bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Sternal Wound Infection Post Cardiac Surgery in a Saudi Centre: A Case Control Study
Authors: Isaac Adil A.
Published: August 2022

Background: Post Cardiac Surgery Sternal Wound Infection (SWI) remains an important cause of extra morbidity, mortality and cost. The objective was to identify risk factors of SWI in a Cardiac Centre in Eastern Saudi Arabia as part of investigation into Surveillance variance in the local rates of SWI. Methods: We included Cases and controls from a cross section of patients who underwent major Cardiac surgery between 2017–2020 matched for age, gender and time of surgery. Explanatory Logistic Regression Model was fitted to estimate the risk factors. Results: N = 204 (51 cases and 153 controls matching ratio 1:3, from a source population of 985 patients). factors significantly associated with SWI in the final Multivariate Model: Hospital stay OR(1.05, Cl 1.01–1.10), Graft Conduit BIMA vs No Graft OR(10.94,Cl 1.60-74.63), transfusion of both packed cells plus other blood products vs no transfusion OR(3.53, Cl .93-13.44), HbA1c OR(1.09 Cl 0.84–1.41), BMI OR(1.25, Cl 1.04–1.50), perioperative Blood Glucose OR(1.02, Cl 1.004–1.03), surgery time OR(1.19, Cl 1.00-1.58). Conclusions: the diverse aetiology, cross disciplinary nature of SWI prevention, and despite improved prevention and control practices including related care bundles with their proven value, SWI remain a serious challenge in Cardiac Surgery. Multidisciplinary consensus guidelines are well overdue.
Ultrasmall Fe3O4 and Gd2O3 hybrid nanoparticles for T1-weighted MR imaging of cancer
Authors: Sarikhani Abolfazl , Alamzadeh Zahra , Beik Jaber , Irajirad Rasoul , Mirrahimi Mehri , Mahabadi Vahid Pirhajati , Kamrava S. Kamran , Ghaznavi Habib , Khoei Samideh
Published: August 2022

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GdCAs) have been the most frequently used T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents for decades. However, they have serious disadvantages such as low longitudinal relaxivity value (r1) and high dose associated-nephrotoxicity that restrict their wide applications. These emphasize the need for an ideal stable and biocompatible T1-weighted CA with high contrast enhancement performance. Here, we propose a wet-chemical synthesis technique to form a nanocomposite consisting of ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles (US-IO) and Gd2O3 hybrid nanoparticles stabilized with dextran (FG-HNPs) for T1-weighted MR imaging. Relaxometry study showed that FG-HNPs have a high r1 value (42.28 mM− 1S− 1) and low relaxivity ratio (r2/r1: 1.416) at 3.0 T. In vivo MRI contrast enhancement factor (ΔSNR) for FG-HNPs (257.025 ± 17.4%) was found to be 1.99-fold higher than US-IO (129.102 ± 15%) and 3.35-fold higher than Dotarem (76.71 ± 14.2%) as routinely-used T1-weighted CA. The cytotoxicity assay and histological examination confirmed the biocompatibility of FG-HNPs. The biodistribution study, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Prussian blue (PB) staining of tumor tissue proved the effective tumor localization of FG-HNPs. Therefore, FG-HNPs can be suggested as a promising CA for T1-weighted MRI of tumors by virtue of their remarkable relaxivities and high biocompatibility.
Al-doped ZnO based long range optical fibre sensor for efficient low refractive index detection
Authors: Kumar Hemant , Kumar Raj , Ramani Umang , Singh Bipin K. , Pandey Praveen C.
Published: August 2022

In this article, simulation of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based Al-doped ZnO (AZO) coated long-range low refractive index detections in infrared range sensor by the finite element method (FEM) is presented. Plasmonic material Al-doped ZnO used for SPR condition in the desired range. The effect of thickness of the AZO layers on resonance wavelength, confinement loss, and sensitivity of the proposed sensor has been examined for different analyte refractive index. These parameters do not change with AZO layers width variation. We have optimized coated AZO layer thickness 90 nm and width 124.70 µm in our work. The proposed infrared sensor has achieved refractive index sensitivity 2000-16000 nm/RIU and resolution 5.00x10-5 - 6.25x10-6 RIU for refractive index of analyte range from 1.23 to 1.37. The proposed sensor is useful for detection of low refractive index organic chemical, biomedical, liquid foods and may be used other analyte sensing applications.
Protected Wildlife Identification System using Decision Tree based on Morphological Features to Support Wildlife Conservation in Indonesia
Authors: Hermadi Irman , Wulandari Wulandari , Alikodra Hadi Sukadi , Ramadhani Ramadhani , Zulfikri Zulfikri , Tajalli Arief
Published: August 2022

Most endemic wildlife in Indonesia is under serious threat, as their habitat is lost due to forest clearing and illegal hunting by trade associations. A significant challenge that hinders law enforcement of illegal wildlife trading is the lack of knowledge and inconvenient methods for identifying the wildlife (protected or not). We suggest an identification system by implementing mobile and web applications. A decision tree is implemented in the application to identify the wildlife. Seven hundred thirty-two species listed on the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 106 of 2018 are used in this study. The decision tree for each group (mammals, aves, and herpetofauna) is developed as the classification method to find the suitable candidate species based on the given attributes. The user can select the appropriate species based on the candidate photos displayed on the application. After the user's input is processed, the application will show three species with the most similar features. 95% of the given test cases gave candidates that matched the target. For its ease of use, thus the model is implemented as a mobile application.
Hybrid Eco-friendly Coating on Bamboo Fabric through Taguchi Formulations for Flame and Thermal Resistance
Authors: Prabhakar M. N. , Ruiwen Yu , LEE Dong Woo , Song Jung-IL
Published: August 2022

The flammability of natural fibers is their main limitation in high-temperature engineering applications, a contemporary issue in the present green engineering sector. Therefore, the current investigation focused on developing fire-resistant natural fibers through surface coating with hybrid biochemicals using the Taguchi approach (L9 orthogonal array). The low-cost and eco-friendly chemicals, chitosan (CTS), sodium bicarbonate (SBC), and ammonium polyphosphate (APP), were utilized by dissolving 3 wt.% and 6 wt.% of each in an aqueous medium and coating the mixture on bamboo nonwoven fibers (BNF). The surface chemistry of the modified BNF was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of the hybrid coating on the flammability and thermal stability of the BNF was studied. The experimental results indicate that the synergistic effect of the chemicals through the intumescent mechanism effectively improved the flame resistance of BNFs. The results of the vertical burning test of the coated fibers indicated their exceptional self-flame-extinguishment, reaching the V0 level, with excellent thermal stability, and almost 40 wt.% residue at 700°C. Overall, the hybrid coat could enhance the flame-resistant properties of natural fibers, thereby overcoming the limitations of natural fibers and making them suitable for use as sub-structural components in engineering applications as reinforcements.
CD20/TNFR1 dual-targeting antibody enhances lysosome rupture-mediated cell death in B cell lymphoma
Authors: Kim Jeong Ryeol , Lee Donghyuk , Kim Yerim , Kim Joo Young
Published: August 2022

Obinutuzumab is a therapeutic antibody for B cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (BNHL), which is a glyco-engineered anti-CD20 antibody with enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and causes binding-induced direct cell death (DCD) through lysosome membrane permeabilization (LMP). Tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1), a pro-inflammatory death receptor, also evokes cell death, partly through lysosomal rupture. As both obinutuzumab- and TNFR1-induced cell deaths are mediated by LMP and combining TNFR1 and obinutuzumab can amplify LMP-mediated cell death, we made dual-targeting antibody for CD20 and TNFR1 to enhance DCD of obinutuzumab. Obinutuzumab treatment induced CD20 and TNFR1 colocalisation, and TNFR1-overexpressing cells showed increased obinutuzumab-induced DCD. Two targeting modes, anti-CD20/TNFR1 bispecific antibodies (bsAbs), and obinutuzumab-TNFα fusion proteins (OBI-TNFαWT and OBI-TNFαMUT) were designed to cluster CD20 and TNFR1 on the plasma membrane. OBI-TNFαWT and OBI-TNFαMUT showed significantly enhanced LMP, DCD, and ADCC compared with that induced by obinutuzumab. TNFR1 expression is upregulated in many BNHL subtypes compared to that in normal B cells; OBI-TNFαMUT specifically increased DCD and ADCC in a B-cell lymphoma cell line overexpressing TNFR1. Further, OBI-TNFαMUT blocked NF-κB activation in the presence of TNF-α, implying that it can antagonise the proliferative role of TNF-α in cancers. Our study suggests that dual-targeting of CD20 and TNFR1 can be a new therapeutic strategy for improving BNHL treatment. The OBI-TNFαMUT fusion protein enhances DCD and ADCC and prevents the proliferating effect of TNFα signalling; therefore, it may provide precision treatment for patients with BNHL, especially those with upregulated TNFR1 expression.
Pareto technique optimization for 3D NOC architecture
Authors: SUSHMA G , Gopalakrishnan LAKSHMINARAYANAN , KO SEOK-BUM
Published: August 2022

Network on-Chip (NoC) – the network-based communication between operational cores and intellectual property cores in a single chip – has been eliciting much interest in recent years. The major barrier to the effective design of NoCs has been high-speed data transfer and connections that are only required when necessary in massively parallel, multi-core, low-power applications. To solve these issues, a new technique called Pareto African Buffalo Optimized Mapping Weighted Directive Graph Theory (PABOMWDGT) is proposed in this study. The suggested method aims to locate efficient operational cores integrated on the device in the shortest time and demonstrate the effectiveness of 3D NoC. In this approach, a selection of IP cores from the benchmark dataset are first listed along with their connections. The mapping approach on the 3D NoC topology is optimized for the African buffalo. Random initialization of the IP cores (also known as buffalos) in the optimization technique's search space is performed. Every IP core in the population is used to estimate the various objective functions. The Pareto function is then examined using the African buffalo optimization technique of Deming Regression. A fitness metric is employed to determine the best fit. The position of the buffalos is updated and the best option is identified when one buffalo's fitness level exceeds that of the other. The process is repeated until the maximum number of iterations is reached. Then, mapping is done based on the probability. It is seen that it takes less time to develop an effective mapping of cores in the 3D NoC architecture. Experimental results show that the proposed PABOMWDGT technology is superior to state-of-art techniques with a 0.74 packet / cycle / IP block throughput, 140 clock cycle delay, and 11 ms computation time.
Higher serum uric acid with a high eGFR is associated with decreased risk of low muscle strength in aged population: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Huang Yu Cheng , Chen Si Liang , Dong Ying , Shi Ying
Published: August 2022

BackgroundWe aimed to investigate the interaction between serum uric acid levels with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to low muscle strength (LMS) in a large Chinese elderly population.MethodsCohort data were obtained from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2011 and 2015. Two thousand seven hundred forty-five community-dwelling older participants were enrolled for the follow-up. Serum uric acid was collected after 8 hours of fasting, and handgrip strength was measured with a dynamometer. eGFR was calculated with an equation based on the Chinese population. A generalized additive model was employed for interaction analysis and progressively adjusted confounders.ResultsIn this study, we found that men with a low eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m2) reported higher SUA levels (5.91 ± 1.27) and older (72.53 ± 6.38) than those who had a high eGFR while women share the same difference with a lower eGFR in higher SUA levels (5.00 ± 1.34) and older (72.81 ± 6.83). After progressively adjusting covariates, in females, the OR for higher eGFR with higher SUA level remained significantly with low muscle strength (OR=0.80 95%CI=0.68-0.95 P=0.0102). This correlation, however, was not observed in men.ConclusionsThis population-based cohort study in Chinese revealed that high serum uric acid level with higher eGFR seems to be significantly associated with a lower risk of low muscle strength in the elderly, especially in females.
Early ECMO Initiation as a Bridge for Central Airway Obstruction Patients Caused by Neck and Chest Tumors to Emergency Surgery Operations
Authors: Liang LianJing , Su ShiTong , He YaRong , Peng YaLan , Xu ShuYun , Liu Yang , Zhou YaXiong , Yu HaiFang
Published: August 2022

Background
Central airway obstruction caused by neck and chest tumors is a very dangerous oncological emergency with high mortality. Unfortunately, due to its rare literature, no clear evidences or definitive guidelines are currently available for this life-threating condition. Providing effective airway managements, adequate ventilatory and emergency surgical interventions is very important. However, traditional airway managements and respiratory support has only limited effect. Currently, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used to manage cardiac and respiratory failure. In our center, using ECMO as a novel approach to manage difficult airway has been adopted since 2021. In the present study, we aim to show the feasibility: using early ECMO to manage difficult airway, provide oxygenation and support surgical procedure for patients with critical airway stenosis caused by neck and chest tumors.
Methods
Clinical records of patients admitted for central airway obstruction caused by neck and chest tumors to the Emergency Department, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from January 2021 to December 2021 were collected. Clinico-pathological characteristics, details of ECMO, surgical management, and outcomes were analyzed.
Results
Three patients were admitted; Acute dyspnea and cyanosis were the most frequent symptoms at diagnosis. Laboratory findings showed abnormal descending arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2). Meanwhile, CT always revealed abnormal findings: central airway obstruction caused by neck and chest tumor/mass. All cases (3/3) had definite difficult airway. All cases received ECMO support immediately and emergency surgical procedure. Venovenous ECMO was the common mode for all cases. 3 patients weaned off ECMO successfully without any ECMO-related complications. Mean duration of ECMO was 3 hours (range: 1.5–4.5 hours). Under early ECMO support, difficult airway management and emergency surgical procedure were finished successfully for all cases (3/3). The mean ICU stay was 3.3 days (range: 1–7 days), and the mean general ward stay was 3.3 days (range: 2–4 days).
Effects of one-stage posterior hemivertebrectomy for hemivertebral imbalance on spinal imbalance and shoulder balance: A retrospective study
Authors: Chen Hai-Wei. , Lei Shuan-Hu. , Zhang Guang-Zhi. , Zhang Cang-Yu. , Luo Zhang-Bin. , Li Lei. , Zhu Da-Xue. , Yang Feng-Guang. , Kang Xue-Wen.
Published: August 2022

Background One-stage posterior hemivertebrectomy is widely used for the treatment of hemivertebral-induced scoliosis. However, reports on posterior hemivertebrectomy evaluating hemivertebral-induced spinal imbalance and shoulder balance remain scarce. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the effects of one-stage posterior hemivertebrectomy on spinal imbalance and shoulder balance. Methods Clinical data of 49 patients with scoliosis caused by congenitally imbalanced hemivertebra who underwent posterior hemivertebrectomy between January 2018 and March 2021 were evaluated. Radiographic parameters included sagittal Cobb angle, total main Cobb angle, coronal balance, T1 tilt angle, clavicle angle (CA), shoulder lengthdifference (RSH), T1–S1 length, sagittal kyphosis, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, sagittal vertical alignment, L1 pelvic incidence angle, sacral inclination angle, and pelvic incidence angle. After descriptive analysis, the demographic and radiological data were compared. Results The preoperative RSH, CA, and T1 tilt angles of the shoulder imbalance group were significantly different from those of the shoulder balance group (P < 0.001). After surgical treatment, shoulder imbalance was significantly improved at the last follow-up than before surgery (P < 0.05). At the last follow-up, a significant difference in the T1 tilt angle was observed between the shoulder imbalance group and shoulder balance group (P < 0.05); however, no significant differences in the RSH and CA were observed between the two groups. Surgical treatment may significantly improve shoulder imbalance caused by imbalanced hemivertebral. Additionally, thoracic and lumbar hemivertebrectomy had a greater impact on shoulder balance, and lumbar hemivertebrectomy was more likely to cause coronal and sagittal imbalances. Conclusion In patients with congenital scoliosis caused by imbalanced hemivertebra, posterior hemivertebrectomy combined with short-segment pedicle screw fixation can provide good correction of scoliotic curve, coronal and sagittal plane imbalances, and shoulder imbalance. No serious complications were observed.
Time-resolved laser-induced incandescence on metal nanoparticles: Effect of nanoparticle aggregation and sintering
Authors: Robinson-Enebeli S. , Talebi-Moghaddam S. , Daun K. J.
Published: August 2022

This work examines the excessive absorption and anomalous cooling phenomena reported in laser-induced incandescence measurements on metal nanoparticles by considering the effects of aggregate structure and sintering. Experimental investigations are conducted on iron and molybdenum aerosols, which have different melting points and thus respond differently to the laser pulse. Although aggregation enhances the absorption cross-section of the nanoparticles and allows for higher peak temperatures, this enhancement does not fully explain the observed excessive absorption. Furthermore, as the aggregates of refractory metals such as molybdenum cool, they may sinter through gradual grain boundary diffusion; this change in structure alters their absorption cross-section, manifesting as a rapid drop in the pyrometric temperature, which could explain the anomalous cooling reported for this metal.
7-Geranyloxcycoumarin enhances radiosensitivity in human prostate cancer cells
Authors: Abolhassani Yasaman , Nejabat Masoud , Talebian Seyedehsaba , Gholamhosseinian Hamid , Rassouli Fatemeh B. , Jamialahmadi Khadijeh
Published: August 2022

Background: Prostate cancer is the second most prevalent and the sixth deadliest cancer among men worldwide. To improve the efficacy of radiotherapy on prostate cancer cells, we investigated the apoptosis-inducing effects of ionizing radiation (IR) in combination with auraptene (AUR). Methods and Results: PC3 cells were pretreated with various concentrations of the synthesized AUR and then were exposed to IR. After recovery, the viability of cells was determined by alamarBlue assay. Flow cytometric analysis with annexin V and propidium iodide was performed to assess apoptosis induction. Cell viability assay indicated that the toxicity of IR was enhanced by AUR, which was also confirmed by an increased number of apoptotic cells. The expression of P53, BAX, BCL2, GATA6, and CCND1 was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). qPCR demonstrated significant overexpression of P53 and BAX, while the expression of BCL2, GATA6, and CCND1 was significantly downregulated. Conclusion: These findings suggest that AUR is able to improve the apoptosis-inducing effects of IR in prostate cancer cells. Thus, this combinatorial treatment could be considered as a potential approach for further investigations.
DYNLL1 transcript abundance decreases during oocyte and follicular growth and is associated with fertility in mice
Authors: BERKEL Caglar , CACAN Ercan
Published: August 2022

DNA repair efficiency is an important determinant of oocyte quality and female fertility. DYNLL1 (Dynein light chain 1) plays a part in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair choice by promoting t error-prone non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair and in contrast by limiting accurate and error-free homologous recombination (HR) repair. Here, we showed that DYNLL1 transcript abundance decreases gradually during oocyte and follicular growth in mice. In parallel,DYNLL1 mRNA transcript levelsdeclinesin the course of oocyte meiotic maturation in mice. Furthermore, our in silico analysis showed that ovaries from high-fertility mice with increased ovulation have decreased DYNLL1 transcript abundance compared to that of control mice. Similarly, we found that the induction of ovulation with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) decreases DYNLL1 mRNA transcript levels in cumulus oocyte complexes in mice. We hypothesize that this decrease in DYNLL1 transcript abundance during oocyte and follicular growth and in ovulation might lead to relatively higher error-free HR repair and lower error-prone NHEJ repair events in mice, resulting in increased genome stability. Increased genome stability in mice with lower DYNLL1 levels might also contribute to better fertility performance. This paper highlights the need for further in vivo and mechanistic studies to better understand the role of DYNLL1 in the maintenance of oocyte reserve and in oocyte quality and fertility.
Comorbidities in patients with uterine adenosarcoma. A single-center case series of 12 patients
Authors: Du Hui , Jiang Jingjing , Wang Zhu , Peng Hongfa
Published: August 2022

Background
Uterine adenosarcoma is a rare low-grade tumor that commonly affects elderly women and is associated with a generally good, although sometimes poor, prognosis. This study investigates the effect of comorbidities in old patients with uterine adenosarcoma.
Methods
A review of patients who had been diagnosed with uterine adenosarcoma at our institution between 2010 and 2020 was conducted. All patients underwent a specialist pathological review and were re-staged according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009 criteria. Patient demographics, staging, histologic features, primary and adjuvant therapy, disease recurrence, and survival time were collected.
Results
Twelve patients with confirmed uterine adenosarcomas were identified. Their mean age at diagnosis was 58.3 years (range, 31–83 years). Eight patients had pre-existing chronic diseases at the time of diagnosis. All 12 patients underwent surgical therapy. Of these, 10 (83.3%) were stage I, 1 (8.3%) was stage II, and 1 (8.3%) was stage III. Postoperative adjuvant therapies included chemotherapy (n = 1), radiation (n = 1), or no further therapy (n = 10). The mean follow-up duration was 39.2 months (range, 7–104 months). The recurrence and mortality rates were 16.7% (2/12) and 41.7% (5/12), respectively. Five recurrence-free patients died of comorbidities. The mean postoperative survival of these 5 patients was 22.6 months. The remaining seven patients were free of recurrence at the time of this report.
Conclusions
Comorbidities with age is a significant factor leading to poor prognosis in uterine adenosarcomas. Greater attention should be paid to elderly patients with comorbidities. Targeted interventions, including multi-professional management, tailored assessment, and follow-up, may contribute to improved well-being.
Gamma-delta T cells modulate the microbiota and fecal micro-RNAs to maintain mucosal tolerance
Authors: Rezende Rafael , Cox Laura , Moreira Thais , Liu Shirong , Boulenouar Selma , Dhang Fyonn , Leserve Danielle , Nakagaki Brenda , Lopes Juliana , Tatematsu Bruna , Lemos Luisa , Mayrink Julia , Lobo Eduardo , Guo Lydia , Kuhn Chantal , Weiner Howard
Published: August 2022

BackgroundGamma-delta (γδ) T cells are a major cell population in the intestinal mucosa and are key mediators of mucosal tolerance and microbiota composition. Little is known about the mechanisms by which intestinal γδ T cells interact with the gut microbiota to maintain tolerance.ResultsWe found that antibiotic treatment depleted intestinal γδ T cells and impaired oral tolerance, suggesting that the gut microbiota is necessary to maintain γδ T cells. We also found that mice deficient for γδ T cells (γδ−/−) developed a microbial dysbiosis that led to small intestine (SI) inflammation and impaired tolerance. Accordingly, colonizing WT mice with γδ−/− microbiota resulted in SI inflammation and loss of tolerance whereas colonizing γδ−/− mice with WT microbiota ameliorated inflammation and restored mucosal tolerance. Moreover, we found that SI γδ T cells shaped the gut microbiota and regulated intestinal homeostasis by secreting the fecal micro-RNA let-7f. Importantly, oral administration of let-7f to γδ−/− mice decreased inflammation and rescued mucosal tolerance by promoting the growth of the γδ−/− microbiota depleted microbe Ruminococcus gnavus.ConclusionsTaken together, we demonstrate that γδ T cell-selected microbiota is necessary and sufficient to promote mucosal tolerance, which is mechanistically linked to γδ T cell secretion of fecal micro-RNAs.
On the fractal properties of Cosmic Rays and Sun Dynamics Cross-Correlations
Authors: Porta David Sierra
Published: August 2022

We investigate the cosmic rays and ten physical parameters of heliosphere behavior considering the scaling features of their temporal evolution. Our analysis start with the cosmic rays measurements by a neutron monitor station located in Moscow, as well sunspot, Ap index, Na/Np, Alfven mach number, DST index, Kp index, Plasma beta β, Proton temperature, F10.7 index and Field magnitude B (Interplanetary Magnetic Field, IMF), for the period 1976 to early 2020. Each of these datasets was analyzed by using the Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis and Multifractal Detrended Cross-Correlation Analysis in order to investigate intrinsic properties, like self-similarity and the spectrum of singularities. The main result obtained is that the cosmic rays time series as well the 10 hiospheric parameters exhibit positive long-range correlations with multifractal behavior.
Rubric co-construction in medical and allied health education: Students’ and teachers' perceptions
Authors: Kilgour Andrew , Morton Jason , Cloete Linda , Dawson Sonja , Northcote Maria
Published: August 2022

[100 to 250 words] The process of constructing assessment rubrics has traditionally been the responsibility of academic staff who teach into undergraduate university degrees. While many educational researchers and theorists have long recommended the need for students and teachers to work together to co-construct assessment rubrics, few empirical studies have explored the reality of such partnerships. Furthermore, past studies have recommended engaging higher education students in various stages of assessment. Many have focused particularly on the mid and latter stages of the assessment process, including the preparation of assessment submissions and the distribution and interpretation of assessment feedback, but neglect earlier involvement. To address this gap, this study engaged students and teachers in the early stage of assessment design, at the point where assessment rubrics are created. Using a mixed methods approach, students and teachers from three health-related cohorts were surveyed and interviewed after rubric co-construction, and again after use of the co-constructed rubric, to document their experiences. Overall, students and teachers recommended the practice of co-construction, valued the experience, and in the process, gained more insight into each others’ needs. Students benefited by understanding what was required of them in their assessment tasks, and teachers were provided with opportunities to clarify their learning expectations.
Expression of complexes I, II and IV in the SGNs of noise-stimulated rats was decreased, and mitochondrial energy metabolism was disturbed, mediating the damage and degeneration of SGNs
Authors: Ding Zhong-Jia , Wang Yin , Wang Ren-Feng , Mi Wen-Juan , Qiu Jian-Hua , Zha Ding-Jun
Published: August 2022

Noise-induced hearing impairment can mediate delayed injury of spiral neurons (SGNs), resulting in degeneration of nerve fibers, synaptic degeneration and even death of SGNs. We believe that delayed injury is related to mitochondrial energy metabolism disorders. Therefore, we investigated ATP and the electron transport chain (ETC) in rat SGNs after noise injury and found that with prolonged injury time, ATP synthesis and the expression of complexes II and IV decreased, indicating the functional decline of the ETC. The maintenance of ETC function is related to subunit import and assembly of the complex. The disulfide relay mechanism controlled by the apoptosis inducing factor/coiled-coil-helix-coiled-coil-helix domain-containing protein 4(AIF/CHCHD4) pathway can regulate mitochondrial protein import. The results showed that AIF expression in SGNs decreased after noise exposure, indicating that noise damage to SGNs can restore intramitochondrial protein input by downregulating the AIF/CHCHD4 pathway, hindering ETC function; insufficient ETC function is a possible reason for the delayed injury of SGNs.
Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist improves respiratory mechanics in patients with intra-abdominal hypertension
Authors: Kang Xiuwen , Zhang Chenying , Wang Wan , Hu Rong , Mu Zhifang , Li Yong , Shen Yeju , Liu Suxia , Gu Caihong , Xu Huiling
Published: August 2022

Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) is a new ventilator mode, which collects the electrical activity of diaphragm (EAdi) and provides proportional pressure. The relationship between intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and EAdi still needs to be elucidated. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of EAdi on IAH and to assess whether NAVA is a suitable ventilation mode for patients with IAH.The patients were divided into non-IAH-NAVA (NIAH-NAVA) group (10 cases), IAH-NAVA group (10 cases), and IAH-PSV group (10 cases). The asynchrony index was also recorded for 30 minutes after enrollment. After 24 hours, the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), EAdi, NAVA level, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), static lung compliance (CSt), plateau pressure (Pplat), airway pressure (Paw), driving pressure (Pdriv), respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (VTi), pH, PaO2, PaCO2, and oxygenation index (OI) values were monitored. We also recorded the duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of ICU stay. Patients with IAH had lower EAdi values, and there was a negative correlation between them. In patients with IAH, the NAVA level values were higher, the CSt value was lower, and the Pplat, Paw, PEEP and Pdriv values were increased. Compared with the PSV group, the CSt value was increased and the Pplat, Paw, PEEP and Pdriv values were reduced in the NAVA group. RR value was higher in patients with IAH, while VTi value was reduced. In the NAVA group, the asynchrony index was lower than that in the PSV group. In patients with IAH, the duration of mechanical ventilation in the NAVA group was shorter than that time in the PSV group, however, the length of ICU stay had no differences between the two groups. Our study found a negative correlation between IAP and EAdi. the NAVA level values were higher, the CSt value was lower, and the Pplat, Paw, PEEP and Pdriv values were increased in patients with IAH.However, NAVA could be used to improve respiratory mechanics and reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation in patients with IAH, also improve the asynchrony. Trial registration: Registered in Clinical Trials under number ChiCTR1900022218 and approved by the Ethics Committee of The First' People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, protocol number ky20180520001.
Towards the sustainable decommissioning of fixed platforms by aligning ecosystem services and wind generation: a Brazilian case
Authors: Barboza Douglas Vieira , Meiriño Marcelo Jasmim , Barros Sérgio Ricardo da Silveira
Published: August 2022

Brazilian legislation, as well as others around the world, determines that oil platforms, mainly fixed, must be decommissioned at the end of the feasibility of exploring the oil field, however, it is not common to consider the loss of ecosystem services that sustain life, the biodiversity and make resources available to humans. Considering the importance of the ecosystems that developed in the substructures of platforms, this work proposes a solution to maintain ecosystem services together with the development of clean, economically viable wind energy generation. For this, a proposal is built based on climatological, geographic, and wind power generation market data that seeks to demonstrate the financial viability of the specific case of the Robalo 1 Platform, which is located about 50 kilometers from other platforms to be decommissioned, in the Sergipe-Alagoas Basin, Brazil. It was found that when minimally valuing ecosystem services such as artificial reefs and integrating wind generation for the sustainable decommissioning of the fixed platform substructure. From the point of view of net present value, the project proves to be viable.
Patient engagement in balanced scorecard and the influence of patient experiences on their attitudes- An implication at Palestinian hospitals
Authors: Amer Faten , Neiroukh Haroun , Abuzahra Sa’ed Enan , AlHabil Yazan , Afifi Mufeeda , Shellah Duha , Boncz Imre , Endrei Dóra
Published: August 2022

Introduction
The balanced scorecard (BSC) was implemented to improve hospitals’ performance evaluations (PE) in the last 30 years. BSC consists of six perspectives: financial, customer, internal, external, knowledge and growth, and managerial. However, patients were seldom engaged in such implementations. This research aims to engage Palestinian patients in BSC implementations.
Methodology
This is a cross-sectional study. We collected data between January and October 2021 using the printed BSC-PATIENT survey. We evaluated the patients’ experiences and attitudes toward BSC dimensions (BSCP ATT). The differences in evaluations based on admission status were also analyzed using the Mann‒Whitney U test. Additionally, we analyzed the causal relationships between patients’ experiences and attitudes using multiple linear regression, and the multicollinearity of the model was tested. Finally, the path analysis was performed to understand the BSC strategic maps based on the Palestinians’ evaluations.
Results
The mean scores for Palestinian patient experiences evaluation showed that the services experience factor had the highest score (87.7 ± 17.7), and the patient care experience factor had the lowest score (57 ± 34.5). The patient experiences collectively predicted 56.4% of the variance in the BSCP ATT. The experiences factors of information (β = 0.400, t = 13.543, P < 0.001), patient care (β = 0.241, t = 8.061, P < 0.001), services (β = 0.176, t = 6.497, P < 0.001), and building (β = 0.177, t = 6.308, P < 0.001) had the highest impact on BSCP ATT. The price had only a weak negative influence (β=-0.051, t=-2.040, P = 0.042). Accessibility to hospitals did not have any impact on BSCP ATT. Significant differences between inpatient and outpatients’ evaluations in regard to experiences related to patient care (P = 0.042), services (P < 0.001), accessibility (P < 0.001), and BSCP ATT (P = 0.003) were found.
Conclusion
Managers of Palestinian hospitals should prioritize enhancing the patient experience, particularly the information experience. The importance of patient education programs and information sharing with patients cannot be overstated. Other experiences as patient care, services, and building are also significant. By focusing on separate evaluations of patients' experiences and attitudes, the BSC strategic maps will be easier to understand from the patients' point of view. BSC-PATIENT survey may assist hospitals managers in achieving this objective and enhancing their action plans. Palestinian hospitals must enhance patients’ feedback and engagement culture.
Host or pathogen primed bacterial consortia alters microbial community structures in Arabidopsis roots and suppresses Fusarium oxysporum
Authors: Kudjordjie Enoch Narh , Sapkota Rumakanta , Nicolaisen Mogens
Published: August 2022

Background: The plant-associated microbiota confers beneficial traits to the plant host that promote growth and prevents disease. It is, however, not fully understood how the host, and pathogens, modulate the assembly of the associated microbiota. In this work, we investigated the effects of inoculation with bacterial consortia (BCs) that had been primed with either the host plantArabidopsis thalianaalone or by a combination of the host and the pathogenFusarium oxysporumf. sp.mathioli(FOM), on the root-associated microbiota and FOM. We used 16S rRNA and ITS amplicon sequencing for profiling root bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. qPCR was employed for the assessmentof FOM quantities in the shoots ofArabidopsis.Results:Our results showed distinct effects of host or pathogen primed BCs on microbial community structures and networks. The host-primed BCs inhibited FOM proliferation in shoots, distinctively affected rhizo-microbial community structures and further enhanced the connectivity of the microbial networks. Beneficial bacterial genera includingFlavobacterium,Azospirillum,MassiliaandPedobacterwere significant biomarkers in the samples inoculated with host-primed BCs and could potentially be involved in FOM antagonism. Likewise, FOM-primed BCs reduced FOM in the shoots ofArabidopsisand altered microbial networks. Bacterial taxa Bacteriodetes,Flavobacteriumand Chthoniabacteraceae and the fungal,Exophialaand Phaeosphaeriaceae were the most enriched biomarker taxa in the samples treated with FOM-primed BCs. Moreover, the host genotype effect was significant in overall microbial community network structuring and could contribute to resistance to FOM pathogens.Conclusions:Altogether, these findings deepen our understanding of both host- and pathogen-priming on plant-associated microbiomes, thus, revealing pivotal engineering routes in exploring microbiomes to manage plant diseases.
Security Enhancement and PaaS platform Authentication in Cloud Computing based On SBA
Authors: Vankdothu Ramdas , Hameed Mohd Abdul
Published: August 2022

One of the most challenging security requirements in a PaaS platform setting is authentication. We provide a new signature-based authenticated key establishment approach for PaaS platform security improvement in this study. It adds a feature to increase confidentiality and non-repudiation by requiring the sender to sign a specific action while sending data from one user to another. It’s signed with the transaction’s private key and a public-key value-based signature generated with the transaction’s public key. Use the public key value-based signature that was generated to authenticate this operation, and the hashing process assures that the operation is immutable. Our proposed solution delivers improved data security, throughput, reaction speed, and a reduction in end-to-end delay and overhead when compared to existing methodologies. The results of the experiments reveal that the proposed system achieves a superior outcome to the existing methods. This project makes use of the MATLAB platform.
Jurisprudence and the Emergence of the Auxiliary Sciences of History in the 16th-18th Centuries
Authors: Логинов А.В. , Щекочихина М.А.
Published: August 2022

В статье рассматривается возникновение метода критики источников в Раннее Новое время. Поскольку возникновение критики грамот было вызвано необходимостью определять юридическую подлинность документов, она испытала сильнейшее влияние права. Делается вывод о влиянии норм Corpus Iuris Civilis на дискуссии об определении подлинности документов в трактатах юристов и учёных-эрудитов, занимавшихся определением подлинности грамот как исторических источников.

The article focuses on the emergence of the method of historical criticism in the Early Modern Age. Since the emergence of criticism was caused by the need to determine authenticity of documents, it experienced the strongest influence of law. The article concludes about the influence of the Corpus Iuris Civilis norms on the discussions regarding the determination of the authenticity of documents in the treatises of lawyers and scholars, who were specifically engaged in determining the authenticity of letters as historical sources.
Freethinking of the 17th Century: Edward Herbert’s Philosophy
Authors: Сорокина Т.Б.
Published: August 2022

В работе характеризуются взгляды Эдварда Герберта – английского философа, политика и общественного деятеля первой половины XVII в. Автор анализирует основные положения философской системы Э. Герберта, отмечая логическую связь между теорией познания и философией религии. Показано, что гносеологический объективизм Герберта явился основанием для его деистических идей, главной из которых стала идея «естественной религии». Автор считает заслугой Герберта попытку обосновать объективные основы и критерии познания, соединить его когнитивные и ценностные начала, подчеркнуть системное взаимодействие всех элементов.

In the work are characterized by philosophical views of Edward Herbert – English philosopher, politician and public figure of the first half of the 17th century. The author of the article analyzes the basic provisions of the philosophical system of E. Herbert, noting the logical connection between the theory of cognition and the philosophy of religion. It is shown that Herbert's epistemological objectivism was the basis for his deistic ideas, the main of which was the idea of "natural religion". The author considers Herbert's merit to try to substantiate objective basics and criteria of cognition, to combine his cognitive and value principles, to emphasize the systemic interaction of all elements.
The Long 60s and the New Left in Argentina: The Crisis of Marxism and the Latin American Theory of Social Development
Authors: Щелчков А.А.
Published: August 2022

В истории общественной мысли Латинской Америки 1960-е гг. являются периодом разрыва с традиционными общественными течениями и появления новых течений, определивших будущее развитие интеллектуальной и социально-политической жизни стран континента. Важнейшим элементом этого процесса был кризис традиционных левых, марксизма в его «коминтерновской» форме и появление влиятельного и чрезвычайно продуктивного течения «новых левых», предложивших обновление марксизма, его синтез с современными направлениями историографии, социологии, психологии и философии. Данная работа посвящена истории «новых левых» в Аргентине, где это течение стало доминирующим в общественной мысли, оказало огромное влияние на политику этой страны в конце ХХ – начале ХХI века.

In the history of social thought in Latin America the period of the 60s of the XXth century is a period of break with traditional ideological trends and the emergence of new trends that determined the future development of the intellectual and socio-political life of the countries of the region. The most important element of this process was the crisis of the traditional left, Marxism in its "Comintern" form and the emergence of an influential and extremely productive trend of the "New Left" who proposed a renewal of Marxism, its synthesis with modern trends in historiography, sociology, psychology and philosophy. This work is devoted to the history of the "New Left" in Argentina, where this trend became dominant in public thought, had a huge impact on the politics of this country in the late XXth – early XXI century.
Ernesto Guevara’s Position in the Economic Debate on Cuba in 1960-s
Authors: Арабаджян А.З.
Published: August 2022

В статье рассматриваются взгляды Эрнесто Гевары на управление экономикой Кубы, артикулированные им в ходе экономической дискуссии первой половины 1960-х гг. Эта полемика развернулась между сторонниками системы бюджетного финансирования, среди которых находился Гевара, и последователями системы хозяйственного расчета (самофинансирования). Позиция Гевары отражала приверженность марксизму с опорой на работы Маркса, Энгельса, Ленина. С его точки зрения, социалистическое строительство предполагало качественный переход к новой системе категорий, ключевым звеном которой было централизованное планирование, что радикально от-личало ее от выведенной в «Капитале» системы категорий капитализма. Противники Гевары утверждали, что в период социалистического строительства применение категорий капиталистического способа производства не только возможно, но и необходимо для обеспечения более высокой эффективности производства. Гевара применял теорию на практике, занимая пост министра промышленности, и распространил ее на предприятия, находящиеся в компетенции его министерства. Автор исследует основные источники, отражающие позицию Гевары, а также теоретические работы классиков марксизма и сторонников хозрасчета. Вводятся в оборот архивные материалы (РГАЭ), отражающие ряд аспектов развития системы планирования Кубы.

The paper covers Ernesto Guevara’s views on managing the economy of Cuba which he expressed in the economic debate in the first half of 1960s. Participating in this discussion as a proponent of the budgetary finance system Guevara opposed advocates of the auto-financing system. During the debate he appealed to Marxist theory relying on original works of Marx, Engels and Lenin. From Guevara’s perspective, constructing socialism meant a transition to a qualitatively new system of categories among which centralized planning was the crucial one. Thus, this new system was utterly different from the one which was revealed by Marx in Das Kapital when the German scientists focused on capitalist mode of production. On the contrary, Guevara’s opponents highlighted that socialist construction could and should count on categories which functioned on the capitalist phase in order to promote efficiency. Being the Minister of Industries, Guevara brought his theory into practice at the production units that belonged to his Ministry. The author investigates several fundamental articles written by Guevara during the polemics, other sources the show Guevara’s vision of socialism and works of theoreticians whose ideas were used by the debaters. The paper also introduces archival materials (Russian State Archive of the Economy) that reveal some peculiarities of Cuban planning system formation.
Anti-Semitism in Pre-Revolutionary Russia in the Mirror of Hollywood as a Resource for Constructing an Anti-Image of the USSR
Authors: Белов С.И.
Published: August 2022

Статья посвящена исследованию эксплуатации темы антисемитизма в дореволюционной России в рамках конструирования негативного образа СССР силами американских кинематографистов в период «холодной войны». Образ «русских-антисеми-тов» претерпел существенную эволюцию. Первоначально в качестве движущей силы репрессий и инициаторов дискриминационных практик обозначались истеблишмент, духовенство и политическое руководство Российской империи. Однако в 1980-х гг. «образ врага» подвергся примитивизации, воплотившись в образе казака, соответст-вующем архетипичным представлениям о «варварах-разрушителях».

The presented research is devoted to the exploitation of the topic of anti-Semitism in pre-revolutionary Russia within the framework of constructing a negative image of the USSR by American filmmakers during the Cold War. The image of “Russian anti-Semites” has undergone significant evolution. Initially, the establishment, clergy and political leadership of the Russian Empire were identified as the driving force of repression and initiators of discriminatory practices. However, in the 1980s. “The image of the enemy” underwent primitivization, embodied in the image of a Cossack, corresponding to the archetypal ideas about “barbarians-destroyers”.