bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case Report: Effectiveness of tocilizumab in obese patient for treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia
Authors: Pandey Oshna , Adhikari Samish , Ghising Tsewang Yangzom , Shakya Purnima
Published: October 2022

The purpose of this case report was to demonstrate the efficacy of Tocilizumab in the treatment of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in obese patients who presented with a week's history of fever and one day of shortness of breath (SOB). It is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2). COVID-19 has rapidly spread throughout the world, resulting in a global pandemic. Severe COVID-19 causes proinflammatory cytokine release and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Furthermore, obesity is an independent risk factor for developing severe COVID-19 complications with a high mortality. Stopping this cascade early in the disease's progression has resulted in a significant improvement in outcome. Tocilizumab in conjunction with systemic corticosteroids as part of the standard of care for halting pro-inflammatory cytokine cascades in early disease courses and prone positioning has been shown to improve respiratory parameters while also reducing the need for mechanical ventilation and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay (14 days as in our case).
Increase in colonic PRopionate as a method of prEVENTing weight gain in adults aged 20–40 years (iPREVENT): protocol of a multi-centre, double-blind, randomised, parallel-group trial to investigate the efficacy of inulin-propionate ester versus inulin (control) in the prevention of weight gain over 12 months
Authors: Pugh Jennifer E , Anjum Aisha , Petropoulou Katerina , Thom George , Mccombie Louise , Tashkova Martina , Alaraj-Alshehhi Sumayya , Babalis Daphne , Prechtl Christina , Lean Mike J , Prevost A. Toby , Vasconcelos Joana C. , Preston Tom , Morrison Douglas , Frost Gary
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Overweight and obesity affects over 70% of the UK population and is a major risk factor for the development of co-morbidities, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. There now exists a considerable evidence base for the management of obesity. However, this is not the case for the prevention of obesity. Preventing weight gain in periods of life where there is an elevated risk of fat mass expansion could be beneficial to preventing associated diseases in later life. This protocol investigates the impact of novel food ingredient inulin propionate ester (IPE) in the prevention of weight gain. This trial aims to investigate the primary hypothesis that IPE has a superior effect on preventing body weight gain, compared with inulin, in young (<40 years old) adults over 12 months, whilst also investigating several complementary mechanisms that may explain the prevention of weight gain and improved long-term energy balance from consuming IPE.   

Methods: In this multi-centre, double-blind, randomised, parallel-group study, eligible participants will be randomly assigned to consume 10g IPE or 10g inulin (control) daily for 12 months. Study visits will be conducted at baseline, two-month, six-month and 12-month time points. The primary outcome is weight gain from baseline to 12 months. Secondary outcomes will examine changes in metabolic and cardiovascular health biomarkers, body composition and appetite. A mechanistic sub-group will explore causal mechanisms around energy balance, body composition, appetite regulation and the gut microbiota. Based on the power calculation, the sample size required is 270 participants or 135 per study group.

Ethics and dissemination: The trial protocol and participant-facing documents have been reviewed and approved, by the London Hampstead Ethics Committee (REC Reference 19/LO/0095, 29th January 2019). Upon completion, the trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific conferences.

Trial registration number: ISRCTN16299902, 1st March 2018.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quantity and quality of sleep in medical university students
Authors: Rogacka Karolina , Pyrak Bartłomiej , Kędziora–Kornatowska Kornelia
Published: October 2022

Introduction: In order to overpower COVID-19 pandemic a number of security measures have been taken, including limiting of leaving people's place of residence, which is associated with increased social isolation. For students an additional change resulting from the current epidemiological situation is the transition to remote learning which is related with increased time spent in front of a computer or smartphone screen.

The aim of the study: The aim of the study was to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic affects the quality and quantity of sleep in a group of medical students.

Materials and methods: Survey search using author-made questionnaire was conducted. Questionnaire included questions about quality and quantity of sleep before and after COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Collected data was then transformed for statistical purposes and the correlations were examined using Wilcoxon test (before vs after pandemic) or Mann-Whitney U-test (men vs women).

Results: Comparing the situation before the pandemic to the present one, statistically significant increase in difficulty in falling asleep in the study group was observed (p=0,008). A statistically significant sleep duration was observed (the mean increased from 7,09 to 7,53, p<<0.05). Students also go to bed later (p<<0.05) and wake up later (p<<0.05). Students also complained about waking up more frequently at night (p=0,006). The respondents rate their current sleep quality worse than before the pandemic (p=0,039).

Conclusions: Sleep quality in the group of medical students deteriorated during the pandemic, while the amount of sleep increased. Since the introduction of remote learning, the time of using electronic devices has significantly increased. The obtained results may be used for further research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning on the quality and quantity of sleep
Age dependent treatment response to the Carriere ® Motion 3D ™ appliance for the correction of Class II malocclusion
Authors: Malinowski Klara , Chodur Monika , Majewski Maciej , Malinowski Jakub
Published: October 2022

Introduction and Purpose

Class II malocclusion is a common anomaly. Both adults and adolescents with Class II malocclusion can be treated. One of the methods for correction is Carriere ® Motion 3D ™ appliance (CMA).

The aim was to evaluate and compare the rate of tooth movement depending on age during treatment with Carriere ® Motion 3D ™ appliance (CMA).

Material and method

The retrospective study investigated medical records of 28 adult and 27 adolescent subjects who were treated with the Carriere ® Motion 3D ™ distalizer to correct Class II malocclusion. Time (in days) needed to achieve 1 mm correction was calculated for each patient, based on the quotient of days needed for Class II correction and the distance required to achieve Class I canine relationship. The difference between groups was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney-U test.

Results

Phase I treatment with CMA lasted on average 5,67 ± 2,01 months for adults and 4,67 ± 1,48 months for teenagers. The mean time to achieve 1 mm correction was 36,77 ± 11,01 days in the adult group and 36,59 ± 26,17 days in the adolescent group. The results showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusions

CMA can be applied to efficiently treat Class II malocclusion in adolescent as well as adult patients. No difference in age related tooth movement using the CMA was found.
Oświecony przez Japonię. Krótkie wprowadzenie do buddyzmu japońskiego
Authors: Kanert Maciej
Published: October 2022

Buddhism has a long history in Korea and is deeply rooted in the thought of the Korean people. It introduced rebirth and karma theory and changed Korean people’s worldviews. From its transmission period to the Goryeo dynasty, it served the royal family and supported the kingship. In the Unified Silla period, it became prevalent among the common people through the teaching of equal salvation. In the Goryeo dynasty, it became completely a part of Korean culture. In the Joseon dynasty, however, the country became neo-Confucian, and Buddhism lost its political influence. Officially, it was suppressed, but it still played a role as a crucial religion among the people. In modern times, Buddhism has revived and survives in competition with Christianity. Among the various denominations, the Hwaeom and Seon schools remained major Buddhist schools in Korea. Hwaeom Buddhism proposed the interconnected worldview, Buddha mind in human mind, and the power of mind. Seon Buddhism taught the way to recover Buddha mind. Korean Buddhist scholars developed their mind-cultivation tradition on the basis of those two teachings. Currently Seon school is the biggest order in Korea and the mind cultivation tradition keeps transforming in the context of contemporary Korea.
Historia i specyfika buddyzmu wietnamskiego: zen trúc lâm
Authors: Różycka-Tran Joanna , Quân Trần Anh
Published: October 2022

The history of Vietnamese Buddhism is strongly related to the history of the formation of an independent Vietnamese state. The most specific Zen school in Vietnam, the Trúc Lâm Zen sect, was founded in 1299 by King Trần Nhân Tông. It inherited and combined the ideas of different previous Zen schools: Tì Ni Đa Lưu Chi (Vinītaruci), Vô Ngôn Thông (Wu Yantong), and Thảo Đường. The coexistence of nationalism and Buddhism was part of the ideology of the Trần dynasty in response to the increased threat of invasions, and this tradition is continued by the current Zen masters Thích Thanh Từ and Thích Nhất Hạnh, who undertook the difficult work of rebuilding and restoring the Vietnamese Zen tradition. The current Zen school Trúc Lâm is considered “Vietnamese Zen” or nationalist Buddhism, which relies on Buddhist practices through involvement in the secular everyday life of the entire society. The basic tenets are the Mahāyāna soteriological principle (the process of realizing potential Buddhahood), non-duality (the principle of emptiness), and the four paths of meditation practice. These features constitute the specificity and uniqueness of Vietnamese Buddhism, as well as its independence and distinctiveness from other forms of Buddhism, especially Chinese.
Buddyzm w Polsce. Związki i wspólnoty religijne
Authors: Gablankowska-Kukucz Jolanta
Published: October 2022

The paper Buddhism in Poland: Religious Associations and Communities provides an overview of the main Buddhist communities developing in Poland since the mid-1970s. The author focuses on Zen and Tibetan Buddhist communities, and their efforts to create institutionalized structures.
Cyber Resilience Evaluation Using Cyber Resilience Review Framework at University XYZ
Authors: Fikri Ahmad Maulana , Atrinawati Lovinta Happy , Putra Muhammad Gilvy Langgawan
Published: October 2022

Cyber resilience is about protecting data and information owned by University XYZ and adapting business processes at University XYZ to ensure service continuity when cyber threats occur. However, University XYZ never evaluates its practices to implement security and data management. University XYZ needs to know its maturity level based on cyber resilience evaluation to improve its cyber resilience. Therefore, this research was carried out to evaluate cyber resilience at University XYZ using the Cyber Resilience Review (CRR) assessment by evaluating ten cyber resilience domains. The evaluation covers academic services that use the University XYZ academic information system. The evaluation process will be held through an interview with the process owner. The interview questions are based on CRR assessment. After the evaluation, we found that none of the domains in University XYZ had yet reached Maturity Indicator Level (MIL)-1. In addition, the overall performance percentage for each CRR domain had not yet reached 100%. An improvementrecommendation for each domain has also been made, containing guidance for implementing incomplete and noncommitted practices. University XYZ can implement cyber resilience practices according to recommendations so that the implementation process can run optimally, even thoughcyber threats occur from time to time.
Pengaruh Tingkat Pendidikan Dan Keterlibatan Orang Tua Terhadap Hasil Belajar IPA Selama Pembelajaran Daring
Authors: Ananda Annisa Fitri , Mardiyyaningsih Asriah Nurdini , Tenriawaru Andi Besse
Published: October 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengungkap ada tidaknya pengaruh signifikan dan besarnya pengaruh tingkat pendidikan dan keterlibatan orang tua terhadap hasil belajar IPA selama pembelajaran daring pada siswa kelas VII di SMPN 11 Sungai Ambawang. Penelitian ini berbentuk kuantitatif dengan metode ex-post facto. Sumber data penelitian adalah seluruh siswa di tiga kelas VII SMP Negeri 11 Sungai Ambawang.  Instrumen penelitian berupa lembar kuesioner keterlibatan orang tua yang diisi oleh siswa, dokumen tingkat pendidikan orang tua dari bagian administrasi sekolah, dan lembar hasil nilai ulangan harian IPA siswa dari guru. Data diinterpretasi dengan menggunakan analisis regresi berganda. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tingkat pendidikan orangtua (thit 3,5>ttab 0,00028, sig. 0,001<0,05) dan keterlibatan orangtua (thit 2,37>ttab 0,00028, sig 0,020<0,05) berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap hasil belajar IPA siswa. Tingkat pendidikan orang tua memberi pengaruh sebesar 51,1%, sedangkan keterlibatan orang tua berpengaruh 34,98% terhadap hasil belajar IPA. Penelitian ini menggabungkan 2 variabel yaitu tingkat pendidikan dan keterlibatan orang tua  dalam pembelajaran secara daring, berbeda dengan penelitian referensi yang lain yang hanya menggunakan salah satu dari 2 variabel tersebut serta penelitian dengan variabel ini mayoritas dilakukan pada penelitian sebelum Pandemi covid-19.
Current therapeutic interventions combating biofilm-related infections in orthopaedics
Authors: Li Jie , Cheung Wing-Hoi , Chow Simon K. , Ip Margaret , Leung Sharon Y. S. , Wong Ronald M. Y.
Published: October 2022

Aims

Biofilm-related infection is a major complication that occurs in orthopaedic surgery. Various treatments are available but efficacy to eradicate infections varies significantly. A systematic review was performed to evaluate therapeutic interventions combating biofilm-related infections on in vivo animal models.

Methods

Literature research was performed on PubMed and Embase databases. Keywords used for search criteria were “bone AND biofilm”. Information on the species of the animal model, bacterial strain, evaluation of biofilm and bone infection, complications, key findings on observations, prevention, and treatment of biofilm were extracted.

Results

A total of 43 studies were included. Animal models used included fracture-related infections (ten studies), periprosthetic joint infections (five studies), spinal infections (three studies), other implant-associated infections, and osteomyelitis. The most common bacteria were Staphylococcus species. Biofilm was most often observed with scanning electron microscopy. The natural history of biofilm revealed that the process of bacteria attachment, proliferation, maturation, and dispersal would take 14 days. For systemic mono-antibiotic therapy, only two of six studies using vancomycin reported significant biofilm reduction, and none reported eradication. Ten studies showed that combined systemic and topical antibiotics are needed to achieve higher biofilm reduction or eradication, and the effect is decreased with delayed treatment. Overall, 13 studies showed promising therapeutic potential with surface coating and antibiotic loading techniques.

Conclusion

Combined topical and systemic application of antimicrobial agents effectively reduces biofilm at early stages. Future studies with sustained release of antimicrobial and biofilm-dispersing agents tailored to specific pathogens are warranted to achieve biofilm eradication. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(10):700–714.
Enseñar a buscar jurisprudencia y documentación jurídica. Un complemento a los planes docentes del Grado en Derecho y el Máster en Abogacía
Authors: Sevilla Duro Miguel Ángel
Published: October 2022

Este artículo detalla una experiencia educativa consistente en la realización de un curso-taller sobre búsqueda de jurisprudencia y documentación jurídica para estudiantes del Grado en Derecho y el Máster en Abogacía.
La evidencia empírica recogida en el trabajo parece acreditar que los conocimientos del alumnado en esta materia son muy mejorables. En la medida en que la acotación de los planes de estudios no facilita la profundización en tales habilidades, durante el curso 2021/2022 se diseñó, programó y llevó a cabo un curso-taller en el marco de la educación no formal para complementar y reforzar la formación jurídica de los participantes.
El curso-taller se dividió en tres grandes bloques: uno orientado a la exposición de distintas bases de jurisprudencia y de las herramientas y conocimientos que permiten maximizar su utilidad; otro dirigido a familiarizar a los alumnos con la documentación jurídica (no solo doctrinal) y su búsqueda, compilación y tratamiento; y un tercero focalizado en la exhibición de diferentes softwares con aplicación al mundo del Derecho, como la tecnología OCR (reconocimiento óptico de caracteres), los sistemas de escritura por voz y múltiples herramientas de complemento para los procesadores de texto.
A la vista de la alta tasa de participación, el desarrollo del curso y las encuestas de valoración cumplimentadas, el mismo puede calificarse como exitoso. Con este artículo se aspira a que, de estimarse oportuno, la experiencia pueda replicarse (y mejorarse) en otras facultades de Derecho en las que se detecte una necesidad similar en la materia por parte del alumnado.
Experimental measurement of the meridian Petzval image plane of a streak tube
Authors: Zhang Jing-Jin , Zong Fang-Ke , Niu Li-Hong , Yang Qin-Lao , Cai Hou-Zhi
Published: October 2022

For an electron-optical imaging system with
wide beam focusing, the calculation of the field curvature can be
performed only theoretically and requires the specific analytical
expressions of the axial potential distribution in the streak tube and
its corresponding derivatives, making the calculation cumbersome. Even
when the electron trajectory is tracked using the numerical
calculation method, the calculated results cannot be verified
experimentally. A method for measuring the field curvature of the
streak tube based on the spherical fluorescent screen is proposed for
the first time, to the best of our knowledge. This method can directly
measure the field curvature from the experimental image without
requiring information on the internal structure of the streak tube,
which is extremely useful for the design of the subsequent image
reconstruction algorithm.
Improved integration time estimates for intensity correlation imaging
Authors: Hyland David C.
Published: October 2022

Despite the simplicity of flux collecting hardware, robustness to misalignments, and immunity to seeing conditions, intensity correlation imaging arrays using the Brown–Twiss effect to determine two-dimensional images have been burdened with very long integration times. The root cause is that the essential phase retrieval algorithms must use image domain constraints, and traditional signal-to-noise calculations do not account for these. Thus, conventional formulations are not efficient estimators. This work incorporates image domain constraints in a noise reducing phase retrieval algorithm to estimate integration times that are orders of magnitude smaller than those produced by conventional calculations.
Specific refraction-index increments of oxygenated hemoglobin from thalassemia-minor patients are not significantly different than those from healthy individuals
Authors: Huang Shin-Shyang , Lin Yang-Hsien , Wu Shang-Ju , Sung Kung-Bin
Published: October 2022

The mass and concentration of hemoglobin per erythrocyte are important hematological parameters. Measuring these parameters from intact erythrocytes requires the value of specific refraction-index increment (RII) of oxygenated hemoglobin, which diverges in the literature. Refractive indices of hemoglobin solutions are measured directly by digital holographic microscopy on a microfluidic channel filled with hemoglobin solutions prepared by hemolysis of fresh human erythrocytes and refractive-index standards sequentially. Hemoglobin extracted from thalassemic patients shows 3–4% higher RII than that from healthy volunteers, but the difference is not significant in comparison to inter-subject variations within each group. The quantified RIIs are applied to quantify mean corpuscular hemoglobin mass of blood from 37 human subjects, and results are in accord with standard clinical test results.
Detectability of low-oxygenated regions in human muscle tissue using near-infrared spectroscopy and phantom models
Authors: Cantieni Tarcisi , da Silva-Kress Oliver , Wolf Ursula
Published: October 2022

The present work aims to describe the detectability limits of hypoxic
regions in human muscle under moderate thicknesses of adipose tissue
to serve as a groundwork for the development of a wearable device to
prevent pressure injuries. The optimal source-detector distances,
detection limits, and the spatial resolution of hypoxic volumes in the
human muscle are calculated using finite element method-based computer
simulations conducted on 3-layer tissue models. Silicone phantoms
matching the simulation geometries were manufactured, and their
measurement results were compared to the simulations. The simulations
showed good agreement with the performed experiments. Our results show
detectability of hypoxic volumes under adipose tissue thicknesses of
up to 1.5 cm. The maximum tissue depth, at which hypoxic volumes could
be detected was 2.8 cm. The smallest detectable hypoxic volume in our
study was 1.2 cm3. We thus show the detectability of
hypoxic volumes in sizes consistent with those of early-stage pressure
injury formation and, consequently, the feasibility of a device to
prevent pressure injuries.
Intrapulse measurement using a quantum cascade laser coupled with a compact dense pattern multipass absorption cell for carbon dioxide monitoring
Authors: Jacquemin Clément , Defossez Florent , Vallon Raphaël , Parvitte Bertrand , Maisons Grégory , Carras Mathieu , Zeninari Virginie
Published: October 2022

We demonstrate a mid-infrared spectrometer based on a quantum cascade laser operated in the intrapulse mode coupled with a custom dense pattern multipass cell. Detection in the range of hundreds of ppm to a few percent has been achieved due to a spectral sweep over seven

C
O

2

absorption lines corresponding to a

2

c
m

−
1

spectral range. A detection limit of 2.22 ppm (corresponding to an absorption of

1.77

⋅

10

−
7

c
m

−
1

) for an averaging time of 4 s has been achieved during an in-laboratory characterization. The instrument was used for outdoor measurements of

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O

2

in the framework of a massive gas release trial in a military training center. A comparison of measurements with other devices is presented.
Why is a cavity soliton-based microscope still far from reality?
Authors: Nagi Jaspreet Kaur , Jana Soumendu
Published: October 2022

Cavity solitons show interesting spontaneous drift and interaction dynamics. Although the dynamics of cavity solitons has huge potential for the fabrication of a soliton force microscope, none has been reported so far. In this paper, we identify a major challenge that limits the realization of a cavity soliton-based soliton force microscope. Three major classes of models comprising a vertical cavity surface emitting laser, a frequency-selective feedback, and different combinations of conventional, graphene, and graphene flake saturable absorbers are employed only to reveal that, although the cavity soliton dynamics is sensitive to the variation of system parameters and phase, they show no specific trend. This lack of “trend” might keep cavity soliton dynamics from being calibrated properly and eventually limit its possibility for use in a scanning device.
High-performance full-color imaging system based on end-to-end joint optimization of computer-generated holography and metalens
Authors: Yu Zeqing , Zhang Qiangbo , Tao Xiao , Li Yong , Tao Chenning , Wu Fei , Wang Chang , Zheng Zhenrong
Published: October 2022

Metasurface has drawn extensive attention due to its capability of modulating light with a high degree of freedom through ultrathin and sub-wavelength optical elements, and metalens, as one of its important applications, promises to replace the bulky refractive optics, facilitating the imaging system light-weight and compact characteristics. Besides, computer-generated holography (CGH) is of substantial interest for three-dimensional (3D) imaging technology by virtue of its ability of restoring the whole optical wave field and re-constructing the true 3D scene. Consequently, the combination of metalens and CGH holds transformative potential in enabling the miniaturization of 3D imaging systems. However, its imaging performance is subject to the aberrations and speckle noises originating from the metalens and CGH. Inspired by recent progress that computational imaging can be applied to close the gap, a novel full-color imaging system, adopting end-to-end joint optimization of metalens and CGH for high imaging quality, is proposed in this paper. The U-net based network as the pre-processing adjusts weights to make the holographic reconstruction offset imaging defects, incorporating the imaging processing into the step of generating hologram. Optimized by deep learning, the proposed imaging system is capable of full-color imaging with high fidelity in a compact form factor, envisioned to take an essential step towards the high-performance miniaturized imaging system.
Simple single-shot complete spatiotemporal intensity and phase measurement of an arbitrary ultrashort pulse using coherent modulation imaging
Authors: Xu Yingming , Yi Youjian , Zhu Ping , Pan Xingcheng , Zhang Qiang , Pan Liangze , Ding Fucai , Zhang Dongjun , Liang Xiao , Sun Meizhi , Guo Ailin , Zhang Xuejie , Tao Hua , Guang Zhe , Liu Cheng , Xie Xinglong , Zhu Jianqiang , Trebino Rick
Published: October 2022

We propose a simple single-shot spatiotemporal measurement technique called coherent modulation imaging for the spatio-spectrum (CMISS), which reconstructs the full three-dimensional high-resolution characteristics of ultrashort pulses based on frequency-space division and coherent modulation imaging. We demonstrated it experimentally by measuring the spatiotemporal amplitude and phase of a single pulse with a spatial resolution of 44 µm and a phase accuracy of 0.04 rad. CMISS has good potential for high-power ultrashort-pulse laser facilities and can measure even spatiotemporally complicated pulses with important applications.
Label-free measurement of wall shear stress in the brain venule and arteriole using dual-wavelength third-harmonic-generation line-scanning imaging
Authors: Cheng Hui , Chen XinLin , Zhong JinCheng , Li Jia , Qiu Ping , Wang Ke
Published: October 2022

Wall shear stress (WSS) is of fundamental physiological and pathological significance. Current measurement technologies suffer from poor spatial resolution or cannot measure instantaneous values in a label-free manner. Here we demonstrate dual-wavelength third-harmonic-generation (THG) line-scanning imaging, for instantaneous wall shear rate and WSS measurement in vivo. We used the soliton self-frequency shift to generate dual-wavelength femtosecond pulses. Simultaneous acquisition of dual-wavelength THG line-scanning signals extract blood flow velocities at adjacent radial positions for instantaneous wall shear rate and WSS measurement. Our results show the oscillating behavior of WSS in brain venules and arterioles at micron spatial resolution in a label-free manner.
Adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices by smallholder farmers in rural Ghana: An application of the theory of planned behavior
Authors: Atta-Aidoo Jonathan , Antwi-Agyei Philip , Dougill Andrew John , Ogbanje Christopher Elaigwu , Akoto-Danso Edmund Kyei , Eze Samuel
Published: October 2022

Climate-Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices are crucial in managing climatic shocks faced by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. However, evidence on the socio-psychological drivers of farmers’ adoption of CSA practices remains limited. This study employed the Theory of Planned Behavior framework to analyze smallholder farmers’ intention and adoption behavior toward CSA practices in rural Ghana. The study sampled 350 smallholder farmers from the Upper East and North-East Regions of Ghana and employed the Structural Equation Model to understand smallholder farmers’ intention and adoption behavior toward CSA practices. Results showed that farmers’ attitudes (notably their beneficial evaluation of CSA practices) had a significant impact (0.25) on their intention to adopt CSA practices. Social pressure exerted on farmers to use CSA practices (Subjective norm) also had a significant impact (0.52) on farmers’ adoption behavior. Perceived behavior control which measures the controllability and use of CSA practices also had a significant impact on both the intention (0.43) and adoption behavior (0.20) of smallholder farmers. Findings highlight the role socio-psychological factors play in explaining the adoption of CSA practices in rural Ghana. We recommend the need to create awareness of CSA practices by sharing relevant information more widely on CSA practices through community leaders, chief farmers, assembly members, and clan heads in order to exert influence on farmer’s adoption of CSA practices.
Molluscicidal and antioxidant activities of silver nanoparticles on the multi-species of snail intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis
Authors: Zayed Khaled M. , Guo Yun-Hai , Lv Shan , Zhang Yi , Zhou Xiao-Nong
Published: October 2022

Background

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is the second important parasitic disease after malaria. The present study aimed to evaluate the molluscicidal effects of silver nanoparticles on Biomphalaria alexandrina, B. glabrata, Oncomelania hupensis, snail intermediate hosts of intestinal schistosomes (i.e. Schistosoma mansoni and S. japonicum), along with the changes their antioxidant enzymes.

Methods

Silver (Ag) nano powder (Ag-NPs) was selected to test the molluscicidal effects on three species of freshwater snails. Exposure to Ag-NPs induced snail mortality and the LC50 and LC90 values of Ag-NPs for each snail species were calculated by probit analysis. Control snails were maintained under the same experimental conditions in dechlorinated water. Snail hemolymph was collected to measure the levels of antioxidant enzymes, such as total antioxidants capacity (TCA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and nitric oxide (NO). In addition, the non-target organism, Daphnia magna, was exposed to a series of Ag-NPs concentration, similar to the group of experimental snails, in order to evaluate the LC50 and LC90 and compare these values to those obtained for the targeted snails.

Results

The results indicated that Ag-NPs had a molluscicidal effect on tested snails with the variation in lethal concentration. The LC50 values of Ag-NPs for B. alexandrina snails exposed for 24, 48, 72 hrs and 7 days were 7.91, 5.69, 3.83 and 1.91 parts per million (ppm), respectively. The LC50 values for B. glabrata snails exposed for 24, 48, 72 hrs and 7 days were 16.55, 10.44, 6.91 and 4.13 ppm, respectively, while the LC50 values for O. hupensis snails exposed for 24, 48, 72 hrs and 7 days were 46.5, 29.85, 24.49 and 9.62 ppm, respectively. Moreover, there is no mortality detected on D. magna when exposed to more than double and half concentration (50 ppm) of Ag-NPs during a continuous period of 3 hrs, whereas the LC90 value for B. alexandrina snails was 18 ppm. The molluscicidal effect of the synthesized Ag-NPs seems to be linked to a potential reduction of the antioxidant activity in the snail’s hemolymph.

Conclusions

Synthesized Ag-NPs have a clear molluscicidal effect against various snail intermediate hosts of intestinal schistosome parasites and could potentially serve as next generation molluscicides.
Trends in the disparities and equity of the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine health resources in China from 2010 to 2020
Authors: Xu Rixiang , Mu Tingyu , Liu Yulian , Ye Yaping , Xu Caiming
Published: October 2022

Background

At present, improving the accessibility to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health resources is an important component of China’s health policy. This study evaluated the trends in the disparities and equity of TCM health resource allocation from 2010 to 2020 to inform optimal future local health planning and policy.

Method

The data for this study were extracted from the China Health Statistical Yearbook (2011–2021) and China Urban Statistical Yearbook (2020). The equity and rationality of the allocation of TCM health resources at the national and provincial levels were evaluated using the Gini coefficient and the health resource aggregation degree, respectively.

Result

The number of TCM-related institutions, beds, health staff, outpatients and admissions increased by 1.97, 2.61, 2.35, 1.72 and 2.41 times, respectively, between 2010 and 2020. The population-based Gini coefficients for health staff, beds and institutions were 0.12, 0.23 and 0.13, respectively, indicating acceptable equity, while the geographical area-based Gini index for health staff, beds and institutions were 0.65, 0.62 and 0.62, respectively, indicating serious inequity. The agglomeration degree as a function of geographical area was as follows: eastern region > central region > western region. Moreover, the institutional and health staff gaps between the geographical areas increased from 2012 to 2020. In addition, there was a relatively balanced agglomeration degree based on the population in these three regions and an increasingly equitable allocation of institutions and health staff.

Conclusion

In recent years, China’s TCM health resources and services have increased rapidly, but their proportions within the overall health system remain low. The equity and rationality of TCM health allocated by the population was better than that by the geographic area. Regional differences and inequalities, especially for institutions, still exist. A series of policies to promote the balanced development of TCM need to be implemented.
The efficacy and tolerability of combining pemetrexed-based chemotherapy with gefitinib in the first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer with mutated EGFR: A pooled analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Wang Bi-Cheng , Zhang Wen-Xuan , Kuang Bo-Hua , Lin Guo-He
Published: October 2022

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) monotherapy is the standard of care in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nevertheless, whether adding pemetrexed-based chemotherapy to EGFR-TKI targeted therapy furtherly prolongs survival outcomes and improves responses remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted this pooled analysis to compare the efficacy and tolerability between gefitinib plus pemetrexed-based chemotherapy and gefitinib alone in the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC patients with mutated EGFR.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL on June 23, 2022. Eligible studies were registered randomized clinical trials comparing gefitinib plus pemetrexed-based chemotherapy with gefitinib alone. The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and discontinuation rate (DR) were explored as secondary outcomes.

Results

Eight studies within five randomized clinical trials were eligible. Gefitinib combined with pemetrexed-based chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37–0.89, p = 0.0125) and PFS (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.39–0.70, p < 0.0001) versus gefitinib alone. In subgroup analysis, patients with EGFR exon 19 deletion and exon 21 L858R could benefit from the addition of pemetrexed-based chemotherapy to gefitinib in terms of PFS (EGFR exon 19 deletion: HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.34–0.75, p = 0.0008; EGFR exon 21 L858R: HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.26–0.82, p = 0.0079) but not OS. In addition, ORR was improved after the administration of gefitinib plus pemetrexed-based chemotherapy against gefitinib (odds ratio [OR] 1.91, 95% CI 1.44–2.55, p < 0.0001). Both strategies showed comparable DCRs (OR 1.46, 95% CI 0.94–2.26, p = 0.0952) and DRs (risk ratio [RR] 2.80, 95% CI 0.69–11.44, p = 0.1509).

Conclusion

Compared with gefitinib alone, combining pemetrexed-based chemotherapy with gefitinib significantly improved OS and PFS in advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients with acceptable tolerability. However, the accurate sub-population who could have OS benefits requires further validation.
Karyotype variation, spontaneous genome rearrangements affecting chemical insensitivity, and expression level polymorphisms in the plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans revealed using its first chromosome-scale assembly
Authors: Matson Michael E. H. , Liang Qihua , Lonardi Stefano , Judelson Howard S.
Published: October 2022

Natural isolates of the potato and tomato pathogen Phytophthora infestans exhibit substantial variation in virulence, chemical sensitivity, ploidy, and other traits. A chromosome-scale assembly was developed to expand genomic resources for this oomyceteous microbe, and used to explore the basis of variation. Using PacBio and Illumina data, a long-range linking library, and an optical map, an assembly was created and coalesced into 15 pseudochromosomes spanning 219 Mb using SNP-based genetic linkage data. De novo gene prediction combined with transcript evidence identified 19,981 protein-coding genes, plus about eight thousand tRNA genes. The chromosomes were comprised of a mosaic of gene-rich and gene-sparse regions plus very long centromeres. Genes exhibited a biased distribution across chromosomes, especially members of families encoding RXLR and CRN effectors which clustered on certain chromosomes. Strikingly, half of F1 progeny of diploid parents were polyploid or aneuploid. Substantial expression level polymorphisms between strains were identified, much of which could be attributed to differences in chromosome dosage, transposable element insertions, and adjacency to repetitive DNA. QTL analysis identified a locus on the right arm of chromosome 3 governing sensitivity to the crop protection chemical metalaxyl. Strains heterozygous for resistance often experienced megabase-sized deletions of that part of the chromosome when cultured on metalaxyl, increasing resistance due to loss of the sensitive allele. This study sheds light on diverse phenomena affecting variation in P. infestans and relatives, helps explain the prevalence of polyploidy in natural populations, and provides a new foundation for biologic and genetic investigations.
Knockout of signal peptide peptidase in the eye reduces HSV-1 replication and eye disease in ocularly infected mice
Authors: Wang Shaohui , Jaggi Ujjaldeep , Ghiasi Homayon
Published: October 2022

We previously reported that knocking out signal peptide peptidase (SPP), a glycoprotein K (gK) binding partner, in mouse peripheral sensory neurons reduced latency-reactivation in infected mice without affecting primary virus replication or eye disease. Since virus replication in the eye plays an essential role in eye disease, we generated a conditional knockout mouse lacking SPP expression in the eye by crossing Pax6 (paired box 6)-Cre mice that have intact Pax6 expression with SPPflox/flox mice. Significantly less SPP protein expression was detected in the eyes of Pax6-SPP-/- mice than in WT control mice. HSV-1 replication in the eyes of Pax6-SPP-/- mice was significantly lower than in WT control mice. Levels of gB, gK, and ICP0 transcripts in corneas, but not trigeminal ganglia (TG), of Pax6-SPP-/- infected mice were also significantly lower than in WT mice. Corneal scarring and angiogenesis were significantly lower in Pax6-SPP-/- mice than in WT control mice, while corneal sensitivity was significantly higher in Pax6-SPP-/- mice compared with WT control mice. During acute viral infection, absence of SPP in the eye did not affect CD4 expression but did affect CD8α and IFNγ expression in the eye. However, in the absence of SPP, latency-reactivation was similar in Pax6-SPP-/- and WT control groups. Overall, our results showed that deleting SPP expression in the eyes reduced primary virus replication in the eyes, reduced CD8α and IFNγ mRNA expression, reduced eye disease and reduced angiogenesis but did not alter corneal sensitivity or latency reactivation to HSV-1 infection. Thus, blocking gK binding to SPP in the eye may have therapeutic potential by reducing both virus replication in the eye and eye disease associated with virus replication.
Valete Vos Viatores: Travelling through Latin inscriptions across the Roman Empire
Authors: Pintado Javier Andreu , Redentor Armando , Villanúa Elena Alguacil
Published: October 2022

Uma das marcas da romanização foram as inscrições. Empregues como meio de comunicação, alastraram a quase todas as facetas da vida pública e privada da época romana. Seguindo padrões comuns, essa prática de gravar inscrições – o hábito epigráfico – assumiu, não obstante, formas regionalmente diferenciadas, configurando diversificadas culturas epigráficas. Esta obra, resultante de um projeto da Europa Criativa, coordenado pela Universidade de Navarra e com a participação das universidades de Coimbra, Bordéus e La Sapienza de Roma, para além de outras entidades dos mesmos países, atende não só à importância das inscrições, com novas abordagens sobre reportórios já mais ou menos conhecidos, mas também às novas ferramentas que – desde o auge da internet ao emprego da fotogrametria digital, da epigrafia digital à epigrafia 3D – se vêm colocando ao serviço do seu estudo, inteleção e, sobretudo, difusão social dos seus valores, em boa medida, construtores da identidade europeia.
El cambio dinástico en la Monarquía Hispánica en los almanaques franceses: imágenes de poder, conflicto y dinastía en los albores de la Guerra de Sucesión (1698-1703).
Authors: López Anguita José Antonio
Published: October 2022

Este artículo pretende analizar la proyección del cambio dinástico en la Monarquía Hispánica en los almanaques «resumidos» publicados en Francia entre 1698 y 1703, un objeto que combinaba la utilidad, no en vano estamos ante calendarios, con la difusión a través de la imagen de los principales acontecimientos del reinado de Luis XIV. Nuestro interés principal radica no tanto ya en aproximarnos a estos grabados desde el punto de vista artístico, incidiendo en las características y simbolismo de su iconografía, como en proceder a su contextualización en el momento o momentos históricos en que fueron producidos y comercializados. Ubicar hechos y escenas en su contexto, relacionando su contenido con el de la literatura encomiástica contemporánea y las noticias proporcionadas por la prensa periódica de la época, arrojará una mejor comprensión de los elementos, visuales y retóricos, que conformaron el discurso del poder en una etapa clave de la historia de Francia y la Monarquía Hispánica: los años que median entre la Paz de Rijswijk y el estallido de la Guerra de Sucesión.
Las luces en penumbra: Proyectos ilustrados y conflicto comunitario en las provincias vascas (1748-1833)
Authors: Iñarra San Vicente Xabier
Published: October 2022

Nos interesamos por el impacto de los proyectos reformistas vinculados a las ideas ilustradas y científicas en el País Vasco entre la segunda mitad del siglo XVIII y comienzos del XIX. En la introducción resumiremos el perfil social de las élites locales que se adscribieron a dichas ideas y desarrollaron nuevas cosmovisiones sustancialmente diferentes a las arraigadas en sus comunidades. Estos grupos procedían de una serie de parentelas que participaban en el nuevo Estado administrativo borbónico, en contraste con otras familias de las clases privilegiadas, así como con la mayor parte de las clases populares, que vivían en mayor o menor medida desconectadas de esta realidad. En este contexto, las iniciativas transformadoras generaron un rechazo que trataremos de estudiar a través de tres fenómenos: las diferentes actitudes hacia a la inoculación de la viruela según el medio socioprofesional, detectadas en un caso que tuvo lugar en Fuenterrabía (Guipúzcoa) en 1791; los reparos a sustituir los enterramientos en el interior de las iglesias en favor de la inhumación en cementerios, tal y como aparecen expuestos en una carta anónima de comienzos del XIX y, para concluir, los últimos juicios por brujería en los que la creencia popular en los poderes sobrenaturales se topa con la incredulidad de los magistrados que deben juzgarlos; veremos como a comienzos del XIX brujas y curanderos son perseguidos por estafa y por constituir una amenaza a la paz pública, no por sus vínculos con el diablo. Finalmente, reflexionaremos sobre la posición de los ilustrados vascos respecto a su realidad social y sobre cómo el impacto de las ideas ilustradas terminó ahondando las diferencias internas de la comunidad, hasta el extremo de generar un extrañamiento entre élites y pueblo llano.
Assessment of the evolution of the educational attainment in economically active population in the regions of the Slovak Republic
Authors: Masárová Jana , Koišová Eva , Habánik Jozef
Published: October 2022

The economic development of countries is closely connected to human resources development. Education plays a pivotal role in the life of an individual and society as it provides chances for personal development and economic development of society. The Slovak Republic has been unable to cope with profound regional disparities in various areas for a long time. The existence of disparities is demonstrated by the evolution of educational attainment, which is integral to economic and regional development. The purpose of the paper was to determine the evolution of educational attainment of the economically active population in the regions of the Slovak Republic from 2000 to 2020. The educational attainment index was used to assess educational attainment. The research findings show that the educational attainment of the economically active population and employed population is increasing and is the highest in Bratislava. The educational level of the unemployed rises and falls irregularly depending on how the labour market evolves.