bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovative Barn Cattle for Microclimate Management through the Misting System
Authors: Santoso Koekoeh , Audona Rani , Komariah Komariah , Seminar Kudang Boro , Ulum Mokhamad Fakhrul
Published: November 2023

Cattle is meat-producing livestock of the large ruminant. The environmental conditions must remain in the thermoneutral zone because this affects livestock productivity. An environmental modification related to microclimate management is required through a misting system using a water sprinkler. The study was conducted in one of the barns of the Sekolah Peternakan Rakyat (SPR) Maju Bersama livestock group in Drokilo Village, Kedungadem District, Bojonegoro Regency, East Java. The purpose of this study was to analyze the microclimate management of the barn through the misting system in order to improve the physiological response of cattle. The variables observed were the air temperature, air humidity, Temperature Humidity Index (THI), respiratory frequency, heart rate, rectal temperature, and body surface temperature. Body surface temperatures were measured on the face, back, and rump. The analytical method used in this was unpaired T-test five replications. The results showed that the average microclimate data for barn cattle were: air temperature 27.40±0.59°C, air humidity 83.92±1.55%, and Temperature Humidity Index (THI) 79.59±1.06. The results showed that the average physiological response data for cattle were: heart rate 47.02±2.29 beats per minute, respiration rate 16.94±1.26 beats per minute, and rectal temperature 38.65±0.27°C. The results showed that the average body surface temperature data for the face was 37.03±0.38°C, the back was 36.33±0.59°C, and the rump was 36.28±0.68°C. The results showed that the treatment before and after the morning measurement water misting was significantly different (p<0.05) in all the observed variables. Water misting has the effect on decreasing the air temperature, humidity, Temperature Humidity Index (THI), respiratory rate, heart rate, body temperature, and rectal temperature.
The Optimal Condition of Dry-Heat Stabilization using Oven on Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity of Rice Bran: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sari Martina Tri Puspita , Ridla Muhammad , Sukaria Heri Ahmad
Published: November 2023

Rice bran, a beneficial by-product of rice milling, is a rich source of nutrition, containing bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds and exhibiting high antioxidant activity. Due to these properties, rice bran is a valuable ingredient for functional foods and animal feed. However, its short shelf life caused by rapid rancidity often hinders its use. Dry heating is an effective method to increase the longevity of rice bran. It can be stabilized by heating rice bran to the appropriate temperature, retaining its nutritional value and prolonging its shelf life. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the optimal temperature and time duration for dry-heat stabilization using an oven on Free Phenolic Content (FPC), Bound Phenolic Content (BPC), Total Phenolic Content (TPC), and Antioxidant Activity (AA) of rice bran. A total of 7 articles and 34 experiments were included after applying specified screening criteria. Results indicated that temperature and time duration of dry-heat stabilization had a significant effect
Sustainability Indicators of Kalang Buffalo Production Systems in Swamp Ecosystems in South Kalimantan
Authors: Amalia Widya Nur , Mastuti Widi Tri Satya , Panjono Panjono , Maharani Dyah , Bintara Sigit
Published: November 2023

This study aims to identify problems, identify and analyze stakeholders and determine indicators (qualitative and quantitative) for the sustainability of kalang buffalo production systems in swamp ecosystems in South Kalimantan. The kalang buffalo is a type of mud buffalo that is reared using the kalang system. In the local language, kalang is an enclosure built in the middle of swamp waters. This study is expected to be a source of information for academics, farmers, communities and policymakers in South Kalimantan Province regarding the strategic function of Kalang buffalo for the people of South Kalimantan. Data collection was done by describing the problem and determining relevant stakeholders. The literature study was conducted with expert discussion. FGDs were also conducted to explore important issues, followed by SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis and to determine relevant issues. Situation analysis and secondary data showed that the Kalang buffalo population is declining. Stakeholder identification identified the central and local governments as primary stakeholders; secondary stakeholders were scientists/academics, butchers, sellers, and consumers. The primary stakeholders selected were buffalo farmers, central and local governments, while secondary stakeholders consisted of scientists/academics, butchers, farmer sellers, and consumers. The selected indicators on the EES issue are economic indicators such as gross margin (GM), body weight, weaning weight, and reproduction (calf crop (%)); environmental indicators such as total grazing land use and waste disposal; and social indicators such total of buffalo, feeding procedures, mating system, cages, record keeping, time allocation for maintenance, social status and land use conflicts.
Physical Quality of Complete Pellets Feed Containing Peanut Waste (Arachis hypogaea) and Its Effects on Rabbit Growth Performance
Authors: Jaini Riski Amelia , Retnani Yuli , Diapari Didid
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the physical quality of complete pellets with the addition of peanut waste and the effect of its administration on the performance of rabbits. A total of 20 local male rabbits aged 12 weeks with an average body weight of 1335.60 ± 280.53 g are divided into five groups based on body weight, and then used in this study which is performed in randomized block design (RBD). The rabbits are fed on the commercial pellets as a control diet (P0) and feed pellets containing peanut waste at the level of 5% (P1), peanut waste 10% (P2), and peanut waste 15% (P3). The results show that the physical quality of the pellets was not significantly different (p>0.05) in all treatments. Feeding complete pellets with the addition of peanut waste rabbits performances show no significant difference in performance (p>0.05) in all treatments. In conclusion, complete pellets with the addition of peanut was can resemble the physical quality of commercial pellets (control), maintain performances
Stocking density optimisation of pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fingerlings with basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) in nutrient film technique (NFT) based aquaponics
Authors: Neerudu Harika  , Verma Ajit Kumar , Krishnani Kishore Kumar , Hittinahalli Chandrakant Mallikarjun , Varghese Tincy , Bharti Vidya Shree , Singh Angom Lenin , Farooq Aatira
Published: November 2023

An experiment for 90 days was performed to optimise the stocking density of pangasius(Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) with basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) in a nutrient film technique(NFT) based aquaponics. The experiment had four treatments with different stockingdensities of pangasius as T1 (2.5 kg m-3), T2 (2.75 kg m-3), T3 (3.0 kg m-3) and T4 (3.25 kg m-3)with a constant plant density of 24 plants m-2 and control viz., C (2.5 kg m-3 withoutplants). Significant (p<0.05) difference in final body weight of fish was found among thetreatments and control. The highest fish biomass was recorded in T3 (10.29±4.41 kg m-3)followed by T4, T2, T1 and C. The highest plant yield was found in T4 (510.90±6.25 g);however, no significant difference was found between T4 and T3. No significant (p>0.05)difference in macro and micronutrient content of basil leaves was recorded in T4 and T3.The physiological parameters (hematological, serum biochemical and anti-oxidant stressenzymes) were found to be within the acceptable range. Considering the water qualityparameters, fish growth, total biomass of fish, fish physiological responses, basil yield andnutrient content, the stocking density of 3.00 kg m-3 (pangasius) with 24 plants m-2 of basilcould be recommended for basil-pangasius aquaponics.
Keywords:Aquaponics, Aquaculture wastewater, Basil,Nutrient film technique, Pangasius
STROMATOPOROID-ECHINODERM ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSIONS IN THE LATE ORDOVICIAN (KATIAN): REEF FACIES AND THE ROLE OF KEY BIOTA IN REEF ARCHITECTURE
Authors: WITTMER J.M. , BRETT C.E. , CHIARELLO J. , GUENSBURG T. , DARROUGH G. , STOCK C.W.
Published: November 2023

Ecologically complex buildups within the Kimmswick Limestone of the Galena Group (Upper Ordovician, Katian) near St. Louis, Missouri, display unique communities of stromatoporoids, encrusting cyathocystid and edrioblastoid edrioasteroids, camerate and other crinoids, paracrinoids, bryozoans, tabulate, and rugose corals. Substrate stabilization and vertical ecological successions were influenced by labechiid stromatoporoids that transitioned from laminar to domal/pillar morphologies from the base of the reef to its terminus. Cyathocystid edrioasteroids occurred in dense aggregations within cryptic cavities, often inverted in life orientation. Surrounding facies consisted of bryozoan and chert-rich wackestones-packstones, cross-bedded abraded echinoderm grainstones, gastropod-bivalve grainstones, and echinoderm-bryozoan grainstone/rudstones, while reefal facies comprised stromatoporoid-echinoderm boundstones, and stromatoporoid-cyathocystid framestones. Reef geometry and facies distribution reflected both allogenic and autogenic controls fundamental to the initialization and stabilization of the Shady Valley reefs. Four distinct successional series, from initial stabilization of important binders to colonization and diversification of stemmed echinoderm groups and subsequent domination of labechiid stromatoporoid framebuilders, formed the vertical profile of the reefs. Laminar, domal and irregular frame-building stromatoporoids acted as sediment stabilizers and formed ideal substrates for encrusting hardground fauna, supporting the development of cryptic habitats exploited by diverse echinoderms at the acme of reef diversification. Similar Katian hardground ecological successions occur in coeval reefs elsewhere in North America, Europe, Baltica, and South China. However, the scale of the reef architecture, development of complete ecological successions, and the diversity and multiple ecological roles of labechiid stromatoporoids and echinoderms in the Kimmswick Limestone sets it apart.
ESTRATÈGIA BLAVA DE LA COMUNITAT VALENCIANA
Authors: Revistas UMH Administrador
Published: November 2023

Este documento es una aproximación e incluso un avance de aquel que corresponde formalizar y completar exclusiva y necesariamente a nuestras autoridades públicas, esto es, la Generalitat Valenciana. Es a ella a quien correponde, si lo considera, la responsabilidad de dirigir y aprobar un documento oficial desde el cual se establezcan unas directrices e incluso unos objetivos que tengan algún grado de vinculación para las Políticas Públicas relativas a los sectores marítimos de nuestro territorio
Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis ompA DNA in urine by loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay
Authors: Attanayaka Hemali , Goonasekera Charitha , Abeygunasekera Nalaka , Elvitigala Jayanthi , Gunasekera Kamani
Published: November 2023

A cost-effective, sensitive and specific Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) diagnostic test is essential for resource limited countries. A loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was optimized for detection of CT ompA DNA in urine. Crude DNA extraction (method-1) from urine was by centrifugation at 14,000g for 30 minutes, heating at 95°C for five minutes with buffer and centrifugation at 17,000g for one minute. A 25µl LAMP reaction comprising, 7µl crude extract in 20mM Tris-HCl, 10mM KCl, 10mM (NH4)2SO4, 2mM MgSO4, 0.1% Tween 20, six LAMP primers, 1.4mM deoxynucleoside triphosphate, 0.8M Betaine, 6mM MgSO4 and 8U Bsm polymerase, were incubated at 56°C for 60 minutes and the colour change, when a nucleic acid gel stain was added, was noted by ultraviolet illumination. Urine from 326 sexually transmitted disease clinic attendees were tested, both by LAMP and real time PCR (rPCR). Analytical sensitivity was 0.8 copies per reaction volume. Compared to rPCR, LAMP assay had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values of 71.4%, 99.7%, 96.2%, 96.7% respectively. LAMP assay was highly specific for CT ompA DNA in urine. The sensitivity improved further when urinary inhibitors were diluted and volume of urine for extraction was increased (method-2).
Spatial-temporal characteristics and driving factors’ contribution and evolution of agricultural non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions in China:1995-2021
Authors: Chu Yuanyue , Zhang Xiling , Guo Yangchen , Tang Lijuan , Zhong Chaoyong , Zhang Jiwen , Li Xinlong , qiao Dewen
Published: November 2023

Comprehending the spatial-temporal characteristics, contributions, and evolution of driving factors in agricultural non-CO2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at a macro level is pivotal in pursuing temperature control objectives and achieving China’s strategic goals related to carbon peak and carbon neutrality. This study employs the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) carbon emissions coefficient method to comprehensively evaluate agricultural non-CO2 GHG emissions at the provincial level. Subsequently, the contributions and spatial-temporal evolution of six driving factors derived from the Kaya identity were quantitatively explored using the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) and Geographical and Temporal Weighted Regression (GTWR) methods. The results revealed that the distribution of agricultural non-CO2 GHG emissions is shifting from the central provinces to the northwest regions. Moreover, the dominant driving factors of agricultural non-CO2 GHG emissions were primarily economic factor (EDL) with positive impact (cumulative promotion is 2879.69 million metric tons (Mt), alongside agricultural production efficiency factor (EI) with negative impact (cumulative reduction is 2153.39 Mt). Influence of EDL diminished in the eastern coastal regions but significantly impacted underdeveloped regions such as the northwest and southwest. In the eastern coastal regions, EI gradually became the absolute dominant driver, demonstrating a rapid reduction effect. Additionally, a declining birth rate and rural-to-urban population migration have significantly amplified the driving effects of the population factor (RP) at a national scale. These findings, in conjunction with the disparities in geographic and socioeconomic development among provinces, can serve as a guiding framework for the development of a region-specific roadmap aimed at reducing agricultural non-CO2 GHG emissions.
Life satisfaction of people with disabilities and public policy in EU countries
Authors: Grabowska Izabela , Antczak Radosław
Published: November 2023

Background The concept of subjective well-being (SWB) is frequently used in economic, social, and other research. It is extremely relevant to assess the well-being of vulnerable groups, e.g., persons with disabilities. The 2006 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities urges countries to introduce policies that ensure equal life opportunities for this group. The aim of this article is therefore to assess the impact of public policies in selected European countries on the life satisfaction of people with disabilities.Methods We use nationally representative data from five waves of the European Social Survey covering 25 countries and public policy data from the OECD database. Multivariate regression was applied to estimate the influence of public spending due to incapacity (on a country level) on the individual life satisfaction of persons with disabilities, controlling for country dummies, individual characteristics and other macroeconomic factors.Results The results show that the amount of public spending on disability as a percentage of GDP is statistically significantly associated with the life satisfaction of people with disabilities in European countries. The relative increase in expenditure on the country level increases the life satisfaction of people with disabilities. Among other macroeconomic factors, the HDI is also positively associated with life satisfaction, while the disability employment gap is negatively associated. Moreover, we proved that in more developed countries, the impact of incapacity spending on life satisfaction is smaller.Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the influence of public policies on the individual well-being of persons with disabilities. Our results confirmed that the level of public expenditure targeting vulnerable groups has a clear and positive impact on the subjective well-being of individuals. These findings present important evidence that targeted policies can improve the lives of individuals.
SurVIndel2: improving CNVs calling from next-generation sequencing using novel hidden information
Authors: Sung Wing-Kin , Rajaby Ramesh
Published: November 2023

Deletions and tandem duplications (commonly called CNVs) represent the majority of structural variations. They can be identified using short reads, but because they frequently occur in repetitive regions, existing methods fail to detect most of them. This is because CNVs in repetitive regions often do not produce the evidence needed by existing short reads-based callers (split reads, discordant pairs or read depth change). Here, we introduce a new CNV short reads-based caller named SurVIndel2. SurVindel2 builds on statistical techniques we previously developed, but also employs a novel type of evidence, hidden split reads, that can uncover many CNVs missed by existing algorithms. We use public benchmarks to show that SurVIndel2 outperforms other popular callers, both on human and non-human datasets. Then, we demonstrate the practical utility of the method by generating a catalogue of CNVs for the 1000g project that contains hundreds of thousands of CNVs missing from the most recent public catalogue. We also show that SurVIndel2 is able to complement small indels predicted by Google DeepVariant, and the two software used in tandem produce a remarkably complete catalogue of variants in an individual. Finally, we characterise how the limitations of current sequencing technologies contribute significantly to the missing CNVs.
Novel meriolin derivatives activate the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in the presence of antiapoptotic Bcl-2
Authors: Wesselborg Sebastian , Schmitt Laura , Hinxlage Ilka , Drießen Daniel , Flores-Romero Hector Dr. , Skowron Margaretha , Sekeres Marlena , Hoppe Julia , Krings Karina , Peter Christoph , Stork Björn , Bhatia Sanil , Nettersheim Daniel , Fritz Gerhard , García-Sáez Ana , Müller Thomas
Published: November 2023

Meriolin derivatives represent a new class of kinase inhibitors with a pronounced cytotoxic potential. Here, we investigated a newly synthesized meriolin derivative (termed meriolin 16) that displayed a strong apoptotic potential in Jurkat leukemia and Ramos lymphoma cells. Meriolin 16 induced apoptosis in rapid kinetics (within 2 - 3 h) and more potently (IC50: 50 nM) than the previously described derivatives meriolin 31 and 36 [1]. Exposure of Ramos cells to meriolin 16, 31, or 36 for 5 min was sufficient to trigger severe and irreversible cytotoxicity. Apoptosis induction by all three meriolin derivatives was independent of death receptor signaling but required caspase-9 and Apaf-1 as central mediators of the mitochondrial death pathway. The mitochondrial toxicity of meriolins was further confirmed by the breakdown of the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), mitochondrial release of proapoptotic Smac, processing of the dynamin-like GTPase OPA1 and subsequent fission of mitochondria. Remarkably, all meriolin derivatives could directly activate the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in Jurkat cells even in the presence of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein. In addition, meriolins were capable to induce cell death in imatinib-resistant K562 and KCL22 chronic myeloid leukemia cells as well as in cisplatin-resistant J82 urothelial carcinoma and 2102EP germ cell tumor cells. Since tumor cells frequently inactivate the mitochondrial death pathway (e.g. by overexpression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins) in order to acquire therapy resistance, meriolin derivatives might represent a promising therapeutic option for overcoming treatment resistance.
ANN-Based Evaluation System for Erosion Resistant Highway Shoulder Rocks
Authors: Tariq Aiman , Abualshar Basil , Deliktas Babur , Song Chung R. , Al-Nimri Bashar , Barret Bruce , Silvey Alex , Glennie Nikolas
Published: November 2023

Highway shoulder rocks are exposed to continuous erosion force due to extreme rainfall that could be caused by global warming to some extent. The logical design method for the erosion resistance highway shoulder rocks is, however, not well researched yet. This study utilized a large-scale UNLETB (University of Nebraska Lincoln - Erosion Testing Bed) with a 7.6 cm nozzle width and a 4000 cm3/sec flow rate, to study the erosion characteristics of highway shoulder rocks. Test results showed that different shoulder materials currently in use had vastly diverse erosion resistance. For example, some crushed limestone rocks such as the one with a 3.8 cm diameter were not eroded, while some other rocks were easily eroded. The clear criteria between the erosion resistant gradation and other gradation, however, could not be determined easily. Then, this study trained ANN (Artificial Neural Network) with test results to distinguish the erosion resistant of rocks from other rocks conveniently. The ANN predicted the acceptable/non-acceptable erosion characteristics of shoulder rocks with close to 99% accuracy based on the three gradation parameters (D10, D30, and D60).
Multimorbidity Healthcare Expenditure in Belgium: A Four-Year Analysis (COMORB study)
Authors: Tran Phuong Bich , Nikolaidis Georgios F , Abatih Emmanuel , Bos Philippe , Berete Finaba , Gorasso Vanessa , Heyden Johan Van der , Kazibwe Joseph , Tomeny Ewan M , Hal Guido Van , Beutels Philippe , Olmen Josefien Van
Published: November 2023

Background
The complex management of health needs in multimorbid patients, alongside limited cost data, presents challenges in developing cost-effective patient-care pathways. We estimated the costs of managing 171 dyads and 969 triads in Belgium, taking into account the influence of morbidity interactions on costs.
Methods
We followed a retrospective longitudinal study design, using the linked Belgian Health Interview Survey 2018 and the administrative claim database 2017–2020 hosted by the Intermutualistic Agency. We included people aged 15 and older, who had complete profiles (N = 9,753). Applying a system costing perspective, average annual direct cost per person per dyad/triad was presented in 2022 Euro and comprised mainly of direct medical costs. We developed mixed models to analyze the impact of single chronic conditions, dyads, and triads on healthcare costs, considering two/three-way interactions within dyads/triads, key cost determinants, and clustering at the household level.
Results
People with multimorbidity constituted nearly half of the study population and their total healthcare cost constituted around three-quarters of the healthcare cost of the study population. The most common dyad, Arthropathies + Dorsopathies, with 14% prevalence rate, accounted for 11% of the total national health expenditure. The most frequent triad, Arthropathies + Dorsopathies + Hypertension, with 5% prevalence rate, contributed 5%. The average annual direct costs per person for dyads and triads were €3,515 (95%CI:3,093 − 3,937) and €4,592 (95%CI:3,920-5,264), respectively. Dyads and triads associated with cancer, diabetes, chronic fatigue, and genitourinary problems incurred the highest costs. In most cases, the cost associated with multimorbidity was lower or not substantially different from the combined cost of the same conditions observed in separate patients.
Conclusion
Prevalent morbidity combinations, rather than high-cost ones, made a greater contribution to total national health expenditure. Our study contributes to the sparse evidence on this topic globally and in Europe, with the aim of improving cost-effective care for patients with diverse needs.
Surge in future record shattering precipitation driven by increasing variability
Authors: de Vries Iris , Sippel Sebastian , Zeder Joel , Fischer Erich , Knutti Reto
Published: November 2023

Climate events that shatter previous records by large margins are a threat to society because critical infrastructure is often not designed to withstand such events.
Climate change is expected to increase the probability of such events happening, but quantifying event probabilities is challenging due to natural variability and limited data availability, especially in observations and for events that would be "impossible" without climate change.
Here, we quantify the changing probability of record shattering precipitation events in climate models using extreme value statistics.
We show that CMIP6 models forced with SSP3-7.0 project much higher probability of record shattering extreme precipitation in a changing climate relative to a stationary climate by the end of the century. This holds for almost all the global land, in line with the expected intensification of extreme precipitation.
For vulnerable regions in the tropics, the projected probability of shattering precipitation records anywhere in the region in a 5-year period exceeds 50% in the high warming SSP3-7.0 scenario.
We demonstrate that increasing variability is an essential driver of near-term increases in precipitation record shattering probability.
Overall, our results provide estimates of probabilities and intensities of unseen record shattering precipitation events in a warming world that are crucial to inform risk assessment and adaptation policies.
Evaluation of knowledge and attitude regarding monkeypox among Chinese college students
Authors: Yu Liliang , Yan Shen , Liu Min , Ma Junchun , Long Jiang , Zheng Daikun
Published: November 2023

Background: Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which is increasingly recognized as a worldwide serious, public health concern. Our aim is to investigate the knowledge and attitude of monkeypox among Chinese college students.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 8,897 college students from China. An e-questionnaire was used to collect data on knowledge (17 items), attitude (12 items), and baseline criteria. The relationship between a range of factors with knowledge and attitude was studied using univariate and multivariate analyses.
Results:79.33% of the study participants were female; 89.10% were Han nationality; 72.50% came from rural areas; 50.39% in their first year; 80.65% were medical majors. 50.88% had good knowledge of monkeypox and 57.11% had a positive attitude towards it. Univariate analysis found that freshmen had better knowledge and more positive attitude towards monkeypox. More participants with good knowledge of monkeypox lived in rural areas and mainly majored in medicine, while most students with a positive attitude towards monkeypox were women. Multivariate analysis showed that major and the origin of students independently influenced the monkeypox knowledge of Chinese college students, while the gender, grade and monkeypox knowledge were significantly related with the attitude of monkey pox.
Conclusion: This study found that nearly half of Chinese college students had good knowledge and a positive attitude regarding monkeypox. Student origin and major independently influence the knowledge of Chinese college students of monkeypox, while gender, grade and knowledge are independently related to the attitude of Chinese college students towards monkeypox.
Determinants of physical activity behaviour in the cardiac population: a systematic review
Authors: McGowan Hannah , Gutenberg Johanna , Mayr Barbara , Sareban Mahdi , Niebauer Josef , Crutzen Rik , Kulnik Stefan Tino
Published: November 2023

Background: Physical inactivity is one of the most detrimental modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Despite the well-established benefits of physical activity (PA) on the overall health of people with cardiovascular disease (CVD), challenges remain in maintaining heart-healthy PA behaviour after completing a cardiac rehabilitation programme. This study aimed to collect and analyse observational data on the relative importance of determinants for heart-healthy PA levels in people with CVD, to inform behaviour change research and intervention development in CVD secondary prevention.
Methods: This systematic review included studies reporting bivariate association statistics of determinants and PA behaviour in adults fulfilling the medical indications for cardiac rehabilitation. Included were peer-reviewed journal articles published in English, Dutch, or German since 2005. Five electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE via PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection) were last searched in April 2023. Risk of bias of included studies was assessed using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Study Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Studies. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis and narrative synthesis.
Results:Included were 57 articles reporting on 54 primary studies from 23 countries, with the majority from North America (n=22), Europe (n=18) and Asia (n=10). Twenty-nine studies were rated good quality and 25 studies fair quality. The studies report on altogether 17,639 individual participants, providing collated empirical evidence for 51 determinants and their patterns of association with PA behaviour in the cardiac population. Those determinants showing distinct positive associations with PA behaviour are self-efficacy, life attitude, intention, exercise belief, education, weather, exercise behaviour, habit formation, social support, psychological wellbeing and employment; whereas those determinants showing distinct negative associations with PA behaviour are age, emotion (including anxiety and kinesiophobia), depression and comorbidity.
Conclusions: This systematic review has identified determinants of PA behaviour that bear particular relevance for the cardiac population. Developers of behaviour change interventions may draw on these findings to inform intervention concepts, methods and designs. Further research in underrepresented geographic regions, and studies into underrepresented determinants of PA and dynamic changes of PA behaviours over time are warranted.
Systematic review registration: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42020206637
Landslide susceptibility, ensemble machine learning, and accuracy methods in the southern Sinai Peninsula, Egypt: Assessment and Mapping
Authors: Youssef Ahmed M. , El‑Haddad Bosy A. , Skilodimou Hariklia D. , Bathrellos George D. , Golkar Foroogh , Pourghasemi Hamid Reza
Published: November 2023

Each year, thousands of tourists visit Egypt's Wadi Feiran region, one of the most popular tourist sites in the Sinai Peninsula. The region’s topography is distinctive and diverse, making it particularly susceptible to “natural disasters” (such as floods and landslides). The current study deals with landslide hazards as a critical hazard type, where, after rainfall, hundreds of landslides occur annually, and landslide disaster assessments are becoming more necessary to reduce mountain hazards. The current research mapped "landslide susceptibility" in the Wadi Feiran basin using three different modeling strategies: “Logistic Regression” -LR, “Artificial Neural Network”-ANN, and an "ensemble" of LR and ANN. A “landslides” map was first created as a preliminary stage, using 800 landslide locations acquired from multiple data sources (30% validation datasets, 70% training datasets), including historical records, field surveys, and high-resolution satellite imagery. In addition, fourteen landslide causative parameters (LCPs), elevation (El), “distance to wadis” (DtW), “distance to fault” (DtF), “distance to road” (DtR), lithology (Lith), aspect (As), “profile-curvature” (PrC), “plan-curvature” (PlC), “slope length” (LS), slope-angle (Sa), “topographic wetness index” (TWI), “relative slope position” (RSP), rainfall (Ra), and “topographic roughness index” (TRI) were employed. These models' accuracy was evaluated using “receiver operating characteristics and area under the curve (ROC - AUC),” “root mean square error”-RMSE, and “kappa index”-K. According to the findings, the AUC for LR, ANN, and ensemble of LR &ANN were 82%, 89%, and 91%, respectively. The results showed that the ensemble model outperformed ANN and LR by 2.3% and 10.9%, respectively, whereas ANN model outperformed LR by 8.5%. Other statistical indices also revealed that the RMSE and kappa index values obtained by LR were the highest and the lowest, respectively, whereas the RMSE and kappa index values generated by the LR&ANN ensemble were the lowest and the highest, respectively. These results indicate that landslides are influenced by a wide variety of natural and anthropogenic factors. To better manage and avoid landslides, it is important to create maps that show the area’s most susceptible to landslides.
The contribution of mean arterial pressure to pulse pressure is greater in women than in men beginning before middle age
Authors: Alfie José , Posadas-Martínez María , Aparicio Lucas , Galarza Carlos
Published: November 2023

The study analyses the contribution of mean arterial pressure (MAP) to pulse pressure (PP) in hypertensive men and women younger than 50 years. Central pressure waveform was obtained from radial artery applanation tonometry in 312 hypertensive patients between 16 to 49 years (134 women, mean age 35 ± 9 years). As expected, brachial PP, central PP, incident wave, and augmentation pressure were significantly higher above the mean level of MAP (≥ 100 mmHg) compared to lower levels (p values adjusted for sex, age, height, weight, and heart rate were 0.001, < 0.001, 0.005, and < 0.001 respectively). In turn, the differences observed in brachial PP, central PP, and the incident wave between the MAP subgroups were significantly greater in women than in men (p values for the interaction between sex and MAP adjusted by age, height, weight, and heart rate were 0.008, 0.004 and 0.010 respectively). When subjects were stratified by age (16–29, 30–39, and 40–49 years), the strength of the relationship between MAP and central PP increased from age 30–39 onwards in women and from age 40–49 in men (p-value for the interaction between sex, MAP, and age group: < 0.001). The sex difference was driven by a greater MAP-mediated increase in the incident wave in women (p < 0.001). In conclusion, in hypertensive subjects younger than 50 years, the contribution of MAP to PP was greater in women than in men beginning at age 30–39 years.
Dissimilar Material Joining of Densified Superwood to Aluminum by Adhesive Bonding
Authors: Hartsfield Matt , Chen Bo , Liu Yu , He Shuaiming , Leiste Ulrich H. , Fourney William L. , Li Teng , Hu Liangbing , Luo Alan A.
Published: November 2023

Superwood is a densified wood product that shows promise as a lightweight and renewable alternative for metallic materials. In order for this high-performance new material to be used in multi-material products, it must be able to be joined with other major materials. For example, joining superwood to aluminum would provide a key enabling technology for its use in automotive components since aluminum is presently a major lightweight material for such applications. In this paper, a methacrylate-based adhesive has been identified to provide high lap shear strength (7.5 MPa) for aluminum-to-superwood joints. The aluminum-to-superwood samples were prepared with different amounts of pre-polishing to create openings to the pores in the superwood so adhesive could penetrate into them and create a mechanical interlock, in addition to the hydrogen/chemical bonding at the surface between the methyl methacrylate (MMA) in methacrylate-based adhesive and the cellulose in superwood. For aluminum samples, a thin layer (typically a few nanometres) of oxide film on the surfaces provides hydrogen/chemical bond to MMA structure in the adhesive layer. The failure strength of the superwood-to-aluminum joint sample is about 50% higher than that of natural wood to natural wood joint sample, and comparable to that of aluminum-to-aluminum joint sample.
Efficacy and safety of antibiotics for treatment of leptospirosis : A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Ji Zhenhua , Jian Miaomiao , Su Xuan , Pan Yingyi , Duan Yi , Ma Weijie , Zhong Lei , Yang Jiaru , Song Jieqin , Wu Xinya , Gao Li , Ma Weijiang , Kong Jing , Li Bingxue , Chen Jinjing , Liu Meixiao , Fan Yuxin , Peng Li , Dong Yan , Bao Fukai , Liu Aihua
Published: November 2023

Background Leptospirosis, an important zoonotic bacterial disease, commonly affects resource-poor populations and results in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The value of antibiotics in leptospirosis remains unclear, as evidenced by the conflicting opinions published. ​
Methods We conducted a search in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for studies. These studies included clinical trials and retrospective studies that evaluated the efficacy or safety of antibiotics for leptospirosis treatment. The primary outcomes assessed were defervescence time, mortality rate, and hospital stays. Subgroup analyses were performed based on whether there were cases involving children and whether there were cases of severe jaundice. Safety was defined as the prevalence of adverse events associated with the use of antibiotics. P scores were utilized to rank the efficacy of the antibiotics.
Results There are included 9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 1 control trial (CT), and 3 retrospective studies (RS) involving 920 patients and 8 antibiotics. Six antibiotics resulted in significantly shorter defervescence times compared to the control, namely cefotaxime (MD, -1.88; 95% CI= -2.60 to -1.15), azithromycin (MD, -1.74; 95% CI= -2.52 to -0.95), doxycycline (MD, -1.53; 95% CI= -2.05 to -1.00), ceftriaxone (MD, -1.22; 95% CI= -1.89 to -0.55), penicillin (MD, -1.22; 95% CI= -1.80 to -0.64), and penicillin or ampicillin (MD, -0.08; 95% CI= -1.01 to -0.59). The antibiotics were not effective for reducing the mortality and hospital stays. Common adverse reactions to antibiotics included Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, rash, headache, and digestive reactions (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and others).
Conclusions Findings recommend that leptospirosis patients be treated with antibiotics, which significantly reduced the leptospirosis defervescence time. Cephalosporins, doxycycline, and penicillin are suggested, and azithromycin may be a suitable alternative for drug-resistant cases.
PROSPERO registration number CRD42022354938
Life course analysis using deep learning approaches: a simulation study
Authors: Coupland Helen , Scheidwasser Neil , Katsiferis Alexandros , Flaxman Seth , Rod Naja Hulvej , Mishra Swapnil , Bhatt Samir , Unwin H. Juliette T.
Published: November 2023

Life course theory seeks to explain the cause of negative health outcomes in an individual’s life through intricate interactions between different exposure events. The methodology used in life course theory requires longitudinal cohort data, but these data are invariably sparse due to a combination of rare exposure events and high dimensionality. Traditionally these problems have been analysed using group-based trajectory approaches or structural equation models. These methods depend on assumptions about the nature of the connections between different exposures and the outcome limiting their complexity and, therefore, model accuracy. Here, we explore the utility of deep learning (DL) approaches to capture complexities both across variables and through time. We hypothesise that these reflect a more accurate mathematical description of life course theory. We conducted an extensive synthetic study where data are simulated from representative life course patterns drawn from the literature. We find that DL methods can accurately detect complex patterns in time that baseline linear models cannot. We find that while these DL models perform worse with noisy data, they are still reliable in detecting outcomes generated from complex time series patterns. Our analysis suggests that DL approaches may be a suitable null model for studying life course theory.
The role of the pulmonary veins on left atrial hemodynamics and thrombus formation
Authors: Mill Jordi , Harrison Josquin , Saiz-Vivo Marta , Albors Carlos , Morales Xabier , Olivares Andy Luis , Iriart Xavier , Cochet Hubert , Noailly Jerome , Sermesant Maxime , Camara Oscar
Published: November 2023

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common human arrhythmia, forming thrombi mostly in the left atrial appendage (LAA). However, the relation between LAA morphology, blood patterns and clot formation is not yet fully understood. Furthermore, the impact of anatomical structures like the pulmonary veins (PVs) have not been thoroughly studied due to data acquisition difficulties. In-silico studies with flow simulations provide a detailed analysis of hemodynamics under different boundary conditions, but a limited number of cases have been reported in the literature. To address these gaps, we investigated the influence of PVs on LA hemodynamics and thrombus formation risk through computational fluid dynamics simulations conducted on a sizable cohort of 130 patients, establishing the largest cohort of patient-specific LA fluid simulations reported to date. The investigation encompassed an in-depth analysis of several parameters, including pulmonary vein orientation (e.g., angles) and configuration (e.g., number), LAA and LA volumes as well as their ratio, flow, and mass-less particles. Our findings highlight the total number of particles within the LAA as a key parameter for distinguishing between the thrombus and non-thrombus groups. Moreover, the angles between the different PVs play an important role to determine the flow going inside the LAA and consequently the risk of thrombus formation. The alignment between the LAA and the main direction of the left superior pulmonary vein, or the position of the right pulmonary vein when it exhibits greater inclination, had an impact to distinguish the control group vs the thrombus group. These insights shed light on the intricate relationship between PV configuration, LAA morphology, and thrombus formation, underscoring the importance of comprehensive hemodynamic analyses.
Comparative study of 1H-NMR metabolomic profile of canine synovial fluid in patients affected by four progressive stages of spontaneous osteoarthritis
Authors: Piccionello Angela Palumbo , Sassaroli Sara , Pennasilico Luca , Rossi Giacomo , Cerbo Alessandro Di , Riccio Valentina , Bella Caterina Di , Laghi Luca , Angelini Maddalena , Marini Carlotta , Magi Gian Enrico
Published: November 2023

The study aimed to assess the metabolomic profile of the synovial fluid (SF) of dogs affected by spontaneous osteoarthritis (OA) and compare any differences based on disease progression. Sixty client-owned dogs affected by spontaneous OA underwent clinical, radiographic, and cytologic evaluations to confirm the diagnosis. The affected joints were divided into four study groups based on the Kallgreen–Lawrence classification: OA1 (mild), OA2 (moderate), OA3 (severe), and OA4 (extremely severe/deforming). The osteoarthritic joint’s SF was subjected to cytologic examination and 1H-NMR analysis. The metabolomic profiles of the study groups’ SF samples were statistically compared using one-way ANOVA. Sixty osteoarthritic joints were included in the study. Fourteen, 28, and 18 joints were included in the OA1, OA2, and OA3 groups, respectively (0 joints in the OA4 group). Metabolomic analysis identified 48 metabolites, five of which were significantly different between study groups: Mannose and betaine were elevated in the OA1 group compared with the OA2 group, and the 2-hydroxyisobutyrate concentration decreased with OA progression; in contrast, isoleucine was less concentrated in mild vs. moderate OA, and lactate increased in severe OA. This study identified different 1H-NMR metabolomic profiles of canine SF in patients with progressive degrees of spontaneous OA, suggesting 1H-NMR metabolomic analysis as a potential alternative method for monitoring OA progression. In addition, the results suggest the therapeutic potentials of the metabolomic pathways that involve mannose, betaine, 2-hydroxyisobutyrate, isoleucine, and lactate.
Dynamics of different phosphorus fractions during rewetting and subsequent drying of air-dried calcareous soils
Authors: Jin Jiayao , Dai Gang
Published: November 2023

Aims
The effect of drying and rewetting (DRW) on soil labile phosphorus has been extensively studied, while its effect on the dynamics of metastable phosphorus fractions is poorly understood. This study aims to characterize the changes in the different phosphorus fractions during soil moisture fluctuation and reveal the driving force behind it.
Methods
Ca2-IP, Ca8-IP, Al-IP and Fe-IP were sequentially extracted during rewetting and subsequent drying of four different air-dried calcareous soils. Ca2-OP, MBP and other soil properties were also determined. Correlation analysis was conducted to study the inter-transition of these fractions during soil moisture fluctuation.
Results
The sum of all the extracted phosphorus content (Ca2-IP, Ca8-IP, Al-IP, Fe-IP, Ca2-OP, and MBP) increased firstly and then declined to the starting levels at the end of incubation. The metastable phosphorus (Ca8-IP, Al-IP, and Fe-IP) constituted a major fraction of the temporal increase, appearing to be sensitive to the moisture fluctuation. The correlation analysis showed that the soil moisture was likely a master factor controlling the distribution of different phosphorus fractions. Correlation between different metastable phosphorus appeared to be pH-sensitive: in the slightly acidic soil, Al-IP was negatively correlated with Ca2-P, Ca8-IP, and Fe-P; In the alkaline soils, Al-IP was positively correlated with Ca2-IP, Ca8-IP, and Fe-P.
Conclusions
Our study found that metastable phosphorus was also sensitive to DRW. Considering that metastable phosphorus is also plant-available, detailed study of the dynamics of metastable phosphorus during the drying and rewetting cycles across different soil types is necessary.