bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumor necrosis as a predictor of early tumor recurrence after resection in patients with hepatoma
Authors: Yen Yi-Hao , Kuo Fang-Ying , Eng Hock-Liew , Liu Yueh-Wei , Yong Chee-Chien , Li Wei-Feng , Wang Chih-Chi , Lin Chih-Yun
Published: November 2023

Background

Tumor necrosis is a significant risk factor affecting patients’ prognosis after liver resection (LR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to develop a model with tumor necrosis as a variable to predict early tumor recurrence in HCC patients undergoing LR.

Materials and methods

Patients who underwent LR between 2010 and 2018 for newly diagnosed HCC but did not receive neoadjuvant therapy were enrolled in this retrospective study. Six predictive factors based on pathological features—tumor size > 5 cm, multiple tumors, high-grade tumor differentiation, tumor necrosis, microvascular invasion, and cirrhosis—were chosen a priori based on clinical relevance to construct a multivariate logistic regression model. The variables were always retained in the model. The impact of each variable on early tumor recurrence within one year of LR was estimated and visualized using a nomogram. The nomogram’s performance was evaluated using calibration plots with bootstrapping.

Results

Early tumor recurrence was observed in 161 (21.3%) patients. The concordance index of the proposed nomogram was 0.722. The calibration plots showed good agreement between nomogram predictions and actual observations of early recurrence.

Conclusion

We developed a nomogram incorporating tumor necrosis to predict early recurrence of HCC after LR. Its predictive accuracy is satisfactory.
Decoding the genetic structure of conjugative plasmids in international clones of Klebsiella pneumoniae: A deep dive into blaKPC, blaNDM, blaOXA-48, and blaGES genes
Authors: Aghamohammad Shadi , Khazani Asforooshani Mahshid , Malek Mohammadi Yeganeh , Sholeh Mohammad , Badmasti Farzad
Published: November 2023

Carbapanem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is a globally healthcare crisis. The distribution of plasmids carrying carbapenemase genes among K. pneumoniae poses a serious threat in clinical settings. Here, we characterized the genetic structure of plasmids harboring major carbapenemases (e.g. blaKPC, blaNDM, blaOXA-48-like, and blaGES) from K. pneumoniae using bioinformatics tools. The plasmids carrying at least one major carbapenemase gene were retrieved from the GenBank database. The DNA length, Inc type, and conjugal apparatus of these plasmids were detected. Additionally, allele types, co-existence, co-occurrence of carbapenemase genes, gene repetition, and sequence types of isolates, were characterized. There were 2254 plasmids harboring carbapenemase genes in the database. This study revealed that blaKPC-2, blaNDM-1, blaOXA-48, and blaGES-5 were the most prevalent allele types. Out of 1140 (50%) plasmids were potentially conjugative. IncFII, IncR, IncX3, and IncL replicon types were predominant. The co-existence analysis revealed that the most prevalent of other resistance genes were blaTEM-1 (related to blaKPC), blaOXA-232 (related to blaOXA-48), bleMBL (related to blaNDM), and aac (6′)-Ib4 (related to blaGES). The co-occurrence of carbapenemases was detected in 42 plasmids while 15 plasmids contained carbapenemase gene repetitions. Sequence alignments highlighted that plasmids carrying blaKPC and blaOXA-48-like were more homogeneous whereas the plasmids carrying blaNDM were divergent. It seems that K. pneumoniae utilizes diversity of genetic flexibility and recombination for resistance against carbapenems. The genetic structure of the plasmids showed that class I and III, Tn3 family, Tn5403 family derivatives, and Tn7-like elements were strongly associated with carbapenemases. The mobilizable plasmids carrying carbapenemases play an important role in the spread of these genes. In addition, gene repetition maybe is related to carbapenem heteroresistance. According to MST (minimum spanning tree) results, the majority of plasmids belonged to sequence type (ST) 11, ST14, and ST12. These international clones have a high capacity to acquire the carbapenemase-containing plasmids.
Global history, the emergence of chaos and inducing sustainability in networks of socio-ecological systems
Authors: Roman Sabin , Bertolotti Francesco
Published: November 2023

In this study, we propose a simplified model of a socio-environmental system that accounts for population, resources, and wealth, with a quadratic population contribution in the resource extraction term. Given its structure, an analytical treatment of attractors and bifurcations is possible. In particular, a Hopf bifurcation from a stable fixed point to a limit cycle emerges above a critical value of the extraction rate parameter. The stable fixed-point attractor can be interpreted as a sustainable regime, and a large-amplitude limit cycle as an unsustainable regime. The model is generalized to multiple interacting systems, with chaotic dynamics emerging for small non-uniformities in the interaction matrix. In contrast to systems where a specific parameter choice or high dimensionality is necessary for chaos to emerge, chaotic dynamics here appears as a generic feature of the system. In addition, we show that diffusion can stabilize networks of sustainable and unsustainable societies, and thus, interconnection could be a way of increasing resilience in global networked systems. Overall, the multi-systems model provides a timescale of predictability (300-1000 years) for societal dynamics comparable to results from other studies, while indicating that the emergent dynamics of networks of interacting societies over longer time spans is likely chaotic and hence unpredictable.
Changes in activity impairment and work productivity after treatment for vitreous hemorrhage due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy: Secondary outcomes from a randomized controlled trial (DRCR Retina Network Protocol AB)
Authors: Beaulieu Wesley T. , Maguire Maureen G. , Antoszyk Andrew N. ,   on behalf of the DRCR Retina Network
Published: November 2023

Background

Vitreous hemorrhage from proliferative diabetic retinopathy can cause severe vision loss. DRCR Retina Network Protocol AB was a randomized clinical trial comparing intravitreal aflibercept versus vitrectomy with panretinal photocoagulation and found no difference in the average rate of visual recovery over 104 weeks. Herein, we describe patient-reported outcome measures from Protocol AB.

Methods

Secondary analysis of a multicenter (39 sites) randomized clinical trial. The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire was administered at 4, 12, 24, 36, 52, 68, 84, and 104 weeks. Main outcomes were mean change in activity impairment and work productivity loss over 24 and 104 weeks (area under the curve).

Results

Mean (SD) activity impairment at baseline was 58% (27%) in the aflibercept group (N = 99) and 56% (30%) in the vitrectomy group (N = 105). The mean reduction in activity impairment from baseline over 24 weeks was 21% (25%) in the aflibercept group and 27% (31%) in the vitrectomy group (adjusted difference = -6.8% [95% CI, -12.7% to -0.9%], P = .02); over 104 weeks, the adjusted mean difference was -3.1% (95% CI, -9.2% to 3.0%, P = .31). Mean work productivity loss at baseline was 51% (28%) in the aflibercept group (N = 44) and 58% (30%) in the vitrectomy group (N = 43). The mean reduction in work productivity loss from baseline over 24 weeks (area under the curve) was 19% (23%) in the aflibercept group and 31% (24%) in the vitrectomy group (adjusted difference = -8.3% [95% CI, -16.8% to 0.2%], P = .06); over 104 weeks, the adjusted mean difference was -9.1% (95% CI, -18.4% to 0.2%, P = .05).

Conclusions

Participants with vitreous hemorrhage from proliferative diabetic retinopathy had less activity impairment over 24 weeks when treated initially with vitrectomy and panretinal photocoagulation versus intravitreal aflibercept. The trend was similar for work productivity but not statistically significant. By 104 weeks, the improvements were similar in the two treatment groups.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02858076.
Influence of cardiovascular risk factors and treatment exposure on cardiovascular event incidence: Assessment using machine learning algorithms
Authors: Castel-Feced Sara , Malo Sara , Aguilar-Palacio Isabel , Feja-Solana Cristina , Casasnovas José Antonio , Maldonado Lina , Rabanaque-Hernández María José
Published: November 2023

Assessment of the influence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) on cardiovascular event (CVE) using machine learning algorithms offers some advantages over preexisting scoring systems, and better enables personalized medicine approaches to cardiovascular prevention. Using data from four different sources, we evaluated the outcomes of three machine learning algorithms for CVE prediction using different combinations of predictive variables and analysed the influence of different CVRF-related variables on CVE prediction when included in these algorithms. A cohort study based on a male cohort of workers applying populational data was conducted. The population of the study consisted of 3746 males. For descriptive analyses, mean and standard deviation were used for quantitative variables, and percentages for categorical ones. Machine learning algorithms used were XGBoost, Random Forest and Naïve Bayes (NB). They were applied to two groups of variables: i) age, physical status, Hypercholesterolemia (HC), Hypertension, and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and ii) these variables plus treatment exposure, based on the adherence to the treatment for DM, hypertension and HC. All methods point out to the age as the most influential variable in the incidence of a CVE. When considering treatment exposure, it was more influential than any other CVRF, which changed its influence depending on the model and algorithm applied. According to the performance of the algorithms, the most accurate was Random Forest when treatment exposure was considered (F1 score 0.84), followed by XGBoost. Adherence to treatment showed to be an important variable in the risk of having a CVE. These algorithms could be applied to create models for every population, and they can be used in primary care to manage interventions personalized for every subject.
Utilization of non-pneumatic anti-shock garment for treating obstetric hemorrhage and associated factors among obstetric care providers in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Addisu Dagne , Gebeyehu Natnael Atnafu , Belachew Yismaw Yimam , Mekie Maru
Published: November 2023

Background

The non-pneumatic anti-shock garment (NASG) is a life-saving device that can help to avoid delays and prevent further complications in the case of obstetric hemorrhage. Although there are many fragmented primary studies on the NASG utilization in Ethiopia, the pooled utilization rate is unknown. In addition, a disagreement was observed among those studies while reporting the associated factors. Therefore, this study was intended to determine the pooled level of NASG utilization and its associated factors among obstetric care providers in Ethiopia.

Methods

A total of 51 studies were retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar, the African Journal of Online, direct open-access journals, and Ethiopian universities’ institutional repositories. This study was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. The quality of studies was evaluated using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment tool. The data were extracted by two authors independently using Microsoft Excel and analyzed by Stata version 11. A random-effects model was applied to calculate the pooled level of NASG utilization and its associated factors. The PROSPERO registration number for the review is CRD42023414043.

Result

A total of 8 studies comprising 2,575 study participants were involved in this meta-analysis. The pooled utilization rate of NASG was found to be 39.56%. Having NASG training (pooled odds ratio (OR) = 3.99, 95%CI = 2.35, 6.77), good knowledge about NASG (OR = 2.92, 95%CI = 2.04, 4.17), a positive attitude towards NASG (OR = 3.17, 95%CI = 2.10, 4.79), and having ≥ 2 NASGs in the health facility (OR = 10.59, 95%CI = 6.59, 17.01) were significantly associated with NASG utilization.

Conclusion

Utilization of NASG for the treatment of obstetric hemorrhage was low in Ethiopia. To increase its utilization, Ministry of Health should improve the accessibility of NASG at each health facility and increase the Health professionals’ knowledge and attitude through in-service and pre-service training.
Explainable AI-based Alzheimer’s prediction and management using multimodal data
Authors: Jahan Sobhana , Abu Taher Kazi , Kaiser M. Shamim , Mahmud Mufti , Rahman Md. Sazzadur , Hosen A. S. M. Sanwar , Ra In-Ho
Published: November 2023

Background

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dementia is the seventh leading reason of death among all illnesses and one of the leading causes of disability among the world’s elderly people. Day by day the number of Alzheimer’s patients is rising. Considering the increasing rate and the dangers, Alzheimer’s disease should be diagnosed carefully. Machine learning is a potential technique for Alzheimer’s diagnosis but general users do not trust machine learning models due to the black-box nature. Even, some of those models do not provide the best performance because of using only neuroimaging data.

Objective

To solve these issues, this paper proposes a novel explainable Alzheimer’s disease prediction model using a multimodal dataset. This approach performs a data-level fusion using clinical data, MRI segmentation data, and psychological data. However, currently, there is very little understanding of multimodal five-class classification of Alzheimer’s disease.

Method

For predicting five class classifications, 9 most popular Machine Learning models are used. These models are Random Forest (RF), Logistic Regression (LR), Decision Tree (DT), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Gradient Boosting (GB), Adaptive Boosting (AdaB), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Naive Bayes (NB). Among these models RF has scored the highest value. Besides for explainability, SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) is used in this research work.

Results and conclusions

The performance evaluation demonstrates that the RF classifier has a 10-fold cross-validation accuracy of 98.81% for predicting Alzheimer’s disease, cognitively normal, non-Alzheimer’s dementia, uncertain dementia, and others. In addition, the study utilized Explainable Artificial Intelligence based on the SHAP model and analyzed the causes of prediction. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to present this multimodal (Clinical, Psychological, and MRI segmentation data) five-class classification of Alzheimer’s disease using Open Access Series of Imaging Studies (OASIS-3) dataset. Besides, a novel Alzheimer’s patient management architecture is also proposed in this work.
Experiences of gender-diverse youth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada: A longitudinal qualitative study
Authors: Everest Louis , Henderson Jo , Dixon Mahalia , Relihan Jacqueline , Hawke Lisa D.
Published: November 2023

Background

Recent studies have suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased existing health challenges experienced by transgender (trans) and non-binary people. Additionally, COVID-19 has also negatively impacted youth mental health. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to the intersection of youth and trans and non-binary populations is currently not well established. The present longitudinal qualitative study aimed to examine the evolving challenges experienced by trans and non-binary youth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Gender-diverse youth, defined as participants who did not identify as cisgender in April 2020, were invited to participate from among the participant pool of a COVID-19 cohort study in Canada. Qualitative interviews were conducted in August 2020, January 2021, and August 2021, during the first year and a half of the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative themes were identified based on reflexive thematic analysis and plot-line narrative inquiry.

Results

Ten participants aged 18 to 28 were included in the present analysis, yielding 29 transcripts. We identified themes of (1) losses of connection to gender-diverse communities, (2) changes in gender identity, affirmation, and self-reflection, (3) a dual burden of trans and non-binary specific health and service access challenges as well as COVID-19 pandemic related health challenges, and (4) virtually rebuilding gender-diverse communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions

Gender-diverse youth may experience unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The losses with gender-diverse communities may further isolate queer people from access to healthcare, housing, and employment. Public health policy targeted at gender-diverse youth may consider addressing “upstream” disparities in healthcare and housing in order to support the rebuilding of queer and gender-diverse communities by gender-diverse people.
Effects of beta-blocker withdrawal in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fukuta Hidekatsu , Goto Toshihiko , Kamiya Takeshi
Published: November 2023

Background

The primary chronic symptom of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is severe exercise intolerance. The inability to adequately increase heart rate during exercise (chronotropic incompetence) is commonly present in HFpEF patients and contributes importantly to exercise intolerance in these patients. Since HFpEF patients often have cardiac comorbidities such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, and atrial fibrillation, beta-blockers are frequently prescribed for the treatment of these comorbidities. However, there is a concern that beta-blockers may worsen chronotropic incompetence by slowing heart rate in HFpEF patients and may further exacerbate their symptoms. There are several studies on the effects of beta-blocker withdrawal in HFpEF patients. We aim to perform the systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on the effects of beta-blocker withdrawal in HFpEF patients.

Methods

This meta-analysis will include randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies on the effect of beta-blocker withdrawal in HFpEF patients. Information of studies will be collected from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The primary outcome will be peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2). The secondary outcome will be 6-minute walk distance. Other outcomes of interest will be health-related quality of life, plasma BNP levels, and cardiac structure and function.

Discussion

This systematic review and meta-analysis will evaluate whether beta-blocker withdrawal is beneficial for HFpEF patients, providing evidence regarding beta-blocker withdrawal in these patients.

Trial registration

Systematic review registration: INPLASY202370066.
Indications, types, and diagnostic implications of prenatal genetic testing in Sub-Saharan Africa: A descriptive study
Authors: Sium Abraham Fessehaye , Shimels Tariku , Abdosh Abdulfetah Abdulkadir , Diress Tesfaye , Tsegaye Tigist , Yifrashewa Tizibt , Terefework Zewdu , Gudu Wondimu
Published: November 2023

Objective

To describe indications, test types, and results of prenatal diagnostic genetic amniocentesis among Ethiopian pregnant women.

Methods

This study was a descriptive study on prenatal diagnostic genetic testing among Ethiopian pregnant women with certain indications and it was conducted at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) from January 2017 to April 2023. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, genetic testing indications, types, and results were collected electronically. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23.

Results

A total of 159 cases were analysed. The commonest indication for genetic testing among the study subjects was major fetal structural anomalies identified on specialized prenatal anatomic scanning of the index pregnancy detected in 71(44.7%) cases. Down syndrome and Edward syndrome were the commonest genetic aberrations detected accounting for 6.3% (10/159) and 4.4% (7/159), respectively. Among the rare genetic aberration detected were Di-George syndrome (0.6%) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (0.6%).

Conclusion

Findings of our study underscore the importance of diagnostic prenatal testing in a Sub-Saharan Africa setting, as common (trisomy 21&18) and rare genetic defects were identified using this important prenatal diagnostic testing. Considering the implications of detecting chromosomal abnormalities for future counselling and care, carrier state in parents for some chromosomal anomalies, and planning post-natal management of some abnormalities that are associated with aneuploidies (notably cardiac anomalies), initiation of diagnostic prenatal genetic testing service at tertiary public health facilities should be acted up on.
Population structure of community-acquired extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a French region showed no difference between urban and rural areas
Authors: Biguenet Adrien , Bertrand Xavier , Bourgeon Marilou , Gnide Dossi Carine , Gbaguidi-Haore Houssein , Slekovec Céline
Published: November 2023

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health issue and extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are of particular concern. Whole genome sequencing analysis of isolates from the community is essential to understand the circulation of those multidrug-resistant bacteria. Our main objective was to determine the population structure of clinical ESBL-Ec and MRSA isolated in the community setting of a French region. For this purpose, isolates were collected from 23 sites belonging to 6 private medical biology laboratories in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. One hundred ninety ESBL-Ec and 67 MRSA were sequenced using the Illumina technology. Genomic analyses were performed to determine the bacterial typing, presence of antibiotic resistance genes, metal resistance genes as well as virulence genes. Analysis showed that ST131 was the major ESBL-Ec clone circulating in the region, representing 42.1% of the ESBL-Ec isolates. The blaCTX-M genes represented 98% of blaESBL with the majority being blaCTX-M-15 (53.9%). MRSA population consisted of mainly of CC8 (50.7%) and CC5 (38.8%) clonal complexes. Interestingly, we found a prevalence of 40% of the zinc resistance gene czrC in our MRSA population. We observed no differences in our ESBL-Ec or MRSA populations between urban and rural areas in our French region, suggesting no impact of population density or rural environment.
Association of probiotic ingestion with serum sex steroid hormones among pre- and postmenopausal women from the NHANES, 2013–2016
Authors: Zou Siying , Yang Xu , Li Nihong , Wang Hong , Gui Junhao , Li Junjun
Published: November 2023

Background

Sex hormone-related diseases, encompassing a wide range of conditions from reproductive disorders to certain cancers, pose significant health challenges worldwide. Recent scientific investigations have highlighted the intricate interplay between the gut microbiome and sex hormone regulation, indicating the potential for microbiota-targeted interventions in the management of such diseases. Although individual studies have elucidated the influence of the gut microbiome on sex hormones, a comprehensive cross-sectional examination of the population-wide prevalence of probiotic intake and its correlation with sex hormones is still lacking.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the association of probiotic ingestion with sex hormones in pre- and post-menopausal women.

Methods

We conducted an observational cohort study comprising a nationally representative sample of adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2016. Probiotic ingestion was considered when a subject reported yogurt or probiotic supplement consumption during the 24-h dietary recall or during the Dietary Supplement Use 30-Day questionnaire. A survey-weighted generalized linear model was used to analyze the association between probiotic intake and female/male sex hormones. To reduce selection bias, we used propensity score matching (PSM).

Results

This study included 2,699 women, with 537 of them consuming yogurt and/or dietary supplements containing probiotics, while the remaining 2,162 women did not consume any probiotics. The findings indicated that there were associations between probiotic intake and sex hormone levels in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. For premenopausal women, probiotic intake was positively associated with estradiol (E2) levels. On the contrary, in postmenopausal women, probiotic intake was inversely associated with total testosterone (TT) levels.

Conclusions

This study indicated that probiotic consumption was associated with higher E2 level in premenopausal women and lower TT level in postmenopausal women. Probiotic intake might be a sensible strategy for preventing sex hormone-related diseases.
p53-armed oncolytic adenovirus induces autophagy and apoptosis in KRAS and BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Tamura Shuta , Tazawa Hiroshi , Hori Naoto , Li Yuncheng , Yamada Motohiko , Kikuchi Satoru , Kuroda Shinji , Urata Yasuo , Kagawa Shunsuke , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi
Published: November 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells harboring KRAS or BRAF mutations show a more-malignant phenotype than cells with wild-type KRAS and BRAF. KRAS/BRAF–wild-type CRCs are sensitive to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting agents, whereas KRAS/BRAF–mutant CRCs are resistant due to constitutive activation of the EGFR-downstream KRAS/BRAF signaling pathway. Novel therapeutic strategies to treat KRAS/BRAF mutant CRC cells are thus needed. We recently demonstrated that the telomerase-specific replication-competent oncolytic adenoviruses OBP-301 and p53-armed OBP-702 exhibit therapeutic potential against KRAS-mutant human pancreatic cancer cells. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of OBP-301 and OBP-702 against human CRC cells with differing KRAS/BRAF status. Human CRC cells with wild-type KRAS/BRAF (SW48, Colo320DM, CACO-2), mutant KRAS (DLD-1, SW620, HCT116), and mutant BRAF (RKO, HT29, COLO205) were used in this study. The antitumor effect of OBP-301 and OBP-702 against CRC cells was analyzed using the XTT assay. Virus-mediated modulation of apoptosis, autophagy, and the EGFR-MEK-ERK and AKT-mTOR signaling pathways was analyzed by Western blotting. Wild-type and KRAS-mutant CRC cells were sensitive to OBP-301 and OBP-702, whereas BRAF-mutant CRC cells were sensitive to OBP-702 but resistant to OBP-301. Western blot analysis demonstrated that OBP-301 induced autophagy and that OBP-702 induced autophagy and apoptosis in human CRC cells. In BRAF-mutant CRC cells, OBP-301 and OBP-702 suppressed the expression of EGFR, MEK, ERK, and AKT proteins, whereas mTOR expression was suppressed only by OBP-702. Our results suggest that p53-armed oncolytic virotherapy is a viable therapeutic option for treating KRAS/BRAF-mutant CRC cells via induction of autophagy and apoptosis.
The use of virtual exhibition to promote exhibitors’ pro-environmental behavior: The case study of Zhejiang Yiwu International Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment Expo
Authors: Xia Qing , Wang Shan , Wong Jose Weng Chou
Published: November 2023

This study investigates the role of virtual exhibition attributes (navigation, ubiquity, vividness, interactivity, visualization) in creating positive perceived green performance and satisfaction of exhibitors, thus benefiting the exhibitors’ sustainable behaviors of Eco-exhibition. Two studies were conducted to verify the proposed hypotheses. In Study 1, 417 samples were collected from 2021 ME-Expo of China to test the model. In Study 2, the follow-up interviews were conducted with 18 participants to validate the quantitative results and gain deeper insights. The results of Study 1 indicate that adopting virtual exhibitions is critical in predicting exhibitors’ perceived performance and satisfaction, which in turn, influences their pro-environmental behavior. The results of Study 2 confirmed above mentioned relationship, and interviewees indicate that the emergence of virtual exhibitions should be a long-term strategy for sustainable development in the exhibition industry.
Landscape ecological risk assessment of an ecological area in the Kubuqi desert based on Landsat remote sensing data
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zheng Shulin , Sun Yi , Yue Haijun
Published: November 2023

Conducting ecological risk assessment of fragile ecological landscapes is a prerequisite for building an ecological security pattern and a necessary consideration for sustainable development. Engebei ecological demonstration zone is a typical ecologically fragile area located in the Kubuqi Desert. To explore the ecological status of Engebei, an ecological risk assessment model is used to assess its ecological risk, and the spatial correlation analysis is conducted based on the Moran index. The optimal grain size is obtained through grain size effect analysis, which is the foundation of landscape pattern analysis. The landscape ecological risk assessment model is constructed by the landscape indexes. Based on the division of small ecological risk zones, a spatial correlation analysis of ecological risks is conducted on Engebei. Results manifest that: (1) Overall, from 2005 to 2021, its spatial distribution features of landscape ecological risk level are relatively-high and high in the middle, and gradually reduce in the north-south direction, as shown below: the relatively-low ecological risk areas are widely spread, and the overall risk index decrease from 0.1944 to 0.1940; the area of low and high-level ecological risk areas show a decreasing trend, which decrease by 5.0102 km2 and 1.3132 km2 respectively; the area of relatively-low, middle, and relatively-high-level ecological risk areas increase by 0.2655 km2, 3.7803 km2, and 2.4852 km2, respectively. (2) The ecological risk value is correlated positively with spatial distribution, and the spatial aggregation forms are primarily low-low and high-high. (3) The ecological risk values in Engebei have a significant spatial correlation, and the spatial distribution shows a clustering effect, which is consistent with the spatial distribution. The study has certain reference value for the development and comprehensive regulation of ecological construction in Engebei, even in other ecologically fragile areas.
Anethole attenuates motor dysfunctions, striatal neuronal activity deficiency and blood brain barrier permeability by decreasing striatal α-synuclein and oxidative stress in rotenone-induced Parkinson’s disease of male rats
Authors: Moradi Vastegani Sadegh , Khoshnam Seyed Esmaeil , Ghafouri Samireh , Bakhtiari Nima , Farbood Yaghoob , Sarkaki Alireza
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Anethole is the main compound of the essential oil of anise and several other plants, which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Oxidative stress is considered as an important factor in the pathogenesis of PD. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of anethole against rotenone-induced PD.

Methods

Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups. Control group received DMSO + sunflower oil, model group received rotenone (2 mg/kg, s.c, daily for 35 days), positive control group received L-Dopa, and test groups received anethole (62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg, i.g, daily for 35 days) 1 hour before each rotenone injection. Body weight changes, rotarod test, stride length test, and extracellular single unit recording were performed after treatment. After behavioral test, Brain water content and blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability were evaluated, and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutases (SOD), alpha-synuclein and MAO-B were measured in the striatum.

Results

Chronic administration of rotenone induced body weight loss and caused significant dysfunction in locomotor activity, neuronl firing rate, and BBB. Rotenone also decreased SOD activity, increased MDA level, and elevated the expression of alpha-synuclein and MAO-B in the striatum. However, treatment with anethole attenuated body weight loss, motor function, neuronal activity, and BBB function. Furthermore, Anethole treatment attenuated oxidative stress and decreased the expression of alpha-synuclein and MAO-B compared to the rotenone group.

Conclusion

Our results show that through its antioxidant properties, aethole can improve the cellular, molecular and behavioral characteristics of rotenone-induced Parkinson’s disease.
The accessibility and quality of health services for diabetes mellitus and chronic respiratory disease patients during Covid-19 in Northern Jordan: A mixed method study
Authors: Al-Bataineh Raya , Al-Hammouri Mohammed , Al-Jaraideh Wafa’a
Published: November 2023

Background

The catastrophe caused by the Coronavirus disease has affected all services worldwide. A range of policies were introduced to slow the virus spread, which in turn, affected the accessibility and quality of healthcare services. This was a problematic and concerning for patients with chronic diseases, such as patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic respiratory diseases (CRD), due to their sustained need for ongoing health care. The aims of the study were: 1) assessing the level of both accessibility and quality of healthcare services during the Covid-19 pandemic from the DM and CRD patients’ perspectives, 2) assessing the association between the patients’ socio-demographics and their perspectives on health services accessibility and quality, and 3) exploring the perspectives of DM and CRD patients on barriers and facilitators of health services accessibility and quality during the era of COVID -19.

Method

Design. A sequential explanatory mixed-method was used in this study. In the quantitative part, a self -administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 300 patients with DM and/or CRD. In the qualitative part, focus group approach was used to collect data from 25 patients.

Setting. Public, private and teaching hospitals were involved.

Analysis. SPSS Version 25 was used to analyze the quantitative data. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data.

Results

The quantitative findings indicated that almost 99% of the participating patients perceived barriers, ranging from low to high, to accessing health services during COVID-19. Additionally, more than half of the sample perceived low to moderate level of quality of health services. Four themes and nine subthemes related to barriers and facilitators were identified in the qualitative part of the study.

Conclusion

The study revealed that both quality and accessibility of healthcare services for DM and CRD patients were impacted during the era of COVID -19. The findings lay the ground for developing future health programs and establishing or revising policies with the goal of improving healthcare services quality and accessibility for the target population.
Combined reference-free and multi-reference based GWAS uncover cryptic variation underlying rapid adaptation in a fungal plant pathogen
Authors: Dutta Anik , McDonald Bruce A. , Croll Daniel
Published: November 2023

Microbial pathogens often harbor substantial functional diversity driven by structural genetic variation. Rapid adaptation from such standing variation threatens global food security and human health. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) provide a powerful approach to identify genetic variants underlying recent pathogen adaptation. However, the reliance on single reference genomes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obscures the true extent of adaptive genetic variation. Here, we show quantitatively how a combination of multiple reference genomes and reference-free approaches captures substantially more relevant genetic variation compared to single reference mapping. We performed reference-genome based association mapping across 19 reference-quality genomes covering the diversity of the species. We contrasted the results with a reference-free (i.e., k-mer) approach using raw whole-genome sequencing data in a panel of 145 strains collected across the global distribution range of the fungal wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. We mapped the genetic architecture of 49 life history traits including virulence, reproduction and growth in multiple stressful environments. The inclusion of additional reference genome SNP datasets provides a nearly linear increase in additional loci mapped through GWAS. Variants detected through the k-mer approach explained a higher proportion of phenotypic variation than a reference genome-based approach and revealed functionally confirmed loci that classic GWAS approaches failed to map. The power of GWAS in microbial pathogens can be significantly enhanced by comprehensively capturing structural genetic variation. Our approach is generalizable to a large number of species and will uncover novel mechanisms driving rapid adaptation of pathogens.
Meningkatkan Kemampuan Menulis Bahasa Arab dengan Metode Insya’ Muwajjah: Studi pada Santri Kelas IX
Authors: Hidayat Habibi Iqbal , Putra Sudarmadi
Published: November 2023

This research is motivated by observational data indicating that the Arabic writing skills of ninth-grade students at Ma'had Tahfidz Izzah Zamzam Surakarta for the 2023/2024 academic year are still lacking. The purpose of this research is to determine the implementation of the Insya’ Muwajjah method, the driving and inhibiting factors for the implementation of the Insya’ Muwajjah method, and to assess the effectiveness of the Insya’ Muwajjah method in improving writing skills in Arabic language learning. The research was conducted on ninth-grade students at Ma'had Tahfidz Izzah Zamzam Surakarta for the 2023/2024 academic year. The method used in this research is descriptive-qualitative research. Data collection techniques were carried out through observation, interviews, and documentation. Data analysis was conducted using the techniques stated by Miles and Huberman, which include data collection, data reduction, data display, and decision-making or verification. The validity of the research data was checked using triangulation techniques. The research results show that the implementation of the Insya’ Muwajjah method to enhance writing skills in the Arabic language for ninth-grade students at Ma'had Tahfidz Izzah Zamzam Surakarta for the 2023/2024 academic year is considered good because 80% of the students scored above the minimum passing grade, and 20% of the students scored at the minimum passing grade, which is 60.
Exaktheit – Eindeutigkeit – Eigentlichkeit. Zur semiotischen Explikation terminologischer Grundeigenschaften
Authors: Roelcke Thorsten
Published: November 2023

Zusammenfassung. Die terminologischen Eigenschaften Exaktheit, Eindeutigkeit und Eigentlichkeit können anhand des semiotischen Dreiecks von Ogden und Richards erfasst und aufeinander bezogen werden: Mit Blick auf Bedeutung, Ausdruck und Wirklichkeit erweisen sie sich dabei als referentielle, semantische und mentale (motivierte) Unmiss­verständlichkeit von Termini. Sie werden im Rahmen eines systemlinguistischen Inventar­modells, eines pragmalinguistischen Kontextmodells und eines kognitionslinguistischen Funktionsmodells jeweils unterschiedlich konzipiert. Exaktheit, Eindeutigkeit und Eigent­lichkeit werden systemlinguistisch postuliert, pragmalinguistisch analysiert oder kogniti­onslinguistisch interpretiert. Argumentativ wie historisch zeigt sich hierbei ein dialektisches Verhältnis der drei Modelle.
THE TEMPERATURE PATTERN OF A HOMOGENEOUS SQUARE AREA WITH ADJACENT SIDES MOVING WITHOUT ACCELERATION UNDER BOUNDARY CONDITIONS OF THE FIRST KIND
Authors:   Voronezh State Technical University, Voronezh, Russian Federation, Ryazhskih A.V. , Khvostov А.А. , Soboleva Е.А. , Ryazhskih V.I.
Published: November 2023

A square area with homogeneous thermal and physical characteristics, deformed preserving 2-D similarity, is investigated. At the initial moment of time, two adjacent sides start moving respectively towards the abscissa and ordinate axes with constant speed while remaining equidistant to the other two adjacent sides (the fixed and moving sides are kept at different constant temperatures). A nonlinear initial boundary value problem with boundary conditions of the first kind and special coordinates immobilizes the moving boundary of the area into a fixed one with the corresponding transformation of the initial boundary value problem for the fixed boundaries with respect to the multiplicative variable of two unknown functions, which are defined by additional initial boundary values. These were solved by the successive application of integral sine transformations on pseudo-space variables. This enables the solution of the original problem to be notated analytically using special quadratures. The computational experiment proved the correctness of the solution and the absolute fulfillment of the initial conditions. The results also illustrate the adequacy of the qualitative calculations for the heating process of a quadratic area with moving adjacent boundaries. This approach can be applied to the differently directed motion of adjacent boundaries, to uniformly retarded or uniformly accelerated motion. Considering that Fourier's and Fick's laws are mathematically similar, the solution and its generalization are of practical importance in describing mass transfer processes, such as crystallization or dissolution.
A NOTE ON CALCULATING RAYLEIGH WAVE VELOCITY AND THE DERIVATIVE OF THE RAYLEIGH DETERMINANT IN ELASTIC MEDIA
Authors:   South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation, Gurevich S.Yu. , Golubev E.V.
Published: November 2023

There are many approximate and exact formulae to calculate surface wave velocity in an elastic medium. An analytical expression for Rayleigh wave velocity in volume wave velocity values has been obtained. A formula which determines the remainder in the excitation and diffraction of surface acoustic waves in a homogeneous isotropic elastic half-space involving solutions for the strain and stress fields in the form of quadratures is worked out. The values of the Rayleigh wave velocity and the derivative of the Rayleigh determinant for different media according to the reference data were obtained. The results can help in obtaining analytic expressions and reducing the calculation time of numerical solutions of the diffraction and excitation of acoustic waves.
Magdalena Adamczyk, Ana Garrido González, Marta Piłat Zuzankiewicz, Martin Testa (eds.), La enseñanza del español como lengua extranjera en el siglo XXI: Desafíos y estrategias
Authors: Wicherek Marta
Published: November 2023

RESEÑAS: Magdalena Adamczyk, Ana Garrido González, Marta Piłat Zuzankiewicz, Martin Testa (eds.), La enseñanza del español como lengua extranjera en el siglo XXI: Desafíos y estrategias. Varsovia: Instituto de Estudios Ibéricos e Iberoamericanos de la Universidad de Varsovia: Museo de Historia del Movimiento Campesino Polaco, 2021, 249 PP.
La competencia metafórica y la didáctica del español/L2
Authors: Martín-Gascón Beatriz
Published: November 2023

This study aims to examine the role of metaphor in the process of teaching and learning a second language (L2), more specifically, L2 Spanish. As part of one of the most popular research lines in the field of Ap- plied Linguistics, i.e., L2 teaching and learning, this research is based on a Cognitive Linguistics approach to language. It presents metaphors not as mere stylistic and rhetorical mechanisms, but as critical components of everyday language and fundamental mechanisms of conceptualization of the world (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980). After providing a summary of the literature exploring the relationship between metaphor and L2 pedagogy and learning, focusing on conceptual metaphor theory and metaphorical competence, we will present the results of a case study with intermediate learners. The empirical investigation exam- ines whether their metaphoric competence is enhanced after the intervention and whether there is a relationship between learners’ general metaphorical competence and linguistic competence –comprehension and production– of a complex metaphorical linguistic construction that expresses emotions.
Variación estilística de la /s/ implosiva en el habla radiofónica de Guayaquil y su percepción social
Authors: Sawicka-Stępińska Brygida
Published: November 2023

The paper analyzes the stylistic variation of implosive /s/ in Guayaquil Spanish. The aim is to verify the sociolinguistic status of /s/-weakening according to Labov’s three-level hierarchy: linguistic indicators, markers, and stereotypes. It is argued that the aspired allophone [h], by representing a clear pattern of stylistic variation, can be qualified as a marker, and since it receives metalinguistic commentary from the speakers, it is also a stereotype in the Guayaquil speech community. The analysis contains a quantitative study of /s/ variation on a corpus of radio speech (CHARG) and a qualitative confrontation of the results with responses gathered in a language attitudes survey.
Rethinking Pedagogical Use of Eye Trackers for Visual Problems with Eye Gaze Interpretation Tasks
Authors: John David , Mitra Ritayan
Published: November 2023

Eye tracking technology enables the visualisation of a problem solver's eye movement while working on a problem. The eye movement of experts has been used to draw attention to expert problem solving processes in a bid to teach procedural skills to learners. Such affordances appear as eye movement modelling examples (EMME) in the literature. This work intends to further this line of work by suggesting how eye gaze data can not only guide attention but also scaffold learning through constructive engagement with the problem solving process of another human. Inferring the models’ problem solving process, be it that of an expert or novice, from their eye gaze display would require a learner to make interpretations that are rooted in the knowledge elements relevant to such problem solving. Such tasks, if designed properly, are expected to probe or foster a deeper understanding of a topic as their solutions would require not only following the expert gaze to learn a particular skill, but also interpreting the solution process as evident from the gaze pattern of an expert or even of a novice. This position paper presents a case for such tasks, which we call eye gaze interpretation (EGI) tasks. We start with the theoretical background of these tasks, followed by a conceptual example and representation to elucidate the concept of EGI tasks. Thereafter, we discuss design considerations and pedagogical affordances, using a domain-specific (chemistry) spectral graph problem. Finally, we explore the possibilities and constraints of EGI tasks in various fields that require visual representations for problem solving.