bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards integration of time-resolved confocal microscopy of a 3D in vitro microfluidic platform with a hybrid multiscale model of tumor angiogenesis
Authors: Phillips Caleb M. , Lima Ernesto A. B. F. , Gadde Manasa , Jarrett Angela M. , Rylander Marissa Nichole , Yankeelov Thomas E.
Published: January 2023

The goal of this study is to calibrate a multiscale model of tumor angiogenesis with time-resolved data to allow for systematic testing of mathematical predictions of vascular sprouting. The multi-scale model consists of an agent-based description of tumor and endothelial cell dynamics coupled to a continuum model of vascular endothelial growth factor concentration. First, we calibrate ordinary differential equation models to time-resolved protein concentration data to estimate the rates of secretion and consumption of vascular endothelial growth factor by endothelial and tumor cells, respectively. These parameters are then input into the multiscale tumor angiogenesis model, and the remaining model parameters are then calibrated to time resolved confocal microscopy images obtained within a 3D vascularized microfluidic platform. The microfluidic platform mimics a functional blood vessel with a surrounding collagen matrix seeded with inflammatory breast cancer cells, which induce tumor angiogenesis. Once the multi-scale model is fully parameterized, we forecast the spatiotemporal distribution of vascular sprouts at future time points and directly compare the predictions to experimentally measured data. We assess the ability of our model to globally recapitulate angiogenic vasculature density, resulting in an average relative calibration error of 17.7% ± 6.3% and an average prediction error of 20.2% ± 4% and 21.7% ± 3.6% using one and four calibrated parameters, respectively. We then assess the model’s ability to predict local vessel morphology (individualized vessel structure as opposed to global vascular density), initialized with the first time point and calibrated with two intermediate time points. In this study, we have rigorously calibrated a mechanism-based, multiscale, mathematical model of angiogenic sprouting to multimodal experimental data to make specific, testable predictions.
Systematic design of pulse dosing to eradicate persister bacteria
Authors: Singh Garima , Orman Mehmet A. , Conrad Jacinta C. , Nikolaou Michael
Published: January 2023

A small fraction of infectious bacteria use persistence as a strategy to survive exposure to antibiotics. Periodic pulse dosing of antibiotics has long been considered a potentially effective strategy towards eradication of persisters. Recent studies have demonstrated through in vitro experiments that it is indeed feasible to achieve such effectiveness. However, systematic design of periodic pulse dosing regimens to treat persisters is currently lacking. Here we rigorously develop a methodology for the systematic design of optimal periodic pulse dosing strategies for rapid eradication of persisters. A key outcome of the theoretical analysis, on which the proposed methodology is based, is that bactericidal effectiveness of periodic pulse dosing depends mainly on the ratio of durations of the corresponding on and off parts of the pulse. Simple formulas for critical and optimal values of this ratio are derived. The proposed methodology is supported by computer simulations and in vitro experiments.
End-to-end sequence-structure-function meta-learning predicts genome-wide chemical-protein interactions for dark proteins
Authors: Cai Tian , Xie Li , Zhang Shuo , Chen Muge , He Di , Badkul Amitesh , Liu Yang , Namballa Hari Krishna , Dorogan Michael , Harding Wayne W. , Mura Cameron , Bourne Philip E. , Xie Lei
Published: January 2023

Systematically discovering protein-ligand interactions across the entire human and pathogen genomes is critical in chemical genomics, protein function prediction, drug discovery, and many other areas. However, more than 90% of gene families remain “dark”—i.e., their small-molecule ligands are undiscovered due to experimental limitations or human/historical biases. Existing computational approaches typically fail when the dark protein differs from those with known ligands. To address this challenge, we have developed a deep learning framework, called PortalCG, which consists of four novel components: (i) a 3-dimensional ligand binding site enhanced sequence pre-training strategy to encode the evolutionary links between ligand-binding sites across gene families; (ii) an end-to-end pretraining-fine-tuning strategy to reduce the impact of inaccuracy of predicted structures on function predictions by recognizing the sequence-structure-function paradigm; (iii) a new out-of-cluster meta-learning algorithm that extracts and accumulates information learned from predicting ligands of distinct gene families (meta-data) and applies the meta-data to a dark gene family; and (iv) a stress model selection step, using different gene families in the test data from those in the training and development data sets to facilitate model deployment in a real-world scenario. In extensive and rigorous benchmark experiments, PortalCG considerably outperformed state-of-the-art techniques of machine learning and protein-ligand docking when applied to dark gene families, and demonstrated its generalization power for target identifications and compound screenings under out-of-distribution (OOD) scenarios. Furthermore, in an external validation for the multi-target compound screening, the performance of PortalCG surpassed the rational design from medicinal chemists. Our results also suggest that a differentiable sequence-structure-function deep learning framework, where protein structural information serves as an intermediate layer, could be superior to conventional methodology where predicted protein structures were used for the compound screening. We applied PortalCG to two case studies to exemplify its potential in drug discovery: designing selective dual-antagonists of dopamine receptors for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), and illuminating the understudied human genome for target diseases that do not yet have effective and safe therapeutics. Our results suggested that PortalCG is a viable solution to the OOD problem in exploring understudied regions of protein functional space.
G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK-2) controls exploration through neuropeptide signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Davis Kristen , Mitchell Christo , Weissenfels Olivia , Bai Jihong , Raizen David M. , Ailion Michael , Topalidou Irini
Published: January 2023

Animals alter their behavior in manners that depend on environmental conditions as well as their developmental and metabolic states. For example, C. elegans is quiescent during larval molts or during conditions of satiety. By contrast, worms enter an exploration state when removed from food. Sensory perception influences movement quiescence (defined as a lack of body movement), as well as the expression of additional locomotor states in C. elegans that are associated with increased or reduced locomotion activity, such as roaming (exploration behavior) and dwelling (local search). Here we find that movement quiescence is enhanced, and exploration behavior is reduced in G protein-coupled receptor kinase grk-2 mutant animals. grk-2 was previously shown to act in chemosensation, locomotion, and egg-laying behaviors. Using neuron-specific rescuing experiments, we show that GRK-2 acts in multiple ciliated chemosensory neurons to control exploration behavior. grk-2 acts in opposite ways from the cGMP-dependent protein kinase gene egl-4 to control movement quiescence and exploration behavior. Analysis of mutants with defects in ciliated sensory neurons indicates that grk-2 and the cilium-structure mutants act in the same pathway to control exploration behavior. We find that GRK-2 controls exploration behavior in an opposite manner from the neuropeptide receptor NPR-1 and the neuropeptides FLP-1 and FLP-18. Finally, we show that secretion of the FLP-1 neuropeptide is negatively regulated by GRK-2 and that overexpression of FLP-1 reduces exploration behavior. These results define neurons and molecular pathways that modulate movement quiescence and exploration behavior.
Adherence to iron and folate supplementation and associated factors among women attending antenatal care in public health facilities at Covid-19 pandemic in Ethiopia
Authors: Tefera Arayasillase Assegid , Ibrahim Neil Abdurashid , Umer Abdurezaq Adem
Published: January 2023

Adhesion is the degree to which a patient complies with treatment recommendations made by a health care professional. The majority of pregnant women worldwide don’t get the recommended amounts of iron and folic acid (30 to 60 mg of iron and 400 g of folic acid/day for 6 months) pregnant women are more likely to develop iron- and folic acid deficiency anemia. For iron and folate supplementation programs to be effective in Ethiopia, adherence is a significant issue. So, this study aimed to evaluate the level and barriers preventing women receiving antenatal care from taking iron and folate supplements. A phenomenological qualitative study design was added to a facility-based cross-sectional study. The sample was established using a double population proportion formula. For the quantitative and qualitative study, 308 pregnant women and the focal points for the health facilities were chosen at random, using systematic random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. For the quantitative study, a face-to-face interviewer-guided, pre-tested structured questionnaire was used; for the qualitative study, a semi-structured questionnaire was used. Data was entered twice, cross-checked by comparing the two separate entries in Epi Data version 7.2.2.6, and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. COR and AOR with 95% CI are used to evaluate the relationship between variables and control for confounding factors. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05. All, 308 (100%) participants were involved. 56.5% of pregnant women attending an ANC clinic (95% CI: 51%–62.2%) adhered to Iron and folate supplementation. Mothers with primary education], Urban residents mothers, Mother who had four or more ANC visits, mothers who had registered for their first ANC at early gestational age, mothers who had good awareness about birth defects were independent predictors of adherence to Iron and folate supplementation. In our study, adherence to iron and folate supplementation was low relative to previous research findings. Promoting early and frequent ANC visits and improving pregnant women’s awareness of anemia and birth defects through education is necessary to increase the adherence status.
Comparing the return on investment of technologies to detect substandard and falsified amoxicillin: A Kenya case study
Authors: Higgins Colleen R. , Kobia Betty , Ozawa Sachiko
Published: January 2023

The prevalence of substandard and falsified medicines in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is a major global public health concern. Multiple screening technologies for post-market surveillance of medicine quality have been developed but there exists no clear guidance on which technology is optimal for LMICs. This study examined the return on investment (ROI) of implementing a select number of screening technologies for post-market surveillance of amoxicillin quality in a case study of Kenya. An agent-based model, Examining Screening Technologies using Economic Evaluations for Medicines (ESTEEM), was developed to estimate the costs, benefits, and ROI of implementing screening technologies for post-market surveillance of substandard and falsified amoxicillin for treatment of pediatric pneumonia in Kenya. The model simulated sampling, testing, and removal of substandard and falsified amoxicillin from the Kenyan market using five screening technologies: (1) Global Pharma Health Fund’s GPHF-Minilab, (2) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), (3) near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR), (4) paper analytical devices / antibiotic paper analytical devices (PADs/aPADs), and (5) Raman spectroscopy. The study team analyzed the population impact of utilizing amoxicillin for the treatment of pneumonia in children under age five in Kenya. We found that the GPHF-Minilab, NIR, and PADs/aPADs were similar in their abilities to rapidly screen for and remove substandard and falsified amoxicillin from the Kenyan market resulting in a higher ROI compared to HPLC. NIR and PADs/aPADs yielded the highest ROI at $21 (90% Uncertainty Range (UR) $5-$51) each, followed by GPHF-Minilab ($16, 90%UR $4 - $38), Raman ($9, 90%UR $2 - $21), and HPLC ($3, 90%UR $0 - $7). This study highlights screening technologies that can be used to reduce costs, speed up the removal of poor-quality medicines, and consequently improve health and economic outcomes in LMICs. National medicine regulatory authorities should adopt these fast, reliable, and low-cost screening technologies to better detect substandard and falsified medicines, reserving HPLC for confirmatory tests.
Exploration of physical activity knowledge, preferences and support needs among pulmonary hypertension patients
Authors: McCormack Ciara , Kehoe Brona , Cullivan Sarah , McCaffrey Noel , Gaine Sean , McCullagh Brian , Moyna Niall M. , Hardcastle Sarah J.
Published: January 2023

Objective

Physical activity (PA) is an established adjunct therapy for pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients to mitigate PH symptoms and improve quality of life. However, PA engagement within this population remains low. This study investigated PH patients’ knowledge of PA, recalled advice, exercise preferences and PA support needs.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 adults (mean age 50 years; SD ±12 years) diagnosed with PH, living in Ireland. Interview scripts were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results

Four key themes were identified: Lack of PA knowledge; exercise setting preference; accountability and monitoring; and clinician delivered PA information and guidance.

Conclusion

This study found that PH clinicians provide suboptimal PA advice, yet patients desired clinician-delivered PA guidance. Home-based exercise was preferred with monitoring and external accountability deemed as important to facilitate sustained engagement.

Practice implications

PH clinicians are well positioned to play a critical role in assisting and empowering PH patients to engage in PA. Providing training and education to PH clinicians regarding exercise prescription may be beneficial. Further research is needed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of home-based exercise interventions to improve quality of life and physical activity in PH.
Research the effect of anticipated regret and fairness concerns on retailer-led supply chain
Authors: Liu Jin , Tian Qi , Zhang Nian
Published: January 2023

Considering the consumer’s anticipated regret caused by price discount, the impact of anticipated regret and manufacturers’ fairness concerns on pricing and profits is explored, and a revenue-sharing contract to optimize the profits of supply chain is explored. In centralized decision-making model with manufacturer’s fairness neutrality and retailer-led decentralized decision-making model with the manufacturer’s fairness concerns, numerical simulation and model comparison is used to analyse regret sensitivity coefficient, consumer heterogeneity, the fairness concern coefficient on pricing decisions and profit coordination. Our results reveal that consumer’s anticipated regret has a negative impact on product prices, retailer’s profit and manufacturer’s profit. Manufacturer’s fairness concerns also increase product price and reduce profits of all parties. Retailer-led supply chain can share the revenue to achieve Pareto optimization. When formulating promotional strategies, retailers should consider the characteristics of anticipated regrets of consumers.
Carbendazim trace analysis in different samples by using nanostructured modified carbon paste electrode as voltametric sensor
Authors: Kasaeinasab Abbasali , Mahabadi Hassan Asilian , Shahtaheri Seyed Jamaleddin , Faridbod Farnoush , Ganjali Mohammad Reza , Mesgari Fazeleh
Published: January 2023

Carbendazim (CBZ) as a fungicide is widely used to control fungal diseases in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and forestry. In this study, molecularly imprinted nano-size polymer was synthesized and then combined with multiwalled carbon nanotubes to be used as modifiers for carbon paste electrode to detect carbendazim in water, fruit, agricultural wastewater, and urine samples by using the square-wave technique. Some common ions and pesticides were investigated as interferences in analyte, to study the sensitivity and selectivity of the modified carbon paste electrode for carbendazim. The combination of molecular imprinted polymer and multiwalled carbon nanotubes showed a significant increase in peak current in electrocatalytic activity on electrochemical detection of the carbendazim. The linear range of 1 × 10−10 to 5 × 10−8 molL−1 was investigated. The lower detection limit was determined to be 0.2 × 10−10 molL−1, and the relative standard deviation for the target molecule analysis was 2.07%. The result reveals that the modified carbon paste sensor with Multi walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Molecular Imprinted Polymer (MIPs) can be used easily, without preparation steps that have high selectivity and sensitivity to determine carbendazim in water, fruit, agricultural wastewater, and urine samples.
High masticatory ability attenuates psychosocial stress: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Hashimoto Ayako , Nozaki Aya , Inoue Hiroko , Kuwano Toshiko
Published: January 2023

Mastication interventions have previously been shown to alleviate acute stress. However, the relationship between masticatory performance and stress response among individuals remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationship between masticatory ability and stress response in young women by measuring the autonomic nerve function and salivary α-amylase activity during psychosocial stress. Eighty women (aged 20.0 ± 1.9 years) were divided into either a low or high masticatory performance group, and the Trier Social Stress Test was conducted. Moreover, the autonomic function was measured at rest, immediately before stress, immediately after stress, and 10 min after stress. The salivary α-amylase activity was also measured at rest, 5 min after stress, and 15 min after stress. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used for subjective stress evaluation. There was a significant increase in the autonomic balance of both groups immediately before stress loading, but whilst the high masticatory ability group showed a return to resting-state levels after stress loading, the low masticatory ability group showed elevated levels after stress loading. Salivary α-amylase activity significantly increased 5 min after stress loading in the low, but not high, masticatory ability group. Furthermore, the VAS scores for tension and confusion after stress were significantly higher in the low masticatory ability group than in the high masticatory ability group. Our findings suggest that high masticatory performance may contribute to alleviating psychosocial stress. This is the first study to clarify the relationship between habitual masticatory performance and psychosocial stress suppression in young women.
Unveiling the “Veil” of information disclosure: Sustainability reporting “greenwashing” and “shared value”
Authors: Xu Wei , Li Mingzhu , Xu Sen
Published: January 2023

With the increasing attention of the capital market to environmental, social and governance information, sustainability reporting has become an important carrier for stakeholders to gain insight into sustainability of companies. But the emerged “greenwashing” problem has also brought haze to the value creation of capital market. To study the consequences of the pseudo-social responsibility behavior of “greenwashing”, this paper takes China’s listed companies as the research sample to empirically examine the relationship between sustainability reporting “greenwashing” and “shared value” creation. It is found that the “greenwashing” behavior of corporate sustainability reporting significantly reduces the “shared value” creation, while the degree of sustainability information asymmetry and the quality of information disclosure play a partial mediation role between them. Further analysis shows that the more effective internal control of a company and the greater pressure of external media supervision, the more conducive to weaken the negative impact of “greenwashing” on “shared value” creation. This paper enriches the literature on the economic consequences of “greenwashing” in sustainability disclosure and the influencing factors of “shared value” creation, extends the research on information disclosure and “shared value” from financial information to non-financial information. The results call for the state to promote legislative work, formulate unified standards and compress the “greenwashing” gray space; Governments could implement mandatory disclosure, implement independent authentication and strengthen “greenwashing” social supervision; Companies should strengthen capacity building and improve the “greenwashing” governance mechanism with the help of digital empowerment.
Seasonal space use and habitat selection of GPS collared snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in the Mongolian Altai range
Authors: Rosenbaum Barry , Poyarkov Andrey D. , Munkhtsog Bariushaa , Munkhtogtokh Оchirjav , Hernandez-Blanco Jose Antonio , Alexandrov Dmitry Y. , Chimeddorj Buyanaa , Galtulga Bayandonoi , Munkhnast Dalannast , Bayaraa Munkhtsog , Rozhnov Viatcheslav V. , Comte Sebastien
Published: January 2023

Although the home range and habitat selection of animal species is among the fundamental pieces of biological information collected by research projects during recent decades, published information on the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) home range is limited. The Altai Mountains of central Asia contain some of the largest and most important remaining conservation landscapes for snow leopards globally, but there is a limited understanding of the species’ ecology in this region. First, we used the data from 5 snow leopards equipped with GPS collars at four study sites in the Altai Mountains of Mongolia to broadly characterize patterns of home range use between 2013 and 2019. The data was used to calculate home range size from a 10 month period using three different estimators: minimum convex polygons (MCP), kernel density distributions (KDE), and localconvex hulls(LoCoH). Second, ten data sets from 8 individual snow leopards were combined to cover all 12 months of a year and to generate a general additive mixed model of seasonal home range use and seasonal resource use. We found 1) large variation in home ranges between sites during the monitoring period ranging minimally between 26.1 and 395.3km2(MCP); 2) Local convex hull home ranges were smaller compared to home ranges based on minimum convex polygons and kernels and yielded more biologically appropriate home range estimates; 3) monthly home ranges of males were larger than females; 4) female monthly home ranges decreased in summer, while male monthly range use remained stable throughout the year; and, 5) while both sexes shared similar habitat preference in winter (steep south-western slopes at high elevation), our data suggest different habitat preferences between sexes in summer. Knowledge of the space use of threatened species is crucial for their conservation, and this is especially true for apex predators who often provide benefits for an entire ecosystem. Our study provides a preliminary understanding of the spatial ecology of this important species in an area of critical conservation concern.
Seafood consumption changes and COVID-19 impact index in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Authors: Partelow Stefan , Nagel Ben , Paramita Adiska Octa , Buhari Nurliah
Published: January 2023

This empirical study examines seafood consumption patterns in the province of West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia at the regency level, and analyzes changes in consumption patterns during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus outbreak. We used a stratified semi-random general population survey administered online through mobile devices from November 24th–December 31st 2020 for rapid assessment and dissemination, which received 1518 respondents. Our findings enabled us to generate a COVID-19 impact index at the regency level, indicating an urban-to-rural gradient in the degree of change in seafood consumption patterns, with rural areas incurring more changes. During COVID-19, 61% of respondents ate less seafood than normal, 66% stated seafood was more expensive, and 37% stated that the seafood they normally buy was not available. Respondents also bought 5% less fresh or raw seafood, and 4.3% more pre-cooked seafood products during the pandemic. Traditional markets, mobile vendors, and food stands remain the most frequent access points for seafood, although access decreased during the pandemic for all, with mini- and supermarket access slightly increasing. Raw and fresh seafood purchases from travelling merchants decreased 12.5% during the pandemic. A larger percentage of women (~10% more than men) eat fish at least once per week, and women eat a larger diversity of seafood products. However, men classified themselves on average in a higher income class than women both before and during the pandemic, and men were significantly more likely to agree that they had enough money to buy the food they wanted during the pandemic. Overall, respondents who indicated eating a higher frequency of fish per week, were significantly more likely to agree that they ate less fish during the pandemic. Respondents on Sumbawa island were significantly more likely to agree that the fisheries products were not available during the pandemic.
Do cancer detection rates differ between transperineal and transrectal micro-ultrasound mpMRI-fusion-targeted prostate biopsies? A propensity score-matched study
Authors: Rakauskas Arnas , Peters Max , Martel Paul , van Rossum Peter S. N. , La Rosa Stefano , Meuwly Jean-Yves , Roth Beat , Valerio Massimo
Published: January 2023

Introduction

High-resolution micro-ultrasound (micro-US) is a novel precise imaging modality that allows targeted prostate biopsies and multiparametric magnet resonance imaging (mpMRI) fusion. Its high resolution relying on a 29 MHz transducer allows real-time visualisation of prostate cancer lesions; this might overcome the inaccuracy of conventional MRI-US fusion biopsy strategies. We compared cancer detection rates in patients who underwent transrectal (TR-B) versus transperineal (TP-B) MR-micro-US fusion biopsy.

Materials and methods

1:2 propensity score matching was performed in 322 consecutive procedures: 56 TR-B and 266 TP-B. All prostate biopsies were performed using ExactVuTM micro-US system with mpMRI image fusion. Clinically significant disease was defined as grade group ≥2. The primary objective was to evaluate the detection of clinically significant disease according to access route. The secondary outcomes were to compare the respective detection rates of random and targeted biopsies stratified per access route and to evaluate micro-US for its potential added value.

Results

47 men undergoing TR-B and 88 undergoing TP-B were matched for age, PSA, clinical stage, prostate volume, PIRADS score, number of mpMRI-visible lesions and indication to biopsy. The detection rates of clinically significant and of any prostate cancer did not differ between the two groups (45% TR-B vs 42% TP-B; p = 0.8, and 57% TR-B vs 59% TP-B; p = 0.9, respectively). Detection rates also did not differ significantly between random (p = 0.4) and targeted biopsies (p = 0.7) stratified per access route. Micro-US targeted biopsy detected 36 MRI-invisible lesions in 33 patients; 19% of these lesions were positive for clinically significant disease. Overall, micro-US targeted biopsies upgraded 2% of patients to clinically significant disease that would have been missed otherwise.

Conclusions

MR-micro-US-fusion TR-B and TP-B have similar diagnostic yields in terms of detection rates of clinically significant prostate cancer. Micro-US targeted biopsy appears to have an additional diagnostic value over systematic and MRI-targeted biopsies.
Fossil bacula of five species of Borophaginae (Family: Canidae): Implications for their reproductive biology
Authors: Varajão de Latorre Daniel
Published: January 2023

The baculum of mammals offers the opportunity to study the reproductive biology of extinct species given that it is a fossilizable part of the male genitalia and that its size and shape correlate with several aspects of the reproductive biology of extant mammals. Fossil bacula, however, are rare. Currently, bacula have been described from only two extinct species of canids, one from the subfamily Caninae and the other from the extinct subfamily Hesperocyoninae. Here, I describe the bacula of five extinct species of Borophaginae, each of which was found with other skeletal elements that have enabled identification to the species level. Two specimens (Aelurodon feroxandAelurodon stirtoni) are largely complete, while the baculum fromCarpocyon compressusis complete but still embedded in matrix that obscures some of its features. The bacula ofParatomarctus euthosandDesmocyon thomsoniare incomplete, but they provide useful information nonetheless. These borophagine bacula are similar to extant canines in being robust, having a urethral groove, and a simple distal end. These features suggest that the Borophaginae had long-lasting copulation and possibly spontaneous ovulation, similar to the extant canines. However, unlike the straight baculum of extant canines, borophagine bacula are ventrally curved (arched), which is also observed in the hesperocyonine baculum. The implication of this curvature for the reproductive biology of these animals remains unknown.
Generalized Marshall-Olkin exponentiated exponential distribution: Properties and applications
Authors: Ozkan Egemen , Golbasi Simsek Gulhayat
Published: January 2023

In this study, we propose a generalized Marshall-Olkin exponentiated exponential distribution as a submodel of the family of generalized Marshall-Olkin distribution. Some statistical properties of the proposed distribution are examined such as moments, the moment-generating function, incomplete moment, and Lorenz and Bonferroni curves. We give five estimators for the unknown parameters of the proposed distribution based on maximum likelihood, least squares, weighted least squares, and the Anderson-Darling and Cramer-von Mises methods of estimation. To investigate the finite sample properties of the estimators, a comprehensive Monte Carlo simulation study is conducted for the models with three sets of randomly selected parameter values. Finally, four different real data applications are presented to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed distribution in real life.
External cephalic version success rate and associated factors: Experience from a tertiary center in Sub-Saharan Africa: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Sium Abraham Fessehaye , Gudu Wondimu , Urgie Tadesse , Masresha Gebeyehu
Published: January 2023

Objective

To determine the success rate of external cephalic version (ECV) and its associated factors in an Ethiopian setting.

Material and methods

A total of 152 ECVs performed at the St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from June 1, 2018, up to March 30, 2019, were analyzed, using a prospective cross-sectional study design. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Chi-square test of association was applied for categorical data analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of success of ECV. Odds ratio, 95% CI, and P-value<0.05 were used to describe findings’ significance.

Results

The success rate of ECV was 71.7%. ECV success rate did not differ between multiparous and nulliparous (AOR = 1.4, 95% CI 0.07–2.35), according to abdominal wall thickness status (AOR = 3.5, 95% Cl 0.29–42.40), and between unengaged and engaged presenting part (AOR = 1.1, 95% CI 0.26–4.74). A posterior placenta was associated with ECV success compared to anterior placenta (AOR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.03–2.60). Likewise, cases that experience no pain was associated with a higher ECV success rate (AOR 14.68, 95% CI 1.65–34.97). Soft uterine tone was also associated with a higher success rate compared to tense uterine tone (AOR = 3.89, 95% CI 0.02–0.39). Eighty-four percent of those mothers who had successful ECV had spontaneous vertex vaginal delivery.

Conclusion

The success rate of ECV in this study is found to be 71.7%, which is higher than reports from previous studies. Absence of pain during the procedure, posterior placenta, and soft uterine tone were associated with successful ECV.
Cigarette smoking is associated with Herpesviruses in persons with and without serious mental illness
Authors: Dickerson Faith , Katsafanas Emily , Origoni Andrea , Newman Theresa , Rowe Kelly , Ziemann Rita S. , Bhatia Kamal , Severance Emily , Ford Glen , Yolken Robert
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Herpesviruses are recognized as major causes of human diseases. Following initial infection, Herpesviruses can undergo cycles of reactivation controlled largely by the immune system. Cigarette smoking is an important modulator of the immune system particularly in individuals with serious mental illness where smoking is associated with increased rates of cardiopulmonary diseases and mortality. However, the effect of smoking on Herpesviruses has not been extensively studied.

Methods

In this nested cohort study, cigarette smoking was assessed in 1323 persons with serious mental illness or without a psychiatric disorder ascertained in a psychiatric health care system and the adjacent community. Participants provided a blood sample from which were measured IgG class antibodies to five human Herpesviruses: Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), Herpes Simplex Virus-Type 1 (HSV-1); Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV); and Human Herpes Virus-Type 6 (HHV-6). The associations between smoking variables and antibody levels to the Herpesviruses were analyzed among diagnostic groups in multiple regression models adjusted for age, sex, and race.

Results

Current smoking was significantly associated with higher levels of antibodies to CMV (coefficient .183, 95% CI .049, .317, p<.001, q<.007) and the three EBV proteins (EBV NA –(coefficient .088, 95% CI .032, .143, p = .002, q<.014; EBV Virion – coefficient .100, 95% CI .037, .163, p = .002, q<.014; and EBV VCA – coefficient .119, 95% CI .061, .177, p = .00004, q<.0016). The amount of cigarettes smoked was also correlated with higher levels of antibodies to the three EBV proteins. Interaction analyses indicated that the association between cigarette smoking and levels of antibodies to CMV and EBV was independent of diagnostic group. Cigarette smoking was not significantly associated with the level of antibodies to HSV-1, VZV, or HHV-6.

Conclusions

Individuals who smoke cigarettes have increased levels of IgG antibodies to CMV and EBV. Cigarette smoking may be a contributory factor in the relationship between CMV, EBV and chronic somatic disorders associated with these viruses.
Dual contraception method utilization and associated factors among women on anti-retroviral therapy in public facilities of Bishoftu town, Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Bedecha Daniel Yohannes , Gurmu Mosisa Assefa , Gejo Negeso Gebeyehu
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Dual contraception is a method used to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and unintended pregnancies. Prevention of unintended pregnancy in people living with HIV (PLHIV) and ART given to pregnant women to suppress viral load prevent transmission of HIV to children. Counseling and provision of dual contraceptive methods is a very cost-effective method to tackle this double burden among women living with HIV. However, little has been known about utilization of dual methods among HIV positive women in Bishoftu town and its surroundings.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess dual contraception method utilization and associated factors among reproductive age women who were on antiretroviral therapy in public health facilities of Bishoftu town.

Methods

A facility based cross- sectional study was conducted from November 01 to December 30, 2020. The study participants were selected by using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested and structured questionnaire through a face to face interview. Data were processed and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Frequencies and percentages were used to describe characteristics of participants. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify variables which had an independent association with the dependent variable. The degree of association between dependent and independent variables were measured using odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Level of significance was set at a p-value less than 0.05.

Results

The Magnitude of dual contraceptive utilization of women living with HIV in Bishoftu town was 56.9% (95% Cl (51.6, 62.1). Being married (AOR = 4.33; 95% Cl (1.67, 11.27), not getting pregnant since the start of chronic care follow up (AOR = 2.19; 95% Cl (2.90, 3.70), having a partner positive for HIV (AOR = 2.67; 95% Cl (1.34, 5.32) and having a partner negative for HIV (AOR = 2.38; 95% Cl (1.09, 5.20) were factors independently associated with dual method contraceptive use.

Conclusion

The study showed that use of dual contraceptive methods was low; factors like marital status, partner HIV status, and pregnancy after chronic HIV care follow up were found to be significantly associated with dual contraceptive method use. In addition to ART, use of dual contraceptive methods utilization may play a role in prevention of HIV infection in children and is important in the prevention of unintended pregnancy.
Quantifying the impact of strong ties in international scientific research collaboration
Authors: Liu Junwan , Guo Xiaofei , Xu Shuo , Zhang Yueyan
Published: January 2023

Tie strength has been examined as an antecedent of creativity. Although it has been discovered that international collaboration affects scientific performance, the effect of tie strength in the international collaboration network has been largely neglected. Based on international publications of 72 countries/regions published from 1993 to 2013, we combine descriptive and panel regression methods to examine how the bonding of strong collaboration ties contributes to countries’ international scientific performance. Strong ties occur at an average rate of 1 in 4 collaborators, whereas countries/regions share on average 84% of articles with their strong-tie collaborators. Our quantitative results provide an explanation for this phenomenon in international collaboration: the establishment of a strong tie relationship contributes to above-average productivity and citation frequency for countries/regions. To further explore which types of strong ties tend to have stronger citation impact, we analyse the relationship between persistent and stable collaboration and publication citation impact. Experimental results show that international collaborations with greater persistence and moderate stability tend to produce high impact publications. It is noteworthy that when the collaboration period is divided into different time intervals, similar findings can be found after the same analysis procedure is carried out. This indicates that our conclusions are robust. Overall, this study provides quantitative insights into the added value of long-term commitment and social trust associated with strong collaborative partnerships in international collaboration.
Proline transporters ProT and PutP are required for Staphylococcus aureus infection
Authors: Lehman McKenzie K. , Sturd Natalie A. , Razvi Fareha , Wellems Dianne L. , Carson Steven D. , Fey Paul D.
Published: January 2023

Proline acquired via specific transporters can serve as a proteinogenic substrate, carbon and nitrogen source, or osmolyte. Previous reports have documented that Staphylococcus aureus, a major community and nosocomial pathogen, encodes at least four proline transporters, PutP, OpuC, OpuD, and ProP. A combination of genetic approaches and 3H-proline transport assays reveal that a previously unrecognized transporter, ProT, in addition to PutP, are the major proline transporters in S. aureus. Complementation experiments using constitutively expressed non-cognate promoters found that proline transport via OpuD, OpuC, and ProP is minimal. Both proline biosynthesis from arginine and proline transport via ProT are critical for growth when S. aureus is grown under conditions of high salinity. Further, proline transport mediated by ProT or PutP are required for growth in media with and without glucose, indicating both transporters function to acquire proline for proteinogenic purposes in addition to acquisition of proline as a carbon/nitrogen source. Lastly, inactivation of proT and putP resulted in a significant reduction (5 log10) of bacterial burden in murine skin-and-soft tissue infection and bacteremia models, suggesting that proline transport is required to establish a S. aureus infection.
Roy Hart, Kevin Crawford and Bernadette Sweeney (2022)
Authors: Holden Kate
Published: January 2023

Review of: Roy Hart, Kevin Crawford and Bernadette Sweeney (2022)

Abingdon and New York: Routledge, 172 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-36721-834-8, p/bk, £34.99
Review of alcohol and drug treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Authors:   The University of Sydney, Tracy Marguerite , Freeburn Bradley , Lee Kylie ,   The University of Sydney, Woods Julie , Conigrave Kate ,   The University of Sydney
Published: January 2023

This review provides an overview of treatments for problem alcohol and other drug (AOD) use for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It includes information on the available research and discusses core principles for providing treatment. The review outlines how effective mainstream treatment approaches can be adapted to be more suitable for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of being or worldview. It also highlights that services, such as those offered by Aboriginal community controlled health organisations are in a unique position to offer culturally secure treatment approaches. The barriers to accessing treatment are discussed as well as recommendations for future strategic directions in service delivery such as collaboration and two-way learning. This review is part of a suite of knowledge exchange products that includes a summary, video, and factsheet.
Consumption of organic and gluten-free products of Abonett Kft.
(Ltd.)
Authors: Lendvai Edina , Dobos-Nagy Diána
Published: January 2023

The term healthy lifestyle is almost burned into our way of
thinking. At the same time, diseases caused by certain allergens are also
becoming more common. It is therefore inevitable that many people are
looking for a new source of food instead of traditional bread. The Abonett
product line offers them an alternative solution. In the course of our
work, we tried to assess the familiarity and consumption of these products,
as well as the opinions formed about them. To this end, we conducted an
online questionnaire survey in the fall of 2021, which we shared on social
media. In our opinion, opening to new segments, such as rice-based extruded
products, soup pearls, or even sweet and salty snacks, is a possible
option. The use of special ingredients and flavors can be interesting for
customers. The information obtained during our research can be of help in
the marketing strategy planning of the company, as well as in the analysis
of the types of behavior related to consumers.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF LOCALLY MADE AND REFINED PALM KERNEL OIL (

Elaeis guineensis)
Authors: Okpe Anthony
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACT

Chemical analysis of crude and refined palm kernel oil (PKO) was carried out using AOCS and AOAC methods and the following results were obtained: for crude PKO, saponification value; 206 mgKOH/g, iodine value; 14.86 g/100, peroxide
value; 14.20 mEq/kg, free fatty acid (FFA); 5.20 mgKOH/g, moisture content; 0.28%, specific gravity; 0.903g/cm
3 density; 0.903. The corresponding values

for refined PKO using the same methods include saponification value; 249 mgKOH/g, iodine value; 17.60g/100, peroxide value; 10.00mEq/kg, free fatty acid (FFA); 3.30 mgKOH/g, moisture content; 1.45%, specific gravity; 0.900g/cm
3, density; 0.89.

The result of the characterization shows that the crude palm kernel oil is not easily perishable since it contains a low moisture content of

0.28%, and the

low FFA value of the refined palm kernel oil is an indication that the oils will be most suitable for biodiesel as an alternative to the conventional diesel.
Black Holes, Ergospheres, and Event Horizons: Analysis of the Most Common Misunderstandings in General Relativity
Authors: Rovetta Alessandro
Published: January 2023

Concepts like gravitational redshift, time dilation, ergospheres, horizons, and general covariance have always represented a major interpretative obstacle for scholars. Indeed, they sparked great debates in the world of physics on the theoretical and experimental/empirical levels. For this reason, it is essential to create an analytical approach that can eliminate any unreasonable doubt. In this brief paper, we address the above problems individually, providing a rational explanation and arguing with examples and counterexamples. Finally, a general deﬁnition of gravitational time dilation is proposed.
Wind Energy: The Promising Future of Bangladesh Power Sector
Authors: Noman Abu Nayem MD.
Published: January 2023

As fossil fuel reserves have been rapidly drained over the past few years, Bangladesh has had severe electricity problems. Bangladesh should explore alternative sources of energy. The issue can be resolved by the wind. The wind is a great source of renewable energy that is also free. Long coastal area is observed in Bangladesh, where a good amount of wind is found all around the year. It sustains several blows in different seasons' various fashions. In this study, some statistical information is gathered about wind flow rates in Bangladesh's various locations and, after figuring out the cost of extracting the wind energy, it is compared to other energy sources in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the feasibility of installing wind power plants in Bangladesh is also discussed.
Alteration of Dating Values and Protocols in relation to Online Dating among emerging Australian Adults
Authors: Ganase Anjali
Published: January 2023

Throughout the centuries, there have always been preferable societal dating protocols. From arranged marriages in biblical times to classical Roman courtships, the protocols and values embodied throughout society constantly fluctuated. In the era of technology, the introduction of new platforms for dating has provided an alternative route for developing relationships. While there are prominent assets and liabilities to the integration of dating apps, there is no clear indication of whether they have affected the relationships of their users. This prompts the question, have dating protocols and values among emerging Australian adults shifted with the popularization of dating apps?