bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interfacial engineering of PZT/PVDF composites via insulating MgO as an interlayer towards enhanced dielectric performances
Authors: Cao Jing , Zhou Wenying , Li Ting , Guan Yining , Liu Jing , Zhao Yingying , Li Ying 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Polymer dielectrics with synergistic large dielectric constant (ε′) and high breakdown field strength (Eb) have important applications in electronics device and electrical industry. In this work, to enhance the integrated dielectric characteristics of lead zirconate titanate (PZT)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), an insulating magnesia (MgO) shell was constructed on the surface of PZT via a facile chemical precipitation, and the prepared core@shell structured PZT@MgO particles were composited with PVDF to anticipate both high ε′ and Eb but low loss. We explored how the filler loading and MgO shell thickness, frequency affect the dielectric performances of PZT/PVDF composites. The results confirm that the PZT@MgO/PVDF composites show simultaneously improved ε′ and Eb along with low loss over the pristine PZT/PVDF because the MgO interlayer induces multiple-scale polarizations in PZT@MgO/PVDF and clearly boosts the Eb due to markedly prohibited charge injection and migration and electrical branch growth. The optimized ε′ and Eb in composites can be realized by controlling the MgO shell thickness. The theoretic fitting of experimental results by the Havriliak-Negami equation further uncovers the MgO shell’ impact on the polarization mechanism and expounds the inhibiting effect on carrier migration across the composites. The resulting PZT@MgO/PVDF composite dielectrics having both high ε′ and Eb but extremely low loss, display appealing uses in the electrical industries.
Post-Covid Condition and clinic characteristics associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection: A 2-year follow up to Brazilian cases
Authors: Silva Nayara Sousa da , de Araújo Nathália Kelly , Santos Katiusse Alves dos , de Souza Karla Simone Costa , de Araújo Jéssica Nayara Góes , Cruz Marina Sampaio , Parra Esteban J , Silbiger Vivian Nogueira , Luchessi André Ducati 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Until January 2023, Brazil recorded 37 million COVID-19 cases despite the decrease in mortality after mass vaccination efforts for SARS-CoV-2. The infection continues to challenge researchers and health professionals with persistent symptoms and onset manifestations after the acute phase of the disease, namely Post-Covid Condition (PCC). Being one of the countries with the highest infection rate, Brazil must prepare for many patients with chronic health consequences of COVID-19. Longitudinal studies that follow patients over extended periods are crucial in understanding the long-term impacts of COVID-19, including potential health consequences and the effects on quality of life. We describe the clinical profile of a cohort of COVID-19 patients infected during the first year of the pandemic in Brazil and a follow-up after two years to investigate the health impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The first wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Brazil featured extensive drug misuse, notably the ineffective COVID kit comprised of ivermectin, antimalarials and azithromycin, and elevated in-hospital mortality. In the study’s second phase, PCC was reported by symptomatic COVID-19 subjects across different severity levels two years after infection. Long haulers are more likely to be women, previously hospitalized, and reported a range of symptoms from muscle pain to cognitive deficit. In conclusion, our longitudinal study is essential to inform public health authorities to develop strategies and policies to control the spread of the virus and mitigate its impacts on society.
Slow stripe rusting in Chinese wheat Jimai 44 conferred by Yr29 in combination with a major QTL on chromosome arm 6AL
Authors: Liu Shengjie , Liu Dan , Mi Zhiwen , Zhang Wenjing , Wang Xiaoting , Zhang Chuangliang , Gao Xin , Ren Yong , Lan Caixia , Liu Xiukun , Yuan Fengping , Su Baofeng , Kang Zhensheng , Li Chunlian , Han Dejun , Wang Changfa , Cao Xinyou , Wu Jianhui 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
“Slow rusting” (SR) is a type of adult plant resistance (APR) that can provide non-specific durable resistance to stripe rust in wheat. Chinese elite wheat cultivar Jimai 44 (JM44) has maintained SR to stripe rust in China since its release despite exposure to a changing and variable pathogen population. An F2:6 population comprising 295 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between JM44 and susceptible cultivar Jimai 229 (JM229) was used in genetic analysis of the SR. The RILs and parent lines were evaluated for stripe rust response in five field environments and genotyped using the Affymetrix Wheat55K SNP array and 13 allele-specific quantitative PCR-based (AQP) markers. Two stable QTL on chromosome arms 1BL and 6AL were identified by inclusive composite interval mapping. The 1BL QTL was probably the pleiotropic gene Lr46/Yr29. QYr.nwafu-6AL (hereafter named YrJ44), mapped in a 3.5-cM interval between AQP markers AX-109373479 and AX-109563479, was more effective than Yr29 in reducing disease severity and relative area under the disease progress curve (rAUDPC). RILs harboring both YrJ44 and Yr29 displayed levels of SR equal to the resistant parent JM44. The AQP markers linked with YrJ44 were highly polymorphic and significantly correlated with stripe rust resistance in a panel of 1,019 wheat cultivars and breeding lines. These results suggested that adequate SR resistance can be obtained by combining YrJ44 and Yr29 and the AQP markers can be used in breeding for durable stripe rust resistance.
Who is providing HIV testing Services? The profile of lay counsellors providing HIV testing services in South Africa in the treat-all era
Authors: Mokhele Idah , Sineke Tembeka , Vujovic Marnie , Ruiter Robert A.C. , Onoya Dorina 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Lay counsellors are critical in sustaining access to HIV testing services (HTS) and psychosocial support for persons living with HIV (PLHIV). We aimed to describe the professional and psychosocial profiles of lay counsellors in primary healthcare (PHC) clinics in South Africa under the universal-test-and-treat (UTT) policy context.
Methods
We conducted a descriptive analysis of a cross-sectional survey among adult (≥ 18 years) lay counsellors from 20 PHC facilities (2-3/ clinic) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Consenting counsellors were interviewed between June 2018 and March 2019. We report on counsellors' demographic profiles, training, work experience, and mental and emotional well-being
Results
55 consenting adult (≥ 18 years) lay counsellors (92.7% female, median age 37 years, interquartile range [IQR]: 33-44, and 27.3% HIV diagnosed) were surveyed. Most (85.5%) were Department of Health lay counsellors receiving a volunteer stipend at the time. Overall, 56.4% had been working as counsellors for five years or longer. The majority (87%) had completed the National HIV Testing Services Policy Guidelines-recommended 10-day basic counselling training, but 45.2% had not completed refresher training within the guideline's required 24 months. Reported operational barriers include lack of designated space for counselling (56.4%), inadequate professional supervision and support (40.7%) and insufficient emotional support (over 56.4%), and 60% were overwhelmed by their workload. A total of 18.2% had major depressive symptoms, and the same proportion scored low for psychological well-being. While most (87.3%) reported moderate job satisfaction, 50.91% actively sought alternative employment.
Conclusion:
Despite lay counsellors' significant role in delivering HIV care in South Africa, there has been minimal investment in their skills development, emotional support, and integration into the formal health workforce. Counsellors' persisting unmet psychosocial, training, and professional needs could impact their efficacy in the UTT era.
Remote training for strengthening capacity in sexual and reproductive health and rights research: A Systematic Review
Authors: Perrotta Carla , Downey Vicky , Elabbasy Darin , Ingram Carolyn , Lo Chungwan , Naseer Amara , Thorson Anna , Brizuela Vanessa 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background: Training has been used to develop research skills among sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) researchers. Remote education may accelerate transfer of skills and reduce barriers to strengthening research capacity. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of remote training on SRHR research and describe enablers and barriers of effective remote training.
Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Scielo were searched up to December 2022 for studies that evaluated in any language online research training programmes either on a SRHR topic or tailored for professionals working in SRHR published since 1990. Characteristics of included studies, the programmes they evaluated, the programme’s effectiveness, and reported barriers and enablers to remote learning were extracted. Three researchers synthesized and described findings on effectiveness, impact and outcomes mapping them against the Kirkpatrick model. Additionally, thematic analysis from qualitative data was conducted to identify themes relating to the barriers and enablers of remote learning.
Results: Of 1,510 articles retrieved, six studies that included 2,058 remote learners met the inclusion criteria. Five out of six studies described empirical improvements in participant research knowledge/skills and three studies reported improvements in attitudes/self-efficacy towards research. Follow-up surveys from four studies revealed frequent application of new research skills and improved opportunities for career advancement and publication following online trainings. Cited barriers to effective online SRHR research training included time management challenges and participants’ competing professional obligations; limited opportunities for interaction; and lack of support from home institutions. Cited enablers included well-structured and clear courses, learning objectives and expectations with participants; ensuring a manageable workload; facilitating interactions with mentors and hands-on experience; and selecting programme topics relevant to participants’ jobs.
Conclusion: Remote SRHR training can lead to improvements in research knowledge, skills, and attitudes, particularly when course learning objectives, structure, and expectations are outlined clearly, and ongoing mentorship is provided.
Structural characterization, bandgap energy, and mechanic deformation studies of polyacrylamide (PAAm) nanocomposite hydrogels with homogeneously-distributed multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)
Authors: Öztürk Mert Can , Aktaş Demet Kaya 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Hydrogels doped with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely used in many areas due to the superior properties of both hydrogels and CNTs. The synthesis of homogeneously-distributed CNTs-hydrogel nanocomposites is an important research topic because the quality of the dispersion in the structure affects all observed and measured properties. In the literature, high electrical and mechanical properties of CNTs can only be transferred to the elastic hydrogels if their homogeneous distribution in the composite networks is achieved by adding functional groups. In this work, we synthesized polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels doped with homogeneously-distributed multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by free-radical crosslinking copolymerization in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution without any functional groups. The contents of MWCNTs varied from 0.1 to 2.5 vol% with no aggregation in the PAAm hydrogel networks. The agglomeration of MWCNTs in PAAm hydrogels was prevented by rapid polymerization with catalyzer, tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) effect. The homogeneous distributions of MWCNTs were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to investigate optical properties, bandgap energies, dispersibility, refractive index, resonance and non-resonance ratios for hydrogels doped with various MWCNTs contents. Here bandgap energies of composite hydrogels were calculated by Tauc’s relation. The results showed that bandgap energies of hydrogel composite decreased as MWCNTs contents increased. The mechanic deformation tests of the composites were also performed and it was observed that when MWCNTs increased, the elastic modulus of hydrogel composites increased. These well-dispersed composites are a potential candidate in different areas due to the higher electrical and mechanical properties of MWCNTs.
A Dynamic Nomogram Predicting symptomatic pneumonia in Patients With Lung Cancer Receiving Thoracic Radiation
Authors: Zha Yawen , Zhang Jingjing , Yan Xinyu , Yang Chen , Li Minying 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The most common and potentially fatal side effect of thoracic radiation therapy is radiation pneumonitis (RP). Due to the lack of effective treatments, predicting radiation pneumonitis is crucial. This study aimed to develop a dynamic nomogram to accurately predict symptomatic pneumonitis (RP ≥ 2) following thoracic radiotherapy for lung cancer patients.
Methods
Data from patients with pathologically diagnosed lung cancer at our hospital between January 2017 and June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Risk factors for radiation pneumonitis were identified through multivariate logistic regression analysis and utilized to construct a dynamic nomogram. The predictive performance of the nomogram was validated using a bootstrapped concordance index and calibration plots.
Results
Age, smoking index, chemotherapy, and whole lung V5/V10/MLD were identified as significant factors contributing to the accurate prediction of symptomatic pneumonitis. A dynamic nomogram for symptomatic pneumonitis was developed using these risk factors. The area under the curve was 0.920 (95% confidence interval 0.90–0.94). The nomogram demonstrated a bootstrapped concordance index of 0.892 (95% confidence interval 0.83–0.95) and was well calibrated. Furthermore, the threshold values for high risk and low risk were determined to be 150 using the receiver operating curve.
Conclusions
The developed dynamic nomogram offers an accurate and convenient tool for clinical application in predicting the risk of symptomatic pneumonitis in patients with lung cancer undergoing thoracic radiation.
Extended Left Hepatectomy With Concomitant Excision of the Right Hepatic Vein In A Patient With Extensive Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma And Replaced Right Hepatic Artery: A Case Report on Surgical Technique.
Authors: Pantelis Athanasios , Pagkratis Spyridon , Tzimas Georgios 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Hepatic vasculature is highly variant and hepatobiliary surgeons should be aware of the details of each patient’s anatomy. This may render hepatectomy challenging but may also act in the aid of the surgeon.
Case presentation
We present a 73-year-old female patient with locally advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma infiltrating all three hepatic veins. The patient had two concomitant vascular variations: accessory inferior right hepatic vein and replaced left hepatic artery originating from the left gastric artery. The patient underwent extended left hepatectomy with oncologically adequate margins (R0 excision) without intraoperative or postoperative complications.
Conclusion
Despite the extensive tumor burden, the anatomical variations of the patient allowed for extended left hepatectomy. This yielded an oncologically legitimate excision of the tumor with preservation of hepatic function.
Study on Interbedded Groundwater Contamination in Mining Areas Coupled with the Failure Process of Grouting Composite
Authors: Ding Jia , Dong Donglin , Hu Zhiqiang , Wei Zhonglin , Zhang Longqiang 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The paper presents the phenomenon of groundwater contamination in the mine area during the failure of the coupled grouting composite. Indoor immersion experiments were conducted on standard grouting composite specimens to understand its failure laws. The experimental results showed that with the increase of the experimental time, the mass of the grouting composite decreased linearly. When the experiment was carried out for 180 days, the mass loss of the grouting composite was 19.834g, and the permeability coefficient gradually increased, which all verified the fact that the grouting composite gradually fails. The main groundwater contamination factors and contamination patterns in the study area were analyzed based on the hydrogeological data of the area. A groundwater contaminant transport model was established for the failure process of the coupled grouting composite, and the contamination potential of the 3222-workface goaf water in the shallow aquifer during the failure of the grouting composite was evaluated. The simulation results of groundwater pollutant transport showed that within 9 years after the grouting engineering was completed, the grouting composite could still maintain a certain degree of impermeability, and no characteristic pollutant ions appeared in the fourth aquifer. When the model ran for 10 years, ferrous ions appeared in the fourth aquifer, but the concentration was only 0.0009 mg/L. After 30 years of model operation, the highest concentration of ferrous ions in the fourth aquifer had reached 0.1609 mg/L. It can be seen that with the passage of time, the strength of the grouting composite in the study area is indeed gradually decreasing. After the strength decreases to a certain extent, it loses its original impermeability and becomes a channel for pollutant transport, with the potential to pollute the shallow aquifer.
Ghana's Health Workforce Policy Evolution from 1996 to 2020: A document analysis
Authors: Ismaila Hamza , Heymans Yolande , Nabyonga-Orem Juliet , Christmals Christmal Dela 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background

Ghana has, over the past decades, undergone distinct health workforce policy evolutions, as part of reforms of its public health sector organisation and procedures, to improve the quality of health services, increase access to care, and achieve better health outcomes.
Despite the age-old implementation of the health workforce policies arising from the policy evolutions, there is paucity of evidence on the interaction between the policies, their intended strategic objectives, and health workforce indices to aid the understanding of past policy failures and successes and to plan for future health workforce policy implementation.

Methods

Using the READ approach of document analysis, we explored the health workforce policy environment of the public health sector of Ghana to gauge the impact major health workforce policies have had in determining the production of and demand for essential health workforce.

Findings

Ghana was found to have undergone three distinct phases of health workforce policy evolutions, following its health sectors reforms in the 1990s – an expansionary production and recruitment policy drive between the late 1990s and 2011, a seeming policy vacuum between 2012 and 2018, and a phase of policy streamlining from 2020 where fiscal realities began shaping issues of health workforce production and demand.

Conclusion

The distinct phases of the health workforce policy evolution had differing impacts on the production of and demand for essential health workforce, with instances of misalignment between policy objectives and implementation.
Probing benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide ethylene glycol derivatives against Leishmania: synthesis and in vitro efficacy evaluation
Authors: Henning Nadine , Kannigadu Christina , Aucamp Janine , Rensburg Helena D Janse van , N'Da David D. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne, parasitic disease affecting millions of people and animals worldwide. Current therapeutic options have proven to be ineffective in both treating the disease and preventing its spread. As a result, new drugs must be developed to effectively combat this disease. In this study, a series of 14 benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide derivatives were synthesised to investigate their antileishmanial potential and cytotoxicity. Derivative 9, 2-(2-phenoxyethyl)-2H-benzo[e][1,2,4]thiadiazine-1,1-dioxide, was identified as the most inhibitory compound as it was observed to moderately inhibit the growth of L. major (IC50 103 µM) and L. donovani (IC50 153 µM) promastigotes. However, in general, the series presented with low biological activity, which may be attributed to reduced target affinity and/or undesired cell culture protein binding.
Controlled pulsed illumination technique for the efficient UV-LED/Persulfate Advanced Oxidation Processes
Authors: Hajimiri Ismael , Rasoulifard Mohammad Hossein , Dorraji Mir Saeed Seyed , Eskandarian Mohammad Reza 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The present investigation aims to shed light on the efficiency of the irradiation-based advanced oxidation processes (AOP) using the controlled pulsed illumination (CPI). A more in-depth emphasis on this route has been applied considering the ultraviolet-light emitting diodes (UV-LED)/persulfate system as a study model. Furthermore, the improved efficiency of the system was examined and explained by Parrando’s paradox concept. To investigate the ability of the CPI technique, continuous illumination has been compared to the CPI system, using a batch UV-LED/Ammonium persulfate (APS) reactor equipped with a microcontroller driver. Three textile dyes, including methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB), and rhodamine B (RhB), were used as model pollutants. In this study, the initial concentration of APS (50 mM), dyes (20 mg/L), and the time of reaction (40 min), have been considered constant values. Outcomes illustrated that the parameters such as duty cycle and pulse period were a crucial impact on the pulsed system efficiencies in the values of 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, and 99% for cycles from 1ms to a few hundred ms, respectively. The electrical energy consumption (EE0) was calculated and compared with continuous illumination for all trials, as well. According to the results, duty cycles and pulse periods of (10%, 800 ms), (10%, 1ms), and (10%, 800 ms), with the EE0 amounts of 58.29, 120.65, and 29.62 kWh per order showed the best performance for MO, MB, and RhB destruction, respect to continuous irradiation and other CPI experiments in terms of saving energy, respectively. In addition, the results showed that the best duty cycle and pulse period for the removal of dyes in terms of saving energy depends on the nature of the dye. Besides, the game theory and the collision hypothesis were scrutinized to justify the achieved results.
The role of bodily self-consciousness in episodic memory of naturalistic events: An immersive virtual reality study
Authors: Penaud Sylvain , Yeh Delphine , Gaston-Bellegarde Alexandre , Piolino Pascale 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Recent studies suggest that the human body plays a critical role in encoding and retrieving episodic memories of past events, yet the precise relationship between bodily self-consciousness and memory formation, especially in real-life contexts, remains a topic of ongoing research. The present study investigated the relationship between bodily self-consciousness and episodic memory using immersive virtual reality (VR) technology. Participants were exposed to a naturalistic environment with ecological events while their visuomotor feedback was manipulated in three conditions: synchronous, asynchronous, and no-body. The results revealed that synchronous visuomotor feedback led to a higher sense of presence and better memory performance, a higher sense of remembering, and better associative memory compared to asynchronous or no-body feedback. These findings are significant because it links sense of bodily-self in space and episodic memory encoding and support the role of bodily-self-consciousness as a fundamental component of episodic remembering and highlight its implication in all dimensions of episodic memory. The study sheds light on the complex interplay between the body and memory processes and highlights the potential of embodiment and VR technology in studying and enhancing human cognition.