General Reference Research Articles

Constitutional Foundations and Legal Restrictions on Mass Media Freedom in the Republic of Iraq

This article is based on a research work done on Constitutional foundations and legal restrictions on freedom Mass media in the Republic of Iraq. Freedom of the media is a fundamental issue of democracy, because without freedom of the media there is no civil society or rule of law. Awareness of society is a necessary condition for its economic, political and cultural progress. The crucial role of the media and the danger of abuse of freedom of the press force democratic states to determine the legal status of the media and to regulate their activities. In the domestic scientific literature, the concepts of “freedom of information” and “freedom of mass media” are used in meanings that practically coincide with the meanings in which these concepts are used in the legislation of the Republic of Iraq. Only a general reference is made to the legislation of the Republic of Iraq on the media by which such restrictions are established. That is, the wording of Art. 73 reflect a clear imbalance between constitutionally substantiated rights and obligations of individuals related to the exercise of freedom of the media.

Comparing Mental and Physical Health of Full-Service Sex Workers in the United States to the Health of the General Population in 2019-2020

Introduction: Full-service sex workers (FSSWs) are relatively prevalent in the U.S. and are known to face criminalization, stigma, and other factors relating to poor health. The main aim of this study was compare the mental and physical health of full-service sex workers in the United States in 2019-2020
 Methods: In this prospective cohort study, participants were recruited through national community samples from U.S.-based FSSW advocacy and community organizations. Data were collected from November 2019 to February 2020. The study sample (n=83) included mostly of the white (81.9%), cisgender females (66.3%), who were relatively young (28.01 [4.25]), and identified as a sexual minority (57.8%). Participants completed an online survey on mental (e.g., depression, anxiety) and physical (e.g., sleep, fatigue) health, using the patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS-29). Mean (SD) and Frequency (%) were used for description and for data analysis z-tests in SPSS version 27 with 5% significant level were used.
 Results: The sample of FSSWs reported significantly poorer health in all health domains compared to the U.S. general population reference indices. FSSWs showed higher levels of depression (p <.001), anxiety (p <.001), fatigue (p <.001), sleep difficulties (p <.001), lower levels of physical functioning (p <.001) and the ability to participate in social activities (p =.03) compared with the U.S. reference indices.
 Conclusions: FSSWs experience significant mental and physical health disparities compared to general population. the need for further investigation of the social-ecological determinants of health for members of this marginalized community, many of whom are known to face health inequities.

A Robust Reference Path Selection Method for Path Planning Algorithm

In this letter, a general robust reference path selection method (RPSM) that can be integrated into current existing motion planning algorithms is proposed to improve the mobile performance of autonomous patrol robots. The proposed RPSM maintains a dynamic array of path candidates that contains newly found paths, optimal historical paths, and hybrid paths that incorporate local trajectories. All these candidates will be evaluated in a unified criterion, and the best path with the minimal cost will be presented for trajectory tracking, ensuring the consistency and smoothness of the actual motion. Experiments with two different kinds of robots in various scenarios confirm that RPSM enriches the diversity and robustness of reference paths, and improves the execution efficiency by significantly reducing the average actual trajectory distance, orientation change, and total execution time, with an acceptable extra computational cost in comparison to the corresponding original hybrid A* algorithm.

A protocol for screening potentially invasive non-native species using Weed Risk Assessment-type decision-support tools

There is increasing use worldwide of electronic decision-support tools to identify potentially invasive non-native species so as to inform policy and management decisions aimed at preventing or mitigating the environmental and socio-economic impacts of biological invasions. This study reviews the analytical approaches used to calibrate scores generated by the Weed Risk Assessment and subsequent adaptations thereof and provides a protocol for: (i) the identification of the assessor(s) who will carry out the screenings; (ii) the definition of the risk assessment area; (iii) the criteria for selection of the species for screening; and (iv) the a priori categorisation of the species into invasive or non-invasive necessary to compute the thresholds by which to distinguish between high-risk and medium-risk non-native species. This analytical approach represents an evidence-based and statistically robust means with which to inform decision-makers and stakeholders about policy and management of potentially invasive species and is expected to serve as a general reference of forthcoming screening applications of Weed Risk Assessment-type toolkits.

Photoelectrochemical biosensing of leukemia gene based on CdS/AuNPs/FeOOH Z-scheme heterojunction and a facile reflective device

A new Z-scheme heterojunction of CdS/Au nanoparticles (AuNPs)/FeOOH was constructed on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) electrode for photoelectrochemical biosensing of leukemia gene fragment b3a2, where FeOOH was modified on FTO by hydrothermal synthesis, AuNPs were cathodically deposited on the FeOOH/FTO electrode, and CdS quantum dots were cast-coated on the AuNPs/FeOOH/FTO electrode. Thioglycolic acid was then cast-coated on the CdS/AuNPs/FeOOH/FTO electrode to tether a hairpin DNA (hDNA) by EDC/NHS coupling. The target DNA (tDNA, b3a2) can open the hDNA to form a G-tetrad, further forming a DNAzyme with chlorohemin. In the presence of H2O2, the horseradish peroxidase-like DNAzyme can catalyze the oxidation of 4-chloro-1-naphthol to form an insoluble precipitate. The anodic photocurrent in the presence of ascorbic acid was inhibited by the precipitate, and the tDNA was thus quantitatively analyzed, with a semilogarithmic linear detection range from 0.1 fM to 5 nM and a limit of detection of 33 aM (S/N = 3). A new, simple and efficient reflective device by covering the photoelectrochemical cell outer-walls with a Sn foil was used to improve the utilization of incident light for enhanced biosensing, which may be of some general reference value for photoelectrochemical analysis.

Outcomes in growth hormone-treated Noonan syndrome children: impact of PTPN11 mutation status.

IntroductionMutations in PTPN11 are associated with Noonan syndrome (NS). Although the effectiveness of growth hormone therapy (GHT) in treating short stature due to NS has been previously demonstrated, the effect of PTPN11 mutation status on the long-term outcomes of GHT remains to be elucidated.MethodsThis analysis included pooled data from the observational American Norditropin Studies: Web-Enabled Research Program (NCT01009905) and the randomized, double-blinded GHLIQUID-4020 clinical trial (NCT01927861). Pediatric patients with clinically diagnosed NS and confirmed PTPN11mutation status were eligible for inclusion. The effectiveness analysis included patients who were GHT-naïve and pre-pubertal at GHT start. Growth outcomes and safety were assessed over 4 years of GHT (Norditropin®, Novo Nordisk A/S).ResultsA total of 69 patients were included in the effectiveness analysis (71% PTPN11 positive). The proportion of females was 32.7 and 30.0% in PTPN11-positive and negative patients, respectively, and mean age at GHT start was 6.4 years in both groups. Using general population reference data, after 4 years of GHT, the mean (s.d.) height SD score (HSDS) was −1.9 (1.1) and −1.7 (0.8) for PTPN11-positive and PTPN11-negative patients, respectively, with no statistical difference observed between groups. The mean (s.d.) change in HSDS at 4 years was +1.3 (0.8) in PTPN11-positive patients and +1.5 (0.7) in PTPN11-negative patients (no significant differences between groups). Safety findings were consistent with previous analyses.ConclusionsGHT resulted in improved growth outcomes over 4 years in GHT-naïve, pre-pubertal NS patients, irrespective of PTPN11 mutation status.

Catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass for bio-oil production: A review

Catalytic pyrolysis has been widely explored for bio-oil production from lignocellulosic biomass owing to its high feasibility and large-scale production potential. The aim of this review was to summarize recent findings on bio-oil production through catalytic pyrolysis using lignocellulosic biomass as feedstock. Lignocellulosic biomass, structural components and fundamentals of biomass catalytic pyrolysis were explored and summarized. The current status of bio-oil yield and quality from catalytic fast pyrolysis was reviewed and presented in the current review. The potential effects of pyrolysis process parameters, including catalysts, pyrolysis conditions, reactor types and reaction modes on bio-oil production are also presented. Techno-economic analysis of full-scale commercialization of bio-oil production through the catalytic pyrolysis pathway was reviewed. Further, limitations associated with current practices and future prospects of catalytic pyrolysis for production of high-quality bio-oils were summarized. This review summarizes the process of bio-oil production from catalytic pyrolysis and provides a general scientific reference for further studies.

Defining the Pre-Eruptive States of Active Volcanoes for Improving Eruption Forecasting

A crucial feature to manage a volcanic crisis is the ability of volcanologists to promptly detect an impending eruption. This is often affected by significant uncertainty, mainly for the difficulty in interpreting the monitoring signals in terms of the exact timing of a possible eruption. Here we contribute to this problem, focusing on the states of active volcanoes with closed conduit, as deduced from monitoring data. Four main states can be identified. In the quiescence state 1) the monitoring data lie on a baseline, suggesting the lack of shallow magma/fluid movement. The unrest state is highlighted by minor 2) to major 3) variations in the intensity and rate of monitoring data; in both cases, radial ground deformation pattern and non-migrating seismicity imply shallow magma and/or fluid accumulation. The state of impending eruption 4) is characterised by non-radial, asymmetric ground deformation pattern and migrating seismicity, which suggest that magma approaches the surface through a propagating dyke. As early recognition of this distinctive state is crucial for timely eruption forecast, monitoring activity should be aimed at its prompt detection. The application of this rationale to two types of active volcanoes in densely inhabited areas, a restless caldera (Campi Flegrei) and a quiescent stratovolcano (Vesuvio), highlights its feasibility and importance in eruption forecasting. This rationale may foster a general reference framework to be adopted in case of unrest, supporting in interpreting the monitoring data, as well as more effective: 1) operationally-oriented, monitoring system; 2) probabilistic forecast; 3) use of volcanic alert levels.

The Archaeology of the Bronze Age Levant: From Urban Origins to the Demise of City-States, 3700–1000 BCE

The Archaeology of the Bronze Age Levant: From Urban Origins to the Demise of City-States, 3700–1000 BCE

The Issue of Consumer Welfare in the Government Complaints against Google & Facebook

Although the Consumer Welfare doctrine has served as an important feature of antitrust liability since the 1980s, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have downplayed this factor in their respective Google and amended Facebook complaints. Each complaint makes a general reference to this issue, but with few detailed factual allegations. A complicating factor is that the defendants have gained dominant market positions by providing valuable digital services at little or no direct charge to consumers. In this paper, we emphasize that the services offered by the two platforms embody quality as well as price dimensions, both of which can affect consumers positively. Indeed, quality product dimensions may become even more important to consumers in a zero price environment. We construct a simple economic model using privacy as a significant quality attribute through which these issues can be explored, and then draw some appropriate policy conclusions.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study of Incidence Rate and Patients' Concerns.

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is imperative to focus on the concerns of patients with chronic diseases regarding the influence of such conditions and medications prescribed for this purpose on their susceptibility to COVID-19 and its severity. This study aimed to evaluate COVID-19 incidence rate, patients' concerns, sources of information, and medication compliance in a cohort of patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 214 confirmed cases of IBD were followed up within 8 months up to December 20, 2020. In the confirmed cases of COVID-19, the interviews were repeated 3 months later to assess the post-COVID-19 symptoms and conditions. RESULTS: Among 214 patients with IBD, 113 cases (52.8%) were female, and 169 individuals (79%) were suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC). The mean±SD scores of commitment to standard preventive guidance on COVID-19 were 81.6±19. Moreover, 147 patients (69%) had further stated at least one critical apprehension. The main sources of their information on COVID-19 were physicians (n=89, 41.5%) and websites (n=71, 33.1%). In addition, 10 patients with IBD were diagnosed as confirmed cases of COVID-19, one of them expired due to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). CONCLUSION: The incidence of COVID-19 in the cohort of the patients with IBD in this study was broadly comparable to the general reference population. Tight adherence to physical distancing, and if possible, encouragements of patients with IBD to do remote work along with the provision of virtual care to them cannot be overemphasized. Physicians and websites can also play crucial roles in providing accurate information to patients affected with IBD, especially in terms of reassurances for medication compliance.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Among Individuals With Symptomatic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Our aim was to describe the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other gastrointestinal symptoms in a sample of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to examine the relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms, PTSD severity, depression severity, and number of prior traumatic events reported. IBS and PTSD can co-occur; yet, little research has focused on describing the gastrointestinal symptoms and prevalence of IBS among veterans with PTSD. We examined baseline data from a randomized clinical trial of behavioral interventions for veterans with PTSD. Veterans completed questionnaires assessing gastrointestinal symptoms (Gastrointestinal Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Information Systems; PROMIS) and lifetime traumatic events. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to examine associations between gastrointestinal symptoms and the number of prior traumas reported PTSD severity, and depression symptom severity. One hundred eighty-four veterans with a diagnosis of PTSD were included. Twenty-five percent met the Rome III criteria for IBS. Veterans reported gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal/belly pain (36%), diarrhea (21%), constipation (18%), and bloating/gas (17%). In multivariable analyses, greater PTSD severity was associated with worse constipation ( P =0.008), diarrhea ( P =0.005), and gas/bloating ( P =0.001) when controlling for age and sex. Higher levels of depressive symptoms severity were associated with greater abdominal/belly pain ( P =0.04). Among a sample of veterans with PTSD, rates of IBS and abdominal/belly pain are greater than general US population reference values. Although levels of constipation and bloating/gas are lower than general US population reference values, increased severity of PTSD was associated with increased gastrointestinal symptoms.

Anorectal dysfunction in adults with spina bifida and associated socio-emotional factors-a retrospective, cross-sectional cohort study.

Retrospective, cross-sectional study. To investigate prevalence, types, and severity of fecal incontinence (FI) and constipation in adults with spina bifida (SB), in relation to self-perception and help-seeking, and to compare findings to data from a general population reference group. University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), the Netherlands. The 294 adults with SB registered at UMCG in 2017 were invited to participate. The Groningen Defecation and Fecal Continence Questionnaire was used to assess functional outcomes for FI and constipation using Rome IV criteria. Vaizey (for FI) and Agachan (for constipation) scores were determined. Socio-demographic factors and self-perception of bowel-related problems were recorded through the questionnaire. Data were compared with an age and sex matched reference group. The completed questionnaires of 112 (38%) responding participants were analyzed. FI and constipation were more prevalent in the study group (35% and 45%, respectively) than in the reference group (8.9% and 22%, respectively). In general, in participants with SB aperta (SBA; n = 75), FI was more severe than in participants with SB occulta (SBO; n = 37). However, severity of FI was higher in SBO participants than in the SBA group after the age of 61. Bowel problems in adults with SB were associated with worse self-perception regarding health. In adults with SB, anorectal dysfunction is often present and severe. Older persons with SBO experience more severe FI than in early age. Bowel problems should systematically and more adequately be addressed and controlled throughout adulthood in both the spina bifida groups.

A parametric approach to relaxing the independence assumption in relative survival analysis.

With known cause of death (CoD), competing risk survival methods are applicable in estimating disease-specific survival. Relative survival analysis may be used to estimate disease-specific survival when cause of death is either unknown or subject to misspecification and not reliable for practical usage. This method is popular for population-based cancer survival studies using registry data and does not require CoD information. The standard estimator is the ratio of all-cause survival in the cancer cohort group to the known expected survival from a general reference population. Disease-specific death competes with other causes of mortality, potentially creating dependence among the CoD. The standard ratio estimate is only valid when death from disease and death from other causes are independent. To relax the independence assumption, we formulate dependence using a copula-based model. Likelihood-based parametric method is used to fit the distribution of disease-specific death without CoD information, where the copula is assumed known and the distribution of other cause of mortality is derived from the reference population. We propose a sensitivity analysis, where the analysis is conducted across a range of assumed dependence structures. We demonstrate the utility of our method through simulation studies and an application to French breast cancer data.

General and Efficient C–P Bond Formation by Quantum Dots and Visible Light

General and Efficient C–P Bond Formation by Quantum Dots and Visible Light

Factors Associated with Treatment Failure for Microscopy-positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis at the General Reference Hospital of Beni (DR Congo) between 2010 and 2020: Case-control Study

Introduction: Failure to treat microscopy-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (MPT+) poses a risk to public health through the spread of infection and could be a gateway to anti-tuberculosis drug resistance. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of PMT+ TB patients with treatment failure, to measure the degree of association between the various factors and TB treatment failure, and to formulate recommendations for improving NTP activities.
 Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study conducted from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2020 at the CDTMR of the General Referral Hospital of Beni. The cases are patients treated for PMT+ and who had a therapeutic failure. Three controls for each case were selected among patients with PMT+ who were declared cured. Data analysis was performed using Epi-Info version 3.5.3 for Windows.
 Results: 128 patients were included in the study. 32 patients were treatment failures. The mean age of cases and controls was 42 years (+/- 14), the M/F sex ratio was 31 and 2.4 in cases and controls respectively, urban residents accounted for 90.3% and 83.2% in cases and controls respectively. Bivariate analysis showed a significant association between treatment failure and weight loss at first control (OR=1.55), non-decrease in bacillary density at first control (OR=25.5) and treatment discontinuation (OR=20.5). After adjustment, weight loss of 1 kg (adjusted OR=1.92), no decrease in BAAR density (adjusted OR=8.30) and treatment discontinuation (adjusted OR=12.2) remained significantly associated with treatment failure.
 Conclusion: Active surveillance should be instituted in TB patients with PMT+ who present at first check-up with weight loss, non-decrease in bacillary density on direct examination and/or a notion of treatment discontinuation.

Incidence of Revenue generated by the Sale of drugs on Overall Hospital Revenue, case of the Kabondo General Reference Hospital in Kisangani (DRC)

The study looked at the impact of revenue generated by the sale of drugs on the overall revenue of a public hospital, the case of the Kabondo General Reference Hospital from 2018 to 2020. The objectives were to determine the sources of financing of the Kabondo General Reference Hospital and to identify the impact of revenue generated by the sale of medicines on the overall revenue of this health establishment. We opted for an inductive approach based on documentary analysis and supported by the linear correlation technique, which essentially concerned the hospital's overall revenue, from which we identified the impact of revenue generated by the sale of drugs. The main sources of funding for the Kabondo General Reference Hospital include: medical services (US$227,006.47), sale of drugs (US$68,323.04), operating subsidy (US$56,358.40) and other income (US$22,584.92). The revenue impact of drug sales at Kabondo General Referral Hospital from 2018 to 2020 is 18.3%. The financing of the hospital is either internal or external and the functioning of the Kabondo General Reference Hospital depends mainly on internal financing, as state subsidies and partner support are not significant. The sale of medicines is the second source of internal funding for the hospital.

Fertility treatment and breast-cancer incidence: meta-analysis.

BackgroundThe significance of exogenous hormone manipulation as part of fertility treatment and its relationship to the development of breast cancer remains uncertain. Several historical reviews have been performed with conflicting results. This study is an updated meta-analysis to determine whether there is a causal relationship between different fertility treatments and breast cancer.MethodsThe study report is based on the guidelines of PRISMA and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology. Studies published within the last 20 years were included to reflect up to date in vitro fertilization (IVF) practice. This study was prospectively registered on PROSPERO on 07/04/2021, registration identification CRD42021247706. The primary outcome of the study was to determine whether there is an increased incidence of breast cancer in women treated with hormonal fertility treatment. The secondary outcomes were to determine whether fertility treatments were individually associated with excess breast-cancer risk.ResultsOverall, 25 studies, including 617 479 participants, were eligible for inclusion. There was no significant breast-cancer risk association with fertility treatment (compared with general and subfertility reference groups). Summary odds ratio of all included studies was 0.97 (95 per cent c.i. 0.90 to 1.04). Women who received six or more IVF cycles did not have an increased risk of breast cancer. Similarly, there was no excess breast-cancer risk associated with clomiphene, human chorionic gonadotropin, gonadotropin analogues and progesterone when examined individually. Comparably, there was no significant association between fertility treatment and excess breast-cancer risk in patients with more than 10 years’ follow-up. Summary odds ratio was 0.97 (95 per cent c.i. 0.85 to 1.12).ConclusionThis meta-analysis did not find a significant association between fertility treatments and excess breast-cancer risk. Women considering IVF should be informed that it does not appear to increase breast-cancer risk.

POSB380 General Population Reference Values for the Promis Global Health in Hungary

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health, also referred to as PROMIS Global-10, is a generic health status measure that has two subscales capturing physical and mental health. This study aimed to (1) develop Hungarian reference values for the PROMIS Global Health instrument and to (2) compare the results with the Dutch and US reference values.

Illegal use of fertilized eggs outside the womb (A comparative study)

Illegal use of fertilized eggs outside the womb (A comparative study)