bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antisense noncoding mitochondrial RNA-2 gives rise to miR-4485-3p by Dicer processing in vitro
Authors: Farfán Nicole , Sanhueza Nicole , Briones Macarena , Burzio Luis O. , Burzio Verónica A.
Published: October 2021

Background

The antisense noncoding mitochondrial RNAs (ASncmtRNAs) derive from the mitochondrial 16S gene. Knockdown of these transcripts with chemically-modified antisense oligonucleotides induces proliferative arrest, apoptosis and invasiveness reduction in tumor but not normal cells. One of these transcripts, ASncmtRNA-2, contains the complete and identical sequence of hsa-miR-4485-3p and, upon knockdown of this transcript, there is a strong increase in levels of this miRNA, suggesting ASncmtRNA-2 as a source for miR-4485-3p, which is supported by several evidences from our group and others, in the ex vivo setting.

Results

Here we show that incubation of in vitro-transcribed ASncmtRNA-2 with recombinant Dicer produces RNA fragments corresponding to hsa-miR-4485-3p, showing that Dicer binds to and processes ASncmtRNA-2, strongly supporting the hypothesis that ASncmtRNA-2 acts as a precursor for miR-4485-3p.

Conclusion

The in vitro results presented here strengthen the hypothesis that miR-4485-3p is derived from ASncmtRNA-2 by Dicer processing. Since miR-4485-3p is classified as a tumor suppressor miRNA, this evidence strengthens the application of ASncmtRNA knockdown for cancer therapy.
Co-occurrence of planktonic bacteria and archaea affects their biogeographic patterns in China’s coastal wetlands
Authors: Wang Baoli , Liu Na , Yang Meiling , Wang Lijia , Liang Xia , Liu Cong-Qiang
Published: October 2021

Planktonic bacteria and archaea play a key role in maintaining ecological functions in aquatic ecosystems; however, their biogeographic patterns and underlying mechanisms have not been well known in coastal wetlands including multiple types and at a large space scale. Therefore, planktonic bacteria and archaea and related environmental factors were investigated in twenty-one wetlands along China’s coast to understand the above concerns. The results indicated that planktonic bacteria had different biogeographic pattern from planktonic archaea, and both patterns were not dependent on the wetland's types. Deterministic selection shapes the former’s community structure, whereas stochastic processes regulate the latter’s, being consistent with the fact that planktonic archaea have a larger niche breadth than planktonic bacteria. Planktonic bacteria and archaea co-occur, and their co-occurrence rather than salinity is more important in shaping their community structure although salinity is found to be a main environmental deterministic factor in the coastal wetland waters. This study highlights the role of planktonic bacteria-archaea co-occurrence on their biogeographic patterns, and thus provides a new insight into studying underlying mechanisms of microbial biogeography in coastal wetlands.
Panamax markets behaviour: explaining volatility and expectations
Authors: Karaoulanis Ioannis , Pelagidis Theodore
Published: October 2021

It is widely accepted that the highly volatile Panamax market has many peculiarities; for example, Panamax vessels transport the major and the minor dry bulk cargoes worldwide. In contrast, the variety of cargoes and the flexibility in various trade routes, which the Panamax vessels follow, create a broad market with a relatively open structure. The importance of the Panamax market has also been highlighted by a recently upgraded contribution of the Baltic Panamax Index (BPI) to the Baltic Dry Index (BDI), affecting the progress of the BDI significantly. This paper investigates the behaviour of the Panamax market focusing on expectations and time lags. Expectations play a critical role in the freight market both for short-term and long-term decision making. In particular, we investigate the relationship between time lags and time-charter, trip and spot market rates, and the average earnings of the Panamax vessels of various ages. Time series analysis is used to reach our conclusions. The Hannan–Quinn criterion has been selected to identify the Panamax freight market’s significant lags for 1989–2020. An autoregressive model (AR) has been constructed to perform the statistical analysis. The findings indicate a strong correlation between time lags and the Panamax freight market, forecasting the behaviour of the market indeed. A better understanding of the Panamax market’s behaviour can improve shipowners and charterers’ planning decisions practically.
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in Korea: results from the Korean Heart Rhythm Society Ablation Registry for Atrial Fibrillation (KARA)
Authors: Lee Euijae , Park Hyoung-Seob , Han Seongwook , Nam Gi-Byung , Choi Jong-Il , Pak Hui-Nam , Oh Il-Young , Shin Dong-Gu , On Young Keun , Park Sang Weon , Kim Young-Hoon , Oh Seil ,   the KARA investigators, Ahn Jinhee , Ahn Min-Soo , Baek Yong-Soo , Cha Myung-Jin , Cha Tae-Joon , Choi Eue-Keun , Choi Hyung-Oh , Choi Jong-Il , Chun Kwang Jin , Gwag Hye Bin , Han Seongwook , Hwang Youmi , Hyun Dae Woo , Jin Eun-Sun , Kang Ki-Woon , Kim Dae-Hyeok , Kim Dae-Kyung , Kim Dongmin , Kim Ji-Hoon , Kim Jin-Bae , Kim Minsu , Kim Sung-Hwan , Kim Yoo Ri , Kim Young-Hoon , Ko Jum-Suk , Kwak Jae-Jin , Lee Euijae , Lee Sanghee , Lee So-Ryoung , Lee Sung Ho , Lee Young Soo , Nam Gi-Byung , Namgung Jun , Oh Il-Young , Oh Seil , Oh Yong-Seog , On Young Keun , Pak Hui-Nam , Park Hwan-Cheol , Park Hyoung-Seob , Park Hyung Wook , Park Sang Weon , Park Ye Min , Park Young-Ah , Rhee Kyoung-Suk , Shim Jaemin , Shin Dong-Gu , Song In-Geol , Sung Jung-Hoon , Yang Pil-Sung
Published: October 2021

Background

This study aims to investigate the current status of AF (atrial fibrillation) catheter ablation in Korea.

Methods

The patients who underwent AF catheter ablation from September 2017 to December 2019 were prospectively enrolled from 37 arrhythmia centers. Demographic data, procedural characteristics, the extent of catheter ablation, acute success of the ablation lesion set, rate and independent risk factor for recurrence of AF were analyzed.

Results

A total of 2402 AF patients [paroxysmal AF (PAF) 45.7%, persistent AF (PeAF) 43.1% and redo AF 11.2%] were included. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was performed in 2378 patients (99%) and acute success rate was 97.9%. Additional non-PV ablation (NPVA) were performed in 1648 patients (68.6%). Post-procedural complication rate was 2.2%. One-year AF-free survival rate was 78.6% and the PeAF patients showed poorer survival rate than the ones with other types (PeAF 72.4%, PAF 84.2%, redo AF 80.0%). Additional NPVA did not influence the recurrence of AF in the PAF patients (PVI 17.0% vs. NPVA 14.6%, P value 0.302). However, it showed lower AF recurrence rate in the PeAF patients (PVI 34.9% vs. NPVA 24.4%, P value 0.001). Valvular heart disease, left atrial diameter, PeAF, PVI alone, need of NPVA for terminating AF, and failed ablation were independent predictors of AF recurrence.

Conclusions

Additional NPVA was associated better rhythm outcome in the patients with PeAF, not in the ones with PAF. The independent risk factors for AF recurrence in Korean population were similar to previous studies. Further research is needed to discover optimal AF ablation strategy.
The role of the TNFα-mediated astrocyte signaling pathway in epilepsy
Authors: Chen Rui , Xue Guofang , Hölscher Christian
Published: October 2021

Epilepsy is a common disease  in the central nervous system. There is growing evidence that epilepsy is associated with glial cells, including astrocytes. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) is a “master regulator” of proinflammatory cytokine production and is secreted by microglia and astrocytes. TNFα secreted by microglia can activate astrocytes. Additionally, TNFα can regulate neuron activity and induce epilepsy by increasing the glutamate release, reducing the expression of γ-aminobutyric acid, inducing neuroinflammation and affecting the synaptic function in astrocytes. This review summarizes the signaling pathways and receptors of TNFα acting on astrocytes that are related to epilepsy and provides insights into the potential therapeutic strategies of epilepsy for clinical practice.
German translation and pre-testing of Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC)
Authors: Regauer Verena , Seckler Eva , Campbell Craig , Phillips Amanda , Rotter Thomas , Bauer Petra , Müller Martin
Published: October 2021

Background

Implementation frameworks may support local implementation strategies with a sound theoretical foundation. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) facilitates identification of contextual barriers and facilitators, and the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) allows identifying adequate implementation strategies. Both instruments are already used in German-speaking countries; however, no standardised and validated translation is available thus far. The aim of this study was to translate the CFIR and ERIC framework into German, in order to increase the use of these frameworks and the adherence to evidence-based implementation efforts in German-speaking countries.

Methods

The translation of the original versions of the CFIR and ERIC framework was guided by the World Health Organisation’s recommendations for the process of translating and adapting both conceptual frameworks. Accordingly, a four-step process was employed: first, forward translation from English into German was conducted by a research team of German native speakers with fluent knowledge of the English language. Second, a bilingual expert panel comprising one researcher with German as his mother tongue and expert command of the English language and one English language expert and university teacher reviewed the translation and discussed inconsistencies with the initial translators. Third, back-translation into English was conducted by an English native speaking researcher. The final version was pre-tested with 12 German researchers and clinicians who were involved in implementation projects using cognitive interviews.

Results

The translation and review process revealed some inconsistencies between the original version and the German translations. All issues could be solved by discussion. Central aspects of the items were confirmed in 60 to 70% of the items, and modifications were proposed in 30% of the items. Finally, we revised one CFIR-item heading after pre-testing. The final version was given consent by all involved parties.

Conclusions

Now, two validated and tested implementation frameworks to guide implementation efforts are available in the German language and can be used to increase the application of agreed-on implementation strategies into practice.
Identifying Individualized Risk Profiles for Radiotherapy-Induced Lymphopenia Among Patients With Esophageal Cancer Using Machine Learning
Authors: Zhu Cong , Mohan Radhe , Lin Steven H. , Jun Goo , Yaseen Ashraf , Jiang Xiaoqian , Wang Qianxia , Cao Wenhua , Hobbs Brian P.
Published: October 2021

PURPOSE

Radiotherapy (RT)-induced lymphopenia (RIL) is commonly associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with cancer. Using machine learning techniques, a retrospective study was conducted for patients with esophageal cancer treated with proton and photon therapies to characterize the principal pretreatment clinical and radiation dosimetric risk factors of grade 4 RIL (G4RIL) as well as to establish G4RIL risk profiles.

METHODS

A single-institution retrospective data of 746 patients with esophageal cancer treated with photons (n = 500) and protons (n = 246) was reviewed. The primary end point of our study was G4RIL. Clustering techniques were applied to identify patient subpopulations with similar pretreatment clinical and radiation dosimetric characteristics. XGBoost was built on a training set (n = 499) to predict G4RIL risks. Predictive performance was assessed on the remaining n = 247 patients. SHapley Additive exPlanations were used to rank the importance of individual predictors. Counterfactual analyses compared patients' risk profiles assuming that they had switched modalities.

RESULTS

Baseline absolute lymphocyte count and volumes of lung and spleen receiving ≥ 15 and ≥ 5 Gy, respectively, were the most important G4RIL risk determinants. The model achieved sensitivitytesting-set0.798 and specificitytesting-set0.667 with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUCtesting-set) of 0.783. The G4RIL risk for an average patient receiving protons increased by 19% had the patient switched to photons. Reductions in G4RIL risk were maximized with proton therapy for patients with older age, lower baseline absolute lymphocyte count, and higher lung and heart dose.

CONCLUSION

G4RIL risk varies for individual patients with esophageal cancer and is modulated by radiotherapy dosimetric parameters. The framework for machine learning presented can be applied broadly to study risk determinants of other adverse events, providing the basis for adapting treatment strategies for mitigation.
Interpretation of Abnormal Dexamethasone Suppression Test is Enhanced With Use of Synchronous Free Cortisol Assessment
Authors: Genere Natalia , Kaur Ravinder Jeet , Athimulam Shobana , Thomas Melinda A , Nippoldt Todd , Van Norman Molly , Singh Ravinder , Grebe Stefan , Bancos Irina
Published: October 2021

Context

Interpretation of dexamethasone suppression test (DST) may be influenced by dexamethasone absorption and metabolism and by the altered cortisol binding.

Objective

We aimed to determine the normal ranges of free cortisol during DST in participants without adrenal disorders and to identify the population of patients where post-DST free cortisol measurements add value to the diagnostic workup.

Design and Setting

Cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary medical center.

Participants

Adult volunteers without adrenal disorders (n = 168; 47 women on oral contraceptive therapy [OCP], 66 women not on OCP, 55 men) and patients undergoing evaluation for hypercortisolism (n = 196; 16 women on OCP).

Measurements

Post-DST dexamethasone and free cortisol (mass spectrometry) and total cortisol (immunoassay).

Main Outcome Measures

Reference range for post-DST free cortisol, diagnostic accuracy of post-DST total cortisol.

Results

Adequate dexamethasone concentrations (≥0.1 mcg/dL) were seen in 97.6% volunteers and 96.3% patients. Only 25.5% of women volunteers on OCP had abnormal post-DST total cortisol (>1.8 mcg/dL). In volunteers, the upper post-DST free cortisol range was 48 ng/dL in men and women not on OCP, and 79 ng/dL in women on OCP. When compared with post-DST free cortisol, diagnostic accuracy of post-DST total cortisol was 87.3% (95% CI, 81.7-91.7); all false-positive results occurred in patients with post-DST cortisol between 1.8 and 5 mcg/dL. OCP use was the only factor associated with false-positive results (21.1% vs 4.9%, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Post-DST free cortisol measurements are valuable in patients with optimal dexamethasone concentrations and post-DST total cortisol between 1.8 and 5 mcg/dL.
Ανάπτυξη και μελέτη καινοτόμων δισδιάστατων νανοδομών για τεχνολογικές εφαρμογές
Authors: Χαλμπές Νικόλαος
Published: October 2021

Η δυνατότητα σύνθεσης οργανικών, ανόργανων ή οργανικών-ανόργανων μορίων, σχεδόν χωρίς περιορισμούς, με την επιθυμητή δομή και λειτουργικότητα, σε συνδυασμό με την τεχνολογία εναπόθεσης λεπτών υμενίων και την τεχνική της αυτo-οργάνωσης ή αυτοδιάταξης (self-assembly), επιτρέπει την παραγωγή ηλεκτρικών, οπτικών και βιολογικά ενεργών υλικών και διατάξεων στην κλίμακα των νανομέτρων. Επιπλέον, η ανάπτυξη αυθόρμητων συνθετικών μεθόδων με τρόπο που ελευθερώνουν ενέργεια (εξώθερμες) σε συνθήκες περιβάλλοντος θα είχε μεγάλη αξία στη σύνθεση νανοϋλικών άνθρακα. Στη παρούσα διατριβή, πραγματοποιήθηκε η σύνθεση ποικίλλων καινοτόμων δισδιάστατων νανοδομών μέσω της Langmuir – Schaefer (LS) τεχνικής σε συνδυασμό με την αυτό-οργάνωση. Με τη συγκεριμένη μέθοδο αναπτύχθηκε επίπεδο -με- επίπεδο (layer-by-layer) μια πολυστρωματική υπερδομή φυλλόμορφου αργίλου, στον ενδοστρωματικό χώρο της οποίας βρίσκονται εντεθειμένοι χημικά τροποποιημένοι νανοσωλήνες μονού τοιχώματος μέσω της 1,3 αντίδραση διπολικής κυκλοπροσθήκης. Επιπλέον, μέσω της ίδιας μεθόδου (bottom-up τεχνική) πραγματοποιήθηκε η ένθεση μορίων της πρωτεΐνης του κυτοχρώματος c στον ενδοστρωματικό χώρο του οξειδίου του γραφενίου και της αργίλου. Με τον τρόπο αυτό, δημιουργήθηκαν καινοτόμα υβριδικά υλικά, τα οποία προκύπτουν από την αλληλεπίδραση δισδιάστατων ανόργανων νανοδομών με τα μόρια πρωτεϊνης. Οι υπεργολικές αντιδράσεις αποτελούν ένα νέο εργαλείο σύνθεσης για την ταχεία και αυθόρμητη προετοιμασία μιας μεγάλης ποικιλίας νανοϋλικών άνθρακα σε συνθήκες περιβάλλοντος και χρησιμοποιούνται για πρώτη φορά στη διεθνή βιβλιογραφία. Τα νανοϋλικά άνθρακα, τα οποία αναπτύχθηκαν περιλαμβάνουν σχεδόν όλο το εύρος των γνωστών νανοδομών άνθρακα (νανοφυλλίδια, φθορίζουσες τελείες άνθρακα, υψηλής κρυσταλλικότητας γραφίτη, κοίλες και συμπαγείς νανοσφαίρες άνθρακα, μαγνητικά νανοσωματίδια, νανοδίσκοι άνθρακα κ.ά.). Τα υβριδικά υπέρλεπτα υμένια όσο και οι τελικές νανοδομές, οι οποίες προέκυψαν μέσω των υπεργολικών αντιδράσεων χαρακτηρίστηκαν με ένα πλήθος πειραματικών τεχνικών (XRD, XRR, FTIR, ATR, Raman, UV-vis, ποροσιμετρία N2, XPS, SEM, AFM, HRTEM). Όλες οι παραγόμενες νανοδομές είτε μέσω της Langmuir – Schaefer τεχνικής είτε μέσω των υπεργολικών αντιδράσεων χρησιμοποιήθηκαν σε ποικίλλες εφαρμογές, όπως στη βιοκατάλυση, σε θερμοφωτοβολταϊκά πάνελ, στη σύνθεση νανοσύνθετων φωταυγών πολυμερικών υλικών, στην προσρόφηση εξασθενούς χρωμίου από υδατικά διαλύματα, ως υλικά προσρόφησης ηλιακής ενέργειας, στον αποχρωματισμό οργανικών βαφών και στην ανακύκλωση πλαστικών.
The effect of ingestion of red dragon fruit extract on levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase after strenuous exercise in rats (Rattus norvegicus)
Authors: Rusip Gusbakti , Ilyas Syafrudin , Lister I. Nyoman Ehrich , Ginting Chrismis N.
Published: October 2021

Background: Prolonged activation of skeletal muscles causes a decrease in the production of fatigue. Exercise with strenuous intensity causes an increase in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). An increase in free radicals causes oxidative stress resulting in damage to cell function to mitochondrial dysfunction, and fatigue. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant potential of red dragon fruit (RDF) to delay fatigue due to oxidative stress, which improves cell function in mitochondria.

Methods: 25 male rats (Rattus norvegicus) aged three months were divided into five groups: Group K1 was N.A. (No Activity) but drinking and eating; Group K2 performed strenuous exercise without RDF treatment; Groups 3, 4, and 5 (P1, P2 and P3, respectively) performed strenuous exercise and were treated with 75 mg kg-1.bw, 150 mg kg-1.bw, and 300 mg kg-1.bw of RDF extract, respectively. The exercise for the rats involved intense swimming for 20 minutes every day, four days a week for 31 days.  Malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured with the ELISA and histopathology for muscle soleus and lung tissue.

Results: Strenuous exercise followed by RDF extract ingestion was compared for fatigue in terms of duration and time; before (24.55±1.38 minute) and after (95.31±7.82 minute) and led to a significant difference of 39% (p<0.01). The study also compared MDA before and after RDF extract ingestion in the K2 vs. the P1 group (p<0.05). At the same time, P2 differed more significantly (p<0.01). This indicated a spread of free radicals and featured histopathological damage of muscle cells. However, ingestion of RDF extract leads to improvement of soleus muscle cells; thus, repairs cell function, delaying fatigue.

Conclusion: This study confirmed that strenuous exercise, which causes an increase in ROS, intensifies free radicals with RDF extract ingestion and declines oxidative stress, repairing cell function and delaying fatigue.
Distribution of imposter syndrome among medical students of Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study
Authors: SHAHJALAL MD. , Khan Md Nafiul Alam , Mohsin Faroque Md , Rokon Shahariar , Rahman Riaz , Alam Mohammad Morshad , Mahumud Rashidul Alam
Published: October 2021

Background: Imposter syndrome (IS), suffering from self-doubt and fear, despite clear accomplishment and competencies, is often detected in medical students and adversely affects the well-being of the student. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of IS among public and private medical students in Bangladesh.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional design among medical students in Bangladesh. Data were collected between February to July 2020 through snowball sampling technique across medical colleges in Bangladesh. Relative risk ratios (RRRs) with 95% CI were calculated to investigate the magnitude of association between imposter syndrome exposure and explanatory variables.

Results: A total of 500 students participated in this study with approximately 47% and 53% of students studying at public and private medical colleges, respectively. Around 32% of medical students were exposed to IS (47% of public and 53% of private medical college students). Medical students were the most significantly associated with IS for third (RR: 1.487, CI: 1.068-2.071) and fourth-year students (RR: 1.493, CI: 1.043-2.136). Overall, we found that respondents aged 22 to 25 were 3.6% (RR:1.036, CI:0.801-1.339) more likely to be suffering from IS than their younger counterparts.

Conclusion: Third and fourth-year medical students, in particular, require more care than others; teachers and authorities should provide them with proper guidance and care, encourage them, and thus grow their self-reliance and confidence.
NMDA receptor modulation and severe acute respiratory syndrome treatment
Authors: Costa Blaise M.
Published: October 2021

N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptors is expressed in the human lungs and central nervous system.  NMDA receptor potentiation could increase calcium ion influx and promote downstream signaling mechanisms associated with cellular contractions that are disrupted in severe acute respiratory syndrome. Pharmacological effects generated by triggering glutamate receptor function in the brain, coupled with concurrent stimulation of the respiratory tract, may produce a synergetic effect, improving the airway smooth muscle function. A novel multipronged intervention to simultaneously potentiate NMDA receptors expressed both in the central nervous system and airway muscles would be helpful for the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome that deteriorates peripheral and central nervous system function before causing death in humans.
Assessment of mathematical competence using the Estonian national e-tests
Authors: Johanson Marje , Pedaste Margus , Pastak Merlin , Täht Karin , Sõrmus Maarja , Jukk Hannes
Published: October 2021

Eesti matemaatika e-tasemetööde eesmärk on hinnata matemaatika aineteemade õpitulemusi, aga ka matemaatikapädevust kui üldpädevust. Samas on töid koostades lähtutud ülesannete kategoriseerimisel aineteemadest ning puudub ülevaade, kuivõrd hästi võimaldavad e-tasemetööd hinnata matemaatikapädevuse kui üldpädevuse dimensioone. Siinses artiklis antakse ülevaade matemaatikapädevuse käsitustest ja analüüsitakse Eestis põhikooli II kooliastme matemaatika e-tasemetöid, lähtudes matemaatikapädevuse uurimisraamistikust. Tulemused näitasid, et 2020. aasta töös keskenduti kõigile kuuele alampädevusele, kõige enam protseduurilisele pädevusele ja kõige vähem arutluspädevusele. Varasemates töödes on aga osa alampädevusi jäänud hindamata. Samuti ilmnes, et vähe on tähelepanu hinnangu andmisel ning rohkem tõlgendamisel ja pädevuste kasutamisel. Uuringu tulemused aitavad avada matemaatikapädevust kui üldpädevust ning toetada pädevuse hindamist nii tasemetöödes kui ka õpetajate igapäevatöös.

 Summary
Current state and development prospects of monitoring systems for objects of the rocket complex "Angara"
Authors: Kuznecov Sergey
Published: October 2021

The article contains an analysis of the origin, current state and prospects of the development of monitoring systems for the main elements of the "Angara” space rocket complex: space rockets, launching technological equipment (launch pad and cable-refueling tower) and launch facility.

The conclusion is made about the increasing role of measuring systems of this type for ensuring the solution of such problems as: experimental development of the elements of the space rocket complex during its creation and flight design tests, the energy and mass characteristics increase of the Angara family of rockets, improvement of their operation systems in conditions of cosmodrom, safety and reliability maintenance of space rocket elements complex by preventing critical failures and emergencies.
Health Care Market: Trend - COVID-19
Authors: Davydovich Anna , Shmeleva T.
Published: October 2021

The article considers the trends in the development of the medical services market in the Krasnodar Territory in the conditions of the spread of coronavirus infection, analyzes their impact on the activities of primary medical organizations, presents the development directions of the medical services market in the region in the conditions of the spread of COVID-19.

Based on the results of the sociological study, trends in the development of the medical services market in the region in the context of the spread of coronavirus infection were identified: the introduction of new methods for diagnosing coronavirus infection (CT, tests), repurposing, hiring (reducing) medical personnel, refurbishing (refurbishing) a medical organization, treating patients with COVID-19, changing the financial situation of primary medical organizations, expanding the list of medical services. The directions of development of the market of medical services of the region in conditions of COVID-19 distribution are proposed.

The purpose of the study is to determine the direction of development of the medical services market in the Krasnodar Territory in the conditions of the spread of COVID-19.

The achievement of the goal of the study predetermined the setting and consistent solution of the following interrelated tasks:

 according to the results of a sociological study, highlight trends in the development of the medical services market in the Krasnodar Territory in the conditions of the spread of coronavirus infection;

 analyze the impact of trends on primary health care organizations in the region;

 to offer directions for the development of the medical services market of the Krasnodar Territory in the conditions of the spread of coronavirus infection.

When compiling a review of literary sources on the topic of the study, the method of content analysis was applied. Analytical results of the assessment of trends in the development of the medical services market in the Krasnodar Territory in the context of the spread of COVID-19 were obtained using statistical and sociological methods of research - a survey and questionnaire of representatives of medical organizations of the primary level of the region.

The results obtained during the study will be useful in the development of strategic documents and initiatives for the development of the medical services market in the Krasnodar Territory in the conditions of COVID-19 distribution.
Pronatalist Policies and Fertility in Russia: Estimating Tempo and Quantum Effects
Authors: Validova Asiya
Published: October 2021

This paper examines the family policy reforms of 2007 in Russia that were aimed explicitly at encouraging second and higher-order births, and analyses their impact on fertility. The existing empirical findings about population policy interventions in transition economies are inconclusive, while the most common argument states that policies based on material incentives are insufficient to significantly raise the real fertility in a population. The study aims to offer a better insight to the following research question: was Russian demographic policy effective in terms of raising the fertility level in the country or did it merely change the timing of births? The objective of the paper is to measure two effects of the pronatalist policy in Russia: tempo effect and quantum effect. Using data from the Human Fertility Database, I employ the decomposition method to separate tempo and quantum effects in the observed total fertility rate, and I estimate their relative weight in observed fertility changes. The analysis of period fertility indicators confirmed the prevalence of a tempo effect in observed total fertility rate change, but also revealed a quantum effect of the policy measures, although this was much smaller. Policy impact varied by birth order. For second parity, the tempo effect played a more critical role, while for third parity the quantum effect was more important. Another decomposition approach employed to measure the contributions of various factors in the increase of the number of births during the post-reform period showed the quantum effect which was driven by second and third order births. The study provides empirical evidence of the impact of policies on fertility behaviour, expands the existing analysis of pronatalist measures taken in Russia, and contributes to our understanding of the role of tempo and quantum effects in the recent fertility change in Russia.
„Wykazują najwyższą skłonność do emigracji”: exodus Żydów z Imperium Rosyjskiego. Mikrohistoria wybranych sztetli Podlasia
Authors: Konończuk Wojciech
Published: October 2021

W latach 1881–1914 z Imperium Rosyjskiego wyemigrowały 2 mln Żydów, z których 78 proc. osiedliło się w Stanach Zjednoczonych. Artykuł skupia się na lokalnym wymiarze wielkiej migracji. Jako studium przypadku wybrano dwie miejscowości na Podlasiu (Bielsk i Orlę), w większości zamieszkiwane przez Żydów. Podjęto próbę oszacowania poziomu migracji żydowskiej oraz pokazania jej anatomii, w tym kwestii związanych z uzyskiwaniem paszportu, nielegalnym przekraczaniem granicy i stosunkiem władz do exodusu Żydów.
O kulturze polemik religijnych i powstaniu świadomości wyznaniowej. Uwagi na marginesie pracy Magdaleny Luszczynskiej, Politics of polemics. Marcin Czechowic on the Jews
Authors: Ptaszyński Maciej
Published: October 2021

Przedmiotem artykułu jest monografia Magdaleny Luszczynskiej poświęcona Marcinowi Czechowicowi, jednemu z najważniejszych teologów antytrynitarnych końca XVI w. Artykuł umieszcza pracę na tle dotychczasowej literatury poświęconej antytrynitarzom w Polsce oraz opracowań na temat Czechowica. Krytykując monografię za wąską podstawę źródłową i metodologiczną, proponuje nowe spojrzenie na kluczowe aspekty życia teologa. Teza artykułu głosi, że kategoria świadomości wyznaniowej pozwala inaczej ująć kwestię konwersji protestanta.
Polska Nowa Zelandia: Emigracja lat 1945-2006
Authors: Zdziech Dariusz
Published: October 2021

A brief history of Polish emigration to New Zealand until the end of the World War 2 is presented first, setting a background to the main topic of the book. Then in the next chapter, all attention is given to the post-war period. Each wave of newcomers, beginning with groups of ex-soldiers arriving to join with members of their family and ending with a recent group of mostly young professionals aiming at making a successful career on the antipodes, has been analysed with considerable detail. The following chapter looks at the stance the Polish immigrants took towards the Polish communist Government in Warsaw including its diplomatic post in Wellington. This has been thoroughly analysed. It shows the patriotism of the Polish communities. With admirable determination they felt allegiance to and strongly supported the Polish Government in London – in exile until 1990. The final chapter deals with the attitude of Polish immigrants toward the host country and the local government in Wellington. Legal matters regarding residency, citizenship, work and so on, together with motives of coming and settling in this country, becoming a loyal citizen, are all presented in attempt to determine the national consciousness of the immigrants – are they still Polish or more New Zealanders by now? Although there is no one answer to that question, it seems certain that regardless of the opinion one or another individual holds toward their home country, in times of trouble or glory, they do remember their Polish roots. The source of the wide material presented in this book came from extensive queries done in New Zealand, Great Britain, Switzerland, Austria and Poland. Most valuable were numerous interviews with ‘Polish Kiwis’ living in various places in New Zealand. They were conducted while the author was on his New Zealand leg of his research.
Industry Networks and the Geography of Firm Behavior
Authors: Grieser William , LeSage James , Zekhnini Morad
Published: October 2021

Using a network approach that circumvents well-known challenges in estimating peer effects, we show that interactions with a firm’s geographic neighbors play a significant causal role in corporate investment behavior and a modest role in financial policies and firm performance. Moreover, these geography network effects are almost entirely driven by propagation effects through product market and supply chain networks. We corroborate our findings in a quasi-experimental framework that allows for spillovers in treatment effects. Our findings help rationalize industrial clusters (e.g., Silicon Valley), as they illustrate that agglomeration economies are substantial and operate predominantly within industry boundaries.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, finance.
Sufficiency of Markov Policies for Continuous-Time Jump Markov Decision Processes
Authors: Feinberg Eugene A. , Mandava Manasa , Shiryaev Albert N.
Published: October 2021

One of the basic facts known for discrete-time Markov decision processes is that, if the probability distribution of an initial state is fixed, then for every policy it is easy to construct a (randomized) Markov policy with the same marginal distributions of state-action pairs as for the original policy. This equality of marginal distributions implies that the values of major objective criteria, including expected discounted total costs and average rewards per unit time, are equal for these two policies. This paper investigates the validity of the similar fact for continuous-time jump Markov decision processes (CTJMDPs). It is shown in this paper that the equality of marginal distributions takes place for a CTJMDP if the corresponding Markov policy defines a nonexplosive jump Markov process. If this Markov process is explosive, then at each time instance, the marginal probability, that a state-action pair belongs to a measurable set of state-action pairs, is not greater for the described Markov policy than the same probability for the original policy. These results are applied in this paper to CTJMDPs with expected discounted total costs and average costs per unit time. It is shown for these criteria that, if the initial state distribution is fixed, then for every policy, there exists a Markov policy with the same or better value of the objective function.
Equilibrium Analysis of Urban Traffic Networks with Ride-Sourcing Services
Authors: Xu Zhengtian , Chen Zhibin , Yin Yafeng , Ye Jieping
Published: October 2021

Ride-sourcing services play an increasingly important role in meeting mobility needs in many metropolitan areas. Yet, aside from delivering passengers from their origins to destinations, ride-sourcing vehicles generate a significant number of vacant trips from the end of one customer delivery trip to the start of the next. These vacant trips create additional traffic demand and may worsen traffic conditions in urban networks. Capturing the congestion effect of these vacant trips poses a great challenge to the modeling practice of transportation planning agencies. With ride-sourcing services, vehicular trips are the outcome of the interactions between service providers and passengers, a missing ingredient in the current traffic assignment methodology. In this paper, we enhance the methodology by explicitly modeling those vacant trips, which include cruising for customers and deadheading for picking up them. Because of the similarity between taxi and ride-sourcing services, we first extend previous taxi network models to construct a base model, which assumes intranode matching between customers and idle ride-sourcing vehicles and thus, only considers cruising vacant trips. Considering spatial matching among multiple zones commonly practiced by ride-sourcing platforms, we further enhance the base model by encapsulating internode matching and considering both the cruising and deadheading vacant trips. A large set of empirical data from Didi Chuxing is applied to validate the proposed enhancement for internode matching. The extended model describes the equilibrium state that results from the interactions between background regular traffic and occupied, idle, and deadheading ride-sourcing vehicles. A solution algorithm is further proposed to solve the enhanced model effectively. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the model and solution algorithm. Although this study focuses on ride-sourcing services, the proposed modeling framework can be adapted to model other types of shared use mobility services.
Proximal contact tightness for Class II direct composite resin restorations: a literature review
Authors: Hinton Oliver
Published: October 2021

This article reviews the literature regarding factors that affect proximal contact tightness (PCT) when restoring Class II cavities with direct composite resin. The PCT between two adjacent teeth is an important factor in maintaining oral health by ensuring that tooth positions remain stable, food is deflected away during mastication, dental papillae are maintained and to facilitate hygienic cleaning. If open contacts are created, there is a greater chance that the patient will experience periodontal problems or caries. Using sectional matrix systems with separation rings, and using materials with less polymerization shrinkage are effective methods to increase PCT and create significantly tighter contacts compared with using circumferential matrix systems.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Understating the clinical factors that affect proximal contact tightness between adjacent teeth is important to achieve optimal contacts in direct composite resin restorations to maintain oral health.
Perceptions of ethical dilemmas in Australian paramedicine
Authors: Kirsty Shearer , Thomas Matthew , Signal Tania
Published: October 2021

Background:

Paramedics experience a range of ethical dilemmas in the course of their work. To date, ethical dilemmas by Australian paramedics have not been documented. With the scope of practice becoming increasingly complex, paramedic education may not have evolved to meet holistic professional demands.

Aim:

To describe the ethical dilemmas experienced by contemporary Australian paramedics.

Methods:

An online survey, based on a previous instrument, was used to explore a range of ethical dilemmas.

Findings:

Paramedics face a range of ethical dilemmas in their everyday practice. While several demographic variables were associated with different perceptions, the results of this study highlight that a paramedic's years of experience is most consistently associated with their perception of ethical dilemmas.

Conclusion:

Australian paramedics experience a range of ethical dilemmas consistent with previous international findings. Years of experience in the profession features heavily and is relied upon more so than education, suggesting that educational approaches to ethics education in paramedicine need to be reconsidered.
An issue of trust
Authors: Hanley Jane
Published: October 2021

The vulnerability and intimacy of medical situations make trust a crucial part of the overall quality of healthcare. Jane Hanley discusses how confidence in our public institutions is built and maintained – and how it is lost
The role of scapular dyskinesis on rotator cuff tears: a narrative review of the current knowledge
Authors: Teixeira Diana Cabral , Alves Luís , Gutierres Manuel
Published: October 2021

Scapular dyskinesis can be present in healthy individuals as in patients with shoulder pathology. Altered patterns of scapular kinematics can cause or exacerbate rotator cuff tear pathology. However, more research is needed. Regardless of the cause or the consequence of rotator cuff tear, scapular dyskinesis impairs shoulder function, worsens the symptoms, and compromises the success of clinical intervention. The available literature suggests physical therapy as the first treatment for degenerative cuff tears, and scapular dyskinesis should be addressed if present. Non-responsive cases or traumatic tears may require surgery. Postsurgical physical therapy protocols after rotator cuff repair must consider scapular dyskinesia to improve the outcomes.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:932-940. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.210043
MISIRoot: A Robotic, Minimally Invasive, in Situ Imaging System for Plant Root Phenotyping
Authors: Qiu Wei , Jin Jian
Published: October 2021

Highlights

A non-destructive, in situ, and low-cost root phenotyping system was developed.

The system can collect color images and 3D cloud points of corn roots in soil.

When tested in a greenhouse, the scanning process did not cause significant disturbance of corn plants.

The results showed significant differences in root growth for different watering treatments and growth stages.

Abstract. Plant root phenotyping technologies play an important role in breeding, plant protection, and other plant science research projects. Root phenotyping researchers urgently need technologies that are low-cost, in situ, non-destructive to roots, and suitable for the natural soil environment. Many recently developed root phenotyping methods, such as minirhizotron, X-CT, and MRI scanners, have unique advantages in observing plant roots, but they also have disadvantages and cannot meet all the critical requirements simultaneously. This study focused on the development of a new plant root phenotyping robot, called MISIRoot, that is minimally invasive and works in situ in natural soil. The MISIRoot system mainly consists of an industrial-level robotic arm, a miniature camera with lighting, a plant pot holding platform, and image processing software for root recognition and feature extraction. MISIRoot can acquire high-resolution color images of roots in soil with minimal disturbance to the roots and measure the roots’ three-dimensional (3D) structure with an accuracy of 0.1 mm. In tests, well-watered and drought-stressed groups of corn plants were measured with MISIRoot at the V3, V4, and V5 growth stages. The system successfully acquired RGB color images of the roots and 3D point cloud data containing the locations of the detected roots. The plants measured with MISIRoot and the plants not measured (control) were carefully compared with the results from a hyperspectral imaging facility (reference). No significant differences were found between the two groups of plants at different growth stages. Keywords: 3D point cloud, Low-cost phenotyping, Minimally invasive root measurement, Plant root phenotyping, Robotic arm application, Root imaging.
Modeling Soil Forces on a Rotary Tine Tool in Artificial Soil
Authors: Kshetri Safal , Steward Brian L , Tekeste Mehari Z
Published: October 2021

Highlights

A mathematical model of soil reaction forces on a rotary tine tool was developed.

Soil bin experiments using artificial soil enabled observation of soil failure due to soil-tine interaction.

The model-predicted forces were similar to experimentally measured forces.

Abstract. Understanding soil-tool interaction can enable better control of weeding tools to achieve higher weeding efficacy. The interaction between a vertical tine (mounted on a rotating disc) and soil was investigated using a mathematical model that estimated soil horizontal forces on the tine operating at different linear and rotational velocities. The kinematics associated with the linear and rotational velocities of the rotary tine tool were modeled, and the shearing and inertial forces were estimated. To evaluate model performance with different experimental factors, two sets of soil bin experiments were conducted using an artificial soil: with one tine to estimate model parameters and with two tines 180° apart. Experimental factors were longitudinal velocity (travel speed) at three levels (0.09, 0.29, and 0.5 m s-1) and speed ratio, i.e., the ratio of longitudinal velocity to peripheral velocity of the tines, at three levels (1, 1.5, and 2). Soil horizontal force and torque on the rotary tine tool were measured. A nonlinear least squares method was used to estimate model parameters from the experimental data, resulting in shearing force coefficients ranging from 2.9 to 37 N and inertial force coefficients ranging from 16 to 528 N s2 m-2. The variations in the shearing and inertial forces on the tine were due to differences in soil failure patterns among the treatments. The predicted longitudinal and tangential forces for two tines using the model showed trends that were similar to the forces measured in the experiment. However, the model overestimated the predicted forces because it did not account for the reduced force on a tine due to soil disturbance created by the other tine. Keywords: Soil-tine interaction, Weed control.
A K-means Text Clustering Algorithm Based on Subject Feature Vector
Authors: Duo Ji , Zhang Peng , Hao Liu
Published: October 2021

As one of the most popular clustering algorithms, k-means is easily influenced by initial points and the number of clusters, besides, the iterative class center calculated by the mean of all points in a cluster is one of the reasons influencing clustering performance. Representational initial points are selected in this paper according to the decision graph composed by local density and distance of each point. Then we propose an improved k-means text clustering algorithm, the iterative class center of the improved algorithm is composed by subject feature vector which can avoid the influence caused by noises. Experiments show that the initial points are selected successfully and the clustering results improve 3%, 5%, 2% and 7% respectively than traditional k-means clustering algorithm on four experimental corpuses of Fudan and Sougou.
Wave propagation visualization through ducts using the Schlieren technique for crack localization with the eSHM system
Authors: Jardon Zoé , Hinderdael Michaël , Van Beeck Jeroen , Guillaume Patrick
Published: October 2021

The effective structural health monitoring (eSHM) system fully exploits the flexibility offered by the 3D printing process for analysis of the structural integrity of additive manufactured parts by integrating a smart technology inside the component. The eSHM system relies on the propagation of pressure waves through capillaries/small ducts embedded in 3D printed metallic components and allows the detection and localization of fatigue cracks. However, the nature and propagation of these waves seem to be determinant for the accuracy of the crack localization system. To achieve a better physical understanding of the propagating waves through the capillaries, computational fluid dynamics simulations are performed and compared with experimental results, obtained by Schlieren flow visualization and high-speed imaging techniques. The presence of propagating shock waves and contact discontinuities is observed in the simulations, as well as a complex reflection mechanism around the leak location. The Schlieren experiments exhibit the same wave shape behavior and complex reflection mechanism around the crack location for the contact discontinuity, and the shock tube analogy is confirmed.