bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Primary Care Physicians’ Experiences of Obesity Counseling and Management in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations.
Authors: Bader Husam , Maghnam Rama , Barham Husam , Maghnam Joud , Abu-Sulb Ahmad 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
-Objective: The purpose of the study was to explore Primary care physicians’ experiences and perspectives of obesity counseling and management of culturally and linguistically diverse populations (CALD). Particularly in reference to Spanish speaking patients with low English proficiency (LEP).
-Methods: Semi-structured interviews were employed to achieve the aim of this study. 27 interviews were conducted. Participants were recruited from medical practices in Bernalillo county, New Mexico and Monmouth county, New Jersey. All participants provided primary care in clinics with a large proportion of LEP individuals. Of the 27 physicians, 17 were males and 10 were females. 23 physicians were trained in Internal Medicine and 4 were trained in Family medicine. All providers were either American board certified or board eligible. All interviews were conducted in English while encounters were audio taped. All transcripts were de-identified, followed by inductive thematic analysis.
-Results: On average, interviews lasted 14 minutes. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts identified 5 key themes: time constraints, chief complaint prioritization, lack of knowledge on access pathways, limited health literacy, and physician bias.
-Conclusion: Physicians perceived obesity counseling and management in culturally and linguistically diverse patients to be more challenging. Barriers identified included time constraints, chief complaint prioritization and physician bias.
Cultural competence training for healthcare professionals, setting up follow-up appointments specifically to initiate obesity counseling, or considering referrals to a dedicated obesity clinic to primarily manage obesity may address the management gaps of for obesity in CALD patients. In addition, physicians’ education on billing and insurance reimbursement related to obesity can help providers better navigate counseling and management of this population.
Subtelomeric plasticity contributes to gene family expansion in the human parasitic flatworm Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: Brann Toby , Anna Beltramini , Chaparro Cristian , Berriman Matt , Doyle Steve , Protasio Anna 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
The genomic region that lies between the telomere and chromosome body, termed the subtelomere, is heterochromatic, repeat-rich, and frequently undergoes rearrangement. Within this region, large-scale structural changes enable gene diversification, and, as such, large multicopy gene families are often found at the subtelomere. In some parasites, genes associated with proliferation, invasion, and survival are often found in these regions, where they benefit from the subtelomere's highly plastic, rapidly changing nature. The increasing availability of complete (or near complete) parasite genomes provides an opportunity to investigate these typically poorly defined and overlooked genomic regions and potentially reveal relevant gene families necessary for the parasite’s lifestyle.
Results
Using the latest chromosome-scale genome assembly and hallmark repeat richness observed at chromosome termini, we have identified and characterised the subtelomeres of Schistosoma mansoni, a metazoan parasitic flatworm that infects over 250 million people worldwide. Approximately 10.5% of the S. mansoni genome is classified as subtelomeric, and, in line with other organisms, we find these regions to be gene-poor but rich in transposable elements. We find that S. mansoni subtelomeres have undergone extensive interchromosomal exchange and that these sites disproportionately contribute to the 2.3% of the genome derived from segmental duplications. This recombination has led to the expansion of subtelomeric gene clusters containing 103 genes, including the immunomodulatory annexins and other gene families with unknown roles. The largest of these is a 49-copy “plexin domain-containing protein” cluster, exclusively expressed in the tegument - the tissue located at the host-parasite physical interface - of intramolluscan life stages.
Conclusions
We propose that subtelomeric regions act as a genomic playground for trial-and-error of gene duplication and subsequent divergence. Owing to the importance of subtelomeric genes in other parasites, gene families implicated in this subtelomeric expansion within S. mansoni warrant further characterisation for a potential role in parasitism.
Observational constraints of fire, environmental and anthropogenic on pantropical tree cover
Authors: Kelley Douglas , Gerard France , Dong Ning , Burton Chantelle , Argles Arthur , Li Guangqi , Whitley Rhys , Marthews Toby , Roberston Eddy , Weedon Graham , Lasslop Gitta , Ellis Richard , Bistinas Ioannis , Veendendaal Elmar 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Explaining tropical tree cover distribution in areas of intermediate rainfall is challenging, with fire’s role in limiting tree cover particularly controversial. We use a novel Bayesian approach to provide observational constraints on the strength of the influence of humans, fire, rainfall seasonality, heat stress, and wind throw on tropical tree cover. Rainfall has the largest relative impact on tree cover (11.6-39.6%), followed by direct human pressures (29.8-36.8%), heat stress (10.5-23.3%) and rainfall seasonality (6.3-22.8%). Fire has a smaller impact (0.2-3.2%) than other stresses, increasing to 0.3-5.2% when excluding human influence. However, we found a potential vulnerability of eastern Amazon and Indonesian forests to fire, with up to 2% forest loss for a 1% increase in burnt area. Our results suggest that vegetation models should focus on fire development for emerging fire regimes in tropical forests and revisit the linkages between rainfall, non-fire disturbances, land use and broad-scale vegetation distributions.
Butyrylcholinesterase activity in patients with postoperative delirium after cardiothoracic surgery or percutaneous valve replacement- an observational interdisciplinary cohort study
Authors: Schlake Konstantin , Teller Johannes , Hinken Lukas , Laser Hans , Lichtinghagen Ralf , Schaefer Andreas , Fegbeutel Christine , Weissenborn Karin , Jung Carolin , Worthmann Hans , Gabriel Maria Magdalena 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background and objectives
Postoperative delirium (POD) is a frequent and severe complication after cardiac surgery. Activity of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) has been discussed controversially regarding a possible role in POD-development. This study aimed to investigate the relevance of BChE activity as a biomarker for POD after cardiac surgery or percutaneous valve replacement.
Methods
237 patients who received elective cardiothoracic surgery or percutaneous valve replacement at a tertiary care centre were preoperatively enrolled, clinically characterised and screened for POD twice daily for three days. BChE-activity was measured at three defined time points before and after surgery.
Results
POD occurred in 39.7% of patients (n=94). Univariate analysis showed an association of pre- and postoperative BChE-activity with POD (p=0.037, p=0.001). There was no association of POD and the decline in BChE-activity (pre- to postoperative, p=0.327). Multivariable analysis of POD including either preoperative or postoperative BChE-activity as well as age, MoCA, type two diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, type of surgery and intraoperative administration of red-cell concentrates (RCCs) was performed. Neither preoperative nor postoperative BChE-activity was independently associated with the occurrence of POD (p=0.086, p=0.484). Preoperative BChE-activity was lower in older patients (B= -12.38 (95% CI: -21.94 to -2.83), p=0.011), and in those with a history of stroke (B=-516.173 (95% CI: -893.927 to -138.420), p=0.008) or alcohol abuse (B=-451.47 (95% CI: -868.38 to -34.55), p=0.034). Lower postoperative BChE-activity was independently associated with longer procedures (B= -461.90 (95% CI: -166.34 to -757.46), p=0.002), use of cardiopulmonary bypass (B= -262.04 (95% CI: -485.68 to -38.39), p=0.022), the number of administered RCCs (B= -40.99 (95% CI: -67.86 to -14.12), p=0.003) and older age (B= -9.35 (95% CI: -16.04 to -2.66), p=0.006).
Conclusion
BChE-activity is not independently associated with the occurrence of POD. Preoperative BChE values are related to patients’ morbidity and vulnerability, while postoperative activities reflect the severity, length and complications of surgery.
Parametrically-excited laser-plasma acceleration
Authors: Fuchs Matthias , Zhang Ping , Jensen Kyle , Robinson Matthew , Fan Yunhao , Banerjee Sudeep , Gergely Bret , Hu Tian , Hyun Megan , Kawamoto Timothy , Larson Lake , Wang Junzhi , Umstadter Donald , Shadwick Bradley , Centurion Martin 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Laser-plasma accelerators (LPAs) generate high-quality relativistic electron beams from orders-of-magnitude shorter acceleration distances than conventional radio-frequency technology1–4. Most current LPAs require driver lasers with relativistic intensities and pulse lengths significantly shorter than the plasma wavelength5–7, which severely limits LPA operation and applications. Here, we report a novel parametrically-excited LPA (PEPA) regime based on direct plasma wave excitation, which markedly relaxes the driver laser requirements and exhibits a laser to electron-beam energy conversion efficiency and accelerated charge per laser energy ratio that are unprecedented for gas-phase targets. We experimentally demonstrate highly reproducible generation of mildly relativistic electron bunches with nearly 10 nC of charge from a gas target with ultrahigh accelerating fields of more than 2 TV/m. The LPA operates at near quarter-critical plasma density and uses a driver laser with 37 fs pulse duration (several plasma wavelengths long) and only 120 mJ pulse energy. Our results demonstrate a novel LPA concept operating in a widely unexplored regime that holds the promise for efficient widespread ultracompact high-repetition rate particle accelerators and secondary sources with applications spanning from fundamental research, industry, and medicine to energy sciences.
Impact of sodium bentonite and aluminum sulfate as feeding and litter management protocols on nutrient digestibility in starter noiler chicken production
Authors: EZENWOSU CELESTINE chima , Anselm Onyimonyi E. , Valentine U , Romanus Ezeokonkwo C. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Impact of sodium bentonite and aluminum sulfate as feeding and litter management protocols on nutrient digestibility in starter noiler chicken production was investigated. A total of 240 mixed sexed of day-old chicks of noiler birds at two weeks of age were allotted to 6 dietary treatments in a 3X2 factorial arrangement in CRD with 5 replicates of 8 birds each. The treatments were as follows: T1= 0 g NaB /kg diet + 0 g alum/3kg litter, T2= 15g NaB /kg diet+0 g alum /3kg litter, T3= 30g NaB /kg diet + 0g alum/3kg litter, T4= 0 g NaB /kg diet + 400g alum /3kg litter, T5=15 g NaB /kg diet+400g alum/3kg litter and T6= 30 g NaB /kg diet + 400g alum/3kg litter respectively. Statistical analysis of data collected showed that % nutrient digestibility values (Dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, fiber, nitrogen free extract) were lower in treatment groups than in control groups. It was concluded that treatment at 15g NaB/kg diet + 400 g alum/3kg litter can be applied to improve nutrient digestibility in avian species.
Perspectives of people with schizophrenia on clinical outcome scales and patient-reported outcome measures: a qualitative study
Authors: Sawada Utako , Matsunaga Asami , Taneda Ayano , Sasaki Natsu , Yamaguchi Sosei 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Over the past half-century, numerous scales have been designed to quantify outcomes in people with severe mental health disorders. However, little is known about the views of people diagnosed with schizophrenia regarding individual outcome scales, particularly outside of European countries.
Aim
We conducted this qualitative study to examine people with schizophrenia perspectives concerning multiple scales in Japan.
Methods
There were 11 participants in this study. There were some had extensive experience as mental health peer supporters and others had no such experience. To address potential power imbalances and facilitate dynamic discourse, participants were intentionally divided into two groups - peer support experience and without - and conducted simultaneous two-hour focus group interviews in separate rooms. Participants reviewed 12 clinical and patient-reported outcome measures and discussed their views on each measure. Interview data for each group were combined prior to analysis and qualitatively analyzed by four researchers using a thematic analysis approach.
Results
The average age of the participants was 42.7 years (SD = 8.3), and six were male. On average, the participants had been living with schizophrenia for 22.2 years (SD = 11.1). After analyzing the interview data, the following five themes were identified, each containing two to seven subthemes: A) validity and format of the scale construct, B) factors affecting the accuracy of responses, C) plain language and familiar words in Japanese culture, D) psychological impact on the respondents, and E) containing important items in the life of people with schizophrenia.
Conclusion
The participants provided both favorable and unfavorable feedback regarding each scale. When implementing research utilizing clinical outcome scales and patient-reported outcome measures, researchers must exercise caution considering the potential emotional impact on respondents. Furthermore, scale development should take into account the cultural background and psychological burden experienced by the respondents.
A conditional mutation in a wheat (Triticum aestivum) gene regulating root morphology.
Authors: Delhaize Emmanuel , Zeng Deying , Ford Brett , Doležel Jaroslav , Karafiátová Miroslava , Hayden Mathew J. , Rathjen Tina M. , George Timothy S. , Brown Lawrie K. , Ryan Peter R. , Pettolino Filomena A. , Mathesius Ulrike 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Root morphology is central to plants for the efficient uptake up of soil water and mineral nutrients. Here we describe a conditional mutant of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum) that when grown in soil with high Ca2+, develops a larger rhizosheath accompanied with shorter roots than the wild type. In wheat, rhizosheath size is a reliable surrogate for root hair length and this was verified in the mutant which possessed longer root hairs than the wild type when grown in high Ca2+ soil. We named the mutant Stumpy and showed it to be due to a single semi-dominant mutation. The short root phenotype at high Ca2+ was due to reduced cellular elongation which might also explain the long root hair phenotype. Analysis of root cell walls showed that the polysaccharide composition of Stumpy roots is remodelled when grown at non-permissive (high) Ca2+ concentrations. The mutation mapped to chromosome 7B and sequencing of the 7B chromosomes in both wild type and Stumpy identified a candidate gene underlying the Stumpy mutation. As part of the process to determine if the candidate gene was causative, we identified wheat lines in a Cadenza TILLING population with large rhizosheaths but accompanied with normal root length. This finding illustrates the potential of manipulating the gene to disconnect root length from root hair length as a means of developing wheat lines with improved efficiency of nutrient and water uptake. The Stumpy mutant will be valuable for understanding the mechanisms that regulate root morphology in wheat.
Evaluation of total dissolved solids in rivers by improved neuro fuzzy approaches using metaheuristic algorithms
Authors: Jannatkhah Mahdieh , Davarpanah Rouhollah , Fakouri Bahman , Kisi Ozgur 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Substantial deterioration of surface water quality, mainly caused by human activities and climate change, makes the assessment of water quality a global priority. Thus, in this study, four metaheuristic algorithms, namely the particle swarm optimization (PSO), differential evolution (DE), ant colony optimization algorithm (ACOR), and genetic algorithm (GA), were employed to improve the performance of the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) in the evaluation of surface water total dissolved solids (TDS). Monthly and annual TDS were considered as target variables in the analysis. In order to evaluate and compare the authenticity of the models, an economic factor (execution time) and statistical indices of the coefficient of determination (R2), Kling Gupta efficiency (KGE), root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and Nash-Sutcliff efficiency (NSE) were utilized. The results revealed that the hybrid methods used in this study could enhance the classical ANFIS performance in the analysis of monthly and annual TDS of both stations. For more clarification, the models were ranked using the TOPSIS approach by simultaneously applying the effects of statistical parameters, temporal and spatial change factors, and execution time. This approach significantly facilitated decision-making in ranking models. The ANFIS-ACOR annual model considering discharge had the best performance in the Vanyar Station; Furthermore, ANFIS-ACOR monthly model ignoring discharge was outstanding in the Gotvand Station. In total, after utilizing two defined and proposed temporal and spatial change factors, ANFIS-ACOR and ANFIS-DE hybrid models had the best and worst performance in TDS prediction, respectively.
Identification of hyperelastic properties of CMR patient-specific left ventricle by finite elements and virtual fields method
Authors: Ghafarinatanzi Mehdi , Perie Delphine , Mahalatchimy Franck 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Detection of left ventricle (LV) myocardial dysfunction after doxorubicin-based chemotherapy is investigated by determining myocardial stiffness, which is a potential clinical biomarker for the monitoring of heart failure (HF). The combination of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and the finite element method (FEM) was used to estimate anisotropic elastic stiffness in the LV. The myocardium also has a complex geometry with nonlinear hyperelastic properties leading to large deformation. Within the proposed framework, which generates the LV mesh and reconstructs the strain field from the existing CMR data, we apply the virtual field method (VFM) to determine the hyperelastic material parameters. Minimizing an energy-based objective function obtained from VFM identifies the unknown parameters coupled in nonlinear constitutive law considering passive myocardial behavior. While Full-field characterization using VFM is valuable for studying regular-shaped models, we propose applying this method when particularly looking into ventricular remodeling caused by doxorubicin, in the context of cardiotoxicity. In the cardiac diastolic phase, the estimated stiffness of VFM results with FEM validation is compared for a case study of leukemia cancer survivors separated into three groups.
Horizontal gene transfer after faecal microbiota transplantation in adolescents with obesity
Authors: Behling Anna H. , Wilson Brooke C. , Ho Daniel , Cutfield Wayne S. , Vatanen Tommi , O'Sullivan Justin M. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) describes the transmission of DNA outside of direct ancestral lineages. The process is best characterised within the bacterial kingdom and can enable the acquisition of genetic traits that support bacterial adaptation to novel niches. The adaptation of bacteria to novel niches has particular relevance for faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), a therapeutic procedure which aims to resolve gut-related health conditions of individuals, through transplanted gut microbiota from healthy donors.
Results
381 stool metagenomic samples from a placebo-controlled FMT trial for obese adolescents (the Gut Bugs Trial) were analysed for HGT, using two complementary methodologies. First, all putative HGT events, including historical HGT signatures, were quantified using the bioinformatics application WAAFLE. Second, metagenomic assembly and gene clustering were used to assess and quantify donor-specific genes transferred to recipients following the intervention. Both methodologies found no difference between the level of putative HGT events in the gut microbiomes of FMT and placebo recipients, post-intervention. HGT events facilitated by engrafted donor species in the FMT recipient gut at 6 weeks post-intervention were identified and characterised. Bacterial strains contributing to this subset of HGT events predominantly belonged to the phylum Bacteroidetes. Engraftment-dependent horizontally transferred genes were retained within recipient microbiomes at 12- and 26 weeks post-intervention.
Conclusion
Our study suggests that novel microorganisms introduced into the recipient gut following FMT have no impact on the basal rate of HGT within the human gut microbiome. Analyses of further FMT studies are required to assess the generalisability of this conclusion across different FMT study designs, and for the treatment of different gut-related conditions.
Ecological niche and interspecific relationship of dominant bryophyte communities in stone walls of cities at different elevations, Guizhou, China
Authors: duan lixin , wang xiurong , Zheng Yingying , Zhang Yinfang 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

To investigate the utilization characteristics and distribution patterns of major bryophyte communities on urban walls, we examined the bryophyte communities in stone walls at varying elevations. This study employed niche width and niche overlap indices, Chi-square Statistic Test, and association coefficient to analyze the species composition, niche characteristics, and interspecific associations within the bryophyte communities. The results showed that the stone walls across the four elevation gradients supported a total of 65 bryophyte species, including six liverwort species, but the dominant species varied from elevation to elevation E1 ~ E4 (989-1398m). Didymodon rufidulus, Didymodon ditrichoides, and Bryum argenteum had larger niche widths and were primarily distributed in the E3 elevation. In each elevation gradient, there was low niche overlap among the dominant bryophyte species. Interspecific association analysis revealed a significant negative association among bryophytes, suggesting the early stage of community succession. Among the elevation gradients, E4 displayed the weakest degree of bryophyte association, while E3 exhibited the strongest negative association and relative stability. The 16 dominant species of stonewall bryophytes could be categorized into three groups. These findings provide insights into the competition mechanism of wall bryophyte communities at different elevations and offer guidance for ecological restoration of wall vegetation.
Mathematical Modelling of Electrostatically Actuated Cantilever Beams
Authors: SRE SUNANDANA , S Lakshmi , P.A. DINESH 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
This study presents a mathematical model for an electrostatically actuated cantilever beam using COMSOL Multiphysics and Wolfram Mathematica. The model is used to investigate the pull-in voltage phenomenon, which refers to the voltage required to pull the beam to touch the bottom electrode. The cantilever beam is modeled as a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) structure and is electrostatically actuated by applying a voltage between the beam and the bottom electrode. The model takes into account the electrostatic forces and the mechanical deflection of the beam. Parametric analysis is performed using COMSOL Multiphysics and then Wolfram Mathematica tool is used to validate the results obtained from the simulations. The mathematical model is developed using Galerkin's method. This study provides insights into the design and optimization of MEMS devices for various applications such as sensors and actuators.