bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing pediatric eye care program in Nepal: Insurmountable Mountains can be reduced to mole hills. The Orbis experience in Nepal.
Authors: Borah Rishi Raj , Gogate Parikshit , Sarvanan Saibaba , Mishra Sailesh Kumar , Gurung Reeta , Sapkota Yuddha Dhoj , Adhiikari Srijana , Joshi Purushottam , Pant Suresh Raj , Bachracharya Kabindra , Adhikari Hari Bikram , Gurung Govind , Singh Sanjay Kumar , Shah Ranjan
Published: April 2024

Background: Nepal straddles the Himalayas mountains and its geography has posed a challenge to delivering eye care in children. This manuscript describes the pediatric eye care facilities developed, and children examined and treated under the Orbis International’s childhood blindness initiative.
Methods: Between 2010-2017 Orbis International had supported the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) and Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology (TIO) to develop pediatric eye care centers in major hospitals, along with their outreach. This manuscript looks at the impact of that intervention. Reports of Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh, Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology and Orbis International were studied, along with publications on ophthalmology from Nepal. Eight child friendly pediatric eye care centers were set-up in eight hospitals and their pediatric eye care teams were trained under this project. An outreach program was designed especially for children’s eye problems in the form of health promotion and screening. The project monitored outcomes and promoted research.
Results: Between the years 2010–17, a total of 1,281,153 children had been examined in eight pediatric eye centres (an average of 20,018 per centre per year, range 10,729 –39,485) and the average outpatient per month per centre was 1668 (range 894 - 3,290). Between the years 2010 – 2017, a total of 42,430 children had been operated upon in eight hospitals (an average of 663 children per hospital per year, range from 96 – 1,465) and the average pediatric eye surgery per month per hospital was 55 (ranged from 8 to 122).
In the years 2018 & 2019 (21 months) post-project, all the 8 hospitals had operated on 14,252 children (average of 1,782 per hospital, range 185 - 4438) and the average pediatric eye surgery per month per hospital was 85 (range 9 to 211). Nineteen publications on pediatric eye care were published in indexed journals.
Conclusion: Orbis childhood blindness amelioration initiative in Nepal resulted in more than a million children examined, and >50,000 children underwent eye surgeries in the 8 pediatric eye care centres and the good service continued after the project was over.
Maternal cognitive and socioemotional caregiving with young children during hospitalization: a cross-sectional study from Pakistan
Authors: Mughis Waliyah , Rasheed Muneera
Published: April 2024

Background: In high-income countries, specialized staff effectively use play-based interventions for reducing stress during pediatric hospitalization. However, in settings where skilled professionals are not available, training parents to implement these interventions can be a feasible option. Cultural aspects of caregiving should be considered when designing such interventions in different contexts.
Methods: This study was conducted in a private pediatric unit in Pakistan to explore maternal caregiving in cognitive and socioemotional domains with young, hospitalized children as well as its association with different child and family factors. Research assistants administered a cross-sectional survey to 281 mothers of young, hospitalized children aged 7-60 months, collecting information on the child's age, disease group, perceived health status, maternal knowledge of developmental milestones, education status. The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Early Childhood Development module, a parent report measure was used to collect data on maternal engagement with caregiving activities in the past 3 days.
Results: Mothers reported engaging more in socioemotional caregiving activities (Mean 1.51, SD 1.77) than cognitive (Mean 0.88, SD 1.27). More than half of the mothers reported playing with their children, while less than a third reported telling stories. Mothers with higher education levels and children in better health status showed significantly greater engagement in socioemotional caregiving. However, no child or mother level factor was found to be associated with cognitive caregiving.
Conclusion: Caregiving patterns during hospitalization are similar to those reported e in community-based studies suggesting broader cultural influences on maternal caregiving practices.
Association between chronotype and psychological health in South Korean adolescents
Authors: Seo Jinhee , Won Sung-ho , Cho Sung-il
Published: April 2024

Background. Chronotype influences general health. Among the early, intermediate, and late chronotypes, the latter is positively associated with psychological problems. However, longitudinal studies on the topic are relatively limited. We assessed the association between chronotype and the mental health of adolescents, focusing on depression and somatic symptoms by cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.
Methods. This longitudinal study relied on data from the KCYPS (Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey), which targeted middle school students. The sample consisted of 1,882 students who were assessed annually over a span of four years, from 2018 to 2021. The main exposure variable, chronotype, was determined by analyzing participants' sleep onset and wake times. The outcome variables, depression and somatic symptoms, were evaluated using the SCL-90 (Symptom Checklist-90) for depression and an emotional or behavioral problems questionnaire for children to assess somatic symptoms. Multilevel linear regression analysis was conducted both concurrently and prospectively, with gender stratification.
Results. Late chronotype was found to be associated with depression and somatic symptoms within the same year (Depression β=0.062, p=<.001; Somatic symptoms β=0.056, p=.018), and it also proved predictive of somatic symptoms one year later (β=0.055, p=.019). In males, insufficient sleep exacerbated the adverse effects of late chronotype on depression one year later (β=0.100, p=.042), and late chronotype was a predictor of somatic symptoms one year later (β=0.072, p=.024). On the other hand, in females, late chronotype was only correlated with depression and somatic symptoms within the same year (Depression β=0.061, p=.025; Somatic symptoms β=0.075, p=.005).
Conclusions. The late chronotype exhibited a negative impact on depression/somatic symptoms and proved to be predictive of somatic symptoms one year later. In females late chronotype was only concurrently related to mental health but in males it could predict mental health a year later, with moderation of insufficient sleep. These results provide insight into the relationship between chronotype and somatic symptoms and suggest that the negative impact of chronotype on the mental health of adolescents can be modulated.
Decolonizing Global Health: Africa’s Pursuit of Pharmaceutical Sovereignty
Authors: Mulumba Moses , OGA JESSICA OREOLUWA , Koomson Nana , Kara Tasha-Aliya , Forman Lisa , Cynthia Adanze Nge
Published: April 2024

Background
The quest for pharmaceutical sovereignty in Africa is critical to decolonizing global health and addressing disparities and systemic inequities rooted in colonial legacies. This movement highlights the continent's reliance on the Global North for essential medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics, perpetuating health inequities and undermining self-sufficient health systems. Decolonizing global health entails addressing these disparities, advocating for equitable resource allocation, and promoting pharmaceutical sovereignty defined as the capability to research, develop, and manufacture essential medicines locally.
Methodology
This paper utilized a qualitative document analysis approach to analyze the pursuit of pharmaceutical sovereignty in Africa within the decolonizing global health framework. The review focused on literature, policy papers, and reports from 2019 onwards- a period marked by the establishment of the African Medicines Agency- the review prioritized contributions relevant to Africa’s pharmaceutical sovereignty and global health decolonization efforts. Utilizing databases such as Google Scholar and ProQuest, and guided by keywords such as “Africa”, “Decoloniz*”, “Global Health”, “Manufactur*”, and “Pharmaceutical”, the analysis employed a thematic technique to systematically examine data on the challenges and strategies for achieving pharmaceutical sovereignty. The review period spanned from January to March 2024, deliberately excluding documents outside the African context or predating 2019 that had no foundational importance to the topic.
Results
The findings highlight pharmaceutical sovereignty as critical for decolonizing global health, with African countries striving toward self-sufficient healthcare economies. However, challenges such as intellectual property rights, regulatory hurdles, historical dependencies, and limited funding persist. Strategic initiatives and partnerships emerged as crucial in overcoming these challenges, with civil society organizations playing a pivotal role in advocating for sovereignty and challenging colonial narratives.
Conclusion
Pharmaceutical sovereignty in Africa is a pivotal step towards decolonizing global health, challenging the continent’s historical dependency on the Global North. Despite significant challenges, the progress through initiatives like the African Medicines Agency, Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing, and Afya na Haki’s advancing Regional Vaccine Manufacturing and Access in Africa Programme emphasizes the need for continued support and partnerships to enhance the health and well-being of African populations.
Pediatric-specific drug loss issue in Japan: Comparison of pediatric development status between Japan and the United States
Authors: Osako Ryohei , Matsumaru Naoki , Tsukamoto Katsura
Published: April 2024

Background The lack of label information for the pediatric population has been a global issue, leading to the introduction of several countermeasures by major health authorities. Despite various efforts by Japanese health authorities, some drugs are approved only for adults in Japan, while the US label includes information on pediatric usage for the same drugs. This suggests a potential for pediatric-specific drug loss in Japan, where overall drug loss has recently become a major concern.
Methods In this study, we compared the pediatric usage status between Japan and the US, focusing on the indications approved in both countries.
Results We found that the proportion of indications, including pediatric usage, was significantly higher in the US than in Japan. Multivariate analysis of indications for pediatric usage in the US demonstrated that US-first development and non-simultaneous development with adults had a negative impact on the inclusion of pediatric usage in Japan; however, the pediatric assessment request on the grounds of US legislation was not a significant factor. For pediatric indications approved solely in the US, most relied on multi-regional clinical trial data that included the US but excluded Japan.
Conclusions Our results suggest that there was pediatric-specific drug loss in Japan compared to that in the US. Further frameworks to promote pediatric drug development should be introduced in Japan to address pediatric-specific drug loss issues.
Channel-Independent Fingerprints for Open-Set Wi-Fi Device Identification Using Wigner-Ville Distribution
Authors: Abayneh Rahel , Muhammed Mutala , Huang Renhui , Chai Zhi , Qiu Yilin , Ren Jiawei , Yang Xuelin
Published: April 2024

Radio frequency fingerprint (RFF) is applied for physical-layer authentication and transmitter identification in wireless communications. However, the characteristics of the wireless channel dramatically distorts RFF, and affects the identification accuracy. In this paper, we propose the channel-independent extraction of RFFs. Initially, the signal is represented using the Wigner-Ville Distribution (WVD). Subsequently, to mitigate channel distortions and isolate device-specific features, we perform division across adjacent columnar values. The linear discriminant analysis (LDA) is then applied to condense the RFF features, creating distinct device representations. Finally, the device identification is conducted using K-nearest neighbours (KNN). The proposed scheme is experimentally demonstrated using 10 wireless network interface controllers (WNICs), where an excellent unauthorized device recognition accuracy of 98.59% is achieved, with a false alarm rate of 1.23% and a miss alarm rate of 0.24%. Notably, the high recognition accuracy can be mainly attributed to the channel-independent RFF extraction using WVD, which provides an effective solution to enhance physical-layer security in wireless communications, even for dynamic channel environments.
Dual-Branch Underwater Image Enhancement Utilizing Bidirectional Supervision Loss, Contrast Loss, and Style Transfer Loss
Authors: Qiao Zhi , Fan Xinnan , Li Xinyu , Xin Yuanxue , Shi Pengfei
Published: April 2024

Due to the complexity of underwater environments, underwater images often exhibit multiple forms of degradation. Despite recent notable advancements in underwater image restoration, the scarcity of paired datasets poses significant challenges for future progress in this field. This paper introduces a dual-branch underwater image enhancement network that includes an image restoration branch and an illumination estimation branch, trained using both paired and unpaired datasets to mitigate the scarcity of paired data. The network is jointly trained through supervised and unsupervised methods: in the supervised phase, it uses paired datasets guided by contrast loss, perceptual loss, and bidirectional supervision loss to learn the mapping from underwater to clear images, in the unsupervised phase, it employs unpaired datasets with bidirectional supervision loss and style transfer loss to learn the style of natural images and enhance network generalizability. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method performs comparably or better than other methods across multiple datasets, providing valuable insights and techniques for underwater image restoration.
Effects of Tegoprazan, Potassium-Competitive Acid Blocker, on the Gastric Emptying and Postprandial Symptoms in Healthy Humans
Authors: Lim Hyung Seok , Yoon Hai-jeon , Jung Hye-Kyung , Hong Ji Taek , Yoo Min Young , Jeong Eui-Sun
Published: April 2024

Background & Aims: Proton pump inhibitors are potent gastric acid inhibitors. However, they may worsen symptoms such as postprandial fullness and early satiation by reducing gastric emptying (GE). This study aims to evaluate the effects of tegoprazan, a new potassium-competitive acid blocker, on GE and dyspeptic symptoms.
Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design was adopted for this study. Participants underwent GE tests and responded to a questionnaire regarding gastrointestinal symptoms before and after administration of tegoprazan 50 mg. GE was assessed using scintigraphy over 4 hours with a standardized solid meal.
Results: Thirty participants were recruited (19 men, mean age 28.2 ± 7.3 years). After medication, no significant differences were observed in gastric half emptying time (T1/2) and gastric retention at 4 hours (GE 4h) between the tegoprazan and the control group (114.2 ± 48.9 min vs. 93.7 ± 34.7 min, P = 0.20; 10.1 ± 12.0% vs. 4.3 ± 5.4%, P = 0.11, respectively). Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences detected in the changes within each group between two groups (T1/2, 9.9 ± 52.7 min vs.-4.7 ± 30.5 min, P = 0.36; GE 4h, 5.2 ± 13.9% vs.-1.3 ± 6.5%, P = 0.12). The changes in dyspeptic symptom scores after tegoprazan administration did not significantly differ from those in the control group with no correlation between symptoms and GE parameters.
Conclusions: In healthy adults, the administration of tegoprazan did not show a significant impact on GE and dyspeptic symptoms, especially postprandial fullness or early satiation.
Study on Thermo-oxidative Resistance of Reactive Halloysite Nanotube Modified HNBR/FKM Composites
Authors: Li Shikun , Du Zhengpeng , Wang Fengling , Cai Rongqiang , Li Daozhuang , Wang Hongzhen , Li Zaifeng
Published: April 2024

Rubber composites are vulnerable to thermo-oxidative aging, which leads to early failure of rubber products. Therefore, the addition of antioxidants is essential to extend their service life. Herein, designed reactive halloysite nanotubes (RHNTs) by loading C3H5COO− and Zn2+ into halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), where the in-situ reaction of zinc methacrylate (ZDMA) in the lumen of HNTs occurred. The novel aging-resistant HNBR/FKM composites were prepared by modification via RHNTs as an antioxidant filler in hydrogenated nitrile rubber/fluoroelastomer (HNBR/FKM) blended rubber, which study provides an insight into the effects of RHNTs on the mechanical properties and aging resistance of HNBR/FKM composites. The experimental results show that the characteristic absorption peaks of ZDMA appeared in the infrared spectrum of RHNTs compared to the blank HNTs. The mechanical properties data showed that the tensile strength of all HNBR/FKM composites was improved to some extent. However, in thermo-oxidative medium at 150℃, an interesting aging phenomenon occurred, the blank composite, HNTs composite and HNTs-1 composite all exhibited extreme values of tensile strength from aging reinforcement within the first 72h period, and the possible anti-thermal oxygen aging mechanism was put forward. A new solution was provided for the design and preparation of anti-aging composites.
Current prevention and treatment of posttraumatic tetanus in Ningxia
Authors: Lv Bo-Hui , Yuan Chang-Da , Gou Yi , Yang Wan-Peng , Du Wu-jun , Zhang Jun-Fei , Feng Ke
Published: April 2024

Objective: By studying the understanding of tetanus among trauma related medical personnel in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, summarizing the prevention and treatment of tetanus in trauma patients, and analyzing the status quo of posttraumatic tetanus prevention and treatment in Ningxia, it provided ideas for the prevention and treatment of posttraumatic tetanus in Ningxia.
Methods: Through a questionnaire design and distribution survey, it explored the knowledge of the medical staff in the Ningxia region on the prevention and treatment of tetanus after external injury. Through the medical records of trauma patients treated at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, analyed the standard of post-trauma prevention and treatment in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University.
Results：A total of 381 valid questionnaires were collected. There were significant differences in the level of awareness of tetanus prevention among different professions (c2 =15.37, P> 0.01) and different working departments (F=12.787, P>0.05) and difference between those who participated in tetanus-related training and those who did not (c2 =5.162, P> 0.05); occupation (OR=0.189,CI 0.070~514) was an independent factor for questionnaire eligibility. A total of 2307 patients were included in the medical records. Comparison between the standard group and the non-standard group for the prevention and treatment of posttraumatic tetanus, there were statistically significant differences in sex, age, injury mechanism, wound nature and injury site (P>0.05). Comparison between the animal injury group and non-animal injury group, there were statistical differences in gender, age, wound nature, injury site, and whether standard tetanus preventive treatment was given (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The outlook for the prevention and treatment of tetanus in Ningxia is still not optimistic, and the low rate of prevention and treatment of posttraumatic tetanus, the low awareness of medical personnel and the insufficient attention of the public to tetanus are all problems that urgently need to be solved. The medical industry and health authorities should further establish and improve relevant systems, train medical personnel, and provide popular science to the public, so as to promote the standardized prevention and treatment of posttraumatic tetanus.
Combination of multidisciplinary approaches reveals potential causal associations between influenza and immune cells: Single-cell RNA sequencing and Mendelian randomization
Authors: Guo Ziwei , Wu Dongjie , Chen Xiaohan , Wang Jiuchong , Lv Wenliang
Published: April 2024

Background The relationship between immune cells and influenza is a battle between the host immune system and viral invaders, however, the causality and underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated.
Methods This study first analysed disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and mortality of influenza using descriptive epidemiology based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data from 1990 to 2019. Potential causal associations between 731 immune cells and influenza were then explored using univariate Mendelian randomization (UVMR), followed by validation of the cellular subpopulations to which the immune cells identified by UVMR belonged at the single-cell level, and then enrichment analysis has been performed. Finally, we also performed MR of key genes in cellular subpopulations, reverse MR analysis, colocalization analysis, potential drug prediction and molecular docking for genes satisfying causal associations.
Results Joinpoint regression trend analysis showed a general downward trend in the change of influenza DALYs rate and mortality rate, and then UVMR results showed a strong association between the immune cell HLA-DR on CD14+ CD16- monocyte and influenza (PIVW = 5.47E-05, PFDR = 0.03). The single-cell sequencing (scRNA-Seq) results verified that the immune cell HLA-DR on CD14+ CD16- monocyte identified by UVMR belonged to the Classical monocytes (CMs) subpopulation. MR analysis of key genes in the cellular subpopulation identified a total of 7 genes as causally associated with influenza, and no reverse causal association was found. The 3 genes were identified as druggable by drug prediction, namely VIM, CTSA and CSF3R. Finally, molecular docking results demonstrated the strong potential of the CSF3R gene as a drug target.
Conclusions Our study provides new insights into future prevention and treatment strategies for influenza from epidemiology to genetics to bioinformatic analyses and genomic.
Influence of time lag effect between winter wheat canopy temperature and atmospheric temperature on the accuracy of CWSI inversion of photosynthetic parameters
Authors: Wang Yujin , Lu Yule , Yang Ning , Wang Jiankun , Huang Zugui , Xiang Youzhen , Chen Junying , Zhang Zhitao
Published: April 2024

Aims
Considering time lag effects between atmospheric temperature (Ta) and canopy temperature (Tc) may improve the accuracy of Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) inversions of photosynthetic parameters, which is crucial for enhancing the precision in monitoring crop water stress conditions.
Methods
In this study, four moisture treatments were set up, T1 (95% of field water holding capacity), T2 (80% of field water holding capacity), T3 (65% of field water holding capacity), and T4 (50% of field water holding capacity). We quantified the time-lag parameter in winter wheat using time-lag peak-seeking, time-lag cross-correlation, time-lag mutual information, and grey time-lag correlation analysis; Based on the time lag parameter, we modified CWSI theoretical and empirical model, and assessed the impact of time lag effects on the accuracy of CWSI inversion of photosynthesis parameters. Finally, we applied several machine learning algorithms to predict the daily variation of CWSI after time-lag correction.
Results
The results showed that: (1) The time lag parameter calculated using the time-lag peak-seeking, time-lag cross-correlation, time-lag mutual information, and grey time-lag correlation an-alysis were 44–70, 32–44, 42–58, and 76–97 min. (2) CWSI empirical model corrected by the time-lag mutual information method had the highest correlation with photosynthetic parameters. (3) GA-SVM had the highest prediction accuracy for CWSI empirical model corrected by the time-lag mutual information method.
Conclusions
Considering time lag effects between Ta and Tc effectively enhanced the correlation between CWSI and photosynthetic parameters,which can provide theoretical support for thermal infrared remote sensing to diagnose crop water stress conditions.
Simultaneous Dengue and Chikungunya Coinfection in Endemic Area in Brazil: Clinical Presentation and Implications for Public Health
Authors: Torres Paula Marilia Afonso , Roque Debora Glenda Lima de La , Policastro Lucca Rocha , Chagas Lilian Beatriz Moreira Oliveira , Giomo Denise Bergamaschi , Gentil Danielle Cristina Dacanal , Fonseca Vagner , Elias Maria Carolina , Sampaio Sandra Coccuzzo , Giovanetti Marta , Fonseca Benedito Antônio Lopes , Calado Rodrigo Tocantins , Alcantara Luiz Carlos , Covas Dimas Tadeu , Santos Flávia Leite Souza , Kashima Simone , Passos Luzia Márcia Romanholi
Published: April 2024

Background
Dengue virus (DENV) and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) pose significant public health threats in Brazil, where favorable conditions facilitated the proliferation of Aedes mosquitoes. Since the mid-1980s, Brazil has experienced annual outbreaks of DENV, with recent increases in confirmed cases. In addition, CHIKV, which was first reported in 2014, has spread across the country. The concurrent presence of these viruses has triggered public health alerts in endemic regions, underscoring the complexity of managing vector-borne diseases.
Case Presentation:
This report details a case of simultaneous DENV and CHIKV infections. A 77-year-old female patient who has diabetes and arrhythmia exhibited symptoms including fever, myalgia, and severe arthralgia. Laboratory tests confirmed the coinfection through RNA detection. The patient received supportive care, showed gradual improvement, and was eventually discharged.
Conclusions
Coinfection with DENV and CHIKV cases reported here developed with mild outcomes. However, one of the patients did not recover from the arthralgia after presenting diagnostic challenges, which underscores the need for accurate differentiation to manage symptoms effectively. The reported cases, amidst increasing DENV outbreaks, highlight the urgency for preparedness in the healthcare system. The Ribeirão Preto region's endemicity for DENV, coupled with the rising incidence of CHIKV, emphasizes the evolving landscape of arbovirus transmission. Studies on Aedes mosquitoes suggest potential implications for human infection dynamics, warranting further investigation into arbovirus transmission efficacy and coinfection dynamics.
Priority Areas for Biodiversity Conservation in the Abrolhos Region and Vitória-Trindade Seamount Chain, Brazil
Authors: Dutra Guilherme Fraga , Santos Lucas Pereira , Coutinho Bruno Henriques , Saliba Akel , Garcia Maria Isabel Martinez , Mies Miguel , Camargo Eduardo , Teixeira João Batista , Bianchini Adalto , Guebert Flávia , Lacerda Carlos , Negrão Fábio , Francini-Filho Ronaldo Bastos
Published: April 2024

Tropical marine habitats are among the most biodiverse on Earth but are facing accelerated local and global threats. Well-planned marine protected areas (MPAs) are a countermeasure for biodiversity loss and an alternative to maintain ecosystem services and their sustainable uses. In Brazil, there is a need to improve the ecological representativeness of the national system of MPAs by incorporating poorly protected ecosystems. The Abrolhos Region and Vitoria-Trindade Seamount chain (Abrolhos Seascape) are among the biologically richest marine areas in the Southern Atlantic, and expanding the protection of key habitats in this region can help Brazil to achieve its national and international conservation goals. This study updated the habitat map and the potential distribution of 632 species of fishes, invertebrates, cetaceans, seabirds, and sea turtles, and identified priority areas for biodiversity conservation in the Abrolhos Seascape. Habitat classes were defined based on the probability of occurrence and a comprehensive updated database. Models for species distribution and the weighted endemism method, with additional weight to the threatened species, were combined to identify priority areas for biodiversity conservation. Our results indicate that although some habitats (e.g. shallow reefs, mangroves, estuaries, and deep ocean), are relatively well represented, a large portion of habitats identified as priority areas for biodiversity conservation (e.g. rhodolith beds, mesophotic reefs, shelf slopes and sinkholes), have very low or no representativeness in the current MPAs. Urgent action is needed to effectively protect these habitats, not only to conserve biodiversity, but also to maintain key ecosystem services in the region.
An evaluation of programmatic assessment across health professions education using contribution analysis
Authors: Jamieson Janica , Palermo Claire , Hay Margaret , Bacon Rachel , Lutze Janna , Gibson Simone
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Programmatic assessment is gaining traction in health professions education. Despite this popularity, educators continue to grapple with complex contextual factors that impact implementation and outcome attainment. We used contribution analysis, a theory-informed evaluation method, to understand mechanism underpinning successful implementation.
Method: Applying the six steps of contribution analysis, we developed a postulated theory of change (ToC) and then conducted a qualitative study with programmatic assessment stakeholders (graduates n = 15, supervisors n = 32, faculty n = 19) from four Australian dietetic programs. These data were analysed using the Framework Analysis method and integrated with data derived from a literature review across health disciplines, to assemble contribution claims and story, and verify the ToC.
Results: Impact pathways for programmatic assessment from inception to implementation, and contribution to outcomes were articulated in the ToC. Leaders drove implementation using compromise and worked with a design team to apply the versatile principles. All people required training and purposefully designed tools were implemented within an ideological aligned system. Re-orientation of responsibilities situated learners as leaders, contributing to a psychologically safe environment which promoted a growth mindset. Credible high-stakes progression decisions were enabled, people experienced less stress, and derived gratification from assessment. External factors (institutional and accreditation requirements) and threats (resource mismatch, ideological misalignment, and capabilities of the people) were identified.
Discussion: Contribution analysis revealed mechanism that educators can apply to implement a contextually responsive programmatic assessment across diverse settings.
RETRACTED: Unveiling opportunities for environmental waste reduction and sustainable food production in the supply chain: a holistic examination of key areas
Authors: Ema N. R. , Mithu M. A. H. , Sayem Ahmed
Published: April 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Study on bionic bouncing foot of a lunar environment jumping robot
Authors: Zhang Rui , 栗 熙程 , Li Tao , Tang Jiaqi , Zhang Hua , Wang Weijun , Hu Zhenyu , Wen Lige
Published: April 2024

In the current study, we have designed a bouncing device, the bionic bouncing foot end, specifically for the lunar surface environment. The device uses its gravity to store energy in a spring and bounces when the spring releases the energy. We released the spring device from a fixed height and used a 3D capture device to record and analyse the height and angle of excursion of the foot to assess its bouncing performance. Given the important influence of the attachment performance of the foot end on the jumping performance, we designed a new bionic pattern of the bouncing foot end using the camel hoof and the ostrich papilla as bionic prototypes. Through validation, we demonstrated that the attachment performance of the bionic pattern is better than that of the traditional patterned foot end. For the application requirements of jumping robots in loose and soft media, we further optimised the design of the foot end pattern and verified it by simulation through multi-rigid body dynamics and discrete element simulation. These studies provide important theoretical and technical support for the study of high-performance jumping robots in the lunar surface environment.
Revitalizing Cultural Heritage: Designing Attractive Virtual Museum In The Metaverse
Authors: Aziz Omer , Farooq Muhammad Shoaib , khelifi Adel , Shoaib Mahdia
Published: April 2024

The rapid evolution of the digital landscape has catalyzed the integration of blockchain technology within the domain of cultural heritage, particularly in virtual museums within the Metaverse. This study introduces ArchaeoMeta, a novel framework designed to leverage blockchain technology to enhance security, authenticity, and visitor interaction in a virtual museum environment. Deployed on Ethereum testnet, the framework utilizes smart contracts to manage visitor interactions and secure digital artifacts, aiming to resolve challenges associated with scalability and user experience under varying loads. The performance evaluation was conducted by simulating user interactions, scaling up to ten thousand concurrent users to assess the impact on transaction latency, gas usage, and blockchain size. The findings reveal significant scalability challenges as transaction latency and blockchain size increased with the number of users, highlighting areas for optimization in managing high user traffic within the blockchain infrastructure. This study contributes to the understanding of blockchain applications in cultural heritage, suggesting that while ArchaeoMeta offers a robust platform for virtual museums, enhancements in scalability through layer-2 solutions or alternative blockchain platforms are essential for its practical implementation. The framework sets a precedent for future research in the convergence of blockchain technology and cultural heritage preservation, promising a transformative impact on how digital cultural experiences are curated and consumed.
Uncovering the Motivations and Barriers for Suppliers in Adopting Sustainable Practices
Authors: Reynolds Samantha
Published: April 2024

This qualitative research investigates the motivations and barriers for suppliers in adopting sustainable practices within supply chains. Through semi-structured interviews with 20 suppliers from diverse industries and geographic locations, key themes emerge regarding supplier engagement with sustainability. The findings highlight the complex interplay of internal and external factors shaping supplier behavior, including competitive dynamics, stakeholder pressures, organizational factors, and supply chain complexities. Motivations for supplier engagement with sustainability encompass competitive advantage, financial benefits, stakeholder pressure, and internal values. However, suppliers face significant barriers, such as financial constraints, organizational inertia, and supply chain complexities, hindering their ability to adopt and implement sustainable practices effectively. The implications of these findings extend to both practice and policy, with recommendations for firms to develop tailored strategies and interventions to support suppliers in their sustainability journey. Policymakers can use the insights to inform regulatory frameworks and industry standards that promote sustainability across supply chains, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders to drive collective action on sustainability initiatives. By addressing these factors effectively, stakeholders can unlock the potential for sustainable supply chain management to drive positive environmental, social, and economic outcomes, advancing the broader agenda of sustainable development.
Exosomes from Taenia solium cysticerci impairs PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway and induces apoptosis in macrophages
Authors: rawat Suraj S , Keshri Anand , Arora Naina , Kaur Rimanpreet , Prasad Amit
Published: April 2024

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles of 30-100nm which constitutes significant part of secretome. Excretory secretory proteome plays significant role in pathogenesis and immune escapes mechanisms of complex parasites like Taenia solium. The cyst of T. solium causes infection to CNS i.e., neurocysticercosis (NCC) a neglected tropical disease. However, the role of exosomes in NCC pathogenesis is not understood till now. Here for the first time, we report exosomes- induce AKT degradation in macrophages via the autophagosomal-lysosomal pathway but not via the proteasomal pathway. The phenotype is supported by the low ROS production with impaired bacterial killing. Along with this PI3K pathway was also seen to be impaired after exosome stimulation in macrophages. We also found mTOR degradation was via the lysosomal pathway with a notable increase in the ubiquitination. Following this autophagy and apoptosis both increased with significant degradation of autophagy substrate SQSTM1. In summary, here we report that the T. solium exosomes modulate PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway to induce autophagy and apoptosis in macrophages and this may exert immunosuppression via the exosomes during NCC disease. These finding helps us to understand the immune suppression induced by cyst for its survival in host.
Leveraging Machine Learning for Accurate Groundnut Price Forecasting in Tamil Nadu: An XGboost Approach
Authors: Mantaw Chow Suliyaa , M Prahadeeswaran
Published: April 2024

Accurate forecasting of agricultural commodity prices is vital for enabling effective decision-making within the agricultural ecosystem. This study addresses the implementation of modern machine learning algorithms, including XGBoost, Automated Machine Learning (AutoML) utilising PyCaret, and Auto-ARIMA, for forecasting groundnut prices in Tamil Nadu. The research integrates key temporal information, such as day of the week, month, and lagged data, to boost the prediction performance. The findings illustrate the improved performance of the AutoML technique, with the Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) model attaining the lowest Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 516.511 and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 5.1%. The feature significance analysis indicates the substantial effect of year and lagged factors on the XGBoost model's predictions. The study provides vital information for stakeholders in the agriculture industry, including farmers, traders, and policymakers, by delivering precise price estimates to promote informed decision-making.
A Simulation Approach to Investigate the Influence of the Steering Wheel Angle and Vehicle Speed on the Rollover of a 4-Axle Truck Vehicle During Turning on Wet Asphalt Road
Authors: Hung TA Tuan , Khanh DUONG Ngoc
Published: April 2024

The article aims to investigate the influence of vehicle speed and steering wheel angle on the rollover condition of a 4-axle truck vehicle. A 30-degree-of-freedom (DOF) dynamic model of a 4-axle truck is established using the Multi-body system method and the Newton-Euler equation system. The vehicle body is described with 6 DOF in its center. Additionally, 2 DOFs are used to describe the roll motion of the front and rear masses of the vehicle body, taking into account the influence of the torsional stiffness of the vehicle frame on vehicle dynamics. The Burckhardt tire model is used to calculate the interaction forces between tires and the road, using experimental coefficients corresponding to wet asphalt roads with a maximum adhesion coefficient of 0.8. The simulation uses MATLAB-Simulink, with a speed range of 5 to 65 km/h and a steering wheel rotation angle ranging from 25 degrees to 300 degrees. At 60km/h, the maximum lateral acceleration reached 4,503 m/sec2 when simulated with a steering wheel angle of 175 degrees. The results have determined the vehicle rollover region based on the signs of the load transfer ratio of the axle and the entire vehicle. Together with the results of lateral acceleration, yaw rate, and roll angle of the vehicle, this result can be used to propose dynamic thresholds for designing early warning systems and anti-rollover control systems for multi-axle truck vehicles.
Optimization of the high brightness beam performance of the CERN PSB with H-injection
Authors:   , Prebibaj Tirsi
Published: April 2024

In the framework of the LHC Injectors Upgrade Project (LIU), the CERN Proton Synchrotron Booster (PSB) went through major upgrades resulting in new effects to study, challenges to overcome and new parameter regimes to explore. To assess the achievable beam brightness limit of the machine, a series of experimental and computational studies in the transverse planes were performed. In particular, the new injection scheme induces optics perturbations that are strongly enhanced near the half-integer resonance. In this thesis, methods for dynamically measuring and correcting these perturbations and their impact on the beam performance will be presented. Additionally, the quality of the transverse beam distributions and strategies for improvement will be addressed. Finally, the space charge effects when dynamically crossing the half-integer resonance will be characterized. The results of these studies and their broader significance beyond the PSB will be discussed.
Zur Legitimation des strafrechtlich sanktionierten Glücksspielverbotes in Brasilien
Authors:   , Junior Newton Silveira Dias
Published: April 2024

Ziel dieser Untersuchung ist es, die Legitimität der Kriminalisierung des Glücksspiels in Brasilien zu hinterfragen. Dies geschieht mit besonderem Augenmerk auf das spezifische brasilianische Glücksspiel, das „Spiel der Tiere“ (Jogo do bicho), das Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts in der Stadt Rio de Janeiro, der Hauptstadt des damaligen kaiserlichen Brasiliens, entstand. Es handelt sich um eine Form des Glücksspiels, die sich in ganz Brasilien verbreitet hat und bereits Gegenstand mehrerer akademischer Studien in den Bereichen Anthropologie und Soziologie war. Das Verbot dieser Art von Glücksspiel, seine Kriminalisierung, seine große Beliebtheit und seine gesellschaftliche Toleranz sind jedoch Gründe dafür, dass das Spiel der Tiere im Besonderen und das Glücksspiel im Allgemeinen auch im juristischen Bereich, insbesondere im Strafrecht, ein bisher vernachlässigter Forschungsgegenstand von großem Interesse ist. Das Hauptaugenmerk dieser Arbeit liegt auf der Analyse der Kriminalisierung des Glücksspiels, das in Brasilien seit über einem Jahrhundert unter freiem Himmel praktiziert wird. Bei dieser Analyse werden die Gründe für die Kriminalisierung und die Legitimität des Verbots in Frage gestellt. Zu diesem Zweck ist der Text, abgesehen von der Einleitung und der Schlussfolgerung, in sechs Kapitel unterteilt. Kapitel 1 beschreibt die Geschichte des brasilianischen Tierspiels, die Ursprünge seines Verbots und seiner Kriminalisierung. In Kapitel 2 wird über die Wirklichkeit der Strafverfolgung in diesem „Kriminalitätsbereich“ berichtet. Kapitel 3 stellt den ent-sprechenden Straftatbestand des brasilianischen „Código Penal“ im Kontext der Systematik des brasilianischen Strafgesetzbuches vor. Kapitel 4 widmet sich zunächst den verfassungsrechtlichen Grenzen der Kriminalisierung, und danach einem Überblick über das deutsche Glücksspielverbot und die Glücksspielregulierung. Ergänzt wird diese Suche in Kapitel 5, in dem die Forschung das strafrechtliche Glücksspielverbot in den Kontext der Debatte über die Abgrenzung zwischen und den Zusammenhang von Recht und Moral. Im abschließenden Kapitel 6 wird das (strafrechtlich sanktionierte) Glücksspielverbot mit den klassischen Legitimations-anforderungen konfrontiert. Was in der strafrechtlichen Literatur der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts zur Rechtfertigung des Verbots zu lesen ist, deutet auf einen großen Einfluss moralischer Argumente hin. Diese Argumente haben bis heute an Gewicht nicht verloren, auch wenn die Befürworter der Beibehaltung der Kriminalisierung versuchen, ihre letztlich moralistische Ideologie gegen das Glücksspiel mit Argumenten wie der Begleitkriminalität des Glückspiels zu verschleiern, die eher eine Folge als eine Ursache der Kriminalisierung ist.
Generating and determining chiral structures in non-chiral systems
Authors:   , Tsitsonis Dimitrios
Published: April 2024

A powerful technique to distinguish the enantiomers of a chiral molecule is the Coulomb Explosion Imaging (CEI). This technique allows us to determine the handedness of a single molecule. In CEI, the molecule becomes charged by losing many electrons in a very short period of time by interacting with the light. The repulsion forces between the positive charged particles of the molecule leads the molecule to break into parts-fragments. By measuring the three vector momentum of (at least) four fragments, the handedness observable can be determined. In this thesis, CEI is induced by absorption of a single high energy photon, which creates an inner-shell hole (K shell) of the molecule. The subsequent cascade of Auger decays lead to fragmentation. We decided to work with the formic acid molecule in this thesis. Two different experiments were conducted. The first experiment focused on exciting electrons to different energy states, while the second experiment focused on extracting directly a photoelectron to the continuum and measure the angular distribution of the photoelectron in the molecular frame. The primary goal was to search for chiral signal in a pure achiral planar molecule under the previous electron processes. The results of these findings were further implemented to two more molecules.
Butane Dehydrogenation: Thermodynamic Modeling and Performance Analysis of Selected Process Simulators
Authors: Barde Emmanuel , Oyegoke Toyese , Aliyu Adnan , Uzochukwu Maryann Ifeoma , Odih Charles
Published: April 2024

The critical role of process simulation in modern chemical engineering cannot be overstated, with its capacity to facilitate process scale-up, assess alternative designs, and comprehend plant efficiency. This research delves into the performance of three software programs, Cape-Open to Cape-Open (CC), DWSim, and Aspen HYSYS (AH), in modeling butane dehydrogenation. The focus is on their ability to accurately model thermodynamic properties and chemical reaction dynamics. Butane dehydrogenation was evaluated with specific thermodynamic parameters using a Gibbs reactor model with Gibbs minimization. The Soave Redlich-Kwong thermodynamic model was employed to investigate the impact of temperature of 700 °C and pressures of 0.1 MPa and 1.0 MPa on the yield and selectivity of butadiene and butene. The CC and AH simulation results closely agreed with the available experimental data. The consistency of freeware simulators with a commercial simulator was also assessed, with AH serving as the reference standard. It was revealed that CC demonstrates higher consistency with it than DWSim under both low- and high-pressure conditions. This study confirms that CC is a reliable process simulator suitable for use in resource-constrained settings where expensive commercial licenses are prohibitive.