bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning and strategic imitation in modelling farmers’ dynamic decisions on bovine viral diarrhoea vaccination
Authors: Cristancho-Fajardo Lina , Vergu Elisabeta , Beaunée Gaël , Arnoux Sandie , Ezanno Pauline
Published: December 2022

Considering human decision-making is essential for understanding the mechanisms underlying the propagation of real-life diseases. We present an extension of a model for pathogen spread that considers farmers’ dynamic decision-making regarding the adoption of a control measure in their own herd. Farmers can take into account the decisions and observed costs of their trade partners or of their geographic neighbours. The model and construction of such costs are adapted to the case of bovine viral diarrhoea, for which an individual-based stochastic model is considered. Simulation results suggest that obtaining information from geographic neighbours might lead to a better control of bovine viral diarrhoea than considering information from trade partners. In particular, using information from all geographic neighbours at each decision time seems to be more beneficial than considering only the information from one geographic neighbour or trade partner at each time. This study highlights the central role that social dynamics among farmers can take in the spread and control of bovine viral diarrhoea, providing insights into how public policy efforts could be targeted in order to increase voluntary vaccination uptake against this disease in endemic areas.
Quality improvement interventions to prevent unplanned extubations in pediatric critical care: a systematic review
Authors: Wollny Krista , Cui Sara , McNeil Deborah , Benzies Karen , Parsons Simon J. , Sajobi Tolulope , Metcalfe Amy
Published: December 2022

Background

An unplanned extubation is the uncontrolled and accidental removal of a breathing tube and is an important quality indicator in pediatric critical care. The objective of this review was to comprehensively synthesize literature published on quality improvement (QI) practices implemented to reduce the rate of unplanned extubations in critically ill children.

Methods

We included original, primary research on quality improvement interventions to reduce the rate of unplanned extubations in pediatric critical care. A search was conducted in MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, and CINAHL from inception through April 29, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened citations in duplicate using pre-determined eligibility criteria. Data from included studies were abstracted using a tool created by the authors, and QI interventions were categorized using the Behavior Change Wheel. Vote counting based on the direct of effect was used to describe the effectiveness of quality improvement interventions. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Improvement Minimum Quality Criteria Set (QI-MQCS). Results were presented as descriptive statistics and narrative syntheses.

Results

Thirteen studies were included in the final review. Eleven described primary QI projects; two were sustainability studies that followed up on previously described QI interventions. Under half of the included studies were rated as high-quality. The median number of QI interventions described by each study was 5 [IQR 4–5], with a focus on guidelines, environmental restructuring, education, training, and communication. Ten studies reported decreased unplanned extubation rates after the QI intervention; of these, seven had statistically significant reductions. Both sustainability studies observed increased rates that were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of QI interventions to reduce unplanned extubation. With only half the studies achieving a high-quality rating, there is room for improvement when conducting and reporting research in this area. Findings from this review can be used to support clinical recommendations to prevent unplanned extubations, and support patient safety in pediatric critical care.

Systematic review registration

This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021252233) prior to data extraction.
m6A demethylase FTO regulate CTNNB1 to promote adipogenesis of chicken preadipocyte
Authors: Li Kan , Huang Weichen , Wang Zhijun , Nie Qinghua
Published: December 2022

Background

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an abundant post-transcriptional RNA modification that affects various biological processes. The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) protein, a demethylase encoded by the FTO gene, has been found to regulate adipocyte development in an m6A-dependent manner in multiple species. However, the effects of the m6A methylation and FTO demethylation functions on chicken adipogenesis remain unclear. This study aims to explore the association between m6A modification and chicken adipogenesis and the underlying mechanism by which FTO affects chicken preadipocyte development.

Results

The association between m6A modification and chicken lipogenesis was assessed by treating chicken preadipocytes with different doses of methyl donor betaine and methylation inhibitor cycloleucine. The results showed that betaine significantly increased methylation levels and inhibited lipogenesis, and the inverse effect was found in preadipocytes after cycloleucine treatment. Overexpression of FTO significantly inhibited m6A levels and promoted proliferation and differentiation of chicken preadipocytes. Silencing FTO showed opposite results. Mechanistically, FTO overexpression increased the expression of catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) by improving RNA stability in an m6A-dependent manner, and we proved that FTO could directly target CTNNB1. Furthermore, CTNNB1 may be a positive regulator of adipogenesis in chicken preadipocytes.

Conclusions

m6A methylation of RNA was negatively associated with adipogenesis of chicken preadipocytes. FTO could regulate CTNNB1 expression in a demethylation manner to promote lipogenesis.
Transmissibility of tuberculosis among students and non-students: an occupational-specific mathematical modelling
Authors: Chen Qiuping , Yu Shanshan , Rui Jia , Guo Yichao , Yang Shiting , Abudurusuli Guzainuer , Yang Zimei , Liu Chan , Luo Li , Wang Mingzhai , Lei Zhao , Zhao Qinglong , Gavotte Laurent , Niu Yan , Frutos Roger , Chen Tianmu
Published: December 2022

Background

Recently, despite the steady decline in the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic globally, school TB outbreaks have been frequently reported in China. This study aimed to quantify the transmissibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) among students and non-students using a mathematical model to determine characteristics of TB transmission.

Methods

We constructed a dataset of reported TB cases from four regions (Jilin Province, Xiamen City, Chuxiong Prefecture, and Wuhan City) in China from 2005 to 2019. We classified the population and the reported cases under student and non-student groups, and developed two mathematical models [nonseasonal model (Model A) and seasonal model (Model B)] based on the natural history and transmission features of TB. The effective reproduction number (Reff) of TB between groups were calculated using the collected data.

Results

During the study period, data on 456,423 TB cases were collected from four regions: students accounted for 6.1% of cases. The goodness-of-fit analysis showed that Model A had a better fitting effect (P < 0.001). The average Reff of TB estimated from Model A was 1.68 [interquartile range (IQR): 1.20–1.96] in Chuxiong Prefecture, 1.67 (IQR: 1.40–1.93) in Xiamen City, 1.75 (IQR: 1.37–2.02) in Jilin Province, and 1.79 (IQR: 1.56–2.02) in Wuhan City. The average Reff of TB in the non-student population was 23.30 times (1.65/0.07) higher than that in the student population.

Conclusions

The transmissibility of MTB remains high in the non-student population of the areas studied, which is still dominant in the spread of TB. TB transmissibility from the non-student-to-student-population had a strong influence on students. Specific interventions, such as TB screening, should be applied rigorously to control and to prevent TB transmission among students.

Graphical Abstract
An approximate travel time calculation and a robust GNSS-acoustic positioning method using an MCMC technique
Authors: Tomita Fumiaki , Kido Motoyuki
Published: December 2022

It is important to consider horizontal heterogeneity in an underwater sound speed structure to accurately estimate positions of GNSS-acoustic sites. Although large amounts of moving survey data (a sea-surface platform moves around when acoustic signals are transmitted) are required to accurately detect a sloping sound speed structure, the actual observational data do not necessarily include sufficient moving survey data due to sea conditions or observational time. To treat these insufficient data, it was assumed that a shallow sound speed gradient was continuously present up to a fixed water depth (gradient depth). However, the validity of this assumption has not been investigated, and the gradient depth has not been optimized. In this study, we developed a new GNSS-acoustic array positioning method that optimizes the gradient depth using an MCMC technique. To employ this technique, we also developed an approximate technique for rapidly calculating travel time, because the conventional travel time calculation requires high computational cost for integration into the MCMC technique. We assessed the performance of the approximate travel time calculation technique and demonstrated its sufficient accuracy and precision for estimating array positions. Then, we applied the new GNSS-acoustic array positioning method to the actual observational data collected by the Japan Coast Guard and Tohoku University. Using enough amounts of the moving survey data, our method demonstrated the results comparable with the conventional GNSS-acoustic positioning method estimating a sloping sound speed structure; thus, the assumption of the sound speed gradient with the fixed water depth was valid. Moreover, due to the physical restriction of this assumption, our method provided robust solutions even when the observational data contained small quantities of moving survey data with a simple sea-surface track. Although our method still cannot be used in the scenario, where no moving survey data are available, it can work robustly compared with the conventional methods.

Graphical Abstract
Efficiently targeted therapy of glioblastoma xenograft via multifunctional biomimetic nanodrugs
Authors: Yao Zhipeng , Jiang Xiaochun , Yao Hong , Wu Yafeng , Zhang Fan , Wang Cheng , Qi Chenxue , Zhao Chenhui , Wu Zeyu , Qi Min , Zhang Jia , Cao Xiaoxiang , Wang Zhichun , Wu Fei , Yao Chengyun , Liu Songqin , Ling Shizhang , Xia Hongping
Published: December 2022

Background

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a fatal malignant primary brain tumor in adults. The therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs is limited due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB), poor drug targeting, and short biological half-lives. Multifunctional biomimetic nanodrugs have great potential to overcome these limitations of chemotherapeutic drugs.

Methods

We synthesized and characterized a biomimetic nanodrug CMS/PEG-DOX-M. The CMS/PEG-DOX-M effectively and rapidly released DOX in U87 MG cells. Cell proliferation and apoptosis assays were examined by the MTT and TUNEL assays. The penetration of nanodrugs through the BBB and anti-tumor efficacy were investigated in the orthotopic glioblastoma xenograft models.

Results

We showed that CMS/PEG-DOX-M inhibited cell proliferation of U87 MG cells and effectively induced cell apoptosis of U87 MG cells. Intracranial antitumor experiments showed that free DOX hardly penetrated the BBB, but CMS/PEG-DOX-M effectively reached the orthotopic intracranial tumor through the BBB and significantly inhibited tumor growth. Immunofluorescence staining of orthotopic tumor tissue sections confirmed that nanodrugs promoted apoptosis of tumor cells. This study developed a multimodal nanodrug treatment system with the enhanced abilities of tumor-targeting, BBB penetration, and cancer-specific accumulation of chemotherapeutic drugs by combining chemotherapy and photothermal therapy. It can be used as a flexible and effective GBM treatment system and it may also be used for the treatment of other central nervous systems (CNS) tumors and extracranial tumors.
Plaque characteristics after endovascular treatment in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease
Authors: Zhang Shun , Wang Junjie , Lu Jun , Qi Peng , Hu Shen , Yang Ximeng , Chen Kunpeng , Wang Daming
Published: December 2022

Background

Endovascular treatment (EVT) is an alternative option for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD). However, the effect of EVT treatment on ICAD plaques is still unclear. This study describes the ICAD plaque characteristics after EVT treatment and analyzes the effect of different EVT treatments on plaque characteristics.

Method

From 2017 January to 2022 January, ICAD patients who underwent endovascular treatment and had follow-up high-resolution magnetic resonance image (HRMRI) were enrolled in the study. Multiple plaque characteristics, including plaque enhancement, plaque burden, were measured based on preoperative, and follow-up HRMRI. Plaque characteristics and postoperative plaque changes were analyzed between different treatment groups.

Result

Finally, 50 intracranial atherosclerotic plaques in 45 patients were included. Including 28 male patients and 17 female, media age 63.0 years old. Among 50 plaques, 41 received percutaneous angioplasty (including 22 plain balloons and 19 drug-coated balloons (DCB)) and the other 9 underwent stenting. Stenosis rate, plaque burden and eccentricity index at the lesion site were significantly decreased after EVT compared with preoperative periods (p <0.001). And only the DCB group showed a significant reduction in plaque enhancement at follow-up (p < 0.001). No significant preoperative and postoperative changes in other plaque characteristics were found.

Conclusion

EVT treatment could compromise the characteristics of intracranial periarterial atherosclerotic plaques, and DCB treatment may result in a reduction in plaque enhancement after treatment.
Autoinflammatory disease: clinical perspectives and therapeutic strategies
Authors: Kawakami Atsushi , Endo Yushiro , Koga Tomohiro , Yoshiura Koh-ichiro , Migita Kiyoshi
Published: December 2022

The molecular platforms of the innate immune system are essential to recognize pathologic external factors that are crucial to differentiate these danger signals from host motifs. A set of sensors recognizing pathologic factors is present and defined as a membrane-bound family of Toll-like receptors as well as the cytosolic ones including the family of nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat proteins. In this regard, the inflammasomes have been identified as an innate immune sensor toward pathologic external factors as well as endogenous damage-associated molecular pattern signals transducing from the above-mentioned receptors to gene expressions. Recent research has shown novel findings in inflammasome biology and genetics which lead to the alteration of diagnosis and management in autoinflammatory diseases as well as developing novel treatments, including the examples of nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat proteins-inflammasomes and pyrin-inflammasomes. The pyrin protein is encoded by the Mediterranean Fever gene on chromosome 16 that acts as a major regulatory component of the inflammasome, and is responsible for familial Mediterranean fever. We have recently examined the whole nucleotide sequence of the Mediterranean Fever gene in Japanese familial Mediterranean fever patients and revealed single nucleotide variants associated with the susceptibility of familial Mediterranean fever from a nation-wide survey by the next-generation sequencing. In a cytokine profile analysis of familial Mediterranean fever patients, we have found that interleukin-6 is considered to be one of the most crucial cytokines in familial Mediterranean fever attack since interleukin-6 had the best performance for distinguishing familial Mediterranean fever in attack from healthy controls or familial Mediterranean fever in remission, and in vitro interleukin-6 production is regulated by microRNAs-204-3p/phosphoinositide 3-kinase g pathway. Accordingly, we have been investigating the efficacy and safety of anti-human interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody, tocilizumab, in patients with familial Mediterranean fever refractory or intolerant to colchicine through an investigator-initiated clinical trial supported by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. Like interleukin-1b, interleukin-18 can be processed by caspase-1 and proteinase-3 to be activated within the inflammasomes. We have also found the importance of interleukin-18 in several autoinflammatory conditions. Recently, the concept of autoinflammation is widely distributed into many common diseases; thus, the attention to a wide spectrum of diseases MEFV gene deeply involved is required.
Comparative study on larvicidal potentials of Cymbopogon citratus stapf, Ricinus communis L. and Allium sativum L. on fourth instar larvae of Anopheles mosquitoes
Authors: Ani Ogonna C. , Ama Esther , Nnamonu Emmanuel Ikechukwu
Published: December 2022

Background

The war against malaria in Africa especially Sub-Saharan Africa seems to be unending despite all efforts being invested on it for some decades. Mosquitoes have remained key transmitters of malaria. This study evaluated the larvicidal potentials of ethanolic leaf extracts of Cymbopogon citratus, Ricinus communis and Allium sativum on the fourth instar larvae of Anopheles mosquito.

Results

Cymbopogon citratus had the highest mortality of 78% (312) out of 400 larvae used in all the varied concentrations (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg/l), and had the least LC50 value of 54.08 mg/l. Ricinus communis and Allium sativum had mortalities of 59.75% (239) and 73.75% (295) with LC50 of 141.25 mg/l and 81.096 mg/l, respectively. There was no mortality in the control. Temperature, pH and conductivity correlated positively with mortality (p < 0.05) while dissolved oxygen and total dissolved solids did not positively correlate with mortality (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Ethanolic leaf extracts of Cymbopogon citratus, A. sativum and R. communis have larvicidal properties. However, C. citratus was most effective followed by A. sativum while R. communis was the least effective. The extracts of these plants can serve as replacements to synthetic insecticides because they are bio-degradable, ecologically friendly, safe for non-target organisms and do not lead to an aftermath problem and still have properties that can reduce pest populations.
Neuro-Bechet’s disease: a case series from India
Authors: Mahale Rohan R. , Kamath Sneha , Ravindranadh C. M. , Padmanabha Hansashree , Mailankody Pooja , Pavagada Mathuranath
Published: December 2022

Background

There are several studies which have studied large cohort of Neuro-Bechet’s disease (NBD) patients worldwide However, there is sparse literature about NBD from India. We aimed to characterize the clinical, radiological characteristics, treatment response and outcome in NBD.

Methods

The study was a retrospective descriptive analysis of a cohort of patients with NBD evaluated between January 2017 to June 2021, fulfilling the International Consensus Recommendation (ICR) criteria for NBD.

Results

Twelve patients were diagnosed as NBD during the study period. The mean age of the patient was 34.7 ± 11.1 (range 21–59 years). The mean duration of illness was 1.4 ± 1.2 years. All 12 patients had neuroparenchymal NBD. Systemic symptoms were present in 6 patients (50%). Pyramidal tract involvement (67%) was the most common symptom and sign followed by cranial nerve, spinal cord and visual involvement. Pathergy test was positive in 6 patients (50%). Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) B51 positivity was seen in all patients. Thalamus (100%) was the most common area involved followed by pons (80%). Favourable outcome (modified Rankin Scale scores ≤ 2) was seen in 7 patients, poor outcome in 3 patients and 2 patients were lost to follow-up after first attack.

Conclusion

NBD is prevalent in India and there is need for clinical suspicion. Brainstem and cerebral syndrome are the most common presentation of NBD and thalamus is the most common site of involvement in NBD.
Significance of hematologic abnormalities in COVID-19 severity among infected patients in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Amoo Olufemi S. , Onyia Ngozi , Onuigbo Tochukwu I. , Vitalis Stephanie U. , Davies-Bolorunduro Olabisi F. , Oraegbu Joy I. , Adeniji Esther T. , Obi Josephine C. , Abodunrin Olusola N. , Ikemefuna Amaka S. , Adegbola Richard A. , Audu Rosemary A. , Salako Babatunde L.
Published: December 2022

Background

There have been suggestions that hematologic abnormalities in COVID-19 are linked with the progression and severity of diseases and mortality. Lymphopenia, sepsis, and thrombocytopenia were highly reported in patients with COVID-19. This study investigated the significance of hematologic abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 in Lagos, Nigeria, and its potential as a diagnostic tool for COVID-19 severity.

Results

This was a retrospective observational study with a total of 340 patients with COVID-19 (236 patients included in the analysis). These patients were categorized into two groups, comprising 71 patients with severe COVID-19 (SCP) and 165 patients with non-severe COVID-19 (NSCP). The majority were males in both categories (SCP 74.6% and NSCP 63.6%). The mean ± SD ages for SCP and NSCP were 52.28 ± 16.87 and 42.44 ± 17.18 years, respectively. The SCP (52.1%) and NSCP (20.0%) had underlying health conditions. The SCP exhibited significantly higher neutrophil counts (P < 0.05) and significantly lower mean hemoglobin, red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), and lymphocyte values (P < 0.05). Anemia and lymphocytopenia were more prominent in the SCP group than in the NSCP group (P < 0.05). Hemoglobin, RBC, PCV, and lymphocytes were inversely correlated with age-group in the SCP, while only lymphocytes and platelets were inversely correlated with age-group in the NSCP. The highest area under the ROC curve (AUC) for neutrophils was 0.739 with a sensitivity of 62.0% and specificity of 80.0%, while white blood cells had an AUC of 0.722 with a sensitivity of 73.2% and specificity of 61.2%. The AUC for neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was 0.766 with a sensitivity of 63.3% and specificity of 83.5%, while that for the platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) was 0.695 with a sensitivity and specificity of 61.7% and 77.8%.

Conclusions

COVID-19 affected the levels of hemoglobin, RBC, PCV, and lymphocytes in the blood, and the differences were significant between the SCP and NSCP. The significant changes in neutrophil and lymphocyte counts may be useful in the prognosis and management of COVID-19 severity in hospital settings. Furthermore, NLR and PLR may be used in the prognosis and management of severe COVID-19 infection, as well as provide an objective basis for early identification and management in low-resource settings.
Chlorogenic acid attenuates pro-inflammatory response in the blood of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Lee Youngchan , Bae Chun-Sik , Ahn Taeho
Published: December 2022

Background

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) has been shown to reduce pro-inflammation by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effect of CGA was expanded to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The inter-relationships among oxidative stress, pro-inflammation, and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A enzymes were also investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of STZ-diabetic rats.

Results

The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, increased by approximately 3.4- and 2.9-fold, respectively, and the albumin concentration decreased in the serum of STZ-induced diabetic rats compared to normal rats. The C-reactive protein (CRP) values also increased by about 3.8-fold higher, indicating that STZ induced an inflammation in the blood of STZ-diabetic rats. The expression levels and catalytic activities of CYP1A enzymes were elevated by approximately 2.2–2.5- and 4.3–6.7-fold, respectively, in the PBMC of STZ-treated rats. A decrease in the amount of PBMC-bound albumin was also observed. In contrast, the levels of cytokines and CRP in serum and the activities of CYP1A enzymes in PBMC were significantly reduced in CGA-treated diabetic rats in a CGA concentration-dependent manner. In addition, STZ-mediated elevation of ROS in serum and PBMC was decreased by the CGA administration. However, the CGA treatment did not change the enhanced blood glucose level and expression of CYP1A enzymes by STZ. STZ-mediated decrease in the levels of serum and PBMC-bound albumin was not also restored by the CGA administration.

Conclusions

These results suggest that CGA could be used to treat type 1 diabetes-induced inflammation.
Thermal photonics with broken symmetries
Authors: Liu Tianji , Guo Cheng , Li Wei , Fan Shanhui
Published: December 2022

Nanophotonic engineering provides an effective platform to manipulate thermal emission on-demand, enabling unprecedented heat management superior to conventional bulk materials. Amongst a plethora of nanophotonic structures, symmetries play an important role in controlling radiative heat transfer in both near-field and far-field. In physics, broken symmetries generally increase the degree of freedom in a system, enriching the understanding of physical mechanisms and bringing many exciting opportunities for novel applications. In this review, we discussed the underlying physics and functionalities of nanophotonic structures with broken geometrical symmetries, engineered mode symmetries, and broken reciprocity for the control of thermal emission. We overview a variety of physical phenomena and interesting applications, and provide the outlook for future development.
Elastic buckling of simply supported stiffened steel plates with circular opening
Authors: Hassan Maha M. , Mahmoud Sara I. , Serror Mohammed H. , Hassan Ahmed F.
Published: December 2022

Steel plates are used as the main components of steel elements in many structures. Openings in steel elements may exist for maintenance or inspection purposes in addition to creating paths for different fixtures such as air conditioning, pipes, and facilities. The structural performance of plates with openings is different from that of solid plates when subjected to axial compressive load. Openings affect local buckling, lateral torsional buckling, and shear of plates. Adding stiffeners around openings is a common engineering practice to strengthen plates. However, different design codes and guides provide estimates of the flexural and shear capacity of beams with no clear formulas for the influence of such openings on axial buckling strength. In this study, a parametric study has been performed using general-purpose finite element software, ANSYS, in order to study the effect of using stiffeners around circular opening in simply supported axially loaded plates on the elastic buckling behavior. Different parameters were considered including the aspect ratio of the plate, opening diameter, opening position in both horizontal and vertical directions, and stiffener’s dimensions. The results of the extensive parametric study are used to propose an empirical design formula considering the different studied parameters.
A public health milestone: China publishes new Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines
Authors: Chen Sitong , Ma Jiani , Hong Jintao , Chen Cheng , Yang Yanxiang , Yang Zhen , Zheng Peixuan , Tang Yiling
Published: December 2022

Physical inactivity has long been a global public health issue. In response to this, China published new Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Chinese People in 2021 (PASBG 2021). This is a milestone in China’s public health, behavioural epidemiology and an important contribution to the Healthy China 2030 initiative. This commentary summarises the contents and highlighted the significance of the new guidelines. The new Chinese PASBG provide foundations for population-based estimates of healthy behaviours, strategies addressing physical inactivity and messages designed to encourage people to be more active. While the contents of the PASBG 2021 are mostly consistent with the World Health Organisation physical activity guidelines, it is unclear on what evidence they are based, and whether this included research in Chinese people. Physical activity research in China is very limited and it is urgently needed to advance national-based physical activity research in China in accordance with the behavioural epidemiology framework. The development of new PASBG is only the first step, now it is what is done to communicate and disseminate, provide opportunities and supportive environments that will make a difference to physical activity levels in China. As such, we hope the PASBG 2021 will not only become a document for educating Chinese people to move more, but also an impetus for improving population health research.
The simplest multilayer network of Rulkov neuron maps: A dynamical analysis under different neuronal interactions
Authors: Vivekanandhan Gayathri , Mirzaei Simin , Mehrabbeik Mahtab , Rajagopal Karthikeyan , Jafari Sajad
Published: December 2022

Dynamical map-based networks have been considered in many scientific fields due to their exciting behaviors while they are of low computational costs and more flexibility. Hence, map-based neuronal networks can be preferable for studying the behavior of brain neurons due to their speed and simplicity. Synchronization, cluster synchronization, and chimera are three essential collective behaviors of neurons that have been noticed in many studies. The simplest multilayer neuronal network, capable of exhibiting synchronization, cluster synchronization, and chimera, is a two-layer network with two neurons in each layer. Considering the dynamics of the Rulkov map as the nodes' dynamics of the two-layer network, this paper aims to detect the regions of different collective behaviors of the network under different types of intralayer interactions: chemical synapses, electrochemical synapses, electrical synapses, and inner linking functions. In all cases, the interlayer neurons interact through chemical synapses. It is revealed that the considered network can exhibit different neuronal collective behaviors, such as complete synchronization, cluster synchronization, chimera, and asynchronization.
Graves Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization
Authors: Xian Wei , Wu Dide , Liu Boyuan , Hong Shubin , Huo Zijun , Xiao Haipeng , Li Yanbing
Published: December 2022

Context

Both Graves disease (GD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are common autoimmune diseases that severely damage a patient’s quality of life. Previous epidemiological studies have suggested associations between GD and IBD. However, whether a causal relationship exists between these 2 diseases remains unknown.

Objective

To infer a causal relationship between GD and IBD using bidirectional 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR).

Methods

We performed bidirectional 2-sample MR to infer a causal relationship between GD and IBD using genome-wide association study summary data obtained from Biobank Japan and the International Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetic Consortium. Several methods (random-effect inverse variance weighted, weighted median, MR-Egger regression, and MR-PRESSO) were used to ensure the robustness of the causal effect. Heterogeneity was measured based on Cochran's Q value. Horizontal pleiotropy was evaluated by MR-Egger regression and leave-one-out analysis.

Results

Genetically predicted IBD may increase the risk of GD by 24% (odds ratio [OR] 1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.52, P = .041). Crohn disease (CD) may increase the risk of GD, whereas ulcerative colitis (UC) may prevent patients from developing GD. Conversely, genetically predicted GD may slightly increase the risk of CD, although evidence indicating that the presence of GD increased the risk of UC or IBD was lacking. Outlier-corrected results were consistent with raw causal estimates.

Conclusion

Our study revealed a potentially higher comorbidity rate for GD and CD. However, UC might represent a protective factor for GD. The underlying mechanism and potential common pathways await discovery.
Ccn2a-FGFR1-SHH signaling is necessary for intervertebral disc homeostasis and regeneration in adult zebrafish
Authors: Rayrikar Amey Y. , Wagh Ganesh A. , Santra Manas K. , Patra Chinmoy
Published: December 2022

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is the primary cause of back pain in humans. However, the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of IVD degeneration is poorly understood. This study shows that zebrafish IVDs possess distinct and non-overlapping zones of cell proliferation and cell death. We find that, in zebrafish, cellular communication network factor 2a (ccn2a) is expressed in notochord and IVDs. Although IVD development appears normal in ccn2a mutants, the adult mutant IVDs exhibit decreased cell proliferation and increased cell death leading to IVD degeneration. Moreover, Ccn2a overexpression promotes regeneration through accelerating cell proliferation and suppressing cell death in wild-type aged IVDs. Mechanistically, Ccn2a maintains IVD homeostasis and promotes IVD regeneration by enhancing outer annulus fibrosus cell proliferation and suppressing nucleus pulposus cell death through augmenting FGFR1-SHH signaling. These findings reveal that Ccn2a plays a central role in IVD homeostasis and regeneration, which could be exploited for therapeutic intervention in degenerated human discs.
Increased knowledge affects public attitude and perception towards elasmobranchs and support for conservation
Authors: PAPAGEORGIOU MARIOS , BENGIL G.T. ELIZABETH , SNAPE ROBIN , HADJIOANNOU LOUIS
Published: December 2022

The tendency of world media to villainize of sharks has likely contributed to a disparity in the distribution of research and conservation resources among threatened marine megavertebrates, with elasmobranchs losing out. Increased public knowledge on elasmobranchs can shape public attitude and foster and gain support for elasmobranch conservation. Through an online survey, this study aimed to evaluate the drivers of public knowledge and examine linkages between awareness of elasmobranchs and attitude toward their conservation. To explore the relationships and effects between the different predicting variables and public elasmobranch knowledge and attitude indices, bi- and multi-variate analysis and a partial least squares path model were used. The results indicated that the average public elasmobranch knowledge of the Cypriot population was moderate and the average public attitude towards elasmobranchs was relatively low. Marine-related activities and marine-related education were highly correlated with increased public elasmobranch knowledge and were the strongest predictors of the partial least squares path model which explained a high degree of variation in elasmobranch knowledge. Public elasmobranch knowledge was highly correlated with public attitude towards elasmobranchs. The findings of this study highlighted the importance of ocean literacy and education and provide insights into the mechanisms for developing and designing successful advocacy actions for elasmobranch conservation.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF COPING STRATEGIES WITH STRESS OF STUDENTS IN DIFFERENT LEARNING CONDITIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC
Authors: Dyachuk Anna A. , Shpakou Andrei I. , Bocharova Julia Ju. , Klimatckaia Liudmila G.
Published: December 2022

The purpose of study is to highlight the differences in students’ appeal to coping strategies in various forms of implementation of the educational process in the context of different anti-epidemic approaches during the pandemic.

Materials and Methods. The materials of the empirical study obtained on a selection of students of pedagogical and medical universities of Krasnoyarsk and Grodno are presented. 1356 students of 2–4 courses aged 18–26 years were interviewed in February 2021. The repertoire of coping strategies was studied using standardized questionnaire methods.

Results. The results of the study demonstrate that there are differences in the choice of coping strategies by students depending on the learning conditions and anti-epidemiological measures. In most cases the students from two countries demonstrate active cognitive coping strategies, turning to the past to anticipate possible difficulties and premeditation. At the same time, significant differences are noted in active cognitive coping strategies and acceptance or denial of a situation. The analysis of the coping strategies use has been made with the consideration of the students’ gender and professional training. The similarity of the general direction of coping behavior among young men and women has been revealed, with differences in the strategies for their implementation, depending on the assessment of the situation, their capabilities and resources. It has been highlighted that the students’ professionalization has a strong influence on how and in what ways they perceive a stressful situation. Thus, the students of pedagogical profiles are the most vulnerable group in coping with a stressful situation of learning during the pandemic.
Wokół literackich narracji lokacyjnych (kilka wstępnych rozpoznań)
Authors: Przybyszewska Agnieszka
Published: December 2022

Artykuł przynosi wstępną charakterystykę narracji lokacyjnych jako formy (problematycznie) literackiej. Przyjmując szerokie rozumienie terminu (nie wiążąc fenomenu lokacyjności z technologią GPS), autorka stara się pokazać współczesne realizacje tej formy na tle tradycji sztuki (i literatury) związanej z przestrzenią. Ujęcie literackiej opowieści w formę niekodeksową zostaje potraktowane jako kolejna próba przekroczenia granic książki. Szczególną uwagę autorka zwraca na proponowany w narracjach lokacyjnych nowy rodzaj paktu z czytelnikiem i związanie aktu lektury z ciałem odbiorcy. Zostaje też podkreślona swoista multimodalność analizowanych utworów.
Autorka stawia tezę, że warsztat badacza literatury daje doskonałe narzędzia do badania narracji lokacyjnych, oraz podkreśla, że literaturoznawcze analizy mogłyby uzupełnić wskazywane dotąd braki w refleksji nad tą odmianą opowieści (przykładami są m.in. analiza palimpsestowej i metaleptycznej struktury świata przedstawionego, specyficznej formy narracji drugoosobowej stosowanej w tych opowieściach, oraz konstrukcja bohatera zakładająca włączenie czytelnika w świat przedstawiony). Wywód jest zilustrowany charakterystyką kilku kanonicznych już dziś narracji lokacyjnych (m.in. projektu murmur, pracy 34 North, 118 West oraz audio-walków Janet Cardiff).
OpenDyslexic – font (nie)przystosowany do potrzeb dyslektyków
Authors: Chłopek Patryk
Published: December 2022

Podstawowym zadaniem typografa, twórcy w zakresie sztuki użytkowej, jest zadbanie o czytelność swojego projektu. W pracy może jednak spotkać się z problemami, które wykroczą poza jego możliwości poznawcze – jak bowiem stworzyć książkę czytelną dla kogoś, kto inaczej niż on będzie postrzegać umieszczony w niej tekst? Zjawisko dysleksji od dawna wzbudza zainteresowanie badaczy, którym z trudnością przychodziło oszacowanie, jakie tak naprawdę są jej powody. Powstało przez to dużo teorii, które dziś, utrwalone w świadomości społecznej i postrzegane jako prawdziwe – często nawet w środowisku nauczycielskim – utrudniają jedynie właściwy rozwój dzieci, u których zdiagnozowano trudności w czytaniu. Dorośli natomiast, poszukując szybkiego i łatwego sposobu na poradzenie sobie z tym problemem, natrafiają na stworzone specjalnie na ich potrzeby, zaprojektowane na podstawie badań naukowych fonty dla dyslektyków. Jednym z nich jest OpenDyslexic Abelarda Gonzaleza, dyslektyka, który projekt stworzył na własne potrzeby i zaczął udostępniać na wolnej licencji. Jak przekonuje jednak Sally Shaywitz na podstawie badań przeprowadzonych w latach 90., za główną przyczynę zaburzeń w czytaniu należy uważać uszkodzenie konkretnego elementu systemu językowego, tzw. modułu fonologicznego. Odkrycie to pozwala podawać w wątpliwość pozytywne oddziaływanie fontów dla dyslektyków na prędkość czytania oraz liczbę wykonywanych podczas lektury błędów.
Miasto jako książka
Authors: Kosmacz Agata
Published: December 2022

Miasto jako książka to próba znalezienia takiego języka wizualnego dla opisu miasta, który trafnie scharakteryzowałby różnorodność spojrzeń na współczesny Szczecin. Przy budowaniu metodologii badawczej posłużono się kategoriami zaproponowanymi przez Deyana Sudjica. Rodzinne miasto autorki stało się wzorem tych opisywanych w Języku miast polem eksperymentów formalnych, inicjujących powstający cykl prac. W warstwie merytorycznej źródłem wiedzy był przetłumaczony na język polski siedemnastowieczny druk Paula Frideborna Opis miasta Szczecina, którego oryginalny łaciński tekst posłużył  przy konstruowaniu prezentowanych prac.

Dziewięć obiektów z cyklu Satzspiegel ma te same proporcje wymiarów zewnętrznych oraz szaroniebieski kolor okładki. Wykonane są w różnych technikach graficznych i typograficznych oraz rodzajach oprawy. Formalnie dotykają one zagadnień projektowych związanych ze złotym podziałem oraz spiralą wzrostu. W trzech z nich został użyty zaprojektowany specjalnie na potrzeby tych książek krój liter Friedeborn. Zawartość symboliczna to z kolei próba zmierzenia się z tematem miasta, chęć zamiany intymnych przestrzeni stron książki w ekstrawertyczną przestrzeń spektaklu. Zewnętrzną przestrzeń miejską starano się natomiast odtworzyć na kartach ich wewnętrznego teatru.
Przewodnik edytorski za 2022 rok
Authors: Płońska Katarzyna , Bukowski Filip
Published: December 2022

Przewodnik edytorski za 2022 rok.
Kresowego Pokucia początek. Ormianie
Authors: Agopsowicz Monika
Published: December 2022

The book is a “prequel” to Borderland Pokutia: The Armenian Commonwealth published in 2014. It presents the formation and everyday life of the Armenian community in Stanisławów (now Ivano-Frankivsk in Ukraine). The military stronghold and the city were established from scratch in 1662 by the nobleman and magnate Andrzej Potocki, who invited settlers of various ethnic backgrounds. The Armenians were granted autonomy of their own local government and court of justice, as did two other communes: Polish-Ruthenian and Jewish. The book tells about the Armenians who came to Stanisławów mainly from their settlements in Wallachia and Moldavia, but also from Polish cities such as Jazłowiec and Kamieniec Podolski, which had been captured by the Ottoman Turks. Various aspects of life of the Armenian community are presented, such as the court and the Church, and aspects of personal lives of their members, such as work, traditions, conflicts and anxieties. They are shown from the perspective of individual people: initially, the Manug Giragosowicz family, and then the Agopsowicz family from the mid-18th century until the second half of the 19th century, when the book published in 2014 takes over. Borderland Pokutia – the Origins: Armenians consists exclusively of numerous historical sources. The book includes a foreword by Marcin Łukasz Majewski, the author’s preface, 22 tables showing family ties, a glossary, a bibliographic list and two indexes.
Cultural influences on adherence to cardiac rehabilitation programmes: perspectives from South Asian healthcare professionals
Authors: Ahmed Farhin , Eberhardt Judith , van Wersch Anna , Ling Jonathan
Published: December 2022

Background/Aims

Health disparities concerning uptake of and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation post-myocardial infarction have been observed in patients with coronary heart disease from a South Asian background. Healthcare professionals from a South Asian background can provide insight into the influential cultural factors affecting cardiac rehabilitation adherence. The aim of the study was to explore cultural factors impacting adherence to cardiac rehabilitation post-myocardial infarction from the perspective of healthcare professionals from a South Asian background.

Methods

A qualitative thematic approach using semi-structured interviews was employed with 15 participants (8 men and 7 women) recruited from various healthcare settings. The participants were from a range of health professions, including a physiotherapist, general practitioner, nurse, surgeon, physiologist, cardiologist and pharmacist.

Results

Four themes were identified from the interviews: familiarity: influence of practitioners' own cultural background; Western vs Eastern medical philosophy: generation and gender influences; engaging with existing services: changing patients' attitudes and perceptions; and modifying practitioner–patient communication: encouraging patient responsibility. All themes related to health beliefs that patients from a South Asian background were perceived to hold.

Conclusions

Previous research has suggested that there is a need to tailor health services towards people from a South Asian background. However, the focus should also simultaneously be on changing patients' perceptions of their own health and to consider providing outpatients with the support to develop the necessary skills to implement lifestyle changes towards improving cardiac rehabilitation uptake and adherence.
An A to Z of enhancements: D is for Display
Authors: Jackson Amy
Published: December 2022

Displays can be used to support children's learning and development if they are carefully thought out, purposeful and accessible, says Amy Jackson
Considerations regarding the risk of using counterfeit products in the aerospace industry
Authors: MARIN Ilinca , RUSU Manuela , SOARE Valentin , TONOIU Sergiu , BLAJINA Ovidiu
Published: December 2022

This paper aims to increase the level of awareness regarding the risk of using counterfeit parts in the aerospace industry. Manufacturing and selling counterfeit parts is a challenge that almost every business faces and that has an impact on retailers, distributors, and producers. Contrary to other businesses, counterfeiting could be fatal in the aerospace, defense, and automotive sectors. The risk of receiving counterfeit parts or assemblies with counterfeit parts will vary depending on the organization’s role and position within the supply chain. The risk increases with the number of supply chain intermediaries (such as sub-tiers, distributors, customers, services, etc.) that incorporate parts into products or assemblies.
More direct methods to evaluate general relativity effects. The influence of the age of the Universe
Authors: BERBENTE Corneliu , BERBENTE Sorin
Published: December 2022

More direct methods are given to evaluate the general relativity effects by simplifying the solving the solution of the extremum of variational problem to one variable only.
The influence of the age of the Universe is mainly related to the variation of the coefficient of gravity the age of the Universe.
High-precision demodulation method for the cobweb FBG sensor network
Authors: Jiang Hong , Wang Chenyang , Zhao Yihan , Tang Rui
Published: December 2022

To improve the demodulation accuracy and speed of the cobweb fiber Bragg grating (FBG)
sensor network, a demodulation algorithm based on a one-dimensional
(1D) dilated convolutional neural network (CNN) combined with improved
wavelet adaptive threshold de-noising is proposed. The improved
wavelet adaptive threshold de-noising algorithm is used to de-noise
several highly overlapping sensing signals for accurately measuring
optical fiber sensing signals. Using a well-trained 1D dilated CNN
model achieves extremely low signal demodulation errors, even with
highly overlapping signals. Experiments show that the demodulation
scheme improves the detection accuracy of the cobweb FBG sensor
network and shortens detection time. Determination of the peak
wavelengths of the four highly overlapping sensing signals achieves a
root-mean-square error of better than 0.10 pm and
an average demodulation time of 15.2 ms.