bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of smokeless tobacco use and prevalence among Sudanese adolescents
Authors: Othman Mohammed , Farid Nik Daliana Nik , Aghamohammadi Nasrin , Danaee Mahmoud 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
Smokeless tobacco is a part of social and cultural life in Sudan. The affordability and availability of this kind of tobacco make it a fundamental issue in adolescents. The aim of this study is to investigate the extent of the use of smokeless tobacco in adolescents and its determinants.

Methods
A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Khartoum state in Sudan. The study targeted male and female adolescents in secondary schools. A total of 3387 students from public and private schools participated in the study. Multistage random sampling was used to select the participants. The Arabic version questionnaire from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) was utilised to collect the data from the participants.

Results
Among the participants, 57.3% were females and 42.7% were males. Students from private and public schools were 48.4 and 51.6%, respectively. The overall prevalence of those who had ever used smokeless tobacco was 7.6%, in which the prevalence among male students was 11.0% while among females was 5.0%. The determinant factors were male gender (OR 1.53 CI 95% 1.03–2.28), family structure (OR 1.52 CI 95% 1.03–2.23), exposure to second-hand smoke at home (OR 1.60 CI 95% 1.11–2.31), friends smoking cigarettes (OR 1.78 CI 95% 1.22–2.60), lack of restriction of selling tobacco to minors (OR 1.73 CI 95% 1.25–2.39), promotion of smokeless tobacco (OR 2.12 CI 95% 1.20–3.72) and low self-efficacy (OR 7.47 CI 95% 4.45–12.52).

Conclusion
A comprehensive prevention programme that enforces the prohibition of the promotion of smokeless tobacco and the selling of smokeless tobacco to minors is crucial. Moreover, the prevention programme should enhance adolescents’ self-efficacy.
Effects of sulfuric, nitric, and mixed acid rain on the decomposition of fine root litter in Southern China
Authors: Liu Xin , Meng Miaojing , Zhang Yong , Li Chong , Ma Shilin , Li Qinyu , Ren Qiong , Zhang Yinlong , Zhang Jinchi 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
China has been increasingly subject to significant acid rain, which has negative impacts on forest ecosystems. Recently, the concentrations of NO3− in acid rain have increased in conjunction with the rapid rise of nitrogen deposition, which makes it difficult to precisely quantify the impacts of acid rain on forest ecosystems.

Methods
For this study, mesocosm experiments employed a random block design, comprised of ten treatments involving 120 discrete plots (0.6 m × 2.0 m). The decomposition of fine roots and dynamics of nutrient loss were evaluated under the stress of three acid rain analogues (e.g., sulfuric (SO42−/NO3− 5:1), nitric (1:5), and mixed (1:1)). Furthermore, the influences of soil properties (e.g., soil pH, soil total carbon, nitrogen, C/N ratio, available phosphorus, available potassium, and enzyme activity) on the decomposition of fine roots were analyzed.

Results
The soil pH and decomposition rate of fine root litter decreased when exposed to simulated acid rain with lower pH levels and higher NO3− concentrations. The activities of soil enzymes were significantly reduced when subjected to acid rain with higher acidity. The activities of soil urease were more sensitive to the effects of the SO42−/NO3− (S/N) ratio of acid rain than other soil enzyme activities over four decomposition time periods. Furthermore, the acid rain pH significantly influenced the total carbon (TC) of fine roots during decomposition. However, the S/N ratio of acid rain had significant impacts on the total nitrogen (TN). In addition, the pH and S/N ratio of the acid rain had greater impacts on the metal elements (K, Ca, and Al) of fine roots than did TC, TN, and total phosphorus. Structural equation modeling results revealed that the acid rain pH had a stronger indirect impact (0.757) on the decomposition rate of fine roots (via altered soil pH and enzyme activities) than direct effects. However, the indirect effects of the acid rain S/N ratio (0.265) on the fine root decomposition rate through changes in soil urease activities and the content of litter elements were lower than the pH of acid rain.

Conclusions
Our results suggested that the acid rain S/N ratio exacerbates the inhibitory effects of acid rain pH on the decomposition of fine root litter.
Side-branch expansion capacity of contemporary DES platforms
Authors: Öner Alper , Rosam Paula , Borowski Finja , Grabow Niels , Siewert Stefan , Schmidt Wolfram , Schmitz Klaus-Peter , Stiehm Michael 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) of bifurcation stenoses are both complex and challenging. Stenting strategies share that the stents’ side cells must be carefully explored and appropriately prepared using balloons or stents. So far, stent manufacturers have not provided any information regarding side-branch expansion capacity of their stent platforms.

Aims
Given that drug-eluting stent (DES) information regarding their mechanical capacity of side-branch expansion is not available, we aimed to evaluate contemporary DES (Orsiro, BIOTRONIK AG; Xience Sierra, Abbott Vascular; Resolute Integrity, Medtronic; Promus Premier Select, Boston Scientific; Supraflex Cruz, Sahajan and Medical Technologies) by their side-branch expansion behavior using in vitro bench testing.

Methods
In this in vitro study, we analyzed five commercially available DES (diameter 3.0 mm), measuring their side-branch expansion following inflation of different high-pressure non-compliant (NC) balloons (balloon diameter: 2.00–4.00 mm), thereby revealing the morphological characteristics of their side-branch expansion capacities.

Results
We demonstrated that all tested contemporary DES platforms could withstand large single-cell deformations, up to 4.0 mm. As seen in our side-branch experiments, DES designs consisting of only two connectors between strut rings did not only result in huge cell areas, but also in larger cell diameters following side-branch expansion compared with DES designs using three or more connectors. Furthermore, the stent cell diameter attained was below the balloon diameter at normal pressure.

Conclusions
We recommend that the expansion capacity of side-branches should be considered in stent selection for bifurcation interventions.
On the seasonal variations of ocean bottom pressure in the world oceans
Authors: Cheng Xuhua , Ou Niansen , Chen Jiajia , Huang Rui Xin 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSeasonal variability of the ocean bottom pressure (OBP) in the world oceans is investigated using 15 years of GRACE observations and a Pressure Coordinate Ocean Model (PCOM). In boreal winter, negative OBP anomalies appear in the northern North Pacific, subtropical South Pacific and north of 40 °S in the Indian Ocean, while OBP anomaly in the Southern Ocean is positive. The summer pattern is opposite to that in winter. The centers of positive (negative) OBP signals have a good coherence with the mass convergence/divergence due to Ekman transport, indicating the importance of wind forcing. The PCOM model reproduces the observed OBP quite well. Sensitivity experiments indicate that wind forcing dominates the regional OBP seasonal variations, while the contributions due to heat flux and freshwater flux are unimportant. Experiments with daily sea level pressure (SLP) forcing suggest that at high frequencies the non-static effect of SLP is not negligible.
An additional lysis procedure during arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint
Authors: Lee Keon-Mo , Jang Wan-Hee , You Myoung-Sang , Lee Bu-Kyu 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
Arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an easy, highly efficient, minimally invasive procedure for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). However, in some cases of mouth opening limitation (MOL), routine arthrocentesis is ineffective due to severe fibrotic adhesion in the superior joint space of the TMJ. In this condition, mechanical lysis of the adhesions might be needed to resolve the MOL, as well as other symptoms, such as chronic pain. Currently, this can be achieved by arthroscopic surgery or open TMJ surgery. The objective of this study was to introduce and evaluate our trial of the adhesion lysis procedure during arthrocentesis of the TMJ using normal 18-gauge needles.

Results
In this study, 40 patients with MOL due to disc derangement underwent conventional arthrocentesis at first and then physical detachment was conducted using the same needle. The change in maximum mouth opening (MMO) and the pain at the TMJ were recorded before, during, and after treatment according to our protocol. The mean increase in MMO after conventional arthrocentesis was 6.6 ± 4.2mm. The mean increase in MMO after the detachment procedure with the same needle was 4.2 ± 2.0 mm. The MMO in ten patients was significantly increased after the detachment procedure than after arthrocentesis alone. In all cases, the pain intensity in the TMJ significantly decreased over time, whereas the MMO increased over time. No adverse effect was observed in all joints during our observation periods.

Conclusion
We confirmed that our simple lysis procedure with the same needle of the arthrocentesis of the TMJ could not only improve the MMO more than after a conventional arthrocentesis but also resolve severe adhesion of the joint space that was ineffective by conventional arthrocentesis. Although this additional lysis procedure is simple, it might reduce the number of cases of more invasive procedures such as arthroscopic surgery or open TMJ surgery.
Multi-level analyses of distance education capacity, faculty members’ adaptation, and indicators of student satisfaction in higher education during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Karadag Engin , Su Ahmet , Ergin-Kocaturk Hatice 
Published: October 2021

AbstractCOVID-19 pandemic triggered distance education in higher education. Decisions such as isolation, social distancing and quarantine made by countries unexpectedly and suddenly forced face-to-face education to change to distance education within days. All academics around the world had to move online overnight. All the educational and academic activities in higher education (courses, exams, meetings, etc.) had to be conducted online in a few days. Based on these changes, this study aimed to analyze the relationships among student, faculty (adaptations of faculty members to distance education) and institutional (distance learning capacities of the universities) variables that affected satisfaction of the students related to distance education in higher education institutions in Turkey during COVID-19 pandemic using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM). The study group included 14,962 students and 3631 academics from 30 universities. The results showed that universities with higher distance education capacities got higher satisfaction scores. HLM analysis showed that 43% of the variation in satisfaction scores resulted from universities. The second HLM analysis showed that 44% of the overall satisfaction score variance of the students could be explained by the factors of university features (Level 2: distance education capacity and acceptance and use of distance education systems of faculty members). Thus, it was determined that 44% of the university factor calculated as 43% in Model 1 (which is calculated within students’ general satisfaction scores) resulted from the distance education capacity and the acceptance and use of distance education systems of faculty members. The findings of this study provide insights to improve distance education by stakeholders of higher education institutions.
Patient-reported outcome measures in the care of in-centre hemodialysis patients
Authors: Davison Sara N. , Klarenbach Scott , Manns Braden , Schnick-Makaroff Kara , Buzinski Robert , Corradetti Bonnie , Short Hilary , Johnson Jeffrey A. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractKidney failure requiring dialysis is associated with high symptom burden and low health-related quality of life (HRQL). Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are standardized instruments that capture patients’ symptom burden, level of functioning, and HRQL. The routine use of PROMs can be used to monitor aspects of patients’ health that may otherwise be overlooked, inform care planning, and facilitate the introduction of treatments. Incorporating PROMs into clinical practice is an appropriate strategy to engage patients and enhance their role in decisions regarding their care and outcomes. However, the implementation of PROMs measurement and associated interventions can be challenging given the nature of clinical practice in busy hemodialysis units, the variations in organization and clinical workflow across units, as well as regional programs. Implementing PROMs and linking these with actionable treatment aids to alleviate bothersome symptoms and improve patients’ wellbeing is key to improving patients’ health. Other considerations in implementing PROMs within a hemodialysis setting include integration into electronic medical records, purchase and configuration of electronic tools (i.e., tablets), storage and disinfection of such tools, and ongoing IT resources. It is important to train clinicians on the practical elements of using PROMs, however there is also a need to engage clinicians to use PROMs on an ongoing basis. This article describes how PROMs have been implemented at in-centre hemodialysis units in Alberta, Canada, addressing each of these elements.
Earthen–wooden hybrid houses built by the Dai in Dehong Prefecture, South China
Authors: Oranratmanee Rawiwan , Ounchanum Pandin 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe Dai (or Tai) are an indigenous ethnic group distributed across the upper part of Southeast Asia and South China. Whereas the majority of the Dai living on the Southeast Asian mainland build wooden houses on stilts, Dai populations in South China, especially in Dehong Prefecture, are known for the distinctive architectural style of their hybrid earthen–wooden houses, which stems from their enduring social contact and cultural assimilation with Chinese settlers. This paper, which draws on comprehensive fieldwork conducted in Dai villages in Dehong Prefecture, explores the Dai’s hybrid earthen–wooden architecture. Specifically, it examines the development of forms, the relationship between settlement layouts and house plans, as well as building materials, structures and constructions characterising this architecture using data from qualitative surveys, architectural measurements and interviews. The hybrid architecture of the Dehong Dai demonstrates the fusion of two building cultures—earthen and wooden—that has shaped a vernacular architectural identity that is unique to this area. This paper also presents illustrative examples of earthen–wooden houses, thereby contributing to advancing knowledge about this eclectic, hybrid architecture that remains a gap in the academic literature.
Deep supervised hashing for gait retrieval
Authors: Sayeed Shohel , Min Pa Pa , Ong Thian Song 
Published: October 2021

Background: Gait recognition is perceived as the most promising biometric approach for future decades especially because of its efficient applicability in surveillance systems. Due to recent growth in the use of gait biometrics across surveillance systems, the ability to rapidly search for the required data has become an emerging need. Therefore, we addressed the gait retrieval problem, which retrieves people with gaits similar to a query subject from a large-scale dataset. Methods: This paper presents the deep gait retrieval hashing (DGRH) model to address the gait retrieval problem for large-scale datasets. Our proposed method is based on a supervised hashing method with a deep convolutional network. We use the ability of the convolutional neural network (CNN) to capture the semantic gait features for feature representation and learn the compact hash codes with the compatible hash function. Therefore, our DGRH model combines gait feature learning with binary hash codes. In addition, the learning loss is designed with a classification loss function that learns to preserve similarity and a quantization loss function that controls the quality of the hash codes Results: The proposed method was evaluated against the CASIA-B, OUISIR-LP, and OUISIR-MVLP benchmark datasets and received the promising result for gait retrieval tasks. Conclusions: The end-to-end deep supervised hashing model is able to learn discriminative gait features and is efficient in terms of the storage memory and speed for gait retrieval.
Reducing sources of variance in experimental procedures in in vitro research
Authors: Fischer Igor , Martinez-Dominguez Maria Victoria , Hänggi Daniel , Kahlert Ulf 
Published: October 2021

Background: Lack of reproducibility in preclinical research is a problem posing ethical and economic challenges for biomedical science. Various institutional activities from society stakeholders of leading industry nations are currently underway to improve the situation. Such initiatives usually attempt to tackle high-level organisational issues and do not typically focus on improving experimental approaches per se. Addressing these is necessary in order to increase consistency and success rates of lab-to-lab repetitions. Methods: In this project, we statistically evaluated repetitive data of a very basic and widely applied lab procedure, namely quantifying the number of viable cells. The purpose of this was to appreciate the impact of different parameters and instrumentations that may constitute sources of variance in this procedure. Conclusion: By comparing the variations of data acquired under two different procedures, featuring improved stringency of protocol adherence, our project attempts to propose guidelines on how to reduce such variations. We believe our work can contribute to tackling the repeatability crisis in biomedical research.
Ponseti treated idiopathic clubfoot - outcome predictive factors in the test of time: Analysis of 500 feet followed for five to 20 years
Authors: Hemo Yoram , Yavor Ariella , Kalish Meirav , Segev Eitan , Wientroub Shlomo 
Published: October 2021

Purpose To investigate a set of risk factors on the outcome of Ponseti treated idiopathic clubfeet (ICF). Methods This study was approved by the institutional review board. A retrospective analysis of prospectively gathered data over a 20-year period, at a single dedicated clubfoot clinic. Records of 333 consecutive infants with 500 ICF were analyzed. Initial Pirani score, number of casts, need for tenotomy, foot abduction brace compliance and functional score had been documented. The need for surgery after initial correction was the outcome measure. All children were followed by the same team throughout the study period. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared and multivariate analysis were performed. Results In total, 82 children (24%) with 119 feet (23.8%) were operated on, with 95.1% of feet being operated up to the age of nine years. There was a significant correlation between the Pirani score at presentation and the number of surgical procedures (chi-squared = 79.32; p < 0.001). Achilles tenotomy was done in 94.8% of patients. Pirani score of > 4.5 before casting was strongly associated with increased surgical risk (odds ratio = 1.95). When six to eight cast changes were needed, surgical prospect was 2.9 more, increasing to 11.9 when nine or more casts were needed. Conclusion Foot severity and number of cast changes were the strongest predictors for future surgery. Estimation of the risk of deformity recurrence after initial correction may help in tailoring a cost-effective personal treatment and follow-up protocol. Personalized focused protocol will help patients and caregivers and will reduce expenses. Level of Evidence Level II - prognostic study.
Multi-hole spherical CT scan method to characterize large quantities of bones in rats
Authors: Neng Nenden Mulyaningsih  , Ariadne Lakshmidevi Juwono  , Djarwani Soeharso Soejoko  , Dewi Apri Astuti  
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND New therapeutic options are often explored in in vivo studies using animals like rats. Since rats are small, it is difficult to examine them in a computed tomography (CT) scan. This study aimed to introduce a multi-hole spherical model CT scan method as a new, fast, economical, and reliable method to characterize large quantities of rat bones at once in estimating the timing of osteoporosis in ovariectomized white rats.
METHODS 50 female white rats (12 weeks old) were treated as the control group, and 40 rats of the same age were ovariectomized to establish the osteoporosis model. Sham rats were sacrificed at 13, 15, 17, 19, and 21 weeks old, while the ovariectomized rats were sacrificed at 15, 17, 19, and 21 weeks old. Afterward, tibia bones were removed, placed in the multi-hole spherical model, and characterized using a CT scan. Their characteristics were compared using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
RESULTS The Hounsfield unit scores resulted from the multi-hole spherical model CT scan method of tibia bones of rats were consistent with the percentage of the osteocyte cavities, canalicular diameters, and crystal size. The multi-hole spherical model CT scan method could produce 50 times more data than the SEM, TEM, or XRD.
CONCLUSIONS Multi-hole spherical model CT scan was considered good and reliable in assessing bone quality parameters in rat samples simultaneously.
Simultaneous measurement of liquid-film thickness and solute concentration of aqueous solutions of two urea derivatives using NIR absorption
Authors: Lubnow M. , Dreier T. , Schulz C. , Endres T. 
Published: October 2021

We present a method to simultaneously measure the film thickness and individual concentrations of two urea derivates (urea

C
H

4

N

2

O

and dimethylurea

C

3

H

8

N

2

O

) mixed in an aqueous solution at constant temperature using near-infrared (NIR) absorption at multiple specific wavelengths. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of aqueous mixtures of urea and dimethylurea solutions were recorded in the 1250–2500 nm wavelength range in thin-layer quartz cuvettes at room temperature. The spectra reveal suitable detection wavelengths, i.e., 1450, 1933, 2200, and 2270 nm, for which both the absorption coefficient and its variation with the species concentration are large enough to achieve satisfactory detection sensitivity and selectivity. For validation measurements, samples were prepared in thin-layer quartz transmission cells with known path lengths and mixture compositions in the range 100–1000 µm and 0–40 wt.%, respectively. Film thickness and mass fractions of both species were determined from measured absorbance ratios in the determined characteristic wavelength bands.