bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Platonic Strategy in Byzantium“Power in Literature and Philosophy”
Authors:   Southern Federal University, Кirillov Andrey А. , Tikhonov Andrey V. ,   Southern Federal University
Published: February 2021

The article attempts to address the principles of Plato’s teaching in order to indi­cate the influence of the platonic way of philosophizing on Byzantine philosoph­ical practices. The problem of the difference of interpretations of essential mo­ments of Plato’s teaching is raised, bit for the solution of reception of a dialogue form of this teaching, its main sense and strategies, a generalized image of pla­tonism is created. The appeal to Byzantine reality demonstrates the mixture of cultural fields of literature, religion and philosophy, which develops an axiologi­cal manner of writing, requiring a thorough assessment of the text and its con­tent. The overview of “power in literature and philosophy” in Byzantine repre­sents the simultaneity of literary, philosophical and theological works relevant for this period of time with the standards of the living tradition of platonic and neoplatonic classics. At the end of the article there are examples of direct inter­pretation of some statements of Plato by Michael Psellos.
Civilizational Racism and Reasonability of Historical Research Based on the Civilizational Approach
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Shchipkov Aleksandr V.
Published: February 2021

The article considers the influence of civilizational racism ideas on the universal­ist and civilizational approaches to historical studies. According to the author, the Anglo-American hegemony in the sphere of culture, politics and science serves to devalue both approaches and disagrees with the requirements of pure science. Civilizational racism is viewed as the result of the secular transforma­tion of Anglo-Saxon Protestantism and its interaction with colonial practices. According to the logic of the article, the Anglo-Saxon version of racism is seen as a model for the entire Western society. It is distinguished by the myths of civi­lizational superiority, the principle of extraterritorial cratocracy, sacred violence with the sacred sacrifice chosen from among “non-conventional subjects” and the idea of civilizing mission. Civilizational racism is seen as a cultural metanar­rative and ‘a privileged entity’. In the future we are going to witness the increas­ing importance of the civilizational approach in connection with the trend in­volving the macroregionalization of world processes.
Philosophical Component of Cultural Research
Authors:   Azerbaijan University of Languages, Huseynova Nigar A. ,   Institute of Philosophy of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
Published: February 2021

The article deals with the problems of modern Azerbaijani culture, its philosoph­ical component and significance in understanding the development process. At the same time, this approach to the analysis of culture not only contributes to the clarification of the methodological aspects, the definition of the desired con­cept, but also allows us to understand the reasons for variability, comprehending the experience of interaction between different cultures. The specific approaches to these issues of the philosophers of Azerbaijan and some other countries are an example that allows one to identify some important methodological (cultural and historical) generalizations in the formation of Azerbaijani culture. It also reveals the process of changes in culture, its enrichment and the ability to respond to the challenges of the new. The author explains the cultural dependence of commu­nity on how the historical identity of this community and power relations change. Philosophy allows us to identify the reasons for change, dynamics in what is now perceived as a holistic culture. It is productive, as it turns out to be the key to understanding the processes of gradual development of cultures, knowledge and information about others. There are many philosophical studies about culture, but philosophy not only studies culture as a historical object, it is itself a part of it, and therefore it has the ability to influence it, being a set of ed­ucational attitudes on tolerance and morality. The author draws attention to the fact that today the importance of connections between Azerbaijani culture and ethics, education and upbringing is often underestimated.
Regenerative Potential of Non-Vital Immature Permanent Maxillary Central Incisors using Platelet Rich Fibrin Scaffold- A Prospective Cohort Study.
Authors: Selvakumar Kritika , V Sujatha , N Srinivasan , Renganathan Senthil Kumar , Mahalaxmi Sekar
Published: February 2021

Regenerative endodontic procedures has gained momentum as a treatment modality of young immature permanent teeth. Literature reports reveal that platelet rich fibrin (PRF) stimulates growth factors and induces regeneration. This study was undertaken to assess the regenerative potential of non-vital immature permanent maxillary central incisors using PRF with a follow up for 2yrs. 19 patients in the age group of 9-25yrs with immature, non-vital permanent maxillary central incisors (n=23) with/without signs and/or symptoms of periapical pathosis and open apex were included in this study. In the first appointment, access opening, canal disinfection and triple antibiotic paste placement was done. In the subsequent visit, PRF was prepared and placed inside the canal. Access was sealed with Mineral trioxide aggregate plug and composite. The patient was reviewed upto 24mths. The mean difference was statistically analysed using Friedman test followed by Dunn post hoc test and adjusted by Bonferroni correction (p<0.05). As per AAE guidelines, the primary and secondary goals were achieved. A significant (p<0.001) gradual increase in the root length, thickness of dentinal walls and decrease in apical diameter were observed. Within the limitations of this study, PRF placement was clinically and radiographically effective in inducing regeneration of non-vital immature permanent teeth.
Single-dose immunization with a chimpanzee adenovirus-based vaccine induces sustained and protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Zhang Linqi , Li Mingxi , Guo Jingao , Lu Shuaiyao , Zhou Runhong , Shi Hongyang , Shi Xuangling , Cheng Lin , Liang Qingtai , Liu Hongqi , Wang Pui , Wang Nan , Wang Yifeng , Fu Lili , Xing Man , Ju Bin , Liu Li , Lau Siu-Ying , Jia Wenxu , Tong Xin , Yuan Lin , Guo Yong , Qi Hai , Zhang Qi , Huang Zhen , Chen Honglin , Zhang Zheng , Chen Zhiwei , Peng Xiaozhong , Zhou Dongming , Wang Ruoke
Published: February 2021

The development of an effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of pandemic coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), is a global priority. Here, we present three chimpanzee adenovirus vaccines that express either the full-length spike (ChAdTS-S), or receptor-binding domain (RBD) with two different signal sequences (ChAdTS-RBD and ChAdTS-RBDs). Single-dose intranasal or intramuscular immunization induced robust and sustained neutralizing antibody responses in BALB/c mice, with ChAdTS-S being superior to ChAdTS-RBD and ChAdTS-RBDs. Intranasal immunization appeared to induce a predominately Th2-based response whereas intramuscular administration resulted in a predominately Th1 response. The neutralizing activity against several circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants remained unaffected for mice serum but reduced for rhesus macaque serum. Importantly, immunization with ChAdTS-S via either route induced protective immunity against high-dose challenge with live SARS-CoV-2 in rhesus macaques. Vaccinated macaques demonstrated dramatic decreases in viral RNA in the lungs and nasal swabs, as well as reduced lung pathology compared to the control animals. Similar protective effects were also found in a golden Syrian hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Taken together, these results confirm that ChAdTS-S can induce protective immune responses in experimental animals, meriting further development toward a human vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.
COVID-19 and the kidney: A retrospective analysis of 37 critically ill patients using machine learning
Authors: Herzog Anna Laura , Jouanne-Diedrich Holger K. , Wanner Christoph , Weismann Dirk , Schlesinger Tobias , Meybohm Patrick , Stumpner Jan
Published: February 2021

Introduction There is evidence that SARS-CoV2 has a particular affinity for kidney tissue and is often associated with kidney failure.Methods We assessed whether proteinuria can be predictive of kidney failure, the development of chronic kidney disease, and mortality in 37 critically ill COVID-19 patients. We used machine learning (ML) methods as decision trees and cut-off points created by the OneR package to add new aspects, even in smaller cohorts.Results Among a total of 37 patients, 24 suffered higher-grade renal failure, 20 of whom required kidney replacement therapy. More than 40% of patients remained on hemodialysis after intensive care unit discharge or died (27%). Due to frequent anuria proteinuria measured in two-thirds of the patients, it was not predictive for the investigated endpoints; albuminuria was higher in patients with AKI 3, but the difference was not significant. ML found cut-off points of > 31.4 kg/m2 for BMI and > 69 years for age, constructed decision trees with great accuracy, and identified highly predictive variables for outcome and remaining chronic kidney disease.Conclusions Different ML methods and their clinical application, especially decision trees, can provide valuable support for clinical decisions. Presence of proteinuria was not predictive of CKD or AKI and should be confirmed in a larger cohort.
The Engineering and Scientific Challenges of Environmental Justice Organizations in the US: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Boucher Jean Léon , Levenda Anthony , Morales-Guerrero Jorge , Macias Madison , Karwat Darshan
Published: February 2021

With the goal of exploring the engineering and scientific challenges of environmental justice organizations (EJOs), we present the results of 47 interviews with representatives of US-based EJOs. Methodologically, we use a deductive-inductive approach to identifying salient categories in the interview coding process. We identify a structure of three overarching themes for potential interactions between EJOs and engineers and scientists: (1) organizational goals; (2) engineering and scientific challenges; and (3) experiences with engineers and scientists. Our findings reveal a breadth of EJO goals and myriad engineering and scientific challenges ranging from community development, clean and just energy transactions, climate change adaptation, and water and air quality monitoring. We also find activity-based opportunities for engineers and scientists like data collection, management, and analysis; online platform building; GIS mapping; and causation analyses. We find that engineers and scientists could help bridge the culture gap between them and EJOs and help build a field of collaboration by: a greater mindfulness of local contexts; building relational rapport and trust; moving beyond narrow technical solutions; identifying low-cost accessible solutions; and receiving unconscious bias training. To our knowledge, this study is unique by its provision and assemblage of—in one place—the myriad ways engineers and scientists might work with EJOs to address the challenges of environmental, energy, and climate justice.
Tailoring the microstructural, magnetic and dielectric properties of vanadium ions substituted nickel ferrite nanocrystals
Authors: Tanbir Kamar , GHOSH MRITUNJOY PRASAD , Kar Manoranjan , Mukherjee Samrat
Published: February 2021

This paper describes the composition-dependent microstructural, magnetic and dielectric properties of vanadium ions doped nickel ferrite nanoparticles. All the nanoferrite samples (NiV x Fe 2-x O 4 : x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15) were prepared using conventional co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction patterns verified the single cubic spinel phase formation and achievement of nano-sized ferrite particles with a homogeneous distribution, which was also supported by HRTEM micrographs. Mean crystallite diameter was seen in the range of 05 nm to 12 nm as evaluated from Williamson-Hall (W-H) curves for the different doped samples. A compressive nature microstrain was noticed in all the samples and was also seen to reduce with the enhancement of vanadium ions content. A blue shift was detected in the indirect band gap for higher vanadium doped samples. Magnetization at the saturation point as well as coercive field both were observed to reduce at room temperature with increasing vanadium concentration in nanosized nickel ferrites. Room temperature dielectric characteristics of all the synthesized samples ensured that the elementary charge conduction process was governed by the hopping of electrons. Cole-Cole plots also showed that the grain boundaries play an important task in deciding the dielectric responses.
Subjective sleep disorders and daytime sleepiness in patients with restrictive type anorexia nervosa and effects on quality of life: a case-control study.
Authors: Romigi Andrea , Mercuri Nicola B. , Caccamo Marco , Testa Federica , Vitrani Giuseppe , Tripaldi Maria Carmela , Centonze Diego , Jacoangeli Fabrizio
Published: February 2021

Purpose To evaluate sleep disorders and daytime drowsiness in a cohort of patients affected by anorexia nervosa (AN) and their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Method We evaluated AN patients and healthy controls (C) by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Beck Depression Index. We also utilized the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire to assess HRQoL in both AN and C. Results: Twenty-eight out of 34 AN patients (82.3%) had a pathological PSQI score while 10/34 (29.4%) healthy subjects (p<0.0001). The overall PSQI score was significantly higher in AN than in the controls (p=0.0004). The components sleep quality (p=0.008), sleep duration (p=0.03), sleep efficiency (p=0.004), sleep disturbances (p=0.01) and daytime dysfunction (p=0.002) were higher than C. SF36 showed significantly reduced scores of standardized physical components (p=0.01) and standardized mental components (p<0.0001) in AN, while physical function (p=0.0001), physical role (p=0.0005) and general health (p<0.0001), vitality (p=0.001), social functioning (p=0.0006) emotional role (p=0.002) and mental health (p<0.0001) were significantly decreased in AN. We found a significant correlation between the PSQI score and the physical role (r=-0.35, p=0.03) and education (r=0.38, p=0.02).Conclusion We demonstrated low sleep quality lacking subjective daytime sleepiness in AN. Sleep quality correlated significantly with HRQoL (physical role) and level of education. Level of evidence: level III case-control study
A study on Co doped SnO2 loaded corn cob activated carbon for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye
Authors: S Ragupathy , M Ramamoorthy
Published: February 2021

SnO2 with different Co2+ doping concentrations (0.050, 0.075 and 0.10 M), and Co (0.075 M): SnO2/corn cob activated carbon (Co: SnO2/CCAC) were prepared, and are labelled CS1, CS2, CS3 and CS2/CCAC respectively. The CS2/CCAC showed that the particle size is reduced (16.29 nm) with Co2+ doping and CCAC loading. Moreover, CS2/CCAC indicate that the decreased PL intensity and its lower value (2.156 Ω) of impedance from EIS results and increased separation of the photogenerated e−/h+ pairs. Thus, the result showed that CS2/CCAC possesses improved photocatalytic efficiency (95.38 %) as compared to other samples. The photocatalytic mechanism of CS2/CCAC also is discussed.
Electrochemical determination of rutin by using NiFe2O4 nanoparticles loaded reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Askari Nahid , Salarizadeh Navvabeh , Askari Mohammad Bagher
Published: February 2021

A binary transition metal oxide based on nickel and iron (NiFe2O4) and hybridization of this nanomaterial with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are synthesized by the hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy confirm the successful synthesis of these materials. Also, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images illustrated the particle morphology with the particle size of 20 nm. The synthesized material is then examined as a sensor on the surface of the glassy carbon electrode to detect a very small amount of rutin .Some electrochemical tests such as cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy indicate the remarkable accuracy of this sensor and its operation in a relatively wide range of concentration of rutin (100 nM-100 µM). Considering the very good results, it seems the NiFe2O4-rGO can be considered as a new proposal in the development of accurate and inexpensive electrochemical sensors.
Visceral adiposity index was independently associated with hyperuricemia in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Chen Yun , Han Yan , Yang Hongyi , Ma Danyan , Zeng Xiying , Ye Jiawen , Chen Zheng , Zheng Xin , Shi Xiulin , Yan Xiaohong , Liu Changqin
Published: February 2021

Objective: The current study aimed to explore the prevalence rate of hyperuricemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and investigate the relationship between Visceral adiposity index (VAI) and hyperuricemia in PCOS.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 318 PCOS women were evaluated between November 2018 to September 2020. Of them, 256 subjects with complete anthropometric and the serum uric acid (SUA) level data were analyzed. Multivariable linear regression and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the associations of VAI with the SUA level and hyperuricemia.Results: The prevalence rate of hyperuricemia was 56.3% in women with PCOS and was gradually increased across tertiles of VAI, which was 2.6%, 21.3%, 22.4%, respectively. Obese subjects had significantly higher levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body fat percentage (BFP), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), VAI (P<0.001) and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (P<0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed the SUA level was positively correlated with BMI, BFP, WHR, log (TG), log (LDL-c), SBP, and log (VAI) and negatively correlated with HDL-c. In addition, with adjustment for potential confounding factors, multivariable linear regression and logistic regression analyses showed that VAI significantly associated with the SUA level and hyperuricemia, with the coefficient (95% confidence interval (CI)) of 9.20 (2.85-15.56, P=0.005) and the adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) of 1.32 (1.05-1.65, P=0.018), respectively.Conclusion: The present study indicates that VAI was independently associated with hyperuricemia, even with adjustment for BMI and other potential confounding factors.
IL-17-mediated inflammation promotes cigarette smoke-induced genomic instability
Authors: Cao Chao , Tian Baoping , Geng Xinwei , Zhou Hongbin , Xu Zhiwei , Lai Tianwen , Wu Yanping , Bao Zhengqiang , Chen Zhihua , Li Wen , Shen Huahao , Ying Songmin
Published: February 2021

Background
Chronic inflammation has been regarded as a risk factor for the onset and progression of human cancer, but the critical molecular mechanisms underlying this pathological process has yet to be elucidated.
Methods
In this study, we investigated whether interleukin (IL)-17-mediated inflammation was involved in cigarette smoke-induced genomic instability.
Results
Higher levels of both IL-17 and the DNA damage response (DDR) were found in the lung tissue of smokers than that of non-smokers. Similarly, elevated levels of IL-17 and the DDR were observed in mice after cigarette smoke exposure, and a positive correlation was observed between IL-17 expression and the DDR. In line with these observations, the DDR in the mouse lung was diminished in IL-17 KO when exposed to cigarette smoke. Besides, the treatment of human bronchial epithelium cells with IL-17 led to increased levels of the DDR and chromosome breakage.
Conclusions
These results suggest that cigarette smoke induces genomic instability at least partially through IL-17 mediated inflammation, implying that IL-17 could play an important role in the development of lung cancer.
Urban-rural gradients in soil nutrients beneath Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) are affected by land-use
Authors: Su Yuebo , Cui Bowen , Ouyang Zhiyun , Wang Xiaoke
Published: February 2021

Urban-rural gradients of soil nutrients may be affected by many factors including land use, vegetation cover, and management. In this study, we investigated soil nutrients along urban-rural gradients beneath Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) in parks, neighborhoods and roadsides in Beijing, China. Soil levels of organic carbon, calcium, and magnesium are significantly higher in neighborhoods and parks than in roadsides. Soil nitrate-nitrogen levels are higher in neighborhoods than in roadsides. Soil magnesium levels are higher in neighborhoods than in parks. Interestingly, soil moisture, nitrate-nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, and available phosphorus and potassium all decreased in parks along the urban to rural gradient. Soil available phosphorus also declined along urban-rural gradients in neighborhoods. Thus, land use plays an important role in modifying urban-rural gradients of soil nutrients.
SIRT1 promotes macrophage polarization to enhance efferocytosis by regulating TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway
Authors: Jiang Qiao , Xu Tongda , Liu Yang , Zhu Hong , Ma Yanfeng , Zhang Buchun , Li Dongye
Published: February 2021

Objects: This study aimed to determine if SIRT1couldenhance efferocytosis and inhibit apoptosis by modulating cell polarization through the TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in murine peritoneal macrophages.Methods and Results: The effects of SIRT1in peritoneal macrophages were detected using adenovirus-mediated overexpression and knockdown of SIRT1. The apoptotic rate was determined by Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. LDLcholesterol levels were tested by Oil Red O staining and cholesterol testing. Efferocytosisof peritoneal macrophages was determined by fluorescence staining and macrophage markers were determined by flow cytometry, western blot, and ELISA.SIRT1 decreased cholesterol intake andthe apoptotic rate stimulated with ox-LDL in macrophages, which was consistent with upregulation of Bcl-2 and caspase-3 and downregulation of Bax and cleaved caspase-3. SIRT1 increased efferocytosis in macrophages. Expression levels of the M1 macrophage markers IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, and CD16/32 were decreased, and levels of the M2 markers Dectin-1, IL-10, Arg-1, and CD206 were increased by SIRT1. Moreover, SIRT1 inhibited the ox-LDL stimulated increase in expression of TXNIP and NLRP3 proteins. The effects of SIRT1 were similar to those of TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway inhibitor MCC950.Conclusions: These results indicated that SIRT1 exerted an anti-atherosclerosis effect by regulating macrophage polarization to enhance efferocytosis and inhibit apoptosis. Specifically, these effects were generated by downregulation of the TXNIP/NLRP3inflammasome pathway.
The Arabidopsis expansin gene (AtEXPA18) is capable to ameliorate drought stress tolerance in transgenic tobacco plants
Authors: Abbasi Alireza , Malekpour Meysam , Sobhanverdi Sajjad
Published: February 2021

Expansins are cell wall proteins that, due to changes in pH, causing the expansion of the cell walls. In this study, a previously gene construct designed based on a root-specific gene, AtEXPA18, was utilized to assess its potential roles on different morphological, physiological, and cellular levels of generated transgenic tobacco plants in response to moderate and severe drought stress. AtEXPA18 gene was successfully transferred to the tobacco plants through an agrobacterium-mediate transformation system. Upon obtaining the second generation, tobacco transgenic plants were confirmed by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique alongside reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) using specific primers. Under drought stress, the transgenic lines showed remarkable growth and significantly improved based on morphological traits such as height and stem diameter, leaf area, leaf number, root dry weight, and Abscisic acid (ABA) levels of leaves compared control plants. As a result, the Cytokinin content of transgenic plants has increased under severe stress levels. Notably, the area's expansion for abaxial epidermal cells under the microscope confirmed in transgene cells compared with the -transgene cells. These results, altogether, could support the AtEXPA18 gene implication in cell expansion and improving tolerance capacity of transgenic crops under drought stress.
The CsLAZY1 Mediates Shoot Gravitropism and Branch Angle in Tea Plant (Camellia Sinensis)
Authors: Xia Xiaobo , Mi Xiaozeng , Jin Ling , Guo Rui , Zhu Junyan , Xie Hui , Liu Lu , An Yanlin , Zhang Cao , Wei Chaoling , Liu Shengrui
Published: February 2021

Background: The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) architecture not only affects tea quality and yield, but also influences the efficiency of automatic pruning of tea plants. However, the molecular mechanism of branch angle that important aspect of plant architecture is poorly understood in tea plant. Results: In the present study, three CsLAZY genes were identified from the tea plant genome data through sequence homology. Phylogenetic tree displayed that the CsLAZY genes have high sequence similarity with LAZY genes from other plant species, especially those in woody plants. The expression patterns of the three CsLAZYs in eight tissues were surveyed, and we further verified the expression levels of the key CsLAZY1 transcript in different tissues among eight tea cultivars, demonstrating that CsLAZY1 was highly expressed in stem. Subcellular localization analysis showed that CsLAZY1 protein was localized in the plasma membrane. Remarkably, CsLAZY1 was transferred into Arabidopsis thaliana to investigate its potential role in regulating shoot development, demonstrating that the over-expressed plants responded more effectively than the wild types under gravity processing in light and dark. The results indicate that CsLAZY1 plays an important role in regulating shoot gravitropism in tea plant.Conclusions: The results provide evidence that CsLAZY1 may plays a critical role in regulating shoot gravitropism, and further affecting stem branch angle in tea plant.
Approaches to multidrug-resistant organism prevention and control in long-term care facilities for older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wong Valerie Wing Yu , Huang Ying , Wei Wan In , Wong Samuel Yeung Shan , Kwok Kin On
Published: February 2021

Background: Current guidelines recommend infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions to limit the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Despite clear evidence of benefits in acute-care hospital settings, the effectiveness of IPC programmes in LTCFs has not been quantified.Objective: To investigate the effects of IPC interventions on MDRO colonization and infections in LTCFs. Data sources: Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL from inception to September 2020. Eligibility criteria: Original and peer-reviewed articles examining the post-intervention effects of IPC interventions on MDRO colonization and infections in LTCFs for older adults. Interventions: i) Horizontal interventions: administrative engagement, barrier precautions, education, environmental cleaning, hand hygiene, performance improvement, and source control; and ii) vertical intervention: decolonization. Study appraisal and synthesis: We employed random-effects meta-analysis to estimate the pooled risk ratios (pRRs) for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization by intervention durations; and conducted subgroup analyses on different intervention components. Study quality was assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tools. Results: Of 3877 studies initially identified, 19 were eligible for inclusion (eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 11 non-RCTs). Studies reported outcomes associated with MRSA (15 studies), Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) (four studies), Clostridium difficile (two studies), and Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) (two studies). Eleven studies included in the meta-analysis. The pRRs were closed to unity regardless of intervention durations (long: RR 0.81 [95%CI 0.60-1.10]; medium: RR 0.81 [95%CI 0.25-2.68]; short: RR 0.95 [95%CI 0.53-1.69]). All studies involving active administrative engagement reported reductions. The risk of bias was high in all but two studies.Conclusions: Our meta-analysis did not show beneficial effects from IPC interventions on MRSA reductions in LTCFs. Administrative engagement was crucial in all programmes with reductions. Before more evidence is available, LTCFs should elucidate their goals and weigh cautiously for the benefits and risks before implementing IPC interventions, which may have potential negative impacts on residents. An alternative approach would be to reinforce strict compliance to standard precautions through administrative engagement. We call for high-quality trials with detailed execution and exit plans to refine the existing IPC strategies in LTCFs.
Study of Effective Graded Oxide Capacitance and Length Variation on Analog, RF and Power Performances of Dual Gate Underlap MOS-HEMT
Authors: Ghosh Sneha , Mondal Anindita , Kar Mousiki , Kundu Atanu
Published: February 2021

Comparative analysis of a Symmetric Heterojunction Underlap Double Gate (U-DG) GaN/AlGaN Metal Oxide Semiconductor High Electron Mobility Transistor (MOS-HEMT) on varying the effective capacitance by using different oxide materials on source and drain sides, and determination of optimum length of oxides for the superior device performance has been presented in this work. This paper shows a detailed performance analysis of the Analog Figure of Merits (FoMs) like variation of Drain Current (IDS), Transconductance (gm), Output Resistance (R0), Intrinsic Gain (gmR0), RF FoMs like cut-off frequency (fT), maximum frequency of oscillation (fMAX), gate to source resistance (RGS), gate to drain resistance (RGD), gate to drain capacitance(CGD), gate to source capacitance (CGS) and total gate capacitance (CGG) using Non-Quasi-Static (NQS) approach. Power analysis includes Output power (Pout), Gain in dBm and power output efficiency (POE) have been studied. Studies reveal that the device with higher dielectric material towards source side shows superior performance. On subsequently changing the proportion of two oxides in a layer by varying length, it is observed that as the proportion of oxide increases the device demonstrates more desirable Analog and RF characteristics while best power performance is obtained from device with equal lengths of HfO2 and SiO2.
Effect of handwashing with soap at crtitical times and home based water treatment in combating hot spot areas of childhood diarrhea in Ethiopia
Authors: Alemayehu Bezuayehu , Ambleu Argaw , Ayele Birhanu Teshome
Published: February 2021

IntroductionEffective intervention needed to reduce childhood diarrhea, a significant cause of morbidityin resource-limited settings. This intervention aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of handwashing with soap at critical times, home-based water treatment and both combinations to reduce childhood diarrheain hotspot areas of southwestern Ethiopia.MethodsCommunity randomized control with the factorial design was conducted in southwestern Ethiopia from July to October 30/2020. About 720 households were maintained and equally allocated for handwashing with soap at critical times, home-based water treatment, and both combined interventions having 180 households that were followed up for four months. Baseline data were collected at the first two weeks from 720 households of intervention groups. Data was processed and entered into EPI data version 3.02. Homogeneity of the baseline characteristics of the participant in both groups was checked at a p-value less or equal to 0.05. The incidence of childhood diarrhea per 100 per two weeks was measured in both groups. Mann-Kendall trend test was performed to check the statistical significance patterns of childhood diarrhea. Intention-to-treat analysis was used to compare the incidence of childhood diarrhea for both groups. A generalized estimating equation with a logit-link Poisson distribution family and the exchangeable working correlation,with robust standard error estimation, was used for the analysis of repeated observations of the incidence of childhood diarrhea in individuals over time. An unadjusted and adjusted incidence rate along with the corresponding 95% CI was analyzed by using a multivariable analysis to control potential confounders on Stata 14 software.ResultsChildhood diarrhea significantly decreased in all intervention groupsbut increasing in control groups. Particularly, handwashing with soap at critical times has reduced childhood diarrhea incidence by 45% (IRR = 0.55, 0.48, 0.61, P < 0.001). Similarly,home-based water treatment reduced by 52% (IRR = 0.48, 0.42, 0.54, P < 0.001). Likewise, a combinationof handwashing with soap and home-based water treatment has reduced childhood diarrhea by 60% (AOR = 0.40, 0.36, 0.47, P < 0.001) after adjusting potential confounders.ConclusionThis study indicated single and combined interventions reduced childhood diarrhea. Promoting these effective or promising intervention effects in rural communities would save many lives of children from diarrhea.Trial registrationRegistered 11 August 2020, http://www.pactr.org/PACTR202008856063947
Record Tests to Detect Non Stationarity in the Tails With an Application to Climate Change
Authors: Guajardo Ana C. Cebrián , Castillo-Mateo Jorge , Lafuente Jesús Asín
Published: February 2021

The analysis of non stationary behaviours and trends in the extremes of a series is an important problem in global warming. This work develops statistical tools to analyse that behaviour, using the properties of the occurrence of records in i.i.d. series. The main difficulty of this problem is the scarcity of information in the tails, so that it is important to obtain all the possible evidences from the data available. To that end, first, different statistics based on upper records are proposed and the most powerful is selected. Then, using that statistic, several approaches to join the information of four types of records, upper and lower records of forward and backward series, are suggested. It is found than these joint tests are clearly more powerful. The suggested tests are specifically useful in the analysis of the effect of global warming in the extremes, for example of daily temperature. They have a high power to detect weak trends and they can be widely applied, since they are non parametric. The proposed statistics join the information of M independent series, what is useful given the necessary split of the series to arrange the data. This arrangement solves usual problems of climate series (seasonality and serial correlation) and provides more series to find evidences. These tools are used to analyse the effect of global warming in the extremes of daily temperature in Madrid.
Mycoplasma Bovis-pneumonia and Polyarthritis in Feedlot Calves in Argentina: First Local Isolation
Authors: Cantón Germán , Llada Ignacio , Margineda Carlos , Urtizbiria Facundo , Fanti Sofia , Scioli Valeria , Fiorentino Maria Andrea , Uriarte Enrique Louge , Morrell Eleonora , Sticotti Erika , Tamiozzo Pablo
Published: February 2021

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one the most frequently occurring clinical problem in weaned calves after their arrival at the feedlot. Infectious pneumonia usually has complex causes, involving several microorganisms. Mycoplasma is frequently detected in BRD, especially Mycoplasma bovis. This work reports the first local isolation of M. bovis from feedlot calves with pneumonia and polyarthritis in Argentina. Twenty four out of 545 calves showed progressive, subacute to chronic respiratory distress, coughing, and fever. Thirty percent of the affected calves also showed lameness and swelling of elbow or carpal, and knee or tarsal joints. Five necropsies were performed and severe multifocal to coalescent pulmonary nodules, containing white-yellowish caseous exudate encircled by fibrous tissue, and fibrinonecrotic arthritis and tenosynovitis were detected. Mycoplasma was isolated from lung and joint samples. The 16S-23S rRNA ITS consensus sequence obtained from these isolates showed 100 % similarity with the same region of M. bovis strains. This work should alert practitioners about the presence of mycoplasma infections as the cause of BRD in the region. Since there are no commercially available vaccines in the region for the prevention and control of M. bovis pneumonia and arthritis, surveillance is a priority to reduce the source of disease to naïve animals.
Verbal Intelligence, Not Level of Education, Robustly Assesses Cognitive Reserve
Authors: Boyle Rory , Knight Silvin P , De Looze Céline , Carey Daniel , Scarlett Siobhan , Stern Yaakov , Robertson Ian H , Kenny Rose Anne , Whelan Robert
Published: February 2021

Background: Cognitive reserve is most commonly measured using socio-behavioural proxy variables. These variables are easy to collect, have a straightforward interpretation, and are widely associated with reduced risk of dementia and cognitive decline in epidemiological studies. However, the specific proxies vary across studies and have rarely been assessed in complete models of cognitive reserve (i.e., alongside both a measure of cognitive outcome and a measure of brain structure). Complete models can test independent associations between proxies and cognitive function in addition to the moderation effect of proxies on the brain-cognition relationship. Consequently, there is insufficient empirical evidence guiding the choice of proxy measures of cognitive reserve and poor comparability across studies.Method: We assessed the validity of 5 common proxies (education, occupational complexity, verbal intelligence, leisure activities, and exercise) and all possible combinations of these proxies in 2 separate community-dwelling older adult cohorts: The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA; N = 313, mean age = 68.9 years, range = 54 – 88) and the Cognitive Reserve/Reference Ability Neural Network Study (CR/RANN; N = 234, mean age = 64.49 years, range = 50 – 80). 15 models were created with 3 brain structure variables (grey matter volume, hippocampal volume, and mean cortical thickness) and 5 cognitive variables (verbal fluency, processing speed, executive function, episodic memory, and global cognition).Results: No moderation effects were observed. There were robust positive associations with cognitive function, independent of brain structure, for 2 individual proxies (verbal intelligence and education), and 16 composites (i.e., combinations of proxies). Verbal intelligence was statistically significant in all models. Education was significant only in models with executive function as the cognitive outcome variable. Three robust composites were observed in more than two thirds of brain-cognition models: the composites of 1) occupational complexity and verbal intelligence, 2) education and verbal intelligence, and 3) education, occupational complexity and verbal intelligence. However, no composite had larger average effects nor was more robust than verbal intelligence alone.Conclusion: These results suggest that researchers using proxy variables to measure cognitive reserve should use verbal intelligence where possible.
Effect of Electrically Precipitated Fly Ash(EPFA) On Fresh and Hardened Properties of High Strength Self- Compacting Concrete
Authors: Arunchaitanya Sambangi , Arunakanthi E.
Published: February 2021

Concrete is the most common heterogeneous material in the construction industry. Admixtures have gained wide use in modern constructions, which are having congested reinforcement with ambitious casting conditions. For such applications, self-compacting concrete (SCC) is the only special concrete, which can have high cohesiveness and fluidity. This paper shows the study on the fresh properties, compressive, flexural and split tensile strength in addition to RCPT, sorptivity of SCC with partially replaced electrically precipitated fly ash (EPFA) from 0 to 30% at 5% interval in cement and polycarboxylate ether-based superplasticizer as a chemical admixture. Compared the results with conventional SCC mix the fresh concrete performance was studied through the measurement of passing ability, filling ability and flowing ability by using L-Box, U-Box, V-Funnel and slump flow. The results showed that 20% EPFA as partial replacement to SCC gives better results than the conventional concrete, thereby leading to economical profits as well as ecological benefits.
Synthesis, optical, photophysical and solvatochromoic properties on the D-π-A dye with benzo[b]thiophene moiety
Authors: Feng Lili , Wang Pengyu , Chen Zhuo , Bo Shuhui
Published: February 2021

A D-π-A solvatochromic chromophore based on the novel benzo[b]thiophene moiety donor, the tricyanofuran (TCF) acceptor, alkoxy chains modified aniline and extended π-conjugations have been synthesized and systematically investigated in this paper. The absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of the dye in different polar solvents were studied. A positive solvatochromism of the dye was observed also with a color change of the solution that could be observed with the naked eye. The HOMO and LUMO values of the dye was obtained by both cyclic voltammetry and theoretical calculations. By adding acid/base into the DMSO solution of the dye, the color, absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of the solution showed the good characteristics of pH switch, which has potential applications for the molecular sensors and probe.
What Role Does Financial Inclusion Play for Poverty Reduction? Empirical Evidence From The Indian States in the Post-Liberalization Era
Authors: Barik Rajesh , Lenka Sanjaya Kumar
Published: February 2021

The paper tries to analyzes the effect of financial inclusion on poverty reduction among 28 Indian states and rural-urban as well. Using data from 28 Indian states over the period of 1993 to 2015, this study constructed a single financial inclusion index through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method, which signifies the state-wise variation in financial inclusion services. Furthermore, this study uses Fixed Effect, Random Effect, Panel Corrected Standard Errors, Feasible General Least Square, and Hausman-Taylor Regression model to know the impact of financial inclusion on state-wise poverty reduction and rural-urban poverty reduction as well. The results of this study suggest that financial inclusion has a negative and significant effect on state-wise and rural-urban poverty reduction respectively. With regards to the control variables, this study finds that variables like social sector expenditure, per capita state GDP and capital receipt are negatively associated with all three categories of poverty (i.e., overall poverty and rural-urban poverty) whereas the rural population is positively associated.
Development and Validation of a Set of Patient Reported Outcome Measures to Assess Effectiveness of Asthma Prophylaxis
Authors: Guruparan Yalini , Navaratinaraja Thiyahiny Sunil , Selvaratnam Gowry , Gunawardena Nalika , Ranganat Shalini Sri
Published: February 2021

Background: Several asthma patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been developed in developed countries. Since social and cultural differences may indirectly influence the PROM therefore, this study has been carried out in Northern Sri Lanka to develop an Asthma Control PROM (AC-PROM) Tamil in the local context. Methods: The AC-PROM Tamil was developed in 3 steps: item generation, item reduction and psychometric evaluation as guided by the USA Food and Drug Administration. Items were generated through thematic analysis from six focus group discussions among patients with asthma. Items were generated in Tamil and English Languages. A clinician and a clinical pharmacologist refined the items to suit the cultural context. Items were converted to an interviewer administered questionnaire in Tamil in the format of 5–point Likert scale. Item reduction was done by two rounds of online Delphi surveys among 10 experts and an exploratory factor analysis among 200 patients with asthma. Thus developed AC-PROM Tamil was assessed by experts for face and content validity. Criterion validity was evaluated against the forced expiratory volume in one second of 187 patients with asthma. Cut-off value for PROM to assess the asthma control was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve. Reliability was verified by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Results: From thematic analysis of FGD 10 items were generated and these items were refined and subjected to item reduction. During Delphi survey out of 10 items, one was removed. In exploratory factor analysis another one item was removed and remaining 8 items were categorised under 2 factors. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for AC-PROM Tamil was 0.904, which indicated good reliability. Clarity and relevance of the content of the items were confirmed by the experts. Criterion validity was demonstrated significant correlation between AC-PROM Tamil and forced expiratory volume in one second (r = 0.66, p = 0.001). Cut-off value of AC-PROM Tamil to detect asthma control was 28.5 with sensitivity (79%) and specificity (71%). The AC-PROM Tamil has moderate accuracy (AUC =0.796; 95% CI: 0.73-0.86). Response rate of the AC-PROM Tamil was 100% with no missing data and time taken to complete the PROM was 3-4 minutes. Conclusion: The AC-PROM Tamil is a simple, reasonably accurate, reliable, objective and valid tool to assess effectiveness of asthma control in Tamil speaking patients during clinical practice and researches.
Silencing of Long Noncoding RNA LINC01132 Alleviates the Oncogenicity of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer by Regulating the microRNA-431-5p/SOX9 Axis
Authors: Zhu Wei , Xiao Xiangming , Chen Jinqin
Published: February 2021

Background: To date, long intergenic nonprotein coding RNA 1132 (LINC01132) expression in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and the underlying mechanisms have not been explored. In this study, we measured LINC01132 expression in EOC and assessed the effects of LINC01132 on the malignant behaviours of EOC cells in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, mechanistic studies were performed to elucidate the molecular events that occurred downstream of LINC01132 in EOC cells. Methods: Reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was utilized to verify LINC01132 expression in EOC. The effects of LINC01132 on the malignant behaviours of EOC cells were determined using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometry analysis, cell migration and invasion assays and a tumour xenograft model. The targeting interaction among LINC01132, microRNA-431-5p (miR-431-5p) and SRY-Box 9 (SOX9) was verified by RNA immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays. Results: LINC01132 was overexpressed in EOC and was obviously associated with poor patient prognosis. Functionally, cell experiments revealed that LINC01132 depletion could inhibit EOC cell proliferation, migration and invasion and promote cell apoptosis in vitro. Additionally, loss of LINC01132 attenuated tumour growth in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC01132 acted as a competing endogenous RNA by sequestering miR-431-5p and thereby increasing SOX9 expression in EOC cells, forming a LINC01132/miR-431-5p/SOX9 axis. In rescue experiments, miR-431-5p inhibition or SOX9 re-expression eliminated the inhibitory effects of LINC01132 silencing on the pathological behaviours of EOC cells. Conclusions: Generally, LINC01132 exhibited oncogenic activities in EOC cells in vitro and in vivo by regulating the outcome of the miR-431-5p/SOX9 axis, providing an effective target for EOC diagnosis, therapy and prognosis evaluation.