bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socio-religious values of the modern legal system of Ukraine
Authors: Melnykovych Mykhailo
Published: March 2023

Purpose. The purpose of the work is a comprehensive theoretical and legal characterization of the influence of socio-religious values on the formation and development of the modern legal system of Ukraine. Method. When conducting the research, a complex of general scientific and special legal methods of scientific knowledge was used, in particular: the formal-logical method; methods of analysis and synthesis; method of comparative analysis; system-functional and method of generalization. The results. This study highlights the role of social and religious values in the formation of the modern type of Ukrainian legal system. In particular, it is substantiated that it is the socio-religious dimension that is important from the point of view of the development of the legal system of Ukrainian society, and therefore their guarantees are important. The state, in turn, determines the possibilities of socio-religious development of the individual and the citizen, enshrining it in the national legislation. In the conditions of integration processes and the total spread of democratic directions of state and legal development, the international legal regulation of social and religious values has acquired special relevance. Scientific novelty. According to the research results, it was established that the social values of the legal system of Ukraine accumulate under the influence of geopolitical, economic, socio-cultural and religious factors. Such an internal, operating within the limits of a specific national culture, the system of transmission of political and legal values can be defined as a national political and legal tradition. In the legislative system of Ukraine, the provisions defining the issue of freedom of religion are quite clearly formed. Therefore, it is possible to state the existence in the Ukrainian system of law of an inter-branch institute of legislation, which is the basis of the legal mechanism for ensuring freedom of worldview and religion. Practical significance. The results of the study can be useful for further general theoretical and applied research on modern problems of the formation and development of the national legal system of Ukraine.
Los pictogramas y su incidencia en el desarrollo de la lectoescritura de estudiantes de educación inicial bilingüe
Authors: Sánchez Sánchez Deysi Janeth , Bonilla Roldán María de los Ángeles , Herrera Lara Marcela Lorena , Tamami Pachala Jorge Wilson
Published: March 2023

Los pictogramas son recursos didácticos que favorecen el proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje de los niños. En este trabajo se estudia el efecto del uso de pictogramas en el proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje para el inicio del desarrollo de la lectoescritura en niños de 4 a 5 años de edad, como herramienta para facilitar la comunicación de los estudiantes en esta importante etapa de su vida.  Esta investigación se centra en un enfoque mixto, cualitativo y cuantitativo. El tipo de estudio empleado fue el bibliográfico, descriptivo y explicativo. El método aplicado fue el inductivo-deductivo, análisis síntesis e investigación acción, las técnicas empleadas fueron la observación directa y la encuesta. De la ficha de observación estructurada se obtuvo que el empleo de los pictogramas favorece de manera significativa el proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje y permite desarrollar la imaginación, la creatividad, el interés y la motivación de los niños y niñas. Este recurso permite a los estudiantes comunicarse y desenvolverse en su vida cotidiana, fortalece el desarrollo del proceso de la lectoescritura desde edades muy tempranas. Los profesores resaltan que la aplicación del material pictográfico permite reforzar y fortalecer el inicio del desarrollo de la lectoescritura e influye de manera positiva, ya que es amena y significativa, los niños responden favorablemente de manera participativa y dinámica en todas las actividades plasmadas.
Afectación a la calidad de vida y salud en la generación Z debido a la contaminación acústica, conjunto de acciones municipales y agentes generadores de contaminación acústica
Authors: Duque Aldaz Francisco Javier , Fierro Aguilar Jaime Patricio , Pérez Benítez Hugo Alfredo , Tobar Farías Galo Wilfrido
Published: March 2023

La generación Z está expuesta al ruido ambiental, en parte debido a la tecnología: mini parlantes, uso de audífonos, etc. El ruido ambiental afecta la calidad de vida y salud, causa por ejemplo: pérdida de la audición, irritabilidad, alteraciones de sueño, estrés, desconcentración, dificultad para comunicarse, etc. El objetivo fue proponer medidas estratégicas utilizando la metodología Objetivos y Resultados Claves OKR, permitiendo reducir los niveles de ruido ambiental en la ciudad de Guayaquil. Se trabajó con muestreo por conveniencia a 425 jóvenes, 57% mujeres y 43% hombres, con encuestas de respuestas múltiples, este constó de 18 preguntas, para su análisis se utilizó el software SPSS. Resultó interesante analizar las respuestas de la generación Z, por una parte se observa que no existe entendimiento de la afectación del ruido a largo plazo, pero sí perciben como poco a poco este está afectando su calidad de vida. Como resultado se obtuvo cuadros estratégicos dirigidos: a la ciudadanía, a vendedores informales y otros gremios; lo interesante fue lograr el desarrollo de indicadores que permitan medir y controlar el desarrollo de cada uno de los objetivos planteado en cada plan estratégico. Se pudo concluir que en la generación Z, existe un desconocimiento del peligro a largo plazo del ruido, aunque ya algunos están sintiendo sus efectos en su calidad de vida, que mediante la implementación de los cuadros estratégicos se puede lograr una concienciación a largo plazo en la generación Z, además que este puede servir para la generación Alfa.
Diseño de comercialización en la venta de vehículos en la empresa laders.a. de la ciudad de ambato y la influencia en el incremento de las ventas en el periodo 2022
Authors: Mancheno Jara Julia Teresa , Espín Salas Darwin Daniel , Pluas Llamuca Geovanni Gonzalo , López Núñez Henry Robert
Published: March 2023

El desarrollo de la industria del automóvil experimenta una serie de factores que alteran tanto en la percepción de los consumidores, como en la satisfacción y en su disonancia cognitiva que se produce a la hora de tomar decisiones. En Ecuador, la industria automotriz enfrenta actualmente una reducción de ventas debido a reformas económicas como aranceles e impuestos, y cabe mencionar que, como lo señala el Consejo de Ecuador, esta es una industria que genera muchos empleos y contribuye a la economía nacional. inteligencia de negocios e inversión. El objetivo de esta investigación fue realizar un diseño de comercialización de los vehículos de la Empresa LADERS.A., posterioremente se realizó un diseño que permite analizar la influencia en el incremento de las ventas en el periodo 2022 logrando así de manera coordinada el funcionamiento de las actividades en el área implicada. El método se dirigió hacia un enfoque de carácter mixto el cual se define en la unión de la ruta cualitativa y cuantitativa, con una dirección descriptiva que permitió recopilar datos para probar hipótesis, la muestra quedo compuesta por todo su personal el cual era de 14 empleados por medio de una encuesta como instrumento para recolectar información mismas que permitieron llegar a la conclusión que al elaborar un diagrama de flujo permitió solucionar las fallas y descartar dudas que influían con el proceso de ventas, por lo que se recomienda que se continúe trabajando en estrategias donde los empleados se sientan motivados e incentivados y así de una forma clara alcanzar el negocio correcto del automotor.
Effect of FDI Inflows on Employment Generation in Selected ECOWAS Countries: Heterogeneous Panel Analysis
Authors: Aderemi Timothy , Omitogun Olawunmi , Osisanwo Bukonla
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of FDI on employment in ECOWAS sub region between 1990 and 2019. The study utilizes a panel autoregressive distributed lag model to analyze the short run and long run relationship between FDI and employment across ECOWAS sub region. In the short run, the impact of FDI on employment is negative and statistically not significant. Meanwhile, in the long run FDI has a positive and statistically significant impact on employment rate. This implies that FDI has the capacity to generate employment in countries in ECOWAS sub region. Therefore, this study recommends that policymakers in the ECOWAS sub region should facilitate the achievement of productive, employment and decent work for all, policy measure that will facilitate the inflows of FDI should be embarked upon.
Grof geschut
Authors:   , Harmanny Azarja Daniël
Published: March 2023

The Indonesian war of independence has long been referred to in the Netherlands by the veiled propaganda term 'police actions'. In reality, it was a proper war in which the Dutch armed forces fought with modern weapons against the troops of the Indonesian Republic, which was proclaimed in 1945. The use of artillery, bombers and naval gunfire was not shunned in the effort to suppress the armed 'insurgency'.
In this study, the application of artillery and air forces in this four-year war has been systematically examined for the first time. The research shows that the Dutch troops eagerly used heavy weapons to limit the risks for their own troops. Intimidation of the Indonesian opponent and discouraging the population from supporting the independence struggle were also important motivations, next to reprisals or retaliation.
The dissertation provides both statistical overviews and analyses of high-profile battles involving large-scale use of heavy weapons. These show that the effectiveness of the deployment of heavy weapons was highly situationally dependent. Large-scale actions in particular were often a shot in the dark and therefore not very effective. Legacies of violence from the Dutch colonial army (KNIL) and experiences from the recently ended Second World War significantly influenced the way heavy weapons were deployed.
Dutch army command and military personnel were often prepared to accept the consequences of the use of heavy artillery, even if large numbers of civilian casualties were involved. Disproportionate and/or indiscriminate use of heavy weapons went largely unpunished during and after the end of the conflict.
Current morphological and hydroecological characteristics of the Berezan river
Authors: Nakonechna Yu.
Published: March 2023

The article presents the results of two-year ecological, hydrological and hydrochemical studies of Berezan, one of the steppe rivers of Mykolaiv region, which begins the Berezan estuary in the lower part of the Tyligulo-Buzka confluence. The current state of the Berezan River is characterized by a significant level of anthropogenic transformation of the watercourse associated with the construction of cascade ponds. The independent existence of the flow rate and yearround water content of the Berezan River without its support by technical means of water supply is impossible. According to the hydrochemical composition of the river water, it belongs to the bicarbonate-calcium type with a high content of sulfates, chlorides, and sodium, differing in an extremely dynamic level of mineralization — from 760 mg/dm3 during the flood to 2900 mg/dm3 during the low tide. No less active influence on the state of this small steppe river and the Berezan estuary initiated by it are also exerted by natural factors such as increasing aridity of the climate, transgressive tendencies of the Black Sea, increasing environmental temperatures, increasing evaporation volumes and changes in the balance of surface-underground water exchange. Because of this, the Berezan River today is no longer able to independently maintain the water content, flowability and stability of the hydrochemical regime, showing a tendency to transform into a seasonally draining network of streams. The current nature of the water filling of the river is ensured by a cascade of reservoirs and maintenance of the flow rate due to water discharges from the South-Bug irrigation system fed from the South Bug. Despite the hydro-ecological problems, the river is still an important draining watercourse of the Tiligulo-Buzka interfluve, providing drainage, water regulation of the area and replenishment of underground horizons, with which the drinking water supply of 19 settlements is connected.
State of soil fertility in Chernivtsi region
Authors: Zaitsev Yu. , Gunchak M. , Romanova S.
Published: March 2023

The main indicators of soil fertility based on the results of an agrochemical survey of agricultural lands in Chernivtsi region in the XI round (2016–2020) are given. It was established that the acidity of the soil solution in the region is dominated by lands close to neutral (31.8%) and neutral (36.5%). The weighted average indicator of saline pH is 5.8, which corresponds to a close to neutral reaction of the soil solution. According to the level of humus provision, soils with an average humus content prevail (66.7%), and the weighted average humus content in the region is 2.7%. According to the content of easily hydrolysable nitrogen, most of the lands have very low (48.3%) and low nitrogen content (48.7%). The weighted average indicator of easily hydrolysable nitrogen content for the reporting period is 106.4 mg/kg of soil, which corresponds to the low availability of this element. The region is dominated by lands with an average content of mobile phosphorus compounds (31.5%) and the average weighted indicator of the content of mobile phosphorus compounds is 56 mg/kg, which corresponds to average availability. In terms of the content of mobile compounds of potassium, lands with a very high content of potassium prevail (51.5%), although the weighted average indicator of the content of mobile compounds of potassium is 78 mg/kg, which corresponds to the average supply of the macroelement. It was established that in the Chernivtsi region the largest area is occupied by soils of average quality (68.5%), and the weighted average assessment of agricultural land in the Chernivtsi region is 51. A comparison of the quality assessment of the soils of the Chernivtsi region for the 10th (2011–2015) and 11th rounds (2016–2020) of agrochemical surveys was made. The results showed that the quality of the soils in the Kelmentsi and Kitsman districts has hardly changed. The soil quality assessment of Novoselytskyi, Hertsaivskyi, Vyzhnytskyi and Hlybotskyi districts improved by 3–6 points. The qualitative assessment of the condition of the lands of Khotynskyi (+8 points), Storozhynetskyi (+13 points) and Sokyryanskyi (+19 points) districts improved significantly. A decrease in land quality indicators was recorded in Zastavnivskyi (–3 points) and Putilskyi (–4 points) districts.
Elaborating on anti CTLA-4 mechanisms of action using an agent-based modeling approach
Authors: Azarov Ivan , Helmlinger Gabriel , Kosinsky Yuri , Peskov Kirill
Published: March 2023

Anti CTLA-4 therapy is aimed at blocking the Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), a key cancer immunity cycle checkpoint. The mechanism of action of CTLA-4 may be described as a dynamic competition for the B7 ligand which, subsequently, interferes with the CD28-B7 costimulatory pathway. Anti CTLA-4 blockade enhances the process of cognate T cell activation and leads to a broadening of the T cell repertoire. In the present work, we used an agent-based modeling (ABM) platform of T cell immune response development, to explore hypothetical modes of anti CTLA-4 action. The model features a selected number of activated T cell clones, calculated based on combined random and chemotactically-driven encounters with antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) and a distribution of individual T cell affinities to the antigen of interest. The proposed model can be used as a quantitative tool to explore various hypotheses on T cell immunity regulation and validate these against experimental data. A comprehensive ABM model analysis of immune response dynamic simulations revealed several putative anti CTLA-4 mechanisms of action, including: (i) an increase in the probability of primary activation of lymphocytes; (ii) T cell activation enhancement via a prolongation of short contacts with dendritic cells; and (iii) an increase in the maximum level of activation signal (or saturation), accumulated through a series of short contacts with DCs. The modeling work further demonstrates that it is only when considering jointly these various modes of anti CTLA-4 effects on the T cell immune response dynamics that a biologically meaningful increase in both the production of activated cells and the expansion of the T cell repertoire is observed. These model-based results are overall consistent with the collective biological knowledge on the functional role of CTLA-4. Furthermore, the ABM presented here may allow to interrogate various mechanistic scenarios underlying adverse events mediated by anti CTLA-4 pharmacologic therapies.
Leveraging a genetically-informative study design to explore depression as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes: Rationale and participant characteristics of the Mood and Immune Regulation in Twins Study
Authors: Mezuk Briana , Kelly Kristen , Bennion Erica , Concha Jeannie B.
Published: March 2023

Background

Comorbidity between depression and type 2 diabetes is thought to arise from the joint effects of psychological, behavioral, and biological processes. Studies of monozygotic twins may provide a unique opportunity for clarifying how these processes inter-relate. This paper describes the rationale, characteristics, and initial findings of a longitudinal co-twin study aimed at examining the biopsychosocial mechanisms linking depression and risk of diabetes in mid-life.

Methods

Participants in the Mood and Immune Regulation in Twins (MIRT) Study were recruited from the Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry. MIRT consisted of 94 individuals who do not have diabetes at baseline, representing 43 twin pairs (41 monozygotic and 2 dizygotic), one set of monozygotic triplets, and 5 individuals whose co-twin did not participate. A broad set of variables were assessed includingpsychological factors(e.g., lifetime history major depression (MD));social factors(e.g., stress perceptions and experiences); andbiological factors, including indicators of metabolic risk (e.g., BMI, blood pressure (BP), HbA1c) and immune functioning (e.g., pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines), as well as collection of RNA. Participants were re-assessed 6-month later. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and descriptive comparisons were used to explore variation in these psychological, social, and biological factors across time and within pairs.

Results

Mean age was 53 years, 68% were female, and 77% identified as white. One-third had a history of MD, and 18 sibling sets were discordant for MD. MD was associated with higher systolic (139.1 vs 132.2 mmHg, p=0.05) and diastolic BP (87.2 vs. 80.8 mmHg, p=0.002) and IL-6 (1.47 vs. 0.93 pg/mL, p=0.001). MD was not associated with BMI, HbA1c, or other immune markers. While the biological characteristics of the co-twins were significantly correlated, all within-person ICCs were higher than the within-pair correlations (e.g., HbA1c within-person ICC=0.88 vs. within-pair ICC=0.49; IL-6 within-person ICC=0.64 vs. within-pair=0.54). Among the pairs discordant for MD, depression was not substantially associated with metabolic or immune markers, but was positively associated with stress.

Conclusions

Twin studies have the potential to clarify the biopsychosocial processes linking depression and diabetes, and recently completed processing of RNA samples from MIRT permits future exploration of gene expression as a potential mechanism.
Metformin promotes in vitro maturation of oocytes from aged mice by attenuating mitochondrial oxidative stress via SIRT3-dependent SOD2ac
Authors: Cao Yongzhi , Wang Zhao , Zhang Changming , Bian Yuehong , Zhang Xin , Liu Xin , Chen Wendi , Zhao Yueran
Published: March 2023

Human female fecundity decreases irreversibly as chronological age rises, adversely affecting oocyte quality, consequently worsening pregnancy outcomes and increasing the extent of birth defects. The first-line type 2 diabetes treatment metformin has been associated with delayed aging and reduction of oxidative stress; yet it remains unclear if metformin confers any benefits for oocytes from aged mice, particularly in the context of the assisted human reproductive technology (ART) known as in vitro maturation (IVM). Here, we found that adding metformin into the M16 culture medium of oocytes from aged mice significantly improved both oocyte maturation and early embryonic development. This study showed that metformin reduced the extent of meiotic defects and maintained a normal distribution of cortical granules (CGs). RNA-seq analysis of metformin-treated oocytes revealed genes apparently involved in the reduction of mitochondrial ROS. Further, the results supported that the metformin improved mitochondrial function, reduced apoptosis, increased the extent of autophagy, and reduced mitochondrial ROS via SIRT3-mediated acetylation status of SOD2K68 in oocytes from aged mice. Thus, this finding demonstrated a protective effect for metformin against the decreased quality of oocytes from aged mice to potentially improve ART success rates and illustrated a potential strategy to prevent or delay reproductive aging.
Bioconvection pattern of Euglena under periodical illumination
Authors: Suematsu Nobuhiko J. , Yamashita Hiroshi , Iima Makoto
Published: March 2023

Microorganisms respond to environmental conditions and often spontaneously form highly ordered convection patterns. This mechanism has been well-studied from the viewpoint of self-organization. However, environmental conditions in nature are usually dynamic. Naturally, biological systems respond to temporal changes in environmental condition. To elucidate the response mechanisms in such a dynamic environment, we observed the bioconvection pattern of Euglena under periodical changes in illumination. It is known that Euglena shows localized bioconvection patterns under constant homogeneous illumination from the bottom. Periodical changes in light intensity induced two different types of spatiotemporal patterns: alternation of formation and decomposition over a long period and complicated transition of pattern over a short period. Our observations suggest that pattern formation in a periodically changing environment is of fundamental importance to the behavior of biological systems.
Endothelin-1–Endothelin receptor B complex contributes to oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelin deficits during preterm white matter injury
Authors: Du Mengjie , Wang Na , Xin Xiaolong , Yan Chun-Lan , Gu Yan , Wang Liang , Shen Ying
Published: March 2023

Preterm cerebral white matter injury (WMI), a major form of prenatal brain injury, may potentially be treated by oligodendrocyte (OL) precursor cell (OPC) transplantation. However, the defective differentiation of OPCs during WMI seriously hampers the clinical application of OPC transplantation. Thus, improving the ability of transplanted OPCs to differentiate is critical to OPC transplantation therapy for WMI. We established a hypoxia–ischemia-induced preterm WMI model in mice and screened the molecules affected by WMI using single-cell RNA sequencing. We revealed that endothelin (ET)-1 and endothelin receptor B (ETB) are a pair of signaling molecules responsible for the interaction between neurons and OPCs and that preterm WMI led to an increase in the number of ETB-positive OPCs and premyelinating OLs. Furthermore, the maturation of OLs was reduced by knocking out ETB but promoted by stimulating ET-1/ETB signaling. Our research reveals a new signaling module for neuron–OPC interaction and provides new insight for therapy targeting preterm WMI.
Self-actuated biomimetic nanocomposites for photothermal therapy and PD-L1 immunosuppression
Authors: Li Wenxin , Li Fen , Li Tao , Zhang Wenyue , Li Binglin , Liu Kunrui , Lun Xiaoli , Guo Yingshu
Published: March 2023

Biomimetic nanocomposites are widely used in the biomedical field because they can effectively solve the problems existing in the current cancer treatment by realizing multi-mode collaborative treatment. In this study, we designed and synthesized a multifunctional therapeutic platform (PB/PM/HRP/Apt) with unique working mechanism and good tumor treatment effect. Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBs) with good photothermal conversion efficiency were used as nuclei and coated with platelet membrane (PM). The ability of platelets (PLTs) to specifically target cancer cells and inflammatory sites can effectively enhance PB accumulation at tumor sites. The surface of the synthesized nanocomposites was modified with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to enhance the deep penetration of the nanocomposites in cancer cells. In addition, PD-L1 aptamer and 4T1 cell aptamer AS1411 were modified on the nanocomposite to achieve immunotherapy and enhance targeting. The particle size, UV absorption spectrum and Zeta potential of the biomimetic nanocomposite were determined by transmission electron microscope (TEM), Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer and nano-particle size meter, and the successful preparation was proved. In addition, the biomimetic nanocomposites were proved to have good photothermal properties by infrared thermography. The cytotoxicity test showed that it had a good killing ability of cancer cells. Finally, thermal imaging, tumor volume detection, immune factor detection and Haematoxilin-Eosin (HE) staining of mice showed that the biomimetic nanocomposites had good anti-tumor effect and could trigger immune response in vivo. Therefore, this biomimetic nanoplatform as a promising therapeutic strategy provides new inspiration for the current diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Non-linear correlation between amylase day 2 to day 1 ratio and incidence of severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Hong Wandong , Zheng Luyao , Lu Yajing , Qiu Minhao , Yan Ye , Basharat Zarrin , Zippi Maddalena , Zimmer Vincent , Geng Wujun
Published: March 2023

Background

This study aimed to assess whether the amylase day 2/amylase day 1 ratio was associated with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 464 patients with acute pancreatitis. Serum amylase was measured on admission (day 1) and 24 h later (day 2). Univariable logistic regression with restricted cubic spline analysis, multivariable logistic analysis, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the amylase day 2/amylase day 1 ratio and SAP.

Results

A non-linear association between the amylase day 2/amylase day 1 ratio and SAP was observed. The multivariable logistic analysis confirmed that a high amylase day 2/amylase day 1 ratio (≥0.3) was independently associated with the development of SAP (OR: 6.62). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the amylase day 2/amylase day 1 ratio, as a predictive factor for SAP, was 0.65. When amylase ratio ≥0.3 was counted as 1 point and added to the BISAP score to build a new model named the BISAPA (BISAP plus Amylase ratio) score (AUC = 0.86), it improved the diagnostic power of the original BISAP score (AUC = 0.83) for SAP. With a cut-off value of 3, the BISAPA score achieved a sensitivity of 66.0%, a specificity of 86.7%, and diagnostic accuracy of 84.48%.

Conclusions

There is a non-linear correlation between the amylase day 2/amylase day 1 ratio and the incidence of SAP. BISAPA score might also be a useful tool for the same purpose.
Construction and application of a heterogeneous quality control library for the Xpert MTB/RIF assay in tuberculosis diagnosis
Authors: Guan Zehao , Han Xuefei , Huang Weigang , Wang Xueliang , Wang Hualiang , Fan Yun
Published: March 2023

Proficiency testing based on quality control materials is an important component of the quality assurance system for detection methods. However, in the detection of infectious diseases, it is a challenge to use quality control materials derived from clinical samples or pathogens owing to their infectious nature. The Xpert MTB/RIF assay, endorsed by the World Health Organization, is one of the most widely implemented assays in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis along with rifampicin resistance and its heterogeneity. Clinical isolates are typically used as quality controls for this assay, leading to concerns about biosafety, constrained target sequence polymorphisms, and time-consuming preparation. In this study, a heterogeneous quality control library for the Xpert MTB/RIF assay was constructed based on DNA synthesis and site-directed mutation, which provides sufficient rifampicin resistance polymorphisms, enabling monitoring all five probes of Xpert MTB/RIF and its combinations. Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis were used as heterogeneous hosts rather than the pathogen itself to eliminate biosafety risks; thus, preparation does not require a biosafety level III laboratory and the production time is reduced from a few months to a few days. The panel was stable for more than 15 months stored at 4°C and could be distributed at room temperature. All 11 laboratories in Shanghai participating in a pilot survey identified the specimens with corresponding probe patterns, and discordant results highlighted inappropriate operations in the process. Collectively, we show, for the first time, that this library, based on heterogeneous hosts, is an appropriate alternative for M. tuberculosis detection.
Information governance as a socio-technical process in the development of trustworthy healthcare AI
Authors: Rees Nigel , Holding Kelly , Sujan Mark
Published: March 2023

In this paper we describe our experiences of managing information governance (IG) processes for the assurance of healthcare AI, using the example of an out-of-hospital-cardiac-arrest recognition software within the context of the Welsh Ambulance Service. We frame IG as a socio-technical process. IG processes for the development of trustworthy healthcare AI rely on information governance work, which entails dialogue, negotiation, and trade-offs around the legal basis for data sharing, data requirements and data control. Information governance work should start early in the design life cycle and will likely continue throughout. This includes a focus on establishing and building relationships, as well as a focus on organizational readiness and deeper understanding of both AI technologies as well as their safety assurance requirements.
WGCNA combined with machine learning algorithms for analyzing key genes and immune cell infiltration in heart failure due to ischemic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kong XiangJin , Sun HouRong , Wei KaiMing , Meng LingWei , Lv Xin , Liu ChuanZhen , Lin FuShun , Gu XingHua
Published: March 2023

Background

Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) induced heart failure (HF) is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. This study aimed to find candidate genes for ICM-HF and to identify relevant biomarkers by machine learning (ML).

Methods

The expression data of ICM-HF and normal samples were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ICM-HF and normal group were identified. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment and gene ontology (GO) annotation analysis, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, gene pathway enrichment analysis (GSEA), and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) were performed. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was applied to screen for disease-associated modules, and relevant genes were derived using four ML algorithms. The diagnostic values of candidate genes were assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The immune cell infiltration analysis was performed between the ICM-HF and normal group. Validation was performed using another gene set.

Results

A total of 313 DEGs were identified between ICM-HF and normal group of GSE57345, which were mainly enriched in biological processes and pathways related to cell cycle regulation, lipid metabolism pathways, immune response pathways, and intrinsic organelle damage regulation. GSEA results showed positive correlations with pathways such as cholesterol metabolism in the ICM-HF group compared to normal group and lipid metabolism in adipocytes. GSEA results also showed a positive correlation with pathways such as cholesterol metabolism and a negative correlation with pathways such as lipolytic presentation in adipocytes compared to normal group. Combining multiple ML and cytohubba algorithms yielded 11 relevant genes. After validation using the GSE42955 validation sets, the 7 genes obtained by the machine learning algorithm were well verified. The immune cell infiltration analysis showed significant differences in mast cells, plasma cells, naive B cells, and NK cells.

Conclusion

Combined analysis using WGCNA and ML identified coiled-coil-helix-coiled-coil-helix domain containing 4 (CHCHD4), transmembrane protein 53 (TMEM53), acid phosphatase 3 (ACPP), aminoadipate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (AASDH), purinergic receptor P2Y1 (P2RY1), caspase 3 (CASP3) and aquaporin 7 (AQP7) as potential biomarkers of ICM-HF. ICM-HF may be closely related to pathways such as mitochondrial damage and disorders of lipid metabolism, while the infiltration of multiple immune cells was identified to play a critical role in the progression of the disease.
Get to the heart of pediatric kidney transplant recipients: Evaluation of left- and right ventricular mechanics by three-dimensional echocardiography
Authors: Ladányi Zsuzsanna , Bárczi Adrienn , Fábián Alexandra , Ujvári Adrienn , Cseprekál Orsolya , Kis Éva , Reusz György Sándor , Kovács Attila , Merkely Béla , Lakatos Bálint Károly
Published: March 2023

Background

Kidney transplantation (KTX) markedly improves prognosis in pediatric patients with end-stage kidney failure. Still, these patients have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease due to multiple risk factors. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography allows detailed assessment of the heart and may unveil distinct functional and morphological changes in this patient population that would be undetectable by conventional methods. Accordingly, our aim was to examine left- (LV) and right ventricular (RV) morphology and mechanics in pediatric KTX patients using 3D echocardiography.

Materials and methods

Pediatric KTX recipients (n = 74) with median age 20 (14–26) years at study enrollment (43% female), were compared to 74 age and gender-matched controls. Detailed patient history was obtained. After conventional echocardiographic protocol, 3D loops were acquired and measured using commercially available software and the ReVISION Method. We measured LV and RV end-diastolic volumes indexed to body surface area (EDVi), ejection fraction (EF), and 3D LV and RV global longitudinal (GLS) and circumferential strains (GCS).

Results

Both LVEDVi (67 ± 17 vs. 61 ± 9 ml/m2; p < 0.01) and RVEDVi (68 ± 18 vs. 61 ± 11 ml/m2; p < 0.01) were significantly higher in KTX patients. LVEF was comparable between the two groups (60 ± 6 vs. 61 ± 4%; p = NS), however, LVGLS was significantly lower (−20.5 ± 3.0 vs. −22.0 ± 1.7%; p < 0.001), while LVGCS did not differ (−29.7 ± 4.3 vs. −28.6 ± 10.0%; p = NS). RVEF (59 ± 6 vs. 61 ± 4%; p < 0.05) and RVGLS (−22.8 ± 3.7 vs. −24.1 ± 3.3%; p < 0.05) were significantly lower, however, RVGCS was comparable between the two groups (−23.7 ± 4.5 vs. −24.8 ± 4.4%; p = NS). In patients requiring dialysis prior to KTX (n = 64, 86%) RVGCS showed correlation with the length of dialysis (r = 0.32, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Pediatric KTX patients demonstrate changes in both LV and RV morphology and mechanics. Moreover, the length of dialysis correlated with the contraction pattern of the right ventricle.
Role of plaque imaging for identification of vulnerable patients beyond the stage of myocardial ischemia
Authors: Kitada Ryoko , Otsuka Kenichiro , Fukuda Daiju
Published: March 2023

Chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) is a progressive disease, which often first manifests as acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Imaging modalities are clinically useful in making decisions about the management of patients with CCS. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that myocardial ischemia is a surrogate marker for CCS management; however, its ability to predict cardiovascular death or nonfatal myocardial infarction is limited. Herein, we present a review that highlights the latest knowledge available on coronary syndromes and discuss the role and limitations of imaging modalities in the diagnosis and management of patients with coronary artery disease. This review covers the essential aspects of the role of imaging in assessing myocardial ischemia and coronary plaque burden and composition. Furthermore, recent clinical trials on lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory therapies have been discussed. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive overview of intracoronary and noninvasive cardiovascular imaging modalities and an understanding of ACS and CCS, with a focus on histopathology and pathophysiology.
Quantifying uncertainty in the temporal disposition of groundwater inundation under sea level rise projections
Authors: Chambers Lee A. , Hemmings Brioch , Cox Simon C. , Moore Catherine , Knowling Matthew J. , Hayley Kevin , Rekker Jens , Mourot Frédérique M. , Glassey Phil , Levy Richard
Published: March 2023

Over the next century, coastal regions are under threat from projected rising sea levels and the potential emergence of groundwater at the land surface (groundwater inundation). The potential economic and social damages of this largely unseen, and often poorly characterised natural hazard are substantial. To support risk-based decision making in response to this emerging hazard, we present a Bayesian modelling framework (or workflow), which maps the spatial distribution of groundwater level uncertainty and inundation under Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projections of Sea Level Rise (SLR). Such probabilistic mapping assessments, which explicitly acknowledge the spatial uncertainty of groundwater flow model predictions, and the deep uncertainty of the IPCC-SLR projections themselves, remains challenging for coastal groundwater systems. Our study, therefore, presents a generalisable workflow to support decision makers, that we demonstrate for a case study of a low-lying coastal region in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our results provide posterior predictive distributions of groundwater levels to map susceptibility to the groundwater inundation hazard, according to exceedance of specified model top elevations. We also explore the value of history matching (model calibration) in the context of reducing predictive uncertainty, and the benefits of predicting changes (rather than absolute values) in relation to a decision threshold. The latter may have profound implications for the many at-risk coastal communities and ecosystems, which are typically data poor. We conclude that history matching can indeed increase the spatial confidence of posterior groundwater inundation predictions for the 2030-2050 timeframe.
Physical property response of peri-well sediments during cementing of gas hydrate-bearing sediments in conventional oil-gas wells in the South China Sea
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Zheng Mingming , Zhou Kerui , Qi Qiaomu , Wu Zurui , Yan Shichun , Zeng Guoao , Ma Ting
Published: March 2023

In order to investigate the effect of cement slurry penetration during cementing in gas hydrate-bearing sediments. In this study, gas hydrate bearing sediments in Shenhu Area of the South China Sea is taken as the research object, numerical simulation software TOUGH+HYDRATE is used to realistically reproduce the process of cement slurry exothermic and penetration by “continuous segmental simulation.” The physical properties response of sediments near the well wall during cementing under different cementing process parameters and sediment geological parameters are well studied. Results show that the hydration exothermic rate of cement slurry has significant influence on the decomposition degree of hydrate in the penetration area, when it is higher than 0.21 J·(g·s)−1, the hydrate in the penetration range is completely decomposed. The cementing pressure difference affects the cement slurry penetration depth, the extent of sediment pressurization and heat-up, which in turn affects the range of the decomposition zones. In addition, it is helpful to increase pore pressure and hydrate phase equilibrium, but it should be strictly controlled within the window of sediment fracture pressure. Extending the holding time of cementing pressure difference expands the heat-up and decomposition zones, but also delays the onset of hydrate decomposition. Higher saturation prevents the penetration of cement slurry and weakens the diffusion of pore pressure, which causes the shrinkage of the heat-up and decomposition zones, and makes higher pressure in the decomposition zone. The hydrate phase equilibrium environment directly determines the resistance of hydrate sediments to perturbation, with insignificant changes in physical properties in stable sediments. The permeability affects the transport efficiency of pore fluid and expands the heat-up zone and decomposition zone, but also weakens the pore pressure peak of sediment, the increase of permeability from 1 to 100 mD expands the decomposition zone from 1 to 10 cm. The porosity has a less significant effects on the extent of sediment physical properties. This study is a valuable guide and reference for hydrate sediment cementing operations.
Distribution of ancient landslides and landslide hazard assessment in the Western Himalayan Syntaxis area
Authors: Cui Yulong , Yang Wenhao , Xu Chong , Wu Shuai
Published: March 2023

The Western Himalayan Syntaxis area is located near the Pamir Plateau. The geological structure is active and geological disasters occur frequently in this area. In this study, we employed the Google Earth platform and visual interpretation to identify ancient landslides in the region and to establish a regional ancient landslide database. Then, nine landslide-influencing factors (elevation, slope, aspect, curvature, distance to the river, distance to a glacier, lithology, distance to fault and distance to the epicenter of earthquakes above magnitude 5) were examined using ArcGIS software. The spatial distribution of landslides were analyzed statistically. Finally, an IV model and WoE model were used to evaluate the regional landslide hazard and the evaluation results were verified via a confusion matrix and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The landslide database contained 7,947 landslides in this area with a total area of 3747.27 km2. Landslides were mostly developed at an elevation of 4,000–5,000 m, a slope of 15–25°, a north aspect, curvature of −0.33 to 0.33, distance to the water system of 1,000–2000 m, distance to a glacier of 2000–5,000 m, Permian sandstone, siltstone, argillaceous sandstone and Triassic siltstone, conglomerate and fine conglomerate, and distance to a fault of 20,000–50,000 m. The accuracy of the IV and WoE models was relatively high. The comprehensive accuracy of the confusion matrix of the two models was above 70% and the AUC value of the ROC curve was above 75%. The landslide database of the Western Himalayan Syntaxis was established and the landslide distribution and hazard assessment results can be used as a reference for landslide disaster prevention and mitigation and engineering construction planning in this area.
Mexican school students’ perceptions of inclusion: A brief report on students’ social inclusion, emotional well-being, and academic self-concept at school
Authors: Pozas Marcela , Trujillo Claudia Jaquelina González , Letzel-Alt Verena
Published: March 2023

With the increasing student diversity, inclusive education has only become more relevant. Given that inclusive education is considered as the most effective approach to improve quality of education and promote equity and social cohesion, research has focused on examining the facilitators and barriers of meaningful inclusive education as well as the effectiveness of inclusive education on students’ academic outcomes. In contrast, far less attention has been paid to explore students’ non-achievement outcomes, such as their socio-emotional development. Therefore, this brief report presents the results of a small-scale exploratory study which examines Mexican students’ perceptions regarding their social inclusion, emotional well-being, and academic self-concept. A total of 101 Mexican students were included in the sample. Nonparametric tests such as Chi-square goodness of fit, Mann–Whitney U and Dunn’s tests were conducted to analyze the data. Overall, results show that students in general perceive themselves included at school, however, students attending private schools experience less emotional well-being. Implications of the results as well as further lines of research are discussed.
SynBio in 3D: The first synthetic genetic circuit as a 3D printed STEM educational resource
Authors: Oss Boll Heloísa , de Castro Leitão Matheus , Garay Aisel Valle , Batista Ana Carolina Campos , de Resende Sophia Garcia , da Silva Leonardo Ferreira , Reis Viviane Castelo Branco , Vieira Emerson Monteiro , Coelho Cíntia Marques
Published: March 2023

Synthetic biology is a new area of science that operates at the intersection of engineering and biology and aims to design and synthesize living organisms and systems to perform new or improved functions. Despite the important role it plays in resolving global issues, instructing synthetic biology can be challenged by a limited availability of specific educational materials and techniques for explaining complex molecular mechanisms. On the other hand, digital fabrication tools, which allow the creation of 3D objects, are increasingly used for educational purposes, and several computational structures of molecular components commonly used in synthetic biology processes are deposited in open databases. Therefore, we hypothesized that the use of computer-assisted design (CAD) and 3D printing to create biomolecular structural models through hands-on interaction, followed by reflective observation, critical and analytical thinking, could enhance students’ learning in synthetic biology. In this sense, the present work describes the design, 3D printing process, and evaluation in classrooms of the molecular models of the first synthetic biological circuit, the genetic toggle switch. The 3D printed molecular structures can be freely downloaded and used by teachers to facilitate the training of STEM students in synthetic biology. Most importantly, the results demonstrated that our resource showed a significant positive impact (p < 0.05) on students’ learning process, indicating that the proposed method helped them better understand the genetic toggle switch.