bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estudos de pesquisa básica sobre transferência de extinção e suas implicações para as terapias baseadas em exposição
Authors: Boldrin Leandro S. , Assaz Daniel Afonso , Debert Paula
Published: July 2024

As terapias baseadas em exposição colocam o cliente não só diante do evento aversivo, mas também diante de estímulos relacionados a esse evento (e.g., cenários imaginados e narrativas), produzindo resultados clinicamente positivos em ambos os casos. Com isso, surge o desafio de compreender como a exposição a estímulos relacionados ao evento aversivo podem ser capazes de reduzir as respostas de medo/ansiedade e fuga/esquiva do evento aversivo em si. Afinal, a identificação deste processo pode aumentar a efetividade das intervenções. O objetivo do presente artigo é fazer uma revisão dos estudos de pesquisa básica que avaliaram a transferência de extinção em classes de equivalência ou em outros tipos de relações derivadas e discutir as implicações deles para a prática clínica. Inicialmente, é apresentado uma breve síntese sobre transferência de função em classes de equivalência e sobre a transformação de função em outros tipos de relações derivadas. Em seguida, são descritos os principais estudos de pesquisa básica que avaliaram a transferência de extinção de respostas respondentes e operantes de esquiva em classes de equivalência ou em outros tipos de relações derivadas. Por fim, são discutidas implicações clínicas dos achados experimentais obtidos até o momento.
Formation of Human Resources in the Personnel Management System of the Enterprise
Authors: Khaustova Viktoriia Ye. ,   Research Centre for Industrial Problems of Development of NAS of Ukraine, Doronina Maya S. ,   Research Centre for Industrial Problems of Development of NAS of Ukraine
Published: July 2024

Economic instability, aggravation of social problems, uncertainty of economic guidelines for the development of Ukraine indicate the need to revise the problems and prospects for the development of economic science and practice. The aim of the article is to determine the content of the main terms in the study of the formation of human resources in the system of personnel management of enterprise. The main hypothesis of the study was the assumption that clarification of the essence and content of the terminology of the subject area of the study will provide constructive discussions on the definition of the main problems and prospects for its development. The loss of controllability of the human resources of Ukrainian enterprises due to the war requires a revision of the technologies of its research on the basis of interdisciplinary synthesis. It will be appropriate to aim such a synthesis not at determining the possibilities of transformation of the economy focused on the production of goods exquisitely, but rather at the economy of expanded reproduction of the potential abilities of a person to respond to an increase in the uncommon situations in life. The effectiveness of such a response depends on the ability of managers to activate the professional potential of subordinates, their desire to generate unique ideas for overcoming crises. The efficiency of the use of human resources of enterprises depends on a constructive dialogue between the parties interested in its development. The starting point of the dialogue should be the agreement on the essence and content of the main terms.
Spiral Dynamics of the Development of the Process of Intellectualization in the Context of Globalization Changes: Methodological Aspects
Authors: Shepelenko Svitlana M. ,   Educational and Scientific Institute ",   Ukrainian Engineering and Pedagogical Academy",   of V. N. Karazin Kharkov National University
Published: July 2024

The aim of the article is to study the methodological aspects of the spiral dynamics of the development of the process of intellectualization in the context of globalization changes. The article discusses the features of the development of the process of intellectualization in the context of globalization changes through the prism of the theory of spiral dynamics. Spiral dynamics, as a conceptual model of the evolution of human consciousness, allows us to analyze the transformations of society at different stages of its development. The influence of globalization factors on the processes of intellectualization is studied, emphasizing the role of information technology, network society and knowledge economy. The article allocates that the synergetic evolution of human potential is based on different phases of order (stability – homeostasis) or chaos (crisis, danger) under the influence of endogenous and exogenous environment. The analysis of literary sources provided an opportunity to form a methodology for managing the intellectual potential of enterprises in the context of global transformations. The paper focuses on the interaction between different levels of consciousness that determine the evolutionary movement of society, and shows how these interactions form new paradigms of thinking and activity. Also, the challenges and opportunities that arise in the process of intellectualization are considered, strategic approaches to change management based on spiral dynamics are proposed. The results of the study can be useful for scientists, politicians and managers involved in the development of society in the context of globalization.
Assessing Competitive Advantages and Challenges of the Ukrainian Tech Ecosystem during Wartime
Authors: Lukianenko Iryna H. ,   National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Sova Yevgenii S. ,   National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
Published: July 2024

The aim of the article is to identify the competitive advantages and key obstacles hindering the development of the technology sector in Ukraine during the period of martial law, as well as to develop potential scenarios for further development of the innovation ecosystem of Ukraine and appropriate strategies for implementation in each of the scenarios. An additional area of analysis is to test the hypothesis about the key role of investment in stimulating innovation. The study used general statistical and economic approaches, in particular, visual, scenario and correlation analysis. Within the framework of the study, it was demonstrated that the competitive advantages of the innovation ecosystem of Ukraine are a strong research and educational base, a high level of professionalism and technical skills of IT specialists, creativity and a number of innovative technological products. Among the main problems hindering its development are the level of stability of the institutional and regulatory environment, limited access to financial resources and lack of investment. It also confirmed the hypothesis that there is a statistically significant relationship between the level of investment in research and development (R&D) and the number of patents registered. The results of the study can be used to develop appropriate approaches to strategic analysis, in particular in terms of developing scenarios for the development of Ukrainian startups in the face of unprecedented risks, such as the period of martial law. Prospects for further research on this topic are a detailed quantitative and qualitative analysis of the impact of the implementation of programs for financing and stimulating investment in Ukrainian startups on the indicators of innovative development of the technological ecosystem of Ukraine. A separate research task is to develop a road-map for effective institutional changes necessary to ensure a favorable regulatory and business environment for Ukrainian startups based on international experience.
Modern Technologies of Management of Innovative Activities in the Sphere of Subsoil Use
Authors: Dykan Valeriia V. ,   Educational and Research Institute «Karazin Business School» of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Podvihin Andrii D. ,   O. M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv
Published: July 2024

The article examines the development of modern technologies for managing innovation activities in the sphere of subsoil use (SSU). It is noted that economic activity in the sphere of subsoil use is quite specific, which requires the use of methods of effective management of natural resources, which will ensure their preservation for future generations. In turn, an effective innovation management system can become a useful instrument in modern competition and an incentive for the development of the subsoil use sector in Ukraine. It is noted that today, for the development of modern technologies for managing innovation activities in the sphere of subsoil use, it is necessary to improve the organizational components of the management system and introduce new technologies and decision-making instruments. The general sequence of the innovation process and the principal conditions for the organization of innovation activity in the sphere of subsoil use are defined. Definitions of the principal conditions for the organization of management of innovation activity and its main characteristics in the SSU have proved that in the process of its implementation, all processes have certain features, as well as certain restrictions that are associated with the specifics of this area. The priority directions of management of innovation activity in the sphere of subsoil use in accordance with their programs of innovative development are determined. A system of management of innovation activity in the SSU has been proposed. It is determined that the management of innovation activity in the SSU is determined by the formation of the infrastructure of research and innovation-investment activities; introduction of generation, selection and use of innovations; identification and implementation of new market opportunities for the formation of innovative management projects in the SSU. It is concluded that modern technologies for managing innovation activities in the sphere of subsoil use should be aimed at finding innovations in the management system of SSU, which in the future will provide an opportunity to combine all types of innovations and achieve a synergistic effect in this sphere.
Association between Prenatal Control and the Incidence of Preeclampsia in Ecuadorian Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Tite-Tibanquiza Karina , Guzmán-Chávez Irina , Dutan-Yupangui Luis , Quito-Cabrera María del Cisne
Published: July 2024

Hypertensive disorders are one of the main complications that affect pregnancy, which makes them one of the most important causes of high maternal and fetal morbimortality. Approximately 80% of cases occur at term gestational age, while the remaining percentage begin at earlier gestational ages. Most cases of preeclampsia occur in healthy pregnant women. Therefore, it is important to establish the risk factors in prenatal control visits. Prenatal control is fundamental in which comprehensive surveillance of the pregnant woman is performed. It is known that hypertension in pregnancy is a frequent and potentially dangerous complication for the mother, fetus and newborn. For this reason, one of the objectives of prenatal care is to detect pre-pregnancy hypertension and pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome (preeclampsia). A nationally representative sample of 20648 mothers from the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2018 (ENSANUT) was used. We used multicollinearity tests to rule out possible statistical modeling problems and a binary logistic linear regression model where Odds Ratio (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated for each of the independent variables. In addition, we used specificity tests to test the fit between our dependent and independent variables. Our results reveal that prenatal control reduced 2 times (OR= -2.0005; CI=-1.981;-2.055) the probability of suffering complications during pregnancy such as preeclampsia. This result is statistically significant (p<0.05). It was also demonstrated that women from rural areas, with lower income and low schooling are more susceptible to suffer complications during pregnancy compared to the rest of the population. Preeclampsia-eclampsia continues to be one of the pathologies that has the greatest impact on maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, so work should continue to find ways to prevent its onset or modify its evolution, avoiding eclampsia or other severe forms of the disease. The results found in this study showed that adequate prenatal care (more than five visits starting in the first trimester of pregnancy) has an impact on the prevention of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, since identifying and avoiding it is one of the main purposes of prenatal care.
GROUNDWATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT FOR RESIDENTIAL AND IRRIGATION PURPOSES: A CASE STUDY OF FUTUK AND ITS ENVIRONS, NORTHERN BENUE TROUGH, NORTHEAST NIGERIA
Authors: Aliyu Mustapha , Haruna Ahmed Isah , Maigari Abubakar Sadiq , Mohammad Adamu Usman , Abdulkarim Said , Lawal Abdullatif , Umar Umar Sambo , Nabage Nuru Abdullahi , Dokoro Mus’ab Adamu
Published: July 2024

This research assesses the suitability of groundwater quality in the region for residential and agricultural use. To evaluate the water quality for domestic purposes, 15 samples of groundwater were taken and tested for various physicochemical parameters including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), sulfate (SO4), chloride (Cl), bicarbonate (HCO3), carbonate (CO3), and nitrate (NO3). The quality of irrigation water was evaluated using several parameters: permeability index (PI), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), total hardness (TH), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), and water quality index (WQI). Piper diagrams, Gibbs diagrams, and the chloro-alkaline index were used to determine groundwater facie classification and ion exchange mechanisms. When compared to the WHO 2011 standard, the physiochemical parameters are within the appropriate limits, with the exception of EC and NO3, which revealed excessive values in some samples. All of the measured parameters are suitable for irrigation activities. According to the Kelly index, there is just one sample that is inappropriate for irrigation. The predominant groundwater type in the area is calcium chloride, with sodium chloride constituting the second most common groundwater facies. The hydrochemical mechanism that regulates the local groundwater chemistry is reverse ion exchange. This indicates a positive index, resulting from the exchange of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) in the groundwater with calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in the aquifer components.
Determinants and Profitability of Cowpea Production in Safana Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria
Authors: Danmusa Adamu Hamisu , Umar A. S. S.
Published: July 2024

As an important cash crop in Nigeria, cowpea is extensively cultivated in most parts of northern Nigeria. This study was carried out to examine the profitability and factors influencing cowpea production in Safana local government area, Katsina State, Nigeria. Fifty farmers were randomly selected for the study area and semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budget technique, and multiple regression analysis. Results indicated that most of the respondents (58%) were middle-aged within 30 - 50 years with 64% of the respondents having more than 5 years of farming experience. The most important determinants of cowpea production in the study area, include labour (P< 0.01), land (P< 0.05), and seed (P< 0.1). The production enterprise was very profitable as ₦ 46, 209.84 per hectare was generated as the net farm income. Also, the return per naira invested was found to be N 2.10. It was recommended that measures should be taken to bring about an increased generation of income, such as the use of improved seed varieties and the adoption of labor-saving technologies in the area.
Investigating the Preference on Public Transport in a Metropolitan Area of Lampung Province, Indonesia
Authors: Purba Aleksander , Akbari Rahmatulloh , Widyawati Ratna , Usman Kristianto , Purba John Tampil
Published: July 2024

Metropolitan areas grow and develop as the region's population grows and travels to meet needs such as education, work, family matters, and business. Kotabumi and Bandar Lampung are two of the regions that have grown faster in recent years as a result of the construction of the trans-Sumatera toll road, while railway has been operating for more than two decades. The main objective of this works is to explore preference towards public transport with service quality attributes. The minibus mode or "travel" in Indonesia is defined as transportation services that pick up passengers. This study surveyed 384 commuters who used three modes of transportation: rail, bus, and minibus with relatively different service characteristics and trip purposes of school/college (35%), leisure (28%), family affairs (19%), work (14%), and business (4%) and represented predominantly an age range of 17 to 55 years (97%). The rail mode's utility value was 4.383, while the bus and minibus modes' utility values were 3.751 and 3.737, respectively. Because utility value reflects the level of user satisfaction with the overall attributes and service quality, the rail mode has a much higher probability of being chosen by respondents, with a probability level of 48.65%, compared to the bus and minibus modes, which have a probability level of 25.86% and 25.49%, respectively.
Layers of Abjection
Authors: Fry Alexiana
Published: July 2024

The unnamed pilegesh of Judges 19 has been understood and labeled as “abject.” However, to only see her as abject as it pertains to the text is to miss the layered aspects of her abjection. She is not only abject literally and literarily but also abject as she is a symbol of abjection for the social body of Ancient Judah, a figure by which they understand and make sense of their traumas. The dismembered pilegesh thus demonstrates how corporeal violence to her body is used to think within the ancient world, how her body continues to demonstrate the subjugation of precarious bodies, and the way her body demonstrates theological claims and ideas—on multiple layers. Finally, in a manner of self-reflexivity, this article considers my posture as continuing her abjection. While this will not and cannot redress her abjection, exposing these layers is an attempt at re-membering.
Comparación de la resistencia compresiva de tres cementos resinosos en la reconstrucción de muñones dentales
Authors: Naula Lema Evelyn Esther , Morales Chicaiza Yarima Selene , Millingalle Vega Silvia Marisol , Gaibor Castro Jeicy Isamar
Published: July 2024

Introducción. La presente investigación se refiere a la comparación de la resistencia compresiva de tres cementos resinosos en la reconstrucción de muñones dentales. Asimismo, a las investigadoras les interesa aportar información actualizada y de alto impacto sobre la resistencia compresiva de tres cementos resinosos en la reconstrucción de muñones dentales en la rehabilitación oral. Objetivo. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue analizar la resistencia compresiva de tres cementos resinosos a través de máquina de estudios universales (Tinius Olsen) para conocer el cemento resinoso más resistente en la reconstrucción de muñones dentales, determinado la resistencia de los cementos resinosos Allcem Core, Paracore y Rebilda ante una fuerza de compresión externa e identificando los cementos resinosos más utilizados para la reconstrucción de muñones dentro de rehabilitación oral. Metodología. Se realizó una investigación de tipo experimental, observacional con enfoque cuantitativo. El instrumento para utilizar es una ficha de recolección de datos, confeccionada por el investigador, elaborando un cuadro en donde se indica el tipo de material a usar cementos resinosos la fuerza usada medida en Newtons (N) y la resistencia medida en Mega Pascales (MPa) con la máquina de compresión de la Escuela Superior Politécnica Nacional, en el Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica. Resultados. Según los datos obtenidos con respecto a la fuerza se determina que el Grupo C Paracore con una media de 1561,40 [N] fue superior al grupo A, B y control; en donde el grupo con menor cantidad de fuerza antes de fracturarse fue el grupo B Allcem Core con una media de 1032 [N]. El esfuerzo máximo del Paracore es superior al grupo control, Allcem core y Rebilda. La mayor cantidad de esfuerzo mínimo posee el grupo Allcem core. Conclusión. La fuerza máxima que soporto el cemento Paracore antes de su ruptura fue de 1561,40 [N], Rebilda fue de 1223,95[N], Allcem core de 1032[N] y el grupo control de Resina Z350 Filtek de la 3M 1075,15[N], por tal motivo se reflejan resultados favorables hacia el grupo C Paracore. Área de estudio general: Odontología. Área de estudio específica: Rehabilitación Oral. Tipo de estudio: Artículos originales
Độ hiệu quả thông tin của thị trường chứng khoán Việt Nam so với các nước ASEAN trước và từ khi có COVID-19
Authors: Mai Cẩm Tú , Bùi Dương Hải
Published: July 2024

Bài viết này áp dụng công thức tính chỉ số hiệu quả thông tin thị trường do Kristoufek và Vosvdra đề xuất năm 2014 để tính toán chỉ số hiệu quả thông tin của thị trường chứng khoán của các nước trong ASEAN-6. Việc tính toán được thực hiện với chuỗi lợi suất của các chỉ số chứng khoán của Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thái Lan và Việt Nam cho hai giai đoạn: trước COVID-19 (2016 - 2019) và từ khi có COVID-19 (2020 - 2023). Kết quả cho thấy mức độ hiệu quả thông tin của thị trường chứng khoán Philippines, Singapore, Thái Lan và Việt Nam được cải thiện qua hai giai đoạn trong khi thị trường Indonesia và Malaysia ở giai đoạn sau kém hiệu quả thông tin hơn giai đoạn trước. Ngoài ra, xếp hạng dựa vào chỉ số hiệu quả thông tin của thị trường chứng khoán Việt Nam cũng được cải thiện cho thấy mức độ phản ánh thông tin sẵn có của giá chứng khoán tại thị trường Việt Nam được cải thiện tốt hơn so với các nước khác trong ASEAN-6.
The Organisation and Financing of Naval Forces for the Scottish Crown in Charles I's War against Spain and France
Authors: Helling Colin
Published: July 2024

The nature and capacity of the pre-Covenanter Scottish state has been the subject of some debate. Some descriptions of James VI’s government after 1603 suggest it was bureaucratic and centralised, but it was also fiscally weak. Attempts to run naval forces, that were modest in scale but capital-intensive, are used to examine the tensions between that weakness, also evident in the reign of Charles I, and the need for government control. The government’s failure in 1625 to get new taxation to support enlarged naval forces to fight Charles I’s wars against Spain and France and its turn instead to individual nobles to finance the ships that the government put to sea can be shown to have affected the role the ships played in operations. A narrow support base for the navy, consisting of a few individual nobles and merchants, limited the state’s capacity to wage war effectively and contrasts with the broader support Covenanted regimes used later to raise military forces. The difficulty of supporting this squadron, though, also provides context for the minimal Scottish naval efforts of those regimes in the 1640s.
Finite element simulations of smart fracture plates capable of cyclic shortening and lengthening: which stroke for which fracture?
Authors: Roland Michael , Diebels Stefan , Wickert Kerstin , Pohlemann Tim , Ganse Bergita
Published: July 2024

Introduction: Bone healing can be improved by axial micromovement, as has been shown in animals and human patients with external fixators. In the development of smart fracture plates, the ideal amount of stroke for different fracture types in the different healing stages is currently unknown. It was hypothesized that the resulting strain in the fracture gap of a simple tibial shaft fracture does not vary with the amount of axial stroke in the plate, the fracture gap size, and the fracture angle.

Methods: With finite element simulations based on body donation computed tomography data, the second invariant of the deviatoric strain tensor (J2), strain energy density, hydrostatic strain, octahedral shear strain, and percentage of the fracture gap in the “perfect healing window” were computed for different gap sizes (1–3 mm), angles (5°–60°), and plate stroke levels (0.05–0.60 mm) in three healing stages. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed.

Results: Findings showed that an active fracture plate should deliver an axial stroke in the range of 0.10–0.45 mm. Different optimal stroke values were found for each healing phase, namely, 0.10–0.25 mm for the first, 0.10 mm for the second, and 0.35–0.45 mm for the third healing phase, depending on the fracture gap size and less on the fracture angle. J2, hydrostatic strain, octahedral shear strain and the strain energy density correlated with the fracture gap size and angle (all p < 0.001). The influence of the fracture gap size and angle on the variability (adjusted R2) in several outcome measures in the fracture gap was shown to vary throughout healing. The contribution to the variability of the percentage of the fracture gap in the perfect healing window was greatest during the second healing phase. For J2, strain energy density, hydrostatic strain, and octahedral shear strain, the fracture gap size showed the greatest contribution in the third fracture healing phase, while the influence of fracture angle was independent of the healing phase.

Discussion: The present findings are relevant for implant development and to design clinical studies that aim to accelerate fracture healing using axial micromovement.
Use of comics in the promotion of school children’s health: a scoping review
Authors: Soares Amanda , Santos Ana Beatriz Macêdo Venâncio dos , Vieira Tainelly Souza de , Xavier Bárbara Letícia de Queiroz , Lucas Ricardo Jorge de Lucena , Oliveira Ângelo Giuseppe Roncalli da Costa
Published: July 2024

This scoping review provides an analysis of the available experiences on the use of comics to promote the health of school children. It was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) under DOI: doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Z5VX6. Seventeen studies were used, including articles, theses and dissertations. The results present the main characteristics of the studies such as year; country; sample characteristics; study design; description of actions and population/sample. The target population of each selected study was children younger than 10 years. The sample number of the studies ranged between 47 and 881 children. Fifteen studies developed the interventions in schools. 44.4% of the selected studies were published between 2011 and 2020, and the continents with the highest number of publications were South America and North America, with 33.3% each. Regarding the type of study, 55.6% used the non-randomized experimental method and 35.3% had themes related to specific diseases. The experiences that were considered successful were conditioned to the organizational structure of the use of comic books and how they were offered to school children.
Faculty support and students’ academic motivation
Authors: Raboca Horia M. , Carbunarean Florin
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the relationship between students’ perceptions regarding faculty support and their overall level of academic motivation. Other aspects like types of academic motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic motivation or amotivation) grounded in self-determination theory are also addressed. The findings indicate that there is a significant positive correlation between faculty support and the overall level of student’s academic motivation. At the same time, the results show that both psychological and functional support, as indicators of faculty support, have influence on different types of academic motivation. In this sense, faculty support has a moderate positive influence on student’sintrinsic academic motivation, respectively a moderate negative influence on academic amotivation. These results can be of interest for faculty decision makers. In other words, any educational policy or strategy adopted by faculty-level decision makers designed to help students improving their academic performance must include elements and activities related to providing support (at social, psychological, and functional level).
A review of complex hormone regulation in thyroid cancer: novel insights beyond the hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid axis
Authors: Chen Liu-han , Xie Tao , Lei Qian , Gu Yan-rui , Sun Chuan-zheng
Published: July 2024

Like the ovaries and prostate, the thyroid exhibits characteristic hormone secretion and regulation. Thyroid cancer (TC), especially differentiated thyroid carcinoma, has typical sex-specific and age-specific hormone-driven clinical features. Previous research has primarily focused on the effects of thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroid hormones, and estrogens on the onset and progression of TC, while the roles of growth hormone (GH), androgens, and glucocorticoids have largely been overlooked. Similarly, few studies have investigated the interactions between hormones and hormone systems. In fact, numerous studies of patients with acromegaly have shown that serum levels of GH and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) may be associated with the onset and progression of TC, although the influences of age, sex, and other risk factors, such as obesity and stress, remain unclear. Sex hormones, the GH/IGF axis, and glucocorticoids are likely involved in the onset and progression of TC by regulating the tumor microenvironment and metabolism. The aim of this review was to clarify the roles of hormones and hormone systems in TC, especially papillary thyroid carcinoma, as references for further investigations.
Gender-based violence and femicide interventions-perspectives from community members and activists in South Africa
Authors: Mkwananzi Sibusiso , Nathane-Taulela Motlalepule
Published: July 2024

Globally, Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) remains a multifaceted social issue in the 21st century. Despite the ratification of international treaties and national laws, South Africa continues to have alarmingly high levels of GBVF, which were worsened during the Covid-19 national lockdown. The 2020 crime statistics reported that one in five South African women were victims of GBVF and South African Police Services (SAPS) data from 2015 to 2020 showed that seven women are killed daily nationwide. Despite copious studies on GBVF, the voices of local community members and activists as key collaborators in such research have been excluded. Therefore, this study used a mixed methods approach to determine the known interventions to decrease or eliminate GBVF and their effectiveness in seven communities across South Africa. The study included 191 participants in a survey for the quantitative aspect as well as a qualitative aspect of the study. Community members participated in gender-specific focus group discussions, while activists had a focus group of their own to obtain data on interventions. Our findings showed that three main forms of interventions existed in South Africa, viz. government-led campaigns that normally occurred during the 16 days of activism against violence towards women and children, community-led campaigns in response to GBVF cases reported in the media as well as NGO-led initiatives to support GBV survivors. However, these interventions were stifled by the social and cultural stigma against reporting GBVF, a lack of sustainability, decreased visibility, poor organisation and management as well as a lack of funding. Therefore, our findings show that while the South African government has made strides in its efforts to eliminate GBVF, there are no sustainable community level programming and interventions aimed at changing social norms and toxic masculinity that perpetuate GBVF. In conclusion, we recommend that efforts be made to implement intervention initiatives that go beyond creating awareness on GBVF, but partner with local NGO-led organizations to engage in programming and intervention that is aimed at changing social norms.
Dual challenge inside the womb: a case report of concomitant fetal atrio-ventricular block associated with maternal anti-SSA antibodies and fetal tachyarrhythmia diagnosed as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome after birth
Authors: Chícharo Ana Teodósio , Rebelo Mónica , Lopes Ana Rita , Saavedra Maria João , Paramés Maria Filipa , Araújo Ana Rita , Cruz-Machado Ana Rita , Pinto Luísa , Capela Susana
Published: July 2024

Fetal autoimmune atrioventricular block (AVB) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. It results from the passage of maternal anti-SSA/Ro or Anti SSB/La auto-antibodies into the fetal circulation, leading to inflammation and fibrosis of the AV node and often to irreversible damage. Besides AVB, these antibodies can also cause cardiomyopathies, but there is no evidence linking them to tachyarrhythmias. We present the case of a patient with significant risk factors for fetal AVB: a prior history of hydrops fetalis, high anti-SSA/Ro antibody levels and hypothyroidism. In this case, the use of dexamethasone and intravenous immunoglobulin may have contributed to reversing the first-degree atrioventricular block detected at 19 weeks of gestation. Additionally, at 21 weeks, the fetus developed a tachyarrhythmia that needed treatment with flecainide. Soon after the birth, the newborn underwent ECG Holter and Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPWS) was diagnosed. To our knowledge, the coexistence of fetal AVB and WPWS has never been described.
Scalable process development of NK and CAR-NK expansion in a closed bioreactor
Authors: Wang Xuening , Byrne Maeve Elizabeth , Liu Chang , Ma Minh Tuyet , Liu Dongfang
Published: July 2024

Production of large amounts of functional NK and CAR-NK cells represents one of the bottlenecks for NK-based immunotherapy. In this study, we developed a large-scale, reliable, and practicable NK and CAR-NK production using G-Rex 100M bioreactors, which depend on a gas-permeable membrane technology. This system holds large volumes of medium with enhanced oxygen delivery, creating conditions conducive to large-scale PBNK and CAR-NK expansions for cancer therapy. Both peripheral blood NK cells (PBNKs) and CAR-NKs expanded in these bioreactors retained similar immunophenotypes and exhibited comparable cytotoxicity towards hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells akin to that of NK and CAR-NK cells expanded in G-Rex 6 well bioreactors. Importantly, cryopreservation minimally affected the cytotoxicity of NK cells expanded using the G-Rex 100M bioreactors, establishing a robust platform for scaled-up NK and CAR-NK cell production. This method is promising for the development of “off-the-shelf” NK cells, supporting the future clinical implementation of NK cell immunotherapy.
Information on operational sea ice products and current and future activities of the German ice service
Authors: Aldenhoff Wiebke , Holfort Jürgen
Published: July 2024

The ice service at the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency and its predecessors has been committed to the safety and easiness of ship navigation for more than 100 years. Within this paper, an overview of the operational products issued by the German ice service on a daily to weekly basis throughout the northern hemisphere winter season is given. These comprise written reports, ice charts, NAVTEX messages, and messages via the Global Telecommunication System to inform about the sea ice situation in German coastal waters, the Baltic Sea, and worldwide. Furthermore, the ice service has systematically collected ice observation data along the German North Sea and Baltic Sea coast since the winter of 1896/1897. The history of the German ice service is presented to put the sea ice data into context of the observation technologies used in the course of the existence of the ice service. These long-term observations enable climatological analyses of the sea ice cover in German coastal waters necessary for the safe operation of offshore infrastructure. An evaluation of the data shows a recent decline in sea ice occurrence in the Baltic Sea and German Bight. Current work is ongoing to preserve more of the historic data in digital form and also to transform the products to conform to modern standards in digital technologies and interactive solutions for the customers.
Evolution characteristics and mechanisms of the spring warm pool in the Bay of Bengal
Authors: Lin Wenshu , Qiu Yun , Ni Xutao , Lin Xinyu , Liu Tongtong
Published: July 2024

Knowledge of spring warm pool in the Bay of Bengal (BoBWP) is key for further understanding the climate variability in this region and beyond, but little is known about the BoBWP climatological state and the related mechanisms. In this study, we investigate the spatial structure and evolution of the BoBWP using daily Optimum Interpolation SST data from 1982-2022 in combination with multi-source data. Our analysis shows that the BoBWP is located in the central bay (6°-13°N) with a thickness around 20 m ~ 40 m. Composite analysis indicates that the BoBWP emerges in early April, peaks in early May and dissipates in early June. During the developing period, the net heat flux dominates the formation of spring warm pool through significant air-sea coupling processes, and induces the warming rate of 0.27°C/10d in the mixed layer, which is far larger than the contribution of oceanic dynamical processes (0.01°C/10d). During the decaying period, the net heat flux also plays a dominant role, with a cooling rate of -0.21°C/10d, meanwhile ocean dynamical processes contribute to the cooling of the warm pool with a rate of -0.01°C/10d. Additionally, the SST and the area of the BoBWP are significantly correlated with ENSO (r=0.66 and 0.73, p=0.05). During El Niño decaying year, the BoBWP primarily expands in a southward direction, with a 75% increase in area. Conversely, during La Niña decaying year, the BoBWP almost disappears, with a 52% decrease.
A randomized controlled trial comparing tacrolimus versus hydrocortisone for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children: new perspectives on interferon gamma-induced protein and growth-related oncogene-α
Authors: Binsaleh Ammena Y. , Bahaa Mostafa M. , Elmasry Thanaa A. , Elberri Eman I. , Kotkata Fedaa A. , El-Khateeb Eman , Kamal Marwa , El-samongy Marwa Ahmed , Hamouda Amir O. , Alghamdi Amira M. , Alrubia Sarah , Salahuddin Muhammed M. , Eltantawy Nashwa
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a type of chronic inflammatory disorder that affects children.

Aim

To investigate whether hydrocortisone or tacrolimus could be more effective for treating AD in children.

Patients and methods

This clinical randomized investigation included 100 children with AD who met the eligibility criteria. AD patients were recruited from Tanta University’s Dermatology Department and divided into two groups (n = 50)., For four months, group 1 (the hydrocortisone group) received topical hydrocortisone cream. Group 2 received topical tacrolimus for four months. A dermatologist evaluated the patients at the start and four months after the treatment had been initiated to measure serum concentrations of neutrophil chemoattractant growth-related oncogene-α (GRO-α), interferon gamma induced protein 10 (IP-10), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), vascular adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). All patients were examined using the modified Eczema Area and Severity Index (mEASI) score.

Results

Tacrolimus group showed a significant reduction in serum levels of all measured biomarkers (p < 0.05) when compared to its baseline and when compared to the hydrocortisone group. Both groups displayed a significant decline in mEASI score in comparison with their baseline values (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In children with AD, tacrolimus reduces inflammatory biomarkers better than hydrocortisone, suggesting its potential as a more effective treatment option.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05607901.
Rheumatoid arthritis, cardiometabolic comorbidities, and related conditions: need to take action
Authors: Corrao Salvatore , Calvo Luigi , Giardina Annarita , Cangemi Ignazio , Falcone Fabio , Argano Christiano
Published: July 2024

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality, however, traditional cardiovascular risk factors do not fully explain this relationship. This high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in RA has been increasingly acknowledged in past decades, with accumulating evidence that RA is an independent cardiovascular risk factor; RA is also associated with metabolic syndrome, which correlates with disease activity, contributing to the increased prevalence of coronary heart disease in RA patients. Moreover, multimorbidity, including the presence of long-term conditions, impacts adverse clinical outcomes in RA patients, emphasizing the need for holistic management that requires an understanding of shared pathophysiological mechanisms, such as systemic inflammation and immune dysregulation. For all these reasons, the management of RA patients with cardiometabolic comorbidities is a complex endeavor that requires a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach. In this sense, there is a need to re-evaluate the approach toward a proactive model of care, moving away from a reactive medical paradigm to a multidimensional integrated management model, including aggressive screening, preventive strategies, and tailored therapeutic interventions. The aim of this review was to thoroughly review the literature on cardiometabolic comorbidities and related conditions linked to RA to enable us to identify the necessary actions required to effectively tackle the increasing burden of illness from a fully comprehensive perspective.
Seed endophytes and rhizosphere microbiome of Imperata cylindrica, a pioneer plant of abandoned mine lands
Authors: Mao Wenqin , Wu Ying , Li Qiaohong , Xiang Yingying , Tang Wenting , Hu Haiyan , Ji Xiuling , Li Haiyan
Published: July 2024

Some plant-associated microorganisms could improve host plants biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Imperata cylindrica is a dominant pioneer plant in some abandoned mine lands with higher concentrations of heavy metal (HM). To discover the specific microbiome of I. cylindrica in this extreme environment and evaluate its role, the microbiome of I. cylindrica’s seeds and rhizosphere soils from HM heavily contaminated (H) and lightly contaminated (L) sites were studied. It was found that HM-contamination significantly reduced the richness of endophytic bacteria in seeds, but increased the abundance of resistant species, such as Massilia sp. and Duganella sp. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient analysis showed that both Massilia sp. and Duganella sp. showed a significant positive correlation with Zn concentration, indicating that it may have a strong tolerance to Zn. A comparison of the microbiome of rhizosphere soils (RS) and adjacent bare soils (BS) of site H showed that I. cylindrica colonization significantly increased the diversity of fungi in rhizosphere soil and the abundance of Ascomycota associated with soil nutrient cycling. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient analysis showed that Ascomycota was positively correlated with the total nitrogen. Combined with the fact that the total nitrogen content of RS was significantly higher than that of BS, we suppose that Ascomycota may enhance the nitrogen fixation of I. cylindrica, thereby promoting its growth in such an extreme environment. In conclusion, the concentration of HM and nutrient contents in the soil significantly affected the microbial community of rhizosphere soils and seeds of I. cylindrica, in turn, the different microbiomes further affected soil HM concentration and nutrient contents. The survival of I. cylindrica in HM severely contaminated environment may mainly be through recruiting more microorganisms that can enhance its nutrition supply.
Cryo-electron microscopy in the study of virus entry and infection
Authors: Dutta Moumita , Acharya Priyamvada
Published: July 2024

Viruses have been responsible for many epidemics and pandemics that have impacted human life globally. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted both our vulnerability to viral outbreaks, as well as the mobilization of the scientific community to come together to combat the unprecedented threat to humanity. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) played a central role in our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic and continues to inform about this evolving pathogen. Cryo-EM with its two popular imaging modalities, single particle analysis (SPA) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), has contributed immensely to understanding the structure of viruses and interactions that define their life cycles and pathogenicity. Here, we review how cryo-EM has informed our understanding of three distinct viruses, of which two - HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 infect humans, and the third, bacteriophages, infect bacteria. For HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 our focus is on the surface glycoproteins that are responsible for mediating host receptor binding, and host and cell membrane fusion, while for bacteriophages, we review their structure, capsid maturation, attachment to the bacterial cell surface and infection initiation mechanism.
Case report: Genetic diagnoses in a pediatric patient with retinoblastoma and comorbid global developmental delay: three distinct entities diagnosed by whole exome sequencing in a single patient
Authors: Chen Jing , Yang Shuo , Wang He , Wang Hongjing , Xiao Yuanyuan , Liu Shanling
Published: July 2024

Background

The objective of this study was to explore the genetic etiology and propose a genetic diagnosis and counseling strategy for children with retinoblastoma (RB) and global developmental delay (GDD).

Case presentation

We report on a 2 years and 4 months old boy with binocular retinoblastoma and global developmental delay (included intellectual disability, language development delay, motor development delay, etc.). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from the proband and his parents. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out for the proband and his parents to identify genetic etiology, which was subsequently verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).The WES revealed a gross heterozygous deletion in the RB transcriptional corepressor 1 (RB1, OMIM:614041) gene, including exon 7–8, in the affected proband but not in his parents. Additionally, two pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) were identified: a duplication at 7q11.23 and a microdeletion at 16p11.2-p12.2, respectively. Furthermore, the genomic qPCR analysis demonstrated a 50% reduction in the copy numbers of exon 7 and exon 8 in the RB1 gene of the proband, as compared to those detected in his parents. Simultaneous variants in the RB1 gene and two pathogenic CNVs can precisely explain the genetic etiology of the proband.

Conclusion

The present study firstly reports a novel gross deletion variant of the RB1 gene coexisting with two pathogenic CNVs in a pediatric patient with retinoblastoma and comorbid global developmental delay in China. Additionally, our findings strongly support the use of WES in pediatric patients with RB comorbid GDD, and WES is recommended as the first-tier test.