bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A 3-step approach to predict advanced fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Impact on diagnosis, patient burden, and medical costs
Authors: Kobayashi Takashi , Ogawa Yuji , Shinoda Satoru , Iwaki Michihiro , Nogami Asako , Honda Yasushi , Kessoku Takaomi , Imajo Kento , Masato Yoneda , Saito Satoru , Yamamoto Kouji , Oeda Satoshi , Takahashi Hirokazu , Sumida Yoshio , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: May 2022

A 2-step approach, Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) followed by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE), has been proposed to predict advanced fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to develop a novel 3-step approach for predicting advanced fibrosis. We enrolled 284 biopsy-confirmed NAFLD patients from two tertiary care centers and developed subgroups (n = 190), including 3.7% of patients with advanced fibrosis, assuming a primary care setting. In the 3-step approach, patients with intermediate-to-high FIB-4 in the first step underwent an enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test or measurement of type IV collagen 7S domain (T4C7S) as the second step, and VCTE was performed if the second step value was higher than the cutoff. In 284 cases, a tertiary care cohort with 36.3% advanced fibrosis, the 3-step approach showed significantly higher specificity and positive predictive value than the 2-step approach. In the subgroup with 3.7% advanced fibrosis, the 3-step approach significantly reduced the referral rate to specialists, the number of high-risk patients (i.e., liver biopsy candidates), and healthcare costs by 12.5–15.8%. The 3-step approach may improve the diagnostic performance to predict advanced fibrosis in NAFLD, which could lower rates of referrals to specialists, liver biopsies, and medical costs.
Towards high performance green piezoelectric generators based on electrochemically poled nanocellulose
Authors: Sultana Ayesha , Alam Md.Mehebub , Pavlopoulou Eleni , Solano Eduardo , Berggren Magnus , Crispin Xavier , Zhao Dan
Published: May 2022

Internet-of-everything (IoE) is defined as networked connections of things, people, data and processes. IoE nodes, preferably shaped as printed flexible systems, serves as the frontier outpost of the Internet and comprises devices to record and regulate states and functions. To power distributed IoE nodes in an ecofriendly manner, technology to scavenge energy from ambience and self-powered devices are developed. For this, piezoelectricity is regarded as a key-property, however current technology typically based on polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) co-polymers, are expensive and produced via toxic protocols. We report piezoelectric characteristics of electrochemically poled cellulose nanofiber (CNFs) thin films processed from water dispersions. Poling these films at humid conditions cause breaking and reorientation of CNF segments, which results in enhanced crystal alignment rendering the resulting material piezoelectric. Generators based on poled CNF show similar piezoelectric voltage and coefficient, here measured to d33 = 46 pm/V, as for devices including PVDF copolymer layers of similar thickness. Our findings promise for low cost and printable ecofriendly piezoelectric-powered IoE nodes.
Birdsongs alleviate anxiety and paranoia in healthy participants
Authors: Stobbe E. , Sundermann J. , Ascone L. , Kühn S.
Published: May 2022

The present study investigated the effect of urban (traffic noise) vs. natural (birdsongs) soundscapes on mood, state paranoia, and cognitive performance, hypothesizing that birdsongs lead to significant improvements in these outcomes. An additional goal was to examine the differential impact of lower vs. higher diversity of the soundscapes by manipulating the number of different typical traffic sounds or songs of different bird species within the respective soundscapes. In a randomized online experiment, 295 participants were exposed to one out of four conditions for six minutes: traffic noise low, traffic noise high, birdsong low, and birdsong high diversity soundscapes. Before and after the exposure, participants performed a digit-span and dual n-back task, and filled out depression, anxiety, and paranoia questionnaires. The traffic noise soundscapes were associated with a significant increase in depression (small effect size in low, medium effect size in high diversity condition). Concerning the birdsong conditions, depression exclusively decreased after exposure to the high diversity soundscape (small effect size). Anxiety and paranoia significantly improved in both birdsong conditions (medium effect size). For cognition, no effects were observed. In sum, the present study shows that listening to birdsongs improves anxiety, while traffic noise is generally related to higher depressiveness, regardless of diversity. Moreover, for the first time, a beneficial, medium-sized effect of a natural birdsong soundscape was demonstrated for paranoia, which bears interesting implications for further research in paranoia-prone individuals or even psychiatric samples.
Unsharp masking image enhancement the parallel algorithm based on cross-platform
Authors: Xiao Han , Song Yupu , Xiao Shiyang , Guo Baoyun , Li Cailin
Published: May 2022

In view of the low computational efficiency and the limitations of the platform of the unsharp masking image enhancement algorithm, an unsharp masking image enhancement parallel algorithm based on Open Computing Language (OpenCL) is proposed. Based on the analysis of the parallel characteristics of the algorithm, the problem of unsharp masking processing is implemented in parallel. Making use of the characteristics of data reuse in the algorithm, the effective allocation and optimization of global memory and constant memory are realized according to the access attributes of data and the characteristics of the OpenCL storage model, and the use efficiency of off-chip memory is improved. Through the data storage access mode, the fast computing local memory access mode is discovered, and the logical data space transformation is used to convert the storage access mode, so as to improve the bandwidth utilization of the on-chip memory. The experimental results show that, compared with the CPU serial algorithm, the OpenCL accelerated unsharp masking image enhancement parallel algorithm greatly reduces the execution time of the algorithm while maintaining the same image quality, and achieves a maximum speedup of 16.71 times. The high performance and platform transplantation of the algorithm on different hardware platforms are realized. It provides a reference method for real-time processing of a large amount of data of high-resolution images for image enhancement.
Iterated Cross Validation Method for Prediction of Survival in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma for Small Size Dataset
Authors: Chang Chin-Chuan , Chen Chien-Hua , Hsieh Jer-Guang , Jeng Jyh-Horng
Published: May 2022

BackgroundEfforts have been made to improve the risk stratification model for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This study aimed to evaluate the disease prognosis using machine learning models with iterated cross validation (CV) method.MethodsA total of 122 patients with pathologically confirmed DLBCL and receiving rituximab-containing chemotherapy were enrolled. Contributions of clinical, laboratory, and metabolic imaging parameters from fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans to the prognosis were evaluated using five regression models, namely logistic regression, random forest, support vector classifier (SVC), deep neural network (DNN), and fuzzy neural network models. Binary classification predictions for 3-year progression free survival (PFS) and 3-year overall survival (OS) were conducted. The 10-iterated 5-fold CV with shuffling process was conducted to predict the capability of learning machines.ResultsThe median PFS and OS were 41.0 and 43.6 months, respectively. Two indicators were found to be independent predictors for prognosis: international prognostic index (IPI) and total metabolic tumor volume (MTVsum) from FDG PET/CT. For PFS, SVC and DNN (both with accuracy 71%) have the best predictive results, of which outperformed other algorithms. For OS, the DNN has the best predictive result (accuracy 76%).ConclusionUsing clinical and metabolic parameters as input variables, the machine learning methods with iterated CV method add the predictive values for PFS and OS evaluation in DLBCL patients.
GC-MS analysis of exhaled gas for fine detection of inflammatory diseases
Authors: Tsutsui Kensuke , Nemoto Masami , Kono Midori , Sato Takako , Yoshizawa Yukio , Yumoto Yoko , Nakagawa Ryo , Iwamoto Takeo , Wada Hiroshi , Sasaki Tasaki
Published: May 2022

Exhaled gas analysis is a non-invasive test ideal for continuous monitoring of biological metabolic information. We analyzed the exhaled gas of patients with inflammatory diseases for trace gas components that could serve as biomarkers that enable early detection of inflammatory diseases and assessment of treatment efficacy. Furthermore, we examined the clinical potential of this method. We enrolled 34 patients with inflammatory disease (male/female = 14/20, aged 20–89 years) and 69 healthy participants as controls (male/female ratio = 49/20 aged 30–70 years). Volatile components from exhaled gas were collected and analyzed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system, and the data were examined for gender differences, age, correlation with inflammatory markers (white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and changes in markers before and after treatment. The data was tested for statistical significance through discriminant analysis by Volcano plot, Analysis of variance test, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis comparing healthy and patient groups. There were no significant differences in the trace components of exhaled gas by gender or age. However, we found difference in some components of the exhaled gas between healthy and untreated patients. In addition, after treatment, gas patterns including the patient-specific components changed to a state closer to the inflammation-free status. We identified trace components in the exhaled gas of patients with inflammatory diseases and found that some of these regressed after treatment.
Synthesis and modification of Nickel /SAPO-34 Nanocatalyst for MTO Process via ultrasound and impregnation and hydrothermal methods
Authors: kianfar ehsan
Published: May 2022

In this paper, to research the effect of Ni on the structure and performance of the SAPO-34 catalyst, seven samples were synthesized. 3 samples were prepared via ultrasound, impregnation, and hydrothermal methods and with 2% Ni, the characteristics and performance of those samples were compared with SAPO-34 and was choosing the sole method. Then three samples were synthesized with a ratio of 3, 5, 7% Nickel then the optimized method. These catalysts were characterized by BET, NH3-TPD techniques. Cooperation of the performance of the catalysts showed that catalysts prepared by using ultrasound are more appropriate because of smaller particle size, Reduction of the expansion of the crystal, and uniform distribution of particles within the catalyst structure than the catalysts prepared by impregnation and hydrothermal method. Catalyst synthesized by ultrasound and 5% nickel, due to high crystallinity, the little size of crystals, high expanse, and suitable acid power showed the most effective possible selectivity for ethylene and propylene. The utmost ethylene and propylene selectivity for this sample was 47.89% and 35.16%. The sample was synthesized by using ultrasound and seven nickel, that possessed strong and high density of acidic sites thanks to the increasing amount of nickel, despite the reduction of particle size, was deactivated rapidly. Pure SAPO-34 was the underside selectivity to light olefins.
A Designed Photoenzyme Promotes Enantioselective [2+2]-Cycloadditions via Triplet Energy Transfer
Authors: Green Anthony , Trimble Jonathan , Crawshaw Rebecca , Hardy Florence , Levy Colin , Brown Murray , Fuerst Douglas , Heyes Derren , Obexer Richard
Published: May 2022

The ability to programme new modes of catalysis into proteins would allow the development of enzyme families with functions beyond those found in nature. To this end, genetic code expansion methodology holds particular promise, as it allows the site-selective introduction of new functional elements into proteins as non-canonical amino acid side chains. Here, we exploit an expanded genetic code to develop a photoenzyme that operates via triplet energy transfer catalysis, a versatile mode of reactivity in organic synthesis that is currently not accessible to biocatalysis. Installation of a genetically encoded photosensitiser into the beta-propeller scaffold of DA_20_00 converts a de novo Diels-Alderase into a photoenzyme for [2+2]-cycloadditions (EnT1.0). Subsequent development and implementation of a platform for photoenzyme evolution afforded an efficient and enantioselective enzyme (EnT1.3, up to 99% e.e.) that can promote selective cycloadditions that have proven challenging to achieve with small molecule catalysts. EnT1.3 performs >300 turnovers and, in contrast to small molecule photocatalysts, can operate effectively under aerobic conditions. A 1.7 Å resolution X-ray crystal structure of an EnT1.3-product complex shows how multiple functional components work in synergy to promote efficient and selective photocatalysis. This study opens the door to a wealth of new excited-state chemistry in protein active sites and establishes the framework for developing a new generation of evolvable photocatalysts with efficiencies and specificities akin to natural enzymes.
Impact of medical checkup parameters on major adverse cardiovascular events in the general Japanese population
Authors: Sugiura Tomonori , Takase Hiroyuki , Dohi Yasuaki , Seo Yoshihiro
Published: May 2022

Medical checkup plays a role in the identification of individuals with increased cardiovascular risk. We assessed predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) among parameters examined during medical checkup in the general Japanese population. A total of 13,522 individuals (52.8 ± 12.3 years) who participated in our medical checkup program were enrolled and followed up for 64,748 person-years, with the endpoint of MACE. MACE included cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina, decompensated heart failure, stroke, and other cardiovascular events that required hospitalization. During the follow-up, MACE occurred in 196 participants. The risk of MACE was significantly increased across the quartiles of baseline B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels (logrank, P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox-hazard analysis demonstrated that male sex, age, systolic blood pressure, and BNP at baseline independently correlated with future MACE after adjustment for confounders, while the impact of BNP was the most significant among the variables investigated. These results suggest that BNP levels, obtained during medical checkup examination, is an independent and the most significant predictor of MACE. The inclusion of BNP as part of medical checkup parameters may improve the quality of screening for individuals at increased cardiovascular risk and prevent cardiovascular disease.
The Effect of Geographic Agglomeration on the Efficacy and Welfare Consequences of Climate Action
Authors: Sudmant Andrew
Published: May 2022

If national climate plans match the priorities of the average community, to what extent does it matter that many communities are very different from the average? Using a dataset of c.33,000 community GHG footprints from Lower Level Super Output Areas in England made-up of 12 emissions sources, this analysis assesses the consequences of priority areas for climate action being set at different geographic levels. Results show that setting priorities at a local level could modestly increase the share of all emissions covered by a climate action plan. This suggests that the efficacy of a climate action plan may also be modestly improved by local prioritisation of climate actions. More significantly, the share of emissions covered by climate action is found to be dramatically less variable between communities when local priorities for action are used in place of national priorities. This suggests that the welfare consequences of action may also be shared more equally when local priorities guide action. These results show that the geographic lens applied to understanding the climate challenge – independent of governance approaches or policies for action – is a meaningful consideration for the efficacy and the welfare consequences of climate action. More generally, engaging with the effect of geographic agglomeration can help to inform the roles of national and local actors around prioritising and leading climate action. Further analysis is needed to understand how wider factors important to climate action, including capacity, are affected by agglomeration, whether these results hold in other nations, and how a dynamic assessment of climate action prioritisation over time might affect these results.
Comparative Study between Single Anastomosis Sleeve Jejunal Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy and One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass: A Prospective Randomized trial
Authors: Elrefai Mohamad , Ibrahim Ahmed , Zeid Mostafa Abu , Ezzat Helmy , Abdelgawad Mohamed , ElGeidie Ahmed
Published: May 2022

Background: A variety of bariatric procedures are being practiced nowadays. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) are two commonly practiced bariatric procedures. Recently, single anastomosis sleeve jejunal bypass (SASJ) has emerged as a novel effective procedure with a decreased risk of malnutrition due to the presence of two pathways for food. Herein, we compared outcomes of these three procedures regarding short-term weight loss, complications, comorbidity resolution and quality of life.Patients and methods: We included a total of 60 cases in this prospective randomized study, and they were divided into three equal groups; SASJ, LSG and OAGB groups. The three procedures were performed by the same surgical team adapting standardized techniques. Weight loss parameters were our primary objectives, while secondary outcomes included post-operative complications, nutritional status, improvement/resolution of comorbidities and quality of life.Results: Operative time was significantly prolonged in the SASJ group, compared to the other two groups. Nevertheless, the incidence of post-operative complications did not significantly differ between the three groups, apart from GERD, that was more encountered in LSG group (20% of cases). Percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) were comparable among the 3 procedures; (SASJ 39.4 and 56.85%), (LSG 46.05 and 65.6%) and (OAGB 43 and 61.4%) at 6 and 12 months respectively. Comorbidity improvement, quality of life and nutritional status didn’t differ among the three study groups.Conclusion: SASJ bypass is an effective bariatric procedure regarding weight loss and comorbidity resolution, with a safe perioperative outcome comparable to OAGB and LSG.
Multi-omics construction of prognostic and immunotherapy-related gene signature and small molecule drug prediction for skin cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Xing Jiahua , Jia Ziqi , Li Yan , Han Yan
Published: May 2022

Background: Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), a kind of skin cancer with a high rate of advanced mortality, exhibits a wide variety of driver and transmitter gene alterations in the immunological tumor microenvironment (TME) associated with tumor cell survival and proliferation.Methods: We analyzed the immunological infiltration of TME cells in normal and malignant tissues using 469 SKCM and 556 normal skin samples. We used a single sample gene set enrichment assay (ssGSEA) to quantify the relative abundance of 28 cells, developed a riskScore prognostic model using the LASSO COX regression model, and performed small molecule drug screening and molecular docking validation, which was finally validated using qRT-PCR and IHC.Results: We developed a prognosis model around seven essential protective genes for the first time, dramatically elevated in tumor tissues, as did immune cell infiltration. The results of multivariate Cox regression demonstrated that riskScore is an independent and robust prognostic indicator, and its predictive usefulness in immunotherapy was verified. Additionally, we identified Gabapentin as a possible small molecule therapeutic for SKCM.Conclusions: A riskScore model was developed in this work to analyze patient prognosis, TME cell infiltration features, and treatment responsiveness. The development of this model aid in predicting patient response to immunotherapy, but it also has significant implications for the development of novel immunotherapeutic agents and the promotion of tailored treatment regimens.
Kannada Handwritten Answer Recognition using Machine Learning Approach
Authors: S Sampathkumar
Published: May 2022

Handwriting recognition has been an issue of concern for many researchers and analysts throughout the previous few decades. Different applications need solution to recognize the cursive nature of handwritten text. The stated nature of written styles needs to implement. To build an efficient working OCR the main drawback is to preprocess noisy document, segment the word, character and then recognize the written text. This paper comprises the needs, relevant research towards handwritten recognition and how to process. We line-out the steps and stages used in the recognition of Kannada handwritten words. The main aim of proposed work is to identify Kannada handwritten answer written in answer booklet and to solve recognition problem by using machine learning algorithms. System provides a detailed concept on pre-processing, segmentation, classifier used to develop systematic OCR tool. The achieved accuracy is of 90% for Kannada handwritten words.
Removal mechanism of Microcystis aeruginosa in Fe2+ /sodium percarbonate and Fe2+ /sodium persulfate advanced oxidation-flocculation system
Authors: Zhai Qingyun , Song Lili , Ji Xiyan , Huang Saihua , Yu Yueshu , Ye Jing , Xu Wenwu , Hou Meifang
Published: May 2022

Advanced oxidation process (AOPs) can be used for the treatment of harmful algal blooms (HABs). In this study, two systems of Fe2+/sodium percarbonate (Fe2+/SPC system) and Fe2+/sodium persulfate (Fe2+/PS system) were established to explore the removal mechanism of Microcystis aeruginosa（M. aeruginosa）. The results indicated that the Fe2+/SPC system catalyzed H2O2 to generate a large amount of A for oxidation by Fe2+, and formed Fe3+ to promote the flocculation of M. aeruginosa. The persulfate was activated by Fe2+ to generate d with super-oxidizing properties, and Fe3+ was generated to realize the oxidation and flocculation of M. aeruginosa in the Fe2+/PS system. Compared with the traditional method in which the pre-oxidation and flocculation processes are carried out separately, the method in this study effectively improves the utilization rate of the flocculant and the removal effect of M. aeruginosa. The absolute value of zeta potential of Fe2+/PS system （|ζ| =0.808 mV） was significantly lower than that of Fe2+/SPC system （|ζ| =21.4 mV）（P<0.05）, which indicated that Fe2+/PS system was more favorable for the flocculation of M. aeruginosa cells than the Fe2+/SPC system.
Novel pseudo-crown ether-like lithium salt enabling fast charging/discharging high-energy lithium metal batteries
Authors: Xia Yingchun , Zhou Pan , Kong Xian , Tian Jiekang , Zhang Weili , Yan Shuaishuai , Hou Wenhui , Zhou Hangyu , Dong Hao , Chen Xiaoxia , Wang Peican , Xu Ziang , Wan Lei , Wang Baoguo , Liu Kai
Published: May 2022

Conventional carbonate-based electrolytes defected all racers and became a dominant leader in the lithium-ion battery industry due to superior overall performance of preferable physical, chemical and electrochemical properties. However, carbonate-based electrolytes with high corrosion towards lithium (Li) metal result in massive dendrites growth and limited cycling life, thereby blocking their application in Li metal batteries (LMBs). This is particularly true for practical LMBs with high areal capacity (> 3.5 mAh/cm2), which generally requires a high areal current density (> 1 mA/cm2) for an acceptable, realistic charging rate. Herein, we design an asymmetric functional lithium salt, lithium 1,1,1-trifluoro-N-[2-[2-(2-methoxy ethoxy)ethoxy)]ethyl] methanesulfonamide (LiFEA) that enables carbonate electrolytes with a large apparent donor number and transference number, thus leading to excellent compatibility with Li metal anodes even at high current densities. The unique pseudo-crown ether-like, folded molecular geometry endows its novel post-“self-cleaning” mechanism: the LiFEA could dissolve most undesirable organic species in the initial deposited solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer and gradually enrich the inorganic species. This self-cleaning behavior of LiFEA results in homogeneous and more inorganic-rich, ultrathin SEI layers (which also contributes to high-quality cathode electrolyte interphase) and, therefore, outstanding lithium metal battery performances. Advanced LiFEA-based carbonate electrolytes could achieve high-performance cyclability and fast charging/discharging performances for LMBs. Li||NCM811 half cells enabled 500 cycles with an 83.5% capacity retention for 5 C-cycling (i.e., 3 mA/cm2), and full cells allowed 100 cycles with 86.5% capacity retention for cycling under the high current density of 5.2 mA/cm2 (i.e., 2 C). Under realistic conditions, industrial Li||NCM811 metal pouch cells achieve ~ 310 Wh/kg (except taps and packing foil, 403 Wh/kg) for a cell-level energy density, enabling stable cycling up to 100 cycles under a high discharging current density of 3.66 mA/cm2 (i.e., 1 C) and yielding a record-high power density of ~ 408 W/kg (except taps and packing foil, 530 W/kg). Our designed functional lithium salt with a special molecular geometry for carbonate-based electrolytes enables a promising path to realistic LMBs with high energy and high discharging power densities.
Identifying Key Sectors in the Regional Economy: A Network Analysis Approach Using Input-Output Data
Authors: DePaolis Fernando , Murphy Phil , Kaluza M.Clara DePaolis
Published: May 2022

By applying network analysis techniques to large input-output system, we identify key sectors in the local/regional economy. We overcome the limitations of traditional measures of centrality by using random-walk based measures, as an extension of BlÅNochl et al. (2011). These are more appropriate to analyze very dense networks, i.e. those in which most nodes are connected to all other nodes. These measures also allow for the presence of recursive ties (loops), since these are common in economic systems (depending to the level of aggregation, most firms buy from and sell to other firms in the same industrial sector). The centrality measures we present are well suited for capturing sectoral effects missing from the usual output and employment multipliers.We also develop an R package (xtranat) for the processing of data from IMPLAN® models and for computing the newly developed measures.
Companies' Digitalization Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-COVID-19 World
Authors: Bhat Aaqib Nisar , Kaswan Suresh
Published: May 2022

COVID-19 has had a major impact on the world economy, company operations, and individuals. However, technology is additionally helping several businesses in adapting to and overcoming this crisis obligatory by COVID-19. The augmented usage of technology in people' and businesses' daily lives in response to the present extraordinary situation is proof of the digital acceleration process. This preliminary analysis investigates the consequences of digital transformation processes in 3 corporate areas: labor and social relations, promoting and sales, and technology. The influence of digitalization is probably going to be cross-cutting across all areas, encouraging the introduction of recent digital merchandise and services based on the flexibleness concept. Furthermore, new modes of operating will increase the demand for brand new talent no matter wherever people live. Furthermore, cybersecurity and privacy will become 2 crucial elements that may assist the integrated development of net of Things technological solutions, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
“The springs are untouchable”: amid community management and government neglect, the last springs in peri-urban areas of Mexico City
Authors: Angela Caro-Borrero , Carmona-Jiménez Javier , García-Temis Lisset Gabriela , Martínez-Moreno María Fernanda
Published: May 2022

In Latin America, conservation is a subject that cannot be understood outside of the social processes that determine the different conceptions, uses and customs related to nature and water. Mexico is an example of ecosystem diversity, where rural populations see their homes and ecosystems threatened by the uncontrolled advance of the urban sprawl. In addition, the lack of governance in water matters leaves both ecosystems and people in a situation of vulnerability. The aim of this research was to determine the ecological and social indicators of the state of conservation and management of the springs in Mexico City’s Conservation Soils, through: ecological quality, biological diversity and the management of rural-urban communities of water resources. The springs still conserve elements of good ecological quality and unique traits, making these sites hotspots of local diversity. However, ongoing activities endanger its integrity, such as in situ water extraction, the lack of local organization for the management of water resources and the poor presence of government institutions to accompany water management. The establishment of a citizen and government participation system for water management is recommended, considering local economic development, socio-cultural complexity, ecosystem richness and fragility, and the socio-ecological context in which these water distribution mechanisms are established. As well, actions that includes a census of water bodies and the economic activities that depend on them, the ecological evaluation of actively used springs and water distribution agreements at the local level that consider the previous points.
The Effect of Health Financing Reforms on incidence and management of childhood infections in Ghana: A matching difference in differences impact evaluation
Authors: Odjidja Emmanuel Nene , Ansah-Akrofi Ruth , Iradukunda Arnaud , Kwanin Charles , Saha Manika
Published: May 2022

In 2003, Ghana abolished direct out of pockets payments and implemented health financing reforms including the national health insurance scheme in 2004. Treatment of childhood infections is a key component of services covered under this scheme, yet, outcomes on incidence and treatment of these infections after introducing these reforms have not been covered in evaluation studies. This study fills this gap by assessing the impact on the reforms on the two most dominant childhood infections; fever (malaria) and diarrhoea. Nigeria was considered as a control country and using four data points (pre and post reforms periods) from the demographic health surveys, we calculate the probability of treatment based on background covariates. All analysis were conducted in STATA (psmatch2, psgraph and pstest) and statistical significance was considered when p-value ≤ 0.05. After matching, it was determined that health reforms significantly increased general medical care for children with diarrhoea (25 percentage points) and fever (40 percentage points). Also for those receiving care specifically in government managed facilities for diarrhoea (14 percentage points) and fever (24 percentage points).This denotes that introducing health financing reforms can have marginal impact on child health outcomes.
A cross-sectional study to assess and compare the oral hygiene status, knowledge, perceptions amongst the students studying in government and private schools of rural areas of Chambal region
Authors: Piyanka Namdev  , Goyal Swati , Ullas Saxena  , Kaushal Gangil  , Vivek Pathak  , Ashish Kushwah
Published: May 2022

OBJECTIVE- To assess and compare the oral hygiene status, knowledge, perceptions amongst the age group of 10 to 15-year-old students studying in government and private schools of rural areas of the Chambal region.

MATERIALS AND METHODS- The cross-sectional study was carried out at randomly selected secondary schools of the Chambal region carried out approximately for a period of 2 months. Prior permission to examine the children would be obtained from the appropriate authorities before starting the study and the survey will be scheduled accordingly. The informed written consent and verbal assent will be obtained from the parents as well as to children respectively before the study. The investigator underwent training and calibration in January and February 2019. First, the literature of the two indices was thoroughly reviewed and a discussion was conducted with the staff of the Department of Public Health Dentistry. A calibration exercise was then performed on 30 adolescents who were examined by the investigator, as well as a previously trained examiner. Cohen’s kappa values were calculated to assess the inter-examiner reliability. Substantial inter-rater agreement (ĸ = 0.80) was obtained.

RESULT- The difference in the debris score between the private school children and government school children for the study population as a whole statistically significant (P = 0.01) The mean debris score for the private school children was 0.7829 and the mean debris score for government school children were 0.9457. The difference in the calculus score between the private school children and government school children for the study population as a whole not statistically significant (P = 0.21) The mean calculus score for the private school children was 0.8206 and the mean calculus score for government school children were 0.7192.

CONCLUSION- The results of the study concluded that there were differences in oral health information obtained between public and private school students. This difference in the level of knowledge may be due to differences in the level of education between the two types of students. Students have responded well to engaging in oral health education for children and can undoubtedly be instrumental in this work. However, if schoolchildren are given the right training, learning materials, and support from dentists who are experienced in public health, it can bring about a change in the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of our country's students.
Excision of Lower Lip Mucocele Using Scalpel and Diode Laser: Two Case Reports
Authors: Ajmal Md. , Dureha Roli , Khan Suleman  A , Navit Saumya
Published: May 2022

The term “Mucocele” originates from Latin words ‘mucus’ which means ‘fluid’ and ‘coele’ which means ‘cavity’. It is defined as the accumulation of mucus in the oral cavity’s subepithelial tissue secreted from salivary glands and their ducts. It is a frequently occurring salivary gland lesion which is seen in the oral cavity. They occur as mucus extravasation and mucus retention type. They may be obstructive in nature and occur due to trauma to a minor salivary gland duct which results in pooling in the epithelial tissue. Clinically, a mucocele appears as a typical blue colored dome shaped swelling which is soft in consistency and contains salivary fluid. It lies superficial or deeply attached to the tissues.

 

Management of mucocele includes surgical excision, marsupialization, micro marsupialization, cryosurgery, laser vaporization, and laser excision. Recently, high - intensity lasers have been proven to be more beneficial than conventional surgery as it causes prompt hemostasis, minimal blood loss and reduced healing time of the site.
“A Comparative Evaluation of The Wettability of Four Denture Base Materials to Three Commercially Available Saliva Substitute: An in Vitro Study”
Authors: Srivastava Shitij , Shekhar Abhinav , Jayaswal Amrita , Bhatia Love Kumar , Chaturvedi Anshuman , Chaturvedi Apurva
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACT:

AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare the wettability of three saliva substitute (Saleva, Wet Mouth and GC Dry Mouth) to four denture base materials (Heat cured, High Impact, Nylon and Cobalt – Chromium metal base).

Materials and Methods: A total of 60 samples were made, 15 each of the four denture based materials used that are Heat cure PMMA, High impact PMMA, Nylon based denture base and cobalt chromium based denture base. Three commercially available saliva substitutes Saleva, Wet Mouth and GC Dry Mouth were taken to compare the wettability of the denture base materials with the help of Contact Angle Goniometer.

Results: According to the result derived from this study, the nylon based denture base material was the most easily wettable denture base material while the greatest hysteresis value was offered by Wet Mouth saliva substitute.

Conclusion: 1. It was concluded that the nylon based denture base material was most easily wettable denture base material and Wet Mouth offered the greatest hysteresis value. 2. It was also concluded that the combination of nylon based denture base material and Wet Mouth offered the greatest retention.

Keywords: Contact angle, denture base material, retention, saliva substitute, wettability

Source of support: Nil

Conflict of interest: None
Do Drinfeld twists of $AdS_5 \times S^5$ survive light-cone quantization?
Authors: van Tongeren Stijn , Zimmermann Yannik
Published: May 2022

We study how a wide class of Abelian Yang-Baxter deformations of the AdS_5 \times S^5AdS5×S5 string behave at the quantum level.
These deformations are equivalent to TsT transformations and conjectured to be dual to beta, dipole, and noncommutative deformations of SYM.
Classically they correspond to Drinfeld twists of the original theory.
To verify this expectation at the quantum level we compute and match (1) the bosonic two-body tree-level worldsheet scattering matrix of these deformations in the uniform light-cone gauge,
and (2) the Bethe equations of the equivalent model with twisted boundary conditions.
We find that for a generalization of gamma deformations of the BMN string the we are able to express the S matrix either through a Drinfeld twist or a shift of momenta.
For deformations of the GKP string around the null-cusp solution we encounter calculational obstacles that prevent us from calculating the scattering matrix.
Personal and reliability factors affecting adoption and utilization of e-government: An effect of intention to use
Authors: Rachmawati  , Aswar Khoirul , Sumardjo Mahendro , Wiguna Meilda , Hariyani Eka
Published: May 2022

This study aims to examine and prove the effect of personal and reliability factors on both the adoption as well as the utilization of e-government indirectly through the intention to use. The proposed model uses various theories, such as technology acceptance, diffusion of innovation, and unified theory of acceptance and use of technologies. It incorporates contracts from the e-government adoption and usage model to explore and understand the factors that drive different types of e-technology adoption and use. Employing purposive sample, the paper collected around 158 respondents that were used to support this study. According to the findings, there are 103 government employees in the sample, 36 general public, and 19 businessmen in the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta (Indonesia). After the questionnaire’s reliability and validity were rigorously evaluated, the data were analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique. The results indicate that personal factors and perceived trust significantly affect the adoption and the utilization of e-government. In addition, reliability variables highly influence intention to use. Moreover, intention to use does not mediate the effect of personal factors, reliability factors, and e-government adoption use. This study is expected to be material for consideration and evaluation of the quality of ICTs-based public information for government officials and staff.
Técnicas de análise espacial na detecção da coinfecção tuberculose/HIV: Revisão integrativa
Authors: Santos Livia Fernanda Siqueira , Silva Janiel Conceição da , Souza Daianne Santos de , Pascoal Livia Maia , Ferreira Adriana Gomes Nogueira , Santos Floriacy Stabnow , Santos Neto Marcelino
Published: May 2022

Objetivou-se analisar a produção científica nacional e internacional acerca das técnicas de análise espacial utilizadas na detecção da coinfecção tuberculose/HIV no mundo. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, que utilizou a estratégia PICo para elaboração da pergunta norteadora: Quais são as evidências científicas relacionadas à utilização de técnicas de análise espacial na detecção da coinfecção tuberculose/HIV no mundo? Foram realizadas buscas nas bases de dados Lilacs, PubMed® e Medline®, e na biblioteca eletrônica SciELO em janeiro de 2020, utilizando os descritores “Tuberculosis (TB) HIV coinfection”, “spatial analysis”, “disease notification”, “risk area”, “TB/HIV”, “spatiotemporal” isolados e/ou combinados. Foram incluídos artigos disponíveis na íntegra nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol, sendo excluídas dissertações, teses, revisões de literatura e notas editoriais. Foram analisados 16 artigos, publicados a partir de 2006. Todos utilizaram dados secundários, com delineamento ecológico. Técnicas de análise de dados de área, análise bayesiana, Moran global e local, estatística de varredura, modelo geostatístico gaussiano e Krigagem foram utilizadas para determinar a distribuição heterogênea da coinfecção, com destaque para os coeficientes de prevalência e mortalidade, principalmente em cenários como Brasil e África. A diversidade de técnicas de análise espacial identificadas, com destaque para análise de dados de área e análise bayesiana, contribuiu para a avaliação e a identificação de fatores de risco dos indicadores de morbimortalidade pela coinfecção, alvos de ação e planejamento das políticas públicas de saúde, possibilitando a instituição de ações voltadas para além de questões curativas e preventivas, pautadas na redução das desigualdades socioespaciais nos diferentes cenários.
Risco de lesão por pressão no pré e pós-operatório de indivíduos com doenças crônicas não transmissíveis
Authors: Arend Luiza , Da Silva Rosângela Marion , Bublitz Susan , Freitas Etiane de Oliveira , Siqueira Daiana Foggiato de , Nazario Elisa Gomes
Published: May 2022

Objetivo: avaliar o risco de lesão por pressão em usuários hospitalizados com doenças crônicas não transmissíveis que se encontram no período pré e pós-operatório. Método: estudo quantitativo, descritivo, realizado com usuários com idade mínima de 18 anos, com diagnóstico de doença crônica não transmissível, com tempo mínimo de internação na instituição de 48 horas. A coleta de dados ocorreu em maio de 2019, e foram utilizados um formulário sociolaboral e a Escala de Braden. As variáveis qualitativas foram apresentadas em frequência simples e relativas, e as quantitativas em medidas de tendência central e medidas de dispersão. Resultados: Participaram 45 pessoas, com média de idade de 64,5 anos. A doença crônica não transmissível mais frequente foi a hipertensão arterial sistêmica. Identificou-se quatro usuários com lesão por pressão nas regiões sacrococcígea e calcâneo. A classificação de risco predominante nos grupos com e sem lesão por pressão foi de baixo risco. Conclusão: os resultados demostraram a importância da assistência qualificada e padronizada da enfermagem na avaliação do risco e prevenção do desenvolvimento de lesão por pressão no ambiente hospitalar.
“Ô de casa! ”: Uma análise foucaultiana da atenção domiciliar
Authors: Perboni Jéssica Siqueira , Griebeler Oliveira Stefanie , Sant'Ana Tristão Fernanda
Published: May 2022

Objetivo: problematizar a atenção domiciliar em relação à sua organização, funcionamento e condução dos procedimentos exercidos pelos profissionais de saúde neste cenário. Método: Tratou-se de pesquisa qualitativa inserida nos Estudos Foucaultianos, realizada em um Serviço de Assistência Domiciliar de um Hospital de Ensino do Sul do Brasil, com 12 profissionais de saúde. Como técnica de coleta de dados foi utilizada a observação participante, no período de abril a agosto de 2018.Os dados foram organizados e analisados com ferramentas foucaultianas: subjetivação e poder. Resultados: Destaca-se as táticas utilizadas pelos profissionais de saúde para o acesso mais facilitado ao domicílio e ao corpo dos doentes, bem como o estabelecimento de relações de poder, que fazem modificações nos modos de vida dos pacientes e cuidadores. Além disso, o estudo aponta as (im)possibilidades do serviço, principalmente para a manutenção do paciente no ambiente domiciliar. Para que seja possível o cuidado no domicílio, os espaços são (re)configurados, materiais são disponibilizados, além de ser sinalizada a importância da presença de cuidador familiar 24 horas por dia. Conclusão: São estabelecidas estratégias de controle na atenção domiciliar, de modo que é realizado o governo dos corpos dos doentes crônicos, permitindo que se mantenham no domicílio, espaço agora institucionalizado.
A influência da autoeficácia sobre os desfechos do aleitamento materno: Estudo de revisão integrativa
Authors: Pacheco van der Sand Isabel Cristina , Silveira Andressa da , Cabral Fernanda Beheregaray , Das Chagas Carolina de Oliveira
Published: May 2022

Objetivo: Identificar na literatura a influência da autoeficácia em amamentar nos desfechos do aleitamento materno e conhecer os fatores protetores à autoeficácia em amamentar. Método: Estudo de revisão integrativa, com busca na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, por meio dos descritores aleitamento materno, autoeficácia e saúde da mulher. Resultados: Compõem a revisão 17 artigos, publicados entre 2014 e 2018, em português e espanhol. A autoeficácia em amamentar é fundamental na intenção, proteção e manutenção do aleitamento materno, em especial o exclusivo. DeEntre os fatores de proteção à autoeficácia destacaram-se a experiência prévia da mulher, o aprendizado por meio da observação, a persuasão verbal, construtos da Teoria Social Cognitiva, e estratégias educacionais que ancorem o planejamento e execução de ações de promoção ao aleitamento materno. Conclusões: Educação em saúde, com reconhecimento da autoeficácia em amamentar e uso da “Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy-Scale”, contribui na promoção, proteção, apoio e manutenção do aleitamento materno.
Mutability and stagnancy of place names
Authors: Seemann Jörn
Published: May 2022

Studies on toponyms frequently focus on name changes, but rarely address places that persist with their traditional names. The case of the State of Indiana in the United States is presented as an example of a space whose place names were predominantly defined in the nineteenth century and that continues reproducing the values, politics, and history of the European colonizers and the American independence and democracy movement from the past. Frozen in time, Indiana toponyms do not correspond to the multi-cultural and multi-racial configuration of today’s society and are unlikely to change in the future, though renaming is far more common on the local level (e.g., streets and schools) rather than for larger administrative units such as counties and towns.