bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE ROLE OF RENAL DYSFUNCTION IN FATAL OUTCOMES IN THE LIVER CIRRHOSIS
Authors:   Chuvash State University, KARZAKOVA LOUISE M. , IVANOVA ANTONINA L. ,   Chuvash State University, KUDRYASHOV SERGEY I. ,   Chuvash State University, ODINTSOVA ANASTASIA V. ,   Chuvash State University, GURIEVA AGLAIDA V. ,   Chuvash State University, KOMELYAGINA NADEZHDA A. ,   Chuvash State University, GAVRILOVA ELVIRA S. ,   Chuvash State University, ANISIMOVA TATIANA A. ,   Chuvash State University
Published: October 2023

Introduction. A significant proportion of patients hospitalized due to decompensation of liver cirrhosis have some kind of renal dysfunction (acute kidney injury, hepatorenal syndrome, chronic kidney disease). However, their effect on mortality in cirrhosis has been little studied. Aim. The aim of the research was to study the role of renal dysfunction in fatal outcomes in cirrhosis. Material and methods. The retrospective cohort study was conducted, which included patients with a confirmed diagnosis of cirrhosis hospitalized in the hepatological department and/or the department of anesthesiology-intensive care of City Clinical Hospital No. 1 of the Ministry of Health of Chuvashia in 2014-2018. The medical histories of patients were retrospectively studied. The conclusions of pathoanatomic autopsies were analyzed in deceased patients. At the same time, demographic indicators, etiological factors of cirrhosis, the degree of compensation on the Child-Pugh scale, complications and causes of deaths were taken into account. The results of instrumental studies, laboratory tests were also considered. Particular attention was paid to the study of the frequency of occurrence of various types of renal dysfunction. Potential risk factors for death of patients were determined using a one-dimensional regression analysis. Results and discussion. During 5 years from 2014 to 2018, 634 patients with cirrhosis decompensation received inpatient treatment with a total number of hospitalizations equal to 1,672. During the first hospitalization, 140 patients died, which is 22.1% of the total number of patients. The average age of the deceased patients was 51.4±13.6 years. Alcoholic liver disease prevailed in the etiological structure of fatal cirrhosis (in 35.7% of cases). Hospital mortality was associated in 74.2% of cases with renal dysfunction. Patients with cirrhosis decompensation died most often (26.4 %) from prerenal acute kidney injury. The fatal outcome in cirrhosis was more dependent on indicators characterizing the functional state of the kidneys (serum levels of urea, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate), the hemostasis system (prothrombin index), and to a lesser extent on indicators characterizing the functional state of the liver. Conclusion. Fatal outcomes in cirrhosis were associated in 74.2% of cases to some extent with renal dysfunction.
SOMATIC MUTATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH LEUKOPLAKIA OF THE ORAL MUCOSA
Authors:   Vitebsk State Medical University, KARPUK NATALIA A. , RUBNIKOVICH SERGEY P. ,   Belarusian State Medical University, ZHYLTSOU IVAN V. ,   Vitebsk State Medical University, MAZUR OKSANA C. ,   Belarusian National Academy of Sciences, KARPUK IVAN Yu. ,   Vitebsk State Medical University, MIKHALENKA ALENA P. ,   Belarusian National Academy of Sciences
Published: October 2023

Introduction. Genetic basis for the development of leukoplakia of the oral mucosa is not well understood. Early prediction of oral mucosa cancer development is an important public health problem, which results in the importance of studying the pathogenesis of precancerous diseases. Malignant neoplasms of oral mucosa are mainly the cases of squamous cell carcinoma which commonly develops as the outcome of previous potentially malignant diseases, the leading of which is oral mucosa leukoplakia. Aim. The goal of study is to determine pathogenic somatic mutations in patients with oral mucosa leukoplakia and grade 1 epithelial dysplasia. Material and methods. We have studied 24 samples of altered epithelium of patients with oral mucosa leukoplakia. The QIAamp DNA FFPE Tissue Kit (Qiagen, Germany) was used to isolate deoxyribonucleic acid from the samples. Sequencing was performed with Illumina NextSeq 550 sequencer and TruSight™ Oncology 500 DNA Kit (Illumina, USA). All operations for deoxyribonucleic acid extraction, sampling and sequencing were performed step by step in strict accordance with the instructions supplied with the reagent kits. Bioinformatic analysis was performed using Illumina BaseSpace and Galaxy Project software in accordance with current guidelines. Results and discussion. Pathogenic and probably pathogenic somatic mutations identified during this study in TP53, KRAS, APC, NRAS and BRAF genes, both singly and in combination, are reliably (risk ratios 3000-11000) associated with the development of leukoplakia of the oral mucosa with epithelial dysplasia of 1st degree. The multiplicity of genetic variants associated with epithelial dysplasia, as well as the fact that a number of variants do not occur in all patients simultaneously, suggests that the same histotype of oral mucosa dysplasia may develop under the influence of various mutations. Conclusion. Pathogenic and probably pathogenic variants of TP53, KRAS, APC, NRAS and BRAF genes, both singly and in combinations, are reliably associated with the development of leukoplakia of the oral mucosa with epithelial dysplasia of 1st degree (risk ratios 3000-11000).
ASSESSMENT OF THE PREDICTIVE CAPABILITY OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE METHODS IN THE PREDICTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS
Authors:   Pacific State Medical University, NEVZOROVA VERA A. , PLEKHOVA NATALIA G. ,   Pacific State Medical University, CHERNENKO IVAN N. ,   Pacific State Medical University, PRISEKO LUDMILA G. ,   Pacific State Medical University, MENOVSHCHIKOVA ANNA K. ,   Pacific State Medical University
Published: October 2023

Introduction. Predicting the risk of cardiovascular diseases and adverse outcomes are a promising direction in medicine. Using machine learning methods to process large databases to identify new predictors and establish more complex and deeper interactions between them creates other predictive capabilities in a personalized approach to risk assessment. The new approach to improving forecasting is the ability to use artificial intelligence techniques by creating a combination of sophisticated mathematical models and algorithms under certain conditions of computational power and improved database quality. Aim. To estimate the accuracy and reliability of models based on machine learning for solving problems of cardiovascular disease risk prediction. Materials and Methods. Data from a one-stage anonymous survey of volunteers in Primorsky Krai were collected in a multicenter observational study «Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases in the Regions of the Russian Federation». A total of 2 131 participants took part in the study. The main and additional predictors of cardiovascular diseases were selected for further analysis and inclusion in prediction models. Models were created and evaluated using statistical and neural network libraries of the Python programming language. The quality of the models was determined by calculating the total area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results and discussion. Compared to the established risk prediction algorithm by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, machine-learning algorithms improved the prediction: random forest +1.7%, logistic regression +3.2%, neural networks +3.6%. The algorithm with the highest performance (neural networks) predicted 320 cases (sensitivity 70.2%) and 1217 non-cases (specificity 74.7%), correctly predicting 248 (+7.6%) more patients who developed cardiovascular disease compared to the established absolute cardiovascular risk calculation scale Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation. Conclusion. The use of neural networks with multilayer perceptron, as one of the methods of layer-by-layer construction of machine learning algorithm, is the best option for creating a prognostic model and currently provides the most reliable results.
Optimization of cogging torque in interior permanent magnet synchronous motor using optimum magnet v-angle
Authors: Patel A. N. , Doshi P. J. , Mahagoakar S. C. , Panchal T. H.
Published: October 2023

Introduction. At present, the most important requirement in the field of electrical engineering is the better utilization of electrical power, due to its increasing demand and not-so-increasing availability. A permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is increasingly gaining popularity in various household and industrial applications because of its superior performance compared to conventional electrical motors. Purpose. PMSM is designed based on the selection of various design variables and optimized to fulfill the same. Being superiorly advantageous over other motors, PMSM has the major disadvantage of higher cogging torque. Higher cogging torque generates torque ripple in the PMSM motor leading to various problems like vibration, rotor stress, and noisy operation during starting and steady state. The designer should aim to reduce the cogging torque at the design stage itself for overall better performance. Methods. An interior rotor v-shaped web-type PMSM is designed and its performance analysis is carried out using finite element analysis (FEA). Magnet v-angle is optimized with the objective of cogging torque reduction. Performance comparison is carried out between the optimized motor and the initially designed motor with FEA. Novelty. Magnet v-angle analysis is performed on the same keeping all other parameters constant, to obtain minimum cogging torque. The proposed method is practically viable as it does not incur extra costs and manufacturing complexity. Practical value. It is observed that the magnet v-angle is an effective technique in the reduction of cogging torque. Cogging torque is reduced from 0.554 N×m to 0.452 N×m with the application of the magnet v-angle optimization technique.
Performance investigations of five-level reduced switches count Η-bridge multilevel inverter
Authors: Parimalasundar E. , Muthukaruppasamy S. , Dharmaprakash R. , Suresh K.
Published: October 2023

Introduction. This research paper describes a simple five-level single-phase pulse-width modulated inverter topology for photovoltaic grid applications. Multilevel inverters, as opposed to conventional two-level inverters, include more than two levels of voltage while using multiple power switches and lower-level DC voltage levels as input to produce high power, easier, and less modified oscillating voltage. The H-bridge multilevel inverter seems to have a relatively simple circuit design, needs minimal power switching elements, and provides higher efficiency among various types of topologies for multi-level inverters that are presently accessible. Nevertheless, using more than one DC source for more than three voltage levels and switching and conduction losses, which primarily arise in major power switches, continue to be a barrier. The novelty of the proposed work consists of compact modular inverter configuration to connect a photovoltaic system to the grid with fewer switches. Purpose. The proposed system aims to decrease the number of switches, overall harmonic distortions, and power loss. By producing distortion-free sinusoidal output voltage as the level count rises while lowering power losses, the constituted optimizes power quality without the need for passive filters. Methods. The proposed topology is implemented in MATLAB/Simulink with gating pulses and various pulse width modulation technique. Results. With conventional topology, total harmonic distortion, power switches, output voltage, current, power losses, and the number of DC sources are investigated. Practical value. The proposed topology has proven to be extremely useful for deploying photovoltaic-based stand-alone multilevel inverters in grid applications.
The mutual influence of exciting and induced currents in the circular solenoid – massive conductor system
Authors: Batygin Yu. V. , Yeryomina O. F. , Shinderuk S. O. , Chaplygin E. O.
Published: October 2023

Problem. The flow of currents in the conductive elements of electrical systems is accompanied by the excitation of electromagnetic fields and the occurrence of induced currents. The excitation of the induced signals, in turn, leads to a change in the parameters of the actual exciting currents. The purpose of the work is to obtain analytical expressions for the quantitative analysis of the results of the mutual influence of the exciting and induced currents and to calculate their ratio depending on the geometric characteristics of the inductor systems. Methodology. The analysis of the processes of mutual influence is carried out on the example of a widespread inductor system, where a flat circular solenoid is placed above the surface of a massive conductor. Analytical expressions for eddy currents excited in a massive conductor and numerical estimates of the effect of induced currents on exciting currents in a solenoid are obtained. Results. It is shown that the influence of the induced current on the current in the solenoid is very significant at small distances between the solenoid and the surface of the massive solenoid. It has been found that an increase in the width of the solenoid winding leads to a significant increase in the influence of the induced current on the excitation current in the solenoid. It is shown that the inductance of the «circular solenoid - massive conductor» system drops with a decrease in the distance between the solenoid and the massive conductor and an increase in the radial dimensions of the solenoid, which requires an increase in the amplitude of the exciting current to maintain a given value of the magnetic flux in the system. Originality. The scientific novelty of this work lies in the proposal of an analytical approach and obtaining numerical estimates of the mutual influence of conductors with exciting and induced currents. Practical value. Estimates of the mutual influence of conductors with currents are of interest for the practice of designing structures of electrical systems for various purposes. Very promising in the direction further research is seen as carrying out experiments with measurements of the quantitative characteristics of the mutual influence of exciting and induced currents in various designs of electrical systems.
Türkiye’deki Kamu ve Özel Katılım Bankalarının Etkinlik Performanslarının Analizi: 2019-2021 Dönemi
Authors: ABA ŞENBAYRAM Emel
Published: October 2023

Bu çalışma ile bankacılık sektöründeki payı ve etkinliği her geçen gün artan katılım bankalarının etkinlik performanslarının değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda üçü özel sermayeli, üçü de kamu sermayeli olan altı katılım bankasının etkinlik skorları 2019-2022 dönemi için hesaplanmıştır. Araştırma için seçilen üç girdi (toplam fonlar, personel gideri, faiz giderleri) ve iki çıktının (kullanılan fonlar, faiz geliri) etkinlik ölçümü Veri Zarflama Analizi (VZA) kullanılarak yapılmıştır. Ölçeğe göre sabit getiri (CRR) varsayımı altında çıktı odaklı VZA yaklaşımının dikkate alındığı araştırmanın bulguları, araştırmaya tabi tutulan bütün bankaların 2019-2022 dönemi ortalama etkinlik değerlerinin %90’nın üzerinde olduğunu göstermektedir. Analiz sonuçları altı katılım bankasının 2019-2022 dönemindeki etkinlik skorlarının yıllar itibariyle; 2019 yılında dört, 2020 yılında altı, 2021 yılında üç, 2022 yılında ise beş katılım bankasının etkin olduğu şeklindedir. Genel bir ifade ile söz konusu katılım bankalarının tamamının dört dönemde içerisine en az iki dönem etkin olduğunu göstermektedir.
Türkiye’de Sosyal Hizmetin Öncüleri: Sosyal Hizmetler Akademisi Mezunları Örneği
Authors: ÖTER Adem , ÇİÇEK Şefika Eda
Published: October 2023

Sanayi devrimi ile birlikte değişen dünya düzeniyle ortaya çıkan ve çeşitlenen bireysel ve toplumsal sorunlar sosyal hizmet uygulamalarının kamu hizmetleri kapsamına alınmasına ve yasal güvence ile hak olarak sunulmasına imkân sağlamıştır. Sosyal hizmetlerin devlet eliyle yürütülmesi alandaki meslek elemanı ihtiyacını doğurmuştur. Dünyada sosyal hizmetin meslekleşmesi ve mesleki eğitim yönündeki gelişmeler çok eski tarihlere dayansa da Türkiye’de mesleki eğitim 1961 yılında açılan Sosyal Hizmetler Akademisiyle başlamıştır. Akademi 1961-1982 yılları arasında eğitim faaliyetlerine devam etmiş, 1983 yılında Sosyal Çalışma Bölümü ile birleştirilip Sosyal Hizmetler Yüksekokulu’na dönüştürülmüştür. Bu kapsamda çalışmanın giriş bölümü literatür taraması şeklinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bölüm, sosyal hizmet kavramının tanımı, gelişimi, genelde eğitim süreci, özelde ise Sosyal Hizmetler Akademisiyle ilgili bilgileri içermektedir. Araştırma evreni Sosyal Hizmetler Akademisi mezunu (1965-1982) sosyal hizmet uzmanlarından oluşmaktadır. Araştırmada karma yöntem benimsenmiş olup kartopu örneklemesiyle 41 katılımcıya ulaşılarak görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Çalışmanın nicel verileri SPSS programıyla nitel verileri ise MAXQDA programı kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Çalışma ile Akademi’ye öğrenci seçimi ve öğrencilerin sosyo-demografik bilgileri, öğrencilerin Akademi’de almış oldukları eğitimin nitelikli meslek elemanı yetiştirmeye etkisi, sosyal hizmet uzmanlarının çalışma alanları ve onların Akademi’yle kişisel bağları ortaya konulmuştur. Çalışma sonucunda, Akademi öğrencilerinin birçoğunun aynı demografik özelliklere, mesleki bilgi ve beceri yeteneklerine sahip oldukları ve mesleki ilke olarak bu özellikleri benimsedikleri görülmektedir.
Döngüsel Bir Ekonomiye Doğru Türkiye: Düşük Karbonlu Bir Ekonomi İçin Genişletilmiş STIRPAT Modeline Dayalı Analiz
Authors: ŞENTÜRK Canan
Published: October 2023

Sanayi altyapısının güçlendirilmesi ve kurumsallaşması, üretim esnekliğinin sağlanması, nitelikli insan sermayesi ve inovasyonu teşvik eden Ar-Ge ekosisteminin oluşturulması, ihracatın katma değeri yüksek ürünlerden oluşan güçlü bir yapıya kavuşturulması hususunda teknolojik yetkinlik ve sektörel yol haritalarının belirlenmesi gelişmekte olan ülkelerin büyüme ve kalkınma stratejilerinde belirleyici olmaktadır. Ancak tüm bu hedeflerin sağlanmasında kaynak verimliliğini esas alan, çevreye duyarlı teknolojilerle desteklenmiş üretim süreçlerinin varlığıyla döngüsellik tasarımları, hem küresel ölçekte hem de başta Çin ve AB üyesi ülkeler olmak üzere gelişmiş ülkelerin ulusal politikalarında özellikle küresel iklim kriziyle mücadele çerçevesinde önemli yer tutmaktadır. Bu açıdan Cumhuriyet’in 100. yılında söz konusu dönüşüm ve ‘düşük karbonlu ekonomi modeliyle büyüme’ atılması gereken önemli adımlar arasındadır. Bu bağlamda çalışmada genişletilmiş STIRPAT modeli kullanılmaktadır. Böylelikle, modelin ana unsurları nüfus, refah ve teknolojiye; ticari açıklık, enerji tüketimi ve sanayileşme eklenerek düşük karbonlu bir ekonomi yolunda Türkiye için temel argümanların araştırılmasında daha kapsamlı bir çerçeve sunmak amaçlanmaktadır. Çalışmada 1990-2020 dönemi verileri dikkate alınmakta ve ARDL sınır testi yaklaşımı kullanılmaktadır. Bulgulara göre, uzun dönemde, kişi başı gelir, ticari açıklık ve enerji tüketiminin artması daha fazla karbon emisyonu yaratmaktadır. Ayrıca kısa dönemde oluşacak bir dengeden sapma, 1,14 yıl sonra düzelerek uzun dönem dengesine yakınsamaktadır ve uyarlanma sürecinin hızlı olduğu söylenebilmektedir.
Valores intangibles del paisaje: alternativas de planificación territorial en bordes metropolitanos de tierras secas (Mendoza, Argentina)
Authors: Tonda María Marta , Martín Uceda Javier
Published: October 2023

Las ciudades latinoamericanas crecen hacia las periferias, fragmentando el conector con su contexto natural. Un caso representativo es el área metropolitana de Mendoza (Argentina), con más del 60 % de la población provincial. Su piedemonte, entre el límite oeste del conglomerado metropolitano y los Andes, es uno de los ecosistemas más estudiados: por su fragilidad y amenaza; y la importancia funcional, ambiental y paisajística. Esta investigación incorpora el paisaje como elemento transversal en el ordenamiento del piedemonte, cartografiando los valores intangibles del paisaje, generalmente excluidos de las variables para la gestión territorial. Basados en principios de ciencia ciudadana y mapeo participativo georeferenciado (PPGIS), este enfoque recupera los intangibles del paisaje, por su capacidad de generar vínculos afectivos entre sociedad y entorno. Como resultado pueden obtenerse cartografías capaces de espacializar la dimensión perceptivo-emocional de las personas, para generar alternativas que permitan incluirlas como herramienta de gestión y planificación en perspectiva de paisaje.
The process of spatial frequency information in temporal synchrony perception for audiovisual stimuli
Authors: Takeshima Yasuhiro
Published: October 2023

Previous studies have shown that spatial frequency (SF) of visual stimuli alters the perceived timing of subjective simultaneity. However, these studies have been limited to the effects of a single SF component. This study measured and compared the points of subjective simultaneity (PSS) for audiovisual stimuli among low, high, and composited SF components. This experiment utilized a dual-presentation timing task and a ternary response format to eliminate response bias for simultaneity judgment. The results indicated that the PSS value of the composition-SF stimuli was medium between that of the low- and high-SF stimuli. The correlation coefficients showed that the PSS in composition-SF stimuli approximated that of high-SF stimuli higher than that of low-SF stimuli. Furthermore, this study more directly indicated that the difference of processing speed with SF modulated PSS values. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings via visual stimuli with a wider range of SF components.
Reconciling the ideals of open science with data privacy in the context of health research in Nigeria: A legal analysis
Authors: Adaji Aishatu Eleojo
Published: October 2023

Background The Nigerian Revised National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation 2022 formally proposed the adoption of open science principles among researchers and all other stakeholders in Nigeria. With regard to health research, open science would allow the dissemination and sharing of scientific data and other research outputs among health researchers, thereby accelerating the scientific process and the development of innovative solutions for health challenges. However, in this context, the existing privacy and data protection rules can profoundly affect the adoption and sustainability of open science in Nigeria. This is because researchers rely heavily on accessing and sharing personal information and the biological samples of human subjects. Therefore, this study identifies and examines possible legal issues and challenges arising from the existing privacy and data protection rules as researchers adopt an open science approach to health research in Nigeria.
Methods This study adopts a qualitative approach, providing a legal analysis of existing national, regional and international instruments on privacy, data protection and health research in the context of open science in Nigeria. The study also draws on relevant research and non-research articles on open science, health research, privacy and data protection published in English. Searches for the articles were conducted on various sites through the Google search engine, using terms such as ‘sharing of data’, ‘data privacy’, ‘principles of data protection’, ‘open science’, etc.
Results/Conclusion The study finds that the right to privacy and data protection could affect the promotion, adoption and sustainability of open science among health researchers in Nigeria, as well as their ability to engage in open collaborative research with their peers in Africa and other jurisdictions. To prevent infringements of the privacy and data protection rules by researchers and thereby ensure the adoption of open science approaches in health research, the study further identifies various legal options for researchers, including using personal data or material transfer arrangements, which, among other things, require recipients or users of human data or biological samples to commit not to re-identify human subjects.
Using healthcare systems data for outcomes in clinical trials: Issues to consider at the design stage
Authors: Toader Alice-Maria , Campbell Marion K , Quint Jennifer K , Robling Michael , Sydes Matthew R , Thorn Joanna , Wright-Hughes Alexandra , Yu Ly-Mee , Abbott Tom E.F. , Bond Simon , Caskey Fergus J , Clout Madeleine , Collinson Michelle , Copsey Bethan , Davies Gwyneth , Driscoll Timothy , Gamble Carrol , Griffin Xavier L , Hamborg Thomas , Harris Jessica , Harrison David A , Harji Deena , Henderson Emily J , Logan Pip , Love Sharon B , Magee Laura A , O'Brien Alastair , Pufulete Maria , Ramnarayan Padmanabhan , Saratzis Athanasios , Smith Jo , Solis-Trapala Ivonne , Stubbs Clive , Farrin Amanda , Williamson Paula
Published: October 2023

Background
Healthcare system data (HSD) are increasingly used in clinical trials, augmenting or replacing traditional methods of collecting outcome data. The PRIMORANT study set out to determine when HSD are of sufficient quality and utility to replace bespoke outcome data collection, a methodological question prioritised by the clinical trials community.
Methods
The PRIMORANT study had three phases. First, an initial workshop was held to scope the issues faced by trialists when considering whether to use HSDs for trial outcomes. Second, a consultation exercise was undertaken with clinical trials unit (CTU) staff, trialists, methodologists, clinicians, funding panels and data providers. Third, a final discussion workshop was held, at which the results of the consultation were fed back, case studies presented, and issues considered in small breakout groups.
Results
Key topics included in the consultation process were validity of outcome data, timeliness of data capture, internal pilots, data-sharing, practical issues, and decision-making. A majority of respondents (n = 78, 95%) considered the development of guidance for trialists to be feasible. Guidance was developed following the discussion workshop, for the five broad areas of terminology, feasibility, internal pilots, onward data sharing, and data archiving.
Conclusions
We provide guidance to inform decisions about whether or not to use HSDs for outcomes, and if so, to assist trialists in working with registries and other HSD-providers to improve the design and delivery of trials.
Potential deficit irrigation adaptation strategies under climate change for sustaining cotton production in hyper–arid areas
Authors: Qi Zhiming , Chen Xiaoping , Dong Haibo , Gui Dongwei , Ma Liwang , Thorp Kelly R , Malone Robert , Wu Hao , Liu Bo , Feng Shaoyuan
Published: October 2023

Affected by climate change and elevated atmospheric CO2 levels, the efficacy of agricultural management practices is of particular concern in a hyper–arid area. Herein, the effects of future climate change on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield and water use efficiency (WUE) was assessed under deficit irrigation strategies in China’s southern Xinjiang region. A previously calibrated and validated RZWQM2 model simulated cotton production for two time periods ranging between 2061–2080 and 2081–2100, under two automatic irrigation methods [crop evapotranspiration (ET–based) and plant available water (PAW–based)], factorially combined with four irrigation levels (100%, 80%, 60%, and 50%). Weather information was obtained from ten general circulation models, and three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways were tested. Simulation results showed that the irrigation strategy had a greater impact than climatic change on water use and crop production of cotton. Under climate change, both ET– and PAW–based irrigation methods with deficit irrigation showed a simulated decrease in water use and production of cotton compared to the baseline (1960–2019). Under future climate conditions, for a given irrigation level, PAW–based irrigation led to 35.3 mm–135 mm (7.4–53.9%) greater water use for cotton than did ET–based irrigation. For the 2061–2080 period, mean simulated seed cotton yields were 4.47, 3.69, 2.29 and 1.63 Mg ha–1 with the 100%, 80%, 60% and 50% ET–based irrigation protocols, respectively, and 4.46, 4.41, 3.85 and 3.34 Mg ha–1 with the equivalent PAW–based irrigation protocols. Similar yields were simulated for the 2081–2100 period. In addition, the 80% PAW–based or 100% ET–based irrigation protocols under future climate change provided the greatest cotton WUE in southern Xinjiang.
A height-renderable morphable tactile display enabled by programmable modulation of local stiffness in photothermally-active polymer
Authors: Yun Sungryul , Hwang Inwook , Mun Seongcheol , Youn Jung-Hwan , Kim Hyeong Jun , Park Seung Koo , Choi Meejeong , Kang Tae June , Pei Qibing
Published: October 2023

Reconfigurable tactile displays are currently being used to provide refreshable Braille information for the convenience of visually-impaired persons, while they deliver information limited to an alternative of Braille due to the difficulty in control of deformation height. Here, we present a photothermally active bilayered-polymer-based morphable tactile display that programmably generates tangible three-dimensional (3D) topologies with texture on a thin film surface. The morphable tactile display is composed of the heterogeneous polymer structure integrating stiffness-tunable polymer into light-absorbing elastomer, near infra-red light emitting diode (NIR-LED) array, and a small pneumatic chamber. In our tactile display, the topological expression is enabled by producing localized out-of-plane deformation, which is reversible, height-adjustable, and latchable in response to light-triggered stiffness-modulation at each target area under switching of a stationary pneumatic pressure. Moreover, the tactile display can express a spatial softness map on the latched topology by re-exposing the modulated NIR-LED light at target areas. The capability of the tactile display can contribute to opening a pathway to impart high-dimensional tactile information to electronic devices and even allow realistic interaction in augmented or virtual environments.
The Integrated Use of Some Common Agrochemicals and Different Entomopathogenic Nematode Species in The Control of Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)
Authors: Mamuk Nuray , Yüksel Ebubekir , Canhilal Ramazan
Published: October 2023

EPNs are an important component of integrated pest management(IPM) strategies and understanding their antagonistic and synergistic interactions with other biocontrol options is of crucial importance in promoting their use. In the current study, the antagonistic and synergistic effects of azadirachtin, sulfoxaflor, mineral oil, and thyme oil on the survival and pathogenicity of S. bicornutum, S. carpocapsae, H. indica, and H. bacteriaphora were investigated under controlled conditions(25 ± 1°C). The toxicity of agrochemicals to IJs was evaluated in 12-well plates and the IJs of each EPN species (5000IJs/50µL ddh2O) were exposed to the recommended field concentrations of agrochemicals. In the pathogenicity tests, the agrochemical and IJs solutions were applied to potato tubers at the concentration of 3000IJs/ml. The results revealed that all tested EPN species were quite compatible with azadirachtin, sulfoxaflor, mineral oil, and thyme oil and showed survival over 95% after 72 hours of exposure to tested agrochemicals. EPNs and mineral oil combination induced the highest efficacy on the Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) adults and all EPN species caused mortalities over 90% 72 hours after treatment except for S. bicornotum and mineral oil combination. The synergistic effect was observed in all combinations of EPNs with agrochemicals except for thyme oil. The results indicate that EPNs applied in combination with azadirachtin, sulfoxaflor, and mineral oil could provide more chances for successful control of P. citri. However, further studies are required to determine the antagonistic and synergistic effects of tested chemicals on EPNs in field conditions.
Morphometric network-based abnormalities correlate with psychiatric comorbidities and gene expression in PCDH19-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
Authors: Guerrini Renzo , Lenge Matteo , Balestrini Simona , Napolitano Antonio , Mei Davide , Conti Valerio , Baldassarri Giulia , Trivisano Marina , Pellacani Simona , Macconi Letizia , Longo Daniela , Espagnet Maria Camilla Rossi , Cappelletti Simona , d'Incerti Ludovico , Barba Carmen , Specchio Nicola
Published: October 2023

Protocadherin-19 (PCDH19) developmental and epileptic encephalopathy causes an early-onset epilepsy syndrome with limbic seizures, typically occurring in clusters and variably associated with intellectual disability and a range of psychiatric disorders including hyperactive, obsessive-compulsive and autistic features. Previous quantitative neuroimaging studies revealed abnormal cortical areas in the limbic formation (parahippocampal and fusiform gyri) and underlying white-matter fibers. In this study, we adopted morphometric, network-based and multivariate statistical methods to examine the cortex and substructure of the hippocampus and amygdala in a cohort of 20 PCDH19-mutated patients and evaluated the relation between structural patterns and clinical variables at individual level. We also correlated morphometric alterations with known patterns of PCDH19 expression levels. We found patients to exhibit high-significant reductions of cortical surface area at a whole-brain level (left/right pvalue=0.045/0.084), and particularly in the regions of the limbic network (left/right parahippocampal gyri pvalue=0.230/0.016; left/right entorhinal gyri pvalue=0.002/0.327), and bilateral atrophy of several subunits of the amygdala and hippocampus, particularly in the CA regions (head of the left CA3 pvalue=0.002; body of the right CA3 pvalue=0.004), and differences in the shape of hippocampal structures. More severe psychiatric comorbidities correlated with more significant altered patterns, with the entorhinal gyrus (pvalue=0.013) and body of hippocampus (pvalue=0.048) being more severely affected. Morphometric alterations correlated significantly with the known expression patterns of PCDH19 (rvalue=-0.26, pvalue=0.034). PCDH19 encephalopathy represents a model of genetically determined neural network based neuropsychiatric disease in which quantitative MRI-based findings correlate with the severity of clinical manifestations and had have a potential predictive value if analyzed early.
Association Between Serum IgG Concentrations and Prognosis in IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Fei Tang , Ricong Xu , Li Fan , Haofei Hu , Yuan Cheng , Rong Cao , cai Tao , Xueqing Yu , Wei Chen , Qijun Wan
Published: October 2023

Objective:
This study was aimed to assess the relationship between serum IgG (SIgG) level and the clinical, pathological phenotype of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and to determine the role of SIgG level in the progression and prognosis of IgAN.
Methods:
It was a multi-center retrospective cohort study, patients with biopsy proven primary IgAN who were recorded in the Chinese IgA Nephropathy Information Registration System between April 1996 and September 2018 were included. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the baseline tertiles of sIgG : ≤9.50g/L, 9.51 to 11.99 g/L, and≥ 12.00 g/L. The endpoint events were defined as doubled serum creatinine level from baseline, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Results:
A total of 1976 IgAN patients were included in this study. At baseline, mean age, eGFR, and serum IgG levels were 34.84 ± 10.75years, 80.38 ± 33.09﻿mL/min/1.73 m2, and 10.82 ± 3.23g/L, respectively. During a median of ﻿ 33months of follow-up, endpoint events were observed in 232 (11.74%) patients. After adjustment for demographic and IgAN-specific covariates and treatments, patients with a higher tertile of SIgG was associated with an decreased risk of developing poor renal outcomes from the Cox proportional hazards models.
Conclusion:
The higher level of sIgG at diagnosis is associated with better clinicopathologic features and renal outcomes, and may portend better renal survival in IgAN patients.
Astragaloside IV attenuates glucocorticoid-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone loss via the MAPK/NF-κB pathway
Authors: Guo Chun , Li Yangyang , Yang Ruijuan , Xie Mingzhang , Chen Xiangfeng , Che Zhiqun , Wang Zhixia , Zhong Bin , Luo Yanhong , Leng Xiaomin
Published: October 2023

Background Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is a bioactive saponin extracted from astragalus membranaceus, and it is reported to promote osteoblast differentiation while inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. However, the mechanism of AS-IV in glucocorticoid-induced osteoclastogenesis (GIO) remains undetermined. Herein, we examined the influence of AS-IV on GIO and bone loss.
Methods RAW264.7 cells were incubated with dexamethasone (Dex) alone or Dex and receptor activator of nuclear factor-B ligand (RANKL) (Dex and RANKL) for 2 days, and then treated with Dex or Dex and RANKL through AS-IV for the timeframes indicated. Following, mice were intraperitoneally administered with an intermediate-acting glucocorticoid, methylprednisolone (MP), or MP and AS-IV for 6 weeks.
Results AS-IV significantly decreased Dex-induced osteoclast nucleus and area, however, it did not impact the number of Dex-induced osteoclasts in RAW264.7 cells. AS-IV also significantly decreased the osteoclastic marker protein expressions in Dex-induced RAW264.7 cells with concentration of dose dependent fashion. Additionally, AS-IV promoted p38 phosphorylation (p-) and p-p65 translocation to the nucleus, while inhibiting phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) (p-ERK) and inhibitor of Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) (p-IκB) levels. However, the AS-IV-mediated action on p-MAPK, p-NF-κB, and osteoclastic marker expressions were reversed by MAPK or IκB inhibitor in Dex-induced RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, our in vivo evaluation revealed that AS-IV also attenuated the MP-mediated bone loss, and suppressed osteoclastogenesis.
Conclusions This study demonstrates that AS-IV inhibits GIO and attenuates bone loss via the MAPK/NF-κB pathway. This also suggested that AS-IV could be a potential promising therapeutic agent for glucocorticoid-triggered bone loss.
“You don’t get resilience overnight”: A Grounded theory framework of the A-R-C Sporting Resilience Development
Authors: Gupta Sahen , McCarthy Paul
Published: October 2023

Resilience in sport is growing as a topic of investigation but little is known about how resilience develops in athletes. This study explored sporting resilience development in elite athletes over time using grounded theory. Participants from diverse cultural contexts were screened using Brief Resilience Scale (Smith et al., 2008). Sample included 10 competitive-elite athletes (5 men & women) who scored high, competing in individual/team sports. Experiential life-story interviews on sporting resilience development over time was conducted. Grounded theory was employed across ideation, data collection and analysis. Methodological rigour was established by incorporating checks and outcomes were judged using quality criteria. Findings are synthesised into A-R-C Development Model of sporting resilience indicating that antecedent protective factors (A) enable the engine of sporting resilience (R) which through metacognition-emotion-behaviour produces consequences (C) of positive adaptation or critical adaptation failure. Emergent theory provides an understanding of how sporting resilience develops over time in competitive-elite athletes.
Production System, and Egg Quality of Village Chicken Reared Under Traditional Management System in Angecha And Damboya Districts of Kembata Tembaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Amanuel Eskindir , Amanuel Desalegn , Shanku Edao
Published: October 2023

The study was conducted in two selected districts of Kembata Tembaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia with an aim of assessing the production system, performance and selected egg quality of village chicken reared under traditional management system. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select representative sample and one hundred eight six respondents (186) were interviewed with structured questionnaire. The data were organized and analyzed by using SPSS and SAS.
The mean of Eggs per clutch per hen, Age at first lay, and number of clutches per hen/year were 15.82±0.54, 7.08±0.25, 5.26±0.25 and Age of sexual Maturity (Male=7.67±0.306and female=8.13±0.301), respectively. The predominate breed is exotic (59.6%) with village chicken production system. 50.55% of the respondents keep chicken in Perch at one corner in common house, 45.70% were practicing of isolation of sick birds from healthy to prevent disease transmission. The mean of eggs incubated, hatched and hatchability of percentages were (14.5±0.55, 12.5±0.57 and 80.5), respectively. The study revealed that 40.32, 26.2 and 17.32% of respondent’s rear chicken for sale, home consumption and non-defined purpose, respectively. The highest percentage of the interviewed respondent’s utilization of eggs were for selling purpose 30.1% (Mid-land) and 31.7% (High land). Regarding egg storage condition in high land and mid land agro ecology about 21.5% and 18.3% of the respondents store their eggs in inside cold container respectively. The major constraints of chicken production in the study areas were prevalence of disease, high chick mortality, predator attack, shortage of feed and grains and lack of parent stock, respectively. The most economically important disease that attacks chicken was Newcastle disease which is locally known as “Kenbesha” in the study areas. All egg quality parameters were statistically similar (P>0.05) among the agro ecology except significant difference (P≤0.05) on egg yolk height and albumen height. Shell thickness was comparable to the acceptable egg shell thickness to withstand egg breakage. The yolk index values of the eggs obtained from both agro ecology ranged from 0.54–0.56. The HU value that determine the quality of albumen was within the range of 70-100 set for good egg quality. Therefore, efforts should be geared to alleviate constraints like prevalence of disease, High chick mortality, predator attack, shortage of feed and lack of parent stock hampering chicken production, training of smallholder farmers on chicken housing practices and further research was required on external and internal egg quality determination under different production system.
Institutional network and their links with potentially vulnerable spaces in the agriculture sector of the Honduras’ dry corridor
Authors: Gonzalez Carlos Eduardo , Renteria-Ramos Rafael , Rivera Irma Ayes , Coq Jean Francois Le
Published: October 2023

The Honduras’ dry corridor presents a high natural climate variability since its location in the Pacific region of Central America, where nearly half of the Honduran populations develop their socio-economic activities. To be able to face the challenges of climate change adaptation in the agriculture sector and food and nutritional security, a coordination of actions is a requirement. The multiplicity of actors and their interventions generates an institutional network. But the question is if this institutional network is coherent of targeting intervention in the most vulnerable areas. This research aims to analyze the structural institutional network through a Social-Network Analysis approach to investigate the coherence, consistency, and relevance of public and private interventions related to agriculture, climate change and food security in 153 municipalities of the Honduras’ dry corridor. The bipartite analysis between institutions and municipalities, evidenced a dynamic core within two types of ego networks. An ego network in favor of one municipality, in which case only one was observed related to the Central District where the capital is located. While the second type is related to an ego network in favor to only one institution, that was observed in four cases. The latter is more evident for the municipalities near the frontiers with El Salvador and Guatemala. Regarding the spatial coherence between the institutional’ interventions and the climate change vulnerability of the municipalities, our results reveal spatial misfit, as only 9% of the actions directly linked to cope climate change adaptation are undertaken in highly potentially vulnerable municipalities. These results suggest that there is still improvement for collaborative actions in the institutional network as well as for spatial prioritization of interventions towards vulnerable municipalities.
Pelvic exenteration surgery outcomes following establishment of a Complex Pelvic Surgery multidisciplinary tertiary unit
Authors: Mackowski Alicia , Limmer Alexandra , Lata Tahmina Jahan , McCarthy Alexander , Gilmore Andrew
Published: October 2023

Background:
Pelvic exenteration surgery (PES) is a complex operation associated with significant morbidity. PES requires sub-specialised multidisciplinary input along with expertise in complex pelvic surgery and anatomy. The majority of published data on PES comes from high volume units, however there is emerging evidence of acceptable short and long-term outcomes in lower volume units where dedicated multidisciplinary teams are established. This study reports outcomes of PES in a lower volume centre with a collaborative multidisciplinary surgical approach.
Methods:
A retrospective review of patients who underwent PES for benign or malignant pathology at Liverpool and Macquarie University Hospitals between September 2015 and June 2022. Descriptive statistics were performed and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis for patients treated for malignancy with curative intent.
Results:
A total of 67 patients undergoing pelvic exenteration were included (53.8% female; with mean age 59 years). Indications for PES were colorectal cancer (56.7%), gynaecological cancer (22.4%), other malignancy (9.0%) and complex benign pathology (11.9%).
Posterior or total pelvic exenteration was performed in 88.1%. Median hospital stay 16 days. Clavien-Dindo grade III or IV complications occurred in 34.3%. There were two post-operative deaths (3.0%; one palliative intent). For patients treated with curative intent (n=51), R0 resection margin was achieved in 92.2%, and R1 margin in 7.8%. Estimated five year disease-free survival was 57.1%, and five year overall survival was 65.5%.
Conclusion:
Short and long-term outcomes of PES in a low volume unit with appropriate multidisciplinary expertise are comparable to published data on pelvic exenteration from higher volume units.