bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High expression of p62/SQSTM1 predicts shorter survival for patients with pancreatic cancer
Authors: Philipson Eva , Engström Cecilia , Naredi Peter , Bourghardt Fagman Johan
Published: March 2022

Background

Accumulation of the signal adaptor protein p62 has been demonstrated in many forms of cancer, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Although data from experimental studies suggest that p62 accumulation accelerates the development of PDAC, the association between p62 protein expression and survival in PDAC patients is unclear.

Methods

Thirty-three tumor specimens from PDAC patients treated by primary surgery were obtained. Immunohistochemical expression of p62, microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3), and nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) in tumor tissue was examined for associations with clinicopathological characteristics and disease-specific survival (DSS).

Results

There was no association between p62 expression and any of the clinicopathological variables. However, high p62 protein expression in tumor cells was significantly associated with shorter DSS (7 months vs. 29 months,p = 0.017). The hazard ratio for death in patients with high p62 protein expression in tumor cells was 2.88 (95% confidence interval: 1.17–7.11,p = 0.022). In multivariable analysis, high p62 expression was an independent prognostic factor for shorter DSS (p = 0.020) when follow up time was more than 5 years. LC3 and NRF2 staining was not associated with survival or other clinicopathological parameters.

Conclusion

Our results show that high p62 protein expression in tumor cells is associated with shorter survival following pancreatic tumor resection. This association supports a role for p62 as a prognostic marker in patients with PDAC treated by primary surgery.
The combination of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness, and prevalence of diabetes mellitus in middle-aged and older men: WASEDA’S Health Study
Authors: Wang Dong , Sawada Susumu S. , Tabata Hiroki , Kawakami Ryoko , Ito Tomoko , Tanisawa Kumpei , Higuchi Mitsuru , Ishii Kaori , Oka Koichiro , Suzuki Katsuhiko , Sakamoto Shizuo
Published: March 2022

Background

Although the negative relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) or muscular fitness and diabetes mellitus were respectively observed in many previous studies, there is still a lack of studies that include CRF and muscular fitness simultaneously. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the combination of CRF and muscular fitness and diabetes through a cross-sectional study. 

Methods

This study was part of WASEDA'S Health Study, a cohort study launched in 2014. We used a part of the baseline data collected for this study. Maximal exercise test using a cycle ergometer and leg extension power (LEP) test were respectively used to evaluate CRF and muscular fitness. Since LEP is affected by body weight, relative LEP (rLEP) which is LEP per body weight, was used as an index of muscular fitness. 796 men (56.5 ± 10.4 years old) who completed a medical examination and fitness tests, were divided into two groups based on CRF and rLEP, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes was collected based on a self-reported questionnaire or blood test. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the prevalence of diabetes were obtained using logistic regression models while adjusting for age, body mass index, exercise habits, family history of diabetes, smoking habits, and drinking habits.

Results

55 (7%) participants had diabetes. Compared to participants with lower CRF or rLEP, the odds ratio (95% CIs) of diabetes in those with higher CRF or rLEP was 0.46 (0.21–0.98) or 0.34 (0.16–0.74), respectively. Furthermore, using the lower CRF and lower rLEP group as the reference, the odds ratio (95% CIs) for the lower CRF and higher rLEP group was 0.32 (0.12–0.88), and higher CRF and higher rLEP group was 0.21 (0.07–0.63), after adjusting for potential confounding factors.

Conclusions

CRF and rLEP have independent and joint inverse associations with diabetes prevalence. In addition, participants with high CRF and high rLEP had a lower prevalence of diabetes compared to those with only high CRF or only high rLEP.
Magnitude and determinants of treatment outcome among surgically treated patients with intestinal obstruction at Public Hospitals of Wolayita Zone, Southern Ethiopia: a cross sectional study, 2021
Authors: Batebo Muhaba , Loriso Bereket , Beyene Tilahun , Haile Yosef , Hailegebreal Samuel
Published: March 2022

Background

Procedures to treat intestinal obstruction range from minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery to more complicated open surgical procedures. It may end with high morbidity and mortality because of different reasons. It is very important to know about the determinants of favorable outcome of surgical management for intestinal obstruction however, little is known about this problem at public hospitals of Southern Ethiopia.

Methods

Facility based cross sectional study was conducted. A total of 230 medical records which fulfill the inclusion criteria were used for this study. Variables with p value of less than 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were entered in multivariable logistic regression to control confounding. Finally, odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to identify variables which were significantly associated with dependent variable.

Results

According to this study the magnitude of favorable surgical management outcome of intestinal obstruction was 177(77.0%) [95% CI, 71.4, 82.4]. Having small bowel obstruction (AOR = 2.49) [95% CI 1.91, 5.12], having simple bowel obstruction (AOR = 4.32) [95% CI, 2.00, 9.35], early presentation of patients (AOR = 4.44) [95% CI, 1.99, 9.92] and intraoperative procedure other than resection and anastomosis was performed (AOR = 0.45) [95% CI, 0.21, 0.96] were significantly associated with favorable outcome among surgically treated patients.

Conclusion

The overall magnitude of favorable surgical management outcome of intestinal obstruction was moderate compared to other study. Having small bowel obstruction, having simple bowel obstruction, other procedure other than resection and anastomosis done, and early presentation of patients were significant predictors. Physicians should diagnose intestinal obstruction early and appropriate interventions should be taken on time before the complication happened. On time consultation and decision at the hospital setting is also recommended.
Ureteral reimplantation during augmentation cystoplasty is not needed for vesicoureteral reflux in patients with neurogenic bladder: a long-term retrospective study
Authors: Chiba Hiroki , Kitta Takeya , Higuchi Madoka , Kusakabe Naohisa , Kon Masafumi , Nakamura Michiko , Shinohara Nobuo
Published: March 2022

Background

To investigate the need for ureteral reimplantation for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) during augmentation cystoplasty (AC) in the long term.

Methods

A total of 19 patients with a median age at surgery of 14 years (3–38 years) who underwent AC for neurogenic bladder with VUR between 1983 and 2016 were included in this study. The changes in VUR grade and urodynamic findings were retrospectively evaluated. We evaluated the renal function by periodic inspection of serum creatinine level and estimated glomerular filtration rate; eGFR.

Results

The median follow-up period from AC was 14.8 years (5.7–30 years). VUR was detected in 19 patients, involving 27 ureters. Reflux grade was V in 6, IV in 9, III in 5, II in 6, and I in 1. Ureteral reimplantation was not performed in 18 patients (26 ureters), whereas it was done for 1 patient (1 ureter) in the early era of our experience. Postoperative videourodynamics showed that the reflux was radiologically not verifiable in 23 ureters (85%), was downgraded in 3 ureters (11%), and was unchanged in 1 ureter (3%). There were no cases of deterioration of VUR.

Conclusions

Ureteral reimplantation is not necessary for VUR during augmentation cystoplasty.
Evaluation of the learning curve for conformal sphincter preservation operation in the treatment of ultralow rectal cancer
Authors: Ding Hai-bo , Wang Lin-hui , Sun Ge , Yu Guan-yu , Gao Xian-hua , Zheng Kuo , Gong Hai-feng , Sui Jin-ke , Zhu Xiao-ming , Zhang Wei
Published: March 2022

Background

To investigate the learning curve of conformal sphincter preservation operation (CSPO) in the treatment of ultralow rectal cancer and to further explore the influencing factors of operation time.

Methods

From August 2011 to April 2020, 108 consecutive patients with ultralow rectal cancer underwent CSPO by the same surgeon in the Department of Colorectal Surgery of Changhai Hospital. The moving average and cumulative sum control chart (CUSUM) curve were used to analyze the learning curve. The preoperative clinical baseline data, postoperative pathological data, postoperative complications, and survival data were compared before and after the completion of learning curve. The influencing factors of CSPO operation time were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

According to the results of moving average and CUSUM method, CSPO learning curve was divided into learning period (1–45 cases) and learning completion period (46–108 cases). There was no significant difference in preoperative clinical baseline data, postoperative pathological data, postoperative complications, and survival data between the two stages. Compared with the learning period, the operation time (P< 0.05), blood loss (P< 0.05), postoperative flatus and defecation time (P< 0.05), liquid diet time (P< 0.05), and postoperative hospital stay (P< 0.05) in the learning completion period were significantly reduced, and the difference was statistically significant. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that distance of tumor from anal verge (≥ 4cm vs. < 4cm,P= 0.039) and T stage (T3 vs. T1-2,P= 0.022) was independent risk factors for prolonging the operation time of CSPO.

Conclusions

For surgeons with laparoscopic surgery experience, about 45 cases of CSPO are needed to cross the learning curve. At the initial stage of CSPO, beginners are recommended to select patients with ultralow rectal cancer whose distance of tumor from anal verge is less than 4 cm and tumor stage is less than T3 for practice, which can enable beginners to reduce the operation time, accumulate experience, build self-confidence, and shorten the learning curve on the premise of safety.
On the selection of the number of beamformers in beamforming-based binaural reproduction
Authors: Ifergan Itay , Rafaely Boaz
Published: March 2022

In recent years, spatial audio reproduction has been widely researched with many studies focusing on headphone-based spatial reproduction. A popular format for spatial audio is higher order Ambisonics (HOA), where a spherical microphone array is typically used to obtain the HOA signals. When a spherical array is not available, beamforming-based binaural reproduction (BFBR) can be used, where signals are captured with arrays of a general configuration. While shown to be useful, no comprehensive studies of BFBR have been presented and so its limitations and other design aspects are not well understood. This paper takes an initial step towards developing a theory for BFBR and develops guidelines for selecting the number of beamformers. In particular, the average directivity factor of the microphone array is proposed as a measure for supporting this selection. The effect of head-related transfer function (HRTF) order truncation that occurs when using too many beamformer directions is presented and studied. In addition, the relation between HOA-based binaural reproduction and BFBR is discussed through analysis based on a spherical array. A simulation study is then presented, based on both a spherical and a planar array, demonstrating the proposed guidelines. A listening test verifies the perceptual attributes of the methods presented in this study. These results can be used for more informed beamformer design for BFBR.
Exploration of the definition and components of food and nutrition literacy among junior secondary school students: a qualitative study
Authors: Samruayruen Kingkaew , Kitreerawutiwong Nithra
Published: March 2022

Background

Food and nutrition literacy (FANLit) has been proposed to promote healthy diet behaviour and is believed to decrease the prevalence of overweight, obesity and chronic disease. However, the perspective of junior secondary school students, aged 12–15 years and stakeholders towards FANLit is not well-defined. Thus, this study aims to explore the definition and components of FANLit.

Methods

This qualitative study was carried out in Health region 2 including Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Tak, Uttradit and Pethchboon. 49 participants from national and regional levels of Thailand were recruited. Data were collected by in-depth interview and focus group discussion using semi-structured questionnaire. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

FANLit is defined as an individual’s level of knowledge and skills (fundamental, interactive and critical) that relates to food and nutrition for appropriate selection of food and nutrient. Four themes of FANLit were identified as follows: 1) food and nutrition knowledge (Subthemes: food knowledge, food understanding, nutrition knowledge and nutrition understanding), 2) functional food and nutrition literacy (Subthemes: accessing to food and nutrition information, food selection, food preparation, daily food and nutrition planning and management), 3) interactive food and nutrition literacy (Subthemes: communication with others, sharing and discussion), and 4) critical food and nutrition literacy (Subthemes: information used in decision making, healthy food selection and effective budgeting).

Conclusion

The results presented beneficial information regarding FANLit definition which is the initial stage to develop the assessing instrument and the intervention to improve FANlit in the adolescent group.
Struggle for Survival: The Hispanic Land Grants of New Mexico, 1848–2001
Authors: Gonzales Phillip B.
Published: March 2022

At the end of the Mexican-American War in 1848, the United States annexed what had been the Mexican Department of New Mexico, and as it did, it absorbed millions of acres of agro-pastoral land whose parcels had been under a communal system of ownership by Mexican citizen-villagers. From the heirs’ point of view, the subsequent American system of adjudicating ownership of these traditional properties proved inadequate, leading to the loss of two-thirds of their commons to American land speculators and the U. S. National Forest. Like the Native Americans, the heirs of these grants have long seethed in resentment over the steady erosion of their hold on their traditional lands and culture. This article outlines the processes of despoliation of the land grants from their original owners, and, more centrally, suggests the historical cycles of collective struggle that the heirs have mounted since the 1840s in order to retain and wrest back their commons, as well as organize the grants that they have been able to secure. A stubborn land-grant movement has gone through various forms of collective action including clandestine violence, protest confrontation, legal strategies, and political lobbying. In the most recent phase, activists have hopeful signs that the U.S. Congress is ready to respond to their demand for return of commons now under federal jurisdiction.
Reexamining the Contribution of Public Health Efforts to the Decline in Urban Mortality: Comment
Authors: Cutler David M. , Miller Grant
Published: March 2022

We address points raised by Anderson, Charles, and Rees (2022b), which comments on our prior work. After correcting unambiguous data mistakes, our revised estimates suggest that municipal water disinfection (filtration) explains 38 percent of the total mortality rate decline in our sample cities and years—a result not very different from our original estimate of 43 percent. However, effects on infant mortality rates are smaller than in our original analysis. Much of the difference between their analyses and ours is due to the coding of partial intervention years and to differences in population denominators, for which ideal data are difficult to find. (JEL H75, I12, I18, J13, Q18, Q51, Q53)
LinkedIn(to) Job Opportunities: Experimental Evidence from Job Readiness Training
Authors: Wheeler Laurel , Garlick Robert , Johnson Eric , Shaw Patrick , Gargano Marissa
Published: March 2022

Online professional networking platforms are widely used and may help workers to search for and obtain jobs. We run the first randomized evaluation of training work seekers to join and use one of the largest platforms, LinkedIn. Training increases the end-of-program employment rate by 10 percent (7 percentage points), and this effect persists for at least 12 months. The available employment, platform use, and job search data suggest that employment effects are explained by work seekers using the platform to acquire information about prospective employers and perhaps by work seekers accessing referrals and conveying information to prospective employers on the platform. (JEL J22, J23, J24, J64, M53, O15)
Decentralized deep neural network training via distributed ledger technology
Authors: Νικολαΐδης Σπυρίδων
Published: March 2022

Τα τελευταία χρόνια έχει γίνει αντιληπτό ότι ο αποδοτικότερος τρόπος να εκπαιδευτεί κάποιο σύνθετο μοντέλο τεχνητής νοημοσύνης είναι η αξιοποίηση εξαιρετικά μεγάλων όγκων δεδομένων και μεγάλης υπολογιστικής ισχύος. Το γεγονός αυτό δίνει ένα ανυπέρβλητο προβάδισμα στις λίγες εταιρίες που κατέχουν αυτά τα στοιχεία, με αποτέλεσμα αυτές να τείνουν να κυριαρχήσουν στις εξελίξεις. Συνεπώς θα ήταν επιθυμητό να δημιουργήσουμε πρότυπα τα οποία: 1) Εγκαταλείπουν τη λογική των μεγάλων ιδιωτικών υπολογιστικών κέντρων. 2) Βασίζονται, όχι απλώς σε αποκεντρωμένο, αλλά σε πλήρως κατανεμημένο μοντέλο, υπό την έννοια ότι λειτουργούν δίχως την ανάγκη ενός κεντρικού συντονιστή. Ακολουθώντας αυτή την οδό μπορούν να δημιουργηθούν αρχιτεκτονικές οι οποίες: 1) Αξιοποιώντας πολυάριθμους κόμβους προσεγγίζουν (η ακόμα και ξεπερνούν) την υπολογιστική ισχύ ενός μεγάλου data center. 2) Λόγω ισοτιμίας των συμμετεχόντων δεν έχουν "single point of failure", το οποίο πρακτικά σημαίνει ότι η λειτουργία τους συνεχίζεται απρόσκοπτα ακόμα και μετά την αποσύνδεση ενός μεγάλου ποσοστού των κόμβων τους. 3) Είναι "εκδημοκρατισμένες", δηλαδή όλοι οι συμμετέχοντες έχουν ίση πρόσβαση στα παραγόμενα αποτελέσματα. Οι μέχρι τώρα υλοποιήσεις των αλγορίθμων ανάπτυξης νευρωνικών δικτύων επικεντρώνονται πρωτίστως στον τομέα της ταχύτητας εκπαίδευσης του μοντέλου. Παρόλο που έχουν αναπτυχθεί εκδοχές για κατανεμημένη επεξεργασία, αυτές έχουν ανάγκη από έναν κεντρικό κόμβο-διαχειριστή ο οποίος θα αναλαμβάνει τον συντονισμό των υπολοίπων. Δεν έχει όμως γίνει επαρκής μελέτη για μία υλοποίηση που δεν απαιτεί έναν τέτοιο διακομιστή. Η πρότασή μας αξιοποιεί νέας τεχνολογίας ομότιμες τοπολογίες που έχουν ως θεμέλιο λίθο την κρυπτογραφική επαλήθευση (Distributed Ledger Technology - DLT), με στόχο τη "διάχυση" του διαχειριστικού ρόλου σε ολόκληρο το δίκτυο. Κατά την εκπόνηση της έρευνας δοκιμάστηκαν διαφορετικές διαμορφώσεις της κατανεμημένης λειτουργίας και αποτιμήθηκαν οι επιπτώσεις που είχε αυτή η παραμετροποίηση, τόσο στην ταχύτητα εκπαίδευσης όσο και στην ποιότητα του παραγόμενου μοντέλου. Το αποτέλεσμα είναι ένα καινοτόμο οικοσύστημα νεοφυών τεχνολογιών, για εκδημοκρατισμένη εκπαίδευση βαθέων νευρωνικών δικτύων.
Using a coach to improve team performance when the team uses a Kanban process methodology
Authors: Shamshurin Ivan , Saltz Jeffrey S.
Published: March 2022

Teams are increasing their use of the Kanban process methodology across a range of information system projects, including software development and data science projects. While the use of Kanban is growing, little has been done to explore how to improve team performance for teams that use Kanban. One possibility is to introduce a Kanban Coach (KC). This work reports on exploring the use of a Kanban Coach, with respect to both how the coach could interact with the team as well as how the use of a coach impacts team results. Specifically, this paper reports on an experiment where teams either had, or did not have, a Kanban Coach. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the data collected during the experiment found that introducing KC led to significant improvement of team performance. Coordination Theory and Shared Mental Models were then employed to provide an explanation as to why a KC leads to better project results. While this experiment was done within a data science project context, the results are likely applicable across a range of information system projects.
An empirical analysis on the effects of investment assessment methods on IS/IT project success
Authors: Özturan Meltem , Gürsoy Furkan , Çeken Burç
Published: March 2022

As organizations’ investments on information systems/information technology (IS/IT) increase, the assessment methods used during IS/IT investment decision-making process holds more and more importance. Since successful IS/IT projects are key to the sustainability of an organization, identifying the factors which have effects on project success carries useful insights. In this study, 18 assessment methods are identified based on the literature. A novel classification method is proposed and assessment methods are classified into financial, strategic, and organizational categories. A novel rule-based method for determining the size of IS/IT projects is also proposed. Detailed information on project characteristics, employed IS/IT assessment methods, and project success is collected for 110 real-world IS/IT projects. The collected data is utilized in ANOVA and Regression tests to examine the factors which affect project success. Use of organization-related assessment methods, which is proposed in this study, is found to increase the success rate of the projects. Obligation towards the project and use of multi-criteria methodology have significant relationships with project success whereas project size, use of gut feeling during evaluation, and employed system developmentmethodology do not have statistically significant impacts on project success.
The community nurse and stoma care
Authors: Burch Jennie
Published: March 2022

Community nurses will have people with a stoma on their caseload, and a reminder about stoma and stoma care will hopefully increase confidence and, subsequently, care. There are approximately 205 000 people in the UK with a stoma; it is a common condition, with approximately one in every 340 people having a stoma. While quality of life with a stoma can be good, problems can occur, such as a leaking appliance that results in skin damage. Skin damage can occur for all people with a stoma, but is more common for people with an ileostomy. Appliance leakage can increase stoma care costs, time, financially as well as a decrease in quality of life, so it is important to be able to address issues when they arise or refer on as necessary.
Effect of pH and Dye Concentration on the Photocatalytic Efficiency of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Synthesized via Greener Route using Commiphora berryi and its Antibacterial Activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli
Authors: J. Manikandan  , P. Rajesh  , S.V.K. Selvakumar
Published: March 2022

Green synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles is extremely developing methodology because of its bio compatibility nature. In the present work, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were synthesized by simple Co-precipitation method with the use of Commiphora berryi plant exudates. The formed iron oxide nanoparticles were characterized by FTIR, XRD and SEM techniques. Photocatalytic activity of synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles was determined against Methylene blue (MB) dye in aqueous medium. Iron oxide nanoparticles acted as a photocatalyst and decompose the dye under solar irradiation. Results show that 73 % of degradation efficiency was attained after 150 minutes with a nanoparticle dosage 0.5 mg/L which makes the IONPs as potential applicant for various effluent treatment methods. Further the results indicate that the efficiency increases with increasing pH and decrease with increasing the MB dye dosage. Antimicrobial activity of IONPS was studied against E.coli and S. aureus. IONPs show excellent antibacterial activity for both the organisms; with 16.5 mm and 16.75 mm zone of inhibition respectively for E.coli and S. aureus.
MODIFYING TRANSLUCENT CARBON ELECTRODE FOR RECURRENT DETERMINATION OF 1, 2-DIHYDROXY BENZENE
Authors: S. Deepa  , D. Kathirvel
Published: March 2022

An avoltammetric 1, 2-dihydroxy benzeneassay regarding the utilization of a glassy/translucent carbon electrode (GCE) customized with a grapheme oxide and polycyanurotramine (GO/PM) composition is described. Field fluorescence, SEM, FTIR elemental composition, Raman spectroscope, were used to analyze the enhanced GCE. When comparing conductors adjusted with GO or PM alone, electrochemistry demonstrates a well-defined sensitivity to 1,2-dihydroxy benzene, with an oxidationpeak present that is much higher. The composite's simultaneous synergistically action of GO and PM resulting in a decreased oxidation potential. In the detection limit of 0.03 to 138 M 1, 2-dihydroxy benzene, differentiating pulse voltammetry (DPV) displays a constant value. The sensibility is 0.537 A M1cm2 and the detection limit is 8 nM. Though in the context of theoretically contaminants notably dopamine, hydroquinone, resorcinol and the detector is discriminating for 1, 2-dihydroxybenzene. The modified GCE for detecting 1, 2-dihydroxy benzene in samples collected is extremely repeatable, durable, and accurate, and it has great applicability.
Understanding the Lightning Impulse Breakdown Strength of Carbon Quantum Dots Modified Silica Nano-Fluids
Authors: S. Chandrasekar
Published: March 2022

The study provides an understanding about lightning impulse characteristics of mineral oil used in transformers and other high voltage applications. The withstand capabilities of mineral oil is studied under different experimental conditions such as varying electrode gap distance, electrode type, type of nanofiller and concentration of fillers. Experiments are conducted for electrode gaps of 5mm and 10mm. Different electrode configurations such as needle sphere and needle plane electrodes are used. Nanofillers such as SiO2 and Carbon Quantum Dots treated SiO2 nanoparticles are used in various concentrations such as 0.01%wt. 0.05%wt and 0.1%wt of mineral oil. Comparison is done for positive and negative polarities of lightning impulse test voltages. Experimental results are shown to understand the influence of nanoparticles to deliver better results in impulse withstand capabilities of commercially used mineral oil with improved performance in lightning impulse withstand strength.
Problem framing of increased gender-based violence by national governments of Argentina and Spain during COVID-19: an interpretive policy analysis
Authors: Cremers Anouck Joëlle , Hadley Mary
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in mitigation efforts that put women at increased risk of gender-based violence. Stay-at-home requirements increased abuse at home. Early in the pandemic Spain and Argentina issued policies to address such violence at home. This policy analysis uses the ‘What’s the problem represented to be’ approach to shed light on the different assumptions, intentions and problem framings in both governments’ policy responses. Drawing on published policy documents we found both disparities and similarities in the way that gender-based violence is represented as a problem. Four key findings emerged; (1) gender-based violence is not clearly defined in the policies and the terminology has a partially (de)gendered discourse while focusing on female ‘victims’ of violence; (2) the role of men as perpetrators is ‘silenced’; (3) the problem construction weighs exclusively on the aftermath of the violence, and; (4) both countries address violence against LGBTI+ in different ways. Our recommendations are for policymakers to reconsider the focus of their policies in these respects to reduce the harm that naming and framing of gender-based violence can inflict. We recommend attention to the root causes of gender-based violence to result in a more holistic and sustainable approach in policy development.
RNA editing increases the nucleotide diversity of SARS-CoV-2 in human host cells
Authors: Peng Xinxin , Luo Yikai , Li Hongyue , Guo Xuejiao , Chen Hu , Ji Xuwo , Liang Han
Published: March 2022

SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains unclear whether and to what extent the virus in human host cells undergoes RNA editing, a major RNA modification mechanism. Here we perform a robust bioinformatic analysis of metatranscriptomic data from multiple bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples of COVID-19 patients, revealing an appreciable number of A-to-I RNA editing candidate sites in SARS-CoV-2. We confirm the enrichment of A-to-I RNA editing signals at these candidate sites through evaluating four characteristics specific to RNA editing: the inferred RNA editing sites exhibit (i) stronger ADAR1 binding affinity predicted by a deep-learning model built from ADAR1 CLIP-seq data, (ii) decreased editing levels in ADAR1-inhibited human lung cells, (iii) local clustering patterns, and (iv) higher RNA secondary structure propensity. Our results have critical implications in understanding the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 as well as in COVID-19 research, such as phylogenetic analysis and vaccine development.
Health care seeking behavior for common childhood illnesses in Birendranagar municipality, Surkhet, Nepal: 2018
Authors: Tiwari Ganga , Thakur Ajoy Kumar , Pokhrel Sushil , Tiwari Ganesh , Pahari Durga Prasad
Published: March 2022

Background

Appropriate and prompt health care seeking by parents or caretakers can reduce morbidity and mortality among under-five year children. Although remarkable progress has been made in the reduction of under-five mortality, still the under-five mortality rate is high in Nepal. There are few studies on health care seeking behavior among caretakers in Nepal. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevailing health care seeking behavior of caretakers on common childhood illness of under five year children and to identify the association of socio demographic, economic, illness related and health system related factors with health care seeking behavior in 2018.

Methods

A community based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2018. Data were collected using a pretested semi-structured interview schedule. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present the data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with health care seeking behavior.

Results

A total of 387 caretakers participated in the study. Of these, 84.8% sought any type of care and 15.2% did nothing. Amongst those who sought care 42.4% visited the pharmacy directly, 25.3% visited the health facility. Amongst those who visited a health facility, 37.2% of caretakers sought prompt health care. Common danger sign stated by caretakers was fever in children (92.4%). Secondary education(AOR = 0.357, 95%CI = 0.142–0.896), involvement in service as an occupation(AOR = 3.533, 95%CI = 1.096–11.384), distance to reach nearest health facility(0.957, 95%CI = 0.923–0.993) and perceived severity of illness; moderate severity (7.612, 95%CI = 2.127–27.242), severe severity (AOR = 15.563, 95%CI = 3.495–69.308) were found to be significantly associated with health care seeking behavior.

Conclusion

Strong policies and regulations should be formulated and implemented at Birendranagar municipality of Surkhet district to prevent direct purchase of medicines from pharmacies without any consultation. It is essential to conduct the health awareness program at community level on early recognition of danger signs and importance of consulting health facilities.
The role of tone duration in dichotic temporal order judgment II: Extending the boundaries of duration and age
Authors: Fostick Leah , Babkoff Harvey
Published: March 2022

Temporal order judgment (TOJ) measures the ability to correctly perceive the order of consecutive stimuli presented rapidly. Our previous research suggested that the major predictor of auditory dichotic TOJ threshold, a paradigm that requires the identification of the order of two tones, each of which is presented to a different ear, is the time separating the onset of the first tone from the onset of the second tone (stimulus-onset-asynchrony, SOA). Data supporting this finding, however, was based on a young adult population and a tone duration range of 10–40 msec. The current study aimed to evaluate the generalizability of the earlier finding by manipulating the experimental model in two different ways: a) extending the tone duration range to include shorter stimulus durations (3–8 msec; Experiment 1) and b) repeating the identical testing procedure on a different population with temporal processing deficits, i.e., older adults (Experiment 2). We hypothesized that the SOA would predict the TOJ threshold regardless of tone duration and participant age. Experiment 1 included 226 young adults divided into eight groups (each group receiving a different tone duration) with duration ranging from 3–40 msec. Experiment 2 included 98 participants aged 60–75 years, divided into five groups by tone duration (10–40 msec). The results of both experiments confirmed the hypothesis, that the SOA required for performing dichotic TOJ was constant regardless of stimulus duration, for both age groups: about 66.5 msec for the young adults and 33 msec longer (100 msec) for the older adults. This finding suggests that dichotic TOJ threshold is controlled by a general mechanism that changes quantitatively with age. Clinically, this has significance because quantitative changes can be more easily remedied than qualitative changes. Theoretically, our findings show that, with dichotic TOJ, tone duration affects threshold by providing more time between the onsets of the consecutive stimuli to the two ears. The findings also imply that a temporal processing deficit, at least among older adults, does not elicit the use of a different mechanism in order to judge temporal order.
The intrusive nature of the Châtelperronian in the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Rios-Garaizar Joseba , Iriarte Eneko , Arnold Lee J. , Sánchez-Romero Laura , Marín-Arroyo Ana B. , San Emeterio Aixa , Gómez-Olivencia Asier , Pérez-Garrido Carflos , Demuro Martina , Campaña Isidoro , Bourguignon Laurence , Benito-Calvo Alfonso , Iriarte María J. , Aranburu Arantza , Arranz-Otaegi Amaia , Garate Diego , Silva-Gago María , Lahaye Christelle , Ortega Illuminada
Published: March 2022

Multiple factors have been proposed to explain the disappearance of Neandertals between ca. 50 and 40 kyr BP. Central to these discussions has been the identification of new techno-cultural complexes that overlap with the period of Neandertal demise in Europe. One such complex is the Châtelperronian, which extends from the Paris Basin to the Northern Iberian Peninsula between 43,760–39,220 BP. In this study we present the first open-air Châtelperronian site in the Northern Iberian Peninsula, Aranbaltza II. The technological features of its stone tool assemblage show no links with previous Middle Paleolithic technology in the region, and chronological modeling reveals a gap between the latest Middle Paleolithic and the Châtelperronian in this area. We interpret this as evidence of local Neandertal extinction and replacement by other Neandertal groups coming from southern France, illustrating how local extinction episodes could have played a role in the process of disappearance of Neandertals.
A multivariate Box-Behnken assessment of elevated branched-chain amino acid concentrations in reduced crude protein diets offered to male broiler chickens
Authors: Chrystal Peter V. , Greenhalgh Shiva , Macelline Shemil P. , Dorigam Juliano C. de Paula , Selle Peter H. , Liu Sonia Y.
Published: March 2022

In a Box-Behnken assessment of elevated branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), 13 nutritionally equivalent maize-based diets were offered to a total of 390 off-sex male Ross 308 broiler chickens from 7 to 28 days post-hatch. The BCAA concentrations investigated in reduced-crude protein diets were 12.5, 15.5, 18.3 g/kg leucine (125, 155, 183); 8.9, 10.2, 12.5 g/kg valine (89, 102, 125) and 7.2, 8.9, 10.8 g/kg isoleucine (72, 89, 109), where their relativity to 11.0 g/kg digestible lysine are shown in parentheses. Determined parameters included growth performance, relative abdominal fat-pad weights, nutrient utilisation, apparent digestibility coefficients, disappearance rates of 16 amino acids and free amino acid systemic plasma concentrations. Increasing dietary leucine linearly depressed weight gain and quadratically influenced FCR where the estimated minimum FCR of 1.418 was with 14.99 g/kg leucine. Polynomial regression analysis and surface response curves of determined parameters were generated for significant (P < 0.05) BCAA variables, based on lack of fit (P > 0.005). Quadratic and cross-product responses were observed for weight gain, FCR, AME, AMEn, N retention and apparent digestibility of 13 amino acids. Relative fat-pad weights declined linearly with increasing isoleucine and valine. The lowest N retention was estimated at a combination of 15.25 and 10.50 g/kg leucine and valine respectively whilst the highest mean digestibility coefficient (0.793) of amino acids was estimated at a combination of 15.74 and 10.47 g/kg of leucine and valine respectively. The remaining parameter minima or maxima responses were not able to be determined since they were outside the extreme BCAA treatment levels. Increasing dietary BCAA significantly increased apparent ileal digestibilities and disappearance rates of BCAA. Systemic plasma concentrations of valine increased (P < 0.001) with increasing dietary valine but leucine was not influenced (P > 0.25). Systemic plasma concentration of isoleucine was maximised (P < 0.001) only when accompanied by elevated dietary leucine. Also, dietary treatments influenced (P < 0.05) apparent disappearance rates of all the essential amino acids analysed, with the exception of methionine. Whilst overall growth performance was not disadvantaged (P > 0.10) by elevated BCAA levels, compared with 2019 Ross 308 performance objectives, polynomial regression analysis suggested both interaction and antagonism between BCAA.
Identification of distinct capsule types associated with Serratia marcescens infection isolates
Authors: Anderson Mark T. , Himpsl Stephanie D. , Mitchell Lindsay A. , Kingsley Leandra G. , Snider Elizabeth P. , Mobley Harry L. T.
Published: March 2022

Serratia marcescens is a versatile opportunistic pathogen that can cause a variety of infections, including bacteremia. Our previous work established that the capsule polysaccharide (CPS) biosynthesis and translocation locus contributes to the survival of S. marcescens in a murine model of bacteremia and in human serum. In this study, we determined the degree of capsule genetic diversity among S. marcescens isolates. Capsule loci (KL) were extracted from >300 S. marcescens genome sequences and compared. A phylogenetic comparison of KL sequences demonstrated a substantial level of KL diversity within S. marcescens as a species and a strong delineation between KL sequences originating from infection isolates versus environmental isolates. Strains from five of the identified KL types were selected for further study and electrophoretic analysis of purified CPS indicated the production of distinct glycans. Polysaccharide composition analysis confirmed this observation and identified the constituent monosaccharides for each strain. Two predominant infection-associated clades, designated KL1 and KL2, emerged from the capsule phylogeny. Bacteremia strains from KL1 and KL2 were determined to produce ketodeoxynonulonic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid, two sialic acids that were not found in strains from other clades. Further investigation of KL1 and KL2 sequences identified two genes, designated neuA and neuB, that were hypothesized to encode sialic acid biosynthesis functions. Disruption of neuB in a KL1 isolate resulted in the loss of sialic acid and CPS production. The absence of sialic acid and CPS production also led to increased susceptibility to internalization by a human monocytic cell line, demonstrating that S. marcescens phagocytosis resistance requires CPS. Together, these results establish the capsule genetic repertoire of S. marcescens and identify infection-associated clades with sialic acid CPS components.
Why do we need creativity now more than ever?
Authors: Muratovski Gjoko
Published: March 2022

In conversation with Natalie Nixon
The Opinions of Classroom Teachers on Mathematics Learning Losses During the Pandemic Period
Authors: Ferah Ozcan Aysel , Saydam Elife Nur
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to determine the experiences of classroom teachers about learning losses in Mathematics during the pandemic period. This research, which was designed in the pattern of phenomenology, one of the qualitative research methods, was carried out with ten (10) primary school teachers working in different regions of Turkey in the spring term of the 2020-2021 academic year. As a result of the investigation, it was found that classroom teachers experienced that the presupposed skills of students with learning disabilities in mathematics are insufficient. In the teaching process, learning disabilities have negative effects in terms of learning and teaching, related to lack of knowledge and losses in mathematical learning areas, as well as emotional and social effects such as loss of self-confidence and emotional trauma in students. It has been found out that according to classroom teachers, the mathematics learning losses/deficiencies are explained by the sub-themes of student-environment, student-knowledge, subject and technical condition. Children's future academic achievement may be adversely affected due to losses/deficiencies. In the study, it is suggested to examine effects of learning losses/deficiencies with longitudinal studies.
Pluteji centrične kompozicije kao polazište za identifikaciju nove klesarske radionice u Istri
Authors: Belošević Nikolina
Published: March 2022

U radu se tematiziraju istarski primjeri predromaničkih pluteja ukrašeni specifičnom inačicom centrične kompozicijske sheme s dijagonalnim osima i kružnim petljama na krajevima. Nekolicini lokalnih primjera poznatih iz ranije objavljene literature u ovom su radu pridruženi i dijelovi pluteja koji zbog fragmentarne sačuvanosti dosad nisu bili prepoznati kao dio navedene skupine. Razmatrani istarski primjeri dovode se u vezu s cjelovitije sačuvanim istovrsnim reljefima u regiji i umjetničkim središtima iz kojih su na poluotok mogle biti donesene takve kompozicije. Analizom morfoloških i izvedbenih osobina ulomaka ukrašenih razmatranom inačicom centrične kompozicije te njihovim povezivanjem s preostalim dijelovima skulpture s istih lokaliteta upućuje se na postojanje jedne izrazito kvalitetne i dosad neimenovane klesarske radionice, koja je početkom 9. stoljeća kamenim liturgijskim namještajem opremala crkve Pulske, ali i susjednih biskupija. Nove i vrlo složene kompozicije, među kojima i ona centrične osnove s dijagonalama i kružnim petljama na krajevima, svjedoče o plodnoj razmjeni utjecaja između klesara Istre i Veneta te o uklopljenosti poluotoka u suvremena likovna kretanja u razdoblju predromanike.
Interaction of EU Financial Interest and Legal Principles in EU Criminal Law
Authors: Gruodytė Edita , Milčiuvienė Saulė , Volungevičienė Rasa , Molienė Reda
Published: March 2022

This article examines the intersection differing the supremacy of law, the effectiveness of the protection of the financial interests of the European Union, and the principles of legality the same as predictability of the law in EU criminal law. The authors analyze the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice, assessing cases where the principle of the supremacy of EU law is applied to ensure the effective protection of the Union’s financial interests and where the ECJ imposes mandatory exceptions to this principle for national courts. In order to strike a balance between the principles of effectiveness and legal predictability, different liability conditions are assessed for a natural person and a Member State that fails to fulfill its obligation to protect the EU’s financial interests.
Norman Doe’s Proposed Typology of Church-State Interaction and Its Applicability to Comparative Constitutional Law Research
Authors: Turonis Vytis
Published: March 2022

This article examines the types of church-state interaction and their main features found in Lithuanian and foreign legal literature and highlights the three-tier typology of church-state interaction as formulated by Norman Doe, revealing the constitutional problems of its applicability and assigning specific theoretical types to individual states.
Dirichlet problem with measurable data for semilinear equations in the plane
Authors: Gutlyanskiĭ V.Ya. , Nesmelova O.V. , Ryazanov V.I. , Yefimushkin A.S.
Published: March 2022

The study of the Dirichlet problem with arbitrary measurable data for harmonic functions in the unit disk  goes to the known dissertation of Luzin. His result was formulated in terms of angular limits (along nontangent paths) that are a traditional tool for the research of the boundary behavior in the geometric function theory. With a view to further developments of the theory of boundary-value problems for semilinear equations, the present paper is devoted to the Dirichlet problem with arbitrary measurable (over logarithmic capacity) boundary data for quasilinear Poisson equations in such Jordan domains. For this purpose, it is firstly constructed completely continuous operators generating nonclassical solutions of the Dirichlet boundary-value problem with arbitrary measurable data for the Poisson equations ΔU =G over the sources G ∈Lp, p >1. The latter makes it possible to apply the Leray— Schauder approach to the proof of theorems on the existence of regular nonclassical solutions of the measurable Dirichlet problem for quasilinear Poisson equations of the form ΔU (z ) =H (z )⋅Q(U (z )) for multipliers H ∈Lp with p >1 and continuous functions Q: R→R with Q(t ) /t →0 as t →∞. These results can be applied to some specific quasilinear equations of mathematical physics, arising under a modeling of various physical processes such as the diffusion with absorption, plasma states, stationary burning, etc. These results can be also applied to semilinear equations of mathematical physics in anisotropic and inhomogeneous media.