bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entropology: an information-theoretic approach to understanding archaeological data
Authors: Gheorghiade Paula , Vasiliauskaite Vaiva , Diachenko Aleksandr , Price Henry , Evans Tim , Rivers Ray
Published: March 2023

This paper presents new tactics for characterizing the relationship between archaeological assemblages, based on entropy and its related attributes, primarily diversity, borrowing heavily from ecology. Our starting premise is that diachronic change in our data is a likely, albeit distorted, reflection of social processes and that spatial difference in data reflects cultural separation. To explore this, we have adopted a null model for comparing assemblage profiles. The modelling is tested on i) a Late Bronze Age Cretan data set compiled by one of us (PG) and ii) a 4th millennium Western Tripolye data set that was analysed earlier. The contrast between the strongly geographically and culturally heterogeneous Bronze Age Crete and the strongly homogeneous Western Tripolye culture in the Southern Bug and Dnieper interfluve show the successes and limitations of our approach. As such, this paper is not primarily about Late Bronze Age (LBA) Crete or Western Tripolye culture per se, although the modelling contributes to our understanding of Cretan archaeology of this period. A fuller discussion of Cretan archaeology and LBA datasets will be given elsewhere. Rather, we use the paper to exemplify problems with archaeological data. Even though we have ‘lots of Cretan data’ (originally 13,000 + artefacts) we cannot consider this as ‘big data’. Due to poor statistics, they only permit non-semantic analysis, particularly important when our aggregation protocols depend on how representative our data is, and whether our assemblages are treated as censuses or samples.
Augmented Lagrangian index-3 semi-recursive formulations with projections. Direct sensitivity analysis.
Authors: Varela Álvaro López , Dopico Daniel Dopico , Fernández Alberto Luaces
Published: March 2023

Sensitivity analysis represents a powerful tool for the optimization of multibody system dynamics. The performance of a gradient-based optimization algorithm is strongly tied to the dynamic and the sensitivity formulations considered. Accuracy and efficiency are critical to any optimization problem, thus they are key factors in the selection of the dynamic and sensitivity analysis approaches used to compute an objective function gradient. Semi-recursive methods usually outperform global methods in terms of computational time, even though they involve sometimes demanding recursive procedures. Semi-recursive methods are well suited to be combined with different constraints enforcement schemes as the augmented Lagrangian index-3 formulation with velocity and acceleration projections (ALI3-P), taking advantage of the robustness, accurate fulfillment of constraint equations and the low computational burden. The sensitivity analysis of the semi-recursive ALI3-P formulation is studied in this document by means of the direct differentiation method. As a result, a semi-recursive ALI3-P sensitivity formulation is developed for an arbitrary reference point selection, and then two particular versions are unfolded and implemented in the general purpose multibody library MBSLIM, using as reference point the center of mass (RTdyn0) or the global origin of coordinates (RTdyn1). Besides, the detailed derivatives of the recursive terms are provided, which will be useful not only for the direct sensitivity formulation presented herein, but also for other sensitivity formulations relying on the same recursive expressions. The implementation has been tested in two numerical experiments, a five-bar benchmark problem and a buggy vehicle.
Relationship Between ABO Blood Group and Microsatellite Instability in Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective single-center Study
Authors: Karaoglan Beliz Bahar , Akyol Cihangir , Unal Ali Ekrem , Kuzu Ayhan , Savaş Berna , Utkan Gungor
Published: March 2023

Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in both women and men. Microsatellite instabil (MSI-H) CRC is a molecular subgroup and has distinct clinical and pathologic features from non-MSI-H CRC. Studies have suggested an association between hereditary antigens in the human blood group system and the risk of developing various cancers but the relationship between blood groups and MSI-H colorectal carcinoma has not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between microsatellite instability and ABO blood group in patients with MSI-H colorectal carcinoma.
Methods
A total of 144 patients operated for non-metastatic colorectal cancer including 72 patients with MSI-H and 72 patients with non-MSI-H colorectal cancer as the control group, were included in the study. Demographic and clinicopathological features, blood groups and microsatellite status were examined among two groups. Microsatellit instability was examined by immunhistochemistery(IHC).
Results
Among all patients, the median age was 59.65 (range 24–89) and 57.6% were male. MSI-H and non-MSI-H groups were similar in terms of age, gender distribution and comorbidities. Patients with MSI-H CRC had significantly common O-blood-group than non-MSI-H group (44.4% vs 18.1%, p:0.001). Also patients with MSI-H colorectal cancer were found to have significantly more right-sided (73.6% vs 36.1%, p < 0.001), mucinous (30.4% vs 9.7%, p: 0.003), high-grade tumors and earlier stage disease.
Conclusions
MSI-H colorectal cancers are an important subgroup in colon cancer with different molecular and clinicopathological features. This study is the first to examine blood group distribution in MSI-H colorectal cancers, and it was observed that O-blood group was more common in MSI-H colorectal cancers than in non-MSI-H patients.
Treatment-seeking behaviours of malaria patients versus non-malaria febrile patients along China-Myanmar border
Authors: Xu Jian-Wei , Deng Dao-Wei , Wei Chun , Zhou Xing-Wu , Li Jian-Xiong
Published: March 2023

Background
Appropriate malaria treatment-seeking behavior (MTSB) is critical to timely detect malaria for prompt treatment and prevent onward transmission of the diseases in a community. The aim of this study was to compare treatment-seeking behaviours between malaria patients and non-malaria febrile patients, and analyse factors associated with appropriate MTSB along China-Myanmar border.
Methods
This case-control study matched one malaria case patient confirmed by microscopy to two controls (non-malaria febrile patients). Factors associated with appropriate MTSB was identified by a matched logistic regression analysis (LRA).
Results
Among 223 malaria case patients and 446 controls, 129 (57.8%) of the cases sought treatment first in health facilities without laboratory test compared to 163 (36.5%) of the controls (P<0.0001). A total of 85(38.1%) of the malaria case patients sought treatment in health facilities with laboratory test within 48 hours as compared with 278 (62.3%) of the controls (P<0.0001). Multivariate LRA identified that the malaria cases with Chinese nationality were less likely to seek treatment for malaria in health facilities with laboratory testwithin 48 hours compared to malaria cases with other nationalities (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.21, 95%CI: 0.07-0.68, P=0.0097), and malaria case patients residing in urban areas were more likely to seek treatment in health facilities with laboratory test within 48 hours compared to those living in rural areas (AOR: 2.16, 95%CI: 1.06-4.39, P=0.0337).
Conclusions
Malaria treatment-seeking behaviors were inappropriate. Chinese citizenship and rural residence are two independent factors associated with inappropriate MTSB. It is continuously necessary to improve appropriate MTSB through effective campaigns of information, education and communication.
Nomogram for predicting axillary upstaging in clinical node-negative breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Maimaitiaili Amina , Chen Heyan , Xie Peiling , Liu Zhenzhen , Ling Rui , Zhao Yi , Yang Hongjian , Liu Yunjiang , Liu Ke , Zhang Jianguo , Mao Dahua , Yu Zhigang , Liu Yinhua , Fu Peifen , Wang Jiandong , Jiang Hongchuan , Zhao Zuowei , Tian Xingsong , Cao Zhongwei , Wu Kejin , Song Ailin , Jin Feng , He Jianjun , Fan Zhimin , Zhang Huimin
Published: March 2023

Purpose The prediction of axillary lymph node status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) becoming critical because of the advocation of the de-escalation of axillary management. We investigate associated factors of axillary upstaging in clinical node-negative(cN0) breast cancer patients receiving NAC to develop and validate an accurate prediction nomogram; Methods We retrospectively analyzed 2101 breast cancer patients with stage of cT1-3N0 treated by NAC and subsequent surgery between 2010 and 2020 in twenty hospitals across China. Patients randomly divided into a training set and validation set (3:1). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed, after which a nomogram was constructed and validated; Results In total, pathologic node negativity (ypN0) achieved in 1552 (73.9%) patients and another 549(26.1%) patients upstaged to pathologic node positive (ypN+). Breast pathologic complete response (bpCR) was achieved in 499 (23.8%) patients and non-bpCR in 1602 (76.3%) patients. A nomogram was established by ER, tumor histology, NAC regimen, cycle of NAC treatment, and the bpCR, which were confirmed by multivariate logistic analysis as independent predictors of nodal upstaging in the training cohort (n = 1576). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the training cohort and validation cohort were 0.74 (95%CI, 0.64–0.71) and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.63–0.75) respectively; Conclusion We present a nomogram with a nationwide large sample data which can effectively predict axillary upstaging after neoadjuvant chemotherapy to give better advice for individualized axillary lymph node management of breast cancer.
Intuitionistic Type-2 Fuzzy Soft Set based Decision Support Framework for Emergency Relief Supply Chain Planning
Authors: Dan Surajit , Roy Bikash Koli , Kar Samarjit , Biswas Sanjib , Castillo Oscar , Pal Tandra
Published: March 2023

Hybrid uncertainty based models are more useful than the individual components. Earlier soft sets and intuitionistic fuzzy sets were combined to form intuitionistic fuzzy soft sets (IFSS) which are rich potentials for solving decision-making problems. Dan et al. (2020) introduced the concept of an intuitionistic type 2 fuzzy set (IT2FS), which is a direct extension of the intuitionistic fuzzy set. In this paper, using the concept of soft sets over the intuitionistic type-2 fuzzy sets, we define a new hybrid set and named it as Intuitionistic type-2 fuzzy soft sets (IT2FSS). After defining the set we present the set-theoretic operations such as complement, union, intersection over these sets and mention some algebraic properties with examples of these sets. After that, we define the level sets over IT2FSS and represent two decision-making algorithms based on level sets. We put forth definitions for score and accuracy functions and rules for the comparison of a group of IT2FSS. We carry out a IT2FSS based investigation to find out the key success factors for effective Humanitarian Supply Chain Management (HSCM) in emergency relief operations. We observe that supply chain financing, collaboration and coordination, and public governance are the three critical factors as opined by the experts for effective HSCM.
Polydatin Radiosensitizes Lung Cancer while Preventing Radiation Injuries by Modulating Tumor-infiltrating B Cells
Authors: Guo Jiaming , Ding Wen , Cai Shanlin , Ren Pan , Chen Fengxu , Wang Jiawen , Fang Kai , Li Bailong , Cai Jianming
Published: March 2023

Background: Acquired radioresistanceand the undesired normal tissue radiation injuriesseriously discount the therapeutic effect of lung cancer radiotherapy. In this study, we aimed to explore the role and potential mechanism of polydatin in simultaneously decreasing radioresistance and radiation injuries.
Methods: The tumor-bearing model of nude mice were used to investigate the tumor inhibition of polydatin on lung cancer and its effect on radiosensitivity, and the effect of polydatin on B cell infiltration in cancerous tissue was investigated. In addition, we performed systemic radiotherapy on BABL/ C mice and evaluated the protective effect of polydatin on radiation injury by the Kaplan-meier survival curve. Moreover, the regulation of polydatin on proliferation and apoptosis of A549 cells was also investigated in vitro.
Results: In this study, it is firstly found that polydatin inhibits the growth and promotes the radiosensitivity of lung cancer while reducing the radiation damage of the healthy tissue. Further, it is evidenced that the major mechanism relies on its regulation on body’s immune function, and in particular, the inhibition of radiation-induced B cell infiltration in tumor tissue.
Conclusion: These findings show that in addition to tumor inhibition, polydatin also promotes the sensitivity and reduces the adverse reactions of radiotherapy, making itself a promising candidate for boosting lung cancer radiotherapy efficacy.
Elevated serum soluble CD27 levels are associated with both disease activity and humoral immune activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Shi Lianjie , Yang Ju , Xu Jing , Dai Juhua , Li Jiangtao
Published: March 2023

Objective: To investigate the serum level of soluble CD27 (sCD27) and its potential clinical significance in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods: The serum sCD27 levels in both RA and health controls (HCs) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The medical information and laboratory data of the patients were collected. The serum sCD27 levels in RA with different clinical features were analyzed, and the correlation between the clinical data and serum sCD27 levels were also analyzed. Independent samples t test, Mann-Whitney U-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Spearman correlation were used for statistical analysis.
Results: The levels of sCD27 were elevated in the RA patients (5647 ± 6526 pg/mL) than those of HCs (1659 ± 648 pg/mL) (P < 0.001). In addition, serum sCD27 levels were correlated with age, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, Complement 4 and disease activity score in 28 joints in RA patients. The levels of sCD27 were higher in the RF-positive RA patients (6522 ± 7447 pg/mL) than the RF-negative patients (3902 ± 2098 pg/mL), and the similar finding was also observed in anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody positive (6241 ± 7207 pg/mL) and anti-CCP negative RA patients (4183 ± 2187 pg/mL). The RA patients with increased sCD27 and increased CRP showed the highest ratio of osteoporosis complication (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Serum sCD27 might be a promising biomarker which could reflect both disease activity and humoral immunity activity in RA.
Automated Detection of Biases using MapReduce Framework with Class Imbalance Approach on Healthcare Dataset
Authors: Prakhar Jyoti , Haider Md. Tanwir Uddin
Published: March 2023

In today’s scenario, artificial intelligence (AI) systems and machine learning (ML) algorithms are being used for simple and complex decision-making processes in various fields like healthcare systems, education, recruitment process, banking, and other areas. But the dataset on which the AI or ML systems work may be biased due to which proper decisions process can’t be done especially in the case of the health care system. Thus, the detection of biases is a very important step for the betterment of the model. Previously the detection of biases is being done manually with the help of static methods which was not perfect. Sometimes it gives errors in the detection of biases when it actually is not and due to the manual process, it also takes much time to detect the biases. Seeing this fact, in this paper we propose a novel framework and also implemented it to detect biases automatically in a big dataset of the healthcare system without using any statistical methods or any performance metrics. This model uses the MapReduce framework and class imbalance approach to measure the unbalancing in the dataset. With the help of the MapReduce framework, we categorize the particular protected attribute, not the whole dataset afterward we find the disorder due to the protected attribute and if a disorder exists, we apply the class imbalance approach to detect the biases within the dataset. The implementation shows that the result of this framework outperforms as compared with other techniques.
Evaluation of levosimendan as treatment option in preterm infants with cardiac dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Schroeder Lukas , Holcher Stanley , Leyens Judith , Geipel Annegret , Strizek Brigitte , Dresbach Till , Mueller Andreas , Kipfmueller Florian
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Levosimendan as a calcium-sensitizer is a promising innovative therapeutical option for the treatment of severe cardiac dysfunction (CD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in preterm infants, but no data are available analyzing levosimendan in cohorts of preterm infants.

Design/ Setting

Retrospective single-center cohort study.

Patients and Methods

Retrospective single-center cohort study. Data of all preterm infants (gestational age (GA) <37 weeks) with levosimendan treatment and CD and/or PH in the echocardiographic assessment between 01/2018 and 06/2021 were screened for analysis.

Main outcome measures

The primary clinical endpoint was defined as echocardiographic response to levosimendan.

Results

105 preterm infants were finally enrolled for further analysis. 48% of the preterm infants were classified as extremely low for GA newborns (ELGANs, <28 weeks of GA) and 73% as extremely low birth weight infants (<1500g, ELBW). The primary endpoint was reached in 71%, without difference regarding GA or BW. The incidence of moderate or severe PH decreased from baseline to follow-up (24h) in about 30%, with a significant decrease in the Responder-group (p<0.001). The incidence of left-ventricular dysfunction and bi-ventricular dysfunction decreased significantly from baseline to follow-up (24h) in the Responder-group (p=0.007, and p<0.001, respectively). The arterial lactate level decreased significantly from baseline (4.7 mmol/l) to 12h (3.6 mmol/l, p<0.05), and 24h (3.1 mmol/l, p<0.01).

Conclusion

Levosimendan treatment is associated with an improvement of both CD and PH in preterm infants, with a stabilization of the MAP during the treatment and a significant decrease of arterial lactate levels. Future prospective trials are highly warranted.
Community evaluation of the physical and insecticidal durability of DuraNet® Plus, an alpha-cypermethrin and piperonyl butoxide incorporated mosquito net: protocol for a multi-country study in West, Central and East Africa
Authors: Agbevo Abel , Ahogni Idelphonse , Menze Benjamin , Tungu Patrick , Kemibala Elison E. , Govoetchan Renaud , Wondji Charles , Padonou Germain Gil , Ngufor Corine
Published: March 2023

Background Pyrethroid-PBO nets have demonstrated improved impact against clinical malaria transmitted by pyrethroid resistant mosquito vectors and are being scaled up across Africa. However very little is known about their physical and insecticidal durability under operational conditions. This study will investigate the attrition, fabric integrity, insecticide content and bioefficacy of DuraNet® Plus, a new WHO prequalified alphacypermethrin and PBO incorporated net developed by Shobikaa Impex Private Limited over 3 years of field use in communities in Benin, Cameroon and Tanzania. Methods The study will be conducted in parallel in selected villages in Zakpota District in Benin, Mbalmayo, District in Cameroon and Muheza District in Tanzania. In each country, ~ 1800 households will be recruited and randomised to receive DuraNet® Plus or DuraNet® (a WHO prequalified alphacypermethrin-only ITN). Follow up surveys will be performed at 1 month post distribution to investigate adverse events and subsequently every 6–12 months to assess ITN attrition and fabric integrity following standard WHO procedures. A second cohort of nets will be withdrawn every 6–12 months and assessed for alpha-cypermethrin and PBO content and for entomological activity in laboratory bioassays (cone bioassays and tunnel tests). Alpha-cypermethrin bioefficacy will be monitored using the susceptible Anopheles gambiae Kisumu strain in cone bioassays while PBO bioefficacy will be monitored using pyrethroid resistant strains with overexpressed P450 enzymes in tunnel tests to determine the proportion of efficacious nets (≥ 95% knockdown, ≥ 80% mortality or ≥ 90% blood feeding inhibition in tunnels) at each time point. Nets withdrawn at 12, 24 and 36 months from each country will also be tested in experimental hut trials against wild free-flying pyrethroid resistant Anopheles gambiae sl in Côvè Benin to investigate the superiority of DuraNet® Plus over DuraNet® at each time point under semi field conditions. Conclusion This large-scale multi country trial will provide useful information on the durability of a pyrethroid-PBO net (DuraNet® Plus) in 3 different regions in sub-Saharan Africa. The methods proposed for bioefficacy testing could also contribute towards the development of new standardised guidelines for monitoring the insecticidal efficacy of pyrethroid-PBO nets under operational conditions.
Biological Resistance of Coppiced and Non-Coppiced Rosewood (Pterocarpus Erinaceus Poir.) in the Field and Their Technological Performance
Authors: ANTHONIO Frederick Amin , ANTWI-BOASIAKO Charles
Published: March 2023

Rosewood (Pterocarpus erinaceus) timber is highly sought-after for furniture and building purposes due to its qualitative properties including durability. It coppices easily, which offers an essential strategy in curbing timber over-exploitation towards sustainable management. Mass loss, together with visual durability rating, was adopted in assessing the natural durability within the coppiced rosewood. Mass loss increased (i.e., durability decreased) up the coppiced (4.96±0 - 40±0.9%) and non-coppiced boles (2.9±0.06 - 15±0%), being greater for the coppiced trees (4.96± 0 - 40±0.9%) than the non-coppiced (2.9 ±0.06 - 15±0%) and for sapwoods [i.e., 26±0.3 - 40±0.9% (coppiced) and 14±0.03 - 15±0% (non-coppiced)] than the heartwoods [i.e., 4.96±0 - 5.3±0% (coppiced) and 2.9±0.06 - 5±0.07% (non-coppiced)] of both trees.The differences were significant (p˂0.05). Heartwoods and sapwoods along the boles of each tree type would be rated very durable (0-5%) and moderately durable (11-40%) respectively. Due to their great durability, both wood types would be widely suitable for several engineering applications. Thus, promotion of the coppicedP. erinaceuswood production would supplement the use of its non-coppiced counterpart to increase the wood market base.
Study on transient characteristics of secondary arc of AC/DC hybrid transmission lines on the same tower
Authors: Yang LIU , Baina HE , Yunwei ZHAO , Fantao MENG , Shuo WU , Weihan DAI , Yuanlong WEI , Shuo WANG , Dongjin ZHANG
Published: March 2023

The AC/DC hybrid transmission line is affected by electromagnetic coupling. After the line is failed, the secondary arc is difficult to extinguish, which posed a serious threat to the stable and reliable operation of the line. Taking a 500kV AC double-circuit and ± 800kV Yun-Guang UHV DC transmission line on the same tower as an example, this paper is built an AC/DC hybrid transmission line model through PSCAD, studied the influence of coupling section length and fault point location on the transient characteristics of the secondary arc, and analyzed the suppression effect of the DC line coupling operation mode on the secondary arc. The results is showed that the secondary arc current of AC and DC lines is greatly affected by the length and fault location of the coupling section. The AC line fault is located at the midpoint of the coupling section. When the length of the coupling section is 400m, the amplitude of the secondary arc current is reached the minimum value; When the DC line fault is located at the midpoint of the coupling section, the amplitude of the secondary arc current is reached the maximum value. In addition, the bipolar coupling operation mode of DC lines can effectively limit the amplitude of secondary arc current and recovery voltage of AC and DC lines, and the suppression effect of secondary arc is obvious.
Risk of in-hospital deterioration for children with single ventricle physiology
Authors: Foote Henry P , Lee Grace S , Gonzalez Carla Dominguez , Shaikh Zohaib , Ratliff William , Gao Michael , Hintze Bradley , Sendak Mark , Jackson Kimberly W , Kumar Karan R , Li Jennifer S , McCrary Andrew W
Published: March 2023

Children with single ventricle physiology (SV) are at high risk of in-hospital morbidity and mortality. Identifying children at risk for deterioration may allow for earlier escalation of care and subsequently decreased mortality. We conducted a retrospective chart review of all admissions to the pediatric cardiology non-ICU service from 2014–2018 for children < 18 years old. We defined clinical deterioration as unplanned transfer to the ICU or inpatient mortality. We selected children with SV by diagnosis codes and defined infants as children < 1 year old. We compared demographic, vital sign, and lab values between infants with and without a deterioration event. We evaluated vital sign and medical therapy changes before deterioration events. Among infants with SV (129 deterioration events over 225 admissions, overall 25% with hypoplastic left heart syndrome), those who deteriorated were younger (p = 0.001), had lower baseline oxygen saturation (p = 0.022), and higher baseline respiratory rate (p = 0.022), heart rate (p = 0.023), and hematocrit (p = 0.008). Median Duke Pediatric Early Warning Score increased prior to deterioration (p < 0.001). Deterioration was associated with administration of additional oxygen support (p = 0.012), a fluid bolus (p < 0.001), antibiotics (p < 0.001), vasopressor support (p = 0.009), and red blood cell transfusion (p < 0.001). Infants with SV are at high risk for deterioration. Integrating baseline and dynamic patient data from the electronic health record to identify the highest risk patients may allow for earlier detection and intervention to prevent clinical deterioration.
Altered resting-state functional connectivity and its association with executive function in adolescents with borderline personality disorder
Authors: Yi Xiaoping , Wang Xueying , Fu Yan , Jiang Furong , Zhang Zhejia , Wang Jing , Han Zaide , Xiao Qian , Chen Bihong T.
Published: March 2023

Background: Adolescents with borderline personality disorder (BPD) may have impaired executive functions such as impulse control and inattention. There are few functional MRI (fMRI) studies in adolescents with BPD and the neuroimaging markers of this disorder are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional connectivity (FC) of BPD in adolescents, and to explore the relationship between FC changes and executive function in adolescents with BPD.
Methods: 50 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years with BPD and 21 gender-and-age matched healthy controls (HC) were enrolled into the study. Brain MRI scan including a 3D-T1 weighted structural sequence and a resting-state fMRI was acquired. A seed-based FC analysis was performed. We used the Stroop color-word test (SCWT) and the trail making test (TMT) to evaluate the executive function of the participants. Correlative[xy1] [肖2] analysis of FC alterations with executive function and clinical symptoms were also performed.
Results: Compared to the HCs, adolescents with BPD showed increased FC in the limbic - cortical circuit, such as the FC between the left hippocampus and right parahippocampal gyrus, between the right middle occipital gyrus and the left middle temporal gyrus, and between the left medial superior frontal gyrus and the right inferior temporal gyrus. FC in the default mode network (DMN) was decreased between the left angular gyrus and the left precuneus but increased between the left angular gyrus and the right anterior cingulate cortex (voxel P < 0.001, cluster P < 0.05, FWE corrected). The BPD group demonstrated significantly lower cognitive testing scores than the HC group on the SCWT-A (P＜0.001), SCWT-B (P＜0.001), and SCWT-C (P =0.034). The FC alterations between limbic system and cortical regions were associated with SCWT and TMT (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: FC alterations were noted in both limbic - cortical circuit and DMN in adolescents with BPD, which were associated with impaired executive function. This study implicated the FC alterations being the neural correlates of executive functioning in adolescents with BPD.
Growing gender disparity in HIV infection in Africa: sources and policy implications
Authors: Ratmann Oliver , Monod Mélodie , Brizzi Andrea , Galiwango Ronald , Ssekubugu Robert , Chen Yu , Xi Xiaoyue , Kankaka Edward , Ssempijja Victor , Abeler-Dörner Lucie , Akullian Adam , Blenkinsop Alexandra , Bonsall David , Chang Larry , Shozen Dan , Fraser Christophe , Golubchik Tanya , Gray Ronald , Hall Matthew , Jackson Jade , Kigozi Godfrey , Laeyendecker Oliver , Mills Lisa , Quinn Thomas , Reynolds Steven , Santelli John , Sewankambo Nelson K. , Spencer Simon , Ssekasanvu Joseph , Thomson Laura , Wawer Maria , Serwadda David , Godfrey-Faussett Peter , Kagaayi Kagaayi Joseph , Grabowski M Kate M Kate
Published: March 2023

HIV incidence in eastern and southern Africa has historically been concentrated among girls and women aged 15-24 years, but as new cases decline with
HIV interventions, population-level infection dynamics may shift by age and gender. Here, we integrated population-based surveillance and longitudinal deep- sequence viral phylogenetics to assess how HIV incidence and the population groups driving transmission have evolved over a 15-year period from 2003 to 2018 in Uganda. HIV viral suppression increased more rapidly in women than men, resulting in 1.5-2 fold higher suppression rates in women with HIV by 2018 across age groups. Incidence declined more slowly in women than men, increasing pre-existing gender imbalance in HIV burden. Age-specific transmission flows shifted; the share of transmission to girls and women aged 15-24 years from older men declined by approximately one third, whereas the contribution of transmission to women aged 25-34 years from men aged 0-6 years older doubled from 2003 to 2018. We estimated closing the gender gap in viral sup- pression could have reduced HIV incidence in women by half in 2018 and ended gender disparities in incidence. This study suggests that male-targeted HIV pro- grams to increase HIV suppression are critical to reduce incidence in women, close gender gaps in infection burden and improve men’s health in Africa.
Treatment Patterns and Persistence on Disease Modifying Drugs for Multiple Sclerosis and its Associated Factors
Authors: Cárdenas-Robledo Simón , Arenas-Vargas Laura Estefanía , Arenas Rubén Darío , Gaspar-Toro Jorge Mario , Muñoz-Rosero Ángela María , Tafur-Borrero Aranza Helena , Marín-Medina Daniel Stiven , Acosta-Fajardo Hernan Andrés , Guío-Sánchez Claudia , López-Reyes Lorena
Published: March 2023

Effective interventions for treating multiple sclerosis (MS) require prompt treatment optimization which usually involves switching disease modifying drugs (DMDs). The patterns of prescription and the reasons treatment changes, especially in low prevalence populations, are unknown. We aimed to describe the persistence, reasons of DMD switches and prescription patterns as well as their associated factors using survival and network analysis. 701 cases were included of which 94% received treatment. 29.9%, 18.7% and 11.9% of patients had one, two and three or more DMD changes, respectively, for an estimated incidence rate (95%CI) of 1.09 (1.01–1.17) per patient. The main reasons for changing DMD were disease activity, followed by non-serious adverse events and disability. Younger age at MS onset and insurer status were the main determinants of treatment change, which was not influenced by the efficacy or mode of administration of individual DMDs. Network analysis showed that interferons and fingolimod were the most central DMDs and that most DMD switches involved them.
Maternal depression and adolescent suicidal ideation: the mediating roles of childhood trauma and ineffectiveness
Authors: Zhong Yingyan , Li Yuting , Huang Xinxin , Chen Jianhua , Li Yan , Chen Rumeng , Yao Hao , Li Yue , Cong Enzhao , Xu Yifeng
Published: March 2023

Background Maternal depression is an important risk factor for adolescent depression and suicidal ideation through the poor family environment and negative self-cognition. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of childhood trauma between maternal depression and adolescent depression and the chain mediating role of childhood trauma and ineffectiveness between maternal depression and adolescent suicidal ideation.
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 6216 mothers and 7375 adolescents from middle schools (Grades 6 to 12) in Shanghai and Henan Province, China, through an online platform by the school psychologists, resulting in 4,157 pairs of matching samples. Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) were used to assess maternal depression and childhood trauma of adolescents. The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) was administered to assess adolescent depression, ineffectiveness, and suicidal ideation.
Results. The prevalence of clinical depression in mothers is 17.68%, and in adolescents is 15.49% (n = 4157). 28.20% of adolescents have suicidal ideation. Maternal depression(r= 0.17, p＜0.01), childhood trauma(r = 0.18, p＜0.01), and ineffectiveness(r = 0.14, p＜0.01) were significantly and positively correlated with adolescent depression. Gender (β = 0.13, p < 0.01), maternal depression (β = 0.03, p = 0.01), childhood trauma (β= 0.22, p < 0.01) and ineffectiveness (β = 0.32, p < 0.01) were positive predictors of adolescent suicidal ideation. The mediating effects of childhood trauma between maternal depression and adolescent depression (95%CI = [0.047, 0.007]) is significant. The chain mediating effect of childhood trauma and ineffectiveness between maternal depression and adolescent suicidal ideation is also significant (95%CI = [0.000, 0.001]).
Conclusion Depression from mother to adolescent can be mediated by the childhood trauma of adolescents. Higher maternal depression increases the possibility of child abuse, which can cause adolescents to feel ineffectual and increase their risk of developing suicidal ideation. These findings are important for sociological intervention in adolescent depression.
Hybrid Plasma-Graphene Elliptical Structures: An Analytical Approach
Authors: Heydari Mohammad Bagher , Shirkolaei Morteza Mohammadi , Karimipour Majid
Published: March 2023

In this article, a new theoretical model is proposed for general plasma-based elliptical structures with graphene layers. The figure of merit (FOM) of a graphene-based elliptical waveguide, forming graphene-InSb-graphene-SiO2-Si layers, is calculated and studied at the frequency range of 30–50 THz. Only the first two Surface Plasmon Polariton (SPP) modes are studied in this paper. The proposed waveguide can support tunable, non-reciprocal SPPs in which their modal properties are varied by chemical potential and the external magnetic field. At the frequency of 40 THz, the FOM of 139 for this waveguide is reported for the B = 1 T and µc = 0.9 eV. The authors believe that the integration of graphene layers and gyro-electric materials can open new research areas in tunable non-reciprocal devices in the mid-infrared region.
A geometrical algorithm for non-perturbative QCD
Authors: Raut Usha
Published: March 2023

The formation of mini black holes is now considered to be an inescapable consequence of TeV scale particle collision scenarios in extra-dimensional/ADD models. Furthermore, such mini black holes have been predicted to be produced at prodigious rates of several thousand per year. Therefore, the continued null results from detector searches so far, including the most recent LHC runs of \(\sqrt{s}\) = 14 TeV, seem to suggest that new ideas may be critical for further advances in high-energy physics. In this manuscript, we use a geometrical algorithm, inspired by GR, in particular Kerr-Newman de-Sitter black holes, to explore the nonperturbative (infrared) sector of QCD. This has led us to a novel and more refined search criteria for LHC data compared to previous methods. We also explain why the current search yielded null results. Our predictions are readily testable at detector sites. More importantly, our approach provides promising solutions to several long-standing problems, such as quark confinement.
Troubled waters : reviewing legal pluralism at the interface of caste and the access to water in India
Authors: Shinde Mrinalini
Published: March 2023

This essay argues that access to water, and the right to water in India is subject to legal pluralism in India: the plurality of state law and the normative order of the caste system in India. While the Constitution of India prohibits discrimination against or exploitation of the Scheduled Castes, society is also subject to a parallel set of social rules set forth by caste hierarchies. The Dalit community has been historically subject to exploitation and limited access to resources, with the use of religious and social sanction, this essay focuses particularly on the right to water, which is an essential part of the constitutional right to the environment is subject to plural legal systems, of state law and caste-based normative orders. Ethnographic social science research, particularly in anthropology and sociology has produced extensive findings on how the caste system limits access to natural resources and particularly water, owing to ideas of purity and impurity associated with water use, and the status of water as a common public good. This essay explores how lawyers must consider legal pluralities when understanding access and management of natural resources. The essay analyses John Griffiths’ idea of legal pluralism which describes a scenario in which not all law is administered by the State or its institutions, and there exists de facto law, beyond the boundaries of the State. This paper expands Griffiths’ model of pluralism to explain how the right to water is subject to both caste order and state law and how the lived reality of Dalits when accessing water is subject to a constant pluralism.
Privilegien und Grenzen der freien Presse im Rahmen der Finanzmarktberichterstattung
Authors: Baaske Mark G. R.
Published: March 2023

Journalisten leisten eine unabdingbare Informations- und Kontrollfunktion für die internationalen Kapitalmärkte. Dabei stehen ihre journalistischen Beiträge in einem Spannungsfeld zwischen Presse- und Meinungsfreiheit auf der einen sowie kapitalmarktrechtlichen Verhaltensvorschriften auf der anderen Seite. Dieser Beitrag versucht sich an der Auflösung dieser Konfliktlage. Dabei wird insbesondere die Übertragung anerkannter Grundsätze des Presserechts auf die Finanzmarktberichterstattung diskutiert. Den Journalisten kommt dabei im Ergebnis eine weitreichende Privilegierung zu, die allerdings insbesondere dort Einschränkungen erfährt, wo irreführende oder unrichtige Informationen verbreitet werden.
Über "Schloss Eller" hinaus : die Rolle der Hauptversammlung beim Einwand des rechtmäßigen Alternativverhaltens in der aktienrechtlichen Organhaftung
Authors: Kloth Johannes
Published: March 2023

Der Einwand des rechtmäßigen Alternativverhaltens ist eine Maxime des allgemeinen Schadensrechts. Beruft sich der Schädiger im Rahmen eines Schadensersatzanspruches auf eben diesen Einwand, so macht er geltend, dass der Schaden auch bei rechtmäßigen Verhalten hätte verursacht werden können. Sodann wäre nämlich eine Haftung mangels haftungsausfüllender Zurechnung trotz haftungsbegründeten kausalen Verhaltens ausgeschlossen. Auch in der Organhaftung finden diese schadensrechtlichen Grundsätze Anwendung. Der Aufsatz geht vor diesem Hintergrund der Frage nach, ob der Einwand des rechtmäßigen Alternativverhaltens auch dann greift, wenn der Vorstand die Zustimmungspflicht des Aufsichtsrats nach § 111 Abs. 4 S. 2 AktG verletzt und sich später darauf beruft, die Hauptversammlung hätte (hypothetisch) anstelle des Aufsichtsrats einer Geschäftsführungsmaßnahme zugestimmt.
Straftaten im Zusammenhang mit Packstationen
Authors: Walle Antonia
Published: March 2023

Der Aufsatz gibt einen Überblick über die vielfältigen Missbrauchsformen von DHL-Packstationen und analysiert damit verbundene Strafbarkeiten. Täter verschaffen sich rechtswidrig Zugang zu Packstationskonten von DHL-Kunden, um in fremdem Namen Pakete zu bestellen oder von Kunden bestellte Pakete abzuholen. Die strafrechtliche Beurteilung dieses Täterverhaltens im Hinblick auf Vermögens- und Eigentumsdelikte sowie speziellere Tatbestände wie die Falschverdächtigung bildet den Schwerpunkt der folgenden Ausführungen.
“LADHAS nas redes”: relato de experiência de uma liga acadêmica da UNIFAL-MG
Authors: ARAÚJO Anna Luiza , TURINI Caroline Magrini , LOPES Jéssica Aparecida Silva , SILVA Any Karoline Serafim , SOARES Evelise Aline
Published: March 2023

A hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) e o diabetes mellitus (DM) são patologias muito prevalentes no Brasil, quando não tratadas adequadamente podem ocasionar complicações severas. Neste cenário, nós da Liga Acadêmica de Diabetes e Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica (LADHAS), identificamos a importância de nos dedicarmos a um projeto de extensão que tenha por intuito a disseminação de informações sobre essas doenças, atendendo, assim à população leiga e acadêmica. Utilizamos como meio de veiculação dessas informações a rede social Instagram. Trata-se de um relato de experiência, denominado de “LADHAS nas redes” realizado por 13 discentes ligantes, responsáveis pela divulgação de informações. Foram produzidas 44 publicações. Tivemos como retorno um total 786 curtidas, 166 envios e 34 salvos. Concluímos que as redes sociais são ferramentas de grande utilidade para veiculação de educação em saúde e devem ser cada vez mais utilizadas.
Ecological plasticity and stability of promising lines of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in terms of yield
Authors: Kuzmenko Ye. A. , Fedorenko M. V. , Pirych A. V. , Blyzniuk R. M.
Published: March 2023

Purpose. To analyze lines of competitive testing of soft spring wheat in terms of ecological plasticity and stability using statistical methods of analysis and identify lines with high stability of grain yield.
Methods. The studies were carried out during 2018–2020, on the basis of the V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat NAAS of Ukraine. When considering the results obtained, generally accepted methods of genetic and statistical analysis were used.
Results. Evaluation of breeding material in different years makes it possible to obtain information about the characteristics of the reaction of genotypes to changes in environmental conditions. As a result of the studies, it was found that the lines Lutescens 14-32 (bi = 0.59), Erythrospermum 15-32 (bi = 0.44), Lutescens 14-47 (bi = 0.22) were of high plasticity. Calculations of ecological stability indicate that lines are considered stable, the variance of stability is zero or close to zero. From a practical point of view, lines with a combined manifestation of high ecological plasticity and stability are considered valuable. This was the line Erythro­spermum 15-32 (bi = 0.44; S2di = 0.01) that indicates its low reaction rate and the ability to provide a consistently high level of yield under any growing conditions. The most valuable are the genotypes that combine a low level of the coefficient of variation, high homeostaticity and bree­ding value, which include the lines Erythrospermum 15-32 (Hom = 206.42, Sc = 4.11), Lutescens 14-47 (Hom = 98.41, Sc = 3.91), Erythrospermum 17-08 (Hom = 78.57, Sc = 3.76), Erythrospermum 14-65 (Hom = 54.84, Sc = 3.75), Lutescens 14-32 (Hom = 54.60, Sc = 4.17), Lutescens 14-13 (Hom = 35.60, Sc = 3.78), Lutescens 14-48 (Hom = 46.66, Sc = 3.58).
Conclusions. The evaluation of breeding material is of great importance when creating new high-performance varieties with adaptive potential. The method for assessing ecological plasticity and variants of its stability made it possible to differentiate wheat lines of soft spring competitive testing by their response to changes in gro­wing conditions. For a more optimal selection of breeding material in terms of ecological plasticity and stability, breeding programs should take into account ranked estimates of genotypes.
Modeling Indian Bank Nifty volatility using univariate GARCH models
Authors: M. N. Nikhil , Chakraborty Suman , B. M. Lithin , Ledwani Sanket , Satyakam
Published: March 2023

The crumble of financial markets due to the recent crises has wobbled precariousness in the stock market and intensified the returns vulnerability of banking indices. Against this backdrop, this study intends to model the volatility of the Indian Bank Nifty returns using a battery of GARCH specifications. The finding of the present research contributes to the literature in three ways. First, volatility during the sample period, which corresponds to a time of stress (a bear market), is more persistent, with an estimated coefficient of 0.995695. Moreover, when volatility rises, it persists for a long time before returning to the mean in an average of 16 days. Second, for a positive γ, the results insinuate the possibility of an “anti-leverage effect” with a coefficient of 0.139638. Thus, the volatility of the Bank Nifty returns tends to rise in response to positive shocks relative to negative shocks of equal magnitude in India. Finally, the findings demonstrate that EGARCH with Student’s t-distribution offers lower forecast errors in modeling conditional volatility.
Combination therapy for managing chronic allergic dermatoses
Authors: Stadnikova A. S. , Novik G. A. , Bagramova G. E. , Vorobeva A. S.
Published: March 2023

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease that is most frequently occurred in children, but also common in adults. The disease is characterized as chronic, but only 20% of children have severe atopic dermatitis, while the other 80% achieve a longterm remission by the age of 8 and earlier. The article summarizes the main details about atopic dermatitis including statistical epidemiological and pathogenetic data, and places special emphasis on the issues of patients’ quality of life and steroidophobia. It is known that combination treatment regimens are often used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. The article highlights approaches to the tactics of choosing topical therapy according to the European guidelines for the treatment of atopic dermatitis 2018. Despite the fact that topical calcineurin inhibitors were made available for the treatment about 15 years ago, this group of drugs take the lead in the treatment of atopic dermatitis due to a pronounced anti-inflammatory mechanism of action with a steroid-sparing effect. The review presents the main mechanisms of action of topical calcineurin inhibitors and their effect on the skin’s barrier function. Literature data on the proven efficacy and high safety profile of Tacrolimus, the very first drug from the topical calcineurin inhibitor group, are presented. In the article, the authors described examples of the successful use of Tacrolimus, which can suppress the T-lymphocyte activation and reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, as well as with other chronic allergic dermatoses. The use of Tacrolimus in the presented clinical cases led to a reduction of severity of subjective and objective symptoms of the inflammatory skin diseases.