bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prolonged exposure to a public health event: the mediating role of resilience between social support and post-traumatic growth among frontline nurses
Authors: Zeng Dejian , Li Yan , Yang Caixia , Tang Dan , Yi Yanzhi , He Yanjun , Yang Mingyan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background In the early days of December 2022, the Chinese government ended its restrictive quarantine measures (e.g. nationwide lockdown) against COVID-19, which started in December 2019. Three years of prolonged exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictive quarantine policy had a notable impact on the mental health of frontline nurses. Traumatic events can have negative effects on people as well as positive ones, such as post-traumatic growth (PTG). Studies have revealed that frontline nurses’ self-perceived quality of life had not changed significantly when the pandemic’s effects lessened. The Chinese model of fighting the pandemic provided a valuable opportunity for studying the effects of prolonged exposure traumatic events on PTG in individuals.
Objective This cross-sectional study attempted to investigate PTG and its relationship with social support and resilience among frontline nurses during COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods A sample of 378 frontline nurses from tertiary hospitals in China participated in this study. The study took place two weeks after the government announced the end of the quarantine policy in December 2022 in China. Participants’ PTG, resilience and social support were assessed using the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory, Social Support Rate Scale and 14-Item Resilience Scale, respectively. PROCESS Procedure Model 4 was employed to examine the mediating role of resilience between social support and PTG.
Results The results of mediating effect analysis showed that social support could significantly predict resilience (a = 0.752, SE = 0.079, P <0.001). Social support could significantly predict PTG (c’ = 0.366, SE = 0.103, P <0.001), and resilience could also significantly predict PTG (b = 0.226, SE = 0.060, P <0.001). Bootstrap test identified a significant mediating effect of resilience between social support and PTG (ab = 0.170, BootSE = 0.077, 95% CI [0.031, 0.330]). The mediating effect contributed 31.72% of the total effect ([a×b]/c=[0.752×0.226]/0.536=0.3172), indicating a partial mediating role of resilience between social support and PTG.
Conclusion Resilience partially mediated the relationship between social support and PTG among frontline nurses during COVID-19 pandemic. Improving social support and resilience might be effective intervention strategies for promoting PTG among frontline nurses during traumatic events.
Quality by Design Driven Development of Lipid Nanoparticles for Cutaneous Targeting: A Preliminary Approach
Authors: Patel Viral , Mehta Tejal , Shah Jigna , Soni Kinal 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Clotrimazole (CTZ) is an imidazole derivative, widely preferred for the treatment of topical fungal infections. In the present investigation, CTZ loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) consisting of percirol ATO 5 and polysorbate 80 were successfully developed using high pressure homogenization and optimized with QbD approach to enhance skin penetration and improve its efficacy. The CTZ loaded SLNs were characterized according to average particle size (450 ± 3.45 nm) and PDI (-36.00 mV). The results were in concordance with FESEM images suggesting uniform size and shape. Further, the gelling agent carbopol with its pseudoplastic behavior showed a crucial role in forming homogenous and stable network for imbibing the CTZ-SLN dispersion for effective retention in skin. As examined, in-vitro drug release was sustained up to 24 h while ex-vivo skin retention and drug permeation studies showed the highest accumulation (56.85 ± 5.08 %) and lowest permeation (2.85 ± 0.12 %) with nanogel in comparison to pure drug and Candid® cream. Further, antifungal assessment of nanogel in experimental rats suggested once a day application for 10 days for complete eradication of fungal infection, supported by histopathological analysis. Additionally, the stability of CTZ-SLNs for 6 months at long term and accelerated conditions of storage was ascribed by stability studies. Henceforth, the above-mentioned findings suggest, nanogel loaded with CTZ-SLNs with effective skin retention could be a potential carrier for management of cutaneous fungal infections.
A multi-strategy sand cat swarm optimization to efficient resource allocation and scheduling in fog-cloud environment
Authors: Anka Ferzat 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Real-time processing demands are also increasing significantly with the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart systems. At the same time, the volume of data generated, and computational workload are also increasing significantly. In this regard, fog-cloud architectures are proposed to alleviate the excessive load on cloud servers. However, since the resources of fog nodes and the virtual machines on them are limited, efficient management mechanisms are required. As the volume and amount of data increases, computational and processing costs increase, and delays are inevitable. However, these requirements need to be resolved to increase QoS and customer satisfaction. One of the most important criteria to achieve this goal is accurate and effective task allocation and scheduling. Since the scheduling is a type of NP-hard problem, the metaheuristic approach is used. In this study, an Enhanced variant of the Sand Cat Swarm Optimization algorithm (ESCSO) is proposed to efficient scheduling according to tasks priorities and a suitable fitness function based on completion (makespan) time, energy consumption and execution cost parameters is defined. In the proposed algorithm, global search ability and population diversity of the SCSO is improved based on the chaotic map. Also, its exploration and exploitation mechanisms are enhanced based on Brownian and Levy motion strategies. Besides, the control mechanism of the phases transition is redefined to increase balancing performance. The proposed method is compared with SCSO, Improved Artificial Hummingbird Algorithm (IAHA), Discrete Moth Flame Optimization (DMFO), Enhanced Particle Swarm Optimization (EPSO), Chaotic-Whale Optimization Algorithm (CWOA), Modified Harris-Hawks Optimization (MHHO), and Hybrid Artificial Ecosystem Optimization and Salp Swarm Algorithm (AEOSSA) algorithms and analyzed on the three parameters in two different scenarios. The obtained results present that the ESCSO algorithm outperform others in all cases.
Causes and predictors of premature death in the Pars Cohort Study, Iran: a cohort study
Authors: Ziamanesh Fateme , Sepanlou Sadaf G , Gandomkar Abdullah , Poustchi Hossein , Malekzadeh Fatemeh , Malekzadeh Reza , Nalini Mahdi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
While death in old age is inevitable, premature death at younger ages is within our control. Premature mortality (death < 70 years) is a crucial indicator of health status and access to healthcare, with variations observed across regions. In North Africa and the Middle East, ischemic heart disease (IHD), road injuries, stroke, and chronic kidney disease are projected to be the main causes of premature mortality. Unfortunately, few studies have been conducted on premature mortality worldwide. This study aimed to analyze the causes of premature death and associated risk factors within the Pars Cohort Study.
Methods
The Pars cohort study is a prospective cohort study conducted in Fars Province, Iran, involving 9,264 individuals aged 40–75 years, 53.8% of whom were women. We assessed participants from baseline (2012–2014) to 2021. The data were gathered through interviews, biological samples, and physical examinations. The causes of premature mortality, hazard ratios (HRs), and population attributable fraction (PAF) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the variables were calculated.
Results
Out of 388 deaths, 54% were premature. The most common causes of premature death included IHD (40%), stroke (11%), road traffic injuries (6%), lower respiratory infections (5%), and COVID-19 (3%). The predictive factors [adjusted HRs (95% CIs)] associated with premature mortality included age [year, 1.07 (1.04, 1.10)], tobacco [1.43 (0.96, 2.11)], opium [2.12 (1.39, 3.24)], hypertension [1.52 (1.10, 2.12)], waist circumference [centimeter, 1.03 (1.00, 1.05)], female sex [0.30 (0.19, 0.47)], education [> 8 years vs. no formal schooling, 0.46 (0.24, 0.88)], being married [0.60 (0.37, 0.97)], physical activity [3rd vs. 1st tertile, 0.38 (0.26, 0.57)], hip circumference [centimeter, 0.96 (0.92, 0.99)], estimated GFR [mL/min/1.73m², 0.99 (0.978, 0.999)], and wealth score [4th vs. 1st quartile, 0.54 (0.32, 0.90)]. The PAF (95% CI) for all modifiable predictors was 0.83 (0.62, 0.92).
Conclusions
The predominant causes of premature mortality were IHD and stroke. To mitigate premature deaths, paying simultaneous attention to both socioeconomic and behavioral factors is recommended.
Rising cases of MRSA infection in neonates- a major concern and a call for action.
Authors: Mustapha Samaha , Zaidu Aishatu Musa , Yusuf Muhammad Shamsuddeen , Aliyu Shamsudin , Abdulkadir Isa 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Introduction:Neonatal sepsis is still a global health concern as it contributes to high burden of neonatal morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. The aim of the study is to give an insight into neonatal sepsis: risk factors, sepsis types, clinical features, pathogen burden with their antibiotic sensitivities and outcome of admission in our facility. Methodology: This was a prospective hospital-based study involving term neonates suspected of having sepsis conducted over 10 months, October 2018-July 2019. Sociodemographic information and clinical characteristics were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Venous blood samples were obtained for complete blood count (CBC) and blood culture. MicrobactTM 24E (Oxoid UK) and Staph ID kits were utilized to identify the organisms based on manufacturer guidelines. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was conducted using the modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 and results were presented in tabular format.
Result: Of the 248 term neonates with features of sepsis were enrolled into the study, out of which 94 (37.9%) were confirmed to have sepsis. Late-onset sepsis LOS (68%) was found to be the most common and most of the neonates were delivered elsewhere. Clinical features were non-specific for both early-onset (EOS) and LOS and include fever, jaundice, poor suck and depressed primitive reflexes. Infections were mostly caused by the gram-negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureusis the single most common isolate for both EOS and LOS. Antibiotic sensitivity is highest with ciprofloxacin for both EOS and LOS. Mortality is high 14.9% and is mostly contributed to by Staphylococcus aureus infection.
Conclusion:Neonatal sepsis is still a burden with mostly non-specific clinical features. The local prevalent organisms are Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter agglomerans and Klebsiella pneumonia with good antibiotic susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. Most presented with late onset-sepsis and therefore infection is likely to be community-acquired which to a great extent can be prevented with robust public health interventions.
Effects of fermented biogas slurry returning of tail vegetables on soil enzyme activity and fertility
Authors: Yue Shuzhi , Liu Bian , Jie Huang , Chu Run 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study is to study the effects of fermented biogas slurry derived from tail vegetables on soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities, and to evaluate soil fertility.
Method Baby cabbage cultivated in the field, five treatments with iso-nitrogen fertilization were set up: CK (no biogas liquid nitrogen), T1 (25% biogas liquid nitrogen), T2 (50% biogas liquid nitrogen), T3 (75% biogas liquid nitrogen) and T4 (100% biogas liquid nitrogen).
Results It was found that returning biogas slurry from the fermentation of tail vegetables to the field significantly increased soil organic matter, total nitrogen, alkaline dissolved nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, and microbial carbon (nitrogen) content, improved soil porosity and decreased soil bulk density, with little effect on soil water content; Fermentation of biogas slurry from tail cabbage significantly increased the activities of urease, sucrase and alkaline phosphatase, but had little effect on catalase activity, and the increases of urease, sucrase and phosphatase activities were 3.49%~21.83%, 8.71%~22.29% and 1.95%~10.38%, respectively. Through principal component cluster analysis, the weighted comprehensive score was used as a new index, and soil fertility was comprehensively evaluated as T3>T2> T4>T1>CK.
Conclusion Considering the comprehensive effects of fermented biogas slurry fertilization on soil physicochemical properties and soil enzyme activities, the fertilization effect T3 (246m3·hm-2 tail vegetable fermentation biogas slurry + 44kg·hm-2 pure chemical nitrogen) was the best and the comprehensive fertility was the best.
Economic disintegration: Brexit, Non-tariff Measures, and UK Trade
Authors: Du Jun , Shepotylo Oleksandr 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union has resulted in a notable rise in trade costs between these two parties, even though the new trading relationship established a tariff- and quota-free trade in goods between the UK and the EU. Employing the synthetic control difference-in-difference methodology, we empirically establish that the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) has had a significant and adverse effect on the bilateral trade between the UK and EU countries. This paper quantifies the ad valorem equivalents of non-tariff measures between the EU and UK and examine their impact on UK trade in 2021, subsequent to the conclusion of the Brexit transition period. Particularly, the amplified trade frictions associated with goods subject to sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, as well as technical barriers to trade, have played a crucial role in the decline of UK exports to the EU.
JEL codes: F13, F14, F15, F17, F55
Fuzzy Self-tuned PID Controller for Virtual Inertia Control of Egyptian Power System Load Frequency Control Considering High Penetration of Renewable Energy
Authors: ghany M.A. Abdel , Syam Fathy A. , Aly Abouelmaaty M. , Abido M. A. , Ibrahim Shorouk Ossama 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Reliance on renewable energy is increasing and generating units are being added to the network. Since renewable power fluctuates significantly, The grid's fluctuation in frequency becomes a crucial problem with access to renewable power generation. In order to improve the penetration of renewable power into the system, there is a greater need for Load Frequency Control (LFC) of the power grid due to the deviation of the system's output of renewable energy.
The PID controller's straightforward design and intuitive concept have demonstrated its efficacy for the LFC. In this research, the virtual synchronous generator is introduced and a Fuzzy Self-Tuned PID (FST-PID) Controller is proposed for inertia control. The proposed FST-PID Controller is applied considering the high penetration of renewable energy and virtual inertia. The effectiveness of the proposed FST-PID controller is compared with the classical PID controller for the Egyptian Power System (EPS) as a study case under different disturbances of load changes. The control technique is employed for variable load with photovoltaic and wind turbine generation systems. The controller design is performed based on Gray Wolf Optimizer (GWO) in each operating condition. The overshot and Integral Time Absolute Error (ITAE) are considered as comparison measures. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed FST-PID for inertia control with high penetration of renewable energy. The results show that the proposed FST-PID Controller has an overshot less than the classical PID controller by 25% and ITAE by 45%.
A Novel Mutation of NONO-Associated X-linked Syndromic Intellectual Developmental Disorder-34 in a Fetus
Authors: Huang Ruchun , Wu Siqi , Ding Hongke , Wu Liping , Pi Huichun , Liu Weiqiang , Liu Jinghua , Xiong Yimin , Yang Xin 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
The NONO gene is located on chromosome Xq13.1 and encodes a nuclear protein involved in RNA synthesis, transcriptional regulation, and DNA repair. Hemizygous loss-of-function variants in NONO reportedly cause X-linked syndromic intellectual developmental disorder-34 (MRXS34) in males. At present, there are few clinical reports related to MRXS34, and the mutation spectrum of NONO-related diseases has not been completely determined.
Methods
We report the case of a fetus with noncompaction cardiomyopathy, a short anteroposterior diameter of the corpus callosum and relative macrocephaly. Genotyping examination, including chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) and trio-medical exon sequencing, was performed.
Results
Medical exon sequencing revealed a de novo hemizygous nonsense mutation (c.214 C > T, p.Gln72Ter) in exon 4 of the NONO gene. A review of previous literature suggested that noncompaction cardiomyopathy, abnormalities of the corpus callosum, and macrocephaly are consistent phenotypes of MRXS34.
Conclusion
The mutation (c.214 C > T, p.Gln72Ter) in the NONO gene was present in a fetus with MRXS34. This study expands the mutation spectrum of NONO-related diseases and enlarges noncompaction cardiomyopathy, abnormalities of the corpus callosum and macrocephaly to the phenotype of MRXS34 in fetuses.
Acid and hydrothermal pretreatments of Date Press Cake (DPC): a pathway for bioprocessing and value creation
Authors: Oladzad Sepideh , Fallah Narges , Mahboubi Amir , Afsham Neda , Taherzadeh Mohammad J. , Toghyani Javad 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The production of date syrup yields a substantial amount of date press cake (DPC), fibrous and moisturising material with great potential for generating value through bioprocessing. However, the recalcitrant structure of DPC affects the yield of products in bioprocesses. To boost the accessibility of the structure as well as increase the soluble fraction of carbohydrates and facilitate further enzymatic hydrolysis, hydrothermal and dilute acid (0.5% (v/v) sulfuric acid) pretreatments as cost-effective and feasible methods were applied on DPC at low temperatures (80, 100, 120 and 140°C) and reaction times (60 and 90 min). The success in pretreatment was then evaluated by a post-enzymatic treatment using an enzyme cocktail of cellulases and hemicelluloses. Based on total accessible sugar with minimum produced inhibitors, an optimal operating condition was considered acid pretreatment at 120°C for 90 min with a 55.02% increase in total sugar yield. To explore the potential use of pretreated DPC, a study was conducted on untreated and acid-pretreated DPC at 120°C for 90 min. The results showed that pretreatment increased the total bioproduct yield, including hydrogen, ethanol, and volatile fatty acid yields, by 59.75%. This demonstrates the significant impact of pretreatment on product yields in a bioprocess.
Cotton-Quality Fibers from Complexation between Anionic and Cationic Cellulose Nanoparticles
Authors: Jaekel Esther E. , Torres Guillermo Reyes , Antonietti Markus , Rojas Orlando J. , Filonenko Svitlana 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Natural polymers are attractive sustainable materials for production of fibers and composite materials. Cotton and flux are traditional plants used to produce textiles with comforting properties while technologies like Viscose, Lyocell and Ioncell-F allowed to extent fiber use into regenerated cellulose from wood. Neither natural nor man-made fibers completely satisfy the needs for cellulose based fabrics boosting development of new approaches to bring more sustainability into the fashion. Technologies like Spinnova® are arising based on the spinning of mechanically pretreated cellulose materials with a lower environmental impact though challenged by the fiber quality and strength related to the inconsistency of the mechanical fibers. Nanoscaled cellulose is an excellent solution to improve the consistency of spin fibers, but charges introduced by traditional chemical treatments prevent rebuilding native hydrogen bonding and compromise the mechanical properties especially in wet conditions. We used nanocellulose with low surface charge isolated using reactive eutectic media to spin fibers able to restore the native hydrogen bonding and enable constitutional mechanical strength of cellulose. We performed un-optimized spinning to reveal the intrinsic properties of the fibers and confirmed the preserved strength of wet fibers compliant with the low surface charge enabling further engineering towards cotton-like fabric from wood.
Asterarcys Quadricellulare Triggers Bioactive Amines Promoting Sugarcane Sprout and Growth
Authors: de Lara Gabriel Bocchetti , Amatussi Juliana de Oliveira , Mógor Gilda , de Oliveira Ricardo Augusto , Mógor Átila Francisco , Filho João Carlos Bespalhok 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The production of pre-sprouted seedlings using mini-setts brings advantages over the conventional method of planting, which uses larger sections of stalk. Sugarcane planting using propagules from different stalk sections can impair the sprouting rate and initial development of plants, which restricts yield. Thus, biofertilizers, by stimulating sprouting and regulating plant growth, can reduce losses from unsprouted propagules and boost their development. The hypothesis that the bioactivity of Asterarcys quadricellulare is related to its composition in polyamines and L-amino acids was investigated in the early development of sugarcane (RB036152). Sugarcane propagules were immersed in A. quadricellulare biomass solution to assess its effect on sprouting and growth promotion in propagules from different sections of the stalk, analyzing biometric and biochemical changes. The immersion of the propagules in a 2.5 g L-1 solution of the microalga biomass increased the sprouting rate and boosted plant growth, especially in apical and medial propagules. Metabolic changes were also promoted by the microalga biomass. The accumulation of total sugars in the propagules was higher in the sections treated with microalga, the same occurred on leaves from apical and basal propagules. The application of microalga also increased the levels of bioactive amines, such as spermidine in the propagules and spermine in the culms. The biofertilizer also increased the levels of tryptophan in the propagules and serotonin in the leaves, when compared to the control. This work demonstrated the bioactivity of A. quadricellulare biomass and its interaction with different physiologic ages of mini-setts of sugarcane.