bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ajuste de diferentes modelos de crecimiento no lineal al rendimiento de la palma aceitera (Elaeis guineensis) a lo largo del ciclo de vida del cultivo, Costa Rica
Authors: Solórzano-Thompson Johanna , Paniagua-Molina Javier , Barboza-Navarro David
Published: February 2021

Esta investigación se enfocó en el cultivo de palma aceitera en la zona sur de Costa Rica, por el alto impacto que genera en el desarrollo económico de agricultores costarricenses. Se ajustó la curva de crecimiento del rendimiento de la palma aceitera a lo largo del ciclo de vida del cultivo y se comparó la eficiencia de pronóstico de ocho modelos de crecimiento no lineal con base en diferentes criterios estadísticos y pruebas de normalidad. Posteriormente, se aplicó el método de transformación Box-Cox para corregir la ausencia de normalidad en los residuos. Los modelos no lineales aplicados fueron adecuados para pronosticar el rendimiento de palma aceitera; el modelo Morgan-Mercer-Flodin produjo las mejores estadísticas de ajuste. Esta investigación constituye un insumo para las prácticas de renovación de plantaciones, así como para la valoración económica de cultivos que se prendan como garantía bancaria.
Educación en energías renovables desde el enfoque Ciencia, Tecnología y Sociedad - CTS
Authors: Zuñiga-González Laura , Valenzuela-González Adriana
Published: February 2021

El presente proyecto de investigación tiene como objetivo formular un programa de educación en energías renovables a través de una metodología aplicada con un diseño mixto desde el Enfoque CTS, dirigido a estudiantes de secundaria de la Institución Educativa Municipal “Emilio Cifuentes”. Se presenta como resultado de la fase de diagnóstico, la revisión teórica sobre el rol del docente en la educación en energías renovables. Se concluye acerca de la necesidad de introducir en los programas de formación inicial y continua de profesores, temáticas relacionadas con fuentes de energía renovable, pues los docentes son quienes, con su enseñanza, podrán impulsar una fuerza laboral capacitada y educada, así como generar conciencia en la población mundial sobre los beneficios de esta tecnología.
Capacity to consent to admission of patients detained under Section 5(2) of the Mental Health Act
Authors: Elzubeir Khalifa , Dye Stephen
Published: February 2021

Background: Little is known regarding capacity to agree to admission of informal patients later detained under Section 5(2) of the UK Mental Health Act.
 Aim: To evaluate how frequently such capacity is assessed and to discover associations related to length
of time from admission until imposition of Section 5(2).
 Method: Patients detained under Section 5(2) on acute inpatient general adult and old age psychiatric wards in one UK location between June 2016 and March 2018 were identified. Their admission records were scrutinized.

Results: Capacity was assessed in 97 of 124 patients. Fewer assessments were performed immediately prior to admission, especially upon patients admitted from residential settings. On admission, medical staff assessed for capacity less than non-medics, but found an individual lacked capacity
more frequently. Time until detention was less upon a first admission, in absence of pre-admission capacity assessment, when medical staff assessed, or when any inpatient clinician detected incapacity.
 Conclusion: Routine capacity assessment immediately prior to and at psychiatric
admission should be formalized and offers potential to reduce use of Section 5(2), unlawful detention and negative sequalae.
Editorial à edição temática sobre Educação Maker e Robótica Pedagógica
Authors: Baranauskas Maria Cecília Calani , Valente José Armando
Published: February 2021

Apresentação
A revista eletrônica Tecnologias, Sociedade e Conhecimento é uma publicação científica do Núcleo de Informática Aplicada à Educação (NIED/UNICAMP), inaugurada há 7 anos, quando o NIED celebrava seus 30 anos de existência.  Comprometida com reflexões sobre os avanços da Informática na Educação, a revista visa oferecer à comunidade um espaço de debate – a partir de diferentes perspectivas teóricas, disciplinares e interdisciplinares - sobre o estado atual, os avanços e as tendências futuras de tecnologias relacionadas a contextos de ensino-aprendizagem formais e não formais em nossa sociedade.
A revista é voltada para a divulgação de trabalhos acadêmicos por meio da promoção do acesso livre à informação. Alinhada aos meios contemporâneos de construção, difusão e compartilhamento de conhecimento, a revista é veiculada e gerenciada pelo sistema SEER/OJS[1] instalado nos servidores do NIED. A propriedade Intelectual do conteúdo nela veiculado está oferecido sob Licença Creative Commons (CC-BY)[2].
Esta edição resulta do fluxo de submissões ao número especial na temática Educação Maker e Robótica Pedagógica e inclui artigos científicos, relatos de experiência e resumos estendidos de teses e dissertações.  Neste volume, a revista inclui 12 trabalhos assim distribuídos: cinco artigos científicos, quatro relatos de experiência, e três resumos estendidos de teses de doutorado e dissertação de mestrado. As contribuições deste volume foram escritas por autores atuantes na comunidade brasileira de informática na educação, originários de instituições de seis diferentes estados da federação (AL, GO, PR, RJ, RS, SP). Os trabalhos envolvem a temática especial, situada em vários níveis de educação (fundamental...
Como engajar estudantes das séries iniciais (5º ano) a desenvolver o pensamento matemático utilizando robótica e aprendizagem maker
Authors: Bozolan Sandra Muniz , Hildebrand Hermes Renato
Published: February 2021

O processo de ensino e aprendizagem dos fundamentos de programação tem se demonstrado difícil e complexo para alunos e professores. Desta forma, torna-se imprescindível desenvolver pesquisas para sua melhoria. Cada vez mais, percebe-se que o aprendizado de programação é um grande desafio para todos os alunos, em diversas áreas do conhecimento. Sendo assim, essa pesquisa busca mostrar como o “pensamento computacional”, aliado a uma ferramenta de software, pode auxiliar no processo de ensino e aprendizagem de alunos do 5º ano do ensino fundamental, que tiveram atividades envolvendo o raciocínio matemático e o uso de ferramentas computacionais. Neste sentido, métodos que facilitam a aprendizagem no ensino fundamental podem ser utilizados de forma eficiente. O presente trabalho propõe três cenários que são exemplos de processos de aprendizagem: desenvolvimento dos conceitos matemáticos de práticas computacionais e desenvolvimento de aprendizado computacional. E os resultados obtidos neste estudo de caso comprovam a eficácia do método aplicado.
Biological Therapy for Asthma
Authors: Yudhawati Resti , Guntur Megawati Rif’atyyah Nozomi
Published: February 2021

Asthma is a heterogeneous chronic inflammatory disease in the respiratory tract that leads to recurrent episodic symptoms. Study about the mechanism of pathophysiology and immunology which stimulates chronic inflammation in asthma has been greatly developed. The understanding of inflammation mediator that is predominant on various asthma phenotypes could be useful for development of diagnosis and targeted therapy. Standard asthma therapy administered through the airway has limited effects only in the airway. The knowledge of molecular pathophysiology and immunology of this disease developed interest of the drugs that perform proximally from inflammation process in the airway, in this case is biological therapy. Several biological therapies have been investigated for its efficacy on human, including Anti IgE (Omalizumab), Anti Interleukin-5 (Mepolizumab, Reslizumab, Benralizumab), Anti Interleukin-4/Interleukin-13 (Dupilumab), and Anti Interleukin-17 (Secukinumab and Brodalumab).
Descriptive Study of Pediatric Patients with Ileum Stoma at Inpatient Installation of Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya
Authors: Mikala Farihazqa Hafez , Athiyyah Alpha Fardah , Hariastawa I Gusti Bagus Adria , Ranuh I Gusti Made Reza Gunadi
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Ileostomy is needed as an important part of the management of several congenital disorders of the intestine. One of the indication of ileostomy in children is short bowel syndrome, which is caused by intestinal atresia such as ileal atresia and intussusception. Ileostomy is a surgery procedure which consists of creating holes on abdominal walls to release stool. The objective of this study was to determine the description of pediatric patients who underwent ileostomy in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study on medical records in the Central Medical Record Department of Pediatrics and General Surgery Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya from January 2017 to December 2018. Results: There were 26 pediatric patients who underwent ileostomy in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya. Samples from male patients consisted of 57.7%, while female patients consisted of 42.3% with the most common age group was neonates with 57.7%, infants 30.8%, and toddlers 11.5%. There were 30.7% patients with 2.0-2.9 kg body weight, 27% with 3.0-3.9 kg body weight, and 42.3% with more than 4 kg body weight. The outcome showed that repair was needed, or the patient was discharged with periodic follow-up after ileostomy. Conclusion: Ileostomy was performed mostly in neonates with average weight within normal body mass index (BMI) and the highest incidence of pediatric patient with ileum stoma was in pediatric patients.
SimulaD: A Novel Feature Selection Heuristics for Discrete Data
Authors: Besharati Mohammad Reza , Izadi Mohammad
Published: February 2021

By applying a running average (with a window-size= d), we could transform Discrete data to broad-range, Continuous values. When we have more than 2 columns and one of them is containing data about the tags of classification (Class Column), we could compare and sort the features (Non-class Columns) based on the R2 coefficient of the regression for running averages. The parameters tuning could help us to select the best features (the non-class columns which have the best correlation with the Class Column). “Window size” and “Ordering” could be tuned to achieve the goal. this optimization problem is hard and we need an Algorithm (or Heuristics) for simplifying this tuning. We demonstrate a novel heuristics, Called Simulated Distillation (SimulaD), which could help us to gain a somehow good results with this optimization problem.
Using Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) Apparatus to Investigate the Temperature Dependent Dielectric Properties of Water, Ice, and Tissue-Representative Fats
Authors: Vilagosh Zoltan , Lajevardipour Alireza , Appadoo Dominique , Juodkazis Saulius , Wood Andrew
Published: February 2021

A novel method of investigating the temperature dependent variation of aspects of the complex refractive index n* in samples in the THz range using continuous, non-polarised, synchrotron radiation is presented. The method relies on the use of ATR apparatus, and retains the advantage of minimal sample preparation, which is a feature of ATR techniques. The method demonstrates the viability of rapidly monitoring temperature reflectance whilst continuously heating or cooling samples by using a temperature variable Thermal Sample Stage. The method remains useful when the refractive index of the sample precludes attenuated total reflection study. This is demonstrated with the water reflectance experiments. The temperature dependent ATR reflectance of tissue-representative fats (lard and Lurpak® butter) was investigated with the novel approach. Both are within the ATR range of the diamond crystal in a “true” ATR mode. Lard showed no clear temperature variation between -15 0C and 24 0C at 0.7 to 1.15 THz or 1.70 to 2.25 THz. Lard can be regarded as having invariable, constant, dielectric properties within mixtures when biological substances are being assessed for temperature dependent dielectric variation within the stated THz ranges. Lurpak® butter (water content 14.7%) displayed temperature dependent reflectance features with a steady decline in reflectivity with increasing temperature. This is in line with the temperature-dependent behaviour of liquid water. There is no rapid change in reflectance, even at -20 0C, suggesting that emulsified water retains liquid-water-like THz properties at freezing temperatures.
Los culturemas en la obra de Stephen King: clasificación y procedimientos de traducción
Authors: Vicente-Yagüe Jara Antonio José de , Amor Collado Eva del
Published: February 2021

Resumen: El objetivo del presente estudio es llevar a cabo un análisis de los culturemas que aparecen en la literatura de Stephen King y de los procedimientos de traducción utilizados por los traductores de sus obras al francés y al español para traducir esos elementos culturales. Debido a la gran cantidad de obras que ha escrito King, nos hemos visto obligados a reducir nuestro corpus de estudio a tres novelas: It, The Shining y Pet Sematary.Para llevar a cabo el análisis del corpus, hemos recopilado, clasificado y estudiado un total de trescientos culturemas: cien de It, cien de The Shining y cien de Pet Sematary. Antes de elaborar dicho análisis, hemos recordado la clasificación de culturemas propuesta por Newmark (1992) y, partiendo de esa base, hemos seleccionado dos categorías específicas para poder darle un enfoque más concreto a nuestro trabajo: «Cultura material» y «Organizaciones, costumbres, actividades, procedimientos y conceptos». De esta manera, dentro de cada obra, hemos seleccionado cincuenta culturemas para cada una de las categorías.Finalmente, hemos realizado un estudio cuantitativo de los procedimientos de traducción que más se han utilizado en francés y en español dentro de cada una de las categorías mencionadas anteriormente. Este análisis nos ha permitido presentar de forma gráfica el porcentaje de uso de cada procedimiento y llegar así a una serie de conclusiones. Abstract: The aim of this paper is to carry out an analysis of the different cultural terms that appear in the works of Stephen King and to study which are the most common translation procedures used when translating cultural terms into two different languages: Spanish and French, since the source language is English. Due to the huge amount of works written by King, we had to select only three novels: It, The Shining and Pet Sematary.In order to carry out the analysis of our corpus, we have compiled, classified and studied a total of three hundred cultural terms: one hundred from It, one hundred from The Shining and one hundred from Pet Sematary. In this regard, it is important to outline that, in the theoretical framework, we explained the classification of cultural terms proposed by Newmark (1992) and, on this basis, we have selected two specific categories in order to give a more concrete approach to our work: “Material culture” and “Organizations, customs, activities, procedures and concepts”. Thus, within each work we have selected fifty cultural terms for each category.Finally, we also wanted to carry out a quantitative study of the translation procedures most commonly used in French and Spanish within each of the categories mentioned in the previous paragraph. This analysis has allowed us to graphically present the percentage of use of each procedure and thus establish a series of conclusions.
Inside Iranian Freelance Simultaneous Conference Interpreters’ Experience: A thematic Analysis of Narratives
Authors: Fakharzadeh Mehrnoosh , Kazemi Simin
Published: February 2021

Although several studies have examined translators' and interpreters' experience in various contexts, relatively few studies have attempted to explore the freelance simultaneous conference interpreters' experience in the Iranian context. In this country, the increasing number of international conferences is creating a demand for quality conference interpretation. In this study, we used qualitative analysis of narratives to delve into the experience of eight freelance simultaneous conference interpreters in Iran to realize their perception of their job and the impact of contextual factors on the quality of their experience as well as that of interpretation. Three themes, namely job-finding experience, on-the-job-experience, and the locus of the problems were extracted from eleven sub-themes. Overall, the narratives characterized interpreting in Iran as a non-professional occupation that amounts to an ad hoc event, language brokering, and ability-oriented task. The findings can raise some critical considerations for stakeholders involved in the field of translation and interpretation studies as well as practitioners.
Hunt Gómez, Coral Ivy. Didáctica de la Interpretación en los Tribunales de Justicia. Una propuesta tecnológica. Granada: Comares, 2019, 106 pp. ISBN: 978-84-9045-853-2
Authors: González Vallejo Rubén
Published: February 2021

Hunt Gómez, Coral Ivy. Didáctica de la Interpretación en los Tribunales de Justicia. Una propuesta tecnológica. Granada: Comares, 2019, 106 pp. ISBN: 978-84-9045-853-2
La toponimia de viñedo en España: un elemento fundamental para la reconstrucción histórica de la geografía del cultivo
Authors: Esteban Rodríguez Samuel
Published: February 2021

El viñedo está muy presente en España y tiene gran capacidad para generar toponimia. Con objeto de saber si la frecuencia de la toponimia de viñedo es similar entre territorios y si se encuentra asociada al cultivo, en este trabajo se analiza su distribución. Para ello, en primer lugar, se han identificado los topónimos de viñedo presentes en el Nomenclátor Geográfico Básico de España. Posteriormente, se ha efectuado una prueba de bondad de ajuste entre la distribución de topónimos observada y la que derivaría de su reparto proporcional atendiendo a la superficie total de cada región y su superficie de viñedo. Finalmente, se ha efectuado una prueba de independencia entre la distribución de la toponimia y la del cultivo. Bondad de ajuste e independencia se han contrastado mediante la Chi-cuadrado. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que la toponimia de viñedo no está homogéneamente repartida entre regiones y que, a nivel nacional, se observa asociación entre toponimia y cultivo. Sin embargo, esto no ocurre en todos los ámbitos: existen zonas en las que tal asociación es irreconocible por la presencia de áreas de cultivo sin toponimia y una abundante frecuencia de topónimos fosilizados señalando antiguos paisajes de viñedo.
U-IMD: The first Unified European registry for Inherited Metabolic Diseases
Authors: Opladen Thomas , Gleich Florian , Kozich Viktor , Scarpa Maurizio , Martinelli Diego , Schaefer Franz , Jeltsch Kathrin , Palacios Natalia Julia , Cazorla Angels Garcia , Vici Carlo Dionisi , Kölker Stefan
Published: February 2021

Background: Following the broad application of new analytical methods, more and more pathophysiological processes in previously unknown diseases have been elucidated. The spectrum of clinical presentation of rare inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs) is broad and ranges from single organ involvement to multisystemic diseases. With the aim of overcoming the limited knowledge about the natural course, current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, the project has established the first unified patient registry for IMDs that fully meets the requirements of the European Infrastructure for Rare Diseases (ERDRI). Results: In collaboration with the European Reference Network for Rare Hereditary Metabolic Disorders (MetabERN), the Unified European registry for Inherited Metabolic Diseases (U-IMD) was established to collect patient data as an observational, non-interventional natural history study. Following the recommendations of the ERDRI the U-IMD registry uses common data elements to define the IMDs, report the clinical phenotype, describe the biochemical markers and to capture the drug treatment. Until today, more than 1100 IMD patients have been registered.Conclusion: The U-IMD registry is the first observational, non-interventional patient registry that encompasses all known IMDs. Full semantic interoperability for other registries has been achieved, as demonstrated by the use of a minimum common core data set for equivalent description of metabolic patients in U-IMD and in the patient registry of the European Rare Kidney Disease Reference Network (ERKNet). In conclusion, the U-IMD registry will contribute to a better understanding of the long-term course of IMDs and improved patients care by understanding the natural disease course and by enabling an optimization of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
mRNP granule proteins Fmrp and Dcp1a differentially regulate mRNP complexes to contribute to control of muscle stem cell quiescence
Authors: Roy Nainita , Sundar Swetha , Pillai Malini , Patell-Socha Farah , Ganesh Sravya , Aloysius Ajoy , Rumman Mohammed , Gala Hardik Paresh , Hughes Simon Meredith , Zammit Peter , Dhawan Jyotsna
Published: February 2021

Background: During skeletal muscle regeneration, satellite stem cells use distinct pathways to repair damaged myofibers or to self-renew by returning to quiescence. Cellular/mitotic quiescence employs mechanisms that promote a poised or primed state, including altered RNA turnover and translational repression. Here, we investigate the role of mRNP granule proteins Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (Fmrp) and Decapping protein 1a (Dcp1a) in muscle stem cell quiescence and differentiation.Methods: Using isolated single muscle fibers from adult mice, we established differential enrichment of mRNP granule proteins including Fmrp and Dcp1a in muscle stem cells vs. myofibers. We investigated muscle tissue homeostasis in adult Fmr1-/- mice, analyzing myofiber cross-sectional area in vivo and satellite cell proliferation ex vivo. We explored the molecular mechanisms of Dcp1a and Fmrp function in quiescence, proliferation and differentiation in a C2C12 culture model. Here, we used polysome profiling, imaging and RNA/protein expression analysis to establish the abundance and assembly status of mRNP granule proteins in different cellular states, and the phenotype of knockdown cells.Results: Quiescent muscle satellite cells are enriched for puncta containing the translational repressor Fmrp, but not the mRNA decay factor Dcp1a. MuSC isolated from Fmr1-/- mice exhibit defective proliferation and mature myofibers show reduced cross-sectional area, suggesting a role for Fmrp in muscle homeostasis. Expression and organization of Fmrp and Dcp1a varies during primary MuSC activation on myofibers, with Fmrp puncta prominent in quiescence, but Dcp1a puncta appearing during activation/proliferation. This reciprocal expression of Fmrp and Dcp1a puncta is recapitulated in a C2C12 culture model of quiescence and activation: consistent with its role as a translational repressor, Fmrp is enriched in non-translating mRNP complexes abundant in quiescent myoblasts; Dcp1a puncta are lost in quiescence, suggesting stabilized and repressed transcripts. The function of each protein differs during proliferation; whereas Fmrp knockdown led to decreased proliferation and lower cyclin expression, Dcp1a knockdown led to increased cell proliferation and higher cyclin expression. However, knockdown of either Fmrp or Dcp1a led to compromised differentiation. We also observed cross-regulation of decay versus storage mRNP granules; knockdown of Fmrp enhances accumulation of Dcp1a puncta, whereas knockdown of Dcp1a leads to increased Fmrp in puncta.Conclusions: Taken together, our results provide evidence that the balance of mRNA turnover versus utilization is specific for distinct cellular states.
Exposures to 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid with or without endotoxin upregulate small cell lung cancer pathway
Authors: Kaur Geetika , Kumar BV Sunil , Singh Baljit , Sethi RS
Published: February 2021

Background: Pesticide residues in food and environment along with airborne contaminants such as endotoxins pose health risk. Although herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has been associated with increased risk of lung cancers such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC) among agricultural workers, there are no data on the SCLC signaling pathway upon 2,4-D exposure alone or in combination with endotoxin. Methods: We exposed Swiss albino mice (N=48) orally to high (9.58 mg kg-1) and low (5.12 mg kg-1) dosages of 2,4-D dissolved in corn oil for 90 days followed by E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or normal saline solution (80µl/animal. Lung samples and broncho-alveolar fluid (BALF) were subjected to Total histological score (THS) and total leucocyte count (TLC) and differential leucocytes count (DLC) analyses, respectively. We used microarray and bioinformatics tools for transcriptomic analyses and differentially expressed genes were analyzed to predict the top canonical pathways followed by validation of selected genes qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Results: Total histological score (THS) along with BALF analyses showed lung inflammation following long term dietary exposure to high or low doses of 2,4-D individually or in combination with LPS. Microarray analysis revealed exposure to high dose of 2,4-D alone or with endotoxin upregulated 2178 and 2142 and downregulated 1965 and 1719 genes, respectively (p<0.05; minimum cut off 1.5 log fold change). The low dose alone or with LPS upregulated 2133 and 2054 and downregulated 1838 and 1625 genes, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis showed SCLC as topmost dysregulated pathway along with differential expression of Itgb1, NF-kB1, p53, Cdk6 and Apaf1. Immunohistological and quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses also supported the transcriptomic data. Conclusions: Taken together, the data show exposures to high and low dose of 2,4-D with/without LPS induced lung inflammation and altered pulmonary transcriptome profile with the involvement of the SCLC pathway. The data from the study provides the insights of the potential damage on lungs caused by 2,4-D and endotoxin interaction and helps to better understand the mechanism of this complex relation.
Functional analysis of (pristine) estuarine marine sediments
Authors: Shah Rohan , Hillyer Katie , Stephenson Sarah , Crosswell Joseph , Karpe Avinash , Paolombo Enzo , Jones Oliver , Gorman Daniel , Bodrossy Levente , de Kamp Jodie van , Bissett Andrew , Whiteley Andrew , Steven Andy , Beale David
Published: February 2021

Traditional environmental monitoring techniques are well suited to resolving acute exposure effects but lack resolution in determining subtle shifts in ecosystem functions resulting from chronic exposure(s). Surveillance with sensitive omics-based technologies could bridge this gap but, to date, most omics-based environmental studies have focused on previously degraded environments, identifying key metabolic differences resulting from anthropogenic perturbations. Here, we apply ‘omic based approaches to pristine environments to establish blueprints of microbial functionality within healthy estuarine sediment communities. We collected surface sediments (n=50) from four pristine estuaries along the Western Cape York Peninsula of Far North Queensland, Australia. Sediment microbiomes were analyzed for 16S rRNA amplicon sequences, central carbon metabolism metabolites and associated secondary metabolites via untargeted metabolic profiling methods. Multivariate statistical analyses indicated heterogeneity amongst the sampled estuaries, however, taxa-function relationships could be established and predicted community metabolism potential. Twenty-four correlated gene-metabolite pathways were identified and used to establish sediment microbial blueprints of carbon metabolism and amino acid biosynthesis. Our results establish a baseline microbial blueprint for the pristine sediment microbiome, one that drives important ecosystem services and to which future ecosurveillance monitoring can be compared.
Epinephrine versus tramazoline to reduce nasal bleeding during nasotracheal intubation. A double-blind randomized trial
Authors: Sato(Boku) Aiji , Sento Yoshiki , Kamimura Yuji , Kako Eisuke , Okuda Masahiro , Tachi Naoko , Okumura Yoko , Hashimoto Mayumi , Hoshijima Hiroshi , Suzuki Fumihito , Sobue Kazuya
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUNDː Nasal bleeding is the most common complication during nasotracheal intubation (NTI). To reduce nasal bleeding, the nasal cavity is treated with vasoconstrictors (epinephrine [E] or tramazoline [T]) prior to NTI. This study aimed to determine whether E or T is more effective and safe for reducing nasal bleeding during NTI.METHODSː This study was preregistered on UMIN-CTR after being approved by the IRB of the School of Dentistry at Aichi Gakuin University. Written consent was received from all the patients. Total 206 patients aged 20–70 years and classified as 1–2 on American Society of Anesthesiologists-physical status were scheduled to undergo general anesthesia with NTI. Patients with a narrowed nasal cavity observed during preoperative CT test (n = 3), patients with hypertension (n = 3), patients undergoing antithrombotic therapy, and patients who did not give consent (n = 3) were excluded from the study. At last, 197 patients were randomly divided into two groups and treated with either E (n = 99; 3 patients were discontinued) or T (n = 98; 2 patient were discontinued). After induction of general anesthesia, each patient’s nasal cavity was treated using either E or T. Next, NTI was performed via the right nostril. Primary outcome was the presence of nasal bleeding. If bleeding was recognized at the posterior pharyngeal wall via nasal cavity during intubation, it was defined as bleeding. Secondary outcomes were the degree of bleeding (classified as none, mild, moderate, or severe), arrhythmia, and hemodynamic (mean atrial pressure and heart rate) changes associated with vasoconstrictors.RESULTSː The presence of bleeding was comparable in both groups (12.5%, E; 14.5%, T; P = 0.63). No significant difference between the groups regarding the degree of bleeding (P = 0.78) was observed, with most patients having no bleeding (n = 84, E; n = 82, T).No severe bleeding and no arrhythmias induced by vasoconstrictor were observed in the two groups.CONCLUSIONSː Nasal treatment with E or T shows no difference in nasal bleeding during NTI. Although no arrhythmia associated with E was observed in this study, it has been reported in literature. Therefore, as frequency and degree of nasal bleeding were comparable, nasal treatment with T could reduce the risk of NTI.Trial RegistrationUMIN-CTR (Registration No. UMIN000037907)
Variation in Performance on Common Content Items at UK Medical Schools
Authors: Hope David , Kluth David , Homer Matthew , Dewar Avril , Fuller Richard , Cameron Helen
Published: February 2021

Background

Due to the diverse approaches to medical school assessment, making meaningful cross-school comparisons on knowledge is difficult. Ahead of the introduction of national licensing assessment in the UK, we evaluate schools on “common content” to compare candidates at different schools and evaluate whether they would pass under different standard setting regimes. Such information can then help develop a cross-school consensus on standard setting shared content.
Methods

We undertook a cross-sectional study in the academic sessions 2016-17 and 2017-18. Sixty “best of five” multiple choice items were delivered each year, with five used in both years. In 2016-17 30 (of 31 eligible) medical schools undertook a mean of 52.6 items with 7,177 participants. In 2017-18 the same 30 medical schools undertook a mean of 52.8 items with 7,165 participants for a full sample of 14,342 medical students sitting common content prior to graduation. Using mean scores, we compared performance across items and carried out a “like-for-like” comparison of schools who used the same set of items then modelled the impact of different passing standards on these schools.
Results

Schools varied substantially on candidate total score. Schools differed in their performance with large (Cohen’s d around 1) effects. A passing standard that would see 5% of candidates at high scoring schools fail left low-scoring schools with fail rates of up to 40%, whereas a passing standard that would see 5% of candidates at low scoring schools fail would see virtually no candidates from high scoring schools fail.
Conclusions

Candidates at different schools exhibited significant differences in scores in two separate sittings. Performance varied by enough that standard setting approaches that produce realistic fail rates in one medical school may produce substantially different pass rates in other medical schools – despite identical content and the candidates being governed by the same regulator. Regardless of which hypothetical standards are “correct” as judged by experts, large institutional gaps in pass rates must be explored and understood by medical educators before shared standards are applied. The study results can assist cross-school groups in developing a consensus on standard setting future licensing assessment.
Transposon-associated small RNAs involved in plant defense in poplar
Authors: Liu Sijia , li xian , zhao yiyang , xie jianbo
Published: February 2021

Background: Small RNAs (sRNAs) are hypothesized to contribute to plant defense responses by increasing the overall genetic diversity and regulating gene expression; however, their origins and functional importance in plant defense remain unclear. Here, we use Illumina sequencing to assess how sRNA populations vary in the Chinese white poplar (Populus tomentosa) during a rust fungus (Melampsora larici-populina) infection. We sampled sRNAs from the biotrophic growth phase (T02; 48 h post infection) and the urediniospore formation and release phase (T03; 168 h), two essential stages associated with plant colonization and biotrophic growth in rust fungi. Results: The proportion of siRNA clusters located in pseudogenes and transposons was significantly larger than would be expected by chance and infection-stage-specific differences in siRNAs primarily originated from those in the transposon regions. We also found that the abundance of clusters comprising 24-nt siRNAs located in the transposon and intergenic regions underwent more substantial changes as the infection progressed. A target analysis revealed that 95% of fungal genes were predicted to be targets of Populus sRNAs. Pathogen effector genes were targeted by more sRNAs identified during the biotrophic growth and urediniospores formation and release phases than in the control plants, suggesting a clear selection for sRNA-target interactions. Compared with the miRNAs conserved between different plant species, a significantly higher proportion of Populus-specific miRNAs appeared to target NB-LRR genes. Conclusions: This integrated study on the plant colonization and biotrophic growth in rust fungi profiles could provide evolutionary insights into the origin and potential roles of the sRNAs in plant defense, coevolution with pathogens, and functional innovation.
Assessment of county-level poverty alleviation progress by deep learning and satellite observations
Authors: Zhang Liqiang , Jiang Yanxiao , Li Yang , Zhou Alicia J , Cao Jing , Liu Suhong , Wang Yuebin , Xiao Zhiqiang
Published: February 2021

Poverty alleviation is one of the greatest challenges faced by low-income and middle-income countries. China, which had the largest rural poverty-stricken population, has made tremendous efforts in alleviating poverty especially since the implementation of the targeted poverty alleviation (TPA) policy in 2014. Yet it remains unknown about the successfulness of the policy, because the official statistics are not timely available and in some cases questionable. This study combines deep learning with multiple satellite datasets to estimate county-level economic development from 2008 to 2019 and assess the effect of the TPA policy for 592 national poverty-stricken counties (NPCs) at country, provincial and county levels. Per capita gross domestic product (GDP) is used to measure the affluence level. From 2014 through 2019, the 592 NPCs experience an average growth rate of per capita GDP at 7.6%±0.4%, higher than the average growth rate of 310 adjacent non-NPC counties (7.3%±0.4%) and of the whole country (6.3%). This indicates an overall success of TPA policy so far. We also reveal 42 counties with weak growth recently and that the average affluence level of the NPCs in 2019 is still much lower than the national or provincial averages. The inexpensive, timely and accurate method proposed here can be applied to other low-income and middle-income countries for affluence assessment.
Identification of Serum Prognostic Biomarkers of Severe COVID-19 by Quantitative Proteomic Approach
Authors: Kimura Yayoi , Nakai Yusuke , Shin Jihey , Hara Miyui , Takeda Yuriko , Kubo Sousuke , Jeremiah Sundararaj S , Ino Yoko , Akiyama Tomoko , Moriyama Kayano , Sakai Kazuya , Saji Ryo , Nishii Mototsugu , Kitamura Hideya , Murohashi Kota , Yamamoto Kouji , Kaneko Takeshi , Takeuchi Ichiro , Hagiwara Eri , Ogura Takashi , Hasegawa Hideki , Tamura Tomohiko , Yamanaka Takeharu , Ryo Akihide
Published: February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented threat to humanity provoking global health concerns. Since the etio-pathogenesis of this illness is not fully characterized, the prognostic factors enabling treatment decisions have not been well documented. An accurate prediction of the disease progression can aid in appropriate patient categorization to determine the best treatment option. Here, we have introduced a proteomic approach utilizing data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS) to identify the serum proteins closely associated with the prognosis of COVID-19. We observed 27 proteins to be differentially expressed between the cohorts of severely ill COVID-19 patients with adverse and favorable prognosis. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed that 15 out of the 27 proteins might be regulated by cytokine signalling relevant to interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and their differential expression was possibly implicated in the systemic inflammatory response and cardiovascular disorders. We further evaluated the practical prognosticators for the clinical prognosis of severe COVID-19 patients. Subsequent ELISA analyses further uncovered that CHI3L1 and IGFALS could be potent prognostic markers with a high sensitivity. Our findings can help in formulating a diagnostic approach for accurately discriminating severe COVID-19 patients and provide appropriate treatment based on their predicted prognosis.
Gut microbiome mediates the protective effects of exercise after myocardial infarction
Authors: Zhou Qiulian , Deng Jiali , Liang Xuchun , Bai Yuzheng , Shi Chao , Duan Yi , Wang Tianhui , Li Xinli , Sluijter Joos , Xiao Junjie
Published: February 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Early implementation of intended exercise improves quality of life in Parkinson’s disease patients
Authors: Yang Yang , Chen Lifeng , Yao Jiarui , Wang Na , Liu Dandan , Wang Yuliang , Liu Dan , Wu Weiping , Jiang Tianyu , Wang Zhenfu
Published: February 2021

Objective
Recent data have shown that regular exercise may ameliorate motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study aims to investigate how intended exercise impacts motor and non-movement symptoms of PD.
Methods
88 patients were randomly assigned to an early exercise group (E-EG), late exercise group (L-EG), or a control group (CG) using a randomized delayed-start design. The E-EG carried out a rigorous, formal exercise program for one hour, twice per week, for 18 months (May 2018 - November 2019). The L-EG took part in the exercise program in the final 6–12 months of the study. We assessed outcomes using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), PDQ-39 Questionnaire, Line A test, Line B test, Nine-hole column test, 30 seconds squat and stand-up test (30s SST), 10m Walk test(10mW), Balance Evaluation Systems Mini Test (MiniBESTest), FAB and Time Up and Go Test(TUG).
Results
The patients with PD in the E-EG had lower performance in the UPDRS and Line B test compared to those in the L-EG at post-exercise(p < 0.05).Moreover, the patients with PD in the E-EG had much lower performance in the PDQ-39 and 9-Hole Peg test compared to those in the L-EG at post-exercise(p < 0.01).
Conclusion
Implementation of an exercise regimen improved the movement abilities and quality of life in PD patients, especially in the E-EG. This data supports the idea that intended exercise should be implemented as part of the treatment strategy for PD patients as early as possible.
Experimental Investigation on The Performance of a Solar Still Using SiO2 Nanoparticles /Jatropha Curcas L.
Authors: Shanmugan S. , kumar T. Rajesh , Sundari G. Sunita , Devi N. S.M. P. Latha , Abhiram N.
Published: February 2021

Now, enticing systematic civic since everywhere the world is used in green synthesis and benefit of the simple is eco-friendly with an emergent method of producing nanoparticles (NPs). The aim of a single slope single basin solar still (SBSS) have been synthesized using Silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles (NPs)/leaf extract of Jatropha curcas L. (JCL) and the productivity enhancement to an evaluation for the photocatalytic treatment of the system. The synthesized of SiO2 NPs/JCL have been characterized by XRD (X-ray Diffraction), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) prepared through EDS (X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy), studied FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy, UV-Vis (UV-Visible spectrophotometer) was verified. The SiO2 NPs/JGL was established to explain in anatase then phase phytochemicals the synthesis of leaf extracts, the NPs involved in stabilization, and was applied for the first time to testify its potential in the SBSS process. An effect of SBSS is 82.26% during the treatment with synthesizing SiO2 NPs/JCL successfully active for the solar still process. The SBSS has been produced the total summer distillate yield of 8.79 L/day (SiO2 NPs /JCL), winter is 6.49, L/day (SiO2 NPs) to over all of the system at 24 h cycle in the local climatic condition at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India. The yield of the SBSS is enhanced due to the increased absorption of solar radiation by the SiO2 NPs/JCL, and the thermal energy is absorbed by utilization during nighttime for distillation. This is due to the convection of absorbed thermal energy to the saline water and established in a clean-green treatment solution.
Microstructural and Mechanical Evaluations of SAW By Manufactured Granular Basic Bonded Cr, Mo, and Cr-Mo Active Fluxes on ST37 Low Carbon Steel
Authors: Alishavandi Mahdi , Mohammadmirzaei Mahdi , Ebadi Mahnam , Kokabi Amir Hossein
Published: February 2021

Bead-on-plate submerged arc welding was conducted on St37 steel by manufactured Cr, Mo, and Cr-Mo active basic fluxes produced via the unfused bonded method. The base metal heat-affected zone and weld metal (WM) microstructures were identified and characterized by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Then, the ferrite morphologies volume fraction of WMs were measured. Moreover, the chemical analysis of slag and inclusions was evaluated by point scan energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and extensively discussed. Inclusions number density and size and their effects on the formation of AF were also elaborated. Then, the WMs’ longitudinal tensile strength and Vickers hardness were measured. Finally, the Charpy V-notch test was conducted to determine the impact toughness; the fracture surfaces were investigated, as well.
Development and Optimization of Rabbit Polyclonal Antibodies for Cu/ZnSOD detection in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Xiong Dan , pan Weisong , Luo Biao , Liu Chuwei , Zhou Ting , Wang Fang , Luo Yinhui , Wu Chuan , Li Waichin , Hartley William , Rao Liqun , Wang Qiming
Published: February 2021

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity is an important measure of plant stress tolerance used in cultivar improvement. At present, we are unaware of any widely available immunological reagents for the detection of SOD in Oryza sativa (common Asian rice) or other plants. In this study, we used insilico B-cell epitope prediction tools to generate peptides which were immunized into rabbits to yield polyclonal antibodies against Cu/Zn SODs. Immunoblotting demonstrated that the antibody specifically recognized both native and denatured Cu/Zn SODs in rice. In addition, this antibody can confirm the expression tendency of endogenous OsCu/Zn SODs under heat stress by immunoblotting, and has a positive reaction in tomato leaf extracts, as well as human Hela cells. Chloroplast content of Cu/Zn SODs in rice can be identified by ELISA indirect competition method using this antibody. These results suggest that this Cu/Zn SOD rabbit polyclonal antibody may be a useful tool for elucidating the biological functions of Cu/Zn SODs in plants.
Thymopoiesis, Alterations in Dendritic cells and Tregs and Reduced T-Cell Activation in Successful Extracorporeal Photopheresis Treatment of GVHD
Authors: Flinn Aisling M , Ehrlich Anna , Roberts Catherine , Wang Xiao Nong , Chou Janet , Gennery Andrew R
Published: February 2021

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a significant complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and negatively affects T-cell reconstitution. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) reduces aGVHD, but the mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Our objective was to examine the impact of ECP on thymopoiesis in pediatric aGVHD and the mechanisms at a cellular and transcriptional level. Sixteen pediatric HSCT patients were recruited; 6 with ECP-treated aGVHD, 5 without aGVHD and 5 with aGVHD treated with corticosteroids only. Thymopoiesis was evaluated by measuring naive T-cells, TRECs, IL-7 and T-cell receptor repertoire diversity. Regulatory T-cell (Treg) enumeration and function and dendritic cell (DC) enumeration and phenotype were analyzed using flow cytometry. T-cell transcriptome analysis was performed on ECP patients after treatment and responders pre and post-treatment. Four ECP-responders demonstrated thymic-dependent T-cell recovery, and superior median naïve T-cell numbers at 8 and 12 months post-HSCT compared to the aGVHD corticosteroid group. Increased Tregs and Treg suppressive function, reduced cDC/pDC and DC co-stimulatory marker expression in ECP responders suggest upregulated peripheral tolerance, findings not observed in partial responders. Responder post-ECP CD3+ T-cell transcriptional profile demonstrated 3333 downregulated and 364 upregulated genes, with significant downregulation of ERRα and GαS pathways, and reduced expression of pro-inflammatory and adhesion proteins. Thymic function improves with successful ECP treatment. ECP reduces T-cell activation and impacts peripheral tolerance via DCs and Tregs. Differences in thymic recovery, DC and Treg cellular patterns and the T-cell transcriptome were observed between ECP responders and partial responders and require further validation and investigation in additional patients.