bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sifting through the Static: Moving Object Detection in Difference Images
Authors: Smotherman Hayden , Connolly Andrew J. , Kalmbach J. Bryce , Portillo Stephen K. N. , Bektesevic Dino , Eggl Siegfried , Juric Mario , Moeyens Joachim , Whidden Peter J.
Published: November 2021

Trans-Neptunian objects provide a window into the history of the solar system, but they can be challenging to observe due to their distance from the Sun and relatively low brightness. Here we report the detection of 75 moving objects that we could not link to any other known objects, the faintest of which has a VR magnitude of 25.02 ± 0.93 using the Kernel-Based Moving Object Detection (KBMOD) platform. We recover an additional 24 sources with previously known orbits. We place constraints on the barycentric distance, inclination, and longitude of ascending node of these objects. The unidentified objects have a median barycentric distance of 41.28 au, placing them in the outer solar system. The observed inclination and magnitude distribution of all detected objects is consistent with previously published KBO distributions. We describe extensions to KBMOD, including a robust percentile-based lightcurve filter, an in-line graphics-processing unit filter, new coadded stamp generation, and a convolutional neural network stamp filter, which allow KBMOD to take advantage of difference images. These enhancements mark a significant improvement in the readiness of KBMOD for deployment on future big data surveys such as LSST.
The Role of Vitamin D in Respiratory Viral Infections and Other Infectious Diseases
Authors: Dyussenova S. B. , Gordiyenko M. Y. , Askarov M. S. , Tuleuova G. K. , Suleimenova S. B. , Кhussainova G. S. , Abisheva B. I.
Published: November 2021

Clinical studies and meta-analyzes have shown that reduced levels of 25 (OH) D in the blood contribute to impaired immunity and stimulate excessive inflammation that adversely affects the health of children: the risk of developing bronchial asthma (BA), obstructive bronchitis, and allergic rhinitis increases. The main purpose of this review is to summarize the current literature data on the relationship between vitamin D, VRI and other infectious diseases with a clinical example.
Serum Vitamin D Levels and Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Complication in Diabetes
Authors: Amelia Rina , Harahap Juliandi , Wijaya Hendri , Widjaja Sry Suryani , Fujiati Isti Ilmiati , Rusdiana Rusdiana
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a significant contributor to dyslipidemia, which can contribute in cardiovascular complications. Vitamin D is crucial in preventing chronic metabolic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease (cardiovascular disease [CVD]). AIM: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between Vitamin D levels and cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is cross-sectional in nature. The study sampled 89 diabetic patients who met the study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria. After a 10 h fast, a venous blood test is performed to determine Vitamin D levels, apolipoprotein-A levels, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride levels. The data are analyzed using SPSS. The Pearson correlation test (p > 0.05) was used to determine the connection. RESULT: Vitamin D levels were found to correlate with Apo-A1, TC, HDL-C, and triglyceride levels (p = 0.05), but not with LDL-C levels (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D supplementation may assist DMT2 patients minimize their chance of developing CVD problems.
Evaluation of the Thyroid Status and Types of Thyroid Dysfunction in Beta-Thalassemia Major Patients More Than 9 Years of Age in Wassit, Iraq 2020
Authors: I. Ansaf Ahmed I. , Faraj Safa , Abdul-Azziz Hussien A.
Published: November 2021

Background: Hypothyroidism is one of the commonest endocrine complications that can happen in patients with Beta-Thalassemia Major (BTM) above nine years old which may pass hidden and untreated for years.   Aim: To evaluate the thyroid status and types of thyroid dysfunction in Beta-Thalassemia Major Patients above 9 years of age. Method: A Cross-Sectional study was performed on sixty-six randomly selected patients above 12 years of age with BTM in Al-Kut Heriditory Blood Disease Center at Wassit province from March to August 2020. Thyroid function tests were done (TSH, T3, and T4) to detect the thyroid status and identify patients with thyroid dysfunction and determine the type of hypothyroidism (Primary, central, Subclinical). Data collected include Age, Sex, weight, height, Serum ferritin and mean hemoglobin level, Type of chelation therapy, dose, compliance, and frequency of blood transfusion, other diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus, HCV, HBV, HIV, and Heart Failure were evaluated statistically. Results:   In the studied patients, Thirty-one patients (46.96%) were found to have hypothyroidism;( Seven of them (10.6%) had primary hypothyroidism, Sixteen(24.2%) had subclinical hypothyroidism and eight (12.1%) had central hypothyroidism).  Twenty-one (67.74 %) patients with Hypothyroidism were found to have stunted height or short stature (with significant p.value 0.03) from the 13 (41.9%) who had subclinical hypothyroidism.  By Pearson correlation, increasing serum ferritin levels significantly affect decreasing thyroxin (T4) levels with inverse correlation (P value 0.0001), (r)= -0.45. Conclusion:  in this study, there was a high prevalence of hypothyroidism in BTM and subclinical hypothyroidism is the most common type, which signifies the importance of regular screening and close supervision especially when high ferritin and or short stature are present.
The ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of southern Kuril Islands, Russia
Authors: Makarov Kirill , Sundukov Yuri
Published: November 2021

We compiled a list of the ground beetles that have been confirmed to occur to date in the southern Kuril Islands, Russian Far East. The list includes 168 species, all of which are known from Kunashir Island and the species richness on the remaining islands ranges from 68 (Shikotan Island) to 21 species (Tanfil'eva Island). The species richness is shown to depend sublinearly on island area, this being unusual for island faunas (Triantis et al. 2011).

A large part of data is published here for the first time on the records of ground beetles in the southern Kuril Islands with precise localities. This allows not only the taxonomic composition of the faunas, but also the composition of local faunas to be discussed.
Stratégies russes en Libye : le déploiement d’une politique étrangère multifacette
Authors: Mohammedi Adlene
Published: November 2021

L’intervention militaire en Libye en 2011 est l’un des facteurs qui expliquent la posture de défiance adoptée par la Russie à l’égard de ses interlocuteurs occidentaux. Au-delà de cette défiance, que l’on retrouve notamment en Syrie, la Russie déploie sur le théâtre libyen une politique multifacette dont les outils sont parfois contradictoires : du droit à l’usage de la force et à la clandestinité, de l’unilatéralisme à la concertation entre puissances et à la médiation.
Inscription et effacement
Authors: Diatkine Gilbert
Published: November 2021

L’inscription des traces des catastrophes collectives sur nos monuments et dans nos archives reste lettre morte si elle n’est pas investie par la conscience collective des peuples. De même, la remémoration des fantasmes et des traumatismes des individus ne guérit leurs symptômes que si les représentations devenues conscientes sont mises en relation avec d’autres représentations par l’élaboration.
Optimized distributed fusion filtering for singular systems with fading measurements and stochastic nonlinearity
Authors: Wang Chen ,   Department of Mathematics, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150080, China, Hu Jun , Yu Hui , Chen Dongyan ,   School of Automation, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150080, China
Published: November 2021

In this paper, the problem of optimized distributed fusion filtering is considered for a class of multi-sensor singular systems in the presence of fading measurements and stochastic nonlinearity. By utilizing the standard singular value decomposition, the multi-sensor stochastic singular systems are simplified to two reduced-order nonsingular subsystems (RONSs). The local filters (LFs) with corresponding error covariance matrices are proposed for RONSs via the innovation analysis approach. Then, on the basis of the matrix-weighted fusion estimation algorithm, the distributed fusion filters (DFFs) are designed for RONSs with multiple sensors in the linear minimum variance sense. Moreover, the DFFs are obtained by utilizing the state transformation for original singular systems. It can be observed that the DFFs have better accuracy in contrast with the LFs. Finally, an illustrate example is put forward to verify the feasibility of the proposed fusion filtering scheme.
A realistic model for the periodic dynamics of the hand-foot-and-mouth disease
Authors: Moneim I. A. ,   Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Egypt, Mosa G. A.
Published: November 2021

In this paper, an SEIQRS model with a periodic vaccination strategy is studied for the dynamics of the Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease (HFMD). This model incorporates a seasonal variation in the disease transmission rate $ \beta (t) $. Our model has a unique disease free periodic solution (DFPS). The basic reproductive number $ R_{0} $ and its lower and upper bounds, $ R_{0}^{inf} $ and $ R_{0}^{sup} $ respectively, are defined. We show that the DFPS is globally asymptotically stable when $ R_{0}^{sup} < 1 $ and unstable if $ R_{0}^{inf} > 1 $. Computer simulations of our model have been conducted using a novel periodic function of the contact rate. This novel function imitates the seasonality in the observed, multi-peaks pattern, data. Clear and good matching between real data and the obtained simulation results are shown. The obtained simulation results give a good prediction and possible control of the disease dynamics.
Hermite-Hadamard type inequalities for interval-valued exponential type pre-invex functions via Riemann-Liouville fractional integrals
Authors: Zhou Hongling ,   School of Mathematics and Statistics, Huanghuai University, Zhumadian, Henan 463000, China, Saleem Muhammad Shoaib , Nazeer Waqas , Shah Ahsan Fareed ,   Department of Mathematics, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan,   Department of Mathematics, Government College University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Published: November 2021

In the present research, we develop Hermite-Hadamard type inequalities for interval-valued exponential type pre-invex functions in Riemann-Liouville interval-valued fractional operator settings. Moreover, we develop He's inequality for interval-valued exponential type pre-invex functions.
Events, Evolution, Controversies in the Implementation of a Health Surveillance Qualification Program
Authors: Figueiró Ana Cláudia , Pessoa Cesse Eduarda Ângela , Cazarin Gisele , da Silva Costa Juliana Martins Barbosa , dos Reis Yluska Almeida Coelho
Published: November 2021

The objective is to describe the implementation and development of the Training Program for Health Surveillance Actions (2013-2018), which focuses on improving the performance of health surveillance. It is an evaluation research with a qualitative method. Key informants were interviewed, and documents and literature were analyzed. The analysis enabled the construction of the timeline, the retrieval of the chronology of the events that marked the development of the program, its implementation, and the identification of innovations and controversies. The authors identified three organizational axes: conception/formulation, implementation/monitoring, evaluation/communication. They found that the program went beyond the traditional approach to surveillance and met regional diversities. There were controversies about the responsibility for monitoring the program's actions, whether they belonged to the technical areas related to the indicators or to the management of the program at the Ministry of Health.
Productive Development Partnership as a Strengthening of the South-South Relationship
Authors: Espindola Michele Vieira , da Costa Jorge Carlos Santos
Published: November 2021

Productive Development Partnership (PDP) established by the Ministry of Health comprehends cooperation, by agreements, between public and private institutions for development, transfer, and absorption of technology regarding strategic products in accordance with the demands of the Unified Health System. The PDP program represents one of the most important initiatives for building an industrial policy and systemic innovation in the health area. It also could promote the strengthening of the national production, public-private integration, favoring the incorporation of new technologies, which were dominated only by big multinational corporations in the private pharmaceutical sector. Additionally, the establishment of a PDP with a pharmaceutical company from a South American country, which is also part of Mercosur, expands the range of interaction beyond those already existing with American, European, and Asian companies, strengthening technical development-scientific of the region that will be able to catalyze the interaction with other companies also from the region.
Separate Jobs of Three Types of Users for Better Functioning of E-Learning in UKZ
Authors: Ahmedi Basri H. , Thaqi Xhevdet , Mustafa Ragmi
Published: November 2021

E-Government in itself requires reorganizing of governance with institutions and organizations with the aim of running them more efficiently. This is done using various applications created specifically for actions in the fields of economics, health, safety, education, etc. These applications are products that are used directly by all citizens. In the field of e-Learning, in educational institutions such as universities, the users of these applications are lecturers and students who are considered to have the highest skills in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Based on this, e-Learning systems in educational institutions can be configured in such a way that tasks and responsibilities are divided into user levels. This would make the maintenance of system not dependent on the administrator only, but on all levels of users. Consequently this makes the whole system more sustainable, decentralized, with low-maintenance. Such a configuration has been running with the Moodle platform at Kadri Zeka University Kosovo (UKZ) for five year since 2016.
Transparency considerations for describing statistical analyses in research
Authors: Kwak Sang Kyu , Kim Jonghae
Published: November 2021

Background: Researchers who use the results of statistical analyses to draw conclusions about collected data must write a statistical analysis section in their manuscript. Describing statistical analyses in precise detail is as important as presenting the dosages of drugs and methodology of interventions. It is also essential for scientific accuracy and transparency in scientific research.Methods: We evaluated the quality of the statistical analysis sections of clinical research articles published in the Korean Journal of Anesthesiology between February 2020 and February 2021. Using a Likert scale where 1, 2, and 3 represented “not described at all,” “partially described,” and “fully described,” respectively, the following 6 items were assessed: 1) stating of the statistical analysis methods used, 2) rationale for and detailed description of the statistical analysis methods used, 3) parameters derived from the statistical analyses, 4) type and version of the statistical software package used, 5) significance level, and 6) sidedness of the test (one-sided vs. two-sided). The first 3 items evaluate issues directly related to the statistical analysis methods used and last 3 are indirectly related items.Results: In all the included articles, the statistical analysis methods used were stated (score of 3). However, only 4 articles (12.9%) fully described the sidedness of the test (score of 3).Conclusions: Authors tend not to describe the sidedness of statistical analysis tests in the methodology section of clinical research articles. It is essential that the sidedness be described in research studies.
Effect of Women's and Partners' Education on Maternal Health-care Services Utilization in Five Empowered Action Group States of India
Authors: Yadav Arvind Kumar , Sahni Bhavna , Kumar Dinesh , Bala Kiran , Kalotra Anuradha
Published: November 2021

Background:

Suboptimal utilization of maternal health-care services is a perennial problem in Empowered Action Group (EAG) states. This study examines role of women's and partners' education on usage of antenatal, postnatal care (PNC), and skilled birth attendance in these states.

Methodology:

National Family Health Survey-4 (2015–2016) data for 13,443 women in reproductive age group of 15–49 years in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Odisha, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh (UP) were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results:

Increasing level of education had a significant impact on utilization of antenatal services in all states, highest and lowest odds being observed with higher and primary level of partner's education, respectively. Skilled birth attendance universally showed rising trend with increasing women education, while it remained substantially low even at higher level of partner's education. For PNC, utilization increased with increasing level of maternal education. While significantly lower odds of PNC were seen with primary level of partner education in Rajasthan and UP, partner's secondary education showed positive and significant association in Bihar, Rajasthan, and UP. At higher level of partner education, positive and significant effects on PNC were observed only in Bihar, MP, and UP.

Conclusions:

Universal education is vital to attain sustainable development goals at the grassroot level, which is happening relatively slowly in the EAG states.
Role of Glutathione S-Transferase M1 and Glutathione S Transferase Theta 1 Gene Polymorphism, Histopathological, and Immunohistochemistry in Carcinoma Breast
Authors: Bodal Vijay Kumar , Dhir Medhavi , Ahi Kuldip Singh , Kaur Sarbhjit , Singh Malkiat , Bandhari Lachhima
Published: November 2021

Background:

Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in females in developing countries such as India. It is the most common malignancy in females in the Punjab state.

Objectives:

(1) The purpose of this study was to calculate the prevalence of the four subtypes of breast cancer based on molecular classification and (2) to determine the association of polymorphisms in Glutathione S-Transferase M1 (GSTM1) and Glutathione S transferase theta 1 (GSTT1) gene in carcinoma of the breast with histopathological grading.

Materials and Methods:

This study analyzed histologically confirmed 100 cases of carcinoma breast; immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction molecular tests were performed for further grading, molecular typing, and gene polymorphism.

Results:

Out of 24 Grade I tumors, 18 (75.00%) expressed the GSTM1 gene and 6 (25.00%) were negative. Out of 48 Grade II tumors, 30 (62.50%) expressed the GSTM1 gene and 18 (37.50%) were negative. Out of 28 Grade III tumors, 8 (28.57%) expressed the GSTM1 gene and 20 (71.43%) were negative. Out of 24 Grade I tumors, 17 (70.83%) expressed the GSTT1 gene and 7 (29.17%) were negative. Out of 48 Grade 2 tumors, 28 (58.33%) expressed the GSTT1 gene and 20 (41.67%) were negative. Out of 28 Grade III tumors, 8 (28.57%) expressed the GSTT1 gene and 20 (71.43%) were negative.

Conclusion:

Our study shows that polymorphism of both GSTM1 and GSTT1, either individually or in combination, influences the risk of developing carcinoma due to DNA damage caused by many factors including environmental and genetic.
Changing Assessment Scenarios
Authors: Saiyad Shaista , Bhagat Purvi , Virk Amrit , Mahajan Rajiv , Singh Tejinder
Published: November 2021

Assessment is a process that includes ascertainment of improvement in the performance of students over time, motivation of students to study, evaluation of teaching methods, and ranking of student capabilities. It is an important component of the educational process influencing student learning. Although we have embarked on a new curricular model, assessment has remained largely ignored despite being the hallmark of competency-based education. During the earlier stages, the assessment was considered akin to “measurement,” believing that competence is “generic, fixed and transferable across content,” could be measured quantitatively and can be expressed as a single score. The objective assessment was the norm and subjective tools were considered unreliable and biased. It was soon realized that “competence is specific and nontransferable,” mandating the use of multiple assessment tools across multiple content areas using multiple assessors. A paradigm change through “programmatic assessment” only occurred with the understanding that competence is “dynamic, incremental and contextual.” Here, information about the students' competence and progress is gathered continually over time, analysed and supplemented with purposefully collected additional information when needed, using carefully selected combination of tools and assessor expertise, leading to an authentic, observation-driven, institutional assessment system. In the conduct of any performance assessment, the assessor remains an important part of the process, therefore making assessor training indispensable. In this paper, we look at the changing paradigms of our understanding of clinical competence, corresponding global changes in assessment and then try to make out a case for adopting the prevailing trends in the assessment of clinical competence.
Anemia and Nutritional Status in Tuberculosis Patients
Authors: Chhabra Sandeep , Kashyap Anil , Bhagat Monica , Mahajan Rajesh , Sethi Suman
Published: November 2021

Introduction:

Anemia is a common complication of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Nutritional deficiency and malabsorption syndrome can deepen the severity of anemia. The aim of the present study was to study anemia and nutritional status in patients with TB at a tertiary care center.

Materials and Methods:

All patients diagnosed with TB (pulmonary and extrapulmonary), registered withRevised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP), taking DOTS regimen, attending the outpatient department as well as those admitted in the medicine and chest units of a tertiary care hospital, were enrolled in the present study.

Results:

Anemia was more common between the age groups of 51 and 60 years, with distribution of males (87 [58%]), patients with diabetes (49 [32%]), and hypertensive patients (29 [19.3%]). In our study, 48 (85.7%) out of 56 patients diagnosed with extrapulmonary TB were found to have anemia; similarly, 77 (88.5%) out of 87 patients diagnosed to have pulmonary TB were anemic. Anemia of chronic disease (128 [97.17%]) was higher when compared to that of those with iron-deficiency anemia (3 [2.29%]). According to body mass index (BMI), 135 (90%) patients were underweight; according to mid-arm circumference (MAC), 131 (87.3%) patients had severe malnutrition; and according to waist–hip ratio [WHR], 96 (64%) patients were underweight.

Conclusion:

Anemia was common in males and alcoholics, and there was a high prevalence of anemia of chronic disease. In addition, anemia was associated with high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. High proportions of TB patients (pulmonary and extrapulmonary) were classified as underweight and malnourished on the basis of different parameters (BMI, MAC, and WHR); in addition, the degree of malnutrition was higher in patients with anemia than in those without.
Simulated Three-Dimensional Printing Printed Polyamide Based PA2200 Immovable Device for Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy
Authors: Rajesh R , Gopenath T S , Basalingappa Kanthesh M , Kaginelli Shanmukhappa B
Published: November 2021

Background:

Radiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for cancer. However, delivering an optimal dosage of radiation to the patients is always challenging due to the movements of the patient during treatment. Immobilization devices are typically used to minimize patient movement.

Aims:

The current work has been carried out to investigate the effectiveness of Three-dimensional printing (3D) printing to create patient-specific immobilization devices in comparison to traditional devices. Earlier studies have reported the advantages of 3D printed materials in the form of phantoms included improved patient experience and comfort over traditional methods. Further, high levels of accuracy between immobilizer and patient, reproducibility, and similar beam attenuation properties were better achieved compared to conventional or thermoformed immobilizers.

Methods:

The additive manufacturing process, however, is considered time-consuming as it requires time to print the desired shape. In the current study, polyamide-based PA 2200 which is biocompatible was used as source material for printing the customized Immobilize devices for radiotherapy.

Results:

Computer-aided designing (CAD) was used to design following the computer tomography scan of patients. The design was fed to the 3D printer for further processing.

Conclusions:

The mechanical properties of materials are important to receive the geometrical requirement that fits every patient. We used PA 2200, which is more biocompatible compared to other materials to produce phantoms using the system-generated design of the patient geometry. Further, phantoms produced did not show much deviation in radio fractionation when compared to the thermoplastic molds.
Hypo-trimethylation of Histone H3 Lysine 4 and Hyper-tri/dimethylation of Histone H3 Lysine 27 as Epigenetic Markers of Poor Prognosis in Patients with Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Authors: Kim Hoon Gi , Kim Minseok S. , Lee Young Sam , Lee Eun Hee , Kim Dae Cheol , Lee Sung-Hun , Kim Young Zoon
Published: November 2021

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the methylation status of major histone modification sites in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) samples and examine their prognostic roles in patients with PCNSL. Materials and Method Between 2007 and 2020, 87 patients were histopathologically diagnosed with PCNSL. We performed immunohistochemical staining of the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of PCNSL for major histone modification sites, such as H3K4, H3K9, H3K27, H3K14, and H3K36. After detection of meaningful methylation sites, we examined histone modification enzymes that induce methylation or demethylation at each site using immunohistochemical staining. The meaningful immunoreactivity was validated by western blotting using fresh tissue of PCNSL. ResultsMore frequent recurrences were found in hypomethylation of H3K4me3 (p=0.004) and hypermethylation of H3K27me2 (p<0.001) and H3K27me3 (p=0.002). These factors were also statistically related to short PFS and overall survival in the univariate and multivariate analyses. Next, histone modification enzymes inducing the demethylation of H3K4 (lysine-specific demethylase-1/2 and Jumonji AT-rich interactive domain [JARID] 1A-D]) and methylation of H3K27 (enhancer of zeste homolog [EZH]-1/2) were immu- nohistochemically stained. Among them, the immunoreactivity of JARID1A inversely associated with the methylation status of H3K4me3 (R2=-1.431), and immunoreactivity of EZH2 was directly associated with the methylation status of H3K27me2 (R2=0.667) and H3K27me3 (R2=0.604). These results were validated by western blotting in fresh PCNSL samples.ConclusionOur study suggests that hypomethylation of H3K4me3 and hypermethylation of H3K27me2 and H3K27me3 could be associated with poor outcomes in patients with PCNSL and that these relationships are modified by JARID1A and EZH2.
Effect of Estrogen Receptor Expression Level and Hormonal Therapy on Prognosis of Early Breast Cancer
Authors: Yoon Kyung-Hwak , Park Yeshong , Kang Eunyoung , Kim Eun-Kyu , Kim Jee Hyun , Kim Se Hyun , Suh Koung Jin , Kim Sun Mi , Jang Mijung , Yun Bo La , Park So Yeon , Shin Hee-Chul
Published: November 2021

Purpose Estrogen receptor (ER) expression in breast cancer plays an essential role in carcinogenesis and disease progression. Recently, tumors with low level (1%-10%) of ER expression have been separately defined as ER low positive (ERlow). It is suggested that ERlow tumors might be morphologically and behaviorally different from tumors with high ER expression (ERhigh).Materials and Methods Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort database was performed. Patients who underwent curative surgery for early breast cancer and had available medical records were included for analysis. Difference in clinicopathological characteristics, endocrine responsiveness and five-year recurrence-free survival was evaluated between different ER subgroups (ERhigh, ERlow, and ER-negative [ER–]).Results A total of 2,162 breast cancer patients were included in the analysis, Tis and T1 stage. Among them, 1,654 (76.5%) were ERhigh, 54 (2.5%) were ERlow, and 454 (21.0%) were ER- patients. ERlow cases were associated with smaller size, higher histologic grade, positive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, negative progesterone receptor, and higher Ki-67 expression. Recurrence rate was highest in ER– tumors and was inversely proportional to ER expression. Recurrence-free survival was not affected by hormonal therapy in the ERlow group (p=0.418).Conclusion ERlow breast cancer showed distinct clinicopathological features. ERlow tumors seemed to have higher recurrence rates compared to ERhigh tumors, and they showed no significant benefit from hormonal therapy. Future large scale prospective studies are necessary to validate the treatment options for ERlow breast cancer.
Implication and Influence of Multigene Panel Testing with Genetic Counseling in Korean Patients with BRCA1/2 Mutation-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Park Ji Soo , Shin Saeam , Lee Yoon Jung , Lee Seung-Tae , Nam Eun Ji , Han Jung Woo , Lee Sun Hwa , Kim Tae Il , Park Hyung Seok
Published: November 2021

Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical implication of multigene panel testing of beyond BRCA genes in Korean patients with BRCA1/2 mutation-negative breast cancer.Materials and Methods Between 2016 and 2019, a total of 700 BRCA1/2 mutation-negative breast cancer patients received comprehensive multigene panel testing and genetic counseling. Among them, 347 patients completed a questionnaire about cancer worry, genetic knowledge, and preference for the method of genetic tests during pre- and post-genetic test counseling. The frequency of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants (PV/LPV) were analyzed.Results At least one PV/LPV of 26 genes was found in 76 out of 700 patients (10.9 %). The rate for PV/LPV was 3.4% for high-risk genes (17 PALB2, 6 TP53, and 1 PTEN). PV/LPVs of clinical actionable genes for breast cancer management, high-risk genes and other moderate-risk genes such as ATM, BARD1, BRIP, CHEK2, NF1, and RAD51D, were observed in 7.4%. Patients who completed the questionnaire showed decreased concerns about the risk of additional cancer development (average score, 4.21 to 3.94; p < 0.001), influence on mood (3.27 to 3.13; p < 0.001), influence on daily functioning (3.03 to 2.94; p=0.006); and increased knowledge about hereditary cancer syndrome (66.9 to 68.8; p=0.025) in post-test genetic counseling. High cancer worry scales (CWSs) were associated with age ≤ 40 years and the identification of PV/LPV. Low CWSs were related to the satisfaction of the counselee.Conclusion Comprehensive multigene panel test with genetic counseling is clinically applicable. It should be based on interpretable genetic information, consideration of potential psychological consequences, and proper preventive strategies.
Socio-economic determinants of net-income in fish farming in Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria onomic determinants of net-income in fish farming in Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria
Authors: Omeje Julius E. , Achike Anthonia I. , Arene Chukwuemeka J. , Faleke Sunday A. , Manuwuike Queen C. , Usman Garba A.
Published: November 2021

The study analyzed the socio-economic determinants of net-income in aquaculture of Kainji, Lake Basin, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the; fish farming systems; cost and returns, socio-economic determinants of net-farm income and challenges of fish farming in the area. The study adopted a two-stage sampling procedure to select 120 table-size fish farmers. Data were collected with questionnaires that were administered through face-to-face interview and analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary technique and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that 35.00 % of the fish farmers were within the age bracket of 31-40 years, 53.34 % were men, 91.67 % were married, 55.83 % had between 1-5 years of experience in fish farming and 75.83 % had tertiary educational qualification. Majority (92 %) of the fish farmers practiced the monoculture of catfish using earthen ponds system. The estimated total expenses were N 14,953,330.74 while the total revenue generated from 9 fish ponds, each stocked with an average of 3883.986 fingerlings in 2 cycles per year was N 20,188,142.00. The estimated net-farm income after tax was N 5,234,811.26 while the net profit margin and return on investment was 25.93 % and 35% respectively. Age, experience and household size were positive and significant (p<0.05) socio-economic factors that affected net-farm income while the challenges of fish farming were high cost of feed ( ̅x=3.24), poor pricing ( ̅x =3.11), poor access to capital ( ̅x=3.09) and persistent poaching/theft ( ̅x= 2.67). Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that there should be an intensive research by the fish nutrition division of National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR) on the possible alternatives of crude protein source that could be a perfect substitute to Clupeids in fish feeds.

Keywords: aquaculture, catfish, socio-economic, profitability, farmers
Fuzzy algorithm implementation in microcontroller for DC motor control
Authors: Atar K. D. , Patil C. B. , Mudholkar R. R.
Published: November 2021

In industrial automation, motor control technique plays the vital role. Motor consists of inductor or electromagnet. Causing inductor or electromagnet, magnetic inductions are produces which resists any change of motor speed. Hence, according to set point, precise speed control is challenging. However, using various control technique can be controls the speed of DC motor. The aim of the present paper is to implement hardware and control the speed of DC motor using embedded fuzzy logic. Set point have been applied externally and recorded the speed of motor through opto-isolator sensor module. In the hardware of DC motor control keypad, 2x16 LCD, DC motor driver and opto-isolator module are interfaced to PIC microcontroller. The Fuzzy algorithm is embedded in the microcontroller wherein input fuzification signals ‘error (Δe)’ and ‘change in error (e(n))’ and output fuzification signal ‘PWM’. The both of inputs of fuzzy algorithm are varied and record output of fuzzy algorithm which is PWM. Moreover, the hardware implementation has been tested for real time control of DC Motor.
Adoption of banana (Musa spp) production technology among small-scale farmers in Embu West Sub-County, Kenya
Authors: Kathuri Dominic Nthukuri , Ndirangu Samuel Njiri , Gichimu Bernard
Published: November 2021

The study examined adoption of recommended banana production technology among small-scale farmers in Embu West Sub-County, Kenya. Data were obtained from a sample of 384 small-scale banana farmers that were proportionately selected from four wards of the study area. A structured interview schedule was used for data collection. Both percentages and inferential statistics were employed in data analysis. The study used a logarithmic multiple linear regression model based on Cobb-Douglas production function. The amount of credit accessed, cost of the banana plantlets, fertilizer and manure had significant effects on banana output area. In addition, adoption of tissue culture banana, use of irrigation, debudding, desuckering, deleafing and banana value addition had positive and significant effects on banana production. The County government to enhance sensitization of small-scale banana farmers on the importance of adopting these and other recommended technologies for improved banana yields.
Traditional salt processing activities of rural women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Authors: Iwuchukwu Juliana Chinasa , Attamah Clement Okechukwu , Chukwuonu Charles Ubani
Published: November 2021

The traditional salt processing activities of rural women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria was investigated. Two Local Government Areas were purposively selected out of the 13 LGAs in the state and a total of 90 respondents were used for the study. Frequency, percentage and mean score were used in data analysis. Most (68%) of the respondents belonged to salt makers group. The majority (98.9%) of the salt makers indicated that their method of salt production involved pan evaporation with firewood. About 63% of the salt makers engaged in salt production during the dry season. A greater percentage (63.2%) indicated that they fetch brine as the need arises. The majority (86.6%) indicated using ash to filter the brine, while the majority (97.2%) reported that it takes less than 1 day to produce filtrate. About 67% of the women produced 6-10 bags of salt in a month while 53.4% sold 7-10 bags in a month. Salt makers sold salt at an average price of N3,650 per bag. Findings show that 24.7% earned N10,000- N19,999 per month. Major contributions of salt making to the wellbeing of households were: medicinal value (M=2.96), payment of children/ward school fees (M=2.96), better feeding and nutrition (M=2.93). Government should provide aids to the salt processors by providing the basic infrastructure to improve the quality and quantity of salt produced.
Trichostatin A reduces nerve cell apoptosis in depressive rats by regulating CREB/BDNF signaling pathway
Authors: Jin Lianyu , Bao Ying
Published: November 2021

Purpose: To investigate the influence of trichostatin A on nerve cell apoptosis in depressive rats and to explore the probable molecular mechanism of action.Methods: A total of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200 - 220 g were divided into sham group (n = 12), model group (n = 12) and trichostatin group (n = 12) by randomization. The protein expressions of phosphorylated cAMP responsive element-binding protein (p-CREB) and BDNF, as well as the mRNA expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and caspase-3 in each group of rat hippocampus were determined by Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR), respectively. The apoptosis of nerve cells in the brain tissues of the rats was labeled using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining.Results: Compared with those in the sham group, the degree of sucrose preference decreased markedly, while the immobility time after forced swimming test was extended, and the relative expression levels of p-CREB and BDNF proteins in the hippocampus declined (p < 0.05). The mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and caspase-3 and cell apoptosis rate were increased in the model group (p < 0.05). In comparison with the model group, the trichostatin group exhibited increased sucrose preference degree, shortened immobility time following a forced swimming test, and elevated relative expression levels p-CREB and BDNF proteins in the hippocampus (p < 0.05), but lowered mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and caspase-3 and cell apoptosis rate, displaying statistically significant differences (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Trichostatin A reduces cell apoptosis and ameliorates the depression-like behaviors of rats via the regulation of CREB/BDNF signaling pathway. These findings provide new insights into Trichostatin A for the management of depression.
Clinical efficacy of a combination of propofol and etomidate in pediatric anesthesia, and its effect on vital indices in patients
Authors: Li Li , Ding Yangzi , Yao Junli , Sun Qiongge , Zhang Fengchao
Published: November 2021

Purpose: To study the clinical effectiveness of a combination of propofol and etomidate as pediatricanesthesia, and its influence on some vital factors in the patients.Methods: A total of 104 children who underwent appendectomy, hepatobiliary surgery and excision ofbone tumor in Xuzhou Children's Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China from June 2018 to June 2020, were selected for this retrospective study. The patients were divided into groups A, B and C. In group A, 40 patients received the combination of propofol and etomidate, 32 patients received propofol only, while group C comprised 32 patients who received etomidate only. Vital indices such asanesthesia induction time, wake-up time after surgery, anesthetic effect, and adverse reactions were determined.Results: In group A, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were improved; anesthesia induction time and wake-up time after surgery were shorter, and anesthetic effect was more obvious in children with grades I and II. However, there was no grade III anesthetic effect, although there was a lower incidence of adverse reactions in this group.Conclusion: The use of a combination of propofol and etomidate results in higher clinical efficacy of pediatric anesthesia than either propofol or etomidate alone. Furthermore, the combination produces better quality of vital indices in the patients
Therapeutic effect of Xuezhitong capsule on microvascular angina
Authors: Ma Xiaomei , Yang Dehui , Shen Weichun , Liang Wei , Lin Qian
Published: November 2021

Purpose: To determine the therapeutic effect of Xuezhitong capsule in patients with microvascular angina (MVA), and its impact on vascular endothelial function.Methods: In total, 172 MVA patients treated in Beijing City Fengtai District Nanyuan Hospital from September 2017 to September 2019 were selected and randomized into control group which received conventional treatment, and treatment group which received Xuezhitong capsules plus. There were 86 patients in each group. Therapeutic effect, levels of inflammatory factors, i.e., high-sensitivity C- reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and vascular endothelial factors such as nitric oxide (NO), thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and endothelin (ET), were determined.Results: Markedly higher total treatment effectiveness was observed in the treatment group than in the control group (89.53 % vs. 72.94 %; p < 0.05). In both groups, treatment reduced the levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, TXB2 and ET, but elevated NO, with better results for treatment group than the control group (p < 0.05). Better optimizations of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were observed in the treatment group, relative to the control group (p < 0.05). Patients in the treatment group experienced fewer (8.14%) adverse reactions than those in control group (21.18 %, p < 0.05).Conclusion: Xuezhitong capsule, when combined with conventional treatment, exerts high therapeutic effectiveness and safety in MVA patients by inhibiting inflammatory reactions, optimizing endothelialfunction, reducing blood lipid levels, and decreasing the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events. Thus, the combination therapy is a potentially superior therapeutic strategy to the conventional approach for the management of MVA patients.
New insight into the 24 January 2020, Mw 6.8 Elazığ earthquake (Turkey): An evidence for rupture-parallel pull-apart basin activation along the East Anatolian Fault Zone constrained by Geodetic and Seismological data
Authors: T Serkan Irmak  , Mustafa Toker  , Evrim Yavuz  , Erman Şentürk  , Muhammed Ali Güvenaltın
Published: November 2021

In this study, we investigated the main features of the causative fault of the 24 January 2020, Mw 6.8 Elazığ earthquake (Turkey) using seismological and geodetic data sets to provide new insight into the East Anatolian Fault Zone (EAFZ). We first constrained the co-seismic surface deformation and the rupture geometry of the causative fault segment using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) interferograms (Sentinel-1A/B satellites) and teleseismic waveform inversion, respectively. Also, we determined the centroid moment tensor (CMT) solutions of focal mechanisms of the 27 aftershocks using the regional waveform inversion method. Finally, we evaluated the co-seismic slip distribution and the CMT solutions of the causative fault as well as of adjacent segments using the 27 focal solutions of the aftershocks, superimposed on the surface deformation pattern. The CMT solution of the 24 January 2020Elazığ earthquake reveals a pure strike-slip focal mechanism, consistent with the structural pattern and left-lateral motion of the EAFZ. The rupture process of the Elazığ event indicated that the rupture is started at 12 km around the hypocenter, and then propagated bilaterally along the NE-SW but mainly toward the southwest. The rupture slip has initially propagated toward the southwest (first 10 s) and northeast (4 s), and again toward the southwest (9 s). Maximum displacement is calculated as 1.3 m about 20 km southwest of the hypocenter at 6 km depth (centroid depth). The rupture stopped to down-dip around 20 km depth toward the southwest. The distribution of the slip vectors indicates that the rupture continued mostly through a normal oblique movement. Most of the moment release was released SW of the hypocenter and the rupture reached up to around 50 km. The focal mechanisms of analyzed 27 aftershocks show strike-slip, but mostly normal and normal oblique-slip faulting with an orientation of the tensional axes (NNE-SSW), indicating a normal oblique-slip, “transtensional” stress regime, parallel-subparallel to the strike of the EAFZ, consistent with SW-rupture directivity and co- seismic deformation pattern. Finally, based on the co-seismic surface deformation compatible with the distributional pattern of normal focal solutions, normal and normal oblique-slip focals of the aftershocks evidence the rupture-parallel pull-apart basin activation as a segment boundary of the left-lateral strike-slip movement of the EAFZ.
Memórias de um cárcere voluntário. José Eduardo Agualusa, Teoria geral do esquecimento
Authors: Wolny Anna
Published: November 2021

Memories from a voluntary prison. A general theory of oblivion by José Eduardo Agualusa

The paper presents an analysis of A general theory of oblivion, a novel by José Eduardo Agualusa, in light of the Portuguese postcolonial paradigm, specifically by Boaventura de Sousa Santos. It presents the trajectory of the protagonist, Ludovica, as a hybrid of a representant of the past, colonial tradition and a habitant of the emerging postcolonial reality. Agualusa shows two strategies of dealing with those conditions and, in a creative effort of constructing a new Angolan identity, positions himself on the side of the memory perpetuated through time.
Five results on maximizing topological indices in graphs
Authors: Cambie Stijn
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we prove a collection of results on graphical indices. We
determine the extremal graphs attaining the maximal generalized Wiener index
(e.g. the hyper-Wiener index) among all graphs with given matching number or
independence number. This generalizes some work of Dankelmann, as well as some
work of Chung. We also show alternative proofs for two recents results on
maximizing the Wiener index and external Wiener index by deriving it from
earlier results. We end with proving two conjectures. We prove that the maximum
for the difference of the Wiener index and the eccentricity is attained by the
path if the order $n$ is at least $9$ and that the maximum weighted Szeged
index of graphs of given order is attained by the balanced complete bipartite
graphs.