bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leverage points to support Africa’s efforts to track climate adaptation
Authors: Nowak Andreea , Njuguna Lucy , Ramirez-Villegas Julian , Reidsma Pytrik , Crumpler Krystal , Rosenstock Todd
Published: December 2023

Tracking progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation depends on countries’ ability to plan for, track, and report on adaptation efforts. We analyze the readiness of 53 African countries to track adaptation, assessed by the comprehensiveness, coherence, and robustness of adaptation elements of their national policies. Fourteen countries (~26%) provide information on the entire set of elements that ensure comprehensiveness: climate hazards (100%, n=53), systems at risk (100%, n=53), goals (55%, n=29), objectives (77%, n=41), actions (94%, n=50), and indicators (34%, n=18). However, elements are typically misaligned, impeding coherence. Furthermore, only 21% of targets (n=559) and 2% of indicators (n=25) are robust enough to operationalize tracking. No country meets all three readiness criteria, yet some progress is evident. Substantial improvement is warranted in upcoming revisions of African NDCs and ongoing NAP processes if they are to inform future national adaptation tracking efforts and the Global Stocktake.
Hydrocarbon Bioremediation: Scaling Up from Lab to Field for Petroleum-Contaminated Soils
Authors: Curiel-Alegre Sandra , Khan Aqib Hassan Ali , Rad Carlos , Velasco-Arroyo Blanca , Rumbo Carlos , Rivilla Rafael , Durán David , Redondo-Nieto Miguel , Borràs Eduard , Molognoni Daniele , Martín-Castellote Soledad , Juez Blanca , Barros Rocío
Published: December 2023

Previous degradation tests done at a lab scale displayed good results in TPHs degradation using the combination of vermicompost, nutrients addition, and microbial inoculation; this work was a scaling-up experiment for testing and optimizing the use of biopiles for bioremediation of TPHs polluted soils. In this scaling up experiment, based on previous bioremediation trials, three 500 kg pilots of polluted soil was prepared, and respective treatments were implemented: including control soil (CT) maintained at 40% field capacity, bioaugmentation and vermicompost treatment (BAVC), and a combined application of BAVC along with bioelectrochemical snorkels (BESBAVC). The bacterial consortia for bioaugmentation was inoculated at the start of experiment and at day 30 and water was added at same amount in CT pilot. The pilots were sampled in triplicate at 0 (before and after inoculation), 7, 30, 60, and 90 days, and extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPHs), chemical and biochemical soil properties were assessed. With natural attenuation ~ 15% of EPHs losses after 90 days occurred, attributed due to direct volatilization. With BAVC increased EPHs removal up to 90.3% of the initial amount at 90 days was noted. No statistically significant difference between BAVC and BESBAVC was restored. The BES snorkel application for the remediation of emerging pollutants is an innovative and budding technology, due to its capacity to enhance the pollutant removal capacity. However, it is highly dependent on the combination of provided aerobic and anaerobic conditions and requires higher water levels to support the process.
Co-benefits of nature-based solutions exceed the costs of implementation
Authors: González-García Alberto , Palomo Ignacio , Codemo Anna , Rodeghiero Mirco , Dubo Titouan , Vallet Améline , Lavorel Sandra
Published: December 2023

Nature-based Solutions’ (NbS) potential for multiple benefits across ecosystems and societies justify their uptake in policy and implementation. This study contributes to closing the gap in quantifying the multiple outcomes of NbS by evaluating the multifunctionality of 85 NbS actions in the Alps. We assessed biodiversity co-benefits, the economic value of four Ecosystem Services (ES) provided by these NbS, and their respective beneficiaries: heatwave mitigation, flood regulation, climate regulation, and landslide protection. Our results show the diversity of NbS, with forest NbS having high values for all ES, river and wetland NbS showing high values for biodiversity, and urban NbS, presenting lower biodiversity value but being highly cost-effective and benefiting a larger population. We estimated an average ES economic value per hectare of NbS of 424,662 Euros, with a three to one return on investment. We discuss the need for integrating biodiversity and multiple ES for future NbS funding and implementation together with their role to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Machine learning on quantum experimental data toward solving quantum many-body problems
Authors: Kim Dohun , Cho Gyungmin
Published: December 2023

Advancements in the implementation of quantum hardware have enabled the acquisition of data that are intractable for emulation with classical computers. The integration of classical machine learning (ML) algorithms with these data holds potential for unveiling obscure patterns. Although this hybrid approach extends the class of efficiently solvable problems compared to using only classical computers, this approach has been realized for solving restricted problems because of the prevalence of noise in current quantum computers. Here, we extend the applicability of the hybrid approach to problems of interest in many-body physics, such as predicting the properties of the ground state of a given Hamiltonian and classifying quantum phases. By performing experiments with various error-reducing procedures on superconducting quantum hardware with 127 qubits, we managed to acquire refined data from the quantum computer. This enabled us to demonstrate the successful implementation of classical ML algorithms for systems with up to 44 qubits. Our results verify the scalability and effectiveness of the classical ML algorithms for processing quantum experimental data.
An evolutionary trust game model with group reputation within the asymmetric population
Authors: Zhou Chen , Zhu Yuying , Zhao Dawei , Xia Chengyi
Published: December 2023

Trust plays a pivotal role in the evolution of human societies. In accordance with the classical trust game, an investor is required to make an investment, while the trustee has the option to be either trustworthy or untrustworthy. In this study, we differentiate between investors and trustees. Strategy imitation occurs only among individuals of the same type, and their proportions remain constant. Trustees can oscillate between being trustworthy and untrustworthy. Meanwhile, investors have the choice to either invest or abstain from investing. Using the replicator dynamics, we investigate the N-player trust game where The group reputation is introduced into the population of trustees. We discover that introducing the group reputation facilitates a stable state of co-existence between investing investors and trustworthy trustees. Moreover, it's found that with the introduction of group reputation, a moderate increase in the reputation parameter can lead to a reduction in relative productivity of the prosocial strategies at optimal average payoff when there is full trust and investment within the group. The current work highlights the nuanced impact of group reputation on the dynamics of trust and investment, providing some new insights that could enhance cooperation and social welfare in various social contexts.
Fault Geometry Invariance for Physics-Informed Crustal Deformation Learning
Authors: Okazaki Tomohisa , Hirahara Kazuro , Ueda Naonori
Published: December 2023

Earthquake-induced crustal deformation provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of tectonic processes. Dislocation models offer a fundamental framework for comprehending such deformation, and two-dimensional antiplane dislocations are used to describe strike-slip faults. Previous earthquake deformation analyses observed that antiplane dislocations due to uniform fault slips are influenced predominantly by fault tips. In this study, we state a general principle of fault geometry invariance in antiplane dislocations and exploit its theoretical consequence to define dislocation potentials that enable a streamlined crustal deformation analysis. To demonstrate the benefits of this theory, we construct a rapid numerical solver for crustal deformation caused by variable fault slip scenarios using physics-informed neural networks, whose mesh-free property is suitable for modeling dislocation potentials. We anticipate that fault geometry invariance and the dislocation potential will further the analysis of antiplane crustal deformation, particularly for uncertainty quantification and inversion analysis regarding unknown fault geometries in realistic crustal structures.
A Stationary Proportional Hazard Class Process and its Applications
Authors: Kundu Debasis
Published: December 2023

The motivation of this work came when we were trying to analyze gold price data of the Indian market and the exchange rate data between Indian Rupees and US Dollars. It is observed that in both the cases there is a significant amount of time when X n = X n+1 , hence they cannot be ignored. In this paper we have introduced a very flexible discrete time and continuous state space stationary stochastic process {X n }, where X n has a proportional hazard class of distribution and there is a positive probability that X n = X n+1. We have assumed a very flexible piecewise constant hazard function of the base line distribution of the proportional hazard class. Different properties of the proposed class has been obtained. Different dependency properties have been established. Estimating the cut points of the piecewise constant hazard function is an important problem and it has been addressed here. The maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) of the unknown parameters cannot be obtained in closed form, and we have proposed to use profile likelihood method to compute the MLEs. The gold price data set and the exchange rate data set have been analyzed and the results are quite satisfactory.
AMS Subject Classifications: 62F10, 62F03, 62H12.
Neighborhood Aesthetics, Neighborhood-based physical activity, Chronic Stress, and obesity in school Children
Authors: Martínez-Soto Joel , Sánchez María de la Luz Casillas , Villada Carolina , Ruiz-Correa Salvador , Zavala Herlinda Aguilar
Published: December 2023

Background
Children who grow up in obesogenic environments are more likely to have poor mental and physical health outcomes over time. Physical activity may protect against childhood obesity and promote healthy cortisol levels in children. Recent literature suggests the role of environmental qualities in a lower prevalence of childhood obesity because of the affordability of such spaces to promote physical activity. Until now, the conjoint influence of neighborhood aesthetics and its restorative influence on children's chronic stress and physical activity is unknown. Even more, little is known about the extension of such effects on the development of obesity in healthy children.
Method
This research examines the predictive association between perceived neighborhood aesthetics (e.g., the attractiveness of nature views and buildings/homes) on neighborhood-home-based physical activity, chronic stress (long-term hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal HPA axis activity), and obesity (Body Mass Index-BMI percentile) in elementary school children. A sample of 103 children (mid-childhood mean age = 9.02 years, SD = 1.05, range 7‐11 years; 51.5% boys) participated in the study. The long-term HPA axis activity was assessed by the hair cortisol concentration (HCC) over 3 months. Ratings of the neighborhood aesthetics, children's physical activity at home and neighborhood, HCC, and obesity (BMI percentile) were evaluated and modeled through a structural equation model.
Results
The model shows that neighborhood aesthetics negatively impact children´s BMI scores and contributes positively to the practice of children´s physical activity. Likewise, environment-based physical activity impacts positively on lower scores of BMI obesity and children´s HCC (restorative effects). The positive effects of neighborhood aesthetics on children's physical activity and children's HCC (chronic stress) were in line with the positive relationship between HCC and children's obesity, suggesting that neighborhood aesthetics positively impact health indicators, diminishing chronic stress biomarkers and obesity indicators.
Conclusions
The findings highlight the significant values and utility of a psycho-environmental approach toward a better understanding of the synergetic effects of the positive environment and behavior transactions related to weight gain and obesity.
Prevalence of school absenteeism during menstruation and associated factors in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tadesse Amerti Gelo , Bali Ayele Geleto , Demena Melake , Tura Abera Kenay
Published: December 2023

BackgroundAlthough menstruation is a normal physiological process, it could affect females’ daily activities including their school attendance. With the emergence of few studies about menstrual hygiene management in sub-Saharan Africa, it is essential to synthesis existing evidence for informing policy and practice about the effect of poor menstrual hygiene management on school attendance and academic performance of female students. This review aimed to assess the prevalence of school absenteeism during menstruation and associated factors among female students in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsArticles published in English and reported on school absenteeism during menstruation among female students in sub-Saharan Africa were searched in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Two reviewers independently screened the identified articles using titles and abstracts followed by full text review. The quality of the included papers was assessed using the adapted Newcastle Ottawa Scale. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) diagram was employed to screen the articles for eligibility. Quantitative findings were pooled using a random effect meta-analysis model while a thematic analysis was employed to analyse and present qualitative findings using NVivo software.ResultsOf 293 articles identified, 18 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review (n = 18) and meta-analysis (n = 15). The pooled prevalence of school absenteeism during menstruation was 31% (95% CI: 24% − 39%). Socio-demographic variables including but not limited to age, religion, living arrangement, and distance from school affected student’s school attendance during menstruation. Students’ perceptions, poor menstrual hygiene management in school, menstrual abnormalities, being discriminated against, and cultural norms are associated with missing school during menstruation.ConclusionsNearly a third of female students in sub-Saharan Africa have missed school during menstruation. School attendance in most students was hampered by dysmenorrhea and poor menstrual hygiene management in schools. School-based menstrual hygiene management initiatives and information dissemination could improve school attendance during menstruation.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD4201707700
Gray Matter and Cognitive Alteration Related to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: Combining ALE Meta-analysis and MACM Analysis
Authors: Liang Junquan , Yu Qiaoyun , Chen Limei , Li Zhongxian , Liu Yuchen , Qiu Yidan , Guan Huiting , Tang Rundong , Yan Luda , Zhou Peng
Published: December 2023

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently comorbid with cognitive impairment, but it has not been paid enough attention, and its neuroanatomical characteristics have not been fully identified.
Methods: Voxel-based morphometric (VBM) studies comparing gray matter (GM) abnormalities in COPD patients with healthy controls (HCs) were searched using 8 electronic databases from the inception to March 2023. Stereotactic data were extracted and tested for convergence and differences using the activation likelihood estimation (ALE) method. Moreover, based on the ALE results, a structural meta-analytic connectivity modeling (MACM) was conducted to explore the co-atrophy pattern in patients with COPD. Last, behavioral analysis was performed to assess the functional roles of the regions affected by COPD.
Results: In total, 11 studies on COPD with 949 participants were included. Voxel-based meta-analysis revealed significant GM abnormalities in the right postcentral gyrus (including inferior parietal lobule), left precentral gyrus, and left cingulate gyrus (including paracentral lobule) in patients with COPD compared with HCs. Further MACM analysis revealed a deeper co-atrophy pattern between the brain regions with abnormal GM structure and the insula in COPD patients. Behavioral analysis showed that the abnormal GM structure in the left cingulate gyrus (including paracentral lobule) was strongly associated with cognitive function, especially executive function.
Conclusions: COPD comorbid with cognitive impairment has a specific neurostructural basis of GM structural abnormalities, which may also involve a deeper co-atrophy pattern between the insula. These findings enhance our understanding of the underlying neuropathogenesis and suggest potential imaging markers for cognitive impairment in COPD patients.
PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022298722.
A Framework for Accurate Recommendations and Explanation Generation Using Multi-Task Learning
Authors: Mansoorizadeh Muharram , Shahidi Mohammad-Mobin , Nazari Amin
Published: December 2023

Recommendation systems predict desirable items for users based on their past interactions such as ratings, likes, and shopping history. However, these systems face challenges, including data insufficiency and lack of transparency. Leveraging user reviews has been proposed as a solution to address these challenges. User reviews serve as valuable supplementary data sources by conveying user preferences. Additionally, they provide a rich language source that can be used to generate textual explanations, thereby overcoming transparency issues. Therefore, this paper aims to utilize user reviews to enhance the accuracy of recommender systems and generate explanations for recommended items. These explanations help users understand various aspects of the recommended item from the perspective of real users. The use of textual explanations is prevalent in a wide range of explainable recommendation systems. However, previous works often overlook the writing style of users, which can significantly impact the effectiveness of explanations. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to develop a novel framework that incorporates user writing styles and preferences into the explanation generation process for recommendations. Results show that the developed multitask learning framework improves the accuracy of the recommendations. Furthermore, the generated explanations effectively support the induced recommendations.
Identification and Molecular Characterization of Mycobacterium bovis DNA in GeneXpert® MTB/RIF Ultra-Positive, Culture-Negative Sputum Samples from a Rural Community in South Africa.
Authors: Goosen Wynand , Moodley Sashen , Ghielmetti Giovanni , Moosa Yumna , Zulu Thando , Smit Theresa , Kleynhans Leanie , Kerr Tanya , Streicher Elizabeth , Hanekom Willem , Warren Robin , Wong Emily , Miller Michele
Published: December 2023

This study investigated the presence of Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) DNA in human sputum samples collected from residents who reside adjacent to the M. bovis-endemic Hluhluwe-iMfolozi wildlife park, South Africa (SA). Sixty-eight sputum samples were GeneXpert MTB/RIF Ultra-positive for M. tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA but culture negative for M. tuberculosis. Amplification and Sanger sequencing of hsp65 and rpoB genes from residual frozen sputum confirmed the presence of detectable amounts of MTBC in DNA extracted from 20 out of the 68 sputum samples. Region of difference PCR, spoligotyping and gyrB long-read amplicon deep sequencing together identified M. bovis (n = 10) from the 20 samples from which MTBC DNA could be detected. Notably, M. bovis spoligotypes SB0130 and SB1474 were identified in 4 samples, with SB0130 previously identified in local cattle and wildlife and SB1474 exclusively in African buffaloes in the adjacent park. M. bovis DNA in sputum, from people living near the park, underscores zoonotic transmission potential in SA. Identification of spoligotypes specifically associated with wildlife only and spoligotypes found in livestock as well as wildlife, highlights the complexity of TB epidemiology at wildlife-livestock-human interfaces. These findings emphasize the need for integrated surveillance and control strategies to curb potential spillover and for the consideration of human M. bovis infection in SA patients with positive Ultra results.
The Application of Chromatographic Methods in Optimization and the Enhancement of the Oxidative Liquefaction Process to Wind Turbine Blade Recycling
Authors: Muzyka Roksana , Sajdak Marcin , Sobek Szymon , Mumtaz Hamza , Werle Sebastian
Published: December 2023

The concept of the circular economy aims to maximise the longevity of raw materials, materials, and final goods while simultaneously minimising waste generation. In order to accomplish this objective, researchers are currently exploring emission-free recycling methods and advancing a novel oxidative liquefaction methodology. This process is employed to efficiently degrade the polymer matrix which we can find among other things in wind turbine blades (WTBs) while also conducting chromatographic investigations of the resulting degraded resins. The conducted experiments included a temperature range spanning from 250°C to 350°C. The residence lengths varied from 30 to 90 minutes, while the pressures ranged from 20 to 40 bars. Additionally, the waste-to-liquid ratios were within the range of 5–25%, and the oxidant concentrations were between 15 and 45% by weight. The study's results will help improve the design of the experiments by focusing on getting the highest concentrations of oxygenated chemical compounds (OCCs), such as volatile fatty acids, aromatic hydrocarbons, and aromatic carboxylic acids. These compounds are the main chemicals obtained during resin degradation, and identifying the optimal conditions for their production will facilitate the implementation of this process on a larger scale.
Unravelling patterns and dynamics of urban mobility directionality
Authors: Zhao Pengjun , Wang Hao , Liu Qiyang , Yan Xiao-Yong , Li Jingzhong
Published: December 2023

As it is central to sustainable urban development, urban mobility has primarily been scrutinised for its scaling and hierarchical properties. However, traditional analyses frequently overlook mobility directionality, a critical factor in city centre congestion and suburban development. Here, we apply vector computation to unravel the directional characteristics of urban mobility, introducing a two-dimensional anisotropy-centripetality metric. Utilising travel data from 90 million mobile users across 60 Chinese cities, we effectively quantify mobility patterns through this metric, distinguishing between strong monocentric, weak monocentric, and polycentric patterns. Our findings highlight a stark contrast: residents in monocentric cities face increasing commuting distances as cities expand, in contrast to the consistent commuting patterns observed in polycentric cities. Notably, mobility anisotropy intensifies in the outskirts of monocentric cities, whereas it remains uniform in polycentric settings. Additionally, centripetality wanes as one moves from the urban core, with a steeper decline observed in polycentric cities. Finally, we reveal that employment attraction strength and commuting distance scaling are key to explaining these divergent urban mobility patterns. These insights are pivotal for shaping effective policies aimed at alleviating congestion and guiding suburban housing development.
Orthopedic manifestations in children with Prader-Willi syndrome
Authors: Miao Miao , Zhao Guo-Qiang , Zhou Qiong , Chao Yun-Qi , Zou Chao-Chun
Published: December 2023

Background
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disease often associated with bone problems, mainly scoliosis and hip dysplasia (HD). This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of orthopedic deformities in patients with PWS.
Methods
A retrospective study was conducted on 175 patients up to March 2023. The Cobb angle(CA) of the spine, the alpha angle of the hip joint, and the acetabular index (AI) were measured. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between demographic parameters and bone deformities.
Results
Scoliosis was found in 66 patients (43.7%), including 52 (78.8%) with mild scoliosis, 10 (15.2%) with moderate scoliosis, and 4 (6.1%) with severe scoliosis. Only seven patients received orthopedic treatment (10.6%). The median age of scoliosis was 4.5 years old, and the prevalence of scoliosis increased rapidly at the age of 5 years and adolescence. The mean CA in this study increased gradually with age. HD was found in 47 patients (38.2%), and 6 patients received orthopedic treatment (12.7%). The median age at HD was 1.8 years old. The mean AI of the study population decreased with age. The prevalence of HD treated with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) was low. No significant differences were observed in sex, genotype, body mass index (BMI), obesity rate, or onset of scoliosis and HD.
Conclusion
The prevalence of scoliosis and HD was higher in patients with PWS. The onset age and developmental trends of the different skeletal malformations were different. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for the prognosis and treatment of orthopedic diseases in patients with PWS.
Genome size variation and whole-genome duplications in the monocot order Poales
Authors: Winterfeld Grit , Tkach Natalia , Röser Martin
Published: December 2023

Nuclear genome sizes of 54 representative species from 44 genera of the monocot order Poales were investigated by flow cytometry (FCM). Small holoploid genomes with < 2 pg/2C are characteristic of the Poales, only some families have larger 2C values, although this is not consistently the case. The sizes of monoploid genomes as well as mean DNA content per chromosome (MC) show a similar pattern. A comparison of the genome size data with current molecular phylogenetic data suggests that small monoploid genomes (1Cx < 0.4 pg) and small chromosomes (MC ≤ 0.05 pg), as found in some families, are likely the ancestral features of the order Poales. Conspicuous increases in genome size occurred particularly in the Poaceae (grasses) and to a lesser extent in the xyrid clade and the restios. According to previous phylogenomic studies, the Poaceae are characterized by a whole-genome duplication (WGDs) called ρ, which is absent in all other Poales families. However, it is clear from the 1Cx values, that the ρ event is not, or no longer, associated with a significant increase in the minimum 1Cx genome sizes of grasses compared to other Poales families. Future studies need to clarify whether the smallest 1Cx values in the Poaceae are due to a secondary reduction of the nuclear genome after the ρ event and whether the relatively large minimal 1Cx values of the xyrid clade were caused by a further WGD within Poales.
Evaluation of computed tomography in the diagnosis of ultrasound-proven diaphragm dysfunction
Authors: Lallement Pauline , Boussuges Alain , Habert Paul , Bermudez Julien , Reynaud-Gaubert Martine , Delliaux Stéphane , Bregeon Fabienne , Coiffard Benjamin
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) is routinely performed to assess dyspnea, but few data are evaluating diaphragmatic muscle using CT. This study aimed to assess CT in the diagnosis of diaphragmatic dysfunction.
Methods: We retrospectively collected diaphragmatic ultrasounds performed between 2018 and 2021 at our center (Marseille, France). We measured diaphragmatic pillars on CT at the level of L1 and the celiac artery, as well as the difference in height between the two diaphragmatic domes in diaphragmatic dysfunctions and controls, and compared with ultrasound measurements.
Results: 65 patients were included, 24 with diaphragmatic paralysis, 13 with diaphragmatic weakness, and 28 controls. The CT thickness of the pillars in the case group (paralysis and weakness) of left dysfunctions (n=24) was significantly thinner at the level of L1 and the celiac artery compared with controls (2.0mm vs. 7.4mm and 1.8mm vs. 3.1mm, p<0.001 respectively), and significantly different for paralysis (and not weakness) when right dysfunction (n=15) (2.6mm vs. 7.4mm and 2.2mm vs. 3.8mm, p<0.001 respectively for paralysis vs controls). Whatever the side of dysfunction, there was a significant difference in diaphragmatic height between cases and controls (7.70cm vs. 1.16cm and 5.51cm vs. 1.16cm, p<0.001 right and left dysfunction respectively). The threshold values (ROC curve analyses) for height differences between the two domes in favor of paralysis or weakness on the right dysfunctions were 4.44cm and 3.51cm respectively; and 2.70cm and 2.48cm on the left dysfunctions respectively, with good performances.
Conclusion:The thickness of the pillars on CT was thinner in left diaphragmatic dysfunction and in paralysis in right diaphragmatic dysfunction. An increase in the difference in the diaphragmatic height may strongly identify diaphragmatic dysfunction with precise thresholds.
Evaluating Field Performance of NxTek™ Eliminate Malaria Pf a highly Sensitive Malaria RDT: Detection of infection among febrile patients, asymptomatic pregnant women and household contacts in Mpigi, Uganda
Authors: Kyabayinze Daniel J , Opigo Jimmy , Mbabazi Proscovia N , Amutuhaire Maureen , Rutazana Damian , Kajungu Dan , Kawooya Moses , Rutazaana Damian
Published: December 2023

Background: The World Health Organisation recommends that malaria case management is based on parasite-based diagnosis in all cases. However, currently available tools for clinical use have limitations, including the inability to detect low-level infections. Next-generation highly sensitive rapid diagnostic tests (HS-RDT) for Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) are commercially available but require field-based validation. This study evaluated the performance of the highly sensitive NxTek™ Eliminate Malaria Pf (NxTek) diagnostic test in health facilities and community settings in Mpigi district, Uganda, compared to the conventional rapid diagnostic tests (cRDTs) and evaluated a real-time data capture and transmission tools.
Methods: Between April and December 2019, we randomly enrolled symptomatic participants from the outpatient department (OPD), community settings and asymptomatic Antenatal Care (ANC) women. The participants were tested with both cRDTs and an HS-RDT to detect Plasmodium falciparum HRP2 antigen and quality-assured results with qPCR as a reference. All results were transmitted as geo-coded real-time data using a smartphone with custom-designed software.
Results: Among symptomatic participants at OPD, HS-RDTs showed 13.1% (110/8418) positive with the P.falciparum compared to 7.1% (612/8585) proportion positive for cRDTs. HS-RDTs detected 11% (384/3,490) positives among asymptomatic pregnant women at ANC. At iCCM testing points 79.7% (2,397/3,009) of the under-five age group were positive for malaria parasites on cRDTs. Follow-up to the homes of confirmed positive index contacts, HS-RDTs resulted in the detection of 21.1% (1,877) asymptomatic positive of different age groups. Acceptability of new technology was observed and demonstrated by the users. All health workers effectively performed HS-RDT testing after a one-day training session and transmitted real-time results through the 'Sympheos Collect' customized Android telephone application provided.
Conclusion: Using HS-RDTs increased case findings of low parasite density infections compared to cRDTs in study populations and allowed the elimination of malaria reservoirs through treatments. The introduction of HS-RDTs and Sympheos CollectTM data collecting systems are feasible, acceptable, easy to use and require minimal additional training. Further evidence is required to demonstrate the wide population impact of HS-RDTs on asymptomatic infections in various age groups.
Alleles on locus chromosome 4B from different parents confer tiller number and the yield- associated traits in wheat
Authors: Li Yahui , Hu Jinghuang , Qu Yunfeng , Qiu Dan , Lin Huailong , Du Jiuyuan , Hou Lu , Ma Lin , Wu Qiuhong , Zhou Yang , Zhang Hongjun , Yang Li , Liu Hongwei , Liu Zhiyong , Zhou Yijun , Li Hongjie
Published: December 2023

Pleotropy is frequently detected in agronomic traits of wheat (Triticum aestivum). A locus on chromosome 4B, QTn/Ptn/SL/Sns/Al/Tgw/Gl/Gw.caas-4B, proved to show pleotropic effects on tiller, spike, and grain traits using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of Qingxinmai × 041133. The allele from Qingxinmai increased tiller numbers, and the allele from line 041133 produced better performances of spike traits and grain traits. Several minor effective QTL on different chromosomes enhanced the effects of this locus. Several genes in the genomic interval of the locus on chromosome 4B were differentially expressed in crown and inflorescence samples between Qingxinmai and line 041133. The development of the KASP marker specific for the pleotropic locus on chromosome 4B is useful for molecular marker-assisted selection in wheat breeding.
Forecasting and analysing the GNSS vertical time series with an improved VMD-CXGBoost model
Authors: Li Zhen , Lu Tieding
Published: December 2023

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) vertical time series studies can monitor crustal deformations and plate tectonics, contributing to the estimation of regional sea-level rise and detecting various geological hazards. This study proposes a new model to forecast and analyze the GNSS vertical time series. This model is based on a method to construct features using the variational mode decomposition (VMD) algorithm and includes a correction function to optimize the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm, called the VMD-CXGBoost model. To verify the validity of the VMD-CXGBoost model, six GNSS reference stations are selected within China. Compared with VMD-CNN-LSTM, the VMD-CXGBoost-derived forecasting RMSE and MAE are decreased by 20.76% and 23.23%, respectively. The flicker noise and white noise decrease by 15.43% and 25.65%, and the average trend difference is 1 mm/year, with a 15.14% reduction in uncertainty. Compared with the cubic spline interpolation method, the VMD-CXGBoost-derived interpolation RMSE is reduced by more than 40%. Therefore, the proposed VMD-CXGBoost model could be used as a powerful alternative tool to forecast GNSS vertical time series and will be of wide practical value in the fields of reference frame maintenance.
Low-dose rituximab for refractory idiopathic membranous nephropathy: A retrospective study
Authors: Guo Kaiqi , Xu Xingcheng , Zhu Huaxia , Huang Lanlan , Li Huimin , Li Xiaowei
Published: December 2023

Background The efficacy of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) has been confirmed, but the specific dosing regimens have not been standardized. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of low-dose rituximab (RTX) for the treatment of refractory IMN. Methods Data from 24 refractory IMN patients who received low-dose RTX treatment at our hospital between October 2018 and November 2021 were retrospectively analysed, and biochemical data at different time points were compared. Results The patients were predominantly male (n = 17) and had a mean age of 52.17 ± 8.28 years, a mean eGFR of 82.59 ± 26.26 mL/min/1.73 m2, a serum albumin (ALB) level of 20.4 ± 4.36 g/L, a urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) of 9.53 g/g (interquartile range [IQR], 5.89 to 11.07), and a CD19 B-cell count at baseline of 296.83 ± 114.34/µL. Twenty-two patients were positive for the anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody. After 12 months of RTX treatment, the serum ALB concentration increased by 8.03 ± 7.21 g/L compared with that at baseline (P < 0.05), and the UPCR decreased by 2.13 ± 4.82 g/g compared to that at baseline (P < 0.05). When the serum ALB concentration increased significantly, the UPCR decreased significantly, and the serum creatinine did not change significantly at different time points at 12 months. At a median follow-up of 28 months (IQR, 18 to 43), four patients achieved complete remission (CR), eleven patients achieved partial remission (PR), and one patient needed dialysis. The anti-PLA2R antibody status changed from positive to negative in 14 (58.3%) patients within a median of 9 (IQR, 5 to 22) months, and 13 (92.9%) patients achieved CR (3 patients) or partial response (PR) (10 patients). Among the 8 patients whose anti-PLA2R antibody status was persistently positive, only 1 (12.5%) patient achieved a PR. There was a significant difference in clinical remission between patients with and without a change in anti-PLA2R antibody status from positive to negative (P < 0.001). During RTX treatment, infusion reactions occurred in two patients, and nonsevere infections (pulmonary, skin and urinary tract infections) occurred in five patients. Treatment was discontinued in one patient due to severe pneumonia. Conclusion Low-dose RTX can induce clinical and immunological remission in refractory IMN patients. Despite the prolonged duration of remission, a remission rate of 62.5% was achieved during the 2-year follow-up period.
Magnitude of institutional neonatal morality rates in neonatal intensive care units of developing regions of Ethiopia: a retrospective review.
Authors: Ayenew Tamiru W. , Abraham Dawit , Tekeste Asayehegn , Alemayehu Legese , Shiferie Fisseha , Andarge Gashaw , Alemayehu Wondwossen A. , Tsegaye Sentayehu , Tadesse Derbe , Abera Yared , Tadesse Yenealem , Germossa Gugsa N.
Published: December 2023

Background: Ethiopia is one of the top ten countries with the highest neonatal mortality rate in 2020. Nationally, 97,000 babies die every year in their first four weeks of life. Subnationalneonatal morality and hospital-level neonatal mortalities are variable, particularly in developing or pastoralist regions data are not readily available. This study aims to analyze the neonatal morality rate in eight hospitals in the four developing regions/pastoralist communities of Ethiopia.
Method: A retrospective review of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) routine facility follow-up data from eight hospitals in four developing regions of Ethiopia (Somali, Afar, Benishangul Gumuz, and Gambella) was conducted for the period of October 2020-September 2022. As part of the Transform Health in Developing Regional (THDR) activity, data wereroutinely collected from NICU service registers in these hospitals for routine activity monitoring purposes after NICU training and clinical mentorship was provided by pediatricians, neonatologists, and senior NICU mentor nurses from the Ethiopian Pediatric Society. Finally, descriptive analysis was carried out to determine institutional neonatal morality and its trend over time.
Results: Over the course of three years, 3,150 newborns were admitted to the NICU in the eight hospitals. The overall neonatal morality rate was 12.3% in the eight hospitals. The majority (81.2%) of admissions were from three hospitals, namely, Gambella, Asossa, and Dubti general hospitals. The hospital neonatal mortality rates were very variable among hospitals; the lowest was in Asossa hospital (5%),and the highest was in Dubti hospital (15%) and Gambella hospital (17%). The average institutional morality for eight hospitals has decreased by 2.3 percentage points over three years from 10.3% in 2020 to 8% in 2022.
Conclusion: The USAID's Transform HDR activity support provided to Hospital`s NICU service has contributed to the reduction of institutional neonatal morality rate by 2.3 percentage points over a three-year period. There was variability in the rates among different hospitals. Asossa Hospital had the lowest rate. In contrast, Dubti and Gambella hospitals had the highest rates. Further study is needed to determine why these events occurred and what factors contributed to these differences in these hospitals.
Thermohydrodynamic Processes in Water-in-oil Emulsions under MW Impact
Authors: Musin Airat , Iulmukhametova Regina , Zinnatullin Rasul , Kovaleva Liana
Published: December 2023

This paper presents the results of mathematical modeling of the water-in-oil emulsion dynamics under the thermal influence taking into account the thermal convection within the emulsion system. Two cases of thermal influence on the water-in-oil emulsion are considered: microwave impact and contact heating. Dimensionless parameters (Rayleigh, Ostrogradsky and Archimedes numbers) characterizing the state of the system are introduced. Numerical calculations of the emulsion system dynamics for various values of dimensionless parameters are carried out. Calculations showed that thermal convection occurs in the emulsion system. At the same time, thermal convection leads not only to distortion of isotherms, but it can also have a negative effect on the process of stratification of the water-in-oil emulsion. It is found that when critical values of Rayleigh and Ostrogradsky numbers are reached, both the character of the convective flows in the liquid and the sedimentation intensity of the emulsion drops change. Based on the results of multiparametric calculations, diagrams of the total emulsion stratification are constructed at the presence of thermal convection in a fluid. The diagram allows to estimate the possibility of stratification of the emulsion system under thermal exposure.
A Comparative Study between the Properties of Composite Nanofibers of Polyacrylonitrile - Titania and Amidoxime Polyacrylonitrile - Titania
Authors: Habeeb Salih Abbas
Published: December 2023

This paper compares physical properties such as surface morphology, chemical bonding, crystalline properties and thermal stability of composite nanofibers produced by reinforcing polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with 5, 8 and 11 wt% titanium isopropoxide (Tipp), as well as the strengthening of PAN modified to amidoxime polyacrylonitrile (AOPAN) with 5wt.% Tipp. To achieve the required study, field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetric analysis. The results demonstrated the emergence of new bonds when developing the PAN into AOPAN, represented by C–N and C = N groups. In contrast, no new bonds appeared at AOPAN in Tipp. As a result, the increment in the crystalline properties of the average crystal size and the percentage of crystallinity was the highest, 488.235% and 61.38%, respectively, when the PAN was developed into AOPAN compared to the results of these properties when strengthening the PAN with 5 wt. % Tipp was 222.8% and 38.56%, while properties declined when AOPAN was reinforced with 5 wt. % Tipp. The results also showed that the weight loss percentage decreased by 32.53% after producing the AOPAN as a result of a low increment in surface roughness as the root mean square by 43.95% and nanofiber diameters increased from 244.315 ± 54.721 nm to 341 ± 69 nm after the modification of PAN to AOPAN.
Dynamic Volunteer Engagement and Impactful Educational Outreach Taking Us into the Next 50 Years of the Extension Master Gardener Program
Authors: Kirk-Ballard Heather , Lang Kristine M. , McGinnis Esther , Smith Kerry , Bradley Lucy
Published: December 2023

According to the 2021 Extension Master Gardener (EMG) National Summary, the EMG Volunteer Program had an estimated 84,700 volunteers throughout the United States. These volunteers helped communities garden and grow food, provided opportunities to engage in activities that improved physical and mental health, and worked on projects that addressed environmental issues. In total, these programs contributed 3.1 million hours of education to local communities and $88 million dollars in value to the public. However, the COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges for the program, with many states implementing reduced requirements and increased flexibility for volunteers. The workshop “Dynamic Volunteer Engagement and Impactful Educational Outreach Taking Us Into the Next 50 Years of the EMG Program” at the 2022 ASHS conference discussed how to engage EMG volunteers despite the limitations of limited in-person contact. The workshop featured three Extension educators and EMG coordinators who shared their experiences and strategies for engaging volunteers during the pandemic. Topics discussed included engaging volunteers in local food systems and community gardens, engaging students in horticulture at an earlier age, and digital volunteer opportunities. Overall, the workshop provided valuable insights and facilitated discussions on how to adapt and continue the EMG program during challenging times.
An analysis of foreign practice in the architectural and ecological formation of contemporary university campuses
Authors: Chistiakova A. V. , Shabiev S. G.
Published: December 2023

In this work, we investigate best foreign practices in establishing contemporary university campuses in terms of their architectural and environmental formation. For this purpose, we adopted a systematic approach to the study of information resources, including regulatory documentation. S.G. Shabiev conducted a field survey of existing university campuses in Australia, Canada, China and other countries, as well as a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of the implemented architectural and environmental techniques. The study analyzed the campuses in terms of planning restrictions, urban planning conditions and climatic characteristics. In addition, the architectural and environmental features of each site under study were identified: inverted roofs in operation, low emissivity facade glazing, photocells, as well as landscape systems with microclimate-friendly vertical or inner gardens. The most effective techniques for architectural and ecological formation of university campuses were compiled into a coherent methodological framework that can be used when developing concepts for such facilities. Best foreign practices in the design and implementation of contemporary university campuses were studied. The methodological framework for architectural and environmental formation was obtained. We also explored the potential for using the obtained results in developing an architectural concept design for the international campus of South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russia.
Thermal conductivity of autoclaved aerated concrete under different temperature and humidity conditions
Authors: Baranova A. A. , Ryabkov M. I. , Skulin A. S.
Published: December 2023

The paper is aimed at measuring the thermal conductivity coefficients of autoclaved aerated concrete of average density (D450, D500 and D600) in a dry, water-saturated and frozen state. Thermal conductivity coefficients were determined using 100-mm cubes using standard methodology and measuring instrument ITP-MG “Zond” (Russia). It was found that the thermal conductivity of samples of the studied aerated concrete grades in the dry state is approximately 3.3–4 times lower than the thermal conductivity of samples in the water-saturated state and 3.5–4.2 times lower as compared to frozen water-saturated samples. The decrease in the average density of autoclaved aerated concrete from 618 kg/m3 to 434 kg/m3 led to a decrease in the thermal conductivity coefficient by 24.4%. The difference in the values of thermal conductivity coefficients of water-saturated samples and frozen watersaturated samples comprises 3.5–21.1% for the studied grades of autoclaved aerated concrete. Discrepancies between the values of thermal conductivity coefficients obtained by calculation and by experiment equal 7.6–36.5% for dry samples, 32.6–61.7% for water-saturated samples, and 38.6–88.6% for frozen water-saturated samples. Following the results of research into autoclaved aerated concrete grades of average density D450, D500 and D600, mathematical relations of thermal conductivity coefficients on their average density and temperature and humidity state were obtained.