bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatio-temporal evolution of mortality in Cape Verde: 1995–2018
Authors: Varela Domingos Veiga , Martins Maria do Rosário Oliveira , Furtado António , Mendonça Maria da Luz Lima , Fernandes Ngibo Mubeta , Santos Ivone , Lopes Edna Duarte
Published: March 2023

Located in West Africa, Cabo Verde is a low income country, with significant gains in health indicators. Mortality is an important demographic factor. Its analysis provides essential statistical data for the design, implementation and evaluation of public health programs. The propose of this work is to analyze the spatio-temporal evolution of mortality in Cabo Verde between 1995 to 2018. This is an observational, quantitative study that performs demographic analysis of mortality data from the Ministry of Health of Cabo Verde. Specific mortality rates from standardized causes were calculated considering the population of the country as a reference in the year 2010 and also the standardized rate for all causes on each island, aiming at comparing the islands. During the period under analysis, the number of deaths in men was always higher than that of women. The main causes of death were diseases of the circulatory system and with a higher incidence in women. São Nicolau, Brava, and Santo Antão islands have mortality rates, higher than the national level (2010–2018). The main cause of premature death in women as identified as diseases of the circulatory system, while in men it is injuries, trauma, poisoning and external causes. There was a 72% decrease in the mortality rate due to unclassified symptoms and clinical signs, and an increase in respiratory diseases and tumours. With the exception of diseases of the circulatory system, mortality rates in men are higher than in women for all the considered causes. A decrease in specific mortality rates by age group is expected for both sexes, with a greater gain in men in the younger age groups. With these data, it is intended to alert health decision-makers about the best strategies to be defined in the reduction of mortality in the country.
‘If I am on ART, my new-born baby should be put on treatment immediately’: Exploring the acceptability, and appropriateness of Cepheid Xpert HIV-1 Qual assay for early infant diagnosis of HIV in Malawi
Authors: Nyirenda-Nyang’wa Maggie , Kumwenda Moses Kelly , Horter Shona , Hosseinipour Mina C. , Chagomerana Maganizo , Kennedy Neil , Fairley Derek , Mortimer Kevin , Mwapasa Victor , Msefula Chisomo , Klein Nigel , Alber Dagmar , Obasi Angela
Published: March 2023

Early infant diagnosis of HIV (EID-HIV) is key to reducing paediatric HIV mortality. Traditional approaches for diagnosing HIV in exposed infants are usually unable to optimally contribute to EID. Point-of-care testing such as Cepheid Xpert HIV-1 Qual assay-1 (XPertHIV) are available and could improve EID-HIV in resource constrained and high HIV burden contexts. We investigated the acceptability and perceived appropriateness of XpertHIV for EID-HIV in Mulanje Hospital, Malawi. Qualitative cross-sectional study using semi-structured interviews (SSI) among caregivers and health care workers at Mulanje District Hospital. The qualitative study was nested within a larger diagnostic study that evaluated the performance of XpertHIV using whole-blood-sample in a resource limited and high burden setting. A total of 65 SSIs were conducted among caregivers (n = 60) and health care providers (n = 5). Data were coded using deductive and inductive approaches while thematic approach was used to analyse data. Point-of-care XPertHIV was perceived to be acceptable among caregivers and health care providers. Caregivers’ motivations for accepting XPertHIV HIV-testing for their infants included perceived risk of HIV emanating from child’s exposure and validation of caregiver’s own HIV sero-status. Although concerns about pain of testing and blood sample volumes taken from an infant remained amplified, overall, both caregivers and health care providers felt XpertHIV was appropriate because of its quick result turn-around-time which decreased anxiety and stress, the prospect of early treatment initiation and reduction in hospital visits and related costs. Implementation of XpertHIV has a great potential to improve EID-HIV in Malawi because of its quick turn-around-time and associated benefits including overcoming access-related barriers. Scaled implementation of this diagnostic technology require a robust community engagement strategy for managing caregivers and community myths and misconceptions towards the amount of blood sample collected from infants.
Host Cell Rap1b mediates cAMP-dependent invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Ferri Gabriel , Musikant Daniel , Edreira Martin M.
Published: March 2023

Trypanosoma cruzi cAMP-mediated invasion has long been described, however, the detailed mechanism of action of the pathway activated by this cyclic nucleotide still remains unknown. We have recently demonstrated a crucial role for Epac in the cAMP-mediated invasion of the host cell. In this work, we gathered evidence indicating that the cAMP/Epac pathway is activated in different cells lines. In accordance, data collected from pull-down experiments designed to identify only the active form of Rap1b (Rap1b-GTP), and infection assays using cells transfected with a constitutively active mutant of Rap1b (Rap1b-G12V), strongly suggest the participation of Rap1b as mediator of the pathway. In addition to the activation of this small GTPase, fluorescence microscopy allowed us to demonstrate the relocalization of Rap1b to the entry site of the parasite. Moreover, phospho-mimetic and non-phosphorylable mutants of Rap1b were used to demonstrate a PKA-dependent antagonistic effect on the pathway, by phosphorylation of Rap1b, and potentially of Epac. Finally, Western Blot analysis was used to determine the involvement of the MEK/ERK signalling downstream of cAMP/Epac/Rap1b-mediated invasion.
Deformable image registration based on single or multi-atlas methods for automatic muscle segmentation and the generation of augmented imaging datasets
Authors: Henson William H. , Mazzá Claudia , Dall’Ara Enrico
Published: March 2023

Muscle segmentation is a process relied upon to gather medical image-based muscle characterisation, useful in directly assessing muscle volume and geometry, that can be used as inputs to musculoskeletal modelling pipelines. Manual or semi-automatic techniques are typically employed to segment the muscles and quantify their properties, but they require significant manual labour and incur operator repeatability issues. In this study an automatic process is presented, aiming to segment all lower limb muscles from Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging data simultaneously using three-dimensional (3D) deformable image registration (single inputs or multi-atlas). Twenty-three of the major lower limb skeletal muscles were segmented from five subjects, with an average Dice similarity coefficient of 0.72, and average absolute relative volume error (RVE) of 12.7% (average relative volume error of -2.2%) considering the optimal subject combinations. The multi-atlas approach showed slightly better accuracy (average DSC: 0.73; average RVE: 1.67%). Segmented MR imaging datasets of the lower limb are not widely available in the literature, limiting the potential of new, probabilistic methods such as deep learning to be used in the context of muscle segmentation. In this work, Non-linear deformable image registration is used to generate 69 manually checked, segmented, 3D, artificial datasets, allowing access for future studies to use these new methods, with a large amount of reliable reference data.
Human health risk assessment of edible body parts of chicken through heavy metals and trace elements quantitative analysis
Authors: Hossain Easmin , Nesha Meherun , Chowdhury Muhammed Alamgir Zaman , Rahman Syed Hafizur
Published: March 2023

Food safety and security have now been regarded as a significant emerging area within the food supply chain leading to scientific and public health concerns in the global world. The poultry sector is a substantial threat to heavy metal intoxication for Bangladeshi people due to contaminated drinking water and feed sources, as well as the poultry sector’s surrounding environment and soil. This study was carried out to ascertain the residual concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd) and trace elements (Cr, Fe, Cu, and Zn) in various edible chicken body parts (breast, liver, gizzard, heart, kidney, and brain) to observe the quality of the consumed chickens and to assess public health risk. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used to check the content of toxic heavy metals and trace elements in 108 samples of 18 broiler chickens collected from six different locations of Dhaka North City Corporation markets in Bangladesh. The measured concentrations (mg/kg fresh weight) ranged from 0.33±0.2 to 4.6±0.4, 0.004±0.0 to 0.125±0.2, 0.006±0.0 to 0.94±0.4, 4.05±4.2 to 92.31±48.8, 0.67±0.006 to 4.15±2.7, and 4.45±0.62 to 23.75±4.3, for Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Cu, and Zn respectively. Except for Pb and Cu most of the investigated heavy metals and trace element levels in chickens were lower than the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) set by FAO/WHO and other regulatory agencies., The estimated level of Pb was nearly six times higher in the chicken brain. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values for all the studied metals were below the preliminary tolerated daily intake (PTDI). The target hazard quotient (THQ) values of the broiler chicken meat samples varied for adults and children, and the range was found to be 0.037–0.073 for Pb, 0.007–0.01 for Cd, 0.0–0.08 for Cr, 0.002–0.004 for Fe, for 0.00–0.002 Cu, and 0.004–0.008 for Zn, not exceeding the maximum level of 1 according to USEPA. The calculated THQ and total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) values were measured at less than one, suggesting that the consumption of chicken meat has no carcinogenic danger to its consumers. The Target carcinogenic risks (TCRs) of Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu were within acceptable limits. The TCR values for children were, to some extent, higher than that of adults, which proposes that regular monitoring of both harmful and essential elements in chicken samples is necessary to determine whether or not any possible health risk to consumers exists. In terms of health, this study demonstrated that consumers are chronically exposed to elemental contamination with carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects.
Can the water resources tax policy effectively stimulate the water saving behavior of social water users? A DSGE model embedded in water resources tax
Authors: Wu Zheng , Tian Guiliang , Han Xiaosheng , Li Jiawen , Xia Qing
Published: March 2023

Whether the implementation of the water resources tax policy can stimulate the water-saving behavior of social water users is one of the important criteria for evaluating the implementation effect of the tax reform policy. Taking Hebei Province, the first tax reform pilot in China, as an example. A dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model (DSGE) with embedded water resources tax is constructed to simulate the persistent impact of water resources tax on water-saving objectives. The research shows that: (1) Water resources tax can effectively achieve the goal of water-saving and improve the utilization efficiency of water resources. (2) Levying water resources tax helps to improve the water-saving awareness of enterprises and residents. It can also encourage enterprises to optimize production structures. (3) Rational and efficient use of special water resources protection funds is the basis for ensuring the effective implementation of water resources tax. It can also improve the recycling capacity of water resources. The results show that the government should speed up formulating a reasonable water resources tax rate and accelerate the construction of water resources tax protection measures. To ensure the relatively steady state of water resources utilization and protection, and achieve the dual goals of sustainable economic development and sustainable use of water resources. The research results of this paper reveal the internal logic of the comprehensive impact of water resources tax on the economy and society and provide an important basis for the national promotion of tax reform policy.
Investigation of the anti-tumor mechanism of tirabrutinib, a highly selective Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor, by phosphoproteomics and transcriptomics
Authors: Kozaki Ryohei , Yasuhiro Tomoko , Kato Hikaru , Murai Jun , Hotta Shingo , Ariza Yuko , Sakai Shunsuke , Fujikawa Ryu , Yoshida Takao
Published: March 2023

Tirabrutinib is a highly selective Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor used to treat hematological malignancies. We analyzed the anti-tumor mechanism of tirabrutinib using phosphoproteomic and transcriptomic methods. It is important to check the drug’s selectivity against off-target proteins to understand the anti-tumor mechanism based on the on-target drug effect. Tirabrutinib’s selectivity was evaluated by biochemical kinase profiling assays, peripheral blood mononuclear cell stimulation assays, and the BioMAP system. Next, in vitro and in vivo analyses of the anti-tumor mechanisms were conducted in activated B-cell-like diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (ABC-DLBCL) cells followed by phosphoproteomic and transcriptomic analyses. In vitro kinase assays showed that, compared with ibrutinib, tirabrutinib and other second-generation BTK inhibitors demonstrated a highly selective kinase profile. Data from in vitro cellular systems showed that tirabrutinib selectively affected B-cells. Tirabrutinib inhibited the cell growth of both TMD8 and U-2932 cells in correlation with the inhibition of BTK autophosphorylation. Phosphoproteomic analysis revealed the downregulation of ERK and AKT pathways in TMD8. In the TMD8 subcutaneous xenograft model, tirabrutinib showed a dose-dependent anti-tumor effect. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that IRF4 gene expression signatures had decreased in the tirabrutinib groups. In conclusion, tirabrutinib exerted an anti-tumor effect by regulating multiple BTK downstream signaling proteins, such as NF-κB, AKT, and ERK, in ABC-DLBCL.
Somatic burden in Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Zolotareva Alena , Khegay Anna , Voevodina Elena , Kritsky Igor , Ibragimov Roman , Nizovskih Nina , Konstantinov Vsevolod , Malenova Arina , Belasheva Irina , Khodyreva Natalia , Preobrazhensky Vladimir , Azanova Kristina , Sarapultseva Lilia , Galimova Almira , Atamanova Inna , Kulik Anastasia , Neyaskina Yulia , Lapshin Maksim , Mamonova Marina , Kadyrov Ruslan , Volkova Ekaterina , Drachkova Viktoria , Seryy Andrey , Kosheleva Natalia , Osin Evgeny
Published: March 2023

Somatic burden has become one of the most common psychological reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. This study examined the prevalence of somatic burden, latent profiles, and associated factors of somatic symptoms during the pandemic in a large sample of Russians. We used cross-sectional data from 10,205 Russians collected during October-December, 2021. Prevalence of somatic burden was assessed with the Somatic Symptom Scale-8. Latent profiles of somatic burden were identified using latent profile analysis. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine demographic, socioeconomic, and psychological associated factors of somatic burden. Over one-third (37%) of the Russians reported being somatised. We selected the three-latent profile solution with high somatic burden profile (16%), medium somatic burden profile (37%), and low somatic burden profile (47%). The associated factors of greater somatic burden were female gender, lower education, history of COVID-19 disease, refusing vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection, poorer self-rated health, greater fear of COVID-19 pandemic, and living in regions with higher excess mortality. Overall, this study contributes to knowledge about the prevalence, latent profiles, and associated factors of somatic burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be useful to researchers in psychosomatic medicine and practitioners in the health care system.
Using satellite data on remote transportation of air pollutants for PM2.5 prediction in northern Taiwan
Authors: Kibirige George William , Yang Ming-Chuan , Liu Chao-Lin , Chen Meng Chang
Published: March 2023

Accurate PM2.5 prediction is part of the fight against air pollution that helps governments to manage environmental policy. Satellite Remote sensing aerosol optical depth (AOD) processed by The Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correlation (MAIAC) algorithm allows us to observe the transportation of remote pollutants between regions. The paper proposes a composite neural network model, the Remote Transported Pollutants (RTP) model, for such long-range pollutant transportation that predicts more accurate local PM2.5 concentrations given such satellite data. The proposed RTP model integrates several deep learning components and learns from the heterogeneous features of various domains. We also detected remote transportation pollution events (RTPEs) at two reference sites from the AOD data. Extensive experiments using real-world data show that the proposed RTP model outperforms the base model that does not account for RTPEs by 17%-30%, 23%-26% and 18%-22% and state-of-the-art models that account for RTPEs by 12%-22%, 12%-14%, and 10%-11% at +4h to +24h, +28h to +48 hours, and +52h to +72h hours respectively.
Real-time emotion detection by quantitative facial motion analysis
Authors: Saadon Jordan R. , Yang Fan , Burgert Ryan , Mohammad Selma , Gammel Theresa , Sepe Michael , Rafailovich Miriam , Mikell Charles B. , Polak Pawel , Mofakham Sima
Published: March 2023

Background

Research into mood and emotion has often depended on slow and subjective self-report, highlighting a need for rapid, accurate, and objective assessment tools.

Methods

To address this gap, we developed a method using digital image speckle correlation (DISC), which tracks subtle changes in facial expressions invisible to the naked eye, to assess emotions in real-time. We presented ten participants with visual stimuli triggering neutral, happy, and sad emotions and quantified their associated facial responses via detailed DISC analysis.

Results

We identified key alterations in facial expression (facial maps) that reliably signal changes in mood state across all individuals based on these data. Furthermore, principal component analysis of these facial maps identified regions associated with happy and sad emotions. Compared with commercial deep learning solutions that use individual images to detect facial expressions and classify emotions, such as Amazon Rekognition, our DISC-based classifiers utilize frame-to-frame changes. Our data show that DISC-based classifiers deliver substantially better predictions, and they are inherently free of racial or gender bias.

Limitations

Our sample size was limited, and participants were aware their faces were recorded on video. Despite this, our results remained consistent across individuals.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that DISC-based facial analysis can be used to reliably identify an individual’s emotion and may provide a robust and economic modality for real-time, noninvasive clinical monitoring in the future.
Maternal perceptions of vaccinating boys against human papillomavirus (HPV) in Seoul, South Korea: A descriptive exploratory qualitative study
Authors: Choi Jihye , Markham Christine , Tamí-Maury Irene , Kim Sooyoun , Cuccaro Paula
Published: March 2023

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is of paramount importance to reduce HPV-associated cancers in both genders. In South Korea, the prophylactic vaccine is recognized as prevention of cervical cancer with little attention given to male HPV vaccination. The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of male HPV vaccination and underlying factors for vaccine hesitancy among mothers of unvaccinated boys in Seoul, Korea using a qualitative method. We used a purposive sampling strategy to recruit mothers of unvaccinated middle school-aged boys living in one of the 25 districts in Seoul, supplemented by a snowball sampling approach. We conducted one-on-one telephone interviews with ten mothers using a semi-structured interview guide. Questions probed mothers’ views on vaccinating boys against HPV and the reasons for not vaccinating their sons. We found that mothers were hesitant to vaccinate their sons against HPV due to high out-of-pocket costs, fear of side effects concerning the young age of their sons, and low awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine, all of which stemmed from the exclusion of male HPV vaccination in the national immunization program. Sociocultural factors, including vaccination norms, lack of HPV education, and values associated with sexually transmitted infections were also likely to negatively impact mothers’ vaccination decision-making. Despite the barriers, mothers were willing to accept HPV vaccination when it was framed as cancer prevention for not only the sons but also their future spouses. In conclusion, reasons for Korean mothers’ hesitancy for their sons’ HPV vaccine uptake were multifaceted. Healthcare providers’ role in emphasizing and conveying the importance of gender-neutral HPV vaccination will be essential to alleviate negative sentiments around the vaccine for boys and reduce their risk of compromised sexual health. As an effective public health strategy, tailored cancer prevention messages should be delivered heightening significant benefits of the HPV vaccine beyond the prevention of cervical cancer.
“Our parents kiss in front of us”: Reasons for early sexual debut among in-school youth in the Manzini Region in Eswatini
Authors: Nxumalo Nomathemba C. , Shongwe Mduduzi Colani , Gwebu Nontobeko , Ngcamphalala Cebisile , Nsibandze Bonisile S. , Nkambule Rejoice , Nuwagaba-Biribonwoha Harriet
Published: March 2023

Background

Early sexual debut (i.e., sex before the age of 15 years), especially if it is unprotected, may increase the risk of acquiring HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and unwanted pregnancies. We investigated the reasons for early sexual debut among in-school youth in Eswatini, a setting with high HIV incidence among youth.

Methods

This was a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive study whereby data were collected from 81 sexually active in-school youth through seven focus group discussions (FGDs) in four purposively selected public high schools (two urban and two rural) in the Manzini region, Eswatini. In each school, except one, two FGDs (one for boys and one for girls) were conducted. Qualitative data were coded and analyzed thematically in Dedoose version 8.2.14.

Results

Nearly 40% of the participants reported having initiated sexual activity before 18 years. Six major themes emerged from the data: i) Intrapersonal factors (feeling mature, religiosity, nutritional or dietary patterns); ii) Parenting and household factors (living arrangement, lack of sexuality education, working parents, negative role-modeling from adults); iii) Peer and partner pressure (pressure from friends, threats from sexual partners, intergenerational sexual partnerships and transactional sex, testing sexual prowess, desire to fit in); iv) Contextual factors (neighborhood, location); v) Mass media (cell phone ownership, social media, and television shows or movies); and vi) Cultural factors (attending traditional ceremonies, loss of cultural norms, values, and traditions, and dress code).

Conclusion and recommendations

The poor monitoring and negative role-modeling by elders highlight the importance of involving parents or guardians as key stakeholders when designing interventions targeting risky sexual behavior among youth. The multifaceted nature of the cited reasons for early sexual debut calls for interventions aimed at curbing risky sexual behavior to be culturally sensitive and responsive to the themes identified in this study.
Sperm morphology and forward motility are indicators of reproductive success and are not age- or condition-dependent in a captive breeding population of endangered snake
Authors: Sandfoss Mark R. , Reichling Steve , Roberts Beth M.
Published: March 2023

The relationship between male ejaculate traits and reproductive success is an important consideration for captive breeding programs. A recovery plan for the endangered Louisiana pinesnake includes captive breeding for the release of young to the wild. Semen was collected from twenty captive breeding male snakes and ejaculate traits of motility, morphology, and membrane viability were measured for each male. Semen traits were analyzed in relation to the fertilization rate of eggs produced from pairings of each male with a single female (% fertility) to determine the ejaculate factors contributing to reproductive success. In addition, we investigated the age- and condition-dependence of each ejaculate trait. We found significant variation in the ejaculate traits of males and normal sperm morphology (x¯= 44.4 ± 13.6%, n = 19) and forward motility (x¯= 61.0 ± 13.4%, n = 18) were found to be the best predictors of fertility. No ejaculate traits were found to be condition-dependent (P> 0.05). Forward progressive movement (FPM) (x¯= 4 ± 0.5, n = 18) was determined to be age-dependent (r2= 0.27,P= 0.028), but FPM was not included in the best model for rate of fertilization. Male Louisiana pinesnakes do not appear to experience a significant decline in reproductive potential with age (P> 0.05). The observed average rate of fertilization in the captive breeding colony was below 50% and only those pairings with a male having >51% normal sperm morphology avoided a 0% rate of fertilization. Identification of the factors contributing to the reproductive success of captive breeding Louisiana pinesnakes is of considerable conservation value in the recovery of the species, and captive breeding programs should use assessments of ejaculate traits to plan breeding pairs for maximum reproductive output.
Mitotic CDK1 and 4E-BP1 II: A single phosphomimetic mutation in 4E-BP1 induces glucose intolerance in mice
Authors: Cao Simon , Jurczak Michael J. , Shuda Yoko , Sun Rui , Shuda Masahiro , Chang Yuan , Moore Patrick S.
Published: March 2023

Objective

Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1)/cyclin B1 phosphorylates many of the same substrates as mTORC1 (a key regulator of glucose metabolism), including the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1). Only mitotic CDK1 phosphorylates 4E-BP1 at residue S82 in mice (S83 in humans), in addition to the common 4E-BP1 phospho-acceptor sites phosphorylated by both CDK1 and mTORC1. We examined glucose metabolism in mice having a single aspartate phosphomimetic amino acid knock in substitution at the 4E-BP1 serine 82 (4E-BP1S82D) mimicking constitutive CDK1 phosphorylation.

Methods

Knock-in homozygous 4E-BP1S82D and 4E-BP1S82A C57Bl/6N mice were assessed for glucose tolerance testing (GTT) and metabolic cage analysis on regular and on high-fat chow diets. Gastrocnemius tissues from 4E-BP1S82D and WT mice were subject to Reverse Phase Protein Array analysis. Since the bone marrow is one of the few tissues typically having cycling cells that transit mitosis, reciprocal bone-marrow transplants were performed between male 4E-BP1S82D and WT mice, followed by metabolic assessment, to determine the role of actively cycling cells on glucose homeostasis.

Results

Homozygous knock-in 4E-BP1S82D mice showed glucose intolerance that was markedly accentuated with a diabetogenic high-fat diet (p = 0.004). In contrast, homozygous mice with the unphosphorylatable alanine substitution (4E-BP1S82A) had normal glucose tolerance. Protein profiling of lean muscle tissues, largely arrested in G0, did not show protein expression or signaling changes that could account for these results. Reciprocal bone-marrow transplantation between 4E-BP1S82D and wild-type littermates revealed a trend for wild-type mice with 4E-BP1S82D marrow engraftment on high-fat diets to become hyperglycemic after glucose challenge.

Conclusions

4E-BP1S82D is a single amino acid substitution that induces glucose intolerance in mice. These findings indicate that glucose metabolism may be regulated by CDK1 4E-BP1 phosphorylation independent from mTOR and point towards an unexpected role for cycling cells that transit mitosis in diabetic glucose control.
An effective emotion tendency perception model in empathic dialogue
Authors: Chen Jiancu , Yang Siyuan , Xiong Jiang , Xiong Yiping
Published: March 2023

The effectiveness of open-domain dialogue systems depends heavily on emotion. In dialogue systems, previous models primarily detected emotions by looking for emotional words embedded in sentences. However, they did not precisely quantify the association of all words with emotions, which has led to a certain bias. To overcome this issue, we propose an emotion tendency perception model. The model uses an emotion encoder to accurately quantify the emotional tendencies of all words. Meanwhile, it uses a shared fusion decoder to equip the decoder with the sentiment and semantic capabilities of the encoder. We conducted extensive evaluations on Empathetic Dialogue. Experimental results demonstrate its efficacy. Compared with the state of the art, our approach has distinctive advantages.
Pediatric residents’ burnout in Indonesia: a national survey during the pandemic
Authors: Moelyo Annang Giri , Findyartini Ardi , Tridjaja Bambang , Hendarto Aryono
Published: March 2023

Background  The uncertain and somewhat chaotic clinical learning environment during the COVID-19 pandemic may potentially trigger burnout in pediatric residents.
Objective  To investigate the prevalence of burnout in pediatric residents in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify potential risk factors associated with burnout.
Methods This analytic observational study was conducted between April and June 2020. A questionnaire-based survey using an Indonesian translation of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey was conducted online across 15 pediatric training institutions treating COVID-19 patients in Indonesia. Results were interpreted in accordance with the inventory guidelines. The chi-square test was used to analyze for possible associations between each subscale and gender, marital status, training stage, as well as institution of origin. One-way ANOVA of each subscale was performed on pediatric training institutions located in different regions.
Results Of 983 respondents (82% average response rate), the prevalences of high emotional exhaustion and high depersonalization were 28.0% and 15.8%, respectively, while more than half of respondents (50.2%) had a low sense of personal accomplishment. Most respondents felt more exhausted than depersonalized. The location of pediatric training institution (Java or outside Java) was the only significant factor associated with burnout (P=0.003).
Conclusion In the early stages of the pandemic, more than half of pediatric residents in Indonesia had a low sense of personal accomplishment. The only significant factor associated with burnout among was the location of training institution (Java or outside Java), suggesting a potential role of differences in hospital situation and clinical learning environment during the pandemic between Java and outside Java.
Scoring model to predict early-onset bacterial sepsis at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Hospital, Palembang
Authors: Fitriana Lilik , Ramadanti Afifa , Indrayady Indrayady
Published: March 2023

Background Early-onset bacterial neonatal sepsis (bacterial EONS) is one of the most common causes of death and illness in newborns. Assessment of risk factors is important to identify infants who are more susceptible to bacterial EONS. A scoring model based on maternal and infant risk factors would be useful for predicting bacterial EONS.

Objective To develop a scoring model to predict bacterial EONS by examining maternal and neonatal risk factors.

Methods This diagnostic test study was conducted at Mohammad Hoesin Hospital, Palembang between January-September 2021 using various maternal and infant risk factors. Subjects were newborns suspected of having early-onset bacterial sepsis with birth weight >1000 grams. The potential risk factors evaluated consisted of premature rupture of membranes >18 hours, greenish-thick-and-foul-smelling amniotic fluid, maternal body temperature >38°C, maternal leukocytosis >15.000/?L, gestational of <37 weeks, birth weight of <2500 grams, and APGAR score of <7 at 1 minute. One hundred sixty-two subjects were selected consecutively. Analyses included odds ratio, logistic regression test, and ROC curve to assess sensitivity and specificity of each risk factor.

Results Premature rupture of membranes >18 hours, greenish-thick-and-foul-smelling amniotic fluid, male sex, and gestation of <37 weeks were risk factors for bacterial EONS. In the multivariate analysis, premature rupture of membranes >18 hours had an OR of 5.94 (95%CI 1.69 to 20.86, P=0.005), greenish-thick-and-foul-smelling amniotic fluid had an OR of 3.74(95%CI 1.16 to 12.02, P=0,027), male sex had an OR of 4.28 (95%CI 1.14 to 16.02, P=0.031), and gestation of <37 weeks had an OR of 3.1 (95%CI 0.82 to 11.72, P=0.094). In the scoring model, each of these four risk factors were assigned a score of 2 (for maternal risk factors) and 1 (for neonatal risk factors). Using a cut-off score of 2.5 to predict bacterial EONS, the scoring system had a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 47%.

Conclusion Our scoring model of maternal and infant risk factors can be used to screen for possible bacterial EONS at an earlier stage of illness, although with limited specificity.
Developing a Conceptual Model of Employee Ecological Behavior using an Integrative Approach
Authors: FAROOQ Khalid , YUSLIZA Mohd Yusoff , MUHAMMAD Zikri , SAPUTRA Jumadil
Published: March 2023

In recent years, research on Green Intellectual Capital (IC) has received greater attention in organizational scholarship. This paper develops a conceptual model based on an integrative approach better to understand antecedents and outcomes of Green IC. The proposed model offers future research a holistic understanding of the antecedents and outcomes of Green IC that predict perceived CSR and environmental performance. Moreover, the study revealed a previously unexplored effect of Green IC on perceived CSR. This conceptual paper reviews theoretical approaches and uses intellectual capital-based view theory as underpinning to understand Green IC’s antecedents and outcomes. The authors developed a conceptual model with Green Human Resource Management (HRM) and environmental consciousness as antecedents and perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental performance as outcomes of Green IC. The authors also suggest that employee ecological behavior (EEB) may be influenced by perceived CSR and increase environmental performance. The study's findings would help an organization create a Green IC by the influential role of Green HRM practices and environmental consciousness. Recognition of the importance of Green IC could enable organizations to create more policies and strategies strengthening their formal CSR, EEB and improve environmental performance.
Cluster Analysis of the Expenditures for Environmental and Technological Innovations in Sustainable Development Policy Formation
Authors: TSENINA Ekaterina Vladimirovna , DANKO Tamara Petrovna , KISELEV Vladimir Mikhailovich , CHAYKOVSKAYA Lyubov Alexandrovna , EPSTEIN Nikita Dmitrievich , RAUSKIENE Ona , SEKERIN Vladimir Dmitriyevich
Published: March 2023

The major task of the present work is to identify the main problems of cluster analysis on environmental and technological innovations in the formation of regional sustainable development policy, as well as modeling the expenditures for technological and environmental innovations. The number of innovative enterprises increases rapidly, and they are developing at a rapid pace. Measures to reduce the impact on the environment, such as improving technological equipment, recycling waste, implementing technologies aimed at preserving natural resources, creating new types of products with long service life and the possibility of recycling, employing advanced purification technologies, etc. will require in the vast majority of cases not only financial expenditures but the implementation of innovative solutions.

The authors are intended to study out and optimize this work and improve the research framework.
The Role of International Legislation in Protecting the Environment
Authors: ALHENDI Noor
Published: March 2023

This study deal with the role of international legislation in protecting the environment, and it is a legal issue worthy of international attention. The study revealed that the environment is the ocean that includes living and non-living organisms and what it contains of materials and what surrounds it of air, water and soil and the interactions of any of them and what the human constructs in it. The environment is in the natural, artificial, land, water, and air environment, so it must be protected from pollution with legal texts. And Pollution is the introduction of substances or energy by humans, either directly or indirectly, into the environment, which results in harmful effects that threaten human health, harm living resources or ecosystems, undermine the enjoyment of the environment.

The health importance of the environment lies in the impact of the environment on the human being to leave his clear fingerprints on his health. The study proposes the text on provision of criminal penalties to be applied to anyone who harms and pollutes the environment, and the results of the study were that international legislation provided legal protection for the environment, in the law of an international environment, international conventions, and international organizations, and the study relied on the descriptive method to clarify this matter.
Does Beauty Matter in Agriculture? Landscape, Horses, and Vineyards
Authors: Husák Petr
Published: March 2023

In this text, the author addresses the question of the extent to which aesthetic values, specifically the idea of the beautiful, can influence or motivate the decision-making process and specific actions of people involved in agriculture.In this context, the issue of identity and the importance of imagination inreal life are also addressed. In doing so, the article draws on some of the methodological insights gained through earlier research on priestly identities.The author attempts to concretize his reflections through a theoretical analysis of his own experience of the interconnection between the university vocation and the vocation of the vineyard worker, which he contextualizes with someinsights gained from the community of farmers who use draft horses in their work. Last but not least, the author suggests some changes in the aesthetic perception of the landscape among small farmers. The author presents the text as aninvitation for discussion, inspiration and further interdisciplinary research at the intersection of history, sociology, aesthetics and environmental studies.
Kluknavská, Andrea – Sabján, Nikolas. Marx. Marxizmus. Vybrané problémy štátu a práva
Authors: Maršálek Pavel
Published: March 2023

Kluknavská, Andrea – Sabján, Nikolas: Marx. Marxizmus. Vybrané problémy štátu a práva. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2022, 132 s.
Kulturní a právní aspekty příčin a dopadů teze o technologické stagnaci
Authors: Hořeňovský Jan
Published: March 2023

The dominant narrative that prevails in Western society today is that we live in a time of unprecedented technological progress that is historically unparalleled. We have social media networks, smartphones, the internet, and we are moving towards advanced artificial intelligence. However, little is said or written about the fact that this is also a narrative successfully challenged by several prominent, mainly American, authors. Those point out that progress over the last 50 years or so has been limited mainly to information technology, while in other areas, such as energy, transport, and construction, we are experiencing stagnation, resulting in the decline of the middle class and worsening life prospects, particularly for young people. This article is based on these critical perspectives and has two objectives. The first is to introduce a reader to the technological stagnation thesis. The second is to analyse the causes of this phenomenon and what role law and regulation might play in it. The ambition of this article is not to solve this problem entirely but rather to bring it to the attention of the academic community. If future discussions will be more about the impact of our actions on the issue of innovation, I would consider the objective of this article to be met. At the same time, I believe that this article may open the door to further research in the field of law, including potential empirical analysis.
Význam požadavku na strukturovaný postup znalce v nové úpravě znalecké činnosti
Authors: Závora Jiří
Published: March 2023

The aim of this theoretical study is a hermeneutical interpretation of the meaning of the requirement for a structured expert procedure, especially in relation to the review ability of expert evidence. The study also aims to explain the review ability of expert evidence in relation to the conceptual changes in the new regulation of expert activities in the Czech Republic.
Reflection On Nigeria’s Air Pollution Regulations With A View To Learning From The European Union
Authors: Kehinde Adeola Olufunke , Osadola Ifedapo Oluwakemisola , Awonuga Adebusola
Published: March 2023

The effects of air pollution on all people across the globe cannot be overemphasized. It is a phenomenon that needs urgent attention from all countries of the world. Serious efforts must be made to cut down the greenhouse gas emissions by all nations so as to reduce the menace of air pollution. Various countries including developed, developing and under developed are making efforts to tighten the control of pollution so as to ensure that the rate at which people are exposed to pollutants across their cities are reduced, but in spite of all these efforts, the level of pollution all over the world seems to be going higher, Nigeria inclusive. The level of pollution in Nigeria is still very high and there seems to be no solution around the corner. The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that each year, air pollution is responsible for nearly seven million deaths around the globe. This shows the extent to which air pollution has wrecked and is wreaking havoc on the entire world. This article is necessary at this time as it has been noted that there is no concrete legal framework in Nigeria which addresses air pollution. The existing laws regarding environmental protection are grossly inadequate to take care of the level at which air pollution is ravaging Nigeria as a country; also, the existing laws lack enforcement mechanism. There is a need for the Nigeria government to come up with a standard and adequate law to tackle the menace of air pollution in Nigeria and the country must be ready to ensure that the laws made are adequately enforced. This article examines what air pollution is all about and its effects on human beings and the Nigeria environment at large bringing out lessons Nigeria can learn from the EU.
Analysis of Electoral Process and their Relationship with Democracy and Economic Index in the Balkan Countries, 2011–2021
Authors: Kume Andon , Qejvani Olta
Published: March 2023

The results of a comparative analysis based on the Electoral Integrity Index, evaluated for the period 2011–2021 in the Balkan countries are this paper’s objectives. Referring to perceptions of the level of fulfillment of international standards for democratic elections (PEI), the Balkan region is classified in the group of countries belonging to the “Moderate” category. In the Balkan countries, the positive relationship between the electoral process and the development of liberal democracy is evident, while the level of corruption is a factor that has a significant effect on the electoral process. Clusters analysis performed using estimates of distances between indicators related to the electoral process, the development of a liberal democracy, general economic development and the level of corruption present significant distances. The development of liberal democracy in Balkan countries is conditioned by the level of realization of synergy in the interaction between different factors. This paper aims to identify the legal framework in the details of Balkan countries related to electoral reform, going through recommendations through comparison and quantitative methodology and bringing Czech legislative dimension as a smart solution of problems that countries face in the electoral process.
Basic Income at Municipal Level: Insights from the Barcelona B-MINCOME Pilot
Authors: Riutort Sebastià , Laín Bru , Julià Albert
Published: March 2023

Between 2017 and 2019, Barcelona was one of the first European cities to implement a basic income experiment, the B-MINCOME pilot, aimed at reducing poverty and social exclusion in a low-income area of the city. A new cash grant was designed along with a package of active policies. Four modalities of participation were then established depending on two criteria: whether attending these policies was mandatory or not, and whether participants’ additional income altered the amount of the grant or was instead net added on top. The context which initially moulded the pilot is firstly explained. Then, the cash schema and the active policies are described followed by an explanation of its experimental design. The main results at individual, community and institutional levels formerly released in the official reports are now integrated and jointly addressed. Finally, conclusions discuss some issues raised by the pilot’s results in light of the findings gathered in other similar basic income experiments.
Rousseau’s Herbarium, or The Art of Living Together
Authors: Ytre Arne Synne
Published: March 2023

In his botanical writings, Jean-Jacques Rousseau repeatedly returns to the idea that botanising exercises our faculty of attentive observation and teaches us to “see well.” Through botanical practice, we learn to transfer our attention from the self to what lies outside it and, specifically, to perceive other individual realities as they really are. To Rousseau, seeing well is not a matter of mere accuracy, but of disinterestedness and attention to the particularities of others, and the perceptual competences that he thought we might attain from botany have parallels in moral perception. Teasing out some of these parallels, this article’s main objective is to establish that the botanical gaze that Rousseau cultivates in his final years is moral in character and that it promotes wisdom and virtues indispensable to the moral education of man.
Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with KRAS-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Gu Xiaodong , Si Jinfei , Guan Yelan , Xu Yibing , Shao Lan , Zhang Yiping , Xu Chunwei , Pan Weiwei , Lu Yuanzhi , Song Zhengbo , Wang Wenxian
Published: March 2023

The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) on KRAS-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. This retrospective study compared the effects of ICIs treatment and chemotherapy on the prognosis of patients with KRAS-mutant advanced NSCLC and different mutant subtypes in the real world. The study included 95 patients with KRAS-mutant advanced NSCLC. Patients treated with first-line ICIs plus platinum-containing chemotherapy had better progression-free survival (PFS) (7.4 vs 4.5 months, P = 0.035) and overall survival (OS) (24.1 vs 13.2 months, P = 0.007) than those receiving platinum-containing chemotherapy alone, and second-line ICI monotherapy was associated with better PFS (4.8 vs 3.0 months, P = 0.043) and OS (18.0 vs 13.8 months, P = 0.013) than chemotherapy monotherapy. There was no significant difference in PFS (5.267 vs 6.734 months, P = 0.969) and OS (19.933 vs 20.933 months, P = 0.808) between patients with KRAS-mutant and KRAS-wild-type NSCLC treated with ICIs or between KRAS G12C and KRAS non-G12C patients (PFS: 8.1 vs 4.8 months, P = 0.307; OS: 21.3 vs 21.8 months, P = 0.434). In summary, patients with advanced NSCLC with KRAS mutations can benefit from ICIs, but no difference between KRAS mutant subtypes was observed.