bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The social credit system in China: a model of constitutionalism for the era of crises
Authors: Ruvinskiy Roman
Published: October 2021

This paper focuses on the probable transformative effects of the application of the Chinese Social Credit System and similar projects in the realm of public administration on constitutional rights and freedoms, balances in citizen-state relations, and the model of statehood. The starting point of the research is the assumption that the Social Credit System, despite its specifically national Chinese peculiarities, can be seen as a reflection of a broader tendency towards the use of reputational information, techniques of ranking (grading) and risk management in the process of exercising the state power. To test this hypothesis, the author analyzes the actual experience of the Social Credit System’s introduction in the People’s Republic of China, compares this project with e-government projects, and proposes the umbrella-term of “social-credit mechanisms” to describe procedures and means of social control, based on the permanent collection and analysis of reputation data relating to persons. It is argued in this paper that the introduction of social-credit mechanisms to the practice of public administration ultimately leads to the emergence of a gap between formally enshrined rights and the actual ability to exercise them, between the legal capacity of a person and the ability to realise this capacity in certain legal relations. Examining the prospects of introduction of reputation-based social-credit mechanisms to the public administration, the author notices the probability of discrimination against persons who took a false step. As is demonstrated in the paper, the use of reputation data and social ratings by state authorities may result in the gradual differentiation in quality and scope of public services depending on social ratings (grades) of their addressees. This state of affairs may signify the birth of a new caste society and the end of the principle of equality before the law. According to the conclusions made in the paper, projects akin the Chinese Social Credit System reflect the global tendency towards the formation of a new type of constitutionalism. In the framework of this new constitutionalism the main emphasis will be shifted from citizens’ democratic participation in the execution of state power and the citizenry’s political subjectivity to ensure public safety and social stability. The issue of social-credit mechanisms’ introduction to the process of public administration is de facto an issue between the values of freedom and the values of security — the issue of choosing between political subjectivity and guaranteed biological existence.
Functions of compensation for human rights violation in international and national judicial decisions
Authors: Kuznetsov Dmitry
Published: October 2021

When establishing human rights violations committed by the state, should it be violation of internationally protected rights or constitutional rights, the violator is obliged to compensate for the harm caused. In the meantime, neither international sources, nor national legal acts and case law answer the question whether the obligation to compensate is exhausted by the compensation awarded in accordance with a decision of an international judicial body or such a payment has punitive nature, and the state keeps the obligation to compensate the damage within the frameworks of national proceedings. Following the first part of opening remarks the second part of the article studies universal international law approach towards the state obligation to compensate for human rights violations, it reviews positions of the International Court of Justice, the model established in international customary law of international responsibility. The third part discusses the compensation mechanism of the European Court of Human Rights and a number of cases where the Russian Federation was the respondent state. The forth part considers national regulation of the Council of Europe states and case law thereof. The author argues that the established international case law in respect of awarding compensations for human rights violations is too restrictive – it does not take into account a complex nature of this phenomenon which includes both correction of the individual applicant situation (restitution of the pre-existed situation) and prevention of similar situations in the future. It is concluded that awarding the compensation by an international body primarily constitutes a measure of international responsibility whereas consideration by a national court is a more effective means of restitution of the applicants rights and that the national court shall not deny consideration of applicants claims due to the fact that they have already been awarded compensation by the international judicial body including the European Court of Human Rights.
An apple of discord: pre-trial procedure in international justice and in the jurisprudence of the EAEU Court
Authors: Ispolinov Aleksei , Kadysheva Olga
Published: October 2021

The present article assesses the approaches elaborated in the decisions of international courts and tribunals as well as in the doctrine of international law towards the legal value of pre-trial requirements. The role and significance of such requirements started to increase since almost in any case submitted to a court or arbitration the respondent states try firstly to question either jurisdiction of the court or tribunal in the specific case or admissibility of the claim. As a rule, such objections are based on allegations that the claimant failed to comply with pre-trial requirements such as direct negotiations or prior notification of the respondent about the claimant’s intention to submit the dispute for compulsory adjudication. Despite an absence of customary rule of international law about the necessity and precise content of such pre-trial requirements, international treaties stipulating compulsory dispute adjudication almost by default contain such pre-trial requirements of different kind and combination. Current jurisprudence of international courts and tribunals (International Court of Justice, Court of Eurasian Economic Union, and investment arbitration tribunals) dealing with such objections by the respondents reveals a lack of consensus in the treatment of pre-trial requirements either as jurisdictional or admissibility objections. The commentators also differ on assessment of the role and normative significance of pre-trial requirement. Nevertheless, the authors view such requirements as one of jurisdictional characteristics based on the consent of the states to limits their sovereignty by agreeing in advance in the applicable international treaty to submit any future disputes for compulsory adjudication subject to stipulated limitations and conditions, for instance, necessity for a claimant to follow certain pre-trial requirements. A claimant’s failure to follow such requirements should be considered as sufficient ground for a court or tribunal handling such claim, to declare a lack of its jurisdiction in the case and to refuse to consider the merits of the case.
Preguntas para pensar las nuevas realidades educativas
Authors: Pease Dreibelbis María Elena , Valderrama Maguiña Igor , Pease Dreibelbis María Angélica
Published: October 2021

Si algo nos ha dejado en claro la pandemia producto de la covid-19, es la profunda desigualdad que configura a nuestro país. El sistema educativo no es la excepción. La experiencia de participación del sistema educativo —tanto en la educación básica como en la superior—, desde el inicio del aislamiento social, se ha visto visiblemente condicionada por el contexto en el cual se encuentran aprendices y docentes, su acceso a la conectividad y el conjunto de recursos materiales e inmateriales que les sirven de soporte, que abarcan desde la gestión hasta el apoyo socioemocional.
Validation of fatty liver index as a marker for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Authors: Han A lum
Published: October 2021

Aims
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a new nomenclature for nonalcoholic fatty liver. Along with obesity, fatty liver associated with metabolic dysfunction is increasing and has become a serious socioeconomic problem. Non-invasive testing for the confirmation of MAFLD, including the fatty liver index (FLI), can be used as an alternative method for diagnosing steatosis when imaging modalities are not available. To date, few studies have examined the effectiveness and validity of FLI for diagnosing MAFLD. Therefore, this study analyzed the effectiveness and validity of FLI for diagnosing MAFLD.
Methods
Medical records of men and women aged ≥ 19 years who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) examination at our facility between March 2012 and October 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. A comparative analysis between non-continuous variables was performed using the chi-squared test. The area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was used to verify the effectiveness of FLI as a predictive index for MAFLD.
Results
Analysis of the association between MAFLD and abdominal CT revealed that the sensitivity and specificity of FLI for diagnosing MAFLD were 0.712 and 0.713, respectively. The AUROC of FLI for predicting MAFLD was 0.776.
Conclusions
Our study verified the accuracy of FLI for predicting MAFLD using CT. The FLI can be used as a simple and cost-effective tool for screening MAFLD in clinical settings.
Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist inhibits matastatic potential by down-regulating CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Ma Jiachi , Liang Wanqing , Qiang Yaosheng , Li Lei , Du Jun , Pan Chengwu , Chen Bangling , Zhang Chensong , Chen Yuzhong , Wang Qingkang
Published: October 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the co-operative role of CXCR4/ CXCL12 axis and IL-1Ra in metastatic processes mechanism by interactions between colorectal cancer cells and stromal cells in their microenvironment.

Methods

Expression of IL-1α, CXCL12 and CXCR4 mRNA and proteins were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. The effect of secreted level of CXCL12 by IL-1Ra on fibroblasts was measured by ELISA. CXCL12 regulate metastatic potential of colorectal cancer was evaluated by proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis assays, respectively, in which invasion and angiogenesis assays used an in vitro system consisting of co-cultured colorectal cells and stromal cells.

Results

IL-1α was expressed in high liver metastatic colorectal cancer cell lines (HT-29 and WiDr). The colorectal cancer cell-derived IL-1α and rIL-1α significantly promoted CXCL12 expression by fibroblasts, and this enhancing effect can be significantly inhibited by IL-1Ra ( P<0.01 ). CXCL12 not only enhanced the migration and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), but also significantly enhanced angiogenesis ( P<0.01 ). Furthermore, the high liver-metastatic colorectal cancer cell line (HT-29), which secretes IL-1α, significantly enhanced angiogenesis compared to the low liver-metastatic cell line (CaCo-2), which does not produce IL-1α ( P<0.01 ). On the contrary, IL-1Ra can significantly inhibit migration, proliferation and angiogenesis ( P<0.01 ).

Conclusion

Autocrine IL-1α and paracrine CXCL12 co-enhances the metastatic potential of colorectal cancer cells; IL-1Ra can inhibit the metastatic potential of colorectal cancer cells via decrease IL-1α/CXCR4/CXCL12 signaling pathways.
Factors associated with poor Self-rated health in primary care in Malawi
Authors: Kasenda Stephen , Meland Eivind , Hetlevik Øystein , Mildestvedt Thomas , Dullie Luckson
Published: October 2021

Background

Self-rated health (SRH) is a single-item measure of current health, which is often used in community surveys and has been associated with various objective health outcomes. The prevalence and factors associated with SRH in Sub-Saharan Africa remain largely unknown. This study sought to investigate: (1) the prevalence of poor SRH, (2) possible associations between SRH, and socio-demographic and clinical parameters, and (3) associations between SRH and the patients’ assessment of the quality of primary care.
Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 primary care facilities in Blantyre, Neno, and Thyolo districts of Malawi among 962 participants who sought care in these facilities. An interviewer-administered questionnaire containing the Malawian primary care assessment tool, and questions on socio-demographic characteristics and self-rated health was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the distribution of variables of interest and binary logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with poor SRH.
Results

Poor SRH was associated with female sex, increasing age, decreasing education, frequent health care attendance, and with reported disability. Patients content with the service provided and who reported higher scores of relational continuity from their health care providers reported better SRH as compared with others.
Conclusion

This study reports findings from a context where SRH is scarcely examined. The prevalence of poor SRH in Malawi is in line with findings from clinical populations in other countries. The associations between poor SRH and socio-demographic factors are also known from other populations. SRH might be improved by emphasizing continuity of care in primary care services.
Cross-cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Korean Version of the Moral Identity Scale in Intensive Care Unit Nurses
Authors: Lee Junghoon , Song Yeoungsuk
Published: October 2021

Background: Korean intensive care unit (ICU) nurses face a variety of moral conflict situations. What makes nurse give up other values and choose moral values? To answer this question, scholars began to study a concept termed “moral identity.” However, despite the increased importance of nurses’ moral identity, it has not been thoroughly studied using empirical data analysis. Instruments developed to predict moral behavior need evidence of their reliability and validity for rigorous research. The purpose of this paper is to report psychometric properties of the Korean version of the Moral Identity Scale in Intensive Care Unit nurses. Methods: The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the MIS (K-MIS) developed by Aquino & Reed. Data were collected from 207 ICUs. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used to test the construct validity. Research question/aim/objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the MIS (K-MIS) developed by Aquino & Reed.Results: The results of exploratory factor analysis showed that the Eigen values ranged from 1.63 to 4.47 and comprised 52.17% of the total explained variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable model fit indices (χ2 (p) = 28.822 (.051), df = 18, root mean square error of approximation = .076, GFI = .937, Tucker-Lewis index = .93, comparative fit index = .955) and standardized factor loadings (.45 to.82). Conclusion: As a professional, the ICU nurse must protect and advocate for the patient. In this respect, K-MIS is a acceptable tool to measure the moral identity of ICU nurses in Korea. Therefore, it is expected that the K-MIS will be used in nursing education programs to improve the moral identity of ICU nurses.
A Novel Hybrid Deep Multi-Criteria Model for Recommender System
Authors: Nassar Nour Salim
Published: October 2021

Recommender systems are everywhere books, products, movies, and more. Traditional recommender systems typically use a single criterion in the recommendation, while studies have shown that multi-criteria recommending is more accurate. Novel deep learning techniques have produced remarkable achievements in many fields. The use of such techniques in recommendation systems has started to get attention recently, and several models of recommendation have been proposed based on deep learning. However, there is still no work for using deep learning in hybrid multi-criteria recommender systems. In this work, a model for a hybrid deep multi-criteria recommender system was presented. The model mainly includes two major parts: In the first one, the model obtains the user ID, item ID, and the item metadata to be used as input to a deep neural network in order to predict the criteria ratings. In the second part, the obtained ratings act as an input to another deep neural network, where the overall rating is predicted. Our experiments were conducted on a real-world dataset. They demonstrated the superiority of the proposed novel model over the other models in all measures used to evaluate performance. This indicates the successful use of hybrid deep multi-criteria in the recommendation systems.
Identification and Fine Mapping of qPBR10-1, A Novel Locus Controlling Panicle Blast Resistance in Pigm-Containing P/TGMS Line
Authors: Wu Yunyu , Xiao Ning , Li Yuhong , Gao Qiang , Ning Yuese , Yu Ling , Cai Yue , Pan Cunhong , Zhang Xiaoxiang , Huang Niansheng , Zhou Changhai , Ji Hongjuan , Liu Jianju , Shi Wei , Chen Zichun , Liang Chengzhi , Li Aihong
Published: October 2021

Rice blast is one of the most widespread and devastating diseases in rice production. Tremendous success has been achieved in identification and characterization of genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring seedling blast resistance, however, genetic studies on panicle blast resistance have lagged far behind. In this study, two advanced backcross inbred sister lines (MSJ13 and MSJ18) were obtained in the process of introducing Pigm into C134S, and showed significant differences in the panicle blast resistance. One F2 population derived from the crossing MSJ13/MSJ18 was used to QTL mapping for panicle blast resistance using Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS) method. A total of 7 QTLs were identified, including a major QTL qPBR10-1 on chromosome 10 that explaining 24.21% of phenotypic variance with LOD scores of 6.62. Furthermore, qPBR10-1 was verified via the BC1F2 and BC1F3 population and narrowed to a 60.6-kb region with six candidate genes predicted, including two genes encoding exonuclease family protein, two genes encoding hypothetical protein, and two genes encoding transposon protein. The nucleotide variations and the expression patterns of the candidate genes were identified and analyzed between MSJ13 and MSJ18 through sequence comparison and RT-PCR approach, and results indicated that ORF1 and ORF2 encoding exonuclease family protein might be the causal candidate genes for panicle blast resistance in the qPBR10-1 locus.
The architecture and operating mechanism of a cnidarian stinging organelle
Authors: Gibson Matthew , Karabulut Ahmet , McClain Melainia , Rubinstein Boris , McKinney Sean
Published: October 2021

The stingers of jellyfish, sea anemones and other cnidarians, known as nematocysts, are remarkable cellular weapons used for both predation and defense1. Nematocysts are specialized organelles which consist of a pressurized capsule containing a coiled harpoon-like thread2. These structures are in turn built within specialized cells known as nematocytes3. When triggered4, the capsule explosively discharges, ejecting the coiled thread which punctures the target and rapidly elongates by turning inside out in a process called eversion5,6. Due to the structural complexity of the thread and the extreme speed of discharge, the precise mechanics of nematocyst firing have remained elusive7. Here, using a combination of live and super-resolution imaging, 3D electron microscopy and genetic perturbations, we define the step-by-step sequence of nematocyst operation in the model sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. This analysis reveals the complex biomechanical transformations underpinning the operating mechanism of nematocysts, one of the nature’s most exquisite biological micro-machines. Further, this study will provide insight into the form and function of related cnidarian organelles and serve as a template for the design of bioinspired microdevices.
The structure-specific endonuclease complex SLX4/XPF regulates Tus/Ter-induced homologous recombination
Authors: Scully Ralph , Elango Rajula , Panday Arvind , Lach Francis , Willis Nicholas , Duffey Erin , Smogorzewska Agata
Published: October 2021

Vertebrate replication forks arrested at an interstrand DNA crosslink (ICL) can engage the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway of ICL repair. The FANCP product, SLX4, binds the FANCQ/XPF/ERCC4-ERCC1 endonuclease, which incises bidirectionally arrested forks to ‘unhook’ the ICL. The resulting double strand break (DSB) is repaired by homologous recombination (HR). Whether this mechanism operates at replication blocks other than ICLs is unknown. Here, we study the role of mammalian SLX4 in HR triggered by a site-specific, chromosomal DNA-protein replication fork barrier formed by the Escherichia coli-derived Tus/Ter complex. We identify an SLX4-XPF-mediated step that is required for Tus/Ter-induced HR but not for HR induced by a replication-independent DSB. We additionally identify a requirement for SLX4-XPF in DSB-induced ‘long tract’ gene conversion, a replicative HR pathway related to break-induced replication. Our work suggests that Tus/Ter-induced HR recapitulates the incision step of replication-coupled ICL repair, and that the full FA mechanism can process DNA-protein barriers for HR.
Prevalence and Determinants of Under-nutrition Among Children Under Five Years of Age in Afar Region, Ethiopia: Evidence From 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Mengesha Damitie Kebede
Published: October 2021

BackgroundUndernutrition is one of the major public health concerns among infants and young children in the country. Childhood under-nutrition is widespread in low and middle-income countries. This study was initiated to assess the prevalence of under-nutrition and its associated factors among under-five children in Afar Region, Ethiopia. MethodsThe data for this study were extracted from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 2016. The information collected from 937 children born 5 years before the survey was considered in the analysis. A multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used at a 5% level of significance to determine the individual- and community-level factors associated with childhood malnutrition.ResultsThe prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting in Afar region were 41.1%, 36.2% and 17.7%, respectively. About 26.7% of children in Afar region were both stunting and underweight, 12.7% were both underweight and wasting, 7.6% were both stunting and wasting and only 7.0% of children had all the three under-nutrition conditions. Among the factors considered in this study, age of a child in months, anemia level, mothers’ BMI, household wealth index, size of child at birth, number of living children and place of residence were significantly associated with stunting, underweight and wasting in Afar Region. Conclusions﻿The prevalence of all stunting, underweight and wasting was relatively high. Undernutrition is one of the major public health concerns among children in Afar Region. The effect of these factors should be considered to develop strategies to reduce under-nutrition in the study area. Thus, intervention should be focused on improving the under-nutrition determinants of the children to improve the child's nutritional status and reduce child morbidity and mortality.
Hematopoietic Islands Mimicking Osteoblastic Metastases in Axial Skeleton
Authors: Goller Sophia Samira , Erber Bernd , Fink Nicola , Dürr Hans Roland , Knösel Thomas , Ricke Jens , Baur-Melnyk Andrea
Published: October 2021

Background. Hyperplasia of the hematopoietic bone marrow in the appendicular skeleton is common. Focal hematopoietic islands within the axial skeleton is a rare entity and can cause confusion with osteoblastic metastases. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristic imaging findings in MRI and CT.Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the imaging findings of 14 hematopoietic islands of the axial skeleton in ten patients (nine females, median age= 65.5 years [range, 49-74]), who received both CT and MRI at the time of initial diagnosis between 2006 and 2020. In five cases CT-guided biopsy was performed to confirm the diagnosis, while the other five patients received long term MRI follow-up (median follow-up= 28 months [range, 6-96 months]). Diffusion-weighted imaging was available in three, chemical shift imaging in two, 18F fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in two and Technetium 99m skeletal scintigraphy in one of the patients.Results. All lesions were small (mean size=1.72 cm2) and showed moderate hypointense signals on T1- and T2-weighted MRI sequences. They appeared iso- to slightly hyperintense on STIR images and showed slight enhancement after gadolinium administration. To differentiate this entity from osteoblastic metastases, CT provides important additional information, as hematopoietic islands do not show sclerosis. Conclusions. Hematopoietic islands within the axial skeleton can occur and mimic osteoblastic metastases. However, the combination of MRI and CT allows for making the correct diagnosis.
Cardiac Device Implantation and Device Usage in Fabry and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Vijapurapu Ravi , Bradlow William , Leyva Francisco , Moon James C , Zegard Abbasin , Lewis Nigel , Kotecha Dipak , Jovanovic Ana , Hughes Derralynn , Woolfson Peter , Steeds Richard P , Geberhiwot Tarekegn
Published: October 2021

BackgroundFabry disease (FD) is a treatable X-linked condition leading to progressive cardiac disease, arrhythmia and premature death. We aimed to increase awareness of the arrhythmogenicity of Fabry cardiomyopathy, by comparing device usage in patients with Fabry cardiomyopathy and sarcomeric HCM. All Fabry patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implanted in the UK over a 17 year period were included. A comparator group of HCM patients, with primary prevention ICD implantation, were captured from a regional registry database. ResultsIndications for ICD in FD varied with 82% implanted for primary prevention based on multiple potential risk factors. In FD and HCM primary prevention devices, arrhythmia occurred more frequently in FD over shorter follow-up (HR 4.2,p<0.001). VT requiring therapy was more common in FD (HR 4.5,p=0.002). Immediate shock therapy for sustained VT was also more common (HR 2.5,p<0.001). There was a greater burden of AF needing anticoagulation and NSVT in FD (AF: HR 6.2,p=0.004, NSVT: HR 3.1,p<0.001). ConclusionThis study demonstrates arrhythmia burden and ICD usage in FD is high, suggesting that Fabry cardiomyopathy may be more ‘arrhythmogenic’ than previously thought. Existing risk models cannot be mutually applicable and further research is needed to provide clarity in managing Fabry patients with cardiac involvement.
Mycelium-Based Composites as Two-Phase Particulate Composites: Compressive Behaviour of Anisotropic Designs.
Authors: Rigobello Adrien , Ayres Phil
Published: October 2021

Mycelium Based Composites (MBC) exhibit many properties that make them promising alternatives for less sustainable materials. However, there is no unified approach to their testing. We hypothesise that the two-phase particulate composite model and use of ASTM D1037 could provide a basis for systematisation. An experimental series of MBC were produced using four substrate particle sizes and subjected to compression testing. We report on their effect over Young’s modulus and ultimate strength. We extend the study by investigating three anistropic substrate designs through orientated fibre placement as a strategy for modifying compressive behaviour. We find that the two-phase particulate model is appropriate for describing the mechanical behaviour of MBC and that mechanical behaviour can be modified through anisotropic designs using orientated fibres. We also confirm that fibre orientation and particle size are significant parameters in determining ultimate strength.
A New Input-Output Table Built from Neoclassical Analysis that Considers Economic Rent
Authors: Leiva Benjamin
Published: October 2021

Despite the extended use of the input-output framework, its acceptance among economists is limited due to lack of microfoundations and imposed omission of economic rent. A new input-output table is built from basic neoclassical profit maximization, which explicitly considers economic rent. The new table holds eight differences with conventional open input-output tables which enhances the framework’s theoretical basis, allows for economic rent, and yields new insights into economic structures.JEL Codes: C67, D57
Determinants of Mother to Child HIV Transmission (HIV MTCT); A Case Control Study in Governmental Health Centers of East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2019
Authors: Tariku Mengistie Kassahun
Published: October 2021

Background: Mother to child human immune virus (HIV) transmission is the passage of HIV from mother to her child during pregnancy, labor, delivery or breast-feeding. The objective of this study was to identify determinants of mother to child HIV transmission in Governmental health centers of East Gojjam Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia, 2019. Methods: A case control study was conducted on 210(42 cases and 168 controls). All cases were included in the study. Controls were selected by simple random sampling. Secondary data were collected from April 1 to 30/2019. Collected data were entered by using epi data version 3.1 and then it was exported to SPSS. The exported data was analyzed and presented by using descriptive summary statistics and tables. After bivariate logistic regression analysis, all variables with p-value 0.25 were entered into multivariable logistic regression and p value < 0.05 considered as significantly associated with the outcome variable.Results: Having history of antenatal care follow up of HIV positive pregnant women [ adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=5.0;95%CI; 2.02-12.16] and initial CD4 count of mothers [AOR=2.7;95%CI;1.35-5.52]. Conclusion: Mother to child HIV transmission was significantly associated with history of ANC follow up of mothers and initial CD4 counts of mothers.
Impact of Long-COVID on Health-related Quality of Life in Japanese COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Tsuzuki Shinya , Miyazato Yusuke , Terada Mari , Morioka Shinichiro , Ohmagari Norio , Beutels Philippe
Published: October 2021

Background: The empirical basis for a quantitative assessment of the disease burden imposed by long-COVID is currently scant. We aimed to assess the disease burden caused by long-COVID in Japan.Methods: We conducted a cross sectional self-report questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was mailed to 530 eligible patients, who were recovered from acute COVID-19 in April 2021. Answers were classified into two groups; participants who have no symptom and those who have any ongoing symptoms that lasted longer than four weeks at the time of the survey. We compared health-related quality of life scores estimated by the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire between these two groups after adjusting basic characteristics of the participants by propensity score matching.Results: 349 participants reported no symptoms and 108 reported any symptoms at the time of the survey. The participants who reported any symptoms showed a lower value on a Visual Analogue Scale (median 70 [IQR 60-80]) and on the EQ-5D-3L (median 0.81 [IQR 0.77-1.0]) than those reporting no symptoms (median 85 [IQR 75-90] and 1.0 [IQR 1.0-1.0], respectively). After adjusting for background characteristics, these trends did not change substantially (Visual Analog Scale: median 70 [IQR 60-80] vs 80 [IQR 77-90], EQ-5D-3L: median 0.81 [IQR 0.76-1.0] vs 1.0 [IQR 1.0-1.0]).Conclusions: Due to their long duration, long-COVID symptoms represent a substantial disease burden expressed in impact on health-related quality of life.Trial registration: Not applicable.
NMN treatment reverses unique deep radiomic signature morphology of oocytes from aged mice
Authors: Habibalahi Abbas , Bertoldo Michael J. , Mahbub Saabah B. , Campbell Jared M. , Goss Dale M. , Ledger William L. , Gilchrist Robert B. , Wu Lindsay E. , Goldys Ewa M.
Published: October 2021

One of the earliest physiological consequences of advancing age is the loss of female reproductive potential. This is primarily due to oocyte quality and developmental competence, which is highly sensitive to biological age. We applied deep learning, swarm intelligence and discriminative analysis to images of mouse oocytes taken by common bright field microscopy and were successfully able to identify a highly informative deep radiomic signature (DRS) of oocyte age. This signature distinguished morphological changes in oocytes associated with maternal age with 92% accuracy (AUC~1), reflecting this decline in oocyte quality. We then employed the DRS to evaluate the impact of the treatment of reproductively aged mice with the NAD+ precursor nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). The DRS signature classified 60% of oocytes from NMN-treated aged mice as having a 'young' morphology, suggesting that NMN was able to rejuvenate the morphological changes identified by the DRS. These findings indicate that NMN therapy may be able to restore the quality of a sizable subset of oocytes affected by reproductive ageing, and that these oocytes will be able to be distinguished and selected by DRS.
Efficacy and Safety of Endovascular Brachytherapy Combined with Transarterial Chemoembolization for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Type III-IV Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis
Authors: Li Ling , Huang Xinhui , Cheng Niangmei , Weng Xiadi , Jiao Yubin , Liu Jingfeng , Guo Wuhua
Published: October 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endovascular brachytherapy (EVBT) combined with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicated with type III-IV portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) and to further analyze the major independent risk predictor factors of prognosis.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 54 patients who were diagnosed with HCC complicated with type III or IV PVTT and who received EVBT combined with improved TACE treatment from January 2017 to June 2019. Adverse events, treatment response, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and stent patency were analyzed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this treatment. Major independent risk predictors of OS were also analyzed by the regression model.Results: No severe adverse events associated with EVBT combined with TACE were observed. The objective response and disease control rates four weeks after the treatment were 42.6% and 96.3%, respectively. The median OS and PFS were 209±46.5 days and 138±29.4 days, respectively. The cumulative stent patency rate was 70.4% at the last follow-up. AFP≥400 ng/ml, ECOG PS>1, Child-Pugh grade B, and nonhemihepatic HCC were independent risk predictors of OS.Conclusions: EVBT combined with TACE was effective and safe for the treatment of HCC with type III-IV PVTT.
Identification of novel exonic variants responsible for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in West Indian population
Authors: Waghela Bhargav N. , Pandit Ramesh J. , Puvar Apurvasinh , Shah Franky D. , Patel Prabhudas S. , Vora Hemangini , Sheth Harsh , Tarapara Bhoomi , Pandya Shashank , Joshi Chaitanya G. , Joshi Madhvi
Published: October 2021

Background

Breast and ovarian cancers are the most common cancer types in females in India which pertain to higher mortality and morbidity due to late diagnosis and poor prognosis. Early diagnosis for better prognosis improve the patient’s treatment and survival. The next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based screening has accelerated molecular diagnosis of various cancers.
Methods

We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) of 30 patients who had a first or second degree relative with breast or ovarian cancer. Further, all these patients are tested negative for BRCA1/2 or other high and moderate risk genes reported for HBOC. WES data from 30 patients were analyzed and variants were called using bcftools. Functional annotation of variants and variant prioritization was performed by Exomiser. The clinical significance of variants was determined by Varsome tool. The functional analysis of genes was determined by STRING analysis and disease association was determined by open target tool.
Results

We examined the variants based on the prevalence of variants among 30 patients i.e. frequency and disease association determined by the phenotype score of exomiser. From both the approaches, we found novel variants and novel gene candidates associated with HBOC conditions. The variants in HYDIN, AVIL, IWS1, PLA2G6, PRDM4, ST3GAL2, and ZNF717 were predicted highly oncogenic. Moreover, we also found 59 genes having higher phenotype score (phenotype score >0.75) and which are associated with various biological processes such as DNA integrity maintenance, transcriptional regulation, cell cycle and apoptosis.
Conclusion

The gene variants associated with HBOC condition in West Indian cohort have been revisited. Our findings provide novel as well as highly prevalent variants in the population which could be further studied in detail for their use in early diagnosis and better prognosis of HBOC patients.
Performance And Reliability Improvement In Intercalated MLGNR Interconnects Using Optimized Aspect Ratio
Authors: Kumari Bhawana , Sharma Rohit , Sahoo Manodipan
Published: October 2021

In this work, aspect ratio of various intercalation doped MLGNR interconnects are optimized using a numerical approach toachieve improved performance and reliability. A numerical optimization method is presented to estimate optimized aspect ratio considering combined effects of performance, noise and reliability metrics for any arbitrary nano interconnect system. This approach is cost effective and will be extremely useful to industry for selection of aspect ratio of interconnects as it is a non-SPICE method and reduces fabrication iterations for achieving desired performance and reliability. Our numerical method suggests that by minimizing the figure of merit (i.e. Noise Delay Power Product (NPDP) / Breakdown Power PBD ratio), aspect ratio of FeCl3 doped MLGNR interconnect is optimized at 0.987, 0.61 and 0.579 for local, intermediate and global level, respectively at 7 nm node. Comparing the optimized performance metrics in this work with the estimated metrics at prescribed aspect ratio by IRDS roadmap, delay, noise delay product (NDP), power delay product (PDP), PDP/PBD ratio and figure of meritare improved by (∼2% and ∼25%), (∼44% and ∼50%), (∼9% and ∼48%), (∼6% and ∼48%) and (∼49% and ∼68%) for 10 µm and 1 mm long FeCl3 doped MLGNR interconnect, respectively at 7 nm node. Increase in contact resistance leads to significant decrease in performance and increase in optimized aspect ratio of local FeCl3 doped MLGNR interconnect. Scaling down from 10 nm to 7 nm node results in increase of optimized aspect ratio in all levels of interconnects. Even though theperformance of MLGNR degrades with scaling down but when compared to copper, the performance improves with technology scaling. Finally, this study provides circuit designers a detailed guideline for selecting an optimized aspect ratio for achieving better performance, power efficiency and reliability in doped MLGNR interconnects.
The X-ray corona turns into the relativistic jet in the micro quasar GRS 1915+105
Authors: Mendez Mariano , Karpouzas Konstantinos , Garcia Federico , Zhang Liang , Zhang Yuexin , Belloni Tomaso , Altamirano Diego , Blaes Omer
Published: October 2021

GRS 1915+1051 was the first stellar-mass black-hole in our Galaxy to display a superluminal radio jet2, similar to those observed in active galactic nuclei with a supermassive black hole at the centre3. It has been proposed that the radio emission in GRS 1915+105 is fed by instabilities in the accretion disc4 by which the inner parts of the accretion flow is ejected in the jet5–7. Here we show that there is a significant correlation between: (i) the radio flux, coming from the jet, and the flux of the iron emission line, coming from the disc and, (ii) the temperature of the corona that produces the high-energy part of the X-ray spectrum via inverse Compton scattering and the amplitude of a high-frequency variability component coming from the innermost part of the accretion flow. At the same time, the radio flux and the flux of the iron line are strongly anti-correlated with the temperature of the X-ray corona and the amplitude of the high-frequency variability component. These correlations persist over ~10 years, despite the highly variable X-ray and radio properties of the source in that period8,9. Our findings provide, for the first time, incontrovertible evidence that the energy that powers this black-hole system can be directed either to the X-ray corona or the jet. When this energy is used to power the corona, raising its temperature, there is less energy left to fuel the jet and the radio flux drops, and vice versa. These facts, plus the modelling of the variability in this source show conclusively that in GRS 1915+105 the X-ray corona morphs into the jet.
Nationwide Epidemiological Characteristics of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in South Korea
Authors: Lim Eun Jin , Lee Jin-Seok , Lee Eun-Jung , Jeong Seok-Ju , Park Ho-Young , Ahn Yo-Chan , Son Chang-Gue
Published: October 2021

Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a long-term disabling illness accompanied by medically unexplained fatigue. This study aimed to explore the epidemiological characteristics of CFS in South Korea.Methods: Using the nationwide medical records provided by the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA), we analyzed the entire dataset for CFS patients diagnosed by physicians in Korea from January 2010 to December 2020. Results: The annual mean incidence of CFS was estimated to be 44.71 ± 6.10 cases per 100,000 individuals [95% CI: 40.57, 48.76], and the prevalence rate was 57.70 ± 12.20 cases per 100,000 individuals [95% CI: 49.40, 65.79]. These two rates increased by 1.53- and 1.94-fold from 2010 to 2020, respectively, and showed an increasing trend with aging and an approximately 1.5-fold female predominance. Conclusions: This study is the first to report the nationwide epidemiological features of CFS, which reflects the clinical reality of CFS diagnosis and care in South Korea. This study will be a valuable reference for studies of CFS in the future.
A search for a stochastic archetype of quantum probability
Authors: Jenkins Tim C
Published: October 2021

Superposed wavefunctions in quantum mechanics lead to a squared amplitude that introduces interference into a probability density, which has long been a puzzle because interference between probability densities exists nowhere else in probability theory. In recent years, Man’ko and coauthors have successfully reconciled quantum and classical probability using a symplectic tomographic model. Nevertheless, there remains an unexplained coincidence in quantum mechanics, namely, that mathematically, the interference term in the squared amplitude of superposed wavefunctions has the form of a variance of a sum of correlated random variables, and we examine whether there could be an archetypical variable behind quantum probability that provides a mathematical foundation that observes both quantum and classical probability directly. The properties that would need to be satisfied for this to be the case are identified, and a generic variable that satisfies them is found that would be present everywhere, transforming into a process-specific variable wherever a quantum process is active. This hidden generic variable appears to be such an archetype.
Chemical Fixation Creates Nanoscale Clusters on the Cell Surface by Aggregating Membrane Proteins
Authors: Ichikawa Takehiko , Wang Dong , Miyazawa Keisuke , Miyata Kazuki , Oshima Masanobu , Fukuma Takeshi
Published: October 2021

Chemical fixations have been thought to preserve the structures of the cells or tissues. However, given that the fixatives create crosslinks or aggregate proteins, there is a possibility that these fixatives create nanoscale artefacts by aggregation of membrane proteins which move around freely to some extent on the cell surface. Despite this, little research has been conducted about this problem, probably because there has been no method for observing cell surface structures at the nanoscale. In this study, we have developed a new method to observe cell surfaces stably and with high resolution using atomic force microscopy and a microporous silicon nitride membrane. We demonstrate that the size of the protrusions on the cell surface is increased after treatment with three commonly used fixatives and show that these protrusions were created by the aggregation of membrane proteins by fixatives. These results call attention when observing fixed cell surfaces at the nanoscale.
Epidemiologic Characteristics, Prognostic Factors and Treatment Outcomes in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma: A SEER-Based Study
Authors: Tang Dongsheng , Chen Yue , Shi Yuye , Tao Hong , Tao Shandong , Zhang Quan'e , Ding Banghe , He Zhengmei , Yu Liang , Wang Chunling
Published: October 2021

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors and treatment outcomes in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL).Materials and Methods: The data of total 5166 PCNSL patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2018 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was obtained.Results: The mean age was 63.1±14.9 years, with a male to female of 1.1:1.0. The most common histologic subtype was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (84.6%). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS were 50.1, 36.0 and 27.2% and corresponding to DSS were 54.4, 41.3 and 33.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis with Cox regression showed that race, sex, age, marital status, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were independent prognostic factors for OS, but radiotherapy no longer for DSS. Nomograms specially for DLBCL were established to predict the possibility of OS and DSS. The concordance index (C-index) of OS and DSS were 0.704 (95% CI 0.687-0.721) and 0.698 (95% CI 0.679-0.717), suggesting the high discrimination ability of the nomograms.Conclusion: Surgery or/and chemotherapy was favourably associated with better OS and DSS. However, radiotherapy did not benefit to OS and DSS in the long-term. A new predictive nomogram and a web-based survival rate calculator we developed showed favorable applicability and accuracy to predict the long-term OS for DLBCL patients specifically.