a total of 416 non-redundant proteins were quantified in 2 groups, of which 14 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were obtained. We further focused on 6 core proteins through enrichment and protein-protein interactional (PPI) network, which included lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), apolipoprotein E (ApoE), serpin family F member 2 (SERPINF2), serpin family A member 10 (SERPINA10), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), hypoxia up-regulated 1 (HYOU1), these proteins involved in biological pathways related to immunity, inflammation, signaling, endocrine regulation, cholesterol metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, complement and coagulation cascades. Then text mining complemented the association of these proteins with AMI or T2DM. Eventually, the mean area under the ROC curve of the candidate proteins was 0.77±0.03. Finally, the ELISA results validated the proteomics results.
Conclusions: Serum levels of LBP, ApoE, SERPINF2, SERPINA10, IGFBP7, and HYOU1 appear to be strongly related to T2DM episodes in AMI patients and could be used as potential biomarkers.
An Experimental Investigation of Turbulent Boundary Layers over Ridge-Type Roughness with Sinusoidal Pattern
Authors: Scarano Francesco , Jaroslawski Tomek , Gowree Erwin R.
Published: November 2023

An experimental investigation was conducted to analyse the impact of sinusoidal ridge-type roughness on the mean flow and turbulence characteristics of a developing, moderate Reynolds number, turbulent boundary layer. A streamwise sinusoidal pattern with an amplitude denoted as \(A\) and a wavelength \(\Lambda\) was imposed on the ridges while maintaining fixed the spanwise spacing between the ridges. Hot-wire anemometry was employed to measure the boundary layer downstream of the roughness array, revealing significant modifications in spectral content between configurations with aligned and sinusoidal ridge-type roughness. In line with prior studies, the presence of ridges caused a noticeable upward shift of energy and the emergence of an outer peak in the boundary layer. This phenomenon could be attributed to the creation of a secondary flow region above the roughness elements and large-scale motion in the outer portion of the boundary layer. Interestingly, configurations with sinusoidal patterns exhibited an even more pronounced upward shift of energy in the premultiplied spectra. These findings suggest that the energy in the outer region of the boundary layer is influenced not solely by the spanwise spacing of ridges but also by the waviness of the ridges, which further contributes to its intensification. Notably, the introduction of a sinusoidal pattern increased the von Kármán constant. While ridges with no waviness displayed a decrease in the log-law intercept, in line with regular roughness effects, the incorporation of sinusoidal shapes heightened the log-law intercept, underscoring its significant impact on flow characteristics. Furthermore, measurements from oil droplet interferometry revealed that the presence of ridges locally reduced skin friction. Among the configurations, those with shorter sinusoidal wavelengths exhibited the lowest values for skin friction, with, however, the increase of pressure drag likely present.
Soil CO2 emission and stable isotopes (13C/12C, 18O/16O) of CO2 and calcites reveal the fluid origin and thermal energy in the supercritical geothermal system of Krafla, Iceland
Authors: Bini Giulio , Chiodini Giovanni , Ricci Tullio , Sciarra Alessandra , Caliro Stefano , Mortensen Anette K. , Martini Marco , Mitchell Andrew , Santi Alessandro , Costa Antonio
Published: November 2023

The Krafla geothermal system is located within a volcanic center that periodically emit basaltic lavas, and has recently attracted an economic interest due to supercritical fluids forming nearby a shallow magma intrusion (~ 2 km depth). Here, we discuss new soil CO2 flux and stable isotope data of the CO2 efflux (δ13C) and hydrothermal calcites (δ13C, δ18O) of drill cuttings, to estimate both the current magmatic outgassing from soils and the thermal flows in the geothermal system. Soil CO2 emission is controlled by the tectonic, following the NNE-SSW fissure swarm direction and a WSW-ENE trend, and accounts for ~ 62.5 t d–1. While the δ18O of the H2O in equilibrium with deep calcites is predominantly meteoric, both the δ13C of the soil CO2 efflux and of the fluids from which calcite precipitated have a clear magmatic origin, overlapping the δ13C estimated for the Icelandic mantle (–2.5 +/- 1.1 ‰). Estimates based on the soil CO2 emission from the southern part of the system show that these fluxes might be sustained by the ascent and depressurization of supercritical fluids with a thermal energy of ~800 MW. Such significant amount of energy might reach 1.5 GW, if supercritical conditions extended below the whole investigated area. Finally, we report an increase in the soil CO2 emission of about 3 times with respect to 14 years ago, likely due to recent changes in the fluid extracted for power production or magmatic activity. Pairing the soil CO2 emission with stable isotopes of the efflux and calcite samples has important implications for both volcano monitoring and geothermal exploration, since it can help us to track magmatic fluid upflows and the associated thermal energy.
Altered spreading of fast aperiodic brain waves relates to disease duration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Polverino Arianna , Lopez Emahnuel Troisi , Liparoti Marianna , Minino Roberta , Romano Antonella , Cipriano Lorenzo , Trojsi Francesca , Jirsa Viktor , Sorrentino Giuseppe , Sorrentino Pierpaolo
Published: November 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multisystem disorder, as supported by clinical, molecular and neuroimaging evidence. Functional connectivity (FC) studies show alterations in the topological organization of brain network in ALS patients, demonstrating a hyper-connectedness as the disease progresses. This functionally hyper-connected network can be linked to altered brain dynamics, since the brain activity is characterized by large-scale bursts of activations, defined as neuronal avalanches. The number of unique avalanche patterns (i.e., the size of the functional repertoire) might be used as a readout of brain flexibility. In fact, we have previously shown that the size of the functional repertoire is reduced in ALS and predicts clinical disability. However, this approach did not provide information on the spatio-temporal spreading of neuronal avalanches in the brain. In this work, we hypothesized that ALS patients would show an altered spreading of neuronal avalanches. To test our hypothesis, we obtained the source-reconstructed MEG signals from thirty-six ALS patients and forty-two healthy controls. Then, we used the construct of the avalanche transition matrix (ATM), which represents the probability that two brain regions are consecutively recruited in an avalanche, and used the corresponding network parameter nodal strength to quantify the changes in each region. In fact, this parameter provides key information about which brain regions are mostly involved in the spreading avalanches. Our work demonstrated that ALS patients present higher values of the nodal strength in both cortical and sub-cortical brain areas. Furthermore, the nodal strength correlates directly with disease duration.
The influence of income tax rate, tunneling incentives, and return on equity on transfer pricing behavior of foreign direct investment enterprises in Vietnam
Authors: Quoc Thinh Tran , Thi Hai An Nguyen
Published: November 2023

The utilization of competitive advantages in international trading has fortuitously put transnational manufacturing enterprises in the position of distorting transfer pricing techniques to maximize profits. The paper aims to explore the influence of the determinants on the transfer pricing behavior of foreign direct investment enterprises in Vietnam. The paper collects primary data from the financial statements of 96 foreign direct investment enterprises in Vietnam over six years from 2016 to 2021. The paper gets a final panel data of 576 observations to be processed by the fixed effects model estimation method using EViews 12. Supporting agency theory and positive accounting theory, the results show that the income tax rate negatively influences transfer pricing behavior, while tunneling incentives and return on equity positively affect transfer pricing behavior. The paper highlights that government agencies should reperform and implement fiscal policies synchronously to be able to monitor transfer pricing behaviors of foreign direct investment enterprises in Vietnam.
The God of the Philosophers and the God of Faith according to Joseph Ratzinger
Authors: Stępień Tomasz
Published: November 2023

Niniejszy artykuł proponuje rewizję koncepcji zaproponowanej przez Josepha Ratzingera, którą pierwszy raz sformułował podczas wykładu wygłoszonego w 1959 roku. Teolog z Ratyzbony bronił w nim pojęcia teologii naturalnej przed radykalnym jej odrzuceniem dokonanym w kręgu teologów dialektycznych, a szczególnie przez Emila Brunnera. Choć odrzucenie tez owych teologów jest całkowicie słuszne, to problematyczne pozostaje traktowanie Boga filozofów jako czystej myśli (reines Denken). Artykuł niniejszy wykazuje, że Bóg filozofów starożytnych nie może być tak postrzegany, bo taka wizja opiera się na kategoriach filozofii nowożytnej i współczesnej. Zaproponowane ujęcie Boga filozofów pozwala na odrzucenie tez teologów protestanckich w nowy sposób, przy jednoczesnym przyznaniu im racji co do idei Boga w filozofii nowożytnej i współczesnej jako antropomorficznego bożka.
New SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Inhibitor by Ascorbic Acid: Design, Molecular
Docking, Lipinski’s Rule and ADMET Analysis
Authors: Rashid Mohammad , Athar Md Tanwir , Alazmi Abdulrahman Salman , Kumar Deepak , Kumar Raj , Woo Lee Keun , Alnami Aisha
Published: November 2023

Background:

Mpro protease, an enzyme found in coronaviruses (PDB codes: 6LU7 and
2GTB), provides a unique way to recognize potentially active substances. All of the suggested drugs
shared an ethanolamine/propylamine bridge, consisting of two to three lengths of carbon atoms, to
treat COVID-19 patients. Because of this, the author chose to conduct the study using ascorbic acid,
also known as R-5-(S)-1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-3,4-dihydroxyfuran-2(5H)-one, a potent immune system
booster for combating coronavirus.

Objective:

In this study, ascorbic acid is used to identify new potential inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2
Mpro enzyme using molecular docking, the Lipinski rule for drug-likeness, physiochemical property
by Molinspiration, ADMET by Pre ADMET server, and Osiris property explorer for toxicity analysis
in comparison to proposed drug therapy.

Methods:

The receptor-binding site in the active sites of Mpro protease (PDB codes: 6LU7 and
2GTB) was predicted using molecular docking studies using the GOLD, v5.2.2 program (Genetic
Optimization for Ligand Docking). Ascorbic acid derivatives' physiochemical properties, druglikeness,
ADME, and toxicity were further examined using Molinspiration, OSIRIS Property Explorer,
and Pre ADMET service.

Results:

The findings result showed that molecules 16 and 17 had outstanding gold score/energy
score with 6LU7 (52.45 & 51.45/-15.16 &-17.32 kJ/mol, respectively) and 2GTB (55.09 & 54.79/-
11.86 & -16.31 kJ/mol, respectively). All molecules were found with zero violation of Lipinski rules
and showed good bioavailability via the oral route. In comparison to the proposed drugs, the compounds
3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, and 17 had good drug scores and received excellent drug-likeness ratings.
The compounds 14, 15, 16, and 17 were observed as remarkable inhibitors for CYP 450 3A4, CYP
450 2C9 and CYP 450 2C19 and substrates for CYP 450 3A4 and CYP 450 2D6.

Conclusion:

In the molecular docking study, compound 17 showed outstanding gold/energy values
as well as excellent bioactivity scores against GPCR ligands, protease inhibitors, and kinase inhibitors.
Drug-related attributes were obtained using OSIRIS property explorer and pre-ADME, which
showed compound 17 to have an excellent drug score, no toxicity, and drug-likeness.
Colchicine with Infliximab Compared to Infliximab in Hospitalized
Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia: An Open-label Randomized Trial
Authors: Yadollahzadeh Mahdi , Nasiripour Somayyeh , Moradi Shahrbabak Najmeh , Rezaie Nader , Farrokhpour Mohsen , Azimi Mehdi , Izadi Shirin , Zamani Farhad , Farasatinasab Maryam , Diba Hootan
Published: November 2023

Background:

Anti-inflammatory agents have been proposed to improve oxygenation and
mortality rates in severe COVID-19 pneumonia. This study has assessed the impact of colchicine as
a coadjuvant inflammatory agent to infliximab in adults hospitalized with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Method:

In this randomized, open-label clinical trial, 63 severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients according
to the criteria of the National Institutes of Health, 18 to 85 years old, with an increase in
TNF-α and IL-6 levels, were randomized to receive colchicine 1 mg for 7 days and infliximab as a
single dose of 300 mg on the first day of treatment or infliximab as a single dose of 300 mg on the
first day. The primary outcomes assessed were oxygenation parameters (PaO2/FiO2 ratio and lung
infiltrate) after seven days, ICU and hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality rates. Secondary
outcomes included laboratory data and drug safety after 7 days.

Result:

52 patients with similar baseline characteristics completed the study. There were no significant
differences in oxygenation parameters (PaO2/FiO2 ratio and lung infiltrate) after seven days,
median ICU and hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality rates between the two groups. Laboratory
data showed no differences between both the groups seven days after the treatment. Also,
no serious side effects were observed during the study among the two groups, except for one patient,
who experienced diarrhea.

Conclusion:

Our results cannot support the addition of colchicine to promote the improvement of
clinical outcomes in severe COVID-19 pneumonia.
Open-Source, Step-Counting Algorithm for Smartphone Data Collected in Clinical and Nonclinical Settings: Algorithm Development and Validation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Straczkiewicz Marcin , Keating Nancy L , Thompson Embree , Matulonis Ursula A , Campos Susana M , Wright Alexi A , Onnela Jukka-Pekka
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Step counts are increasingly used in public health and clinical research to assess well-being, lifestyle, and health status. However, estimating step counts using commercial activity trackers has several limitations, including a lack of reproducibility, generalizability, and scalability. Smartphones are a potentially promising alternative, but their step-counting algorithms require robust validation that accounts for temporal sensor body location, individual gait characteristics, and heterogeneous health states.

OBJECTIVE

Our goal was to evaluate an open-source, step-counting method for smartphones under various measurement conditions against step counts estimated from data collected simultaneously from different body locations (“cross-body” validation), manually ascertained ground truth (“visually assessed” validation), and step counts from a commercial activity tracker (Fitbit Charge 2) in patients with advanced cancer (“commercial wearable” validation).

METHODS

We used 8 independent data sets collected in controlled, semicontrolled, and free-living environments with different devices (primarily Android smartphones and wearable accelerometers) carried at typical body locations. A total of 5 data sets (n=103) were used for cross-body validation, 2 data sets (n=107) for visually assessed validation, and 1 data set (n=45) was used for commercial wearable validation. In each scenario, step counts were estimated using a previously published step-counting method for smartphones that uses raw subsecond-level accelerometer data. We calculated the mean bias and limits of agreement (LoA) between step count estimates and validation criteria using Bland-Altman analysis.

RESULTS

In the cross-body validation data sets, participants performed 751.7 (SD 581.2) steps, and the mean bias was –7.2 (LoA –47.6, 33.3) steps, or –0.5%. In the visually assessed validation data sets, the ground truth step count was 367.4 (SD 359.4) steps, while the mean bias was –0.4 (LoA –75.2, 74.3) steps, or 0.1%. In the commercial wearable validation data set, Fitbit devices indicated mean step counts of 1931.2 (SD 2338.4), while the calculated bias was equal to –67.1 (LoA –603.8, 469.7) steps, or a difference of 3.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that our open-source, step-counting method for smartphone data provides reliable step counts across sensor locations, measurement scenarios, and populations, including healthy adults and patients with cancer.
Development and Validation of Machine Learning–Based Models to Predict In-Hospital Mortality in Life-Threatening Ventricular Arrhythmias: Retrospective Cohort Study (Preprint)
Authors: Li Le , Ding Ligang , Zhang Zhuxin , Zhou Likun , Zhang Zhenhao , Xiong Yulong , Hu Zhao , Yao Yan
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (LTVAs) are main causes of sudden cardiac arrest and are highly associated with an increased risk of mortality. A prediction model that enables early identification of the high-risk individuals is still lacking.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to build machine learning (ML)–based models to predict in-hospital mortality in patients with LTVA.

METHODS

A total of 3140 patients with LTVA were randomly divided into training (n=2512, 80%) and internal validation (n=628, 20%) sets. Moreover, data of 2851 patients from another database were collected as the external validation set. The primary output was the probability of in-hospital mortality. The discriminatory ability was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The prediction performances of 5 ML algorithms were compared with 2 conventional scoring systems, namely, the simplified acute physiology score (SAPS-II) and the logistic organ dysfunction system (LODS).

RESULTS

The prediction performance of the 5 ML algorithms significantly outperformed the traditional models in predicting in-hospital mortality. CatBoost showed the highest AUC of 90.5% (95% CI 87.5%-93.5%), followed by LightGBM with an AUC of 90.1% (95% CI 86.8%-93.4%). Conversely, the predictive values of SAPS-II and LODS were unsatisfactory, with AUCs of 78.0% (95% CI 71.7%-84.3%) and 74.9% (95% CI 67.2%-82.6%), respectively. The superiority of ML-based models was also shown in the external validation set.

CONCLUSIONS

ML-based models could improve the predictive values of in-hospital mortality prediction for patients with LTVA compared with traditional scoring systems.
High School Teachers’ Experiences of Consumer Technologies for Stress Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Manning Julia B , Blandford Ann , Edbrooke-Childs Julian
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Stress in education is an adverse reaction that teachers have to excessive pressures or other types of demands placed on them. Consumer digital technologies are already being used by teachers for stress management, albeit not in a systematic way. Understanding teachers’ experiences and the long-term use of technologies to support stress self-management in the educational context is essential for meaningful insight into the value, opportunity, and benefits of use.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was first to understand teachers’ experiences of consumer technologies for stress management. They were chosen by teachers from a taxonomy tailored to their stress management. The second aim was to explore whether their experiences of use evolved over time as teachers transitioned from working at home during lockdown to working full time on school premises.

METHODS

A longitudinal study intended for 6 weeks in the summer term (2020) was extended because of COVID-19 into the autumn term, lasting up to 27 weeks. Teachers chose to use a Withings smartwatch or the Wysa, Daylio, or Teacher Tapp apps. In total, 2 semistructured interviews and web-based surveys were conducted with 8 teachers in South London in the summer term, and 6 (75%) of them took part in a third interview in the autumn term. The interviews were analyzed by creating case studies and conducting cross-case analysis.

RESULTS

The teachers described that the data captured or shared by the technology powerfully illustrated the physical and psychosocial toll of their work. This insight gave teachers permission to destress and self-care. The social-emotional confidence generated also led to empathy toward colleagues, and a virtuous cycle of knowledge, self-compassion, permission, and stress management action was demonstrated. Although the COVID-19 pandemic added a new source of stress, it also meant that teachers’ stress management experiences could be contrasted between working from home and then back in school. More intentional self-care was demonstrated when back in school, sometimes without the need to refer to the data or technology.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study demonstrate that taking a situated approach to understand the real-world, existential significance and value of data generates contextually informed insights. Where a strategic personal choice of consumer technology is enabled for high school heads of year, the data generated are perceived as holistic, with personal and professional salience, and are motivational in the educational context. Technology adoption was aided by the pandemic conditions of home working, and this flexibility would otherwise need workplace facilitation. These findings add to the value proposition of technologies for individual stress management and workforce health outcomes pertinent to educators, policy makers, and designers.
Understanding experiences of telehealth in palliative care: An exploration using photo interviewing (Preprint)
Authors: Kalla Mahima , Robins-Browne Kate , Palmer Victoria J , Wulandari Teresa , Parker Catriona , Franco Michael E , Bain Chris A , Chen Xiao , Li Maoran , Georgy Sam , Metcalf Olivia , Huckvale Kit , Hoda Rashina , Poon Peter
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

It is widely accepted that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the era of virtual healthcare delivery, but there has been limited exploration of patient and clinician experiences of telehealth.

OBJECTIVE

To understand the telehealth experiences of patients and healthcare practitioners (HCP) in palliative care.

METHODS

Participants were recruited from a major tertiary hospital palliative care unit to participate in a study using photo-elicitation interviews, a qualitative research method that uses photographs during an interview. An intertextual analysis was conducted to identify themes and visual motifs within the interviews.

RESULTS

Three overarching themes (i.e., comfort, connection, and care) were identified as central to the telehealth experience. Patients (n= 6) described telehealth as supporting their physical and psychological comfort and maintaining connection with HCPs, yet there were specific situations where it failed to meet their needs. HCPs (n= 6) recognised the benefit of telehealth for patients but reported physical and professional discomfort using telehealth along with a sense of disconnection, often reported for virtual conferencing in wider contexts. The technical and physical infrastructure surrounding telehealth provided context to the experiential journey.

CONCLUSIONS

This qualitative study presented a deep experiential understanding of telehealth from the perspective of patients and HCPs in a palliative care setting. Patients and HCPs experienced telehealth differently, which is likely to reflect the amount of time they spent engaged in telehealth and different experiences of the burden associated with in-person appointments. The findings contribute to the development of future telehealth improvements for palliative care patients.

CLINICALTRIAL

Not applicable
Investigation on the Distribution Status of Transboundary Ethnic Groups in the Mountainous Regions of Mainland Southeast Asia in Southwest China
Authors: Li Li Ping.
Published: November 2023

Through the compilation and analysis of relevant research in the papers and works of international scholars, this study aims to understand the attention and research of international and domestic scholars on transboundary ethnic groups in the mountainous regions of Mainland Southeast Asia, and explore the significance of studying these groups in Southwest China. By investigating their distribution, the study focuses on the survival situation of transboundary ethnic groups from the mountainous regions of Mainland Southeast Asia in Southwest China, examining aspects such as population size, areas of residence, ethnic background information, socioeconomic conditions, and cultural characteristics. The goal is to contribute to the international development of research on transboundary ethnic groups in Southwest China and eliminate barriers by adopting an international perspective. Furthermore, it should be noted that the mountainous transboundary ethnic groups in Mainland Southeast Asia have long faced challenges related to politics, drugs, and socio-economic underdevelopment. However, since the last century, the Chinese government has been committed to the development of ethnic groups residing in the mountainous regions of Southwest China, achieving remarkable results. This development is set to positively impact the healthy growth of transboundary ethnic groups in the mountainous regions of Mainland Southeast Asia.
A Review on the Transition and Inner Transition Metallic Soaps
Authors: Singh Suchi
Published: November 2023

Abstract: A review of the metallic soaps, preparation, mechanism, and their physicochemical properties in solid state as well as in solution. The properties of metallic soaps, including their state, stability, reactivity, volatility, and solubility in common solvents, are key factors that determine their potential applications and uses. The suitability of metallic soaps for specific purposes depends on their ability to meet the necessary physical requirements for a given application, such as their ability to remain stable under certain conditions or their solubility in specific solvents. By understanding these physical characteristics, researchers and industry professionals can determine the most effective ways to utilize metallic soaps in a variety of applications, from cosmetics to pharmaceuticals to industrial processes. This review highlights the diverse range of circumstances in which metallic soaps can be formed. These situations may involve composite objects made up of various materials containing fatty acids such as leather, and wood, in the presence of metals, metal alloys, or pigments. The formation of these metal soaps can occur in a variety of situations, which are explored in this collection.
Sistem Pendeteksi Suhu Tubuh Jarak Jauh dengan MLX 90614dan NodeMCU untuk Mencegah Penularan Covid-19 Berbasis IoT
Authors: Sasmoko Dani , Saufik Iman , Afifah Nur
Published: November 2023

The health protocol has being an obligation in line with the implementation of Face-to-Face Learning in the school environment. Currently, the medical procedures are carried out by using a thermogun which able to detect human body temperature. The use of a thermogun is carried out by detecting the body temperature of students or visitors who entered the school environment. The used of the MLX 90614 Sensor and NodeMCU with the support of android technology, the temperature detection process can be carried out remotely based on the Internet of things. After several experiments, it was found that if the distance is more than 5cm, the temperature will not appear and the buzzer will sound two times. If the distance was less than 5cm the buzzer sounds one time and temperature data is obtained. The results will appear on the android screen, showed the temperature conditions and its distance. When the temperature exceeds 37.50C, the buzzer will sound two times and display a warning sign on Android that indicates the data at high temperatures (hot). During the experiment, there were network problems in the RTO state, so the data did not appear. RTO is a condition where data is not sent because there are obstacles in the internet network. In this research, it can be concluded that remote temperature monitoring with IOT can be done and is recommended because it will protect officers from the covid virus attack. For further research, it is recommended to add a face detector so that those with an indication of fever will have their faces photographed.
Pengembangan Multimedia Pembelajaran Interaktif Berbasis Macromedia Flash 8 pada Mata Pelajaran SKEP di Kota Cilegon
Authors: Clarisa Juliarni , Irwanto Irwanto , Aribowo Didik
Published: November 2023

The creation of the 2013 curriculum for YPWKS Vocational High School students in the 2019/2020 school year. The study program promotes student competency development through SKEP (Electrical Pneumatic Control System) disciplines. Based on observations from oral interviews, there was no multimedia learning to assist learning in these subjects, therefore the goal of this research is to support learning in SKEP subjects. The development research, or R&D (Research and Development), was carried out utilizing the Borg and Gall model, which was reduced from 10 to 7 stages. The model is divided into seven stages: one for research analysis and data collection, two for planning, three for product draft development, four for initial field trials, five for revising test results, six for product outcomes refining, and seven for dissemination and implementation. Three material experts and three media experts are involved in the feasibility of multimedia learning. Then the multimedia was tested on class XI students of the Industrial Automation Engineering competence program and the scale used in gauging the "Likert scale". Based on the results of validation by media experts and material experts, the feasibility of interactive learning multimedia in the media aspect was 73.99 (very good) from a score range of 65.00 X 80.00, and the feasibility of the material aspect was 58.99 (very good) from a score range of 52.00 X 64.00. Field According to trial data, students responded to the practicality of Interactive Learning Multimedia with an average score of 50% (very good) on a scale of 0-100%. These findings suggest that the created Electropneumatic Control System Learning Multimedia is appropriate for use in Electropneumatic Control System Learning activities, particularly for students in class XI Industrial Automation Engineering studying Pneumatic Control System material.