bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational Investigations on the Natural Small-Molecule as an Inhibitor of Programmed Death Ligand-1 for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Kumar Geethu S. , Moustafa Mahmoud , Sahoo Amaresh Kumar , Malý Petr , Bharadwaj Shiv
Published: April 2022

Several therapeutic monoclonal antibodies are approved by FDA against the PD-1/PD-L1 (programmed death-1/programmed death ligand-1) immune checkpoint, which has been a great success in cancer treatment. However, existing therapeutics, including small molecules inhibitors against PD-L1 checkpoint have certain drawbacks such as high cost and drug resistance that challenge the current available anti-PD-L1 therapy. Thereof, this study presents the screening of 32552 compounds from Natural Product Atlas database against PD-L1, including three steps of structure-based virtual screening and binding free energy refinement for the selection of potent PD-L1 inhibitors. Subsequently, five natural compounds, i.e., Neoenactin B1, Actinofuranone I, Cosmosporin, Ganocapenoid A, and 3-[3-hydroxy-4-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)phenyl]-5-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-4-methyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one, were collected based on the ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) profiling and binding free energy (>-70 kcal/mol) for further computational investigation by comparison to co-crystallised ligand, i.e. JQT inhibitor. Based on interaction mapping, explicit 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation, and post binding free energy calculations, all the compounds exhibited intermolecular interactions (hydrogen and hydrophobic) with essential residues and substantial complex stability by comparison to the JQT inhibitor. Collectively, the calculated results advocate the selected natural compounds as the putative potent inhibitors of PD-L1 and, therefore, can be considered for further development of PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor in cancer immunotherapy.
Prioritizing CP Actions towards Circularity by Combining LCA and Emergy in The PE Production Chain
Authors: Bustamante Gustavo , Giannetti Biagio Fernando , Agostinho Feni , Liu Gengyuan , Almeida Cecília M.V.B
Published: April 2022

Petrochemicals, which convert oil and gas into products such as plastics, are fundamental to modern societies. Chemists recognize their role in the design of materials and the adverse effects that these may have on the environment, preventing sustainable development. Several methodological frameworks and sustainability assessment approaches have been developed to evaluate the resources used in the petrochemical sector in terms of environmental costs. A combination of Life Cycle Assessment and Emergy Accounting - to assess the environmental support for resource use - is applied in this study of the PET production chain in Europe. The Unit Emergy Values of several intermediates are calculated or updated to facilitate discernment of the quality of energy used and the processes' efficiency. Several routes for synthesizing renewable para-xylene and ethylene glycol from biomass are discussed and confronted with the efforts focused on recycling and recovering the final product providing concurrently a procedure and a valuable data set for future CP actions. The results show that understanding the efficiencies changing across the production chain may help stakeholders make wise choices as to where and when interventions to promote a circular economy are most effective along a petrochemical production chain.
¿Quiénes necesitan vivienda en América Latina? El allegamiento residencial en las estimaciones de déficit habitacional
Authors: Marcos Mariana , García Diva Marcela , Módenes Juan Antonio
Published: April 2022

En América Latina tanto el problema de la falta de viviendas de calidad como la respuesta del allegamiento -o la corresidencia- de hogares y familias por necesidad son fenómenos de larga data y persistentes, aunque también de amplia dispersión en su forma de medición. El objetivo de este artículo es precisar conceptualmente el problema y desentrañar la matriz teórica que subyace a las distintas formas de medición del componente cuantitativo del déficit habitacional, en especial en lo referido a la contabilización -o no- de los núcleos familiares secundarios como unidades requirentes de vivienda. En segundo lugar, se aporta a la discusión a partir del análisis demográfico de las estructuras de corresidencia analizadas empíricamente en las regiones metropolitanas de Bogotá y de Buenos Aires. Como resultado, se identificó que el allegamiento de núcleos y hogares puede resultar una estrategia residencial funcional no exclusiva de los grupos más pobres, especialmente en el contexto bogotano, y que su existencia facilita el cuidado mutuo en el interior de la vivienda. Sin embargo, la corresidencia también esconde una demanda demográfica insatisfecha, oculta en arreglos residenciales complejos disfuncionales y numéricamente muy representativos en los dos contextos analizados. El tratamiento de estas situaciones plantea un debate sobre la focalización de la política pública para resolver el déficit habitacional y las situaciones que se deben priorizar para garantizar el derecho a la vivienda en perspectiva de necesidades habitacionales y no solo de mercado.
METHOD OF COMPUTER SYSTEM STATE IDENTIFICATION BASED ON BOOSTING ENSEMBLE WITH SPECIAL PREPROCESSING PROCEDURE
Authors: Chelak Victor , Gavrylenko Svitlana
Published: April 2022

The subject of the research is methods of identifying the state of the Computer System. The object of research is the process of identifying the state of a computer system for information protection. The aim of the research is to develop the method for identifying the state of a computer system for information protection. This article is devoted to the development of method (boosting ensemble) to increase the accuracy of detecting anomalies in computer systems. Methods used: artificial intelligence methods, machine learning, decision tree methods, ensemble methods. The results were obtained: a method of computer system identification based on boosting ensemble with special preprocessing procedure is developed. The effectiveness of using machine learning technology to identify the state of a computer system has been studied. Experimental researches have confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed method, which makes it possible to recommend it for practical use in order to improve the accuracy of identifying the state of the computer system. Conclusions. According to the results of the research, ensemble classifier of computer system state identification based on boosting was proposed. It was found that the use of the proposed classifier makes it possible to reduce the variance to 10%. In addition, due to the optimization of the initial data, the efficiency of identifying the state of the computer was increased. Prospects for further research may be to develop an ensemble of fuzzy decision trees based on the proposed method, optimizing their software implementation.
MULTIAGENT METHODS OF MANAGEMENT OF DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING IN HYBRID CLUSTERS
Authors: Kolumbet Vadim , Svynchuk Olha
Published: April 2022

Modern information technologies include the use of server systems, virtualization technologies, communication tools for distributed computing and development of software and hardware solutions of data processing and storage centers, the most effective of such complexes for managing heterogeneous computing resources are hybrid GRID- distributed computing infrastructure combines resources of different types with collective access to these resources for and sharing shared resources. The article considers a multi-agent system that provides integration of the computational management approach for a cluster Grid system of computational type, the nodes of which have a complex hybrid structure. The hybrid cluster includes computing modules that support different parallel programming technologies and differ in their computational characteristics. The novelty and practical significance of the methods and tools presented in the article are a significant increase in the functionality of the Grid cluster computing management system for the distribution and division of Grid resources at different levels of tasks, the ability to embed intelligent computing management tools in problem-oriented applications. The use of multi-agent systems for task planning in Grid systems will solve two main problems - scalability and adaptability. The methods and techniques used today do not sufficiently provide solutions to these complex problems. Thus, the scientific task of improving the effectiveness of methods and tools for managing problem-oriented distributed computing in a cluster Grid system, integrated with traditional meta-planners and local resource managers of Grid nodes, corresponding to trends in the concept of scalability and adaptability.
THE SOFTWARE SECURITY DECISION SUPPORT METHOD DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Liqiang Zhang , Miroshnichenko Nataliia
Published: April 2022

The actuality of the power to improve the accuracy of the results was determined in order to make a decision about the process of testing the software security. An analysis of the methods of support for making a decision was carried out. The necessity and feasibility of improving the accuracy of the results was determined in case of further software security inconsistencies in the minds of the fuzziness of input and intermediate data. With this method, on the basis of the mathematical apparatus of fuzzy logic, the method of support for making a decision about the security of software security has been developed. The main feature of this method is the synthesis of an improved method of generating the initial vibration in the process of starting a piece of neural string. Within the framework of the model, the next stages of follow-up are reached. For the mathematical formalization of the process of accepting the decision and designation of the input data, the model of forming the vector in the input data was developed. Depending on this model for shaping the input data, an anonymous sign of potential inconsistencies and undeclared possibilities of the PP is valid until the data of PVS-Studio Analysis Results. To improve the accuracy of the classification of data collected, the method of creating a piece of neural array has been improved, which is modified by the method of generating a sample, which is being developed. This generation method includes three equal generations: generation of the initial vibration, generation of the initial butt and generation of a specific value of the safety characteristic. This made it possible to increase the accuracy of classification and acceptance of the solution by 1.6 times for positive elements in the selection by 1.2 times for negative elements in the selection. To confirm the effectiveness of the development of the method of support for the decision on how to ensure software security, a ROC-analysis was carried out over the course of the above procedures. The results of the experiment confirmed the hypothesis about the efficiency of the divided method of support to make a decision about the security of PZ up to 1.2 times equal to the methods, which are based on the position of discriminant and cluster analysis.
EXCITATION OF OWN OSCILLATIONS IN SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS OF RADIO PRODUCTS UNDER THE EXPOSURE OF THIRD-PARTY ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
Authors: Serkov Aleksandr , Breslavets Vitaliy , Breslavets Juliya , Yakovenko Igor
Published: April 2022

The subject matter is the processes of analysis and mechanisms of interaction of EMP-induced currents and voltages with the processes characterizing the functional purpose of radio products, is usually carried out within the framework of the theory of distributed circuits. The presented approach makes it possible to evaluate the performance criteria in general (for example, to evaluate the critical energy characterizing a thermal breakdown), however, issues related to the determination of various types of electromagnetic interactions that occur directly in the components of a product under the influence of EMR remain open. The aim is the possibility of setting up theoretical and experimental studies based on the proposed calculation model for excitation of natural vibrations of a semiconductor structure (exponential growth of amplitude). The parameters of a third-party pulsed electromagnetic field, induced currents and characteristics of semiconductor devices have been established within which the regime of amplification of natural vibrations of a semiconductor structure is observed. The objectives are: mechanisms of interaction of induced currents with surface vibrations of semiconductor components of a radio product under the influence of pulsed electromagnetic radiation. The methods used are: methods of the theory of small perturbations in determining the spectrum of natural oscillations of the system - currents induced by electromagnetic radiation and natural oscillations of the components of the radio product. The following results are obtained: The mechanisms for the appearance of reversible failures of semiconductor components of radio products under the influence of third-party pulsed electromagnetic fields are determined. It has been established that the presence of a current induced by external radiation leads to the establishment of a mode of amplification of natural oscillations of semiconductor components of a radio product (reversible failures). Conclusion. Quantitative estimates of amplification (generation) modes of oscillations of semiconductor devices, distorting their performance depending on the parameters of external electromagnetic influence, allows developing mechanisms for electromagnetic compatibility of microwave radio products. A comparative analysis of the calculated data obtained in the work can be used in the manufacture of radio devices operating in the millimeter and submillimeter range (amplifiers, generators and frequency converters).
Design and optimization of structured cables systems for automation of production processes of the enterprise
Authors: Smirnova Tetiana , Buravchenko Kostiantyn , Shcherban Andrii , Bahdasarian Eduard , Kovalenko Anna
Published: April 2022

The object of research is the process of improving the network architecture of enterprises in order to further optimize production processes. The subject of research is the design and optimization of structured cabling systems to automate the production processes of the enterprise. The aim of the work is to improve the method of designing and optimizing structured cabling systems for the transport needs of the cellular network for the needs of the enterprise. The study determined that the process of planning a radio network to automate production processes of the enterprise must be performed in accordance with the following sequence of steps: design of radio network coverage to determine the location of each base station (5G - gNb) and construction of communication transport segment with location cross-country premises. In this paper, research is conducted on the construction of a communication transport segment with the location of cross-country premises. For this purpose, the scope of the statistical method is determined and the choice of the location of the technical premises of the cross floor is substantiated. Conclusions. The research conducted in this paper allowed to develop methods for improving the network architecture of enterprises in order to further optimize production processes. As part of this, a 5G network planning method was developed to automate the production processes of the enterprise, which is to consistently ensure the design of the radio network coverage to determine the location of each base station using an optimized model to estimate the loss of radio signal power. bandwidth, number of connections and reliability and construction of the communication transport segment with the determination of the optimal location of cross-country premises. The developed method makes it possible to plan the optimal structure of the 5G cellular network to optimize production processes, evaluate and reduce the total cost of building the network, while providing the necessary indicators of service quality of network nodes and its reliability.
Las marcas no convencionales: nuevos retos y oportunidades para la comunicación
Authors: Toledo Alarcón Eva
Published: April 2022

La gestión de la comunicación entre empresas y consumidores resulta cada vez más compleja por la creciente segmentación de los mercados y la proliferación de los canales de comunicación, cada vez más personalizados, digitales y directos. En este contexto, las marcas -como transmisores de historia y valores- juegan un papel esencial para la captación, fidelización y prescripción. En un contexto de marketing sensorial es donde se nacen, crecen y se desarrollan las marcas no convencionales; una nueva tipología de marcas que se construye buscando impactar en los consumidores de un modo sensorial: es lo que se conoce como el branding sensorial, que se instrumentaliza usando marcas olfativas, auditivas, de posición o táctiles, entre otras, lo que está suponiendo una revolución en la publicidad.
Herramientas para impulsar la internacionalización y el rendimiento de las pymes en el sector de la moda: marca y medios sociales
Authors: Ruiz-Fernández Lorena , Rienda-García Laura , Carey Lindsey
Published: April 2022

Esta investigación trata de analizar las diferentes herramientas estratégicas con las que cuentan las pymes en la industria de la moda para impulsar su internacionalización y conseguir un mayor rendimiento empresarial. En concreto, centramos nuestro análisis en la influencia que ejerce la presencia en distintos medios sociales o la marca comercial registrada sobre la internacionalización y el rendimiento de las PYMES. Con este objetivo se analizaron de forma cuantitativa 102 pymes pertenecientes al sector de la moda en Reino Unido e Irlanda. A partir de los resultados obtenidos se pueden extraer importantes conclusiones, así como implicaciones gerenciales que pueden ayudar a los directivos de estas pequeñas empresas a dirigir sus esfuerzos y la inversión de sus activos hacia una de estas herramientas esenciales.
“Ripple effect”: Psychological responses and coping strategies of Italian children in different COVID-19 severity areas
Authors: Liang Ziqin , Delvecchio Elisa , Buratta Livia , Mazzeschi Claudia
Published: April 2022

COVID-19 has affected learning and the outdoor activities of more than 862 million children or adolescents worldwide. This study investigated the mental health of Italian children and explored their psychological response and coping strategies in different COVID-19 epidemic severity areas, with the aims of alleviating the impacts of COVID-19, promoting targeted intervention, and reducing the risk of future psychological problems. 1074 parents of children aged 6 to 12 years old participated in an ad-hoc online survey. Among them, 40.3% were from the high-risk areas in the North, and 59.7% were from the medium/low-risk areas in the center of Italy. The results showed that, compared to the children in medium- or low-risk areas, children in the North scored significantly higher for symptoms of anxiety, moods, and cognitive changes, showing a “ripple effect” trend. Moreover, children in the northern areas used fewer task-oriented strategies and more emotion- and avoidance-oriented strategies than those in the central areas. Specifically, children in the northern areas were more likely to show acceptance and seek affection from others, while those in the central areas used more humor when their parents talked about quarantine or coronavirus. These findings provide relevant evidence and a reference point for crisis management in children’s mental health
Escalas abreviadas de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés (DASS-21): validez, fiabilidad y equidad en adolescentes peruanos
Authors: Contreras-Mendoza Ida , Olivas-Ugarte Lincol Orlando , De La Cruz-Valdiviano Carlos
Published: April 2022

En los últimos años se ha observado un creciente aumento de los trastornos psicológicos en la adolescencia, particularmente de ansiedad y depresión. A pesar de su importancia clínica, estos desórdenes emocionales no son abordados oportunamente, entre otras razones por la escasez de instrumentos para este grupo etario. Por ello, en este estudio de diseño instrumental se buscó analizar la validez, fiabilidad y equidad de las Escalas Abreviadas de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés (DASS-21). Participaron 731 adolescentes peruanos con edades entre 14 y 17 años (M = 15.46; DE = 1.00, 54% hombres), provenientes de tres instituciones educativas públicas de la provincia constitucional del Callao. Se analizaron las evidencias de validez de contenido y se examinaron estadísticamente los 21 ítems del DASS-21. El análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró la pertinencia del modelo de tres factores: X2/gl = 2.87, CFI = .91, TLI = .89, RMSEA = .05 y SRMR = .04. Se corroboró que el estrés es predictor de ansiedad (r = .88, r 2 = .76) y depresión (r = .86, r 2 = .74), y que ansiedad y depresión (r =.86, r 2 =.73) suelen manifestarse en conjunto. Los coeficientes de consistencia interna alfa y omega > .80 demuestran la alta fiabilidad de las tres escalas. Finalmente, el análisis de invarianza factorial indicó que el instrumento es equivalente según edad y sexo. Se concluye que las escalas DASS-21 cuentan con evidencias psicométricas para su aplicación como instrumento de cribado en adolescentes peruanos. No obstante, se sugiere realizar futuras investigaciones para obtener mayores evidencias de validez, fiabilidad y equidad, y elaborar datos normativos
¿Cuáles son los factores de riesgo y protección para el bienestar de adolescentes con FQ?
Authors: Torralba-García Ana , Valero-Moreno Selene , Lacomba-Trejo Laura , Pérez-Marín Marián
Published: April 2022

La fibrosis quística (FQ) es una enfermedad crónica y hereditaria que compromete la vida de quienes la padecen, y se hace especialmente importante su impacto en la adolescencia. El afrontamiento que estos pacientes y sus familiares hagan de estas circunstancias que les han tocado vivir, puede mejorar o empeorar el curso y desenlace de la enfermedad. El objetivo es conocer los factores de riesgo y protectores que influyen en el bienestar de los adolescentes con FQ. Para ello se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica de la literatura científica siguiendo la guía PRISMA en las siguientes bases de datos: Web of Science, ProQuest y Scopus. Se incluyeron artículos centrados en factores psicológicos de adolescentes con FQ, de entre 9 y 18 años, cuyo texto completo fuera accesible. Se encontraron 1192 estudios, se incluyeron finalmente 33 para la revisión (según los criterios de inclusión y exclusión). En los resultados se observa que la salud mental en el momento de la evaluación de los adolescentes, los problemas de sueño, el estrés, el dolor, las relaciones familiares y con los pares, tienen una gran influencia en el cumplimiento terapéutico, pudiendo modificar la calidad de vida, así como el curso y evolución de la enfermedad. Los principales factores asociados al ajuste a la FQ en adolescentes están relacionados con la salud mental y el apoyo social y familiar. Nuestro estudio señala la relevancia de atender estos elementos para intentar promover una realidad cotidiana de la mayor calidad posible a estos adolescentes y sus familias
Bidirectional Effects between Psychopathic Traits and Conduct Problems in Early Childhood: Examining Parenting as Potential Mediator
Authors: López-Romero Laura , Domínguez-Álvarez Beatriz , Isdahl-Troye Aimé , Romero Estrella
Published: April 2022

The association between psychopathic traits and conduct problems has been extensively analyzed, with results showing a significant predictive effect of psychopathic traits on later conduct problems. However, some recent research has evidenced some reversed effects, with early-onset conduct problems also showing a significant effect on psychopathic traits. The present study aimed to examine the longitudinal effects (i.e., autoregressive, direct, and bidirectional) between the three psychopathy dimensions (i.e., interpersonal, affective, and behavioral), and conduct problems in two data collections spanning one year (T1-T2). The potential mediation effect from inconsistent parenting and parental warmth was also analyzed. Data were collected, trough parents’ reports, in a sample of 1.833 children (48.8% girls; Mage = 4.24; SD = 0.92), participating in the ELISA study (Longitudinal Study for a Healthy Childhood). A cross-lagged path analysis with mediation effects was performed in Mplus. Results showed autoregressive, direct and bidirectional effects between psychopathic traits and conduct problems. Hence, whilst T1 conduct problems predicted all psychopathy dimensions in T2, only callous-unemotional and impulsive/need of stimulation traits measured in T1 predicted conduct problems in T2. Finally, some marginal mediation effects from inconsistent parenting and parental warmth were also observed, particularly in the relationship between interpersonal and affective psychopathic traits, and later CP through parental warmth. Current findings provide relevant implications for developmental models of psychopathic traits, as well as for predictive models and preventive strategies on early-onset conduct problems
Beyond Consultation: Unpacking the most essential components of meaningful participation by refugee leaders
Authors:   Global Refugee-Led Network (GRN),   European Coalition of Migrants and Refugees (EU-COMAR),   New Women Connectors (NWC)
Published: April 2022

Research on forced displacement reveals a wide gap between policy processes and the people that such processes seek to assist. This paper proposes actionable recommendations on how to operationalize the concept of ‘meaningful refugee participation’ in decision-making processes that affect the lives of refugees. There is a need to go beyond tokenistic participation and to genuinely empower refugees to have influence over the design, implementation and evaluation of refugee-focused programmes. The contributions of refugees themselves must also be enhanced in ways that can help contribute to a paradigmatic shift in the global infrastructure of refugee governance.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Essential Newborn Care among Postnatal Mothers Attending Health Facilities in a Rural District, Eastern Uganda. A Cross-Sectional Community study
Authors: Akoth Christine , Olowo Samuel , Kagoya Enid Kawala , Iramoit Jacob Stanely , Nteziyaremye Julius , Nekaka Rebecca , Ssenyonga Lydia VN
Published: April 2022

Background: Neonatal mortality remains a public health concern in developing countries such as Uganda. Three-quarters of all newborn deaths occur in the first week of life, with 50% occurring during the first 24-hours. The World Health Organization developed essential newborn care measures to improve neonatal outcomes.This study aimed at determining maternal knowledge attitude and practices towards essential newborn care in Mbale district, Eastern Uganda.Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional survey employing quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted at selected health facilities in Mbale district. 366 postnatal mothers were interviewed using a structured pretested and validated questionnaire. Knowledge was assessed using closed-ended questions; a score of ‘one’ was allocated for ‘correct knowledge’ and ‘zero’ for ‘incorrect knowledge’. The attitude was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Practices were evaluated through open-ended questions and by 15 in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using STATA version 14.0 and Nvivo version 11.0Results: The majority, 341(93.2%) of the mothers, knew the signs of eye infection. All the mothers, 366(100%) knew about thermal care. The majority of the mothers, 315(86.1%) didn’t know the disease prevented by the BCG vaccine. Most 260(71.4%) didn’t know the dangers of leaving an umbilical stump wet. Most mothers, 332(91.0%) agreed that skin-to-skin contact should be ensured and warm clothing be provided to the neonate. The majority 352(96.2%) of the mothers practiced skin-to-skin contact as a thermal protective measure. A few mothers, 65(17.8%) did not bathe their babies within 24 hours of birth. Poor cord care practices like the use of gecko droppings were still in existence in the community. Mothers practised and described exclusive breastfeeding as cheap and affordable with all food values.Conclusion: There was good knowledge and positive attitude towards WHO essential newborn care but knowledge on some aspects of cord care and immunization was still lacking. Postnatal mothers demonstrated unsatisfactory practices towards essential newborn care. There is a need to educate mothers during antenatal visits, postnatal clinics, and Young Child Clinic to improve their knowledge on immunization and cord care and practice essential newborn care measures.
Dexmedetomidine Added to Ropivacaine for Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Reduces the Incidence of Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders:a single centre randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yang Li , Xiong RongFei , Chen XingQu , Liu Zhuoling , Wang Shu , Yu DeShui
Published: April 2022

Background Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders is a common neurological complication with no effective treatments after surgery. This research aims to evaluate the effect of transversus abdominis plane block with dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine on the incidence of perioperative neurocognitive disorders in patients undergoing abdominal surgery and provides a new way to prevent it. Methods 180 patients submitted to radical laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery were randomly divided into Control Group（n=90） and Dex Group(n=90). Ultrasound guided transversus abdominis plane block was performed after anesthesia induction: 0.5% ropivacaine 20ml was injected into each transversus abdominis plane in Control Group, 0.5% ropivacaine + 1μg/kg dexmedetomidine (add up to 20ml) in Dex Group. Primary indicators were the incidence of perioperative neurocognitive disorders within 30days after surgery. Secondary indicators were the duration of operation and anesthesia, consumption of general anesthetics, fluid intake, urine and blood loss during operation, visual analog pain scores.Results 169 cases were finally analyzed, including 84 in Control Group and 85 in Dex Group. The consumption of propofol and remifentanil in Dex Group was lower than that in Control Group ((0.82±0.33) g vs. (1.22±0.42) g，(1.17±0.40) mg vs. (1.48±0.60) mg, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in visual analog pain scores between the two groups at 3days and 7days after surgery (P>0.05), while lower than Control Group at 6 hours and 24 hours after surgery. In terms of the incidence of perioperative neurocognitive disorders, compared with Control Group, there was no significant differences at 3days and 7days (P>0.05), but significantly decreased at 6hours, 24days and 30days after surgery (7.1% vs.17.9%，4.7% vs.14.3%，3.5% vs. 11.9%，P<0.05) in Dex Group.Conclusion While conducting transversus abdominis plane block after general anesthesia induction, dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine for it can reduce the incidence of perioperative neurocognitive disorders within 30days after surgery，which may be related to reduce the consumption of general anesthetics and provide satisfactory postoperative analgesia.Trial registration: Dexmedetomidine Added to Ropivacaine for Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Reduces the Incidence of Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders：a single centre randomized controlled trial, ChiCTR2100046876. Registered 29 May 2021, https://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=125579&htm=4.
The effect of palm pollen extract on sexual disorders in postmenopausal women A three-blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: Loripoor Marzeyeh , Esmaeili Fatemeh , Vazirinejad Reza , Dan Sasan
Published: April 2022

Background
The high prevalence of sexual problems among postmenopausal women needs more attention. Palm pollen extract seemed to help improve menopausal sexual dysfunction with estrogenic and antioxidant compounds. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the effect of palm pollen on sexual disorders in postmenopausal women.
Methods
In this three-blind clinical trial, 110 postmenopausal women from Rafsanjan comprehensive health service centers were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to two groups.The intervention group received 300 mg capsule of palm extract and the control group received placebo for 4 weeks. Sexual disorders were assessed with a 6-item FSFI questionnaire before the intervention, at the end of the intervention, and 4 weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21 and analysis of variance, Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests.
Results
The mean scores of sexual dysfunction before the intervention in the intervention and control groups were 15.36 ± 5.01 and 14.13 67 4.67, respectively (p = 0.684), at the end of the intervention 15.18 50 4.50 and 14.22 3 3.91 (p = 0.431) and 4 weeks after the intervention is 15.7 4 4.77 and 14.44 3 3.78 (p = 0.908).
Conclusions
According to the results, daily consumption of 300 mg of palm pollen extract does not significantly improve the sexual function of postmenopausal women. Due to the proof of phytoestrogenic and antioxidant effects of palm pollen in various studies, further studies with higher doses or increasing the duration of use are recommended.
Trial registration:
This three-blind clinical trial study was approved with the ethical code IR.RUMS.REC.1399.097 on 25/07/2020 and the clinical trial code IRCT20160308026971N10 on 06/12/2020.
The clinical efficacy of different treatments for macular edema secondary to BRVO
Authors: Hao Yanlei , Tao Yuan , Gao Lei , Zhao Ying , Yang Xia , Kou Mingrong , Lei Jiaying , Wang Hong
Published: April 2022

Objective: To assess the clinical efficacy of sustained-release dexamethasone (DEX) , conbercept and laser photocoagulation on macular edema （ME） secondary to BRVO.Methods: 159 ischemic BRVO eyes were enrolled and randomly divided into sustained-release DEX group (30 eyes), CBC group (51 eyes), combination group (DEX+CBC, 29 eyes), and laser group (49 eyes). and received single intravitreal injection of sustained-release DEX (0.7 mg), CBC (0.05 ml) [3+PRN], sustained-release DEX (0.7 mg) combined with CBC (0.05 ml), and laser photocoagulation therapy respectively. The changes of the central foveal thickness (CFT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were observed. Additionally, the number of HRD was calculated.Results: After treatment, CFT significantly decreased and BCVA significantly increased in DEX, CBC and combination groups (all P<0.01). Moreover, the number of HRD in three intravitreal injection groups was significantly reduced compared with pre-treatment (all P<0.01).Conclusion: Intravitreal injection of sustained-release DEX, CBC and combined treatment could alleviate BRVO-related ME, reduce CFT , and improve patients’ visual acuity . The retinal HRD number decreased after all intravitreal injections . In addition, there were non-responders in all intravitreal treatment groups, and the mean baseline HRD number of non-responder group was higher than that of responder group.
Dark-field Chest X-ray Imaging for the Assessment of COVID‑19‑Pneumonia
Authors: Frank Manuela , Gassert Florian , Urban Theresa , Willer Konstantin , Noichl Wolfgang , Schick Rafael , Schultheiß Manuel , Viermetz Manuel , Gleich Bernhard , De Marco Fabio , Herzen Julia , Koehler Thomas , Engel Klaus Juergen , Renger Bernhard , Gassert Felix , Sauter Andreas , Fingerle Alexander , Haller Bernhard , Makowski Marcus , Pfeiffer Daniela , Pfeiffer Franz
Published: April 2022

Medical imaging is performed in daily clinical routine for the assessment of pulmonary involvement in patients infected with COVID-19. As conventional (attenuation-based) chest radiography provides only a low sensitivity for COVID-19-pneumonia, CT is the gold standard for lung imaging in COVID-19 patients. However, CT imaging exposes the patient to a considerable amount of radiation, and is not as widely available as plain chest X-rays. Therefore, alternative low-dose imaging X-ray techniques are highly desirable. Here we present the first clinical results employing a novel dark-field chest X-ray imaging method for the assessment of COVID-19-pneumonia. The work is based on recent technological advancements in a human-scale X-ray dark-field chest imaging prototype that enable the acquisition of quantitative dark-field radiographs with diagnostic image quality at a radiation dose comparable to conventional X-rays. In a reader study, we found that dark-field imaging has a higher sensitivity for COVID-19-pneumonia than attenuation-based imaging, and that the combination of both is superior to one imaging modality alone. Furthermore, a quantitative image analysis showed a significant reduction of signal in X-ray dark-field chest radiographs of COVID-19 patients. While our results demonstrate that dark-field chest radiography presents an ultra-low-dose alternative to CT imaging for the assessment of COVID-19-pneumonia, we anticipate that the presented technique will also be useful for therapy follow-up of patients with long-COVID-syndrome and, more generally, for the imaging of other pulmonary pathologies.
Nocturnal and Urgent Defecation are Improved by Budesonide Foam in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Saruta Masayuki , Miyazaki Ryosuke , Sakurai Toshiyuki , Shimada Mariko , Iwashita Yuko , Shibuya Naoki , Akita Yoshihiro , Miyashita Haruna , Maruyama Yuki
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are known to have a significantly poor quality of life due to urgent and nocturnal defecation. Budesonide foam is a topical medication that was approved in Japan in 2017 for the treatment of UC. However, its efficacy in the treatment of urgent or nocturnal defecation is unknown. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of budesonide foam for the alleviation of these symptoms.Methods: UC patients who received budesonide foam between December 2017 and January 2020 at the Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo were enrolled. The simple clinical colitis activity index (SCCAI) was evaluated at the start of budesonide foam treatment and 2 and 6 weeks later in patients who initially scored ≥ 1 for urgent and nocturnal defecation, respectively. We also studied the effect of budesonide foam on remaining symptoms in patients who had used 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) topical treatment, those with SCCAI ≥ 3, and those in remission with residual symptoms (SCCAI 1 or 2).Results: Of the 233 enrolled patients, 102 were eligible for the study. In 36 patients with nocturnal defecation treated with budesonide foam were significantly effective, score in SCCAI decreased from 1.17 ± 0.45 at baseline to 0.53 ± 0.61 at week 2 (p < 0.0001) and 0.17 ± 0.38 at week 6 (p < 0.0001). In 45 patients with urgent defecation score in SCCAI decreased significantly from 1.33 ± 0.52 at baseline to 0.44 ± 0.59 at week 2 (p < 0.0001) and 0.22 ± 0.40 at week 6 (p < 0.0001). Of 22 patients who switched from topical 5-ASA administration to budesonide foam, nine at week 2 (41%) and 11 (50%) at week 6 were improved with no symptoms, and there were no cases of worsened symptoms. No severe side effects associated with budesonide foam were observed.Conclusion: Budesonide foam administration significantly improves both nocturnal and urgent defecation-related UC activity and is also effective for the patients who were refractory to topical 5-ASA administration.
Effectiveness of alternative approaches to integrating the Social Determinants of Health into medical education: a systematic review
Authors: Nour Nehal , Stuckler David , Ajayi Oluwatobi , Abdalla Mohamed Elhassan
Published: April 2022

Background
There is increasing recognition to include social determinants of health (SDOH) teaching for future doctors. However, the educational methods and the extent of integration into the curriculum vary considerably - this scoping review is aimed at how SDOH has been introduced into medical schools' curricula.
Methods
A systematic search was performed of six electronic databases, including PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, OVID (Medline), APA Psych Info, and ERIC. The initial search yielded 654 articles after removing duplicates. Articles were excluded if they did not cover the SDOH curriculum for medical students; were based on service-learning rather than didactic content; were pilot courses, or were not in English, leaving eight articles in the final study.
Results
There was considerable heterogeneity in the content, structure and duration of SDOH curricula. Of the eight included studies, six were in the United States(U.S.), one in the United Kingdom (U.K.) and one in Israel. Four main conceptual frameworks were invoked: the U.S. Healthy People 2020, two World Health Organisation frameworks (The Life Course and the Michael Marmot's Social Determinants of Health), and the National Academic of Science, Engineering, and Medicine's (Framework For educating Health Professionals to Address the Social Determinants of Health). In general, programs that lasted longer appeared to perform better than shorter duration programs. Students favoured interactive, experiential-learning teaching methods over the traditional classroom-based teaching methods.
Conclusion
The incorporation of well-structured SDOH curricula capturing both local specification and a global framework when combined with a combination of traditional and interactive teaching methods over more extended periods may be helpful to steps for creating lifelong learners and socially accountable medical school education.
Parent values and preferences underpinning treatment decision-making in poor-prognosis childhood cancer: A scoping review
Authors: Pearson Helen , Bryan Gemma , Kayum Catherine , Gibson Faith , Darlington Anne-Sophie
Published: April 2022

Background: Parents of children who are diagnosed with a poor-prognosis cancer want to be involved in making treatment-related decisions for their child. They often make repeated decisions depending on their child’s response to treatment and can experience decisional regret as a consequence. Understanding parent values and preferences when making treatment-related decisions may help enhance discussions with healthcare professionals and identify additional ways of providing support to this parent population. Objectives: To explore parent values and preferences underpinning treatment decision-making for children receiving cancer-directed therapy for a poor prognosis cancer.Methods: A scoping review of research literature and systematic reviews from qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies was conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Articles which included parents of a child who received cancer-directed therapy for a poor-prognosis childhood cancer, under the age of eighteen years were considered. Four electronic databases were searched (CINAHL, Medline, PsychINFO, Web of Science Core Collections). Reference and citation lists of all included full-text articles were also searched. Summative content analysis was used to synthesise findings and develop themes.Results: Twelve articles were included. Parent decision-making was affected by underpinning factors: hope for a cure, fear of their child dying and uncertainty. Influencing factors: opinions of others, child’s wishes, and faith and religion had the potential to inform decision-making processes. Parents valued having enough time, being a good parent and being involved in decision-making. Preferences within these values varied resulting in the potential for conflict and ‘trade-offs’ in making decisions. Conclusions: Parent decision-making in poor-prognosis childhood cancer is complex and extends beyond values and preferences. Underpinning factors and values are consistent through the decision-making process with influencing factors and preferences varying between parents. Preferences can conflict when parents want to continue cancer-directed therapy whilst maintaining their child’s quality of life or can change depending on a parents’ cognitive state as they realise cure might be unlikely.
“Researchers blow my mind”: Ethical research with community-based organizations
Authors: Fielding-Miller Rebecca , Kim Sarah , Bowles Jeannette , Davidson Peter
Published: April 2022

Background: Public health research frequently relies on collaborations with community-based organizations, and these partnerships can be essential to the success of a project. However, while public health ethics and oversight policies have historically focused on ensuring that individual subjects are protected from unethical or unfair practices, there are few guidelines to protect the organizations which facilitate relationships with – and are frequently composed of – these same vulnerable populations. As universities, governments, and donors place a renewed emphasis on the need for community engaged research to address systematic drivers of health inequity, it is vital that the ways in which research is conducted does not uphold the same intersecting systems of gender, race, and class oppression which led to the very same health inequities of interest. Methods: To understand how traditional notions of public health research ethics might be expanded to encompass partnerships with organizations as well as individuals, we conducted qualitative interviews with 39 staff members (executive directors and frontline) at community-based organizations that primarily serve people who use drugs, Black men who have sex with men, and sex workers across the United States from January 2016 – August 2017. We also conducted 11 in-depth interviews with academic researchers with experience partnering with CBOs that serve similar populations. Transcripts were analyzed thematically using emergent codes and a priori codes derived from the Belmont Report. Results: The concepts of respect, beneficence, and justice could and should apply to the treatment of organizations that participate in research just as they apply to individual human subjects, although their implementation will differ when applied to CBOs vs individual human subjects. Conclusions: Academic-CBO partnerships are likely to be more successful for both academics and CBOs if academic researchers work to center individual-level relationship building that is mutually respectful and grounded in cultural humility.