bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UNESCO's Tensions Project (1947–1957) on India and Israel: Peace research in an era of decolonization
Authors: Six Clemens
Published: May 2023

In the light of the Second World War, the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and decolonization in Asia, the newly established UN organization for education, science and culture (UNESCO) initiated a global research project in 1947. Its main task was to find out how tensions within and between societies can be explained and tackled to secure peace and social justice. Combining peace history with the global history of social sciences and global intellectual history, this article assesses the design and conduct of the Tensions Project in India and Israel at the crossroads of post‐fascism and post‐colonialism. It finds the reasons for the Project's limited impact in the contradictions between universal knowledge claims and local specificities, its over‐confidence in scientific solutions for social problems, interfering nation‐building in early postcolonial states, the limited comparability of research, and its neglect of political activism.
A very long chain fatty acid responsive transcription factor, MYB93, regulates lateral root development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Uemura Yuta , Kimura Saori , Ohta Tomomichi , Suzuki Takamasa , Mase Kosuke , Kato Hiroyuki , Sakaoka Satomi , Uefune Masayoshi , Komine Yuki , Hotta Kazuhiro , Shimizu Motoyuki , Morikami Atsushi , Tsukagoshi Hironaka
Published: May 2023

Lateral roots (LRs) are critical to root system architecture development in plants. Although the molecular mechanisms by which auxin regulates LR development have been extensively studied, several additional regulatory systems are hypothesized to be involved. Recently, the regulatory role of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) has been shown in LR development. Our analysis showed that LTPG1 and LTPG2, transporters of VLCFAs, are specifically expressed in the developing LR primordium (LRP), while the number of LRs is reduced in the ltpg1/ltpg2 double mutant. Moreover, late LRP development was hindered when the VLCFA levels were reduced by the VLCFA synthesis enzyme mutant, kcs1‐5. However, the details of the regulatory mechanisms of LR development controlled by VLCFAs remain unknown. In this study, we propose a novel method to analyze the LRP development stages with high temporal resolution using a deep neural network and identify a VLCFA‐responsive transcription factor, MYB93, via transcriptome analysis of kcs1‐5. MYB93 showed a carbon chain length‐specific expression response following treatment of VLCFAs. Furthermore, myb93 transcriptome analysis suggested that MYB93 regulated the expression of cell wall organization genes. In addition, we also found that LTPG1 and LTPG2 are involved in LR development through the formation of root cap cuticle, which is different from transcriptional regulation by VLCFAs. Our results suggest that VLCFA is a regulator of LRP development through transcription factor‐mediated regulation of gene expression and the transportation of VLCFAs is also involved in LR development through root cap cuticle formation.
Indian buyers in global markets: Quality, prices and productivity
Authors: Anderson Michael A. , Signoret José E. , Davies Martin H. , Smith Stephen L. S.
Published: May 2023

This paper adds to the new literature on firms' direct sourcing of imported intermediate inputs. We address key gaps in the literature by examining the influence of source country characteristics on import prices, the import behaviour of Indian firms and empirical strategies to address source country selection bias, while using disaggregated import data at the firm, product and source country level. We offer a theoretical contribution which suggests that source characteristics affect firms' willingness to pay for imported inputs, particularly high‐quality differentiated inputs. Our unique and detailed data set of Indian manufacturers' imported inputs allows us to control for all firm and product characteristics to eliminate missing‐variable bias with fixed effects, and to correct for possible selection bias in firms' source country choices. Results indicate that source country characteristics matter. Import prices rise for products sourced from high‐income per capita countries, rise with distance and fall with GDP and remoteness (the latter a new finding suggested by our theory). High productivity firms that also export appear particularly willing to pay high prices for high‐quality inputs from specific source countries. Our results suggest that, apart from other consequences, restrictions on imported inputs harm firms' ability to upgrade product quality.
Prediction of Covid-19 Cases for Malaysia, Egypt, and USA using Deep Learning Models
Authors: Hasan Riyam A. , Jamaluddin Jehana Ermy
Published: May 2023

Forecasting in pandemics and disasters is one of the means that contribute to reducing the damage of this pandemic, and the Corona virus is reportedly the most dangerous pandemic that the entire world is suffering from. As a result, we aim to use a deep learning algorithm to predict confirmed and new cases of Covid-19 in our study. This paper identifies the most essential deep learning techniques. Long short-term memory (LSTM) and gated recurrent unit (GRU) were shown to forecast verified Covid-19 fatalities in Malaysia, Egypt, and the U.S. using time series data from 1 January 2021 to 14 May 2022. The first section of this study examines a comparison of prediction models, while the second section examines how prediction and performance analysis may be enhanced using mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute error percentage (MAPE), and root mean squared error (RMSE) Metrics. On the basis of the regression curves of two two-layer models, the data were split into training sets of 80% and test sets of 20%. The conclusion is that the outputs of the training model and the original data greatly converged. The findings of the study indicated that, for predicting Covid-19 cases, the GRU model in the three nations is superior than the LSTM model.
Highly Efficient Synthesis of Complex bis-2,4-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazapentadienemetal(II) (metal = Cu, Ni) with Hirshfeld Surface Analysis
Authors: Dasna I Wayan , Wijaya Husni Wahyu , Setta Putra Faaza’izzahaq , Abdulloh Hakam , Taufiq Ahmad
Published: May 2023

The synthesis of copper(II) or Nickel(II) complex with bis-2,4-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazapentadiene ligand has been reported using a direct reaction and reflux method. These methods take a relatively long synthesis time, so it is necessary to develop a faster synthesis method. This study reports a solvothermal method to synthesize bis-2,4-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazapentadiene copper(II) and nickel(II) as in situ with sodium dicyanamide and methanol that produces single crystals in a day and two days respectively. XRD analysis of both single crystals from solvothermal results showed a monoclinic crystal lattice and a P21/n space group which was not different from previous studies. The Hirshfeld analysis indicates that the interactions with the most prevelant contributions in both of complexes are H—H, O—H/H—O, and N—H/N—H.
Concepciones jurisprudenciales colombianas sobre perspectiva de género en casos de orientaciones sexuales e identidades de género no heteronormativas en la escuela
Authors: Cardona Zuleta Elvigia , Uribe López María Isabel , Orozco Salazar Sandra Milena
Published: May 2023

Este artículo propone analizar la concepción de la Corte Constitucional colombiana sobre la perspectiva de género en casos relacionados con la orientación sexual y las identidades de género no heteronormativas, en las instituciones educativas. La metodología es de tipo cualitativo, enmarcada en los enfoques teóricos de los feminismos jurídicos y la interseccionalidad, como punto de referencia para examinar los pronunciamientos de la Corte Constitucional sobre la temática. Se concluye que las instituciones educativas deben comprenderse como escenarios de poder, donde es necesario tensionar los discursos hegemónicos sobre sexo, género, orientación sexual e identidad sexogénerica. Por lo anterior, se requiere la materialización de las directrices de la Corte Constitucional y los Derechos Humanos con un enfoque interseccional, para garantizar la vida digna de los niños, niñas y adolescentes (NNA).
Activation of MAPK signaling pathway genes leads to promoted thermotolerance in a high-temperature adapted predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes)
Authors: Tian Chuanbei , Li Guangyun , Wang Mian , Chen Hanqiu , Ding Yishu , Chen Gang , Li Yaying , Nima Yuzhen , Liu Huai
Published: May 2023

Predatory mites are important biological control agents for phytophagous mites and several small insect pests on vegetables, while the control efficiency is often limited by the changeable or fluctuating environment, especially under the threat of global warming. To mitigate the undesired impacts of high temperature environment, a high-temperature adapted strain (HTAS) of the predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes) was screened from a conventional strain (CS) by long-term heat acclimation (35°C) and regular heat hardenings (45°C). In this study, to investigate the molecular mechanisms of enhanced thermotolerance in HTAS N. barkeri, four mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway genes were identified from the predatory mite N. barkeri. The expression levels at different developmental stages showed four MAPK pathway genes were highest at adults and lowest at eggs or nymphs in both strains. Under 42℃ high temperature stress, the expression levels of four identified MAPK pathway genes increased rapidly at a short time in both N. barkeri strains and the magnitude of expression increase in HTAS N. barkeri was even more evident. In addition, the MAPK pathway genes expression in CS N. barkeri sharply decreased following longer exposure periods at 4 h, whereas the expression in HTAS N. barkeri remained elevated after 4 h. These results suggested that MAPK signaling pathway participated in the formation of thermotolerance in predatory phytoseiid mites, which provided new insights in promoting the biological control efficiency of predatory mites under changeable environment.
Comparison of the effects of remimazolam tosylate and propofol on postoperative delirium among older adults undergoing major non-cardiac surgery: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Li Hui-xian , Li Bao-li , Wang Tai-hang , Xu Xin , Wang Fei , Zhang Xiao , Zhang Xin , Li Hong-yi , Mu Bing , Sun Yu-lin , Zheng Hui , Yan Tao
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common cognitive disturbance in elderly individuals that is characterised by acute and ﬂuctuating impairments in attention and awareness. Remimazolam tosylate is a novel, ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine, and there is limited evidence of its correlation with the incidence of early POD. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of POD after anaesthesia induction and maintenance with remimazolam tosylate or propofol in elderly patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery.

Methods and analysis

This is a single-centre, randomised controlled trial. 636 elderly patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery will be enrolled and randomised at a 1:1 ratio to receive total intravenous anaesthesia with either remimazolam tosylate or propofol. The primary outcome is the incidence of POD within 5 days after surgery. Delirium will be assessed twice daily by the 3 min Diagnostic Interview for the Confusion Assessment Method or the Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit (ICU) for ICU patients. Secondary outcomes are the onset and duration of delirium, cognitive function at discharge and within 1-year postoperatively, postoperative analgesia within 5 days, chronic pain at 3 months, quality of recovery and postoperative inflammatory biomarker levels.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee of the National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (approval No. 22/520–3722). Written informed consent will be obtained from each patient before enrolment. The results of this trial will be presented at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2300067368.
Percolation framework reveals limits of privacy in conspiracy, dark web, and blockchain networks
Authors: Shekhtman Louis M. , Sela Alon , Havlin Shlomo
Published: May 2023

We consider the limits of privacy based on the knowledge of interactions in anonymous networks. In many anonymous networks, such as blockchain cryptocurrencies, dark web message boards, and other illicit networks, nodes are anonymous to outsiders, however the existence of a link between individuals is observable. For example, in blockchains, transactions between anonymous accounts are published openly. Here we consider what happens if one or more individuals in such a network are deanonymized by an outside investigator. These compromised individuals could then potentially leak information about others with whom they interacted, leading to a cascade of nodes’ identities being revealed. We map this scenario to percolation and analyze its consequences on three real anonymous networks—(1) a blockchain transaction network, (2) interactions on the dark web, and (3) a political conspiracy network. We quantify, for different likelihoods of individuals possessing information on their neighbors, p, the fraction of accounts that can be identified in each network. We then estimate the minimum and most probable number of steps to a desired anonymous node, a measure of the effort to deanonymize that node. In all three networks, we find that it is possible to deanonymize a significant fraction of the network ($>50\%$
>
50
%
) within less than 5 steps for values of $p>0.4$
p
>
0.4
. We show how existing measures and approaches from percolation theory can help investigators quantify the chances of deanonymizing individuals, as well as how users can maintain privacy.
Descriptors of dimensionality for n × n density matrices
Authors: Gil José J. , Norrman Andreas , Friberg Ari T. , Setälä Tero
Published: May 2023

By using the recently introduced parametrization of an n-dimensional density matrix in terms of the indices of population asymmetry and the intrinsic coherences, we define descriptors in both integer and continuous forms of the effective dimension that take place for a complete description of a density matrix, thus providing accurate information beyond the rank of the density matrix. The concepts of dimensional folding, hidden dimensional purity, and dimensional entropy are introduced and discussed in view of the new approach presented. The results are applicable to any physical system represented by a density matrix, such as n-level quantum systems, qutrits, sets of interacting pencils of radiation, classical polarization states, and to transformations of density matrices, as occurs with quantum channels.
Minimizing the Expected Renewable Resource Costs in a Project with Stochastic Resource Availability
Authors: Moghaddaszadeh Hossein , Ranjbar Mohammad , Jamili Negin
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we study the well-known resource availability cost problem with stochastic resource availability. The objective is to determine the initial levels of all renewable resources and establish a schedule corresponding to each scenario such that the expected resource availability cost is minimized. We assume that resource shortfalls can be compensated externally but at a noticeable higher cost. We formulate the problem as a two-stage stochastic programming model (TSSPM). We also develop an exact decomposition-based algorithm (DBA) for the particular case of the problem with at most two resources, which also functions as a heuristic for the original problem. Since the number of scenarios influences the performance of the developed solution approaches, we utilize a fast scenario reduction method to reduce the number of scenarios. Computational results indicate that the DBA outperforms the TSSPM formulation in solution quality and CPU runtime.
Generalized fractional of the extended Nikiforov–Uvarov method for heavy tetraquark masses spectra
Authors: Abu-Shady M. , Ahmed M. M. A. , Gerish N. H.
Published: May 2023

In this paper, the new analytic–exact energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions are obtained in the fractional forms by using the extended Nikiforov–Uvarov approach in which the heavy diquark systems are described. We have recalculated the mass spectra and fractional radial wave of heavy tetraquarks. The mass spectra are compared to the experimental data. The present results show a good agreement with the experimental data and are improved in comparison with other studies. We conclude that the fractional models play a good role in the heavy tetraquark masses.
Effect of Subthreshold Electrotactile Stimulation on the Perception of Electrovibration
Authors: Krishnasamy Balasubramanian Jagan , Ray Rahul Kumar , Muniyandi Manivannan
Published: May 2023

Electrovibration is used in touch enabled devices to render different textures. Tactile sub-modal stimuli can enhance texture perception when presented along with electrovibration stimuli. Perception of texture depends on the threshold of electrovibration. In the current study, we have conducted a psychophysical experiment on 13 participants to investigate the effect of introducing a
subthreshold electrotactile stimulus (SES)
to the perception of electrovibration. Interaction of tactile sub-modal stimuli causes masking of a stimulus in the presence of another stimulus. This study explored the occurrence of tactile masking of electrovibration by electrotactile stimulus. The results indicate the reduction of electrovibration threshold by 12.46% and 6.75% when the electrotactile stimulus was at 90% and 80% of its perception threshold, respectively. This method was tested over a wide range of frequencies from 20 Hz to 320 Hz in the tuning curve, and the variation in percentage reduction with frequency is reported. Another experiment was conducted to measure the perception of combined stimuli on the Likert scale. The results showed that the perception was more inclined towards the electrovibration at 80% of SES and was indifferent at 90% of SES. The reduction in the threshold of electrovibration reveals that the effect of tactile masking by electrotactile stimulus was not prevalent under subthreshold conditions. This study provides significant insights into developing a texture rendering algorithm based on tactile sub-modal stimuli in the future.
Salt-dependent Role of Human Gut Commensal Coprococcus comes in Blood Pressure and Inflammation
Authors: Kyoung Jun , Alviter Plata Adriana , Mei Xue , Atluri Rohit , Yang Tao
Published: May 2023

Introduction: We previously identified the effect of Coprococcus come, a common human gut microflora, on blood pressure regulation due to its metabolism of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi). Despite being reported as a butyrate-producer, there are no studies on C. comes in its direct role in hypertension and inflammation. Importantly, C. comes was enriched in the African American hypertensive population, almost three-fourths of whom were found salt sensitive. Therefore, we hypothesized that C. comes increased blood pressure and associated systemic inflammation in a salt-dependent manner. Methods: Once per day for 13 consecutive days, male Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rats (N=7-8/group) were administered 109 CFU of C. comes via oral gavage on both low and high salt diet. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure were recorded on day 13 by radio-telemetry. On day 14, spleen (the key organ in systemic inflammation) and kidney (the key organ in salt hypertension) were collected for analyses of inflammatory markers by real time PCR and flow cytometry. Results: In low salt rats, the administration of C. comes did not significantly change blood pressures, but resulted in immunosuppression in the spleen, as evidenced by decreased inflammatory markers Il6 (0.79 fold, p<0.05) and Il17rc (0.74 fold, p<0.001). In contrast, there were significant increases in the S rats on high salt+ C. comes vs high salt in systolic blood pressure (183.2 vs 179.9 mmHg, p<0.01), diastolic blood pressure (130.5 vs 127.1 mmHg, p<0.01), and mean arterial pressures (156.7 vs 151.8 mmHg, p<0.0001) during nighttime, but not daytime. The administration of C. comes in high salt rats led to increased inflammation in the spleen, as measured by the percentage of CD11b/c+ cells (high salt+ C. comes 2.9% vs high salt 2.1% p<0.05) and CD68+ cells (high salt+ C. comes 0.28% vs high salt 0.22% p<0.05), as well as in the kidney, as measured by inflammatory markers Il1b (4.4 fold, p<0.05), Il17rc (8.8 fold, p<0.05), and Tnf (1.67 fold, p<0.05). Conclusion: C. comes, an ACEi degrader, suppressed splenic inflammation in the male S rats on a low salt diet without impacting blood pressure. However, on high salt diet, C. comes administration resulted in increased splenic and renal inflammation as well as increased blood pressure in the male S rats. These findings support the pathogenic role of C. comes in salt-induced hypertension, providing evidence for targeting C. comes in blood pressure control.

This study is funded by NIH R21AG079357 and AHA CDA 852969.

This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.
Adiponectin receptor activation with AdipoRon prevents Truvada-induced microvascular oxidative stress and dysfunction in mice
Authors: Wilcox Christopher , Li Tian , Du Eric , Kassaye Seble , Wang Dan
Published: May 2023

Background: Persons living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) and treated with anti-retroviral therapy such as emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada, TVD) have increased cardiovascular risk but the mehcamisms and management are unclear. Since we found that PLHIV treated with antiretroviral drugs including TVD had significantly (P<0.05) decreased adiponectin in plasma (3.3±0.3 vs 4.5±0.5 μg · mL-1) and in perivascular adipose tissue (14±1 vs 22±2 μg·mg protein-1 ·mL-1), we tested the hypothesis that impaired adiponectin signaling with TVD causes microvascular dysfunction. Methods: CB57Bl/6 mice (n=6-8/ group) were administered vehicle (Veh), TVD (30 mg/kg/day), AdipoRon (ADR; adiponectin receptor agonist; 50 ug/kg/day) or both orally for 28 days. Mesenteric resistance arterioles were studied on isometric myographs and microvascular nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) by RatioMaster. Results: TVD significantly (P<0.05) increased malondialdehyde in serum (50±5 vs 17±2 μM) and in urine (59±15 vs 7±3 μM), urine albumin/creatinine ratio (0.9±0.1 vs 0.04±0.0), microvascular contractions to U-46,619 (98± vs 88±3%; P<0.05) and endothelin-1 (83± vs 69±3%), cellular ROS (DHE: 0.29±0.03 vs 0.15±0.04 unit) and mitochondrial ROS (mitotempo: 0.25±0.04 vs 0.12±0.03 unit) and reduced endothelium-dependent relaxation (48± vs 81±3%) and NO (0.28±0.03 vs 0.42±0.07 units). ADR alone did not alter these measurements but significantly (P<0.05) prevented all of these effects of TVD. Conclusions: Activation of adiponectin receptors prevents the systemic and microvascular oxidative stress, microvascular endothelial dysfunction and NO deficiency and enhanced contractility caused by one month of TVD. Therefore, AdipoRon may mitigate the excess cardiovascular disease of PLHIV who are receiving Truvada.

NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH 5RO1-HL134511

This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.
Targeting adrenergic receptors to activate brown fat without cardiovascular effects
Authors: Dumont Lauralyne , Caron Alexandre , Richard Gabriel , Croteau Etienne , Fortin Mélanie , Frisch Frédérique , Phoenix Serge , Dubreuil Stéphanie , Guérin Brigitte , Turcotte Éric , Carpentier André , Blondin Denis
Published: May 2023

Background: We previously revealed that oral administration of the β3-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonist mirabegron only elicited small increases in brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis when ingested at the maximal allowable dose (200 mg). This led to off-target binding of the β1- and β2-AR, thereby increasing cardiovascular responses and white adipose tissue lipolysis, respectively. We hypothesize that a balanced activation between β1- and β3-AR is key to stimulating metabolic benefits without cardiovascular side effects. Method: We performed a randomized crossover trial in 8 lean men over two study days. The intervention consisted of oral administration of mirabegron (200 mg) with or without the cardio selective β1-AR antagonist bisoprolol (10 mg). Dynamic [11C]-acetate and 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) PET/CT scans were performed sequentially starting at 210 min after oral administration of mirabegron ± bisoprolol. Results: Compared to baselines measures, mirabegron alone or with bisoprolol increased energy expenditure (EE) by 27% (+18.2±6.7 kcal/h) and 11% (7.4±8.1 kcal/h), respectively. However, EE was significantly lower when mirabegron was co-ingested with bisoprolol (P=0.0402) Compared to room temperature, mirabegron alone increased BAT oxidative metabolism (0.631±0.267 vs 1.695±1.097 min-1 from the [11C]-acetate, P=0.0421), but was not different from mirabegron with bisoprolol (1.273±0.651 min-1). Metabolic rate of glucose in BAT, measured using [18F]FDG PET, was significantly higher with mirabegron than mirabegron combined with bisoprolol (24±10 vs 16±8 nmol/g/min, P=0.0284). Mirabegron also increased systolic blood pressure (+5±5 vs -6±10 mmHg, P=0.0252) and heart rate (6±7 vs -5±6 beats·min-1, P=0.0081) relative to baseline levels, which was prevented with bisoprolol. The glycerolipid-fatty acid cycling was not different between mirabegron without or with bisoprolol treatment (total cycling: 118.1±346.9 vs 168.5±439.5 μmol·min-1, P=0.8023). Conclusion: The administration of a β1-AR antagonist decreases the adverse cardiovascular effects of mirabegron. However, at the provided dose, it also restricts the stimulating effects of mirabegron on the thermogenesis.

Public foundation grants

This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.
Hospitalizações por câncer bucal e orofaríngeo no Brasil pelo SUS: impactos da pandemia de covid-19
Authors: Cunha Amanda Ramos da , Velasco Sofia Rafaela Maito , Hugo Fernando Neves , Antunes José Leopoldo Ferreira
Published: May 2023

OBJETIVO: Analisar o impacto das diferentes fases da pandemia de covid-19 sobre as hospitalizações por câncer bucal (CaB) e de orofaringe (CaOR) no Brasil, realizadas no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). MÉTODOS: Os dados quanto às internações hospitalares por CaB e CaOR, entre janeiro de 2018 e agosto de 2021, foram obtidos no Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do SUS. As internações foram analisadas sob a forma de taxas por 100 mil habitantes. Os períodos de pandemia (janeiro de 2020 a agosto de 2021) e pré-pandemia (janeiro de 2018 a dezembro de 2019) foram divididos em quadrimestres; as taxas quadrimestrais do período pandêmico foram comparadas às taxas análogas do período de pré-pandemia – para o Brasil, por macrorregião e por grupo de procedimentos realizados na internação. O impacto da pandemia sobre o valor médio das internações também foi analisado. Os resultados foram expressos em variação percentual. RESULTADOS: As taxas de internação hospitalar no SUS por CaB e CaOR reduziram durante a pandemia no Brasil. Em comparação com os quadrimestres de 2019, a maior redução foi identificada no segundo quadrimestre de 2020 (18,42%), seguida das reduções do terceiro quadrimestre de 2020 (17,76%) e do primeiro e segundo quadrimestre de 2021 (respectivamente, 14,64% e 17,07%). Sul e Sudeste apresentaram as reduções mais expressivas e constantes entre as diferentes fases da pandemia. As internações para procedimentos clínicos sofreram maior redução do que para procedimentos cirúrgicos. No Brasil, o gasto médio por internação nos quadrimestres da pandemia foi maior do que nos quadrimestres de referência. CONCLUSÃO: Após mais de um ano do início da pandemia no Brasil, a rede hospitalar de cuidado ao CaB e CaOR do SUS ainda não tinha se restabelecido. A demanda reprimida de hospitalizações por essas doenças, que são de rápida evolução, possivelmente resultará em atrasos para tratamento, com impacto negativo para a sobrevida desses pacientes; futuros estudos são necessários para monitorar essa situação.
Telemedicina no acesso à saúde durante a pandemia de covid-19: uma revisão de escopo
Authors: Freire Mariana Prado , Silva Letícia Gabriela , Meira Ana Ligia Passos , Louvison Marilia Cristina Prado
Published: May 2023

OBJETIVO: Mapear a contribuição da telemedicina para o acesso à saúde dos pacientes portadores de doenças crônicas em ações de cuidados continuados (exceto para covid-19) no contexto da pandemia. MÉTODOS: Trata de revisão de escopo, com adaptação da metodologia Prisma-Scr e utilizou a estratégia População (Pacientes portadores de doenças crônicas), Conceito (Telemedicina como ferramenta de acesso à saúde) e Contexto (Pandemia de covid-19). Foram realizadas buscas nas bases de dados PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, LILACS e SciELO, que resultou em um total de 18 artigos ao final da revisão. As dimensões de análise utilizadas foram tecnológica, sociocultural e assistencial. RESULTADOS: Entre os artigos analisados, 88% demonstraram o aumento do uso da telemedicina para realização do cuidado durante a pandemia. Identificamos que a utilização da telemedicina esteve relacionada positivamente com a diminuição de complicações e a falta de necessidade de deslocamento físico para o atendimento com ampliação da assistência para áreas rurais. Barreiras importantes foram apresentadas, sendo a exclusão digital e barreiras socioculturais de idioma e falta de acessibilidade dos instrumentos tecnológicos para portadores de deficiência as principais. CONCLUSÕES: A inovação nos arranjos assistenciais ressalta a importância do trabalho vivo no processo de produção do cuidado, com o emprego de tipos de tecnologias diversos, e expressa tensionamentos em decorrência das forças atuantes na micropolítica do cuidado. Concluimos que, apesar de barreiras importantes, a telemedicina contribuiu para o cuidado dos pacientes crônicos durante a pandemia de COVID-19.
A first report of dung beetle Garreta smaragdifer (Walker, 1858) attending the faecal matter of Northern Plain Gray Langur Semnopithecus entellus (Dufresne, 1997) with range extension and a checklist of the genus Garreta Janssen, 1940
Authors: Kalawate Aparna Sureshchandra , Palot Muhamed Jafer
Published: May 2023

Genus Garreta Janssens, 1940 is an Afrotropical and of Oriental origin, consisting of 25 species and two subspecies from the world, eight species from India and two species from Maharashtra. Out of eight Indian species two are endemic to India. The present report is the first report of feeding of Garreta smaragdifer (Walker, 1858) on the faecal matter of Northern Plain Gray Langur Semnopithecus entellus (Dufresne, 1997) and also its range extension from central India to Maharashtra.
Photographic evidence of the Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata Geoffroy, 1803 (Mammalia: Pholidota: Manidae), in Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, Bihar, India
Authors: Mujahid Ahamad  , Umar Saeed  , Vivek Ranjan  , Syed Ainul Hussain  , Ruchi Badola  , S. Kumarasamy
Published: May 2023

Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) represents the world’s most trafficked and highly threatened species due to poaching and habitat destruction (Newton et al., 2008). In India, two species of Pangolin; the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), also called thick-tailed Pangolin and the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), are distributed throughout the country except for the Trans-Himalayan region (Mahapatra et al., 2015). The species remains endangered by IUCN (Mahmood et al., 2019) and Appendix I in CITES. The species is protected as a Schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Downslope Windstorm Forecasting: Easier with a Critical Level, but Still Challenging for High-Resolution Ensembles
Authors: Metz Johnathan J. , Durran Dale R.
Published: May 2023

Strong downslope windstorms can cause extensive property damage and extreme wildfire spread, so their accurate prediction is important. Although some early studies suggested high predictability for downslope windstorms, more recent analyses have found limited predictability for such winds. Nevertheless, there is a theoretical basis for expecting higher downslope wind predictability in cases with a mean-state critical level, and this is supported by one previous effort to forecast actual events. To more thoroughly investigate downslope windstorm predictability, we compare archived simulations from the NCAR ensemble, a 10-member mesoscale ensemble run at 3-km horizontal grid spacing over the entire contiguous United States, to observed events at 15 stations in the western United States susceptible to strong downslope winds. We assess predictability in three contexts: the average ensemble spread, which provides an estimate of potential predictability; a forecast evaluation based upon binary-decision criteria, which is representative of operational hazard warnings; and a probabilistic forecast evaluation using the continuous ranked probability score (CRPS), which is a measure of an ensemble’s ability to generate the proper probability distribution for the events under consideration. We do find better predictive skill for the mean-state critical-level regime in comparison to other downslope windstorm–generating mechanisms. Our downslope windstorm warning performance, calculated using binary-decision criteria from the bias-corrected ensemble forecasts, performed slightly worse for no-critical-level events, and slightly better for critical-level events, than National Weather Service high-wind warnings aggregated over all types of high-wind events throughout the United States and annually averaged for each year between 2008 and 2019.
Parents’ Opinions About Pediatric Otolaryngology on Social Media
Authors: Reese Alyssa D. , DiNardo Lauren A. , Powers Kristina F. , Behar Philomena , Carr Michele M.
Published: May 2023

Objective:

Social media is a novel tool that many parents turn to when looking for a new healthcare provider. The purpose of this study is to assess how parents of children attending a pediatric otolaryngology practice engage with social media.

Study Design:

Survey

Setting:

Two pediatric otolaryngology clinics associated with a tertiary care children’s hospital in Buffalo, NY.

Methods:

Parents of children aged <18 years were surveyed. The survey consisted of 25 questions divided into 5 categories: demographics, social media accounts, social media use, use of social media to interact with pediatric otolaryngologists, and perception of pediatric otolaryngologists’ social media accounts. Frequencies were calculated.

Results:

Three hundred five parent participants were included. 247 (81.0) were female and 57 (18.97) were male. 258 (84.6%) of the participants reported use of Facebook, which was the most popular social media platform. 238 (78.0%) of participants indicated that they would want to see medical posts and 98 (32.1%) participants indicated that they would want to see personal posts on the pediatric otolaryngologist’s social media page. Younger parents were statistically more likely to check social media more often ( P = .001) and seek a pediatric otolaryngologist’s social media before seeing them ( P = .018).

Conclusion:

Use of social media by pediatric otolaryngologists may positively impact the way a small percentage of their patients’ parents perceive them. Social media accounts do not appear to be a vital part of pediatric otolaryngology practice in 2022.
From Aviation to Pediatric Surgery
Authors: Arredondo Montero Javier , Bardají Pascual Carlos
Published: May 2023

Aviation is a tremendously complex process involving multiple factors that can be subsidiary to human error. The implementation of checklists, tools that reduce this risk, has often been extrapolated to other fields, especially medicine. Through this reflection, we comment on the critical and relevant aspects of pediatric surgical patient safety, briefly discussing the existing literature and analyzing potential areas for improvement.
Nationalism and torture
Authors: Rains Matthew , Hill Daniel W
Published: May 2023

Why do states engage in violence against marginalized social groups? State violence is typically explained as a calculated response to dissent or as a means of preventing dissent. However, many instances of state violence against members of marginalized groups appear to be unconnected to dissent or anti-state mobilization. We examine this dimension of state violence and connect it to control of the government by nationalist political parties and the preferences of their voting bases. We argue that governments in which nationalist parties hold substantial influence are more likely to adopt policies that lead to abuse. Such policies include more aggressive policing of immigrants and ethnic minorities, and lax oversight and punishment of agencies responsible for policing. To test our argument, we examine the Ill-Treatment and Torture data, which record allegations of state violence and also information about the victim’s identity. We find that states with nationalist governments are more frequently accused of abuse against marginalized groups. Our results suggest that, rather than constraining abusive behavior through electoral accountability, the public in democratic countries sometimes prefer leaders who create a more abusive environment for marginalized groups.
Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Analysis of the Psychometric Properties of the Death Transcendence Scale for the Brazilian Context
Authors: Garcia Ana Cláudia Mesquita , Ribeiro Domingues Bruna Rabelo , Maia Lucas Oliveira , Hood Ralph W. , Meireles Everson
Published: May 2023

The study of the coping strategies used by humans to cope with their finitude has been the center of attention of several researchers throughout the history of psychology. The present study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Death Transcendence Scale (DTS) for the Brazilian context. This was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 517 Brazilians. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer — Quality of Life Group Translation Procedure protocol was used for the translation and the cultural adaptation process. The results of parallel analyses indicated the relevance of extracting up to five factors, which explained 58.23% of the scale’s total variance. The Brazilian version of the DTS, with validity evidence, consisted of 21 items, considering that items 13, 17, 20, and 21 were excluded according to exploratory factor analysis. As far as we know, the version of the DTS developed in this study is the only instrument available in the Brazilian context that allows the measurement of a theory dedicated to understanding how humans cope with their finitude, beyond death denial.
Towards Identifying a Dosage Effect for Improving Fundamental Motor Skills of Preschool Children with a Mastery Motivational Climate Intervention
Authors: Johnson Jerraco L. , Carroll Alexandra V. , Wadsworth Danielle D. , Sassi Julia , Merritt Monaye , Morris Michael , Rudisill Mary E.
Published: May 2023

Previous mastery motivational climate (MMC) movement interventions have enhanced fundamental motor skill (FMS) competence across diverse groups of preschool-age children. Yet, an adequate intervention length has not been established. Our purposes in this study were to (i) compare FMS competence in preschool children across two doses of MMC interventions, and (ii) describe changes in children’s FMS ‘mastery’ across doses. We used secondary data analysis from a larger MMC intervention study in which 32 children ( M age = 4.4) received FMS testing (TGMD-3) at the mid-point of intervention and at post-intervention. A two-way mixed ANOVA with Group as the independent variable and FMS competence across three Time points as the repeated measure was significant for both Group and Time main effects for locomotor and ball skill competences separately. There was a statistically significant interaction between Group and Time on locomotor ( p = .02) and ball skills ( p < .001). Both groups showed significant improvements in their locomotor skills at each time point, but the intervention group improved faster than the comparison group. For ball skills, only the MMC group significantly improved by mid-intervention, and the comparison group showed significant improvements from pre-to post-intervention only. Children in this study were most likely to show mastery in running first, followed by sliding at mid-intervention. Few children mastered skipping, galloping, and hopping across the study. For ball skills, overhand and underhand throwing were more likely to be mastered, and few children mastered one and two-hand striking across the study. Collectively, these findings suggest that duration of instructional minutes may not be the most effective proxy for identifying a dose-response relationship of MMC intervention. Moreover, focusing on the patterns of skill mastery can help inform researchers and practitioners as to how to allocate instructional time during MMC interventions to optimize FMS competence for young children.
Why are Suicides With Unknown Cause the Most Important Reason for Suicide? A Retrospective Study
Authors: Taktak Şafak
Published: May 2023

This study will help in determining national suicide prevention strategies. Moreover, understanding the reasons for the lack of awareness about completed suicide will strengthen the measures to be taken in this regard. It was determined that the most important rate among the causes 48 419 completed suicide in Turkey in the years 2004 to 2019 was the 22 645 (46.76%) suicides of unknown cause and there was not enough information about the underlying causes. Suicide statistics data of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) between 2004 and 2019 were analyzed retrospectively in terms of geographical regions, gender, age groups and seasonality. Statistical analyses of the study were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows (IBM SPSS version 25.0, Armonk, NY, USA) software. It was determined that the highest crude rate of suicide during 16 years was in the Eastern Anatolia region, the lowest rate was in the Marmara region, and the ratio of the number of female suicides with unknown cause to the number of male suicides was higher in Eastern Anatolia than in other regions, the rate of unknown crude suicide in both genders was highest in the under 15 age group, this rate decreased as the age progressed, the lowest rate was in women with unknown age, the effect of the season was observed in women with unknown cause, but not in men. Between 2004 and 2019, suicides with unknown cause were the most important reason for suicide. We think that there may be geographical, gender, age, seasonal, sociocultural and economic factors that may affect this, national suicide prevention and planning strategies will be insufficient unless this issue is adequately examined, and institutional structures should be established, including psychiatrists, where deep forensic investigations can be carried out.
The formal rationality of artificial intelligence-based algorithms and the problem of bias
Authors: Nishant Rohit , Schneckenberg Dirk , Ravishankar MN
Published: May 2023

This paper presents a new perspective on the problem of bias in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven decision-making by examining the fundamental difference between AI and human rationality in making sense of data. Current research has focused primarily on software engineers’ bounded rationality and bias in the data fed to algorithms but has neglected the crucial role of algorithmic rationality in producing bias. Using a Weberian distinction between formal and substantive rationality, we inquire why AI-based algorithms lack the ability to display common sense in data interpretation, leading to flawed decisions. We first conduct a rigorous text analysis to uncover and exemplify contextual nuances within the sampled data. We then combine unsupervised and supervised learning, revealing that algorithmic decision-making characterizes and judges data categories mechanically as it operates through the formal rationality of mathematical optimization procedures. Next, using an AI tool, we demonstrate how formal rationality embedded in AI-based algorithms limits its capacity to perform adequately in complex contexts, thus leading to bias and poor decisions. Finally, we delineate the boundary conditions and limitations of leveraging formal rationality to automatize algorithmic decision-making. Our study provides a deeper understanding of the rationality-based causes of AI’s role in bias and poor decisions, even when data is generated in a largely bias-free context.
Caregiver Perceived Stress as a Link Between Family COVID-19 Experiences and Early Adolescent Mental Health Symptomology
Authors: Berryhill M. Blake , Horton Abby G. , Masters Stephanie L. , Mack Daniel R. , Cross Allison N. , Parker Jeff G. , Barth Joan M. , McDonald Kristina L.
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with family adjustment, heightened adolescent mental health symptomology, and increased caregiver stress. The current study used a diverse sample of caregivers and early adolescents to examine the association between pandemic-related experiences, caregiver perceived stress, and adolescent mental health. Two hundred and 34 caregivers and their adolescents (10–14 years old) from the Southeastern United States completed surveys during the early stages of the pandemic. Structural equation modeling analyses tested the relationship between COVID-19 experiences, caregiver perceived stress, and adolescent mental health, and whether perceived stress could explain the relationship between COVID-19 experiences and adolescent mental health symptomology. Findings reveal that perceived stress was a significant indirect effect in the relationship between COVID-19 experience and adolescent mental health symptomology.