bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impaired episodic-like memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease is associated with hyperactivity in prefrontal–hippocampal regions
Authors: Tan Sijie , Tong Wen Han , Vyas Ajai
Published: March 2023

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disorder with a long prodromal period. An APPNL-G-F knock-in mouse model is a preclinical model to study incipient pathologies during the early stages of AD. Despite behavioral tests revealing broad cognitive deficits in APPNL-G-F mice, detecting these impairments at the early disease phase has been challenging. In a cognitively demanding task that assessed episodic-like memory, 3-month-old wild-type mice could incidentally form and retrieve ‘what–where–when’ episodic associations of their past encounters. However, 3-month-old APPNL-G-F mice, corresponding to an early disease stage without prominent amyloid plaque pathology, displayed impairment in recalling ‘what–where’ information of past episodes. Episodic-like memory is also sensitive to the effect of age. Eight-month-old wild-type mice failed to retrieve conjunctive ‘what–where–when’ memories. This deficit was also observed in 8-month-old APPNL-G-F mice. c-Fos expression revealed that impaired memory retrieval in APPNL-G-F mice was accompanied by abnormal neuronal hyperactivity in the medial prefrontal cortex and CA1 dorsal hippocampus. These observations can be used for risk stratification during preclinical AD to detect and delay the progression into dementia.
Aerobic Exercise, Cognitive Performance, and Brain Activity in Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: VAN RIPER STEPHANIE M. , TEMPEST GAVIN D. , PICCIRILLI AARON , MA QIANHENG , REISS ALLAN L.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder for which behavioral treatments such as exercise are recommended as part of a multidisciplinary treatment program. Exercise improves executive function in individuals with ADHD, but limited information exists regarding the mechanisms involved in the response. We examined task-evoked brain responses during exercise and seated rest in 38 adolescents (n = 15 ADHD; age, 13.6 ± 1.9; male, 73.3%; n = 23 typically developing (TD; age, 13.3 ± 2.1; male, 56.5%)).

Methods

Participants completed a working memory and inhibitory task while cycling at a moderate intensity for 25 min (i.e., exercise condition) and while seated on the bike without pedaling (i.e., control condition). Conditions were randomized and counterbalanced. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy measured relative changes in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration in 16 brain regions of interest. Brain activity for each cognitive task and condition was examined using linear mixed-effects models with a false discovery rate (FDR) correction.

Results

The ADHD group had slower response speeds for all tasks and lower response accuracy in the working memory task during exercise compared with the TD group (P < 0.05). For the inhibitory task, the ADHD group had lower brain activity in the inferior/superior parietal gyrus during exercise compared with the control condition, whereas the opposite was true for TD (FDRcorrected, P < 0.05). For the working memory task, higher brain activity during exercise was observed, regardless of group, in the middle and inferior frontal gyrus and the temporoparietal junction (FDRcorrected, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Dual-task performance is challenging for adolescents with ADHD, and exercise may modulate neuronal resources in regions such as the temporoparietal junction and frontal areas known to be hypoactive in this population. Future research should examine how these relationships change over time.
Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in the Portuguese Population: What Has Changed from 2008 to 2018?
Authors: MAGALHÃES JOÃO P. , HETHERINGTON-RAUTH MEGAN , ROSA GIL B. , CORREIA INÊS R. , PINTO GRAÇA M. , FERREIRA JOSÉ P. , COELHO-E-SILVA MANUEL J. , RAIMUNDO ARMANDO M. , MOTA JORGE , SARDINHA LUÍS B.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Assessment of trends in physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) is important for evaluating the effectiveness of national policies and setting goals to improve population PA. This study describes changes in measured PA and ST through motion sensors of the Portuguese population from 2008 to 2018.

Methods

PA and ST were measured with accelerometry from individuals (≥10 yr) participating in the 2008 (n = 4 532) and 2018 (n = 6 369) Portuguese PA Surveillance Systems. Changes were analyzed using generalized linear and logistic models adjusted for accelerometer wear time. A weight factor was applied to all analyses in order to achieve national representativeness of the present results.

Results

In 2018, 15.4%, 71.2%, and 30.6% of Portuguese youth, adults, and older adults met the PA recommendations. Compared with 2008, the percentage meeting the PA guidelines increased in youth females (4.7% vs 7.7%, P < 0.05) and adult males (72.2% vs 79.4%, P < 0.05). A decrease in ST was observed for adult males, whereas ST increased in all youth. Male youth decreased the number of breaks in ST (BST per hour), whereas a favorable increase was found for both adult and older adult males and females.

Conclusions

PA has remained fairly stable between 2008 and 2018 for all groups, except for youth females and adult males. For ST, a favorable decrease was observed for adult males; however, an inverse trend was found in youth. These results are relevant for policy makers to develop health care policies aimed at promoting PA and reducing ST across all age-groups.
Hormonal Contraceptives Do Not Influence Concussion Recovery in Collegiate Athletes: Data from the NCAA-DoD CARE Consortium
Authors: KAY JACOB J. M. , MANGOLD KIERSTEN I. , LAPOINTE ANDREW , MCALLISTER THOMAS W. , ARENT SHAWN M. , MCCREA MICHAEL , BROGLIO STEVEN P. , TORRES-MCGEHEE TONI , MOORE ROBERT D.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The hormonal withdrawal hypothesis suggests that progesterone reduction in women after concussion may lead to greater symptom burden and longer recoveries. Current evidence indicates that hormonal stability after head injury may be an important moderator of postconcussive recovery. Thus, female athletes using hormonal contraceptives (HC) may exhibit better recovery profiles as their hormone levels are artificially stabilized. Our investigation sought to examine the relation between HC use and concussion outcomes in female student-athletes.

Methods

This longitudinal study examined concussion outcomes from female student-athletes participating in the NCAA-DoD CARE Consortium Research Initiative, including academic years 2014 to 2020. Eighty-six female collegiate athletes reporting HC use (HC+) were group matched on age, body mass index, race/ethnicity, sport contact level, concussion history, and current injury characteristics (i.e., amnesia, loss of consciousness) to 86 female collegiate athletes reporting no HC use (HC−). All participants had sustained a concussion and completed the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, 3rd edition Symptom Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory-18, and Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing at preinjury baseline, 24 to 48 h postinjury, and when cleared for unrestricted return to play. To provide an index of recovery trajectory, days between injury and unrestricted return to play were calculated.

Results

Groups did not differ on length of recovery, postconcussion symptoms, psychological health, or cognitive assessments. No differences were observed between groups on any measure when accounting for baseline levels of performance.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that HC use does not influence recovery trajectory, symptoms, or recovery of cognitive function after concussion.
Cross-Lagged Associations between Physical Activity, Motor Performance, and Academic Skills in Primary School Children
Authors: HAAPALA EERO A. , WIDLUND ANNA , POIKKEUS ANNA-MAIJA , LIMA RODRIGO ANTUNES , BRAGE SOREN , AUNIO PIRJO , LAKKA TIMO A.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Few longitudinal studies have investigated the interwoven longitudinal dynamics between physical activity (PA), motor performance, and academic skills in middle childhood. Therefore, we investigated the cross-lagged associations between PA, motor performance, and academic skills from grade 1 to grade 3 in Finnish primary school children.

Methods

A total of 189 children 6–9 yr old at baseline comprised the study sample. Total PA was assessed using a questionnaire filled out by parents, moderate-to-vigorous PA by combined heart rate and body movement monitor, motor performance by 10 × 5-m shuttle run test, and academic skills by arithmetic fluency and reading comprehension tests in grade 1 and grade 3. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling adjusted for gender, parental education, and household income.

Results

The final model fitted the data very well (χ
2
37 = 68.516, P = 0.0012, root-mean-square error of approximation = 0.067, comparative fit index = 0.95, Tucker–Lewis Index = 0.89) and explained 91% of variance in the latent academic skills variable, 41% of the variance in the latent PA variable, and 32% of variance in motor performance in grade 3. Better motor performance in grade 1 was associated with higher academic skills in grade 3, but it did not predict PA. PA was not directly or indirectly associated with academic skills. However, higher levels of PA in grade 1 predicted better motor performance in grade 3. Academic skills did not predict PA or motor performance.

Conclusions

These results suggest that better motor performance, but not PA, predicts later academic skills. Academic skills in grade 1 do not contribute to PA or motor performance in the early school years.
Przybycie św. Jacka Odrowąża do Krakowa w 1222 roku w świetle nowo odkrytego źródła
Authors: Gałuszka Tomasz
Published: March 2023

Artykuł dotyczy zagadnienia daty i okoliczności przybycia św. Jacka Odrowąża do Krakowa. Dzięki odnalezienie w zbiorach Rosyjskiej Biblioteki Narodowej w Petersburgu średniowiecznego rękopisu, można ostatecznie przeciąć spekulacje na temat czasu pojawienia się Jacka w Krakowie. Niewątpliwie został on posłany do Polski nie przez św. Dominika, ale przez drugiego generała Zakonu, bł. Jordana z Saksonii, a przybył do Krakowa w drugiej połowie 1222 r.
Tożsamość hybrydowa człowieka. Udręka czy wartość psychologiczno-kulturowa?
Authors: Nikitorowicz Jerzy
Published: March 2023

The author assumes that modern man is constantly mobilized to cross the frames of
their own culture and to shape a multicultural identity. The author’s thesis about
crossing inherited culture, getting to know, and using other cultures in the process of
identity formation was based on constructivism and personalism. The author also refers
to the transcultural concept of Wolfgang Welsch. He points out that a hybrid identity,
on the one hand, can lead to isolation and be a psychological and cultural anguish, and
on the other hand, it can be an added value of the developing identity. In the text, the
author presents examples of hybrid identity, noting that it is currently difficult to
develop a seamless identity. He draws attention to the need to conduct a dialogue with
oneself and with others, to better understand oneself in the context of understanding
and taking responsibility for the Other.
Investor Behavior Under Epistemic vs. Aleatory Uncertainty
Authors: Walters Daniel J. , Ülkümen Gülden , Tannenbaum David , Erner Carsten , Fox Craig R.
Published: March 2023

We provide evidence that investor behavior is sensitive to two dimensions of subjective uncertainty concerning future asset values. Investors vary in the extent to which they attribute market uncertainty to (1) missing knowledge, skill, or information (epistemic uncertainty) and (2) chance or stochastic processes (aleatory uncertainty). Investors who view stock market uncertainty as higher in epistemicness (knowability) are more likely to reduce uncertainty by seeking guidance from experts and are more responsive more responsive to available information when choosing whether to invest. In contrast, investors who view stock market uncertainty as higher in aleatoriness (randomness) are more likely to reduce uncertainty through diversification, and their risk preferences better predict whether they choose to invest. We show, further, that attributions of uncertainty can be perturbed by the format in which historical information is presented: charts displaying absolute stock prices promote perceptions of epistemicness and greater willingness to pay for financial advice, whereas charts displaying the change in stock prices from one period to the next promote perceptions of aleatoriness and a greater tendency to diversify.

This paper was accepted by Yuval Rottenstreich, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Funding: This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation [Grant SES-1427469] to C. R. Fox and Gülden Ülkümen. Additional support for this work was provided by INSEAD and UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4489 .
Finding the Nondominated Set and Efficient Integer Vectors for a Class of Three-Objective Mixed-Integer Linear Programs
Authors: Ceyhan Gökhan , Köksalan Murat , Lokman Banu
Published: March 2023

We consider a class of three-objective mixed-integer linear programs (MILPs) where at least one of the objective functions takes only discrete values. These problems commonly occur in MILPs where one or more of the three objective functions contain only integer decision variables. In such problems, the nondominated set consists of the union of nondominated edges and individual nondominated points. The nondominated edges can provide valuable insights on the trade-offs between the two continuous objectives at different levels of the discrete-valued objective. We develop an objective-space search algorithm that keeps partitioning the search space by progressively creating cones in the two-dimensional feasible space of the two continuous objectives for relevant values of the discrete-valued objective. The algorithm generates the nondominated points or edges in the nonincreasing order of the feasible values of the selected discrete-valued objective. Additionally, the algorithm uncovers all efficient integer variable vectors, including different vectors that lead to the same nondominated points or edges. We apply the algorithm to the day-ahead electricity market clearing problem.

This paper was accepted by Chung Piaw Teo, optimization.

Supplemental Material: The data files and e-companion are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4712 .
Surprising erythrocytosis resolution after myomectomy: myomatous erythrocytosis syndrome
Authors: Salaroli Adriano , Couillandre Pauline , Lewalle Philippe , Benghiat Samantha Fleur
Published: March 2023

Myomatous erythrocytosis syndrome (MES) is a rare gynaecological condition associated with the presence of a uterine fibroid and isolated polycythaemia. The main characteristic of MES is that haemoglobin returns to a normal level after removal of the myoma. MES is poorly known and still not fully understood. This case report describes the history of a patient with MES with surprising erythrocytosis resolution after myomectomy.
BURACOS NEGROS SUPERMASSIVOS: III. SAGITÁRIO A* NO CENTRO DA VIA LÁCTEA
Authors: Madejsky Rainer Karl
Published: March 2023

A radiofonte Sagitário A* (Sgr A*) no exato centro da Via Láctea em uma distância de 8 kpc é o buraco negro supermassivo mais próximo do sistema solar. A observação no visível é impossível devido a uma absorção muito eficiente causada por nuvens de gás e poeira do disco galáctico. As observações no infravermelho realizadas durante três décadas indicam a presença de uma massa compacta de quase quatro milhões de massas solares na posição de Sgr A*. As técnicas observacionais no rádio desenvolvidas ao longo de meio século, culminaram na construção de uma imagem da sombra do buraco negro supermassivo Sgr A* pela colaboração do telescópio EHT (Event Horizon Telescope). Em torno da sombra é observado um anel de emissão de radiação síncrotron. A aparência do anel foi reproduzida em simulações magneto-hidrodinâmicas relativísticas e o seu diâmetro indica uma massa de 4 X 10 6 M ⊙ para Sgr A*. Em conjunto com M 87*, a observação da sombra de Sgr A* representa uma excelente confirmação direta da existência de buracos negros supermassivos, abrangendo mais que três ordens de grandeza em massa.
Three-dimensional inter-layer optical signal transmission realized by a monolithically integrated semiconductor-based carrier transport structure
Authors: Wei Yu-Chien , Mao Ming-Hua
Published: March 2023

In this study, we proposed and demonstrated a brand new type of monolithic photonic devices which realizes the three-dimensional (3D) all-optical switching for inter-layer signal transmission. This device is composed of a vertical Si microrod which serves as optical absorption material within a SiN waveguide in one layer and as an index modulation structure within a SiN microdisk resonator lying in the other layer. The ambipolar photo-carrier transport property in the Si microrod was studied by measuring the resonant wavelength shifts under continuous-wave laser pumping. The ambipolar diffusion length can be extracted to be 0.88 µm. Based on the ambipolar photo-carrier transport in a Si microrod through different layers, we presented a fully-integrated all-optical switching operation using this Si microrod and a SiN microdisk with a pump-probe technique through the on-chip SiN waveguides. The switching time windows for the on-resonance operation mode and the off-resonance operation mode can be extracted to be 439 ps and 87 ps, respectively. This device shows potential applications for the future all-optical computing and communication with more practical and flexible configurations in monolithic 3D photonic integrated circuits (3D-PICs).
Amplification of higher-order Laguerre-Gaussian modes using a dual-pass MOPA system
Authors: Harrison Justin , Forbes Andrew , Naidoo Darryl
Published: March 2023

Structured light beams that are tailored for purpose have found a myriad of applications, from improved efficiency of laser-based industrial manufacturing processes to enhanced bandwidth in optical communication. While the selection of such modes is readily achievable at low powers (<100 mW) with external shaping devices, creating and controlling structured light at higher powers (>1 W) has proven to be a non-trivial task, particularly if dynamic control is required. Here we demonstrate the power amplification of low-power higher-order Laguerre-Gaussian modes using a novel in-line dual-pass master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA). The amplifier, operating at a wavelength of 1064 nm, consists of a polarization-based interferometer that alleviates parasitic lasing effects. Through our approach we demonstrate a gain factor of up to 17×, corresponding to an overall enhancement of 300% in amplification compared to a single-pass output configuration while preserving the beam quality of the input mode. These findings are confirmed computationally using a three-dimensional split-step model and show excellent agreement with the experimental data.
Tunable metalensing based on plasmonic resonators embedded on thermosresponsive hydrogel
Authors: Ullah Naeem , Khalid Ata Ur Rahman , Ahmed Shehzad , Iqbal Shahid , Khan Muhammad Ismail , Rehman Majeed Ur , Mehmood Andleeb , Hu Bin , Tian Xiaoqing
Published: March 2023

Metalenses of adjustable power and ultrathin flat zoom lens system have emerged as a promising and key photonic device for integrated optics and advanced reconfigurable optical systems. Nevertheless, realizing an active metasurface retaining lensing functionality in the visible frequency regime has not been fully explored to design reconfigurable optical devices. Here, we present a focal tunable metalens and intensity tunable metalens in the visible frequency regime through the control of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic behavior of freestanding thermoresponsive hydrogel. The metasurface is comprised of plasmonic resonators embedded on the top of hydrogel which serves as dynamically reconfigurable metalens. It is shown that the focal length can be continuously tuned by adjusting the phase transition of hydrogel, the results reveal that the device is diffraction limited in different states of hydrogel. In addition, the versatility of hydrogel-based metasurfaces is further explored to design intensity tunable metalens, that can dynamically tailor the transmission intensity and confined it into the same focal spot under different states, i.e., swollen and collapsed. It is anticipated that the non-toxicity and biocompatibility make the hydrogel-based active metasurfaces suitable for active plasmonic devices with ubiquitous roles in biomedical imaging, sensing, and encryption systems.
POCAL: a Python-based library to perform optical coating analysis and design
Authors: Fontanot Tommaso , Bhaumik Ujjayanta , Kishore Ravi , Meuret Youri
Published: March 2023

In this paper a novel Python library denominated POCAL is presented. POCAL (Python Optical Coating Analysis Library) allows to easily design optical coatings both as single layer and as multilayer stack, monitoring a wide variety of optical properties and, moreover, giving the possibility to automatically refine the multilayer design to achieve the desired optical goals. The library is completely open source, and it can be easily coupled to several Python-based ray tracers or libraries to work on more complex simulations. The results have been extensively tested and are comparable with the ones obtained using commercial software.
Intercropping of Stylosanthes green manure could improve the organic nitrogen fractions in a coconut plantation with acid soil
Authors: Huang Dongfen , Liu Xulin , Huan Hengfu , Liu Guodao , Hu An
Published: March 2023

Intercropping green manure (GM) may be a good solution to the problems of acid soil in tropical plantations. Soil organic nitrogen (No) may change due to the application of GM. A three-year field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different utilization patterns of Stylosanthes guianensis GM on soil No fractions in a coconut plantation. Three treatments were set: no GM intercropping (CK), intercropping and mulching utilization pattern (MUP), and intercropping and green manuring utilization pattern (GMUP). The content dynamics of soil total N (TN) and soil No fractions including of non-hydrolysable N (NHNo) and hydrolyzable N (HN) in the cultivated soil layer was examined. The results showed that after three years of intercropping, the TN content of the MUP and GMUP treatment was 29.4% and 58.1% respectively higher (P < 0.05) than those of the initial soil, and the No fractions content of GMUP and MUP treatment was 15.1%-60.0% and 32.7%-111.0% higher (P < 0.05) than those of the initial soil. The further results indicated that after three years of intercropping, compared with CK, GMUP and MUP could increase the content of TN by 32.6% and 61.7% respectively, and No fractions content was also increased by 15.2%-67.3% and 32.3%-120.3%% respectively (P < 0.05). The No fractions content of GMUP treatment was 10.3%-36.0% higher than those of MUP treatment (P < 0.05). These results indicated that intercropping Stylosanthes guianensis GM could significantly increase the soil N including of the TN an No fractions content, and the GMUP was more effective than MUP, therefore, GMUP is a better GM utilization pattern to improve the soil fertility and should be popularized in the tropical fruit plantation.
Newcastle disease burden in Nepal and efficacy of Tablet I2 vaccine in commercial and backyard poultry production
Authors: Napit Rajindra , Poudel Ajit , Pradhan Saman M. , Manandhar Prajwol , Ghaju Sajani , Sharma Ajay N. , Joshi Jyotsna , Tha Suprim , Dhital Kavya , Rajbhandari Udaya , Basnet Amit , Schwind Jessica S. , Rajbhandari Rajesh M. , Karmacharya Dibesh B.
Published: March 2023

Poultry (Gallus domesticus) farming plays an important role as an income generating enterprise in a developing country like Nepal, contributing more than 4% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Newcastle Disease (ND) is a major poultry disease affecting both commercial and backyard poultry production worldwide. There were more than 90 reported ND outbreaks in Nepal in 2018 with over 74,986 birds being affected. ND is responsible for over 7% of total poultry mortality in the country. Recent outbreaks of ND in 2021 affected many farms throughout Nepal and caused massive loss in poultry production. ND is caused by a single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus that presents very similar clinical symptoms as Influenza A (commonly known as bird flu) adding much complexity to clinical disease identification and intervention. We conducted a nationwide ND and Influenza A (IA) prevalence study, collecting samples from representative commercial and backyard poultry farms from across the major poultry production hubs of Nepal. We used both serological and molecular assessments to determine disease exposure history and identification of strains of ND Virus (NDV). Of the 40 commercial farms tested, both NDV (n = 28, 70%) and IAV (n = 11, 27.5%) antibodies were detected in majority of the samples. In the backyard farms (n = 36), sero-prevalence of NDV and IAV were 17.5% (n = 7) and 7.5% (n = 3) respectively. Genotype II NDV was present in most of the commercial farms, which was likely due to live vaccine usage. We detected never reported Genotype I NDV in two backyard farm samples. Our investigation into 2021 ND outbreak implicated Genotype VII.2 NDV strain as the causative pathogen. Additionally, we developed a Tablet formulation of the thermostable I2-NDV vaccine (Ranigoldunga™) and assessed its efficacy on various (mixed) breeds of chicken (Gallus domesticus). Ranigoldunga™demonstrated an overall efficacy >85% with a stability of 30 days at room temperature (25°C). The intraocularly administered vaccine was highly effective in preventing ND, including Genotype VII.2 NDV strain.
Incidentally found resectable lung cancer with the usage of artificial intelligence on chest radiographs
Authors: Kwak Se Hyun , Kim Eun-Kyung , Kim Myung Hyun , Lee Eun Hye , Shin Hyun Joo
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Detection of early lung cancer using chest radiograph remains challenging. We aimed to highlight the benefit of using artificial intelligence (AI) in chest radiograph with regard to its role in the unexpected detection of resectable early lung cancer.

Materials and methods

Patients with pathologically proven resectable lung cancer from March 2020 to February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, we included patients with incidentally detected resectable lung cancer. Because commercially available AI-based lesion detection software was integrated for all chest radiographs in our hospital, we reviewed the clinical process of detecting lung cancer using AI in chest radiographs.

Results

Among the 75 patients with pathologically proven resectable lung cancer, 13 (17.3%) had incidentally discovered lung cancer with a median size of 2.6 cm. Eight patients underwent chest radiograph for the evaluation of extrapulmonary diseases, while five underwent radiograph in preparation of an operation or procedure concerning other body parts. All lesions were detected as nodules by the AI-based software, and the median abnormality score for the nodules was 78%. Eight patients (61.5%) consulted a pulmonologist promptly on the same day when the chest radiograph was taken and before they received the radiologist’s official report. Total and invasive sizes of the part-solid nodules were 2.3–3.3 cm and 0.75–2.2 cm, respectively.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates actual cases of unexpectedly detected resectable early lung cancer using AI-based lesion detection software. Our results suggest that AI is beneficial for incidental detection of early lung cancer in chest radiographs.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy compared to pharmacological intervention in fibromyalgia patients following traumatic brain injury: A randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Ablin Jacob N. , Lang Erez , Catalogna Merav , Aloush Valerie , Hadanny Amir , Doenyas-Barak Keren , Finci Shachar , Polak Nir , Fishlev Gregory , Korin Calanit , Tzidky Rachel Yehudit , Meir Genuth Oshra , Efrati Shai
Published: March 2023

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome with unsatisfactory response to current treatments. Physical trauma, including traumatic brain Injury (TBI) is among the etiological triggers. Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an intervention that combines 100% oxygen with elevated atmospheric pressure. HBOT has been applied as a neuro-modulatory treatment in central nervous system–related conditions. The current study investigated the utility of HBOT for TBI–related fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia patients with a history of TBI were randomized to either HBOT or pharmacological intervention. HBOT protocol comprised 60 daily sessions, breathing 100% oxygen by mask at 2 absolute atmospheres (ATA) for 90 minutes. Pharmacological treatment included Pregabalin or Duloxetine. The primary outcome was subjective pain intensity on visual analogue scale (VAS); Secondary endpoints included questionnaires assessing fibromyalgia symptoms as well as Tc-99m-ECD SPECT brain imaging. Pain threshold and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) were also assessed. Results demonstrated a significant group-by-time interaction in pain intensity post-HBOT compared to the medication group (p = 0.001), with a large net effect size (d = -0.95) in pain intensity reduction following HBOT compared to medications. Fibromyalgia related symptoms and pain questionnaires demonstrated significant improvements induced by HBOT as well as improvements in quality of life and increase in pain thresholds and CPM. SPECT demonstrated significant group-by-time interactions between HBOT and medication groups in the left frontal and the right temporal cortex. In conclusion, HBOT can improve pain symptoms, quality of life, emotional and social function of patients suffering from FMS triggered by TBI. The beneficial clinical effect is correlated with increased brain activity in frontal and parietal regions, associated with executive function and emotional processing.
Morphological-anatomical and chemical features of Copernicia alba fruits and seeds, a palm from Brazilian Pantanal
Authors: Silva Rosa Helena da , Silva Anny Beatriz , Arruda Rafael , Vargas Isabela Pavão , Zanoelo Fabiana Fonseca , Damasceno Junior Geraldo Alves , Pott Arnildo , Arruda Rosani do Carmo de Oliveira
Published: March 2023

Copernicia alba (Arecaceae) is a palm tree regionally known as carandá that forms large populations and produces abundant fruits, an important food source for the local fauna in Brazilian wetlands. The fruits present morphological variations regarding color, shape and dimensions. In this study fruits of different shapes were collected and processed following routine techniques in plant morphology, and biochemistry analysis of endosperm. (hemicellulose) The fruits isdark, of the berry type, with partially fibrous pericarp, rich in phenolic compounds; the ruminated seed coat also contains phenols; the endosperm, formed of cells with highly thickened, not lignified hemicellulosic walls, stores xyloses, proteins and lipids. The embryo is short and straight. Xylose is the leading sugar of xylan, which can be liberated by hydrolysis with specific enzymes, such as xylanases. This sugar is of interest in several industrial sectors, such as the production of biofuels and xylitol for foods. Excepting depth of seed rumination, C. alba fruits do not have relevant differences in anatomy and classes of substances detected. The fruit yield showed differences associated with its shape, indicating the best utilization. Considering fruit anatomical features and tissue composition, we highlight that the seeds of C. alba have the potential as a new functional food source.
Ratio of extracellular water to intracellular water and simplified creatinine index as predictors of all-cause mortality for patients receiving hemodialysis
Authors: Yajima Takahiro , Yajima Kumiko
Published: March 2023

The bioelectrical impedance analysis-measured ratio of extracellular water (ECW) to intracellular water (ICW) reflects fluid volume and malnutrition. It may be an indicator of protein-energy wasting and muscle wasting in hemodialysis patients. We examined the association between the ECW/ICW ratio and simplified creatinine index, which is a new surrogate marker of protein-energy wasting and muscle wasting, and whether their combination can accurately predict mortality. A total of 224 patients undergoing hemodialysis for more than 6 months and having undergone bioelectrical impedance analysis for the assessment of body composition were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on the cut-off values of the ECW/ICW ratio (0.57) and simplified creatinine index (20.4 mg/kg/day) for maximumly predicting mortality. Thereafter, they were cross-classified into four groups with each cut-off point. The ECW/ICW ratio was independently associated with the simplified creatinine index (β = -0.164; P = 0.042). During a follow-up of 3.5 years (2.0–6.0 years), 77 patients died. A higher ECW/ICW ratio (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.66, 95% confidence interval 1.99–6.72, P <0.0001) and lower simplified creatinine index (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.25, 95% confidence interval 1.34–3.79, P = 0.0021) were independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. The adjusted hazard ratio for the higher ECW/ICW ratio and lower simplified creatinine index group vs. the lower ECW/ICW ratio and higher simplified creatinine index group was 12.22 (95% confidence interval 3.68–40.57, p <0.0001). Furthermore, the addition of the ECW/ICW ratio and simplified creatinine index to the baseline risk model significantly improved the C-index from 0.831 to 0.864 (p = 0.045). In conclusion, the ECW/ICW ratio may be a surrogate marker of muscle wasting. Moreover, combining the ECW/ICW ratio and simplified creatinine index may improve the accuracy of predicting all-cause mortality and help stratify the mortality risk of hemodialysis patients.
Awareness, attitudes, and perceptions of drive-thru community pharmacy services among the general public in Malaysia during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Ababneh Bayan F. , Ong Siew Chin , Hussain Rabia
Published: March 2023

Introduction

There is a lack of attention to drive-thru services in the community pharmacy setting, particularly during the COVID-19 period in Malaysia. The main objective of this study was to assess the public awareness, attitudes, and perceptions towards drive-thru community pharmacy services among during COVID-19 in Malaysia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administrated, web-based survey (Google form) among the public in Malaysia between May and June 2022. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. Associations between the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants and the use of drive-thru community pharmacy services were assessed using a chi-square test. Regression analyses were carried out to determine whether the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were associated with perceptions towards drive-thru community pharmacy services.

Results

A total of 565 (70.6%) of the general public completed the survey instrument. The median age of study participants was 40.0 (IQR = 36.0) and about half of them were males (50.6%, n = 286). Although 18.6% (n = 105) of the participants reported the presence of DTCPS in their cities, only 9.0% (n = 51) reported having used this service. Most of the participants were supportive to establish drive-thru services at community pharmacies in the country. Most of the believed advantages among participants were that DTCPS are helpful during COVID-19 and quarantine time 48.0% (n = 271) by enhancing social distancing and reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus 48.5% (n = 274). Among sociodemographic factors, non-Malaysian nationality (p<0.001), and age above 55 years (p = 0.01) were found to negatively affect participants’ perceptions towards drive-thru community pharmacy services.

Conclusion

This study showed positive awareness, attitudes, and perceptions toward drive-thru community pharmacy services during COVID-19 in Malaysia among the public. The participants believed that those services were helpful during COVID-19 to enhance social distancing and to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Integrating media studies concepts into theories of the policy process: Enhancing the role of media as a climate service in the wake of recurring extreme weather events
Authors: Groff Stephen P.
Published: March 2023

Theories of agenda-setting, punctuated equilibrium and framing undergird theories of the policy process. These theories presume that public attention to extreme weather events would result in an increased likelihood of policy action. However, another possibility suggests that the increasing frequency, expanded range and extended duration of climate disasters could result in the normalization of extreme weather events. Despite increasing news coverage of heatwaves, supercell tornados, record wildfires and 1000-year weather events, existing points of intractability have hardened to dull pathways for policy change. By integrating more recent media studies concepts associated with citizen journalism, image events and upward activation into theories of the policy process, this theoretical review identifies new areas of interdisciplinary collaboration and examines how mobile media, social media and shortform video (MSV) can be used to perform climate services and encourage policy action in the wake of ongoing and recurring extreme weather events.
A Strategic Nature: Public Relations and the Politics of American Environmentalism, Melissa Aronczyk and Maria I. Espinoza (2022)
Authors: Morris Hanna E.
Published: March 2023

Review of: A Strategic Nature: Public Relations and the Politics of American Environmentalism, Melissa Aronczyk and Maria I. Espinoza (2022)

New York: Oxford University Press, 320 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-19005-535-6, p/bk, $27.95
Single-cell transcriptomics defines Dot1L interacting partners and downstream target genes in the mouse molar dental pulp
Authors: Guzzo Rosa , Enkhmandakh Badam , Becker Timothy , Joshi Pujan , Robson Paul , Vijaykumar Anushree , Mina Mina , Shin Dong-Guk , Bayarsaihan Dashzeveg
Published: March 2023

Although histone methyltransferases are implicated in many key developmental processes, the contribution of individual chromatin modifiers in dental tissues is not well understood. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we examined the expression profiles of the disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (Dot1L) gene in the postnatal day 5 mouse molar dental pulp. Dot1L is the only known enzyme that methylates histone 3 on lysine 79, a modification associated with gene expression. Our research revealed 15 distinct clusters representing different populations of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), immune cells, pericytes, ameloblasts and endothelial cells. We documented heterogeneity in gene expression across different subpopulations of MSCs, a good indicator that these stromal progenitors undergo different phases of osteogenic differentiation. Interestingly, although Dot1L was broadly expressed across all cell clusters within the molar dental pulp, our analyses indicated specific enrichment of Dot1L within two clusters of MSCs, as well as cell clusters characterized as ameloblasts and endothelial cells. Moreover, we detected Dot1L co-expression with protein interactors involved in epigenetic activation such as Setd2, Sirt1, Brd4, Isw1, Bptf and Suv39h1. In addition, Dot1L was co-expressed with Eed2, Cbx3 and Dnmt1, which encode epigenetic factors associated with gene silencing and heterochromatin formation. Dot1l was co-expressed with downstream targets of the insulin growth factor and WNT signaling pathways, as well as genes involved in cell cycle progression. Collectively, our results suggest that Dot1L may play key roles in orchestrating lineage-specific gene expression during MSC differentiation.
A 14-year-old patient with Prader-Willi syndrome: a case report
Authors: Marlinna Marlinna , Julia Madarina , Noormanto Noormanto
Published: March 2023

Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a disorder resulting from a loss of genetic information on chromosome 15q11.2-q13 inherited from the father. It can be caused by paternal deletions (65-75%) or uniparental maternal disomy (20-30%). The prevalence of PWS is estimated to be 1/10,000 - 1/20,000 births.1 Although its incidence is relatively rare, PWS can cause major health problems for patients and decreased quality of life for their families.

The course of PWS is characterized by severe hypotonia in the neonatal period, severe feeding problems resulting in growth failure, as well as small hands and feet. Hypogonadism manifests as genital hypoplasia, delayed puberty, and infertility. Children with PWS have delayed motor and language development. Most patients have some degree of intellectual disability. Hyperphagia and obesity occur in early childhood. The patient’s excessive eating behavior affects the patient’s and family’s quality of life, and is often responsible for high morbidity and mortality.
Priority Areas for Increasing the Competitiveness of the Agro-Industrial Complex and Environmental Sustainability
Authors: NURMANBETOVA Arailym , ZHUSSUPOV Yerzhan , AKIMBEKOVA Galiya , GRIDNEVA Yelena , KALIAKPAROVA Gulnar , KHAN Yury
Published: March 2023

The article considers the place of agro-industrial complex of Kazakhstan in the national economic complex of the country, which has certain problems that affect the current state.  In the course of the study of the agro-industrial complex the author considered the participation in the formation of the country's GDP, dynamics and structure of gross agricultural output as the main branch of the agro-industrial complex.

As a result, the main problems were identified and the priority tasks to solve the problems of management of the agro-industrial complex, based on the target indicators of development of the agro-industrial complex until 2020, in order to further forecast and model the forecast values until 2025 through the dynamics of gross agricultural production of Kazakhstan for 2016-2020, GDP structure by economic activity, the structure of gross agricultural production by industry, profitability of agricultural production, and indicators of import.
Productivity Loss Due to Deaths Caused by Cardiovascular Diseases Associated with Exposure to Air Pollutants in Sorocaba, Brazil in the Years of 2015 to 2017
Authors: DA COSTA Pedro Rachid , NASCIMENTO Luiz Fernando C.
Published: March 2023

Air pollution from air pollutants has associations with causes of hospitalization. Objective is to evidence the association between exposure to pollutants 03, PM10 and NO2, on hospital deaths in the public network. The loss of productive potential of this population was analyzed with “Anos Potencias de Vida Perdidos (APVP)”. Methodology used ecological study of the time series, where the dependent variable considered was the number of hospital admissions that died: cardiovascular diseases (41 to 64 years old). The statistical approach used the Poisson Regression model with lags from 0 to 7 days. The financial costs and increases in the number of hospitalizations resulting from increases in the concentration of 10 μg in air were estimated. Coefficients were converted into relative risk of hospitalization adopting alpha = 5%. The result was 232 occurrences, not all exclusive and related to pollution. The value obtained was R$626 thousand and a cost of use of R$319 thousand reais. The APVP, was 2547 years with an associated cost of around R$56 million. Attributing loss of life associated with pollutants in the air, due to an increase of 10 μg in the air, we could avoid 20 deaths and the cost of around 3 million reais.
Food Safety Control as a Guarantee of Consumer Protection: Institutional Component
Authors: MYTNYK Aliesia , LATYSHEVA Viktoriia , VASECHKO Lyudmyla , SHCHERBAKOVA Nataliia , SEROHINA Nataliia
Published: March 2023

A serious challenge for modern society is the problem of ensuring food safety, which has reached the international scale. Despite the global scale of the food safety problem, its solution seems possible through the effective operation of relevant national institutions in the first place. The research objective was to determine the contribution of food safety control to consumer protection by the example of Ukraine and the experience of some foreign countries. The article covers the following issues: the current state of food security in Ukraine and some foreign countries; weaknesses and strengths of the national food control system and discussion of possible ways to improve; the most important regulatory decisions in the field of food safety and consumer protection; reforming the national food control system and developing general recommendations for the formation of an effective national food control system. The object of research is the institutional component of food safety control.
Beauty and the Beasts
Authors: Noble Tim
Published: March 2023

Editorial
Beauty of the Cosmos and Beauty Crucified. Two Theses
Authors: Reijnen Anne Marie
Published: March 2023

This paper presents two theses concerning beauty. The first thesis affirms the universal appeal of beauty as cosmos. Harmony, order, regularity, symmetry are the constant elements of classical beauty acknowledged by all, along with a sense of economy, of the proportion between the means and the end, without waste. The second thesis deals with another beauty which interrupts the harmony. This can be called beauty crucified. It is counterintuitive and paradoxical. It is God’s Word revealing itself in the astounding anomaly of a bush burning without being consumed, and in the life that rises from a gruesome death. These two theses do not aim to be antithetical, for both kinds of beauty are at home in the world. The two forms or meanings of beauty may, therefore, appear to be difficult to reconcile. But the article concludes by suggesting that Paul Tillich, writing on holy waste, may offer one way of understanding the ongoing validity and importance of both theses.
Beauty Reminding Us of the Lost Paradise or of the Kingdom to Come?
Authors: Theissen Gesa
Published: March 2023

Based on a paper given at a conference, this article seeks to go beyond a mere recounting of leading theologians’ writings on beauty and aesthetics. Rather it focuses onan exploration of where most people concrete instances of beauty in our world that may remind them/us of both the lost paradise and of the kingdom of God. The paper asks whether beauty reminds us of a lost paradise, a beauty to which we desire to return, or of the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of justice, peace and goodness, to which we are inexorably drawn. It suggests that beauty pertains to both paradise and the kingdom of God, not least as they are not entirely separate entities but are linked with one another.
A Sophiological Understanding of Beauty
Authors: Kočandrle Bauer Kateřina
Published: March 2023

The article elaborates on the notion of beauty in the Russian Orthodox context of sophiology as one of the theological streams of the modern period. It explores a sophiological understanding of beauty in the work of two significant Russian Orthodox priests and close friends, Sergei Bulgakov and Pavel Florensky. It also brings into the discussion the unconventional voice of Bulgakov’s spiritual daughter, the Orthodox nun Mother Maria Skobtsova. It shows their understanding of the beauty that is manifested in creation, in people, and in human creativity and love. It also answers the question of what kind of beauty saves the world and how we distinguish beauty from ugliness and mere aestheticism.