bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intraocular Foreign Body: Diagnostic Protocols and Treatment Strategies in Ocular Trauma Patients
Authors: Jung Hyun Chul , Lee Sang Yoon , Yoon Chang Ki , Park Un Chul , Heo Jang Won , Lee Eun Kyoung
Published: April 2021

Intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) are critical ophthalmic emergencies that require urgent diagnosis and treatment to prevent blindness or globe loss. This study aimed to examine the various clinical presentations of IOFBs, determine the prognostic factors for final visual outcomes, establish diagnostic protocols, and update treatment strategies for patients with IOFBs. We retrospectively reviewed patients with IOFBs between 2005 and 2019. The mean age of the patients was 46.7 years, and the most common mechanism of injury was hammering (32.7%). The most common location of IOFBs was the retina and choroid (57.7%), and the IOFBs were mainly metal (76.9%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that poor final visual outcomes (<20/200) were associated with posterior segment IOFBs (odds ratio (OR) = 11.556, p = 0.033) and retinal detachment (OR = 4.781, p = 0.034). Diagnosing a retained IOFB is essential for establishing the management of patients with ocular trauma. To identify IOFBs, ocular imaging modalities, including computed tomography or ultrasonography, should be considered. Different strategies should be employed during the surgical removal of IOFBs depending on the material, location, and size of the IOFB.
A New Experimental Porcine Model of Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Gromadziński Leszek , Skowrońska Agnieszka , Holak Piotr , Smoliński Michał , Lepiarczyk Ewa , Żurada Anna , Majewski Mariusz Krzysztof , Skowroński Mariusz Tomasz , Majewska Marta
Published: April 2021

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a severe disease affecting the human venous system, accompanied by high morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of the study was to establish a new porcine VTE model based on the formation of the thrombus in vivo. The study was performed on 10 castrated male pigs: thrombus was formed in each closed femoral vein and then successfully released from the right femoral vein into the circulation of animals. In six pigs PE was confirmed via both computed tomography pulmonary angiography and an autopsy. Our research presents a novel experimental porcine model of VTE that involves inducing DVT and PE in the same animal in vivo, making it suitable for advanced clinical research and testing of future therapies.
Two-Step Manufacturing Process Measurement Model Using Qualitative and Quantitative Data—A Case of Newbuilding Dry-Docking
Authors: Rabar Denis , Rabar Danijela , Pavletić Duško
Published: April 2021

Newbuilding dry-docking is a part of the shipbuilding manufacturing process, common for vessels built on slipways. The subject of this research is steel-built vessels intended for non-restricted sea-going navigation. Based on former experience, the necessity of the dry-docking projects measurement has been noted as a managerial tool for performance estimation and project comparison. The dry-docking project is a complex task which includes the first self-propelled sea passage and the transfer of the manufacturing process to a remote place. The dry-docking result is a surveyed and coated vessel ready for sea trials and five-year service until the next dry-docking. This paper deals with a model which enables process measurement using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method for qualitative data related to the dry-docking places and data envelopment analysis (DEA) for quantitative data related to the vessels’ technical and cost data. The modelled data are collected from the completed dry-dockings, and the twenty-nine studied vessels represent the decision-making units (DMU) used in two-step process measurement calculations. The obtained results can distinguish the efficient DMUs, which create an efficient frontier as benchmarks or “the best practice units” in the given DMU set. For the non-efficient DMUs, the efficiency score and rate of improvements needed to reach the efficient frontier will be calculated, and the sources of inefficiency will be recognized.
Assess the Impacts of Discount Policies on the Reliability of a Stochastic Air Transport Network
Authors: Nguyen Thi-Phuong
Published: April 2021

In this study, an algorithm for reliability evaluation is proposed in order to assess the discount policy based on its effect on an air transport network. An air transport network is a typical stochastic air transport network (SATN) because its capacity (available seats) is regarded as stochastic. Under different discount policies, the term “reliability” refers to the ability to meet a certain travel demand within a limited budget. To better describe the flow of SATN, the methods of the sum of disjoint products and minimal paths are combined in the proposed algorithm. A reliability analysis is conducted at ranges of budgets and travel demands for a more accurate assessment. The outcomes of this study help the travel agents assess and select an appropriate discount policy, which is one of the important contributions. This study also contributes to enhancing the reliability fluctuation under the impact of multiple discount policies.
Frequency Analysis of Transients in Electrochemical Noise of Superalloys Waspaloy and Ultimet
Authors: Jáquez-Muñoz Jesús Manuel , Gaona-Tiburcio Citlalli , Cabral-Miramontes Jose , Nieves-Mendoza Demetrio , Maldonado-Bandala Erick , Olguín-Coca Javier , Estupinán-López Francisco , López-León Luis Daimir , Chacón-Nava José , Almeraya-Calderón Facundo
Published: April 2021

Nickel or Cobalt-based superalloys represent an important class of engineering materials, finding widespread application in critical components within the gas turbine engines used for jet propulsion and electricity generation. This research aimed at the frequency analysis of transients in electrochemical noise of Waspaloy and Ultimet superalloys, immersed in 3.5 wt.% in H2SO4 and NaCl solutions at two different temperatures, 25 and 60 °C. Localized corrosion behavior of superalloys was assessed using the electrochemical noise technique (EN) according to ASTM-G199 standard. Three different statistical methods filtered the EN signal, and the polynomial method was employed to obtain the noise resistance (Rn), the localization index (LI), skew and kurtosis, and the power spectral density analysis (PSD). Results indicate that the current and potential noise transients have a better behavior with better clarity when a polynomial is used to show a localized corrosion kurtosis for both superalloys.
Effect of Niobium on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Alloyed Ductile Irons and Austempered Ductile Irons
Authors: Ahmed Mostafa , Soliman Mohamed , Youssef Mervat , Bähr Rüdiger , Nofal Adel
Published: April 2021

In this research, different ductile irons and austempered ductile irons were successfully developed using several alloying contents of nickel, copper and microalloying with niobium. Additionally, special nanocarbon powder was added to the molten iron to enhance the nucleation tendency of spheroidal graphite and compensate for the possible negative effect of Nb addition on the nodule morphology. Metallographic analysis showed that increasing the niobium content in the alloy to 0.1 wt % raises the number of graphite eutectic cells and refines the final structure of the graphite. Moreover, the nodule count of graphite slightly increased, but it concurrently decreased the nodularity when the Nb amount reached 0.1 wt %. SEM micrographs illustrated that nano- to microsized niobium carbides (NbC) particles were dispersed in the matrix of the Nb microalloyed ductile irons. Both optical and SEM micrographs clearly showed that alloying of ductile irons with nickel, copper and microalloying with niobium had a significant effect on defining the final pearlite structure. Coarse, fine, broken and spheroidized pearlite structures were simultaneously observed in all investigated alloys. Dilatometry studies demonstrated that the nano NbC particles acted as nucleation sites for graphite and ferrite needles. Therefore, Nb addition accelerated the formation of ausferrite during the austempering stage. Finally, alloying with Cu, Ni and microalloying with Nb led to developing novel grades of ADI with excellent strength/ductility property combination.
Irradiation Behaviors in BCC Multi-Component Alloys with Different Lattice Distortions
Authors: Su Yue , Xia Songqin , Huang Jia , Liu Qingyuan , Liu Haocheng , Wang Chenxu , Wang Yugang
Published: April 2021

Recently, the irradiation behaviors of multi-component alloys have stimulated an increasing interest due to their ability to suppress the growth of irradiation defects, though the mostly studied alloys are limited to face centered cubic (fcc) structured multi-component alloys. In this work, two single-phase body centered cubic (bcc) structured multi-component alloys (CrFeV, AlCrFeV) with different lattice distortions were prepared by vacuum arc melting, and the reference of α-Fe was also prepared. After 6 MeV Au ions irradiation to over 100 dpa (displacement per atom) at 500 °C, the bcc structured CrFeV and AlCrFeV exhibited significantly improved irradiation swelling resistance compared to α-Fe, especially AlCrFeV. The AlCrFeV alloy possesses superior swelling resistance, showing no voids compared to α-Fe and CrFeV alloy, and scarce irradiation softening appears in AlCrFeV. Owing to their chemical complexity, it is believed that the multi-component alloys under irradiation have more defect recombination and less damage accumulation. Accordingly, we discuss the origin of irradiation resistance and the Al effect in the studied bcc structured multi-component alloys.
Immunobiotic Feed Developed with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii TUA4408L and the Soymilk By-Product Okara Improves Health and Growth Performance in Pigs
Authors: Suda Yoshihito , Sasaki Nana , Kagawa Kyoma , Elean Mariano , Zhou Binghui , Tomokiyo Mikado , Islam Md. Aminul , Rajoka Muhammad Shahid Riaz , Kober A. K. M. Humayun , Shimazu Tomoyuki , Egusa Shintaro , Terashima Yuji , Aso Hisashi , Ikeda-Ohtsubo Wakako , Villena Julio , Kitazawa Haruki
Published: April 2021

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii TUA4408L is able to differentially modulate the innate immune response of porcine intestinal epithelial cells triggered by TLR4 activation. This strain also has a remarkable ability to grow on plant substrates. These two immunological and biotechnological characteristics prompted us to evaluate whether the soymilk by-product okara fermented with the TUA4408L strain can serve as an immunobiotic feed with the ability to beneficially modulate the intestinal immunity of piglets after weaning to improve their productivity. Our in vivo studies demonstrated that the administration of immunobiotic TUA4408L-fermented okara feed significantly increased piglet growth performance and meat quality. These positive effects were associated with the ability of the TUA4408L-fermented okara feed to beneficially modulate both intestinal microbiota and immunity in pigs. The immunobiotic feed improved the abundance of the beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus and Lactococcus in the gut of pigs, reduced blood markers of inflammation, and differentially regulated the expression of inflammatory and regulatory cytokines in the intestinal mucosa. These findings indicate that the immunobiotic TUA4408L-fermented okara feed could be an economical and environmentally friendly option to improve the growth performance and immune health of pigs.
Design and Fabrication of a Triple-Band Terahertz Metamaterial Absorber
Authors: Wang Jinfeng , Lang Tingting , Hong Zhi , Xiao Meiyu , Yu Jing
Published: April 2021

We presented and manufactured a triple-band terahertz (THz) metamaterial absorber with three concentric square ring metallic resonators, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer, and a metallic substrate. The simulation results demonstrate that the absorptivity of 99.5%, 86.4%, and 98.4% can be achieved at resonant frequency of 0.337, 0.496, and 0.718 THz, respectively. The experimental results show three distinct absorption peaks at 0.366, 0.512, and 0.751 THz, which is mostly agreement with the simulation. We analyzed the absorption mechanism from the distribution of electric and magnetic fields. The sensitivity of the three peaks of this triple-band absorber to the surrounding is 72, 103.5, 139.5 GHz/RIU, respectively. In addition, the absorber is polarization insensitive because of the symmetric configuration. The absorber can simultaneously exhibit high absorption effect at incident angles up to 60° for transverse electric (TE) polarization and 70° for transverse magnetic (TM) polarization. This presented terahertz metamaterial absorber with a triple-band absorption and easy fabrication can find important applications in biological sensing, THz imaging, filter and optical communication.
Mexican Plants and Derivates Compounds as Alternative for Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain Treatment—A Review
Authors: Quiñonez-Bastidas Geovanna N. , Navarrete Andrés
Published: April 2021

Despite the availability of many anti-pain drugs, in the form of NSAIDs, steroids, gabapentinoids, opioids, and antidepressants, in this study we address the natural compounds belonging to the group of Mexican medicinal plants or “Mexican folk medicine”, used for pain management in Mexico. Our interest in this subject is due to the growing idea that “natural is harmless” and to the large number of side effects exhibited in pharmacotherapy. The objective of this review was to document the scientific evidence about Mexican medicinal plants and their derivatives used for inflammatory and neuropathic pain treatment, as well as the mechanisms of action implicated in their antinociceptive effects, their possible adverse effects, and the main pharmacological aspects of each plant or compound. Our data review suggested that most studies on Mexican medicinal plants have used inflammatory experimental models for testing. The anti-pain properties exerted by medicinal plants lack adverse effects, and their toxicological assays report that they are safe to consume; therefore, more studies should be performed on preclinical neuropathic pain models. Moreover, there is no convincing evidence about the possible mechanisms of action involved in the anti-pain properties exerted by Mexican plants. Therefore, the isolation and pharmacological characterization of these plant derivatives’ compounds will be important in the design of future preclinical studies.
Extension of the Upper Yellow River into the Tibet Plateau: Review and New Data
Authors: Li Zhengchen , Wang Xianyan , Vandenberghe Jef , Lu Huayu
Published: April 2021

The Wufo Basin at the margin of the northeastern Tibet Plateau connects the upstream reaches of the Yellow River with the lowland catchment downstream, and the fluvial terrace sequence in this basin provides crucial clues to understand the evolution history of the Yellow River drainage system in relation to the uplift and outgrowth of the Tibetan Plateau. Using field survey and analysis of Digital Elevation Model/Google Earth imagery, we found at least eight Yellow River terraces in this area. The overlying loess of the highest terrace was dated at 1.2 Ma based on paleomagnetic stratigraphy (two normal and two reversal polarities) and the loess-paleosol sequence (12 loess-paleosol cycles). This terrace shows the connections of drainage parts in and outside the Tibetan Plateau through its NE margin. In addition, we review the previously published data on the Yellow River terraces and ancient large lakes in the basins. Based on our new data and previous researches, we conclude that the modern Yellow River, with headwaters in the Tibet Plateau and debouching in the Bohai Sea, should date from at least 1.2 Ma. Ancient large lakes (such as the Hetao and Sanmen Lakes) developed as exorheic systems and flowed through the modern Yellow River at that time.
Social Trust and Green Technology Innovation: Evidence from Listed Firms in China
Authors: Yang Yaru , Liu Desheng , Zhang Luxiu , Yin Yingkai
Published: April 2021

Green Technology innovation intends to enable the advancement of technologies toward the goals of human health, natural resource sustainability and social equity. Green technology innovation has become an important driving force for the sustainable growth of the global economy. In this study, building upon the theories on informal institutions, we empirically investigate the effects of social trust on green technology innovation. Using a sample of companies listed in A-share markets in China from 2012 to 2017, we find that social trust has a significant positive impact on the performance of green technology innovation. We employ an instrumental variable approach through two-stage-least square estimator, and report consistent results. Further heterogeneity analysis finds that with higher levels of policy uncertainty and lower levels of intellectual property rights protection, the effect of social trust on firms’ green technology innovation is more significant. Further, the effect of social trust on firms’ green technology of non-SOEs innovation is larger than SOEs. In addition, the positive effect of social trust on green technology innovation in firms is an effective supplement for formal systems to promote green technology innovation in said firms, which provides a new theoretical reference for promoting firms’ green technology innovation and achieving high-quality development.
Mycotoxin Occurrence and Risk Assessment in Gluten-Free Pasta through UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS
Authors: Tolosa Josefa , Rodríguez-Carrasco Yelko , Graziani Giulia , Gaspari Anna , Ferrer Emilia , Mañes Jordi , Ritieni Alberto
Published: April 2021

Celiac disease (CD) is a genetic-based autoimmune disorder which is characterized by inflammation in the small intestinal mucosa due to the intolerance to gluten. Celiac people should consume products without gluten, which are elaborated mainly with maize or other cereals. Contamination of cereals with mycotoxins, such as fumonisins (FBs) and aflatoxins (AFs) is frequently reported worldwide. Therefore, food ingestion is the main source of mycotoxin exposure. A new analytical method was developed and validated for simultaneous analysis of 21 mycotoxins in gluten-free pasta, commonly consumed by celiac population as an alternative to conventional pasta. Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS) was used for analyte separation and detection. The mycotoxins included in this work were those widely reported to occur in cereal samples, namely, ochratoxin-A (OTA), aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2), zearalenone (ZON), deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3-AcDON and 15-AcDON, respectively), nivalenol (NIV), neosolaniol (NEO), fusarenone-X, (FUS-X), T-2 toxin (T-2) and HT-2 toxin (HT-2), fumonisin B1 and B2 (FB1 and FB2, respectively), enniatins (ENN A, ENN A1, ENN B and ENN B1) and beauvericin (BEA). The validated method was successfully applied to 84 gluten-free pasta samples collected from several local markets of Campania region (Italy) during September to November 2020 to monitor the occurrence of mycotoxins and to assess the exposure to these food contaminants. A significant number of samples (95%) showed mycotoxin contamination, being Fusarium mycotoxins (FB1, ZON and DON) the most commonly detected ones. Regarding the risk assessment, the higher exposures were obtained for NIV, DON and FB1 for children and teenagers age group which can be explained due to their lower body weight.
STANDARDS OF ADMISSIBILITY OF THE RESULTS OF FORENSIC RESEARCH IN THE USA AND UKRAINE PROCEEDINGS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Authors: Shcherbakovskyi M.
Published: April 2021

The article shows that despite the different legal systems of the United States and Ukraine, in the field of forensic science there is a common problem associated with the assessment of the scientific reliability of expert research and on this basis the admissibility of expert testimony. The existing Fry standard, Dober’s trilogy, Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of proof aimed at determining the admissibility of expert testimony are considered.
It was stressed that the main criterion for the admissibility of expert testimony in the American proceedings was the scientific and methodological credibility of the research conducted. The validation is entrusted to the judge who performs the role of “goalkeeper”.
If the previous check confirms the scientific validity of the expert research carried out, the judge “admits” the expert’s conclusions to a judge of fact to make a decision on the case. Verification of the scientific reliability of an expert’s testimony requires the judge to familiarize himself with the fundamentals and methods of the relevant sciences.
Comparison of the standards of admissibility of expert research in the American proceedings with the domestic criminal procedural doctrine shows certain coincidences and differences. A significant difference between American standards is a clear prescription for judges to check and establish those properties of an expert study that determine the admissibility (scientific reliability) of an expert’s testimony.
Based on the analysis of American standards, it was concluded that it is advisable in the Ukrainian procedural legislation of attaching to the subjects carrying out proof, when assessing the reliability of the conclusion and testimony of an expert. The obligation to check the scientific (the presence of general scientific provisions, theoretical foundations of a certain type of examination) and methodological (the use of a certified methodology registered in Register of expert research methods) reliability of expert research results.
Comparación de losas macizas de hormigón mediante dos enfoques
Authors: Hinojosa Coca Farith Augusto
Published: April 2021

En esta investigación, se realizó la comparación técnico – económica de los resultados obtenidos del diseño de losas macizas de hormigón armado a partir del análisis estructural mediante el enfoque elástico de la norma CBH 87 y el enfoque plástico de la teoría de líneas de rotura. El objetivo de la investigación fue cuantificar los efectos que causa el empleo del método de análisis plástico de líneas de rotura, en el diseño de losas macizas de hormigón armado en cuanto al consumo de acero de refuerzo y en cuanto a las flechas y anchos de fisura en el estado límite de servicio. Se realizó la modelación del comportamiento resistente y deformacional de losas macizas en dos direcciones con el fin de definir los casos de estudio de la investigación. Se comprobó los estados límite de servicio en ambos casos de diseño y se efectuó una comparación técnico – económica de los resultados alcanzados por ambos casos de diseño, en cuanto a los valores de la cuantía y costo del acero de refuerzo, los anchos de fisura y las flechas que presenta cada caso de estudio.
Reflexivity as a Vital Skill for Future Researchers and Professionals
Authors: Kimberley Anna
Published: April 2021

The emergence of a reflective paradigm in higher education in the last two decades, has been emphasised as a necessary skill both for future business professionals and researchers. The development of these skills should therefore be included in business school curricula. The ability to critically reflect has been identified as a crucial part of employability. This calls for developing pedagogical approaches that will stimulate students’ critical thinking skills, encourage self-review as well as convey practice realities. This paper presents an application of such pedagogical methods applied in a set of course activities aimed specifically at developing reflexivity and self-efficacy of undergraduate business students, within the context of a university of applied sciences. It also demonstrates that the pedagogical solutions applied not only resulted in the desired learning outcomes, but also produced additional benefits to the students. A pedagogical approach was created and incorporated into one semester International Business Communication course taught to undergraduate international business students. It aimed at developing critical thinking skills, and reflexivity. It was incorporated in three activities: (1) introducing the students to the concept of reflexivity (reflecting on reflection), (2) writing reflectively about own cultural identity (reflection in action), (3) story writing and storytelling (reflecting on action). The methodological approach used was qualitative interpretation, and the method applied was narrative analysis of the data generated by reflective narratives created by the students. The findings showed that reflexivity was identified as a new concept, both necessary and helpful in self-development. Reflecting on one’s own cultural identity created different types of awareness, which contributed to developing deeper knowledge about one’s own cultural identity. Reflecting on story writing and storytelling showed the following learning benefits: discovering creative potential, as well as developing confidence in dealing with new, unexpected, and challenging situations. Moreover, the following additional learning benefits were identified: enhanced openness towards the immediate environment, improved understanding of otherness, and the applicability of the above skills for business professionals and researchers.
De la planeación a la apropiación: un estudio de caso en torno a las prácticas de lectura en una escuela pública de Lambayeque
Authors: Ramírez Fernández Johanna
Published: April 2021

En oposición al enfoque de implementación que señala que los diferentes actores educativos, en especial los maestros, ponen en práctica las políticas educativas siguiendo una visión lineal y vertical, numerosas investigaciones ofrecen evidencia de cómo estos se apropian de las macropolíticas en sus diferentes niveles de concreción curricular y las traducen y reinterpretan (Zavala, 2012; Castanheira et al., 2001; Unamuno, 2015). A partir de la teoría de la actuación de las políticas educativas (Ball, Maguire y Braun, 2012) y de los Nuevos Estudios de Literacidad (Brice Heath, 1983; Barton y Hamilton, 1998; Zavala, 2002; Zavala, Niño Murcia y Ames, 2004), en este artículo, analizo cómo dos maestros de un colegio público de Lambayeque hacen política en torno a la enseñanza de la lectura, desde sus realidades cotidianas y sus condiciones materiales y contextuales: mientras que uno de ellos propone una enseñanza de la lectura para aprobar el examen de admisión, el otro decide utilizar la lectura para desarrollar una visión crítica de la realidad social. Asimismo, doy cuenta de que, en la construcción de estas diferentes maneras de actuar en torno a la enseñanza de la lectura, se articulan relaciones complejas entre los actores institucionales, los discursos en torno al lenguaje y a su enseñanza en la escuela, y las prácticas y artefactos letrados que dan sentido a lo que para ellos significa leer en los últimos años de la educación secundaria.
Blink characterization using curve fitting and clustering algorithms
Authors: Brosch Joseph K. , Wu Ziwei , Begley Carolyn G. , Driscoll Tobin A. , Braun Richard J.
Published: April 2021

The motion of the upper eyelid during blinking can be important in identifying possible diseases and syndromes that affect the eye. Hypothesized lid motion functions are fit to the dynamic position of the center of the upper lid under four experimentally controlled conditions in a pilot study. The coefficients of these nonlinear fits are used to classify blinks.  Agglomerative hierarchical and spectral clustering were used to attempt an automatic distinction between partial and full blinks as well as between normal and abnormal blinks.  Results for both approaches are similar when the input data is suitably normalized.  Clustering finds outlying blinks that do not fit the model functions for lid motion well and that differ from the majority of blinks in our sample; however, those blinks may not be outliers based on easily observed data such as blink amplitude and duration.  This type of analysis has potential for studying blink dynamics under normal and pathological conditions, but more work is needed with larger sets of data from blinks.
Hemodynamics in the retinal vasculature during the progression of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Calivá Francesco , Leontidis Georgios , Chudzik Piotr , Hunter Andrew , Antiga Luca , Al-Diri Bashir
Published: April 2021

Purpose: In this study, it is shown that hemodynamic features are applicable as biomarkers to evaluate the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: Ninety-six fundus images from twenty-four subjects were selected. For each patient, four photographs were captured during the three years before DR and in the first year of DR. The vascular trees, which consisted of a parent vessel and two child branches were extracted, and at the branching nodes, the fluid dynamic conditions were estimated. Results: Veins were mostly affected during the last stage of diabetes before DR. In the arteries, the blood flow in both child branches and the Reynolds number in the smaller child branch were mostly affected. Conclusion: This study showed that hemodynamic features can add further information to the study of the progression of DR.
FIRE: Fundus Image Registration dataset
Authors: Hernandez-Matas Carlos , Zabulis Xenophon , Triantafyllou Areti , Anyfanti Panagiota , Douma Stella , Argyros Antonis A
Published: April 2021

Purpose: Retinal image registration is a useful tool for medical professionals. However, performance evaluation of registration methods has not been consistently assessed in the literature. To address that, a dataset comprised of retinal image pairs annotated with ground truth and an evaluation protocol for registration methods is proposed.Methods: The dataset is comprised by 134 retinal fundus image pairs. These pairs are classified into three categories, according to characteristics that are relevant to indicative registration applications. Such characteristics are the degree of overlap between images and the presence/absence of anatomical differences. Ground truth in the form of corresponding image points and a protocol to evaluate registration performance are provided.Results: The proposed protocol is shown to enable quantitative and comparative evaluation of retinal registration methods under a variety of conditions.Conclusion: This work enables the fair comparison of retinal registration methods. It also helps researchers to select the registration method that is most appropriate given a specific target use.
REVAMMAD JMO Special Edition
Authors: Hunter Andrew , Jacobsen Jens Christian Brings
Published: April 2021

This special edition of the Journal of Modeling in Ophthalmology features papers from the Early Career Researchers of the EU Marie Cutie Integrated Training Network project REVAMMAD (Retinal Vascular Modeling, Measurement and Diagnosis), which ran from April 2013 to March 2017.
Nanostructural and mechanical changes in the sclera following proteoglycan depletion
Authors: Zhuola Zhuola , Barrett Steve , Kharaz Yalda Ashraf , Akhtar Riaz
Published: April 2021

The mechanical properties of ocular tissues, such as the sclera, have a major impact on healthy eye function, and are governed by the properties and composition of the microstructural components. For example, biomechanical degradation associated with myopia occurs alongside a reduction of proteoglycans (PGs). In this study, the role of PG degradation in the nanomechanical properties of the porcine sclera is explored. In-vitro enzymatic degradation of PGs was conducted with α-amylase and chondroitinase ABC enzymes. Collagen fibril morphology and nanomechanical stiffness were measured with atomic force microscopy (AFM). The elastic modulus of the tissue was reduced in all enzyme-treated samples relative to controls. In addition, collagen fibril organization was disrupted by PG depletion. Our data demonstrate that PGs play an important role in determining not only the mechanical properties at these length scales, but also collagen fibril arrangement.
A simulation study on the effect of ionic currents on transmission from cones to retinal OFF type cone bipolar cells
Authors: Ishihara Akito
Published: April 2021

The retinal cone bipolar cells are interneurons which receive inputs from cone photoreceptors and send outputs to retinal ganglion cells. Several subtypes of bipolar cells have been identified by morphology and electrophysiology in the mammalian retina, which convey distinct visual information to higher order neurons in parallel. The neural circuit in the retina not only converts light information to neural . information, but also performs visual information preprocessing that has not yet been fully understood. Recently, it has been revealed that the neural circuits in retinas of higher vertebrates, such as mammals and primates, have various biophysical properties arising from being composed of ionic channels, ionic pumps, and neurotransmitter receptors. Analysis using a mathematical model based on their ionic mechanisms is essential to understand the visual information processing in the retinal neural circuit of the higher vertebrates.
The cones and the bipolar cells respond to continuous variation of light with a graded potential, in an analog manner. Especially, glutamate is continuously released from a cone synapse in the dark and is decreased by hyperpolarization of the cone that receives the light stimulus. The alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and kainate type ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) of the OFF type bipolar cells (OFF-BCs) exhibit partial or nearly complete desensitization in the sustained presence of glutamate. In the dark, glutamate concentration in the synaptic cleft of the cone pedicle rises to 0.1–0.5 mM.5,6 The baseline glutamate concentration depends on a sustained hyperpolarization of the cone by light. Thus, for understanding the working of the OFF-BCs, it is important to elucidate the mechanisms of synaptic transmission from cones to OFF-BCs via iGluRs, which undergo desensitization in the various background light conditions. Furthermore, there are various kinds of ionic channels in OFF-BCs that mediate membrane potential responses. It is considered that information transmitted from cones to OFF-BCs is modulated by the intrinsic ionic currents. We analyzed how ionic currents of OFF-BCs contribute to the transmission of light responses by developing a mathematical model.
Effect of iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass device on outflow system morphology
Authors: Hess Nicholas , Mesiwala Nisreen , Marando Catherine , Bilonick Richard A. , Seibold Leonard K. , Schuman Joel S. , Wollstein Gadi , Ishikawa Hiroshi , Sigal Ian A. , Conner Ian , Jonescu-Cuypers Christian , Pantcheva Mina B. , Kagemann Larry
Published: April 2021

Purpose: Rigorous clinical testing has established that Schlemm’s canal cross-sectional area (SC-CSA) is reduced in glaucomatous eyes. However, to date, it is unclear whether trabecular bypass procedures impact the morphology of the proximal aqueous outflow tract, or if the introduction of a local region of low outflow resistance adversely affects SC-CSA elsewhere, specifically presenting as SC diminution. This study quantifies changes in the morphology of the distal outflow pathway after iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass stent (Glaukos Corp, Laguna Hills, CA, USA) implantation in living eyes by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Design: This was a prospective observational study.

Subjects: This study included six patients (eight eyes) with primary-open angle glaucoma.

Methods: Patients underwent iStent placement in the nasal anterior chamber angle quadrant. OCT imaging was obtained of both nasal and temporal eye quadrants before and after surgery. For each SC parameter, an average of ten consecutive, evenly spaced measurements were manually obtained over a 1 mm segment of SC on FIJI ImageJ. Linear mixed effects modeling quantified the effect of the iStent on these parameters.

Main outcome measures: Main outcome measures were changes in SC-CSA, inner-to-outer wall distance (IOD), and trabecular meshwork (TM) thickness following iStent placement.

Results: Following iStent placement, total SC-CSA increased an average of 1,039.12 μm2 (P = 0.05). Individually, there were no significant changes in SC-CSA in the nasal or temporal quadrants. Total SC-IOD and nasal SC-IOD increased an average of 2.35 μm (P = 0.01) and 2.96 μm (P = 0.04), respectively. There were no significant changes in temporal quadrant SC-IOD. There were no significant changes in TM thickness in either quadrant.

Conclusions: Implantation of the iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass stent significantly increases SC-IOD in the nasal quadrant at the location of implant, with no evidence of SC diminution in the temporal quadrant. It remains unclear how these observations relate to the surgical efficacy of trabecular bypass procedures.
Effects of the hand-grip test on retinal vascular and structural parameters measured by optical coherence tomography in healthy subjects
Authors: Cutolo Carlo Alberto , Verticchio Vercellin Alice Chandra , Ferro Desideri Lorenzo , Bonzano Chiara , Cardillo Piccolino Felice , Traverso Carlo Enrico , Nicolò Massimo
Published: April 2021

Purpose: To examine the relationship between the cardiovascular status and variations in optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived parameters of the peripapillary and macular tissues, and macular vascular flow area measured by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in healthy subjects.

Design: Prospective, open-label, non-randomized clinical study.

Methods: Twenty one eyes of 21 healthy subjects were analyzed using a swept-source device, including OCT and OCTA acquisitions. Cardiovascular changes were investigated by performing a practical hand-grip test (HGT). Blood pressure, heart rate, OCT and OCTA structural and vascular changes were measured and analyzed before and after the HGT-induced exercise.

Results: The mean patient age was 34.0 (± 15.2) years. While both diastolic and systolic blood pressures increased significantly aft er exercise (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively), the heart rate did not show a significant increment (p = 0.182). OCT structural parameters of the optic nerve did not change significantly. Instead, a significant redistribution of choroidal thickness (CT) was observed in the macular region, with a significant reduction (-6.5%, p = 0.001) in the outer-nasal macular sector after exercise. OCTA acquisitions did not show changes in the vascular density of both the superficial retinal layer and deep retinal layer.

Conclusions: We demonstrated that HGT-induced exercise can moderately elevate blood pressure without detectable effects on OCTA-derived parameters in healthy young subjects. Moreover, it produced a significant redistribution of CT. Further studies are needed to better explain the possible role of HGT in the characterization of the pathophysiology of ocular diseases associated with abnormalities of the vascular function such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
PEMURNIAN DAMAR MATA KUCING (Shorea Javanica) DENGAN METODE PELARUTAN
Authors: Putra Firstiando Yuda
Published: April 2021

Damarmatakucingmerupakan salah satuprodukhasilhutanLampung.  Damarmatakucingbanyakdiperoleh di KabupatenPesisir Barat dan Kabupaten Lampung Barat. Damarmemilikiharga yang berbedabedatergantungkualitasdaridamartersebut. MenurutSNI 2900.2-2012 damarmatakucingdibedakanmenjadibeberapakelasyaitukelasA,B,C,D,E,dan Abu. Kualitasdamarditentukan oleh banyaknyakotoran, warna, dan ukuranbongkahandaridamartersebut. Damarmatakucing yang paling bagusialahdamar yang memilikikandungankotoran( tatalkayu, pasir, dan pengotorlainnya) yang paling sedikit dan memilikiwarna yang beningsertamemilikiukuranbongkahan yang besar.Metodepelarutanmenjadi salah satumetode yang digunakanuntukmeningkatkankualitasdaridamarsaatini. Pelarutan yang dimaksudyaitumemisahkandamardenganpengotor yang terkandung di dalamdamartersebut. Damardapatlarut pada pelarut yang bersifat non polar sepertitoluena, heksana, dan kloroform dan sukarlarut pada pelarut polar seperti air.PenelitianiniberkonsentrasiuntukmeningkatkankualitasdamarmatakucingdenganmetodePelarutan. Penelitianinimenggunakan 3 macampelarut yang dianggapcocokuntukmelarutkanbeberapakualitasdamarmatakucinghasilhutanyaitukualitas D, E, dan abu. Ketigajenispelaruttersebutyaituasetonkloroform dan heksana. Setelah itu damarmatakucing akandilarutkankedalampelarutselanjutnyadamaryang sudahterlarutakandisaringdenganukuran200 mesh. Inibertujuanuntukmemisahkandamardaripengotornya. Setelah itu dipanaskandengansuhu70 o C sampaipelarut yang digunakanmenguap dan damarkembaliberbentukpadatandenganbentuk yang lebihbesar.
HUBUNGAN KARAKTER PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL BEBERAPA GENOTIPE SORGUM (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) DI LAHAN KERING TANJUNG BINTANG LAMPUNG SELATAN
Authors: Razaek Said Abdul
Published: April 2021

: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi perbedaan variasi karakter pertumbuhan dan hasil beberapa genotipe sorgum, menghitung korelasi antara komponen pertumbuhan dan hasil beberapa genotipe sorgum serta menentukan pengaruh langsung antara variabel pertumbuhan yang diamati dan hasil dengan menggunakan analisis lintas. Lima genotipe sorgum (GH-4, GH-6, GH-7, GH-9, dan Numbu) disusun menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok Lengkap (RAKL) dengan 3 ulangan.  Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa genotipe GH -6 (225,3 cm) dan GH-7 (218,1 cm) memiliki panjang batang 17 MST yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan genotipe GH-4 (193,0 cm), GH-9 (177,2 cm) dan Numbu (154,7 cm).  Kemudian genotipe GH-9 (73,9 g) dan GH-6 (62,0 g) memiliki bobot biji yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan genotipe GH-7 (52,9 g), GH-4 (48,4 g) dan Numbu (43,6 g).  Hasil analisis korelasi menunjukkan bahwa pada komponen pertumbuhan dan pertumbuhan terdapat korelasi positif sangat nyata yang ditunjukkan antara variabel panjang batang 17 MST dan jumlah daun 17 MST (r=0,57**) serta jumlah ruas 17 MST (r=0,68**).  Komponen pertumbuhan dan komponen hasil berkorelasi positif sangat nyata antara panjang batang 17 MST dan panjang malai (r = 0,41**), jumlah cabang malai (r = 0,37**), bobot dompolan/head (r = 0,43**), jumlah biji (r = 0,51**) serta bobot biji (r = 0,45**).  Kemudian korelasi positif sangat nyata antara komponen hasil dan komponen hasil lainnya ditunjukkan oleh jumlah biji dan bobot biji (r = 0,94 **).  Terdapat pengaruh langsung antara panjang batang 17 MST terhadap bobot biji (0,026), namun memiliki pengaruh langsung yang lebih kecil dibandingkan dengan pengaruh langsung terhadap jumlah biji (0,343).  Sedangkan karakter jumlah biji memiliki nilai pengaruh langsung tertinggi terhadap bobot biji (0,672) dan diikuti oleh bobot 1000 butir (0,280).  Sehingga karakter yang direkomendasikan sebagai indiktor seleksi genotipe unggul tanaman sorgum adalah jumlah biji dan bobot 1000 butir.
Reestructuración productiva mundial: una nueva fase en la dialéctica de la dependencia
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Crossa Niell Mateo ,   Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Published: April 2021

Este trabajo tiene el objetivo de construir un análisis de la reestructuración productiva internacional a partir de algunos conceptos clave brindados por el pensamiento crítico latinoamericano. Se sostiene que la nueva división internacional del trabajo, forjada por el capital como respuesta a la crisis de los 1970, tiene como base la formación de redes globales de capital monopólico generadas por la transferencia de procesos productivos industriales de economías desarrolladas (Norte global) a economías dependientes (Sur global). Este nuevo rompecabezas mundial se desarrolla sobre una ruptura espacial en la reproducción del ciclo del capital a nivel mundial y una renovada violación del valor de la fuerza de trabajo en los nuevos espacios productivos para la exportación.
Movimientos sociales en Colombia y prácticas de comunicación y educación políticas
Authors:   , Valderrama Higuera Carlos Eduardo
Published: April 2021

La tesis doctoral aborda las maneras como el movimiento social campesino colombiano desarrolla la comunicación y la educación políticas mediadas por las redes sociales de internet, así como las continuidades con las acciones colectivas de carácter presencial. Asume como contexto general del problema de investigación las transformaciones contemporáneas de la política, las transformaciones del ecosistema comunicativo y los procesos de descentramiento escolar de la educación. Además del diseño metodológico, que adopta una perspectiva etnográfica aplicada a la virtualidad, da cuenta de los debates contemporáneos sobre la noción de movimientos sociales y expone el lugar teórico privilegiado, que no es otro que el del campo de la comunicación-educación. Para completar el horizonte hermenéutico, la tesis reconstruye en uno de sus capítulos el surgimiento del sujeto campesino y la configuración de sus luchas en cuanto movimiento social. En los últimos capítulos presenta el análisis de la información producida y la descripción minuciosa de las particularidades de la comunicación y educación políticas de cada una de las organizaciones de segundo orden que conformaron el campo empírico de la investigación, y concluye con un ejercicio comprensivo de anudamiento de la complejidad de los diversos pliegues y dimensiones de la comunicación y educación política, mediadas por internet, y sus continuidades con las dinámicas y procesos presenciales del actual movimiento social campesino en Colombia.
Formación y desarrollo de la autoestima de niños de 6 a 10 años
Authors: Igon Marlen , Dorado Sandra
Published: April 2021

Este artículo es el resultado de una experiencia investigativa, de corte cualitativo, con un tipo de estudio etnográfico orientado bajo los criterios metodológicos de una investigación acción, cuyo propósito es estudiar una realidad social dentro de una concepción cambiante y dinámica en cuatro niños y niñas, de 6 a 10 años de edad, del sector rural, vereda La Golondrina, que como resultado de la aplicación de estrategias y dinámicas, donde se logra identificar las percepciones, actitudes y conductas, que afectan su entorno social y en especial la autoestima. En el desarrollo de la presente propuesta, desde su formulación y con más predominio en su análisis, e interpretación, surgió el tipo de estudio, con el fin de llegar a un acercamiento más profundo y poder ayudar a lograr objetivos más concretos como son: la formación de personas con buenos valores, en espacial la autoestima, que a su vez se construyeron en una secuencia lógica de propuesta didáctica, que basada en la formación en valores, como ejes que permiten promover la esencia ética de la conducta humana de forma reflexiva y crítica, para luego pasar a tener una buena autoestima que genere seguridad, interés y reconocimiento hacia su protección en su entorno, tomada desde los imaginarios e ideas previas, como conocimientos adquiridos, transformándose en actitudes y prácticas positivas, que permitirán promover de manera efectiva en su comportamiento para su vida.