bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parameter Sensitivity of Network-Based Statistical Inference
Authors: Vinokur Lea , Smith Robert E , Dhollander Thijs , Vaughan David , Jackson Graeme D , Connelly Alan
Published: June 2023

The network-based statistic (NBS) is a popular method for performing edge-wise statistical inference on brain networks, with a known limitation in the form of a need for the user to pre-define an arbitrary cluster-forming threshold. Recently a new method, the “Threshold Free Network Based Statistic” (TFNBS), was proposed to attempt to overcome this necessity. While TFNBS does not require the a priori definition of a hard cluster-forming threshold to generate edge-wise significance values, it does require definition of the statistical enhancement parameters intrinsic to the method. In this work, we explore the practical consequences of parameter choice on reported results using both methods, and assess whether TFNBS indeed provides the research community with a significant increase in the fidelity of results. We do so by applying both NBS and TFNBS to a previously well-characterized cohort with temporal lobe epilepsy in a case-control study of diffusion MRI-derived connectivity, and observing the variation of statistical inference outcomes depending on the values of enhancement parameters utilised. Our results exhibit substantial variability for both TFNBS and NBS, indicating that the choice of parameters for both methods influences the extent of the inferred network changes; this therefore imposes a restriction on the precision with which the outcomes of statistical inference using either method may be interpreted.
WITHDRAWN: The evaluation of right ventricular function in patients with triple-vessel coronary artery disease without myocardial infraction in two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography
Authors: Wang Yifan , Zhou Qiao , Li Zhen , Li XIya , Zhang Mengmeng , Zhang Siran , Ma Le , Huang Dongmei , Li Guangsen
Published: June 2023

Purpose To use the two-dimensional speckle tracking technique (2D-STE) for the evaluation of right ventricular function in patients with triple vessels disease (TVD) without myocardial infarction.
Methods Thirty cases were randomly selected from health check-ups into group A. According to the results of their coronary arteriography (CAG), 60 individuals were chosen and split into two groups. TAPSE was determined using M-mode echocardiography; what measured the right ventricular diastolic transverse diameter (RVTD), the maximum peak velocity of the early and the late diastolic filling peak (E, A), end-systolic and end-diastolic area (RVESA, RVEDA) was conventional 2D echocardiography; E/A ratio and FAC were both calculated by the formula; Tissue Doppler was used to measure peak systolic peak early and late diastolic velocities (s', e', a') of the tricuspid annulus. end-systolic and end-dilation volume (RVESV, RVEDV) were measured by RT-3DE; 2D-STE was used to measure the global peak systolic strain (GS), peak early and late diastolic strain rate (SRe, SRa), as well as peak systolic strain rate (SRs). Correlations between GS and NT-pro BNP in subjects were assessed using Pearson linear correlation.
Results Compared with group A, e', e'/a' were reduced in group B (P<0.05), while s', E/A, RVEF, LVEF, FAC and TAPSE have no significantly difference (all P>0.05). RVEF, LVEF, E/A, e'/a', s', FAC and TAPSE were reduced, and RVESA, RVEDA, RVEDV, RVESV, and RVTD were increased in group C than in group A and B (all P<0.05). 2D-STE parameters: GS, SRe, SRa, SRs were reduced in groups B and C compared with group A (all P<0.05); correlation analysis showed that the correlation between GS and serum NT-pro BNP in groups B and C showed a negative correlation.
Conclusion 2D-STE can effectively recognize the early functional changes in the right ventricle in patients with triple vessels disease in coronary artery disease without myocardial infarction.
Ovarian Sarcomatoid Carcinoma Presenting with Paraneoplastic Leukemoid Reaction: Case Report
Authors: Sainsbury Morgan , Watts Clayton , Hinchman-Dominguez Daniela , Conrad Lesley B.
Published: June 2023

Background: Sarcomatoid carcinoma is an aggressive, rare malignancy that can arise as mural nodules in the presence of other primary ovarian malignancies. Associated with sarcomatoid carcinomas of other organs, paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction (PRL) is a rare syndrome of extreme hyperleukocytosis, usually greater than 50 k/ul, that arises in the absence of a primary hematologic malignancy and characteristically resolves following tumor removal. Case Presentation: A 57-year-old female presented with vague gastrointestinal symptoms and was incidentally found to have white blood cell (WBC) of 56.4 k/ul, with a negative work-up for hematologic malignancy. Abdominal CT imaging demonstrated a large abdominal mass and biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of sarcomatoid carcinoma, clinically favored to be of ovarian origin. Treatment consisted of surgical resection of the large (32 x 30 x 17 cm) mass, left salpingo-oophorectomy, and radical small bowel resection. Notably, the patient’s WBC count fell from 175 k/ul, on the morning of surgery, to 17.3 k/ul, days after tumor resection. Conclusion: We report a rare case of sarcomatoid carcinoma of probable ovarian origin, presenting with extreme leukocytosis and characteristic behavior of PRL. Sarcomatoid carcinoma and PRL are both, individually, associated with a poor prognosis. Accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure minimal delay in initiating treatment.
Mitochondrial mutation, drift and selection during human development and ageing
Authors: Campbell Peter , Chapman Michael Spencer , Przybilla Moritz , Lawson Andrew , Mitchell Emily , Dawson Kevin , Williams Nicholas , Harvey Luke , Ranzoni Anna Maria , Cvejic Ana , Mahbubani Krishna , Saeb-Parsy Kourosh , Green Anthony , Nangalia Jyoti , Laurenti Elisa , Martincorena Inigo
Published: June 2023

Progressive dysfunction of mitochondria, organelles responsible for energy provision to cells, is a major hallmark of ageing. How the dysfunction steadily accrues over a lifetime remains unclear, given the transient nature of free radical damage and the high turnover of mitochondria. Here, we leveraged whole-genome sequencing data from single-cell derived foetal and adult haematopoietic stem/progenitor cell colonies to study the clonal dynamics of turnover and selection in mitochondrial genomes throughout life. We found that genetic drift and independent convergence of mitochondrial mutations complicate their use as lineage marks in single-cell sequencing experiments. Point mutations accrued linearly with age at an average rate of 0.007 mutations/genome/year. Using the distribution of mtDNA allele frequencies with age, we infer that a cell’s complement of mitochondrial genomes is replicated every 4-19 weeks in adults, with faster turnover rates during foetal development. Clock-like accumulation of mutations coupled with rapid turnover induces complex evolutionary dynamics in mitochondria as individuals age. Nonsense mutations are disadvantageous regardless of their heteroplasmy level. Missense variants, however, are positively selected at low heteroplasmy but negatively selected at high heteroplasmy, suggesting that some mutations improve fitness of individual mitochondria, even though fitness of the whole cell deteriorates if their expansion proceeds too far. Thus, age-related decline in mitochondrial function can arise from preferential cellular accumulation of selfish mitochondrial clones whose superior fitness ultimately disadvantages the host cell.
Mapping brain metabolism, connectivity and neurotransmitters topography in early and late onset dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Caminiti Silvia Paola , Galli Alice , Jonghi-Lavarini Lorenzo , Boccalini Cecilia , Nicastro Nicolas , Garibotto Valentina , Perani Daniela
Published: June 2023

Background:
Early- and late-onset dementia with Lewy bodies (EO-DLB and LO-DLB) are similar in terms of core symptoms. However, LO-DLB presents with more amnestic deficits, while EO-DLB shows a rapid cognitive decline and more severe neuropsychiatric symptoms at onset. A contribution of neurotransmitter dysfunction was suggested but never explored, as a possible factor contributing to the reported clinical differences. By using FDG-PET brain metabolism imaging, we aimed to assess the differences between EO-DLB and LO-DLB regarding brain hypometabolism, related neurotransmitter functional topography, and metabolic connectivity.
Methods:
We included a total of 62 patients, 21 EO-DLB and 41 LO-DLB patients. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) voxel-wise comparison with a validated dataset of healthy controls (N=112) provided brain hypometabolism patterns. A metabolic connectivity analysis assessed whole-brain and resting-state network (RSN) alterations. Furthermore, we used the JuSpace toolbox to evaluate the correlations between neurotransmitter pathways topography and brain hypometabolism.
Results:
Both EO- and LO-DLB groups showed typical bilateral occipito-parieto-frontal hypometabolism. Direct between-group comparison revealed a more severe hypometabolism in posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), precuneus, and occipital cortex for EO-DLB and a more severe hypometabolism in fronto-insular cortices for LO-DLB. Metabolic connectivity analysis showed significant reductions in posterior brain regions in both clinical groups compared to controls, as well as connectivity increases in the EO-DLB only. There were differences in the involvement of temporo-parietal and occipital pathological nodes. Specific RSN vulnerabilities were observed in the executive, default mode and limbic networks for EO-DLB and in the attentional network for LO-DLB.
The spatial association analysis based on the metabolic differences in neurotransmission showed significant correlations with acetylcholine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, dopamine maps, and hypometabolism in both EO and LO-DLB groups. Of note, the between-group comparison showed a higher correlation for the EO-DLB in the presynaptic serotonergic system. Overall, this indicates the biochemical involvement of metabolic impairment.
Conclusions:
This metabolic imaging study indicates similarities and differences between EO- and LO-DLB, both in terms of brain hypometabolism, across different neurotransmission networks, and altered connectivity, adding novel biological evidence to the DLB syndromes.
Complexity of Plasmodium falciparum infection and genetic variations associated with differences in parasite clearance time in two Malian villages
Authors: Sissoko Sekou , Kone Aminatou , Dara Antoine , Oboh Mary Aigbiremo , Fofana Bakary , Sangare Cheick O. , Dembele Demba , Haidara Aboubecrine Sedhigh , Diallo Nouhoum , Toure Sekou , Haidara Kadidia , Sanogo Kassim , Doumbo Ogobara K. , Ouattara Amed , Amambua-Ngwa Alfred , Djimde Abdoulaye A.
Published: June 2023

Background
Effective approaches to fight against malaria include disease prevention, an early diagnosis of malaria cases, and rapid management of confirmed cases by treatment with effective antimalarials. Artemisinin-based combination therapies are first-line treatments for uncomplicated malaria in endemic areas. However, cases of resistance to artemisinin have already been described in South-East Asia resulting in prolonged parasite clearance time after treatment. In Mali, though mutations in the K13 gene associated with delayed clearance in Asia are absent, a significant difference in parasite clearance time following treatment with artesunate was observed between two malaria endemic sites, Bougoula-Hameau and Faladje. Hypothetically, differences in complexity of Plasmodium falciparum infections may be accounted for this difference. Hence, the aims of this study were to assess the complexity of infection (COI) and genetic diversity of P. falciparum parasites during malaria treatment in Bougoula-Hameau and Faladje in Mali.
Methods
Thirty (30) patients per village were randomly selected from 221 patients enrolled in a prospective artesunate monotherapy study conducted in Faladje and Bougoula-Hameau in 2016. All parasitemic blood samples of patients from enrollment to last positive slide were retained to assess malaria parasite COI and polymorphisms. DNA were extracted with a Qiagen kit and Pfcsp and Pfama1 encoding gene were amplified by nested PCR and sequenced using the Illumina platform. The parasite clearance time (PCT) was determined using the parasite clearance estimator of Worldwide Antimarial Resistance Network (WWARN). Data were analyzed with R®.
Results
The median number of genetically distinct parasite clones was similar at enrollment, 7 (IQR of 5-9) in Faladje and 6 (IQR of 4-10) in Bougoula-Hameau (p-value = 0.1). On the first day after treatment initiation, the COI was higher in Faladje (6; CI:4-8) than in Bougoula-Hameau (4; CI:4-6) with a p-value =0. 02. Overall, COI was high with higher PCT. Finally, there was a low genetic diversity between Faladje and Bougoula-Hameau
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that the difference in PCT observed between the two villages could be due to differences in the complexity of infection of these two villages.
A Novel Index Measure of Housing-related Risk as a Predictor of Overdose among Young People Who Inject Drugs and Injection Networks
Authors: Kristensen Kathleen , Williams Leslie D. , Kaplan Charlie , Pineros Juliet , Lee Eunhye , Kaufmann Maggie , Mackesy-Amiti Mary-Ellen , Boodram Basmatee
Published: June 2023

Background
For people who inject drugs (PWID), housing instability due to decreasing housing affordability and other factors (e.g., loss of housing due to severed relational ties, evictions due to drug use) results in added pressure on an already vulnerable population. Research has shown that housing instability is associated with overdose risk among PWID. However, the construct of housing instability has often been operationalized as a single dimension (e.g., housing type, homelessness, transience). We propose a multi-dimensional measure of housing instability risk and examine its association with drug overdose to promote a more holistic examination of housing status as a predictor of overdose.
Methods
The baseline data from a network-based, longitudinal study of young PWID and their networks living in metropolitan Chicago, Illinois was analyzed to examine the relationship between a housing instability risk index—consisting of five dichotomous variables assessing housing instability—and lifetime overdose count using negative binomial regression.
Results
We found a significant positive association between the housing instability risk score and lifetime overdose count after adjusting for 12 variables.
Conclusions
Our results support the practical utility of a multi-dimensional measure of housing instability risk in predicting overdose and highlight the importance of taking a holistic approach to addressing housing instability when designing interventions.
Common Data Elements for Disorders of Consciousness: Recommendations from the Working Group on Goals-of-care and Family/Surrogate Decision-Maker Data
Authors: Jaffa Matthew N. , Kirsch Hannah L. , Creutzfeldt Claire J. , Guanci Mary , Hwang David Y. , LeTavec Darlene , Mahanes Dea , Steinberg Alexis , Natarajan Girija , Zahuranec Darin B. , Muehlschlegel Susanne
Published: June 2023

Introduction: In order to facilitate comparative research, it is essential for the fields of neurocritical care and rehabilitation to establish common data elements (CDE) for disorders of consciousness (DoC). Our objective was to identify CDEs related to goals-of-care decisions and family/surrogate decision-making for patients with DoC.
Methods: To achieve this, we formed nine CDE working groups as part of the Neurocritical Care Society’s Curing Coma Campaign. Our working group focused on goals-of-care decisions and family/surrogate decision-makers created five subgroups: (1) clinical variables of surrogates, (2) psychological distress of surrogates, (3) decision-making quality, (4) quality of communication, and (5) quality of end-of-life care. Each subgroup searched for existing relevant CDEs in the NIH/CDE catalog and conducted an extensive literature search for additional relevant study instruments to be recommended. We classified each CDE according to the standard definitions of “core,” “basic,” “exploratory,” or “supplemental,” as well as their utility for studying the acute or chronic phase of DoC, or both.
Results: We identified 32 relevant pre-existing NIH CDEs across all subgroups. A total of 34 new instruments were added across all subgroups. Only one CDE was recommended as disease core, the “mode of death” of the patient from the clinical variables subgroup.
Conclusions: Our findings provide valuable CDEs specific to goals-of-care decisions and family/surrogate decision-making for patients with DoC that can be used to standardize studies to generate high-quality and reproducible research in this area.
Thresholdless Laser Based on Photonic Time Crystals
Authors: Xu Ke , Fang Ming , Feng Jian , Liu Chenran , Niu Kaikun , Xie Guoda , Huang Zhixiang
Published: June 2023

We present an electrodynamic model for thresholdless lasers based on the utilization of photonic time crystals (PTCs). By incorporating the unique physical properties of PTCs and employing a comprehensive four-level system model, we demonstrate the feasibility of achieving thresholdless laser operation. The proposed electrodynamic model captures the intricate interplay between the electromagnetic field and the PTC medium. We account for the ultrafast periodic variations in the refractive index of the PTCs, which are a result of their time crystal-like behavior. The model considers the dynamic response of the four-level system, taking into account the population inversion and relaxation processes. Through our electrodynamic modeling, we elucidate the underlying mechanisms that enable thresholdless laser operation in PTC-based systems. We demonstrate that the ultrafast refractive index variations lead to a self-sustaining laser action, eliminating the need for a lasing threshold. Moreover, we investigate the influence of various parameters, such as pump power and modulation period, on the laser performance and output characteristics. The electrodynamic model developed in this study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and designing thresholdless lasers based on photonic time crystals. Our work contributes to the advancement of thresholdless laser technology and paves the way for potential applications in areas such as optical communications, sensing, and quantum photonics.
Panel performance, sensory characterization and consumer preference of Chinese traditional chrysanthemum drink
Authors: Men Long , Bin Liang , Linlin Li , Jie Yang , Wenli Chai , Rui Ge , Di Zhou , Ge Zhan
Published: June 2023

In China, herbal drinks possess long-standing traditional cultural characteristics cater to consumers' demand for both natural ingredients and functional benefits. So far, the sensory properties of herbal beverages have not been subjected to descriptive analysis. Here, we selected 12 high-selling herbal beverages containing chrysanthemum samples on China's largest online shopping website. A total of 11 sensory descriptors have been associated with the samples, while assessed panel performance and sensory characteristics of samples by PanelCheck software. In addition, using ConsumerCheck to investigate the consumer acceptance of the same samples, applying preference mapping analysis to address the relationship between descriptive and consumer liking date. Box plot and Stacked histogram visualise the distributions of the liking ratings across all consumers for each of the tested products. Preference mapping revealed that the main sensory attributes driving consumers' preferences are fragrant sweet flavour, brillancy, lubrication, sweet taste and overly sweet taste. Thus, this study could guide the development of Chinese traditional chrysanthemum drink. At the same time, the results also provided a simple and open-source software to data statistical method for practitioner without commercial software and programming skills.
Extended interpretation of Keplerian Laws
Authors: Modestino Giuseppina
Published: June 2023

The fundamental physical properties as the Keplerian laws come to light naturally by considering the geometric parameters of a two-body system. Following the Kepler’s conception of assigning a crucial role to distance measurements, and introducing a metric in agreement with the speed of light c, correspondences between physical and geometric parameters of the orbits of the planets are discovered. The orbital eccentricity ε expresses β, the ratio between the relative velocity between the two bodies and the velocity of the interaction signal, the speed of light c in the specific case. The direction of β identifies a virtual axis and two angles, θ ω. The first one is the polar angle of the ellipse, the second one is the scattering angle of a body from the its inertial motion. Thus formulated, the ω parameter is compatible with the experimental observation of the advancement of the perihelion in the Mercury orbit, as well as with the result of the calculation according to the Schwarzschild metric and the relative due approximations. Furthermore, the angle functions are linked by a modulated curve. Formulating the gravitational potential with the elliptic parameters, an expression analogous to retarded Lie ́nard-Wiechert potential is obtained.
Cotton Crop Classification Using Multi-Spectral Satellite Images for Soil Behavior Study
Authors: Vankudoth Ramu , S Shiva Prasad
Published: June 2023

This study presents a method for classifying cotton crops using multi-spectral satellite images to study the soil behavior under these crops. The proposed method uses a machine learning approach based on a support vector machine (SVM) to classify the crops in the satellite images. The SVM model is trained on a dataset of multi-spectral satellite images and tested on an independent dataset to evaluate its performance. The study also analyzes the soil behavior under the cotton crops by studying various soil parameters such as moisture content, organic matter, and nutrient levels. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed method for accurate crop classification and soil behavior analysis.
Serum and Tissue miRNA Expression Profiles of Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Tuncay Aydin , Pamukcu Ozge , Taheri Serpil , Yilmaz Halis , Narin Nazmi , Zararsiz Gökmen
Published: June 2023

Purpose:
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is the major complication of the congenital heart diseases with left to right shunt. It is essential to diagnose these patients before developing pulmonary vascular disease. Scientists are in the search of a novel biomarker. In the present study we aimed to determine the miRNA expression profile in blood and heart tissue samples of children having pulmonary hypertension due to congenital heart disease.
Method:
The expression profiles of 384 miRNAs were determined in the blood and the heart tissue samples of the pulmonary hypertensive patients with Congenital heart defects (25 patients) in comparison with the healthy control group (15 patients) by real time PCR method. Tissue samples were taken from their pulmonary artery during surgery. Blood samples were repeated 10 days after surgery.
Results:
Twelve miRNAs miR-124-3p, miR-149-5p,miR-184,miR-200a-3p,miR-203a,miR-204-5p,miR-205-5p,miR-208b,miR-211-5p,miR-488-3p,miR-498,miR-885-5p) were found increased more than 100 times compared to the control. Among these miRNAs, miR-200a-3p, which increased 804 times preoperatively compared to the control group, draws attention. miR-499-5p levels were significantly high in patients with pulmonary arterial pressure<40mmHg. miR-656 was found significantly high in the patients whose PAP>40 mmHg. Expression of 10 miRNAs was decreased in postoperative period. In tissue samples 3 miRNAs (miR-218,miR-146-5p,miR-144-3p) were found significantly high in patients.
Conclusion:
Expression levels of miR-200a-3p, miR-204-5p, and miR-184 increased during the progression of PAH in the blood, and vanished after the surgery. This indicates that these 3miRNAs and their target genes and associated pathways can be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis or follow-up of the disease.
Effect of Vegetational Diversification on the Gene Flow of Natural Enemies in a plum orchard
Authors: ZEPEDA FRANCISCA , Cabrera Nuri , Villegas Cinthya , Lavandero Blas
Published: June 2023

Vegetational diversification strategies promote positive effects on ecosystem service provision by establishing winter refuges and alternative food resources for natural enemy populations. Cover crops are encouraged as a sustainable practice that can stimulate the early recruitment of natural enemies. However, evidence of the dispersion of natural enemies between added vegetation habitats and target crops within orchards is missing in the literature. Here, we study the genetic populational diversity and its structure of a plum aphid parasitoid using novel microsatellite markers designed specifically forAphidius platensis.Weseek to understand the genetic structure and gene flow of the parasitoid wasps to understand whether parasitoid wasps are able to shift between alternative and target aphid hosts (winter vs. spring hosts) developing on winter oat cover crops, spontaneous vegetation, and the target plum trees in an organic orchard system. Our results supported aspects of our hypotheses by providing evidence that added habitat diversity, through a cereal cover crop, can act as banker plants of parasitoid populations for the dispersion of migrants within a fruit orchard, which could favor suppression efficiency of orchard pests, as well as enable the population persistence of parasitoids.
Terrorism and Tax Revenues in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: AZENG Therese Felicitee , MOUDJARE HELGATH Bybert
Published: June 2023

The aim of this paper is to establish the effect of terrorism on the fiscal performance of Sub-Saharan African countries, through the mobilization of tax revenues. Considering 15 countries over the period 1996-2015 and using a fixed-effect model, the results show that terrorism has a negative effect on the mobilization of tax revenues. The discretionary power of the State is thus strengthened as terrorist threat puts the State in wartime posture. As such, radical measures can be envisaged, such as the redefinition of national priorities and a reallocation of national resources to the fight against terrorism.
Codes JEL: E62; H2; C32; H51.
A Systematic Review on the Relationship Between Socioeconomic Conditions and Emotional Disorder Symptoms During Covid-19: Unearthing the Potential Role of Economic Concerns and Financial Strain
Authors: Chan Jee Kei , Marzuki Aleya A. , Vafa Samira , Thanaraju Arjun , Yap Jie , Chan Xiou Wen , Harris Hanis Atasha , Todi Khushi , Schaefer Alexandre
Published: June 2023

Background
Covid-19 has disrupted the lives of many and resulted in high prevalence rates of mental disorders. Despite a vast amount of research into the social determinants of mental health during Covid-19, little is known about whether the results are consistent with the social gradient in mental health. Here we report a systematic review of studies that investigated how SEC indicators, such as education and income, predict emotional health (depression and anxiety) risk during the pandemic. Furthermore, we examined which classes of SEC indicators would best predict symptoms of emotional disorders.
Methods
Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted search over six databases, including Scopus, PubMed, etc., between November 4, 2021 and November 11, 2021 for studies that investigated how SEC indicators predict emotional health risks during Covid-19, after obtaining approval from PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021288508). Using Covidence as the platform, 362 articles (324 cross-sectional/repeated cross-sectional and 38 longitudinal) were included in this review according to the eligibility criteria. We categorized SEC indicators into ‘actual versus perceived’ and ‘static versus fluid’ classes to explore their differential effects on emotional health.
Results
Out of the 1479 SEC indicators used in these 362 studies, our results showed that 43.68% of the SEC indicators showed ‘expected’ results (i.e., higher SEC predicting better emotional health outcomes); 51.86% reported non-significant results and 4.46% reported the reverse. Economic concerns (67.16% expected results) and financial strains (64.16%) emerged as the best predictors while education (26.85%) and living conditions (30.14%) were the worst.
Conclusions
This review summarizes how different SEC indicators influenced emotional health risks across 98 countries, with a total of 5,677,007 participants, ranging from high to low-income countries. Our findings showed that not all SEC indicators were strongly predictive of emotional health risks. In fact, over half of the SEC indicators studied showed a null effect. We found that perceived and fluid SEC indicators, particularly economic concerns and financial strain could best predict depressive and anxiety symptoms. These findings have implications for policymakers to further understand how different SEC classes affect mental health during a pandemic in order to tackle associated social issues effectively.
Nurses quietly quit their job more often than other healthcare workers: an alarming issue for healthcare services
Authors: Galanis Petros , Katsiroumpa Aglaia , Vraka Irene , Siskou Olga , Konstantakopoulou Olympia , Katsoulas Theodoros , Moisoglou Ioannis , Gallos Parisis , Kaitelidou Daphne
Published: June 2023

Background: Quiet-quitting phenomenon in not new but has been frequently discussed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, the level of quiet quitting among healthcare workers (HCWs) has not been measured yet.
Objective: To assess the level of quiet quitting among HCWs, and identify possible differences between nurses, physicians, and other HCWs. Moreover, we investigated the impact of socio-demographic variables, job burnout, and job satisfaction on quiet quitting levels.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of HCWs during June 2023. HCWs included nurses, physicians, dentists, pharmacists, midwives, psychologists, and physiotherapists that have been working in healthcare services. We measured socio-demographic characteristics of HCWs, job burnout with “Copenhagen Burnout Inventory”, job satisfaction with “Job Satisfaction Survey”, and quiet quitting with “Quiet Quitting” Scale.
Results: Study population included 1760 HCWs with a mean age of 41.1 years. Among our sample, 57.9% were quiet quitters, while 42.1% were non quiet quitters. In particular, 67.4% of nurses were quiet quitters, while prevalence of quiet quitting for physicians and other HCWs were 53.8% and 40.3% respectively (p<0.001). Multivariable linear regression analysis identified that the levels of quiet quitting were higher among nurses than physicians and other HCWs. Moreover, greater job burnout contributed more to quiet quitting, while less satisfaction implied more quiet quitting. Shift HCWs, and those working in private sector experienced higher levels of quiet quitting. Additionally, we found a negative relationship between clinical experience and quiet quitting.
Conclusions: More than half of our HCWs were described as quit quitters. Levels of quiet quitting were higher among nurses even when controlling for several confounders. Higher levels of job burnout and lower levels of job satisfaction were associated with higher levels of quiet quitting.
Does Tafel Analysis Make Sense for Water Oxidation at Metal Oxide/Oxyhydroxide Electrocatalysts?
Authors: Leng Wenhua
Published: June 2023

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has a vital role in many alternative-energy systems because it provides the protons and electrons required for converting electricity into chemical fuels1. Metal oxides and oxyhydroxides shows state-of-the-art activity for the OER, and their reaction kinetics and mechanism are generally analyzed by phenomenological Tafel equation (applied overpotential vs. log (current density), η-log⁡(i)) and power law rate equation2 (current density vs. oxidative charge density, i ∝Qn, where n is reaction order relative to charge density). Here it is demonstrated that none of them is utterly appropriate and that the current density equals the oxidative charge density exponential dependent rate constant multiplying the oxidative charge density. It is striking found that Tafel equation is just an approximation of novel rate law that can fully describe the i-η relationship and give rise to contrast physical meanings of both Tafel slope and intercept to the traditional. In addition, the established rate law explains why the phenomenological Butler-Volmer theory (out-sphere theory), which focuses on electron transfer, can apply to analysis the OER rates (inner-sphere theory) under a certain circumstances. These findings may thus lead to key insights both for strategies to predict and/or enhance electrocatalytic performances and for understanding OER mechanism at atom/molecular level.
Conformational compaction as a mechanism for ATP resolubilization of protein condensates
Authors: Gong Zhou , Zhu Yueling , Lin Shiyan , Meng Ling-Shen , Sun Min , Liu Maili , Li Jingyuan , Tang Chun
Published: June 2023

ATP has been shown to regulate the phase separation behavior of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), but a detailed mechanism remains to be fully established. Using the RG/RGG-rich motif from the HNRNPG protein as our model system, we show that the condensation of the IDP follows a biphasic relationship with the concentration of ATP. At a relatively low ATP concentration, ATP dynamically interacts with the protein and neutralizes surface charges, which promotes intermolecular interactions and favors phase separation. At the same time, ATP binding makes the protein more compact while enhancing local dynamics. As the ATP concentration increases, further compaction of the IDP hinders intermolecular interactions, and consequently prevents the protein from phase separation. We have thus identified IDP conformational compaction a mechanism for the ATP regulation of phase separation.
Initial Bare-root Crown Size and Early-season Flower Cluster Removal Has Little Effect on Subsequent Plant Performance in Day-neutral Strawberry
Authors: Bolda Mark P.
Published: June 2023

In strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa), initial bare-root crown diameter and early-season flower cluster removal have been two factors suspected of influencing fruit yield and size. This study evaluated the effect of these two factors on the day-neutral strawberry varieties Monterey and Cabrillo. Bare-root crowns with three different diameters were categorized into small (< 0.5 cm), medium (> 0.5 to 1 cm), and large (> 1 cm) at planting. Each of the crown diameter treatments was split into two plots for flower removal or no flower removal in the early season and data on canopy diameter, fruit yield, and fruit size collected in the subsequent months of production. The study was conducted over two growing seasons (2019–20 and 2020–21). No difference was found in plant canopy diameters measured in February, ∼3 months after planting, between any of the treatments in either year. Although early-season flower removal and some crown sizes resulted in lower fruit yield in March and April, none of these treatments resulted in any fruit yield or size differences in subsequent months nor in season end totals.
Classroom assessment that tailor instruction and direct learning: A validation study
Authors: CHAN Wai Kei , ZHANG Li , OON Emily
Published: June 2023

We report the validity of a test instrument that assesses the arithmetic ability of primary students by (a) describing the theoretical model of arithmetic ability assessment using Wilson’s (2004) four building blocks of constructing measures and (b) providing empirical evidence for the validation study. The instrument consists of 21 multiple-choice questions that hierarchically evaluate arithmetic intended learning outcomes (ILOs) on arithmetic ability, hierarchically, based on Bloom’s cognitive taxonomy for 138 primary three grade students. The theoretical model describes students’ arithmetic ability on three distinct levels: solid, developing, and basic. At each level, the model describes the characteristics of the tasks that the students can answer correctly. The analysis shows that the difficulty of the items followed the expected order in the theoretical construct map, where the difficulty of each designed item aligned with the cognitive level of the student, the item difficulty distribution aligned with the structure of the person construct map, and word problems required higher cognitive abilities than the calculation problems did. The findings, however, pointed out that more difficult items can be added to better differentiate students with different ability levels, and an item should be revised to enhance the reliability and validity of the research. We conclude that the conceptualizations of such formative assessments provide meaningful information for teachers to support learning and tailoring instruction.
Efficiency of the intra-EU trade in goods and services: Geographical and product structure analysis
Authors: Ditsiou Athina , Siskos Evangelos , Darvidou Konstantia
Published: June 2023

Economic integration facilitated international trade within the EU with overall benefits for its economy. However, the importance of intra-EU trade varies by country and industry. This paper aims to estimate the efficiency of the intra-EU trade for particular Member States and economic sectors. The trade efficiency of the Member States is measured with the net export index and the difference in export and import growth. Correlation and regression analysis is used to assess sector-specific effects. The results show that South European Member States perform better in the efficiency of intra-EU services trade and worse in merchandise trade, but the difference is decreasing. Western European countries tend to have medium efficiency of services trade and stability in the efficiency of merchandise trade. North European countries are likely to have less than average trade efficiency and no major changes in it. Central European countries perform better than average and have an upward trend in merchandise trade efficiency. Ireland, Poland, Czechia, Slovenia, and Bulgaria have the best performance in the total intra-EU trade. The EU has a well-diversified intra-bloc trade with the domination of manufactured goods. The elasticity of value added to exports is the highest for apparel, automotive industries, agriculture, and travel services (0.8-1.2). Other sectors have lower elasticities: 0.3-0.7 (goods) or 0.4-0.6 (services). Export demand has little effect on the food industry, fuel industry, construction, and insurance sectors. The negative correlation in financial services was a prominent exception among industries.
Osteosarcopenia as a satellite of aging
Authors: Isaeva B. I. , Alieva-Kharkharova K. M.
Published: June 2023

World achievements in the field of science, health technologies and socio-economic development at the turn of the XX–XXI centuries have increased the life expectancy of people. It is estimated that by 2050 the number of people over 60 will reach 2 billion people. In all countries, there is an increase in life expectancy with a disproportionately large increase in the number of elderly people. To solve the problems of aging-related diseases and reduce the burden on health systems, a better understanding of age-related diseases and methods of their diagnosis is required. Some of the diseases that accompany aging are sarcopenia and osteoporosis. As the body ages, bone loss occurs, in parallel with this, muscle strength decreases significantly (dynapenia), followed by a decrease in muscle mass (sarcopenia). Thus, osteoporosis (osteopenia) and sarcopenia are combined into a geriatric syndrome called “osteosarcopenia”, which is a common multifactorial musculoskeletal syndrome. Osteosarcopenia increases the risk of falls, fractures and hospitalization, leads to a deterioration in the quality and life expectancy of patients. The biology of osteosarcopenia is best understood in the context of systemic neuroendocrine and immune/ inflammatory changes that cause decreased autophagy and cellular aging in bone and muscle. To date, specific treatment of osteosarcopenia has not been developed, however, there are a number of preventive measures. Regular exercise, consumption of protein, calcium, vitamin D and prevention of falls and fractures are necessary to maintain the musculoskeletal unit and allow you to delay the onset of this condition. The article reflects the pathogenetic aspects, primary and secondary causes of osteosarcopenia, diagnostic criteria, methods of prevention and possibilities of drug therapy.
Glycemia control using remote technologies
Authors: Suplotova L. A. , Alieva O. O.
Published: June 2023

Diabetes mellitus is a  chronic metabolic disease with a  rapidly increasing prevalence. Glycemic control in  diabetes mellitus remains the key to improving the effectiveness of therapy, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia, preventing microvascular complications, and reducing the long-term risk of macrovascular complications. However, regular glycemic control is only a part of this process, since an equally important step is the timely and correct interpretation of the data obtained, as well as the decision on further therapeutic tactics. Technological advances are providing tools to help diabetic patients reach their glycemic targets and facilitate ongoing monitoring of blood glucose levels. Currently, there is the possibility of remote monitoring of glycemia, transmission of data to medical professionals and caregivers: blood glucose meters with wireless glucose reporting, continuous glucose monitors, flash glucose monitors, and non-invasive glucose monitoring systems. Large scientific studies have proven the effectiveness and prospects of telemedicine technologies in the treatment of diabetes. Today, the digitalization of healthcare is actively developing from telemedicine and remote interaction with patients to new digital approaches to diagnostics and information exchange. Thus, in  the Russian Federation, within the  framework of  the digital transformation strategy of  the Healthcare industry until 2024 and for the planned period until 2030, the Personal Medical Assistants project is being implemented, aimed at creating technologies for dynamic remote monitoring of patients using platforms of centralized diagnostic services based on a unified state information system in the field of healthcare.
Characteristics of glucose variability in different types of diabetes mellitus in young patients
Authors: Ovsyannikova A. K. , Dudina M. V. , Galenok R. B. , Antonova A. O. , Rymar O. D.
Published: June 2023

Introduction. Rare types of diabetes mellitus including MODY (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young) are quite complicated to verification and differential diagnosis. That is often leads to diagnostic delays, medical errors in choosing treatment tactics. This kind of event could aggravate the course of the disease and must be prevented.

Aim. Evaluation the characteristics of glucose variability (GV) in different types of diabetes mellitus (DM) in young people using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems is necessary to understand the diagnostic value of the method.

Materials and methods. We studied 72 patients with clinical signs of MODY who underwent a molecular genetics study to verify the type of DM. According to the results of the study, patients were divided into 3 groups: with genetically confirmed MODY2 (n = 31), MODY3 (n = 16); comparison group consists of the patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 25). All patients at the second stage underwent CGM for 14 days. At the third stage, the obtained patterns of glycemia were presented in the form of GV indices using the GLINVA program, and an in-depth analysis of glucose variability was performed.

Results. Some features in the characteristics of the glycemic profile in young people with monogenic forms of DM were noticed. It was determined that in MODY2 the level of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (p = 0.004) and HbA1c (p = 0.010) was significantly lower than in MODY3, and low GV was determined during the day, which probably causes a lower incidence of diabetic complications than other types of  diabetes. In individuals with MODY3, higher FPG and HbA1c values were found, in  contrast to MODY2 and type 2 diabetes. MODY3 profile is characterized with significantly higher GV and longer time spent above the target ranges (compared to type 2 diabetes).

Conclusions. The approach to evaluate the glycemic profile used in the study is modern and affordable. It could become a tool for determining criteria for diagnosing the type of diabetes in patients with clinical manifestations of MODY.
Innovative technologies in the management of diabetes mellitus: prevention of hypoglycemia
Authors: Svetlova O. V. , Gurieva I. V.
Published: June 2023

One of the strategies for preventing hypoglycemia, along with structured patient education and the use of modern hypoglycemic agents, is self-control of glycemia with the achievement of individual therapeutic goals. Frequently recurring hypoglycemic episodes are associated with impaired recognition of hypoglycemia and increase the risk of severe hypoglycemia up to six times. Prevention of the development of severe hypoglycemia may be of key importance for the prevention of adverse cardiovascular events and the risk of sudden death in patients with diabetes mellitus. Repeated hypoglycemic episodes can lead to impaired recognition of hypoglycemia, as a result of which a lower blood glucose level is necessary for the development of clinical symptoms of hypoglycemia. The use of individual glucose meters is currently relevant, despite the active introduction into clinical practice of continuous monitoring of glycemia and flash monitoring. ccording to the Russian “Algorithms of specialized medical care for patients with diabetes mellitus”, patients are recommended to conduct self-monitoring using individual glucose meters at least 4 times a day when using continuous monitoring of glycemia in real time and at least 2 times a day when using flash monitoring of glycemia to assess accuracy and / or calibration monitoring data and in order to resolve the issue of correction of ongoing therapy. The desire for strict and adequate self-control dictates the need to use the latest means of glycemia control – intelligent glucose meters with high accuracy, ease of  use and reliability of  blood glucose measurements. The introduction of intelligent technologies – “smart” glucose meters using a mobile application, with the functions of “no coding”, “second chance”, data transmission to the attending physician – makes it possible to carry out remote monitoring, providing more effective management of diabetes mellitus.
Chladni Desenleri ile Deneysel Bir Üç Boyutlu Form Bulma Süreci
Authors: Battal Alim
Published: June 2023

Bu çalışma, hareketten etkisinde tasarım bağlamında sesin görselleştirilmesi yoluyla biçim bulma süreçleri için bir yöntem oluşturmaya odaklanmaktadır. Farklı ses frekanslarının görsel olarak algılanmasını sağlayan Chladni desenleri çalışmanın merkezinde yer almaktadır. Chladni desenlerini dijital olarak üretmek ve bunları 3 boyutlu modellere dönüştürmek için bir dizi yöntem ve araç kullanılarak üretken bir tasarım süreci geliştirilmiştir. İki boyutlu desenleri matematiksel olarak ifade eden Chladni formülüne göre desenlerin Java kodu ile dijital ortama aktarılması, dijital ortamda yeniden üretilen iki boyutlu sayısal desenlerin üst üste bindirilmesi ve Marching Cube algoritması ile iki boyutlu desenlerin üç boyutlu geometrilere dönüştürülmesi çalışmanın yöntemini oluşturmaktadır. Çalışma sonunda geliştirilen form bulma yönteminin mimari potansiyelini tartışmak amacıyla, farklı kentsel alanların frekans değerleri kullanılarak pavyon tasarımlarına yönelik tasarım alternatifleri sunulmuştur. Sonuç olarak, geliştirilen üretken yaklaşım aracılığıyla, mimarlık, resim ve heykel gibi plastik sanat diplilerindeki tasarımcılara birçok potansiyel tasarım alternatifi sunulmaktadır.