bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Large household reduces dementia mortality: A cross-sectional data analysis of 183 populations
Authors: You Wenpeng , Henneberg Maciej
Published: March 2022

Background

Large households/families may create more happiness and offer more comprehensive healthcare among the members. We correlated household size to dementia mortality rate at population level for analysing its protecting role against dementia mortality.

Methods

This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Dementia specific mortality rates of the 183 member states of World Health Organization were calculated and matched with the respective country data on household size, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), urban population and ageing. Scatter plots were produced to explore and visualize the correlations between household size and dementia mortality rates. Pearson’s and nonparametric correlations were used to evaluate the strength and direction of the associations between household size and all other variables. Partial correlation of Pearson’s approach was used to identify that household size protects against dementia regardless of the competing effects from ageing, GDP and urbanization. Multiple regression was used to identify significant predictors of dementia mortality.

Results

Household size was in a negative and moderately strong correlation (r = -0.6034, p < 0.001) with dementia mortality. This relationship was confirmed in both Pearson r (r = - 0.524, p<0.001) and nonparametric (rho  =  -0.579, p < 0.001) analyses. When we controlled for the contribution of ageing, socio-economic status and urban lifestyle in partial correlation analysis, large household was still in inverse and significant correlation to dementia mortality (r = −0.331, p <0.001). This suggested that, statistically, large household protect against dementia mortality regardless of the contributing effects of ageing, socio-economic status and urban lifestyle. Stepwise multiple regression analysis selected large household as the variable having the greatest contribution to dementia mortality with R2 = 0.263 while ageing was placed second increasing R2 to 0.259. GDP and urbanization were removed as having no statistically significant influence on dementia mortality.

Conclusions

While acknowledging ageing, urban lifestyle and greater GDP associated with dementia mortality, this study suggested that, at population level, household size was another risk factor for dementia mortality. As part of dementia prevention, healthcare practitioners should encourage people to increase their positive interactions with persons from their neighbourhood or other fields where large household/family size is hard to achieve.
An integrated continuity of care measure improves performance in models predicting medication adherence using population-based administrative data
Authors: Yao Shenzhen , Lix Lisa , Teare Gary , Evans Charity , Blackburn David
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Continuity of care (COC) is considered an important determinant of medication adherence based on measures such as the usual provider continuity index (UPCI) that are derived exclusively from physician visit claims. This study aimed to: a) determine if high UPCI values predict physicians who deliver different clinical services; and b) compare UPCI with an integrated COC measure capturing physician visits, prescribing, and a complete medical examination in a multivariable model of patients receiving statin medications.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of new statin users between 2012 and 2017 in Saskatchewan, Canada. We calculated sensitivity/specificity of a high UPCI value for predicting physicians who were prescribers of statins and/or providers of complete medical examinations. Next, we used logistic regression models to test two measures of COC (high UPCI value or an integrated COC measure) on the outcome of optimal statin adherence (proportion of days covered ≥80%). The DeLong test was used to compare predictive performance of the two models.

Results

Among 55,144 new statin users, a high UPCI was neither a sensitive or specific marker of physicians who prescribed statins or performed a complete medical examination. The integrated COC measure had a stronger association with optimal adherence [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50 to 1.63] than UPCI (adjusted OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.28), and improved predictive performance of the adherence model.

Conclusion

The number of physician visits alone appears to be insufficient to represent COC. An integrated measure improves predictive performance for optimal medication adherence in patients initiating statins.
An HDAC9-associated immune-related signature predicts bladder cancer prognosis
Authors: Fu Yang , Sun Shanshan , Bi Jianbin , Kong Chuize , Shi Du
Published: March 2022

Background

The close relationship between histone deacetylase 9 (HDAC9) and immunity has attracted attention. We constructed an immune signature for HDAC9, a vital epigenetic modification, to predict the survival status and treatment benefits in bladder cancer (BC).

Methods

An exhaustive analysis of HDAC9 and immunology via the tumor and immune system interaction database (TISIDB) was performed, and an immune prognostic risk signature was developed based on genes enriched in the top five immune-related pathways under high HDAC9 status. Comprehensive analysis of survival curves and Cox regression were used to estimate the effectiveness of the risk signature. The relationship between immunological characteristics and the risk score was evaluated, and the mechanisms were also explored.

Results

In the TISIDB, HDAC9 was closely related to various immunological characteristics. The risk signature was obtained based on genes related to prognosis enriched in the top five immune-related pathways under high HDAC9 status. The survival rate of the high-risk BC patients was poor. The risk score was closely related to multiple immunological characteristics, drug sensitivity, immunotherapy benefits and biofunctions.

Conclusion

An immune-related prognostic signature established for HDAC9 expression status could independently predict the prognosis of BC patients. The use of this signature could help clinicians make personalized treatment decisions.
3-Dimensional convolutional neural networks for predicting StarCraft Ⅱ results and extracting key game situations
Authors: Baek Insung , Kim Seoung Bum
Published: March 2022

In real-time strategy games, players collect resources, control various units, and create strategies to win. The creation of winning strategies requires accurately analyzing previous games; therefore, it is important to be able to identify the key situations that determined the outcomes of those games. However, previous studies have mainly focused on predicting game results. In this study, we propose a methodology to predict outcomes and to identify information about the turning points that determine outcomes in StarCraft Ⅱ, one of the most popular real-time strategy games. We used replay data from StarCraft Ⅱ that is similar to video data providing continuous multiple images. First, we trained a result prediction model using 3D-residual networks (3D-ResNet) and replay data to improve prediction performance by utilizing in-game spatiotemporal information. Second, we used gradient-weighted class activation mapping to extract information defining the key situations that significantly influenced the outcomes of the game. We then proved that the proposed method outperforms by comparing 2D-residual networks (2D-ResNet) using only one time-point information and 3D-ResNet with multiple time-point information. We verified the usefulness of our methodology on a 3D-ResNet with a gradient class activation map linked to a StarCraft Ⅱ replay dataset.
A study on the interaction between logistics industry and manufacturing industry from the perspective of integration field
Authors: Yan Borui , Dong Qianli , Li Qian , Yang Lei , Amin Fahim U. I.
Published: March 2022

Studying the linkage between manufacturing industry and logistics industry is conducive to explore and improve the efficiency of the common development of them. In order to study the interaction of logistics industry on the development of manufacturing industry and the development of two-industry-linkage, it first calculates the high-quality development level of logistics industry and manufacturing industry, then uses the coupling coordination model to theoretically analyze and empirically test the coupling and coordinated development level of high-quality development of logistics industry and manufacturing industry from three aspects: coupling degree, coordination degree and coupling coordination degree, and based on the perspective of integration field theory, it takes the three basic synthetic fields of logistics integrator, logistics base-nuclear and logistics connection-key as the analysis dimension, PVAR model was introduced for in-depth analysis the impact of logistics industry on manufacturing industry and the level of the two-industry-linkage. It was found that the high-quality development of China’s logistics industry and manufacturing industry is close on the whole, and the development trend is consistent, the high-quality development of them is mainly caused by the change of scale, but there is no obvious change in technical efficiency, which also provides a way for the high-quality development of the two-industry-linkage in the future. The two-industry-linkage mostly belongs to the situation of low-level mutual restriction, which has not yet reached a high level of mutual promotion, resulting in the overall coupling coordination degree basically in a state of barely coordination. The development of logistics industry and manufacturing industry need to go through certain practice and running in, when there is an error matching between the two, the logistics industry will inhibit the two-industry-linkage. When the economy develops to a certain extent, the expansion of the logistics system scale to the level of the two-industry-linkage is not necessarily beneficial, blindly exceeding the demand for logistics investment will cause a waste of resources, which is not conducive to the high-quality development of the logistics industry and the coupling and coordinated development of the two industries. In the long run, the change of the logistics basic-nuclear capacity, the logistics integrator scale and logistics connection-key level will have a positive impact on the change of green total factor productivity in manufacturing industry.
Chronic kidney disease and associated factors among adult population in Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Kebede Kindie Mitiku , Abateneh Dejene Derseh , Teferi Melkamu Beyene , Asres Abyot
Published: March 2022

In Ethiopia, data on the burden and determinants of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population is limited. This community-based study was conducted to assess the burden and associated factors of CKD among adults in Southwest Ethiopia. The study was conducted from August 23, 2018-October 16, 2018. Study participants were selected using a random sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data. Blood pressure and anthropometric indices were measured following standard procedures. About 5 ml of urine sample was collected and the dipstick test was performed immediately. A blood sample of 3-5ml was collected for serum creatinine and blood glucose level determination. The three commonest estimators of glomerular filtration rate and the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative were used to define and stage CKD. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21. Multivariable logistic regression was employed and p-value <0.05 was used to indicate statistically significant results. A total of 326 participants with a mean age of 39.9(SD±11.2) years were enrolled in the study. The proportions of female participants (59.8%) were relatively higher than male participants (40.2%). The mean eGFR using CKD-EPI, CG and MDRD was 124.34 (SD±23.8) mL/min/1.73m2, 110.67(SD±33.0) mL/min/1.73m2 and 131.29 (SD±32.5) mL/min/1.73m2 respectively. The prevalence of CKD was 7.4% using CKD-EPI & MDRD and 8% using CG. Similar finding using CKD-EPI & MDRD may indicate that either CKD-EPI or MDRD can be used to estimate GFR in this study area. In the age and sex-adjusted logistic regression model, hypertension was significantly associated with CKD using CKD-EPI & MDRD and age ≥40 years old was significantly associated with CKD using CG. Behavioral characteristics and other traditional risk factors were not significantly associated with CKD in the current study. The prevalence of CKD was high in the study area. Only hypertension and age ≥40 years old were significantly associated with CKD. More of the increased prevalence of CKD in the current study remained unexplained and deserves further study.
Impact of histological subtype on prognosis in stage IV colorectal cancer: A population-based cohort study
Authors: Miyakawa Teppei , Kawamura Hidetaka , Honda Michitaka , Takano Yoshinao , Kinuta Shunji , Kamiga Takahiro , Yamazaki Shigeru , Muto Atsushi , Shiraso Satoru , Yamashita Naoyuki , Iwao Toshiyasu , Kono Koji , Konno Shinichi
Published: March 2022

Background

There are a few established prognostic factors for stage IV colorectal cancer. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of histological subtypes on prognosis and metastatic patterns in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer.

Methods

This was a population-based, multicenter, cohort study. We included consecutive patients diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer between 2008 and 2015 at all designated cancer hospitals in Fukushima prefecture, Japan. Patients were classified into two groups according to histological subtypes as follows: poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (Por), mucinous adenocarcinoma (Muc), or signet-ring cell carcinoma (Sig) and well (Wel) or moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (Mod). We evaluated the relationship between these histological groups and survival time. After adjusting for other clinical factors, we calculated the hazard ratio for Por/Muc/Sig.

Results

A total of 1,151 patients were enrolled, and 1,031 and 120 had Wel/Mod and Por/Muc/Sig, respectively. The median overall survival was 19.2 and 11.9 months for Wel/Mod and Por/Muc/Sig, respectively (p < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratio for Por/Muc/Sig with regard to survival time was 1.42 (95% confidence interval: 1.13–1.77). Por/Muc/Sig had a lower incidence of liver and lung metastases and a higher incidence of peritoneal dissemination and metastasis to rare organs, such as the bone and brain.

Conclusions

The Por/Muc/Sig histological subtype was an independent prognostic factor for poor prognosis among patients with stage IV colorectal cancer. The histological subtype may be useful for predicting the prognosis of patients with stage IV colorectal cancer and designing the treatment strategy.
The efficacy of a task model approach to ADL rehabilitation in stroke apraxia and action disorganisation syndrome: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Howe Jo , Chua Winnie , Sumner Emily , Drozdowska Bogna , Laverick Rosanna , Bevins Rachel L. , Jean-Baptiste Emilie , Russell Martin , Rotshtein Pia , Wing Alan M.
Published: March 2022

Background

Apraxia and action disorganization syndrome (AADS) after stroke can disrupt activities of daily living (ADL). Occupational therapy has been effective in improving ADL performance, however, inclusion of multiple tasks means it is unclear which therapy elements contribute to improvement. We evaluated the efficacy of a task model approach to ADL rehabilitation, comparing training in making a cup of tea with a stepping training control condition.

Methods

Of the 29 stroke survivors with AADS who participated in this cross-over randomized controlled feasibility trial, 25 were included in analysis [44% females; mean(SD) age = 71.1(7.8) years; years post-stroke = 4.6(3.3)]. Participants attended five 1-hour weekly tea making training sessions in which progress was monitored and feedback given using a computer-based system which implemented a Markov Decision Process (MDP) task model. In a control condition, participants received five 1-hour weekly stepping sessions.

Results

Compared to stepping training, tea making training reduced errors across 4 different tea types. The time taken to make a cup of tea was reduced so the improvement in accuracy was not due to a speed-accuracy trade-off. No improvement linked to tea making training was evident in a complex tea preparation task (making two different cups of tea simultaneously), indicating a lack of generalisation in the training.

Conclusions

The clearly specified but flexible training protocol, together with information on the distribution of errors, provide pointers for further refinement of task model approaches to ADL rehabilitation. It is recommended that the approach be tested under errorless learning conditions with more impaired patients in future research.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 5th August 2019 [NCT04044911] https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04044911?term=Cogwatch&rank=1
Is there a gradient in the association between internet addiction and health?
Authors: Hossin Muhammad Zakir , Islam Azharul , Billah Masum , Haque Mahjabeen , Uddin Jalal
Published: March 2022

Background

Internet Addiction (IA) is often shown to be associated with health issues, but no study explicitly examined a possible gradient in the association between different levels of IA and health. This study aimed to examine if the levels of IA had a graded relationship with poor sleep quality, psychological distress, and self-rated health among university students in Bangladesh.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 625 students from six universities/colleges responded to an online survey that contained measures of internet addiction test (IAT), general health questionnaire (GHQ-12), sleep quality, and self-rated health. Modified Poisson regression models were fitted to estimate the adjusted risk ratios (RR) and confidence intervals (CI) of the associations between IA and health outcomes.

Results

The IA levels were associated with each of the three health outcomes in a linear fashion. Compared to the lowest IA quintile, the highest quintile remained associated with an increased risk of poor-quality sleeping (RR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.26, 2.48), psychological distress (RR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.55, 2.82), and worse self-rated health (RR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.96) after adjusting for socio-demographic covariates. There were also dose-response associations between IAT z-scores and health outcomes. The association between IAT z-scores and psychological distress was significantly stronger in males compared to females (p-value for interaction<0.05).

Conclusions

The study found strong gradients between levels of addiction to internet and health outcomes, suggesting that increased health risks may exist even at lower levels of internet addiction. The findings highlight the need for departure of current research from a focus on the classic dichotomy of problematic versus not problematic internet use and a move toward recognizing the potential hierarchical effects of IA on health.
“It just seemed like a perfect storm”: A multi-methods feasibility study on the use of Facebook, Google Ads, and Reddit to collect data on abortion-seeking experiences from people who considered but did not obtain abortion care in the United States
Authors: Moseson Heidi , Seymour Jane W. , Zuniga Carmela , Wollum Alexandra , Katz Anna , Thompson Terri-Ann , Gerdts Caitlin
Published: March 2022

Most studies of abortion access have recruited participants from abortion clinics, thereby missing people for whom barriers to care were insurmountable. Consequently, research may underestimate the nature and scope of barriers that exist. We aimed to recruit participants who had considered, but failed to obtain, an abortion using three online platforms, and to evaluate the feasibility of collecting data on their abortion-seeking experiences in a multi-modal online study. In 2018, we recruited participants for this feasibility study from Facebook, Google Ads, and Reddit for an online survey about experiences seeking abortion care in the United States; we additionally conducted in-depth interviews among a subset of survey participants. We completed descriptive analyses of survey data, and thematic analyses of interview data. Recruitment results have been previously published. For the primary outcomes of this analysis, over one month, we succeeded in capturing data on abortion-seeking experiences from 66 individuals who were not currently pregnant and reported not having obtained an abortion, nor visited an abortion facility, despite feeling that abortion could have been the best option for a recent pregnancy. A subset of survey respondents (n = 14) completed in-depth interviews. Results highlighted multiple, reinforcing barriers to abortion care, including legal restrictions such as gestational limits and waiting periods that exacerbated financial and other burdens, logistical and informational barriers, as well as barriers to abortion care less frequently reported in the literature, such as a preference for medication abortion. These findings support the use of online recruitment to identify and survey an understudied population about their abortion-seeking experiences. Further, findings contribute to a more complete understanding of the full range of barriers to abortion care that people experience in the United States, and how these barriers intersect to not just delay, but to prevent people from obtaining abortion.
Cult Victim Turned Cult Star: The Hyperreal Image of Sharon Tate
Authors: Anderson Reid
Published: March 2022

This article is an examination of the posthumous cultification process in relation to the evolutionary trajectory of the star image of the late Sharon Tate. While Tate was known primarily for her beauty throughout the 1960s, the events of her death at the hands of the Manson Family in the summer of 1969 caused the rising star’s image to be drastically altered to solely that of a cult victim. Considering Jean Baudrillard’s theory of the hyperreal, this article explores how the reproduced images of Tate across the media phenomena of Mansonsploitation have subconsciously substituted the reality of Tate and her accomplishments within the minds of modern audiences.
Gregg Araki and Queer Asian American Empowerment in the Teenage Apocalypse Trilogy
Authors: Coates Amanda
Published: March 2022

Gregg Araki is an independent filmmaker who is best known for his low budget, independent cult films that contributed to the New Queer Cinema movement of the 1990s. As an Asian American filmmaker, Araki faces criticism due to his lack of overt Asian American representation. However, by inclusion of an Asian American star, his Teenage Apocalypse Trilogy features progressive representation of queer Asian American men, empowering them by allowing them to explore their sexuality freely without being held back by binary representation or stereotypes.
Makavejev’s Neo-Documentarism
Authors: Göpfert Leo Nelki
Published: March 2022

The depiction of political movements or politicized groups through cinema too often emphasizes their material demands and current social reality, neglecting the subconscious, internal desires of the group. To outline the effectiveness of “neo-documentary” films in portraying collective struggle, this essay will examine Dušan Makavejev’s WR: Mysteries of the Organism (1971) which focuses on Wilhelm Reich and the loose movement for sexual liberation inspired by his ideas. This movement had collective subconscious desires and motivations which manifest themselves externally through lifestyle choices, artistic or political actions. The members of the movement also had internal realities, repression, and trauma for example, that they wished to avoid or fight against. For a holistic cinematic representation, both the internal and external realities must be represented, and ultimately synthesized. Matsumoto Toshio’s “neo-documentary” theory solves this problem. “Neo-documentary” is a spiritual successor to surrealism, but with an expanded notion of the internal-external synthesis that the surrealists outlined. Using surrealist techniques to depict internal realities, and documentary form to depict external realities, Matsumoto described a new kind of cinema which would encompass both worlds, destabilizing the boundary between the two.
White Saviors Get Gold Trophies: Colorblind Racism and Film Award Culture
Authors: Vliet Hannah
Published: March 2022

“White Saviors Get Gold Trophies: Colorblind Racism and Film Award Culture” analyzes the cultural “text” of Green Book’s Best Picture acceptance speech at the 2019 Academy Awards to expose the neoliberal, colorblind mode of racism that infects the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, as well as the American film industry at large.
Aesthetic Categories of Transdisciplinarity in Debashree Mukherjee’s Bombay Hustle, Debashree Mukherjee (2020)
Authors: Sharma Mridula
Published: March 2022

Review of: Aesthetic Categories of Transdisciplinarity in Debashree Mukherjee’s Bombay Hustle, Debashree Mukherjee (2020)

New York: Columbia University Press, 448pp.,

ISBN: 9780231196154 (pbk), $30, ISBN: 9780231196147 (hbk), $105.00
Harrison Ford: Masculinity and Stardom in Hollywood, Virginia Luzón-Aguado (2020)
Authors: Smith Grace
Published: March 2022

Review of: Harrison Ford: Masculinity and Stardom in Hollywood, Virginia Luzón-Aguado (2020)

London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 315 pp., ISBN: 9781788310925 (hbk), $114.00, ISBN: 9781350152441 (ebk), $103.50
Yema: Close Your Eyes and Listen
Authors: Jacobs-Perez E. Rafael
Published: March 2022

Yema: Close Your Eyes and Listen

Yema (2012)

Algeria/France/United Arab Emirates

Director Djamila Sahraoui

Runtime 90 minutes
ANALISIS WACANA KRITIS POLEMIK UU CIPTA KERJA
Authors: Azizah Hilma Azmi , Triyono Sulis
Published: March 2022

This study aims to examine the Theo van Leeuwen model of inclusion and exclusion strategies used by the online media detikcom, KOMPAS.com, Serambinews.com, and CNN Indonesia. This type of research is qualitative research using descriptive methods. The data used in this study are phrases, clauses, and sentences in the four online media companies that address the polemic against the Job Creation Act. The instrument of this research is the researcher himself assisted by other supporting instruments such as books and supporting articles regarding Theo van Leeuwen’s theory. The data collection methods used were reading and note-taking techniques. The analytical method used is the observation method. The advanced technique uses free, engaged listening. The results of the study are as follows (1) inclusion strategy in online media detikcom, KOMPAS.com, Serambinews.com, and CNN Indonesia includes passivation, nominalization, and substitute clauses, (2) exclusion strategy in online media detikcom, KOMPAS.com, Serambinews.com, and CNN Indonesia include objectivation-abstraction, nomination-categorization, nomination-identification, assimilation-individualization, and association-dissociation.
ENSURING THE UNITY OF ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS IN NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
Authors: Lugovoy V. A. , Romanko A. A. , Shulatov A. V.
Published: March 2022

The article contains information about the reference base created in the Far Eastern branch of FSUE “VNIIFTRI” for metrological support of acoustic measurements in solid media during non-destructive testing by acoustic methods. The metrological characteristics of the created reference means of different levels of accuracy are given.
EFFICIENCY INCREASING OF INFORMATION SEARCH ON A GIVEN TOPIC ON THE INTERNET
Authors: Sakulin S. A. , Alfimtsev A. N. , Nedashkovskii V. M. , Kalgin Yu. A.
Published: March 2022

The article discusses the ways to overcome the difficulties associated with surfing the Internet for certain information. Many users are not able to explicitly make up a search request according to their information needs, and their search is often limited to haphazard use of several most popular search engines. Most search engine research is technical. At the same time, in recent years more and more researchers have paid the attention to the study of information search issues in the global network. These studies are at the junction of computer science and psychology. It focuses on information behavior and user needs, cognitive factors and information practices of users. The article examines the previously applied conceptual models of information retrieval, formulates a conceptual model of information retrieval on a given topic. The main properties of user interaction with search engines and factors that should be taken into account are considered. The procedure for information search and analysis in universal and scientific search systems is described. The description of experimental testing of the proposed conceptual search model is provided. The article proposes a new conceptual model of search in universal and scientific search engines. This model contributes to the formation of a metacognitive search strategy. In addition, a generalized indicator of the efficiency of information retrieval using such a model is proposed. The proposed conceptual search model can be applied in the educational process. In particular, the article provides an example of students’ use of the elements of the formed metacognitive strategy when doing Bachelor degree paper research.
Wychowanie przez estetykę. Idea antropozoficzna w wybranych dziełach Karola Homolacsa
Authors: Oboleńska Diana
Published: March 2022

The article is an attempt to grasp the concept of anthroposophical aesthetics. The ideas of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy, repeatedly touched the area of human creative activity. The anthroposophical activity (including lectures and publications) of Karol Homolacs, professor of the State Higher School of Artistic Industry and the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, seems to be an excellent example of the application of these ideas in theory and practice.
A numerical approach to model chemistry of complex organic molecules in a protoplanetary disk
Authors: Kiskin Mikhail Yu. , Vasyunin Anton I. , Akimkin Vitaly V.
Published: March 2022

Multiphase astrochemical modeling presents a numerical challenge especially for the simulation of objects with the wide range of physical parameters such as protoplanetary disks. We demonstrate an implementation of the analytical Jacobian for the numerical integration of the system of differential rate equations that govern chemical evolution in star-forming regions. The analytical Jacobian allowed us to greatly improve the stability of the code in protoplanetary disk conditions. We utilize the MONACO code to study the evolution of abundances of chemical species in protoplanetary disks. The chemical model includes 670 species and 6,015 reactions in the gas phase and on interstellar grains. The specific feature of the utilized chemical model is the inclusion of low-temperature chemical processes leading to the formation of complex organic molecules (COMs), included previously in the models of chemistry of COMs in prestellar clouds. To test the impact of analytical Jacobian on the stability of numerical simulations of chemical evolution in protoplanetary disks, we calculated the chemical composition of the disk using a two-phase model and four variants of the chemical reaction network, three values of the surface diffusion rates, and two types of the initial chemical composition. We also show a preliminary implementation of the analytical Jacobian to a three-phase model.
Modeling of large-scale disk perturbation eclipses of UX Ori stars with the puffed-up inner disks
Authors: Shulman Sergey , Grinin Vladimir
Published: March 2022

Eclipses of UX Ori stars by compact gas–dust clouds and large-scale circumstellar disk perturbations are modeled. A flared disk and a disk with a puffing-up in the dust sublimation zone are considered. The disk puffing-up explains several observed features of eclipses. The linear polarization degree can remain unchanged during the eclipse. There might be no star reddening in the blue and ultraviolet spectral regions. Strong changes (up to

90
°

90\text{°}

) in the positional angle of the linear polarization may happen when passing from one spectral band to another. An eclipse by a large-scale disk perturbation can be noticeably deeper than an eclipse by a compact gas–dust cloud. The polarization degree in such an eclipse can also be significantly higher. In addition, an eclipse by a large-scale perturbation of a star with a puffed-up disk explains the significant scatter of eclipse parameters at the same fading level. A significant change in the positional angle of the linear polarization may occur during a large-scale disk perturbation eclipse minimum and after it. We attempted parametric identification of long-lasted deep minima of UX Ori and WW Vul. The considered simple model can only partially explain the observed phenomena and need further development.
Slow pyrolysis of waste navel orange peels with metal oxide catalysts to produce high-grade bio-oil
Authors: Zhang Wei , Xia Hongying , Deng Yong , Zhang Qi , Xin Chunfu
Published: March 2022

Renewable biomass resources have become increasingly attractive in recent years. In this study, the pyrolysis of waste navel orange peels was carried out with different metal oxides (Cu2O, CaO, V2O5, Fe2O3, and ZnO) in a tube furnace to obtain high-quality bio-oil, from which high-value chemicals such as 3-furaldehyde could be well recovered to enhance the economic value of waste navel orange peels. The effects of different metal oxides on bio-oil were analyzed by GC/MS. The results showed that Cu2O and Fe2O3, as catalysts for slow pyrolysis, promoted the production of 3-furaldehyde compounds at a scale of approximately 5.69 and 4.82 times higher than that of pyrolysis without the addition of metal oxides, respectively. High-value chemicals such as 3-furaldehyde obtained from bio-oil can enhance the economic value of waste navel orange peels for full recovery and reuse.
CERKL alleviates ischemia reperfusion-induced nervous system injury through modulating the SIRT1/PINK1/Parkin pathway and mitophagy induction
Authors: Huang Shaoyue , Hong Zhen , Zhang Leguo , Guo Jian , Li Yanhua , Li Kuo
Published: March 2022

Recent studies showed that Ceramide Kinase-Like Protein (CERKL)was expressed in the nerve cells and could regulate autophagy. Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) is the regulator of the mitophagy, which can be stabilized by CERKL. Furthermore, the study also revealed that the SIRT1 induced mitophagy by activating PINK1/Parkin signaling. Therefore, we speculated that CERKL has potential to activate the SIRT1/PINK1/Parkin pathway to induce mitophagy. In this study, cerebral ischemia reperfusion mouse model was established. CERKL was overexpressed in those mice and human neuroblastoma cells. Tunel staining and flow cytometry were applied for the detection of cell apoptosis. The ratios of LC3Ⅱ to LC3Ⅰ and the expression of LC3Ⅱ in mitochondria were determined by gel electrophoresis. Overexpression of CERKL alleviated the cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury and damage to OGD/R human neuroblastoma cells. Overexpression of CERKL enhanced the expression of LC3 Ⅱ in mitochondria and induced occurrence of mitophagy. Overexpression of CERKL promoted the stability of SIRT1 and facilitated the expression of PINK1 and Parkin in those cells. Knockdown of PINK1 impeded the mitophagy and suppressed the expression of LC3 Ⅱ in mitochondria. It can be concluded that CERKL alleviated the ischemia reperfusion induced nervous system injury through inducing mitophagy in a SIRT1/PINK1/Parkin dependent pathway.
Injection Molding of Plastic Plates Combined with Boss Features on Superplastic Zn–22Al Sheet
Authors: Yang S. Y. , Parng S. H.
Published: March 2022

This paper presents the development of a hybrid process combining forming of a superplastic zinc-aluminum sheet with injection molding. The product is a plastic part covered with a superplastic zinc-aluminum layer used mainly for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. This paper investigates the moldability of Zn/Al sheet covered plates with various bosses. The effects on the moldability of various parameters, including: melt temperature, injection pressure, sheet thickness, various boss shapes and boss location in the mold, are investigated. It is found that bosses formed with thick Zn/Al sheet and located close to melt entrance exhibit good moldability. Among boss geometries, boss depth is the most critical parameter; a little increase in boss depth sharply lowers the mold-ability. Large angle improves moldability. To help interpret the effects of geometrical parameters, sheet deformation is observed by measuring the deformations in printed-grids and thickness. The base circle of the boss is found to be the most severely deformed region. The thickness reduction ratio in the center of base circle could help predicting moldability.
Finite non-solvable groups whose real degrees are prime-powers
Authors: Bonazzi Lorenzo
Published: March 2022

We present a description of non-solvable groups in which all real irreducible character degrees are prime-power numbers.
Cold chain and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission: a review for challenges and coping strategies
Authors: Liu Jiangtao , Zheng Tongzhang , Xia Wei , Xu Shunqing , Li Yuanyuan
Published: March 2022

Since June 2020, the re-emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemics in parts of China was linked to the cold chain, which attracted extensive attention and heated discussions from the public. According to the typical characteristics of these epidemics, we speculated a possible route of transmission from cold chain to human. A series of factors in the supply chain contributed to the epidemics if the cold chain were contaminated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), such as temperature, humidity, personal hygiene/protection, and disinfection. The workers who worked in the cold chain at the receiving end faced a higher risk of being infected when they were not well protected. Facing the difficult situation, China put forward targeted and powerful countermeasures to block the cold chain-related risk. However, in the context of the unstable pandemic situation globally, the risk of the cold chain needs to be recognized and evaluated seriously. Hence, in this review, we reviewed the cold chain-related epidemics in China, analyzed the possible mechanisms, introduced the Chinese experience, and suggested coping strategies for the global epidemic prevention and control.
Lo personal es político y es internacional: contribuciones feministas, interseccionalidad y Relaciones Internacionales
Authors: Cardinale María Eugenia , Winer Sonia
Published: March 2022

El artículo se propone describir y analizar los debates en la disciplina de las Relaciones Internacionales (RRII), focalizando en los aportes que los feminismos hacen al campo como corriente disidente, y en especial, en sus vertientes postcoloniales/decoloniales.
Con una metodología cualitativa, se revisa bibliografía específica que permite dar cuenta de las discusiones actuales en la disciplina, las confrontaciones al interior de los feminismos en RRII y sus contribuciones, y, en ese plano, se repasan los aportes propios del feminismo decolonial latinoamericano y caribeño, considerando el señalamiento sobre la interseccionalidad realizada por este.
Así, se examinan cuestiones metodológicas y epistemológicas concretas como la cuestión del cuerpo, los estudios desde la micropolítica y el foco en las prácticas cotidianas de las personas, iluminadas por los feminismos en las RRII. Ese marco es fundamental para visibilizar las diferencias de género desde una perspectiva interseccional, que desde el feminismo postcolonial/decolonial se concentra en sus vínculos con otras desigualdades y opresiones (raza, origen, clase social, entre otras). En América Latina y el Caribe esta mirada adquiere una relevancia distintiva y da lugar en este escrito a la problematización de sus vínculos con los derechos humanos, con las desigualdades y las violencias, y sus articulaciones con el neoliberalismo transnacionalizado.
El texto se divide en tres apartados: primero, en el marco de los debates actuales del campo de estudio, se revisan los aportes de los feminismos en las RRII y se describen las diferencias al interior de estos. En particular, se indican como contribuciones teórico-metodológicas de los enfoques feministas a las RRII aquellos estudios basados en la micropolítica, la corporeidad y las prácticas de la vida cotidiana. Luego, se tratan las particularidades de los feminismos decoloniales en América Latina y el Caribe y su mirada interseccional en el campo: la cuestión de la subalternidad, la diferencia, la inequidad y el neoliberalismo, las formas concretas que adquieren en el Sur Global y en la región. Por último, se presentan las conclusiones con posibles líneas relevantes para futuras investigaciones.
Los aportes disidentes en las RRII, en general, ponen en cuestión la corriente principal, dando lugar en los últimos años a voces alternativas, periféricas y silenciadas a través de los estudios postcoloniales (decolonialidad) y los feminismos, entre otros. Son esas voces de la diferencia las que presentan discusión a las perspectivas hegemónicas, produciendo contribuciones claves para continuar pensando la disciplina; en América Latina y el Caribe esto se realiza desde cosmovisiones propias, que buscan amalgamar saberes tradicionales y populares, propiciar nuevos enfoques y valorizar un conocimiento situado, interseccional, plural y corporeizado.
Changes in resistance pattern of ESKAPE pathogens between 2010 and 2020 in the clinical center of University of Szeged, Hungary
Authors: Orosz László , Lengyel György , Ánosi Noel , Lakatos Lóránt , Burián Katalin
Published: March 2022

The acronym ESKAPE stands for six antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens namely, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. Monitoring their resistance is an important task for clinical microbiology laboratories.

Our aim was to analyze the resistance patterns of these bacteria over ten years in clinical samples of our department. We examined the sample types from which these pathogens were most frequently isolated. The incidence of tests with resistant results for each pathogen in aggregate and the most important subgroups of each was also analyzed. We have also intended to predict the local priorities amongst these pathogens.

The results of 1,268,126 antibiotic susceptibility tests performed on a total of 70,099 isolates over this period were examined. Most strains were derived from urine, blood culture, trachea, vagina, wounds, and abscesses. Prevalence of ESKAPE bacteria increased between 2011 and 2020 however, the steepest intensifications were seen in the cases of K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. The number of antibiotic susceptibility tests with resistant results has also increased over the decade but the most notable increase was detected in E. faecium and A. baumannii. Based on the calculation of antimicrobial resistance index for each pathogen, the most serious challenges for us at present are A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, and E. faecium and their multi-resistant forms.

The theoretical prediction of proportion of resistant tests between 2020 and 2030 in our care area draws attention to a worrying trend in the cases of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium and carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii strains.
Melatonin reduces muscle damage, inflammation and oxidative stress induced by exhaustive exercise in people with overweight/obesity
Authors: Ben Dhia Imen , Maaloul Rami , Marzougui Houssem , Ghroubi Sameh , Kallel Choumous , Driss Tarak , Elleuch Mohamed Habib , Ayadi Fatma , Turki Mouna , Hammouda Omar
Published: March 2022

Background

Intense physical exercise leads to inflammation, oxidative stress and muscle damage, and these responses are of greater magnitude in people with obesity. Melatonin (MLT) is considered an endogenous antioxidant which may have beneficial effects against inflammation, oxidative stress and promote tissue repair after exercise. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of MLT on inflammatory parameters, oxidative stress and muscle damage in people with overweight/obesity after a high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE).

Methods

A total of 23 subjects with obesity (9 men and 14 women) age: 33.26 ± 9.81 years, BMI: 37.75 ± 8.87 kg.m−2 were randomized to participate in two experimental sessions: HIIE + Placebo and HIIE + MLT (3 mg). The HIIE protocol corresponds to 8 intervals of 1 min (90% of the maximal aerobic power (MAP)) alternating with 2 min recovery (45% of the MAP). Blood samples were drawn before and 5 min after each exercise session.

Results

MLT ingestion attenuated the increase of inflammation (C-reactive protein, white blood cells (P < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.45; for both) and Neutrophils (P < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.36)) and hepatic and muscle damage (Aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.25), Alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.27) and Creatine kinase (P = 0.02, ηp2 = 0.23). MLT also attenuated the exercise induced lipid and protein peroxidation (i.e., Malondialdehyde (P = 0.03, ηp2 = 0.19) and AOPP (P < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.55)). Concerning the antioxidant status, MLT intake increased Thiol (P < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.26) and Catalase (P < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.32) and decreased Uric acid (P = 0.02, ηp2 = 0.2) and Total bilirubin (P < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.33).

Conclusions

MLT intake before HIIE reduced muscle damage by modulating oxidative stress and preventing overexpression of the pro-inflammatory mediators in people with obesity.
Metabolic syndrome in patients with COPD: Causes and pathophysiological consequences
Authors: Fekete Monika , Szollosi Gergo , Tarantini Stefano , Lehoczki Andrea , Nemeth Anna N , Bodola Csenge , Varga Luca , Varga Janos Tamas
Published: March 2022

Background

Decreased physical activity significantly increases the probability of prevalent metabolic syndrome (MetS) with substantial impact on the expected course of COPD.

Objective

Our research aims to assess the metabolic consequences of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and evaluate the prevalence of MetS and its interrelations with age, sex, comorbidities, drug intake, degree of decreased lung function, nutritional status, physical activity and quality of life.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed on a random sample (n = 401) at the Department of Pulmonary Rehabilitation of the National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology from March 1, 2019 to March 1, 2020 in Budapest, Hungary. Anthropometric and respiratory function tests and laboratory parameters of all patients were registered.

Results

MetS occurred in 59.1% of COPD patients with significant gender difference (male: 49.7% female: 67.6%). Concerning BMI, the prevalence of MetS was higher with BMI≥25 kg m−2 (P < 0.0001). Patients with this syndrome had significantly worse FEV1%pred (43 (30–56) vs. 47 (36–61); P = 0.028), lower quality of life (CAT: 26 (21–32) vs. 24.5 (19–29); P = 0.049) and significantly more frequent exacerbations (2 (1–3) vs.1 (0–2); P < 0.05), than patients without MetS. The prevalence of comorbidities were higher in overweight/obese patients (BMI> 25 kg m−2).

Conclusions

In COPD patients MetS negatively affect respiratory function and quality of life and promotes exacerbations of the disease. MetS is related to nutritional status and the level of systemic inflammation in COPD patients.