bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: integral model of pathogenesis and therapy options
Authors: Doroshenko Oleksii
Published: August 2022

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive central nervous system degenerative disease, in most cases within 2–3 years inevitably leading to mixed tetraplegia and subsequent death from diaphragmatic paralysis. While for almost half of hereditary cases, mutations are identified as the cause of the disease, the sporadic form of ALS (sALS), due to the polymorphism and complexity of the putative developmental mechanisms raises a lot of questions. To date, there are no sufficiently effective pathogenetic methods for the disease treatment. All the above mentioned makes ALS one of the most relevant and, at the same time, unexplored topics in neurology. In this review, the author combines the most important, in his opinion, currently known factors of sALS pathogenesis, including enterovirus infection, TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) pathology, human endogenous retrovirus-K (HERV-K) reactivation, RNA-specific editase 1 (ADAR2) dysfunction and oxidative stress (OS) into a unified illustrative model. The author is suggesting a probable sequence of pathogenetic links, based on data regarding the presence of pathophysiological links between them and their ability to cause the typical for sALS histochemical pattern. Simultaneously, the author makes assumptions about the developmental mechanisms for some secondary disorders typical for sALS. In conclusion, in accordance with the derived model, the author conducts a review of possible pharmacological interventions of pathogenetic and etiotropic therapy. The author describes both clinically proven effective drugs, and previously unstudied, but extremely promising compounds that require further testing.
Prediction and diagnostics of crises and critical states in an unusual vibro-impact system with soft impact
Authors: Lizunov Petro , Pogorelova Olga , Postnikova Tetiana
Published: August 2022

This article studies the dynamical behavior of a two-body 2-DOF vibro-impact system when changing both its parameters and external load parameters. The considered vibro-impact system is a model of a platform vibrator with shock used in the construction industry for compaction and molding of concrete products. We call it unusual because of its specific features, namely, the huge mass of the upper body, which breaks away from the lower body, "bounces" a very short distance, and for a very short time is in free flight; then it falls on the rubber gasket, the soft impact occurs, after which it "bounces" again and so on. The soft impact is simulated by nonlinear contact interactive force in accordance with Hertz's quasi-static contact law. Some changes in the system parameters can increase the efficiency of concrete compaction, but with the same changes, undesirable and even dangerous phenomena occur in our strongly nonlinear non-smooth discontinuous vibro-impact system. The system exhibits interior and boundary crises, chaotic motion, crisis-induced intermittency, transient chaos that generates a chaotic regime, and a hysteresis zone with coexisting regimes obtained for different initial conditions. Diagnostics of the observed modes is carried out by several methods, both conventional and less common. These are time histories, phase portraits with Poincaré maps, Fourier spectra, Lyapunov exponents, wavelet characteristics obtained using Continuous Wavelet Transform, and fractal structures. Numerous figures and tables that clearly and convincingly demonstrate the results of numerical studies accompany the presentation.Mathematics Subject Classification (2000) 37G35 · 37N15 · 37L30 · 65T60
A COVID-19 model incorporating variants, vaccination, waning immunity, and population behavior
Authors: LaJoie Zachary , Usherwood Thomas , Sampath Shailen , Srivast Vikas
Published: August 2022

Vaccines for COVID-19 have allowed countries to combat the spread of the disease. However, new variants have resulted in significant spikes in cases and raised severe health and economic concerns. We present a COVID-19 model to predict coupled effects of vaccine multiple-dose roll-out strategies, vaccine efficacy, waning immunity, population level of caution, level of safety, under-reporting of cases, and highly prevalent variants such as the Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529). The modeling framework can incorporate new variants as they emerge to give critical insights into the new cases and guide public policy decision-making concerning vaccine roll-outs and reopening strategies. The model is shown to recreate the history of the COVID-19 for five countries (Germany, India, Japan, South Africa, and the United States). Parameters for crucial aspects of the pandemic such as population behavior, new variants, vaccination, and waning immunity can be adjusted to predict pandemic scenarios. The model was used to conduct trend analysis to simulate pandemic dynamics taking into account the societal level of caution, societal sense of safety, and the proportions of individuals vaccinated with first, second, and booster doses. We used the results of serological testing studies to estimate the actual number of cases across countries. The model allows quantification of otherwise hard to quantify aspects such as the infectious power of variants and the effectiveness of government mandates and population behavior. Some example cases are presented by investigating the competitive nature of COVID variants and the effect of different vaccine distribution strategies between immunity groups.
Novel selectively amplified DNA sequences in the germline genome of the Japanese hagfish, Eptatretus burgeri
Authors: Nagao Kohei , Otsuzumi Tomoko , Chinone Hitomi , Sasaki Takashi , Yoshimoto Junko , Matsuda Makiko , Kubota Souichirou , Goto Yuji
Published: August 2022

In the Japanese hagfish Eptatretus burgeri, 16 chromosomes (eliminated [E]-chromosomes) have been lost in somatic cells (2n = 36), which is equivalent to approx. 21% of the genomic DNA in germ cells (2n = 52). At least seven of the 12 eliminated repetitive DNA families isolated in eight hagfish species were selectively amplified in the germline genome of this species. One of them, EEEb1 (eliminated element of E. burgeri 1) is exclusively localized on all E-chromosomes. Herein, we identified four novel eliminated repetitive DNA families (named EEEb3–6) from this species through PCR amplification and suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) combined with Southern-blot hybridization. EEEb3 was mosaic for 5S rDNA and SINE element. EEEb4 was GC-rich repeats and had one pair of direct and inverted repeats, whereas EEEb5 and EEEb6 were AT-rich repeats and composed of several sub-repeats. Interestingly, all but EEEb3 were transcribed in the testes, although no functional open reading frame (ORF) was found. We conducted fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to examine the chromosomal localizations of EEEb3–6 and EEEb2, which was initially isolated from the germline DNA of this species. All of them were completely colocalized on all EEEb1-positive E-chromosomes. The estimation of the copy number by slot-blot hybridization revealed that (i) EEEb1–6 family members occupied 39.9% of the total eliminated DNA, and (ii) a small number of repeats were retained in somatic cells, suggesting the incomplete elimination. These results provide new insights about the mechanisms involved in the chromosome elimination and the evolution of E-chromosomes.
Environmental Data Mining to Determine Coral Bleaching Severities
Authors: Halide Lidemar , Andika - , Marhaeni M. , Sulva Magfira , Akhir N. Y. , Syafrizal M. , Halide Halmar
Published: August 2022

Coral bleaching events could be viewed as a resultant of complex interactions involving various environmental factors. Just recently, a TEL (seawater Temperature-ENSO-Longitude) model is developed to predict the global bleaching events during the single 2016 El Niño episode. The model has a modest skill of approximately 50% predictability. In an attempt to improve coral bleaching prediction skill, here, two models are developed: an extended TEL model and a statistical model that combines multivariate and supervised classification techniques. The skills of both models are assessed in predicting bleaching events from three coral regions during several El Niño episodes. Two important findings are found. First, it is revealed that seawater salinity, ENSO, and Madden Julian Oscillation have stronger effect than seawater temperature in coral bleaching events. This has an important consequence to the fate of coral ecology when these phenomena are also subjected to change under global warming. Second, the predictability of our developed is 74% which is higher than that of the TEL model. Our model could serve as a tool for reef managers on communicating bleaching risk earlier. It could also be used for monitoring and reservation plans to mitigate the detrimental effect of various environmental stressors on corals.
Positive end expiratory pressure and respiratory system resistance between self-inflating bag and T- piece resuscitator in a cadaveric piglet lung model
Authors: Shah Dharmesh , Tracy Mark , Hinder Murray , Badawi Nadia
Published: August 2022

PurposeIn neonatal resuscitation, using a T-piece resuscitator (TPR) is used widely, however the evidence is limited for the use in infants born at term gestation. The aim of this study was to compare the positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) and respiratory system resistance (Rrs) using TPR and self-inflating bag (SIB) in a cadaveric piglet model.Methods Cadaveric newborn piglets were tracheotomised, intubated (cuffed tube) and leak tested. Static lung compliance was measured. Positive pressure ventilation was applied by TPR and SIB in a randomized sequence varying, inflations per minute (40, 60 and 80/min) and peak inspiratory pressures (18 and 30 cmH2O). PEEP was constant at 5 cmH2O. The lungs were washed with saline and static lung compliance re-measured; ventilation sequences were repeated. Lung inflation data for the respiratory mechanics were measured using a respiratory function monitor and digitally recorded for both pre and post lung wash inflation sequences. A paired sample t-test was used to compare the mean and standard deviation.ResultsThe mean difference in PEEP (TPR vs SIB) was statistically significant at higher inflation rates of 60 and 80 bpm. At normal lung compliance, mean difference was 1.231 (p = 0.000) and 2.099 (p = 0.000) with PIP of 18 cmH2O and 30 cmH2O respectively. Significantly higher Rrs was observed when using a TPR with higher inflation rates of 60 and 80 bpm at varying lung compliance.ConclusionsTPR is associated with significantly higher PEEP in a compliant lung model, which is probably related to the resistance of the TPR circuit. The effect of inadvertent PEEP on lung mechanics and hemodynamics needs to be examined in humans. Further studies are needed to assess the delivered PEEP using various SIB with PEEP valves available commercially including the SIB with inbuilt PEEP valve.
Robot-assisted segmentectomy with improved inflation-deflation combined with the intravenous indocyanine green method
Authors: Hao Xu , Xiaoyan Chang , Linyou Zhang
Published: August 2022

Purpose
To investigate the perioperative outcomes of patients who underwent robot-assisted thoracoscopic (RATS) segmentectomy for identifying the intersegmental plane (ISP) by modified inflation-deflation (MID) combined with near-infrared fluorescence imaging with the intravenous indocyanine green (ICG) method and to assess the feasibility of this method in a large-scale cohort according to the type of segmentectomy performed.
Methods
We retrospectively analysed the perioperative data of a total of 155 consecutive patients who underwent RATS segmentectomy between April 2020 and December 2021. Data from the operation, including the demarcation status of the intersegmental plane, were analysed retrospectively.
Results
The mean operative time and estimated blood loss were 125.56 ± 36.32 minutes and 41.81 ± 49.18 mL, respectively. Good demarcation of the intersegmental plane was observed in 150 (96.77%) patients, with no correlation with the type of resected segments or the surgical method. Postoperative complications of Clavien–Dindo classification grade 3 or more were observed in 4 patients (2.58%), and no ICG-related adverse events were noted.
Conclusion
Demarcation of the intersegmental plane by MID combined with ICG is feasible regardless of the type of segmentectomy and can be commonly applied in robot-assisted segmentectomy.
A simple classification for the endovascular recanalization of vertebral artery stump syndrome
Authors: Zhang Wenbin , Li Chao , Shi Mingchao , Zhou Jie , Yue Feixue , Song Kangjia , Wang Shouchun
Published: August 2022

Objective: To share our single-center experience in the treatment of vertebral artery stump syndrome (VASS) and assess the role of the comprehensive classification based on anatomic development, proximal conditions, and distal conditions (PAD).Methods: Data of patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) at Stroke Center of the First Hospital of Jilin University from January 2016 to December 2021 were retrospectively collected. Among patients with acute ischemic stroke in the posterior circulation, those with acute occlusion of the intracranial arteries in the presence of occlusion at the origin of the vertebral artery were selected after confirmation by digital subtraction angiography. Clinical data were summarized and analyzed.Results: We included 13 patients with VASS. The overall surgical recanalization success rate was 76.92%. The successful proximal recanalization rate was 66.67%; the recanalization rates for P1, P2, P3, and P4 types were 100%, 66.7%, 50%, and 66.7%, respectively. The average operation time for A1 and A2 types was 127.5 ± 37.03 (80–180) and 120 min, respectively. The successful distal recanalization rate was 90%—100%, 75%, 100%, and 100% for D1, D2, D3, and D4 types, respectively. Four patients had perioperative complications (incidence rate: 30.77%). Distal embolism occurred in three patients (incidence rate: 23.08%). No dissection or subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred in any patient.Conclusion: EVT is an effective and feasible treatment for VASS, and comprehensive PAD classification can, to a certain extent, help in initially determining the difficulty of surgery and providing guidance for the interventional procedures.
System-level analysis of flux regulation of yeast show that glycolytic flux is controlled by allosteric regulation and enzyme phosphorylation
Authors: Chen Min , Xie Tingting , Li Huan , Zhuang Ying-Ping , Xia Jianye , Nielsen Jens
Published: August 2022

Energy metabolism is central for cellular function and has therefore evolved to be tightly regulated such that energy production can be balanced to energy demand. Energy is being produced in the central carbon metabolism (CCM) and even though there has been extensive studies on how fluxes through the different pathways in this part of metabolism are regulated. There is little understanding of how fluxes are affected by posttranslational modifications and by allosteric regulators. Here we integrated multi-omics data (intracellular metabolome, extracellular metabolome, proteome, phosphoproteome, and fluxome) under 9 different chemostat conditions for building a mathematical model that could map functional regulatory events (FREs) in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using hierarchical analysis combined with the mathematical model, we observed pathway and metabolism-specific flux regulation mechanisms in the CCM. We also found that the glycolytic flux increased with specific growth rate, and this increase was accompanied by a decrease of both metabolites derived FREs and protein phosphorylation level.
Meat Quality, Some Blood Profiles and Cecum Microbial Load in Broiler Fed With Effective Microorganisms, Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Their Combination as Feed Additives
Authors: Wakjira Chala Kinati , Ameha Negasi , Girma Meseret , Nurfeta Ajebu
Published: August 2022

A study was conducted to evaluate effect of feeding effective microorganisms (EM), turmeric (TP) and their combination (EM-TP) as natural feed additives on meat quality, some blood profiles and cecum bacterial load of broilers. A total of 192 chicks were assigned into one of four treatments control (CTL), 1ml/lit EM, 1% TP, 0.5 ml/lit EM and 0.5% TP (EM-TP) in a completely randomized design. Feed additives had higher (P < 0.05) b*(yellowness) value in breast and thigh meat color for TP and EM-TP than the other treatments. Shear force value is higher (P < 0.05) in CTL than the other in both breast and thigh muscles. The highest (P < 0.05) fat content was for CTL. The moisture, CP and ash of breast and thigh meat were similar (P > 0.05) except crude fat percentage which was higher (P < 0.05) for CTL group. High result (P < 0.05) in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) for EM and EM-TP while Cholesterol content, Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), and Triglycerides concentrations were decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by consumption of EM, T, P, and EM-TP than the control group. There were high (P ≤ 0.05) population of total coliform count and E. coli bacteria were counted in CTL than the other treatment group. In conclusion, experimental additives can lower the crude fat in meat composition, blood cholesterol level, blood LDL cholesterol, triglyceride concentration and markedly reduced total coliform count and E. coli bacteria in the intestinal contents of broilers thereby improving gut efficiency and gut health of broiler chicken.
Association between outdoor air pollution and chronic rhinosinusitis patient outcomes
Authors: Peeters S. , Wang C. , Bijnens E.M. , Bullens D.M.A. , Fokkens W.J. , Bachert C. , Hellings P.W. , Nawrot T.S. , Seys S.F.
Published: August 2022

Background: The aetiology of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is multifactorial with a complex interplay between environmental, microbial endogenous and genetic factors. The impact of outdoor air pollution on prevalence or severity of CRS remains largely unknown. Methods: Real-life geolocation data (2017-2018, Belgium) from 278 CRS patients (2576 health records) using the mySinusitisCoach mobile application were analysed to calculate the patients’ individual exposure to outdoor air pollutants (ozone (O3), black carbon (BC), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter with diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5)) and associate these pollutants with the patients’ sinus related symptoms measured at multiple occasions by visual analogue scale (VAS).Results: The adjusted seasonal model for the spring-summer (n=1000 health entries, N=83 patients) population revealed an increase of 6.07 (p<0.0001) in overall CRS symptom scoring for an interquartile range (IQR) increase in exposure to O3 (26.9 μg/m3). An increase of 1.69 (p=0.05) in total CRS symptom scoring was observed for an IQR increase of PM2.5 (7.1 µg/m3) exposure. Gender-stratified analysis in the spring-summer population showed significant interaction between air pollution and gender with male patients having higher total CRS symptom scores for an IQR increase in exposure to PM2.5 (3.52, p=0.001), and O3 (8.33, p<0.0001), while no significant association with symptom severity was seen in the female patients. In the analysis stratified for comorbid asthma, CRS patients with comorbid asthma had higher total CRS symptoms for an IQR increase in exposure to PM2.5 (2.58, p=0.04) and O3 (7.72, p<0.0001) while the patients without comorbid asthma had no significant symptom increases. Conclusion: Exposure to outdoor air pollution is associated with increased symptom severity in CRS patients. The extent to which CRS patients are sensitive to outdoor air pollution exposure varies per season and depends on their gender and comorbid asthma status. mHealth technology has the potential to reveal novel insights on the patients’ exposome and disease severity in the real-life situation.
68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT for Subtyping Diagnosis of Primary Aldosteronism: A Prospective, Diagnostic Accuracy Study
Authors: Hu Jinbo , Xu Tingting , Shen Hang , Song Ying , Yang Jun , Zhang Aipin , Ding Haoyuan , Xing Naiguo , Li Zhuoyuan , Qiu Lin , Ma Linqiang , Yang Yi , Feng Zhengping , Cheng Qingfeng , Wang Zhihong , Du Zhipeng , He Wenwen , Sun Yue , Li Qifu , Chen Yue , Yang Shumin
Published: August 2022

Purpose: Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is the recommended procedure for subtyping primary aldosteronism (PA) as unilateral PA (UPA) or bilateral PA (BPA) which needs adrenalectomy and medication treatment, respectively. However, AVS is invasive and technically difficult. How to subtype PA non-invasively is currently a great challenge. We aimed to prospectively evaluate the accuracy of 68Ga-Pentixafor positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in subtyping PA, using AVS as a reference standard.Methods: Patients diagnosed with PA were recruited to undergo AVS and 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of each adrenal during the PET/CT was measured to calculate the lateralization index (LI) of SUVmax. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), specificity and sensitivity were used to analyze the accuracy of LI based on SUVmax for subtyping PA.Results: One hundred PA patients completed the study, including 43 UPA and 57 BPA. SUVmax of adrenals at 10min during the PET/CT positively correlated with aldosterone concentration (r=0.27, P=0.0001) as well as aldosterone-cortisol ratio (r=0.38, P<0.0001) in adrenal veins. Using LI based on SUVmax at 10min to identify UPA, the AUC was 0.90 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.83-0.97]. Cutoff at 1.65 conferred a specificity of 1.00 (95%CI, 0.94-1.00) and sensitivity of 0.77 (95%CI 0.61-0.88). The diagnostic concordance rate of PET/CT and AVS was 90%, compared to 54% between traditional adrenal CT and AVS. An algorithm employing the LI based on SUVmax for subtyping resulted in a 62% reduction in the number of PA patients who needed AVS.Conclusions: 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT is a promising subtyping method for PA with high diagnostic accuracy. For a large proportion of PA patients, 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT could be used to avoid invasive AVS.Trial registration number：ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT 05131061. Registered 10 November 2021.
Assessment of antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 in unvaccinated individuals and vaccinees from Omicron-BA.2 infection in Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province, China
Authors: Zhang Huan , Jiang Yushan , Tan Hanqing , Zou Lirong , Zheng Zhonghua , Huang Yushi , Lin Shujian , Su Lebin , Yu Jianxiang , Deng Xiaoling , He Jianfeng , Liu Chang , Shen Chenguang , Li Baisheng
Published: August 2022

Currently, the majority of the global population has been vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, and characterization studies of antibodies in vivo from Omicron breakthrough infection and naive infection populations are urgently needed to provide pivotal clues about accurate diagnosis, treatment, and next-generation vaccine design against SARS-CoV-2 infection. We showed that after infection with Omicron-BA.2, the antibody levels of specific IgM against the Wuhan strain and specific IgG against Omicron were not significantly elevated within 27 days of onset, Interestingly, in this study, the levels of humoral immunity against Omicron specific IgM were significantly increased after breakthrough infection, suggesting that the detection of Omicron specific IgM antibodies can be used as a test criterion of Omicron breakthrough infection. In addition, we observed that serums from unvaccinated individuals and the majority of vaccinated infections possessed only low or no neutralizing activity against Omicron at the onset of Omicron breakthrough infections, and at the later stage of Omicron-BA.2 breakthrough infection, levels of neutralization antibody against the Wuhan and Omicron strains were elevated in infected individuals. The findings of this study provide important clues for the diagnosis of Omicron breakthrough infections, antibody characterization studies, and the design of next-generation vaccines for COVID-19.
A dynamical traffic flow model for a cognitive drivers' sensitivity in Lagrangian scope
Authors: Hossain Md. Anowar , Tanimoto Jun
Published: August 2022

A new microscopic traffic flow model is established based on heterogeneous driver's sensitivity; in this new model, the driver's sensitivity is defined as being dependent on the headway distances to the preceding vehicle, as in the optimal velocity (OV) function. We introduce the formulation of this driver's sensitivity using a different form of the OV function. Using the linear stability condition, we elucidate a neutral stability condition. A series of numerical simulations indicates how the present model describes dynamics that differ from the conventional model, which assumes a constant driver's sensitivity.
Laboratory and preclinical evaluation of a novel wound dressing patch for treatment of wounds in the elderly
Authors: Arjunan Subramanian , Teo Nelson , Claudine Stephanie , Tam Kimberley , Feng Pan , Lim Jane , Biswas Arijit , Bongso Ariff , Fong Chui Yee , Choolani Mahesh
Published: August 2022

Background
Elderly patients develop pressure ulcers that are very difficult to treat and current treatments have several limitations. Native skin stem cells diminish with age and may explain poor skin renewal in the elderly. Hence, an exogenous supply of stem cells to wounds in the elderly may produce a successful therapy. We evaluated the wound healing potential of an aloe vera-polycaprolactone nanocarrier impregnated with human Wharton’s jelly stem cells (hWJSCs + AV/PCL) or its conditioned medium (hWJSC-CM + AV/PCL) on elderly human skin using in vitro wound assays and on excisonal wounds created in an elderly preclinical mouse model.
Methods
hWJSCs and human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) were derived and characterized using our previously published protocols. The influence of hWJSC-CM on elderly human skin fibroblasts (eHSFs) were compared with that of young HSFs (yHSFs) and untreated eHSF controls. The healing of excisonal wounds created in elderly mice over a 21 day period was evaluated using various methods.
Results
Scratch wounds of hWJSC-CM-treated eHSFs completely closed by day 2 compared to untreated eHSF controls. Collagen and elastin levels were significantly increased while senescence-related genes were significantly downregulated in hWJSC-CM-treated eHSFs compared to untreated eHSFs. Angiogenesis assays produced significantly greater tubule numbers and ring formation in the presence of CM from hWJSC-CM-treated eHSFs. Excisional wounds in elderly mice treated with hWJSC + AV/PCL and hWJSC-CM + AV/PCL completely healed by day 21 and wound closure rates were significantly greater compared to controls. Histology of elderly mice wounds treated with hWJSC + AV/PCL and hWJSC-CM + AV/PCL showed changes in skin structure. Epidermal and dermal thickness, CD31 and gene expression levels of ECM, collagen, angiogenesis, scarless, granulation and immune cell chemoattraction were significantly greater in elderly mice treated with hWJSC + AV/PCL and hWJSC-CM + AV/PCL.
Conclusions
The results confirmed that hWJSCs in combination with the stem cell niches in nanoscaffolds and the antimicrobial properties of aloe vera provide an attractive wound dressing patch for treatment of chronic wounds in the elderly.
Complex dielectric behaviours in BiFeO3/Bi2Fe4O9 ceramics
Authors: Orr Gilad , Gorychev Andrey , Ishai Paul Ben
Published: August 2022

The complex dielectric permittivity of a sintered ceramic tablet consisting of 70.5% BiFeO3 and 27.7% Bi2Fe4O9 was analyzed as a function of temperature from − 120°C to 230°C in two separate temperature runs. The results reveal a complicated dielectric response with 2 temperature activated relaxation processes. The first is purely Arrhenius relaxation related to hopping processes between Fe3+ and Fe2+ traps induced by oxygen vacancies at grain boundaries. The second process is more unusual, having a critical temperature point at T0 = 766 K and disappearing during the second temperature run. It can be related to dynamic rearrangements of domain boundaries between different crystallites in the ceramic. The results also reveal a ferroelectric phase transition that decayed with repeated heating cycles of the tablet. The ferroelectric phase transition in pure BiFeO3 is 1098 K, whereas the current results show it at 373 K. The origin of this reduction in the critical temperature of the phase transition is traced to locally induced strains on grain boundaries because of unit cell size mismatch between BiFeO3 and Bi2Fe4O9.
Patterns and Drivers of Internal Migration and Its Association with Access to Reproductive and Maternity Care Among Women in Pakistan: Evidence from a Recent National Survey
Authors: Dadras Omid , Nakayama Takeo
Published: August 2022

Background
During the last decades, migratory behavior has had a key role in population growth and redistribution in Pakistan. Migration has far-reaching socioeconomic implications for individuals and society at large that could influence the health integrity of Pakistani women. This study aimed to describe the migration patterns and drivers as well as its association with adequate access to reproductive and maternal care among married Pakistani women aged 15–49.
Methods
The data from the 2017-18 Pakistan Demographic Health Survey (PDHS) was used to extract the information on the explanatory (sociodemographic and migration backgrounds) and outcome variables (unmet needs for family planning, adequate antenatal care, and delivery at health facilities). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the relationship between these explanatory and outcome variables before and after adjustment for sociodemographic inequalities.
Results
In unadjusted models, the odds of having adequate ANC and delivery at health facilities were approximately 2 to 4 times higher in those living (urban non-migrant), moving to (urban to urban, rural to urban), or leaving the urban areas (rural to urban) as compared to rural non-migrants; likewise, the odds of the unmet needs for family planning was about 20–50% lower in the same migration streams compared to rural non-migrant. However, after adjustment for sociodemographic inequalities, most of these associations attenuated and only the association of urban to urban migration with unmet needs for family planning and the association of urban non-migrant with delivery at health facilities remained significant.
Conclusion
Although the findings suggest that Internal migration flows, particularly those to urban areas (urban to urban and rural to urban), could be associated with better access to reproductive and maternity care among married Pakistani women aged 15–49 years; adjustment for sociodemographic inequalities, particularly education and wealth, nullified this association to a great extent. This has important implications for current policies and interventions in Pakistan and calls for policy reform and women’s rights advocacy to enhance the literacy level of young Pakistani girls through well-tailored interventions, maintaining them at school.
uPAR is regulated via miR-561-3p and affects the progression and aggressiveness of CRC cells via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Yang Xi , Wang Xuelian , Sang Lu
Published: August 2022

Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), the uPA receptor (uPAR) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1, constitute the plasminogen urokinase activation system that is hypothesized to be associated with the malignant biology of cancer cells. However, the regulation mechanism of uPAR expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. In the present study it was demonstrated that uPAR was upregulated in serum samples from patients with CRC and uPAR expression levels were associated with advanced stages of CRC and distant metastasis in patients. In CRC cells, uPAR was demonstrated to promote cell proliferation, migration and invasion, but inhibited cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that uPAR expression was negatively regulated via miR-561-3p, via the binding of miR-561-3p to its 3’-untranslated region. Moreover, uPAR reduced the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In conclusion, uPAR was downregulated via miR-561-3p and potentially contributed to tumorigenesis via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in CRC.
Electrographic lead I and V5 monitoring could have detected a missed left-side pneumothorax intraoperatively.
Authors: Lee Chihjen , Yumul Roya , Vongchaichinsri Colby , Tsai Kevin , Wang Lena
Published: August 2022

We present an EKG monitoring strategy to detect pneumothorax during high-risk surgery. In the literature, EKG changes and pneumothorax are well described. However, anesthesiologists only monitor lead II on a three-lead EKG system in the operating room. In our case, there was only a subtle change in lead II for a left-sided pneumothorax, which could have been easily missed. On the other hand, there was a marked QRS amplitude reduction and T wave flattening/inversion in lead I and V5. We recommend lead V5 be added to the continuous monitoring and lead I be periodically checked for surgeries known to potentially cause pneumothorax.
Underlying mechanism for “loss of passivation” effect of a high-carbon martensitic stainless steel coating via laser cladding
Authors: Lu Siyuan , Gao Shurui , Liu Hensan , Fang Xufei , Lu Wenjun , Li Shuxin , Chen Yunbo
Published: August 2022

The microstructure and pitting performance of high-carbon martensitic stainless steel (HMSS) samples, which were produced via laser cladding (LC) and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) were comparatively investigated via electrochemical measurements and electron microscopies. Dendritic and network connected M23C6 carbides are the main precipitates in the HMSS coating, while the M23C6 carbides in HMSS bulk are spherical or elongated in shape. Pitting resistance of the HMSS coating is dramatically deteriorated. The Cr-depleted region induced by the Cr-enriched and dendritic M23C6 carbides are considered as underlying factor for the “LOP” effect of the HMSS coating.
Associations Between Nature Exposure, Screen Use, and Parent-Child Relations: a Scoping Review Protocol.
Authors: Torjinski Marina , Horwood Sharon
Published: August 2022

Background: Today’s youth are growing up in an evolving digital world and concerns about the potential detrimental effects of excessive screen use on biopsychosocial outcomes in childhood are mounting. Parents worry about the impacts of screen-use on their children’s wellbeing, but at the same time frequently fail to meet their own ideal screen-time limits regarding their children’s screen use. There is an opportunity to shift research focus away from inflexible and often unrealistic childhood screen time guidelines towards exploration of positive parenting strategies that may have multiple beneficial and significant effects on children’s screen related outcomes. An emerging body of literature suggests that screen-time and nature exposure act on psychosocial outcomes in contrasting ways. There is evidence to suggest that exposure to natural environments may counteract some of the potential negative psychosocial effects of excessive screen use however this relationship is poorly understood. The overarching aim of this scoping review is to source, categorise, and synthesise existing research exploring the associations between nature exposure, screen use, and parenting across childhood.Methods: This mixed-methods systematic scoping review will be conducted following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework with methodological enhancements from Levac and associates and recommendations from the Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodological guidance for conducting scoping reviews. Five electronic databases will be searched from July 2022 onwards. Two reviewers will independently screen titles, abstracts, and full-text articles. Peer reviewed articles related to the constructs of nature exposure, screen use, and parent/child relations will be considered in the context of early to late childhood. Study characteristics will be collated using a data charting tool collaboratively developed by the research team. Evidence will be synthesised using tabular and narrative form and described using qualitative thematic analysis.Discussion: This review will gather information about how key definitions are conceptualised, defined, and measured across the literature, and map existing trends and areas for future research. It is intended that this review will inform and guide future research direction, recommendations and programs aimed at supporting parents to navigate the challenges of parenting in a digital age.OSF Registration: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/TFZDV
Childhood-onset primary Sjögren's syndrome in a tertiary center in China: Clinical features and outcome
Authors: Gong Yinv , Liu Haimei , Li Guomin , Zhang Tao , Li Yifan , Guan Wanzhen , Zeng Qiaoqian , Lv Qianying , Zhang Xiaomei , Yao Wen , Shi Yu , Xu Hong , Sun Li
Published: August 2022

Objectives
To characterize clinical features and outcome of childhood-onset primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS).
Methods
Patients less than 18 years-old, fulfilling the 2002 the American-European Consensus Group (ACEG) criteria or 2016 the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) criteria for pSS, or 1999 proposed Juvenile pSS criteria, were included. Electronic medical records of pSS from 2013 to 2020 were collected and analyzed.
Results
39 patients were included. Of them, 27 (69.2%), 38 (97.4%) and 35 (89.7%) patients fulfilled the AECG criteria, ACR/EULAR criteria and proposal juvenile pSS criteria. The female: male ratio was 3.9:1. Median age at first signs or symptoms and at diagnosis were 9.2 (4.7, 14.5) years and 10.9 (6.3, 15.0) years. The main clinical manifestations were rash or purpura (20, 51.3%), followed by fever (12, 30.8%), glandular enlargement/recurrent parotitis (10, 25.6%), and dry mouth and/or dry eyes (9, 23.1%). 28 (56.4%) patients existed systemic damage, the most common was hematological involvement (14, 35.9%), followed by hepatic (13, 33.3%) and renal involvement (8, 20.5%). 38 (97.4%) patients preformed labial minor salivary gland biopsy, all exhibited focal lymphocytic sialadenitis. All patients had global ESSDAI score ≥ 1 at diagnosis, the median total score at diagnosis was 7 (2, 27). 36 (92.3%) patients followed up at a median time of 23.6 (7.9, 79.5) months, three patients developed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at follow-up time of 13.3, 38.8 and 63.8 months, separately.
Conclusions
The presentation of childhood-onset pSS is atypical, extraglandular manifestations and systemic involvements were more common. Labial salivary gland biopsy is vital for probable patients. Some patients may develop SLE over time.
How Thermal Fluctuations Influence the Function of the FeMo-cofactor in Nitrogenase Enzymes
Authors: Li Wan-Lu , Li Yong , Li Jun , Head-Gordon Teresa
Published: August 2022

The catalytic mechanism of N2 fixation by nitrogenase has been discussed over decades, but still remains unresolved in how the strong N≡N bond is activated and why the reaction requires the reductive elimination of H2. In this work, we use two different levels of Density Functional Theory (DFT) while also considering the influence of statistical fluctuations from finite temperature ab initio molecular dynamics to elucidate the functional mechanism of the complete nitrogenase catalytic cycle. Over the accumulation of four reducing equivalents we show that protons and electrons transfer to the FeMo-cofactor to weaken and break the Fe-S bond that then exposes the Fe coordination sites to physisorb the N2 molecule. Remarkably, we find that subsequent H2 formation is responsible for chemical activation to an N=N double bond (up to 0.09 Å elongation) with a low barrier (< 5 kcal/mol) to H2 release. This greatly eases the hydrogenation step to NH3 with furtherH2S consumption, completing the catalytic cycle of N2 + 8H+ + 8e- → 2NH3 + H2. This work helps explain why H2 formation is an obligatory and essential step in N2 adsorption and activation, insight that will inform the design of molecular catalysts and other N2 reduction reactions.
Žensko suučesništvo
Authors: Maskalan Ana
Published: August 2022

U ovom će radu biti riječi o ženskom suučesništvu ili sudjelovanju žena u onim radnjama koje za izravnu ili neizravnu posljedicu imaju smanjenje sloboda i prava drugih žena. Žensko je suučesništvo među prvima spomenula Simone de Beauvoir koja je u knjizi Drugi spol opisala fenomen ženskog sudjelovanja u nepravednim patrijarhalnim praksama, sugerirajući pritom postojanje pasivnog (prisilnog, nenamjernog) i aktivnog (namjernog) suučesništva. Koristeći se teorijom kolektivnog suučesništva Christophera Kutza te nadogradnjom Briana Lawsona u nastavku se validnost pojma ženskog suučesništva provjerava na odabranim primjerima anti-ženskog djelovanja navedenog u radovima feminističkih teoretičarki. Iako su potonje o ženskom suučesništvu govorile u kontekstu ženske samo-objektifikacije, kućanskog rada i političkog djelovanja na desnici, zaključak je ovoga rada da se u samo posljednjem slučaju može govoriti o aktivnom, a onda i jedinom feministički i politički relevantnom ženskom suučesništvu.
La analogía como estrategia en la enseñanza de la evolución biológica
Authors: Sanabria-Totaitive Inés Andrea , Arango-Martínez Angie Viviana
Published: August 2022

La enseñanza y el aprendizaje de la evolución biológica es un factor que presenta diversas dificultades. Sin embargo, es fundamental que los estudiantes comprendan los procesos orientados al origen de las diferentes especies. En este sentido, este artículo presenta los resultados de un estudio cualitativo en el que participaron 37 estudiantes de Noveno Grado de una Institución Educativa del Meta - Colombia, donde se utilizó la estrategia de analogía para enseñar el concepto de evolución biológica. Para ello, se elaboró una unidad didáctica desde el Modelo Didáctico Analógico (MDA) mediada por la pregunta, la cual comprendió tres momentos: representación y conceptualización del análogo, presentación del tópico y correlación analógica, y aplicación de los conocimientos adquiridos, cada fase con diferentes actividades. Los resultados develaron la importancia de utilizar las analogías y promover su construcción con los participantes; además, se evidenció un acercamiento hacia los conceptos relacionados con la evolución biológica, aunque en sus explicaciones predominó la teleología. Esta no siempre debe considerarse como obstáculo, pero sí se debe fomentar el enfoque “causa evolutiva” y no el de finalidad a lo largo del MDA. Por último, según la revisión bibliográfica, este estudio presenta aspectos novedosos para la enseñanza de la evolución biológica.
Formación ciudadana en Colombia: balance de la cuestión, retos y tensiones
Authors: Gómez-Barrera Andrés
Published: August 2022

A la institución escolar colombiana se le ha entregado la responsabilidad de convertir sus espacios en escenarios de participación, inclusión y paz, con el objetivo de formar sujetos capaces de incorporarse al orden social, económico y político contemporáneo en calidad de ciudadanos. El artículo de reflexión, producto del trabajo doctoral titulado “Formación ciudadana: apropiación y reproducción en la escuela Colombia”, indaga por las tensiones que se producen entre los discursos de ciudadanía y su puesta en práctica en el escenario escolar. Parte de la hipótesis de que la formación ciudadana en Colombia se sustenta en una serie de supuestos derivados de la Constitución Política de 1991, que poco responden a contextos concretos de la realidad del país. En esta medida, los discursos asociados a la formación ciudadana terminan replicando el imaginario de un ciudadano que se manifiesta en un marco democrático ideal, produciendo distancias entre lo que debe ser esta formación y su puesta en práctica.
O pensamento crítico, pioneiro e vigoroso da educadora Madalena Freire
Authors: Freire Madalena , Rego Teresa Cristina
Published: August 2022

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Indoor Object Classification System using Neural Networks for Smart Environments
Authors: Afif Mouna , Ayachi Riadh , Atri Mohamed
Published: August 2022

Building new systems used for indoor assistance navigation and wayfinding
in indoor places present a crucial and primary step to contributing to smart indoor
environments. Indoor objects recognition and classification using deep neural networks
(DNNs) present very powerful tools to assist blind and sighted persons during their
indoor navigation. This chapter proposes to develop a new indoor assistance navigation
system using deep convolutional neural networks. The proposed system was evaluated
using different types of deep learning-based models. The developed system can be
highly recommended to contribute to a smart environment and to be applied for smart
homes applications. Experiments conducted in this work have shown the efficiency and
the robustness of the developed indoor object classification system. Experiment results
obtained are very competitive in terms of classification rates which come up to 99.9%.
IoT Enabled Smart Village for Sustainable Development
Authors: Veeranna Dankan G. , Boraiah Sridhara S. , Muniyappa Ramesha , Boraiah Manoj K. S. , Narayanappa Devananda S.
Published: August 2022

In recent years, large-scale urbanisation has been on the rise, with cities
being the hubs for growth, but rural business continues to play an important role in any
country's overall development. A recent report reveals that almost 69% of India's
population resides in their villages, accounting for almost 50% of the nation's GDP.
This agricultural region varies from small towns with less than 500 residents to small
towns. There are also similar situations in western nations. Despite their economic
contribution, smaller villages seem to earn less in terms of infrastructural expenditure.
The major problems addressed in these small towns include a shortage of adequate
public transit, emergency care, and limited knowledge of federal subsidies for rural
areas. Our vision is to expand the smart city to the smart village by allowing the use of
recent technical advances and giving more attention to the problems in rural areas. This
chapter aims to bring IoT technology to Villages by literally showing a network of
linked sensors and knowledge dissemination devices, controlling energy use, and
ensuring infrastructure protection. It gives a wide-ranging vision of enhancing the
standard of living in villages and encourages them to meet the essential needs of
domestic villagers
THE ROLE OF CUSTOMER VALUE MEDIATE THE RELATIONSHIP OF MARKETING STRATEGY TO MARKETING PERFORMANCE ON RUBBER FARMERS IN SENTAJO RAYA DISTRICT, KUANTAN SINGINGI REGENCY
Authors: Afifah Maulia Nur , Khaswarina Shorea , Kusumawaty Yeni
Published: August 2022

This study aims to analyze the role of customer value as an intervening variable/mediation of the influence of marketing strategy on the marketing performance of smallholder rubber farmers in Sentajo Raya District, Kuantan Singingi Regency. Sampling in this study was 15% of the population as many as 36 smallholder rubber farmer respondents with each sample must be taken proportionally according to the population in two villages, namely Jalur Patah Village and Parit Teratak Air Hitam Village in Sentajo Raya District. The sampling technique was done by random sampling. The data analysis tool used in this research is SmartPLS 3.0 Sobel test and VAF calculation. The results of this study indicate that the customer value variable cannot mediate the relationship between market strategy and marketing performance. While the customer value variable can mediate the relationship of marketing mix strategy to marketing performance where the role of the mediating effect of customer value is partial mediation of 0.540 or 54.0%.