bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Malaria amongst children under five in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review of prevalence, risk factors and preventive interventions
Authors: Sarfo Jacob Owusu , Amoadu Mustapha , Kordorwu Peace Yaa , Adams Abdul Karim , Gyan Thomas Boateng , Osman Abdul-Ganiyu , Asiedu Immanuel , Ansah Edward Wilson 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Africa has a higher burden of malaria-related cases and deaths globally. Children under five accounted for over two-thirds of all malaria deaths in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This scoping review aims to map evidence of the prevalence, contextual factors and health education interventions of malaria amongst children under 5 years (UN5) in SSA.

Method
Four main databases (PubMed, Central, Dimensions and JSTOR) produced 27,841 records of literature. Additional searches in Google, Google Scholar and institutional repositories produced 37 records. Finally, 255 full-text records were further screened, and 100 records were used for this review.

Results
Low or no formal education, poverty or low income and rural areas are risk factors for malaria amongst UN5. Evidence on age and malnutrition as risk factors for malaria in UN5 is inconsistent and inconclusive. Furthermore, the poor housing system in SSA and the unavailability of electricity in rural areas and unclean water make UN5 more susceptible to malaria. Health education and promotion interventions have significantly reduced the malaria burden on UN5 in SSA.

Conclusion
Well-planned and resourced health education and promotion interventions that focus on prevention, testing and treatment of malaria could reduce malaria burden amongst UN5 in SSA.
Data analysis for sequential contingencies under uncertainty
Authors: Aslam Muhammad 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe existing Z-test for comparing sequential contingencies under classical statistics can be implemented only in the presence of certain frequencies, and the level of significance. The existing Z-test for comparing sequential contingencies cannot be applied when uncertainty/indeterminacy is found in observed frequencies, and the level of significance. To apply frequencies, Z-test for comparing sequential contingencies under indeterminate environment its modification under neutrosophic statistics will be given in this paper. The decision procedure of the Z-test for comparing sequential contingencies under neutrosophic statistics will be given with the help of an example selected from the psychology field. From the comparison, the proposed Z-test for comparing sequential contingencies was found to be more effective and more informative than the Z-test for comparing sequential contingencies.
Controlled release of harmful pesticide dichlorvos through synthesized biodegradable aloe vera–acrylic acid-based hydrogel and its utilization in soil water management
Authors: Saruchi  , Kumar Vaneet , Ghfar Ayman A. , Pandey Sadanand 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe present work deals with the synthesis of biodegradable hydrogel of a natural polysaccharide aloe vera and vinyl monomer acrylic acid. In this synthesis, ammonium persulfate–glutaraldehyde was used as initiator-cross-linker system, acrylic acid as monomer and aloe vera as backbone. Grafting was confirmed by different techniques like SEM, FT-IR, XRD and EDS. Maximum percentage swelling of synthesized hydrogel was found to be 756%. Biodegradation behavior of synthesized hydrogel [Av-cl-poly(AA)] was studied by soil burial, composting and vermicomposting methods. Maximum biodegradation was found to be 90%, 94% and 93% in case of soil burial, composting and vermicomposting methods, respectively. Biodegradation of Av-cl-poly(AA) was confirmed by FT-IR and SEM techniques. Water retention capacity was prolonged from 11 to 20 days using synthesized Av-cl-poly(AA). Water content of clay soil and sandy loam soil was increased to an extent of 6.1% and 5.79%, respectively. Synthesized Av-cl-poly(AA) has been found to be effective in sustained release of harmful pesticide dichlorvos. The results showed that maximum release of dichlorvos was found to be 1024.34 ppm after 44 h.
Fatigue in patients with cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy: a prospective two-center study
Authors: Fujihara Takuya , Sano Motohiko , Negoro Yutaka , Yamashita Shinji , Kokubun Hideya , Yano Ryoichi 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common symptoms in patients with cancer. However, CRF has not been sufficiently evaluated as it involves various factors. In this study, we evaluated fatigue in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy in an outpatient setting.

Methods
Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy at the outpatient treatment center of Fukui University Hospital and Saitama Medical University Medical Center Outpatient Chemotherapy Center were included. The survey period was from March 2020 to June 2020. The frequency of occurrence, time, degree, and related factors were examined. All patients were asked to fill out the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System Revised Japanese version (ESAS-r-J) questionnaire, which is a self-administered rating scale, and patients with ESAS-r-J “Tiredness” scores of ≥ 3 were evaluated for factors related to tiredness, such as age, sex, weight, and laboratory parameters.

Results
A total of 608 patients were enrolled in this study. Fatigue after chemotherapy occurred in 71.0% of patients. ESAS-r-J “Tiredness” scores of ≥ 3 were observed in 20.4% of patients. The factors related to CRF were low hemoglobin level and high C-reactive protein level.

Conclusions
Twenty percent of patients receiving cancer chemotherapy on an outpatient basis had moderate or severe CRF. Patients with anemia and inflammation are at increased risk of developing fatigue after cancer chemotherapy.
Financial incentives to improve adherence: more clarity about their purpose may help the debate
Authors: Priebe Stefan 
Published: February 2023

SummaryFinancial incentives for medication adherence have been controversial in mental healthcare. Much of the debate, however, may be based on a misconception of what financial incentives are and what their purpose is. Financial incentives are not meant to influence informed consent about treatment decisions, but to bridge the gap between intentions and behaviour and help patients achieve adherence to a treatment that they have agreed to. In this context, patients’ positive views may reflect that the use of financial incentives can support a good therapeutic relationship rather than undermine it.
Thyroid Hormone Abuse Among Elite Athletes
Authors: Handelsman David J , Gild Matti , Clifton-Bligh Roderick , Speers Naomi , Kouzios Dorothy , McMartin Melissa C , Desai Reena 
Published: February 2023

AbstractContextThyroid hormone (TH) abuse for performance enhancement in sport remains controversial and it is not prohibited in sports under the World Anti-Doping Code. However, the prevalence of TH usage in athletes is not known.ObjectiveWe investigated TH use among Australian athletes undergoing antidoping tests for competition in World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)–compliant sports by measuring TH in serum and surveying mandatory doping control form (DCF) declarations by athletes of all drugs used in the week prior to the antidoping test.MethodsSerum thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and reverse T3 were measured by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and serum thyrotropin, free T4, and free T3 by immunoassays in 498 frozen serum samples from antidoping tests together with a separate set of 509 DCFs.ResultsTwo athletes had biochemical thyrotoxicosis giving a prevalence of 4 per 1000 athletes (upper 95% confidence limit [CL] 16). Similarly, only 2 of 509 DCFs declared usage of T4 and none for T3, also giving a prevalence of 4 (upper 95% CL 16) per 1000 athletes. These estimates were consistent with DCF analyses from international competitions and lower than the estimated T4 prescription rates in the age-matched Australian population.ConclusionThere is minimal evidence for TH abuse among Australian athletes being tested for competing in WADA-compliant sports.
Siphoning and Sabotage
Authors: Gerson Sage 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn a moment of electrified literary worldmaking, the unnamed protagonist of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man steals electricity to power the 1,369 lightbulbs and radio phonography in his subterranean refuge. Narratively and materially, electricity theft diagnoses the uneven access to and impacts of electrification, while also (temporarily) creating alternative infrastructural relationships that refuse exclusion. Centered on Ellison's Invisible Man and its representation of electricity theft, this essay analyzes a constellation of US electrifictions focused on the relationship between Blackness and electricity. Going beyond a traditional literary close reading, this essay triangulates a reading of Invisible Man with a history of General Electric's “electric Slave” advertisements from the interwar period and concludes with an analysis of a 2010 WXYZ-TV Detroit news segment focused on electricity theft. GE's advertisements necessitate a reexamination of US cultural constructions of electrification as inherently progressive and instead highlight the ideologies of unfreedom and exploitation that undergird electrified modernity. While the 2010 news segment may seem of a different place and time than Ellison's novel, both are focused on moments where racialized individuals come into contact with the large-scale system of the electricity grid and the structures of power the grid both metaphorizes and materializes. Like in Invisible Man, the electricity thieves in the news segment do more than diagnose the racist impacts and exclusions of electrified modernity, they also, through their illicit acts of siphoning that redistribute electric current, materially intervene in and reimagine the larger infrastructural system.
School-Day Physical Activity and Academic Achievement: Mediators Among US Elementary Students
Authors: Elish Paul N. , Bryan Cassandra S. , Boedeker Peter , Saksvig Emilie R. , Calvert Hannah G. , Kay Christi M. , Meyer Adria , Gazmararian Julie A. 
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACT

Introduction/Purpose
It is recommended that children get 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily. Previous research on MVPA’s effect on academic achievement (AA) is inconclusive, and few studies have investigated the relationship’s mediators. This study assessed whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body mass index (BMI) mediate the school-based MVPA–AA relationship.

Methods
Grade 4 students (n = 4936) were recruited in 40 elementary schools from a large, diverse US public school district. Students wore accelerometers measuring school-day MVPA for 15 d across three semesters. Academic performance data were collected from grades 3 to 5, and CRF and BMI were measured in grades 4 and 5. Multilevel modeling assessed whether BMI and CRF were mediators in the cross-sectional and longitudinal MVPA–AA relationship. Stratified analyses assessed differences in mediation by sex.

Results
Cross-sectional analyses found that school-day MVPA had a significant positive indirect effect through higher CRF for various teacher-assigned course grades and English language arts standardized test scores (all P < 0.001). Cross-sectional analyses found no significant mediation through BMI. Longitudinal analyses found that a 10-min increase in daily grade 4 school-day MVPA was associated with higher CRF with 0.16-, 0.09-, and 0.14-point increases in grade 5 math, reading, and writing grades, respectively (all P < 0.001). Decreased grade 4 BMI mediated a 0.06-point increase and 0.05-point increase for grade 5 math and writing grades, respectively (both P < 0.001). The total effect of school-day MVPA on AA was negative but negligible in practical terms. Stratified analyses found more evidence for positive indirect effects through CRF among females.

Conclusions
School-day MVPA can positively impact AA through increased CRF and (to a lesser extent) lowered BMI, but the effect is negligible. The negative total effects and positive indirect effects suggest that there are other unmeasured mediators. It remains important for schools to protect school-based physical activity given its health benefits.
Arterial spin labeling perfusion in acute Wernicke encephalopathy: a case series discussion
Authors: Ann Phoebe , Chen Mark , Naidich Thomas , Belani Puneet , Nael Kambiz 
Published: February 2023

Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) is a life-threatening neurologic disorder resulting from thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency that can be secondary to chronic alcohol abuse, gastrointestinal surgery, systemic infectious and non-infectious diseases, and chemotherapy. WE is classically characterized on MRI by reduced diffusion and T2 prolongation along the mammillothalamic tracts, periaqueductal gray and tectal plate. We present two patients with acute WE who had baseline arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion at the time of presentation, demonstrating increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) within the classically involved brain regions and concurrent global cerebral cortical hypoperfusion. Both patients were successfully treated with intravenous thiamine infusion. Post-treatment MRI demonstrated improvement of reduced diffusion and normalization of CBF within the involved structures. Prior histopathological studies have documented prominent undulation and luminal dilatation of arteries and arterioles in acute WE lesions, likely explaining the increased perfusion shown by imaging. The root of this pathophysiologic process may trace back to thiamine’s biochemical role in maintaining osmotic gradients and glucose metabolism, that if failed can lead to arterial hyper-perfusion. Our findings show that ASL-CBF can highlight the underlying pathophysiology in patients with acute WE by demonstrating increased CBF in involved central structures. This luxury perfusion may be a compensatory or protective mechanism by which increased metabolic demand is met in the acute setting and which, if treated timely, will show normalization of CBF on ASL imaging.
Two-tier PON virtualization with scheduler synchronization supporting application-level ultra-low latency in MEC based cloud-RAN, using MESH-PON
Authors: Das Sandip , Slyne Frank , Kilper Daniel , Ruffini Marco 
Published: February 2023

Ultra-low end-to-end latency is one of the most important requirements in 5G networks and beyond to support latency-critical applications. Cloud radio access networks and multi-access edge computing (MEC) are considered as the key driving technology that can help reduce end-to-end latency. However, the use of MEC nodes poses radical changes to the access network architecture. As it brings the processing and networking services closer to the edge, it often requires network functions [for example, the centralized unit/distributed unit (CU/DU) stack and application processing] to be distributed across different MEC sites. Therefore, a transport mechanism is needed to efficiently coordinate and connect network functions across MEC nodes. To address this challenge, we propose a two-tier virtualized passive optical network (PON) transport method with scheduler coordination over a virtualized and sliced MESH-PON architecture. While a MESH-PON architecture enables direct communication between MEC nodes hosting CUs/DUs and/or the application processing, our method provides a two-tier virtualized PON transport scheme with coordinated schedulers. This approach greatly reduces latency incurred in transporting signals across the different PON tiers, while maintaining the flexibility of multi-tier methods. We show that our proposed scheme can achieve end-to-end application-level latency below 1 or 2 ms, depending on the network configurations.
Effect of blocking of alpha1-adrenoreceptor isoforms on the noradrenaline-induced changes in contractility of inflamed pig uterus
Authors: Jana Barbara , Całka Jarosław 
Published: February 2023

Background
Disturbances in uterine contractility often lead to the origin, development and maintenance of endometritis and metritis, which are a very common and serious pathologies in domestic animals. Here we aimed to investigate the role of α1A-, α1B- and α1D-adrenoreceptors (ARs) in noradrenaline (NA)-induced contractility of inflammatory-changed porcine uterus.

Methods
On Day 3 of the estrous cycle, either Escherichia coli (E. coli) suspension (E. coli group) or saline (SAL group) was injected into uterine horns, or only laparotomy was performed (CON group). Eight days later, infected gilts developed severe acute endometritis.

Results
Compared to the period before NA application, NA reduced the contractile amplitude and frequency in myometrium (MYO) and endometrium (ENDO)/MYO strips from the CON, SAL and E. coli groups. In the last group, the amplitude in MYO and the frequency in ENDO/MYO were lowered versus other groups. After using α1A-ARs antagonist with NA, a greater decrease or occurrence of a drop in the amplitude and frequency in all groups (ENDO/MYO) were found compared to this neurotransmitter action alone. Such results were noted for NA action on the frequency after α1B-ARs blocking in the CON (both kinds of strips) and SAL (ENDO/MYO) groups. In response to α1D-ARs antagonist with NA, a greater decrease or occurrence of a drop in the amplitude was noted in the CON (both kinds of strips) and SAL and E. coli (MYO) groups. Use of these factors caused the similar changes in the frequency in CON and E. coli (MYO) and SAL (ENDO/MYO) groups. In response to NA, α1A,B,D-ARs antagonist led to a greater reduction or appearance of a drop in the amplitude in the CON and SAL (ENDO/MYO) and E. coli (both kinds of strips) as well as in the frequency in the CON and SAL (ENDO/MYO) and E. coli (MYO) groups.

Conclusions
In conclusion, activation of α1A- and α1D-ARs by NA promotes the contractile amplitude and frequency in the inflamed pig uterus; pharmacological modulation of these receptors can be utilized to enhance systolic activity of myometrium.
National snakebite project on capacity building of health system on prevention and management of snakebite envenoming including its complications in selected districts of Maharashtra and Odisha in India: A study protocol
Authors: Gajbhiye Rahul K. , Chaaithanya Itta Krishna , Munshi Hrishikesh , Prusty Ranjan Kumar , Mahapatra Amarendra , Palo Subrata Kumar , Pati Sanghamitra , Yadav Arun , Bansode Manohar , Shambharkar Shashikant , Madavi Kanna , Bawaskar Himmatrao S. , Mahale Smita D. 
Published: February 2023

Background
Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is an acute, life-threatening emergency in tropical and subtropical countries. It is an occupational hazard and a major socioeconomic determinant. Limited awareness, superstitions, lack of trained health providers, poor utilization of anti-venom results in high mortality and morbidity. India is the snakebite capital of the world. Yet, information on awareness, knowledge, and perceptions about snakebite is limited. Data on capacity building of health systems and its potential impact is lacking. Recommended by the National Task Force on snakebite research in India, this protocol describes the National Snakebite Project aiming for capacity building of health systems on prevention and management of snakebite envenomation in Maharashtra and Odisha states.

Methods
A cross-sectional, multi-centric study will be carried out in Shahapur, Aheri blocks of Maharashtra, and Khordha, Kasipur blocks of Odisha. The study has five phases: Phase I involves the collection of retrospective baseline data of snakebites, facility surveys, and community focus group discussions (FGDs). Phase II involves developing and implementing educational intervention programs for the community. Phase III will assess the knowledge and practices of the healthcare providers on snakebite management followed by their training in Phase IV. Phase V will evaluate the impact of the interventions on the community and healthcare system through FGDs and comparison of prospective and baseline data.

Discussion
The National Snakebite Project will use a multi-sectoral approach to reduce the burden of SBE. It intends to contribute to community empowerment and capacity building of the public healthcare system on the prevention and management of SBE. The results could be useful for upscaling to other Indian states, South Asia and other tropical countries. The findings of the study will provide critical regional inputs for the revision of the National Snakebite Treatment protocol.

Trial registration
Registered under the Clinical Trials Registry India no. CTRI/2021/11/038137.
Combination of sporadic inclusion body myositis and primary Sjögren’s syndrome: clinical case and review of literature
Authors: Khvan Yu. I. , Khelkovskaya-Sergeeva A. N. 
Published: February 2023

The article presents a review of the literature and a clinical observation of a patient with long-term anamnesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in combination with sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM). The diagnosis of SS was confirmed in accordance with the Russian diagnostic criteria for SS 2001, as well as with the ACR 2012 and ACR/EULAR 2016 criteria. The diagnosis of sIBM was established on the basis of a characteristic clinical picture: the development of the disease in a woman after 50 years of age with slowly progressive asymmetric muscle weakness and a typical distribution, a moderate increase in the level of creatine phosphokinase (<10 norms for the entire observation period), the presence of a generalized primary muscle process according to needle electromyography, a typical picture of muscle involvement according to magnetic resonance imaging, and the ineffectiveness of high doses of glucocorticoids. The absence of histological confirmation does not contradict the diagnosis, since morphological examination of muscles in patients with a typical course of the disease fails to detect characteristic signs of sIBM in 20% of cases.Currently, there is no effective pathogenetic therapy for sIBM. Understanding the mechanisms of sIBM development will allow to develop effective methods of its treatment.
The effects of cultural and educational background on students’ use of language learning strategies in CFL learning
Authors: Liu Fulan , Rao Zhenhui 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
This study investigated the use of language learning strategies (LLS) by Australian students and East Asian students in Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) learning, and then interpreted the findings from cultural and educational perspectives. Using a questionnaire and semi-structure interview, the researchers found that there were significant differences in strategy use between Australian students and East Asian students. The East Asian students employed more learning strategies associated with working hard and perseverance, whereas the Australian students used more learning strategies related to self-realization. Meanwhile, the strategies used more frequently by the East Asian students were relevant to high acceptance of power and authority, but the strategies used more often by the Australian students were associated with low acceptance of power and authority. Finally, the traditional teaching methods used in East Asian countries resulted in the students’ use of learning strategies concerning analysis of grammatical rules and linguistic details, but the communicative approach employed in Australia helped the students use the strategies leading to improvement of communicative competence and understanding of overall meaning in a text. A deep analysis of these findings shows that the disparities in students’ strategy use could be linked to some cultural and educational factors.