bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semi-empirical Infrared Spectra Simulation of Pyrene-like Molecules Insight for Simple Analysis of Functionalization Graphene Quantum Dots
Authors: Setianto Setianto , Panatarani Camellia , Singh Deoraj , Joni I Made
Published: December 2022

The Infrared (IR) spectra usually assume the samples are 3D materials. Thus, it is difficult to identify functional groups in 2D materials at the edge and the center of the 2D surface. Therefore, it is crucial to introduce analysis methods that enable the investigation of 2D carbon materials such as graphene and its derivatives using IR spectra. This study calculates the infrared spectra of pyrene-like molecules as an insight for a simple analysis of Graphene Quantum Dots using a semi-empirical method. These IR spectra were correlated to the electronic transition and charge distribution associated with functional groups. The IR spectra analysis focuses on comparing the pristine and functionalized molecule at the wavenumber 1400 to 2000 cm-1, especially to identify the C = C stretching mode and 3000 to 3500 cm-1 for C-H and OH stretching. Moreover, the determination of excitation spectra was carried out to analyze the electronic transition of the molecules in the visible area (400 to 1000 nm) calculated using ZINDO method. The investigation of the pyrene-like GQD permitted the identification of the edge and center surface functionalization in 2D carbon materials.
A unit-based symbolic execution method for detecting memory corruption vulnerabilities in executable codes
Authors: Baradaran Sara , Heidari Mahdi , Kamali Ali , Mouzarani Maryam
Published: December 2022

Memory corruption is a serious class of software vulnerabilities, which requires careful attention to be detected and removed from applications before getting exploited and harming the system users. Symbolic execution is a well-known method for analyzing programs and detecting various vulnerabilities, e.g., memory corruption. Although this method is sound and complete in theory, it faces some challenges, such as path explosion, when applied to real-world complex programs. In this paper, we present a method for improving the efficiency of symbolic execution and detecting four classes of memory corruption vulnerabilities in executable codes, i.e., heap-based buffer overflow, stack-based buffer overflow, use-after-free, and double-free. We perform symbolic execution only on test units rather than the whole program to avoid path explosion. In our method, test units are considered parts of the program's code, which might contain vulnerable statements and are statically identified based on the specifications of memory corruption vulnerabilities. Then, each test unit is symbolically executed to calculate path and vulnerability constraints of each statement of the unit, which determine the conditions on unit input data for executing that statement or activating vulnerabilities in it, respectively. Solving these constraints gives us input values for the test unit, which execute the desired statements and reveal vulnerabilities in them. Finally, we use machine learning to approximate the correlation between system and unit input data. Thereby, we generate system inputs that enter the program, reach vulnerable instructions in the desired test unit, and reveal vulnerabilities in them. This method is implemented as a plugin for angr framework and evaluated using a group of benchmark programs. The experiments show its superiority over similar tools in accuracy and performance.
The effect of disorder in multi-component covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Wolpert Emma , Tarzia Andrew , Jelfs Kim
Published: December 2022

The discovery of 2-dimensional (2D) covalent organic framework (COF) solid solutions enables the engineering of pore sizes as a function of linker ratio. However, how the components are distributed within the COF lattice may determine the degree of control over porosity for targeted applications. Here, we examined the effect of linker distribution on three multi-component COFs containing linkers that differ in length. We looked at how two different types of linker distribution affect the pore size and shape within single-layers of the COF: (i) randomly distributed linkers and (ii) when there is some correlation between the linker distribution. We were able to reveal a relationship between linker distribution and the properties seen in COF solid solutions. Moreover, the method used to produce the disordered structures presented in this paper is generalisable and could be used in further studies to examine the properties of disordered COFs.
A green, efficient and economical polypeptide - modified bamboo fiber and its application in glycopeptide antibiotics adsorption
Authors: Zhou Xiaoqian , Guo Dandan , Huang Shaohua , Zhao Yufen
Published: December 2022

Inspired by wet-cool/dry-hot cycle drived prebiotic reactions, a green and efficient dry-wet cycle modification method was proposed for the preparation of polypeptide-modified bamboo fiber (P-MBF). Functionalization of P-MBF was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, element analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Compared to raw bamboo fiber materials, P-MBF showed better dispersibility in aqueous solutions, and thus exhibited better adsorption performance for glycopeptide antibiotics in sewage treatment. With vancomycin as the target antibiotic, adsorption performance of P-MBF was studied in aqueous solution. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms were well correlated with pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir model, respectively. Investigation of thermodynamic parameters implied that the adsorption was a spontaneous exothermic process. The adsorption efficiencies in standard solution and drinking water were 97.83% and 91.32% , respectively. This study provides a green, efficient and economical modified bamboo fiber material for the removal of glycopeptide antibiotics from sewage samples.
“Day or night, no matter what, I will go”: Women’s perspectives on challenges associated with receiving follow-up after abnormal cervical cancer screening results in Iquitos, Peru: a qualitative study
Authors: Morse Rachel M. , Jurczuk Magdalena , Brown Joanna , Carrillo Lita , Meza Graciela , López Jennifer Ríos , Gravitt Patti E. , Tracy J. Kathleen , Paz-Soldan Valerie A.
Published: December 2022

Background: The study’s objective was to explore the factors associated with loss to follow up among women with abnormal cervical cancer screening results in Iquitos, Peru from women’s perspectives.
Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 screen-positive women who were referred for follow-up care but for whom evidence of follow up was not found.
Results: All interviewed women were highly motivated to complete the continuum of care but faced numerous barriers along the way, including cognitive barriers such as a lack of knowledge about cervical cancer and poor communication from health professionals regarding the process, structural barriers such as challenges with scheduling appointments and unavailability of providers, and financial barriers including out-of-pocket payments and costs related to travel or missing days of work. With no registry to ensure the continuum of care, we found fragmentation between primary and hospital-level care, and often, registration of women’s follow up care was missing altogether, preventing women from being able to receive proper care and providers from ensuring that women receive care and treatment as needed.
Conclusions: The challenges elucidated demonstrate the complexity of implementing a successful cervical cancer prevention program and indicate a need for any such program to consider the perspectives of women and multiple levels in the system to improve follow up after a positive screening test.
Optimizing Detection of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer through Nomograms incorporating MRI, Clinical Features, and Advanced Serum Biomarkers
Authors: Siddiqui Mohammad , Siddiqui Mohammad , Li Eric , Kumar Sai , Busza Anna , Lin Jasmine , Mahenthiran Ashorne , Aguiar Jonathan , Shah Parth , Ansbro Brandon , Rich Jordan , Solima Moataz , Keeter Mary-Kate , Mai Quan , Mi Xinlei , Tosoian Jeffrey , Schaeffer Edward , Patel Hiten , Ross Ashley
Published: December 2022

Purpose
To develop nomograms that predict the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer at diagnostic biopsy based on multiparametric prostate MRI (mpMRI), serum biomarkers, and patient clinicodemographic features.
Materials and Methods
Nomograms were developed from a cohort of biopsy-naïve men presenting to our 11-hospital system with a PSA of 2-20ng/mL who underwent pre-biopsy mpMRI from March 2018-June 2021 (n = 1494). The outcomes were the presence of clinically significant and high-grade prostate cancer (defined as ≥ GG2 [Grade Group 2] and ≥ GG3 prostate cancer, respectively). Using significant variables on multivariable logistic regression, individual nomograms were developed for men with PSA, % free PSA, or prostate health index (PHI) when available. The nomograms were both internally validated and evaluated in an independent cohort of 366 men presenting to our hospital system from July 2021-February 2022.
Results
1031 of 1494 men (69%) underwent biopsy after initial evaluation with mpMRI, 493 (47.8%) of whom were found to have ≥ GG2 PCa, and 271 (26.3%) were found to have ≥ GG3 PCa. Age, race, highest PIRADS score, prostate health index (PHI) when available, % free PSA when available, and PSA density were significant predictors of ≥ GG2 and ≥ GG3 PCa on multivariable analysis and were used for nomogram generation. Accuracy of nomograms in both the training cohort and independent cohort were high, with areas under the curves (AUC) of ≥ 0.885 in the training cohort and ≥ 0.896 in the independent validation cohort. In our independent validation cohort, our model for ≥ GG2 prostate cancer with PHI saved 39.1% of biopsies (143/366) while only missing 0.8% of csPCa (1/124) with a biopsy threshold of 20% probability of csPCa.
Conclusions
Here we developed nomograms combining serum testing and mpMRI to help clinicians risk stratify patients with elevated PSA of 2-20ng/mL who are being considered for biopsy. Our nomograms are available at https://rossnm1.shinyapps.io/MynMRIskCalculator/ to aid with biopsy decisions.
Carrier frequency of SMA by quantitative analysis of the SMN1 deletion in the Northern- Cyprus population
Authors: Abbasigharaei Sara , Bostancı Aysegul , Ergoren Mahmut Cerkez
Published: December 2022

SMA is a rare autosomal recessive neuromuscular, where one out of each 10,000 live births can be affected by this syndrome. The atrophy is caused by the gradual loss of alpha motor neurons, within the ventral spinal cord or motor nuclei within the lower brainstem. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the carrier frequency of SMN1 gene mutation causing SMA in Turkish Cypriot population. This is the first study to evaluate the SMN1 deletion mutations in this population. The mutation detection of SMN1 gene mutations, Exon 7 and 8 deletions, and c.849C/T substitution within exon 7 was carried out according to the manufacturer. In the total of 100 individuals, 3 patients turned out to be a carrier of the SMN1 gene in both exon 7 and 8 (carrier number 1) and another patient (Carrier number 2) showed a carrier status of SMN1 gene only in exon 7. Our findings revealed that the carrier frequency of mutation in the SMN1 gene for exon 7 is 4% (4:100 healthy individuals) while its mutation prevalence for exon 8 is 3% (3:100 healthy individuals). In conclusion, health precautions must be taken due to the high frequency of SMA linked to the deletion of the SMN1 gene. Carrier testing as a technique for genetic counseling may be advantageous for individuals with a positive family history. To this population, we strongly recommend prenatal testing. The Ministry of Health has received our findings, and they will decide whether to include tests for the SMN1 gene variant in premarital examinations.
Phosphorus-enriched organomineral fertilizers affect the cation exchange algorithm of the soil in the transition to organic farming in a calcareous soil: A comparative evaluation
Authors: Toprak Serdar , Seferoğlu Saime
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of phosphorus-enriched cattle manure applications on the exchangeable cations content, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and base saturation rate (BSR) of the lime soil. The research was carried out with five different levels of dairy cattle manure (DM0: 0; DM1: 10; DM2: 20; DM3: 30; DM4: 40 t ha− 1) and with five different levels of phosphorus dose (P0: 0; P1: 10; P2: 20; P3: 30; P4: 40 kg P ha− 1) in the ecological conditions of Southwest Türkiye during the wheat vegetation period of 2019–2021. The study was carried out in medium calcareous soil (14.8%) with three replications randomized blocks experimental by composing organomineral fertilizer combinations. In addition, nitrogen (urea) and potassium (potassium nitrate) fertilizers were also applied as support fertilizers during the wheat vegetation season for two years in the study. According to the results of the study, the highest change in exchangeable Ca and K content in soils was obtained from organomineral fertilizer applications by 11.2% and 29.7% respectively, and the highest change in exchangeable Mg and Na content was obtained from dairy cattle manure applications by 25.1% and 18.2%, respectively. Among the fertilization systems, the highest increase in total exchangeable cations was 13.1% and the increase in CEC was 21.3% in organomineral fertilizer applications. The fastest decrease in the BSR was also obtained from the organomineral fertilization system. As a result, it has been determined that M4P2 application is the most economical and the most effective combination in the cation exchange algorithm among organomineral fertilizer combinations.
Evaluation of Vertical Skeletal Changes in Hyperdivergent Individuals Who Underwent Four Premolar Extraction Treatments
Authors: Tunca Murat , Kaya Yesim , Tunca Yasemin
Published: December 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Performance Analysis of P2P Network Content Delivery Based on Queueing Model
Authors: Ma Zhanyou , Yan Miao , Wang Rong , Wang Shunzhi
Published: December 2022

In P2P networks, content delivery is very critical, but there are not many relevant research results. In this paper, in order to simulate content delivery in P2P mode, online players are abstracted as servers that can provide services, the peers write content to buffer is abstracted as the customers' arrival, and the players read content from buffer is abstracted as the service process of the servers. An M/M/c queueing model with random variation in the number of servers is developed considering the influence of the number of P2P online servers on energy consumption, and negative customer and preemptive priority policies are introduced. The matrix-geometric solution method was used to derive performance measures for two types of customer, such as average queue length and average delay in the steady state of the system. And use Matlab to give some numerical examples to analyze the trend of performance measures with parameters in P2P networks. The benefit function is established to obtain the parameter values that make the social benefit optimal by Nash equilibrium and social optimal strategy.
Composition optimization of Bioactive glass /Chitosan /Zeolite ternary bio- composite
Authors: Moghaddam Nakisa , Oroujzadeh Nasrin , Salehirad Alireza
Published: December 2022

To achieve the desired mechanical and biological properties, the weight percentage of each component in bioactive glass/chitosan/zeolite bio-composite fabricated via the liquid phase method was optimized. In the first step: the weight percentage of zeolite was kept constant and the amounts of the other two components were modified considering the mechanical properties. In the second step, to optimize the weight percentage of the zeolite, the best sample of the first step was re-fabricated with different zeolite percentages (5 to 20 wt.%). All the bio-composites were identified by FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, and EDS, then their mechanical properties were measured. To determine the biological activity, samples were immersed in SBF for 1, 3, and 7 days and the hydroxyapatite growth rate was measured by XRD. Results specified that the sample with 65 wt.% bioactive glass/20 wt.% chitosan/15 wt.% zeolite had the best mechanical properties and had excellent hydroxyapatite growth in three days.
An ATP-sensitive phosphoketolase regulates carbon fixation in cyanobacteria
Authors: Lu Kuan-Jen , Chang Chiung-Wen , Wang Chun-Hsiung , Chen Frederic Y-H , Huang Irene , Huang Pin-Hsuan , Yang Cheng-Han , Wu Hsiang-Yi , Wu Wen-Jin , Hsu Kai-Cheng , Ho Meng-Chiao , Tsai Ming-Daw , Liao James
Published: December 2022

Regulation of CO2 fixation in cyanobacteria is important both for the organism and the global carbon balance. Here we show that phosphoketolase in Synechococcus elongatus PCC7942 (SeXPK) possesses a distinct ATP sensing mechanism, which upon ATP drops, allows SeXPK to divert precursors of the RuBisCO substrate away from the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle. Deleting the SeXPK gene increased CO2 fixation particularly during light-dark transitions. In high-density cultures, the Dxpk strain showed a 60% increase in carbon fixation, and unexpectedly resulted in sucrose secretion without any pathway engineering. Using cryo-EM analysis, we discovered that these functions were enabled by a unique allosteric regulatory site involving two subunits jointly binding two ATP, which constantly suppresses the activity of SeXPK until the ATP level drops. This magnesium-independent ATP allosteric site is present in many species across all three domains of life, where it may also play important regulatory functions.
Sialoadhesin (CD169/Siglec-1) is an extended molecule that escapes inhibitory cis-interactions and synergizes with other macrophage receptors to promote phagocytosis
Authors: Crocker Paul Richard , Klaas Mariliis , Ferguson David J P , Dubock Stuart
Published: December 2022

Sialoadhesin (CD169/Siglec-1, Sn) is a macrophage receptor that interacts with sialic acids on both host cells and pathogens. It is a type 1 membrane protein with an unusually large number of 17 extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, made up of an N-terminal V-set domain that binds sialic acid and 16 adjacent C2 set domains. The potential importance of 17 Ig domains in Sn for mediating cellular interactions has not been investigated experimentally. In the present study, Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells were stably transfected with full-length or truncated forms of Sn. Using human red blood cells (RBC) as a model system, CHO cells expressing truncated forms of Sn with 4 or less Ig domains were unable to bind RBC in comparison to the full-length protein. Immunoelectron microscopy of the CHO cells indicated that full-length Sn extends ~ 33 nm from the plasma membrane compared with ~ 14 nm for a truncated form with 6 N-terminal Ig domains. Co-expresssion of Sn-expressing CHO cells with heavily glycosylated membrane proteins of differing predicted lengths resulted in selective modulation of Sn-dependent binding to RBC and supported the hypothesis that Sn has evolved 17 Ig domains to escape inhibitory cis-interactions. The functional significance of the extended length of Sn was demonstrated in experiments with macrophages showing that Sn synergizes with phagocytic receptors FcR and TIM-4 to strongly promote uptake of IgG-opsonized and eryptotic RBCs respectively.
Design optimization of corona ring and grading ring for a 400kV Tension insulator
Authors: Archana C , K Usha
Published: December 2022

The design of polymer insulator depends on the surface electric field gradient. Increased electric field distribution generates corona discharge and leads to breakdown. Corona discharge has become an important factor not only because of corona losses but also due to electromagnetic interferences. Hence proper design optimization is necessary while designing the corona ring and grading ring which is employed at the critical region of the insulator to reduce the corona discharge. In this paper, optimized ring designs are identified for a 400kV tension type insulator. Three phase tension insulator along with the tower model is selected and its electric field distribution is calculated using finite element analysis. A 3D model design is developed using FEM based software. Seven structure parameters of the corona and grading rings are varied and the electric field is calculated. The optimized ring design is then achieved using multi-objective genetic algorithm. The obtained corona ring and grading ring parameters are compared with the simulated values and the error is less than 3%. Hence the proposed methodology can be used for prediction of corona ring and grading ring design, as the electric field is below the critical value.
A combination prediction model based on ELM and prior information of shapelet for algal bloom
Authors: Liu Mingwei , Zhang Huiyan , Wang Xiaoyi , Xu Jiping , Wang Li , Sun Qian , Wang Zhaoyang
Published: December 2022

Prediction is crucial to prevent the outbreaks of algal bloom. However, due to the time-varying and nonlinear characteristics of algal bloom, which brings challenges for accurate prediction. Aiming at solving the problem, we consider both prior information and data-driven, and propose an error compensation combination prediction model based on the manifold regularized extreme learning machine fused shapelet (ECM-MRELM-FS). First, the prior information is extracted as the upward shapelet set to discover and predict the value of algal bloom at the typical evolution mode. Meanwhile, a data-driven model of manifold regularized extreme learning machine (MRELM) is used to predict the value of algal bloom at other atypical evolution modes. This switching combination builds a prediction model by MRELM fused the upward shapelet, which can effectively utilize the advantages of prior information and data-driven. Then, an optimized T-S fuzzy inference systems as error compensation model (ECM) based on improved fuzzy c-means clustering is proposed to promote the accuracy of the prediction further. The experiments are performed by two real water quality datasets from USA and China. The final results demonstrate that the proposed combination prediction model can effectively predict algal bloom and provide a feasible and scientific early warning support for the water quality management in lake and reservoir.
Evaluating Professionalism and Design of Dental Practice Websites
Authors: Diego Jonathan San , Al-Kateb Jumana , Sagoo Anika , Sharka Rayan , Piper Kim
Published: December 2022

Aims and objectives
To develop an alternative evaluation checklist which is informed by Nichols and Hassall (2011) and illustrate how this can be applied to evaluate a random sample of dental practice websites on the basis of its usability, technical design and meeting professional standards and guidance mandated by a dental professional body.
Materials and methods
104 dental practice websites were systematically selected from a major city in the UK and evaluated using the 11Ps (alternative evaluation checklist). A primary and secondary analysis (by a second rater) was conducted of all the websites ensuring results were accurate and that all questions in the checklist were answered.
Results
Of the dental practices considered, none met all the specifications in the 11 Ps Evaluation Checklist. Our results revealed the frequency of compliance to various professional standards were low such as presenting information to the practices’ complaint’s procedure.
Conclusions
Dental practices in the UK would benefit from further guidance on how to design their websites in alignment with professional guidance. Compliance to some obligatory professional standards were high, however, many professional guidelines were not adhered to. Our proposed 11 P’s evaluation checklist can be further adapted for an in-depth assessment with consideration to professional standards, usability, and technical design.
Existence results to a Leray-Lions type problem on the Heisenberg Lie groups
Authors: Razani Abdolrahman , Safari Farzaneh
Published: December 2022

Here, the existence and multiplicity of weak solutions to a generalized (p(·), q(·))-Laplace equation involving the Leray-Lions type operators with Hardy potential are studied under the Dirichlet boundary conditions on the Heisenberg groups.
WITHDRAWN: Spotting lights on genotoxicity and mutagenicity of cobalt chloride -Induced Multi-organ Dysfunction: Impact of HIF1-α/TGF-β/Smad-2/Bax/Bcl2 signaling pathways
Authors: Ali Hanaa , Osman Mai
Published: December 2022

Cobalt chloride (CoCl2) is a ferromagnetic ubiquitous trace element that is commonly used in the production of diamonds, catalysts, and alloys. However, it might be considered a human health danger. Additionally, too much dietary cobalt can impair a variety of essential organs, which opens the door to understanding the toxicity of cobalt chloride in the liver, kidney, and cardiac tissues. To determine if the combination of arginine (Argi) and/or carnosine (Carn) can modify the expression of growth factors such Smad-2, TGF-, HIF1-, AKT mRNA, and apoptotic biomarkers Bax/ Bcl2 ratio by reducing the potentially harmful effects of cobalt chloride. Furthermore, investigate the new method by which these substances prevent Cobalt Chloride intoxication by preventing apoptosis in the target tissues. Organ poisoning was demonstrated by administering Cobalt Chloride at a dose of (60 mg/kg, SC), which was followed by treatments with Carnosine (200 mg/kg) and/or Arginine (200 mg/kg) 24 and 1 hour earlier, respectively. Hemoglobin concentration was dramatically reduced by cobalt chloride, meanwhile, protein expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), AKT, Suppressor of Mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad-2), transforming growth factor (TGF-β), and Bax/ Bcl2 ratio were elevated. Although, the combination of the fore mentioned antioxidants exerted a synergistic anti-apoptotic effect in all target tissues by the downregulation of the expression of the above-mentioned apoptotic biomarkers. It was revealed that Carn and Argi may inhibit apoptosis in response to cobalt chloride-induced poisoning through various signaling pathways.
WITHDRAWN: Characterization of Babassu Mesocarp Flour as Potential Bio-Reinforcement for the Sustainable Development of Poly(Lactic Acid)-Based Composite Films
Authors: Silva Lucas Rafael Carneiro da , Alves Tatianny Soares , Barbosa Renata , Morisso Fernando Dal Pont , Rios Alessandro de Oliveira , Santana Ruth Marlene Campomanes
Published: December 2022

In the babassu oil extraction industry, several types of by-products are generated, and one of them is the mesocarp, which when dried and ground, is transformed into a flour that is called “Babassu Mesocarp Flour” (BMF). Thus, the use of the BMF as a bio-reinforcement for Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA) aiming at the production of composite films applied in food packaging is a promising alternative, which leads to the development of new products with added value. Therefore, in this work, before any attempt to produce films, the industrially extracted BMF was characterized for a better understanding of its chemical composition and inherent characteristics. The elemental analysis showed that this raw material is predominantly an organic material, however, it also presented contents of inorganic chemical elements according to the X-ray fluorescence analysis. Its particles exhibited an average diameter of 38.82 µm and a specific surface area of 3.02 m2/g. Through microscopic techniques, mainly by scanning electron microscopy, starch granules in different shapes and sizes were observed, since starch is the main component of the composition of this raw material. The results of X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy showed a structure and functional groups, respectively, typical of starchy materials, evidencing the sustainable and biodegradable character of the BMF. The reported characteristics of the BMF are of great value in PLA-based film formulations, as this combination would reduce impacts on the environment, as both are ecologically correct.
I wasn't sure it would work. I was just trying: The choice of abortion methods among young women in Kilifi county, Kenya, and the Atlantique department, Benin
Authors: Omondi Gladys Akinyi , Both Jonna , Ouedraogo Ramatou , Kimemia Grace , Juma Kenneth
Published: December 2022

Background
Despite the increased availability of safe abortion methods in sub-Saharan Africa, women continue to use unsafe abortion methods that result in severe complications, lifelong disabilities, and maternal deaths. Barriers to safe abortion methods are largely attributed to restrictive abortion laws, low levels of awareness of safe abortion methods, poverty, and socio-cultural and health system barriers. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of data on the pathways toward the use of either safe or unsafe abortion methods, and especially the mechanisms of decision-making around choices of abortion methods. By answering the questions: which abortion methods do women use and why? Who and what influences their decisions? What can we learn from their decision-making process to enhance the use of safe abortion methods? We provide an in-depth analysis of the rationale behind the choice of abortion methods used by women in Kilifi County in Kenya and the Atlantique department in Benin.
Methods
We derive data from an ethnographic study conducted between January and August 2021 on lived experiences, social determinants, and pathways to abortion. Data were collected using in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 95 girls and women who had a recent abortion experience. Key informant interviews (KIIs) and Focused group discussions (FGDs) were also conducted. Data analysis was carried out through an inductive process.
Results
Our findings reveal that women used a variety of methods to procure an abortion including the use of herbs, high doses of pharmaceutical drugs, homemade concoctions, medical abortion drugs, and surgical abortion methods. Women used the different methods singularly, multiple times, and sometimes mixed them to achieve their final goal of pregnancy termination. The primary motivation for the use of different abortion methods was the pursuit of social safety (preservation of social relationships and avoidance of shame and stigmatization) instead of medical safety.
Conclusion
Our findings affirm the need to increase access to reliable and well-framed information about safe abortion methods. Abortion services should also consider both medical and social safety.
Effects of simulated fire and browsing on the resprouting of subtropical dune thicket shrubs in the southeastern Cape Floristic Region
Authors: Strydom Tiaan , Cowling Richard M. , Grobler B. Adriaan , Kraaij Tineke
Published: December 2022

Aim: The expansion of subtropical thicket vegetation at the expense of more species-rich, fire-prone fynbos, potentially due to lower frequency and severity of fire and browsing, is a concern in many coastal dune landscapes of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) where these two vegetation types co-occur. We were interested in the effects of severe fire and browsing treatment on the vigour of post-fire resprouts of dune thicket shrubs.
Location: Cape St Francis, CFR, South Africa.
Methods: We used an in-situ experimental approach to compare the effects of simulated fire and browsing by herbivores on mortality, resprouting vigour and resprouting rate of ten canopy-forming dune thicket shrub species from different architectural guilds, five years after a previous severe wildfire.
Results: Survival was significantly lower after fire (85%) than after browsing (95%), and was significantly positively related to pre-treatment shrub size. All measures of resprouting vigour were significantly lower after fire than after browsing, and were significantly positively related to pre-treatment size. Resprouting rate was significantly lower after fire than after browsing, and was significantly positively affected by pre-treatment size. Survival and measures of resprouting vigour were generally decoupled from architectural guild and species identity.
Conclusion: Dune thicket shrubs showed high survival after both fire and browsing treatments, suggesting that these species are resilient to frequent, severe defoliation disturbances. Our results suggest that short interval fires (5-15 years) of high severity will merely maintain the co-occurrence of dune fynbos and thicket vegetation by setting back thicket growth rather than causing large-scale mortality of thicket shrubs.
Cardiac amyloidosis patient with cardiac conduction disturbances: A case report
Authors: Hosono Keisuke , Kiuchi Shunsuke , Ikeda Takanori
Published: December 2022

Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) has recently been diagnosed more because of advances in diagnostic techniques, such as 99mTc-labeled pyrophosphate (99mTc PYP) scintigraphy. ATTR-CA remains poorly diagnosed by many physicians, except for cardiologists and neurologists, and by patients. In this manuscript, we present a patient who was recommended to undergo a close examination but developed cardiac conduction disturbances and defects due to delays in the examination and treatment initiation. The patient was a 72-year-old Japanese man treated for hypertension at our hospital for approximately 30 years. The patient was diagnosed with left ventricular hypertrophy at 62 years old and hospitalized for heart failure at 68 years old. ATTR-CA was suspected by 99mTc-PYP scintigraphy performed at 70 years old, and a skin biopsy was performed. However, the skin biopsy did not confirm the diagnosis, and myocardial biopsy was recommended, which was declined by the patient. He finally consented to myocardial biopsy 2 years later, leading to the diagnosis of ATTR-CA at 72 years old. However, the patient had atrial fibrillation and a complete atrioventricular block. If ATTR-CA were widely recognized and understood, it might have been diagnosed and treated before the cardiac conduction disturbances appeared. It is essential to have an understanding and appropriate examinations for ATTR-CA based on sufficient explanation and consent.
Deep Learning-based Prediction of Intra-Cardiac Blood Flow in Long-axis Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Sun Xiaowu , Cheng Li-Hsin , Plein Sven , Garg Pankaj , Moghari Mehdi H. , Geest Rob J. van der
Published: December 2022

Purpose: We aimed to design and evaluate a deep learning-based method to automatically predict the time-varying in-plane blood flow velocity within the cardiac cavities in long-axis cine MRI, validated against 4D flow.
Methods: A convolutional neural network (CNN) was implemented, taking cine MRI as the input and the in-plane velocity derived from the 4D flow acquisition as the ground truth. The method was evaluated using velocity vector end-point error (EPE) and angle error. Additionally, the E/A ratio and diastolic function classification derived from the predicted velocities were compared to those derived from the 4D flow.
Results: For intra-cardiac pixels with a velocity >5 cm/s, our method achieved an EPE of 8.65 cm/s, angle errorof 41.27°. For pixels with a velocity >25 cm/s, the angle error significantly reduced to 19.26°. Although the averaged blood flow velocity prediction was under-estimated by 26.69%, the high correlation (PCC=0.95) of global time-varying velocity and the visual evaluation demonstrate a good agreement between our prediction and 4D flow data. The E/A ratio was derived with minimal bias, but with considerable mean absolute error of 0.39 and wide limits of agreement. The diastolic function classification showed a high accuracy of 88.1%.
Conclusions: Using a deep learning-based algorithm, intra-cardiac blood flow velocities can be predicted from long-axis cine MRI with high correlation with 4D flow derived velocities. Visualization of the derived velocities provides adjunct functional information and may potentially be used to derive the E/A ratio from conventional CMR exams.
Adherence to the French Dietary Guidelines decreases type 2 diabetes risk through pathways of obesity markers: The E3N-EPIC Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Seck Daouda , Shah Sanam , Correia Emmanuelle , Marques Chloé , Varraso Raphaëlle , Gaye Bamba , Boutron-Ruault Marie-Christine , Laouali Nasser
Published: December 2022

Background/Objectives: Obesity and type diabetes (T2D) have been associated with low adherence to the 2017 French food-based dietary guidelines, as assessed by the Programme National Nutrition Santé - guidelines score 2 (PNNS-GS2). However, whether the association between T2D and the PNNS-GS2 is direct or mediated by obesity, a major risk factor for T2D, has been little investigated.Subjects/Methods: The study included 71,450 women from the French E3N-EPIC cohort, mean age of 52.9 years (SD 6.7). The simplified PNNS-GS2 (sPNNS-GS2) was derived via a food history questionnaire. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of T2D for each 1-SD increase in sPNNS-GS2. Causal mediation analyses were used to decompose the total effect of sPNNS-GS2 on T2D into a direct effect and indirect effect mediated by body mass index (BMI) or the waist-hip ratio (WHR).Results: During a mean follow-up of 19 years, 3679 incident T2D cases were identified and validated. There was a linear association between adherence to sPNNS-GS2 and T2D risk (P-nonlinearity = 0.92). In the fully adjusted model, each 1-SD increase in the sPNNS-GS2 was associated with a lower risk of T2D [HR (95% CI), 0.92 (0.89, 0.95)]. The overall associations were mainly explained by sPNNS-GS2-associated excess weight, with BMI and WHR mediating 52% and 58% of the associations, respectively.Conclusions: Higher adherence to the 2017 French food-based dietary guidelines was associated with a lower risk of T2D in women, and a significant portion of this effect could be attributed to excess weight measured by BMI or WHR. This finding helps better understand the mechanisms underlying the diet-T2D association.
Does female representation on corporate boards boost the strengthening of internal control in socially responsible firms?
Authors: Pasko Oleh , Yang Zhang , Tkachenko Viktoriia , Proskurina Nelia , Pushkar Iryna
Published: December 2022

This study examines the relationship between corporate social responsibility and the effectiveness of internal control, while simultaneously examining board gender diversity to check whether female directors contribute to corporate transparency or not. The sample of the study comprises 15,231 firm-year observations of companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2013 to 2018. The raw data for variable calculation come from authoritative and reputable sources, such as China Stock Market and Accounting Research (CSMAR), DIB Internal Control database, and RKS CSR score. The empirical study shows that socially high-performing firms possess a more effective internal control mechanism. However, the paper failed to find a positive association of gender diversity on the board with internal control effectiveness, and failed to attest reinforcing effect of female directors on internal control in socially responsible firms. This study suggests that in China’s institutional environment, female directors are unlikely to contribute to increased corporate transparency. This study is useful for both regulators and company management to establish a master plan and tactics for board composition to improve corporate transparency, taking into account the effect of the investigated phenomena within the jurisdiction under study.
AcknowledgmentThis paper is co-funded by the European Union through the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) within the project “EMBRACING EU CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF BUSINESS-SOCIETY BONDS TRANSFORMATION IN UKRAINE” 101094100 — EECORE — ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH-UA-IBA / ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCHRSCH https://eecore.snau.edu.ua/
Presentación
Authors: Santana Villegas Rafael
Published: December 2022

"Con enorme gusto ponemos a su disposición el segundo número, volumen 4 de la Revista Panamericana de Comunicación, correspondiente a los meses de julio a diciembre de 2022. Se cierra con esta edición el cuarto año de nuestra revista con lo que sin duda aumenta también la experiencia que se reﬂeja en la calidad de las publicaciones.El presente número tuvo como editor asociado al Dr. Gabriel Domínguez Partida, profesor investigador y director de la Licenciatura en Comunicación y Creación Audiovisual del Campus Guadalajara, quien tuvo a bien conseguir una interesante selección de artículos basados en el tema de esta edición: La presencia hispana y latinoamericana en la industria de los videojuegos"--Presentación
La producción de videojuegos en La Habana durante el 2019. ¿Una industria en construcción?
Authors: López García Hamlet , Fernández Hernández Carlos , Rodríguez Fidel Alejandro , Pérez Piloto Amanda
Published: December 2022

El artículo tiene el objetivo de diagnosticar cuál es el estado de la producción de videojuegos en la ciudad de La Habana. Para ello recoge información mediante entrevistas a algunos  productores y analiza información documental durante el 2019, año que cubre el presente artículo. Entre los principales resultados se encuentra que si bien no puede hablarse de la presencia de una industria, existe una ventana de oportunidad para su fomento. El artículo concluye con algunas referencias a lo ocurrido  posteriormente al año del estudio y un conjunto de sugerencias de políticas.
Modelos de masculinidad en la ficción televisiva tardofranquista: la serie Este señor de negro (Antonio Mercero, 1975-6)
Authors: García-Defez Olga
Published: December 2022

En los días anteriores y posteriores al fallecimiento de Francisco Franco Televisión Española emitió una serie de trece capítulos titulada Este señor de negro (Antonio Mercero, 1975-6) y protagonizada por José Luis López Vázquez. En ella el personaje principal se enfrenta a una sociedad cambiante donde toman especial protagonismo las variaciones en la masculinidad hegemónica vigente. El presente texto analiza cómo esta fcción seriada televisiva detectó y representó dichas variaciones en la diégesis.
La sátira política como mecanismo comunicativo: el ejemplo de la colección de Papeles Varios del Archivo Histórico de la Universidad de Salamanca
Authors: Vivas Moreno Agustín
Published: December 2022

La Colección de Papeles Varios (P.V.) del Archivo Histórico de la Universidad de Salamanca (A.U.S.A.) es una colección documental, esto es, un conjunto de documentos reunidos según criterios no objetivos, y que por lo tanto, no  conservan una estructura orgánica ni responden al  principio de procedencia archivístico, y que dado su  interesante material, inédito en gran medida, merece ser consultada por investigadores no sólo vinculados a la historia universitaria, sino también por estudiosos de otras especialidades para los siglos XVI-XVIII. En esta ocasión, nos centraremos en dar a conocer los documentos relacionados con sátira política. Esta forma documental se caracteriza por la crítica, la cualidad aleccionadora y el humor, convirtiéndose en un extraordinario instrumento de comunicación. Las invectivas al estamento eclesiástico, las críticas a la política u otras cuestiones anecdóticas aparecen reﬂejados en nuestros documentos. Finalmente  presentamos el anexo de los mismos.
Programas de vacunación: revisión narrativa de seis países en diferentes continentes
Authors: Valdés Méndez José Arturo , Pérez Oscar Aguillón , Romo Miguel Ángel Mendoza
Published: December 2022

La emergencia sanitaria ocasionada por el SARS-CoV-2 modificó el estilo de vida de la población, pues produjo un aumento de la morbimortalidad mundial que, a la larga, tendría repercusiones negativas en el terreno socioeconómico. Es en este contexto donde se implementaron los programas de vacunación necesarios para disminuir el impacto de la pandemia. Esta revisión narrativa analiza los programas de vacunación en concordancia con los lineamientos internacionales. Como resultado, de los seis países analizados de tres regiones diferentes, todos cumplieron con las normativas internacionales y solo dos lograron un aproximado de 50 por ciento de vacunación en su población. La estratificación por grupos prioritarios y el desarrollo escalonado de los programas fue una estrategia idónea para aminorar el impacto de la pandemia. Por otro lado, los nuevos retos en salud amplían la necesidad de formar salubristas, que permita la ejecución de acciones operativas integrales para la creación de políticas y programas.
Palabras Clave: Salud Pública, Vacunación, Infecciones por Coronavirus, Sistemas de Salud, Salud Global.
Solidaridad ideológica y apoyo diplomático. El régimen cardenalista y la guerra civil española, 1936-1939.
Authors:   Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacán, México, Sánchez Andrés Agustín
Published: December 2022

La Guerra Civil Española (1936-1939) marcó un parteaguas en las complejas relaciones hispano-mexicanas. Los vínculos establecidos por los republicanos y socialistas españoles con el régimen revolucionario mexicano durante la II República, así como la propia identificación del gobierno cardenista con la situación atravesada por los republicanos en España, determinaron la política mexicana hacia el conflicto español. El gobierno de México no sólo facilitó armas y pertrechos a las fuerzas republicanas, sino que también actuó como intermediario para adquirir armamento en terceros países y movilizó a su aparato diplomático en ayuda de su aliado español, oponiéndose a las iniciativas de algunas naciones latinoamericanas y asumiendo como propia la defensa de la causa española en la Sociedad de Naciones.
Breve ensayo sobre las raíces clásicas de las libertades occidentales.
Authors:   Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile., Burgos Ffrench-Davis Germán
Published: December 2022

Este ensayo medita sobre el carácter clásico de las libertades occidentales, enfatizando el origen griego de esa libertad y el camino que ha seguido hasta asentarse en Latinoamérica. Se subraya a la ley como el rasgo más definitorio de las sociedades libres. También reflexiona sobre la identidad occidental de las naciones americanas, en cuanto herederas de esa misma libertad.
El Caribe y Centroamérica: Las visiones de Alfred T. Mahan, Andrew Carnegie y Elihu Root.
Authors:   Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, México., Rodríguez Díaz María del Rosario
Published: December 2022

Analizar las posturas del estratega militar Alfred Thayer Mahan, del empresario Andrew Carnegie y del abogado y político Elihu Root en torno a la política exterior estadounidense hacia el Caribe en los albores del siglo XX constituye el eje central de la presente propuesta. La postura y la opinión de estos personajes fueron la expresión de los sectores que conformaban el ala conservadora del Partido Republicano en el poder, y del proyecto expansionista de la nación implementado por la Casa Blanca. Por ende, estudiar el Caribe y Centroamérica en los discursos de estos tres personajes cobra relevancia a la luz de los procesos políticos que tienen lugar tanto en Estados Unidos como en suelo caribeño, después de la guerra de 1898.