bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the efficacy and safety of electro-acupuncture in patients with antipsychotic-related constipation: protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yu Fang-Ting , Long Di-He , Shi Guang-Xia , Wang Li-Qiong , Tu Jian-Feng , Gang Li-Li , Liu Fu-Quan , Wang Yang , Cui Xiao , Bao Si , Yu Yu , Wei Wei , Yan Shi-Yan , Yang Jing-Wen , Liu Cun-Zhi
Published: November 2021

Background

Constipation is known as a common adverse effect of antipsychotics. Advice for its management remains inadequate. This study is designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of electro-acupuncture (EA) for antipsychotic-related constipation.

Methods

This is a single-centric, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with blinded participants, outcome assessor, and statistician. One hundred twelve participants will be randomly assigned into the EA group or sham acupuncture (SA) group in a 1:1 ratio. The study will last for 22 weeks for each participant, including a 2-week baseline assessment period, an 8-week treatment period, and a follow-up for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is the change of mean weekly complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) during weeks 1 to 8 from baseline. Secondary outcomes include the change from baseline of mean weekly CSBMs during the follow-up period, mean weekly spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs), overall CSBM response rate, scores on Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), straining level, Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC-SYM), Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of life questionnaire (PAC-QOL), and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Adverse events and medicine use will be recorded as well.

Discussion

The study is designed based on a rigorous methodology to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EA for antipsychotic-related constipation. The finding will be published in peer-reviewed journals as reliable evidence.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ChiCTR2000032582. Registered May 3, 2020, with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.
REDUCE trial: the effects of perineural dexamethasone on scalp nerve blocks for relief of postcraniotomy pain—a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhao Chunmei , Jia Zipu , Shrestha Niti , Luo Fang
Published: November 2021

Background

Pain is common in the first 2 days after major craniotomy. Inadequate analgesia may lead to an increased risk of postoperative complications. Most pain following craniotomy arises from the pericranial muscles and soft tissues of the scalp. Scalp nerve blocks with local anesthesia seem to provide effective, safe, however, transient postoperative analgesia which does not seem to meet the requirements of craniotomy. Currently, peripheral dexamethasone has been observed to significantly prolong the duration of analgesia of nerve blocks (e.g., saphenous nerve block, adductor canal block, thoracic paravertebral block, brachial plexus nerve block). On the contrary, a study reported that perineural dexamethasone did not appear to prolong the analgesic time after supratentorial craniotomy. However, all patients in this study were given 24 mg of oral or intravenous dexamethasone regularly for at least 7 days during the perioperative period, which possibly masked the role of single local low doses of perineural dexamethasone. Therefore, the analgesic effect of single dexamethasone for scalp nerve blocks without the background of perioperative glucocorticoid deserves further clarification.

Methods

The REDUCE trial is a prospective, single-center, parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving a total of 156 adults scheduled for elective craniotomy with general anesthesia. Patients will be randomly divided among two groups: the control group (n = 78) will receive scalp nerve blocks with 0.5% bupivacaine, plus normal saline with epinephrine at 1:200,000; the DEX4mg group (n = 78) will receive scalp nerve blocks with 0.5% bupivacaine, plus 4 mg dexamethasone with epinephrine at 1:200,000. The primary outcome will be the duration of analgesia, defined as the time between the performance of the block and the first analgesic request.

Discussion

The REDUCE trial aims to further assess the analgesic effect of single dexamethasone as an adjuvant to scalp nerve blocks for relief of postcraniotomy pain without the background of perioperative glucocorticoid.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT04648358. Registered on November 30, 2020.
Baseline predictors of remission, pain and fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: the TITRATE trial
Authors: Lee Sook Yan , Ibrahim Fowzia , Tom Brian D. M. , Nikiphorou Elena , Williams Frances M. K. , Lempp Heidi , Scott David L.
Published: November 2021

Background

Clinical trials show intensive treatment to induce remission is effective in patients with highly active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The TITRATE trial showed that the benefits of intensive treatment also extend to moderately active RA. However, many patients failed to achieve remission or show improvements in pain and fatigue. We investigated whether baseline predictors could identify treatment non-responders.

Methods

The impact of obesity, depression, anxiety and illness perception on RA outcomes, including disease activity, remission, pain and fatigue were determined using a pre-planned secondary analysis of the TITRATE trial data.

Results

Body mass index was associated with disease activity levels and remission: obese patients had a higher overall disease activity and fewer obese patients achieved remission. Intensive management was not associated with increased remission in these patients. Obesity was also associated with increased overall pain and fatigue. Anxiety, depression and health perceptions had no discernible impact on disease activity but were associated with high levels of pain and fatigue. There was a strong association between anxiety and high pain scores; and between depression and high fatigue scores; and health perception was strongly related to both. None of the predictors had an important impact on pain and fatigue reduction in cross-sectional analysis.

Conclusions

Disease activity is higher in obese patients and they have fewer remissions over 12 months. Anxiety, depression and health perceptions were associated with higher pain and fatigue scores. Intensive management strategies need to account for these baseline features as they impact significantly on clinical and psychological outcomes.

Trial registration

ISRCTN 70160382; date registered 16 January 2014
Lupus susceptibility region containing CTLA4 rs17268364 functionally reduces CTLA4 expression by binding EWSR1 and correlates IFN-α signature
Authors: Qi Yuan-yuan , Zhao Xin-yu , Liu Xin-ran , Wang Yan-na , Zhai Ya-ling , Zhang Xiao-xue , Wang Xiao-yang , Zhang Li-jie , Zhao Ya-fei , Cui Yan , Ning Xiang-hui , Zhou Xu-jie
Published: November 2021

Background

Dysregulation of T cells mediated immune responses is a hallmark in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Recent genome wide association study (GWAS) revealed the genetic contribution of variants located in the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA4)-inducible T cell co-stimulator (ICOS) intergenic region to SLE susceptibility. Our aim is to find a functional variant in this region.

Methods

The genetic association results in the CTLA4-ICOS region from previous GWAS were adopted to select the potential variant which was further replicated in two independent cohorts (Henan cohort 2053 SLE patients and 1845 healthy controls, Beijing cohort 2303 SLE patients and 19,262 healthy). In order to explore the functional significance in SLE, bioinformatics with validation experiments (including electrophoretic mobility shift assay and luciferase reporter assay) and mRNA expression analysis were also performed.

Results

A variant located in the CTLA4-ICOS intergenic region, rs17268364, was associated with susceptibility to SLE patients in Chinese populations (risk allele, pmeta = 7.02×10−11, OR 1.19, 95%CI 1.13–1.26). The bioinformatics suggested that rs17268364 might affect the expression of CTLA4, not ICOS. The rs17268364 risk G allele containing sequence reduced the expression of the reporter gene by binding transcriptional repressor Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 (EWSR1). Following genotype-mRNA expression, the analysis also showed the risk allele of rs17268364 was associated with low CTLA4 expression in lupus nephritis (LN) patients. Healthy individuals carrying rs17268364 risk G allele was significantly correlated with higher levels of IFN-α signature including increased lymphocyte antigen 6E (LY6E) (p=0.031), interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) (p=0.038), interferon regulatory factor 9 (IRF9) (p=0.028), and interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) (p=0.040) mRNA expression.

Conclusions

The present study confirmed the functional role of rs17268364 in the CTLA4-ICOS intergenic region that increased SLE susceptibility in the Chinese population.
RE-COVER project: A survey on resilience, mental health, and fear of Covid-19 in four countries
Authors: Sugawara Daichi , Gu Yuan , Masuyama Akihiro , Ng Siew Li , Phoo Evone Y. M. , Raja Reza Shah Raja Intan Arifah Binti , Kubo Takahiro , Chishima Yuta , Tee Eugene Y. J.
Published: November 2021

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of people worldwide. Psychological resilience has been shown to buffer against the threat of the pandemic (i.e., COVID-19 fear) and sustain mental health. The extent to which psychological resilience factors impact mental health maintenance, however, is unclear, given broad differences in infection rates, prevention approaches, government interventions across different cultures and contexts. Our study examines resilience factors and how they protect individuals from COVID-19-related fear and sustain their mental health.

Data description

Data were collected from 1583 (Mage = 32.22, SD = 12.90, Range = 19–82) respondents from Japan, China, the United States, and Malaysia between October to November 2020. We collected data across age and sex, marital status, number of children, and occupations. We also accounted for stay-at-home measures, change in income, COVID-19 infection status, place of residence, and subjective social status in the study. Our variables included mental health-related and resilience constructs, namely (i) fear of COVID-19, (ii) depression, anxiety, and stress; (iii) present, past, and future life satisfaction, (iv) sense of control, (v) positive emotions, (vi) ego-resilience, (vii) grit, (viii) self-compassion, (ix) passion, and (x) relational mobility. All questionnaires were assessed for their suitability across the four countries with the necessary translation checks. Results from this study can be instrumental in examining the impact of multiple resilience factors and their interaction with demographic variables in shaping mental health outcomes.
Recombinant cellobiohydrolase of Myceliophthora thermophila: characterization and applicability in cellulose saccharification
Authors: Dadwal Anica , Sharma Shilpa , Satyanarayana Tulasi
Published: November 2021

A codon optimized cellobiohydrolase (CBH) encoding synthetic gene of 1188 bp from a thermophilic mold Myceliophthora thermophila (MtCel6A) was cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli for the first time. In silico analysis suggested that MtCel6A is a GH6 CBH and belongs to CBHII family, which is structurally similar to Cel6A of Humicola insolens. The recombinant MtCel6A is expressed as active inclusion bodies, and the molecular mass of the purified enzyme is ~ 45 kDa. The rMtCel6A is active in a wide range of pH (4–12) and temperatures (40–100 °C) with optima at pH 10.0 and 60 °C. It exhibits T1/2 of 6.0 and 1.0 h at 60 and 90 °C, respectively. The rMtCel6A is an extremozyme with organic solvent, salt and alkali tolerance. The Km, Vmax, kcat and kcat/Km values of the enzyme are 3.2 mg mL−1, 222.2 μmol mg−1 min−1, 2492 s−1 and 778.7 s−1 mg−1 mL−1, respectively. The product analysis of rMtCel6A confirmed that it is an exoenzyme that acts from the non-reducing end of cellulose. The addition of rMtCel6A to the commercial cellulase mix (Cellic CTec2) led to 1.9-fold increase in saccharification of the pre-treated sugarcane bagasse. The rMtCel6A is a potential CBH that finds utility in industrial processes such as in bioethanol, paper pulp and textile industries.

Graphical Abstract
Malaria and curable sexually transmitted and reproductive tract coinfection among pregnant women in rural Burkina Faso
Authors: Lingani Moussa , Zango Serge H. , Valéa Innocent , Bonko Massa dit A. , Samadoulougou Sékou O. , Rouamba Toussaint , Tahita Marc C. , Sanou Maïmouna , Robert Annie , Tinto Halidou , Donnen Philippe , Dramaix Michèle
Published: November 2021

Background

Malaria and sexually transmitted/reproductive tract infections (STI/RTI) are leading and preventable causes of low birthweight in sub-Saharan Africa. Reducing their impact on pregnancy outcomes requires efficient interventions that can be easily integrated into the antenatal care package. The paucity of data on malaria and STI/RTI coinfection, however, limits efforts to control these infections. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of malaria and STI/RTI coinfection among pregnant women in rural Burkina Faso.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 402 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at the Yako health district. Sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected, and pregnant women were tested for peripheral malaria by microscopy. Hemoglobin levels were also measured by spectrophotometry and curable bacterial STI/RTI were tested on cervico-vaginal swabs using rapid diagnostic test for chlamydia and syphilis, and Gram staining for bacterial vaginosis. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the association of malaria and STI/RTI coinfection with the characteristics of included pregnant women.

Results

The prevalence of malaria and at least one STI/RTI coinfection was 12.9% (95% confidence interval, CI: [9.8–16.7]), malaria and bacterial vaginosis coinfection was 12.2% (95% CI: [9.3–15.9]), malaria and chlamydial coinfection was 1.6% (95% CI: [0.6–3.8]). No coinfection was reported for malaria and syphilis. The individual prevalence was 17.2%, 7.2%, 0.6%, 67.7% and 73.3%, respectively, for malaria infection, chlamydia, syphilis, bacterial vaginosis and STI/RTI combination. Only 10% of coinfections were symptomatic, and thus, 90% of women with coinfection would have been missed by the symptoms-based diagnostic approach. In the multivariate analysis, the first pregnancy (aOR = 2.4 [95% CI: 1.2–4.7]) was the only factor significantly associated with malaria and STI/RTI coinfection. Clinical symptoms were not associated with malaria and STI/RTI coinfection.

Conclusion

The prevalence of malaria and curable STI/RTI coinfection was high among pregnant women. The poor performance of the clinical symptoms to predict coinfection suggests that alternative interventions are needed.
Personalized outcomes for hip and knee replacement: the patients point of view
Authors: Whitebird Robin R. , Solberg Leif I. , Ziegenfuss Jeanette Y. , Asche Stephen E. , Norton Christine K. , Swiontkowski Marc F. , Dehmer Steven P. , Grossman Elizabeth S.
Published: November 2021

Background

Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly being incorporated into clinical and surgical care for assessing outcomes. This study examined outcomes important to patients in their decision to have hip or knee replacement surgery, their perspectives on PROMs and shared decision-making, and factors they considered important for postoperative care.

Methods

A cross-sectional study employing survey methods with a stratified random sample of adult orthopedic patients who were scheduled for or recently had hip or knee replacement surgery.

Results

In a representative sample of 226 respondents, patients identified personalized outcomes important to them that they wanted from their surgery including the ability to walk without pain/discomfort, pain relief, and returning to an active lifestyle. They preferred a personalized outcome (54%) that they identified, compared to a PROM score, for tracking progress in their care and thought it important that their surgeon know their personal outcomes (63%). Patients also wanted to engage in shared decision-making (79%) about their post-surgical care and identified personal factors important to their aftercare, such as living alone and caring for pets.

Conclusions

Patients identified unique personalized outcomes they desired from their care and that they wanted their orthopedic surgeons to know about. Asking patients to identify their personalized outcomes could add value for both patients and surgeons in clinical care, facilitating more robust patient involvement in shared decision-making.
Comparative efficacy of amphotericin B-loaded chitosan nanoparticles and free amphotericin B drug against Leishmania tropica
Authors: Sohail Aamir , Khan Rahat Ullah , Khan Momin , Khokhar Mehvish , Ullah Safat , Ali Arshad , Bilal Hazrat , Khattak Saadullah , Khan Mirwaise , Ahmad Baseer
Published: November 2021

Background

The preparation of an effective drug delivery formulation is an urgent need to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Pentavalent antimonials and Amphotericin B (AmB) are considered to treat leishmaniasis; however, their clinical usage is hampered by poor solubility, high cost, toxicity, and the emergence of drug-resistant Leishmania spp. The drug delivery systems (DDS) could be used as an alternative treatment option for the treatment of CL to circumvent these problems. We tested the antileishmanial efficacies of free AmB and amphotericin B-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (AmB-CNPs) under in vitro conditions.

Results

Chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) were synthesized using the ionic gelation method with negatively charged tripolyphosphate (TPP). During the synthesis of CNPs, AmB was incorporated into the nanoparticles (NPs). The NPs were characterized for their size, surface morphology, encapsulation efficacy (EE), drug loading content (DLC), and surface charge using different techniques. Their efficacy was evaluated against promastigotes and axenic amastigotes forms of Leishmania tropica using MTT assay. The synthesized AmB-CNPs displayed a spherical shape with a mean particle size of 118 nm, a positive zeta potential of (+ 6.21 ± 2.02 mV), and an encapsulation efficacy of 88%. Dynamic light scattering technique (DLS) shows that the average size of prepared AmB-CNPs was 95.5 nm. Free AmB presented very low efficacy (only 65% and 67% inhibition of the promastigotes and axenic amastigotes parasite load), whereas AmB-CNPs exhibited 90% and 84% parasite inhibition after 72 h incubation. The AmB-CNPs exhibited significantly higher efficacy than free AmB in terms of reduction in parasite viability. Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) measured values of the AmB-CNPs were significant lowers than free AmB.

Conclusions

The present data indicated that AmB-CNPs exhibited vigorous anti-leishmanial activity than free AmB by dose and time-dependent manner. This formulation can be used for local therapy of CL after in vivo efficacy conformational studies.
A discussion on cotton transformation during the last decade (2010–2021); an update on present trends and future prospects
Authors: QANDEEL-E-ARSH  , AZHAR Muhammad Tehseen , ATIF Rana Muhammad , ISRAR Mahwish , KHAN Azeem Iqbal , KHALID Shahzad , RANA Iqrar Ahmad
Published: November 2021

The introduction of genetically modified (GM) cotton in 1996 in the US and its worldwide spread later rejuvenated cotton production in many parts of the world. The evolution is continued since then and currently, the 3rd and fourth generation of same GM cotton is grown in many parts of the world. The GM cotton introduced in 1996 was simple Bt cotton that expressed a single Cry1Ac gene, the later generation carried multiple Cry genes along with the genes controlling herbicide tolerance. Current day GM cotton does not only give stable resistance against lepidopteran insects but also facilitates the farmers to spray broad-spectrum herbicides without harming the crop. The evolution of GM cotton is continued both on the basic and applied side and interventions have been introduced during the last decade. Earlier the cotton transformation was limited to Cocker strains which are getting possible in many other varieties, too. It is successful with both gene gun, and Agrobacterium and inplanta transformation has made it a routine activity. Apart from overexpression studies for various purposes including biotic, abiotic, and quality traits, RNAi and genome editing are explored vigorously. Through this review, we have tried to explore and discuss various interventions for improving transformation protocols, the applications of cotton transformation, and future strategies being developed to get maximum benefits from this technology during the last decade.
Egg Consumption and Blood Lipid Parameters According to the Presence of Chronic Metabolic Disorders: The EVIDENT II Study
Authors: Mesas Arthur Eumann , Garrido-Miguel Miriam , Fernández-Rodríguez Rubén , Fernández Franco Sofía , Lugones-Sánchez Cristina , García-Ortiz Luis , Martínez-Vizcaíno Vicente
Published: November 2021

Context

Egg consumption is one of the main dietary sources of cholesterol, but whether individuals who eat more eggs have a worse blood lipid profile remains controversial.

Objective

We examined the relationship between egg consumption and lipid parameters and explored whether this relationship changes according to the presence of chronic metabolic disorders.

Methods

A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted with adult participants in the EVIDENT II trial. Adjusted linear regression models were stratified by the main chronic metabolic disorders.

Results

Among the 728 participants (61.9% women, mean age 52.1 ± 11.9 years), the mean egg consumption was equivalent to 5 to 6 eggs per week for a 70-kg individual. In the fully adjusted analysis, no association was found of egg consumption with total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and triglyceride levels. Furthermore, compared with the first quartile of consumption, the fourth quartile was associated with lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels (coefficient –7.01; 95% CI –13.39, –0.62) and a lower LDL-c/HDL-c ratio (coefficient –0.24, 95% CI –0.41, –0.06). In the analyses stratified by chronic metabolic diseases, higher egg consumption was not associated with lipid profile in those with obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, or treated with hypolipidemic drugs, and was associated with a better lipid profile in participants without these conditions.

Conclusion

Higher egg consumption was not associated with blood lipids in individuals with chronic metabolic disorders. In individuals without such conditions, the lipid profile was better among those who consumed more eggs. Our findings support current guidelines recommending eggs as part of a healthy diet.
A Dream Deferred
Authors: Nelson Sarah
Published: November 2021

International news, and the technological infrastructures required to collect, distribute, and publish it, have long been battlegrounds of imperial ambition and anticolonial contestation. In the early 1960s, press professionals, engineers, and telecom officials from the global South elaborated a wide-ranging structural critique of the status quo, arguing that developing mass media required decolonizing international networks and global governance practices that perpetuated media inequality. But over the course of the decade, UNESCO began to invite research and expertise from American social scientists and engineers, who came to define UNESCO’s approach to satellite-based media development. By redefining the scope of media development to an instrumentalist vision of Westernization, such research eclipsed a broad, structural vision of reform, casting southern experts’ more radical designs into shadow. By recovering this history, the article tells a new story of the ideologies and governance practices that helped sustain global news inequality in the satellite age.
How to Read Equipo Maíz
Authors: Cuéllar Jorge E.
Published: November 2021

This article examines the work of the popular education collective Equipo Maíz headquartered in El Salvador. Equipo Maíz is noteworthy for its contributions to the analysis of Salvadoran and Central American politics, economics, and society since its formation in the early 1980s. This article situates the Equipo Maíz project, which uses plainspoken text paired with political cartooning, within a deep historical memory of opposition geared at demystifying the fictions that sustain capitalist sociality and its class antagonisms. Drawing on examples from Equipo Maíz’s weekly newsletter La página de Maíz and other select publications, the article demonstrates how the collective addresses a variably literate Salvadoran readership with the goal of imparting radical interpretative strategies geared toward the creation of an engaged political culture, despite the challenges of a closed media system.
Η μουσουλμανική μειονότητα στη Θράκη και θετικά μέτρα στην εκπαίδευση
Authors: Στυλιανίδου Ευμορφία
Published: November 2021

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή στοχεύει στην αποτύπωση των αποτελεσμάτων του Ν.2525/1997, για την εισαγωγή των μελών της μουσουλμανικής μειονότητας της Θράκης στην Τριτοβάθμια εκπαίδευση, ως ειδική κατηγορία με ποσόστωση (0,5%). Η νομική αξιολόγηση της διάταξης, για την εφαρμογή του θετικού μέτρου, αιτιολογεί τη θέση της στο ελληνικό δικαιϊκό σύστημα και καταδεικνύει την αναγκαιότητα τροποποίησης του πεδίου εφαρμογής της. Το θετικό μέτρο απευθύνεται στην εν λόγω μειονεκτούσα ομάδα εξαιτίας παρελθουσών διακρίσεων και στην εκπαίδευση των μελών της. Για πολλά χρόνια δεν ήταν δυνατή η πρόσβαση των παιδιών της μειονότητας στην προσχολική αγωγή, στη δευτεροβάθμια εκπαίδευση και στη συνέχεια στην τριτοβάθμια εκπαίδευση, για διαφορετικούς λόγους. Αποδεικνύεται από την έρευνα, δια της στατιστικής ανάλυσης των δεδομένων, ότι το θετικό μέτρο συνέβαλε στην εξομάλυνση των ανισοτήτων για τα μέλη της μειονεκτούσας ομάδας, εφόσον προκύπτουν σημαντικά ευρήματα, όπως μεγάλος αριθμός επιτυχόντων μουσουλμάνων της Θράκης στα ελληνικά Πανεπιστήμια και ιδιαίτερα των κοριτσιών, αύξηση της φοίτησης στην ελληνόγλωσση δημόσια πρωτοβάθμια εκπαίδευση, αποφυγή της εκπαιδευτικής μετανάστευσης στην Τουρκία, εκπροσώπηση στα θεωρούμενα ως επιφανή επαγγέλματα και αύξηση της αποφοίτησης από τα Πανεπιστήμια. Κατά συνέπεια ενισχύεται η θέση του θετικού μέτρου στο ελληνικό δικαιϊκό σύστημα και η αναγκαιότητα διατήρησής του, εφόσον δεν προκύπτει πλήρης απαλοιφή των παρελθοντικών διακρίσεων. Από την τελολογία της εφαρμογής του μέτρου συνάγεται ότι ενδυναμώνονται τα μέλη της μειονεκτούσας ομάδας, ενισχύεται η κοινωνική τους ένταξη και συνοχή. Επιπλέον αναδεικνύεται η παιδαγωγική λειτουργία του μέτρου, ώστε να αποφεύγονται αισθήματα μειονεκτικής θέσης των μουσουλμάνων της Θράκης, ως Ελλήνων πολιτών. Η επιτυχής εφαρμογή της εν λόγω θετικής δράσης στο ελληνικό εκπαιδευτικό σύστημα, αναδεικνύει ότι τα μέλη της μειονότητας θα πρέπει να οδηγηθούν από την ελληνική πολιτεία στην πλήρη πραγμάτωση της ουσιαστικής ισότητας, με διατήρηση του μέτρου, την ανάλογη τροποποίησή του, ώστε να προκύψουν μεγαλύτερα ποσοστά αποτελεσματικότητάς του, αλλά και της επέκτασής του σε άλλες ευπαθείς ομάδες (ρομά).
Πιστοποίηση γλωσσομάθειας
Authors: Ελευθέρογλου Εμμανουήλ
Published: November 2021

Αντικείμενο της διατριβής αποτελεί η καταγραφή και η συγκριτική παράθεση των συστημάτων πιστοποίησης γλωσσομάθειας, κάτι που αναλύεται τόσο υπό το πρίσμα των εθνικών δικαίων των κρατών μελών όσο και στο πλαίσιο των ενωσιακών διοικητικών οργάνων. Η πρωταρχική ευθύνη για την εκπαίδευση, και κατά συνέπεια και για τη γλωσσική πολιτική, ανήκει στα κράτη μέλη σύμφωνα με την αρχή της επικουρικότητας. Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση διαθέτει έναν ρυθμιστικό ή υποστηρικτικό ρόλο, επομένως ο βασικός ρόλος της και κατά την εκπαίδευση, αλλά και κατά την πιστοποίηση των γλωσσών, είναι να διασφαλιστεί η συνεργασία μεταξύ των εθνικών διοικήσεων των κρατών μελών και η ανταλλαγή ορθών πρακτικών. Στη διατριβή παρουσιάζεται το ενωσιακό νομικό πλαίσιο, εντός του οποίου γεννήθηκε η κοινή εκπαιδευτική και γλωσσική πολιτική, και το ενιαίο σύστημα πιστοποίησης της γλωσσομάθειας στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση ως επικύρωση αυτής. Παρουσιάζονται επίσης οι αρχές και τα δικαιώματα που σχετίζονται με τη γλωσσομάθεια και την εκπαίδευση. Παράλληλα, αναλύεται το ενιαίο σύστημα πιστοποίησης γλωσσομάθειας CEFR και συγκεκριμενοποιείται η νομική του φύση, καθώς και η έννοια της πιστοποίησης της γλωσσομάθειας και στα κράτη-μέλη, αλλά και στην ενωσιακή δημόσια διοίκηση και, ταυτόχρονα, διακρίνεται η πιστοποίηση στον ιδιωτικό και στον δημόσιο τομέα. Παρουσιάζονται οι αρχές και η μεθοδολογία, οι σχετιζόμενες με την πιστοποίηση της γλωσσομάθειας, ώστε να υπάγεται αυτή σε κανονιστικό πλαίσιο, και αναλύεται το σύστημα πιστοποίησης και διαπίστευσης στα ευρωπαϊκά προϊόντα και η αρχή της αμοιβαίας αναγνώρισης στα ακαδημαϊκά κι επαγγελματικά προσόντα. Επίσης, αναλύονται πρωτογενώς ιδιότυπες μορφές πιστοποίησης γλωσσομάθειας, κατά τη γερμανο-αυστριακή νομική θεωρία και κατά την ευρωπαϊκή και γερμανική, κυρίως, νομολογία. Τέλος, εξετάζεται κατά πόσο η ενιαία πιστοποίηση γλωσσομάθειας στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, οι διακρατικές μορφές πιστοποίησής της και οι ενωσιακές αρχές που παραβιάζονται από αντιφατικές εθνικές διοικητικές πρακτικές, προσδίδουν μία βάση διαδιοικητικής σύνδεσης των κρατών-μελών, στο πλαίσιο της διεθνοποίησης του διοικητικού δικαίου.
Cost Allocation for Less-Than-Truckload Collaboration via Shipper Consortium
Authors: Lai Minghui , Cai Xiaoqiang , Hall Nicholas G.
Published: November 2021

We study the problem of collaborative less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation in the form of a shipper consortium, which is operated by a third-party logistics provider (3PL) through a cross-dock/pooling network. The 3PL has responsibility for planning the combined loads prior to actual shipments, hiring and routing carriers to execute shipping, and allocating the cost to the shippers in the consortium. Shippers receive substantial cost savings from combined truckload shipments. However, achieving consolidation and realizing this benefit requires addressing two essential issues: (i) how to find an approximately optimal consolidation solution in a large network with many freights and (ii) how to determine a fair cost allocation rule among the shippers’ consolidated freights that ensures budget balance while minimally violating coalitional stability. Our work resolves these two issues. We formulate a time-space network flow model of the problem under both incremental and all-unit discount structures of LTL rates and propose a computationally efficient algorithm based on local search heuristics. We model the problem of allocating cost to the shippers as a cooperative game. We decompose and linearize the Lagrangian dual problem by using total unimodularity and concavity. We propose an efficiently computable cost allocation rule from the linearized dual models. The dual rule ensures stable cooperation but may have underallocation equal to a duality gap. To cover the underallocation, we further develop a budget covering procedure and define an [Formula: see text]-core allocation with desirable properties. Through extensive computational experiments, we find that the shipper consortium reduces total shipping costs by more than 40% in most cases; meanwhile, the [Formula: see text]-core allocation is typically in the core for small-scale networks while violating stability by at most 5% for large-scale networks and provides consolidated freights with more than 50% individual cost savings on average.
High speckle reduction rate in a laser projection system
Authors: Song Yue-Xun , Pan Jui-Wen
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we demonstrate a design for a laser picoprojector with a high rate of reduction in the speckle contrast value. The method utilizes a holographic diffuser, deformable mirror, and fast electrically tunable (FET) lens. Then we compare the reduction rate of the speckle contrast value for holographic diffusers with different divergence angles and an FET lens with different optical power ranges combined with a deformable mirror. The increase in reduction rate of speckle contrast value means that the minimum value of the speckle can be reached faster. There reduction rate increases from 4.76 to 5.74 for the

5

×

5

holographic diffuser, 3.45 to 5.66 for the

10

×

10

holographic diffuser, and 1.52 to 4.58 for the

30

×

30

holographic diffuser.
Cascaded vector vortex mode generation from a solid-state Raman laser
Authors: Nishigata Yoshihiro , Sasaki Shun , Miyamoto Katsuhiko , Omatsu Takashige
Published: November 2021

Cascaded vector vortex mode generation from a

B
a

(

N
O

3

)
2

Raman laser cavity pumped by a vector

L
G

0
,
2

green laser was demonstrated for the
first time to our knowledge. The generated Stokes outputs exhibited a
second-order vector vortex beam as evidenced by linearly polarized
flower-shaped spatial forms with four petals. The achieved optical
conversion efficiencies of the first, second, and third Stokes outputs
were 6.59%, 4.22%, and 0.11%, respectively, at a maximum pump energy
of 3.6 mJ (360 mW).
Investigation of multiple scattering in space and spatial-frequency domains: with application to the analysis of aberration-diverse optical coherence tomography
Authors: Wu Meiqi , Liu Siyang , Leartprapun Nichaluk , Adie Steven
Published: November 2021

Optical microscopy suffers from multiple scattering (MS), which limits the optical imaging depth into scattering media. We previously demonstrated aberration-diverse optical coherence tomography (AD-OCT) for MS suppression, based on the principle that for datasets acquired with different aberration states of the imaging beam, MS backgrounds become decorrelated while single scattering (SS) signals remain correlated, so that a simple coherent average can be used to enhance the SS signal over the MS background. Here, we propose a space/spatial-frequency domain analysis framework for the investigation of MS in OCT, and apply the framework to compare AD-OCT (using astigmatic beams) to standard Gaussian-beam OCT via experiments in scattering tissue phantoms. Utilizing this framework, we found that increasing the astigmatic magnitude produced a large drop in both MS background and SS signal, but the decay experienced by the MS background was larger than the SS signal. Accounting for the decay in both SS signal and MS background, the overall signal-to-background ratio (SBR) of AD-OCT was similar to the Gaussian control after about 10 coherent averages, when deeper line foci was positioned at the plane-of-interest and the line foci spacing was smaller than or equal to 80 µm. For an even larger line foci spacing of 160 µm, AD-OCT resulted in a lower SBR than the Gaussian-beam control. This work provides an analysis framework to gain deeper levels of understanding and insights for the future study of MS and MS suppression in both the space and spatial-frequency domains.
Experimental visualization of various cross sections through a butterfly caustic
Authors: Cai Yiming , Teng Houan , Qian Yixian
Published: November 2021

Optical caustics and wavefronts of butterfly beams (BBs) derived by using a catastrophe theory determined by potential functions depending on the state and control variables are reported. Due to the high dimensionality for the control variables, BBs can be manipulated into various optical light structures. It is also demonstrated that these curious beams have relatively simple Fourier spectra that can be described as polynomials, and another way to generate BBs from the Fourier spectrum’s perspective is provided. The dynamics for BBs are investigated by potential functions. Our experimental results agree well with the theoretical predictions. In addition to micro-manipulation and machining, these novel, to the best of our knowledge, caustic beams will pave the way for creating waveguide structures since they display high-intensity formations that evolve along curved trajectories.
An altered balance of integrated and segregated brain activity is a marker of cognitive deficits following sleep deprivation
Authors: Cross Nathan E. , Pomares Florence B. , Nguyen Alex , Perrault Aurore A. , Jegou Aude , Uji Makoto , Lee Kangjoo , Razavipour Fatemeh , Ali Obaï Bin Ka’b , Aydin Umit , Benali Habib , Grova Christophe , Dang-Vu Thien Thanh
Published: November 2021

Sleep deprivation (SD) leads to impairments in cognitive function. Here, we tested the hypothesis that cognitive changes in the sleep-deprived brain can be explained by information processing within and between large-scale cortical networks. We acquired functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans of 20 healthy volunteers during attention and executive tasks following a regular night of sleep, a night of SD, and a recovery nap containing nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Overall, SD was associated with increased cortex-wide functional integration, driven by a rise of integration within cortical networks. The ratio of within versus between network integration in the cortex increased further in the recovery nap, suggesting that prolonged wakefulness drives the cortex towards a state resembling sleep. This balance of integration and segregation in the sleep-deprived state was tightly associated with deficits in cognitive performance. This was a distinct and better marker of cognitive impairment than conventional indicators of homeostatic sleep pressure, as well as the pronounced thalamocortical connectivity changes that occurs towards falling asleep. Importantly, restoration of the balance between segregation and integration of cortical activity was also related to performance recovery after the nap, demonstrating a bidirectional effect. These results demonstrate that intra- and interindividual differences in cortical network integration and segregation during task performance may play a critical role in vulnerability to cognitive impairment in the sleep-deprived state.
Yellow fever vaccine protects mice against Zika virus infection
Authors: Vicente Santos Ana C. , Guedes-da-Silva Francisca H. , Dumard Carlos H. , Ferreira Vivian N. S. , da Costa Igor P. S. , Machado Ruana A. , Barros-Aragão Fernanda G. Q. , Neris Rômulo L. S. , dos-Santos Júlio S. , Assunção-Miranda Iranaia , Figueiredo Claudia P. , Dias André A. , Gomes Andre M. O. , de Matos Guedes Herbert L. , Oliveira Andrea C. , Silva Jerson L.
Published: November 2021

Zika virus (ZIKV) emerged as an important infectious disease agent in Brazil in 2016. Infection usually leads to mild symptoms, but severe congenital neurological disorders and Guillain-Barré syndrome have been reported following ZIKV exposure. Creating an effective vaccine against ZIKV is a public health priority. We describe the protective effect of an already licensed attenuated yellow fever vaccine (YFV, 17DD) in type-I interferon receptor knockout mice (A129) and immunocompetent BALB/c and SV-129 (A129 background) mice infected with ZIKV. YFV vaccination provided protection against ZIKV, with decreased mortality in A129 mice, a reduction in the cerebral viral load in all mice, and weight loss prevention in BALB/c mice. The A129 mice that were challenged two and three weeks after the first dose of the vaccine were fully protected, whereas partial protection was observed five weeks after vaccination. In all cases, the YFV vaccine provoked a substantial decrease in the cerebral viral load. YFV immunization also prevented hippocampal synapse loss and microgliosis in ZIKV-infected mice. Our vaccine model is T cell-dependent, with AG129 mice being unable to tolerate immunization (vaccination is lethal in this mouse model), indicating the importance of IFN-γ in immunogenicity. To confirm the role of T cells, we immunized nude mice that we demonstrated to be very susceptible to infection. Immunization with YFV and challenge 7 days after booster did not protect nude mice in terms of weight loss and showed partial protection in the survival curve. When we evaluated the humoral response, the vaccine elicited significant antibody titers against ZIKV; however, it showed no neutralizing activity in vitro and in vivo. The data indicate that a cell-mediated response promotes protection against cerebral infection, which is crucial to vaccine protection, and it appears to not necessarily require a humoral response. This protective effect can also be attributed to innate factors, but more studies are needed to strengthen this hypothesis. Our findings open the way to using an available and inexpensive vaccine for large-scale immunization in the event of a ZIKV outbreak.
eDNA captures depth partitioning in a kelp forest ecosystem
Authors: Monuki Keira , Barber Paul H. , Gold Zachary
Published: November 2021

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is an increasingly important tool for surveying biodiversity in marine ecosystems. However, the scale of temporal and spatial variability in eDNA signatures, and how this variation may impact eDNA-based marine biodiversity assessments, remains uncertain. To address this question, we systematically examined variation in vertebrate eDNA signatures across depth (0 m to 10 m) and horizontal space (nearshore kelp forest and surf zone) over three successive days in Southern California. Across a broad range of teleost fish and elasmobranchs, results showed significant variation in species richness and community assemblages between surface and depth, reflecting microhabitat depth preferences of common Southern California nearshore rocky reef taxa. Community assemblages between nearshore and surf zone sampling stations at the same depth also differed significantly, consistent with known habitat preferences. Additionally, assemblages also varied across three sampling days, but 69% of habitat preferences remained consistent. Results highlight the sensitivity of eDNA in capturing fine-scale vertical, horizontal, and temporal variation in marine vertebrate communities, demonstrating the ability of eDNA to capture a highly localized snapshot of marine biodiversity in dynamic coastal environments.
The risk of revision following total hip arthroplasty in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, a registry based study
Authors: Moran Meghan M. , Wessman Peter , Rolfson Ola , Bohl Daniel D. , Kärrholm Johan , Keshavarzian Ali , Sumner D. Rick
Published: November 2021

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract and is associated with decreased bone mineral density. IBD patients are at higher risk of osteopenia, osteoporosis and fracture compared to non-IBD patients. The impact of IBD on the performance of orthopedic implants has not been well studied. We hypothesized that a history of IBD at the time of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) would increase the risk of subsequent failure as assessed by revision surgery. A retrospective implant survival analysis was completed using the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Registry and the Sweden National Patient Register. A total of 150,073 patients undergoing THA for osteoarthritis within an 18-year period were included in the study. THA patients with (n = 2,604) and without (n = 147,469) a history of IBD at the time of THA were compared with primary revision as the main endpoint and adjusted using sex, age category and comorbidity (Elixhauser scores) as covariates. We found that patients with a history of IBD had a relatively higher risk of revision surgery for septic causes while the non-IBD patients had a relatively higher risk of revision for aseptic causes (p = 0.004). Our findings suggest there may be an association between gut health and THA performance.
Research sites get closer to field camps over time: Informing environmental management through a geospatial analysis of science in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
Authors: Chignell Stephen M. , Myers Madeline E. , Howkins Adrian , Fountain Andrew G.
Published: November 2021

As in many parts of the world, the management of environmental science research in Antarctica relies on cost-benefit analysis of negative environmental impact versus positive scientific gain. Several studies have examined the environmental impact of Antarctic field camps, but very little work looks at how the placement of these camps influences scientific research. In this study, we integrate bibliometrics, geospatial analysis, and historical research to understand the relationship between field camp placement and scientific production in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of East Antarctica. Our analysis of the scientific corpus from 1907–2016 shows that, on average, research sites have become less dispersed and closer to field camps over time. Scientific output does not necessarily correspond to the number of field camps, and constructing a field camp does not always lead to a subsequent increase in research in the local area. Our results underscore the need to consider the complex historical and spatial relationships between field camps and research sites in environmental management decision-making in Antarctica and other protected areas.
Evaluation of bisphenylthiazoles as a promising class for combating multidrug-resistant fungal infections
Authors: Hagras Mohamed , Abutaleb Nader S. , Sayed Ahmed M. , Salama Ehab A. , Seleem Mohamed N. , Mayhoub Abdelrahman S.
Published: November 2021

To minimize the intrinsic toxicity of the antibacterial agent hydrazinyloxadiazole 1, the hydrazine moiety was replaced with ethylenediamine (compound 7). This replacement generated a potent antifungal agent with no antibacterial activity. Notably, use of a 1,2-diaminocyclohexane moiety, as a conformationally-restricted isostere for ethylenediamine, potentiated the antifungal activity in both the cis and trans forms of N-(5-(2-([1,1’-biphenyl]-4-yl)-4-methylthiazol-5-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine (compounds 16 and 17). Both compounds 16 and 17 were void of any antibacterial activity; nonetheless, they showed equipotent antifungal activity in vitro to that of the most potent approved antifungal agent, amphotericin B. The promising antifungal effects of compounds 16 and 17 were maintained when assessed against an additional panel of 26 yeast and mold clinical isolates, including the Candida auris and C. krusei. Furthermore, compound 17 showed superior activity to amphotericin B in vitro against Candida glabrata and Cryptococcus gattii. Additionally, neither compound inhibited the normal human microbiota, and both possessed excellent safety profiles and were 16 times more tolerable than amphotericin B.