bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perinatal mortality of unspecified (unknown) etiology: problems and solutions
Authors:   Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, Denisova Yu.V. , Aleksandrov L.S. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Ishchenko A.I. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Nikonov A.P. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Rudenko E.E. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Zholobova M.N. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Berishvili M.V. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Budnikova K.A. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Proklova G.F. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Ageev M.B. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Zemlina N.S. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: January 2023

According to the World Health Organization, there are about 5.9 million annual perinatal deaths worldwide, the etiology of which, on average, remains unspecified in 15–50% of cases. This review presents an analysis of the existing classification systems for causes of perinatal mortality, estimates the current data on risk factors and possible pathophysiological mechanisms of sudden fetal and infant death, identifies several world health problems that prevent the reduction of stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates, and suggests the ways of their solution. Key words: perinatal mortality, stillbirth, sudden intrauterine death syndrome, brainstem, cardiac conduction system
The Dilemma between Environment and Economy: Combatting the Challenges of Illicit Drugs in Laos
Authors: Shiddiq Muhammad Ismail Ash , Nafilah Regina Farah
Published: January 2023

This research aims to analyze 1) the Lao government’s responses in coping with illicit drugs in Laos; 2) the responses of IGO, particularly UNODC, in addressing the illicit drugs issue in Laos; (3) the impacts of opium farming on the economy and environment in Laos. The results of this research reveal that the Lao government is very committed to dealing with the illicit drugs issue, reflected by its involvement in international conventions and long-term national planning. However, these steps could not achieve maximum results as many former opium farmers in Laos could not find sustainable jobs, thus at risk of reverting to opium farming. Meanwhile, as IGO, UNODC played an essential role in assisting the Lao government in eliminating opium farming and creating sustainable jobs. The cooperation between UNODC and the Lao government improved the opium farming situation in Laos. However, the concern for the environment caused by opium farming has not been found, even though illegal opium farming causes deforestation, decreased biodiversity, and soil erosion.
ESTIMATES OF SURFACE CHANGES OF HEATING HEAT EXCHANGERS FOR INDIVIDUAL HEAT STATIONS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE CHART OF DISTRIBUTION HEAT NETWORK IS CHANGED
Authors: Aleksakhyn O. , Kruhliakova O. , Boblovskyi O.
Published: January 2023

The aspects of the functioning of centralized heating systems of residential urban districts after additional insulation of this district existing buildings were considered. The influence of the heat carrier temperature in the district distribution heating network on the heat transfer surface of the heat exchangers that are installed in the individual heat station schemes with independent connection between buildings heating systems and heat networks was analyzed. Estimates were made for a plate heat exchanger with a counterflow pattern of heat carriers that are widely used in heat supply systems. Formulas have been obtained for calculating the heat exchange surface of the district water heater comparing to the surface of the "basic" design case of the heat exchanger, taking into account the district water temperature excess over the building heating water temperature. When finding the heat transfer coefficients in the channels of heat exchangers, known criterion equations for plate heat exchangers were used. The proposed formulas take into account the influence of the ratio of heat equivalents of the carriers flow rate through the heat exchanger and the decrease in heat consumption for heating as a result of building insulation. Buildings that were designed and built in accordance with the requirements for thermal resistance of enclosing structures that were actual several decades ago, after thermal modernization, should meet modern requirements for the thermal resistance of building structures. All estimates of the reduction in the buildings heating load were made in accordance with this approach. An analysis of the obtained results made it possible to propose some recommendations for the selection of district water calculated temperature differences at which a decrease in the heat transfer surface of the plate heat exchanger of the insulated buildings individual heat station can be expected. The proposed recommendations can be useful in developing a heat supply quality control schedule for a district buildings heating systems in a district when buildings thermal insulation process being completed.
CONSTRUCTION OF MULTI-CRITERIA SOLUTIONS TO SELECTION PROBLEMS
Authors: Shevchenko Sergiy
Published: January 2023

An approach to solving the problems of multi-criteria selection with the determination of suitable applicants based on the values of a number of criteria is considered. Known approaches to the solution of these problems do not always allow determining reasonable solutions with full consideration of the features of the selected criteria and their evaluation conditions. Comparison of evaluations by criteria often takes place from subjective positions without proper justification, which affects both the results of the selection and the possibilities of their practical application. Known multi-criteria selection procedures use fixed measurement scales to compare values, which in practical situations may not correspond to real ratios of indicators. Another significant shortcoming of these procedures is ignoring the presence of non-linear dependencies between evaluations by criteria and attributes of decisions made in different ranges of their values. The above indicates the possibility of obtaining inadequate evaluations of decisions with corresponding negative consequences. The paper proposes an approach to the construction of solutions to multi-criteria selection problems based on the definition of applicants by ordering them according to the degree of approximation to the option with the best ratios of evaluations according to the selected performance criteria based on iterative concessions according to the specified criteria. Applicants are compared on the basis of the ratios of assessments according to the agreed criteria, the definition of which is provided by a set of mathematical models that reproduce the dependence of the values of individual criteria on the attributes of the applicant decisions. The formation of a sequence of candidates for solutions is based on the results of comparisons according to individual criteria, which allows to determine alternative solutions and evaluate their effectiveness with the construction of a Pareto subset. An example is considered that reproduces the processes of choosing alternative options for building a virtual data processing system based on the characteristics of virtual machines from providers of cloud processing technologies. The obtained research results indicate the possibility of using the proposed approach as part of decision-making support subsystems to solve the problems of operational management of dynamic service and production processes.
FAILURE RATE REGRESSION MODEL BUILDING FROM AGGREGATED DATA USING KERNELBASED MACHINE LEARNING METHODS
Authors: Akhiiezer Olena , Grinberg Galyna , Lyubchyk Leonid , Yamkovyi Klym
Published: January 2023

The problem of regression model building of equipment failure rate using datasets containing information on number of failures of recoverable systems and measurements of technological and operational factors affecting the reliability of production system is considered. This problem is important for choosing optimal strategy for preventive maintenance and restoration of elements of process equipment, which, in turn, significantly affects the efficiency of production management system. From a practical point of view, of greatest interest is the development of methods for regression models building to assess the impact of various technological and operational factors controlled during system operation on failure rate. The usual approach to regression models construction involves preselecting the model structure in the form of a parameterized functional relationship between failure rate and affecting technological variables followed by statistical estimation of unknown model parameters or training the model on datasets of measured covariates and failures.The main problem lies precisely in the choice of model structure, the complexity of which should correspond to amount of data available for training model, which in the problem of failure rate modeling is greatly complicated by lack of a priori information about its dependence on affecting variables. In this work, such a problem is solved using machine learning methods, namely, kernel ridge regression, which makes it possible to effectively approximate complex nonlinear dependences of equipment failure rate on technological factors, while there is no need to pre-select the model structure. Preliminary aggregation of data by combination of factor and cluster analysis can significantly simplify model structure. The proposed technique is illustrated by solving a practical problem of failure rate model building for semiconductor production equipment based on real data.
MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF THE QUASI-STATIONARY PROCESSES OF VISCOUS MIXTURE MIXING IN A RECTANGULAR AREA BY THE R-FUNCTIONS METHOD
Authors: Gybkina Nadiia , Sidorov Maxim , Stadnikova Hanna
Published: January 2023

Mixing processes are found in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries. Fluid mixing is one of the fundamental scientific problems associated with modern concepts of regular and chaotic dynamics. The paper considers the problem of mathematical modeling of the quasi-stationary process of mixing a viscous mixture. This problem consists of two sub-problems: determination of the velocity field in the flow region (Eulerian formalism) and investigation of the trajectories of individual fluid particles (Lagrange formalism). To solve the first subproblem, it is proposed to jointly use the principle of superposition, the structural method (method of R-functions) and the Ritz variational method. The methods of nonlinear dynamics and qualitative theory of differential equations are used to solve the second subproblem. A plane quasi-steady flow is considered in a rectangular region and it is assumed that the side walls are at rest, and the upper and lower walls move alternately according to the given laws. According to the method of R-functions, the structures of the solutions were built and the use of the Ritz variational method for the approximation of the uncertain components of the structures was justified. The operation of the proposed method is illustrated by the results of a computational experiment, which was conducted for different modes of wall motion. The practical interest of the considered regimes is due to the fact that they lead to the emergence of chaotic behavior when mixing occurs most efficiently. Using the methods of nonlinear dynamics, the location of periodic (hyperbolic and elliptical) points was investigated and the Poincaré section was constructed. Further research with the help of the method proposed in the work can be related to the consideration of flows in more geometrically complex regions and more complex mixing regimes, as well as in the application to the calculation of industrial problems.
La era del consumo en la esfera audiovisual: series y plataformas streaming
Authors: Soto Fernández Gloria
Published: January 2023

La esfera audiovisual ha sufrido a lo largo de los años una serie de transformaciones en base a las lógicas de la economía de mercado de nuestro sistema. Este estudio abordará este fenómeno centrándose en dos aspectos que suponen un gran cambio para el mercado audiovisual y para los diferentes productos audiovisuales: el impulso de plataformas streaming, principalmente el desarrollo de Netflix, y el consumo de series. Asimismo, se planteará cómo las propias estructuras sociales condicionan el modelo de consumo actual y la cultura popular de masas.
Cognitive mechanisms in the era of information: “echo-bubbles” and “echo-chambers”
Authors:   Interregional Non-Governmental Organization “Russian Society for History and Philosophy of Sci­ence”, Bazhanov Valentin A.
Published: January 2023

The aim of the paper is to analyze the formation and the main traits of new communica­tive spaces in the form of “epistemic echo-bubbles” and “echo-cameras”. Their emer­gence is associated with a transdisciplinary type of scientific revolution. Among the re­sults of this revolution is the Internet and various social networks. Their popularity among different strata of the population makes these networks are not just mass phenom­ena, but effective tools for communication and influence on the views spread in society and shared by many individuals. The mechanisms of “epistemic echo-bubbles” and “echo-chambers” are explored and described. The fundamental differences in their func­tioning are emphasized, namely, that “epistemic echo-bubbles” are formed due to the similarity of people’s views (in the broad sense of life, including political life), and the emotions accompanying these views, so that subjects with different views and emo­tions are simply “not heard” within the boundaries of the echo-bubbles. Echo-chambers are understood to be actually closed communicative spaces formed by bringing together people with similar views (in the broad sense of life, including political life) and emo­tions accompanying these views. Subjects with different views are deliberately not al­lowed into these spaces, their views are discredited and “exposed” by special methods and techniques. Echo chambers are built on the rigid principle of distinguishing “friend” from “foe”, exercising rigid epistemic control over the state of minds and forming special structures of countering and exposing the authoritative opinions of opposition representa­tives. Examples of “echo-bubbles” and “echo-chambers” from modern political life (mainly in the USA) are given. The genesis of “echo-bubbles” and “echo-chambers” is associated with the phenomenon of post-truth and the transformation of language, which began to occur around the middle of the 19th century and which consists of an increase in the specific age of emotive components and a tendency to shift interest from collective action to individual activity.
The logical meaning of the concept of “logic of sense”
Authors:   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pavlov-Pinus Konstantin A.
Published: January 2023

The article discusses the concept of logic of sense – one of the key concepts in the philos­ophy of A.V. Smirnov. The text details the considerations expressed by the author at the round table “Process logic and philosophy of consciousness”. Unlike the formal-logical approach, the conceptual framework of which is based on the concept of a formal system, the theoretical status of the “logic of sense” is fully manifested only in the context of the concept of culture. The logical form corresponding to the procedures of sense-generation is dynamic, not substantial. In different cultures, it is characterized by a peculiar combi­nation of regulatory and constitutive principles for the generation of intersubjective se­mantics. The necessity, which constitutes logical aspects of sense generation, manifests itself in the fact that it 1) forms the horizon of possible culture-forming conventions fixed by one or another “natural” language and their corresponding practices, and 2) separates the conventions themselves from their consequences, which are already not conventional.
Pyrrhonian criticism of the notion of “nature of things”: epistemology and metaphysics
Authors:   Institute of Philosophy and Law of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Maslov Denis K.
Published: January 2023

The paper analyzes the criticism of the notion “nature of things” within the pyrrhonian sceptical tradition. I begin with a brief exposition of two contemporary epistemological approaches that sets up the boundaries of the discussion: normative and descriptive ones. However, this dichotomy is not strict. The notion of “nature of things” implicitly under­lies the discussion, as I argue, as a normative view about the true reality and its formal characteristics. These metaphysical requirements have to be fulfilled in knowledge. This alone demonstrates a tight connection between these disciplines. Pyrrho’s rejection of the nature of things can be interpreted in terms of underdetermination of the world, which allows various interpretations according to the rule “no more” (ou mallon). This principle states that there is no ultimate ground for the individuation of things. This principle had been used before Pyrrho and justifies his denial of the existence of the nature of things, for to every single thing can be ascribed contradictory predicates. They show themselves in a contradictory way. Then, we point out to the breakdown in the Pyrrhonian tradition and the fact that the notion of nature of things was borrowed and used as a pillar of the revived Pyrrhonism (esp. in Sextus Empiricus). He used this term referring to the unchangeable, invariable and eternal constitution of things. Sextus differs from Pyrrho on by his suspension of judgement about the existence of the nature of things. Al­though Sextus developed an epistemological critique of ancient theories of knowledge and did not investigate this notion, it was pivotal for him to reach the suspension of judgement. It allowed him not to assert any statement as corresponding to or revealing the properties of things by nature. As a result, Pyrrhonian usage of the notion nature of things provided a persuasive and influential criticism against the normative stance and led to its moderation and pragmatization.
In defence of Smysl and its logic
Authors:   Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Ryskeldiyeva Lora T.
Published: January 2023

Being a supporter of the “Logic of Smysl” approach (LS), the author is highlighting four its main aspects in assurance that they can increase the number of such supporters. First, it responds to the searches being carried out in European culture and to serious and multi­faceted criticism of academic philosophy. So, it has the potential to overcome this crisis on the path to discovering Smysl as a real “thing” (res), as well as to overcome the notori­ous and bored dichotomy of analytical and hermeneutic approaches. Secondly, the philos­ophy proceeding from the LS starts from the very beginnings of thinking, from the meta­physical idea of ​​Wholeness-Smysl, comes to socio-political implications, thus following the Russian traditions of integral, whole knowledge. Thirdly, LS, preserving the problem of consciousness as a problem, fundamental and peculiar to modernity, can become a complex of new researches, leading cognitive science to the study of other ways of thinking of the world. Fourthly, the author sees in LS an ethical project: as a goal it is reviving and re-interpreting the well-known Russian philosophy ideal of all-humanity, taking into account the real otherness of the Other and using the material of philosophical Oriental studies – it is the ideal of friendship and brotherhood.
On the difference in the formalization of logic by the Ancient Indians and Ancient Greeks in connection with the difference in word order under predication
Authors:   RUDN University, Paribok Andrey V.
Published: January 2023

The article discusses some logical, semantic and metaphysical consequences or correla­tions with the introduced typology of word order in verbal and nominal sentences, which in the European tradition represent speech patterns used in judgments. The combinatorics of word order gives four variants, of which three are actually represented by native lan­guages of distinctive philosophical traditions. It is shown that the Western word order predisposes the semantic intuition in favor of substantialism, the Arabic variety (in verbal sentences) is in conformity with the process logic of sense discovered and described by A.V. Smirnov. The Sanskrit word order in predication predisposes to the understanding of thinking as a natural transition from one object to another, whereas the ontological type of the object is not predetermined.
On integrity, its constriction and extension
Authors:   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kasavina Nadezhda A.
Published: January 2023

This paper is a full version of the author’s talk at “Procedural Logic and Philosophy of Consciousness”, a discussion dedicated to A.V. Smirnov’s book “The Logic of Mean­ing as a Philosophy of Consciousness: An Invitation to Reflection” (2021). The proposed content can be viewed as a co-reflection on the key concepts of the logical-semantic con­cept of consciousness: coherence, integrity, constriction, extension as the foundations and methods of conceptualization in their existential perspective. It is stressed that the logi­cal-semantic approach of A.V. Smirnov reveals new facets in the understanding of philo­sophical rationality, personal and cultural subjectivity, experience, consciousness and their formation. To demonstrate the general philosophical, methodological status of the system of concepts introduced by the author, analogies are drawn with the understanding of exis­tential experience as a constriction of meaning-forming experiences that are unfolded by the subject in communication, creativity, self-understanding. The concepts that have re­ceived a conceptual justification in the works of A.V. Smirnov bring the origins of experi­ence to another level of comprehension, in accordance with which the spectrum of under­standing of human reflexive capabilities also changes. If we “start with integrity”, as the author advises us, then the idea of recursiveness of experience as a pulsating process of comprehension and self-reflection in the process of human interaction with the world or his “flickering” being-in-the-world is strengthened and acquires new angles. Of partic­ular importance here is the very style of author’s reflection, which is associated with the revision of established philosophical categories and their interpretations, the departure from the usual interpretations to discover one’s own philosophical language: one’s own – both in terms of the individual author’s approach and in aspects of the formation of the modern domestic philosophical tradition.
PCSK9 inhibition reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and stabilizes the plaque in ischemic stroke patients with severe intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis
Authors: Xiao Jun , Zhang Shuo-Qi , Shu Hong-Ge , Chen Xin , Zhou Luo-Qi , Shang Ke , Qin Chuan , Xu Wei-Hai , Tian Dai-Shi
Published: January 2023

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors have been shown to reduce cardiovascular events. However, their effects on intracranial atherosclerotic plaque remain elusive. The prospective study aims to investigate the effect of adding PCSK9 inhibition to statin therapy on intracranial atherosclerotic plaque features in those ischemic stroke patients with severe intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) using high-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (HRVW-MRI).
Methods: In our single-center study, a total of 29 patients with high-grade ICAS (PCSK9i group, n=19; control group, n=10) were included. HRVW-MRI scans at baseline and 3-6 months posttreatment were performed. The clinical characteristics and plaque features including plaque area, plaque burden, enhancement ratio, eccentricity, percent wall volume (PWV) and degree of stenosis were investigated.
Results: Compared with statin monotherapy, the least-squares mean percentage reduction low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with PCSK9 inhibitor add-on therapy was 71% at 1 month, 69% at 3 months and 64% at 6 months (p<0.001 for all comparisons). Fifteen patients (51.7%) completed HRVW-MRI at both baseline and follow-up. A significant reduction in plaque enhancement ratio (-13.7%, 95% CI, -27.2% to 0.3%) and degree of stenosis (-11.7%, 95% CI, -23.3% to -0.1%) was observed in PCSK9i group but not in control group (37.7%, 95% CI, -14.6% to 221%, p=0.024 and 16.0%, 95% CI, -7.6% to 39.6%, p=0.027, respectively). The plaque area, plaque burden, eccentricity and PWV did not change significantly during the follow-up. Among those patients, the median follow-up duration was 11 months (IQR, 9-14), most (28/29, 96.6%) did not suffer from stroke during the follow-up, with no statistical difference in median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores between the groups.
Conclusion: Inhibition of PCSK9 added to high-intensity statin therapy can lower the LDL-C levels, slow down the progression of stenosis and stabilize plaque in patients with severe ICAS. These findings provide insight into the benefit of lowering LDL-C levels below current recommendation targets with the PCSK9 inhibitor add-on therapy in patients with high-grade ICAS.
Trial registration: Clinicaltrial.gov, NCT04847752, registered April 19, 2021, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04847752.
Efficacy and safety of minodronate in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with low back pain: a single-centre and randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Huan , Huang Jie , Tao Liyuan , Liu Dongyang , Song Chunli
Published: January 2023

Background: Low back pain is one of the most common symptoms of osteoporosis (OP). The pain can seriously affect patients' mood and quality of life; it can also further aggravate bone loss, causing a serious social burden. Minodronate is a third-generation bisphosphonate. Daily oral administration of minodronate significantly reduces levels of bone resorption markers and rapidly improves symptoms of low back pain in patients with OP.
Methods: This is a single-centre, randomized, open-label controlled trial with a 24-week duration. Seventy-two eligible patients will be randomly divided into 4 groups. Subjects will be randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive either minodronate (1 mg/day) or alendronate (10 mg/day) every day, senior women (≥75 years old) and older women (＜75 years old) will be at a ratio of 1:2. The primary outcome is the time required for the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score to decline by ≥10 from baseline, and the secondary outcome is the changes in VAS scores from baseline at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after administration and the frequency and dosage of rescue medication,pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) characteristics of minodronate and alendronate in Chinese postmenopausal OP patients of different ages, and variations in upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptom scores from baseline (including heartburn, pain, and bloating).
Results and discussion: This study will provide objective evidence for the efficiency and safety of minodronate in the treatment of postmenopausal OP with low back pain. Furthermore, it will be helpful to evaluate the quantitative relationship between bone turnover markers (BTM) and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with OP underdifferent ages.
Trial registration: This study protocol has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05645289 on December 8th, 2022. The registry name is Peking University Third Hospital. This study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Peking University Third Hospital Medical Science Research Ethics Committee (M2022465, 2022.08.09, V2.0). The results will be published in scientific peer-reviewed journals.
Trial status: Not yet recruiting. Recruitment is expected to begin in January 2023 and is expected to be completed in June 2024.
Identification and Functional Prediction of Circular RNAs in Grape Cluster Development
Authors: Ranjbar Shahla , Emamjomeh Abbasali , Ebrahimi Mansour , Ghorbani Abozar , Ebrahimie Esmaeil , Shiri Yasoub
Published: January 2023

Circular RNAs (cricRNAs) are relatively new members in the world of RNAs and can contribute to critical biological functions. Functionally, circRNAs can regulate their parent genes or act as microRNA (miRNA) sponges, preventing miRNAs from binding to their target genes. CircRNAs exhibit tissue-specific expression profiles depending on cell type and developmental stage. Yaghooti grape from Sistan is a seedless species with small berries. The compact clusters are another striking feature of this grape variety. In this study, we identified the circRNAs active in cluster formation and investigated the effect of gibberellin treatment on their expression levels. Of the 3,715 circRNAs identified, 900 cricRNAs are differentially expressed at three developmental stages of the cluster under gibberellin treatment. Gene ontology analysis (GO) showed that cellular activity increased in the first stage of cluster development but decreased in the second and third stages under the influence of gibberellin treatment, whereas the biological process and molecular function in the control and treatment samples showed a different pattern in the stages of cluster formation. The circRNAs-miRNAs-mRNAs interaction showed that up-regulated circRNAs could sponge the vvi-miR156, vvi-miR164, and vvi-miR172 families, which control a gene network associated with the flowering process in Yaghooti grapes. Thus, circRNAs could sponge miRNAs and regulate their target genes involved in the flowering process at the post-transcriptional level. Our results suggest that cricRNAs may play a key role in the developmental and cluster formation processes of Yaghooti grape and the plant’s tolerance to drought stress.
Evidence for amorphous calcium carbonate originated mid-lithospheric discontinuities
Authors: Zhang Jin , Hou Mingqiang , Hao Ming , Liu Jin , Wan Xiao , Zhou Wen-Yi , Cui Xiaoming , Hrubiak Rostislav , Sun Heping
Published: January 2023

Cratonic lithosphere is a vast host for deep recycled carbon, trapping up to several weight percent CO2 among its compositions1,2 at depths overlapping the seismic mid-lithospheric discontinuities (MLDs)3-5. However, the role of carbonates, especially for the latest discovered amorphous calcium carbonate (CaCO3)6, is underestimated in forming MLDs. Using the pulse-echo-overlap method in a Paris-Edinburgh press coupled with X-ray diffraction, we explored the acoustic velocities of CaCO3 under high pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions relevant to the cratonic lithosphere. Two anomalous velocity drops were observed associated with the phase transition from aragonite to amorphous phase as well as with pressure-induced velocity drop in amorphous phase around 3 GPa, respectively. Both drops are comparable with approximately 35% and 52% reductions for compressional (VP) and shear (VS) wave velocities, respectively. The VP and VS values of the amorphous CaCO3 above 3 GPa are about 1/2 and 1/3 of those of the major upper-mantle minerals, respectively, and they are the same with aragonite below 3 GPa. These velocity reduction by the presence of CaCO3 would readily cause MLDs at depths of 70–120 km dependent on the geotherm even if only 1-2 vol.% CaCO3 presents in the cratonic lithosphere. The CaCO3-originated MLDs is weak so as to be expected to influence the stability, rifting, and delamination of the craton7.
Color vision deficiency is associated with increased prevalence of amblyopia, strabismus and ametropia: A large population study
Authors: Barayev Edward , Shapiro Michael , Greenbaum Eran , Ran Yuval , gershoni Assaf , Dotan Gad
Published: January 2023

Objective To examine the association of color vision deficiency (CVD) with other ophthalmic disorders including ametropia, amblyopia and strabismus in a large population study. Methods The retrospective, cross-sectional study included 916 388 Israeli army male recruits that had their pre-military medical assessment at the age of 16 to 18 years from 2000 to 2020. We examined the prevalence of ophthalmic disorders including amblyopia, strabismus and ametropia in army recruits with CVD compared to all other recruits with normal color vision. Demographic and socioeconomic data were also collected. Results The prevalence of amblyopia (1.12% vs. 0.71%, p < 0.001), strabismus (1.10% vs. 0.82%, p < 0.001), and ametropia (moderate – less than 6.00 diopters, 35.80% vs. 30.42%, p < 0.001, and high, 3.01% vs. 2.29%, p < 0.001) were all higher in the 37 029 (4.04%) army recruits with CVD compared with individuals with normal color vision. CVD was more common in individuals with a higher socioeconomic status (high 4.32% vs. low 3.86%, p < 0.001) and varied according to recruits’ origin. It was most frequent in individuals whose parents were born in former Soviet Union (4.81%) compared with other European countries (4.55%), North America (4.26%), Asia (3.27%) and Ethiopia (2.19%). Conclusions CVD is associated with increased risk of vision difficulties that are not related to color vision impairment alone. Screening in childhood for color vision deficiency could help in avoiding preventable vision loss.
A systematic review using thematic analysis exploring cultural competence in pharmacy education: What is done? How is it done? What does it mean?
Authors: Jarrar Rawand , Lim Rosemary , Richardson Charlotte Lucy , Naqvi Atta Abbas , Rathbone Adam Pattison , Lau Wing Man
Published: January 2023

Background: There is an increased need for a healthcare workforce that is culturally competent, to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities for patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. This is important in the context of pharmaceutical care for patients, as the inability to recognise a patient’s health beliefs, which could be influenced by their cultural background, can lead to reduced medication adherence and poor treatment outcomes. This systematic review aims to explore cultural competence teaching and training in pre-qualification pharmacy education.
Methods: Medline, Scopus, PsychInfo, Web of Knowledge, CINAHL, and Embase databases were systematically searched for studies that explored cultural competence in pharmacy education and were published in English from January 2012 to December 2021. Methodological quality of studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Data from included studies were thematically analysed.
Results: Overall, 47 papers (46 studies) were included in the review. Of these, 40 papers focused on interventions for teaching cultural competence to pharmacy students only, the remaining studies included students from pharmacy and other health discipline programmes. Half of the studies focused on cultural competence in general (n = 20, 50%), while the remaining studies focused on competence on specific aspects e.g., cultures, religions and disabilities. Most studies (n = 24, 60%) report implementation of interventions that took place over a week. Twenty-one studies reported that cultural competence interventions were compulsory. There were variations in how cultural competence is conceptualised in studies; some studies focused on the need to increase knowledge about different cultures or ‘knowing how’; other studies focused on behavioural aspects that would help students while they work with patients from diverse backgrounds, or ‘showing how’; some studies described cultural competence as a continuum that includes both ‘doing’ knowledge and behavioural aspects.
Conclusion: There is variation in how cultural competence is taught in pharmacy education programmes, which could be a consequence of differences in how authors conceptualised cultural competence. Further research is needed to develop a unified understanding of the meaning of cultural competence and how it should be taught to pharmacy students.
TRAF6 promotes chemoresistance to paclitaxel of triple negative breast cancer via regulating PKM2-mediated glycolysis
Authors: Xu Han , Li Longzhi , Dong Bing , Lu Ji , Zhou Kun , Yin Xiaoxin , Sun Huizhen
Published: January 2023

Ample evidence reveals that glycolysis plays an important role in cancer progression; however, the underlying mechanism of its drug resistance is still worth being further explored. TRAF6, a E3 ubiquitin ligase, is well known to overexpress in various types of cancers, which predicts poor prognosis. In our study, we discovered that TRAF6 expressed more significantly in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) than in other subtypes of breast cancers, promoting chemoresistance to paclitaxel; that the inhibited TRAF6 expression in the chemoresistant TNBC (TNBC-CR) cells enhanced the sensitivity by decreasing glucose uptake and lactate production; that TRAF6 regulated glycolysis and facilitated chemoresistance via binding directly to PKM2; and that overexpressing PKM2 in the TNBC-CR cells with TRAF6 knocked down regained significantly TRAF6-dependent drug resistance and glycolysis. Additionally, we verified that TRAF6 could facilitate PKM2-mediated glycolysis and chemoresistance in the animal models and clinical tumor tissues. Thus, we identified the novel function of TRAF6 to promote glycolysis and chemoresistance in TNBC by regulating PKM2, which could provide a potential therapeutic target for TNBC treatment.
Apoptotic effect of Linoelaidic acid isolated from Marine Tapra fish oil (Ophisthopterus tardoore) via ROS generation and caspase activation on Apoptotic effect of Linoelaidic acid isolated from Marine Tapra fish oil (Ophisthopterus tardoore) via ROS generation and caspase activation on MCF cell line”
Authors: Dutta Ananya , Panchali Titli , Khatun Amina , Jarapala Sreenivasa Rao , Das Koushik , Ghosh Kuntal , Chakrabarti Sudipta , Pradhan Shrabani
Published: January 2023

The implication of inflammation in the pathophysiology of several types of cancers has been under intense investigation. Conjugated fatty acids can modulate inflammation and present anticancer effects, promoting cancer cell death. In this paper, we evaluated the efficacy of new conjugated fatty acids isolated from marineOpisthopterus tardoore(Tapra fish) in human breast cancer cell lines MCF7. Linoelaidic acid, a marine fish (O. tardoore) derived unsaturated fatty acids, showed effective anticancer activity against MCF-7. MTT assay revealed a dose-dependent decline in cancer cell viability. It was noteworthy that 5 µM linoelaidic acid decreased the MCF-7 cell viability by 81.82%. Besides that, linoelaidic acid significantly (p < 0.05) increased the level of TNF-α and IL-1ra studied by ELISA. Not only that, linoelaidic acid significantly decreased the reduced glutathione level and increased the oxidized glutathione level in MCF-7 cells indicating the oxidative stress inside the cell. Two different cell staining methods with acridine orange-ethidium bromide and DAPI confirmed that the linoelaidic acid rendered their detrimental effect on cancer cells. To decipher the mode of apoptosis Western blotting was performed in which the expression pattern of several proteins (p53, IL 10, and IL 1ra) established the apoptosis in the studied cell lines after linoelaidic acid exposure. Hence it may be conferred that linoelaidic acid has prompt anticancer activity. So, this drug can be used further for the treatment of cancer.
Occurrence of microplastics in commercial fish species from the Ethiopian rift valley's Lake Hawassa, Ethiopia
Authors: Demsie Asrat Fekadu , Yimer Girma Tilahun
Published: January 2023

Microplastics (MPs) have recently been detected as emergent pollutants in the Ethiopian rift valley lakes located close to rapidly expanding towns. We provide the first study of MPs ingestion of commercial fish species from Lake Hawassa, Ethiopia: Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A total of 60 individual fish species was collected from three sampling sites of lake Hawassa in October 2020. Across all sampling sites, there was a significant difference in ingested MPs between benthic omnivore catfish and pelagic Phyto planktivorous Tilapia (χ2 = 15.864, p < 0.001). The most common size of ingested MPs (84.6%) was 0.5-1 mm, with fragments (59.5%) dominating, followed by fibers (25.4%). On average, 4.03 ± 1.33 MPs with sizes ranging between 60 µm and 10.53 mm were detected per individual. White and yellow MPs were particularly numerous, accounting for 36.8% and 26.4% of the total, respectively. Because Lake Hawassa's fishery is so significant, the potential impact of MP pollution on the lake biota in general, and economically valuable fish species in particular, deserves attention, additional research, and, if possible, early mitigation.
DVH analysis for brachytherapy plaques and proton beam during intraocular tumor treatment using 3D film dosimetry
Authors: Eidi Taha , Aghamiri Seyed Mahmoud Reza , Baghani Hamid Reza
Published: January 2023

Proton therapy and plaque-based brachytherapy are considered efficient radiotherapy modalities for intraocular tumor irradiation. The current study aims to measure and compare the dosimetric features of these methods through a film dosimetry approach inside an eyeball phantom. A 3D-printed PLA (polylactic acid)-based eyeball phantom was applied for phantom irradiation. For brachytherapy, COMS and CGD plaques respectively containing the 125I and 106Ru radioactive sources were employed. Proton irradiation was performed using the clinical beamline of the CNAO oncological hadron therapy center. PDD (percentage depth dose), transverse dose profile, 2D and 3D dose distribution, as well as DVH (dose volume histogram) data relevant to the tumor volume and surrounding healthy tissues were measured for applied treatment techniques using Gafchromic EBT3 film dosimetry approach and compared together. A more uniform dose distribution inside the tumor volume was found in the case of the proton beam concerning two other techniques. Furthermore, a proton beam can better spare healthy organs distributed around the tumor region. Besides, COMS plaque can lead to better clinical outcomes concerning CGD plaque. Viewpoint to the dose uniformity inside the target volume as well as sparing the healthy tissues, proton therapy would be the optimal choice. On the other hand, the photon beam can be preferred to the electron beam if proton therapy facilities are not available. Nevertheless, based on the importance of the healthy organ which should be spared, the COMS or CGD plaque can be selected for radiotherapy.
Revisiting the Watching eyes effect: how emotional expressions, sex, and age of watching eyes influence the extent one would make stereotypical statements
Authors: Lau Wee Kiat , Sauter Marian , Bulut Cihan , Lisa Valentina Eberhardt , Huckauf Anke
Published: January 2023

The watching eyes effect influences people to behave more prosocially or less antisocially. It is currently unknown how the eyes themselves induce this effect. To fill this gap, we varied emotional expressions (angry, fear, happy, neutral), age (old, young), and sex (male, female) of the watching eyes to investigate which characteristics influence antisocial behavior. Participants rated the extent to which they would utter 36 stereotypical statements about race, gender, and religion topics. Each statement was presented together with one pair of eyes selected at random. Approval of stereotype statements with neutral eyes did not differ from control flower pictures. However, age, sex, and emotional expressions of the watching eyes influenced the extent to which participants would utter the statements: angry old male eyes increased stereotypical statements, as did happy young eyes (males and females). Fearful eyes decreased the extent to utter stereotypical statements, except for old female eyes. Our data suggest that studies presenting eyes that appear neutral may be a reason why replication of this effect was unsuccessful. Furthermore, the typical stylized eyes used in many watching eyes experiments could be interpreted as angry old male eyes to elicit changes in participants’ behaviors, like making donations or rating scales. We recommend further research to examine how necessary it is to look at the characteristics of watching eyes to better understand the mechanisms underlying this effect. Taken together, our findings show that the watching eyes effect on the extent to utter stereotypical statements may be better replicated with angry old male eyes or young happy eyes.
Modelling of icodextrin hydrolysis and kinetics during peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Stachowska-Pietka Joanna , Waniewski Jacek , Olszowska Anna , Garcia-Lopez Elvia , Wankowicz Zofia , Lindholm Bengt
Published: January 2023

In peritoneal dialysis, ultrafiltration is achieved by adding an osmotic agent into the dialysis fluid. During an exchange with icodextrin-based solution, polysaccharide chains are degraded by α-amylase activity in dialysate, influencing its osmotic properties. We modelled water and solute removal taking into account degradation by α-amylase and absorption of icodextrin from the peritoneal cavity. We analysed data from 16-hour dwells with icodextrin-based solution in 11 patients (8 icodextrin-naïve, 3 icodextrin-exposed) on dialysate volume, dialysate concentrations of glucose, urea, creatinine and α-amylase, and dialysate and blood concentrations of 7 icodextrin molecular weight fractions. The three-pore model was extended to describe hydrolysis of icodextrin by α-amylase. The extended model accurately predicted kinetics of ultrafiltration, small solutes and icodextrin fractions in dialysate, indicating differences in degradation kinetics between icodextrin-naïve and icodextrin-exposed patients. In addition, the model provided information on the patterns of icodextrin degradation caused by α-amylase. Modelling of icodextrin kinetics using a modified three-pore model that takes into account absorption of icodextrin and changes in α-amylase activity in the dialysate provided accurate description of peritoneal transport and information on patterns of icodextrin hydrolysis during long icodextrin dwells.
Effectiveness of Game-Based Teaching Method on Nursing Students’ Knowledge of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)
Authors: ABUMETTLEQ Ibrahim , BAYRAKTAR Nurhan , DİKMEN Burcu
Published: January 2023

Background
Technology is a creation of humans, so when an educator can implement technology in teaching, it is also innovative. New technology allows educators to provide various ways for media to address diverse learning styles, such as animation, live video, gaming, etc.
Objective
The current study aimed to define the effectiveness of the game-based teaching method on nursing students’ knowledge of ERAS. The study was conducted among 80 international nursing students.
Methods
The study was planned with randomized controlled design. The study was performed at a "[blinded for review]" faculty of Nursing.The students were designated erratically to the experimental grouping or control grouping (80 and 40 players in each group) through the census method. The Kahoot application which the game could be used by phone or by Computer.
Results
The findings of the study showed the improvement of the student's performance in the overall mean scores of all enhanced recovery after surgery after the educational intervention through game-based learning.
Conclusions
The findings indicate that game-based teaching improves quality outcomes for students' education. However, our results support the effectiveness of the game-based teaching method on nursing students’ knowledge of enhanced recovery after surgery; the method can be useful for developing educational strategies in nursing schools and nursing education.