bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Συσχέτιση πολυμορφισμών του γονιδίου NOS2A με την εκδήλωση οστεοαρθρίτιδας του γόνατος στον ελληνικό πληθυσμό
Authors: Λεωνίδου Ανδρέας
Published: March 2021

Εισαγωγή. ​Η οστεοαρθρίτιδα είναι ένας από τους πιο συνηθισμένους τύπους αρθρίτιδας. Η παθογένεση της είναι περίπλοκη, ενώ η κληρονομικότητα και οι γενετικοί παράγοντες φαίνεται να κατέχουν σημαντικό ρόλο. Πρόσφατα, αναφέρθηκε ένας νέος αναδυόμενος ρόλος του μονοξειδίου του αζώτου (ΝΟ) στην αιτιολογία της οστεοαρθρίτιδασ, χωρίς πλήρη διευκρίνιση του υποκείμενου μηχανισμού. Η επαγώγιμη συνθετάση του ΝΟ (iNOS), που παράγεται από τα χονδροκύτταρα, είναι η κύρια πηγή ΝΟ στον οστεοαρθριτικό χόνδρο. Ο στόχος αυτής της μελέτης είναι να αξιολογήσει την πιθανή συσχέτιση μεταξύ των γονιδιακών πολυμορφισμών -1173C/T (rs9282799), -1026 C/A (rs 2779249) και -954G/C (rs1800482) στον υποκινητή του γονιδίου της iNOS (NOS2) και τη συχνότητα εμφάνισης οστεοαρθρίτιδας γόνατος στον ελληνικό πληθυσμό. Μέθοδοι​. 96 ασθενείς με πρωτοπαθή οστεοαρθρίτιδα γόνατος συμπεριλήφθηκαν στη μελέτη μαζί με 44 μάρτυρες. Οι γονότυποι ταυτοποιήθηκαν χρησιμοποιώντας αντιδράσεις PCR και τεχνικές προσδιορισμού αλληλουχίας DNA. Οι συχνότητες των γονοτύπων και των αλληλόμορφων συγκρίθηκαν μεταξύ ασθενών και μαρτύρων. Αποτελέσματα​. Κανένας από τους πολυμορφισμούς -1173C/T, -1026 C/A και -954G/C δεν ανιχνεύθηκε στον πληθυσμό που μελετήθηκε, είτε σε ασθενείς είτε σε μάρτυρες, αυξάνοντας την πιθανότητα αυτά οι πολυμορφισμοί απουσιάζουν εντελώς από τον ελληνικό πληθυσμό. Ωστόσο, ένας άλλος πολυμορφισμός ταυτοποιήθηκε στην θέση -1056 στην περιοχή του υποκινητή, όπου το συχνό αλληλόμορφο G αντικαταστάθηκε από το αλληλόμορφο Τ. Είναι ενδιαφέρον ότι ο γονότυπος ΤΤ απουσίαζε εντελώς στους μάρτυρες, αλλά ανιχνεύθηκε σε 6 ασθενείς με συχνότητα 6,2%. Η διαφορά μεταξύ ασθενών και μαρτύρων δεν ήταν στατιστικά σημαντική (τιμή p=0,18). Σε άνδρες ασθενείς με οστεοαρθρίτιδα, η παρατηρούμενη συχνότητα του γονότυπου ΤΤ ήταν υψηλότερη (28,6%) σε σύγκριση με το 0% των αρσενικών μαρτύρων (τιμή p = 0,1). Η συχνότητα του αλληλόμορφου G ήταν 0,82 σε μάρτυρες και 0,78 σε ασθενείς με οστεοαρθρίτιδα γόνατος (τιμή p = 0,53). Συμπεράσματα. Η παρούσα μελέτη έδειξε ότι οι πολυμορφισμοί 954G/C, -1026C/A, -1056G/T και -1173C/T του γονιδίου NOS2 δεν αποτελούν παράγοντα κινδύνου για το πρωτογενές γονίδιο ΟΑ στον ελληνικό πληθυσμό. Επιπλέον, οι πολυμορφισμοί 954G/C, -1026C/A και -1173C/T είναι σπάνιοι, αν όχι εντελώς απόντες, στον ελληνικό πληθυσμό. Είναι απαραίτητη περαιτέρω έρευνα για να διερευνηθεί η συσχέτιση αυτών των πολυμορφισμών με την οστεοαρθρίτιδα σε μεγαλύτερους και διαφορετικούς πληθυσμούς. προκειμένου να παρέχει μια συνολική εικόνα αυτών των πολυμορφισμών στην παθοφυσιολογία της οστεοαρθρίτιδας.
Μετανάστευση, Πρόσφυγες και Ανθρώπινα Δικαιώματα
Authors: Mouroutsos Ioannis
Published: March 2021

Σε αυτό το άρθρο παρουσιάζεται η λειτουργία και εφαρμογή του Ευρωπαϊκού προγράμματος HELIOS στην Ελλάδα το οποίο επικεντρώνεται στους πρόσφυγες και  μετανάστες. Επίσης, αναλύεται ο τρόπος υλοποίησης του προγράμματος και οι δράσεις στον τομέα της στέγασης, της εκπαίδευσης και της εγκατάστασης των προσφύγων στις τοπικές κοινωνίες. Ταυτόχρονα, επισημαίνεται ο ρόλος της τοπικής αυτοδιοίκησης στην εφαρμογή του προγράμματος HELIOS, καθώς και η περαιτέρω ανάληψη πρωτοβουλιών από την Τοπική Αυτοδιοίκηση για την εύρυθμη εγκατάσταση και διαβίωση των μεταναστών και των προσφύγων στις τοπικές κοινωνίες.
Εθελοντισμός και Βιώσιμη Ανάπτυξη
Authors: Lapidis Konstantinos
Published: March 2021

Ο εθελοντισμός σαν δράση φέρει όλα τα απαραίτητα στοιχεία κοινωνικής ενεργοποίησης του ατόμου σε μια εθελοντική βάση, γεγονός που προσδίδει μια ιδιαίτερη δυναμική στις εθελοντικές οργανώσεις ως κομμάτι της κοινωνίας πολιτών. Οι εθελοντικές οργανώσεις είναι φορείς ιδεών και εν δυνάμει συνεργατών του κράτους στην επιδίωξη των σκοπών τους. Στη βάση αυτή, είναι πολύ σημαντικό να αναπτυχθεί ένας διάλογος τόσο σε τοπικό επίπεδο Οργανισμών Τοπικής Αυτοδιοίκησης (Ο.Τ.Α) όσο και σε κεντρικό επίπεδο, με τις οργανώσεις αυτές, με σκοπό να καταστoύν ενεργό μέρος ως προς την εκπόνηση πολιτικής και εργαλείο αφύπνισης των πολιτών γύρω από ζητήματα αναπτυξιακού χαρακτήρα και όχι μόνο. Ο εθελοντισμός σαν εργαλείο μπορεί να οδηγήσει σε μια ριζική αλλαγή νοοτροπίας των πολιτών και να επιφέρει μια στροφή προς βιώσιμες λύσεις, πάντα με διάλογο και με την αρωγή της πολιτείας.
Bioinformatics of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) lymphocyte cytosolic protein 1 (lcp1) gene
Authors: Bayır Mehtap , Arslan Gökhan
Published: March 2021

Bioinformatics analysis of lymphocyte cytosolic protein 1 (lcp1) gene in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) which is a model organism in experimental studies were completed in this study. For this purpose, characterization and identification of lcp1 has been completed and ensembl database has been used to design the structure of lcp1 gene. In addition, the chromosome region of tilapia lcp1 and other genes in the same region with lcp1were determined. The chromosome of these genes were detected in zebrafish and human which are identical orthologos of tilapia. Conserved gene synteny designed manually according to these chromosomal regions. In addition, amino acid sequences synthesized by lcp1 gene in some vertebrates were determined using some bioinformatics databases such as UNIPROT, ENSEMBL and NCBI before determine the phylogenetic relationship between these organisms and tilapia. Sequence similarity-identity rate of tilapia lcp1 gene with zebrafish, rainbow trout, human, mouse and platyfish lcp1/Lcp1 was calculated using BLOSUM62 matrix algorithm. This study is of great importance for the completion of in silico analysis of lcp1 gene in tilapia because it is an aquatic model organism and it has an important place among economic aquaculture species. However this study provides the basic pioneering information for the future studies on molecular stress response in fish.
An assesment of domoic acid levels as a function of salinity-temperature variations in the Sea of Marmara
Authors: Dursun Fuat
Published: March 2021

This study presents the domoic acid (DA), responsible from Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP), levels of plankton net samples in the Sea of Marmara during April, July and October 2019. Plankton net samples were collected from 13 stations, which were located close to the Istanbul metropolitan area, and along the east and southwest parts of the Sea of Marmara. DA measurements were done by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), using the diode-array detection (detection limit (LOD): 0.108 µg mL−1). Twenty-two out of the 26 plankton net samples (84.6%) were found to contain DA during the study period and the concentrations varied between 0.22 and 3.45 µg mL−1. Possible relationships between physical parameters (salinity-temperature) and DA concentrations were investigated. DA production was mainly controlled by salinity (r:0.47, p<0.05; n:26) along the study period. These data may be used to consider the probability of finding similar conditions in different parts of the Sea of Marmara in order to determine the potential risks of DA to local mussel aquaculture and fisheries.
Mathematics
Authors: Yuhno Natal'ya
Published: March 2021

The textbook presents: theoretical material, solved multi-level tasks on topics and practical exercises, test tasks, theoretical questions that form the communicative competence of students in independent work. Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of secondary vocational education of the latest generation. It is intended for studying theoretical material and performing independent work in mathematics within the framework of the mandatory hours provided for by the work programs in the discipline PD. 01 "Mathematics: algebra, the beginning of mathematical analysis, geometry" for students of the specialties 23.02.03 "Maintenance and repair of motor transport", 13.02.11"Technical operation and maintenance of electrical and electromechanical equipment (by industry)".
Child psychology
Authors: Uruntaeva Galina
Published: March 2021

The textbook examines the patterns and factors of mental development, describes the stages of development in preschool age from birth to school admission, including the formation of cognitive, personal spheres, the development of various types of activities by children. Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of secondary vocational education of the latest generation. For students of secondary vocational education institutions of pedagogical and psychological profiles. It can be useful for teachers, educators, psychologists, practitioners of preschool educational organizations, as well as parents and anyone interested in mental development in preschool childhood.
Fundamentals of travel agency and tour operator activity
Authors: Ageshkina Nataliya
Published: March 2021

In the textbook, taking into account the current national and international legal norms, the latest legislative changes affecting the tourism industry, the goals, objectives and directions of tourism development in the Russian Federation, explanations of authorized state bodies, established law enforcement practices, and doctrinal interpretations, the basics of implementing travel agency and tour operator activities in the Russian Federation are considered. Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of secondary vocational education of the latest generation. It is focused on the study of students receiving secondary vocational education in the specialty 43.02.10 "Tourism", the general professional discipline "Organization of the tourism industry" and the professional modules "PM. 01. Provision of tourist services", "PM. 03. Provision of tour operator services", "PM. 04. Management of the functional division of the organization".
Investment
Authors: Ermilova Mariya , Altuhova Elena , Gryzunova Natal'ya , Zhdanova Ol'ga , Cerceil Yuliya , Laptev Sergey
Published: March 2021

The textbook includes theoretical material on the basics of investment activity, including the concept and essence of investments and their management, the subjects, objects, sources of financing and risks of investment activity are presented. The methodology for ensuring investment activity in real assets and the implementation of investments in financial assets, as well as the economic analysis of investment alternatives, is disclosed. Questions for self-control and situational tasks that complete each chapter will allow you to master the presented material as effectively as possible. Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation. For full-time, part-time and part-time students in the areas of training 38.03.01 "Economics", 38.03.02" Management", 38.03.04"State and municipal management".
Saving transportation resources: the experience of railway workers in Western Siberia 1965-1991
Authors: Mishenin Sergey
Published: March 2021

The monograph is devoted to the generalization of the factors of railway transportation in Western Siberia and their influence on the formation of the experience of saving transportation resources in 1965-1991. The basic factors are considered such as the natural conditions and the production apparatus of the region, the development of a program-oriented approach to the development of the territory and the formation of the material base of railway transport in its space. These components are considered as historical challenges for the design of labor initiatives "from below". These initiatives are classified into three groups: speeding up the turnover of wagons, using the locomotive fleet, and saving fuel, energy, and other" variable " resources of the railway transportation process. The issues are considered taking into account the trends of fading opportunities for the Soviet model of system-wide development. It will be of interest to all those who are concerned about the history of Russia, the organization of its transport security system.
Econometric methodology of systems research
Authors: Orlova Ekaterina
Published: March 2021

The textbook presents the methodology of a comprehensive econometric approach to the analysis, modeling and forecasting of multi-level economic systems, which includes the construction and analysis of econometric models, the study of the possibility of their practical application to identify and justify economic patterns, forecasting the consequences of management decisions. Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation. It is intended for bachelors, undergraduates and postgraduates of economic fields. It will also be useful for anyone who is engaged in data processing based on econometric methods and computer technologies.
Society at the mercy of media processes
Authors: Efanov Aleksandr
Published: March 2021

The monograph offers an examination of society from the perspective of subjectivity. It is argued that in the conditions of the primacy of media communication relations, modern society is at the mercy of media processes. Being a proponent of an interdisciplinary approach, the author attempts to conditionally differentiate media processes from the point of view of their relationship with sociopolitical processes or with socio-cultural processes, which, in turn, are also in mutually dependent relations. The most resonant cases of the 2010s are analyzed using the relevant methodology. It is addressed to students, researchers and specialists in various fields of modern socio-humanitarian knowledge.
Dynamic stability of holdings
Authors: Lazareva Marina
Published: March 2021

The monograph attempts to rethink the theoretical and methodological approaches to building a management system for the dynamic stability of holdings. The author's view on the construction of such a system is justified, and a new combined model of dynamic stability management is proposed, which is based on the cost approach. The holding company is considered as a complex dynamic system. The conclusions are based on the author's empirical research. For practitioners, teachers, postgraduates and students, students of business schools.
Pre-trial proceedings in a criminal case: the nature and methods of collecting evidence
Authors: Rossinskiy Sergey
Published: March 2021

The monograph is devoted to a comprehensive review of the problems of pre-trial evidence collection as one of the stages of the general procedural mechanism aimed at establishing the circumstances relevant to the criminal case. The essence, methodological basis and system of investigative actions, forensic examinations and other procedural methods of collecting evidence that make up the modern arsenal of bodies of inquiry and preliminary investigation are investigated. The main cognitive and security technologies used in conducting investigative and other procedural actions are highlighted. The problems of the theory and legal regulation of the general rules of their implementation, the procedural status of their participants, fixing their progress and results, judicial control over their production are reflected; the actual problems of investigative inspection, examination, search, interrogation, confrontation, forensic examination, as well as the presentation, demand and seizure (seizure) of objects and documents are considered. Special attention is paid to the applied aspects, the analysis of errors and difficulties that arise in modern law enforcement practice, and possible ways to overcome them are proposed. For researchers and practitioners, teachers, postgraduates( adjuncts), students, as well as anyone interested in topical issues of criminal procedure law and criminology.
The Main Problems Of Financial Support Of National Projects In Russia
Authors: Kookueva V
Published: March 2021

The article presents a brief description of national projects, assesses the system of their financing. In the context of each national project, the system of financial support is analyzed, the problems of implementation, financing and determining the effectiveness of the use of budget funds are highlighted. Special attention is paid to projects aimed at economic growth, their role in the innovative development of the country is shown. The main problems of implementation of national projects, their integration into state programs are highlighted. Directions for improving the implementation of projects and the effective use of budget funds are proposed.
Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the Dynamics of Economic Development of the EAEU Countries
Authors: Gusarova Svetlana
Published: March 2021

The paper analyzes the main indicators of the development of the economies of the EAEU countries (Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation). The main consequences of the influence of the “great self-isolation” on the development of the economies of these countries are revealed. The main directions of economic development of the EAEU countries have been identified to overcome the problems associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
Formation of «New Combinations» in Russia's Domestic Trade
Authors: Salihova R.
Published: March 2021

The article discusses the trends of modern economic relations and their impact on the development of domestic trade. The impact of the trend of «globalization/protectionism» on the transformation of domestic trade is outlined. The author's approach to formation of "new combinations" in domestic trade is presented.
Philosophy for technical specialties
Authors: Kanke Viktor
Published: March 2021

The textbook is a sequential course in philosophy. The questions of the philosophy of science and the history of philosophy, ontology, epistemology, ethics and aesthetics are presented. The course is based on the achievements of analytical philosophy, phenomenology, hermeneutics, post-structuralism and other major philosophical trends of our time. The theory of conceptual transduction is used. Special attention is paid to the connection of philosophy with the technical sciences. The course is carefully verified in didactic terms. Each paragraph ends with conclusions. The textbook includes questions and tasks, tests, references, and recommendations to students. Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation. For students of higher educational institutions, especially future technical specialists. It is of interest to a wide range of readers.
Vision with spatial light modulator simulating multifocal contact lenses in an adaptive optics system
Authors: Vedhakrishnan Shrilekha , Vinas Maria , Aissati Sara , Marcos Susana
Published: March 2021

Visual simulators are useful tools to provide patients experience of multifocal vision prior to treatment. In this study, commercially available center-near aspheric multifocal contact lenses (MCLs) of low, medium, and high additions were mapped on a spatial light modulator (SLM) and validated on a bench. Through focus visual acuity (TFVA) was measured in subjects through the SLM and real MCLs on the eye. A correlation metric revealed statistically significant shape similarity between TFVA curves with real and simulated MCLs. A Bland-Altman analysis showed differences within confidence intervals of ±0.01 logMAR for LowAdd/MediumAdd and ±0.06 logMAR for HighAdd. Visual performance with simulated MCLs outperformed real MCLs by ∼20%. In conclusion, SLM captures the profile of center-near MCLs and reproduces vision with real MCLs, revealing that the MCL profile and its interactions with the eye’s optics (and not fitting aspects) account for the majority of the contributions to visual performance with MCLs.
Experimental demonstration of pseudo-pilots-aided Gaussian basis expansion-based phase noise suppression scheme for CO-OFDM
Authors: Chen Yuanxiang , Huang Yongtao , Han Ying , Fu Jia , Yu Jianguo
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we propose a novel phase noise suppression scheme called pseudo-pilots-aided Gaussian basis expansion (PS-GBE) for coherent optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (CO-OFDM) system. Integrating with the pseudo-pilots, the Gaussian basis can suppress and fit phase noise effectively with high spectral efficiency (SE). We experimentally demonstrate the proposed scheme in 200-Gb/s optical QPSK-OFDM superchannel and 400-Gb/s optical 16QAM-OFDM superchannel. According to the experimental results, the proposed PS-GBE has a phase noise suppression performance similar to the GBE scheme. However, different from the GBE scheme, fewer pilots are needed for phase noise estimation in PS-GBE. Hence, the proposed PS-GBE can achieve higher SE. Compared to the pseudo-pilots-aided orthogonal basis expansion-based (PS-OBE) phase noise suppression and traditional common phase noise compensation (CPEC) methods, the proposed PS-GBE can get a significant performance enhancement. In the QPSK-OFDM system, a Q-factor improvement of 1.1 dB is obtained compared to the PS-OBE method. In the 16QAM-OFDM system, the BER is enhanced from 1.00E-03 to 2.05E-04. Further simulation results indicate that our proposed PS-GBE scheme can effectively increase laser linewidth tolerance. The proposed scheme can be applied to CO-OFDM and extended to coherent optical filterbank multicarrier (CO-FBMC) and coherent optical single carrier frequency domain multiplexing (CO-SCFDM) transmission system.
High power (>500W) cryogenically cooled Yb:YLF cw-oscillator operating at 995 nm and 1019 nm using E//c axis for lasing
Authors: Kellert Martin , Demirbas Umit , Thesinga Jelto , Reuter Simon , Pergament Mikhail , Kärtner Franz X.
Published: March 2021

We present record continuous wave (cw) output power levels from cryogenically cooled Yb:YLiF4 (Yb:YLF) lasers in rod geometry. The laser system is pumped by a state-of-the-art 960 nm diode module, and vertically polarized lasing was employed using the E//c axis of Yb:YLF. Lasing performance was investigated at different output coupling levels in different cavity configurations and the laser crystal temperature was estimated via monitoring the emission spectrum of the gain media. We have obtained a cw output power up to 400 W at a wavelength of 995 nm. The absorbed pump power was around 720 W, and the laser output had a TEM00 beam profile with an M2 of 1.3 in both axes. At higher absorbed pump power levels with increasing laser crystal temperature, we observed a lasing wavelength shift from 995 nm to 1019 nm. In this regime cw output power levels above 500 W have been achieved at an absorbed pump power of 750 W. Further power scaling was limited by the onset of strong thermal lensing. We discuss underlying physical mechanisms for the wavelength shift and present detailed temperature measurements under lasing conditions.
Modeling amplified arbitrary filtered microwave photonic links and systems
Authors: Sánchez Erica , Pérez-López Daniel , dasMahapatra Prometheus , Capmany José
Published: March 2021

Microwave photonic (MWP) links and systems will have more losses as their complexities increase and there will be a need for incorporating optical amplification. Here, we report results of an analytical model developed for amplified arbitrary filtered MWP systems that provides the expressions of the main figures of merit for intensity modulation direct detection. It contemplates the cases of power, intermediate and pre amplification. The model is applied to a long MWP link and then it is evaluated in a MWP reconfigurable filter implemented by means of a programmable waveguide mesh photonic integrated circuit.
Sum frequency generation from touching wires: a transformation optics approach
Authors: Elkabetz Shimon , Reddy K. Nireekshan , Sivan Y.
Published: March 2021

We employ transformation optics to study analytically nonlinear wave mixing from a singular geometry of touching plasmonic wires. We obtain the analytic solution of the near field and complement it with a solution of far-field properties. We find, somewhat surprisingly, that optimal efficiency (in both regimes) is obtained for the degenerate case of second-harmonic generation. We exploit the analytic solution obtained to trace this behavior to the spatial overlap of input fields near the geometric singularity.
Laser paintbrush as a tool for modern art
Authors: Veiko Vadim P. , Andreeva Yaroslava , Van Cuong Luong , Lutoshina Daria , Polyakov Dmitry , Sinev Dmitry , Mikhailovskii Vladimir , Kolobov Yury R. , Odintsova Galina
Published: March 2021

Light is critical for art. It allows us to see color, and can itself be
a tool for creating unique pieces of art and design. Here we
demonstrate that a laser can be a multifunctional and effective tool
for the creation of masterpieces, analogous to the process of an
artist creating a canvas with classical paints and brushes. We
investigate the interaction between focused laser irradiation and
metallic surfaces and analyze the optical effects in thin oxide films
for three main artistic operations: color making, multiple color
changes, and erasing managed by a nanosecond laser. These processes
are possible upon heating the material above the evaporation point and
are proved to be dependent on the cooling rate, according to both
experimental and theoretical results. Such an interference-based laser
paintbrush could find applications in modern art and design.
Double drives and private alleles for localised population genetic control
Authors: Willis Katie , Burt Austin
Published: March 2021

Synthetic gene drive constructs could, in principle, provide the basis for highly efficient interventions to control disease vectors and other pest species. This efficiency derives in part from leveraging natural processes of dispersal and gene flow to spread the construct and its impacts from one population to another. However, sometimes (for example, with invasive species) only specific populations are in need of control, and impacts on non-target populations would be undesirable. Many gene drive designs use nucleases that recognise and cleave specific genomic sequences, and one way to restrict their spread would be to exploit sequence differences between target and non-target populations. In this paper we propose and model a series of low threshold double drive designs for population suppression, each consisting of two constructs, one imposing a reproductive load on the population and the other inserted into a differentiated locus and controlling the drive of the first. Simple deterministic, discrete-generation computer simulations are used to assess the alternative designs. We find that the simplest double drive designs are significantly more robust to pre-existing cleavage resistance at the differentiated locus than single drive designs, and that more complex designs incorporating sex ratio distortion can be more efficient still, even allowing for successful control when the differentiated locus is neutral and there is up to 50% pre-existing resistance in the target population. Similar designs can also be used for population replacement, with similar benefits. A population genomic analysis of CRISPR PAM sites in island and mainland populations of the malaria mosquitoAnopheles gambiaeindicates that the differentiation needed for our methods to work can exist in nature. Double drives should be considered when efficient but localised population genetic control is needed and there is some genetic differentiation between target and non-target populations.
Identification of MFRP and the secreted serine proteases PRSS56 and ADAMTS19 as part of a molecular network involved in ocular growth regulation
Authors: Koli Swanand , Labelle-Dumais Cassandre , Zhao Yin , Paylakhi Seyyedhassan , Nair K. Saidas
Published: March 2021

Precise regulation of ocular size is a critical determinant of normal visual acuity. Although it is generally accepted that ocular growth relies on a cascade of signaling events transmitted from the retina to the sclera, the factors and mechanism(s) involved are poorly understood. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the retinal secreted serine protease PRSS56 and transmembrane glycoprotein MFRP, a factor predominantly expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), in ocular size determination. Mutations in PRSS56 and MFRP constitute a major cause of nanophthalmos, a condition characterized by severe reduction in ocular axial length/extreme hyperopia. Interestingly, common variants of these genes have been implicated in myopia, a condition associated with ocular elongation. Consistent with these findings, mice with loss of function mutation in PRSS56 or MFRP exhibit a reduction in ocular axial length. However, the molecular network and cellular processes involved in PRSS56- and MFRP-mediated ocular axial growth remain elusive. Here, we show that Adamts19 expression is significantly upregulated in the retina of mice lacking either Prss56 or Mfrp. Importantly, using genetic mouse models, we demonstrate that while ADAMTS19 is not required for ocular growth during normal development, its inactivation exacerbates ocular axial length reduction in Prss56 and Mfrp mutant mice. These results suggest that the upregulation of retinal Adamts19 is part of an adaptive molecular response to counteract impaired ocular growth. Using a complementary genetic approach, we show that loss of PRSS56 or MFRP function prevents excessive ocular axial growth in a mouse model of early-onset myopia caused by a null mutation in Irbp, thus, demonstrating that PRSS56 and MFRP are also required for pathological ocular elongation. Collectively, our findings provide new insights into the molecular network involved in ocular axial growth and support a role for molecular crosstalk between the retina and RPE involved in refractive development.
Associations between memory loss and trauma in US asylum seekers: A retrospective review of medico-legal affidavits
Authors: Saadi Altaf , Hampton Kathryn , de Assis Maria Vassimon , Mishori Ranit , Habbach Hajar , Haar Rohini J.
Published: March 2021

Background

The U.S. immigration system mandates that persons seeking asylum prove their persecution claim is credible and their fear of returning home is well-founded. However, this population represents a highly trauma-exposed group, with neuropsychiatric symptoms consequent to prior torture or maltreatment that may interfere with cognitive function and their ability to recall their trauma. These memory lapses may be incorrectly perceived by asylum adjudicators as indicators of dishonesty and jeopardize the person’s credibility and asylum claim. Our retrospective mixed methods study seeks to present associations between trauma and memory loss in a sample of persons seeking asylum to the U.S. and describe how memory impairments manifest in this trauma-exposed population.

Methods

We randomly selected 200 medico-legal affidavits from 1346 affidavits collected in the past 30 years, as part of the Physicians for Human Rights Asylum Network connecting clinicians with legal providers for medical and/or psychiatric affidavits of U.S. asylum seekers and persons seeking other forms of humanitarian relief (hereafter, “asylum seekers”). Data was extracted from these affidavits using a coding manual informed by the Istanbul Protocol, the global standard for torture documentation. Seven affidavits were excluded due to missing age. We used multiple logistic regression to assess the association of memory loss with neuropsychiatric diagnoses: head trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. We supplemented these findings with a qualitative content analysis of the affidavits documenting memory loss. Memory loss presented among the asylum seekers’ affidavits in several ways: memory gaps of the traumatic event; challenges with presenting a clear chronology of the trauma, avoidance of traumatic memories, and persistent short-term memory loss interfering with daily activity.

Results

A majority of the sample received a neuropsychiatric diagnosis: 69% (n = 132) of asylum-seekers received a diagnosis of PTSD and 55% (n = 106) of depression. Head trauma was reported among 30% (n = 58) of affidavits. Further, 68% (n = 131) reported being subject to physical violence and 20% (n = 39) were documented as being at risk of suicide. Memory loss was documented among 21% (n = 40) asylum-seekers. In adjusted models, both PTSD and depression, but not head trauma, were associated with memory loss (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Stakeholders in the asylum process, spanning the medical, legal and immigration enforcement sectors, must be aware of the interplay of trauma and memory loss and how they might impact immigration proceedings for this vulnerable population.
Repetitive in vivo manual loading of the spine elicits cellular responses in porcine annuli fibrosi
Authors: Matyas John Robert , Klein Claudia , Ponjevic Dragana , Duncan Neil A. , Kawchuk Gregory N.
Published: March 2021

Back pain and intervertebral disc degeneration are prevalent, costly, and widely treated by manual therapies, yet the underlying causes of these diseases are indeterminate as are the scientific bases for such treatments. The present studies characterize the effects of repetitive in vivo manual loads on porcine intervertebral disc cell metabolism using RNA deep sequencing. A single session of repetitive manual loading applied to the lumbar spine induced both up- and down-regulation of a variety of genes transcribed by cells in the ventral annuli fibrosi. The effect of manual therapy at the level of loading was greater than at a level distant to the applied load. Gene ontology and molecular pathway analyses categorized biological, molecular, and cellular functions influenced by repetitive manual loading, with over-representation of membrane, transmembrane, and pericellular activities. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis discerned enrichment in genes in pathways of inflammation and skeletogenesis. The present studies support previous findings of intervertebral disc cell mechanotransduction, and are the first to report comprehensively on the repertoire of gene targets influenced by mechanical loads associated with manual therapy interventions. The present study defines the cellular response of repeated, low-amplitude loads on normal healthy annuli fibrosi and lays the foundation for future work defining how healthy and diseased intervertebral discs respond to single or low-frequency manual loads typical of those applied clinically.
Continuous 24-hour measurement of intraocular pressure in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) using a novel contact lens sensor: Comparison with pneumatonometry
Authors: Gillmann Kevin , Wasilewicz Robert , Hoskens Kirsten , Simon-Zoula Sonja , Mansouri Kaweh
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To address the unmet need of continuous IOP monitoring, a Pressure-Measuring Contact Lens (PMCL) was developed to measure IOP in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) continuously over 24 hours. The present study assessed the reliability of the novel PMCL.

Methods

In this prospective open-label clinical study, healthy and open-angle glaucoma (OAG) subjects were fitted with the PMCL, and pneumatonometry was performed on study eyes (in absence of the PMCL) and on fellow eyes before, during, and after provocative tests. The primary outcome measures were (1) mean IOP difference between same-eye measurements, and (2) percentage of timepoints at which IOP measured by the PMCL was within 5 mmHg of that measured by pneumatonometry in the fellow eye.

Results

Eight subjects were analysed (4 healthy, 4 OAG). The average difference in successive IOP measurements made by pneumatonometry and with the PMCL was 2.0±4.3mmHg at placement-time, and 6.5±15.2mmHg at removal time. During water drinking test, a significant increase in IOP was detected both by PMCL in the study eye (2.4±2.5mmHg, p = 0.03) and by pneumatonometry in the fellow eye (1.9±1.9mmHg, p = 0.02). Over the 24-hour recording, 88.0% of IOP variations measured by the PMCL were within 5mmHg of that measured with the pneumatonometer in the fellow eye. A transient corneal erosion of severe intensity was observed following removal of the PMCL on one single eye, and may have affected measurement accuracy in that eye.

Conclusions

This study is a proof-of-concept for this novel PMCL, and its results are encouraging, with a fair accuracy in IOP values measurement and good sensitivity to subtle IOP variations.
Identification of clinically-useful cut scores of the Traumatic Injuries Distress Scale (TIDS) for predicting rate of recovery following musculoskeletal trauma
Authors: Walton David M. , Elliott James M. , Lee Joshua , Fakhereddin Mohamad , Seo Wonjin
Published: March 2021

Objective

The Traumatic Injuries Distress Scale (TIDS) is a 12-item self-report tool intended for prognostic risk phenotyping in people with acute musculoskeletal (MSK) trauma. The initial validation study showed good associations with outcomes 12 weeks later in a cohort of 72 acutely injured patients from one region in Canada. This study aims to provide further clinical utility through identification of meaningful cut scores in a larger, mixed geography sample, and expands the prediction window from 12 to 52 weeks.

Methods

Data were drawn from databanks in London, Canada and Chicago, United States. Participants were recruited within 3 weeks of non-catastrophic MSK trauma and followed for 12 months. Using outcomes trajectories, the TIDS underwent linear regression-based analysis to predict 52-week outcomes, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves to identify discriminative accuracy and meaningful cut scores.

Results

N = 224 participants with acute trauma were followed and both %Interference and Pain Severity were captured at intake and 3 follow-ups to establish curvilinear recovery trajectories. The TIDS explained significant variance in both the interference and severity outcomes after controlling for sex, region of injury, and baseline scores. ROC analysis revealed significant discriminative accuracy for predicting both the trajectories and the distal outcomes over 52 weeks. The TIDS was more accurate for identifying the low-risk than high-risk patients.

Conclusion

The TIDS is a useful tool for ‘ruling out’ high risk of poor outcome in a mixed sample of participants from two different countries.

Impact statement

The TIDS will be a useful tool for clinicians to predict the rate of recovery by displaying meaningful cut-scores for their patients after an acute musculoskeletal injury. This could lead to reduced burden of care for low risk patients and more informed treatment options for higher risk patients.
Neonatal hypothermia and adherence to World Health Organisation thermal care guidelines among newborns at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya
Authors: Nyandiko Winstone Mokaya , Kiptoon Paul , Lubuya Florence Ajaya
Published: March 2021

Neonatal hypothermia is a great concern with near epidemic levels globally. In Kenya, its prevalence is as high as 87% with limited local data on the associated factors such as adherence to warm chain guidelines as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypothermia and level of adherence to the WHO thermal care guidelines among newborns admitted at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH). It adopted a prospective study design of following up neonates for the first 24 hours of admission to the MTRH newborn unit. Thermometry, interview of mothers and observation of thermal care practices was done. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were adopted. Specifically, Pearson’s chi-square test of associations between predictors of neonatal hypothermia and management outcomes was conducted with their corresponding risk estimates at 95% confidence interval. Among the 372 participants, 64.5% (n = 240) were born at MTRH, 47.6% (177) were preterm and 53.2% (198) had birth weights below 2500 grams. Admission hypothermia was noted among 73.7% (274) and 13% (49) died on the first day of admission. Only 7.8% (29) newborns accessed optimal thermal care. Prematurity, day one mortality and adherence to the warm chain were significantly (p<0.001) associated with admission hypothermia. Inappropriate thermal appliance, inadequate clothing and late breastfeeding significantly increased the risk of neonatal hypothermia. Absence of admission hypothermia increased the likelihood of neonatal survival more than twenty-fold (AOR = 20.91, 95% CI: 2.15–153.62). Three out four neonates enrolled had admission hypothermia which was significantly associated with prematurity, lack of adherence to warm chain and increased risk of neonatal mortality on the first day of life. There was low adherence to the WHO thermal care guidelines. This should be optimized among preterm neonates to improve likelihood of survival.
Associating the biomarkers of ocular blood flow with lamina cribrosa parameters in normotensive glaucoma suspects. Comparison to glaucoma patients and healthy controls
Authors: Krzyżanowska-Berkowska Patrycja , Czajor Karolina , Iskander D. Robert
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To evaluate association between ocular blood flow biomarkers and lamina cribrosa parameters in normotensive glaucoma suspects compared to glaucoma patients and healthy controls.

Methods

A total of 211 subjects (72 normotensive glaucoma suspects, 70 with primary open-angle glaucoma and 69 controls) were included. Ocular blood flow biomarkers in ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, as well as in nasal and temporal short posterior ciliary arteries were measured using colour Doppler imaging. Lamina cribrosa position was assessed by measuring its depth, deflection depth, lamina cribrosa shape index and its horizontal equivalent (LCSIH) on B-scan images obtained using optical coherence tomography.

Results

Ocular blood flow biomarkers in glaucoma patients were statistically significantly reduced when compared to healthy controls in peak systolic velocity (PSV) (P = 0.001 in ophthalmic artery and P<0.001 in central retinal artery) and mean flow velocity (Vm) (P = 0.008 in ophthalmic artery and P = 0.008 in central retinal artery), but not statistically significantly different to that of glaucoma suspects except for PSV in central retinal artery (P = 0.011). Statistically significant correlations corrected for age, central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure were found in glaucoma patients between LCSIH and end diastolic velocity of central retinal artery (P = 0.011), and of nasal short posterior ciliary artery (P = 0.028), and between LCSIH and Vm of central retinal artery (P = 0.011) and of nasal short posterior ciliary artery (P = 0.007). No significant correlations were observed between these parameters in glaucoma suspects and healthy controls.

Conclusions

Impaired ocular blood flow associated with the deformation of lamina cribrosa was found in glaucoma patients, whereas glaucoma suspects had similar lamina cribrosa shape to glaucoma patients but that deformation was not associated with ocular blood flow biomarkers.
The characteristics and evolution of pulmonary fibrosis in COVID-19 patients as assessed by AI-assisted chest HRCT
Authors: Zou Jia-Ni , Sun Liu , Wang Bin-Ru , Zou You , Xu Shan , Ding Yong-Jun , Shen Li-Jun , Huang Wen-Cai , Jiang Xiao-Jing , Chen Shi-Ming
Published: March 2021

The characteristics and evolution of pulmonary fibrosis in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have not been adequately studied. AI-assisted chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was used to investigate the proportion of COVID-19 patients with pulmonary fibrosis, the relationship between the degree of fibrosis and the clinical classification of COVID-19, the characteristics of and risk factors for pulmonary fibrosis, and the evolution of pulmonary fibrosis after discharge. The incidence of pulmonary fibrosis in patients with severe or critical COVID-19 was significantly higher than that in patients with moderate COVID-19. There were significant differences in the degree of pulmonary inflammation and the extent of the affected area among patients with mild, moderate and severe pulmonary fibrosis. The IL-6 level in the acute stage and albumin level were independent risk factors for pulmonary fibrosis. Ground-glass opacities, linear opacities, interlobular septal thickening, reticulation, honeycombing, bronchiectasis and the extent of the affected area were significantly improved 30, 60 and 90 days after discharge compared with at discharge. The more severe the clinical classification of COVID-19, the more severe the residual pulmonary fibrosis was; however, in most patients, pulmonary fibrosis was improved or even resolved within 90 days after discharge.
Önmegvalósítás a munkahelyen – Megélések és meg nem élések, illetve azok okai
Authors: Beck-Bíró Kata
Published: March 2021

Ez a cikksorozat az önmegvalósításról szól. Mi az önmegvalósítás? Mennyiben segíti, illetve gátolja a munkahely e törekvést? Igazán ki, illetve mi segítheti, gátolhatja annak megélését vagy meg nem élését? Az egyén? A munkakör? A főnök? A csapat? A szervezet? E kérdésekre keresi a szerző a választ, mivel azt látja, hogy sokan nem találják helyüket a munkahelyükön, ha a munkavállalónak az állás elvállalásakor volt is lelkesedése, elhivatottsága, az idővel alábbhagyott. Miért? Mit tehet ő azért, hogy ez ne történjen meg, esetleg ne ismétlődjön meg? Ebben szeretne segítséget nyújtani kétrészes tanulmányával: elméleti összefoglalóval és az önálló kutatási eredmények bemutatásával. Elsőként az önmegvalósítás szakirodalmát tekinti át: mit mondanak a pszichológiai és vezetéstudományi elméletek a fogalomról, illetve a gátló tényezőkről? A gátló tényezőket csoportosítja: melyek azon akadályozó tényezők az önmegvalósítás terén, amelyek az egyénből, a munkakörből, a szervezetből, illetve a tágabb környezetből eredeztethetőek? Ezek meghatározását követően (a 2. részben) egy reklámügynökségnél végzett kutatás segítségével egyrészt az elméleti összefoglaló által keretezett önmegvalósítás definíció „elevenedik meg” („mit is jelent a mindennapokban az, hogy önmegvalósítás?”), másrészt a gátló tényezőknek a valóságban történő megjelenése, illetve azok megélése kerül előtérbe.
Thermal Conductivity of High Performance Concrete in Wide Temperature and Moisture Ranges
Authors: Toman J. , Černý R.
Published: March 2021

The thermal conductivity of two types of high performance concrete was measured in the temperature range from 100 °C to 800 °C and in the moisture range from dry material to saturation water content. A transient measuring method based on analysis of the measured temperature fields was chosen for the high temperature measurements, and a commercial hot wire device was employed in room temperature measurements of the effect of moisture on thermal conductivity. The measured results reveal that both temperature and moisture exhibit significant effects on the values of thermal conductivity, and these effects are quite comparable from the point of view of the magnitude of the observed variations.
Some Aspects of Profiling Electron Fields for Irradiation by Scattering on Foils
Authors: Šimáně Č. , Vognar M. , Chvátil D.
Published: March 2021

) for 1 mA of total beam current as functions of the distance from the beam exit window and of the thickness of the Al scattering foils.
Critical Length of a Column in View of Bifurcation Theory
Authors: Kopáčková M.
Published: March 2021

The paper investigates nonlinear eigenvalue problem for a vertical homogeneous rod loaded with its own weight only. The critical length of the rod, for which the rod loses its stability, is found by use of bifurcation theory. Dependence of maximal deflections of the rods on their lengths is given.