bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early pathological changes initiating cognitive disorders: Which nucleus is most prone to the iron deposition?
Authors: Nikparast Farzaneh , Niroumand Shabnam , Akbari-Lalimi Hossein , Zare Hoda
Published: May 2022

Background: Iron deposition plays a vital role in damaging neurons and causing different cognitive disorders. Today, using the quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) technique, iron deposits in different brain areas can be assessed and measured.Objective: This research aims to identify iron deposition changes of brain nuclei in different stages of cognitive disorders using the QSM technique to introduce biomarkers for the early detection of these disorders.Methods: In this study, 35 participants with normal cognition and 46 patients with cognitive disorders classified into four different groups based on the severity of the disorder were scanned by a 3T MRI scanner.QSM processing determined 12 regions of interest (ROIs) by automatic nuclei segmentation and statistical analysis performed in these groups’ MRI images.Results: In the early mild cognitive impairment )EMCI( group, The QSM value of the bilateral thalamus(P<0.05) and left amygdala (P=0.006) nuclei were higher than the control group.Based on the results of the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the left amygdala (P=0.005), left putamen (P=0.002), left thalamus(P=0.05), and right thalamus(P<0.05) have an appropriate sensitivity and specificity to identify the different stages of cognitive disorders. Conclusion: The left amygdala and bilateral thalamic nuclei are the first areas exposed to iron deposition during cognitive impairment.Mentioned nuclei, especially the left amygdala, have high efficiency and sensitivity for the early detection of cognitive disorders.
Dynamic Shielding to Secure Multi-Hop Communications in Vehicular Platoons
Authors: Yang Yiran , Liu Xiqing , Wang Zhifeng , Liu Yiliang
Published: May 2022

Vehicular platoon is one of the most advanced driving assistance systems with the potential to bring considerable savings in fuel and increase traffic efficiency. However, communication between vehicles in a platoon is always vulnerable to eavesdropping due to the broadcast nature of wireless channels. To address this issue, we study the security issues from the physical layer perspective for the multi-hop vehicular platooning. The dynamic shielding secured transmission (DSST) scheme is proposed to guarantee the confidential transmission of private information. Specifically, the neighboring vehicles can take turns acting as friendly shielders, which transmit jamming signals to interfere with the eavesdroppers without knowing channel state information (CSI), thereby increasing the secrecy capacity. The mathematical derivation of secrecy capacity is conducted for performance analysis. In addition, the numerical results verify the properties, efficiency, and adaptability of the proposed scheme.
Peculiar Course Transition and Treatment of Patient with Severe Herpes Zoster-Neuralgia in the Head and Face: A Case Report
Authors: Du Xindan , Xu Lulu , Huang Bing
Published: May 2022

BackgroundZoster-associated pain treatment is considered to be difficult worldwide. Presently, the primary treatment methods include oral medications, nerve blocks, nerve radiofrequency (RF), electrical stimulation, etc. We report a peculiar course transition and corresponding treatment for a case of severe herpes zoster-Neuralgia in the Head and Face.Case PresentationA 59 year-old Chinese male presented with a severe and variable zoster-associated pain in the head and face. The chief complaint on admission was pain on the right side of his head and face after herpes zoster for 32 days. After pulse RF (PRF) and multiple supraorbital nerve blocks combined with oral analgesics were administered to the patient, the patient rated his resting pain as 4 on the numerical rating scale (NRS) and his paroxysmal pain as 9–10. Specifically, his pain shifted from the right side of his forehead to the right side of his nasal cavity to the right occipital region. Finally, a percutaneous micro balloon compression of the trigeminal ganglion and RF of the second trigeminal nerve, supraorbital nerve, and cervical nerve root were performed consecutively. All the pain was relieved significantly after surgery. Seven months later, there was no recurrence of pain and no oral drugs were taken.Conclusion On the premise of not damaging motor function, RF should be used decisively for patients suffering from zoster-associated pain, which is a serious condition and resistant to various treatments.
Resilience in cancer patients and how it correlates with demographics, psychological factors and lifestyle
Authors: Festerling Lara , Buentzel J. , von Weikersthal L. Fischer , Junghans C. , Zomorodbakhsch B. , Stoll C. , Prott F.-J. , Fuxius S. , Micke O. , Richter A. , Sallmann D. , Huebner J. , Hoppe Catalina
Published: May 2022

Purpose
Being diagnosed with cancer is challenging. Many patients wish to be actively involved in treatment and contribute to therapy, but the patients´ coping abilities and desire for involvement differ. The individual level of resilience seems to play a major role. Our study aims to learn more about the associations of resilience and factors as demographics and psychological factors.
Methods
This multicentric cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 oncological centers in Germany in summer 2021. The questionnaire collected information on demographics, resilience, self-efficacy, general satisfaction with life and sense of coherence. Considered lifestyle-aspects were diet and physical activity. 416 patients were included in the analyses.
Results
A moderate mean resilience score was achieved ( M = 69). Significant correlations in demographics were found for resilience and education (r = 0.146, p = 0.003), income (r = 0.205, p = 0.001) and time since receiving diagnosis ( r=-0.115, p = 0.021). Resilience and self-efficacy correlated on a high level (r = 0.595, p < 0.001), resilience and sense of coherence and, resilience and general satisfaction with life in a moderate way (r = 0.339, p < 0.001; r = 0.461, p = 0.001).
Conclusion
Resilience portrays an important aspect in cancer treatment. Detecting patients at risk, stabilizing, or improving resilience are important to focus on and strengthen them accordingly. Possible negatively influencing factors (e.g. low self-efficacy) need to be considered. Factors affecting resilience but difficult to influence, as educational background, should be screened for. Also, the combination of low resilience and low income seems to describe a vulnerable patient group.
Carbon storage and biodiversity conservation in a changing landscape: the case of Barekese and Owabi watersheds in Ghana
Authors: Ayesu Samuel , Barnes Victor Rex , Agbyenyaga Olivia , Asante Richard
Published: May 2022

This study was carried out to explore the effect of land-use intensification by examining variation in species composition, carbon stocks and soil fertility for the Barekese and Owabi watersheds. A nested plot design of five plots of size 50 m x 50 m, 10 m x10 m, 5 m x 5 m and 1 m x 1 m were used to collect data per land-use type. Species richness (F=24.991, df = 4, p = 0.000 and F = 34.184,df = 4 p = 0.000), diversity (df = 4, F = 18.529, P = 0.000 and df = 4, F = 13.964, P =0.000) and basal area (df = 4, F = 7.018, P = 0.001 and df = 4, F = 9.051, P = 0.000) were significantly higher in undisturbed forest compared to other land-use systems for Barekese and Owabi watershed respectively. Carbon stocks followed a similar pattern indicating significant effect of landuse for Barekese (df = 4, F = 24.991, P = 0.000) and Owabi (F = 34.184, df = 4, P = 0.000) with Closed Forest being better. However, open forest (moderately disturbed forest) was not significantly different from Closed Forest (undisturbed forest) in terms of carbon stock, species richness and diversity. The outcome study suggests that natural forest cover favour higher carbon storage and biodiversity conservation. It also illustrates the fact that moderately disturbed primary forests/agroforest systems have high conservation value and may play a significant role in conservation strategies and global carbon cycling.
Admission Serum Sodium and Osmolarity Are Not Associated with The Occurrence or Outcomes of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Critically Ill
Authors: Li Heyi , Bihari Shailesh , Weister Timothy , LeMahieu Allison , Kashyap Rahul , Chalmers Sarah , Lal Amos , Bersten Andrew , Gajic Ognjen
Published: May 2022

ObjectivePrevious studies suggested that hypernatremia or hyperosmolarity may have protective effects in lung injury. We hypothesized that hypernatremia and/or hyperosmolarity would prevent ARDS in those at risk of lung injury and associated with favorable outcomes in ARDS patients.SubjectsAll admissions at medical, surgical, and multidisciplinary intensive care units in Mayo Clinic, Rochester from the year of 2009 to 2019.DesignRetrospective cohort study. The occurrence of ARDS was identified using a validated computerized search strategy. The association between serum sodium/osmolarity and the occurrence of ARDS was analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. The relationship between serum sodium/osmolarity and outcomes of ARDS was analyzed using linear and logistic regression models.ResultsAmong 50,498 patients, the serum sodium level on admission did not have a significant association with the occurrence of ARDS, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.95 [95% CI (0.86, 1.05)]. There was no significant association between calculated serum osmolarity and the occurrence of ARDS, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.03 [95% CI (1.00, 1.07)]. 1560 patients developed ARDS during the ICU stay. Their serum sodium level did not have a significant association with their outcomes [adjusted estimated difference in 28-day ICU-free days, 0.08 days, 95% CI (-0.85, 1.02), adjusted estimated difference in 28-day ventilator-free days, -0.02, 95% CI (-0.62, 0.58), adjusted odds ratio of 28-day mortality 1.02, 95%CI (0.84, 1.24)]. There was no significant association between their calculated serum osmolarity and their outcomes [adjusted estimated difference in 28-day ICU-free days, -0.26, 95% CI, (-0.63, 0.12); adjusted estimated difference in 28-day ventilator-free days, -0.05, 95% CI (-0.28, 0.19); adjusted odds ratio of 28-day mortality, 1.07, 95% CI (0.99, 1.15)].ConclusionsAdmission serum sodium or serum osmolarity were not associated with the occurrence or outcomes of ARDS in ICU.
Is it necessary to pass the left ureter under the mesosigmoid in Bricker Ileal Conduit surgery?
Authors: Wang Jinyou , Tuo Zhouting , Gao Mingzhu , Min Jie , Wang Yi , Zhang Tao , Yu Dexin , Bi Liangkuan
Published: May 2022

Background: No research has explored the need for the left ureter to be passed through the subsigmoid in ileal conduit diversion surgery. Due to the potential harm and lack of proven benefits of this practice, we used a simple modified technique in ileal conduit with the left ureter directly over the sigmoid colon. To investigate the feasibility of our surgical technique, as well as to evaluate perioperative outcomes and postoperative complications with a focus on the rate of small bowel obstruction (SBO) and ureteroileal anastomotic stricture (UAS).Methods: Between January 2018 and April 2020, a prospective single-center cohort of 84 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) and ileal conduit urinary diversion was analyzed. A study group of 30 patients receiving the modified technique was compared with a control group of 54 patients receiving the standard Bricker ileal conduit, and the differences in the incidence of SBO and UAS, perioperative results, and postoperative complications were analyzed.Results: The two groups were comparable concerning patient characteristics and clinicopathologic features. No differences were observed in terms of the operation time, perioperative outcomes, and short-term (<90 days) postoperative complications between the two groups. No case of UAS was observed in the modified group, whereas two (3.70%) cases of UAS (p = 0.535) occurred in the patients who underwent Bricker’s ureteroileal anastomosis.Conclusion: In our study, we describe a simple and feasible modified technique in ileal conduit. Compared with traditional techniques, our method has some advantages, including the ability to avoid compression of the left ureter from the mesentery without establishing a retrosigmoid tunnel, a low rate of UAS, and the ability to perform a secondary operation in the long-term follow-up.
Intrathyroid Thymic Carcinoma With Papillary Carcinoma Of Thyroid:A Case Report
Authors: Wu Meng , Luo Muyun , Zhao Yangyang , Sun Tao , Xiao Qiuxiang
Published: May 2022

Intrathyroid thymic carcinoma ( ITTC ) is an inert malignant tumor, which often occurs in the neck or thyroid soft tissue. It is difficult to distinguish ITTC from other thyroid tumors. There is no specificity in clinical manifestations and imaging. In addition, there are few cases of ITTC combined with papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC). Here we report a 44-year-old man with left neck mass admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical College in June 2017. Ultrasound showed thyroid nodules in bilateral lobes. The left lobe showed 48 × 55 mm hypoechoic signal, and the right lobe showed 5.6 × 4.2 mm hypoechoic signal. Because the right nodule was small, it was not treated. The left thyroid nodule was finally diagnosed as ITTC by pathological diagnosis. No special treatment was performed after left lobectomy. In June of the next year, due to physical examination found on the right thyroid tumor again in our hospital, the patient came to our hospital for treatment again. The pathological diagnosis was papillary thyroid carcinoma, and then the right lobe of the thyroid was resected. Combined with the history of patients, the patient suffered from left thyroid endothoracic adenocarcinoma with right thyroid papillary tumor. In this study, the clinical pathological characteristics, immune phenotype and differential diagnosis of thyroid endothoracic adenocarcinoma were analyzed and discussed, providing information and reference for the majority of medical researchers and clinical workers.
Effect of oral nirmatrelvir on Long COVID symptoms: a case series
Authors: Peluso Michael J. , Anglin Khamal , Durstenfeld Matthew S. , Martin Jeffrey N. , Kelly J. Daniel , Hsue Priscilla Y. , Henrich Timothy J. , Deeks Steven G.
Published: May 2022

As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to evolve, efforts to understand variability in COVID-19 recovery, as well as the impact of factors including viral variants, vaccine status, and COVID-19 treatment on the development and persistence of Long COVID symptoms have intensified. We report three cases that demonstrate that variability in the timing of nirmatrelvir therapy may be associated with different outcomes and underscores the need for systematic study of antiviral therapy for this disease condition.
The HIF-1α/Sema4D axis promotes hypoxia-induced metastasis of human osteosarcoma via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Yixin , Ning Biao , Xu Tianzi , Li Yi , Wang Miao , Wei Dongyi , Lei Jun , Wei Yongchang
Published: May 2022

Purpose Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) plays a vital role in varied tumor biological processes. Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), an essential regulatory factor in tumor microenvironment, mediates hypoxia-induced-oncogenes overexpression during cancer occurrence and development. However, the function of Sema4D and its connection with HIF-1α are not entirely validated in osteosarcoma.Methods RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the differential expression of HIF-1α and Sema4D in human osteosarcoma. The biological function of Sema4D in osteosarcoma malignant phenotype was measured by RNA interference, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, Wound healing, Transwell and Tube formation assay. The stable transfected cells were established by lentivirus transfection to observe the biological significance of Sema4D in vivo. The relation between HIF-1α and Sema4D was explored through dual luciferase report assay.Results This study showed HIF-1α and Sema4D expression levels were upregulated in human osteosarcoma samples and cell lines. Sema4D knockdown in 143B and MG63 cells restrained cell growth, migration and invasiveness via suppressing PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. The tube formation capability of HUVEC was inhibited after coculture with low tumor-derived Sema4D. Besides, knockdown of Sema4D suppressed tumor growth in the xenograft tumor models. Moreover, Sema4D participated in the hypoxia-induced metastasis of osteosarcoma cells and its expression level was upregulated by transactivation of HIF-1α in vitro. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that Sema4D knockdown had anti-osteosarcoma values and HIF-1α/Sema4D axis regulated the osteosarcoma metastatic cascade in hypoxia condition. They highlighted a therapeutic target which potentially offer an opportunity to improve the survival for osteosarcoma patients.
Exploring the psychological profile: A cross-sectional study of 1185 pulmonary nodules patients in the out-patient clinic
Authors: Zhuang Weitao , Wu Junhan , Xu Haijie , Deng Cheng , Li Shaopeng , Tian Dan , Ben Xiaosong , Xu Wei , Tang Yong , Qiao Guibin
Published: May 2022

Purpose
To identify the potential risk or protective factors for psychological burdens in patients with pulmonary nodules (PNs) and to explore how the patients’ psychological status affect their treatment preferences.
Methods
This questionnaire-based study evaluated 1185 out-patients using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and explored the correlations between psychological burdens and their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.
Results
Prevalence of anxiety and depression was 42.1% and 27.0%, respectively, among patients with PNs. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that age ≥ 60 years (OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.36–0.89), CT scan due to physical discomfort (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.11–2.24), multiple PNs (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.26–2.04), family history of malignancy (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.02–1.64), and subjective symptoms (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.35–2.22) were independent influencing factors of anxiety, while CT scan due to physical discomfort (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 0.96–2.23), multiple PNs (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.27–2.31), subjective symptoms (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.24–2.34) and indeterminate nodules (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.08–3.77) were independently associated with depression. There was a tendency for patients with anxiety and depression to choose more aggressive management strategies (P༜0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively).Univariate analysis showed that symptomatic patients (χ2 = 9.696, p = 0.021) and those with progressive nodules (χ2 = 18.198, p = 0.033) choose more aggressive treatment strategies.
Conclusion
Anxiety and depression are common in patients with pulmonary nodules, which might result in nonnegligible overtreatment. The presence of subjective symptoms can significantly exacerbate the psychological burden and influence the treatment preference. Taking psychological issue into consideration in outpatient clinic might facilitate the patient-centered communication and promote judicious decision-making.
The prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. in humans and domestic animals in family units in Heilongjiang Province, China
Authors: Chen Hongshuang , Hao Yaru , Liu Yuqing , Xu Mingqi , Liu Aqin , Zhang Weizhe , Li He , Yang Fengkun
Published: May 2022

Background: Blastocystis is an enteric protozoan infecting humans and animals all over the world. Domestic animals play an important role in transmitting parasites to other domestic animals and humans. In the present study, a survey was conducted on Blastocystis among humans and domestic animals sharing habitats in northeastern China’ s Heilongjiang Province, in order to investigate the prevalence, the subtype distribution, as well as to evaluate the risk of the zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis isolates.Methods: A total of 314 (57 humans, 257 domestic animals) fecal samples were collected from 33 family households in three villages. The corresponding sequences of the barcode region of the SSU rRNA gene obtained in this study were subject to molecular analysis for subtype and allele identification of Blastocystis sp.Results: The prevalence of Blastocystis was 14.0% (8/57) in humans and 17.9% (46/257) in domestic animals. Eight PCR-positive human samples, 100% (8/8) were successfully subtyped, allowing the identification of the ST3, followed by ST1 and ST2. The 46 PCR-positive animal samples, 65.2% (30/46) were successfully subtyped, ST5 followed by ST1 in pigs, ST5 in goats; ST10, ST14 followed by ST3 in cattle; ST7 in chickens. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Blastocystis ST3 sequences from humans in two geographical locations formed two distinct clades. Alleles were identified using the Blastocystis 18S database and a total of 10 different alleles were found in six STs.Conclusions: The present study is the first description of the prevalence and subtype (allele) distribution of Blastocystis sp. by molecular analysis in humans and domestic animals in family units in China. Blastocystis ST2 in humans and ST5 in goats were reported in Heilongjiang Province for the first time. ST1 (a4) and ST3 (a34) overlaps were observed in humans and some domestic animal species (pig and cattle). The findings of potentially zoonotic subtypes in domestic animals suggest that these animals may serve as reservoirs of human Blastocystis sp. infections, thus help develop more efficient, targeted control strategies against human blastocystosis.
Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in post-TKI NSCLC patients harboring EGFR-mutations
Authors: Sun Si , Duan Chunyan , Yu Songxia , Zhang Qiao , Xu Nana , Hu Xingjiang , Yu Hui
Published: May 2022

Objective: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been validated in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) wild-type advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, there exists no evidence regarding EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients, especially in EGFR-TKI (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) treatment failure. To address this, we collected clinical information from two cohorts and conducted a time series-based meta-analysis to determine the efficacy and safety of ICIs in patients harboring EGFR mutations.Methods: Two cohorts of 22 NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations were selected from two different hospitals. The treatment strategies and main clinical outcomes were collected and further analyzed. Meanwhile, Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant literature published until December 31, 2021. Endpoint outcomes included mortality and progression-free survival (PFS) at different times of follow-up. Survival rates and curve data were pooled for further analysis. To detect the data heterogeneity, subgroup analyses were conducted according to treatment strategies. Results: The two cohorts showed that the median PFS was 2.3 months (range, 1.3~6 months); and in ICI+Chemotherapy, the median PFS was 5 months (range, 0.75~9 months) (Log rank P = 0.037). Fifteen studies, including 4 trials, 10 controlled cohorts, and 1 real-world study were assessed, involving a total of ICI-treated NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation after TKI failure. The 6-month survival rate and PFS were 0.71 (95%CI: 0.62~0.78) and 0.53 (95%CI: 0.23~0.81), respectively. ICI+chemotherapy showed the best survival outcome among these groups, as demonstrated by the 12-month survival rate and PFS. Conclusions: ICI therapy may be associated with an improved prognosis of patients with EGFR mutation, especially when combined with chemotherapy. Nevertheless, current research presented a limited data size. Multicenter randomized trials are required validate ICI-based therapies for better outcome of patients harboring EGFR mutation.
Initial Misdiagnosis and Subsequent Disastrous Events in an Adult with Neurofibromatosis Type I Complicated by Vascular Involvement
Authors: Pan Ruonan , Duan Lijun , Lu Xiaoqian , Cao Dianbo
Published: May 2022

Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1) is a hereditary neurocutaneous syndrome caused by the mutation in NF1 gene with a very low incidence. Neurofibroma, Café-au-lait spot and osseous deformity are the most common clinical findings, however, uncommon vascular involvement in NF1 is the second most common cause of mortality following after malignancy.Case presentation: We report a patient with NF1 who suffered a rupture of his internal thoracic artery aneurysm and subclavian artery branch aneurysm in the setting of an intact extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm, which was ever mistaken for neurofibroma and subsequently underwent right brachial plexus nerve bundle separation due to conspicuous pain of his right upper arm and hand.Conclusions: This case highlights synchronous multiple aneurysms of NF1 presenting with life-threatening aneurysm rupture after surgery. Contrast-enhanced CT precisely defines its location and anatomic relationship with adjacent organs. Additionally, endovascular treatment has become the mainstay for vascular lesions or aneurysm rupture in those patients with NF1.
Evaluation of Quality Of Life in Endometriosis Patients Before and After Surgical Treatment Using the EHP30 Questionnaire
Authors: Tiringer Denise , Pedrini Alexandra , Gstöttner Manuela , Husslein Heinrich , Küssel Lorenz , Perricos Alexandra , Wenzl René
Published: May 2022

Background: Endometriosis is one of the most common gynaecological illnesses causing extensive psychological, physical and social impact on patient´s life and exerts negative effects on health-related quality of Life (HRQoL). However, the effects of surgery on the postoperative HRQoL in the different endometriosis subgroups have not been fully evaluated.Methods: We performed a comparative retrospective study between 2014 and 2018 at the Medical University of Vienna, including all patients with surgically confirmed endometriosis who had completed the standardized Endometriosis Health Profile - 30 (EHP-30) questionnaire one day after surgery (the questions refer to the four weeks preoperatively) and six to ten weeks postoperatively. Results: Compared to preoperative values, we found significant benefits, regarding postoperative conditions, in our study group (n=115) in all five categories, “pain” (HR 0.78, p<0.001); “self-determination” (HR 0,92, p<0.001); “emotional health” (HR 0,83, p<0.001);” social environment” (HR 0,67, p<0.001); and “self-image” (HR 0,47, p<0,001). Patients with only peritoneal endometriosis had the lowest preoperative clinical symptoms and there were no significant changes in any of the categories. In the subgroups deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and DIE + ovarian endometrioma, surgical intervention results in a significantly greater improvement in all categories of EHP 30 compared to ovarian endometrioma without DIE or peritoneal endometriosis.Conclusion: Our study shows, that especially women with DIE - with or without ovarian endometrioma - demonstrate a more pronounced benefit from surgical therapy compared to patients with peritoneal endometriosis or endometrioma without DIE.
Assessment of ICT-based Tools in the Teaching and Learning of Fine and Applied Arts in Colleges of Education in North-Central Nigeria
Authors: Ifeanyi Christopher Ibenegbu , Angu Bih Juliet
Published: May 2022

The study assessed the ICT-based tools in the teaching and learning of fine and applied arts in colleges of education in North Central Nigeria. Three research questions and two hypotheses were formulated for the study. The population comprised 109 respondents. A sample size of 69 respondents was used for the study. A structured questionnaire of 0.77 reliability was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using Mean and t-test. Results showed that the majority (71.0%) of the ICT tools itemized were available in colleges of education, and they are; computer sets, video cameras, digital cameras, camcorders, PowerPoint presentation packages, magic boards, overhead projectors, internet connections, open reed projector, among others. Of the ICT tools available, only 41.7% were used in the teaching of fine and applied arts in the various colleges. The study found that instructors’ poor ICT proficiency affected the utilization of ICT-based tools in the teaching of fine and applied arts in colleges of education. t-test analysis on the responses of lecturers from state and federal colleges of education on the availability of ICT-based tools, their utilization and lecturers’ proficiency of ICT-based tools in the teaching of fine and applied arts did not detect significant differences at p < 0.05. The paper recommends that education authorities should periodically, through workshops, conferences and seminars, retrain the trainers in fine and applied arts in colleges of education to update them on the recent developments in information and communication technology.
The bow tie method in assessing occupational risks
Authors: Nayanov P. A. , Khamidullina E. A.
Published: May 2022

The Ministry of Labor recommendations for assessing occupational risks suggest 13 methods, among which is the bow tie technique. The employer chooses a method for assessing occupational risks, taking into account a large number of parameters, including the degree of danger of works performed and possible consequences of risks. The bow tie method specifies the risks of high-risk production operations and analyzes the effectiveness of safety barriers. The purpose of the study is to apply the "bow tie" method in assessing the occupational risks and to develop ways to minimize them. The method is analyzed on the example of works performed during oil production. We used the statistical data of the Federal Service for Ecological, Technological and Nuclear Supervision to identify the most common causes of accidental hydrocarbon leaks. We modelled incident trees and event trees to assemble bow tie models and analyze security barriers. This method was used to assess the risk of accidental releases of hydrocarbons. The incident tree was developed for the emergency release of hydrocarbons caused by the leakage of hydrocarbons from apparatuses, violations of the integrity of pipelines and tanks, depressurization of flanged and welded joints. Trees of events take into account equipment characteristics, possibilities of the method for assessing probabilities of both hazards and consequences. Security barriers were developed. They can be used in developing ways to minimize and assess risks. For the emergency release of hydrocarbons, the bow tie models show that a whole set of modern safety systems is required to ensure safety during oil and gas treatment operations.
Assessment of self-healing of mines at the limestone quarry in Inkerman, Crimean Peninsula
Authors: Galaida K. P. , Talgamer B. L.
Published: May 2022

Limestone quarries, widespread throughout the Crimean Peninsula, are not recultivated after mining operations, which has a negative impact on the environment. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the self-healing process for mines at limestone quarries on the Crimean Peninsula. To assess the current state of mines and self-healing processes, field studies were conducted at the Inkerman saw limestone quarry. Using remote sensing resources, the areas of disturbed lands were determined. The route method made it possible to make floristic descriptions of vegetation. The influence of various factors on the self-healing of, including mining parameters, the size of quarries, the height of ledges, the width of berms, the angles of slopes, the composition of rocks in the surface layer, has been studied. The influence of the slope angles on the self-healing process was determined and their permissible values were justified; the hydrological conditions of the deposit were estimated. Factors affecting the intensity of self-healing were established. Radical changes in the landscape, destruction of flora and fauna, soils, a sharp decrease in the biological productivity of the territory, deterioration of sanitary and hygienic and aesthetic living conditions caused by the manmade relief were observed. Potential for the development of industrial limestone production and conditions for self-healing of the disturbed lands were evaluated. When completing mining operations, it is recommended to leave a layer of loose sediments with a capacity of 0.4–0.5 m on the rocky foundations (bottom and berms of ledges), including from destroyed minerals, and to form non-working sides of quarries by doubling and straining the ledges with simultaneous expansion of the berm while maintaining a stable slope angle.
Nucleation of Th-rich cerianite on halloysite surface in a regolith-hosted rare earth elements deposit in South China
Authors: Cui Xiangjie , Liu Huan , Lu Xiancai , Li Juan , Chen Jiani , Chan Ting-Shan , Liu Xiandong , Wang Rucheng
Published: May 2022

The ion-adsorption rare earth element (REE) deposit, a valuable type of REE deposit, has been thought to be derived from the release and enrichment of REE during granite weathering. Understanding the REE occurrence in regolith-hosted deposits is crucial for more efficient extraction. We investigated a weathering granite profile of a regolith-hosted REE deposit located in South China. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) analysis of the clay fractions reveal that the highest Ce(IV) content located in intensely weathered layers and cerianite nanoparticles (CeNPs) can be observed, besides invisible adsorbed REEs. Interestingly, most of the CeNPs scatter on halloysite basal surface and exhibit preferred orientation. Detailed analysis demonstrates that the diagonal plane of cerianite matches with the exposed basal surfaces (Si-O tetrahedron) of halloysite. Such a lattice match may contribute to the nucleation and growth of CeNPs after oxidation of the adsorbed Ce(III), which results in great REE enrichment by clays. The findings provide new insight into the mechanism of Ce precipitation and REE mineralization during granite weathering.
Ultrasonic studies of alkali-rich hydrous silicate glasses: Elasticity, density, and implications for water dissolution mechanisms
Authors: Liu Bohan , Liu Qiong , Li Baosheng , Behrens Harald , Lange Rebecca A.
Published: May 2022

The acoustic velocities of three series of alkali-rich hydrous silicate glasses were determined at ambient conditions using ultrasonic interferometry. The sound velocities and calculated elastic properties are nearly linear functions of dissolved water content. The water content derivatives of both compressional [d(VP)/d(XH2O)] and shear wave velocity [d(VS)/d(XH2O)] decrease with increasing Na2O content, which suggests that increasing sodium content might weaken the effect of water on acoustic velocities. For each glass series, the shear modulus decreases with increasing water content, whereas the adiabatic bulk modulus (KS) varies little with water content. By comparing our results of KS to previously published data on hydrous alkalic (rhyolite, phonolite, and trachyte) glasses, we speculate that H2O may have a negligible effect on the compressibility of alkalic glasses/melts. The measured densities of each series of glasses were converted to molar volumes and extrapolated to the hypothetical pure water component to derive the partial molar volume of water (VH2O). The resulting VH2O at room pressure and temperature was found to be independent of composition for the three series of glasses, with a value of 10.4 ± 0.5 cm3/mol, whereas the partial molar bulk modulus (KS) of water is composition-dependent, suggesting that VH2O may depend on composition at elevated pressures. Furthermore, the Poisson’s ratio (ν) increases linearly with increasing water content for all three composition series. Therefore, the similar behavior of Al-free and Al-bearing glasses implies that water depolymerizes melts in both systems. The decrease of water content derivative of the Poisson’s ratio [d(ν)/d(XH2O)] with increasing Al/(Al+Si) indicates that water interaction with Al-O bonds to produce Al-OH depolymerizes peralkaline silicate melts less effectively than with Si-O bonds to form Si-OH. Hence, we speculate that water prefers to interact with Si-O bonds rather than Al-O bonds in peralkaline silicate systems. The dissolution mechanisms of water between peraluminous and peralkaline melts might be different, which merits further research.
Party of Power: the problem of consolidating the main clusters of political power through the prism of the institution of public opinion
Authors: Osipov A. V.
Published: May 2022

The article presents the results of the current analysis of the phenomenon of the party of power based on trends in partogenesis and data from social monitoring in 2019–2021. The author shows that the problem of consolidating the main clusters of political power in modern Russia, considered through the prism of the phenomenon of the party of power, should be solved taking into account the results of the analysis of the institution of public opinion, since it is associated with the processes of legitimizing political power and achieving socio-political consensus. In the context of these opinion polls on key political issues, the phenomenon of the party of power is an integral phenomenon that accumulates social expectations of society, an urgent request for a value-oriented democratic power. At the same time, the modern political party of power does not quite correspond to the parameters of political subjectivity and social expectations. On the one hand, in public consciousness, it is a stronghold and guarantor of stability, a conductor of national interests, and the main factor in the processes of consolidating political power. On the other hand, there is a gap between power and society, between the social expectations of Russians and the modern sociopolitical reality, between the request for democratic participation of citizens in the political processes of the country and the real practice of rotating party elites, electoral behavior, the electoral preferences of Russians and the processes of political governance of the country.
Social Networks as a Space for the Implementation of Strategic Communications and Waging Memetic Wars
Authors: Kuzheleva-Sagan I. P.
Published: May 2022

The article designates a new stage in the evolution of Facebook* as a global communication platform that aggregates data on its users for different purpose. Studying a real case, it shows that at present, social networks are a place for transforming everyday communication into strategic one while making this process not obvious to the social network users themselves. The research methodology consists of the Web 2.0 concept by T. O’Reilly, the theory of weak ties by M. Granovetter, and the concept of memes by R. Dawkins. Based on the analysis of media publications and preceding studies, as well as on the example of a recent case in Facebook* and VKontakte networks, the author actualizes the space of social networks as a space of strategic communication, and comes to the conclusion that it is necessary to educate users about the nature and true goals of such communication and wars carried out in the space of social networks in a permanent mode.
The Genesis of Public Opinion in Modern Russia (the case of support for Perestroika)
Authors: Babich N. S.
Published: May 2022

The article is devoted to the problem of the reliability of the picture of Russian public opinion, which emerges from the polling data. A historical approach to this problem is proposed on the example of testing the generally accepted assumption about the initially high level of support for perestroika in Soviet society. The paper shows that the generally accepted assumption is based on three theses: (a) a particularly high level of support for perestroika at the initial stages; (b) the perception of the idea of perestroika by the population as meeting its needs; (c) the gradual decline in support for perestroika due to the difficulties encountered. The author dwells on each of them and demonstrates that they do not correspond to the available empirical data. The results of a comparative analysis show that (a) support for perestroika was not higher than the usual levels of approval of the Soviet leadership by the population; (b) the population did not associate their most actual expectations with perestroika; (c) the decline in support for perestroika did not occur in parallel with the fall in living standards, but simultaneously, after the weakening of Gorbachev’s power. By analogy with public support for Perestroika, we can conclude that the possible overestimation of the overall support for the political regime in modern Russia is a much less serious problem compared to the internal structure of this support, the distribution of the shares of those who express it declaratively and those who are ready to embody their political attitudes into real actions.
Interacionismo simbólico e ontologias digitais como aporte teórico aplicado à organização do conhecimento na ciência da informação
Authors: Silva Ismaelly Batista dos Santos , Novo Hildenise Ferreira
Published: May 2022

O artigo objetiva avaliar a possibilidade de aplicação dos preceitos do Interacionismo Simbólico ao processo de construção de Ontologias. Metodologicamente, na pesquisa é desenvolvido um ensaio dialógico a partir da revisão de literatura com abordagem qualitativa e análise de conteúdo. Como resultados são apresentadas facetas de aproximação entre os aportes teóricos de Interacionismo Simbólico e Ontologias, ambos contextualizados nos cenários computacionais e orientados à Ciência da Informação. Conclui que o contexto representacional para desenvolvimento de Sistemas de Organização do Conhecimento implica em importante capital intelectual na estruturação da aprendizagem de máquina e posterior Inteligência Artificial, mas requer uma abordagem simbólica no social.
Increasing Cyber Resilience of SCADA and WAMS in the Event of Cyber Attacks on the Information and Communication Subsystem of the Electric Power System
Authors:   Melentiev Energy Systems Institute of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Gurina Liudmila
Published: May 2022

Research objective: development of measures to ensure cyber resilience of SCADA and WAMS under realized threats, the consequence of which is a decrease in the quality of information required in the control of the electric power system (EPS). Research methods: probabilistic methods, methods of power system reliability analysis, Markov methods. Research result. A comparative analysis of possible states of information collection, transmission, and processing systems (SCADA, WAMS) during cyberattacks on the information and communication system was carried out. SCADA and WAMS cyber resilience models were developed. On the basis of the models proposed, measures to ensure cyber resilience of information collection, transmission, and processing system were put forward. Keywords: cyber-physical power system; resilience; information collection, processing, and transmission system; false data injection attack; DoS-attack; state estimation.
Providing Safe Routing in Wireless Self-Organizing Networks
Authors:   Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Volkov Sabina , Gordeev Eduard ,   Bauman Moscow State Technical University
Published: May 2022

Purpose of the study: development of a distributed routing algorithm to ensure security in wireless self-organizing networks from intruder attacks on the network. Methods: application of algorithms, graph theory, discrete optimization and heuristic approaches based on the results of numerical experiments. Results: the paper proposes a modified distributed routing algorithm for self-organizing networks. The algorithm, presented in this paper, is based on a distributed version of Dijkstra’s algorithm, designed to detect the shortest paths without loops on a graph under conditions of changing the weight of its edges. The loop freedom in this case is achieved by storing at each node an additional table containing the penultimate nodes on the shortest routes to all nodes, which allows the node to build a tree of shortest routes with itself as a root. In the modification of the algorithm, these tables are used by the nodes to check the correspondence of the declared route and the return route, which makes it possible to recognize and exclude from the network an intruder who carries out attacks to disrupt the correct routing mechanism. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for protection against routing attacks, in particular, black hole attacks, is confirmed by the results of testing on a program model.
Control Method of the Correct Execution of Programs by Monitoring and Analyzing the Route-Time Parameters of the Computing Process
Authors:   Mozhaiskiy Military Space Academy, Mirzabaev Alisher , Samonov Alexander ,   Mozhaiskiy Military Space Academy
Published: May 2022

Objective: develop a method and means to ensure sustainable functioning of the software mission-critical information systems under impact malicious software. Methods: analysis and classification of malicious software and means of protection against it, synthesis and modeling of correct behavior of programs, temporary automata. Study results: the characteristic of methods and means of detecting malware, which using masking methods, rootkit mechanisms and hardware virtualization technologies is given. A methodology for constructing profiles of the correct functioning of controlled programs in the form of a set of permissible execution routes has been developed. A method for monitoring and controlling the correctness of the current state of the computing process by comparing it with reference profiles has been developed. The method allows real-time detection and counteraction of malicious programs, which using various techniques of implementation and masking, including rootkit mechanisms, hypervisors based on hardware virtualization technology, interception and introduction in system functions in RAM.
Utilizing priority-based packet scheduling based on preemptive priority scheduling in wireless sensor networks
Authors:   School Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, Mathebula Lethabo
Published: May 2022

In this paper, each node has three levels of priority queues. Real-time packets are placed into the highest-priority queue and can preempt data packets in other queues. Non-real-time packets are placed into two other queues based on a certain threshold of their estimated processing time. Leaf nodes have two queues for real-time and non-real-time data packets since they do not receive data from other nodes and thus, reduce end-to-end delay. The priority packet scheduling scheme outperforms conventional schemes in terms of average data waiting time and end-to-end delay and also it reduces sensor energy consumption.