bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leukocyte - Cerebral Endothelial Cell Interactions in the Brain Lead to Anxiety-like Behaviour in Experimental Colitis
Authors: Cluny Nina L. , Nyuyki Kewir D. , Almishri Wagdi , Griffin Lateece , Lee Benjamin H. , Hirota Simon A. , Pittman Quentin J. , Swain Mark G. , Sharkey Keith A.
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUNDBehavioral comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression, are a prominent feature of IBD. The signals from the inflamed gut that cause changes in the brain leading to these behavioral comorbidities remain to be fully elucidated. We tested the hypothesis that enhanced leukocyte - cerebral endothelial cell interactions in experimental colitis initiate neuroimmune activation leading to anxiety-like behaviour.METHODSMale and female mice treated with dextran sodium sulfate were studied at the peak of acute colitis. Circulating leukocyte populations were determined using flow cytometry. Leukocyte - cerebral endothelial cell interactions were examined using intravital microscopy in mice treated with anti-integrin antibodies. Brain cytokine and chemokines were assessed using a multiplex assay in animals treated with anti-α4β7 integrin. Anxiety-like behavior was assessed using an elevated plus maze in animals after treatment with an intracerebroventricular injection of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist. RESULTSThe proportion of classical monocytes expressing α4β7 integrin was increased in peripheral blood of mice with colitis. An increase in the number of rolling and adherent leukocytes on cerebral endothelial cells was observed, the majority of which were neutrophils. Treatment with anti-α4β7 integrin significantly reduced the number of rolling leukocytes. After anti-Ly6C treatment to deplete monocytes, the number of rolling and adhering neutrophils were significantly reduced in mice with colitis. Interleukin-1β levels were elevated in the brain and treatment with anti-α4β7 significantly reduced them. Enhanced anxiety-like behaviour in mice with colitis was reversed by treatment with interleukin 1 receptor antagonist. CONCLUSIONSα4β7 integrin expressing monocytes direct the recruitment of neutrophils to the brain vasculature, leading to elevated cytokine levels that mediate anxiety-like behaviour in experimental colitis.
Identification of pathogens in respiratory samples of shelter cats in New York State
Authors: Stout Alison E. , Andre Nicole M. , Tejada Marina , DeTar Lena , Berliner Elizabeth A. , Whittaker Gary R.
Published: December 2021

ObjectivesUpper respiratory tract disease (URTD) is common across feline populations. Feline coronavirus (FCoV) frequently circulates widely and has occasionally been noted to have a potential role in respiratory disease. The aim of this cross-sectional pilot study was to investigate common respiratory pathogens and FCoV in shelter cats.MethodsCats were enrolled at two animal shelters in New York state between November 2018 and March 2020 and considered either clinical for URTD or apparently healthy. Respiratory samples were submitted to the Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center for routine upper respiratory diagnostic testing. Additional qRT-PCR was performed on respiratory and fecal samples to investigate the presence of FCoV.ResultsFive pathogens were identified in this population: Bordetella, feline calicivirus (FCV), M. felis, panleukopenia, and pneumovirus. FCV was the only pathogen associated with URTD signs. Pneumovirus was identified in two cats. FCoV was present in respiratory samples from one cat, who later developed gastrointestinal disease. Fecal shedding of FCoV was observed in 30% of URTD cases, compared to 11% of cats without URTD, but was not statistically significant. Conclusions and relevanceCommon respiratory pathogens were identified in cats with and without URTD. One cat tested positive for FCoV in a respiratory sample; FCoV shedding the feces was common, but not statistically significant, in cats with respiratory disease. Two cats were identified as shedding pneumovirus. The significance of pneumovirus to feline respiratory disease remains unknown and in further need of study.
Learner support and professional development during teaching practice? Should supervisors be subject specialists or any lecturers?
Authors: Jin Liu , Banda Lazarus Obed Livingstone , Banda Jane Thokozani , Hui Zhou Wen
Published: December 2021

Teaching practice is a precious period for final learner support. In Malawi, any faculty member could supervise teaching practice regardless of their subject specialty (scrambled model). This qualitative study assessed the impacts of this scrambled model of supervision on the quality of learner support when non-specialist faculty supervised student-teachers. Through 2 different focus group discussions, data were collected from 10 conveniently sampled practicum students, 6 practicum supervisors, and 6 coordinators from 6 purposefully selected higher teacher-education institutions. and data were analyzed qualitatively. The study revealed that student-teachers and faculty were uncomfortable with the scrambled supervision model because it led to (1) inconsistencies in pedagogical and content knowledge, (2) unfriendly environment, and (3) inadequate feedback due to varying needs in varying subject areas demands. However, they justified this model for convenience at the mercy of other constraints. Apart from contributing to the existing body of knowledge, this study suggests best practices to guide institutional policy regarding practicum to facilitate quality learner support.
SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Dictates Syncytium-mediated Lymphocyte Elimination
Authors: Sun Qiang , Zhang Zhengrong , Zheng You , Niu Zubiao , Zhang Bo , Wang Chenxi , Yao Xiao-Hong , Peng Haoran , Nonno Franca Del , Wang Yunyun , Zhu Yichao , Su Yan , Tang Meng , Jiang Xiaoyi , Ren He , He Meifang , Wang Yuqi , Gao Li-Hua , Zhao Ping , Shi Hanping , Wang Xiao-ning , Chen Zhaolie , Piacentini Mauro , Bian Xiu-Wu , Melino Gerry , Liu Liang , Huang Hongyan
Published: December 2021

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is highly contagious and causes lymphocytopenia, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We demonstrate here that heterotypic cell-in-cell structures with lymphocytes inside multinucleate syncytia are prevalent in the lung tissues of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. These unique cellular structures are a direct result of SARS-CoV-2 infection, as the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein is sufficient to induce a rapid (approximately 45.1 nm/sec) membrane fusion to produce syncytium, which could readily internalize multiple lines of lymphocytes to form typical cell-in-cell structures, remarkably leading to the death of internalized cells. This membrane fusion is dictated by a bi-arginine motif within the polybasic S1/S2 cleavage site, which is frequently present in the surface glycoprotein of most highly contagious viruses. Moreover, candidate anti-viral drugs could efficiently inhibit spike glycoprotein processing, membrane fusion, and cell-in-cell formation. Together, we delineate a molecular and cellular rationale for SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and identify novel targets for COVID-19 therapy.
A dimensionless framework for predicting submarine fan morphology
Authors: Wahab Abdul , Shringarpure Mrugesh , Hoyal David , Straub Kyle
Published: December 2021

Limited observations of active turbidity currents at field scales challenges the development of theory that links flow dynamics to the morphology of submarine fans. Here we offer a framework for predicting submarine fan morphologies by simplifying critical environmental forcings such as regional slopes and properties of sediments, through densimetric Froude (ratio of inertial to gravitational forces) and Rouse numbers (ratio of settling velocity of sediments to shear velocity) of turbidity currents. We leverage a depth-average process-based numerical model to simulate an array of submarine fans and measure rugosity as a proxy for their morphological complexity. We show a systematic increase in rugosity by either increasing the densimetric Froude number or decreasing the Rouse number of turbidity currents. These trends reflect gradients in the dynamics of channel migration on the fan surface and help discriminate submarine fans that effectively sequester organic carbon rich mud in deep ocean strata.
Integrating mental health into primary care: Evaluating the Health Action for Psychiatric Problems In Nigeria including Epilepsy and SubstanceS (HAPPINESS) pilot project
Authors: Iheanacho Theddeus
Published: December 2021

Background

The Health Action for Psychiatric Problems In Nigeria including Epilepsy and SubstanceS (HAPPINESS) project trains non-specialist and primary health care workers in Imo State, Nigeria, using the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme-Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG) to treat common mental and neurological disorders in the primary care setting. This study evaluates the impact of the HAPPINESS pilot project training on trainees’ beliefs and attitudes about mental disorders and explores the perspectives of trainees, trainers, and health services officials on its implementation using a convergent, mixed-methods approach.
Methods

Trainees completed a 43-item questionnaire, before and after their 5-day training, to assess perceptions of mental disorders and attitudes towards people with mental illness. Paired-sample t-tests were conducted with respect to four subscales of the questionnaire: acceptance of socializing with people with mental illness, normalizing activities and relationships with people with mental illness, supernatural causation of mental illness, and endorsement of a biopsychosocial approach to mental illness. Semi-structured Key Informant Interviews with trainees, trainers, and local health officials who participated in or supported the HAPPINESS Project were also analyzed. Findings from the questionnaire and interviews were merged using a convergent, mixed method approach.
Results

Trainees showed significant improvements on socializing, normalizing, and supernatural causation subscales of the stigma questionnaire (p < 0.05). No significant effect was seen on the biopsychosocial subscale; however, evidence of biopsychosocial beliefs was found in interview responses. The HAPPINESS Project enhanced trainees’ diagnostic and treatment abilities, mental health awareness, and empathy towards patients. Misinformation, stigma, inadequate funding and lack of road access to clinics were identified as barriers to mental health care integration into general care in Imo State. Lastly, respondents suggested ways that the HAPPINESS Project could be improved and expanded in the future.
Conclusion

This study adds to the limited existing evidence on the impact of mhGAP-IG-based training for primary care workers in Nigeria. Notably, it quantitatively evaluates pre and post training change in stigma level among trainees. Future efforts should focus on clinical support, supervision and implementation outcomes as well as scaling up and assessing the cost-effectiveness of the HAPPINESS Project intervention.
Optimized Resource Allocation in IoT using Fuzzy Logic and Bio-Inspired Algorithms
Authors: Sharma Deepak Kumar , Mishra Jahanavi , Singh Aeshit , Govil Raghav , Singh Krishna Kant , Singh Akansha
Published: December 2021

IoT smart devices are a confluence of microprocessors, sensors, power source and transceiver modules to effectively sense, communicate and transfer data. Energy efficiency is a key governing value of the network performance of smart devices in distributed IoT networks.Low and discrete power and limited amount of memory and finite amount of resources form some major bottlenecks in the workflow.Dynamic load balancing, reliability and flexibility are heavily relied upon by cloud computing for its accessibility.Resources are dynamically provided to the end client in an as-come on-demand fashion with the global network that is the Internet. Proportionally the need for services is increasing at a rate that is astonishing compared to any other forms of development. Load balancing seems a major challenge faced due to the architecture and the modular nature of our cloud environment. Loads need to be distributed dynamically to all the nodes. In this paper, we have introduced a technique that combines fuzzy logic with various nature inspired algorithms - grey wolf algorithm and firefly algorithm in order to effectively balance the load in a network of IoT devices. The performances of various nature inspired algorithms are compared with a brute force approach on the basis of energy efficiency, network lifetime maximization, node failure rate and packet delivery ratio.
Efficient Way for Chemicals Identification Using Hexagonal Fiber with the Terahertz (THz) Band
Authors: Hossain Md. Selim , Sen Shuvo
Published: December 2021

To detect chemicals, we proposed a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with hexagonal cladding and a hexahedron core (THz). Circular air holes (CAHs) in the vestibule provide the basis of the suggested sensor. To develop and evaluate our suggested hexahedron PCF sensor, we employed the finite element (FEM) technique and perfectly matched layers (PML), which utilized the optical parameters numerically. Here, 92.65%, 95.25%, and 90.70% are relatively sensitive, and confining losses are low. the value 5.40×10− 08, 6.70×10− 08 dB/m, and 5.75×10− 08 dB/m for three chemicals such as Ethanol (n = 1.354), Benzene (n = 1.366) and Water (n = 1.330) and effective material loss (EML) of 0.00694 cm− 1. The suggested Hx-PCF sensor has been successfully tested at 1 THz. We are certain that the suggested sensor's optimal geometric structure can be manufactured and that it can contribute to real-world applications in biomedicine and industry. In terahertz areas, our suggested PCF fiber is also suited for a wide range of medical signals and applications (THz).
A kingdom with many internal facets: power, politics and instability in a post-colonial state. Ramifications for public stability
Authors: Mlambo Daniel N.
Published: December 2021

Lesotho offers an exciting case study for the analysis of the interface between power, politics and instability. Since gaining its independence from Britain in 1966, Lesotho has over the last five decades been plagued by persistent political instability that has paved way for the breakdown of the rule of law, gross human rights violations, underdevelopment and insecurity where at times the security sector like the Lesotho Defence Force has taken over several key institutions in the country. Political instability in the tiny kingdom has been a daunting agenda for all concerned actors, including political parties, civil society, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other continental stakeholders. While the security sector of any state is of importance, it becomes problematic if it becomes involved in a state’s political affairs. The repercussions of such trajectories of governance have been quite profound for democratic stability and security. Using a qualitative methodology, supplemented by secondary data, this article seeks to unearth Lesotho’s political instability, the role of its security forces and continental actors in its continuous internal governance crisis post the colonial era. The article rightfully shows that The power, possessed by both the military and police, has made them have a robust role in state affairs rather than institutions, mandated to safeguard Lesotho’s citizens. The legitimacy of the security sector underpins restructuring, transparent and accessible security sectors enhance healthy civil-military relations. Restructuring a state’s security and political dynamic reforms is not an easy task, it requires a state managerial and dedication prowess and assistance from different role players and therefore an ample amount of time and effort is invested in the coordination of this process.
Processes of reforming the educational policy of Ukraine and the countries of the European Union: a comparative analysis
Authors: Bondarenko Victor , Semenova Alla , Vysotska Tamara
Published: December 2021

A comparative comprehensive analysis of the socio-pedagogical problem field of modernization of the educational system of Ukraine and the EU in the context of administrative reform and taking into account economic needs and the establishment of universal democratic values has been conducted. A comparative pedagogical study of the theoretical, organizational, methodological and regulatory principles of reforming the educational system of Ukraine, which is currently acquiring national features and integrated into the world educational space, has been carried out.  Conceptual principles of reforming the educational system of Ukraine as a basis for improving the quality of life of citizens from the standpoint of an innovative educational project in the context and professional psychological and pedagogical aspects of training in the field of educational policy have been theoretically substantiated. The provision is that education, like other institutions of public life, requires operational and strategic management actions, aimed at its modernization and renewal. A conceptual integral dynamic model of reforming educational policy in Ukraine with substantiation of methodological approaches and theoretical positions has been developed on the basis of comparative pedagogical research. A necessity of expansion and qualitative improvement of the network of preschool educational institutions has been proved. There are trends that Ukrainian secondary education will eventually become on a par with the world standards of secondary school. A need to create and coordinate a strong system of out-of-school education in Ukraine has been justified, as the mass unemployment of children and youth in out-of-school time entails huge negative consequences. Peculiarities of reforming the system of training of working professions and vocational education in Ukraine have been specified. A strategic issue is the state policy on teacher training.  Ukrainian origins of the phenomenon of pedagogical skill as a fundamental basis of the theory and practice of educational policy to improve the quality of teaching and learning in EU countries have been revealed. A necessity of development of a target program of professional and pedagogical selection and preparation of experts in the field of educational policy for Ukraine and an algorithm of estimation of its efficiency on the basis of the comparative analysis has been proved. The content of the concept of "educational policy" has been clarified, knowledge of the regulatory framework for reforming educational policy in the EU has been deepened.
Study of the efficiency of sweet potato growing in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine by different methods of soil mulching
Authors: Kuts Oleksandr , Shevchenko Svetlana , Semenenko Ivan , Dukhin Evgen , Yakovchenko Artem , Yakovchenko Olha
Published: December 2021

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is a new crop for soil and climatic conditions of Ukraine, the active implementation of which is hindered by the lack of recommendations on technological aspects of cultivation. One of the important technological measures for growing sweet potatoes is the use of soil mulching, which improves the water regime and regulates the thermal regime of the soil; prevention of weed growth and growth of sweet potato shoots to the soil. Thus, the aim of the research is to determine the efficiency of growing sweet potatoes in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine by different methods of soil mulching.

Field research was carried out on typical low-humus light loamy chernozem on loess loam.

It was noted, that when growing sweet potatoes on ridges, the introduction of mulching the soil with black polyethylene film provides more active growth of the vegetative mass throughout the growing season (5.33 shoots/plant with a total length of 252.1 cm), while growing without ridges has a positive effect on plants growth due to the general absence of mulch (2.53 shoots/plant with a total length of 107.8 cm).

The use of ridges and mulching the soil with black polyethylene film causes the yield of sweet potato tubers at 34.8 t/ha, while the mulching of the soil with straw, the yield was 18.3–21.9 t/ha, without mulching – 13.0–17, 1 t/ha. Mulching with black polyethylene film ensures the accumulation of vitamin C and starch in sweet potato tubers. When growing the culture on ridges by this method of mulching, the maximum level of vitamin C according to the experiment (4.78 mg/100 g) and starch (11.73 %) was noted.

The introduction of mulching and ridge formation involves additional material and labor costs, but helps to reduce weed control and tuber digging costs. When growing sweet potatoes on ridges with mulching with black polyethylene film, the minimum additional labor costs for the formation of a unit of yield (1.95 man-minutes/kg of tubers) were noted, while without mulching and without ridges this figure was 6.76 man-minute/kg
Comprehensive study of selection-value lines of zucchini on the level of damage by the yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) and manifestation of other diseases
Authors: Kondratenko Serhii , Sergienko Oksana , Lancaster Yuliya
Published: December 2021

The work is aimed at the selection of linear samples of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L. var. Giromontia Duch.) with increased complex resistance to abiotic factors of cultivation – zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), powdery mildew, bacteriosis and other viral pathogens. Selection studies on choosing virus-resistant zucchini lines from the United Kingdom, Italy, the United States and Spain have identified a number of important correlations levels of resistance to ZYMV and to harmful microorganisms and viruses, belonging to other genera. The assessment of the resistance of the selected zucchini lines to the complex of studied diseases was performed on a 9-point scale of the classifier of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA). In total, during 2017–2019, 20 lines of zucchini were studied in the field. According to the complex resistance to all pathogens (zucchini yellow mosaic virus, green speckled mosaic, white mosaic and cucumber mosaic, bacteriosis and fusarium wilt), four lines have been identified – LZ 17-11, RVL-19, LZ 17-45 and LZ 17-49, which were resistant at the level of points 7 and 9 on the scale of CMEA. The possibility of selecting potentially resistant linear zucchini genotypes for ZYMV based on correlations with the manifestation of other diseases that occurred in the field has been confirmed. The highest level of correlation 0.59<rp<1.0) is observed when comparing the degree of powdery mildew development and symptoms of ZYMV (17 statistically confirmed values of the pairwise correlation coefficient or 80.95 %). A similar indicator for the pair “bacteriosis/ZYMV” is 14 statistically confirmed values of the pairwise correlation coefficient or 66.67 % (–1.0<rp<0.99), and for the pair “field viruses of other origin/ZYMV” – 11 values, which is 52.38 % (–1.0<rp<0.93). Zucchini samples were identified, in which statistically significant correlations were observed for all pairs of comparative traits. Among them, the variety-standard Chaklun and 4 more lines – LZ 17-1, LZ 17-8, LZ 17-50 and LZ 17-44 (–1.0<rp<0.92). The analysis of correlations shows a complex genetic organization of signs of resistance in zucchini lines to the studied pathogens and a high dependence of the manifestation of these signs on the response of the genotype of the line. One of the proofs of this experimental fact is that in all comparative pairs of indicators of the degree of development of certain diseases there are linear genotypes with both positive and negative values of Pearson correlation coefficients (rp). The high level of statistically significant correlations revealed gives grounds for wide use of correlation analysis in selection work for choosing lines potentially resistant to the complex of the most common diseases in vegetable agrocenoses
Creation of winter wheat source material with increased adaptive potential to adverse environmental conditions
Authors: Khomenko Lida
Published: December 2021

The goal until the last day was to create a new sort with high indicators of productivity, adaptability and quality of grain on the basis of the directed selection process and comprehensive study of hybrid material on field and laboratory estimations.

Creation of initial material with high productivity, adaptability and grain quality by directed selection and hybrid material comprehensive study is described. General scientific, special genetic, field, laboratory methods, morphological analysis and statistical methods were used in the research. Given that the weight of grain from 1 ear is a marker in breeding for high yield (r=0.53), the largest (50 %) positive transgressions were in F1 hybrids using new genetic plasma varieties. Among hybrid populations F2, F3 and F4, selection value is represented by hybrid populations 4971 and 4976, which have the lowest stress resistance (–16.1, –18.6) and variation (16.9, 19.9) and the highest genetic stability (50.0, 50.2) and homeostaticity (19.1, 14.3), respectively. Among Control, Preliminary and Competitive tests, lines UK2621/18 and UK9855/18 have high stress resistance (–4.7, –5.8), homeostaticity (1416.0, 1008.0) and low variability (2.6 %, 3.5 %), respectively. They are the most adaptive and malleable to average and adverse environmental conditions. Line UK1182/17, which in 2020 was submitted for consideration to the State variety testing as "Blahovishchenska" (Kiev, Ukraine), was created using the purposeful method of pedigree in each link of selection. It has high adaptability, resistance to lodging, major diseases, high average yield (90.8 c/ha), and grain quality – it is strong wheat (protein amount 13.5–14.0 %, gluten – 30–35 %). Pedigree is the most effective method of continuous individual selection, which allows creating source material with high productivity, resistance to disease and adverse environmental factors
Determination of color formation of multicomponent fruit and vegetable pastes and dried powder fractions during low temperature treatment
Authors: Zagorulko Aleksey , Zahorulko Andrii , Bondar Mariana , Postadzhiev Alexander , Ibaiev Eldar
Published: December 2021

The aim of the work is to determine the color formation of multicomponent fruit and vegetable pastes and dried powder fractions at the stages of low-temperature pre-concentration and drying, as one of the factors, maintaining the quality of the products.

In the production of organic plant semi-finished products an important factor is the implementation of high-quality technological operations, including heat and mass transfer, which affects the final organoleptic characteristics of products. It is important to take into account the color of raw materials at the stages of blending puree in the production of paste and powder semi-finished products, which requires the introduction of a unified method for assessing the color of raw materials at each stage of the technological operation.

An analysis of traditional methods for determining color formation has been performed, as a result of which it has been found, that the most effective method of evaluation is digital, based on photo processing of the prototype. According to this method, the evaluation of color formation in the manufacture of semi-finished fruits and vegetables in accordance with the proposed recipes has been conducted. Color indices of multicomponent pastes and dried fractions based on them for three prototypes were obtained. The brightness of all samples of pastes is in the range - 36.4… 37.0 % with a purity of tone 64.7… 78.2 %, which corresponds to the reddish-orange color, was obtained. After drying the test samples of pastes to the dried fraction, it has been found, that the brightness, depending on the percentage of raw materials in a sample falls in the range of 30.5… 33.2 %, at that the coloration corresponds to colors from bluish-purple to bluish-red with a purity of tone within 34.7… 34.9 %. As a result of evaluation of organoleptic indicators, it has been found, that according to the presented research samples, the best indicators have a sample with 40 % of raw apples, 20 % of pumpkin, 30 % of cranberries and 10 % of hawthorn. The obtained research data will be useful in the development of methods for the production of semi-finished products from vegetable raw materials. The applied digital method of color determination differs in simplicity and economy in comparison with colorimetric and spectrometric
Investor sentiment measurement based on technical analysis indicators affecting stock returns: Empirical evidence on VN100
Authors: Cao Mai Phuong Lai , Cam Nhung Vu
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine whether investor sentiment as measured by technical analysis indicators has an impact on stock returns. The research period is from 2015 to mid-2020. 1-year government bond yields, financial data, transaction data of 57 companies in the VN100 basket, and VNIndex are analyzed. The investor sentiment variable is measured by each technical analysis indicator (Relative Strength Index – RSI, Psychological Line Index – PLI), and the general sentiment variable is established based on extracting the principal component from individual indicators. The paper uses two regression methods – Fama-MacBeth and Generalized Least Square (GLS) – for five different research models. The results show that sentiment plays an important role in stock returns in the Vietnamese stock market. Even controlling the factors such as cash flow per share, firm size, market risk premium, and stock price volatility in the studied models, the impact of sentiment is significant in both the model using individual technical indicators and the model using the general sentiment variable. Furthermore, investor sentiment has a stronger power to explain excess stock returns than their trading behavior. The implication from the results shows that the Vietnamese stock market is inefficient, in which psychology is a very important issue and participants need to pay due attention to this factor.
AcknowledgmentThis study was funded by the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH), Vietnam (grant number: 21/1TCNH03).
SUPERCRITICAL EXTRACTION OF LYOPHILIZED STRAWBERRY ANTHOCYANINS WITH PULSED ELECTRIC FIELDS PRETREATMENT
Authors: Ávila-Hernández Marco , Pérez-Alonso César , Orozco-Villafuerte Juan , Barrera-Díaz Carlos , Alpizar-Reyes Erik , Cruz-Olivares Julian
Published: December 2021

The lyophilized strawberry anthocyanins were extracted using a supercritical extraction (SE) process. The effect of pulsed electric fields (PEF) as pretreatment and the influence of the addition of ethanol as a cosolvent on the percentage of extraction yield (EY) and the total anthocyanin concentration (TAC) were analyzed. The effect of PEF was evaluated at 0.5 and 1.0 kV/cm, while the effect of the cosolvent was studied in mixtures of supercritical carbon dioxide - ethanol (SCCO2 + ethanol) at 1.6 and 3.3% by weight. The best results (% EY = 0.506, TAC = 0.428 g /100 g of lyophilized strawberry) were obtained with a PEF pretreatment of 1.0 kV cm-1, 3.3%wt. ethanol at 200 bar and 333.15 K. The experimental results of solubility were suitably adjusted with the Kumar and Johnston model. The maximum solubility (0.114 g/100 g of solvent mixture) was obtained at 300 bar and 313.15 K.
INFRAVERMELHO PORTÁTIL NA REGIÃO DO PRÓXIMO (NIR) APLICADO NO CONTROLE DE QUALIDADE DE CAFÉS ADULTERADO POR BORRA
Authors: Correia Radigya , Cunha Pedro , Agnoletti Bárbara , Pereira Lucas , Partelli Fábio , Filgueiras Paulo , Lacerda Valdemar , Romão Wanderson
Published: December 2021

PORTABLE NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY APPLIED TO THE QUALITY CONTROL OF COFFEE ADULTERED BY GROUNDS. The objective of this work was to control the purity level of canephora coffees (Conilon coffee) from the state of Espírito Santo (Brazil), as a function of the addition of grounds produced by the coffees themselves using a portable microspectrometer in the infrared region. (microNIR), associated with chemometric tools. The PCA model grouped the coffees according to the level of adulterant in the samples and showed that the presence of moisture and polysaccharides is important for the discrimination between pure and adulterated samples. PLS-DA and SIMCA classification models were built with commercial samples and resulted in the discrimination of authentic and non-authentic samples with accuracy values above 90% and 82% for PLS-DA and SIMCA, respectively. The quantification results presented by the PLS model were satisfactory for all models, reaching the best results at 75 °C with RMSEP values of 6.13 wt%, R2p = 0.9917; and LOD in the range of 5.6-8.9 wt%; LOQ = 17-26.8 wt%, according to IUPAC; relative standard deviation for repeatability of 1.0 and 1.7 wt%; and intermediate precision of 3.4 and 1.1 wt% for low (<10 wt%) and high (≈ 90 wt%) levels of adulterants, respectively. Therefore, this work represents the first exploratory study to analyze adulterations with coffee grounds by portable NIR, demonstrating the potential of the equipment against this type of adulteration.
What's New in Molecular Targeted Therapies for Head and Neck Cancer?
Authors: Lee Seoyoung , Kim Hye Ryun
Published: December 2021

Head and neck cancer is the 6th most frequently diagnosed solid tumor in the world. Alcohol consumption, smoking, and HPV infection are associated with the incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Although a multidisciplinary approach is a key strategy for the treatment of locally advanced HNSCC, systemic therapy is the mainstream of recurrent or metastatic HNSCC treatment. Stage IV HNSCC has a relatively poor prognosis with median overall survival of around one year. There have been many clinical trials to investigate the efficacy of target agents in the treatment of HNSCC. In the HPV-negative HNSCC, TP53 and CDKN2A are the most commonly mutated genes. In the HPV-positive HNSCC, the PI3K pathway is frequently altered. EGFR, PI3K, cell cycle pathway, MET, HRAS, and IL6/JAK/STAT pathway are explored targets in HNSCC. In this study, we review the target pathways and agents under research. We also introduce here umbrella trials of recurrent or metastatic HNSCC conducted by the Korea Cancer Study Group. The combination of target agents with immune checkpoint inhibitors or cytotoxic chemotherapies would be a future step in the precision medicine of HNSCC treatment.
The Status and Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Hypopharyngeal Cancer: A Nationwide Population-based Study
Authors: Kim Hyun-Bum , Han Kyung-Do , Joo Young-Hoon
Published: December 2021

Background/Objectives: The aim of this national population-based retrospective study was to analyze the status and treatment outcome in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.Materials & Methods: Participants were included in the KNHIS national sample cohort who received a KNHIS health check-up in 2008 and 2009, and we followed these individuals until 2017. Patients were defined as having hypopharynx cancer if they had admissions records for hypopharynx cancer in their national health insurance data from 2010 to 2017.Results: The study cohort included 3,922 patients. According to our nationwide data, 3,533(90.1%) were male with a median age of 65.03±11.04 years at the time of diagnosis. Among parametric models for hypopharyngeal cancer prognosis, old age (Hazard ratio [HR]:1.92; 95% confidence interval[CI]:1.76-2.09), female (HR:0.77; 95% CI:0.66-0.89), and low socioeconomic status (HR:1.216; 95% CI:1.114-1.327) were significantly associated with survival. Compared with concurrent chemoradiotherapy, patients who received no treatment (HR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.31-2.70), neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.04-1.41), and chemotherapy alone (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03-1.27) showed poor prognosis in hypopharyngeal cancer.Conclusion: Our data indicated that age, sex, and income were significant predictors of lifetime survival in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer. Treatment modalities were also associated with prognosis. The data have implications for treatment investigations and prevention strategies.
Is Completion Thyroidectomy Necessary in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma who Underwent Lobectomy?
Authors: Kang Il Ku , Kim Kwangsoon , Bae Ja Seong , Kim Jeong Soo
Published: December 2021

Background/Objectives: Although thyroid lobectomy recently is considered as sufficient for low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), completion thyroidectomy is required due to the insufficiency of the preoperative evaluation. The aim of this study was to investigate recurrence rate and disease free survival depending on the gross extrathyroidal extension (gETE) or the number of metastatic lymph node identified in patients with PTC.Materials & Methods: We assessed 3373 patients with PTC who underwent lobectomy at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital (Seoul, Korea) between January 2009 and December 2014. Clinicopathological characteristics and long-term surgical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed through complete chart reviews. The mean follow-up duration was 97.1 ± 21.4 months.Results: The rate of recurrence was higher in gETE group (1.8% vs. 6.0%, p=0.004), leading to decreased disease free survival in Kaplan-Meier analysis (log-rank p<0.001). N1 group (n=1389) was analyzed into two groups whether the number of positive nodes is more than 5 or less. For the group of the more metastatic nodes, the recurrence rate higher compared to the other group (3.0% vs. 9.3%, p<0.001). DFS was longer in the group that had lesser metastatic nodes (log-rank p<0.001). However, in terms of N1 group over 1cm (n=492), No statistical difference was observed according to the number of positive lymph nodes (4.5% vs. 9.1%, p=0.092)Conclusion: When it comes to node positive PTC, Despite the number of positive lymph nodes was over 5, follow-up with no further surgery can be an option.
A Case of Tumor of Follicular Infundibulum in Parietal Scalp
Authors: Um Jung Hwan , Kim Soon Heum , Jo Dong In
Published: December 2021

Tumor of follicular infundibulum (TFI) is a rare benign cutaneous appendage tumor that does not have characteristic clinical features. It is mainly present in the head, neck, and trunk as a solitary lesion. In particular, TFI typically manifests as a plate-like proliferation with multiple thin epidermal connections comprise of monomorphic cells. TFI do not represent cutaneous characteristics, but have clinical significance because TFI is associated with basal cell carcinoma and Cowden's syndrome. We report a case of TFI in parietal scalp with a review of literatures.
A Case of Solitary Fibrous Tumor Presenting as Lower Neck Mass
Authors: Geum Sang Yen , Kim Jeong Kyu
Published: December 2021

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is rare mesenchymal tumor usually arising from pleura. SFT can be found at all anatomic site in our body but incidence of SFT is much lower in head and neck region especially at lower neck area.
We found a case of SFT that presented as a lower neck mass in a 41-year old woman. Ultrasonography showed a 3×1cm sized hypoechoic mass in the intermuscular fat plane of left lower neck, and computed tomography showed a well circumscribed, low-density mass with contrast enhancement. Fine needle aspiration showed no malignant cells with abundant red blood cells, but it was not possible to completely rule out malignant tumors or nodules clinically. Surgery was performed to make a definitive diagnosis and histopathology showed tightly packed, round to fusiform cells with staghorn shaped vessels at microscopic examination. The tumor cell were positive for CD34 but negative for CD31 and S-100 protein.
Analysis of I-DESI dimensions of the digital economy development of the Russian Federation and EU-28 using multivariate statistics
Authors:   Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Tokmergenova Madina , Bánhidi Zoltán ,   Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Dobos Imre ,   Budapest University of Technology and Economics
Published: December 2021

This paper continues the authors’ earlier analysis, in which we used five principle dimensions of the International Digital Economy and Social Index (I-DESI) for the 28 countries of the EU and the Russian Federation to examine how Russia’s development relates to that of other EU countries. The aim of this paper is not to establish a ranking, but to determine the relationship between each dimension and the groups into which these 29 countries can be divided by multivariate statistical analysis tools and to analyze the group to which the Russian Federation belongs. We use Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to map our data to a lower-dimensional space (revealing two latent dimensions), and to analyze causal relations between the principal dimensions using partial correlation coefficients, concluding that two of the five main dimensions can be explained by three independent dimensions. Thereafter, we use cluster analysis to group our objects (i. e. the 29 countries) into clusters, and multidimensional scaling (MDS) to visualize the location of these groups and countries on the plane of the two components (from the PCA), focusing on the Russian Federation. According to our results, the Russian Federation can be classified as a moderately developed country in terms of its I-DESI score, but its location on the plane of principle components differs from the group of moderately developed EU-countries, forming a separate “group” on its own, largely owing to the unique characteristics of the country’s digital development.
Applying Bayesian methods for macroeconomic modeling of business cycle phases
Authors:   National Research University Higher School of Economics, Guseva Maria , Silaev Andrey ,   National Research University Higher School of Economics
Published: December 2021

In the present research, the features of applying two models for estimating macroeconomic dynamic in the USA are investigated: Bayesian vector autoregression and Bayesian vector autoregression with Markov switching. The research goal is to identify periods, structure of fluctuations and the main directions of interaction of the variables (real US GDP and employment) using Bayesian vector autoregression models. Models with Markov chains include many equations (structures). The switching mechanisms between these structures are controlled by an unobservable variable that follows a first-order Markov process. The analyzed variables were taken from the first quarter of 1953 to the third quarter of 2015. The model parameters were estimated on the basis of a prior for the multivariate normal distribution — the inverse Wishart distribution (a generalization of the Minnesota a priori distribution). Basing on the results of the estimation of the two-dimensional model with Markov Switching the average GDP growth rate and expected duration of phases was calculated. The estimated model is acceptable for describing the US economy and with high accuracy describes the probability of being in a particular phase in different periods of time. On the basis of medium-term forecasts, root mean squared errors of the forecast are calculated and a conclusion is made about the most appropriate model. Within the framework of this paper, impulse response functions are built allowing to evaluate how variables in the model react on fluctuations, shocks.
Russian merchants in Livonia in the 17th century
Authors:   University of Hamburg, Angermann Norbert
Published: December 2021

The paper describes the trade activity of Russian merchants in Livonia (in the widest sense of the term, including Estonia), which was under the rule of Sweden and Poland in the 17th century and later only under the Swedish rule. The main purpose of Russian merchants in the beginning of the 17th century was Reval (Tallinn) and later Narva. They also visited Riga and much less Dorpat (today’s Tartu). The author was able to identify new evidence of this by working in the archives of Baltic cities. Shopping yards for Russian merchants were established in Riga, Narva and Dorpat, which served as living quarters and a place for storing and selling goods. Interesting information about this is provided by the accounts of German farm administrators in Narva and Derpt, which are analyzed in this article for the first time. Russian guests in Livonia were mainly middle and minor merchants, as well as representatives of the largest trading companies in Novgorod and Pskov, commissioners of the tsars and, on the other hand, artisans, peasants and fishermen. Their activities served the extensive European trade in linen, hemp, leather, fat and fur as the main Russian supplies. The Livonian inhabitants were also supplied with industrial and agricultural products. The number of visitors to Livonia from northwest Russia and beyond was significantly higher than the number of Livonian merchants trading in Novgorod, Pskov and Moscow.
Is the Livonian peasant rich or poor?
Authors:   University of Latvia, Straube Gvido
Published: December 2021

For a long time, the dominant opinion in the historiography was that the situation of the peasants in Livonia and later in Vidzeme in the 17th-18th centuries was steadily worsening year by year. But analysis of the information on the peasant households in the so called Hackenrevision of the 17th and 18th century. It shows that the situation was more complicated. If we compare the data of 1624, 1730, 1750–1751 we can see the following tendencies. There is a quantitative growth of all indicators of prosperity of the peasantry. The number of cattle, horses and workers per household increased several times (from one or four in 1624 to 12 at the maximum in the 18th century). A horse was important for field work, and the more horses in a farm, the more effectively the work was organized, the easier it was to allocate resources to carrying the barch, the horses could rest after hard work. In addition, a large number of horses on a farm already indicated a certain well-being, when they were kept not only for work, but also for prestige and representation. Increased numbers of cows helped to improve the diet of families and servants (increasing the proportion of meat and dairy products in it) as well as raising the sales of dairy products in the market. A larger number of cows enabled more abundant fertilisation of the fields, thereby increasing their productivity. The increase in the number of able-bodied people on the farms indicates an increase in the demographic indicators. The farm could provide a normal life for more people. The bigger the labour force, the higher the economic potential of the farm. More land could be farmed, more livestock could be kept, more food could be provided, and it was easier to fulfil one’s obligations to the landowner. All this shows that the thesis about the worsening of the situation of the livonian peasants in the 17th–18th centuries is not supported by the sources. On the contrary, growing prosperity meant that the farmstead owner could afford to do less physical work and pay more attention to farm organization. This developed his mental capacities.