bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community and Campus COVID-19 Risk Uncertainty Under University Reopening Scenarios: Model-Based Analysis
Authors: Benneyan James , Gehrke Christopher , Ilies Iulian , Nehls Nicole
Published: March 2021

Background

Significant uncertainty has existed about the safety of reopening college and university campuses before the COVID-19 pandemic is better controlled. Moreover, little is known about the effects that on-campus students may have on local higher-risk communities.

Objective

We aimed to estimate the range of potential community and campus COVID-19 exposures, infections, and mortality under various university reopening plans and uncertainties.

Methods

We developed campus-only, community-only, and campus × community epidemic differential equations and agent-based models, with inputs estimated via published and grey literature, expert opinion, and parameter search algorithms. Campus opening plans (spanning fully open, hybrid, and fully virtual approaches) were identified from websites and publications. Additional student and community exposures, infections, and mortality over 16-week semesters were estimated under each scenario, with 10% trimmed medians, standard deviations, and probability intervals computed to omit extreme outliers. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to inform potential effective interventions.

Results

Predicted 16-week campus and additional community exposures, infections, and mortality for the base case with no precautions (or negligible compliance) varied significantly from their medians (4- to 10-fold). Over 5% of on-campus students were infected after a mean of 76 (SD 17) days, with the greatest increase (first inflection point) occurring on average on day 84 (SD 10.2 days) of the semester and with total additional community exposures, infections, and mortality ranging from 1-187, 13-820, and 1-21 per 10,000 residents, respectively. Reopening precautions reduced infections by 24%-26% and mortality by 36%-50% in both populations. Beyond campus and community reproductive numbers, sensitivity analysis indicated no dominant factors that interventions could primarily target to reduce the magnitude and variability in outcomes, suggesting the importance of comprehensive public health measures and surveillance.

Conclusions

Community and campus COVID-19 exposures, infections, and mortality resulting from reopening campuses are highly unpredictable regardless of precautions. Public health implications include the need for effective surveillance and flexible campus operations.
Cytarabine-induced pericarditis confirmed using cardiac MRI after inconclusive echocardiography: A case report
Authors: Dong Tony , Chami Tarek , Chami Besher , Al-Kindi Sadeer , Hoit Brian
Published: March 2021

Pericarditis is a rare but debilitating complication of cytarabine
therapy. While echocardiography can aid with the diagnosis, cardiac MRI
has superior accuracy in establishing the diagnosis. In this case, we
describe a 65-year-old patient receiving cytarabine as part of induction
chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia who developed acute
pericarditis. Her cardiac MRI revealed pericardial edema on T2-weighted
STIR imaging and pericardial late gadolinium enhancement which confirmed
the diagnosis.
DEMASIADO POST-HUMANAS: CRUCES ENTRE ESPECIES EN RELATOS DE ELVIRA ORPHÉE Y MAROSA DI GIORGIO
Authors: Barbero Ludmila Soledad
Published: March 2021

Partiendo de la concepción de sujeto post-humano, entendido por Rosi Braidotti y Donna Haraway como una construcción nómade y múltiple en la que el vínculo con lo tecnológico y con el medio ambiente resultan constitutivos, propongo analizar cruces entre especies en tres relatos de dos escritoras del Río de la Plata, de la segunda mitad del siglo XX: “Las viejas fantasiosas” (1981), de la argentina tucumana Elvira Orphée, y “Misa de Pascua” y “Misa de amor” (1993), de la uruguaya Marosa di Giorgio. Me detendré en la reescritura del mito de Circe en el primer relato y en las metamorfosis que tienen lugar a partir de una desbordante imaginería erótica en los dos últimos, como así también en ciertos recursos narratológicos disruptivos respecto del canon cuentístico del género fantástico escrito por autores masculinos, para interrogar figuraciones de lo post-humano en el marco de estas producciones literarias.
Danilevskii Problem
Authors: Woodburn Stephen M.
Published: March 2021

In the last half century, Nikolai Danilevskii’s Rossiia i Evropa has been interpreted variously according to the contexts in which he is read. MacMaster’s well-known biography reflects mid-twentieth century preoccupations with totalitarianism and the Eastern Bloc, while post-Soviet interpreters have sought source material for reconstructing Russian national identity without Soviet ideology. New editions of the book also reflect changing desires of the times. But the context of Danilevskii’s other works reveal his involvement with intellectual and political cross-currents of nineteenth-century Europe, and the limits of his applicability to other times.
Shafarevich, Danilevsky, Leontiev and “Senseless Dreaming”
Authors: Khatuntsev Stanislav V.
Published: March 2021

The article offers a concise analysis of I.R. Shafarevich’s attitude to the ideas of N.Ya. Danilevsky and their assessment in the context of the present day reality.
Impact of Title IX on Athletics Development in the United States
Authors: MAK Jennifer Y.
Published: March 2021

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in English; abstract also in Chinese.Nothing has had as much of an impact in the history of public education as Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972. The increase in the popularity of collegiate sports, especially the revenue sports (football, basketball), has made Title IX and Athletics a hot topic. However, many members of the Title IX generations do not have a clear picture or fully understand the true meaning behind Title IX. This paper tries to close this gap by explaining the relationship between Title IX and Athletics in a timeline format: the birth of Title IX in 1972; Title IX and Athletics in the 1970s; Policy Interpretation and the three-part compliance test applied by H.E.W. to intercollegiate athletic in 1979; three important court cases in the 1990s; and the current progress of Title IX in Athletics.1972年頒布的敎育修正法案第IX條款在公共敎育方面的影響是無法比擬的。隨著學院運動項目的越來越普及，尤其是有收益的學院運動項目如美式足球、籃球，使第IX條款成為體育運動的熱門話題。然而在第IX條款頒布後出生的新一代成員中很多人並沒有充分認識和理解其背后的真正意義。這篇文章旨在彌補這種代溝，通過以時間發展線索來解釋第IX條款和體育運動的關係，揭示第IX條款的內涵，給人們清晰畫面。內容包括：第IX條款的誕生；二十世紀七十年代的體育運動和第IX條款的關係；政策的解釋和1979年H.E.W應用在學院體育運動中的三個部分的測試；九十年代三個重要的法庭案例；以及第IX條款在目前體育運動方面的發展和前景。
Systematic Engineering of the "Fitness For All Program"-- A National Movement in China
Authors: YANG Jingzhen , CHIN Ming Kai , DENG Shu Xun
Published: March 2021

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract in English only.The "Fitness For All Program" is an important strategic policy change in promotion of physical fitness for the whole community in China. It has made significant changes in the lives of Chinese people. This review introduces how the "Fitness For All Program" has been formed, developed, and conducted in China, and how it is integrated into the lives of the people. The paper discusses different attitudes and responses towards carrying out this project. Some suggestions are put forward for its development in terms of promotion and the usage of sports facilities.
THE USE OF ACTIVE WORK FORMS IN THE INCULCATING THE LIFE SKILLS
AMONG YOUNGER STUDENTS
Authors: Mehdıyeva Zeynab
Published: March 2021

The experience of using active forms of work in inculcating life skills in students in the primary grades of
secondary schools was widely analyzed in the article. The types of lessons are classified, in which the essence of the
types of active lessons is clarified. It is noted that it is possible to achieve the formation of students' life skills through
the use of active forms of work in the learning process organized for all types of modern lessons. For this, it is
necessary to create motivation in the course of an active lesson, to use problem situations. We know that training
mainly motivates thinking. Setting a task for students motivates them to think and creates conditions for the formation
of their thinking. By solving the problem, children develop positive emotions and enthusiasm for learning. The use of
the active work forms in the inculcation of life skills also creates the basis for enhancing students' cognitive activity. In
this regard, it is also important to perform problematic tasks. Thus, creating the basis for the acquisition of new
knowledge and creating conditions for active understanding of knowledge plays a key role in the implementation of
problematic tasks. The article summarizes the use of interactive teaching methods, and also focuses on the main aspects
of the activity process of the primary school teachers. Thus, the article reflects the use of active forms of work in the
process of teaching the subject "life knowledge" in the disclosure of life skills of students.
Sistema de gestión de calidad: Planificación, implementación y estrategias de mejora en la pequeña empresa de Boyacá
Authors: Fraile Benítez Ana Mercedes , Antonio Boada De Paola Andrea , Castillo Monroy Martha Liliana , Forero Ropero Sonia Milena , Cifuentes Osorio Gabriel Ricardo , Agudelo Solano Johan Camilo
Published: March 2021

Este libro elaborado por docentes de la Universidad de Boyacá, del grupo de Investigación LOGyCA (Logística, Operaciones Gestión y Calidad), pretende ser una guía didáctica para la adopción de procesos de gestión para el mejoramiento de la calidad y así asegurar una mejor competitividad de las pequeñas empresas del departamento de Boyacá, especialmente las del corredor industrial conformado por las ciudades de Tunja, Duitama y Sogamoso. Analizadas las empresas que se tomaron como muestra, de las 5.575 registradas (2015) en las Cámaras de Comercio de las tres ciudades que tienen el mayor dinamismo empresarial y el mayor crecimiento urbano, se constató que las empresas “han despertado a la globalización y reconocen que su gestión debe incluir procesos de control y aseguramiento de la calidad” para poder competir exitosamente tanto en los mercados nacionales como en los internacionales.
The Stigmas Associated With Teen Parenting: How Gender-Stereotypical Expectations Contribute
Authors: Chobany Mariah , Hull Debra
Published: March 2021

One hundred three students from a small liberal arts college rated statements about potential stigma associated with unmarried teen parents. After reading a scenario describing an unmarried teen couple’s pregnancy and early parenting experiences, participants indicated their level of agreement with 11 statements for either the mother or the father. Multivariate analysis of variance comparisons of the items indicated that the focus of attention was on the mother, in both positive and negative ways. Compared to unmarried teen fathers, unmarried teen mothers were seen as more sexually promiscuous, and too young to be a parent. On the other hand, mothers were also rated significantly as spending more time with their child, and assumed as more responsible. Unmarried teen fathers were seen as significantly more ambitious, whereas respondents thought it was more important for mothers to continue their education. Results reinforce the idea that unmarried teen mothers are expected to bear a disproportionate amount of the burden of care for their child. Knowledge of these results could lead to greater sensitivity toward unmarried teen parents and lend to more helpful support, which could assist them, and their children, to succeed despite their circumstances.
Semi-loss-tolerant strong coin flipping protocol using EPR pairs
Authors: Ma Jia-Jun , Guo Fen-Zhuo , Yang Qian , Li Yan-Bing , Wen Qiao-Yan
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we present a quantum strong coin flipping protocol. In this protocol, an EPR pair and a quantum memory storage are made use of, and losses in the quantum communication channel and quantum memory storage are all analyzed. We obtain the bias in the fair scenario as a function of $p$, where $p$ is the probability that the particle in Bob's quantum memory storage is lost, which means our bias varies as the degree of losses in the quantum memory storage changes. Therefore we call our protocol semi-loss-tolerant. We also show that the bias decreases with decreasing $p$. When $p$ approaches $0$, the bias approaches 0.3536, which is less than that of all the previous loss-tolerant protocols. Details of both parties' optimal cheating strategies are also given and analyzed. What's more, experimental feasibility is discussed and demonstrated. Compared with previous qubit-based loss-tolerant SCF protocols, we introduce the EPR pair to keep our protocol loss-tolerant while trying to push down the bias. In addition, a quantum memory storage is used and the losses in it has been taken into account. We obtain the bias in the fair scenario as a function of $p$, where $p$ is the probability that the particle in Bob's quantum memory storage is lost, which means our bias varies as the degree of losses in the quantum memory storage changes. We also show that the bias decreases with decreasing $p$. When $p$ approaches $0$, the bias approaches 0.3536, which is less than that of all the previous loss-tolerant protocols. Details of both parties' optimal cheating strategies are also given and analyzed. Besides, experimental feasibility is discussed and demonstrated.
Fast iSWAP gate using two $Q$ switches
Authors: Song Jie , Xia Yan , Sun Xiu-Dong , Song He-Shan
Published: March 2021

An effective approach to the construction of iSWAP gate has been proposed. Working with three atoms inside three coupled cavities, we analyze the transport and the confinement of a single photon along two different directions. It is shown that two $Q$ switches can be built by tuning the transition energy of each atom. Applying a classical field, we can implement high-speed gate operation between photon and atom. In addition, the influence of decoherence on the gate fidelity is also discussed.
OPTIMIZING THE QUALITY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE IN PHARMACY ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: I.A. Filina , L.P. Ustinova , S.I. Fomicheva
Published: March 2021

By surveying clients of pharmacy organizations, we've analyzed quality of service. It was found that pharmaceu-tical specialists do not always inform pharmacy visitors about the regimen and doses of the drug (MP), the rules for storing it at home, and about interactions with other drugs; most buyers find it difficult to answer the question of what is the International Nonproprietary Name of a Medicinal Product (INN) and how synonyms and ana-logues differ from each other; visitors to pharmacies are not always provided with information about the availa-bility of medicinal products from different manufacturers and medicinal products with different prices; in most cas-es, if the secondary packaging is violated, the pharmacy customers are not given instructions (a copy of the in-structions) on the use of the dispensed drug. A standard operational procedure "Order of realization of medicines without a prescription" was developed on the basis of received data.
ARTISTS FROM BUNDELKHAND: COLOR COMBINATION OF KISHAN SONI'S PAINTINGS
Authors: Pathak Garima
Published: March 2021

The art seeker of Bundelkhand, Mr. Kishan Soni ji was born in U.P. It was held in Jhansi district of 19 November 1958. His father Mr. Suraj Prakash Soni was originally Rajasthani but has been living in Jhansi for many years, his mother's name is Mrs. Chanda Soni. In 1975, Soni ji passed the high school examination but under the circumstances he could not study further. Today, by looking at his personality, behavior and knowledge, no one can think that there are few stages of his institutional education left and he is also a true example of the fact that 'art is not an attachment to any schooling and knowledge'Since childhood, Soni ji saw her father embellishing the clothes, so in him, according to the genetic properties, the qualities of an artist automatically came into being. His mother always kept his morale high. Soni ji, in his childhood, learned his father's work of embroidery and started helping him for Dharnjan, but he did not mind in this work. Then he, with the inspiration of his mother, shifted his attention to painting. He made his first person portrait of his 'granny mother'. At this time, he was only 14 years of age.

बुन्देलखण्ड के कला साधक श्री किशन सोनी जी का जन्म उ.प्र. के झांसी जिले में 19 नवम्बर सन् 1958 को हुआ। इनके पिता जी श्री सूरज प्रकाश सोनी मूलतः राजस्थानी थे लेकिन कई वर्षों से झांसी में ही रह रहे हैं इनकी माताजी का नाम श्रीमति चंदा सोनी है। सन् 1975 में सोनी जी ने हाई स्कूल की परीक्षा पास की लेकिन परिस्थितिवश वे आगे नहीं पढ़ सके। आज उनके व्यक्तित्व, व्यवहार और ज्ञान को देखकर कोई भी यह नहीं सोच सकता कि उनकी संस्थागत शिक्षा के कुछ चरण बाकी रह गये है और वह इस तथ्य के भी साक्षात् उदाहरण है कि ‘कला किसी भी स्कूली शिक्षा व ज्ञान की मोहताज नहीं’बचपन से ही सोनी जी ने अपने पिता जी को वस्त्रों को अलंकृत करते हुए देखा अतः उनके अन्दर आनुवांशिकी गुणो के अनुसार एक कलाकार के गुण स्वतः ही आ गए । इनकी माता जी ने इनका मनोबल हमेशा बढ़ाए रखा। सोनी जी ने बालपन में ही अपने पिता जी ने कढाई का काम सीख लिया और धर्नाजन हेतु उनकी सहायता करने लगे परन्तु इस काम में इनका मन नहीं लगा। तब इन्होने अपनी माता जी की प्रेरणा से, चित्रकला की ओर अपना ध्यान केन्द्रित किया। इन्होने अपना प्रथम व्यक्ति चित्र अपनी ‘नानी मां’ का बनाया। इस समय इनकी आयु महज 14 वर्ष की थीं।
Penyusunan Laporan Keuangan dan Perancangan Aplikasi Keuangan Untuk Usaha Kecil Menengah Studi Kasus pada D’Haus Cake
Authors: Oliyan Fitra , Santi Elfitri , Rosalina Eka
Published: March 2021

This study aims to design accounting applications for the preparation of financial statements at D'Haus Cake's business. The approach used in this research is a case study. The design process begins with studying the transactions and reports that D'Haus Cake’s business needs in the form of purchase and sale transaction forms, and general journals. The required reports are in the form of all transaction journal records, ledgers, trial balances, profit and loss reports, and statements of financial position. After studying the system requirements, then proceed to the application development stage using Microsoft Access 2013 software. The next stage is to test the application to obtain adequate confidence in transaction processing by comparing the results of processing with manual calculations carried out. The implementation process is carried out by converting the initial data on the conversion date and making input transactions up to the company's operating date. After implementing and converting, the final stage is to carry out training for users and carry out a process of improvement and adjustment to the application based on the feedback received from users. The process of designing and implementing the application has been considered successful after the user states that the application has met all user needs and operates well.
Recent Echocardiography Parameters for Predicting Better Functional Result after Mitral Valve Correction Surgery in Patients with Primary Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: Puspita Indah , Soesanto Amiliana M , Rudiktyo Estu , Ariani Rina , Kuncoro Ario Suryo
Published: March 2021

Abstract

 

Objectives We analyzed whether some echocardiographic parameters are good predictors of functional result after mitral valve correction surgery. 

 

Background Ejection fraction was not the only parameter to decide optimal time for surgery, nor an indicator for a better functional result after surgery. Severity measurement being a main consideration in surgery decision. Reduced left ventricle dimension after surgery reflect a better functional result.

 

Methods In 2019, 67 patients was included in this analysis. Age 53 (17-67) years, male 52,2%. All patients are with severe primary mitral regurgitation and treated by mitral valve surgery (mitral valve repair or replacement). Retrospective echocardiographic analysis was performed, to find the best parameter for predicting better functional outcome after surgery.

 

Results Data was collected from January to December 2019. From 262 primary mitral valve surgery underwent in National Heart Center Harapan Kita, there was 67 patients included, the other was excluded due to probability of secondary mitral regurgitation mechanism, concomitant congenital heart disease and or other significant valves disease, missing post-surgery data due to referral flow to the prior hospital and less complete echocardiographic views for further analysis. In bivariate analysis, end-diastolic volume (EDV) and regurgitant volume (RV) were strong predictor of decreasing left ventricle diameter after surgery (p 0.0001 and p 0.05). End-diastolic volume 133,5 ml or more is predictive for decreasing left ventricle diameter if surgery was conducted (sensitivity 87.3%, sensitivity 66.7%).  

   

Conclusions EDV and RV found to be good predictors for functional outcome of primary mitral valve surgery than other echocardiographic parameters. Measuring EDV before deciding timing of surgery will be helpful in targeting better functional result after surgery.
On the divergence of early and contemporary HRM theories
Authors: Gordon Anna
Published: March 2021

The quest of human for better production and management methods to generate or to raise income is asancient as time. Adam Smith (1723 – 1790), David Ricardo (1772 – 1823), and Jeremy Bentham (1748 –1832) are considered to be the pioneers of modern management theories. The conventional managementtheories originated in the industrial revolution when technical advances, the expansion of commerce andmarkets, increasing populations generate mass production opportunities by means of a motorized andsystemic method. First, this research reviews three most crucial early works: An Inquiry into the Natureand Causes of the Wealth of Nations” (1776) by Adam Smith (1723 – 1790), “Letter to T. R. Malthus,October 9, 1820” by David Ricardo (1772 – 1823), and “Introduction to the Principles of Morals” (1789)by Jeremy Bentham (1748 – 1832). Second, we compare those early works with modern theories andpractices of HRM. We argued that the early theories were built upon materialistic consideration; while,the modern theories are established on both materialistic and humanitarian grounds. The trends in HRMliterature showed that we might witness, in coming decades, a surge of theories built on humanitarianprinciples.
GEREJA DAN KEMISKINAN: DISKURSUS PERAN GEREJA DI TENGAH KEMISKINAN
Authors: Rahardjo Jessica Patricia
Published: March 2021

Gereja dan Kemiskinan: Diskursus Peran Gereja di Tengah Kemiskinan.Permasalahan kemiskinan bukan hanya menjadi masalah lokal, namun menjadi masalah yang digumulkanoleh dunia. Gereja sebagai mandataris Tuhan di tengah dunia, dituntut untuk dapat berperan dalammembantu masalah kemiskinan. Bagaimanakah sewajarnya gereja berperan di tengah kemiskinanmasyarakat? Dengan menggunakan metode deskriptif analisis, serta meminjam pemikiran Karl Marx,untuk menelisik peran gereja dalam membantu mengatasi permasalahan kemiskinan. Panggilan gerejayang seharusnya adalah untuk menyuarakan ketidakadilan dan penindasan hak-hak orang miskin. Gerejahadir untuk berpihak kepada yang lemah, tidak berdaya, miskin, dan yang terpinggirkan. Jika gereja tidakmemiliki keperpihakan kepada yang lemah, maka kehadiran gereja tidak memiliki makna. Gereja perluterus menerus menyuarakan kritik profetisnya tanpa pandang bulu terhadap berbagai penyalahgunaankekuasaan, terjadinya ketidakadilan, terampasnya hak-hak masyarakat, dan terhadap sistim yangmenindas serta memiskinkan manusia. Spiritualitas dan religiusitas jemaat juga harus sampai kepadasebuah kesalehan sosial, di mana energi spiritual yang dimiliki jemaat mampu untuk mendorongkepeduliannya akan berbagai persoalan kehidupan masyarakat. Spiritualitas seperti inilah yang harusmenjadi perhatian gereja dalam membangun kehidupan jemaat. Salib harus dipahami sebagai refleksi ataspenderitaan dan kematian Kristus, namun di saat yang sama pula harus mampu membuka mata dantelinga akan penderitaan, kesengsaraan, dan pengharapan manusia akan harkat dan martabatnya sebagaimanusia. Disitulah gereja berperan.
THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF POLYMER COMPOSITES REINFORCED BY NATURAL MATERIALS
Authors: S. Hadi Rusul , S. Fadhil Hwazen
Published: March 2021

The waste natural such as groundnut shell, rice husk, eggshell, pistachio shells, etc., are regionally available. All these waste natural has good mechanical characteristics and can be employed more efficiently in the improvement of composite materials for different uses. This paper shows the study of the impact test, tensile test and flexural test properties of the pistachio shell powder strengthened epoxy resin. Pistachio shell powder with different weight fraction (5%, 7%, and 9%) strengthened epoxy resin has been developed by hand lay-up method. The tensile test, flexural test and impact strength displays the sample (epoxy+7% wt. pistachio shells) has the highest comparison with other samples. The principal results extracted from this work that the Samples with (9%) weight fraction of the pistachio shell content in epoxy resin decreases the modulus of elasticity, flexural strength, tensile strength, impact strength and flexural modulus, while at (5% and 7%) weight fraction of the pistachio shell content in epoxy resin raise the modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, flexural modulus, flexural strength and impact strength increased.
Spatial Correlation Based Clustering with Node Energy Based Multi-Hop Routing Scheme for
Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Susheelkumar Sreedharan Panchikattil , Jageshwar Pete Dnyandeo
Published: March 2021

Major points of concern in implementing a wireless sensor network (WSN) are the network lifetime and energy utility within any delay tolerant network. Both these parameters define the success of the sensor network. The higher the expectancy of network Lifetime, the higher is the probability of acceptance of the network. Similarly, better the energy utilization in the network, better are the chances of success and implementation of the sensor network. Clustering is one such scheme adopted in WSN towards harnessing the best of above specified parameters for the network implemented. Most popular clustering techniques are the variants of LEACH protocol that facilitate cluster formation based on the proximity of an individual node to other nodes in the sensor network. These protocols are based on a single hop structure from the selected cluster heads in the network. This paper embarks on a multi-hop clustering algorithm that takes into consideration the spatial correlation between the nodes to form clusters and implements a highly energy efficient routing scheme which selects the multi-hop path in the network in a dynamic fashion.
Relationships Between Cognition and Neuropathological Tau in Alzheimer’s Disease Assessed by 18F Flortaucipir PET
Authors: Devous Sr. Michael D. , Fleisher Adam S. , Pontecorvo Michael J. , Lu Ming , Siderowf Andrew , Navitsky Michael , Kennedy Ian , Southekal Sudeepti , Harris Thomas S. , Mintun Mark A.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Tau neurofibrillary tangle burden increases with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) stage and correlates with degree of cognitive impairment. Tau PET imaging could facilitate understanding the relationship between tau pathology and cognitive impairment.

Objective:

Evaluate the relationship between 18F flortaucipir uptake patterns and cognition across multiple cognitive domains.

Methods:

We acquired flortaucipir PET scans in 84 amyloid-positive control, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD subjects. Flortaucipir standardized uptake value ratio (SUVr) values were obtained from a neocortical volume of interest (VOI), a precuneus VOI, and VOIs defined by the correlation between flortaucipir SUVr images and domain-specific cognitive tests. Cognitive assessments included Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-cog), and a neuropsychological test battery (i.e., Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised Logical Memory (WMS-R), Trail Making Test, Boston Naming Test, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Animal List Generation, WMS-R Digit Span, American National Adult Reading Test, Clock Drawing Test, Judgment of Line Orientation, and WMS-R Logical Memory II (Delayed Recall)) and the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ). Correlation analyses compared regional and voxel-wise VOIs to cognitive scores.

Results:

Subjects included 5 controls, 47 MCI, and 32 AD subjects. Significant correlations were seen between both flortaucipir and florbetapir SUVrs and MMSE, ADAS-Cog, and FAQ. Cognitive impairment was associated with increased flortaucipir uptake in regionally specific patterns consistent with the neuroanatomy underlying specific cognitive tests.

Conclusion:

Flortaucipir SUVr values demonstrated significant inverse correlations with cognitive scores in domain-specific patterns. Findings support the hypothesis that PET imaging of neuropathologic tau deposits may reflect underlying neurodegeneration in AD.
Effect of Product Quality and Service Quality on Customer Loyalty with Customer Satisfaction as an Intervenning Variables (Case Study on the Tirta Jasa Lampung Selatan Regional Company (PDAM))
Authors: Hakim Lukman Nuzul
Published: March 2021

This study aims to determine the effect of Product Quality and Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty at the Tirta Jasa Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM), Lampung Selatanar. The sample used is 220 (10 times the number of research indicators there are 22), the data analysis used is path analysis SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) model processed with the Amos version 22 program.The results of this study found that:

Directly, product quality has a positive and significant effect on customer satisfaction and also on customer loyalty.

Directly, service quality has a positive and significant effect on customer satisfaction and also on customer loyalty.

Directly and indirectly, product quality has a positive and significant effect on customer loyalty.

Directly and indirectly service quality has a positive and significant effect on customer loyalty.

Customer satisfaction has a positive and significant direct effect on customer loyalty.
The Political Economy of Salt Imports in Indonesia
Authors: Simamora Beltahmamero , Marlina Deliana  , Syafruddin Ritonga
Published: March 2021

The use of salt is wide, including in the chemical industry, various foods and beverages, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. The decision to import salt is aimed at protecting the sustainability of production in the national industrial sector. Government Regulation Number 9 of 2018 was issued without involving the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP). The PP for Salt Imports removes the authority of the KKP in providing recommendations for importing industrial salt. The salt import made by the government has received legitimacy from the Ministry of Industry because it is seen as being able to increase investment and welfare for the community. However, the import of salt do not have to get recommendations from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries are a blunder for the government. Because it is very contrary to the constitution. The concepts presented by Thomas Oatley, namely interests, political institutions and Helen V. Milner, namely Interest, Institutions, and Information, are used to analyze salt import policies. 100 percent of industrial salt is still imported, because Indonesia unable to produce salt for industrial needs. Thus, in terms of the political economy of salt business, it can be concluded that the recurring issue of salt scarcity has been caused by serious errors in the political economy of the salt business in Indonesia. This mistake, objectively, can be traced from the behavior of salt business players and the government to reform for a better Indonesian salt business. 100 percent of industrial salt is still imported, because Indonesia unable to produce salt for industrial needs. Thus, in terms of the political economy of salt business, it can be concluded that the recurring issue of salt scarcity has been caused by serious errors in the political economy of the salt business in Indonesia. This mistake, objectively, can be traced from the behavior of salt business players and the government to reform for a better Indonesian salt business. 100 percent of industrial salt is still imported, because Indonesia unable to produce salt for industrial needs. Thus, in terms of the political economy of salt business, it can be concluded that the recurring issue of salt scarcity has been caused by serious errors in the political economy of the salt business in Indonesia. This mistake, objectively, can be traced from the behavior of salt business players and the government to reform for a better Indonesian salt business.
An artificial neural network for analysis of ionograms obtained by ionosonde at the Ukrainian Antarctic Akademik Vernadsky station
Authors:   Institute of Ionosphere of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Bogomaz O. ,   State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Shulha M. ,   Institute of Ionosphere of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,   State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ministry of Educationand Science of Ukraine, Kotov D. ,   Institute of Ionosphere of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,   State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ministry of Educationand Science of Ukraine, Koloskov A. ,   Institute of Radio Astronomy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,   State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ministry of Educationand Science of Ukraine, Zalizovski A. ,   Institute of Radio Astronomy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,   State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ministry of Educationand Science of Ukraine,   Space Research Centre of Polish Academy of Sciences
Published: March 2021

The article presents the developed artificial neural network for F2 ionosphere layer traces scaling on ionograms obtained using the IPS-42 ionosonde installed at the Ukrainian Antarctic Akademik Vernadsky station. The parameters of the IPS-42 ionosonde and the features of the data obtained with it, in particular the format of the output files, are presented. The advantages of using an artificial neural network for identification of traces on ionograms are demonstrated. Usually, an automatic scaling of the ionograms requires a lot of machine time however implementation of an artificial neural network speeds up computations significantly allowing to process incoming ionograms even in the real time mode. The choice of architecture of an artificial neural network is substantiated. The U-Net architecture was chosen. The method of creating and training the neural network is described. The artificial neural network development process included choosing the number of layers, types of activation functions, optimization method and input layer size. Software developed was written in Python programming language with use of the Keras library. Examples of data used for training of the artificial neural network are shown. The results of testing an artificial neural network are presented. The data obtained with the artificial neural network are compared with the results of manual processing of ionograms. Data for training the artificial neural network were obtained in March, 2017 using the IPS-42 ionosonde installed at the Ukrainian Antarctic Akademik Vernadsky station; data for testing were obtained in 2017 and 2020. The developed artificial neural network has minor flaws but they are easily eliminated by retraining the network on a more representative dataset (obtained in various years and seasons). The general results of testing indicate good prospects in further developing this artificial neural network and software for working with it.
Number of Positive Lymph Nodes Is Superior to LNR and LODDS for Predicting the Prognosis of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Authors: Gao Bingqiang , Zhou Dongkai , Qian Xiaohui , Jiang Yuancong , Liu Zhenghao , Zhang Wang , Wang Weilin
Published: March 2021

Background

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging for pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs) based on the number of positive lymph nodes (PLNs) is the most widely accepted nodal staging system. New nodal staging schemes that take both the number of PLNs and the number of examined lymph nodes into consideration have emerged as useful prognostic tools. The aim of the current study was to determine the most effective nodal staging system, among the 8th edition AJCC N staging (or PLN staging), lymph node ratio (LNR), and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS), for predicting the cause-specific survival of patients with PanNENs.

Methods

The clinicopathological and prognostic data of 2,295 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, diagnosed with PanNENs between 1988 and 2015, were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

A multivariate analysis identified PLN and LNR staging as independent prognostic factors, but not LODDS. The PLN staging exhibited higher C-index and area under the curve values than those of the LNR and LODDS, indicating better predictive discriminatory capacity. No significant difference in the survival of patients was observed within the same PLN staging subgroup according to the number (high or low) of examined lymph nodes. In contrast, intra-group heterogeneity was seen with use of LNR and LODDS staging, due to overestimation of the risk of insufficient examined lymph nodes, and LODDS failed to stratify patients without lymph nodes metastasis into different risk groups.

Conclusions

The PLN staging is more reliable than LNR and LODDS staging for predicting the cause-specific survival of PanNENs.
Innovations and Advances in Schistosome Stem Cell Research
Authors: You Hong , Jones Malcolm K. , Whitworth Deanne J. , McManus Donald P.
Published: March 2021

Schistosomes infect about 250 million people globally causing the devastating and persistent disease of schistosomiasis. These blood flukes have a complicated life cycle involving alternating infection of freshwater snail intermediate and definitive mammalian hosts. To survive and flourish in these diverse environments, schistosomes transition through a number of distinct life-cycle stages as a result of which they change their body plan in order to quickly adapt to each new environment. Current research suggests that stem cells, present in adults and larvae, are key in aiding schistosomes to facilitate these changes. Given the recent advances in our understanding of schistosome stem cell biology, we review the key roles that two major classes of cells play in the different life cycle stages during intramolluscan and intramammalian development; these include the germinal cells of sporocysts involved in asexual reproduction in molluscan hosts and the neoblasts of adult worms involved in sexual reproduction in human and other mammalian hosts. These studies shed considerable new light in revealing the stem cell heterogeneity driving the propagation of the schistosome life cycle. We also consider the possibility and value of establishing stem cell lines in schistosomes to advance schistosomiasis research. The availability of such self-renewable resources will provide new platforms to study stem cell behavior and regulation, and to address fundamental aspects of schistosome biology, reproductive development and survival. In turn, such studies will create new avenues to unravel individual gene function and to optimize genome-editing processes in blood flukes, which may lead to the design of novel intervention strategies for schistosomiasis.
The Role of Surges During Periods of Very Shallow Water on Sediment Transport Over Tidal Flats
Authors: Zhang Qian , Gong Zheng , Zhang Changkuan , Lacy Jessica , Jaffe Bruce , Xu Beibei , Chen Xindi
Published: March 2021

Periods of very shallow water (water depth in the order of 10 cm) occur daily on tidal flats because of the propagation of tides over very gently sloping beds, leading to distinct morphodynamical phenomena. To improve the understanding of the characteristics of velocity and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) surges and their contribution to sediment transport and local bed changes during periods of very shallow water, measurements of near-bed flow, and SSC were carried out at two cross-shore locations on an intertidal flat along the Jiangsu coast, China. Furthermore, the role of surges in local resuspension and morphological change was explored. Results indicate that flow and SSC surges occurred at both stations during very shallow water periods. On the lower intertidal flat, flood surges were erosive, while weaker surges on the middle intertidal flat were not. Surges on lower intertidal flats resulted in local resuspension and strong turbidity, contributing up to 25% of the onshore-suspended sediment flux during flood tides, even though they last only 10% of the flood duration. When surges travel across the flats, conditions change from erosional to depositional. Velocity surges on the middle intertidal flat were too weak to resuspend bed sediment, and the associated SSC surges were produced by advection.
Visual Cues Predictive of Behaviorally Neutral Outcomes Evoke Persistent but Not Interval Timing Activity in V1, Whereas Aversive Conditioning Suppresses This Activity
Authors: Monk Kevin J. , Allard Simon , Hussain Shuler Marshall G.
Published: March 2021

Cue-evoked persistent activity is neural activity that persists beyond stimulation of a sensory cue and has been described in many regions of the brain, including primary sensory areas. Nonetheless, the functional role that persistent activity plays in primary sensory areas is enigmatic. However, one form of persistent activity in a primary sensory area is the representation of time between a visual stimulus and a water reward. This “reward timing activity”—observed within the primary visual cortex—has been implicated in informing the timing of visually cued, reward-seeking actions. Although rewarding outcomes are sufficient to engender interval timing activity within V1, it is unclear to what extent cue-evoked persistent activity exists outside of reward conditioning, and whether temporal relationships to other outcomes (such as behaviorally neutral or aversive outcomes) are able to engender timing activity. Here we describe the existence of cue-evoked persistent activity in mouse V1 following three conditioning strategies: pseudo-conditioning (where unpaired, monocular visual stimuli are repeatedly presented to an animal), neutral conditioning (where monocular visual stimuli are paired with a binocular visual stimulus, at a delay), and aversive conditioning (where monocular visual stimuli are paired with a tail shock, at a delay). We find that these conditioning strategies exhibit persistent activity that takes one of three forms, a sustained increase of activity; a sustained decrease of activity; or a delayed, transient peak of activity, as previously observed following conditioning with delayed reward. However, these conditioning strategies do not result in visually cued interval timing activity, as observed following appetitive conditioning. Moreover, we find that neutral conditioning increases the magnitude of cue-evoked responses whereas aversive conditioning strongly diminished both the response magnitude and the prevalence of cue-evoked persistent activity. These results demonstrate that cue-evoked persistent activity within V1 can exist outside of conditioning visual stimuli with delayed outcomes and that this persistent activity can be uniquely modulated across different conditioning strategies using unconditioned stimuli of varying behavioral relevance. Together, these data extend our understanding of cue-evoked persistent activity within a primary sensory cortical network and its ability to be modulated by salient outcomes.
A Pilot Study of 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT or PET/MRI and Ultrasound Fusion Targeted Prostate Biopsy for Intra-Prostatic PET-Positive Lesions
Authors: Liu Yachao , Yu Hongkai , Liu Jiajin , Zhang Xiaojun , Lin Mu , Schmidt Holger , Gao Jiangping , Xu Baixuan
Published: March 2021

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic performance of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) based 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT-ultrasound (PET/CT-US) or PET/MRI-ultrasound (PET/MRI-US) fusion targeted biopsy for intra-prostatic PET-positive lesions.

Methods

From April 2018 to November 2019, we prospectively enrolled 55 candidates to perform PET/CT-US or PET/MRI-US fusion targeted biopsies for solitary PET-positive prostate lesions (two to four cores/lesion). The positive rates of prostate cancer based on patients and biopsy cores were calculated respectively. With reference to the pathological results of biopsy cores, the MR signal characteristics in the area of the PET-positive lesion were analyzed for the patients who underwent PET/MRI.

Results

A total of 178 biopsy cores were taken on the 55 patients. One hundred forty-six biopsy cores (82.0%, 146/178) from 51 (92.7%, 51/55) patients were positive for prostate cancer; 47 (85.5%, 47/55) were clinically significant prostate cancer. It is noteworthy that nine patients underwent both 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT and PET/MRI examinations; the seven patients with prostate cancer showed abnormal MR signal in the area of the PET-positive lesion while the other two patients with prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis showed normal MR signal in the area of the PET-positive lesion.

Conclusion

This study indicated that 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT-US or PET/MRI-US fusion targeted prostate biopsies may be valuable for prostate cancer diagnosis and have a high detection rate of clinically significant prostate cancer for PET-positive lesions. PET/MR can rule out some false PET-positive lesions, which may potentially reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies.