bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New species of Demidospermus (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) from the gills of Pseudoplatystoma punctifer (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) collected in the Peruvian Amazonia
Authors: Morey Germán Augusto Murrieta , Rojas Carlos Alfredo Tuesta , Dávila Gladys Vargas , Chu Luciano Alfredo Rodríguez
Published: February 2023

Pseudoplatystoma punctifer is a catfish species that occupies the first place in the statistics of fishing landings in the region of Loreto, being of economic importance in the Peruvian Amazonia. As an initiative to know the parasites present in the gills of P. punctifer from the Peruvian Amazon, a study was carried out with fish collected in the Belén Market, in Loreto-Peru. Specimens were provided between June and October 2018 from local fishermen from the Belén Market, in Loreto-Peru and samples were processed and analyzed in the “Laboratorio de Parasitología y Sanidad Acuícola” from the “Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana” (IIAP) in Iquitos, Loreto-Peru. The analyzes of the gills revealed the presence of two new species of Monogenoidea: Demidospermus aureagarciae n. sp. and D. doncellae n. sp. These species are unique among congeners by the morphology of the copulatory complex and the vagina. Demidospermus aureagarciae n. sp presents a male copulatory organ as a coiled tube, with a complete counterclockwise ring, with dilated base with a developed sclerotized margin, from which a flap projects; a concave accessory piece, with a tapered and curved distal part and a saculiform vaginal vestibule, connected to the vaginal canal. Demidospermus doncellae n. sp. presents a copulatory complex that is an elongated coiled tube, with approximately three counterclockwise rings, with dilated base with a developed sclerotized margin, from which a flap projects; an accessory piece sheath like, and a sclerotized vagina with dextral position, with saclike vaginal vestibule, connected to an elongated canal.
Statistical Downscaling for Precipitation Projections in West Africa
Authors: Polasky Andrew , Evans Jenni L. , Fuentes Jose D.
Published: February 2023

The West Africa region (5to 20N and 10E to 20W) is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to a combination of unique geographic features, meteorological conditions, and socio-economic factors. Drastic changes in precipitation (e.g., droughts or floods) in the region can have dramatic impacts on rain-fed agriculture, water availability, and disease risks for the region's population. Quantifying these risks requires localized climate projections at a higher resolution than is generally available from global climate models. Using Self-Organizing Maps, we produce station-based downscaled precipitation projections for medium and high-emission climate scenarios for this region. We find slight increases in precipitation in the coastal areas, and decreases in the interior Sahel region by an average of 10\% by 2100 under the high greenhouse gas-emission scenario of Shared Socioeonomic Pathway 5-8.5. Precipitation decreases in the Sahel are primarily driven by reductions in the number of rainy days during the wet season, rather than by consistent decreases in the magnitude of the precipitation amounts or decreases in the average length of the wet season.
DNA methylation signatures of Multiple Sclerosis occur independently of genetic risk and are primarily attributed to B cells and monocytes
Authors: Xavier Alexandre , Maltby Vicki E , Ewing Ewoud , Campagna Maria Pia , Burnard Sean Michael , Tegner Jesper N , Slee Mark , Butzkueven Helmut , Kockum Ingrid , Kular Lara , Jokubaitis Vilija G , Kilpatrick Trevor , Alfredsson Lars , Jagodic Maja , Ponsonby Anne-Louise , Taylor Bruce , Scott Rodney John , Lea Rodney A , Lechner-Scott Jeannette
Published: February 2023

Multiple sclerosis is a complex autoimmune disease that causes neuronal demyelination and debilitating physical and cognitive symptoms. Epigenetic factors can mediate genetic and environmental effects on disease risk. Here we profiled blood-based DNA methylation in 583 MS cases and 643 healthy controls representing 3 independent study groups. An epigenome-wide association study was performed, incorporating statistical deconvolution to identify immune cell-specific signals, which were validated in purified cell subsets. First, we elucidated the mediation effects of methylation at the HLA risk locus. Second, we identified methylation differences in MS that occur independently of known genetic risk loci and show that these differences more strongly differentiate disease than HLA genotype and the polygenic risk score. Finally, we show that methylation differences in MS occur predominantly in B cells and monocytes and indicate the involvement of cell-specific biological pathways. Overall, this study comprehensively characterizes the immune cell specific epigenetic architecture of MS.
The Evolution and Development of ecotranslatology Studies in China: Based on the Analysis of CiteSpace Mapping Knowledge Domains
Authors: Xin XIONG , Hui QIN , Xiangtao LIU
Published: February 2023

The present study endeavors to unveil the progression of research subjects within the realm of China’s ecotranslatology studies through the examination of journal papers in the CNKI database from 2001 to 2022, utilizing CiteSpace software for mapping and analyzing co-occurrences among authors, institutions, and keywords. The findings indicate that within ecotranslatology studies, a prominent theory-founding research group represented by Hu Gengshen has been established, yet no comparable clusters have been identified among scholars engaged in debate or applied studies. Additionally, a lack of effective cooperation and diversity among research entities as well as inadequate responses to questions and concerns have been observed. Furthermore, research focuses have undergone a shift, progressing from theory founding studies (2001-2008) to confirmation and verification studies (2009-2014) and finally to revision and applied studies (since 2015). Additionally, research topics have transitioned from grand, abstract theoretical foundations to subtle, specific theory revisions and applied translation studies, yet a dearth of quantitative research, comparative studies, or field studies have been conducted. In conclusion, it is suggested that future ecotranslatology studies should be more responsive to doubts and questions, cultivate diverse research entities, and place greater emphasis on field investigation within qualitative research.
Methotrexate degradation in artificial wastewater using non-thermal pencil plasma jet
Authors: Rathore Vikas
Published: February 2023

The rising global cancer rate is driving up the consumption of anticancer drugs. This causing a noticeable increase in the levels of these drugs in wastewater. The drugs are not metabolized effectively by the human body, leading to their presence in human waste, as well as in the effluent from hospitals and drug manufacturing industries. Methotrexate is a commonly used drug for treating various types of cancer. Its complex organic structure makes it difficult to degrade using conventional methods. The present work proposed a non-thermal pencil plasma jet treatment for methotrexate degradation. The air plasma produced in this jet setup is electrical characterized and plasma species/radicals are identified using emission spectroscopy. The degradation of drug is monitored by studying the change in solution physiochemical properties, HPLC-UV analysis, and removal of total organic carbon, etc.
Results show that a 9-minute plasma treatment completely degraded the drug solution that followed first order degradation kinetics with rate constant 0.38 min-1 and 84.54% mineralization was observed. Additionally, an increase in electrical conductivity and dissolved solids compared to virgin water-plasma interaction indicated the formation of new, smaller compounds (2,4-Diaminopteridine-6-carboxylic acid, N-(4-Aminobenzoyl)-L-glutamic acid, etc.) after drug degradation. The plasma-treated methotrexate solution also showed lower toxicity towards freshwater chlorella algae compared to the untreated solution. Finally, it can be said that non-thermal plasma jets are economically and environmentally friendly devices that have the potential to be used for the treatment of complex and resistive anticancer drugpolluted wastewaters.
EBUS-GS with the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay for diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of isolated pulmonary nodules
Authors: cao jie , Gu Ye , Wu Xiao-cui , Cheng Li-ping , Wang Lei , Qu Qing-rong , Sha Wei , Sun Qin
Published: February 2023

Objective
Investigate the use of endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) combined with Gene Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) for diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection in isolated pulmonary nodules.
Methods
Patients who had isolated pulmonary nodules and unknown diagnoses at our institution from October 2020 to December 2021 were prospectively examined using EBUS-GS and Xpert. The diagnostic values of using EBUS-GS or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) with acid-fast staining, MGIT 960 culture, pathological examination, and Xpert for isolated pulmonary nodules caused by MTB infection were compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.
Results
There were 135 patients, 64 with isolated pulmonary tuberculomas and 71 with non-tuberculous lesions. The diagnostic sensitivity of EBUS-GS was significantly higher than that of BALF with Xpert (57.81% vs. 25%, P < 0.001), MGIT 960 culture (35.94% vs. 23.44%, P = 0.039), and acid-fast staining (17.19% vs. 6.25%, P = 0.016). Use of EBUS-GS with Xpert and MGIT 960 culture further increased the sensitivity to 62.50% (95%CI: 50.64–74.36) and increased the specificity to 100%. The AUC values of BALF with MGIT 960 culture was 0.617 (95%CI: 0.521–0.713) and BALF with Xpert was 0.625(95%CI: 0.529–0.721). The AUC values of EBUS-GS with MGIT 960 culture was 0.680 (95%CI: 0.554–0.743), with pathological examination was 0.713 (95%CI: 0.573–0.760), and with Xpert was 0.789 (95%CI: 0.655–0.829).
Conclusion
Use of EBUS-GS with Xpert had high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of isolated pulmonary tuberculoma. This method has significant potential for use in clinical practice.
A Qualitative Research Exploring the Experiences of Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Advanced Lung Cancer
Authors: HOU Yunxia , HOU Yingge , LI Jing , YU Lijuan , YAN Ling
Published: February 2023

Purposes: In patients with advanced lung cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) dramatically extended survival. We aimed to investigate the experiences of patients with advanced lung cancer who are receiving ICIs, with a focus on perceptions and sentiments on ICIs, to inform future research and clinical care.
Methods: Patients were recruited from January - July 2022 at Tianjin Medical University Hospital Cancer Institute & Hospital. The method of purposive sampling was used. Patients with stage IV lung cancer who were taking ICIs as a single therapy were recruited. Data were gathered using semi-structured and face-to-face interview. An inductive approach to analysis was used.
Results: Of the 42 eligible patients, 27 were invited, 20 agreed to participate, and ultimately 17 patients completed the interview. A total of 5 themes were extracted: suffered from adverse effects but generally tolerable; focus on survival, hope, and expectation; uncertainty about durability of response and the future; poor knowledge and attitude of ICIs; and financial stress and guilt over family.
Conclusion: These findings make an important contribution to healthcare professionals' understanding of what it is like to be a patient with advanced lung cancer who is receiving ICIs. In general, the experience of immunotherapy is different from that of chemotherapy, financial and family pressures and uncertainty issues are likely to be heavier in this population. Oncology specialist nurses should provide tailored education to improve the patient's knowledge of immunotherapy, especially to improve risk awareness of immune-related adverse events and objective prognosis expectations.
Reallocation, Firm Dynamics, and Productivity Growth: Evidence from Eswatini’s Manufacturing Sector
Authors: Mhlanga Samuel
Published: February 2023

See mansucript PDF file for abstract with equation
This article investigates the contributions of real productivity, firm-size rationalization, and net-entry effects to aggregate labour productivity (ALP) growth using a panel dataset from Eswatini’s manufacturing sector. It compares these results with what obtains in world economies at different stages of development. After controlling for extreme values, it found a persistent annual average increase of 2.67% in real productivity. The sector also experienced labour reallocation gains of 0.26% from incumbents and suffered losses of 0.43% from the entry/exit margins. Thus, within-firm effects dominated the intensive and extensive forms of labour input reallocation a fortiori. Further, cross-sectional distributions of up-to the fourth-order moment of labour shortages were used as sources of exogenous variation in endogenous aggregate employment growth when estimating the impact of the latter on reallocation. The first-order moment was strongly associated with changes in aggregate employment growth while higher-order moments had insignificant effects. In contrast, the reshuffling of labour among incumbents and across sectors was robustly unresponsive to variations in aggregate employment growth. However, a unit percentage point increase in aggregate employment growth from a Two Stage Least Squares (TSLS) estimator inversely varied with net-entry effects at the rate of β̂ 𝑇𝑆𝐿𝑆𝜖(-0.976, -0.926), depending on model specification.
JEL Classification: J24, L6, O47.
HDAC8-Selective Inhibition by PCI-34051 Attenuates Inflammation and Airway Remodeling in Asthma via miR-381-3p-TGFβ3 axis
Authors: Su Xinming , Bai Shiyao , Kong Delei , Feng Chenye , Zhang Xiaochun , Zhao Jieyu , Sun Jiamin
Published: February 2023

Background: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) families regulate a wide range of physical processes and development of several diseases, and the role of HDACs in asthma development and progression is worth further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate HDAC effects in a mouse model of asthma.
Methods: HDAC8 selective inhibitor PCI-34051 was administered to a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and challenged asthma. Airway responsiveness, serum cytokines, histological changes of the airway, and expression levels of α-SMA, b-actin, VEGFR, VEGF, GAPDH, HDAC8, TGF-b3, CD 105, p-ERK 1/2, ERK 1/2, PI3K, p-AKT, AKT, and PDK1 were evaluated. The miR-381-3p level was also measured.
Results: All classic histologic and cellular changes of asthma in inflammation and airway remodeling were altered by HDAC8 inhibitor PCI-34051 via regulating the miR-381-3p level and its downstream gene TGF-b3. Inhibition of TGF-b3 further reduced the activation of ERK, PI3K, AKT and PDK1.
Conclusions: HDAC8 inhibitor PCI-34051 exhibits comprehensive control of asthmatic changes, including inflammation and airway remodeling, in a mouse model.
Avifaunal Diversity of Northwestern Himalayas (Jammu & Kashmir) and Trans Himalayas (Ladakh)
Authors: Yousuf Parvaiz , Parvaiz Semran , Zehbi Nisheet , Zargar Bilal Nasir , Rather Rouf , Tantray Javeed Ahmad , Lateef Mohammad
Published: February 2023

The Himalayas are home to a wide variety of animals and plants, making it one of the world's most biodiverse regions. Both the northwestern Himalayan region of Jammu & Kashmir and the trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh are home to a wide variety of bird species because of varied topography and temperature. In this study, we collected the field data and checklists over a period of 3 years based on the compilation of data from published & unpublished scientific literature, print & electronic, currently accessible in the form of research articles, papers, books, websites, web pages, & field notes. The Northwestern Himalayas (Jammu and Kashmir) and trans-Himalayas (Ladakh) are home to 677 bird species belonging to 89 families (out of 107 families in the Indian sub-continent), which is equal to 6.77% of total bird species (>10000) found globally and 49.2% of total bird species (1376) found in the Indian subcontinent. The family Muscicapidae (53, 7.8%) has the most species, followed by Accipitridae (41, 6%), and so on. Moreover, the number of threatened species is 54 (8%), which includes 22 (3.25%), 23 (3.40%), 6 (0.8%) & 3 (0.44%) under Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, & Critically Endangered categories. Among 677 species, 228 species (33.77%) are found in all the 3 regions, 77 (11.4%) in only Jammu & Kashmir but not Ladakh, 24 (3.55%) in Jammu & Ladakh but not in Kashmir, 80 (11.85%) in Kashmir & Ladakh but not in Jammu, 152 (22.5%) only in Jammu but not in Kashmir & Ladakh, 26 (3.84%) only in Kashmir but not in Jammu & Ladakh, 71 (10.51%) only in Ladakh but not in Jammu & Kashmir. This provides the first-of-its-kind comprehensive data on bird diversity in these regions.
Analysis of People’s Opinions Based on the Vaccination Procedure and E-Commerce Product Reviews using XLNET Framework
Authors: patidar Mrs RITU PATIDAR , PATEL SACHIN PATEL
Published: February 2023

Many people have been severely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, which has left them anxious, terrified, and other difficult feelings. Since the introduction of coronavirus vaccinations, people’s emotional spectrum has broadened and become more sophisticated. We want to perceive and interpret their sentiments using deep learning techniques in this work. The most efficient way to convey one’s thoughts and feelings right now is via social media, and using Twitter may help one have a better knowledge of what is popular and what is going through other people’s minds.Analysing and visualisation of data plays a vital role in Data Science; as customers over e-commerce increase, feedback/reviews shared by them increase significantly, and decisions by a new customer to buy a product or not rely on these reviews; reviews might falsely be displayed which may be involving in controlling if any products demand and supply so, reviews analysing and visualisationto understand their genuinely play an important role over e-commerce nowadays. Our primary objective in conducting this study was to understand better the various perspectives held by individuals on the process of vaccination and reviews of products purchased online.The proposed work displayed the way to analyses and visualisation methodologies which give quick and faster grasping of the e-commerce data even with high dimensions, which gives a quicker conceptual understanding of the data.The proposed data was analysed based on various parameters, which gives a wholesome overview of the data, and the relationship of data with various other parameters; all correlation and non-correlation variables were mapped and analysed.The proposed work gives an idea about observations in sentiments over different arguments and which sentiments are related to each parameter; it creates the scope for modelling to extract some decision-making insights from the data to make application areas such as product quality and customer satisfaction efficient based on the results of modelling.
Bacteroides rhinocerotis sp. nov., isolated from the fresh feces of rhinoceros in Beijing Zoo
Authors: Li Xue , Sun Peilin , Gong Liang , Shi Weixiong , Xiang ZhiGuang , Li Ming , Su Lei , Qin Chuan
Published: February 2023

A Gram˗stain˗negative, anaerobic, non˗motile, non˗spore˗forming, rod˗shaped bacterial strain named as NGMCC 1.200684T was isolated from the fresh feces of rhinoceros in Beijing Zoo. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain NGMCC 1.200684T belonged to the genus Bacteroides and was most strongly related to the type strain of Bacteroides uniformis ATCC 8492T (96.88%). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 46.62 mol%. Between strains NGMCC 1.200684T and Bacteroides uniformis ATCC 8492T, the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA˗DNA hybridization (dDDH) were 93.89 and 67.60%, respectively. Strain NGMCC 1.200684T can produce acid from fermentation of several substrates, including glucose, mannitol, lactose, saccharose, maltose, salicin, xylose, cellobiose, mannose, raffinose, sorbitol, trehalose, D˗galactose，maltotriose. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were identified as anteiso˗C15:0, iso˗C15:0, iso˗C14:0, iso˗C17:0 3˗OH. The polar lipid profile of strain NGMCC 1.200684T was determined to contain diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unknown phospholipids, two unknown aminophospholipids. Based on phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, a novel species of the genus Bacteroides, Bacteroides rhinocerotis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NGMCC 1.200684T (=CGMCC 1.18013T=JCM 35702T).
Ionic Liquid Coating-Driven Nanoparticle Delivery to the Brain: Applications for NeuroHIV
Authors: Hamadani Christine M. , Mahdi Fakhri , Merrell Anya , Flanders Jack , Cao Ruofan , Vashisth Priyavrat , Pride Mercedes C. , Hunter Alysha N. , Singh Gagandeep , Roman Gregg , Paris Jason J. , Tanner Eden E. L.
Published: February 2023

Delivering cargo to the central nervous system (CNS) remains a pharmacological challenge. For infectious diseases such as HIV, the CNS acts as a latent reservoir that is inadequately managed by systemic antiretrovirals (ARTs). ARTs thus cannot eradicate HIV, and given CNS infection, patients experience an array of neurological deficits that are collectively referred to as ‘neuroHIV’. Herein we report the development of bioinspired ionic liquid-coated nanoparticles (IL-NPs) for in situ hitchhiking on red blood cells (RBCs), which enabled 48% delivery of intravenously infused cargo to the brain. Moreover, the ionic liquid (IL) choline trans-2-hexenoate (CA2HA 1:2) demonstrated preferential accumulation in parenchymal microglia over endothelial cells post-delivery. We further demonstrate the successful loading of abacavir (ABC), an ART that is challenging to encapsulate, into the IL-coated NPs and verify the retention of antiviral efficacy in vitro. IL-NPs were not cytotoxic to primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the CA2HA 1:2 coating conferred notable anti-viremic capacity on its own. In addition, in vitro cell culture assays showed markedly increased uptake of IL-coated nanoparticles into neuronal cells compared to bare nanoparticles. This work debuts bioinspired ionic liquids as promising nanoparticle coatings to assist CNS biodistribution and has the potential to revolutionize the delivery of cargos (i.e., drugs, viral vectors) through compartmental barriers such as the blood-brain-barrier (BBB), illustrated in the graphical abstract below.
Engineering a HER2-CAR-NK cell secreting soluble programmed cell death protein with superior anti- tumor efficacy
Authors: Xia Wenjiao , Chen Jiaxin , Hou Wenqing , Chen Junshen , Xiong Ying , Li Hongyan , Qi Xin , Xu Hui , Xie Zhuoquan , Li Mingfeng , Zhang Xiaomin , Li Jing
Published: February 2023

To improve the therapeutic efficacy to relapse patient based-trastuzumab therapy, new therapy strategy was urgent to be explored. It is well known that HER2-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) expressing NK cells is rapid development for solid tumor therapy with many advantages over HER2-CAR-T, and as an endogenous molecule, soluble PD-1 (sPD-1), a PD-1 extracellular domain, can block PD-1/PD-L1 pathway to promote cancer immunology. Herein, we engineered a new HER2-CAR-NK cells with co-expression of sPD-1 (sPD-1-CAR-NK cells), and assessed the cytotoxicity toward cancer cells, immunity activations and sPD-1 releases of sPD-1-CAR-NK cells in vitro and in both immunocompetent mouse model and humanized mouse model bearing HER2-high expression or trastuzumab-resistance-HER2 breast cancer. Furthermore, we compared with the anti-tumor effects of sPD-1-CAR-NK cells, HER2-CAR-NK cells and HER2-CAR-NK cells in combination with sPD-1. We demonstrated that HER2-CAR-NK cells specially diminished various HER2-expression breast cancer cells, and sPD-1-CAR-NK cells had ability to release bioactive sPD-1 and promote cytolysis activities of HER2-CAR-NK cells when incubated with target cells including trastuzumab-resistant cells. In vivo, sPD-1-CAR-NK cells had superior immunological anticancer efficacy than HER2-CAR-NK cells, and advantage over HER2-CAR-NK cells along with endogenous sPD-1. Together, these data indicate that HER2-specific CAR-NK cells carrying sPD1 show promise as a treatment for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, and are is beneficial to develop for trastuzumab-resistance patient.
Prevalence of risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus among sexually active women in Rwanda: a nationwide survey
Authors: Nuwabaine Lilian , Kawuki Joseph , Namulema Angella , Asiimwe John Baptsist , Sserwanja Quraish , Donkar Elorm , Gatasi Ghislaine
Published: February 2023

Background
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a global health burden and despite the advancements in antiretroviral therapy and various strategies employed to curb HIV infections, the incidence of HIV remains disproportionately high among women. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of the risk factors for acquisition of HIV among sexually active women in Rwanda.
Methods
Secondary data from the 2020 Rwanda Demographic Health Survey comprising 10,684 sexually active women was used. Multistage stratified sampling was employed to select the study participants. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine the associated risk factors, using the SPSS (version 25).
Results
Of the 10,684 sexually active women, 28.7% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 27.5–29.4) had at least one risk factor for HIV acquisition. Having no education (AOR = 3.65, 95%CI: 2.16–6.16), being unmarried (AOR = 4.50, 95%CI: 2.47–8.21), being from female-headed households (AOR = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.42–2.15), Protestant (AOR = 1.28, 95%CI: 1.09–1.50) and other religions (AOR = 1.99, 95%CI: 1.41–2.80), not having health insurance (AOR = 1.34, 95%CI: 1.09–1.65), no HIV test history (AOR = 1.44, 95%CI: 1.01–2.08), being from the poorest wealth quintile (AOR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.14–2.27) and lack of exposure to mass media (AOR = 1.30, 95%CI: 1.07–1.58) were associated with higher odds of risk factors for HIV acquisition. In contrast, age groups of 25–34 (AOR = 0.56, 95%CI: 0.44–0.71) and 35–44 (AOR = 0.62, 95%CI: 0.48–0.80) years, rural residence (AOR = 0.63, 95%CI: 0.49–0.81) and being from western region (AOR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.48–0.94) were associated with less odds of risk factors for HIV acquisition.
Conclusion
More than a quarter of sexually active women in Rwanda had exposure to at least one risk factor for HIV acquisition. There is a need to maximize the use of mass media in disseminating HIV prevention and behavioral change messages. Engagement of religious leaders and promotion of HIV testing, especially among the never-testers would also be vital strategies in successful HIV prevention programs.
Mangrove mudwhelk (Terebralia palustris, Linnaeus, 1767) harvesting and subsequent use in basket trap fishery, at the Mida creek Biosphere reserve, Kenya
Authors: Nthiga Aniel , Kihia Charles , Muthumbi Agnes , Okondo Julius , Njuguna Vincent
Published: February 2023

Traditionally basket traps, baited with gastropods, seagrass, among others, deployed in nearshore fishery, are typical to tropical coastlines. Although fish landings from such fishery are documented, bait utilized remains sketchy. The Indo-Pacific Mangrove mudwhelk (Terebralia palustris) are keystone species, threatened by habitat degradation but also the poorly documented human harvesting. Forest bait harvesting is comparable to tropical forest hunting but has received scant attention in spite of potential impacts. This study elucidates mudwhelk baited trap harvest and subsequent use in basket trap fishery at the Mida creek. Bait and fish landings and effort, and habitat attributes at sites at the Mida creek, are determined and variations described. Results show 0.64 kg.m-2 of mudwhelk occur at Mida creek, with higher biomass (P<0.05) at the more complex Dabaso forest. Harvesters targeted larger individuals (10.38 cm), extracting 9.26 kg.harvest-1 at a rate of 0.12 kg.min-1, with higher harvest (P<0.001), at the less complex Kirepwe forest. The mudwhelk bait, were used to land 0.69 kg.fisher-1 of fish with relatively low landing efficiency (>1.0 kg fish.kg-1 bait), but higher (P<0.001) landings at Kirepwe. We tentatively estimate Mida creek mudwhelk harvest of 5.9 t.yr-1, corresponding to 5.2% of stock (115.2 t), but may mask localized overharvesting at sites with higher trap fishery participation and require more testing to guide sustainable management.
Taxing in a Pandemic: An Assessment of the Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Tax Revenues and Revenues of Small and Medium Enterprises in Ghana
Authors: Ntiamoah Jones Adjei , Asare Joseph , Arhenful Peter , Owusu-Akomeah Michael Nana
Published: February 2023

This study assessed the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on tax revenues and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) revenues in Ghana using qualitative and quantitative analysis. These impacts were analyzed using autoregressive tax regressions, buoyancy, and tax elasticity formulas. A simple radon sampling was used to select 350 SMEs in five major cities in Ghana. The findings point to "Demand" as a critical factor influencing SMEs sales and revenue with a rating of 5.3, a p-value less than the significance level of 0.05, and a deviation of 0.864, indicating the extent of the impact on tax revenue and sales of small and medium enterprises during a pandemic. In addition, a coefficient based on the ORL model application shows a value of 0.9565 in support of the econometric model used. The study also finds that tax revenue could drop by 8%, and VAT revenue could drop by 1% or more. A tax buoyancy of 0.1% or 100% in forecasting tax revenue could be observed depending on the severity and impact of the pandemic. The findings show that tax revenue in a pandemic is impacted adversely, which requires logical and coordinated approaches to improve tax compliance.
Knowledge and awareness of Neglected Tropical Diseases among senior medical students and intern doctors in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md. Sahidur , Susan Farha , Mawa Kashfia , Islam Sabrina
Published: February 2023

Proper knowledge and awareness of healthcare professionals are imperative for the control and eradication of Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The study aimed to measure the level of knowledge and awareness of medical students and intern doctors in Bangladesh to facilitate control strategies. Data were collected through an online questionnaire and ranked the participants by scoring their responses as one for correct and zero for wrong answers. Later, the rank of respondents was analyzed with the socio-demographic characteristics using the Chi-square and Fisher exact probability tests. Of the total 31.4%, (32.2% students and 29.8% interns) participants achieved a good score while 24.6% (24.5% students and 24.8% intern doctors) demonstrated poor rank. The geographical location of participants and previous experience of seeing any NTD patients were significantly associated (P = 0.001) with the level of knowledge and awareness. Most of them (76.4%) acknowledged participating in control activities of NTDs in Bangladesh and marked highly the importance of mass awareness (83.8%) and easy diagnostic facilities (71.2%). We advocate focusing on NTDs in the medical education curriculum and professional training especially on the common NTDs of Bangladesh to confirm the active involvement of these primary stakeholders in prevention and control programs.
The Rule of Law in the ESG Framework in the World Economy
Authors: Leogrande Angelo
Published: February 2023

In this article, I have estimated the Rule of Law for 193 countries using data from the Environment Social and Governance-ESG database of World Bank. I have used different econometric techniques to estimate the value of “Rule of Law” i.e.: Panel Data with Fixed Effects, Panel Data with Random Effects, Pooled OLS. I found that Rule of Law is positively associated, among others to “Regulatory Quality” and “Control of Corruption” and negatively associated among others to, “Access to Electricity” and “Prevalence of Overweight”. I have performed a cluster analysis with the k-Mean algorithm optimized with the Elbow Method and I find the presence of four clusters. Finally, I present a confrontation among eight different machine-learning algorithms to predict the level of Rule of Law. I find that Linear Regression is the best predictor according to MAE, MSE, RMSE and R-squared.
JEL CODE: D7, D70, D72, D73, D78.
Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes of Infliximab and Adalimumab Therapy in Biologic-Naive Patients with Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Durak Muhammed Bahaddin , Şimşek Cem , Yüksel İlhami
Published: February 2023

Background
Data comparing their long-term efficacy and safety of Infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab (ADA) in moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) is limited. In this study we aimed to compare the long-term effectiveness and safety of IFX and ADA in UC who had not previously received biologic therapy.
Methods:
Data from patients treated between 2007 and 2021 was collected and analyzed. Outcomes evaluated included UC-related hospitalization, colectomy, steroid use, and serious infections leading to treatment cessation.
Results
Of 86 UC patients, 41 received IFX and 45 received ADA. No differences were found in terms of demographics, risk factors, baseline Mayo scores and treatment history. During anti-TNF therapy, steroid use was significantly higher in the ADA group (44.4%) compared to the IFX group (14.6%). UC-related hospitalization and colectomy rates were similar between the two groups, as were rates of serious infection leading to treatment cessation. These outcomes were similar in UC patients treated with IFX or ADA monotherapy or in combination with an immunomodulator. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the duration of discontinuation of the drug due to secondary loss of response was longer in the IFX group compared ADA the other group, although the difference was not statistically significant (72.5% versus 46.7%, p = 0.057).
Conclusion
Overall, the study suggests that IFX and ADA may be similar in terms of clinical outcomes for UC patients who are new users of anti-TNF agents, but the higher rate of steroid use in the ADA group should be noted.
CoolMOS based high-voltage power supply with PRF up to 200 kHz for metal vapor active media excitation
Authors: Trigub Maxim , Gembukh Pavel , Semenov Konstantin
Published: February 2023

The paper presents the development and investigation of the semiconductor power supply for metal atoms active media excitation with pulse repetition rate up to 200 kHz. The high voltage pulse formation is based on the LTD-generator concept (linear transform driver) with single turn step-up transformer. This PRF equalled 200 kHz when the consumption power was 750 W. The record pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of CuBr active medium excited by semiconductor excitation source was achieved. The mean radiation power was equal to 650 mW under excitation condition: PRF was to 150 kHz and pulse energy input was 160 µJ/cm3.
Allocation concealment appraisal of clinical therapy trials using the extended Composite Quality Score (CQS-2) – An empirically based update (Preprint)
Authors: Mickenautsch Steffen , Yengopal Veerasamy
Published: February 2023

Objectives
To revise CQS-2/Criterion II concerning allocation concealment appraisal for prospective, controlled clinical therapy trials.
Methods
Meta-analyses of trials with inadequate allocation concealment were tested for in-between trial heterogeneity (I2 > 0) due to imbalances in baseline variables. Meta-analyses with positive test results were used as a basis to deduce criteria for adequate allocation concealment. The CQS-2/Criterion II was reformulated in line with the findings.
Result
One suitable meta-analysis was identified. Two forest plots with data from five and four trials with inadequate/unclear allocation concealment were selected for testing. In addition, a total of five trials with adequate allocation concealment were identified. The meta-analysis test results were positive, and keywords for the judgment of adequate allocation concealment were extracted verbatim from the text of the meta-analysis. The extracted keywords indicate ‘central allocation’ as the main criterion for adequate allocation concealment. Criterion II of the CQS-2 was revised accordingly.
Conclusion
Criterion II of the CQS-2 trial appraisal tool was revised. The revised appraisal tool was specified as version CQS-2B.
Origin of Biological Homochirality by Crystallization of an RNA Precursor on a Magnetic Surface
Authors: Ozturk S. Furkan , Liu Ziwei , Sutherland John D. , Sasselov Dimitar D.
Published: February 2023

Homochirality is a signature of life on Earth yet its origins remain an unsolved puzzle. Achieving homochirality is essential for a high-yielding prebiotic network capable of producing functional polymers like ribonucleic acid (RNA) and peptides. However, a prebiotically plausible and robust mechanism to reach homochirality has not been shown to this date. The chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect has established a strong coupling between electron spin and molecular chirality and this coupling paves the way for breaking the chiral molecular symmetry by spin-selective processes. Magnetic surfaces can act as chiral agents due to the CISS effect and they can be templates for the enantioselective crystallization of chiral molecules. Here we studied the spinselective crystallization of racemic ribo-aminooxazoline (RAO), an RNA precursor, on magnetite (Fe3O4) surfaces, achieving an unprecedented enantiomeric excess of about 60%. Following the initial enrichment, we then obtained homochiral crystals of RAO after a subsequent crystallization. Our work combines two necessary features for reaching homochirality: chiral symmetry-breaking induced by the magnetic surface and self-amplification by conglomerate crystallization of RAO. Our results demonstrate a prebiotically plausible way of achieving systems level homochirality from completely racemic starting materials.
Prognostic factors of (non-) adherence to home-based exercise therapy in patients with chronic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ricke Ellen , Dijkstra Arie , Bakker Eric W
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Patients with a chronic disease may have an increased risk of non-adherence to prescribed home-based exercise therapy. We performed a systematic review with the aim to identify and grade the quality of variables associated with (non-)adherence to home-based exercise therapy in patients with chronic diseases.
Methods: Cohort studies, cross-sectional studies and the experimental arm of randomized trials were identified using a search strategy applied to PubMed, Embase, PsychINFO and CINAHL from inception until August 1th 2022. We included studies with participants ³ 18 years with a chronic disease as an indication for home-based exercise therapy and providing data (quantitative and qualitative) on prognostic factors of (non)adherence to home-based exercise. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool for observational studies, the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross- sectional studies of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for cross-sectional studies and the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) qualitative checklist for the qualitative studies. Prognostic factors of adherence were identified and graded for quality using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework for predictor studies. We performed a meta-analysis and best evidence synthesis of the obtained information.
Results: A total of 68 studies (11 qualitative and 57 quantitative) were included. Within patient-related factors moderate- and high-quality evidence suggested that more self-efficacy, exercise history, motivation and perceived behavioral control predicted higher adherence. Within social-economic factors moderate-quality evidence suggested more education and physical health to be predictive of higher adherence and within condition-related factors moderate- and low-quality evidence suggested that less comorbidities, depression and fatigue predicted higher adherence. For the domains therapy-related and health-system factors there was not enough information to determine the quality evidence of the prognostic factors.
Conclusion: These findings might aid the development of future home-based exercise programs as well as the identification of individuals who may require extra support to benefit from prescribed home-based exercise therapy.
Registration: The protocol of this systematic review is registered in PROSPERO with registration number CRD42021277003.
Global high-resolution total water storage anomalies from self-supervised data assimilation using deep learning algorithms
Authors: Gou Junyang , Soja Benedikt
Published: February 2023

Total water storage anomalies (TWSAs) describe the variations of the terrestrial water cycle, which is essential for better understanding our climate system. Global TWSAs can be simulated by hydrological models with high spatial resolution but limited accuracy or measured by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission with opposite characteristics. In this study, we designed a self-supervised data assimilation algorithm with a novel loss function, which combines the advantages of different TWSA sources. The determined global TWSAs have the same spatial resolution as the hydrological simulations (0.5°) and preserve the large-scale accuracy inherited from the GRACE measurements. They contribute to monitoring natural hazards locally and show potential for better understanding the impacts of natural and anthropogenic activities on the water cycle. We anticipate our approach to be generally applicable to other TWSA data sources and the resulting products to be valuable for the geoscience community and society.
Stimulus specific cortical activity associated with ignoring distraction during working memory encoding and maintenance
Authors: Ashton Charlotte , Gouws André , Glennon Marcus , ZANTO THEODORE , Tipper Steve , McNab Fiona
Published: February 2023

Distraction disrupts Working Memory (WM) performance, but how the brain filters distraction is not known. One possibility is that neural activity associated with distractions is suppressed relative to a baseline/passive task (biased competition). Alternatively, distraction may be denied access to WM, with no suppression. Furthermore, behavioural work indicates separate mechanisms for ignoring distractions which occur 1) while we put information into WM (Encoding Distraction, ED) and 2) while we maintain already encoded information during the WM delay period (Delay Distraction, DD).
Here we used fMRI in humans to measure category-sensitive cortical activity and probe the extent to which ED / DD mechanisms involve enhancement / suppression during a WM task.
We observed significant enhancement of task-relevant activity, relative to a passive view task, which did not differ according to whether or when distractors appeared. For both ED and DD we found no evidence of suppression, but instead a robust increase in stimulus specific activity in response to additional stimuli presented during the passive view task, which was not seen for the WM task, when those additional stimuli were to be ignored.
The results indicate that ED / DD resistance does not necessarily involve suppression of distractor-related activity. Rather, a rise in distractor-associated activity is prevented when distractors are presented, supporting models of input gating, and providing a potential mechanism by which input-gating might be achieved.
Anais 5º Encontro do Grupo de Revisão Sistemática e/ou Meta-Análise do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia da Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba – UNESP, 2022
Authors: Pellizzer Eduardo Piza , Pesqueira Aldiéris Alves
Published: February 2023

Caro(a) leitor(a),
Em 25 de novembro de 2022, tivemos o prazer de realizar o 5° Encontro de Revisão Sistemática e Meta-análise do programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, com a participação de 47 inscritos entre alunos de graduação, pós-graduação, profissionais e professores de diferentes instituições do Brasil, entre elas Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF – Campus Governador Valadares) e Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Destaque deve ser dado a participação dos alunos de Pós-Graduação da Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba (FOA-UNESP) e Pernambuco (FOP-UPE), apresentando e/ou disponibilizando os trabalhos realizados na disciplina “Fundamentos da Revisão Sistemática”. Esta disciplina completa seu sétimo ano na FOA-UNESP e seu sexto ano de parceria com a Faculdade de Odontologia de Pernambuco (FOP-UPE) com aulas presenciais e por videoconferência com um altíssimo nível de aproveitamento. As revisões sistemáticas de estudos clínicos consagraram-se com grande importância na literatura científica e ao longo dos últimos anos observou-se um grande crescimento na publicação desse tipo de revisões, tornando necessário observar a qualidade desses estudos. Nesse sentido convidamos a Profa Dra Carolina de Castro Martins da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais – UFMG para ministrar a palestra intitulada “Prática baseada em evidências e GRADE” no período da manhã (8h às 12h) com participação ativa da plateia. No período da tarde houve a apresentação de painéis, onde estavam inscritos 35 trabalhos entre revisões sistemáticas e revisões sistemáticas com meta-análise. As revisões sistemáticas são consideradas a evidência científica mais forte, pois nos direcionam quanto a aplicabilidade clínica. Porém deve-se graduar a qualidade das evidências e a força das recomendações em saúde, o que é obtido através da avaliação GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Aliado a isso, estudos clínicos controlados e randomizados devem ser estimulados ao redor do mundo, promovendo novos questionamentos e novas práticas baseadas em evidências. Nos encontraremos no próximo encontro de revisão sistemática em Novembro de 2023, onde todos serão BEM VINDOS!
Prof. Titular Eduardo Piza Pellizzer - Coordenador do 5º Encontro de Revisão Sistemática e/ou Meta-Análise do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia FOA/UNESP