bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term Microglial Phase-specific Dynamics During Single Vessel Occlusion and Recanalization
Authors: xie xiaoke , Liu Xuanting , Chen Yiwen , Zhu Jiazhu , Xu Yongxian , Li Xiaojing , Zheng Yameng , Gong Shangyue , Xiao Xiao , Zhang Jianmin , Gong Wei , Si Ke
Published: December 2021

Vascular occlusion leading to brain dysfunctions is usually considered evoking microglia-induced inflammation response. However, it remains unclear how microglia interact with blood vessels in the development of vascular occlusion-related brain disorders. Here, we illuminate long-term spatiotemporal dynamics of microglia and their activation pattern during single vessel occlusion and recanalization. The results show that microglia display remarkable response characteristics in different phases, including acute reaction, rapid diffusion, transition and chronic effect. Microglial cell body represents a unique filament-shape migration and has slower motility compared to the immediate reaction of processes to occlusion. We capture single microglia with few processes moves out of the cluster and redistributes territory with increasing ramified processes. Microglial cluster resolves gradually until microglial number and morphology become stabilized. Therefore, our study offers a comprehensive analysis of spatiotemporal dynamics of microglia to both vessel occlusion and recanalization. Microglial phase-specific response suggests the morphological feature-oriented phased intervention would be an attractive option for vascular occlusion-related diseases treatments.
Review On Preceding And Perspective Research In Electrochemical Discharge Machining
Authors: Singh Lavepreet
Published: December 2021

Electrochemical discharge machining is an adaptable machining measure for miniature boring, miniature finishing, and miniature cutting of an assortment of glasses, ceramics, and composites. Electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM), otherwise called flash-assisted compound etching, is a successful miniature machining measure for non-leading materials. It has appeal in Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) applications. Electrochemical discharge machining has ended up being a productive miniature machining measure and altogether utilized for the machining of non-conductive materials. Electro Chemical Discharge Machining (ECDM) is a controlled metal-evacuation measure that is utilized in metal elimination through electric flash disintegration. Because of advancements in technology, the scaled-down products have gained advantages in Lab-on-a-chip devices, including micro-electromechanical frameworks. Electrochemical discharge machining has done a good job of generating miniature openings and channels on electrically non-conductive materials, and it has emerged as a potential competitor. This paper examines the state of craftsmanship in various areas of electrochemical discharge machining, including the workpiece, electrolyte, hardware terminal behavior, gas film arrangement, machining efficiency, and late hybridizations in electrochemical discharge machining. The conclusion focuses on or summarizes potential exploration trends for improving ECDM proficiency also addresses machining issues.
ADP based trajectory-tracking control via backstepping method for underactuated AUV with unknown dynamics
Authors: Che Gaofeng , Yu Zhen
Published: December 2021

This paper investigates trajectory-tacking control problem for underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) with unknown dynamics. Different from existing adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) schemes, our proposed control scheme can achieve high-level system stability and tracking control accuracy. Firstly, the backstepping approach is introduced into the kinematic model of underactuated AUV and produces a virtual velocity control which is taken as the desired velocity input of the dynamic model of underactuated AUV. Secondly, the error tracking system is constructed according to the dynamic model of underactuated AUV. Thirdly, the critic neural network and the action neural network are employed to transform the trajectory-tracking control problem into optimal control problem based on policy iteration algorithm. At last simulation results are given to verify the effectiveness of the control scheme proposed in this paper.
Therapeutic and Tectonic Keratoplasty with Simple Cryopreserved Remnants of Donor Corneas: An 11 Year Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Kim Jae-Gon , Jun Jong Hwa
Published: December 2021

This study sought to describe the use of deep-frozen donor corneal remnants preserved after keratoplasty procedures for therapeutic or tectonic keratoplasty without subsequent optical keratoplasty. This single-centre retrospective consecutive case series analyzed the electronic medical records of patients who had undergone therapeutic or tectonic keratoplasty using deep-frozen donor remains preserved in Optisol-GS, for the past 11 years at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center. Fifty-five surgical cases in 46 patients were included. Twenty-three surgical cases in 18 patients underwent therapeutic keratoplasty for refractory infectious corneal ulcer. Complete eradiation of primary infection was achieved in 14 patients (77.8%). Tectonic keratoplasty were performed 32 cases in 28 patients. Twenty-seven of 28 patients were ultimately able to maintain anatomical integrity (96.4%). Mean uncorrected visual acuity improved from 1.77 ± 0.94 preoperatively to 1.31 ± 0.95 at the last follow up postoperatively in the tectonic graft group by logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (P = 0.002). There were no cases of graft rejection. Keratoplasty using cryopreserved donor tissue is a suitable surgical alternative for infectious or non-infectious corneal ulcers in elderly patients or patients with poor general condition. It could be a viable alternative to overcome the shortage of corneal donors.
Mindfulness Meditation for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Quasi-randomized Controlled Pilot Study
Authors: Lino Cesare , Neuwersch-Sommeregger Stefan , Likar Rudolf , De Bartolo Paola
Published: December 2021

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Pain Therapy (MBPT) a treatment combining mindfulness meditation and several interventions taken from cognitive therapy within the frame of the multimodal pain therapy program, in patients suffering from chronic low back pain (CLBP).Design: A quasi-randomized case-control study. Subjects: The study included 20 subjects with chronic low back pain were recruited and quasi-randomly allocated to a standard multimodal pain therapy (n=10) or to a multimodal pain therapy group with MBPT (n=10). The intervention was identical for both groups except for the mindfulness meditation program.Methods. Both groups participated in a 4-week training, 5 times/week. All subjects underwent the same measurement protocol before and after the intervention. The program was evaluated on the basis of measure of pain, quality of life, disability, pain catastrophizing and depression. Results: The trial group displayed significant reduction in pain intensity, improvement in the quality of life, reduction in pain disability, in depression and pain catastrophizing. Conclusion: The study indicated that mindfulness meditation can influence the treatments and lead to a significant improvement in the overall result of the multimodal pain therapy.
Exposure to Cadmium, Lead, Mercury and Arsenic and Uric Acid Levels: Results from NHANES 2007-2016
Authors: Gao Wenhui , Tong Li , Zhao Saisai , Jin Lina
Published: December 2021

Background: Mechanisms underlying abnormal uric acid (UA) levels from exposure to heavy metals have not been not fully elucidated, especially in the context of mixtures.Objectives: To identify major heavy metals affected UA levels with a mixture exposure concept in the association model.Methods: 4794 adults from 2007-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were involved. Serum UA (SUA) and SUA/SCr were used to estimate the UA levels, and cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) in blood and/or urinary were evaluated in the study. We assessed the associations between heavy metals and UA levels using linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). Results: The median [P25, P75] SUA/SCr and SUA level were 6.22[5.27, 7.32] and 0.83[0.72, 0.98], respectively. There was no difference for SUA/SCr by gender, (men: 6.25[5.39, 7.29]; women: 6.17[5.17, 7.36], P=0.162), but men had higher SUA than women (men: 0.95[0.85, 1.05]; women: 0.72[0.64, 0.82], P<0.001). Blood Pb (βmen = 0.651 and βwomen =1.014) and urinary Cd (βmen = 0.252 and βwomen = 0.613) were positively associated with SUA/SCr, and urinary Pb (βmen = -0.462 and βwomen = -0.838) was inversely associated with SUA/SCr in multivariate linear regression analysis, but urinary As (βmen= 0.351) was positively associated with SUA/SCr only in men. BKMR showed that higher concentrations of exposure to a mixture of heavy metals was positively associated with higher UA levels, where Cd, Pb and urinary As contributed most to the overall mixture effect in men, while Pb and urinary Cd in women.Conclusions: Our study provided the first evidence that mixtures of metals are associated with the UA levels. Increased concentrations of metals, particularly blood Pb, urinary Cd and As (only in men) may increase the levels of UA.
Cinobufagin Enhances the Sensitivity of Cisplatin-Resistant Lung Cancer Cells to Chemotherapy by Inhibiting the PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK Pathways
Authors: Zhang Guangxin , Liu Xueshibojie , Wang Yicun , Jin Chengyan , Lu Zhengyang , Yang Hao , Tong Ti
Published: December 2021

Background: Lung cancer patients always develop serious chemotherapy resistance after long-term use of cisplatin (DDP) treatment. It has been demonstrated that combination of DDP with other chemotherapy drugs may significantly reduce drug resistance. Cinobufagin (CB) showed potent anti-tumor effect against lung cancer. However, the relevance of CB and DDP resistance in lung cancer remains unclear. This article will study the effects of CB on reversing lung cell resistance in vitro and in vivo. Materials and Methods: The cell viability was evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8) assay. The apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry analysis and TUNEL staining. The invasiveness was detected by Invasion assay. The mRNA and protein of apoptosis-related proteins, P-AKT, P-PI3K, P-MEK1/2, P-ERK1/2 and MRP1 were estimated by qRT-PCR analysis and western blot analysis, respectively. In vivo antitumor activities were investigated by subcutaneous xenograft assay. Results: The present study firstly demonstrated that the sensitivity of DDP in DDP-resistant A549 (A549/DDP) cells was enhanced when treatment with CB. Moreover, CB combined with DDP significantly weakened the proliferation and increased apoptosis of A549/DDP cells. In addition, the expression level of Bcl-2 was increased, whereas Bax and Caspase-3 were activated when A549/DDP cells were treated with both drugs. Moreover, after treatment with IGF1 (activator of PI3K/AKT) or PMA (activator of MAPK/ERK) and mixed drugs (CB+DDP), the expressions of P-AKT, P-PI3K, P-MEK1/2 and P-ERK1/2 were increased. Finally, the results of in vivo experiments showed that the combination of DDP and CB significantly reduced the growth of tumors derived from A549/DDP cells. Conclusions: In summary, the results of this study indicate that the combination of CB and DDP can be considered an effective strategy to increase the sensitivity of DDP-resistant lung cancer cells to DDP by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathways.
A Numerıcal Investıgatıon of The Thermal Behavıor of Dıfferent Phase Change Materıals In Thermal Energy Storage Systems
Authors: Kan Mehmet
Published: December 2021

Phase change materials (PCM) are widely used in thermal energy storage systems due to their high heat storage properties. However, due to the low thermal conductivity of PCMs, different surface areas are employed in order to increase the amount of energy. One of these methods is to use fins with high thermal conductivity. This study numerically investigated the thermal behavior of different PCMs (paraffin, paraffin wax, polyethylene glycol 6000) during the melting process in a thermal energy storage system with 15 fins. A FOX 50 heat flow meter was used for thermal conductivity measurements of these PCMs, and TA DSC Q200 (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) devices were used for specific heat measurements. The thermal property data of these measured PCMs were used in a time-dependent analysis. With the PCM data obtained, time-dependent thermal analyses were carried out using the Ansys-Fluent program based on the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method. The effect of these different PCMs on the melting processes was investigated by using water at 75oC in a 15-fin thermal storage system by observing their thermal behavior in the thermal energy storage system. In addition, cost analyses were conducted by determining the required amount of PCMs for the thermal storage system.
Orbiting Light Around the Outer Surface of Dielectric Microspheres
Authors: Ogura Toshihiko
Published: December 2021

Circulating light in the total internal reflection within dielectric spheres or disks is called the whispering gallery mode (WGM), which by itself is highly sensitive to its surface and capable of detecting viruses and single atomic ions. The detection site of the sensors using WGM is created by the evanescent light from the circulating light inside spheres. On the other hand, there have been no reports of observation or discussion of the light orbiting outside the surface of dielectric microspheres. Here we report light orbiting the outer surface of a dielectric microspheres different from the WGM. We observed anomalously enhanced Raman spectrum at the periphery of 3 μm diameter polystyrene (PS) microspheres on a silicon nitride (SiN) film using Raman microscopy. The wavelength intensity of this enhanced Raman spectrum was accompanied by periodic changes due to interference. These features may lead to the development of high-sensitive sensors and optical devices.
The Comprehensive Analysis of Competitive Endogenous RNA Networks and Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells in Gastric Cancer With Lymph Node Metastasis
Authors: Gong Fangxiao , Liang Tianyu , Lin Zongbin , Liu Renyang , Hong Jun , Chen Minhua
Published: December 2021

Background: Gastric cancer is a kind of tumor with strong heterogeneity. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) acting as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) play significant roles in the development of tumors. Methods: In this study, we divided all TCGA gastric cancer patients into the whole, intestinal and diffuse cohorts for further analysis, and constructed competitive endogenous RNA network and evaluated immune cells using CIBERSORTx. The support vector machines recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) was used for screening significant signatures and the support vector machines (SVM) for establishing model predicting the lymph node metastasis. Results: In this study, we divided all TCGA gastric cancer patients into the whole, intestinal and diffuse cohorts for further analysis, and constructed competitive endogenous RNA network and evaluated immune cells using CIBERSORTx. The support vector machines recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) was used for screening significant signatures and the support vector machines (SVM) for establishing model predicting the lymph node metastasis. The performance of SVM model was good in the intestinal and diffuse cohort, while the model in the whole cohort was relatively poor. Some important co-expression patterns between immune cells and ceRNAs network indicated significant correlation CD70 with dendritic cells and so on. Conclusion: Our research inferred competing endogenous RNA network of lymph node metastasis and built an excellent predicting model.
Comparison of Telomere Length Between Buccal Cells and Blood Cells
Authors: Xu Lu , Qiu Zhuoziqi , Cong Yu-Sheng
Published: December 2021

Background

Telomere length (TL) in blood has been extensively studied as a biomarker of aging and aging-associated disease. TL in blood cells is commonly used as a proxy for TL in other tissue types. The source of DNA of adequate quality and quantity is an important consideration in telomere length analysis. Compared to blood cells, buccal cells easy for genomic DNA preparation would facilitate the rapid and reliable telomere length analysis. However, the feasibility of buccal cells for TL analysis remains yet unestablished.
Methods

A total of 52 participants ranged in age from 18 to 80 years including 24 males and 28 females were included in this study. Both buccal and blood samples were taken at the same time by using buccal cell swabs and fingertip stick from each participant. Relative telomere length (RTL) was analyzed using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method.
Results

The results indicate that there is a strong positive correlation between buccal RTL and blood RTL and negative correlation between both buccal RTL and blood RTL with age.
Conclusion

The validity of sampling using buccal cell swabs provides simple operation and good reproducibility for telomere length analysis, which overcomes the discomfort and risk of infection caused by blood sampling.
COVID-19 as a Social Disease: Qualitative Analysis of COVID-19 Prevention Needs, Impact of Control Measures and Community Responses Among Racialized/Ethnic Minorities in Antwerp, Belgium
Authors: Nöstlinger Christiana , Landeghem Ella Van , Vanhamel Jef , Rotsaert Anke , Manirankunda Lazare , Ddungu Charles , Reyniers Thijs , Katsuva Deogratias , Vercruyssen Jana , Dielen Stef , Meudec Marie
Published: December 2021

Background: In high income countries, racialized/ethnic minorities are disproportionally affected by COVID-19. We lack in-depth understanding of these communities’ experiences with and responses to COVID-19 despite the established importance of community involvement in epidemic preparedness. We explored information and prevention needs, coping mechanisms with COVID-19 control measures and their impact on lived experiences among selected racialized/ethnic minority communities.Methods: This qualitative rapid assessment conducted in Antwerp/Belgium used an interpretative and participatory approach. We included migrant communities with geographic origins ranging from Sub-Saharan Africa, North-Africa to the Middle East, Orthodox Jewish communities and community workers working with these groups. Data were collected between May 2020 - May 2021 through key informant-, in-depth interviews and group discussions (N=71). Transcripts were analyzed inductively, adopting a reflexive thematic approach. A community advisory board provided feedback throughout the research process.Results: Participants indicated the need for tailored information in terms of language and timing. At the start of the epidemic, they perceived official public health messages as insufficient to reach all community members. Information sources included non-mainstream (social) media and media from home countries, hampering a nuanced understanding of virus transmission mechanisms and local and national protection measures. Participants felt the measures’ most negative impact on their livelihoods (e.g. loss of income, disruption of social and immigration support). Economic insecurity triggered chronic stress and fears at individual and family level. High degrees of distrust in authorities and anticipated stigma were grounded in previously experienced racial and ethnic discrimination. Community-based initiatives mitigated this impact, ranging from disseminating translated and tailored information, providing individual support, and successfully reaching community members with complex needs (e.g. the elderly, digitally illiterate people, those with small social networks or irregular legal status). Conclusion: Study participants’ narratives showed how coping with and responding to COVID-19 was strongly intertwined with socio-economic and ethnic/racial characteristics, justifying conceptualizing COVID-19 a social disease. At the same time, communities demonstrated resilience in responding to these structural vulnerabilities. From a health equity perspective, we provide concrete policy recommendations grounded in insights into communities’ structural vulnerabilities and resilience.
Evaluation and Projection of Vb-Cyclones and Associated North-Western Mediterranean Sea State in Regional Coupled Climate Simulations
Authors: Pothapakula Praveen Kumar , Hoff Amelie , Hellhund Anika Obermann , Keber Timo , Ahrens Bodo
Published: December 2021

Vb-cyclones propagating from the North-Western Mediterranean Sea into Central Europe are often associated with extreme precipitation. This study explores the state & process chains linking the North-Western Mediterranean Sea and the Vb-event precipitation in Danube, Elbe, and Odra catchments in regional coupled atmosphere-ocean climate simulations with COSMO-CLM+NEMO.
Two high-resolution simulations, an evaluation simulation (1951-2005) downscaling the centennial ERA-20C reanalysis and a continuous simulation (historical 1951-2005 + RCP-8.5 future scenario 2006-2099) downscaling the EC-EARTH global climate RCP-8.5 projection are used for this purpose. Sea surface temperature (SST) validation with observations over the Mediterranean Sea reveals a cold bias (approx 1 -- 1.5 K) in the historical & evaluation simulations. There is a good agreement in mean annual Vb-cyclone frequency between the evaluation (9.7 events/year) and the historical (10.1 events/year) simulations. But, there are significant discrepancies in the seasonal cycle. The mean cyclone intensity measured with minimum central pressure, track density, and precipitation rankings in the catchments also show good agreement. A basin-average SST warming of approx 2.5 -- 3 K, but insignificant changes in Vb-frequency, mean intensity, and precipitation in the catchments are projected by the end of the 21st century.
The North-Western Mediterranean SST, evaporation, and wind speed anomalies corresponding to the precipitation rankings over the three catchments & associated process chains differ between the evaluation & historical simulations. In the evaluation simulation, Vb-cyclone precipitation rankings correspond with SST, evaporation, and wind speed anomalies, while in the historical & the future simulation no such correspondence is seen. Especially the Adriatic & Ionian basins show no sensitivity to the Vb events in the EC-EARTH driven simulation. The change in the processes might be because of the emergence of simulation biases inherited from the driving EC-EARTH global simulation.
Indirect Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination on Weekly Trends in Morbidity and Mortality Indicators in Brazil, 2020 to 2021
Authors: Percio Jadher , Cabral Cibelle Mendes , Fantinato Francieli Fontana Sutile Tardetti , Barrera Lely Stella Guzmán , de Araújo Wildo Navegantes
Published: December 2021

Background: With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, safe and efficacious vaccines were quickly developed and made available to reduce its morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to describe the trends and evaluate the association of COVID-19 vaccination with indicators of morbidity and mortality due to the disease in Brazil.Methods: This was an ecological study whose unit of analysis was the time elapsed between February 16th, 2020, from the introduction of COVID-19 in Brazil and July 17th, 2021, six months after the start of vaccination in the country. From secondary databases, indicators of morbidity and mortality (incidence of hospitalization, proportion of severe cases, lethality and mortality) and vaccine coverage (doses 1, 2 or single dose) per epidemiological week (EW) and age groups were calculated (18 to 59 years and 60 years or older). Indicators of morbimortality were compared in the pre-vaccination (EW 8/2020 to EW 2/2021) and vaccination (EW 3/2021 to EW 28/2021) periods, analyzing the trends estimated using the JointPoint model and their associations using the Poisson model.Results: For individuals aged 60 years and over, during the period of COVID-19 vaccination there was a weekly trend towards a reduction in the incidence of hospitalizations (PMSV: -4.7%), severity (PMSV: -0.3%, lethality (PMSV: -2.0%) and mortality (PMSV: -2.8%); the increase in COVID-19 vaccination coverage was inversely associated with the incidence of hospitalizations (IRR: 0.969), lethality (IRR: 0.993), and mortality (IRR: 0.981). For individuals aged 18 to 59 years of age, during the period of COVID-19 vaccination there was a weekly trend towards a reduction in the incidence of hospitalizations (PMSV: -2.6%) and lethality (PMSV: -2.0%), while there was an increase in mortality (PMSV: 3.8%); the increase in COVID-19 vaccination coverage was inversely associated with the incidence of hospitalizations (IRR: 0.975) and lethality (IRR: 0.939). Conversely, it was directly associated with mortality (IRR: 1.054).Conclusions: it was demonstrated that COVID-19 vaccination had an indirect impact in reducing the morbidity and mortality trend from the disease in Brazil, especially in the elderly population, in which vaccination was prioritized and achieved greater coverage, when compared to individuals aged 18 to 59 years.
B.1.1.529 escapes the majority of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies of diverse epitopes
Authors: Xie Xiaoliang , Cao Yunlong , wang jing , Jian Fanchong , Xiao Tianhe , Song Weiliang , Yisimayi Ayijiang , Li Tao , Yu Yuanling , Wang Yao , Wang Jing , Niu Xiao , Wang Peng , An Ran , Liang Hui , Sun Haiyan , Yang Sijie , Cui Qianqian , Liu Shuo , Du Shuo , Zhang Zhiying , Shao Fei , Huang Weijin , Xiao Junyu , Wang Youchun , Wang Xiangxi , Yang Xiaodong , Li Qianqian , Hao Xiaohua , Ronghua Jin
Published: December 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 variant (Omicron) contains 15 mutations on the receptor-binding domain (RBD). How Omicron would evade RBD neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and humoral immunity requires immediate investigation. Here, we used high-throughput yeast display screening1,2 to determine the RBD escaping mutation profiles for 247 human anti-RBD NAbs identified from SARS-CoV/SARS-CoV-2 convalescents and vaccinees. Based on the results, NAbs could be unsupervised clustered into six epitope groups (A-F), which is highly concordant with knowledge-based structural classifications3-5. Strikingly, various single mutations of Omicron could impair NAbs of different epitope groups. Specifically, NAbs in Group A-D, whose epitope overlaps with ACE2-binding motif, are largely escaped by K417N, N440K, G446S, E484A, Q493K, and G496S. Group E (S309 site)6 and F (CR3022 site)7 NAbs, which often exhibit broad sarbecovirus neutralizing activity, are less affected by Omicron, but still, a subset of NAbs are escaped by G339D, S371L, and S375F. Furthermore, B.1.1.529 pseudovirus neutralization and RBD binding assay showed that single mutation tolerating NAbs could also be escaped due to multiple synergetic mutations on their epitopes. In total, over 85% of the tested NAbs are escaped by Omicron. Regarding NAb drugs, LY-CoV016/LY-CoV555 cocktail, REGN-CoV2 cocktail, AZD1061/AZD8895 cocktail, and BRII-196 were escaped by Omicron, while VIR7831 and DXP-604 still function at reduced efficacy. Together, data suggest Omicron could cause significant humoral immune evasion, while NAbs targeting the sarbecovirus conserved region remain most effective. Our results offer instructions for developing NAb drugs and vaccines against Omicron and future variants.
Dietary Diversity among Indian adolescents and young adults: Evidence from UDAYA study
Authors: Bansal Anjali , Arora Pooja , Sharma Radhika , Misra Archa
Published: December 2021

Background: Adolescence is a period transition from childhood to adulthood , in which they undergo various rapid changes from physical appearances to changes in the food habits. During this period, childbearing age starts, particularly for women, which is one of the most precarious time wherein optimum nutritional status need to be achieved. So, Eating healthy during adolescence is important as rapid physical growth increases the need of several nutrients.Methods: In our study, we have used the UDAYA longitudinal study design which provides a unique opportunity to determine the role of dietary pattern at one time point to the changes at the time 2. For analysis, cross-tabulation and chi-square test is used to test independence of various groups. Binary logistic regression is used to identify determinants of minimum dietary diversity (Yes=1, No=0) of the adolescents. Adjusted odds ratio are computed for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar separately, as well as for combined sample.Results: In the present study, the average adherence to the dietary pattern in our adolescents was 58%, while in Bihar it was 61% , and in UP it was 56%. Using the logistic regression analysis, we found that there was significant difference in the MDD of adolescents by their socio-economic characteristics. But no differentials were found among young and old adolescents in UP and Bihar. Also, food consumption score index (A.O.R.=2.6, 95% CI (2.1-3.1), and media exposure of adolescents at wave1 (A.O.R.=2.1, 95% CI (1.7-2.7) were found significant in depicting the MDD at wave2. Conclusions: India launched ICDS scheme in 1975s to strengthen the nutritional status of young children in the country, but the recent data of NFHS-5 (2019-20), shows that the nutritional status of the country improved only marginally, or rather decreased in some parts. Strengthening and proper evaluation of ICDS programme can help to improve the pro-nutrition among the adolescents. Also, there should be a specific state policy to address the needs of adolescents, and various educational programmes should be conducted in schools where students along with their parents should be educated about the need of healthy dietary habits.
Dissociation of Early And Late Face-Related Processes In Autism Spectrum Disorder And Williams Syndrome
Authors: Gomez Alice , Lio Guillaume , Costa Manuela , Sirigu Angela , Demily Caroline
Published: December 2021

Background: Williams syndrome (WS) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are psychiatric conditions associated with atypical but opposite face-to-face interactions patterns: WS patients overly stare at others, ASD individuals escape eye contact. Whether these behaviors result from dissociable visual processes within the occipito-temporal pathways is unknown. Using high-density electroencephalography, multivariate signal processing algorithms and a protocol designed to identify and extract evoked activities sensitive to facial cues, we investigated how WS (N=14), ASD (N=14) and neurotypical subjects (N=14) decode the information content of a face stimulus. Results: We found two neural components in neurotypical participants, both strongest when the eye region was projected onto the subject's fovea, simulating a direct eye contact situation, and weakest over more distant regions, reaching a minimum when the focused region was outside the stimulus face. The first component peaks at 170ms, an early signal known to be implicated in low-level face features. The second is identified later, 260ms post-stimulus onset and is implicated in decoding salient face social cues.Remarkably, both components were found distinctly impaired and preserved in WS and ASD. In WS, we could weakly decode the 170ms signal based on our regressor relative to facial features, probably due to their relatively poor ability to process faces’ morphology, while the late 260ms component was highly significant. The reverse pattern was observed in ASD participants who showed neurotypical like early 170ms evoked activity but impaired late evoked 260ms signal. Conclusions: Our study reveals a dissociation between WS and ASD patients and point at different neural origins for their social impairments.
Food insecurity and common mental disorders in perinatal women living in low socio-economic settings in Cape Town, South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cohort study
Authors: Abrahams Zulfa , Lund Crick
Published: December 2021

Background
Common mental disorders (CMDs) such as depression and anxiety are highly prevalent during the perinatal period, and are associated with poverty, food insecurity and domestic violence. We used data collected from perinatal women at two time-points during the COVID-19 pandemic to test the hypotheses that (1) socio-economic adversities at baseline would be associated with higher CMD prevalence at follow-up and (2) worse mental health at baseline would be associated with higher food insecurity prevalence at follow-up.
Methods
Telephonic interviews were conducted with perinatal women attending healthcare facilities in Cape Town, South Africa. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to model the associations of baseline risk factors with the prevalence of household food insecurity and CMD at 3 months follow-up.
Results
At baseline 859 women were recruited, of whom 217 (25%) were pregnant, 106 (12%) had probable CMD, and 375 (44%) were severely food insecure. At follow-up (n=634), 22 (4%) were still pregnant, 44 (7%) had probable CMD, and 207 (33%) were severely food insecure. In the multivariable regression model, after controlling for confounders, the odds of being food insecure at follow-up were greater in women who were unemployed [OR=2.05 (1.46-2.87); p<0.001] or had probable CMD [OR=2.37 (1.35-4.18); p=0.003] at baseline; and the odds of probable CMD at follow-up were greater in women with psychological distress [OR=2.81 (1.47-5.39); p=0.002] and abuse [OR=2.47 (1.47-4.39); p=0.007] at baseline.
Conclusions
This study highlights the complex bidirectional relationship between mental health and socioeconomic adversity among perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Using I2P Encrypted Virtual Tunnels for a Secure and Anonymous Communication in VANets: I2P Vehicular Protocol (IVP)
Authors: Diab Tayeb , Gilg Marc , Drouhin Frederic , Lorenz Pascal
Published: December 2021

Providing security and anonymity within VANet requires application of robust and secure models that meet several characteristics of VANet. I2P as a secure protocol designed to anonymize the communication on the internet, can be used as a reference model to develop new mechanisms of security and anonymity in VANet. I2P uses robust mechanisms and strong algorithms to reinforce the security and the anonymity of the communication. However, the difference between internet and VANet in terms of mobility and connectivity of nodes presents a big issue that needs to be treated when using I2P mechanisms in VANet. In the previous work [1], we propose a protocol based on tunnels and encryption algorithms that use digital signatures and authentication mechanisms. Tunnels are created in static scenarios and without maintaining their existence. In this paper, we complete the last version of the proposed protocol (I2P Vehicular Protocol) by integrating a tunnel maintenance algorithm for maintaining the existence of the created tunnels during the communication. This algorithm allows the implementation of the protocol in mobile scenarios of VANet. The effectiveness and security of IVP protocol are proved by analyzing the added part related to the tunnel maintenance process and showing performance results (end-to-end delay, PDR and overhead). Simulation scenarios were executed using NS3 simulator.
Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Inhibitors Induced Neurocognitive Disorder: A Pharmacovigilance Study by Analyzing the Data from the U.S. FDA Adverse Event Reporting System
Authors: Hu Yang , Bai Ziyu , Huang Tianxin , Zhang Xinyue , Fan Qianqian , Zhao Bin , Tian Zhuang
Published: December 2021

PurposeThe neurocognitive disorder is a rare adverse event associated with Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors in the randomized controlled trail (RCTs), there was limited evidence to prove their relation. This study aimed to assessing their association by detecting adverse signal in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).MethodsThe disproportionality analysis was conducted to detect the potential adverse signal between neurocognitive disorders and PCSK9 inhibitors. The adverse event reports from the first quarter of 2004 to the second quarter of 2020 were extracted from the FAERS database.ResultsThere were 81,272 adverse reports correlated with the usage of the PCSK9 inhibitors, of which 152 reports corresponded with our inclusion criteria. Among them, there were 106 and 46 neurocognitive disorder reports related to the usage of Evolocumab and Alirocumab, respectively. The total ROR value presented negative disproportionality, however, Alirocumab has generated a positive signal with a higher ROR value in comparison with Evolocumab. Moreover, there were 61.19% of adverse reports were submitted by healthcare professionals. As for the outcome events, 7.79% of patients had initial or prolonged hospitalization and 3.90% suffered a disability.ConclusionThe pharmacovigilance research helps to find out more about PCSK9 inhibitor-related neurocognitive disorders. Although the positive signal was identified in Alirocumab in this study, it still required further research to prove the association between neurocognitive disorder and PCSK9 inhibitors. In addition, the tenable mechanism should be explored, which can improve the insight of this neotype lipid-lowering medicine.
Efficacy of Apatinib Combined with FOLFIRI in the First-Line Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Rong Xuetong , Liu Haiyi , Yu Hongmei , Zhao Jian , Wang Jie , Wang Yusheng
Published: December 2021

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of apatinib combined with FOLFIRI in the first-line treatment of advanced metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and explore potential factors of efficacy. Methods: Twenty mCRC patients treated at Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from March 2017 to March 2019 were included according to the enrolment criteria. They provided informed consent and were treated with apatinib combined with FOLFIRI according to the scheduled regimen until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. The primary endpoint was OS. The secondary endpoints included PFS, ORR, DCRand safety. OS and PFS were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate independent prognostic factors of OS and PFS. R was used to determine cut-off values for biochemical indicators. Forest maps were drawn for Cox univariate results and the relationships between NLR and ECOG, which were significant in univariate analysis, and OS were represented by Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: The median OS and PFS were 16.135 months (95% CI: 9.211–22.929) and 6 months (95% CI: 5.425–6.525). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that NLR and CEA were independent prognostic factors. The most common grade 3–4 adverse events were hypertension, diarrhoea, increased alkaline phosphatase, decreased leukocytes and decreased neutrophils. Conclusion: Apatinib combined with FOLFIRI for the first-line treatment of advanced unresectable mCRC showed good efficacy and safety. The baseline NLR was predictive of efficacy, and a low baseline NLR (HR: 0.2895, P=0.0084) was associated with improved OS.
Mode Selection of Content Delivery At Edge Nodes Based On Learning
Authors: Xu Yanli , Tang Hao
Published: December 2021

Pre-caching at edge nodes may improve resource efficiency for future content-centric cellular networks by bringing contents closer to users.
However, which mode (muticast or unicast) should be selected for the efficient delivery of those cached contents is still not well addressed, especially at the situation that some key parameters such as content popularity and transmission environments are unknown. To solve this problem, the criterion of delivery mode selection is studied based on the learning policy of multi-armed bandit(MAB). According to the criterion, a mode selection algorithm is proposed. In this algorithm, edge nodes can choose the better delivery modes in the current slot only dependent on existing observations in the previous slot. Performance evaluation results validate our analyses and proposals on the mode selection.
Penguatan Pendidikan Perempuan (Peran Perempuan dalam Agama, Keluarga, dan Kehidupan Sosial di Masa Modern)
Authors: Mannan Abd. , Farida Siti Nur , Rozy Fathorrozy
Published: December 2021

Abstrak: Perempuan diangkat derajatnya setelah Islam datang, sehingga Islam memberikan hak yang sama antara pria dan wanita dalam hal pendidikan. pendidikan sangatlah dibutuhkan bagi setiap perempuan karena perempuan akan menjadi pendidikan utama bagi anak-anaknya, dan menjadi pendamping bagi suaminya  serta dilingkungan masyarakat perempuan juga membutuhkan pendidikan. dalam hal pendidikan pria dan wanita adalah sama, hal ini merupakan buah revolusi begitupun sebaliknya. Adanya pendidikan memberikan hal positif bagi kaum laki-laki maupun perempuan untuk mengukir sejarah dimasa yang akan datang karena perempuan adalah pendamping yang harus berjuang bersama untuk memajukan bangsa serta meyongsong masa depan yang cerah dan perempuan bukanlah sosok bayangan yang harus ada dibelakang laki-laki. Sering kali perempuan dianggap pembawa malapetaka bagi dunia maupun lawan jenisnya padahal perempuan juga memiliki kewajiban untuk memajukan pendidikan bagi mereka yang tertindas. Maka dari itu perempuan sangatlah dihargai dan dihormati di dalam Islam karena merupakan suatu anugerah yang membawa kehidupan baru. Dalam kajian keislaman perempuan diberikan kesempatan untuk mengenyam pendidikan agar mereka mampu menjalankan hak dan kewajibannya baik sebagi perempuan pada umumnya maupun sebagai seorang istri.

 

Kata Kunci: Pendidikan Perempuan, Peran Perempuan, Masa Modern
Creative Sovereignties and Fiscal Relations
Authors: SOMMERS L. JAVED
Published: December 2021

This article contributes to conversations about creative sovereignties by exploring what truly ‘nation-to-nation’ fiscal relationships might look like between Canada and Treaty 6 First Nations if Treaty 6 were taken seriously. Since fiscal relations between Indigenous peoples and settler colonial states often perpetuate colonial sovereignty, reimagining fiscal relations in a historical treaty context offers creative opportunities for decolonization. The article first examines the history of the 1876 Treaty 6 and the relationships Treaty 6 created. It is established that Treaty 6 created nation-to-nation relationships that were based on the desire for mutually beneficial relations in a shared space, and that treaty included fiscal obligations for Canada. Since 1876, including today, fiscal relations between Canada and First Nations have generally been inconsistent with the spirit and intent of treaty. The article proceeds to offer examples of changes that could be made to create fiscal relationships consistent with treaty. Some of these recommendations are relatively pragmatic and would come at little political, fiscal, or constitutional cost to Canada, while others are more dramatic, and would involve a fundamental reshaping of Canada as we know it.
Between Ecology and Indigeneity
Authors: FISHEL STEFANIE , WINTER CHRISTINE J. , BURKE ANTHONY
Published: December 2021

We live at a time of unprecedented ecological and socio-political crisis—climate change, pandemic, extinction, inequality, and repression—yet everywhere it is underpinned by the dispossession of Indigenous peoples and the persistent refusal of Indigenous authority and sovereignty. Bringing together concerns about bio- and necropolitics, habitat destruction and animal cruelty, corporate-colonial modes of conservation, whitened food systems, and settler-colonial systems of land, business and environmental law, this special issue highlights enduring structures of injustice and creative lines of Indigenous resistance, authority, and cultural-political transformation.
A Seat At The Table
Authors: WINTER CHRISTINE J.
Published: December 2021

Aotearoa New Zealand acknowledges mātauranga Māori in the two Acts and one Memorandum of Understanding recognising the ‘personhood’ status of three geographical regions—Te Awa Tupua, Te Urewera and Taranaki Maunga. They blend the legal fiction of corporate personhood with the already always understanding of human-nonhuman kinship and entanglement of M!ori philosophy, Māori knowledge and wisdom, and Māori epistemology. Through kaitiaki (trustees) these three entities have volition in their ongoing maintenance, development negotiations, and ‘land-use’, and ‘the rights, powers, duties and liabilities of a legal person’. These attributes suggest something more than mere volition in self-management and protection: they suggest agency. This article explores the implications of nonhuman agency as potential for political voice. As representatives of entanglement for all being—animal (including human), vegetable and elemental—and as a matter of justice they are, perhaps, obliged to participate in democracy and the nation is, perhaps, obliged to give them a ‘seat at the table’. As political agents with equal status to human and corporate persons Te Awa Tupua, Te Urewera and Taranaki Maunga might unsettle settler politics and challenge the imbalances of the Anthropocene.
Terrain
Authors: WEIR JESSICA K.
Published: December 2021

Indigenous leaders and scholars demand greater respect for their governance and knowledge authority, with one priority the de/centring of the environmental management research-praxis arising out of natural science traditions (Latulippe and Klenk, 2020). That is, to de-centre colonial privilege and centre Indigenous authority. Who can do this and how involves conceptual, political and cultural expertise; yet, natural science disciplinary practices prioritise invisibilizing power, culture and perspective (Latulippe and Klenk, 2020; Vásquez-Fernández and Ahenakew, 2020). This article is an intervention into this context. As a non-Indigenous scholar, I introduce the analytical tools I use to unpack two core assumptions that confounded my ability to hear what Indigenous mentors were saying about environmental management. With two demonstrations—Xaxli’p (Canada) and Gunditjmara (Australia)—I also show how Indigenous leaders do not just present their own approaches, but re-constitute environmental management itself with their meanings, practices, and priorities, whilst environmental management also influences Indigenous knowledge and governance. My focus is with how knowledge is formed and re-formed within and between diverse knowledge holders, including my work as a reflexive modern scholar. Significantly, this article is not purely for edification: this is justice work—in support of both Indigenous people and nature.
Unreported standard errors in meta-analysis
Authors: Longford Nicholas T.
Published: December 2021

A study that would otherwise be eligible is commonly excluded from a meta-analysis when the standard error of its treatment-effect estimator, or the estimate of the variance of the outcomes, is not reported and cannot be recovered from the available information. This is wasteful when the estimate of the treatment effect is reported. We assess the loss of information caused by this practice and explore methods of imputation for the missing variance. The methods are illustrated on two sets of examples, one constructed specifically for illustration and another based on a published systematic review.
Approximately optimum strata boundaries for two concomitant stratification variables under proportional allocation
Authors: Danish Faizan , Rizvi S. E. H.
Published: December 2021

The proper choice of strata boundaries is an important factor determining the efficiency of the estimator of the considered characteristics of a population. In this article, the Cum Rule (i=3,4) for obtaining approximately optimum strata boundaries has been applied, taking into account a single-study variable along with two concomitant variables serving as the basis of the stratification variables. The relative efficiency of the proposed methods has been demonstrated theoretically and empirically by comparing them to a selection of already-existing methods in a simulation study with the use of the proportional allocation method.