bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Le spectacle de la Révolution. La culture visuelle des commémorations d’Octobre
Authors: Fayet Jean-François , Gorin Valérie , Haver Gianni , Kustova Emilia
Published: April 2023

Pendant plus de septante ans (de 1918 à 1990), l’acte fondateur du régime soviétique, “la Grande Révolution Socialiste d’Octobre”, se commémore et se donne à voir sous la forme d’un spectacle grandiose lors du 7 novembre, permettant au pouvoir soviétique de se mettre en scène. D’abord organisées sous la forme d’une parade militaire et populaire, les commémorations d’Octobre sont à l’origine d’une immense production iconographique. S’éloignant vite de l’iconoclasme révolutionnaire, les pratiques commémoratives varient les supports, allant des banderoles aux films en passant par les affiches, les photographies, les tableaux, la vaisselle de porcelaine, les cartes postales, les timbres, les médailles, les documentaires filmés, la musique ou encore les monuments. Parfaitement maîtrisé en URSS, le spectacle de la Révolution s’exporte aussi. Dans les pays “frères”, mais encore dans les démocraties occidentales, l’image commémorative est reçue, réappropriée ou détournée, se pliant aux impératifs politiques et aux nécessités locales. Dix-sept spécialistes de l’histoire de l’Union Soviétique et de culture visuelle décortiquent dans cet ouvrage illustré les aspects les plus connus, mais aussi ceux dont l’importance a longtemps été ignorée, d’un siècle de commémorations de la Révolution d’Octobre, en URSS comme ailleurs. Ce livre inaugure une nouvelle collection intitulée « Univers visuels » donnant la part belle aux images, en proposant un choix d’illustrations riche et pertinent, accompagné de textes solides scientifiquement et accessibles.
Econometric analysis of cargo turnover in the EAEU for certain types of transport
Authors: Khachatryan Nerses
Published: April 2023

The article presents the results of an econometric analysis of cargo turnover in the EAEU for three types of transport: road, rail and air. Regression equations describing the dependence of the cargo turnover of these modes of transport on the factors of economic activity are constructed and the results obtained are analyzed.
Evaluating of the Implementing of the 12-Years Compulsory Learning Program in Southeast Sulawesi
Authors: Falihin Falihin , Sugiarto Sugiarto , Suryadi Suryadi
Published: April 2023

This research aims to analyze the results of implementing the 12-year compulsory education program using the CIPP model in Southeast Sulawesi study using a qualitative approach with a CIPP evaluation method (context, input, process, and product). The research was conducted in the Province of Southeast Sulawesi, specifically at the Department of Education and Culture of Southeast Sulawesi. The participants involved were the head of the education and culture office at the Southeast Sulawesi Province Education and Culture Office and the head of the section responsible for managing elementary to high school education. School principals and teachers from elementary school, junior high school and senior high school are 50 people. Data collection techniques used observation, interviews, and documentation studies. Data analysis in this study consisted of three stages, namely 1) data reduction, 2) data presentation, and 3) conclusion. The study results showed that the 12-year compulsory education program had been implemented correctly. The context aspect had been carried out by the laws and regulations set by the government. The input aspect showed that program planning was adjusted to legality and field needs. However, the resources for education personnel were still lacking, and the government in Southeast Sulawesi government had appointed honorary teachers and provided various training to improve their competence. Whereas in the process aspect, it was shown in the lack of learning facilities and infrastructure, which still needs to be completed by developments in global needs so that graduates can be qualified, and in the product aspect, it has been shown by the achievement of pure enrollment rates and gross enrollment rates that exceed the initial target. So, this research has implications for the awareness of all parties involved in the implementation of education that the responsibility for the success of this compulsory education program requires cooperation.
Habituation of the Character of Enjoying Reading Through the School Literacy Movement Program in the Lower Grades of Elementary Schools
Authors: Oktaviani Ericha , Kulsum Honest Ummi
Published: April 2023

This study aims to describe the implementation of character education fond of reading through the school literacy program for students at SDIT Muhammadiyah Al Kautsar, Kartasura. This study used a descriptive qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. The research subjects were the grade II teacher, the Library Division, and the Vice Principal for Student Affairs. This research instrument used Human Instrument, where this qualitative research determined the focus of research, selected information as data sources, conducts data collection, assessed qualitative data, analyzes data, interpreted data, and made conclusion based on its findings. In qualitative research, besides acting as the main instrument, researchers also used data collection techniques, including observation, interviews, and documentation. The results of this study showed that the application of the character of fond of reading in the School Literacy Movement program was carried out every day during school hours by reading books for 10-15 minutes of reading, then making a core of the task read after that telling or presenting it back. To support school literacy activities, facilities, and infrastructure in the form of reading corners located in classrooms, as well as literacy cards to record the results of students' independent reading, were provided. Meanwhile, students' reading interest at SDIT Muhammadiyah Al Kautsar Kartasura was known through the Literacy Card for student visits to the library. The implementation of literacy classes was related to increasing students' interest in reading because students can take the time to read a little to fulfill literacy cards. If the application of this love of reading can run well and regularly, the student's interest in reading will also increase.
Evaluating Mathematical Literacy Among Pupils Using Early Grade Mathematics Assessment in East Sumba
Authors: Angu Bima Stevvileny , Ndakularak Iona Lisa , Nggaba Mayun E , Randjawali Erwin , Pakereng Yulita Mila
Published: April 2023

This study aims to evaluate the level of mathematical literacy among elementary school-aged children in one of the schools in Lewa Paku District, East Sumba Regency. This research employed a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative approaches. The participants in this study were 20 students (10 students with good grades and ten students with poor grades in class), teachers, the school principal, and the head of the Education Office of East Sumba. The research instruments were mathematical tests adapted from the Early Grade Mathematics Assessment (EGMA), key informant interview guidance applied to all the participants, and observation during the learning processes. The quantitative data was analyzed using the descriptive technique, while the qualitative collected data was processed by data reduction, data display, and conclusion. The findings showed that the mathematical literacy of the fifth grade was in a low category. Factors affecting the student's math skills were less learning media, less conducive classes, limited, outdated, and unattractive printed textbooks, inadequate learning and teaching facilities, and less trained teachers. This research finding provides relevant and timely information to support students' achievement by adjusting policies, reforming curricula or programs, and instructional practices. Also, the policymaker can evaluate the effectiveness of the current education programs to decide on better interventions in supporting the students to improve their understanding of early math concepts.
Características de homens e mulheres autores de violência sexual: uma revisão de escopo
Authors: Locatelli Tadeu Zomer , Vieira Gisélida Garcia da Silva , Lindner Sheila Rubia , Warmling Deise , Bolsoni Carolina , Coelho Elza Berger Salema
Published: April 2023

Tendo em vista a violência sexual como um problema de saúde pública complexo, multifacetado, endêmico e subnotificado, bem como suas consequências para as vítimas e para a sociedade, neste estudo lançamos um olhar para o autor de violência sexual com o objetivo de identificar suas características com base na literatura nacional e internacional. Utilizaram-se as bases NCBI/PubMed, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus e LILACS, incluíram-se estudos que tratassem de autores de violência sexual publicados em português, inglês e espanhol, sem restrição de ano de publicação ou tipo metodológico. Foram incluídos 46 estudos na revisão. Os resultados mostram o perfil do homem e da mulher autora em relação ao ciclo de vida, estado civil, escolaridade, cor de pele/etnia, trabalho, se sofreu violência na infância, se fez uso de álcool e drogas, bem como comportamentos relacionados à violência. Merecem especial atenção os homens e mulheres autores de violência sexual contra crianças no âmbito familiar.
Aspectos cognitivos e auditivos em idosos com perda auditiva e em uso de dispositivos de amplificação sonora
Authors: Valeri Bianca , Fiorini Ana Claudia
Published: April 2023

O aumento do número de idosos na população é notável. Durante o envelhecimento, surgem novas dificuldades, como o declínio de habilidades auditivas e cognitivas. Muito tem se mostrado sobre a relação entre perda auditiva e declínio cognitivo. Dentre as principais consequências dessa associação estão a dificuldade em compreender a fala, principalmente em ambientes ruidosos, e, com isso, o aumento do esforço auditivo. Uma intervenção que tem se mostrado eficaz é o uso de dispositivo de amplificação sonora (DAS). O objetivo foi investigar aspectos auditivos e cognitivos em idosos com perdas auditivas. Foram avaliados 56 idosos no início do processo de adaptação de DAS. A pesquisa foi realizada no dia da adaptação e realizados três procedimentos: avaliação do reconhecimento de fala no ruído (RFR), com e sem DAS, para cálculo do Benefício, rastreio cognitivo (RC) e avaliação subjetiva do esforço de escuta. Observou-se que 32,1% dos indivíduos estudados apresentaram resultado sugestivo de alteração cognitiva. Através de modelos de regressão, observou-se que a média do Benefício aumenta quando o valor da Média da Melhor Orelha aumenta, a média do Nível Sonoro (NS) do RFR sem DAS diminui quando a pontuação total do RC aumenta e a média do NS de RFR sem DAS aumenta quando a idade aumenta. Concluiu-se que, com o envelhecimento, pior é o desempenho no RC, o que pode significar um pior desempenho no teste de RFR. Porém, o uso do DAS possibilita um melhor desempenho no teste de RFR.
Impact of gestational low back pain intensity on quality of life, sleep quality, functional status, anxiety and depression
Authors: Ribeiro Aline Lima de Souza , Déa Caroline Andrade , Mattos Roberta Romaniolo de , Zamboti Camile Ludovico
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Gestational low back pain (GLBP) have impact on performance of daily life activities, although it remains uncertain the impact of pain intensity in clinical outcomes. Aims: To verify the impact and relationship of pain intensity of GLBP on quality of life (QoL), sleep quality (SQ), functional status, anxiety and depression. Methods: Pregnant women above 20 weeks of gestation completed the sample characterization form and answered five questionnaires to assess pain (Visual Analogue Scale), QoL (Medical Outcomes Short Form Health Survey–36 item), SQ (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index), functional status (Oswestry Disability Index), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Participants were divided in two groups, with GLBP (GLBP group) and without GLBP (CG). GLBP group was stratified according to pain intensity in two groups: mild pain (VAS≤3: M-GLBP) and moderate to severe pain (VAS>3: MS-GLBP). Results: 75 participants were included, 75% in the GLBP (n=56, 30[27-34] years) and 25% in CG (n=19, 32[30-34] years). GLBP presents worse QoL, SQ, functional status, anxiety and depression (p<0.05). MS-GLBP (n=32) had worse SQ (p=0.006), functional status (p<0.0001), anxiety and depression (p<0.05) compared to CG and present worse QoL (p<0.05) compared to M-GLBP (n=24). M-GLBP has worse functional status compared to CG (p<0.001). Pain intensity is moderately correlated to functional status (r=0.56; p<0.0001). Conclusion: Women with moderate to severe GLBP presented worse QoL, SQ, functional status, increased depression and anxiety compared to CG, even mild GLBP have impact on functional status and pain intensity have moderate correlation with functional status.
Metformina frente a Diabetes Gestacional: existe eficácia?
Authors: Cabral Juliano da Silva , Ferrer Alan Oliveira , Paula Jussara Miranda de , Felzener Manoel Carlos Melillo
Published: April 2023

A Diabetes Mellitus Gestacional é uma patologia relacionada com o aumento da resistência à insulina e uma intolerância a glicose, com alterações na glicemia detectada pela primeira vez durante o período gestacional. Frente a essas situações são consideradas diversas terapêuticas, a insulina sendo considerada o padrão-ouro, mas com reconhecimento de novas opções que envolvam os fármacos orais, como a metformina. Objetivou-se discorrer sobre a eficácia do uso da metformina frente a diabetes gestacional. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, através de busca nas bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS, via BVS e na SciELO, utilizando os Descritores em Ciências da Saúde: Gestação, Diabetes e Metformina, em associação ao operador booleano “AND”. Chegou-se à totalidade de 16 estudos para compor a revisão. O uso da metformina gerou resultados positivos, como o menor nível de colesterol total, ácido úrico e microalbuminúria, menores riscos de nascimento prematuro e do desenvolvimento de anomalias congênitas, auxiliou na glicemia pós-prandial, menor ganho de peso materno e evitou a hipoglicemia materna e neonatal. A eficácia geral é comprovada, entretanto ainda é um tema que carece de mais estudos, pois o mesmo também apresenta resultados negativos e pode ocasionar em complicações maternas e fetais, visto que a metformina é uma medicação que atravessa a placenta, o que pode levar a danos no feto.
Avaliação dos Métodos de Neuroimagem na Síndrome de Sturge-Weber: Revisão Integrativa
Authors: Santos Igor Gino Mecenas , Abritta Roberta Teixeira Rocha
Published: April 2023

A Síndrome de Sturge-Weber é uma facomatose com incidência de 1:20.000-50.000 nascidos vivos e está relacionada à presença de Mancha Vinho do Porto facial. Alterações vasculares geradas pela mutação do gene GNAQ causam o acometimento cutâneo, cerebral e ocular. Tem como principal sintoma neurológico o aparecimento de epilepsia, que geralmente ocorre antes dos 2 anos de idade. As crises epilépticas podem ser de difícil controle e estão associadas a hemiparesia, prejuízo intelectual e alterações de comportamento, principalmente quando estas se iniciam antes dos 6 meses de idade. Essa é uma revisão integrativa que objetiva analisar a literatura quanto aos métodos de neuroimagem indicados atualmente para o diagnóstico do angioma leptomeníngeo em crianças com fatores de risco para a síndrome. Foram selecionados 34 artigos dentre os encontrados nas bases de dados MEDLINE e LILACS. A partir deles constatou-se que a RNM continua sendo o exame de escolha para diagnóstico inicial, enquanto a TC não tem indicação nesse momento e deve ser reservada para emergências. Os estudos funcionais são preferíveis na avaliação cirúrgica e os métodos ultrassonográficos se mostram promissores na indisponibilidade de outros métodos e para acompanhamento do tratamento medicamentoso.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Docetaxel-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Libardi do Amaral Camila
Published: April 2023

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPCa) is an advanced stage of prostate cancer in which a tumour progresses even under androgen deprivation. Treatment alternatives for CRPCa remain very limited and mostly rely on docetaxel-based chemotherapy. Despite being shown to increase patients’ overall survival, docetaxel’s clinical efficacy is impaired by development of chemoresistance. Most patients do not respond to docetaxel treatment and even those initially responsive ultimately develop resistance. Recently, chemoresistance was found to be closely related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process in which epithelial cells transition into a mesenchymal phenotype. In fact, EMT markers are overexpressed in prostate cancer and are correlated to a higher Gleason score. For this reason, new therapeutic strategies are being studied to inhibit this process in several cancers. However, the clinical usefulness of targeting EMT as a way to overcome docetaxel resistance in CRPCa is still questionable and suffers from some significant limitations. This review briefly summarises the most common mechanisms of EMT-induced chemoresistance and evaluates its use as a new approach to overcome docetaxel resistance in CRPCa.
Does Race/Ethnicity Have a Role in a Link Between Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Metabolic Syndrome?
Authors: Ho Lee Seong , Kon Lee Sang
Published: April 2023

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a highly prevalent disease related to the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. A large body of evidence has suggested a link between MS and the components of MS with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) complex. The pathogenesis of MS is complex and not fully understood. Furthermore, recent results from epidemiological studies, including multiple Asian reports, have not been consistent. The risk of BPH is lower in Asian men compared with white men and the prevalence of MS varies by race and ethnicity. An elevated risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia is closely related to MS and is observed in Asian men even if their body mass index is low. However, the role of race and ethnic disparity in the link between MS and LUTS secondary to BPH is not elucidated. It has been suggested that the pathogenesis of LUTS is multifactorial rather than developing from BPH, which is the traditional concept. Lifestyle and genetic factors may substantially modify the risk of MS and LUTS/BPH. This comprehensive literature review summarises the scientific evidence of the racial/ethnic disparity regarding the association between MS and LUTS/BPH in order to improve current understanding of this controversial issue.
Recent Advances in the Pharmacotherapy of Premature Ejaculation
Authors: Butcher Michael J. , Can Serefoglu Ege
Published: April 2023

Premature ejaculation (PE) can be a very distressing condition and has been studied for many years. However, there exists confusion about the definition, incidence, and management of this condition. Treatment through pharmacotherapy has been focussed on topical agents along with oral antidepressant medications. The use of sexual psychology can also play a role in treatment of PE, often when added to medical therapies. Other alternative medical treatments have also been used with mixed outcomes. Although there is no perfect treatment for PE that works for every patient every time, there is ongoing research for the optimal therapy for men who complain about this problem. A review of the current understanding and medical management of PE will be set in this paper along with potential future treatments.
Music Hall, Revue and Modernity in Victor Saville'sEvergreen
Authors: Featherstone Simon
Published: April 2023

Victor Saville's Evergreen (1934) has long been regarded as an innovative British film musical in its aspirations to the idioms and production values of American cinema of the period and in its integration of continental European artistic design. Complementing these features, this article argues, is a less noted but unusually specific engagement with popular British performance practices and their historical contexts. An examination of the film's representation of music hall and revue, both in its narrative and in its diegetic dance and song sequences, suggests their importance for Gaumont-British's attempt to establish Jessie Matthews as a distinctively novel performer in changing contexts of both British and American film production. More broadly, it also complicates the dominant model of the alleged decline of popular theatre in the period as a result of its competitive engagement with cinema, presenting instead a nuanced sense of their interaction in the 1930s that prefigures the importance of domestic performance traditions for a later period of British national cinema.
Liminality and the End of Empire inThe 7thDawn
Authors: Cornelius Paul , Rhein Douglas
Published: April 2023

This article reassesses the impact of The 7thDawn, a British adventure drama from 1964 about the Malayan Emergency. Using a contextual methodology, it examines the film as a product of the Cold War and against the background of previous British films made about the Emergency. Key to understanding the film is its representation of Malaya as a liminal space undergoing a transition to independence and a reflection of that political and physical state in the leading protagonist as a liminal individual undergoing a psychological transition. Among the contextual issues addressed are how colonialism during a time of transition to Malayan independence is seen through the film’s imagery, how ethnic differences are portrayed and how individual roles came to stand for political ideologies. Through formal textual analysis, the study of biographies, memoirs and original texts, as well as through references to film history, the article asserts that this hitherto neglected film should be seen as reflective of a turning point in the depiction of colonialism and attitudes towards race and ethnicity in English language feature films about South East Asia.
Shimizu–Morioka's chaos synchronization: An efficacy analysis of active control and backstepping methods
Authors: Tarammim Absana , Akter Musammet Tahmina
Published: April 2023

This research study inspects the effectiveness of synchronization methods such as active control and backstepping control from systematic design procedures of a synchronized Shimizu–Morioka system for the same parameter. It aimed to achieve synchronization between the state variables of two identical Shimizu–Morioka chaotic systems by defining the proposed varieties of the error dynamics coefficient matrix. Furthermore, this study also aimed to designed an active controller that enables the synchronization of these systems. The use of designed recursive backstepping nonlinear controllers was based on the Lyapunov function. Furthermore, it also demonstrated the stability of the synchronization of the nonlinear identical Shimizu–Morioka system. The new virtual state variable and establishment of Lyapunov functionals are used in the backstepping controller to stabilize and reduce errors between the Master (MS)/Drive (DS) systems. For comparison, the complexity of active controllers is verified to be such that the designed controller's effectiveness based on backstepping is attainable in engineering applications. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed synchronization strategy with the Runge–Kutta (RK-4) algorithm of fourth order through MatLab Simulink.
Protein engineering of NADH pyrophosphatase for efficient biocatalytic production of reduced nicotinamide mononucleotide
Authors: Liu Ye , Gong Jin-Song , Marshall George , Su Chang , Hall Michael , Li Heng , Xu Guo-Qiang , Shi Jin-Song , Xu Zheng-Hong
Published: April 2023

Introduction: NADH pyrophosphatase, a hydrolase catalyzing the phosphate bond of NADH to reduced nicotinamide mononucleotide, has potential applications in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.

Methods: Here, we investigated the effects of vector screening, promoter and RBS strategies on NADH pyrophosphatase expression and protein engineering on its enzymatic activity and thermal stability.

Results: In this study, we describe a NADH pyrophosphatase derived from Escherichia coli (EcNudc). Strategies focusing on expression regulation including screening vectors, optimizing promoters and ribosome binding sites were utilized to enhance the productivity of EcNudc (1.8 U/mL). Moreover, protein engineering was adopted to further improve the catalytic properties of EcNudc, achieving 3.3-fold higher activity and 3.6-fold greater thermostability at 50°C. Furthermore, fermentation for the combined mutant R148A-H149E (EcNudc-M) production in a 7 L fermenter was implemented and the enzyme activity of EcNudc-M reached 33.0 U/mL. Finally, the EcNudc-M was applied in the catalysis of NADH with the highest NMNH yield of 16.65 g/L.

Discussion: In conclusion, we constructed a commercially available genetically engineered strain with high activity and thermal stability of NADH pyrophosphatase, laying a broad foundation for the biocatalytic industrial production of NMNH and expand its application range.
Characterizing viscoelastic properties of human melanoma tissue using Prony series
Authors: Park Seungman , Chien Anna L. , Brown Isabelle D. , Chen Jingchun
Published: April 2023

Melanoma is the most invasive and deadly skin cancer, which causes most of the deaths from skin cancer. It has been demonstrated that the mechanical properties of tumor tissue are significantly altered. However, data about characterizing the mechanical properties of in vivo melanoma tissue are extremely scarce. In addition, the viscoelastic or viscous properties of melanoma tissue are rarely reported. In this study, we measured and quantitated the viscoelastic properties of human melanoma tissues based on the stress relaxation test, using the indentation-based mechanical analyzer that we developed previously. The melanoma tissues from eight patients of different ages (57–95), genders (male and female patients), races (White and Asian), and sites (nose, arm, shoulder, and chest) were excised and tested. The results showed that the elastic property (i.e., shear modulus) of melanoma tissue was elevated compared to normal tissue, while the viscous property (i.e., relaxation time) was reduced. Moreover, the tissue thickness had a significant impact on the viscoelastic properties, probably due to the amount of the adipose layer. Our findings provide new insights into the role of the viscous and elastic properties of melanoma cell mechanics, which may be implicated in the disease state and progression.
Active disturbance rejection control of three-phase LCL power conversion system under non-ideal grid conditions
Authors: Wang Sue , Yang Junbo
Published: April 2023

Under non-ideal grid operating conditions such as unbalanced grid voltage and harmonic grid that are commonly found in microgrid conditions, the negative sequence components of the microgrid voltage interfere with the active and reactive current controls in the power conversion system, leading to an increase in the harmonic content of the grid-side current and affecting the power quality of the microgrid system. To solve these problems, firstly, the mathematical model of the LCL-type power conversion system is analyzed, and a linear active disturbance rejection control based on model compensation is designed. Secondly, the influence of non-ideal power grid conditions on the control of the LCL-type power conversion system is analyzed, and the active disturbance rejection control strategy of the LCL-type power conversion system based on frequency-locked loops with harmonic cancellation modules (HCM-FLL) is proposed, which speeds up the system, improves the system’s robustness, and reduces the harmonic content of the network measurement current under the condition of power grid voltage unbalance and harmonic power grid. Finally, by using the verification of MATLAB/Simulink simulation, the current power quality obviously under the condition of voltage unbalance and harmonic power grid is evidently improved by the proposed control strategy. When compared to the traditional control methods, the control strategy proposed in this study features a simple control structure, making it easy to implement in engineering without requiring high controller performance or additional circuits. This reduces design costs and provides a wide range of controller parameters, ensuring strong anti-interference performance without the need for frequent controller parameter adjustments.
Intra city-size distribution in the Yangtze River Delta Region: Equalization or polarization
Authors: Pang Zehua , Zhao Xianchao , Wang Chengxiang
Published: April 2023

In the context of China’s New Urbanization Strategy, a growing number of cities are beginning to experience significant changes in their intra-city structure and size distribution, but systematic research is still lacking. This paper investigated the intra city-size distribution of 214 cities in China’s Yangtze River Delta Region (YRDR) from 1990 to 2020. The study used the Pareto index to portray the equalization differences in intra city-size distribution, and investigated the heterogeneity of its influencing factors using multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR). The results showed that most of the cities in the YRDR had a city-size distribution consistent with a Pareto distribution but still tended to be polarized. Among them, the better-developed large cities and regions were more consistent with the Zipf distribution, as were the county-level cities and prefecture-level cities. In terms of spatio-temporal distribution, the intra city-size distribution showed a spatial agglomeration pattern of “polarization in the west and equalization in the east” and the scope and intensity of cold and hot spots reduced. Regarding driving factors, land, industry, and population were essential influences on the intra city-size distribution. Of these, the natural environment and location were important global influencing factors, and economic and social factors only had a more significant influence in 1990 and 2020. The impact of industry restructuring gradually increased, and the population was a significant influence only in the early years. By exploring the intra city-size distribution, this paper provides a scientific basis for the optimization of town structure and policy formulation in small and medium-sized cities, and some new concerns have been proposed.
Regulation of water bodies to urban thermal environment: Evidence from Wuhan, China
Authors: Xie Qijiao , Ren Lu , Yang Chenzhe
Published: April 2023

Exploring how water bodies work on the thermal environment in a real and complex urban context is of great significance to develop urban blue infrastructure (BI) system for climate adaption. Previous studies mainly focused on the water cool island (WCI) effect in the microenvironment, which cannot provide enough evidence for systematic application. This study explored the cooling effect of water bodies on the urban environment in Wuhan, China based on three scenarios in which water bodies was regarded as individual samples, water network system and one landscape category of urban ecosystem, respectively. Results indicate that all detected water bodies expressed WCI effect with the mean WCI intensity of 5.5°C and the range of 1.1°C to 13.3°C. The main factors influencing the cooling effect of urban water body system were Percent of landscape (PLAND_W), Landscape shape index (LSI_W) and Contrast-weighted edge density (CWED_W) of water bodies, which could explain 69.0% of urban LST variation. An urban water body system with relatively larger water area, more regular boundary and simpler surroundings might be more efficient in cooling the urban environment. Nevertheless, when considering the interaction of water bodies with other land covers on thermal environment, the contribution of water bodies to the cooling benefit was depressed. The main factors were Similarity index_mean of Construction land (SIMI_MN_C), Class area of Construction land (CA_C), Total edge contrast index of Water body (TECI_W), Landscape shape index of Water body (LSI_W) and Percent of landscape of Vegetated area (PLAND_V). They combined to explain 71.9% of LST variation in urban areas. Developing an urban BI system by connecting the dispersed water bodies and fragmenting the contiguous construction land in rapidly urbanized areas can be more realistic for mitigating UHI effect and adapting to climate change.
How does livestock graze management affect woodland soil health?
Authors: Bastani Maryam , Sadeghipour Ahmad , Kamali Nadia , Zarafshar Mehrdad , Bazot Stephane
Published: April 2023

Soil is the fundamental component of each terrestrial ecosystem, so the consequences of land management regime on soil health and productivity should be evaluated. To this end, the long term effects of livestock grazing management on soil health were studied in three land management systems of north-eastern Iran, comprising unlimited grazing, managed grazing, and a rangeland where grazing was prohibited. First, properties including pH, EC, bulk density and contents of phosphorus, potassium and calcium in soils subject to the three grazing management regimes were compared. Then, seasonal variations of organic carbon, total nitrogen, microbial respiration (BR and SIR), carbon and nitrogen of microbial biomass (MBC and MBN), fungal biomass and AMF (Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) spore density were studied at the three sites. Several soil stoichiometric microbial indicators were also compared. Soil phosphorus contents were found to drastically decline (by around 40%) in response to long term unlimited grazing, while soil acidity and bulk density slightly increased under that grazing regime, in comparison with managed-grazing and grazing-excluded rangelands. Season and grazing management had significant impacts on all the studied variables. Although soil nitrogen content increased, presumably due to livestock urine, organic carbon content and all the soil microbial variables declined in grazed sites, which were also the ones with lower plant cover. A higher AFM spore density was observed around the rhizosphere of Artemisia aucheri, the most frequent plant, in lands with unlimited grazing. Based on these results, managed grazing is strongly recommended rather than any kind of unlimited or continuous grazing.
The immunomodulatory mechanisms for acupuncture practice
Authors: Wang Meng , Liu Weili , Ge Jiayi , Liu Shenbin
Published: April 2023

The system physiology approaches that emerge in western countries in recent years echo the holistic view of ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practices that deal with the root, rather than only the symptoms of diseases. Particularly, TCM practices, including acupuncture, emphasize the mobilization of self-healing mechanisms to bring back body homeostasis. Acupuncture has been practiced for over two thousand years to modulate body physiologyviastimulation at specific body regions (acupoints). With the development of various research on acupuncture therapy, its regulatory effect on the immune system has been gradually recognized, especially on immunological diseases, including infectious and allergic diseases. In this study, we reviewed the immunomodulatory mechanism of acupuncture and systematically integrates existing research to respectively elucidate the modulatory mechanisms of acupuncture on the innate immune system, adaptive immune system, and well-known neuroanatomical mechanisms, including intact somatosensory-autonomic reflex pathway. With the advances made in recent systems physiology studies, we now have a great opportunity to gain insight into how acupuncture modulates immunity, and subsequently improves its efficacy.
Environmental efficiency of ports under the dual carbon goals: Taking China’s Bohai-rim ports as an example
Authors: Li Jinpei , Ren Jianing , Ma Xun , Xiao Guangnian
Published: April 2023

In 2020, China proposed the country’s dual carbon goals of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Under the dual carbon goals, the low-carbon transformation has become an important development direction for Chinese ports. Taking eight ports in China’s Bohai-rim port group as an example, this study adopts the Slacks-Based Measure (SBM) model to evaluate the port efficiency considering the environmental factor of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The results show that the average scale environmental efficiency of the eight ports during 2005-2020 is the highest, followed by local pure technical environmental efficiency and global technical environmental efficiency. The efficiency values of each port under different environmental efficiency categories vary greatly. Overall, each port is in a state of environmental inefficiency. From port technology, input-output optimization, supervision, and management of relevant departments, recommendations for improving the environmental efficiency of ports under the dual carbon goals are put forward.
Prognostic prediction based on histopathologic features of tumor microenvironment in colorectal cancer
Authors: Shi Liang , Zhang Yuhao , Wang Hong
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To automatically quantify colorectal tumor microenvironment (TME) in hematoxylin and eosin stained whole slide images (WSIs), and to develop a TME signature for prognostic prediction in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

A deep learning model based on VGG19 architecture and transfer learning strategy was trained to recognize nine different tissue types in whole slide images of patients with CRC. Seven of the nine tissue types were defined as TME components besides background and debris. Then 13 TME features were calculated based on the areas of TME components. A total of 562 patients with gene expression data, survival information and WSIs were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas project for further analysis. A TME signature for prognostic prediction was developed and validated using Cox regression method. A prognostic prediction model combined the TME signature and clinical variables was also established. At last, gene-set enrichment analysis was performed to identify the significant TME signature associated pathways by querying Gene Ontology database and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database.

Results

The deep learning model achieved an accuracy of 94.2% for tissue type recognition. The developed TME signature was found significantly associated to progression-free survival. The clinical combined model achieved a concordance index of 0.714. Gene-set enrichment analysis revealed the TME signature associated genes were enriched in neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway.

Conclusion

The TME signature was proved to be a prognostic factor and the associated biologic pathways would be beneficial to a better understanding of TME in CRC patients.
Shenkang injection combined with alprostadil for chronic renal failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xie Feng , Zhang Tiantian , Zhang Pu , Qu Xinliang , Li Min , Lan Wei
Published: April 2023

Objective

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Shenkang injection (SKI) combined with alprostadil in the treatment of chronic renal failure (CRF).

Method

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Shenkang injection combined with alprostadil in CRF treatment were investigated by retrieving a total of 7 databases including CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library, with the search time ranging from 2012 to now. Revman 5.2 software was used for data analysis, and Cochrane bias risk tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included literature. The final results were represented by relative risk (RR), mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results

A total of 20 RCTs and 1,573 patients were included in this study. Meta-analysis showed that the overall response rate (ORR) of the treatment group was superior to the control group [RR = 0.20, 95% CI (0.16, 0.25), P < 0.00001]. Compared with the control group, the treatment group achieved favorable improvement in terms of the creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) [MD = 9.48, 95% CI (8.73, 10.24), P < 0.00001], serum creatinine (Scr) [MD = −55.12, 95% CI (−63.42, −46.82), P < 0.00001], quantitative urine protein (Upro) [MD = −0.48, 95% CI (−0.53, −0.43), P < 0.00001], and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) [MD=-3.73, 95% CI (−4.08, −3.3) 7, P < 0.00001]. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of adverse reactions in each group.

Conclusion

Currently, Shenkang injection combined with alprostadil has been widely used in clinical treatment of CRF due to the certain effect superior to other methods. However, its specific efficacy and safety need to be further verified through numerous large-scale clinical trials.
Milk-borne diseases through the lens of one health
Authors: Kapoor Sunandini , Goel Akhil Dhanesh , Jain Vidhi
Published: April 2023

Reviewing “zoonotic diseases” classically brings to mind human infections contracted in close association with animals, where outdoor occupations and afforested lands usually play a key role in the epidemiological triad. However, there is a very common, yet overlooked route of infection where humans may not come in direct contact with animals or implicated environments. Milk-borne diseases are a unique set of infections affecting all age groups and occupational categories of humans, causing 4% of all the foodborne diseases in the world. The infection reservoir may lie with milch animals and associated enzootic cycles, and the infectious agent is freely secreted into the animal’s milk. Commercial pooling and processing of milk create unique environmental challenges, where lapses in quality control could introduce infective agents during downstream processing and distribution. The infectious agent is finally brought to the doorstep of both rural and urban households through such animal products. The domestic hygiene of the household finally determines human infections. One health approach can target preventive measures like immunization in animals, pasteurization and stringent quality control during the commercial processing of milk, and finally, hygienic practices at the level of the consumer, to reduce the burden of milk-borne diseases. This review hopes to draw the attention of policymakers to this unique route of infection, because it can be easily regulated with cost-effective interventions, to ensure the safety of this precious food product, permeating the life and livelihood of humans from all walks of life.
p120-catenin subfamily members have distinct as well as shared effects on dendrite morphology during neuron development in vitro
Authors: Donta Maxsam S. , Srivastava Yogesh , Di Mauro Christina M. , Paulucci-Holthauzen Adriana , Waxham M. Neal , McCrea Pierre D.
Published: April 2023

Dendritic arborization is essential for proper neuronal connectivity and function. Conversely, abnormal dendrite morphology is associated with several neurological pathologies like Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia. Among major intrinsic mechanisms that determine the extent of the dendritic arbor is cytoskeletal remodeling. Here, we characterize and compare the impact of the four proteins involved in cytoskeletal remodeling–vertebrate members of the p120-catenin subfamily–on neuronal dendrite morphology. In relation to each of their own distributions, we find that p120-catenin and delta-catenin are expressed at relatively higher proportions in growth cones compared to ARVCF-catenin and p0071-catenin; ARVCF-catenin is expressed at relatively high proportions in the nucleus; and all catenins are expressed in dendritic processes and the soma. Through altering the expression of each p120-subfamily catenin in neurons, we find that exogenous expression of either p120-catenin or delta-catenin correlates with increased dendritic length and branching, whereas their respective depletion decreases dendritic length and branching. While increasing ARVCF-catenin expression also increases dendritic length and branching, decreasing expression has no grossly observable morphological effect. Finally, increasing p0071-catenin expression increases dendritic branching, but not length, while decreasing expression decreases dendritic length and branching. These distinct localization patterns and morphological effects during neuron development suggest that these catenins have both shared and distinct roles in the context of dendrite morphogenesis.
A case report of multi-step management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysm and carotid-cavernous fistula combination in patients
Authors: Nurimanov Chingiz , Makhambetov Yerbol , Kaliyev Assylbek , Akshulakov Serik
Published: April 2023

Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECAA) and carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCF) are rare arterial pathologies with severe complications and increased risk of mortality. The optimal treatment approach for this combined condition is a topic of debate among neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists, and a standardized treatment protocol has yet to be established. The aim of this case report was to demonstrate the management of a rare combination of ECAA and CCF in patients. The treatment strategy included a two-step procedure of endovascular embolization of CCF followed by dual antiplatelet therapy and endovascular stenting of an aneurysm. Control angiograms showed the exclusion of an aneurysm from the blood circulation and CCF symptoms were resolved.
Predictive role of blood-based indicators in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders
Authors: Fang Xiqin , Sun Sujuan , Yang Tingting , Liu Xuewu
Published: April 2023

Introduction

This study aimed to assess the predictive role of blood markers in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD).

Methods

Data from patients with NMOSD, multiple sclerosis (MS), and healthy individuals were retrospectively collected in a 1:1:1 ratio. The expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score was used to assess the severity of the NMOSD upon admission. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to distinguish NMOSD patients from healthy individuals, and active NMOSD from remitting NMOSD patients. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate risk factors that could be used to predict disease recurrence. Finally, Wilcoxon signed-rank test or matched-sample t-test was used to analyze the differences between the indicators in the remission and active phases in the same NMOSD patient.

Results

Among the 54 NMOSD patients, neutrophil count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) (platelet × NLR) were significantly higher than those of MS patients and healthy individuals and positively correlated with the EDSS score of NMOSD patients at admission. PLR can be used to simultaneously distinguish between NMOSD patients in the active and remission phase. Eleven (20.4%) of the 54 patients had recurrence within 12 months. We found that monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) (AUC = 0.76, cut-off value = 0.34) could effectively predict NMOSD recurrence. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that a higher MLR at first admission was the only risk factor for recurrence (p = 0.027; OR = 1.173; 95% CI = 1.018–1.351). In patients in the relapsing phase, no significant changes in monocyte and lymphocyte count was observed from the first admission, whereas patients in remission had significantly higher levels than when they were first admitted.

Conclusion

High PLR is a characteristic marker of active NMOSD, while high MLR is a risk factor for disease recurrence. These inexpensive indicators should be widely used in the diagnosis, prognosis, and judgment of treatment efficacy in NMOSD.