bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteinuria and serum creatinine after 12 months of treatment for lupus nephritis as predictors of long-term renal outcome: a case–control study
Authors: Braga Fernanda Nogueira Holanda Ferreira , das Chagas Medeiros Marta Maria , Junior Antonio Brazil Viana , de Sousa Lima Matheus Eugênio , Barros Levi Coelho Maia , Pontes Marcelo Ximenes , de Sousa Lima Allysson Wosley , Fernandes Paula Frassinetti Castelo Branco Ca
Published: January 2022

Background

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a major source of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with 10–25% of patients progressing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Objective

This study aims to elucidate the predictive capabilities of 24-h proteinuria (24PTU) and serum creatinine (sCr) after 12 months of treatment with respect to long-term renal outcomes in LN in a single-center cohort of LN patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 214 patients diagnosed with LN followed in our center. Values of 24PTU and sCr were assessed at baseline and after 3, 6 and 12 months, and after 5 years and/or the last evaluation. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for 3 months or longer. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) was defined as the need for permanent dialysis. Receiver operating characteristics curves (ROC) were used to test the best cut-off value of 24PTU and sCr at 12 months who predict bad long-term renal outcomes. 

Results

The mean follow-up period was 11.2 ± 7.2 years. The best cut-off values for 24PTU and sCr as predictor of CKD were, respectively, 0.9 g/24 h and 0.9 mg/dL. ROC curve for 24PTU had a slightly lower performance than ROC curve for sCr as predictor for CKD (PTU AUC = 0.68; sCr AUC = 0.70), but sensitivity and specificity were better for 24PTU (24PTU: sensitivity = 63.5%, specificity = 71.2%; sCr: sensitivity = 54.8%, specificity = 75.3%). When the outcome was ESRD the best cut-off points were 0.9 g/24hs and 1.3 mg/dL for 24PTU and sCr, respectively, and the curve performance was better for 24PTU (PTU AUC = 0.72; sCr AUC = 0.61).

Conclusions

In this ethnically diverse population with LN followed for a long time (> 10 years), levels of 24PTU > 0.9/day at 12 months was a good predictor of bad long-term renal outcome. The serum creatinine > 0.9 mg/dL and > 1.3 mg/dL at 12 months were also good predictors of CKD and ESRD, respectively. Patients with 24PTU < 0.9 g/day and sCr < 1.3 mg/dL at 12 months are not likely to develop ESRD because of the high negative predictive values (NPV) (93.2% and 82%). 24PTU and sCr are relevant as components for a treat-to-target strategy for LN treatment, since their high NPV corroborates their importance as good predictors of long-term renal outcome.
Performance analysis of machine learning models for intrusion detection system using Gini Impurity-based Weighted Random Forest (GIWRF) feature selection technique
Authors: Disha Raisa Abedin , Waheed Sajjad
Published: January 2022

To protect the network, resources, and sensitive data, the intrusion detection system (IDS) has become a fundamental component of organizations that prevents cybercriminal activities. Several approaches have been introduced and implemented to thwart malicious activities so far. Due to the effectiveness of machine learning (ML) methods, the proposed approach applied several ML models for the intrusion detection system. In order to evaluate the performance of models, UNSW-NB 15 and Network TON_IoT datasets were used for offline analysis. Both datasets are comparatively newer than the NSL-KDD dataset to represent modern-day attacks. However, the performance analysis was carried out by training and testing the Decision Tree (DT), Gradient Boosting Tree (GBT), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), AdaBoost, Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM), and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) for the binary classification task. As the performance of IDS deteriorates with a high dimensional feature vector, an optimum set of features was selected through a Gini Impurity-based Weighted Random Forest (GIWRF) model as the embedded feature selection technique. This technique employed Gini impurity as the splitting criterion of trees and adjusted the weights for two different classes of the imbalanced data to make the learning algorithm understand the class distribution. Based upon the importance score, 20 features were selected from UNSW-NB 15 and 10 features from the Network TON_IoT dataset. The experimental result revealed that DT performed well with the feature selection technique than other trained models of this experiment. Moreover, the proposed GIWRF-DT outperformed other existing methods surveyed in the literature in terms of the F1 score.
Pathogenesis of seizures and epilepsy after stroke
Authors: Chen Jiayu , Ye Haijiao , Zhang Jie , Li Aihong , Ni Yaohui
Published: January 2022

Stroke is the most frequent cause of secondary epilepsy in the elderly. The incidence of cerebral stroke is increasing with the extension of life expectancy, and the prevalence of post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) is rising. There are various seizure types after stroke, and the occurrence of epilepsy is closely related to the type and location of stroke. Moreover, the clinical treatment of post-stroke epilepsy is difficult, which increases the risk of disability and death, and affects the prognosis and quality of life of patients. Now seizure and epilepsy after stroke is more and more get the attention of the medical profession, has been more and more researchers have devoted to seizures after stroke and PSE clinical and basic research, and hope to get a scientific and unified guideline, to give timely and effective treatment, but the exact pathophysiologic mechanism has not yet formed a unified conclusion. It has been found that ion channels, neurotransmitters, proliferation of glial cells, genetics and other factors are involved in the occurrence and development of PSE. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis of early-onset epileptic seizures and late-onset epilepsy after stroke, in order to provide a basis for clinicians to understand the disease, and expect to provide ideas for future exploration.
Diagnostic accuracy of double inversion recovery (DIR) in detection of cortical gray matter lesions in patients with MS
Authors: Higazi Mahmoud M. , Ghany Hosny Sayed Abd El , Fathy Alaa Wagih , Ismail Muhammad Mamdouh , Samra Manal F. Abu
Published: January 2022

Background

Conventional imaging techniques have a low sensitivity for detection of cortical and deep grey matter lesions in MS which hinder accurate assessment of the total lesion burden. Aim of this work was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of double inversion recovery (DIR) sequence in the detection of cortical grey matter lesions in MS patients.

Results

Forty MS patients were prospectively included in this study. Imaging was performed using Philips Ingenia 1.5 T device. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of DIR sequence in detection of cortical grey matter lesions were 60%, 100%, 100%, 55.6% and 73.3%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values as well as accuracy of Flair sequence were 50%, 100%, 100%, 50% and 66.7%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values as well as accuracy of T2 sequence in the detection of cortical grey matter lesions were 22.5%, 100%, 100%, 39.2% and 48.3%, respectively.

Conclusions

Detection rate of cortical gray matter lesions was significantly higher on DIR sequence than on T2 and Flair sequences.
Correlation between the initial CT chest findings and short-term prognosis in Egyptian patients with COVID-19 pneumonia
Authors: Hefeda Mohamed Mohamed , Elsharawy Dalia Ezzat , Dawoud Tamer Mahmoud
Published: January 2022

Background

The recent pandemic of COVID‐19 has thrown the world into chaos due to its high rate of transmissions. This study aimed to highlight the encountered CT findings in 910 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in Egypt including the mean severity score and also correlation between the initial CT finding and the short-term prognosis in 320 patients.

Results

All patients had confirmed COVID-19 infection. Non-contrast CT chest was performed for all cases; in addition, the correlation between each CT finding and disease severity or the short-term prognosis was reported. The mean age was higher for patients with unfavorable prognosis (P < 0.01). The patchy pattern was the most common, found in 532/910 patients (58.4%), the nodular pattern was the least common 123/910 (13.5%). The diffuse pattern was reported in 124 (13.6%). The ground glass density was the most common reported density in the study 512/910 (56.2%). The crazy pavement sign was reported more frequently in patients required hospitalization or ICU and was reported in 53 (56.9%) of patients required hospitalization and in 29 (40.2%) patients needed ICU, and it was reported in 11 (39.2%) deceased patients. Air bronchogram was reported more frequently in patients with poor prognosis than patients with good prognosis (16/100; 26% Vs 12/220; 5.4%). The mean CT severity score for patients with poor prognosis was 15.2. The mean CT severity score for patients with good prognosis 8.7., with statistically significant difference (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results confirm the important role of the initial CT findings in the prediction of clinical outcome and short-term prognosis. Some signs like subpleural lines, halo sign, reversed halo sign and nodular shape of the lesions predict mild disease and favorable prognosis. The crazy paving sign, dense vessel sign, consolidation, diffuse shape and high severity score predict more severe disease and probably warrant early hospitalization. The high severity score is most important in prediction of unfavorable prognosis. The nodular shape of the lesions is the most important predictor of good prognosis.
Effect of dietary synbiotic supplementation on serum indoxyl sulfate in prevalent hemodialysis patients
Authors: Hassan Mohamed Saeed , Ahmed Yasser Soliman , Sarhaan Eman Ibrahim , Mehanna Nayra Shaker , Madbouli Norhan Nagdy , Abdelgawad Mostafa Abdelnasier
Published: January 2022

Background

Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is produced by action of the intestinal flora on tryptophan in protein diet, and it is normally excreted by the kidney. IS is a protein-bound uremic toxin, and it is difficult to be removed by conventional hemodialysis (HD) methods; so, it accumulates in HD patients and may contribute to major cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Aim

To study the effect of dietary synbiotic (prebiotic and probiotic) supplementation on IS level in prevalent HD patients.

Patients and methods

This single-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 80 prevalent HD patients (between January 2017 and March 2017) in Ain Shams University Hospital. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 was given synbiotic (SYN) and group 2 was given placebo for 6 weeks. Blood levels of IS, CRP, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus were measured at baseline and after 6 weeks.

Results

There was a significant reduction in serum IS level in groups 1 and 2 in comparison to their baselines (P value = 0.000 and 0.019 respectively); however, the change in IS level in group 1 after SYN supplementation (64% with IR 72.38–33.33) was more than that shown in group 2 (did not receive SYN) (18.47% with IR 26.75–26.75) with a highly significant P value, 0.000. Also, there were significant reductions in the levels of creatinine, BUN, phosphorus (P values < 0.001), and CRP (P values 0.002) in group 1 respectively with no similar changes noticed in group 2.

Conclusion

SYN supplementation in HD patients can reduce serum levels of IS and other uremic toxins like BUN and creatinine. Also, it may help to reduce serum phosphorus and CRP levels.
Assessment of the optimal frequency of insecticide sprays required to manage fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E Smith) in maize (Zea mays L.) in northern Ghana
Authors: Nboyine Jerry A. , Asamani Ebenezer , Agboyi Lakpo K. , Yahaya Iddrisu , Kusi Francis , Adazebra Gloria , Badii Benjamin K.
Published: January 2022

Background

Insecticide use is an important component of integrated pest management strategies developed for fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda J.E Smith, control in maize in many African countries. Here, the optimum number of synthetic insecticide and biopesticide applications needed to effectively manage FAW at a minimal cost in maize was studied.

Materials and methods

A 3 × 4 factorial experiment arranged in a split plot design was used. Insecticides [Neem seed oil (NSO), 3% Azadirachtin); Emastar 112 EC (emamectin benzoate 48 g/L + acetamiprid 64 g/L); Eradicoat (282 g/L Maltodextrin)] were on the main plots, while insecticide spraying regimes [untreated control, spraying once (at VE–V5 maize develoment stage), twice (at VE–V5 and V6–V12 stages), thrice (at VE–V5, V6–V12 and V12–VT stages), four times (at VE–V5, V6–V12, V12–VT and R1–R3 stages)] were on the sub-plots.

Results

The results showed that larval infestations were generally lower in Emastar 112 EC treated maize than in those sprayed with Eradicoat or NSO. Infestations were higher in the untreated control (no spray) but decreased with increases in number of spray applications in insecticide treated plots. Again, crop damage was low in Emastar 112 EC treated maize. This variable also decreased with an increase in the number of spray applications. Grain yield was significantly affected by the spraying regime only, with this variable being lowest in the untreated control. In both years, yields were at least 1.5-fold higher in maize sprayed twice, thrice or four times compared to the untreated control. Emastar 112 EC had the highest net economic benefits. A single spray of Emastar 112 EC at the VE–V5 maize development stage resulted in maximum profits, while two sprays (i.e., at VE–V5 and V6–V12 stages) were needed for Eradicoat and NSO.

Conclusion

Hence, synthetic insecticides and biopesticides require different frequency of spray applications for cost effective management of FAW in northern Ghana. These findings are potentially applicable in other sub-Saharan African countries where this pest is present.
Effect of service differentiation on QoS in IEEE 802.11e enhanced distributed channel access: a simulation approach
Authors: Ugwu Godwin Onyekachi , Nwawelu Udora Nwabuoku , Ahaneku Mamilus Aginwa , Ani Cosmas Ikechukwu
Published: January 2022

The enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) protocol is a supplement to IEEE 802.11 medium access control (MAC), ratified by IEEE 802.11e task group to support quality of service (QoS) requirements of both data and real-time applications. Previous research show that it supports priority scheme for multimedia traffic but strict QoS is not guaranteed. This can be attributed to inappropriate tuning of the medium access parameters. Thus, an in-depth analysis of the EDCA protocol and ways of tuning medium access parameters to improve QoS requirements for multimedia traffic is presented in this work. An EDCA model was developed and simulated using MATLAB to assess the effect of differentiating contention window (CW) and arbitration inter-frame space (AIFS) of different traffic on QoS parameters. The optimal performance, delay, and maximum sustainable throughput for each traffic type were computed under saturation load. Insight shows that traffic with higher priority values acquired most of the available channels and starved traffic with lower priority values. The AIFS has more influence on the QoS of EDCA protocol. It was also observed that small CW values generate higher packet drops and collision rate probability. Thus, EDCA protocol provides mechanism for service differentiation which strongly depends on channel access parameters: CW sizes and AIFS.
Improvement of generalization capability of 2D salt segmentation via iterative semisupervised learning
Authors: Jia Lingxiao , Sen Satyakee , Mallick Subhashis
Published: January 2022

Accurate interpretations of subsurface salts are vital to oil and gas exploration. However, manually interpreting them from seismic depth images is labor-intensive. Consequently, the use of deep-learning tools, such as a convolutional neural network, for automatic salt interpretation recently became popular. Because of poor generalization capabilities, interpreting salt boundaries using these tools is difficult when labeled data are available from one geologic region, and we like to make predictions for other nearby regions with varied geologic features. At the same time, due to vast amount of the data involved and the associated computational complexities needed for training, such generalization is necessary for solving practical salt interpretation problems. We have adopted a semisupervised training method, which allows the predicted model to iteratively improve as more and more information is distilled from the unlabeled data into the model. In addition, by performing a mixup between labeled and unlabeled data during training, we encouraged the predicted models to linearly behave across training samples, thereby improving the generalization capability of the method. For each iteration, we used the model obtained from the previous iteration to generate pseudolabels for the unlabeled data. This automated consecutive data distillation allowed our model prediction to improve with iteration, without any need for human intervention. To demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency, we applied the method on 2D images extracted from a real 3D seismic data volume. By comparing our predictions and fully supervised baseline predictions with those that were manually interpreted and that we consider as “ground truth,” we found that the prediction quality our new method surpassed the baseline prediction. Therefore, we concluded that our new method is a viable tool for automated salt delineation from seismic depth images.
Assessment of Abrasion-Induced Visual Defects in Twin Screw Wet Granulation Using Wall Friction Measurements
Authors: Menth Judith , Maus Martin , Wagner Karl G.
Published: January 2022

Starting point of the presented study were abrasion effects occurring during a twin screw wet granulation (TSG) process of a new chemical entity (NCE) formulation, resulting in gray spots on the final tablets. Several actions and systematic changes of equipment and process parameter settings of TSG process were conducted which reduced the visual defect rate of the tablets, i.e., gray spots on the surface, below the specification limit. To understand the rationale and mechanism behind these improvements, correlations of defect rates and wall friction measurements using a Schulze ring shear tester were evaluated. To check the suitability of the method, a broad range of wall materials as well as powder formulations at various moisture levels were investigated with regard to their wall friction angle. As differences in wall friction angle could be detected, further experiments were conducted using wall material samples made out of different screw materials for TSG. Evaluation of these screw wall material samples gave first hints, which screw materials should be preferred in regard of friction for TSG process. In the finally presented case study, wall friction measurements were performed using the above mentioned NCE formulation with known abrasion issues at TSG processing. The results confirmed that changes which led to a reduced visual defect rate of tablets correlated with a decreased wall friction angle. The results suggest wall friction measurements as a potent tool for equipment selection and establishment of a suitable process window prior to conducting TSG experiments.

Graphical abstract
Undergraduate Research and the Enrollment Crisis in English Literature
Authors: Ballentine Brian Cooper
Published: January 2022

Declines in undergraduate enrollments in English literature are well documented, and departments need to develop a coherent set of productive, practical responses to enrollment pressures. Drawing on studies of undergraduate research in STEM disciplines, this article explores how undergraduate research experiences in English literature can be envisioned not as unique, one-on-one experiences for motivated and interested students but as a curricular intervention that spans the undergraduate academic experience, fosters scholarly identity, and promotes inclusivity in scholarly training. Rather than functioning “by arrangement,” undergraduate research in English should be a coordinated enterprise that is established as an expectation for incoming students and a feature of every level of the major.
Quantifying avian inertial properties using calibrated computed tomography
Authors: Durston Nicholas E. , Mahadik Yusuf , Windsor Shane P.
Published: January 2022

Estimating centre of mass and mass moments of inertia is an important aspect of many studies in biomechanics. Characterising these parameters accurately in three dimensions is challenging with traditional methods requiring dissection or suspension of cadavers. Here, we present a method to quantify the three-dimensional centre of mass and inertia tensor of birds of prey using calibrated computed tomography (CT) scans. The technique was validated using several independent methods, providing body segment mass estimates within approximately 1% of physical dissection measurements and moment of inertia measurements with a 0.993 R2 correlation with conventional trifilar pendulum measurements. Calibrated CT offers a relatively straightforward, non-destructive approach that yields highly detailed mass distribution data that can be used for three-dimensional dynamics modelling in biomechanics. Although demonstrated here with birds, this approach should work equally well with any animal or appendage capable of being CT scanned.
Approaches to the Contradictions in Kohelet
Authors: Kohn Eli
Published: January 2022

The contradictions in the Book of Kohelet have concerned commentators through the ages. This essay offers several approaches to understanding the contradictions in the Book of Kohelet. After a discussion of the weaknesses of each of these approaches I offer a suggestion that shows that the Book has a unified structure and inherent logic. I propose that a philological and literary analysis of the Book, demonstrated through traditional Jewish sources, supports this view. [This article makes use of the author's unpublished Master dissertation, Kohelet a Living Dialogue]
Relating Logic and Relating Semantics. History, Philosophical Applications and Some of Technical Problems
Authors: Jarmużek Tomasz , Paoli Francesco
Published: January 2022

Here, we discuss historical, philosophical and technical problems associated with relating logic and relating semantics. To do so, we proceed in three steps. First, Section 1 is devoted to providing an introduction to both relating logic and relating semantics. Second, we address the history of relating semantics and some of the main research directions and their philosophical applications. Third, we discuss some technical problems related to relating semantics, particularly whether the direct incorporation of the relation into the language of relating logic is needed. The starting point for our considerations presented here is the 1st Workshop On Relating Logic and the selected papers for this issue.
Realism of Political Activity in the Teaching of Pope Francis
Authors: Szulist Janusz
Published: January 2022

This paper presents an argument for political realism in response to the trends of populism and liberalism. Pope Francis emphasizes the need to restore a social order whose functioning would be judged from the perspective of the common good. The human person holds an overriding social value that is not subject to the laws of exchange. This unique status justifies selflessness of action as a long-term measure aimed at restoring social equity. In that context, education as a process of the formation of personality becomes synonymous with the process of humanization of the world, where the human person is increasingly conscious of his or her subjectivity. Conversely, the ideologies of populism and liberalism and the resulting systems aim to objectify the individual by catering to the lowest instincts and seeking immediate benefits. In his political reflection, Pope Francis draws directly from his encyclical letter Laudato si, and thus – indirectly – from the constitution Gaudium et Spes.
O Fenômeno das Fake News: Implicações para a Política Externa do Governo Bolsonaro durante a Pandemia do COVID-19 | The Fake News Phenomenon: Implications for the Foreign Policy of the Bolsonaro Government during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Simões Renata Moraes , Mendes Andressa Gabrielly De Lacerda , Militão Pablo Ávila
Published: January 2022

O uso de plataformas como o Twitter por políticos, como Bolsonaro, tem mudado a comunicação política. Associado a isso, a rapidez com que a informação circula por tais ambientes proporciona a disseminação de desinformação e fake news, especialmente durante a pandemia do COVID-19 a partir de 2020. Diante disso, o artigo busca entender como o presidente Jair Bolsonaro utilizou o fenômeno das fake news como base da sua comunicação política durante a pandemia do COVID-19 e qual a influência desse fenômeno para a política externa brasileira. A hipótese inicial é de que a propagação de informações sem conteúdo confiáveis é utilizada como ferramenta política por Jair Bolsonaro. Nesse cenário, a política externa brasileira sofre influências diretas devido a ocorrência de tal fenômeno, com novas diretrizes internacionais e posicionamentos, acarretando a perda de credibilidade internacional brasileira e, ainda, colocando em risco a aquisição de vacinas pelo país.Palavras-chave: Fake News; Jair Bolsonaro; Política ExternaABSTRACTThe usage of social media, like Twitter, by politicians, such as Jair Bolsonaro, have changed the political communication. That said, the information has circulated quickly and provides a favorable environment for disinformation and fake news, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020. Based on that, the article aims to understand how the Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, has used fake News as the ground for your political communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also aims to understand which is the influence of this phenomena to the Brazilian foreign policy. The initial hypothesis is that the dissemination of information without reliable content is used as political tool by Bolsonaro. In this scenario, the Brazilian foreign policy is under direct influence of this phenomena, with new international guidelines and positioning, resulting in the loss of the Brazilian international credibility and risking the vaccines acquisition by the country.Keywords: Fake News; Jair Bolsonaro; Foreign Policy. Recebido em: 14/04/2021 | Aceito em: 29/10/2021.
Educação em tempos pandêmicos: o uso do aplicativo WhatsApp como proposta de comunicação em aulas remotas
Authors: Guerra Gerusa Cabral , Alves Josimar , Nascimento Roberta Barros de Oliveira , Renovato Rosangela , Vieira Sebastiao da Silva
Published: January 2022

Este trabalho é resultado de uma prática pedagógica aplicada na Escola Margarida Alves – Base Rural em Olinda -PE. O estudo tem como objetivo criar estratégias pedagógica em tempos de pandemia como proposta de comunicação em aulas remotas através do aplicativo com alunos do Ensino fundamental I. Destacando as experiências dos professores da Escola Margarida Alves com o novo modelo de aula remota proposta pela escola. Ao compreender que as tecnologias de comunicação estão presentes na vida dos estudantes, tirar proveito desse contexto é possibilitar novos rumos no processo de ensinar e aprender na escola. Enquanto aplicativo de um celular, o WhatsApp pode ser utilizado para a criação de grupos de estudos de forma a contribuir para o processo de aprendizagem fora do espaço da sala de aula, rompendo com as barreiras do tempo e do espaço. Com o aplicativo WhatsApp o professor pode valer-se dessa ferramenta para orientar seus estudantes nas dúvidas de atividades de leitura, nos textos a serem discutidos, postando atividades, links, e vídeos e fotos como proposta de atividade, relatórios de estudo, bem como na correção e orientação de trabalhos, entre outras possibilidades. O uso do WhatsApp através da criação de grupos fechados, vem sendo uma importante ferramenta para a realização as aulas remotas, facilitando o processo de ensino e aprendizagem, uma vez que a muitos estudantes utilizam deste recurso para se comunicarem e entreterem, e é o recurso mais acessível na vida dos nossos estudantes.
Relato de Experiência do uso das TDIC por alunos chamados de nativos digitais em Escola Pública Estadual de Ensino Médio em Recife-PE
Authors: De Lima Claudemir Jeremias , Filho Gilberto Amado de Azevedo Cysneiros , Da Silva Neiton Carvalho , Lima Elidiene Gomes de oliveira
Published: January 2022

Com grande utilização das tecnologias digitais de informação e comunicação (TDICs) no ensino aprendizagem. Os chamados nativos digitais nascidos e crescidos rodeados de tecnologia e mídia digital podem sim ter dificuldade de acessar informações e utilizar os dispositivos. A hipótese levantada neste trabalho é que, apesar de ser chamado de nativos digitais, há sim dificuldades para a utilização dos recursos tecnológicos (TDICs) pelos alunos em sala de aula das escolas públicas. Investigamos as dificuldades dos estudantes na utilização dos recursos tecnológicos, computador desktop, buscando responder sobre os dispositivos tecnológicos mais utilizados, nível de conhecimento sobre os Aplicativos Office, utilização de jogos online comparado com os alunos que não jogam online. Para a verificação da pertinência dessa hipótese, realizou-se uma pesquisa documental e pesquisa quantitativa com aplicação de questionário online e tabulação dos dados em uma Escola ETE da rede pública da região metropolitana do Recife. A principal contribuição desta pesquisa foi a identificação dos principais recursos tecnológicos mais utilizados pelos estudantes e a relação que foi identificada da utilização do computador para jogos online e a maior familiaridade com os recursos de hardware e softwares.
O professor criador de experiências educacionais mediadas por tecnologias digitais na cibercultura
Authors: Moura Adelina Maria Carreiro
Published: January 2022

A integração de tecnologias na educação deverá estar sempre ao serviço da pedagogia. Para que a aprendizagem mediada por tecnologias digitais seja eficaz é preciso que a sua utilização esteja de acordo com os objetivos educacionais, conteúdos curriculares e pedagogias específicas. É ainda fundamental que o professor possua competências digitais na cibercultura suficientes para potenciar também os dispositivos móveis dos alunos e criar experiências de aprendizagem inovadoras e memoráveis. Neste texto, abordaremos as possibilidades que as tecnologias digitais podem trazer ao processo de ensino e aprendizagem da língua e da literatura na aula de Português, através da partilha de práticas educativas desenvolvidas com alunos do ensino profissional. Apresentamos também as perceções dos alunos sobre algumas práticas realizadas, revelando o potencial que as estratégias tiveram nos seus desempenhos formativos. Os dados foram recolhidos através de questionário online e observação participada e mostram que houve um bom envolvimento e participação das turmas nas atividades, contribuindo de forma positiva para a construção de aprendizagens mais dinâmicas. A facilidade em usar ferramentas digitais, para apoio às aprendizagens, e a sua utilidade influenciaram positivamente a motivação dos alunos pelas tarefas escolares.
O exercício da docência na educação básica no contexto da cibercultura
Authors: Lima Vagna Brito de
Published: January 2022

A presente entrevista foi realizada com dois profissionais com efetiva atuação na educação básica a partir das suas lentes de análises e contribuições sobre o mesmo objeto em estudo: O exercício da docência na educação básica no contexto da cibercultura.Vislumbraremos a perspectiva de um gestor de uma rede pública de ensino nos últimos anos (2007-2021), atualmente, consultor em uma fundação, e de um pesquisador/gestor de soluções educacionais. Portanto, para a construção desse empreendimento, realizamos a mesma entrevista com Rogers Vasconcelos Mendes, ex-secretário executivo de Ensino Médio e da Educação Profissional (2019-2021) da Secretaria da Educação do Ceará (Seduc-CE) e César Augusto Amaral Nunes, ex-gerente de Desenvolvimento de Soluções do Instituto Unibanco (até a segunda metade do ano de 2021) e pesquisador no Grupo de Estudos e Pesquisa em Educação Moral (GEPEM) da Faculdade de Educação da Unicamp.
A (IN)APLICABILIDADE DA MEDIAÇÃO EM LITÍGIOS FAMILIARES QUE ENVOLVAM MULHERES EM SITUAÇÃO DE VIOLÊNCIA DOMÉSTICA
Authors: Paganoto Moura Renata Helena , Coura Alexandre De Castro , Herkenhoff Marina Roldi
Published: January 2022

Diante da certeza de que a mediação é o método mais adequado para solução de conflitos familiares na área cível, o presente artigo busca analisar a (im)possibilidade de aplicação do método de mediação em conflitos familiares que envolvam mulheres em situação de violência doméstica. Perante uma concepção de justiça multiportas, reconhece a importância de métodos adequados de resolução de conflitos para a construção de uma solução mais justa e efetiva, num contexto amplo de acesso à justiça. A partir do estudo de conceitos, contextos e efeitos da violência doméstica, bem como de princípios e requisitos da mediação, utilizando-se do método dialético e da técnica documental, o trabalho analisa a obrigatoriedade da mediação para conflitos familiares que envolvam mulheres vítimas de violência doméstica e sugere uma interpretação constitucional do art. 27 da Lei de Mediação e do art. 695 do CPC para o fim de garantir a dignidade humana dessas mulheres. Conclui considerando a mediação facultativa nesses cenários e entende a Justiça Restaurativa como método mais adequado para buscar explicações, sentido e uma possível cura para a ofendida, por meio da responsabilização do agressor.
O JUIZ E A DÚVIDA: REFLEXÕES SOBRE A DECISÃO JUDICIAL
Authors: Hellman Renê , Galduróz Eduardo
Published: January 2022

Este artigo tem a finalidade de defender a necessidade de exposição das dúvidas do juiz a respeito do objeto do conflito processual na decisão judicial. Trata-se de um direito das partes, que decorre do dever de fundamentação das decisões judiciais, da garantia do contraditório e do dever de boa-fé que se impõe também ao juiz. Defende-se a necessidade de exposição da dúvida na decisão judicial, para possibilitar a construção de decisões mais honestas, livrando o juiz do peso de sempre ter certeza sobre o que está julgando, o que otimizará os mecanismos de controle da decisão pelas partes e de reinterpretação da decisão por outros julgadores no mesmo processo. O método utilizado foi o dedutivo e a pesquisa desenvolveu-se a partir da leitura e interpretação de obras doutrinárias e de textos normativos.
Reliability and Validity of the Attitudes toward Your Child’s Speech
Authors: Choi Dahye , Sim Hyun Sub , Lee Soo Bok , Kim Han Joe
Published: January 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of a scale of parents’ attitude toward their child’s speech (i.e., Attitude toward Your Child’s Speech, AYCS).Methods: The participants were 152 parents of children who stuttered (CWS). Participants completed a scale of parents’ attitudes toward their child’s speech and a scale of impact of stuttering on children and parents in the form of an online survey. Based on the collected data, the validity (i.e., content validity, construct validity, concurrent validity) and reliability (i.e., internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability) of AYCS were assessed.Results: The 11 items of the AYCS demonstrated high content, construct and concurrent validity assessing three factors (i.e., Joy of talking to the child, Worry about the child’s stuttering, & Acceptance of the child’s stuttering). In addition, the ACYS demonstrated moderate to excellent test-retest reliability and high internal consistency.Conclusion: The findings indicated that the AYCS is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate parents’ attitudes toward their child’s speech and stuttering. It is expected that the AYCS could be included as part of a comprehensive evaluation of stuttering and be used as a tool to document progress of parents’ attitudes toward stuttering during treatment of stuttering in children. Furthermore, researchers may be able to use the AYCS to test various research hypotheses regarding how parents’ attitudes toward stuttering affect their child’s development of stuttering.
An Eye-Tracking Study on the Word Order Preference and the Effect of Phrasal Length in Korean
Authors: Nam Yunju , Chung Hyenyung , Kim Youngjoo
Published: January 2022

Objectives: Although Korean is a typical free word order language, when the same logical meaning is realized in several sentences with different word order, preference for the word order and the processibility of that sentence may vary. In this study, we investigated the word order preference on the instrumental adjunct and argument (direct object) of Korean when they were both short and when one of the two components was lengthened in the sentence using Eye-tracking technology. Additionally, the underlying cognitive mechanisms of the word order preference were discussed.Methods: Thirty-five college students were asked to read 24 sentences consisting of a condition in which both the adjunct and argument were short and one of them was lengthened, and their gaze was tracked.Results: When both components were short, the preferred word order was not confirmed. However, when one of the two components was lengthened, the canonical word order effect of putting the instrumental adjunct before the object argument and the LbS (Long before Short) effect of placing the lengthened components before the short ones were confirmed.Conclusion: The word order preference seems to reflect the strategy of keeping essential components close to the verb and minimizing the efficiency of integrated processing between critical components such as the head of an argument. However, the preference may vary depending on the burden of sentence processing or the level of the cognitive capacity of the processor. The timing at which word order preference is reflected may also vary depending on how strong the effect of the canonical order between two components is.
NYSTATIN
Authors: Rees Sharon
Published: January 2022

In this column, Sharon Rees aims to refresh knowledge and interest in some of the commonly used drugs in a series of tweets. This month she is talking about #nystatin
Polyphenolic Content of Musa Acuminata and Musa Paradisiaca bracts: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials
Authors: T. Falowo Thompson , P. Ejidike Ikechukwu , Lajide Labunmi , S. Clayton Hadley
Published: January 2022

Polyphenols are known for their bioactive potentials and have been used as drugs and preservatives for decades. The drive around this research is to estimate the usefulness of bananas and plantain bracts. The bracts of banana (Musa acuminata) and plantain (Musa paradisiaca) were investigated for their chemical composition, antibacterial, and antioxidant capacity. The result of proximate analysis revealed appreciable amount of moisture content (8.45%; 7.83%), crude protein (1.53%; 1.57%), crude fiber (21.2%; 16.5%), fat content (2.01%; 2.25%), ash content (16.60 %; 15.10%), and carbohydrate (52.6%; 56.8%) dry matter (DM) for M. acuminata and M. paradisiaca respectively. The cellulose and lignin content of the bract samples revealed M. acuminata (34.61 ± 1.06%; 9.13 ± 0.31%) and M. paradisiaca (35.68 ± 0.31%; 11.68 ± 0.75%) respectively. The phytochemical analysis showed that the bracts contained (g/100g) tannins (29.01%; 24.21%), flavonoids (8.35%; 6.33%), saponins (26.02%; 25.08%), phenol (0.56%; 0.34%), and alkaloids (3.30 %; 3.74%), respectively for M. acuminata and M. paradisiaca respectively. Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane extracts presented a wide range of inhibition against studied strains. Methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts demonstrated considerable effect against most of the strains. The zones of inhibition ranged from 2 to 10 mm for the extracts. Methanolic extract of M. acuminata bract exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 2.14±4.17 mg/ml) against DPPH radical. Meanwhile, methanolic extract of the bracts showed iron-chelating ability (2.03±1.48 mg/ml; 2.14±1.46 mg/ml), and FRAP assay (15.36±0.25 mg/ml; 23.09±0.17 mg/ml) for M.acuminata and M. paradisiaca respectively. The presence of polyphenols and essential nutrients present in the bracts showed potential to be exploited as a cradle for feed enhancement, antimicrobial agent, and protective agent against oxidative stress.
RNA-targeting Therapy: A Promising Approach to Reach Non-Druggable Targets
Authors: Zaafar Dalia , Elemary Toka , Hady Yara Abdel , Essawy Aya
Published: January 2022

The term "non-druggable" refers to a protein that cannot be targeted pharmacologically; recently, significant efforts have been made to convert these proteins into targets that are reachable or "druggable." Pharmacologically targeting these difficult proteins has emerged as a major challenge in modern drug development, necessitating the innovation and development of new technologies. The idea of using RNA-targeting therapeutics as a platform to reach unreachable targets is very appealing. Antisense oligonucleotides, nucleic acid or aptamers, RNA interference therapeutics, microRNA, and synthetic RNA are examples of RNA-targeting therapeutics. Many of these agents were FDA-approved for the treatment of rare or genetic diseases, as well as molecular markers for disease diagnosis. As a promising type of therapeutic, many studies are being conducted in order for more and more of them to be approved and used in different disease treatments and to shift them from treating rare diseases only to being used as more specific targeting agents in the treatment of various common diseases. This article will look at some of the most recent technological and pharmaceutical advances that have contributed to the erosion of the concept of undruggability.
Assessment of Skin Irritation and Sensitisation Effects by Topical Pterostilbene
Authors: Ghazali Ahmad Rohi , Rajab Nor Fadilah , Zainuddin Muhammad Firas , Ahmat Nazeha
Published: January 2022

Pterostilbene has dermal medicinal benefits such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidative effects and photoprotective properties against UVB radiation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dermal toxicity of pterostilbene via skin irritation and sensitisation. A skin irritation test was done according to the Organization Economic Co-operation and Development 404 guideline with the scoring of irritation based on erythema and oedema in 5 albino rabbits were observed up to 14 days. The sensitisation test using the Buehler Test in accordance with the ISO 10993-10 guideline was used to study the sensitisation effect of pterostilbene on the skin surface of albino guinea pigs. According to the primary dermal irritation index (PDII), the positive control group was classified with severe irritation (scorings of 7.71). No irritation was observed for the negative control and the 5% pterostilbene treated groups. But, a slight irritation reaction with PDII scorings of 0.86 was observed in the 10% pterostilbene treated group. The sensitisation study indicated that pterostilbene did not produce any sensitisation signs, thus classified as a non-sensitiser agent according to the Magnusson & Kligman classification. Pterostilbene-treated skin also did not indicate any signs of irritation and sensitisation. In conclusion, pterostilbene did not cause dermal toxicity upon application on the skin.
Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles: A Novel, Environment-Friendly, Economic, Safe Approach
Authors: Ghosh Niladry Sekhar , Pandey Ekta , Kaushik Madan , Kadian Jai Prakash , Chauhan Bhupendra , yadav Ajeet , Singh Ranjit
Published: January 2022

Nanoparticles can be synthesised using a variety of methods. These approaches, on the other hand, are connected with the development of undesired byproducts that are both harmful and expensive. As a result, several attempts are being undertaken to develop unique, cost-effective, safe, and dependable "green" techniques for producing desirable nanoparticles. To develop a novel, environment-friendly, economic, safe approach to the synthesis of gold nanoparticles via the biological entity. Addition of aqueous gold chloride solution to the microwave-exposed aqueous extracellular Cassia tora leaf extract yielded poly shaped gold nanoparticles. The UV-vis. spectroscopic investigations are led to notice and affirm the formation of nanoparticles. FTIR studies are performed to affirm the role of a biomolecule in stabilizing the nanoparticles. X-beam diffraction study is utilized to affirm the crystalline nature of nanoparticles. The elemental characterization of the samples is regulated by EDX studies. The size and morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles are explored using HR-TEM analysis and FESEM. It is seen that the flavonoids which are separated during microwave warming of extracellular solution of the cassia tora leaves are liable for the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles. The nanoparticle was noted to be well dispersed and polyshaped with a 20-60 nm range. The leaf extract based preparation of AuNP is more gainful since leaf is used instead of microorganism as many of the issues like pathogenicity, procedural maintenance of hygiene of cell culture and labor efforts can be overcome. The presence of flavonoids in the leaf was discovered by the examination of produced nanoparticles, suggesting that they may have fulfilled both reduction and stabilisation activities. The presented approach can be inferred to be cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and capable of manufacturing nanoparticles with desired physical and pharmacological properties.
Glucosinolates with their Hydrolysis Products from Two Cruciferous Plants with Study of Antidiabetic Activity Based on Molecular Docking
Authors: A. Alderhami Suliman , A. Abdelshafeek Khaled , E. Abdallah Walid , A. Elhenawy Ahmed , Ali Alomari AbdulAziz
Published: January 2022

Glucosinolates (Gls) are natural bioactive compounds that form metabolites called isothiocyanates (ITC) which have various therapeutic effects. This study aimed to isolate the glucosinolates of Carrichtera annua L.(DC) (CA) and Farsetia aegyptia Turra (FA) belonging to the Crucifereae family. Total Gls were isolated from the aqueous methanolic extract of the plants and further purified using an acidic aluminum oxide column. Some of the obtained Gls were identified via spectroscopic methods (UV, NMR, and MS) and the rest were hydrolyzed by myrosinase to the corresponding isothiocyanates (ITC) for identification by GC/MS. Only one Gls was identified in CA as 4-methylthio-3-butenyl Gls (MTBG) in addition to 6-methyl sulfonylhexyl isothiocyanates (ITC), while 6-methyl sulfonyl-6-hydroxy hexyl ITC, 4-pentenyl ITC, 3-methylthio propyl ITC, 5-hydroxy pentyl ITC and 4-methylsulphinyl butyl ITC were identified in FA. The Gls demonstrated high binding activity to α-glucosidase and amylase, good pharmacokinetic characteristics, and exerted no carcinogenetic effects.