bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heavy Metals Identification and Detection in Incinerated Bottom Ash from Biomedical Solid Waste in Selected Healthcare Facilities in Douala, Cameroon
Authors: Peter Nkwenti , Marie Etame Loe Gisele , Djopnang Justin , Nga Nnanga 
Published: August 2023

Aims: To identify and detect heavy metals in incinerated bottom ash of Biomedical Solid Waste in selected healthcare facilities in Douala, Cameroon.
Study Design: Cross-sectional fieldwork and laboratory based study design approach that involved quantitative and qualitative data collection methods
Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Douala, Littoral region of Cameroon from the month of January 2023 to June 2023.
Methodology: 5 grams of filtered incinerated bottom ash from BSW were collected from incinerators of the selected healthcare facilities using labeled plastic polyethylene containers and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Samples were air dried and introduced on polypropylene film to the EDX 7000 spectrometer for sensitive analysis.
Results: Both the quantitative and qualitative concentration percentage of the heavy metals detected from Na to Uranium in each HCF was determined by the EDX 7000 spectrometer device. Zinc had a significant concentration percentage in BDH (7.491±0.009333%), LH (4.255±0.009%), GH (7.506±0.013%), AHD (6,903±0.012%) and Iron had a significant concentration percentage in GOHD (3.669±0.013%).
Conclusion: It is concluded that improper disposal of incinerated BA from incinerators may pollute the environment and water bodies through leaching into ground water or being carried into water bodies through runoffs, being inhaled in dust from the dump area, and bioaccumulating in plants and animals that stray to the dump site, potentially having a negative impact on the environment and health risks like cancer and respiratory illnesses. Some of the heavy elements found in bottom ash that had been burned during this investigation were above the USEPA-permitted limits. Assuring proper BA disposal through hygienic landfills may help reduce the amount of heavy metals and other toxic elements in the environment, hence safeguarding human health. To prevent additional environmental damage and human exposure to these elements, waste management practices must be improved through BA recycling. Additionally, it is advised that waste managers in the healthcare industry receive training in safe incinerator bottom ash handling and disposal techniques. Regulatory organizations should also oversee and implement policies for bottom ash management in neighborhood healthcare facilities. In Cameroon, a developing nation that must concentrate on environmental challenges that also benefit human health, this study is fundamentally significant. Sustainable prevention of waste and heavy metals in various HCFs will result from source segregation, knowledge of the problem, and safeguards taken at every stage of the waste cycle.
Farmer’s Perception towards Mitigating Climate Change through Adoption of Soil Carbon Sequestration Practices: A Review Analysis
Authors: Surya K. Shanmuga , Fernandaz C. Cinthia , Karthikeyan C. , Thamaraiselvi S. P. , Boomiraj K. , Manivasakan S. 
Published: August 2023

Climate change is one of the most severe global environmental issues. Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases (F) are the principal greenhouse gases (GHGs) whose atmospheric concentrations are escalating. According to [1], agricultural soils have the ability to mitigate GHG emissions by 89% through the sequestration of carbon and an additional 2% and 9% through the mitigation of N2O and CH4, respectively. The process of capturing and long-term stabilisation of CO2 in the soil is known as soil carbon sequestration. Increased food production, better soil health, diversified ecosystem services, and reduced environmental footprints are all the benefits of practices increasing soil organic carbon (SOC). These techniques include planting woods, managing nutrients by using compost, sludge and green manure, and mulching [2]. Additionally, they have the ability to reduce GHG emissions by up to 8% by mitigating around 18 Mg C ha-1 C year -1 (0-15 cm soil layer). Farmers and society as a whole may benefit from this approach [3]. Supporting campaigns and initiatives to boost soil C sequestration is crucial, both on a policy level and through programmes. Additional studies needs to be done to determine the benefits of C sequestration on soil quality precisely, which encourages farmers to adopt more C-positive agricultural practices that improve productivity, as well as water and air quality [4].
Role of Exogenous Melatonin in Enhancing Shelf Life of Traditional Banana Varieties
Authors: Anchana K. , Kavitha C. , Shanmugasundaram K. A. , Djanaguiraman M. , Johnson I. 
Published: August 2023

Aims: An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of various concentrations of melatonin on post harvest weight loss and shelf life of three traditional banana varieties viz. Ney Poovan, Nendran and Red Banana.
Study Design: Completely Randomized Design.
Place and Duration of Study: Post Graduate laboratory, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2022.
Methodology: Banana hands were dipped in 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 mM melatonin for 15 minutes and were stored at ambient temperature. The hands dipped in water were treated as control. Observations on physiological weight loss and shelf life were recorded till the fruits remained marketable.
Results: The results depicted that fruits immersed in 1.0 and 1.5 mM melatonin for 15 minutes recorded lower weight loss (31.56, 30.55 and 24.90%) on 11th, 11th and 12th day of storage and longer shelf life by 3, 2.67 and 2.67 days in Ney Poovan, Nendran and Red Banana respectively.
Conclusion: The effects of melatonin were due to its efficiency in reducing transpiration and respiration and thereby lowering weight loss. The lowered metabolic activity not only mitigated weight loss but also maintained firmness and turgidity of the fruits and thereby prolonging the storability. It was evident from the results that melatonin treatment could be a good practice for extending postharvest life of banana by reducing the physiological loss in weight simultaneously maintaining the appearance.
Direct and Indirect Effects of Yield Contributing Characters on Seed Yield in Green Gram (Vigna radiate L.)
Authors: Navya Challa , Lal Gabriyal M. , Thomas Neha 
Published: August 2023

The present investigation was carried out to assess the genetic variability parameters, correlation and path analysis in 21 green gram genotypes for 13 quantitative traits at field experimentation center, during kharif 2022 in Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Uttar Pradesh in Randomized Block Design in three replications. Analysis of variance indicated high significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits. Green gram (Vigna radiata L.) is one of the important pulse crops because of its short growth duration, adaptation to low water requirement and soil fertility. Variability is a greater need for initiating a breeding program for yield and yield contributing traits. High seed yield per plant was recorded by SM-2029, SPM-2040, PHULEMOONG-95418, CO-8, CO-7. All the traits showed significant variation among the lines. High Genotypic Coefficient of Variance and Phenotypic Coefficient of Variance was recorded for Number of pods per plant, Number of clusters per plant, Number of primary branches and Plant height where Genotypic Coefficient of Variance exhibited at moderate level and Number of pods per plant exhibited highest percentage of broad sense heritability and also high in genetic advance followed by Plant height and Number of primary branches and Number of clusters per plant. The studies on Genotypic Coefficient of Variance and Phenotypic Coefficient of Variance indicated that the presence of high amount of variation and role of the environment on the expression of these traits. Seed index positively correlated to seed yield per plant at both phenotypic and genotypic levels. Seed index, Biological Yield and Number of Primary branches exhibited high positive direct effect to seed yield per plant at both phenotypic and genotypic path coefficient analysis. Correlation coefficients in most cases were higher than their phenotypic correlation coefficients indicating the association was largely due to genetic reason. At both genotypic and phenotypic levels, significant positive correlations were observed for Seed Index, Days to maturity, Days to 50% pod setting, Plant height, Number of pods per plant and Number of clusters per plant.
Coronary Venous Pressure and Microvascular Hemodynamics in Patients With Microvascular Angina
Authors: Ullrich Helen , Hammer Philipp , Olschewski Maximilian , Münzel Thomas , Escaned Javier , Gori Tommaso 
Published: August 2023

ImportanceThe role of the coronary venous circulation in regulating myocardial perfusion and its potential in treating microvascular angina is unexplored.ObjectiveTo evaluate whether an increase in coronary venous pressure modifies microvascular resistance in patients with microvascular angina.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis was a blinded, sham-controlled, crossover, randomized clinical trial that enrolled participants between November 2021 and January 2023. Participants for this physiology end point study were recruited from the Cardiology Center of the University of Medicine in Mainz, Germany. Patients with moderate/severe angina pectoris (Canadian Cardiovascular Society class 2-4) due to microvascular dysfunction (as defined by the thermodilution-based index of microvascular resistance &amp;gt;25 mm Hg × s). Exclusion criteria were epicardial coronary disease, second- and third-degree atrioventricular block, severe valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary or kidney disease.InterventionInflation of an undersized balloon placed in the cardiac coronary sinus (CS), hereafter referred to as balloon and the deflated balloon in the right atrium, referred to as sham. Measurements were performed at rest and during maximal coronary hyperemia. Both patients and final assessors were blinded to the randomization sequence.Main Outcomes and MeasuresHemodynamic parameters, including aortic (Pa) and distal (Pd) coronary pressure, coronary sinus pressure (Pcs), right atrial pressure (Pra), and the mean transit time (inverse of blood flow [Tmn]), were measured.ResultsA total of 20 patients (median [IQR] age, 69 [64-75] years; 11 female [55.0%]) were included in the study. Two patients (10%) had diabetes, 6 (30%) had hypercholesterolemia, 15 (75%) had hypertension, and 3 (15%) were active smokers. The inflation of the CS balloon caused a significant increase in CS pressure at rest and during hyperemia (300% and 317% increase, respectively, compared with sham, both P &amp;lt; .001), a decrease in hyperemic distal coronary pressure (median [IQR], sham: 92 [80-100] mm Hg; balloon: 79 [75-93] mm Hg; P = .01) and mean transit time (sham: 0.39 [0.23-0.62] s; balloon: 0.26 [0.17-0.46] s; P = .008). As a result, CS occlusion led to a decrease in both resting coronary resistance (median [IQR], sham: 59 [37-87] mm Hg × s; balloon: 42 [31-67] mm Hg × s; P = .005) and the primary end point hyperemic coronary resistance (mean [IQR], sham: 31 [23-53] mm Hg × s; balloon: 14 [8-26] mm Hg × s; P &amp;lt; .001).Conclusion and RelevanceIncreased coronary venous pressure led to a reduction of microvascular resistances in patients with microvascular angina, a mechanism with potential implications for the therapy of this complex disease.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05034224
Overall Survival After Mohs Surgery for Early-Stage Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Cheraghlou Shayan , Doudican Nicole A. , Criscito Maressa C. , Stevenson Mary L. , Carucci John A. 
Published: August 2023

ImportanceMerkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous malignant neoplasm with increasing incidence and high mortality. Although it is accepted that the optimal treatment for localized tumors is surgical, the data surrounding the optimal surgical approach are mixed, and current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines state that Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and wide local excision (WLE) can both be used. The current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines do not advocate a preference for MMS or WLE and suggest that they can be used interchangeably.ObjectiveTo evaluate the association of surgical approach with overall survival after excision of localized T1/T2 MCC.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis retrospective cohort study used the National Cancer Database to assess adults with T1/T2 MCC who were diagnosed between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2018, with pathologically confirmed, negative regional lymph nodes and treated with surgery. The National Cancer Database includes all reportable cases from Commission on Cancer–accredited facilities. Data analysis was performed from October 2022 to May 2023.ExposureSurgical approach.Main Outcomes and MeasuresOverall survival.ResultsA total of 2313 patients (mean [SD] age, 71 [10.6] years; 1340 [57.9%] male) were included in the study. Excision with MMS had the best unadjusted survival, with mean (SE) survival rates of 87.4% (3.4%) at 3 years, 84.5% (3.9%) at 5 years, and 81.8% (4.6%) at 10 years vs 86.1% (0.9%) at 3 years, 76.9% (1.2%) at 5 years, and 60.9% (2.0%) at 10 years for patients treated with WLE. Patients treated with narrow-margin excision had similar survival as those treated with WLE, with mean (SE) survival rates of 84.8% (1.4%) at 3 years, 78.3% (1.7%) at 5 years, and 60.8% (3.6%) at 10 years. On multivariable survival analysis, excision with MMS was associated with significantly improved survival compared with WLE (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36-0.97; P = .04). High-volume MCC centers were significantly more likely to use MMS over WLE compared with other centers (odds ratio, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.63-2.44; P &amp;lt; .001).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cohort study, the use of MMS (compared with WLE) was associated with significantly improved survival for patients with localized MCC with pathologically confirmed negative lymph nodes treated with surgery. These data suggest that Mohs surgery may provide a more effective treatment for MCC primary tumors than conventional WLE, although the lack of randomization and potential for selection bias in this study highlight the need for future prospective work evaluating this issue.
National Estimates of Gender-Affirming Surgery in the US
Authors: Wright Jason D. , Chen Ling , Suzuki Yukio , Matsuo Koji , Hershman Dawn L. 
Published: August 2023

ImportanceWhile changes in federal and state laws mandating coverage of gender-affirming surgery (GAS) may have led to an increase in the number of annual cases, comprehensive data describing trends in both inpatient and outpatient procedures are limited.ObjectiveTo examine trends in inpatient and outpatient GAS procedures in the US and to explore the temporal trends in the types of GAS performed across age groups.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cohort study includes data from 2016 to 2020 in the Nationwide Ambulatory Surgery Sample and the National Inpatient Sample. Patients with diagnosis codes for gender identity disorder, transsexualism, or a personal history of sex reassignment were identified, and the performance of GAS, including breast and chest procedures, genital reconstructive procedures, and other facial and cosmetic surgical procedures, were identified.Main Outcome MeasuresWeighted estimates of the annual number of inpatient and outpatient procedures performed and the distribution of each class of procedure overall and by age were analyzed.ResultsA total of 48 019 patients who underwent GAS were identified, including 25 099 (52.3%) who were aged 19 to 30 years. The most common procedures were breast and chest procedures, which occurred in 27 187 patients (56.6%), followed by genital reconstruction (16 872 [35.1%]) and other facial and cosmetic procedures (6669 [13.9%]). The absolute number of GAS procedures rose from 4552 in 2016 to a peak of 13 011 in 2019 and then declined slightly to 12 818 in 2020. Overall, 25 099 patients (52.3%) were aged 19 to 30 years, 10 476 (21.8%) were aged 31 to 40, and 3678 (7.7%) were aged12 to 18 years. When stratified by the type of procedure performed, breast and chest procedures made up a greater percentage of the surgical interventions in younger patients, while genital surgical procedures were greater in older patients.Conclusions and RelevancePerformance of GAS has increased substantially in the US. Breast and chest surgery was the most common group of procedures performed. The number of genital surgical procedures performed increased with increasing age.
Development of a Machine Learning–Based Prescriptive Tool to Address Racial Disparities in Access to Care After Penetrating Trauma
Authors: Gebran Anthony , Thakur Sumiran S. , Maurer Lydia R. , Bandi Hari , Sinyard Robert , Dorken-Gallastegi Ander , Bokenkamp Mary , El Moheb Mohamad , Naar Leon , Vapsi Annita , Daye Dania , Velmahos George C. , Bertsimas Dimitris , Kaafarani Haytham M. A. 
Published: August 2023

ImportanceThe use of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical medicine risks perpetuating existing bias in care, such as disparities in access to postinjury rehabilitation services.ObjectiveTo leverage a novel, interpretable AI-based technology to uncover racial disparities in access to postinjury rehabilitation care and create an AI-based prescriptive tool to address these disparities.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cohort study used data from the 2010-2016 American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program database for Black and White patients with a penetrating mechanism of injury. An interpretable AI methodology called optimal classification trees (OCTs) was applied in an 80:20 derivation/validation split to predict discharge disposition (home vs postacute care [PAC]). The interpretable nature of OCTs allowed for examination of the AI logic to identify racial disparities. A prescriptive mixed-integer optimization model using age, injury, and gender data was allowed to “fairness-flip” the recommended discharge destination for a subset of patients while minimizing the ratio of imbalance between Black and White patients. Three OCTs were developed to predict discharge disposition: the first 2 trees used unadjusted data (one without and one with the race variable), and the third tree used fairness-adjusted data.Main Outcomes and MeasuresDisparities and the discriminative performance (C statistic) were compared among fairness-adjusted and unadjusted OCTs.ResultsA total of 52 468 patients were included; the median (IQR) age was 29 (22-40) years, 46 189 patients (88.0%) were male, 31 470 (60.0%) were Black, and 20 998 (40.0%) were White. A total of 3800 Black patients (12.1%) were discharged to PAC, compared with 4504 White patients (21.5%; P &amp;lt; .001). Examining the AI logic uncovered significant disparities in PAC discharge destination access, with race playing the second most important role. The prescriptive fairness adjustment recommended flipping the discharge destination of 4.5% of the patients, with the performance of the adjusted model increasing from a C statistic of 0.79 to 0.87. After fairness adjustment, disparities disappeared, and a similar percentage of Black and White patients (15.8% vs 15.8%; P = .87) had a recommended discharge to PAC.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this study, we developed an accurate, machine learning–based, fairness-adjusted model that can identify barriers to discharge to postacute care. Instead of accidentally encoding bias, interpretable AI methodologies are powerful tools to diagnose and remedy system-related bias in care, such as disparities in access to postinjury rehabilitation care.
Nature's Blueprint in Bioinspired Materials for Robotics
Authors: Roh Yeonwook , Lee Youngseok , Lim Daseul , Gong Dohyeon , Hwang Suhyeon , Kang Minji , Kim Dohyung , Cho Junggwang , Kwon Gibeom , Kang Daeshik , Han Seungyong , Ko Seung Hwan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSoft robotics, an emerging field that focuses on the development of robots utilizing soft, flexible, and deformable materials, is revolutionizing traditional robotics (reliant on rigid materials and motors) and broadening its range of applications and potential uses. In addition, by emulating the structure, function, and characteristics of biological systems, bioinspired materials are facilitating significant progress in a diverse array of soft robotic applications. This review offers an overview of bioinspired materials employed in soft robotics, exploring their potential applications, challenges, and future research directions. For an intuitive understanding, soft robots based on the primary abilities required and the habitats (terrestrial, aquatic, aerial) of the animals and plants they mimic are categorized. Furthermore, real‐world applications of developed soft robots in everyday human life are presented. The novel category classification and comprehensive analysis presented in this review provide insights into the development of soft robotic systems with the potential to transform various industries and enhance quality of life.
Near‐Atomic‐Scale Perspective on the Oxidation of Ti3C2Tx MXenes: Insights from Atom Probe Tomography
Authors: Krämer Mathias , Favelukis Bar , El‐Zoka Ayman A. , Sokol Maxim , Rosen Brian A. , Eliaz Noam , Kim Se‐Ho , Gault Baptiste 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMXenes are a family of 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides with remarkable properties, bearing great potential for energy storage and catalysis applications. However, their oxidation behavior is not yet fully understood, and there are still open questions regarding the spatial distribution and precise quantification of surface terminations, intercalated ions, and possible uncontrolled impurities incorporated during synthesis and processing. Here, atom probe tomography (APT) analysis of as‐synthesized Ti3C2Tx MXenes reveals the presence of alkali (Li, Na) and halogen (Cl, F) elements as well as unetched Al. Following oxidation of the colloidal solution of MXenes, it is observed that the alkalis are enriched in TiO2 nanowires. Although these elements are tolerated through the incorporation by wet chemical synthesis, they are often overlooked when the activity of these materials is considered, particularly during catalytic testing. This work demonstrates how the capability of APT to image these elements in 3D at the near‐atomic scale can help to better understand the activity and degradation of MXenes, in order to guide their synthesis for superior functional properties.