bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Creation of the Right of Real Servitude: Derivative and Original Method Based on the Kosovo and Some European Countries
Authors: Vlahna Kastriote , Kuçi Hajredin
Published: August 2022

Legal provisions define the right of servitude as a real right both in local legislation and in the legislation of European countries. Based on the local legislation, some shortcomings are encountered when it comes to the right of servitude, particularly the right of servitude in kind. An issue that will have to be addressed and compared with the legislation of other countries is the crime of the right of real servitude, based on the ways of creating this right. Based on the local legislation, it is emphasized that the right of real servitude can be created based on a legal title, the decision of a state body and based on the law. At the same time, no more detailed division is made to show which legal title belongs in which way, that of derivatives or original. In comparison, legislation of European countries such as Germany, Austria and France, as well as regional countries, it is emphasized that there are two ways for the crime of the right of real servitude. After the ways are mentioned, the separation of legal titles is done; such a thing should be defined in the legislation of Kosovo. Nevertheless, based on the provisions of the legislation in force, we note that where the legal titles for the creation of the right of real servitude are mentioned, there it is known that there are two ways of creating the right of real servitude that the derivative way and the original way of obtaining the right of real servitude, only that it would be more correct if they specified which legal title is considered a derivative title, which in our case is the contract and testament, and which would be considered an original title, which could be the decision of the state body such as that of the court or any administrative body.
Detrital Zircons in Crustal Evolution: A Perspective from the Indian Subcontinent
Authors: Joshi Kumar Batuk , Banerji Upasana S. , Dubey Chandra Prakash , Oliveira Elson P.
Published: August 2022

Detrital zircons are frequently used for crustal evolutionary studies as they sample vast regions of the continental crust. In the present study, we utilise newly compiled U-Pb detrital zircon data from the Indian subcontinent as well as a compilation of previously reported global data along with Hf isotopes of modern and ancient sediments in order to understand crustal evolution in the Indian subcontinent. The detrital zircon U-Pb age data from the Indian subcontinent show peaks (at 2400–2700, 1600–1900, 850–1200, and 450–550 Ma) that correlate with the formation of major known supercontinents. In addition, two other peaks at 3200–3400 Ma and <100 Ma do not correspond to periods of supercontinent formation. The former peak may represent uneven geographic sample density due to enhanced erosion and exhumation of Archean sources. The distinctly younger (<100 Ma) detrital zircon age peak may represent zircon preservation due to the Himalayan orogeny. The zircon Hf model ages from the Indian subcontinent suggest that the Precambrian crust was the major source of continental crust with younger ages. The conspicuous shift to positive εHf (t) at ca. 3600 Ma from detrital zircons of the Indian subcontinent may underscore a change in geodynamic processes, while the highly negative values post ~3200 Ma may be associated with the crustal reworking. A wavelet analysis of detrital zircons from the Indian and global databases reveals a prominent cyclicity of ~800 Myr and ∼350 Myr plausibly representing the supercontinent cycle and its half cycle. An incongruence in power between global and Indian εHf (t) could be due to the local subcontinental geologic processes during the Paleo- to Mesoarchean.
Prognostic Value of Iron Metabolism-Related Genes in Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Lu Hezhen , Yue Siqi , Yang Zhaowei , He Chengyan , Pan Junqi
Published: August 2022

Background: Iron metabolism-related genes play important roles in the prognostic assessment of many tumors. However, iron metabolism-related genes have not been reported as prognostic biomarkers in bladder urothelial carcinoma.Methods: In this study, gene expression profiles and clinical information of patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma were obtained by consulting The Cancer Genome Atlas database. We adopt DESeq2 to screen for differentially expressed genes. The differentially expressed iron metabolism-related genes in BLCA patients were further evaluated for their predictive value by univariate COX regression analysis. The construction of the risk scoring model was completed by Lasso algorithm. The performance of our constructed risk scoring model in predicting the prognosis of BLCA patients in TCGA-BLCA cohort was performed using K-M curves and ROC curves. This risk scoring model was combined with the clinicopathological characteristics of BLCA patients in the TCGA-BLCA cohort to perform multiple regression analysis. A nomogram model was constructed using the independent predictors identified by multivariate regression analysis. ROC analysis and calibration curves were adapted to test the predictive ability of the nomogram model. GSEA analysis was used to identify potential molecular pathways and processes enriched by differential expression genes between risk groups. Finally, we explored the possibility of this risk scoring model for assessing the levels of immune cell infiltrating through correlation analysis.Results: 14 identified iron metabolism-related genes which possess prognostic value were incorporated into the construction of risk scoring model. The results of the ROC curves and K-M survival curves indicated that this risk scoring model could effectively predict the OS of BLCA patients in the TCGA-BLCA cohort. After multiple regression analysis, the risk scoring model can be used as an independent prognostic factor for BLCA patients. And the nomogram model constructed based on the risk scoring model could effectively predict the OS of BLCA patients. Through GSEA analysis, we found that DEGs between risk groups were mainly involved in biological processes such as developmental process, cell cycle, mitosis, RHO GTPase reaction, DNA repair and extracellular matrix regulation. Immune infiltration analysis showed that immune cells such as NK cells, TCM; TEM; Th2 cells and macrophages infiltration levels in different risk groups were statistically different.Conclusions: By screening iron metabolism-related genes for prognosis and constructing a prognostic model, we could well predict the prognosis of BLCA patients and provide potential targets for BLCA inhibition.
Business sustainability behaviour and alignment with climate targets
Authors: Cenci Simone , Burato Matteo , Rei Marek , Zollo Maurizio
Published: August 2022

Climate actions from the private sector are crucial to cutting global emissions and meeting the climate targets set by the Paris Agreement. In recent years, an increasing number of companies have pledged to contribute to the achieving of those targets. However, the emissions pathways of most firms are still misaligned with these goals. To explain the root causes of this discrepancy between effort and outcome, we developed a new methodology to track the actions implemented by major public corporations to reduce their emissions. Our analysis shows that firms aligned with climate targets prioritise actions focused on creating growth opportunities, such as investing in research and development and new products as well as fostering cooperation with other ecosystem players. Overall, we provide a new systematic framework to track the effort of public firms to align their emissions with country-level targets. Our approach can be used by investors and policymakers to redirect capital towards its most sustainable use and to design behaviourally founded policy interventions to align business emissions with climate targets.
Human-induced changes in the global meridional overturning circulation are emerging from the Southern Ocean
Authors: Lee Sang-Ki , Lumpkin Rick , Gomez Fabian , Yeager Stephen , Lopez Hosmay , Takglis Filippos , Dong Shenfu , Aguiar Wilton , Kim Dongmin , Baringer Molly
Published: August 2022

In a warming climate, the Global Meridional Overturning Circulation (GMOC) is expected to slow down with a significant risk of disrupting the global redistribution of ocean properties that sustains marine ecosystems, carbon cycle, and others. Here, we analyze the GMOC and its interdecadal changes since the mid-1950s derived from an ocean & sea-ice model with its temperature and salinity restored toward historical hydrographic observations. We find that significant changes in the GMOC have already occurred, most notably in the upper and lower overturning cells in the Southern Ocean. The former has expanded poleward and into denser water and strengthened by 3~4 Sv since the mid-1970s, while the latter has contracted and weakened by a similar rate during the same period. These changes are driven by the increasing Southern Hemisphere (SH) Ferrel cell and associated increases in the westerlies and the surface buoyancy loss over its sinking branch, and the increasing Antarctic meltwater discharge that are resulted from the combined effect of ozone depletion in the SH stratosphere and increasing CO2 in the atmosphere. A large-scale readjustment of the GMOC seems to be underway in the South Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans since the mid-2000s in response to the Southern Ocean changes.
Evaluation of Widespread Flooding of the Karkheh Basin in Iran using SWAT Model and GLDAS Database
Authors: Kouchaki Vahid Shokri , Morid Saeed , Delavar Majid
Published: August 2022

Karkheh basin is a flood-prone region in Iran that was severely affected by devastating river floods in 2019. This study addressed some of the factors that affected on this event and were emphasized in the government inquiry committee1. These include strategic questions such as the effect of prior precipitation in the basin and how the dams could mitigate the floods peak and volume. These questions as well as deficits in the rainfall data led to the application of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model and the global land data assimilation system (GLDAS) rainfall data to address the research questions. The results showed the initial managements of the dams prior to the occurrence of these floods was definitely affected by a decade continuous drought in the basin and the concerns about its continuation in 2019. The events occurred during March and April 2019, however, the precipitation occurred prior on October 2018 along with the resulted snowpack and soil saturation played a significant role in intensifying the floods. Although there were some limitations for the full operation of Seymareh Dam, the decision regarding its full operation could reduce the peak inflow to the Karkheh Dam from 8529 to 5447 m3/s. Finally, it is crucial to provide more accurate prediction systems, undertaking rapid and flexible responses and do not be misled by continuous droughts1https://nfr.ut.ac.ir/en
Is sling immobilization necessary after open Latarjet surgery for anterior shoulder instability? A randomized control trial.
Authors: Patrick Goetti , Tiago Martinho , Seurot Antoine , Hugo Bothorel , Lädermann Alexandre
Published: August 2022

Background: There is a current lack of knowledge regarding optimal rehabilitation and duration of sling immobilization after an open Latarjet procedure. A shift towards immediate self-rehabilitation protocols in shoulder surgery is observed to avoid postoperative stiffness and fasten return to sport. Avoiding sling immobilization could further simplify rehabilitation and provide an even faster return to activities of daily living and enhance patient satisfaction.Methods: This study is a single-center, randomized control trial. Sixty-eight patients will be instructed with the same standardized immediate post-operative self-rehabilitation protocol. Patients will be allocated 1:1 between a sling immobilization group for the first three postoperative weeks and no sling group without postoperative immobilization. The primary endpoint will be functional outcome at 6 months postoperative evaluated by the disease-specific Rowe score. Secondary endpoints will include baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12-month single assessment numeric evaluation (SANE) of instability score, visual analog pain scale (VAS), and range of motion measurement. At the 6-month time point, graft bony union and position will be assessed by computed tomography. Motion capture technology will evaluate the baseline and 6-month postoperative range of motion. Finally, time to return to work and sport, along with patient satisfaction, will also be recorded.Discussion: This study will allow further insights into the optimal rehabilitation protocol after open Latarjet surgery and enhance patient care by helping identify rehabilitation and coracoid graft-related factors influencing functional outcomes, bony union, range of motion, and patient satisfaction.Trial registration: The protocol was approved by the ethical committee board (CCER 2019-02469) in April 2020 and by ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04479397) in July 2020.
Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Effect of Agricultural Inputs on Crop Productivity of the Three-Grain Crop Types in Ethiopia
Authors: Abebe Lantesle Amsalu , Yohannis Hunachew Kibret , Godana Anteneh Asmare
Published: August 2022

Background
Agriculture is a critical source of food and income, making it a key component of initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and ensuring food security across the globe. It is the backbone of Ethiopia's economy, contributing significantly to the country's financial development. The sector earns 88.8 percent of trade profit and contributes 36.7 percent of GDP. The purpose of this paper was to identify the homogeneous and heterogeneous effects of agricultural inputs on crop productivity of the three-grain crop types in Ethiopia.
Method
The central statistical agency (CSA) provided the data for this study, which covered the entire country from 1990 to 2012 Ethiopian Calendar (E.C). Crop productivity, which is assessed in kilograms per hectare for cereal, pulse, and oil crops, was utilized as the response variable. For three-grain crop types from 1990 to 2012 E.C, the study used the pooled mean group estimate method, which allows for long-run homogeneity effects across cross-sections as well as short-run heterogeneity.
Results
In the long run, the study found that a one percent increase in fertilizer consumption resulted in a 2.686 percent increase in grain crop productivity in Ethiopia, while a one percent increase in improved seed per hectare and land size, resulted in a 48.31 percent and 10.58 percent increase in grain crop productivity per crop category respectively. Short-run productivity for grain crops increased by 30.29 percent as the amount of improved seed value at one period lag value of commercial farm holders is increased by one percent. In the same way, when the arable land at the first difference is increased by one percent then the productivity of grain crops increased by 40.61 percent.
Conclusion
The findings of this research showed that in the long run, fertilizer consumption, amount of improved seed use, and arable land area size had homogeneous significant contributions, while in the short run, agricultural inputs like the use of pesticides and improved seed use at first lagged value had heterogeneous significant contributions to grain crop productivity improvement across all cross-sectional units.
Diagnostic Accuracy of eHealth Literacy Measurement Tools in Older Adults: A Systematic Review
Authors: Huang Yu Qing , Liu Laura , Goodarzi Zahra , Watt Jennifer Ann
Published: August 2022

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the rapid uptake of virtual care. However, little is known about how to measure older adults’ electronic health (eHealth) literacy.MethodsWe completed a systematic review examining the validity of eHealth literacy tools compared to a reference standard or another tool. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL/CDSR, PsycINFO and grey literature for articles published from inception until January 13, 2021. We included studies where the mean population age was at least 60 years old. Two reviewers independently completed article screening, data abstraction, and risk of bias assessment using the Quality Assessment for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. We implemented the PROGRESS-Plus framework to describe the reporting of social determinants of health.ResultsWe identified 14940 citations and included two studies. Included studies described three methods for assessing eHealth literacy: computer simulation, eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), and Transactional Model of eHealth Literacy (TMeHL). eHEALS correlated moderately with participants’ computer simulation performance (r = 0.34) and TMeHL correlated moderately to highly with eHEALS (r = 0.47–0.66). Using the PROGRESS-Plus framework, we identified shortcomings in the reporting of study participants’ social determinants of health, including social capital and time-dependent relationships.ConclusionsWe found two tools that will support clinicians in identifying older adults’ eHealth literacy, however, future research describing how social determinants of health impact the assessment of eHealth literacy would strengthen tool implementation in clinical practice.Protocol registrationOur systematic review of the literature was registered a priori with PROSPERO (CRD42021238365).
Design of parameters for running-in cylinder liner piston rings based on running-in attractor
Authors: Lang Shihui , Zhu Hua , Wang Yao
Published: August 2022

Friction and wear is one of the important energy losses of cylinder liner piston rings (CLPRs). The research on the design of running in test parameters of cylinder liner and piston ring is of great significance to reduce the energy loss of internal combustion engine and improve the service life. In order to shorten the running-in time and improve the running-in quality of CLPR, the running-in tests were carried out and running-in parameters of CLPR were designed based on running-in attractor theory. The running-in tests of CLPR samples were carried out for 28 groups under different speed and load conditions, and the friction signal and the running-in surface morphology were collected. The running-in attractor phase trajectory is constructed from the friction signal time series, and the characteristic parameters of the running-in attractor are calculated. The running-in state and time under different working conditions are identified by the evolution law of the running-in attractor phase trajectory and chaotic characteristic quantities. The running-in quality under different working conditions is obtained by the fractal dimension of the surface morphology and characteristic roughness parameters. The running-in parameters of CLPR aiming at both short running-in time and improve running-in quality are designed, and a multi index optimization design aiming at short running-in time and good running-in quality is carried out. The results show that an optimal solution for the CLPR running-in tests under different objectives does existed, and the corresponding optimal running-in parameters are obtained. These parameters, in turn, guide the choice of optimal working conditions. This work can provide ideas for the study of other friction pairs.
Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Detection Using Electrocardiographic Signal
Authors: Liu Cheng-Wei , Wu Fu-Hsing , Hu Yu-Lun , Pan Ren-Hao , Lin Chuen-Horng , Chen Yung-Fu , Tseng Guo-Shiang , Chan Yung-Kuan , Wang Ching-Lin
Published: August 2022

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) indicates subclinical organ damage, associating with the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. From the medical perspective, electrocardiogram (ECG) is a low-cost, non-invasive, and easily reproducible tool that is often used as a preliminary diagnosis for the detection of heart disease. Nowadays, there are many criteria for assessing LVH by ECG. These criteria usually include that voltage combination of RS peaks in multi-lead ECG must be greater than one or more thresholds for diagnosis. We developed a system for detecting LVH using ECG signals by two steps: firstly, the R-peak and S-valley amplitudes of the 12-lead ECG were extracted to automatically obtain a total of 24 features and ECG beats of each case (LVH or non-LVH) were segmented; secondly, a back propagation neural network (BPN) was trained using a dataset with these features. Echocardiography (ECHO) was used as the gold standard for diagnosing LVH. The number of LVH cases (of a Taiwanese population) identified was 173. As each ECG sequence generally included 8 to 13 cycles (heartbeats) due to differences in heart rate, etc., we identified 1466 ECG cycles of LVH patients after beat segmentation. Results showed that our BPN model for detecting LVH reached the testing accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.961, 0.958, 0.966 and 0.956, respectively. Detection performances of our BPN model, on the whole, outperform 7 methods using ECG criteria and many ECG-based artificial intelligence (AI) models reported previously for detecting LVH.
Dual-responsive disassembly of core-shell nanoparticles with self-supplied H2O2 and autocatalytic Fenton reaction for enhanced chemodynamic therapy
Authors: Ju Enguo , Peng Mengran , Wang Yuqin , Lv Shixian , Shao Dan , Wang Haixia , Tao Yu , Zheng Yue , Li Mingqiang
Published: August 2022

Chemodynamic therapy holds great potential for cancer treatment due to the reliable curative effect, minimal invasiveness, and few systemic side effects. However, the limited amount of intracellular H2O2 makes it remain challenging to achieve high performance for chemodynamic therapy. Herein, we reported dual-responsive disassembly of core-shell nanoplatform with self-supplied H2O2 and autocatalytic Fenton reaction for enhanced chemodynamic therapy. The platform was designed by coating glucose oxidase mimic nanozyme gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with metal polyphenol network (Au@MPN). Both ATP and low pH could disassemble Au@MPN to release Fe(III), which could be reduced by the simultaneously released tannic acid (TA) into Fe (II). Especially, the exposed AuNPs could catalyze the oxidation of intracellular glucose to produce H2O2. Subsequently, the Fe(II) and self-supplied H2O2 induced efficient Fenton reaction to generate highly toxic hydroxyl radical (•OH), which revealed cytotoxicity to cancer cells through chemodynamic therapy. Besides, tumor growth can be effectively suppressed by Au@MPN through both intratumoral and intravenous administration routes. Additionally, melanoma metastatic lung cancer could be inhibited by intratracheal instillation of Au@MPN. Therefore, this work not only reports a facile method to construct a chemodynamic agent with self-supplied H2O2 and high therapeutic efficiency, but also provides insight into the design of nanoplatform with enhanced efficiency for chemodynamic therapy.
Accuracy of congenital anomaly coding in live birth children recorded in European health care databases, a EUROlinkCAT study
Authors: Bakker Marian , Loane Maria , Garne Ester , Ballardini Elisa , Cavero-Carbonell Clara , Garcia Laura , Gissler Mika , Given Joanne , Heino Anna , Jamry-Dziurla Anna , Jordan Sue , Urhoj Stine Kjaer , Latos-Bielenska Anna , Limb Elizabeth , Lutke Renee , Neville Amanda , Pierini Anna , Santoro Michele , Scanlon Ieuan , Tan Joachim , Wellesley Diana , De Walle Hermien , Morris Joan
Published: August 2022

Electronic health care databases are increasingly being used to investigate the epidemiology of congenital anomalies (CAs) although there are concerns about their accuracy. The EUROlinkCAT project linked data from eleven EUROCAT registries to electronic hospital databases. The coding of CAs in electronic hospital databases was compared to the (gold standard) codes in the EUROCAT registries. For birth years 2010-2014 all linked live birth CA cases and all children identified in the hospital databases with a CA code were analysed. Registries calculated sensitivity and Positive Predictive Value (PPV) for 17 selected CAs. Pooled estimates for sensitivity and PPV were then calculated for each anomaly using random effects meta-analyses.
Most registries linked more than 85% of their cases to hospital data. Gastroschisis, cleft lip with or without cleft palate and Down syndrome were recorded in hospital databases with high accuracy (sensitivity and PPV >85%). Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, spina bifida, Hirschsprung’s disease, omphalocele and cleft palate showed high sensitivity (>85%), but low or heterogeneous PPV, indicating that hospital data was complete but may contain false positives. The remaining anomaly subgroups in our study, showed low or heterogeneous sensitivity and PPV, indicating that the information in the hospital database was incomplete and of variable validity.
Electronic health care databases cannot replace CA registries, although they can be used as an additional ascertainment source for CA registries. CA registries are still the most appropriate data source to study the epidemiology of CAs.
Flood and Wind Risk Perception: A Comparative Analysis of Evacuation Behavior During Hurricane Ivan
Authors: Pavel Tanvir , Mozumder Pallab , Tahsin Subrina , Gladwin Hugh
Published: August 2022

Flood and wind are the major risk factors that can influence people’s evacuation behavior during a hurricane event. This paper explores the differences in hazard-specific risk perceptions (flood risk vs. wind risk) in respondent’s evacuation decision. Both risk perception and evacuation behaviors reflect complex behavioral dynamics which can be shaped by a host of factors. We analyze more than eight hundred randomly selected household responses from the states of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi following Hurricane Ivan. The survey data was geocoded which allowed us to build a geo-spatial database that was integrated to the household survey data. The geo-spatial variables such as distance from shoreline, distance from evacuation route, distance from hurricane Ivan track, wind and rain exposure during hurricane Ivan, elevation of house from mean sea level are location specific variables that help us to gain a better understanding of flood risk perception (FRP) and wind risk perception (WRP) and their role in explaining evacuation behavior. Based on two sets of Bivariate Probit (BP) models, the empirical analyses suggest that FRP positively affects evacuation decision while the WRP negatively affects evacuation decision.JEL-Classification: Q54
Analysis of meteorological factors influencing the incidence of influenza in Fujian Province based on a neural network model
Authors: Yuan Yuze , Xu Xinying , Lan Meifang , Guo Jing , Yu Fanglin , Jiang Yixian , Zheng Kuicheng , He Fei , Chen Guangmin
Published: August 2022

Objective: This study aimed to assess and compare the predictive effects of meteorological factors on the incidence of influenza in Fujian Province, China,using four different deep learning network models.Methods: From 2016 to 2020,weekly meteorological and influenza surveillance data in Fujian Province were collected. Using four different deep learning network models, including ordinary neural network (ANN), deep neural network (DNN), recurrent neural network (RNN), and gated recurrent unit (GRU), the prediction model of the weekly average temperature, influenza lag and influenza incidence were determined, and the predictive effects from each different models were compared.Results: The incidence of influenza in Fujian Province showed obvious seasonality, with a high incidence in winter, especially from November to March, during which influenza incidence reached the highest value each year. A non-linear negative correlation between temperature and incidence of influenza was obtained. Compared with the prediction model that only considers “temperature” as a factor, the model that includes both temperature and lag had a better predictive effect. Overall, the GRU model, with three hidden layers (constructed from temperature, influenza lag of one week and two weeks), had the best prediction ability, followed by RNN, DNN, and ANN, respectively.Conclusion: Temperature and influenza incidence showed a non-linear negative correlation. Furthermore, the GRU model provides a better prediction of the influenza incidence and, therefore, can be used to develop an influenza risk early warning system based on temperature and influenza lag, to prevent the incidence and spread of influenza.
The prevalence and social determinants of Intimate partner violence and its association with children under 5 morbidity and mortality in Afghanistan; An implication for global advocacy and women’s rights
Authors: Dadras Omid
Published: August 2022

Background: Limited knowledge exists concerning the prevalence and drivers of IPV against Afghan women and its association with child morbidity and mortality; thus, further studies are warranted. Methods: A cross-sectional study, using the data from Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey (ADHS) conducted in 2015. To estimate the prevalence and associated sociodemographic factors, the analysis was restricted to the women aged 15-49 years who were selected for the IPV module in ADHS 2015 (n=24070). To estimate the morbidity and mortality of children and its association with IPV, the children born in the past 5 years to married women aged 15-49 years who were selected for the IPV module were included (n=22927). The significant level was set at 0.05. Results: More than half of the Afghan women aged 15-49 years experienced IPV in the past year. Illiteracy (OR= 1.69; 95%CI: 1.19-2.39), living in rural areas (OR= 1.47; 95%CI: 1.19-1.82) being from the Pashtun, Tajik, Uzbak, and Pashai ethnic backgrounds were associated with a higher risk of IPV exposure. In general, the likelihood of child mortality within the first five years was higher among children born to mothers exposed to IPV, particularly physical and sexual even after adjustment for sociodemographic inequalities, the number of antenatal care, and marriage age. In addition, the odds of diarrhea, acute respiratory infection, and fever in the past two weeks were significantly higher among the children of victimized mothers in both adjusted and unadjusted models. Moreover, low birth weight and small birth size were more likely to be observed among the children of a mother who either experienced sexual or physical violence.Conclusion: The findings emphasized the elevated risk of morbidity and mortality among children under 5 born by mothers aged 15-49 years who were exposed to IPV in Afghanistan. A high rate of spousal violence was also observed among Afghan women driven mainly by illiteracy, particularly in rural areas. This calls for immediate action, formulating interventions and protective measures to reduce IPV against Afghan women by engaging all stakeholders. First and foremost could be incorporating IPV screening, as an important predictor of child morbidity and mortality, into maternity and child care programs in Afghanistan.
Are reactive oxygen species (ROS) the main mechanism by which copper ion treatment degrades the DNA of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis suspended in milk?
Authors: Villegas M , Tejeda C , Umaña R , Iranzo E C , Salgado M
Published: August 2022

Aim: the aim of the present study is to show what is the effect of copper ions, and ROS generated in response to oxidative stress, on the damage to MAP DNA when exposed to a copper ion challenge in cow's milk. Methods and Results: spiked milk with different MAP bacterial loads was supplemented with blocking agents. These were either the copper chelators EDTA and BCS or the reactive oxygen species (ROS) quenchers D-mannitol, gallic acid and quercetin. DNA protection, MAP viability and ROS production generated after exposure to a copper challenge were then measured. In a bacterial load of 104 cells mL-1, both copper chelators and all ROS quenchers offered significant protection to MAP DNA. In a concentration of 102 cells mL-1, only D-mannitol and a mix of quenchers significantly protected the viability of the bacteria, and only at a concentration of 106 cells mL-1 was there a lower production of ROS when supplementing milk with gallic acid, quercetin and mix of quenchers. Conclusion: based on these findings, it may be concluded that MAP DNA damage can be attributed to the combined effect of the direct copper ions and ROS generated. Nevertheless, taking into account the antioxidant environment that milk provides, the direct effect of copper could play a prominent role.
Spatial ecology to strengthen invasive snake management on islands
Authors: Maestresalas Borja , Piquet Julien C. , López-Darias Marta
Published: August 2022

Knowledge on invasive predator spatial ecology positively contributes to optimizing their management, especially when involving cryptic and secretive species, such as snakes. However, this information is lacking for most invasive snakes, particularly on islands, where they are known to cause severe ecological and socio-economic impacts. We focused our research on compiling spatial ecology information of the California kingsnake in Gran Canaria to directly transfer our results to strengthen management actions. We monitored 15 radio-tagged individuals once per day during 9-11 days per month from July 2020 to June 2021 to calculate the species home range and describe annual activity patterns in the invaded range. We also performed a 3 consecutive days monitoring between January and May 2021 in four different time intervals each day to account for the species diel activity during the emergence period. We detected movement in 31.68 % of all detections, with a mean of 24.20 ± 12.00 moves for all individuals during the whole monitoring period. Most frequent movements detected were shorter than 20 m—82.24 % of the movements were shorter than 100 m—with a mean distance of 62.57 ± 62.62 m in 1-2 days. AKDE 95 % contour home range was 4.27 ± 5.35 ha, and was independent on SVL and sex. We detected an extremely low value of motion variance (0.76 ± 2.62 m), with a general inactivity period from November to February, January being the less active month. Diel activity was higher during central and evening hours than during early morning and night. These results allow to more robustly planning a trapping and capture strategy of this invasive snake in Gran Canaria and will guide the daily work of the management staff. Additionally, our research highlights the importance of gathering spatial information on the target species to enhance control strategies, which can contribute to the management of secretive invasive snakes worldwide.
Tumor-derived PD-L1 + exosomes with natural inflammation tropism for psoriasis-targeted treatment
Authors: Jia Honglin , Liu Tao , Yang Qunfang , zheng Haiping , Fu Shixiang , Hong Jiahui , Zhou Zechen , Zhang Haigang , Chen Xiaohong , Sun RenShan , Shan Wenjun
Published: August 2022

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic and readily recurrent inflammatory skin disease. To date, there is no cure for psoriasis and significant challenges remain in developing more safe and efficacious novel targeted therapies. Psoriasis is characterized by abnormal activation of the immune system, and hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of keratinocytes. Psoriatic keratinocytes death is also recently recognized as a major amplifier to the initiation of inflammatory cascade. Given that both keratinocytes and immune cells express high PD-1 in psoriasis, which imply PD-1 as a potential therapeutic target for psoriasis. Here, we developed a well-structured pristimerin nanodot-loaded PD-L1 positive exosome derived from tumor cells (Pri@exo) and elucidated their targeting therapeutic effects. Results: The Pri@exo displays strong cellular uptake and intracellular retention in active CD4+ T cells and HaCaT keratinocytes, suggesting the PD-1+ cells targeting capacity of Pri@exo. Remarkably, Pri@exo significantly and safely reversed imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis in mice, indicated by reducing epidermal thickness, decreasing plaque formation, and over-activating inflammation since it targeted both CD4+ T cells and keratinocytes gathering around the lesion. The increasing inflammatory cytokine excretion of CD4+ T cells in psoriasis was suppressed by Pri@exo. Besides, Pri@exo treatment alleviated ferroptosis-related changes in psoriatic skin, thereby dampening excessive inflammation and, in turn, decreasing the abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes in psoriatic lesions. Conclusion: This tumor-derived PD-L1+ exosomes has a natural inflammatory tropism and excellent anti-inflammatory effect, and able to act as a bio-inspired nanocarrier for various therapeutic agents to optimized inflammatory disease therapy.
Towards NICE-by-Design Cybersecurity Learning Environments: A Cyber Range for SOC Teams
Authors: Karagiannis Stylianos , Magkos Emmanouil , Karavaras Eleutherios , Karnavas Antonios , Nikiforos Maria Nefeli , Ntantogian Christoforos
Published: August 2022

Due to the evolution of cyberattacks, the need to deploy modern cybersecurity learning environments is constantly increasing. Furthermore, the security challenges of the digital era are inevitably connected to the human factor, which urges personnel to become familiar with state-of-the-art security software for mitigating and detecting cyberattacks. Cybersecurity learning environments include, among others, virtual labs, Cyber Ranges and Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges, providing interactive digital learning environments for trainees to engage in complex cybersecurity scenarios. However, scenario design is not always governed by specific design principles, and the learning outcomes of the cybersecurity exercises are not always clearly defined. In this paper, a cybersecurity educational framework was used to guide the design of cybersecurity scenarios and a Cyber Range to host the scenarios was developed as a proof-of-concept. This work suggests that educators could use the proposed design methodology to design cybersecurity learning environments, including, but not limited to, Cyber Ranges.
Neuroadaptive cooperative control for dual-arm robots tracking with state constraints and torque optimization
Authors: Hu Heyu , Cao Ye , Cao Jianfu , Chen Lerui
Published: August 2022

This paper studies cooperative control for dual-arm robots with state constraints and torque optimization. Firstly, the centralized comprehensive dynamic model of the dual-arm robots with the grasped object is established in the Cartesian coordinate system, and then the motion of the system is analyzed using the property that the sum of internal forces is zero. Secondly, to deal with the state constraints, a constraint transformation function is constructed involving the system state and the constraint boundary, with which the state constraints are satisfied as long as the new transformed system states are bounded. Then, a neuro-adaptive cooperative control scheme is designed with the non-unique pseudo-inverse grasping matrix. Finally, an energy function is built and the control is determined uniquely using the torque optimality principle. The significant advantages of this paper are described as follows:(i) Different from the traditional barrier-Lyapunov function for dealing with state constraints, where the satisfaction of feasibility conditions is required, here this condition is avoided by the introduction of constraint transformation function and system transformation technology. (ii) The torque optimization eliminates the requirement for calculating the inverse of the grasping matrix with insufficient rank and the control input is determined uniquely.
Using a Patient-Centered Composite Endpoint in a Secondary Analysis of the Control of Hypertension in Pregnancy Study (CHIPS) Trial
Authors: Metcalfe Rebecca K , Harrison Mark , Singer Joel , Lewisch Mary , Lee Terry , von Dadelszen Peter , Magee Laura A. , Bansback Nick
Published: August 2022

BackgroundClinical trials commonly use multiple endpoints to measure the impact of an intervention. While this improves the comprehensiveness of outcomes, it can make trial results difficult to interpret. We examined the impact of integrating patient weights into a composite endpoint on interpretation of CHIPS (Control of Hypertension in Pregnancy Study) trial results. MethodsOutcome weights were extracted from a previous patient preferences study in pregnancy hypertension (N=183 women) which identified: (i) seven outcomes most important to women (taking medication, severe hypertension, pre-eclampsia, blood transfusion, Caesarean, delivery <34 weeks, and baby born smaller-than-expected), and (ii) three preference subgroup (1) ‘equal prioritizers’, 62%; (2) ‘early delivery avoiders’, 23%; and (3) ‘medication minimizers’, 14%. Outcome weights from the preference subgroups were integrated with CHIPS data for the seven outcomes identified in the preference study. A weighted composite score was derived for each participant by multiplying the preference weight for each outcome by the binary outcome if it occurred. Analyses considered equal weights and those from the preference subgroups. Mean composite scores were compared between trial arms (t-tests). ResultsComposite scores were similar between trial arms with use of equal weights or those of Subgroup (1) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]: -0.03, 0.02; and p>0.50 for each). ‘Tight’ control was superior when using Subgroup (2) weights (95% CIs: 0.002, 0.07; p=0.03), and ‘less-tight’ control superior when using Subgroup (3) weights (95% CIs: -0.11, -0.04; p<0.01).ConclusionsEvidence-based recommendations for ‘tight’ control are consistent with most women’s preferences, but for a sixth of women, ‘less-tight’ control is more preference consistent. Depending on patient preferences, a single trial may support different interventions. Future trials should specify component weights to improve interpretation.Trial Registration: NCT01192412
Accuracy, interpretability and usability study of a wireless self-guided fetal heartbeat monitor compared to cardiotocography.
Authors: Porter Paul , Zhou Huaqiong , Schneider Brooke , Choveaux Jennifer , Bear Natasha , Della Phillip , Jones Kym
Published: August 2022

Fetal Cardiography is usually performed using in-hospital Cardiotocographic (CTG) devices to assess fetal wellbeing. New technologies may permit home-based, self-administered examinations. We compared the accuracy, clinical interpretability, and user experience of a patient-administered, wireless, fetal heartbeat monitor (HBM) designed for home use, to CTG. Initially, participants had paired HBM and CTG examinations performed in the clinic. Women then used the HBM unsupervised and rated the experience.Sixty-three women had paired clinic-based HBM and CTG recordings, providing 6,982 fetal heart rate comparison points. The accuracy of the HBM was excellent, with limits of agreement (95%) for mean fetal heart rate (FHR) between 0.72 and -1.78 beats per minute. The FHR was detected on all occasions and confirmed to be different from the maternal heart rate. Both methods were equally interpretable by Obstetricians, and had similar signal loss ratios.Thirty-four (100%) women successfully detected the FHR and obtained clinically useful cardiographic data using the device at home unsupervised. They achieved the required length of recording required for non-stress test analysis. The monitor ranked in the 96-100th percentile for usability and learnability.The HBM is as accurate as gold-standard CTG, and provides equivalent clinical information enabling use in non-stress test analyses conducted outside of hospitals. It is usable by expectant mothers with minimal training.
Massive ossification of the right patella and surrounding soft tissue caused by open trauma and its treatment: case report
Authors: Aikebaier Aobulikasimu , Jiang Luoyong , Yue Jiajie , You Wei , Sun Weichao , Yang Peng , Xie Wei , Zhai Rihong , Sun Wei
Published: August 2022

Heterotopic ossification (HO) refers to the presence of new bone in soft tissue. It occurs mostly around large joints, such as the hip and elbow, but it is rare in the patella and patellar ligaments. It is common in patients with nerve paralysis. In this article, we describe a rare case of Massive ossification of the right patella and surrounding soft tissue, mainly caused by open trauma, and describe its treatment.Case presentation:The 41-year-old male patient had a history of repeated pain and limited mobility of the right knee joint beginning 5 years previously, as well as severe limitation of mobility of the right knee joint during the previous year. The results of the auxiliary examination on admission were as follows: X-ray examination results showed degenerative changes in the right knee joint, an unequal length of lower limbs, and a tilted pelvis. Computed tomography (CT) examination revealed extensive tendon calcification and joint degeneration in the right knee. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the right knee revealed degenerative changes of the right knee, which was considered to be caused by extensive tendon ossification of the right knee, grade 2–3 damage to the lateral meniscus in the right knee, an obvious medial posterior horn, and a small amount of fluid accumulation in the cavity and joint capsule of the right knee. The patient had no other bone or joint diseases, chronic diseases, or family history of such diseases.The patient underwent a total joint replacement operation under general anesthesia and experienced immediate pain relief and full restoration of knee range of motion.Conclusion:This is the first report of extensive ossification of the patella and surrounding tissues resulting in knee pain and limited knee mobility. Based on the literature review, this case describes the difference between patella ossification and calcification and related factors leading to patella ossification. The case showed a good prognosis after surgical treatment.
Control direct laser cooling scheme by the optimized electric field
Authors: Yan Niu-Zao , Yang Chuan-Lu Yang , Wang Meishan , Ma Xiao-Guang
Published: August 2022

A method for manipulating molecules without suitable electronic properties to be viable candidates for laser cooling is described. Only a few natural molecules have a highly diagonal Franck–Condon factor (FCF) for the laser cooling scheme. Thus, we manipulate the FCFs by using an electric field identified by an optimized method based on linear regression. The details and the validity of the method are demonstrated using the CsH molecule. The different angles between the electric field and the molecular axis are considered, and the potential energy surfaces dependent on the electric field and angle are constructed. The vibrational energies and FCFs dependent on the angles are obtained, and the corresponding laser cooling schemes relative to the angles are built, which induce the accumulated FCFs of each scheme to exceed 0.999. The schemes can exert work at the angle between the molecular axis and the electric field is 1080° with five pumping lasers with center wavelengths of 473.74, 499.58, 527.72, 540.22, and 571.62 nm. In principle, the present method can be extended to any diatomic molecules without highly diagonal FCFs under natural conditions, providing a theoretical basis for studying physical and chemical problems involving cold molecules.