bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical Approach to Assess Chill and Heat Requirements of Olive Tree Based on Flowering Date and Temperatures Data: Towards Selection of Adapted Cultivars to Global Warming
Authors: Abou-Saaid Omar , El Yaacoubi Adnane , Moukhli Abdelmajid , El Bakkali Ahmed , Oulbi Sara , Delalande Magalie , Farrera Isabelle , Kelner Jean-Jacques , Lochon-Menseau Sylvia , El Modafar Cherkaoui , Zaher Hayat , Khadari Bouchaib
Published: November 2022

Delineating chilling and forcing periods is one of the challenging topics in understanding how temperatures drive the timing of budburst and bloom in fruit tree species. Here, we investigated this question on olive trees, using flowering data collected over six years on 331 cultivars in the worldwide collection of Marrakech, Morocco. Using a Partial Least Squares approach on a long-term phenology (29 years) of ‘Picholine Marocaine’ cultivar, we showed that the relevance of delineating the chilling and forcing periods depends more on the variability of inter-annual temperatures than on the long-term datasets. In fact, chilling and forcing periods are similar between those delineated by using datasets of 29 years and those of only 6 years (2014–2019). We demonstrated that the variability of inter-annual temperatures is the main factor explaining this pattern. We then used the datasets of six years to assess the chill and heat requirements of 285 cultivars. We classified Mediterranean olive cultivars into four groups according to their chill requirements. Our results, using the Kriging interpolation method, indicated that flowering dates of most of these cultivars (92%) were governed by both chilling and forcing temperatures. Our investigations provided first insights to select adapted cultivars to global warming.
Polyadic Rings of p-adic Integers
Authors: Duplij Steven
Published: November 2022

In this note we, first, recall that the sets of all representatives of some special ordinary residue classes become $\left( m,n\right) $-rings. Second, we introduce a possible $p$-adic analog of the residue class modulo a $p$-adic integer. Then, we find the relations which determine, when the representatives form a $\left( m,n\right) $-ring. At the very short spacetime scales such rings could lead to new symmetries of modern particle models.
Demystifying the Relationship Between River Discharge and Suspended Sediment Using Exploratory Analysis and Deep Neural Network Algorithms
Authors: Akatu Wisdom , Khosravi Marzieh , Mehedi Md Abdullah Al , Mantey Jones , Tohidi Hamed , Shabanian Hanieh
Published: November 2022

The dynamics of suspended sediment involves inherent non-linearity and complexity as a result of the presence of both spatial variability of the basin characteristics and temporal climatic patterns. As a result of this complexity, the conventional sediment rating curve (SRC) and other empirical methods produce inaccurate predictions. Deep neural networks (DNNs) have emerged as one of the advanced modeling techniques capable of addressing inherent non-linearity in hydrological processes over the last few decades. DNN algorithms are used to perform predictive analysis and investigate the interdependencies among the most pivotal water quantity and quality parameters i.e., discharge, suspended sediment concentration (SSC), and turbidity. In this study, the Long short-term memory (LSTM) algorithm of DNNs is used to model the discharge-suspended sediment relationship for the Stony Clove Creek. The simulations were run using primary data on discharge, SSC and turbidity. For the development of the DNN models and examining the effects of input vectors, combinations of different input vectors (namely discharge, and SSC) for the current and previous days are considered. Furthermore, a suitable modelling approach with an appropriate model input structure is suggested based on model performance indices for the training and testing phases. The performance of developed models is assessed using statistical indices such as root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and coefficient of determination (R2). Statistically, the performance of DNN-based models in simulating the daily SSC performed well with observed sediment concentration series data. The study demonstrates the suitability of the DNN approach for simulation and estimation of daily SSC, opening up new research avenues for applying hybrid soft computing models in hydrology.
Discovery of Polyphenolic Natural Products as SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Inhibitors for COVID-19
Authors: Krüger Nadine , Kronenberger Thales , Xie Hang , Rocha Cheila , Pöhlmann Stefan , Su Haixia , Xu Yechun , Laufer Stefan A. , Pillaiyar Thanigaimalai
Published: November 2022

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has forced the development of direct-acting antiviral drugs due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The main protease of SARS-CoV-2 is a crucial enzyme that breaks down polyproteins synthesized from the viral RNA, making it a validated target for the development of SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics. New chemical phenotypes are frequently discovered in natural goods. In the current study, we used a fluorogenic assay to test a variety of natural products for their ability to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Several compounds were discovered to inhibit the Mpro at low micromolar concentrations. It was possible to crystallize robinetin together with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, and the X-ray structure revealed covalent interaction with the protease's catalytic Cys145 site. Selected potent molecules also exhibited antiviral properties without cytotoxicity. Some of these powerful inhibitors might be utilized as lead compounds for COVID-19 research.
Using Machine Learning to Improve Performance of a Low-Cost Real-Time Stormwater Control Measure
Authors: Khosravi Marzieh , Mehedi Md Abdullah Al , Baghalian Sara , Burns Michael , Welker Andrea L. , Golub Michael
Published: November 2022

The alteration of natural land cover to impervious surfaces during development increases stormwater runoff. Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) are used to manage water quantity and enhance water quality by restoring the hydrologic cycle altered by development. Often, SCMs have an outflow pipe to handle overflows or to manage the release of water detained when infiltration is not possible. Traditionally, these are static controls (e.g. a small orifice is used to restrict the volume of outflow), however, these systems can be improved by instituting real-time controls (RTC). RTC improve the functionality of SCMs by dynamically controlling outflows to adjust to environmental conditions. A major impediment to the widespread implementation of RTC is the high cost of installation and operation. This study utilized machine learning methods to develop a forecasting approach for the implementation of low-cost RTC that were implemented on a programmable gate of the outlet structure of a multi-stage basin in southeastern Pennsylvania. The goals were to decrease the peak flow exiting the basin during rain events, increase the volume of water detained, decrease the number of overtopping events, maintain healthy vegetation in the basin, and protect the downstream vegetation from erosion. Multiple popular data science algorithms were evaluated including multiple linear regression and long short-term memory. These algorithms were used with a dataset, which consisted of four years of historical sensor data, collected in 5-minute intervals, to train models to predict water levels to optimize operations. The accuracy of 30 models with three different methods of handling missing values were compared. A long short-term memory model configured with a 30-minute lead time produced the best results. Having an approximate same lag time of 30 minutes for the contributing drainage area of the SCM provided a sufficient RTC functioning period to improve the performance of the outlet structure.
Comparative Transcriptomics Profiling of Perennial Ryegrass Infected with Wild Type or a ∆velA Epichloë Festucae Mutant Reveals Host Processes Underlying Mutualistic versus Antagonistic Interactions
Authors: Rahnama Mostafa , Maclean Paul , Fleetwood Damien J. , Johnson Richard D.
Published: November 2022

Epichloë species form bioprotective endophytic symbioses with many cool-season grasses, including agriculturally important forage grasses. Despite its importance, relatively little is known about the molecular details of the interaction and the regulatory genes involved. VelA is a key global regulator in fungal secondary metabolism and development. In previous studies, we showed the requirement of velA for E. festucae to form a mutualistic interaction with Lolium perenne. We showed that VelA regulates the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in membrane transport, fungal cell wall biosynthesis, host cell wall degradation and secondary metabolism, along with several small-secreted proteins in Epichloë festucae. Here, by a comparative transcriptomics analysis on perennial ryegrass seedlings and mature plants, which are endophyte free or infected with wild type (mutualistic interaction) or mutant ∆velA E. festucae (antagonistic or incompatible interaction), regulatory effects of the endophytic interaction on perennial ryegrass development was studied. We show that ∆velA mutant associations influence the expression of genes involved in primary metabolism, secondary metabolism and response to biotic and abiotic stresses compared to wild type associations, providing an insight into processes defining mutualistic versus antagonistic interactions.
Preparation of Heterojunctions Based on Cs3Bi2Br9 Nanocrystals and G-C3N4 Nanosheets for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Medina-Llamas María , Speltini Andrea , Profumo Antonella , Panzarea Francesca , Milella Antonella , Fracassi Francesco , Listorti Andrea , Malavasi Lorenzo
Published: November 2022

Heterojunctions based on metal halide perovskites (MHPs) are promising systems for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this work, we coupled Cs3Bi2Br9 nanocrystals (NCs), obtained by wet ball milling synthesis, with g-C3N4 nanosheets (NSs) produced by thermal oxidation of bulk g-C3N4 in air. These methods are reproducible, inexpensive, and easy to scale up. Heterojunctions with different loadings of Cs3Bi2Br9 NCs were fully characterized and tested for HER. A relevant improvement of H2 production with respect to pristine carbon nitride was achieved at low NCs levels reaching values up to about 4600 µmol g-1 h-1. This work aims to provide insights on the synthesis of inexpensive and high performing heterojunctions using MHP for photocatalytic applications.
Prognosis Prediction Based on Cuproptosis-Related lncRNAs and Immune Responses in Patients with LUAD
Authors: Zhou Qianhui , Liu Yi , Duan Hongtao , Quan Lingli , Gao Yan , Wang Lin , Liu Jiaxiang , Abbas Zain , Nzeyimana Jean Bosco , Qamer Shafqat , Ibrahim Nada , Khan Mohammad Shahbaz , Mohammed Amal Hussain , Ameen Ayesha
Published: November 2022

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common histological subtype. However, the prognostic and predictive outcomes differ because of the heterogeneity of programmed cell death. The purpose of this work is to investigate and develop a cuproptosis-associated lncRNA-based LUAD prediction marker. We firstly performed bioinformatic analysis of the Cuprotosis database and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to obtain 19 cuprotosis-related gene datasets and transcriptional data for LUAD. Univariate, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analysis were utilized to construct cuproptosis-associated lncRNA modes. LUAD patients were thus classified into high-risk and low-risk categories based on prognostic risk values, with a median of It acted as a boundary. Risk models were evaluated and validated using Kaplan-Meier analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and nomograms. Utilizing the TCGA-LUAD dataset, we identified seven predicted cuproptosis-associated lncRNAs in tumor microenvironment to create the risk model. 95.54% (214/224) of high-risk category tumor samples included cuproptosis-associated gene alterations, compared to 85.65% (203/237) of low-risk category tumor samples, with TP53 accounting for the bulk of occurrences. According to these findings, risk value was superior to other clinical variables and tumor mutation burden as a predictor of 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS). The predictive validity of the cuproptosis-associated lncRNA-based risk model for LUAD is high, and this may have implications for how lung cancer patients are treated individually.
Mathematical Optimisation of Magnetic Nanoparticles Diffusion in the Brain White Matter
Authors: Yuan Tian , Yang Yi , Zhan Wenbo , Dini Daniele
Published: November 2022

Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNPs) is a promising technique to cure brain diseases. On the one hand, by serving as drug carriers, they can bypass the blood-brain barrier and deliver drug molecules to the brain parenchyma; on the other hand, their transport trajectory can be manipulated by applying an external magnetic field. However, due to the complex microstructure of brain tissues, e.g. the anisotropy of white matter (WM), how to achieve desired drug distribution patterns, e.g. uniform distribution, by tuning the drug delivery system is largely unknown. Here, in this study, by adopting a mathematical model capable of capturing the diffusion trajectories of MNPs in the microstructures, we systematically investigated the effects of key parameters in the MNPs delivery system on the equivalent diffusion coefficient of MNPs in the microenvironment of brain WM. The results show that uniform distribution of MNPs in anisotropic tissues can be achieved by adjusting the particle size and magnetic field. We have not only obtained a deeper understanding on how to optimise the MNPs delivery system, it can also be anticipated that an improved mathematical model could even help to achieve complex drug distribution patterns in the complicated brain environment by designing an appropriate combination of the key parameters.
Current Technologies for Detection of COVID-19: Biosensors, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT): Review
Authors: Ibrahim Abdullahi Umar , Hartati Yeni Wahyuni , Nwenko Chidi Wilson , Al-Turjman Fadi
Published: November 2022

Despite the fact that COVID-19 is no longer a global pandemic due to development and integration of different technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Technological advancement in the field of molecular biology, electronics, computer science, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, nanotechnology etc. has led to the development of molecular approaches and computer aided diagnosis for the detection of COVID-19. This study provides a holistic approach on COVID-19 detection based on (1) molecular diagnosis which include RT-PCR, antigen-antibody and CRISPR-based biosensors and (2) computer aided detection based on AI-driven models which include Deep Learning and Transfer learning approach. The review also provide comparison between these 2 emerging technologies and open research issues for the development of smart-IoMT-enable platform for the detection of COVID-19.
The DUX4-HIF1α Axis in Murine and Human Muscle Cells: A Link More Complex Than Expected
Authors: Nguyen Thuy-Hang , Bouhmidi Sihame , Paprzycki Lise , Legrand Alexandre , Declèves Anne-Emilie , Heher Philipp , Belayew Alexandra , Banerji Christopher R. S. , Zammit Peter S. , Tassin Alexandra
Published: November 2022

FacioScapuloHumeral Dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most frequent inherited muscle disorders, and is linked to the inappropriate expression of the DUX4 transcription factor in adult muscles. The deregulated molecular network causing FSHD skeletal muscle dysfunction and pathology is still not well understood. It has been shown that the hypoxia response factor HIF1α is critically disturbed in FSHD and has a major role in DUX4 induced cell death. In this study, we further explore the relationship between DUX4 and HIF1α. We found that the DUX4 and HIF1α link differed according to the stage of myogenic differentiation and was conserved between human and mouse muscle. Finally, we found that HIF1α knock-down in an FSHD mouse model exacerbated DUX4-mediated muscle damages. Our data indicate that the suggested role of HIF1α in DUX4 toxicity is complex and that targeting HIF1α might be challenging in the context of FSHD therapeutic approaches.
Demystifying Case Management in Aotearoa New Zealand: A scoping and mapping review
Authors: Stretton Caroline , Chan Wei-Yen , Wepa Dianne
Published: November 2022

Community-based case managers in health have been compared to glue which holds the dynamic needs of clients to a disjointed range of health and social services. However, case manager roles are difficult to understand due to poorly defined roles, confusing terminology, and low visibility in New Zealand. This review aims to map the landscape of case management work to advance workforce planning by clarifying the jobs, roles, and relationships of case managers in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). Our scoping and mapping review includes peer-reviewed articles, grey literature sources, and interview data from 15 case managers. Data was charted iteratively until convergent patterns emerged and distinctive roles identified. A rich and diverse body of literature describing and evaluating case management work in NZ (n=148) is uncovered with at least 38 different job titles recorded. 18 distinctive roles are further analysed with sufficient data to explore the research question. Social ecology maps highlight diverse interprofessional and intersectoral relationships. Significant innovation and adaptations are evident in this field, particularly in the last five years. Case managers also known as health navigators, play a pivotal but often undervalued role in NZ health care, through their interprofessional and intersectoral relationships. Their work is often unrecognised which impedes workforce development and the promotion of person-centred and integrated health care.
Dispersion of Airborne Nanoparticles in a Gas-Liquid Dual-Microchannel Separated by a Porous Membrane: A Numerical Study
Authors: Sheidaei Zohreh , Akbarzadeh Pooria , Guiducci Carlotta , Kashaninejad Navid
Published: November 2022

Recently, there has been increasing attention toward inhaled nanoparticles (NPs) to develop in-halation therapies for diseases associated with the pulmonary system and investigate the toxic ef-fects of hazardous environmental particles on human lung health. Taking advantage of microfluidic technology for cell culture applications, lung-on-a-chip devices with great potential in replicating the lung air-blood barrier (ABB) have opened new research insights in preclinical pathology and therapeutic studies associated with aerosol NPs. Surprisingly, the air interface in such devices, which makes them tremendously unique among the other common liquid-based cellular mi-crosystems and enables exposure of cultivated cells to the drug/toxic aerosols, has been largely disregarded. Accordingly, there exists a significant research gap in the comprehensive under-standing of the NPs’ dynamics in the lung-on-a-chip devices, which is momentous to control the injection of aerosols to the target area and attain a desired physiochemical efficacy. To address this research gap, a numerical parametric study is presented to provide a deep insight into the dynamic behavior of the airborne NPs in a gas-liquid dual-channel lung-on-a-chip device with a porous membrane separating the channels. A finite element multi-physics model is developed to enable a particle tracing investigation simultaneously in both air and medium phases to replicate the in vivo conditions avoiding laborious and costly experimental trials. The results include the impact of fluid flow as well as geometrical properties on the distribution, deposition, and translocation of the NPs with diameters ranging from 10 nm to 900 nm in the lung-on-a-chip. The obtained results strongly suggest the aerosol injection of NPs instead of the aqueous solution for more efficient deposition on the substrate of the air channel and higher translocation to the media channel. The current study proposes to optimize the affecting parameters to control the injection and delivery of aerosol par-ticles into the lung-on-chip device depending on the objectives of biomedical investigations and provides optimized values for some specific cases. Therefore, this study can assist scientists and researchers in complementing their experimental investigation in future preclinical studies on pulmonary pathology associated with inhaled hazardous and toxic environmental particles, as well as therapeutic studies for developing inhalation drug delivery.
Lobe X of the Cerebellum: A Natural Neuro-resistant Region
Authors: Hernández-Pérez Carlos , Weruaga Eduardo , Díaz David
Published: November 2022

The cerebellum is an encephalic region classically known for its central role in the control of movement, although recent research has revealed its involvement in other cognitive and affective tasks. Several different pathologies are known to affect this structure, causing a wide range of behavioral and gait impairments. Intriguingly, although the neurodegenerative factors affect all Purkinje cells of the cerebellum uniformly, certain neurodegeneration patterns can be distinguished, in which some Purkinje cells persist longer than other cell types. Precisely, there is a cerebellar region, lobe X, which is more resistant to different types of neurodegeneration regardless of the injury. This work will review the main models of cerebellar degeneration, with special emphasis on this region, and aims to reveal a common origin for its resistance to neuronal death.
О стабилизации нелинейных цилиндрических колебаний в плазме с током
Authors: Фролов Александр Анатольевич , Frolov Aleksandr Anatol'evich , Чижонков Евгений Владимирович , Chizhonkov Evgenii Vladimirovich
Published: November 2022

Построена математическая модель влияния аксиального тока в плазме на цилиндрические нерелятивистские нелинейные колебания. Результатом согласованного взаимодействия электромагнитных полей и частиц является трансформация плазменных колебаний в нелинейную бегущую волну. Для инициализации плазменных колебаний предложен метод построения недостающих начальных условий на основе решения линейной задачи в виде интегралов Фурье-Бесселя. С помощью схемы метода конечных разностей второго порядка точности проведено численное моделирование бегущей волны. Показано, что скорость волны увеличивается с ростом силы тока, что способствует выносу энергии из первоначальной области локализации колебаний. По этой причине эффект опрокидывания реализуется существенно позже во времени, то есть наблюдается стабилизация колебаний.
Parásitos ocultos en la máscara del Derecho: algunos consejos semiológicos para evitar las trampas discursivas del Derecho moderno
Authors: Melgarito Rocha Alma Guadalupe
Published: November 2022

Seguramente has escuchado a lo largo de tu vida muchas definiciones y conceptos de “el Derecho”. Y es que, ciertamente, la teoría del Derecho es una de las que ha alcanzado más fineza en su desarrollo sobre todo en los últimos setenta años, tanto que a veces es difícil seguirle el paso. Sin embargo, su divulgación no ha estado a la altura de su producción.
Representación de las mujeres lesbianas en el cine: un análisis desde la crítica feminista del discurso
Authors: Rivera Cruz Cynthia Yesenia
Published: November 2022

En este trabajo parto de un análisis semántico pragmático tomando como tema central la representación de las mujeres lesbianas en el cine. En este sentido sólo me enfoco en dos películas que abordan la identidad y representación de historias donde las protagonistas son mujeres lesbianas.
Beşerî Sermaye ve Dijitalin Tematik Dönüşümü: WoS Tabanlı Bir Bibliyometrik Analiz
Authors: BUDAK ÇETİNKAYA Nazan
Published: November 2022

Amaç: Bu makale beşerî sermaye ve dijital alanda küresel çapta yapılan çalışmaların literatürünü analiz etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Tasarım/Yöntem: 1998'ten 2022'e kadar olan çalışmalarda bibliometrik için R-Studio’nun arayüzü uygulama olan “biblioshiny” kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Araştırmacıların daha fazla ilgi gösterdiği konu alanları dijital, insan, sermaye, ekonomi, dijitalleşme, teknoloji, eğitim gibi alanlarda olmaktadır. Anahtar kelimelerin sıralamasına bakıldığında dijital ekonomi, dijitalleşme, dijital dönüşüm, entelektüel sermaye, dijital bölünme, dijital teknolojiler, inovasyon, eğitim gibi kelimeler yer almaktadır. Kitap, dergi makalesi ve konferans bildirisi gibi alanlarda en fazla yayın üreten ülkenin Rusya olduğu görülmüştür. En çok yayın yapan yazarlar arasında listenin ilk sırasında Kelchevskaya NR. ve Stepan Zemtsov yer almaktadır. En çok atıf alan makale Laar vd., 2017 “The relation between 21st-century skills and digital skills: A systematic literature review” başlıklı makalesidir. Beşerî sermaye ve dijital alanda en çok yayın yapan dergi Sustainability dergisidir. Sınırlılıklar: Bu makale, 1998'ten 2022'e kadar Clarivate Analytics WoS veri tabanında iki anahtar kelime (“human capital” ve “digital”) üzerine analiz yapılmıştır. Özgünlük/Değer: Söz konusu çalışma diğer yapılan çalışmalardan farklı olarak beşerî sermayenin teknolojide yaşanan evrimin içerisinde tutunabilmesi, var olabilmesi ve değişime adaptasyonu için dijital alanla ilişkisini içermektedir. Bu farklılık çalışmayı diğerlerinden ayırarak özgün perspektif kazandırmaktadır.
Examining the Globalization-Economic Complexity-Financial Development Nexus in Turkey
Authors: KARASOY Alper
Published: November 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to examine the globalization-financial development-economic complexity link in Turkey for the period 1970-2017.
Design/Methodology: In the first stage of the analysis, a tri-variate model is proposed. In the second stage, cointegration and Granger causality tests that have single Fourier-frequency functions in their testing equations are employed to examine causal links among the employed variables.
Findings: The main findings indicate that (i) globalization and political globalization both indirectly (through financial development) and directly cause economic complexity; (ii) economic globalization indirectly causes economic complexity through financial development; (iii) social globalization and financial development directly cause economic complexity; (iv) bi-directional causality exists between globalization and financial development. These findings reveal that globalization is crucial for economic complexity. Also, ignoring the intermediating and direct roles of financial development in promoting Turkey’s economic complexity can be problematic.
Limitations: This study focuses only on Turkey. Further research can focus on other emerging markets to confirm if similar causalities exist.
Originality/Value: By using cointegration and causality tests that have Fourier-components, this study accounts for the possible effects of structural changes. Additionally, this study considers sub-indices of globalization and their causal links with financial development and economic complexity. Lastly, although financial development-economic complexity link and globalization-economic complexity nexus were separately investigated in some studies, these studies used bi-variate models. This study proposes a tri-variate model to examine cointegration and causalities among these variables.
Maternal anemia and high hemoglobin concentrations and association with adverse maternal and infant health outcomes: an updated global systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Young Melissa F. , Oaks Brietta M. , Rogers Hannah Paige , Tandon Sonia , Martorell Reynaldo , Dewey Kathryn G. , Wendt Amanda S.
Published: November 2022

Background Growing evidence suggests low and high maternal hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations may have adverse consequences for maternal and child health. There remain questions on specific Hb thresholds to define anemia and high Hb as well as how cutoffs may vary by anemia etiology and timing of assessment. Methods We conducted an updated systematic review (using PubMed and Cochrane Review) on the association between anemia (< 110 g/L) and high (≥ 130 g/L) maternal Hb concentrations at different stages of gestation (preconception; first, second, and third trimesters), as well as at any time point in pregnancy, and a range of maternal and infant health outcomes. We examined different cutoffs for defining anemia and high hemoglobin concentrations and performed stratified analyses by iron-deficiency anemia. We conducted a meta-analysis to obtain odds ratios, (OR), 95% confidence intervals. Results The updated systematic review included 148 studies. Anemia at any timepoint in pregnancy was associated with: low birthweight, LBW (OR (95% CI) 1.28 (1.22–1.35)), very low birthweight, VLBW (2.15 (1.47–3.13)), preterm birth, PTB (1.35 (1.29–1.42)), small-for-gestational age, SGA (1.11 (1.02–1.19)), stillbirth 1.43 (1.24–1.65)), perinatal mortality (1.75 (1.28–2.39)), neonatal mortality (1.25 (1.16–1.34), postpartum hemorrhage (1.69 (1.45–1.97)), transfusion (3.68 (2.58–5.26)), pre-eclampsia (1.57 (1.23–2.01)), and prenatal depression (1.44 (1.24–1.68)). For maternal mortality, the OR was higher when anemia was defined as Hb < 90 (4.83 (2.17–10.74)) compared with Hb < 100 (2.87 (1.08–7.67)). High maternal Hb was associated with: VLBW (1.35 (1.16–1.57)), PTB (1.12 (1.00-1.25)), SGA (1.17 (1.09–1.25)), stillbirth (1.32 (1.09–1.60)), maternal mortality (2.01 (1.12–3.61)), gestational diabetes (1.71 (1.19–2.46)), and pre-eclampsia (1.34 (1.16–1.56)). Stronger associations were noted earlier in pregnancy for anemia and adverse birth outcomes while the role of timing of high Hb was inconsistent. For anemia, lower cutoffs were associated with greater odds of poor outcomes; for high Hb, data were too limited to identify patterns. Information on anemia etiology was limited; relationships did not vary by iron-deficiency anemia. Conclusions Both anemia and high maternal Hb concentrations during pregnancy are strong predictors of adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. Additional research is need to establish healthy reference ranges and design effective interventions to optimize maternal Hb during pregnancy.
A mobile application to reduce death anxiety during the covid-19 pandemic: design of a high-fidelity prototype
Authors: Shakeri Aliakbar , Saeidnia Hamid Reza , Keshavarz Hamid , Babajani Afshin , Mohammadzadeh Zahra
Published: November 2022

Background
Individuals, organizations and society were all affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased the level of death anxiety among people and patients. In cases of anxiety disorders such as death anxiety, exposure therapy is an effective and basic treatment method for which developing mobile-based applications and contents would help medical practitioners significantly. The current research aimed at reducing the burden of COVID-19 death anxiety by developing a prototype for a proposed mobile application.
Methods
The current article presents findings from an early project stage namely Exposure Therapy in Iran in which multiple interviews were conducted with psychologists for identifying criteria for content production. Afterward, two online workshops were held to develop a prototype for the user interface of the proposed application.
Result
Based on the interviews, contents on subjects like near-death experiences, habit control, death imagery, self-confidence, and anxiety management are the most essential criteria to be included in the mobile application. The online workshops emphasized the ease of use and usefulness of the mobile application. Finally, a prototype was designed as an initial version with the Figma software through high-fidelity technique.
Conclusions
For designing and developing suitable applications to relieve the anxiety caused by COVID-19 death, the identified criteria for content production and the proposed prototype would help software designers to develop related applications in the current challenging time.
Therapeutic effect and mechanism of Daikenchuto in a model of methotrexate-induced acute small intestinal mucositis
Authors: Li Peilin , Inoue Yusuke , Miyamoto Daisuke , Adachi Toshiyuki , Okada Satomi , Adachi Tomohiko , Soyama Akihiko , Hidaka Masaaki , Kanetaka Kengo , Ito Shinichiro , Sadatomi Daichi , Mogami Sachiko , Fujitsuka Naoki , Gu Weili , Eguchi Susumu
Published: November 2022

Daikenchuto (DKT) has positive therapeutic effects on improving various gastrointestinal disorders. The present study investigated whether or not DKT has a potential therapeutic effect on chemotherapy-induced acute small intestinal mucositis (CIM) in a rat model. Intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg methotrexate (MTX) every 3 days for a total of 3 doses was used for induction of CIM in a rat model. The MTX and DKT-MTX groups were injected with MTX as above from the first day, and the DKT-MTX and DKT groups were administered 2.7% DKT via the diet at the same time. The Control and DKT groups were given the same volume of placebo. The body weights, food intake and plasma diamine oxidase (DAO) levels were measured every three days. The rats were euthanized on day 15, and small intestinal samples were collected for histological, histochemical, and mRNA analyses. The DKT-MTX group showed an improvement in the body weight and conditions of gastrointestinal disorders as well as increased levels of DAO in plasma and in the small intestinal villi. The pathology results showed that small intestinal mucosal injury in the DKT-MTX group was less severe than that in the MTX group. Immunohistochemistry for myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for TGF-β1 and HIF-1α showed that DKT attenuated peroxidative damage and inflammatory responses. The crypts in the DKT-MTX group contained more Ki-67-positive cells than MTX group. The ZO-1 immunofluorescence results showed that DKT promoted repair of the small intestinal mucosal barrier. RT-qPCR for the amino acid transporters EAAT3 and BO+AT also confirmed that DKT promoted mucosal repair and thus promoted nutrient absorption in the small intestine. DKT protected against MTX-induced CIM in a rat model by reducing inflammation, stimulating cell proliferation, and stabilizing the mucosal barrier.
Effects of capping on microbial populations and contaminants immobilization in an old unlined landfill
Authors: Morita Alice Kimie Martins , Sakamoto Isabel K. , Varesche Maria Bernadete Amancio , Wendland Edson
Published: November 2022

This research aimed at evaluating the effects of capping on the mitigation of impacts generated by a closed unlined landfill in São Carlos, SP, Brazil. Physicochemical and microbiological analyses (16S rRNA sequencing) of buried solid waste samples were performed, in capped and uncapped areas. Even though leachate pockets could still be encountered in capped areas, the capping construction reduced oxygen availability and created more reducing conditions, propitiating the development of sulfate-reducing bacteria and possibly contributing to the precipitation of the metals Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, As, and Zn as metal sulfides, causing their immobilization. The microbial populations adapted to the anaerobic conditions created under capped zones belonged to the phyla Firmicutes, Chloroflexi and Euryarchaeota and the genera Methanosaeta, Hydrogenispora, Smithella,and Gelria. Differently, the phyla Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were more abundant in samples from the uncapped zones, in which the abundance of different genera varied homogeneously. Methanogenic activity was not impaired by the intervention measure, as assessed by the Specific Methanogenic Activity (SMA). Capping of old unlined landfills brings benefits to the immobilization of metals and does not impair microbial degradation, being effective for the mitigation of impacts on soils and water resources.
The occipito-atlantal cistern
Authors: Li Yun-Fei , Wei Rui-Xue , Yang Kai-Qi , Hack Gary D , Chi Yan-Yan , Tang Wei , Sui Xue-Jun , Zhang Meng-Liang , Sui Hong-Jin , Yu Sheng-Bo
Published: November 2022

The cisterna magna has been defined as the space between the inferior margin of the cerebellar vermis to the level of the foramen magnum, while an enlarged dorsal subarachnoid space at the occipito-cervical junction extending from the foramen magnum to the upper border of the axis (C2) is still ignored. Recently, the myodural bridge complex is proved to drive the cerebral spinal fluid flowing via this region, we therefore introduce the “occipito-atlantal cistern (OAC)” to better describe the subarachnoid space and provide a detailed rationale. The present study utilized several methods, including MRI, gross anatomical dissection, P45 sheet plastination, and three-dimensional visualization. OAC was observed to be an enlarge subarachnoid space, extending from the foramen magnum to the level of the C2. In the median sagittal plane, OAC was a funnel shape and its anteroposterior dimensions were 15.92 ± 4.20 mm at the level of the C0, 4.49 ± 1.25 mm at the level of the posterior arch of the C1, and 2.88 ± 0.77mm at the level of the arch of the C2, respectively. In the median sagittal plane, the spino-dural angle of the OAC was calculated to be 35.10 ± 6.91 degrees, and the area of OAC was calculated to be 232.28 ± 71.02 mm2. The present study provides OAC is a subarachnoid space independent from the cisterna magna. Because of its distinctive anatomy, as well as theoretical and clinical significance, OAC deserves its own name.
Flexitraits, natural chemical tracers of plant competition and productivity in Pacific mangroves
Authors: Fry Brian , O’Mara Kaitlyn , Riekenberg Philip M. , Wassenaar Leonard I. , Cormier Nicole
Published: November 2022

Metabolomic and genomic markers have helped diagnose evolutionary pressures and environmental responses in plants. Here we use a different set of metrics, 17 biochemical measures made at the whole tissue or bulk tissue level, to study resource use and productivity among Pacific mangroves. Three mangrove species Bruguiera gynmorhiza (BRGY), Rhizphora apiculate (RHAP), and Sonneratia albans (SOAL) were studied across 5 sites on the island of Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia with measurements of the following chemical metrics: C, N, P, K, Na, Mg, Ca, B, S, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn elements and isotope values d2H, d13C, d15N, and d34S. Species were remarkably distinct in chemical profiles, showing significant differences across all metrics. This indicated long-term resource use partitioning and optimization, with metrics showing physiology and patch-related differences. The patch differences meant that metrics were not really fixed in species, but represented flexible traits (“flexitraits”) in fingerprinting mangrove ecology. Effects of tree harvesting could be fingerprinted with the metrics at one of the Kosrae sites. Modeling showed two results. 1) Conservation efforts aimed at enhancing abundance of conservative species like BRGY that have low N and P probably should involve removal of competing SOAL and RHAP rather than nutrient reductions. 2) While P most limited mangrove growth rates, water was a strongly co-limiting factor. This study introduces a new physiological parameter to plant ecology, a water-to-phosphorus ratio, “normalized d13C/P” or “f13C/P”, that should generally help diagnose how plant N and P nutrient use can be co-limited by water.
Participation, production, satisfaction and recommendation of academic leagues: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Goergen Diego Inácio , Magadan Eduarda Druck , Antonello Ivan Carlos Ferreira , Poli-de-Figueiredo Carlos Eduardo
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND: The academic leagues are collectives of students, under teacher supervision, formatted as a regular longitudinal program of university extension. They are very common on Brazilian medical schools and are gaining even more ground among the extracurricular activities.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the activities of medical students who participate in academic leagues and their influence on professional training.
METHOD: Exploratory, quantitative, and descriptive cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire for students in the last two years of graduation at a medical school in Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil, in January and February 2022.
RESULTS: Sample of 71 students (36.4% of the total population). On average, each student participated in 3.56 (± 1.55) leagues. Students who were already in their sixth year, who had published a paper, or who had average grades above 8.6 reported participation in a significantly higher average number of leagues. The more leagues the student participated and the more satisfied he was with them, the more he recommended participation to other students. In addition to the leagues, the average participation in different complementary activities by students was 3.00 (± 1.01) activities, especially internships, tutoring, volunteering, and scientific initiation. The average number of papers published was 1.12 (±1.35), with 31 students (43.66%) without any publications. The correlation between the number of leagues per student and papers published was positive, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.89.
CONCLUSIONS: Students usually enter academic leagues early, participating in many of them, in addition to participating in other complementary activities. Participation in leagues is associated with complementary activities and the publication of scientific papers. Satisfied academics refer league participation to their peers, creating a cycle of increased participation among students. Academic leagues are complementary activities that have a positive impact on the training of medical students.
Conservation of Brown bears (Ursus arctos) by preserving the Persian oak forests
Authors: Salehi Alireza
Published: November 2022

The mountain forest region of Zagros in west of Iran is one of the most important habitats for brown bear. The brown bear in Iran is declared as a protected species. This study aims to map areas of brown bears occurrence and present a descriptive relationship between the spatial distributions of brown bears and different types of land cover-use in the province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahamd located in southern Zagros. Data collection was accomplished from the Mid-September to the end of 2018. The snowball sampling method was used to find the interviewees who were aware about the presence of brown bears in different parts of the province. Survey respondents were given a detailed large-scale map of the province to mark the locations of their brown bear observations. The marked points were transferred to a GIS map and were buffered with home range sizes of adult brown bears (female and male) from a similar region to generate a map of relative high and low density of the presence of the brown bears. Overlying the created density map with the land cover- use map and the map of the Protected Areas (PAs) shows that the territory of the bears comprise about 38% of the total area of the province. Only about 20% of the territory is located within the PAs. Woodland and low-density forests cover about 99.8% and 50% of the territory of the bears in PAs and areas out of PAs, respectively.
Outcomes of Liver Diseases in Pregnant Females: A Study from a Large Tertiary Care Medical Center in Pakistan.
Authors: Butt Nazish , Ali Sabir , Yasmeen Haleema , Awan Ushna Jawwad , Mumtaz Khalid
Published: November 2022

Purpose: Liver diseases are uncommon in pregnant females but challenging to manage. The present study aimed to determine the etiologies and outcomes of liver disease in pregnancy in a developing country.
Methodology: We included a total of 336 consecutive pregnant women with liver disease seen at the Department of Gastroenterology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center from August 2019 to August 2021. Patients’ baseline demographic, clinical, and laboratory data and outcomes were collected on a pre-designed questionnaire.
Results: Among all the pregnant females, the most common liver disease was acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection (37.2%), followed by preeclampsia/eclampsia, hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes & low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, and hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). The most common maternal complications were a fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) in 14.9% and placental abruption in 11.0%. Fetal complications included intrauterine death (IUD) in 20.8% and preterm birth in 8.6%. The maternal and neonatal mortality rates were 11.6% and 39.6%, respectively. Among the predictors, low maternal weight, low body mass index (BMI), low hemoglobin (Hb), were associated with the increased maternal mortality. Low fetal weight, height, low maternal systolic blood pressure (SBP), low maternal Hb were the independent predictors of fetal mortality.
Conclusion: In our cohort of pregnant females in a tertiary care medical center, acute HEV was the most common liver disease, followed by preeclampsia/eclampsia, HELLP, and HG. Maternal and fetal deaths were alarming in this group of patients and demand careful management.
Comparison between retrolaminar and medial branch block in cervical facet joint arthropathy: Randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Abdelghaffar Nevert A. ,   2. Basem I. Awad
Published: November 2022

Background Cervical facet joints are considered one of the causes of chronic posterior neck pain by 54–67%. Cervical medial branch nerve blocks (CMBB) or neurolysis and intra-articular injections have been described for relieving the neck pain originate from facet joint. Methods Patients were randomly allocated into one of two groups: CMBB group where CMBB was performed at the affected dermatomal level and one level above using 0.5 mL dexamethasome (8mg/2ml) and 0.5 mL 1% lidocaine in each level, while in the cervical retrolaminar block (CRB) group, CRB was performed using 2 mL dexamethasone (4mg/1ml) and 3 mL 1% lidocaine for each affected dermatomal level. Numerical rating score (NRS) was carried out for all patients before the procedure, 2 weeks, 2 and 3 months after the procedure (where zero equals no pain and 10 equals the worst pain). Neck Disability Index (NDI) was done before the procedure and 2 weeks after the procedure. Any complication has been monitored as vascular injury, pneumothorax and epidural or spinal injection. Results NRS and NDI improved in both group with no statistically significant difference between them. The time of the procedure was shorter in CRB group, while the vascular injury was higher in CMBB group. Conclusions CRB is a good alternative to CMBB in the management of cervical facet joint pain with similar pain relief, better NDI, shorter time of procedure and no serious complications. Trial registration: registered in the clinical trials.gov (NCT05184881 ) at 11/01/2022