bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical Activity among Nursing Students of Tribhuvan University during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mandal Punam Kumari , Yangden Namita , Rai Bhumika , Bhandari Menuka , Paudel Susan 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
Reduced physical activity is one of the major factors affecting health and has been a serious global problem during COVID-19. Prolonged homestays can lead to increased sedentary behavior and reduced physical activity for nursing students. The objective of this study was to assess the level of physical activity among nursing students.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study was carried out on nursing campuses of Tribhuvan University in 2020 among undergraduate nursing students using a self-administered structured International Physical Activity questionnaire. Samples of 255 students using proportionate systematic random sampling were included. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 17. The total score of physical activity over the recent last seven days period was calculated by adding the total of duration and the frequency of all the activities which was expressed in terms of MET (Multiples of Resting Metabolic Rate)-minutes /week. The level of physical activity was categorized as low, moderate, and high. Ordinal logistic regression was used to find the association between the level of physical activity and selected demographic variables.
Results
The study showed that 38.4% of respondents were from the age group 22-24 years and engagement in vigorous physical activity was lower but the median time spent on moderate MET-Minutes/Week was 630 (1620-180). Likewise, 29.4% have low and 49% have a moderate level of Physical Activity. Furthermore, there is an association between the level of physical activity with the place of residence.
Conclusions
The study concludes that more than one-third of respondents have a low level of physical activity and nearly half have a moderate level. Furthermore, there is an association between the level of physical activity and place of residence. This reflects the need to sensitize nursing students to adopt physical activity in everyday life to improve general health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus Attenuates Cisplatin-Induced Intestinal Mucositis in Mice via Modulating the Gut Microbiota and Improving Intestinal Inflammation
Authors: Alsholi Duaa M. , SuleimanYacoub Ghazi , Rehman Ata Ur , Khan Asif Iqbal , Deng Ting , Alioui Yamina , Elkharti Maroua , Xin Yi , Wang Liang 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LBS) is well documented probiotic strain in oncology and has a pivotal role in clinical applications. Here we investigated the Intervention effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus on intestinal mucositis induced by cisplatin (CP). BALB/c mice were pre-treated with or without LBS via oral gavage, followed by induction of mucositis with cisplatin. Our results revealed that LBS-treated groups significantly attenuated proinflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) compared to the CP group. Furthermore, LBS mitigated the damaged tight junction integrity caused by CP via up-regulating levels of Claudin, Occludin, ZO-1, and Mucin-2 protein (MUC-2). Finally, the 16S rRNA fecal microbiome genomic analysis showed that LBS administration enhances the growth of beneficial bacteria, i.e., Firmicutes, and Lachnospiraceae, while the relative abundance of the opportunistic bacteria Bacteroides and proteobacteria decreased. Collectively, LBS found to beneficially modulate microbial composition structure and functions and enrichment the ecological diversity in the gut.
Analysis and design of energy efficient Interleaved DC-DC SEPIC PFC converter for Onboard Electric Vehicle Charger
Authors: C Komathi , S Durgadevi , M.G Umamaheswari , G Marimuthu 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Interleaved DC-DC single ended primary inductance converter (SEPIC) employed as switched mode DC-DC converter to suppress input current harmonics in onboard charger of Electric Vehicle (EV) is investigated in this paper. In order to reduce the ripple currents at the input side effectively, the suggested converter connects two SEPIC converters in parallel with 180 degree phase shift and the expression for ripple cancellation factor is derived. The switches in interleaved converters experience 50% lesser current stress than the non-interleaved converters. This paper analyzes the current stress of MOSFET switches and diodes of Interleaved DC-DC SEPIC converter and conventional SEPIC converter. This paper implements control strategy based on hybrid particle swarm optimization grey wolf optimization (HPSOGWO) algorithm to suppress current harmonics and to obtain high tracking accuracy with faster convergence rate. The proposed HPSOGWO based control technique enhances the performance of the existing solutions in terms of input power factor, %efficiency, %voltage regulation and %total harmonic distortion (THD) for the onboard charger. The performance enhancement of HPSOGWO algorithm is tested by non-parametric method of statistical analysis called Kruskal Wallis-One way Analysis of Variance using R programming. The converter’s hardware prototype is built for 200W output power, and the simulation results are supported by experimental results with TMS320F28027 microcontroller.
Effect of iodine nutrition status on thyroid function and pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Zha Hongying , Yu Lin , Tang Yi , Sun Lu , Yuan Qingxin 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
Iodine is essential for normal thyroid function, supporting healthy fetal and child development. The relevance between maternal iodine nutrition status and pregnancy outcomes remains controversial. The aim was to explore whether urinary iodine concentrations(UIC)/urinary creatinine(UCr) was associated with thyroid function and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Methods
This study was performed in the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. A total of 212 pregnant women was enrolled from May 2018 to November 2021 from the first visit until postpartum. Maternal serum samples were obtained in the second trimester and then thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), urinary iodine concentrations(UIC), and urinary creatinine (UCr) were tested. The correlation of UIC/UCr, which represented maternal iodine nutrition status, with TSH, FT4, and FT3 was studied using linear regression. And we assessed associations between UIC/UCr and pregnancy outcomes. Notably, we explored consistency between UIC/UCr and the incidence of low birth weight (LBW) by application of logistic regression analysis.
Results
A total of 212 women were divided into 3 groups according to the upper and lower quartiles of UIC/UCr . There were 53 women in Group1 (UIC/UCr<106.96ug/g), 106 women in Group2 (UIC/UCr 106.96-259.08 ug/g), and 53 women in Group3 (UIC/UCr >259.08ug/g). The level of UIC/UCr had negative correlation with FT4 (r=-0.139, p=0.043) but positive correlation with TSH (r=0.096, p=0.162>0.05). There was a significant difference in the incidence of LBW among 3 groups (p=0.007). Logistic regression analysis found that the level of UIC/UCr was an independent factor for LBW (p=0.048, OR=0.991, 95%CI (0.982,0.999)). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for UIC/UCr predicting the incidence of low birth weight was 0.687 (p=0.013, 95%CI 0.575, 0.799).
Conclusions
Lower UIC/UCr during pregnancy was associated with higher FT4 and lower TSH. And iodine deficiency during pregnancy is a risk factor for low birth weight. Our findings indicated that more attention should be paid to the appropriate iodine nutrition status in pregnant women, which can help prevent suffering from adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Development and External Validation of Interpretable Partial Dependent Plot-based Triage Score for Emergency Departments
Authors: Yu Jae Yong , Chang Han Sol , Xinyi Lin , Xie Feng , Yoon Sun Young , Ong Marcus Eng Hock , Ng Yih Yng , Chong Michael Chia Yih , Cha Won Chul 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Triage in an emergency department (ED) can help identify the urgency of patients’ treatment and allocate the appropriate resources. Interpretable machine learning methods could be a helpful tool for facilitating the triage process. However, existing related research used only conventional logistic regression methods. This study aims to develop and externally validate an interpretable machine learning model using a partial dependent plot (PDP). This retrospective cohort study included all adult ED patients of the Samsung Medical Center for development and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, from 2016–2020. The outcome of interest was in-hospital mortality after patients’ ED visit. We used the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) to assess the performance of the PDP score and other conventional scores, including the Korea Triage Acuity Scale (KTAS). Of the included 285,523 ED visits, 1.60% ended in in-hospital mortality. The PDP score achieved an AUROC of 0.821 in temporal validation and 0.833 in external validation, outperforming the KTAS score of 0.729. The PDP triage score was therefore superior to other scores for in-hospital mortality prediction. PDP is a generic, intuitive, and effective triage tool to stratify general patients who present to the ED.
Optimized Synthesis Characterization and Protective Activity of Quercetin and Quercetin- Chitosan Nanoformula against Cardiotoxicity that was induced in Male Wister Rats via Anticancer Agent: Doxorubicin
Authors: Soliman Asmaa. G. , Mahmoud Basant , Eldin Zienab E. , El-Shahawy Ahmed A. G. , Abdel-Gabbar Mohamed 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
The study’s goal was to look into the protective properties of quercetin (QU) and QU-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (QU-CHSNPs) against cardiotoxicity. The ionotropic gelation approach was adopted to form QU-CHSNPs. The characterizations were performed using advanced techniques. In vitro, the release profile of QU was studied. Cardiotoxicity was induced by doxorubicin (DOX) and protected via concurrent administration of QU and QU-CHSNPs. The heart’s preventive effects of QU and QU- CHSNPs were signified by a decline in the raised serum activities of cardiac enzymes together with the improvement of the heart's antioxidant defence system and heart histological changes. The findings substantiated QU-CHSNPs' structure with an entrapment efficiency of 92.56%. The mean of the Zeta size distribution was 150 nm, the real average particle size was 50 nm, and the zeta potential value was − 27.9 mV, exhibiting low physical stability. The percent of the free QU-cumulative release was about 70% after 12 hours, and QU-CHSNPs showed a 49% continued release with a pattern of sustained release, reaching 98% after 48 hours. And as such, QU and QU-CHSNPs restrained the induced cardiotoxicity of DOX in male Wistar rats, with the QU-CHSNPs being more efficient.
Spatial Analysis of Agrochemical Application and Risks to Water Quality and Community Health in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: AYEGBOKIKI A.O , Ayinde I. A. , Okoye H.O. , Oluyege D.E. 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
The large number of agrochemical pollutants that are today found in our environment, including in the air, soil, and water, and that are primarily caused by human activity, has caused many issues for the residents. Environmentally susceptible places for agrochemicals include water bodies near agricultural fields, groundwater near the surface, habitats for other animals, and endangered species. It is possible for drinking water to get contaminated and skin exposure to rise when agricultural chemicals are employed in close proximity to residential areas. The study investigated the possibility of water pollution and the vulnerability of rural farmers to agrochemical toxicity. Ewekoro and Ikenne Local Government Area were randomly selected for the study. Geographical Positioning System (GPS) device was used to take the coordinates of farms where agrochemicals are applied and the residential buildings in close proximity to farm fields. Descriptive statistics, digital elevation model and near tool analysis (ArcGIS), atomic absorption spectrophotometer and human health risk analysis were tools employed for analysis in the study. The findings showed that the water bodies were highly contaminated with heavy metals with consequences of the residents to suffer carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic adverse effects. The study recommends advocacy campaign on safe use of agrochemicals, appropriate water use to reduce risk to human health and increase biodiversity sustainability while building of local water purifying facilities in the rural communities for safe water consumption is encouraged.
Rare North Apennine endemic Cirsium bertolonii is endandgered by hybridization
Authors: Michálková Ester , Šmerda Jakub , Plačková Klára , Knoll Aleš , Bureš Petr 
Published: November 2022

AbstractWe examined populations of North Apennine stenoendemicsC. bertoloniiin the Apuan Alps and Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and found individuals morphologically shifted to co-occurringC. acaulonorC. erisithales. Hybrid status of these intermediates we confirmed by flow cytometry, morphometrics and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and interpreted them taxonomically asCirsium×sagrense(C. acaulon×C. bertolonii) andC.×abetonense(C. bertolonii×C. erisithales). Estimated genome size (2C) was 2244 ± 31 Mbp forC.×sagrense, and 2152 ± 99 Mbp forC.×abetonenseand their genomic GC content was 38.95 ± 0.35%, and 38.77 ± 0.26%, respectively. Diploid chromosome number 2n = 34 was counted forC. bertoloniiand previously reported 2n = 12 needs to be considered erroneous. We foundCirsium bertoloniito be gynodioecious species (similarly as many other species ofCirsiumsect.Cirsium) that is not reproductively isolated by different ploidy level or chromosome number from co-occurring congeners. The relatively frequent occurrence ofC.×sagrensein Monte Sagro (locus classicusofC. bertolonii) and the prevalence ofC.×abetonensein Alpe Tre Potenze suggest that hybridization occurs repeatedly inC. bertolonii, as also confirmed by older herbarium specimens.C.×abetonenseproduces ripe achenes and F2 or backcrosses similarly as hybrids of otherCirsium-species. Genetic erosion/swamping via interspecific hybridization can therefore pose a serious risk to genetic integrity ofC. bertoloniilike in the case of some diploid narrowly endemic high mountainCirsiumspecies in Europe.
WITHDRAWN: Probabilistic Ontology based MEBN model for Tuberculosis Treatment in India
Authors: Chaudhary Aryan 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Background
The decision making in health information systems is a challenge due to uncertainty associated with the medical data and lack of quantitative reasoning capabilities in existing systems which hinders in the appropriate treatment of the disease. The goal is to develop a generic model which performs probabilistic reasoning over uncertain knowledge.
Objective
To find ways to solve this challenge, this paper proposes a Probabilistic Ontology based knowledge model incorporating probabilistic assessment with the Semantic Web Ontologies (OWL) to design a Decision Support System (DSS) for Tuberculosis treatment in India based on RNTCP (Revised National TB Control Programme).
Methods
The system model is created using MEBN (Multi Entity Bayesian Network).MEBN logic explicits probabilistic information as an aggregation of MFrags (MEBN fragments) which are configured into MTheories (MEBN Theories). Upon queries related to any specific case given as input to the model, a Situation Specific Bayesian Network (SSBN) is generated by the UnbBayes query tool.
Results
Using probabilistic ontology enables standardization of tuberculosis treatment process and greatly increases its reusability.
Conclusions
A systematic analysis of knowledge can be done using the ontological framework and computerised processing and decision making becomes easier. Incorporating the probabilistic analysis tool provides reasoning with uncertainty associated with the domain knowledge. Using Multi Entity Bayesian Network facilitates addition of new knowledge and data, and thus increases the applicability of the model.
Selection of solvents based on Hansen solubility parameters for calix[4]arene acetic-acid derivatives as extractants of metal ions
Authors: Oshima Tatsuya , Ishibashi Tatsuya , Ohto Keisuke 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Calixarene derivatives exhibit excellent extractability and selectivity for metal ions based on their chelating and size-discriminating effects; however, their poor solubility in aliphatic hydrocarbons, which are used as solvents in industrial processes, hinders their practical use. In this study, the relationship between solubility of calix[4]arene acetic-acid derivatives in various organic solvents and Hansen solubility parameters of the solvents was investigated. The center coordinates of the Hansen solubility sphere of the p-tert-octylcalix[4]arene acetic-acid derivative (tOct[4]CH2COOH), as determined from its solubility in 50 different solvents, are δD = 17.24, δP = 4.73, δH = 4.45, which indicate that this extractant is less polar than p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene acetic-acid derivative. The solubilities of tOct[4]CH2COOH in diethylene glycol dibutyl ether (DBC) and 2-nonanone (2-NON) were 92.6 mM and 91.1 mM, respectively. DBC and 2-NON are relatively preferable as solvents from the viewpoint of physical properties (low viscosity, relatively low water solubility, and high flash point). Extractability of Pb(II) using tOct[4]CH2COOH dissolved in various solvents was compared. Extraction in DBC proceeded at much higher pH than that in other solvents. Extraction of various metals in 2-NON proceeded at higher pH than that in chloroform. The order of metal selectivity of tOct[4]CH2COOH in 2-NON was similar to that in chloroform. The extraction reaction for Pb(II) using tOct[4]CH2COOH was determined by slope analysis. These results suggest that 2-NON can be an alternative to chlorinated solvents for use of tOct[4]CH2COOH as a metal extractant.
The antibacterial activity and Pickering emulsion stabilizing effect of a novel peptide, SA6, isolated from salted-fermented Penaeus vannamei
Authors: Yang Shen , Dai Jingyi , Juventus Aweya , Lin Rong , Weng Wuyin , Xie Yuanhong , Jin Ritian 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
This study aimed to improve bacterial inhibition in Pickering emulsions during storage using antimicrobial peptides. A peptide (ARHQGVMVGMGQK), designated SA6, isolated from the broth of salt-fermented shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). Peptide SA6 had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 15.6 μg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus. The mean particle size of SPI-SA6 particles (417.4 nm) was significantly smaller compared with soybean isolate protein (SPI) (463.3 nm). Moreover, the polydispersity index (PDI) decreased with increasing peptide concentration, while the particles were stabilized by hydrogen bonding. SPI-SA6 Pickering emulsions were stable for the entire storage period (7 d) and had lower creaming index and droplet size compared with SPI Pickering emulsions. Further, SPI-SA6 Pickering emulsion could effectively inhibit bacterial growth and disrupt bacterial cell membrane structure, to significantly decrease bacteria (S. aureus) numbers to 2.83 CFU/mL during storage and therefore extending the inhibition time. Collectively, peptide SA6 could stabilize Pickering emulsion while exerting antibacterial effects.
Effects of COVID-19 on Chinese overseas students' mental health: a multi-country cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Nie Yingjun , Ma Yuanyan , Zhang Ce , Gao Yijia , Li Jiahui , Zheng Xiangping 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background: COVID-19 caused serious mental health burden for international students. However, only several international students obtained related mental health services. The topic of international students' mental health has the bigger jump among social and educational concerns during the pandemic. This study surveyed the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of Chinese overseas students to provide essential reference for identifying mental health problems of Chinese overseas students, so that they can be targeted for timely crisis-oriented and tailoring mental health interventions during periods of public health emergencies.
Methods: Descriptive statistics such as percentages, 95% CIs, means and standard deviations were calculated to reflect the demographic characteristics of the survey population. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to test the normality of continuous variables. The chi-square test was used to determine the statistical significance of the differences in participants' mental health status. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing on Chinese overseas students' mental health. The data were analyzed through quantitative and qualitative methods.
Results: Chinese overseas students had several poor mental health status during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the degree of mental health burden might differ between countries, but there were not notable differences in gender (p = 0.75) and in ant-pandemic duration. Some main factors caused an unhealthy psychological status, including epidemic severity in residence（67.94%, 95% CI：67.06% — 68.82%）, fear of being infected（64.54%, 95% CI：63.72% — 65.36%）, worries of academic performance（62. 43%, 95% C%I：60.64% — 64.22）, infection control policies of the host government（58. 09%, 95% CI：57. 16% — 59. 01%）, epidemic preventive measures of locals（56. 03%, 95% CI：55. 10% — 56. 96%）, obstruction of return trips（54.85%, 95% CI：53.91% — 55. 79%）, mutation of the epidemic virus（53. 75%, 95% CI：52. 71% — 54. 79%）.
Conclusions: The main conclusion of this research is that Chinese overseas students experience mental health burdens during the COVID-19 pandemic and they need timely psychological services, positive support, and tailoring guidance to better manage mental health in this unusual situation.
Limited ability of the Caprini Score to predict the risk of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries
Authors: Zambelli Roberto , Nemeth Banne , Touw Carolina E. , Rosendaal Frits R. , Rezende Suely M. , Cannegieter Suzanne C. 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to validate the Caprini score in patients undergoing any orthopedic surgery.
METHODS: Data from a large population-based case–control study (MEGA study) on the etiology of VTE were used. Cases and controls completed a questionnaire on risk factors for VTE, which information was used to calculate the Caprini score. Odds Ratios (OR) with their 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI) were calculated. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were also evaluated. The overall discriminative predictive performance was assessed by estimating the Area Under the Curve (AUC) with a Receiver Operating Characteristic.
RESULTS: Of 4,721 cases and 5,638 controls, 263 cases and 94 controls had undergone an orthopedic surgery. A total of 20.9% (55/263) cases and 41.5% (39/94) controls were classified in the lowest risk group (Caprini <5 points). Patients with a Caprini score >11 points had about six-fold (OR 6.3, CI 95% 1.7-22.9) increased risk of VTE and patients with a score of 9-10 had a three-fold increased risk (OR 3.5, CI 95% 1.2-10.3), as compared to patients with a Caprini score of 0-2 points. The discriminative performance was moderate with an AUC of 0.64 (CI 95% 0.58-0.71). Using a cut-off >5 points to stratify patients at high risk of VTE, the sensitivity was 79%, the specificity was 41% and the PPV 2.3%.
CONCLUSION: The Caprini score is a tool that can assist orthopedic surgeons to classify patients’ risk for post-operative VTE. However, its discriminative predictive performance was estimated to be moderate.