bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patterns of failure in nasopharyngeal cancer patients of northeastern region of India.
Authors: Sharma Prashasti , Bhattacharyya Mouchumee , Medhi Partha Pratim , Nath Jyotiman , Roy Partha Sarathi , Kalita Apurba Kumar , Yanthan Yanpothung , Das Abhinandan , Das Tapashi
Published: August 2023

94

Background: We aimed to analyze patterns of failure and relationship between disease volume and treatment outcomes in patients of Nasopharyngeal cancer receiving chemoradiation at tertiary cancer centre in northeast region of India. Methods: From February 2018 to February 2022, 99 histopathologically proven non metastatic NPC patients treated with IMRT and chemotherapy were analysed retrospectively. Locally advanced patients received neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. Locoregional failures were classified as in-field or out-of-field in relation to the CT data sets used for pretreatment planning. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate the impact of various prognostic factors on locoregional free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis free survival (DMFS), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The log-rank test and Kaplan-Meir curves were used to compare outcome variables based on classified tumour volume as determined by ROC analysis. Results: During a median follow up of 25.4 months (17.3-39.2), 35 (35.4%) patients developed recurrence. Twenty-nine patients developed locoregional failures, of which 11 were in-field; 12 patient showed an out-field failure. The 3-year LRFS, DMFS, PFS and OS was 71.10%, 70.90%, 64.10 and 74.10 % respectively. There was statistically significant difference in locoregional failure-free survival according to T staging (p<0.0001). Cox regression analysis revealed that gross tumor volume(GTVp) and gross nodal volume(GTVn) were an independent prognostic factor for OS, PFS, LRFS and DMFS. The cut-off volumes for GTVp and GTVn for distant metastases and locoregional failure, respectively, were found to be 13 and 22.7 mL and 3.7 and 39.2 mL, respectively, by ROC curve analysis. Based on this, 99 patients were divided into three subgroups. OS demonstrated significant differences among patients in different volume subgroups for GTVp (p=0.03) and GTVn (p=0.00024) and were superior to T classification for predicting prognosis of NPC patients. Conclusions: Distant failure is most common pattern of failure. With advanced T-stage NPC, locoregional failure is more common. GTVp and GTVn are an independent prognostic factor in local control, distant metastasis, disease-free survival, and overall survival in NPC. This justifies their use as quantitative prognostic indicator for NPC.
To Chemo or Not to Chemo… That Is the Question
Authors: Martin Maria Felisa Eva B. , Ting Frederic Ivan L.
Published: August 2023

The best practices and clinical consensus statements often differ from real-world practice.
Retrospective Cohort Study on the Limitations of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Screening in Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Desai Neelam V. , Barrows Elizabeth D. , Nielsen Sarah M. , Hatchell Kathryn E. , Anderson Michael J. , Haverfield Eden V. , Herrera Blanca , Esplin Edward D. , Lucassen Anneke , Tung Nadine M. , Isaacs Claudine
Published: August 2023

PURPOSE

Among cancer predisposition genes, most direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests evaluate three Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) founder mutations in BRCA1/2, which represent a small proportion of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants (PLPV) in cancer predisposing genes. In this study, we investigate PLPV in BRCA1/2 and other cancer predisposition genes that are missed by testing only AJ founder BRCA1/2 mutations.

METHODS

Individuals were referred to genetic testing for personal diagnoses of breast and/or ovarian cancer (clinical cohort) or were self-referred (nonindication-based cohort). There were 348,692 participants in the clinical cohort and 7,636 participants in the nonindication-based cohort. Both cohorts were analyzed for BRCA1/2 AJ founder mutations. Full sequence analysis was done for PLPV in BRCA1/2, CDH1, PALB2, PTEN, STK11, TP53, ATM, BARD1, BRIP1, CHEK2 (truncating variants), EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2/6, NF1, PMS2, RAD51C/D, and 22 other genes.

RESULTS

BRCA1/2 AJ founder mutations accounted for 10.8% and 29.7% of BRCA1/2 PLPV in the clinical and nonindication-based cohorts, respectively. AJ founder mutations accounted for 89.9% of BRCA1/2 PLPV in those of full AJ descent, but only 69.6% of those of partial AJ descent. In total, 0.5% of all individuals had a BRCA1/2 AJ founder variant, while 7.7% had PLPV in a high-risk breast/ovarian cancer gene. For non-AJ individuals, limiting evaluation to the AJ founder BRCA1/2 mutations missed >90% of mutations in actionable cancer risk genes. Secondary analysis revealed a false-positive rate of 69% for PLPV outside of non-AJ BRCA 1/2 founder mutations.

CONCLUSION

DTC genetic testing misses >90% of BRCA1/2 PLPV in individuals of non-AJ ancestry and about 10% of BRCA1/2 PLPV among AJ individuals. There is a high false-positivity rate for non-AJ BRCA 1/2 PLPV with DTC genetic testing.
D898_E901 RET Deletion Is Oncogenic, Responds to Selpercatinib, and Treatment Resistance Can Arise Via RET-Independent Mechanisms
Authors: Porcelli Tommaso , Moccia Marialuisa , De Stefano Maria Angela , Ambrosio Raffaele , Capoluongo Ettore , Santoro Massimo , Hadoux Julien , Schlumberger Martin , Carlomagno Francesca , Salvatore Domenico
Published: August 2023

PURPOSE

We analyzed the oncogenic potential of RET Δ898-901 mutant and its response to selpercatinib, vandetanib, and cabozantinib in vitro and in a clinical case.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 35-year-old man with a medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) harboring a somatic D898_E901 RET deletion was sequentially treated with vandetanib, selpercatinib, cabozantinib, and fluorouracil (5-FU)-dacarbazine. Functional study of RET Δ898-901 mutant was performed in HEK-293T, NIH-3T3, and Ba/F3 cells. RET C634R and wild-type cells served as positive and negative controls, respectively.

RESULTS

The patient showed primary resistance to vandetanib and secondary resistance to selpercatinib after 12 months. Comprehensive next-generation sequencing of a progressing lesion during selpercatinib showed no additional RET mutation but an acquired complete genetic loss of CDKN2A, CDKN2B, and MTAP genes. Subsequent treatment with cabozantinib and 5-FU-dacarbazine had poor efficacy. In vitro, RET Δ898-901 showed higher ligand-independent RET autophosphorylation compared with RET C634R and similar proliferation rates in cell models. Subcutaneous injection of Δ898-901 NIH 3T3 cells in nude mice produced tumors of around 500 mm3 in 2 weeks, similarly to RET C634R cells. Selpercatinib inhibited cell growth of Ba/F3 RET Δ898-901 and RET C634R with a similar half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of approximately 3 nM. Vandetanib was five-fold less effective at inhibiting cell growth promoted by RET Δ898-901 mutant (IC50, 564 nM) compared with RET C634R one (IC50, 91 nM). Cabozantinib efficiently inhibited Ba/F3 RET C634 proliferation (IC50, 25.9 nM), but was scarcely active in Ba/F3 RET 898-901 (IC50 > 1,350 nM).

CONCLUSION

D898_E901 RET deletion is a gain-of-function mutation and responds to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in MTC. RET Δ898-901 mutant is sensitive to selpercatinib and vandetanib, and acquired resistance to selpercatinib may develop via RET-independent mechanisms.
Η ψυχική ανθεκτικότητα ως παράγοντας αποτελεσματικότητας των ηγετών στην νέα εποχή
Authors: Δόλογλου Μαρία
Published: August 2023

Η παρούσα διατριβή αποσκοπεί στη διερεύνηση της σχέσης μεταξύ της ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας και της αποτελεσματικής ηγεσίας, με ιδιαίτερη έμφαση σε θετικά συναισθήματα, συμπεριφορές και σχέσεις που αναπτύσσει ο ηγέτης στο εργασιακό του περιβάλλον οι οποίες μπορεί να επηρεάσουν την ψυχική ανθεκτικότητα του στην σύγχρονη εποχή στο κατώφλι της τέταρτης βιομηχανικής επανάστασης και της αδήριτης ανάγκης για βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη και προσαρμογή σε έναν μεταβαλλόμενο κόσμο. Έπειτα από την ανασκόπηση της υπάρχουσας βιβλιογραφίας σχετικά με την ανθεκτικότητα και την αποτελεσματική ηγεσία, την διεξαγωγή έρευνας πιλότου και την συλλογή και την ανάλυση ποσοτικών δεδομένων από ανώνυμα ερωτηματολόγια που συλλέχθηκαν από 153 ηγέτες (προϊσταμένους και διευθυντές ) στον δημόσιο και ιδιωτικό τομέα κατά την περίοδο της υγειονομικής κρίσης του covid 19 η παρούσα διατριβή στοχεύει να παράσχει νέες γνώσεις σχετικά με τον τρόπο με τον οποίο η ανθεκτικότητα και η αποτελεσματική ηγεσία μπορούν να προωθηθούν στους οργανισμούς και τον αντίκτυπο που μπορούν να έχουν αυτοί οι παράγοντες στην οργανωτική απόδοση και επιτυχία. Η παρούσα έρευνα είναι πρωτοποριακή και σημαντική για διάφορους λόγους: Συνδυάζει δύο σημαντικά θέματα : την ηγεσία και τη ψυχική ανθεκτικότητα. Η συσχέτιση αυτών των δύο θεμάτων είναι σημαντική γιατί μπορεί να βοηθήσει τους ηγέτες να αντιμετωπίζουν το άγχος και τις προκλήσεις της ηγεσίας με μεγαλύτερη αυτοπεποίθηση και αποτελεσματικότητα και μπορεί να αποτελέσει ένα σημαντικό εργαλείο για την αντιμετώπιση των προβλημάτων που αναδύονται όλο και περισσότερο στο σύγχρονο vuca (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) περιβάλλον αναφορικά με την άσκηση ηγεσίας και όχι μόνο. Τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας δείχνουν ότι η ψυχική ανθεκτικότητα αποτελεί σημαντικό παράγοντα στη δημιουργία μιας αποτελεσματικής ηγετικής συμπεριφοράς. Επιπλέον, η επίτευξη της ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας του ηγέτη απαιτεί την ύπαρξη ή και την καλλιέργεια μιας σειράς χαρακτηριστικών, όπως η ελπίδα, η αισιοδοξία, η ταπεινότητα, το κουράγιο, η ηθική ηγεσία και η αυτοαποτελεσματικότητα. Ακόμη η ψυχική ανθεκτικότητα σχετίζεται σημαντικά με την ποιότητα των σχέσεων με τους υφιστάμενους και τους προϊσταμένους και με την ισορροπία μεταξύ της προσωπικής και επαγγελματικής ζωής του ατόμου και την ύπαρξη νοήματος στη ζωή. Τέλος, η έρευνα υπογραμμίζει το σύνθετο χαρακτήρα της ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας και τον κομβικό ρόλο που διαδραματίζει σημειώνοντας ότι η συνολική ψυχολογική ενδυνάμωση ήταν υψηλότερη στα άτομα με υψηλότερη ψυχική ανθεκτικότητα. Φαίνεται λοιπόν ότι η επίτευξη της ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας του ηγέτη αποτελεί ένα πολυδιάστατο χαρακτηριστικό που απαιτεί περαιτέρω έρευνα και διερεύνηση.
Tranexamic acid for the prevention of postpartum bleeding in women with anaemia: Statistical analysis plan for the WOMAN-2 trial: an international, randomised, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Collier Tim , Shakur-Still Haleema , Roberts Ian , Balogun Eni , Olayemi Oladapo , Bello Folasade Adenike , Chaudhri Rizwana , Muganyizi Projestine ,   WOMAN-2 Trial Collaborators
Published: August 2023

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is responsible for over 50,000 maternal deaths every year. Most of these deaths are in low- and middle-income countries. Tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces bleeding by inhibiting the enzymatic breakdown of fibrin blood clots. TXA decreases surgical bleeding and reduces deaths from bleeding after traumatic injury. When given within three hours of birth, TXA reduces deaths from bleeding in women with PPH. However, for many women, treatment of PPH is too late to prevent death. World-wide, over one-third of pregnant women are anaemic and many are severely anaemic. These women have an increased risk of PPH and are more likely to die if PPH occurs. There is an urgent need to identify ways to prevent severe postpartum bleeding in anaemic women. The WOMAN-2 trial will quantify the effects of TXA on postpartum bleeding in women with anaemia.

Results: This statistical analysis plan (version 1.0; dated 22 February 2023) has been written based on information in the WOMAN-2 Trial protocol version 2.0, dated 30 June 2022. The primary outcome of the WOMAN-2 trial is the proportion of women with a clinical diagnosis of primary PPH. Secondary outcomes are maternal blood loss and its consequences (estimated blood loss, haemoglobin, haemodynamic instability, blood transfusion, signs of shock, use of interventions to control bleeding); maternal health and wellbeing (fatigue, headache, dizziness, palpitations, breathlessness, exercise tolerance, ability to care for her baby, health related quality of life, breastfeeding); and other health outcomes (deaths, vascular occlusive events, organ dysfunction, sepsis, side effects, time spent in higher level facility, length of hospital stay, and status of the baby).

Conclusions: WOMAN-2 will provide reliable evidence about the effects of TXA in women with anaemia.

Registration: WOMAN-2 was prospectively registered at the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials registry (ISRCTN62396133) on 07/12/2017 and ClinicalTrials.gov on 23/03/2018 (NCT03475342).
Developing a safe and professional social media platform while promoting the care home
Authors: Ashurst Adrian M
Published: August 2023

Adrian Ashurst discusses points to consider when sharing content from social media accounts.
Causes of Turbine Blade Fault Found
Authors: Nathan Stuart
Published: August 2023

Context found for cracking
Drones to Join Air Force
Authors: Wade Andrew
Published: August 2023

Device to lower aircraft maintenance times
Bid to Improve Catalysis
Authors: Knight Helen
Published: August 2023

Melting nanoparticles key to enhancements
Made in Space
Authors: Nathan Stuart
Published: August 2023

Developments in 3D printing technology could make off-planet manufacturing a reality sooner rather than later.
Rapid progression of heart failure secondary to radioactive iodine treatment of hyperthyroidism: A case report
Authors: Li Zi-Han , Ni Lu-Jia , Liu Yuan-Qiao , Si Dao-Yuan
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

The deterioration of thyroid health is involved in the progression of heart failure (HF). This is usually a lengthy process, so there are almost no reports on its rapid development. Here we report a case of a young male who rapidly developed hypothyroid cardiomyopathy secondary to radioactive iodine treatment, suggesting that severe HF might occur even after a short period of hypothyroidism.

CASE SUMMARY

A 26-year-old man was referred to our hospital for HF presenting with dyspnea on exertion and chest discomfort lasting for 1 mo. He received radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism 1 year ago and had an almost normal echocardiogram 6 mo ago. Admission echocardiogram and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) revealed left ventricle (LV) global hypokinesia and severely depressed systolic function. In addition, late gadolinium enhancement indicated no obvious changes in the myocardium. Thyroid function tests showed decreased serum levels of thyroid hormone (TH) and elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone. Based on an exclusionary examination, the patient was diagnosed with hypothyroid cardiomyopathy and was started on replacement therapy. His HF symptoms were completely relieved during the six-month follow-up, and echocardiogram and CMR revealed recovered LV size and ejection fraction.

CONCLUSION

This report demonstrates that severe fluctuations in TH levels may lead to acute HF, which can completely recover with timely thyroid hormone replacement. In addition, our findings highlight the importance of routinely detecting cardiac function in patients treated with radioactive iodine.
Early esophageal carcinomas in achalasia patient after endoscopic submucosal dissection combined with peroral endoscopic myotomy: A case report
Authors: An Bai-Quan , Wang Chun-Xiao , Zhang Hai-Yan , Fu Jin-Dong
Published: August 2023

In recent years, because of the growing desire to improve the noninvasiveness and safety of tumor treatments, sonodynamic therapy has gradually become a popular research topic. However, due to the complexity of the therapeutic process, the relevant mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. One of the widely accepted possibilities involves the effect of reactive oxygen species. In this review, the mechanism of reactive oxygen species production by sonodynamic therapy (SDT) and ways to enhance the sonodynamic production of reactive oxygen species are reviewed. Then, the clinical application and limitations of SDT are discussed. In conclusion, current research on sonodynamic therapy should focus on the development of sonosensitizers that efficiently produce active oxygen, exhibit biological safety, and promote the clinical transformation of sonodynamic therapy.
Analysis of Available Yawing Moment of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Model in Simulation Frame
Authors: Ghosh Pritam , Das Anwesha , Mandal Pranibesh
Published: August 2023

Research endeavors on the design and control techniques of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) have been going on for a long time. In the present study, the yaw motion of a small submerged underwater vehicle is investigated and visualized as a direct result of changes in the rudder tilt angle and forward velocity. The numerical analysis is performed in ANSYS-Fluent software. The turbulent flow field has been modeled using Shear Stress Transport (SST) k-ω model. A grid independence test has been conducted to ensure the validity of the findings. The forces on the rudder and the available yaw moment have been obtained for different combinations of the AUV’s rudder tilt angle and forward velocity. The trend has intuitively been consistent and agreed with the basic concept of hydrodynamics
Crafting Survival: Chamorro and Okinawan Women’s Camp Labor in the Northern Mariana Islands, 1944–1946 / 生きるための工芸：北マリアナ諸島の米軍民間人収容所におけるチャモ ロ・沖縄女性の労働(1944–1946 年)
Authors: Takeda Ayuko
Published: August 2023

Abstract: While Japanese and U.S. scholars have examined the U.S. narrative of liberating women in postwar Japan, the U.S. military’s internment of local women in the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) further elucidates the contradictory nature of U.S. liberation. During World War II, U.S. forces captured and interned the local population of the islands in the name of liberation and protection from Japanese forces. Since Japan had previously colonized the NMI for three decades, these interned civilians included Chamorro and Refaluwasch (Native Pacific Islanders), as well as Okinawans, Koreans, and Japanese settlers. While interned at camps, these local Native and Asian women performed various forms of labor, including craft-making. I argue that interned women made crafts for their economic survival, responding to the U.S. military’s expectation of crafting as a key industry to represent the liberation of women and the rehabilitation of the local economy of the islands after Japanese rule. I also contend that crafting held a deeper cultural meaning, especially for Chamorro and Okinawan women, which escaped the attention of U.S. military officers and enabled the sustenance of Native practices. By analyzing U.S. military records and photographs, as well as women’s memoirs and crafts, this article demonstrates how Native and Asian women in the NMI creatively responded to the U.S. imperial projects of liberation and rehabilitation during and after WWII.
Examining the Ex(Im)plicit Qualities in Japanese Spatial Atmosphere
Through Haiku 俳句 and Haiga 俳画 Examples: The Layer of Narration
Authors: Hiçsönmezler İlke
Published: August 2023

In any focus on an aesthetic experience one may find both sensational and cognitive qualities, referred to as the scene and scenario respectively. Hence, an experiencer tries to decipher the scenario —a narration—by sensing the scene —space—through the spatial atmosphere. Thus, space starts to transform into a poetic experience. Japanese architecture, on account of a number of inherent qualities, has the capability to convey such narrations in spaces. In Japanese examples, an experiencer tries to derive the narration that emanates from explicit qualities—sensational, such as textual, visual, audial, or tactile phenomena—with his/her implicit qualities—cognitive/intellectual abilities. The article examines the layer of narration of Japanese architectural structure through haiku 俳句 and haiga 俳画 examples, in doing so, utilizes the layers proposed on behalf of the explicit and implicit qualities: nature-based and feeling-based .
Elysian Landscapes and Cultural Self-Fashioning in Lady Mary Wortley Montagu's Letters from Turkey and Italy
Authors: Tung Shirley F.
Published: August 2023

Abstract: This article traces Lady Mary Wortley Montagu's repeated references to the Ancient Greek afterworld, Elysium, in her accounts of her respective residences in Turkey in 1717 and Italy from 1739 until 1756. I argue that Montagu uses Elysium to construct a distinctly feminine discourse about traveling, reimagining it as a voluntary death that releases her from social roles and national affiliation. Montagu's evolving discussion of Elysium coincides with her self-fashioning as an authoritative woman travel writer, who offers an alternative to the superficial cultural engagement of the eighteenth-century male Grand Tourist.
Fact of Feeling: Memory in the Victorian Ghost Story
Authors: Hiskes Ben
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT: This paper examines how the Victorian ghost-story genre troubles realist visions of memory as a store of immutable past experiences. Analyses of ghost stories by Ellen Wood, Amelia B. Edwards, Dinah Mulock, and George MacDonald reveal that they portray memory as constructed, biased, and fallible. Through first-person and frame narratives, these stories illustrate how the act of recollection falsifies memories by reshaping them to better fit affective narrative arcs, thus depicting a form of nostalgic memory that foregrounds feeling at the cost of accuracy. Yet, even as these ghost stories highlight the impossibility of truly accurate recollection, their focus on traumatic events emphasizes the felt imperative to accurately recall and communicate emotional experiences.
Spatial spillover effect of China’s tax and fee reduction policies on independent research and development evidence from dynamic Spatial Dubin analysis
Authors: Wu Meng , Sun Ruoyuan
Published: August 2023

To test the driving effect of China’s tax and fee reduction policies on independent innovation, we established a model of Dynamic Spatial Durbin (SDM) and introduced DMSP/OLS night lighting data and Malmquist productivity index for partial differential decomposition. We found that: (1) Affected by the tax and fee reduction policies, the local province tends to increase the level of independent innovation in the short term, while neighboring provinces tend to purchase and rely on foreign technology; (2) In the long term, the tax and fee reduction policies do not significantly increase the level of independent innovation in local and neighboring regions; (3) There is a strategic choice behavior of local government between political promotion incentives and promoting independent innovation; (4) The policy externality of tax reduction and fee reduction has a two-way feedback effect. We conclude that: (1) The spatial agglomeration characteristics of tax and fee reduction policies require the government to fully consider the local innovation and economic foundation, and break the resource endowment of administrative divisions; (2) The spatial feedback feature of the tax and fee reduction policies requires the government to focus on the two-way interaction of independent innovation in the adjacent regions, rather than just one-way assistance, imitation and learning; (3) The spatial lag characteristics of tax and fee reduction policies require the government to establish a accountability system or life-long system for innovative performance evaluation. Moreover, the study fails to provide causality evidence from the spatial agglomeration and spatial time-delay.
Better data for decision-making through Bayesian imputation of suppressed provisional COVID-19 death counts
Authors: Kao Szu-Yu Zoe , Tutwiler M. Shane , Ekwueme Donatus U. , Truman Benedict I.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

To facilitate use of timely, granular, and publicly available data on COVID-19 mortality, we provide a method for imputing suppressed COVID-19 death counts in the National Center for Health Statistic’s 2020 provisional mortality data by quarter, county, and age.

Methods

We used a Bayesian approach to impute suppressed COVID-19 death counts by quarter, county, and age in provisional data for 3,138 US counties. Our model accounts for multilevel data structures; numerous zero death counts among persons aged <50 years, rural counties, early quarters in 2020; highly right-skewed distributions; and different levels of data granularity (county, state or locality, and national levels). We compared three models with different prior assumptions of suppressed COVID-19 deaths, including noninformative priors (M1), the same weakly informative priors for all age groups (M2), and weakly informative priors that differ by age (M3) to impute the suppressed death counts. After the imputed suppressed counts were available, we assessed three prior assumptions at the national, state/locality, and county level, respectively. Finally, we compared US counties by two types of COVID-19 death rates, crude (CDR) and age-standardized death rates (ASDR), which can be estimated only through imputing suppressed death counts.

Results

Without imputation, the total COVID-19 death counts estimated from the raw data underestimated the reported national COVID-19 deaths by 18.60%. Using imputed data, we overestimated the national COVID-19 deaths by 3.57% (95% CI: 3.37%-3.80%) in model M1, 2.23% (95% CI: 2.04%-2.43%) in model M2, and 2.96% (95% CI: 2.76%-3.16%) in model M3 compared with the national report. The top 20 counties that were most affected by COVID-19 mortality were different between CDR and ASDR.

Conclusions

Bayesian imputation of suppressed county-level, age-specific COVID-19 deaths in US provisional data can improve county ASDR estimates and aid public health officials in identifying disparities in deaths from COVID-19.
Environmental determinants and risk behaviour in the case of indigenous malaria in Muara Enim Regency, Indonesia: A case-control design
Authors: Hasyim Hamzah , Ihram Muhammad Aandi , Fakhriyatiningrum  , Misnaniarti  , Idris Haerawati , Liberty Iche Andriyani , Flora Rostika , Zulkifli Hilda , Tessema Zemenu Tadesse , Maharani Fadhilah Eka , Syafrudin Din , Dale Patricia
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Malaria is a significant public health concern in Indonesia. Muara Enim Regency is one of the districts in South Sumatra with the most important number of indigenous malaria cases in the last three years (2018–2020). Therefore, this study aimed to identify determinants of indigenous malaria in the Muara Enim Regency.

Methods

This study was designed as a case-control study. A stratified random sample in 2018, 2019, and 2020 was used at the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) areas of Tanjung Enim and Tanjung Agung. The sample included 49 cases and 49 controls. Indigenous malaria determinants were discovered using both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models.

Result

The multivariable logistic regression model results show that mosquito repellent reduces malaria risk by 71% (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.11–0.64). Besides, the presence of wire mesh on ventilation reduces the risk of malaria by 76% (AOR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.10–0.57), and the distance from mosquito breeding sites near hundred meters and fewer increases the risk of malaria by 3.88 fold (AOR = 3.88; 95% CI: 1.67–8.97).

Conclusions

Multivariable analysis revealed distance from mosquito breeding sites as a risk factor for malaria. Besides, the study shows that using insect repellent, wire netting in ventilation, eliminating mosquito breeding sites, mosquito repellent or protective clothing, and improving house conditions were protective factors for indigenous malaria. Therefore, preventive and promotional efforts are essential as the first step toward malaria elimination at the study site, including avoiding direct contact between residents and vectors near mosquito breeding sites.
Comparison of DNA concentration and bacterial pathogen PCR detection when using two DNA extraction kits for nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal samples
Authors: Khan Dam , Thomas Shola-Able , Tientcheu Peggy-Estelle , Suso Sambou M. S. , Dupont Christopher , Kwambana-Adams Brenda , Mohammed Nuredin Ibrahim , Nicol Mark P. , Antonio Martin
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Several important human pathogens that cause life-threatening infections are asymptomatically carried in the Nasopharynx/Oropharynx (NP/OP). DNA extraction is a prerequisite for most culture-independent techniques used to identify pathogens in the NP/OP. However, components of DNA extraction kits differ thereby giving rise to differences in performance. We compared the DNA concentration and the detection of three pathogens in the NP/OP using the discontinued DNeasy PowerSoil Kit (Kit DP) and the DNeasy PowerLyzer PowerSoil Kit (Kit DPP).

Methods

DNA was extracted from the same set of 103 NP/OP samples using the two kits. DNA concentration was measured using the Qubit 2.0 Fluorometer. Real-time Polymerase Chain reaction (RT-PCR) was done using the QuantStudio 7-flex system to detect three pathogens: S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and N. meningitidis. Bland-Altman statistics and plots were used to determine the threshold cycle (Ct) value agreement for the two kits.

Results

The average DNA concentration from kit DPP was higher than Kit DP; 1235.6 ng/ml (SD = 1368.3) vs 884.9 ng/ml (SD = 1095.3), p = 0.002. Using a Ct value cutoff of 40 for positivity, the concordance for the presence of S. pneumoniae was 82% (84/102); 94%(96/103) for N. meningitidis and 92%(95/103) for H. influenzae. Kit DP proportionately resulted in higher Ct values than Kit DPP for all pathogens. The Ct value bias of measurement for S. pneumoniae was +2.4 (95% CI, 1.9–3.0), +1.4 (95% CI, 0.9–1.9) for N. meningitidis and +1.4 (95% CI, 0.2–2.5) for H. influenzae.

Conclusion

The higher DNA concentration obtained using kit DPP could increase the chances of recovering low abundant bacteria. The PCR results were reproducible for more than 90% of the samples for the gram-negative H. influenzae and N. meningitidis. Ct value variations of the kits must be taken into consideration when comparing studies that have used the two kits.
Re-examining superhero politics in popular culture
Authors: Wilson Carl , Piatti-Farnell Lorna
Published: August 2023

This Special Issue re-examines the part played by superheroes in contemporary narratives within popular culture. In so doing, it explores how these iconic figures reflect identities and meaning in social, cultural, political and historical contexts.
‘You’re a refugee, are you not?’ ‘Extraordinary bodies’, monstrous outsiders and US refugee policies in superhero comics
Authors: Powell Tina
Published: August 2023

In the 1970s and 1980s, comic book publishing giants DC and Marvel sought to diversify their cast of superheroes to better represent their US readership. While the publishers’ increasingly diverse cast of numerous US constituencies sought to reflect a shift towards greater representation, the flow of migrants/immigrants/refugees that marked the cold war years of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s remained largely out of the pages of mainstream comics. However, Marvel’s Chris Claremont and DC’s Marv Wolfman and George Perez introduced Vietnamese refugees to two teenage teams in the early 1980s. This article seeks to examine the way these characters, Marvel’s Karma and DC’s Thunder and Lightning, reflect US political rhetoric concerning the South East Asian refugee crisis in the late 1970s/early 1980s. Marvel’s and DC’s characters represent two poles of political thought concerning refugees; Karma is depicted as a victim of communism who is rescued by the United States, while Thunder and Lightning are villains who seek to upend US patriarchal relationships with Asian nations. Using comic studies’ scholarship and current discussions in critical refugee studies, this article argues that the depictions of these refugees reflect national discourse concerning the ideals of the United States.
‘You don’t feel anything?’ The Cold War, family affect and reproductive politics in Black Widow
Authors: DiMaggio Jena
Published: August 2023

This article explains how Marvel’s Black Widow film constructs both political liberation and personal satisfaction as dependent on a striving towards the heteronormative family. The family is, to use Sara Ahmed’s framework, the ultimate ‘happy object’: a relationship that promises social harmony as well as happiness and fulfilment, and the characters strive towards and ultimately agree upon the family as the good for which they fight. The film simultaneously enacts a Cold War politic by coding the enemy – the Red Room – as a communist Other whose cruelty manifests by perverting the model of the American nuclear family in favour of an extreme patriarchal model that foregoes normative reproductive. Consequently, the establishment of justice resides in defeating this communist Other and reinstituting the nuclear family, a narrative imported nearly wholesale from the Cold War era.
Listening to choreography
Authors: Grover-Friedlander Michal
Published: August 2023

This article argues that Michal Grover-Friedlander’s choreography Project 2021 (2021) relates to the domains of dance and of music – unheard and heard – in a new way, expanding current typologies of dance and music. It maintains that music-less choreography can nevertheless be perceived as generating music. Project 2021, the article claims, portrays a relationship of dance not directly to music but rather to listening to music; the choreography solicits listening, inviting the audience to perform the act of listening to movement. Project 2021 is contextualized by providing a brief overview of the relationship between music and dance. Two examples are considered in some detail. Both explore the relationship between dance and unheard music: Xavier Le Roy’s choreography Mouvements für Lachenmann: Staging of an Evening Concert (2005) and Mark Appelbaum’s musical composition Tlön, for Three Conductors and No Players (1995).
Enacting peripeteia in Möbius Strip: Adapting Butoh principles in mixed-media performance
Authors: Kolliopoulou Eleni
Published: August 2023

The article draws from the Japanese phenomenological approach (Kyoto School) concerning the embodied experience of time-space. The article aims at the distillation of Butoh principles and its creative adaptation in a mixed-media performance titled Möbius Strip. As a method of choreographic practice, the concept of qualia is the matrix of Butoh notation (Butoh-fu). The western term for qualia would be ‘image-worlds’, which is encountered in the choreographic practice of Trisha Brown, Steve Paxton and Michael Chekhov (). Butoh-fu is a chain of qualia (scores/atmospheres). Consisting of qualia that require full psychophysical engagement of the performer, Butoh-fu, one could dare to say, resonates with Haiku or Zen Koans (). Under this frame, the performance explores notions of temporality availing in the processual nature of qualia to address the issue of ‘politics of time in neo-liberal societies’ (). The performance borrows its title from the concept of a Möbius Strip by mathematicians A. F. Möbius and J. B. Listing; having only one side and remaining in one piece when split down the middle, characterized by alternative modalities of connectivity. Möbius Strip focuses on the effects of war upon ‘ordinary people’ who suddenly find themselves amidst a crisis that urges them to reconsider their principles and discover dormant values. This is a decisive turning point: a peripeteia. The performance is a bittersweet embodied poem that wishes to offer a crack of light amidst the deep darkness of the current warfare. This article documents part of the practice-based research that includes the creation process and theoretical framework of Möbius Strip. The performance seals the studio work, where Butoh training was deployed as a methodological tool to sensitize performers’ psychophysical compresence. Furthermore, while allowing themselves to be observed by the gaze of the audience, they eventually access shifting time perceptions through the performative experience.
Measurement of serum short-chain fatty acid concentrations in cattle after oral administration of difructose anhydride III
Authors: Priyo Topas Wicaksono Jr , Uno Seiichi , Kokushi Emiko , Toda Katsuki , Hasunuma Hiroshi , Matsumoto Daisaku , Yamato Osamu , Ohtani Masayuki , Widodo Oky Setyo , Pambudi Dhidhi , Taniguchi Masayasu , Takagi Mitsuhiro
Published: August 2023

Background and Aim: We previously reported the mitigation effects of difructose anhydride III (DFA III) on mycotoxins, such as zearalenon and sterigmatocystin, based on the urinary concentrations of these molecules in calves. This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of dietary supplementation of DFA III and the fermented status of DFA III in the intestine by comparing serum levels of short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) in DFA III-supplemented cattle with those in non-supplemented control cattle.

Materials and Methods: Serum SCFA concentrations were measured in 30 Japanese Black heifers, aged 9–10 months, from two herds, using gas chromatography on days 0 (before DFA III supplementation), 9, and 14 after DFA III supplementation.

Results: A notably different trend was observed for isobutyric acid and enanthic acid, which may reflect the different fermentation status of supplementary DFA III in the intestine. Our results indicate the possibility that this trend observed in the intestinal tract following DFA III administration is associated with changes in the environment of intestinal bacterial flora, which may partially reflect the effects of DFA III supplementation on cattle.

Conclusion: Difructose anhydride III supplementation for at least 2 weeks affects the trend of blood SCFA concentrations in cattle. Our results provide evidence supporting the effects of DFA III on the intestinal environment and intestinal barrier function.

Keywords: cattle, difructose anhydride III, short-chain fatty acid.
Sonodynamic Therapy: An Emerging Treatment for Deadly Brain Tumors
Authors:   Sonalasense, Benaim Ely
Published: August 2023

Researchers and clinicians have made great strides against many cancers but, unfortunately, not all of them. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains incredibly deadly – the five-year survival rate is a meager 5%. Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is an almost universally fatal pediatric brain tumor. The five-year survival is around 2%. GBMs are generally treated with surgery and radiation. DIPG is so thoroughly embedded in the pons that surgery is impossible. Radiation can provide some small relief, and clinicians have seen some promise in CAR-T therapy. [3] However, the gains are uncertain and the cost in side effects quite high.
Nursing staff practices towards computerization and computer use in a teaching and Referral hospital, Nairobi Kenya
Authors: Musee Christine Mwikali , sisimwo peter , Mweu Judith Mutindi , Maina Philemona , Mutua Rosemary , Omulogoli Grace
Published: August 2023

Introduction: The use and dependence on information technology has recently become increasingly widespread in healthcare and nursing care delivery. The purpose of this study was to assess practices among nursing staff in relation to computerization and computer use in a tertiary referral hospital.
Methods: This was a cross sectional study comprising qualified nurses from all departments. Data were collected using questionnaires and observationchecklists. Data were analysed using statistical package for social sciences package version 22.A sample size of 291 nurses participated in the study. A P-value

<
0.05 was considered statistical significant.
Results: Majority of the respondent’s age was in the category 40-44 years and comprised senior nursing officers 132 (45.4%). Majority participants used computers for ordering supplies 160 (55%), nursing notes 41 (14.1%), billing 64 (22%) and communication 26 (8.9%). Two hundred and fifty nine (89%) had the ability to type using the computer keyboard while 32 (11%) had difficulties. Regarding communication, 50 (17.2%) used electronic mails while 241(82.8%) did not and this was statistically significant p<0.0001.C
onclusion:Nurse’s practices on computerization and computer use have an important bearing on the uptake and utilization of computer systems in the workplace.Majority of the nurses used computers for ordering supplies, billing and nursing notes.
ALGUNAS CONSIDERACIONES PARA LA IMPLEMENTACIÓN DE LA ASTROBIOLOGÍA COMO RECURSO DIDÁCTICO EN LA ENSEÑANZA DE LAS CIENCIAS EN LA EDUCACIÓN SECUNDARIA
Authors: Nava Bautista José Mauricio
Published: August 2023

Se presenta un análisis de las condiciones actuales para la enseñanza de la Astrobiología como recurso didáctico en la educación secundaria en México. El objetivo principal es conocer si se cuenta con contenidos teóricos en los libros de texto de biología que sirven de base para la enseñanza de la astrobiología como recurso didáctico. Las teorías sobre el origen de la vida están aparentemente ausentes de los libros actuales de texto de la asignatura de Biología y su ausencia constituye una barrera para aplicar el recurso didáctico de la astrobiología en la enseñanza de las ciencias. Para lograr una mejor implementación del recurso didáctico de la astrobiología en la escuela secundaria, sería deseable contar nuevamente con los contenidos de las teorías del origen de la vida en los libros de texto de la asignatura de biología.
A Study Regarding the Improvement of Counseling Activity Classes in the Elementary School Curriculum
Authors:   Center For Educational Research, Jun Eun-Gyeong , Yu Hyeong-Keun , Kim Han-Yeong , Kim Yu-Ree
Published: August 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the operation status of counseling activity classes operatedin the elementary school curriculum (creative experience activities) and to find ways to smoothly operatecounseling activity classes in the curriculum.
Methods: An online survey was conducted with 144 elementary school counselors in Seoul, andtwo focus group interviews with 17 participants including eight school counselors, four schooladministrators, and five elementary school teachers.
Results: As a result of the analysis, elementary school counseling activity classes were 1) activitiesthat helped students understand; 2) Counseling activity classes, which are mostly operated aslecture-style classes, put a burden on professional counselors, making it difficult to “consult” theiroriginal work; and 3) In order for counseling activities classes to operate smoothly in the curriculum,institutional supplementation is required, such as improving the treatment of professional counselorsand preparing a school counseling curriculum.
Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, a proposed policy plan for the smooth operation ofcounseling activities classes in the elementary school curriculum (creative experience activities) wasdetailed.
Factors Influencing Use of Web for Academic Pursuit in Relation to User Categories
Authors: Datta Swati , Kumar Shiv
Published: August 2023

This paper examines the factors accountable for users’ tendency to use the free web resources for achievingtheir academic goals and also the reasons that prevented the users from using the credible sources of the libraryfor their academic needs. Further, this study also attempted to ascertain whether user category has any influenceon the factors which boost the use of web for academic purpose. A questionnaire- based survey was conductedfor five universities of Chandigarh, Haryana and Punjab including post graduate students, research scholars andfaculty members. The findings showed that a majority of respondents from three categories chose the web becauseof the speedy retrieval of information, ease of access, no need for any advanced search skills to search on internetand further it saved their time when compared with the online e-resources subscribed by the library. Most of themfound it difficult to physically visit the library. They were not familiar with which e-resources were available onsubscribed databases or on the web. About half of users stated that no updation was made on the library websiteabout newly subscribed e-resources. Discontinued e-resources were not removed from library website when userssearched them for information and found nothing. The paper recommends that user education programmes shouldbe conducted and the interface of the library should be made user friendly so as to encourage the users to useauthentic information from the e-resources subscribed by the library for academic purpose.
Tratamento de Classe III esquelética em paciente adulto jovem sem auxílio de cirurgia ortognática: Carriere Motion + Invisalign
Authors: Prado Eduardo
Published: August 2023

OBJETIVO: Apresentar o tratamento ortodôntico de um paciente adulto jovem com má oclusão de Classe III esquelética, altura facial anterior aumentada e trespasse horizontal negativo excessivo. CASO CLÍNICO: As opções de tratamento incluíam exodontia de primeiros pré-molares ou terceiros molares inferiores e compensação dentoalveolar, ou tratamento ortodôntico-cirúrgico. A exodontia de terceiros molares inferiores com compensação dentoalveolar foi o tratamento de escolha. Em uma primeira fase, foram utilizados braquetes Roth com torque lingual de coroa acentuado nos incisivos superiores, e Carriere Motion na arcada inferior, associados a mecânica de Classe III. RESULTADOS: Os elásticos de Classe III moveram os dentes superiores para mesial e auxiliaram na retrusão dos dentes inferiores. Após a correção sagital, o paciente removeu a aparelhagem fixa e instalou-se o aparelho Invisalign, para obtenção de uma melhor finalização. A adesão do paciente ao uso dos elásticos foi excelente, e uma estética dentofacial satisfatória foi alcançada. CONCLUSÃO: Esse protocolo de tratamento tem indicações rigorosas, não sendo um plano de rotina. A mecanoterapia, os prós e contras dessa abordagem são discutidos no artigo.
Tratamento da Classe II subdivisão utilizando miniparafuso extra-alveolar na região de buccal shelf associado a aparelhos autoligáveis com prescrição individualizada: relato de caso
Authors: Villela Henrique Mascarenhas
Published: August 2023

INTRODUÇÃO: As más oclusões de Classe II de Angle subdivisão de natureza dentoalveolar ou com assimetria esquelética moderada podem ser tratadas com ou sem exodontias de pré-molares, juntamente com diversos recursos de ancoragem. O advento dos miniparafusos extra-alveolares aumentou a eficiência do tratamento ortodôntico nas correções sagitais, pois permitiu efetuar maiores movimentações de mesialização ou de distalização, anulando os efeitos colaterais indesejados, por meio de um procedimento minimamente invasivo. A associação desse recurso de ancoragem com os aparelhos autoligáveis passivos com prescrições individualizadas reduz a necessidade de dobras no arco e a dependência da colaboração do paciente. OBJETIVO: Relatar um caso clínico no qual foi utilizado um miniparafuso extra-alveolar na buccal shelf como recurso de ancoragem para efetuar a mesialização da hemiarcada inferior direita, associado a aparelhos autoligáveis passivos com prescrição individualizada, para correção da Classe II subdivisão direita. CONCLUSÃO: A associação do miniparafuso extra-alveolar na buccal shelf com o sistema de aparelhos autoligáveis passivos com prescrições individualizadas se mostrou eficiente na correção da má oclusão de Classe II subdivisão direita.