bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Out of Adversity Comes Opportunity: Smart-Colpo National Program for the Elimination of Carcinoma Cervix in a Post–COVID-19 World
Authors: R Anjali , Gowda Naveen R , H Vikas , Prabhu Meghana , Sharma Jai Bhagwan , Vakharia Khyati , Kumar Atul , M V Akhila , Gatta Shilpa , Sareddy Madhuri , K P Sowmya , T K Divya , Desai Devashish , Gopinath Bharath , Viswanath Somanath , Kini Ananth
Published: March 2023

Background

Carcinoma cervix is one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide. The World Health Organization has put forth the 90-70-90 global strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem. It calls for 70% women to be screened at least once in their lifetime. However, this rate is as low as 1.9% for India and even lower for many other countries, making the target insurmountable, especially in resource-constrained settings. The COVID-19 pandemic made this even more challenging.

Objective

This study aimed to identify bottlenecks and high leverage points and propose a technology-driven, national-level program for improving the screening of carcinoma cervix.

Methods

Detailed process mapping was done to identify potential bottlenecks. A counterfactual approach was used to identify high leverage points for impact using “What if” scenarios. These findings were used to build program theory–based logic models to propose a national-level program for carcinoma cervix prevention.

Results

Availability, accessibility, affordability, skewed distribution of infrastructure, cost implications, and limited specialist workforce were identified as bottlenecks. The COVID-19 pandemic put a strain on existing resources and worsened the situation. The existing network of primary health care workers, changes in health-seeking behavior due to COVID-19 with the increasing role of tele-health, conducive political milieu with initiatives such as Digital India Mission, and a booming start-up ecosystem were identified as high leverage points through the counterfactual approach. Using these findings, a national program was designed with program theory–based logic modeling.

Conclusions

The journey from <2% of women screened at least once in their lifetime all the way to 70% would need a drastic increase in funding and resource allocation, which is unlikely considering the current conditions. COVID-19 has not only been an adversity but also opened new thinking and opportunities. Artificial intelligence–driven, cost-effective, easy-to-use, and widely acceptable solutions such as “Smart-Colpo” can be a game changer to achieve the World Health Organization targets.

Conflicts of Interest

None declared.
eHealth Promoting Stoma Self-care for People With an Elimination Ostomy: Focus Group Study (Preprint)
Authors: Soares-Pinto Igor , Braga Ana Margarida Pinto , Santos Isabel Maria Ribeiro Morais Araujo , Ferreira Natália Maria Ribeiro Gomes , Silva Sandra Cristina da Rocha e , Alves Paulo Jorge
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

The construction of an elimination stoma has a physical, psychological, and social impact on the person. The development of stoma self-care competence contributes to the adaptation to a new health condition and improvement of quality of life. eHealth refers to everything associated with information and communication technology and health care, including telemedicine, mobile health, and health informatics. The use of eHealth platforms by the person with an ostomy, as a digital application that includes websites and mobile phone apps, can bring scientific knowledge and well-informed practices to individuals, families, and communities. It also allows functionalities that enable the person to describe and identify early signs and symptoms and precursors of complications and to be guided to an adequate health response for their problems.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to define the most relevant content and features to promote ostomy self-care integrated into an eHealth platform as a digital app or website to be used by patients for self-management of stoma care.

METHODS

We developed a descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach using the focus group methodology, which was oriented to reach a consensus of at least 80%. A convenience sample of 7 participants consisting of stomatherapy nurses was used. The focus group discussion was recorded, and field notes were taken. The focus group meeting was fully transcribed, and a qualitative analysis was performed. The research question was: Which content and features for ostomy self-care promotion should be integrated into an eHealth platform as a digital app or website?

RESULTS

An eHealth platform, which can be a smartphone app or website, for people with ostomy should provide content aimed at promoting self-care, namely in the field of knowledge and self-monitoring, as well as the possibility of interacting with a stomatherapy care nurse.

CONCLUSIONS

The stomatherapy nurse has a decisive role in promoting adaptation to life with a stoma, namely through the promotion of stoma self-care. Technological evolution has emerged as a useful tool to enhance nursing interventions and promote self-care competence. The development of an eHealth platform aimed at promoting ostomy self-care should include the capabilities for telehealth and help with decision-making regarding self-monitoring and seeking differentiated care.
Out of Adversity Comes Opportunity: Smart-Colpo National Program for the Elimination of Carcinoma Cervix in a Post–COVID-19 World (Preprint)
Authors: R Anjali , Gowda Naveen R , H Vikas , Prabhu Meghana , Sharma Jai Bhagwan , Vakharia Khyati , Kumar Atul , M V Akhila , Gatta Shilpa , Sareddy Madhuri , K P Sowmya , T K Divya , Desai Devashish , Gopinath Bharath , Viswanath Somanath , Kini Ananth
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Carcinoma cervix is one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide. The World Health Organization has put forth the 90-70-90 global strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem. It calls for 70% women to be screened at least once in their lifetime. However, this rate is as low as 1.9% for India and even lower for many other countries, making the target insurmountable, especially in resource-constrained settings. The COVID-19 pandemic made this even more challenging.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify bottlenecks and high leverage points and propose a technology-driven, national-level program for improving the screening of carcinoma cervix.

METHODS

Detailed process mapping was done to identify potential bottlenecks. A counterfactual approach was used to identify high leverage points for impact using “What if” scenarios. These findings were used to build program theory–based logic models to propose a national-level program for carcinoma cervix prevention.

RESULTS

Availability, accessibility, affordability, skewed distribution of infrastructure, cost implications, and limited specialist workforce were identified as bottlenecks. The COVID-19 pandemic put a strain on existing resources and worsened the situation. The existing network of primary health care workers, changes in health-seeking behavior due to COVID-19 with the increasing role of tele-health, conducive political milieu with initiatives such as Digital India Mission, and a booming start-up ecosystem were identified as high leverage points through the counterfactual approach. Using these findings, a national program was designed with program theory–based logic modeling.

CONCLUSIONS

The journey from <2% of women screened at least once in their lifetime all the way to 70% would need a drastic increase in funding and resource allocation, which is unlikely considering the current conditions. COVID-19 has not only been an adversity but also opened new thinking and opportunities. Artificial intelligence–driven, cost-effective, easy-to-use, and widely acceptable solutions such as “Smart-Colpo” can be a game changer to achieve the World Health Organization targets.
The Effect of Commonly Used Organic Acids on the Microbiota of Cured Deli-Style Turkey Breast
Authors: Dogan Mehmet , Milkowski Andrew L. , Steinberger Andrew J. , Suen Garret , Sindelar Jeffrey J.
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the microbial community structure consisting of spoilage lactic acid bacteria (LAB) when sodium lactate (SL) and SL + sodium diacetate (SD) are included in RTE meat product formulations at concentrations commonly used for controlling Listeria monocytogenes. Sliced cooked, vacuum-packaged turkey breast samples containing no SD or SL (control [C]), 0.125% SD, and the combination of 2.5% SL + 0.125%SD (SLSD) were inoculated with a target of 3 log colony-forming units (CFU)/g of 5 different LAB species (Lactobacillus sakei, Leuconostoc mesenteroides [bacon and deli-shaved ham isolates], Lactococcus lactis, and Enterococcus faecium) and stored at 4°C for 35 d. Microbial community changes were analyzed utilizing 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing for the V4 region from the samples collected at days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 35. No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed between the richness of microbial community for all treatments. According to Bray-Curtis dissimilarity matrix and permutational analysis of variance, a significant difference in β-diversity was observed only between C and SLSD (P<0.05) because of the antimicrobial effect of the addition of SL that slowed down changes in microbial community composition until day 14. L. sakei remained a dominant strain throughout 35 d of storage regardless of treatment, whereas L. mesenteroides existed with a very low abundance. Two of the five strains were not seen after day 7. No significant effect (P>0.05) was observed for the SD treatment compared with C in the microbiota. According to the results from this study, only SLSD affected the microbial community structure at the beginning of the storage. This study demonstrated that the incorporation of SL in the formulation slowed down the microbial spoilage and the changes in the microbiota of RTE meat products.
Comportamiento del Strain ventrículo derecho en pacientes tratados con quimioterapia y/o radioterapia en una cohorte de pacientes
Authors: Canahuate Rodríguez Grisel , Taveras Hiraldo Amparo , Rivera Núñez Eleana , Pérez Alegría Saray , Arias Ceballos Miguel
Published: March 2023

Introducción: es bien conocida la utilidad del strain global longitudinal (SGL) del ventrículo izquierdo (VI) en pacientes que reciben antineoplásicos. Estudios recientes sugieren una conducta similar del strain longitudinal de la pared libre (SLPL) del ventrículo derecho (VD), pero en la literatura aún existen muchas controversias que limitan su valoración, por lo que este estudio es un aporte a esta necesidad de practicidad.

Objetivo: evaluar el comportamiento del SLPL del VD en los pacientes tratados con quimioterapia y/o radioterapia, y su correlación con el SGL del VI.

Metodología: se aplicó un protocolo de recolección de datos que incluía variables demográficas y antecedentes de pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer, tratados con quimioterapia y/o radioterapia, que acudieron a realizarse un ecocardiograma con strain, desde noviembre 2020 a marzo 2021. El ecocardiograma se hizo acorde con los estándares de las guías de la Sociedad Americana de Ecocardiografía, que incluyera SGL del VI y el SLPL del VD. Los datos fueron analizados en programa SPSS.

Resultados: de 90 pacientes, 6 excluidos para un total de 84 recopilados. 89 % mujeres, edad promedio 59 ±11 años, 73 % cáncer de mama. 54 % hipertensos, 27 % obesos, 23 % con dislipidemia, 19 % diabéticos y 11 % eran o fueron fumadores. 46 % había recibido quimioterapia y radioterapia concomitantes y el 48 % había recibido tratamiento hace más de un año. En hallazgos ecocardiográficos: fracción de eyección del VI (FE) promedio 64±7; sin embargo, 82 % tenía SGL del VI reducido (44 % menor a -15 %). De manera similar, el 74 % tenía reducción del SLPL del VD, pero solo el 15 % de la onda S del Doppler tisular del VD estaba anormal, 7 % del TAPSE estaba reducido y 6 % el cambio del área fraccional (CAF). El coeficiente de correlación de Pearson entre el SGL del VI y el SLPL del VD fue de 0.463, con un valor de p <.001, indicando una significativa relación lineal positiva moderada.

Conclusión: nuestro estudio sugiere que el SLPL del VD tiene un comportamiento similar al SGL del VI y es un mejor predictor de disfunción ventricular derecha, por encima de los parámetros convencionales. Por esta razón, debería incorporarse como una medida rutinaria en la evaluación ecocardiográfica de los pacientes que reciben terapias antineoplásicas.
Síndrome de Guillain Barré asociado a infección por SARS-CoV-2: a propósito de un caso
Authors: Ortiz Isi , Acevedo Noemí , Fernández Alina , Santana Genara , Martínez Anyelina
Published: March 2023

Introducción: la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 exige una medicina fiable, basada en evidencia para poder comprender y tratar oportunamente las nuevas manifestaciones de esta enfermedad, previniendo así las complicaciones y la mortalidad infantil.

Materiales y método: femenina de seis años ingresada en urgencias con síntomas neurológicos de entumecimiento en extremidades inferiores y superiores, ataxia, somnolencia y disartria. Después de un análisis de sangre, un examen del líquido cefalorraquídeo y una prueba de electromiografía, la paciente fue diagnosticada con síndrome de Guillain-Barré e infección concomitante por COVID-19.

Resultados y discusión: se obtuvieron resultados positivos, tanto para el anticuerpo IgM como para la RT-PCR, para infección por SARS-CoV-2. No se encontró evidencia de celularidad en el examen del líquido cefalorraquídeo, pero se observó un alto nivel de proteína de 100 mg/dL y un nivel anormal de glucosa (58 mg/dL) en este paciente. Por último, se administró una terapia consistente en dexametasona 3,5 mg/kg, paracetamol 315 mg/kg, azitromicina 105 mg/kg y 50 mg/kg de inmunoglobulina intravenosa.

Conclusión: considerando este caso clínico, reforzamos la hipótesis de la asociación entre el síndrome de Guillain-Barré y la infección por el virus SARS-CoV-2, como ya han documentado otros autores, tanto en adultos como en pacientes pediátricos.
Fictional scenarios, real concerns: science fiction and perceptions of human genome editing
Authors: Eichmeier April A. , Bao Luye , Xenos Michael A. , Brossard Dominique , Scheufele Dietram A.
Published: March 2023

This research addresses the association between attention to science fiction and public opinion of human genome editing (HGE). Using a nationally representative survey, our results show that attention to science fiction is associated with both risk and benefit perception of the technology. In addition, results show that, at higher levels of attention to science fiction, the levels of concern from conservatives (ordinarily predisposed to negative views toward science) and from liberals (ordinarily predisposed to positive views toward science) come closer to being the same. This research contributes to our understanding of debates about controversial science.
Биокоррозия фресок баптистерия храма преподобных Зосимы и Савватия Соловецких Свято-Троицкой Сергиевой Лавры
Authors: Покровская Елена , Олег Полтаруха
Published: March 2023

В статье обсуждается разрушение фресок баптистерия храма преподобных Зосимы и Савватия Соловецких Свято-Троицкой Сергиевой Лавры. Через некоторое время после росписи стен подклета храма фресками было обнаружено их разрушение под действием микроорганизмов, а также увеличение влажности стен. Выполненное исследование показало, что причинами этого было неправильное устройство гидроизоляции крыши храма, а также его фундамента. После проведённого в 2014 году частичного ремонта кровли и фундамента, а также установки в помещениях баптистерия осушителей воздуха состояние внутренних помещений баптистерия значительно улучшилось. Тем не менее, как показал осмотр (февраль, 2022), поступление значительного количества влаги через стены во внутренние помещения баптистерия продолжается. При этом продолжается разрушение фресок, причём развитие биокоррозии усиливается из-за высолов. В тех помещениях, где влияние работы осушителей воздуха снижено, выявляются сырые участки поверхностей стен.На основании проведённых исследований и наблюдений были даны рекомендации по предотвращению биологических повреждений росписи стен баптистерия, которые могут быть использованы для фресок храмов, стены которых подвержены увлажнению.
Elicitation based enhancement of solasodine production in in-vitro cultures of different Solanum species
Authors:   MGM College of Agricultural Biotechnology, Aurangabad-431 007, India, Deshmukh V. , Deshpande J. ,   Plant and Environmental Biotechnology Research Lab, Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute,  Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth University, Pimpri-411 033, India, Wani M. ,   Plant and Environmental Biotechnology Research Lab, Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute,  Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth University, Pimpri-411 033, India
Published: March 2023

Aim: To study the enhancement of solasodine content using elicitors such as NaCl, pectin, salicylic acid and yeast extract in cell suspension cultures of Solanum incanum, Solanum nigrum, Solanum surattense and Solanum villosum. Methodology: In-vitro callus induction from leaf explants was carried out on MS media supplemented with auxin, 2, 4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.0 mg l-1). MS liquid medium supplemented with 2, 4-D (2.0 mg l-1) and varied concentrations of different elicitors were used for cell suspension culture. Results: The elicitor NaCl (150 mM) indicated maximum increment in solasodine production in three Solanum species studied. Salicylic acid with 75 μM resulted in considerable elevation in solasodine content in Solanum spp. Response to elicitation by pectin was high at different concentrations for different species of Solanum. Biotic elicitor yeast extract at 3.0 g l-1 concentration considerably increased solasodine production in S. nigrum and S. villosum. Solanum villosum exhibited best results in terms of solasodine concentration enhancement in response to pectin and yeast extract elicitors whereas Solanum incanum responded best to pectin followed by NaCl. Interpretation: The current results indicated that NaCl, pectin, salicylic acid and yeast extract can be effectively applied as influential elicitors for the enhancing the production of solasodine in cell suspension culture of different Solanum species. Key words: Callus, Cell suspension culture, Elicitors, Solanum, Solasodine, Steroidal alkaloids
Effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid on resistance against stripe rust (caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) in wheat cultivars
Authors:   Department of Biochemistry, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India, Singh P. , Zhawar V.K. ,   Department of Biochemistry, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India, Pannu P.P.S. ,   Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India
Published: March 2023

Aim: The present study was undertaken to screen wheat cultivars for resistance against stripe rust and the improvement of resistance by exogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) under field conditions and studying two contrasting cultivars for antioxidant related defense activities at 1, 2 and 4 d of GABA, Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) and GABA+Pst treatments given to one-month-old seedlings. Methodology: Wheat cultivars (PBW723, PBW725, PBW677, PBW550, PBW343, PBW621, HD2967) were grown and exposed to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) and GABA+Pst in fields and studied for yield parameters. Subsequently, two cultivars found varying in resistance (PBW725 and HD2967) were analyzed for antioxidant enzymes in leaves and roots at 1, 2, and 4 day of GABA, Pst, and GABA+Pst and water as control given to 30 days old seedlings in the greenhouse. Results: Field analysis found that the most resistant cultivar PBW725 reduced vegetative growth but not yield compared to other resistant cultivars (PBW723 and PBW677) under Pst and improved both growth and yield under GABA+Pst. GABA+Pst improved yield parameters in other cultivars also. In defense analysis, superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) increased in the leaves of PBW725 while only APX increased in HD2967 at 1 d of Pst. In roots also, SOD and GST increased 2-fold in PBW725 while only GST increased 1.3-fold in HD2967 at 1 d of Pst. There was persistence of catalase (CAT), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) during Pst in the leaves of PBW 725 while CAT decreased at 4 d in HD2967. In roots also, CAT and MDHAR increased at 4 days of Pstin PBW725 while DHAR decreased in HD2967. Under GABA, cultivar differences were not significant. GABA+Pst improved deficient antioxidant enzymes in HD2967. Interpretation: Energy conservation and timely regulation of antioxidant enzymes during infection was utilized by PBW725 against stripe rust. GABA deficiency can be a reason for poor regulation of antioxidants in HD2967 under Pst. GABA application improved resistance against stripe rust in wheat. Key words: Antioxidant, Ascorbate, Gamma-aminobutyric acid, Glutathione, Stripe rust, Triticum aestivum
Improvement of Medical Student Performance in Telemedicine Standardized Patient Encounters Following an Educational Intervention
Authors: Murphy Emily M. , Stein Ariella , Pahwa Amit , McGuire Maura , Kumra Tina
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives: The Association of American Medical Colleges identifies telemedicine competence as an important skill for graduating medical students, but which educational methods are effective in improving student performance is unclear. We aimed to assess the impact of two educational interventions on student performance in telemedicine standardized patient encounters.
Methods: Sixty second-year medical students participated in the telemedicine curriculum during their required longitudinal ambulatory clerkship. Students first completed a preintervention telemedicine standardized patient (SP) encounter in October 2020. They subsequently were assigned to two intervention groups (ie, a role-play intervention, N=30; a faculty demonstration, N=30) and completed a teaching case. In December 2020, they completed a postintervention telemedicine SP encounter. Each case was a unique clinical scenario. SPs scored the encounters across six domains based on a standardized performance checklist. We compared the median scores for these domains and the median total score pre- and postintervention (using Wilcoxon signed rank and rank-sum tests) and the difference in median score by intervention type.
Results: Students scored highly in history-taking and communication performance but had low physical exam (PE) and assessment/plan scores. Postintervention, median scores in PE (ie, median score difference 2, interquartile ranges [IQR] 1-3.5, P<.001), assessment/plan (ie, median score difference 0.5, IQR 0-2, P=.005), and overall performance improved significantly (ie, median score difference 3, IQR 0-5, P<.001).
Conclusions: Early medical students had low performance at baseline in telemedicine PE and assessment/plan skills, but both a role-play intervention and faculty demonstration led to significant increases in student performance.
América Latina y la producción de artículos científicos: un crecimiento desigual y asimétrico
Authors: Ramírez Tulio , Salcedo Audy
Published: March 2023

Se analizan las tendencias de producción de artículos científicos tanto en el mundo como en América Latina y El Caribe durante el período 2015 a 2021, a partir de los datos aportados por la Plataforma SCImago en su versión de 2022. La producción de artículos científicos es un indicador razonable del estado de la investigación e innovación de una institución, un país o una región. Es por ello que se contrasta la producción de artículos científicos en Latinoamérica con la del resto del mundo durante el periodo mencionado. Es un estudio comparativo de carácter documental con procesamiento propio de los datos brutos que se exponen en la mencionada Plataforma. Los resultados indican que solo 10 países concentran la mayor parte de la producción mundial de papers, Latinoamérica y el Caribe aportan menos del 4% del total mundial, no obstante, son solo cinco los países de la región quienes aportan más del 85% de esos artículos. De acuerdo a estos resultados, se mantiene un desarrollo desigual y asimétrico de la investigación en el mundo y Latinoamérica.
Práticas de leitura e escrita no processo de alfabetização e letramento na educação infantil
Authors: Nogueira Deisy Léia Silveira dos Santos , Sousa Erivan Coqueiro
Published: March 2023

O presente artigo aborda as possibilidades de trabalho com a leitura e escrita na educação infantil de maneira significativa, no processo de alfabetização e letramento. Assim, na busca de alcançar êxito, os debates giram em torno dos tempos e espaços em que se deve iniciar o ensino da leitura e da escrita. Aliado a isso mudam-se as perspectivas em relação às crianças pequenas, sendo consideradas como seres capazes de construir suas aprendizagens, através das interações com o meio, com seus pares e com os adultos. Nesse interim, considera-se relevante a discussão sobre a formação docente inicial e continuada em prol da práxis pedagógica na educação infantil. Trata-se de uma de uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, baseada em revisão bibliográfica e de caráter documental. Os resultados demonstram que é possível ocorrer a alfabetização e o letramento de forma cidadã a partir da participação significativa, como momentos de leitura, contar e recontar histórias, fazer desenhos, ultrapassando práticas mecanizadas. Além disso, os docentes devidamente formados terão condições de orientar os estudantes no desenvolvimento educacional.
Condições de trabalho e saúde de docentes municipais no sudoeste da Bahia
Authors: Silva Daniela Oliveira Vidal da , Brito Vera Lúcia Fernandes de , Nunes Claudio Pinto
Published: March 2023

Este texto objetiva apresentar uma análise acerca das condições de trabalho e de saúde de professores no contexto do Território de Identidade do Médio Sudoeste da Bahia (TIMSOBA) e do Território de Identidade do Sudoeste Baiano (TISOBA). Trata-se de um estudo de natureza exploratória, com abordagem quali-quantitativa e valeu-se de questionário virtual, elaborado a partir da Plataforma On-line Google Docs como instrumento de coleta de dados, caracterizada a pesquisa do tipo survey, tendo como participantes os docentes das redes municipais de ambos os territórios. Os resultados indicam que os professores recebem remuneração menor que outros profissionais com o mesmo nível de formação, que a intensificação do trabalho docente causa sobrecarga e adoecimento destes profissionais.
Transformation of null legal actions: An analytical study
Authors: Wishah Rami Ali , AlGherbaw Yousef Abdallah , Jadalhaq Iyad Mohammad
Published: March 2023

This research addresses and analyzes the transformation of invalid legal actions into valid ones to reduce the phenomenon of invalidity of legal dispositions, which achieves stability in civil transactions. Most of the legislation has sought to do so. The analytical methodology followed the text of Article 142 of the Palestinian Civil Code No. 4 of 2012. This research sheds light on the theory of the transformation of invalid legal actions in Palestinian Civil Law by analyzing the relevant legal texts and showing their accuracy and effectiveness to arrive at an appropriate formula for the legal text. Accordingly, the research problem is to determine whether the legislator was accurate in drafting Article 142 of Palestinian Civil Law and whether it needs to be amended. This shall be done by analyzing this legal text and clarifying its accuracy through the explanation of the definition and conditions of the transformation of invalid legal actions. The research concluded that the legislator was not accurate in drafting this legal text, and an amendment has been proposed, besides other results.
Combining Pairwise Structural Similarity and Deep Learning Interface Contact Prediction to Estimate Protein Complex Model Accuracy in CASP15
Authors: Cheng Jianlin , Roy Raj , Liu Jian , Giri Nabin , Guo Zhiye
Published: March 2023

Estimating the accuracy of quaternary structural models of protein
complexes and assemblies (EMA) is important for predicting quaternary
structures and applying them to studying protein function and
interaction. The pairwise similarity between structural models is proven
useful for estimating the quality of protein tertiary structural
models, but it has been rarely applied to predicting the quality of
quaternary structural models. Moreover, the pairwise similarity
approach often fails when many structural models are of low quality and
similar to each other. To address the gap, we developed a hybrid method
(MULTICOM_qa) combining a pairwise similarity score (PSS) and an
interface contact probability score (ICPS) based on the deep learning
inter-chain contact prediction for estimating protein complex model
accuracy. It blindly participated in the 15th Critical Assessment of
Techniques for Protein Structure Prediction (CASP15) in 2022 and ranked
first out of 24 predictors in estimating the global accuracy of assembly
models. The average per-target correlation coefficient between the model
quality scores predicted by MULTICOM_qa and the true quality scores of
the models of CASP15 assembly targets is 0.66. The average per-target
ranking loss in using the predicted quality scores to rank the models is
0.14. It was able to select good models for most targets. Moreover,
several key factors (i.e., target difficulty, model sampling difficulty,
skewness of model quality, and similarity between good/bad models) for
EMA are identified and analayzed. The results demonstrate that combining
the multi-model method (PSS) with the complementary single-model method
(ICPS) is a promising approach to EMA.
Investigation of optical and electrical properties of CIGS solar cell using simulation program SCAPS and Impedance spectroscopy
Authors: YHairch * , AELMELOUKY * , MMonkade * , RElmoznine *
Published: March 2023

In this paper, CIGS heterojunction solar cells have been proposed and
analyzed by SCAPS “Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator” the effect of
temperature and thickness on cell characteristics such as (η, FF, J
and V ). The effects of various
layer parameters like thickness, carrier concentration, defect density,
mobility, and conduction band offset. The photovoltaic cell has been
studied further through capacitance-voltage simulations to obtain the
net built-in potential and the apparent doping profile. The impedance
plot (IS) analytical theory to the characterization of Cu (In, Ga) Se
(CIGS)-based solar cells was investigated. The
equivalent circuit of the CIGS solar cell consisting of series and
parallel resistances and a “capacitance-like element” labeled as
constant phase element (CPE) around the CdS/CIGS interface was
developed. The CPE reflects the depletion layer thickness and the p-n
interface uniformity and quality. In particular, the CPE-p-value, which
is an index of the impedance of CPE, affects the quality around the
CdS/CIGS and CIGS-Si interface in terms of defect existence and
inhomogeneity of the heterojunction. These results show a possible
candidate for the practical application of IS as a simple method for
characterizing the heterogeneity of a p-n interface.
The Green’s Function Model Intercomparison Project (GFMIP) Protocol
Authors: Bloch-Johnson Jonah , Rugenstein Maria A.A. , Alessi Marc J. , Proistosescu Cristian , Zhao Ming , Zhang Bosong , Williams Andrew I.L. , Gregory Jonathan M. , Cole Jason , Dong Yue , Duffy Margaret L , Kang Sarah M. , Zhou Chen
Published: March 2023

The atmospheric Green’s function method is a technique for modeling the
response of the atmosphere to changes in the spatial field of surface
temperature. While early studies applied this method to changes in
atmospheric circulation, it has also become an important tool to
understand changes in radiative feedbacks due to evolving patterns of
warming, a phenomenon called the “pattern effect.” To better study
this method, this paper presents a protocol for creating atmospheric
Green’s functions to serve as the basis for a model intercomparison
project, GFMIP. The protocol has been developed using a series of
sensitivity tests performed with the HadAM3 atmosphere-only general
circulation model, along with existing and new simulations from other
models. Our preliminary results have uncovered nonlinearities in the
response of the atmosphere to surface temperature changes, including an
asymmetrical response to warming vs. cooling patch perturbations, and a
change in the dependence of the response on the magnitude and size of
the patches. These nonlinearities suggest that the pattern effect may
depend on the heterogeneity of warming as well as its location. These
experiments have also revealed tradeoffs in experimental design between
patch size, perturbation strength, and the length of control and patch
simulations. The protocol chosen on the basis of these experiments
balances scientific utility with the simulation time and setup required
by the Green’s function approach. Running these simulations will further
our understanding of many aspects of atmospheric response, from the
pattern effect and radiative feedbacks to changes in circulation,
cloudiness, and precipitation.
Synthesis-Style Pre-trained Auto-Correlation Transformer: A Zero-shot Learner on Long Ionospheric TEC Series Forecasting
Authors: Yuan Yuhuan , Xia Guozhen , Zhang Xinmiao , Zhou Chen
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we present a novel approach to improve the accuracy of
TEC prediction through data augmentation. Prior works that adopt various
deep-learning-based approaches suffer from two major problems. First,
from a deep model perspective: LSTM models exhibit low performance on
long-term data dependency, while self-attention-based methods ignore the
temporal nature of time series, which results in an information
utilization bottleneck. Second, the existing TEC actual data is limited
and existing generative models fail to generate sufficient high-quality
datasets. Our work leverages a two-stage deep learning framework for TEC
prediction, stage 1: a time series generative model synthesis of
sufficient data close to real data distribution, and stage 2: an
Anto-correlation-based transformer to model temporal dependencies by
presenting series-wise connections. Experiment on the 2018 TEC testing
benchmark demonstrates that our method improves the accuracy by a large
margin. The models trained on synthetic data had a notably lower RMSE of
1.17 TECU, while the RMSE for the IRI2016 model was 2.88 TECU. Our
results show that the model significantly reduces monthly RMSE,
displaying higher reliability in mid, high, low latitudes. Our model
shows higher reliability and significantly reduces monthly RMSE and
latitude RMSE. However, although our model performs better than IRI2016,
low latitudes RMSE needs improvement, as values are generally above 2.5
TECU. This finding has important implications for the development of
advanced TEC prediction models and highlights the potential of
transformer models trained on synthetic data for a range of applications
in ionospheric research and satellite communication systems.
L-weakly and M-weakly demicompact operators on Banach lattices
Authors: Benkhaled Hedi , Hajji Mohamed , Jeribi Aref
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we introduce and investigate new concepts of L-weakly and
M-weakly demicompact operators. Let E be a Banach lattice. An operator T : E
? E is called L-weakly demicompact, if for every norm bounded sequence (xn)
in BE such that {xn ? Txn, n ? N} is an L-weakly compact subset of E, we
have {xn, n ? N} is an L-weakly compact subset of E. Additionally, an
operator T : E ? E is called M-weakly demicompact if for every norm bounded
disjoint sequence (xn) in E such that ?xn ?Txn? ? 0, we have ?xn? ? 0.
L-weakly (resp. M-weakly) demicompact operators generalize known classes of
operators which are L-weakly (resp. M-weakly) compact operators. We also
elaborate some properties of these classes of operators.
Kuelbs-Steadman spaces with bounded variable exponents
Authors: Kalit Hemanta
Published: March 2023

Kuelbs-Steadman spaces are studied within the framework of Henstock-Kurzweil
integrable function spaces with bounded variable exponent. We describe a
relationship between the Lebesgue spaces with bounded variable exponents and
variable Kuelbs-Steadman spaces. The geometrical properties of the spaces
are studied. Finally, we discuss the boundedness behaviour of the maximal
operator on variable Kuelbs-Steadman spaces.
Self-adjoint perturbations of left (right)Weyl spectrum for upper triangular operator matrices
Authors: Wu Xiufeng , Huang Junjie , Chen Alatancang
Published: March 2023

Let H be a separable infinite-dimensional Hilbert space. Given the operators
A ? B(H) and B ? B(H), we define MX := [A X 0 B] where X ? S(H) is a
self-adjoint operator. In this paper, a necessary and sufficient condition
is given for MX to be a left (right) Weyl operator for some X ? S(H).
Moreover, it is shown that ? X?S(H) ?*(MX) = ? X?S(H)?Inv(H) ?*(MX) = ?
X?B(H) ?*(MX) ? ?, where ?* is the left (right)Weyl spectrum. Finally, we
further characterize the perturbation of the left (right) Weyl spectrum for
Hamiltonian operators.
Dietary nitrate and corresponding gut microbiota prevent cardiac dysfunction in obese mice
Authors: Petrick Heather L. , Ogilvie Leslie M. , Brunetta Henver S. , Robinson Avery , Kirsh Aleah J. , Barbeau Pierre-Andre , Handy Rachel M. , Coyle-Asbil Bridget , Gianetto-Hill Connor , Dennis Kaitlyn M.J.H. , Loon Luc J.C. van , Chabowski Adrian , Schertzer Jonathan D. , Allen-Vercoe Emma , Simpson Jeremy A. , Holloway Graham P.
Published: March 2023

Impaired heart function can develop in diabetic individuals in the absence of coronary artery disease or hypertension, suggesting mechanisms beyond hypertension/increased afterload contribute to diabetic cardiomyopathy. Identifying therapeutic approaches that improve glycemia and prevent cardiovascular disease are clearly required for clinical management of diabetes-related comorbidities. Since intestinal bacteria are important for metabolism of nitrate, we examined if dietary nitrate and fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) from nitrate-fed mice could prevent high-fat diet (HFD)-induced cardiac abnormalities. Male C57Bl/6N mice were fed an 8-week low-fat  diet (LFD), HFD, or HFD+Nitrate (4mM sodium nitrate). HFD-fed mice presented with pathological left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, reduced stroke volume and increased end diastolic pressure, in association with increased myocardial fibrosis, glucose intolerance, adipose inflammation, serum lipids, LV mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), and gut dysbiosis. In contrast, dietary nitrate attenuated these detriments. In HFD-fed mice, FMT from HFD+Nitrate donors did not influence serum nitrate, blood pressure, adipose inflammation, or myocardial fibrosis. However, microbiota from HFD+Nitrate mice decreased serum lipids, LV ROS, and similar to FMT from LFD donors, prevented glucose intolerance and cardiac morphology changes. Therefore, the cardioprotective effects of nitrate are not dependent on reducing blood pressure, but rather mitigating gut dysbiosis, highlighting a nitrate-gut-heart axis. 
Eczematous contact allergy to chlorhexidine
Authors: Ljunggren B. , Möller H.
Published: March 2023

No abstract available
The Nordic Dimension as a Metaspace for Educational Research
Authors: Krejsler John Benedicto
Published: March 2023

The article argues that observing ‘the Nordic dimension’ as a metaspace in methodological terms harbors rich potential for qualifying educational research, policy, and debate. The metaspace gathers critical mass through aggregating the potential of smaller spaces. The five Nordic countries thus represent historical, linguistic, and societal similarities that produced similar societal and educational values, albeit along different trajectories. Understood as a floating signifier in scalar and topological terms, the Nordic dimension allows researchers and others to draw on the diversity that this metaspace represents as a tool for rethinking national solutions. The article draws on educational research and literature with a Nordic focus.
The Evolution of Extended Universal Compulsory Schooling in Sweden, Norway and Denmark: Policy Borrowing and Path-dependent Processes
Authors: Elstad Eyvind
Published: March 2023

After the Second World War, the Scandinavian countries grew closer, with improving their education systems a common ambition. There are striking similarities in the change processes that occurred in the design of schooling in these countries. Sweden led the way to an expanded comprehensive school system where differentiated instruction became undifferentiated, with Norway following after. Denmark underwent a similar but delayed evolution. Despite certain fundamental problems faced by lower secondary schools, this model shows path-dependent characteristics. The present study examines why this model, which has been referred to as the Nordic model of education, has enjoyed such an enduring influence.
Perturbative and semiclassical exploration of dualities
Authors:   , Roberts William
Published: March 2023

In this work we consider Abelian gauge fields defined on a (3 + 1)-dimensional bulk spacetime, which is allowed to interact with a matter CFT living on a plane boundary. This gives a family of boundary conformal field theories parameterized by the gauge coupling τ in the upper-half plane. Combining this with the recently discovered web of dualities connecting (2 + 1)-dimensional quantum field theories and SL(2, Z) duality in the bulk, one can perform powerful resummations in perturbation theory. We put this to work by considering a free scalar field theory on the boundary, which has a self-duality under τ → − 1 in this setup. Leveraging on this we compute the two-loop anomalous dimension of the mass-squared operator, which is then resummed by imposing the self-duality. Our result can then be extrapolated to τ = 1 which, after a bulk SL(2, Z) transformation, is then related to the 3d Gross-Neveu model by 3d bosonization. In particular this allows us to make a prediction for the anomalous dimension of the mass operator in the 3d Gross-Neveu model.
Vitamin D Status and SLE Disease Activity among Dubai Hospital Lupus Patients
Authors: Ali Naureen , Alalawi Fakhriya
Published: March 2023

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is common worldwide, but is particularly prevalent in the Middle Eastern region, where cultural and religious factors influence its incidence further. As patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) avoid sun exposure and use medications that could potentially result in vitamin D deficiency, this problem becomes more apparent. Unfortunately, there are no data available on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among patients with SLE in our local area.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among patients with a new onset of systemic lupus erythematosus in Dubai, and to determine whether low vitamin D levels are correlated with disease activity.

Methodology and Data Collection: a retrospective cohort study of patients with new onset of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, being diagnosed in less than 1 year and were followed up at Dubai Hospital (UAE) from January 2009 till December 2012. Demographic and clinical data were collected as well as 25(OH) D3 levels. The incidence of vitamin D insufficiency was calculated as a ratio between the numbers of patients with 25(OH) D levels below the specified cut-off values (30ng/ml and 10ng/ml, respectively). SLE was diagnosed according to the American college of rheumatology (ACR SLE) classification criteria of 1997. Patients with drug-induced SLE and vitamin D deficiency were excluded.

Results: a total number of 150 patients were included. 87% (n=131) were females and 13% (n=19) were males. The mean vitamin D level at the baseline was 21.6+/- 47 (mean +/- SD), increased to 27.8+/- 16 at 1 year, while the SLEDAI has improved from 8.3+/-5 (mean +/- SD) to 2.4 +/- 2.9 at 1 year respectively. The changes in vitamin D level as well as the SLEDAI were statistically significant with a P value <0.001. Spearman correlation test showed a statistically significant inverse correlation between vitamin D level versus SLEDAI % from baseline to 1-year later.

Conclusion: This study showed a direct inverse relationship between lupus activity and a low level of vitamin D. Furthermore, the SLE disease activity score got better with the improvement in vitamin D level, measured at baseline, and after 12 months period.
Shifts in medical cannabis use in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lake Stephanie , Cooper Ziva D. , Ong Kaye , Lucas Philippe
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has had widespread secondary negative health impacts including loss of material security and exacerbation of mental illness in at-risk populations. While increases in the nonmedical use of certain substances, including cannabis, have been observed in samples of the Canadian population, no research has documented COVID-concurrent shifts in medical cannabis use in Canada.

Methods

Data were derived from the 2021 Canadian Cannabis Patient Survey, an online survey administered in May 2021 to people authorized to use medical cannabis recruited from one of two Canadian licensed medical cannabis producers. McNemar tests assessed for changes in past 3-month medical cannabis frequency from before to during the pandemic. We explored correlates of increasing frequency of cannabis use since before the pandemic in bivariable and multivariable logistic models.

Results

In total, 2697 respondents (49.1% women) completed the survey. Daily medical cannabis use increased slightly but significantly from before the pandemic (83.2%) to during the pandemic (90.3% at time of survey; p < 0.001). Factors significantly associated with increasing frequency of medical cannabis use included female gender, younger age, pandemic-related job loss, primary cannabis use to manage mental health, prescription drug use and nonmedical cannabis use (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

There were slight shifts towards higher frequency of medical cannabis use after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While short- and long-term impacts of cannabis use on pandemic-related mental distress are unknown, clinicians working with patients who use medical cannabis should be aware of possible changes in use patterns during the pandemic.