bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skin cancer margin detection using nanosensitive optical coherence tomography and a comparative study with confocal microscopy
Authors: Dey Rajib , Alexandrov Sergey , Owens Peter , Kelly Jack , Phelan Sine , Leahy Martin
Published: October 2022

Excision biopsy and histology represent the gold standard for morphological investigation of the skin, in particular for cancer diagnostics. Nevertheless, a biopsy may alter the original morphology, usually requires several weeks for results, is non-repeatable on the same site and always requires an iatrogenic trauma. Hence, diagnosis and clinical management of diseases may be substantially improved by new non-invasive imaging techniques. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive depth-resolved optical imaging modality based on low coherence interferometry that enables high-resolution, cross-sectional imaging in biological tissues and it can be used to obtain both structural and functional information. Beyond the resolution limit, it is not possible to detect structural and functional information using conventional OCT. In this paper, we present a recently developed technique, nanosensitive OCT (nsOCT), improved using broadband supercontinuum laser, and demonstrate nanoscale sensitivity to structural changes within ex vivo human skin tissue. The extended spectral bandwidth permitted access to a wider distribution of spatial frequencies and improved the dynamic range of the nsOCT. Firstly, we demonstrate numerical and experimental detection of a few nanometers structural difference using the nsOCT method from single B-scan images of phantoms with sub-micron periodic structures, acting like Bragg gratings, along the depth. Secondly, our study shows that nsOCT can distinguish nanoscale structural changes at the skin cancer margin from the healthy region in en face images at clinically relevant depths. Finally, we compare the nsOCT en face image with a high-resolution confocal microscopy image to confirm the structural differences between the healthy and lesional/cancerous regions, allowing the detection of the skin cancer margin.
Theoretical study of freely propagating high-spatial-frequency optical waves
Authors: Chen Junjie , Hu Yanwen , Yin Hao , Li Zhen , Chen Zhenqiang , Fu Shenhe
Published: October 2022

When it comes to the high-spatial-frequency electromagnetic waves, we usually think of them as the evanescent waves which are bounded at the near-field surface and decay along with propagation distance. A conventional wisdom tells us that the high-spatial-frequency waves cannot exist in the far field. In this work, we show, however, that these high-spatial-frequency waves having wavenumbers larger than the incident one can propagate freely to the far-field regions. We demonstrate theoretically a technique, based on an abrupt truncation of the incident plane wave, to generate these intriguing waves. The truncation functions describing the slit and the complementary slit are considered as typical examples. Our results show that both the slit structures are able to produce the high-spatial-frequency wave phenomena in the far field, manifested by their interference fringes of the diffracted waves. This work introduces the high-spatial-frequency propagating waves. Therefore, it may trigger potential investigations on such an interesting subject, e.g., one may design delicate experiment to confirm this prediction. Besides, it would stimulate potential applications such as in superresolution and precise measurement.
Improving focusability of post-compressed PW laser pulses using a deformable mirror
Authors: Soloviev Alexander , Kotov Alexander , Martyanov Mikhail , Perevalov Sergey , Zemskov Roman , Starodubtsev Mikhail , Alexandrov Alexander , Galaktionov Ilya , Samarkin Vadim , Kudryashov Alexis , Yakovlev Ivan , Ginzburg Vladislav , Kochetkov Anton , Shaikin Ilya , Kuzmin Alexey , Stukachev Sergey , Mironov Sergey , Shaykin Andrey , Khazanov Efim
Published: October 2022

The use of the post-compression technique ensures gain in laser pulse peak power but at the same time degrades beam focusability due to the nonlinear wavefront distortions caused by a spatially nonuniform beam profile. In this paper a substantial focusability improvement of a post-compressed laser pulse by means of adaptive optics was demonstrated experimentally. The Strehl ratio increase from 0.16 to 0.43 was measured. Simulations showed that the peak intensity in this case reaches 0.52 of the theoretical limit.
Designing multi-mode anti-resonant hollow-core fibers for industrial laser power delivery
Authors: Shere William , Fokoua Eric Numkam , Jasion Gregory T. , Poletti Francesco
Published: October 2022

We investigate the design of hollow-core fibers for the delivery of 10s of kilowatt average power from multi-mode laser sources. For such lasers, delivery through solid-core fibers is typically limited by nonlinear optical effects to 10s of meters of distance. Techniques are presented here for the design of multi-mode anti-resonant fibers that can efficiently couple and transmit light from these lasers. By numerical simulation we analyze the performance of two anti-resonant fibers targeting continuous-wave lasers with M2 up to 13 and find they are capable of delivering MW-level power over several kilometers with low leakage loss, and at bend radii as small as 35 cm. Pulsed lasers are also investigated and numerical simulations indicate that optimized fibers could in principle deliver nanosecond pulses with greater than 100 mJ pulse energy over distances up to 1 km. This would be orders of magnitude higher power and longer distances than in typical machining applications using the best available solid core fibers.
Synthetic aperture rainbow refractometry
Authors: Wang Xinhao , Wu Yingchun , Xu Dongyan , Wen Botong , Lv Qimeng , Wu Xuecheng
Published: October 2022

This work proposed a synthetic aperture rainbow refractometry (SARR) by synthesizing rainbow signals of the same droplet with dual-wavelength laser beams, in order to increase the aperture of rainbow refractometry. In this way, the SARR can apply to long distance and small droplets measurement. An achromatic imaging system, which simultaneously records while separating the two rainbow signals in two channels of a color image, is elaborately designed. A data processing algorithm is developed to retrieve the optimal droplet refractive index and size. Numerical simulations of different droplet sizes from 10

μ

m to 200

μ

m certify the viability of the SARR. Proof-of-concept experiments of micron-sized ethanol droplets are performed with 1650 mm measurement distance. Results show that the SARR can accurately measure droplet refractive index and size with uncertainties of 2.3 × 10−4 and

2

μ

m, respectively. The feasibility and accuracy of the proposed SARR are successfully demonstrated, paving the way for rainbow refractometry applied to large-scale industrial applications.
Double-spherically bent crystal scheme of stigmatic x ray monochromatic backlit imaging
Authors: Wang Ruirong , An Honghai , Xie Zhiyong , Fang Zhiheng , Wang Wei
Published: October 2022

We propose an aberration-free monochromatic x ray backlit imaging scheme using a combination of convex and concave spherically bent crystals. This configuration works with a wide range of Bragg angles, satisfying the conditions for stigmatic imaging at a particular wavelength. However, the assembly accuracy of the crystals must meet the Bragg relation criteria for spatial resolution to increase the detection efficiency. Here, we develop a collimator prism with a cross reference line engraved on a plane mirror to adjust a matched pair of Bragg angles as well as the intervals between the two crystals and the object to be coupled with the detector. We explore the realization of monochromatic backlighting imaging with a concave Si-533 crystal and a convex α-Quartz-2023 crystal, obtaining a spatial resolution of approximately 7 µm and a field of view of at least 200 µm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the best spatial resolution of monochromatic images of a double-spherically bent crystal to date. Our experimental results are presented to demonstrate the feasibility of this imaging scheme with x rays.
Continuous-wave single-mode quantum cascade laser at 5.1  THz based on graded sampled grating design
Authors: Li Weijiang , Ma Yu , Xu Yunfei , Liu Junqi , Wang Lijun , Zhuo Ning , Lu Quanyong , Zhang Jinchuan , Zhai Shenqiang , Liu Shuman , Liu Fengqi
Published: October 2022

We report on the terahertz (THz) quantum cascade lasers in continuous-wave (CW) operation with an emitting frequency above 5 THz. Excellent performance with a smaller leakage current and higher population inversion efficiency is obtained by one-well bridged bound-to-continuum hybrid quantum design at 5 THz. By designing and fabricating a graded metallic sampled distributed feedback grating in the waveguide, the first single-mode THz quantum cascade laser at 5.13 THz in CW operation mode is achieved. The maximum single-mode optical power of

∼
48
  
mW

is achieved at 15 K with a side-mode suppression ratio above 24 dB. This will draw great interest in the spectroscopy applications above the 5 THz range for THz quantum cascade lasers.
Modeling the effect of different drugs and treatment regimen for hookworm on cure and egg reduction rates taking into account diagnostic error
Authors: Grolimund Carla M. , Bärenbold Oliver , Utzinger Jürg , Keiser Jennifer , Vounatsou Penelope
Published: October 2022

Background

Hookworm infections, caused by Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus, are of considerable public health importance. The World Health Organization recommends preventive chemotherapy as the key strategy for morbidity control. Meta-analyses have been conducted to estimate treatment efficacy of available drugs and drug combinations. However, in most studies, the relation between the diagnostic error and infection intensity have not been considered, resulting in an overestimation of cure rates (CRs).

Methodology

A Bayesian model was developed to compare the ‘true’ CR and egg reduction rate of different treatment regimens for hookworm infections taking into account the error of the recommended Kato-Katz thick smear diagnostic technique. It was fitted to the observed egg count data which was linked to the distribution of worms, considered the day-to-day variation of hookworm egg excretion and estimated the infection intensity-dependent sensitivity. The CR was obtained by defining the prevalence of infection at follow-up as the probability of having at least one fertilized female worm. The model was applied to individual-level egg count data available from 17 treatments and six clinical trials.

Principal findings

Taking the diagnostic error into account resulted in considerably lower CRs than previously reported. Overall, of all treatments analyzed, mebendazole administered in six dosages of 100 mg each was the most efficacious treatment with a CR of 88% (95% Bayesian credible interval: 79-95%). Furthermore, diagnostic sensitivity varied with the infection intensity and sampling effort. For an infection intensity of 50 eggs per gram of stool, the sensitivity is close to 60%; for two Kato-Katz thick smears it increased to approximately 76%.

Conclusions/significance

Our model-based estimates provide the true efficacy of different treatment regimens against hookworm infection taking into account the diagnostic error of the Kato-Katz method. Estimates of the diagnostic sensitivity for different number of stool samples and thick smears are obtained. To accurately assess efficacy in clinical trials with the Kato-Katz method, at least two stool samples on consecutive days should be collected.
Combined inhibition of BCR-ABL1 and the proteasome as a potential novel therapeutic approach in BCR-ABL positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Maletzke Saskia , Salimi Azam , Vieri Margherita , Schroeder Kema Marlen , Schemionek Mirle , Masouleh Behzad Kharabi , Brümmendorf Tim H. , Koschmieder Steffen , Appelmann Iris
Published: October 2022

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a disease of lymphoid progenitor cells with an often aggressive course and is commonly caused by the BCR-ABL fusion gene t(9;22) in adults. This fusion gene encodes a constitutively active tyrosine kinase that can be effectively inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), with imatinib being the paradigmatic agent of this class. However, BCR-ABL+ ALL cells rapidly develop mutations against many of the available TKIs, and consecutive disease relapse still results in an overall unfavorable prognosis for patients with this disease. To date, allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the only known curative therapeutic option for the mostly elderly patients with BCR-ABL+ ALL. The discrepancy between the limited therapeutic armamentarium and the growing therapeutic need in an aging population is therefore a reason to test drug combinations against BCR-ABL+ ALL. In this study, we demonstrate that the combination of TKIs with proteasome inhibitors efficiently and under certain conditions synergistically exerts cytotoxic effects in BCR-ABL+ ALL cells in vitro with respect to the induction of apoptosis. Both sole and combined treatment of BCR-ABL+ ALL with the proteasome inhibitors bortezomib and ixazomib, respectively, and TKI causes a significantly greater reduction in cell viability than TKI treatment alone in both BCR-ABL+ cell lines TOM-1 and BV-173. In BV-173 cells, we observed a significant reduction in cell viability to only 1.26%±0.46% with bortezomib treatment and 1.57±0.7% with combination treatment, whereas cells treated with dasatinib alone still had a viable percentage of 40.58±2.6%. Similar results were obtained when ixazomib was applied to both cell lines, and apoptosis was induced in both cases (93.36%±2.7% apoptotic BV-173 cells when treated with ixazomib and TKI). The combination of TKI and proteasome inhibitor is efficient in vitro, potentially expanding the spectrum of therapeutic options for patients with BCR-ABL+ ALL.
Comorbidity and quality of life in obesity–a comparative study with the general population in Gothenburg, Sweden
Authors: Mejaddam Ala , Krantz Emily , Höskuldsdóttir Gudrún , Fändriks Lars , Mossberg Karin , Eliasson Björn , Trimpou Penelope , Landin-Wilhelmsen Kerstin
Published: October 2022

Context

Obesity is considered to have a detrimental impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Objective

To compare HRQoL in a well-defined group of people with obesity with a population-based control group from the general public.

Design

Observational cross-sectional cohort study with a reference population.

Setting

The Regional Obesity Center at the Department of Medicine at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Participants

People with obesity (n = 1122) eligible for surgical and non-surgical obesity treatment in routine care were included consecutively between 2015 and 2017 into the BASUN study. Men and women from the WHO-MONICA-GOT project were used as a reference population (n = 414).

Main outcome measures

HRQoL was measured with the RAND-36/Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for self-related health (SRH). Prescription drugs for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, depression, and anxiety were taken as a proxy for these conditions.

Results

People with obesity rated their overall HRQoL lower than the reference population according to the SRH-VAS. Lower scores were reported on physical and social functioning, vitality, general and mental health after adjustment for age and use of prescription drugs (considered a proxy for burden of disease, or comorbidities) using the RAND-36/SF-36 questionnaire. Use of some psychopharmacological agents was more common in patients with obesity.

Conclusion

People with obesity seeking help with weight reduction are more likely to have lower physical and mental self-reported HRQoL than the general population.
Fecal carriage and clonal dissemination of blaNDM-1 carrying Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 147 at an intensive care unit in Lao PDR
Authors: Sewunet Tsegaye , K. K. Sriram , Nguyen Ha Hoang , Sithivong Noikaseumsy , Hoang Ngoc Thi Bich , Sychareun Vanphanom , Nengmongvang Kokasia , Larsson Mattias , Olson Linus , Westerlund Fredrik , Giske Christian G.
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are high priority targets of global antimicrobial surveillance. Herein, we determined the colonization rate of CPE on admission to intensive care units in Vientiane, Lao PDR in August-September 2019.

Methods

Data regarding clinical conditions, infection control, and antibiotic usage were collected during admission. Rectal swab samples (n = 137) collected during admission were inoculated to selective chromogenic agars, followed by confirmatory tests for extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and carbapenemases. All CPE isolates were sequenced on Illumina (HiSeq2500), reads assembled using SPAdes 3.13, and the draft genomes used to query a database (https://www.genomicepidemiology.org) for resistome, plasmid replicons, and sequence types (ST). Optical DNA mapping (ODM) was used to characterize plasmids and to determine location of resistance genes. Minimum spanning tree was generated using the Bacterial Isolate Genome Sequence database (BIGSdb) and annotated using iTOL.

Result

From 47 Enterobacterales isolated on selective agars, K. pneumoniae (25/47) and E. coli (12/47) were the most prevalent species, followed by K aerogenes (2/47), K. variicola (1/47), and K. oxytoca (1/47). The overall prevalence of ESBLs was 51.0%; E. coli 83.3% (10/12) and Klebsiella spp. 41.3% (12/29). Twenty percent of the K. pneumoniae (5/25) isolates were carbapenem-resistant, and 4/5 contained the blaNDM-1 gene. All blaNDM-1 isolates belonged to ST147 and were indistinguishable with cgMLST. ODM showed that the blaNDM-1 gene was located on identical plasmids in all isolates.

Conclusion

The prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales was high, while carbapenemases were less common. However, the detection of clonal dissemination of blaNDM-1-producing K. pneumoniae isolates in one of the intensive care units calls for vigilance. Stringent infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship strategies are highly important measures.
Differences between returns to education in Urban and rural China and its evolution from 1989 to 2019
Authors: Gao Xing , Li Maishou
Published: October 2022

The income gap between urban and rural residents has long been a predicament for China. The differences between returns to education in urban and rural China are one of the important factors affecting the income gap. Using a combination of data from CHNS, CHIP, CGSS, CFPS, CHFS, and CSS, the differences in returns to education and its evolution in China from 1989 to 2019 were estimated. Results show that returns to education in urban China have been consistently higher than that in rural China. Returns to education in urban China show a trend of progressive increase, then a rapid rise, before turning into a slow decline and gradually leveling off; returns to education in rural China exhibit a slowly increasing trend before gradually leveling off; the differences between returns to education in urban and rural China show an evolution of first growing larger, then smaller, before gradually leveling off. The spouse’s education was considered the instrumental variable of individuals’ education. The robustness test was done with an estimation through a two-stage least squares (2SLS) method. Results indicate that the empirical conclusion has good robustness. The evolution of returns to education in China was explained in terms of the marketization of labor forces, the relative supply and demand of labor forces, the reform of the household registration system, and the evolution of the quality of education.
Integrative weighted molecular network construction from transcriptomics and genome wide association data to identify shared genetic biomarkers for COPD and lung cancer
Authors: Banaganapalli Babajan , Mallah Bayan , Alghamdi Kawthar Saad , Albaqami Walaa F. , Alshaer Dalal Sameer , Alrayes Nuha , Elango Ramu , Shaik Noor A.
Published: October 2022

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multifactorial progressive airflow obstruction in the lungs, accounting for high morbidity and mortality across the world. This study aims to identify potential COPD blood-based biomarkers by analyzing the dysregulated gene expression patterns in blood and lung tissues with the help of robust computational approaches. The microarray gene expression datasets from blood (136 COPD and 6 controls) and lung tissues (16 COPD and 19 controls) were analyzed to detect shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Then these DEGs were used to construct COPD protein network-clusters and functionally enrich them against gene ontology annotation terms. The hub genes in the COPD network clusters were then queried in GWAS catalog and in several cancer expression databases to explore their pathogenic roles in lung cancers. The comparison of blood and lung tissue datasets revealed 63 shared DEGs. Of these DEGs, 12 COPD hub gene-network clusters (SREK1, TMEM67, IRAK2, MECOM, ASB4, C1QTNF2, CDC42BPA, DPF3, DET1, CCDC74B, KHK, and DDX3Y) connected to dysregulations of protein degradation, inflammatory cytokine production, airway remodeling, and immune cell activity were prioritized with the help of protein interactome and functional enrichment analysis. Interestingly, IRAK2 and MECOM hub genes from these COPD network clusters are known for their involvement in different pulmonary diseases. Additional COPD hub genes like SREK1, TMEM67, CDC42BPA, DPF3, and ASB4 were identified as prognostic markers in lung cancer, which is reported in 1% of COPD patients. This study identified 12 gene network- clusters as potential blood based genetic biomarkers for COPD diagnosis and prognosis.
Relationship between anxiety and internet searches before percutaneous ultrasound-guided diagnostic procedures: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Meira Marcio , Bitencourt Almir Galvão Vieira , Travesso Demian Jungklaus , Chojniak Rubens , Barbosa Paula Nicole Vieira Pinto
Published: October 2022

Invasive procedures guided by ultrasound (US) are part of routine medical diagnostic investigation. The lack of knowledge surrounding the technical aspects of such procedures can lead patients to seek complementary information on the Internet, which may in turn trigger anxiety. However, the intersection between the fields of Radiology and Psychology is poorly studied. Here, we identify the profile of an anxious patient before an US-guided intervention. We prospectively studied 133 patients undergoing image-guided procedures. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was applied for psychometry. Significantly higher anxiety scores were observed in female patients (p= .001), those who believed they had received inadequate information from their referring physician (p= .006), and in patients who considered online information unreliable or difficult to access (p= .007 andp= .001, respectively). Participants who defined themselves as proactive online reported lower anxiety levels (p= .003).
Relationships among COVID-19 phobia, health anxiety, and social relations in women living with HIV in Iran: A path analysis
Authors: Aliverdi Fatemeh , Bayat Jozani Zahra , Ghavidel Nooshin , Qorbani Mostafa , Mohammadian Khonsari Nami , Mohamadi Farima , Mohraz Minoo , Mahmoodi Zohreh
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences have caused fear and anxiety worldwide and imposed a significant physical and psychological burden on people, especially women living with HIV (WLHIV). However, WLHIV were not studied as well as others during the pandemic. Hence, this study aimed to determine the relationships between COVID-19 phobia, health anxiety, and social relations in WLHIV.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study enrolled 300 WLHIV who had records at the Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using sociodemographic questionnaire, the fear of COVID-19 scale, the social relations questionnaire, the socioeconomic status scale and the health anxiety inventory. Path-analysis was used to assess the direct and indirct associations between variables.

Results

Based on the path analysis, among variables that had significant causal relationships with social relations, socioeconomic status (β = -0.14) showed the greatest negative relationship, and health anxiety (β = 0.11) had the strongest positive relationship on the direct path. On the indirect path, fear of COVID-19 (β = 0.049) displayed the greatest positive relationship. The level of education (β = 0.29) was the only variable showing a significant positive relationship with social relations on both direct and indirect paths.

Conclusion

Our result showed that increased fear and health anxiety related to a higher social relations score in WLHIV. Hence, due to their vulnerability, these people require more support and education to adhere to health protocols in future pandemics and similar situations.
“Some believe those who say they can cure it” perceived barriers to antiretroviral therapy for children living with HIV/AIDS: Qualitative exploration of caregivers experiences in tamale metropolis
Authors: Atanuriba Gideon Awenabisa , Apiribu Felix , Dzomeku Veronica Millicent , Amooba Philemon Adoliwine , Boamah Mensah Adwoa Bemah , Afaya Richard Adongo , Gazari Timothy , Laari Timothy Tienbia , Akor Moses Haruna , Abnory Linda
Published: October 2022

Background

HIV/AIDS is now a chronic disease, as adherence to anti-retrovirals impacts positively on the quality as well as expectancy of life. However, there exist multifaceted barriers to treatments for which children are most disadvantaged. Since Ghana subscribed to the “treat all” policy less percentage (25.5%) of children (2–14 years) living with HIV/AIDS have been enrolled on the antiretroviral program compared to other categories of the population by 2019. At present no study has explored these barriers to children living with HIV/AIDS enrollment and adherence. This study aims to explore the perceived barriers of caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS in the Tamale Metropolis.

Methods

We used descriptive phenomenology to explore the phenomena. Caregivers were purposively selected and interviewed till information became repetitive at the ninth (9th) caregiver. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data through face-to-face in-depth interviews which were audio recorded. The interviews lasted an average of 47 minutes. Audio interviews were transcribed verbatim (English) and translated back-to-back (Daghani) before analysis was done manually according to Collaizi’s seven-step approach. We used the Guba and Lincoln guidelines to ensure the rigour of the study and its findings. Results are presented in themes and supported with quotes.

Results

Six themes emerged from the analysis of the caregivers’ transcripts; (1) denial of HIV/AID diagnosis, (2) stock-outs and privacy at the clinic, (3) busy schedule and poor support, (4) ignorance and alternative herbal cure, (5) stigma and discrimination, (6) transportation and distance.

Conclusion

Perceived barriers are multi-dimensional and encountered by all PLWHA, especially children. These barriers could derail the gains of HIV/AIDS interventions among children. Adherence counselling among caregivers alongside campaigns among faith and herbal healers are of grave concern to reduce myths of cure.
Tattoos in cinema
Authors: Kluger Nicolas
Published: October 2022

In cinema, many visual characteristics of the characters serve as "unspoken" elements that allow the audience to attribute (rightly or wrongly) these characteristics without the need to use superfluous verbal information: clothes, hairstyles, scars, prostheses, physical defects, etc. Tattoos are obviously part of this visual panel. Tattoos may be the central theme of the movie, allow to give one or more attribute to the character, have a real function in the movie or simply has an aesthetic role of beautification. The prevalence of actors and actress with tattoos is unknown. However, some actors may display their tattoos for the purpose of the movie.
The Critical Review of the Discourse of North Korean Human Rights and International Anti-corruption: Focused on the Paradox of Human Rights and Sovereignty
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, Na Hye Young , Ryu Sang Il
Published: October 2022

The corruption scandal of North Korea has seen by UN reports said the food and humanitarian aid being diverted to corrupt bureaucrat, whereby requesting to open an investigation. Given int'l inquiry, North Korea has responded by the paradox of human rights and sovereignty, which reflected human security and the principle of nonintervention. That is not, however, only North Korea's assertion in which some way analogous to a long-standing claim of the third world : the issue of North and South, and imperialism versus anti-colonialism. From the sense, the analysis has focused the normative issue of human rights and state sovereignty, and has explored the sphere of the notion in which North Korea engaged the Third World enquiring the justice of the core in line with anti-corruption regime's evolvement. Secondly, it evolved to show what attributes the paradoxical logic to North Korean regime's highly rigid political sense, namely sovereign priority.
The Development of an Instrument That Measures Seogeulpeum in Korean Middle-aged Adults
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, Gu Hye Ja , Eun Young
Published: October 2022

Purpose: To develop an instrument that measures seogeulpeum in Korean middle-aged adults. Design: An extensive literature review, examination of existing instruments, and three focus group interviews revealed three domains of seogeulpeum: physical characteristics, psychological characteristics, and social characteristics. An original 42-item questionnaire was drafted. Five experts examined its content validity and reduced it to 32 items. To refine the instrument further, and test its reliability and validity, data were collected from 521 middle-aged participants in Korea. Results: Principal component factor analysis of the instrument using varimax rotation indicated that seven factors explained 52.12% of the total variance. Discussion and conclusions: This instrument demonstrated high reliability and validity; therefore, it is an appropriate measure of seogeulpeum for Korean middle-aged adults. Implications for practice: How seogeulpeum differs from depression and grief, if it can develop into a disorder, and how it should be treated require further examination.
Shaping and evaluation of physical parameters for Farwa Lagoon - Libya
Authors: Zaid Asadeq , Salih Fauzi A. , Abugoufa Amena H.
Published: October 2022

Farwa complex suffers the effect of pollution, temperature change and the high evaporation process. These effects include but are not limited to physical changes like water properties and the island's shape over time, as results of wave motion and direction. The only study that related to this issue was reported by (M. GERGES & A. DURGHAM, 1982) as part of the UNESCO mission. Their study concluded the results of high salinities, approaching 42 % in winter, 43 % in spring, and 44.5. %. in summer, and 43 %. in autumn, are most probably obtained through the evaporation process. Here we expressed our work by InSite examination and satellite image to evaluate these physical parameters. Results reported that TDS dropped from 11203 ppm at 27.7 C to 10430 ppm at 29.2 C and the daily average DO was between 3.0 mg/L and 3.7 mg/L. in addition, the value as inflow needs to be increased by extending the bath or the waterway at least 40 m wide and 3 m deep to let more water come thru it. This engineering proposal will raise the water level inside the lagoon as well as, expend the aquatic life in the area.
Immunity, Infections and Vitamins
Authors: Petric Domina
Published: October 2022

The aim of this review is to explore the available scientific literature and elucidate whether infections, including COVID-19, can cause hypovitaminoses, and on the other hand, may hypovitaminoses be the risk factor for the weaker immune response to infection. Methods include literature search (PubMed, ScienceOpen). Conclusion: optimal nutritional status, especially of vitamins A, C, E and D, is important for the normal functioning of the immune system. It seems that infections can increase the expenditure of vitamins A and C, and
vice versa, lower levels of vitamin A and C may be associated with an increased susceptibility for infections and increased risk for the development of severe forms of infection, including COVID-19. Immunomodulatory vitamins D and E are important for the optimization of the immune response to various infections, protecting thus the host from both severe forms of infection and hyperinflammatory immune response with the development of cytokine storm and/or autoimmune processes, which is especially important in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. It seems that vitamin K deficiency is an important modifiable risk factor for the development of severe forms of COVID-19 and that vitamin D and vitamin K deficiency are interrelated, and represent potentially a synergistic effect on the severity of COVID-19.
Mechanical stress concealed force enhancement and ionic transient membrane potential and metabolism in akinesia of stress cardiomyopathy
Authors: Chen Yujie , Dong Wenjie , Yang Yi , Bell Annie Christel , Azure Joseph Akparibila , Wang Yang
Published: October 2022

Stress cardiomyopathy is a unique heart syndrome that is characterized by reversible left ventricular apical wall motion abnormalities and is commonly known as Takotsubo syndrome. In transient left ventricular apical ballooning, myocardium lengthening stress is in a high energy-demand state. The increased passive tension and force enhancement conducted asynergically are associated with severe hypokinesis on the ventricular wall and reduced the blood ejection fraction. Ventricular myocardial deformation and global longitudinal strain have significant mechanotemporal alteration characteristics. Membrane potential dominant mechanisms related to akinesia are considered from multiple effects of variation of calcium transients, myocardium metabolism, which is relative to the ST segment lift in an ECG, and in the weakness of contraction of the ventricular muscle. Ventricular filling, not pressure,-determine the strengthening from stretching; thus, in stress cardiomyopathy, ventricular apical ballooning (takotsubo-shaped ventricle) strengthens the mechanical stress on the wall. Muscle fiber tolerance of lengthening is a high energy consumption process. Ventricular apical akinesia further aggravates passive tension. Depleted ATP and high inorganic phosphate inhibit Ca
2+-activated development, terminates the crossbridge detachment process in its early stage, and facilitates the occurrence of myogenic force enhancement. Comprehensive analysis of the above mechanisms, in lengthening stress, increased cardiac fibers energy demand, and Ca
2+ transient variation interruption of the diastolic cycle, delayed the onset of systole and aggravated the occurrence of apical ballooning in stress cardiomyopathy.
Caustic Ingestion: A Risk-Based Algorithm
Authors: Tosca Joan , Sánchez Ana , Sanahuja Ana , Villagrasa Rosana , Poyatos Paloma , Mas Pilar , Pascual Isabel , Lluch Paloma , Herreros Belén , Peña Andrés , Sánchiz Vicente , Mínguez Miguel
Published: October 2022

INTRODUCTION:

Caustic ingestion management could be improved with a diagnostic approach based on risk factors. This study aimed to develop an algorithm derived from predictive factors of a poor clinical course, to evaluate its diagnostic accuracy and resource consumption, and to compare it with 2 other approaches, a radiological one based on computed tomography and a classical one based on symptoms and endoscopy.

METHODS:

All patients older than 15 years presenting with caustic ingestion in our tertiary care hospital between 1995 and 2021 were prospectively included. Adverse outcome was defined as intensive care unit admission, emergency surgery, or death. Ingestion characteristics, symptoms, and laboratory and endoscopic findings were analyzed to determine the most relevant risk factors. Diagnostic accuracy and the number of examinations required were estimated and compared with the other 2 algorithms applied to our series.

RESULTS:

The sample included 532 cases of caustic ingestion, 13.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.3–16.0) of which had adverse outcomes. Volume and type of caustic substance; presence of symptoms and pharyngolaryngeal involvement; and neutrophilia, acidosis, and endoscopic injury were combined to develop an algorithm that would provide the highest diagnostic odds ratio (167.2; 95% CI: 71.9–388.7). Following this approach, half of the patients (50.6%; 95% CI: 46.2–55.1) would not require any examination and, overall, the need for endoscopy (20.0%; 95% CI: 16.4–23.5) and computed tomography (16.3%; 95% CI: 13.0–19.5) would be lower than that for the other 2 algorithms.

DISCUSSION:

A risk-based algorithm could improve caustic ingestion management by maintaining high diagnostic accuracy while reducing diagnostic test requirements.
Continuing Medical Education Questions: October 2022
Authors: Inamdar Sumant
Published: October 2022

Article Title: Impact of Obesity on Risk of Hospitalization, Surgery and Serious Infection in Biologic-treated Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): A CA-IBD Cohort Study
Mackenzie King and the North Atlantic Triangle in the Era of Munich, 1938–1939
Authors: McCulloch Tony
Published: October 2022

This article looks at relations between Britain, the United States and Canada in the years leading up to the Second World War in order to ascertain the extent to which a North Atlantic Triangle can be said to have existed at the outbreak of war in September 1939. Drawing upon the author’s contention that an Anglo-American ‘tacit alliance’ was formed against Germany, Italy and Japan during President Franklin Roosevelt’s second term, it argues that the Canadian Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, played an important part in this development by virtue of Canada’s position as the northern neighbour of the United States and the senior Dominion of the British Empire and that this ‘tacit alliance’ went hand in hand with a ‘North Atlantic Triangle’ between these three governments. The article first analyses the evolution of Mackenzie King’s relationships with Franklin Roosevelt and Neville Chamberlain in the 1930s. It then examines three key elements in the triangular relationship between Canada, the United States and Britain in 1938–9: the conclusion of an Anglo-American trade agreement in 1938; British appeasement policy and Roosevelt’s role during the Munich crisis of 1938; and the British Royal Visit to the United States in June 1939.
North Atlantic World: Canada and the Wartime Plans for the Post-War Global Economy, 1941–1947
Authors: Mackenzie Hector
Published: October 2022

There were numerous bilateral financial and commercial measures in the 1940s within the North Atlantic Triangle of the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, in wartime and thereafter.1However, the focus of this article is on Canada’s interest in the multilateral economic proposals for the post-war world. As the following account demonstrates, that option for Canadian policymakers was likewise defined and framed within the North Atlantic Triangle. As for the long-standing but elusive goal of diversification of markets for Canadian exports, the initial benefits to Canada of the multilateral alternative tended to reinforce rather than contradict the trend – evident in Canada’s bilateral deals – for its fortunes to be identified with its commerce with its North Atlantic partners. In other words, Canada’s economic world was fundamentally a North Atlantic world, and its multilateral plans and actions took that reality into account.
The ‘Anglo-Saxon Triangle’ Downplayed by Canada’s Department of External Affairs, 1946–1956
Authors: Silver Lara C. A.
Published: October 2022

In July 1951, Canada’s Department of External Affairs despatched a secret policy paper to the heads of overseas Canadian posts, instructing Canadian diplomats abroad not to refer to Canada’s ‘inner triangle’ with Britain and the United States or encourage its development into a formal alliance. The explicitly named ‘Anglo-Saxon triangle’ was acknowledged affectionately as a ‘cornerstone of Canadian foreign policy’ but was regarded as damaging to the ultimate goal of a North Atlantic community inclusive of continental Europeans. The ‘inner triangle’ comprising Canada, the United States and Britain had to be concealed, and diplomats were warned not to speak of it publicly as an objective of policy, lest another triangle would form, that of a Franco-German–Italian grouping that would split the prospects of a North Atlantic alliance. The discovery of this secret despatch provides some explanation of why references to the North Atlantic Triangle faded from statements in the post-war years.
Narrations of (in)significant pasts in young people’s identity construction
Authors: Taivalantti Tanja , Norppa Johanna , Marti Aleksi
Published: October 2022

This article presents a study that examined the historical social narratives of 14–17-year-old Finnish-speaking adolescents in Finland and transnational settings. Our goal was to research what kinds of narratives young people would tell when they were asked to write the history of a group or nationality most suitable for them. The research material was collected as part of data collection in 2020 from three cities: a small Finnish town, a medium-sized city in Finland and a large European city outside Finland. We analysed whether young people chose to write national, sub-national or supra-national historical social narratives. Place-based differences in results were apparent, and we analysed these differences using the concept of spatial socialisation. We also discuss the challenges that history education faces in the light of our findings.
Formation of a system of target indicators for rating and integral evaluation of the efficiency of the organization of the provision of medical care to patients with diabetes mellitus in the Russian Federation regions
Authors: Mikhailov I. A. , Omelyanovsky V. V. , Shestakova M. V. , Mokrysheva N. G.
Published: October 2022

AIM: Formation of a system of target indicators for rating and integral assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization of medical care for patients with diabetes mellitus in the Russian Federation regions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was an expert survey in the form of a structured interview. At the first stage, we performed the primary selection of indicators. At the second stage, the selection of experts took place in accordance with the inclusion criteria, and the assessment of the level of expert competence was assessed based on a self-assessment survey. Further, criteria we formulated for expert evaluation of the significance of the selected indicators in accordance with the principles used in the development of national and federal projects. The indicators were divided into two groups: additional (process) and main (outcome). To quantify the degree of agreement between the experts’ answers, Kendall’s concordance coefficient (W) was calculated. The significance of differences was assessed using the nonparametric Friedman test.

RESULTS: Only indicators with a high degree of agreement between experts and the presence of statistical significance in terms of the concordance coefficient are recommended as target indicators. The following main and additional indicators satisfy these requirements: mortality from cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes (people per 100,000 population); the proportion of patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus provided with medical devices out of the total number of patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (percentage); the proportion of patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus with high amputations of all patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus with any amputations (percentage); and other indicators.

CONCLUSION: We selected indicators that can be used both for the integral rating of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and in the formation of federal projects or departmental target programs. The results of the study can also be used to organize a system for monitoring the effectiveness of the implementation of these projects and programs.
Movimentos socioterritoriais, mulheres e doação de alimentos no Brasil
Authors: Albuquerque Jorge Aline , Dalperio Buscioli Lara , Oliveira Moreira Bitencourt Silmara , Francisca de Souza Campos Vinha Janaina , Oliveira da Fonseca Roberta , Araújo Coutinho de Paula Larissa , Carolina Gomes Mesquita da Silva Hellen
Published: October 2022

Resumo

 

No Brasil, durante a pandemia de Covid-19, o aprofundamento da questão da insegurança alimentar grave e da violência contra a mulher tornaram-se uns dos principais impactos potencializados pela postura adotada pelo governo de Jair Messias Bolsonaro. Diante disso, diferentes sujeitos, organizados em movimentos socioterritoriais do campo e da cidade, realizaram ações de resistência para mitigação destes problemas, tendo a solidariedade como elemento nucleador. Este trabalho analisa as ações das mulheres camponesas nas campanhas de doação de alimentos a partir do debate paradigmático, por meio de levantamentos bibliográficos, sistematização de dados quantitativos e da realização de entrevistas. As mulheres ocupam a centralidade nas ações voltadas para as campanhas, caracterizadas pela diversidade de identidades dos sujeitos participantes, com doações de marmitas, cestas, produtos de higiene/limpeza, etc. Esta centralidade coloca-se tanto nas produções dos alimentos quanto na gestão, preparação, estrutura de funcionamento/articulação e no campo paradigmático de discussões. Tais ações estão alicerçadas no Paradigma da Questão Agrária, pois buscam superar os problemas estruturantes do capital e propor mudanças socioterritoriais para um novo modelo de sociedade, pautado na justiça social e na promoção da Reforma Agrária Popular.
Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysms Discovered Early After Acute Myocardial Infarction: The Surgical Timing Dilemma
Authors: Iosifescu Andrei George , Iosifescu Toma Andrei , Timisescu Alina Teodora , Antohi Elena-Laura , Iliescu Vlad Anton
Published: October 2022

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is a rare disease; it is defined as a ventricular rupture contained by epicardium, pericardial adhesions, or both. It most frequently occurs as a complication of acute myocardial infarction. Surgical treatment is recommended for pseudoaneurysms that are large or symptomatic and for those discovered less than 3 months after myocardial infarction.

We report our experience with 2 patients who had left ventricular pseudoaneurysms discovered less than a week after inferior myocardial infarction. Both patients were middle-aged men with right coronary occlusion in whom the diagnoses were established by echocardiography during the first week after infarction. Because both patients were clinically stable, we opted to defer surgery until scarring could facilitate correction; this decision was based on a review of the literature showing that in-hospital mortality is higher with early surgery. The patients were monitored closely in the intensive care unit and were prescribed β-blockers and vasodilators. Both patients underwent left ventricular patch reconstruction with exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm and posterior septum; both received moderate inotropic support and prophylactic intra-aortic balloon pump assistance. Their postoperative courses were uneventful.

In 5 prior reports describing 45 patients (13 with acute pseudoaneurysm [≤2 wk after infarction] and 32 with nonacute pseudoaneurysm), in-hospital mortality was 61.5% for patients in the acute group and 15.6% for the nonacute group (P = .0066).

We recommend that clinicians consider deferring surgery for patients with stable acute left ventricular pseudoaneurysm to reduce the risks associated with early repair.