bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Looking inside the Blackbox: Cuenca’s water metabolism
Authors: Malo-Larrea Antonio , Santillán Vinicio , Torracchi-Carrasco Esteban
Published: September 2022

The socio-ecological metabolism of the water connects concepts that emerge out of the complexity of ecosystems, linking endosomatic processes that are indispensable for society while forming different hierarchic levels and relations among as well as aligning to their particularities. The consumptive uses of Cuenca city in their different categories and social metabolism both at rural and urban levels were assessed, inquiring about diverse typologies of the city’s water. Water Metabolic Rates (WMR) were calculated for each one of the consumptives’ uses gauged in liters per hour of human activity. Our results indicate that farming and industrial uses of water were highly inefficient. Linked to farms, both consumption of water and metabolic rates were higher in the rural areas. While paid work showed higher metabolic rates than households. Rural households evidenced a greater use of water and higher metabolic rates than urban households as water use combines human consumption and family farming. This research determined the water metabolism of the socio-ecological system in the canton of Cuenca, Ecuador through different dimensions of water metabolism. Formulating a system of flows and uses of water that were metabolized by different hierarchy levels of diverse consumptive uses within the aforementioned canton, as a tool to implement policies that guarantee water access and ecological metabolism, linking social dynamics within ecosystems.
Does environmental heterogeneity explain β diversity of estuarine fish assemblages? Example from a tropical estuary under the influence of a semiarid climate, Brazil
Authors: da Silva Lima Caroline Stefani , Maciel Emanuelle Bezerra , Clark Fernando José König , Pessanha André Luiz Machado
Published: September 2022

Estuarine fish assemblages are often sensitive to environmental conditions, because fluctuation in physico-chemical conditions at different spatial and seasonal scales can directly influence species distributions. In this way, we conducted a field survey to investigate the role of estuarine gradient (environmental heterogeneity) in fish α and β diversity. The study was carried out in three zones in Mamanguape River estuary according to salinity and geomorphology features during an atypical climatic event in 2015. In total, 18,084 specimens of 125 species were captured. Additive partitioning of diversity analysis detected a higher proportion of beta diversity among estuarine zones during the rainy (β3 = 58.6%) and dry season (β3 = 40.94%) and were higher than expected by chance (Propexp> obs <0.001). Decomposing β-diversity analysis showed that total β-diversity (βsor) results were more dominated by species turnover (βsim) than nestedness (βnes) in both seasons. Forward selection procedure and db-RDA identified salinity, coarse sand and chlorophyll-a as the main environmental variables influencing βsor and site distance from estuary mouth and split as the main landscape variables. Variation partitioning analysis revealed more contribution to the pure fraction of environmental variables to fish species turnover, however, both pure fraction of environmental and landscape variables significantly contributed to βsim. Our study highlighted the importance to environmental heterogeneity and connectivity to promote fish diversity across the Mamanguape River estuary. Thus, future conservation policies should focus on maintaining these two components to guarantee its nursery ground role to estuarine fish assemblages.
Attention and social communication skills of very preterm infants after training attention control: Bayesian analyses of a feasibility study
Authors: Perra Oliver , Alderdice Fiona , Sweet David , McNulty Alison , Johnston Matthew , Bilello Delfina , Papageorgiou Kostas , Wass Sam
Published: September 2022

Background

Very preterm (VP) infants (born 28 to <32 weeks of gestation) are at risk of cognitive delays and lower educational attainments. These risks are linked to anomalies in attention and information processing that emerge in the first years of life. Early interventions targeting attention functioning may equip VP infants with key building blocks for later attainments.

Methods

We tested the feasibility of a randomised trial where VP infants took part in a computerised cognitive procedure to train attention control. Ten healthy VP infants aged approximately 12 months (corrected age) and randomly allocated with 1:1 ratio to the training (interactive computerised presentations) or an active control procedure completed the study. Before and after the training programme, participating infants completed a battery of screen-based attention tests, naturalistic attention and communication tasks, and temperament assessments. In a previous study we analysed the data concerning feasibility (e.g. recruitment and retention). In the paper presented here we considered the infants’ performance and used Bayesian regression in order to provide credible treatment estimates considering the data collected.

Results

Estimates indicate moderate treatment effects in visual memory: compared to controls, trained infants displayed improvements equivalent to 0.59 SD units. Trained infants also improved in their abilities to attend to less salient stimuli presentations by 0.82 SD units, compared to controls. However, results did not indicate relevant gains in attention habituation or disengagement. We also reported moderate improvements in focused attention during naturalistic tasks, and in directing other people’s attention to shared objects.

Discussion

The results warrant further investigation concerning the effectiveness of training attention control in VP infants, extending this line of research beyond our small and homogeneous sample of healthy VP infants. This study also emphasises the utility of Bayesian approaches in estimating potentially relevant effects in small samples or exploratory studies. The scope for further research on early attention control training is discussed in light of studies indicating VP children’s susceptibility to positive environmental inputs.

Trial registration

Registration ID: NCT03896490. Retrospectively registered at Clinical Trials Protocol Registration and Results System (clinicaltrials.gov).
A study measuring the degree of integration between the digital economy and logistics industry in China
Authors: Zhang Wei , Liu Hongli , Yao Yuan , Fan Zifu
Published: September 2022

Under the new development pattern, the penetration and integration between industries is becoming increasingly active, constantly promoting the rationalisation and heightening of the entire industrial structure and structuring new convergent industrial bodies. To explore the degree of integration between the digital economy and the logistics industry, this paper uses input-output models and social network analysis to empirically analyse the level of industrial integration between the core industries of China’s digital economy and the logistics industry during the period 2007–2017. The level of integration between the core industries of China’s digital economy and the logistics industry is measured, and its spatial and temporal characteristics are also measured and analysed. The analysis showed that (1) the degree of integration between the two industries is low, but with changes over time, the degree of integration will follow an upwards trend; the overall level of integration is increasing with the development of the core industries of the digital economy; the growth rate is significant, and developed regions have a clear advantage because of the intensity of integration. (2) The direction of industrial integration linkages is basically stable, with the pointing characteristics of adjacent provinces, and the spatial distribution shows a pattern of diffusion from the central region to the eastern and western regions. Overall, the integration shows an economic radiation effect, but there are large differences between the north and south. (3) It is easier for adjacent provinces to form the same cohesive subgroup in a network and develop together. At the same time, the integration network shows a clear pattern of marginal-semimmarginalization. The study enriches and improves the research status of China’s digital economy industry convergence, and provides theoretical support for the formulation of policies related to the synergistic development of China’s digital economy and logistics industry.
‘Tidy’ and ‘messy’ management alters natural enemy communities and pest control in urban agroecosystems
Authors: Egerer Monika , Philpott Stacy M.
Published: September 2022

Agroecosystem management influences ecological interactions that underpin ecosystem services. In human-centered systems, people’s values and preferences influence management decisions. For example, aesthetic preferences for ‘tidy’ agroecosystems may remove vegetation complexity with potential negative impacts on beneficial associated biodiversity and ecosystem function. This may produce trade-offs in aesthetic- versus production-based management for ecosystem service provision. Yet, it is unclear how such preferences influence the ecology of small-scale urban agroecosystems, where aesthetic preferences for ‘tidiness’ are prominent among some gardener demographics. We used urban community gardens as a model system to experimentally test how aesthetic preferences for a ‘tidy garden’ versus a ‘messy garden’ influence insect pests, natural enemies, and pest control services. We manipulated gardens by mimicking a popular ‘tidy’ management practice–woodchip mulching–on the one hand, and simulating ‘messy’ gardens by adding ‘weedy’ plants to pathways on the other hand. Then, we measured for differences in natural enemy biodiversity (abundance, richness, community composition), and sentinel pest removal as a result of the tidy/messy manipulation. In addition, we measured vegetation and ground cover features of the garden system as measures of practices already in place. The tidy/messy manipulation did not significantly alter natural enemy or herbivore abundance within garden plots. The manipulation did, however, produce different compositions of natural enemy communities before and after the manipulation. Furthermore, the manipulation did affect short term gains and losses in predation services: the messy manipulation immediately lowered aphid pest removal compared to the tidy manipulation, while mulch already present in the system lowered Lepidoptera egg removal. Aesthetic preferences for ‘tidy’ green spaces often dominate urban landscapes. Yet, in urban food production systems, such aesthetic values and management preferences may create a fundamental tension in the provision of ecosystem services that support sustainable urban agriculture. Though human preferences may be hard to change, we suggest that gardeners allow some ‘messiness’ in their garden plots as a “lazy gardener” approach may promote particular natural enemy assemblages and may have no downsides to natural predation services.
Machine-learning-derived predictive score for early estimation of COVID-19 mortality risk in hospitalized patients
Authors: González-Cebrián Alba , Borràs-Ferrís Joan , Ordovás-Baines Juan Pablo , Hermenegildo-Caudevilla Marta , Climente-Marti Mónica , Tarazona Sonia , Vitale Raffaele , Palací-López Daniel , Sierra-Sánchez Jesús Francisco , Saez de la Fuente Javier , Ferrer Alberto
Published: September 2022

The clinical course of COVID-19 is highly variable. It is therefore essential to predict as early and accurately as possible the severity level of the disease in a COVID-19 patient who is admitted to the hospital. This means identifying the contributing factors of mortality and developing an easy-to-use score that could enable a fast assessment of the mortality risk using only information recorded at the hospitalization. A large database of adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 (n = 15,628; with 2,846 deceased) admitted to Spanish hospitals between December 2019 and July 2020 was analyzed. By means of multiple machine learning algorithms, we developed models that could accurately predict their mortality. We used the information about classifiers’ performance metrics and about importance and coherence among the predictors to define a mortality score that can be easily calculated using a minimal number of mortality predictors and yielded accurate estimates of the patient severity status. The optimal predictive model encompassed five predictors (age, oxygen saturation, platelets, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine) and yielded a satisfactory classification of survived and deceased patients (area under the curve: 0.8454 with validation set). These five predictors were additionally used to define a mortality score for COVID-19 patients at their hospitalization. This score is not only easy to calculate but also to interpret since it ranges from zero to eight, along with a linear increase in the mortality risk from 0% to 80%. A simple risk score based on five commonly available clinical variables of adult COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital is able to accurately discriminate their mortality probability, and its interpretation is straightforward and useful.
The ITS analysis and identification of Actinidia eriantha and its related species
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqin , Zhang Yixing , Mao Jiale , Lan Yan , Zhang Zunjing , Lei Houxing
Published: September 2022

The dried plant material of medically important plant Actinidia eriantha especially when it remains in the form of powder often look morphologically similar to its related species. The lack of efficient methods to distinguish the authentic material from other similar species leads to chances of adulteration. The molecular authentication of herbal plant materials such as the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences is considered as more reliable method compared to morphological traits. In this study, we aim to evaluate the potential of identification for roots of A. eriantha and its related species by ITS sequences. The lengths of ITS regions ranged from 624 to 636 bp with GC content ranging from 50.96% to 59.55%. A total of 194 variation sites and 46 haplotypes were formed in 185 samples. Among them, the roots of A. eriantha possessed specific sites at 85bp (C), 205bp (T), 493bp (C), 542bp (G), 574bp (C), 582bp (T) and 610bp (G), while A. hemsleyana, A. callosa, A. valvata and A. polygama have their own specific sites. The inter-specific genetic distance among 8 Actinidia species in the range 2.28% to 11.00%. The phylogenetic tree constructed with ITS, ITS1 and ITS2 region showed that the ITS sequences have higher potential for identification in 8 Actinidia species. However, as to A. eriantha, A. hemsleyana and A. valvata, these three barcodes have the same identification ability. The ITS regions indicated that different samples from same species can be grouped together, except for A. arguta and A. melanandrah. In conclusion, the ITS sequences can be used as an efficient DNA barcode for the identification of A. eriantha and its related species.
Factors underlying COVID-19 vaccine and booster hesitancy and refusal, and incentivizing vaccine adoption
Authors: Bennett Neil G. , Bloom David E. , Ferranna Maddalena
Published: September 2022

The paper investigates the factors underlying COVID-19 vaccine and booster hesitancy in the United States, and the efficacy of various incentives or disincentives to expand uptake. We use cross-sectional, national survey data on 3,497 U.S. adults collected online from September 10, 2021 to October 20, 2021 through the Qualtrics platform. Results from a multinomial logistic regression reveal that hesitancy and refusal were greatest among those who expressed a lack of trust either in government or in the vaccine’s efficacy (hesitancy relative risk ratio, or RRR: 2.86, 95% CI: 2.13–3.83, p<0.001). Hesitancy and refusal were lowest among those who typically get a flu vaccine (hesitancy RRR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.21–0.36, p<0.001; refusal RRR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.05–0.13, p<0.001). Similar results hold for the intention to get a booster shot among the fully vaccinated. Monetary rewards (i.e., lottery ticket and gift cards) fared poorly in moving people toward vaccination. In contrast, the prospect of job loss or increased health insurance premiums was found to significantly increase vaccine uptake, by 8.7 percentage points (p<0.001) and 9.4 percentage points (p<0.001), respectively. We also show that the motivations underlying individuals’ hesitancy or refusal to get vaccinated vary, which, in turn, suggests that messaging must be refined and directed accordingly. Also, moving forward, it may be fruitful to more deeply study the intriguing possibility that expanding flu vaccine uptake may also enhance willingness to vaccinate in times of pandemics. Last, disincentives such as work-based vaccination mandates that would result in job loss or higher health insurance premiums for those who refuse vaccination should be strongly considered to improve vaccine uptake in the effort to address the common good.
How relevant is climate change research for climate change policy? An empirical analysis based on Overton data
Authors: Bornmann Lutz , Haunschild Robin , Boyack Kevin , Marx Werner , Minx Jan C.
Published: September 2022

Climate change is an ongoing topic in nearly all areas of society since many years. A discussion of climate change without referring to scientific results is not imaginable. This is especially the case for policies since action on the macro scale is required to avoid costly consequences for society. In this study, we deal with the question of how research on climate change and policy are connected. In 2019, the new Overton database of policy documents was released including links to research papers that are cited by policy documents. The use of results and recommendations from research on climate change might be reflected in citations of scientific papers in policy documents. Although we suspect a lot of uncertainty related to the coverage of policy documents in Overton, there seems to be an impact of international climate policy cycles on policy document publication. We observe local peaks in climate policy documents around major decisions in international climate diplomacy. Our results point out that IGOs and think tanks–with a focus on climate change–have published more climate change policy documents than expected. We found that climate change papers that are cited in climate change policy documents received significantly more citations on average than climate change papers that are not cited in these documents. Both areas of society (science and policy) focus on similar climate change research fields: biology, earth sciences, engineering, and disease sciences. Based on these and other empirical results in this study, we propose a simple model of policy impact considering a chain of different document types: The chain starts with scientific assessment reports (systematic reviews) that lead via science communication documents (policy briefs, policy reports or plain language summaries) and government reports to legislative documents.
Differential effects of RYGB surgery and best medical treatment for obesity-diabetes on intestinal and islet adaptations in obese-diabetic ZDSD rats
Authors: Sridhar Ananyaa , Khan Dawood , Abdelaal Mahmoud , Elliott Jessie A. , Naughton Violetta , Flatt Peter R. , Le Roux Carel W. , Docherty Neil G. , Moffett Charlotte R.
Published: September 2022

Modification of gut-islet secretions after Roux-En-Y gastric bypass (RYBG) surgery contributes to its metabolic and anti-diabetic benefits. However, there is limited knowledge on tissue-specific hormone distribution post-RYGB surgery and how this compares with best medical treatment (BMT). In the present study, pancreatic and ileal tissues were excised from male Zucker-Diabetic Sprague Dawley (ZDSD) rats 8-weeks after RYGB, BMT (daily oral dosing with metformin 300mg/kg, fenofibrate 100mg/kg, ramipril 1mg/kg, rosuvastatin 10mg/kg and subcutaneous liraglutide 0.2mg/kg) or sham operation (laparotomy). Insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, PYY, GLP-1 and GIP expression patterns were assessed using immunocytochemistry and analyzed using ImageJ. After RYGB and BMT, body weight and plasma glucose were decreased. Intestinal morphometry was unaltered by RYGB, but crypt depth was decreased by BMT. Intestinal PYY cells were increased by both interventions. GLP-1- and GIP-cell counts were unchanged by RYGB but BMT increased ileal GLP-1-cells and decreased those expressing GIP. The intestinal contents of PYY and GLP-1 were significantly enhanced by RYGB, whereas BMT decreased ileal GLP-1. No changes of islet and beta-cell area or proliferation were observed, but the extent of beta-cell apoptosis and islet integrity calculated using circularity index were improved by both treatments. Significantly decreased islet alpha-cell areas were observed in both groups, while beta- and PYY-cell areas were unchanged. RYGB also induced a decrease in islet delta-cell area. PYY and GLP-1 colocalization with glucagon in islets was significantly decreased in both groups, while co-staining of PYY with glucagon was decreased and that with somatostatin increased. These data characterize significant cellular islet and intestinal adaptations following RYGB and BMT associated with amelioration of obesity-diabetes in ZDSD rats. The differential responses observed and particularly those within islets, may provide important clues to the unique ability of RYGB to cause diabetes remission.
Inequities in quality perinatal care in the United States during pregnancy and birth after cesarean
Authors: Ibrahim Bridget Basile , Vedam Saraswathi , Illuzzi Jessica , Cheyney Melissa , Kennedy Holly Powell
Published: September 2022

Objective

High-quality, respectful maternity care has been identified as an important birth process and outcome. However, there are very few studies about experiences of care during a pregnancy and birth after a prior cesarean in the U.S. We describe quantitative findings related to quality of maternity care from a mixed methods study examining the experience of considering or seeking a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) in the U.S.

Methods

Individuals with a history of cesarean and recent (≤ 5 years) subsequent birth were recruited through social media groups to complete an online questionnaire that included sociodemographic information, birth history, and validated measures of respectful maternity care (Mothers on Respect Index; MORi) and autonomy in maternity care (Mother’s Autonomy in Decision Making Scale; MADM).

Results

Participants (N = 1711) representing all 50 states completed the questionnaire; 87% planned a vaginal birth after cesarean. The most socially-disadvantaged participants (those less educated, living in a low-income household, with Medicaid insurance, and those participants who identified as a racial or ethnic minority) and participants who had an obstetrician as their primary provider, a male provider, and those who did not have a doula were significantly overrepresented in the group who reported lower quality maternity care. In regression analyses, individuals identified as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) were less likely to experience autonomy and respect compared to white participants. Participants with a midwife provider were more than 3.5 times more likely to experience high quality maternity care compared to those with an obstetrician.

Conclusion

Findings highlight inequities in the quality of maternal and newborn care received by birthing people with marginalized identities in the U.S. They also indicate the importance of increasing access to midwifery care as a strategy for reducing inequalities in care and associated poor outcomes.
Safety and feasibility of continuous ketamine infusion for analgosedation in medical and cardiac ICU patients who received mechanical ventilation support: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Jung Hohyung , Lee Jihye , Ahn Hyun Young , Yang Jeong Hoon , Suh Gee Young , Ko Ryoung-Eun , Chung Chi Ryang
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To assess the effect of continuous ketamine administration in patients admitted to medical and cardiac intensive care units (ICUs) and received mechanical ventilation support.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study between March 2012 and June 2020 at an academy-affiliated tertiary hospital. Adult patients who received mechanical ventilation support for over 24 h and continuous ketamine infusion for at least 8 h were included. The primary outcome was immediate hemodynamic safety after continuous ketamine infusion. The secondary outcomes included immediate delirium, pain, and use of sedation.

Results

Of all 12,534 medical and cardiac ICU patients, 564 were eligible for the analysis. Ketamine was used for 33.3 (19.0–67.5) h and the median continuous infusion dose was 0.11 (0.06–0.23) mcg/kg/h. Of all patients, 469 (83.2%) received continuous ketamine infusion concomitant with analgosedation. Blood pressure and vasopressor inotropic scores did not change after continuous ketamine infusion. Heart rate decreased significantly from 106.9 (91.4–120.9) at 8 h before ketamine initiation to 99.8% (83.9–114.4) at 24 h after ketamine initiation. In addition, the respiratory rate decreased from 21.7 (18.6–25.4) at 8 h before ketamine initiation to 20.1 (17.0–23.0) at 24 h after ketamine initiation. Overall opioid usage was significantly reduced: 3.0 (0.0–6.0) mcg/kg/h as fentanyl equivalent dose at 8 h before ketamine initiation to 1.0 (0.0–4.1) mcg/kg/h as fentanyl equivalent dose at 24 h post-ketamine initiation. However, the use of sedatives and antipsychotic medications did not decrease. In addition, ketamine did not increase the incidence of delirium within 24 h after ketamine infusion.

Conclusion

Ketamine may be a safe and feasible analgesic for medical and cardiac ICU patients who received mechanical ventilation support as an opioid-sparing agent without adverse hemodynamic effects.
Objective and subjective measures of sleep in men with Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Morse Christopher I. , Onambele-Pearson Gladys , Edwards Bryn , Wong Sze Choong , Jacques Matthew F.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Despite poor sleep quality being recognised in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, reports from milder forms of Muscular Dystrophy (MD), and accompanied associations with quality of life (QoL), pain and fatigue, remain limited however.

Methods

Adult males (n = 15 Beckers MD (BMD), n = 12 Limb-Girdle MD (LGMD), n = 12 Fascioscapulohumeral (FSHD), n = 14 non-MD (CTRL)) completed assessments of body composition (Bio-electrical impedance), sleep (7-day 24-hour tri-axial accelerometer, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index, QoL (SF36-v2), pain (Visual analogue scale), fatigue (Modified Fatigue Index Scale) and functional assessments (Brookes and Vignos).

Results

FSHD and BMD reported worse sleep than CTRL on the PSQI. FSHD scored worse than CTRL on the Insomnia Severity Index (P<0.05). 25–63% and 50–81% of adults with MD reported poor sleep quality using the Insomnia Severity Index and PSQI, respectively. Accelerometery identified no difference in sleep quality between groups. Associations were identified between sleep measures (PSQI global and insomnia severity) with mental or physical QoL in LGMD, BMD and FSHD. Multiple regression identified associations between sleep impairment and fatigue severity (all MDs), body composition (BMD & LGMD), upper and lower limb function (LGMD, FSHD) and age (FSHD).

Conclusions

25–81% of men with MD, depending on classification, experience sleep impairment, using self-report sleep measures. Whilst BMD and FSHD showed worse sleep outcomes than CTRL, no group difference was observed between LGMD and CTRL, however all groups showed associations with sleep impairment and higher levels of fatigue. These findings, and associations with measures of health and wellbeing, highlight an area for further research which could impact QoL in adults with MD.
Soil quality under different land uses in eastern India: Evaluation by using soil indicators and quality index
Authors: De Parijat , Deb Shovik , Deb Dibyendu , Chakraborty Somsubhra , Santra Priyabrata , Dutta Puspendu , Hoque Anarul , Choudhury Ashok
Published: September 2022

Indian soils are inherently poor in quality due to the warm climate and erosion. Conversion of land uses like forests to croplands and faulty management practices in croplands further cause soil degradation. This study aimed to understand the extent of these impacts in a small representative part of eastern India, covering Himalayan terai and nearing alluvial plains. Soils were collected from (i) forests, (ii) croplands (under agricultural practices for more than 50–60 years) and (iii) converted lands (converted from forests to croplands or tea gardens over the past 15–20 years). Different soil quality indicators were assessed and soil quality index (SQI) was generated to integrate, scale and allot a single value per soil. Results indicated that continuous organic matter deposition and no disturbances consequence the highest presence of soil carbon pools, greater aggregation and maximum microbial dynamics in forest soils whereas high application of straight fertilizers caused the highest available nitrogen and phosphorus in cropland soils. The SQI scorebook indicated the best soil quality under forests (x¯ 0.532), followed by soils of converted land (x¯ 0.432) and cropland (x¯ 0.301). Comparison of the SQI spatial distribution with land use and land cover confirmed the outcome. Possibly practices like excessive tillage, high cropping intensity, no legume in crop rotations, cultivation of heavy feeder crops caused degraded soil quality in croplands. This study presented an example of soil quality degradation in India due to land use change and faulty management practices. Such soil degradation on a larger scale may affect future food security.
Mortality and its associated factors in transfused patients at a tertiary hospital in Uganda
Authors: Okello Clement D. , Shih Andrew W. , Angucia Bridget , Kiwanuka Noah , Heddle Nancy , Orem Jackson , Mayanja-Kizza Harriet
Published: September 2022

Blood transfusion is life-saving but sometimes also associated with morbidity and mortality. There is limited data on mortality in patients transfused with whole blood in sub-Saharan Africa. We described the 30-day all-cause mortality and its associated factors in patients transfused with whole blood to inform appropriate clinical intervention and research priorities to mitigate potential risks. A retrospective study was performed on purposively sampled patients transfused with whole blood at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) and Mulago hospital in the year 2018. Two thousand twelve patients with a median (IQR) age of 39 (28–54) years were enrolled over a four month period. There were 1,107 (55%) females. Isolated HIV related anaemia (228, 11.3%), gynaecological cancers (208, 10.3%), unexplained anaemia (186, 9.2%), gastrointestinal cancers (148, 7.4%), and kidney disease (141, 7.0%) were the commonest diagnoses. Most patients were transfused with only one unit of blood (n = 1232, 61.2%). The 30 day all-cause mortality rate was 25.2%. Factors associated with mortality were isolated HIV related anaemia (HR 3.2, 95% CI, 2.3–4.4), liver disease (HR 3.0, 95% CI, 2.0–4.5), kidney disease (HR 2.2, 95% CI, 1.5–3.3; p<0.01), cardiovascular disease (HR 2.9, 95% CI, 1.6–5.4; p<0.01), respiratory disease (HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.8–4.9; p<0.01), diabetes mellitus (HR 4.1, 95% CI, 2.3–7.4; p<0.01) and sepsis (HR 6.2, 95% CI 3.7–10.4; p<0.01). Transfusion with additional blood was associated with survival (HR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7–0.9, p<0.01). In conclusion, the 30-day all-cause mortality was higher than in the general inpatients. Factors associated with mortality were isolated HIV related anaemia, kidney disease, liver disease, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and sepsis. Transfusion with additional blood was associated with survival. These findings require further prospective evaluation.
Do disease status and race affect the efficacy of zoledronic acid in patients with prostate cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials
Authors: Chen Chiwei , Lin Mandi , Yu Daocheng , Qin Weiting , Zhou Jianfu , Guo Lang , Huang Renlun , Fan Xinxiang , Xiang Songtao
Published: September 2022

Background

Zoledronic acid (ZA) does not improve the overall survival (OS) of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC); however, little is known about the efficacy of ZA in to hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC), metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), and non- metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). Therefore, we assessed the efficacy of ZA in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and different disease statuses.

Methods

Fifteen eligible randomized-control trials (RCTs) with ZA intervention, including 8280 participants with HSPC, mHSPC, nmCRPC, and mCRPC, were analyzed. The primary and secondary outcome were overall survival(OS), and skeletal-related events (SREs), and bone mineral density (BMD).

Results

The participants included 8280 men (7856 non-Asian and 424 Asian). Seven trials yielded a pooled hazard ratio (HR) of 0.95 (0.88, 1.03; P = 0.19) for OS. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant improvement in OS in the HSPC, castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), M0 and M1(bone metastasis) groups, with pooled HR (95%CI) of 0.96 (0.88,1.05), 0.78 (0.46,1.33), 0.95 (0.81,1.13), 0.85 (0.69,1.04) respectively. The Asian group exhibited improved in OS with an HR of 0.67 (0.48, 0.95; P = 0.02), whereas the non-Asian group showed no improvement in OS with an HR of 0.97 (0.90, 1.06; P = 0.52). Five trials yielded pooled odds ratio (OR) of 0.65 (0.45, 0.95; P = 0.02) for SREs. In the subgroup, SREs were significantly decreased in the M1 and Asian groups with ORs of 0.65 (0.45, 0.95; P = 0.02) and 0.42 (0.24, 0.71; P = 0.001), respectively. Six trials yielded a pooled mean difference (MD) of 8.08 (5.79, 10.37; P < 0.001) for BMD. In the HSPC we observed a stable improvement in increased BMD percentage with an MD (95%CI) of 6.65 (5.67, 7.62) (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

ZA intervention does not significantly improve OS in patients with prostate cancer (HSPC, CRPC, M0, M1) but probably improves OS in the Asian populations. M1 and Asian groups had exhibit a significant reduction in SREs regardless of the HSPC or CRPC status after ZA administration. Moreover, ZA treatment increases BMD percentage.
Will metaversive technologies help writers to reclaim tacit knowledge?
Authors: Taiwo Olu
Published: September 2022

This article challenges the assumption that traditional genres of academic writing are as appropriate for practice-based students of art, drama or design as they were for book-centred disciplines, such as the humanities or sciences. It argues that scholarly writing diminished the importance of embodied and situated aspects of human ‘knowledge’ within mainstream university art school courses, such as visual and performative arts. In the traditional book-centred disciplines, scholarly writing was useful for encoding declarative knowledge (e.g. ‘knowing that’) but is less effective for the kinds of procedural knowledge (e.g. ‘knowing how’) that are vital in creative, studio-/practice-based learning. Now that academic writing is aided by technologies offering automatic spelling and grammar checks, global text search, cut-and-paste this has further widened the gaps between the knowledges pertaining to head, heart and hand. Soon, however, the combined benefits of 5G, virtual reality, artificial intelligence and ambisonic technologies look likely to make ‘immersive’ and ‘experiential’ technologies almost ubiquitous. Given the appropriate research and development, the ‘metaverse’ could encourage students to think in ways that are more presently situated, relational, embodied and multidimensional.
Writing the paradigm
Authors: Wood John
Published: September 2022

Citing a recently published book on metadesign the article asks whether designers could learn to change paradigms. Defining metadesign as an extensible superset of adaptable and comprehensive practices, it suggests that we also need to include the many ‘conditions’ of design (e.g. education and training, evaluative frameworks, international standards and protocols, etc.) that shape the outcomes of practice. Given the complexity and scope of this idea, it seems likely that we will need to develop genres of writing that are judged by outcomes, rather than by style, veracity or logic. The article outlines a diagnostic tool that enables users to register, evaluate and map the critical relationships that co-sustain a given paradigm. Mapping enables them to be evaluated holistically. Modifying individual parts of the map might help to change the paradigm as a whole. The article also draws upon gastronomic and chemical analogies to bring non-serial clusters of critical elements together in effective ways. These would be designed, for example, to ‘emulsify’ team relations or to ‘catalyse’ active engagement within groups.
How subsidies promote a uniform film supply
Authors: von Rimscha M. Bjørn
Published: September 2022

Besides a pure location policy, film subsidies are often justified with a contribution to artistic film quality and the diversity of the film supply. Selection committees deciding on film grants consist, to a large extent, of industry veterans who tend to prefer projects that seem familiar to them. In this study, we have drawn on the concepts of homophily and network theory to systematically study the impact of film subsidies in two empirical studies conducted in Germany. First, we had conducted interviews with film producers about their experiences while applying for a film grant and how this has changed over time. The results suggest an inter-organizational isomorphism resulting from a reproduction of norms and judgements. One mechanism at work here might be newcomers’ adjustments and the self-affirmation of veteran producers. Second, we had conducted a network analysis to assess how being connected to others, particularly members of a funding committee, affects a grant sum for a film. The more a film crew is connected to other industry professionals, the higher the amount of funding received; the presence of a former, current or future committee member on a film crew also enhances the sum. We conclude that the way German film funding is designed does not promote innovation or diversity as policy goals but serves as a means of self-reproduction of industry standards.
Ministero e ministeri nella Chiesa
Authors: Vitali Dario
Published: September 2022

Il presente articolo esamina l’annosa questione del ministero e dei ministeri nella Chiesa. Il principio ermeneutico che sta al fondamento del contributo è la corrispondenza tra modello di Chiesa e modello di ministero: laddove non si corrispondano, entrambi entrato in stato di sofferenza. L’approccio al tema è di tipo storico, per mostrare come il ministero abbia conosciuto un processo di clericalizzazione che ha determinato una identificazione dei due modelli nella struttura piramidale/clericale della Chiesa. Si comprende alla luce di tale processo la fatica a distaccarsi da quel modello, come dimostra la vicenda dei ministeri istituiti, a cinquant’anni dalla pubblicazione di Ministeria quaedam. La proposta di soluzione va nella direzione di un recupero della relazione tra sacerdozio comune e sacerdozio ministeriale (cf. LG 10): i ministeri battesimali si radicherebbero nel sacerdozio comune come forma peculiare di partecipazione al sacerdozio di Cristo.
Study of Two Layered Immiscible Fluids Flow in a Channel with Obstacle by Using Lattice Boltzmann RK Color Gradient Model
Authors: Channouf Salaheddine , Admi Youssef , Jami Mohammed , Moussaoui Mohammed Amine
Published: September 2022

Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is employed in the current work to simulate two-phase flows of immiscible fluids over a square obstacle in a 2D computational domain using the Rothman-Keller color gradient model. This model is based on the multiphase Rothman-Keller description, it is used to separate two fluids in flow and to assess its efficacy when treating two fluids in flow over a square obstacle with the objective of reducing turbulence by adjusting the viscosities of the two fluids. This turbulence can cause major problems such as interface tracking techniques in gas-liquid flow and upward or downward co-current flows in pipes. So, the purpose of the study is to replace a single fluid with two fluids of different viscosities by varying these viscosities in order to reduce or completely eliminate the turbulence. The results show that to have stable, parallel and non-overlapping flows behind the obstacle, it is necessary that the difference between the viscosities of the fluids be significant. Also, showing that the increase in the viscosity ratio decreases the time corresponding to the disappearance of the vortices behind the obstacle. The results presented in this work have some general conclusions: For M≥2, the increase in the viscosity difference leads to an increasing of friction between fluids, reducing of average velocity of flow and decreasing the time corresponding to the disappearance of the vortices behind the obstacle. However, for M≤1/2, the opposite occurs.
Children Playing Video Games During COVID-19 In Spain
Authors: Escudero Carolina
Published: September 2022

As has been verified, those who spend more time playing video games are children and adolescents. The lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic increased the prolonged use of video games in this population. In this context it is possible to observe some risks of this use, one of them the symptoms of gaming disorder (GD). The objective of this study is to analyze video game habits and the possible impacts on children - aged between 7 and 10 years – gaming for more than 4 hours daily during confinement - the lockdown was announced on March 14, 2020 and lasted approximately three months.- in Spain. Likewise, this study examines how families have acted after the detection of possible dependencies. According to the (10) families interviewed, the children have modified their routines, changed their mood, their symbolic games and –some of them– developed a clear dependency on the screen(s). Faced with this reality, the majority of the families created various strategies in order to modify these new habits and reduce the exposition to video games; others they decided to contact professionals to receive some assistance with their children’s behavior. The lack of knowledge of families about the use of video games is observed in three specific areas: first, knowing if it is an appropriate game for their child's age; second, set time limits; finally in being able to evaluate the dependency to the game. Based on the results, the study of video games in children requires the development of broader, complex and coherent approaches that focuses on the intra-family experience and parents’ skills to be with their children in this context. In addition, approaches that include spaces for the effective education of families about video games, including workshops and tools represent a clear need that could be addressed from schools or related institutions.
Existence of solutions for a nonlinear problem at resonance
Authors: Haddaoui Mustapha , Lebrimchi Hafid , Ouhamou Brahim , Tsouli Najib
Published: September 2022

In this work, we are interested at the existence of nontrivial solutions for a nonlinear elliptic problem with resonance part and nonlinear boundary conditions. Our approach is variational and is based on the well-known Landesman-Laser-type conditions.
Why Peer Support Matters: Entrepreneurial Stressors, Emotional Exhaustion, and Growth Intentions of Women Entrepreneurs
Authors: Neneh Brownhilder Ngek
Published: September 2022

This article builds on the stressor-strain-outcome framework to explain how entrepreneurial stressors (stressor) and emotional exhaustion (strain) hinder the growth intentions of women entrepreneurs (outcome). A stress-buffering hypothesis is also used to explain how peer support can buffer the entrepreneurial stressor – emotional exhaustion – growth intention relationship. Using a sample of 300 South African women entrepreneurs, our evidence demonstrates that in addition to a significant direct effect on growth intentions, entrepreneurial stressors also contribute to an increase in emotional exhaustion. This, in turn, hinders the growth intentions of women entrepreneurs. We argue that peer support plays a vital buffering role by significantly reducing the effect of entrepreneurial stressors on emotional exhaustion, shielding women entrepreneurs from the adverse effects of entrepreneurial stressors upon venture growth intentions. Finally, implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Geotourism and geoethics as support for rural development in the Knjaževac municipality, Serbia
Authors: Marjanović Miloš , Radivojević Aleksandar R. , Antić Aleksandar , Peppoloni Silvia , Di Capua Giuseppe , Lazarević Jelena , Marković Rastko S. , Tomić Nemanja , Milićević Ana Langović , Langović Zlatko , Mišić Ivica , Marković Slobodan B.
Published: September 2022

The main goal of this study is to emphasise the geotourism potential and the values of geoethics as drivers of rural development in the territory of the Knjaževac municipality, which is one of the richest areas in Serbia in terms of geoheritage. Numerous objects of geomorphological and hydrological heritage stand out in an area of 1,202 km2. Despite this richness in geoheritage, the potential of geotourism development has been ignored by many stakeholders, and the geoheritage of this area has not been sufficiently explored and proposed for tourism purposes. This study makes an inventory of geosites in the municipality of Knjaževac. The selected sites were evaluated by applying the Modified Geosite Assessment Model to discover the most suitable geosites for future geotourism development, in order to select the geosite that possesses the greatest geotourism potential to support rural development. The results uncover information about the major areas of improvement for each evaluated geosite. Moreover, areas that demand more attention and better management in the upcoming period to become recognisable geotourism destinations were identified. It is pointed out that geoethical implications in geosite management can contribute to sustainable geoconservation in Eastern Serbia.
The response of Chudao’s beach to typhoon “Lekima” (No. 1909)
Authors: Zhang Xuri , Shi Hongyuan , Liu Zhiyi , Li Huaqing , Xing Hao , Wang Liyang
Published: September 2022

The response of beaches to typhoons has always been a hot topic at home and abroad. The study of beach changes during typhoons is helpful to deepen the understanding of beach evolution and is important for the coastal ecological environment. Based on the observation results of ten profiles and the sediment samples in Chudao before and after the typhoon Lekima, this article explored the response characteristics of the beach to the typhoon. The results showed that the study area was located on the right side of the typhoon’s forward path, and the double superposition of onshore waves and storm surge resulted in erosion along the beach. In order to alleviate the energy brought by storm waves, the beach was transformed into a more dissipated state. The mean particle size of the beach sediments was coarse on the whole, with poor sorting ability, and that in the wash zone was particularly obvious. The results showed that different profiles responded to Lekima in different ways: while the profiles of N01–N05 in the southwest changed little, those of N06–N10 in the northeast changed from the type of beach shoulder to the type of sandbank as a result of morphological differences in different profiles.