bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A systematic review of patient baseline characteristics, procedural details and outcomes of combined transcatheter valvular interventions.
Authors: Muhyieddeen Amer , Asaodurian Miro , Sadhale Ashwini , Amini Mehdia , Balla Sujana , Fang Min-Lin , Saba Sheeda , Rathod Ankit
Published: March 2021

Background Valvular heart pathologies remain amongst the most encountered conditions surgeons and interventionists face today. Multi-valve procedures exhibit higher operative mortality than do single valve procedures, with a mortality rate that is double its counterpart. Up until recently, surgical repair was the gold standard for most diseased valves. With the advent of new percutaneous and transcatheter technologies for valve replacement, many patients deemed inoperable due to prohibitively high surgical risk have been able to benefit from these new lesser invasive techniques. Currently, one systematic review article exists by Ando et al which included 37 studies and 60 patients and demonstrated reasonable clinical outcomes in patients undergoing combined transcatheter aortic and mitral valve intervention (CTAMVI). Since that original article, many new papers and studies have been published. We purpose an updated systematic review of all cases of combined percutaneous/transcatheter multi-valvular repairs.Methods An electronic search will be performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane through September 2020 to identify eligible observation studies and RCTs. A complete electronic search will be conducted from January 1st 2000 to September 1st 2020 with Pubmed, EMBASE and Cochrane. All search results will be uploaded to COVIDENCE and screened by title or abstract and included for full manuscript review when it’s deemed relevant to the systematic review. All data will be abstracted into a dedicated excel spreadsheet and used for further data analysis. Demographic information such as patient’s age, sex and location will be extracted. Further information such as performed procedure, surgical risk, whether procedures were done simultaneously or staged, deployed device and clinical outcomes will be extracted as well. Discussion Within the medical literature, there is limited data available regarding combined transcatheter aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valve intervention. This is an attractive alternative in high-surgical risk patients with combined valvular disease. However, its procedural details and clinical outcomes have not been well described in any current medical guidelines. Through our systematic review we will be able to better elucidate and a establish strategies for undergoing transcatheter interventions in high risk patients who require multi-valvular repair.
Factors Associated With Use of Telemedicine for Follow-up of SLE in the COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: SO Ho , CHOW Evelyn , Cheng Isaac T , LAU Sze-Lok , Li Tena K , SZETO Cheuk-Chun , TAM Lai-Shan
Published: March 2021

Background Telemedicine has become an essential tool to manage patients with chronic disease during the COVID-19 pandemic in many parts of the world, and its widespread use will likely go beyond the outbreak. However, there is no study examining the factors associated with telemedicine use for follow-up of patients with SLE.Methods Consecutive patients followed up at the lupus nephritis clinic were contacted for their preference in changing the coming consultation to telemedicine in the form of videoconferencing. The demographic, socioeconomic and disease data of the first 140 patients opted for telemedicine and 140 control patients preferred to continue standard in-person follow-up were compared. Results The mean age of the 280 recruited patients was 45.6 ± 11.8 years. The mean disease duration was 15.0 ± 9.2 years. The majority of them had lupus nephritis class III, IV or V (88.2%) and were on prednisolone (90%). Three quarters of the patients (67.1%) were on immunosuppressants. The mean SLEDAI-2k was 4.06 ± 2.54, physician global assessment (PGA) was 0.46 ± 0.62 and SLICC/ACR damage index was 1.11 ± 1.36. A significant proportion of the patients (72.1%) had one or more comorbidities. It was found that patients with higher mean PGA (telemedicine: 0.54±0.63 vs control: 0.38±0.59, p=0.025) and family monthly income > USD3, 800 (telemedicine: 51/140, 36.4% vs control: 33/140, 23.6%; p=0.028) preferred telemedicine, while full-time employees (telemedicine: 56/140, 40.0% vs control: 71/140, 50.7%; p=0.041) preferred in-person follow-up. These predictors remained significant after controlling for age in the multivariate analysis. PGA was positively correlated with the perception that TM could reduce and routine visit could increase the risk of COVID-19 during the outbreak. No other clinical factors were found to be associated with the preference of telemedicine follow-up. Conclusions When choosing the mode of care delivery between telemedicine and physical clinic visit for patients with SLE, the subjective disease activity as well as patient’s employment and economic status appeared to be important.
Fabrication and Characterization of Zeolite ZSM-12@MOF-74 Nanoporous Coordination Polymer Nanocomposite for removal of environmental toxic substances
Authors: Albouyeh Azita , Pourahmad Afshin , Kefayati Hassan
Published: March 2021

White rice husk silica (RHS) was used as a silica source for ZSM-12 (MTW) zeolite synthesis. The ZSM-12 zeolite derived from RHS was prepared by hydrothermal method at 150°C. MOF-74(Zn) metal–organic framework (MOF) as a shell was growth over zeolite ZSM-12 as a core at room temperature. The ZSM-12@MOF-74 core@shell was used as a visible light driven photocatalyst for degradation of methylene blue (MB). The materials were characterized using a range of techniques. The ZSM-12@MOF-74 core@shell indicated the highest photocatalytic activity. Degradation mechanism was attributed to electrons and holes are generated in the organic ligand. The core@shell was extremely stable during five cycle test and did not demonstrate any explicit loss of photocatalytic activity during five cycle tests. The used adsorbent can be reused for adsorptive removal through simply washing.
Peculiar Histopathological Alterations of Enterocytes in A Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patient with Mycobacterial Tuberculosis Co-Infection
Authors: AL-Zaidi Rana , AL-Noor Nasir , Habbash Adel
Published: March 2021

Background: The ongoing novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is principally defined by its respiratory symptoms. While it is clear that the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can affect the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 is better understood, the exact pathological alterations following infection require further investigation. The purpose of this paper is to report and share our histopathological findings from a right hemicolectomy specimen of a confirmed COVID-19 positive case, which exhibited a Mycobacterium Tuberculosis co-infection.Methods:Microscopic sections from right hemicolectomy specimen were appropriately stained and studied by two anatomical pathologists. Additionally, we searched PubMed and Google Scholar databases for reports/observations regarding pathological alterations of the intestine following COVID-19 infection.Results:Histological sections showed novel peculiar pathological alterations in the terminal ileal mucosa involving principally absorptive enterocytes with evidence of striking cellular injury as well as prominent erythrophagocytosis in the mesenteric lymph nodes. No specific pathological alterations were observed in the appendix or colon. The characteristic pathological features of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis infection were also observed throughout the specimen.Conclusions:Our observations showed that the novel SARS-CoV-2 can affect the gastrointestinal tract, causing epithelial injury and pathological alterations attributed to its ability to infect absorptive enterocytes by interacting with the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptor. These pathological findings could be regarded as viral cytopathic changes and should be considered when evaluating gastrointestinal specimens from COVID-19 infected patients.
Protein Phosphatase 2A Inhibits Gastric Cancer Cell Glycolysis by Reducing MYC Signaling
Authors: Zhang Wei , Cai Zhenhua , Zhou Ruiqing , Liu Xiaohui , Wang Yuhong , Feng Yunzhang
Published: March 2021

Background: The Warburg effect is closely associated malignant phenotypes and poor prognosis in cancer patients. PP2A is a highly conserved eukaryotic serine/threonine protein phosphatase that functions as a tumor suppressor in a variety of human cancers. However, the relationship between PP2A and the Warburg effect has yet to be fully understood. Methods: The expression profile of two endogenous inhibitors of PP2A, SET and CIP2A, are detected by real-time qPCR. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function are performed to demonstrate the roles of PP2A in gastric cancer cell proliferation and glycolysis. Cell biological, molecular, and biochemical approaches are used to uncover the underlying mechanism. Results: In this study, we find that SET and CIP2A are overexpressed in gastric cancer and associates a decreased PP2A activity. Pharmacological activation of PP2A with FTY-720 and DT-061 significantly reduces gastric cancer cell proliferation and glycolytic ability. Importantly, inhibition of PP2A activity by genetic silencing of PPP2R5A induces a growth advantage, which can be largely compromised by addition of the glycolysis inhibitor 2-Deoxy-D-glucose, suggesting a glycolysis-dependent effect of PP2A in gastric cancer. Mechanistically, the well known transcription factor and glycolysis regulator c-Myc is discovered as the functional mediator of PP2A in regulating cell glycolysis. Ectopic expression of a phosphorylation-mutant c-Myc resistant to PP2A (MycT58A) restores the inhibitory effect of FTY-720 and DT-061 on the lactate production and glucose uptake. Furthermore, there is a close association between SET and CIP2A expression and c-Myc gene signatures in gastric cancer samples. Conclusions: This study provides strong evidence of the involvement of PP2A in the Warburg effect and indicates that it could be a novel antitumor strategy to target tumor metabolism in gastric cancer.
How can we compare multispecies livestock rearing households? – An analysis of the impact of health and production parameters on multispecies livestock rearing outcomes
Authors: Win Tu Tu Zaw , Campbell Angus , Magalhaes Ricardo J. Soares , Oo Kyaw Naing , Henning Joerg
Published: March 2021

Background: The Central Dry Zone (CDZ) of Myanmar is a critical region of livestock production. This region supports 10 million people whose livelihoods depend on small-scale, dry-land agriculture, but it is also one of the poorest regions of Myanmar. Little is known about the constraints to animal health in multi-species livestock farms in this region or the relationships between husbandry practices and measures of the success of livestock rearing such as income, and successful health management.Results: In this study, we describe associations between husbandry practices and animal health problems affecting different body systems. We also develop a biosecurity and livestock disease prevention index that can be compared between livestock species, estimate the income generated from livestock production, and identify factors influencing these parameters. Cross-sectional study was used to collect data on livestock production and health from cattle, sheep, goat and village chicken farmers in 40 villages of the CDZ. Survey-design based techniques and F-statistics, ordinal, and binomial regression were used for data analysis. Our results indicate that a significant proportion of farmers’ income in the CDZ comes from crop production (43.2%) and livestock production (23.1%) and the rest of the farmers’ income is derived from trading, supported by other relatives and employment. Our results indicate that animal health management practices, herd/flock size, and experience of farmers contributed significantly to the presence of animal health problems, in particular related to the physical, respiratory and digestive systems. Animal health management was usually conducted in traditional ways. Among different livestock species farms, cattle farms (cattle median BDPI: 45; IQR: 35-55) practised better biosecurity than other livestock species farms (i.e. small ruminant and village chicken farms) (small ruminant and village chicken BDPI: 10; IQR: 0-20). Interestingly, the ownership groups (i.e. rearing singly or multispecies) did not show any impact on biosecurity and disease prevention index of the farms.Conclusions: This study identified good practice households and these findings will be useful for designing intervention trials to improve the production and health outcomes evaluated in this study.
Prediction of intensive care unit mortality based on missing events
Authors: Shoji Tatsuma , Yonekura Hiroshi , Sato Yoshiharu , Kawashiki yohei
Published: March 2021

BackgroundThe increasing availability of electronic health records has made it possible to construct and implement models for predicting intensive care unit (ICU) mortality using machine learning. However, the algorithms used are not clearly described, and the performance of the model remains low owing to several missing values, which is unavoidable in big databases.MethodsWe developed an algorithm for subgrouping patients based on missing event patterns using the Philips eICU Research Institute (eRI) database as an example. The eRI database contains data associated with 200,859 ICU admissions from many hospitals (>400) and is freely available. We then constructed a model for each subgroup using random forest classifiers and integrated the models. Finally, we compared the performance of the integrated model with the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) scoring system, one of the best known predictors of patient mortality, and the imputation approach-based model.ResultsSubgrouping and patient mortality prediction were separately performed on two groups: the sepsis group (the ICU admission diagnosis of which is sepsis) and the non-sepsis group (a complementary subset of the sepsis group). The subgrouping algorithm identified a unique, clinically interpretable missing event patterns and divided the sepsis and non-sepsis groups into five and seven subgroups, respectively. The integrated model, which comprises five models for the sepsis group or seven models for the non-sepsis group, greatly outperformed the APACHE IV or IVa, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.89–0.92) compared with 0.79 (0.76–0.81) for the APACHE system in the sepsis group and an AUROC of 0.90 (0.89–0.91) compared with 0.86 (0.85–0.87) in the non-sepsis group. Moreover, our model outperformed the imputation approach-based model, which had an AUROC of 0.85 (0.83–0.87) and 0.87 (0.86–0.88) in the sepsis and non-sepsis groups, respectively.ConclusionsWe developed a method to predict patient mortality based on missing event patterns. Our method more accurately predicts patient mortality than others. Our results indicate that subgrouping, based on missing event patterns, instead of imputation is essential and effective for machine learning against patient heterogeneity.Trial registrationNot applicable.
Estimating the Broader Fiscal Consequences of Acute Hepatic Porphyria (AHP) in Belgium Using a Public Economic Analytic Framework
Authors: Connolly Mark , Kotsopoulos Nikos , Vermeersch Sebastian , Patris Julien , Cassiman David
Published: March 2021

Background Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) is a rare, debilitating disease characterized by potentially life-threatening attacks often resulting in chronic symptoms that negatively impact daily functioning and quality of life. Symptoms of AHP prevent many individuals from working and achieving lifetime work averages. The aim of this study was to apply a public economic framework to evaluate AHP in Belgium, taking into consideration a broad range of costs that are relevant to government in relation to social benefit payments and lifetime taxes paid. Methodology A public economic framework was developed exploring lifetime costs for government attributed to an individual with AHP in Belgium. Work-activity and lifetime direct taxes paid, indirect consumption taxes and requirements for public benefits were estimated based on established clinical pathways for AHP and compared to the general population (GP). The model includes AHP-related healthcare costs and non-AHP healthcare costs for the GP. Results Lifetime earnings are reduced in an individual with AHP by €347,802 per person (p.p.), translating to reduced lifetime taxes paid of €183,187 for an AHP individual compared to the GP. We estimate increased lifetime disability benefit support of €247,242 for an AHP individual compared to GP. Lifetime healthcare costs for a person with AHP were estimated to be €3,030,316 due to frequent hospitalisations associated with porphyria attacks compared to the GP. The lifetime costs for a person with 12 attacks per annum factoring in transfers, taxes and healthcare costs are estimated to be €3,460,745 p.p. Eliminating AHP attacks after 10 years of active disease, thus, enabling a person to return to work increases lifetime earnings by €224,575. Increased work activity in this cohort would generate an estimated €118,284 p.p. over their lifetime. The elimination of AHP attacks could also lead to reductions in disability payments of €179,184 p.p. and healthcare cost savings of €1,511,027. Conclusions Due to severe disability resulting from constant attacks, AHP patients incur significant public costs. Lifetime taxes paid are reduced as these attacks occur during peak earning and working years. Reducing AHP attacks can confer significant fiscal benefits for government, including reduced healthcare costs, reduced disability payments and improved tax revenue.
Predicting Gene Interactions in Tumor Microenvironment using Patient Derived Spheroid Primary Cell Culture
Authors: Abdullah Murdani , Utari Amanda Pitarini , Nursyirwan Saskia Aziza , Noor Dimas Ramadhian
Published: March 2021

Objective

Cancer is a heterogenic disease from genetic to individual levels, which induced a variety of therapheutical research and disease progression. Cancer heterogeneity were also observed in most of solid tumors including colorectal cancer. Tumor growth depends on intra-tumoral complexity in which tumor cells surrounded by several cells in their nische known as tumor microenvironment. In this study, we are using spheroid derived primary culture derived from patients to predict expression pattern of tumor growth in their microenvironment in vitro. The gene list were data which obtained from our other “on going publications”
Results

In this study, we cultured patient-derived primary cells for 7 days and analyzed 24 genes that positively expressed in this in vitro system. Using STRING, we presented interactions between proteins which later may predict the interaction between the cells. The result shown that the cells actively using carbon metabolism to maintain energy, to produce several protection mechanism against oxidative stress to evade apoptosis, and to stimulate several protein related to epithelial to mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis in vitro.
Harmful Mutation Load in the Mitochondrial Genomes of Cattle Breeds 
Authors: Subramanian Sankar
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveDomestication of wild animals results in a reduction in the effective population size and this could affect the deleterious mutation load of domesticated breeds. Furthermore, artificial selection will also contribute to accumulation deleterious mutations due to the increased rate of inbreeding among these animals. The process of domestication, founder population size, and artificial selection differ between cattle breeds, which could lead to a variation in their deleterious mutation loads. We investigated this using mitochondrial genome data from 252 animals belonging to 15 cattle breeds of the world. ResultsOur analysis revealed more than fivefold difference in the deleterious mutation load among cattle breeds. We also observed a negative correlation between the neutral heterozygosity and the ratio of amino acid changing diversity to silent diversity. This suggests a proportionally higher amino acid changing variants in breeds with low diversity. Our results highlight the magnitude of difference in the deleterious mutations present in the mitochondrial genomes of various breeds. The results of this study could be useful in predicting the rate of incidence of genetic diseases in different breeds.
Intrabronchial Application of Extracellular Histones Shows No Proinflammatory Effects in Swine in a Translational Pilot Study
Authors: Ruemmler Robert , Ziebart Alexander , Britten Elisabeth , Gosling Moritz , Rissel Rene , Hartmann Erik K.
Published: March 2021

Objective: Extracellular histones have been identified as one molecular factor that can cause and sustain alveolar damage and were linked to high mortality rates in critically ill patients. In this pilot study, we wanted to validate the proinflammatory in vivo effects of local and systemic histone application in a prospective translational porcine model. This was combined with the evaluation of an experimental acute lung injury model using intrabronchial lipopolysaccharides, which has been published previously.Results: The targeted application of histones was successful in all animals. Animals showed decreased oxygenation after instillation, but no differences could be detected between the sham and histone treatments. Additionally, intravenous histone injection had no effect. The histologic analyses and inflammatory responses indicated that there were no differences in tissue damage between the groups.
Intron size minimisation in teleosts
Authors: Jakt Lars Martin , Dubin Arseny , Johansen Steinar Daae
Published: March 2021

BackgroundSpliceosomal introns are parts of primary transcripts that are removed by RNA splicing. Although introns apparently do not contribute to the function of the mature transcript, in vertebrates they comprise the majority of the transcribed region increasing the metabolic cost of transcription. The persistence of long introns across evolutionary time suggests functional roles that can offset this metabolic cost. The teleosts comprise one of the largest vertebrate clades. They have unusually compact and variable genome sizes and provide a suitable system for analysing intron evolution. ResultsWe have analysed intron lengths in 172 vertebrate genomes and show that teleost intron lengths are relatively short, highly variable and bimodally distributed. Introns that were long in teleosts were also found to be long in mammals and were more likely to be found in regulatory genes and to contain conserved sequences. Our results argue that intron length has decreased in parallel in a non-random manner throughout teleost evolution and represent a deviation from the ancestral state.ConclusionOur observations indicate an accelerated rate of intron size evolution in the teleosts and that teleost introns can be divided into two classes by their length. Teleost intron sizes have evolved primarily as a side-effect of genome size evolution and small genomes are dominated by short introns ( < 256 bp). However, a non-random subset of introns has resisted this process across the teleosts and these are more likely have functional roles in all vertebrate clades
Renoprotective effects of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes patients with decompensated heart failure
Authors: Nakagaito Masaki , Imamura Teruhiko , Joho Shuji , Ushijima Ryuichi , Nakamura Makiko , Kinugawa Koichiro
Published: March 2021

Background

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) reduces the risk of the composite renal endpoint and weakens the progressive decline in renal function in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). However, a detailed mechanism of SGLT2i on renal function and outcome remains uninvestigated.
Methods

We prospectively included 40 type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) patients (median 68 years old, 29 male) who were hospitalized for decompensated HF and received SGLT2i during the index hospitalization. Of them, 24 patients had increases in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 12-month follow-up and 16 had decreases in eGFR. We investigated the factors associating with the improvement in renal function of SGLT2i therapy in participants.
Results

Lower plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level and the use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RASI) were independently associated with increases in eGFR during the follow-up period (p < 0.05 for both). Patients with both low plasma BNP levels and uses of RASI had significant increases in eGFR irrespective of the HbA1c levels.
Conclusions

Lower plasma BNP level and the use of RASI at baseline were associated with the renoprotective effect of SGLT2i among patients with decompensated HF and T2DM.
68Ga-labeled ODAP-Urea-based PSMA Agents in Prostate Cancer: First-in-human Imaging of an Optimized Agent
Authors: Duan Xiaojiang , Cao Zhen , Zhu Hua , Liu Chen , Zhang Xiaojun , Zhang Jinming , Ren Yanan , Liu Futao , Cai Xuekang , Guo Xiaoyi , Xi Zhen , G.Pomer Martin , Yang Zhi , Fan Yan , Yang Xing
Published: March 2021

Purpose: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a promising target for prostate cancer imaging and therapy. The most commonly used scaffold incorporates a glutamate-urea (Glu-Urea) function. We recently developed oxalyldiaminopropionic acid-urea (ODAP-Urea) PSMA ligands in an attempt to improve upon the pharmacokinetic properties of existing agents. Here we report the synthesis of an optimized 68 Ga-labeled ODAP-Urea-based ligand, [ 68 Ga]Ga-P 137 , and first-in-human results. Methods: Twelve ODAP-Urea-based ligands were synthesized and radiolabeled with 68 Ga in high radiochemical yield and purity. Their PSMA inhibitory capacities were determined using the NAALADase assay. Radioligands were evaluated in mice bearing 22Rv1 prostate tumors by microPET. Lead compound [ 68 Ga]Ga-P 137 was evaluated for stability, cell uptake and biodistribution. PET imaging of [ 68 Ga]Ga-P 137 was performed in three patients head-to-head compared to [ 68 Ga]Ga-PSMA-617. Results : Ligands were synthesized in 11.1%-44.4% yield and >95% purity. They have high affinity to PSMA( K i of 0.13 NM to 5.47 nM). [ 68 Ga]Ga-P 137 was stable and hydrophilic. [ 68 Ga]Ga-P 137 showed higher uptake than [ 68 Ga]Ga-PSMA-617 in tumor-bearing mice at 6.43 ± 0.98 %ID/g vs 3.41 ± 1.31 %ID/g at 60 min post-injection. In humans studies, the normal organ biodistribution of [ 68 Ga]Ga-P 137 was grossly equivalent to that of [ 68 Ga]Ga-PSMA-617 except for within the urinary tract, in which [ 68 Ga]Ga-P 137 demonstrated lower uptake. Conclusion: The optimized ODAP-Urea-based ligand [ 68 Ga]Ga-P 137 can image PSMA in xenograft models and humans, with lower bladder accumulation to the Glu-Urea-based agent, [ 68 Ga]Ga-PSMA-617, in a preliminary, first-in-human study.
A Constructed and Validated Nomogram for Preoperatively Predicting Cancer-specific Survival Rates in Pediatric Patients with Brainstem Malignant Gliomas: A SEER-based Study
Authors: Che wenqiang , Lyu Jun , Li Chengzhuo , Wang Xiangyu
Published: March 2021

Purpose: Pediatric patients diagnosed with brainstem malignant gliomas (BSMGs) have a poor prognosis. Our study aimed to construct and validate a prognostic nomogram to preoperatively predict the cancer‐specific survival (CSS) rates in these patients.Methods: From 1998 to 2016, we extracted patients' data from Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. A total of 1160 patients were enrolled and randomly divided into training and validating groups. Subsequently, the Cox regression analysis was used to screen variables. Then, the nomogram was constructed. Lastly, we calculated C-indexes and plotted calibration curves and the utility of decision curve analyses (DCAs) to assess our survival model's benefits.Result: Here, after multivariate cox regression analysis, we established four variables for constructing nomogram for CSS rates. Subsequently, the C-index, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and calibration curves were used to confirm the nomogram's good performance. DCAs of the nomogram indicated that both groups obtained good 1-, 3-, and 5-year net benefits. Conclusion: The nomogram model for preoperatively predicting CSS provided a convenient and practical tool to assess pediatric patients' prognosis with BSMG.
The Role and Effectiveness of School-Based Extra-Curricular Interventions on Children’s Health and HIV Related Behaviour: The Case Study of Soul Buddyz Clubs Programme in South Africa
Authors: Letsela Lebohang , Jana Michael , Pursell-Gotz Rebecca , Kodisang Phinah , Weiner Renay
Published: March 2021

This paper sought to examine the role and effectiveness of an extra-curricular school based programme, Soul Buddyz Clubs (SBC) on HIV knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and biomedical outcomes. Secondary data analysis was performed on survey data of a nationally representative sample that was restricted to 10 -14-year-old males and females, using bivariate and multivariate methods in Stata14. Fifteen focus group discussions and 24 in-depth interviews conducted with SBC members, programme implementers and stakeholders in five provinces were analysed using thematic analysis in ATLAS.ti. The results indicated that 12% of respondents were exposed to SBC. Children exposed to SBC were more likely to be medically circumcised (AOR 2.38; 95%CI 1.29 -4.40, p=0.006), had correct HIV knowledge (AOR 2.21; 95%CI 1.36 – 3.57, p<0.001) and had less stigmatising attitudes (AOR 0.54; 95%CI 0.31-0.93, p=0.025) – in comparison to those not exposed. Qualitative findings also supported some of the quantitative results. SBC members reported having learnt about HIV prevention life skills, including condom use, positive attitudes towards people living with HIV, and alcohol abuse. Participation in SBC is associated with accessing biomedical HIV prevention services, specifically MMC, correct HIV prevention knowledge and less stigmatizing attitudes. This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of a school-based extracurricular intervention using a club approach targeting boys and girls ages 10-14 years on some of the key HIV prevention biomarkers as well as knowledge and attitudes. The article suggests that extra-curricular interventions can form an effective component of school-based comprehensive sexuality education in preventing HIV and promoting medical male circumcision.
Bjerknes Compensation in a Coupled Global Box Model
Authors: Shi Jiaqi , Yang Haijun
Published: March 2021

The Earth climate system has an intrinsic mechanism to maintain its energy conservation by impelling opposite changes in meridional ocean and atmosphere heat transports, in response to climate change or variability. This mechanism is briefed as the Bjerknes compensation (BJC). We set up a global coupled two-hemisphere box model in this study, and obtain an analytical solution to the BJC of this system. In the two-hemisphere model, the thermohaline circulation is interhemispheric and parameterized by the density difference between two polar boxes. The symmetric poleward atmosphere heat and moisture transports are considered and parameterized by the temperature gradient between tropical and polar boxes. Different from the BJC in the one-hemisphere box model that depends only on the local climate feedback, the BJC here is determined by both local climate feedback and temperature change. The asymmetric thermohaline circulation leads to a better BJC in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere. Furthermore, an analytical solution to the probability of a valid BJC (i.e., negative BJC) is derived, which is determined only by the local climate feedback. The probability of a valid BJC is usually very high under reasonable climate feedback, which is also found to be robust in the real world based on observational data, implying that the Earth climate system maintains it energy balance very well during the past one hundred years.
Biochar and DMPP Regulated Root-Zone CO2, N2O and CH4 Emissions of Soil-Ridged/Substrate-Embedded Cultivation Sweet Pepper in Chinese Solar Greenhouse
Authors: Li Baoshi , Liu Wenke K. , Wang Qi
Published: March 2021

Northern China is a major production area for off-season vegetables in Chinese solar greenhouse. Usually, greenhouse gas emission flux and coefficient in Chinese solar greenhouse are higher than those in the open field. The reason for this phenomenon is heavy nitrogen (N) fertilization (esp. chemical N and organic manure N) and frequent irrigation during year-round cultivation. A novel substrate cultivation method for vegetable production in Chinese solar greenhouse, called soil-ridged/substrate-embedded cultivation (SSC), was put forward to reduce environmental pollution and increase use efficiency of nutrients. To clarify the characteristics of SSC root-zone greenhouse gas emissions, and the regulation effects of biochar and DMPP addition, five treatments were designed in Chinese solar greenhouse under the same nitrogen application level, including soil-ridge cultivation (SC, as a control), SSC (peat: vermiculite: perlite (v/v = 2:1:1), SSC-B50% (biochar: vermiculite: perlite,v/v = 2:1:1), SSC-B25% (biochar: peat: vermiculite: perlite, v/v = 1:1:1:1), and SSC-DMPP (SSC supplemented with 1% (w/w) DMPP of N fertilizer). Results showed that SSC improved fruit yield of sweet pepper of by 10.99% compared to SC. SSC-B50% and SSC-DMPP significantly improved sweet pepper growth compared to SSC. Moreover, SSC-DMPP increased sweet pepper yield by 10.30% compared to SSC treatment, while SSC-B50% and SSC-B25% treatments lowered the yield by 47.1% and 13.7% separately. Five treatments presented various root-zone temperature features. Also, substrate pH of SC, SSC-B50%, and SSC-B25% is alkaline, while SSC and SSC-DMPP treatments is acidic. Besides, the Global Warming Potential was significantly mitigated in the SSC cultivation compared with the SC. Similarly, the greenhouse gas intensity decreased from 0.074 to 0.038 kg CO2-eq kg− 1 yield. Compared with the SSC treatment, cumulative N2O emissions were significantly reduced in the SSC-DMPP treatment. The greenhouse gas intensity also decreased from 0.038 to 0.033 kg CO2-eq kg− 1 yield. Thus, we concluded that SSC was a promising method characterized with reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased fruit yield. Application of DMPP in SSC cultivation significantly reduced N2O emissions. We recommend SSC method use in Chinese solar greenhouse with DMPP addition in substrate to optimize greenhouse gas mission.
A new perspective of countable and uncountable infinite set on Georg Cantor’s definition in set theory
Authors: Chen Shee-Ping
Published: March 2021

Georg Cantor defined countable and uncountable sets for infinite sets. Natural number set is defined as a countable set, and real number set is proven as an uncountable set by Cantor’s diagonal method. However, in this paper, natural number set will be proven as an uncountable set using Cantor’s diagonal method, and real number set will be proven as a countable set by Cantor’s definition. The process of argumentation provides us new perspectives to consider about the size of infinite sets.
The mediating effect of group identity and religious fundamentalism on the association of intergroup contact with prejudice
Authors: Sulistio Sulistio , Suryanto Suryanto , Hadziq Abdullah , Bulut Sefa
Published: March 2021

Contact between groups continues to be recognized as a variable that affects prejudice. The effectiveness of the impact of such contacts on prejudice is influenced by other variables, according to the characteristics of the group. This study aims to determine the effect of group identity mediation and religious funda­mentalism on the influence of intergroup contact on the prejudice of transnational Islamic groups against moderate Islamic ones. The research subjects were selected randomly from 365 members of Jama’ah Tabligh, a transnational Islamic group in Semarang, Indonesia. The research data collection used the scales of prejudice, intergroup contact, group identity, and religious fundamentalism, while the data analysis employed structural equation modeling (SEM). The results show that group identity and religious fundamentalism have a mediating effect on intergroup contact's impact on the prejudice of transnational Islamic groups against moderate ones. This research's theoretical implication is that the extent of the influence of intergroup contacts on prejudice is affected by group identity and religious funda­mentalism as mediating variables.
Investigation into obedience in the face of unethical behavior
Authors: Salama Nadiatus , El-Rahman Medina Janneta , Sholihin Mahfud
Published: March 2021

Significant concern about obedience in the face of unethical behavior in many corporate scandals is growing worldwide. However, the issue is underexplored because this type of research is faced by the challenge that the perpetrators are reluctant to harm their image by admitting their wrongdoings. The purpose of this study is to obtain a deeper understanding of the human aspects of obedience in the face of unethical behavior among employees in organizations. Using a qualitative cross-case approach, ten employees were interviewed, representing top, middle, and low-level employees in a broad range of private medium-to-large-sized enterprises. The analysis process involved reducing the raw data into meaningful themes, particularly why employees perform unethical behavior. The findings of the study provide complex reasons for obedience in the face of unethical behavior, and it is shown to be the rule and habit of organizations. The respondents also explained why they justified their own misbehavior. The employees' viewpoints on obedience in the face of unethical behavior will be useful for organizations to curb unlawful practices in the workplace, as these have detrimental effects on them.
Analysis of projectile-barrel coupling vibration characteristics considering the radial effect of propellant gas pressure
Authors: Li Cong , Yang Guolai , Yu Qingbo , Sun Quanzhao
Published: March 2021

In view of the influence of projectile-barrel coupling on tank firing accuracy, a finite element model of projectile-barrel coupling based on vibration theory was established. By defining user subroutines to simulate the change of the physical field of interior ballistics, the load condition under which the propellant gas radial pressure acts on the inner wall of the barrel and varies with the motion of the projectile is realized. On this basis, the dynamic characteristics of projectile-barrel coupling considering the radial effect of propellant gas pressure were studied. The reference targets such as cradle, projectile and muzzle were selected for analysis, and compared with the situation without considering the radial effect of propellant gas pressure. The results show that the motion trend of the projectile in the bore and the response law of muzzle vibration change greatly when considering the radial effect of propellant gas pressure and these changes may seriously affect the law of projectile dispersion. The radial effect of propellant gas pressure can cause stronger dynamic response, which cannot be ignored in the simulation of artillery firing process. This work provides a practical reference for further study of tank firing accuracy.
Ideological Consistency and Ideological War: American Fascism vs Antifascism – January 2021
Authors: Gonzalez Cedillo Joel Ivan
Published: March 2021

This work analyzes the ideological war between American fascists and antifascists and the relation between the existence of an ideological consistency among the masses and the emergence of this type of conflict. The storming of the US Capitol in January 2021 by fascists and the activities of fascists and antifascists on social media serve as subjects for the analysis of this ideological war. The purpose of this work is to study literature on ideological wars and analyze how States encourage extremist ideologies based on their own ideological consistencies. The method employed to expose the ideological war is a content analysis of social media used by the Proud Boys and Atlanta Antifascists. The results show that the two competing ideologies cannot coexist peacefully in the same territory and at the same time. The State and the elites agree that the confrontation should end. This work can be useful for academics, policy makers and students working on the issue of fascist and extremist ideologies, as well as for developing ways to fight these ideologies by addressing their enablers.
Resource Potential for Sustainable Development of Agricultural Enterprises: Structure and Formation Factors
Authors: Sokolova Evgenia
Published: March 2021

This comprehensive study featured the resource potential of the agro-industrial complex and its role in territorial development. The research objective was to study the structure of the resource potential of agro-industrial enterprises in the post-industrial society and factors that make it efficient. Systemic changes in modern society require new approaches to understanding the category of resource potential. Informatization of society and digitalization of agriculture change the prospects for resource provision in the agro-industrial complex. The author analyzed various domestic and foreign approaches to the concept of resource potential and included in it the potential of an agricultural enterprise as a complex of material, energy, information, and labor resources. The interdisciplinary approach made it possible to consider the phenomena from different angles and as a complex unity. The author considered the resource potential of the region as a synthetic indicator: a whole enterprise cannot be assessed based on a singular resource. The competent management of the resources available to the enterprise proved to be the key to its successful functioning, personnel being the core of its resource potential. The paper introduces a number of measures that contribute to the effective implementation of the resource potential in agro-industrial complex in the information society. The research results can help to improve the concept of sustainable development of enterprises, which is one of the priority tasks of complex modernization.
Regional Political, Institutional, and Ethnopolitical Processes in the Republic of Tyva
Authors: Chirun Sergey , SADI SAYDASH
Published: March 2021

The article introduces the problems of political, institutional, and ethnopolitical processes using the case of the Republic of Tyva. The research featured latent and low-formalized structures that affect the regional political regime and political processes in Russian regions. The research objective was to analyze the influence of such latent structures of power and administration on the regional political regime in the Republic of Tyva. As a general methodological principle, the authors used the polyparadigmatic approach, as well as neo-institutional and poststructuralist methodology. The authors performed a quantitative and qualitative political analysis of five research projects based on questionnaires (2016–2020). The projects belonged to the Department of Applied Sociology and Political Science of the Tyva Institute of Humanitarian and Applied Socio-Economic Research. The analysis also included 23 in-depth expert surveys from 16 focus groups conducted in all areas of the republic. Formal institutions in ethno-national regions of Russia turned out to be incongruous to the modernization processes. They proved to have been replaced by clientele and parantella patterns, where institutional relations are just a by-product of money distribution among the dominant interest groups. However, the authors believe that Sh. V. Kara-ool managed to stabilize internal ethnopolitical processes in the Tyva Republic. The research results can help improve local policy in ethnic regions.
Institutionalization of Exhibition and Convention Activity in Innovation-Based Economy
Authors: Manenkov Sergey
Published: March 2021

The meaning of exhibition and convention activity is currently undergoing serious changes. Contemporary forums and exhibitions promote goods and services, as well as create new social, economic, and political relation standards. The contemporary crisis has revealed some regulatory gaps. However, innovative marketing approach to exhibition and convention events can help industry to recover and grow. Exhibition and convention events produce not only economics effects: they also promote institutional, public, and innovative development. The present research featured cooperation and coordination of stakeholders in exhibition and convention activities, as well as related legal, marketing, and theoretical factors. The research objective was to develop the economy of events – a new methodological approach to assessment of non-material effects of exhibition and convention activity. The research was based on the methods of institutional economics; the paper offers an analysis of existing legal frameworks and standards. The author believes that exhibition and convention sphere needs institutional background based on the interaction of existing norms and methods within event system. This theoretical aspect made it possible to consider the role of events in the context of building sustainable interrelationships between institutes and society, as well as to reinterpret the role of exhibition and convention activity in the modern agenda.
Classifying household water use into indoor and outdoor use from a rudimentary data set: a case study in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Meyer Bettina Elizabeth , Jacobs Heinz Erasmus , Ilemobade Adeshola
Published: March 2021

Distinguishing between indoor use and outdoor use is becoming increasingly important, especially in water-scarce regions, since outdoor use is typically targeted during water restrictions. Household water use is typically measured at a single water meter, and the resolution of the metered data is typically too coarse to employ on commercially available disaggregation software, such as flow trace analysis. This study is the first to classify end-use events from a rudimentary data set, into indoor use or outdoor use. This case study was conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa, and quantified the volume of water used indoors and outdoors at 63 residential properties over 217 days. A recently developed model for classifying water use events as either indoor or outdoor, based on rudimentary water meter data, was employed in this study. A total of 212,060 single end-use events were classified as being either indoor or outdoor. The indoor and outdoor consumptions were compared with survey results. It was found that 30% of all events were outdoor, based on the total volume.