bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
"I was just concerned about getting pregnancy”: Attitudes toward Pregnancy and Contraceptive Use Among Adolescent Girls in Thika, Kenya
Authors: Daniel Afkera Kesete , Casmir Edinah , Oluoch Lynda , Micheni Murugi , Kiptinness Catherine , Wald Anna , Mugo Nelly Rwamba , Roxby Alison C. , Ngure Kenneth
Published: November 2022

Background
Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) have a high incidence of unplanned pregnancies especially in low resource settings. AGYW assess overlapping risks of pregnancy, contraception, and STIs as they navigate relationships. Few studies have examined how AGYW consider comparative risks of their decisions around sexual and reproductive health in this context and how risk perception influences contraceptive use.
Methods
The Girls Health Study (GHS) is a longitudinal cohort study in Thika, Kenya assessing HSV-2 incidence in a cohort of AGYW aged 16–20 with not more than one lifetime sexual partners. Twenty in-depth interviews (IDIs) and 5 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with a purposively selected subset of sexually active AGYW enrolled in the parent cohort. IDI interview guide focused on perspectives and decision-making around sexual and reproductive health. IDIs were conducted in both English and Kiswahili, transcribed and coded using inductive and deductive approaches to identify emergent themes.
Results
Participants described unintended pregnancies as undesirable, and AGYW reported prioritizing contraceptive methods that were effective and reliable in pregnancy prevention, even if not effective in preventing STI/HIV infection. Misconceptions about long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), injectables, and daily oral contraceptive pills strongly disincentivized their use, with many AGYW citing concerns about infertility and structural damage to reproductive organs as deterrents. Though unlikely to use daily or long-term contraceptive methods in anticipation of sexual activity, participants reported that AGYW relied heavily on emergency contraceptive (EC) pills to prevent pregnancy immediately after unprotected sex.
Conclusions
Our research demonstrated that desire to avoid pregnancy was common, yet on its own was not enough to motivate uptake of long-term contraceptives. However, AGYWs generally favored the use of EC pills to prevent unintended pregnancy due to the EC pill’s convenience, cost-effectiveness and lower perceived risk of side effects. Understanding reasons for AGYW’s acceptance of the EC pill can help future interventions better target communication and counseling about contraceptives to influence key drivers of AGYW behavior and decision-making around sexual and reproductive health.
A new dynamics analysis model for five-axis machining of curved surface based on dimension reduction and mapping
Authors: Guo Minglong , wei zhaocheng , Wang Minjie , Zhao Zhiwei , Liu Shengxian
Published: November 2022

The equipment used in various fields contain an increasing number of parts with curved surfaces of increasing size. Five-axis CNC (Computer Numerical Control) milling is the main parts machining method, while dynamics analysis has always been a research hotspot. The cutting conditions determined by the cutter axis, tool path, and workpiece geometry are complex and changeable, which has made dynamics research a major challenge. For this reason, this paper introduces the innovative idea of applying dimension reduction and mapping to the five-axis machining of curved surfaces, and proposes an efficient dynamics analysis model. To simplify the research object, the cutter position points along the tool path were discretized into inclined plane five-axis machining. The cutter dip angle and feed deflection angle were used to define the spatial position relationship in five-axis machining. These were then taken as the new base variables to construct an abstract two-dimensional space and establish the mapping relationship between the cutter position point and space point sets to further simplify the dimensions of the research object. Based on the in-cut cutting edge solved by the space limitation method, the dynamics of the inclined plane five-axis machining unit were studied, and the results were uniformly stored in the abstract space to produce a database. Finally, the prediction of the milling force and vibration state along the tool path became a data extraction process that significantly improved efficiency. Two experiments were also conducted which proved the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed dynamics analysis model. This study has great potential for the online synchronization of intelligent machining of large surfaces.
Temperature variations in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere during geomagnetic storms with disparate durations at high latitudes
Authors: Wei Guanchun , Lu Jianyong , Wang Wenbin , Tian Yufeng , Li Jingyuan , Xiong Shiping , Sun Meng , Shen Fuzhen , Li Zheng , Zhang Hua , Cui Jingqi , Yang Chaolei , Yao Jingrui , Jiang Shuwen , Zhu Zhixin , Wang Jingye
Published: November 2022

Using the temperature data observed from SABER (the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry), we investigate the response of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) to two medium geomagnetic storms with disparate durations, on 20 April 2018 and 10 April 2022. The high-latitude MLT temperature increases can reach 40 K during April 2018 geomagnetic storm with a longer duration (Kp greater than 4 for 15 hours), while the temperature variations are less than 10 K for the April 2022 storm (Kp greater than 4 for 6 hours). To investigate the different temperature responses to disparate geomagnetic storm durations and understand what physical process results in this difference, we simulated the two events using the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIMEGCM). The simulations show that more particles and energy input in longer-duration geomagnetic storms produce larger ion drag force and pressure gradient force at ~130 km, and then the enhanced two forces cause faster horizontal wind leading to larger horizontal divergence. Subsequently, the stronger downward vertical wind is transported to the MLT region (below 110 km) and ultimately makes greater temperature increases through adiabatic heating/cooling and vertical advection. Therefore, for the medium storms, the effects of the storm’s duration on the MLT temperature are more important than the storm’s intensity.
Towed wheel shimmy suppression through a nonlinear tuned vibration absorber
Authors: Habib Giuseppe , Epasto Alberto
Published: November 2022

The implementation of the nonlinear tuned vibration absorber (NLTVA) for the suppression of shimmy vibration in towed wheels is addressed in this study. We adopt a modified straight tangent tyre model of a single-degree-of-freedom towed wheel system with an attached NLTVA. Stability analysis illustrated that the NLTVA can significantly improve the stability of the equilibrium of the wheel. Bifurcation analysis highlighted the existence of large bistable regions, which undermines the system’s safety. However, numerical continuation analysis, coupled with a dynamical integrity investigation, revealed that the addition of an intentional softening nonlinearity in the absorber restoring force characteristic enables the complete suppression of the bistable regions, also reducing the amplitude of shimmy oscillations in the unstable region. Quasiperiodic motions were also identified; however, their practical relevance seems marginal.
High Positivity Yield of Hiv Index Case Testing in Mamfe Health District, South West Region, Cameroon
Authors: Enongene Mekolle Julius , Tshimwanga Katayi Edouard , Asongwe Mboh Khan Eveline , Bedifeh Bernard Atembeh , Boeyeo Forsi , Chuyum Aseh Christian , Agbornkwai Agbor Nyenty
Published: November 2022

Background: Index testing (IT) is a voluntary process whereby HIV seropositive clients are counselled and, after obtaining consent, their sexual and needle sharing partners are offered HIV testing services. IT has been associated with high HIV positivity rate. The aim of this study is to determine the positivity rate and factors influencing IT yield among sexual partners (SP) of newly diagnosed Index client (IC) at Mamfe District Hospital (MDH).
Methods: Records of all newly diagnosed HIV positive clients with an outcome for IT in MDH between July and September 2021, were reviewed retrospectively. Data were collected using a chart abstraction template from the IT registers. Analyses were done using the R Software Package version 4.0.4. Chi-square was used to test association between different groups at a significance level of p<0.01.
Results: Records of 133 consecutive newly diagnosed IC, 48.1% males vs 51.9% females and their 156 listed SP, 50.6% males vs 49.4% females were reviewed. Mean ages of the IC and SP were 39±10 and 37±11 years respectively and a majority of IC (39.9%) and SP (42.9%) were in the 35-44 years age group. 37.2% (58/156) of partners tested positive for HIV and were all linked to antiretroviral therapy. All SP were notified by provider referral method. HIV results of both male and female partners were not significantly associated with age group (p>0.05). HIV positivity rate of 42.9% (33/77) in female partners was not significantly higher than 31.6% (25/79) in male partners (p>0.05)
Conclusions: The positivity rate of IT among both male and female SP of new IC was high with no significance difference. Most of the IC and SP were aged 35-44 years and essentially in heterosexual relationship. Prioritizing and sustaining IT to partners of new IC using provider referral is a veritable strategy and need to be implemented with fidelity to increase case finding in order to boost ART uptake especially in the age group 35-44.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anxious and Depressive Symptoms in First-trimester Females and Their Partners: a study in the post-pandemic era of COVID-19 in China
Authors: Qin Xuemei , Zhang Weiling , Xu Shuyin , Ma Mohan , Fan Xing , Nie Xueqing , Liu Jin , Ju Yumeng , Zhang Li , Li Lingjiang , Zhang Yan , Liu Bangshan
Published: November 2022

Background: The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 lastingly affects public mental health. Many studies have described symptoms of anxiety and depression in pregnant women during the pandemic. However, limited study focuses on the prevalence and risk factors of mood symptoms among females and their partners during early pregnancy in the post-pandemic era in China, which was the aim of the study and could promote clinical attention and suggest possible directions for intervention.
Methods: One hundred and sixty-nine first-trimester couples were enrolled. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item, Family Assessment Device-General Functioning (FAD-GF), and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) were applied. Data were mainly analyzed through the binominal logistic regression analysis.
Results: 17.8% and 5.9% of first-trimester females had depressive and anxious symptoms, respectively. Among partners, 12.4% and 9.5% had depressive and anxious symptoms, respectively. In females, higher scores of FAD-GF (OR= 5.461 and 14.759; P< 0.05) and lower scores of Q-LES-Q-SF (OR= 0.830 and 0.715; P< 0.01) were related to the risk of depressive and anxious symptoms. A history of smoking and higher scores of FAD-GF were associated with the risk of depressive and anxious symptoms in partners (OR = 4.906 and 6.885; P< 0.05).
Conclusions: This study prompted still prominent mood symptoms in the post-pandemic era. Family functioning, quality of life, or a smoking history increased risks of mood symptoms among early pregnant families, which might facilitate the updating of medical intervention. However, the current study did not further explore interventions based on these findings.
Water-soluble quaternized copolymers as eco-friendly cationic modifiers of cotton fabrics for salt-free reactive dyeing applications
Authors: Tsimpouki Loukia , Papapetros Konstantinos , Anastasopoulos Charalampos , Sygellou Labrini , Soto-Beobide Amaia , Andrikopoulos Konstantinos S. , Voyiatzis George A. , BOKIAS GEORGIOS , Kallitsis Joannis K.
Published: November 2022

Abstract
The modification of cotton fabrics with water-soluble cationic copolymers for salt-free dyeing applications with reactive dyes is explored in the present work. To this end, a family of bifunctional water-soluble cationic copolymers was designed through the chemical modification of poly(4-vinyl benzyl triethylammonium chloride), PVBC, with triethylamine, TEAM. These copolymers were applied onto cotton fabrics in aqueous alkaline solutions at moderate temperature (60oC). The successful cotton modification was verified through the characterization of the modified samples with Raman and XPS spectroscopy. Moreover, a polymer coverage of the fabric of the order of 0.1% (w/w) was estimated following the polymer exhaustion through UV-vis spectroscopy of the aqueous solutions used for the modification. The modification kinetics were followed through the evolution of the Raman spectra of the modified fabrics, the polymer exhaustion of the aqueous modification solutions and, indirectly, the dye exhaustion of the dyebaths using a reactive dye, namely Novacron Ruby NRS-3B. All techniques claim that fabric modification is practically accomplished within the first 1-2h. The double functionality of the copolymers was explored through the XPS study of the modified fabrics, revealing that both electrostatic binding and covalent bonding of the cationic copolymers with the anionic surface of the fabric are expected to take place. As an important consequence, the polymer-modified fabrics are strongly dyed under eco-friendlier conditions, namely in salt-free alkaline solutions at room temperature, in contrast to the barely dyed unmodified fabric.
Graphical Abstract
Severe community-acquired Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterial meningitis: Clinical and prognostic picture from the intensive care unit
Authors: Cerezuela María Martín , Lizarazu Maialen Aseginolaza , García Patricia Boronat , Martín María José Asensio , Laguarda Gisela Alamán , Lerma Francisco Álvarez , Alonso David Roa , Socias Lorenzo , Artázcoz Paula Vera , Galleymore Paula Ramírez
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND
Severe community-acquired pneumococcal meningitis is a medical emergency. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the epidemiology, management and outcomes of this condition.
METHODS
Retrospective, observational and multicenter cohort study. Sixteen Spanish intensive care units were included. Demographic, clinical and microbiological variables in critically ill adults with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis were evaluated. Clinical response was evaluated at 72h after antibiotic treatment initiation and meningitis complications, length of stay and 30-day mortality were also recorded.
RESULTS
In total, 255 patients were included. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture was positive in 89.7%; 25.7% were non-susceptible to penicillin, and 5.2% were non-susceptible to ceftriaxone or cefotaxime. The most frequent empiric antibiotic regimen was third-generation cephalosporin (47.5%) plus vancomycin (27.8%) or linezolid (12.9%). A steroid treatment regimen was administered to 88.6% of the patients. Clinical response was achieved in 65.8% of patients after 72 h of antibiotic treatment. Multivariate analysis identified two factors associated with early treatment failure: invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 12.66; 95% CI 1.90–84.55, p = 0.009) and septic shock (OR: 11.44; 95% CI 1.74–75.26, p = 0.011). The 30-day mortality rate was 13.7%. Only two factors were independently associated with 30-day mortality: Delay in start of antibiotic treatment (OR: 26.54; 95% CI 1.01–67.69, p = 0.049) and Sepsis related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (OR: 1.59; 95% CI 1.11–2.27, p = 0.011). Neurological complications appeared in 124 patients (48.63%).
CONCLUSIONS
Mortality rate in critically ill patients with pneumococcal meningitis is lower than previously reported. Delay in antibiotic treatment following admission is the only amendable factor associated with mortality.
WITHDRAWN: The Factors Affecting COVID-19 Incidences and Deaths of Geriatric Hospital Patients in Korea: Using Castle & Engberg’s Framework
Authors: shin juh hyun , Jung Sun Ok , Lee Kyeong Hun
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effect of organizational factors and nursing staff in geriatric hospitals on COVID-19 incidences and deaths. This study is a retrospective study using secondary data from governments nationwide in Korea. We used the number of COVID-19-confirmed cases and deaths among geriatric hospital patients and nurse staffing levels. When the registered nurse (RN) level was higher than the sample mean, the number of COVID-19-confirmed cases by geriatric hospital was significantly lower (4.302%; p = .049) and the number of deaths by geriatric hospitals was marginally significantly lower (1.436%; p = .053). This study presented the national description of geriatric hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic for patients in terms of organizational and nursing staff factors. Our findings highlight the impact of nurse staffing skill mix and the number of geriatric hospitals related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea. It is necessary to allocate a realistic designation of infection-control staff and establish a clear standard so infection-control activities in geriatric hospitals can proceed systematically.
Dynamical Mechanism of Parkinsonian Beta Oscillation in a Heterogenous Subthalamopallidal Network
Authors: Wang Xiaomin , Yu Ying , Han Fang , Wang Qingyun
Published: November 2022

Dysfunction of basal ganglia (BG) is associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) including alteration of firing rate and excessive beta-band (13-30Hz) synchronization activity. Neuronal heterogeneity enriches dynamics of the nucleus, and heterogeneous external globus pallidus (GPe) neurons exhibit remarkable differences in discharge altering under pathological state. The precise mechanism underlying these neural signatures remains elusive. To address this, we propose a subthalamopallidal network containing two classes of GPe neurons, calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) and Lim homeobox (Lhx6) GPe. Our results show that Lhx6 GPe tends to rein in synchronous behavior and abnormal activity of PV GPe. Under pathological condition, the alteration of synaptic in heterogenous pallidal network manifests itself as a direct increase of inhibitory input to PV GPe or an indirect elevation of Lhx6 GPe firing rate. These essentially enhance the inhibition of PV GPe, which results in beta-band synchronous bursting. STN is instrumental in stabilizing the spiking sequence of GPe neurons, inhibiting abnormal synchronous oscillations both in control and pathological conditions. After dopamine-depleted, the STN-GPe circuit becomes a key component of positive feedback that promotes synchronization and rhythmicity. Among them, the PV-PV pathway notably impacts the enhancement of beta rhythmic oscillations, and the mutual inhibition between heterogenous GPe and STN-GPe synaptic affects the propagation of abnormal rhythms in pallidal and subthalamopallidal network, respectively. Our study highlights the pivotal role played by PV GPe in producing and amplifying pathological oscillatory behavior and STN in preventing abnormal rhythm, providing a novel insight into the design of therapeutic strategies.
Inner speech classification based on electroencephalography (EEG) signals and support vector machine (SVM)
Authors: Wei Xiao , Surjana Alvin Immanuel , Söffker Dirk
Published: November 2022

Inner speech is a form of self-directed dialogue which plays an important role in cognitive development, speech monitoring, executive function, and psychopathology. Despite of a growing knowledge on its phenomenology, development, and function, approaches to the scientific study of inner speech have remained diffuse and largely unintegrated. Electroencephalography (EEG) which is a non-intrusive approach for brain-computer interface (BCI) brings new options to inner speech studies. Due to the advantages of EEG, more and more studies are related to inner speech apply EEG signals. In this contribution, different words expressed in inner speech are distinguished by applying EEG signals and support vector machine (SVM). Electroencephalography data from ‘Thinking out loud’ dataset open to public are employed. In the experiment, numerous EEG data are acquired from the 128 sensors located in the headcap. Therefore, data are filtered in the first step. Afterwards, selected data are decomposed by empirical mode decomposition (EMD) into various intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). Furthermore, IMFs are transformed using Hilbert transform to check the brain wave bands suitable for distinguishing inner speech. Lastly, single or combined of IMFs are classified by support vector machine (SVM) with various kernels. When most suitable IMFs and kernels are employed, the average results for each subject scheme are: F-score: 99.24 %, accuracy: 99.24 %, and standard deviation (SD): 0.95. Best results for all subject schemes are: F-score: 99.67 %, accuracy: 99.66 %, and standard deviation (SD): 0.27. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed approach can differentiate EEG signals from inner speech well.
Tripartite entanglement and matrix inversion quantum algorithm
Authors: Hwang Mi-Ra Hwang , Kim MuSeong , Jung Eylee , Woo Chang-Yong , Park DaeKil
Published: November 2022

The role of entanglement is discussed in the Harrow-Hassidim-Lloyd (HHL) algorithm. We compute all tripartite entanglement at every steps of the HHL algorithm.
The tripartite entanglement is generated at the first quantum phase estimation (QPE) step.
However, it turns out that amount of the generated entanglement is not maximal except very rare cases. In the second rotation step some tripartite entanglement is
used. Thus, the net tripartite entanglement is diminished. At the final inverse-QPE step the matrix inversion task is completed at the price of complete
annihilation of the entanglement. An implication of this result is briefly discussed.
Genetic analysis of ACE2 peptidase domain in SARS-CoV-2-positive and SARS-CoV-2-negative individuals from Pakistan
Authors: Muhammad Noor , Naeemi Humaira , Azeem Ayesha , Sadaqat Rida , Shehzad Umara , Siddique Kashif , Hassan Usman , Raza Aun , Rashid Muhammad Usman
Published: November 2022

Background The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a serious public health emergency of global concern. Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) peptidase domain is important for the cellular entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Germline variants in ACE2 peptidase domain may influence the susceptibility for SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease severity in the host population. ACE2 genetic analysis among Caucasians showed inconclusive results. This is the first Asian study investigating the contribution of ACE2 germline variants to SARS-CoV-2 infection in Pakistani population.
Methods In total, 442 individuals, including SARS-CoV-2-positive (n=225) and SARS-CoV-2-negative (n=217) were screened for germline variants in ACE2peptidase domain (exons 2, 3, 9, and 10) using high resolution melting and denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography analyses followed by DNA sequencing of variant fragments. The identified variant was analyzed by in silico tools for potential effect on ACE2 protein.
Results A missense variant, p.Lys26Arg, was identified in one SARS-CoV-2-positive (1/225; 0.4%) and three SARS-CoV-2-negative (3/217; 1.4%) individuals. No significant difference in the minor allele frequency of this variant was found among SARS-CoV-2-positive and SARS-CoV-2-negative individuals (1/313; 0.3% versus 3/328; 0.9%; P=0.624), respectively. The SARS-CoV-2-positive patient carrying p.Lys26Arg showed mild COVID-19 disease symptoms. It was predicted as benign variant by in silico tool. No variant was detected in ACE2 residues important for binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
Conclusion The p.Lys26Arg variant may have no association with SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility in Pakistani population. Whole ACE2 gene screening is warranted to clarify its role in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The Effect of E-commerce on Grocery Store Choice and Retail Competition
Authors: Etcheverry Clara
Published: November 2022

E-commerce continues its expansion, and most retail groups have opened online distribution channels in the French grocery market. Using purchasing data, I develop a store choice model and a supply model to estimate the effect of the online distribution channel on consumer welfare and retail competition. E-commerce leads to a very small decrease in consumer surplus. Furthermore, only online leaders obtain more market shares and profits while the majority globally get lower market shares and profits with e-commerce.
Outcomes of high-risk adult outpatients with haematological malignancies treated with early remdesivir therapy during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron era: experiences from the national centre of Hungary
Authors: GÁSPÁR Zsófia , SZABÓ Bálint Gergely , ÁBRAHÁM Anita , VÁRNAI Zsuzsanna , KISS-DALA Noémi , SZLÁVIK János , SINKÓ János , VÁLYI-NAGY István , LAKATOS Botond
Published: November 2022

Objectives
Emerging evidence suggests that remdesivir might improve clinical outcome of high-risk outpatients with COVID-19. Our aim was to evaluate characteristics and outcomes of non-hospitalized adults with haematological malignancies diagnosed with COVID-19 and treated with early remdesivir therapy during the omicron wave.
Methods
A single-centre prospective cohort study was performed among adult patients between February–June 2022, during the circulation of PANGO subvariants BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5 in Hungary. Patients were enrolled based on pre-defined criteria. Clinical characteristics (demography, comorbidities, vaccination status, imaging, treatment, and disease course) and outcomes (COVID-19 related hospitalisation, oxygen supplementation, intensive care support, all-cause death) were assessed at 28-days post-treatment.
Results
Altogether 127 patients were enrolled: 51.2% (65/127) were female with a median age of 59 ± 22 (21‒92) years, and 48.8% (62/127) had active haematological malignancy. At 28-days post-treatment, 7.1% (9/127) of patients required COVID-19 related hospitalisation, 2,4% (3/127) required oxygen supplementation, 1,6% (2/127) required intensive care, and 0.8% (1/127) died due to a non-COVID-19 related secondary infection at the intensive care unit, all with haematological malignancies.
Conclusion
Early remdesivir treatment might be a feasible strategy among high-risk outpatients with haematological malignancies and COVID-19 during the omicron wave.
Characterization of the crosstalk of Zika virus and the host restriction factor tetherin
Authors:   , Theuerkauf Marie-Luise
Published: November 2022

Zika-virus (ZIKV), a flavivirus mainly transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus. The viral genome is surrounded by a nucleocapsid and a lipid bilayer, in which membrane and envelope proteins are embedded. ZIKV disease is mainly characterized by mild symptoms, such as fever, rash as well as pain in head and joints. However, after epidemics it caused in the Americas in 2015/16, ZIKV infections were also associated with severe neurological complications like the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and microcephaly in fetuses and newborns. So far there are no specific antiviral treatments or vaccines available against ZIKV. This strengthens the need for a detailed understanding of the viral life cycle and virus-host interactions. The antiviral host factor tetherin (THN) is an interferon-stimulated protein and therefore part of the cellular innate immune response. It comprises an N-terminal cytoplasmic domain, followed by a transmembrane helix, an extracellular coiled-coil domain and a C-terminal glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. Containing two sites for membrane insertion linked by a flexible structure, THN is able to integrate into the membrane of budding viruses, thereby attaching them to each other and to the cell membrane and preventing their further release and spread. In this study, the crosstalk of ZIKV and THN was analyzed. Previous gene expression analyses by microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) had revealed a strong upregulation of the BST2 gene encoding for THN in ZIKV-infected cells. However, this enhanced expression did not correlate with an enhanced THN protein level. On the contrary, the amount of THN in THN-overexpressing cells was after infection even heavily reduced. Furthermore, immunofluorescence analyses revealed a loss of THN membrane localization in these cells. By performing a cycloheximide assay, this loss could be traced back to a reduced protein half-life of THN in infected versus uninfected cells. Treatment with inhibitors of different protein degradation pathways as well as colocalization analyses with markers of several subcellular compartments indicated an involvement of the endo-lysosomal route. A knock-down of the ESCRT-0 protein HRS however prevented the sorting of THN for lysosomal degradation and led to a stabilization of THN protein levels. After HRS depletion, the release and spread of viral particles was reduced in THN-overexpressing compared to wildtype cells. Taken together, the data obtained in this study revealed the potential of THN to restrict ZIKV release and spread. The enhanced degradation of THN in ZIKV-infected cells via the endo-lysosomal pathway could therefore be explained as an effective viral escape strategy. This could be circumvented by knockdown of the ESCRT-0 protein HRS, which highlighted HRS as a potential target for the development of antiviral treatments.
On spectrally flowed local vertex operators in AdS$_3$
Authors: Iguri Sergio , Kovensky Nicolas
Published: November 2022

We provide a novel local definition for spectrally flowed vertex
operators in the SL(2,\mathbb{R})SL(2,ℝ)-WZW
model, generalising the proposal of Maldacena and Ooguri in
[arXiv:hep-th/0111180] for the singly-flowed case to all
\omega>1ω>1.
This allows us to establish the precise connection between the
computation of correlators using the so-called spectral flow operator,
and the methods introduced recently by Dei and Eberhardt in
[arXiv:2105.12130] based on local Ward identities. We show that the
auxiliary variable yy
used in the latter paper arises naturally from a point-splitting
procedure in the space-time coordinate. The recursion relations
satisfied by spectrally flowed correlators, which take the form of
partial differential equations in yy-space,
then correspond to null-state conditions for generalised spectral flowed
operators. We highlight the role of certain
SL(2,\mathbb{R})SL(2,ℝ)
discrete module isomorphisms in this context, and prove the validity of
the conjecture put forward in [arXiv:2105.12130] for
yy-space
structure constants of three-point functions with arbitrary spectral
flow charges.
Análise crítica quanto ao papel da comissão interamericana de direitos humanos diante da garantia da jurisdição internacional e dos direitos da personalidade pelo indivíduo
Authors: Gregório Daniely Cristina da Silva , Teixeira Rodrigo Valente Giublin
Published: November 2022

Resumo: O presente artigo tem como objetivo analisar o papel da Comissão Interamericana de Direitos Humanos como forma de acesso à jurisdição da Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos pelos indivíduos, pois, conforme prevê a Convenção Americana sobre Direitos Humanos, todas as denúncias de violação aos direitos humanos cometidas por seus Estados-partes devem ser apresentadas perante o referido órgão. Trata-se, assim, de um tema atual e relevante, uma vez que se refere não só à garantia da jurisdição internacional ao indivíduo, reconhecido nos últimos anos como sujeito de Direito Internacional, mas também aos direitos mais importantes para a vida e existência da pessoa humana. O método utilizado para chegar ao resultado pretendido é o dedutivo, partindo-se das diversas normativas vigentes quanto aos complexos organismos que compõem o plano americano de defesa dos direitos humanos, além de uma pesquisa teórico-bibliográfica e da análise de artigos científicos e dos ensinamentos de autores do Direito Internacional. Discute-se, portanto, a efetividade do procedimento de proteção internacional dos direitos humanos e dos direitos da personalidade no âmbito do Sistema Interamericano de Direitos Humanos e de seus Estados-membros.
Violência estrutural, direito à saúde e COVID-19
Authors: Ferreira Versalhes Enos Nunes , Lamarão Neto Homero , Teixeira Eliana Maria de Souza Franco
Published: November 2022

O objetivo da pesquisa é investigar a relação entre a violência estrutural no campo da saúde pública e seu reflexo no enfrentamento da pandemia pela Covid-19, motivo pelo qual a problemática do estudo está em esclarecer a ligação entre o histórico processo de realização insatisfatória de políticas públicas de saúde desde 1988 e seus desdobramentos na conjuntura da emergência sanitária enfrentada pelo Brasil. O estudo utilizou o método dedutivo, sendo descritivo-exploratório como procedimento e as técnicas de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental. Os resultados da pesquisa revelaram que há políticas públicas de saúde, mas ainda aquém das exigências mínimas, podendo ser constatadas pela falta de leitos de hospital, por exemplo; e há carência de recursos para aplicação em políticas públicas, observando-se mudanças constitucionais para esse fim, a exemplo das Emendas Constitucionais nº 86/2015 e nº 95/2016. Assim, concluiu-se que o Estado colabora, por incompetência ou escolha, para a promoção da violência estrutural no campo da saúde, pela falta de serviços e pela redução de recursos.
A limitação da legitimidade ativa nas ações de improbidade administrativa e o retrocesso da lei nº 14.230/2021: uma análise a partir do modelo constitucional de processo coletivo
Authors: Mól Ana Lúcia Ribeiro , Lemos Junior Eloy Pereira
Published: November 2022

O exercício de atividades públicas exige do agente uma atuação própria e específica de honestidade, transparência e consecução de finalidades que assegurem os interesses da sociedade, sendo incompatível com práticas que atendam aos objetivos pessoais do gestor. Para a garantia de uma boa administração, a Lei de Improbidade Administrativa (Lei nº 8.439/1992) estabeleceu regras de proteção aos direitos e interesses difusos consubstanciados na probidade administrativa e no patrimônio público. A recente alteração dessa legislação, por meio da Lei nº 14.230/2021, tem direcionado os holofotes das discussões doutrinárias e, de forma ainda preambular, da jurisprudência para as mudanças legislativas por ela instituídas. Uma dessas modificações refere-se à restrição da legitimidade ativa das ações de improbidade administrativa, que passou a ser exclusiva do Ministério Público. A partir de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, fundada no método crítico-discursivo, o presente artigo busca analisar a (in)adequação dessa alteração legislativa ao texto constitucional bem como seus custos sociais, concluindo-se, ao final, que se trata de uma medida que, além de inconstitucional, implica verdadeiro retrocesso, com claros prejuízos à punição e ressarcimento dos danos causados pelos atos ímprobos, desvirtuando as diretrizes outrora estabelecidas pela Lei de Improbidade Administrativa de garantia de uma adequada e ética gestão pública.
Farklı Çevre Şartlarında Yetiştirilen Yağlık Ayçiçeği Genotiplerinin AMMI Analizi ile Genotip x Çevre İnteraksiyonlarının İncelenmesi
Authors: YAŞAR Mustafa , SEZGİN Mehmet
Published: November 2022

Genotip, çevre interaksiyonu diğer bitkilerde olduğu gibi ayçiçeği bitkisinde de verimi sınırlayan önemli bir
faktördür. Çoklu çevre şartlarında yetiştiriciliği yapılan yağlık ayçiçeği genotiplerinden elde edilen tane verimi bakımından
AMMI analizi kullanılarak genotiplerin stabilite durumları incelenmiştir. Bu çalışma; toplam on iki yağlık ayçiçeği genotipi
ile altı lokasyonda iki yıl (2016 ve 2017) süre ile tesadüf blokları deneme desenine göre dört tekrarlamalı olarak
yürütülmüştür. AMMI analizi ile en stabil genotipler ve özel çevrelere uyumlu genotipler belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. AMMI
analizi ile kareler ortalamasının % 73.5 ile en fazla çevreden, % 19.5 ile interaksiyondan ve % 7.0 ile genotipten etkilendiği
tespit edilmiştir. Analiz sonuçlarına göre G3, G8 genotiplerinin oldukça stabil oldukları ve bu çeşitlerle birlikte G4, G6, G7,
G9 ve G10 genotipleri ortalamanın üzerinde bir verime, G1 genotipinin oldukça düşük verime sahip olduğu ve G9, G10 ve
G11’in stabilite çizgisinden oldukça uzakta konumlandıkları ve dolayısıyla stabil olmadıkları anlaşılmıştır. AMMI analizi ile
çevreler değerlendirildiğinde E5’in en elverişli ve yüksek verimli olduğu, bu çevre ile birlikte E10 ve E11’in ortalama verimin
üzerinde bir verim ile sonuçlandığı tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca yapılan sektör analizinde ise G4 ve G6’nın E3, E4, E7, E10 ve
E11 çevrelerde, G8, G7 ve G1’nun E1, E2, E5, E6 E8 ve E12 çevrelerde, G2 ve G9’un ise sadece E9 çevresinde yüksek
performans sergiledikleri ve spesifik olarak bu çevrelerde önerilirken G1 ve G5 gibi diğer genotipler ise çevrelerle
ilişkilendirilmemiştir. Sonuç olarak AMMI analizi ile görsel olarak en stabil ve yüksek verimli genotipler belirlenmiştir.
Organizational Citizenship Behavior Ditinjau dari Organizational Justice dan Job Satisfaction
Authors:   Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis, Universitas Airlangga, Jalan Airlangga 4-6, Surabaya, Indonesia 60285, Ardana Alin , Ekowati Dian ,   Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis, Universitas Airlangga, Jalan Airlangga 4-6, Surabaya, Indonesia 60285
Published: November 2022

Anteraja is one of the express logistics companies, which already has of ± 400,000 branches throughout Indonesia. And has more than 500,000 packages in a day. The phenomenon raised in this study is about organizational citizenship behavior in Anteraja can be perceived by the level of organizational justice received by individual. This study aims to analyze the effect of organizational justice (distributive, procedural, and interactional) on organizational citizenship behavior by looking at the mediating role of job satisfaction. This study used a sample of 232 Anteraja employees in Jakarta Head Office. Statistical testing in this study using the help of software SmartPLS 3 version 3.2.9. The results in this study are quite interesting that one form of organizational justice, specifically distributive justice, has no significant effect on job satisfaction. In addition, it was also found that job satisfaction did not mediate the effect of distributive justice on organizational citizenship behavior.
Advances in Computational Methods to Discover New NS2B-NS3 Inhibitors Useful Against Dengue and Zika Viruses
Authors: dos Santos Nascimento Igor José , da Silva Rodrigues Érica Erlanny , da Silva Manuele Figueiredo , de Araújo-Júnior João Xavier , de Moura Ricardo Olimpio
Published: November 2022

The Flaviviridae virus family consists of the genera Hepacivirus, Pestivirus, and Fla-vivirus, with approximately 70 viral types that use arthropods as vectors. Among these diseases, dengue (DENV) and zika virus (ZIKV) serotypes stand out, responsible for thousands of deaths worldwide. Due to the significant increase in cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared DENV a potential threat for 2019 due to being transmitted by infected travelers. Furthermore, ZIKV also has a high rate of transmissibility, highlighted in the outbreak in 2015, generating consequenc-es such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and microcephaly. According to clinical outcomes, those in-fected with DENV can be asymptomatic, and in other cases, it can be lethal. On the other hand, ZIKV has severe neurological symptoms in newborn babies and adults. More serious symptoms in-clude microcephaly, brain calcifications, intrauterine growth restriction, and fetal death. Despite these worrying data, no drug or vaccine is approved to treat these diseases. In the drug discovery process, one of the targets explored against these diseases is the NS2B-NS3 complex, which pre-sents the catalytic triad His51, Asp75, and Ser135, with the function of cleaving polyproteins, with specificity for basic amino acid residues, Lys- Arg, Arg-Arg, Arg-Lys or Gln-Arg. Since NS3 is highly conserved in all DENV serotypes and plays a vital role in viral replication, this complex is an excellent drug target. In recent years, computer-aided drug discovery (CADD) is increasingly essen-tial in drug discovery campaigns, making the process faster and more cost-effective, mainly ex-plained by discovering new drugs against DENV and ZIKV. Finally, the main advances in compu-tational methods applied to discover new compounds against these diseases will be presented here. In fact, molecular dynamics simulations and virtual screening is the most explored approach, providing several hit and lead compounds that can be used in further optimizations. In addition, fragment-based drug design and quantum chemistry/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) provides new insights for developing anti-DENV/ZIKV drugs. We hope that this review offers further helpful in-formation for researchers worldwide and stimulates the use of computational methods to find a promising drug for treating DENV and ZIKV.
Study of the Protective Properties of 2-Ethyl-6-Methyl-3-Hydroxypyridine
Malate in the Model of In vitro-Induced Oxidative Stress in Myoblast Cell
Culture
Authors: Furalyov Vladimir A. , Kukes Vladimir G. , Gazdanova Albina А. , Parfenova Olga K. , Sidorov Nikita G. , Kurkin Roman V.
Published: November 2022

Background:

A cellular model of oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide in the
primary culture of myoblasts was obtained by in vitro experiments, and the possibility of exogenous
regulation of the cytotoxic effect using 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine malate (ethoxidol)
was studied. Moreover, the influence of oxidative stress and the effect of ethoxidol on the
intracellular expression of such an important biomarker as myostatin was investigated.

Methods:

Hydrogen peroxide was used to induce oxidative stress. The effect of hydrogen peroxide
on the rate of myoblast proliferation was studied by measuring the reduction level of (3-(4,5-
dimethylthiazole-2-yl))-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. To measure the expression of myostatin,
a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RV) method was used.

Results:

During the work, it was clearly demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide has a significant
cytostatic effect on myoblasts in vitro, inhibiting their proliferation. Ethoxidol in physiological
concentration did not show toxic effects and did not inhibit cell proliferation. This antioxidant revealed
a statistically significant protective effect on the cytostatic effect of hydrogen peroxide on
myoblasts. In addition, this compound inhibited the expression of myostatin mRNA caused by
exposure to hydrogen peroxide as a negative regulator of growth and differentiation of muscle
tissue that occurs in response to exposure to reactive oxygen species.

Conclusion:

Hydrogen peroxide is one of the highly active forms of oxygen and has a significant
cytostatic effect on myoblasts in vitro, suppressing their proliferation. 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-
hydroxypyridine malate neutralizes the toxic effect of peroxide, thereby indirectly having a positive
effect on the rate of myoblast proliferation in vitro.
Modifiable and Non-modifiable Risk Factors Affecting Oral and Periodontal Health and Quality of Life in South Asia
Authors: Karobari Mohmed Isaqali , Siddharthan S , Adil Abdul Habeeb , Khan Mohammed Mansoor , Venugopal Adith , Rokaya Dinesh , Heboyan Artak , Marya Charu Mohan , Marya Anand
Published: November 2022

Objectives:

The study aimed to review the prevalence of periodontal disease and associated factors among developing South Asian countries. The review was also aimed at providing an insight into how such factors play a role in affecting the Quality of life of patients with compromised oral health.

Background:

It has been observed that Oral health directly correlates with the Quality of life of an individual, so it is imperative to understand this, particularly in the developing parts of the world.

Methods:

A MeSH keyword search was carried out with the keywords: Periodontal diseases, Oral Health, Public Health, Asia, QoL, Quality of Life, Southeast Asia, Tobacco, and Risk Factors, and based on the findings, this detailed review was compiled.

Results:

The South Asian population forms 24.89% of the world population, while periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition that affects 11% of the globe. Several studies previously conducted across developing countries have shown that various factors like the socioeconomic status of an individual, smoking habit, consumption of alcohol, hypertension, history of diabetes, obesity, and stress are indirectly related to the onset of periodontal disease. Characteristics associated with specific populations like ethnicity, behavioral characteristics, and environmental factors may affect causing periodontitis.

Conclusion:

Dental practitioners in this region should consider risk factors that can be altered significantly to uplift the periodontal health status of an individual, which is not being considered in many developing countries.
Narrative Review of Anti-CD3 Antibody and Anti-CD20 Antibody:
Immunotherapeutic Strategies to Treat and Prevent Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Desai Shivani , Kashalikar Prajakta , Sanap Avinash , Shekatkar Madhura , Bhonde Ramesh
Published: November 2022

Background and Objective:

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a complex disease defined by
the loss of pancreatic cells, which leads to complete insulin insufficiency. The Diabetes Control
and Problems Trial defines the aims of Type 1 diabetes therapy as achieving adequate glycaemic
control, and preventing and avoiding recurrent bouts of hypoglycaemia. Despite ongoing efforts to
improve insulin therapy regimens, the actual hormone substitute therapy treats just the symptoms
of the disease, with no influence on disease pathology or etiopathogenesis. In recent decades, there
has been a lot of interest in preventative techniques in high-risk patients, based on the theory that
if a therapeutic intervention is adopted early in the disease, it can help maintain endogenous cell
function by protecting the remaining cell reservoir from autoimmune attack.

Methods:

Based on preclinical and clinical data, we have discussed some immunotherapeutic in
this meta-analysis. We referred to the preclinical and clinical studies for teplizumab and rituximab
from authentic databases and compiled the data. We used statistical analysis to do a meta-analysis.

Results:

In two immunotherapeutic anti-CD3 antibodies and anti-CD20 antibodies examples, teplizumab
and rituximab, respectively, shows better efficacy as well as fewer side effects. We have
discussed this drug briefly based on their mechanism of action and meta-analysis, which compare
clinical efficacy.

Conclusion:

Immunotherapeutic can be a better option for preventing and protecting type one diabetes.
Since, the existing literature does not have enough data to support any single drug concluding
the same will not be appropriate. Hence further studies are required wherein different drugs
can be compared with similar sample sizes for each group of drugs.