bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Nobody disappears. People don’t just disappear”: Repetition and negation as dialogic devices in Caryl Phillips’s “Northern Lights”
Authors: Tunca Daria
Published: April 2020

This article investigates the literary significance of two linguistic devices, repetition and negation, in the fictionalized biography “Northern Lights” by British-Caribbean writer Caryl Phillips, a narrative that focuses on David Oluwale, a Nigerian immigrant to the UK who died as a result of police violence in Leeds in 1969. To recount Oluwale’s story, “Northern Lights” uses a non-linear structure that juxtaposes stylistically diverse material such as eyewitness testimonies, a history of the city of Leeds, administrative documents, and passages featuring an authorial figure who apostrophizes the dead Oluwale. Analysing linguistic patterns found within and across these different textual segments, this article argues that repetition and negation play a key role in generating forms of dialogism that, in turn, implicitly indicate how “Northern Lights” positions itself towards Oluwale and his controversial story. From a more broadly methodological perspective, the article seeks to advance knowledge of how negation and repetition, when jointly studied as pragmatic phenomena, can impact literary strategies of characterization and reinforce a text’s poetic effects.
The relative roles of skill and luck within 11 different golfer populations
Authors: Rendleman Jr. Richard J.
Published: April 2020

Drawing on the golf-related example of regression to the mean as presented by Kahneman in his best-selling book, Thinking Fast and Slow, this study shows how the regression-to-the-mean phenomenon is revealed in first- and second-round scoring in 11 different golfer populations, ranging from golfers with the highest level of skill (professional golfers on the PGA TOUR) to amateur groups of much lower skill. Using the mathematics of truncated normal distributions, the study introduces a new method for estimating the mix between variation in scoring due to differences in player skill and that due to luck. Estimates of the skill/luck mix are very close to those obtained using the regression-based methodology of Morrison and are nearly identical to those implied by fixed effects regression models where fixed player and round effects are estimated simultaneously. The study also sheds light on the “paradox of skill,” originally suggested by Gould and developed further by Mauboussin, as it relates to golf by showing that luck plays a more important role in determining player scores in higher-skilled golfer groups compared with lower-skilled groups.
Niedertemperatur-Pellistoren mit Au-Pd-imprägniertem mesoporösem Co3O4 als katalytische Schicht
Authors: Lyu Xuemeng , Gao Haitao , Diehle Patrick , Schmitt Katrin , Tarantik Karina R. , Wöllenstein Jürgen
Published: April 2020

Herkömmliche Pellistoren auf der Basis von porösen Al2O3 als Trägermaterial für einen Pd-Katalysator benötigen eine Arbeitstemperatur von rund 450 °C für den Nachweis von Methan. Durch diese hohe Temperatur sind sie anfällig für „Vergiftungen“ durch Silizium-haltige Gase. Eine gute Alternative bieten Co3O4-basierte Träger in Kombination mit bimetallischen katalytischen Nanomaterialien, mit denen die Arbeitstemperatur auf rund 300 °C gesenkt werden kann. Wir stellen in diesem Beitrag unsere Ergebnisse für ein Materialsystem aus mesoporösem Co3O4 mit Au-Pd-Funktionalisierung vor. Die erzielten Ergebnisse zeigen, dass mesoporöses Co3O4 vorteilhaft gegenüber kommerziell erhältlichem polykristallinem Co3O4 in Bezug auf die katalytische Umsetzung ist. Zudem beeinflusst der Bedeckungsgrad des Co3O4 mit Au-Pd-Partikeln das katalytische Verhalten des Sensors. Die niedrigere Betriebstemperatur des untersuchten Materialsystems verbessert den Explosionsschutz entscheidend und senkt die Heizleistungsaufnahme. Bei den für die Experimente verwendeten Substraten verringert sich die Heizleistungsaufnahme von 610 mW bei 450 °C auf 355 mW bei 300 °C Arbeitstemperatur.
Thermal Isomerization of [Co(acac)2(N3)(py)] in Liquid Solution Studied by Time-Resolved Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Unruh Tobias , Vöhringer Peter
Published: April 2020

The thermally induced stereochemical interconversion between thetransandcisisomers of [Co(acac)2(N3)(py)] in liquid solution is investigated with time-resolved Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The complex is synthesized stereo-selectively in itstrans-form. Upon dissolution of thetrans-form, the kinetic build-up of thecis-form is evidenced by the spectro-temporal evolution of the FTIR-spectrum. The individual isomer-specific component spectra are in good agreement with calculated spectra obtained from density functional theory. The rate constants of the forward and backward reactions responsible for thetrans-cisisomerization equilibrium are derived from the kinetic traces in combination with existing thermochemical data from the literature. Moreover, the temperature-dependence of the rate constants are in line with Arrhenius activation energies of (122 ± 8) kJ/mol and (109 ± 8) kJ/mol for the forward and backward reactions, respectively. DFT-calculations suggest that the stereochemical rearrangement is caused by a pyridine rebound mechanism involving penta-coordinated square-pyramidal [Co(acac)2(N3)]-intermediates.
Comparing psychological constructs in early specializing and non-specializing youth boys hockey players
Authors: Mosher Alexandra , Baker Joseph , Fraser-Thomas Jessica
Published: April 2020

Athletes who specialize early often invest more into their sport from a young age, thus it has been suggested early specializers may feel greater pressures to perform, and may have higher levels of anxiety. This study focused on better understanding the differences between early specializers and non-specializers in terms of psychological constructs (competitive state anxiety, competitive trait anxiety, and personality). Participants were divided into groups based on a modified version of the DHAQ (Hopwood, Baker, MacMahon & Farrow, 2010). Independent sample t-tests were conducted to test between group differences. There were no significant differences between early specializers and non-specializers in scores of competitive state anxiety, competitive trait anxiety, and the big five personality traits. Results highlight the need for further investigation into differences between early specializers and non-specializers.
Calcineurin Inhibition Causes α2δ-1–Mediated Tonic Activation of Synaptic NMDA Receptors and Pain Hypersensitivity
Authors: Huang Yuying , Chen Shao-Rui , Chen Hong , Luo Yi , Pan Hui-Lin
Published: April 2020

Calcineurin inhibitors, such as tacrolimus (FK506) and cyclosporine, are widely used as standard immunosuppressants in organ transplantation recipients. However, these drugs can cause severe pain in patients, commonly referred to as calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain syndrome (CIPS). Although calcineurin inhibition increases NMDAR activity in the spinal cord, the underlying mechanism remains enigmatic. Using an animal model of CIPS, we found that systemic administration of FK506 in male and female mice significantly increased the amount of α2δ-1–GluN1 complexes in the spinal cord and the level of α2δ-1–bound GluN1 proteins in spinal synaptosomes. Treatment with FK506 significantly increased the frequency of mEPSCs and the amplitudes of monosynaptic EPSCs evoked from the dorsal root and puff NMDAR currents in spinal dorsal horn neurons. Inhibiting α2δ-1 with gabapentin or disrupting the α2δ-1–NMDAR interaction with α2δ-1Tat peptide completely reversed the effects of FK506. In α2δ-1 gene KO mice, treatment with FK506 failed to increase the frequency of NMDAR-mediated mEPSCs and the amplitudes of evoked EPSCs and puff NMDAR currents in spinal dorsal horn neurons. Furthermore, systemic administration of gabapentin or intrathecal injection of α2δ-1Tat peptide reversed thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity in FK506-treated mice. In addition, genetically deleting GluN1 in dorsal root ganglion neurons or α2δ-1 genetic KO similarly attenuated FK506-induced thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity. Together, our findings indicate that α2δ-1–bound NMDARs mediate calcineurin inhibitor-induced tonic activation of presynaptic and postsynaptic NMDARs at the spinal cord level and that presynaptic NMDARs play a prominent role in the development of CIPS.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCalcineurin inhibitors are immunosuppressants used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs and tissues. However, these drugs can cause severe, unexplained pain. We showed that calcineurin inhibition enhances physical interaction between α2δ-1 and NMDARs and their synaptic trafficking in the spinal cord. α2δ-1 is essential for calcineurin inhibitor-induced aberrant activation of presynaptic and postsynaptic NMDARs in the spinal cord. Furthermore, inhibiting α2δ-1 or disrupting α2δ-1–NMDAR interaction reduces calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain hypersensitivity. Eliminating NMDARs in primary sensory neurons or α2δ-1 KO also attenuates calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain hypersensitivity. This new information extends our mechanistic understanding of the role of endogenous calcineurin in regulating synaptic plasticity and nociceptive transmission and suggests new strategies for treating this painful condition.
Serum and adipose tissue chemerin is differentially related to insulin sensitivity
Authors: Karczewska-Kupczewska Monika , Nikołajuk Agnieszka , Stefanowicz Magdalena , Matulewicz Natalia , Kowalska Irina , Strączkowski Marek
Published: April 2020

Objective

The aim of the study was to assess serum chemerin concentration and s.c. adipose tissue (SAT) chemerin expression in relation to insulin sensitivity and obesity in young healthy subjects.

Design

We performed a cross-sectional study including 128 subjects, 44 with normal weight, 44 with overweight and 40 with obesity.

Methods

Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and SAT biopsy were performed. Next, 30 subjects with obesity underwent 12-week weight-reducing dietary intervention.

Results

Serum chemerin was higher and SAT chemerin expression was lower in subjects with obesity in comparison with other groups. The relationship of serum chemerin with SAT expression and insulin sensitivity were positive in normal weight and overweight individuals, and negative in individuals with obesity. In the entire study population, serum chemerin was also positively related to hsCRP, serum fetuin A and alanine aminotransferase. SAT chemerin was positively related to insulin sensitivity, SAT insulin signaling and adipogenic genes. Weight loss decreased serum chemerin, whereas SAT chemerin increased in subjects with the highest increase in insulin sensitivity.

Conclusions

Serum and SAT chemerin is differentially associated with insulin sensitivity and the relationship between serum chemerin and insulin sensitivity depends on adiposity. SAT chemerin is positively associated with insulin sensitivity across a wide range of BMIs and may be proposed as a biomarker of metabolically healthy SAT. Our results suggest that SAT is not the main source of serum chemerin in obesity.
Prognostication algorithms and predictability ranges of mass reproduction of harmful insects according to the method of nonliner dynamics
Authors: Stankevych S. V. , Biletskyj Ye. M. , Zabrodina I. V. , Yevtushenko M. D. , Baidyk H. V. , Lezhenina I. P. , Filatov M. O. , Sirous L. Ya. , Yushchuk D.D. , Melenti V. O. , Molchanova O. A. , Zhukova L. V. , Nepran I. V. , Romanov O. V. , Romanova T. A. , Bragin O. M.
Published: April 2020

The authors have analysed the theoretical possibilities of prognostication the dynamics in the number and mass reproduction of some species of harmful insects. A theoretical synthesis of the information on the regularities of the population dynamics of the most common insect pests of agricultural plants from the point of view of the methodology of nonlinear dynamics and synergetics has been done. Based on the past and present an analysis of the many-year dynamics in the number of the insect populations has been carried out and an attempt to develop the algorithms for prognostication the seasonal and annual changes in the number of the insects has been made. To do this the authors recommend a scenario-based method of prognostication and making decisions in plant protection. Using the phytosanitary monitoring they determine the beginning of the regular mass reproduction (the appearance of an aggravated rate) and then, based on the phytosanitary prognosis, an aggravation of the situation that has developed or is being developing on the farm, in the district or in the region is made; after that on the base of the short-term prognosis (signaling) it is recommended to make the optimal decision to protect a particular crop taking into account the economic threshold of harmfulness. According to the authors this approach, based on the methodology of nonlinear dynamics (synergetic paradigm), makes it possible to determine in advance the breeding grounds of the aggravated rates and make the optimal decisions in plant protection. The predicted scenario will not be a prognostication of the future, but the elements of an evolutionary process inherent in nature.
Miłosierdzie Boże szansą ożywienia posługi charytatywnej Kościoła w Polsce
Authors: Przygoda Wiesław
Published: April 2020

Ogłoszony przez papieża Franciszka Rok Miłosierdzia niewątpliwie przyczynił się do intensywniejszego głoszenia prawdy o miłosierdziu Bożym oraz do rozwoju różnych form kultu miłosierdzia Bożego w Kościele. W kontekście tego wydarzenia rodzi się inne pytanie, w jaki sposób ów jubileusz mógł się przyczynić do ożywienia posługi charytatywnej Kościoła w Polsce? Próbę odpowiedzi na to pytanie stanowi niniejsze opracowanie, a jego źródłem podstawowym są współczesne dokumenty Kościoła, szczególnie nauczanie papieża Franciszka. Autor przedstawia najpierw miłosierdzie jako zasadę duszpasterstwa, gdyż miłosierdzie ma przenikać wszystkie funkcje podstawowe Kościoła (kerygma-marytria, leiturgia, diakonia). Następnie na podstawie danych Głównego Urzędu Statystycznego w Warszawie analizuje aktualny stan ubóstwa w Polsce. W finalnej części artykułu wskazuje kryteria Kościoła służebnego. W przekonaniu autora stosowanie tych kryteriów jest warunkiem pomyślnej realizacji posługi charytatywnej Kościoła w Polsce.
Chrystocentryczny wymiar antropologii Hansa Ursa von Balthasara
Authors: Jastrzębski Andrzej
Published: April 2020

W niniejszym artykule autor nakreśla podstawowe cechy charakteryzujące rozumienie człowieka w myśli Hansa Ursa von Balthasara, według którego człowiek dochodzi do osiągnięcia prawdziwej pełni swego człowieczeństwa jedynie poprzez przyjęcie łaski odkupienia wysłużonej mu przez Chrystusa. Naśladowanie Chrystusa, które jest pierwotnym zadaniem człowieka odkupionego, jest w swej istocie przyjęciem i wypełnieniem otrzymanej od Boga Ojca życiowej misji. Przyjęcie tej misji i życie nią pozwala człowiekowi dotrzeć do pełni prawdy o sobie, tj. zrozumienia oraz przyswojenia swojej najgłębszej tożsamości jako bytu. Dalszą konsekwencją tego procesu jest dla człowieka jego spełnienie, a w końcu także osobista świętość. Ważnym kontekstem tego procesu jest modlitwa kontemplacyjna.
The Application of Let's Read! in Extensive Reading Class: Integrating MALL and Task-based Learning
Authors: Ermerawati Anesti Budi
Published: April 2020

Doing national program so called School Literacy Movement (GLS), classes are expected to do 15-minute regular reading activity every day; including English classes in elementary schools. Witnessing that some classes are having limited English story books to read as well as ready-to-use follow-up activities, this article proposes reading activities using e-book application Let’s Read! that can be applied after the regular reading activities. Ranging from the low leveled-books to the advanced ones, the proposed activities in this extensive reading class are integrated; combining tasks that require children to experience Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) as well as having both individual and group offline work. This type of reading activity promotes L2 learner language development, increases their motivation in reading, and helps them build reading habits. At the same time, the alpha generation maximizes the use of technology to get themselves updated with the changing use of online applications such as Let’s Read!
Recovery and Calibration of Legacy Underground Nuclear Test Seismic Data from the Leo Brady Seismic Network
Authors: Young Brian A. , Abbott Robert E.
Published: April 2020

The Leo Brady Seismic Network (LBSN, originally the Sandia Seismic Network) was established in 1960 by Sandia National Laboratories to monitor underground nuclear tests (UGTs) at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS, formerly named the Nevada Test Site). The LBSN has been in various configurations throughout its existence, but it has generally been comprised of four to six stations at regional distances (∼150–400  km) from the NNSS with approximately evenly spaced azimuthal coverage. Between 1962 and the end of nuclear testing in 1992, the LBSN—and a sister network operated by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories—was the most comprehensive United States source of regional seismic data of UGTs. Approximately 75% of all UGTs performed by the United States occurred in the predigital era. At that time, LBSN data were transmitted as frequency-modulated (FM) audio over telephone lines to a central location and recorded as analog waveforms on high-fidelity magnetic audio tapes. These tapes have been in dry temperature-stable storage for decades and contain the sole record of this irreplaceable data; full waveforms of LBSN-recorded UGTs from this era were not routinely digitized or otherwise published. We have developed a process to recover and calibrate data from these tapes. First, we play back and digitize the tapes as audio. Next, we demodulate the FM “audio” into individual waveforms. We then estimate the various instrument constants through careful measurement of “weight-lift” tests performed prior to each UGT on each instrument. Finally, these coefficients allow us to scale and shape the derived instrument response of the seismographs and compute poles and zeros. The result of this process is a digital record of the recorded seismic ground motion in a modern data format, stored in a searchable database. To date, we have digitized tapes from 592 UGTs.
Objectotem e a descoberta de um novo mundo poético / Objectotem and the Discovery of a New Poetic World
Authors: Valverde Franklin Larrubia
Published: April 2020

Resumo: Este artigo traz um relato pessoal sobre o meu despertar para a poesia concreta e experimental depois de assistir a uma aula em meu curso de graduação na qual foi analisado o poema “Objectotem” de E. M. de Melo e Castro. Nele abordo também a importância da obra desse poeta português. Essas reflexões foram apresentadas de forma abreviada no colóquio Pensar a Palavra-Experiência: Homenagem a E. M. de Melo e Castro, realizado em outubro de 2019, na Universidade Federal de São Paulo – UNIFESP, campus Guarulhos.Palavras-chave: poesia concreta, poesia experimental, Melo e Castro.Abstract: Report of the awakening of poet Franklin Valverde for concrete and experimental poetry after a class in which the poem “Objectotem” by E. M. de Melo e Castro was analyzed, as well as the importance of the work of the Portuguese poet. Presented at the Think the Word-Experience: Tribute to E. M. de Melo e Castro, held in October 2019, at the Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP, Guarulhos campus.Keywords: concrete poetry, experimental poetry, Melo e Castro.
Border disease of sheep and goats in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Kamil Saeed Intisar
Published: April 2020

Border diseases is one of viral diseases that affect sheep and goats causing economic losses worldwide. The present study was intended to explore the existence of border disease infection in sheep and goats in two regions at the north of Saudi Arabia. Collected serum samples were 624 from 155 sheep and 217 goats in Hail and 144 sheep and 108 goats in Rafha regions at the north of Saudi Arabia. Antibodies against pestivirus were examined in collected sera using competitive ELISA. Overall found pestivirus antibodies were 18.4%. Sheep showed the highest sero-prevalence (20.7%). Within localities highest seroprevalence was seen in Rafha region. Obtained results points to the circulation of border disease infection in sheep and goats in the northern part of Saudi Arabia.
Análise da Transferência de Ondulação de Baixa Frequência em Conversores Operando em MCD para Drivers de LED
Authors: Brand Jean S. , De Melo Maicol F. , Alonso J. Marcos , Costa Marco A. Dalla
Published: April 2020

Este artigo apresenta a análise da transferência de ondulação de baixa frequência da tensão de entrada de um estágio CC-CC para a corrente dos LEDs, nas topologias buck, boost e buck-boost operando em modo de condução descontínuo. Esta análise é feita de acordo com os limites máximos recomendados pela IEEE Std. 1789-2015, para mitigar os efeitos da cintilação luminosa em seres humanos. O objetivo é encontrar os valores máximos de ondulação percentual da tensão de entrada para uma faixa de operação de cada topologia e avaliar em cargas de LED distintas. Para isso, a modelagem matemática de cada topologia é aplicada em três cargas de LED, baseados no termo adimensional denominado fator de transmissão da ondulação de baixa frequência, que relaciona a ondulação percentual transmitida da entrada para a saída do estágio. Com esses valores, é realizado um estudo para determinar a capacitância de barramento mínima necessária para cada caso. O LED Luxeon 3014 é selecionado para simulações e implementações em três pontos de operação de cada topologia, em protótipos com potência nominal de 20W. A topologia buck-boost se destaca, por ter um fator de transmissão da ondulação de baixa frequência reduzido e constante para toda a faixa de operação.
Farklı Potasyum Dozlarının Yulaf Çeşitlerinde Verim, Verim Öğeleri ve Bazı Tane Kalite Özellikleri ile Yağ Asitleri Dağılımı Üzerine Etkisi
Authors: ÇOTAOĞLU Aydan , KOCA Yakup Onur
Published: April 2020

Amaç: Farklı potasyum dozlarında yulaf çeşitlerinin tane verimi, bazı verim öğeleri ve bazı tane kalite parametrelerinin değişimlerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Dahası, artan potasyumun yağ asitleri dağılımına olan etkisi de gözlenmeye çalışılmıştır.Materyal ve Metot: Araştırma, 2018 yılında Aydın da yürütülmüştür. İki yulaf çeşidine (Sarı ve Max) 6 farklı (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 kg da-1) potasyum dozu uygulanmıştır. Verim, bazı verim öğeleri, bazı kalite parametreleri ve yağ asitleri dağılımı değerleri ölçülmüştür.Bulgular: Tane verimi 130.2 - 817.1 kg da-1 aralığında, bin tane ağırlığı 30.3 - 44.8 g aralığında, salkımda tane sayısı 61.1 - 102.1 adet aralığında ölçülmüştür. Tanede kül oranı %1.5 - %5.5 aralığında, protein %10.7 - %13.1 aralığında, nişasta %29.8 - %44.4 aralığında, yağ %3.1 - %4.8 aralığında belirlenmiştir. Palmitik asit oranı %35.6 - %44.5 aralığında, stearik asit %2.0 - %3.4 aralığında, oleik asit %39.6 - %44.0 aralığında ve linoleik asit ise %11.0 - %21.7 aralığında ölçülmüştür.Sonuç: 4 kg da-1 potasyumun tane verimi bakımından her iki çeşitte de en yüksek verimi verdiği, buna ek olarak 8 kg da-1 potasyumun bin tane ağırlığı ve protein oranı gibi bazı kalite parametrelerini de yükselttiği görülmüştür. Gübre uygulama maliyeti ve tanenin değerlendirilmesine (yem yada değirmen sanayi) göre dekara 4 kg veya 8 kg potasyum önerilebilir.
Estudio observacional sobre presencia y caracterización de hematomas en carcasas vacunas de Uruguay
Authors: Crosi Gonzalo , Prado Martín , Huertas Stella , Imelio Juan , Piaggio José , Gil Andres
Published: April 2020

Objetivo: Evaluar y caracterizar los hematomas presentes en vacunos faenados en las plantas frigoríficas de Uruguay, habilitadas para exportación. Comparar datos obtenidos con investigaciones anteriores a nivel nacional. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio observacional de las carcasas bovinas luego de la faena, con el fin de evaluar la presencia de hematomas, teniendo en cuenta su localización, área, forma y profundidad. A su vez, se recabó información sobre el sexo y categoría de las tropas evaluadas, de manera de correlacionar estos factores con la aparición de las lesiones. Resultados y conclusiones: De un total de 1.030 carcasas observadas, 44.4 % presentaron al menos un hematoma, con un promedio de 0.89 hematomas por carcasa. Mayormente se localizaron en la región del muslo, costillar y flanco, con 31 %, 19.7 % y 19.6 % respectivamente. En cuanto a la profundidad, 83.9 % de las carcasas lesionadas presentaron contusiones grado 1 o superficial y 16.1 % grado 2, destacando la ausencia de hematomas grado 3. Los hematomas “circulares o irregulares” fueron los más frecuentemente registrados, detectando también formas “lineales”, en “tranvía” y en forma de “coma”. Por otra parte, se relacionaron las lesiones con factores del propio animal, encontrando diferencias significativas (p<0.01) según su edad y sexo. Las hembras presentaron más hematomas (54 %) que los machos (37 %), mientras que fue mayor la cantidad de lesiones halladas en los animales adultos (55.9 %) a lo encontrado en jóvenes (37.4 %). La presencia de lesiones, si bien ha disminuido en el correr de los años, implica que aún existen factores durante la vida del animal que influyen negativamente en su nivel de bienestar. Son necesarias nuevas estrategias o perfección de las ya utilizadas, con el objeto de lograr un desarrollo continuo y obtener así un producto de buena calidad desde el punto de vista del bienestar animal.
Frecuencia relativa de fasciolosis en niños de edad escolar en las provincias de San Marcos, Cajabamba y Celendín, departamento de Cajamarca - año 2010
Authors: Orfanos Nikolás , Cabanillas Oswaldo , León Daphne
Published: April 2020

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la frecuencia relativa de casos de Fasciolosis en niños en edad escolar en las provincias de San Marcos, Cajabamba y Celendín, departamento de Cajamarca, que formaron parte del “Estudio de prevalencia de fasciolosis en humanos en la región Cajamarca – periodo 2010”. Para ello se recuperaron 248 fichas epidemiológicas en los que se encontraron 27 niños positivos a la prueba de ELISA, representando una frecuencia relativa de 10.9 %. La única variable asociada a la presentación de una mayor cantidad de seropositivos fue la Red de Salud (p<0.05). Los signos y síntomas clínicos que presentaron con mayor frecuencia los escolares que resultaron positivos fueron: disminución de peso, nauseas, malestar, diarrea, fatiga, fiebre, dolor abdominal y vómito. Se encontró que la proporción de positivos fue mayor significativamente entre los escolares que presentaron disminución de peso (p<0.05). Los resultados obtenidos en el estudio pueden servir como una línea de base para evaluar el impacto de intervenciones y el comportamiento clínico epidemiológico de la fasciolosis en esta población específica.
Open Questions for Harnessing Autophagy-Modulating Drugs in the SARS-CoV-2 War
Authors: Brest Patrick , Benzaquen Jonathan , Klionsky Daniel J. , Hofman Paul , Mograbi Baharia
Published: April 2020

At a time when the world faces an emotional breakdown, crushing our dreams if not taking our lives, we realize that together we must fight the war against the COVID-19 outbreak even if almost the majority of the scientific community finds itself confined to home. Every day, like everyone else, we, scientists, listen to the latest news with its promises and announcements. Across the world, a surge of clinical trials trying to cure or slow down the coronavirus pandemic has been launched to bring hope instead of fear and despair. One of the most recent has drawn worldwide hype to the possible benefit of chloroquine (CQ), a well-known and broadly used anti-malarial drug, in the treatment of patients infected by the recently emerged deadly coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). We should consider this information in the light of the long-standing anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties of CQ-related drugs. Yet, none of these articles evoked a possible molecular or cellular mechanism of action that could account for any efficacy. Here, given the interaction of viruses with macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy), a CQ-sensitive anti-viral safeguard pathway, we would like to discuss some pros and cons concerning the current therapeutic options targeting this process.
Higher Grading Standards and Academic Motivation: Perceptions of Students and Teachers in a Lagos (Nigeria) Private Secondary School
Authors: Anazia Innocent Uche
Published: April 2020

Abstract

This study used qualitative research method to investigate the views of students and teachers of a private secondary school in Lagos State, Nigeria on whether higher grading standards motivate students. The study was prompted by the decision of the management of the school to increase its grading standard. To guide the study, 10 students and 7 teachers participated in the study. Data were generated using interview technique which centred on three objectives or themes of the study. However, the second objective of the study was targeted at the students, while the third objective or theme was targeted at the teachers. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the perceptions of the students and teachers. The findings revealed that higher grading standards motivate students to study harder and that higher standards benefit both high-achievers and low-achievers. Considering that the study was the first attempt to investigate the issue as it concerns Nigeria, suggestions were made on future studies.
Efficacy of tertiary egg membranes as calcium zones for embryonic development in poultry breeds
Authors: Benjamin Siny George , Abraham Kurian Mathew , Nandini N.J.
Published: April 2020

Background Growth and production of any animal husbandry including poultry depends on early development, growth, feeding, environmental and other factors. Early and later embryonic development forms a significant parameter in poultry production, during which human or technological intervention is practically impossible. Results Embryonic development is governed by very many internal factors among which, egg calcium utilization is of prime importance. An experiment was set up to investigate the egg calcium utilization of different poultry breeds at its embryonic development. Four breeds of locally available chicken ( Gallus gallus domesticus ), Broiler, Common domestic variety ( Nadan ), Vanaraja and Gramapriya breeds were selected and embryonic egg utilization was assessed by comparing calcium content of egg shell before and after hatching and found out that Vanaraja breed utilizes maximum (0.20gm) and significantly (P < 0.01) higher quantity egg shell calcium for embryonic development followed by Local breed (0.16gm) and least used variety was Broiler breed (0.09gm). Conclusions The study highlighted the criticality of the composition of the specific mineral in the calcium zones for embryonic utilization underlining the importance of its only source through food.
Identification of immune-related therapeutically relevant biomarkers in breast cancer and breast cancer stem cells by transcription-wide analysis: a clinical prospective study
Authors: Wang Linbang , Wang Yuanyuan , Liu Jingkun , Tai Jiaojiao , Yin Xuedong , Liu Wei
Published: April 2020

Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subset of tumor cells that are responsible for recurrence and metastasis of tumors. These cells are resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Immunotherapeutic strategies that target CSCs specifically have provided initial results; however, the mechanism of action of these strategies is unclear. Methods: The data were requested from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression, followed with the survival analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis to detect survival- and stemness-related genes. Patients were divided into three groups based on their immune status by applying ssGSEA with proven dependability by ESTIMATE analysis. The filtered key genes were analyzed using oncomine, qRT-PCR, and functional analysis. Results: Patients in a group with a higher stemness and a lower immune infiltration showed a worse overall survival probability, stemness and immune infiltration characteristics of breast cancer progressed in a non-linear fashion. Thirteen key genes related to stemness and immunity were identified and the functional analysis indicated their crucial roles in cell proliferation and immune escape strategies. The qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of PIMREG and MTFR2 differed in different stages of patients. Conclusions: Our study revealed a promising potential for CSC-target immunotherapy in the early stage of cancer and a probable value for PIMREG and MTFR2 as biomarkers and targets for immunotherapy. Trial registration: This study protocol registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=19710; Date of registration: 25/09/2017; Registration number: ChiCTR-PDN-17012784) and was approved by the ethical committee of Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (approval number: 2020-119). Keywords: breast cancer, cancer stem cell, tumor immune infiltration, PIMREG, MTFR2.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between integrated tuberculosis and Human Immuno-deficiency Virus therapy and tuberculosis treatment outcomes among adults in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Kadia Benjamin Momo , Takah Noah Fongwen , Dimala Christian Akem , Simms Victoria
Published: April 2020

Background: Despite the scale-up of programmes integrating treatment of tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), TB treatment outcomes in TB/HIV co-infected patients in the region remain sub-optimal.Objective: To summarize the available evidence on the association between integrated TB/HIV treatment and TB treatment outcomes specifically, successful treatment and all-cause mortality in TB/HIV co-infected adults in SSA.Method: A systematic review of studies published between March 2004 and 10 July 2019 was performed. Seven electronic databases including Medline, Embase and Cochrane were searched to identify interventional and observational quantitative studies reporting on integrated TB/HIV treatment in SSA. Two investigators independently screened the search output, reviewed the eligible studies, and rated the quality of eligible studies using quality assessment tools of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were derived using random-effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity across studies was assessed using the I2 statistic. The confidence in the pooled ORs was rated using the GRADE. The final review was reported using the PRISMA.Results: Eleven studies including 4181 participants were retained. The studies were of moderate to good quality, with 10 being quasi-experimental and cohort. Pooling of relevant studies showed that the odds of treatment success with integration was 1.1 times (95% CI: 0.93-1.29; I2=74.5%; p-value for heterogeneity=0.001) the odds of treatment success without integration and the odds of mortality with integration was 1.27 (95% CI 1.02-1.59; I2=87.3%; p-value for heterogeneity<0.0001) times the odds of mortality without integration. On sensitivity analysis, the odds of mortality with integration decreased to 1.06 (95% CI: 0.83-1.34; I2=80.1%; p-value for heterogeneity<0.0001) times the odds of mortality without integration and there was strong evidence of an association between sample size variation and heterogeneity (p=0.01). Good quality studies (4/11) tended to support the effectiveness of integrated treatment in increasing successful outcomes and decreasing mortality. Certainty in the pooled ORs was low.Conclusion: Evidence on the effect of integrated TB/HIV treatment services on treatment success and all-cause mortality in TB/HIV co-infected patients in SSA is inconclusive but the few available good quality studies tend to favour the effectiveness of these services. More robust primary studies are warranted.
Five-years Results of Small-incision Lenticule Extraction in High Myopia
Authors: Lang Min , Cao Kaiwei , Liu Ting , Pan Jiao , Ye Jian
Published: April 2020

Background To investigate long-term refractive visual quality outcomes and vision-related quality of life after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in the treatment of high myopia.Methods Thirty patients (60 eyes) with high myopia who underwent SMILE more than 5 years previously were selected as the SMILE group. Another 30 high myopia patients (60 eyes) who had worn corrective spectacles for more than 5 years were selected as the control group. In the SMILE group, the postoperative follow-up times were 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 5 years. The uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), spherical equivalent (SE), and ocular axial length (AL) were analysed. The Chinese version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (CHI-NEI-VFQ-25) was used to evaluate the vision-related quality of life in the SMILE group and the control group.Results In the SMILE group, the mean preoperative SE was -7.29±0.87 D (range -6.00 to -9.125 D). The efficacy index and safety index of SMILE were 1.09±0.18 and 1.19±0.12, respectively. Five years postoperatively, 44 eyes (73%) obtained a visual acuity of 20/20 or better. There were no eyes with CDVA loss of one or more Snellen lines. Forty-nine eyes (82%) and 57 eyes (95%) were within ±0.50 D and ±1.00 D of attempted correction, respectively. Forty-eight eyes (80%) had astigmatism < 0.50 D. The postoperative mean SE values at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 5 years were 0.11±0.44 D, 0.07±0.45 D, -0.02±0.41 D, and -0.15±0.46 D, respectively. No significant change was observed in the ocular axial length from before operation to 5 years postoperatively (26.08±0.96 mm vs 26.01±0.94 mm, p>0.05). Compared to the control group, the SMILE group showed a significantly higher total score on the CHI-NEI-VFQ-25 (90.14 vs 81.43, p < 0.001).Conclusions In the present study, in a long-term follow-up, we demonstrated that correcting high myopia with SMILE is safe, effective, and predictable. In addition, there is slight undercorrection.
Chest radiography to assess and prognosticate COVID-19
Authors: Hui Terrence Chi Hong , Khoo Hau Wei , Young Barnaby Edward , Ong Sean Wei Xiang , Mohideen Salahudeen Mohamed Haja , Kalimuddin Shirin , Low Jenny Guek-Hong , Liew Charlene Jin Yee , Tan Seow Yen , Kok Shawn Shi Xian , Loh Jiashen , Chan Lai Peng , Poh Angeline Choo Choo , Wong Steven Bak Siew , Lim Chien Joo , Lin Raymond Tzer Pin , Leo Yee-Sin , Kaw Gregory Jon Leng , Lye David Chien , Tan Cher Heng
Published: April 2020

Background To determine the utility of chest radiography (CXR) for assessing and prognosticating COVID-19 disease with an objective radiographic scoring system.Methods A multicenter, prospective study was conducted, forty patients were included. Seventy-eight CXR’s were performed on the first derivation cohort of twenty patients with COVID-19 (median age 47.5 years, 10 females and four with comorbidities) admitted between 22 January 2020 and 1 February 2020. Each CXR was scored by three radiologists in consensus and graded on a 72-point COVID-19 Radiographic Score (CRS). This was correlated with supplemental oxygen requirement, C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and lymphocyte count. To validate our findings, the parameters of another validation cohort of twenty patients with 65 CXRs were analysed.Results In the derivation cohort, seven patients needed supplemental oxygen and one was intubated for mechanical ventilation with no death. The maximum CRS was significantly different between patients on and not on supplemental oxygen (p=<.001). There was strong correlation between maximum CRS and lowest oxygen saturation (r= -.849), maximum CRP (r= .832) and maximum LDH (r= .873). These findings were consistent in the validation cohort. An increment of 2 points in CRS had an accuracy of 0.938 with 100.0% sensitivity (95% CI 100.0-100.0) and 83.3% (95% CI 65.1-100.0) specificity in predicting supplemental oxygen requirement.Conclusion Using an objective scoring system (CRS), the degree of abnormalities on CXR correlates closely with known markers of disease severity. CRS may further be applied to predict patients who require oxygen supplementation during the course of their disease.
Probleme ve Argümantasyona Dayalı Öğrenme Yöntemlerinin “Karışımlar” Konusundaki Etkilerinin İncelenmesi
Authors: TÜYSÜZ Cengiz , DEMİREL Ozan Emre
Published: April 2020

Değişen
Fen Bilimleri Dersi Öğretim programı dikkate alındığında öğrencilerin fen
okuryazarı olarak yetişmeleri önem kazanmıştır. Bu doğrultuda yeni programda
araştırma-sorgulamaya dayalı öğrenme stratejisi benimsemiştir. Bu araştırmanın
amacı, araştırma-sorgulamaya stratejisini temel alan yöntemlerden probleme
dayalı öğrenme ve argümantasyona dayalı öğrenme yöntemlerinin 10. Sınıf
öğrencilerinin “Karışımlar” konusundaki akademik başarılarına, bilimsel süreç
becerilerine ve bilimsel muhakeme yeteneklerine olan etkisini incelemektir.
Araştırmada, nitel ve nicel verilerin birlikte toplandığı karma desenlerden
sıralı-açıklayıcı tasarım kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın nicel kısmında, yarı
deneysel araştırma desenlerinden öntest-sontest eşitlenmemiş kontrol gruplu
desen kullanılırken; nitel kısmında ise öğrencilerin uygulanan yöntemler
hakkındaki görüşlerini almak amacıyla açık uçlu sorular kullanılmıştır.
Araştırmanın örneklemini 61 10. Sınıf öğrencisi oluşturmaktadır. 2 deney ve 1
kontrol grubunun oluşturulduğu araştırmada veriler; Karışımlar Başarı Testi,
Bilimsel Süreç Becerileri Testi ve Bilimsel Muhakeme Testi kullanılarak
toplanılmıştır. Sonuçlar, probleme dayalı öğrenme ve argümantasyona dayalı
öğrenme yöntemlerinin öğrencilerin akademik başarı ve bilimsel süreç
becerilerini arttırmada derslerin mevcut programa göre işlenmesinden daha
etkili olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Ayrıca argümantasyona dayalı öğrenme
yönteminin öğrencilerin muhakeme yeteneklerini geliştirmede derslerin mevcut
programa göre işlenmesinden daha etkili olduğu bulunmuştur. İki yöntem birbiri
ile karşılaştırıldığında, argümantasyona dayalı öğrenme yönteminin öğrencilerin
bilimsel süreç becerilerini artırmada daha etkili olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
An Ensemble of Community Detection in Social Networks Using Clustering of Users Demographic and Topological Information
Authors: Rezaeipanah Amin , Ghanat Kambiz
Published: April 2020

Background:

One of the great challenges in social network analysis is community detection.
Community is a group of users which have high intra connections and sparse inter connections.
Community detection or clustering reveals community structure of social networks and
hidden relationships among their constituents. Nowadays, many different methods are proposed
to detect community structures in social networks from different perspectives, but none of them
can be a constant winner. Therefore, an ensemble of different methods can potentially improve
the final result.

Methods:

In this paper, we present a framework for different methods to be combined for community
detection. This method is a combination of genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization, kmeans
clustering and Louvain clustering algorithms. Our method uses topological and demographic
information to identify communities and can automatically determine the number of optimal communities.

Results and Conclusion:

Quantitative evaluations based on extensive experiments on Ego-
Facebook social network dataset reveals that the method presented in this study achieves favorable
results, which are quite superior to other relevant algorithms in the literature.
• Discovering relationships between individuals by analyzing social networks.
• Providing identifying communities algorithms based on different clustering methods.
• An ensemble of community detection consisting of GA, PSO, k-means and Louvain clustering.
• The proposed method is better than the TSA method at silhouette and modularity criterion.
Demographic information also relates to the profile of users and their shared tweets.
Влияние саморазогрева на модуляционные характеристики микродискового лазера
Authors: Жуков А.Е. , Моисеев Э.И. , Надточий А.М. , Крыжановская Н.В. , Кулагина М.М. , Минтаиров С.А. , Калюжный Н.А. , Зубов Ф.И. , Максимов М.В.
Published: April 2020

The performance of quantum dot microdisk lasers operating at room temperature without thermal stabilization was experimentally investigated, and the highest modulation bandwidth of microdisks of various diameters was calculated. It is shown that taking into account the self-heating effect of the microlaser at high bias currents, which manifests itself in a decrease in the maximum modulation frequency and in an increase in the current at which the maximum speed is reached, allows us to describe the experimental data well. Self-heating effect has the greatest impact on microlasers of small diameter (less than 20 µm).
Система контроля точности слежения за Солнцем концентраторных фотоэнергоустановок
Authors: Малевский Д.А. , Покровский П.В. , Ларионов В.Р. , Малевская А.В. , Андреев В.М.
Published: April 2020

Power output of concentrator photovoltaic installations depends on the efficiency of concentrator modules and on the accuracy of sun-tracking. A system for controlling the instantaneous accuracy of sun-tracking based on a registrator and on a system for projecting the solar disk image has been developed. The analysis of the photovoltaic installations orientation accuracy on the Sun was carried out and the influence of tracking accuracy on concentrator modules power output was studied.
Фемтосекундный лазерный отжиг многослойных тонкопленочных структур на основе аморфных германия и кремния
Authors: Колчин А.В. , Шулейко Д.В. , Павликов А.В. , Заботнов С.В. , Головань Л.А. , Преснов Д.Е. , Володин В.А. , Кривякин Г.К. , Попов А.А. , Кашкаров П.К.
Published: April 2020

Femtosecond laser annealing of thin-film multilayered structures based on amorphous silicon and germanium were studied. The original samples were synthesized via plasma-enhanced deposition on glass substrate. Scanning electron microscopy revealed formation of periodic surface structures in the irradiated films. Raman spectra analysis revealed crystallization of amorphous germanium as a result of femtosecond laser pulses action, as well as fluence-dependent mixture of the germanium and silicon layers at absence of crystallization of the amorphous silicon layers.
Формирование бикристаллических пленок ZnO на ромбоэдрической плоскости сапфира при высоких скоростях роста
Authors: Муслимов А.Э. , Исмаилов А.М. , Асваров А.Ш. , Бабаев В.А. , Каневский В.М.
Published: April 2020

A route for the formation of a ZnO bicrystal film using the features of the magnetron sputtering method and the orienting action of the rhombohedral sapphire plane is proposed. It is shown that, when two deposition modes with with growth rates of ~ 2 and ~ 16 nm/s are used consistently, a bicrystalline ZnO film with a bottom (110)-oriented sublayer and a top (002)-oriented one is formed. Recrystallization annealing of the film at 1000°C for 10 h does not affect the top (002)-oriented layer and leads to relaxation of stresses in the bottom (110)-oriented layer.