bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review of Occupational Hazards in Health Sector: Risks and Awareness
Authors:   Clinical Pharmacist in Critical Care Unit- El-Galaa Military Hospital, Cairo-Egypt, Senior Clinical Researcher,Drug Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt, Mobile: +201066647832, Emails: mohamedraslan280@gmail.com, Ahmed Raslan Mohamed ,   mohamed.raslan@drcbioeqs.com., Ahmed Raslan Sara ,   Clinical Research Assistant at Drug Research Centre (BSc, Pharmaceutical Sciences), Cairo, Egypt, Mobile: +201098052358, Email: info@drcbioeqs.com., Mansour Shehata Eslam ,   Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSc.), Drug Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt, Mobile: +201001738803, Emails: Eslam.mansour@drcbioeqs.com; info@drcbioeqs.com., Saad Mahmoud Amr ,   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Mobile: +201010051381, Emails: amrsaadobygyn@med.asu.edu.eg; amrsaadobygyn@gmail.com., A. Sabri Nagwa ,   Nagwa Ali Mohamed Sabri, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Mobile: +201223411984; Emails: nagwa.sabri@pharma.asu.edu.eg; nagwa.sabri@yahoo.com
Published: December 2022

Background: Healthcare personnel working in hospitals and healthcare institutions across the world are more vulnerable to occupational dangers than those working in other fields.
The General Practitioner as a Clinical Epidemiologist: Three Metaphors to Explain the Fundamental Concepts
Authors:   Specialist in Family and Community Medicine, Health Center Santa Maria de Benquerencia. Regional Health Service of Castilla la Mancha (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain., Luis Turabian Jose
Published: December 2022

In this article, based on metaphors, we review the mechanisms of applying some concepts of clinical epidemiology in general medicine:
Adverse Covid-19 Vaccines Booster Reactions Case Series, From November 2021 To September 2022, In a General Medicine Office in Toledo, Spain
Authors:   Specialist in Family and Community Medicine Health Center Santa Maria de Benquerencia. Regional Health Service of Castilla la Mancha (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain., Luis Turabian Jose
Published: December 2022

Background: There is lack of clinical outcome data on the safety of covid-19 vaccines booster.
Epidemiology of Placebo Effect. Distribution, Frequency and Determining Factors-Corrected
Authors:   Specialist in Family and Community Medicine Health Center Santa Maria de Benquerencia. Regional Health Service of Castilla la Mancha (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain., Luis Turabian Jose
Published: December 2022

Background: Although there is disagreement about the definition and clinical relevance of the placebo effect, the use of inert or non-indicated medication has been common throughout the history of medicine. There is increasing evidence that placebos are effective in clinical practice. However, knowledge of the epidemiology of the placebo effect is poorly developed.
The Biopsychosocial Approach Gives Relevance to General Medicine as a Tool of Public Health
Authors:   Specialist in Family and Community Medicine Health Center Santa Maria de Benquerencia. Regional Health Service of Castilla la Mancha (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain., Luis Turabian Jose
Published: December 2022

Public Health is the care and promotion of health applied to the entire population. But public health should not be considered as something apart from the health of each individual and general medical care.
Penerapan Metode Kompresi Huffman untuk Meningkatkan Jumlah Data Informasi pada Kode Quick Response
Authors: Hidayat Hidayat , Asshobry Muchammad Yaasiin
Published: December 2022

Kecepatan memperoleh informasi merupakan hal yang sangat penting. Pemanfaatan kode Quick Response (QR) menjadi salah satu cara dalam upaya memperoleh informasi secara cepat. Namun, setiap versi kode QR Code sendiri memiliki batasan data informasi yang dapat ditampung, sehingga umumnya kode QR hanya menampung tautan website agar informasinya diperoleh melalui website. Peningkatan daya tampung data pada kode QR tentunya dapat memudahkan pengguna untuk menyimpan data informasi lebih banyak sehingga informasi dapat diperoleh tanpa mengakses website. Penelitian ini menerapkan metode kompresi Huffman untuk meningkatkan jumlah informasi yang dapat ditampung dalam kode QR. Kompresi Huffman merupakan algoritme kompresi lossless yang cocok digunakan pada data teks. Tahapan yang dilakukan pada penelitian ini terdiri atas analisis kebutuhan, perancangan, implementasi dan pengujian. Sistem yang dibangun terdiri atas dua aplikasi, yaitu aplikasi generator dan aplikasi pemindai kode QR. Aplikasi generator berfungsi menjalankan kompresi dan menghasilkan kode QR. Aplikasi pemindai kode QR berfungsi memindai kode QR dan melakukan dekompresi serta menampilkan informasi ke layar smartphone. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan kedua aplikasi dapat berfungsi dengan baik. Efisiensi hasil kompresi pada 30 data teks yang diuji mencapai rata-rata 56,6%. Hal ini menjadikan kode QR dapat menampung data informasi rata-rata dua kali lipat data teks tanpa kompresi.
Comparison of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Delignification at Room and Mild Temperature
Authors: Elizabeth Lidya , Widyanti Emmanuela Maria , Soeswanto Bambang , Wahyuni Dini Sri , Pratiwi Kartika Dian
Published: December 2022

Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) is one kind of palm oil industry solid waste. OPEFB contains high lignocellulose for about 81-89% that can be used for production of fertilizer, paper, filler, and composite. The separating method of lignocellulose into cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose can be carried out by delignification using H2O2 and MnSO4.H2O as catalyst. Two experimental designs were performed using the Minitab 21 program with Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Both designs have temperature as their dependent variable. The processes are carried out at 36oC and room temperature with the same variable independent, such as delignification time and concentration of the catalyst. The difference between these two designs is in their stirring process. Delignification that occured at 36oC is processed under constant stirring, while delignification that occured at room temperature is processed without stirring. This experiment aims to determine the optimum conditions for using Mn-catalyst in delignification by varying the time and catalyst concentration. The results show that the lowest lignin content in delignification with reflux is 19.71% (w/w), and for delignification without reflux is 18.24% (w/w). The optimum condition obtained by RSM for reflux delignification was at 6,83 hours with use of 11,03% (w/w) catalyst. Meanwhile, without reflux delignification, the optimum condition was at 3,38 days with a 3.76% (w/w) catalyst.
Analysis Effect of BI Rate, Inflation, GRDP, Export Growth and Non-Performing Loans to Rural Bank (BPR) ROA in Lampung Province
Authors: Subiyanto Heru , Damiri Johannis , Wardini Amalia Kusuma
Published: December 2022

Rural Credit Bank (BPR) is a financial institution that has an intermediation function with the activity of collecting funds from the public, in the form of Savings and Time Deposits, and channeling them back to the public in the form of credit. Businessly, the purpose of BPR is to make a profit. BPR's efforts to obtain profit are faced with problems, namely external problems in the form of unfavorable economic conditions and internal problems in the form of credit risk as indicated by the high Non-Performing Loans. This study aims to analyze the macroeconomic influence that is represented by BI Rate, Inflation, GRDP and Export Growth as well as Non-Performing Loans on BPR ROA in Lampung Province.

This study uses multiple linear regression analysis tools with the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method carried out using a time span from 2007 to 2017 and hypothesis testing uses t-statistics to test the partial regression coefficients and the significance of the overall effect with a level of significance of 5%. Because the data used are secondary data in the form of time series data that has wide fluctuations or instability, then testing ARCH (Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity) and GARCH (Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity) and to determine the accuracy of the model need to be tested on several classic assumptions that are underlying regression model. Testing the classic assumptions used in this study include tests of normality, heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation, and multicollinearity.

During the observation period showed that the research data were normally distributed. Based on the heteroscedasticity test and the multicollinearity test, no variables found that deviate from the classical assumptions, but based on the autocorrelation test found a positive autocorrelation. This autocorrelation problem is most likely due to the small amount of data (n). Overall this shows that the available data meets the requirements to use the multiple linear regression equation model.

Based on the test results the coefficient of determination obtained R2 value of 0.5164 which means that the closeness of the overall independent variable to the dependent variable is 51.64%, while the remaining 48.36% is influenced by other variables outside this regression model. Based on the F statistical test at the 95% confidence level, the calculated F value is 1.28 and the F-Prob value is 0.3805> Î± 5%, so it can be concluded that the overall variables of BI Rate, Inflation, GRDP, Export Growth and NPL influence ROA. Based on the t test it was concluded that the BI rate, inflation, GRDP and NPL did not have a significant negative effect on ROA, while export growth had no significant positive effect on ROA.
The Moderating Role of Self Efficacy Toward Multiple Role Conflict and Job Performance
Authors: A. A. R. P. Sari Raden , Haziroh Awanis L. , Pramadanti Amanda D. , Putra Febrianur I. F. S. , Pramadanti Amanda D.
Published: December 2022

The focus of this study is to provide empirical evidence of the moderating effect of self efficacy on the relation of multiple role conflict on employee performance. In addition, this study also examines the effect of multiple role conflict and self-efficacy on job performance. One hundred female employees from four commercial/government banks were sampled in this study. Sampling using purposive sampling technique with the criteria have been working for more than one year, married and already have children. Data were collected through questionnaires and processed using Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA). The results showed that multiple role conflicts have a significant negative effect on job performance, self-efficacy has a significant positive effect on job performance. Meanwhile, self-efficacy is not able to weaken or strengthen the influence of multiple role conflicts on job performance, in other words, self-efficacy fails to become a moderating variable in this study.
Implementation of Strategik Management, Human Resources for the Increase Perfomance in State Owned Corporation Enterprises (SOES) in Indonesia
Authors: Kusumawati Indah , Yulistiyono Agus , Badrianto Yuan
Published: December 2022

This study aims to determine the dominan factors in implementation of strategic management for the increase performance in S0E,s Indonesia . The study was conducted in organization company with my country Indonesia, in state owned corporation (S0Eâ€™s) will make Soe more transparent reliability between clean soe with land agencies Soeâ€™s prosecutors of state owned . Definition S0Eâ€™s UU No.19.  2003 years S0Eâ€™s source of wealth the country for the prosperity Indonesia people The description of S0Eâ€™s so far has not been in line with what is expected to still be a lot of politicization and birocraci  managingâ€™s, this can still be seen from the low level of profitability, not market-oriented, low quality , productivity, and results of  performance need to be improved, to improve  performance and productivity then there is a need for strategic management in order to improve the performance of  towards a better direction. This is influenced by human resources, strategic management, and performance organizations
SITUAÇÕES-PROBLEMA DE LIVROS DIDÁTICOS E ATIVIDADES DE MODELAGEM MATEMÁTICA: IDENTIFICANDO POSSIBILIDADES
Authors: dos Santos Gois Victor Hugo , Alessandra Pessoa da Silva Karina
Published: December 2022

Neste artigo analisamos, sob uma perspectiva da semiótica peirceana, situações-problema em livros didáticos de Matemática com potencial para serem desenvolvidas em atividades de modelagem matemática. Nosso aporte teórico é a Modelagem Matemática entendida como uma alternativa pedagógica em que, a partir de uma situação-problema, define-se um problema para ser investigado sob um viés matemático e a Semiótica Peirceana, enquanto doutrina formal dos signos. Por meio de uma análise documental dos signos presentes no conteúdo funções definidas por mais de uma sentença em cinco coleções de livros didáticos de Matemática aprovados no Programa Nacional do Livro Didático de 2018, evidenciamos categorias em que as tarefas podem ser alocadas: com comandos imperativos; com comandos imperativos e um gráfico ou figura; com situações-problema no enunciado. Concluímos que na categoria tarefas com situações-problema no enunciado há indícios de situações-problema com potencial para serem desenvolvidas como atividade de modelagem desde que o professor assuma um papel de orientador e organize-as de modo que os alunos as problematizem e as solucionem.
DESENVOLVIMENTO DO PENSAMENTO GEOMÉTRICO: APRENDIZAGENS E CONTRIBUIÇÕES DE UM CURSO DE FORMAÇÃO CONTINUADA
Authors: Delli Colli Marilda , Tortola Emerson , de Fátima Dante Correia Rocha Zenaide
Published: December 2022

Este artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa de Mestrado Profissional cujo objetivo foi investigar as aprendizagens e as contribuições de um curso de formação continuada para a prática pedagógica de professoras que atuam nos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental em relação ao desenvolvimento do pensamento geométrico de acordo com a Teoria de Van Hiele. O curso foi organizado em três etapas: fundamentação teórica acerca do ensino de geometria e da Teoria de Van Hiele; elaboração de tarefas sobre geometria, plana e espacial, pautadas nos níveis de pensamentos e nas fases de aprendizagem sistematizados pela e a partir da Teoria de Van Hiele; e aplicação das tarefas a alunos do 1º ao 5º ano do Ensino Fundamental, das professoras participantes, para validação, discussão e reformulação. Participaram do curso dois docentes formadores, três professoras da Educação Infantil e sete professoras dos anos iniciais de uma escola privada do Norte do Paraná. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionários, aplicados antes e após o curso, gravações em áudio e vídeo dos encontros realizados via Google Meet, diário de campo e registros produzidos pelos alunos das professoras participantes durante a aplicação das tarefas. A análise dos dados, orientada por uma abordagem qualitativa, revelou como aprendizagens e contribuições do curso: o entendimento da necessidade de explorar os conhecimentos prévios dos alunos para identificar o nível de pensamento em que eles se encontram; o conhecimento, a elaboração e a aplicação de tarefas de acordo com as características e as fases da aprendizagem associadas aos níveis de pensamento de Van Hiele; e a discussão de intervenções necessárias para auxiliar os alunos na passagem de um nível a outro.
1Progress, applications, challenges and prospects of protein purification technology
Authors: Du Miao , Hou Zhuru , Liu Ling , Xuan Yan , Chen Xiaocong , Fan Lei , Li Zhuoxi , Xu Benjin
Published: December 2022

Protein is one of the most important biological macromolecules in life, which plays a vital role in cell growth, development, movement, heredity, reproduction and other life activities. High quality isolation and purification is an essential step in the study of the structure and function of target proteins. Therefore, the development of protein purification technologies has great theoretical and practical significance in exploring the laws of life activities and guiding production practice. Up to now, there is no forthcoming method to extract any proteins from a complex system, and the field of protein purification still faces significant opportunities and challenges. Conventional protein purification generally includes three steps: pretreatment, rough fractionation, and fine fractionation. Each of the steps will significantly affect the purity, yield and the activity of target proteins. The present review focuses on the principle and process of protein purification, recent advances, and the applications of these technologies in the life and health industry as well as their far-reaching impact, so as to promote the research of protein structure and function, drug development and precision medicine, and bring new insights to researchers in related fields.
Construction of microbial consortia for microbial degradation of complex compounds
Authors: Cao Zhibei , Yan Wenlong , Ding Mingzhu , Yuan Yingjin
Published: December 2022

Increasingly complex synthetic environmental pollutants are prompting further research into bioremediation, which is one of the most economical and safest means of environmental restoration. From the current research, using microbial consortia to degrade complex compounds is more advantageous compared to using isolated bacteria, as the former is more adaptable and stable within the growth environment and can provide a suitable catalytic environment for each enzyme required by the biodegradation pathway. With the development of synthetic biology and gene-editing tools, artificial microbial consortia systems can be designed to be more efficient, stable, and robust, and they can be used to produce high-value-added products with their strong degradation ability. Furthermore, microbial consortia systems are shown to be promising in the degradation of complex compounds. In this review, the strategies for constructing stable and robust microbial consortia are discussed. The current advances in the degradation of complex compounds by microbial consortia are also classified and detailed, including plastics, petroleum, antibiotics, azo dyes, and some pollutants present in sewage. Thus, this paper aims to support some helps to those who focus on the degradation of complex compounds by microbial consortia.
Optimization for the efficient recovery of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) using the green solvent 1,3-dioxolane
Authors: Wongmoon Chanakarn , Napathorn Suchada Chanprateep
Published: December 2022

In this study, a simple non-toxic recovery process of biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) using the green solvent 1,3-dioxolane and water was successfully developed. The critical parameters were optimized, and the process platform was scaled up from 2 ml to 1,000 ml for the efficient recovery of PHB. The physical parameters including continuous shaking, ultrasonication, extraction using the Soxhlet extractor, diluted 1,3-dioxolane, reused 1,3-dioxolane, and cell rupture by steam explosion prior to solvent extraction were carefully investigated. The results showed that continuous shaking played a major role in increasing the recovery efficiency during the scale-up process. The PHB extraction at 2 ml from dried cells at 80°C with 100 rpm of shaking speed for 5 h resulted in a recovery yield of 96.6 ± 0.1% with purity up to 99.1 ± 0.6% and that from wet cells under the same condition resulted in a recovery yield of 94.6 ± 4.8% and purity of 97.0 ± 0.1%. It should be noted that the PHB extracted from wet cells at room temperature with 150 rpm of shaking speed for 36 h resulted in a recovery yield of 93.5 ± 0.7% and purity of 97.7 ± 1.3% and had an MW of 3.1×105, MN of 2.7×105, and polydispersity index of 1.1. The direct scale-up process at 1,000 ml showed comparable results in purity, recovery yield, molecular weight distribution, thermal properties, and mechanical properties. The PHB extraction from dried cells gave the highest purity of 99.3 ± 0.5% and recovery of 94.0 ± 0.3%, whereas the PHB extraction from wet cells gave a purity of 90.3 ± 1.5% and recovery of 92.6 ± 1.0%. The novel recovery process showed its feasibility to be applied on an industrial scale.
Recent Progress on Rapid Lateral Flow Assay-Based Early Diagnosis of COVID-19
Authors: Zhang Ying , Chai Yujuan , Hu Zulu , Xu Zhourui , Li Meirong , Chen Xin , Yang Chengbin , Liu Jia
Published: December 2022

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in enormous losses worldwide. Through effective control measures and vaccination, prevention and curbing have proven significantly effective; however, the disease has still not been eliminated. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a simple, convenient, and rapid detection strategy for controlling disease recurrence and transmission. Taking advantage of their low-cost and simple operation, point-of-care test (POCT) kits for COVID-19 based on the lateral flow assay (LFA) chemistry have become one of the most convenient and widely used screening tools for pathogens in hospitals and at home. In this review, we introduce essential features of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, compare existing detection methods, and focus on the principles, merits and limitations of the LFAs based on viral nucleic acids, antigens, and corresponding antibodies. A systematic comparison was realized through summarization and analyses, providing a comprehensive demonstration of the LFA technology and insights into preventing and curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 ion channel expressed by the Edinger-Westphal nucleus contributes to stress adaptation in murine model of posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Konkoly János , Kormos Viktória , Gaszner Balázs , Correia Pedro , Berta Gergely , Biró-Sütő Tünde , Zelena Dóra , Pintér Erika
Published: December 2022

The centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus (EWcp) is involved in stress adaptation. Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) mRNA was previously shown to be expressed abundantly in mouse and human EWcp urocortin 1 (UCN1) positive neurons and reacted to chronic stress. Since UCN1 neurons are deeply implicated in stress-related disorders, we hypothesized that TRPA1/UCN1 neurons are also affected in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We examined male Trpa1 wild type (WT) and gene-deficient (KO) mice in the single prolonged stress (SPS) model of PTSD. Two weeks later the behavioral changes were monitored by forced swim test (FST) and restraint. The Trpa1 and Ucn1 mRNA expression and the UCN1 peptide content were assessed by RNAscope in situ hybridization technique combined with immunofluorescence labeling in the EWcp. SPS-induced immobility was lower in Trpa1 KO compared to WT animals, both in the FST and restraint, corresponding to diminished depression-like behavior. The copy number of Trpa1 mRNA decreased significantly in EWcp of WT animals in response to SPS. Higher basal Ucn1 mRNA expression was observed in the EWcp of KO animals, that was not affected by SPS exposure. EWcp neurons of WT animals responded to SPS with substantially increased amount of UCN1 peptide content compared to control animals, whereas such changes were not observable in KO mice. The decreased Trpa1 mRNA expression in the SPS model of PTSD associated with increased neuronal UCN1 peptide content suggests that this cation channel might be involved in the regulation of stress adaptation and may contribute to the pathomechanism of PTSD.
Arterial dissections: Common features and new perspectives
Authors: Bax Monique , Romanov Valentin , Junday Keerat , Giannoulatou Eleni , Martinac Boris , Kovacic Jason C. , Liu Renjing , Iismaa Siiri E. , Graham Robert M.
Published: December 2022

Arterial dissections, which involve an abrupt tear in the wall of a major artery resulting in the intramural accumulation of blood, are a family of catastrophic disorders causing major, potentially fatal sequelae. Involving diverse vascular beds, including the aorta or coronary, cervical, pulmonary, and visceral arteries, each type of dissection is devastating in its own way. Traditionally they have been studied in isolation, rather than collectively, owing largely to the distinct clinical consequences of dissections in different anatomical locations – such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and renal failure. Here, we review the shared and unique features of these arteriopathies to provide a better understanding of this family of disorders. Arterial dissections occur commonly in the young to middle-aged, and often in conjunction with hypertension and/or migraine; the latter suggesting they are part of a generalized vasculopathy. Genetic studies as well as cellular and molecular investigations of arterial dissections reveal striking similarities between dissection types, particularly their pathophysiology, which includes the presence or absence of an intimal tear and vasa vasorum dysfunction as a cause of intramural hemorrhage. Pathway perturbations common to all types of dissections include disruption of TGF-β signaling, the extracellular matrix, the cytoskeleton or metabolism, as evidenced by the finding of mutations in critical genes regulating these processes, including LRP1, collagen genes, fibrillin and TGF-β receptors, or their coupled pathways. Perturbances in these connected signaling pathways contribute to phenotype switching in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells of the affected artery, in which their physiological quiescent state is lost and replaced by a proliferative activated phenotype. Of interest, dissections in various anatomical locations are associated with distinct sex and age predilections, suggesting involvement of gene and environment interactions in disease pathogenesis. Importantly, these cellular mechanisms are potentially therapeutically targetable. Consideration of arterial dissections as a collective pathology allows insight from the better characterized dissection types, such as that involving the thoracic aorta, to be leveraged to inform the less common forms of dissections, including the potential to apply known therapeutic interventions already clinically available for the former.
Resolving responsibility gaps for lethal autonomous weapon systems
Authors: Smith Patrick Taylor
Published: December 2022

This paper offers a novel understanding of collective responsibility for AI outcomes that can help resolve the “problem of many hands” and “responsibility gaps” when it comes to AI failure, especially in the context of lethal autonomous weapon systems.
Coumarin-1,2,3-triazole hybrids as leading-edge anticancer agents
Authors: Mishra Krishna N. , Upadhyay Harish C.
Published: December 2022

Cancer is one of the most feared and dreaded diseases across the world. In clinical practice, a variety of anticancer agents of natural, semi-synthetic and synthetic origin exist, but they suffer from side effects and drug resistance, so they are insufficient to combat the disease. Coumarins are bicyclic benzene-pyrone-fused phytomolecules with a wide range of biological effects, including powerful anticancer activity on numerous cell lines. Additionally, they serve as an adaptable synthetic scaffold and research hub for medicinal chemists. On the other hand, triazoles are nitrogen-containing heterocycles having remarkable pharmacological effects including anticancer activities. Due to a better compatibility with the human metabolic system, the synthesis of nature inspired hybrid compounds as anticancer agents for a wide range of activity and fewer side effects is at the forefront of current research. In the last decade, huge research has been published on coumarin-1,2,3-triazole hybrids showing potent anticancer activities on various types of cancer. This review offers a recent, thorough literature compilation of contemporary research on the development of hybrid compounds based on coumarin-1,2,3-triazoles as potential anticancer leads throughout the previous 10 years.
A blended e-health intervention for improving functional capacity in elderly patients on haemodialysis: A feasibility study
Authors: Zemp Damiano D. , Baschung Pfister Pierrette , Knols Ruud H. , Quadri Pierluigi , Bianchi Giorgia , Giunzioni Davide , Lavorato Soraya , Giannini Olivier , de Bruin Eling D.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Physical exercise showed to be beneficial for frail older adults on haemodialysis (HD). However, there are several obstacles hindering the regular practice of exercise, such as transportation difficulties, lack of time, fatigue and comorbidities. E-health in this regard has many potential advantages and could be useful for motivating HD patients to increase their level of physical activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a blended e-health intervention for elderly HD patients who individually exercise at home while under remote supervision of a physiotherapist.

Material and methods

Patients over 60 years of age with sufficient cognitive and motoric resources to perform a simple physical test battery and to use a tablet-computer were recruited from four HD outpatient facilities. Following baseline assessment at home, the participants were visited by a physiotherapist (PT). The PT set an individual exercise programme and explained how to use the web-based interface. During the 12 weeks of training, the PTs remotely supervised the patients' progress. At 12 weeks follow-up a second assessment took place.

Results

Twenty-two patients were recruited to participate in the study. Seven patients dropped out of the blended programme and 15 patients concluded the programme. The average training frequency of the 15 participants concluding the study was 1.5 times a week [range 0.2–5.8]. The duration of a training session was between 20 and 40 min. The usability of the system was deemed positive. Regarding the efficacy of the intervention, no significant improvement of any measured parameter was found, and effect sizes were small to medium.

Conclusion

A blended e-health intervention supported by a web-based application for exercising at home under remote supervision of a PT is feasible in a HD population including older patients. However, before planning a randomized controlled trial, strategies to increase the recruitment rate and the adherence to such a blended intervention should be further developed, e.g., to improve the recruitment procedures and lower the expectable drop-out rate. Furthermore, the dosage of the blended programme should be adapted to the patients' physical performance levels in future trials.

The study was registered on the website clinicaltrials.gov with ID NCT04076488.
Prediction of differential performance between advanced placement exam scores and class grades using machine learning
Authors: Suzuki Honoka , Hong Maxwell , Ober Teresa , Cheng Ying
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Past studies have found students to perform differently between class grades and standardized test scores – two essential and complementary measures of student achievement. This study examines predictors of the relative performance between these two measures in the context of the advanced placement (AP) program, namely, we compared students’ AP exam scores to the class grade they received in the corresponding AP course. For example, if a student received a high AP class grade but a low AP exam score, what characteristics about the student or their learning context might explain such discrepancy?

Methods

We used machine learning, specifically random forests, and model interpretation methods on data collected from 381 high school students enrolled in an AP Statistics course in the 2017–2018 academic year, and additionally replicated our analyses on a separate cohort of 422 AP Statistics students from the 2018–2019 academic year.

Results

Both analyses highlighted students’ school and behavioral engagement as predictors of differential performance between AP class grades and AP exam scores.

Discussion

Associations between behavioral engagement and differential performance suggest that the ways in which a student interacts with AP course material to obtain high class grades can differ from study habits that lead to optimal performance on the AP exam. Additionally, school-level differences in relative performance pose equity concerns towards the use of AP exam scores in high-stakes decisions, such as college admissions. Implications are discussed from a pedagogical and policy perspective.
The role of weight stigma in weight regain in bariatric surgery
Authors: Himmelstein Mary S. , Knepp Kristen A. , Phelan Sean M.
Published: December 2022

Obesity is highly stigmatized, and individuals who undergo bariatric surgery are subject not only to weight stigma, but also to stigma related to the procedure itself. Patients lost to follow-up after surgery make estimating the amount of regain occurring after surgery difficult, and often patients fail to follow up due the shame of weight regain. Patients report difficulty following the diet necessary to maintain weight loss. Additionally, when they seek support after surgery, they often encounter stigmatizing messaging related to weight. Weight bias internalization, weight stigma, and stigma about having the surgery all contribute to feelings of social isolation, disordered eating, and reduced motivation to engage in physical activity. In this chapter, we present evidence for the impact of stigma on bariatric surgery outcomes and discuss the behavioral, physiological, and emotional processes that contribute to weight regain.
Implementation of a smart energy meter using blockchain and Internet of Things: A step toward energy conservation
Authors: Tahir Muhammad , Ismat Najma , Rizvi Huma Hasan , Zaffar Asma , Nabeel Mustafa Syed Muhammad , Khan Affan Ahmed
Published: December 2022

The looming energy crisis is affecting every sector of the world. The dire need to conserve energy has compelled researchers to bring automation to the power sector. The conservation of energy is one of the biggest challenges Third-World countries are facing in general and in Europe due to the Russian–Ukrainian war. There is a need to introduce such systems that can prevent energy loss and let users buy and sell excessive electricity they have. In the field of power and electricity, the Internet of Things (IoT) plays an active role in the conservation of energy. The new concept of smart grids is widely used for efficient transmission. The technique of blockchain can further reduce the wastage of energy and efficient consumption if it is used with smart grids. This article proposes a smart energy meter based on smart grids and blockchain. The proposed implementation is a demonstration containing a few microgrids, each with its very own blockchain. The users will use energy by making transactions, following the smart contracts. The focus is on the peer-to-peer transactions in a microgrid controlled by blockchain. The architectural design outcomes are a smart energy meter, a smart contract on the Ethereum blockchain, and an android application to monitor and control transactions and energy trade via smart contracts with other consumers.
Ungulate use of an at-grade fauna passage and roadside animal detection system: A pilot study from Southern Sweden
Authors: Bhardwaj Manisha , Erixon Filippa , Holmberg Isak , Seiler Andreas , Håkansson Emma , Elfström Marcus , Olsson Mattias
Published: December 2022

Wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) cost millions of euros each year in loss of life and damages. Wildlife crossing structures and fencing are commonly implemented mitigation strategies to reduce WVC and increase landscape connectivity for wildlife. Typically, crossing structures are over- or under-pass structures that allow animals to safely cross the road, while separating them from the road and traffic. An alternative strategy could be an at-grade fauna passage coupled with a Roadside Animal Detection System (RADS). At-grade fauna passages are designated locations where a gap in fencing allows animals to cross over the road, while RADS alert drivers of animals at the upcoming passage, so that they can adjust their driving behaviour accordingly and avoid collisions. In this pilot study, we investigated the use of one at-grade fauna passage by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) in southern Sweden, and compared changes in the number of WVCs before, during and after the construction of the passage. We collected a total of 326 wildlife crossings from 722 individuals over 1 year of monitoring (24 January 2020–24 January 2021). We found that crossing events tended to be dominated by the time animals spent in the roadside verge from which they approached the at-grade fauna passage, particularly for roe deer that spent a lot of time browsing in the roadside verge during dusk. We also found that animals spent longer in the passage if vehicles were present. In our 1 year of surveys, we only recorded three accidents, and when comparing the annual collision statistics before, during, and after construction of the at-grade fauna passage, we demonstrated an overall reduction in collisions by 66%. While our pilot only evaluates a single site, it does provide promising preliminary results that suggest that at-grade fauna passages can help in efforts to reduce collisions, while maintaining connectivity over medium-sized roads for large ungulates.
Estimating age specific prevalence and force of infection in Zimbabwe using combined cross-sectional surveys from 2005 to 2015
Authors: Birri Makota Rutendo , Musenge Eustasius
Published: December 2022

Objective

Age structured sexual mixing patterns have been noted to be associated with HIV prevalence and force of infection. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the age dependent HIV force of infection using survey cross-sectional data from Zimbabwe.

Methods

We fit generalized additive models namely; linear, semi-parametric, non-parametric and non-proportional hazards models. Using the 2005–06, 2010–11 and 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic Health Surveys data. The Akaike Information Criteria was used to select the best model. The best model was then used to estimate the age dependent HIV prevalence and force-of-infection.

Results

Based on birth year cohort-specific prevalence, the female HIV prevalence reaches the highest peak at around 29 years of age, then declines thereafter. Males have a lower cohort specific prevalence between 15 and 30 years than females. Male cohort-specific prevalence slightly decreases between the ages of 33 and 39, then peaks around the age of 40. The cohort-specific FOI is greater in females than in males throughout all age categories. In addition, the cohort-specific HIV FOI peaked at ages 22 and 40 for females and males, respectively. The observed 18-year age difference between the HIV FOI peaks of males and females.

Conclusion

Our model was appealing because we did not assume that the FOI is stationary over time; however, we used serological survey data to distinguish the FOI's age-and-time effect. The cohort-specific FOI peaked 18 years earlier in females than males, indicative of age-mixing patterns. We recommend interventions that target younger females so as to reduce HIV transmission rates.
Construction and validation of a novel cuproptosis-related long noncoding RNA signature for predicting the outcome of prostate cancer
Authors: Jiang Shaoqin , Li Zhihao , Dou Ruiling , Lin Zequn , Zhang Jili , Zhang Wenhui , Chen Zeyu , Shen Xianqi , Ji Jin , Qu Min , Wang Yan , Li Mengqiang , Gao Xu
Published: December 2022

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common tumors of the urinary system. Cuproptosis is a novel mode of controlled cell death that is related to the development of various tumor types. However, the functions of cuproptosis-related long noncoding RNAs (CRLs) in PCa have not yet been well studied.

Methods: In this study, data of PCa patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and from the Changhai Hospital. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses and LASSO regression analysis were conducted to screen CRLs linked to the prognosis of PCa patients. A risk score model was constructed on the basis of CRLs to predict prognosis. PCa patients were categorized into high- and low-risk cohorts. The predictive value of the risk score was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic curves, and nomograms. In addition, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were used to explore possible pathways involving CRLs in PCa. Immune function analysis confirmed the correlation between CRLs and immunity in PCa. Finally, we explored the tumor mutational burden and drug response in the high- and low-risk cohorts.

Results: First, we identified seven CRLs (C1orf229, C9orf139, LIPE-AS1, MCPH1-AS1, PRR26, SGMS1-AS1, and SNHG1) that were closely related to prognosis in PCa. The risk score model based on the selected CRLs could accurately predict the prognosis of PCa patients. The high-risk cohort was associated with worse disease-free survival (DFS) time in PCa patients (p < 0.001). ROC curve analysis was performed to confirm the validity of the signature (area under the curve (AUC) at 1 year: 0.703). Nomograms were constructed based on the risk score and clinicopathological features and also exhibited great predictive efficiency for PCa. GO and KEGG analyses showed that the CRLs were mainly enriched in metabolism-related biological pathways in PCa. In addition, immune function analysis showed that patients in the high-risk cohort had higher TMB and were more sensitive to conventional chemotherapy and targeted drugs including doxorubicin, epothilone B, etoposide, and mitomycin C.

Conclusion: We constructed a novel CRL-related risk score model to accurately predict the prognosis of PCa patients. Our results indicate that CRLs are potential targets for drug therapy in PCa and provide a possible new direction for personalized treatment of PCa patients.
Identification of hub genes correlated with tumor-associated M1-like macrophage infiltration in soft tissue sarcomas
Authors: Lv Minchao , He Feixiong , Guo Jinku , Zheng Zhenxin , Wang Wei , Xie Jun
Published: December 2022

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a heterogeneous series of tumors that might result in severe disability and death. Tumor-associated M1-like macrophage infiltration plays a critical role in tumor development and progression. This study aimed at identifying the hub genes associated with M1-like macrophage infiltration in STS cells. First, the expression profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were imported to calculate the level of M1-like macrophage infiltration by CIBERSORTx. Afterward, the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between macrophage infiltration and prognosis. Then, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and protein–protein interaction analysis of GEO data were applied to identify the key gene related to M1-like macrophage infiltration, followed by the functional analysis using TCGA cohort to validate downstream signaling associated with the gene. Finally, pan-cancer analysis was conducted to investigate the gene function in other types of tumors. We found LCK expression positively related to the M1-like macrophage infiltration level, and it positively regulated the expression level of genes regulated to macrophage polarization, and chemotaxis, including interferon-γ (INF-γ), interleukin-12 (IL12), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), PI3K, NF-κB, and CXCL9, 10, and 11. In summary, an ‘LCK-INF-γ/IL-12-TNF/PI3K-NF-κB’ axis might exist in STS cells that regulate M1-like macrophage infiltration.
Natural killer cells induce HIV-1 latency reversal after treatment with pan-caspase inhibitors
Authors: Furtado Milão Joana , Love Luca , Gourgi George , Derhaschnig Lukas , Svensson J. Peter , Sönnerborg Anders , van Domselaar Robert
Published: December 2022

The establishment of a latency reservoir is the major obstacle for a cure of HIV-1. The shock-and-kill strategy aims to reactivate HIV-1 replication in HIV -1 latently infected cells, exposing the HIV-1-infected cells to cytotoxic lymphocytes. However, none of the latency reversal agents (LRAs) tested so far have shown the desired effect in people living with HIV-1. We observed that NK cells stimulated with a pan-caspase inhibitor induced latency reversal in co-cultures with HIV-1 latently infected cells. Synergy in HIV-1 reactivation was observed with LRAs prostratin and JQ1. The supernatants of the pan-caspase inhibitor-treated NK cells activated the HIV-1 LTR promoter, indicating that a secreted factor by NK cells was responsible for the HIV-1 reactivation. Assessing changes in the secreted cytokine profile of pan-caspase inhibitor-treated NK cells revealed increased levels of the HIV-1 suppressor chemokines MIP1α (CCL3), MIP1β (CCL4) and RANTES (CCL5). However, these cytokines individually or together did not induce LTR promoter activation, suggesting that CCL3-5 were not responsible for the observed HIV-1 reactivation. The cytokine profile did indicate that pan-caspase inhibitors induce NK cell activation. Altogether, our approach might be–in combination with other shock-and-kill strategies or LRAs–a strategy for reducing viral latency reservoirs and a step forward towards eradication of functionally active HIV-1 in infected individuals.
Biologically Important Areas II for cetaceans within U.S. and adjacent waters – Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea Region
Authors: Brower Amelia , Ferguson Megan , Clarke Janet , Fujioka Ei , DeLand Sarah
Published: December 2022

We delineated and scored Biologically Important Areas (BIAs) for cetaceans in the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea region. BIAs represent areas and times in which cetaceans are known to concentrate for activities related to reproduction, feeding, and migration, and also the known ranges of small and resident populations. This effort, the second led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), uses structured elicitation principles to build upon the first version of NOAA’s BIAs (BIA I) for cetaceans. Supporting evidence for BIA II came from aerial-, land-, and vessel-based surveys; satellite-tagging data; passive acoustic monitoring; Indigenous knowledge; photo-identification data; whaling data, including stomach and fecal contents; prey studies; and genetics. In addition to narratives, maps, and metadata tables, the BIA II products incorporate a scoring and labeling system, which will improve their utility and interpretability. BIAs are compilations of the best available science and have no inherent regulatory authority. They have been used by NOAA, other federal agencies, and the public to support planning and marine mammal impact assessments, and to inform the development of conservation measures for cetaceans. In the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea region, a total of 19 BIAs were identified, delineated, and scored for seven species, including bowhead, North Pacific right, gray, humpback, fin, and sperm whales, and belugas. These include one hierarchical BIA for belugas that consists of one localized “child” BIA within an overarching “parent” BIA. There were 15 feeding, 3 migratory, and 1 small and resident population BIAs; no reproductive BIAs were identified. In some instances, information existed about a species’ use of a particular area and time, but the information was insufficient to confidently delineate the candidate BIA; in those cases, the candidate BIA was added to a watch list. A total of 22 watch list areas were identified and delineated for 10 species, including all species mentioned above and minke whales, harbor porpoises, and Dall’s porpoises. There were 15 feeding, 4 migratory, 2 reproductive, and 1 small and resident population watch list areas. Some BIAs and watch list areas were transboundary between the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea region and the Arctic region.