bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
X-ray Luminescent Properties of Zinc Oxide Films on the Sapphire M and A-Plane
Authors: Venevtsev I. D.  , Muslimov A. E.  , Tarasov A. P.  , Emiraslanova L. L.  , Ismailov A. M.  , Kanevsky V. M.
Published: March 2023

The results of comparative studies of the processes of high-temperature synthesis, luminescence and scintillation characteristics of ZnO films on M(100)- and A(110)-orientation sapphire substrates are presented. It is shown that the use of the magnetron deposition method makes it possible to form, against the background of a continuous film, ensembles of individual [001] ZnO microcrystals with pronounced X-ray luminescent properties. The X-ray luminescence kinetics is characterized by two components: a fast component with a decay time in the order of a nanosecond and a slow luminescence component. The study of the films by photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed the features of the near-band-edge luminescence spectra of the samples, in particular, the presence of various excitonic emission channels. Differences in the spectral parameters of the near-band-edge luminescence band in the case of optical and X-ray excitation are found and interpreted. Keywords: Films, microcrystals, zinc oxide, X-ray luminescence, photoluminescence, excitonic emission.
Calculation of the electric field in interference coatings
Authors: Kotlikov E. N.  , Tropin A. N.
Published: March 2023

A technique for calculating the electric field in interference coatings is described. The technique is used to find areas in the coating structure with electric field minima. Thin absorbing metal films are introduced into these areas during design. The results of calculating the transmission spectra of narrow-band interference filters with absorbing metal films are presented. It is shown that such metal-dielectric thin-film structures block radiation in the long-wavelength region of the spectrum. Keywords: electromagnetic field amplitude, narrow-band interference filters, spectra, films, absorption, transmission.
Spectral fluorescent study of Rhodamine 6G molecules embedded in different layers of one-dimensional polymer-based photonic crystals
Authors: Strokova Yu. A.  , Saletsky A. M.
Published: March 2023

The spectral characteristics of the fluorescence of Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) molecules doped into different layers of one-dimensional photonic crystals (PCs) have been studied at various detection angles. The studied PCs differ in the spectral position of the photonic band gap (PBG) with respect to the Rh6G luminescence spectrum. A computation method of the density of PC`s electromagnetic modes have been proposed. The spectral characteristics of Rh6G fluorescence and computed relative density of electromagnetic modes versus the wavelength have been compared for different detection angles. The experimental and theoretical dependences demonstrate good agreement. Keywords: Photonic crystals, photonic band gap, density of electromagnetic modes, spin-coating method, polymers, cellulose acetate, poly(N-vinylcarbazole), dye, Rhodamine 6G, fluorescence spectra.
Photocatalytic Reaction NO+COhν(CO-=SUB=-2-=/SUB=-)-=SUB=-ads-=/SUB=-+1/2N-=SUB=-2-=/SUB=-, activated on ZnO/ZnO-=SUB=-1-x-=/SUB=-/O-=SUP=---=/SUP=- under exciton resonance excitation
Authors: Blashkov I. V  , Titov V. V.
Published: March 2023

The exciton channel of ZnO photoactivation was used for the first time to carry out the environmentally important photocatalytic reaction NO+COhν(CO2)ads+1/2N2 on ZnO. When the excitation energy is delivered to the surface by an electrically neutral exciton, there are no losses in recombination and in overcoming the potential surface barrier, which are the main losses in the transfer of photo-generated e-/h+ pairs. To suppress the undesirable radiative decay of an exciton, the ZnO/ZnO1-x/O- 2D structure was created on the ZnO surface, in which the exciton decays nonradiatively into a pair of long-lived local states of an electron and a hole, on which the reactionary acts occur. For the redox reaction (1), the obtained values of the quantum yield Y (the number of reaction acts per one absorbed quantum) and the efficiency E (the number of acts per one incident quantum) upon exciton excitation at λ=382 nm are 5-7 times greater than when excited in the interband absorption region at λ=365 nm. The methods of mass-spectrometry (MS) and thermodesorption spectroscopy (TDS) were used to study the initial, intermediate and final products of reaction (1) in the gas and adsorbed phases, and the features of the influence of the initial products NO and CO on each other during the interaction of their mixture with ZnO in the dark and under irradiation at λ=382 nm. Keywords: photocatalysis, exciton, 2D structure ZnO/ZnO1-x/O-, long-lived active centers, redox reaction, air purification.
Dynamics of extremely short pulses in two-level impurity systems in the framework of the glauber approach-=SUP=-1-=/SUP=-
Authors: Belonenko M.B.  , Konobeeva N.N.
Published: March 2023

In this work, we study the features of the propagation of extremely short optical pulses in a two-level system using the example of a deuterated ferroelectric containing carbon nanotubes. Based on the Heisenberg equation of motion for the average values of the pseudospin operators, as well as the wave equation for the electric field, a numerical simulation of the dynamics of an electromagnetic pulse is carried out. The evolution of the system for various parameters of the problem is demonstrated. Keywords: extremely short pulse, two-level system, carbon nanotubes.
Experimental implementation of a spectral refractive index sensor based on a reflection interferometer
Authors: Terentyev V.S.  , Simonov V.A.
Published: March 2023

Experimental study of the sensor in the Kretschmann optical scheme, in which the sensitive element is a reflection interferometer (RI) for the oblique incidence of light, is presented for the first time. A brief theory of RI is given. The experimental sample was used to measure the refractive index of the residual atmosphere in a vacuum chamber during its pumping. The high Q-factor of the RI resonator made it possible to obtain a fairly narrow spectral maximum with a width of 1.7 nm. The spectral sensitivity of the sensor was 1000 nm/RIU and the quality parameter was 529 RIU-1, it was also demonstrated that resolution of 6.5·10-8 RIU can be achieved. Proposals for further improvement of the sensor characteristics are formulated. Keywords: reflection interferometer, total internal reflection, refractive index sensor.
Experimental implementation of differentially coherent wireless communication scheme based on chaotic radio pulses
Authors: Dmitriev A. S.  , Mokhseni T. I.  , Petrosyan M. M.
Published: March 2023

The possibility of practical implementation of differentially coherent wireless communication scheme based on chaotic radio pulses has been experimentally proven. For this purpose a prototype of that communication scheme was created in the frequency range of 200-500 MHz for binary information transmission and experiments were carried out with it. The obtained results fully confirm the previously developed theoretical principles of scheme functioning and its main properties. Keywords: dynamic chaos, ultra-wideband signals, differentially coherent information transmission, correlation reception.
On the initial stage of the evolution of hydrodynamic parameters during deep penetration of metals by high-power laser radiation
Authors: Seidgazov R. D.  , Mirzade F. Kh.
Published: March 2023

A qualitative analysis of changes in hydrodynamic parameters during keyhole formation by thermocapillary melt removal under the point action of CW laser radiation is presented. It is established that rapid surface deformation leads to adhesion of the viscous sublayer to the melting boundary and creation the shear structure of thermocapillary flow which stimulates acceleration of keyhole growth. Keywords: keyhole formation, laser radiation, thermocapillary effect, shear flow, viscous sublayer, sticking.
High-frequency asymptotics of one integral in the theory of equilibrium radiation of electron gas
Authors: Bobrov V. B.
Published: March 2023

It is considered an improper integral that determines the high-frequency asymptotics of the spectral energy distribution of equilibrium radiation in an ideal electron gas. It has been established that in the "high-frequency" limit the asymptotics of this integral has a power-law character, and its value is proportional to the density of the electron gas as a function of temperature and chemical potential for arbitrary degeneracy of electrons. Keywords: equilibrium radiation, spectral energy distribution, electron gas.
Evolution of Psychosomatic Diagnosis: From Masked Depression to Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders
Authors: Prisco Vincenzo , Donnarumma Bernadette , Prisco Lorenzo
Published: March 2023

This paper discusses the history and the concept of somatization from masked depression to somatic symptoms and related disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Evaluating the evolution of these terms and concepts along the time course is very interesting. DSM 5 revision was intended to increase the relevance of these concepts in the primary care setting. “Masked depression” is a form of depression in which somatic symptoms or behavioral disturbances dominate the clinical picture. Primary care physicians often treat patients who show somatic symptoms without a biological substrate. These patients may receive unnecessary or invasive tests and procedures. An accurate psychiatric screening is essential to diagnose somatic symptoms disorder. As a result, it is very useful to establish a strong therapeutic alliance, and acknowledge and legitimize the patient’s symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and pharmacotherapy are evidence-based therapies. In particular, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants have effectively alleviated somatic symptoms when there is a hidden psychological substrate.
Patient-Reported Outcomes Collection at an Urban HIV Clinic Associated With a Historically Black Medical College in the Southern United States: Qualitative Interview Study Among Patients With HIV
Authors: Parisot III Paul E , Wheeler Facerlyn , Bonnet Kemberlee , Rebeiro Peter F , Schember Cassandra O , McCainster Korlu , Cooper Robert L , Berthaud Vladimir , Schlundt David G , Pettit April C
Published: March 2023

Background

Black Americans, particularly in the southern United States, are disproportionately affected by the US HIV epidemic. Patient-reported outcome (PRO) data collection can improve patient outcomes and provide oft-overlooked data on mental health, substance use, and patient adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

Objective

We piloted the use of an electronic tablet to collect PRO data on social and behavioral determinants of health among people with HIV at the Meharry Community Wellness Center, an HIV clinic affiliated with a Historically Black Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. Our primary objective was to better understand patients’ experiences and comfort with using an electronic PRO tool through patient interviews.

Methods

We enrolled 100 people with HIV in care at the Meharry Community Wellness Center consecutively to completely validate PRO tools using the Research Electronic Data Capture platform on a hand-held tablet. Using a purposive sampling strategy, we enrolled 20 of the 100 participants in an in-depth interview (IDI). Interview guide development was grounded in the cognitive-behavioral model, in which thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interrelated. IDIs were audio recorded, transcribed, deidentified, and formatted for coding. A hierarchical coding system was developed and refined using an inductive-deductive approach.

Results

Among the 100 people with HIV enrolled, the median age was 50 (IQR 42-54) years; 89% (n=89) were Black, 60% (n=60) were male, and 82% (n=82) were living below 100% of the federal poverty level in 2016. Five major interview themes emerged: overall experience, question content, sensitive topics, clinic visit impact, and future recommendations. IDI participants felt that the tablet was easy to use and that the question content was meaningful. Question content related to trauma, sexual and drug use behaviors, mental health, stigma, and discrimination elicited uncomfortable or distressing feelings in some participants. Patients expressed a strong desire to be truthful, and most would complete these surveys without compensation at future visits if offered.

Conclusions

The use of an electronic tablet to complete PRO data collection was well received by this cohort of vulnerable persons in HIV care in the southern United States. Despite some discomfort related to question content, our cohort overwhelmingly believed this was a meaningful part of their medical experience and expressed a high desire for truthfulness. Future research will focus on scaling up the implementation and evaluation of PRO data collection in a contextually appropriate manner while obtaining input from providers and staff to ensure that the collected data are both applicable and actionable.
Artificial Intelligence Teaching as Part of Medical Education: Qualitative Analysis of Expert Interviews
Authors: Weidener Lukas , Fischer Michael
Published: March 2023

Background

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine is expected to increase significantly in the upcoming years. Advancements in AI technology have the potential to revolutionize health care, from aiding in the diagnosis of certain diseases to helping with treatment decisions. Current literature suggests the integration of the subject of AI in medicine as part of the medical curriculum to prepare medical students for the opportunities and challenges related to the use of the technology within the clinical context.

Objective

We aimed to explore the relevant knowledge and understanding of the subject of AI in medicine and specify curricula teaching content within medical education.

Methods

For this research, we conducted 12 guideline-based expert interviews. Experts were defined as individuals who have been engaged in full-time academic research, development, or teaching in the field of AI in medicine for at least 5 years. As part of the data analysis, we recorded, transcribed, and analyzed the interviews using qualitative content analysis. We used the software QCAmap and inductive category formation to analyze the data.

Results

The qualitative content analysis led to the formation of three main categories (“Knowledge,” “Interpretation,” and “Application”) with a total of 9 associated subcategories. The experts interviewed cited knowledge and an understanding of the fundamentals of AI, statistics, ethics, and privacy and regulation as necessary basic knowledge that should be part of medical education. The analysis also showed that medical students need to be able to interpret as well as critically reflect on the results provided by AI, taking into account the associated risks and data basis. To enable the application of AI in medicine, medical education should promote the acquisition of practical skills, including the need for basic technological skills, as well as the development of confidence in the technology and one’s related competencies.

Conclusions

The analyzed expert interviews’ results suggest that medical curricula should include the topic of AI in medicine to develop the knowledge, understanding, and confidence needed to use AI in the clinical context. The results further imply an imminent need for standardization of the definition of AI as the foundation to identify, define, and teach respective content on AI within medical curricula.
Strengthening Addiction Care Continuum Through Community Consortium in Vietnam: Protocol for a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Li Li , Nguyen Tuan Anh , Liang Li-Jung , Lin Chunqing , Pham Thang Hong , Nguyen Ha Thi Thanh , Kha Steven
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

A chronic condition, drug addiction, requires long-term multipronged health care and treatment services. Community-based approaches can offer the advantages of managing integrated care along the care continuum and improving clinical outcomes. However, scant rigorous research focuses on sustainable, community-based care and service delivery.

OBJECTIVE

This protocol describes a study aiming to develop and test an intervention that features the alliance of community health workers and family members to provide integrated support and individualized services and treatment for people who use drugs (PWUD) in community settings.

METHODS

Based on the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Seek-Test-Treat-Retain (STTR) framework, an intervention that provides training to community health workers will be developed and piloted before an intervention trial. Trained community health workers will conduct home visits and provide support for PWUD and their families. The intervention trial will be conducted in 3 regions in Vietnam, with 60 communities (named communes). These communes will be randomized to either an intervention or control condition. Intervention outcomes will be evaluated at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. The primary outcome measure is PWUD’s STTR fulfillment, consisting of multiple individual fulfillment indicators across 5 domains: Seek, Test, Treat, Retain, and Health. The secondary outcomes of interest are the community health workers’ service provision and family members’ support. The primary analysis will follow an intention-to-treat approach. Generalized mixed-effects regression models will be used to compare changes in the outcome measures from baseline between intervention and control conditions.

RESULTS

During the first year of the project, we conducted formative studies, including in-depth interviews and focus groups, to identify service barriers and intervention strategies. The intervention and assessment pilots are scheduled in 2023 before commencing the trial. Reports based on the baseline data will be distributed in early 2024. The intervention outcome results will be available within 6 months of the final data collection date, that is, the main study findings are expected to be available in early 2026.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will inform the establishment of community health workers and family members alliance, a locally available infrastructure, to support addiction services and care for PWUD. The methodology, findings, and lessons learned are expected to shed light on the addiction service continuum’s implementation and demonstrate a community-based addiction service delivery model that can be transferable to other countries.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05315492; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05315492

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/44219
Characterizing Longitudinal Patterns in Cognition, Mood, And Activity in Depression With 6-Week High-Frequency Wearable Assessment: Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Cormack Francesca , McCue Maggie , Skirrow Caroline , Cashdollar Nathan , Taptiklis Nick , van Schaik Tempest , Fehnert Ben , King James , Chrones Lambros , Sarkey Sara , Kroll Jasmin , Barnett Jennifer H
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Cognitive symptoms are an underrecognized aspect of depression that are often untreated. High-frequency cognitive assessment holds promise for improving disease and treatment monitoring. Although we have previously found it feasible to remotely assess cognition and mood in this capacity, further work is needed to ascertain the optimal methodology to implement and synthesize these techniques.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to examine (1) longitudinal changes in mood, cognition, activity levels, and heart rate over 6 weeks; (2) diurnal and weekday-related changes; and (3) co-occurrence of fluctuations between mood, cognitive function, and activity.

METHODS

A total of 30 adults with current mild-moderate depression stabilized on antidepressant monotherapy responded to testing delivered through an Apple Watch (Apple Inc) for 6 weeks. Outcome measures included cognitive function, assessed with 3 brief n-back tasks daily; self-reported depressed mood, assessed once daily; daily total step count; and average heart rate. Change over a 6-week duration, diurnal and day-of-week variations, and covariation between outcome measures were examined using nonlinear and multilevel models.

RESULTS

Participants showed initial improvement in the Cognition Kit N-Back performance, followed by a learning plateau. Performance reached 90% of individual learning levels on average 10 days after study onset. N-back performance was typically better earlier and later in the day, and step counts were lower at the beginning and end of each week. Higher step counts overall were associated with faster n-back learning, and an increased daily step count was associated with better mood on the same (P<.001) and following day (P=.02). Daily n-back performance covaried with self-reported mood after participants reached their learning plateau (P=.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The current results support the feasibility and sensitivity of high-frequency cognitive assessments for disease and treatment monitoring in patients with depression. Methods to model the individual plateau in task learning can be used as a sensitive approach to better characterize changes in behavior and improve the clinical relevance of cognitive data. Wearable technology allows assessment of activity levels, which may influence both cognition and mood.
Current Situation of Economic Life of Vietnamese Community in Cambodia: A Survey’s Results
Authors: Hoang Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huy
Published: March 2023

The Vietnamese community in Cambodia is facing a difficult and hard life in all aspects, especially since the Cambodian Government issued and implemented Decree No. 129 in August 2017 on the revocation and cancellation of Cambodian administrative documents that Cambodia deemed abnormal holding and using by foreigners. Accordingly, most Vietnamese people live in Cambodia for a long time, even for five to six generations, have been affected by the confiscation of all documents proving their legal status in Cambodia. As results of the implementation of this Decree, more than 90% of people of Vietnamese origin are considered immigrants, so they hardly enjoy any rights. Because they do not have documents to prove their legal status, people of Vietnamese origin cannot own property and means of production, have difficulty in accessing jobs, and especially their children born in Cambodia cannot go to Cambodian schools.Besides, along with low education level, temporary life, no expertise, no capital and production means, a large percentage of Vietnamese people in Cambodia have extremely difficult lives. Their per capita income is much lower than the Cambodia’s national average. Many of them live in poverty and vulnerability.Based on the results of the survey conducted in Cambodia by the research team, this article examines and evaluates the current economic situation of the Vietnamese community in Cambodia. The findings strongly confirm the above assessment.
Virtual School Counseling and Covid-19 as Seen Through an Organizational Learning Lens
Authors: Hornor Tara , Westberry Lee A.
Published: March 2023

This article examines the shift to virtual school counselling through an organizational learning framework developed by Mary Crossan. This framework links the individual, group, and organization levels of an institution through the social and psychological processes of organizational learning, including intuiting, interpreting, integrating, and institutionalizing. The findings highlight four major challenges of virtual learning—technology, work-life balance, legal ramifications, and virtual counselling skills and abilities—that were partially or fully overcome with solutions that became institutionalized.
RésuméCet article recourt à un cadre d’apprentissage organisationnel développé par MaryCrossan pour examiner la transition récente vers l’orientation scolaire virtuelle. Ce cadre relie les niveaux de l’individu, du groupe et de l’organisation d’une institution par le biais des processus sociaux et psychologiques de l’apprentissage organisationnel, y compris l’intuition, l’interprétation, l’intégration et l’institutionnalisation. Les résultats mettent en évidence quatre défis majeurs de l’apprentissage virtuel—la technologie, l’équilibre entre vie professionnelle et vie privée, les ramifications juridiques et les compétences et aptitudes en matière de conseil virtuel—qui ont été partiellement ou totalement surmontés grâce à des solutions qui par la suite ont pu être institutionnalisées.
Keywords / Mots clés: virtual school counselling, organizational learning, virtual learning/ orientation scolaire virtuelle, apprentissage organisationnel, apprentissage virtuel
Mental Fatigue Increases Utilitarian Moral Judgments During COVID-19
Authors: Zheng Mufan , Li Hongyi , Gao Bicheng
Published: March 2023

This research investigated how mental fatigue is associated with moral judgments during the COVID-19 pandemic and studied the moderating effect of social support. We used self-report questionnaires to collect data from 4,042 people. We assessed people's mental fatigue and social support
during the pandemic, and designed nine moral dilemmas based on the background of COVID-19 to measure people's moral judgments. The results showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic mental fatigue had a significant impact on moral judgments. Individuals with higher mental fatigue were more likely
to make more utilitarian choices, while social support moderated the relationship between mental fatigue and moral judgments. When experiencing mental fatigue, individuals with low, compared to high, social support are more likely to rely on utilitarianism to make moral judgments.
Hope and Depression Among Left-behind Children: a Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Zhang Ping , Meng Fanyan , Ruan Weikang , Wang Xiaolin
Published: March 2023

Previous studies have found that hope mitigates depression among left-behind children; however, the specific mechanisms through which hope plays this role have yet to be explored in depth. We constructed a moderated mediation model using a questionnaire to examine the mediating role
of life satisfaction between hope and depression and the moderating role of positive coping style in the above mediating pathway, with 611 left-behind children in China as participants. The results showed that hope negatively predicted depression and positively predicted life satisfaction,
and that life satisfaction and depression were negatively correlated. Further, life satisfaction fully mediated the relationship between hope and depression, and positive coping moderated this mediation path. Implications of the findings are discussed.
The analytic solution of the fractional Rosenau--Hyman model in Liouville-Caputo sense
Authors: Cetinkaya Suleyman , Demir Ali
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this work is to achieve the analytic solution of
non-linear Liouville-Caputo fractional initial value problem including
time fractional Rosenau–Hyman equation by means of ARA transform and
iterative method. First of all, ARA transform is employed to reduce the
problem into a simpler one. Then the series solution of the non-linear
fractional initial value problem is acquired by applying iterative
method which leads to the analytic solution of the Rosenau–Hyman
equation (RHE) with initial condition. The obtained results verify that
the combination of ARA transform with iterative method produces an
effective method to tackle with non-linear fractional problems.
Interfacial Engineering of Vertically-stacked Graphene/h-BN Heterostructure as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Peroxide Synthesis
Authors: Zhao Yuying , Xu Xiang , Yuan Qinxin , Wu Yuhan , Sun Kang , Li Bei , Wang Zeming , Wang Ao , Sun Hao , Fan Mengmeng , Jiang Jianchun
Published: March 2023

Recently, in-plane graphene/h-BN (G/h-BN) heterostructure was reported
to be the catalytic activity for HO
synthesis by 2 e oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
However, there is rare report for the vertically-stacked G/h-BN
heterostructure, which refers to the stacking of graphene domains on the
surface of h-BN. Herein, a simulated chemical vapor deposition method
was proposed for fabricating abundant vertically-stacked G/h-BN
heterostructure by in-situ growing graphene quantum dots (GQDs) on
porous h-BN sheets. The catalytic performance of our vertically-stacked
heterostructure catalyst is superior to the reported carbon-based
electrocatalysts in an alkaline environment, with the
HO selectivity of 90%-99% in a wide
potential range (0.35 V-0.7 V vs. RHE), over 90% faradaic efficiency
and high mass activity of 1167 mmolgcatalyst
h. The experimental results and density functional
theory simulation verifies that the vertically-stacked heterostructure
possesses greatly catalytic performance for 2 e ORR
and the edge B atoms in the B-centered AB stacking model are the most
active catalytic sites. This research well demonstrates the promising
catalytic activity for the vertically-stacked G/h-BN heterostructure and
provide a facile route for fabricating other vertically-stacked
heterostructures.
Efficacy Evaluation of Estradiol on Hot Flushes in Postmenopausal Women: a Model-based Meta-analysis
Authors: 张 凌霄 , Xu Ling , Li Lujin , Liu Hongxia , Yang Juan , Zheng Qing-shan
Published: March 2023

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of estradiol in the treatment of
menopausal hot flushes in women, quantify its efficacy characteristics
as well as the placebo effect, and explore the influencing factors to
establish an efficacy scale for the development of drugs for the
treatment of menopausal hot flushes. Data and methods: A literature
search was conducted to include clinical studies on estradiol for the
treatment of menopausal hot flushes. Data of demographics, dose,
administration route and efficacy were extracted and used to construct
an efficacy model. Model simulations were used to obtain the efficacy in
different populations with different doses and administration routes.
Results: Seventeen studies, including 17 groups of placebo (1698
subjects) and 29 groups of estradiol (3013 subjects) with daily doses of
estradiol ranging from 0.01 to 2 mg, were included. There were
significant effects of administration route (oral or transdermal),
ethnicity (Caucasian or Asian) and duration of menopause on model
parameters. The efficacy was higher in non-Asians than in Asians, and
weaker in menopausal women with > 60 weeks of menopause
than < 60 weeks. The placebo effect was higher for shorter
menopause duration, with a time to ED50 of 3.15 weeks for Asian and 1.96
weeks for non-Asians. Conclusion: The standard longitudinal efficacy
scales of estradiol on menopausal hot flushes were constructed, and no
difference was found in the efficacy of estradiol in Asians and
non-Asians. The standard efficacy of estradiol in this study could
inform the efficacy evaluation in new drug development.
Effects of acute stress on pilots' working memory
Authors: Peng Xing , Liu Yueying , Jiang Hao , Zhu Qi , Wang Quanchuan , Liang Yaowei , Shi Rong , Yang Jiazhong
Published: March 2023

Stress has been shown to influence working memory (WM). However, little
is known about the effects of acute stress on pilots’ WM with varying WM
loads. The current study aims to shed more light on this issue.
Forty-two pilots were randomly assigned to the stress or the control
group. The stress group experienced acute stress induced by the modified
Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), and the control group did not receive
any stress induction. Then, all participants performed N-back tasks
under varying levels of WM load (0-back, 1-back, and 2-back) to examine
their WM. We measured their State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores and
salivary cortisol concentrations repeatedly throughout the experiment to
determine the effects of induced stress. The results showed that (1) the
modified TSST effectively induced acute stress in the stress group; (2)
as the WM load level increased, the reaction time increased, and the
accuracy decreased; and (3) there were no significant differences in
reaction time between the two groups at different WM load conditions.
However, there was an interaction effect for accuracy, which showed that
the accuracy of the stress group was higher than that of the control
group at the medium WM load (1-back). These findings suggest that acute
stress improves pilots’ WM accuracy during moderately difficult tasks.
The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for improving
stress management and training pilots’ WM abilities.
Existence of a renormalized solutions to a nonlinear system in Orlicz spaces
Authors: Ahakkoud Yassine , Bennouna Jaouad , Elmassoudi Mhamed
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we will be concerned with the existence of renormalized
solutions to the following parabolic-elliptic system
{?u ?t + Au = ?(u)|??|2 in QT = ? ? (0, T),
?div(?(u)??) = divF(u) in QT, u = 0 on ?? ? (0, T), ? = 0 on ?? ? (0, T),
u(?, 0) = u0 in ?, where Au = ?div a(x, t, u,?u) is a Leray-Lions operator
defined on the inhomogeneous Orlicz-Sobolev space W1,x 0 LM(QT) into its
dual, M is a N-function related to the growth of a. M does not satisfy the
?2-condition, and ? and F are two Carath?odory functions defined in QT ? R.
A-statistical convergence with a rate and applications to approximation
Authors: Gülfırat Mustafa
Published: March 2023

A = (ank) be a regular summability matrix. In the present paper we deal with subspaces of the space of A?statistically convergent sequences obtained by the rate at which the A?statistical limit tends to zero. We prove that a sequence is the A?strongly convergent if and only if it is the A?statistically convergent and the A?uniformly integrable with the rate of o (an) where a = (an) is a positive nonincreasing sequence. We also make a link between the A?strong convergence and the A?distributional convergence with the rate of o (an). Finally, as an application we present an approximation theorem of Korovkin type.
Diminazene aceturate exacerbates renal fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction in female mice
Authors: Kim Yosep , Kim Jongwan , Han Sang Jun
Published: March 2023

Background: Diminazene aceturate (DIZE), an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activator, exerts anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in a variety of human chronic diseases. However, the role of DIZE in kidney fibrosis and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of DIZE on the progression of renal fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), a well-established model of chronic kidney disease. Methods: C57BL/6 female or male mice were subjected to right UUO. Mice received 15 mg/kg DIZE or vehicle (saline) daily. On the 7th day after UUO, kidneys were collected for analysis of renal fibrosis (α-smooth muscle actin, phosphorylated SMAD3, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, Masson’s trichrome, and Sirius red staining), inflammation (macrophage infiltration, proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines), apoptosis/necrotic cell death (TUNEL and periodic acid-Schiff staining), and ACE2 activity and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression.Results: Treatment with DIZE exacerbated renal fibrosis by upregulating the profibrotic TGF-β/SMAD3 pathway, proinflammatory cytokine/chemokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, IL-6, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2) levels, M2 macrophage accumulation (CD206, IL-4, IL-10, and CX3CL1), and apoptotic/necrotic cell death in the obstructed kidneys of female mice but not male mice. However, DIZE treatment had no effect on ACE2 activity or mRNA expression.Conclusion: DIZE exacerbates UUO-induced renal fibrosis by aggravating tubular damage, apoptosis, and inflammation through independent of Ang (1–7), Ang 2 levels, and ACE2 expression/activity, rather than protecting against renal fibrosis after UUO. DIZE also has powerful effects on recruiting macrophages, including the M2-polarized subtype, in female UUO mice.
The flavonoid fisetin ameliorates renal fibrosis by inhibiting SMAD3 phosphorylation, oxidative damage, and inflammation in ureteral obstructed kidney in mice
Authors: Ju Ha Young , Kim Jongwan , Han Sang Jun
Published: March 2023

Background: Renal fibrosis is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix and inflammatory cells and kidney dysfunction, which is a major pathway in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Accumulating evidence indicates that oxidative stress plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of CKD via proinflammatory and profibrotic signaling pathways. Fisetin (3,3′,4′,7-tetrahydroxyflavone) has biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects. Therefore, we evaluated the antifibrotic effects of fisetin on unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced kidneys.Methods: C57BL/6 female mice were subjected to right UUO and intraperitoneally injected every other day with fisetin (25 mg/kg/day) or vehicle from 1 hour before surgery to 7 days after surgery. Kidney samples were analyzed for renal fibrosis (α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA] expression, collagen deposition, and transforming growth factor [TGF] β1/SMAD3 signaling pathway), oxidative damage (4-HNE and 8-OHdG expression), inflammation (proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine, macrophage, and neutrophil infiltration), and apoptosis (TUNEL staining). Cultured human proximal tubule cells were treated with fisetin before TGF-β to confirm the TGF-β downstream pathway (SMAD2/3 phosphorylation).Result: We found that fisetin treatment protected against renal fibrosis by inhibiting the phosphorylation of SMAD3, oxidative damage, inflammation, apoptotic cell death, and accumulation of profibrotic M2 macrophages in the obstructed kidneys. In cultured human proximal tubular cells, fisetin treatment inhibited TGF-β1–induced phosphorylation of SMAD3 and SMAD2.Conclusion: Fisetin alleviates kidney fibrosis to protect against UUO-induced renal fibrosis, and could be a novel therapeutic drug for obstructive nephropathy.
Vitamin D and narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy for chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus
Authors: Kee Youn Kyung , Jeon Hee Jung , Oh Jieun , Shin Dong Ho
Published: March 2023

Background: In addition to improving the serum vitamin D balance, narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy can effectively treat chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP). We investigated the degree of CKD-aP amelioration according to changes in the serum vitamin D level after NB-UVB phototherapy. Methods: This was a before–after clinical study in patients with refractory CKD-aP on hemodialysis. NB-UVB phototherapy was administered thrice weekly for 12 weeks. The response of CKD-aP to NB-UVB phototherapy was assessed as the change in pruritus intensity over time. A rapid response was defined as a reduction in the visual analog scale (VAS) score of ≥50% within the first 6 weeks of NB-UVB phototherapy. Results: We included 34 patients in this study. Although serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations increased significantly, by a median of 17.4 ng/mL, after the phototherapy course, other serologic parameters did not change. NB-UVB phototherapy reduced the VAS score for pruritus intensity over time significantly more in patients with Δ25(OH)D of >17.4 ng/mL than in patients with Δ25(OH)D of ≤17.4 ng/mL (p = 0.001). Ten patients were rapid responders. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Δ25(OH)D was independently associated with rapid response (odds ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.63; p = 0.04). Conclusion: The effect of NB-UVB phototherapy on patients with CKD-aP correlated with their increase in serum vitamin D levels. Further well-designed clinical and experimental studies are needed to clarify the relationship between NB-UVB phototherapy and serum vitamin D levels in patients with CKD-aP.
Comparison of cardiovascular event predictability between the 2009 and 2021 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equations in a Korean chronic kidney disease cohort: the KoreaN Cohort Study for Outcome in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Kim Ji Hye , Kang Minjung , Kang Eunjeong , Ryu Hyunjin , Jeong Yujin , Kim Jayoun , Park Sue K. , Jeong Jong Cheol , Yoo Tae-Hyun , Kim Yaeni , Kim Yong Chul , Han Seung Seok , Lee Hajeong , Oh Kook-Hwan
Published: March 2023

Background: The 2009 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcr) equation contains a race component that is not based on biology and may cause a bias in results. Therefore, the 2021 eGFRcr and creatinine-cystatin C–based eGFR (eGFRcr-cysC) equations were developed with no consideration of race. This study compared the cardiovascular event (CVE) and all-cause mortality and CVE combined predictability among the three eGFR equations in Korean chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Methods: This study included 2,207 patients from the KoreaN Cohort Study for Outcome in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and net reclassification improvement (NRI) index were used to compare the predictability of the study outcomes according to the 2009 eGFRcr, 2021 eGFRcr, and 2021 eGFRcr-cysC equations. Results: The overall prevalence of CVE and all-cause mortality were 9% and 7%, respectively. There was no difference in area under the curve of ROC for CVE and mortality and CVE combined among all three equations. Compared to the 2009 eGFRcr, both the 2021 eGFRcr (NRI, 0.013; 95% confidence interval [CI], – 0.002 to 0.028) and the eGFRcr-cysC (NRI, –0.001; 95% CI, –0.031 to 0.029) equations did not show improved CVE predictability. Similar findings were observed for mortality and CVE combined predictability with both the 2021 eGFRcr (NRI, –0.019; 95% CI, –0.039–0.000) and the eGFRcr-cysC (NRI, –0.002; 95% CI, –0.023 to 0.018). Conclusion: The 2009 eGFRcr equation was not inferior to either the 2021 eGFRcr or eGFRcr-cysC equation in predicting CVE and the composite of mortality and CVE in Korean CKD patients.
El autoconcepto académico en matemáticas: ruta hacia una categorización a través del método de análisis conceptual
Authors: Arrivillaga Hurtado Fabiola , García Rodríguez Martha Leticia , Maldonado Reynosa Norma Patricia
Published: March 2023

El autoconcepto académico es un constructo relevante dentro del dominio afectivo de los estudiantes, pues ha sido identificado en diversas investigaciones como un factor de gran influencia en el aprendizaje y rendimiento académico en matemática. Sin embargo, su estudio se hace difícil sin una categorización apropiada. Por eso, con el objetivo de ofrecer una propuesta de categorización, el presente artículo empleó la metodología del análisis conceptual para identificar algunas categorías de dicho constructo, así como las ideas clave en cada una de ellas. Esta categorización puede orientar tanto la observación como la intervención en el aula, y brindar espacios más claros para incidir en cómo los estudiantes, especialmente en la adolescencia, se perciben a sí mismos dentro de la clase de matemática.
Direitos humanos e(m) biopolítica
Authors: Romaguera Daniel Carneiro Leão
Published: March 2023

Este artigo versa sobre a relação dos Direitos Humanos com a biopolítica, segundo reflexões a partir da obra de Michel Foucault. Para estabelecer tal relação e aprofundar a análise sobre o encontro entre a biopolítica e os Direito Humanos, é feito estudo sobre a biopolítica a partir do autor mencionado, especialmente dos cursos ‘Nascimento da biopolítica’ e ‘Segurança, território, população’. Pois, além desse esforço ser importante para entender a relação apresentada, ele também contribui para facilitar a compreensão da obra de Foucault sobre a temática, como para estudos sobre as problemáticas e dinâmicas do regime de poder da biopolítica na atualidade. O que se propõe é apresentar o ponto de partida para o estudo desses temas. Isso, ao traçar algumas questões dos Direitos Humanos, tendo em vista a biopolítica ser determinante à afirmação e à expansão desses direitos. De um lado, a problematização é de que com a biopolítica ocorre uma transformação que afeta os Direitos Humanos, pois são capazes de definir a humanidade e estabelecer certo espaço legítimo da política. Isso é a ‘biopolítica dos Direitos Humanos’. De outro, é possível questionar certa governamentalidade dos Direitos Humanos ante o cenário político atual, enquanto se administra a liberdade e são atingidos novos domínios da vida social pela biopolítica. São os ‘Direitos Humanos da biopolítica’.
Palavras-chave: Biopolítica; Direitos Humanos; Michel Foucault; Poder.
Perfil de fatores de risco para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis em estudantes de medicina
Authors: Petreça Daniel Rogério , Kunzler Michele Aparecida
Published: March 2023

Estudantes podem apresentar modificações no estilo de vida ao iniciar no ambiente universitário. Mudanças como aumento das responsabilidades, a pressão dos estudos pode colocar esse público como vulnerável a condutas de risco à saúde. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo foi analisar o perfil de fatores de risco para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNTs) em estudantes de medicina. A amostra foi composta por 180 estudantes. Foi aplicado perguntas sociodemográficas, o questionário Indicadores de saúde e qualidade de vida de acadêmicos e obtido o índice de massa corporal. Os dados foram obtidos por meio do Google Forms e analisados por meio de estatística descritiva. A média de idade foi de 22,68 (DP=5,27) anos. Quanto a percepção do estado de saúde, 50% (n=90) relataram ser “muito ruim a regular” e 42,8% (n=77) se diz “quase ou sempre estressado”. A satisfação com o sono foi identificada em 35,6% (n=64) dos estudantes e hora dormidas foram maiores nos finais de semana do que nos dias de semana. Cerca de 59,8% (n=108) mencionaram não usar protetor solar frequentemente. Níveis baixos de diabetes 2,8% (n=5) e hipertensão arterial (10%; n=18) foram observados. Entretanto, 21,1% (n=38) relataram ter colesterol aumentado. Cerca de 31,9% dos estudantes estão acima do peso e 50,6% (n=91) mencionaram não realizar atividade física no tempo livre. Foi verificado consumo razoável de frutas e verduras e baixo consumo de salgadinhos e refrigerantes. Cerca de 7,2% (n=13) são fumantes. Com os dados obtidos é possível identificar fatores de risco para DCNTs importantes. Isso pode influenciar no desempenho acadêmico e na saúde dos estudantes.