bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prosecutor's supervision over the execution of laws by bodies conducting preliminary investigations in places of deprivation of liberty
Authors: Dubrovin Jurij , Prys’ Evgenij
Published: September 2023

The article is devoted to problematic issues related to the supervision of the execution of laws by the bodies of preliminary investigation of crimes in places of deprivation of liberty. The features of supervision over the implementation of investigative actions against persons who committed crimes while serving a criminal sentence are disclosed. Based on the results of the study, recommendations have been developed aimed at improving the organization of the work of the prosecutor's office in the relevant field. Proposals have been made to exclude cases of violations of the investigation and preliminary investigation, including within the framework of a legislative initiative. A number of practical tips are presented concerning the improvement of the forms and methods of interaction between the prosecutor's office, investigative bodies and the administration of places of deprivation of liberty in the process of supervision.
Prospects of digitalization of public control in the penitentiary sphere
Authors: Reent Yaroslav
Published: September 2023

Currently, digitalization is comprehensive, affects all major spheres of society, new technologies are becoming more accessible to ordinary citizens. A natural development of this process is the transition to digital public control, including in the penitentiary sphere. The article analyzes the existing digital tools for the implementation of public control in various spheres, assesses the prospects of digitalization for certain forms of public control provided for by current legislation and actually used by various subjects of public control in the penitentiary sphere. As a result of studying the practice of using already implemented digital tools, a list of possible threats to ensuring fundamental human and civil rights and freedoms arising from the introduction of digital technologies into the control activities of public formations has been formulated. Special attention is paid to the study of possible barriers that hinder the speed and efficiency of the introduction of new information technologies. In order to ensure effective digitalization of public control over the activities of bodies and institutions of the penitentiary system, a system of principles or the development of digital public control in the penitentiary sphere has been developed.
Innovations in the teaching of the discipline "Finance"
Authors: Tomina Nina
Published: September 2023

The article examines the implemented innovations in the teaching of the discipline "Finance" and highlights the experience of applying a practice-oriented, integration-active approach to teaching a discipline previously classified as theoretical. The purpose of the introduction of innovations is to form students' professional competencies, practical integral skills and abilities in the financial sphere, to educate young citizens of the country not indifferent to the formation and expenditure of centralized public funds and personal funds. The methodological basis for the development and materialization of innovations was made up of theoretical searches of research teachers and the author's experience in the use of traditional and modern innovative teaching technologies. The article outlines the order and organization of the educational process in financial discipline and the order of formation of professional skills and abilities in it through various forms of classes and pedagogical innovations. Relying on methods of comparative analysis of existing educational and methodological developments in the field of teaching and synthesis of researchers' conclusions, their systematization and generalization made it possible to develop an effective innovative pedagogical technology of collective learning in the form of an open interdisciplinary corporate seminar-discussion. The article reveals the methodology of the seminar-discussion and substantiates the importance of traditional pedagogical techniques for the introduction of progressive educational communications with operational feedback. It is emphasized that the involvement of students in the process of self-learning and mutual learning increases their interest in developing integral skills in general in the field of training. As a result, it was revealed that in order to ensure the quality of education, it is necessary to combine work in the classroom with training in an electronic information and educational environment when conducting training sessions in the classroom.
Justice or Just Us? Social Death, Gang Injunctions, and the Creation of a Modern American Apartheid State
Authors: Dreux Xavier
Published: September 2023

This article will discuss the practice of civil gang injunctions in Southern California, its history, and civil court procedures. It explores the gang abatement method's unconstitutionality through the lens of the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution, critiquing the unequal treatment of people of color in the justice system. Through philosophical theories of language and authoritarian control, the article will go on to discuss how a supposedly egalitarian nation like the United States could support and continue the utilization of such a harmful tactic. Finally, the article will contextualize gang injunctions with the South African practice of apartheid and argue that it fits the classification of an apartheid policy under the definitions of the international court and other international treaties.
DESIGNING ACCESSIBLE TOURISM EXPERIENCES: SLOW, SENSORY AND SMART FRAMEWORK
Authors: Agapito Dora , Guerreiro Manuela
Published: September 2023

Slow tourism is an emergent research area focused on slowing the pace of life during vacations. A comprehensive multi-sensory approach can contribute to designing enhanced slow tourism experiences deemed accessible, both in situ and remotely. There is a research gap in considering multi-sensory stimuli in the design of accessible tourism experiences using technology. As such, this research intends to propose a theoretical framework focused on the development of slow tourism through sensory cues and smart technologies. In so doing, a critical approach to literature was carried out by intersecting three areas of literature following the rationale of the Stimuli-Organism-Response model: slow tourism, multi-sensory tourism experiences design, and smart destinations. The significance of this framework is threefold: it strengthens local identities and aids sustainable tourism by involving the community; it promotes experiences deemed authentic considering multiple stakeholders’ perspectives; and it addresses the visitor experience before, during and after the visit to the destination in an accessible manner using smart technologies. A framework with six steps is offered based on participatory methods.
THE EFFECT OF RESIDENTS’ PLACE ATTACHMENT ON THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT OF RELIGIOUS TOURISM: THE MODERATING EFFECT OF PERSONAL BENEFIT
Authors: Rivas Limber L. , Rodríguez Maribel , Pérez Leonor M. , Frías-Jamilena Dolores M.
Published: September 2023

Residents’ attitude towards tourism development in religious tourism destinations is especially relevant for tourism planning. Nevertheless, there are few studies that analyse how residents’ attitude towards development of religious tourism is formed. This paper analyses the effect of residents’ place attachment on their attitudes towards development of religious tourism, considering perceived impacts of tourism as mediator and the personal benefit derived from tourism as moderating effect. On the basis of a sample of 410 residents of Montecristi, a religious tourism destination of Ecuador, and using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the results show that place attachment directly influences the attitude towards development of religious tourism, but mainly through the perceived impacts of tourism. Moreover, this paper finds that the influence of the perceived impacts on the support for the development of religious tourism is higher in residents with a lower personal benefit than in residents with a higher personal benefit. These findings enable a series of recommendations to be made to the agents concerned regarding the development of religious tourism in sacred destinations.
ADAM11 a novel regulator of Wnt and BMP4 signaling in neural crest and cancer
Authors: Pandey Ankit , Cousin Hélène , Horr Brett , Alfandari Dominique
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Cranial neural crest (CNC) cells are induced at the border of the neural plate by a combination of FGF, Wnt, and BMP4 signaling. CNC then migrate ventrally and invade ventral structures where they contribute to craniofacial development.

Methods: We used loss and gain of function experiments to determine phenotypes associated with the perturbation of Adam11 expression in Xenopus Laevis. Mass spectrometry to identify partners of Adam11 and changes in protein expression in CNC lacking Adam11. We used mouse B16 melanoma to test the function of Adam11 in cancer cells, and published database analysis to study the expression of ADAM11 in human tumors.

Results: Here we show that a non-proteolytic ADAM, Adam11, originally identified as a putative tumor suppressor binds to proteins of the Wnt and BMP4 signaling pathway. Mechanistic studies concerning these non-proteolytic ADAM lack almost entirely. We show that Adam11 positively regulates BMP4 signaling while negatively regulating β-catenin activity. In vivo, we show that Adam11 influences the timing of neural tube closure and the proliferation and migration of CNC. Using both human tumor data and mouse B16 melanoma cells, we further show that ADAM11 levels similarly correlate with Wnt or BMP4 activation levels.

Discussion: We propose that ADAM11 preserves naïve cells by maintaining low Sox3 and Snail/Slug levels through stimulation of BMP4 and repression of Wnt signaling, while loss of ADAM11 results in increased Wnt signaling, increased proliferation and early epithelium to mesenchyme transition.
Retrospective observational study of a novel smartphone app on the management of patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia
Authors: Hamaguchi Reo , Hirokawa Yoshihiro , Takahashi Hirotsugu , Hachiya Tsuyoshi , Kawano Haruna , Isotani Shuji , Ito Emi , Handa Nobuhiro , Saito Ryozo , Horie Shigeo , Ide Hisamitsu
Published: September 2023

Introduction

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility, utility, and potential effects of LQ-M/D App, a smartphone application developed by Life Quest Inc., Tokyo, Japan, for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia. The app incorporates cognitive and physical exercise training, lifestyle habit acquisition features, and a continuity improvement feature added in the post-update version to enhance user engagement. The continuity improvement feature includes the optimization of training content, and disease education, and enables family monitoring via a family app.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on app usage, cognitive and exercise training implementation and interruptions, questionnaire response rates, and cognitive assessments in a single institution. A total of 20 patients used the app, with 10 patients using the pre-update version without the continuity improvement feature, and the other 10 patients using the post-update version with the continuity improvement feature.

Results and Conclusion

The results demonstrated that the LQ-M/D App could be effectively used by the study population, and the continuity improvement feature positively influenced app usage in several aspects. Although a potential association between app usage and cognitive ability was suggested, the scatter in the data points warrants cautious interpretation. Limitations of the study included a small sample size, a single institution setting, and the retrospective nature of the study. In the future, a randomized controlled trial design using a larger sample size and multiple institutions to further evaluate the effectiveness of LQ-M/D App in managing MCI and mild dementia should be performed.
Epidemiology of birth defects in a national hospital-based birth defect surveillance spot in Southern Jiangsu, China, 2014–2018
Authors: Zhou Ying , Yang Di , Mao Xueqin , Zhou Hua , Wang Li
Published: September 2023

Objective

As the only hospital-based national surveillance spot of birth defects (BDs) in Changzhou city located in the economically developed eastern part of China, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital has encountered serious challenges in BD prevention. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of total BDs born in the hospital from 2014 to 2018.

Methods

The data were collected from the national hospital-based birth defect surveillance system. BD prevalence was calculated by Poisson distribution. Trends of prevalence and the associations regarding information with BDs were analyzed by Poisson regression.

Results

The reported prevalence of total BDs was 313.92 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 299.59–328.76) per 10,000 perinatal infants (PIs), while the perinatal prevalence of BD was 160.19 (95% CI: 150.00–170.89) per 10,000 PIs. A remarkable uptrend in the prevalence of BDs was noticed with a prevalence rate ratio (PRR) of 1.09 (95% CI: 1.04–1.14) and 1.13 (95% CI: 1.09–1.16), respectively. Congenital heart disease (CHD), cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P), congenital malformation of the kidney (CMK), polydactyly, Down syndrome (DS), cystic hygroma, neural tube defect (NTD), and congenital talipes equinovarus (CTE) were common types of total BDs. Mothers living in the urban area (PRR = 1.67, 95% CI:1.50–1.87), male fetuses (PRR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.05–1.28), and maternal age younger than 20 (PRR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.60–3.25) and 25 years (PRR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.22–1.63) or older than 35 years (PRR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.00–1.40) were risk factors for BD occurrence.

Conclusion

The reported prevalence of total BDs was nearly two times higher than the perinatal prevalence of BDs in PIs, and the ranks of total BDs and BDs in PIs were different. Mothers living in the urban area, male fetuses, and maternal ages younger than 25 or older than 35 years were risk factors for BD incidence. Thus, improving prenatal examination technology, expanding the surveillance time quantum of BDs, and keeping maternal health may be warranted.
Headache attributed to giant cell arteritis complicated with rheumatic polymyalgia diagnosed with F18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography: a case report
Authors: Wang Dong , Liu Zunjing , Guo Huailian , Yang Li , Zhang Xinhua , Peng Li , Cheng Min , Jiang Hong
Published: September 2023

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a kind of systemic vasculitis affecting individuals over 50 years old and is often the cause of new-onset headaches in older adults. Patients with GCA sometimes have rheumatic polymyalgia (PMR). The diagnosis of GCA generally depends on clinical manifestation, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein, and positive imaging findings commonly obtained by ultrasound or temporal artery biopsy. In this study, we report a case of an 83-year-old woman with a new-onset headache and an elevated ESR. The result of the temporal artery ultrasound did not distinguish between vasculitis and atherosclerosis. The F18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography (18F FDG PET-CT) were performed and suggested large vessel vasculitis with temporal artery involvement. In addition, polyarticular synovitis and bursitis were also revealed. Finally, the diagnosis of secondary headache attributed to CGA complicated with PMR was established. The patient experienced remission of symptoms after glucocorticoid therapy. PET can become a powerful tool for diagnosis and differential diagnosis when the ultrasound result is ambiguous and a biopsy is not obtained.
Neuroprotective effects of crude extracts, compounds, and isolated molecules obtained from plants in the central nervous system injuries: a systematic review
Authors: Moura Maria Vitoria Nava , Mesquita da Conceição Bahia Gabriel , Gonçalves Correa Marcio , Araujo Sarges Maíza Amanda , Lobão Thaís Alves , Sanches Erica Miranda , Oliveira Karen R. H. Matos , Herculano Anderson Manoel , Bahia Carlomagno Pacheco
Published: September 2023

The number of people with central nervous system (CNS) injuries increases worldwide and only a few therapies are used to mitigate neurological damage. Crude extracts, compounds, and isolated molecules obtained from plants have neuroprotective effects; however, their actions on the central nervous system are still not fully understood. This systematic review investigated the neuroprotective effects of crude extracts, compound, and isolated molecules obtained from plants in different CNS lesions. This PICO (Population/Problem, Intervention, Control, Outcome) systematic review included in vivo and in vitro studies that used small rodents as experimental models of CNS injuries (P) treated with crude extracts, compounds, and/or isolated molecules obtained from plants (I), compared to non-intervention conditions (C), and that showed a neuroprotective effect (O). Fourteen out of 5,521 studies were selected for qualitative analysis. Several neuroprotective effects (improvement of antioxidant activity, modulation of the inflammatory response, tissue preservation, motor and cognitive recovery) in the brain and spinal cord were reported after treatment with different doses of crude extracts (10 studies), compounds (2 studies), and isolated molecules (2 studies). Crude extracts, compounds, or isolated molecules obtained from plants showed promising neuroprotective effects against several CNS injuries in both the brain and spinal cord, regardless of gender and age, through the modulation of inflammatory activity and oxidative biochemistry, tissue preservation, and recovery of motor and cognitive activity.
Effect of a sustained-release formulation of β-alanine on laboratory parameters and paresthesia in recreational trained men: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study
Authors: Maestre-Hernández Ana Belén , Pérez-Piñero Silvia , López-Román Francisco Javier , Andreu-Caravaca Luis , Luque-Rubia Antonio J. , Ramos-Campo Domingo J. , Díaz-Silvestre María José , Ávila-Gandía Vicente
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid that has been a focus of increasing research by its role as ergogenic aid to improve muscle performance.

Methods

A randomized, double-blind and controlled trial was conducted to determine the effect of a nutritional supplement of a sustained-release formulation of β-alanine in recreational trained men. The active product was an innovative sustained-release β-alanine microgranules powder blend, administered at high doses (15 g/day) divided into 3 intakes during 30 days. There were 10 participants in the experimental group and 9 in the placebo group, with a mean age of 22.5 ± 3.3 years. Participants were testing at baseline and at the end of study.

Results

In the β-alanine group, there were statistically increases in serum triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, and urea nitrogen at the end of the study as compared with baseline, although there were no differences with the control group. The occurrence of paresthesia, described above all as tickling, was the majority but presented VAS score less than 3/10 in almost all subjects.

Discussion

More studies are required to evaluate the changes in blood parameters that can be caused by high intake of β-alanine during a long period of time.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier (NCT05334121).
Oxidative stress in rat brain during experimental status epilepticus: effect of antioxidants
Authors: Fuchs Marius , Viel Christian , Lehto Alina , Lau Helene , Klein Jochen
Published: September 2023

Antioxidants have been proposed as a treatment for diseases of the central nervous system. However, few studies actually studied their effects in the brain. To test central actions of antioxidants, we used the lithium–pilocarpine (Li-Pilo) model of status epilepticus (SE) in the rat in which seizures are accompanied by significant oxidative stress. We used in vivo microdialysis to determine isoprostane levels during SE in real time and brain homogenates for other measures of oxidative stress. Six different antioxidants were tested in acute and preventive experiments (vitamin C, vitamin E, ebselen, resveratrol, n-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone and coenzyme Q10). None of the antioxidants had an effect when given acutely during SE. In contrast, when antioxidants were given for 3 days prior to seizure induction, vitamins C and E reduced isoprostane formation by 58% and 65%, respectively. Pretreatment with the other antioxidants was ineffective. In brain homogenates prepared after 90 min of seizures, SE decreased the ratio of reduced vs. oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG ratio) from 60.8 to 7.50 and caused a twofold increase of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels and protein carbonyls. Pretreatment with vitamin C or vitamin E mitigated these effects and increased the GSH/GSSG ratio to 23.9 and 28.3, respectively. Again, the other antioxidants were not effective. We conclude that preventive treatment with vitamin C or vitamin E ameliorates seizure-induced oxidative damage in the brain. Several well-studied antioxidants were inactive, possibly due to limited brain permeability or a lack of chain-breaking antioxidant activity in hydrophilic compounds.
Approaching the Families of Potential Deceased Organ Donors: An Overview of Regulations and Practices in Council of Europe Member States
Authors: Mihály Sándor , Smudla Anikó , Dominguez-Gil Beatriz , Pérez Alicia , Procaccio Francesco , Cozzi Emanuele , López Fraga Marta , Avsec Danica , Rahmel Axel , Forsythe John , Immer Franz , Jushinskis Janis , Manara Alex
Published: September 2023

The primary aim of this study was to describe regulations and practices concerning the family approach to discuss donation, specifically after the neurological determination of death, one of the most challenging steps in the donation pathway. A secondary objective was to assess the impact of legislation on consent rates for organ donation. The Council of Europe surveyed 39 member states about national regulations, practices, and consent rates; 34 replied. Opt-out legislation is present in 19, opt-in in 9 and a mixed system in six countries. An opt-out register is kept by 24 countries and an opt-in register by 18 countries, some keeping both. The mean consent rate was 81.2% of all family approaches. Most countries regulate how death using neurological criteria is confirmed (85.3%), while regulation of other aspects of the deceased donation pathway varies: the timing of informing the family about brain death (47.1%) and organ donation (58.8%), the profile of professional who discusses both topics with the family (52.9% and 64.7%, respectively) and the withdrawal of treatment after brain death (47.1%). We also noted a mismatch between what regulations state and what is done in practice in most countries. We suggest possible reasons for this disparity.
Arts-Based Management between Actions and Conjunctions: Lessons from a Systematic Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Safaa Larbi , Khazi Anas , Perkumienė Dalia , Labanauskas Vytautas
Published: September 2023

The imperative demands placed on modern business management necessitate the exploration of novel approaches to adapt, innovate, and ensure effectiveness and efficiency. The integration of art into business management aligns with this rationale, indicating a trend towards art’s incorporation into various managerial dimensions. As a discipline primarily focused on understanding managerial practices, management science has been investigating the utilization of art in the workplace since the early 2000s. The subject of art in the business environment has garnered various names and significant attention as a major trend. Through bibliometric analysis, we can characterize the evolution of scientific production and map the prevailing ideas in this field. By examining a sample of 69 articles retrieved from the Scopus database, this study lays the foundation for structuring art-based managerial thinking, while acknowledging certain limitations that may guide future research endeavors.
Determination of Grid-Wise Monsoon Onset and Its Spatial Analysis for India (1901–2019)
Authors: Saini Atul , Sahu Netrananda , Nayak Sridhara
Published: September 2023

Monsoon onset in India has always been a topic of interest for the research fraternity and various stakeholders. This study aimed to determine the monsoon onset date at the grid point scale, to obtain the trend of monsoon onset, and to unravel the spatial distribution of monsoon onset during the period 1901–2019 (especially in different climate modes). Based on observed cumulative rainfall, the piecewise linear regression model (PLRM), which employs least-squares principles, finds changepoints that signify the beginning of the monsoon season with the onset of monsoon. In this study, monsoon onset is examined with respect to several climate modes to evaluate their impact on monsoon onset. Monsoon onset is delayed in El Niño and drought years due to strong negative anomalies that are revealed by a spatial examination of monsoon onset. However, because of local atmospheric circulation impacts, there are outliers. The study also reveals areas with notable monotonic tendencies in monsoon onset, suggesting future changes in onset dates. These areas need more sophisticated frameworks for developing mitigation strategies since they should be viewed as susceptible. The comparison of the PLRM outcomes with objective methods reveals a strong correlation, confirming the accuracy of the PLRM method. Overall, the PLRM has been shown to be a useful tool for predicting the start of the monsoon on fine spatial scales and may be used in conjunction with regional climate models to anticipate the start of the monsoon in various regions of India. The results of this study could have a significant impact on regional planning and policy initiatives for sustainable development.
Effect of the Method Detection Limit on the Health Risk Assessment of Ambient Hazardous Air Pollutants in an Urban Industrial Complex Area
Authors: Tsai Jiun-Horng , Hung Tzu-Lin , How Vivien , Chiang Hung-Lung
Published: September 2023

Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) significantly impacted environmental air quality and were widely studied to determine human health risks. Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s second-largest city, known for its heavily industrialized and densely populated development. The Linhai industrial park, located in this region, contains roughly 500 industrial facilities that contributed to the emission of HAPs. The purpose of this study was to identify the volatile organic compound (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM)-bounded heavy metals and to examine the effects of the method detection limit (MDL) for analyzed species and the sampling program on health risk assessments. This study identified formaldehyde, 1,2-dichloroethane, acetaldehyde, benzene, and vinyl chloride. As, ethylbenzene, Ni, Cr(VI), Cd, Pb, and 1,3-butadiene were defined as high-risk species and VOCs accounted for more than 95% of respiratory-related health risks, this study proposes that the MDL for analysis methods and the sampling frequency for different species (and the species of interest) would eventually affect the results of health risk assessments. In other words, the current control strategies for reducing health risks may be ineffective. This research output can be used to comprehend the effects of MDL on the health risk assessments of HAPs better while also providing a reliable method to determine the major sources of air pollutants in urban industrial areas.
Processing Ultrasound Scans of the Inferior Vena Cava: Techniques and Applications
Authors: Policastro Piero , Mesin Luca
Published: September 2023

The inferior vena cava (IVC) is the largest vein in the body. It returns deoxygenated blood to the heart from the tissues placed under the diaphragm. The size and dynamics of the IVC depend on the blood volume and right atrial pressure, which are important indicators of a patient’s hydration and reflect possible pathological conditions. Ultrasound (US) assessment of the IVC is a promising technique for evaluating these conditions, because it is fast, non-invasive, inexpensive, and without side effects. However, the standard M-mode approach for measuring IVC diameter is prone to errors due to the vein movements during respiration. B-mode US produces two-dimensional images that better capture the IVC shape and size. In this review, we discuss the pros and cons of current IVC segmentation techniques for B-mode longitudinal and transverse views. We also explored several scenarios where automated IVC segmentation could improve medical diagnosis and prognosis.
Correction: Storme, G.A. Breast Cancer: Impact of New Treatments? Cancers 2023, 15, 2205
Authors: Storme Guy A.
Published: September 2023

There was a cited reference error in the original article [...]
Use of Suctioning during Newborn Resuscitation and Its Effects on Heart Rate in a Low-Resource Setting, Tanzania
Authors: Purington Carolyn , Eilevstjønn Joar , Dalen Ingvild , Yeconia Anita , Blacy Ladislaus , Mduma Estomih , Haug Ingunn , Holte Kari , Chang Catherine , Perlman Jeffrey , Ersdal Hege
Published: September 2023

Suctioning of newborns immediately after birth, as part of delivery room resuscitation, is only recommended if the airway is obstructed. The aim of this study was to describe the use of suctioning during newborn resuscitation among survivors versus those who died within 3 days and potential suction-related heart rate responses and associations to newborn characteristics. This was a retrospective observational study from July 2013 to July 2016 in a referral hospital in rural Tanzania. Research assistants observed and documented all deliveries, newborn resuscitations were video-recorded, and newborn heart rates were captured with a dry-electrode electrocardiogram. Liveborn infants ≥34 weeks gestation who received ventilation and with complete datasets were eligible. All 30 newborns who died were included, and a total of 46 survivors were selected as controls. Videos were annotated and heart rate patterns were observed before and after the suction events. Suctioning was performed more frequently than recommended. No differences were found in suctioning characteristics between newborns who died versus those who survived. In 13% of suction events, a significant heart rate change (i.e., arrhythmia or brief/sustained >15% fall in heart rate) was observed in relation to suctioning. This represents a potential additional harm to already depressed newborns undergoing resuscitation.
Systematic Assessment of Phonon and Optical Characteristics for Gas-Source Molecular Beam Epitaxy-Grown InP1−xSbx/n-InAs Epifilms
Authors: Talwar Devki N. , Lin Hao-Hsiung
Published: September 2023

Experimental and theoretical assessments of phonon and optical characteristics are methodically accomplished for comprehending the vibrational, structural, and electronic behavior of InP1−xSbx/n-InAs samples grown by Gas-Source Molecular Beam Epitaxy. While the polarization-dependent Raman scattering measurements revealed InP-like doublet covering optical modes (ωLOInP~350 cm−1, ωTOInP~304 cm−1) and phonons activated by disorders and impurities, a single unresolved InSb-like broadband is detected near ~195 cm−1. In InP1−xSbx, although no local vibrational (InSb:P; x → 1) and gap modes (InP:Sb; x → 0) are observed, the Raman line shapes exhibited large separation between the optical phonons of its binary counterparts, showing features similar to the phonon density of states, confirming “two-mode-behavior”. Despite the earlier suggestions of large miscibility gaps in InP1−xSbx epilayers for x between 0.02 and 0.97, our photoluminescence (PL) results of energy gaps insinuated achieving high-quality single-phase epilayers with x ~ 0.3 in the miscibility gap. Complete sets of model dielectric functions (MDFs) are obtained for simulating the optical constants of binary InP, InSb, and ternary InP1−xSbx alloys in the photon energy (0 ≤ E ≤ 6 eV) region. Detailed MDF analyses of refractive indices, extinction coefficients, absorption and reflectance spectra have exhibited results in good agreement with the spectroscopic ellipsometry data. For InP0.67Sb0.33 alloy, our calculated lowest energy bandgap E0 ~ 0.46 eV has validated the existing first-principles calculation and PL data. We feel that our results on Raman scattering, PL measurements, and simulations of optical constants provide valuable information for the vibrational and optical traits of InP1−xSbx/n-InAs epilayers and can be extended to many other technologically important materials.
Virtual Work Principle for Piezoelectric Semiconductors and Its Application on Extension and Bending of ZnO Nanowires
Authors: Chen Jingbo , Zhang Gongye , Li Dongbo , Qu Yilin
Published: September 2023

This paper presents the principle of virtual work (PVW) for piezoelectric semiconductors (PSs), which extends the piezoelectric dielectrics to involve the semiconducting effect. As an application of the PVW, a one-dimensional (1D) approximation theory for the extension and bending of PS nanowires is established by directly applying the PVW and Bernoulli–Euler beam theory with the aid of the second-order approximation of electrostatic potential. To illustrate the new model, the mechanical displacement, electrostatic potential, and concentration of electrons for extension and bending deformation of n-type ZnO nanowires are analytically determined. Additionally, numerical results show that, for n-type Zinc Oxide nanowires, the distribution of electrostatic potential is anti-symmetric along the thickness direction for extension deformation. In contrast, the bending deformation causes a symmetric distribution of electrostatic potential characterized by the zeroth-order and the second-order electrostatic potential. Furthermore, these two different deformations result in the redistribution of electrons. The electrostatic potential can be tuned by adjusting the amplitude of the applied mechanical load. Moreover, we find that the increase in doping level will reduce the magnitude of electrostatic potential due to the screening effect. The presented PVW provides a general approach to establishing structural theories and an effective way of implementing numerical methods.
Exploring the Main Determinants of National Park Community Management: Evidence from Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Zhang Yangyang , Wang Ziyue , Shrestha Anil , Zhou Xiang , Teng Mingjun , Wang Pengcheng , Wang Guangyu
Published: September 2023

The establishment of protected areas such as national parks (NPs) is a key policy in response to numerous challenges such as biodiversity loss, overexploitation of natural resources, climate change, and environmental education. Globally, the number and area of NPs have steadily increased over the years, although the management models of NPs vary across different countries and regions. However, the sustainability of NPs necessitates not only effective national policy systems but also the active involvement and support of the local community and indigenous people, presenting a complex, multifaceted challenge. Although the availability of literature on community-based conservation and NPs has increased over the years, there is a lack of research analyzing trends, existing and emerging research themes, and impacts. Hence, in this study, we employed bibliometric methods to conduct a quantitative review of the scientific literature concerning community management of NPs on a global scale. By analyzing data from published articles, we identified research hotspots and trends as well as the quantity, time, and country distribution of relevant research. We developed a framework to illustrate the main research hotspot relationships relevant to NPs and community management, then summarized these findings. Based on the literature from 1989 to 2022, utilizing 2156 research papers from the Web of Science Core Collection database as the data source, visualizations were conducted using the VOSviewer software (1.6.18). Based on the results of network co-occurrence analysis, the initial focus of this field was on aspects of resource conservation. However, with the convergence of interdisciplinary approaches, attention has gradually shifted towards human societal well-being, emphasizing the “social-ecological” system. Furthermore, the current research hotspots in this field mainly revolve around issues such as “natural resources, sustainable development, stakeholder involvement, community management, sustainable tourism, and residents’ livelihoods”. Effectively addressing the interplay of interests among these research hotspot issues has become an urgent topic for current and future research efforts. This exploration necessitates finding an appropriate balance between environmental conservation, economic development, and human welfare to promote the realization of long-term goals for sustainable development in NPs.
The Impact of Forest Therapy Programs on Stress Reduction: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zhang Yawei , Feng Lu , Duan Wenjie
Published: September 2023

This systematic review aims to examine key findings of previous studies in order to explore how forest therapy programs impact stress reduction on physiological and psychological levels. It was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Quantitative studies that compared forest therapy program interventions with urban exposure were searched in February 2023 in six databases: CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline, PsycINfo, PubMed, and Web of Science (core collection). This review included 17 relevant articles selected from a total of 495 individual studies, in accordance with the set inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results of this review indicated that forest therapy programs were effective at relieving stress, particularly on a psychological level. Forest therapy programs could be used as a part of stress reduction projects. However, results regarding physiological effects have yet to be confirmed, and in the future, more in-depth and well-designed research will be required.
Foliar Application of dsRNA to Induce Gene Silencing in Emerald Ash Borer: Systemic Distribution, Persistence, and Bioactivity
Authors: Pampolini Flávia , Rieske Lynne K.
Published: September 2023

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), in which gene expression is reduced in a sequence-specific manner, allowing development of pest-specific control strategies. Effective delivery of the dsRNA is a hurdle, particularly in systems with endophagous insects such as the emerald ash borer (EAB) Agrilus planipennis, an invasive phloem-feeding beetle that develops beneath the bark of ash trees, Fraxinus spp., causing rapid tree death. We evaluated uptake and bioactivity of dsRNA in green ash (F. pennsylvanica) growing in a greenhouse to investigate the feasibility of delivery through the host plant. To assess dsRNA persistence and distribution, seedlings were exposed to EAB-specific dsRNA using foliar spray and sectioned into different tissue types at selected time-points; RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to detect the exogenous dsRNA. We found dsRNA persistence in plant tissues 21 days after treatment. To evaluate bioactivity, neonate EAB were exposed to treated seedlings and assessed for gene expression and feeding behavior. Results demonstrate gene silencing and a 24% (p = 0.03) reduction in cambial consumption. Our findings provide proof-of-concept for delivery of RNAi to the target insect through the host plant, suggesting the feasibility of RNAi functioning as a sustainable approach for tree protection against EAB.
Frailty and Diminished Human Relationships Are Associated with Poor Sleep Quality in Japanese Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Matsuda Hitomi , Mayers Thomas , Maki Naoki , Araki Akihiro , Eto Sachie
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between sleep quality, frailty, and human relationships in Japanese older adults (aged 65 years and above, excluding those certified as requiring long-term care). This cross-sectional study used a questionnaire survey to gather demographic information, data on frequency of conversation and conversation partners, and employed the following validated instruments: Kihon Checklist (KCL), a Japanese instrument used to determine the care needs and frailty of older adults; the Dysphagia Risk Assessment for Community-Dwelling Elderly (DRACE) scale; Japanese versions of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-J); the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15-J); and the University of California Los Angeles Scale (UCLA-J), an instrument to assess loneliness in older adults. The 500 respondents were divided into two groups based on sleep quality (PSQI-J): low sleep quality group (n = 167, 33.4%) and high sleep quality group (n = 333, 66.6%). Our analyses showed that the low sleep quality group had a KCL score of 5.55 ± 2.47, which indicated frailty. Binomial logistic regression analysis identified age, number of diseases under treatment, DRACE, GDS-15-J, and conversation frequency and discussion partner for important matters as factors (p < 0.05) associated with poor sleep quality. These factors could help enhance the detection of frailty and predictability of caregiving needs.
Moisture Absorption Characteristics and Subsequent Mechanical Property Loss of Enset–PLA Composites
Authors: Abdela Abebayehu , Vandaele Maxim , Haenen Sam , Buffel Bart , Sirahbizu Belete , Desplentere Frederik
Published: September 2023

One of the drawbacks of natural fibers and their composites is their inherent hydrophilic nature. The effect of moisture on the mechanical properties of composites is irrefutable. This study deals with the hygroscopic characteristics of enset–PLA composites and their effect on the mechanical properties of the composites. To do this, injection-molded composite specimens with different fiber volume fractions, plasticizer ratios, fiber lengths, and fiber ages were considered. The specimens were exposed to distilled water, and the moisture absorption was monitored on a daily basis. Subsequently, the specimens were subjected to mechanical loading to determine the effect of moisture on their strength, stiffness, and strain at break strength. Lastly, the individual and joint effects of the considered factors were scrutinized using an optimal experimental design. The results of the study show that the maximum and minimum moisture uptakes were recorded for 25% and 15% fiber ratios, respectively. Due to the effect of moisture, the tensile and bending strength decreased by 11% and 5%, respectively, for the 15% fiber volume fraction and decreased by 16% and 13%, respectively, for the 25% fiber volume fraction. Increasing the amount of plasticizer increases the moisture resistance. The results indicate that Enset–PLA composites have competitive properties and stability when exposed to moisture.
Traffic-Sign-Detection Algorithm Based on SK-EVC-YOLO
Authors: Zhou Faguo , Zu Huichang , Li Yang , Song Yanan , Liao Junbin , Zheng Changshuo
Published: September 2023

Traffic sign detection is an important research direction in the process of intelligent transportation in the Internet era, and plays a crucial role in ensuring traffic safety. The purpose of this research is to propose a traffic-sign-detection algorithm based on the selective kernel attention (SK attention), explicit visual center (EVC), and YOLOv5 model to address the problems of small targets, incomplete detection, and insufficient detection accuracy in natural and complex road situations. First, the feature map with a smaller receptive field in the backbone network is fused with other scale feature maps to increase the small target detection layer. Then, the SK attention mechanism is introduced to extract and weigh features at different scales and levels, enhancing the attention to the target. By fusing the explicit visual center to gather local area features within the layer, the detection effect of small targets is improved. According to the experiment results, the mean average precision (mAP) on the Tsinghua-Tencent Traffic Sign Dataset (TT100K) for the proposed algorithm is 88.5%, which is 4.6% higher than the original model, demonstrating the practicality of the detection of small traffic signs.
Epidemic Waves in a Stochastic SIRVI Epidemic Model Incorporating the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck Process
Authors: Alshammari Fehaid Salem , Akyildiz Fahir Talay
Published: September 2023

The worldwide data for COVID-19 for active, infected individuals in multiple waves show that traditional epidemic models with constant parameters are not able to capture this kind of disease behavior. We solved this major open mathematical problem in this report. We first consider the disease transmission rate for the stochastic SIRVI epidemic model, which satisfies the mean-reverting Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) process, and we propose a new stochastic SIRVI model. We then showed the existence and uniqueness of the global solution and obtained sufficient conditions for the persistent mean and exponential extinction of infectious disease, which have not been given before. In the second part, we derive a nonlinear system of differential equations for the time-dependent transmission rate from the deterministic SIRVI model and present an algorithm to compute the time-dependent transmission rate directly from the given active, infected individuals’ data. We then show that the time-dependent transmission obtained from and perturbed by the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process could be represented after using a smoothing technique using a finite linear combination of a Gaussian radial basis function, which was obtained from our algorithm. This novel computer-assisted proof provides a theoretical basis for other epidemic models and epidemic waves. Finally, some numerical solutions of the stochastic SIRVI model are presented using COVID-19 data from Saudi Arabia and Austria.
TRP Channels: The Neglected Culprits in Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Resistance?
Authors: Soussi Mayar , Hasselsweiller Alice , Gkika Dimitra
Published: September 2023

Breast cancer is a major health concern worldwide, and resistance to therapies remains a significant challenge in treating this disease. In breast cancer, Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels are well studied and constitute key players in nearly all carcinogenesis hallmarks. Recently, they have also emerged as important actors in resistance to therapy by modulating the response to various pharmaceutical agents. Targeting TRP channels may represent a promising approach to overcome resistance to therapies in breast cancer patients.