bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mass distribution campaign of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) during the Covid-19 pandemic in Uganda: Lessons Learned
Authors: Aguma Bush Herbert , Rukaari Medard , Nakamatte Rukia , Achii Pamela , Miti Joel Tutu , Muhumuza Solomon , Nabukenya Mariam , Opigo Jimmy , Lukwago Martin 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: Uganda implemented its fourth mass campaign for the distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. This context necessitated modification of implementation guidelines. This article describes the process, challenges and lessons learned.
Methods: Revised implementation guidelines were followed in the process of carrying out the LLIN distribution campaign. Lessons learned were captured from documented activities and reports.
Results: A total of 27,789,044 nets were distributed in 11,287,392 households. Coverage of the net distribution was 93.7% with an average of 5.1 people per household. The campaign design was modified to follow Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) namely social distancing for all distribution activities, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), utilization of e-platforms for training and meetings, electronic data management systems with the use of smartphones and simultaneous registration and distribution. The adaptations worked effectively albeit with a few challenges.
Conclusions: Campaign modifications due to covid-19 pandemic were effective in meeting the goals of distribution of mosquito nets. Electronic data management was key in monitoring distribution activities.
Trial registration: Not Applicable
A 12-month contraceptive implant(s) discontinuation rate among adolescents compared with adults at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Principal Investigator
Authors: Tarat Chanaphat , Uaamnuichai Sutira , Phutrakool Phanupong , Rattawiwa Rattawit , Navyvichit Jade , Sarapat Pagapan , Jaisamrarn Unnop , Santibenchakul Somsook 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Contraceptive implants are effective in preventing adolescent and unwanted pregnancies. Contraceptive implant discontinuation contributes to financial waste and contraceptive failure. We aimed to study contraceptive implant discontinuation rates in adolescents (10–19 years) compared to adults (20–49 years) and evaluate the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with contraceptive implant discontinuation.
This prospective, retrospective cohort study included 2,765 participants who initiated contraceptive implants from October 2016 to December 2021 at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Discontinuation at 12 months was determined by medical record review and telephone interviews. The analytic sample consisted of 2,014 participants: 498 adolescents and 1,516 adults. The 12-month contraceptive implant discontinuation rates were 3.83 per 100 person-year for all age groups and 2.84 and 4.16 per 100 person-year for adolescents and adults, respectively. Adolescents had a lower risk of 12-month contraceptive implant discontinuation than adults (adjusted HR = 0.60, 95% Cl 0.31–1.15, p-value = 0.121). The risk of discontinuation was significantly lower among continuous implant users (adjusted HR = 0.29, 95% Cl 0.10–0.79, p-value = 0.016). Side effects, mainly abnormal uterine bleeding, were the most common causes of discontinuation. In conclusion, the incidence of discontinuing contraceptive implants did not differ significantly between adolescents and adults.
Protective Effect of Carica papaya Extracts Against Lead Bioaccumulation in Albino Rats
Authors: Okon Aniekanabasi Jonathan , Olanrewaju Olajumoke Esther , Okon Idorenyin Jonathan , Inah Simon Alain , Aluko Olufemi Oludare , Dania Afe Victor 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackground Exposure to lead produces a variety of adverse health effects. This study evaluated the protective effect ofCarica papayaleaves(CPL) and seed (CPS) against lead bioaccumulation in albino rats. Methods Thirty male rats weighing 174-196g were assigned to six groups of five animals receiving various treatments: group 1- control; 2-50mg/kg body weight (BW) lead nitrate (PbNO3); 3- 500 mg/kg BW CPL extract; 4- 500 mg/kg BW CPS extract; 5- 50mg/kg BW PbNO3 + 500mg/kg BW CPL; and 6- 50mg/kg BW PbNO3 + 500mg/kg CPS orally for 31 days. Results The study revealed a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in lead bioaccumulation in liver and kidney of the lead treated groups complemented with CPL (0.72 ± 0.28mg/l and 0.85 ± 0.17mg/l) and CPS (0.29 ± 0.10mg/l and 0.36 ± 0.10mg/l), compared to the liver and kidney of animals in the group treated with lead alone (11.32 ± 3.20mg/l and 14.62 ± 3.78mg/l).The reduction in bioaccumulation was however non-significantly higher (P > 0.05) in the group complemented with CPS than CPL. Conclusion This finding suggests that CPL and CPS have the potential of reducing lead bioaccumulation and could be harnessed by pharmaceutical industries for this potential.
Effect of biostimulants on cannabis productivity and soil microbial activity under plasticulture conditions
Authors: Filho Jose Franco Da Cunha Leme , Chim Bee K. , Bermand Cameron , Thomason Wade E. , Diatta Andre A. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

In 2019 and 2020 we investigated the individual and combined effects of two biofertilizers (manure tea and bioinoculant) and one humic acid (HA) product on cannabis biochemical and physiological parameters and soil CO2 evolution under outdoor conditions. Our hypothesis was that HA would increase the microbial activity in the biofertilizers and synergy of both compounds would promote better plant performance and stimulate soil microbial activity. In 2020, the individual and combined application of biofertilizers and HA increased cannabis height, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, aboveground biomass, and bucked biomass by 105, 52, 43, 122 and 117%, respectively. Impacts were greater under suboptimal growing conditions caused by planting delay experienced in 2020. In 2019, planting date occurred in-between the most favorable period and chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency were the only parameters influenced by the application of biostimulants. The discrepancies between the two growing seasons reinforce the evidence of other studies that biostimulants efficacy is maximized under stress conditions. This study could not conclusively confirm that the combined use of biofertilizer + HA is a superior practice since affected plant parameters did not differ from application of the compounds singly. Similarly, only one biofertilizer + HA treatment increased soil microbial activity. More research is needed to define optimum rates and combinations of biofertilizer and stimulants for cannabis.
Investigating the reasons for COVID-19 vaccination refusal in Ahvaz, Iran: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Afshari Poorandokht , Alavi Seyed Mohammad , Abedi Parvin , Beheshtinasab Maryam , Dashtpayma Shohreh , Amiri Homayon 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Background
Around 70% of the Iranian population had received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021. In this study we evaluated the reasons of vaccination refusal among people in Ahvaz, Iran.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 800 participants (400 had been vaccinated and 400 had not) were recruited. A demographic questionnaire was completed by interview. The participants who had not received vaccination were asked about the reasons of their refusal, and their answers were recorded. The Shapiro-Wilk test, the independent t-test, Chi-square test, and logistic regression were used for analyzing data.
Results
Older people were 1.018 times more likely to refrain from vaccination (95% CI: 1.001–1.039). People who were manual workers as well as those who were unemployed/ housewife were .288 and .423 times less likely to receive vaccination, respectively. Illiterate people, and those with high school education were 0.029, and .319 times less likely to receive vaccination (95% CI: 0.007–0.119, and .198-.515, respectively). Participants who had hypertension or suffered from neurological disorders were more likely to receive vaccination. Finally, people affected with severe COVID-19 infection were 3.157 times more likely to get vaccinated (95% CI: 1.672–5.961). Having no trust in the ten existing vaccines in Iran and unacceptance of vaccination were among the top reasons for refusal of vaccination.
Conclusion
The results of this study showed that lower level of education and older age were contributed to reluctance for vaccination, while having chronic diseases or being already infected with severe COVID-19 infection were associated with more acceptance of vaccination.
SPMSD: An Partitioning-Strategy for Parallel General Sparse Matrix-Matrix Multiplication on GPU
Authors: cui huanyu , wang nianbin , han qilong , wang yuhua , xu yuezhu 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

SpGEMM (General Sparse Matrix-Matrix Multiplication) is one of the kernels of an algebraic multi-grid method, graph algorithm, and solving linear equations. Due to the non-uniformity of some sparse matrices, the existing parallel SpGEMM algorithms suffer from load imbalance, which will lead to a decrease in computational efficiency. This paper proposes a new algorithm, SPMSD (SpGEMM Based on Minimum Standard Deviation). The algorithm is developed based on a hash table and partition strategy. First, the number of intermediate results in each row of matrix is divided into multiple blocks based on a new partition strategy to ensure the minimum standard deviation among blocks. Second, the input matrix is transformed according to the result of the partition strategy. Finally, SPMSD performs the parallel computation of SpGEMM based on the advantages of fast insertion and also fast access storage of hash table and the calculation process controls the insertion and merging of intermediate results according to the offset to avoid the shortage of atomic operations. The model of the GPU graphics card used in the experiment is NVIDIA Tesla V100 with 5120 cores. These experiments indicate the execution of SPMSD is faster than the existing cuSPARSE libraries by 7.4x. Compared with the Out of Core method, SPMSD improves the computational performance by 1.2x and memory utilization decreased by 0.19x. In summary, the algorithm proposed in this paper further improves the parallel computing efficiency of SpGEMM to an extent.
Assessment of agricultural residue potential for electrification of off-grid communities in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of Ghana
Authors: Awafo Edward A. , Akolgo Gilbert A. , Awaafo Augustine 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Background: There is a close link between the lack of electricity access and poverty indicators like illiteracy, high infant mortality, lack of access to health care, malnutrition among others. Most rural communities in Ghana, which are mainly farming communities, lack access to electricity due to the high cost of extending grid connection to these communities, and this worsens their poverty levels.
Methods: This study assessed the technical and theoretical potential of agricultural residues in providing electricity to off-grid communities. The study utilized the crop production figures of maize, cassava, millet and groundnut in Soma and Goyire, which are farming communities in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, to conduct assessment of the theoretical and technical potential of residues from the crops. The production figures of these crops were obtained from the District office of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Expected electricity demand of households, schools and health centres in the study communities were collected and used for the projected load demand estimates.
Results: The study found that 1,767.64 kW of electricity could be generated from the combined residues of maize, cassava, millet and groundnut. This electricity is capable of providing about 27 to 35 times the peak electricity demand of the communities where the studies were conducted. It was also found out that, out of the total electricity demand of the communities, only about 20 kW is needed for use in a school and Community Health Promotion and Services (CHPS) compound, implying electricity from crop residues can also help to improve upon education and health provision in rural communities by using them for electricity generation.
Conclusion: From this study, it can be concluded that, the potential of crop residue in meeting the electricity demand of off-grid communities is enormous hence must be considered in Ghana’s energy development plans in order to achieve universal electricity access.
Factors associated with mediastinal lymph node positivity in proximal gastric tumor patients undergoing curative surgery
Authors: Parsak Cem Kaan , Topal Uğur , Altiok Merih , Capkinoglu Emir , Bali Cagla , Yalav Orcun , Rencuzogullari Ahmet 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Purpose: This study investigated the risk factors associated with mediastinal lymph node metastases due to proximal gastric cancer.
Methods: The study included patients who had surgical resection and Transcrural lymphadenectomy for proximal gastric tumors between January 2012 and January 2020. The patients were divided into Group1 (negative) and Group2 (positive) according to the positivity of mediastinal lymph nodes. These groups were compared for clinical variables. The diagnostic value of composite immunonutritional and inflammatory indices in predicting lymph node positivity was examined.
Results: There were 88 patients in our study. Group1 included 54 and Group2 included 34 patients.Among the laboratory parameters, only CRP was higher in Group 2 (4.58 vs. 10.7, p= 0.044). The rate of postoperative respiratory complications (5.6% vs. 29.4%, p:0.002) was higher in Group2 The tumor size (25.3 vs. 33 mm, p:0.0001), was higher in Group2. Tumors were more advanced in Group2 (p<0.001). Among the composite indices, only the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio had a diagnostic value, with a sensitivity of 67.65% and a specificity of 55.56% at a cut-off point of >2.19. According to the multivariate analysis, a tumor size of >3 cm, a CRP value of >7, and tumor localization were independent risk factors.
Conlusion: Our study found that mediastinal lymph node positivity was associated with elevated CRP and that these patients had more advanced tumors and poor histopathological characteristics. Knowing the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and mediastinal lymph node positivity in proximal gastric tumors can be useful in determining the surgical strategy for EGJ tumors.
MosTI single-copy transgene insertion in C. elegans using heat-shock inducible Cas9 expression
Authors: Mouridi Sonia El , Frøkjær-Jensen Christian 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Precise expression of transgenes in C. elegans can be used to understand gene regulation, control cells, or as a starting point for genetic screens. Insertion of single-copy transgenes into well-defined safe-harbor locations is useful when consistent expression levels are required (e.g., to compare expression from different transgenes) or when expression is desired in germ cells. Here, we describe a detailed protocol for inserting single-copy transgenes using Modular Safe-harbor Transgene Insertion (MosTI) and a heat-shock inducible Cas9 expressed from a co-injected plasmid. Inducible Cas9 expression has the advantage of requiring few injections, and many independent single-copy insertions can be generated from a single array line.
Entropy Scaling of Molecular Dynamics in a Prototypical Anisotropic Model near the Glass Transition
Authors: Liszka Karol , Grzybowski Andrzej , Grzybowska Katarzyna , Koperwas Kajetan , Paluch Marian 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Mysteries of dynamics and thermodynamics of molecular systems in the vicinity of the boundary between thermodynamically nonequilibrium glassy and metastable supercooled liquid states are still incompletely discovered and their theoretical and simulation models are imperfect despite many previous efforts. Among them, the role of total system entropy, configurational entropy, and excess entropy in the temperature-pressure or temperature-density dependence of global molecular dynamics timescale relevant to the glass transition is an essential topic intensively studied for over half of a century. By exploiting a well-known simple ellipsoidal model recently successfully applied to simulate the supercooled liquid state and the glass transition, we gain a new insight into the different views on the relationship between entropy and relaxation dynamics of glass formers, showing the molecular grounds for the entropy scaling of global molecular dynamics timescale.
Myocardial demand-supply imbalance: a propensity-matched analysis of normal-range increased left ventricular mass
Authors: Shakerian Farshad , Rafati Ali , Pouraliakbar Hamidreza , Pasebani Yeganeh , Sarreshtehdari Ali 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Purpose:
Increased left ventricular myocardial mass index (LVMMI) raises mortality risk due to varied cardiovascular complications, the underlying etiology of which revolves around the decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), hence heart failure.
We hypothesized that increased LVMMI assessed with cardiac computed tomography (CT), along with increased end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) and interventricular septal wall thickness at diastole (IVSd), were associated with chest discomfort in patients with normal coronary arteries.
Methods
We retrospectively enrolled 130 patients who had undergone coronary CT angiography in our center between 2018 and 2020. Only normal coronary patients without coexisting medical conditions were recruited in groups with and without chest discomfort. We performed propensity-score matching (PSM) to produce matched groups. Using the previous CT data, we calculated LVMMI, EDVI, and IVSd and compared them between the groups.
Results
After PSM, the LVMMI was significantly higher in the group with chest discomfort both in the total population and in the females, but not in the males (OR=1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.08, p-value=0.021 and OR=1.11, 95% CI 1.03-1.19, p-value=0.003, for the total population and the females, respectively). EDVI and IVSd were not significantly different between the groups. Moreover, the receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve analysis showed a significant diagnostic accuracy of LVMMI in the females for chest discomfort (p-value<0.001).
Conclusion
We proposed that the increased cardiac CT-derived LVMMI within the normal range, is a potential predictor of chest discomfort due to myocardial demand-supply imbalance, at least in females. Further research is required to establish the results.
A study of risk factors and clinical presentation of obstructive sleep apnea patients and its relationship with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)
Authors: Ghazala Asraa , Badin Hibaa , Shammaa Majd , Issa Yaman , Nahhas Louay 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Aim and background: The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Syria, study the severity of the disease and its relationship with smoking, identify the most common symptoms and risk factors and describe the extent to which patients adhere to treatment and its impact on their quality of life.
Methods and materials: This study is a retrospective cohort study, which included 100 patients with OSA diagnosed through home sleep test. Demographics, medical history, signs and symptoms, risk factors, body mass index (BMI), sleep test results and symptoms after treatment were collected from the medical records of the patients and filled out in the information form.
Results: Out of 100 cases, 64 were males, whereas 36 were females. The average age of cases was 54.7 years, most of them over 40 years of age. A statistically significant relationship was found between gender and the average of AHI. The average AHI of males was 43.1 which is significantly higher than the average of females which is 33.5.
We found a statistically significant relationship between the severity of the disease and the patient’s symptoms (p-value<0.05), where silent apnea was a prominent symptom (84.8% in those with severe OSA and 84.2% among patients with moderate OSA)
We also found that the ratio of smoking males with severe OSA was 86.6%, while the ratio of smoking females with severe OSA was 57.1%. We found that 58% of patients were adherent to treatment, of which 35% were using Auto CPAP, whereas 42% were not committed to any treatment.
Conclusion: This study shows how important and dangerous this disorder is and therefore it is necessary to raise people's awareness about the risks and complications of the OSA and urge them to visit specialized centers to investigate this disease. Treatment devices must also be provided at a suitable price for everyone so that patients can use it and adhere to it. Since there are not enough studies on this disease in Syria, more research and studies are required about it.
2.5D Printing of a Yield Stress Fluid
Authors: COLANGES Simon , TOURVIEILLE Jean-Noël , LIDON Pierre , LENG Jacques 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
We report on direct ink writing of a model yield stress fluid and focus on the printability of the first layer, the one in contact with the supporting substrate. We observe a diversity of deposition morphologies that depends on a limited set of operational parameters, mainly ink flow rate, substrate speed and writing density, and also on material properties (e.g., yield stress).Among these morphologies, one of them does not depend on fluid properties (as long as it displays some yield stress) and consists of flat films whose thickness is controllable in a significant range (about 0.1-1 mm) and tunable in real time during printing. We thus demonstrate the ability to print films with thickness gradients and prove that the printing fidelity is mainly due to a competition between yield stress and capillarity.
Assessment of stress response due to C-Mac D-blade guided videolaryngoscopic endotracheal intubation and docking of da Vinci surgical robot using Perfusion Index in patients undergoing transoral robotic oncosurgery
Authors: Shah Shagun Bhatia , Chawla Rajiv , Kaur Charanjeet 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Clinical utility of perfusion index (PI) has entered a new realm as a non-invasive, quantitative index of stress response to endotracheal intubation. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) involves F-K retractor aided docking of the surgical robot producing haemodynamic and stress responses akin to laryngoscopy. We compared the stress response to videolaryngoscopy with that due to docking of da Vinci surgical robot using PI, heart rate and mean arterial pressure evaluated at specific time points post-laryngoscopy and post-docking.
Methods
Twenty-six adult patients, scheduled for TORS under general endotracheal anaesthesia were included in this prospective, observational, single-centric cohort study. Statistical analysis included paired samples t-test, dotted box-whisker plots, trendlines and correlograms for comparative analysis of two stressors, laryngoscopy and docking.
Results: PI values at baseline, post-midazolam, 1min and 3min post anaesthetic-induction, laryngoscopy, 1min, 3min and 10min post-laryngoscopy, predocking, docking, 1min, 3min and 10min post-docking were 4.14, 4.23, 5.69, 6.25, 3.24, 3.68, 4.69, 6.17, 6.84, 4.1, 4.02, 4.31 and 4.79, respectively. PI was significantly higher at laryngoscopy compared with PI at docking (p=0.0044). At 1min and 3min post-laryngoscopy and post-docking, respectively, the differences in PI were statistically insignificant. PI at 10min post-laryngoscopy was significantly lower than PI at 10min post-docking (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: As non-invasively quantified by PI, videolaryngoscopic stress response is more intense but shorter-lived versus that due to docking. PI displays a negative correlation with haemodynamic variables. PI at laryngoscopy is a good predictor of PI at docking, enabling pre-emptive measures (fentanyl bolus; deepening of volatile anaesthesia from MAC-maintenance to MAC-intubation) anticipating the docking-induced stress response.
“Trial registration: ctri.nic.in ; Identifier: CTRI/2019/11/022091.”