bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technology Assisted Task-sharing to Bridge the Treatment Gap for Childhood Developmental Disorders in Rural Pakistan: an Implementation Science Case Study
Authors: Hamdani Syed Usman , Huma Zill-e- , Wissow Lawrence S
Published: February 2022

Background: As in many low-income countries, the treatment gap for developmental disorders in Pakistan is near 100%. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the mental Health Gap Intervention guide (mhGAP-IG) to train non-specialists in the delivery of evidence-based mental health interventions in low resource settings. However, a key challenge to scale-up of non-specialist-delivered interventions is designing training programs that promote fidelity at-scale in low resource settings. In this case study, we report the experience of using a tablet device-based application to train non-specialist, family volunteers in leading a group parent skills training program, culturally adapted from the mhGAP-IG, with fidelity at-scale in rural community settings of Pakistan. Methods: The implementation evaluation was conducted as a part of the mhGAP-IG implementation in the pilot sub-district of Gujar Khan. Family volunteers used a technology-assisted approach to deliver the parent skills training in 15 rural Union Councils (UCs). We used the Proctor and RE-AIM frameworks in a mixed-methods design to evaluate the volunteers’ competency and fidelity to the intervention. Outcome was measured with the ENhancing Assessment of Common Therapeutic factors (ENACT), during training and program implementation. Data on other implementation outcomes including intervention dosage, acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness and reach was collected from program trainers, family volunteers and caregivers of children 6-months post-program implementation. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed using framework and descriptive analysis, respectively. Results: We trained 36 volunteers in delivering the program using technology. All volunteers were female with the mean age of 39 (±4.38) years. The volunteers delivered the program to 270 caregivers in group sessions with good fidelity (scored 2.5 out of 4 on each domain of the fidelity measure). More than 85% of the caregivers attended 6 or more of 9 sessions. Quantitative analysis showed high levels of acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness and reach of the program. Qualitative results indicated that the use of tablet device-based application, and the cultural appropriateness of the adapted intervention content, contributed to the successful implementation of the program. Conclusions: Technology can be used to train non-specialist family volunteers in delivering evidence-based intervention at-scale with fidelity in low resource settings of Pakistan.
EGR1 Regulates the Thickning of The Peroneal Tendon in Taekwondo Athletes by Activating the STAT3 Pathway, Thereby Increasing the Risk of Dislocation
Authors: Wang Liqiang , Li Bohan , Zhang Zhiyu , Yuan Fusheng
Published: February 2022

Background
Taekwondo is a very popular sport today. Due to higher training intensity, ankle instability and PTD are common among Taekwondo athletes which may ruin their careers. However, the risk factors and mechanisms of the disease, appropriate treatment methods or preventive measures have not been systematically studied, and this research aims to solve these problems.
Methods
A large number of Taekwondo athletes have undergone long-term specialist examinations, treatments and postoperative follow-ups. Intraoperative observation and imaging evidence confirmed that the width of the peroneal tendon of Taekwondo athletes was significantly higher than that of the general population, which is one of the cause of PTD.While giving to athletes surgical treatment(multiple reviet technique), we obtained the extraneous tissue in the thickened part of the peroneal tendon from some athletes for follow-up experimental research.
Results
We found that the concentration of IL-20 in the matrix is relative higher in the thickened peroneal tendon, and it is positively correlated with the expression of EGR1 in fibroblasts, while the dysregulation of EGR1 will activate STAT3 Pathway, and regulate the thickening of the peroneal tendon in a variety of ways.Based on the professional characteristics of athletes ,the high incidence of PTD among Taekwondo athletes makes it more important to prevent it. According to the experience of Chinese orthopedics, Astragalus polysaccharide is creatively used as a preventive drug to some athletes who have a high risk of PTD, it was found that the use of APS had a satisfactory effect on delaying the thickening of the peroneal tendon of athletes and reducing the incidence of dislocation. At the same time, the preventive effect of APS was confirmed through several groups of clinical cases, and the mechanism of APS to prevent PTD was also speculated.
Conclusions
EGR1 regulates the thickning of the peroneal tendon in Taekwondo athletes by activating the STAT3 pathway, the importance of prophylactic useof APS to reduce the thickening of the peroneal tendon.
Molecular phylogeny based on its sequences of nrDNA ITS of Adonis (Linnaeus, 1753) (Ranunculaceae) from various ecological sites of Turkey
Authors: KARAHAN FARUK , İlcim Ahmet , Türkoğlu Aras , ilhan Emre , Haliloğlu Kamil
Published: February 2022

Background Genus Adonis (Linnaeus, 1753) contains approximately 40 annual and perennial species, which are widely distributed in the temperate zones of Asia and Europe, and less frequently in southwestern Asia, northern Africa and the Mediterranean region. In the present study, molecular phylogeny of genus Adonis L. from Turkey was evaluated with the aid of nrDNA ITS. Methods Samples of 10 natural Adonis taxa belonging to 21 different populations including 64 Adonis ecotypes were collected from different regions of the country during vegetation period between 2014 and 2018. ITS1, ITS4, P16 and P25 primers within Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) technique were used to estimate infraspecific variation in different populations of Adonis species. Results We identified about 600 bp DNA sequences were obtained from 21 different populations including 64 Adonis ecotypes. The dendrogram obtained from Adonis species and out-group sequences had two large main groups. While the out-group species were placed in the first large main group, the sect. Consiligo (perennial) and sect. Adonis (annuals) were placed in different sub-groups of the second large main group. Genetic similarity among Adonis species varied between A. microcarpa and A. dentata (98.46%). Conclusions Present analyses revealed that phylogenetic classification (grouping) of Adonis taxa largely depended on morphological structure and present ITS primers were quite efficient in putting forth the genetic diversity of such species. The results obtained from molecular data can be used to explore the genetic variation pattern, population structure, and the evolutionary history of natural Adonis species in the future.
Novel Recombinant Human Thyroid-stimulating Hormone in Aiding Post-operative Assessment of Patients With Differentiated Thyroid Cancer--Phase I/II Study
Authors: Lin Yan-Song , Yang Hui , Li Xiao-Yi , Wu Li-Qing , Xu Jin-Guo , Yang Ai-Min , Gao Zai-Rong , Ding Yong , Zhang Ying-Qiang , Chen Kai , Mu Zhuan-Zhuan , Jia Jian-Min , Niu Na , Sun Di , Zhang Xin , Zhang Shao-Qiang , Geng Qian-Qian , Zhang Ya-Jing , Chen Fang-Ni , He Bao-Xia
Published: February 2022

Purpose Thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) inevitably induced hypothyroidism in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH, ZGrhTSH) as an alternative of THW in China.Methods Totally, 64 DTC patients were enrolled with 24 in the dose-escalation cohort equally grouped into 0.9 mg×1d, 0.9 mg×2d, 1.8 mg×1d and 1.8 mg×2d dosage, and 40 further enrolled into 0.9 mg×2d dose-expansion cohort. All patients underwent both ZGrhTSH phase and levothyroxine (L-T4) withdrawal phase for self-comparison in terms of TSH levels, the radioactive iodine (RAI) uptake, stimulated thyroglobulin level, and the quality of life (QoL).Results In ZGrhTSH phase, no major serious adverse events was observed, mild symptom of headache was observed in 6.3%, lethargy in 4.7%, asthenia in 3.1% of the patients, and mostly resolved spontaneously within 2 days. Concordant RAI uptake was noticed in 89.1% (57/64) of the patients between ZGrhTSH and L-T4 withdrawal phases. The concordant thyroglobulin level with a cut-off of 1 mg/L was noticed in 84.7% (50/59) of the patients without the interference of anti-thyroglobulin antibody. The QoL was far better during ZGrhTSH phase than L-T4 withdrawal phase, with lower Billewicz (-51.30±4.70 vs. -39.10±16.61, P<0.001) and POMS (91.70±16.70 vs. 100.40±22.11, P=0.011) scores which indicate the lower the better. Serum TSH level rose from basal 0.11±0.12 mU/L to a peak of 122.11±42.44 mU/L 24h after the last dose of ZGrhTSH. In L-T4 withdrawal phase, a median of 23 days after L-T4 withdrawal was needed, with the mean TSH level of 82.20±31.37 mU/L. The half-life for ZGrhTSH clearance was about 20h.Conclusion The ZGrhTSH held the promise to be a safe and effective modality in facilitating RAI uptake and serum thyroglobulin stimulation, with better QoL of patients with DTC compared with L-T4 withdrawal.
The distribution of ultrasound cyclo plasty probe models in Chinese glaucoma patients
Authors: Zheng Shaoyang , Wang Dingqiao , Huang Zhihong , Chen Liming , Tang Zhixin , Hu Huanling , Hu Meng , Zuo Chengguo , Lin Mingkai
Published: February 2022

Purpose To investigate the distribution of ultrasound cyclo plasty (UCP) probe models in Chinese glaucoma patients.Methods Patients need glaucoma surgery were recruited at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from January 2019 to December 2019. Patient demographics were recorded and analyzed. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), mean defect of visual field (MD), ocular axial length (AL) and horizontal corneal diameter (white to white, WTW) of eyes with glaucoma were measured and the UCP probe models were calculated by the use of nomogram tool and two ocular anatomical parameters: WTW and AL.Results 2000 eyes of 1281 patients were involved in this study, with 559 (43.64%) males and 722 (56.36%) females. The mean age is 61.43 ± 12.21 years old, ranged from 18 to 91. IOP ranged from 5.0 to 60.0 mmHg, with a mean of 20.07±10.71 mmHg. The mean AL and WTW are 22.96 ± 1.43 (ranged 19.07 to 35.00) and 11.55 ± 0.50 (ranged 9.6 to 13.7), respectively. According to the results calculated by nomogram tool, Chinese patients’ eyes are mainly adapted to the model 12, with a percentage of 69.05%. The model 13 and the model 11 are suitable for 26.65% and 3.35%, respectively. 0.95% of Chinese patients do not have a suitable probe model.Conclusion For Chinese patients who need glaucoma surgery, UCP probe models are mainly distributed in the model 12, followed by the model 13 and model 11 is the least used.
Efficacy of ChAdOx1 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern Beta, Delta and Omicron in the Syrian hamster model
Authors: Doremalen Neeltje van , Schulz Jonathan E. , Adney Danielle R. , Saturday Taylor A. , Fischer Robert J. , Yinda Claude Kwe , Thakur Nazia , Newman Joseph , Ulaszewska Marta , Belij-Rammerstorfer Sandra , Saturday Greg , Spencer Alexandra J. , Bailey Dalan , Gilbert Sarah C. , Lambe Teresa , Munster Vincent J.
Published: February 2022

ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) is a replication-deficient simian adenovirus–vectored vaccine encoding the spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2, based on the first published full-length sequence (Wuhan-1). AZD1222 was shown to have 74% vaccine efficacy (VE) against symptomatic disease in clinical trials and over 2.5 billion doses of vaccine have been released for worldwide use. However, SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate and consequently, variants of concern (VoCs) have been detected, with substitutions in the S protein that are associated with a reduction in virus neutralizing antibody titer. Updating vaccines to include S proteins of VoCs may be beneficial over boosting with vaccines encoding the ancestral S protein, even though current real-world data is suggesting good efficacy against hospitalization and death following boosting with vaccines encoding the ancestral S protein. Using the Syrian hamster model, we evaluated the effect of a single dose of AZD2816, encoding the S protein of the Beta VoC, and efficacy of AZD1222/AZD2816 as a heterologous primary series against challenge with the Beta or Delta variant. We then investigated the efficacy of a single dose of AZD2816 or AZD1222 against the Omicron VoC. As seen previously, minimal to no viral sgRNA could be detected in lungs of vaccinated animals obtained at 5 days post inoculation, in contrast to lungs of control animals. Thus, these vaccination regimens are protective against the Beta, Delta, and Omicron VoCs in the hamster model.
Ramadan fasting outcome among high-risk patients.
Authors: Ketbi Latifa Baynouna Al , Nagelkerke Nico , AlZarouni Amal , AlKwuiti Mouza , AlGhafli Mona , Qahtani Salama Al , AlKaabi Bushra , AlKaabi Mariam , Ahbabi Ali Al , AlZeyoudi Yousef , AlKetheri Khloud , AlNabooda Khawla , AlTenaiji Khadija , AlAlawi Ali , Abdelbaqi Hanan
Published: February 2022

Background:The literature is building for guiding the decision for Chronic Kidney Diseases, CKD, patients fasting Ramadan. However, it is mainly considering one outcome, the impact on renal function. This study aims to assess factors influencing Ramadan fasting in patients with CKD.Method:This is a prospective before and after cohort study. CKD patients were consoled regarding fasting as part of a quality project and followed Ramadan for renal function status, fasting Ramadan, and other significant outcomes. Results:Of these 360 patients who attended the pre-Ramadan consultation, 304 were reachable after Ramadan, and 67.1% of them reported that they did fast, 4.9% attempted to fast but had to stop, and 28% did not fast a single day. They were 55.3% females, compared to 44.7% males (69.9%). They were; stage 3A (68.1%), stage 3B 21.7%, stage 4 7.9% and only 2% were stage 5. Of those who did fast, 11.1% had a drop of eGFR of 20% or more. While those who did not fast (16.7%) had a similar drop. On the other hand, among the few who attempted to fast and had to stop fasting, half had a drop in eGFR of more than 20%. In linear regression, when controlling for the CKD stage, age, gender, and comorbidity, the only predictor of drop-in eGFR was a higher percentage of the drop since last year and a lower eGFR before Ramadan. There were 17 (5.6%) significant events, including one death. More significant events were among the group who did fast, where 50% experienced an adverse event, while 16.7% were among the group who did not fast and 11.1% were among those who did fast. Conclusion:Fasting was not a significant determinantal factor in renal function deterioration in the studies population, neither was it having any significant association with adverse events.
Annelid functional genomics reveal the origins of bilaterian life cycles
Authors: Martín-Durán Jose , Liang Yan , Martín-Zamora Francisco M. , Guynes Kero , Carrillo-Baltodano Allan , Tan Yongkai , Moggioli Giacomo , Seudre Oceane , Tran Martin , Martimer Kate , Luscombe Nicholas , Hejnol Andreas , Marlétaz Ferdinand
Published: February 2022

Indirect development with an intermediate larva exists in all major animal lineages, and thus larvae are central to most scenarios for animal evolution. Yet how larvae evolved remains disputed. Here we show that changes in the timing of trunk formation underpin the diversification of larvae and bilaterian life cycles. Combining chromosome-scale genome sequencing with transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling in the slow-evolving oweniid Owenia fusiformis, we found that different genes and genomic regulatory elements control the development of its feeding larva and adult stage. First, O. fusiformis embryos develop into an enlarged anterior domain that forms larval tissues and the adult head, as posterior growth and trunk patterning is deferred to pre-metamorphic stages. These traits also occur in the so-called "head larvae" of other bilaterians, with whom O. fusiformis larva shows extensive transcriptomic similarities. Conversely, animals with non-feeding larvae and gradual metamorphoses, such as the annelid Capitella teleta, start trunk differentiation during embryogenesis, like direct developers. Together, our findings suggest that the ancestral temporal decoupling of head and trunk formation, as retained in extant "head larvae", allowed larval evolution in Bilateria, questioning prevailing scenarios that propose either co-option or innovation of gene regulatory programmes to explain larva and adult origins.
Inulin addition improved probiotic survival in soy-based fermented beverage
Authors: Iraporda Carolina , Rubel Irene A. , Managó Nicole , Manrique Guillermo D. , Garrote Graciela L. , Abraham Analía G.
Published: February 2022

Currently, the growing demand for non-dairy functional foods leads to the constant development of new products. The objective of the present work was to obtain a soy-based fermented beverage employing the strains Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CIDCA 8327 or Lacticaseibacillus paracasei BGP1 and to analyze the effect of post-fermentation addition of inulin on the bacterial resistance. Also, the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the fermented soy-based beverages were analyzed. The soy-based matrix was shown to be a suitable substrate for the growth of both lactic acid bacteria, and the fermented beverages obtained presented bioactive properties such us antioxidant activity and bactericidal effect against pathogen microorganisms. The addition of inulin after the fermentation process avoid the hydrolysis and so, preserve its polymerization degree and thus the potential prebiotic effect. The soy-based fermented beverages containing inulin showed higher bacterial viability during refrigerated storage. Also, the addition of high polymerization degree inulin to the beverage obtained by fermentation with L. paracasei BGP1 increased the tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions of this strain. Finally, the strain L. plantarum CIDCA 8327 exhibited the best performance in the growth rate, antimicrobial activity, and viability in the fermented soy-based beverage developed also the survival after gastrointestinal treatment. These results may result attractive considering the possibility of using, together with inulin, novel strains potentially suitable for the development of functional non-dairy products, contributing to diversify the type of agri-based food products.
Warming does not delay the start of autumnal leaf coloration but slows its progress rate
Authors: Jiang Nan , Shen Miaogen , Ciais Philippe , Campioli Matteo , Peñuelas Josep , Körner Christian , Cao Ruyin , Piao Shilong , Liu Licong , Wang Shiping , Liang Eryuan , Delpierre Nicolas , Soudani Kamel , Rao Yuhan , Montagnani Leonardo , Hörtnagl Lukas , Paul-Limoges Eugénie , Myneni Ranga , Wohlfahrt Georg , Fu Yongshuo , Šigut Ladislav , Varlagin Andrej , Chen Jin , Tang Yanhong , Zhao Wenwu
Published: February 2022

Aim: Initiation of autumnal leaf senescence is critical for plant overwintering and ecosystem dynamics. Previous studies focused solely on the advanced stages of autumnal leaf senescence and claimed that climatic warming delays senescence, despite the fundamental differences among the stages of senescence. However, the timing of onset of leaf coloration (DLCO), the earliest visual sign of senescence, has been rarely studied. Our aim is to assess the response of DLCO to temperature across the Northern Hemisphere.Location: 30–75°N in the Northern Hemisphere.Time period: 2000–2018.Major taxa studied: Deciduous vegetation.Methods: We retrieved DLCO from high temporal-resolution satellite data, which was then validated by PhenoCam observations. We then investigated the temporal changes in DLCO and the relationship between DLCO and temperature by using DLCO from satellite data and ground phenological observations. We further estimated the timing of onset of autumnal decline in maximum canopy photosynthetic capacity, an indicator of leaf senescence earlier than DLCO, from FLUXNET CO2 fluxes data, and assessed its response to temperature.Results: DLCO was not significantly (P < 0.05) delayed between 2000 and 2018 in 94% of the area. DLCO was positively correlated with pre-DLCO mean daily minimum temperature (Tmin) in only 9% of the area, likely because of the overriding photoperiodic control, particularly for woody vegetation, whereas the end of leaf coloration (DLCE) was positively correlated with pre-DLCE mean Tmin over a larger area (34%).Main conclusions: The coloration progress rate is more sensitive than its start date to temperature, indicating an extension of the duration of leaf senescence under warming. This study indicates that the leaf coloration onset was not responsive to climate warming and provides observational evidence of photoperiod control of autumnal leaf senescence at biome and continental scales.
Issues and Recommendations for the Residual Approach to Quantifying Cognitive Resilience and Reserve
Authors: Elman Jeremy A. , Vogel Jacob W. , Bocancea Diana I. , Ossenkoppele Rik , Loenhoud Anna C. , Tu Xin M. , Kremen William S.
Published: February 2022

Background: Cognitive reserve and resilience are terms used to explain interindividual variability in maintenance of cognitive health in response to adverse factors, such as brain pathology in the context of aging or neurodegenerative disorders. There is substantial interest in identifying tractable substrates of resilience to potentially leverage this phenomenon into intervention strategies. One way of operationalizing cognitive reserve/resilience that has gained popularity is the residual method: regressing cognition on an adverse factor and using the residual as a measure of resilience. This method is attractive because it provides a statistical approach that is an intuitive match to the reserve/resilience conceptual framework. However, due to statistical properties of the regression equation, the residual approach has qualities that complicate its interpretation as an index of resilience and make it statistically inappropriate in certain circumstances. Methods and Results: Using both simulations and real data, we demonstrate that in most real-life scenarios, the residual measure of cognitive resilience is highly correlated with cognition, the dependent variable from which it is derived, and the degree of this correlation depends on the initial relationship between the adverse factor and cognition. Subsequently, any association between this resilience metric and an external variable may actually be driven by cognition, rather than by an operationalized measure of resilience. This limitation becomes especially troublesome when the resilience metric is incorporated into models testing a cognition-dependent variable, such as cognitive decline or change in cognitive status. Conclusions: We briefly summarize strategies proposed as potential solutions. However, we conclude these solutions may be insufficient, and we instead recommend against "pre-regression" strategies altogether, in favor of using statistical moderation (e.g., interactions) to quantify resilience. Caution should be taken in the use and interpretation of the residual-based method of cognitive resilience, but we encourage continued work toward operationalizing this very important phenomenon.
Effect Of The ABCA1 Agonist CS-6253 On Amyloid β And Lipoproteins Metabolism In Cynomolgus Monkeys.
Authors: Noveir Sassan D. , Kerman Bilal E. , Xian Haotian , Meuret Cristiana , Smadi Sabrina , Martinez Ashley E. , Johansson Johannes , Zetterberg Henrik , Parks Bryan A. , Kuklenyik Zsuzsanna , Johansson Jan O. , Yassine Hussein N.
Published: February 2022

Background: Inducing brain ATP binding cassette 1 (ABCA1) activity in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mouse models is associated with improvement in AD pathology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the ABCA1 agonist peptide CS-6253 on amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) and lipoproteins in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of cynomolgus monkeys, a species with amyloid and lipoprotein metabolism similar to humans. Methods: CS-6253 peptide was injected intravenously to cynomolgus monkeys at various doses in three different studies. Plasma and CSF samples were collected at several time points before and after treatment. Levels of cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), lipoprotein particles, apolipoproteins, and Aβ were measured using ELISA, ion-mobility analysis, and asymmetric-flow field-flow fractionation (AF4). The relationship between the change in levels of these biomarkers was analyzed using multiple linear regression models and linear mixed-effects models.Results: Following CS-6253 intravenous injection, within minutes, small, plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles were increased. In two independent experiments, plasma TG, apolipoprotein E (apoE), and Aβ42/40 ratio were transiently increased following CS-6253 intravenous injection. This change was associated with a non-significant decrease in CSF Aβ42. Both plasma total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels were reduced following treatment. Using AF4 fractionation, CS-6253 treatment displaced apoE from HDL to intermediate-density- and low density-lipoprotein (IDL/LDL) sized particles in plasma. In contrast to plasma, CS-6253 had no effect on the assessed CSF apolipoproteins or lipids.Conclusions: These findings support that inducing systemic ABCA1 activity by CS-6253 shifts apoE into larger triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) particles that assist in Aβ clearance from the brain.
Flexible Conductive Nanocomposites for Electrochemical Devices Based on Chlorinated Natural Rubber/ Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Parvathi K. , Bahuleyan B. K. , Ramesan M.T.
Published: February 2022

A study on structural, thermal, temperature-dependent electrical properties such as AC conductivity and dielectric properties of flexible conductive chlorinated natural rubber (Cl-NR) were carried out with various contents of nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles. The role of fillers on DC conductivity of the composites was correlated with different theoretical models. The FT-IR spectra showed the characteristic absorption band for nano-NiO in the rubber indicating the effective incorporation of nanoparticles in Cl-NR. Optical bandgap energy was observed minimum for 5 phr loaded composite. TGA result showed that the thermal stability increased with NiO content in the polymer matrix. The dielectric properties and AC electrical conductivity increased significantly with the temperatures and also with the addition of nanoparticles up to 5 phr loading. The activation energy of the electrical conductivity decreases with an increase in temperature for all the systems. The higher value of dielectric permittivity explained the electrode polarisations at low-frequency region. The skewed semi-circular arc in the Cole-Cole plot observed for all the samples explained the semiconducting behaviour of the nanocomposites. Space charge polarisation and relaxation dynamics of Cl-NR composites were explained based on modulus spectra. The McCullough model was found to be the most promising one to explain the DC conductivity of the system which emphasizes the importance of interfacial interaction at the boundary of filler and the rubber chain for the network formation. According to the results of this study, these samples can be used in highly durable flexible electronic devices such as conductive sensors, actuators and super-capacitors.
Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviour Towards Recommended Vaccines Among Medical Students in Multan, Pakistan.
Authors: Mustafa Abdul Mannan , Zainab Anika , Rasheed Muhammad Haroon ul , Bilal Ahmed , Barki Wajid Hussain , Mustafa Ghulam , Khar Usama
Published: February 2022

Objective
To evaluate the knowledge, attitude and behavior of medical students towards recommended vaccines.
Method
A cross sectional study was done, where 3000 students from medical colleges of Multan were included by convenience sampling. They filled a well-developed, pretested questionnaire through Google forms and the results were analyzed by the Google forms itself.
Results
Mostly (69%) think they have adequate knowledge related to vaccination and that vaccines are effective for prevention (93%) of diseases. Almost 82% were of the opinion that vaccines are safe. Mostly (83%) believe that benefits of vaccines are greater. Majority (86%) think the unvaccinated people are at risk. Only 25% said they trust the information regarding vaccines acquired from society. Most (91%) think that one should get vaccinated according to the recommended vaccination plan and even 86% said one should get vaccinated even if it is not free. Some (59%) said the route of administration matters. Majority (68%) think there should be an aggressive law enforcement action to get vaccinated. Almost all of them (93%) think that medical students should persuade others for vaccination and 83% of them agreed that they’d consider to take part in any campaign/ program for vaccination.
Conclusion
It has been found that medical students from all years have sufficient knowledge related to vaccination and show a positive attitude towards vaccination. Medical students can be used as a means for spreading awareness regarding infectious diseases and their prevention. We recommend medical institutes conduct workshops and introduce programs that can help to educate students on infectious diseases and vaccination.
A Survey on Scheduling Techniques in the Edge Cloud: Issues, Challenges and Future Directions
Authors: Asghar Hassan , Jadoon Asmara
Published: February 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
An Econometric Analysis of FDNY’s Systemwide EMS Dispatch, Response and Operational Performance During the 2020 Covid Lockdown Using a Negative Binomial Model With Multiple Fixed Effects
Authors: Pitt Ivan L.
Published: February 2022

A negative binomial longitudinal (panel) count model with multiple fixed effects in the presence of over-dispersion is used to estimate the heterogenity effects of emergency 911 incidents or call volume, year, day of the week, dispatcher-assigned medical emergency call type, priority rank, ambulance (DUAL, ALS, BLS) response and borough on average ambulance travel time. We use FDNY Emergency Dispatch Data for the periods March 20, 2019–June 13, 2019 and the corresponding lockdown period of March 20, 2020–June13, 2020 for a year over year econometric analysis. The model addresses the limitations of two-by-two contingency table analysis when there are more than two categorical variables by utilizing the underlying statistical properties of the Poisson distribution in a multivariate parametric approach by analyzing the simultaneous effects of several explanatory variables.When clustered standard errors are corrected for fixed effects and over-dispersion, we find that there was no significant statistical difference in the relationship between average travel time and call volume in the 2019 and 2020 periods. Wednesday is only day of the week that was most likely to increase travel response time. All medical emergencies showed significant declines in average travel response time at a p-value = .05, except for call types designated as allergy that was significant at p-value less than .07. Clinical priority rank 6 that required the use of BLS equipment and EMT crews used in non-medical emergencies and other cases had no statistical effect on travel time in the comparison. When compared to Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens had no significant statistical effect on average travel response time.
Male Differentiation in the Marine Copepod Oithona Nana Reveals the Development of a New Nervous Ganglion Linked to Lin12-Notch-Repeat Protein-Associated Proteolysis
Authors: Sugier Kevin , Laso-Jadart Romuald , Vacherie Benoit , Käfer Jos , Bertrand Laurie , Labadie Karine , Martins Nathalie , Orvain Celine , Petit Emmanuelle , Poulain Julie , Wincker Patrick , Jamet Jean-Louis , Alberti Adriana , Madoui Mohammed-Amin
Published: February 2022

Background
Copepods are among the most numerous animals, and play an essential role in the marine trophic web and biogeochemical cycles. The genus Oithona is described as having the highest density of copepods, and as being the most cosmopolite copepods. The Oithona male paradox describes the activity states of males, which are obliged to alternate between immobile and mobile phases for ambush feeding and mate searching, respectively, while the female is typically less mobile and often feeding. To characterize the molecular basis of this sexual dimorphism, we combined immunofluorescence, genomics, transcriptomics, and protein-protein interaction approaches.
Results
Immunofluorescence of β3- and α-tubulin revealed two male-specific nervous ganglia in the lateral first segment of the Oithona nana male’s prosome. In parallel, transcriptomic analysis showed male-specific enrichment for nervous system development-related transcripts. Twenty-seven Lin12-Notch Repeat domain-containing protein coding genes (LDPGs) of the 75 LDPGs identified in the genome were specifically expressed only in males. Furthermore, most of the LDPGs (27%) coded for proteins having predicted proteolytic activity, and non-LDPG proteolysis-associated transcripts showed a male-specific enrichment. Using yeast double–hybrid assays, we constructed a protein-protein interaction network involving two LDPs with proteases, extracellular matrix proteins, and neurogenesis-related proteins.
Conclusions
For the first time, our study describes the lateral nervous ganglia of O. nana males, unique to copepods. We also demonstrated a role of LDPGs and their associated proteolysis in male-specific physiology, and we hypothesize a role of the LDPGs in the development of the lateral ganglia through directed lysis of the extracellular matrix for the growth of neurites and genesis of synapses.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on a PICU in China that did not Admit COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Zhang Geng , Zhang Xuepeng , Zhou Yue , Yao Hua , Yang Kaiying , Gong Xue , Zhou Jiangyuan , Qiu Tong , Ji Yi , Chen Siyuan
Published: February 2022

BackgroundThe unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has been spreading for more than one and a half years. However, it is unclear whether the pandemic influenced admission in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) that never received COVID-19 patients during the early major outbreak in China.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in a PICU in a tertiary hospital in Chengdu, southwestern China. We sought to describe the trend of admission number from pre-epidemic years (2018 and 2019) to 2021. We explored the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on PICU admission characteristics by including all patients younger than 18 years admitted to the PICU between January 23 and April 8 in 2020 and those admitted in the same time periods in pre-epidemic years and in 2021.ResultsThe percentage of patients admitted to the PICU from the Chengdu region increased from 34.2 percent in 2019 to 40.4 percent in 2020, whereas that from other provinces decreased from 11.7 percent in 2019 to 5.8 percent in 2020 (P = 0.012). The median length of stay (LOS) in the PICU was significantly longer in the 2020 cohort (4.0 days) than in the 2019 cohort (2.0 days) (P <0.001); the median hospital LOS was also significantly longer in the former (12.0 days) than in the latter (8.0 days) (P < 0.001). Both hospital outcomes (P = 0.005) and primary diagnosis distributions (P = 0.025) between the 2020 and 2019 cohorts were significant.ConclusionsIn a PICU that never received COVID-19 patients, the onset of the 2020 major outbreak was accompanied by changes in the composition of regions of patients, longer PICU and hospital stays, an increased proportion of unauthorized discharge and death, and a larger proportion of neoplasms, nervous system diseases and injury.
Enhanced Resource Allocation in Vehicular Adhoc Networks using Colonel Blotto Game Model
Authors: M Bhuvaneswari , B Paramasivan , B Shunmugapriya
Published: February 2022

In Vehicular Adhoc Networks (VANETs), collaboration and coordination between mobile nodes (vehicles) and static nodes (roadside infrastructure) are significant. The great challenges of the VANETs are rapid changes of topology, perceiving and transmitting of physical environment parameters. Because of the lack of central coordinator and the selfishness of the vehicles, effective routing is a challenging task in VANETs. Optimal resource allocation is quite essential to achieve an effective routing. Game theoretical models have currently used as a tool bring fairness among the resources utilization and users. This work proposes an approximation Colonel Blotto Game (CBG) model to analyse the possible strategy set for each player in allocating resources. We have calculated the payoff to nodes for motivating the players those who are involved in the routing process. A generalization of CBG has enabled to derive deterministic and implementable equilibrium strategies. The existence of Nash equilibrium (NE) for pure strategy has proven. The proposed work has also found out the optimal strategies by introducing a method of Lagrange multipliers. Experimental results show that the proposed CBG based resource allocation scheme could significantly allocate the resources fairly to forward the packet thereby it enhances the routing.
The Fate of Atrazine in Tropical Environments: Photolysis, Acute Toxicity and Endocrine Disruptor Potential
Authors: Barcellos Polyana , Araújo Thiago , Gomes Giselle , Bila Daniele , Canela Maria Cristina
Published: February 2022

Triazine herbicides are widely used both in Brazil and internationally and are frequently detected in natural environments and drinking water. This study assesses atrazine degradation through solar radiation under tropical conditions and determines the toxicity of the intermediates. Atrazine degradation is tested through ultrapure water, humic acid solution and natural water experiments, with exposure to sunlight to simulate a natural environment. A yeast estrogen screen (YES) assay and Artemia salina test are carried out during the abiotic degradation. The atrazine degradation depends on the radiation intensity, since the experiments conducted in the summer reached 50% after ca. 17 days. No significant variations in this herbicide concentration are observed after 90 days of exposure in the fall. Atrazine degradation is observed only in humic acid and is responsible for indirect photolysis. Intermediates, namely, desethylatrazine (DEA) and deisopropylatrazine (DIA), are identified and quantified at the μg L–1 level. Thus, with the degradation of atrazine in water, the medium toxicity may decrease, since DEA and DIA have mean effective concentrations that kill 50% of Artemia salina (EC50) similars to atrazine (13 mg L–1). No estrogenic activity in the YES is detected for atrazine and its metabolites. These findings evidence that radiation intensity and organic substances in tropical countries influence the half-life of pesticides in aquatic environments.
Development and validation of a spectrophotometric method for the analysis of propranolol in a new soft dosage form "Propranozol"
Authors: Kobeleva Tatyana A. , Sichko Alik I. , Popova Marina I. , Shapovalova Elena M.
Published: February 2022

At present, the issue of creating and introducing into medical practice domestically produced drugs, the quality of man-ufacture of which is established using objective, highly sensitive optical physical and chemical methods, becomes relevant. Objective: to develop a spectrophotometric method for analysis of propranololol in the ointment "Propranozol" made on the basis of "Tizol" gel. Materials and methods. Pharmaceutical substance propranolol, gel "Tizol", soft dosage form "Propranosol" containing 0.5% of beta-adrenoblocker in titanium-containing base were used in the study. The analysis was carried out by spectropho-tometric method in the near ultraviolet region using a domestic device SF-2000. The method was validated according to State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation, XIV edition, General Pharmacopeia Article 1.1.0012.15 "Validation of analytical methods". The developed method was validated according to the following metrological characteristics: specificity, linearity, reliability and precision. Statistical processing of the measurement results was performed according to the requirements of SPh RF XIV edition by methods of modern mathematical statistics (regression analysis), using a personal computer and MSOffice application package. Results. When studying propranolol absorption spectra in the ultraviolet region it was found that spectrophotometric analysis of this compound is rationally performed at a wavelength of 290 nm. The content of propranolol in the soft dosage form, found by the equation of the calibration graph, is within the range of 0.0470-0.0582 g, which corresponds to the allow-able standards of deviation given in the regulatory documentation. Conclusion. During the experimental study optimal conditions were chosen and the method of spectrophotometric quantitative determination of propranololol in the ointment "Propranozol" was developed with the relative error not exceed-ing ± 1.60 %.
The problem of determining ways of legal regulation for conflicts of interest in judicial activity
Authors:   Institute of State and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ryabtseva Ekaterina V.
Published: February 2022

The formation of the theoretical foundations for the prevention of conflicts of interest in judicial activity and practical directions to curb their occurrence is due to ongoing institutional transformations of the judicial system, changes in the status of judges and employees of the court apparatus, as well as organizational and legal support for judicial activity. In judicial activities, conflicts of interest are manifested in the behavior of judges during the exercise of judicial powers due to the emergence of contradictions between personal needs and public interests, which directly determines the nature of conflicts of interest and the form of their manifestation in the activity in question. Judges, as carriers of the judiciary, must be independent and impartial when exercising their exclusive right to administer justice. Conflicts of interest directly pose a threat to impartiality, may affect trust and respect for judges, and undermine the authority of the judiciary in society. The increasing negative impact of conflicts of interest on the formation of a professional staff of judges, which reduces the quality of the administration of justice, justifies the need to determine the limits of conflicts of interest. It is necessary to formulate clear criteria for conflicts of interest for judicial activity, in which requirements, prohibitions and restrictions are imposed on judges as carriers of the judiciary and aimed at eliminating conflicts of interest in their behavior.
Justice of punishment: Theoretical format and law enforcement practice
Authors:   Academy of Law and Management of the Federal Penitentiary Service, Egorova Tatyana I.
Published: February 2022

The article analyzes the theoretical and law enforcement aspects of justice as a principle of punishability, the purpose of criminal punishment and the general commencement of sentencing. The primary focus is the issues of appointment and execution of punishment in the form of imprisonment. The problems of exemption from serving a sentence due to illness, penalization of drug crimes and compensatory punishment as the most relevant and illustrative facts of the existing relationship of justice with the principles of legality and humanism are analyzed in particular. Based on the study of the exclusion of persons sentenced to imprisonment, the boundaries of the fairness of individual sanctions of criminal law norms were studied, and the fairness of their application was evaluated in connection with the possibilities of modern justice, including the presence of discrete powers of the court in terms of assigning a specific type of correctional institution. It is noted that the discursive analysis of legal studies and empirical data reflects two main directions for the implementation of justice of punishment in its effective appointment and execution: on the one hand, the correction of the convicted person in a safe penitentiary process should be provided, and on the other, there are deontic expectations of the victim, society and the state from the impact of necessary and sufficient measures for criminal coercion. Observation of the results of the author’s research, data from judicial practice and statistics does not allow us to draw a conclusion about the absolutization of the justice of punishment in the considered aspects. However, a promising focus of the penitentiary process is the increased individualization and differentiation of punishment based on the nature and degree of public danger of the crime, as well as the importance of private-public interests.
Subordination, reordination and coordination ties in the structure of other measures of a criminal-legal nature
Authors:   West Siberian branch of the Russian State University of Justice, Laptev Dmitry B.
Published: February 2022

In order to determine the specifics of subordination, reordination and coordination ties in the structure of other measures of a criminal-legal nature, the content of the system of these measures is analysed, in which it is proposed to include measures related to isolation or restriction of personal freedom and measures related to the restriction of property rights. It is suggested to define a system of other measures of a criminal-legal nature as a holistic set, built on a hierarchical principle and divided into two subsystems, the normative reflection of which takes place in the provisions of the General Part of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, and social — in specific public relations arising from the commission of a crime and the need to apply criminal law measures to it. In the study of external subordinate relations, it is concluded that other measures of a criminal-legal nature have become a full-fledged component of criminal law, alternative to criminal punishment or supplementing the restrictions on the rights and freedoms of the convicted person arising from the application of punishment. Internal subordinate ties reflect the structure of the system of other measures of a criminal-legal nature and allows them to be distributed according to their functional purpose. The conclusion is made that the reordination ties demonstrate the cosubordination of the subsystem of the system for other measures of a criminal-legal nature, as well as a blanket (reference) interaction with other elements of the system of criminal-legal action, or with other spheres of social life, which intersect with negative social phenomena. Also, it is substantiated that coordination ties in the structure of the system of other measures of a criminal-legal nature are unilateral and create conditions for the use of discretionary powers related to the preservation of the application of these measures or refusal of them in favor of a stricter criminal-legal act, punishment.