bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disentangling the Economic and Educational Impacts of Single Parenting on Adolescent Girl Students: In the Case of Gambella Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Gebrie Fentahun , Melsew Surafel
Published: July 2023

Single parenting is a social phenomenon that has always been in existence and is as old as mankind, and today the number of single-parent families has been rampantly increasing. As a result, the researcher conducted a study in the Gambella region of Ethiopia to investigate the economic and educational implications of single parenting on female adolescent students. The study employed a qualitative research approach with a case study research design. The researchers used the purposive sampling technique to select the research area and research participants for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, and eleven interviewees, seventeen participants in focus group discussions within two groups, and seven key informants participated. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, and thematically analyzed. Interviews with research participants revealed that adolescent girl students from single-parent homes experience financial difficulties. The study also explored that students with single parents are more likely to be absent from school, to come late to school, to score low marks, and to drop out of school. Therefore, having an understanding of the benefits of having intact parents for the well-being of adolescents and raising children together should be advocated.
Semiconductor-based photocatalytic degradation of Antiviral drug pollutants: A mini review
Authors: Zhang Zhaocheng , He Dongyang , Zhao Siyu , Qu Jiao
Published: July 2023

The prevalence of antiviral drugs (AVTs) has seen a substantial increase in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to heightened concentrations of these pharmaceuticals in wastewater systems. The hydrophilic nature of AVTs has been identified as a significant factor contributing to the low degradation efficiency observed in wastewater treatment plants. This characteristic often necessitates the implementation of additional treatment steps to achieve complete degradation of AVTs. Semiconductor-based photocatalysis has garnered considerable attention due to its promising potential in achieving efficient degradation rates and subsequent mineralization of pollutants, leveraging the inexhaustible energy of sunlight. However, in recent years, there have been few comprehensive reports that have thoroughly summarized and analyzed the application of photocatalysis for the removal of AVTs. This review commences by summarizing the types and occurrence of AVTs. Furthermore, it places a significant emphasis on delivering a comprehensive summary and analysis of the characteristics pertaining to the photocatalytic elimination of AVTs. Ultimately, the review sheds light on the identified research gaps and key concerns, offering invaluable insights to steer future investigations in this field.
SEPULUH UNSUR PENGOPTIMAL METODE DRIL DAN PENGUASAAN HAFALAN BAHASA MANDARIN KOMPREHENSIF
Authors: Adhimas Yogi Bagus , Ilhamuddin Muhammad Farid , Amri Miftachul
Published: July 2023

This study discusses the advantages and optimization of the drill method in the memorization process for mastery of Mandarin. The drill method that does not require additional media, and only relies on the five human senses is an advantage that deserves to be maximized. This study aims to offer ten elements that can encourage better results in the process of memorizing Mandarin with the drill method. By using qualitative research methods, elements, such as, relying on continuity, familiarizing with Mandarin language culture, determining the appropriate mindset for improving mastery of Mandarin memorization with the dril method, are a summary of the results in the elements offered and in the discussion will be presented with in-depth elaboration.
Research Book Intellectual Capital, Innovation, and Curriculum of Accounting Study Program Based on the Industrial Revolution 4.0
Authors: Hermawan Sigit , Fediyanto Niko , Hariyanto Wiwit
Published: July 2023

Praise be to God Almighty, so that the Research Book with the title "Intellectual Capital, Innovation and Curriculum of the Accounting Study Program in the Era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0" can be published. This book is a research book with the title "Challenges and Threats of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 on Accounting and the Contribution of Intellectual Capital" which is financed by the Ministry of Education and Culture Research in 2022.This book will contain four chapters, namely about Intellectual Capital, Innovation, the Curriculum of the Industrial Revolution 4.0-Based Accounting Study Program, and Concluding. With the completion of the writing of this research book, the author would like to thank all parties who have provided writing materials both directly and indirectly.
Characteristics of Mocaf (Modified Cassava Flour) From Cassava (Manihot utilissima): Study of Tape Yeast Concentration and Fermentation Time
Authors: Ningrum Wiwin Ekawati , Saidi Ida Agustini
Published: July 2023

Cassava is a local food that has low shelf life. Mocaf flour is processed cassava which is modified by fermentation. This study used a randomized block design (RBD) method with 3 repetitions. With the treatment of tape yeast concentration which consists of 3 levels, namely 1%, 1.5% and 2% and the treatment of fermentation time with 3 levels, namely 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours. Data were analyzed using ANOVA then continued with the BNJ test with a level of 5%. As well as the hedonic scale scoring organoleptic test. The results showed that the highest value for the color parameter L was 296.66, color a was 5.17, color b was 34.21, organoleptic aroma was 188, organoleptic color was 167.5.
Piloting a Library-Led Online Academic Skills Orientation Program
Authors: McMillan Jill , Fonstad Joel , St-Jacques Amy-Renee
Published: July 2023

In August 2021, we piloted an online academic skills orientation program for incoming undergraduate and graduate students. The program featured a range of synchronous online sessions that provided students an opportunity to learn from librarians, learning specialists, peer mentors, professors, academic advisors and other campus partners during presentations, panels and Q&As. The program was attended by 548 unique students with overall workshop attendance totaling 1310 over a four-day period. Due to the success of the 2021 pilot, we ran another iteration of the program in August 2022, which included both online and in-person elements. The three-day online program was attended by 309 unique students with overall workshop attendance totaling 1084 while the one day in-person program was attended by 37 students. Approximately 8% and 20% of program attendees completed program surveys in 2021 and 2022 respectively. While the low response rates make it difficult to generalize about the data, feedback overall was positive, with most respondents indicating that they found the experience to be valuable. We conclude by encouraging other libraries to consider the role that they play in familiarizing students with university supports and services and to take a leading role if such programming is not currently in place at their institution.
Migrants’ trust in humanitarian action
Authors: Arias Cubas Magdalena , Hoagland Nicole , Mudaliar Sanushka
Published: July 2023

Humanitarian action is built on trust. Without it, humanitarian organisations cannot reach or respond to the needs of the most vulnerable, including many migrants. Yet, little is known about who migrants trust and why, as well as how this affects migrants' ability and willingness to seek and access humanitarian assistance and protection. This paper explores the findings of a large multi-sited research project conducted by the Red Cross Red Crescent Global Migration Lab across 15 countries to gather insights into migrants’ perceptions of, and trust in, humanitarian action. The rationale for the project has been that humanitarian organisations can better build (and, where necessary, repair) trust with migrants by listening and responding to their thoughts, fears, doubts, and concerns about their situations and the assistance and protection they receive. In this paper, we draw attention to three key lessons: first, the importance of increasing knowledge and awareness of humanitarian organisations and the services they provide; second, the importance of upholding the humanitarian principle of independence in migration programming; and third, the critical role that frontline staff and volunteers play in building and maintaining migrants’ trust.
Peran Motivasi Kerja dalam Meningkatkan Kinerja Karyawan di LKP Bahana Bina Prestasi Ponorogo
Authors: Zahroni Kevin Isa , Dwi Setya Nugrahini
Published: July 2023

Work motivation is a form of drive within an individual to complete a task. According to Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory, work motivation consists of two components: external factors and internal factors. In courses and training institutes Bahana Bina Prestasi, work motivation seems lacking, which contradicts the efforts made by the institution's leaders who provide regular work motivation in monthly briefings. This research aims to determine work motivation's role in improving employee performance at LKP Bahana Bina Prestasi in Ponorogo. This research utilizes a qualitative descriptive research method. Data sources include employees, business owners, or leaders at LKP Bahana Bina Prestasi in Ponorogo. Data collection techniques involve conducting interviews. This research indicates that the factors causing a decrease in work motivation lie in external factors, such as salary and quality of supervision. However, there are strengths in working conditions, interpersonal relationships, achievements, recognition, the job itself, and responsibility. Additionally, the implementation of work motivation in LKP Bahana Bina Prestasi is considered to be less than ideal because, despite being conducted regularly, it is not yet considered good and effective. Out of the five performance indicators, this institution has successfully implemented two indicators, namely Quality and Timeliness. However, three areas still need improvement: Quantity, Effectiveness, and Efficiency.
Insights into the implementation of a whole genome sequencing report form (SRF) to reduce nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 within UK hospitals: a qualitative process evaluation using normalisation process theory
Authors: Leiser Ruth , McLeod Julie , Mapp Fiona , Stirrup Oliver , Blackstone James , Illingwo Christopher JR , Nebbia Gaia , Price James R , Snell Luke B , Saluja Tranprit , Breuer Judith , Flowers Paul
Published: July 2023

Background
Here we report on a process evaluation conducted as part of a large multisite non-randomised trial of the effectiveness of a whole genome sequence report form (SRF) to reduce nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 through changing infection prevention and control (IPC) behaviours during the COVID − 19 pandemic. We detail how the SRF was implemented across a heterogeneous purposive sub-sample of hospital trial sites (n = 5/14).
Methods
We conducted in-depth interviews from diverse professional staff (N = 39). Inductive thematic analysis initially explored participants’ accounts of implementing the SRF. The resulting data driven themes, concerning the way the SRF was used within sites, were then coded in relation to the key tenets of normalisation process theory (NPT).
Results
Factors that enabled the implementation of the SRF included: elements of the context such as health care professional passion; the existence of whole genome sequencing (WGS) infrastructure; effective communication channels, the creation of new connections across professionals and teams; the integration of SRF-led discussions within pre-existing meetings and the ability of a site to achieve a rapid turnaround time. In contrast, we found factors that constrained the use of the SRF included elements of the context such as the impact of the Alpha-variant overwhelming hospitals. In turn, dealing with COVID-19 breached the limited capacity of infection prevention and control (IPC) to respond to the SRF and ensure its routinisation.
Conclusion
We show preliminary support for the SRF being an acceptable, useable and potentially scalable way of enhancing existing IPC activities. However, the context of both the trial and the alpha wave of COVID-19 limit these insights.
Clinical trial number
https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN50212645,
Registration date 20/05/2020
A Modified Clustering Algorithm Based on Fuzzy Clustering (FC) and Modified Grey Wolf Optimization (MGWO)
Authors: C Daniel Nesa Kumar , J Lekha , R Aruna , A Sheela Selvakumari N
Published: July 2023

The goal of a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is to extend the life cycle of network and to control topology control. Particle Swarm Optimization is used to pick cluster heads based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). In high-dimensional space, PSO can easily fall into local optimum, results in poor convergence rate when subjected to an iterative process. Proposed technique applies Fuzzy Clustering (FC) for preprocessing and Modified Grey Wolf Optimization to address this problem (MGWO). First, the FC algorithm is used to initialize the clustering process for sensor nodes based on their geographical locations, where each node belonging to a cluster with a given probability, and the count of initial clusters is studied and presented. In addition, the fitness function is created with WSN's energy consumption and distance aspects in mind. Finally, the MGWO is used to determine the CH nodes in hierarchical architecture. Experiments reveal that, when compared to standard methods, the proposed strategy was successful in lowering node mortality and prolonging the network life cycle.
lmprovement of A Searchable Keyword Public Key Encryption Scheme in Cloud Storage
Authors: Zeng Shuhan , Zhou Chuanhao , Dong Yingjie , He Jinlin , Wang Hongwei , Liao Yongjian
Published: July 2023

In big data era, more and more people store their data in some outsourced cloud, but this brings up a problem that how to keep some important and sensitive data from revealing to the curious cloud and malicious ones who aim to steal information. In this case, public-key encryption with keyword search (PEKS) has become an indispensable branch in cryptography. Many great works have been done to contribute this field since then. In 2018, Wu et al (2018) came up with an efficient and secure searchable public key encryption scheme with privacy protection for cloud storage. However, in this paper, we proved that their scheme is not secure under indistinguishability against keyword guessing attack (IND-KGA) by giving two ways to break their scheme. Then we proposed an improved scheme to make it secure and more efficient in some way. And we proved that the proposed scheme is secure under IND-KGA and indistinguishability against chosen keyword attack game (IND-CKA). Finally, in terms of security performance for restricted device data collection, our trapdoor generation algorithm has more advantages.
Deep learning reveals key aspects to help interpret the structure-property relationships of materials
Authors: Dam Hieu-Chi , Vu Tien-Sinh , Ha Minh-Quyet , Nguyen Duong Nguyen , Nguyen Viet-Cuong , Abe Yukihiro , Tran Truyen , Tran Huan , Kino Hiori , Miyake Takashi , Tsuda Koji
Published: July 2023

Deep learning (DL) models currently used for materials research have limitations in providing meaningful information for interpreting predictions and understanding the relationships between structure and material properties. To address this, we propose a DL architecture that incorporates the attention mechanism to predict material properties and gain insights into their structure-property relationships. The proposed architecture is evaluated using four datasets: the QM9 molecule dataset and three in-house-developed computational materials datasets. Train--test--split validations confirm that the models derived from the proposed DL architecture exhibit strong predictive capabilities comparable to those of current state-of-the-art models. Furthermore, comparative validations, based on first-principles calculations, indicate that the degree of attention of the atoms' local structures to the representation of the material structure is critical when interpreting structure-property relationships with respect to physical properties. The properties include molecular orbital energies or formation energies of crystals. Our proposed architecture shows great potential in accelerating material design by predicting material properties and identifying critical features of corresponding structures.
Study on deep learning methods for rockburst risk prediction based on mining-induced seismicity quantification
Authors: Cheng Xianggang , Qiao Wei , He Hu
Published: July 2023

The assessment of rockburst risk (RBR) is the premise of rockburst prevention and control. It is the implementation criterion to guide various rockburst prevention and control measures. The existing static prediction and evaluation methods for RBR cannot be effectively combined with the results of underground dynamic monitoring. This study proposed a mining-induced seismicity information quantification method based on the fractal theory. Deep learning methods are used to construct a deep learning framework of rockburst risk (DLFR) based on the fractal dimension of microseismic information. Gray correlation analysis (GRA), information gain ratio (IGR), and Pearson correlation coefficient are used to screen and compare factors. Statistical evaluation indicators such as macro-F1, accuracy rate, and fitness curve were used to evaluate model performance. Taking Gaojiapu Coal Mine in the Binchang mining area as a case study, the performance of deep learning models such as BP Neural Network (BP), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and its optimized model based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm under this framework is discussed. The reliability and validity of the research results to verify by comparing the predicted results with the actual results. The research results show that the prediction results of RBR in DLFR are consistent with the actual results, and the model is reliable and effective. The mining-induced seismicity quantification can solve the problem of insufficient training samples for the RBR. With this, different pressure relief measures can be formulated based on the results of the RBR predictions to achieve "graded" precise prevention and control.
Dynamic triggering along the Dead Sea transform uncovers tremor source physics
Authors: Inbal Asaf
Published: July 2023

Tremor signals are weak and emergent, and the physics governing their generation is not well understood. Here, I report on tremor occurring along the Dead Sea Transform (DST), and a microearthquake on the Carmel-Fari'a Fault (CFF), both dynamically triggered by the 2023 Mw7.6 Kahramanmaraş earthquake. The triggered events location coincides with maxima of long-period velocity gradients, concentrated in the CFF-DST intersection and near a CFF fault-jump. Relative to other remotely triggered tremors, the DST tremor is strong and deficient in high-frequency seismic energy. Furthermore, analysis of several triggered tremor episodes suggests that tremors spectral fall-off rates are not universal. I discuss the seismological attributes that may give rise to these observations in the context of two models. In the first, tremor is produced due to inertial vibrations of a frictionally-controlled oscillator, and in the second it is produced by a swarm of Low-Frequency Earthquakes.
Morphological changes of adjacent vertebrae after posterior hemivertebrae resection and unilateral short segment fixation:Retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Shixiong , Gao Ze , Zhang Yandong , Xi Fanhui , Guo Weijie , Zhao Sheng , Xue Xuhong
Published: July 2023

Background
To investigate the morphological changes in the adjacent vertebrae in patients with congenital scoliosis caused by hemivertebra treated by posterior hemivertebra resection with unilateral short segment fixation.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted. From 2000 to 2023, 26 pediatric patients with scoliosis caused by a single hemivertebra were included in our institution. They were treated with posterior hemivertebra resection and unilateral short-segment fixation. The preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up imaging parameters were measured separately, such as the main curve Cobb angle, correction rate, the height of the convex and concave side of the vertebral body, and bilateral pedicle distance (BLPD). All patients had at least 60 months of follow-up.
Results
The patient was followed up for 68.81 ± 8.11(60–82)months. The preoperative main curve Cobb angle: 36.32°±11.36°, postoperative main curve Cobb angle: 12.29°±7.41°, with a mean correction rate of 66.3%.The main curve Cobb angle at the last follow-up: 12.59°±7.42°, with a loss rate of 2.3%. Preoperative height of proximal vertebral body on convex side: (1.14 ± 0.48) cm,height of proximal vertebral body on concave side: (1.15 ± 0.50) cm, BLPD: (2.58 ± 1.11) cm, height of distal vertebral body in convex side: (1.26 ± 1.89) cm, height of distal vertebral body in concave side: (1.13 ± 0.45) cm, BLPD: (2.83 ± 0.93) cm; Postoperative height of proximal vertebral body in convex side: (1.83 ± 0.49) cm,height of proximal vertebral body in concave side height: (1.58 ± 0.39) cm, BLPD: (2.86 ± 0.77) cm, height of distal vertebral body in convex side: (1.88 ± 0.46) cm,height of distal vertebral body in concave side height: (1.59 ± 0.32) cm, BLPD: (3.31 ± 0.99) cm; At the final follow-up,the height of proximal vertebral body in convex side: (2.01 ± 0.60) cm, height of proximal vertebral body in concave side: (1.89 ± 0.49) cm, BLPD: (3.20 ± 0.78) cm, height of the distal vertebral body in convex side: (2.25 ± 0.50) cm, height of distal vertebral body in concave side: (1.90 ± 0.32) cm, BLPD: (3.58 ± 0.90). The postoperative and final follow-up parameters were significantly difference(P < 0.05) compared with preoperative parameters. No complications such as neurological injury, infection, and internal fixation failure occurred during the follow-up.
Conclusion
Posterior hemivertebrectomy with unilateral short-segment fixation and fusion can effectively remove the factors leading to deformity and correct the spinal alignment. Morphological changes in the vertebrae adjacent to the hemivertebrae are observed on long-term follow-up, with a tendency to from wedge-shaped or irregular-shaped vertebrae to a typical vertebra. It is a safe and effective treatment for congenital scoliosis caused by hemivertebra.
Formation of long-lasting inactive and active multiple tropical cyclone events in the western North Pacific
Authors: Chen Lilan , Gao Jianyun , Li Tim
Published: July 2023

Long-lasting inactive and active multiple tropical cyclone (MTC) events in the western North Pacific (WNP) during July-August 1982-2020 were investigated. It is found that the significant difference between the inactive and active events lies on large-scale circulation conditions and tropical SST anomalies in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. A negative phase of the Pacific Meridional Mode (PMM), an Indian ocean warming and a local suppressed convective phase are associated with the long-lasting inactive MTC events, and vise visa. A further diagnosis of the environmental parameters showed that dynamic parameters such as mid-level vertical motion and the upper-level divergence and thermodynamic parameters such as vertically integrated water vapor content and low-level specific humidity play important roles in regulating the inactive and active MTC events. A separation of interannual and intraseasonal components indicates that the extreme MTC events are influenced by both the timescale motions. While the former is primarily through the SSTA-induced low-level anticyclonic and descent anomalies, the latter is via the fluctuation of the boreal summer atmospheric intraseasonal oscillation.
Bacterial community response to modified-biochar and exogenous fungi inoculation during degradation of oil-contaminated clayey sediment in slurry phase
Authors: Atakpa Edidiong Okokon , Yan Bozhi , Okon Samuel Ukpong , Liu Qing , Zhang Dongdong , Zhang Chunfang
Published: July 2023

Bioremediation strategies for oil-contaminated clayey sediment are still a major environmental concern due to their reluctance to conventional treatment techniques. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the sequential application of modified biochar and exogenous fungus in slurry phase degradation of crude oil-contaminated clayey sediment. Biochar modification using acid and rhamnolipid increased its surface area from 2.544 to 25.378 m2g-1, followed by a corresponding increase in the hydrogen-carbon and oxygen-carbon ratio, indicating improved stability, polarity, and oxygen contents. The maximum TPH removal efficiency of 82.4% was achieved in treatments with the acid-rhamnolipid-treated biochar, followed by a corresponding increase in FDA hydrolysis activity. Furthermore, high-throughput 16S RNA gene sequencing was employed to identify changes in the bacterial community structures of the original sediment and treatments before and after fungal inoculation. This highlighted Proteobacteria as the dominant phylum, followed by Campilobacterota, Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, and Desulfobacterota. In addition, it was observed that fungal inoculation promoted the proliferation of some specific TPH-degraders. Specifically, ASVs associated with Hyphomonas adhaerens and Marinobacter mobilis accounted for 77% and 5% of the total degrading populations in treatments where TPH removal was highest. Findings in this study provide valuable insights into the effect of biochar in the treatment of crude oil-contaminated marine sediments, and a better understanding of the fundamental role of exogenous fungus in the proliferation of efficient TPH-degraders towards effective degradation.
A nanoscale view of the origin of boiling and its dynamics
Authors: Gallo Mirko , Magaletti Francesco , Georgoulas Anastasios , Marengo Marco , De Coninck Joel , Casciola Carlo
Published: July 2023

Boiling has the peculiarity of being involved both in frontier technological applications, such as nano cooling, and in everyday life activities, such as food cooking. For that reason, everyone is very familiar with this kind of phase transition. Associated with the empirical knowledge of the process, despite tens of years of scientific exploration, there is yet no adequate physical understanding of the phenomenon and its profound nanoscale origins. Many controversial experimental observations well fit into such a scenario. The lack of fundamental understanding of the process has a great impact on the technological development of thermal science, especially in terms of a quantitative prediction of the physical parameters. The central issue lies in the multiscale and non-equilibrium nature of boiling itself, where nucleation and bubble dynamics must coexist in a single description far from thermodynamic equilibrium and linked to length and time scales, unreachable by the present measurement tools. To date, theory, simulations, and experiments have described the different scales of boiling always compartmentalised and blurred by many uncontrolled parameters. Therefore, a holistic description encompassing the whole aforementioned range of spatial and temporal scales is still lacking, even though strongly desired. Here we show for the first time that a continuum model based on fluctuating hydrodynamics and the diffuse interface approach is able to describe the boiling phenomenon from the stochastic nucleation up to the macroscopic bubble dynamics. The approach covers, with a modest computational cost, the mesoscale area from nano to micrometers, where most of the controversial observations related to the phenomenon originate from. In particular, the role of wettability in the macroscopic observable of boiling is elucidated. In addition, by comparing the ideal case of boiling on ultrasmooth surfaces with a chemically heterogeneous wall, our results will definitively shed light on the puzzling low onset temperatures measured in experiments. Sporadic nanometric spots of hydrophobic wettability will be shown to be enough to trigger the nucleation at low superheat values, significantly reducing the temperature of boiling onset, in line with experimental results. The proposed mesoscale approach constitutes the missing link between macroscopic approaches and molecular dynamics simulations, and will open a breakthrough pathway toward accurate understanding and prediction.
A new tool for identifying giant African snails Lissachatina fulica that reached the hermaphrodite stage
Authors: Patiño-Montoya Angie , Borges Bárbara Luíza , Tidon Rosana
Published: July 2023

The giant African snail Lissachatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) is a protandrous hermaphrodite gastropod; that is, it develops the male reproductive system first and then the female reproductive system. An individual can lay more than 400 eggs in the same posture, which contributes to its invasive potential. Due to the difficulty in differentiating hermaphrodite individuals, in this study, we evaluated whether the length and shape of the shell contribute to recognizing individuals with female reproductive structures. For this, we classified 104 individuals collected in Brasília (Brazil) according to the presence or absence of an albumin gland and uterus and evaluated the shell length and two indices that reflect its shape in each group. The shell length and two shape indices overlapped between groups. However, the length and one of the indices (how many times the distance between the first suture and the shell aperture fits into the shell width) correctly classified at least 88% of hermaphrodite individuals when applied individually. When these two indicators are adopted simultaneously, the percentage of success in identifying hermaphrodites is greater than 98%. In hermaphroditic individuals, the shell length is generally greater than 5 cm, and the shape index described above is generally less than or equal to 2.1. Our proposal facilitates the recognition of potentially hermaphroditic individuals in the field, thus contributing to the management of this important invasive species.
Rediscover the predictive capacity of B-type natriuretic peptide applied to neonatal ventricular supertachycardia
Authors: Lu Yaheng , Xiong Ying , Wen Yizhou , Yang Yanfeng , Liu Hanmin
Published: July 2023

Background
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is one of the most common non-benign arrhythmias in neonates that could lead to cardiac decompensation. This study investigated early risk factors of acute heart failure (AHF) secondary to SVT in neonates, and explored their value on guiding the selection of efficient anti-arrhythmic treatment.
Methods
A total of 43 newborns with SVT diagnosed and treated between January 2017 and December 2022 were analyzed. According to the presence of AHF after initial restoring SVT to sinus rhythm, newborns were divided into SVT with AHF group and SVT without AHF group, and the clinical data and anti-arrhythmic therapies were analyzed. Risk factors of AHF secondary to SVT in neonates were determined by logistic regression. The cut-off value for predictors of AHF secondary to SVT and demanding of a second line anti-arrhythmic treatment was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.
Results
Time to initial control of tachycardia > 24h, hyperkalemia, anemia, plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were risk factors of AHF secondary to SVT in neonates. BNP exhibited AUC of 0.804 in predicting AHF, and BNP > 2460.5pg/ml (OR 2.281, 95% CI 1.270 ~ 45.399, P = 0.026) was an independent predictor yielded sensitivity of 70.59% and specificity of 84.62%. The neonates with BNP > 2460.5pg/ml (37.5% versus 7.4%, P = 0.037) had a higher demand for a second line anti-arrhythmic treatment to terminate SVT, and the sensitivity and and specificity for BNP in predicting were 75.0%, 71.4%, respectively.
Conclusions
BNP could be used to predict an incident of AHF secondary to SVT and a demand of second line anti-arrhythmic treatment for terminating SVT hastily to prevent decompensation in neonates.
Clarifying the identity of marketed edible fungus Huotanjun (Burnt Charcoal Mushroom) in southern China
Authors: Huang Lian-hui , Wang Jing , Li Shu-hong , Qin Wei-qiang , Li Hai-jiao , Wang Xiang-Hua
Published: July 2023

Huotanjun (Burnt Charcoal Mushroom) is a group of edible mushrooms widely hunted and eaten in southern China. Taxonomically they belong to Russula sect. Nigricantinae. Confusion with the fatal R. subnigricans cause many poisoning incidents in Asia. For a long time, European names were used in Asia but the Asian genotypes are not the same as European species. We studied specimens collected from markets and the field in southern China. Analysis of four DNA loci (ITS, nc LSU, TEF1-α, RPB2) showed that except for a specimen of R. adusta from subalpine Abies forest in southwestern China, all the specimens represent species different from European and North American ones, suggesting prevalent continental endemism in this group. Four new species were described. Among them R. sinoadusta and R. zhuzuijun are Asian counterparts of R. adusta; R. brunneocystidia and R. huotanjun are closely related with European R. densifolia and R. fuliginosa. These species are highly similar to their European siblings and the morphological differences are very subtle. Using multi-locus data, for the first time, we determined the phylogenetic position of R. subnigricans. It was nested in R. sect. Nigricantinae and sister to R. latolamellata, a species also having distant lamellae and only reddening context. Geographically except for R. sinoadusta known only from China, all species are shared by China and Japan. We analyzed presence/absence of the diagnostic toxin of R. subnigricans cycloprop-2-ene carboxylic acid for 12 species and did not detect the polymeric products in any of them but R. subnigricans. Nevertheless, considering several potentially edible species also have spaced lamellae and only reddening discolouration which can be easily confused with R. subnigricans, we strongly recommend to only eat species with decidedly blackening context and gills.
Exploring indigenous fruits and vegetables with potential cardiometabolic health benefits: Understanding barriers and facilitators to consumption
Authors: Kiyimba Tonny , Yiga Peter , Bamuwamye Michael , VanDamme Eline , Ogwok Patrick , Schueren Bart Van der , Matthys Christophe
Published: July 2023

Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables (IFV) may offer sustainable remedy for the surging cardiometabolic dysfunction in sub–Saharan Africa. In Uganda consumption of IFV is pervasively low, despite a rich diversity. Our study aimed to catalogue IFV reputed for cardiometabolic benefits as well as understand the determinants of consumption. We collected data around the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) through Focus Group Discussions (FGD), Key Informant Interviews (KII) and market surveys. Participants for the FGD were recruited from the general population while for KII, farmers, ethnobotanists, nutritionists, herbalists, and health workers were interviewed. We conducted surveys in supermarkets and open-air markets together with explorative interviews with market vendors. Discussions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. We performed phenolic characterisation of the identified IFV using Phenol-Explorer and PhytoHub databases. Eleven FGD (84 participants), 19 KII, and 12 food market surveys were conducted. Participants ages ranged from 19 to 80 years. Three out of the 11 FGD were conducted among younger adults (19–34 years). Tamarindus indica, Cleome gynandra, Solanum anguivi, and Hibiscus sabdariffa were most cited as potent against cardiometabolic dysfunctions. T. indica had the highest levels of total polyphenols. Consumption was influenced by the sensory appeal, awareness of health benefits, seasonality and social misconceptions whereby IFV are considered food for the poor or linked to food insecurity. Other barriers to IFV consumption were observed to be low food preparation skills, food safety concerns, and the diversity of fast foods. Young adults had low knowledge of IFV and were less willing to consume IFV. Food market survey revealed a scarcity of fresh and processed IFV. Our study revealed that several IFV may have beneficial cardiometabolic benefits, but consumption is impeded by several food environment constraints.
Automatic dental age calculation using orthopantomogram and deep learning
Authors: Kokomoto Kazuma , Kariya Rina , Muranaka Aya , Okawa Rena , Nakano Kazuhiko , Nozaki Kazunori
Published: July 2023

Background: Dental age is crucial for treatment planning in pediatric and orthodontic dentistry. Dental age calculation methods can be categorized into morphological, biochemical, and radiological methods. Radiological methods are commonly used because they are non-invasive and reproducible. When radiographs are available, dental age can be calculated by evaluating the developmental stage of permanent teeth and converting it into an estimated age using a table, or by measuring the length between some landmarks such as the tooth, root, or pulp, and substituting them into regression formulas. However, these methods heavily depend on manual classification or measurement and are time-consuming in daily clinical practice. In this study, we proposed a novel, completely automatic dental age calculation pipeline from panoramic radiographs without time-consuming processes using various deep learning techniques.
Methods: Overall, 8,023 panoramic radiographs were used as training data for Scaled-YOLOv4 to detect dental germs. In total, 18,485 single-root and 16,313 multi-root dental germ images were used as training data for EfficientNetV2 M to classify the developmental stages of detected dental germs. 157 panoramic radiographs were used to compare automatic and manual human experts' dental age calculations.
Results: Our dental germ detection was achieved with a mean average precision of 98.26, and dental germ classifier for single and multi root were achieved with a Top-3 accuracy of 98.46% and 98.36%, respectively. A mean absolute error of 0.261 years was achieved compared with human experts.
Conclusion: Our novel pipeline is expected to support dentists by reducing time for dental age calculations with clinically acceptable performance.
Validation of remote anthropometric measurements in a rural randomized pediatric clinical trial in primary care settings
Authors: Zhang E , Davis Ann M. , Jimenez Elizabeth Yakes , Lancaster Brittany , Serrano-Gonzalez Monica , Chang Di , Lee Jeannette , Lai Jin-Shei , Pyles Lee , VanWagoner Timothy , Darden Paul
Published: July 2023

Background: Rural children are more at risk for childhood obesity but may have difficulty participating in pediatric weight management clinical trials if in-person visits are required. Remote assessment of height and weight observed via videoconferencing may provide a solution by improving the accuracy of self-reported data. This study aims to validate a low-cost, scalable video-assisted protocol for remote height and weight measurements in children and caregivers.
Methods: Families were provided with a low-cost digital scale and tape measure and a standardized protocol for remote measurements. Thirty-three caregiver and child (6-11 years old) dyads completed remote (at home) height and weight measurements while being observed via videoconferencing by research staff, as well as in-person measurements with research staff in the clinic. We compared the overall and absolute mean differences in child and caregiver weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and child BMI adjusted Z-score (BMIaz) between remote and in-person measurements using paired samples t-tests and one sample t-tests, respectively. Bland-Altman plots were used to estimate the limits of agreement (LOA) and assess systematic bias. Simple and multivariable regressions were used to examine whether sociodemographic factors and the number of days between measurements were associated with measurement discrepancies.
Results: Overall mean differences in child and caregiver weight, height, BMI, and child BMIaz were not significantly different between remote and in-person measurements. LOAs were -2.1 and 1.7 kg for child weight, -5.2 and 4.0 cm for child height, -1.5 and 1.7 kg/m2 for child BMI, -0.4 and 0.5 SD for child BMIaz, -3.0 and 2.8 kg for caregiver weight, -2.9 and 3.9 cm for caregiver height, and -2.1 and 1.6 kg/m2 for caregiver BMI. Absolute mean differences were significantly different between the two approaches for all measurements. Child sociodemographic variables, caregiver education level, or time between measurements were not significantly associated with measurement discrepancies.
Conclusions: Remotely observed weight and height measurements using non-research grade equipment may be a feasible and valid approach for pediatric clinical trials in rural communities. However, researchers should carefully evaluate their measurement precision requirements and intervention effect size to determine whether remote height and weight measurements suit their studies.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04142034. Registered October 29, 2019
Multi-attribute optimization and influence assessment methodology of casting process parameters combined with integrated MADM and Taguchi method
Authors: Yang Won-Chol , Yang Ji-Yon , Kim Ryong-Chol , Om Myong-Song , Kim Un-Ha , Ri Wi-Sing , Sok Sun-Hak
Published: July 2023

Many practical casting process optimization problems are ascribable to multi-attribute optimization problems with multiple conflicting quality attributes. This paper proposes a reasonable multi-attribute optimization and influence assessment methodology of casting process parameters combined with integrated multi-attribute decision making (MADM) and Taguchi method. The proposed methodology consists of the following steps: (1) design experiment arrangement based on Taguchi orthogonal array, and measure the multiple quality attributes of the castings at every experimental trials, (2) calculate the comprehensive quality score (CQS) values of the experimental trials using some MADM methods, (3) calculate the final CQS (FCQS) values of the experimental trials by integrating the CQS values from some MADM methods (Integrated MADM method), (4) calculate the mean FCQS values of the casting process parameters at the different levels, (5) calculate the ranges of mean FCQS values and influence indices of the casting process parameters, and (6) determine optimal casting process parameters to maximize the comprehensive quality of the castings. The proposed methodology is applied to optimize the casting process parameters and assess their influences for A356 aluminum alloy sand casting to illustrate its effectiveness. The methodology could be widely used to many practical casting process optimization problems.
Targeting the Receptor Binding Domain and Heparan Sulfate Binding for Antiviral Drug Development against SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Authors: Yang Zi-Sin , Li Tzong-Shiun , Chang Cheng-Chung , Chien Ching-Ming
Published: July 2023

SARS-CoV-2 is a highly infectious virus responsible for the COVID − 19 pandemic. The increased transmission rate led to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants. In viral infection, the receptor-binding domain (RBD) proteins are essential role in binding to the host receptor. Others, Heparan sulfate (HS), widely distributed on the surface of host cells, is thought to play an important role in the viral infection cycle of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, it might be a reasonable strategy for antiviral drug design to interference with the RBD in the HS binding site. In this study, we used computational approaches to analyze multiple sequences of coronaviruses and reveal important information about the binding of HS to RBD in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Our results showed that the potential hot-spots, including F456, R457 and S459 in RBD, exhibited strong interactions in the HS-RBD binding region. Therefore, we screened different compounds in the natural product database towards these hot-spots to find potential antiviral candidates using LibDock and MD simulation in Discovery Studio 2019. The results showed six potential natural compounds, including acetoside, chrysin 6-C-arabinoside 8-C-glucoside (CAG), hyperoside, isoquercitrin, oroxyloside and chrysin 6-C-glucoside 8-C-arabinoside (CGA) had strong binding ability to the RBD. Our results demonstrate a feasible approach to identify potential antiviral agents through the evaluation of the binding interaction between viral glycoproteins and host receptors. The present study provided the applications of the structure-based computational approach for the design and development of new antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Multiple stressors effects on nitrate uptake vary across benthic and hyporheic compartments
Authors: Pasqualini Julia , Graeber Daniel , Bartusch Alexander , Kümmel Steffen , Hernandez Zulma Lorena Duran , Musat Niculina , Sunjidma Nergui , Weitere Markus , Brauns Mario
Published: July 2023

Agricultural land use strongly alters nitrate (NO3) dynamics in headwater streams, but the specific mechanisms linking agricultural stressors to benthic and hyporheic NO3 uptake remain unclear. Using stream-side mesocosms and 15N-NO3 additions, we examined the individual and combined effects of fine sediment and eutrophication (i.e., increased phosphorus and light levels) on NO3 uptake in the benthic and hyporheic compartment. Eutrophication increased benthic uptake rates by 12-fold compared to the control, as phosphorus and light additions stimulated biofilm growth. Eutrophication increased hyporheic NO3 uptake by 7-fold relative to the control, this was likely due to enhanced heterotrophic uptake, which benefited from phosphorus and dissolved organic material exudated by benthic algae. The fine sediment treatment did not change benthic uptake relative to the control but increased hyporheic uptake by 14-fold. This was due to anoxic conditions, which may have stimulated hyporheic denitrification. In the combined treatment, eutrophication exerted dominance effects in the benthic compartment, while we found antagonistic stressor interactions in the hyporheic compartment. Our findings indicate that the significant effects of agriculture on NO3 uptake observed previously in field conditions may be primarily attributed to eutrophication and only marginally to other stressors, such as fine sediment. Moreover, our compartment-specific results imply that results obtained in the benthic compartment can not be transferred to the hyporheic compartment. We advocate a compartment-specific approach when quantifying stressor effects on NO3 uptake. Such approaches will help to increase the accuracy of effect size estimates, which are essential for managing functional attributes of streams subjected to agricultural land use.