bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combining GS-assisted GWAS and transcriptome analysis to mine candidate genes for nitrogen utilization efficiency in Populus cathayana
Authors: Zhou Xinglu , Xiang Xiaodong , Zhang Min , Cao Demei , Du Changjian , Zhang Lei , Hu Jianjun
Published: April 2023

Background

Forest trees such as poplar, shrub willow, et al. are essential natural resources for sustainable and renewable energy production, and their wood can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and reduce environmental pollution. However, the productivity of forest trees is often limited by the availability of nitrogen (N), improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is an important way to address it. Currently, NUE genetic resources are scarce in forest tree research, and more genetic resources are urgently needed.

Results

Here, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using the mixed linear model (MLM) to identify genetic loci regulating growth traits in Populus cathayana at two N levels, and attempted to enhance the signal strength of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection by performing genome selection (GS) assistance GWAS. The results of the two GWAS analyses identified 55 and 40 SNPs that were respectively associated with plant height (PH) and ground diameter (GD), and 92 and 69 candidate genes, including 30 overlapping genes. The prediction accuracy of the GS model (rrBLUP) for phenotype exceeds 0.9. Transcriptome analysis of 13 genotypes under two N levels showed that genes related to carbon and N metabolism, amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and signal transduction were differentially expressed in the xylem of P. cathayana under N treatment. Furthermore, we observed strong regional patterns in gene expression levels of P. cathayana, with significant differences between different regions. Among them, P. cathayana in Longquan region exhibited the highest response to N. Finally, through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we identified a module closely related to the N metabolic process and eight hub genes.

Conclusions

Integrating the GWAS, RNA-seq and WGCNA data, we ultimately identified four key regulatory genes (PtrNAC123, PtrNAC025, Potri.002G233100, and Potri.006G236200) involved in the wood formation process, and they may affect P. cathayana growth and wood formation by regulating nitrogen metabolism. This study will provide strong evidence for N regulation mechanisms, and reliable genetic resources for growth and NUE genetic improvement in poplar.
Inpatient rehabilitation therapy in stroke patients with reperfusion therapy: a national prospective registry study
Authors: Li Shengde , Lu Yixiu , Fang Shiyuan , Wang Longde , Peng Bin
Published: April 2023

Background

Little is known about the rate of real-world inpatient rehabilitation therapy (IRT) after stroke. We aimed to determine the rate of inpatient rehabilitation therapy and its associated factors in patients who undergo reperfusion therapy in China.

Methods

This national prospective registry study included hospitalized ischemic stroke patients aged 14–99 years with reperfusion therapy between January 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020, collecting hospital-level and patient-level demographic and clinical data. IRT included acupuncture or massage, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and others. The primary outcome was the rate of patients receiving IRT.

Results

We included 209,189 eligible patients from 2191 hospitals. The median age was 66 years, and 64.2% were men. Four in five patients received only thrombolysis, and the rest 19.2% underwent endovascular therapy. The overall rate of IRT was 58.2% (95% CI, 58.0–58.5%). Differences in demographic and clinical variables existed between patients with and without IRT. The rates of acupuncture or massage, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other rehabilitation interventions were 38.0%, 28.8%, 11.8%, 14.4%, and 22.9%, respectively. The rates of single and multimodal interventions were 28.3% and 30.0%, respectively. A lower likelihood of receiving IRT was associated with being 14–50 or 76–99 years old, female, from Northeast China, from Class-C hospitals, receiving only thrombolysis, having severe stroke or severe deterioration, a short length of stay, Covid-19 pandemic and having intracranial or gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Conclusion

Among our patient population, the IRT rate was low with limited use of physical therapy, multimodal interventions, and rehabilitation centers and varied by demographic and clinical features. The implementation of IRT remains a challenge for stroke care, warranting urgent and effective national programs to enhance post-stroke rehabilitation and the adherence to guidelines.
Barriers and facilitators for referring women with positive perinatal depression screening results in China: a qualitative study
Authors: Xue Wenqing , Cheng K K , Liu Lu , Li Qiao , Jin Xin , Yi Jingmin , Gong Wenjie
Published: April 2023

Background

Timely screening and referral can improve the outcomes of perinatal depression (PND). However, uptake rates of referral after PND screening are low in China and the reasons are unclear. The aim of this article is to explore the barriers and facilitators for referring women with positive results of PND screening in the Chinese primary maternal health care system.

Methods

Qualitative data were collected from four primary health centers located in four different provinces of China. Each of the four investigators conducted 30 days of participant observations in the primary health centers from May to August 2020. Data were collected via participant observations and semi-structured in-depth interviews with new mothers who had positive results of PND screening, their family members, and primary health providers. Two investigators analyzed qualitative data independently. A thematic analysis was conducted, and data were framed using the social ecological model.

Results

A total of 870 hours of observation and 46 interviews were carried out. Five themes were identified: individual (new mothers’ knowledge of PND, perceived need to seek help), interpersonal (new mothers’ attitudes towards providers, family support), institutional (providers’ perception of PND, lack of training, time constraints), community (accessibility to mental health services, practical factors), and public policy (policy requirements, stigma).

Conclusions

The likelihood of new mothers accepting PND referral is related to factors in five areas. Intervention strategies can be developed around these themes and may include educating new mothers and their families about PND, training primary health providers to improve their awareness of condition and indication for referral, building mental health support in routine postpartum home visits, and providing support through mobile technology.
Analyzing the demographics of patients with uveitis in an indigent, urban population
Authors: Tipton Caroline W. , Reilly Grace R. , Chen Kevin , Chang Eileen , Ackert Jessica M. , Liberman Paulina , Berkenstock Meghan K.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To study the types of uveitis examined in a hospital serving indigent populations in need of low-cost care.

Methods

A retrospective chart review examined the electronic medical records of all patients with uveitis-related at Drexel Eye Physicians. Data collected included demographics, anatomic location of the uveitis, systemic disease associations, treatment modalities and insurance. Statistical analysis was performed using χ² or Fischer exact tests.

Results

270 patients (366 eyes) were included for analysis, 67% of patients identified as African American. Most eyes (95.3%, N = 349) were treated with topical corticosteroid drops, and only 6 (1.6%) received an intravitreal implant. Immunosuppressive medications were started in 24 patients (8.9%). Nearly 80% depended to some extent on Medicare or Medicaid Assistance for treatment coverage. There was no association between insurance type and use of biologics or difluprednate.

Conclusion

We found no association between insurance type and the prescription of medications for uveitis that should be used at home. There was a minimal number of patients prescribed medications for implantation in the office. The adherence of use of medications at home should be investigated.
Assessment of dental caries among a group of institutionalized orphan children compared to parented school children: case–control study
Authors: Khattab Nagwa Mohamed Ali , Abd-Elsabour Mennat Allah Ashraf
Published: April 2023

Background

It has been well documented that the absence of family support influences the general and oral health of children. Literature regarding the oral health status of institutionalized orphan children, who lost their families' support, especially in Egypt, remains vague. Therefore, the current study was carried out to assess dental caries among two groups of institutionalized orphan children, and compare their results with a group of parented school children in Giza, Egypt.

Methods

A total of 156 children were included in this study, residing in a non-governmental orphanage, a governmental orphanage, and parented children attending private primary school. Written informed consent was obtained before the start of the study from the legal guardians or the child's parent. The dental examination was carried out as recommended by the WHO. DMF and def indices were used to assess dental caries for primary and permanent teeth. Also, the unmet treatment needs index, care index, and significant caries index were calculated.

Results

The results revealed that mean values for DMF total score were 1.86 ± 2.96, 1.80 ± 2.54, and 0.7 5 ± 1.29 for, non-governmental, governmental orphanages, and school children respectively. While the mean def total scores were 1.69 ± 2.58, 0.41 ± 0.89, and 0.85 ± 1.79 for non-governmental, governmental orphanages, and school children, respectively. There was a high level of unmet treatment needs, especially among orphans. The significant caries index was 2.5, 4.29, and 2.17 for, non-governmental, governmental orphanages, and school children, respectively.

Conclusions

Within the limitation of this case–control study, the institutionalized orphanage children had a high prevalence of dental caries and worse caries experience compared to parented school children. Effective oral health preventive strategies are required to improve the oral health status and oral health practices of those children.

Trial registration

The trial was registered on ClinicalTrial.gov (ID: NCT05652231).
A comparative evaluation of quality and depth of learning by trainee doctors in regional, rural, and remote locations
Authors: Young Louise , Anderson Emily , Gurney Tiana , McArthur Lawrie , McGrail Matthew , O’Sullivan Belinda , Hollins Aaron
Published: April 2023

Background

An equitable supply and distribution of medical practitioners for all the population is an important issue, especially in Australia where 28% of the population live in rural and remote areas. Research identified that training in rural/remote locations is a predictor for the uptake of rural practice, but training must provide comparable learning and clinical experiences, irrespective of location. Evidence shows GPs in rural and remote areas are more likely to be engaged in complex care. However, the quality of GP registrar education has not been systematically evaluated. This timely study evaluates GP registrar learning and clinical training experiences in regional, rural, and remote locations in Australia using assessment items and independent evaluation.

Methods

The research team retrospectively analysed GP trainee formative clinical assessment reports compiled by experienced medical educators during real-time patient consultations. Written reports were assessed using Bloom’s taxonomy classified into low and high cognitive level thinking. Regional, rural, and remotely located trainees were compared using Pearson chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test (for 2 × 2 comparisons) to calculate associations between categorical proportions of learning setting and ‘complexity’.

Results

1650 reports (57% regional, 15% rural and 29% remote) were analysed, revealing a statistically significant association between learner setting and complexity of clinical reasoning. Remote trainees were required to use a high level of clinical reasoning in managing a higher proportion of their patient visits. Remotely trained GPs managed significantly more cases with high clinical complexity and saw a higher proportion of chronic and complex cases and fewer simple cases.

Conclusions

This retrospective study showed GP trainees in all locations experienced comparable learning experiences and depth of training. However, learning in rural and remote locations had equal or more opportunities for seeing higher complexity patients and the necessity to apply greater levels of clinical reasoning to manage each case. This evidence supports learning in rural and remote locations is of a similar standard of learning as for regional trainees and in several areas required a superior level of thinking. Training needs to seriously consider utilising rural and remote clinical placements as exceptional locations for developing and honing medical expertise.
Entrepreneurship challenges: the case of Jordanian start-ups
Authors: Alawamleh Mohammad , Francis Yara Hanna , Alawamleh Kamal Jamal
Published: April 2023

This study investigates challenges facing entrepreneurs in Jordan, identifies some of problems specific to SMEs, and offers some solutions to help these companies improve their conditions. This study collected primary data through interviews with entrepreneurs in four start-up companies specialized in diverse fields, including information technology, consulting, training, and e-marketing. This study found many obstacles facing entrepreneurs in Jordan, the most important of which are financial and logistical support, the challenge of distributing work, owning operating experiences, obtaining information, commercial relations, and networking. The results of this study showed that women face greater challenges in relation to financing and investment opportunities. Finally, this study proposes some solutions which expected to be applied to improve the business environment, the most important of which is that the Jordanian Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship should activate pilot projects and stimulate investment in them, facilitating the development and deployment of technical knowledge in private sector development.
Efficacy and safety of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with history of cancer
Authors: Ganatra Sarju , Abraham Sonu , Kumar Ashish , Parikh Rohan , Patel Rushin , Khadke Sumanth , Kumar Amudha , Liu Victor , Diaz Andrea Nathalie Rosas , Neilan Tomas G. , Martin David , Hook Bruce , Dani Sourbha S. , Asnani Aarti , Nohria Anju
Published: April 2023

Background

Though the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increased in patients with cancer, the effectiveness of catheter ablation (CA) for AF in patients with cancer is not well studied.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent CA for AF. Patients with a history of cancer within 5-years prior to, or those with an exposure to anthracyclines and/or thoracic radiation at any time prior to the index ablation were compared to patients without a history of cancer who underwent AF ablation. The primary outcome was freedom from AF [with or without anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs), or need for repeat CA at 12-months post-ablation]. Secondary endpoints included freedom from AF at 12 months post-ablation with AADs and without AADs. Safety endpoints included bleeding, pulmonary vein stenosis, stroke, and cardiac tamponade. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk predictors of the primary outcome.

Results

Among 502 patients included in the study, 251 (50%) had a history of cancer. Freedom from AF at 12 months did not differ between patients with and without cancer (83.3% vs 72.5%, p 0.28). The need for repeat ablation was also similar between groups (20.7% vs 27.5%, p 0.29). Multivariable regression analysis did not identify a history of cancer or cancer-related therapy as independent predictors of recurrent AF after ablation. There was no difference in safety endpoints between groups.

Conclusion

CA is a safe and effective treatment for AF in patients with a history of cancer and those with exposure to potentially cardiotoxic therapy.
Chasing the Zebra: a case of membranous-like Glomerulopathy with SSA/RO52 deposits and no overt connective tissue disease
Authors: Sciascia Savino , Miraglia Paolo , Radin Massimo , Giarin Manuela , Charbonier Nicolas , Barreca Antonella , Cecchi Irene , Lanzetta Irene , Fenoglio Roberta , Menegatti Elisa , Roccatello Dario
Published: April 2023

Background

The nature of the deposits in immune-mediated glomerulonephritis with a membranous pattern and masked IgG-Kappa deposits (MGMID) remains still to be elucidated.

Case presentation

We present a case of 33-year-old woman developing a continuous asymptomatic proteinuria (0.8–1 g/24 h) with no overt connective tissue diseases. She tested positive at high titers for SSA antibodies (Ro52 838 UI/mL, Ro60 2716 UI/mL) and at the kidney biopsy histological findings were compatible with an immune-mediated glomerulonephritis with a membranous pattern and masked IgG-Kappa deposits. Also, we demonstrated a positive immunohistochemistry staining for anti-Ro52-SSA antibodies, with a granular positivity in mesangium and along rare glomerular capillaries. To date, only one case of a patient with overt diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome with MGMID has been described but a pathogenic role for SSA and SSB antibodies has never been proven.

Conclusions

In this case, we described for the first time by immunohistochemistry a Ro52+ granular positivity in the mesangium and glomerular capillaries, potentially paving the way for a better understanding of MGMID.
Pazopanib in Locally Advanced or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Results of a Randomized Phase III Trial
Authors: Sternberg Cora N. , Davis Ian D. , Mardiak Jozef , Szczylik Cezary , Lee Eunsik , Wagstaff John , Barrios Carlos H. , Salman Pamela , Gladkov Oleg A. , Kavina Alexander , Zarbá Juan J. , Chen Mei , McCann Lauren , Pandite Lini , Roychowdhury Debasish F. , Hawkins Robert E.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Pazopanib is an oral angiogenesis inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and c-Kit. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III study evaluated efficacy and safety of pazopanib monotherapy in treatment-naive and cytokine-pretreated patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Patients and Methods

Adult patients with measurable, locally advanced, and/or metastatic RCC were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive oral pazopanib or placebo. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end points included overall survival, tumor response rate (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors), and safety. Radiographic assessments of tumors were independently reviewed.

Results

Of 435 patients enrolled, 233 were treatment naive (54%) and 202 were cytokine pretreated (46%). PFS was significantly prolonged with pazopanib compared with placebo in the overall study population (median, PFS 9.2 v 4.2 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.46; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.62; P < .0001), the treatment-naive subpopulation (median PFS 11.1 v 2.8 months; HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.60; P < .0001), and the cytokine-pretreated subpopulation (median PFS, 7.4 v 4.2 months; HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.84; P < .001). The objective response rate was 30% with pazopanib compared with 3% with placebo ( P < .001). The median duration of response was longer than 1 year. The most common adverse events were diarrhea, hypertension, hair color changes, nausea, anorexia, and vomiting. There was no evidence of clinically important differences in quality of life for pazopanib versus placebo.

Conclusion

Pazopanib demonstrated significant improvement in PFS and tumor response compared with placebo in treatment-naive and cytokine-pretreated patients with advanced and/or metastatic RCC.
Use of Prognostic Factors and Scores in Selection of Patients with Colorectal Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis (CRPM) for Cytoreductive Surgery and Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (CRS/IPC): Results of an International Survey Among Oncologic Clinicians
Authors: Kozman Mathew A. , Fisher Oliver M. , Liauw Winston , Morris David L.
Published: April 2023

Background

No universally accepted guidelines exist for treatment of patients with colorectal cancer peritoneal metastases (CRPM) undergoing cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/IPC). Several uncertainties remain concerning almost every aspect of this treatment modality, resulting in marked variability in patient management and likely outcomes. This survey aimed to define variations and trends in clinician decision making more clearly.

Methods

A 41-question web-based survey was distributed electronically via the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI), the International Society for the Study of Pleura and Peritoneum (ISSPP) as well as via social media (particularly Twitter). The survey sought to address and record clinician responses regarding patient workup/assessment, selection for preoperative systemic therapy, preoperative and intraoperative selection for CRS/IPC, and consideration of prognosis and complications.

Results

Complete responses were received from 60 clinicians from 45 centres in 22 countries. Upon assessment of survey responses, several interesting trends were noted in each section of the survey. Significant variability in surgeon practice and opinion were identified concerning almost every aspect of the treatment modality.

Conclusion

This international survey provides the most comprehensive insight into clinician decision-making trends regarding patient assessment, selection and management. This should allow areas of variability to be more clearly defined and could potentially prompt development of initiatives for achieving consensus and standardisation of care in the future.
Poesia e cordel no Campo de Públicas: Aprendizados de uma pesquisa interdisciplinar
Authors: Nascimento Ives Romero Tavares do , Santos Júnior Edmilson José dos
Published: April 2023

Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar num ensaio e em formato de cordel os aprendizados de uma pesquisa interdisciplinar e em curso para o Campo de Públicas no que toca à análise do processo político-institucional das novíssimas universidades federais brasileiras (Universidade Federal do Cariri, Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia, Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia e Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará) no ano de 2013. O percurso metodológico seguido foi a realização deestudos de caso para cada universidade analisada. Os resultados preliminares permitem agrupá-los em quatro grupos: a visão de território pautada na unidade social, a consideração das necessidades locais como oportunidade, a ação sociocêntrica destinada à contextualização da educação e a pluralidade de atores sociais na busca pela universalização da universidade. O texto do cordel,em si, é apresentado como os resultados deste trabalho, que manifestam esse tipo de produção textual e científica como criativas e inovadoras formas de se criar e divulgar conhecimento científico, multi ou interdisciplinar, próprio ao Campo de Públicas.
TCC em gestão pública: Profissionalização e inovação
Authors: Dantas Lys Maria  Vinhaes , Monteiro Doraliza Auxiliadora Abranches
Published: April 2023

Neste artigo, são discutidos o papel e a adoção do trabalho de conclusão de curso (TCC) em formatos monográficos e não monográficos, e uma reflexão sobre as contribuições da avaliação como indutora da adoção de TCCs voltados para o desenvolvimento de tecnologias de Gestão Pública. De início, o texto apresenta uma discussão sobre o que é um trabalho de conclusão de curso e os tipos de TCC. Na sequência, é apresentado um levantamento de TCCs adotados pelos Cursos Superiores Tecnológicos de Gestão Pública no Brasil. Fica patente que são poucos os cursos que divulgam informações sobre a adoção ou não de TCC, e há pequeno número de cursos que lidam com o TCC no formato não tradicional. Conclui-se com uma defesa da adoção de TCCs que incentivem o desenvolvimento de tecnologias de gestão pública e com reflexão sobre como os critérios de avaliação asseguram ou dificultam o desenvolvimento de TCCs.
Μελέτη της ρύθμισης της λειτουργικότητας της SR πρωτεϊνικής κινάσης 1 (SRPK1)
Authors: Κουκιάλη Αναστασία
Published: April 2023

Οι SRPKs ονομάσθηκαν ως «κινάσες του στρες» επειδή μεσολαβούν στην απόκριση του κυτταρικού στρες μέσω της μετατόπισής τους στον πυρήνα. Η πυρηνική SRPK1 σχετίστηκε στενά με την ευαισθησία στο 5-FU και μεσολαβεί στις κυτταροτοξικές δράσεις του φαρμάκου. Η ταυτόχρονη κατεργασία των κυττάρων με 5-FU και έναν εκλεκτικό αναστολέα της SRPK1, μείωσε τις κυτταροτοξικές δράσεις του φαρμάκου. Η φωσφορυλίωση της θρεονίνης 326 και της σερίνης 408 της SRPK1 ήταν απαραίτητη για την πυρηνική μετατόπιση της κινάσης. Η έλλειψη πλήρους πυρηνικής μετατόπισης του διπλού φωσφομιμητικού μεταλλάγματος, μπορεί να σημαίνει ότι η φωσφορυλίωση των Thr326 και Ser408 είναι απαραίτητη αλλά όχι επαρκής για την πυρηνική μετατόπιση της SRPK1 και μια πρόσθετη τροποποίηση ίσως, απαιτείται. Η καρβόξυ-τελική περιοχή της TAF15, που είναι πλούσια σε RGG είχε ως αποτέλεσμα τη μείωση της δραστικότητας της SRPK1. Επιπλέον, η υπερέκφραση της περιοχής αυτής οδήγησε στη μερική μετατόπιση της SRPK1 στον πυρήνα, στην υποφωσφορυλίωση των πρωτεϊνών SR, στην αναστολή του ματίσματος και στην αναστολή της φωσφορυλίωσης του υποδοχέα της Λαμίνης Β. Πεπτίδια που περιλαμβάνουν τις επαναλήψεις RGG ήταν επίσης σε θέση να αναστείλουν τη δραστικότητα της SRPK1. Η Ν-τελική περιοχή της PIM1L είναι πλούσια σε διπεπτίδια SH/SR. Ο ρόλος της αλληλουχίας SR/SH είναι κρίσιμος για την αλληλεπίδραση της PIM1L με την SRPK1 και η απουσία της καθιστά αδύνατη την αλληλεπίδραση. Οι συζευγμένοι με c(RGDyK) αναστολείς είχαν σημαντική επίδραση στη δραστικότητα της SRPK1 και στην κυτταρική βιωσιμότητα καρκινικών κυτταρικών σειρών. Η κυτταρική πρόσληψη του συζεύγματος με c(RGDyK) επιτεύχθηκε μέσω της ενδοκυττάρωσης.
Digital piracy: the issue of knowledge of the institution of copyright law
Authors: Czetwertyński Sławomir
Published: April 2023

Motivation: The motivation for considering the familiarity of Polish people with copyright law came from previous studies signalling that familiarity to possibly be low. If this conjecture proves true, it will affect the correct interpretation of what digital piracy is by Poles. This, in turn, can lead to problems in designing surveys to measure digital piracy.Aim: The article adopted two research objectives. The first is factual, the second methodical. The first objective is to try to confirm the claim of low knowledge of the institution of copyright law among Poles. The second objective is to try to establish the usefulness of the heuristic Importance Index and the method of clustering similar averages for determining significant differences in the distributions of the evaluations of illegality regarding the forms of copying due to demographic characteristics.Results: As a result, the survey showed that the claim that Poles demonstrate low level of knowledge regarding the copyright law is valid. While not all situations involving the copying of information goods are interpreted incorrectly, the public is overwhelmingly unable to determine whether particular forms of copying are legal or illegal. The study also found that the social group that most harshly labels particular forms of copying as illegal are those with a university education. At the same time, their harsh judgment does not mean that they correctly interpreted the forms of copying in question as illegal.
Institutions for digital labour platforms: results of a study conducted in Poland
Authors: Ostoj Izabela
Published: April 2023

Motivation: The development of labour platforms is one of the manifestations of the platformisation of the economy. Their growing popularity has revealed institutional vulnerabilities, particularly with regard to the weak position of platform workers, related to their ambiguous status, controversial regulations of labour platforms including algorithmic control of tasks performed, the rate and method of payment for services rendered, insufficient knowledge of how platforms operate. They are all the subject of intense discussion, also at the EU level.Aim: The identification of desired directions of changes in the institutional environment of labour platforms in Poland — as expected by the society — against the background of the ongoing discussion on this subject in other countries and at the EU level.Results: A diagnostic survey conducted on a large sample of Polish citizens aged 18–70 revealed that the most expected changes that would improve the quality of the institutional environment of labour platforms are: the introduction of a minimum payment for work services and the adoption of the independent worker status, the introduction of universal rules regulating digital platform operations, as well as the introduction of training and information materials on how labour platforms work. Poles attach less importance to the right of platform workers to establish trade unions.
The role of joint stock companies in the structural change of Ukraine’s economy
Authors: Slyvka Tetiana , Nebrat Viktoriia , Bodnarchuk Tetiana
Published: April 2023

Motivation: The corporate sector occupies a special place in the country’s economy and international economic relations. Large joint stock companies (JSCs) are the basis of the country’s economic potential, as they largely form the budgets of individual communities and the state, provide jobs, create networks of connections with small and medium-sized businesses, etc. The study of the relationship between the corporatization of enterprises and structural changes in the economy of Ukraine will allow to determine the socio-economic effect of the activities of JSCs.Aim: The research aimed to identify the socio-economic effect of the development of the corporate sector in the economy of Ukraine and justification of the expediency of government regulation of foreign economic activity of JSCs.Results: The study’s results show a capital accumulation and the dominance of JSCs in low-tech and raw-material sectors. The authors’ findings established that the corporatization process included the transformation of state assets into JSCs and the creation of new financial and industrial conglomerates, mainly in the mining industry and the production of agricultural raw materials. Comparison and generalization of statistical data are carried out as to the nature of foreign economic activities of JSCs. The study identifies a change in the distribution of commodity items towards increase in the share of agricultural raw materials and a tendency towards the reduction of technological chains. It is concluded about descending structural changes and reduction of the technological level of exports.
Tirzepatide - a novel dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist used in pharmacotherapy of obesity: A literature review
Authors: Stachyra Bartłomiej , Wolanin Marta , Stawikowski Cezary , Zielonka Bartłomiej , Osińska Aleksandra , Wolanin Izabela , Madej Karolina , Dengler Barbara , Kowalczyk Ilona , Krawiec Paulina
Published: April 2023

Background: Obesity is a chronic disease, which along with its complications, poses a huge threat to both our health as individuals and our healthcare as a community.

Objective: The aim of this work is to review efficacy and safety of Tirzepatide, a novel dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist in the treatment of obesity

Method: A literature review was conducted on databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using terms “obesity”, “obesity treatment”, “glucagon-like peptide 1”, “Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide”, “Tirzepatide” as keywords. The review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines.

Results:  Administration of tirzepatide once weekly provides a substantial and sustained reduction in bodyweight with little side effects.

Conclusions: Clinical trials showed both high efficacy and safety of Tirzepatide in management of obesity. Due to its novel, broadened mechanism of action it seems to be the most effective drug for reducing bodyweight available on the market. Tirzepatide could be our answer to tackling the problem of world-wide obesity epidemic.
Misja Williama Bullitta do Rosji (luty–marzec 1919). Błąd czy nieudana próba pragmatycznego działania?
Authors: Marczewska-Zagdańska Hanna
Published: April 2023

Misja Williama Bullitta z 1919 r. do Rosji była ostatnim etapem procesu zainicjowanego w przeddzień konferencji pokojowej w Paryżu i kontynuowanego w pierwszych tygodniach jej trwania, w trakcie m.in. obrad Rady Dziesięciu. Dyskurs aliantów dotyczył kluczowego pytania o miejsce i rolę Rosji w budowaniu trwałego stabilnego ładu międzynarodowego. Pytaniom: „co zrobić z Rosją?”, „jaki tryb postępowania przyjąć wobec niej?”, towarzyszyły problemy dyplomatycznego nieuznawania rządów bolszewickich, prowadzenia blokady gospodarczej oraz interwencji zbrojnej. Bez udziału Rosji, spadkobierczyni wielkiego carskiego imperium, nie wydawało się możliwe zbudowanie nowego porządku światowego. Rosja, choć targana rewolucją, wojną domową, ekonomicznym i gospodarczym chaosem, nadal stanowiła klucz do ustanowienia trwałego pokoju światowego.
Rosyjska edycja dokumentów dyplomatycznych do stosunków polsko-sowieckich. Co nowego?
Authors: Wołos Mariusz , Gmurczyk-Wrońska Małgorzata , Kornat Marek , Adamski Łukasz
Published: April 2023

Artykuł stanowi krytyczną analizę wydanej w Moskwie w 2017 r. czterotomowej rosyjskiej edycji sowieckich dokumentów dyplomatycznych do stosunków z Polską w latach 1918–1945. Materiał pochodzi niemal w całości ze zbiorów Archiwum Polityki Zagranicznej Federacji Rosyjskiej w Moskwie. Rosyjski zbiór dokumentów przynosi dużo nowych akt archiwalnych, ogłoszonych drukiem po raz pierwszy, Tendencyjny ich dobór jest jednak bardzo wyraźny, zwłaszcza w przypadku 1939 r.
Optimized Scenario Reduction: Solving Large-Scale Stochastic Programs with Quality Guarantees
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Kai , Jacquillat Alexandre , Wang Shuaian
Published: April 2023

Stochastic programming involves large-scale optimization with exponentially many scenarios. This paper proposes an optimization-based scenario reduction approach to generate high-quality solutions and tight lower bounds by only solving small-scale instances, with a limited number of scenarios. First, we formulate a scenario subset selection model that optimizes the recourse approximation over a pool of solutions. We provide a theoretical justification of our formulation, and a tailored heuristic to solve it. Second, we propose a scenario assortment optimization approach to compute a lower bound—hence, an optimality gap—by relaxing nonanticipativity constraints across scenario “bundles.” To solve it, we design a new column-evaluation-and-generation algorithm, which provides a generalizable method for optimization problems featuring many decision variables and hard-to-estimate objective parameters. We test our approach on stochastic programs with continuous and mixed-integer recourse. Results show that (i) our scenario reduction method dominates scenario reduction benchmarks, (ii) our scenario assortment optimization, combined with column-evaluation-and-generation, yields tight lower bounds, and (iii) our overall approach results in stronger solutions, tighter lower bounds, and faster computational times than state-of-the-art stochastic programming algorithms.

History: Accepted by Andrea Lodi, Area Editor for Design and Analysis of Algorithms–Discrete.

Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2023.1295 .
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on long term behavior problems in typically developing preschool children in Turkey
Authors: ÖMERCİOĞLU Emel , HAJİYEVA Aysel , METE YEŞİL Ayşe , ZENGİN AKKUŞ Pınar , ÖZMERT Elif N.
Published: April 2023

Objective: Pandemics such as COVID 19, cause severe stress for both parents and children due to social constraints, changes in daily routines, and economic challenges, and can lead to long-term developmental and behavioral problems in children. We evaluated the behavioral problems of typically developing healthy children at the end of the second year of the pandemic, as well as the effect of family sociodemographic characteristics.

Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 28 children between the ages of 18 to 60 months who admitted to Hacettepe University İhsan Doğramacı Children’s Hospital between January and February 2022 and 23 children from the pre-pandemic period. All of the children scored normally on the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) in all developmental domains. The Child Behavior Check List (CBCL) was completed by parents.

Results: In terms of family sociodemographic characteristics, no significant difference existed between the two groups. Anxiety-depression scores were significantly higher in the post-pandemic group once CBCL scores were assessed (p=0.047). In the final stepwise multiple regression model, maternal education level was significantly associated with lower anxiety-depression scores (p=0.030). It was revealed that a maternal education level above high school reduced the anxiety-depression scores by 2.53 points in the post-pandemic group.

Conclusions: Families, pediatricians, and all other healthcare providers need to closely monitor preschoolers, who are among the groups most vulnerable to the negative effects of the pandemic. Additionally, new policies are required to eliminate health and social inequalities that deepen during the pandemic, especially in middle income and developing countries.
An Evaluation of Practice Supervisor Training for Student Paramedics
Authors: Jadzinski Megan , Hirdle Joanne
Published: April 2023

Background:

Registered health professionals have a responsibility to facilitate learning in the workplace and those who are supporting students should have the skills and knowledge to take on this role. Paramedics are now working in a variety of healthcare settings. Regulatory bodies recognise that students should have opportunities to develop their supervision skills before qualifying, so practice supervisor training was implemented into the final year curriculum at one university.

Aim:

To explore the value of incorporating practice supervisor training into the curriculum.

Methods:

Final-year student paramedics were provided with practice supervisor training as part of their degree. This training was delivered over three seminars before the students’ final preregistration placement. Students were invited to provide anonymous feedback via an evaluation form.

Findings:

A significant number of students felt prepared to take on the practice supervisor role when qualified.

Conclusion:

Practice supervisor training, when delivered as part of the curriculum, is of benefit to students.
Let them See: Effects of Witnessing Resuscitation on Patients’ Loved Ones
Authors: Glenwright-Cook Arron
Published: April 2023

As part of an academic project, the question of witnessed resuscitation and its effects on onlookers was posed and investigated. During resuscitation, a patient’s friends, family or other loved ones may be present and witness the procedure. This literature review was carried out to establish whether seeing this affected their incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder, and the quality of the research around this. Following a search, four studies were identified for review. Synthesis of the data suggests that in many circumstances, patients’ family members and loved ones should be offered the opportunity to be present during resuscitation, and this could have a neutral or positive effect on their wellbeing after the event.
The Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on parents of children with special needs’ stress in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Authors:   Department of Occupational Therapy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Chinchai Supaporn , Bunrayong Wannipa ,   Department of Occupational Therapy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Sangsuwan Kanjanapon ,   Department of Occupational Therapy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Teepworanan Nutchawan ,   Department of Occupational Therapy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Srimank Mintra ,   Department of Occupational Therapy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Intorn Angsumalee ,   Department of Occupational Therapy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Jaroentonyakorn Piyawan ,   Department of Occupational Therapy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Wanicharoen Natwipa ,   Department of Occupational Therapy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.
Published: April 2023

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading over the world. Thailand is another country that has suffered greatly as a result of the pandemic. Recognizing the stress levels of parents of children with special needs will lead to appropriate support. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the stress levels of parents of children with special needs in Chiang Mai province during COVID-19. Materials and methods: An exploratory study was conducted from August 2020 to March 2021. The study subjects comprised parents of 162 students with visual, auditory, intellectual, and physical dysfunctions. The Suanprung Stress Test (SPST-20) and a questionnaire were used to collect data. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The results indicated that most parents of children with special needs had moderate to high stress levels, at 38.89% and 25.93%, respectively. Parents of children with hearing and visual impairments had the greatest severe stress levels of any group of parents, at 21.43% and 36.37%, respectively. Most parents (60.49%) perceived that their stress had changed from their everyday circumstances; however, 58.65 percent agreed that their stress in this situation did not affect their caring for their children. Conclusion: Parents with children with hearing and visual impairments experienced had the greatest severe stress levels due to the pandemic. Psychotherapy and counseling that focus on mental health should be considered.
REMOVAL OF FLUORIDE FROM DRINKING WATER THROUGH LOW-COST TECHNIQUES
Authors:   UOL, Civil Engineering Technology, 54000, Lahore, Pakistan, Ishtiaq Hira , Amina Norheen ,   UOL, Civil Engineering Technology, 54000, Lahore, Pakistan, Irfan Amina ,   UOL, Civil Engineering Technology, 54000, Lahore, Pakistan, Mohsin Habiba ,   UOL, Civil Engineering Technology, 54000, Lahore, Pakistan, Shahbaz Ahsan ,   Pak Safety Solution, 54770, Lahore, Pakistan
Published: April 2023

Fluoride ions (F-) from natural sources or industrial wastewater are the main cause of many pathological conditions in people living in more than 25 countries. Thus, removing F- from drinking water is pivotal for preventing serious health consequences. The WHO recommends a limit of 1,5 mg/L for fluoride in drinking. Excessive amounts of fluoride in drinking water are prevalent in Pakistan, leading to related health risks. Low-cost techniques for the defluoridation of drinking water can be used. In this study, the removal of fluoride from drinking water by an adsorption method using low-cost materials/adsorbents, such as marble chips, wheat husks, rice husks, egg shells, concrete, fuller earth, fly ash, freshly fired bricks, and charcoal, at different contact times and different bed thicknesses were investigated. A batch sampling technique was used for sample collection. On average, marble chips, wheat husks, rice husks, egg shells, concrete, fuller earth, fly ash, freshly fired bricks, and activated charcoal (rice husk) resulted in 71,99 %; 90,99 %; 66,73 %; 90,99 %; 63,30 %; 71,99 %; 22,60 %; 49,67 %; and 90,13 % fluoride removal, respectively. Therefore, defluoridation using these materials is desirable. The performance of adsorbents depends on parameters such as contact time, depth of the adsorbent media, and pH. The bed thickness of the adsorbent has a minor effect on fluoride removal. The major contributors to fluoride removal from water are contact time and adsorbent composition.
Language’s navel in Freud’s Moses
Authors: Affortunati Martins Alessandra
Published: April 2023

The article begins by presenting the collection of Die Antike, found in Freud’s library in London. By examining the contents of some articles by Werner Jaeger, the famous classicist author of Paideia, and at the same time contrasting his ideas with those of Freud’s Moses, one can perceive the position that the two authors took during the political upheavals in the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Nazis. Questions about historical construction, temporality, language and political ideologies are addressed. With this, Moses and Monotheism emerges as a deeply political text, linked to a psychoanalytic social structure different from that proposed in Totem and Taboo.
Becoming a ‘youth at risk’: how professionals conceptualise risk among young people in disadvantaged urban areas in Sweden
Authors: Lunneblad Johannes , Bengtsson Jenny , Hammarén Nils
Published: April 2023

In Sweden, the gap between prosperity and poverty has increased over the last three decades. As a result, groups of youth are forced to live a strictly limited life in segregation and poverty. Youth living in these circumstances are often viewed as being at risk. The purpose of this article is to investigate how different professional groups – specifically, police officers, social workers and school health teams – talk about and describe the risks that young people face when growing up in disadvantaged urban areas and the various measures taken to deal with those they define as ‘youth at risk’. The results point towards how being at risk is made intelligible in relation to specific socio-spatial and institutional contexts. However, there is an overall tendency to individualise and situate problems within the youth themselves, thus making young people growing up in disadvantaged urban areas responsible for their own vulnerability.
Scaling Comb-Driven Resonator-Based DWDM Silicon Photonic Links to Multi-Tb/s in the Multi-FSR Regime
Authors: James Aneek , Novick Asher , Rizzo Anthony , Parsons Robert , Jang Kaylx , Hattink Maarten , Bergman Keren
Published: April 2023

The use of chip-based micro-resonator Kerr frequency combs in conjunction with dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) enables massively parallel intensity-modulated direct-detection (IM-DD) data transmission with low energy consumption. Resonator-based modulators and filters used in such systems can limit the number of usable wavelength channels due to practical constraints on the maximum achievable free spectral range (FSR). In this work, we introduce the design of multi-Tb/s comb-driven resonator-based silicon photonic links by leveraging the multi-FSR regime. We demonstrate the viability of the link architecture with yield estimates that are supported by extensive wafer-scale measurements of 704 micro-resonators fabricated in a commercial complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) foundry. We show that a 2.80 Tb/s link is realizable with a ≥ 6σ yield (~99.999%), and aggregate bandwidths of 3.76 Tb/s and 4.72 Tb/s are possible if yield targets are relaxed (3σ and 1σ respectively). All designs represent a 1.94—3.28× boost to aggregate link bandwidth while maintaining BER ≤ 10−10 performance, with a theoretical bandwidth of 10.51 Tb/s being possible for sufficiently robust resonators. High-speed BER measurements informed co-optimization of data rate and aggressor spacing (λag), limiting any additional loss-based power penalties to off-resonance insertion loss (IL) and routing loss. This work demonstrates that, through the multi-FSR regime, there is a clear path toward Kerr comb-driven ultra-broadband, high bandwidth silicon photonic links that can support next-generation data centers and high performance computers.