bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EPTS Curriculum Model: Optimum curriculum differentiator for the education of gifted students
Authors: Sak Ugur , Ayas Bahadir
Published: April 2020

In this article, we review the Education Programs for Talented Students (EPTS) Curriculum Model, its applications in program development, and research carried out on its effectiveness. The EPTS Curriculum Model, an enrichment model, was developed to differentiate regular curriculum and to design new curriculum for gifted students. It is a two-component model. The first component includes content standards at four levels. The second component is composed of three-stratum ability skills. Besides the EPTS Curriculum Model, the EPTS Curriculum Differentiator is used as a method to make acceleration and enrichment together in regular curriculum. The Differentiator has seven regions. Each region provides a different means to make differentiations in regular curriculum.
Enable faster and smoother spatio-temporal trajectory planning for autonomous vehicles in constrained dynamic environment
Authors: Xin Long , Kong Yiting , Li Shengbo Eben , Chen Jianyu , Guan Yang , Tomizuka Masayoshi , Cheng Bo
Published: April 2020

Trajectory planning is of vital importance to decision-making for autonomous vehicles. Currently, there are three popular classes of cost-based trajectory planning methods: sampling-based, graph-search-based, and optimization-based. However, each of them has its own shortcomings, for example, high computational expense for sampling-based methods, low resolution for graph-search-based methods, and lack of global awareness for optimization-based methods. It leads to one of the challenges for trajectory planning for autonomous vehicles, which is improving planning efficiency while guaranteeing model feasibility. Therefore, this paper proposes a hybrid planning framework composed of two modules, which preserves the strength of both graph-search-based methods and optimization-based methods, thus enabling faster and smoother spatio-temporal trajectory planning in constrained dynamic environment. The proposed method first constructs spatio-temporal driving space based on directed acyclic graph and efficiently searches a spatio-temporal trajectory using the improved A* algorithm. Then taking the search result as reference, locally convex feasible driving area is designed and model predictive control is applied to further optimize the trajectory with a comprehensive consideration of vehicle kinematics and moving obstacles. Results simulated in four different scenarios all demonstrated feasible trajectories without emergency stop or abrupt steering change, which is kinematic-smooth to follow. Moreover, the average planning time was 31 ms, which only took 59.05%, 18.87%, and 0.69%, respectively, of that consumed by other state-of-the-art trajectory planning methods, namely, maximum interaction defensive policy, sampling-based method with iterative optimizations, and Graph-search-based method with Dynamic Programming.
Effect of volute tongue angle on the performance and flow unsteadiness of an automotive electronic cooling pump
Authors: Lu Rong , Yuan Jianping , Wang Longyan , Fu Yanxia , Hong Feng , Wang Weijun
Published: April 2020

Automotive electronic cooling pump is the core component of the new energy vehicle cooling system, with the exclusive advantages of high efficiency and low vibration which will bring a broad market prospect. However, the rotor–volute interaction between impeller blades and volute tongue is a severe problem which can result in the performance degradation and unsteady flow fields of pumps. The influences of volute tongue angle on hydraulic performance and fluid stability are investigated in this study. The flow loss inside the pump is visualized by means of the entropy production theory, while the pulsations of pressure and radial force of the rotor are compared by unsteady computational fluid dynamics simulation. The results show that entropy production is an effective tool to visualize the loss distribution which allows accurate assessment of pump performance. Specifically, the pressure pulsation intensity near the volute tongue is larger and the main frequency of the radial force is the blade passing frequency. With the increase of volute tongue angle, the hydraulic efficiency under large flow conditions is improved, with an alleviated rotor–volute interaction intensity, and greatly reduced fluctuations of pressure and radial force. The main significance of this study is that it provides a new perspective to investigate the optimization design for automobile electronic cooling pumps.
Choral conducting education: The lifelong entanglement of competence, identity and meaning
Authors: Jansson Dag , Balsnes Anne Haugland
Published: April 2020

Choral singing is one of the most widespread musical activities, and choral conductors work in a variety of social settings that involve every imaginable type of choir and musical genre. The conductor role draws on a number of skills and competencies that are partly acquired through education but, equally importantly, through experience. Choral conductors shape their practice in highly individual fashions as amalgamations of background, formal education, career development and working situation. The present qualitative study seeks to uncover how choral conductor practices arise and unfold, by using Etienne Wenger’s theory of communities of practice and situated learning as the key analytical framework. The study elucidates the choral conducting practice as an ongoing educational project and theorises the dimensions of variety in choral conductors’ trajectories. The study situates the conducting practice in a Western choral tradition, based on interviews with a diverse sample of 20 conductors in Norway. The theoretical framework proved to be highly appropriate; however, applying it to the choral conducting practice requires the explicit positioning with regard to the academic debates on the theory’s development following Wenger’s original conceptualisation. The study therefore contributes to knowledge development in three ways – (1) by shedding new light on the theory, (2) by proposing a sub-structure to the main theory for its application to choral conducting and (3) by tracing some initial implications for choral conducting education. One of the key findings is that a conductor’s background continues to impact competence and identity throughout a conductor’s work-life, while practice seems to be predominant over formal education.
Node frequency alters stem biomechanics and hydraulics in four deciduous woody species
Authors: Jacobsen Anna L. , Fickle Jaycie C. , Castro Viridiana , Madsen Angela , Ennajeh Mustapha , Pratt R. Brandon
Published: April 2020

Along the distal stems of woody plants, nodes occur along the stem length separated by internode regions. Nodes typically include a leaf or leaf scar and an axillary bud that are connected to the xylem tissue within the stem through vascular leaf and bud traces. The diversion of xylem tissue into these lateral appendages creates a node gap that is typically occupied by parenchyma. We hypothesized that node-associated changes in structure within the stem tissues would result in alterations to stem biomechanics and hydraulic transport. We examined four deciduous species, Juglans californica, Populus trichocarpa, Quercus robur, and Rhus aromatica and measured node frequency, stem density, biomechanics, and hydraulic conductivity in 36 stems from each species. Vessel diameters within nodes and internodes were measured on a subset of these stems, as well as measures of xylem, pith, and node gap areas. Increased node frequency was correlated with decreased stem strength (modulus of rupture; MOR), decreased stem stiffness (modulus of elasticity; MOE), increased stem density, and decreased hydraulic conductivity. There were no differences in vessel diameter or xylem area between node and internode regions. Reduced hydraulic conductivity with increasing node frequency could have been due to increased vessel termini associated with nodes as has been found in prior research. Increased length of hydraulic pathways due to divergence of vessels around node gaps could also decrease hydraulic conductivity. Variation within the tree crown in node frequency may be an important morphological feature that has implications for crown tolerance of periodic mechanical stresses, such as wind events and fruit load.
Hepcidin gene polymorphisms and iron overload in β-thalassemia major patients refractory to iron chelating therapy
Authors: Zarghamian Parinaz , Azarkeivan Azita , Arabkhazaeli Ali , Mardani Ahmad , Shahabi Majid
Published: April 2020

Background

β Thalassemia is one of the most common groups of hereditary haemoglobinopathies. Affected people with thalassemia major are dependent on regular blood transfusion which on the long term leads to iron overload. Hepcidin is a peptide hormone and an important regulator of iron homeostasis, especially in thalassemia. Expression of this hormone is influenced by polymorphisms within the hepcidin gene, HAMP. Several studies emphasized the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the promoter region of the gene. This study aimed to analyze the association between three SNPs in promoter of HAMP, c.-582A > G, c.-443C > T, and c.-153C > T, with iron overload in β-thalassemia major patients.

Methods

A total of 102 samples from β thalassemia major patients were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted and segments of DNA encompassing rs10421768 and rs142126068 were sequenced. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS Statistics 23 using independent t test and Fisher’s exact test.

Results

A total of 102 adult β-thalassemia major patients were genotyped for three SNPs in the promoter region of HAMP gene by PCR and direct sequencing. Most of the patients (71.3%) were iron overloaded (based on plasma ferritin > 1000 ng/ml) in spite of receiving regular iron-chelating therapy. Our analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the level of cardiac iron accumulation and c.-582A > G variant (p = 0.02). For c.-443C > T statistical analysis was on the edge of the significant relationship between the minor allele and serum ferritin (p = 0.058). All samples were homozygous for allele C of c.-153C > T.

Conclusions

Despite chelating therapy, iron overload is still one of the main complications of thalassemia. Our findings and others emphasize the role of hepcidin -582A > G polymorphism as a key component of iron homeostasis in these patients.
Comparative neutralizing potencies of antibodies suggest conservation as well as mechanistic differences in human cytomegalovirus entry into epithelial and endothelial cells
Authors: Qi Ying , He Li , Cui Xiaohong , Hertel Laura , Freed Daniel C. , Fu Tong-Ming , Kauvar Lawrence M. , McVoy Michael A. , Ruan Qiang
Published: April 2020

Antibody neutralization of cytomegalovirus (CMV) entry into diverse cell types is a key consideration for development of vaccines and immunotherapeutics. CMV entry into fibroblasts differs significantly from entry into epithelial or endothelial cells: fibroblast entry is mediated by gB and gH/gL/gO, whereas both epithelial and endothelial cell entry require an additional pentameric complex (PC) comprised of gH/gL/UL128/UL130/UL131A. Because PC-specific antibodies in CMV-seropositive human sera do not affect fibroblast entry but potently block entry into epithelial or endothelial cells, substantially higher neutralizing potencies for CMV-positive sera are observed when assayed using epithelial cells as targets than when using fibroblasts. That certain sera exhibit similar discordances between neutralizing potencies measured using epithelial vs. endothelial cells (Gerna G. et al.J Gen Virol, 89:853–865, 2008) suggested that additional mechanistic differences may also exist between epithelial and endothelial cell entry. To further explore this issue, neutralizing potencies using epithelial and endothelial cells were simultaneously determined for eight CMV-positive human sera, CMV-hyperimmune globulin, and a panel of monoclonal or anti-peptide antibodies targeting specific epitopes in gB, gH, gH/gL, or the PC. No significant differences were observed between epithelial and endothelial neutralizing potencies of epitope-specific antibodies, CMV-hyperimmune globulin, or seven of the eight human sera. However, one human serum exhibited a six-fold higher potency for neutralizing entry into epithelial cells vs. endothelial cells. These results suggest that epitopes exist that are important for epithelial entry but are less critical, or perhaps dispensable, for endothelial cell entry. Their existence should be considered when developing monoclonal antibody therapies or subunit vaccines representing limited epitopes.
Angiostrongylus cantonensis Galectin-1 interacts with Annexin A2 to impair the viability of macrophages via activating JNK pathway
Authors: Shi Xiaomeng , Xiao Mengran , Xie Zhiyue , Shi Qing , Zhang Yuanjiao , Leavenworth Jianmei W. , Yan Baolong , Huang Huicong
Published: April 2020

Background

Angiostrongylus cantonensis can cause severe symptoms of central nervous system infections. In the host, this parasite localizes in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid, and its secreted components can impact immune responses. Our previous study demonstrated that immune responses were inhibited in A. cantonensis-infected mice immunized with Ac-Galectin-1 (AcGal-1). However, the mechanisms by which AcGal-1 regulates the immune responses remain unclear. Macrophages are innate immune cells that rapidly respond to infection. The direct impact of AcGal-1 on macrophages may affect the immune responses.

Methods

AcGal-1 protein was purified by nickel ion affinity chromatography. The effect of AcGal-1 on the apoptosis of macrophages was detected using CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and western blot. Macrophage membrane proteins bound to AcGal-1 were obtained using the His-tag-based pull-down assay and identified via mass spectrometry. Co-localization of AcGal-1 and the macrophage membrane protein Annexin A2 was observed by immunofluorescence microscopy, and their interaction was validated by co-immunoprecipitation experiments. SiRNA-mediated knockdown of Annexin A2 was used to determine if AcGal-1-induced macrophage apoptosis required interaction with Annexin A2. The phosphorylation level of apoptotic signal pathway protein was detected by phospho-antibody microarray and western blot.

Results

Our study showed that AcGal-1 caused apoptosis of the macrophages. AcGal-1 increased the expression of apoptosis proteins caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax, but reduced the expression of anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2. AcGal-1 interacted with the membrane protein Annexin A2, and knockdown of Annexin A2 expression increased Bcl-2 but decreased Bax levels in AcGal-1-treated cells. Moreover, AcGal-1 increased JNK phosphorylation and the inhibition of JNK phosphorylation in AcGal-1-treated cells decreased the expression of caspase-3, -9, Bax and almost restored Bcl-2 to the level observed in control cells.

Conclusions

AcGal-1 can induce the apoptosis of macrophages by binding to Annexin A2 and activating JNK downstream the apoptotic signaling pathway.
Melatonin: new insights on its therapeutic properties in diabetic complications
Authors: Pourhanifeh Mohammad Hossein , Hosseinzadeh Azam , Dehdashtian Ehsan , Hemati Karim , Mehrzadi Saeed
Published: April 2020

Diabetes and diabetic complications are considered as leading causes of both morbidity and mortality in the world. Unfortunately, routine medical treatments used for affected patients possess undesirable side effects, including kidney and liver damages as well as gastrointestinal adverse reactions. Therefore, exploring the novel therapeutic strategies for diabetic patients is a crucial issue. It has been recently shown that melatonin, as main product of the pineal gland, despite its various pharmacological features including anticancer, anti-aging, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, exerts anti-diabetic properties through regulating various cellular mechanisms. The aim of the present review is to describe potential roles of melatonin in the treatment of diabetes and its complications.
Added value of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for the detection of bone metastases in patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer and a previous 99mTc bone scintigraphy
Authors: Zacho Helle D. , Ravn Søren , Afshar-Oromieh Ali , Fledelius Joan , Ejlersen June A. , Petersen Lars J.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

To investigate the added value and diagnostic accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT versus bone scintigraphy (BS) for bone metastasis detection at the primary staging of prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods

Inclusion criteria involved consecutive patients with newly diagnosed intermediate- to high-risk PCa, who had undergone BS, mostly with supplementary SPECT/low-dose CT, and 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT within less than 3 months without therapy initiation between the two investigations. BS was evaluated according to clinical routine and reported as no bone metastases (M0), bone metastases (M1), or equivocal (Me). The 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT was blindly evaluated by three specialists as M0, M1, or Me at the patient level. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using a “best valuable comparator” using all available imaging and clinical follow-up as a reference.

Results

In total, 112 patients were included; 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT showed a sensitivity of 1.00, specificity of 0.93–0.96, positive predictive value of 0.74–0.81, and negative predictive value of 1.00. 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT revealed bone metastases in 8 of 81 patients with M0 disease according to BS. 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT confirmed the presence of bone metastases in all patients (n = 9) with M1 disease according to BS. In patients with Me by BS, 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT provided a definite result in 20 of 22 patients. 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT resulted in a false-positive answer in four patients with solitary rib lesions.

Conclusion

68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT revealed bone metastases in 10% of patients without bone metastases on BS and in 36% patients with indeterminate BS. However, solitary PSMA-avid lesions in the ribs should be interpreted cautiously as they may represent false-positive findings.
Traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treating novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Yuxi , Liu Xiaobo , Guo Liuxue , Li Juan , Zhong Dongling , Zhang Yonggang , Clarke Mike , Jin Rongjiang
Published: April 2020

Background

A new type of coronavirus, novel coronavirus (COVID-19), is causing an increasing number of cases of pneumonia and was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization on 30 January 2020. The virus first appeared in Wuhan, China, in late December 2019, and traditional Chinese herbal medicine is being used for its treatment. This systematic review and meta-analysis will assess studies of the effects of traditional Chinese herbal medicine in COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods

We will search electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), and Wanfang database using keywords related to COVID-19 and traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Reference lists of relevant trials and reviews will be searched. We will manually search gray literature, such as conference proceedings and academic degree dissertations, and trial registries. Two independent reviewers will screen studies (XL and DZ), extract data (YL and LG), and evaluate risk of bias (YL and DZ). Data analysis will be conducted using the Review Manager software (version 5.3.5) and R software (version 3.6.1). Statistical heterogeneity will be assessed using a standard chi-square test with a significance level of P < 0.10. Biases associated with study size (e.g., publication bias) will be investigated using funnel plots, Egger’s test and Begg’s test, and Trim and Fill analysis.

Discussion

This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of the effects of traditional Chinese herbal medicine for COVID-19. The use of traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treatment or prevention of these novel viral infections affecting the pneumonia will be investigated.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020168004
Vaccine coverage within the first year of life and associated factors with incomplete immunization in a Brazilian birth cohort
Authors: Buffarini Romina , Barros Fernando C. , Silveira Mariângela F.
Published: April 2020

Background

Immunization has been held as a major achievement for global health, however, still exist many children who are not completely vaccinated. Knowledge about factors contributing to the incomplete immunization is important to develop effective strategies and interventions to achieve universal coverage to control or eradicate vaccine-preventable diseases. This study aimed to describe immunization coverage within the first year of life and associated factors with incompleteness among participants of the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort, Brazil.

Methods

Cross-sectional analyses were performed using data from a population-based cohort. Information on vaccination status was collected from immunization cards and verbal mother’s reports from 4014 children aged 24 months. Coverage was described for each vaccine, for the basic and the complete national schedule. Incomplete vaccination was defined as failure to receive the recommended number of doses by the National Immunization Program in 2015. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regressions with robust variance were conducted to identify factors associated with incompleteness.

Results

Vaccine coverage of individual vaccines varied from 81% (Hepatitis A) to 97% (BCG). Full immunization coverage were 77% (95% CI: 75.8; 78.4) and 66.1% (95% CI: 64.6; 67.5), for basic and expanded indicators, relatively. Multivariate analyses showed that factors associated with incompleteness (for both basic and expanded coverage) were high family income, high parity, low number of prenatal consultations, not have done the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine during pregnancy, not have breastfeed the child until at age 12 months and not have used public health care services for child’s vaccination.

Conclusion

Findings of our study show the need to develop and implement policies and programs to achieve complete immunization during the first year of life. Some strategies would include an increase in the primary health care services networks, improving their quality and access, the dissemination of scientific-based evidence about the benefits of vaccination, through communication campaigns and guidance provided by health professionals, especially those responsible for prenatal care.
Decision Support Systems and the Use of Game Theory in Modern Enterprise Economics
Authors: Zvyagin Leonid
Published: April 2020

Currently, the modern economy is so complex that to effectively solve problems it requires a deeper analysis, systematization of processes using computer technology, which implies the use of innovative programs. The article is a study in the field of what modern trends are used by economic entities, the question is covered in detail, what are the decision support systems (DSS), as well as what role DSS play in game theory, as an applied tool of a modern specialist. The purpose of this article is to study such innovation in the modern economy as the DSS, to determine its role, prospects for use and development, since many studies have been conducted in this area and many theories have been put forward regarding their integration. But there is still no single approach to solving many of the problems facing the modern economy.
How Does a Return Period Policy Change Affect Multichannel Retailer Profitability?
Authors: Ertekin Necati , Agrawal Anupam
Published: April 2020

Problem definition: This study extends the literature on consumer returns by assessing the impact of return period policy change on a multichannel retailer performance. Academic/practical relevance: Many retailers have recently sought to tighten their return policy by decreasing the return period window. We investigate the impact of such a policy change on sales, returns, and profitability for a multichannel retailer. Methodology: We conduct a multimethodology research in which we (1) develop theoretical predictions using an analytical model, (2) empirically test analytical predictions using data from a jewelry retailer that changed its return policy from 100 days to 60 days, and (3) extend the empirical analysis to estimate the impact of the policy change on profitability. Results: We find that the return period policy change does not have any statistically significant effect on sales and return rates for online stores, whereas it decreases sales by 8%, return rate by 2.7 percentage points, and profit by 7.3% per brick-and-mortar store, corresponding to a 2.7% decrease in annual sales for the retailer. The two likely explanations for the insignificant effect for online stores are (1) the low proportion of online customers affected by the policy change and (2) the return displacement effect—in response to the policy change, some affected customers likely accelerate their product evaluation to return within the restrictive policy period. Our analysis also demonstrates that a return period policy change may increase retail profitability if a majority of retail stores operates under high sales volume and high return rates. Managerial implications: Our study suggests that managers of multichannel retailers that consider a change in their return period policies should carefully assess their operational structures and evaluate consumer return behavior at each channel, particularly over the time window between the proposed policy period and the existing policy period.
Techniques for hand rejuvenation with fillers in aesthetic practice
Authors: Melton Kylie
Published: April 2020

The hands are an often-overlooked area of aesthetic medicine that can be improved upon to give a more complete anti-ageing improvement. The hand ages similarly to the face, with volume loss, wrinkling and pigmentation changes. The hands also have more tendons and veins, which become exposed with age. Fillers, such as hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite, can be used to improve volume loss and camouflage the tendons and veins. To complete the rejuvenation, lasers/IPLs and peels can be used to improve the age spots to the back of the hands.
Nearly qualified but learning is for life
Authors: Daubney Ellie
Published: April 2020

In her final column as a student paramedic, third year Ellie Daubney shares how COVID-19 is affecting her final year of her paramedic science degree and her plans to fill in any gaps in experience before embarking on her official career as a newly qualified paramedic
Miniature force sensor for absolute laser power measurements via radiation pressure at hundreds of watts
Authors: Artusio-Glimpse Alexandra B. , Ryger Ivan , Azarova Natalia A. , Williams Paul A. , Hadler Joshua A. , Lehman John H.
Published: April 2020

We present a small power meter that detects the radiation pressure of an incident high-power laser. Given its small package and non-destructive interaction with the laser, this power meter is well suited to realizing a robust real-time, high-accuracy power measurement in laser-based manufacturing environments. The incident laser power is determined through interferometric measurement of displacement of a 20 mm diameter high reflectivity mirror, mounted at the center of a dual element spiral flexure. This device can measure laser power from 25 W to 400 W with a

260
 

m
W

/

H
z

noise floor and ≤ 3.2% expanded uncertainty. We validate our device against a calibrated thermopile with simultaneous measurements of an unpolarized 1070 nm laser and report good agreement between the two systems. Finally, by referencing to an identical mechanical spring that does not see the incident laser, we suppress vibration noise in the power measurement by 14.8 dB over a 600 Hz measured bandwidth. This is an improvement over other radiation pressure based power meters that have previously been demonstrated.
Method for the determination of preferential orientation of marine particles from laser diffraction measurements
Authors: Font-Muñoz Joan S. , Jeanneret Raphaël , Tuval Idan , Basterretxea Gotzon
Published: April 2020

In situ laser diffractometry (LD) is increasingly used in oceanographic studies to estimate sediment transport, particle fluxes and to assess the concentration of marine phytoplankton. It enables an accurate characterization of the size distribution of suspended particles from the scattering signal produced by their interaction with a collimated laser beam. LD reliably reflects the sizes of suspensions dominated by nearly spherical particles; however, when complex particle morphologies dominate the suspension (e.g. phytoplankton) the resulting particle size distribution (PSD) may present significant variations attributed to different factors. In particular, the orientation of non-spherical particles - which abound in the sea – modifies LD measurements of PSDs. While this may be interpreted as a drawback for some studies (i.e. when precise measurement of the volume concentration is required), we propose that detailed analysis of this signal provides information on particle orientation. We use PDMS micropillars with prescribed elliptical cross-sections to experimentally determine the dependence between the spatial orientation of elongated particles and changes in the PSD measured with a LISST laser diffractometer. We show that LD can be used to adequately characterize the different dimensions of the non-spherical particles at specific orientations. Using this property, we describe and validate a method to infer the preferential orientation of particles in the sea. Our study opens new perspectives in the use of in-situ LD in ocean research.
Widely tunable femtosecond soliton generation in a fiber-feedback optical parametric oscillator
Authors: O’Donnell Callum F. , Kumar S. Chaitanya , Paoletta T. , Ebrahim-Zadeh M.
Published: April 2020

Optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) are uniquely versatile—albeit complex—platforms for the generation of tunable coherent light in difficult-to-access spectral regions. A synchronously pumped

χ

(
2
)

femtosecond OPO producing sub-100-fs pulses, by means of optical soliton formation in a single-mode fiber-feedback cavity, is presented for the first time. This approach removes the requirement for active stabilization and bulk dispersion compensation elements associated with traditional OPOs, while reducing the physical footprint by a factor of 3. Transform-limited pulses of 80–120 fs are generated for both normal and anomalous dispersion, while a new type of spectral sideband formation is observed and studied. Experimental results are supported by detailed simulations based on nonlinear pulse propagation theory, which serve to enrich the understanding of femtosecond pulse evolution in OPOs perturbed by strong Kerr nonlinearity. The OPO provides a unique platform for the study of intracavity soliton phenomena across a wide wavelength range.
Biodegradation of Methyl Parathion Using Pseudomonas stutzeri (MTCC 2643)
Authors: S Archana , A Surendran , AJ Thatheyus
Published: April 2020

Pesticides applied in agricultural fields for crop protection result in the contamination of the environment. They also affect the flora and fauna as well as the quality of air, water and soil. Hence their remediation is of concern. Among different strategies available, microbial remediation is cost effective and ecofriendly. The present work is designed to test the efficiency of Pseudomonas stutzeri, a bacterial strain obtained from MTCC, IMTECH, Chandigarh, India. After treating with 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm of methyl parathion, parameters like, orthophosphate released, pH and turbidity changes were monitored upto thirty hours. Degradation of 200 ppm concentration was confirmed by UV-Visible spectrophotometry and HPLC analysis. This strain effectively degraded methyl parathion and it can be used in the remediation of contaminated agricultural fields.
The current state of DNA barcoding of macroalgae in the Mediterranean Sea: presently lacking but urgently required
Authors: Bartolo Angela G. , Zammit Gabrielle , Peters Akira F. , Küpper Frithjof C.
Published: April 2020

This review article explores the state of DNA barcoding of macroalgae in the Mediterranean Sea. Data from the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) were utilised in conjunction with a thorough bibliographic review. Our findings indicate that from around 1124 records of algae in the Mediterranean Sea, only 114 species have been barcoded. We thus conclude that there are insufficient macroalgal genetic data from the Mediterranean and that this area would greatly benefit from studies involving DNA barcoding. Such research would contribute to resolving numerous questions about macroalgal systematics in the area and address queries related to biogeography, especially those concerned with non-indigenous species. It could also possibly result in the development and application of better, cost-effective biodiversity monitoring programmes emanating from UN conventions and EU Directives. One possible way of achieving this is to construct DNA libraries via sequencing and barcoding, subsequently enabling better cost-effective biodiversity monitoring through environmental DNA metabarcoding.
Tumor-associated exosomal miRNA biomarkers to differentiate metastatic vs. nonmetastatic non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Wang Ning , Guo Wei , Song Xingguo , Liu Lisheng , Niu Limin , Song Xianrang , Xie Li
Published: April 2020

Background

Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are proposed to be excellent candidate biomarkers for clinical applications. However, little is known about their potential value as diagnostic biomarkers for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

In this study, microarrays were used to determine distinct miRNA profiles of plasma exosomes in a discovery cohort of healthy donors, metastatic NSCLC and nonmetastatic NSCLC patients. Three potential candidate miRNAs were selected based on the differential expression profiles. The discovery set data were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction using a validation cohort.

Results

NSCLC patients (n = 80) and healthy controls (n = 30) had different exosome-related miRNA profiles in plasma. Results demonstrated that the level of let-7f-5p was decreased in plasma exosomes of NSCLC patients (p < 0.0001). Further analysis of three differentially expressed miRNAs revealed that miR-320a, miR-622 and let-7f-5p levels could significantly segregate patients with metastatic NSCLC from patients with nonmetastatic NSCLC (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.023, respectively). In addition, the combination of let-7f-5p, CEA and Cyfra21-1 generated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.981 for the diagnosis of NSCLC patients, and the combination of miR-320a, miR-622, CEA and Cyfra21-1 had an AUC of 0.900 for the diagnosis of patients with metastatic NSCLC.

Conclusions

This novel study demonstrated that plasma exosomal miRNAs are promising noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers for metastatic NSCLC.
Modulations of Insular Projections by Prior Belief Mediate the Precision of Prediction Error during Tactile Learning
Authors: Wang Bin A. , Schlaffke Lara , Pleger Burkhard
Published: April 2020

Awareness for surprising sensory events is shaped by prior belief inferred from past experience. Here, we combined hierarchical Bayesian modeling with fMRI on an associative learning task in 28 male human participants to characterize the effect of the prior belief of tactile events on connections mediating the outcome of perceptual decisions. Activity in anterior insular cortex (AIC), premotor cortex (PMd), and inferior parietal lobule (IPL) were modulated by prior belief on unexpected targets compared with expected targets. On expected targets, prior belief decreased the connection strength from AIC to IPL, whereas it increased the connection strength from AIC to PMd when targets were unexpected. Individual differences in the modulatory strength of prior belief on insular projections correlated with the precision that increases the influence of prediction errors on belief updating. These results suggest complementary effects of prior belief on insular-frontoparietal projections mediating the precision of prediction during probabilistic tactile learning.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIn a probabilistic environment, the prior belief of sensory events can be inferred from past experiences. How this prior belief modulates effective brain connectivity for updating expectations for future decision-making remains unexplored. Combining hierarchical Bayesian modeling with fMRI, we show that during tactile associative learning, prior expectations modulate connections originating in the anterior insula cortex and targeting salience-related and attention-related frontoparietal areas (i.e., parietal and premotor cortex). These connections seem to be involved in updating evidence based on the precision of ascending inputs to guide future decision-making.
Iron(IV) hexahydrazide clathrochelate complexes: the chronic toxicity study
Authors: Dukhnitsky V. B. , Kalachniuk L. H. , Derkach I. M. , Derkach S. S. , Fritsky I. O. , Plutenko M. O.
Published: April 2020

One of the main tasks in the fight against anemia is to carry out preventive measures, to develop and to introduce new preparations containing iron, to provide the pharmaceutical market with anti-anemic agents. That's why to investigate the chronic toxic effect of Iron(IV) hexahydrazide clathrochelate (new iron-containing drug) in mice was the article's aim. The study of chronic toxic effect of Iron(IV) clathrochelate was performed on 45 white mice (19–25 g) separated into 3 groups: control (I) and two experimental (II and III). Animals of II and III groups were daily fed the water solution of Iron(IV) clathrochelate at a rate of 125.8 and 251.6 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. It was monitored the dynamics of body weight of white mice, relative coefficients of the mass of internal organs, hemoglobin content and morphological parameters of blood, biochemical indices of blood serum on the 10th, 20th and 30th day of the experiment. It was established a decrease of body weight by 16–21% and relative weight indices of internal organs (liver, kidney, heart, and spleen) – by 5– 43% in white mice of II and III experimental groups, respectively. Changes in the morphological composition of the blood showed stimulation of leukocytopoiesis. A significant decrease in creatinine (hypocreatinemia) and uric acid (hypouricemia) was observed, which indicates an increase in the filtration capacity of the renal glomeruli. Complex studies of the effect of Iron(IV) clathrochelate solution (at a dose of 125.8 and 251.6 mg/kg of body weight) did not cause any visible signs of intoxication and death of animals at the first time. Iron(IV) clathrochelate solution (at a dose of 125.8 mg/kg of body weight) is demonstrated more safe effect.
Effect on the bactericidal device for decontamination the air microorganisms in poultry house on the content of toxic gases
Authors: Palii A. P. , Nanka O. V. , Kovalchuk Y. O. , Kovalchuk A. O. , Kalabska V. S. , Kholod I. V. , Pobirchenko O. M. , Umrihina O. S. , Poliakov A. M. , Ishchenko K. V. , Paliy A. P.
Published: April 2020

Litter in the poultry house is a source of toxic gases (ammonia, hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide), dust, and is a favourable place for the life and reproduction of microorganisms and helminths. The number of these secretions in the poultry house depends on many factors: the sanitary status of the poultry house, the species, the age of the birds, the microclimate, the season, feeding conditions, and so on. The purpose of the research was to substantiate the rational construction and modes of operation of the device for the decontamination of microorganisms in the air of the poultry house on the basis of the use of sources of ultraviolet irradiation. The necessity of development and application techniques for cage batteries with a litter removal belt system which provide reduction of microbial contamination of air in poultry houses and the content of harmful gases in it have been substantiated. The device was developed and the effective mode of disinfection of the air of the poultry house in the collector air duct of the litter drying system based on the use of sources of ultraviolet irradiation was determined. The application of the bactericidal device made it possible to reduce microbial air contamination on the 1st day of accumulation of the litter during the cold season - by 2.6 times, in the transitional season - by 2.1 times; on 5th day, the accumulation of the litter decreased by 3.0 and 2.3 times, respectively. During the operation of the air irradiation system, the content of toxic gases in it decreased compared to the period when the air was not treated with the ultraviolet irradiation - ammonia by 19.7% and carbon dioxide by 5.9%. The absolute values of microbial air contamination in the poultry house and the toxic gas content in the transitional season were lower than in the cold season, due to the higher indoor air exchange and the increase of clean outside air in the proportion. The difference in microbial air contamination between the basic and the proposed variants in the cold and transitional seasons was statistically significant.
Editora Mulheres, Zahidé Muzart e um caso relevante de edição de livros no Brasil
Authors: Ribeiro Ana Elisa , Karam Sérgio
Published: April 2020

Este texto se guia pelos seguintes questionamentos, já que são muitas as variáveis da relação entre mulheres e edição: O que temos investido em fazer? “História feminista da edição ou história da edição feminista? História das editoras mulheres? História das casas editoras feministas?” Em todo caso, faltam investigações mais estruturadas para todas essas perguntas, no Brasil. Nosso projeto mais amplo dedica-se à questão das editoras mulheres, seja lá que tema ou linha editorial elas executem. O caso deste texto, em especial, é o de dar alguma resposta à questão das editoras mulheres brasileiras que optam por publicar uma linha editorial ligada ao feminismo. Neste trabalho, com base em pesquisa documental e bibliográfica, apresentamos uma narrativa sobre a editora Mulheres e uma de suas fundadoras, a professora Zahidé Muzart, além de recompormos o catálogo da casa editorial, tanto quanto possível, com base nas informações dos próprios livros e em pesquisas em acervos digitais.
De Josefina Bórquez a Jesusa Palancares: do individual ao coletivo em Hasta no verte Jesús Mío
Authors: Leite Mariana Marise Fernandes
Published: April 2020

O presente trabalho propõe analisar a obra Hasta no verte Jesús Mío (1969), de Elena Poniatowska, apontando como se dá a passagem da experiência individual à experiência coletiva por meio da narração e que impacto tal ocorrência provoca na interpretação da obra. Para tal fim, aprecia-se o texto, evidenciando a possibilidade de a personagem deixar de ser um sujeito individualizado para ser uma marca e apontando o texto como uma forma de questionar não só a realidade que representa, mas também a própria noção de literatura que o tem colocado em xeque quanto a seu valor. Para melhor embasar os apontamentos acerca das noções de experiência, são utilizadas destacadamente as considerações de Ana Costa, em “Da representação social da memória” (2001), de Florencia Garramuño, em La experiencia opaca (2009) e de Beatriz Sarlo, em “Crítica do testemunho: sujeito e experiência” (2007). Servem como apoio teórico que sustenta o recorte escolhido Rita Terezinha Schimidt (2012), Ricardo Reis (1992), Lizandro Carlos Calegari (2012) Josefina Ludmer (2013) e Walter Benjamin (1985).
Educação sanitária: conhecimento e percepção de professores sobre o conteúdo da coleção “Se Liga Galera” proposta pela SEAPEC/RJ
Authors: Antunes Rosa Maria , Sanavria Argemiro , Santos Ana Cristina Souza , Vita Gilmar Ferreira
Published: April 2020

Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram analisar a coleção “Se Liga Galera”, proposta pela Secretaria de Estado de Agricultura e Pecuária do Rio de Janeiro (SEAPEC/RJ) como estratégia voltada para a defesa agropecuária, baseada em políticas de erradicação e controle de doenças, alimentos seguros e agrotóxicos; e, avaliar a aceitação e percepção dos temas estudados entre educadores e educandos do Ensino Fundamental de escolas públicas rurais. O estudo também incluiu um terceiro objetivo, a saber, a capacitação dos professores, para que os conteúdos pudessem ser aplicados de forma interdisciplinar. A metodologia envolveu a inserção da coleção em disciplinas de escolas, aplicação de questionários e capacitação dos professores. Como resultado, foi possível observar um aumento do conhecimento dos professores na capacitação dos temas da coleção em 33,68%, receptividade e assimilação dos temas pelos alunos em 100,00%, e interesse pela inserção futura do conteúdo nas disciplinas ministradas em 97,22%. A pesquisa comprovou a utilidade da coleção como meio de conscientização de educadores e educandos, visando torná-los parceiros e multiplicadores dos temas abordados junto aos seus familiares e comunidade, e posteriormente, incentivando o público em geral a assumir o papel de coparticipação e corresponsabilidade em ações de defesa agropecuária, promovendo a saúde pública e o meio ambiente.
The transformation of the value system Kalmyk society
Authors: Amykova Vera N.
Published: April 2020

The article considers the factors influencing the change of the value system of society in the process of its development. The author draws a parallel between the traditional and modern systems of values of a separate ethnic group.

The Kalmyks are a small ethnic group, but their cultural and spiritual heritage is rich and multifaceted. The customs and traditions of ancestors still influence the mentality, methods of education of the younger generation, moral guidelines of modern Kalmyks. Nevertheless, de-ethnization, which accelerates the unification of culture, the loss of national features of lifestyle, economic activity, language, is becoming increasingly obvious. Kalmyk society has undergone a significant transformation, there is a shift in emphasis in value orientations: from ethical and altruistic to pragmatic. This fact cannot but cause concern for the future of this distinctive ethnic group.

The main emphasis in the article is on the fact that many crisis phenomena in the life of modern society are caused, first of all, by the loss of certain moral guidelines, following which a person could avoid irreparable social, political and economic losses.
Existential analysis philosophy of art creation
Authors: Ledovskih Natalya P. , Belomoeva Olga G.
Published: April 2020

The article is devoted to the principles of existential analysis and the possibility of its application, when we study the art creation. We present the methods of existential analysis: the selection of semantic matrices, the search for a rational grain, including in a situation of semantic uncertainty, which makes it possible to reveal the embedded meanings in any sign-symbolic systems, to analyze the reality created by a person/society. Existential analysis is particularly productive for the study of artistic creation. The authors demonstrate the possibilities of using existential analysis in the visual arts, tracing the evolution of Christian images. Three images of the Crucifixion are analyzed Dionysius, Matthias Grunewald and Alain Wilbox paintings from the collection of Robert Harris Rothschild.