bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iron-rich food consumption and associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in sub-Saharan Africa: A multilevel analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Akalu Yonas , Yeshaw Yigizie , Tesema Getayeneh Antehunegn , Demissie Getu Debalkie , Molla Meseret Derbew , Muche Abebe , Diress Mengistie , Tiruneh Sofonyas Abebaw
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Anemia remains a major public health problem for children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Iron-rich foods consumption has a determinant role on the anemia status. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of good consumption of iron-rich foods and its associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in SSA.

Materials and methods

The recent Demographic and Health Survey data sets of thirty-five SSA countries were used. Data were analyzed using STATA/MP version 16.0 and all statistical analyses were done after weighting the data. A generalized linear mixed model using Poisson regression with robust error variance was used to determine factors associated with good consumption of iron-rich food. Association of variables was declared at a p-value of ≤0.05 and adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) ratio with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for each variable.

Results

The total weighted samples of 77,001 children aged 6–23 months were included. The prevalence of consumption of iron rich foods was 42.1% (95% CI: 41.78–42.48). Children with age of 12–17 (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.89–2.04) and 18–23 months (aPR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.97–2.14), who took drugs for intestinal parasites (aPR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.26–1.34), with postnatal check within 2 months (aPR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.06–1.13), and children from women with ANC visit of 1–3 (aPR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.24–1.37) and ≥4 (aPR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.34–1.48) had higher prevalence of good consumption of iron rich foods. Moreover, the prevalence of consumptions of iron rich foods was higher among children from; family with rich (aPR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.30–1.42) and middle (aPR = 1.14 95% CI: 1.09–1.19) wealth index, and mother with media exposure (aPR = 1.26, 95%CI: 1.22–1.31).

Conclusion

The prevalence of good consumption of iron-rich foods among children aged 6–23 months in SSA countries is low. Child factors, family factors, and community-level factors were significantly associated with consumption of iron rich foods. Strategies to increase the consumption of iron-rich foods during this critical stage of growth and development should be designed in SSA.
Substance use is associated with worse mental health and altered resting state functional connectivity in female university athletes at baseline: A pilot study
Authors: Wilson Alyssia , Gicas Kristina , Stevens W. Dale , Sergio Lauren , Wojtowicz Magdalena
Published: June 2021

University athletes are at high risk for both substance use and mental health problems. This study examined associations between substance use, mental health symptoms, and the resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) of key neural regions involved in self-monitoring and emotional regulation in a sample of female varsity athletes. 31 female university athletes completed measures of substance use, mental health symptoms, and underwent functional MRI scans during the pre-season. Athletes who were substance users had higher symptoms of depression than non-users (p = 0.04; Hedge’s g = 0.81). RsFC differences were observed between users and non-users in orbital frontal cortex (OFC) and bilateral hippocampal seeds, and negative associations between depression symptoms and rsFC in the left hippocampus and posterior cingulate cortex were observed in cannabis users. In female athletes, substance use is associated with greater self-reported depression symptoms and altered rsFC in self-monitoring and emotional regulation regions of the brain.
Potent PDE4 inhibitor activates AMPK and Sirt1 to induce mitochondrial biogenesis
Authors: Park Sung-Jun , Ahmad Faiyaz , Bahde Robert J. , Philp Andrew , Kim Jeonghan , Huang Tianjiao , Kim Myung K. , Trenkle William C. , Chung Jay H.
Published: June 2021

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an evolutionarily conserved energy sensor. Activation of AMPK leads to a number of metabolic benefits, including improved mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle and lowering of serum glucose levels in type-2 diabetes models. However, direct activation of AMPK leads to cardiac enlargement, and an alternative strategy that activates AMPK without affecting the heart is needed. Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), which is poorly expressed in the human heart, activates AMPK in other tissues. In a screen to identify novel PDE4 inhibitors, we discovered compound CBU91, which is 5–10 fold more potent than rolipram, the best characterized PDE4 inhibitor. CBU91, like rolipram, is able to activate AMPK and Sirt1 and increase mitochondrial function in myotubes. These findings suggest that activation of AMPK in myotubes is a general property of PDE4 inhibition and that PDE4 inhibition may activate AMPK in metabolically relevant tissues without affecting the heart.
Interaction and influence of a flow field and particleboard particles in an airflow forming machine with a coupled Euler-DPM model
Authors: Zhang Jian , Chen Qing , Shi Minghong , Zhou Hongping , Xu Linyun
Published: June 2021

Particleboards are widely used in the artificial board market, which can be constructed from a variety of raw materials and require small amounts of energy to be produced. In the particleboard production process, forming machines play an important role as the key equipment for achieving continuous production. In recent years, airflow forming machines have received increasing attention in particleboard production lines because of their strong separation ability and low price. However, the internal flow field is complex and difficult to control, which affects the surface quality and strength of the particleboard. The most pressing technical difficulty is controlling the flow field characteristics of the airflow paver. At present, the research on this subject is conducted primarily through repeated experiments, which entail long research periods and high processing costs. To reduce human and financial costs, in this study, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is employed to investigate the flow field and the gas-solid two-phase flow field coupled with particle movement of an airflow forming machine. The accuracy of the calculation model is verified by comparing characteristic point velocities obtained from experimental analysis and a simulation. The simulation results show that in practical production, the frequency of a negative pressure fan should be greater than 27 Hz. It is necessary to set the shoulder properly, and the slab smoothness can be improved by moving the shoulder back on the premise of meeting the strength requirements of the box. The distance between the shoulders of the box body should be less than 2570 mm, and particles with uniform diameter should be added to the paving box to reduce the turbulence effect, improve the quality of particle forming and provide actual particleboard production with a solid theoretical foundation.
Timeliness of routine childhood vaccination in low- and middle-income countries, 1978–2021: Protocol for a scoping review to map methodologic gaps and determinants
Authors: Wariri Oghenebrume , Okomo Uduak , Kwarshak Yakubu Kevin , Murray Kris A. , Grundy Chris , Kampmann Beate
Published: June 2021

The literature on the timeliness of childhood vaccination (i.e. vaccination at the earliest appropriate age) in low-and middle-income countries has important measurement and methodological issues that may limit their usefulness and cross comparison. We aim to conduct a comprehensive scoping review to map the existing literature with a key focus on how the literature on vaccination timeliness has evolved, how it has been defined or measured, and what determinants have been explored in the period spanning the last four decades. This scoping review protocol was developed based on the guidance for scoping reviews from the Joanna Briggs Institute. We will include English and French language peer-reviewed publications and grey literature on the timeliness of routine childhood vaccination in low-and middle-income countries published between January 1978 through to 2021. A three-step search strategy that involves an initial search of two databases to refine the keywords, a full search of all included electronic databases, and screening of references of previous studies for relevant articles missing from our full search will be employed. The search will be conducted in five electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, CINAHL and Web of Science. Google search will also be conducted to identify relevant grey literature on vaccination timeliness. All retrieved titles from the search will be imported into Endnote X9.3.3 (Clarivate Analytics) and deduplicated. Two reviewers will screen the titles, abstracts and full texts of publications for eligibility using Rayyan–the web based application for screening articles for systematic reviews. Using a tailored data extraction template, we will extract relevant information from eligible studies. The study team will analyse the extracted data using descriptive statistical methods and thematic analysis. The results will be presented using tables, while charts and maps will be used to aid the visualisation of the key findings and themes. The proposed review will generate evidence on key methodological gaps in the literature on timeliness of childhood vaccination. Such evidence would shape the direction of future research, and assist immunisation programme managers and country-level stakeholders to address the needs of their national immunisation system.
ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH INEQUALITIES AMONG OLDER PEOPLE USING THE EPICES SCORE: A COMPOSITE INDEX OF SOCIAL DEPRIVATION
Authors: BONGUE B. , COLVEZ A. , AMSALLEM E. , GERBAUD L. , SASS C.
Published: June 2021

Background: Most of the indicators commonly used to assess social deprivation are poorly suited to study health inequalities in older people. The EPICES (Evaluation of Deprivation and Inequalities in Health Examination Centres) score is a new composite index commonly used to measure individual deprivation. Objective: To assess the relationships between health indicators and the EPICES score in older people. Design, Setting, and participants: We performed a cross-sectional study using the data from the 2008 ESPS Survey (Health, HealthCare and Insurance Survey). Of the 4235 survey respondents aged 60 and over in 2008, 2754 completed the 11 items of the EPICES score and were included in the study. Main outcomes and measures: Deprivation was measured using the EPICES score. Health indicators were: Disability, physical performance, cognitive decline, self-perceived health status, and health-care use and participation in prevention programs (missing teeth not replaced, healthcare renunciation, no hemoccult test [60-75 years] and no mammography [60-75 years]). Results: Of the 4235 survey respondents aged 60 and over in 2008, 2754 completed the 11 items of the EPICES score and were included in the study. The mean age was 70.5± 8.2 years. 52.8% were women. 25.8% were living in poor households. According to the EPICES score, 35.1% were deprived. The EPICES score is linked to all the health indicators assessed in this study: Physical disability, cognitive decline; lifestyle and health care accessibility. These relationships increase steadily with the level of social deprivation. For example, the risk of having difficulties in walking 500m without help or an assistive device is multiplied by 13 (RR=13.5 [7.9-20.8]) in the elderly of quintile 5 (maximum precariousness). Limitations: The observational nature limits inferences about causality. Conclusion: The EPICES score is linked to health indicators. It could be a useful instrument to assess health inequalities in older people living in the community.
Bentham: Punishment and the Utilitarian Use of Persons as Means
Authors: Hanafy Hend
Published: June 2021

One of the main barriers against a Utilitarian justification of punishment is a widespread criticism that if punishment is evil justified by the good it can achieve, then the state could use persons as a means to an end in pursuing this good. This opens the door, at a theoretical level, for the potential punishment of innocents, disproportionate punishment and failure to respect persons as rational and responsible agents. Further, critics argue that any considerations of security or utility guard against the perceived risks contingently, without intrinsic commitment to respecting persons as ends in themselves. This article addresses the criticism fundamentally by returning to Bentham’s original writings and demonstrating that a principle of equality is embedded in the greatest happiness as an end of government. The principle of equality can theoretically be developed using the tools of Bentham’s political theory, including his commitments to democracy, to the elimination of pain and to the differentiation between real and fictitious entities, to ensure that a Utilitarian theory of punishment, as part of its premise, would be constrained from using persons as mere means. Further, building on the equality of happiness, the article proposes an individualistic justification of punishment that responds to the traditional accusations of innocents’ punishment and excessive punishment, and ensures the respect of persons as rational and responsible agents.
El arribo institucional a las regiones a partir del proceso de paz en 2016. Estudio de caso en el corregimiento de Madrigal-Nariño (Colombia)
Authors: Guerra García Jhon Mauricio
Published: June 2021

El presente artículo pretende analizar la representación del Estado, a través de sus instituciones y de órganos no gubernamentales en los territorios afectados por el conflicto armado interno, especialmente en aquellos escogidos para instalar las Zonas Veredales de Transición y Normalización (ZVTN), para ello se entrara a examinar en qué términos se produjo su  intervención  en estos escenarios para finalmente hacer una reflexión sobre su incidencia positiva y negativa alrededor de los objetivos del proceso de paz,  todo se analizara desde la experiencia obtenida a partir de la investigación adelantada en el corregimiento de Madrigal, departamento de Nariño, región escogida por el gobierno como lugar de ubicación de una de las ZTN.
Most Burdensome Food Allergy in Childcare Centers and Schools: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Memauri Tessa , Kim Harold , Abrams Elissa , Gerdts Jennifer , Protudjer Jennifer
Published: June 2021

Objective: In this mixed-methods study, we aimed to identify the food allergen with the greatest reported burden to families with preschool and school-aged food allergic children. Methods: Parents of children with 2+ food allergies responded to an online, anonymous study on the burden of multiple food allergies. We used descriptive statistics and thematic analysis to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Results: A total of 123 parents participated. The 4 most prevalent food allergies among preschoolers (preschoolers 0-5 years: N = 46; 37.4%) were egg (78.3%), milk (69.6%), peanut (60.9%) and tree nut (54.3%). These were also the most common allergies among school-aged children school-aged 6-18 years; N = 77; 62.6%), albeit in different proportions. Milk was reported as the most stressful food allergy in childcare centers (71.9%), whereas parents of school-aged children reported more comparable distributions of the most stressful food allergy at schools. Qualitatively, we identified one theme per age group: “Peanut is easy to avoid, but milk is everywhere” for preschoolers, and “Every food allergy for school-aged children.” Conclusions: The burden associated with types of food allergy differs between preschool and school-aged children.
Supporting a Participatory Process for Evidence on Healthy Eating to Promote Healthy Diet among Children: An Illustration from Nigeria
Authors: John-Akinola Yetunde , Akano Odunayo , Akinwale Oluwasegun
Published: June 2021

Objective: In this study, we assessed children’s perception of healthy eating and investigated the contents of lunch boxes packed from home. Methods: Overall, 728 pupils in first to sixth class across 25 primary schools in Ibadan, South West Nigeria wrote their perceptions of healthy eating on small colored papers. Contents of lunch boxes were observed during the school lunch period. Descriptive and qualitative analysis was carried out and data were represented in word clouds and figures. Results: Most pupils (97.9%) listed food items that they referred to as healthy food, represented in a word cloud. Further categorization showed that few pupils identified fruits (5.3%) and vegetables (2.4%) as healthy food. Pupils in private schools were 1.9 times more likely to have pastries in their lunch boxes than public schools (OR = 1.914, 95% CI: 1.121-3.268). Conclusions: Multiple educational interventions should be targeted at the pupil-, parent-, and school-level to promote healthy eating behaviors. The use of communication materials with pictorial depiction of examples of healthy food could serve as a reinforcing factor to help maintain positive behavioral change.
Remarks on the Hormonal Background of the Male Equivalent of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Stárka Luboslav , Dušková Michaela
Published: June 2021

The hypothesis that the most common female endocrine disease, the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), has a male equivalent, has recently become more widely accepted. The male form of PCOS is marked by alterations in the secretion of gonadotropins, increased insulin resistance, and changes of the levels of several steroid hormones, with clinical manifestations including premature androgenic alopecia (AGA). Because these symptoms are not always found in men with genetic predispositions, knowledge of the male equivalent of PCOS needs to be supplemented by measurements of adrenal 11-oxygenated C19 steroids, particularly 11-keto-, and 11β-hydroxy-derivatives of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, by focusing on the newly-realized role of skin as an endocrine organ, and by confirming any age-related factors in glucose metabolism disorders in such predisposed men.
Comparison of the Chemiluminescence Immunoassay LIAISON® with the Radioimmunoassay for Aldosterone and Renin Measurement
Authors: Uhrová Jana , Benáková Hana , Vaníčková Zdislava , Zima Tomáš
Published: June 2021

Determination of renin plasma levels is useful in the diagnosis of hypertension and in the therapeutic follow-up of hypertensive patients. Plasmatic concentration of renin decreases in patients with hypertension due to a primary hyperaldosteronism, contrary to renovascular hypertension where concentrations of renin and aldosterone are both elevated. Blood samples (serum, EDTA plasma) were analysed using two different chemiluminiscent methods CLIA LIAISON® and radioimmunoassay for aldosterone (IMMUNOTECH Beckman Coulter) and renin (Cisbio Bioassay) measurements were compared. We used both methods to ascertain the correlation between serum vs. EDTA plasma levels of aldosterone (RIA, CLIA) and renin (IRMA, CLIA) and to compare aldosterone to renin ratios for CLIA and for radioimmunoassay: serum aldosterone to plasma renin and plasma aldosterone to plasma renin. We compared serum aldosterone CLIA vs. RIA (rP=0.933, P<0.001) and plasma renin determined using CLIA vs. IRMA (rP=0.965, P=0.062). Furthermore, we used both methods to establish the correlation between the serum vs. plasma levels of aldosterone: RIA (rP=0.980, P<0.001); CLIA (rP=0.994, P=0.353) and serum vs. plasma levels of renin: IRMA (rP=0.948, P<0.001); CLIA (rP=0.921, P=0.011). Aldosterone (serum, plasma) to plasmatic renin ratios for CLIA (rP=0.999, P=0.286) and for radioimmunoassay (rP=0.992, P=0.025). Our data demonstrate that renin and aldosterone concentrations obtained using CLIA correlate with renin and aldosterone concentrations using radioimmunoassay methods. Correlation coefficients of pair results ranged from 0.921 to 0.994. Aldosterone (serum, EDTA plasma) to plasmatic renin ratios are comparable and any of them can be used with no significant differences found.
Discourses on sustainable forest management and their integration into climate policies in South Africa
Authors: Ofoegbu C. , Speranza C. Ifejika
Published: June 2021

In South Africa, forests can play an important role in achieving the broader goals of climate change mitigation and adaptation. However, national policies on climate change mitigation and adaptation seem to narrow the potential contributions of the forest sector to climate protection
targets. This is largely because of the divergence between the management goals of forests for climate protection, and products for both industries and livelihoods. This article uses discourse analysis as a methodological tool to analyze South Africa's climate and forest policies to identify
the discourses shaping forest policy goals and mandates, and their integration into climate policy targets for forest-based climate change interventions. Four discourses, namely, preservation of forest integrity, social inclusiveness, equitable benefit sharing, and inclusive development of
forests and forest-based communities, were identified as the dominant discourses influencing forest policy goals in South Africa. Their influence on forest management programmes has a mix of costs and benefits outcomes. For example, policy responses to the discourse on the preservation of
forest integrity have resulted in ecologically sustainable forests in some cases and in other cases restricted the participation of local people in forest enterprise development. Additionally, climate policies recognized six possible interventions with respect to forest-based climate change
mitigation and adaptation in South Africa but were silent about the four discourses shaping forest policy goals. Consequently, existing climate policies do not contain regulations to guide forest management for climate change mitigation and adaptation. We therefore recommend that forest-related
goals in climate policy be grounded in the past experiences and lessons of forest policy implementations in order to take advantage of the synergies and reduce the trade-offs with respect to multipurpose management of forests for livelihoods, enterprise development, and climate change mitigation
and adaptation.
Experimental research on the performance of the thermal-reflective coatings with liquid silicone rubber for pavement applications
Authors: Wang Kaifeng , Cheng Jing , Zhu Yunsheng , Wang Xianrong , Li Xiaowei
Published: June 2021

The thermal-reflective coating technology can effectively realize the active cooling of asphalt pavement, thus delaying the occurrence of pavement rutting. Although solid fillers are usually used to absorb light and weaken light dazzle in traditional thermal-reflective coatings, this method makes the filler component complicated and the coatings more viscous and increases the difficulty of painting the coating material on the pavement surface. On account of all the aforementioned factors, this experimental study aims to effectively improve the performance of the thermal-reflective coating with liquid silicone rubber addition in which epoxy resin is the base material and rutile titanium dioxide is the pigment filler for the coating film. Through lab experiments, the effects of the proper liquid silicone rubber dosage on the glossiness, cooling performance, and hardness of the thermal-reflective coating are studied and analyzed. The experimental results show that the liquid silicone is very effective for coating toughness improvement. The thermal-reflective coating, when the liquid silicone rubber dosage changes from 10 to 14 wt%, exhibits a matt state, and its glossiness can be controlled below 30 GU, which meets the safety and antiglare requirements of traffic vehicles. It demonstrates that liquid silicone rubber can influence the viscosity of the thermal-reflective coatings, and when the liquid silicone dosage reaches 16 wt%, the viscosity of the coating increases by 7.26 wt% less than that of the solid matting filler. Liquid silicone rubber can also influence the cooling effect of the thermal-reflective coatings, with the liquid silicone rubber dosage of 16 wt%, the asphalt pavement temperature can reduce 0.5°C. Besides, liquid silicone rubber reduces the hardness of the coatings, the coating hardness is 6H when the liquid silicone rubber dosage is 0–10 wt%, and the hardness of the coating reduces to 5H when liquid silicone dosage is from 12 to 16 wt%, which meets the actual requirements. Therefore, this article recommends a 12 wt% dosage of the liquid silicone rubber to be used as a matting filler for the thermal-reflective coatings.
COVID-19 pandemic and remote teaching: transition and transformation in nursing education
Authors: Madhavanprabhakaran Girija , Francis Frincy , John Sheeba Elizabeth , Al Rawajfah Omar
Published: June 2021

Remote teaching (RT) was the only option left to educators to continue education with public policy of lockdowns and social distancing during COVID-19 pandemic. RT is the online mode of instructional delivery. Globally it has become mandatory for all nurse educators to switch to RT mode. Many factors have been identified for effective implementation of RT, of which the major elements are choice of online teaching mode, pedagogy to choose the platform or technology, faculty preparedness, and the learner motivation and expectations. The dire need to meet the educational objectives demanded sudden transition to online mode. The paradigm shifts to RT brought many challenges and pragmatic guidance for teachers and institutions Remote teaching is flexible, student centered and feasible with opportunities to develop technically empowered faculty and coherent digital education strategies. However, tackling threats like academic integrity, inequity in accessibility and limited faculty preparedness necessitates attention. RT being flexible tool is weakened by low self-motivated students and low connectivity with digital inequity and security issues. The challenges opened opportunity to enhance faculty technical competency and learning management system.
TİRE ÇAMUR PEYNİRİNİN BAZI FİZİKOKİMYASAL VE DUYUSAL ÖZELLİKLERİ
Authors: KARAALİOĞLU Onur , GÜNAY Ezgi , YUCEER Yonca
Published: June 2021

Bu çalışmanın amacı, İzmir’in Tire ilçesinde geleneksel olarak üretimi gerçekleştirilen Tire Çamur peyniri’nin bazı fizikokimyasal ve duyusal özelliklerinin belirlenmesidir. Bu çalışma kapsamında analizleri gerçekleştirilen Tire Çamur peyniri örnekleri arasında bileşim bakımından önemli farklılıklar olduğu saptanmıştır. Gaz kromatografisi-kütle spektrometrisi (GC-MS) vasıtasıyla gerçekleştirilen kromatografik analizlerde toplam 29 adet uçucu bileşen tespit edilmiştir. Duyusal değerlendirmeler sonucunda ise pişmiş, peynir altı suyu, kremamsı, fermente ve sütümsü yoğun olarak algılanan aromatikler olarak belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen veriler kapsamında, ürünün endüstriyel boyutlarda üretim standardizasyonunun sağlanmasıyla birlikte tüketiciler için ürünün kaynağını gösteren coğrafi işaret alınmasının; üreticiye, üretildiği bölgeye ve ülkemize önemli ekonomik katkı ve katma değer sağlama potansiyeline sahip olacağı düşünülmüştür.
Atmospheric oil and natural gas hydrocarbon trends in the Northern Colorado Front Range are notably smaller than inventory emissions reductions
Authors: Oltmans Samuel J. , Cheadle Lucy C. , Helmig Detlev , Angot Hélène , Pétron Gabrielle , Montzka Stephen A. , Dlugokencky Edward J. , Miller Benjamin , Hall Bradley , Schnell Russell C. , Kofler Jonathan , Wolter Sonja , Crotwell Molly , Siso Carolina , Tans Pieter , Andrews Arlyn
Published: June 2021

From 2008 to mid-2016, there was more than a 7-fold increase in oil production and nearly a tripling of natural gas production in the Colorado Denver–Julesburg Basin (DJB). This study utilized air samples collected at the Boulder Atmospheric Observatory (BAO) tower in southwestern Weld County in the DJB to investigate atmospheric mole fraction trends of methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Elevated methane and propane mole fractions and low values (<1) in the ratio of i-pentane to n-pentane at BAO were found to be associated with flow patterns that transport air from the northeast (NE) to east (E) sector to the site, the direction where the primary locations of oil and natural gas (O&NG) extraction and processing activities are located. Median mole fractions of the O&NG tracer propane at BAO were 10 times higher than background values when winds came from the NE quadrant. This contrasts with lower mole fractions of O&NG-related constituents in air parcels arriving at BAO from the south, the direction of the major urban area of Denver. None of O&NG tracers, for example, methane and propane, show statistically significant trends in mole fraction (relative to the background) over the study period in air transported from the DJB. Also, longer term acetylene mole fraction changes were not seen in NE quadrant or south sector samples. A significant decline in the mole fraction ratio of i-pentane to n-pentane in the NE sector data provides evidence of an increasing influence of O&NG on the overall composition of VOCs measured at BAO, a change not seen in measurements from the south (urban) sector. These results suggest that O&NG emissions and resulting atmospheric mole fractions have remained relatively constant over 2008–2016. The behavior in the observations is in contrast to the most recent VOC emissions inventory. While the inventory projects O&NG total VOC emission reductions between 2011 and 2020, of –6.5% per year despite the large production increases, the best estimate of the propane emission rate of change for the DJB-filtered data during 2008–2016 is much smaller, that is, –1.5% per year.
Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Discomfort Among Workers in a Medical Manufacturing Facility
Authors: Yusof Athirah , Mohd Shalahim Nurul Shahida
Published: June 2021

Medical manufacturing has shown great growth potential in Malaysia, and this sector has created numerous jobs for both local and foreign workers. The workers involved in this industry are exposed to ergonomic risk factors, which lead to discomfort in different body parts. Despite the numerous studies on occupational hazards and the prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs), little is known about the prevalence of WMSDs for workers working in the medical manufacturing facility, especially in Malaysia. Thus, the main objective of this study is to identify the prevalence of WMSDs among workers in the selected medical manufacturing industry in Malaysia. Structured interviews using Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) were conducted among 10 male workers (mean age of 44 ± 10.83 years, age range of 24–55 years, and working experience range of <1–27 years). The results indicate that the workers experienced the highest discomfort in three body parts; (1) lower back, (2) shoulders, and (3) upper back. The discomfort felt by the workers was 74.36%, 8.96% and 5.52% in the lower back, shoulders, and upper back, respectively. The findings of this study will provide an insight that could be useful for managers and occupational safety, and health officers in the medical manufacturing industry to prevent WMSDs.
Optimal injection interval for testosterone undecanoate treatment of hypogonadal and transgender men
Authors: Shankara Narayana Nandini , Ly Lam P , Jayadev Veena , Fennell Carolyn , Savkovic Sasha , Conway Ann J , Handelsman David J
Published: June 2021

Objective

To define the optimized inter-injection interval of injectable testosterone undecanoate (TU) treatment for hypogonadal and transmen based on individual dose titration in routine clinical practice.

Design and methods

A prolective observational study of consecutive TU injections in men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy for pathological hypogonadism or masculinization of female-to-male transgender (transmen) subject to individual dosing titration to achieve a stable replacement regimen.

Results

From 2006 to 2019, 6899 injections were given to 325 consecutive patients. After excluding the 6-week loading dose, 6300 injections were given to 297 patients who had at least three and a median of 14 injections. The optimal injection interval (mean of last three injection intervals) had a median of 12.0 weeks (interquartile range 10.4–12.7 weeks). The interval was significantly influenced by age and body size (body surface area, BSA) but not by diagnosis or trough serum LH, FSH, and SHBG. Longer (≥14 weeks; 68/297, 23%), but not shorter (≤10 weeks; 22/297, 7.4%), intervals were weakly correlated with age but not diagnosis or other covariables. Low blood hemoglobin increased with trough serum testosterone to reach plateau once testosterone was about 10 nmol/L or higher.

Conclusion

Optimal intervals between TU injection after individual titration resulted in the approved 12-week interval in 70% of patients with only minor influence for clinical application of BSA and not of trough serum LH, FSH, and SHBG. Individually optimized inter-injection interval did not differ between men with primary or secondary hypogonadism or transmen.
Predictive factors of polycystic ovary syndrome in girls with precocious pubarche
Authors: Guarnotta Valentina , Lucchese Silvia , Mineo Mariagrazia Irene , Mangione Donatella , Venezia Renato , Almasio Piero Luigi , Giordano Carla
Published: June 2021

Objective: The aim of this study is to clarify, in girls with premature pubarche (PP), the influence of premature androgenization on the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design and patients: Ninety-nine PP girls, 63 who developed PCOS and 36 who did not develop PCOS, were cross-sectionally included. Clinical, anthropometric, and metabolic parameters were evaluated to find predictive factors of PCOS.

Results: Young females with PP showed a PCOS prevalence of 64% and showed higher prevalence of familial history of diabetes (p= 0.004) and lower prevalence of underweight (p= 0.025) than PP-NO-PCOS. In addition, girls with PP-PCOS showed higher BMI (p<0.001), waist circumference (p<0.001), total testosterone (p= 0.026), visceral adiposity index (VAI) (p= 0.013), total cholesterol (p<0.001), LDL-cholesterol (p<0.001), non-HDL-cholesterol (p<0.001) and lower age of menarche (p=0.015), ISI-Matsuda (p<0.001), DIo (p= 0.002), HDL-cholesterol (p= 0.026) than PP-NO-PCOS. Multivariate analysis showed that WC (p=0.049), ISI-Matsuda (p<0.001), oral disposition index (DIo) (p<0.001), VAI (p<0.001), total testosterone (p<0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (p<0.001) are independent predictive factors for PCOS in girls with PP.

Conclusions: Our study established a strong association between multiple risk factors and development of PCOS in PP girls. These risk factors are predominantly related to the regulation of glucose, lipid, and androgen metabolism. Among these factors, WC, ISI-Matsuda, DIo, VAI, total testosterone and LDL-cholesterol predict PCOS.
A breakthrough-like effect of metformin reduces peripheral resistance to triiodothyronine in euthyroid, non-insulin-resistant, type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Kertész Melinda , Kun Szilárd , Sélley Eszter , Nagy Zsuzsanna , Kőszegi Tamás , Wittmann István
Published: June 2021

Background: Type 2 diabetes is characterized, beyond the insulin resistance, by polyhormonal resistance. Thyroid hormonal resistance has not yet been described in this population of patients. Metformin is used to decrease insulin resistance, and at present it is assumed to influence the effect of triiodothyronine, as well.

Methods: In this open label, pilot, hypothesis generating, follow-up study 21 patients were included, all of them euthyroid with drug naïve, newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Before and after four weeks of metformin therapy fructosamine, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), thyroid hormones, T3/T4 ratio, and TSH, as well as blood pressure and heart rate using ambulatory blood pressure monitor were measured. We also conducted an in vitro study to investigate the possible mechanisms of T3 resistance, assessing T3 induced Akt phosphorylation among normal (5 mM) and high (25 mM) glucose levels with or without metformin treatment in a human embryonal kidney cell line.

Results: Metformin decreased the level of T3 (p<0.001), the ratio of T3/T4 (p=0.038), fructosamine (p=0.008) and HOMA-IR (p=0.022). All these changes were accompanied by an unchanged TSH, T4, triglyceride, plasma glucose, bodyweight, blood pressure and heart rate. In our in vitro study, T3 induced Akt phosphorylation decreased in cells grown in 25 mM glucose medium compared to those in 5 mM. Metformin could not reverse this effect.

Conclusion: Metformin seems to improve T3 sensitivity in the cardiovascular system in euthyroid, type 2 diabetic patients, the mechanism of which may be supracellular.
Genome-wide crosstalk between steroid receptors in breast and prostate cancers
Authors: Paakinaho Ville , Palvimo Jorma J
Published: June 2021

Steroid receptors (SRs) constitute an important class of signal-dependent transcription factors (TFs). They regulate a variety of key biological processes and are crucial drug targets in many disease states. In particular, estrogen (ER) and androgen receptors (AR) drive the development and progression of breast and prostate cancer, respectively. Thus, they represent the main specific drug targets in these diseases. Recent evidence has suggested that the crosstalk between signal-dependent TFs is an important step in the reprogramming of chromatin sites; a signal-activated TF can expand or restrict the chromatin binding of another TF. This crosstalk can rewire gene programs and thus alter biological processes and influence the progression of disease. Lately, it has been postulated that there may be an important crosstalk between the AR and the ER with other SRs. Especially, progesterone (PR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) can reprogram chromatin binding of ER and gene programs in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, GR can take the place of AR in antiandrogen-resistant prostate cancer cells. Here, we review the current knowledge of the crosstalk between SRs in breast and prostate cancers. We emphasize how the activity of ER and AR on chromatin can be modulated by other SRs on a genome-wide scale. We also highlight the knowledge gaps in the interplay of SRs and their complex interactions with other signaling pathways and suggest how to experimentally fill in these gaps.
Interpretable prediction of drug‐cell line response by triple matrix factorization
Authors: Yan Xiao‐Ying , Zhang Shao‐Wu , Yiu Siu‐Ming , Shi Jian‐Yu
Published: June 2021

Background

One of the challenges in personalized medicine is to determine specific drugs and their dosages for patient individuals who are undergoing a common disease. The technique of cell lines provides a safe approach to capture the drug responses of patient individuals when given specific drugs with varied dosages. However, it is still costly to determine drug responses in cells w.r.t dosages by biological assays. Computational methods provide a promising screening to infer possible drug responses in the cells of patient individuals on a large scale. Nevertheless, existing computational approaches are insufficient to interpret the underlying reason for drug responses.

Methods

In this work, we propose an interpretable model for analyzing and predicting drug responses across cell lines. The proposed model bridges drug features ( e.g., chemical structure fingerprints), cell features ( e.g., gene expression profiles), and drug responses across cells (measured by IC50) by a triple matrix factorization (TMF), such that the underlying reason for drug responses in specific cells is possibly interpreted.

Results

The comparison with state‐of‐the‐art computational approaches demonstrates the superiority of our TMF. More importantly, a case study of drug responses in lung‐related cell lines shows its interpretable ability to find out highly occurring drug substructures, crucial mutated genes, as well as significant pairs between substructures and mutated genes in terms of drug sensitivity and resistance.

Conclusion

TMF is an effective and interpretable approach for predicting cell lines responses to drugs, and can dig out crucial pairs of chemical substructures and genes, which uncovers the underlying reason for drug responses in specific cells.
İbnü’l-Arabî Yorumculuğunda Farklı Bir Bağlam: İbn Sevdekîn ve Sitti Acem’in Meşâhid Şerhleri
Authors: ÖZKAN Zeynep Şeyma
Published: June 2021

Tasavvuf tarihinde 12. yüzyıldan önceki birikimi kendine özel yöntemi ve anlatım tarzı ile dönüştürüp aktarması bakımından bir dönüm noktası olarak görülen İbnü’l-Arabî, aynı zamanda eserleri en çok yorumlanan sûfî müelliflerdendir. İbnü’l-Arabî yorumcuları arasında daha çok talebeleri aracılığıyla bir ekol oluşmasını sağlayan Sadreddin Konevî öne çıkmıştır. Bununla birlikte Ekberî şerh geleneği olarak isimlendirilen bu birikimin oluşumundan önce yazılmış bazı şerhlerin İbnü’l-Arabî’yi daha farklı bir bağlamda anlama ve anlatma çabası içinde oldukları görülür. Bu makalede söz konusu farklı bağlamı belirginleştirmek amacıyla onun Meşâhidü’l-esrâr isimli eserinin erken dönem şârihleri olarak Sitti Acem ve İbn Sevdekîn’in İbnü’l-Arabî yorumculukları ele alınacaktır. Her iki şârihte de öne çıkan bazı ortak temaların yanı sıra özellikle Sitti Acem’in İbnü’l-Arabî’yi yorumlama biçimi literatürde dikkat çekildiği üzere eleştirel bir içerik sunmaktadır. Makalede İbn Sevdekîn ve Sitti Acem’in Konevî’yi izleyen ana geleneğin dışına çıkan yönleri değerlendirilecek, bu bağlamda bir karşılaştırma unsuru olarak İbnü’l-Arabî’nin bizzat talebesi olan ve Fusûsu’l-hikem’in ilk şârihlerinden sayılan Tilimsânî’nin yanı sıra Ekberî şerh literatürü oluşumundan sonra eser veren ve bu geleneğe bütünüyle dahil olmayıp yer yer bu gelenek tarafından eleştirilmiş bir müellif olan Cîlî’nin İbnü’l-Arabî’yi anlama biçimlerine de değinilecektir.
Zübeyde Özben Dokak. Maverâünnehir Hanefî Usûlünde Sünnet V.-VIII. Asırlar Çerçevesinde Mukayeseli Bir Yaklaşım. İstanbul: İFAV, 2020, 296 sayfa.
Authors: SEVER Ali
Published: June 2021

Sünnetin tespiti ve anlaşılmasına yönelik Ehl-i hadîs’in yaklaşımı dışındaki bakış açılarını inceleyen çalışmaların artması hadis sahasına yeni perspektifler kazandırması açısından önemlidir. Disiplinlerarası özelliğe sahip olması nedeniyle bu tarz çalışmalar kaynak, metot, sınırlılıklar, kesişen noktalar ve çıktılar itibarıyla dikkatle incelenmelidir. Ülkemizde son yıllarda itikadi ve fıkhi mezheplerin sünnet anlayışları üzerine yapılan çeşitli çalışmalar 1- mezheplerin genel anlayışlarını tespit etmeyi hedefleyen, 2- bir isim ve bu ismin eserlerini merkeze alan, 3- belli bir bölge ve zaman dilimini esas alan çalışmalar olarak tasnif edilebilir. Dokak’ın üçüncü kısma dâhil edilebilecek matbu doktora tezinde 5.-8./11.-14. asırlar arasında yaşamış Mâverâünnehir bölgesi Hanefî usul âlimlerinin sünnet anlayışları ve konuyla ilgili meseleler incelenmiştir.
Ahmet Selman Baktı. Şer’î Hükmün Tanımı ve Aslî İbâha Prensibi (Hanbelî Fıkhı Özelinde). İstanbul: Kitâbî Yayınları, 2019, 231 sayfa.
Authors: BOZYEL Şuheda
Published: June 2021

Son yıllarda ilahiyat alanında ilmî disiplinlerin birbirleriyle ilişkisinin yansıtıldığı akademik çalışmaların sayısı artmaktadır. İslâmî ilimlerin oluşum döneminde kelam, usul-i fıkıh ve dil ilimleri arasındaki sıkı ilişkiler dikkate alındığında günümüz çalışmalarının da bu perspektiften yapılması vakıanın doğru anlaşılması adına olumlu bir adım olarak okunabilir. Kelam ile usul-i fıkhı buluşturan meseleler zannedildiğinden daha çoktur ve bu konuların köken itibarıyla her iki ilmi disipline katkılarının ve oluşturdukları değişimin belirlenmesi önemlidir. Bu yazıda incelenecek olan eser de bu tarz bir perspektife sahiptir. Doktora çalışması olarak 2018 yılında tamamlanan Hanbelî Fıkıh Geleneğinde İbâha-i Asliyye Prensibi adlı tez, kitaplaşma aşamasında isim değişikliğine gidilerek muhtevayı daha iyi yansıtacak şekilde (s. 11) Şer’i Hükmün Tanımı ve Aslî İbâha Prensibi (Hanbelî Fıkhı Özelinde) adıyla yayınlamıştır.
Osman Bayder. El-Hidâye: Bir Fıkıh Metninin Hanefî Geleneğe Etkisi. İstanbul: Hacıveyiszade İlim ve Kültür Vakfı Yayınları, 2020, 195 sayfa.
Authors: BARDAKCI Abdullah
Published: June 2021

Klasik eserlerle olan irtibatımız arttıkça klasiklerin nasıl klasikleştiği konusuna olan ilgi ve merakımız da derinleşiyor. Özellikle Hanefî fıkıh literatürünün klasik hüviyetini kazanmış bazı örnekleri, sâir kitaplardan daha fazla ilgi görmüş, birçok çalışmaya konu olmuştur. Mâverâünnehir bölgesi fakihlerinden Ali b. Ebî Bekir el-Merğînânî’nin (ö. 593/1197) el-Hidâye şerhu Bidâyeti’l-mübtedî isimli eseri de üzerine şerh, haşiye, ta‘lîk türlerinde yüzün üzerinde çalışma yapılmış bir klasiktir. Osman Bayder, el-Hidâye: Bir Fıkıh Metninin Hanefî Geleneğe Etkisi adlı kitabında Merğînânî’nin meşhur eserinin kendinden sonraki Hanefî geleneğe etkisini incelemektedir. Kitap üç bölümden oluşmaktadır. Kitaptaki yol haritasını ve izlenen yöntemi bölümler özelinde açıklayan detaylı bir giriş bölümü barındırmayan eserin “Öz Söz”ünde yazar, kitaptaki hedefini ve kitabın inceleme alanını şöyle belirtmiştir: “Bu çalışma Hidâye’nin Hanefî literatürü açısından önemini ve sonraki döneme etkisini incelemektedir” . Birinci Bölüm’de standart bir âlim biyografisinin aktarımı yerine Merğînânî’nin yer aldığı gelenekten, içinde bulunduğu ilmî çevreden bahsedilmiş ve mezhep içindeki konumu ile içtihat derecesi tartışılmıştır. Bu bölümde müellifin hayatına dâir kitabın iddiasını desteklemeyecek bilgilerin bulunmaması kitap için artı olsa da Merğînânî’ye ait eserlerin tamamının burada verilmemesi eksiklik olarak değerlendirilebilir. Ayrıca bazı eserlerin zikredildiği yerde Merğînânî’nin Muhtârâtü’n-nevâzil isimli eseri sehven Muhtârâtu’z-Ziyâdât olarak verilmiştir. Zira kaynaklarda Merğînânî’ye böyle bir eser nispet edilmemektedir. Yazar bu bölümde, Merğînânî’nin Hanefî füru fıkhı açısından konumunu tartıştıktan sonra onun mezhebin usulündeki önemini de önemli usul ve kelam kitaplarının aktarım silsilelerini inceleyerek göstermeye çalışmıştır.
Alexander Knysh. Sufism: A New History of Islamic Mysticism. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2017, 408 sayfa.
Authors: EGİCİ Rabia
Published: June 2021

Batı akademisinde kronolojik sırayla Reynold Nicholson (ö. 1945), Arthur Arberry (ö. 1969), Annemarie Schimmel (ö. 2003), Julian Baldick, Carl Ernst, Ahmet Karamustafa, Nile Green ile şekillenen genel tasavvuf tarihi yazıcılığının son halkası Rus akademisyen Alexander Knysh’dir. Michigan Üniversitesi’nde İslâm Araştırmaları Profesörü olarak görev yapan ve aslında Yemen tarihçisi olan Knysh’in modern İslâmî hareketler, İslâm düşünce tarihi, doksografi gibi araştırma alanlarına ilişkin olarak çok sayıda İngilizce ve Rusça çalışması mevcuttur. Tasavvuf alanına dair ilk kapsamlı katkısını İbnü’l-Arabî (ö. 638/1240) düşüncesini ve etkilerini tartıştığı Ibn al-‘Arabi’s “Meccan Revelations”: Man, Metaphysics and Mysticism ve Ibn ‘Arabi in the Later Islamic Tradition: The Making of a Polemical Image in Medieval Islam adlı kitaplarıyla veren Knysh’in bu çalışmalarını, tasavvuf tarihi araştırmacıları tarafından ilgiyle karşılanan Islamic Mysticism: A Short History(1999) takip etmiştir. Knysh uzmanlık alanı dışında verdiği tasavvuf derslerinin bir ürünü olarak ortaya çıkan Short History’de tasavvuf tarihçiliği için bir başlangıç çalışması olması itibarıyla belirgin metodolojik iddialarda bulunmamış ve oryantalist histografide alışılagelen zühd-tasavvuf-tarikat şablonuna büyük oranda bağlı kalmıştır.
Muhammed Coşkun. Tefsirin İlk Çağları, Kur’an Yorumunun Hazırlık ve Oluşum Dönemleri. İstanbul: İFAV, 2019, 528 sayfa.
Authors: KAYA Mesut
Published: June 2021

Tefsir ilminin kavramsal çerçevesi, usulü ve literatürü, doğuşu, gelişimi, tarihsel süreçte yaşadığı değişim ve dönüşümü gibi alanlar, son dönemlerde önemli tartışmalara, kitap ve makalelere konu olmaktadır. Bu bağlamda hem tefsir tarihinin dönemlendirilmesi hem de dinamik yapısı içinde dönemlerin sağlıklı bir zemine yerleştirilip tefsirin yaşadığı değişim ve dönüşümün izinin derinlikli olarak sürülebilmesi önem arz etmektedir. Kimi teşebbüsler olmakla birlikte, bunun henüz tam ve bütünlüklü bir bakış açısıyla gerçekleştirilebildiğini söylemek güç görünmektedir.