bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for mortality in a hospitalised neonatal cohort in Botswana
Authors: Kitt Eimear , Hayes Molly , Congdon Morgan , Ballester Lance , Sewawa Kgotlaetsile B , Mulale Unami , Mazhani Loeto , Arscott-Mills Tonya , Steenhoff Andrew , Coffin Susan 
Published: September 2022

ObjectivesA disproportionate number of neonatal deaths occur in low/middle-income countries, with sepsis a leading contributor of mortality. In this study, we investigate risk factors for mortality in a cohort of high-risk hospitalised neonates in Botswana. Independent predictors for mortality for infants experiencing either a sepsis or a non-sepsis-related death are described.MethodsThis is a prospective observational cohort study with infants enrolled from July to October 2018 at the neonatal unit (NNU) of Princess Marina Hospital (PMH) in Gaborone, Botswana. Data on demographic, clinical and unit-specific variables were obtained. Neonates were followed to death or discharge, including transfer to another hospital. Death was determined to be infectious versus non-infectious based on primary diagnosis listed on day of death by lead clinician on duty.ResultsOur full cohort consisted of 229 patients. The overall death rate was 227 per 1000 live births, with cumulative proportion of deaths of 22.7% (n=47). Univariate analysis revealed that sepsis, extremely low birth weight (ELBW) status, hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, critical illness and infants born at home were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. Our multivariate model revealed that critical illness (HR 3.07, 95% CI 1.56 to 6.03) and being born at home (HR 4.82, 95% CI 1.76 to 13.19) were independently associated with all-cause mortality. Low birth weight status was independently associated with a decreased risk of mortality (HR 0.24, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.53). There was a high burden of infection in the cohort with more than half of infants (140, 61.14%) diagnosed with sepsis at least once during their NNU admission. Approximately 20% (n=25) of infants with sepsis died before discharge. Our univariate subanalysis of the sepsis cohort revealed that ELBW and critical illness were associated with an increased risk of death. These findings persisted in the multivariate model with HR 3.60 (95% CI 1.11 to 11.71) and HR 2.39 (95% CI 1 to 5.77), respectively.ConclusionsHigh rates of neonatal mortality were noted. Urgent interventions are needed to improve survival rates at PMH NNU and to prioritise care for critically ill infants at time of NNU admission, particularly those born at home and/or of ELBW.
Vascular dementia has the highest hospitalisation rate in China: a nationwide hospital information system study
Authors: Wang Yue , Li Shiping , Zhou Qi , Wang Yongjun , Shi Jiong 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundAlthough vascular dementia (VaD) is not uncommon in the hospital, most studies on VaD are community based. This study on VaD is the first to use a national hospital information system (HIS) in China.MethodsThis study was a hospital population-based cohort study, and data were acquired from the Hospital Quality Monitoring System, a Chinese national database that covers 1531 tertiary hospitals in China. The medical records in the HIS included demographic information, diagnoses, procedures, expenses, etc. VaD was diagnosed by hospital attending physicians and identified by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10 code (F01.0-F01.9).Results1259 (82.23%) tertiary hospitals were included in this study, and 274 230 hospitalisation records of 123 700 VaD patients from 2016 to 2018 were identified for analysis. VaD (51.27%) was the most common type of dementia in hospitalised patients. The age-adjusted and sex-adjusted hospital incidence of VaD was estimated to be 2.97 per 100 000 person-years (95% CI 2.92 to 3.02). The mean age of VaD patients admitted to hospitals was 74.13±10.88, with more male (61.0%) patients. The main comorbidities were hypertension (67.2%), heart disease (63.6%) and cerebral infarction (55.5%). The mortality rate of VaD in hospital was 28.91‰ (95% CI 28.0 to 29.9) between 2016 and 2018. The top 1 cause of death due to VaD was pneumonia and other respiratory disorders.ConclusionsVaD is the most common form of dementia in hospitalised patients. It casts huge burdens on affected patients and their caregivers. Vascular risk factors are prevalent in VaD patients. Reducing these factors is essential to improve patient care. The leading causes of death by VaD are pneumonia and other respiratory disorders. Hospital care and the management of respiratory illness are critical for VaD care in the hospital.
Product Optimization and Antimicrobial Efficiency of Starch-Based Active Packaging Film Prepared Using Amira (Plumbago Zeylanica) Root Extract
Authors: Muche Melak , Zegeye Adamu , Lemma Hirut , Gisila Tilahun 
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to develop food packaging from cornstarch combined with methanol extract of Plumbago zeylanica root as antimicrobial agents. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was tested against three bacterial strains, namely, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Escherichia coli and one fungal strain called Aspergilla niger. Microorganism growth inhibition was examined by employing a zone of inhibition check on solid media. Two hundred microliters of assorted concentrations (200 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml, and 25 mg/ml) of plant extracts were added into an eight-millimeter hole diameter employing a micropipette. Hence, 200 µl of 200 mg/ml extract inhibited 13.5, 8.75, 10.5, and 27 mm diameter for S. typhi, E. coli, S. aureus, and A. niger, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentrations 1.25 mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, 1.25 mg/ml, and 0.625 mg/ml of crude extract utterly suppressed the growth of S. aureus, E. coli, S. typhi, and A. niger, respectively. Later on, the antimicrobial agent films and the control media were prepared by the casting method. The prepared antimicrobial packaging films exhibited inhibitory zones (a wide clear zone on solid media) for S. typhi and A. niger growth inhibition; however, inhibitions for E. coli and S. aureus were not effective. Antimicrobial activity decreased while decreasing the solubility of the film and antimicrobial concentration with increasing cornstarch content in the solution. The tensile strength of the films increased with increasing antimicrobial content in the solution. Higher antimicrobial inhibition activity was found at a 1.5 glycerol/starch ratio, 1.5 gram content of P. zeylanica, and 0.5 mm film thickness. Generally, the plasticized cornstarch antimicrobial packaging film combined with P. zeylanica extract had a significant effect on the growth of each selected microorganism and the physical properties of the material (

P

< 0.05). A preprint of this research has previously been uploaded to the Addis Ababa University database (Yirdaw et al. 2018). In this section, only the summary and updated content of the research findings are presented.
Reduced PU.1 Expression Collaborates withTet2Loss to Trigger Myeloid Leukemogenesis
Authors: Schleicher Wolfgang E. , Pietras Eric M. 
Published: September 2022

Summary:The leukemic transformation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the setting of Tet2 deficiency is driven by PU.1 gene network loss through complementary reduction in PU.1 expression and hypermethylation of ETS loci at the enhancers of PU.1 target genes.See related article by Aivalioti et al., p. 444 (6).
Abstract IA39: Pathology of AYA lymphomas: Creating a roadmap for translational research
Authors: Lim Megan S. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Mature lymphomas of the adolescent and young adult population (AYA) are rare and clinically and pathobiologically distinct from those in the adult population. The pathobiologic aspects of lymphomas in the AYA population are largely unknown as most studies do not specify age groups and use diagnostic criteria that have been established for lymphomas in the adult population. B-cell lymphomas make up the majority of lymphomas in the AYA population and many are aggressive including Burkitt lymphoma, large/high grade B-cell lymphoma with 11q aberrations and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), NOS. Most DLBCL, NOS arise as de novo lymphomas. They may occur as a secondary neoplasm after childhood cancer or in cancer predisposition syndromes, primary immunodeficiencies or other inherited genetic diseases (inborn error of immunity-associated lymphoid proliferations and lymphomas). Most DLBCL, NOS in the AYA population are of germinal center derivation, exhibit high proliferation index and while comprehensive studies are lacking, they are biologically distinct from adult diffuse large B-cell lymphomas with less cytogenetic complexity. Mature T-cell lymphomas are extremely rare in the AYA population and composed primarily of those driven by a dominant oncogenic tyrosine kinase (ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma) or Epstein-Barr virus and most arise from T cells of the innate immune system. T-cell lymphomas arising from the adaptive immune system (nodal T follicular helper (TFH) cell lymphoma, peripheral T cell lymphoma, NOS) which are common in the adult population are rare in AYA. The most recent WHO Classification of Paediatric Tumors recognizes specific entities that are enriched in the AYA population with distinct genetic features including indolent B-cell lymphoma including pediatric-type follicular lymphomas, pediatric nodal marginal zone lymphoma and large B-cell lymphomas with IRF4 rearrangement, and EBV-associated T cell lymphoma such as systemic EBV-positive T-cell lymphoma of childhood, systemic chronic active EBV-positive disease and hydroa vacciniforme lymphoproliferative disorder. The distinct clinical and pathobiologic features of lymphomas in the AYA population provide unique opportunities for translational discoveries leveraging innovative technologies such as single cell sequencing, B and T cell immune repertoire analyses and circulating tumor DNA, that will provide insights into the interplay between the immune system, epigenetics, germline predisposition and viruses. These studies are poised to yield actionable information that impacts therapies and improve patient outcomes.
Citation Format: Megan S. Lim. Pathology of AYA lymphomas: Creating a roadmap for translational research [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Third AACR International Meeting: Advances in Malignant Lymphoma: Maximizing the Basic-Translational Interface for Clinical Application; 2022 Jun 23-26; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Blood Cancer Discov 2022;3(5_Suppl):Abstract nr IA39.
A Soft Power Resource, Rationality and the Impact of Covid-19 on China’s Influence on Africa
Authors: Ameyaw-Brobbey Thomas , Nunoo Isaac 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
China features significantly in the Covid-19 narrative for good and bad reasons. The purpose of this paper is to test, empirically, the assumption that Covid-19 would negatively influence perceptions of China in Ghana, due to its perceived relationship with the pandemic. We characterise Chinese manufactured products as soft power resources and analyse the role they play in addressing the personal needs and interests of Ghanaians and how they affect positive and negative perceptions of China amid the Covid-19 pandemic. We used a mixed research method and collected data from a sample size of 1,020 for analysis. We found that Ghanaians are rational actors who maximise the perceived gains of their actions in pursuit of their objectives. Thus, the self-interest and personal satisfaction Ghanaians gain through China’s manufactured products outweigh the negative representation of China in the Covid-19 narrative, shaping a positive attitude in Ghana towards China. We situate the argument within rational choice theory.
Christianity and Islam: Meekness-Servanthood and Faith as Polity-Majesty
Authors: Singh David Emmanuel 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Christianity has had and continues to have elements of physical this worldly majesty, and one can find ample examples of the collusion of the state with faith but, arguably, it is not a polity for power. It is a way that invites people to follow Christ in his redemptive suffering for others. Islam too, has the Meccan phase of powerless witness. Its phase as a polity began in Medina. Muhammad in Mecca was an embodiment of prophetic service, accompanied by suffering. He would have seen himself as a prophet like Moses (and others). This changed with the ensuing battles for the faith and his emergence as a powerful statesman in Medina and beyond. However, it would be facile to characterise Islam as a whole in terms of polity or majesty, just as it would be superficial to portray Christianity merely in terms of servanthood or meekness. Islam has not been devoid of examples of service and sacrifice, just as Christianity is not bereft of power. This special issue of ijac focuses not only on what is arguably essential to both faiths but also provides examples from history and lived experiences and expressions. This issue aims to dwell on a nuanced discourse that contextually connects both faiths.
‘A Religion whose Author was Meek and Lowly’
Authors: Nickel Gordon 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The journals and letters of Abdul Masih (1776–1827) provide a lively and fascinating entry into consideration of the themes of faith and humility in South Asian Christianity. These themes were strong in the training Abdul received from evangelical chaplains of the East India Company prior to British permission for Christian mission in India. However, it is in Abdul’s reports of personal encounters with a wide variety of Muslim, Hindu, and Catholic interlocutors that the quality of meekness especially comes alive. Abdul perceived that the quality came from the teaching and example of Jesus. How was this quality to be shown in authentic faith conversation that revealed a clash of truth claims and even public calls for punishment of an ‘apostate’? When ambushed with polemic in excitable public settings? As Abdul conceived it, the ‘meekness and gentleness of Christ’ (2 Cor 10:1) dovetails nicely with a ‘boldness’ in gospel witness and a clear proclamation of the only faith that brings salvation. Remarkable, though wholly in line with his approach, was the way in which Muslim interlocutors who frequently came to dispute or reproach expressed satisfaction with Abdul by the end of the conversation. Meanwhile, Abdul humbly and faithfully ministered among Indian Christians in Agra and elsewhere as a catechist for the Church Missionary Society over a period of fourteen years.
Mutual enhancement of wind- and tide-induced near-inertial internal waves in Luzon Strait
Authors: Chen Zhiwu , Liu Gengbin , Liu Zhiyu , Chen Shaomin , Lu Huaihao , Xu Jiexin , Gong Yankun , Xie Jieshuo , He Yinghui , Chen Ju , He Yunkai , Cai Shuqun 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Tide-induced near-inertial internal waves (NIWs) are generated by tide-topography interaction and are energized by internal tides through triadic resonant interaction of internal waves. They are located above topography and could be in close contact with wind-induced NIWs when the topography is a tall ridge, like in the Luzon Strait of the northern South China Sea (SCS). A natural question arises as to whether there is significant interaction between wind- and tide-induced NIWs. By using moored velocity observations, satellite-tracked surface drifter dataset, and idealized numerical simulations, we find that in the presence of tide-induced NIWs, the wind can inject slightly more near-inertial energy (NIE), while in the presence of wind-induced NIWs, significantly more tidal energy is transferred to NIWs. Thus, wind- and tide-induced NIWs can mutually enhance each other, producing more NIE than a linear superposition of that generated by wind and tide forcing alone. Increasing wind intensity and tidal excursion lead to saturation of NIE enhancement, while a taller ridge leads to stronger enhancement. The high mixed-layer NIE near Luzon Strait is mostly generated by the wind, while the mutual enhancement between wind- and tide-induced NIWs can further enhance this pattern. The interaction between wind- and tide-induced NIWs leads to an enhancement of 25% more NIE. If tide-induced NIWs are neglected, as is usually the case in the estimation of NIE, the total NIE will be underestimated by almost 50%. This might imply that tide-induced NIWs are important for the energetics of NIWs in Luzon Strait.
A Decade after Typhoon Morakot (2009): What Have We Learned about Its Physics and Predictability?
Authors: Wang Chung-Chieh , Kuo Hung-Chi , Chen Yu-Han , Chen Shin-Hau , Tsuboki Kazuhisa 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Typhoon Morakot struck Taiwan during 7–9 August 2009 and became the deadliest tropical cyclone (TC) in five decades by producing up to 2635 mm of rain in 48 h, breaking the world record. The extreme rainfall of Morakot resulted from the strong interaction among several favorable factors that occurred simultaneously. These factors from large scale to small scale include the following: 1) weak environmental steering flow linked to the evolution of the monsoon gyre and consequently slow TC motion; 2) a strong moisture surge due to low-level southwesterly flow; 3) asymmetric rainfall and latent heating near southern Taiwan to further reduce the TC’s forward motion as its center began moving away from Taiwan; 4) enhanced rainfall due to steep topography; 5) atypical structure with a weak inner core, enhancing its susceptibility to the latent heating effect; and 6) cell merger and back building inside the rainbands associated with the interaction between the low-level jet and convective updrafts. From a forecasting standpoint, the present-day convective-permitting or cloud-resolving regional models are capable of short-range predictions of the Morakot event starting from 6 August. At longer ranges beyond 3 days, larger uncertainty exists in the track forecast and an ensemble approach is necessary. Due to the large computational demand at the required high resolution, the time-lagged strategy is shown to be a feasible option to produce useful information on rainfall probabilities of the event.
Prognostic Value of Lymph Node Yield, Lymph Node Density, and pN in Oral Cancer
Authors: Stampe Helene , Jakobsen Kathrine Kronberg , Tvedskov Jesper Filtenborg , Wessel Irene , Kiss Katalin , Friborg Jeppe , Andersen Amanda Oester , Grønhøj Christian , von Buchwald Christian , Christensen Anders 
Published: September 2022

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate thresholds for lymph node yield (LNY), lymph node density (LND), and pN in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma in relation to previous findings in the literature.Study DesignRetrospective register‐based study.SettingCopenhagen Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma database.MethodsAppropriate thresholds for LNY, LND, and pN were determined by areas under the curve and subsequently subjected to multivariate analysis. Five‐year overall survival and 3‐year recurrence‐free survival were determined by Kaplan‐Meier survival curves.ResultsIn total, 413 patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma were included. In the pN0 cohort, no superior/prognostic LNY cutoff values were detected. In the pN+ cohort, areas under the curve determined thresholds of LNY, LND, and pN to be 21 nodes, 5%, and 3 metastases, respectively. The 5‐year overall survival was 52% for patients with LNY ≥21 vs 38% for patients with LNY <21 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% CI, 1.05‐2.11; P < .05), 60% for patients with LND ≤5% vs 38% for patients with LND >6% (HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.03‐2.57; P < .05), and 43% for patients with pN <3 vs 26% for patients with pN ≥3 (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.04‐2.15; P < .05).ConclusionsIncreased nodal yield, decreased LND, and decreasing number of pN were associated with significantly improved survival outcomes. LNY might serve as a prognosticator of survival as well as a surgical quality indicator. LND may have implications as a tool in cancer staging and treatment planning.
Role of adding carbon nanotubes in the electric and electromagnetic shielding behaviors of three different types of graphene in hybrid nanocomposites
Authors: dos Anjos Erick GR , Moura Nayara K , Antonelli Eduardo , Baldan Mauricio R , Gomes Newton AS , Braga Natália F , Santos Adelina P , Rezende Mirabel C , Pessan Luiz A , Passador Fabio R 
Published: September 2022

Graphene-related materials (GRM) are promising materials to improve mechanical, electrical, and optical polymer properties. Adding multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on GRM nanocomposites promotes synergistic effects on its electrical properties and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE). This study focused on evaluating the addition of MWCNT on three different polycarbonate (PC)/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)/GRM nanocomposites. These hybrid nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing using extrusion and injection-mold processes. The morphologies of the nanocomposites were evaluated by field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), and their proprieties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), oscillatory rheological, dielectric spectroscopy, and EMI SE analyses. The electrical behavior of all hybrid nanocomposites was anisotropic due to the injection-molded preparation process. The lateral size, thickness, and production method of the GRM were indicated to be critical factors for the electrical and EMI SE behaviors of these composites. The nanocomposites with GRM2, which had the smallest lateral size and thickness (graphene nanoplatelets), promoted total attenuation levels around 20 dB with 1.5 wt% of MWCNT, matching the EMI SE required for some commercial applications.
Non-destructive evaluation of strength and stiffness of Eucalyptus pellita. A comparison of near infrared spectroscopy and acoustic wave velocity assessment
Authors: Japarudin Yani , Meder Roger , Lapammu Mahadir , Alwi Agustan , Brown Mark 
Published: September 2022

Tree improvement programmes benefit from measured data for multiple phenotypes in order to potentially gain maximum genetic leverage for selection. Diameter at breast height, tree height and tree form have traditionally dominated the measured phenotype due to their ease of measurement, and the fact that logs are traded by volume. More complex traits, including those that potentially offer economic benefit in terms of quality and end-product performance such as strength and stiffness, are more difficult to measure in standing trees and are frequently overlooked. These traits are therefore in need of rapid methods of assessment. Tree improvement of Eucalyptus pellita in Malaysian Borneo for solid wood and veneer product utilisation is one such example of where selection for improved stiffness is desirable. Genetic trials of E. pellita were assessed using acoustic velocity measurements at several intervention points, including the standing tree, fallen stem, logs and boards, along with near infrared spectroscopic measurement of the final test samples. Calibrations were developed for modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and compression parallel to the grain, using reference values obtained from 3-point bending of small clearwood test samples obtained from the trees following felling and sawing to ensure back-to-log recovery of the test sample location. Dynamic MOE calculated from the standing tree acoustic velocity showed good correlation with the mean MOE from static bending for the wood in the butt log, representing the location where standing tree acoustic velocity measurements were obtained. The Savitzky-Golay second derivative pre-treatment yields the best performing calibration for the microNIR and MPA on ground wood for MOE (R2Cal = 0.76, r2CV = 0.80, r2Pred = 0.46, RMSEC and RMSECV = 1.4 GPa, RMSEP = 2.3 GPa, LV = 3) for the microNIR and R2Cal = 0.98, r2CV and r2Pred = 0.70, RMSEC = 0.5 GPa, RMSECV and RMSEP =1.5 GPa, LV = 4 for the MPA.