bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diversities in the Place of Delivery Choice: A Study Among Expectant Mothers in Ghana
Authors: Baba Mahama Ibrahim , Kyei Kofi Adesi , Kyei Justina Baaba , Daniels Joseph , Biney Isaac Justice Kobina , Oswald John , Tschida Patrick , Brunet Michael
Published: November 2021

Background: In this study, the factors that influence the choice of place of delivery among expectant mothers in both rural and urban settings in the northern part of Ghana were identified and compared using the conceptual framework provided by Thaddeus and Maine. Methods: A mixed-method study was used to examine expectant mothers and their responses related to factors that affect their choice of place of delivery through a concurrent triangulation using health professional interviews and a detailed participant survey. The sample consisted of 552 expectant mothers between the ages of 15 and 49 years. Individual interviews were held with 8 health professionals and a focus group discussion with randomly selected pregnant women and lactating mothers. Themes were generated through open coding of the interview data, while multiple regression was performed to identify the factors associated with choice of place of delivery, rural area.Results: Preference (60.1%) was for home delivery compared to 20.7% for urban participants. Statistically significant variables affecting the choice of place of delivery among study participants were found to be educational background, the experience of previous deliveries, the attitude of hospital staff toward pregnant women during labor, and frequency of accessing antenatal careConclusion: The study’s implications may lead to positive change where stakeholders develop and implement policies to promote health facility delivery for expectant mothers in Ghana.
Investigation of Er:YAG laser-activated irrigation for the removal of biofilm and observations of laser-induced cavitation behavior
Authors: Nagahashi Taiji , Yahata Yoshio , Handa Keisuke , Nakano Masato , Suzuki Shigeto , Kakiuchi Yusuke , Tanaka Toshinori , Kanehira Masafumi , Venkataiah Venkata Suresh , Saito Masahiro
Published: November 2021

BackgroundWe investigated the biofilm removal effects of LAI using a pig model, focusing on the impact of the fiber tip position, and used a high-speed camera to observe the occurrence and positioning of the cavitation associated with laser irradiation.MethodsA total of 16 roots of deciduous mandibular second premolars from 4 pigs were used. After a pulpectomy, the canals were left open for two weeks and sealed for 4 weeks to induce intraradicular biofilm. Then, root canal irrigation was performed with Er:YAG laser activation. The fiber tip was inserted at two different positions, i.e., into the root canal in the intracanal LAI group and into the pulp chamber in the coronal LAI group. Intracanal needle irrigation with saline or 5% NaOCl was utilized in the positive control and CNI groups. SEM and qPCR were carried out to evaluate treatment efficacy. For qPCR, ANOVA and a Tukey-Kramer post hoc test were performed with α=0.05. A high-speed camera was used to observe the generation of cavitation bubbles and the movement of the induced bubbles after laser irradiation.ResultsThe intracanal and coronal LAI groups showed significantly lower amounts of bacteria than either the positive control or CNI groups. There was no significant difference found between the intracanal and coronal LAI groups. SEM images revealed opened dentinal tubules with the destruction of biofilm in both LAI groups. High-speed camera images demonstrated cavitation bubble production inside the root canal after a single pulse irradiation pulse. The generated bubbles moved throughout the entire internal multi-rooted tooth space.ConclusionsCoronal LAI can generate cavitation in the root canal with a simply placed fiber inside the pulp chamber, leading to effective biofilm removal. This method could thus contribute to the future development of endodontic treatments for refractory apical periodontitis caused by intraradicular biofilm.
Carbohydrates and Secondary Compounds of Alpine Tundra Shrubs in Relation to Experimental Warming
Authors: Zhou Yumei , Yang Ming , Tai Zhijuan , Jia Jingjing , Luan Dongtao , Ma Xia
Published: November 2021

Background: It is critical to understand the sensitivity, response direction and magnitude of carbohydrates and secondary compounds to warming for predicting the structure and function of the tundra ecosystem towards future climate change. Results: Open-top chambers (OTCs) were used to passively increase air and soil temperatures on Changbai Mountain alpine tundra. After seven years’ continuous warming, the vegetation coverage, nonstructural carbohydrates (soluble sugars and starch) and secondary compounds (total phenols, flavonoids and triterpenes) of leaves and roots in three dominant dwarf shrubs, Dryas octopetala var. asiatica, Rhododendron confertissimum and Vaccinium uliginosum, were investigated during the growing season. Warming did not significantly affect the concentrations of carbohydrates but decreased total phenols for the three species. Carbohydrates and secondary compounds showed significantly seasonal pattern and species-specific variation. No significant trade-off between carbohydrates and secondary compounds was observed. Warming significantly increased the coverage of Dr. octopetala var. asiatica, did not change it for V. uliginosum and decreased it for Rh. confertissimum. Rh. confertissimum had significantly lower carbohydrates and higher secondary compounds investment than the other two species. Enhanced dominance and competitiveness of Dr. octopetala var. asiatica was companied by increased trend in carbohydrate concentrations and decreased ratio of secondary compounds to total carbon in the warming OTCs. Conclusions: We, therefore, predict that Dr. octopetala var. asiatica will continue to maintain dominant status, but the competition ability of V. uliginosum could gradually decrease with warming, leading to changes in species composition and community structure of the Changbai tundra ecosystem under future climate warming.
Socioeconomic Inequalities in the Utilization of Dental Services Among Adults in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Sahab Deema A. , Bamashmous Mohammed S. , Ranauta Amitha , Muirhead Vanessa
Published: November 2021

Background

This study used the Anderson Behavioral Model to assess the socioeconomic inequalities in dental services utilization among adults in Saudi Arabia, along with other predictors of utilization, to inform future planning of dental care services.
Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we conducted secondary analysis using national data from the 2019 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia World Health Survey (KSAWHS). The survey consisted of two interviewer-administered questionnaires, one for the household and one individual interview. The questionnaires included questions covering predisposing factors (age, gender, marital status, nationality, education, employment), enabling factors (income, household wealth, area-based socioeconomic class, health insurance, eligibility for free governmental health care, transportation and region of residence) and self-reported need for dental treatment. The main outcome was dental utilization. The independent variables were the predisposing, enabling and need factors. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses identified significant predictors of dental utilization, applying survey weights to adjust for the complex survey design. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and p values were reported in the final model.
Results

The final dataset included 8,535 adults (response rate = 95.4%). Twenty percent of adults visited the dentist at least once in the past year (95%CI: 18% -21%). The socioeconomic factors associated with the higher likelihood of dental service utilization in the final fully adjusted model were high household income (OR = 1.43, p = 0.043), second and middle household wealth status (OR = 1.51, p = 0.003 and OR = 1.57, p = 0.006) and access to free governmental health care (OR = 2.05, p = 0.004). In addition to self-reported oral problems (OR= 52.09, p < 0.001).
Conclusion

Socioeconomic inequalities in the utilization of dental services exist in Saudi Arabia. The main driver of dental services utilization in adults was the need for treatment suggesting predominantly symptomatic attendance. Increasing awareness about the importance of preventive dental visits rather than symptomatic attendance could be an important policy implication to improve oral health and optimize dental care expenditure. Further research should explore the drivers for adults to seek preventive care in the absence of any recognized dental problems.
­Improved Luminescence and Photocatalytic Proprieties of Sm3+-doped ZnO Nanoparticles Via Modified Sol-Gel Route: An Unified Experimental and DFT+U Approach
Authors: Ayon Sikder Ashikuzzaman , Hasan Sajjad , Billah Md Muktadir , Nishat Sadiq Shahriyar , Kabir Alamgir
Published: November 2021

In the current study, a modified sol-gel route was followed to produce undoped and Sm3+ doped (1, 3 and 5 mol %) nanoparticles. The study of opto-structural properties of Sm3+ doped NPs was carried out both experimentally and theoretically. Complete dissolution of Sm3+ ions into the ZnO lattice was obvious from XRD analysis. Morphological evolution with doping was studied using FESEM and TEM. XPS was carried out to confirm the presence of Sm3+ on the surface of the doped NPs. Increasing dopant quantity resulted in a red shift of the NPs along with a reduction in band gap with increasing absorption in the visible range, and a minimum of 3.18 eV of optical band gap for Zn0.97Sm0.03O was found. Photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed a drop in the recombination rate of electron-hole with increasing doping till 3 mole %, followed by an increase for Zn0.95Sm0.05O. Photogenerated electron-hole pair recombination was revealed by the orange band in the luminescence spectra. Theoretical analysis was also carried out with density function theory (DFT). This work also unfolds the fundamental understanding of the structural properties of the synthesized NPs to enhance photocatalytic activity successfully. Later, photocatalytic activity for the optimum composition i.e., 3 mole percent, was assessed experimentally.
Simultaneous Improvement of the Electric Conductive and Mechanical Properties of Nanostructured Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Prazeres Emerson , Loayza Cristian , Reis Vinicius , Melo Victor , Quaresma José , Reis Marcos , Silva José , Braga Eduardo
Published: November 2021

Aluminum nanocomposites demonstrate improvements in the mechanical properties, as well as in thermal and electric conductivity. The incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in the aluminum matrix, using conventional melting methods, is a long-standing issue. In this paper, Aluminum nanocomposites were fabricated via conventional casting method, using a nanostructured stainless-steel (SS) powder. Carbon nanotubes were treatment treated with hydrogen peroxide, allowed which led to an attachment with to the metal matrix particles. In this sense, The the SS powder, added as an element alloy, refinement refined the grains, and the MWCNT providedled the electric conductive to a better performance. Given this, the best alloy analyzed presented an approximate 10% increase in all of its characterized properties, that is,therefore presenting a microhardness of 48 HV, a Ultimate Tensile Stress of 183 Mpa, and and an electrical conductivity of 67% of IACS..
Digenetic Trematode Parasites in Two Fresh Water Fishes Ophiocephalus Punctatus and Xenentodon Cancila From North West Himalayas
Authors: Rajput Sukanya , Langer Seema
Published: November 2021

The study was conducted during September 2018-August 2019 to study the digenetic trematode infection in fresh water fishes of some of the water bodies viz. Gho-manhasan, Chakrali and Chadwal of Jammu region of J&K union territory A total of 220 fishes comprising Ophiocephalus punctatus and Xenentodon cancila belonging to families Channidae and Belonidae respectively were examined. A total of 4 digenetic trematode parasites belonging to 4 different families i.e., Euclinostomum heterostomum (Clinostomidae Luhe, 1901); Phyllodistomum tripathi (Gorgoderidae Looss, 1901); Genarchopsis piscicola (Hemiuridae, Luhe, 1901), and Bucephalopsis karvei (Bucephalidae Poche, 1907) were detected. The overall prevalence of digenetic trematode infection was 65.90% and the mean intensity was 3.58. Among these Genarchopsis piscicola showed the highest prevalence (40.38%) with mean intensity 2.95 in the host fish Xenentodon cancila, while in other species the prevalence ranged between 26.23% and 34.62%. Present study authenticates the presence of several species of digenetic trematode parasites in the fishes inhabiting freshwater of J&K union territory.
Effects of Isochronal Induced Feed Restriction With Transition Period On mRNA Abundance of The Hepatic Genes Related to Lipid Metabolism in Fat-Tailed Ewes
Authors: Hasanpour Zahra , Zarrin Mousa , Oryan Ahmad , Mohaghegh-Dolatabad Mostafa , Ahmadpour Amir
Published: November 2021

The process of fat mobilization during the transition period requires deep re-orchestration of the energy indices, and understanding its mechanism has generated considerable interest among the TP-related studies. The present study aims to validate the effect of feed restriction and TP on the mRNA abundance of hepatic genes related to fat metabolism in fat-tailed sheep. Twenty pregnant ewes with the age of 40.8 ± 6.2 (mean ± standard error) month were randomly assigned to Control (n=10) or Restriction (n=10), and investigated from week -5 to 5 relative to parturition. Control animals received 100% DM during the trial. Restriction animals received 100% DM through weeks -5, -1, 1 and 5 and were fed with 50, 65, and 80% DM in the weeks -4, -3, -2 and 2,3, and 4, respectively. On the third week of experiment (65%) during both pre and post-partum, the hepatic tissue was biopsied, and the mRNA load of the fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) 1, CPT2, and acyl-CoA synthase long-chain family member-1 genes was quantified by the TaqMan qPCR technique. Data were analyzed using the Mixed Model procedure of SAS. The mRNA abundance of the target genes was not influenced by feed restriction, during the pre and postpartum periods. Parturition suppressed the mRNA abundance of target genes in both groups. It can be concluded that the liver of the fat-tailed sheep would have a higher capacity for the metabolism of free fatty acids mobilization during the feed insufficiency and the challenging period of transition.
SIRT7 is a prognostic biomarker in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma that is correlated with immune cell infiltration
Authors: Zhang Wei , Qian Yue , Jin Xue , Wang Yixian , Mu Lili , Jiang Zhixia
Published: November 2021

Background: SIRT7 has been shown to be expressed in many cancer types, including kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), but its functional role in this oncogenic context remains to be firmly defined. This study was designed to explore correlations between SIRT7 and KIRC characteristics using the TCGA database. Methods: Relationships between SIRT7 expression and KIRC patient clinicopathological characteristics were assessed through Kruskal-Wallis tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and logistic regression analyses. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) values were used to assess the prognostic value of SIRT7 as a means of classifying KIRC patients. The functional role of SIRT7 in this cancer type was assessed through GO/KEGG enrichment analyses and immune cell infiltration analyses. Results: In KIRC patients, higher levels of SIRT7 expression were associated with Race, M stage, T stage (all P < 0.05). SIRT7 offered significant diagnostic value in ROC curve analyses (AUC = 0.912), and elevated SIRT7 levels were linked to worse patient overall survival (OS; P < 0.001). The expression of SIRT7 was independently related with KIRC patient OS (HR: 1.827; 95%CI: 1.346-2.481; P<0.001). In GO/KEGG analyses, SIRT7 was found to be associated with ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and nucleotide excision repair. Higher SIRT7 expression was related to the enhanced infiltration of certain immune cells.Conclusions: Increased SIRT7 expression was associated with a worse KIRC patient prognosis, and immune infiltrates, suggesting it may offer value as a prognostic biomarker for this cancer type.
CHANGING PRIORITIES OF MIGRATION POLICY OF THE STATE CONSIDERING NATIONAL ECONOMIC SECURITY
Authors: Zatonatska T. , Anisimova O. , Zatonatskiy D.
Published: November 2021

With the development of globalization processes and sufficient free movement of labor, and skilled personnel, the problem of legal and illegal migration has gradually become part of public policy for many countries. The aim of the article is to determine the priorities of the state migration policy for legal, illegal migrants and refugees and to form recommendations for the development of clear and transparent rules of the state migration policy taking into account the international legal field and in the context of economic security.
An analysis of the main trends in the migration processes was conducted and it was found that over the past 30 years there has been a rapid increase in the number of international migrants and refugees, which puts pressure on the economies of host countries. It has been proven that migration affects the main components of national security, and the impact on the country's economic security is particularly pronounced. As a result, national security requirements must be taken into account when formulating state migration policy.
The main components of the state migration policy were identified, the analysis of the main theories and approaches to the migration policy in relation to legal migration was carried out. The main problems of the state policy on illegal migration and refugees have been identified. The state migration policy is analyzed on the example of the EU countries and their overcoming of the migration crisis and the refugee crisis.
The state determines the main priorities of migration policy based on national and economic security requirements. There are two main aspects of state migration policy: targeted attraction of immigrants and policy on illegal migration and refugees. There are three main approaches to attracting immigrants - encouraging all types of immigration, creating maximum barriers to immigration, and encouraging specific target groups of immigrants. With regard to illegal immigration, the state can take a tough stance or allow it to replenish the workforce. State policy on refugees is determined by the norms of international law.
It has been argued that national migration policies need to be adapted to the current world economy, and that the main priorities include transparency, long-term forecasting of labor market needs, clear criteria for migrant admission and combating illegal migration, which is part of international crime.
MIGRATION OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED WORKERS FROM UKRAINE: REASONS AND WAYS TO OVERCOME
Authors: Petrushenko Y.M. , Zemlyak N.V. , Shapoval V.Y. , Dibrova V.V.
Published: November 2021

The migration of highly skilled workers is becoming an increasingly important factor that is influencing the development of specific countries as well as different regions of the world. In fact, in the European Union, the tendency of low-skilled workers shortage is changing to the trend of promoting the highly skilled workers migration, which can create added value and contribute to pension funds for the aging population in those states. At the same time, due to the loss of highly qualified personnel, the recipient countries are losing the pace of their economic development. The relevance of this study is also enhanced by changing conditions for international labor migration to the European Union in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, including for highly qualified Ukrainian professionals.
The article examines the reasons of highly skilled workers migration processes, analyzes the consequences for different stakeholders and provides methods to reduce the scale of such migration. To analyze the reasons of highly qualified specialists labor migration, the model of "Push and Pull" factors was used on the example of Ukraine and the European Union. The positive and negative consequences of the highly qualified specialists’ migration growth for various stakeholders of this process have been identified.
It is also proved that despite the fact that salaries are growing in real terms in Ukraine, the difference in salaries in the main areas of emigration to the EU is so large that it is likely to continue to motivate people to work and earn abroad. Moreover, the existence of a large and growing Ukrainian diaspora tends to encourage the migration of other family members and friends, providing informational and logistical support in destination countries. This attraction may increase in the coming years, and the diaspora will continue to expand.
In the article, it is also described the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the highly qualified professionals’ migration, and it gives a number of proposals or recommendations that could be implemented at the level of state migration policy to address highly qualified professionals labor migration or at least improve the current situation. The proposed recommendations of the migration policy to confront the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic include the establishment of a mechanism for coordination and consultation between all government institutions, authorities and agencies involved in labor migration, as well as the establishment of tripartite procedures for advising employers and workers of migration organizations and considering their opinions on the given topic.
Formation of the territorial brand under gender consideration
Authors: LYULYOV OLEKSII V. , PIMONENKO TETYANA V. , US YANA O. , OWUSU EVELYN KUMAH OSEI , OWUSU EDWARD
Published: November 2021

Nowadays, the issues of the territorial force of attraction and strategic development are growing more urgent. Territorial branding is one of the crucial stages in this process. It highlights the real and creates new narratives of the particular territory in time and space. The systematization of scientific sources showed that the theoretical and practical studies on territorial branding are contradictory due to the influence of many stakeholders preventing from elaborating a unique concept for territorial development. While territorial development is a complex system depending on the residents' perceptions and attitudes, the issues of gender aspects of regional identity are still poorly developed. Therefore, the formation of the territorial brand is becoming relevant due to the necessity to balance the interest of different social groups. This paper summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the territorial brand's formation under consideration of gender features. This research goal is to consider the role of gender features in the mechanism of territorial brand formation. The study subject is the gender features in territorial units. The methodological base of the study involves the abstraction technique, generalization method, synthesis, graphical methods, and system analysis. In the study frameworks, the authors unveiled the differences in information perception between men and women. The main gender inequalities influencing the attitude to the territory were considered. The findings showed that territorial brand is not only the tool for promoting territory. It formulates territorial identity, mitigates and overcomes gender inequalities, and increases competitive advantages of territory.
Multispecies Pasts and the Possibilities of Multispecies Futures in the Age of the Anthropocene
Authors: Živaljević Ivana
Published: November 2021

The Anthropocene emerges as an aftermath of the long-held, pervasive belief in human exceptionalism, and a wake-up call to reconsider our being in the world as entangled with a plethora of other living selves. Along with ecological and social challenges facing all life on Earth, the very boundaries between Nature and Culture, biological and social, human and nonhuman are being destabilized. From an archaeological perspective, particularly relevant is the understanding of diachronic change through shifting webs of interspecies relations (sensu Tsing). By engaging with various strands of thought within archaeology, anthropology, ecology and ethology, this paper aims to offer a more inclusive, multispecies view of the past. Ultimately, a consideration of human and nonhuman histories as entangled, bears important implications for multispecies futures.
The Impact of Medieval Mining upon the Environment of the Central Balkans
Authors: Vranić Mirko
Published: November 2021

The paper examines the impact of medieval mining upon the environment, based upon the present state of the historiographical, archaeological, and geological research. By the middle of the 13th century a massive increase in the exploitation of precious metals is noted, inducing the appearance of settlements in the vicinity of the locations of extraction and production of ores. The problems of water and air pollution occurred, raised by the operation of smelteries inside these settlements or in their immediate vicinity. Although the presence of slag indicates certain metallurgical activity, it is hard to discern the precise purpose and the period of their activity without archaeological excavations. The increase in demand for fuel may have induced deforestation, so the rights to exploit forests were legally regulated. The scope of wood exploitation in the region of Šumadija has been judged by the research estimating the presence of potassium in the previously registered old slag deposits. It is hard to discern the general health status of the inhabitants of the mining regions, since a small portion of skeletal material is examined, not including the one from the most important mining center of Novo Brdo. The anthropological analysis indicates the problems caused by hard physical activity and poor hygiene. The present knowledge on the influence of heavy metals indicates the impact of past mining practices upon the environment and human health. Decomposition of sulphides in the discard deposits and old slag, as well as the leak of acid waters from old shafts, still affect the present pollution of water and soil in the vicinity of mining centres such as Rudnik and Srebrenica. These same reasons may have presented dangers for the population living there during the period of 15th to 17th century. The future archaeological research, with the inclusion of other disciplines, will bring more detailed understanding of the relationship between people and their environment in the mining regions of the Medieval Serbia.
Benzophenone Derivatives Showed Dual Anti-Inflammatory and Antiproliferative Activities by Inhibiting COX Enzymes and Promote Cyclin E Downregulation
Authors: Folquitto Laís , de Souza Thiago , Januario Jaqueline , Nascimento Isadora , Brandão Brenda , Moreira Maria , Horvath Renato , Santos Marcelo , Coelho Luiz , Veloso Marcia , Soares Marisi , Carvalho Diogo , Ionta Marisa , Chagas-Paula Daniela , Dias Danielle
Published: November 2021

Considering the promising antitumor effects of compounds with dual anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities, thus benzophenones analogs (2-7) were evaluated on in vivo antiinflammatory assay and molecular docking analysis. Those with the best molecular docking results were in vitro evaluated on cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes and tested regarding antiproliferative activity. All derivatives displayed in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Among them, the substances 2’-hydroxy-4’-benzoylphenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), 4-hydroxy-4’-methoxybenzophenone (5) and 4’-(4’’-methoxybenzoyl)phenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (7) showed the best values of Glide Score in COX-2 docking evaluation and 4 and 5 selectively inhibited COX-2 and COX-1 in vitro enzymatic assay, respectively. Thus, 4 and 5 were tested against breast cancer (MCF-7, MDA‑MB-231, Hs578T) and non-small-cell-lung cancer (A549) cell lines. The estrogen-positive MCF-7 cell line was more responsive compared to other tested cell lines. They induced cell cycle arrest at G1/S transition in MCF-7 cell line once there was an increase in G0/G1 population with concomitant reduction of S population. The antiproliferative activity of these substances on MCF-7 was associated with their ability to inhibit cyclin E expression, a critical regulator of G1/S transition. Taken together, the data indicate that 4 and 5 have dual anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities and support further studies to evaluate their antitumor potential.
Design of Sustainable Smart Bus Station; Case Study of Bilecik, Turkey
Authors: Göker Parisa , Hergül Özlem Candan
Published: November 2021

The urbanization rate has increased with the emerging fact of rural-to-urban immigration after the industrial revolution, thus causing various urban problems based on rapid population growth. Today, transportation and traffic problems in cities are becoming more prominent, growing with each passing day. Along with the rapid population growth in cities, as leading to an increase in the number of vehicles, preference of east-to-implement & shallow measures, instead of drastic and radical solutions in the infrastructure, operation, administration and controlling of the unplanned urbanization. Public transportation vehicles play a critical role in the lives of many, living in cities. The city-dwellers generally use public transportation vehicles as they leave their homes in order to get to the workplaces or schools. Facing with certain problems in transportation due to the buses being delayed while waiting at the bus stops, they may be late for where they are expected to arrive due to the delay of buses. In other words, it is a critical fact that people know where the bus they take is and how long it will take until they arrive at the bus stop.
Characterization and pollution potential of leachate from urban landfills during dry and wet periods in arid regions
Authors: Siddiqi Sajjad Ahmad , Al-Mamun Abdullah , Sana Ahmad , Baawain Mahad Said , Choudhury Mahbuboor Rahman
Published: November 2021

Leachate originating from municipal solid waste landfills poses a serious contamination threat to public health. The study performed a bio-physicochemical characterization of leachate from two landfills in Oman, i.e., Multaqa landfill leachate (MLL) and Barka landfill leachate (BLL) before and after rainfall. Samples were characterized for 92 parameters. Additionally, the leachate pollution index (LPI) was estimated to assess the expected contamination levels and potential environmental health risks. The study found a high value of the leachate parameters without any rainfall incidents. Pearson correlations (±ve) are seen at more than 90% in all cases, which is a strong association (r>0.75) for the measured parameters in both MLL and BLL. Rainfall significantly reduced the concentrations of organic contaminants and solids in leachate due to dilution. The study revealed about 18%–29% and 14%–28% reductions in the LPI sub-index for organic and inorganic contaminants, respectively, after rainfall. The overall LPI values were higher compared with similar findings from the literature. Such deviations could be attributed to the unsegregated nature of solid waste, resulting in the formation of contaminants or from the disposal of a high volume of solid waste in a smaller area. Therefore, the study recommends efficient management strategies for landfills to reduce potential leachate groundwater contamination.
Carbon Monoxide as a Therapeutic for Airway Diseases: Contrast and Comparison of Various CO Delivery Modalities
Authors: Tripathi Ravi , Yang Xiaoxiao , Ryter Stefan W. , Wang Binghe
Published: November 2021

The quest to find novel strategies to tackle respiratory illnesses has led to the exploration
of the potential therapeutic effects of carbon monoxide (CO) as an endogenous signaling
molecule and a cytoprotective agent. Further, several studies have demonstrated the pharmacological
efficacy of CO in animal models of respiratory disorders, such as acute lung injury and pulmonary
hypertension. Because of the gaseous nature of CO and its affinity for multiple targets, its controlled
delivery has been a challenge. Past studies have employed different delivery modalities, including
CO gas, HO-1 inducers, and CO donors, sometimes leading to substantive variations in the
resulting pharmacological effects for various reasons. Herein, this review summarizes and analyzes
the differences among the profiles of various CO-delivery modalities in terms of their efficacy, dosing
regimen, and pharmacokinetics in airways models. We believe that analysis of these issues will
help in understanding the fundamental roles of CO in airways, and eventually, contribute to its development
as a medicine for respiratory diseases.
Understanding the Role and Uses of Alternative Therapies for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Tripathy Archana , Swain Nitish , Gupta Bhawna
Published: November 2021

With the growing popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among individuals with chronic pain and muscular problems, a number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) show their interest in CAM interventions for disease improvement. Various reports published on CAM are based on an animal model of RA; however, there is often a lack of high-quality clinical investigations for explaining the success stories of CAM therapies in patients with RA. CAMs having the potential to be used for therapy in patients with RA have been identified, however lack of awareness and skepticism of their efficacy has made the patients reluctant to choose these drug-less therapies. In this review, we have summarized the existing evidence which suggests promising efficacy of different alternative therapies in managing RA and providing both physical and mental well-being to RA patients.
Bacteriome Identified by Next-Generation Sequencing in Saliva, Dental Plaque, and Tumor Tissue of Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Erira Alveiro , García Robayo Dabeiba Adriana , Chalá Andrés Ignacio , Moreno Torres Andrei , Muñoz Lopez Eliana Elisa , Cid Arregui Angel , Tobar Tosse Fabian , Gamboa Jaimes Fredy Omar
Published: November 2021

Background:

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common cancer in the world, and the bacterial microbiome has been considered a risk factor that could play an important role in carcinogenesis.

Objective:

A bacteriome study was performed by next-generation sequencing in dental plaque, saliva, and tumor samples of 10 OSCC patients and compared with bacteriome in dental plaque and saliva of 10 patients without OSCC.

Methods:

DNA was extracted from all samples and sequenced by Illumina technology MiSeq™. Bioinformatic analyzes were performed for evaluated sequence quality, alpha and beta diversity, bidirectional analysis of variance (p <0.05), and principal component analysis. After establishing bacterial profiles associated with each sample and population, intragroup and intergroup comparisons were carried out. For bacteria identification compatible with eubiosis and dysbiosis processes, a screening was performed based on the frequency of appearance in all patient samples with and without OSCC. Lastly, frequency, average, standard deviation, Chi-square, and Mann Whitney test were calculated.

Results:

Out of the identified 1,231 bacteria in the populations under study, 45 bacterial species were selected, of which 34 were compatible with eubiosis, and 11 were compatible with dysbiosis. Among the bacteria compatible with eubiosis were species of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus, Chromobacterium violaceum, Enterobacter asburiae, Mycobacterium chubuense, Mycoplasma penetrans, and Brachyspira intermedia. Among the species associated with dysbiosis,  Providencia stuartii, Capnocytophaga canimorsus, Legionella pneumophila, and Mycoplasma hominis were notable.

Conclusion:

Thirty-four bacterial species may be associated with eubiosis or healthy states and 11 bacterial species could be associated with dysbiosis or pathogenic state, OSCC.
The Relationship Between Daily Hassles and Social Support on Depressive Symptoms among Mothers of Young Kids
Authors: Yakub Nur Asyikin , Kadir Nor Ba'yah Abdul , Hoesni Suzana Mohd
Published: November 2021

Introduction:

The aim of this paper is to determine the relationship between the common factors of mothers’ depressive symptoms based on the existing literature, including the current happenings within Malaysians.

Methods:

This study involved mothers from four community housing projects around Kuala Lumpur (n = 146), and with consent, they were asked to complete a questionnaire, which included the following three instruments: Parenting Daily Hassles Scales, Social Support Scales, and Beck Depressive symptoms Inventory to measure all stated variables in this study.

Results and Discussion:

The results of the study showed the significant relationship between the daily hassles (DH) and social support (SS) towards the depressive symptoms among the mothers, DH, r = .272, p = .001 and SS, r = -.230, p = .006. Further analysis was consummated to determine the factors that could influence the depressive symptoms among mothers and the contribution of variance towards that. From the analysis, DH and SS contributed 13.9% of the variance (Adjusted R2 = .139) and were found to influence the depressive symptoms among the mothers.

Conclusion:

The ANOVA test analysis supported the earlier study that the daily hassles and social support statistics significantly predict the depressive symptoms among mothers. In conclusion, this study should be broadedned to a bigger community, and future efforts as an early intervention on health promotion are essential to strengthen social support by reducing stressors effect that contributes to mental health problems in mothers of young kids.
Las crisis sociales como área de investigación en seguridad internacional
Authors: Araya-Castillo Luis , Moraga-Flores Hugo Alejandro , Barrientos-Oradini Nicolás Pablo , Rivera-Arroyo Jennifer Karen
Published: November 2021

Este artículo presenta un estudio cienciométrico de la producción científica sobre los conceptos de búsqueda “social crises” e “international security” entre 1978 y 2019. Se analizaron 222 artículos publicados en la base de datos Web of Science para establecer cuáles son los artículos más citados, los autores más influyentes, las revistas con mayor reconocimiento en el tema, las instituciones y los países que más productividad e impacto han tenido. Por otra parte, el mapa bibliométrico representa 9 clústeres que hacen referencia a la seguridad, la política y las crisis. Con base en los resultados se concluye que ambos temas son un área incipiente con poca colaboración entre autores e instituciones en la producción científica, lo que demuestra que existen potenciales líneas de desarrollo para este tema cada vez más estratégico.
Optimal portfolio and consumption for a Markovian regime-switching jump-diffusion process
Authors: Zhang Caibin , Liang Zhibin , Yuen Kam Chuen
Published: November 2021

We consider the optimal portfolio and consumption problem for a jump-diffusion process with regime switching. Under the criterion of maximizing the expected discounted total utility of consumption, two methods, namely, the dynamic programming principle and the stochastic maximum principle, are used to obtain the optimal result for the general objective function, which is the solution to a system of partial differential equations. Furthermore, we investigate the power utility as a specific example and analyse the existence and uniqueness of the optimal solution. Under the constraints of no-short-selling and nonnegative consumption, closed-form expressions for the optimal strategy and the value function are derived. Besides, some comparisons between the optimal results for the jump-diffusion model and the pure diffusion model are carried out. Finally, we discuss our optimal results in some special cases.
 
doi:10.1017/S1446181121000122
A note on the axisymmetric diffusion equation
Authors: Patkowski Alexander
Published: November 2021

We consider the explicit solution to the axisymmetric diffusion equation. We recast the solution in the form of a Mellin inversion formula, and outline a method to compute a formula for \(u(r,t)\) as a series using the Cauchy residue theorem. As a consequence, we are able to represent the solution to the axisymmetric diffusion equation as a rapidly converging series.
 
doi:10.1017/S1446181121000110
A Two-Minute Walking Test With a Smartphone App for Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: Validation Study
Authors: van Oirschot Pim , Heerings Marco , Wendrich Karine , den Teuling Bram , Dorssers Frank , van Ee René , Martens Marijn Bart , Jongen Peter Joseph
Published: November 2021

Background

Walking disturbances are a common dysfunction in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). The 2-Minute Walking Test (2MWT) is widely used to quantify walking speed. We implemented a smartphone-based 2MWT (s2MWT) in MS sherpa, an app for persons with MS. When performing the s2MWT, users of the app are instructed to walk as fast as safely possible for 2 minutes in the open air, while the app records their movement and calculates the distance walked.

Objective

The aim of this study is to investigate the concurrent validity and test-retest reliability of the MS sherpa s2MWT.

Methods

We performed a validation study on 25 persons with relapsing-remitting MS and 79 healthy control (HC) participants. In the HC group, 21 participants were matched to the persons with MS based on age, gender, and education and these followed the same assessment schedule as the persons with MS (the HC-matched group), whereas 58 participants had a less intense assessment schedule to determine reference values (the HC-normative group). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were determined between the distance measured by the s2MWT and the distance measured using distance markers on the pavement during these s2MWT assessments. ICCs were also determined for test-retest reliability and derived from 10 smartphone tests per study participant, with 3 days in between each test. We interviewed 7 study participants with MS regarding their experiences with the s2MWT.

Results

In total, 755 s2MWTs were completed. The adherence rate for the persons with MS and the participants in the HC-matched group was 92.4% (425/460). The calculated distance walked on the s2MWT was, on average, 8.43 m or 5% (SD 18.9 m or 11%) higher than the distance measured using distance markers (n=43). An ICC of 0.817 was found for the concurrent validity of the s2MWT in the combined analysis of persons with MS and HC participants. Average ICCs of 9 test-retest reliability analyses of the s2MWT for persons with MS and the participants in the HC-matched group were 0.648 (SD 0.150) and 0.600 (SD 0.090), respectively, whereas the average ICC of 2 test-retest reliability analyses of the s2MWT for the participants in the HC-normative group was 0.700 (SD 0.029). The interviewed study participants found the s2MWT easy to perform, but they also expressed that the test results can be confronting and that a pressure to reach a certain distance can be experienced.

Conclusions

The high correlation between s2MWT distance and the conventional 2MWT distance indicates a good concurrent validity. Similarly, high correlations underpin a good test-retest reliability of the s2MWT. We conclude that the s2MWT can be used to measure the distance that the persons with MS walk in 2 minutes outdoors near their home, from which both clinical studies and clinical practice can benefit.
Game Plan—a Brief Web-Based Intervention to Improve Uptake and Use of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Reduce Alcohol Use Among Gay and Bisexual Men: Content Analysis
Authors: Wray Tyler B , Chan Philip A , Guigayoma John P , Kahler Christopher W
Published: November 2021

Background

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has considerable potential for reducing incidence among high-risk groups, such as gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM). However, PrEP’s effectiveness is closely linked with consistent use, and a variety of individual-level barriers, including alcohol use, could impede optimal uptake and use. Web-based interventions can encourage medication adherence, HIV prevention behaviors, and responsible drinking and may help support PrEP care, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Objective

We previously developed a web application called Game Plan that was designed to encourage heavy drinking GBM to use HIV prevention methods and reduce their alcohol use and was inspired by brief motivational interventions. This paper aims to describe the web-based content we designed for integration into Game Plan to help encourage PrEP uptake and consistent use among GBM. In this paper, we also aim to describe this content and its rationale.

Methods

Similar to the original site, these components were developed iteratively, guided by a thorough user-centered design process involving consultation with subject-matter experts, usability interviews and surveys, and user experience surveys.

Results

In addition to Game Plan’s pre-existing content, the additional PrEP components provide specific, personal, and digestible feedback to users about their level of risk for HIV without PrEP and illustrate how much consistent PrEP use could reduce it; personal feedback about their risk for common sexually transmitted infections to address low-risk perceptions; content challenging common beliefs and misconceptions about PrEP to reduce stigma; content confronting familiar PrEP and alcohol beliefs; and a change planning module that allows users to select specific goals for starting and strategies for consistent PrEP use. Users can opt into a weekly 2-way SMS text messaging program that provides similar feedback over a 12-week period after using Game Plan and follows up on the goals they set.

Conclusions

Research preliminarily testing the efficacy of these components in improving PrEP outcomes, including uptake, adherence, sexually transmitted infection rates, and alcohol use, is currently ongoing. If supported, these components could provide a scalable tool that can be used in resource-limited settings in which face-to-face intervention is difficult.