bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Analysis of the Cedar Pass Landslide Complex, Badlands National Park
Authors: Radach Kyle C. , Santi Paul M.
Published: April 2022

The Cedar Pass Landslide Complex is located in Badlands National Park, South Dakota, and has created the need for regular maintenance and repair of Badlands Loop Road (South Dakota State Highway 240), the main highway traversing the park. Although there have been previous studies done in small portions of the complex, there has not been a comprehensive study to evaluate the interactions between smaller landslides and the sensitivity of the landslides within the complex to changing conditions. This study used extensive field mapping and slope stability modeling to delineate the boundaries of landslides within the complex, assess the stability, and investigate the sensitivity to fluctuations in groundwater, reduction in material strength, and erosion within the landslide mass. Results show that highway surface damage in the complex is related to the interaction of movement in both smaller and larger landslides. For instance, damage to the Cliff Shelf parking lot is related to small, destabilized blocks above the head scarp of the larger Prairie Island Landslide located to the southeast. In the Upper and Lower Wedge areas, previously mapped landslides were not confirmed, but highway damage may relate to settlement and erosion of an embankment fill and continued deformation of the massive Cliff Shelf paleo-landslide, which was thought to be dormant until the late 1990s. The overall slow and episodic movement of the landslides observed over the past 30 years may be attributed to dilatant strengthening.
An investigation of the effect of chlorogenic acid on potassium dichromate- induced oxidative stress in rats
Authors: orhan semiha , Turkmen Ruhi , Demirel Hasan Huseyin , Akosman Murat , Fırat Fatma
Published: April 2022

Hexavalent chromium (CrVI) is known to be a potential hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic contaminant in humans and animals, with toxicity associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of chlorogenic acid (CGA), which has known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, on potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7)-induced acute hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats. A total of 36 male Wistar albino rats were separated into 6 groups. The rats were first administered CGA (10, 20, or 40 mg/kg) and 6 hours later a single dose of K2Cr2O7 (15mg/kg) was administtered intraperitoneally. All the rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the final drug administration, then serum, liver and kidney tissues were examined biochemically (MDA, GSH, SOD, CAT, GPx, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), histopathologically, and immunohistochemically (NFKB, VEGF iNOS, eNOS). The serum GSH level and the liver CAT, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels were determined to be lower in the group given K2Cr2O7 than in the control group, and the kidney GSH and serum IL-6 levels were found to be increased. The application of K2Cr2O7 was determined to have led to histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in rat liver and kidney tissues. With the application of chlorogenic acid, especially at the 10mg/kg dosage, the above-mentioned parameters approached normal levels. It was concluded that oxidative stress and inflammation played a key role in acute hepato and nephrotoxicity caused by K2Cr2O7 and these harmful effects were prevented by chlorogenic acid (especially at the 10mg/kg dosage) suppressing inflammation.
Simple and Reliable Transhiatal Reconstruction after Laparoscopic Proximal Gastrectomy with Lower Esophagectomy for Siewert Type II tumors: y-shaped Overlap Esophagogastric Tube Reconstruction Laparoscopic transhiatal y-shaped esophagogastric tube anastomosis
Authors: Kanaji Shingo , Suzuki Satoshi , Yamamoto Masashi , Tanigawa Kohei , Harada Hitoshi , Urakawa Naoki , Sawada Ryuichiro , Goto Hironobu , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Yamashita Kimihiro , Matsuda Takeru , Oshikiri Taro , Kakeji Yoshihiro
Published: April 2022

Purpose: Despite the increasing incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction, laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with lower esophagectomy (PGLE) is not widely accepted owing to the lack of standardized reconstruction techniques. In this study, we developed a new reconstruction method named y-shaped overlap esophagogastric tube reconstruction, which reproduces an angle of His and a pseudo-fornix, to be used in laparoscopic transhiatal PGLE. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of this novel reconstruction method.Methods: This retrospective study included the analysis of short- and mid-term surgical outcomes of 30 consecutive patients with Siewert type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma who underwent laparoscopic PGLE with y-shaped overlap esophagogastric tube reconstruction from April 2015 to August 2020. A novel method was used to form a 6-cm pseudo-fornix and an angle of His using the distal esophagus and a long gastric tube.Results: The median operation time was 369 min, and the median blood loss was 28 mL. The median follow-up period after surgery was 37 months. Although two patients experienced postoperative anastomotic leakage, none of the patients developed stenosis. One patient experienced moderate reflux symptoms, whereas four patients developed moderate reflux esophagitis based on the 1-year follow-up endoscopic examination; the condition of all patients could be efficiently controlled with medication.Conclusion: The short- and mid-term surgical outcomes of y-shaped overlap esophagogastric tube reconstruction reflected the feasibility of this simple technique and suggested its potential utility as a reconstruction alternative for Siewert type II tumors.
VIGIRISKS platform, a web-tool for Single and Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment
Authors: Negulescu Caterina , Farid S. , Quique R. , Hohmann A. , Clain U. , Guidez R. , Tellez-Arenas A. , Quentin A. , Grandjean G.
Published: April 2022

Enabling storing, scenario design, documentation, access and execution of scientific computations for multirisks mapping is the aim of the VIGIRISKS web platform currently designed and developed by the BRGM (French Geological Survey). VIGIRISKS platform insures geohazards data management, reproducibility of risks calculations, allows information transparency and improving efficiency by easing collaborative work and sharing results and practices. The scientific scope is multirisk mapping, including cascading effects, in the domain of natural hazard (earthquake, landslide and submersion) from the phenomenon modelling to the impact evaluation on exposed elements such as buildings. VIGIRISKS web platform initially designed for BRGM experts aims to be in a long-term an open repository for national and international experts working on natural hazards management. Integration and deployment of new data sets and computational processes oriented towards risks mapping is as automatic as possible for the convenience of users.
Modelling on Comprehensive Evaluation of Groundwater Quality Status using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Water Quality Index (WQI) in case of Bahir Dar City, Amhara, Ethiopia
Authors: Alemu Chalachew Mulat , Aycheh Yibeltal Fentahun , Angualie Gashaw Sintayehu , Ejigu Kefale Munye
Published: April 2022

Groundwater is the most important natural resource, and many people throughout the world rely on it for drinking, particularly in rural areas. The evaluation of groundwater quality is necessary for the long-term usage of these resources. The purpose of this study is to examine and simulate the groundwater quality status in Bahir Dar in order to determine whether the water is suitable for the designated (drinking) use. During the dry (January, February, and March) and wet (June, July, and August) seasons of 2019, twelve groundwater samples were taken at monthly intervals from open and tube shallow wells for extensive physico-chemical and bacteriological examination. The primary objectives of this study were to (1) analyse an overview of current groundwater quality, (2) to look at the spatial distribution of groundwater quality parameters as pH, turbidity, EC, TDS, chloride (Cl−), nitrate (NO3−), phosphate (PO4− 3), total hardness, and E. coli, and (3) to map the area's groundwater quality map. The groundwater quality parameters were modelled using ArcGIS v10.1 software and the inverse distance weight (IDW) interpolation technique. The final geographic modelling revealed that the city's core area had the poorest groundwater quality. The water quality index (WQI) is a mathematical model that depicts the level of water quality. According to the WQI results, 41.67% of groundwater samples have low groundwater quality, 33.33% of groundwater samples have extremely poor groundwater quality, and 25% of samples are unsafe for drinking. Anthropogenic activities have generally damaged the quality of groundwater in the area, necessitating immediate mitigating actions.
mRNA booster vaccination protects extremely aged mice against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant
Authors: Dowling David , Nanishi Etsuro , McGrath Marisa , O'Meara Timothy , Barman Soumik , Yu Jingyou , Wan Huahua , Dillen Carly , Menon Manisha , Seo Hyuk-Soo , Song Kijun , Xu Andrew , Sebastian Luke , Brook Byron , Bosco Anna-Nicole , Borriello Francesco , Ernst Robert , Barouch Dan , Dhe-Paganon Sirano , Levy Ofer , Frieman Matthew
Published: April 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant evades vaccine-induced immunity. While a booster dose of ancestral mRNA vaccines effectively elicits neutralizing antibodies against variants, its efficacy against Omicron in older adults, who are at the greatest risk of severe disease, is not fully elucidated. Here, we evaluated multiple longitudinal immunization regimens of mRNA BNT162b2 to assess the effects of a booster dose provided >8 months after the primary immunization series across the murine lifespan, including in extremely aged 21-month-old mice. Boosting dramatically enhanced humoral and cell-mediated responses with evidence of Omicron cross-recognition. Furthermore, while younger mice were protected without a booster dose, boosting provided sterilizing immunity against Omicron-induced lung infection in extremely aged mice. Correlational analyses revealed that neutralizing activity against Omicron was strongly associated with protection. Overall, our findings indicate age dependent vaccine efficacy and demonstrate the potential benefit of mRNA booster immunization to protect vulnerable older populations against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Limitations of Parametric Group Method of Data Handling and Empirical Improvements for the Application of Rainfall Modelling
Authors: Lake Ronald William , Shaeri Saeed , Senevirathna STMLD
Published: April 2022

This study introduces parametric Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) into regional NSW, Australia, for the first time with the intent to assess the impact of climate change through rainfall modelling of publicly available data. The modelling presented the opportunity to investigate improvements to GMDH for rainfall modelling, with an empirical assessment undertaken. State variable distribution, their classification within the context of fuzzy, and the need to integrate Zadeh’s principle of incompatibility into the GMDH modelling format are all assessed. The mathematical foundations of GMDH are discussed within the heuristic framework of data partitioning, partial description synthesis and the limitations of least squares coefficient determination, Gödel’s incompleteness theorem and the necessity for an external criterion in the selection procedure for the Ivakhnenko polynomial. Methods for modelling improvement include the potential for hybridisation with least square support vector machines (LSSVM), the application of Kalman filters for parameter estimation, and the combination with signal processing techniques; ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), wavelet transformation (WT), and wavelet packet transformation (WPT) being investigated as is the implementation of enhanced GMDH (eGMDH) and fuzzy GMDH (FGMDH). The inclusion of exogeneous data is also discussed and whether application presents within the GMDH modelling paradigm. The study concludes with recommendations made to enhance the potential for future rainfall modelling study success.
Factors influencing mobile money transaction service adoption in Ghana, using a Technology Acceptable Model and Diffusion Theory
Authors: Kelly Afful Ekow , Palaniappan Sellappan
Published: April 2022

The investigation and exploration of factors influencing the acceptance of mobile money transaction services in Ghana. The research proposes an integration of construct used in both Diffusion Theory (DT) as well as Technology Acceptable Model (TAM). The research was conducted on 2,298 mobile money users spread across Ghana’s sixteen (16) regions. According to the study, perceived risk perceived cost, and social influence all had repercussions on perceived usefulness and ease of use, which influenced users' final decision to use mobile money banking services, resulting in its exponential growth in Ghana. The factor of compatibility, observability and trialability of DT were suitable variables in determining users' choice of technology and the adoption of its services. The results indicated that utilising the technology model, TAM and DT could be expanded to understand better the mobile money ecology for both users and industry players in Ghana's digital money transaction services.
Thymus serpyllum L. (wild thyme) plant as a promising native biosorbent for the adsorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions
Authors: Kováčová Mária , Yankovych Halyna , Luna Mariano Casas , Remešová Michaela , Findoráková Lenka , Stahorský Martin , Čelko Ladislav , Baláž Matej
Published: April 2022

The presented study proposes a new potential biosorbent- Thymus serpyllum L. (wild thyme) plant, which showed to be highly efficient in rapid adsorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions with higher adsorption capacity towards Pb(II) ions. Apart from biochars, that are commonly used for adsorption, here we report the direct use of native plant. The influence of different parameters (pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage) on the adsorption process as well as the adsorption in a binary system of selected metal contaminants was examined. The highest adsorption capacity for Cu(II) ions (qe = 12.66 mg g− 1) was achieved after 10 minutes of adsorption at 16 g L− 1 adsorbent dosage at natural pH. The highest obtained adsorption capacity for Pb(II) ions was 53.13 mg g− 1 after 30 minutes at 12 g L− 1 adsorbent dosage at unadjusted pH. The combination of characterization methods (SEM/EDX, TGA, FT-IR, XPS and ζ-potential measurements) were applied to estimate the removal mechanism during the adsorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions on the plant biosorbent surface. The characteristic shifts were observed in the thermogravimetric curves and FT-IR spectra and together with the changes of pH during adsorption process confirmed the combined adsorption mechanism consisting of the ion exchange at the lower Cu(II) and Pb(II) concentrations and the complexation and chelation at higher contaminants’ concentrations.
Geology, geochemistry, and genesis of the Alvand sapphire-bearing syenitic pegmatite, Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, Hamedan Province, northwest Iran
Authors: Gholami Zahra , Etemadi Bijan , Rasti Soqra , Taghipour Batoul
Published: April 2022

Alvand blue sapphire is related to the igneous rocks of Alvand pluton, located in the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone, Hamadan area. The main geological unit is the Alvand batholith including gabbro, granite, and granitoid. Sapphire occurs within the desilicated pegmatite dykes intruding magmatic-metamorphic lithologies, closely to metasomatic zones. Sapphire-bearing rocks are situated in the central zone of aplitic-pegmatitic composite dykes. In addition to sapphire, the rocks contain albite, microcline, and orthoclase as major minerals, the absence of quartz is noticeable. The whole-rock geochemical characteristics show a relatively silica-poor and alumina-rich composition of syenitic sapphire-bearing rocks. According to peraluminous and S-type signatures, aplite and pegmatites indicate crustal magma origin. The slight increase of Al2O3/TiO2 ratio in the sapphire-bearing pegmatites may suggest mobilization of Al, which either by melt mobilization through alkaline hydroxide-complexation or by alkali-bearing high-temperature fluids such as Na-Al-Si-O polymers. Also based on strong enrichment in Th, sapphire may be formed by late-stage fluids. The high Ti, Fe, and Ga parallel to the low Cr and V contents indicate a magmatic-metasomatic origin of the Alvand sapphire.
Neutrophil IL-1β secretion induced by ExoS expressing Pseudomonas aeruginosa is dependent on NLRP3 and Gasdermin D
Authors: Minns Martin , Lima Tatiane , Liboro Karl , Abbondante Serena , Marshall Michaela , Rietsch Arne , Dubyak George , Pearlman Eric
Published: April 2022

Macrophages infected with Gram-negative bacteria expressing flagellin or Type III secretion system (T3SS) structural proteins are known to activate the NLRC4 inflammasome, resulting in caspase-1 and Gasdermin D (GSDMD) cleavage, IL-1β secretion and pyroptotic cell death. We examined the role of these mediators in IL-1β secretion by neutrophils infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 that expresses the Type III secretion system (T3SS) effectors ExoS and ExoT. We found that IL-1β secretion by neutrophils was dependent on expression of the T3SS needle and translocon proteins. Although pro-GSDMD and pro-GSDME were processed in PAO1 infected neutrophils, only GSDMD was required for IL-1β secretion. PAO1 – induced IL-1β secretion by macrophages was NLRC4 dependent, IL-1β secretion by neutrophils utilized NLRC4 only in the absence of P. aeruginosa exoenzymes. Instead, PAO1 – induced IL-1β secretion required NLRP3, which mediated by ExoS ADP ribosyl transferase activity. Overall, these findings reveal fundamental differences between neutrophils and macrophages in IL-1β secretion in response to pathogenic bacteria.
Cholinergic signals promote esophageal squamous cell carcinoma metastasis by activating EGFR/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Tao , Ge Bei-Bei , Liu Chang , Xu Li-Juan , Wei Bin , Gao Yong
Published: April 2022

Purpose
Increasing evidence has shown that the nervous system plays a vital role in the regulation of tumorigenesis. However, the regulatory mechanism of the parasympathetic nervous system in the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has not been elucidated.
Methods
Vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and parasympathetic nerve density was analyzed in human ESCC tissues. The co-culture model of ESCC cells and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) was established in vitro. The effects of cholinergic stimulation on cell growth, migration and invasion were investigated through CCK-8, Transwell and wound healing assays using acetylcholine (ACh). PCR and western blotting were utilized respectively for the purpose of detecting Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related transcripts proteins. M3 muscarinic receptor (CHRM3) was knocked down using small interfering RNA (siRNA). RNA sequencing explored the possible altered gene transcriptome and signal pathways, which were further verified by Western blotting and CO-IP analysis.
Results
The intensity of parasympathetic nerve in ESCC was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues, and was positively correlated with higher clinical staging and poorer prognosis. Co-incubation with DRG enhanced the migration and invasion ability of ESCC cells in vitro. Moreover, exogenous choline stimulation enhanced the migration, invasion ability together with EMT of ESCC cells, while CHRM3 knockdown were opposite. Mechanistically, cholinergic activation enhanced the phosphorylation levels of EGFR and AKT through CHRM3, which bound directly to EGFR.
Conclusion
We revealed a critical role of cholinergic signals ACh/CHRM3 in mediating the effects of parasympathetic nerve activity on ESCC through the EGFR/AKT signaling pathway, which might provide a novel therapeutic target for ESCC.
Mortality from Diseases of the Circulatory System in Brazil and its Relationship with Social Determinants Focusing on Vulnerability
Authors: Bastos Luiz Antonio Viegas de Miranda , Bichara Jose Lucas Peres , Villela Paolo Blanco , Nascimento Gabriela da Silva , de Oliveira Glaucia Maria Moraes
Published: April 2022

Background: Deaths from diseases of the circulatory system (DCS) and ischemic heart diseases (IHD) are declining, but slowly in developing countries, emphasizing its probable relationship with determinants of social vulnerability. Objectives: To analyze the temporal progression of mortality rates of DCS and IHD from 1980 to 2019 and the association of the rates with the Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI) and Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) in Brazil. Methods: We estimated the crude and standardized mortality rates of DCS and IHD and analyzed the relationship between the obtained data and the MHDI and SVI. Data on deaths and population were obtained from the DATASUS. The MHDI and the SVI of each federative unit were extracted from the websites Atlas Brasil and Atlas da Vulnerabilidade Social, respectively. Results: The age-standardized mortality rates of DCS and IHD showed a downward trend nationwide, which was unequal across the federative units. There was an inversely proportional relationship between the standardized mortality rates of DCS and IHD and the MHDI. The downward mortality trend was observed when the indices were greater than 0.70 and 0.75, respectively. The SVI was directly proportional to the standardized mortality rates of DCS and IHD. An upward mortality trend was observed with an SVI greater than 0.35.Conclusions: Social determinants represented by the MHDI and the SVI were related to mortality from DCS and IHD across the Brazilian federative units. The units with most development and least social inequalities had the lowest mortality from these causes. The most vulnerable die the most.
An investigation of 51 publications by a single author due to doubts about data integrity.
Authors: Muriithi Francis Githae , Gurrin Lyle C , Mol Ben W , Thornton Jim G
Published: April 2022

Background: We noticed two unusual three-arm randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from Menoufia University, a centre where several fabricated papers in Obstetrics and Gynaecology have recently been identified. We, therefore, evaluated the published studies by the lead author, Dr M. Rezk, for research integrity. Methods: We searched for RCTs and cohort studies authored by Dr Rezk, and compared recruitment periods, numbers and study submission dates. We read the publications carefully to identify any unusual features.Results: Dr Rezk authored 51 studies, 17 RCTs and 34 cohort studies. Two pairs of RCTs (four trials) showed extensive data copying of baseline and outcome data. Another set of four trials and two cohort studies each recruited identical patients from the same hospital over overlapping time periods. The reported recruitment rates in two of those RCTs were implausible, and there were frequent examples of identical baseline data between the same two RCTs and a third trial. In 15 of the trials, we were able to compare the number of participants allocated to each group. In two, the method of randomisation (shuffled cards) would result in exactly equal-sized groups. In eight of the other thirteen, exactly equal-sized groups were achieved, and in two further trials, differential loss to follow-up led to exactly equal-sized groups for analysis.Nineteen of 34 cohort studies were reported to be prospective or to include a prospective component, but 11 of these were received by the journal before the last participant could have been followed up. One cohort reported a biologically implausible rate of disease and another an implausible recruitment rate. Two cohorts of women with hypertension in pregnancy reported identical summary statistics on multiple occasions in the tables displaying baseline characteristics. Two other cohorts of women with rheumatic heart disease in pregnancy, with identical recruitment criteria and overlapping recruitment periods, reported implausible differences in baseline BMI and neonatal mortality. Finally the probability of observing the excess of even numbered categorical variables reported in Dr Rezk’s papers overall is infinitesimal.Conclusions: Our assessment of the work of Dr Rezk shows prima facie evidence of data fabrication. We call for an investigation of these studies, including assessment and re-analysis of the original data. Until then, the studies of Dr Rezk should neither directly nor through meta-analysis be used to inform clinical practice.
Prevention of Muscle Atrophy in ICU Patients without Nerve Injury by Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Bao Weiwei , Yang Jiajia , Li Mingna , Chen Kang , Ma Zhen , Bai Yuehong , Xu Yiming
Published: April 2022

Background: Extensive muscle atrophy is a common occurrence in orthopaedics patients who are bedridden or immobilized. The incidence is higher in intensive care unit (ICU) inpatients. There is still controversy about how to use neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in ICU patients. We aim to compare the effectiveness and safety of NMES to prevent muscle atrophy in intensive care unit (ICU) patients without nerve injury.Methods: ICU patients without central and peripheral nerve injury were randomized into experimental group Ⅰ (Exp I: active and passive activity training (APAT) + NMES treatment on the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscle), experimental group Ⅱ (Exp II: APAT + NMES treatment on gastrocnemius alone), and control group (Ctl: APAT alone). Changes in the strength of gastrocnemius, the ankle range of motion, and the muscle cross-section area of the lower leg were evaluated before and after the intervention. Also, changes in prothrombin time, lactic acid, and C-reactive protein were monitored during the treatment.Results: The gastrocnemius muscle strength, ankle joint range of motion, and cross-sectional muscle area of the lower leg in the three groups showed a downward trend, indicating that the overall trend of muscle atrophy in ICU patients was irreversible. The decrease in gastrocnemius muscle strength in Exp I and Exp II was smaller than that in the control group (P <0.05), but there was no difference between Exp I and Exp II. The decrease in active ankle range of motion and cross-sectional area of the lower leg Exp I and Exp II was smaller than that in the control group (P < 0.05), and the decrease in Exp I was smaller than that of Exp II (all P < 0.05). The curative effect in Exp I was better than in Exp II. There were no significant differences in the dynamic changes of prothrombin time, lactic acid, and C-reactive protein during the three groups (P> 0.05).Conclusion: In addition to early exercise training, NMES should be applied to prevent muscle atrophy for patients without nerve injury in ICU. Also, simultaneous NMES treatment on agonist/antagonist muscle can enhance the effect of preventing muscle atrophy.Trial registration: This study was prospectively registered in China Clinical Trial Registry (www.chictr.org.cn) on 16/05/2020 as ChiCTR2000032950.
Plasma metagenomic next-generation sequencing of microbial cell-free DNA detects pathogens in patients with suspected infected pancreatic necrosis
Authors: Li Weiqin , Hong Donghuang , Wang Peng , Zhang Jingzhu , Li Kaiwei , Ye Bo , Li Gang , Zhou Jing , Tong Zhihui , Ke Lu , Shi Songjing
Published: April 2022

Background: Infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is a life-threatening complication of acute pancreatitis (AP). Timely diagnosis of IPN could facilitate appropriate treatment, but there is a lack of reliable non-invasive screening tests. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of plasma metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) based on circulating microbial cell-free DNA in patients with suspected IPN.Methods: From October 2020 to October 2021, 44 suspected IPN patients who underwent plasma mNGS were reviewed. Confirmatory diagnosis of IPN within two weeks after the index blood sampling was considered the reference standard. The confirmation of IPN relied on the microbiological results of drains obtained from the necrotic collections. The distribution of the pathogens identified by plasma mNGS was analyzed. Positive percent agreement (PPA) and negative percent agreement (NPA) were evaluated based on the conformity between the overall mNGS results and culture results of IPN drains. In addition, the clinical outcomes were compared between mNGS positive and negative patients.Results: Across all the study samples, thirteen species of bacteria and five species of fungi were detected by mNGS. The positivity rate of plasma mNGS was 54.55% (24/44). Of the 24 mNGS positive cases, twenty (83.33%, 95%CI, 68.42-98.24%) were consistent with the culture results of IPN drains. The PPA and NPA of plasma mNGS for IPN were 80.0% (20 /25; 95% CI, 64.32 – 95.68%) and 89.47% (17/19; 95% CI, 75.67 – 100%), respectively. Compared with the mNGS negative group, patients in the positive group had more new-onset septic shock (12 (50.0%) vs. 4 (20.0%), p=0.039). Conclusion: IPN relevant pathogens can be identified by plasma mNGS, potentially facilitating appropriate treatment. The clinical application of mNGS in this cohort appears feasible.
Secret Shopper Studies: An unorthodox design that measures inequities in healthcare access
Authors: Rankin Kelsey A. , Mosier-Mills Alison , Hsiang Walter , Wiznia Daniel H.
Published: April 2022

Secret shopper studies are particularly potent study designs that allow for the gathering of objective data for a variety of research hypotheses, including but not limited to, healthcare delivery, equity of healthcare, and potential barriers to care. Of particular interest during the COVID-19 pandemic, secret shopper study designs allow for the gathering of data over the phone. However, there is a dearth of literature available on appropriate methodological practices for these types of studies. To make these study designs more widely accessible, here we outline the case for using the secret shopper methodology and detail best practices for designing and implementing them.
Optimizing an Adaptive Fuzzy Logic Controller of a 3-DOF Helicopter with a Modified PSO Algorithm
Authors: Naderi Shokoufeh , Blondin Maude Josée , Rezaie Behrooz
Published: April 2022

This paper investigates the controller optimization for a helicopter system with three degrees of freedom (3-DOF). To control the system, we combined fuzzy logic with adaptive control theory. The system is extensively nonlinear and highly sensitive to the controller’s parameters, making it a real challenge to study these parameters’ effect on the controller’s performance. Using metaheuristic algorithms for determining these parameters is a promising solution. This paper proposes using a modified particle swarm optimization (MPSO) algorithm to optimize the controller. The algorithm shows a high ability to perform the global search and find a reasonable search space. The algorithm modifies the search space of each particle based on its fitness function value and substitutes weak particles for new ones. These modifications have led to better accuracy and convergence rate. We prove the efficiency of the MPSO algorithm by comparing it with the standard PSO and six other well-known metaheuristic algorithms when optimizing the adaptive fuzzy logic controller of the 3-DOF helicopter. The proposed method’s effectiveness is shown through computer simulations while the system is subject to uncertainties and disturbance. We demonstrate the method’s superiority by comparing the results when the MPSO and the standard PSO optimize the controller.
Photocatalytic Degradation Characteristics of ZnO Thin Films: Investigation on Solvent’s Influence
Authors: Saidani Tarek , RASHEED Mohammed , Zaabat M. , Barille R.
Published: April 2022

Using a sol-gel dip coating process, this research created on glass substrates, ZnO thin films are formed with a range of solvents (2-methoxyethanol and ethanol). The goal of this study is to determine how solvent type affects structural, photocatalytic, morphological, optical, and electrical characteristics of ZnO films. Hall effect, AFM, XRD, and UV–vis spectroscopy has been employed to characterize the films. The findings indicate that the solvent used greatly affects the characteristics of ZnO films. Photocatalytic effectiveness of the produced photocatalysts by Methylene blue (MB) photodegrades in a dilute aqueous solution when exposed to UV-A light have been determined. The findings indicate the sample created using ethanol is more efficient than the sample made using 2-methoxyethanol.
A Novel Suture Bridge Anchor Fixation Technique to Treat Inferior Pole Fractures of Patella：a Retrospective Clinical Study
Authors: Chen Bingqian , wang zhengfei , qu xiaohong , fang xiaowen , chen zhi , qian yufeng , wang xuesong
Published: April 2022

Background:
The fracture of the lower pole of patella is common and the fracture block is small and mostly comminuted. The traditional surgical methods include steel wire tension band fixation and inferior patellar resection, which have many disadvantages. In order to overcome the disadvantages of traditional surgery, we innovated and improved the double row anchor suture bridge technology to the treat the inferior patellar fracture. This study is to investigate the method, technique and clinical efficacy of double-row anchor suture bridge technique in the treatment of inferior pole fractures of patella.
Methods:
Between January 2019 and March 2021, 36 patients with inferior pole fractures of patella underwent the surgery with the double-row anchor suture bridge technique. The study sample consisted of 19 males and 17 females, aged 31–72 years old. There were 17 cases of right fractures and 19 cases of left fractures, all of which were closed fractures. 28 injury cases were caused by falls while 8 injury cases were from car accidents. All of the patients were ethnic Chinese. The operation time, amount of intraoperative bleeding and complications were recorded. Radiological assessments and Bostman score were performed 1, 3 and 6 months post-operation and at the most recent follow-ups.
Results:
The operation time was 54–76 minutes and the intraoperative blood loss was 28–46 ml. All incisions healed in one stage and stitches were removed after 2 weeks. No complications such as incision infection, flap necrosis and nerve injury occurred. Patients in this group were followed up for 10–18 months, with an average follow-up of 12 months. All fractures healed in 10–20 weeks, with an average healing time of 12 weeks. At the last follow-up, the Bostman score was (27.5 ± 3.3), excellent in 34 cases and good in 2 cases, with an excellent rate of 94.4%. The range of motion of the knee joint was (-2.6 ± 2.0)° when the knee was extended and (120 ± 5.0)° when the knee was bent. The muscle strength of quadriceps femoris was grade 5.
Conclusion:
Double-row anchor suture bridge technique is applied to inferior pole fractures of patella by virtue of its various effects, such as the complete preservation of the inferior pole fragments during the operation, satisfactory fracture reduction, firm fixation, and meeting patients’ requirements for early postoperative ambulation. In summary, double-row anchor suture bridge technique is an ideal surgical procedure for the treatment of the inferior pole fracture of patella with safety, reliability and high satisfaction.
Network Analysis of Preictal iEEG Reveals Changes in Network Structure Preceding Seizure Onset
Authors: Sumsky Stefan , Greenfield L. John
Published: April 2022

Objective: Seizures likely result from aberrant network activity and synchronization. Changes in brain network connectivity may underlie seizure onset. We used a novel method of rapid network model estimation from intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) data to characterize pre-ictal changes in network structure prior to seizure onset. Methods: We analyzed iEEG data from 20 patients from the iEEG.org database. Using 10 second epochs sliding by 1 second intervals, a multiple input, single output (MISO) state space model was estimated for each output channel and time point with all other channels as inputs, generating sequential directed network graphs of channel connectivity. These networks were assessed using degree and betweenness centrality.Results: Both degree and betweenness increased at seizure onset zone (SOZ) channels 37.0 ± 2.8 seconds before seizure onset. Degree rose in all channels 8.2 ± 2.2 seconds prior to seizure onset, with increasing connections between the SOZ and surrounding channels. Interictal networks showed low and stable connectivity.Significance: A novel MISO model-based network estimation method identified changes in brain network structure just prior to seizure onset. Increased connectivity was initially isolated within the SOZ and spread to non-SOZ channels before electrographic seizure onset. Such models could help confirm localization of SOZ regions.
Ethical Value Inclinations and Academic Ethical Values Of Postgraduate Health Science Students
Authors: Denat Yıldız , Tuğrul Emel
Published: April 2022

Introduction: In postgraduate education, it is important to adopt academic ethical values as well as ethical values. The aim of this study was to examine the ethical value Inclinations and academic ethical values of postgraduate health science students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 203 postgraduate students enrolled in the Health Sciences Institute. Data were gathered with a “Personal Data Form,” the “The Inclination to Ethical Values Scale” and the “Academic Ethics Values Scale”. Results: The students' inclination to ethical values and their sensitivity to academic ethical values were quite high level and particularly greater among doctoral thesis students and the nursing students. A positive and moderate correlation was pound between the students’ inclination to ethical values and their sensitivity toward academic ethics values. Conclusions: It was found that ethical values and academic ethical values were higher in nursing graduate students than in other health science students.
Analysis of the societal drivers of human echinococcosis in China
Authors: Wang Li-Ying , Qin Min , Gavotte Laurent , Wu Wei-Ping , Cheng Xixi , Frutos Roger
Published: April 2022

Background: Echinococcosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease that threatens human health and economic development. In China, 370 counties are endemic for echinococcosis. Qinghai-Tibet Plateau displays the highest number of patients and people at risk. Therefore, analyzing the societal factors of susceptibility to the disease is critical for efficient prevention and control of echinococcosis.Methods: The demographic characteristics and lifestyle of echinococcosis cases were clustered using K-means cluster analysis to determine the main factors of risk to echinococcosis.Results: Middle-aged and young people as well as those with a low education level and herdsmen are at risk of contracting echinococcosis. Nomadism, domestic and feral dogs in the surrounding environment, but also drinking heavily polluted natural surface water are the main behavioral risk factors. The cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) cluster analysis focused on females, middle-aged and young people, winter settlement and summer nomadism, and domestic and feral dogs in the surrounding environment. There were significant differences in lifestyle between Qinghai-Tibet Plateau cases and non-Qinghai Tibet-Plateau cases.Conclusion: According to the distribution of cases and CE and AE, this study identified the factors of risk to echinococcosis in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and non-Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Adapted control techniques appropriate for the various epidemic areas should be established to serve as a reference for echinococcosis prevention.
The fourth pillar of inequality? Different levels of policymakers’ scientific scenario knowledge widen the gap between World regions
Authors: Pedersen Jiesper Strandsbjerg Tristan , Gomes Carla , Gupta Joyeeta , Vuuren Detlef van , Swart Rob
Published: April 2022

Emission scenarios represent a backbone in future climate change analyzes1–3, informing policy responses and designs4–8. Despite increasing scientific publications and improved scenario quality9, this has not been translated into sufficient policy actions10,11. Finalizing the 6th assessment cycle of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), what is needed to enhance the policymaker relevance of scenario work for the next one? The precise role of emission scenarios in policymaking is not explicitly explored in the literature, and the policymakers' perspectives and needs are not expressed. We found, via a survey distributed to national focal points of the 25th Conference of the Parties (COP25) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a gap between industrialized (Annex-I) and least, semi, and newly industrializing (non-Annex-I) countries on policymakers’ knowledge and capacities in using scenarios and applying them meaningfully to policymaking. Overall, policymakers express a divide between how scenarios have been communicated and how they could be presented to increase their policy actionability. Our results demonstrate that two (contrasting) needs are expressed: more simple scenario communication and more national detail. Furthermore, policymakers focus on understanding and using the scenario tools for negotiations and national policy, contrasting the scientific focus on the quality of assumptions, processes, approaches, and methods12–14. For the upcoming COP27 and successive COPs, the scientific community developing scenarios has three crucial gaps to close to increase the scenarios’ relevance for policy designs. Provide national scenarios in non-Annex-I, improving policy relevance via a more detailed understanding of policymaker needs and objectives, and closing the knowledge gaps between the non-Annex-I and Annex-I regions. This also translates into increasing policy-relevant research in locations outside the Annex-I regions and setting up scenario training and modeling institutions. A precondition for effective scenario use is that the policymaking community clearly communicates its evolving goals and priorities to the scientific community.
Development of a Performance Measurement System for General Practitioners’ Office in China’s Primary Healthcare
Authors: Lei Yi , Ruan Wenjie , Liu Changming , Liao Xiaoyang , Guo Zhaoxia , Zhang Yalin , Chen Huadong
Published: April 2022

Background General practitioners are the main providers of primary care services. To better strengthen the important role of general practitioners in primary healthcare services, China is promoting the general practitioners’ office system. There is a lack of well-accepted methods to measure the performance of general practitioner offices in China. We thus aim to develop a systematic and operable performance measurement system for evaluating the general practitioner's office.Methods We establish an index pool of the performance measurement system of general practitioners’ offices by a cross-sectional study and the literature research method and adopt the focus group method to establish the preliminary system. The Delphi method is then used to conduct three rounds of consultation to modify indices, which aims to form the final indicator system. We determine the weight of each index by the analytic hierarchy process method, which together with the final indicator system constitutes the final performance measurement system. Finally, we select three offices from three different cities in Sichuan Province, China, as case offices to conduct the field study, aiming to assess its credibility.Results Our results show that the first office scored 958.5 points, the second scored 768.1 points, and the third scored 947.7 points, which corresponds to the reality of these three offices, meaning that the performance measurement system is effective and manoeuvrable.Conclusions Our study provides support for standardizing the functions of China's general practitioner's office, improving the health service quality of generalists, and providing a theoretical basis for the standardization of the general practitioner's office.
The automated method of Summarization of Audio Data
Authors: Pardhi Jatin , Kharik Tanmay
Published: April 2022

In today's modern era, most of the organizations have their own call centers or they outsourced another company for handling calls. Customers have high expectations that their issues be addressed and handled quickly and efficiently. In call-centers when a customer problem is not resolved by one service person, it is forwarded to the person who is the superior one. Most of the time the call recording of the customer is used for further references. In that case whoever has reviewed the call recording has to go through the entire recording which is a very tedious task. In this paper, we designed a methodology by which we have summarized the audio data. First, we used a Speech recognizer for converting audio data to Text using AssemblyAI API and then summarized it using the Graph-theoretic approach.
Investigation of temporal changes in the uptake of heavy metals in strawberries by different organs of rat
Authors: Rahimi Ghasem , Ebrahimi Eisa , Shali Sepideh Yeganeh , rahimi meisam , Zanjani Reza Sourati
Published: April 2022

In recent years, heavy metal pollution has been shown as a significant environmental issue for human societies. This pollution is caused by industrial and agricultural activities that enter the food chain through different cycles. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the accumulation and distribution of heavy metals at different times in different organs of rats that were under different nutritional conditions. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with hydroponic strawberry treatments in three replications. Also, different groups of rat (three groups of negative control, polluted and positive control) were fed with strawberries polluted by heavy metals by oral gavage for one, two and three months, every day. The amount of heavy metals in different organs was measured at each stage. 27 rats were studied in this study. Heavy metals decreased the rate of weight gain of rats. Accumulation of these metals was higher in kidney, liver and pancreas than other organs. The brain revealed the lowest accumulation of cadmium (4.78 mg/kg body weight of rat) in the first month among the studied organs. The highest uptake of cadmium and nickel were in the kidney and liver, respectively. In general, results show that the accumulation of heavy metals in the body is a function of time, type of element and organ. If pollution is not controlled in the country's food cycle, these metals are absorbed in large quantities by the body and show their side effects and problems.