bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge and Attitudes of Sana'a University Medical Students towards Premarital Screening
Authors: Al-Nood Hafiz A. , Al-Akmar Mohammed M. , Al-Erynai Ekram F.
Published: August 2022

Objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitudes of Sana’a University medical students towards premarital screening (PMS).Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the students of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana’a University, during the academic year 2012/2013. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 516 Yemeni students. The questionnaire was composed of three parts; the first part was about socio-demographic data, the second part was about the students’ knowledge about PMS and the third part was about their attitudes towards the PMS.Results: Most of the respondents (92%) knew that PMS reduces hereditary and sexually-transmitted diseases, believed that it is important to carry out and agreed to do it. Making PMS mandatory and legal prevention of marriage in case of positive results were accepted by 82% and 62% of the respondents, respectively. Conclusions: Although the majority of Sana’a University medical students favored PMS and had a fair knowledge about most of its aspects, a small proportion of them refused its mandating or legally preventing at-risk marriages. These negative attitudes could be reversed by health education of medical students on PMS.
Impact of Sexual Deprivation on Sexual Behavior and Some Reproductive-Endocrinal Functions in Albino Rats
Authors: Abd El Moghny Sadek S , Ashour Yasser
Published: August 2022

Objective: To study the effect of stress on the sexual behavior and its pathophysiological effects on some reproductive and endocrine functions in albino rats.Methods: One hundred and twenty albino rats were included and divided into a control groupand three experimental sub-groups, which were subjected to sexual stress. Female rats were investigated for the cytological changes in the phases of the estrous cycle. All rats were observed for behavioral changes throughout the experiment. Histopathological examination of the thyroid, testes and ovaries and the assessment of thyroid and gonadal hormones in the sera of control and experimental rats were performed.Results: Cytological examination revealed stopped estrous cycle in the diestrous phase in all female rats. Thyroid hormones revealed a decrease in the levels of triiodothyronine and thyroxin; however, non-significant changes were detected in the thyroid-stimulating hormone level in experimental rats compared to the controls. Gonadal hormones revealed a great discrepancy in their levels among both sexes.Conclusions: The results of the present study show that sexual excitation is one of the stressful factors affecting sexual behavior, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes as well as sex organs with secretory functions. Therefore, it is considered as a socio-pathological factor that needs more specific studies to further clarify its effects.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Yemeni Women Attending Primary Healthcare Centers in Sana’a City towards Family Planning
Authors: AlSafadi Essam H. , Alemad Adel A. , Abdul Alaziz Maha
Published: August 2022

Objective: To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) of Yemeni women attending primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) in Sana’a city towards family planning (FP).Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among women attending three PHCCs in Sana'a city; namely, in Hadah, Al-Soneinah and Madhbah zones, between 21 November and 1 December 2011. The study included a sample of 281 married women, where data about socio-demographic characteristics and the KAPs towards FP were collected by interviewing women using a pre-designed, structured questionnaire and then analyzed using appropriate statistical tests.Results: Of the married women attending the PHCCs in Sana'a, the majority of respondents were from urban areas (96.4%; 271/281), aged between 25–29 years old (23.1% 65/281), employed (75.8%; 213/281) and with primary or secondary levels of education (60.9%; 171/281). In addition, the majority of women had a marriage length of 6–11 years (65.5%; 182/281) and 3–4 children (44.8%; 126/281). The majority of respondents (89.7%) knew about FP, and 60.2% considered it as birth spacing. Moreover, most respondents (87.5%) were aware of at least four methods of FP, and 53.6% heard of modern FP contraceptive methods. Of them, 85.9% and 74.0% heard of contraceptive pills and intrauterine contraceptive devices (ICDU), respectively; however, the least known contraceptive method was the use of male condoms (28.1%). Healthcare providers were the source of information on FP for the majority of respondents (60.5%). The majority of respondents believed that the optimum spacing between births should be two or three years, being 31.7% and 38.8%, respectively. In addition, most respondents (80.8%) believed that both couples must share the decision-making on FP. Socio-cultural beliefs and values were thought to be the most common (57.3%) barriers to the practice of FP.Conclusions: Although the majority of Yemeni women seeking healthcare after marriage have a good level of knowledge of several traditional and modern methods of FP and their preference of long birth spacing, the use of such methods is still limited to contraceptive pills and ICDU. Therefore, attention should be paid to health education of women on the benefits of using other alternative methods of FP for better family lifestyle, health and well-being.
Drug Prescription Knowledge and Practices among Dental Students and Interns Enrolled in Selected Yemeni Universities
Authors: Al-Wesabi Mohammed Ali , Al-Sanaani Saba , Al-Taybi Shrooq , Binrugaan Somya , Al-Raih Altaf , Albashari Abdullkhaleg , Ebrahem Hisham Ebrahem
Published: August 2022

Objective: To assess the drug prescription knowledge among dental students and interns in public and private Yemeni universities.

Methods: A descriptive, observational study of drug prescription knowledge and practices was conducted through the distribution of self-administrated questionnaires to a total of 464 dental students and interns enrolled in four universities in Yemen in 2015. The study investigated the factors to be considered before drug prescribing, indications for prescribing antibiotics in dental situations, common antibiotics and analgesics prescribed, difficulties in writing a prescription and knowledge of the World Health Organization’s Guide to Good Prescribing. Findings were presented as descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages, and differences and associations were tested at P-values <0.05.

Results: The majority of respondents were females (65.9%; 304/464), being enrolled in public universities (54.1%; 251/464) and from the fifth level of study (54.9%; 251/464). The mean respondents’ age was 23.0 ±1.3 years (range: 22–32). Presence of systemic diseases (75.0%), pregnancy status (72.2%) and presence of allergies (68.8%) were the factors most frequently considered by the respondents prior to drug prescribing. On the other hand, presence of abscesses was the most frequent reason for prescribing antibiotics (36.6%). Amoxicillin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic (74.1%), while paracetamol (58.2%) and ibuprofen (47.0%) were the most frequently prescribed analgesics. Not knowing the brand names of prescribed drugs and wrongly filled prescriptions were the most frequent errors in writing prescriptions, being reported by 79.3% and 55.3% of respondents, respectively. Regarding the factors associated with common prescribing errors, female students had significantly more errors than their male counterparts regarding the posology and knowledge of brand names. In addition, fifth-level students reported significantly fewer errors in writing a drug prescription than fourth-level students, and the interns showed fewer errors than their undergraduate colleagues. Moreover, students from public universities reported significantly more errors in knowing brand names and duration of treatment than private university students.

Conclusions: Dental students enrolled at the fourth and fifth levels as well as in the internship year of dentistry have insufficient knowledge and skills in prescribing drugs used in the dental field because of the perceived gaps in clinical pharmacology courses during their study. Revising the timing and content of pharmacology courses in dental curricula is required in light of the positive aspects of those from the dental faculties worldwide, emphasizing on drug prescribing skills and preparing dental students well before the clinical levels of the study program.
Spinal Tuberculosis among Yemeni Patients Admitted to Two Major Hospitals in Sana’a: A Neurosurgey Experience
Authors: Amer Majed A. , El-Zine Monya A. Y.
Published: August 2022

Objective: To analyze the outcomes of neurosurgical treatment of dorsal spinal tuberculosis (TB) among Yemeni patients.

Methods: Forty-three patients with histopathology-confirmed dorsal spinal TB, who had been admitted to Kuwait University Hospital of Sana’a University and the University of Science and Technology Hospital, Sana’a, were followed up for the outcomes of neurosurgical treatment in the period from Ott. 2009 to Oct. 2005. Data about the clinical presentation, radiologic findings and the outcomes of surgical treatment were recorded and analyzed.

Results: Of patients undergoing neurosurgical treatment of dorsal spinal TB, 28 were males and 15 were females, with a mean age of 41.3 years (range: 18–70). Nearly a half of patients (50.6%) were farmers and 80% of patients were admitted to hospitals three months after the disease onset. All patients presented with back pain, while paraplegia/paraparesis and sensory impairment were reported in 81.4% and 87.4% of patients at presentation, respectively. Four patients (9.2 %) had cold abscesses and were treated by abscess drainage, while 90.8% of patients were treated by surgical decompression, debridement and posterior transpedicular fixation by screws and rods.

Conclusions: The posterior approach for the treatment of spinal TB, with bilateral transpedicular access to anterior decompression together with posterior transpedicular fixation, has satisfactory outcomes regarding the clinical improvement and spinal stabilization among Yemeni patients.
Conventional versus Modified Preauricular Incision Approaches to the Management of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis in Sana’a City, Yemen: A Comparative Clinical Study
Authors: Al-Hudaid Ali , Hussien Mohammed , Al-Wesabi Mohammed , Aldialami Abdullwahab , Helmi Jameel
Published: August 2022

Objective: To compare between the conventional and modified preauricular incision approaches to the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis among Yemeni patients in Sana’a city, Yemen.

Methods: This comparative clinical study recruited ten patients (7 males and 3 females; age range: 6–35 years) with true fully or partially bony or fibrous TMJ ankylosis. These patients were admitted to and followed up in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, University of Science and Technology Hospital in Sana’a in the period from May 2013 to February 2016. Five patients with condylar capsule ankylosis were subjected to the conventional preauricular approach, while the other five cases with ankylosis that extends beyond the condylar capsule and reaches the zygomatic arch were subjected to the modified preauricular approach. Both approaches were evaluated and compared for the time required, intra- and post-operative complications and aesthetic results.

Results: The mean times required to carry out the operations were 4.45 and 3.20 hours for conventional and modified preauricular approaches, respectively.Facial nerve injury was present in two patients undergoing the conventional preauricular approach, but this reversed to normal after four to five months. Patient of both groups experienced no facial paralysis or post-operative auriculotemporal syndrome. Intra-operative bleeding was mild to moderate among the patients of both approaches, and none of the patients required blood transfusion intra- or post-operatively. Major blood vessels were injured in three cases undergoing the conventional preauricular approach. All patients subjected to both approaches showed satisfactory aesthetic end results.

Conclusions: Conventional and modified preauricular approaches provide excellent accessibility and visibility to the surgical field during the management of TMJ ankylosis among Yemeni patients, with the latter being slightly superior. In addition, the modified preauricular approach is associated with fewer complications, absence of facial nerve injury and reduced surgical time compared to the conventional approach.
Antibiotic Resistance Trends of Gram-negative Bacteria Most Frequently Isolated from Inpatients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sana'a, Yemen
Authors: Kubas Mohammed Abdullah , Zabad Abdulrahman Ali , Alqadhi Dalal Mohammed , AL-Azab Mahmoud Ali
Published: August 2022

Objective: To determine the trends of antibiotic resistance of Gram-negative bacteria, most frequently isolated from inpatients at the University of Science and Technology Hospital (USTH) in Sana'a, Yemen.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study on the antibiotic resistance of Gram-negative bacteria most frequently isolated from respiratory tract, pus, urine, blood and other types of specimens from inpatients admitted to the USTH. Data were retrieved from the hospital records of culture-positive inpatients in the period from January 2006 to December 2013, and annual trends of resistance were compared using chi-square test for trends at P values < 0.05.

Results: Of 2005 Gram-negative bacterial isolates in the period from 2006 to 2013, the most frequently isolated species were Escherichia coli (41.6%), Acinetobacter species (26.7%), Klebsiella species (21.0%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.6%). Amikacin and carbapenems were the most active drugs against E. coli, with a decrease in the susceptibility of this species to the third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins and a variable resistance rate to quinolones that significantly increased in 2013. Acinetobacter species susceptibility to most antibiotics decreased significantly over the years of the study, where polymyxin B was the only one found to be effective against this species. On the other hand, the trend of Klebsiella species resistance to imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, ceftazidime increased over the years of the study. Susceptibility of Klebsiella species to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin showed fluctuations, while the susceptibility of aminoglycosides (amikacin and gentamicin) and ampicillin-sulbactam showed no difference. The resistance of P. aeruginosa to the majority of antibiotics was not dramatically changed over the years of the study period, but gentamicin resistance rate was considerably dropped from 77.8% in 2008 to 25.9% in 2013.

Conclusions: Of the most frequently isolated Gram-negative bacteria in Sana'a, Acinetobacter species has the highest resistance rate to the most commonly used antibiotics, where only polymyxin B is effective against this species. P. aeruginosa shows an unchanging rate of resistance to antibiotics in the USTH despite being quite resistant to antibiotics on a global scale, which could be attributed to the smaller number of P. aeruginosa isolates tested over the study period. Further large-scale studies on the trends of antibiotic resistance rates in hospital-based settings and the best ways to counteract such resistance in Yemen are recommended.
Effect of Short-Time BelAgeTM Prescription on Pregnancy and Risk Preeclampsia
Authors: Rodríguez Zamora Alejandra Lisbeth , Herrera José Anaya , Palma Navarrete Fanny , Mendieta Zerón Hugo
Published: August 2022

Introduction: The aim was to determine if one month taking BelAgeTM in the second trimester of pregnancy could reduce the risk of preeclampsia.
Methods: From April 2019 to July 2020, a non-blinded, prospective, randomized, study was performed inviting women in the second trimester of pregnancy to take 3 g of BelAgeTM once daily for one month. The control group received only the nutritional assessment. Relative risk (RR) to develop preeclampsia with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using the Social Science Statistics online software, considering a significant statistical value a P-value < 0.05.
Results: 144 patients from the BelAgeTM group (mean age 23.6 ± 9.7), and 99 from the control group (mean age 22.1 ± 8.6) were included, finding differences basal systolic blood pressure (P = 0.03), final diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.002) and final mean blood pressure (P = 0.001). Preeclampsia was developed by 18 patients in the BelAgeTM group versus ten patients in the control group, RR 1.2 (95% CI, 0.60–2.57, P = 0.57).
Conclusion: A short-time BelAgeTM prescription in the second trimester of pregnancy was enough to reduce the DBP, but did not reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia.
Keywords: BelAgeTM diastolic blood pressure, preeclampsia, relative risk.
Human Norovirus Molecular Analysis and Development of Norovirus Vaccine
Authors: Adinda Juwita Syakila Elizafanti  , Maria Inge Lusida  , Muhammad Miftahussurur  , Alpha Fardah Athiyyah
Published: August 2022

The most common organism of acute viral gastroenteritis is norovirus, which accounts for roughly 20% of all occurrences of acute gastroenteritis globally. The virus kills over 200,000 children each year and is the leading cause of childhood diarrhea in the rotavirus-vaccinated population. This study aims to review available studies regarding the information on the genogroup norovirus in humans, development of norovirus vaccines, and eﬀectiveness of norovirus vaccines. A systematic review using Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus databases to identify eligible case studies. The search was conducted in September-October 2021. The quality of the included literature used checklists from the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP). All of the six selected studies with populations given RT-PCR intervention showed positive for norovirus infection. The most predominant genogroups in humans are GI and GII. As for the research results of the two selected studies on norovirus vaccine, namely the human phase 2 trial containing two Virus-Like Particles (VLP) genotypes, one study showed eﬃcacy at 18-49 one study at ≥ 60 years of age. This study analysis uses Takeda bivalent vaccine. The vaccine includes norovirus antigens of the GI and GII genogroups, intending to expand its protective immune potential. GI, GII, and GIV genogroups are prevalent in humans. VLP that contains GI.I and consensus GII.4c have been created as the NoV vaccine, providing signiﬁ cant eﬃcacy. Very likely because they contain GI dan GII antigens, which are the genogroups that infect humans the most. Patients given a placebo developed acute gastroenteritis due to norovirus GII.2, indicating a genotype cross-reactivity.
A catalogue of cultivable yeasts from the microbiota of grape berries cv. Vinhão and Loureiro
Authors: Martins Viviana , Costa Luís , Soares Rafaela , Ayogu Peter , Teixeira António , Gerós Hernâni
Published: August 2022

The relevance of non-Saccharomyces native yeasts for improving the complexity of wine aroma is increasingly recognised, besides their use in a range of biotechnological applications. Previously, we used a metagenomic approach to assess the effects of vineyard calcium sprays on the microbiota of grape berries cv. Vinhão and Loureiro. In this study, we aimed at assembling a catalogue of the cultivable yeasts from grape berries of these cultivars and to investigate the direct effect of calcium and other elicitors on the isolated taxa. Seventeen unique colony morphologies were identified, and the sequencing of the region spanning the rDNA internal transcribed spacers or the rDNA D1/D2 domain revealed that they are distributed into 13 different genera. Although the cultivar and vintage influenced the taxa abundance and diversity, Aureobasidium pullulans and Hanseniaspora uvarum were the most abundant species, ubiquitously populating the fruits together with Pichia terricola, Rhodotorula glutinis, Starmerella bacillaris and Vishniacozyma heimaeyensis. The rarest genera comprised Candida, Trichosporon and Zygoascus. Analysis of yeast growth in the presence of specific elicitors revealed that Pichia spp. are the most sensitive to exogenous calcium, while Sporobolomyces roseus is the most sensitive to copper exposure. Moreover, A. pullulans, H. uvarum and S. bacillaris displayed the highest sensitivity to osmotic stress. In turn, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, P. fermentans, P. kluyveri and P. kudriavzevii showed mild resistance to ethanol, unlike the remaining non-Saccharomyces yeasts. Correlation networks expressing the overall yeast performance showed that H. uvarum and S. bacillaris share the strongest positive interspecies correlation, followed by the pairs P. fermentans–P. kluyveri, B. albus–R. glutinis and A. pullulans–V. heimaeyensis. The strongest negative correlations were found for the pairs P. kluyveri–S. roseus, P. terricola–W. anomalus, P. kudriavzevii–V. heimayensis, P. kluyveri–V. heimayensis, and A. pullulans–P. kluyveri. This study exposed microbial niches with a predictably common response to abiotic stress.
Migrations and some issues of public health from a historical perspective
Authors: Stola Krzysztof
Published: August 2022

Artykuł ma charakter poglądowy. Przedstawia związek między migracjami a zdrowiem publicznym. Od stuleci migracje przyczyniają się do szerzenia chorób zakaźnych i chorób psychicznych, wpływając na rozwój cywilizacji. Najważniejszą procedurą wypracowaną dla potrzeb walki z epidemiami jest kwarantanna. Walka z chorobami zakaźnymi, a więc i migracje, przyczyniła się do postępu naukowo-technicznego w medycynie.
Listy Józefa Bielińskiego – wybór
Authors: Magowska Anita
Published: August 2022

Listy Józefa Bielińskiego – wybór
History of the orthopaedic treatment with particular emphasis on the endoprosthetics and ligament reconstruction
Authors: Kasprzak Bartosz
Published: August 2022

W pracy opisano pierwsze metody leczenia chirurgicznego uszkodzeń więzadeł krzyżowych stawu kolanowego oraz historyczny rozwój endoprotezoplastyki na przykładzie stawu biodrowego. Uwzględniono również rozwój ortopedii w Polsce.
Interspecies and Intrastrain Interplay Among Leishmania spp. Parasites
Authors: Das Chagas Bruna Dias , Pereira Thaís Martins , Cantanhêde Lilian Motta , Da Silva Gabriela Pereira , Boité Mariana Côrtes , Pereira Luiza de Oliveira Ramos , Cupolillo Elisa
Published: August 2022

Leishmania parasites present astonishing adaptative abilities that represent a matter of life or death within disparate environments during the heteroxenous parasite life cycle. From an evolutionary perspective, organisms develop methods of overcoming such challenges. Strategies that extend beyond the genetic diversity have been discussed and include variability between parasite cells during the infections of their hosts. The occurrence of Leishmania subpopulation fluctuations with variable structural genomic contents demonstrates that a single strain might shelter the variability required to overcome inconsistent environments. Such intrastrain variability provides parasites with an extraordinary ability to adapt and thus survive and propagate. However, different perspectives on this evolution have been proposed. Strains or species living in the same environment can cooperate but also compete. These interactions might increase the replication rate of some parasites but cause the loss of more aggressive competitors for others. Adaptive responses to intra- and interspecific competition can evolve as a fixed strategy (replication is adapted to the average genetic complexity of infections) or an optional strategy (replication varies according to the genetic complexity of the current infection). This review highlights the complexity of interspecies and intrastrain interactions among Leishmania parasites as well as the different factors that influence this interplay.
Cardiovascular Effects of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Adolescents
Authors: Mansanguan Suyanee , Charunwatthana Prakaykaew , Piyaphanee Watcharapong , Dechkhajorn Wilanee , Poolcharoen Akkapon , Mansanguan Chayasin
Published: August 2022

This study focuses on cardiovascular effects, particularly myocarditis and pericarditis events, after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine injection in Thai adolescents. This prospective cohort study enrolled students from two schools aged 13–18 years who received the second dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Data including demographics, symptoms, vital signs, ECG, echocardiography and cardiac enzymes were collected at baseline, Day 3, Day 7, and Day 14 (optional) using case record forms.We enrolled 314 participants; of these, 13 participants were lost to follow up, leaving 301 participants for analysis. The most common cardiovascular effects were tachycardia (7.64%), shortness of breath (6.64%), palpitation (4.32%), chest pain (4.32%), and hypertension (3.99%). Seven participants (2.33%) exhibited at least one elevated cardiac biomarker or positive lab assessments. Cardiovascular effects were found in 29.24% of patients, ranging from tachycardia, palpitation, and myopericarditis. Myopericarditis was confirmed in one patient after vaccination. Two patients had suspected pericarditis and four patients had suspected subclinical myocarditis. Conclusion: Cardiovascular effects in adolescents after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination included tachycardia, palpitation, and myocarditis. The clinical presentation of myopericarditis after vaccination was usually mild, with all cases fully recovering within 14 days. Hence, adolescents receiving mRNA vaccines should be monitored for side effects. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT05288231
Transient Global Amnesia, an Uncommon Diagnosis of Exclusion
Authors: Sheikh Hasan Mohamed , Osman Sidow Nor , Adam Mohamed Nor
Published: August 2022

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is an uncommon clinical syndrome characterized by a loss of short-term memory and disorientation that resolves in twenty-four hours. The etiology is unknown and the diagnosis is made by exclusion of other possible etiologies that may cause similar patterns and the reversibility of the condition in less than 24 hours. Here we report a 60-year-old male presented with sudden onset of disorientation and short-term memory loss early in the morning while at home and started to ask his whereabouts and what happened. He had no history of significant medical or psychiatric disease. There was no history of previous similar episodes. He had no recent history of sleep problems, head trauma, substance abuse, or loss of consciousness. He had no history of seizure disorder, or migraine. A neurologic examination revealed a normal wakefulness state with mild disorientation, and short-term memory impairment. He had score of 18/30 on mini-mental state examination (which later returned to normal baseline in 24 hours). Extensive lab investigations did not show any abnormal findings. Brain MRI did not show any acute cerebral pathology. The EEG was negative for any abnormal cerebral activity. His memory improved and returned to normal baseline over the course of a 20-hour from the onset. After exclusion of potential causes and the patient returned to normal state of memory, the diagnosis of transient global amnesia was made. At the follow-up visit, the patient was in a state of normal function without a recurrence of memory impairment. Here we presented this interesting case of transient global amnesia. TGA is diagnosis of exclusion and important to keep in mind when evaluating a patient with acute onset of short-term memory impairment, especially when etiological investigation revealed no potential cause.
Static Load Characteristics of Hydrostatic Journal Bearings: Measurements and Predictions
Authors: Yi Howon , Jung Hyunsung , Kim Kyuman , Ryu Keun
Published: August 2022

Hydrostatic bearings for liquid rocket engine turbopumps provide distinctive advantages including high load capacity even with low viscosity cryogenic fluid and extending a life span by minimizing friction and wear between rotor and bearing surfaces. Application of hydrostatic bearings into turbopumps demands reliable test data base with well-quantified operating parameters and experimentally validated accurate performance predictive tools. The present paper shows the comprehensive experimental data and validation of predicted static load characteristics of hydrostatic journal bearings lubricated with air, water, and liquid nitrogen. Extensive experiments for static load characteristics of hydrostatic bearings are conducted using a turbopump rotor-bearing system simulator while increasing supply pressure (Ps) into the test bearings. The test results demonstrate notable effects of the test fluids and their temperatures, as well as Ps, on the bearing performance. In general, the measured bearing flow rate, rotor displacement, and stiffness of the test bearings steadily increase with Ps. The static load bearing characteristics predictions considering flow turbulence and compressibility matched well with the experimental results. The work with an independent test data and engineering computational programs will further the implementation of hydrostatic bearings in high performance turbopump shaft systems with improved efficiency and enhanced reusability of liquid rocket engine sub-systems.
Implementation of Control Flow Checking - A New Perspective Adopting Model-Based Software Design
Authors: Amel Solouki Mohammadreza , SINI JACOPO , Violante Massimo
Published: August 2022

A common requirement of embedded software in charge of safety tasks is to guarantee the identification of those Random Hardware Failures (RHFs) that can affect digital components. RHFs are unavoidable. For this reason, functional safety standards, like the ISO 26262 devoted to automotive applications, require embedded software designs able to detect and eventually mitigate them. For this purpose, various software-based error detection techniques have been proposed over the years, focusing mainly on detecting Control Flow Errors. Many Control Flow Checking (CFC) algorithms have been proposed to accomplish this task. However, applying these approaches can be difficult because their respective literature gives little guidance on the their practical implementation in high-level programming languages, and they have to be implemented in low-level code, e.g., assembly. Moreover, the current trend in the automotive industry is to adopt the so-called Model-Based Software Design approach, where an executable algorithm model is automatically translated into C or C++ source code. This paper presents two novelties: firstly, the compliance of the experimental data on the capabilities of Control Flow Checking (CFC) algorithms with the ISO 26262 automotive functional safety standard; Secondly, by the implementation of the CFC algorithm in the application behavioral model is automatically translated. There is no need to modify the code generator. The assessment was performed using a novel fault injection environment targeting a RISC-V (RV32I) microcontroller.
STAT3 and Its Pathways Dysregulation – Underestimated Role in Urological Tumors
Authors: Golus Maciej , Bugajski Piotr , Chorbińska Joanna , Krajewski Wojciech , Lemiński Artur , Saczko Jolanta , Kulbacka Julita , Szydełko Tomasz , Małkiewicz Bartosz
Published: August 2022

Nowadays molecular research is essential for the better understanding of tumor cells pathophysiology. The increasing number of neoplasms is taken under ‘the molecular magnifying glass’ therefore it is possible to discover complex relationships between cytophysiology and tumor cells. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) belongs to the family of latent cytoplasmic transcription factors called STATs which comprises seven members: STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT5A, STAT5B, STAT6. Those proteins play important role in cytokine-activated gene expression by transducing signals from the cell membrane to the nucleus. Abnormal prolonged activation results in tumorigenesis, metastasis, cell proliferation, invasion, migration and angiogenesis. Inhibition of this transcription factor inhibits previously mentioned effects in cancer cells whereas normal cells are not affected. Hence STAT3 might be a viable target for cancer therapy.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8-items (DASS-8)/DASS-12/DASS-21 among Italian and Swiss Family Caregivers of Patients with Dementia
Authors: Ali Amira , Alameri Rana Ali , Hendawy Amin Omar , Al-Amer Rasmieh , Shahrour Ghada , Ali Esraa M. , Alkhamees Abdulmajeed A. , Ibrahim Nashwa , Hassan Bothaina Hussein
Published: August 2022

Dementia patients express a set of problematic and deteriorating symptoms, along self-care dependency. Overtime, the mental health of family caregivers of persons with dementia may suffer, putting them at a high risk for psychopathology, which may be associated with endangered wellbeing of demented people. This cross-sectional study examined the psychometric properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8-items (DASS-8), DASS-12, DASS-21 in a convenient sample of 571 caregivers from northern Italy and southern Switzerland (Mean age = 53, SD = 12, range = 24–89 years). A bifactor structure of the three measures had the best fit; some items of the DASS-12/DASS-21 failed to load on their domain-specific factors. The three-factor structure was invariant across various groups (e.g., gender, education, etc.), expressed adequate reliability and convergent validity, and had strong positive correlation with the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLALS3). Dementia type had no effect on distress scores, which were higher among females, adult children caregivers, those caring for dependent patients, and those who received help with care. For 54.9 and 38.8% of the latter, care was provided by relatives and health professionals, respectively. Since the DASS-8 expresses adequate psychometrics comparable with the DASS-21, it may be used as a brief measure of distress in this population.
Passenger Name Record Data Protection under European Union and United States Agreement: Security over Privacy?
Authors: Anggriawan Rizaldy , Salim Andi Agus , Gunawan Yordan , Arumbinang Mohammad Hazyar
Published: August 2022

Privacy should become a key component in the IT system. It is not something to be considered at last but from the very early stages. Almost no nation has a greater sense of personal data security which could be equivalent to the European level. Since 9/11, the United States has declared to utilize PNR as a method for combating terrorism by associating PNR data with criminal records. Nevertheless, in fact, the majority of data found in the PNR is immense and most of this data is of a confidential nature. The paper used doctrinal legal research methodology utilizing the case and comparative law approach. It elaborates particular cases in relation to data protection issues. It also explores the differences between EU and US law which hinder the idea of data protection in particular on PNR. The study revealed that security is one of the most critical issues which hinder the agreement between the EU and the US on PNR data protection. As the EU promotes the highest standard to the data protection referring to the European community history and GDPR provisions, while the US places national security as a main priority beyond the privacy issues.
Imprisonment as a Criminal Sanction against Corporations in Forestry Crimes: How Is It Possible?
Authors: Hafrida Hafrida , Kusniati Retno , Monita Yulia
Published: August 2022

Environmental harms are frequently part and parcel of ordinary commercial practice. This study aimed to highlight the importance of applying imprisonment as a corporate criminal sanction in forestry crimes to observe and consider individual and far-reaching victims. Forest crimes impact the community’s socio-cultural life and cause environmental damage by increasing global warming. Based on the laws and regulations, fines as criminal sanctions do not effectively deter corporations. Subsequently, imprisonment could be an alternative criminal sanction against corporations through identification where corporate liability could be identified through its management. Actions taken by the management are not based on their rights and authorities but those of the corporations. Therefore, imprisonment and other sanctions such as restitution are expected to effectively and viably address forestry crimes.
The Policy on Illegal Oil Palm Plantation Reform in Forest Area during Jokowi’s Presidency
Authors: Sudarwanto Albertus Sentot , Karjoko Lego , Handayani I Gusti Ayu Ketut Rachmi , Ma’aruf Arifin , Glaser Henning
Published: August 2022

Indonesia is the largest oil palm producer. The area of oil palm plantations is approximately 3.4 million. However, this large potential is not part away from legal issues such as illegal oil palm plantations. It is also implied by overlapping regulations and permits. This study aims to examine the policy of illegal oil palm plantations reform and the rooted regulation problem in forest areas during Joko Widodo era. This research relies on a normative legal approach. Data was collected through the investigation of legal material regarding oil palm policies. The results of this study indicate that the overlapping regulation contributes negatively to the reformation attempt. Yet, there are no legal products and policies regarding the dispute settlement of illegal oil palm in forest areas. Repressive implementation of criminal law does not solve the problem at the grassroots. The establishment of Job Creation Law provides new hope for the settlement of oil palm plantations problem by mainstreaming the nonlitigation mechanism, namely administrative sanctions.
Experimental Study on the Failure Characteristics and Damage Evolution of Sandstones from Typical Buried Depths in High In Situ Stress Area
Authors: Li Yi-hang , Xie He-ping , Feng Gan , Zhang Ru , Zhang Guang-ze , Xu Zheng-xuan , Feng Tao , Wang Dong , Yi Xiao-juan , Chen Ming-hao , Zhang An-lin , Zhang Zhi-long , Ren Li
Published: August 2022

This study is aimed at exploring the mechanical properties and failure characteristics of the rocks surrounding a railway tunnel in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau at typical buried depths. Uniaxial compression and AE experiments were carried out on sandstones taken from the same borehole. The results show that the elastic modulus and peak strength of the 750 m depth sandstones are much higher than those of the 350 m depth sandstones. The crack evolution in the 750 m depth sandstones was more orderly, and its brittle failure characteristics were more obvious as compared with the 350 m depth sandstones. The fractal dimension of the samples from the typical depths reached the minimum value when the fracture volume state changed from compression to expansion. In addition, the damage variable based on the crack volumetric strain theory (DC) and cumulative ring counts of acoustic emission (DA) can, respectively, reflect the generation and penetration of cracks and the physical properties of rocks at the two typical depths. The combination of DC and DA can be used to analyze the evolution of the sandstone’s damage. The research results have basic theoretical significance for the excavation and geological disaster prevention of tunnels in sandstone sections at typical depths in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Clinical evaluation of rare copy number variations identified by chromosomal microarray in a Hungarian neurodevelopmental disorder patient cohort
Authors: Lengyel Anna , Pinti Éva , Pikó Henriett , Árvai Kristóf , Abonyi Tünde , Némethi Zaránd , Fekete György , Haltrich Irén
Published: August 2022

Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders are genetically heterogeneous pediatric conditions. The first tier diagnostic method for uncovering copy number variations (CNVs), one of the most common genetic etiologies in affected individuals, is chromosomal microarray (CMA). However, this methodology is not yet a routine molecular cytogenetic test in many parts of the world, including Hungary. Here we report clinical and genetic data of the first, relatively large Hungarian cohort of patients whose genetic testing included CMA. Methods: Clinical data were retrospectively collected for 78 children who were analyzed using various CMA platforms. Phenotypes of patients with disease-causing variants were compared to patients with negative results using the chi squared/Fisher exact tests. Results: A total of 30 pathogenic CNVs were identified in 29 patients (37.2%). Postnatal growth delay (p=0.05564), pectus excavatum (p=0.07484), brain imaging abnormalities (p=0.07848), global developmental delay (p=0.08070) and macrocephaly (p=0.08919) were more likely to be associated with disease-causing CNVs. Conclusions: Our results allow phenotypic expansion of 14q11.2 microdeletions encompassing SUPT16H and CHD8 genes. Variants of unknown significance (n=24) were found in 17 patients. We provide detailed phenotypic and genetic data of these individuals to facilitate future classification efforts, and spotlight two patients with novel potentially pathogenic alterations. Our results contribute to unraveling the diagnostic value of rare CNVs.
Study of induced gravity and correlation theory analysis of nuclear Synthesis chemical elements
Authors: Bingxiong Wen
Published: August 2022

Modern aerodynamics is the dynamics of gas propulsion. It requires precise data, material resources, manpower, and time. It is urgent to find a more suitable power source. Based on the gravitational effects of dark energy and dark matter, the cyclic process of cosmic physics black holes to odd black holes and dark energy black holes, special fusion and fission phenomena are common in the universe, and theoretical studies such as Einstein's general theory of relativity are no exception. Through the study of the source of cosmic elements, the formation environment of stellar elements, the theory and method of modern physical artificial elements，as well as atomic bombs, hydrogen bombs, and nuclear reactors to precipitate elemental products，we have designed a device which can synthesize physically stable elements and discover new chemical elements. A device capable of synthesizing physically stable elements and discovering new chemical elements is designed.
Does fixation of both clavicle and scapula is better than clavicle alone in surgical treatment of floating shoulder injury? A retrospective study
Authors: Shao Yijie , Zhu Xu , Liu Bo , Ji Chenchen , Chen Guangdong
Published: August 2022

Background: Little research was available to explore which surgical fixation was better between fixation of both clavicle and scapula and clavicle alone in management of floating shoulder injury.Methods: Total 69 patients with floating shoulder injury receiving surgery from February 2005 to July 2020 participated in the study. 49 patients underwent fixation of the clavicle alone (Group C) while 20 patients underwent fixation of both clavicle and scapula (Group C+S). They were further divided into subgroups according to age: Group C1, Group C+S1 (age≤55 years old) and Group C2, Group C+S2 (age＞55 years old). The radiological parameter (glenopolar angle (GPA)) and clinical outcomes (Herscovici score, Constant-Murley shoulder outcome score (CSS score), and Visual Analogue Scale score (VAS score)) were collected and compared between these groups. The correlation between age and radiological parameter and clinical outcomes were calculated by the Spearman correlation analysis. Results: All people were followed up for at least 1 year. The degree of change in GPA before and after surgery in Group C+S is significantly better than that in Group C. The Herscovici and CSS score in Group C+S2 were significantly higher than those in Group C2 at 1 month, 3 months and 1 year after surgery. However, no significant difference in Herscovici and CSS score was found at final follow-up (1 year after surgery) between Group C+S1 and Group C1. The VAS score in Group C+S2 at final follow-up was significantly lower than that in Group C2. No significant difference in VAS score at final follow-up was found between Group C+S1 and Group C1. In addition, the VAS score was negatively correlated with Herscovici and CSS score. No correlation was found between VAS score and GPA.Conclusions: Both types of surgical fixation are effective in management of floating shoulder injury. For young people with floating shoulder injury, both types of surgical fixation are equally effective. However, for older people with floating shoulder injury, fixation of both clavicle and scapula is better in prognosis than fixation of clavicle alone.
Comparing the Performance of Kernel PCA Mix Chart with PCA Mix Chart for Monitoring Mixed Quality Characteristics
Authors: Ahsan Muhammad , Mashuri Muhammad , Khusna Hidayatul
Published: August 2022

Along with the development of information and technology, the quality characteristics of a product cannot be monitored separately in the different types of control charts. In the past, conventional control charts were developed to monitor only one type of quality characteristic. The variable control charts are used to observe the variable or metric quality characteristics. Meanwhile, in monitoring non-metric characteristics or categorical data, attribute control charts are employed. To accommodate these two types of data, the PCA Mix control chart is suggested to simultaneously monitor these two types of data in one chart. However, some drawbacks occur when this chart is applied to monitor non-metric data which has an imbalanced proportion. Therefore, the Kernel PCA Mix control chart is created to overcome the gaps that occurred in the PCA Mix chart. Similar to the previous chart, this chart is also constructed using Hotelling’s T2 statistics with Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) control limit. Several simulations are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed control charts. The simulation results show that the proposed chart has a better result than the previous control chart, especially for a small shift with an imbalanced proportion of non-metric data. However, the PCA Mix chart has a similar performance to the proposed chart when it is applied to monitor the balanced proportion of categorical data with a large shift. The application with simulated data with various scenarios and the real-world case also shows that the Kernel PCA Mix chart performs better compared to the performance of the PCA Mix chart.
Conjugation to a cell-penetrating peptide drives the tumour accumulation of the GLP1R antagonist exendin(9-39)
Authors: Camps Estel Collado , Lith Sanne van , Kip Annemarie , Frielink Cathelijne , Joosten Lieke , Brock Roland , Gotthardt Martin
Published: August 2022

Purpose
Exendin, an analogue of the Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP1), is an excellent tracer for molecular imaging of pancreatic beta cells and beta cell-derived tumours. The commonly used form, exendin-4, activates the GLP1 receptor and causes internalisation of the peptide-receptor complex. As a consequence, injection of exendin-4 can lead to adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting and hypoglycaemia and thus requires close monitoring during application. By comparison, the antagonist exendin(9–39) does not activate the receptor, but its lack of internalisation has precluded its use as a tracer. Improving the cellular uptake of exendin(9–39) could turn it into a useful alternative tracer with less side-effects than exendin-4.
Methods
We conjugated exendin-4 and exendin(9–39) to the well-known cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) penetratin. We evaluated cell binding and internalisation of the radiolabelled peptides in vitro, and their biodistribution in vivo.
Results
Exendin-4 showed internalisation irrespective of the presence of the CPP, whereas for exendin(9–39) only the penetratin conjugate internalised. Conjugation to the CPP also enhanced the in vivo tumour uptake and retention of exendin(9–39).
Conclusion
We demonstrate that penetratin robustly improves internalisation and tumour retention of exendin(9–39), opening new avenues for antagonist-based in vivo imaging of GLP1R.