bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dalton’s law of partial optical thermodynamic pressures in highly multimoded nonlinear photonic systems
Authors: Ren Huizhong , Pyrialakos Georgios G. , Wu Fan O. , Efremidis Nikolaos K. , Khajavikhan Mercedeh , Christodoulides Demetrios N.
Published: March 2024

We show that in highly multimoded nonlinear photonic systems, the optical thermodynamic pressures emerging from different species of the optical field obey Dalton’s law of partial pressures. In multimode settings, the optical thermodynamic pressure is defined as the conjugate to the extensive variable associated with the system’s total number of modes and is directly related to the actual electrodynamic radiation forces exerted at the physical boundaries of the system. Here, we extend this notion to photonic configuration supporting different species of the optical field. Under thermal equilibrium conditions, we formally derive an equation that establishes a direct link between the partial thermodynamic pressures and the electrodynamic radiation pressures exerted by each polarization species. Our theoretical framework provides a straightforward approach for quantifying the total radiation pressures through the system’s thermodynamic variables without invoking the Maxwell stress tensor formalism. In essence, we show that the total electrodynamic pressure in such arrangements can be obtained in an effortless manner from initial excitation conditions, thus avoiding time-consuming simulations of the utterly complex multimode dynamics. To illustrate the validity of our results, we carry out numerical simulations in multimoded nonlinear optical structures supporting two polarization species and demonstrate excellent agreement with the Maxwell stress tensor method.
Value-related learning in the olfactory bulb occurs through pathway-dependent perisomatic inhibition of mitral cells
Authors: Lindeman Sander , Fu Xiaochen , Reinert Janine Kristin , Fukunaga Izumi
Published: March 2024

Associating values to environmental cues is a critical aspect of learning from experiences, allowing animals to predict and maximise future rewards. Value-related signals in the brain were once considered a property of higher sensory regions, but their wide distribution across many brain regions is increasingly recognised. Here, we investigate how reward-related signals begin to be incorporated, mechanistically, at the earliest stage of olfactory processing, namely, in the olfactory bulb. In head-fixed mice performing Go/No-Go discrimination of closely related olfactory mixtures, rewarded odours evoke widespread inhibition in one class of output neurons, that is, in mitral cells but not tufted cells. The temporal characteristics of this reward-related inhibition suggest it is odour-driven, but it is also context-dependent since it is absent during pseudo-conditioning and pharmacological silencing of the piriform cortex. Further, the reward-related modulation is present in the somata but not in the apical dendritic tuft of mitral cells, suggesting an involvement of circuit components located deep in the olfactory bulb. Depth-resolved imaging from granule cell dendritic gemmules suggests that granule cells that target mitral cells receive a reward-related extrinsic drive. Thus, our study supports the notion that value-related modulation of olfactory signals is a characteristic of olfactory processing in the primary olfactory area and narrows down the possible underlying mechanisms to deeper circuit components that contact mitral cells perisomatically.
Dose optimization of an adjuvanted peptide-based personalized neoantigen melanoma vaccine
Authors: Valega-Mackenzie Wencel , Rodriguez Messan Marisabel , Yogurtcu Osman N. , Nukala Ujwani , Sauna Zuben E. , Yang Hong
Published: March 2024

The advancements in next-generation sequencing have made it possible to effectively detect somatic mutations, which has led to the development of personalized neoantigen cancer vaccines that are tailored to the unique variants found in a patient’s cancer. These vaccines can provide significant clinical benefit by leveraging the patient’s immune response to eliminate malignant cells. However, determining the optimal vaccine dose for each patient is a challenge due to the heterogeneity of tumors. To address this challenge, we formulate a mathematical dose optimization problem based on a previous mathematical model that encompasses the immune response cascade produced by the vaccine in a patient. We propose an optimization approach to identify the optimal personalized vaccine doses, considering a fixed vaccination schedule, while simultaneously minimizing the overall number of tumor and activated T cells. To validate our approach, we perform in silico experiments on six real-world clinical trial patients with advanced melanoma. We compare the results of applying an optimal vaccine dose to those of a suboptimal dose (the dose used in the clinical trial and its deviations). Our simulations reveal that an optimal vaccine regimen of higher initial doses and lower final doses may lead to a reduction in tumor size for certain patients. Our mathematical dose optimization offers a promising approach to determining an optimal vaccine dose for each patient and improving clinical outcomes.
Multi-attribute decision making based on VIKOR with probabilistic linguistic term sets: An application to the risk evaluation of foreign direct investment
Authors: Xu Xinxin , Zhang Yixin , Xu Zeshui , Liao Huchang , Tong Zhibin
Published: March 2024

The multiple global environments have triggered changes in the international environment, leading to a sharp decline of foreign direct investment (FDI) compared to pre-pandemic level. To evaluate the investment risk of FDI and make optimal investment decision becomes the most important issue for investors. This paper focuses on the evaluation of investment risk for FDI. First, an index system for risk evaluation of FDI is constructed. Then, we introduce the probabilistic linguistic entropy and cross entropy measures, based on which, a programming model is developed to identify the objective attribute weights. A composite weight derivation method, which takes both the objective attribute weights and the subjective attribute weights into account, is further introduced. In view of attributes’ uncertainty and fuzziness and the conflicting characteristics of some attributes, the VIKOR (the Serbian name: VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje, means multi-criteria optimization and compromise solution) method is used to evaluate the risk of FDI under the probabilistic linguistic environment. Furthermore, a case study is presented to illustrate the proposed method. The comparative analysis and some further discussions verify the validity of the proposed method for the FDI risk evaluation.
Management of antipsychotics in primary care: Insights from healthcare professionals and policy makers in the United Kingdom
Authors: Woodall Alan A. , Abuzour Aseel S. , Wilson Samantha A. , Mair Frances S. , Buchan Iain , Sheard Sally B. , Atkinson Paul , Joyce Dan W. , Symon Pyers , Walker Lauren E.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Antipsychotic medication is increasingly prescribed to patients with serious mental illness. Patients with serious mental illness often have cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities, and antipsychotics independently increase the risk of cardiometabolic disease. Despite this, many patients prescribed antipsychotics are discharged to primary care without planned psychiatric review. We explore perceptions of healthcare professionals and managers/directors of policy regarding reasons for increasing prevalence and management of antipsychotics in primary care.

Methods

Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 11 general practitioners (GPs), 8 psychiatrists, and 11 managers/directors of policy in the United Kingdom. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Respondents reported competency gaps that impaired ability to manage patients prescribed antipsychotic medications, arising from inadequate postgraduate training and professional development. GPs lacked confidence to manage antipsychotic medications alone; psychiatrists lacked skills to address cardiometabolic risks and did not perceive this as their role. Communication barriers, lack of integrated care records, limited psychology provision, lowered expectation towards patients with serious mental illness by professionals, and pressure to discharge from hospital resulted in patients in primary care becoming ‘trapped’ on antipsychotics, inhibiting opportunities to deprescribe. Organisational and contractual barriers between services exacerbate this risk, with socioeconomic deprivation and lack of access to non-pharmacological interventions driving overprescribing. Professionals voiced fears of censure if a catastrophic event occurred after stopping an antipsychotic. Facilitators to overcome these barriers were suggested.

Conclusions

People prescribed antipsychotics experience a fragmented health system and suboptimal care. Several interventions could be taken to improve care for this population, but inadequate availability of non-pharmacological interventions and socioeconomic factors increasing mental distress need policy change to improve outcomes. The role of professionals’ fear of medicolegal or regulatory censure inhibiting antipsychotic deprescribing was a new finding in this study.
The research on the particle concentration distribution of directed airflow in cleanrooms for operators
Authors: Li Chao , Li Hao , Zhang Minwei , Wang Xin , Huang Cui
Published: March 2024

Existing research of non-unidirectional cleanrooms generally suggests that lower-side return air outlets provide better control effect on indoor particle concentration. As a result, there has been relatively less focus on return air outlets. However, installing return air outlets oriented towards operators as particle emission sources can reduce the impact on process layout and improve space utilization, while also provide less impact from upper particle emission sources on the workbench area. To investigate the characteristics of return air outlet for operators (abbreviated asH), this study compared the particle concentration distribution, non—uniformity, and purification efficiency of return air oultetHand the traditional lower-side (abbreviated asL) return air outlets by experiments and CFD simulations. Based on the theory of mass conservation, the expression of required air supply volume under equivalent cleanroom conditions was derived. Under corresponding experimental and simulation conditions, the particle concentration differences range from 2.0% to 12.7% for return air outletHand from 12.4% to 33.2% for return air outletL, and these differences gradually decrease with the air exchange rate (ACH) increases. The results show that ACH = 20 is sufficient for cleanliness requirements with return air outletHwhen there is one person in the cleanroom, while a higher rate of ACH = 35 is needed when there are two persons. Although lower-side return air outlets have certain potential for reducing particle concentration in the cleanroom, increasing the air exchange rate remains the most effective method to control indoor particle concentration. Compared to the traditional lower-side return air outletL, the ranges of the non-uniformity coefficients for return air outletHandLare 0.50 to 0.67 and 0.45 to 0.53, respectively. The average non-uniformity coefficient differs by 11.9%, and there is not a significant difference in uniformity with more than 20 air changes per hour. The use of return air outletsHonly requires an additional 11% of air supply volume to achieve the same cleanliness, demonstrating its effectiveness in controlling particle concentration. It is suitable for cleanrooms with higher requirements for workbenches and for cleanrooms with restricted floor usage or requiring flexible layouts. The study also explores the impact of width of return air outlet oriented towards operators as particle emission sources, the results show that the larger-sized outlets facilitate the particle discharge and control the particle distribution inside the room.
Long-term in vitro monitoring of AAV-transduction efficiencies in real-time with Hoechst 33342
Authors: Hu Xiaonan , Meister Roland , Tode Jan , Framme Carsten , Fuchs Heiko
Published: March 2024

Adeno-associated viral transduction allows the introduction of nucleic fragments into cells and is widely used to modulate gene expressions in vitro and in vivo. It enables the study of genetic functions and disease mechanisms and, more recently, serves as a tool for gene repair. To achieve optimal transduction performance for a given cell type, selecting an appropriate serotype and the number of virus particles per cell, also known as the multiplicity of infection, is critical. Fluorescent proteins are one of the common reporter genes to visualize successfully transduced cells and assess transduction efficiencies. Traditional methods of measuring fluorescence-positive cells are endpoint analysis by flow cytometry or manual counting with a fluorescence microscope. However, the flow cytometry analysis does not allow further measurement in a test run, and manual counting by microscopy is time-consuming. Here, we present a method that repeatedly evaluates transduction efficiencies by adding the DNA-stain Hoechst 33342 during the transduction process combined with a microscope or live-cell imager and microplate image analysis software. The method achieves fast, high-throughput, reproducible, and real-time post-transduction analysis and allows for optimizing transduction parameters and screening for a proper approach.
Exploration of adverse events associated with risdiplam use: Retrospective cases from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database
Authors: Yu Lurong , Liu Limei
Published: March 2024

Risdiplam is a new drug for treating spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). However, pharmacovigilance analyses are necessary to objectively evaluate its safety—a crucial step in preventing severe adverse events (AEs). Accordingly, the primary objective of the current study was to examine the AEs associated with risdiplam use based on real-world data obtained from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. More specifically, we examined incidents reported between the third quarter of 2020 and the second quarter of 2023. The imbalance of risdiplam-related AEs was evaluated by computing the reporting odds ratio. A total of 5,406,334 reports were thoroughly reviewed. By removing duplicate reports, we identified 1588 reports in which risdiplam was the main suspected drug whose use was accompanied by 3470 associated AEs. Among the included AEs, 703 were categorized as serious and 885 as non-serious. Risdiplam use induced AEs across 18 organ systems, resulting in 130 positive signals. Notably, we detected new AE signals, including cardiac arrest, nephrolithiasis, tachycardia, loss of libido, and elevated hepatic enzyme activities; however, no ophthalmologic toxicity was reported. Although these new adverse reaction signals associated with risdiplam have been defined, long-term clinical studies are needed to confirm these findings. Nevertheless, our findings provide a valuable reference for improving the clinical management of SMA.
Epigallocatechin gallate improves neuronal damage in animal model of ischemic stroke and glutamate-exposed neurons via modulation of hippocalcin expression
Authors: Park Dong-Ju , Kang Ju-Bin , Koh Phil-Ok
Published: March 2024

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a polyphenolic component of green tea that has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in neurons. Ischemic stroke is a major neurological disease that causes irreversible brain disorders. It increases the intracellular calcium concentration and induces apoptosis. The regulation of intracellular calcium concentration is important to maintain the function of the nervous system. Hippocalcin is a neuronal calcium sensor protein that controls intracellular calcium concentration. We investigated whether EGCG treatment regulates the expression of hippocalcin in stroke animal model and glutamate-induced neuronal damage. We performed middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) to induce cerebral ischemia. EGCG (50 mg/kg) or phosphate buffered saline was injected into the abdominal cavity just before MCAO surgery. The neurobehavioral tests were performed 24 h after MCAO surgery and cerebral cortex tissue was collected. MCAO damage induced severe neurobehavioral disorders, increased infarct volume, and decreased the expression of hippocalcin in the cerebral cortex. However, EGCG treatment improved these deficits and alleviated the decrease in hippocalcin expression in cerebral cortex. In addition, EGCG dose-dependently alleviated neuronal cell death and intracellular calcium overload in glutamate-exposed neurons. Glutamate exposure reduced hippocalcin expression, decreased Bcl-2 expression, and increased Bax expression. However, EGCG treatment mitigated these changes caused by glutamate toxicity. EGCG also attenuated the increase in caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 expressions caused by glutamate exposure. The effect of EGCG was more pronounced in non-transfected cells than in hippocalcin siRNA-transfected cells. These findings demonstrate that EGCG protects neurons against glutamate toxicity through the regulation of Bcl-2 family proteins and caspase-3. It is known that hippocalcin exerts anti-apoptotic effect through the modulation of apoptotic pathway. Thus, we can suggest evidence that EGCG has a neuroprotective effect by regulating hippocalcin expression in ischemic brain damage and glutamate-exposed cells.
Development of an automated human scent olfactometer and its use to evaluate detection dog perception of human scent
Authors: Aviles-Rosa Edgar O. , Medrano Andrea C. , Cantu Ariela , Prada-Tiedemann Paola A. , Maughan Michele N. , Gadberry Jenna D. , Greubel Robin R. , Hall Nathaniel J.
Published: March 2024

Working Dogs have shown an extraordinary ability to utilize olfaction for victim recovery efforts. Although instrumental analysis has chemically characterized odor volatiles from various human biospecimens, it remains unclear what perceptually constitutes human scent (HS) for dogs. This may be in part due to the lack of methodology and equipment to train and evaluate HS perception. The aims of this research were 1) to develop an automated human scent olfactometer (AHSO) to present HS to dogs in a controlled setting and 2) use the AHSO to evaluate dogs’ response to different scented articles and individual components of HS. A human volunteer was placed in a clear acrylic chamber and using a vacuum pump and computer-controlled valves, the headspace of this chamber was carried to one of three ports in a different room. Dogs were trained to search all three ports of the olfactometer and alert to the one containing HS. In Experiment 1 and 2, the AHSO was validated by testing two dogs naïve to HS (Experiment 1) and five certified Search and Rescue (SAR) teams naïve to the apparatus (Experiment 2). All dogs showed sensitivity and specificity to HS > 95% in the apparatus. In Experiment 3, we used a spontaneous generalization paradigm to evaluate generalization from the HS chamber to different scented articles exposed to the same volunteer and to a breath sample. Dogs’ response rate to the different scented articles was < 10% but exceeded 40% for the breath sample. In Experiment 4, we replicated this result by re-testing spontaneous generalization to breath and when the volunteer had breath exhausted/removed from the chamber. Dogs’ response rate to breath alone was 88% and only 50% when breath was removed. Altogether, the data indicate that exhaled breath is an important and salient component of HS under these conditions.
Mental health status according to the dual-factor model in Swedish adolescents: A cross sectional study highlighting associations with stress, resilience, social status and gender
Authors: Hermann Veronica , Söderqvist Fredrik , Karlsson Ann-Christin , Sarkadi Anna , Durbeej Natalie
Published: March 2024

In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to I) investigate the dual-factor model of mental health by forming and describing four participant groups and II) examine associations between mental health status and background factors, school-related factors, stress, and resilience among adolescents in a community population in Sweden. Data were collected through a survey completed by 2,208 students in lower and upper secondary school on the Swedish island of Gotland. After missing data were removed, a total of 1,833 participants were included in the study. The survey included the Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF) for the assessment of mental well-being and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for the assessment of mental health problems. These two measures were combined into a dual-factor model, forming four mental health status subgroups: Vulnerable (47.5%), Complete mental health (36.2%), Troubled (13.9%), and Symptomatic but content (2.5%). Associations between these groups were explored regarding background factors, school-related factors, stress, and resilience through chi-squared tests and logistic regressions. Girls (OR: 1.88) and participants with high stress levels (OR: 2.23) had elevated odds for Vulnerable mental health status, whereas higher resilience (OR: 0.87) and subjective social status in school (OR: 0.76) were factors associated with reduced odds for this mental health status classification. Female gender (OR: 5.02) was also associated with Troubled mental health status. Similarly, a high level of stress (ORs: 4.08 and 11.36) was associated with Symptomatic but content and Troubled mental health status, and participants with higher levels of resilience had decreased odds for being classified into these groups (ORs: 0.88 and 0.81). The findings highlight the importance of interventions to increase resilience, reduce stress, and address stereotypic gender norms as well as social status hierarchies to support adolescents’ mental health.
Digital economy and green total factor productivity in China
Authors: Wang Shuo , Zheng Yueping , Yang Hailan
Published: March 2024

The development of information technology has created conducive conditions for the digital economy. The digital economy is regarded as a critical pathway for transforming traditional economic models. Green total factor productivity serves as an indicator for assessing the quality of economic development. During pivotal periods of economic transition, the digital economy and green total factor productivity have emerged as two prominent themes for achieving sustainable economic development. But the impact of digital economy on green total factor productivity is less discussed. Innovation environment refers to a confluence of conditions shaped by factors such as talent, funding, cultural atmosphere and government policies, all of which collectively support innovative activities within a region. The institutional environment encompasses the aggregate of economic, political, social, and legal rules. Currently, there is little discussion on bringing innovation environment and institutional environment into the impact of digital economy on green total factor productivity. To fill the research gap, this paper adopts the Slack based measure-Directional distance function model and Malmquist-Luenberger productivity index to measure green total factor productivity in each region based on the panel data collected from 30 provinces in China from 2004 to 2019. Generalized Method of Moments method is constructed to carry out an empirical study on the impact of digital economy on green total factor productivity. This paper constructs a panel threshold model with innovation environment and institutional environment as threshold variables. In further analysis, this paper employs panel quantile regression for the empirical analysis of the impact of the digital economy on green total factor productivity. Further analysis elucidates the evident disparities in the influence of the digital economy on green total factor productivity at various levels. The research results can provide a guide for discussing the green value of the digital economy and its role in fostering the development of a green economy.
A mathematical model for varicella-zoster and HIV co-dynamic supported by numerical simulations
Authors: Kotola Belela Samuel
Published: March 2024

The prevalence of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and its correlation underscore its impact on a significant segment of the population. Notably contagious, VZV serves as a risk factor for the manifestation of HIV/AIDS, with its reactivation often signaling the onset of immunodeficiency. Recognizing the concurrent existence of these two diseases, this study focuses on the co-infection dynamics through a deterministic mathematical model. The population is categorized into seven exclusive groups, considering the complexities arising from the interplay of HIV and Zoster. We establish the non-negativity and boundedness of solutions, examine equilibrium points, calculate basic reproduction numbers via the next-generation matrix approach, and analyze the existence and local stabilities of equilibriums using the Routh-Hurwitz stability criteria. The numerical simulations reveal that the model converges to an endemic equilibrium point when the reproduction number exceeds unity. The primary objectives of this study are to comprehensively understand the transmission dynamics of HIV and Zoster in a co-infected population and to provide valuable insights for developing effective intervention strategies. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing these co-infections to mitigate their impact on public health.
Financial indicators utilization among community pharmacists: A comprehensive study for pharmacy management
Authors: Abu Assab Mohammad , Hasan Hisham E. , Alhamad Hamza , Albahar Fares , Alzayadneh Abdallah , Abu Assab Hanadi , Abu Dayyeh Wael , Zakaraya Zainab
Published: March 2024

Background

The financial management of community pharmacies is a critical aspect of healthcare delivery, as pharmacists often operate as healthcare providers and business managers. Understanding pharmacists’ awareness, perceptions, and practices related to financial indicators is essential for effective pharmacy management. There is a paucity of research addressing this issue regionally and locally.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the perceptions and utilization of financial indicators among community pharmacists in Jordan and identify demographic and contextual factors influencing their financial practices.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted, surveying 353 community pharmacists from various regions of Jordan. The developed and validated survey assessed demographic characteristics, utilizations of financial indicators, and perceptions of their significance. Pharmacists were queried about their financial practices, including the use of various financial indicators. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to portray the study’s findings.

Results

The study included a diverse group of community pharmacists in terms of demographic characteristics. Most pharmacists exhibited awareness of financial indicators, with a higher awareness of profitability and liquidity indicators. Pharmacists generally had positive perceptions of the importance of these indicators in daily practice. High agreement was observed in financial practices, including following up on payables and receivables, monitoring changes in monthly revenue, and preparing income statements. There was significant variation in the utilization and perception of financial indicators based on factors such as pharmacy ownership, province, foundation age, and practical experience.

Conclusion

The findings indicate a positive correlation between utilization and perception, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness of financial indicators among pharmacists. The study also highlights the significance of tailored financial training programs for pharmacists at different stages of their careers and the importance of regional context in financial practices. Understanding these variations can lead to more effective financial management and improved healthcare services in community pharmacies.
The potential for cascading failures in the international trade network
Authors: Kang Heesuk , Lee Kyu-Min , Yang Jae-Suk
Published: March 2024

In our study, we introduce indicators that quantify the influence of each country in complex trade scenarios involving the exchange of raw materials, intermediate goods, and final products across multiple countries. We systematically employ an agent-based model to simulate the propagation of failures from one node to the entire network. This approach allows for the assessment of the impact of each country and the identification of patterns of interaction in the multi-step trade network. Unlike conventional analyses of trade networks, which depict straightforward single-step import/export transactions, our approach captures the intricate realities of processes like raw material procurement, production, and sales in numerous countries from a macroscopic perspective. The findings of our analysis of trade data spanning from 1990 to 2022 reveal several key insights. Firstly, sensitivity to changes in trade volume leading to global failures within interconnected networks has intensified over time. The potential of failure propagation across countries has increased over time, as has the interconnectedness of countries in the global trade landscape. Secondly, despite the increased sensitivity to changes in global trade volume, many countries have become less vulnerable to the influence of others within their multi-step trade networks. This trend aligns with deglobalization, which is evidenced by events such as Brexit and the surge in protectionist measures; these changes indicate a shift in the balance of influence within global trade networks. Thirdly, the results of our analysis of the relationship between load changes and global failures from a regional perspective reveal an intriguing phenomenon: despite limited direct trade connectivity, the interaction between the Latin American and Sub-Saharan African regions is considerable. This suggests the existence of hidden connections between intermediary countries, such that one region’s actions can alter the load sensitivity of another, impacting them in unforeseen ways. Furthermore, intra-regional interactions are diminishing in East Asia, while Europe is experiencing a gradual increase in interactions. These trends reflect evolving regional influence, the dynamics of geographic proximity, and the results of economic integration efforts. Additionally, even though the observed period was not long enough to confirm a long-term trend, the previous trend direction was affirmed to persist despite a temporary decrease in trading and reduced sensitivity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study highlights the complexity of global trade dynamics and the need to consider multi-step trade networks and their potential cascading effects when analyzing trade patterns and vulnerabilities.
Una Acción Civil (1998): la ley detrás del daño corporal, los defectos congénitos y la leucemia
Authors: Richard Enrique , Mendoza César
Published: March 2024

Acción Civil es una película fundamental para comprender cómo la contaminación del ambiente influye en la salud humana, pero también el contexto biopsicosocial, ético, legítimo y legal en torno a la problemática de ejercer el derecho a un ambiente saludable. Muestra cómo la contaminación afecta a las comunidades, la responsabilidad que muchas empresas intentan eludir frente a sus acciones en perjuicio de la vida humana y ambiente y cómo la comunidad y los medios de comunicación pueden trabajar juntos para abordar estas cuestiones y tomar medidas para prevenir y tratar estos problemas. En la docencia universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, el filme se constituye en un recurso pedagógico para ilustrar y concientizar sobre la problemática de la contaminación del agua potable y ambiente en general en la salud humana y especialmente durante la gestación. El visionado del filme por otro lado estimula el pensamiento crítico, divergente, analítico, reflexivo, emocional y el aprendizaje significativo, al tiempo que permite integrar conocimientos de las asignaturas que cursan y cultura general en una experiencia inmersiva. Asimismo, permite integrar aspectos legales que pocas veces son abordados en la carrera como una transversal educativa que contribuye al acervo de cultura general del estudiante.
Scrutinizing Local Probiotic Supplements and Drinks Available in the Bangladesh Market
Authors: Akter Fatema , Karmaker Pranab , Chowdhury Nafisa Nusrat , Showva Nazmir Nur , Ahmed Zabed Bin , Rabby Raisul Islam , Razu Mamudul Hasan , Hossain Iqbal , Khan Mala
Published: March 2024

The host's health may benefit from the probiotic microorganisms found in many products available on the market. In addition to food, these products include dietary supplements, food for special medical purposes, medicines, cosmetics, and medical devices. These products have anywhere from one to a dozen strains of bacteria from the same or different species, and sometimes they also have strains of fungi. Since the health benefits of probiotics depend on the strain, the number of cells in a dose, and the absence of pathogenic microorganisms, it is crucial to regulate the quality of probiotics. Depending on how a product is classified, how it looks, and how many microorganisms it has, it is very important to count and identify the microorganisms correctly. We investigated nine probiotic products in this study: five commercially available probiotic supplements and four probiotic drinks. The majority of commercial products did not contain all of the labeled lactic acid bacteria, nor did they contain any possibly harmful microorganisms. To ensure that consumers in Bangladesh obtain good products, probiotic-containing product rules and regulations should be developed. Furthermore, it should be the duty of probiotics-containing product manufacturers to provide consumers with information that is accurate, reliable, and compliant with legal and scientific requirements.
«Nelle scuole delli religiosi e alle disputazioni delli filosofanti». Aproximación al problema de la formación cultural de Dante
Authors: Valastro Canale Angelo
Published: March 2024

El presente artículo se propone ofrecer al lector una visión panorámica de las principales adquisiciones críticas relativas a la formación juvenil de Dante Alighieri. A lo largo de siete siglos de estudios, las fuentes de las que bebió el futuro autor de la Comedia siguen siendo en buena medida conjeturales, lo cual no quita que los análisis de archivo más recientes y algunos proyectos de investigación en continuo desarrollo han permitido ampliar al respecto nuestros horizontes de conocimientos.
Del «transhumanismo» al «trasumanar»: Dante y la recuperación de la filosofía
Authors: Monterde Ferrando Rafael
Published: March 2024

El objeto del presente artículo es el estudio y comparación del transhumanismo de Julian Huxley y del trasumanar de Dante Alighieri. Aunque sean autores separados en el tiempo, están conectados por el hecho de que el trasumanar de Dante inspiró la formulación de la palabra con la que Huxley definió su filosofía, el transhumanismo. De este modo, se recorre a lo largo del artículo el pensamiento de Dante hasta llegar, después, al de Huxley con el objetivo de compararlos y comprobar el alcance antropológico de ambas propuestas filosóficas
Evaluation of Quality Performance and Social Effectiveness of Arts and Humanities Journals Indexed in the Web of Science Database
Authors: Ghasemian Amir , Nojavan Fereshteh , Asnafi Amir Reza , Jabbari Fatemeh
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the qualitative and Altmetrics status of 147 journals indexed in the Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI). This practical-analytical study used qualitative indicators of journals and quantitative Altmetrics. Data was collected from Web of Science, Journal Citation Reports, and Altmetrics Explorer. The results showed that most of the journals this database covers are from European countries, and only one is from Asian countries. More than half of the reviewed journals have a score lower than average regarding Journal Citation Indicator, Eigenfactor Score, and Article influence score. In addition, 63 % of journals cite articles published less than 19 years ago. Nearly 20 % of journals were not on social media. There is a significant relationship between Journal Citation Indicator indices with Citing Half-life, Article influence score with Eigenfactor Score, and between qualitative and Altmetrics indicators. Most of the reviewed journals showed low-quality performance. These journals needed high scientific impact to increase their credibility and quality and remain in the Web of Science database.
A Pilot Study Investigating the Impact of High Altitude on Myostatin and Irisin Levels
Authors: Rathor Richa , Suryakumar Geetha , Singh Somnath
Published: March 2024

Many people visit and stay at high altitude due to adventure or occupation. The high-altitude environment comprises many factors alien to sea residents and detrimental to physical and mental health. Myokines are peptides and cytokines secreted from muscles and have a prime role in regulating skeletal muscle growth and myo-degradation. Therefore, the present study investigated the function of myokines in regulating muscle mass during acute and chronic high-altitude exposure. The study was conducted on Indian healthy subjects (n=29) who were distributed into three groups: Control (sea level (SL; n=15), acute high altitude stayed subjects (stayed at high altitude for less than ten days (AHA; n=7); chronic high altitude stayed subjects (stayed at high altitude for 15 days to 3 months (CHA; n=7). Acute exposure to high altitude leads to an increase in myostatin levels, indicating enhanced myo-degradation. Irisin levels were also increased in AHA group compared to SL group, depicting inclined myogenesis. However, CHA group showed an increase in myostatin levels but a non-significant change in irisin content in relation to SL group, suggesting enhanced myo-degradation. These findings generated a unique role of myokines, including myostatin and irisin, in managing skeletal muscle health with reference to high altitude.
Comparative Analysis of Low Lander Transcriptomes at Himalayas and Andes Reveals Differential Regulation of Erythropoiesis at Extreme Altitude
Authors: Sharma Vandana , Sethy Niroj Kumar
Published: March 2024

Systematic human expeditions to very high (≥ 3500 meters) and extreme altitudes (≥ 5500 meters) have documented marked changes in human physiology. However, only a handful of studies have reported lowlander transcriptome alterations at extreme altitudes. In this study, we compared the lowlander transcriptomes available in the literature for Chinese mountaineers (n=4, 3 males and 1 female)inthe Himalayas (Mount Xixabangma base camp, 5600 meters) and French mountaineers (n=8, all males) at Andes (La Rinconada, Peru, 5100 meters). We sought to find out significantly alteredpathways, gene networks, andtranscription factors (TFs) for each data set. We observed profound upregulation of GATA1 in the Himalaya transcriptome data set (+ 1.38-fold) in comparison tothe Andes data set (-1.36-fold). Core transcriptome analysis revealed that GATA1 upregulated erythropoiesis genes like KLF1, HBD, HBG, EPB42, ALAS2, and AHSP in the Himalayan dataset in contrast to the Andean data set.We also observed contrasting expression profiles ofKLF1 in the Himalayas (+1.22-fold) and Andes (-1.15-fold)for lowlander populations and differential expression regulation of its downstream target genes like AHSP, ALAS2, SLC4A1, EPB42,HBG2, andHBB.We also observed upregulation of SP1 (+ 2.46-fold) in the Himalayan transcriptome as compared to the Andean transcriptome which also regulates erythropoiesis genes along with GATA1. Our results indicate profound upregulation of erythropoiesis-promotingTFs and genes in Chinese mountaineers at extreme altitudes in contrast to French mountaineers at similar altitudes. Though our present analysis does not provide possible reasons for the observed differences inhypoxia-responsive erythropoiesis gene signatures, it certainly highlights ethnicity-dependenttranscriptome level variations in lowlanders at extreme altitudes.
¿Volver o no volver a las clases presenciales? Motivaciones y temores que influyen en la deserción universitaria en Colombia en tiempos de postpandemia
Authors: Garcés Prettel Miguel , De la Ossa Robinson Susana , Arellano Cartagena William , Alvis Arrieta Jorge , Figueroa Castillo Luis Carlos
Published: March 2024

Objetivo: La pandemia de Covid-19 interrumpió la educación presencial en la mayoría de los países del mundo. Las universidades colombianas no fueron la excepción, y ahora, con el regreso a las aulas físicas, enfrentan nuevos desafíos para garantizar la permanencia estudiantil y evitar que los casos de abandono académico sigan aumentando. En ese sentido, este estudio se propuso como objetivo identificar las motivaciones y temores que experimentan algunos universitarios colombianos al volver a la presencialidad, y cómo estas variables intervienen en la decisión de retornar o desertar. Los resultados aportan conocimientos relevantes sobre los desafíos de la educación superior en el contexto de la postpandemia. Materiales y método: Esta investigación fue de tipo descriptiva-explicativa. Participó una muestra por conveniencia de estudiantes de carreras profesionales en Colombia. Se aplicaron dos escalas confiables que evaluaron la percepción de estos estudiantes en cada uno de los factores e indicadores asociados a las variables analizadas. Resultados: Se encontró que las principales motivaciones para volver tienen que ver con mejorar el rendimiento y recuperar la normalidad académica. Estas motivaciones demostraron ser un predictor significativo que fortalece la decisión de regresar. En cambio, los temores a nivel psicosocial y económico aumentan el riesgo de deserción. Conclusión: Los temores en esta nueva normalidad, cuando no se aprenden a manejar, son factores de riesgo de deserción, mientras que las motivaciones académicas y psicológicas son factores protectores. En la discusión final se ofrecen recomendaciones educativas y de salud para prevenir la deserción.
Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Endogenous Inhibitors in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease (Syndrome Leriche)
Authors: Vasic N. , Glumac S. , Pejic Snezana , Amidzic L. J. , Tadic Latinovic L. J. , Dozic B. , Hinic S. , Maksimovic Z.
Published: March 2024

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) play a complex role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We compared (1) the histopathological findings in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and aortoiliac occlusive disease (AOD); (2) the expression of MMP-2/MMP-9 and TIMP-1/TIMP-2 in aortic layers, inflammatory cells and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), aiming to identify the common underlying pathogenic mechanisms of the disease development. Samples were obtained from 30 patients with AAA and 30 with AOD. Aortic histology and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate inflammatory changes and MMP and TIMP expression. Thrombosis and ulceration were more frequent in AOD than in AAA. The MMP-9 expression was elevated in all aortic layers of AAA patients and in media/adventitia of AOD patients, mainly followed by lower expression of its inhibitor TIMP-1. Higher MMP-9 expression was also found in SMCs and macrophages of both AAA and AOD specimens, while higher TIMP-1/TIMP-2 were predominantly observed in the lymphocytes and macrophages of the aneurysm. These results showed that both conditions exhibited increased MMP-9 expression; however, the MMP expression pattern differed to some degree between the aneurysms and occlusive disease. The variations in molecular mechanisms underlying dilatative/stenosing disease warrant further investigation.
Molecular Cloning of the Porcine HTRA3 Gene and Association of a SNP with Litter Size Traits
Authors: Xudong W. , Guiying Z. , Guowen F. , Yonggang Liu
Published: March 2024

HtrA serine peptidase 3 (HTRA3) is an important reproduction-related gene. In this study, we cloned the full-length coding sequence of the porcine HTRA3 gene using RT-PCR. Sequence analysis of this gene revealed that the pig HTRA3 gene encodes a protein of 453 amino acids, which has high homology with the HTRA3 protein of five species: water buffalo (96 %), killer whale (96 %), sperm whale (96 %), Yangtze River dolphin (96 %) and smalleared galago (93 %). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the pig HTRA3 gene has a closer genetic relationship with the HTRA3 gene of cattle. PCR-HpaIIRFLP was established to detect the GU373693:c.1140 G>A substitution of the porcine HTRA3 gene coding sequence, and eight pig breeds displayed obvious genotype and allele frequency differences at this mutation locus. Association of this SNP with litter size traits was assessed in Large White (N = 200) and Landrace (N = 200) pig populations, and the results demonstrated that this polymorphic locus was significantly associated with the litter size of all parities in Large White and Landrace sows (P < 0.05). Therefore, the HTRA3 gene could be a useful candidate for increasing the litter size in pigs. These data serve as a foundation for further insight into this novel porcine gene.
Effects of Front Desk Staff Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction in Some Selected Hotels in Tamale Metropolis
Authors: Alhassan Shafawu , Bariham Iddrisu , Olu Ellen Louisa
Published: March 2024

The hotel sub-sector provides a plethora of services to stimulate the growth of the tourism sector. As a result, numerous governments offered a lot of incentives to support the growth of the hotel businesses in Ghana. However, it seems most of the hotels in the hospitality industry including those in Tamale Metropolis are not meeting the quality standards expected of them in connection with service delivery, good customer relationships, sufficient facilities, and provision of confidence and trust of services offered. The study, therefore, examined the effects of front desk staff service quality on customer satisfaction in some selected hotels in Tamale Metropolis. The SERVQUAL Model served as the study's foundation. The study employed cross-sectional survey design. Multi-stage sampling strategy was used. A convenient sampling approach was employed to select the 2 hotels in the Metropolis for the research. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was used to analyze the data. The study found that guests had a positive perception of front desk staff at the two hotels. However, most of the guests did not have confidence that front desk staff inspire visitors, and that information about the two hotels was not sufficiently available. It was further revealed that front desk staff service quality significantly affects customer satisfaction. However, treatment equality, attention to details, and front desk staff language proficiency were the factors the front desk staff lack. The study recommends hoteliers engage highly motivated front desk staff; capacity building of front desk staff on how to inspire visitors to attract more customers; and training of front desk staff on how to be more attentive to guests' needs and preferences in order to improve the guest stay and overall experience.