bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Life in Palestine Under the Rule of the Ottoman Empire According to Ibrahim Nassralla's Novel: Zaman al-Khoyoul al-Bayda'
Authors: Burbara Rawiya
Published: January 2022

This study deals with the Palestinian administrative, economic, political, educational, intellectual, and national dimensions as they are reflected in the stories and events of the historical novel Zaman al-Khoyoul al-Baida' by the Palestinian writer Ibrahim Nassralla, The novel that covers three generations from 1880s to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. The events take place in a Palestinian village called 'Hadiya ', which serves as a representative of all Palestine. The study proves that the writer emphasizes the Palestinian identity through the stories that he collected from people who lived through the three periods of occupation of Palestine: the Ottoman Empire, the British Mandate and Israel, but the main focus is on the Ottoman Period. Stylistically, the novel has a special printing style. The oral stories are typed in italics in order to distinguish them from written stories. To investigate the information in the people's quoted stories, the events of the novel and the writer's arguments and his descriptions of the life of local Palestinians, the study relies on Paul Hamilton's theory of historicism , which is a critical way of using historical contexts to interpret narrative texts.
Agents, Coercive Learning, and Social Protection Policy Diffusion in Africa
Authors: Devereux Stephen , Wolkenhauer Anna
Published: January 2022

This paper makes theoretical, empirical, and methodological contributions to the study of social policy diffusion, drawing on the case of social protection in Africa, and Zambia in particular. We examine a range of tactics deployed by transnational agencies (TAs) to encourage the adoption of cash transfers by African governments, at the intersection between learning and coercion, which we term ‘coercive learning’, to draw attention to the important role played by TA-commissioned policy drafting, evidence generation, advocacy, and capacity-building activities. Next, we argue for making individual agents central in the analysis of policy diffusion, because of their ability to reflect, learn, and interpret policy ideas. We substantiate this claim theoretically by drawing on practice theories, and empirically by telling the story of social protection policy diffusion in Zambia through three individual agents. This is complemented by two instances of self-reflexivity in which the authors draw on their personal engagements in the policy process in Zambia, to refine our conclusions about the interplay of structure and agency.
Neutronic Analysis of The SMART Modular Reactor Fuel Using SRAC 2006
Authors: Nailatussaadah N. , Irsyad I.
Published: January 2022

Neutronic analysis of The SMART modular reactor fuel using SRAC 2006 has been carried out. Electrical energy is important today because the need is increasing along with the increase in human population, advanced technology and the economy. On the other hand, there are demands from the community for the clean, efficient and consistent energy. This is the reason why nuclear power plants are considered as one of the candidates for electrical energy suppliers in Indonesia in particular. This study evaluates a SMART reactor with Gadolinium as the burnable absorber material. The two kinds of fuel assembly were analyzed using the SRAC 2006 code system with the JENDL 4.0 as nuclear data library. This study aims to observe the neutronic characteristics of the fuel assembly designs according to the reference used. The results of the study show that of all types of fuel assemblies used can reach criticality at the beginning of the operating cycle and last up to 3 till 5 years when it finally reaches subcritical condition. Another parameter observed is the conversion ratio value, which from this study is in accordance with the characteristics of the conversion ratio for thermal reactors.
Lift Force of Airfoil (NACA 0012, NACA 4612, NACA 6612) With Variation of Angle of Attack and Camber: Computational Fluid Dynamics Study
Authors: Ardany Mariza D. , Pandiangan Paken , Hasan Moh.
Published: January 2022

Airfoil is a cross section from air plane wings can affect aerodynamic performance to lift force (FL). The lift force generated by airfoil has different values due to several external and internal factors, including angle of attack, flow rate and camber. To find the lift force of airfoils with different cambers and variations angle of attack and then flow rate can use computational fluid dynamics simulation. Computational fluid dynamics is simulation on a computer that can complete systems for fluid, heat transfer and other physical processes. This research using computational fluid dynamics simulation performed by SolidWorks, with NACA airfoil type which has different camber NACA 0012, NACA 4612 and NACA 6612. The angle of attack used in research was 0o, 4o, 8o, 12o, 16o and 20o. Flow rate used in research was 20m/s, 40 m/s, 60 m/s, 80 m/s and 100 m/s. From this research will be the bigger camber can produce a greater force lift. In addition, the greater airfoil flow rate can produce a greater force lift. This research also that the connection between force lift with coefficient lift (CL) is nonlinear quadratic form.
Clinical performance of resin composite restorations placed by dental students
Authors: Santos Daiane Cristina Mendonça dos , Besegato João Felipe , Zaniboni Joissi Ferrari , Ramos Solange de Paula , Cardoso Sueli de Almeida , Hoeppner Márcio Grama
Published: January 2022

Aim: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the performance of resin composite restorations placed by undergraduate dental students with 1 to 15 years of placement based on dental records. Methods: Four calibrated operators evaluated 498 restorations (anterior and posterior) of 120 patients according to Ryge’s validated criteria (USPHS). Results: The criteria that showed the smallest changes between the types of failures were color matching, marginal discoloration and surface texture. Regarding the longevity, the surface texture showed an increase in the frequency of failures from the second time interval (3.1 to 6 years). Higher prevalence of failure was found in class II and III restorations, with secondary caries being the main reason. No significant differences were found for anatomic form, marginal adaptation, and color matching. Class V restorations showed a higher fracture rate with total displacement of the restoration, with no increase in the frequency of fracture over time. Conclusion: High rate of restoration failure was observed, possibly due to the lack of experience and skills of the students. This outcome highlight the need for continuous revision and improvements of teaching practice regarding the development of clinical competences and skills by dental students.
Igualdad de género y autonomía de las mujeres en el pensamiento de la CEPAL
Authors: Güezmes Ana , Scuro Lucía , Bidegain Nicole
Published: January 2022

Este artículo recorre los principales conceptos e hitos sobre igualdad de género y autonomía de las mujeres en la producción de la Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL) y su vinculación con los debates y los acuerdos alcanzados en la Conferencia Regional sobre la Mujer de América Latina y el Caribe, especialmente, la Estrategia de Montevideo para la Implementación de la Agenda Regional de Género en el marco del Desarrollo Sostenible hacia 2030 (CEPAL, 2017a) y el Compromiso de Santiago (CEPAL, 2020b). Los nudos estructurales de la desigualdad de género son clave para la comprensión de este fenómeno en la región, y su análisis, central para el diseño de las políticas públicas orientadas hacia la igualdad.
Medio ambiente y desarrollo en un contexto centro-periferia
Authors: Samaniego José Luis , Sánchez Jeannette , Alatorre José Eduardo
Published: January 2022

El crecimiento económico, que ha posibilitado un incremento en los niveles de bienestar, ha tenido como consecuencia inmediata la degradación ambiental por consumo neto de naturaleza y por contaminación. Es así como el patrón de desarrollo actual está erosionando las mismas bases que lo sustentan. Este documento tiene como objetivo presentar los aportes que se han realizado durante la última década desde la Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL) a la discusión sobre la relación entre desarrollo y medio ambiente, cuya más reciente innovación ha sido la introducción del modelo de las tres brechas. A partir de éste, se hace patente que solamente una trayectoria permite el cabal cumplimiento de la Agenda 2030 y del Acuerdo de París. A fin de transitar hacia este escenario se requiere una recomposición de la estructura sectorial inducida por la coherencia en las políticas públicas para la habilitación regulatoria y el cambio en la rentabilidad relativa favorable a los sectores tractores de la transición.
Las relaciones centro-periferia en el siglo XXI
Authors: Torres Miguel , Ahumada José Miguel
Published: January 2022

En este ensayo postulamos la pertinencia de la “visión” centro-periferia a fin de caracterizar el capitalismo global en sus distintos periodos y, en especial, en la actualidad. Se enfatizan las asimetrías entre países centrales y periféricos, y cómo éstas despliegan un patrón de desarrollo desigual, donde las relaciones de dependencia entre ambos se comprenden por la subordinación que ejerce el polo central sobre el periférico. El capitalismo global, así configurado, confiere a los centros económicos poderes de mercado de tipo oligopólico —en algunos casos también oligopsónico—, lo que acentúa una relación de carácter rentista entre ambos polos. Como corolario central de nuestro análisis, señalamos que las relaciones centro-periferia en el siglo xxi exacerban el rentismo a la vez que lo diversifican, de acuerdo con distintas estrategias de apropiación de rentas afines con las especificidades periféricas. Así, podemos distinguir un rentismo “clásico” derivado de la extracción de recursos naturales, el rentismo financiero característico de la fase neoliberal del capitalismo y la emergencia de un nuevo rentismo digital asociado con la economía de plataformas.
DETERMINING THE NECESSITY OF COMPLEMENTARY AXILLARY DISSECTION IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS WITH POSITIVE SENTINEL LYMPH NODE BY WAY OF ASSESSING NOMOGRAM METHODS
Authors: ÖZDEMİR Dursun Burak , BOZKURT Betül
Published: January 2022

AIM: Our aim was to evaluate the efficacies of different nomogram approaches, including the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC), Stanford University, Tenon Hospital, Cambridge University and TR methods, in patients operated for breast cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study included 60 breast cancer patients who were operated on for breast cancer at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, A2 General Surgery Clinic, between 2007 and 2012. All patients were sentinel lymph node (SLN)-positive and had undergone axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Five different scoring systems were applied retrospectively to these 60 patients. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were created for the nomograms and the area under the curve (AUC) sensitivity and specificity results were calculated.

RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (37%) had axillary non-SLN metastases. AUC values of MSKCC, Stanford, Cambridge, Tenon and TR nomogram were calculated as 0.646, 0.644, 0.62, 0.595, and 0.66, respectively. A significant difference was found between the groups with and without non-SLN metastasis in terms of SLN metastasis size (p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION: The MSKCC, Stanford, Cambridge, Tenon, and TR nomogram models were found to have insufficient power to discriminate between patients with and without non-SLN metastases in patients with SLN-positive breast cancer (AUC values
The stability of major and trace element concentrations from musts to Champagne during the production process
Authors: Cellier Robin , Berail Sylvain , Epova Ekaterina , Barre Julien , Claverie Fanny , Van Leeuwen Cornelis , Milcent Stanislas , Ors Patrick , F.X. Donard Olivier
Published: January 2022

Thirty-nine Champagnes from six different brands originating from the AOC Champagne area were analyzed for major and trace element concentrations in the context of their production processes and in relation to their geographical origins. Inorganic analyses were performed on the must (i.e., grape juice) originating from different AOC areas and the final Champagne. The observed elemental concentrations displayed a very narrow range of variability. Typical concentrations observed in Champagne are expressed in mg/L for elements such as K, Ca, Mg, Na, B, Fe, A, and Mn. They are expressed in µg/L for trace elements such as Sr, Rb, Ba, Cu, Ni, Pb Cr and Li in decreasing order of concentrations. This overall homogeneity was observed for Sr and Rb in particular, which showed a very narrow range of concentrations (150 < Rb < 300 µg/L and 150 < Sr < 350 µg/L) in Champagne. The musts contained similar levels of concentration but showed slightly higher variability since they are directly influenced by the bedrock, which is quite homogenous in the AOC area being studied. Besides the homogeneity of the bedrock, the overall stability of the concentrations recorded in the samples can also be directly linked to the successive blending steps, both at the must level and prior to the final bottling. A detailed analysis of the main additives, sugar, yeast and bentonite, during the Champagne production process, did not show a major impact on the elemental signature of Champagne.
Portable Neuroimaging Guided Non-invasive Brain Stimulation of Cortico-cerebello-thalamo-cortical Loop in Substance Use Disorder
Authors: Walia Pushpinder , Ghosh Abhishek , Singh Shubhmohan , Dutta Anirban
Published: January 2022

Background: Maladaptive neuroplasticity related learned response in substance use disorder (SUD) can be ameliorated using non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS); however, inter-individual variability needs to be addressed for clinical translation. Objective: Our first objective was to develop a hypothesis for NIBS for learned response in SUD based on competing neurobehavioral decision systems model. Next objective was to conduct computational simulation of NIBS of cortico-cerebello-thalamo-cortical (CCTC) loop in cannabis use disorder (CUD) related dysfunctional “cue-reactivity” – a closely related construct of “craving” that is a core symptom. Our third objective was to test the feasibility of our neuroimaging guided rational NIBS approach in healthy humans. Methods: “Cue-reactivity” can be measured using behavioral paradigms and portable neuroimaging, including functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and electroencephalogram (EEG), metrics of sensorimotor gating. Therefore, we conducted computational simulation of NIBS, including transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation(tACS) of the cerebellar cortex and deep cerebellar nuclei(DCN), of the CCTC loop for its postulated effects on fNIRS and EEG metrics. We also developed a rational neuroimaging guided NIBS approach for cerebellar lobule (VII) and prefrontal cortex based on healthy human study. Results: Simulation study of cerebellar tDCS induced gamma oscillations in the cerebral cortex while tTIS induced gamma-to-beta frequency shift. Experimental fNIRS study found that 2mA cerebellar tDCS evoked similar oxyhemoglobin(HbO) response in-the-range of 5x10-6M across cerebellum and PFC brain regions (=0.01); however, infra-slow (0.01–0.10 Hz) prefrontal cortex HbO driven(phase-amplitude-coupling, PAC) 4Hz, ±2mA (max.) cerebellar tACS evoked HbO in-the-range of 10-7M that was statistically different (=0.01) across those brain regions. Conclusion: Our healthy human study showed the feasibility of fNIRS of cerebellum and PFC as well as fNIRS-driven ctACS at 4Hz that may facilitate cerebellar cognitive function via the frontoparietal network. Future work needs to combine fNIRS with EEG for multi-modal imaging.
Characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smokers Exposed to Anti-smoking Marketing in South Australia
Authors: Trigg Joshua , Shen Damien , Morris Julia , Blunt Jason
Published: January 2022

Background: Smoking is disproportionately prevalent among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian peoples, with 39% of Indigenous Australians aged over 15 years smoking daily. Efforts to reduce this high prevalence include culturally focused media campaigns, designed using community consultation, highlighting the need to determine how such health messaging is received by smokers. This study aimed to examine Indigenous Australian smokers’ reactions to a culturally focused anti-smoking mass media campaign—'Give up Smokes’. Methods: Intercept surveying across health services and events used recorded demographics, smoking status, quit attempts, smoking health effects, anti-smoking campaign recall, social support, and campaign reactions. Participants rated campaign images in five domains: 1) whether it made them stop and think; 2) personal relevance; 3) believability of design and message; 4) prompting concern about smoking; and 5) motivation towards quitting. Cluster analysis was used to segment smoker types. Results: Smoking health effects knowledge was high, and did not differ by quit readiness, attempts, or social support. Cessation support access was higher among those with greater readiness to quit. Social smoking behaviour and confidence to support others quitting did not significantly differ between participants, however importance of others quitting did. Quit readiness, attempts, and social support were associated with reaction to campaign design, but not message recall. Four types of smokers were described, using smoking characteristics, who differed in campaign message reactions. Conclusions: Strategies using campaign-exposed smoker characteristics to inform culturally focused health promotion are discussed in relation to four identified types of smokers.
Australian Renewable-Energy Microgrids: a Humble Past, a Turbulent Present, a Propitious Future
Authors: Wright Simon , Frost Mark , Wong Alfred , Parton Kevin A
Published: January 2022

AAs the global energy market undergoes a wholesale transformation accelerated by the need to decarbonise, a rapid transition to renewable energy and the mass deployment of distributed energy resources, autonomous energy networks or microgrids are emerging as an attractive mechanism for the delivery of electricity to end users. Yet in Australia, at least, relatively little is known about key aspects of microgrids that are fundamental to their successful deployment, not least the more commercial and economic elements rather than the purely technical. Drawing on the extant global literature on microgrids, this paper explores the most important of these aspects including business models, ownership and investment. Identifying the ambiguity, inconsistency and uncertainty evident in many of the feasibility studies currently in train across Australia, this paper highlights specific areas for future research that need to be addressed if the full potential of microgrids is to be realised in the context of a global energy transition both domestically and internationally.
Potassium at the Origins of Life: Did Biology Emerge From Biotite in Micaceous Clay?
Authors: Hansma Helen Greenwood
Published: January 2022

Intracellular potassium concentrations, [K+], are high in all types of living cells, but the origins of this K+ are unknown. The simplest hypothesis is that life emerged in an environment that was high in K+. One such environment is the spaces between the sheets of the clay mineral, mica. The best mica for life’s origins is the black mica, biotite, because it has a high content of Mg++ and it has iron in various oxidation states. Life also has many of the characteristics of the environment between mica sheets, giving further support for the possibility that mica was the substrate on and within which life emerged.
Referencial de critérios para checklist de avaliação da sustentabilidade em restaurantes
Authors:   Associação Portuguesa de Nutrição, Rua João das Regras, n.º 284, R/C3, 4000-291 Porto, Portugal, Real Helena , Soares Sílvia ,   ID+ Instituto de Investigação em Design, Media e Cultura, Departamento de Comunicação e Arte da Universidade de Aveiro,  Campus Universitário de  Santiago,  3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal, Ferreira Cristina ,   Lipor, Rua Morena, n.º 805, 4435-996 Baguim do Monte, Portugal, Marques Luisa ,   Circular Economy Portugal, Tv. Pedras Negras, n.º 1, 1.º Dto., 1100-404 Lisboa, Portugal, Fonseca Gonçalves Teresa ,   Câmara Municipal do Porto, Praça General Humberto Delgado, 4049-001 Porto, Portugal
Published: January 2022

INTRODUÇÃO: O sistema alimentar é o maior consumidor de recursos naturais finitos do planeta, sendo responsável por cerca de 26% das emissões globais de gases de efeito de estufa. A produção alimentar não sustentável é também responsável pela desflorestação, perda de biodiversidade e de qualidade dos solos, danos que ultrapassam a capacidade regenerativa do Planeta. Além disso, as más escolhas alimentares são também responsáveis por um impacte negativo no nosso Planeta e paralelamente na saúde de quem pratica um padrão alimentar mais desequilibrado. Urge intervir neste sistema, procurando promover a sua transformação para um sistema mais sustentável e equilibrado. Neste âmbito, será importante envolver os diversos agentes do sistema alimentar, onde os restaurantes se afiguram como um elemento de relevo. OBJETIVOS: Compilar e analisar uma listagem com os principais critérios de sustentabilidade com base em listagens pré-existentes de critérios e de selos no âmbito da sustentabilidade, da produção e consumo alimentares, para desenvolvimento de um referencial de avaliação para aplicação em restaurantes. METODOLOGIA: Foram compilados os critérios referentes a 13 listagens de selos ou listagens de critérios de sustentabilidade, dirigidos para o setor da restauração. Realizou-se uma análise pormenorizada de todos os critérios, sobre a sua redundância, especificidade ou repetição entre critérios de listas diferentes e eliminaram-se, adicionalmente, todos os critérios que consideravam procedimentos de caráter obrigatório, por via da legislação nacional ou comunitária. RESULTADOS: Obteve-se uma listagem final com 160 critérios de sustentabilidade, divididos por 9 domínios: Produção Alimentar; Ementa; Embalagens; Água; Energia; Consumíveis; Instalações e Equipamentos; Transporte; Colaboradores, Comunicação, Responsabilidade Social. CONCLUSÕES: A listagem obtida com os principais critérios de sustentabilidade para aplicação em restaurantes portugueses ou europeus pretende representar uma ferramenta que os auxilie num processo de reestruturação do seu modelo ou num processo de construção de um novo conceito mais sustentável, à semelhança de projetos que começam a surgir no mercado.
SISTEMA DE GESTIÓN DE INVENTARIOS PARA COMPAÑÍAS DE HARDWARE - CASO DE ESTUDIO
Authors:   Universidad  Libre, RODRÍGUEZ ANA , SABOGAL CÁCERES TANIA , FUENTES ROJAS EVER
Published: January 2022

Some hardware assembly and marketing companies do not apply proper inventory management, causing failures in the product records, which can lead to shortages if there is an unexpected high demand, affecting the costs of ledgers and generating the need for an inventory management system. For this purpose, a methodological process was carried out, starting with the diagnosis, identifying the main factors that need to be improved concerning the management of merchandise, such as lack of inventory policies or reorder level, found through tools such as the SWOT, Ishikawa Diagram and Vester Matrix. Subsequently, an ABC classification was made, in which 1664 products are ordered and 118 of them belong to category A and applying goodness-of-fit tests. Then, the system is characterized and the mathematical models that adjust to the proposed conditions are selected: CEP without shortages and discount by suppliers, which is validated with a simulation. As a result of this process, the policy is established and a 95% improvement in the information quality is observed as a result. Variables part of the models are proposed and developed in the simulation and improve the system by 20% because they impact several products which are the most essential for the company.
Image quality assessment
Authors: Golub Y. I.
Published: January 2022

Quality assessment is an integral stage in the processing and analysis of digital images in various automated systems. With the increase in the number and variety of devices that allow receiving data in various digital formats, as well as the expansion of human activities in which information technology (IT) is used, the need to assess the quality of the data obtained is growing. As well as the bar grows for the requirements for their quality.The article describes the factors that deteriorate the quality of digital images, areas of application of image quality assessment functions, a method for normalizing proximity measures, classes of digital images and their possible distortions, image databases available on the Internet for conducting experiments on assessing image quality with visual assessments of experts.
Evaluation of metal objects surface parameters informativity using 2D­ and 3D­data For classification of fractures
Authors: Ganchenko V. A. , Marushko E. E. , Podenok L. P. , Inyutin A. V.
Published: January 2022

This article describes evaluation the information content of metal objects surfaces for classification of fractures using 2D and 3D data. As parameters, the textural characteristics of Haralick, local binary patterns of pixels for 2D images, macrogeometric descriptors of metal objects digitized by a 3D scanner are considered. The analysis carried out on basis of information content estimation to select the features that are most suitable for solving the problem of metals fractures classification. The results will be used for development of methods for complex forensic examination of complex polygonal surfaces of solid objects for automated system for analyzing digital images.
Evaluation of The Food Effect On a Drospirenone Only Contraceptive Containing 4 mg Administered With and Without High-Fat Breakfast
Authors: Regidor Pedro-Antonio , Richter W. H. , Koytchev R. , Kirkovd V. , Colli E.
Published: January 2022

Background:The objective of the present trial was to assess the difference in pharmacokinetics of an oral test preparation containing 4 mg drospirenone. under fasting conditions compared to food intake after single dose administration.Methods:Open label, single centre, two-treatment, two-sequence, crossover study in 24 healthy female volunteers, with duration of 1 day per sequence and with a real wash-out period of 14 days to investigate the relative bioavailability of DRSP with both forms of administration. The 90% confidence intervals were calculated for the intra-individual ratio (test with food vs. without food) of the pharmacokinetic endpoints AUC(0-72h) and Cmax of drospirenone. Results:The 90% CI calculated by means of ANOVA-log for the endpoint, intra-individual ratio (Test ‘A’ = with food intake) vs. Test ‘B’ = without food intake) of AUC(0-72h) of drospirenone was between 104.72% and 111.36%. The 90% CI calculated by means of ANOVA- log for the endpoint intra-individual ratio (Test ‘A’ vs. Test ‘B’) of Cmax of drospirenone was between 118.58% and 141.10%.The mean relative bioavailability of the Test with food ‘A’ compared to the Test without food ‘B’ after single dose administration based on the endpoints AUC(0-72h) was 107.99%; for the endpoint Cmax it was 129.35%.Conclusions:The rate of absorption, based on the endpoint Cmax of drospirenone was increased by about 30% under fed conditions which differs to a COC containing 0,02 mg EE and 3 mg drospirenone in a 24/4 regimen where the rate of absorption was reduced by about 40% for both components. Implications: Our results suggest that the food intake has no impact on the absorption of 4 mg drospirenone in the management for contraception.This raises up the contraceptive efficacy as no interference with food is expected in real life use when consuming the oral formulation
Time-dependent Effect of Graphene on the Microbial Activity of the Soil Under Single and Repeated Exposures
Authors: liu wenjuan , guo yufeng , chai guoli , deng wenbo
Published: January 2022

Graphene (GR) has huge industrial and biomedical potential, and its adverse effect on soil microorganisms has been evaluated in ecotoxicological studies. These studies focus on a single exposure to GR, but repeated exposures are more likely to occur. In this study, we compared the impact of single and repeated exposures of GR on structure, abundance and function of soil bacterial community based on soil enzyme activity and high-throughput sequencing. The activities of urease and fluorescein diacetate esterase and alpha diversity demonstrate that repeated exposure to GR increase the diversity of soil bacteria. The PCoA and sample level clustering tree showed single exposure to GR after 4 days alter the soil bacterial community to some extent. During the entire incubation process, no matter what kind of exposure scenarios to GR, the majority of bacterial phylotypes remained unchanged except for Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria according to the relative abundance of phylotypes.
Drug Repurposing of Asparaginase and Vitamin C Targeting Glutamine Synthetase Improves Anticancer Effect in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Li Zhoulei , Shen Wanqing , Chen Zhifeng , Yuan Gang , He Peng , Long Yali , Wang Yue , Yue Dianchao , Zhang Bing , Zhang Xiangsong
Published: January 2022

Background: Although in North America or Europe early dignosis of prostate cancer could sucessfully improves the therapeutic outcome. However, about 70-80% of patients still suffer from metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), because of the disproportionate medical care in China. Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) or Radium-223 (Ra-223) has been suggested as the most effective therapy for mCRPC. Unfortunately, they are either not been approved in a few countries or too expensive for patients with the financial issue. Drug repurposing has been recognized as a cost-effective and relatively low-risk alternative, gains a lot interesting recently. In this study, we explored the combined treatment with asparaginase (ASNase) and/or vitamin Cas an alternative therapeutic option for mCRPC management.Methods: Prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and DU145 were used to observe the therapeutic effect of ASNase and/or vitamin C on mCRPC in vitro and in vivo. Change of cell proliferation, cell death as well as expression of glutamine synthetase eunder different treatment conditions were detected to analyzed anticancer effect of combined therapy with ASNase and vitamin C on mCRPC. Intracellular oxidation was also observed with NADPH and NADP+ assay. Male BALB/c nude mice bearing prostate carcinoma xenografts (PC3 or DU145) were used to assess treatment response to vitamin C with or without ASNase through tumor growth, small animal PET/CT scans as well as Immunohistochemistry in vivo.Results: Our in vitro studies demonstrate that ASNase synergizes with vitamin C targeting expression of glutamine synthetase enhances redox imbalance and induces anticancer effect in mCRPC cells through regulation the glutamine synthetase (GS) expression. In vivo, combination of ASnase and vitamin C could provide a significant better therapeutic outcome in comparison with controls or single treated mice. 18F-FDG PET imaging illustrated that the treatment with combined therapy could significantly reduce the 18F-FDG uptake in tumor.Conclusions: In this current study, we suggest that ASNase combined with vitamin C could be as a cost-effective strategy to manage mCRPC.18F-FDG PET/CT imaging could indicate the therapeutic response of treatment for mCRPC.
Left Ventricular Morphology in Patients with Aortic Coarctation and Bicuspid Aortic Valve: Novel Insights from a Statistical Shape Modelling Framework
Authors: Sophocleous Froso , Standen Lucy , Doolub Gemina , Laymouna Reem , Bucciarelli-Ducci Chiara , Caputo Massimo , Manghat Nathan , Hamilton Mark , Curtis Stephanie , Biglino Giovanni
Published: January 2022

Background

The functional implications of left ventricular (LV) morphological characterization in congenital heart disease (CHD) are not widely explored. This study qualitatively and quantitatively assessed LV shape associations with a) LV function and b) thoracic aortic morphology in patients with aortic coarctation (CoA) with/without bicuspid aortic valve (BAV).
Methods

A statistical shape modelling (SSM) framework was employed to analyse three-dimensional (3D) LV shapes from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) data in isolated CoA (n=25), CoA+BAV (n=30), isolated BAV (n=30), and age-matched healthy controls (n=25). Average 3D templates and deformations were computed. Correlations between shape data and CMR-derived morphometric parameters (i.e. sphericity, conicity) or global and apical strain values were assessed to elucidate possible functional implications. The relationship between LV shape features and arch architecture was also explored.
Results

The LV template was shorter and more spherical in CoA patient and LV sphericity was associated (p≤0.04) with lower global longitudinal, radial and circumferential strain, irrespective of the presence of aortic stenosis and/or regurgitation. Conversely, LV strain was not associated with arch architecture.
Conclusions

Differences in LV morphology were observed between CoA and BAV patients. Increasing LV sphericity was associated with reduced strain, independent of aortic arch architecture and functional aortic valve disease.
FTO Regulates Microglia-Induced Inflammation by Stabilizing ADAM17 Expression After Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Chen Xiangrong , Yao Jieran , Chen Yue , Lv Wenqi , Lin Yuanxiang , Fang Wenhua , Chen Jinhui , Kang Dezhi , Ding Chenyu
Published: January 2022

Background
The neuroinflammatory response mediated by microglial polarization plays an important role in the secondary nerve injury of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The post-transcriptional modification of n6-methyladenosine (m6A) is ubiquitous in the immune response of the central nervous system. The fat mass and obesity (FTO)-related protein can regulate the splicing process of pre-mRNA. However, after experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI), the role of FTO in microglial polarization and the subsequent neuroinflammatory response is still unclear.
Methods
TBI mice model was established by the Feeney weight-drop method. Neurological severity score, brain water content measurement and Nissl staining were used to detect the role of FTO in microglial polarization and the molecular mechanism of targeted RNA epigenetic modification. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to evaluate microglial polarization and the neuroinflammatory response by down-regulation of FTO expression. The level of m6A modification in M1 activated microglia was detected by qRT-PCR, m6A-MeRIP and m6A high-throughput sequencing. Fluorescent in situ hybridization combined with immunofluorescence imaging were used to detect the epigenetic regulation of ADAM17 mediated by an FTO-m6A-dependent mechanism.
Results
The expression of FTO was significantly down-regulated in BV2 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide and mice with TBI. Down-regulation of FTO expression increased the level of m6A in M1 microglia at the level of the entire transcriptome. Meanwhile, after FTO interference, M1/M0 phenotype detection experiments revealed the BV2 cells shifted from an M0 to M1 phenotype as the population rate of CD11b+/CD86+ increased and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines was enhanced. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation assay showed that the m6A peaks located in the ADAM17 and TNF-α genes increased. Taken together, the results indicated that FTO can affect the transcription modification of ADAM17 and the expression of the downstream TNF-α/NF-kB pathway. In turn, ADAM17 can block the M1-phenotypic transition of microglia driven by FTO-m6A modification.
Conclusions
The down-regulation of FTO expression leads to the abnormally high expression of ADAM17 in microglia. The activation of microglia and neuroinflammatory response regulated by FTO-related m6A modification play an important role in the early pro-inflammatory process of TBI secondary injury.
Knowledge, Attitude, practice, and their associated factor towards Diabetes Mellitus among peoples live in Debre Markos Town, North West Ethiopia, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia 2020 GC
Authors: Simachew Addisu , Temesgen Habtamu
Published: January 2022

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disease in which there is high blood glucose level over a prolonged period of time, chronic multi system disease related to abnormal insulin production, impaired insulin utilization and both. Risk of diabetes are obesity, being young or old age, family history of diabetes, history gestational diabetes, impaired, glucose metabolism, physical inactivity and ethnicity/race respectively. In type one diabetes mellitus insulin injection is needed to control the blood glucose level where as in type two diabetes mellitus the first line treatment is life style modification like diet management, exercise, and weight reduction then if uncontrolled use oral hypoglycemic agent.Objective: The main aim of the study was to assess Knowledge, Attitude, practice and their associated factor towards diabetes mellitus in Debre Markos town, northwest , Amhara Regional state, Ethiopia 2020 GC.Methodology: a community based cross-sectional study was conduct from June to July for 403 respondents using systematic random sampling technique to select the household after select the first household by lottery method. Data collected through self administered questions, the collected data process and analysis manually using pen, pencil, tally sheet and present in tables, graphs and charts respectively.Result: based on our study 138 (34.6%) of the respondents were classified as having inadequate knowledge, whereas 261(65.4%) of the respondents were deemed to be knowledgeable. from the participant 186(46.6%) had unfavorable attitude while 213(53.4%) had favorable attitude towards diabetes mellitus. Overall practice of the participant was 37.8% good practice and 62.2% poor practice. Single individuals 5.133 times (AOR=5.133, CI=1.737, 15.051) more likely knowledgeable than those divorced. Family history of diabetes mellitus 5.019 times (AOR=5.02- CI=1.59-15.76) more likely had favorable attitude than those who had no family history of DM. secondary educational level were 2.34 times (AOR=2.34, CI=1.14- 0.78) more likely good practice than those with able to read and write and persons in primary educational level. DM patients 2.811 times (AOR=2.81-95%, CI=0.99- 7.97) more likely good practice than non-diabetic.Conclusion: majority of the participant’s relatively knowledgeable. The overall attitude of the participant was more than half was favorable attitude. Majority of the study participants were poor practice regarding to DM controlling and management. Knowledge of the participant highly significant association with marital status, income and practice, practice also strong association with level of education and attitude significantly associated with family history of DM
The Effect of Information-Driven Resource Allocation on the Propagation of Epidemic with Incubation Period
Authors: Zhu Xuzhen , Liu Yuxin , Wang Xiaochen , Zhang Yuexia , Liu Shengzhi , Ma Jinming
Published: January 2022

In the pandemic of COVID-19, there are exposed individuals who are infected but lack distinct clinical symptoms. In addition, the diffusion of related information drives aware individuals to spontaneously seek resources for protection. The special spreading characteristic and coevolution of different processes may induce unexpected spreading phenomena. Thus we construct a three-layered network framework to explore how information-driven resource allocation affects SEIS (Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Susceptible) epidemic spreading. The analyses utilizing microscopic Markov chain approach reveal that the epidemic threshold depends on the topology structure of epidemic network, and the processes of information diffusion and resource allocation. Conducting extensive Monte Carlo simulations, we find some crucial phenomena in the coevolution of information diffusion, resource allocation and epidemic spreading. Firstly, when E-state (exposed state, without symptoms) individuals are infectious, long incubation period results in more E-state individuals than I-state (infected state, with obvious symptoms) individuals. Besides, when E-state individuals have strong or weak infectious capacity, increasing incubation period have an opposite effect on epidemic propagation. Secondly, the short incubation period induces the first-order phase transition. But enhancing the efficacy of resources would convert the phase transition to a second-order type. Finally, comparing the coevolution in networks with different topologies, we find setting the epidemic layer as scale-free network can inhibit the spreading of the epidemic.
Reduced endothelial activation upon human blood perfusion of pig kidney xenografts lacking MHC class I and three xenoantigens
Authors: Lin Lin , Witjas Franca , Fischer Konrad , Engelse Marten , de Graaf Annemarie , Rieblinger Beate , Fischer Andrea , Wang Ying , Herrera Monica , Milusev Anastasia , Wang Fei , Liang Xue , Xiang Xi , Xie Lin , Liu Ping , Chen Fang , Jiang Hui , Yang Huanming , Bolund Lars , Despont Alain , Rieben Robert , Steiger Katja , Kooten Cees van , Schnieke Angelika , Rabelink Ton , Luo Yonglun
Published: January 2022

Genetically tailored pigs to eliminate human immune rejection of xenografts is one promising solution to the global donor organ shortage. The development of xenograft transplantation has however been hampered by incomplete understanding of its immune rejection and the inability to test this in a human transplantation setting. Here we use an ex vivo organ perfusion system with human whole blood to assess the initial immune activation within the xenograft endothelium at single cell transcriptome level. Renal injury, complement deposition, coagulation and lymphocyte influx are all strongly reduced in genetically modified pig kidneys with porcine MHC class I and three xenoantigens (GGTA1, CMAH, B4GALNT2) eliminated (4KO) compared to wildtype (WT) pig kidneys after 6-hours human blood perfusion. Single cell RNA sequencing of endothelial cells (EC) from 4KO and WT pig kidneys respectively reveal that there is a compartment (cortex, glomeruli and medulla) specific endothelial activation, with cortical and glomeruli endothelial cells being more affected. Differential gene expression analysis shows a downregulation of endothelial transcriptome activation response to human blood perfusion in the 4KO ECs. Pathway enrichment analysis further identify the NF-kB pathway as strongly activated in human blood perfused WT ECs but diminished in the 4KO. In conclusion, the 4KO pig model has strongly reduced endothelial immune activation response when perfused with human whole blood, that goes beyond prevention of humoral rejection. Our data support further development of the 4KO for use in clinical transplantation.
Outcomes of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Detachment in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease
Authors: Zhang Xiaomin , Zheng Chuanzhen , Wang Kaixuan , Guo Kailei , Tao Qingqin , Li Xiaorong
Published: January 2022

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to report the clinical profile and outcomes of retinal pigment epithelial detachment (PED) in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease, and to evaluate the correlation between PED and the subsequent development of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) throughout the whole corticosteroid treatment course.materials and methodsA total of 470 eyes with VKH were reviewed, and 12 eyes with VKH and PED were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups according to the CSC onset or not throughout the whole course (CSC group and non-CSC group). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement, and PED angle (PEDA, the angle between the two lines of the vertex of the lifted retinal pigment epithelium to the two edge points of the Bruch membrane) were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe prevalence of PED and CSC in VKH was 2.55% (12/470) and 1.06% (5/470), respectively. BCVA improvement in the non-CSC group was greater than that in the CSC group, but without a statistical difference (P=0.25). PEDA was significantly smaller in the CSC group than in the non-CSC group (P=0.03).DiscussionPEDA is an ideal parameter to reflect hydrostatic pressure and stretches for RPE. As PED predisposes to the development of CSC in selected VKH eyes, PEDA may be a valuable predictive factor for the development of CSC in VKH patients.
The Role of Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index in Predicting Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Elderly Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgical Resection
Authors: Xiaowei Mao , Wei Zhang , Fang Hu , Yanjie Niu , Qiang Wang , Ai-ting Lu , Jiabing Liu , Liyan Jiang
Published: January 2022

Background

The relationship between immunonutritional status (eg. Prognostic nutritional index [PNI] and Controlling Nutritional Status [COUNT] score) and risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after surgical resection of lung cancer had reported before. However, another immunonutritional parameter- Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI)-had never explored.
Method

To address this issue, in this study we retrospectively analyzed patients’ characteristics and PPCs in a cohort of lung cancer patients who were treated by surgical resection at our center. The clinical utility of patients’ characteristics for predicting PPCs was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and the Youden index. Univariate and multivariate analysis were applied to find the most important factors.
Result

A total of 128 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study. Significant differences in sex, GNRI, FEV1%, LY% were found between the PPC and non-PPC groups (all P<0.05). The difference in pathology between the 2 groups showed borderline statistical significance (P=0.052). We determined the best cutoff value of each parameter and calculated the corresponding sensitivity and specificity, and found that GNRI, FEV1% and LY% had similar diagnostic value. Multivariate analysis reveled GNRI, sex, LY% and FEV1% were filtered to be correlated to PPCs of elderly lung cancer patients received surgery therapy.
Conclusion

These results indicate that preoperative immunonutritional parameters of GNRI can be used to identify elderly lung cancer patients at risk of PPCs.
Neuromuscular Excercise in Children with Down Syndrome. A Systematic Review
Authors: Rodríguez-Grande Eliana-Isabel , Vargas-Pinilla Olga-Cecilia , Torres-Narvaez Martha-Rocio , Rodríguez-Malagón Nelcy
Published: January 2022

Objective

to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular exercise, specifying the parameters and characteristics of effective interventions to improve balance, muscle strength and flexibility in children with DS between the ages of 4 and 18 years.
Data Sources:

A search was carried out on PubMed, PEDro, EMBASE, SCIELO, Lilacs, Cochrane library.
Study Selection:

The search yielded 1384 eligible articles. Randomized clinical trials were selected, and that would have reported the effectiveness in the outcomes.
Data Extraction:

The methodology and results of the studies were critically appraised in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes guidelines.
Data Synthesis:

Ten studies were included. The interventions included mechanotherapy, vibration, and use of different unstable surfaces. The exercise frequency ranged from three days to five days a week, and the duration of each session was between six and 15 minutes. The frequency was between two and three times a week for 6 and 12 weeks and the intensity was between 60% and 80% of maximum resistance (MR).
Conclusion

neuromuscular exercise appears to be effective for the improvement of both lower limb and chest muscle strength and balance in children over 8 years of age.