bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new sex-specific underlying mechanism for female schizophrenia: accelerated skewed X chromosome inactivation
Authors: Zhang Xinzhu , Li Yuhong , Ma Lei , Zhang Guofu , Liu Min , Wang Chuanyue , Zheng Yi , Li Rena
Published: July 2020

Background

X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is the mechanism by which the X-linked gene dosage is adjusted between the sexes. Evidence shows that many sex-specific diseases have their basis in X chromosome biology. While female schizophrenia patients often have a delayed age of disease onset and clinical phenotypes that are different from those of males, it is unknown whether the sex differences in schizophrenia are associated with X-linked gene dosage and the choice of X chromosome silencing in female cells. Previous studies demonstrated that sex chromosome aneuploidies may be related to the pathogeneses of some psychiatric diseases. Here, we examined the changes in skewed XCI in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

A total of 109 female schizophrenia (SCZ) patients and 80 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (CNTLs) were included in this study. We evaluated clinical features including disease onset age, disease duration, clinical symptoms by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and antipsychotic treatment dosages. The XCI skewing patterns were analyzed by the methylation profile of the HUMARA gene found in DNA isolated from SCZ patient and CNTL leukocytes in the three age groups.

Results

First, we found that the frequency of skewed XCI in SCZ patients was 4 times more than that in the age- and sex-matched CNTLs (p < 0.01). Second, we found an earlier onset of severe XCI skewing in the SCZ patients than in CNTLs. Third, we demonstrated a close relationship between the severity of skewed XCI and schizophrenic symptoms (PANSS score ≥ 90) as well as the age of disease onset. Fourth, we demonstrated that the skewed XCI in SCZ patients was not transmitted from the patients’ mothers.

Limitations

The XCI skewing pattern might differ depending on tissues or organs. Although this is the first study to explore skewed XCI in SCZ, in the future, samples from different tissues or cells in SCZ patients might be important for understanding the impact of skewed XCI in this disease.

Conclusion

Our study, for the first time, investigated skewed XCI in female SCZ patients and presented a potential mechanism for the sex differences in SCZ. Our data also suggested that XCI might be a potential target for the development of female-specific interventions for SCZ.
Sex differences in the association of abdominal adipose tissue and anthropometric data with untreated hypertension in a Chinese population
Authors: Chen Youzhou , Zhang Zhuoli , Wang Jihong , Sun Huayi , Zhao Xingshan , Cheng Xiaoguang , Zhao Qiong
Published: July 2020

Background

There are inconsistent interpretations of the interrelationship of adiposity, anthropometric indices, and blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients. Additionally, whether these relationships differ between sexes is unknown. We aimed to elucidate the associations of adiposity indices measured using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) with BP and hypertension and to determine the effect of sex on the interrelationship of these parameters in a Chinese population.

Methods

Abdominal adipose fat, including the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) area, was measured by QCT in 1488 patients (514 men, 974 women). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were measured. Pearson correlation coefficients, multivariate analyses, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the relationship and potential of adiposity indices to BP and risk of hypertension within sex groups.

Results

Men had significantly greater VAT area but less SAT area than women in hypertensive group. VAT, SAT, and WC were more highly correlated with SBP in men than in women. After controlling for body weight, height, and age, VAT area and WC were positively associated with SBP (VAT: β = 0.309, p < 0.001; WC: β = 0.148, p = 0.001) and DBP (VAT: β = 0.099, p = 0.034; WC: β = 0.198, p = 0.001) in women. VAT area was positively associated with SBP (β = 0.444, p < 0.001) and DBP (β = 0.146, p = 0.021) in men. WC had a significant correlation with an increased risk of hypertension in women but a borderline association in men (p = 0.059) when adjusted for VAT area and SAT area.

Conclusions

The association of abdominal adiposity with hypertension differs qualitatively by sex. WC may be an important determinant of hypertension and may be used for risk stratification for hypertension among Chinese individuals.
Metronidazole conjugated magnetic nanoparticles loaded with amphotericin B exhibited potent effects against pathogenic Acanthamoeba castellanii belonging to the T4 genotype
Authors: Abdelnasir Sumayah , Anwar Ayaz , Kawish Muhammad , Anwar Areeba , Shah Muhammad Raza , Siddiqui Ruqaiyyah , Khan Naveed Ahmed
Published: July 2020

Acanthamoeba castellanii can cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and Acanthamoeba keratitis. Currently, no single drug has been developed to effectively treat infections caused by Acanthamoeba. Recent studies have shown that drugs conjugated with nanoparticles exhibit potent in vitro antiamoebic activity against pathogenic free-living amoebae. In this study, we have developed a nano drug delivery system based on iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated with metronidazole which were further loaded with amphotericin B to produce enhanced antiamoebic effects against Acanthamoeba castellanii. The results showed that metronidazole-nanoparticles-amphotericin B (Met-MNPs-Amp) significantly inhibited the viability of these amoebae as compared to the respective controls including drugs and nanoparticles alone. Met-MNPs-Amp exhibited IC50 at 50 μg/mL against both A. castellanii trophozoites and cysts. Furthermore, these nanoparticles did not affect the viability of rat and human cells and showed safe hemolytic activity. Hence, the results obtained in this study have potential utility in drug development against infections caused by Acanthamoeba castellanii. A combination of drugs can lead to successful prognosis against these largely neglected infections. Future studies will determine the value of conjugating molecules with diagnostic and therapeutic potential to provide theranostic approaches against these serious infections.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Contemporary Changes in the Agro-pastoral System of Upper Spiti Landscape, Indian Trans-Himalayas
Authors: Singh Rashmi , Sharma Rishi Kumar , Babu Suresh , Bhatnagar Yash Veer
Published: July 2020

Pastoral systems are known to be prone to social, political and ecological uncertainties. Traditional ecological knowledge that the pastoral communities hold around their bio-physical environment has been a key to cope with stressors and adapt to the rapid socio-economic changes. We examined traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) on livestock and resource management, factors influencing livestock production and concurrent changes in an agro-pastoral system. We used mixed methods by conducting 44 semi-structured interviews, 10 key informants’ interviews and resource mapping in five villages of Upper Spiti Landscape, western Himalaya. Our specific objectives were to (i) document TEK on livestock diet and management and (ii) understand the drivers and consequences of the change in the agro-pastoral society and associated traditional knowledge system. The herders of the study area possessed extensive knowledge of livestock diet and fodder species preference. They used this knowledge to optimize livestock grazing in pastures during summers and to fulfil the nutrient requirements of livestock species during stall feeding in winters. Seasonally, the aspect, altitude and accessibility of the pasture influenced the rotational use of pastures. In contrast, the quality of forage and water availability, distance of the pasture from village and threats from predators influenced the selection of grazing areas daily. There are evident changes in the livestock production system and signs that TEK is eroding in the region. Primary contributing factors to loss of TEK include changing aspirations of local people. These aspirations were related to employment in lucrative alternative options like cash crops and tourism, out-migration of the young generation for higher education and the arrival of immigrant labourers as new actors in livestock management. Livestock numbers in the study site remained dynamic between the year 2003-2016 owing to the substantive social and ecological changes. Our results suggest that while the traditional knowledge persists, the signs of erosion in traditional knowledge and associated changes in current herding practices are evident. We argue that recent changes in the pastoral social-ecological system, especially loss of TEK and non-traditional rearing practices, due to increasing dependence on immigrant labourers, may have negative implications for livestock production, rangeland health and wildlife conservation goals in the long run. Long term site-specific studies on livestock production and associated knowledge would be critical for adaptive rangeland management and policies.
Facial image super-resolution guided by adaptive geometric features
Authors: Fan Zhenfeng , Hu Xiyuan , Chen Chen , Wang Xiaolian , Peng Silong
Published: July 2020

This paper addresses the traditional issue of restoring a high-resolution (HR) facial image from a low-resolution (LR) counterpart. Current state-of-the-art super-resolution (SR) methods commonly adopt the convolutional neural networks to learn a non-linear complex mapping between paired LR and HR images. They discriminate local patterns expressed by the neighboring pixels along the planar directions but ignore the intrinsic 3D proximity including the depth map. As a special case of general images, the face has limited geometric variations, which we believe that the relevant depth map can be learned and used to guide the face SR task. Motivated by it, we design a network including two branches: one for auxiliary depth map estimation and the other for the main SR task. Adaptive geometric features are further learned from the depth map and used to modulate the mid-level features of the SR branch. The whole network is implemented in an end-to-end trainable manner under the extra supervision of depth map. The supervisory depth map is either a paired one from RGB-D scans or a reconstructed one by a 3D prior model of faces. The experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and achieve improved performance over the state of the arts.
Dunkl generalization of Phillips operators and approximation in weighted spaces
Authors: Mursaleen M. , Nasiruzzaman Md. , Kılıçman A. , Sapar S. H.
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this article is to introduce a modification of Phillips operators on the interval $[ \frac{1}{2},\infty ) $
[

1

2

,
∞
)
via a Dunkl generalization. We further define the Stancu type generalization of these operators as $\mathcal{S}_{n, \upsilon }^{\ast }(f;x)=\frac{n^{2}}{e_{\upsilon }(n\chi _{n}(x))}\sum_{\ell =0}^{\infty } \frac{(n\chi _{n}(x))^{\ell }}{\gamma _{\upsilon }(\ell )}\int _{0}^{\infty } \frac{e^{-nt}n^{\ell +2\upsilon \theta _{\ell }-1}t^{\ell +2\upsilon \theta _{\ell }}}{\gamma _{\upsilon }(\ell )}f ( \frac{nt+\alpha }{n+\beta } ) \,\mathrm{d}t$

S

n
,
υ

∗

(
f
;
x
)
=

n
2

e
υ

(
n

χ
n

(
x
)
)

∑

ℓ
=
0

∞

(
n

χ
n

(
x
)
)

ℓ

γ
υ

(
ℓ
)

∫
0
∞

e

−
n
t

n

ℓ
+
2
υ

θ
ℓ

−
1

t

ℓ
+
2
υ

θ
ℓ

γ
υ

(
ℓ
)

f
(

n
t
+
α

n
+
β

)

d
t
, $f\in C_{\zeta }(R^{+})$
f
∈

C
ζ

(

R
+

)
, and calculate their moments and central moments. We discuss the convergence results via Korovkin type and weighted Korovkin type theorems. Furthermore, we calculate the rate of convergence by means of the modulus of continuity, Lipschitz type maximal functions, Peetre’s K-functional and the second order modulus of continuity.
Limit cycle bifurcations in a planar piecewise quadratic system with multiple parameters
Authors: Gong Shuhua , Han Maoan
Published: July 2020

This paper is concerned with the number of limit cycles bifurcating from a period annulus for some planar piecewise smooth non-Hamiltonian systems. We construct a planar piecewise quadratic system with multiple parameters, obtain its lower bound for the maximum number of limit cycles by using Melnikov function method, and find more limit cycles than (Li and Liu in J. Math. Anal. Appl. 428:1354–1367, 2015).
Incidence, risk factors and consequences of preterm birth – findings from a multi-centric observational study for 14 months in Nepal
Authors: Gurung Abhishek , Wrammert Johan , Sunny Avinash K. , Gurung Rejina , Rana Netra , Basaula Yuba Nidhi , Paudel Prajwal , Pokhrel Amrit , KC Ashish
Published: July 2020

Background

Preterm birth is a worldwide epidemic and a leading cause of neonatal mortality. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors and consequences of preterm birth in Nepal.

Methods

This was an observational study conducted in 12 public hospitals of Nepal. All the babies born during the study period were included in the study. Babies born < 37 weeks of gestation were classified as preterm births. For the association and outcomes for preterm birth, univariate followed by multiple regression analysis was conducted.

Results

The incidence of preterm was found to be 93 per 1000 live births. Mothers aged less than 20 years (aOR 1.26;1.15–1.39) had a high risk for preterm birth. Similarly, education of the mother was a significant predictor for preterm birth: illiterate mothers (aOR 1.41; 1.22–1.64), literate mothers (aOR 1.21; 1.08–1.35) and mothers having basic level of education (aOR 1.17; 1.07–1.27). Socio-demographic factors such as smoking (aOR 1.13; 1.01–1.26), use of polluted fuel (aOR 1.26; 1.17–1.35) and sex of baby (aOR 1.18; 1.11–1.26); obstetric factors such as nulliparity (aOR 1.33; 1.20–1.48), multiple delivery (aOR 6.63; 5.16–8.52), severe anemia during pregnancy (aOR 3.27; 2.21–4.84), antenatal visit during second trimester (aOR 1.13; 1.05–1.22) and third trimester (aOR 1.24; 1.12–1.38), < 4 antenatal visits during pregnancy (aOR 1.49; 1.38–1.61) were found to be significant risk factors of preterm birth. Preterm has a risk for pre-discharge mortality (10.60; 9.28–12.10).

Conclusion

In this study, we found high incidence of preterm birth. Various socio-demographic, obstetric and neonatal risk factors were associated with preterm birth. Risk factor modifications and timely interventions will help in the reduction of preterm births and associated mortalities.

Trial registration

ISRCTN30829654.
Shifts in the Holstein dairy cow milk fat globule membrane proteome that occur during the first week of lactation are affected by parity
Authors: Honan Mallory C. , Fahey Megan J. , Fischer-Tlustos Amanda J. , Steele Michael A. , Greenwood Sabrina L.
Published: July 2020

Background

The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) proteomes of colostrum and transition milk are rich sources of proteins that are likely important for neonatal calf health. In addition, characterization of these proteomes could also yield valuable information regarding mammary gland physiology of the early postpartum lactating cow. The objectives of this research were to characterize the MFGM proteomes of colostrum and transition milk through sample collections at four timepoints postpartum, including the first milking (M1, colostrum), second milking (M2, transition milk), fourth milking (M4, transition milk), and fourteenth milking (M14, mature milk), and compare these proteomes between multiparous (MP; n = 10) and primiparous (PP; n = 10) Holstein dairy cows. Isolated MFGM proteins were labeled using Tandem Mass tagging and analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Protein identification was completed using MASCOT and Sequest in Proteome Discoverer 2.2. The scaled abundance values were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS to determine the effects of milking (MIL), parity (PAR), and MIL × PAR. The adaptive false-discovery rate (FDR)-adjusted P values were determined using PROC MULTTEST. Protein characterization and bioinformatic analysis were completed using a combination of PANTHER, Blast, and Uniprot.

Results

A total of 104 common proteins were identified in each of the MFGM samples. Statistical analysis revealed that 70.2% of identified proteins were affected by MIL. Of these, 78.1% were lower in M14 compared with M1, including immune-related proteins lactotransferrin, lactadherin and hemopexin. Parity affected 44.2% of proteins. Of the proteins affected by PAR, 84.8% were higher in MP cows compared with PP cows, including apolipoprotein E and histones 2A, 2B, 3, and 4 b. Butyrophilin subfamily 1 member 1A and annexin 5 were higher in samples from PP cows. Milking × parity affected 32.7% of identified proteins, including lactotransferrin, gelsolin, vitamin D binding protein, and S100 proteins.

Conclusions

This research supports previous findings that the Holstein MFGM proteome changes rapidly during the first week of lactation. In addition, this research identifies the impact of parity on the colostrum and transition milk MFGM proteomes, which may be important for milk-fed calf health or for the identification of protein biomarkers for mammary functionality.
The impact of a multifaceted intervention to reduce potentially inappropriate prescribing among discharged older adults: a before-and-after study
Authors: Akkawi Muhammad Eid , Nik Mohamed Mohamad Haniki , Md Aris Mohd Aznan
Published: July 2020

Background

Potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) is associated with the incidence of adverse drug reactions, drug-related hospitalization and other negative outcomes in older adults. After hospitalization, older adults might be discharged with several types of PIPs. Studies have found that the lack of healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) knowledge regarding PIP is one of the major contributing factors in this issue. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a multifaceted intervention on physicians’ and clinical pharmacists’ behavior regarding potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) and potential prescribing omission (PPO) among hospitalized older adults.

Methods

This is a before-and-after study that took place in a tertiary Malaysian hospital. Discharge medications of patients ≥65 years old were reviewed to identify PIMs/PPOs using version 2 of the STOPP/START criteria. The prevalence and pattern of PIM/PPO before and after the intervention were compared. The intervention targeted the physicians and clinical pharmacists and it consisted of academic detailing and a newly developed smartphone application (app).

Results

The study involved 240 patients before (control group) and 240 patients after the intervention. The prevalence of PIM was 22% and 27% before and after the intervention, respectively (P = 0.213). The prevalence of PPO in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (42% Vs. 53.3%);P = 0.014. This difference remained statistically significant after controlling for other variables (P = 0.015). The intervention was effective in reducing the two most common PPOs; the omission of vitamin D supplements in patients with a history of falls (P = 0.001) and the omission of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor in patients with coronary artery disease (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

The smartphone app coupled with academic detailing was effective in reducing the prevalence of PPO at discharge. However, it did not significantly affect the prevalence or pattern of PIM.
Gallbladder carcinoma: an initial clinical experience of reduced field-of-view diffusion-weighted MRI
Authors: Wu Sisi , Zou Xianlun , Wang Qiuxia , Hu Daoyu , Li Zhen , Xu Chuou
Published: July 2020

Background

The purpose of this study is to compare the diagnostic value, imaging quality and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of reduced field-of-view diffusion-weight imaging (r-FOV DWI) and full field-of-view diffusion-weight imaging (f-FOV DWI) in patients with gallbladder carcinoma and other lesions of gallbladder.

Methods

Two hundred ninety-six patients with gallbladder diseases underwent both r-FOV DWI and f-FOV DWI on a 3.0 T MRI scanner. Two radiologists assessed subjective image quality parameters independently. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare subjective qualitative image score. Objective quality values and the mean ADC values were analyzed by paired t-test. The correlation between pathological results and mean ADC value were estimated using Spearman rank correlation analysis.

Results

The CNR value (10.23 ± 2.92) and image quality score (13.84 ± 1.07) of r-FOV DWI were significantly higher than those of f-FOV DWI (5.24 ± 1.29 P<0.001; 10.41 ± 1.11 P<0.001). There was no significant difference between mean ADC values of the two DWI sequences for all three groups (Group 1, chronic cholecystitis; Group 2, benign lesions of gallbladder; Group 3, gallbladder carcinoma. P = 0.239, 0.974 and 0.226 respectively). For both DWI sequences, the mean ADC values were the highest in the group of cholecystitis and the lowest in the group of gallbladder carcinoma (2.49 ± 0.14 vs 1.49 ± 0.12; 2.50 ± 0.14 vs 1.50 ± 0.13, for f-FOV and r-FOV respectively), the differences among groups were statistically significant (P<0.01). The mean ADC values for both DWI sequences were negatively correlated with the group number, which increased with the malignant tendency of lesions (r = − 0.892, P<0.01; r = − 0.913, P<0.01 for f-FOV and r-FOV respectively).

Conclusion

Reduced Field-of-view Diffusion-weighted MRI is a good tool to diagnosis the gallbladder carcinoma, with better image quality and without affecting ADC values.
Moving prevention of functional impairment upstream: is middle age an ideal time for intervention?
Authors: Brown Rebecca T. , Covinsky Kenneth E.
Published: July 2020

To live independently, individuals must be able to perform basic activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, and transferring out of a bed or chair. When older adults develop difficulty or the need for help performing ADLs, they experience decreased quality of life and an increased risk of acute care utilization, nursing home admission, and death. For these reasons, slowing or preventing the progression to functional problems is a key focus of the care of older adults. While preventive efforts currently focus mainly on older people, difficulty performing basic ADLs (“functional impairment”) affects nearly 15% of middle-aged adults, and this prevalence is increasing. People who develop functional impairment in middle age are at increased risk for adverse outcomes similar to those experienced by older adults. Developing ADL impairment in middle age also impacts work force participation and health expenditures, not just in middle age but also older age. Middle-aged adults have a high capacity for recovery from functional impairment, and many risk factors for developing functional impairment in middle and older age have their roots in mid-life. Taken together, these findings suggest that middle age may be an ideal period to intervene to prevent or delay functional impairment. To address the rising prevalence of functional impairment in middle age, we will need to work on several fronts. These include developing improved prognostic tools to identify middle-aged people at highest risk for functional impairment and developing interventions to prevent or delay impairment among middle-aged people. More broadly, we need to recognize functional impairment in middle age as a problem that is as prevalent and central to health outcomes as many chronic medical conditions.
Evaluation of cardioprotection and bio-efficacy enhancement of stevioside and diltiazem in rats
Authors: Bhatt Laxit , Amrutia Jay , Chakraborty Manodeep , Kamath Jagadish
Published: July 2020

Background

Cardiovascular diseases and resultant complications of cardio-therapeutic regimens are one of the leading causes of mortalities in developing countries. Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker primarily used in treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias, systemic hypertension, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Stevioside, the chief component of Stevia plant, is a natural sweetener that has significant therapeutic properties. Stevioside is a known bioenhancer that acts by synergizing pharmacological activities of other drugs. Present study was designed to evaluate cardioprotective activity of stevioside and possible bioenhancement upon co-administration with diltiazem. Standard cardiotoxicity models—isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction and ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) through modified Langendorff setup was used to test this hypothesis. Rats were randomly divided into control groups (normal—physiological saline and toxic—isoproterenol, 150 mg/kg, s.c., and IRI induced in normal control animals) and treatment groups (diltiazem—17.5 mg/kg, p.o., stevioside—100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o. and combination groups). At the end of the treatment period, animals were sacrificed and biochemical, electrocardiographic, and histopathological changes were measured.

Results

Pre-treatment with stevioside prevented leakage of biomarkers and normalized serum and perfusate levels of CK-MB, CK-NAC, LDH, AST, and ALT enzymes. It displayed lipid-lowering effect on TC and TG levels dose dependently. STV also showed protective action on levels of tissue antioxidant enzymes (SOD and Catalase), electrocardiographic parameters (HR, RR, QRS, QT, PR), and heart tissue histopathology when compared to concurrent toxic control groups. Combination of stevioside (200 mg/kg) and diltiazem (17.5 mg/kg) exerted a more significant pharmacodynamic response, significantly restored biomarkers, antioxidants levels, and myocardial histology, and normalized electrocardiographic parameters.

Conclusion

Stevioside and diltiazem both displayed cardioprotective effect when given alone. Co-administration displayed improved restorative action on antioxidant status, biomarkers, electrocardiographic parameters, and histology.
Me and Paul
Authors: Murray Janice
Published: July 2020

Janice Murray, the personal assistant of Paul Samuelson and Robert Solow, reminisces about working with them at MIT.
Utility Matters
Authors: Assaf Matheus , Duarte Pedro Garcia
Published: July 2020

The present-day standard textbook narrative on the history of growth theory usually takes Robert Solow’s 1956 contribution as a key starting point, which was extended by David Cass and Tjalling Koopmans in 1965 by introducing an intertemporal maximization problem that defines the saving ratio in the economy. However, the road connecting Solow to the Ramsey-Cass-Koopmans model is not so straightforward. We argue that in order to understand Koopmans’s contribution, we have to go to the activity analysis literature that started before Solow 1956 and never had him as a central reference. We stress the role played by Edmond Malinvaud, with whom Koopmans interacted closely, and take his travel from the French milieu of mathematical economics to the Cowles Commission in 1950-51 and back to France as a guiding line. The rise of turnpike theory in the end of the 1950s generated a debate on the choice criteria of growth programs, opposing the productive efficiency typical of these models to the utilitarian approach supported by Malinvaud and Koopmans. The Vatican Conference of 1963, where Koopmans presented a first version of his 1965 model, was embedded in this debate. We argue that Malinvaud’s (and Koopmans’s) contributions were crucial to steer the activity analysis literature toward a utilitarian analysis of growth paths.
The Roar of the Minotaur
Authors: Burrows Stuart
Published: July 2020

This essay proposes that W. G. Sebald’s distinctive contribution to the global novel is his reordering of the space of representation. This reordering is both literal and metaphorical. It is literal, in the sense that Sebald sets his work within actual spaces: the pages upon which his novels are written as much as the landscape being traversed by his narrator. It is metaphorical, in the sense that Sebald explores a set of imaginary spaces nested within each other: those occupied by his characters, who inhabit several worlds simultaneously, and that allocated to the narrative voice, which speaks to us out of a clearly demarcated yet unlocatable place. The result is not a troubling of the boundary between the real and the fictional, as many of his critics have contended, but a reflection on how the past continues to shape the present, forming the real and imaginative coordinates of our world.
Introduction
Authors: Khan Razak
Published: July 2020

The current turn in the histories of modern India and Germany is a movement away from their respective national and linguistic boundaries toward exploration of global connections and resultant entanglements. It has been facilitated by new interventions made by transnational and transregional histories, which have become more prominent, both intellectually and institutionally, in Germany with the rise of the Global History approach in recent years. Modern South Asian history, too, has successfully moved beyond the colonial and nationalist framework to explore the larger terrain of Indian Ocean history as well as the wider connections both within and beyond the British Empire. These developments have given rise to an exciting meeting point that brings modern Indian and German histories together. The essays in this special section are focused on connections forged in Germany and, specifically, in Berlin, while also tracing the prehistory and afterlives in the colony and newly independent nations in South Asia. At the same time, our articles locate Indo-German histories within a wider global context as well.
Specters and Circulation of Meaning
Authors: Katiboğlu Monica
Published: July 2020

As an innovative literary movement marked by intensified transaction with European languages and literatures, Edebiyat-ı Cedide (“New Literature,” 1896–1901) has been conceptualized in terms of European influence. Yet paradigms of influence neglect to account for the ways in which Edebiyat-ı Cedide authors come to terms with the asymmetrical relations of power between languages as they articulate their own vision of a modern Ottoman language comparable to European languages in an earlier moment of global modernization. I argue that Edebiyat-ı Cedide's engagement with language exposes the ways in which they deal not only with the specter of the European linguistic other as a referent of superiority, but also with the specter of Arabic and Persian as intimate linguistic others. Within the broader context of Ottoman linguistic modernization of the nineteenth century, I examine the ways in which Edebiyat-ı Cedide forges a comparable language and the tensions involved therein.
Quantitative analyses of EGFR localization and trafficking dynamics in the follicular epithelium
Authors: Revaitis Nicole T. , Niepielko Matthew G. , Marmion Robert A. , Klein Eric A. , Piccoli Benedetto , Yakoby Nir
Published: July 2020

To bridge the gap between qualitative and quantitative analyses of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in tissues, we generated an sfGFP-tagged EGF receptor (EGFR-sfGFP) in Drosophila. The homozygous fly appears similar to wild type with EGFR expression and activation patterns that are consistent with previous reports in the ovary, early embryo, and imaginal discs. Using ELISA, we quantified an average of 1100, 6200 and 2500 receptors per follicle cell (FC) at stages 8/9, 10 and ≥11 of oogenesis, respectively. Interestingly, the spatial localization of the EGFR to the apical side of the FCs at early stages depended on the TGFα-like ligand Gurken. At later stages, EGFR localized to basolateral positions of the FCs. Finally, we followed the endosomal localization of EGFR in the FCs. The EGFR colocalized with the late endosome, but no significant colocalization of the receptor was found with the early endosome. The EGFR-sfGFP fly is an exciting new resource for studying cellular localization and regulation of EGFR in tissues.
Prdm8 regulates pMN progenitor specification for motor neuron and oligodendrocyte fates by modulating Shh signaling response
Authors: Scott Kayt , O'Rourke Rebecca , Gillen Austin , Appel Bruce
Published: July 2020

Spinal cord pMN progenitors sequentially produce motor neurons and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). Some OPCs differentiate rapidly as myelinating oligodendrocytes whereas others remain into adulthood. How pMN progenitors switch from producing motor neurons to OPCs with distinct fates is poorly understood. pMN progenitors express prdm8, which encodes a transcriptional repressor, during motor neuron and OPC formation. To determine if prdm8 controls pMN cell fate specification, we used zebrafish as a model system to investigate prdm8 function. Our analysis revealed that prdm8 mutant embryos have a deficit of motor neurons resulting from a premature switch from motor neuron to OPC production. Additionally, prdm8 mutant larvae have excess oligodendrocytes and a concomitant deficit of OPCs. Notably, pMN cells of mutant embryos have elevated Shh signaling coincident with the motor neuron to OPC switch. Inhibition of Shh signaling restored the number of motor neurons to normal but did not rescue the proportion of oligodendrocytes. These data suggest that Prdm8 regulates the motor neuron-OPC switch by controlling the level of Shh activity in pMN progenitors and also regulates allocation of oligodendrocyte lineage cell fates.
Evaluation of serum homocysteine and nitric oxide concentrations compared with other biochemical parameters in sheep naturally infected with Fasciola hepatica
Authors: DENIZHAN V. , KOZAT S.
Published: July 2020

This study aims to determine the changes in serum homocysteine (Hcy) and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in sheep naturally infected with F. hepatica. The animal material of the study consisted of a total of 50 sheep: 40 sheep with fascioliasis and 10 healthy sheep.The statistical analysis indicated that serum homocysteine concentrations, folate and vitamin B12 levels of the sheep infected with F. hepatica were higher than those of the control group (P<0.001 P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively), whereas the nitric oxide levels of the sheep infected with F. hepatica were significantly lower than those of healthy sheep (P<0.001). In conclusion, it is thought that vitamin B12 and folate are not used sufficiently for the conversion of homocysteine to methionine in the remethylation cycle due to the damage in the liver tissue of sheep naturally infected with F. hepatica. This results in the increase of homocysteine which in turn inhibits the formation of nitric oxide.
Whole issue
Authors: Εταιρεία Ελληνική Κτηνιατρική
Published: July 2020

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
MetaboMAPS: Pathway sharing and multi-omics data visualization in metabolic context
Authors: Koblitz Julia , Schomburg Dietmar , Neumann-Schaal Meina
Published: July 2020

Metabolic pathways are an important part of systems biology research since they illustrate complex interactions between metabolites, enzymes, and regulators. Pathway maps are drawn to elucidate metabolism or to set data in a metabolic context. We present MetaboMAPS, a web-based platform to visualize numerical data on individual metabolic pathway maps. Metabolic maps can be stored, distributed and downloaded in SVG-format. MetaboMAPS was designed for users without computational background and supports pathway sharing without strict conventions. In addition to existing applications that established standards for well-studied pathways, MetaboMAPS offers a niche for individual, customized pathways beyond common knowledge, supporting ongoing research by creating publication-ready visualizations of experimental data.
Mental health, sleep quality and quality of life in individuals with and without multiple health conditions during home quarantine in India due to the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Patra Ramesh Chandra , Kanungo Biswajit , Bawa Parul
Published: July 2020

Background: Since the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic, global spread has created several challenges for the general public and health care workers across the world. The primary aim of this study was to assess the psychological stress, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life (QoL) of individuals with multiple health issues during home quarantine caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: 50 individuals were recruited between 28th March and 30th April 2020, who have a history of chronic health issues, and 50 individuals with no health issues for this cross-sectional study. Three questionnaires were used to evaluate the mental health [depression anxiety stress scale (DASS-21)], sleep quality [Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI)], and QoL [short form of health-related questionnaire (SF-36)] of participants. Statistical analysis was carried out with Student’s t-test, using SPSS software v16.

Results: Baseline demographic characteristics were homogenous for both groups of participants. Intergroup analysis revealed statistically significant differences in mental health (p<0.001), sleep quality (p<0.001), and QoL (p<0.001) between the two groups.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that individuals with chronic health issues exhibit higher mental health problems, lower quality of sleep and have a lower health-related QoL.  More research needs to be done for this group of individuals and the Government should plan to care of these individuals.
Evaluation of antioxidant and anti-collagenase activity of Rosa damascena L. flower petal and receptacle extract
Authors: Elfitriani Elfitriani , Raif Ahmad , Ginting Chrismis N. , Ikhtiari Refi
Published: July 2020

Background: Rosa damascena L. is the most notable species of the Rosaceae family in the world, and has been used in food, cosmetics, and the pharmaceutical industry. Bioactive compounds in this flower are known to have several activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. In this study, the antioxidant and collagenase inhibitory activities of R. damascena L. petal and receptacle extracts were evaluated. 

Methods: Ethanolic extraction of R. damascena L. petals (EERP) and R. damascena L. receptacles (EERR) were obtained, and bioactive compounds (flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, terpenoids, and triterpenoids) were classified by phytochemical screening. Antioxidant activities were analyzed by Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay, while anti-collagenase analysis was examined through the inhibition of collagenase.

Results: Phytochemical test revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, steroids, triterpenoids, triterpenes, and tannin. EERP showed higher FRAP activity (164.23 ± 1.34 μM Fe(II)) than EERR (12.85 ± 6.19 μM Fe(II)). EERP also had higher inhibitory activity of collagenase (IC50 = 115.48±1.78 µM/mL) compared to EERR (IC50 = 141.96±6.13 µM/mL).

Conclusions: R. damascena L. petal and receptacle ethanol extracts contain several components, such as phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, terpenes, triterpenoids, and steroids. These extracts exhibit antioxidant activity and collagenase inhibition. R. damascena L. petal extract showed higher antioxidant activity through FRAP assay and inhibitory activity of collagenase than R. damascena L. receptacle extract.
Risk factors for completed suicide among people who use drugs: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Murphy Lisa , Lyons Suzi , O'Sullivan Michael , Lynn Ena
Published: July 2020

Background: Research over the past several decades has shown an increased risk for completed suicide among people who use drugs (PWUD). However, no study to date has attempted to summarise the available literature on the variety of risk factors associated with this increased risk. This paper presents a protocol for a scoping review that aims to systematically map and synthesise the extent and nature of published, unpublished and grey literature related to risk factors for suicide PWUD.

Methods: The following six-stage methodological framework for scoping reviews proposed by Arksey and O’Malley with enhancements by Levac and colleagues will be used: (1) identifying the research question, (2) identifying relevant studies, (3) study selection, (4) charting/mapping the data, (5) collating, summarising and reporting results and (6) expert consultation. The review will be conducted and reported in accordance with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Key inclusion and exclusion criteria will be developed to guide literature screening and data charting. Three reviewers will conduct the initial screening of published, unpublished and grey literature. Identified risk factors will be collated, summarised and categorised iteratively by two independent reviewers. Stakeholder consultation will occur with experts from a national steering committee, a national advisory group, a national suicide prevention centre and a European drug monitoring centre.

Conclusion: Collating and thematically categorising the various risk factors for suicide among this high-risk group will hold important implications for future research, policy and practice. The research will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed academic journal and a conference presentation, and by sharing the findings with key stakeholders working within research, policy-making and professional practice contexts.
On the Influence of Production Factors on Labor Productivity in the Regions of the Central Federal District of Russia
Authors: Basovskaya Elena , Basovskiy Leonid
Published: July 2020

On the basis of econometric models of labor productivity in the regions of the Central Federal District, estimates of private - regional coefficients of labor productivity elasticity by productivity factors were obtained. Fixed assets are used most effectively in the Belgorod and Moscow regions and in Moscow. The least efficient use of fixed assets is in the Ivanovo, Bryansk and Tver regions. Mechanisms for stimulating labor productivity associated with inequality in income distribution function most effectively in Belgorod, Moscow regions and in Moscow. Mechanisms for stimulating labor productivity associated with inequality of income distribution are the least effective in Ivanovo and Bryansk regions. The most effective scientific activity is in the Belgorod and Moscow regions and in Moscow. The least effective scientific activity is in the Ivanovo and Bryansk regions. The most effective export activity is in the Belgorod and Moscow regions and in Moscow. The least efficient export activities are in Ivanovo, Bryansk and Kostroma regions.
Competition Development, Monopolism and Monopolization in Post-Reform Russia: Theoretical and Practical Aspects
Authors: Shut'ko Larisa , Muromtseva Alina , Malyugin Aleksey
Published: July 2020

The article discusses the competition development and monopolization features in post-reform Russia in the context of comparing the research problem relevance at the beginning of the perestroika processes in Russia and after the thirty-year period of Russian economy reforming. The analysis of the competition and monopolization im-pact on the development of commodity markets was done. The state management problems of competition and the processes of limiting monopolization development are systemic. The state competitive policy is carried out on the developed regulatory basis at the federal, regional and local levels; and it finds a business environment backward response in the form of expanding practice of introducing antitrust compliance in business processes. The process of competition is developing in Russia economy; the competitive environment expansion and monopolization level decrease are reflected in it, however, stable monopolistic tendencies remain in some economy sectors and activity fields in the economy.
Kryzys ukraiński wyzwaniem dla rozwoju relacji gospodarczych Ukrainy z Unią Europejską
Authors: Labuda Marta
Published: July 2020

The Ukrainian Crisis as a Challenge for Development of Economic Relations between Ukraine and European Union

The present article is an attempt to look at European economic integration in terms of the Ukrainian crisis that not only Ukraine, but the entire area of Eastern Europe and the European Union must deal with. The purpose of the research is to demonstrate the impact of the Ukrainian crisis on economic integration of Ukraine with the EU. The research has been based on a mixed methodology due to the interdisciplinary subject of the article. The sequential exploratory strategy has been used. The research proves the Ukrainian crisis contributes to the trade exchange instability and causes disruptions in capital cooperation between the EU and Ukraine. The serious crisis shows how important a solid policy is to integrate this country with the EU.
Międzynarodowe role Unii Europejskiej w wypowiedziach Javiera Solany, Catherine Ashton i Federiki Mogherini podczas Monachijskich Konferencji Bezpieczeństwa w latach 2009‑2019
Authors: Kruk Aleksandra
Published: July 2020

European Union’s International Role in Statements of Javier Solana, Catherine Ashton and Frederica Mogherini during the Munich Security Conferences in the Years 2009 until 2019 The aim of the article is an analysis of statements of the European union’s foreign affairs and security policy high representatives during the Munich Security Conference in years 2009 until 2019. The diplomats’ activities resulted from their roles as high representatives, which are programming, initiating action and representing the European Union outside. The Munich Security Conferences were a platform to present activities and stand points concerning contemporary challenges in the field of international security. The conferences contributed to the extension of contacts of the EU from Javier Solana’s, Catherine Ashton’s and Federica Mogherini’s points of view.
THE LACK OF SUBJECT INVERSION IN PUERTO RICAN INFINITIVE CLAUSES.
Authors: GONZÁLEZ RODRÍGUEZ Raquel
Published: July 2020

This paper explores the syntactic variation in Spanish focusing on a difference between European and Puerto Rican Spanish: the lack of subject-verb inversion in Puerto Rican infinitive clauses. Whereas infinitive subjects must follow the verb in European Spanish, they can also appear in preverbal position in Puerto Rican Spanish. On the one hand, this paper provides a detailed description of the phenomenon; for example, it determines what type of subjects can occupy the preverbal position in Puerto Rican Spanish. On the other hand, it offers empirical evidence for the following claim: this asymmetry between European and Puerto Rican Spanish is derived from infinitive subjects occupying different positions in these varieties, but not from the verb moving from T(ense) to C(omplementizer) in European Spanish.
Fábricas de envases de vidrio en España: la limitada historia industrial de la Vidriera del Norte (VINSA, 1965-1977)
Authors: Andrés López Gonzalo , Soria Cáceres Carlos Hugo
Published: July 2020

Este artículo contiene una aportación a la historia de las fábricas de producción de vidrio hueco que surgieron en España a lo largo del siglo xx y, en concreto, ilustra una iniciativa singular durante la década de los sesenta, la de la Vidriera del Norte (VINSA). Con raíces en una experiencia previa puesta en marcha en México, la fábrica inició su camino en el polo industrial de Burgos como una aventura empresarial y se convirtió en poco tiempo en una iniciativa pionera en el nuevo mercado de la fabricación de envases de vidrio a nivel nacional. Las dificultades para poner en marcha la producción, su expansión, su consolidación y la posterior absorción por el grupo francés Saint Gobain constituyen un significativo ejemplo de la historia industrial de la fabricación de botellas en los años del desarrollismo español.