bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In silico comparison between the mutated and wild-type androgen receptors and their influence on the selection of optimum androgenic receptor blockers for the treatment of prostate cancer
Authors: Akeel Al-Hussaniy Hany , S. Al-tameemi Zahraa , AL-Zobaidy Mohammed J.
Published: September 2022

Background: Prostate cancer is a disease that occurs in men aged more than 50 years. In Iraq, 8.89 men per 100,000 population suffer from prostate cancer, with the incidence being 14,016 cases and mortality being 6,367 cases. Despite advances in treatment against prostate cancer, it can become resistant to drugs. Therefore, the aim of current study was to search and identify binding sites for the repositioning of drugs by computational methods (docking). 

Methods: Based on the protein structure of the wild androgen receptor, the analysis parameters (22x22x22 on the X, Y, and Z axes) were established.

Results: The interactions of the natural ligands with androgen receptor were 10.0 (testosterone) and 10.8 (dihydrotestosterone) while mutated androgen receptor (T877A) had a low affinity with testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (-5.3 and -6.7, respectively). In the interactions of both receptors with the reported inhibitors (antagonists), a decrease with Bicalutamide (-8.3 and -4.3, respectively) and an increase in affinity with Flutamide and Nilutamide (-7.7 and 8.6, wild AR; -8.7 and -9.3 AR T877A) were observed. As for Enzalutamide and Apalutamide (second-generation antagonists), the change was minimal between wild androgen receptor and T877A (-7.6 and -7.7; -7.3 and -7.3, respectively). The change in the affinity of the ligands with androgen receptor and androgen receptor T877A shows how a mutation alters the bonds between these molecules.

Conclusion: The identification of key sites and potent inhibitors against abnormal androgen receptor functions will enrich prostate cancer treatments.
Study of the protective effects of cyanocobalamin on methotrexate induced nephrotoxicity in rats
Authors: Abdulwahhab Rana Q. , Ali Alabdali Samara Muwafaq
Published: September 2022

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) is a chemotherapeutic drug, used mainly in many cancerous stages, inflammatory and auto-immune diseases, but its use has been limited by its nephrotoxicity. Cyanocobalamin is a water-soluble vitamin possessing nephro-protective properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cyanocobalamin on the nephrotoxicity of methotrexate.

Methods: In the study 42 albino adult female rats were used, divided into six groups each containing seven rats (n=7). 1st group: Control group (Negative control), 7 rats were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5ml/kg/day NS. Second group: 7 rats were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of methotrexate (20 mg/kg) for 4 days. Third Group: 7 rats were given intraperitoneally cyanocobalamin at a dose (1.5 mg/kg/day) for two weeks, fourth, fifth, sixth group: 7 rats from each group were injected intraperitoneally with different concentrations of cyanocobalamin (0.5, 1, 1.5 mg/kg /day), respectively, for two weeks and MTX (20 mg/kg), which was injected only on day 11. On day 15, rats from all groups were euthanized, and blood samples were taken for biochemical tests, including evaluating serum urea and creatinine. The kidneys were extracted for histological investigation and evaluation of antioxidant (GSH) and oxidative stress (MDA) by using kidney tissue homogenates.

Results: This study revealed that kidney damage, produced by the MTX (group II), is manifested by significantly elevated (P<0.05) urea and creatinine. On the contrary, the cyanocobalamin groups (IV, V, VI) significantly (P<0.05) reduced urea and creatinine. Renal antioxidant defense systems, such as reduced glutathione depleted by MTX therapy, were restored to normal levels by cyanocobalamin. Furthermore, cyanocobalamin reduced oxidative stress (MDA) and histologically reduced renal tissue injury induced by MTX.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the study revealed that cyanocobalamin has a nephroprotective action upon MTX-induced renal damage in rats; cyanocobalamin may offer a protective effect, such as antioxidant action.
Evaluation of the quality of palliative home care for cancer patients in Cyprus: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Constantinou Andreas , Polychronis Giannis , Argyriadi Agathi , Argyriadis Alexandros
Published: September 2022

Home care nursing for cancer patients often involves palliative care, as it offers the potential to significantly improve the patients' quality of life. For the vast majority of patients, their home is the most preferable space for palliative care, since care in their own private space ensures they experience a feeling of meaningful existence and preserves the feeling of control over their life. The current study aims to evaluate the quality of palliative home care for cancer patients in Cyprus. This qualitative research follows the STROBE cross-sectional checklist. The study took place in the Republic of Cyprus and the study tool involved a questionnaire that was distributed by hand via convenient sampling. In the current research, a total of 80 cancer patients who participated in in-home care nursing in Cyprus were investigated. The psychological support and the communication provided by the home care nursing toward the patient appear to have a pivotal role when it comes to improving the quality of the individual's life as well as the perceived levels of respect and recognition of one's own needs. However, further research within a larger sample size of patients who receive palliative home care nursing is required in order to yield conclusions that are further representative of the wider population and which can be generalizable to a greater extent.
Clinical negligence claims for pressure injuries from the perspective of a tissue viability medico-legal nurse expert
Authors: Brown Annemarie
Published: September 2022

Clinical negligence claims for pressure injuries against the NHS continue to rise annually. This article will discuss the number of claims and financial costs to the NHS, together with the legal processes involved. Issues such as duty of care, breach of duty and harm and how these are interpreted in law will be explained, together with advice on how to avoid a potential negligence claim in the future. The author will discuss scenarios specific to primary care, such as non-adherence to pressure injury prevention strategies and how to manage these effectively. The importance of accurate, concise, relevant and factual documentation will also be discussed in detail.
Experimental Study of Determining Technique for Table Grape Qualities using Visible Wavelength of Imaging and Spectroscopy
Authors:   Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, 2-8050 Ikarashi, Niigata 950-2181, Japan, Kanchanomai Chaorai ,   Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand, Nakano Kazuhiro ,   Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, 2-8050 Ikarashi, Niigata 950-2181, Japan, Naphrom Daruni ,   Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand, Takizawa Kenichi ,   Faculty of Tourism Management, Niigata University of Management, 2909-2 Kibougaoka, Kamo 959-1321, Japan, Xiong Yating ,   Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, 2-8050 Ikarashi, Niigata 950-2181, Japan, Maniwara Phonkrit ,   Postharvest Technology Research Center, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand, Ohashi Shintaroh ,   Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, 2-8050 Ikarashi, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
Published: September 2022

Imaging and spectroscopy are non-destructive techniques for determining fruit qualities. The qualities of table grapes (Vitis vinifera) such as soluble solids content (SSC), pH, fi rmness and seedlessness are key parameters. This research was focused on comparison between imaging and spectroscopy in laboratory and fi eld. The results of Partial least squares regression (PLSR) showed that the best coeffi cient of determination (R2) for prediction (R2 pred) on SSC for laboratory was 0.8085, for fi eld was 0.8169, and for imaging was 0.7994. The best R2 pred on fi rmness for laboratory was 0.6925, for fi eld was 0.5737, and for imaging was 0.6216. The best R2 pred on pH for laboratory was 0.6820, for fi eld was 0.7101 and for imaging was 0.6494. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was analyzed the successful percentage of seedlessness classifi cation: 89.66%, 93.10% and 81.25% for spectroscopy in laboratory, fi eld and imaging, respectively. The results of SSC and seedlessness in fi eld are almost same effi cient as in laboratory. That means farmer can do spectroscopy on SSC and seedlessness anywhere and non-destructively. By the way, we can use both techniques as effi cient non-destructive techniques for determining these key parameters of table grape qualities.
Lactarius pseudoaurantiozonatus (Russulales), A New Species of Lactarius subgenus Lactarius from China
Authors:   Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand, Tang Song-Ming ,   School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand,   Biotechnology and Germplasm Resources Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming 650223, China, Wisitrassameewong Komsit ,   National Biobank of Thailand, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand, Yu Feng-Ming ,   Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand,   School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand, Ye Lei ,   Institute of Alpine Economic Botany, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lijiang, 674199, China, Gao Lin ,   School of Biological Science and Food Engineering, Chu Zhou University, Anhui 239000, China, Xia Luo ,   School of Biological Science and Food Engineering, Chu Zhou University, Anhui 239000, China
Published: September 2022

Lactarius pseudoaurantiozonatus, belonging to Lactarius subg. Lactarius, is proposed as a new species from Anhui Province, China based on detailed morphology and molecular analyses (nrITS) region. Lactarius pseudoaurantiozonatus, is characterized by a pale yellow to orange-yellow, zonate pileus, subglobose to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores which measure 5.5–7.9 × 4.5–6.5 μm, white latex which quickly turns olive-yellow, indistinct odor and burning-acrid taste.
A Study of Sedge (Cyperaceae) Dyeing with Natural Indigo Dye
Authors:   Department of General Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand, Saikhao Laksanawadee , Ponngam Sudarat ,   Department of General Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand, Phanit Suthanya ,   Department of General Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand, Thanomsith Kannikar ,   Department of General Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand, Masingboon Chivalrat ,   Department of General Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand, Nokkaew Rayakorn ,   Center of Excellence-Oil Palm, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Published: September 2022

The aim of the study was to investigate dyeing conditions that are appropriate for sedge fi bers with natural indigo dye as they usually do not absorb water. The conditioning of the fi bers is therefore essential in order to improve their water and color absorption properties. The conditioning process included soaking the fi bers in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5% of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with the ratio of the solution to sedge fi bers (a liquor ratio) of 50:1 for 24 hours. The conditioned fi bers were analysed for functional group changes by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and examined for appropriate conditions for natural indigo dyeing by using glucose as reducing agent instead of sodium dithionite (Na2S2O4). Time and temperature variations were also used to identify suitable dyeing conditions. The fi ndings revealed that dyeing sedge fi bers with natural indigo dye and glucose as a reducing agent was most effective when soaked for 20 minutes at 40 °C. The dyed fi bers were examined for color strength (K/S) and color fastness. It can be concluded that 5% of NaOH is the most effective level of concentration condition sedge fi bers for natural indigo dyeing.
Synthesis of Ecofriendly Silver Nanoparticles Using Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt Extract: Experimental and Theoretical Studies
Authors:   Faculty of Medical Sciences, Dong Nai Technology University, 206 Nguyen Khuyen, Trang Dai Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai 76000, Vietnam., Khanh Tran Van , Linh Nguyen Thi Tu ,   Faculty of Medical Sciences, Dong Nai Technology University, 206 Nguyen Khuyen, Trang Dai Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai 76000, Vietnam., Trinh Phan Ha ,   Faculty of Medical Sciences, Dong Nai Technology University, 206 Nguyen Khuyen, Trang Dai Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai 76000, Vietnam., Phung Huynh Kim ,   Hutech Institute of Applied Sciences, HUTECH University, 475A Dien Bien Phu, Ward 25, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh 70000, Vietnam., Tung Nguyen Thanh ,   Faculty of Medical Sciences, Dong Nai Technology University, 206 Nguyen Khuyen, Trang Dai Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai 76000, Vietnam., Trung Truong Tan ,   Institute of Research and Applied Technological Science (IRATS), Dong Nai Technology University, 206 Nguyen Khuyen, Trang Dai Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai 76000, Vietnam.
Published: September 2022

The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are synthesized by various methods and seem to be very hazardous to the ecosystem and expensive. Hence, the present study aimed to synthesize homogeneous silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt leaf extract with procedures non-toxic, and eco-friendly. The formation of biologically synthesized AgNPs was characterized by UV-Visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis) and the transmission electron microscope (TEM) techniques. The formation of the AgNPs was observed visually with the color change of the solution from yellow to reddish-brown. The UV-Vis spectroscopy showed the maximum absorbance wavelength of Ag0 at 469 nm. The TEM demonstrated AgNPs with an average particle diameter of 19.02 nm and clearly indicated the shape of AgNPs in solution is spherical and well dispersed. The density functional theory (DFT) studies reveal that the quercetin in Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt leaf extract behaves as a reducing agent for the reduction of Ag+ ions into Ag0. This research opens up new options for the synthesis of size-controlled, large-scale, biocompatible using an inexpensive and non-toxic extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent.
Green SBA-15 as a Fenton Catalytic Support for Efficient Degradation of Indigo Carmine
Authors:   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Nakhon Phanom University, Nakhon Phanom, 48000 Thailand, Namkhang Pornpan , Kongkachuichay Paisan ,   Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, NANOTEC Center for Nanoscale Materials Design for Green Nanotechnology and Center for Advanced Studies in Nanotechnology and its Applications in Chemical, Food and Agricultural Industries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Published: September 2022

Green mesoporous SBA-15 was synthesized by using corn stack ash (CSA), a new renewable silica source, as the main raw material. 80 wt% sodium silicate solution from CSA was mixed with a tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) solution, and fi nally after a hydrothermal process, mesoporous SBA- 15 was obtained. Subsequently, iron metal was incorporated into the prepared SBA-15 and used as an effi cient Fenton catalyst for degradation of indigo carmine (IC) under various conditions. Effects of various parameters of the Fenton process: initial pH, H2O2 concentration, Fe content, and reaction temperature were studied. It was observed that Fe2O3/80CSBA demonstrated good activity not only for a wide range of pH (both of acidic and basic conditions), but also at room temperature. Using the optimum condition, 98% of IC removal can be reached within 10 min. Moreover, the catalyst exhibited long-term stability and strong resistance to leaching of Fe species, while incorporating metal only 0.5 wt% of metal.
Investigation and Desirability Function Analysis for Optimization of Welding Process Parameters For Friction Stir Welding of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite
Authors:   Department of Mechanical Engineering, KGISL Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, Murugesan Seenivasan , Nanjundan Kathiravan ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, KGISL Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, Raman Santhanakrishnan ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, CMR University, Bengaluru, India, Thirumalai Ganesan ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mahendra Institute of Technology, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India
Published: September 2022

Friction stir welding (FSW) is employed for welding of aluminium metal matrix composite (MMC) reinforced with zirconium dioxide and Graphite as the reinforcing element. Stir casting is used for mixing the MMC and the reinforcing element. The specimens are fabricated in the form of rectangular plates and the plates are then welded using FSW process. The welding process parameters considered in this work are; tool rotational speed, welding speed and axial load. The tensile strength and the hardness of the weld nugget are investigated using response surface methodology. The ANOVA analysis and the response optimizer are used to evaluate the optimum welding process parameters and the results are then validated.
Parametric Optimization In Drilling Process Parameters For Machining Of Glass Fibre Reinforced Composites Using Grey Relational Grade Analysis
Authors:   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, Ramanathan Thirumalai , Sithan Kannan ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mahendra Institute of Technology, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu 637503, India, Ramanathan Subbarayan ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jayam college of Engineering and Technology, Dharmapuri, Tamilnadu 636813, India, Ramasamy Prakash ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, AVS College of Technology, Salem, Tamil Nadu 636106, India
Published: September 2022

The aim of the research is to optimize the drilling process parameters while drilling of glass fi bre reinforced composites using solid carbide drill by integrating response surface methodology and Taguchi technique. Drilling process parameters includes cutting speed, Feed rate and point angle with three levels. The responses measured against these drilling parameters are; material removal rate, surface roughness, oversize and delamination factor. The ANOVA analysis is carried out for the responses and the regression equations are developed and checked for its adequacy. The R-squared value for material removal rate is found to be 99.40%, for surface roughness is found to be 96.81% , for over size is found to be 98.2% and for delamination factor is found to be 96.46% and these values are acceptable. Also Taguchi grey relational grade analysis is carried and the grey relational coeffi cients are determined and they are ranked. The optimal parameter is fi nally determined using the grey relational analysis and the experiments are validated.
Statistical information enhanced robust design method of optical thin film
Authors: Dai Jianglin , Zhang Gong , Song Shigeng , Deng Zeyu , Wei Zihan
Published: September 2022

A novel merit function was constructed using the spectral coefficient average error and standard deviation, which can simultaneously optimize the expectation of spectral coefficient error and the envelope of standard deviation. Thus, a multi-objective optimization strategy based on Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm and Sequential quadratic programming was proposed. By comparing result of wideband anti-reflection film, cut-off filter and Infrared dual-band filter designed by the conventional algorithm and the new algorithm, the control effect of the new algorithm on sensitivity of film parameters error was verified. The results show that the novel design method has the characteristics of time-efficient calculations and is capable of effectively improving the production yield of the film system, which has practical significance.
Design, stray light analysis, and fabrication of a compact head-mounted display using freeform prisms
Authors: Cheng Dewen , Chen Hailong , Yao Cheng , Hou Qichao , Hou Weihong , Wei Li , Yang Tong , Wang Yongtian
Published: September 2022

It has been a challenge to design an optical see-through head-mounted display that is compact, lightweight, and stray-light-suppressed by using freeform optics. A new type of design based on freeform prisms is presented. The system consists of three optical elements and a micro-display. Two prisms serve as near-eye viewing optics that magnify the image displayed by the micro-display, and the other freeform lens is an auxiliary element attached to the main wedge-shaped prism to provide an undistorted see-through view of a real-world scene. The overall thickness of the optical system does not exceed 9.5 mm, and the weight is less than 9.8 g per eye. The final system is based on a 0.49-inch micro-display and features a diagonal field of view of 38°, an F/number of 1.8, with a 10 mm × 7 mm exit pupil diameter, and a 19 mm eye relief. The causes of stray light in the optical-mechanical system are investigated, and effective solutions or theoretical suppression of stray light are given. The freeform optical elements are successfully fabricated, and the system performance is carefully investigated. The results show that the performance of the optical see-through head-mounted display is adequate for practical applications.
Tradeoff between the Brillouin and transverse mode instabilities in Yb-doped fiber amplifiers
Authors: Young J. T. , Goers A. J. , Brown D. M. , Dennis M. L. , Lehr K. , Wei C. , Menyuk C. R. , Hu J.
Published: September 2022

The Brillouin instability (BI) due to stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and the transverse (thermal) mode instability (TMI) due to stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering (STRS) limit the achievable power in high-power lasers and amplifiers. The pump power threshold for BI increases as the core diameter increases, but the threshold for TMI may decrease as the core diameter increases. In this paper, we use a multi-time-scale approach to simultaneously model BI and TMI, which gives us the ability to find the fiber diameter with the highest power threshold. We formulate the equations to compare the thresholds of the combined and individual TMI and BI models. At the pump power threshold and below, there is a negligible difference between the full and individual models, as BI and TMI are not strong enough to interact with each other. The highest pump threshold occurs at the optimal core size of 43 µm for the simple double-clad geometry that we considered. We found that both effects contribute equally to the threshold, and the full BI and TMI model yields a similar threshold as the BI or TMI model alone. However, once the reflectivity is sufficiently large, we find in the full BI and TMI model that BI may trigger TMI and reduce the TMI threshold to a value lower than is predicted in simulations with TMI alone. This result cannot be predicted by models that consider BI and TMI separately. Our approach can be extended to more complex geometries and used for their optimization.
Wide-range electrically tunable photonic spin Hall effect in a quasi-PT-symmetric structure
Authors: Yang Jin , Yuan Shuaijie , Li Qianyang , Chen Yu , Zhou Xinxing
Published: September 2022

The photonic spin Hall effect (PSHE), manifesting itself as the spin-dependent shifts of left- and right-handed circularly polarized light beams, holds potential applications in nanophotonics and precision measurement. Thus, realizing effective enhancement and regulation of PSHE is highly desirable. It is known that by adjusting the Fermi energy of graphene, the spin shifts in a graphene-based optical structure can be actively modulated and amplified. However, this method generally works in a very narrow range of incident angles (near Brewster’s angle) and the incident state is limited to the horizontal polarization. In this Letter, we address these issues by theoretically proposing a feasible way to amplify and control the PSHE in a wide range of incident angles by modulating the Fermi energy when the light beam is reflected at a quasi-PT-symmetric structure (gain–loss medium embedded with monolayer graphene). Interestingly, we reveal that the electrically tunable PSHE can be achieved for both horizontal and vertical polarizations near the quasi-exceptional points (quasi-EPs). Moreover, we can directly determine the tiny variation of the Fermi energy by observing the field distribution of a single circularly polarized component in this structure without using the weak measurements.
Copper binding leads to increased dynamics in the regulatory N-terminal domain of full-length human copper transporter ATP7B
Authors: Orädd Fredrik , Steffen Jonas Hyld , Gourdon Pontus , Andersson Magnus
Published: September 2022

ATP7B is a human copper-transporting P1B-type ATPase that is involved in copper homeostasis and resistance to platinum drugs in cancer cells. ATP7B consists of a copper-transporting core and a regulatory N-terminal tail that contains six metal-binding domains (MBD1-6) connected by linker regions. The MBDs can bind copper, which changes the dynamics of the regulatory domain and activates the protein, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. To identify possible copper-specific structural dynamics involved in transport regulation, we constructed a model of ATP7B spanning the N-terminal tail and core catalytic domains and performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with (holo) and without (apo) copper ions bound to the MBDs. In the holo protein, MBD2, MBD3 and MBD5 showed enhanced mobilities, which resulted in a more extended N-terminal regulatory region. The observed separation of MBD2 and MBD3 from the core protein supports a mechanism where copper binding activates the ATP7B protein by reducing interactions among MBD1-3 and between MBD1-3 and the core protein. We also observed an increased interaction between MBD5 and the core protein that brought the copper-binding site of MBD5 closer to the high-affinity internal copper-binding site in the core protein. The simulation results assign specific, mechanistic roles to the metal-binding domains involved in ATP7B regulation that are testable in experimental settings.
Investigating the role of climate-related disasters in the relationship between food insecurity and mental health for youth aged 15–24 in 142 countries
Authors: Sharpe Isobel , Davison Colleen M.
Published: September 2022

Food insecurity (FI) represents a major global health challenge. Because climate-related disasters are a determinant of both FI and poor mental health, we investigated whether the severity of these disasters intensifies the relationship between FI and youth mental health. Data on FI and mental health came from the Gallup World Poll, a nationally representative survey of individuals in 142 countries, which included 28,292 youth aged 15–24. Data on climate-related disasters came from the International Disaster Database, a country-level record of disasters. Multilevel negative binomial regression was used to calculate relative risk (RR) of poor mental health. Youth with moderate or severe FI were significantly more likely to report poor mental health experiences compared to those with none/mild FI (moderate: RR 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32–1.41; severe: 1.60, 95% CI 1.54–1.66). We also observed a weak yet significant interaction effect (p<0.0001), which suggested that the country-level relationship between FI and poor mental health is slightly stronger at greater disaster severity. While further research is needed to improve our understanding of these complex relationships, these findings suggest that mental health should be considered when undertaking national climate change actions and that additional FI-related supports may work to improve youth mental health.
Does climate help modeling COVID-19 risk and to what extent?
Authors: Scabbia Giovanni , Sanfilippo Antonio , Mazzoni Annamaria , Bachour Dunia , Perez-Astudillo Daniel , Bermudez Veronica , Wey Etienne , Marchand-Lasserre Mathilde , Saboret Laurent
Published: September 2022

A growing number of studies suggest that climate may impact the spread of COVID-19. This hypothesis is supported by data from similar viral contagions, such as SARS and the 1918 Flu Pandemic, and corroborated by US influenza data. However, the extent to which climate may affect COVID-19 transmission rates and help modeling COVID-19 risk is still not well understood. This study demonstrates that such an understanding is attainable through the development of regression models that verify how climate contributes to modeling COVID-19 transmission, and the use of feature importance techniques that assess the relative weight of meteorological variables compared to epidemiological, socioeconomic, environmental, and global health factors. The ensuing results show that meteorological factors play a key role in regression models of COVID-19 risk, with ultraviolet radiation (UV) as the main driver. These results are corroborated by statistical correlation analyses and a panel data fixed-effect model confirming that UV radiation coefficients are significantly negatively correlated with COVID-19 transmission rates.
Neither carrots nor sticks? Challenges surrounding data sharing from the perspective of research funding agencies—A qualitative expert interview study
Authors: Anger Michael , Wendelborn Christian , Winkler Eva C. , Schickhardt Christoph
Published: September 2022

Background

Data Sharing is widely recognised as crucial for accelerating scientific research and improving its quality. However, data sharing is still not a common practice. Funding agencies tend to facilitate the sharing of research data by both providing incentives and requiring data sharing as part of their policies and conditions for awarding grants. The goal of our article is to answer the following question: What challenges do international funding agencies see when it comes to their own efforts to foster and implement data sharing through their policies?

Methods

We conducted a series of sixteen guideline-based expert interviews with representatives of leading international funding agencies. As contact persons for open science at their respective agencies, they offered their perspectives and experiences concerning their organisations’ data sharing policies. We performed a qualitative content analysis of the interviews and categorised the challenges perceived by funding agencies.

Results

We identify and illustrate six challenges surrounding data sharing policies as perceived by leading funding agencies: The design of clear policies, monitoring of compliance, sanctions for non-compliance, incentives, support, and limitations for funders’ own capabilities. However, our interviews also show how funders approach potential solutions to overcome these challenges, for example by coordinating with other agencies or adjusting grant evaluation metrics to incentivise data sharing.

Discussion and conclusion

Our interviews point to existing flaws in funders’ data sharing policies, such as a lack of clarity, a lack of monitoring of funded researchers’ data sharing behaviour, and a lack of incentives. A number of agencies could suggest potential solutions but often struggle with the overall complexity of data sharing and the implementation of these measures. Funders cannot solve each challenge by themselves, but they can play an active role and lead joint efforts towards a culture of data sharing.
SILVI, an open-source pipeline for T-cell epitope selection
Authors: Pissarra Joana , Dorkeld Franck , Loire Etienne , Bonhomme Vincent , Sereno Denis , Lemesre Jean-Loup , Holzmuller Philippe
Published: September 2022

High-throughput screening of available genomic data and identification of potential antigenic candidates have promoted the development of epitope-based vaccines and therapeutics. Several immunoinformatic tools are available to predict potential epitopes and other immunogenicity-related features, yet it is still challenging and time-consuming to compare and integrate results from different algorithms. We developed the R script SILVI (short for: fromin silicotoin vivo), to assist in the selection of the potentially most immunogenic T-cell epitopes from Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-binding prediction data. SILVI merges and compares data from available HLA-binding prediction servers, and integrates additional relevant information of predicted epitopes, namely BLASTp alignments with host proteins and physical-chemical properties. The two default criteria applied by SILVI and additional filtering allow the fast selection of the most conserved, promiscuous, strong binding T-cell epitopes. Users may adapt the script at their discretion as it is written in open-source R language. To demonstrate the workflow and present selection options, SILVI was used to integrate HLA-binding prediction results of three example proteins, from viral, bacterial and parasitic microorganisms, containing validated epitopes included in the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), plus the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) proteome. Applying different filters on predicted IC50, hydrophobicity and mismatches with host proteins allows to significantly reduce the epitope lists with favourable sensitivity and specificity to select immunogenic epitopes. We contemplate SILVI will assist T-cell epitope selections and can be continuously refined in a community-driven manner, helping the improvement and design of peptide-based vaccines or immunotherapies. SILVI development version is available at: github.com/JoanaPissarra/SILVI2020 andhttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6865909.
Hybrid of deep learning and exponential smoothing for enhancing crime forecasting accuracy
Authors: Butt Umair Muneer , Letchmunan Sukumar , Hassan Fadratul Hafinaz , Koh Tieng Wei
Published: September 2022

The continued urbanization poses several challenges for law enforcement agencies to ensure a safe and secure environment. Countries are spending a substantial amount of their budgets to control and prevent crime. However, limited efforts have been made in the crime prediction area due to the deficiency of spatiotemporal crime data. Several machine learning, deep learning, and time series analysis techniques are exploited, but accuracy issues prevail. Thus, this study proposed a Bidirectional Long Short Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) and Exponential Smoothing (ES) hybrid for crime forecasting. The proposed technique is evaluated using New York City crime data from 2010–2017. The proposed approach outperformed as compared to state-of-the-art Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Averages (SARIMA) with low Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) (0.3738, 0.3891, 0.3433,0.3964), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE)(13.146, 13.669, 13.104, 13.77), and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) (9.837, 10.896, 10.598, 10.721). Therefore, the proposed technique can help law enforcement agencies to prevent and control crime by forecasting crime patterns.
Blood pressure variability and early neurological deterioration according to the chronic kidney disease risk categories in minor ischemic stroke patients
Authors: Ryu Jae-Chan , Bae Jae-Han , Ha Sang Hee , Chang Jun Young , Kang Dong-Wha , Kwon Sun U. , Kim Jong S. , Baek Chung Hee , Kim Bum Joon
Published: September 2022

Objective

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases blood pressure variability (BPV) and affects stroke outcomes. However, the effect of BPV on early neurological deterioration (END) may be different according to the renal function.

Methods

We enrolled ischemic stroke patients with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale of ≤5. END was defined as worsening of ≥1 point in motor power or ≥2 points in total score. BPV was calculated with BP measured during the first 5 days and presented as standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CoV). Renal function was classified using the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) classification of CKD. Variables were compared between those with (KDIGO classification: moderate- to very-high-risk) and without renal impairment (KDIGO classification: low-risk) and factors associated with END were investigated.

Results

Among the 290 patients (136 [46.9%] renal impairment), END was observed in 59 (20.3%) patients. BPV parameters and the risk of END increased as renal function was impaired. Renal function and systolic BP (SBP) mean, SD, CoV, and diastolic BP (DBP) mean, SD were independently associated with END. We found no association between BPV parameters and END in normal renal function patients; however, among impaired renal function patients, SBP SD (odds ratio [OR]: 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–1.32, P<0.001) and CoV (1.30 [1.12–1.50], P<0.001) were associated with END.

Conclusions

The association between END and BPV parameters differs according to renal function in minor ischemic stroke; BPV was associated with END in patients with renal impairment, but less in those with normal renal function.
Towards the cultivation of global citizenship education as an activist pedagogy
Authors: Waghid Yusef
Published: September 2022

The contributions in this current issue relate to the cultivation of global citizenship education. Yet, it seems as if the central arguments in eight articles can be construed around the notion of an activist pedagogy. More poignantly, activist global citizenship education is constituted by at least three dimensions: firstly, such a form of citizenship education transcends beyond the strict confines of theory; secondly, global citizenship education involves the enactment of people’s sociopolitical rights as they endeavour to exercise their autonomy; and thirdly, activist pedagogy seems to have permeated the practices of scholars who have embarked upon intellectual inquiry to resolve misconstrued and distorted public situations. It is from these premises that we have analysed the contributions of the authors.
Experiential learning for civic education: Student participation and voice
Authors: Wong Koon Lin , Chong Eric King-Man , Leung Wing Tat , Leung Yan Wing
Published: September 2022

When experiential learning emphasizes student participation and voice, experiential learning can be an effective form of political socialization to facilitate learning processes by enhancing knowledge construction and developing civic competency. Employing qualitative research, this study examined how meaningful and significant experiential learning could not only allow students to co-construct the meaning of citizenship but also contribute to civic development and further participation. The results revealed that teachers stressed civic engagement as an important attitude of ‘good citizens’ which could have affected how they viewed and organized learning activities (such as experiential learning) for their students. Experiential learning that provided space for student participation and voice helped nurture students to become ‘good citizens’ and contributed to students’ further civic engagement despite many challenges. The findings of this study suggest that governments need to rethink their policies on integrating youth engagement to accommodate the voices and interests of young people and expand on theories of citizenship and highlights cultivating active participation as important aims of civic education.
‘We were not even trained to have an opinion’: Political socialization of Arabs in Israel
Authors: Hisherik Michal , Gindi Shahar
Published: September 2022

There are two main paradigms regarding political socialization. The early-years-of-life hypothesis emphasizes the importance of political socialization in the early years, while the life-long hypothesis argues that political socialization is shaped continuously throughout life. The literature on the topic concentrates on seminal events and their impact on political socialization. In this study, we examined these hypotheses in the unique context of Arab teachers in Jewish schools in Israel. The teachers spoke about the culture of silence about politics that characterized their childhood and their inhibitions regarding engaging in politics. Entering work in a predominantly Jewish environment highlighted the social mechanisms and minority–majority power relations that preserve Arab citizens’ political oppression. The teachers all indicated a process by which they become more politically aware, while their willingness to be politically active varies. The political dialogue between the Jewish and Arab teachers begins hesitantly but increases with time. The findings demonstrate political socialization as a life-long process that is shaped by everyday contact with the majority group and not only by historical/seminal events. It is demonstrated that schools cannot be sterilized from political influences, and the potential of Arab teachers in Jewish schools in defusing the polarization in Israeli society is emphasized.
An ecological framework for citizenship education: A developmental perspective
Authors: Nadori Neirouz
Published: September 2022

The National Charter for Education and Training and the Strategic Vision (2015–30) constitutes the government’s most recent efforts to reform education in Morocco. These initiatives have underscored the potential of raising citizenship awareness and reinforcing social responsibility. The reforms that were implemented fell far short of this aim. Despite the fierce struggle, the gap between the stated goals of citizenship education curricula and their realistic and effective implementation still persists. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to explore school-based factors which facilitate or constrain teachers and schools from a meaningful engagement in citizenship issues. This research is framed within Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological system theory (2006). This framework provides a holistic perspective to consider the potential of the dynamic interaction of diverse stakeholders and their contributions for increased citizenship education. Using a qualitative approach, this study allows for a rich description of the context of citizenship education in Moroccan high schools. Findings indicated the existence of numerous constraining factors which worked against the mainstreaming of this process. Teachers and principals reported that citizenship education occupied a marginal status in high schools. Further, the competitive national examination system, lack of professional development in the field and absence of citizenship-oriented activities involving parents and students were found to be the main factors affecting the development of citizenship education.
The importance of storytelling
Authors: Dansereau Diana R.
Published: September 2022

This issue contains three peer-reviewed research reports, each of which employs varying empirical procedures to systematically uncover and document individuals’ stories. In addition to representing various research methods, these three studies investigate the lived experiences of different participants in early childhood music. The final two contributions in the issue have connections to the Early Childhood Music & Movement Association (ECMMA), the sponsoring organization of the International Journal of Music in Childhood. Included are transcripts of the two keynote addresses presented at the 2021 ECMMA convention.
An exploration of at-home parent and child music mediation
Authors: Renzoni Kerry B. , Stanford Nicholas M.
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to explore what happened when one family engaged in guided musical play at home with their toddler-aged child. Specifically, we wondered: what roles do the parents assume in guided musical play with their child? What roles does the child assume when engaging in guided home musical play? And how can early childhood music specialists help other parents and children engage in home musical play using similar roles? Seeking answers to those questions, we invited the Merchant family to participate in weekly home music activities that were connected to a weekly music class in which their toddler was enrolled. From our data analysis, two themes emerged: the kitchen served as a space for music making and the adaptation of weekly home music prompts enhanced and extended family music interactions with the toddler.
CARACTERIZAÇÃO DA AVIFAUNA AQUÁTICA NO LITORAL CENTRO-NORTE DO ESTADO DE SANTA CATARINA (BRASIL) A PARTIR DE DADOS DE ENCALHES
Authors: Dalastra Adriana , Branco Joaquim Olinto , Port Dagoberto
Published: September 2022

Stranding records provide valuable information on marine fauna and are an important source of biological data without the need for lethal sampling. For endangered, rare and endemic species, stranded records are the primary source of information. We characterized the main species of aquatic birds from carcasses and healthy and / or debilitated individuals found on beaches by the "Projeto de Monitoramento de Praias da Bacia de Santos (PMP-BS)”. The study was carried out on the north-central coast of Santa Catarina (Brazil), from August 25, 2015 to August 23, 2016. The registered species were characterized according to the following criteria: migrants or residents; threatened of extinction; seasons; age group; and state of the individual. Additionally, ecological indexes were calculated, and the records obtained were spacialized in the GIS environment. A total of 754 stranded records were obtained from 36 species of aquatic birds, four of which are threatened (Sterna hirundinacea, Thalasseus maximus, Procellaria aequinoctialis and Thalassarche chlororhynchos). The highest number of occurrences was recorded in Barra Velha (n = 157), followed by Bombinhas (n=150) and Penha (n=119). Most records occurred in the spring (n=339), followed by records in winter (n=187), summer (n=127) and autumn (n=101). Of the specimens where sex could be determined, 19 were females and 41 males. I relation to age, 175 were adults, 287 juveniles and 292 remained indeterminate. Most of the records were of dead individuals (N = 578). The species with greatest abundance were Spheniscus magellanicus (n=188), Larus dominicanus (n=164), Fregata magnificens (n=73) and Puffinus puffinus (n=58). We suggest the continuity of the analysis of the records obtained by the PMP-BS, focusing on other topics not addressed as diet and cause of mortality, the latter being often related to anthropic origin, such as oil spills, fishing, plastic garbage, among others, beyond natural causes.