bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Value of cervical strain in ultrasound elastography as a predictor of spontaneous preterm delivery
Authors: Abdallah Yasmin Essam EL Din Mohamed , Mostafa Yassmen Hassan Ahmed , Gaafar Hassan Moustafa Ismaeil , Hegazy Rania Mohamed Abbas 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Cervical incompetence is a failure of the cervix to retain the products of conception throughout pregnancy, which results into cervical dilatation and preterm delivery. Many methods are conducted for early detection of cervical shortening, ripening and eventually dilatation to lessen the incidence of the preterm delivery, which is responsible for about 75% of neonatal comorbidities. Ultrasound plays an important role in the diagnosis and early detection of cervical incompetence. Elastography is a relatively new technique, which investigates into another important factor for cervical insufficiency which is “tissue stiffness”. The process of early cervical ripening, which is an important and main step in spontaneous preterm delivery, precedes cervical shortening and renders the human cervix soft which can be diagnosed through the color-coding method of the sonoelastography technique. The aim of this study is to determine the value of cervical elastography as a predictor of spontaneous preterm labor and validate the role of strain ratio in such technique.

Results
In our study, we examined the pregnant females by transvaginal conventional B-mode ultrasound and complementary elastography technique and recorded the elastography index of their cervix, internal os and external os together with measuring the amount of strain and strain ratio at internal and external os.

Conclusions
We concluded that women who had preterm delivery did have higher strain and elastography index as their cervices were softer than those who had full-term deliveries. Elastography therefore can be a reliable method for the prediction of preterm delivery.
Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio as a reliable marker to predict pre-clinical retinopathy among type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: El-Tawab Sarah Sayed , Ibrahim Ibrahim Khalil , Megallaa Magdy Helmy , Mgeed Rania Mohamed Abdel , Elemary Wafaa Samir 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Background

Diabetic retinopathy is now recognized as a neurovascular in lieu of a microvascular complication. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) are greatly valuable in detecting early diabetic retinal functional changes before the occurrence of structural damage. Low-grade inflammation plays a fundamental part in the development and progression of retinopathy in diabetics. Detecting diabetic patients with early retinopathy before the occurrence of clinical symptoms provides a window of opportunity to ensure the best prognosis for these eyes. Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has recently been introduced as a novel marker of inflammation in various diseases. Indeed, the presence of a cheap, available, and reliable marker of inflammation that is capable to detect pre-clinical diabetic retinopathy (P-DR) is crucial for early intervention to retard the progression of ocular damage. As far as we know no previous studies investigated the role of NLR in the detection of P-DR. The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of prediction of NLR in detecting pre-clinical retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients.

Results
In this case–control study, VEPs results showed a significant delay in P100 latencies of the patients’ group compared to the control group. According to the VEPs results, the patient group was further subdivided into two: diabetic with VEPs changes (a group with P-DR) and diabetic without VEPs changes. NLR was significantly elevated in patients with P-DR (p < 0.001). NLR cut-off point ≥ 1.97 is able to predict P-DR with 89.29% sensitivity and 84.37% specificity. Linear regression model revealed that NLR is the only independent factor that predicts P-DR. (odds ratio 3.312; 95% confidence interval 1.262–8.696, p = 0.015*.

Conclusions
Visual evoked potentials have an important role to evaluate the visual pathway in diabetics and to diagnose pre-clinical diabetic retinopathy before the occurrence of structural damage. Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio is a reliable marker for the detection of pre-clinical diabetic retinopathy with good sensitivity (89.29%) and specificity (84.37%). Finding a reliable available laboratory test to predict P-DR could be of help to save diabetic patients from serious ocular complications.
Gestational iron deficiency affects the ratio between interneuron subtypes in the postnatal cerebral cortex in mice
Authors: Rudy Michael J. , Salois Garrick , Cubello Janine , Newell Robert , Mayer-Proschel Margot 
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACT
Gestational iron deficiency (gID) is highly prevalent and associated with an increased risk of intellectual and developmental disabilities in affected individuals that are often defined by a disrupted balance of excitation and inhibition (E/I) in the brain. Using a nutritional mouse model of gID, we previously demonstrated a shift in the E/I balance towards increased inhibition in the brains of gID offspring that was refractory to postnatal iron supplementation. We thus tested whether gID affects embryonic progenitor cells that are fated towards inhibitory interneurons. We quantified relevant cell populations during embryonic inhibitory neuron specification and found an increase in the proliferation of Nkx2.1+ interneuron progenitors in the embryonic medial ganglionic eminence at E14 that was associated with increased Shh signaling in gID animals at E12. When we quantified the number of mature inhibitory interneurons that are known to originate from the MGE, we found a persistent disruption of differentiated interneuron subtypes in early adulthood. Our data identify a cellular target that links gID with a disruption of cortical interneurons which play a major role in the establishment of the E/I balance.
Mallard landing behavior on water follows a -constant braking strategy
Authors: Whitehead John G. , Worrell Terrell , Socha John J. 
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACT
Many flying animals use optic flow to control their flight. During landing maneuvers, pigeons, hummingbirds, bats, Draco lizards and bees use the -constant braking strategy. This strategy regulates the approach by keeping the ratio of distance to an object and the rate of change of that distance constant. In keeping this ratio, , constant, a variety of deceleration profiles can lead to different collision avoidance behaviors. The landing behaviors listed above all qualify as controlled collisions, where the animal is decelerating into the object. We examined whether the same regulatory strategy is employed by mallards when landing on water. Video of mallard landing behavior was recorded at a local pond and digitized. Kinematic and τ parameters were calculated for each landing (N=177). The Pearson correlation coefficient for τ with respect to time to land was 0.99±0.02, indicating mallards employ a controlled-collision strategy. This result implies regulation by the birds to fix as constant while landing (on average, 0.90±0.13). In comparison with other active flyers, mallards use a higher value of when landing (0.775±0.109, 0.710±0.132 and 0.702±0.052 for pigeons, hummingbirds and bats, respectively). This higher may reflect physical differences in substrate from solid to liquid. The higher compliance of water in comparison to a solid substrate may reduce impact forces that could be injurious on a solid substrate, thereby enabling mallards to approach faster and expend less energy for costly, slow flight.
An ultrasound-absorbing inflorescence zone enhances echo-acoustic contrast of bat-pollinated cactus flowers
Authors: Simon Ralph , Matt Felix , Santillán Vinicio , Tschapka Marco , Tuttle Merlin , Halfwerk Wouter 
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACT
Flowering plants have evolved an extraordinary variety of signalling traits to attract their pollinators. Most flowers rely on visual and chemical signals, but some bat-pollinated plants have evolved passive acoustic floral signals. All known acoustic flower signals rely on the same principle of increased sonar reflectivity. Here, we describe a novel mechanism that relies on increased absorption of the area surrounding the flower. In a bat-pollinated cactus (Espostoa frutescens) we found a hairy inflorescence zone, a so-called cephalium. Flowers solely emerge out of this zone. We measured the echoes of cephalia, flowers and unspecialized column surfaces and recorded echolocation calls of approaching bats. We found that the cephalium acts as a strong ultrasound absorber, attenuating the sound by −14 dB. The absorption was highest around the echolocation call frequencies of approaching bats. Our results indicate that, instead of making flowers more reflective, plants can also evolve structures to attenuate the background echo, thereby enhancing the acoustic contrast with the target.
Crows protect visual working memory against interference
Authors: Wagener Lysann , Rinnert Paul , Veit Lena , Nieder Andreas 
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACTWorking memory, the ability to actively maintain and manipulate information across time, is key to intelligent behavior. Because of the limited capacity of working memory, relevant information needs to be protected against distracting representations. Whether birds can resist distractors and safeguard memorized relevant information is unclear. We trained carrion crows in a delayed match-to-sample task to memorize an image while resisting other, interfering stimuli. We found that the repetition of the sample stimulus during the memory delay improved performance accuracy and accelerated reaction time relative to a reference condition with a neutral interfering stimulus. In contrast, the presentation of the image that constituted the subsequent non-match test stimulus mildly weakened performance. However, the crows' robust performance in this most demanding distractor condition indicates that sample information was actively protected from being overwritten by the distractor. These data show that crows can cognitively control and safeguard behaviorally relevant working memory contents.
Tracking Body Composition Change with Weight Loss by BIA and DXA in Female Adolescent Runners: A Validation Study
Authors: Uchiyama Eriko , Kinoshita Norimitsu , Okuyama Kenta 
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACTIntroduction/PurposeMonitoring percent body fat (%fat) is important for optimizing nutrition for balanced health and performance in adolescent female runners. We studied the effectiveness of segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (S-MFBIA) for tracking seasonal changes in body composition among competitive female adolescent runners.MethodsWe compared the body compositions of 25 female runners (15.0 ± 0.2 yr old) analyzed using S-MFBIA, using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as a reference, in preparatory (PRE) and competitive (CMP) seasons. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to calculate associations between S-MFBIA and DXA. Pairedt-test was used to compare PRE with CMP. Alpha level was corrected to 0.0023 using the Bonferroni method. Bland–Altman analysis was used to evaluate agreement between the methods.ResultsThe runners gained a significant amount of fat-free mass (FFM) but lost %fat and weight from PRE to CMP (37.3–39.1 kg, 19.7%–12.7%, and 47.1–44.8 kg, respectively). Body composition variables measured by S-MFBIA and DXA were significantly correlated (r= 0.61–0.96) with respect to PRE, CMP, and longitudinal changes from PRE to CMP. S-MFBIA underestimated %fat (−1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), −2.7 to −0.7 percentage points (pp)) and fat mass (FM; −0.7; 95% CI, −1.2 to −0.3 kg), but overestimated FFM (1.1; 95% CI, 0.6 to 1.5 kg) against DXA in PRE. No systematic errors were detected in CMP. In longitudinal evaluation, S-MFBIA underestimated decreases in %fat (1.2; 95% CI, 0.3 to 2.1 pp) and FM (0.5; 95% CI, 0.1 to 0.9 kg) and increases in FFM (−1.0; 95% CI, −1.4 to −0.6 kg). The limits of agreement were −3.0 to 5.4 pp, −1.4 to 2.4 kg, and −3.0 to 1.0 kg, respectively.ConclusionsAlthough small systematic errors might not hinder the use of S-MFBIA for group-based analysis, large random errors relative to the size of measurement limit its ability to accurately monitor the individual body composition of competitive female adolescent runners over a weight loss period.
DYNAMICS OF CHEMICALS IN RIVER BOTTOM SEDIMENTS ON THE TERRITORIES IMPACTED BY THE OIL INDUSTRY
Authors: Aleksandrova Viktoria V. , Ivanov Vyacheslav B. , Tsyganova Vladislavna I. 
Published: February 2023

Background. Two thirds of all oil reserves of the Russian Federation are concentrated on the territory of Western Siberia. Field work, production and distribution of petroleum products at the oil and gas field are the main reasons for the negative impact on the ecosystems of the northern territories.
Purpose. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the chemical pollution dynamics of the rivers’ bottom sediments in the Middle Ob region, the region of the Samotlor field.
Materials and methods. Based on the chemical analysis of the sediment samples, concentrations and total values of the following chemical elements were determined: manganese, copper, nickel, lead, chromium, zinc, iron sulfate ions, chloride ions, petroleum products, mercury. Based on the results of long-term studies of the chemical analysis dynamics of the bottom sediments in the Ob, Agan, and Vakh rivers, a correlation and regression analysis of the studied indicators was carried out.
Results. The results of the correlation analysis suggest the existence of negative and positive correlations in the studied indicators. Regression analysis of the migration of chemical elements in sediment samples during the study period shows significant fluctuations in the total concentration of chemical elements in sediments, but there is a general tendency to decrease their concentration in sediments.
Conclusion. Analyzing the ecological state of the studied rivers by the quality of bottom sediments, in general, we can conclude that they are in stable condition. During the study period, there has been a positive dynamics in the concentration of chemical elements in bottom sediments.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CEREBRAL ENERGY METABOLISM IN ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH IMPAIRED COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS
Authors: Lisova Nadezhda A. , Chereneva Elena A. , Shilov Sergey N. , Nikiforova Nadezhda V. 
Published: February 2023

Background. In old age, there is a change in personality, behavior and the rate of cognitive processes due to age-related changes in the central nervous system. Therefore, there is a need to identify those neurophysiological predictors that may indicate the development of pathology or indicate normal aging.
Purpose. Investigate the features of cerebral energy metabolism in elderly people (60+) with cognitive impairments of varying severity.
Materials and methods. The study involved 30 people aged 60 to 85 years with mild and pronounced manifestations of cognitive impairment. The study of the level of cognitive decline was conducted using the Montreal Cognitive Function Assessment Scale (MoCA). To identify the level of neurometabolic activity of the brain, the method of neuroenergocarting (NEC) was used. The levels of brain activation and functional state were determined by the method of dynamic omegametry.
Results. In the group of people with moderate cognitive impairments, there was exceeding the level of constant potentials of the brain by 2-3 times compared with the normative values, a rigid reaction to the load, a delayed recovery of indicators in the post-loading period. It can be concluded that all patients have hypoxic changes accompanied by acidification of brain tissue and oxidative stress. In the group with severe cognitive deficits, there is a general decrease in neuroenergy exchange and activation of the cerebral cortex, which indicates the depletion of the reserve adaptive mechanisms of the nervous system.
Conclusion. Thus, pronounced changes in indicators of neurometabolism and brain activity were revealed in elderly people with a decrease in cognitive functions. The data obtained can be used to diagnose the initial manifestations of dementia in old age and to develop therapeutic and preventive measures.
PARTICULAR FEATURES OF ROOT CANAL FILLING IN TEETH WITH RESORBED APICAL OPENING NEAR THE MANDIBULAR CANAL
Authors: Marugina Tatyana L. , Kiprin Dmitry V. , Levenets Anatolij A. , Cherevatenko Anna I. 
Published: February 2023

When filling root canals of teeth with apical resorption near the mandibular canal, there is a risk that the material will go beyond the apex into the region of mandibular canal, which can lead to serious damage to the innervation of this area. In most cases, modern approaches and technologies in endodontics allow to achieve the formation of dentinal plug in the resorption area, thus minimizing the risk of traumatization of the patient.
Background. Improving efficiency of endodontic treatment of teeth with apical resorption in the region of mandibular canal.
Materials and methods. 56 patients aged between 18 and 45 years were examined. All patients had clinical signs of mandibular endodontic treatment failure with a dark radiolucent focus in the region of the apex, which bordered the mandibular canal. Radiological indicators and quality of obturation were assessed on the basis of CBCT, the presence of dentinal bridge was assessed visually using a dental microscope and an apical hermetic test. The results were evaluated after 4, 6, 12, and 24 months.
Results. After 16 weeks of treatment, more than 70% of apical barrier formation occurred in groups 1 and 2, which allowed us to perform a quality permanent obturation without excessive risks of complications.
Conclusion. The use of a dental microscope in conjunction with modern endodontic techniques in the treatment of teeth with apical resorption can significantly reduce the treatment time, thereby improving the quality of treatment of patients with this pathology.
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF TERRITORIES ASIAN RUSSIA
Authors: Ivanova Sembrika N. , Tulohonov Arnold K. 
Published: February 2023

Introduction. In the regions of Asian Russia, there are problems and contradictions in the development of the social sphere, differentiation of urban and rural settlements in terms of infrastructure provision, transport accessibility. Achieving social sustainability of the territories of Asian Russia is the most important condition for the long-term crisis-free development of these territories, maintaining national security and ensuring the national interests of the country.
Purpose of the study was to develop and test a methodology for assessing the social sustainability of territories, which is both able to present a holistic vision of the situation, and on the other hand, to detail the key problems in terms of their spatial localization.
Materials and methods. The material for the article was the statistical data of the Federal State Statistics Service for 27 territories of Asian Russia. The author’s methodology is based on the calculation of integral indices of social sustainability and involves ranking territories according to the availability of social infrastructure services, social security and the quality of the social environment.
Results. The regions were differentiated according to the integral index of social stability, the purchasing power of wages and GRP per capita. The results of the study showed that, in general, for the regions of North Asia, it is necessary to determine the following as development priorities: health care, the labor market and the security of the social environment, material well-being and demographic development.
The main conclusions and recommendations can be used by various legislative and executive authorities in improving the system for a comprehensive assessment of social sustainability and in developing programs for the socio-economic development of the regions of Asian Russia.
STATE OF REGULATORY MECHANISMS AND VASCULAR PARAMETERS OF FIRST YEAR STUDENTS OF NORTHERN UNIVERSITY WITH DIFFERENT LEVEL OF ADAPTATION RESERVES
Authors: Govorukhina Alyona A. , Novoselova Anna A. , Malkov Oleg A. 
Published: February 2023

The study of the autonomic nervous system parameters and assessment of the adaptive reserves of the students’ organism allows to determine the key markers of changes in the functioning of the cardiovascular system at the prenosological level.
Objective. To estimate regulatory mechanisms and state of vascular system of 1st year students depending on the level of adaptive reserves.
Materials and methods. The total number of 245 freshmen of Surgut State Pedagogical University was examined: 18.3±0.33 years old on average. Heart rate variability at rest and during orthostatic test were measured by cardiointervalography (“VNS-spectrum”, Neurosoft company). We used hardware-software complex “Angioscan-01P” to assess the state of vascular bed. Statistical processing of the obtained data was performed using Statistica 10.0 program.
Results. The results showed that during the active orthostatic test the number of intersex differences in the comparison groups significantly decreased in comparison with the background recording. The parameters describing the state of the vascular bed were the following: central pressure value, vascular age and stress level depending on the level of adaptive reserves.
Conclusion. The adaptation reserves of the organism of 1st year students of the Northern HEI determine the regulatory features of male and female students as well as the value of vascular tone and the age of the vascular system.
PERKEMBANGAN KOGNITIF TOKOH EMMANUEL DALAM KINDERROMAN DIE GESCHICHTEN VON DER GESCHICHTE VOM PINGUIN KARYA CHRISTINE NÖSTLINGER
Authors: Khairunnisa Jasmine , Nurdiawan Indra 
Published: February 2023

This study aims to examine the level of cognitive development and elaborate the factors that influence the level of cognitive development of the figure of Emanuel in the romance Die Geschichten von der Geschichte vom Pinguin by Christine Nöstlinger using Vygotsky's theory of the level of cognitive development. This research is a type of qualitative descriptive research that uses a literary psychology approach. Meanwhile, the instrument in this study is the researcher himself (human instruman). Data collection techniques are carried out by the literature study method and the validity of the data is carried out by validity tests and reliability tests. The results showed that there were two stages of cognitive development experienced by Emanuel's character in Kinderroman Die Geschichten von der Geschichte vom Pinguin, namely the actual developmental stage and the potential developmental stage. The actual stage of development is shown by the way Emanuel's character solves his problems independently, namely being able to deal with penguins independently and find solutions to each problem he faces. The potential stage of development is shown in the way Emanuel's character solves problems with the guidance of adults, namely the characters Emma and Malwine. Meanwhile, the factors that influence the level of cognitive development of Emanuel's character found in the romance Die Geschichten von der Geschichte vom Pinguin are family atmosphere factors, family economic conditions factors and social environment factors.