bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the sensitivities and accuracies of optoelectronic transducers for solar irradiance measurement
Authors: Onatoyinbo Olubunmi O. , Willoughby Alexander A. , Soge Ayodele O. , Dairo Oluropo F. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis paper compares the sensitivities and accuracies of four different optoelectronic transducers in measuring solar irradiance for the fabrication of portable and low-cost pyranometers. Trans-impedance conditioning circuits were designed for two phototransistors (BP103 and SFH3310) and two photodiodes (BPW21 and BPW34). The Arduino Mega 2560 was used as an interface between the analogue signal produced by the conditioning circuits and the digital output ports. The transducers with a standard pyranometer RSRA_05V were arranged on a vero board and exposed to the sun. Statistical analysis of the experimental results produced the least root mean square error value of 6.58794 Wm−2 for phototransistor BP103 during the dry season followed by 13.35216 Wm−2 for phototransistor SFH3310 during the dry season. The correlation coefficients of BPW21, BPW34, BP103, and SFH3310 with the standard pyranometer are 0.9489, 0.9916, 0.9976, and 0.9905, respectively. The experimental results obtained from the phototransistors BP103 and SFH3310 strongly correlated with those of the standard pyranometer coupled with lower root mean square error and mean bias error values than those of the photodiodes. Thus, the phototransistors BP103 and SFH3310 are more accurate and effective for measuring solar irradiance. This study contributes to the development of low-cost and accurate solar radiation meters.
A comparison of methods for assessing groundwater vulnerability in karst aquifers: the case study of Terminio Mt. aquifer (Southern Italy)
Authors: Cusano Delia , Coda Silvio , De Vita Pantaleone , Fabbrocino Silvia , Fusco Francesco , Lepore Daniele , Nicodemo Federico , Pizzolante Antonio , Tufano Rita , Allocca Vincenzo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe assessment of groundwater vulnerability to pollution is becoming even more important all over the world due to the increase of impacts of human activities on groundwater resources and the related risks to the human health, economics, and the environment. Owing to the variability of methods known for estimating groundwater vulnerability, basically depending on hydrogeological parameters considered and the scale of analysis, the comparison of results of different methods appears straightforward for identifying the best approach in a given hydrogeological condition and reference scale. In such a view, this work attempts to assess the groundwater vulnerability of the Terminio Mt. karst aquifer, by applying four different groundwater vulnerability methods, index-based, and comparing results in order to identify the best performing one in karst environments. The study aquifer, located in the Picentini Mts Regional Park (Campania region, southern Italy) represents a strategic drinking water resource since Roman times and hosts massive groundwater resources which outflow mainly from tapped basal and subordinately perched springs.The peculiar characters of the study karst aquifer, which favour direct infiltration and groundwater recharge processes, as well as the occurrence of industrial, agricultural and grazing activities, make it very vulnerable to groundwater pollution, thus requiring a proper and careful territorial management.Beside the most frequently and generally used methods for assessing groundwater vulnerability, such as the DRASTIC and SINTACS, also DAC and COP methods specifically designed for karst aquifers were applied and mutually compared. Results of SINTACS, DRASTIC and DAC methods show groundwater vulnerability maps of the Terminio Mt. karst aquifer as chiefly characterized by two classes of intrinsic groundwater vulnerability, varying between the medium and high degrees. Furthermore, high and extremely high values of groundwater vulnerability were found in areas controlled by the shallow depth of the water-table. Instead, the COP method resulted as the most effective in identifying the endorheic areas and the related karst morphologies as very high groundwater vulnerability zones, therefore the most suitable in capturing specific hydrogeological features of karst areas that control groundwater pollution and vulnerability.Results obtained will support decision tools aimed at the land use planning and protection of karst aquifers from pollution in karst areas.
Assessing the prevalence and psychological correlates of selfie addiction in Mansoura Medical School students: a cross-sectional study
Authors: El Adgham Ahmed Reda , Ibrahim Ibtihal M. A. , Elkalla Ibrahem Hamdey Rashed , El Hadidy Mohamed A. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Selfie addiction has become one of the most noticed phenomena in our modern life that is affecting people of all ages. Many researchers reported that students’ addictive selfie-taking behavior resulted in the loss of function and the development of psychological problems. In this study, we mainly targeted to calculate the prevalence of addiction of selfie at Mansoura Faculty of Medicine students and find its relationship with OCD, personality traits or disorders, and self-esteem.

Methodology
The study is a cross-sectional study which recruited 476 medical students through all grades. All of them are assigned to the questionnaires in the study, which included sociodemographic data, selfie addiction, Yale-Brown, Rosenberg, SCID II, and NEO scales. SCID-I scale was used to exclude students with psychotic disorder.

Results
Four-hundred seventy-six students were included in our study. Two-hundred seventy-eight (58.4%) of them showed selfie addictive behavior; most of them showed the mild degree (208 students of them) according to the used selfie scale. NPD showed strong relation with statistically significant result with selfie addiction (P-value = 0.034). Also, high self-esteem and OCD were numerically associated with selfie addiction despite lack of statistically significance (P-value = 0.366, 0.148, respectively).

Conclusions
The prevalence of selfie addiction was 58.4% at Faculty of Medicine Mansoura University students. There was a direct proportional relationship between selfie-taking behavior with high self-esteem, OCD, and narcissistic personality disorder.
Safety and efficacy of central line removal by guidewire extraction technique in children
Authors: Froehlich Mary , Schulte Spencer , Chang Shirong , Ikeda Alan , Scheidler Michael G. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
This study reviews a university pediatric surgery practice for the incidence of stuck subcutaneous port catheter (SSPC) removal and the efficacy of a guidewire extraction technique.

Methods
We reviewed all central catheter removals between 2018 and 2020. A SSPC was defined as resistance to removal after dissection of the subcutaneous tissue with signs of impending device fracture. Details of the catheter duration, initial diagnosis, and medications administered through the device were all recorded.

Results
One hundred eight patients underwent catheter removal and six were defined as SSPCs. Catheter in situ time ranged from 35 to 96 months. All six patients underwent the guidewire extraction technique and were removed in their entirety without the need for endovascular intervention or venotomy.

Conclusions
Pediatric patients who have a SSPC should undergo the guidewire extraction technique.
Working at the office or from home during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study of temporal patterns of sitting and non-sitting among normal-weight and overweight Brazilian office workers
Authors: Brusaca Luiz Augusto , Hallman David M. , Januario Leticia Bergamin , Gupta Nidhi , Oliveira Ana Beatriz , Mathiassen Svend Erik 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
This study documents and compares temporal patterns of physical behaviours, assessed using accelerometry, on working and non-working days among normal-weight (body mass index [BMI] < 25 kg/m2) and overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) office workers who were either working exclusively at the office (WAO) or exclusively from home (WFH) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
In this cross-sectional study, behaviours were measured over 7 days using a thigh-worn accelerometer in 43 workers WAO (21 normal-weight and 22 overweight) and 73 workers WFH (33 normal-weight and 40 overweight). 24-h behaviours were completely described in terms of sitting in short (≤ 5 min), moderate (> 5 and ≤ 30 min) and long bouts (> 30 min), non-sitting in short (≤ 5 min) and long bouts (> 5 min), and time-in-bed. These behaviour compositions were transformed into five isometric log-ratios (ilr) coordinates according to compositional data analysis procedures. Differences between workplace (WAO vs. WFH) and BMI groups (normal-weight vs. overweight) were tested using ANCOVA with adjustment for age and gender.

Results
Compared to workers WAO, workers WFH spent more time-in-bed relative to time awake during working days, more time sitting relative to non-sitting, less time in short bouts of sitting relative to moderate and long bouts, less time in moderate bouts of sitting relative to long bouts, and more time non-sitting in short bouts relative to long bouts. Effect sizes [$$\eta_{p}^{2}$$

η

p

2

] were between 0.05 and 0.21 and p-values between < 0.001 and 0.04. Irrespective of workplace, overweight workers spent less time sitting in short relative to moderate and long bouts ($$\eta_{p}^{2}$$

η

p

2

= 0.06, p = 0.01) than normal-weight workers, while differences in the other ilr coordinates were insignificant. During non-working days, behaviours did not differ significantly by workplace, while overweight workers spent more time sitting relative to non-sitting ($$\eta_{p}^{2}$$

η

p

2

= 0.10, p < 0.001), less time sitting in short relative to moderate and long bouts ($$\eta_{p}^{2}$$

η

p

2

= 0.13, p < 0.001), and less time sitting in moderate relative to long bouts ($$\eta_{p}^{2}$$

η

p

2

= 0.04, p = 0.03) than normal-weight workers. We found no interactions between workplace and BMI.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that WFH and being overweight predispose to more time sitting and less temporal variation in behaviours, thus reinforcing that these workers could likely benefit from interventions to reduce prolonged sitting time and increase variation.
FLPR model: Nilpotent (anti-)co-BRST symmetries
Authors: Malik R. P. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
We demonstrate the existence of a set of novel off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting continuous symmetry transformations, within the framework of the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) formalism, which are over and above the usual off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting (anti-)BRST transformations that are respected by the quantum version of the classical first-order Lagrangian for the Friedberg-Lee-Pang-Ren (FLPR) model that describes the motion of a single non-relativistic particle of unit mass (moving under the influence of a general rotationally invariant spatial two-dimensional potential). We christen these novel set of fermionic transformations as the (anti-)co-BRST transformations because the gauge-fixing terms remain invariant under them. We derive the conserved and off-shell nilpotent (anti-)BRST and (anti-)co-BRST charges and comment on the physicality criteria with respect to them where we establish the presence of the operator forms of the first-class constraints (of the original classical gauge theory) at the quantum level which is consistent with the Dirac-quantization conditions.
HIF1α Elevations at Tissue and Serum Levels and Their Association With Metabolic Disorders in Children With Obesity
Authors: Zhou Nan , Zheng Wen , Peng Luting , Gao Shenghu , Shi Yanan , Cao Mengyao , Xu Yao , Sun Bin , Li Xiaonan 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Objective
We aimed to examine the expression profile and circulating level of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α) in children and the relationships with metabolic disorders.

Methods
A total of 519 children were recruited, with paired subcutaneous and omental adipose tissues collected from 17 children and serum samples from the remaining children. All children underwent anthropometric and biochemical analyses. The mRNA, protein, and serum levels of HIF1α were determined by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.

Results
Both HIF1α mRNA and protein levels, especially in omental adipose tissue, were increased in overweight or obese (OV/OB) children (P &lt; .05). Likewise, serum HIF1α level was remarkably higher in OV/OB children than in normal-weight children (P &lt; .05). Serum HIF1α level was positively correlated with BMI z-score, fat mass percentage, waist to height ratio, systolic blood pressure, alanine aminotransferase, total triglycerides, uric acid, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (IR). Furthermore, a binary logistic regression analysis of serum HIF1α level indicated that the risks for IR, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and metabolic syndrome remained significant in the presence of all potential confounding variables. Finally, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for serum HIF1α level in children who were diagnosed with IR, NAFLD, and metabolic syndrome were 0.698 (95% CI, 0.646-0.750; P &lt; .001), 0.679 (95% CI, 0.628-0.731; P &lt; .001), and 0.900 (95% CI, 0.856-0.945; P &lt; .001).

Conclusion
HIF1α expression is higher in the adipose tissue, especially omental, of children with obesity than in children with normal weight. Elevated serum HIF1α level is associated with adiposity and metabolic disorder, which may predict a higher risk of obesity complications.
Endovascular Treatment of Small Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms: Safety and Efficacy in a Contemporary Cohort
Authors: Zandpazandi Sara , Matsukawa Hidetoshi , Porto Guilherme , Kicielinski Kimberly , Cunningham Conor , Sowlat Mohammad Mahdi , Elawady Sameh Samir , Orscelik Atakan , Lin Steven , Spiotta Alejandro 
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Endovascular treatment (EVT) of small anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms accompanies a high risk of intraprocedural rupture (IR) because of anatomic location and aneurysm orientation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of EVT for small ACoA aneurysms in a contemporary cohort.

METHODS:
ACoA aneurysms treated at the Medical University of South Carolina between April 2012 and March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Periprocedural baseline characteristics, aneurysm size, and clinical and radiological outcomes were collected. Aneurysms were dichotomized into <4 and ≥4 mm in maximum size. The IR rate, favorable occlusion rate (Raymond-Roy I and II), and the favorable outcome defined as modified Rankin Scale 0–2 were compared.

RESULTS:
A total of 174 patients were identified, of whom 111 (63.8%) were female, and the median age was 57.7 (interquartile range 50.6-69.6) years. 98 (56.3%) aneurysms were ruptured, and 53 (30.5%) were <4 mm. IR was not observed in unruptured ACoA aneurysms, and there was no significant difference in the IR rates between <4 mm and ≥4 mm ruptured aneurysms (6.5% vs 4.5%, P = .65). Favorable occlusion rate and favorable outcome were observed in 94.7% and 78.2% of patients, respectively.

CONCLUSION:
EVT of small ACoA aneurysms is safe and effective.
Mechanistic Studies on Oxygen-Insertion into Osmium(III)–Carbon Bond via High-Valent Oxido-Osmium(V) Complex
Authors: Sugimoto Hideki , Aoki Kurumi , Itoh Shinobu 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
An osmium(III)-metalacycle complex consisting of 2-phenylpyridine is converted to the 2-phenoxidopyridine-osmium(III) complex upon treatment with a tertiary amine N-oxide, where a high-valent oxido-osmium(V) complex is proposed as a key reactive intermediate (H. Sugimoto et al. Organometallics, 2021, 40, 102–106). To gain insight into the reaction mechanism, substituent effects of 2-phenylpyridine moiety on the oxygen atom insertion reaction are examined using a series of 2-(4-X-phenyl)pyridines. All the cyclometalated complexes react with the tertiary amine N-oxide to produce the phenoxido-osmium(III) complexes. Kinetic analyses are conducted on the adduct formation process and the oxygen insertion reaction. In the former process, the binding constant of the amine N-oxide to the osmium(III) center is not influenced by electron withdrawing nature of the substituent X, but decrease of the reaction rate is observed in the latter process as electron withdrawing nature of X increases. Furthermore, the electronic effects of the amine N-oxides are examined using p-substituted N,N-dimethylaniline N-oxide (p-Y-C6H4N(O)(Me)2) to find that reaction rates increase as the electron withdrawing nature of Y increases. These results are consistent with the proposed mechanism in which the C–O bond formation involves conversion of the osmium(III)-N-oxide adduct to its oxido-osmium(V) species as the active oxidant.
The Effect of Eccentric or Isometric Training on Strength, Architecture, and Sprinting across an Australian Football Season
Authors: TIMMINS RYAN G. , FILOPOULOS DEAN , GIANNAKIS JAKE , NGUYEN VICTOR , RUDDY JOSHUA D. , HICKEY JACK T. , MANIAR NIRAV , POLLARD CHRISTOPHER W. , MORGAN NICHOLAS , WEAKLEY JONATHON , OPAR DAVID A. 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the effect of an isometric (ISO) or Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) intervention, alongside a sprint training program on hamstring strength, architecture, and sprinting performance in Australian footballers.

Methods
Twenty-five male athletes undertook NHE (n = 13) or ISO (n = 12) training across a 38-wk period (including preseason and in season). Biceps femoris long head (BFlh) architecture, ISO, and eccentric knee flexor strength were assessed at baseline, at the end of preseason (14 wk), and at the conclusion of the intervention. Sprint times and force–velocity profiles were determined at baseline and at the end of preseason.

Results
After the intervention, both groups had significant improvements in BFlh fascicle length (NHE: 1.16 cm, 95% CI = 0.68 to 1.63 cm, d = 1.88, P < 0.001; ISO: 0.82 cm, 95% CI = 0.57 to 1.06 cm, d = 1.70, P < 0.001), muscle thickness (NHE: 0.11 cm, 95% CI = 0.01 to 0.21 cm, d = 0.51, P = 0.032; ISO: 0.21 cm, 95% CI = 0.10 to 0.32 cm, d = 0.86, P = 0.002), and eccentric strength (NHE: 83 N, 95% CI = 53 to 114 N, d = 1.79, P < 0.001; ISO: 83 N, 95% CI = 17 to 151 N, d = 1.17, P = 0.018). Both groups also finished the intervention weaker isometrically than they started (NHE: −45 N, 95% CI = −81 to −8 N, d = −1.03, P = 0.022; ISO: −80 N, 95% CI = −104 to −56 N, d = −3.35, P < 0.001). At the end of preseason, the NHE group had improved their 5-m sprint time by 3.3% ± 2.0%), and their maximum horizontal velocity was 3% ± 2.1% greater than the ISO group who saw no changes.

Conclusions
Both ISO and NHE training with a periodized sprinting program can increase BFlh fascicle length, thickness, and eccentric strength in Australian footballers. NHE training also improves 5-m sprint time and maximum velocity. However, both interventions reduced ISO strength. These findings provide unique, contextually relevant insights into the adaptations possible in semiprofessional athletes.
Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: EPA or DHA?
Authors: HEILESON JEFFERY L. , HARRIS DILLON R. , TOMEK SARA , RITZ PETER P. , ROCKWELL MICHELLE S. , BARRINGER NICHOLAS D. , FORSSE JEFFREY S. , FUNDERBURK LESLEE K. 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Purpose
Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may enhance recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). However, it is unclear if the effects are due to EPA, DHA, or both. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of EPA + DHA, EPA, and DHA compared with placebo (PL) on muscular recovery.

Methods
Thirty males were randomized to 4 g·d−1 EPA + DHA (n = 8), EPA (n = 8), DHA (n = 7), or PL (n = 7). After 7-wk supplementation, a downhill running (20 min, 70% V̇O2max, −16% gradient) plus jumping lunges (5 × 20 reps, 2-min rest intervals) muscle damage protocol was performed. Indices of muscle damage, soreness, muscle function, and inflammation were measured at baseline and throughout recovery. The omega-3 index (O3i; %EPA + %DHA in erythrocytes) was used to track tissue EPA and DHA status.

Results
After supplementation, the O3i was significantly higher than PL in all experimental groups (P < 0.001). Leg press performance was lower in the PL group at 24 h compared with EPA (P = 0.019) and at 72 h for EPA (P = 0.004) and DHA (P = 0.046). Compared with PL, muscle soreness was lower in the DHA (P = 0.015) and EPA (P = 0.027) groups at 48 h. Albeit nonsignificant, EPA + DHA tended to attenuate muscle soreness (d = 1.37) and leg strength decrements (d = 0.75) compared with PL. Jump performance and power metrics improved more rapidly in the EPA and DHA groups (time effects: P < 0.001). Measures of inflammation, range of motion, and muscle swelling were similar between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions
Compared with PL, 4 g·d−1 of EPA or DHA for 52 d improves certain aspects of recovery from EIMD. EPA + DHA did not clearly enhance recovery. Equivalent dosing of EPA + DHA may blunt the performance effects observed in EPA or DHA alone.
Effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation machine in managing neurological diseases - A retrospective study
Authors: Naz Farah , Hussain Danish , Ali Hussain , Raza Qasim , Siddique Farrukh 
Published: December 2023

Background & Objective: Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) or stroke, Spinal Cord injury can lead to neurological diseases resulting in major loss in motor function causing hemiplegia or tetraplegia. In 2019, according to The Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) CVA/Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of death and disability combined, globally. Its prevalence vary drastically among South Asian countries. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) machine on neurologically impaired patients at the Physical Therapy department at IHHN, Karachi, Pakistan.
Method: In this retrospective study data was extracted from August 2016 to February 2022 on patients with neurological symptoms i.e. hemiplegia or paraplegia with muscle power of two or less on Manual Muscle Testing (MMT). The parameters for evaluating patients progress pre and post treatment were MMT results and their mobility status. The number of sessions ranged between 40 to 100 sessions of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) provided on alternate days according to the patient’s need.
Result: Data of 51 patients who had completed their treatment were extracted and analyzed. The mean age of patients who completed treatment was 49.62 ± 17.26 years. Out of 51(100%), 30 (58.8%) were male and 21 (41.2%) were female. Pre- and post-treatment median (IQR) showed remarkable improvement in MMT of upper limb muscle (from 1.0 to 4.0) and lower limb muscle (from 2.0 to 4.0).
Conclusion: FES cycling is an effective treatment for patients with neurological impairments, as it resulted in improvement in both upper and lower limb muscle strength, along with mobility status.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.2(ICON).8966
How to cite this: Naz F, Hussain D, Ali H, Raza Q, Siddique F. Effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation machine in managing neurological diseases - A retrospective study. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(2):S53-S57. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.2(ICON).8966
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.