bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of preoperative anemia on patients undergoing total joint replacement of lower extremity: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Fu-Qiang , Yang Yong-Ze , Li Peng-Fei , Ma Guo-Rong , Zhang An-Ren , Zhang Hui , Guo Hong-Zhang
Published: April 2024

Abstracts

Purpose

Preoperative anemia increases postoperative morbidity, mortality, and the risk of allogeneic transfusion. However, the incidence of preoperative anemia in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and its relationship to postoperative outcomes has not been previously reported.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive literature search through PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Sincien, and Embase from inception to July 2023 to investigate the prevalence of preoperative anemia in patients undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty, comorbidities between anemic and non-anemicpatients before surgery, and postoperative outcomes. postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Overall prevalence was calculated using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity between studies was examined by Cochran's Q test and quantified by theI2statistic. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression analyses were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plots and validated by Egger's test.

Results

A total of 21 studies with 369,101 samples were included, all of which were retrospective cohort studies. 3 studies were of high quality and 18 studies were of moderate quality. The results showed that the prevalence of preoperative anemia was 22% in patients awaiting arthroplasty; subgroup analyses revealed that the prevalence of preoperative anemia was highest in patients awaiting revision of total knee arthroplasty; the highest prevalence of preoperative anemia was found in the Americas; preoperative anemia was more prevalent in the female than in the male population; and preoperative anemia with a history of preoperative anemia was more common in the female than in the male population. patients with a history of preoperative anemia; patients with joint replacement who had a history of preoperative anemia had an increased risk of infection, postoperative blood transfusion rate, postoperative blood transfusion, Deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs, days in hospital, readmission within three months, and mortality compared with patients who did not have preoperative anemia.

Conclusion

The prevalence of preoperative anemia in patients awaiting total joint arthroplasty is 22%, and is higher in TKA and female patients undergoing revision, while preoperative anemia is detrimental to the patient's postoperative recovery and will increase the risk of postoperative complications, transfusion rates, days in the hospital, readmission rates, and mortality.
Altered oral microbiome, but normal human papilloma virus prevalence in cartilage-hair hypoplasia patients
Authors: Arponen Heidi , Vakkilainen Svetlana , Tomnikov Natalie , Kallonen Teemu , Silling Steffi , Mäkitie Outi , Rautava Jaana
Published: April 2024

Background

Cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH) is a rare syndromic immunodeficiency with metaphyseal chondrodysplasia and increased risk of malignancy. In this cross-sectional observational study, we examined HPV status and oral microbiome in individuals with CHH. Oral brush samples were collected from 20 individuals with CHH (aged 5–59 years) and 41 controls (1–69 years). Alpha HPVs (43 types) were tested by nested PCR followed by bead-based probe hybridization. Separately, beta-, gamma-, mu- and nu- HPV types were investigated, and a genome-based bacterial microbiome sequencing was performed.

Results

We found a similar alpha HPV prevalence in individuals with CHH (45%) and controls (36%). The HPV types of individuals with CHH were HPV-16 (25%), 27, 28, and 78, and of controls HPV-3, 16 (21%), 27, and 61. Beta HPV positivity and combined beta/gamma/mu/nu prevalence was detected in 11% and 11% of individuals with CHH and in 5% and 3% of the controls, respectively. Individuals with CHH differed from the controls in bacterial microbiota diversity, richness, and in microbial composition. Individuals with CHH had lower abundance of species Mitsuokella sp000469545, Parascardovia denticolens, Propionibacterium acidifaciens, UMGS1907 sp004151455, Salinicola halophilus, Haemophilus_A paraphrohaemolyticus, Fusobacterium massiliense, and Veillonella parvula, and higher abundance of Slackia exigua.

Conclusions

Individuals with CHH exhibit similar prevalence of HPV DNA but different bacterial microbiota on their oral mucosa compared to healthy controls. This may partly explain the previously observed high prevalence of oral diseases in CHH, and regular oral examination is warranted.
Armed actor interventions in humanitarian and public health crises: examining perspectives of crisis-affected community members
Authors: Boland Samuel T. , Nylen Alexandria , Bates Madison , Alejandria Maria Carinnes , Grace Rob , Tayyeb Zein , Levine Adam C.
Published: April 2024

Background

Despite frequently providing non-military services in times of crisis, little systematic research has examined the perspectives of crisis-affected community members on the role of armed actors responding to humanitarian crises and public health emergencies.

Methods

To address this research gap, 175 interviews were conducted (2020–2021) amongst humanitarian and public health practitioners; armed actors; and crisis-affected community members across three country and four crisis contexts. Specifically, this effort included an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; a refugee crisis on the Jordanian-Syrian border; and a volcanic eruption and COVID-19 outbreak in the Philippines. Data was analysed using grounded theory principles.

Results

Crisis-affected community members held diverse views. Non-state armed groups (NSAGs) and government armed actors were characterised as antagonists by some but supportive by others; gender issues were central to perceptions of armed actors, in ways that were both prejudicing and favourable. Overall perception was most closely linked to armed actor roles rather than the relative amount of conflict in a given area.

Conclusions

Findings nuance the relevant literature characterizing NSAGs as disruptive agents, and also the relevant literature that does not fully consider the nuances of gender and armed actor roles as deeply relevant to crisis-affected community perspectives on armed actors. These findings have important implications for both policy and academic discourse on militarization and localization.
Identification of new potent NLRP3 inhibitors by multi-level in-silico approaches
Authors: Hayat Chandni , Subramaniyan Vetriselvan , Alamri Mubarak A. , Wong Ling Shing , Khalid Asaad , Abdalla Ashraf N. , Afridi Sahib Gul , Kumarasamy Vinoth , Wadood Abdul
Published: April 2024

Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP-3), is an intracellular sensor that is involved in inflammasome activation, and the aberrant expression of NLRP3 is responsible for diabetes mellitus, its complications, and many other inflammatory diseases. NLRP3 is considered a promising drug target for novel drug design. Here, a pharmacophore model was generated from the most potent inhibitor, and its validation was performed by the Gunner-Henry scoring method. The validated pharmacophore was used to screen selected compounds databases. As a result, 646 compounds were mapped on the pharmacophore model. After applying Lipinski's rule of five, 391 hits were obtained. All the hits were docked into the binding pocket of target protein. Based on docking scores and interactions with binding site residues, six compounds were selected potential hits. To check the stability of these compounds, 100 ns molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were performed. The RMSD, RMSF, DCCM and hydrogen bond analysis showed that all the six compounds formed stable complex with NLRP3. The binding free energy with the MM-PBSA approach suggested that electrostatic force, and van der Waals interactions, played a significant role in the binding pattern of these compounds. Thus, the outcomes of the current study could provide insights into the identification of new potential NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors against diabetes and its related disorders.
In silico identification of phytochemical inhibitors for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis based on novel pharmacophore generation and molecular dynamics simulation studies
Authors: Alotaibi Bader S.
Published: April 2024

Background

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (particularly resistant to pyrazinoic acid) is a life-threatening chronic pulmonary disease. Running a marketed regime specifically targets the ribosomal protein subunit-1 (RpsA) and stops trans-translation in the non-mutant bacterium, responsible for the lysis of bacterial cells. However, in the strains of mutant bacteria, this regime has failed in curing TB and killing pathogens, which may only because of the ala438 deletion, which inhibit the binding of pyrazinoic acid to the RpsA active site. Therefore, such cases of tuberculosis need an immediate and effective regime.

Objective

This study has tried to determine and design such chemotypes that are able to bind to the mutant RpsA protein.

Methods

For these purposes, two phytochemical databases, i.e., NPASS and SANCDB, were virtually screened by a pharmacophore model using an online virtual screening server Pharmit.

Results

The model of pharmacophore was developed using the potential inhibitor (zr115) for the mutant of RpsA. Pharmacophore-based virtual screening results into 154 hits from the NPASS database, and 22 hits from the SANCDB database. All the predicted hits were docked in the binding pocket of the mutant RpsA protein. Top-ranked five and two compounds were selected from the NPASS and SANCDB databases respectively. On the basis of binding energies and binding affinities of the compounds, three compounds were selected from the NPASS database and one from the SANCDB database. All compounds were found to be non-toxic and highly active against the mutant pathogen. To further validate the docking results and check the stability of hits, molecular dynamic simulation of three compounds were performed. The MD simulation results showed that all these finally selected compounds have stronger binding interactions, lesser deviation or fluctuations, with greater compactness compared to the reference compound.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that these compounds could be effective inhibitors for mutant RpsA.
Robust acoustic reflector localization using a modified EM algorithm
Authors: Saqib Usama , Græsbøll Christensen Mads , Jensen Jesper Rindom
Published: April 2024

In robotics, echolocation has been used to detect acoustic reflectors, e.g., walls, as it aids the robotic platform to navigate in darkness and also helps detect transparent surfaces. However, the transfer function or response of an acoustic system, e.g., loudspeakers/emitters, contributes to non-ideal behavior within the acoustic systems that can contribute to a phase lag due to propagation delay. This non-ideal response can hinder the performance of a time-of-arrival (TOA) estimator intended for acoustic reflector localization especially when the estimation of multiple reflections is required. In this paper, we, therefore, propose a robust expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm that takes into account the response of acoustic systems to enhance the TOA estimation accuracy when estimating multiple reflections when the robot is placed in a corner of a room. A non-ideal transfer function is built with two parameters, which are estimated recursively within the estimator. To test the proposed method, a hardware proof-of-concept setup was built with two different designs. The experimental results show that the proposed method could detect an acoustic reflector up to a distance of 1.6 m with$$60\%$$60%accuracy under the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 0 dB. Compared to the state-of-the-art EM algorithm, our proposed method provides improved performance when estimating TOA by  $$10\%$$10%under a low SNR value.
S-Pata-type contraction: a new approach to fixed-point theory with an application
Authors: Chand Deep , Rohen Yumnam , Saleem Naeem , Aphane Maggie , Razzaque Asima
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we introduce new types of contraction mappings named S-Pata-type contraction mapping and Generalized S-Pata-type contraction mapping in the framework of S-metric space. Then, we prove some new fixed-point results for S-Pata-type contraction mappings and Generalized S-Pata-type contraction mappings. To support our results, we provide examples to illustrate our findings and also apply these results to the ordinary differential equation to strengthen our conclusions.
Health impacts of a cold wave and its economic loss assessment in China’s high-altitude city, Xining
Authors: Ning Zhenxu , He Shuzhen , Liao Xinghao , Ma Chunguang , Wu Jing
Published: April 2024

Objective

Amidst climate change, extensive research has centered on the health impacts of heatwaves, yet the consequences of cold spells, particularly in cooler, higher-altitude regions, remain under-explored.

Methods

Analyzing climatic data and non-accidental mortality in Xining, China’s second-highest provincial capital, from 2016 to 2020, this study defines cold spells as daily mean temperatures below the 10th, 7.5th, or 5th percentiles for 2–4 consecutive days. A time-stratified case-crossover approach and distributional lag nonlinear modeling were used to assess the link between cold spells and mortality, calculating attributable fractions (AFs) and numbers (ANs) of deaths. The study also examined the impact of cold spells over different periods and analyzed the value of a statistical life (VSL) loss in 2018, a year with frequent cold spells. Stratified analyses by sex, age, and education level were conducted.

Results

A significant association was found between cold spells and non-accidental mortality, with a relative risk of 1.548 (95% CI: 1.300, 1.845). The AF was 33.48%, with an AN of 9,196 deaths during the study’s cold period. A declining trend in mortality risk was observed from 2019–2020. The 2018 VSL was approximately 2.875 billion CNY, about 1.75% of Xining’s GDP. Higher risks were noted among males, individuals aged ≥ 65, and those with lower education levels.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the vulnerability and economic losses of high-altitude cities to cold spells. Implementing interventions such as improved heating, educational programs, and community support is vital for mitigating these adverse health effects.
Designing pH-responsive SAP-coated menstrual pads and comparing them to marketable products through quality analysis
Authors: Madhu Chintan , Patel Bharat
Published: April 2024

Background

For a specific purpose involving the pH of menstrual blood and the pH of the vagina during menstruation, the current work describes the development of pH-responsive superadsorbent polymer (SAP)-coated menstrual pads. Acrylic acid (AA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) were used to create a pH-responsive polymer, which was then applied layer by layer to sanitary napkins. Using FTIR, the chemical composition and structure were examined. By examining tests for absorbent capacity, swelling capacity, water retention, sorption under load, strike through, wicking height, and re-wetness under load, the performance studies of coated pads were contrasted with those of menstrual pads that are sold commercially. Additionally, the coated pad’s pH response was examined to determine how stable the polymer was against pH variation.

Results

The use of SAP in this study resulted in a higher free swelling capacity (102.22 g/g) for tap water and absorption under load in sanitary napkins. The absorption capacity of SAP ranges from 8 to 24 h, with values ranging from 14.84 to 132.41 g/g. Similarly, wet back and striking through analysis indicated superior outcomes in comparison with commercial products. The pH of the prepared SAP helps to maintain the necessary acidity level (pH 3.02) for the vagina during menstruation.

Conclusions

Based on comparison results from FTIR, absorbency capacity, rewet, strike-through, and pH, the report recommends using the pH-responsive SAP to coat the top layer of feminine napkins.
Large-scale optical switches by thermo-optic waveguide lens
Authors: Chen Tao , Dang Zhangqi , Deng Zeyu , Ke Shijie , Ding Zhenming , Zhang Ziyang
Published: April 2024

Optical switches are desired in telecom and datacom as an upgrade to electrical ones for lower power consumption and expenses while improving bandwidth and network transparency. Compact, integrated optical switches are attractive thanks to their scalability, readiness for mass production, and robustness against mechanical disturbances. The basic unit relies mostly on a microring resonator or a Mach–Zehnder interferometer for binary “bar” and “cross” switching. Such single-mode structures are often wavelength / polarization dependent, sensitive to phase errors and loss-prone. Furthermore, when they are cascaded to a network, the number of control units grows quickly with the port count, causing high complexity in electronic wiring and drive circuit integration. Herein, we propose a new switching method by thermo-optic waveguide lens. Essentially, this multimode waveguide forms a square law medium by a pair of heater electrodes and focuses light within a chip by robust 1 × 1 imaging. A 1 × 24 basic switch is demonstrated with 32 electrodes and only two are biased at a time for a chosen output. By two-level cascading, the switch expands to 576 ports and only four electrodes are needed for one path. The chips are fabricated on wafer scale in a low-budget laboratory without resorting to foundries. Yet, the performance goes beyond state of the art for low insertion loss, low wavelength dependence and low polarization dependence. This work provides an original, alternative, and practical route to construct large-scale optical switches, enabling broad applications in telecom, datacom and photonic computing.
Multi-task learning with self-learning weight for image denoising
Authors: Xiang Qian , Tang Yong , Zhou Xiangyang
Published: April 2024

Background

Image denoising technology removes noise from the corrupted image by utilizing different features between image and noise. Convolutional neural network (CNN)-based algorithms have been the concern of the recent progress on diverse image restoration problems and become an efficient solution in image denoising.

Objective

Although a quite number of existing CNN-based image denoising methods perform well on the simplified additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) model, their performance often degrades severely on the real-world noisy images which are corrupted by more complicated noise.

Methods

In this paper, we utilized the multi-task learning (MTL) framework to integrate multiple loss functions for collaborative training of CNN. This approach aims to improve the denoising performance of CNNs on real-world images with non-Gaussian noise. Simultaneously, to automatically optimize the weights of individual sub-tasks within the MTL framework, we incorporated a self-learning weight layer into the CNN.

Results

Extensive experiments demonstrate that our approach effectively enhances the denoising performance of CNN-based image denoising algorithms on real-world images. It reduces excessive image smoothing, improves quantitative metrics, and enhances visual quality in the restored images.

Conclusion

Our method shows the effectiveness of the improved performance of denoising CNNS for real-world image denoising processing.
Ethnic density and first episode psychosis in the British Pakistani population: findings from the East Lancashire Early Intervention Service
Authors: Qi Robert , Qureshi Masood , Gire Nadeem , Chaudhry Imran B. , Vass Victoria , McIntyre Jason C. , Barlow Kaylee , Bentall Richard P. , White Ross G. , Husain Nusrat
Published: April 2024

Background

Elevated risk of psychosis for ethnic minority groups has generally been shown to be mitigated by high ethnic density. However, past survey studies examining UK Pakistani populations have shown an absence of protective ethnic density effects, which is not observed in other South Asian groups.

Aims

To assess the ethnic density effect at a local neighbourhood level, in the UK Pakistani population in East Lancashire.

Method

Data was collected by the East Lancashire Early Intervention Service, identifying all cases of first episode psychosis (FEP) within their catchment area between 2012 and 2020. Multilevel Poisson regression analyses were used to compare incidence rates between Pakistani and White majority groups, while controlling for age, gender and area-level deprivation. The ethnic density effect was also examined by comparing incidence rates across high and low density areas.

Results

A total of 455 cases of FEP (364 White, 91 Pakistani) were identified. The Pakistani group had a higher incidence of FEP compared to the White majority population. A clear effect of ethnic density on rates of FEP was shown, with those in low density areas having higher incidence rates compared to the White majority, whereas incidence rates in high density areas did not significantly differ. Within the Pakistani group, a dose-response effect was also observed, with risk of FEP increasing incrementally as ethnic density decreased.

Conclusions

Higher ethnic density related to lower risk of FEP within the Pakistani population in East Lancashire, highlighting the impact of local social context on psychosis incidence.
Disparities in Surgical Intervention and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Racial/Ethnic Groups With Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
Authors: Massaad Elie , Mitchell Taylor S. , Duerr Emmy , Kiapour Ali , Cha Thomas D. , Coumans Jean-Valery C. , Groff Michael W. , Hershman Stuart H. , Kang James D. , Lipa Shaina A. , Small Lianne , Tobert Daniel G. , Schoenfeld Andrew J. , Shankar Ganesh M. , Zaidi Hasan A. , Shin John H. , Williamson Theresa
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Racial and socioeconomic disparities in spine surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis persist in the United States, potentially contributing to unequal health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes. This is important as lumbar spondylolisthesis is one of the most common causes of surgical low back pain, and low back pain is the largest disabler of individuals worldwide. Our objective was to assess the relationship between race, socioeconomic factors, treatment utilization, and outcomes in patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis.

METHODS:

This cohort study analyzed prospectively collected data from 9941 patients diagnosed with lumbar spondylolisthesis between 2015 and 2020 at 5 academic hospitals. Exposures were race, socioeconomic status, health coverage, and HRQoL measures. Main outcomes and measures included treatment utilization rates between racial groups and the association between race and treatment outcomes using logistic regression, adjusting for patient characteristics, socioeconomic status, health coverage, and HRQoL measures.

RESULTS:

Of the 9941 patients included (mean [SD] age, 67.37 [12.40] years; 63% female; 1101 [11.1%] Black, Indigenous, and People of Color [BIPOC]), BIPOC patients were significantly less likely to use surgery than White patients (odds ratio [OR] = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.62-0.75). Furthermore, BIPOC race was associated with significantly lower odds of reaching the minimum clinically important difference for physical function (OR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.60; 0.91) and pain interference (OR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.62-0.97). Medicaid beneficiaries were significantly less likely (OR = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46-0.92) to reach a clinically important improvement in HRQoL when accounting for race.

CONCLUSION:

This study found that BIPOC patients were less likely to use spine surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis despite reporting higher pain interference, suggesting an association between race and surgical utilization. These disparities may contribute to unequal HRQoL outcomes for patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis and warrant further investigation to address and reduce treatment disparities.
Migration increases mitochondrial oxidative capacity without increasing reactive oxygen species emission in a songbird
Authors: Coulson Soren Z. , Guglielmo Christopher G. , Staples James F.
Published: April 2024

Birds remodel their flight muscle metabolism prior to migration to meet the physiological demands of migratory flight, including increases in both oxidative capacity and defence against reactive oxygen species. The degree of plasticity mediated by changes in these mitochondrial properties is poorly understood but may be explained by two non-mutually exclusive hypotheses: variation in mitochondrial quantity or in individual mitochondrial function. We tested these hypotheses using yellow-rumped warblers (Setophaga coronata), a Nearctic songbird which biannually migrates 2000–5000 km. We predicted higher flight muscle mitochondrial abundance and substrate oxidative capacity, and decreased reactive oxygen species emission in migratory warblers captured during autumn migration compared with a short-day photoperiod-induced non-migratory phenotype. We assessed mitochondrial abundance via citrate synthase activity and assessed isolated mitochondrial function using high-resolution fluororespirometry. We found 60% higher tissue citrate synthase activity in the migratory phenotype, indicating higher mitochondrial abundance. We also found 70% higher State 3 respiration (expressed per unit citrate synthase) in mitochondria from migratory warblers when oxidizing palmitoylcarnitine, but similar H2O2 emission rates between phenotypes. By contrast, non-phosphorylating respiration was higher and H2O2 emission rates were lower in the migratory phenotype. However, flux through electron transport system complexes I–IV, II–IV and IV was similar between phenotypes. In support of our hypotheses, these data suggest that flight muscle mitochondrial abundance and function are seasonally remodelled in migratory songbirds to increase tissue oxidative capacity without increasing reactive oxygen species formation.
A systematic investigation of detectors for low signal-to-noise ratio EMG signals
Authors: Yuvaraj Monisha , Raja Priyanka , David Ann , Burdet Etienne , SKM Varadhan , Balasubramanian Sivakumar
Published: April 2024

Background Active participation of stroke survivors during robot-assisted movement therapy is essential for sensorimotor recovery. Robot-assisted therapy contingent on movement intention is an effective way to encourage patients’ active engagement. For severely impaired stroke patients with no residual movements, a surface electromyogram (EMG) has been shown to be a viable option for detecting movement intention. Although numerous algorithms for EMG detection exist, the detector with the highest accuracy and lowest latency for low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) remains unknown. Methods This study, therefore, investigates the performance of 13 existing EMG detection algorithms on simulated low SNR (0dB and -3dB) EMG signals generated using three different EMG signal models: Gaussian, Laplacian, and biophysical model. The detector performance was quantified using the false positive rate (FPR), false negative rate (FNR), and detection latency. Any detector that consistently showed FPR and FNR of no more than 20%, and latency of no more than 50ms, was considered an appropriate detector for use in robot-assisted therapy. Results The results indicate that the Modified Hodges detector – a simplified version of the threshold-based Hodges detector introduced in the current study – was the most consistent detector across the different signal models and SNRs. It consistently performed for ~90% and ~40% of the tested trials for 0dB and -3dB SNR, respectively. The two statistical detectors (Gaussian and Laplacian Approximate Generalized Likelihood Ratio) and the Fuzzy Entropy detectors have a slightly lower performance than Modified Hodges. Conclusions Overall, the Modified Hodges, Gaussian and Laplacian Approximate Generalized Likelihood Ratio, and the Fuzzy Entropy detectors were identified as the potential candidates that warrant further investigation with real surface EMG data since they had consistent detection performance on low SNR EMG data.
Could Anemia Impact the Severity of Infections? COVID-19 as an Example
Authors: ZainAlAbdin Sham , Aburuz Salahdein , Akour Amal , Beiram Rami , Alnajjar Munther , Abdel-Qader Derar , Arafat Mosab , Jarab Anan , Aburuz Mohammed , AlAshram Sara , AlJabi Sara , AlSalama Fatima , Al Hajjar Mohammed
Published: April 2024

Background The association between anemia and severity of infection as well as mortality rates among patients infected with COVID-19 has scarcely been studied. This is the first study UAE aimed to assess the influence of anemia on COVID-19 severity, ICU admission, and mortality rate. Methods A retro-prospective chart review of hospitalized COVID-19 patients was conducted in a large COVID-19 referral hospital in UAE. The study included adult patients with confirmed COVID-19. Clinical and laboratory data, severity of the disease, ICU admissions, and mortality rates were analyzed and correlated to the presence of anemia among the patients. Results A total of 3092 patients were included. 362 patients (11.7%) were anemic and most of the cases were between asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 (77.4%, n=2393). Among patients with anemia, 30.1% (n=109) had moderate to severe COVID-19. Statistically, anemia was associated significantly with a higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcome compared to nonanemic patients (AOR:1.59, 95% CI:1.24-2.04, p<0.001). Intensive care unit (ICU) admission was almost 3 times higher among anemic patients compared to nonanemic (AOR:2.83,95% CI:1.89-4.25, p<0.001). In addition, the overall mortality rate of 2.8% (n=87) was 2.5-fold higher in anemic than nonanemic patients (OR:2.56, CI: 1.49-4.06, p<0.001). Moreover, older age (≥48-year-old) and male gender were independent predictors for severe illness (Age: OR=1.26, CI:1.07-1.51, p=0.006; Gender: OR:1.43,CI:1.15-1.78, p<0.001)) and ICU admission (Age: OR:2.08, CI:1.47-2.94, p<0.001; Gender: OR: 1.83, CI:1.12-3.00, p=0.008) whereas only age ≥48 years old contributed to higher mortality rate (OR:1.60, CI:1.04-2.46, p=0.034). Conclusion Anemia was a major risk factor for severe COVID-19, ICU admission and mortality among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Thus, healthcare providers should be aware of monitoring the hematological parameters among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and anemia to reduce the risk of disease complications and mortality. This association should also be considered in other infectious diseases.
Pulmonary function in Thai patients with systemic sclerosis; a single center 6-year retrospective study
Authors: Pirompanich Pattarin , Sathitakorn Ornnicha , Sakulvorakitti Thitisak
Published: April 2024

Background Interstitial lung fibrosis is a major cause of internal organ involvement and the leading cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study aimed to demonstrate the characteristics of pulmonary function (PF) in Thai patients with SSc and the association between PF and body mass index (BMI) and anti-topoisomerase (anti-Scl70). Methods All patients diagnosed with SSc in our tertiary care teaching hospital database between 2016 and 2021 were reviewed. Clinical characteristics and PF were recorded and analyzed. Results Of 211 SSc patients, 128 patients who underwent the PF test were enrolled; 102 (79.7%) were female. The mean (SD) age was 54.0 (12.5) years. The mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio was 0.8 (0.1). The mean (SD) % predicted values of FEV1, FVC, and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were 76.3 (16.3), 69.1 (15.8), and 75.5 (22.8), respectively. A restrictive spirometry pattern (RSP), defined as FVC < 80% predicted, was found in 78.8% of the patients. DLCO had a moderate positive linear correlation with FVC (r=0.50, p <0.001) and a moderate negative linear correlation with BMI (r=-0.36, p <0.001). However, there was no correlation between FVC and BMI. There was no statistical difference in demographic data or the presence of anti-Scl70 among patients with or without RSP. Conclusions RSP is common among Thai patients with SSc. Spirometry is a cost-effective screening tool for detecting SSc-related pulmonary involvement in resource-limited settings. However, the power of using demographic data and the presence of anti-Scl70 to determine the probability of pulmonary complications remains limited.
Industry 5.0 concepts and enabling technologies, towards an enhanced conservation practice: systematic literature review protocol
Authors: Jiménez Rios Alejandro , L. Petrou Margarita , Ramirez Rafael , Plevris Vagelis , Nogal Maria
Published: April 2024

Industry 4.0 has led to digitalization and an increase in industrial activity. However, it has recently been recognized as inadequate for achieving European goals by 2030. Therefore, a novel Industry 5.0 paradigm has emerged in response to the unexpected negative effects caused by its predecessor. Industry 5.0 is mainly based on three foundational ideas: i) human-centrism, ii) resilience, and iii) sustainability. Human-centric solutions and human-machine-interaction; bio-inspired technologies and smart materials; real time-based digital twins and simulation; cyber safe data transmission, storage, and analysis; artificial intelligence; and energy efficiency and trustworthy autonomy have been recognized as the enabling technologies of this transformative vision. This paper outlines the protocol adopted to conduct a systematic literature review with the aim of exploring how the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Management, Operation, and Conservation (AECMO&C) industry can adapt and be better prepared to embrace novel Industry 5.0 principles and enabling technologies, ultimately resulting in enhanced conservation practices for the built cultural heritage environment. Registration The protocol has been registered on Open Science Framework (24/02/2024) and follows the PRISMA-P guidelines.
LANGUAGE TOOLS FOR CREATING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR INTELLIGENT DECISION-MAKING SUPPORT
Authors: Orlova Dar'ya , Kochedykov Sergey , Chertov Vyacheslav , Novosel'cev Viktor
Published: April 2024

The monograph deals with the problem of choosing language tools for the creation of information technologies of intellectual decision support in the management of critical objects of the social sphere. It includes seven chapters: introductory chapter - system understanding of information technology of intellectual decision support; language of matrices; logical languages (calculus of statements and predicate calculus); language of semantic networks; language of fuzzy sets; language of frames; language of artificial neural networks; language of mathematical optimization. Examples of using these language tools to create information technologies for intellectual support of decision-making in various problem areas are given.
It is oriented on students studying on the educational program of higher education: 09.03.02 - "Information systems and technologies" on a profile "Applied information systems and technologies", and also postgraduate students, oriented on protection of dissertations on a specialty: 1.2.3 - "Management in organizational systems". The material of the monograph will be useful for specialists dealing with practical issues of development and implementation of information technologies.
Propuesta de una definición triádica para el derecho internacional
Authors: Bonilla Montenegro Julián Darío
Published: April 2024

A través de un ejercicio analítico de la teoría jurídica, que tome en consideración los aportes generados desde este campo de conocimiento producido en América Latina, se propone definir el derecho internacional como un “conjunto normativo valorativo encargado de regular las conductas de los sujetos y actores del sistema internacional y las relaciones entre estos”. Se ofrecerá, en primer lugar, un estudio de revisión sobre cómo se ha definido el derecho internacional desde los centros de producción del sistema-mundo para reconocer cuáles son sus características y aportaciones específicas en el desarrollo del proceso definicional. Posteriormente, de acuerdo con trabajos de académicos como Larrauri, Fernández Sessarego y Batista, se identificarán los componentes triádicos del derecho, lo cual, de acuerdo con Reale, permite reconocer el proceso de interacción entre la vida humana y las normas jurídicas, para así hacer extensiva su caracterización conceptual frente a la definición propuesta para este trabajo, en donde se logra un reconocimiento frente a la carga dialéctica presente en los fenómenos jurídicos.
Desarrollos de la Comisión de Derecho Internacional, la CIDH y otras organizaciones internacionales en la protección de los derechos humanos en la pandemia Covid-19
Authors: Abello-Galvis Ricardo , Arévalo-Ramírez Walter
Published: April 2024

Este capítulo propone un análisis de los instrumentos vigentes del derecho internacional público que, siendo preexistentes a la pandemia, pueden dotar a la comunidad internacional de herramientas efectivas para la atención de esta, considerando especialmente la dificulta de producir en el derecho internacional normatividad de manera acelerada y reactiva, y reflexionando sobre la necesidad de recuperar la aplicabilidad de normatividad preexistente. El capítulo analiza dos proyectos elaborados por la Comisión de Derecho Internacional, especialmente relevantes para hacer frente a los retos múltiples de la pandemia producida por el Covid-19: el novedoso y relativamente reciente Proyecto de la CDI sobre la Protección de las Personas en Caso de Desastre, cuyo relator especial fue Eduardo Valencia Ospina (Colombia), y el proyecto, ya consolidado como un instrumento fundamental en la sociedad internacional, sobre la Responsabilidad Internacional del Estado por hechos internacionalmente ilícitos y la relación de estos con el trabajo actual de otras organizaciones internacionales en respuesta a la pandemia, como la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, entre otros.
El dilema contemporáneo de la solidez de los tratados: un apremiante desafío internacional
Authors: Salazar Urbina Daniel Stefano
Published: April 2024

En la contemporaneidad del derecho internacional, una situación que requiere analizarse es aquella relativa al menoscabo de la solidez de los tratados del Plan de Acción Integral Conjunto, Cielos Abiertos y el Pacto de Bogotá. De esta forma, el propósito del presente trabajo se orienta a desarrollar algunos estudios relativos a tal problemática. En ese sentido, se construyó un estudio que abarca la exposición de ciertas ideas sobre cada tratado y los acontecimientos que influyeron en la afectación de su solidez, así como un análisis en torno a las posibilidades de solución de este desafío para la colectividad internacional, pudiendo demostrarse que existen variados factores que incidieron en el atentado a la solidez de cada acuerdo internacional y el que sea necesario replantear la mentalidad de los participantes en la configuración de un tratado, de conformidad con el desarrollo y fomento progresivo de una idónea cultura internacional.
Incumplimiento de la responsabilidad internacional por daños ocasionados con objetos espaciales por parte de las corporaciones internacionales
Authors: Rodríguez Martínez Cristhian Camilo
Published: April 2024

Desde el “Tratado sobre los Principios que deben regir las Actividades de los Estados en la Exploración y Utilización del Espacio Ultraterrestre [...]”, es representativa la mención del derecho espacial. En particular, en el “Convenio sobre Responsabilidad Internacional por los Daños Causados por Objetos Espaciales” (1972). Conceptualizado el daño en el anterior Convenio, sabiendo que, en caso de un accidente espacial, se le dará “responsabilidad absoluta” a los Estados encargados de lo recitado en el artículo 1.o. Sin embargo, cuando el presunto daño surge de una acción u omisión de las compañías internacionales, las cuales diseñan o elaboran los vehículos espaciales, y que a la vez coadyuvan a los viajes espaciales, al no estar como sujetos responsables dentro del sistema internacional, no son destinatarios de responsabilidad. No obstante, los Estados donde están las sucursales de estas compañías también deberían indemnizar ante un eventual hecho internacionalmente ilícito. Estas —las compañías internacionales— deben estar por la razón primordial de que son responsables, garantes y partes dentro de los lanzamientos de las agencias espaciales, entendidas como oficinas auxiliares de los Estados miembros.
Las teorías críticas del derecho internacional y de las relaciones internacionales en el complejo sistema internacional-Estado-sociedad civil en el orden mundial contemporáneo
Authors: Urueña-Sánchez Mario
Published: April 2024

Ese capítulo busca reflejar el aporte de las teorías críticas del derecho internacional y de las relaciones internacionales al entendimiento sobre cómo fue construido socialmente el orden político y jurídico actual, su figura icónica (el Estado) y su interacción con la sociedad civil, para prescribir la construcción de un mundo alternativo al actual. Para dar cumplimiento a este objetivo, la metodología será la de un análisis documental centrado en una genealogía del concepto de Estado a partir de autores críticos que sirvan para oponer las lecturas dominantes, propias del “sentido común” occidental. Los hallazgos centrales del capítulo guardan relación con la exaltación de unidades de análisis de parte de las teorías críticas, las cuales fueron relegadas por las teorías ortodoxas de la disciplina, y por identificar a la apertura metodológica como una inquietud compartida por las aproximaciones críticas.
El constitucionalismo autoritario internacional y el riesgo del estado de excepción
Authors: de Lima Pinto Emerson , Schuck Pinto Joseane Mariéle
Published: April 2024

Con el recrudecimiento de un ambiente global autoritario y conservador, se hace esencial revisitar el concepto de estado de excepción y sus implicaciones para la seguridad regional a partir del análisis del campo del derecho internacional y de las relaciones internacionales. El concepto de estado de excepción es la suspensión de toda norma jurídica vigente, que, frente a la propia existencia de las sociedades democráticas, pretende el fin de preservarla cuando esta es puesta en riesgo. Así, es la suspensión del Estado de derecho a través del derecho. Tal reflexión permite dar continuidad a los estudios sobre la violencia institucional, con el fin de comprender la problemática existente en la esfera del derecho internacional y de las relaciones internacionales en relación con el desarrollo de las condiciones estructurantes del estado de excepción en Brasil y en Argentina y sus implicaciones en el escenario internacional. La investigación fue desarrollada por medio de análisis bibliográfico, utilizando como referente teórico los autores Giorgio Agamben y Carl Schmitt, que posibilitaron indicios reflexivos relevantes para la profundización en el tema. El análisis de los resultados pertinentes a la verificación de la Constitución, legislación brasileña, argentina y normativas internacionales relacionadas con los Estados en cuestión se dieron por medio del método de abordaje deductivo, que parte de legislaciones y levantamientos bibliográficos para posteriormente realizar el análisis de los datos obtenidos.
Dimensiones territoriales de la transición colombiana a la luz de vulneraciones de DD.HH. de las empresas transnacionales mineras.
Authors: Suelt Cock Vanessa
Published: April 2024

En este artículo se sostiene que es necesario abordar uno de los factores centrales del conflicto armado en Colombia, alrededor del territorio, para permitir el acceso y distribución de la tierra. También es necesario resolver las diputas entre los actores legales e ilegales por los recursos en el territorio. En este sentido, se argumenta que existe una contradicción entre las políticas al desarrollo y territoriales que impulsan la industria extractiva, y el punto 1 del Acuerdo de Paz sobre Reforma Rural Integral, que propone medidas de acceso a la tierra y su distribución. Esta contradicción contribuye a la violencia contra los líderes y lideresas sociales que se oponen a la actividad minera en sus territorios. Para aliviar dicha contradicción y que las diversas visiones sobre el territorio y sus recursos no se resuelvan con violencia, es necesario activar las dimensiones territoriales de la justicia transicional que pueden contribuir, de una parte, a la judicialización de las empresas responsables de violaciones de derechos humanos del sector extractivo y, de otra parte, a medidas de restitución y reparación territorial a las víctimas de estos abusos. Las formas de restitución y reparación territorial tienen como marco la nueva planeación dispuesta en el punto uno del Acuerdo de Paz, denominada PDET; en ella se encuentran rutas para acceder a servicios públicos y desarrollo local. Todo ello debe estar articulado con una nueva planeación territorial que transforme las condiciones que dieron lugar al conflicto armado.
Caracterización de las disidencias de las FARC, un análisis desde el derecho internacional humanitario
Authors: Gil Osorio Juan Fernando , Reyes Pulido Óscar Leonardo
Published: April 2024

Para el pueblo colombiano, el anuncio realizado por parte de algunos miembros del otrora secretariado de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) de regresar a las armas, quienes ya se encontraban participando de las facultades políticas otorgadas por el Acto Legislativo 02 de 2017, es uno de los tropiezos más fuertes que ha recibido la implementación del Acuerdo de Paz, ya que estos se comprometieron a dar cumplimiento a todas sus obligaciones derivadas y específicamente en lo que respecta a la presentación ante los órganos del Sistema Integral de Verdad, Justicia, Reparación y No Repetición (SIVJRNR). No obstante, este fenómeno que configura la conformación de nuevos grupos conocidos como “disidencias” y que se suman a los grupos que, con anterioridad, no se sometieron al proceso de desmovilización, se convierten en uno de los desafíos más grandes para el proceso de transición hacia la paz, pues se trata de la desmovilización de una de las guerrillas más antigua del continente. En este sentido y bajo la premisa constitucional de la legalidad, para el Estado y para las FF. MM. resulta imperativo una adecuada identificación y posterior caracterización del fenómeno de las disidencias de las FARC.
Delincuencia transnacional organizada y corrupción: dificultades para su abordaje jurídico
Authors: Olasolo Héctor
Published: April 2024

El presente trabajo analiza, en primer lugar, cómo la corrupción constituye una de las características principales de las organizaciones de la delincuencia transnacional organizada, debido a que, para poder desarrollar con ciertas garantías sus transacciones económicas en los mercados de bienes y servicios ilícitos, necesitan tener una conexión estructural con los poderes públicos y privados de los ámbitos material y territorial en los que actúan.
Herramientas para combatir la corrupción en organizaciones internacionales
Authors: Cortés Beltrán Sergio
Published: April 2024

En el presente artículo se hace un análisis de las herramientas de las organizaciones internacionales para combatir la corrupción. Se estudian los mecanismos que ofrece el sistema de la ONU y los establecidos por la OCDE, las soluciones que ofrecen los sistemas regionales europeos —la UE y el Consejo de Europa— y americanos —la OEA— y regulaciones de criminal compliance de carácter sui generis, como el Grupo de Acción Financiera y las normas ISO.