bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utility of salivary mycophenolic acid concentration monitoring: Modeling and Monte Carlo validation approach
Authors: Catić‐Đorđević Aleksandra , Stefanović Nikola , Pavlović Ivan , Pavlović Dragana , Živanović Slavoljub , Kundalić Ana , Veličković‐Radovanović Radmila , Mitić Branka
Published: November 2022

The results of the previous studies demonstrated an association between mycophenolic acid (MPA) exposure, serum albumin level (ALB), and adverse effects in kidney transplant patients. The aim was the identification of mathematical correlation and association between both, total and unbound MPA concentration in relation to ALB, body mass (BM), age and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in stable kidney transplant recipients. Furthermore, investigation was conducted with the aim to clarify the role of salivary concentration (CSAL) of MPA in adverse effect profile. In order to analyze the association between total and salivary concentration of MPA in relation to ALB, BM, age and eGFR, a least squares method for determining the correlation between these parameters was performed. In addition, derived mathematical model based on experimental data can also be performed and simulated through the Monte Carlo (MC) approach. Adverse effects were grouped according to the nature of symptoms and scored by a previously published validated system. Numerically calculated values of CSAL from the models [CSAL = f(ALB, BM, age, eGFR, CP) = a00 + a10*(ALB, BM, age, eGFR) + a01*CP] were then compared with those from validation set of patients, where the best fitting model was for ALB [CSAL = 54.96–1.64*ALB +13.4*CP]. Adverse effects estimation showed the difference in esthetic score, positively correlated with CSAL in the lower ALB group (145.41 ± 219.02 vs. 354.08 ± 262.19; with statistical significance p = .014) and almost significant for gastrointestinal score (167.69 ± 174.79 vs. 347.55 ± 320.95; p = .247). The study showed that CSAL MPA may contribute to management of adverse effects, but these findings require confirmation of clinical utility.
Nimbolide attenuates complete Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis through expression regulation of toll‐like receptors signaling pathway
Authors: Israr Maham , Naseem Nadia , Akhtar Tasleem , Aftab Usman , Zafar Muhammad Shoaib , Faheem Muhammad Asif , Shahzad Muhammad
Published: November 2022

Nimbolide is an active constituent of Azadirachta indica and is known for its anti‐inflammatory, anti‐oxidant, immune‐modulatory, and anti‐cancer effects. Few studies suggest that nimbolide treatment influences the responses to rheumatoid arthritis, but the underlying molecular mechanisms involved are not yet well established. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine the effect of nimbolide on expression regulation of toll‐like receptors to attenuate rheumatoid arthritis. The rheumatoid arthritis model was established by injecting complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) intra‐dermally into the sub‐plantar region of the left hind paw of rats. Nimbolide (20 mg/kg) and piroxicam (10 mg/kg) were given to arthritic rats. Rats treated with nimbolide showed a significant reduction in inflammatory cells, rheumatoid factor, ESR, and improved the body weight. The results indicated that nimbolide possesses the capacity to attenuate rheumatoid arthritis by downregulating toll‐like receptors, IL‐17, IL‐23, HSP70, and IFN‐γ expression levels. Nimbolide treatment showed significant reduction in the severity of inflammation and destruction of joints and showed comparable effects to piroxicam, which is a standard non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It can be concluded that nimbolide can be considered as a potential candidate for therapeutic targeting of the toll‐like receptors pathway in rheumatoid arthritis.
Air‐Stable Radical Organic Cages as Cascade Nanozymes for Enhanced Catalysis
Authors: Yang Xiao‐Dong , Zhang Ya‐Jun , Zhou Jun‐Hao , Liu Ling , Sun Jian‐Ke
Published: November 2022

The pursuit of single‐assembled molecular cage reactors for complex tandem reactions is a long‐standing target in biomimetic catalysis but still a grand challenge. Herein, nanozyme‐like organic cages are reported by engineering air‐stable radicals into the skeleton upon photoinduced electron transfer. The generation of radicals is accompanied by single‐crystal structural transformation and exhibits superior stability over six months in air. Impressively, the radicals throughout the cage skeleton can mimic the peroxidase of natural enzymes to decompose H2O2 into OH· and facilitate oxidation reactions. Furthermore, an integrated catalyst by encapsulating Au clusters (glucose oxidase mimics) into the cage has been developed, in which the dual active sites (Au cluster and radical) are spatially isolated and can work as cascade nanozymes to prominently promote the enzyme‐like tandem reaction via a substrate channeling effect.
Introduction
Authors: Solís Patricia , Zeballos Marcela
Published: November 2022

In an era of global challenges – from climate change to economic unrest to social disruption to pandemics – the need to hear from voices of the next generation of leaders is clear. The time to listen to them is now. The purpose of this book is to assemble, organize, and amplify the knowledge and experiences of some of the world’s young people who are working locally and collectively to use scientific results, geospatial technologies, and multi-national collaboration to address some of the most pressing issues facing their local communities and global society. From every region of the world, students have emerged as leaders in the YouthMappers movement, to study such problems by creating and using open data that has a spatial component. The issues they are addressing with these common tools and methods range across the entire scope of topics known as the Sustainable Development Goals, articulated globally through the United Nations. Not only do YouthMappers create new knowledge and bring unique perspectives and experiences, but they are also proposing and taking action based upon what they see and what they know from the map and from each other.
Visualizing YouthMappers’ Contributions to Environmental Resilience in Latin America
Authors: Walachosky Nayreth , Gómez Cristina , Martínez Karen , Amaya Marianne , Rodríguez Maritza , Centeno Mariela , Anderson Jennings
Published: November 2022

YouthMappers throughout Latin America are working to advance the attainment of the SDGs. Our contributions here centre on open data but also the maps and visualized analysis derived from them, which supports making decisions on how to achieve desired development across all seventeen goals. This chapter highlights the contribution of YouthMappers in ways that reduce inequalities around information access in Latin America (SDG 10), meanwhile advancing environmental resilience across the hemisphere, addressing a number of projects promoting biodiversity, conservation, and tourism that improve life on land (SDG 15).
Sustainable Coastal Communities in the Anthropocene: Lessons from Crowd-Mapping Projects in Colombia
Authors: De los ríos-Olarte Yéssica , Peña-Valencia Maria Fernanda , da Silveira Arruda Natalia , Blanco-Libreros Juan Felipe
Published: November 2022

We emphasize the need to contribute to the promotion of sustainable coastal communities from the recognition of a new era like the Anthropocene and the role of maps and open data. We want to tell you about how engaged YouthMappers contribute to efforts to achieve the SDGs under the demands of this new era and how maps can be a language that promotes the understanding of key factors of the Anthropocene such as via socioecological systems (SES) and connectivity. Examples of our work with coastal communities showcase addressing SDG 14, life below water, as well as SDG 13, in an era requiring climate action. With our voices, we want to call attention to the importance of observing the world without separating nature and human societies like two different entities, but to see them instead as a tightly interconnected tissue.
Mentoring Experiences in YouthMappers Chapters
Authors: Gidudu Anthony , de Newbill María Adames , Little Jonathon , Brovelli Maria Antonia , Coetzee Serena
Published: November 2022

YouthMappers brings together university students coalesced around institutional chapters carrying out collaborative mapping to address humanitarian and development concerns. Beginning at three universities, in six years, YouthMappers has grown into a global movement of nearly 300 chapters in more than 60 countries. This success, in part, is attributed to the strong emphasis on mentorship in the YouthMappers structure. In this book chapter, mentors from Italy in Europe, Panama in Central America, the United States of America in North America, South Africa, and Uganda in Africa share their reflections on the role of mentoring in their YouthMappers chapters. They share about the nature of their chapter activities, how mentoring is effected, what has been successful, and the challenges faced. As YouthMappers continues to grow, the role of mentors will remain central to attaining the YouthMappers mission.
Youth and Humanitarian Action: Open Mapping Partnerships for Disaster Response and the SDGs
Authors: Radford Tyler , Kateregga Geoffrey , Machmud Harry , Redhead Carly , Mwanja Immaculata
Published: November 2022

Use of data and digital technologies has dramatically changed the look, feel, and efficacy of humanitarian action over the past decade. Partnerships among data producers and data users in all sectors have increased access to and sharing of data across agencies and responders, and thus amplified the impact of youth in this domain. At the heart of those partnerships are young people, often university students, especially those who make up the YouthMappers network. Our close partnership between YouthMappers and the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team has not only advanced the global goals for disaster response and for development in their future workplaces and innovations, but also for global goals to enable better alliances across public, private, and nonprofit partnerships.
Generation 2030: The Strategic Imperative of Youth Civic and Political Engagement
Authors: McCabe Michael , Gale Steven
Published: November 2022

The young are deeply concerned about the world they will inherit, yet trends indicate that youth globally experience barriers to opportunities for civic engagement, lack of participation access, distrust, and voicelessness on the issues they care about most. The youth want to be more engaged in meeting the development needs of their communities and want to help lead democracy and social justice efforts despite contexts that discourage them. The authors argue for a renewed sense of engagement that is meaningful and puts youth at the center, and in the lead, in ways that capture the energy of a new generation.
Responding to Wicked Tensions and Problems in Practices-Developing Research
Authors: Ødegaard Elin Eriksen
Published: November 2022

Experiences from practices-development research, as presented in Part II of this book, identify what we call wicked tensions and problems (Bentley J, Toth. Exploring wicked problems: what they are and why they are important. ArchWay Publishing, 2020). The experienced team from Sweden, Denmark, and Norway have collaborated for many years with early years teachers and the early childhood education and care (ECEC; i.e. in these national contexts, preschool/kindergarten) sector in their efforts to respond to societal problems alongside practitioners. Enhancing meaningful practices in the ECEC sector by creating relevant academic knowledge for and within this sector is a policy expectation in response to the wicked problem of societal problems. In the effort to do so, our experience is that even if this effort is rewarding and new knowledge is created and practices are transformed, a range of tensions occur already from the start of new projects, and we encounter problems we cannot solve as they lie outside our immediate responsibility. Additionally, collaboration can risk violating the standards of research and the traditions of education. This chapter draws on examples from Part II of this book (Wallerstedt, Brooks, Ødegaard & Pramling, this volume). While the projects reported on vary in pedagogical themes, sites, and participants, they share a participatory research design in their efforts to respond to challenges and develop practices while undertaking research. The chapter first elaborates on the nature and challenges of wicked tensions and problems and thereafter identifies some of the tensions and problems reported. The aim of the chapter is to articulate the tensions and problems on a meta-level for further efforts of partnership research. The vision for knowledge development entering practices-development research from the reported projects is clear and similar across the projects. The common vision is to nurture practices for long-term knowledge gains. In this chapter, we suggest that experiences and reflexivity from the collaborative Scandinavian milieus across these projects can articulate some wicked tensions and problems and improve knowledge in this regard. The chapter provides a summary list of recommendations for stakeholders to consider when planning and conducting participatory design research.
Gesamtfazit
Authors: Ritzi Sebastian
Published: November 2022

Im Gang durch die kritische Darstellung und ethisch-fachliche Reflexion, die in dieser Untersuchung unternommen wurde, konnte vor allem aufgezeigt werden, dass FeM ein hochkomplexes Phänomen darstellen, das nicht zuletzt eine große Bandbreite pflegefachlicher und ethischer Fragen aufwirft und schließlich zentrale Vorstellungen und Verständnisse von Personalität, Würde, (Für-)Sorge, Freiheit, Autonomie, Verletzlichkeit, Leiblichkeit – kurzum: von dem, worin Menschsein besteht – berührt. Um aufzuzeigen, wie man Menschen mit Demenz im Rahmen professioneller Sorgebeziehungen auch und gerade in (hoch)komplexen Pflegesituationen, die die Anwendung einer FeM zu erfordern scheinen, gerecht werden kann, bedarf es einer vertieften Auseinandersetzung mit diesen Fragen und Konzeptionen. Die vorliegende Untersuchung sollte im Wesentlichen einen Beitrag zu dieser Auseinandersetzung darstellen. In diesem Kapitel werden streiflichtartig die wichtigsten Gedankengänge und Argumente zusammengefasst, die zu diesem Zweck entwickelt und nachgezeichnet wurden.
3D Time-Lapse Electrical Resistivity Imaging of Rock Damage Patterns and Gas Flow Paths Resulting from Two Underground Chemical Explosions
Authors: Johnson Tim C. , Knox H. A. , Strickland C. , Johnson C. , Lowrey J. , Sprinkle D.P. , Linneman D. , Vermeul V. , Robey E. , Chojnicki K. , Ingraham M. , Feldman J. , Miley H.
Published: November 2022

Rock damage from underground nuclear explosions (UNEs) has a strong influence on sub-surface gas movement and on seismic waveform characteristics, both of which are used to detect UNEs. Although advanced numerical simulation capabilities exist to predict rock damage patterns and corresponding detection signals, those predictions are dependent on (generally) unknown properties of the host rock. For example, the effects of in-situ mechanical heterogeneities on the explosively generated damage/fractures that provide gas flow pathways to the surface are not well understood, due largely to the difficulty in accessing and characterizing the near-source region. In this paper we demonstrate the emerging use of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) for imaging rock damage and gas flow patterns resulting from two relatively small-scale underground chemical explosions. Pre-explosion ERT and crosshole seismic imaging revealed a natural fracture zone within the test bed. Post-explosion imaging revealed that the damage zone was non-symmetric and was focused primarily within the pre-existing fracture zone, located 10 m above the first explosion and 5 m above the second explosion. Time-lapse ERT imaging of heated air injected into the detonation borehole revealed the primary gas flow paths to be within the upper margin of the same primary damage zone. These results point to the utility of ERT imaging for understanding rock damage and gas flow patterns under experimental conditions, and to the importance of understanding the effects of geologic heterogeneity on UNE detection signals, particularly gas surface breakthrough times.
A joint Bayesian spatiotemporal risk prediction model of COVID-19 incidence, IC admission, and death with application to Sweden
Authors: Jaya I Gede Nyoman Mindra , Folmer Henk , Lundberg Johan
Published: November 2022

The three closely related COVID-19 outcomes of incidence, intensive care (IC) admission and death, are commonly modelled separately leading to biased estimation of the parameters and relatively poor forecasts. This paper presents a joint spatiotemporal model of the three outcomes based on weekly data that is used for risk prediction and identification of hotspots. The paper applies a pure spatiotemporal model consisting of structured and unstructured spatial and temporal effects and their interaction capturing the effects of the unobserved covariates. The pure spatiotemporal model limits the data requirements to the three outcomes and the population at risk per spatiotemporal unit. The empirical study for the 21 Swedish regions for the period 1 January 2020–4 May 2021 confirms that the joint model predictions outperform the separate model predictions. The fifteen-week-ahead spatiotemporal forecasts (5 May–11 August 2021) show a significant decline in the relative risk of COVID-19 incidence, IC admission, death and number of hotspots.
In vivo methods for imaging blood–brain barrier function and dysfunction
Authors: Harris William James , Asselin Marie-Claude , Hinz Rainer , Parkes Laura Michelle , Allan Stuart , Schiessl Ingo , Boutin Herve , Dickie Ben Robert
Published: November 2022

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is the interface between the central nervous system and systemic circulation. It tightly regulates what enters and is removed from the brain parenchyma and is fundamental in maintaining brain homeostasis. Increasingly, the BBB is recognised as having a significant role in numerous neurological disorders, ranging from acute disorders (traumatic brain injury, stroke, seizures) to chronic neurodegeneration (Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, small vessel disease). Numerous approaches have been developed to study the BBB in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo. The complex multicellular structure and effects of disease are difficult to recreate accurately in vitro, and functional aspects of the BBB cannot be easily studied ex vivo. As such, the value of in vivo methods to study the intact BBB cannot be overstated. This review discusses the structure and function of the BBB and how these are affected in diseases. It then discusses in depth several established and novel methods for imaging the BBB in vivo, with a focus on MRI, nuclear imaging, and high-resolution intravital fluorescence microscopy.
Utero-vaginal anastomosis in cases of cervical malformations: long-term follow-up and fertility challenges
Authors: Fouad Reham , Zayed Mohamed
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To study the long-term results of utero-vaginal anastomosis in cases of cervical malformations.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study. Nine patients presented with cryptomenorrhea due to cervical malformations (5 patients with cervical agenesis and vaginal aplasia, 2 patients with cervical agenesis and upper vaginal aplasia, and two patients with cervical dysgenesis in form of cervical obstruction). Five patients had utero-vaginal anastomosis (UVA) with McIndoe vaginoplasty. Four patients had UVA without vaginoplasty. Follow-up was done by transabdominal and/or transvaginal ultrasound monthly for the first 3 months then every 6 months thereafter for a duration that ranged from 15 to 82 months. The main outcome measures are achieving menstruation, dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), needed interventions after primary surgery, infertility, and pregnancy rate.

Results

Nine (100%) patients achieved menstruation, one (12%) experienced severe dysmenorrhea, two (22%) had PID, seven (78%) needed dilatation of the anastomosis site, three (33%) needed reoperation, nine (100%) had primary infertility, two (28.5%) achieved clinical pregnancy, and only one (14%) ended by live birth.

Conclusion

Conservative surgery for cervical malformation is a promising choice for relieving the obstructive symptoms. Regular dilatation is recommended. Pregnancy is a remote hope that is hindered by many challenges.
A potential role of salicylic acid in the evolutionary behavior of Trichoderma as a plant pathogen: from Marchantia polymorpha to Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Poveda Jorge , Abril-Urías Patricia , Muñoz-Acero Julia , Nicolás Carlos
Published: November 2022

Main conclusion

Recognition of the interaction of Trichoderma during the evolution of land plants plays a potential key role in the development of the salicylic acid defense pathway and the establishment of a mutualistic relationship.

Marchantia polymorpha is a common liverwort considered in recent years as a model plant for evolutionary studies on plant–microorganism interactions. Despite the lack of research, remarkable results have been reported regarding the understanding of metabolic and evolutionary processes of beneficial and/or harmful interactions, owing to a better understanding of the origin and evolution of different plant defense pathways. In this study, we have carried out work on the direct and indirect interactions (exudates and volatiles) of M. polymorpha with different species of the fungal genus Trichoderma. These interactions showed different outcomes, including resistance or even growth promotion and disease. We have analyzed the level of tissue colonization and defense-related gene expression. Furthermore, we have used the pteridophyte Dryopteris affinis and the angiosperm Arabidopsis thaliana, as subsequent steps in plant evolution, together with the plant pathogen Rhizoctonia solani as a control of plant pathogenicity. Trichoderma virens, T. brevicompactum and T. hamatum are pathogens of M. polymorpha, while exudates of T. asperellum are harmful to the plant. The analysis of the expression of several defense genes in M. polymorpha and A. thaliana showed that there is a correlation of the transcriptional activation of SA-related genes with resistance or susceptibility of M. polymorpha to Trichoderma. Moreover, exogenous SA provides resistance to the virulent Trichoderma species. This beneficial fungus may have had an evolutionary period of interaction with plants in which it behaved as a plant pathogen until plants developed a defense system to limit its colonization through a defense response mediated by SA.
Differential HLA class I subunit (A, B, C heavy chain and β2-microglobulin) expression levels in normal tissues
Authors: Ugolini Filippo , Szumera-Ciećkiewicz Anna , Baroni Gianna , Nesi Gabriella , Mandalà Mario , Ferrone Soldano , Massi Daniela
Published: November 2022

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I subunit expression level in primary and metastatic lesions has been characterized in many cancer types utilizing formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections as substrates in immunohistochemical reactions. The evaluation of the results of these studies has been hampered by the scant information about HLA class I subunit expression level in normal tissues. To address this unmet need, we have analyzed the HLA class I subunit expression level in FFPE sections of normal tissues.

Two tissue microarray (TMA) blocks were constructed from archived FFPE tissue samples of a wide number of human normal tissues. The expression level of HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C heavy chains and β2-microglobulin (β2-M) was evaluated by IHC staining, with mAb HC-A2, mAb HC-10, and mAb NAMB1, respectively. The staining was scored according to its intensity.

According to their staining patterns with the three mAbs tested, normal tissues can be divided into four groups: (i) tissues displaying moderate/strong staining patterns, (ii) tissues displaying barely detectable staining patterns, (iii) tissues displaying differential staining patterns, and (iv) tissues with no detectable staining. The ubiquitous expression pattern for HLA-A, B, C heavy chain and β2-M was found only at the endothelial level; the stroma was negative except for fibroblasts in all the tissues analyzed. Our data suggest that, contrary to the general postulate, HLA class I subunit expression is not detectable in all nucleated cells. This information provides a useful background to evaluate changes in HLA class I subunit expression associated with the malignant transformation of cells.
Quantification of bowel ischaemia using real-time multispectral Single Snapshot Imaging of Optical Properties (SSOP)
Authors: Rodríguez-Luna María Rita , Okamoto Nariaki , Cinelli Lorenzo , Baratelli Luca , Ségaud Silvère , Rodríguez-Gómez Adriana , Keller Deborah S. , Zonoobi Elham , Bannone Elisa , Marescaux Jacques , Diana Michele , Gioux Sylvain
Published: November 2022

Background

Single snapshot imaging of optical properties (SSOP) is a relatively new non-invasive, real-time, contrast-free optical imaging technology, which allows for the real-time quantitative assessment of physiological properties, including tissue oxygenation (StO2). This study evaluates the accuracy of multispectral SSOP in quantifying bowel ischaemia in a preclinical experimental model.

Methods

In six pigs, an ischaemic bowel segment was created by dividing the arcade branches. Five regions of interest (ROIs) were identified on the bowel loop, as follows: ROI 1: central ischaemic; ROI 2: left marginal; ROI 3: left vascularised; ROI 4: right marginal; and ROI 5: right vascularised. The Trident imaging system, specifically developed for real-time tissue oxygenation imaging using SSOP, was used to image before (T0) and after ischaemia induction. Capillary and systemic lactates were measured at each time point (T0, T15, T30, T45, T60), as well as StO2 values acquired by means of SSOP (SSOP-StO2).

Results

The mean value of SSOP-StO2 in ROI 1 was 30.08 ± 6.963 and was significantly lower when compared to marginal ROIs (ROI 2 + ROI 4: 45.67 ± 10.02 p =  < 0.0001), and to vascularised ROIs (ROI 3 + ROI 5: 48.08 ± 7.083 p =  < 0.0001).

SSOP-StO2 was significantly correlated with normalised lactates r = − 0.5892 p < 0.0001 and with histology r =− 0.6251 p = 0.0002.

Conclusion

Multispectral SSOP allows for a contrast-free accurate assessment of small bowel perfusion identifying physiological tissue oxygenation as confirmed with perfusion biomarkers.
Varieties of visual navigation in insects
Authors: Freas Cody A. , Spetch Marcia L.
Published: November 2022

The behaviours and cognitive mechanisms animals use to orient, navigate, and remember spatial locations exemplify how cognitive abilities have evolved to suit a number of different mobile lifestyles and habitats. While spatial cognition observed in vertebrates has been well characterised in recent decades, of no less interest are the great strides that have also been made in characterizing and understanding the behavioural and cognitive basis of orientation and navigation in invertebrate models and in particular insects. Insects are known to exhibit remarkable spatial cognitive abilities and are able to successfully migrate over long distances or pinpoint known locations relying on multiple navigational strategies similar to those found in vertebrate models—all while operating under the constraint of relatively limited neural architectures. Insect orientation and navigation systems are often tailored to each species’ ecology, yet common mechanistic principles can be observed repeatedly. Of these, reliance on visual cues is observed across a wide number of insect groups. In this review, we characterise some of the behavioural strategies used by insects to solve navigational problems, including orientation over short-distances, migratory heading maintenance over long distances, and homing behaviours to known locations. We describe behavioural research using examples from a few well-studied insect species to illustrate how visual cues are used in navigation and how they interact with non-visual cues and strategies.
“Men Rule… this is the Normal Thing. We Normalise it and it’s Wrong”: Gendered Power in Decision-Making Around Sex and Condom Use in Heterosexual Relationships Amongst Adolescents and Young People in South Africa
Authors: Duby Zoe , Bergh Kate , Jonas Kim , Reddy Tarylee , Bunce Brittany , Fowler Chantal , Mathews Catherine
Published: November 2022

We examined power and decision-making in heterosexual relationships amongst South African adolescents and young people. A survey conducted with 515 adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) included items from the Sexual Relationship Power Scale (SRPS) adapted for South African women. Qualitative interviews with fifty AGYW aged between 15 and 24, and nine males aged 18 years and above, explored decision-making in heterosexual relationships, particularly relating to timing of sex and condom use. Theories of gendered power, sexual relationship power and sexual scripting were used in interpreting the data. Findings showed that the power AGYW have in sexual relationships determines their ability to use condoms, and that males generally control condom use and timing of sex. Both survey and interview data suggest that male control over female partners’ behaviour also extends beyond the sexual domain. Although while male power is pervasive and enduring, it is simultaneously contested and negotiated. Despite some young people believing that gendered power in decision-making should be equal, it is not always possible for AGYW to enact agency in the dyadic context of heterosexual relationships. Whilst adolescents and young people in South Africa move away from traditional cultural gendered expectations, relationship power inequity and hegemonic masculinities continue to legitimise men’s power over women, constraining the sexual agency of adolescent girls and young women and discouraging them from taking control of their own sexual interests and sexual health.
An open label phase II study of safety and clinical activity of naltrexone for treatment of hormone refractory metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Vijayakumar Jayanthi , Haddad Tufia , Gupta Kalpna , Sauers Janet , Yee Douglas
Published: November 2022

The opioid receptor (OR) antagonist naltrexone inhibits estrogen receptor-α (ER) function in model systems. The goal of this study was to determine the clinical activity of naltrexone in patients with ER-positive metastatic breast cancer. Patients with hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer were enrolled on a phase II study of naltrexone. An escalating dose scheme was used to reach the planned dose of 50 mg daily. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate response to therapy as measured by stabilization or reduction of the tumor Maximum Standardized Uptake Value (SUVmax) at 4 weeks by PET-CT scan. The secondary objectives included safety assessment and tumor SUVmax at 8 weeks. Out of 13 patients we enrolled, 8 patients had serial PET-CT scans that were evaluable for response. Of these 8 patients, 5 had stable or decreased SUVmax values at 4 weeks and 3 had clinical or imaging progression. Median time to progression was short at 7 weeks. Naltrexone was well tolerated. There were no discontinuations due to toxicity and no grade 3 or 4 toxicities were noted. Naltrexone showed modest activity in this short study suggesting the contribution of opioid receptors in ER-positive breast cancer. Our data do not support further development of naltrexone in hormone refractory breast cancer. It is possible that more potent peripherally acting OR antagonists may have a greater effect. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00379197 September 21, 2006).
ImageJ assessment of double-frequency YAG laser efficacy in treatment of mild lower eyelid ectropion with punctal eversion
Authors: Salamah Moustafa , Enany Hesham A. , Hegab Mohammed A. , Albialy Hani A.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To describe a simple and minimally invasive technique using double-frequency YAG laser for correction of mild medial lower eyelid ectropion with punctal eversion and assess the efficacy of the technique by measuring the tear film meniscus pre- and post-laser treatment using imageJ software.

Methods

This study included 23 eyes of 19 patients with lower eyelid ectropion with punctal eversion. All patients were treated by double-frequency YAG laser applied to lower medial conjunctiva. Tear film thickness was assessed using imageJ software pre- and post-argon laser treatment.

Results

There was a highly significant change detected after argon laser treatment as regarding the mean of the height of tear film which was found to be significantly lower after argon laser treatment compared to before it (81.1 pixels versus 193.1 pixels, respectively) (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Double-frequency YAG laser applied to lower medial palpebral conjunctiva is a simple, easy, safe, and effective procedure which can be used as a solo treatment in early cases of punctal eversion with no or mild medial canthal tendon laxity.
La lettura schellinghiana della Divina Commedia
Authors: Kelemen János
Published: November 2022

I filosofi dell’idealismo tedesco, fra cui in primo piano Schelling, hanno scoperto il significato universale di Dante per la civiltà europea. L’autore nel saggio esamina questo ruolo di Schelling. Le questioni principali che egli mette a fuoco sono le seguenti: la singolarità del genere della Comedia, il problema del rapporto della poeticità e del carattere concettuale nell’opera e il problema dell’allegorismo. Nel tratteggiare tali problemi l’autore raffronta le soluzioni di Schelling con quelle di Lajos Fülep, il seguace ungheree del filosofo tedesco, e con quelle di Gorgio Lukács. Parole chiave
Menace of informal waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling at MTN phone village, Rumukurushi, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Okwu O. , Viza E. , Hursthouse A. , Idoko L.
Published: November 2022

Waste electrical and electronic equipment has become a thing of great challenge in the city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and globally. Informal recyclers appear to be the key actors in this recycling sector in the location, but they lack the right skills and knowledge. This study sheds light on the consequences of informal recycling in the mobile telephone network phone village at Rumukurushi (a location believed to accommodate about 30 informal recyclers) in Port Harcourt. The level of education, health, and safety awareness of the informal recyclers, their willingness to obey government guidelines, and their knowledge of waste electrical and electronic equipment management were investigated. Data collection was achieved with the help of questionnaires and the analysis was done graphically. The outcome of the questionnaires administered to twenty-five (25) participants shows that the informal recyclers are more conversant with their primitive style of practice. They lack knowledge and awareness on waste electrical and electronic equipment management best practices. Other findings include the informal recyclers' lack of awareness on the use of personal protective equipment and the application of health and safety in the discharge of their duties. They are willing to obey government guidelines on waste electrical and electronic equipment management. Informal recyclers are willing to quit other waste electrical and electronic equipment management processes if they can be paid by the government for gathering them. The study recommends that the activities of the informal recyclers should be restricted to gathering only.
Oral health knowledge of Spanish breastfeeding mothers
Authors: García- Navas Fernández de la Puebl L. , Riolobos González M. F. , Chico Hernández L. , López Moreno C. , Álvarez Alonso A. , de la Cuesta Aubert A. , Reyes Ortiz A.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge of infant oral health in mothers who have breastfeeding for a period longer than 6 months.

Methods

A descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study was carried out in 1126 mothers who had breastfed for more than 6 months, using a validated questionnaire.

Results

57% of the mothers surveyed had a high or very high level of knowledge about oral health during pregnancy and breastfeeding; a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was found between this and the variables of mother's age, duration of breastfeeding, level of education and previous information received about oral health.

Conclusions

The age of the mothers is positively related to the level of oral health knowledge, the elder the mothers the higher the knowledge. Mothers with a longer duration of breastfeeding beyond 24 months have a higher degree of oral health knowledge compared to the rest of the respondents, while their level of educations was also positively related to their degree of knowledge. There is a direct relationship between mothers having received previous information on oral hygiene and their surveyed degree of knowledge.
Estimation of wheel–rail structural interactions from motion signals of high-speed train bogie
Authors: Zhao Anni , Huang Jingwen , Sun Jian-Qiao
Published: November 2022

The wheel–rail contact forces are responsible for hunting instability of high-speed train and fatigue damage of the wheel and rail. The wheel–rail contact forces are usually nonlinear, motion-dependent, time-varying and destabilizing, and cannot be directly measured when the train is in motion. In this paper, we present a useful tool for engineers to estimate the wheel–rail contact forces from train motion signals. In particular, an extended state observer is adopted to estimate the wheel–rail contact forces of a high-speed train bogie from its motion measurements. We make use of the condition for observability of the extended state observer to investigate the design of motion sensors in terms of the needed number and types. The accurate estimated wheel–rail contact forces together with the corresponding motion measurements are then used to estimate parameters of a wheel–rail contact force model with the help of recursive least squares algorithm. Extensive numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate and validate the proposed method. The research concept and proposed method of this paper are innovative. The results indicate that the extended state observer delivers excellent estimation performance for the bogie with a limited number of motion measurements. The new findings of the paper can lead to the development of new tools for engineers to use to monitor the health of wheel and rail from motion signals of the train.
Weight stigma speaks Italian, too
Authors: Muscogiuri G. , Barrea L. , Verde L. , Docimo A. , Savastano S. , Di Pauli D. , Colao A.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Weight stigma is the negative weight related attitudes and beliefs towards individuals because of their overweight or obesity. Subjects with obesity are often victim of weight-related stigma resulting in a significant negative social consequence. As obesity epidemic is growing so fast, there is urgency to act on weight-stigma related social consequences being potentially serious and pervasive. This study investigated experiences, interpersonal sources, and context of weight stigma in Italy in a sample of adult subjects with obesity.

Methods

An online questionnaire was distributed to respondents via a snowball sampling method among subjects with obesity belonging to Italian Associations for people living with obesity aged 18 years and above.

Results

Four hundred and three respondents (47.18 ± 9.44 years; body mass index (BMI) 33.2 ± 8.48 kg/m2) participated to the study. Most respondents were females (94.8%). The age first dieted was 15.82 ± 7.12 years.

The mean period of obesity was 27.49 ± 11.41 years. Frequency analyses reported that stigmatizing situations were experienced by 98% of participants: 94.82% during adulthood, 89.88% during adolescence and 75.39% during childhood. Verbal mistreatments (92.43%) was the most reported stigmatizing situation, strangers (92.43%) were the most common interpersonal sources of stigma and public settings (88.08%) were the most common location of stigma.

Conclusions

Identifying strategies acting on the identified weight stigma targets could contribute to reduce weight stigma and thus to result in important implications for obesity treatment in Italy.
Threat analysis for space information network based on network security attributes: a review
Authors: Wu Xuesong , Du Ye , Fan Tao , Guo Junyan , Ren Jie , Wu Runfang , Zheng Tianshuai
Published: November 2022

Space Information Network (SIN) is a multi-purpose heterogeneous network. Due to the large-scale of SIN, its secure and stable operation is vulnerable to various threats. Much of current threat analysis for SIN is based on the network function or architecture. However, this approach cannot clearly divide the relation between threats and secure communication measures for a highly integrated network. Furthermore, it will lead to overlapping in segregation of secure duties. This paper presents a comprehensive review of threats and corresponding solutions in SIN from the perspective of network security attributes. In order to make the analysis applicable to more scenarios, the following three most essential attributes, confidentiality, integrity and availability, are selected as the threatened objectives. At the same time, for cross-reference with the analysis based on network function or architecture, this paper relates network layers to network security attributes through secure communication mechanisms. Specifically, the confidentiality includes confidential information-exchange and Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA), the integrity includes information identification and information restoration, and the availability includes link establishment, routing mechanism, and mobility management. According to above framework, this paper provides a cross-layer perspective for analyzing threat and enhancing the security and stability of SIN. Finally, this paper concludes with a summary of challenges and future work in SIN.
Precautiously Circular: Perspectives on the Application of the Precautionary Principle in European Union Waste and Chemicals Regulation
Authors: Alaranta Joonas , Miettinen Mirella
Published: November 2022

Both the waste regulation and chemicals regulation of the European Union are based on the precautionary principle. The main objective of the chemicals regulation is to protect human health and the environment from the risk caused by hazardous chemicals. The modern waste regulation aims, among other things, at fostering the recovery of waste. These material circulation aims have been recently emphasised by introducing the ambitious circular economy objectives. Many of the waste streams contain hazardous substances that may pose risks to human health and the environment. This article examines the role of the precautionary principle in the circular economy. We argue that sustainable material circulation can only be achieved through a case-by-case application of the precautionary principle, but this also requires participatory discourse in which competing arguments, beliefs and values are openly discussed.
Organising a Chambers Information Service
Authors: Celik Michelle
Published: November 2022

This article, written by Michelle Celik, outlines some of the working practices for an information professional in a barristers' chambers, highlighting how the culture differs to that of law firms. Michelle describes how the role has evolved since she began working in a set of chambers and the impact that Covid-19 has played on information provision in recent years. She discusses the importance of external libraries to the needs of barristers and her own relationship with the staff within chambers.
Law Reviews, Open Metadata and RSS Feeds
Authors: Nishikawa-Pacher Andreas
Published: November 2022

Most scientific publications have their metadata available as freely accessible and machine-readable information at CrossRef. However, student-edited law reviews have not followed suit with this practice. Consequently, a large part of legal research remains in a blind spot for scientometric analyses and tools. The present paper, by Andreas Nishikawa-Pacher, investigates whether the law reviews’ RSS feeds could serve as equivalent sources for open scholarly metadata. The suitability of RSS feeds from 51 student-edited law reviews (as indexed in Web of Science's Social Science Citation Index) was assessed with regards to three fictitious meta-scientific applications – namely (1) a ‘latest paper’-tool that lists the law reviews’ newest publications with links, abstracts and dates, (2) an author database and (3) a calculation of the mutual citation counts among different law reviews. This paper finds that only 21 law reviews offer functional RSS feeds, and while they were suitable for a basic ‘latest papers’-tool, due to their low metadata quality they cannot aid in generating an author database or in counting the mutual citations among law reviews. The result suggests that law reviews would be advised to adopt digital object identifiers (DOIs) and start depositing openly accessible metadata, for otherwise their scholarly impact and visibility will further decline.
The Infrastructure of Engagement: Musical Aesthetics and the Rise of YouTube in India
Authors: DESAI-STEPHENS ANAAR
Published: November 2022

This article analyses the rise of YouTube in India between 2008 and 2018 by focusing on two central themes: first, shifts in digital infrastructure that enabled the widespread consumption of streaming media; and second, the importance of music-media aesthetics in supporting the platform's predominance. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and close readings of videos by significant early Indian YouTube performers, I trace how an ‘aesthetics of intimacy’ facilitated the practices of ‘engagement’ that drove YouTube's expansion and monetization. The article thus highlights the infrastructuralizing capacities of musical aesthetics as they have allowed YouTube to become the predominant online platform for the circulation of videos and attention in India and beyond. Ultimately, I suggest that scholars of digital music cultures must attend to the intertwining of aesthetics and infrastructure to gain insight into the corporate industry imaginaries that guide platform expansion in emerging digital markets.
RedDB, a computational database of electroactive molecules for aqueous redox flow batteries
Authors: Sorkun Elif , Zhang Qi , Khetan Abhishek , Sorkun Murat Cihan , Er Süleyman
Published: November 2022

An increasing number of electroactive compounds have recently been explored for their use in high-performance redox flow batteries for grid-scale energy storage. Given the vast and highly diverse chemical space of the candidate compounds, it is alluring to access their physicochemical properties in a speedy way. High-throughput virtual screening approaches, which use powerful combinatorial techniques for systematic enumerations of large virtual chemical libraries and respective property evaluations, are indispensable tools for an agile exploration of the designated chemical space. Herein, RedDB: a computational database that contains 31,618 molecules from two prominent classes of organic electroactive compounds, quinones and aza-aromatics, has been presented. RedDB incorporates miscellaneous physicochemical property information of the compounds that can potentially be employed as battery performance descriptors. RedDB’s development steps, including:(i)chemical library generation,(ii)molecular property prediction based on quantum chemical calculations,(iii)aqueous solubility prediction using machine learning, and(iv)data processing and database creation, have been described.