bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SPARC Accelerates Biliary Tract Cancer Progression through CTGF-mediated Tumor-Stroma interactions: SPARC as a Prognostic Marker of Survival after Neoadjuvant Therapy
Authors: Takayama Hirotoshi , Kobayashi Shogo , Gotoh Kunihito , Sasaki Kazuki , Iwagami Yoshifumi , Yamada Daisaku , Tomimaru Yoshito , Akita Hirofumi , Asaoka Tadafumi , Noda Takehiro , Wada Hiroshi , Takahashi Hidenori , Tanemura Masahiro , Doki Yuichiro , Eguchi Hidetoshi
Published: January 2023

Purpose: In biliary tract cancer (BTC), malignancy is strongest at the invasion front. To improve the BTC prognosis, the invasion front should be controlled. We evaluated tumor-stroma crosstalk at the tumor center and at the invasion front of BTC lesions. We investigated the expression of SPARC, a marker of cancer-associated fibroblasts, and determined its ability to predict BTC prognosis after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NAC-RT).
Methods: We performed immunohistochemistry to evaluate SPARC expression in resected specimens from patients that underwent BTC surgery. We established highly invasive (HI) clones in two BTC cell lines (NOZ, CCLP1), and performed mRNA microarrays to compare gene expression in parental and HI cells.
Results: Among 92 specimens, stromal SPARC expression was higher at the invasion front than at the lesion center (p=0.014). Among 50 specimens from patients treated with surgery alone, high stromal SPARC expression at the invasion front was associated with a poor prognosis (recurrence-free survival: p=0.033; overall survival: p=0.017). Coculturing fibroblasts with NOZ-HI cells upregulated fibroblast SPARC expression. mRNA microarrays showed that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was upregulated in NOZ-HI and CCLP1-HI cells. A CTGF knockdown suppressed cell invasion in NOZ-HI cells. Exogeneous CTGF upregulated SPARC expression in fibroblasts. SPARC expression at the invasion front was significantly lower after NAC-RT, compared to surgery alone (p=0.003).
Conclusion: CTGF was associated with tumor-stroma crosstalk in BTC. CTGF activated stromal SPARC expression, which promoted tumor progression, particularly at the invasion front. SPARC expression at the invasion front after NAC-RT may serve as a prognosis predictor.
Pharmacoresistant epilepsy in adult patients: a cross-sectional study on pharmacotherapeutic characteristics, access, knowledge, and treatment adherence
Authors: Mencucini Paula Sousa França , Campos Marília Silveira de Almeida , Lopes Vinícius Detoni , Rodrigues João Paulo Vilela , Inouye Fabiana Coelho , Zanetti Maria Olívia Barboza , Varallo Fabiana Rossi , Pereira Leonardo Régis Leira
Published: January 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the pharmacotherapeutic, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics of patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy treated at a specialized outpatient clinic, as well as to assess the knowledge and adherence of patients to pharmacological treatment and to identify the most frequent adverse events (AE).
Methods: Cross-sectional study, based on an interview using validated questionnaires and document analysis of medical records.
Results:There was a high prevalence of polytherapy 92.1 % (200/217), and an average treatment time of 25.8 years. The most used antiepileptic drugs were clobazam, lamotrigine, carbamazepine and topiramate. The average AE score was 41.4 points (SD = 11.4). Regarding access to the drugs used, 66.4 % (144/217) of the patients reported having free access. The patients' knowledge about antiepileptic drug therapy obtained a mean score of 93.5 points (SD = 16.7 points), and these patients with more excellent knowledge also had greater adherence to treatment [OR= 2.51 (95 % CI, 1.11; 5.65)] and a lower incidence of AE [OR= 0.47 (95 % CI, 0.27; 0.83)]. Non-adherence rates were found to be 47.5 % (103/217), and variables that were significantly associated (p˂0.05) with non-adherence were found.
Conclusion: Patients have good knowledge about pharmacological treatment, and prescriptions are in line with national guidelines, but they need integrated and continuous care work to optimize adherence and health services.
A New Necroptosis-Related lncRNA Signature Predicts the Prognosis of Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Zhao Boxin , Gui Lin , Zhang Zhiyong , Xiang Yingyu , Sun Xueyuan , Fan Jingyao , Huang Lijuan
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to construct a necroptosis-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) signature to accurately predict the prognosis of kidney clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) patients using data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The KIRC patient data were downloaded from TCGA database. Univariate Cox regression analyses, Lasso, and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identifying prognostic risk-associated lncRNAs. Pearson correlation analysis was implemented to obtain necroptosis-related lncRNAs. 8 lncRNAs were identified and used to construct a predictive signature. Kaplan–Meier curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate reliability and sensitivity of the signature. A prognostic nomogram was established to predict the probable 1, 2, and 3-years overall survival of KIRC patients quantitatively. Functional Enrichment Analysis was used to explore the functional differences between the high and low risk groups. We constructed and verified a necroptosis-related lncRNAs prognostic signature of KIRC patients(LINC00565、AL731567.1、PRKAR1B-AS1、PROX1-AS1、C3orf36、LINC02446、AL355377.4、LINC01738). We confirmed that the survival rates of KIRC patients with high-risk subgroup were significantly poorer than those with low-risk subgroup. Kaplan-Meier and ROC curves revealed that the signature had an acceptable predictive potency. ROC curves indicated that the prognostic signature had a reliable predictive capability(AUC = 0.725). Cox regression and survival analysis indicated that the predictive signature can predict the prognosis of KIRC patients independent of various clinical parameters. The risk score and 8 necroptosis-related lncRNAs(NRLs) were significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration. Functional enrichment analysis provided us with new ways to search for potential biological functions. We constructed a necroptosis-related lncRNAs prognostic signature which could accurately predict the prognosis of KIRC patients.
Palmitic Acid combined with γ-interferon inhibits gastric cancer progression by modulating macrophages polarization via the TLR4 pathway
Authors: Zhang Yan-Yan , Li Jian , Li Fan , Xue Shuai , Xu Qing-Yu , Zhang Ya-Qiong , Feng Li
Published: January 2023

Background
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) constitute the main infiltrating immune cells in the solid tumor microenvironment. Amounting studies have analyzed the anti-tumor effect on immune response induced by (TLR) agonists, such as Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), γ-interferon (γ-IFN), and Palmitic Acid (PA). However, their combination treatment for gastric cancer (GC) has been unilluminated.
Methods
We investigated the relevance of macrophage polarization and the effect of PA and γ-IFN in GC in vitro and in vivo. M1 and M2 macrophage-associated markers were measured by real-time quantitative PCR and Flow Cytometry, and the activation level of the TLR4 signaling pathways was evaluated by Western Blot. The effect of PA and γ-IFN on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells (GCC), was evaluated by Cell-Counting-Kit-8, transwell assays, and wound-healing assays. In vivo animal models were used to verify the effect of PA and γ-IFN on tumor progression, and the M1 and M2 macrophage markers, CD8 + T lymphocytes, regulatory T cells (Treg), and the myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in tumor tissues were analyzed by Flow Cytometry and Immunohistochemical (IHC).
Results
Our results showed that this combination strategy enhanced M1-like macrophages and diminished M2-like macrophages through the TLR4 signaling pathway in vitro. In addition, the combination strategy impairs the proliferative and migratory activity of GCC in vitro and in vivo. While the anti-tumor effect was abrogated by using the TAK-424 (a specific TLR-4 signaling pathway inhibitor) in vitro.
Conclusions
The combination of Palmitic Acid and γ-interferon inhibits gastric cancer progression by modulating macrophages polarization via the TLR4 pathway
Prevalence and determinants of contraceptive use among women in rural communities in Eastern region of Ghana
Authors: Yeboah Isaac , Agyekum Martin Wiredu , Okyere Joshua , Mensah Ronald Osei , Essiaw Mary Naana , Appiah Hilda , Conduah Andrew Kweku , Koduah Seth Nana Kwabena , Christian Aaron Kobina
Published: January 2023

Background Despite the importance of contraceptives in reducing unwanted pregnancy and other related maternal morbidity and mortality, contraceptive usage is very low among women in their reproductive ages. In Ghana, there is an increase in contraceptive use for traditional and modern methods in rural areas. However, there is a paucity of studies examining the factors associated with any contraceptive method in the rural Eastern region of Ghana. Therefore, this study seeks to examine the prevalence and determinants of current use of any contraceptive method among women of reproductive age in the rural Eastern Region of Ghana. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among women of reproductive age in the rural Eastern region of Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used to interview rural women in Lower Manya and Upper Manya Krobo districts of Eastern region who were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The data were analysed using Stata version 16. A Binary logistic regression was used to examine the determinants of current use of any contraceptive use (traditional and modern methods). Results The prevalence of contraceptive use was 27.8%. From the unadjusted analyses, age (p = 0.001), marital status (p = 0.087), desire for another child (p = 0.089) and head of household (p = 0.013) were independently associated with contraceptive use. In the adjusted analysis, contraceptive use was significantly higher among respondents aged 18–35 years (aOR:3.27; 95%CI:1.46–7.34;p = 0.004) or 36–40 years (aOR:2.14;95%CI:0.97–4.71;p = 0.049), husbands/partners who were head of households (aOR:3.40; 95%CI: 0.96–12.10; p = 0.028) compared with those aged 41–49 years and respondents who were head of households respectively. Contraceptive use was significantly lower among migrants (aOR:0.59; 95%CI:0.31–1.09; p = 0.036) compared with non-migrant. Conclusion This study highlights the factors associated with contraceptive use and the need to improve campaigns and educate rural women on contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancy and space birth. Family planning programs should target young women, non-migrants and male-headed households to design an intervention to increase contraceptive use in rural areas.
Edoxaban vs low molecular weight heparin in COVID-19 hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Olivera Pável , Velásquez-Escandón César , Campoy Desirée , Flores Katia , Canals Tania , Johansson Erik , Herranz María José , Martínez Laia , Cerezo-Manchado Juan José , Salinas Ramón
Published: January 2023

Objective
During the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, management of anticoagulation therapy in hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) was simplified to low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), mainly due to the risk of drug-drug interactions. However, not all oral anticoagulants carry the same risk.
Methods
Observational, retrospective, and multicenter study that consecutively included hospitalized patients with non-valvular AF who received anticoagulant treatment with LMWH or edoxaban concomitantly with empirical therapy for COVID-19 infection.
Results
From March 5th to April 27th, 2020, 232 patients were included (80.3 ± 7.7 years, 50.0% men, CHA2DS2-VASc 4.1 ± 1.4; HAS-BLED 2.6 ± 1.0). Regarding COVID-19 therapy during hospitalization, patients were taking azithromycin (98.7%), hydroxychloroquine (89.7%), and ritonavir/lopinavir (81.5%). Peak D-dimer was significantly lower in the edoxaban group. The mean length of hospital stay was 14.6 ± 7.2 days and mean total follow-up (from admission to the last visit) was 31.6 ± 13.4 days. Furthermore, 12.9% of patients required admission to the intensive care unit, 18.5% of patients died, and 9.9% had a bleeding complication (34.8% major bleeding). Except for length of hospital stay, which was longer in patients taking LMWH (16.0 ± 7.7 vs 13.3 ± 6.5 days; P = 0.005), data for the remaining outcomes were similar in patients treated with edoxaban and those treated with LMWH.
Conclusions
Mortality rates, arterial and venous thromboembolic complications and bleedings did not significantly differ between patients with AF who received anticoagulation therapy with edoxaban or LMWH. However, the duration of hospitalization was significantly lower with edoxaban. Edoxaban had a similar therapeutic profile to LMWH and may provide additional benefit.
Synthesis and antibacterial activity of Schiff base-pyridine quaternary ammonium salt-halamine compounds on cotton fabrics
Authors: Tang Xin , Zhang Zaixing , Jing Lingxiao , Luan Kun , Zhou Sha , Zhang Tonghua
Published: January 2023

The incorporation of a single antimicrobial agent on textiles has been proven to be effective to enhance the antibacterial efficacy against single bacteria family. However, the daily usage of textile products face challenges from multiple microbes, i.e., bacterial, fungal, or/and viral, which threaten human’s safety and health. A "combination" of antimicrobial agents could be efficient and accessible to against several microbes at one time. In this study, a Schiff base-pyridinium quaternary ammonium salt-haloamine precursor compound (E)-3-(((2,4-dioxoimidazolidin-1-yl)imino)methyl)pyridin-1-ium (4-DMPY) was synthesized and grafted onto MPTES-treated cotton fabric by thiol-ene click chemistry. The results of NRM, FTIR, Raman, EDX, XPS and SEM tests showed that 4-DMPY was synthesized and grafted onto cotton fabrics. The antibacterial test results showed that 4-DMPY had antibacterial activity against both S. aureus and E. coli. The antibacterial activity of 4-DMPY-finished cotton fabric was significantly enhanced after chlorination treatment, which could kill 98% of S. aureus and 98.9% of E. coli at a concentration of 5 g/L, confirming the enhanced synergistic effect between 4-DMPY and N-chloramine. The antimicrobial substance on the cotton fabric is non-soluble, which kills 98.4% E. coli and 98.3% S. aureus within 1 minute by a direct contact. In addition, the produced fabric retained 81% and 63% of active chlorine content after 30 washes and 30 days of storage, indicating a good antimicrobial durability. Herein, we anticipate the technology can be used to enhance antibacterial function of cellulose products and thus resist the potential threats from microbes to ensure human’s health.
Phylogenetic Reconstruction and Homology Modeling Reveal Genotypic Diversity and Immune Dysregulation in Children with Rhinovirus- Associated Pneumonia
Authors: Naeem Asif , Alkadi Haitham S. , Manzoor Muhammad U. , Yousaf Imran , Awadalla Maaweya , Alturaiki Wael , AlYami Ahmad S. , Zafar Adnan , Alosaimi Bandar
Published: January 2023

Background
Rhinoviruses (RVs) are the most frequent cause of community acquired pneumonia in children and the major cause of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, leading to substantial morbidity, mortality and hospital admission. The spectrum of RV serotypes in circulation, their genetic variability and immune responses could be implicated in the etiology of disease severity. During rhinovirus infection, both antiviral immunity and pro-inflammatory responses play a critical role in the clearance of the virus. A variation in these responses leads to deficient clearing of the virus and sustained inflammation.
Materials and methods
The study specimens were obtained from pediatric pneumonia patients (n = 374) attending the outpatient department (OPD) or admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at King Fahad Medical City. All patient’ samples testing positive for rhinovirus (n = 102) by conventional nested reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) assay were used for genetic sequencing by Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. The clinical datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on request.
Results
We investigated 374 children with pneumonia and RV was detected in 27% with radiological evidence of consolidation and ground glass opacities in the lung. Genetic sequencing and homology 3D modeling revealed changes at amino terminal of conserved Viral Protein 4 (VP4) epitope in RV-A101 serotype especially serine at several positions that is important for interactive binding with the host immune cells. We found dysregulation of pulmonary gene expression of Th1- and Th2 cytokines and chemokines in RV-A 101 and RV-C 8 associated pneumonia patients, and found that 29 genes were overexpressed. IFN-γ (Interferon gamma) and IL-18 (Interleukin or interferon-gamma-inducing factor) mRNA expression levels were significantly upregulated in the RV-A101-associated pneumonia patients.
Conclusion
This study provided evidence of mutations at the amino terminal of the conserved VP4 epitope that could shape the immune response as well as affect the cross neutralizing capacity of the conserved epitopes, thus helping RVs escape the immune responses. Further functional studies are needed to determine any changes in the cross serotype virus neutralization ability for vaccine development.
Radiomics based on enhanced CT for the preoperative prediction of metastasis in epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Leng Yinping , Wang Xiwen , Zheng Tian , Peng Fei , Xiong Liangxia , Wang Yu , Gong Lianggeng
Published: January 2023

Purpose: To develop and evaluate an enhanced CT-based radiomics nomogram for predicting preoperative metastasis in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).
Materials and Methods: 109 patients with histopathology-confirmed EOC were retrospectively enrolled. The volume of interest (VOI) was delineated in preoperative enhanced CT images, and 851 radiomics features were extracted. The radiomics features were filtered by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and the radiomics score was calculated using the formula of the radiomics label. A clinical radiomics model and nomogram were constructed by multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the prediction effect.
Results: 75 patients (68.8%) were histologically confirmed to have metastasis. Eleven nonzero LASSO coefficient radiomics features were selected to develop radiomic model, and four clinical charac-teristics were selected to develop clinical model. The clinical radiomics model for prediction metastasis of EOC achieved areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.929 (95% CI, 0.8593-0.9996) in the training cohort and 0.909 (95% CI, 0.7921-1.0000) in the test cohort. To facilitate clinical use, a radiomic nomogram was builtedby combined the clinical charac-teristics with Rad-score. The DCAs confirmed that the nomogram could predict metastasis.
Conclusions: The radiomics nomogram had significantly superior prediction ability than the clinical model and the radiomics model, which could be suggested as a useful and convenient tool to help clinicians formulate personalized treatment plans for EOC patients.
Multifunctional hydrogel containing platelet camouflaged ultra-small silver nanoparticles accelerates diabetic wound healing in Type 1 Diabetic rats
Authors: Wang Jinlei , Geng Xinrong , Liu Kang , Zhao Liang , Li Hongdan
Published: January 2023

Bacterial infection and impaired angiogenes are always great obstacles in the wound healing of diabetes. A diabetic wound causes thousands of infections or deaths around the world each year, so the problem of multidrug-resistant (MDR) cannot be ignored. Here, we synthesized a new ultra-small silver nanoparticles (usAgNPs) and conjugated usAgNPs with platelets (usAgNPs-PL) and loaded into CMC hydrogel (usAgNPs-PL/CMC hydrogel), and treated diabetic wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat models. The usAgNPs-PL/CMC hydrogel was characterized by SEM, TEM and XPS spectra. The antibacterial ability was detected by XTT dyeing, ROS, bacterial biofilm assay, bacterial activity, et al. The results showed that usAgNPs had smaller particle size (13 nm) than traditional silver nanoparticles and evenly distributed. The Ag + released from usAgNPs can kill bacteria by interfering with bacterial intracellular metabolism; generation of ROS; damaging cell membrane integrity and inhibiting biofilm formation. And combined platelets were enhancing the angiogenesis of endothelial cells by regulating VEGF, PI3K-AKT. Together, this work describes the first example of constructing an all-in-one CMC hydrogel for antimicrobial diabetes wound treatment and showcases the promise of combined antimicrobials and angiogenesis achieved by using the CMC hydrogel in biomedicine applications.
Parameter Identification in Three-phase Induction Motor Aided by Halton-Chaos-$\beta $-PSO Algorithm
Authors: Santana Gisele Alves , Martinez Cristiane A. Pendeza , Goedtel Alessandro , Martinez André Luís M. , Abrao Taufik
Published: January 2023

Evolutionary heuristic algorithms attempt to biologically emulate the adaptive evolutionary nature of living beings via different procedures. This work proposes new mechanisms for improving the performance-complexity tradeoff of the evolutionary Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm applied to parameter estimation of a three-phase induction motor problem subject to the operational changing of motor parameters during its operation. The proposed variant, namely the Halton-Chaos-$\beta$-PSO algorithm, resolves the parameter estimation problem faster and with minor errors than the conventional PSO. An analytical-iterative-heuristic variant combining the augmented Lagrangian method (ALM) and PSO (ALPSO) demonstrated good performance-complexity trade-off, particularly under online operation, with instantaneous (on-fly) modification of the motor parameters. Additionally, the ALM combined with a quasi-Newton method and the PSO hybridization with the gravitational search algorithm (PSOGSA) was evaluated. The efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed hybrid analytical-iterative-heuristic methods are corroborated by extensive numerical simulation results, considering heuristic input parameters tuning, which have revealed a remarkable reduction in the error estimation values when the estimation procedure is deployed dynamically in real-time applications.
Volume Deformation and Hydraulic Conductivity Behavior of Sand-Bentonite Mixtures with Fiberglass Additives Under High Temperatures
Authors: GÜNERİ Esra , AKSOY Yeliz YÜKSELEN
Published: January 2023

The performance of energy geo-structures is also dependent on the surrounding soil properties in the presence of high temperatures or thermal cycles. Change in temperature may affect many engineering parameters of soils. Sand-bentonite mixtures or bentonite which are used as a buffer should keep their performance at design level for a long time.
Purpose: In order to improve engineering behavior of soils under high temperatures thermally durable materials can be used. Volume deformation and hydraulic conductivity behavior of 30% bentonite-70% sand mixtures in the presence of fiberglass additives were investigated.
Methods: Consolidation tests were performed at both room and high temperatures (80 °C), hydraulic conductivity tests were started at room temperature and temperature cycle (25-50-80°C) was applied.
Results:Fiberglass increased the amount of compression insignificantly under room temperature, whereas the total compression amount increased remarkably under high temperature. On the other hand, the hydraulic conductivity increased under high temperature with fiberglass additive.
Conclusions: Fiberglass added sand-bentonite mixtures can be used around energy structures as an alternative buffer material with high temperature resistance.
Development of an Individual Index of Social Vulnerability that Predicts Negative Healthcare Events: A Proposed Tool to Address Healthcare Equity in Primary Care Research and Practice
Authors: Haggerty Jeannie , Minotti Simona C. , Bouharaoui Fatima
Published: January 2023

Purpose
Socially disadvantaged patients may lack self-efficacy to navigate a complex health system making them vulnerable to healthcare inequity. We aimed to develop an Index of social vulnerability that predicts increased risk of negative healthcare events (e.g. emergency hospitalization), independent of chronic disease burden. The analysis illustrates the conceptual and practical steps leading to the development of a pragmatic Index of social vulnerability to limited healthcare self-efficacy.
Methods
Using data from a 3-year cohort of 2507 adult primary care patients in Québec (Canada), we applied two complementary structural equation modelling approaches - Partial Least Squares Path Modelling (PLS-PM) and Multiple indicators and Multiple Causes (MIMIC) modelling - to identify a minimal set of social characteristics that could be summed into an Index related to limited healthcare self-efficacy. We then used logistic regression to determine if the Index predicted: hospital emergency department use; hospital admissions; unmet need for care, and others. We privileged parsimony over explanatory capacity in our analytic decisions to make the Index pragmatic for epidemiologic and clinical use.
Results
The Individual Social Vulnerability Index is the weighted sum of five indicators: social support; educational achievement; financial status; limited language proficiency. The Index predicts increased likelihood of all negative healthcare outcomes except unmet need, with a clear threshold at Index ≥ 2. The effect is independent of chronic disease burden.
Conclusion
When social deficits outweigh social assets by two or more (Index ≥ 2), there is an increased risk of negative healthcare events beyond the risk attributable to poor health. The Index is a pragmatic tool to identify a minority of patients who will require additional support to receive equitable healthcare.
Localized cardiac metabolic trajectories and post-infectious metabolic sequelae in experimental Chagas disease
Authors: Liu Zongyuan , Ulrich Rebecca , Kendricks April , Wheeler Kate , Leão Ana Carolina , Pollet Jeroen , Bottazzi Maria Elena , Hotez Peter , Gusovsky Fabian , Jones Kathryn , McCall Laura-Isobel
Published: January 2023

Post-infectious conditions, where clinical symptoms fail to resolve even after pathogen clearance, present major health burdens. However, the mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. In Chagas disease (CD), caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, antiparasitic agents can clear T. cruzi but late-stage treatment does not improve clinical cardiac outcomes. In this study, we revealed differential metabolic trajectories of cardiac regions during T. cruzi infection, matching sites of clinical symptoms. Incomplete, region-specific, cardiac metabolic restoration was observed in animals treated with the antiparasitic benznidazole, even though parasites were successfully cleared. In contrast, superior metabolic restoration was observed for a combination treatment of reduced-dose benznidazole plus an immunotherapy (Tc24-C4 T. cruzi flagellar protein and TLR4 agonist adjuvant), even though parasite burden reduction was lower. Overall, these results provide a mechanism to explain prior clinical treatment failures in CD and to test novel candidate treatment regimens. More broadly, our results demonstrate a link between persistent metabolic perturbation and post-infectious conditions, with broad implications for our understanding of post-infectious disease sequelae.
A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY OF CYBERCRIMES AGAINST WOMEN IN INDIA: DECIPHERING THE CAUSES AND EVALUATING THE IMPACT ON THE VICTIMS
Authors:   Department of Economics and International Business, School of Business, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kandoli Campus, Dehradun, Uttarakhand-248008, India, Balabantaray Subhra Rajat , Mishra Mausumi ,   Centre for the Study of Social Systems, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road, JNU Ring Rd, New Delhi, 110067, India, Pani Upananda ,   Department of Economics and International Business, School of Business, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kandoli Campus, Dehradun, Uttarakhand-248008, India
Published: January 2023

The growing use of the internet has provided a conducive platform for miscreants to engage in the misuse of information and communication technology (ICT). It has resulted in a potential threat to individuals in terms of cybercrimes. In general, cybercrimes are increasing at a rapid pace in India. The most vulnerable group targeted in cybercrimes in India has been women and girls. Using purposive sampling method for the selection of sample, this study focuses on cybercrimes against women in India and their impact on the victims. Awareness about cybercrimes is minimal. Historically, women have been subjected to various kinds and forms of discrimination and crimes, the newest being cybercrimes. Results exhibit that computer literacy is higher among males than females, which is a factor in women being more vulnerable to cybercrimes. The suppression of cybercrimes affects the victim psychologically through depression, fear, anxiety, and withdrawal from cyberspace. To overcome these kinds of effects, victims often share the situation they have faced with friends, close acquaintances, and family members.
SLIDING INTO YOUR DMS IN 1, 2, 3: INSTAGRAMDATING PRACTICES OF FILIPINO PROFESSIONALS IN A RELATIONSHIP AMIDST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors:   University of the East, 2219 C.M. Recto Avenue, Brgy. 404, Zone 41, Sampaloc, Manila, the Philippines, Pascual Julius Cesar Rosales , Tarrayo Veronico Nogales ,   University of Santo Tomas, España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila, the Philippines
Published: January 2023

This study explores self-reported narratives of Filipino professionals in a relationship (FPR) in terms of their online-dating practices. It examines how romantic alternatives are experienced and expressed through Instagram (IG) My Stories during the quarantine period brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the present study aims to investigate the reasons and dynamics of IG-dating practices as well as how social media usage impacts romantic alternatives. The study hopes to fill the knowledge gap on the role IG dating plays in the various stages of online-dating practices during the quarantine period. The researchers analysed responses from two semi-structured interviews, six narratives or written responses, and follow-up email interviews with all eight FPR involved in this study. Findings indicate that compared to previous findings, the FPR did not regard being in IG as an important marker of their romantic and emotional relationships as it is merely their coping and surviving mechanism against boredom at the time of quarantining and their way of escaping and diverting their worries about the pandemic; hence, ending a relationship can take place at any stage in the form of “ghosting”. Furthermore, IG’s main activities such as posting, reacting, replying/commenting, and chatting can initiate and maintain these romantic alternatives, and the primary motivation of the FPR to engage in IG dating concerns face-/self-presentation and negotiation. Finally, the term “quaranfling” is proposed to describe a phenomenon pertaining to a no-strings-attached flirting during quarantine, which is basically a casual romantic relationship. The current study may be a precursor to further investigations on quaranfling and whether online platforms (e.g., social media and dating apps) can be attributed to the growing number of relationship dilemmas (e.g., cheating and breakups) among modern-day couples not only in the Philippines but also in Asia Pacific.
Numerical modeling of open pit aeration under major blasts according to the dust factor
Authors:   Institute of North Industrial Ecology Problems KSC RAS, Pavel Amosov
Published: January 2023

Research objective is to estimate the effect of major blast location, dust and gas cloud initial height, the wind current velocity at the upper pit slope on the time of pit aeration and on the level of atmospheric pollution of the upper pit slope downwind according to the dust factor. Methods of research. Aerodynamics and fine dust transport in 2D geometry was modeled in the COMSOL program. The aerodynamic characteristics were calculated using the incompressible fluid approximation with the standard (k–ε) turbulence model. The process of fine dust spreading is modeled by numerically calculating the convective-diffusion equation for pollutants transfer, considering the settling rate. Numerical experiments were performed under a fixed initial concentration of fine dust and varying velocity of the oncoming wind current for three locations of major blasts and six values of the dust and gas cloud initial height (from 70 to 420 m with a step of 70 m). Results and analysis. Significant qualitative (but not quantitative) similarity was noted in the calculated spatial-temporal parameters for fine dust and the gas component. It is shown that for the recirculation aeration scheme, the longest duration of pit cleaning from dust is observed during major blasts displaced to the weather pit slope. A wave-like removal is predicted of dust pollutants with different heights of peaks and time to reach the peak value. Differences are demonstrated in the processes of pit aeration during major blasts in terms of fine dust and gas component, which do not contradict the physics of the process. Conclusions and scope. A functional dependence has been obtained, which makes it possible to predict the time of reaching the first peak of dust pollution at the upper pit slope downstream as a function of two variables, namely, the initial height of the dust and gas cloud rise and the oncoming wind current velocity.
Reference object on the continent – step on the Arctic shelf
Authors:   Southern Federal University, Iurii Revinskii , Anatolii Sukharev ,   Southern Federal University
Published: January 2023

Problem statement. To study the Arctic shelf of the Russian Federation, it is necessary to identify a reference object on the continent, similar in geological structure and sufficiently well studied for forecasting and reasonable assessment of oil and gas bearing objects. Research objectives and tasks are to develop recommendations, based on the data on the reference object, that reduce geological risks during geological exploration both in new promising areas and in areas with confirmed oil and gas potential on the RF Arctic shelf. Methods of research include analysis of geological and geophysical information, lithochemical, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopic studies of mineral paragenesis and variations in the composition of oil and gas bearing strata Results. Based on the analysis of the history of the geological development of the West Siberian Plate and its continuation in the Kara Sea shelf on the continent, a reference object was identified – the North Tazovskaya depression – a structure of the second order of the Bolshekhetskaya megasyneclise. Rock complexes and productive horizons transformation signs have been established based on the study of the North-Tazovskaya depression fluid-active area zoning. The presence of established lithogeochemical, mineral and other parameters of the productive horizon makes it possible to predict reservoir rocks or fluid seals, the distribution of which depends on the degree of secondary changes in predominantly layered silicates, which are indicators of fluid dynamic systems with certain thermobarogeochemical parameters. Scope of results. The North-Tazov basin objects study allows to consider this region as a reference object for the Kara Sea shelf. The study of the reference object oil and gas content requires an integrated approach, which, in addition to geophysical methods, also includes methods for studying hydrothermal-metasomatic transformations of rocks and minerals, which will make it possible to carry out geological exploration work more efficiently in the hard-to-reach conditions of the Arctic shelf
A technology for non-mining flanks formation at deep kimberlite open pits
Authors:   Ural State Mining University, Iurii Lel , Igor Bokii ,   Yakutniproalmaz Institute of Alrosa PJSC, Igor Glebov ,   Institute of Mining UB RAS, Sergei Isakov ,   Ural State Mining University, Ruslan Ganiev ,   Ural State Mining University
Published: January 2023

Research objective is to develop a technology for non-mining flanks formation at deep open pits to reduce the amount of stripping operations and increase the scope of diamond fields mining by the open-pit method. Research relevance. The non-mining flanks formation and reduction of their additional excavation from the main openings is one of the most pressing problems in the development of deep kimberlite open pits. In the deep zone of kimberlite open pits, the stable slope of the flanks can reach 75°–80°, while according to the condition of ramps placement it is 48°–60°. This results in increased overburden volumes and limits the maximum depth of open pits. Methods of research. A technology has been developed for forming non-mining flanks and giving them a convex (cissoidal) profile with a gradual increase in slope angles. The technology consists in phased transition starting from a certain depth from the traditional overburden removal method to one with steeply inclined ramps and a spiral marginal tunnel passing behind the shear zone. A method for calculating the design angles of non-mining flanks when opening deep quarries with spiral ramps is substantiated. The main regularities of opening parameters effect on the slope angle of non-mining flanks are established. The results of experimental studies of rock physical and mechanical properties are used, as well as the methods of economic and mathematical modeling and technical and economic analysis. Results. By the example of Nyurba mine of Alrosa PJSC, it was found that the proposed technology allows increasing the resulting angle of non-mining flanks from 45°–48° to 54°–63°, reducing the amount of overburden removal operations by 3–8 times and effectively mining the open pit to a depth of 750 m corresponding to the depth of explored reserves. Scope of results. The proposed technology and method for calculating the design slope angles of non-mining flanks can be used not only in kimberlite open pit development, but also in the development of non-ferrous and precious metal deposits, represented by steeply dipping rounded deposits, by the open-pit method.
Identifying the causes of the two-part engine piston destruction in a gas-diesel mining dump truck
Authors:   T. F. Gorbachev Kuzbass State Technical University, Georgii Dubov , Aleksandr Bogomolov ,   T. F. Gorbachev Kuzbass State Technical University, Elena Temnikova ,   T. F. Gorbachev Kuzbass State Technical University, Sergei Sozinov ,   Federal Research Center for Coal and Coal Chemistry SB RAS, Sergei Nokhrin ,   TekhnoEco LLC
Published: January 2023

Introduction. The paper considers the relevance and prospects of using liquefied natural gas in BelAZ 75131 mining dump trucks. It is an alternative fuel source which allows reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Accidents occurring in the course of such gas-diesel dump trucks operation are associated with the destruction of one two-part piston from the entire KTA 50-C engine piston group. Research objective is to find the cause of the KTA 50-C engine two-part piston destruction during its gas-diesel operation by studying its microstructural characteristics. Methods of research. Тhree prototypes from different parts of a two-piece piston are sampled for research. The microstructural characteristics of the prototypes were studied using a JEOL JSM-6390 LV scanning electron microscope with a JED 2300 energy-dispersive X-ray detector under certain regulated conditions. Research results. The results of the microstructure studies showed the difference in the elemental mass composition of the aluminum alloy of the piston’s upper and lower parts, as well as the presence of more developed caverns and microcracks in the upper part of the piston than in the lower one. Analysis and discussion. At high operating temperatures and variable high-frequency pressures, the presence of cavities in the upper part of the piston contributed to the formation and propagation of large microcracks, which subsequently led to its destruction. There is a hypothesis that liquefied natural gas used as motor fuel may lead to the destruction of the two-part piston aluminum alloy upper part as it increases the operating temperature in the cylinder by 3–3.5%. This hypothesis has been proved invalid. Conclusions. The cause of the two-part piston destruction was found and revealed no interconnection with the conversion of BelAZ 75131 mining dump truck to dual-fuel (gas-diesel) operation using liquefied natural gas as motor fuel. A recommendation was given to enterprises operating and repairing mining equipment.
Calibration Ratio Estimators of Population Mean Using Median of Auxiliary Variable
Authors: Eyo Effiong Eyo , Enang E. I.
Published: January 2023

In this study we propose a calibration ratio estimator and a calibration separate ratio-product estimator of population mean of study variable under stratified sampling using the median of auxiliary variable. The calibration estimator used calibrated weight determined to minimize a chi-square distance measure subject to a set of constraint related to the auxiliary variable in other to increase precision of the estimators. The median of the auxiliary variable was used in defining the calibration constraints. The variances of the proposed estimators were also obtained. An empirical study to ascertain the performance of these estimators using simulated data under underlying distribution assumption of Student-T distribution, Cauchy distribution, Lognormal distribution, and Standard normal distribution with varying sample sizes of 10%, 20%, and 25% were carried out. The result of simulation reveals that when the underlying distribution is Student-T, at 10% sample size, the efficiency performance of the proposed calibration separate ratio-product estimator is better than other competing estimators. As the sample size is increased to 20% and 25%, the efficiency performance of the existing stratified ratio estimator and existing calibration ratio estimator respectively become better than the other estimators. Under the skewed distributions (Cauchy and Lognormal) and the standard normal distribution, it is observed that the proposed calibration ratio estimator is better than other competing estimators in terms of efficiency, consistency and reliability. The result also reveals that under the lognormal distribution, the conventional stratified ratio estimator and the conventional calibration ratio estimator give the same result.
Random information horizon for a class of differential games with continuous updating
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Tur Anna V. , Petrosian Ovanes L. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: January 2023

In the paper we consider a class of the differential games with continuous updating with random information horizon. It is assumed that at each time instant, players have information about the game (motion equations and payoff functions) for a time interval with the length theta and as the time evolves information about the game updates. We first considered this type of games in 2019. Here we additionally assume that theta is a random variable. The subject of the current paper is definition of Nash equilibrium based solution concept and solution technique based on Hamilton—Jacobi—Bellman equations.
Numerical models for analysis and adjustment of magnetic field in medical centers. I. Simulation of geomagnetic field disturbances
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Diop Cheikh Yatma ,   Ministry of Health and Social Action, Fann Residence, Kaparkova Marina V. ,   D. V. Efremov Institute of Electrophysical Apparatus,, Kukhtin Vladimir P. ,   D. V. Efremov Institute of Electrophysical Apparatus,, Makarov Anatoly A. ,   D. V. Efremov Institute of Electrophysical Apparatus,, Rodin Igor Yu. ,   D. V. Efremov Institute of Electrophysical Apparatus,, Sytchevsky Sergey E. ,   St. Petersburg State University,   D. V. Efremov Institute of Electrophysical Apparatus,, Firsov Alexey A. ,   D. V. Efremov Institute of Electrophysical Apparatus,
Published: January 2023

The study investigates possible disturbances of the Earth’s geomagnetic field associated with ferromagnetic structures of clinical buildings. An original methodology has been applied for 3D field mapping of hospital areas in the Senegalese Radiotherapy (RT) Centre. The RT unit will be located in a bunker with thick steel walls to ensure safety of patients and staff. Steel reinforcement will provide the shielding effect lowering the field level in the therapy room. A detailed numerical model has been created to simulate an expected field map in the RT bunker. The model reflects the actual geometry and reinforcement pattern of the building as well as adopted national standards for hypomagnetic field environment. The field maps generated with the EM codes KLONDIKE and KOMPOT form a basis for validation in comparative computations with the other codes (COMSOL Multiphysics, etc).
Labor and social law in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic: problems of theory and practice
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Kuzmenko Alexander V. , Lavrikova Marina Yu. ,   St. Petersburg State University, Pilipenko Vasily V. ,   Territorial agency of Roszdravnadzor for St Petersburg and Leningrad region, Filippova Marina V. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: January 2023

High occupational risk of damage to the health of medical workers requires the adoption of special measures for social protection. Such measures in the form of a one-time insurance payment were provided for by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 313, adopted in the midst of a new coronavirus infection COVID-19. During the implementation of the provisions of this Decree, law enforcement officers faced a number of problems caused by both the complexity of regulated relations and imperfection of the text of the regulatory legal act itself. Such problems include the lack of clear legal regulation of ways to establish the connection of a medical worker’s illness with direct contact with a patient suffering from COVID-19, or with suspicion of this disease, the difficulty of establishing a connection be-tween the performance of work duties with the fact of infection, insufficient specification of the circle of subjects entitled to this payment, a complex procedure, etc. Since the Decree is temporary, it is advisable to identify these problems and find ways to eliminate them before relevant federal law is adopted. In this regard, it is necessary to analyze emerging judicial prac-tice, which is the aim of this article. The analysis reveals what exactly the courts accept as evi-dence of the professional cause of infection of doctors and how they distinguish between the industrial and domestic cause of infection; how is the impossibility of applying the provisions of the Decree to persons not included in the circle of insured persons specified in it justified; what can be considered as such violations of the procedure that entail the cancellation of the decision of the commission of inquiry, etc. On this basis, conclusions are drawn that will help to avoid mistakes when adopting the federal law on insurance of medical workers.