bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ouch: Pain, Heard and Referred
Authors: Belling Catherine
Published: March 2024

The communication of pain has been figured, in both the canonical work of Elaine Scarry and in biomedical discourse, as bringing pain up from bodily depths to a surface where it is visibly manifest to others. This study of acute physical pain in three popular American narrative texts and their film adaptations suggests that the oculocentrism of such accounts has elided the significant role of sound, both verbal and nonverbal, in the expression and witnessing of physical pain. Instances of what was classified in the nineteenth century as sensation literature, these three texts produce direct sensory effects. Scott Smith’s The Ruins (2006) is a horror novel, William Goldman’s Marathon Man (1974) a thriller, and Aron Ralston’s Between a Rock and a Hard Place (2004) (film: 127 Hours) an adventure-survival memoir. Reading pain in each of three triple texts—book, film, and the screenplay transmitting pain from one to the other—opens up a new archive of pain texts that promise sensation rather than relief, offering a new perspective on the imaginative—and paradoxically ameliorative—creativity brought into being by the notorious recalcitrance of pain. This essay argues for attention to the protolinguistic pain language of groans and screams; for a poetics of “ouch.”
How important is hidden phenotypic plasticity arising from alternative but converging developmental trajectories, and what limits it?
Authors: Metcalfe Neil B.
Published: March 2024

Developmental plasticity ­– the capacity for a genotype to develop into different phenotypes, depending on the environment – is typically viewed from the perspective of the resulting phenotype. Thus, if development is viewed as a trajectory towards a target, then developmental plasticity allows environmentally induced alterations to the target. However, there can also be variations in the trajectory. This is seen with compensatory responses, for instance where growth accelerates after an earlier period of food shortage, or where investment in sexual ornaments is maintained even when resources are limiting. If the compensation is complete, the adult phenotype can appear ‘normal’ (i.e. the different developmental trajectories converge on the same target). However, alternative trajectories to a common target can have multiple long-term consequences, including altered physiological programming and rates of senescence, possibly owing to trade-offs between allocating resources to the prioritized trait versus to body maintenance. This suggests that plasticity in developmental trajectories towards a common target leads to variation in the resilience and robustness of the adult body. This form of developmental plasticity is far more hidden than plasticity in final adult target, but it may be more common. Here, I discuss the causes, consequences and limitations of these different kinds of plasticity, with a special focus on whether they are likely to be adaptive. I emphasize the need to study plasticity in developmental trajectories, and conclude with suggestions for future research to tease apart the different forms of developmental plasticity and the factors that influence their evolution and expression.
Early-life environmental effects on birds: epigenetics and microbiome as mechanisms underlying long-lasting phenotypic changes
Authors: Ruuskanen Suvi
Published: March 2024

Although the long-lasting effects of variation in early-life environment have been well documented across organisms, the underlying causal mechanisms are only recently starting to be unraveled. Yet understanding the underlying mechanisms of long-lasting effects can help us predict how organisms will respond to changing environments. Birds offer a great system in which to study developmental plasticity and its underlying mechanisms owing to the production of large external eggs and variation in developmental trajectories, combined with a long tradition of applied, physiological, ecological and evolutionary research. Epigenetic changes (such as DNA methylation) have been suggested to be a key mechanism mediating long-lasting effects of the early-life environment across taxa. More recently, changes in the early-life gut microbiome have been identified as another potential mediator of developmental plasticity. As a first step in understanding whether these mechanisms contribute to developmental plasticity in birds, this Review summarizes how changes in early-life environment (both prenatal and postnatal) influence epigenetic markers and the gut microbiome. The literature shows how both early-life biotic (such as resources and social environment) and abiotic (thermal environment and various anthropogenic stressors) factors modify epigenetic markers and the gut microbiome in birds, yet data concerning many other environmental factors are limited. The causal links of these modifications to lasting phenotypic changes are still scarce, but changes in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis have been identified as one putative pathway. This Review identifies several knowledge gaps, including data on the long-term effects, stability of the molecular changes, and lack of diversity in the systems studied, and provides directions for future research.
Beyond the Natural Rate: Stephen Marglin on the Instability of Market Economies
Authors: Woodford Michael
Published: March 2024

In Raising Keynes: A Twenty-First Century General Theory, Stephen A. Marglin offers a provocative reformulation of Keynes’ theoretical framework, stressing the importance of modeling the dynamics of wage and price adjustment. This review explains and assesses Marglin’s argument for the possibility of a persistent equilibrium in which goods and/or labor markets continue not to clear in the absence of active stabilization policy. It also compares Marglin’s analysis with that of New Keynesian models, and shows that the two approaches are more similar than might be immediately evident. (JEL E12, E23, E24, E32, E41, E52)
Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time in debridement of fibrinous leg ulcers
Authors: Achiti Alexandru , Zenati Nora , Seinturier Christophe , Cracowski Jean-Luc , Blaise Sophie
Published: March 2024

Objective:

In conjunction with appropriate wound care, negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) may be used as an adjunct therapy for acute or hard-to-heal (chronic) wounds, especially when infected. However, there are very few data on the use of NPWTi-d in the treatment of fibrinous wounds that are difficult to debride mechanically. The main objective of this study was to describe changes in the fibrin area of such wounds, before and after treatment with NPWTi-d.

Method:

This was a monocentric, observational, prospective pilot study evaluating the NPWTi-d medical device. Eligible patients included in the study were those with hard-to-heal lower limb ulcers who had previously undergone unsuccessful specific debridement treatment for their wound, with failure of manual mechanic debridement for at least six weeks' duration, and whose wounds had a fibrinous surface area of >70% of the total wound surface area. The primary endpoint was the difference in the percentage of fibrinous surface area before and after treatment.

Results:

A total of 14 patients who received treatment for lower limb ulcers between October 2017 and August 2019 were included in the study. There was a significant shrinkage rate of the fibrinous wound surface between the start and end of treatment (83.6±14.5% and 32.2±19.7%, respectively; p<0.001).

Conclusion:

This study showed a significant decrease in fibrin area in wounds treated with NPWTi-d, with good tolerance. We believe that NPWTi-d has its place in the multidisciplinary management of patients with hard-to-heal ulcers. Additional randomised studies are required to confirm these findings.

Declaration of interest:

The authors have no conflicts of interest.
Evaluation of risk factors associated with hard-to-heal wound infection in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Jain Manisha , Bhogar Kavin , Baral Purabi , Gaind Rajni
Published: March 2024

Objective:

The incidence of hard-to-heal wound infection, especially as a result of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms, has increased in recent years. The reason for the increase is multifactorial and the ability of these pathogenic isolates to form biofilms is one of the important risk factors in wound infection. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with such cases.

Method:

This prospective analytical study, conducted over a period of two months, included pus or tissue samples from hospital inpatients with Gram-negative hard-to-heal wound infection. The samples were processed with conventional microbiological techniques. Patient demographic details and the presence of various risk factors were recorded. Biofilm production was detected by tissue culture plate method in the laboratory. The data were analysed using SPSS version 21 (IBM Ltd., US).

Results:

The experimental cohort comprised 200 patients. Klebsiella spp. was the most common identified organism, followed by Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas spp. Carbapenem resistance was observed in 106 (53%) strains. Almost 66% of the strains showed biofilm formation. On evaluation of associated risk factors, age (p=0.043), presence of biofilms (p=0.0001), diabetes (p=0.002), hypertension (p=0.02) and medical device use (p=0.008) had significant association, whereas sex, previous surgery and prior antibiotic use had no significant impact on the chronicity of the wound.

Conclusion:

In this study, chronicity of wounds was observed to be associated with multiple risk factors, especially the biofilm-forming ability of the strain. Biofilms are difficult to eradicate and additional measures, such as physical debridement, are important for resolving chronicity. Knowledge about specific risk factors would also allow clinicians a better understanding of the healing process and drive appropriate wound care interventions.

Declaration of interest:

A grant was received from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for this work (grant ID: 2017-02686). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
A service improvement project to improve follow up screening rates of women with gestational diabetes
Authors: Stace Joanna
Published: March 2024

Diabetes in pregnant women presents significant implications for long-term health. The best way to manage them in practice is outlined here by Joanna Stace

A history of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) can have significant implications for women's long-term health. Despite these risks, primary care rates for post-natal screening are low.

A Service Improvement Project (SIP) was implemented as part of an MSc in Advanced Diabetes Care undertaken at Birmingham City University. Its aims were to improve post-natal follow-up care for women with GDM, reduce the risk of developing T2DM enhancing their long-term health.

A key success of the SIP is the improved knowledge of the importance of post-natal screening amongst staff and women. Increased numbers of women being correctly coded and offered post-natal screening highlighting the importance of healthcare integration for better patient outcomes. Work continues to improve referral rates and attendance of the National Diabetes Prevention Programme with the roll out of an Electronic Care Pathway.
KIRGIZ EDEBİYATINDA BELLEK ÖGESİ OLARAK KOMUZ (KOPUZ)
Authors: ŞENER Ayşe
Published: March 2024

Geçmişi zihinde saklama ve yeniden canlandırma yetisi olan bellek, bireysel bir hatırlama olmakla birlikte kolektif bir işleve de sahiptir. Geçmişe ait imgelerin ve deneyimlerin uygulayımlarla devam etmesi kültürel sürekliliği ve buna bağlı olarak toplumsal bilinci aktive eden bir yapıyı ortaya çıkarır. Grup kimliğini ve aidiyetini güçlendiren bu yapı, özünde bellek ve yazılı kayıt arasındaki ilişkiyi görünür kılmaktadır. Geçmişi kurgulayan ve geleceği inşa eden bellek unsurları, edebî eserler aracılığıyla muhafaza edilmektedir. Bu bağlamda Türk kültürünün ve kimliğinin temel tanımlayıcılarından ve Türk dünyasının ortak değerlerinden biri olan kopuz, birey ve toplumun zamansal devamlılığını kuran ve koruyan bir bellek ögesi olarak Kırgız edebiyatında şiir, roman, hikâye ve tiyatro olmak üzere pek çok türde yazılmış eserlerde yazarların millî söyleminin bir parçası olmuştur. Kırgızistan’ın Sovyetler Birliği’ne bağlı olduğu dönemde sosyalist rejiminin güdümünde kalan Kırgız edebiyatında kültürel unsurların işlenmesi bir bakıma toplumsal hatırlamayı sağlayan ve “Biz” kimliğini kuran bir işlev taşımaktadır. Bahsedilen durumun bağımsızlık sonrası Kırgız edebiyatında devam ettiği görülmektedir. Bu makale, Kırgız edebiyatında şiir, roman, hikâye ve tiyatro eserlerinden temsili bir örneklem ekseninde kopuzun bellek ögesi olarak kullanımını ele almaktadır. Buna göre kopuzun ele alındığı ve vurgulandığı edebî eserlerin koruma ve saklama ortamı olduğu ve bünyesinde barındırdığı kültürel kodların ve bellek ögelerinin toplumun geçmiş ile bağlantı kurmasını sağladığı görülmüştür. Ayrıca bireyin anı ve geleceği anlamlandırmasına katkı sağladığı ve kodlama, depolama, çağırma işlevleri ile unutmayı engelleyen bir işleve sahip olduğu belirlenmiştir.
Visualization of carious lesions with polarized and depolarized light microscopy
Authors: Grundmann Julia , Golde Jonas , Steuer Svea , Tetschke Florian , Kirsten Lars , Walther Julia , Koch Edmund , Hannig Christian
Published: March 2024

Polarized light microscopy (PLM) is an established method in dental histology for investigating the ultrastructure and carious process of teeth. This study introduces a novel approach for measuring the degree of polarization (DOP) in a modified PLM setup and uses the DOP to assess the changes of the optical properties of enamel and dentin due to caries. The validation is provided by a comparison with complementary imaging methods, i.e. standard PLM and µCT. The results show that demineralization is reliably displayed by the DOP in accordance with the common imaging methods, and that this quantitative analysis of depolarization allows the characterization of the different pathohistological zones of caries.
New insights into the all-testis differentiation in zebrafish with compromised endogenous androgen and estrogen synthesis
Authors: Ruan Yonglin , Li Xuehui , Wang Xinyi , Zhai Gang , Lou Qiyong , Jin Xia , He Jiangyan , Mei Jie , Xiao Wuhan , Gui Jianfang , Yin Zhan
Published: March 2024

The regulatory mechanism of gonadal sex differentiation, which is complex and regulated by multiple factors, remains poorly understood in teleosts. Recently, we have shown that compromised androgen and estrogen synthesis with increased progestin leads to all-male differentiation with proper testis development and spermatogenesis in cytochrome P450 17a1 (cyp17a1)-/- zebrafish. In the present study, the phenotypes of female-biased sex ratio were positively correlated with higher Fanconi anemia complementation group L (fancl) expression in the gonads of doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1 (dmrt1)-/- and cyp17a1-/-;dmrt1-/- fish. The additional depletion of fancl in cyp17a1-/-;dmrt1-/- zebrafish reversed the gonadal sex differentiation from all-ovary to all-testis (in cyp17a1-/-;dmrt1-/-;fancl-/- fish). Luciferase assay revealed a synergistic inhibitory effect of Dmrt1 and androgen signaling on fancl transcription. Furthermore, an interaction between Fancl and the apoptotic factor Tumour protein p53 (Tp53) was found in vitro. The interaction between Fancl and Tp53 was observed via the WD repeat domain (WDR) and C-terminal domain (CTD) of Fancl and the DNA binding domain (DBD) of Tp53, leading to the K48-linked polyubiquitination degradation of Tp53 activated by the ubiquitin ligase, Fancl. Our results show that testis fate in cyp17a1-/- fish is determined by Dmrt1, which is thought to stabilize Tp53 by inhibiting fancl transcription during the critical stage of sexual fate determination in zebrafish.
Towards a Feminist Global Health Policy: Power, intersectionality, and transformation
Authors: Eger Hannah , Chacko Shubha , El-Gamal Salma , Gerlinger Thomas , Kaasch Alexandra , Meudec Marie , Munshi Shehnaz , Naghipour Awa , Rhule Emma , Sandhya Yatirajula Kanaka , Uribe Oriana López
Published: March 2024

In the realm of global health policy, the intricacies of power dynamics and intersectionality have become increasingly evident. Structurally embedded power hierarchies constitute a significant concern in achieving health for all and demand transformational change. Adopting intersectional feminist approaches potentially mitigates health inequities through more inclusive and responsive health policies. While feminist approaches to foreign and development policies are receiving increasing attention, they are not accorded the importance they deserve in global health policy. This article presents a framework for a Feminist Global Health Policy (FGHP), outlines the objectives and underlying principles and identifies the actors responsible for its meaningful implementation. Recognising that power hierarchies and societal contexts inherently shape research, the proposed framework was developed via a participatory research approach that aligns with feminist principles. Three independent online focus groups were conducted between August and September 2022 with 11 participants affiliated to the global-academic or local-activist level and covering all WHO regions. The qualitative content analysis revealed that a FGHP must be centred on considerations of intersectionality, power and knowledge paradigms to present meaningful alternatives to the current structures. By balancing guiding principles with sensitivity for context-specific adaptations, the framework is designed to be applicable locally and globally, whilst its adoption is intended to advance health equity and reproductive justice, with communities and policymakers identified as the main actors. This study underscores the importance of dismantling power structures by fostering intersectional and participatory approaches for a more equitable global health landscape. The FGHP framework is intended to initiate debate among global health practitioners, policymakers, researchers and communities. Whilst an undeniably intricate and time-consuming process, continuous and collaborative work towards health equity is imperative to translate this vision into practice.
Socio-ecological risk factors associated with human flea infestations of rural household in plague-endemic areas of Madagascar
Authors: Miarinjara Adélaïde , Raveloson Annick Onimalala , Mugel Stephen Gilbert , An Nick , Andriamiadanarivo Andry , Rajerison Minoarisoa Esther , Randremanana Rindra Vatosoa , Girod Romain , Gillespie Thomas Robert
Published: March 2024

Plague is a flea-borne fatal disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which persists in rural Madagascar. Although fleas parasitizing rats are considered the primary vectors of Y. pestis, the human flea, Pulex irritans, is abundant in human habitations in Madagascar, and has been found naturally infected by the plague bacterium during outbreaks. While P. irritans may therefore play a role in plague transmission if present in plague endemic areas, the factors associated with infestation and human exposure within such regions are little explored. To determine the socio-ecological risk factors associated with P. irritans infestation in rural households in plague-endemic areas of Madagascar, we used a mixed-methods approach, integrating results from P. irritans sampling, a household survey instrument, and an observational checklist. Using previously published vectorial capacity data, the minimal P. irritans index required for interhuman bubonic plague transmission was modeled to determine whether household infestations were enough to pose a plague transmission risk. Socio-ecological risk factors associated with a high P. irritans index were then identified for enrolled households using generalized linear models. Household flea abundance was also modeled using the same set of predictors. A high P. irritans index occurred in approximately one third of households and was primarily associated with having a traditional dirt floor covered with a plant fiber mat. Interventions targeting home improvement and livestock housing management may alleviate flea abundance and plague risk in rural villages experiencing high P. irritans infestation. As plague-control resources are limited in developing countries such as Madagascar, identifying the household parameters and human behaviors favoring flea abundance, such as those identified in this study, are key to developing preventive measures that can be implemented at the community level.
Variations in anxiety and emotional support among first-year college students across different learning modes (distance and face-to-face) during COVID-19
Authors: Ramírez-Martínez Flor Rocío , Villanos Maria Theresa , Sharma Sonam , Leiner Marie
Published: March 2024

College students with more emotional support experience lower levels of anxiety and other psychosocial and behavioral problems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the emotional well-being of college students was additionally challenged by an abrupt shift to distance learning followed by a return to face-to-face classes. In this exploratory study, we compared the levels of perceived emotional support and anxiety among incoming first-year undergraduate students, prior to starting classes, which included different learning modes in five semesters of instruction from 2021–2023 (three distance semesters and two face-to-face semesters). Data from 8659 undergraduate students were extracted from a Mexican state university database, corresponding to students’ responses collected during new student orientation week. Participants were students in the arts and humanities (9.7%), social and legal sciences (38%), life and health sciences (28.9%), and engineering and architecture (23.4%). Anxiety levels were measured with the GAD-7 scale, and emotional support was measured using a subscale of the PERACT-R (To go through with resilience) inventory. Comparisons of emotional support and anxiety scores among semesters revealed highly significant differences with small effect sizes. Anxiety levels increased significantly with mean average of 6.65 SD(5.52) during the baseline measure to the highest in 2022–2 to 7.53 SD(5.3) and Emotional Support decreased systematically each semester from baseline mean = 8.03 SD(2.0) to the lowest 7.52 SD(1.8) in 2022–2. The results show that a return to face-to-face classes was associated with increased anxiety levels, whereas levels of emotional support systematically decreased across the five semesters. MANOVA analysis revealed significant differences in anxiety and emotional support scores between semesters, with peaks during the learning mode semester that students returned to face-to-face classes after distance learning even after adjusting for gender. Given that the effect of emotional support on anxiety may be related to success in future educational and professional activities, it is important to develop interventions to restore and increase college students’ emotional support levels and develop anxiety management strategies.
Influence of nutritional supplements on antibody levels in pregnant women vaccinated with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines
Authors: Zhang Xi , Han Xue , Chen Baolan , Fu Xi , Gong Yajie , Yang Wenhan , Chen Qingsong
Published: March 2024

Background

Because of the significantly higher demand for nutrients during pregnancy, pregnant women are more likely to have nutrient deficiencies, which may adversely affect maternal and fetal health. The influence of nutritional supplements on the immune effects of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines during pregnancy is not clear.

Methods

In a multicenter cross-sectional study, we enrolled 873 pregnant women aged 18–45 y in Guangdong, China. The general demographic characteristics of pregnant women and their use of nutritional supplements were investigated, and the serum antibody levels induced by inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were measured. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between nutritional supplements and SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels.

Results

Of the 873 pregnant women enrolled, 825 (94.5%) took folic acid during pregnancy, 165 (18.9%) took iron supplements, and 197 (22.6%) took DHA. All pregnant women received at least one dose of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and the positive rates of serum SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were 44.7% and 46.4%, respectively. After adjustment for confounding factors, whether pregnant women took folic acid, iron supplements, or DHA did not influence NAb positivity or IgG positivity (P > 0.05). Compared with pregnant women who did not take folic acid, the odds ratios (ORs) for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 NAb and IgG antibody in pregnant women who took folic acid were 0.67 (P = 0.255; 95% CI, 0.34–1.32) and 1.24 (P = 0.547; 95% CI, 0.60–2.55), respectively. Compared with pregnant women who did not take iron supplements, the ORs for the presence of NAb and IgG antibody in pregnant women who took iron supplements were 1.16(P = 0.465; 95% CI, 0.77–1.76) and 0.98 (P = 0.931; 95% CI, 0.64–1.49), respectively. Similarly, the ORs for NAb and IgG antibody were 0.71 (P = 0.085; 95% CI, 0.49–1.04) and 0.95 (P = 0.801; 95% CI, 0.65–1.38) in pregnant women who took DHA compared with those who did not.

Conclusions

Nutritional supplementation with folic acid, iron, or DHA during pregnancy was not associated with antibody levels in pregnant women who received inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
Vancomycin nephrotoxicity: A comprehensive clinico-pathological study
Authors: Nachiappa Ganesh Rajesh , Edwards Angelina , El Zaatari Ziad , Gaber Lillian , Barrios Roberto , Truong Luan D.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Vancomycin, a commonly prescribed antibiotic particularly in the setting of multi-drug resistant infections, is limited by its nephrotoxicity. Despite its common occurrence, much remains unknown on the clinicopathologic profile as well as the pathogenesis of vancomycin nephrotoxicity. Clinical studies included patients often with severe comorbidities and concomitant polypharmacy confounding the causal pathogenesis. Animal models cannot recapitulate this complex clinical situation. Kidney biopsy was not commonly performed.

Methods

To address this limitation, we studied 36 patients who had renal biopsies for acute kidney injury (AKI) for suspicion of vancomycin nephrotoxicity. Detailed renal biopsy evaluation, meticulous evaluation of clinical profiles, and up-to-date follow-up allowed for a diagnostic categorization of vancomycin nephrotoxicity (VNT) in 25 patients and absence of vancomycin nephrotoxicity (NO-VNT) in 11 patients. For careful comparison of these two groups, we proceeded to compile a clinicopathologic and morphologic profiles characteristic for each group.

Results

Patients with VNT had a characteristic clinical profile including a common clinical background, a high serum trough level of vancomycin, a rapidly developed and severe acute kidney injury, and a recovery of renal function often shortly after discontinuation of vancomycin. This clinical course was correlated with characteristic renal biopsy findings including acute tubulointerstitial nephritis of allergic type, frequent granulomatous inflammation, concomitant and pronounced acute tubular necrosis of nephrotoxic type, and vancomycin casts, in the absence of significant tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. This clinico-pathologic profile was different from that of patients with NO-VNT, highlighting its role in the diagnosis, management and pathogenetic exploration of vancomycin nephrotoxicity

Conclusion

Vancomycin nephrotoxicity has a distinctive morphologic and clinical profile, which should facilitate diagnosis, guide treatment and prognostication, and confer pathogenetic insights.
Chinese text dual attention network for aspect-level sentiment classification
Authors: Sun Xinjie , Liu Zhifang , Li Hui , Ying Feng , Tao Yu
Published: March 2024

English text has a clear and compact subject structure, which makes it easy to find dependency relationships between words. However, Chinese text often conveys information using situational settings, which results in loose sentence structures, and even most Chinese comments and experimental summary texts lack subjects. This makes it challenging to determine the dependency relationship between words in Chinese text, especially in aspect-level sentiment recognition. To solve this problem faced by Chinese text in the field of sentiment recognition, a Chinese text dual attention network for aspect-level sentiment recognition is proposed. First, Chinese syntactic dependency is proposed, and sentiment dictionary is introduced to quickly and accurately extract aspect-level sentiment words, opinion extraction and classification of sentimental trends in text. Additionally, in order to extract context-level features, the CNN-BILSTM model and position coding are also introduced. Finally, to better extract fine-grained aspect-level sentiment, a two-level attention mechanism is used. Compared with ten advanced baseline models, the model’s capabilities are being further optimized for better performance, with Accuracy of 0.9180, 0.9080 and 0.8380 respectively. This method is being demonstrated by a vast array of experiments to achieve higher performance in aspect-level sentiment recognition in less time, and ablation experiments demonstrate the importance of each module of the model.
Yield, lodging, and water use efficiency of Tef [Eragrostis tef (zucc) Trotter] in response to carbonized rice husk application under variable moisture condition
Authors: Tekle Mekonnen Gebru , Alemayehu Getachew , Bitew Yayeh
Published: March 2024

Terminal drought and lodging are among the major yield-limiting factors for tef cultivation in the highly weathered soils of the Ethiopian highlands. Therefore, a study was conducted to assess the yield and lodging responses of tef to varying moisture depletion levels (MDL) and the application of carbonized rice husk (CRH). A two-year 4×4 factorial experiment with 20, 35, 55, and 75% MDL and 0, 291, 582, and 873 kg ha-1 of CRH was laid out in a split-plot design, with each treatment replicated four times. The pooled mean ANOVA showed leaf area index (LAI) and lodging index (LI) were not significantly influenced by the main and interaction effects of MDL and CRH (p > 0.05); however, individual year ANOVA showed that both LI and LAI were influenced by the interaction of MDL and CRH (p<0.05) in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The lowest LI (19.7%) was obtained from the application of 873 kg CRH ha-1, followed by 20.6% from 582 kg CRH ha-1 in 2022. A 20.7% LI reduction was recorded in 2022 compared to 2021. Tef plant height and number of tillers per plant were significantly affected by MDL at p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively, but not by CRH and its interaction with MDL. The effect of MDL was significant on tef HI (p<0.01) but not on traits including grain yield, straw yield, and water use efficiency. In conclusion, the pooled mean analysis result showed that, though there was no significant difference in yield, tef irrigated at 55% MDL provided a maximum HI of 33.8%, which was 6.21% more than the control, and increased the level of lodging resistance with a LI of 31.9%, which was next to 75% MDL with 582 kg ha-1 CRH. The authors suggested that the research should further be verified across locations for wide application.
Gold price prediction by a CNN-Bi-LSTM model along with automatic parameter tuning
Authors: Amini Amirhossein , Kalantari Robab
Published: March 2024

Banking and stock markets consider gold to be an important component of their economic and financial status. There are various factors that influence the gold price trend and its fluctuations. Accurate and reliable prediction of the gold price is an essential part of financial and portfolio management. Moreover, it could provide insights about potential buy and sell points in order to prevent financial damages and reduce the risk of investment. In this paper, different architectures of deep neural network (DNN) have been proposed based on long short-term memory (LSTM) and convolutional-based neural networks (CNN) as a hybrid model, along with automatic parameter tuning to increase the accuracy, coefficient of determination, of the forecasting results. An illustrative dataset from the closing gold prices for 44 years, from 1978 to 2021, is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of this method. The grid search technique finds the optimal set of DNNs’ parameters. Furthermore, to assess the efficiency of DNN models, three statistical indices of RMSE, RMAE, and coefficient of determination (R2), were calculated for the test set. Results indicate that the proposed hybrid model (CNN-Bi-LSTM) outperforms other models in total bias, capturing extreme values and obtaining promising results. In this model, CNN is used to extract features of input dataset. Furthermore, Bi-LSTM uses CNN’s outputs to predict the daily closing gold price.
Are carbon emissions trading and green financial instruments synergistic? -Comprehensive quantitative research based on content analysis
Authors: Yu Hongjian , Zhang Xiufan
Published: March 2024

Coordinating policies is an essential guarantee for carbon emission reduction and sustainable development. Based on the theoretical framework of the policy paradigm, we quantitatively analyze 266 policy documents on promoting carbon emission trading and green financial policies from 2011 to 2022 using the content analysis research method. Based on the matching network of "policy objectives-policy tools," we analyze the synergistic characteristics of carbon emission trading policies and green financial policies in promoting carbon emission reduction targets and reveal the matching mode of "objectives-tools" of green financial policies by using social network analysis. It is found that, first, from the perspective of policy objectives, the main policy objectives of carbon emissions trading are to promote green innovation of enterprises, and the main policy objectives of green finance are to promote green development, which reflects the consistency and endogenous motivation of policy objectives. Secondly, command-control and market incentive policy tools are the main policy tools in the structure of policy tools. The proportion of public participation policy tools is small, and there is a structural asymmetry. Third, carbon emissions trading tools focus on supervision, adjustment, and platform construction. The green financial policy tools have the characteristics of guidance, public welfare, and externality. The two constitute a complementary, embedded, and integrated ’ double synergy ’ carbon emission reduction policy. Based on this, this paper puts forward some suggestions to promote policy coordination and provides a reference for China to achieve the dual carbon goal.
Developing a disease-specific patient reported outcome measure to enhance understanding of the lived experiences of ANCA associated vasculitis: A protocol paper
Authors: Floyd Lauren , Dhaygude Ajay , Mitra Sandip , Rowland Christine
Published: March 2024

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV) is a chronic, relapsing-remitting condition associated with increased morbidity. Previous research has shown patients with AAV report high levels of fatigue, pain, depression and anxiety. Over recent years successful work has been carried out to improve clinical outcomes, resulting in reduced mortality and end stage kidney disease (ESKD). Despite this, little work has been done to better understand the role of the patient within this condition. The prevalence of AAV is increasing and to date, there is a shortage of specific tools that assess and measure key features relating to patient reported outcomes (PROs). This protocol details how we can better understand the lived experiences of those with AAV through the development of a disease specific, patient reported outcome measure (PROM), to be used in clinic practice. This will allow us to recognise and validate PROs and the impact the disease and its treatment has on patients’ health related quality of life (HRQoL). In addition, we aim to identify potential differences in PRO’s between demographics, organ involvement and treatment subgroups in AAV as well as outcomes relating to the patient experience. Patients from a single centre in the UK will be recruited to take part in the exploratory qualitative study which will include focus groups and semi-structured interviews. The inclusion criteria comprise anyone with a diagnosis of AAV and willing to participate, including those who have active or relapsing disease, those are economically active, unemployed, retired and patients receiving renal replacement therapy. The aim of the project is to identify key issues patients experience in relation to their disease and its management and how these can be better assessed in a new PROM developed for use in the clinic setting. This will enable better delivery of individualised care and inform shared decision making, while also serving as a platform for future research looking at PROs in other glomerulonephritides.
Thermodynamic bifurcation in anoxic heart: A far-from-equilibrium dissipative structure
Authors: Lecarpentier Yves , Schussler Olivier , Claes Victor , Hébert Jean-Louis , Krokidis Xénophon , Vallée Alexandre
Published: March 2024

Thermodynamic consequences of a three-hour long anoxia were investigated on the isolated mammalian rat myocardium. The anoxic heart operated in a far-from-equilibrium manner as attested by the non-linearity between the thermodynamic force and the thermodynamic flow. When subjected to slight fluctuations due to anoxia, the open far-from-equilibrium cardiac system presented a thermodynamic bifurcation at ~ 60 minutes of anoxia. The bifurcation was characterized by a sudden change of direction in the bifurcation diagram of a one-dimensional nonlinear differential equation with one parameter and occurred at a non-hyperbolic fixed point at which moment the heart lost its thermodynamic stability. The parameter of the differential equation was the single force of the myosin molecular motor. These results helped to reflect a self-organized process and the occurrence of a dissipative structure. This offers valuable insights into our understanding of myocardial protection and could be of considerable interest, especially for heart transplants where the recipient must benefit from the donor’s heart in the shortest possible time.
Analysis of genes characterizing chronic thrombosis and associated pathways in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Zhan Shizhang , Wang Liu , Wang Wenping , Li Ruoran
Published: March 2024

Purpose

In chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), fibrosis of thrombi in the lumen of blood vessels and obstruction of blood vessels are important factors in the progression of the disease. Therefore, it is important to explore the key genes that lead to chronic thrombosis in order to understand the development of CTEPH, and at the same time, it is beneficial to provide new directions for early identification, disease prevention, clinical diagnosis and treatment, and development of novel therapeutic agents.

Methods

The GSE130391 dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) public database, which includes the full gene expression profiles of patients with CTEPH and Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (IPAH). Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) of CTEPH and IPAH were screened, and then Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analyses were performed on the DEGs; Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to screen the key gene modules and take the intersection genes of DEGs and the key module genes in WGCNA; STRING database was used to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network; and cytoHubba analysis was performed to identify the hub genes.

Results

A total of 924 DEGs were screened, and the MEturquoise module with the strongest correlation was selected to take the intersection with DEGs A total of 757 intersecting genes were screened. The top ten hub genes were analyzed by cytoHubba: IL-1B, CXCL8, CCL22, CCL5, CCL20, TNF, IL-12B, JUN, EP300, and CCL4.

Conclusion

IL-1B, CXCL8, CCL22, CCL5, CCL20, TNF, IL-12B, JUN, EP300, and CCL4 have diagnostic and therapeutic value in CTEPH disease, especially playing a role in chronic thrombosis. The discovery of NF-κB, AP-1 transcription factors, and TNF signaling pathway through pivotal genes may be involved in the disease progression process.
Underwater versus conventional endoscopic mucosal resection for ≥10 mm sessile or flat colorectal polyps: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Xue , Wang Yue , Cao Xueyan , Zhang Chunmei , Miao Lin
Published: March 2024

Background and aim

Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) has been an emerging substitute for conventional EMR (CEMR). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at comparing the efficiency and safety of the two techniques for removing ≥10 mm sessile or flat colorectal polyps.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase databases were searched up to February 2023 to identify eligible studies that compared the outcomes of UEMR and CEMR. This meta-analysis was conducted on the en bloc resection rate, R0 resection rate, complete resection rate, procedure time, adverse events rate and recurrence rate.

Results

Nine studies involving 1,727 colorectal polyps were included: 881 were removed by UEMR, and 846 were removed by CEMR. UEMR was associated with a significant increase in en bloc resection rate [Odds ratio(OR) 1.69, 95% confidence interval(CI) 1.36–2.10, p<0.00001, I2 = 33%], R0 resection rate(OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.14–2.03, p = 0.004, I2 = 31%) and complete resection rate(OR 1.67, 95%CI 1.06–2.62, p = 0.03, I2 = 0%) as well as a significant reduction in procedure time(MD ‒4.27, 95%CI ‒7.41 to ‒1.13, p = 0.008, I2 = 90%) and recurrence rate(OR 0.52, 95%CI 0.33–0.83, p = 0.006, I2 = 6%). Both techniques were comparable in adverse events rate.

Conclusion

UEMR can be a safe and efficient substitute for CEMR in removing ≥10 mm sessile or flat colorectal polyps. More studies verifying the advantages of UEMR over CEMR are needed to promote its application.
Religious leaders’ perceptions of the identification and referral of people with mental health problems in a Peruvian city
Authors: Cjuno Julio , Zafra-Tanaka Jessica Hanae , García García Teresa del Pilar , Taype-Rondan Alvaro
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Religious leaders have the potential to play a significant role in the identification and referral of individuals with mental health problems.

Objective

This study sought to understand the perceptions of religious leaders in regards to identifying and referring parishioners with mental health issues to healthcare professionals, in Chimbote, Peru.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study that covered religious leaders of different religious groups in Chimbote. The leaders completed a survey that assessed their characteristics, past experiences of detecting and referring those with mental health problems to healthcare professionals, and perceptions of four clinical cases (for which we used the Clergy’s Perception of Mental Illness Survey instrument).

Results

We included 109 religious’ leaders of four religious groups (11 Catholics, 70 Evangelicals, 21 Mormons, and 7 Adventists). Of these, 50.5% had received at least one request for help with mental health issues from a parishioner in the previous month, over 85% expressed a desire for training in identifying mental health problems, and 22–30% reported receiving any training. While the majority of leaders were able to correctly identify cases of depression, alcohol dependence, and drug problems, only 62% correctly classified a case of schizophrenia. Despite this, 80% stated that they would refer their parishioners to healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

Parishioners tend to consult their religious leaders regarding their mental health and approximately 80% stated they would refer such cases to a healthcare professional. However, less than one-third of the leaders had received training to detect mental health problems. These results suggest that there is a need for training programs to improve the ability of religious leaders to identify and refer individuals with mental health issues.
Low-power and area-efficient memristor based non-volatile D latch and flip-flop: Design and analysis
Authors: S. Haroon Rasheed , Nelapati Rajeev Pankaj
Published: March 2024

In recent years, non-volatile memory elements have become highly appealing for memory applications to implement a new class of storage memory that could replace flash memories in sequential logic applications, with features such as compactness, low power, fast processing speed, high endurance, and retention. The memristor is one such non-volatile element that fits the fundamental blocks of sequential logic circuits, the latch and flip-flop; hence, in this article, a non-volatile latch architecture using memristor ratioed logic (MRL) inverter and CMOS components is focused, with an additional memristor as a memory element. A Verilog-A model was used to create the memristor element. The simulation findings validated the compact, low-voltage, and reliable design of the latch design. We evolved in technology enough to create a master-slave flip-flop and arrange it to function as a counter and a shift register. Power, number of elements, cell size, energy, programming time, and robustness are compared to comparable non-volatile topologies. The proposed non-volatile latch proves non-volatility and can store data with a 24% reduction in power consumption and a near 10% reduction in area.
Burlesque, stripping, sex work and feminism: Through pleasure to emancipation with Peekaboo Pointe
Authors: Akife Lina , Pointe Peekaboo
Published: March 2024

In recent years, certain topics, or rather the absence of certain topics on stage, became personally very important to me. As one of the few queer women of colour in Slovenia, not seeing a variety of body types, sexualities, and points of view, made me struggle with my body image, with accepting my sexuality. This became more apparent to me when we started rehearsals for Sex Education II, a project about female pleasure, directed by Tjaša Črnigoj.
Chapimate en acción: la reactivación de un proyecto de ApS en didáctica de las matemáticas
Authors: Santaolalla Pascual Elsa
Published: March 2024

Desde el curso 2016-17, la asignatura de Didáctica de las Matemáticas, que se imparte en los Grados de Educación Primaria, ha servido de marco para el Proyecto “Guatemáticas en Acción” un proyecto de Aprendizaje Servicio de Cooperación Internacional entre España y Guatemala que tiene el propósito de dar respuesta a las necesidades de la comunidad educativa de FUNDAP, el socio local que la ONG Fundación del Valle tiene en el Occidente de Guatemala. Con la llegada de la COVID19 el proyecto quedó paralizado durante dos años, pero en el curso 2022-23 se ha vuelto a reactivar, con el nombre de “Chapimate” permitiendo de nuevo que estudiantes de magisterio españoles participen en el diseño y elaboración de planes de formación en diversos contenidos matemáticos con el fin de potenciar sus propias competencias docentes, así como las de los maestros guatemaltecos de escuelas rurales de zonas en las que la población es mayoritariamente indígena. En total han participado 81 estudiantes que trabajando en forma cooperativa han elaborado 19 planes de formación integrados por talleres y actividades lúdico-manipulativas que abordan algunos de los contenidos del área de matemáticas del Currículo Nacional Base (CNB) de Guatemala señalados como “prioritarios” por el Equipo de Calidad Educativa de FUNDAP.