bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Healthcare workers’ perceptions and user experiences of biometric technology in the selected healthcare facilities in Zambia
Authors: Hamapa Arnold , Zulu Joseph M , Khondowe Oswell , Hangulu Lydia 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background Biometric recognition, using traits like fingerprints, faces, and irises, has advanced significantly, enabling accurate identification. Despite progress, implementation in Zambian healthcare is limited. This study explored healthcare workers' and patients' perceptions and experiences regarding biometric technology in Zambian healthcare settings, offering insights for informed decision-making and product design. Methods This phenomenological study explored the perceptions and experiences of healthcare workers and end-users (patients) concerning biometric technology in four healthcare facilities in Lusaka Province: Chilenje, Chawama, Kanyama (first-level hospitals), and Railways Urban Clinic. These facilities were purposefully selected for their active use of biometric services and involvement with the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA). The study included 20 healthcare workers and 16 patients. Face-to-face interviews with healthcare workers and patients, and focus group discussions with users, lasting 35 to 65 minutes, were conducted. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded with Nvivo version 12, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Facilitators included efficient system integration, investment in biometric equipment, workflow transformation, and patient recognition of benefits. Barriers included infrastructure limitations, technical challenges, patient resistance and misconceptions, and accessibility challenges for individuals with disabilities. Conclusion This study highlights the transformative potential of biometric identification systems in healthcare, emphasizing benefits in efficiency and data integrity. Successful integration requires addressing facilitators like education and infrastructure and mitigating barriers such as cultural resistance and technological limitations. Stakeholders, including policymakers and healthcare providers, can use these insights to align efforts with Sustainable Development Goals for improved healthcare access and reduced inequalities. Considering user perspectives is crucial for effective implementation, and continuous improvement can enhance healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
The effect of citric acid concentration, reaction temperature and time on the esterification of some varieties of yam flour in Nigeria
Authors: Olatide Modupe , Oladele Ebun , Lajide Labunmi , Oluwasina Olugbenga 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Citric acid esterification of two accessions of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata), ‘Aro’ and ‘Efuru’, Yellow yam (D. cayanensis) flours were carried out with four different concentrations of citric acid (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%w/v /100g sample) under varying reaction temperature and time
(110oC for 2 hours, 110oC for 3 hours, 120oC for 2hours and120oC for 3hours). The Degree of substitution (DS), Reaction Efficiency, and alpha – amylase digestibility of the products were determined. The DS obtained was 0.011 – 0.178. The reaction efficiency at 110oC for 2 hours, 110oC for 3 hours, 120oC for 2 hours and 120oC for 3hours across all samples were (11.33% - 34.05%), (12.96% - 52.14%), (26.67% - 39.94%) and (32.01% - 65.11%) respectively. For esterification at 120oC for 3hours, the reaction efficiency were higher than 50% for almost all samples at citric acid concentration of 10% - 30%w/v. However, at 40%w/v, the reaction efficiency decreased to less than 50%. Alpha amylase digestibility reduced as the concentration of citric acid, temperature and reaction time of the esterification process increased. The least reduction in digestibility (1.15%) was obtained at 110oC for 2hours at 10% citric acid concentration, while the highest reduction in digestibility (93.42%) was obtained at 120oC for 3hours at 30% citric acid concentration. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that concentration of citric acid, reaction temperature and time correlate positively with the degree of substitution and alpha amylase resistivity, however steric effect reduced the reaction efficiency as the concentration of citric acid dosages increased.
Knowledge, opinions and experiences of nurses and nursing students in Portugal regarding the use of Medical Cannabis
Authors: Paiva Catarina , Santos Teresa , Cunha-Oliveira Aliete , Rosendo Inês , Pita João-Rui 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background: The opening up of the laws to medicinal cannabis in recent years is a key factor in the growth of this therapy, but there is little information about what nurses know and think about it.
The present paper seeks to analyse the knowledge, opinions and experiences of nurses and nursing students in Portugal regarding the use of cannabis and to understand gender differences.
Methods: A self-completion questionnaire was drawn up and published on line. It received face and content validity and was approved by the Ethics Committee. The instrument includes socio-demographic data, questions about knowledge, opinions, experiences and training in cannabis. The data was collected and processed by applying descriptive and inferential statistics using the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test on the SPSS platform.
Results: The majority of the 610 participants were women. The therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis were appreciated by 79,6% of nurses and 84,3% of students. When asked about the functions of the endocannabinoid system, 71,7% of nurses and 79,5% of students had never heard of it. There is a statistically significant gender difference concerning personal experience of cannabis use to treat symptoms or illnesses.
Conclusions: There is a need for further education of nurses and to include this emerging area in the curricula.
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction in aged mice after sevoflurane inhalation: crosstalk of gut microbiota, metabolomics, and proteomics
Authors: Qu Xutong , Li Hongxu , Li Huiping , Dong Zhenkun , Liu Hongyu , Xin Yu , Zhou Yuxin , Wang Shaofei , Li Mingqi , Li Jiaying , Yin Xueqing , Zhao Xinyu , Wang Changsong , Zhang Zhaodi 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background: General anaesthesia, especially sevoflurane inhalation anaesthesia, is an independent risk factor for postoperative cognitive dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanism by which sevoflurane inhalation alters postoperative cognitive function remains unclear.
Methods: According to the water maze behaviour experiment, sixteen-month-old mice receiving sevoflurane inhalation were divided into postoperative cognitive dysfunction and none cognitive dysfunction groups. Faecal samples were collected from two groups one day before intervention and 1, 3, and 7 days after. Moreover, hippocampal and serum samples were collected seven days after intervention. Faecal samples were analysed at the microbiome and metabolomics levels. The hippocampal samples were analysed using proteomics and metabolomics. Moreover, serum samples were analysed using metabolomics. Further, bioinformatics technology was used to integrate and analyse the omics.
Results: The significantly downregulated Ohtaekwangia (P=0.022) and Odoribacter (P=0.016) in the intestinal microbes of aged mice with ostoperative cognitive function had a significant positive correlation with the faecal metabolite, guanosine-5'-monophosphate (P=0.008). At the same time, guanosine-5-monophosphate showed the same downward trend in stool and serum samples. In addition, 1,7-dimethylxanthine was significantly downregulated in the hippocampus of aged mice with ostoperative cognitive function and was positively correlated with calpastatin, whose expression was downregulated (P=0.013).
Conclusions: Significant changes in microorganisms, proteins, and metabolites were detected in the faecal, serum, and hippocampal samples of aged mice with ostoperative cognitive function induced by sevoflurane inhalation. Moreover, there was a correlation between the three samples. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of ostoperative cognitive function.
Obsessive-compulsive Disorder and Depression in University Students: Serial Meditation of (Intrusive and Deliberate) Rumination and Social Anxiety
Authors: Ravelo Yennifer , Gonzalez-Mendez Rosaura , Birba Agustina , León-Méndez Melany , Rico Emma , Jan Damián , Padrón Iván , de Vega Manuel , Marrero Hipólito 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Early non-clinical obsessive-compulsive symptoms often disrupt young people’s social life in different ways and make the onset of clinical conditions more likely. Evidence shows frequent comorbidity between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and depression, suggesting that the former can start before depressive symptoms appear. However, the mechanisms that make this association more likely are unclear. This cross-sectional study examines whether (intrusive and deliberate) rumination and social anxiety play a serial mediating role between preclinical conditions in university students.
Methods
Two hundred and eighty-two university students responded to different scales that measure obsessive-compulsive symptoms, (intrusive and deliberate) rumination, social anxiety, and depression. Serial mediation analysis was computed using macro program PROCESS 4.2.
Results
Mediation analysis supported a direct positive association between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and depression, as well as multiple serial mediation of the three mediators analyzed. However, while greater intrusive rumination and social anxiety make depression more likely, deliberate rumination contributes to decreasing the risk of depression by reducing social anxiety.
Conclusions
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms, intrusive rumination, and social anxiety can increase the risk of depression, either separately or when combined. By contrast, deliberate rumination seems to be a protective factor as it is associated with less social anxiety. Deliberate rumination also plays a mediating role between intrusive rumination and social anxiety, which in turn makes depression less likely. Interventions based on training in deliberate rumination could attenuate the impact of obsessive-compulsive symptoms on social anxiety and depression.
Water Richness Evaluation of Coal Roof Aquifers Based On the Game Theory Combination Weighting Method and TOPSIS Model
Authors: Shi Longqing , Li Yu , Han Jin , Yang Xiao 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Coal seam roof water breakout problem is a serious threat to the safe production of coalfield mines, accurate prediction of the water richness of the well field is of great significance to the coal mining as well as mine water control. Aiming at the problem of coal bed roof water breakout, the water richness evaluation of the Neogene and Permian strata between the coal bed and the surface was carried out. Taking a mine located in Shandong, China as the study area, we have selected ten influencing factors to establish a multi-index water richness evaluation system that comprises three indicators. A water richness prediction method based on the Game Theory combinatorial weighting and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) has been proposed, and a water richness evaluation model has been established accordingly. Using the Entropy Weight Method (EWM) and the improved Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method to obtain the weights of the indicators, and combining them with the Game Theory. The results show that the influence of the overlying strata of the coal seam on the safe mining of coal mines in the study area mainly exists in the southern region of the well field, and the scope of the stripping danger zone is circled, which is more consistent with the actual measurement, indicating that the accuracy and feasibility of this method are high, and it provides a new idea and method for the Similar issues.
Revision of the biological monitoring working party score system: Evidence from the subtropical urban river in China
Authors: Zhang Mengyue , Yu Mingqiao , Ding Sen , Li Zhao 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Despite their socio-economic and ecological functions, urban rivers are among the most endangered and threatened ecosystems, especially in developing countries, where the impact of population growth, urbanization, etc., on urban river ecosystem is more pronounced. Reliable and affordable bioassessment tools are fundamental for managing and restoring urban river ecosystems. This study collected macroinvertebrates from a typical urban river of the Pearl River Delta region in the dry season (December 2021 to January 2022) and the wet season (May to June 2022). Family sensitivity values (FSVs) were revised based on local biotic and abiotic data, and then used to adapt the Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) and Average Score per Taxon (ASPT) indices. The study employed Shapiro-Wilk normality test and linear regression model to analyze the fitting relationship between bio-indices and Water Quality Index (WQI), and compared their differences between using the origin FSVs and revised FSVs. The results indicated that the revised FSVs for urban rivers decreased. Furthermore, due to differences in macroinvertebrate taxa composition and water quality conditions between dry and wet seasons, the revised FSVs differed between the two seasons, and the lower FSV of the specific family were recommended, reflecting the lower limit of pollution tolerance. The adapted BMWP and ASPT indices provide more accurate water quality assessment results and are reliable indicators in urban rivers. Thus, the adapted macroinvertebrate indicator is a suitable bioassessment tool for subtropical urban rivers in this region, allowing the identification of priority areas for management and a recovery plan.
A new method for identifying elastic parameters of isotropic materials based on square specimens
Authors: Zhang Longxin , Zhang Wenbin , Xu Han , Ma Yaxing 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

In order to solve the problem of errors caused by unstandardized operation of the impulse excitation technique in system identification, this paper proposed a method of measurement using a specimen plate with a square cross-section. The method was based on modern control theory to decouple the free vibration of a square specimen. First, the functional relationship between the intrinsic frequency of the specimen and the geometrical dimensions and mechanical parameters was established by combining the finite element method. Then, the continuous functional relationship derived by the homotopy method allowed the frequency ratio to be related to the thickness-to-length ratio and Poisson's ratio. By measuring the frequency ratio and thickness to length ratio, Poisson's ratio could be calculated using this functional relationship. When the density and Poisson's ratio were known, the Young's modulus could be performed inversely in conjunction with the finite element analysis. Finally, a comparison test between this method and the traditional impulse excitation technique was designed and implemented, and the results showed that this method has advantages in both testing efficiency and accuracy. The study provides a new idea for system identification, which has important application value and promotion significance.
ABACS: Attribute-Based Access Control System using digital keys
Authors: Mohamed Samer I. , Mostafa Manal , Assaly Jalal , Shalabi Ahmed S. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Access control systems are the most utilized preventive and protective solution for guaranteeing highly secure and monitored environments where people can move about and live in complete safety. The Smart Building Access Management System using Digital Keys provides an efficient means of granting or revoking access to users in residential and commercial buildings. It responds to the ever-increasing demand for internet-connected devices and the need for a system that is secure, convenient, and easy to manage. Despite the pivotal role of access control systems, the current technological standing shows severe security vulnerabilities, a lack of practical management solutions and a non-optimized user conveniency. Majorly used credential technologies show an absence of encryption capabilities. Some user management solutions do not scale well and present a lack of proper scalability. Our proposed system in this paper is the Attribute-Based Access Control System (ABACS) for Smart Building Access Management System, which offers an internet-oriented physical access control system, based on an end-to-end secured solution, an easy-to-use hybrid cloud-based system for effective access management and a mobile user application for optimal convenience. Authentication, integrity, and confidentiality are guaranteed using multiple security methods, including a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) for a safe digital key storage and encryption, and the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol for secured channel communication, supported by a trusted third-party Certification Authority (CA). The Near-Field Communication (NFC) channel is used for quick key sharing. Access policies and user management is achieved using the hybrid fog-cloud paradigm and the Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) model. Finally, user convenience and optimal user experience are reached by means of an aesthetic mobile application for digital key generation and storage. The testing results and performance evaluation show that our proposed system’s backend, efficiently processes requests in both sequential and concurrent scenarios. With sequential requests, our proposed system’s longest-performing request outperforms iPACS’s by at least tenfold. In addition, with concurrent requests, our system shows a performance at least twice better than iPACS’s.
In-silico Study of Novel Dimeric flavonoid (OC251FR2) from the Seeds of Garcinia kola Heckel (Clusiaceae) Against Alpha Estrogen Receptor (ER-α) of Breast cancer
Authors: Eugene-Osoikhia Tunmise .T , Odozi Nnenna .W , Yeye Emmanuel .O , Isiaka Mohammed , Oladosu Ibrahim. A 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

In silico approach was used to investigate the inhibitory activities of a novel dimeric flavanonol OC251FR2 (3,3'-oxybis(5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chroman-4-one)-3,3'-oxybis(5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chroman-4-one) isolated from the chloroform fraction of Garcinia kola, against alpha Estrogen receptor (ER-α); a major contributor to the growth of breast cancer. The docking was conducted using Maestro module 13.5 to obtained the ER-α PDB (5W9C) from NCBI. The OC251FR2 was docked using ligprep module with 4-hydroxytamoxifen being the reference drug. The qikpro was used to investigate the drug-likeliness while ligand docking and induced fit docking were used to investigate the interaction and binding affinity of the ligands with the active sites of the PDB. The result shows that the isolated OC251FR2 interact more with amino acids in the active sites via H-bond, pi-pi interaction than the reference drug 4-Hydroxytamoxifen. The drug-likeliness determined by qikpro shows that OC251FR2 violated three of the Lipinski rules of 5, and also have percent oral absorption. The quantum mechanics values show that OC251FR2 have similar properties comparable to the reference drug 4-hydroxytamoxifen. Hence, can serve as potential lead against alpha Estrogen receptor (ER-α).
Biopesticide transplant dips and foliar acaricide applications for control of cyclamen mite (Phytonemus pallidus) in strawberry.
Authors: Renkema Justin 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Cyclamen mite (Phytonemus pallidus) causes injury to new growth of strawberry plants and is difficult to control because it is protected by folded leaves and plant crowns. Since cyclamen mite is easily transferred from strawberry nurseries to fruiting fields, dipping transplants in biopesticides may reduce initial populations. However, cyclamen mite numbers at 1 and 3 months-after-planting and yield and cyclamen mite injury to fruit in the following season did not differ among transplants immersed for 30 sec in Captiva® Prime, EcoTrol® EC, Landscape Oil, SuffOil-X® or Kopa Insecticidal Soap or the untreated control. Cyclamen mite is primarily controlled with foliar applications of acaricides, but there are few registered products. In greenhouse experiments, fenazaquin and pyridaben reduced cyclamen mite numbers by more than 90% in new leaves compared to the control, similar to that of the standard abamectin. New leaf injury ratings were reduced from 1 on average (scale of 0-3; 0 = no injury) pre-application to 0.25-0.5 for fenazaquin, pyridaben, and abamectin-treated plants compared to increasing to 2 for control plants 2 weeks after application. Spiromesifen and chlorfenapyr reduced cyclamen mite numbers in folded leaves in one greenhouse experiment. In the field, all acaricides reduced cyclamen mite numbers by 90-99% at 2- and 6-weeks post-application and by 75-90% at 10 months post-application. Abamectin and pyridaben resulted in 0.5-1.0% of strawberries with cyclamen mite damage compared to 3.0% for the control. All acaricides except chlorfenapyr improved strawberry yield and size. Overall, fenazaquin, pyridaben and spiromesifen should help diversify the chemical toolbox for cyclamen mite in field strawberry.
Soil is in a Self-Organised Critical State with a Tipping Point Driven by Carbon
Authors: Crawford John , Bacq-Labreuil Aurélie , Hasan Cris , Kauffman Stuart , Mooney Sacha , Young Iain , Zhang Xiaoxian , Neal Andrew 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Unsustainable practices are degrading over 40% of global agricultural soils, which in turn is driving climate change, biodiversity loss, and food and water insecurity at a planetary scale. We don’t know if further degradation will be proportionate or if there is a tipping point that will result in catastrophic loss of function. While increasing soil organic carbon stocks can restore soil functions, there is a lack of consensus on how carbon levels can be maintained, and we don’t understand how soil carbon impacts soil function. These uncertainties are the most significant barriers to investing in soil at the necessary scale and pace. Here, we develop and test a mechanistic theory that the soil system is in a self-organised critical state with a critical, or ‘tipping’, point driven by organic carbon. The parameters of the dynamical state are independent of time and management but depend on soil texture. While tillage and reduced input of carbon push soils toward this tipping point, we show the primary consequence of the self-organised critical state is maintaining functional resilience when carbon inputs fluctuate. We discuss how this dynamic state relates to the concept of soil health and the means to measure and restore it at scale.