bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution of hepatitis C virus in eastern China from 2011 to 2020: a Bayesian spatiotemporal analysis
Authors: Yang Dandan , Zhang Chuanfeng , Chen Yuheng , Lu Jing , Chen Yunting , Zhang Zhi , Chai Feifei , Zhang Zhendong , Wang Furu , Zhu Baoli 
Published: February 2024

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the spatiotemporal distribution of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the factors influencing this distribution in Jiangsu Province, China, from 2011 to 2020.MethodsThe incidence of reported HCV in Jiangsu Province from 2011 to 2020 was obtained from the Chinese Information System for Disease Control and Prevention (CISDCP). R and GeoDa software were used to visualize the spatiotemporal distribution and the spatial autocorrelation of HCV. A Bayesian spatiotemporal model was constructed to explore the spatiotemporal distribution of HCV in Jiangsu Province and to further analyze the factors related to HCV.ResultsA total of 31,778 HCV patients were registered in Jiangsu Province. The registered incidence rate of HCV increased from 2.60/100,000 people in 2011 to 4.96/100,000 people in 2020, an increase of 190.77%. Moran's I ranged from 0.099 to 0.354 (P &lt; 0.05) from 2011 to 2019, indicating a positive spatial correlation overall. The relative risk (RR) of the urbanization rate, the most important factor affecting the spread of HCV in Jiangsu Province, was 1.254 (95% confidence interval: 1.141–1.376), while other factors had no significance.ConclusionThe reported HCV incidence rate integrally increased in the whole Jiangsu Province, whereas the spatial aggregation of HCV incidence was gradually weakening. Our study highlighted the importance of health education for the floating population and reasonable allocation of medical resources in the future health work.
Would initiating colorectal cancer screening from age of 45 be cost-effective in Germany? An individual-level simulation analysis
Authors: Lwin Min Wai , Cheng Chih-Yuan , Calderazzo Silvia , Schramm Christoph , Schlander Michael 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) screening has been shown to be effective and cost-saving. However, the trend of rising incidence of early-onset CRC challenges the current national screening program solely for people ≥50 years in Germany, where extending the screening to those 45–49 years might be justified. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of CRC screening strategies starting at 45 years in Germany.MethodDECAS, an individual-level simulation model accounting for both adenoma and serrated pathways of CRC development and validated with German CRC epidemiology and screening effects, was used for the cost-effectiveness analysis. Four CRC screening strategies starting at age 45, including 10-yearly colonoscopy (COL), annual/biennial fecal immunochemical test (FIT), or the combination of the two, were compared with the current screening offer starting at age 50 years in Germany. Three adherence scenarios were considered: perfect adherence, current adherence, and high screening adherence. For each strategy, a cohort of 100,000 individuals with average CRC risk was simulated from age 20 until 90 or death. Outcomes included CRC cases averted, prevented death, quality-adjusted life-years gained (QALYG), and total incremental costs considering both CRC treatment and screening costs. A 3% discount rate was applied and costs were in 2023 Euro.ResultInitiating 10-yearly colonoscopy-only or combined FIT + COL strategies at age 45 resulted in incremental gains of 7–28 QALYs with incremental costs of €28,360–€71,759 per 1,000 individuals, compared to the current strategy. The ICER varied from €1,029 to €9,763 per QALYG, and the additional number needed for colonoscopy ranged from 129 to 885 per 1,000 individuals. Among the alternatives, a three times colonoscopy strategy starting at 45 years of age proves to be the most effective, while the FIT-only strategy was dominated by the currently implemented strategy. The findings remained consistent across probabilistic sensitivity analyses.ConclusionThe cost-effectiveness findings support initiating CRC screening at age 45 with either colonoscopy alone or combined with FIT, demonstrating substantial gains in quality-adjusted life-years with a modest increase in costs. Our findings emphasize the importance of implementing CRC screening 5 years earlier than the current practice to achieve more significant health and economic benefits.
Association between risk of obstructive sleep apnea severity and risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms: insights from salivary and serum cytokines
Authors: Dinh Yen , Alawady Abdullah , Alhazmi Hesham , Altabtbaei Khaled , Freire Marcelo , Alghounaim Mohammad , Devarajan Sriraman , Al Mulla Fahd , Bin-Hassan Saadoun , Alqaderi Hend 
Published: February 2024

ObjectivesObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can adversely affect the immune response through clinical factors such as hypoxia, inflammation, and sleep disturbance. Since SARS-CoV-2 heavily relies on local and systemic host immune responses, this study aims to examine the links between the severity of OSA risk, cytokine levels, and the severity of symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.MethodsSaliva and blood samples from 50 COVID-19 patients and 30 non-infected hospital staff members were collected. Using Luminex multiplex analysis, 65 blood and salivary cytokines were examined from the collected samples. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was utilized to examine the association between the self-reported risk of OSA, assessed through the STOP-Bang questionnaire, and the likelihood of experiencing severe symptoms of COVID-19. Mann–Whitney test was then performed to compare the cytokine levels between individuals with moderate to severe risk of OSA to those with a mild risk of OSA.ResultsOrdinal logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals with a moderate to severe risk of OSA were 7.60 times more likely to experience more severe symptoms of COVID-19 compared to those with a mild risk of OSA (OR = 7.60, 95%CI: 3.03, 19.06, p &lt; 0.001). Moreover, among COVID-19-positive patients with a moderate to severe risk of OSA, there was a statistically significant negative correlation with serum IL-6 (p &lt; 0.05), Eotaxin (CCL11) (p = 0.04), and salivary MIP-3α/CCL20 (p = 0.04). In contrast, individuals without COVID-19 who had a moderate to severe risk of OSA exhibited a significant positive correlation with serum IL-6 (p = 0.04).ConclusionIndividuals with moderate to severe risk of OSA were more likely to experience severe COVID-19 symptoms than those with mild risk for OSA. Additional analysis from the present studies revealed distinct patterns of oral and systemic immune responses between individuals with mild and moderate to severe risk of OSA. Findings from the present study underscores the importance of early detection and management of OSA to improve clinical outcomes, particularly when faced with the subsequent superimposed infection such as COVID-19.
Small for gestational age and anthropometric body composition from early childhood to adulthood: the Aboriginal Birth Cohort study
Authors: Hansen Craig , Davison Belinda , Singh Gurmeet R. 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundIn Australia the estimated rate of small for gestational age (SGA) births is 9% among non-Indigenous births compared to 14% among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. There is limited research investigating the effect of being born SGA on body composition later in life in Indigenous Australians.MethodsUsing data from the Aboriginal Birth Cohort longitudinal study, we compared the body composition of those born SGA to non-SGA by analysing anthropometric measures (height, weight, waist circumference, fat percentage [FAT%], body mass index [BMI], waist-to-height ratio, and A body shape index [ABSI]) collected at four follow-up periods (from childhood to adult). For cross-sectional analyses, linear regression models were employed to assess factors associated with anthropometric measures. For longitudinal analyses linear mixed models were employed to assess differences in anthropometric measures among SGA versus non-SGA individuals while adjusting for repeated measures.ResultsThe analytic baseline cohort were those who participated in Wave 2 (n = 570). In cross-sectional analyses, across all waves those born SGA had smaller anthropometric z-scores compared to non-SGA individuals (β ranging from −0.50 to −0.25). Participants residing in urban environments were significantly larger in Waves 2 to 4 (β ranged 0.26 to 0.65). Those born SGA had higher ABSI scores in Waves 2 and 4 (β 0.26 and 0.37, respectively). In longitudinal analyses, those born SGA had smaller measures of body composition across the life course; these differences were larger in urban communities. In remote communities those born SGA had significantly higher ABSI scores during adolescence and young adulthood, and this difference was not observed in urban communities.ConclusionIndigenous Australians born SGA are smaller anthropometrically later in life compared to their non-SGA counterparts. In remote communities, those born SGA had higher levels of central adiposity compared to non-SGA.
Association between urinary glyphosate levels and hand grip strength in a representative sample of US adults: NHANES 2013–2014
Authors: Fang Yu-Wei , Wang ChiKang , Lin Chien-Yu 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionGlyphosate, a widely utilized herbicide globally, has been linked to various health issues, including cancer, birth abnormalities, and reproductive issues. Additionally, there is growing experimental support indicating potential harm to skeletal muscles. Despite this, the impact of glyphosate on human muscle health remains unclear.MethodsWe examined information gathered from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which included 1466 adults aged 18 or older. Our primary aim was to investigate the relationship between glyphosate exposure and hand grip strength, as well as its influence on lean muscle mass.Results and discussionOur investigation uncovered a detrimental correlation between glyphosate exposure and all measures of grip strength, except for the second test of the first hand. Specifically, we observed a statistically significant adverse association between glyphosate exposure and combined grip strength, which is calculated as the sum of the highest readings from both hands (ß coefficient of −2.000, S.E. = 0.891, p = 0.040). We did not observe a significant correlation between glyphosate levels, lean muscle mass, and the likelihood of reaching maximum grip strength meeting sarcopenia criteria. Additionally, we observed an interaction between age and glyphosate, as well as between body mass index (BMI) and glyphosate, concerning the association with combined grip strength. In this comprehensive analysis of NHANES data, our study reveals a potential association between glyphosate exposure and hand grip strength in the adult population. Our findings suggest the need for deeper exploration into the health effects of glyphosate exposure and its impact on muscle strength, shedding light on possible public health concerns.
Development of end-to-end low-cost IoT system for densely deployed PM monitoring network: an Indian case study
Authors: Parmar Ayu , Sara Spanddhana , Dwivedi Ayush Kumar , Reddy C. Rajashekar , Patwardhan Ishan , Bijjam Sai Dinesh , Chaudhari Sachin , Rajan K. S. , Vemuri Kavita 
Published: February 2024

Particulate matter (PM) is considered the primary contributor to air pollution and has severe implications for general health. PM concentration has high spatial variability and thus needs to be monitored locally. Traditional PM monitoring setups are bulky, expensive, and cannot be scaled for dense deployments. This paper argues for a densely deployed network of IoT-enabled PM monitoring devices using low-cost sensors, specifically focusing on PM10 and PM2.5, the most health-impacting particulates. In this work, 49 devices were deployed in a region of the Indian metropolitan city of Hyderabad, of which 43 devices were developed as part of this work, and six devices were taken off the shelf. The low-cost sensors were calibrated for seasonal variations using a precise reference sensor and were particularly adjusted to accurately measure PM10 and PM2.5 levels. A thorough analysis of data collected for 7 months has been presented to establish the need for dense deployment of PM monitoring devices. Different analyses such as mean, variance, spatial interpolation, and correlation have been employed to generate interesting insights about temporal and seasonal variations of PM10 and PM2.5. In addition, event-driven spatio-temporal analysis is done for PM2.5 and PM10 values to understand the impact of the bursting of firecrackers on the evening of the Diwali festival. A web-based dashboard is designed for real-time data visualization.
What is there to drink? Water (in)justice in the democratic South Africa
Authors: Mbana Zenande , Sinthumule Ndidzulafhi Innocent 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionAligned to Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa which recognizes water to be a basic human right, the democratic government from 1994 adopted policies, legislation and programmes that encourage universal access to basic water services. Although some progress has been made in urban areas concerning access to potable water supply, South Africa still faces serious problems in providing basic water services in rural areas. This study aims to understand sources of drinking water, how water is accessed by local communities, and determine the barriers associated with access to potable water and management in the rural villages of Madiba and Enqabeni.Data collectionTo fulfil the aim of this study, semi-structured interviews, interviewer-administered questionnaires, and field observations were employed as data collection tools. Data obtained from interviews were analyzed using thematic content analysis, while the questionnaires were assessed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences.Results and DiscussionThe study found that the majority of people still rely on untreated water from open water bodies. The study also identified corruption, and infrastructural and institutional problems as barriers affecting water service delivery to communities. These institutional problems mean that water resource management and access are unfair, inequitable and unjust, and constitute water injustice. The basic human right of access to water by communities is thereby violated and this has devastating effects on the lives and livelihoods of community members. Despite democracy, the legacy of apartheid's unequal water policy is still influencing water services and South Africa remains far from achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.
Trichoderma atroviride Enhances Impatiens walleriana Hook. f Growth and Flowering in Different Growing Media
Authors: Traversari Silvia , Cardarelli Mariateresa , Brambilla Massimo , Cutini Maurizio , Burchi Gianluca , Fedrizzi Marco , Massa Daniele , Orlandini Alessandro , Cacini Sonia 
Published: February 2024

Trichoderma spp. are widely reported to regulate plant growth by improving nutrient uptake, photosynthesis, and abiotic stress tolerance. However, their possible application for bedding plants is little explored, especially when comparing different growing media. Considering that coconut coir dust is finding broader application in the ornamental plants sector as a peat substitute, this work was aimed to test the combination of Trichoderma atroviride AT10 and coconut coir dust on Impatiens walleriana plants. Four treatments were tested as a mix of: (i) two growing media (70:30), peat:perlite or coconut coir dust:perlite; and (ii) the absence or presence of a T. atroviride treatment. At the end of the production cycle, the biomass and ornamental parameters, leaf pigments, nutrient content of the plant tissues, and Trichoderma abundance were assessed. The results revealed that T. atroviride can readily colonize coir, and the same positive effects of inoculum were found in plants grown on both substrates. The biostimulant effect of T. atroviride was observed as an increase in the aboveground biomass, number and weight of flowers, pigments and nutrient concentration, thereby improving the commercial quality of I. walleriana. Thus, T. atroviride has shown its potential in making bedding plant cultivation more sustainable and improving the yield and aesthetic parameters of plants grown on peat and coconut coir dust substrates.
Rehabilitation for Marfan Syndrome
Authors: Hartanto Christi E. , Rondonuwu Gloria E . , Gessal Joudy 
Published: February 2024

Abstract: Marfan syndrome is a spectrum of disorders caused by a heritable genetic defect of connective tissue that has an autosomal dominant mode of transmission. The defect itself has been isolated to the FBN1 gene on chromosome 15, which codes for the connective tissue protein fibrillin. Abnormalities in this protein cause a myriad of distinct clinical problems, of which the musculoskeletal, cardiac, and ocular system problems predominate. The skeleton of patients with Marfan syndrome typically displays multiple deformities. Mitral valve prolapses that requires valve replacement can occur as well. Given the variable expressivity of Marfan Syndrome, no single sign is pathognomonic; the diagnosis is made on clinical grounds on the basis of typical abnormalities. We reported a boy, 12 years old, referred from surgeon with diagnosis pectus carinatum pro brace. Chest protusion appeared since age 6, getting bigger without any complaint but cosmetic. Other complaints on feet which looked flat, sometimes ankle sore after long distance running or futsal. He was the first child and no family history had a condition like him. His hobby was playing futsal, and daily activities were independent without assistive devices. General appearance and vital signs were normal, cardiorespiratory assessment was normal, BMI on percentile 10-25, arm span to height ratio 1.09, lens subluxation of left eye, lens dislocation of right eye, poor standing balance, inadequate toe off, thoracic hyperkyphotic, positive wrist sign, true leg length discrepancy of 1 cm (left>right), bilateral ankle ROM limitation, rigid flat feet suspected bilateral vertical talus, left hallux valgus, Marfan syndrome score 9, and normal echocardiography. In this patient, we gave semi rigid thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthosis (TLSO) with 3 points pressure system and rigid bar on protution area (custom molded). resistance exercise (F: 3x/week, I: moderate fatigue, Borg scale 13-15/20, T: 8-15 reps/ set, 2-3 set/ session, T: major muscle group upper and lower extremities aerobic exercise (F: 3x/week, I: moderate to vigorous, borg scale 13-15/20, T: ≥60 min/session, @5-10 min warming up and cooling down (stretching), T: sport (swimming, running, cycling). The patient was referred to a surgeon for a brace. In conclusion, this case report highlights the multidisciplinary management of patients with Marfan syndrome.
Keywords: Marfan syndrome; typical abnormalities; multiple deformities
First-principles study on barrier height of silicon emission from interface into oxide during silicon thermal oxidation
Authors: Kageshima Hiroyuki , Akiyama Toru , Shiraishi Kenji 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Employing first-principles calculation, the detailed energy landscape of the path for Si emission from the interface into the oxide is studied. It is found that the barrier height almost reproduces the experimental values, indicating that Si emission surely corresponds to the diffusion of SiO interstitials. It is also found that the barrier height is microscopically rate-limited by the oxygen-vacancy transfer process, which temporarily and inevitably proceeds under a large local tensile strain induced by the diffusion of SiO interstitials.
First-principles study on shape of intrinsic hBN island nucleated during CVD initial growth on Cu(111)
Authors: Imamura Ryo , Kageshima Hiroyuki 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Using the first-principles calculation, the shape of the hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) islands was investigated, with a focus on the edge of the small monolayer hBN islands on Cu(111) and intrinsic nucleation during the CVD initial growth. Several key observations were made. First, desorption does not play a decisive role in shaping the islands. Second, for small islands, there is no chemical potential range where the armchair edge is stable. Third, the bonds between Cu atoms on the surface and N atoms at the edge are strong, whereas the bonds between Cu atoms on the surface and B atoms at the edge are comparatively weaker. Finally, triangular islands with N edge tend to grow more spontaneously than those with B edge because the critical size is smaller for those with N edge across a wide chemical potential range.
Fabrication of highly conductive polyester fabrics using single-wall carbon nanotubes inks for EMI shielding
Authors: Horita Yuito , Fukase Taiki , Kisaka Hibiki , Kuromatsu Sho , Sato Yusuke , Endo Kazuyuki , Watanabe Takeshi , Suga Ryosuke , Koh Shinji 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
We have fabricated single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-coated electrically conductive polyester fabric using a low-temperature (LT) dip-and-dry method. Polyester fibers are suitable for industrial applications because of their higher heat resistance. We focused on the surface modification of polyester fibers using N,N-dimethyl-formamide solvent and then improved the adhesion of the SWCNT to polyester fibers. The low sheet resistance of 4.3

±

0.3 Ω sq−1 was achieved while maintaining the intrinsic flexibility and durability of polyester fabrics by using the LT dip-and-dry method. Moreover, we demonstrated the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding using the fabricated electrically conductive polyester fabric. The EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) was measured in the frequency ranges of 8–12 GHz using waveguides and a vector network analyzer. The measured SE of the fabricated electrically conductive polyester fabric was about −34 dB and fulfilled the requirement for practical EMI shielding.
Ultrasonic complex vibration source equipped with a step horn with a welding tip and its welding characteristics
Authors: Mizuno Shunsuke , Asami Takuya , Miura Hikaru 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
We have developed a different type of ultrasonic complex vibration source that can generate planar vibrations. The ultrasonic complex vibration source is equipped with a step horn with a hollow part that incorporates a welding chip to improve practicality for industrial applications. The hollow portion in the step horn attached to the ultrasonic complex vibration source enables the adjustment of the longitudinal and torsional vibration amplitude. In this work, we performed finite element method analysis to develop the ultrasonic complex vibration source equipped with a step horn containing a hollow part and a welding tip. The ultrasonic complex vibration source was manufactured and the vibration characteristics and welding properties were measured. The same welding strength was obtained under similar experimental conditions to conventional ultrasonic complex vibration sources. Our results demonstrate that ultrasonic complex vibration sources can be miniaturized and are practically useful.