bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cross-breed Neonatal Calf Mortality and Health Problems in Small Scale Dairy Production in and Around Bishoftu Town, Oromia
Authors: Goshu Gedion , Abebe Bikila , Dinka Firomsa 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Calf mortality is perennial problems for dairy producers worldwide which impair appropriate heifer replacement. However, limited study has been reported on the calf mortality in the study area. Hence, a Longitudinal prospective observational study was conducted between November 2016 to April 2017 in urban and peri-urban small holder dairy farms of Bishoftu town on 158 live born calves selected from 60 dairy farms to identify the risk factors associated with calf mortality. Questionnaire tool was used to collect information on the risk factors of calf mortality. Calf diarrhea was the leading cause of calf mortality with case-specific mortality of 3.1% among the causes of death recorded. The total cumulative incidence of mortality found in this study was 8.2 %. The association of 8 potential risk factors with dairy calf mortality was investigated. Of these factors, among others, delivery condition (OR=5.9, P=0.018), amount of colostrum (2L) (OR =0.17, P = 0.039), Age of calf (OR=6.5, P=0.046), and farm size≥8 (OR = 12.9, P = 0.007), were the risk factors found to be significantly associated with the death of calves. The present study suggested that the existence of high mortality in small dairy farms might be due to poor farm and calf management. Hence, special emphasis should be given to the amount of colostrum feeding; proper management as the farm size increases and especial care management of the first week age of calves were found important. Moreover, further investigation is suggested to identify the specific causative agents incriminating for calf mortality in dairy farms of the study area.
A 2D/2D BiPO4/g-C3N4-B Z-type heterojunction for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of dye pollutants
Authors: Zhao Hong-jian , Zhou Yan , Wu Ren-Jang , Han Zheng-bing , Li Xu , Yu Zhe 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

A 2D/2D BiPO4/g-C3N4-B nano-sheet heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized via a simple coprecipitation method at room temperature using glacial acetic acid as solvent, which showed excellent activity toward the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB). The heterojunction showed much higher efficiency of separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers compared to that of its constituents. Moreover, the spectral response range of BiPO4was effectively broadened after the combination of g-C3N4-B and BiPO4. Consequently, a 97.3% degradation of RhB within 25 min by BiPO4/g-C3N4-B heterojunction photocatalyst under visible light irradiation was observed. The difference in work functions of BiPO4and g-C3N4-B was evident from UPS characterization, which led to the bending of the energy band and the establishment of an internal electric field at the interface of the heterojunction. Therefore, the synthesized direct Z-type BiPO4/g-C3N4-B heterojunction enhanced the oxidation-reduction ability by promoting the effective separation of photogenerated carriers.
Morphological evaluation for a narrowest section of the Patent Ductus Arteriosus in infants by Computed tomography: A crucial point for device closure
Authors: Fukushima Yosuke , Nakagawa Naomi , Kamada Masahiro , Okamoto Kengo , Uemasu Hitoshi , Kataoka Koichi 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Objectives
We examined the diameter of cross section of the PDA minimum portion using contrast-enhanced CT findings to know the accurate morphology and size of them.
Background
Ordinarily, the device size is determined based on the minimal diameter of the PDA measured in the lateral view of angiography. Occasionally, the device may come out from the PDA easily even if the device size seems optimal.
Methods
From 2016 to 2021, 29 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) prior to PDA closure included. Morphological evaluation of the narrowest part of the PDA was performed on contrast-enhanced CT. We also examined whether there were differences in morphology depended on Krichenko classification, age, and the diameter of the narrowest portion of the PDA.
Results
At the time of treatment, the median age was 4.8 (range, 1–52) months, the median weight was 5.0 (2.5–12.7) kg. The median minimum vertical diameter of PDA was 2.9 (1.6–6.6) mm. The narrowest PDA part in the contrast CT imaging showed horizontal-to-vertical diameter ratios in the range of 1.0–1.7, with no case where the vertical diameter was larger than the horizontal diameter. The median horizontal-to-vertical diameter ratio by Krichenko type was: type A, 1.22; type C, 1.29; type E, 1.62(p = 0.017). When classifying the patients into a group aged under six months (n = 21) and a group aged six months or older (n = 8), the respective median horizontal-to-vertical diameter ratio was 1.34 and 1.15 (p = 0.027). The vertical PDA diameter was not correlated with the elliptical shape.
Conclusions
Most PDA cases have a horizontally-oriented elliptical shape. This characteristic showed high reproducibility and is important information that angiography cannot evaluate.
A multicenter survey on the perception of palliative care among the health professionals working in hematology
Authors: Lorenzo Sara Di , Mozzi Lisa , Salmaso Flavia , Silvagni Claudia , Soffientini Silvia , Valenti Vanessa , Zagonel Vittorina 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Patients with hematological malignancies have less access to Palliative Care and have more delayed referrals than patients with solid tumors. Why does this occur? This survey aims to analyze the perceptions of Palliative Care of health professionals who treat hematological patients and to identify the barriers and facilitators when patients are referred to Palliative Care services.
Method
This is a multicenter, exploratory, descriptive web-based survey. A questionnaire was submitted to the medical and nursing staff at five Italian Hematological units and San Marino’s hospital. The survey covered accessibility, knowledge, education, perceived barriers and facilitators, and personal experiences concerning Palliative Care. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed.
Results
The number of completed questionnaires was 142/320: 96 by nurses and 46 by physicians. It emerged that 96.5% of participants supported integration of hematology and Palliative Care. It was found that 50.7% of participants had a Palliative Care team at their hospital, though only 16.2% had attended a specific course within their hospital, and 70.4% of them were familiar with the role of a palliativist. Nearly half of professionals (49.2%) agreed to refer patients to Palliative Care at the beginning of the care pathway, 52.8% when the prognosis is less than three months or with incoercible symptoms. The percentages of physicians and nurses agreeing to transfusions even in the final stages of the disease were 60.9% and 55.3%, respectively. Concerning facilitators, 65.5% of physicians and 47.2% of nurses considered an in-hospital Palliative Care team and a case manager to be fundamental; 82.4% of participants highlighted the importance of Palliative Care training.
Conclusion
The results show that professionals have a positive attitude towards achieving multidisciplinary integration. The small number of referrals may be due to clinical, cultural, educational, organizational, and resource issues.
Spike propagation by synchronisation and vibrational resonance in a feedforwards Izhikevich neural network
Authors: Ge Mengyan , Wang Haohao , Chen Yao , Liu Ying 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Multilayer feed forward neuron networks (FFNs) are the basis of various machine learning approaches, in which the propagation of neural firing rates with respect to synchronisation and vibrational resonance (VR) under white Gaussian noise and high-frequency stimulation (HFS) is important. In this study, the influences of HFS and noise on the propagation of the synchronous firing rate and VR are investigated in different kinds of Izhikevich FFNs. For the ten-layer excitatory Izhikevich neuron network, it is shown that synchronous firing rates appear gradually, and diverse noise intensities, synaptic weights and time constants affect the propagation of synchronous discharge rates. For a four-layer excitatory FFN, it is observed that the systemic output rates remain smaller than zero and carry no information on the weak signal when HFS is small. The VR phenomenon occurs when the input of the weak low frequency signal (LFS) and signal output maintain good phase synchronisation, and the LFS is amplified by increasing the amplitude of HFS. In the excitatory-inhibition multilayer FFN, propagation by synchronous firing rates is not good, and few inhibitory neurons remain excited. In the systemic output, the synchronisation phenomenon can be observed but is not as good as that in the excitatory FFN.
A novel diagnostic approach to reduce artifacts caused by cerebral atrophy in regional CBF assessment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease by [99mTc]-ECD and SPECT.
Authors: Odano Ikuo , Hosoya Tetsuo , Maeyatsu Fumio , Asari Mami , Oba Kentaro , Taki Yasuyuki 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Objectives Accurately evaluated regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is increasingly important for the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer's disease (AD). We propose a novel diagnostic approach to minimize artifacts and Z-score over- or underestimation caused by cerebral atrophy, better reflecting rCBF, thus improving diagnoses accuracy.
Methods [99mTc]-ECD and SPECT studies were performed on 15 cognitively normal patients, 40 patients with MCI, and 16 patients with probable AD. Patient SPECT images were compared with those of age-matched controls using SPM2. The Z-scores obtained were displayed on a standardized MRI based on the orbito-meatal line. The atrophy correction method was incorporated to reduce artifacts through the MRI masking procedure applied to the target patient. Regional Z-score, percent extent, and atrophy correction rate obtained using the masking procedure, Mask (+), were compared with those obtained without the mask, Mask (-). The atrophy correction rate was defined as follows:
atrophy correction rate = [ZscoreMask (-) - ZscoreMask (+)]/ZscoreMask (-)*100.
To assess the approach, the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted for five dementia-related regions.
Results This approach significantly reduced artifacts, regional Z-score, and percent extent in most regions, leading to improved estimates. The mean atrophy correction rate ranged from 10.4 to 12.0%. In MCI and AD, the convexities of the frontal and parietal lobes and the posterior medial cerebrum were particularly sensitive to cerebral atrophy, and the Z-score Mask (-) were overestimated, whereas the posterior cingulate cortex and the cerebellum were less sensitive to artifacts. The diagnostic accuracy for MCI increased from 67% for Mask (-) to 69% for Mask (+), and for AD from 78% for Mask (-) to 82% for Mask (+). The mean Z-scores in the inferior parietal lobule were higher in AD than in MCI.
Conclusion This approach demonstrated improved Z-score assessments with reduced artifacts and improved diagnostic accuracy. A semi-automatic implementation of this is recommended for routine clinical studies.
Statistical assessment of IMERG-FRV6, MSWEP, TRMM-3B43V7, and PERSIANN-CDR satellite precipitation in monthly, seasonal, and annual time-scale over Iran
Authors: Nozarpour Nazanin , Mahjoobi Emad , Golian Saeed 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Knowing the spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation around the world is beneficial for improving climate knowledge and enhancing weather and climate forecasting models. While determining the distribution of precipitation is complicated, many satellite precipitation products (SSPs) have been developed in the past few decades to estimate precipitation with sufficient coverage and accuracy. In this research, the performance of four SSPs namely IMERG-FRV6, MSWEP, TRMM-3B43V7, and PERSIANN-CDR were evaluated at monthly, seasonal, and annual scales in Iran. For this purpose, the measured rainfall data in 81 synoptic stations located in the entire country of Iran in the period of 2008 to 2019 were used. For a more accurate evaluation of the selected SSPs, several statistical indices including Correlation Coefficient, Kling-Gupta Efficiency, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Bias were calculated and analyzed at the location of all synoptic stations. The results indicate that, in general, MSWEP has a significant advantage over other products in all time scales. Of course, the performance of all four products in areas with high monthly rainfall is associated with more errors. Our assessments show that the highest amount of monthly RMSE is observed in PERSIANN-CDR. TRMM-3B43V7 performance is more satisfactory in drier regions, i.e., areas with low to moderate precipitation. It is worthy to mention that MSWEP has the closest average precipitation to the observational data in spring, summer, and winter. Furthermore, IMERG-FRV6 overestimates precipitation in all seasons.
Disciplinary behaviour management strategies in schools and their impact on student psychosocial outcomes: A systematic review
Authors: Ijaz Sharea , Nobles James , Mamluk Loubaba , Dawson Sarah , Curran Bonnie , Pryor Rachael , Redwood Sabi , Savovic Jelena 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Background
Disciplinary behaviour management strategies are implemented in schools to help manage pupil behaviour. There is limited evidence of their intended impact on behaviour and academic outcomes for pupils but a growing concern for the potential negative impact that punitive approaches may have on pupil wellbeing.
Methods
We carried out a systematic review of the impact of disciplinary behaviour management strategies in schools on pupil psychosocial outcomes. We searched multiple electronic databases, and other sources. Primary outcomes were mental health and wellbeing, and secondary outcomes were social behaviours and academic attainment. Double screening of all titles, abstracts and full texts was undertaken, and data extraction was led by one reviewer with second reviewer checking all. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) group’s criteria for nonrandomised studies. Results were narratively synthesised.
Results
We included 14 studies from 5375 citations, assessing three types of strategies: temporary suspension (n = 10), verbal reprimand (n = 2), and mixed strategies (suspension along with other disciplinary intervention; n = 2), reporting on 18 primary and secondary outcomes. Depression was the most frequently reported outcome (n = 7), followed by academic grade scores (n = 4) and poor social behaviour in class (n = 4). Studies were mostly surveys, and all except one were at high risk of bias. We found a recurring pattern in the evidence of disciplinary strategies associated with poor mental health and social behaviour in pupils. The effect on academic attainment was unclear.
Conclusions
Disciplinary strategies aimed at improving behaviour at school may have negative effects on the pupil mental wellbeing as well as class behaviour. These are important consequences and should be assessed in better designed studies before these strategies are implemented.
Comparative studies on the in-situ and ex-situ polymerization routes on Graphene derivative infused Polyaniline (PANI) Nanocomposites
Authors: Nisma NV , Praseetha P Nair 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Polyaniline (PANI) as a known conducting polymer, exists in different forms, each having its properties and technological applications. PANI and PANI/Graphene Oxide (PANI/GO) composites with different compositions of GO were prepared by in-situ polymerization techniques. The synthesized PANI/GO composites were reduced to PANI/reduced Graphene Oxide (PANI/rGO) via in situ polymerization method. PANI/rGO composites were synthesized by ex-situ polymerization technique also. This research work attempts to do a comparative study of the synthesis and properties of graphene-based PANI nanocomposites. It has been characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The prime characteristic peaks from FTIR were analyzed and observed for the formation of nanocomposites. The anti-microbial properties of the polymer composites were investigated by the Agar well diffusion method using two gram-positive and two gram-negative bacteria – Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Pseudomonas, Escherichia coli. Pristine PANI shows an inhibition zone in all bacteria than PANI/GO. PANI/rGO ex-situ has more antibacterial activity than PANI/rGO in-situ composite.
Biogeography of high-latitude macroalgal flora: Greenland macroalgal diversity in a North Atlantic and macroecological perspective
Authors: Wegeberg Susse 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Marine flora distribution change modelling is of high interest in order to investigate the implications of ocean warming due to climate changes. With respect to the Arctic, Greenland is a major player, but due to limited floristic data, including sporadic and difficult accessible historical data, public available data is lacking. Here is presented the Greenland macroalgal flora diversity and distribution, providing a baseline, based on historical and present knowledge, and analyse the distributional patterns within Greenland, but also in a Polar and North Atlantic perspective. Species presence and distribution in Greenland are compiled from literature and from species lists prepared by Greenland macroalgae taxonomists. Macroalgal species numbers are compiled from literature for other countries/regions represented in the North Atlantic. The data set has been analysed in a national biogeographic context, as well as in a polar macroecological perspective, using the (R + C)/P index. A total macroalgal species number of 176 species, divided into 49 Rhodophyta, 79 Phaeophyceae, and 48 Chlorophyta species, were found for Greenland, distributed along a latitudinal gradient from 60-83°N, and whereas 134 and 144 species were registered for the east and west coast, respectively. In general, a linear decline in species number from south to north was observed, as well as on the transverse transect in the northern North Atlantic, with a general higher fraction of Phaeophycean species in the north. A distributional baseline and a checklist for the Greenland macroalgal flora are provided.
Performance of cementitious mortars containing hydrogel–nanoclay hybrid nanocomposite
Authors: Filho Adhemar Watanuki , de Moura Marcia R. , Aouada Fauze Ahmad 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Cement-based composites comprise a binder matrix with or without aggregates. Hydration of cement is an exothermic reaction that releases considerable quantities of heat, causes drying shrinkage, and results in cracks that can compromise the performance of the structure. Hydrogels can help mitigate such cracking as their hydrophilic characteristics and 3D crosslinked structure enable them to absorb and directly release water into the cement matrix over time. The aim of this study is to synthesize and analyze the effect of adding hybrid nanocomposite hydrogels with different concentrations (0, 10, and 20% w/v) of Cloisite-Na+ nanoclay in their fresh and hardened cement mortar states. The hydrogels were synthesized via free radical polymerization, and four cementitious mortar samples (M, M0, M10, and M20), were prepared with 1:2.16, 0.40 water/cement and 0.50% presoaked hydrogel (wt./wtcement) ratios. The results demonstrated that the density of all the mortars in the fresh state was ~ 2.16 ± 0.01 g.cm− 3, but a decreasing trend was observed that could attributed to the increase of air incorporation into the mortar. At 28 days, the results indicated that the hydrogel with 20% Cloisite-Na+ was the most efficient, causing a reduction of ~ 4.41% in water absorption by the mortar. For all the three curing conditions considered, all mortars demonstrated considerable shrinkage over time. However, the controlled curing indicated that M20 mortars demonstrated 30.5% less shrinkage compared to the control sample. Thus, the results indicate that the mortars containing hydrogel demonstrate satisfactory behavior in both the fresh and hardened state, highlighting its efficiency as a curing agent.
The Training Effect of Virtual Reality Games on Visual Function in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Jeng-Dau , Kuo Hui-Ying , Chan Zih-Syuan , Sun Han-Yin 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Purpose To investigate the differences in visual function between the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children and their controls and to evaluate the training effect by utilizing virtual reality (VR) games.Methods A total of 60 participants aged between 6–13 were recruited. A series of visual function tests, including near point convergence (NPC), phoria in both distance and near, fusional vergence, amplitude of accommodation (AA) and accommodative facility (AF) were applied, and a vision-related questionnaire were also completed. 17 of ADHD children participated in the VR training program and the effect was evaluated pre-and post-training.Results The accommodative facility of the ADHD group were reduced compared to their controls (p = 0.015). The result showed that there were higher CISS scores in ADHD group (p < 0.001) and which was manifest with visual complaints of performance-related symptoms. After 3-months VR games training, significant improvement in NPC (p = 0.039) and a higher proportion of orthophoria was observed in ADHD group.Conclusions There were no significant differences in refractive error, NPC function, amplitude of accommodation and vergence fusional range between ADHD group and the controls, however, accommodative facility was significantly lower in the ADHD patients. In addition, a significant improvement in visual function was found after applying the VR games training to the ADHD children. Therefore, the results showed that VR training is a practical and efficient option to enhance visual function of ADHD population.