bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
More than “hematology”: A qualitative study on the experience of hematologists treating people with blood cancer in Greece
Authors: Vrontaras Nikolaos , Koulierakis George , Kyrou Dimitrios , Kapetanakis Anargyros , Xochelli Aliki , Ghia Paolo , Stamatopoulos Kostas , Karamanidou Christina
Published: August 2024

Purpose: The present study aims to investigate the experiences of hematologists providing care to patients with hematological malignancies, whose care is pertinent to oncology.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 30 hematologists across Greece were conducted. The interviews took place over the course of six months at 2020. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed for data analysis.
Results: Three key themes (personal impact, organizational framework, and relating to patients) and eight subthemes were generated: 1. Hematologists were greatly affected on a personal level, as they had poor life-work balance and impacted social relationships. They experienced a great emotional toll, sometimes questioning the meaning of their work. They frequently struggled with loss, by witnessing people’s passing. Nevertheless, they reported coping better over time. 2. On an organizational level, hematologists supported each other emotionally, but only rarely had formal support in managerial or administrative recourses. They were also hindered by structural restraints, both in terms of limited psychosocial training and supportive services. 3. Hematologists’ relationship with their patients increased their job satisfaction. However, they strived to keep boundaries while balancing how close they got to their patients.
Conclusion: High job demands and organizational aspects pose hematologists with the risk of developing compassion fatigue or burnout. Working under difficult conditions, they needed to go above and beyond to provide appropriate care to their patients. At the same time, individual resources, teamwork, or other structural opportunities emerged as crucial coping elements. Support should be offered both personally and professionally to improve their lives and prevent potential turnover.
Efficacy and safety of external application of Chinese herbal medicine for relieving Swelling and Pain in the treatment of postpartum perineal edema pain: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Xiaoxiao , LU Haiyun , Wu Qing , XU Xuejie , LUO Xiuwen , CHEN Cuixia , ANG Zhi K , DAI Shuiyan , LI Yanru , JIANG Chenglong
Published: August 2024

Introduction perineal edema and pain are common in women who undergo vaginal childbirth, which seriously affects their daily life and overall physical and mental health. Previous studies have established the efficacy of Western medicine in alleviating perineal pain; however, its clinical effectiveness is limited owing to potential side effects on both mothers and infants. The aim of this review was to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of external application of Swelling and Pain relief in Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of postpartum perineal edema pain. Methods and analysis Databases including PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SpringerLink, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Wanfang China database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and China’s Conference Papers Database and China Dissertation database will be searched from inception to May 2024. In addition, other suitable search strategies were used to complete the review. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing external application of Swelling and Pain relief Chinese herbal medicines in the therapy for reducing postpartum perineal edema pain will be included the primary outcome is pain intensity. Secondary outcomes include negative emotions, feeding situation. Reviewers will conduct study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment procedures. Methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane risk of bias. PROSPERO registration number CRD42024532618. Strengths and limitations of this study This systematic review and meta-analysis will include many RCTS that have been omitted from Chinese databases, as well as some novel, well-designed, high-quality multicenter RCTS that have been conducted in the last two years. To provide high-quality evidence-based medicine to determine whether the external application of Chinese herbal medicine to reduce swelling and pain is an effective and safe intervention for postpartum women with perineal pain. The selection of studies, data extraction, and assessment of bias will be performed independently by two researchers, and the third researcher’s opinion will be sought when there is a dispute, thus ensuring that all relevant studies will be included without personal bias. We will only search Chinese and English databases, which may result in language bias.The age of the investigator, number of deliveries, different components of the herbs, control interventions, course of treatment, severity of pain, and quality of the study may have contributed to heterogeneity.
Robot-assisted insular stereoelectroencephalography in pediatric drug- resistant epilepsy: accuracy and diagnostic value
Authors: González-Crespo A. , Brugada-Bellsolà F. , Candela-Cantó S. , Calvo J. Aparicio , Arboix J. Rumià , Bernal J. Hinojosa
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND
Insular epilepsy is a well-known cause of drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) in pediatric population. It can be a source of surgical epilepsy treatment failures when not ruled-out pre-operatively. Non-invasive methods often provide limited information about its existence, being the invasive methods necessary to diagnose it in the vast majority of cases. The most used is Stereo-Electroencephalography (SEEG). We report a series of DRE pediatric patients in which insular SEEG was performed to rule out insular epilepsy.
METHOD
We performed a retrospective review of pediatric DRE patients operated on SEEG including insular electrodes between April 2016 and September 2022. We described the different trajectories used (orthogonal or oblique) and surgical technique. After implantation, we assessed electrodes’ precision using three measures: entry point location error (EPLE), target point location error (TPLE) and target deviation (TD). We also reported complications occurred with this technique as well as diagnostic information provided.
RESULTS
Overall, 32 DRE patients were operated on SEEG including insular electrodes. 401 electrodes were implanted, 148 (39,91%) of whom were directed to the insula. 112 followed an orthogonal trajectory and 36 were oblique. The mean EPLE was 1,45 mm, TPLE was 1,88 mm and TD was 0,71 mm. Three patients suffered from frontal hematoma, two of them diagnosed on post-operative MRI and one who required surgery, with no sequelae. One patient suffered from meningitis treated with antibiotics with no permanent sequelae. Nine patients (28,13%) had the insula included in the epileptogenic zone.
CONCLUSIONS
Insular epilepsy has to be ruled-out in DRE patients when little suspicion is obtained after non-invasive testing. This is especially important in pediatric population, in which seizure semiology is more difficult to characterize and failures to control epilepsy have devastating consequences in neurocognitive development and scholarship. Given its relative low rate of relevant complications and potential benefits, we should consider widening the inclusion criteria for insular SEEG monitoring.
Generation of Random (Generalized) Orthogonal Matrices
Authors: Saraeb Ali
Published: August 2024

This paper presents an algorithmic method for generating random orthogonal matrices A that satisfy the property At S A = S, where S is a fixed real invertible symmetric or skew-symmetric matrix. This method is significant as it generalizes the procedures for generating orthogonal matrices that fix a general fixed symmetric or skew-symmetric bilinear form. These include orthogonal matrices that belong to groups such as the symplectic group, Lorentz group, Poincaré group, and more generally the indefinite orthogonal group, to name a few. These classes of matrices play crucial roles in diverse fields such as theoretical physics, where they are used to describe symmetries and conservation laws, as well as in computational geometry, numerical analysis, and number theory, where they are integral to the study of quadratic forms and modular forms. The implementation of our algorithms can be accomplished using standard linear algebra libraries.
Ten Years’ Development of Critical Discourse Analysis Research: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Zhao Xia , Sun Lina
Published: August 2024

In the recent decade, Critical Discourse Analysis has received notable attention for exploring societal phenomena, yet a systematic scientific mapping of this field remains an area for improvement. This study employs Biblioshiny, a bibliometric analysis tool, to visually examine data and construct a comprehensive knowledge map of CDA research. The primary aim is to reveal the current status and trends of research in this field, identify key themes and emerging trends, and highlight valuable contributions. We scrutinized 10,031 articles related to CDA published between 2013 and 2023 from the Web of Science database. Significant findings show a recent surge in research, indicating an upward trend. The study identifies politics, media, and policy as popular themes. Notably, future research is anticipated to focus on populism, ideology, and metaphor, signifying a critical shift in emphasis. The study concludes that interdisciplinary approaches are poised to catalyze further growth in Critical Discourse Analysis studies, emphasizing the dynamic landscape and framework of this paramount global issue.
A Novel Hybrid Control Strategy to Implement Constant Current Output with ZVS for the double-side LCC Compensation Topology
Authors: Zhang Xuze , Li Jingang , Tong Xiangqian
Published: August 2024

To implement stable output current and zero-voltage switching(ZVS) with the minimum reactive current over a range of load and coupling coefficient for the double-sided LCC(DS-LCC) compensated inductive power transfer(IPT) system, a hybrid phase shift control and switched controllable capacitor(SCC) strategy is proposed in this paper. In the proposed control strategy, the output current can be regulated through the phase shift modulation, and the reactive current can be lowered by SCC. Most importantly, for the simplification and enhancement of the control system, the function between the phase shift angle and the SCC associated control angle is established, which means that two control variables can be regulated through a single close loop. Further, with the proposed hybrid control strategy, ZVS at the minimum reactive current can be realized over the range of the load and coupling coefficient, which means that efficiency at the low power can be enhanced. In order to validate the rightness and practicality of the proposed hybrid control strategy, a 120 W experimental prototype of the proposed DS-LCC compensated IPT system is constructed. The stable output current and ZVS with the minimum reactive current can be achieved over the coupling coefficient between 0.2 and 0.3, and the DC-DC maximum efficiency is 94.5%, proven by experimental results.
Two Dimensional Chaotic Scheme for Image Encryption in FPGA
Authors: Sarkar Pradipta , Das Anup Kumar , Saha Aloke , Mandal Mrinal Kanti
Published: August 2024

Transmitting data via the Internet has always posed significant security threats. Before and after the epidemic, there have been reports of an increase in hacking and infiltration cases in proportion to the number of digital transactions. As a result, there is a greater need for secure financial transactions. This field of study suggests using chaotic sequences, complex keys, and bit shuffling in encryption algorithms as a secure method for encrypting and decrypting images in a software and hardware environment. In order to ensure that the encryption meets the requirements, this article employs a variety of approaches and performance evaluations, such as histogram analysis, correlation, NPCR, UACI, the NIST test, MAE, and entropy analysis. This article describes how to use an FPGA board with a novel chaotic map that is two-dimensional and initialised using complex bit and key shuffling to encrypt colour images for security enhancement.
Experience and Cognition of Patients Undergoing Perioperative Surgery under Combined Acupuncture-Drug Anesthesia: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Li Yue , Zhang Jingwen , Chen Liming , Wang Wenjia , Liu Youning , Zhu Yi , Zhou Jia , Gu Muen , Li Jing
Published: August 2024

Background and AimsCombined acupuncture-drug anesthesia is an anesthesia modality that shows unique advantages in clinical surgical applications, as acupuncture and drugs work together to synergize the analgesic effect. The aim of this qualitative study was to qualitatively analyze patients' perceptions and experiences of perioperative acupuncture and combined acupuncture-drug anesthesia through interviews to provide ideas for future intervention development.MethodsWe conducted qualitative interviews with 20 patients using combined acupuncture-drug anesthesia at the surgical inpatients of Yueyang Hospital of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, to understand the attitudes, feelings, and perceptions of surgical patients toward acupuncture with combined acupuncture-drug anesthesia before, during, and after surgery. We used to collect data using face-to-face, semi-structured, individualized in-depth interviews, and analyzed the interview data using Nvivo 12.0 software to summarize and refine the content from specifics to units and themes step by step.ResultsSurgical patients have positively evaluated combined acupuncture-drug anesthesia, despite having varying attitudes and perceptions about perioperative acupuncture. They reported feeling that the overall surgical experience with this method was safe and effective, with many experiencing positive responses during and after the procedure. The acceptance of acupuncture among patients was notably high, given its longstanding tradition and continued usage in China. However, the results also revealed certain areas that require improvement. Specifically, the preoperative education on combined acupuncture-drug anesthesia was found to be inadequate. Additionally, the potential benefits of preoperative acupuncture were not fully realized, and there was a lack of follow-up regarding acupuncture for postoperative responses. These findings suggest that there is still much room for improvement in various aspects of the perioperative acupuncture process.ConclusionsThe perioperative model associated with perioperative acupuncture in this study both gained patient acceptance and allowed the exposure of many deficiencies in scientific education about combined acupuncture-drug anesthesia and follow-up of perioperative acupuncture. We accordingly propose a process for perioperative acupuncture in the hope that it will provide ideas for combined acupuncture-drug anesthesia with perioperative acupuncture in the future.
Volar Plate Fixation for Extra-Articular Proximal Third Phalangeal Fractures of proximal phalanx: A Comparative Study of Tendon-to-Bone Distances and Functional Outcomes
Authors: Lee Alvin Kai-Xing , Lin Katie Kai-Yuan , Yeh Chen-Wei , Ho Tsung-Yu , Wang Wei-Chih , Huang Yi-Hsun , Hsu Cheng-En , Chiu Yung-Cheng
Published: August 2024

Background
Phalangeal fractures, especially those of the proximal phalanx, account for approximately 25% of hand and wrist fractures. Plating is generally associated with severe tendon-related complications and unsatisfactory hand function. Recently, volar plating has been used to fix intra-articular fractures at the base of the proximal phalanx, and it has been reported to result in excellent finger motion and grip strength. We proposed that volar plating has a lower risk of tendon irritation compared to dorsal plating due to the larger tendon-to-bone distances on the volar side. The purpose of this study was to: 1) present the surgical outcomes of 9 cases of extra-articular fractures in the proximal third of the proximal phalanx treated with volar plating, and 2) compare the tendon-to-bone distances between the volar and dorsal sides of the proximal phalanx.
Methods
A prospective cohort of nine patients with proximal third fractures of the proximal phalanx was recruited. Each patients underwent an MRI of the healthy middle finger on either hand to evaluate the distances between the flexor and extensor tendons and the proximal phalanx. The distances were measured using our in-built measurement tool. Demographics including age, gender, dominant hand, diabetes, smoking, affected fingers were collated. Complications such as extensor lag, wound infections, delayed wound healing, malunion, non-union, delayed union and tendon rupture were recorded. Total active motion (TAM) was also calculated by addition of ROM at the metacarpophalangeal joint, proximal interphalangeal joint and distal interphalangeal joint.
Results
Nine patients (6 males, 3 females) with fractures of the proximal third of the proximal phalanx were included in this study. All nine patients achieved good bone healing and recovery of functional range of motion (235 ± 24 degrees) after 1 year of follow-up. No major complications were reported, except for one patient with delayed wound healing. The measurements of the distances between the bone and the flexor and extensor tendons were reported as follows. There were significant differences in the average distance from the tendons to the bone cortex for the middle (volar: 1.07 cm, dorsal: 0.21 cm) and distal (volar: 2.96 cm, dorsal: 0.64 cm) third of the proximal phalanx (p = < 0.001).
Conclusions
The increased tendon-to-bone distance on the volar side may be an important factor contributing to the excellent hand function observed with volar plating in the treatment of proximal phalangeal extra-articular fractures
A 16-year retrospective evaluation of opportunistic lung cancer screening with Low-Dose CT in China: comparative findings between never smokers and smokers
Authors: Tang Yanyan , Zhao Shijun , Zhou Lina , Huang Yao , Wang Jianwei , Liang Min , Wang Fei , Zhu Haohua , Qi Linlin , Zhang Li , Liu Li , Hou Donghui , Xu Zhijian , Zhang Kai , Tang Wei , Wu Ning
Published: August 2024

Background
Although low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening effectively reduces LC mortality in high-risk individuals with a history of smoking in China, the feasibility and efficacy of lung cancer screening (LCS) in never-smokers versus smokers remains unclear.
Methods
We conducted a retrospectively opportunistic analysis at the National Cancer Center (NCC) in China from January 2006 to December 2022. A comprehensive LCS initiative was undertaken, involving 30,468 participants (54.5% male). Participants underwent LCS using LDCT. Potential malignancies were managed through joint consensus between patients and their physicians. Epidemiology, screening eligibility criteria, and LC detection rates and survival outcomes were compared between smokers and never-smokers.
Results
Among 30,468 participants, 339 LCs were pathologically confirmed in 289 patients. The LC detection rate was 0.9% overall, 0.8% in smokers (71/9,042), and 1.0% in never-smokers (218/21,426). In smokers, LC detection rates were 0.5% and 1.1% in the < 20 and ≥ 20 pack-year subgroups, respectively (P = 0.001). Early-stage LC (stage 0 or I) was detected in 73.8% of smokers and 78.8% of never-smokers, while advanced LC (stage III–IV) was found in 8.8% and 4.2%, respectively. Significant differences in histologic types were found between smokers and never-smokers (P = 0.01), although adenocarcinoma was the most prevalent in both groups, at 83.0% and 78.8%, respectively. The median nodule size was 9.9 mm (8.0–13.8) in smokers and 9.2 mm (6.8–13.6) in never-smokers (P = 0.228). Never-smokers tended to favour surgical treatment alone (88.0%) more than smokers (81.3%). The 10-year survival rate was higher in never-smokers (92.6%) than in smokers (88.8%). Only 15.6% of patients with LC met the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) criteria for LDCT eligibility, while 29.1% met the China guideline for the screening and early detection of lung cancer (CGSL) criteria.
Conclusions
LDCT screening improves early LC detection and treatment outcomes for both smokers and never-smokers. Significant differences exist in epidemiology, histologic type, and survival between these groups. USPSTF and CGSL criteria overlook a significant number of LC cases, underscoring the need to relax smoking criteria and include never-smokers into the Chinese LCS programme.
Evaluation of stenosis using Magnetic resonance angiography for acute cervical internal carotid artery occlusion initially treated by angioplasty alone: a case series
Authors: Nakahara Masahiro , Fujita Atsushi , Inoue Satoshi , Takeda Naoya , Kurihara Eiji , Sasayama Takashi
Published: August 2024

The optimal treatment strategy for acute ischemic stroke following cervical internal carotid artery occlusion of atherosclerotic lesions remains unclear. We retrospectively investigated the changes in imaging findings of the stenotic lesion after performing angioplasty alone. The most stenotic lesion on magnetic resonance angiography was significantly improved. No re-occlusion or stroke deterioration occurred in the perioperative period. Considering the risk of hemorrhagic complications at the acute phase, performing angioplasty alone may be useful. Additionally, the stenotic lesion can be evaluated using magnetic resonance angiography, with early consideration of additional treatment, if necessary.
The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Sense of Meaning in Life among Middle School Students: The Chain Mediating Roles of Social Support and Core Self-Evaluation
Authors: Liao Suqun , Mo Luyao , Wang Lishen
Published: August 2024

Background: The adverse effects of childhood trauma on the sense of meaning in life among middle school students have received widespread attention. Previous research has focused mainly on the direct connection between the two factors; however, little is known about the potential mediators of this relationship. To address this gap, the present study constructed a chain mediation model to examine whether social support and core self-evaluation mediate the association between childhood trauma and sense of meaning in life among middle school students.
Methods: A total of 2273 middle school students completed a self-report questionnaire about their childhood trauma, sense of meaning in life, social support, and core self-evaluation. The data were collected from students at 23 middle schools in South China. Statistical analysis was conducted via SPSS 27.0 and SPSS PROCESS.
Results: The results indicated that (1) the direct effect of childhood trauma on the sense of meaning in life among middle school students was significant, and (2) social support and core self-evaluation significantly mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and sense of meaning in life via three mediating pathways: the individual mediating role of social support, the individual mediating role of core self-evaluation, and the chain mediating roles of social support and core self-evaluation.
Conclusions: Our findings indicate that mitigating the negative impact of childhood trauma, increasing the strength of social support networks, and cultivating positive core self-evaluation may be key strategies for enhancing the sense of meaning in life among middle school students.
Incidence of herbivory of the invasive crab Percnon gibbesi on the endemic Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica
Authors: Puentes Daniel , Anton Andrea
Published: August 2024

Seagrasses are one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world. Posidonia oceanica, an endemic Mediterranean seagrass, is under high and constant anthropogenic and natural pressure, including the introduction of invasive species and climate change. Percnon gibbesi, a small crab with a tropical and subtropical distribution, was first reported in the Mediterranean Sea in 1999, and today is established across the entire Mediterranean Basin, inhabiting the shallow rocky infra-littoral zone. Given that P. gibbesi and P. oceanica can co-occur in the same environments, an experiment was set up to study their plant-herbivore interaction. Using two experiments at two different temperatures (19°C and 25°C), the incidence of herbivory on the seagrass tissues (fruits, leaves, rhizome, and whole shoot) by the invasive crab was assessed. The fruits along with the rhizome were the most consumed tissues, and the leaves of P. oceanica were the least consumed, which could be a consequence of tissue structure characteristics and/or nutrient quality. The incidence of herbivory on the leaves of P. oceanica was not affected by temperature. The herbivory pressure of the exotic crab P. gibbesi on native seagrass P. oceanica will likely be limited to a shallow bathymetric range, but given the large scale of the invasion, the consumption of P. oceanica could become a relevant ecological issue in the area.
Pregnancy-Induced Haemolytic Anaemia: a Case Report from Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Authors: Oluwaseun Ayodele S. , Akinfolarin Adepiti C. , Abiola Asafa M. , AdedotunAdeniyi Olumide , Oluwaseun Ahmed I. , Olusegun Ajenifuja K , Benjamin Fasubaa O.
Published: August 2024

Haemolytic anaemia, though uncommon, may occur in pregnancy. A rarer variant, Idiopathic haemolytic anaemia or Coomb-negative haemolytic anaemia has been described. This causes haemolysis during pregnancy and spontaneously resolves after delivery, only to recur during subsequent pregnancies, with the woman being entirely symptom-free during her non gravid state.
We encountered a clinical scenario that typifies this rare clinical presentation in a 31-year-old unbooked G5P3+1 (2A) +1 perinatal mortality referred from a private hospital at an estimated gestational age of 32 weeks +4 days.
Her clinical history and investigations were suggestive of idiopathic haemolytic anaemia of pregnancy.
She was managed with haematinics, had 4 units of blood transfused, and was commenced on glucocorticoids. She was then counseled for and had a scheduled caesarean section at EGA of 34 weeks +0D on account of concomitant fetal malpresentation and was delivered of a live male neonate with no signs of jaundice. The patient recovered with dramatic resolution of the yellowness of the eyes postpartum and was discharged on postoperative day 5 with normal indices and was discharged alongside her baby in stable condition.
The rare incidence of this clinical presentation and a favourable fetal and maternal outcome, in this case, merits its presentation.
Assessing the Evolution of Point Bars along the Niger River in the Niger Delta, Nigeria (1974-2024) using Remote Sensing and Machine learning
Authors: Moses Paaru , Eteh Desmond Rowland , Okpobiri Okechukwu
Published: August 2024

The evolution of point bars along the Niger River in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, from 1974 to 2024 using remote sensing and machine learning. The dataset includes DEM and Landsat series satellite imagery, supplemented by Sentinel-2 data for high-resolution analysis from USGS. Rainfall data from 1983 to 2023 was sourced from the Center for Hydrometeorology and Remote Sensing. Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) identified and mapped point bars. Support Vector Machines automated classification, ensuring accuracy through precision and recall metrics. ArcGIS 10.5 tracked changes over time, revealing significant fluctuations in river area and point bar dimensions. River area fluctuated significantly, decreasing from 46,376.54 km² in 1974 to 42,711.05 km² in 1984, rising to 49,601.2 km² in 2014, and falling to 44,796.47 km² in 2024. Contrarily, the total point bar area increased dramatically from 1,945.63 km² in 1974 to a peak of 7,026.33 km² in 2004, followed by a decline to 8,087.89 km² in 2024. This trend indicates complex interactions between sediment deposition, erosion, and river flow patterns. Notably, the maximum point bar area peaked in 1994 at 2,273.85 km², then fell to 783.84 km² in 2024, while the mean point bar area showed a general decrease over the study period. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed significant clustering of point bars and elevation (Global Moran’s Index = 1.059738), and a strong positive relationship between point bars and rainfall (R² = 0.9921). These findings align with global trends, underscoring the impact of climatic fluctuations and human activities on river morphology and sediment dynamics.
Assessing the impacts of climate change on the vulnerability of coastal aquifers to the seawater intrusion
Authors: Irani Maryam , Salimi Mahsa , Talouki Fatemeh Ghanbari , Roohi Mohammad
Published: August 2024

In most coastal areas, groundwater is affected by saltwater intrusion. Climate change effects, such as the sea-level rise and rainfall change are the climatic factors affecting the saltwater intrusion into groundwater. This study examines the vulnerability of the Abdan-Lamidan coastal aquifer to the intrusion of Persian Gulf saline waters under different hydrological conditions. First, the SIMCLIM model was used to calculate the regional sea-level rise of the Gulf under 24 future AOGCMs projections. The results showed that the increase in water level under the ensemble of AOGCM models and two RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 scenarios is 6.7 and 7.8 cm in 2050 compared to 2013. Then, the GALDIT vulnerability index was used to assess the vulnerability of the aquifer under the current condition and future scenarios. The results showed that parts of the aquifer that are currently at lower levels would be more vulnerable to sea-level rise in the future periods.
Low handgrip strength in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy affects gait and dexterity
Authors: Inoue Hirokazu , Sawamura Hideaki , Watanabe Hideaki , Okami Hitoshi , Shiraishi Yasuyuki , Kimura Atsushi , Takeshita Katsushi , Morita Mitsuya
Published: August 2024

Background Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) includes neuropathies such as gait and hand dexterity caused by progressive compression of the spinal cord within the cervical canal. Handgrip strength is not just an indicator of muscle weakness, but is used for a variety of indicators, including length of hospital stay and prognosis. This study was aimed to evaluate whether handgrip strength affects frailty, gait status, and dexterity in patients with DCM.
Methods This cross-sectional observational study included 94 patients (29 females, 65 males; mean age 66.9 years) who underwent surgery for DCM. Preoperatively, handgrip strength, lower leg extension power (LEP), pinch strength, 10-m walk test, counter test, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), and the 5-item modified frailty index (mFI-5) were measured (mFI-5: 0 points = healthy group, 1 point = prefrail group, ≥2 points = frail group).
Results Handgrip strength was significantly correlated with age (r=−0.468, p<0.001), height (r=0.601, p<0.001), weight (r=0.459, p<0.001), LEP (r=0.675, p<0.001), walking speed (r=0.617, p<0.001), counter test (r=0.659, p<0.001), pinch strength (r=0.723, p<0.001), total JOA score (r=0.468, p=0.001), upper extremity motor function (r=0.616, p<0.001), lower extremity motor function (r=0.658, p<0.001), mFI-5 (r=−0.369, p=0.001), and GNRI (r=0.207, p=0.046), but not with BMI, upper extremity sensory function, lower extremity sensory function, trunk sensory function, or bladder function. There were 40 patients in the frail group (19.5±9.7 kg), 32 in the prefrail group (25.2±7.1 kg), and 22 in the healthy group (30.0±7.5 kg). Frail patients had significantly lower handgrip strength than prefrail and healthy patients.
Conclusion In DCM patients, handgrip strength was positively correlated with height, weight, LEP, walking speed, pinch strength, and counter test, and negatively correlated with age. In DCM patients before surgery, handgrip strength affected walking speed, dexterity, and frailty.
Factors influencing Exclusive Breastfeeding in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Multilevel Analysis of Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Dushimirimana Theophile , Wanjiru James Njuguna , Kerkula Johnson Socrates , Koray Munawar Harun , Mieh Sudue Epaphroditus , Curry Tanya , Mugisha John , Kanu Lucas K
Published: August 2024

Background
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the feeding practice where infants are exclusively fed with breastmilk without anything else for the first 6 months of life. Despite its benefits to both the mother and child, the low prevalence of EBF is an alarming public health concern in SSA leading to the highest child mortality attributable to inappropriate EBF practice. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and factors influencing EBF in SSA using nationally representative data from the Demographic Health Survey program (DHS).
Methods
A cross-sectional study design using the most recent DHS data of 26 SSA countries from 2010 to 2023. A total of 296,966 women aged 15–49 years, who were currently breastfeeding or had breastfed their children within the five years prior to the survey were included in the study. Pearson’s chi-square and multilevel logistic regression test were used to test the association and predictors of EBF at a 95% confidence interval (CI) at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.
Results
The pooled prevalence of EBF in SSA was 7.5%, with the highest EBF prevalence recorded in Ethiopia (17.3%) and Rwanda (15.8%). The multi-level logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of EBF reduces as women age (Women aged 20–24 [AOR: 0.731, 95% CI: 0.636–0.840], and 45–49 [AOR: 0.432, 95% CI: 0.357–0.522] compared to those aged 15–19 years. Richer (AOR: 0.922, 95% CI: 0.877–0.973) and richest (AOR: 0.869, 95% CI: 0.803–0.936) wealth quintiles had significantly lower odds of EBF compared to those in the poorest wealth quintile.
Conclusion
This study identified key factors associated with the low prevalence of EBF in SSA. Therefore, the study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve EBF rates in SSA, considering the diverse factors influencing these practices.
1,25(OH) 2 D 3 prevents the occurrence of high altitude sickness by regulating the body's immune homeostasis
Authors: Wang Yaxuan , Lin Xue , Dai Chongyang , Liu Meifang , Su Hong , Cheng Qian , Zhao Fubang , Zhu Tong , Li Yinglian , Pu Xiaoyan
Published: August 2024

This study mainly investigated the clinical efficacy and related mechanisms of 1,25(OH)2D3 in preventing high altitude sickness through human trials and animal experiments.Pretreatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 effectively reduced the Lake Louis Score of volunteers, alleviated adverse reactions at high altitudes. 1,25(OH)2D3 effectively reduced inflammatory indicators, inhibiting inflammatory response in the body，reduced blood biochemistry indicators, decreased urinary protein positivity rate, increased serum 25(OH)D levels, alleviated hypoxic liver and kidney damage in the human body. 1,25(OH)2D3 improving oxidative stress indicators in hypoxic rats, decreased inflammatory indicators, urinary protein positivity rate, reduced serum short-chain fatty acid content, induced an increase in Th2 cell count. 1,25(OH)2D3 may prevent high altitude sickness by reducing the body's inflammatory response, promoting Th1 to Th2 differentiation, inducing an increase in Th2 cell count, balancing the immune homeostasis under hypoxic conditions, downregulating serum short-chain fatty acid content, and exerting anti-inflammatory effects in synergy with short-chain fatty acids.
Subtalar joint arthroscopic-assisted reduction and hollow screw fixation versus open reduction and internal fixation for treating displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures
Authors: Yang Hu , Zhang Shuo , Zhong Qigang , Huai Chaoyue , Zhu Nan , Zhan Junfeng
Published: August 2024

Background
The treatment of calcaneal fractures is not uniform. This study aimed to compare the functional and imaging results of subtalar arthroscopic reduction combined with hollow screw fixation (SJAHF) and the extended lateral approach (ELA) for the treatment of Sanders type II and III displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs).
Methods
From January 2020 to January 2023, 60 patients with calcaneal fractures were treated with SJAHF or ELA for foot and ankle surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. Changes in calcaneal Böhler’s angle, the Gissane angle, length, height, and width were recorded before, after, and at the 1-, 3-, 6-, 12-month, and last follow-up. The preoperative waiting time, operation time, hospital stay, and other data of each patient were analyzed. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores were used to evaluate clinical effects.
Results
All 60 patients were followed up for at least 12 months. There was no statistical difference in baseline data between groups (P > 0.05). The SJAHF group was superior to the ELA group regarding the preoperative waiting time, hospital stay, and intraoperative fluoroscopy times; however, the operative time of the SJAHF group was greater (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in Böhler’s angle, the Gissane angle, length, height, or width between the two groups at any time point (P > 0.05). These imaging values were significantly improved after surgery and at the last follow-up (P < 0.05). The VAS scores of the patients in the SJAHF group at the last follow-up were significantly different from those in the ELA group (P < 0.05). The final AOFAS score and incidence of postoperative complications in the SJAHF group were better; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Simultaneously, total weight-bearing and time to return to work in the SJAHF group were earlier (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Both SJAHF and ELA improved the clinical outcomes of patients with DIACFs. SJAHF reduces surgical wounds and maintains effective reduction and strong internal fixation. It has the advantages of a reduced preoperative waiting time, shortened hospital stay, reduced intraoperative fluoroscopy time, alleviated postoperative pain, and accelerated patient recovery.
A scientific report on heat transfer analysis due to generated and absorbed heat over an oscillatory stretching sheet: A finite difference-based study
Authors: J Punith Gowda R , Kanabar Bhavesh , K Ranganathaswamy M , Kedia Ankit , Nagaraja K. V. , Prakash Chander , Abdulrahman Amal , Kumar Naveen
Published: August 2024

A non-Newtonian liquid flow across a stretching sheet is relevant to various industrial applications, including extruding plastic sheets and stretching plastic films. In connection with this, the effect of endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions on the flow of rate-type liquid via an oscillatory stretching sheet in the presence of permeable media with the Maxwell liquid model is examined in the current study. Scientists and engineers may improve the effectiveness of chemical reactions or heat transfer by designing systems with optimal flow and researching how reactions affect flow. The present study's governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are transformed into their non-dimensional form using similarity variables. The finite difference method (FDM) is used to solve the resultant equation numerically. Outcomes disclose that the temperature profile declines as the activation energy and unsteady parameters increase. The influence of the Maxwell and unsteady parameters on the velocity profile with respect to time is represented. The increase in the values of chemical reaction upsurges the thermal profile. As the activation energy parameter and unsteady parameter upsurge, the thermal profile declines. The concentration profile declines as the chemical reaction parameter and the ratio of oscillating frequency to stretching rate values increases.
Molecular evolution of the granule-bound starch synthase in flowering plants
Authors: Leonardo Elvis Santos , Santana Kauê , André Thiago
Published: August 2024

Starch is the main storage carbohydrate in plants and, as well as being a natural resource of global importance for human consumption, serves as a raw material for some industries. Granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS) is the key enzyme in starch synthesis. However, the evolution of structural diversity of this enzyme in flowering plants remains poorly understood. This study applied a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of genes encoding the GBSS enzyme to better understand its evolutionary history and used homology modeling to determine the enzyme's structure by identifying important protein domains and motifs. The gene encoding the GBSS enzyme was highly conserved in angiosperms and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the evolution of two isoforms, GBSSI and GBSSII. This molecular diversification could be linked to duplication events in plant genomes. Although the two isoforms share similarities, they showed structural variances and amino acid substitutions. Furthermore, the occurrence of destabilizing mutations in key residues in binding sites and conserved domains were under greater influence of purifying selection, maintaining the stability of the protein. This study provides a more comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary and structural history of the main enzymes involved in starch synthesis, which could support future studies that aim to increase our understanding of starch biosynthesis and the evolutionary and functional divergence of GBSS in plants. We highlight that attention regarding isoforms is required when using GBSS to reconstruct phylogenetic trees.
E-Governance and Sustainable Development Goals: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: lubis Sandi , Purnomo Eko Priyo , Ahmad Jamaluddin , Hung Chin-Fu
Published: August 2024

E-governance has become an essential aspect in transforming government institutions worldwide. In the ever-growing digital era, governments in various countries are increasingly adopting information and communication technology (ICT) to increase efficiency, transparency, and public participation in decision-making. This article aims to explain various research studies from 2018 to 2023 that have studied e-governance and sustainable development goals through a systematic literature review (SLR). Through the inclusion and exclusion process, 52 articles related to the themes of e-governance and sustainable development goals were identified. As a result, this study contributes significantly to advancing knowledge about how e-governance can help achieve sustainable development goals that impact public policy and future governance practices. Despite the systematic literature review (SLR) method used in this investigation, the findings and their consequences still need to be determined. However, this research has many areas for improvement. First, only articles from one database scope collected over six years were included in this analysis. Second, the search results documents in the database are influenced by the study's strict focus on the terms "e-governance and sustainable development goals."
Acceptability and Feasibility of a Task-Shifted Collaborative Care Model for Depression and Anxiety in Primary HIV Clinics in the Philippines: A Qualitative Inquiry
Authors: Dungca-Lorilla Anna Maureen , Mootz Jennifer , Melgar Maria Isabel , RPm Roxanne Emily Tanuecoz , Dizon Timothy John , Sohn Annette H. , Ditangco Rossana
Published: August 2024

Background
Depression and anxiety can greatly impact the overall health of a person living with HIV (PLHIV). Management of mental health conditions should be an integral part of HIV care. The Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) is an evidence-based model of care that integrates mental health in primary care. This study aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of implementing the CoCM for depression and anxiety in HIV clinics in the Philippines using HIV counsellors as care managers.
Methods
We conducted a qualitative study by facilitating focus group discussions (n = 7) and key informant interviews (n = 18) with 53 HIV and mental health stakeholders, including PLHIV (n = 20), HIV counsellors (n = 11), physicians (n = 10), clinic heads (n = 4), policy makers (n = 4), and mental health providers (n = 4) from August 2021 to March 2022. Participants were recruited from 17 HIV clinics in the Philippines. We employed a thematic analysis using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) domains as themes.
Results
Almost all PLHIV participants were men (95%), with a mean age of 28 years old, while 58% of the other stakeholders were women, with a mean age of 44 and working in their field for an average of 8 years. Factors that influenced acceptability of the CoCM included the need for better mental health services, increasing access to mental health care and providing more holistic care. Participants expressed acceptability for HIV providers to do mental health screening and care due to the trust that had previously been built during their HIV care. Perceived barriers included inadequate numbers of psychiatrists, an overburdened and understaffed HIV workforce, low mental health knowledge among HIV providers, and implementation cost. For the CoCM to be feasible and more acceptable, mental health trainings, collaborations for improved access to psychiatrists (e.g., within and across clinics), clear care integration protocols, proper planning and pilot testing were recommended.
Conclusion
We found the CoCM to be acceptable among study participants as a way to integrate mental health in HIV care. Strategies including capacity-building for HIV providers and strengthening of health systems are needed for the CoCM to be more feasible in HIV clinics in the Philippines.
Automatic segmentation of metal surface defects with noise label
Authors: Xu Yanqiu , Zhu Jinxin , Xu Sen , Liu Weiquan , Bian Xuesheng
Published: August 2024

Defect detection on metal surfaces is crucial for quality control and precise maintenance in various industrial scenarios. Nevertheless, metal surface defects demonstrate various variations and intricacies, making identifying high-precision metal surface defects a formidable task. With the development of artificial intelligence technology, metal surface defect detection technology has ushered in a huge breakthrough. Compared to manual inspection, metal surface defect detection methods based on computer vision and artificial intelligence technology have apparent advantages in detection efficiency and accuracy, becoming the mainstream means of detecting surface defects in metal parts. While deep learning techniques have shown impressive results in defect detection, the performance is highly susceptible to the influence of annotation quality. Using unreliable annotations to train deep learning models fails to fully utilize the superior performance of deep learning techniques and may even cause model performance degradation, seriously affecting predictive performance. To address these challenges, we propose a novel segmentation-based metal surface defect detection model with unreliable annotations or noise labels. First, we train a semantic segmentation network using pre-existing labels, employing an encoder-decoder architecture. Then, the trained model is employed to rectify the unreliable annotations and enhance the network's resilience through retraining. Our method is validated through adequate experimentation on two publicly accessible datasets, which show superior performance in metal surface defect segmentation. The studies demonstrate that even if there is noise in data annotation, our method can effectively suppress the predictive performance degradation of deep learning models.