bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole Lot of Luvly
Authors: Evans Benedict
Published: September 2023

Sustainable urban mobility is a promising concept, but there are significant challenges. Håkan Lutz, CEO and founder of tech company Luvly, looks at the questions this potential new wave of mobility creates, and tells us why his light urban vehicle, the Luvly O, is the answer
The Inside Track
Authors: Millard Frank
Published: September 2023

The relentless move towards the decarbonisation of the automotive industry involves the coordination of various elements, the most important being issues pertaining to battery technology. Energy density, safety, cost, gigafactory development and mineral supply are crucial to reaching 2050's net zero target, and nowhere is that better understood than at UTAC Millbrook proving ground
Clean Line Buses
Authors: Doyle Wesley
Published: September 2023

Replacing a fleet of commercial ICE vehicles with electric equivalents can be an expensive business. Kleanbus's innovations in both technology and finance could point the way toward zero emissions in our city centers and beyond
Dream Big
Authors: Stone Tom
Published: September 2023

HITACHI IS BREAKING NEW GROUND FOR BATTERY ELECTRIC EXCAVATORS WITH ITS LATEST ELECTRIC PROTOTYPE, UNVEILED AT BAUMA, A 13.5 TONNE EXCAVATOR WITH A 198KWH BATTERY AND RAPID-CHARGING CAPABILITY
Cooler than Ice
Authors: James Anthony
Published: September 2023

THE INDUSTRY RETAINS HISTORIC RESERVATIONS ABOUT FIRE SAFETY AND EV USE, PARTICULARLY UNDERGROUND, BUT THE TECHNOLOGY OFFERS FEWER HAZARDS THAN TRADITIONAL I.C.E. SOLUTIONS
Building Ambition
Authors: Stone Tom
Published: September 2023

IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, SUNGWOO LEE – HYUNDAI CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT EUROPE’S MANAGING DIRECTOR AND A RISING STAR AT THE OEM – GIVES INSIGHT INTO EVERYTHING FROM THE 2021 ACQUISITION OF DOOSAN INFRACORE AND MARQUE-SWAPPING, TO AI SAFETY SYSTEMS, ELECTRIFICATION AND HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
Kazılık Koca Oğlu Yegenek Boyu Üzerine Bir Tahlil Denemesi
Authors: KESKİN Fatih
Published: September 2023

Dede Korkut Kitabı’nın Dresden ve Vatikan nüshalarında müştereken yer alan Kazılık Koca Oğlu Yegenek Boyu’nun ana izleğini tutsak düşen babasını esaretten kurtarmak için yola çıkan kahramanın mücadelesi oluşturur. Yegenek’in babası olan Kazılık Koca aynı zamanda Bayındır Han’ın veziridir. Ancak Kazılık Koca, “koca” ünvanına ve vezirlik makamına uygun düşmeyen bir hareket tarzıyla eylemde bulunarak Yegenek doğmadan önce Düzmürd Kalesi’nin hâkimi Arşın Direk Tekür’e tutsak düşer. Yegenek on beş yaşına geldiğinde babasının Düzmürd Kalesi’nde tutsak olduğunu öğrenince Bayındır Han’dan destur alarak babasını kurtarmak üzere sefere çıkar. Yegenek’in hareket tarzı babası Kazılık Koca’dan da dayısı Emen’den de yanına yoldaş olarak aldığı yirmi dört Oğuz beyinden de farklıdır. Fiziksel ve askerî gücünü stratejik akıl, birliktelik şuuru, tevekkül ve inanç gibi pozitif değerlerle pekiştiren Yegenek diğer Oğuz beylerinin başaramadığını başarır ve Arşın Oğlu Direk Tekür’ü mağlup eder. Böylece Yegenek kendinden önceki kahramanlar neslini kendi mücadele yöntemleri çerçevesinde bir araya getiren yeni bir kahraman tipinin temsilcisi olarak öne çıkar. Ayrıca Yegenek’in mücadelesi arketipsel sembolizm açısından yoğun göndermeler içerir. Dolayısıyla bu çalışmada Yegenek’in mücadelesi, bir taraftan Oğuz’un kolektif varoluş mücadelesinin bir parçası olarak ele alınırken bir taraftan da bireyin bilinçdışı alanı keşfetme ve daha önce bilinç tarafından bu alana itilmeye çalışılan olumsuz özelliklerle yüzleşme süreci olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Ayrıca Yegenek’in Düzmürd Kalesi’ne doğru yol alırken gördüğü rüya, onun erginlenme sürecinin önemli aşamalarından biri olarak ele alınarak incelenmiştir.
ESKİŞEHİR İLİ SEYİTGAZİ İLÇESİNE BAĞLI ARSLANBEYLİ KÖYÜNDE NEFES FORMUNDA ESERLER: DAR NEFES ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: DEMİRÇE ALTINTAŞ Pelin , EROL Nevzat
Published: September 2023

Bu çalışma ile; insan hayatında önemli bir yeri olan müziğin, Eskişehir ili Arslanbeyli köyünde söylenen dar nefeslerinin derlenmesi, notaya alınması, incelenmesi, Alevi kültürü içerisindeki yeri ve öneminin tespit edilmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Çalışmada Alevilerin yoğunlukla yaşadığı yer olan Eskişehir’in Arslanbeyli köyü çalışma sahası olarak seçilmiştir. Gözlem ve görüşme teknikleri ile alan araştırmasına dayalı olarak gerçekleştirilen çalışmada Arslanbeyli köyüne ait “Geldi vedalaştı bir zülfü siyah” ve “Fırsat elde iken bir amel kazan” adlı iki adet dar nefes örneği tespit edilmiştir. Derlenen dar nefes örneklerinden “Geldi vedalaştı bir zülfü siyah” nefesinin günümüze aktarılan ve köy halkı tarafından yaşanmış olduğuna inanılan hikayesinin olduğu da tespit edilmiştir. Bu nefesler edebi ve müzikal açıdan incelenmiş ve notaya alınmıştır. Derlenen dar nefesi sözlerinin; ölümü anlattığı ve “dardan indirme” cemlerinde söylendiği tespit edilmiştir. Kültürel bir kimlik olarak Alevilerin nefeslerinin derlenmesi, gelecek kuşaklara aktarılması, yaşatılması ve geleneğin sürdürülmesi nedeniyle bu çalışmanın önemi artmaktadır.
MENÂKIBNÂMELERDE YASAK MOTİFİ
Authors: AKÇAM Harun
Published: September 2023

Halk anlatıları, barındırdıkları motifler ile metinler arasında kültürel bir ilişki kurmaktadır. Motifler, birer kültür taşıyıcısı olarak farklı dönemler ve farklı anlatıların içinde de bulunmaktadır. Böylece halk anlatılarının kültür coğrafyası içinde birbirlerine olan benzerlik ve farklılıkları tespit edilebilmektedir. Bu tespitlerden hareketle de akademik düzeyde çalışmalar yapılmaktadır.

Menâkıbnâmeler, Tasavvufî Halk Edebiyatında çoğunlukla nesir anlatılar olarak hikâye etmenin önemli eserleri arasındadır. Menâkıbnâmeler yalnızca bir ya da birden fazla keramet sahibi din büyüklerinin hayatlarını anlatmak amacıyla yazılmazlar. Aynı zamanda menâkıbnâmeler, bağlı bulunulan dinî zümrelerin kültürlerini hem daha geniş alanlara yaymak hem de daha sonraki kuşaklara aktarmak amacını da taşırlar. Böylece bu dinî zümrelerin bilinirlik ve kalıcılıkları sağlanmış olur.

Çalışmada menâkıbnâmelerde görülen motiflerden yasak motifi üzerinde durulmuş ve Stith Thompson’un motif indeksinde bulunan bu motif incelenmeye tabi tutulmuştur. Hacı Bektaş Veli, Abdal Musa, Kaygusuz Abdal ve Seyyid Ali Sultan menâkıbnâmeleri çalışmada incelenmiştir. Bu incelemeden hareketle menâkıbnâmelerin işlevlerinin motifler üzerinden nasıl kurulduğu ve dinleyici veya takipçilere bu yolla nasıl aktarılmış olduğu tespit edilmeye çalışılmıştır.
Exploring the pharmacological mechanism of Wuzhuyu decoction on hepatocellular carcinoma using network pharmacology
Authors: Ouyang Jia-Ying , Lin Wei-Jie , Dong Jia-Mei , Yang Yang , Yang Hai-Kui , Zhou Zhi-Ling , Wang Rui-Qi
Published: September 2023

In recent years, metabolomics research has become a hot spot in the screening and treatment of cancer. It is a popular technique for the quantitative characterization of small molecular compounds in biological cells, tissues, organs or organisms. Further study of the tumor revealed that amino acid changes may occur early in the tumor. The rapid growth and metabolism required for survival result in tumors exhibiting an increased demand for amino acids. An abundant supply of amino acids is important for cancer to maintain its proliferative driving force. Changes in amino acid metabolism can be used to screen malignant tumors and improve therapeutic outcomes. Therefore, it is particularly important to study the characteristics of amino acid metabolism in colorectal cancer. This article reviews several specific amino acid metabolism characteristics in colorectal cancer.
Fungal corneal ulcer after repair of an overhanging filtering bleb: A case report
Authors: Zhao Jing , Xu Hai-Tao , Yin Yuan , Li Yan-Xia , Zheng Ya-Juan
Published: September 2023

In recent years, metabolomics research has become a hot spot in the screening and treatment of cancer. It is a popular technique for the quantitative characterization of small molecular compounds in biological cells, tissues, organs or organisms. Further study of the tumor revealed that amino acid changes may occur early in the tumor. The rapid growth and metabolism required for survival result in tumors exhibiting an increased demand for amino acids. An abundant supply of amino acids is important for cancer to maintain its proliferative driving force. Changes in amino acid metabolism can be used to screen malignant tumors and improve therapeutic outcomes. Therefore, it is particularly important to study the characteristics of amino acid metabolism in colorectal cancer. This article reviews several specific amino acid metabolism characteristics in colorectal cancer.
Compound heterozygous mutations in tripeptidyl peptidase 1 cause rare autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia type 7: A case report
Authors: Liu Rui-Han , Wang Xin-Yu , Jia Yuan-Yuan , Wang Xing-Chen , Xia Min , Nie Qiong , Guo Jia , Kong Qing-Xia
Published: September 2023

In recent years, metabolomics research has become a hot spot in the screening and treatment of cancer. It is a popular technique for the quantitative characterization of small molecular compounds in biological cells, tissues, organs or organisms. Further study of the tumor revealed that amino acid changes may occur early in the tumor. The rapid growth and metabolism required for survival result in tumors exhibiting an increased demand for amino acids. An abundant supply of amino acids is important for cancer to maintain its proliferative driving force. Changes in amino acid metabolism can be used to screen malignant tumors and improve therapeutic outcomes. Therefore, it is particularly important to study the characteristics of amino acid metabolism in colorectal cancer. This article reviews several specific amino acid metabolism characteristics in colorectal cancer.
Diversity of Plants Foraged by Apis cerana Fabricius Around Qinling Mountains (Central China) Based on Honey Pollen Samples
Authors: Guo Xinjun , Wang Saiting , Feng Jing
Published: September 2023

To illustrate the essential role of Apis cerana Fabricius in plant pollination, a survey was conducted using PCR, DNA barcoding, and high-throughput sequencing technologies to assess the diversity of plants foraged by A. cerana at five sites around Qinling Mountains. A fragment of the rbcL gene in pollen isolated from honey collected at each site was amplified and sequenced. The results show that samples BJ and TC, samples FP and AK have a high correlation, respectively. According to the information of a total of 64 plant species identified in the five sites, belonging to 53 genera, 37 families, and 23 orders, it is found that there is a relatively high diversity and complex composition of nectar and pollen plants and that most of the plants are sporadically available. The identified species show higher occurrence in some orders, such as Sapindales, Rosales, etc. There are significantly more plants of temperate origin than those of tropical origin, 58.5% and 34.0%, respectively. Some species of Rosales or Sapindales are more visited by A. cerana, with Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) being the dominant species. These results provide a basis for assessing the role of A. cerana in plant pollination and maintaining biodiversity.
Behavioral change readiness among obese adolescents in Jakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Friska Dewi , Kekalih Aria , Harimurti Muhammad Erlangga Putra , Nabila Deviena
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND Prochaska’s transtheoretical model of behavioral change process, consisting of stages and processes of change, should be monitored to evaluate obesity management, particularly in adolescents. Two of four processes of change are supporting relationships, which promote behavioral change, and weight management actions, which are activities that push individuals to a particular direction in patients’ weight loss progress. This study aimed to determine the participants’ current stages of change, nutritional status, and their relationship with the processes of change.

METHODS This cross-sectional study used secondary data collected in 2018 from 115 obese adolescents aged 15–21 years in Jakarta, Indonesia, using an Indonesian-translated and validated questionnaire adapted from Andrés et al’s study. The questionnaire evaluated participants’ processes of change, focusing on scores of supporting relationships (5 items) and weight management actions (10 items).

RESULTS Of the participants, 71.3% were classified as obese grade I, and 28.7% were obese grade II. Most participants were in the contemplation (31.3%) and action (31.3%) stages. The mean supporting relationships and weight management actions scores were different between participants with obese I and obese II (66.67 versus 80, p = 0.004; 64.17 versus 70, p = 0.008, respectively). Meanwhile, no differences were identified in supporting relationships and weight management actions scores in all stages of change.

CONCLUSIONS Adolescents with obesity and higher BMI (based on the obesity grading of the WHO Asia Pacific) tended to have significantly higher scores for supporting relationships and weight management actions, indicating that external reinforcement and immediate weight loss actions played pivotal roles in readiness for behavioral change.
Animality, Hybridity, and the Grammar of the Body in Late Eighteenth-Century Visual Satire
Authors: Creighton Alexander
Published: September 2023

Abstract: Late eighteenth-century visual satirists such as Isaac Cruikshank, James Gillray, and Richard Newton loved rendering powerful politicians, world leaders, and nations themselves as hybrid animals to critique abuses of political power through fantasies of bodily violence and humiliation. In the context of revolutionary fear and fervor, these fantasies targeted elites across the political spectrum; at the same time, they derived much of their satiric force from stereotypes of race, sexuality, and class, thus yoking the critique of power to questions about who counts as human and to what degree. In this way, the infusion of animal traits into human subjects puts animality at the center of a complex intertextuality that repeatedly asks where the human ends and the animal begins.
Imperial Wars and the British Occupation of Havana
Authors: Navarro Oleski Miranda
Published: September 2023

Abstract: A review of The Occupation of Habana: War, Trade and Slavery in the Atlantic World , by Elena A. Schneider.
"Laying Medicine More Open to Mankind": Public Health and Accessibility
Authors: Lau Travis Chi Wing
Published: September 2023

Abstract: This essay turns to William Buchan's Domestic Medicine (1769) to consider how this popular manual modeled a form of accessible health education for the wider public. Published well before public health became a professionalized field, Buchan's book of practical health advice invited its readers to take ownership of their own health but also to better understand the often inaccessible practice of medicine. This essay considers how Buchan's investment in "laying medicine more open to mankind" might offer ways to intervene in the long-standing problems of scientific distrust and medical resistance intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methodology from the Standpoint of Experience: A Comparison of Max Weber, Heinrich Rickert and John Stuart Mill
Authors: Moussa Margaret
Published: September 2023

Abstract: This paper interprets Weber's Rickertian theory of science as methodology articulated from the standpoint of experience. It thereby questions the view that Weber's methodology reflects a sympathy with neo-Kantian transcendental idealism. The first section explains the Baden School's distinction between transcendental argument and the explanation of events. The second traces Rickert's articulation of this distinction as a demarcation between epistemology and methodology. The third section examines Rickert's claim that his methodology is compatible with a consistent empiricism. The fourth section interprets differences between Rickert's and Weber's methodologies as indications of Weber's commitment to the standpoint of experience. Addressing three misconceptions of empiricism prevalent in Weber scholarship, the final section briefly compares Rickert's and Weber's methodologies with that of John Stuart Mill. Given that Rickert's influence on Weber is well documented we focus mainly on Rickert's methodology. Weber's arguments are considered in depth only where they significantly differ from Rickert's.
A Tale of Two Owens: Xiao 孝 as Trusting Others to Know Who You Are
Authors: Ng Sai Ying
Published: September 2023

This paper offers an account of xiao 孝, often translated as filial piety or familial deference, which is compatible with Bernard Williams’s insistence that ethical deliberation should be indeterminate and open-ended, rather than pre-established on the basis of one’s social relationships. Through a critical reading of Williams’s account of ethical knowledge localized to an advisor model, I suggest that we trust those who share similar experiences in social relationships to offer advice specific to our social roles. This trust exhibits itself as xiao, which amounts to no more than the deference children have towards their parents as their guides on the ethical question of how we ought to live—‘we’, as individuals who share common experiences of being children, fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, and other such social roles.
Compact all-dielectric metasurface for full polarization detection at the long-wavelength infrared region
Authors: Guo Kai , Wang Chao , Kang Qianlong , Guo Zhongyi
Published: September 2023

Metasurfaces have been extensively demonstrated in engineering and detection of polarization of light from the visible to terahertz regions. However, most of the previous metasurfaces for polarization detection are spatially divided into different parts, and each of the parts focuses on different polarization components, resulting in large metasurface size and hindering their integration development. In this paper, a compact all-dielectric metasurface is proposed and numerically demonstrated to achieve full polarization detection at the long-wavelength infrared region (LIR). First, we design the metasurface at a wavelength of 10 µm, which can converge incident beams to specific positions corresponding to different polarization states. In this design, the metasurface is based on an oblique alternant double-phase modulation method, which arranges meta-atoms with the ability to control as many as possible different polarizations in a limited region, ensuring the high efficiency of polarization detection while giving more freedom and flexibility to the metasurface. Second, the intensity distributions of the electric field of different polarization components are simulated at wavelengths of 9.4 µm and 10.5 µm, verifying the broadband performance of the proposed metasurface. The proposed method has potential applications in integrated multifunctional devices and multispectral polarization imaging.
Accurate inverse design for high-efficiency and broadband terahertz devices by co-simulation with genetic algorithms
Authors: Zhang Ming , Zhang Junyao , Cui Chaowei , Dong Peng , Wang Baozhu , Yang Lin , Zhang Xiuqing
Published: September 2023

In this study, we combined MATLAB with the rigorous electromagnetic field simulation software Computer Simulation Technology to perform a co-simulation method for inverse design of high-efficiency and broadband THz metasurface devices. In the proposed design method, genetic algorithm (GA) is embedded to realize automatic and inverse design. Aiming toward the different requirements of high-efficiency and broadband THz metasurface devices, different objective functions are set to optimize the design of different types of THz metasurface devices. Based on the rigorous electromagnetic simulation and genetic algorithm, the proposed design method can realize automatic and inverse design with high reliability, compared to the theoretical model based on catenary e-field theory. This study provides an important guiding role and an efficient method for designing and optimizing required metasurface devices with practical applied value.
Antiresonant hollow-core fiber Bragg grating design
Authors: Goel Charu , Wang Yuxi , Yoo Seongwoo , Chang Wonkeun
Published: September 2023

Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) inscribed in hollow-core fibers hold a potential to revolutionize the field of gas photonics by enhancing the performance and versatility of hollow-core fiber-based matter cells. By effectively transforming these cells into cavities, FBGs can significantly extend the effective length of light‐matter interactions. Traditional FBG inscription methods cannot be extended to hollow-core fibers, because light in the fundamental mode is predominantly confined to the hollow region where an index change cannot be induced. In this Letter, we propose a bi-thickness dual-ring hollow-core antiresonant fiber (DRHCF) design that achieves substantial overlap between the fundamental mode and cladding glass in a well-controlled manner, ensuring a strong FBG response with a minimal insertion loss. Through detailed numerical investigations, we demonstrate the feasibility of creating a high reflection FBG in the DRHCF using standard FBG inscription techniques. The proposed device is expected to have a length of <1 cm and the insertion loss of <0.3 dB, including splice loss.
Women’s autonomy in refusing risky sex in sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from 30 countries
Authors: Budu Eugene , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Okyere Joshua , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Aboagye Richard Gyan , Yaya Sanni
Published: September 2023

Understanding the factors associated with women’s autonomy to refuse risky sex is imperative to inform the development of policies and interventions to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, unsafe abortion, and maternal mortality. This study sought to examine the prevalence and factors associated with women’s autonomy to refuse risky sex in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Data for the study were extracted from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of thirty countries in SSA conducted from 2010 to 2020. We included a weighted sample of 260,025 women who were married or cohabiting in the final analysis. Percentages were used to present the results of the prevalence of women’s ability to refuse risky sex. We used a multilevel logistic regression analysis to examine the factors associated with women’s ability to refuse risky sex. Stata software version 16.0 was used for the analysis. We found that 61.69% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 56.22–67.15) of the women were autonomous to refuse sex if their partners have other women, and this was highest in Namibia (91.44% [95% CI: 90.77–92.18]) and lowest in Mali (22.25% [95% CI: 21.24–23.26]). The odds of autonomy in refusing risky sex was higher among women with higher education (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.78–1.46) compared to those with no formal education. Employment status was also a significant predictor, with working women having higher odds of sex refusal compared to non-working women (aOR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.13–1.18). Advocacy to improve women’s autonomy to refuse risky sex must leverage the mass media as it emerged as a significant factor. Policies and intervention to enhance women’s autonomy must also target high-risk sub-populations which constitutes adolescent girls, those with no formal education, and those without employment.
NN-RNALoc: Neural network-based model for prediction of mRNA sub-cellular localization using distance-based sub-sequence profiles
Authors: Babaiha Negin Sadat , Aghdam Rosa , Ghiam Shokoofeh , Eslahchi Changiz
Published: September 2023

The localization of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) is a frequently observed phenomenon and a crucial aspect of gene expression regulation. It is also a mechanism for targeting proteins to a specific cellular region. Moreover, prior research and studies have shown the significance of intracellular RNA positioning during embryonic and neural dendrite formation. Incorrect RNA localization, which can be caused by a variety of factors, such as mutations in trans-regulatory elements, has been linked to the development of certain neuromuscular diseases and cancer. In this study, we introduced NN-RNALoc, a neural network-based method for predicting the cellular location of mRNA using novel features extracted from mRNA sequence data and protein interaction patterns. In fact, we developed a distance-based subsequence profile for RNA sequence representation that is more memory and time-efficient than well-known k-mer sequence representation. Combining protein-protein interaction data, which is essential for numerous biological processes, with our novel distance-based subsequence profiles of mRNA sequences produces more accurate features. On two benchmark datasets, CeFra-Seq and RNALocate, the performance of NN-RNALoc is compared to powerful predictive models proposed in previous works (mRNALoc, RNATracker, mLoc-mRNA, DM3Loc, iLoc-mRNA, and EL-RMLocNet), and a ground neural (DNN5-mer) network. Compared to the previous methods, NN-RNALoc significantly reduces computation time and also outperforms them in terms of accuracy. This study’s source code and datasets are freely accessible at https://github.com/NeginBabaiha/NN-RNALoc.
Integration of primary contact physiotherapists in the emergency department for individuals presenting with minor musculoskeletal disorders: Protocol for an economic evaluation
Authors: Gagnon Rose , Hébert Luc J. , Guertin Jason R. , Berthelot Simon , Desmeules François , Perreault Kadija
Published: September 2023

Objectives

1) To compare the average cost of an emergency department (ED) visit for various minor musculoskeletal disorders between two models of care (physiotherapist and ED physician or ED physician alone); 2) To evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of these two models of care over a 3-month period post-initial visit; and 3) To estimate the ICER of three ED models of care (physiotherapist and ED physician, ED physician alone, physiotherapist alone) over a two-year period.

Methods

Obj.1: The costs incurred by participants in the two groups during their ED visit will be calculated using the Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) method. These costs will be compared using generalized linear models. Obj. 2: The ICER of the two models will be evaluated over three months via a cost-utility analysis that will combine costs and effectiveness data (quality-adjusted life years) using both Health system and Societal perspectives (patient + health system costs). Obj. 3: The 2-year ICER of the three above-mentioned models will be estimated using a mathematical model including a decision tree (0–3 months post-visit) and a Markov model (3–24 months post-visit), also using both Health system and Societal perspectives. Data to answer the three objectives will come from data collected during a randomized clinical trial (n = 78, CHU de Québec)which will be supplemented with data obtained via some of the CHU de Québec administrative databases (nominative data; SIURGE (ED management software), Cristal-Net (patient electronic record), and the ED’s pharmacy transactions directory; administrative data: drug costs repository), the literature, and public cost repositories.

Conclusion

This study will help to determine which model of care is most efficient for the management of individuals who come to the ED with minor musculoskeletal disorders. The increased involvement of various health professionals in the management of patients in the ED paves the way for the development of new avenues of practice and more efficient organization of services.
Epiphytic microflora and mycotoxin content in meadows–Is plant biodiversity affecting fungal contamination?
Authors: Kolackova Ivana , Smolkova Barbora , Skladanka Jiri , Kouril Petr , Hrudova Eva
Published: September 2023

Ecosystem services are an important aspect of grasslands utilization; however, they are often contradictory to their main purpose, which is a production of good quality and safe feed. In this study, we evaluated the difference between grass monocultures and species-rich mixtures in terms of epiphytic microflora and mycotoxin contamination levels. We hypothesized that higher species diversity would lead to higher microbial counts, which could lead to higher mycotoxin contamination risk. Differences in epiphytic fungal, yeast and total amount of microorganisms (CFU g-1) depending on the species diversity in the field has been evaluated by cultivation method. Concentration of deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was measured by ELISA. Results are suggesting that higher total amount of microorganisms were found in monocultures, however, fungal and yeast counts were higher in species-rich mixtures. Higher species diversity of grasses was related to higher total microbial count (TMC) and yeast colonization of phyllosphere. Our results suggest higher risk of fungal phyllosphere colonization of species-rich mixtures with higher biodiversity and therefore higher risk of mycotoxin contamination of such feed.
Comparison of clinical outcomes of angiotensin receptor blockers with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Chen Chih-Wei , Chang Chun-Wei , Lin Yi-Cheng , Chen Wan-Ting , Chien Li-Nien , Huang Chun-Yao
Published: September 2023

Background

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are considered an alternative to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but in the era of extensive use of preventive therapies and percutaneous coronary intervention, this has not been adequately evaluated in Asians.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. In total, 52,620 patients initially hospitalized due to AMI between 2002 and 2015 were assessed.

Results

After propensity score matching, 14,993 patients each were assigned to ACEI and ARB groups. Patients who received ARBs had significantly lower all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75–0.90) and hospitalization for heart failure (aHR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.85–0.99) compared with those who received ACEIs at 18 month follow-up. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of major adverse cardiovascular events (aHR: 098; 95% CI: 0.90–1.07), cardiovascular death (aHR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.68–1.00), ischemia stroke (aHR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.77–1.11), and nonfatal myocardial infarction (aHR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.93–1.17). ARBs showed benefits in many subgroups in terms of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death.

Conclusions

Real-world data demonstrate that ARBs might be associated with lower all-cause mortality and hospitalization for heart failure compared with ACEIs among patients with AMI.
A scoping review on current technology-based approaches to support breastfeeding and informal human milk exchange practices
Authors: Abdul Razak Siti Fatimah , Rosli Nur Liyana , Kamis Noor Hisham , Rahim Norsyamlina Che Abdul , Abdullah Mohd Fikri Azli
Published: September 2023

Informal human milk exchange is the practice of donating and receiving expressed human milk based on mutual consent between the donor and receiver in the need of human milk for infants below 2 years old. Main concerns related to informal human milk exchange is related to milk siblings and safety handling of the expressed breastmilk. Even though there are countries which have policies and procedures related to human milk bank, informal milk exchange has not been given much attention. Compared to human milk bank, informal human milk exchange is not regulated. This study aims to identify the system focused on personalized breastfeeding tracking and monitoring, online discussion forum, web-based consultation, and breastfeeding station locator. Review of current applications in supporting breastfeeding practices was conducted based on the PRISMA-ScR framework. A literature search was conducted in Scopus and Google Scholar databases to identify articles published in English or Malay and containing systems/applications related to breastfeeding, milk sharing, milk exchange, milk siblings/kinship within the societal context. According to the scoping review, current scientific publications mostly focused on breast milk, breastfeeding, and milk banking concerns, with recurring themes including social reasons, lactation insufficiency, and unsolved nursing problems. These themes highlight the complexities and complexities of informal human milk exchange practices. Two reviewers screened the articles, and the data were extracted and narratively synthesized. During the primary database search, 360 articles were found based on the related titles, abstracts, and keywords. Seventy eight met the inclusion criteria and were finalized in this review. We found that most scholarly works focused on breast milk, breastfeeding and milk banking challenges and issues with recurrent themes i.e., societies, lactation inadequacy and unresolved nursing problems. Based on our literature search and to the best of our knowledge, there is no recent scoping reviews which focuses on technology-based approaches on informal human milk exchange. Findings from this scoping review is important for advancing research and practice in this field, as well as improving outcomes for individuals and families affected by informal human milk exchange.
Performance and microbial community analysis on nitrate removal in a bioelectrochemical reactor
Authors: Li Han , Cui Ying , Wang Fei , Li Jinghua , Wu Dafu , Fan Jing
Published: September 2023

In this experiment, we took reflux sludge, sludge from an aeration tank, and soil from roots as microbial inoculating sources for an electrochemical device for denitrification with high-throughput sequencing on cathodic biofilms. The efficiency of nitrate nitrogen removal using different microbial inoculates varied among voltages. The optimal voltages for denitrification of reflux sludge, aeration tank sludge, and root soil were 0.7V, 0.5V, and 0.5V, respectively. Further analysis revealed that the respective voltages had a significant effect upon microbial growth from the respective inoculates. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the main denitrifying microbes. With the addition of low current (produced by the applied voltage), the Chao1, Shannon and Simpson indexes of the diversity of microorganisms in soil inoculation sources increased, indicating that low current can increase the diversity and richness of the microorganisms, while the reflux sludge and aeration tank sludge showed different changes. Low-current stimulation decreased microbial diversity to a certain extent. Pseudomonas showed a trend of decline with increasing applied voltage, in which the MEC (microbial electrolysis cell) of rhizosphere soil as inoculates decreased most significantly from 77.05% to 12.58%, while the MEC of Fusibacter showed a significant increase, and the sludge of reflux sludge, aeration tank and rhizosphere soil increased by 31.12%, 18.7% and 34.6%, respectively. The applied voltage also significantly increased the abundance of Azoarcus in communities from the respective inoculates.
Prevalence and knowledge about acute mountain sickness in the Western Alps
Authors: Berger Marc Moritz , Hüsing Anika , Niessen Nicolai , Schiefer Lisa Maria , Schneider Michael , Bärtsch Peter , Jöckel Karl-Heinz
Published: September 2023

Objective

To assess the prevalence of acute mountain sickness (AMS) in 1370 mountaineers at four different altitudes in the Western Alps. We also examined the influence of potential risk factors and the knowledge about AMS on its prevalence.

Methods

In this observational cross-sectional study AMS was assessed on the day of ascent by the Lake Louise score (LLS, cut-off ≥3, version 2018) and the AMS-Cerebral (AMS-C) score of the environmental symptom questionnaire (cut-off ≥0,70). The latter was also obtained in the next morning. Knowledge regarding AMS and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) and the potential risk factors for AMS were evaluated by questionnaires.

Results

On the day of ascent, the prevalence of AMS assessed by the LLS and AMS-C score was 5.8 and 3.9% at 2850 m, 2.1 and 3.1% at 3050 m, 14.8 and 10.1% at 3650 m, and 21.9 and 15% at 4559 m, respectively. The AMS prevalence increased overnight from 10.1 to 14.5% and from 15 to 25.2% at 3650 m and 4559 m, respectively, and was unchanged at 2850 m and 3050 m. A history of AMS, higher altitude, lower degree of pre-acclimatization, and younger age were identified as risk factors for developing AMS. Slow ascent was weakly associated with AMS prevalence, and sex and knowledge about AMS and HACE were indistinct.

Conclusion

AMS is common at altitudes ≥ 3650 m and better knowledge about AMS and HACE was not associated with less AMS in mountaineers with on average little knowledge.
Study on segmentation of blasting fragment images from open-pit mine based on U-CARFnet
Authors: Jin Changyu , Liang Junyu , Fan Chunhui , Chen Lijun , Wang Qiang , Lu Yu , Wang Kai
Published: September 2023

Bench blasting is the primary means of production in open-pit metal mines. The size of the resulting rock mass after blasting has a significant impact on production cost. Currently, the ore fragment size is obtained mainly through manual measurement or estimation with the naked eye, which is inefficient and inaccurate. This study proposes the U-CARFnet and U-Net models for segmenting blasting fragment images from open-pit mines based on an attention mechanism, residual learning module, and focal loss function. It compares this technique with traditional image segmentation ones and a variety of deep learning models to verify the efficacy of the proposed model. Experimental results show that the accuracy of the U-CARFnet model proposed in this paper reaches 97.11% in the performance evaluation, which shows better performance than the traditional image segmentation method. In this study, the U-CARFnet model is used in the application, and a superior performance is obtained, with an average segmentation error of 5.46%. The proposed approach provides an effective technique for statistically analyzing images of mine rock.
Establishment of an ultrasound-guided protocol for the assessment of hip joint osteoarthritis in rabbits–A sonoanatomic study
Authors: Tomé Inês , Alves-Pimenta Sofia , Costa Luís , Pereira José , Sargo Roberto , Brancal Hugo , Ginja Mário , Colaço Bruno
Published: September 2023

Ultrasound (US) has emerged as one of the most applied imaging tools to diagnose musculoskeletal disorders and assist in guided intra-articular administrations. Nevertheless, in evaluating the rabbit hip joint, there is a need for an ultrasonographic approach. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the hip sonoanatomy, develop and validate a US-guided protocol to assess the hip joint in rabbits and apply this protocol in vivo. This study was carried out in three phases, phase I: a pilot cadaveric study, to assess the applicability of different US approaches in the hip of rabbits and, consequently, develop a detailed US-guided protocol (2 rabbit cadavers, n = 4 hips); phase II: validation of the established US-guided protocol through a numerical scoring system in healthy joints (11 rabbit cadavers, n = 22 hips), and, lastly, phase III: application of the US-guided protocol in vivo in osteoarthritic joints (5 rabbits, n = 5 hips). A total of six planes were validated, two in the ventral approach and four in the dorsal approach. The ventral transverse plane was deemed more informative regarding the hip joint sonoanatomy, enabling the identification of a greater number of structures when compared to the other planes. Nevertheless, this study suggested that the isolated application of a plane was deemed insufficient for a complete and detailed evaluation of the hip joint anatomy, rendering it necessary to employ other planes complementarily. Furthermore, the established US-guided protocol allowed a definitive diagnosis of OA, and osteophytes and capsular hypertrophy were among the defects most frequently detected. This novel study provided US anatomical landmarks for forthcoming therapeutic research and monitoring of OA development, granting the accurate identification of osseous and cartilaginous defects.
Dynamical behavior of chaos, bifurcation analysis and soliton solutions to a Konno-Onno model
Authors: Chahlaoui Younes , Ali Asghar , Ahmad Jamshad , Javed Sara
Published: September 2023

The fractional coupled Konno-Onno model, which is frequently used in numerous fields of scientific and engineering disciplines, is being investigated in the current study in order to gain an understanding of complex phenomena and systems. The two main goals of this study are to be accomplished. Firstly, the research aims to identify novel solitons for the fractional coupled Konno-Onno model using the unified technique, which is currently absent from the literature. Secondly, a novel strategy that hasn’t been previously investigated is phase portrait analysis for both perturbed and non-perturbed dynamical systems. The current study uses appropriate parametric values in phase plane analysis, 2D, 3D, and density plots to ensure the results are physically compatible. The results validate the claim that the technique used in this research to produce complete and uniform responses is not only simple to use and effective, but also substantially faster in computing. The technique is useful for resolving more complex phenomena that arise in engineering and mathematical physics.
Temporal trends in hospitalizations and 30-day mortality in older patients during the COVID pandemic from March 2020 to July 2021
Authors: Garcia-Ptacek Sara , Xu Hong , Annetorp Martin , Jerlardtz Viktoria Bäck , Cederholm Tommy , Engström Malin , Kivipelto Miia , Lundberg Lars Göran , Metzner Carina , Olsson Maria , Nyvang Josefina Skogö , Sühl Öberg Carina , Åkesson Elisabet , Religa Dorota , Eriksdotter Maria
Published: September 2023

Background

A reduction in mortality risk of COVID-19 throughout the first wave of the pandemic has been reported, but less is known about later waves. This study aimed to describe changes in hospitalizations and mortality of patients receiving inpatient geriatric care for COVID-19 or other causes during the pandemic.

Methods

Patients 70 years and older hospitalized in geriatric hospitals in Stockholm for COVID-19 or other causes between March 2020-July 2021 were included. Data on the incidence of COVID-positive cases and 30-day mortality of the total ≥ 70-year-old population, in relation to weekly hospitalizations and mortality after hospital admissions were analyzed.

Findings

The total number of hospitalizations was 5,320 for COVID-19 and 32,243 for non-COVID-cases. In COVID-patients, the 30-day mortality rate was highest at the beginning of the first wave (29% in March-April 2020), reached 17% at the second wave peak (November-December) followed by 11–13% in the third wave (March-July 2021). The mortality in non-COVID geriatric patients showed a similar trend, but of lower magnitude (5–10%). During the incidence peaks, COVID-19 hospitalizations displaced non-COVID geriatric patients.

Interpretation

Hospital admissions and 30-day mortality after hospitalizations for COVID-19 increased in periods of high community transmission, albeit with decreasing mortality rates from wave 1 to 3, with a probable vaccination effect in wave 3. Thus, the healthcare system could not compensate for the high community spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic peaks, which also led to displacing care for non-COVID geriatric patients.
Performance characteristics and operational feasibility assessment of a CRISPR based tata MD CHECK diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
Authors: Shenai Shubhada , Nataraj Gita , Jinwal Minal , Thekke Purakkal Akhil S. , Sen Rajashree , Ingole Nayana , Mathure Trupti , Sarin Sanjay , Chadha Sarabjit S.
Published: September 2023

Background

Tata MD CHECK SARS-CoV-2 kit 1.0, a CRISPR based reverse transcription PCR (TMC-CRISPR) test was approved by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for COVID-19 diagnosis in India. To determine the potential for rapid roll-out of this test, we conducted performance characteristic and an operational feasibility assessment (OFA) at a tertiary care setting.

Intervention

The study was conducted at an ICMR approved COVID-19 RT-PCR laboratory of King Edward Memorial (KEM) hospital, Mumbai, India. The TMC-CRISPR test was evaluated against the gold-standard RT-PCR test using the same RNA sample extracted from fresh and frozen clinical specimens collected from COVID-19 suspects for routine diagnosis. TMC-CRISPR results were determined manually and using the Tata MD CHECK application. An independent agency conducted interviews of relevant laboratory staff and supervisors for OFA.

Results

Overall, 2,332 (fresh: 2,121, frozen: 211) clinical specimens were analysed of which, 140 (6%) were detected positive for COVID-19 by TMC-CRISPR compared to 261 (11%) by RT-PCR. Overall sensitivity and specificity of CRISPR was 44% (95% CI: 38.1%-50.1%) and 99% (95% CI: 98.2%-99.1%) respectively when compared to RT-PCR. Discordance between TMC-CRISPR and RT-PCR results increased with increasing Ct values and corresponding decreasing viral load (range: <20% to >85%). In the OFA, all participants indicated no additional requirements of training to set up RT PCR. However, extra post-PCR steps such as setting up the CRISPR reaction and handling of detection strips were time consuming and required special training. No significant difference was observed between manual and mobile app-based readings. However, issues such as erroneous results, difficulty in interpretation of faint bands, internet connectivity, data safety and security were highlighted as challenges with the app-based readings.

Conclusion

The evaluated version-Tata MD CHECK SARS-CoV-2 kit 1.0 of TMC-CRISPR test cannot be considered as an alternative to the RT-PCR. There is a definite scope for improvement in this assay.
A systematic review of whole disease models for informing healthcare resource allocation decisions
Authors: Jin Huajie , Tappenden Paul , Ling Xiaoxiao , Robinson Stewart , Byford Sarah
Published: September 2023

Background

Whole disease models (WDM) are large-scale, system-level models which can evaluate multiple decision questions across an entire care pathway. Whilst this type of model can offer several advantages as a platform for undertaking economic analyses, the availability and quality of existing WDMs is unknown.

Objectives

This systematic review aimed to identify existing WDMs to explore which disease areas they cover, to critically assess the quality of these models and provide recommendations for future research.

Methods

An electronic search was performed on multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, the NHS Economic Evaluation Database and the Health Technology Assessment database) on 23rd July 2023. Two independent reviewers selected studies for inclusion. Study quality was assessed using the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) appraisal checklist for economic evaluations. Model characteristics were descriptively summarised.

Results

Forty-four WDMs were identified, of which thirty-two were developed after 2010. The main disease areas covered by existing WDMs are heart disease, cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome and metabolic disease. The quality of included WDMs is generally low. Common limitations included failure to consider the harms and costs of adverse events (AEs) of interventions, lack of probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) and poor reporting.

Conclusions

There has been an increase in the number of WDMs since 2010. However, their quality is generally low which means they may require significant modification before they could be re-used, such as modelling AEs of interventions and incorporation of PSA. Sufficient details of the WDMs need to be reported to allow future reuse/adaptation.