bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolomic signatures for the longitudinal reduction of muscle strength over 10 years
Authors: Werdyani Salem , Aitken Dawn , Gao Zhiwei , Liu Ming , Randell Edward W. , Rahman Proton , Jones Graeme , Zhai Guangju
Published: February 2022

Background

Skeletal muscles are essential components of the neuromuscular skeletal system that have an integral role in the structure and function of the synovial joints which are often affected by osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to identify the baseline metabolomic signatures for the longitudinal reduction of muscle strength over 10 years in the well-established community-based Tasmanian Older Adult Cohort (TASOAC).

Methods

Study participants were 50–79 year old individuals from the TASOAC. Hand grip, knee extension, and leg strength were measured at baseline, 2.6-, 5-, and 10-year follow-up points. Fasting serum samples were collected at 2.6-year follow-up point, and metabolomic profiling was performed using the TMIC Prime Metabolomics Profiling Assay. Generalized linear mixed effects model was used to identify metabolites that were associated with the reduction in muscle strength over 10 years after controlling for age, sex, and BMI. Significance level was defined at α=0.0004 after correction of multiple testing of 129 metabolites with Bonferroni method. Further, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis was performed to explore if genetic factors account for the association between the identified metabolomic markers and the longitudinal reduction of muscle strength over 10 years.

Results

A total of 409 older adults (50% of them females) were included. The mean age was 60.93±6.50 years, and mean BMI was 27.12±4.18 kg/m2 at baseline. Muscle strength declined by 0.09 psi, 0.02 kg, and 2.57 kg per year for hand grip, knee extension, and leg strength, respectively. Among the 143 metabolites measured, 129 passed the quality checks and were included in the analysis. We found that the elevated blood level of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) was associated with the reduction in hand grip (p=0.0003) and knee extension strength (p=0.008) over 10 years. GWAS analysis found that a SNP rs1125718 adjacent to WISP1gene was associated with ADMA levels (p=4.39*10-8). Further, we found that the increased serum concentration of uric acid was significantly associated with the decline in leg strength over 10 years (p=0.0001).

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that elevated serum ADMA and uric acid at baseline were associated with age-dependent muscle strength reduction. They might be novel targets to prevent muscle strength loss over time.
Printing and scanning investigation for image counter forensics
Authors: Joren Hailey , Gupta Otkrist , Raviv Dan
Published: February 2022

Examining the authenticity of images has become increasingly important as manipulation tools become more accessible and advanced. Recent work has shown that while CNN-based image manipulation detectors can successfully identify manipulations, they are also vulnerable to adversarial attacks, ranging from simple double JPEG compression to advanced pixel-based perturbation. In this paper we explore another method of highly plausible attack: printing and scanning. We demonstrate the vulnerability of two state-of-the-art models to this type of attack. We also propose a new machine learning model that performs comparably to these state-of-the-art models when trained and validated on printed and scanned images. Of the three models, our proposed model outperforms the others when trained and validated on images from a single printer. To facilitate this exploration, we create a data set of over 6000 printed and scanned image blocks. Further analysis suggests that variation between images produced from different printers is significant, large enough that good validation accuracy on images from one printer does not imply similar validation accuracy on identical images from a different printer.
Establishment and validation of a nomogram to predict the in-hospital death risk of nosocomial infections in cancer patients
Authors: Jiang Aimin , Shi Xin , Zheng Haoran , Liu Na , Chen Shu , Gao Huan , Ren Mengdi , Zheng Xiaoqiang , Fu Xiao , Liang Xuan , Ruan Zhiping , Tian Tao , Yao Yu
Published: February 2022

Background

Attributed to the immunosuppression caused by malignancy itself and its treatments, cancer patients are vulnerable to developing nosocomial infections. This study aimed to develop a nomogram to predict the in-hospital death risk of these patients.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted at a medical center in Northwestern China. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were adopted to identify predictive factors for in-hospital mortality of nosocomial infections in cancer patients. A nomogram was developed to predict the in-hospital mortality of each patient, with receiver operating characteristic curves and calibration curves being generated to assess its predictive ability. Furthermore, decision curve analysis (DCA) was also performed to estimate the clinical utility of the nomogram.

Results

A total of 1,008 nosocomial infection episodes were recognized from 14,695 cancer patients. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (15.5%) was the most predominant causative pathogen. Besides, multidrug-resistant strains were discovered in 25.5% of cases. The multivariate analysis indicated that Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status 3–4, mechanical ventilation, septic shock, hypoproteinemia, and length of antimicrobial treatment < 7 days were correlated with higher in-hospital mortality. Patients who received curative surgery were correlated with favorable survival outcomes. Ultimately, a nomogram was constructed to predict the in-hospital mortality of nosocomial infections in cancer patients. The area under the curve values of the nomogram were 0.811 and 0.795 in the training and validation cohorts. The calibration curve showed high consistency between the actual and predicted in-hospital mortality. DCA indicated that the nomogram was of good clinical utility and more credible net clinical benefits in predicting in-hospital mortality.

Conclusions

Nosocomial infections stay conjoint in cancer patients, with gram-negative bacteria being the most frequent causative pathogens. We developed and verified a nomogram that could effectively predict the in-hospital death risk of nosocomial infections among these patients. Precise management of high-risk patients, early recognition of septic shock, rapid and adequate antimicrobial treatment, and dynamic monitoring of serum albumin levels may improve the prognosis of these individuals.
Two case reports of chorea-acanthocytosis and review of literature
Authors: Huang Shuangfeng , Zhang Junliang , Tao Manli , Lv Yaodong , Xu Luyao , Liang Zhigang
Published: February 2022

Background

Chorea-acanthocytosis (ChAc), as the most common subtype of neuroacanthocytosis syndrome, is characterized by the presence of acanthocytes and neurological symptoms. It is thought to be caused by the VPS13A (vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 13A) mutations. This article reports two confirmed cases of ChAc and summarizes some suggestive features, which provide direction for the diagnosis and treatment of acanthocytosis in the future.

Case presentation

Here, we present two cases of ChAc diagnosed based on typical clinical symptoms, neuroimaging features, genetic findings of VPS13A, and response to the symptomatic treatment.

Conclusions

Chorea-acanthocytosis is a rare neurodegenerative disease with various early clinical manifestations. The final diagnosis of the ChAc can be established by either genetic analysis or protein expression by Western blotting. Supportive treatments and nursing are helpful to improve the quality of the patient’s life. Nevertheless, it is imperative to investigate the impact of neuroimaging and neuropathological diagnosis in a larger group of ChAc in future studies.
Influence of dense macrophyte vegetation and total gas saturation on the performance of acoustic telemetry
Authors: Thiemer Kirstine , Lennox Robert J. , Haugen Thrond Oddvar
Published: February 2022

Background

Acoustic telemetry is widely used as a method for high resolution monitoring of aquatic animal movement to investigate relationships between individual animals and their environment. In shallow freshwater ecosystem, aquatic macrophytes are common and their presence increases habitat complexity and baffles sound propagation. These properties may be likely to affect the performance of acoustic telemetry, however, to date this issue has received little attention, when studying the ecology of movements of fishes in and around the important macrophyte habitats. Here, we conducted a range-test study in a freshwater riverine ecosystem, with mass development of the aquatic macrophyte Juncus bulbosus (L.), to assess how dense macrophytes impact detection probability, detection range, and performance of a three-dimensional receiver positioning system. Supersaturation of gas frequently occurs at the study site as a by-product of upstream hydroelectric power generation and gave a unique opportunity to investigate how total gas saturation affects the performance of acoustic telemetry. We also investigated the influence of environmental conditions (i.e., day-of-year, time of day, average water level above J. bulbosus) on detection probability together with vertical position of transmitters and location inside or outside macrophytes.

Results

The detection probability and range were generally low for transmitters in and outside J. bulbosus stands, with mean hourly detection probabilities ranging from 1.18 to 5% and detection ranges between 17.26 m ± 0.74. The interaction between total macrophyte biomass and distance to receiver reduced the detection probability and detection range substantially. Detection probability further decreased with increasing total gas saturation, and transmitters positioned near the sediment and close to the surface also had lower detection probabilities compared to receivers in the middle of the water column. Finally, the low detection probability affected position estimates, where only 23% of the detections could be positioned using the average positioning estimation method and positional accuracy and precision were low ranging from 1.48 to 164.8 m and 0 to 50.1 m, respectively.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate the impact of macrophytes and total gas saturation on detection probability and range of acoustic transmitters in a shallow ecosystem, where tagged fish are unlikely to be detected by receivers or positioned. These results emphasise that in situ range testing is strongly needed before determining the density and design of receiver array when performing acoustic telemetry studies in shallow ecosystems.
Stop talking about it already! Co-ruminating and social media focused on COVID-19 was associated with heightened state anxiety, depressive symptoms, and perceived changes in health anxiety during Spring 2020
Authors: Stone Lindsey B. , Veksler Alice E.
Published: February 2022

Background

Social distancing presents a significant obstacle for relationships and threatens mental health. Identifying maladaptive, voluntary coping strategies may inform how to maintain interpersonal relationships and mental health during quarantine. Co-ruminating with peers on negative events, moods and fears has adjustment trade-offs of increasing depression and anxiety risk while also enhancing friendship quality. Similarly, social media use is associated with social benefits and risk to mental health. We extend prior research by examining whether co-ruminating on COVID-19, social media use, and social media use focused on COVID-19 during social isolation was associated with heightened depression and anxiety symptoms but also lower loneliness and higher social support during initial lockdown measures in the USA.

Methods

Adults were recruited through social media (n = 345) to complete self-report surveys on co-rumination, social media use, social distancing, social support from March–May 2020. During this cross-sectional assessment, in addition to completing surveys on current depressive symptoms and state and health anxiety, participants also provided retrospective report of their perceived health anxiety levels six months prior.

Results

Co-ruminating on COVID-19 with peers and greater time on social media focused on COVID-19 predicted perceived increases in health anxiety and were also associated with higher depressive symptoms and state anxiety, even after controlling for significant demographic predictors. Further, in the context of social distancing, both interaction strategies failed to confer social benefits.

Conclusions

Results have direct implications for maintaining psychosocial health during social distancing restrictions. Adults may modify how they engage with peers by limiting COVID-19 content on social media and COVID-19 discussion.
Face masks disrupt holistic processing and face perception in school-age children
Authors: Stajduhar Andreja , Ganel Tzvi , Avidan Galia , Rosenbaum R. Shayna , Freud Erez
Published: February 2022

Face perception is considered a remarkable visual ability in humans that is subject to a prolonged developmental trajectory. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, mask-wearing has become mandatory for adults and children alike. Recent research shows that mask-wearing hinders face recognition abilities in adults, but it is unknown if the same holds true in school-age children in whom face perception is not fully developed. Here we tested children (n = 72, ages 6–14 years old) on the Cambridge Face Memory Test – Kids (CFMT-K), a validated measure of face perception performance. Faces were presented with or without masks and across two orientations (upright/inverted). The inclusion of face masks led to a profound deficit in face perception abilities. This decrement was more pronounced in children compared to adults, but only when task difficulty was adjusted across the two age groups. Additionally, children exhibited reliable correlations between age and the CFMT-K score for upright faces for both the mask and no-mask conditions. Finally, as previously observed in adults, children also showed qualitative differences in the processing of masked versus non-masked faces. Specifically, holistic processing, a hallmark of face perception, was disrupted for masked faces as suggested by a reduced face-inversion effect. Together, these findings provide evidence for substantial quantitative and qualitative alterations in the processing of masked faces in school-age children.
Forensic entomology research in Egypt: a review article
Authors: Mashaly Ashraf , Ibrahim Abdelwahab
Published: February 2022

Background

Forensic entomology (FE) is widely considered as an important field of forensic science, particularly in the field of estimating postmortem intervals, which has advanced considerably across the world.

Main body

Researchers used necrophagous insects in twelve Egyptian governorates to look into the variables that impact insect succession and the growth of juvenile stages from infesting animal models and humans, draw toxicological conclusions, and identify insect species using morphological and molecular-based approaches. The study includes analyses of insect abundance and dispersion, along with biochemical and electrophysiological experiments. Comparable data from other Egyptian governorates, on the other side, is currently unavailable. Aspects of FE are also missing, which might be addressed in a future research project.

Conclusion

This review aims to provide an outline of FE in Egypt, other than to assist existing researchers in identifying research needs and recruiting new researchers into the field by highlighting significant forensic insects that might be employed in criminal prosecutions.
Disease predictability review using common biomarkers appearing in diabetic nephropathy and neurodegeneration of experimental animals
Authors: Yi Sun Shin
Published: February 2022

It is recently known that the kidney and brain have a very rich distribution of blood vessels, and the histological structures of micro-vessels are very similar. Therefore, a number of studies have reported that renal diseases like chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by various causes have a very close relationship with the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases. On the other hand, since diabetic nephropathy, which is caused by chronic inflammation, such as diabetes, often shows very different prognoses even in patients at the same clinical stage, the judgment of their disease prognosis will have a critical meaning in clinical practice. Recently, many studies of cerebro-renal interaction have been reported using experimental animals. The discovery of common biomarkers found in both organs can predict the prognosis of renal disease and the possibility of neurodegenerative disease progression. More associations can be found with novel common biomarkers found in the brain and kidneys that seem entirely unrelated. In that case, it will ultimately be a research field that can expand predictive models of patients' complex diseases through these biomarkers in clinical practice. It is presented biomarkers such as α-klotho, Nephrin, and Synaptopodin. These markers are observed in both the brain and kidney, and it has been reported that both organs show a very significant change in function according to their expression. Even though the brain and kidneys perform very independent functions, it is thought that it has a crucial diagnostic significance that the genes commonly expressed in both organs are functionally effective. With the discovery of novel biomarkers that share cerebro-renal interactions at the early stage of diabetic nephropathy, physicians can predict post-clinical symptoms and prevent severe neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, further study for the diseases of these two organs in laboratory animals means that the field of research on this relationship can be expanded in the future. In the future, more attention and research will be needed on the possibility of prediction for the prevention of neurological diseases caused by CKD in disease animal models.
Resuscitation after cardiac surgery awareness: an Egyptian national survey
Authors: Abdelghafar Moslem , Abdelmoneim Taher , Mohamed Alaa , Abdalla Mohamed
Published: February 2022

Background

Cardiac surgery patients have different resuscitative needs than other patients who experience in-hospital cardiac arrest; this was addressed in the guidelines. However, it is unknown how widely the guidelines are practiced, or a training protocol is followed in different cardiac surgery units in Egypt.

Methods

A 21-question survey was created and included: Participant demographics, prevalence of cardiac arrest, cardiac arrest protocol, emergency resternotomy technique, training protocols. Survey was disseminated through social media messaging platforms during the period between November 2020 and January 2021.

Results

Ninety-five responses were from 11 centres across Egypt. In total, 68.5% of the respondents were surgeons, 76.8% of participants were junior surgeons. For patients who go into VF after cardiac surgery, respondents would attempt a median of 3 shocks with only 24.2% commencing defibrillation shocks before external cardiac massage, whilst the majority initiating CPR immediately and performing emergency resternotomy in a median time of 10 min. In total, 56.8% would give 1 mg of adrenaline as soon as the cardiac arrest was established. If a surgeon was not available, only 36.8% of respondents would allow any trained personnel to perform the emergency resternotomy. Only 9.5% practice regularly on emergency sternotomies. Seventy-five percent think tailored training is important and staff should be oriented about it in the future.

Conclusion

An action plan is required to improve the training of the junior surgeons regarding the Cardiac Advanced Life Support Protocol to implement it in a timely organised manner. This should be endorsed and audited by a national society or body by keeping a national registry and mandatory recertification.
Diamonds in the appendix
Authors: Alyaseen Haidar , Alnosair Ashraf , Alghanim Mukhtar , Almusawi Ahmed , Cordoba Carlos
Published: February 2022

Background

An uncommon cause of appendicitis is the entrapment of ingested foreign objects in the appendix. Although a rare event, it could remain asymptomatic for a prolonged time. The presence of foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract has a high potential for complications, in particular if sharp or large enough in size to cause obstruction. However, most often an ingested foreign object would be eliminated in the stool. Rarely, it may reside in the appendix depending on various factors such as the nature of the ingested body and the appendiceal peristaltic movements.

Case presentation

We report a case of abdominal pain due to a diamond earring trapped in the appendix for 2 years. A plain X-ray of the abdomen confirmed the diagnosis which prompted a laparoscopic appendectomy resulting in resolution of symptoms.

Conclusion

The initial presentation of an ingested foreign object can be similar to signs of symptoms of acute appendicitis and the patient must be monitored for several days to follow the trajectory of the foreign body in order to prevent complications. Even though the incidence is more common among the pediatric population, vigilance among adults should also be undertaken with a history of ingesting a foreign object, as this case demonstrates the importance of keeping a high index of suspicion when encountering such cases.
Improving Students’ Understanding of Biological Variation in Experimental Design and Analysis through a Short Model-Based Curricular Intervention
Authors: Dewey Jessica , Hicks Jenna , Schuchardt Anita
Published: February 2022

A model of variation in experimental design and analysis is presented. Using a quasi-experimental design, this research shows that a curriculum that uses a model-based approach to variation in experimental design and analysis improves student understanding when compared with peers who receive more traditional siloed instruction on these topics.
In-Hospital Opioid Consumption After the Previous Cesarean Delivery Weakly Predicts Opioid Consumption After Index Delivery: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Komatsu Ryu , Nash Michael , Mandalia Shane , Dinges Emily , Kamal Umar , Singh Davin , El-Omrani Hani , Anwar Anjum , Delgado Carlos , Ziga Taylor M. , Carvalho Brendan
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND:

To predict opioid consumption and pain intensity after the index cesarean delivery, we tested a hypothesis that opioid consumption after the previous cesarean delivery of the same patient can predict the opioid consumption after the index cesarean delivery. We further tested a secondary hypothesis that the pain scores after the previous cesarean delivery can predict the pain scores after the index cesarean delivery.

METHODS:

This is a retrospective cohort study of 470 women who underwent both previous and index cesarean deliveries at a single institution from January 2011 to June 2019. To predict the opioid consumption (primary outcome) and average pain scores (on 11-point numeric rating scale) after their index cesarean delivery, we used a linear regression model incorporating only the opioid consumption and average pain scores after the previous cesarean delivery, respectively (unadjusted models). Demographic and obstetric variables were then added as predictors (adjusted models). The bootstrap was used to compare these models with respect to proportion of variance of the outcome accounted for (R
2).

RESULTS:

Unadjusted models were weakly predictive of opioid consumption (R
2 = 0.268; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.146–0.368) and average pain scores (R
2 = 0.176; 95% CI, 0.057–0.250). An adjusted model for opioid consumption was weakly predictive (R
2 = 0.363; 95% CI, 0.208–0.478), but an adjusted model for average pain scores was not predictive of the outcomes (R
2 = 0.070; 95% CI, −0.143 to 0.219). Adjusted models failed to explain variances of opioid consumption and average pain scores significantly better than unadjusted models (P = .099 and P = .141, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:

Opioid consumption and pain scores after women’s previous cesarean delivery only explain 27% of variance of opioid consumption and 18% of variance of their pain after their index cesarean delivery. Therefore, previous cesarean delivery analgesic metrics are not robust enough to be used as clinically applicable predictors for index delivery.
Assigning metabolic rate measurements to torpor and euthermy in heterothermic endotherms: ‘torpor’, a new package for R
Authors: Fasel Nicolas J. , Vullioud Colin , Genoud Michel
Published: February 2022

Torpor is a state of controlled reduction of metabolic rate (M) in endotherms. Assigning measurements of M to torpor or euthermy can be challenging, especially when the difference between euthermic M and torpid M is small, in species defending a high minimal body temperature in torpor, in thermolabile species, and slightly below the thermoneutral zone (TNZ). Here, we propose a novel method for distinguishing torpor from euthermy. We use the variation in M measured during euthermic rest and torpor at varying ambient temperatures (Ta) to objectively estimate the lower critical temperature (Tlc) of the TNZ and to assign measurements to torpor, euthermic rest or rest within TNZ. In addition, this method allows the prediction of M during euthermic rest and torpor at varying Ta, including resting M within the TNZ. The present method has shown highly satisfactory results using 28 published sets of metabolic data obtained by respirometry on 26 species of mammals. Ultimately, this novel method aims to facilitate analysis of respirometry data in heterothermic endotherms. Finally, the development of the associated R-package (torpor) will enable widespread use of the method amongst biologists.
Neoadjuvant Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy After Upfront Chemotherapy Improves Pathologic Outcomes Compared With Chemotherapy Alone for Patients With Borderline Resectable or Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Without Increasing Perioperative Toxicity
Authors: Hill Colin S. , Rosati Lauren M. , Hu Chen , Fu Wei , Sehgal Shuchi , Hacker-Prietz Amy , Wolfgang Christopher L. , Weiss Matthew J. , Burkhart Richard A. , Hruban Ralph H. , De Jesus-Acosta Ana , Le Dung T. , Zheng Lei , Laheru Daniel A. , He Jin , Narang Amol K. , Herman Joseph M.
Published: February 2022

Background

Patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) or locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) are at high risk of margin-positive resection. Neoadjuvant stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) may help sterilize margins, but its additive benefit beyond neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) is unclear. The authors report long-term outcomes for BRPC/LAPC patients explored after treatment with either nCT alone or nCT followed by five-fraction SBRT (nCT-SBRT).

Methods

Patients with BRPC or LAPC from 2011 to 2016 who underwent resection after nCT alone or nCT-SBRT were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline characteristics were compared, and the propensity score with inverse probability weighting (IPW) was used to compare pathologic/survival outcomes.

Results

Of 198 patients, 76 received nCT, and 122 received nCT-SBRT. The nCT-SBRT cohort had a higher proportion of LAPC (53% vs 22%; p < 0.001). The duration of nCT was longer for nCT-SBRT (4.6 vs 2.9 months; p = 0.03), but adjuvant chemotherapy was less frequently administered (53% vs 67.1%; p < 0.001). Adjuvant radiation was administered to 30% of the nCT patients. The nCT-SBRT regimen more frequently achieved negative margins (92% vs 70%; p < 0.001), negative nodes (59% vs 42%; p < 0.001), and pathologic complete response (7% vs 0%; p = 0.02). In the multivariate analysis, nCT-SBRT remained associated with R0 resection (p < 0.001). The nCT-SBRT cohort experienced no significant difference in median overall survival (OS) (22.1 vs 24.5 months), local progression-free survival (LPFS) (13.5 vs. 15.4 months), or distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (11.7 vs 16.3 months) after surgery. After SBRT, 1-year OS was 77.0% and 2-year OS was 50.4%. Perioperative Claven-Dindo grade 3 or greater morbidity did not differ significantly between the nCT and nCT-SBRT cohorts (p = 0.81).

Conclusions

Despite having more advanced disease, the nCT-SBRT cohort was still more likely to undergo an R0 resection and experienced similar survival outcomes compared with the nCT alone cohort.
Recommended Sports Medicine Fellowship Scholarly Activity Curriculum
Authors: Rao Ashwin , Khodaee Morteza , Asif Irfan
Published: February 2022

Scholarly activity requirements for primary care sports medicine fellowship programs are increasing and the current Accreditation Council for Graduate Medicine Education (ACGME) expectations for fellows and core faculty are more demanding than those found in medicine residencies. A review of existing literature fails to identify any published guidelines on how to pursue scholarly activity within the sports medicine fellowship year. Such a deficiency may be critical for fellowship programs that are struggling to produce scholarship with a 1-year timeframe. This document intends to be a resource for all sports medicine fellowship programs by defining acceptable pieces of scholarly activity, delineating how a project may be completed during fellowship, and outlining avenues to educate others in the topic of choice. Adoption of this curriculum will guide fellows to meet ACGME-mandated scholarship requirements while assisting core faculty in meeting academic promotion criteria.
The Effects of Mortgage Credit Availability: Evidence from Minimum Credit Score Lending Rules
Authors: Laufer Steven , Paciorek Andrew
Published: February 2022

This paper uses changes in mortgage lenders’ minimum credit score thresholds to credibly identify the effects of access to household credit. Falling under these thresholds has very large negative effects on borrowing for up to two years, and these effects fail to reverse within four years. The effects are particularly concentrated among individuals who have relatively high credit demand and face relatively large contractions in credit supply. In addition, access to new mortgage credit reduces delinquency on nonmortgage debt and appears to spill over to demand for auto loans. (JEL G21, G51, R21)
In vivo brain iron concentration in healthy individuals at 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging: a prospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Holz Tiago Garcia , Kunzler Felipe Augusto , Carra Forte Gabriele , Miranda Difini João Pedro , Bernardi Soder Ricardo , Watte Guilherme , Hochhegger Bruno
Published: February 2022

Objective:

To quantify iron deposits in the basal ganglia and to evaluate its relation to age, sex, body mass index and brain laterality.

Methods:

Prospective observational study. Data were collected from the patients’ electronic medical records. The concentration of iron deposits in the brain was assessed using whole-brain MRI at 3.0 Tesla.

Results:

138 participants were selected, 69.6% were female and the mean age was 47 ± 19 years. The κ coefficient was very strong (k = 0.92, p < 0.001). Age showed a moderate correlation between iron deposits in the caudate and putamen nuclei, on both right and left sides. In overall and right-handed individuals, a significantly higher iron concentration was observed on the left side for the caudate nucleus, putamen, thalamus, globus pallidus, and centrum semiovale, and for left-handed individuals, it was also observed in the left side-for the putamen and centrum semiovale. A weak correlation was shown between body mass index and left and right substantia nigra, left caudate nuclei, left putamen and right globus pallidus.

Conclusion:

Our results showed a significantly higher iron deposit on the left side in most brain regions. In addition, the body mass index may also be related to iron overload, especially in the caudate nucleus.

Advances in knowledge:

Brain iron deposits may be normal, owing to aging, or be pathological, such as neurodegeneration. Thus, it is important to know how much is expected of iron deposition in the brain of healthy populations.
Τα σημειώματα λογοτεχνικής κριτικής στη Νέα Εστία (1927-1987)
Authors: Θεολόγου Χρύσα
Published: February 2022

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή πραγματεύεται τη στήλη των σημειωμάτων λογοτεχνικής κριτικής της Νέας Εστίας, του μακροβιότερου δηλαδή λογοτεχνικού περιοδικού της χώρας, από το 1927 έως το 1987, και διερευνά τη συμβολή της στη διαμόρφωση του λογοτεχνικού κανόνα. Μέσα από την εξέταση του πρωτογενούς υλικού (η αποδελτίωση του οποίου αποτελεί ξεχωριστό τμήμα της διατριβής) διερευνώνται τα αισθητικά και ιδεολογικά κριτήρια των διευθυντών και των κριτικών του περιοδικού και του βαθμού στον οποίο αυτά επηρέασαν την κριτική τους δραστηριότητα. Μελετάται, επιπλέον, η υποδοχή των έργων των σπουδαιότερων εκπροσώπων των ελληνικών γραμμάτων, καθώς επίσης και η συνακόλουθη σχέση περιοδικού και κριτικών με τα νέα ρεύματα και τις τάσεις τόσο στην ποίηση όσο και στην πεζογραφία. Έπειτα από το πρώτο κεφάλαιο, όπου επιχειρείται ο προσδιορισμός του όρου της λογοτεχνικής κριτικής, ο διαχωρισμός των ειδών της μέσω μιας διαχρονικής θεώρησής της, καθώς και η εστίαση στο είδος της επικαιρικής κριτικής (που αποτελεί και το αντικείμενο της διατριβής) συντελείται η μετάβαση στην αναλυτική μελέτη της στήλης των βιβλιοκρισιών που φέρει τον τίτλο «Τα βιβλία». Έτσι, στα επόμενα κεφάλαια εξετάζεται μια σειρά από ζητήματα που αφορούν τη θέση της στήλης στο περιοδικό, τη σταθερότητά της, τη δομή της, καθώς επίσης τα βασικά χαρακτηριστικά των σημειωμάτων των τακτικών μόνο κριτικών. Με βάση τη διερεύνηση των αισθητικών και ιδεολογικών κριτηρίων των συνεργατών κατά την άσκηση της κριτικής τους, εξετάζεται η ευρύτερη στάση της Νέας Εστίας απέναντι σε ποικίλα ανακύπτοντα ζητήματα. Μεταξύ αυτών η υποδοχή νεοεμφανιζόμενων συγγραφέων που καθιερώθηκαν με τα χρόνια στον λογοτεχνικό κανόνα, η στάση της απέναντι σε καθιερωμένες –τον καιρό άσκησης της κριτικής– μορφές της λογοτεχνίας, επίσης απέναντι σε καλλιτεχνικές πρωτοπορίες και μια σειρά επιμέρους παρουσιαζόμενων θεμάτων, όπως αυτό τη στρατευμένης τέχνης κ.ά. Στο δεύτερο μέρος της διατριβής περιλαμβάνεται αποδελτιωμένο το σύνολο των κριτικών σημειωμάτων του υπό εξέταση χρονικού διαστήματος σε καταλόγους. Η μέθοδος ταξινόμησης είναι χρονολογική (ανά έτος) των βιβλιοκρισιών ανά κριτικό και κρινόμενο συγγραφέα. Από την επεξεργασία των αριθμητικών δεδομένων του δεύτερου αυτού τμήματος της διατριβής, καθώς και από την αξιολόγηση των ποιοτικών δεδομένων του πρώτου μέρους, αναδεικνύεται η ευρύτερη θέση και σημασία της στήλης κριτικής της Νέας Εστίας ως καθοριστικού φορέα εξελίξεων στην πνευματική σκηνή, αλλά και ως πολύτιμου δείκτη των πρώτων αντιδράσεων, της υποδοχής δηλαδή συγγραφέων και έργων της νεοελληνικής λογοτεχνίας.
Making Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Canada Visible
Authors: Ntalakosta Anastasia-Maria
Published: February 2022

Although the United Nations have established mechanisms to exercise political authority and influence states’ policies and the global civil society puts pressure on their actions, indigenous peoples continue to face discrimination and violations of their rights. Canada constitutes a great example of a democratic country that is supposed to respect and protect human rights but violates the aboriginal rights extensively. The massive energy projects, Coastal GasLink pipeline, Trans Mountain pipeline and Site C dam, being developed in North and West Canada, do not respect the traditional lands and resources of the indigenous populations that live in the region and have been strongly condemned by the First Nations, the actors of the global civil society and the UN. Nonetheless, the Canadian government continues to fully support their construction. This paper aims to analyse the violations conducted against indigenous populations’ lands by the Canadian government and the reaction of the UN and global civil society, using a series of qualitative and quantitative data based on papers, analyses and reports of Institutes, Study Centers and Organizations.
Academic entrepreneurial engagement for frugal innovation in higher education institutions: a systematic literature review
Authors: Toyin Ojo Oluwayomi , Dorasamy Magiswary , W. Migin Melissa , Jayabalan Jayamalathi , R Rajeswari , Tung Soon Seng
Published: February 2022

Higher education institutions (HEI) are faced with increasing challenges related to shrinking resources, high operation costs, the COVID-19 pandemic, decreasing student enrolment rates, and pressure to contribute to regional development and economic growth. To overcome such challenges, academics must move beyond their traditional functions of research and teaching and engage in entrepreneurial activities. Through engagement in entrepreneurial activities, academics can contribute to frugal innovation (FI) in private HEI (PHEI). The literature in this context emphasizes that academic entrepreneurial engagement (AEE) will lead to innovation, the identification of opportunities for new business ventures, financial rewards for institutions and academics, an impact on the economy, and the enhancement of social welfare. This study presents a systematic review of the literature and adopts the Transfield five-phase strategy to review the literature on AEE from the past two decades (2000–2020). A total of 1,067 papers on FI are obtained, only five of which focus on AEE. Moreover, papers related to AEE for FI are few. The study presents the research gaps, challenges, and potential factors for further research in this context. We conclude that FI for AEE in PHEI can be a game-changer for future sustainability. Moreover, we believe that the outcome of this review warrants further research.
Mutation spectrum analysis of DMD gene in Indonesian Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy patients
Authors: Dwianingsih Ery Kus , Iskandar Kristy , Hapsara Sunartini , Ping Liu Chun , Malueka Rusdy Ghazali , Gunadi . , Matsuo Masafumi , Lai Poh San
Published: February 2022

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are allelic disorders caused by mutations in the DMD gene. The full mutation spectrum of the DMD gene in Indonesian patients is currently unknown. Mutation-specific therapies are currently being developed, such as exon skipping or stop codon read-through therapy.  This study was conducted with the aim of identifying the mutation spectrum of the DMD gene in Indonesia to guide future development and application of feasible therapeutic strategies.  

Methods: This study is a cross sectional study that enrolled 43 male patients with a clinical suspicion of DMD or BMD. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) reaction was performed to screen for the common mutations in the DMD gene.  

Results: Out of 43 subjects, deletions accounted for 69.77% (n=30) cases, while duplications were found in 11.63% (n=5) cases. One novel duplication spanning exons 2 to 62 was identified. Deletion mutations clustered around the distal (66.67%) and proximal (26.67%) hot spot regions of the DMD gene while duplication mutations were observed solely at the proximal region. Two false positive cases of single exon deletion detected through MLPA were attributed to sequence mutations affecting primer ligation sites, confirming the need to validate all single exon deletions when using this screening method. Analysis of available maternal DNA samples showed that the rate of de novo mutations (48.15%) appears higher than expected in this population. Out of 31 patients who were classified as DMD based on clinical and genotype characterizations, 60.47% (n=26) of cases were suitable for exon skipping therapy.  

Conclusion: This is the first comprehensive study showing the feasibility of implementing the MLPA method for routine screening of DMD patients in Indonesia.  This is also the first study showing the potential applicability of exon skipping therapy in the majority of DMD cases in the country.
Learner experiences of safety at public high schools in three South African townships: Baseline findings from the National School Safety Framework learner surveys
Authors: Kutywayo Alison , Mabetha Khuthala , Naidoo Nicolette P. , Mahuma Tshepo , Njobe Paseka , Hlongwane Ronelle , Mullick Saiqa
Published: February 2022

Background: Despite progressive policies and frameworks on school safety by the Department of Basic Education, safety remains a concern in South African schools.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed using the National School Safety Framework (NSSF) 152-question learner survey, exploring perceptions and experiences pertaining to eight safety domains: dangerous objects, drugs and alcohol, bullying, verbal abuse, physical violence, discrimination, sexual violence, and journey to and from school. Grade 9-11 learners from 15 government-funded high schools in the Girls Achieve Power trial in Khayelitsha, Soweto, and Thembisa townships were surveyed (March 2018 - April 2019), sampling 10% of the school population. Data analysis included Principal Component Analysis (PCA), reducing correlated variables into fewer questions, then analysis on a scree plot by calculating eigenvalues; repeated PCA with those that had a minimum eigenvalue of 1 and Cronbach Alpha test for internal reliability. Eleven composite variables were included in the final analysis.

Results:  In total, 1034 learners completed the NSSF learner survey; 52.9% were female and the mean age was 16 years (SD=1.36). Results show statistically significant associations between four of the 11 composite variables in relation to sex. Over half (55%) of males have experienced peer provocation and relational aggression (p<0.001). Fifty-eight percent of females reported feeling unsafe on their way to and from school (p<0.003). Over half of males reported that their school was not effective in enforcing discipline (p=0.002) while 58% of females noted they could comfortably report any form of experienced or witnessed violence at school, to their educators (p<0.000).

Conclusions: Violence continues to be a concern in South African schools. Interventions should work across the ecological model to effectively prevent and reduce violence at school and community levels. Strengthened NSSF implementation is critical to achieving this. We recommend NSSF learner survey adaptations to increase utility and implementation.
The transition to nuclear energy in Bangladesh: The interplay between internal and geopolitical factors
Authors: Badal Ushan Ara
Published: February 2022

One of the significant issues in contemporary international politics is to examine the contexts of energy usage of different countries, keeping in mind the looming climate threat. Energy transition not only highlights the central role of energy usage but also exposes the vulnerability caused by it. Given the context, Bangladesh has adopted nuclear technology to meet its economic demand and environmental requirements. As a middle-income country, eyeing to graduate to a developing nation by 2041, its choice of exploring nuclear energy has exposed the country to the question of the rationality of the decision. Nuclear energy has a distinguished history that accommodates several debates about its safety and sustainability. Though many developed countries are planning for a nuclear phase-out, Bangladesh’s decision merits attention and explanation to embrace such a stand. Often, the economic priorities have been attached to Bangladesh’s decision for the energy transition, while the discussion about nuclear energy in Bangladesh ignores the geopolitical purposes and international political agenda. This paper, therefore, aims to explore the geopolitical concerns and the role of internal factors responsible for such a transition, which have remained unexplored in the existing literature.
Multimedia Conferencing at the Network Edge
Authors:   Technogrid Ltd, Sofia, Bulgaria, Atanasov Ivaylo I. , Pencheva Evelina N.
Published: February 2022

The fifth generation (5G) mobile system provides enhanced data rates, ultra-low latency, and better network resource usage for Internet of Things (IoT) devices in a dense environment. The integration of 5G IoT and multimedia conferencing enables collaboration between humans and devices by launching new capabilities. In this paper, an approach to define Application Programming Interfaces (API) for multimedia conference control is presented. The API design follows the principles of Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) and features the inherent advantages of MEC. The API is described by resource structure, data types, and sequence diagrams that illustrate the API functionality. Some implementation issues are discussed, and the injected latency is evaluated.
LEXICAL AND PHRASEOLOGICAL MEANS OF EXPRESSION CATEGORIES OF INTENSITY IN THE LANGUAGE OF POETRY
Authors: Chaiko Natalja N.
Published: February 2022

Purpose. The proposed article is devoted to linguistic intensification (intensity) in the German poetry. In this paper, the main lexical and phraseological means of expressing the amplification of meaning are considered, the structural and semantic characteristics of the intensifiers are presented and their stylistic potential is also established.

Methods or methodology of the work. The basis of the research is formed by the continuous sampling method in the selection of practical material as well as the method of descriptive linguo-stylistic analysis.

Results. The results of the study showed that the intensification of expressiveness and expressiveness of meaning, as well as the effectiveness of utterances can be achieved by lexical units (adverbs, adjectives) and a number of phraseological units (comparative constructions, paired combinations of words, prepositional-substantive language units), which serve potential function being a powerful linguistic tool in expressing emotions, feelings, state of mind, will of romantic poets.

Application area. The results of the research can be used in the teaching of such linguistic disciplines as lexicology, phraseology, stylistics, as well as in translation activities.
Utilization of drainage water heat in flooded urban areas
Authors: Kovalenko Yurii , Katkov Mykhailo , Ponomarenko Ievgenii , Malovanyy Myroslav , Tymchuk Ivan
Published: February 2022

The possibilities of using drainage water from flooded urban areas as a source of energy for heat supply of buildings located in these areas were considered. The use of heating technological workflows based on the utilization of drainage water heat with heat pumps was substantiated. A method was developed for determining the required energy potential of drainage water and for determining technological characteristics of the proposed workflows. A comparative analysis of various workflows was carried out and the advantages of the water-to-water heat pump along with the heat-insulated flooring system over other heat supply workflows are shown.
La disolución del aula Mapa de espacios arquitectónicos para un territorio pedagógico
Authors: Pozo Bernal Melina
Published: February 2022

Este libro ofrece una mirada poliédrica sobre el aula como entorno físico de aprendizaje durante la etapa infantil, así como una reflexión sobre la aportación que la arquitectura puede ofrecer a la experiencia pedagógica que se desarrolla en él; esta experiencia, en el panorama de crisis provocado por la pandemia, se ha visto afectada por un entorno virtual cada vez más autosuficiente. De ahí la necesidad de que la arquitectura y la pedagogía aúnen sus esfuerzos como disciplinas para configurar los entornos más convenientes para albergar la actividad educativa en función de las necesidades de la sociedad. La autora parte del análisis de experiencias arquitectónicas previas para ofrecer ocho espacios cualificados por ambas disciplinas con el objetivo de constatar que es posible la mejora del espacio escuela y, con ello, de la sociedad a través de la educación.