bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing the utilization of doctoral research findings at a university in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Views of academic leaders
Authors: Damba Florence Upenyu , Mtshali Ntombifikile Gloria , Chimbari Moses John 
Published: August 2023

Background
Translation of health research findings into policy remains a challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Factors influencing health research utilization are poorly described in literature. Therefore, identifying factors that influence the utilization of research findings for policy formulation is essential to facilitate implementation of evidence-based interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore the views of academic leaders as to why doctoral research is not adequately used in policymaking.

Methods
In-depth interviews were held with purposively selected key informants from the College of Health Sciences. An open-ended interview guide aimed at exploring college leadership views on factors influencing utilization of PhD generated knowledge into policy was used. Data was analysed thematically using NVivo 12 software. Thematic analysis was used to generate themes around the factors influencing utilization of doctoral research into policy.

Results
Factors such as inaccessibility of research results, lack of funding, poor quality of research, lack of continuity in translating research into policy, lack of timeliness of research results and lack of collaboration between researchers and policymakers hindered the utilization of PhD generated knowledge. Participants recommended engagement with the Department of Health/policymakers, collaboration with Department of Health/policymakers, increasing enrolment of South African citizens into PhD program, making final research products available to Department of Health/policymakers, and provision of funding for dissemination of research results.

Conclusion
The study demonstrated that final doctoral research results are mainly disseminated through journal articles and theses. Participants cited inaccessibility of research findings, lack of funding and poor-quality research as the most common factors hindering utilization of doctoral research findings. The study also recommended availing adequate funding for dissemination of research results, collaboration between researchers and policymakers, facilitation of policymaker-researcher engagement to find best ways of using research findings to influence policy and making final research products accessible to policymakers. Further research to gain the perspective of policymakers as to why doctoral research is not adequately used in policy formulation is recommended.
Probiotics: Can it modulate fracture healing?
Authors: Wang Yufa , Agenor Aouod , Clement Allison , Hopfgartner Adam , Whyne Cari , Nam Diane 
Published: August 2023

Objective
Fractures remain a huge burden and their management adversely affects individuals’ function and productivity during the lengthy healing period. Gut microbiota exerts a systemic influence on diverse aspects of host physiology, including bone. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate if oral probiotic treatment before or after a fracture in a mouse model could increase cytokines and biomarkers essential for bone healing with subsequent improvement in the biomechanical properties of the healed callus.

Methods
Femoral osteotomy and intramedullary pinning were performed on C57BL/6 mice. Group 1 received either control PBS or probiotic via oral gavage for 5 weeks before fracture (pre-fracture). Group 2 received equivalent treatments for 4 weeks only after fracture (post-fracture). Fracture calluses were harvested on day 3 and 7 for RT-qPCR to quantify osteogenic-related inflammatory cytokines and bone biomarkers. Fractured femurs were evaluated day 28 post-osteotomy via microstructural analysis (μCT) and biomechanical testing (torsion).

Results
Mice treated with probiotics pre-fracture (group 1) showed significantly increased gene expression on day 3 of cytokines TGF-β, IL-6 and IL-17F and a corresponding increase in gene expression on day 7 for Col1 and Runx2. Significant improvement was also seen in bone volume fraction, bone mineral density, tissue mineral density, maximum yield torque, stiffness and strain energy.
Mice treated with probiotics post-fracture (group 2), demonstrated no changes in cytokine or bone marker gene expression with no significant changes on microstructural analysis. However, significant increases were seen in twist angle at failure and strain energy, with a corresponding reduction in torsional stiffness.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that oral probiotic administration, before or after a fracture, may sufficiently alter the gut flora microenvironment leading to improved bone healing biomechanical properties. The use of probiotics may provide a cost-effective and low-risk adjunctive therapy to improve fracture healing.
Identification of people with low prevalence diseases in administrative healthcare records: A case study of HIV in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Emerson Scott D. , McLinden Taylor , Sereda Paul , Lima Viviane D. , Hogg Robert S. , Kooij Katherine W. , Yonkman Amanda M. , Salters Kate A. , Moore David , Toy Junine , Wong Jason , Consolacion Theodora , Montaner Julio S. G. , Barrios Rolando 
Published: August 2023

Introduction
Case-finding algorithms can be applied to administrative healthcare records to identify people with diseases, including people with HIV (PWH). When supplementing an existing registry of a low prevalence disease, near-perfect specificity helps minimize impacts of adding in algorithm-identified false positive cases. We evaluated the performance of algorithms applied to healthcare records to supplement an HIV registry in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Methods
We applied algorithms based on HIV-related diagnostic codes to healthcare practitioner and hospitalization records. We evaluated 28 algorithms in a validation sub-sample of 7,124 persons with positive HIV tests (2,817 with a prior negative test) from the STOP HIV/AIDS data linkage–a linkage of healthcare, clinical, and HIV test records for PWH in BC, resembling a disease registry (1996–2020). Algorithms were primarily assessed based on their specificity–derived from this validation sub-sample–and their impact on the estimate of the total number of PWH in BC as of 2020.

Results
In the validation sub-sample, median age at positive HIV test was 37 years (Q1: 30, Q3: 46), 80.1% were men, and 48.9% resided in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. For all algorithms, specificity exceeded 97% and sensitivity ranged from 81% to 95%. To supplement the HIV registry, we selected an algorithm with 99.89% (95% CI: 99.76% - 100.00%) specificity and 82.21% (95% CI: 81.26% - 83.16%) sensitivity, requiring five HIV-related healthcare practitioner encounters or two HIV-related hospitalizations within a 12-month window, or one hospitalization with HIV as the most responsible diagnosis. Upon adding PWH identified by this highly-specific algorithm to the registry, 8,774 PWH were present in BC as of March 2020, of whom 333 (3.8%) were algorithm-identified.

Discussion
In the context of an existing low prevalence disease registry, the results of our validation study demonstrate the value of highly-specific case-finding algorithms applied to administrative healthcare records to enhance our ability to estimate the number of PWH living in BC.
Evaluation of the initial timing of infection control pharmacist-driven audit and monitoring of vancomycin therapy in patients with infectious diseases: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Sugita Hideki , Okada Natsumi , Okamoto Matoka , Abe Masakazu , Sekido Masae , Tanaka Michiko , Tamatukuri Tatsuro , Naito Yuika , Yoshikawa Masayuki , Inoue Eisuke , Tanaka Hironori 
Published: August 2023

Background
Early monitoring and feedback on the treatment of infectious diseases are some of the methods for optimising antimicrobial treatment throughout the treatment period. Prospective audits and feedback interventions have also been shown to improve antimicrobial use and reduce antimicrobial resistance. We examined the appropriate use of antimicrobials by focusing on the initial timing for audits and feedback intervention of antimicrobial prescription by Infection Control Team pharmacists.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective observational study in a university hospital in Tokyo, Japan from 1 January 2019 to 31 May 2021. We retrospectively enrolled patients with infections and those patients suspected of having an infection, who were administered vancomycin and assessed at our hospital. The definition of primary outcome was the maintenance of target vancomycin trough blood concentrations of 10–20 μg/ml during treatment. Multivariable logistic regression and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to test the effectiveness of the initial timing of the intervention by Infection Control Team pharmacists as the explanatory variable.

Results
A total of 638 patients were included in this study, with a median age of 69 years (interquartile range: 54–78 years). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that the maintenance of target vancomycin trough concentrations was not associated with the timing of the audit and the initiation of monitoring by Infection Control Team pharmacists (adjusted odds ratio: 0.99, 95% confidence interval: 0.99–1.00, p = 0.990). Multivariate linear regression revealed that the duration of vancomycin administration was significantly correlated with the timing of initiation of monitoring by Infection Control Team pharmacists (adjusted estimate: 0.0227, standard error: 0.0051, p = 0.012).

Conclusions
Our study showed that early initiation of a comprehensive audit and monitoring by Infection Control Team pharmacists did not affect the maintenance of the target vancomycin trough blood concentration. However, it reduced the duration of vancomycin administration.
Effect of gamma-irradiated chitosan to enhance antioxidant activity of Khai Mod Rin germinated brown rice
Authors: SAENGSANE S. , TEPPAYA N. , Wongchuphan Rattana , SRICHAROEN P. , LIMCHOOWONG N. 
Published: August 2023

Khai Mod Rin has been certified as NSRC95001-1-3 grower community enterprise in Hua Sai district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. The effect of γ-irradiated chitosan concentrations and soaking time was examined for a proper conditions of germination. The standard phytochemical screening method and quantitative analysis of DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, total phenols and flavonoids, were also evaluated. The Khai Mod Rin germinated brown rice (KMR-GBR) with the best antioxidant activity and highest in total phenolic and flavonoid contents was produced after exposure to γ-irradiated chitosan (500 ppm concentration) at room temperature for 36 h germination. Phytochemicals including alkaloids, terpenoids, coumarin, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides were detected still the same as germination in water and pure chitosan. Evidently, γ-irradiation on chitosan can be used to enhance antioxidant activity during brown rice germination, which is a potential source of natural antioxidants for food processing.
2 The interactions between UV radiation, drought and selenium in different buckwheat species
Authors: Golob Aleksandra , Kugovnik Ana , Kreft Ivan , Gaberščik Alenka , Germ Mateja 
Published: August 2023

Here we summarise the outcomes on biochemical response and growth of buckwheat with respect to UV radiation, drought and selenium, as well as their interactions. Buckwheats are taxonomically and morphologically very diverse. They have been subjected to more or less intensive breeding, which results in higher susceptibility to environmental constraints including drought and also in different potential to cope and exploit UV radiation. The responses of different buckwheats to UV, drought and their combination differed in different species. Selenium treatment may mitigate negative effects of environmental constraints on buckwheat. Regarding the production of UV absorbing compounds, buckwheats mainly positively respond to UV dose. Ca druses in buckwheat seem to be important in affecting UV penetration.
Scattering of an inhomogeneous coupled Schrödinger system in the conformal space
Authors: Saanouni Tarek , Peng Congming 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
This paper studies the inhomogeneous defocusing coupled Schrödinger system

i
⁢

u
˙

j

+

Δ
⁢

u
j

=

|
x
|

-
ρ

⁢

(

∑

1
≤
k
≤
m

a

j
⁢
k

⁢

|

u
k

|

p

)

⁢

|

u
j

|

p
-
2

⁢

u
j

,

ρ
>
0

,

j
∈

[
1
,
m
]

.

i\dot{u}_{j}+\Delta u_{j}=\lvert x\rvert^{-\rho}\bigg{(}\sum_{1\leq k\leq m}a_%
{jk}\lvert u_{k}\rvert^{p}\biggr{)}\lvert u_{j}\rvert^{p-2}u_{j},\quad\rho>0,%
\,j\in[1,m].

The goal of this work is to prove the scattering of energy global solutions in the conformal space made up of

f
∈

H
1

⁢

(

ℝ
N

)

{f\in H^{1}(\mathbb{R}^{N})}

such that

x
⁢
f

∈

L
2

⁢

(

ℝ
N

)

{xf\in L^{2}(\mathbb{R}^{N})}

. The present paper is a complement of the previous work by the first author and Ghanmi
[T. Saanouni and R. Ghanmi,
Inhomogeneous coupled non-linear Schrödinger systems,
J. Math. Phys. 62 2021, 10, Paper No. 101508]. Indeed, the supplementary assumption

x
⁢

u
0

∈

L
2

{xu_{0}\in L^{2}}

enables us to get the scattering in the mass-sub-critical regime

p
0

<
p
≤

2
-
ρ

N

+
1

{p_{0}<p\leq\frac{2-\rho}{N}+1}

, where

p
0

{p_{0}}

is the Strauss exponent. The proof is based on the decay of global solutions coupled with some non-linear estimates of the source term in Strichartz norms and some standard conformal transformations. Precisely, one gets

|
t
|

α

⁢

∥

u
⁢

(
t
)

∥

L
r

⁢

(

ℝ
N

)

≲
1

\lvert t\rvert^{\alpha}\lVert u(t)\rVert_{L^{r}(\mathbb{R}^{N})}\lesssim 1

for some

α
>
0

{\alpha>0}

and a range of Lebesgue norms. The decay rate in the mass super-critical regime is the same one as of

e

i
⋅
Δ

⁢

u
0

{e^{i\cdot\Delta}u_{0}}

. This rate is different in the mass sub-critical regime, which requires some extra assumptions. The novelty here is the scattering of global solutions in the weighted conformal space for the class of source terms

p
0

<
p
<

2
-
ρ

N
-
2

+
1

{p_{0}<p<\frac{2-\rho}{N-2}+1}

. This helps to better understand the asymptotic behavior of the energy solutions. Indeed, the source term has a negligible effect for large time and the above non-linear Schrödinger problem behaves like the associated linear one. In order to avoid a singular source term, one assumes that

p
≥
2

{p\geq 2}

, which restricts the space dimensions to

N
≤
3

{N\leq 3}

. In a paper in progress, the authors treat the same problem in the complementary case

ρ
<
0

{\rho<0}

.
Surface treatment of PET multifilament textile for biomedical applications: roughness modification and fibroblast viability assessment
Authors: Khoffi Foued , Khalsi Yosri , Chevrier Julie , Kerdjoudj Halima , Tazibt Abdel , Heim Fréderic 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of tuning the topography of textile surfaces for biomedical applications towards modified cell-substrate interactions.

Methods
For that purpose, a supercritical Nitrogen N2 jet was used to spray glass particles on multi-filament polyethylene terephthalate (PET) yarns and on woven fabrics. The influence of the jet projection parameters such as the jet pressure (P) and the standoff distance (SoD) on the roughness was investigated.

Results
The impact of the particles created local filament ruptures on the treated surfaces towards hairiness increase. The results show that the treatment increases the roughness by up to 17 % at P 300 bars and SoD 300 mm while the strength of the material is slightly decreased. The biological study brings out that proliferation can be slightly limited on a more hairy surface, and is increased when the surface is more flat. After 10 days of fibroblast culture, the cells covered the entire surface of the fabrics and had mainly grown unidirectionally, forming cell clusters oriented along the longitudinal axis of the textile yarns. Clusters were generated at yarn crossings.

Conclusions
This approach revealed that the particle projection technology can help tuning the cell proliferation on a textile surface.
Determination of cryogenic temperature loads for finite-element model of LNG bunkering ship under LNG release accident
Authors: Nubli Haris , Sohn Jung Min , Kim SangJin 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The rising demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled ships requires the LNG bunkering facility that partially uses a ship-to-ship operation. The bunkering process of LNG fuel may have a greater risk due to LNG volatility. The cryogenic temperature of LNG poses a threat to the personnel and structural embrittlement to ships. Therefore, cryogenic spill protection optimization was introduced concerning the structural strength analysis using finite element (FE) by utilizing cryogenic temperature loads provided by the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of an LNG release. This study aims to build a platform for transferring the temperature load profile from CFD to FE software accurately. The CFD model usually uses a structured Cartesian grid, and the FE method adopts an unstructured tetrahedral or hexahedral mesh. As a result, both configurations store results at different positions, and it is not preferred for the load profile to be transferred directly. The error will be greater due to the variance of positions. Random Forest, a machine learning method, has been employed that uses a regression technique to deal with a continuous variable. An accurate load profile for the FE model can be obtained by adopting decision tree learning in Random Forest. The procedure for determining the temperature load profile is presented in this article.
Exploration on the application of electronic information technology in signal processing based on big data
Authors: Liu Li 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Mobile phones are the most commonly used electronic devices in people’s daily life. The image, voice, and other information in these devices need to be processed through signal transmission. The role of signal processing is to process the acquired information in a certain way to get the final result. In order to ensure that the whole processing program can work normally, it is necessary to implement good control to achieve the desired effect. However, with the continuous progress and development of science and technology, its requirements are becoming increasingly strict. The traditional signal processing method is unreliable, has poor real time, and has error-prone characteristics, which can no longer meet the accuracy requirements of current information acquisition equipment. Therefore, people begin to study more complex and precise information processing methods and apply these algorithms to various advanced electronic devices to achieve better results. From the perspective of big data, electronic information technology is generated and developed based on massive data processing. It not only has a strong storage function but also has strong computing power and a wide range of application scenarios. It has strong applicability in real life. In this article, the signal to be processed was divided into several wavelet components in different frequency ranges by empirical mode decomposition technology, and then the signal was denoised by combining three wavelet denoising methods to obtain noise data with good signal-to-noise ratio and high classification accuracy. Finally, the corresponding feature information was extracted according to the signal-receiving model to improve the system recognition rate. This article compared the traditional signal processing methods with the signal processing approaches from the perspective of electronic information technology. The results showed that the processing method had a high computing speed and could better solve the problem of detection performance degradation caused by interference. User satisfaction had also increased by 2.87%, which showed that signal processing based on big data and information processing technology had broad application prospects in communication systems. The core of open computer science is to build a unified, efficient, and scalable computing platform based on massive data processing and use signal processing and computer technology to manage and optimize the scheduling of information resources to better meet various business needs.
Mathematical modelling of water-based biogas scrubber operating at digester pressure
Authors: Saini Sunil Kumar , Rane Milind V. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The socio-economic feasibility of biogas as a renewable source of energy has been analyzed for the energy security of India. The impact of Indian government schemes such as the National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP) for the implementation of Bioenergy has been discussed in detail. The feasibility of a water-based scrubber (high as well as low pressure) for Bio-methane production in the Indian scenario was analyzed. Theoretical modeling for Steady-State Digester Pressure Water-based Biogas Scrubber (DP-WBS) was performed using the Sum Rate Method. Design parameters for a DP-WBS-based scrubber having a capacity of 60 Nm3/h were optimized at the digester pressure of 110 mm of the Water Column (WC). Modeling for raw biogas (CH4 64 %, CO2 30 %, H2S 1000 ppm) scrubbing was done with and without water recirculation. Sensitivity analysis shows that a 90 m3/h water flow rate and a total of 7 theoretical stages are required to reduce the CO2 concentration in biogas from 30 % to <2.58 % and H2S concentration from 1000 ppm to <20 ppm. H2S removal efficiency in the scrubber was found to be highly dependent on operating conditions at the regeneration section.
Algebraic independence of topological Pontryagin classes
Authors: Galatius Søren , Randal-Williams Oscar 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
We show that the topological Pontryagin classes are algebraically independent in the rationalised cohomology of

B
⁢
Top
⁢

(
d
)

{B\mathrm{Top}(d)}

for all

d
≥
4

{d\geq 4}

.
Swelling of lignin-based gel in salt-containing organic solvents and its application as gel electrolyte
Authors: Honda Fumiya , Taira Shogo , Suzuki Shiori , Shikinaka Kazuhiro , Shigetomi Kengo , Uraki Yasumitsu 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
A lignin-based gel prepared by the chemical crosslinking of hardwood acetic acid lignin (AL) with poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether has been reported to shrink in water and organic solvents but swell specifically in aqueous binary solutions. In this study, the AL-based gel was also found to swell in lithium-salt-containing organic solvents, namely, liquid electrolytes. The uptake of salt solutions reached five times the dry weight of the gel. The ionic conductivity of the gel swollen with 1 M LiBF4 in propylene carbonate or a mixed solution (1:1, v/v) of ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate exceeded 1 mS cm−1 at room temperature (25 °C), suggesting that this gel can be applied as a gel electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). A prototype LIB was assembled with the AL-based gel electrolyte and LiCoO2/graphite-based electrodes and exhibited low bulk and charge transfer resistances of 4.1 and 9.7 Ω, respectively. Moreover, its initial specific capacity reached 104 mAh g−1 at a current density of 28 mA g−1, which is comparable to that of a reference LIB assembled using a commercial polyethylene separator. These results indicate the significant potential of this lignin-based gel for application in energy storage devices.