bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19: Psychological distress, fear, and coping strategies among community members across the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Al Dweik Rania , Rahman Muhammad Aziz , Ahamed Fathima Mohammed , Ramada Heba , Al Sheble Yousef , ElTaher Sondos , Cross Wendy , Elsori Deena
Published: March 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the psychosocial well-being of the United Arab Emirates [UAE] population like other communities internationally.

Objectives

We aimed to identify the factors associated with psychological distress, fear, and coping amongst community members across the UAE.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional online survey across the UAE during November 2020. Adults aged ≥18 years, living in the UAE who were able to respond to an online questionnaire in English or Arabic were considered eligible to participate in the study. We used standard validated tools to measure psychological distress, fear and coping. Kessler Psychological Distress Scale [K10] was used to assess psychological distress, Fear of COVID-19 Scale [FCV-19S] was used to assess the level of fear, and Brief Resilient Coping Scale [BRCS] was used to assess the coping strategies.

Results

A total of 417 individuals participated in this study with a mean age of 29 [± 10.7] years. More than half of the participants experienced high to very high levels of psychological distress [55%] and a quarter experienced high levels of fear of COVID-19 [23.3%] with almost a third of them [36.2%] having low resilient coping. About 37.4% of the participants had work-related mental health impacts and 32.4% were perceived to have moderate to a great deal of distress due to a change of employment status during the pandemic. One in ten participants [9.4%] reported increased smoking. Increased smoking [AOR 8.66, 95% CIs 1.08–69.1,], increased alcohol drinking [AOR 2.39, 95% CIs 1.05–5.47] and higher levels of fear of COVID-19 [AOR 2.93, 95% CIs 1.83–4.67] were associated with moderate to very high levels of psychological distress. Being female [AOR 1.82, p = 0.030], having a pre-existing mental health condition [AOR 9.88, 95% p = 0.027], engaging in high-risk behaviors such as increased smoking [AOR 21.14, p = 0.003], increased alcohol drinking [AOR 1.48, p = 0.359] in the previous four weeks, and higher levels of fear of COVID-19 [AOR 4.18, p <0.001] were associated with moderate to very high levels of psychological distress. Also, being a smoker [AOR, 0.840, p = 0.011], and having a high level of fear [AOR 0.372, p = 0.001] were found to be associated with low resilient coping.

Conclusion

Community members in the UAE are at a higher risk of psychosocial distress and fear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, healthcare providers and policymakers would need to be more alert to provide specific mental health support strategies for their wellbeing.
Investigating suicide related behaviours across sexual orientation and neighbourhood deprivation levels: A cohort study using linked health administrative data
Authors: Azra Karanpreet Kaur , Nielsen Andrew , Kim Chungah , Dusing Gabriel John , Chum Antony
Published: March 2023

Background

There have been no studies examining how neighbourhood deprivation modifies the effects of sexual minority status on suicide-related behaviours (SRB). Sexual minority individuals in deprived areas may face unique challenges and stressors that exacerbate their risk of SRB. This study aims to investigate the association between sexual minority status and clinical SRB, and examine whether the effect of neighbourhood deprivation differs across sexual orientation.

Methods

A population-representative survey sample (169,090 respondents weighted to represent 8,778,120 individuals; overall participation rate 75%) was linked to administrative health data in Ontario, Canada to measure SRB-related events (emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths) from 2007 to 2017. Neighbourhood-level deprivation was measured using the Ontario Marginalisation index measure of material deprivation at the dissemination area level. Discrete-time survival analysis models, stratified by sex, tested the effects of neighbourhood deprivation and sexual minority status, while controlling for individual-level covariates.

Results

Sexual minority men had 2.79 times higher odds of SRB compared to their heterosexual counterparts (95% CI 1.66 to 4.71), while sexual minority women had 2.14 times higher odds (95% CI 1.54 to 2.98). Additionally, neighbourhood deprivation was associated with higher odds of SRB: men in the most deprived neighbourhoods (Q5) had 2.01 times higher odds (95% CI 1.38 to 2.92) of SRB compared to those in the least deprived (Q1), while women had 1.75 times higher odds (95% CI 1.28 to 2.40). No significant interactions were observed between sexual minority status and neighbourhood deprivation levels.

Conclusion

In both men and women, sexual minority status and neighbourhood deprivation are independent risk factors for SRB. Despite the lack of effect modification, sexual minorities living in the most deprived neighbourhoods have the highest chances of SRB. Future investigations should evaluate interventions and policies to improve sexual minority mental health and address neighbourhood deprivation.
Modified CPT-TODIM method for evaluating the development level of digital inclusive finance under probabilistic hesitant fuzzy environment
Authors: Deng Yu , Zhang Wenxia
Published: March 2023

Unlike traditional finance, digital inclusive finance is committed to integrating digital technology with the financial industry to bring groups originally excluded from traditional finance back into formal financial services and provide financial services at reasonable prices and matching needs for all social classes. Digital inclusive finance can effectively reduce the financing costs of SMEs, improve the external financing environment of enterprises, and provide more convenient, equal and perfect financial services for enterprises by using technical support such as "big data + artificial intelligence". The development level of digital inclusive finance is a classical multiple attributes group decision making (MAGDM). The Probabilistic hesitant fuzzy sets (PHFSs), which utilize the possible values and its possible membership degrees to depict decision-makers’ behavior in different conditions, has been paid great attention. Though numerous methods have been applied in this environment since PHFSs has been introduced, there are still new fields to be explored. In this paper, we introduce the Cumulative Prospect Theory TODIM (CPT-TODIM) for probabilistic hesitant fuzzy MAGDM(PHF-MAGDM). Meanwhile, the information of entropy is utilized to calculate the weight of attributes, which is used to improve the classical TODIM method. At last, we utilize a numerical case for evaluating the development level of digital inclusive finance to compare the extended CPT-TODIM method with the classical TODIM method.
The sizes of life
Authors: Tekwa Eden W. , Catalano Katrina A. , Bazzicalupo Anna L. , O’Connor Mary I. , Pinsky Malin L.
Published: March 2023

Recent research has revealed the diversity and biomass of life across ecosystems, but how that biomass is distributed across body sizes of all living things remains unclear. We compile the present-day global body size-biomass spectra for the terrestrial, marine, and subterranean realms. To achieve this compilation, we pair existing and updated biomass estimates with previously uncatalogued body size ranges across all free-living biological groups. These data show that many biological groups share similar ranges of body sizes, and no single group dominates size ranges where cumulative biomass is highest. We then propagate biomass and size uncertainties and provide statistical descriptions of body size-biomass spectra across and within major habitat realms. Power laws show exponentially decreasing abundance (exponent -0.9±0.02 S.D., R2 = 0.97) and nearly equal biomass (exponent 0.09±0.01, R2 = 0.56) across log size bins, which resemble previous aquatic size spectra results but with greater organismal inclusivity and global coverage. In contrast, a bimodal Gaussian mixture model describes the biomass pattern better (R2 = 0.86) and suggests small (~10−15 g) and large (~107 g) organisms outweigh other sizes by one order magnitude (15 and 65 Gt versus ~1 Gt per log size). The results suggest that the global body size-biomass relationships is bimodal, but substantial one-to-two orders-of-magnitude uncertainty mean that additional data will be needed to clarify whether global-scale universal constraints or local forces shape these patterns.
The impact of BMI on psychological health in oldest old individuals–Are there differences between women and men?
Authors: Jung Franziska U. C. E. , Gerhards Sina , Luppa Melanie , Löbner Margrit , Riedel-Heller Steffi G.
Published: March 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the association of mental health issues associated with BMI and gender in the oldest old population (secondary data analyses).

Method

The data were taken from the second follow-up of a long-term study investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health in oldest old individuals (range: 77–96 years). The response rate was 80.0%. Apart from sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, weight and height); anxiety, depression, somatic complaints and social support were assessed in this survey.

Results

Analyses revealed gender-specific differences, indicating that male participants with excess weight show more complaints compared to their counterparts without excess weight. According to regression results, BMI was associated with somatization, but not depression or anxiety.

Conclusion

High BMI contributed to more somatic complaints and men may be affected differently by BMI regarding their mental well-being. Longitudinal results are needed in order to confirm these findings and develop suitable interventions based on individual needs of the oldest old.
Toad zoonyms mirror the linguistic and demographic history of Greece
Authors: Davranoglou Leonidas-Romanos , Embirikos Leonidas
Published: March 2023

The common toad (Bufo bufo) has been the subject of many folk tales and superstitions in Western Europe, and as a result, it is characterised by numerous common names (zoonyms). However, the zoonyms of the toad and its associated traditions have remained unexplored in the Balkans, one of Europe’s linguistic hotspots. In the present study, it was attempted to fill this knowledge gap by focusing on Greece, where more than 7.700 individuals were interviewed both in the field and through online platforms, in order to document toad zoonyms from all varieties and dialects of Greek, as well as local non-Greek languages such as Arvanitika, South Slavic dialects, and Vlach. It was found that the academically unattested zoonyms of the toad provide an unmatched and previously unexplored linguistic and ethnographic tool, as they reflect the linguistic, demographic, and historical processes that shaped modern Greece. This is particularly pertinent in the 21stcentury, when a majority of the country’s dialects and languages are in danger of imminent extinction–and some have already gone silent. Overall, the present study shows the significance of recording zoonyms of indigenous and threatened languages as excellent linguistic and ethnographic tools that safeguard our planet’s ethnolinguistic diversity and enhance our understanding on how pre-industrial communities interacted with their local fauna. Furthermore, in contrast to all other European countries, which only possess one or only a few zoonyms for the toad, the Greek world boasts an unmatched 37 zoonyms, which attest to its role as a linguistic hotspot.
Demystifying Cassiopea species identity in the Florida Keys: Cassiopea xamachana and Cassiopea andromeda coexist in shallow waters
Authors: Muffett Kaden , Miglietta Maria Pia
Published: March 2023

The phylogeny of the Upside-Down Jellyfish (Cassiopea spp.) has been revised multiple times in its history. This is especially true in the Florida Keys, where much of the Cassiopea stock for research and aquarium trade in the United States are collected. In August 2021, we collected 55 Cassiopea medusae at eight shallow water sites throughout the Florida Keys and sequenced COI, 16S, and 28S genes. Mitochondrial genes demonstrate that the shallow waters in Florida are inhabited by both Cassiopea xamachana and a non-native Cassiopea andromeda lineage, identified in multispecies assemblages at least thrice. While C. xamachana were present at all sites, the C. andromeda-mitotype individuals were present at only a minority of sites. While we cannot confirm hybridization or lack thereof between the C. xamanchana and C. andromeda lineages, these previously unknown multispecies assemblages are a likely root cause for the confusing and disputed COI-based species identities of Cassiopea in the Florida Keys. This also serves as a cautionary note to all Cassiopea researchers to barcode their individuals regardless of the location in which they were collected.
Factors in nephrologists’ decision to treat pre-dialysis CKD patients with vitamin D insufficiency and SHPT: A discrete choice experiment
Authors: Reddy Anand C. , Nguyen Andy , McGarvey November H. , Gitlin Matthew D. , Bishop Charles W. , Ashfaq Akhtar
Published: March 2023

Little is known about the most important factors that inform a nephrologist’s decision to treat (DTT) pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) and secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). The objective of this study was to identify such factors and their relative importance in the DTT with a vitamin D therapy. A web-based, adaptive design conjoint analysis discrete-choice survey was developed to study factors that informed the DTT among a sample of 200 nephrologists located throughout the United States. Based on literature review and clinician input, eight attributes were selected that could influence a provider’s DTT: age, race, CKD stage, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D), parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum calcium (Ca), serum phosphorus (P), and history of comorbidities. Respondents were asked to select one patient profile most suitable for treatment from three profiles with varying attribute levels. Each attribute’s relative importance score was computed using hierarchical-Bayesian statistics to measure the influence of each factor where higher scores represented greater DTT consideration. The pooled analysis revealed the four most important factors: serum 25D (31.4%), serum Ca (22.7%), plasma PTH (11.5%) levels, and history of comorbidities (8.5%). Age (8.2%), serum P (7.7%), CKD stage (5.7%), and race (4.4%) were relatively less important. Patients’ 25D and Ca levels contributed to more than half of nephrologists’ DTT, with the consideration of PTH levels being less of a factor. Further understanding of the driving forces behind the factors that inform the DTT may help to standardize the management of CKD patients with SHPT and VDI and improve outcomes.
Precision engineering of biological function with large-scale measurements and machine learning
Authors: Tack Drew S. , Tonner Peter D. , Pressman Abe , Olson Nathan D. , Levy Sasha F. , Romantseva Eugenia F. , Alperovich Nina , Vasilyeva Olga , Ross David
Published: March 2023

As synthetic biology expands and accelerates into real-world applications, methods for quantitatively and precisely engineering biological function become increasingly relevant. This is particularly true for applications that require programmed sensing to dynamically regulate gene expression in response to stimuli. However, few methods have been described that can engineer biological sensing with any level of quantitative precision. Here, we present two complementary methods for precision engineering of genetic sensors:in silicoselection and machine-learning-enabled forward engineering. Both methods use a large-scale genotype-phenotype dataset to identify DNA sequences that encode sensors with quantitatively specified dose response. First, we show thatin silicoselection can be used to engineer sensors with a wide range of dose-response curves. To demonstratein silicoselection for precise, multi-objective engineering, we simultaneously tune a genetic sensor’s sensitivity (EC50) and saturating output to meet quantitative specifications. In addition, we engineer sensors with inverted dose-response and specifiedEC50. Second, we demonstrate a machine-learning-enabled approach to predictively engineer genetic sensors with mutation combinations that are not present in the large-scale dataset. We show that the interpretable machine learning results can be combined with a biophysical model to engineer sensors with improved inverted dose-response curves.
Long term association of hip fractures by questions of physical health in a cohort of men and women
Authors: Elleby Charlotta , Skott Pia , Johansson Sven-Erik , Nyrén Sven , Theobald Holger , Salminen Helena
Published: March 2023

We do not know if fracture predicting factors are constant throughout life, if they can be assessed earlier in life, and for how long. The aim was to study the association between questions about health status and mobility and fragility fractures in a cohort during a 35-year follow-up. A cohort of 16,536 men and women in two age groups, 26–45 and 46–65 years old, who answered five questions of their physical health status in postal surveys in 1969–1970. We obtained data on hip fractures from 1970 to the end of 2016. We found most significant results when restricting the follow-up to age 60–85 years, 35 for the younger age group and 20 years for the older. Men of both age groups considered “at risk” according to their answers had a 2.69 (CI 1.85–3.90)– 3.30 (CI 1.51–7.23) increased risk of having a hip fracture during a follow-up. Women in the younger age group had a 2.69 (CI 1.85–3.90) increased risk, but there was no elevated risk for women in the older age group. This study shows that questions/index of physical health status may be associated with hip fractures that occur many years later in life, and that there is a time span when the predictive value of the questions can be used, before other, age-related, factors dominate. Our interpretation of the results is that we are studying the most vulnerable, who have hip fractures relatively early in life, and that hip fractures are so common among older women that the questions in the survey lose their predictive value.
Factors associated with bone thickness: Comparison of the cranium and humerus
Authors: Goto Shimpei , Kataoka Keiichi , Isa Mutsumi , Nakamori Kenji , Yoshida Makoto , Murayama Sadayuki , Arasaki Akira , Ishida Hajime , Kimura Ryosuke
Published: March 2023

Cortical bone thickness is important for the mechanical function of bone. Ontogeny, aging, sex, body size, hormone levels, diet, behavior, and genetics potentially cause variations in postcranial cortical robusticity. However, the factors associated with cranial cortical robusticity remain poorly understood. Few studies have examined cortical robusticity in both cranial and postcranial bones jointly. In the present study, we used computed tomography (CT) images to measure cortical bone thicknesses in the cranial vault and humeral diaphysis. This study clearly showed that females have a greater cranial vault thickness and greater age-related increase in cranial vault thickness than males. We found an age-related increase in the full thickness of the temporal cranial vault and the width of the humeral diaphysis, as well as an age-related decrease in the cortical thickness of the frontal cranial vault and the cortical thickness of the humeral diaphysis, suggesting that the mechanisms of bone modeling in cranial and long bones are similar. A positive correlation between cortical indices in the cranial vault and humeral diaphysis also suggested that common factors affect cortical robusticity. We also examined the association of polymorphisms in theWNT16andTNFSF11genes with bone thickness. However, no significant associations were observed. The present study provides fundamental knowledge about similarities and differences in the mechanisms of bone modeling between cranial and postcranial bones.
Profiles of lipid, protein and microRNA expression in exosomes derived from intestinal epithelial cells after ischemia-reperfusion injury in a cellular hypoxia model
Authors: Senda Atsushi , Kojima Mitsuaki , Watanabe Arisa , Kobayashi Tetsuyuki , Morishita Koji , Aiboshi Junichi , Otomo Yasuhiro
Published: March 2023

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury leads to proinflammatory responses via gut-derived mediators, and accumulating evidence suggests that exosomes secreted by intestinal epithelial cells are involved in the development of systemic inflammation. Studies have reported changes in protein, lipid, and microRNA (miRNA) expression; however, considering the different experimental conditions, information on the relationships among these biomolecules remains insufficient. The aim of this study was to elucidate the multiple changes that simultaneously occur in exosomes after ischemic stimulation. Here, differentiated human intestinal Caco-2 cells were exposed to 95% air (normoxia group) or 5% O2 (hypoxia group) for 6 h. Cells in each group were subsequently incubated for 24 h in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 plus 95% air. The conditioned medium of each group was collected for isolating intestinal epithelial cell-derived exosomes. Together with proteome analyses, lipid analyses, and miRNA quantification, biological functional assays were performed using monocytic NF-κB reporter cells. Lipid metabolism-related protein expression was upregulated, miRNA levels were slightly altered, and unsaturated fatty acid-containing lysophosphatidylcholine concentration increased after hypoxia and reoxygenation injury; this suggested that the changes in exosomal components associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury activates inflammation, including the NF-κB pathway. This study elucidated the multiple changes that co-occur in exosomes after ischemic stimulation and partially clarified the mechanism underlying exosome-mediated inflammation after intestinal ischemic recanalization.
La digitalización de la vida contemporánea: el saber, el poder y la subjetivación como vías de acceso a la experiencia digital
Authors: Maureira-Velásquez Marco , González-García Diego
Published: March 2023

En este trabajo se sostiene que una de las características fundamentales que define nuestra época contemporánea es la denominada digitalización de la vida. Para explicar en qué consiste este proceso, utilizaremos un dispositivo conceptual de gran importancia en el último periodo de producción intelectual de Foucault; a saber, el concepto de experiencia. En este sentido, sostendremos que la experiencia digital a la que nos enfrentamos hoy en día —por ejemplo, en el advenimiento de la biometría— implica la ejecución simultánea y entrelazada de una matriz para la formación de los saberes (de tipo cibernético-digital), de una matriz para normativizar el comportamiento (ejecutada como gubernamentalidad algorítmica) y de una matriz para la puesta en juego de los procesos de subjetivación, en que el sujeto contemporáneo es paradójicamente interpelado a ser más y menos que un individuo. Además, incorporando la noción de modo de existencia del objeto técnico desarrollada por Gilbert Simondon, concluiremos que la tecnología se puede convertir en una cuarta vía de acceso a la experiencia digital que caracteriza el devenir de nuestro tiempo.
Választott esztergomi érsekek az 1270-es években
Authors: Hunyadi Sándor
Published: March 2023

The archbishops of Esztergom always had an important place amongst
the Hungarian historical researches due to their ecclesiastical and
political role. In my writing, I will have a look at the origin and the
early career of Benedek and Nicholas of the Kán kindred, the archbishop
election of 1273, and their short careers as prelates. Through Nicholas, we
can follow the career of a prelate who came from one of the greatest
families, contrary to Benedek, who had a literary career in the church and
in the court. The reasons behind the unsuccessful archbishop election in
the 1270s are the weakened royal authority and the lack of an agreement on
who to elect. The latter is also proven by Nicholas’ first and short role
as an archbishop.
Bács mezőváros középkori és kora újkori térszerkezete
Authors: Fóti Miklós , Pánya István
Published: March 2023

The topographical and morphological investigations of the medieval
and early modern market towns in the area of Ottoman Hungary are a
neglected topic of research in Hungary and abroad. This also applies to
Bács, which was one of the most important centres of the southern part of
the Danube-Tisza Interfluve Region in the late Middle Ages and in the early
modern period. The internal structure of the market town could be
reconstructed based on written sources from the 15th – 19th centuries, as
well as from recent archaeological research. Of particular importance are
16th-century Ottoman defters and the 17th-century travel description of
Evliya Çelebi, which provide valuable information about the market town’s
quarters and ecclesiastical buildings. The sources clearly show that the
settlement’s urban structure has preserved its medieval layout both in the
Turkish period and in the modern era.
Continuing Medical Education Questions: April 2023
Authors: Haddad Fady Georges
Published: March 2023

Article Title: Changes in Lifestyle and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition
Continuing Medical Education Questions: April 2023
Authors: Han Andrew J.
Published: March 2023

Article Title: What Every Gastroenterologist Should Know About Gastrointestinal NETs
Rapid Decline Rather Than Absolute Level of HBsAg Predicts Its Seroclearance in Untreated Chronic Hepatitis B Patients From Taiwanese Communities
Authors: Lin Hsin-Che , Liu Jessica , Pan Mei-Hung , Lee Mei-Hsuan , Batrla-Utermann Richard , Lu Sheng-Nan , Jeng Wen-Juei , Yang Hwai-I , Chen Chien-Jen
Published: March 2023

INTRODUCTION:

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance leads to favorable outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis B. HBsAg levels <200 IU/mL with HBsAg decline >0.5 log10 IU/mL in 1 year have been reportedly predictive of HBsAg loss. This study aimed to use the REVEAL-hepatitis B virus cohort to validate and simplify this prediction rule and verify whether the simplified algorithm can be used among various clinical subgroups.

METHOD:

We analyzed 707 patients with untreated chronic hepatitis B who had 3 or more HBsAg measurements within 5 years before HBsAg seroclearance or last visit, greater than 1 year apart from one another. Rapid HBsAg decline was defined as HBsAg decline >0.5 log10 IU/mL in 1 year or >1 log10 IU/mL in 2 years. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values were compared to assess the predictability of HBsAg seroclearance.

RESULTS:

During a median follow-up of 10.7 years, 41 of the 707 patients cleared serum HBsAg. HBsAg levels at all measurements were lower (P < 0.0001) and HBsAg decline was greater (P < 0.0001) in patients with seroclearance compared with non-seroclearance patients. The predictive accuracy of predicting 1-year HBsAg loss using only the rapid decline algorithm (sensitivity = 0.4412, specificity = 0.9792, positive predictive value = 0.5172, negative predictive value = 0.972) was the same as the model combining rapid HBsAg decline and HBsAg levels <200 IU/mL. The simplified algorithm including only the rapid decline performed similarly among various levels of HBsAg, hepatitis B virus DNA, and alanine aminotransferase and was independent of inactive carrier state.

DISCUSSION:

HBsAg decline >0.5 log10 IU/mL/yr was a practical predictor of HBsAg seroclearance within 1 year in our community-based untreated cohort.
Synthesis and characterization of a citric and lipoic acids-derived dendrimer
Authors: Salgado-Delgado Rene , Salgado-Delgado Areli M. , Olarte-Paredes Alfredo , García-Fuentes Juan J. , López-Lara Teresa , Hernández-Zaragoza Juan B. , García-Hernández Edgar , Castaño Víctor M.
Published: March 2023

The paper describes the synthesis and characterization of two third generation dendrimers from citric acid and a variant with a dendron terminated with lipoic acid. FTIR and C NMR confirmed the presence of signals characteristic for the dendrimer functional groups OH, C-O, C=O, C-H and C-S. DSC showed that, unlike citric acid, the dendrimer is amorphous. SEM revealed changes in the structure of citric acid particles in each dendrimer generation. In addition, the structure was more homogeneous. Dendrimers are hydrophobic due to ester linkages. Contact angle > 90° confirms their hydrophobic character. Moreover, the dendrimer with a dendron terminated with lipoic acid absorbs Cu+2 and Fe+3metal ions, so it can be used as an adsorbent for heavy metals.
Crosslinked poly(hydroxybutyl acrylate-co-acrylamide) based hydrogels: synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation in heavy metal removal
Authors: Abdallah Zahraa Saadi , Hadi Mohammed Ameen
Published: March 2023

By radical polymerization, two series of superabsorbent hydrogels of hydroxybutyl acrylate and acrylamide copolymers, poly(HBA-co-AAm), were obtained. In the first series, the ratio of hydroxybutyl acrylate to acrylamide was optimized with a constant amount of methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) as a cross-linking agent. In the second series, the amount of MBA was changed at a fixed monomer ratio. The structure of the copolymers was confirmed by the FTIR method. Swelling parameters and mechanical properties were tested. Hydrogels with a high Young’s modulus and a high degree of swelling were selected for the study of adsorption properties towards Co2+, Ni2+ and Cd2+ ions. The influence of basic factors such as adsorbent dose, exposure time and pH on adsorption efficiency was also investigated. The ability to adsorb heavy metal ions changed as follows: Co2+> Ni2+> Cd2+.
Clinical case of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: rare or undiagnosed syndrome?
Authors: Yaremenko O. B. , Sydorova A. O. , Antoniuk O. Ya.
Published: March 2023

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (hemophagocytic syndrome, HLH) is a life-threatening hyperinflammatory condition associated with a high mortality rate; it is characterized by hyperstimulation of histiocytes and cytotoxic T-cells, which leads to cytokine storm and multisystemic injury.
Aim. To present our own clinical case of the HLH development at the key aspects of pathogenic mechanisms, differential diagnosis, and therapeutic management of this syndrome.
Materials and methods. This article provides information on the HLH development in a 69-year-old man with the onset of this syndrome prior to a diagnosis of the underlying disease – splenic marginal zone lymphoma. The article summarizes the current literature data on clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of HLH.
Results. This article describes a case of secondary HLH from our clinical practice. The most common causes of HLH are malignant neoplasm, infectious factors and rheumatic diseases (when associated with the latest, HLH is called “macrophage activation syndrome”). The main clinical symptoms are prolonged high fever and hepatosplenomegaly, typical laboratory changes such as cytopenia, hyperferritinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, elevated liver enzymes and low fibrinogen levels.
Conclusions. Despite typical clinical features, HLH is a condition that often remains unrecognized and it is characterized by a poor prognosis. Prompt prescription of adequate treatment can improve patients’ prognoses and increase the survival rate.
The influence of occupational environment on formation of psycho-emotional stress among remote pilots of unmanned aircraft systems
Authors: Shvets A. V. , Kalnysh V. V. , Maltsev O. V.
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to identify informative indicators and establish the level of perception of their impact on the formation of excessive psycho-emotional stress among remote pilots of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) (class 1 “Light”) during their occupational activities.
Materials and methods. 41 servicemen aged 20–35 years old, who had experience in the management of UASs (class I “Light”) and were involved in the performance of a wide range of functional duties as operators of the moving objects, were studied based on the specially developed questionnaire (100-point scale) that reflected questions about the perception of the stress factor impact during their occupational activities. Statistical analysis of data was performed by descriptive and nonparametric statistics, as well as cluster, stepwise discriminant and factor analysis using the software package STATISTICA 13.3.
Results. Regarding the perceptions of “stress” factor influence, the UASs pilots (operators of moving objects) were divided into two groups: group 1 could be conventionally called “hypersusceptible”, and representatives of group 2 – “hyposusceptible”. At the same time, it was found that the resulting clustering of the data into two groups provided 99.9 % opportunity for further assignment of new operators to the designated groups using the obtained supporting discriminant model (solving rules). The hidden factors have been revealed that formed the functional state of the “hypersusceptible” UASs operators, which collectively explained 54.9 % of the data variance, and “hyposusceptible” ones, which collectively explained 62.1 % of the original data variance.
Conclusions. Two groups of operators, “hypersusceptible” and “hyposusceptible” to the influence of stress factors have been distinguished. The hidden factors that formed the functional state of the “hypersusceptible” UAS operators have been highlighted (the first factor “formation of fear of death” (F1↑) had 33.2 % rate and the second hidden factor “susceptibility to sensory stimuli” (F2↑), covered 21.7 % of the analyzed data variance). Two hidden factors that formed the functional state of the “hyposusceptible” UAS operators have been identified (the first factor “concentration of attention to performance of the functional duties” (F1↓) and the second factor “increased responsibility for occupational activity results” (F2↓). It has been established that there were radically different mechanisms of their functional state regulation, and “hyposusceptible” operators were more adapted to the performance of their functional duties due to the mechanisms of harmonizing their functional state and reducing experiences from the influence of harmful stress-forming factors.
Ferritin level predicts in-hospital mortality in hypertensive patients with COVID-19
Authors: Skakun O. Z. , Seredyuk N. M.
Published: March 2023

Aim. This study aimed to establish the predictive ability of serum ferritin levels for severe / critical condition development, need for supplemental oxygen, and in-hospital mortality in hypertensive patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia.
Materials and methods. 135 unvaccinated patients hospitalized for COVID-19-associated pneumonia were enrolled in the study. 78.5 % of patients were hypertensive.
Results. Among hypertensive patients, the median ferritin level at admission was 315.5 (169.0–396.0) ng/mL in patients with moderate condition, 374.0 (171.0–709.5) ng/mL in patients developed severe condition, and 489.0 (362.0–1128.5) ng/mL in patients developed critical condition (P = 0.03). Serum ferritin level at admission was higher in non-survivors (539.0 (440.0–1128.5) ng/mL) than that in survivors (332.5 (172.0–545.0) ng/mL, P = 0.02). Hypertensive patients who required supplemental oxygen had higher median serum ferritin level (446.0 (187.0–763.0) ng/mL) than patients without the requirement of supplemental oxygen (324.0 (165.0–401.0) ng/mL, P = 0.02). There was poor discrimination ability of ferritin level in the prediction of severe / critical conditions (AUC = 0.628, P = 0.02) and the need for supplemental oxygen (AUC = 0.629, P = 0.02). There was an acceptable discrimination ability of ferritin level in the in-hospital mortality prediction (AUC = 0.701, P = 0.03); the Youden index was 0.54, the associated criterion was >438.0 ng/mL with 83.3 % sensitivity and 70.7 % specificity. Ferritin level >438.0 ng/mL at admission was associated with a significant increase in in-hospital mortality (OR = 12.04 (2.47–58.62), P = 0.002).
Conclusions. Serum ferritin level at hospital admission increases with the severity of COVID-19 in hypertensive patients. Serum ferritin level predicts in-hospital mortality in hypertensive patients. However, its predictive ability for the disease progression to severe/critical conditions and the need for supplemental oxygen is poor. A ferritin level of 438.0 ng/mL is proposed to be a cut-off value for the prediction of in-hospital mortality.
The role of periodontal pathology and oral cavity condition in the occurrence of general somatic diseases
Authors: Honta Z. M. , Shylivskyi I. V. , Nemesh O. M. , Burda Kh. B.
Published: March 2023

The aim of the study is a review of modern national and foreign literature on the influence of the oral cavity state and the pathology of periodontal tissues, in particular generalized periodontitis, on the occurrence and severity of the course of internal organ and body system diseases.
Inflammatory-dystrophic periodontal diseases lead to an increase in the level of chronic inflammatory agents due to the systemic spread of inflammatory mediators released during local tissue destruction, as well as the systemic spread of pathogenic microorganisms, which contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, pathological processes in the gastrointestinal tract, complicates the course of diabetes mellitus and respiratory diseases in patients with periodontal diseases. That is why the study on pathogenetic interrelations between periodontal diseases and comorbid conditions is an urgent problem of modern dentistry.
Conclusions. Given that certain extraoral pathologies arise as a result of damage by disseminated periodontopathogens, it is possible to provide new therapeutic opportunities to reduce the risk of developing comorbid conditions etiopathogenetically associated with generalized periodontitis.
The data of clinical and experimental studies that are presented in this literature review definitely show the need for timely treatment of periodontal diseases, which provides not only the health of the oral cavity, but also prevents the occurrence of general somatic diseases.
On chronology of the First Germanic Sound Shift (Lex Rask – Grimm)
Authors: Blažek Václav
Published: March 2023

This contribution analyzes the geographical name Θούλη, first recorded by Pytheas of Massalia in the period 330-325 BCE and mediated especially by Polybius, Strabo, Pliny and Procopius. Björn Collinder (1935/1936) designated this term as the earliest datable document of the Germanic Lautverschiebung. He also offered an appealing etymology, explaing the toponym on the basis of Old Norse þaularvágr “winding creek”, i.e. a place especially characteristic of the West Norwegian coast with its winding fjords. In the present study an alternative etymology by Torp is also analyzed, interpreting the toponym as a wooded place with regard to Old Norse þollr m. “tree, fir-tree, pine-tree”, and the witness of Procopius of Caesarea on the exceedingly large forests in Thule [‘The Gothic War’ VI.15]. Independently of whether either of the solutions of Collinder or Torp is correct, around 330 BCE the First Germanic Sound Shift should already have been operating.
Glosa do wyroku Sądu Unii Europejskiej z 9 lutego 2022 r. w sprawie T-791/19 – Sped-Pro S.A. przeciwko Komisji Europejskiej – „Zasada państwa prawnego a współpraca krajów członkowskich Unii Europejskiej w obszarze ochrony konkurencji”
Authors: Kłopocki Kamil
Published: March 2023

The aim of this case comment is to discuss whether it was justified that the General Court in its judgment dated 9 February 2022 in the case Sped-Pro (T-791/19) annulled the European Commission’s Decision No. C(2019) 6099 final dated 12 August 2019 r. (case AT.40459) connected to the potential abuse by PKP Cargo of a dominant position on the market for rail freight in Poland. In this judgement, the General Court argued on the basis of the rule of law principle and applied analogically the judgment on the European Arrest Warrant. In this regard, the analysis starts with the rule of law principle, the judicial independence of courts and administrative authorities, the obligation of loyal cooperation between European Union and member states to ensure fulfilment of the obligations arising out of this Treaty, both in the light of Union law and European courts case law.The next part of this case comment attempts to assess whether the General Court was justified in analogically applying the judgement dated 25 VII 2018 r. C-216/18 PPU Minister for Justice and Equality on the European Arrest Warrant in the field of European policy on competition. The analysis ends with the description of the practical consequences of the Commission’s finding that the President of UOKiK and the Court of Competition and Consumer Protection are not independent. In the last part of the text, the author also indicates the consequences of the proper implementation of the Directive ECN+ for analysing the scope of independence of the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection. The author indicates the necessity to separate in future analysis the issue of the independence of the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (national administrative competition authority) and the Court of Competition and Consumer Protection, which in Polish is a common court.
Left the caciques behind: A commentary about contradictions of migration and development in the Philippines
Authors: García Martínez José María
Published: March 2023

In this research, I will try to develop a study of the Philippines through a brief review of the bibliography and statistical data analysis. I aim to gather empirical evidence of the causes of extended poverty and unemployment in the country and the high levels of overseas Filipino workers. These social problems and the surge of authoritarianism in the figure of Rodrigo Duterte cannot be adequately explained without referring to the historical legacy of colonialism in the Philippines, the subordinated position of this country in the global division of labour and the structural changes fueled by hegemonic globalization since the last decades of 20th century. Based on scientific research and official data, this article will critically analyze the historical, social, and economic causes that lead to poverty and hardships affecting many Filipino citizens.
A review of hydrogen embrittlement in gas transmission pipeline steels
Authors: Hoschke Joshua , Chowdhury Md Fahdul Wahab , Venezuela Jeffrey , Atrens Andrej
Published: March 2023

Hydrogen transport by blending hydrogen into natural gas transmission pipelines and by pure-hydrogen pipelines is a prospective mode of energy transmission during the transition to renewables. The risk of hydrogen embrittlement (HE) in pipeline steels must first be quantified to ensure safe pipeline operation. This review provides an overview of HE in pipeline steels. Most pipeline steels have reduced ductility when exposed to hydrogen partial pressures of 100 bar and above. Higher-strength pipeline steels (X80 and X100) have been found to undergo HE at ∼50 bar hydrogen. Hydrogen-induced subcritical crack growth in pipeline steels has not been reported in the literature. There are few articles on HE in pipeline welds, with some indications that the weld is more susceptible to HE, and some indications that it is less. The relationship between hydrogen pressure and absorbed hydrogen concentration has not been evaluated. Gaps in knowledge are identified in the conclusions.
Graphic analysis of compatible organic solutes treatments × trait interaction on sunflower
Authors: Sabaghnia Naser , Janmohammadi Mohsen
Published: March 2023

Compatible solutes control cell osmotic balance and compatible the cells’ metabolism whereas nano-particles have been introduced to increase crop production with inadequate knowledge. This investigation is done to evaluate the effects of application of salicylic acid, glycine betaine and nano titanium dioxide on sunflower. Measured traits were plant height (PH), leaf length (LL), chlorophyll content (CHL), number of seeds per head (NSH), 1000-seed weight (TSW), day to maturity (DM), husk percentage (HP), kernel weight (KW), percentage of empty achenes (PEA), head number per plant (HNP), grain yield (GY) and oil percent (OIL). Results indicated that the first two principal components accounted 92% of total variation of the treatment by trait (T × T) interaction and were used to generate a T × T biplot. All treatments were identified as the vertex treatments in polygon of TT biplot and the nano titanium dioxide treatment had high values for all traits expect PEA, HP and TSW. The nano titanium dioxide was identified as ideal treatment and GY and HNP were identified as ideal traits. The positive correlations between HNP and GY, and between OIL and KW; and near zero correlations between TSW and HP, and between TSW with DM as showed. Application of compatible organic solutes (glycine betaine and salicylic acid) had not any considerable improvement on traits while application of nano-titanium dioxide indicated considerably enhanced the yield and most traits of sunflower.
Pragmatist Empiricism (Towards a Conception of Human Being)
Authors: Višňovský Emil
Published: March 2023

The paper discusses the relation of philosophical pragmatism to empiricism as the backdrop to understanding human being. The crux of the problem is the relation between language and experience. The author argues that pragmatist empiricism is based on the concept that human practices are transactions, which includes both non-linguistic as well as linguistic practices. Within pragmatist anthropological philosophy, experience is a complex of transactions between humans and reality. Humans are both natural/physical and cultural/linguistic beings, whose living experience involves transactions with both the natural and the sociocultural environment. The dualism between language and experience is false and should be abandoned.
Animating Eco-aesthetics: Multiplanar Images, Interspecies Government, and Eco-conscious Gaming in The Legend of Hei (2019) and Its TV Series (2011–Present)
Authors: Guo Li
Published: March 2023

This study on the animation feature The Legend of Hei (2019) and its TV animation series (2011 to the present) endeavors to explore nascent models of eco-aesthetics in Chinese animation through an intersectional framework bridging studies of eco-politics, eco-cinema, and contemporary animation and media studies. Through close analysis of multiplanar imaging and limited animation in the animation feature, I discuss how varied animation techniques in the film contribute to aesthetic effects of appearance and disappearance, diversified characterization, and representations of contesting models of ecological subjectivities, bio-politics, and environmental governance. Contrary to a radical ecologist’s approach that resorts to forceful undertakings to “rescue nature,” the animation projects an alternative ethico-political method that promotes co-existence, inter-species governance, tolerance, and the art of “letting be.” The latter half of the essay situates the TV animation series The Battle of Luo Xiaohei in the milieu of eco-cinema and media ecology. I argue that the TV animation’s transmedial presentation of ACG gaming, platformativity, and parasocial participation of gamers, human characters and elfin alike, offer new insights on videogaming as social and cultural responses to environmental crises, also drawing attention to the ethico-political potential of parasocial gameplay in promoting democratic ideals of ecosystem governance.