bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early mortality outcomes of patients with fragility hip fracture and concurrent SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Alcock Harry , Moppett Eleanor Ann , Moppett Iain Keith
Published: May 2021

Aims

Hip fracture is a common condition of the older, frailer person. This population is also at risk from SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is important to understand the impact of coexistent hip fracture and SARS-CoV-2 for informed decision-making at patient and service levels.

Methods

We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies of older (> 60 years) people with fragility hip fractures and outcomes with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary outcome was early (30-day or in-hospital) mortality. Secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay and key clinical characteristics known to be associated with outcomes after hip fracture.

Results

A total of 14 cohort and five case series studies were included (692 SARS-CoV-2 positive, 2,585 SARS-CoV-2 negative). SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with an overall risk ratio (RR) for early mortality of 4.42 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.42 to 5.82). Early mortality was 34% (95% CI 30% to 38%) and 9% (95% CI 8% to 10%) in the infected and noninfected groups respectively. Length of stay was increased in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients (mean difference (MD) 5.2 days (3.2 to 7.2)). Age (MD 1.6 years (0.3 to 2.9)); female sex (RR 0.83 (95% CI 0.65 to 1.05)); admission from home (RR 0.51 (95% CI 0.26 to 1.00)); presence of dementia (RR 1.13 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.43)); and intracapsular fracture (RR 0.89 (95% CI 0.71 to 1.11)) were not associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. There were statistically, but not clinically, significantly greater Nottingham Hip Fracture Scores in infected compared with non-infected patients (MD 0.7 (0.4 to 0.9)).

Conclusion

SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with worse outcomes after hip fracture. This is not explained by differences in patient characteristics. These data can be used to support informed decision-making and may help track the impact of widespread adoption of system-level and therapeutic changes in management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(5):314–322.
Single-stage revision for the infected total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Razii Nima , Clutton Juliet M. , Kakar Rahul , Morgan-Jones Rhidian
Published: May 2021

Aims

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Two-stage revision has traditionally been considered the gold standard of treatment for established infection, but increasing evidence is emerging in support of one-stage exchange for selected patients. The objective of this study was to determine the outcomes of single-stage revision TKA for PJI, with mid-term follow-up.

Methods

A total of 84 patients, with a mean age of 68 years (36 to 92), underwent single-stage revision TKA for confirmed PJI at a single institution between 2006 and 2016. In all, 37 patients (44%) were treated for an infected primary TKA, while the majority presented with infected revisions: 31 had undergone one previous revision (36.9%) and 16 had multiple prior revisions (19.1%). Contraindications to single-stage exchange included systemic sepsis, extensive bone or soft-tissue loss, extensor mechanism failure, or if primary wound closure was unlikely to be achievable. Patients were not excluded for culture-negative PJI or the presence of a sinus.

Results

Overall, 76 patients (90.5%) were infection-free at a mean follow-up of seven years, with eight reinfections (9.5%). Culture-negative PJI was not associated with a higher reinfection rate (p = 0.343). However, there was a significantly higher rate of recurrence in patients with polymicrobial infections (p = 0.003). The mean Oxford Knee Score (OKS) improved from 18.7 (SD 8.7) preoperatively to 33.8 (SD 9.7) at six months postoperatively (p < 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier implant survival rate for all causes of reoperation, including reinfection and aseptic failure, was 95.2% at one year (95% confidence interval (CI) 87.7 to 98.2), 83.5% at five years (95% CI 73.2 to 90.3), and 78.9% at 12 years (95% CI 66.8 to 87.2).

Conclusion

One-stage exchange, using a strict debridement protocol and multidisciplinary input, is an effective treatment option for the infected TKA. This is the largest single-surgeon series of consecutive cases reported to date, with broad inclusion criteria. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(5):305–313.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of steatite using calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy in conjunction with x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Fahad Muhammad , Shahzad Asim , Ali Sajjad , Shah Khizar Hussain
Published: May 2021

The qualitative and quantitative study of raw steatite was carried out using a pulsed nanosecond Nd:YAG laser set to fundamental harmonic (1064 nm) at atmospheric pressure. To cross-validate the data, x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used. The analysis of optical emission spectra in the wavelength range 200–720 nm showed the existence of silica (Si), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca). The plasma temperature and electron number density were estimated using the Boltzmann plot and Stark-broadening line profile methods, with results at 4906 K and

1.47

×

10

17

c
m

−
3

, respectively. The quantitative study was carried out using the calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) process, assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium and an optically thin plasma, and the following results were obtained: Si = 63.37%, Mg = 35.95%, and Ca = 0.671%. The quantitative findings obtained using the CF-LIBS approach were consistent with those obtained using XRD, XRF, and FTIR, demonstrating the applied methods’ potential to be effective and complementary for the qualitative and quantitative study of multiphase raw steatite.
Angular sensitivity of an x-ray differential phase contrast imaging system with real and virtual source images
Authors: Ge Yongshuai , Chen Jianwei , Yang Jiecheng , Zhu Peiping , Zhang Huitao , Zheng Hairong , Liang Dong
Published: May 2021

In this work, a novel, to the best of our knowledge, approach based on an x-ray thin lens imaging theory is proposed to predict the angular sensitivity responses of dual-phase-grating differential phase contrast (DPC) interferometers. Experimental validations have been performed to demonstrate the high accuracy of theoretical predictions using two different setups: one with real source images and the other with virtual source images. This new sensitivity calculation method is helpful to optimize the DPC imaging performance of a dual-phase-grating system.
Temporal differentiation and integration of few-cycle pulses by ultrathin metallic films
Authors: Pakhomov Anton , Arkhipov Rostislav , Arkhipov Mikhail , Rosanov Nikolay
Published: May 2021

We study theoretically the temporal transformations of few-cycle pulses upon linear interaction with ultrathin metallic films. We show that under certain conditions on the film thickness and the pulse spectrum, one obtains the temporal differentiation of the pulse shape in transmission and the temporal integration in reflection. In contrast to previous studies, these transformations are obtained for the field of few-cycle pulses itself instead of the slowly varying pulse envelope. These results open up new opportunities for the control of the temporal pulse profile in ultrafast optics.
Highly sensitive circular slotted gold-coated micro channel photonic crystal fiber based plasmonic biosensor
Authors: Rahman Md. Thouhidur , Datto Sham , Sakib Md. Nazmus
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we proposed and analyzed a simple circular slotted micro-channel photonic crystal fiber (MC-PCF) based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor. Using finite element method (FEM) the numerical performances are investigated with an external sensing approach. Gold is a chemically stable material that is used in the purpose of plasmonic material at the thickness of 30nm. Simulation results show that the maximum wavelength sensitivity (WS) 25,000 nm/RIU having wavelength resolution (WR) of 4×10−6 RIU, maximum amplitude sensitivity (AS) is obtained about 1897 RIU-1 showing amplitude resolution (AR) of 6.25×10−6 RIU. In addition, figure of merit (FOM) is found about 277.77 RIU-1 for the analyte refractive index (RI) changes from 1.43-1.44 (RIU). The major nobility is that the proposed sensor shows a broad detection range from 1.33-1.47 RI with the wavelength range from 0.55 to 1.80 µm. Because of the promising sensitivity the proposed model can be applicable for biomolecules and biochemical (i.e., DNA, mRNA, sugar, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids) sample detection and play the greatest role to detect antibody antigen interaction to find out genome sequences.
RAD54 is essential for RAD51-mediated repair of meiotic DSB in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hernandez Sanchez-Rebato Miguel , Bouatta Alida M. , Gallego Maria E. , White Charles I. , Da Ines Olivier
Published: May 2021

An essential component of the homologous recombination machinery in eukaryotes, the RAD54 protein is a member of the SWI2/SNF2 family of helicases with dsDNA-dependent ATPase, DNA translocase, DNA supercoiling and chromatin remodelling activities. It is a motor protein that translocates along dsDNA and performs multiple functions in homologous recombination. In particular, RAD54 is an essential cofactor for regulating RAD51 activity. It stabilizes the RAD51 nucleofilament, remodels nucleosomes, and stimulates the homology search and strand invasion activities of RAD51. Accordingly, deletion of RAD54 has dramatic consequences on DNA damage repair in mitotic cells. In contrast, its role in meiotic recombination is less clear. RAD54 is essential for meiotic recombination in Drosophila and C. elegans, but plays minor roles in yeast and mammals. We present here characterization of the roles of RAD54 in meiotic recombination in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Absence of RAD54 has no detectable effect on meiotic recombination in otherwise wild-type plants but RAD54 becomes essential for meiotic DSB repair in absence of DMC1. In Arabidopsis, dmc1 mutants have an achiasmate meiosis, in which RAD51 repairs meiotic DSBs. Lack of RAD54 leads to meiotic chromosomal fragmentation in absence of DMC1. The action of RAD54 in meiotic RAD51 activity is thus mainly downstream of the role of RAD51 in supporting the activity of DMC1. Equivalent analyses show no effect on meiosis of combining dmc1 with the mutants of the RAD51-mediators RAD51B, RAD51D and XRCC2. RAD54 is thus required for repair of meiotic DSBs by RAD51 and the absence of meiotic phenotype in rad54 plants is a consequence of RAD51 playing a RAD54-independent supporting role to DMC1 in meiotic recombination.
A follow-up study (2007–2018) on American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in the municipality of Caratinga, Minas Gerais State, Brazil: Spatial analyses and sand fly collection
Authors: Neves Rafael L. , Cardoso Diogo T. , Rêgo Felipe D. , Gontijo Célia M. F. , Barbosa David S. , Soares Rodrigo P.
Published: May 2021

Background

The municipality of Caratinga is an important endemic area for American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) and no epidemiological studies were performed during the past two decades. Here, we analyzed the epidemiological situation and the geographical distribution of ATL cases in the municipality of Caratinga from 2007 to 2018 using geographic information systems (GIS). Also, we evaluated the impact of several demographic parameters in ATL distribution and the sand flies incriminated in its transmission.

Methods

All demographic information (gender, age, educational level, clinical form, diagnostic criteria and case evolution) used in this study was retrieved from the public health archives and confirmed in the State Health Services databases. All cases were analyzed using GIS software based on ATL distribution. Also, non-systematic sand fly collections and molecular detection ofLeishmaniawere performed in the hotspots.

Results and conclusions

During the period, ATL cases continued and increased especially in the past years (2016–2018). Hotspots included urban Caratinga areas and the districts of Patrocínio de Caratinga and Sapucaia. The speciesNyssomyia whitmani,Nyssomyia intermedia,Migonemyia migoneiandEvandromyia cortelezziicomplex were captured. However, ITS1-PCR did not detectLeishmaniaDNA in those insects. Based on our analyses, urbanization of ATL in Caratinga has occurred in the past years. Due to the increase in the number of cases and vectors presence, it is recommended that health authorities focus on control measures in the most affected areas (Patrocínio of Caratinga and Sapucaia districts and urban Caratinga).
Clinical characteristics and laboratory features of COVID-19 in high altitude areas: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Hanxiao , Qin Lang , Wu Sixian , Xu Wenming , Gao Rui , Zhang Xiaohong
Published: May 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly contagious and has affected the whole world. We seek to investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of COVID-19 patients in the high altitude areas of Sichuan, China. In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 67 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections in Sichuan’s Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture were included from February 1, 2020, to March 2, 2020. Their clinical characteristics, as well as radiological and laboratory features, were extracted. Four (6.0%) patients were categorized as severe cases; 39 (58.2%) were non-severe cases, and 24 (35.8%) were asymptomatic cases. A total of 46 (68.7%) patients were associated with cluster infection events in this study. The most common symptoms were cough, sputum production, dyspnea, fatigue or myalgia, and headache. Seven (10.4%) patients showed leucopenia, and 20 (29.9%) patients showed lymphopenia. Lymphocyte counts and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NPR) were different between the three groups. In total, 14 (20.9%) patients had thrombocytopenia, and prothrombin times (PT) and fibrinogen levels differed between groups. We also found significant differences in sodium, chloride and calcium levels between the three groups. Antiviral therapy did not lead to obvious adverse events or shortened durations from initial positive to subsequent negative nuclei acid tests. Advanced age, hypertension, high neutrophil count, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, fibrinogen and lactate dehydrogenase levels were identified as independent risk factors for symptomatic cases of COVID-19. In conclusion, the symptoms of patients in high altitude areas were mild, and about one third were asymptomatic. We also identified several independent risk factors for symptomatic cases of COVID-19.
The efficacy of manual therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review
Authors: Roh Ji-Ae , Kim Kwan-Il , Jung Hee-Jae
Published: May 2021

Background

Manual therapy (MT) can be beneficial in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, evidence of the efficacy of MT for COPD is not clear. Therefore, we aimed to review the effects of MT, including Chuna, in people diagnosed with COPD.

Methods

MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), China National Knowledge Database (CNKI), KoreaMed, Korean Medical Database (KMbase), and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS) were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and crossover RCTs were included. The main inclusion criteria were COPD diagnosis (forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1]/forced vital capacity [FVC] < 0.70). The primary outcomes were lung function and exercise capacity. The secondary outcomes were symptoms, quality of life (QoL), and adverse event (AE)s. Studies reporting one or both of the primary outcomes were included. The Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Data synthesis and analysis were conducted according to the trial design.

Results

Of the 2564 searched articles, 13 studies were included. For the primary outcomes, the effect of MT on pulmonary function and exercise capacity in COPD was partly significant but could not be confirmed due to the limited number of studies included in the subgroups. For the secondary outcomes, no definitive evidence regarding the improvement of symptoms and QoL was found, and some minor adverse effects were reported.

Conclusions

There is insufficient evidence to support the role of MT in the management of COPD. High-quality studies are needed to thoroughly evaluate the effect of MT on COPD.
Importance of prey size on investigating prey availability of larval fishes
Authors: Huang Yu-Hsuan , Tao Hsiao-Hang , Gong Gwo-Ching , Hsieh Chih-hao
Published: May 2021

Prey availability plays an important role in determining larval fish survival. Numerous studies have found close relationships between the density of mesozooplankton and larval fishes; however, emerging studies suggest that small-size zooplankton are more important prey for some larval fish species. One arising question is whether the size of zooplankton determines the relationship between zooplankton and larval fish community in natural environments. To address this question, we collected small-size (50–200 μm) zooplankton, mesozooplankton (> 330 μm), and larval fish using three different mesh-size (50, 330, 1000 μm, respectively) nets in the East China Sea, and examined their relationships in density. Both meso- and small-size zooplankton densities showed positive relationships with larval fish density, while the relationship is much stronger for the small-size zooplankton. Specifically, the smallest size classes (50–75 and 75–100 μm) of small-size zooplankton showed the highest positive relationships with larval fish density. Temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll-a concentration did not significantly explain larval fish density. Based on these findings, we demonstrate the importance of considering prey size when investigating prey availability for larval fishes.
Influence of data mining technology in information analysis of human resource management on macroscopic economic management
Authors: Zhang Ai
Published: May 2021

The purposes are to manage human resource data better and explore the association between Human Resource Management (HRM), data mining, and economic management. An Ensemble Classifier-Decision Tree (EC-DT) algorithm is proposed based on the single decision tree algorithm to analyze HRM data. The involved single decision tree algorithms include C4.5, Random Tree, J48, and SimpleCart. Then, an HRM system is established based on the designed algorithm, and the evaluation management and talent recommendation modules are tested. Finally, the designed algorithm is compared and tested. Experimental results suggest that C4.5 provides the highest classification accuracy among the single decision tree algorithms, reaching 76.69%; in contrast, the designed EC-DT algorithm can provide a classification accuracy of 79.97%. The proposed EC-DT algorithm is compared with the Content-based Recommendation Method (CRM) and the Collaborative Filtering Recommendation Method (CFRM), revealing that its Data Mining Recommendation Method (DMRM) can provide the highest accuracy and recall, reaching 35.2% and 41.6%, respectively. Therefore, the data mining-based HRM system can promote and guide enterprises to develop according to quantitative evaluation results. The above results can provide a reference for studying HRM systems based on data mining technology.
How leaders are persuaded: An elaboration likelihood model of voice endorsement
Authors: Li Xiaobo , Wu Ting , Ma Jianhong
Published: May 2021

Organizations need both employee voice and managerial endorsement to ensure high-quality decision-making and achieve organizational effectiveness. However, a preponderance of voice research focuses on employee voice with little attention paid to voice endorsement. Building on the social persuasion theory of the elaboration likelihood model, we systematically examine the sender and receiver determinants of voice endorsement and how the interplay of those determinants affects voice endorsement. By empirically analyzing 168 paired samples, we find that issue-relevant information, i.e., voicer credibility, has a positive effect on voice endorsement and matters most when leaders have high felt obligation. The results also show that the peripheral cue used in the study, i.e., positive mood, has a positive effect on voice endorsement and matters most when leaders have low felt obligation or low cognitive flexibility. We discuss the contributions of these findings and highlight limitations and directions for future research.
Protein transfer learning improves identification of heat shock protein families
Authors: Min Seonwoo , Kim HyunGi , Lee Byunghan , Yoon Sungroh
Published: May 2021

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play a pivotal role as molecular chaperones against unfavorable conditions. Although HSPs are of great importance, their computational identification remains a significant challenge. Previous studies have two major limitations. First, they relied heavily on amino acid composition features, which inevitably limited their prediction performance. Second, their prediction performance was overestimated because of the independent two-stage evaluations and train-test data redundancy. To overcome these limitations, we introduce two novel deep learning algorithms: (1) time-efficient DeepHSP and (2) high-performance DeeperHSP. We propose a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based DeepHSP that classifies both non-HSPs and six HSP families simultaneously. It outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms, despite taking 14–15 times less time for both training and inference. We further improve the performance of DeepHSP by taking advantage of protein transfer learning. While DeepHSP is trained on raw protein sequences, DeeperHSP is trained on top of pre-trained protein representations. Therefore, DeeperHSP remarkably outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms increasing F1 scores in both cross-validation and independent test experiments by 20% and 10%, respectively. We envision that the proposed algorithms can provide a proteome-wide prediction of HSPs and help in various downstream analyses for pathology and clinical research.
Metal-induced delayed type hypersensitivity responses potentiate particle induced osteolysis in a sex and age dependent manner
Authors: Samelko Lauryn , Caicedo Marco , McAllister Kyron , Jacobs Joshua , Hallab Nadim James
Published: May 2021

It is widely recognized that innate macrophage immune reactions to implant debris are central to the inflammatory responses that drive biologic implant failure over the long term. Less common, adaptive lymphocyte immune reactions to implant debris, such as delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), can also affect implant performance. It is unknown which key patient factors, if any, mediate these adaptive immune responses that potentiate particle/macrophage mediated osteolysis. The objective of this investigation was to determine to what degree known adaptive immune responses to metal implant debris can affect particle-induced osteolysis (PIO); and if this pathomechanism is dependent on: 1) innate immune danger signaling, i.e., NLRP3 inflammasome activity, 2) sex, and/or 3) age. We used an established murine calvaria model of PIO using male and female wild-type C57BL/6 vs. Caspase-1 deficient mice as well as young (12–16 weeks old) vs. aged (18–24 months old) female and male C57BL/6 mice. After induction of metal-DTH, and Cobalt-alloy particle (ASTM F-75, 0.4um median diameter) calvaria challenge, bone resorption was assessed using quantitative micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis and immune responses were assessed by measuring paw inflammation, lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) reactivity and adaptive immune cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-17 (ELISA). Younger aged C57BL/6 female mice exhibited the highest rate and severity of metal sensitivity lymphocyte responses that also translated into higher PIO compared to any other experimental group. The absence of inflammasome/caspase-1 activity significantly suppressed DTH metal-reactivity and osteolysis in both male and female Caspase-1 deficient mice. These murine model results indicate that young female mice are more predisposed to metal-DTH augmented inflammatory responses to wear debris, which is highly influenced by active NLRP3 inflammasome/caspase-1 danger signaling. If these results are clinically meaningful for orthopedic patients, then younger female individuals should be appropriately assessed and followed for DTH derived peri-implant complications.
A folyamatköltség-számítás történetének és módszertanának rövid áttekintése
Authors: Tulipán Ágnes
Published: May 2021

Az elmúlt évtized felgyorsuló változásai az üzleti folyamatokban is megjelentek. A gyorsabb döntéshozatal részletesebb, pontosabb költséginformációkat igényelt. Ez azt jelentette, hogy a termékekre vonatkozó hagyományos, megszokott költségekre vonatkozó információk már nem voltak elegendőek az üzleti célok eléréséhez. Az üzleti folyamatoknak, illetve alkotórészeinek (alfolyamatainak) elemzésére volt szükség a megfelelő információk eléréséhez. A költségelszámolási rendszer a termelési költségekre koncentrált, ennek következtében a marketing-, értékesítési és egyéb termelési költségeket nem kapcsolta a termékekhez vagy a fogyasztókhoz. Ezeknek a hiányosságoknak, ellentmondásoknak a feloldására kezdődött el a törekvés a költségszámítási rendszerek átalakítására. A fejlődés során a tevékenységalapú költségelszámolás egy elfogadott és széles körben használt rendszerré vált. A módszer arra helyezi a hangsúlyt, hogy a szervezetek folyamatairól szóló információk minél jobban kielégítsék a döntéshozók termékekhez, szolgáltatásokhoz kapcsolódó költséginformációra vonatkozó igényeit.
Innovációk a fenntarthatóság szolgálatában. A biomassza mint fenntartható rendszerinnováció
Authors: Deutsch Nikolett
Published: May 2021

Napjainkat a természeti erőforrásokat felélő gazdálkodás jellemzi. A nyersanyag- és energiakészletek korlátozottsága, a termelés melléktermékeként környezetbe került anyagok mennyisége és káros hatásai mára olyan problémává nőttek, melyek nem igényelnek bizonyítást. Így feladatunk tartalma is megváltozott. Jövőnk szempontjából elkerülhetetlen az ember-környezet viszony tisztázása, illetve azon „környezetkímélő" lehetőségek felkutatása, melyek segíthetnek a fenntartható fejlődés érdekeit szolgáló új élet- és gondolkodásmód kialakításában. Jelen publikáció bepillantást enged az innovációnak a környezettudatos gazdálkodás, illetve a fenntartható fejlődés elérésében játszott szerepébe. Célja továbbá a környezeti és a fenntartható innovációk azonosítása, a biomassza besorolása.
Ginsenoside Rg1 attenuates arsenic-induced mice nephrotoxicity via the activated HO-1/mTOR-associated apoptosis or autophagy signaling
Authors: yang yuan
Published: May 2021

Nephrotoxicity attributed to environmental arsenic exposure, has been recognized by animal experiments and populational survey over 30 years in China, given a significance of public health by preventing from the disorder of renal function and hispathological abnormality.
Here, Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) as the commercial bioactive product of ginseng, play a beneficial role via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects, which is poorly understood in arsenic-induced nephrotoxicity. The present study applied animal experiments to explore the pharmacological effects of Rg1 on sodium arsenite (SA)-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. Results showed that SA exposure led to renal pathological damage, and induced renal oxidative stress and the elevated levels of apoptosis or autophagy-associated indices in kidney. Further, western-blotting results confirmed the upregulations of pro-apoptotic Bax or autophagic unc-51-like kinase-1 (ULK1) or LC3-B signal, and the downregulations of HO-1 or mTOR signal and autophagy substrate sequestosome 1 (p62/SQSTM1) in kidney. Significantly, the intervention with Rg1 alleviated arsenic-induced renal pathological damage and oxidative stress, and upregulated the levels of HO-1, mTOR and p62, while the levels of Bax, ULK1 or LC3-B downregulated in kidney. In conclusion, the intervention with Rg1 relieves arsenic-induced mice nephrotoxicity maybe involved in the regulation of HO-1/mTOR-related apoptotic or autophagic signaling.
Scholars and Literati at the Imperial College of Madrid (1560–1767)
Authors: De la Croix David , Karioun Soraya
Published: May 2021

This note is a summary description of the set of scholars and literati who taught at the Old University of Aberdeen, also called King’s College, from its inception in 1495 to the eve of the Industrial Revolution in 1800.
Análisis lingüístico y didáctico de un texto de ciencias como base para la propuesta de actividades de lectura
Authors: Bizzio María de los Ángeles , Guirado Ana María , Maturano Arrabal Carla Inés , Soliveres María Amalia
Published: May 2021

Algunos investigadores han señalado la necesidad de ocuparse de la lectura en las áreas disciplinares. En el marco de modelos didácticos contemporáneos, esto implica que el docente asuma la función de mediador entre el estudiante/lector y los textos. Dicha mediación debería plantearse para cada texto teniendo en cuenta los propósitos educativos y los contenidos específicos que, a su vez, condicionan el proceso de selección de los materiales a utilizar en el aula. En este trabajo presentamos el diseño y la implementación de una propuesta de lectura de un texto de Ciencias Naturales teniendo en cuenta lineamientos teóricos en el marco de la Lingüística Sistémico-Funcional cuyo objetivo es favorecer la comprensión y el aprendizaje disciplinar en educación secundaria. Esta incluye el análisis del discurso y el diseño de actividades de lectura de un texto de Química de un libro de texto referido a las propiedades periódicas de los elementos químicos. En primer lugar, examinamos minuciosamente el texto seleccionado intentando identificar: (a) los géneros que se usan para presentar el tema; (b) los elementos paratextuales y lingüísticos que puedan convertirse en facilitadores de la comprensión y (c) las características discursivas que puedan ser obstáculos potenciales que dificultan el abordaje del contenido disciplinar. A partir de dicho análisis, organizamos las actividades de lectura en tres momentos: preparación para la lectura, lectura en detalle y elaboración del significado del texto. Finalmente, aplicamos la propuesta diseñada con un grupo de estudiantes de educación secundaria. Los resultados obtenidos, relevados a partir del registro de las clases y de una encuesta final, nos permiten afirmar que este abordaje ha favorecido la profundización del contenido, la interacción y la participación durante las clases y ha contribuido a un mejor acercamiento al texto de una forma novedosa con respecto a las prácticas usuales de lectura en las disciplinas.
Theoretical Approaches to International Economic Integration: Mechanisms and Effects
Authors:   Economic Research Institute FEB RAS, Izotov Dmitry
Published: May 2021

The article analyzes theoretical approaches to explaining the mechanisms and methods for assessing effects of international economic integration. The author determined that within the framework of «modern regionalism», the mechanisms of integration are explained mainly by endogenous processes. These processes are determined both by the economic motives of market actors and by political and institutional constraints. Within the framework of «modern regionalism», the general direction is to assess the long-term multifaceted effects of integration, while the short-term effects of integration have not lost their relevance
Thermodynamic Micellization of Cationic-Nonionic Surfactants in Aqueous Solution Using Conductivity and Surface Tension Measurements
Authors: Ali Inaam H. , Kareem Sameer H. , AL-Saady Fouad A.A.
Published: May 2021

In the current work, we discuss the mixed micelles and thermodynamic micellization of aqueous binary mixture of polyoxyethylene - 20 sorbitan-monododecanoate (Tween 20) as nonionic surfactant and Benzyldimethylhexadecyl ammonium chloride (HDBAC) as cationic surfactant using conductivity and surface tension (γ) estimations in the temperatures range (288 -318K). Critical micelle concentration (CMC) and variables of micellization, like the standard thermodynamic functions: Gibbs free energy (Δ𝐺𝑚 ⁰ ), enthalpyΔ𝐻𝑚 ⁰ ) and entropy (Δ𝑆𝑚 ⁰ ) were calculated using the variation of conductivity and γ with molar concentration and the variation of ln XCMC with temperature. The experimental CMC values were applied to calculate the mole fractions of surfactant in the mixed micelle (𝑋1 𝑚 ), the β parameter and the coefficient of activity f1and f2, using the equations proposed by Clint and Rubingh, which indicate the β parameter, is always negative. In addition, the results of thermodynamic parameters show that ΔG⁰m are negative for both individual and mixture of HDBAC-Tween20 surfactants and the values negatively increased with increasing temperature while its negative values decreasing with decreasing initial mole fraction of HDBAC.
Fabrication NiO: Cu / Si Heterojunction by the Aerosol-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (AACVD)
Authors: Jassim Zaid Mohammed , Shiaa Saba Abdulzahra Obaid AL
Published: May 2021

In this research, as the thin films were formed by an AACVD process, copper doped nickel oxide was used to prepare the Cu doped Ni thin films by ratio doping (Cu/Ni = 0, 7.5, 10 and 12.8 at w.t %). Thin films of Cu doped NiO were heated at a crystallization temperature of 400 °C for 2 hours. The thin films obtained by the AACVD method have a film thickness of the order (45-62 nm). Promising solar cells that could be created by NiO film as the absorber using Cu doping. The NiO:Cu film has promising optical characteristics; about (3.5-2.8 eV) energy gap band and a high absorption coefficient, which means that the most suitable absorber can be commercially developed using the NiO:Cu film. Furthermore, there are no rare metals in the NiO: Cu film The best conversion efficiency with the heterojunction of NiO: Cu/Si and NiO:Cu was 2.8571429% which showed the possibility of a very low cost solar cell.
Attenuation and Absorption of Electromagnetic Waves of Nanocomposites (ZnFe2O3 / Graphene: UPE) by Wave Guide Technical
Authors: Mohammed M.A. , Farhan Fadhil K. , Jassim I.K. , Mahmoud A. Sh.
Published: May 2021

In this article, composites with a polymeric basis were prepared and developed with a ZnFe2O3 material dyed with graphene that has the ability to absorb and attenuate by a weight ratio of (1-4) % of the base. The samples were formed by chemical blending and ultrasound technology to homogenize the mixture. The waveguide technique was used at the microwave frequencies in the range of 8- 12 kHz and within the X-band range - the results showed a significant improvement in the absorbance and attenuation by increasing the percentage of the deformed material compared to the blank material, and the best value was obtained at 3%. The compositional examinations of the Nano powder were performed using a scanning electron microscope technology equipped with an EDX scan.
Online remote language teaching during and beyond the pandemic: echoes
from the Anchor University in Lagos
Authors: Ope-Davies Tunde
Published: May 2021

The outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) brought along with it a
number of socio-political, public health, administrative, economic, and
educational challenges and impacts across the world. Teaching and learning
as a critical component of our social existence have been equally impacted
with new technologies providing both the tools and affordances for effective
virtual learning. This chapter discusses the adoption and application of
digital technologies for online teaching and learning at Anchor University,
Lagos (AUL), a private tertiary institution in Lagos, Nigeria. The study
foregrounds its theoretical principles on Kirkwood and Price’s (2014)
perspective on Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) and Herring’s (2004)
Computer-Mediated Discourse Analysis (CMDA). The dataset was drawn from
Google Classroom’s platform deployed by AUL during the COVID-19 crisis. I
used qualitative content-based analysis to discuss how the selected data
reflect the reality of TEL during the pandemic. The study argues that the
deployment of new technologies for teaching and learning in higher education
utilised the existing framework and availability of digital tools and mobile
communication networks resulting from the phenomenal development of the
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) industry in Nigeria. It
confirms that the availability of a range of digital technologies and social
media platforms has improved the possibilities of adapting to remote
learning during the period and beyond. It concludes by highlighting
socio-educational benefits of remote teaching and learning and some
challenges of teaching language-related courses in Nigeria and other similar
cultural contexts.
Sudden shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: the case of
Arabic at Qatar University
Authors: Heider Abeer
Published: May 2021

The present chapter focuses on the immediate impact of the COVID-19
pandemic on the higher education sector, presenting the case of the Arabic
for Non-Native Speakers Center (ANNS) at Qatar University. It evaluates what
actions the center has undertaken to pledge its integrity to the cause of
higher education throughout the pandemic and considers a sample of students’
responses to a survey about the approaches and strategies adopted when
learning shifted online. In order to speak to the book project rationale,
the questions herein addressed concentrate on what has changed in language
teaching practices as a result of COVID-19; on which changes might become
permanent changes and which are expected to return to their pre-pandemic
conditions; on reconsidered language pedagogy and new educational purposes
and on informational progress for remote teaching. The chapter also aims to
identify a number of techniques to be researched further.
The response of the University of Isfahan to COVID-19: remote online
language teaching
Authors: Rafiei Adel , Amirian Zahra
Published: May 2021

This study describes the changes in the instructional system experienced
by the language departments in the University of Isfahan, Iran, during the
2020 COVID-19 outbreak and the consequent national lockdown. After providing
a very brief scenario of a regular academic year in higher education in
Iran, this chapter focuses on the changes made to the instructional system
in response to this world-wide pandemic and the non-academic measures taken
across the university in general and language departments in particular.
After pointing to some challenges of online instruction, the advantages and
disadvantages of remote instruction with regard to the four language skills
from both teachers’ and students’ perspectives will be discussed. A review
of the assessment procedures in the platform used by the University of
Isfahan will then be provided. This case study will come to an end by
providing some outlook for the future.
Teaching online in translation studies: a teacher-researcher’s feedback
from France
Authors: Bordet Geneviève
Published: May 2021

This chapter focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on language
classes in a Paris university in 2020. The first case studied is a Master of
Arts (MA) class in translation studies. The forced and sudden switch to
online learning was well accepted by students who cooperated with the
academic staff to choose an online platform, in the absence of any available
institutional resource. Although online teaching proved efficient in terms
of learning output, it implied a lot of extra work to ensure interaction
between teacher and students. Besides, important discrepancies appeared
between students as regards equipment and connection. The second case is
taken from language classes with Bachelor of Arts (BA) students.
Communication was compromised by students’ reluctance to activate their
webcams, seen as a threat for their privacy. Material problems such as poor
connection were thus compounded by the digital divide among them. This
situation reveals disparities between students while opening opportunities
for change. The priority should be given to an assessment of students’ needs
in a context of pandemics, at an international level.
Braving remote instruction at Vilnius University: response to the
COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Chodzkienė Loreta , Korostenskienė Julija , Medvedeva Olga
Published: May 2021

This chapter examines the experience of teaching English-related courses
at Vilnius University (VU), ´the oldest and largest Lithuanian institution
of higher education, in the spring 2020. We discuss arrangements made in the
organizational process and implementation of the subjects within the areas
taught in English by the staff members of the Institute of Foreign
Languages, Faculty of Philology, VU. Limiting our account to the period when
the instruction was changed abruptly from face-to-face to remote, we focus
on three areas of instruction: the intra-course logistics of transferring
students to the remote synchronous method of instruction, the delivery of a
course syllabus in the lockdown conditions, and student reflections on the
experience.
University of Cambridge Modern and Medieval Languages: response to
COVID-19
Authors: Mentchen Silke
Published: May 2021

This case study will describe and analyse how the experiences of online
language teaching at the University of Cambridge gained during the first UK
lockdown helped to inform planning for the next academic year. Emergency
measures implemented for the third term of the academic year 2019/2020 were
evaluated. A curriculum of blended teaching combining synchronous and
asynchronous modes was developed and is being implemented now. Particular
attention will be paid to modes of examining and teaching, the role of the
teacher, and the use of technologies. It will become clear that inclusive
and interactive teaching will continue and that some of the newly acquired
skills may stay with us. However, other aspects of language teaching such as
building a sense of a learner cohort have been found to be much more
difficult to replicate online.
COVID-19 and the Autonomous University of Barcelona: current trends on
language teaching and learning strategies
Authors: Oliver del Olmo Sonia
Published: May 2021

When COVID-19 emerged, it meant many changes as to health specific
measures for prevention as well as social, political, and educational
considerations to cope with a completely new situation which necessitated
very quick responses. In this sense, this worldwide pandemic implied
challenges in terms of decision-making at the highest level, the key
involvement of universities’ technical support (taking into account
pedagogical and logistics considerations) and very specific training for
teaching staff to design materials and facilitate both remote tuition and
students’ assignments delivery and feedback. In this chapter, I will
describe the design and development of a new interactive scenario where
lecturers and students keep their teaching and learning practices working
under very exceptional circumstances as it is the case of the Autonomous
University of Barcelona (UAB). This institution has shown a very effective
plan based on constant technical support and training, staff’s full
commitment to their new remote online language teaching and students’
flexibility and willingness to learn within their English Studies degree
despite an unfavourable context a priori.
Remote online teaching in modern languages in Germany: responses
according to audiences and teaching objectives
Authors: Schmied Josef
Published: May 2021

This chapter reports on the ‘Corona teaching’ in a department of English
studies at a German university of technology. It discusses the general frame
in the German university system and in this specific department, faculty and
university. It focuses on the responses depending on participants and
learning objectives. One larger lecture for 1st year Bachelor of Arts (BA)
students used Moodle to teach a traditional knowledge transfer course, the
‘History of English language and culture’. One smaller seminar used Big Blue
Button (BBB) to teach a more interactive Master of Arts (MA) course on
‘Translation theory and technology’. The overall experience was positive for
the good students who managed the challenge well, but it was negative for
others who were less privileged in their technical equipment or their
resilience. Some losses included more social class activities; opportunities
included additional learning in the media and digital contexts – possibly
invaluable advantages for further developments for modern foreign language
specialists in future.
Utilização do lodo de esgoto na produção de mudas de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae)
Authors: Mendonça Ane Marcela das Chagas , Dias Geovane da Silva , Nascimento Augusto Vinicius de Souza , Campos Joedna Alves , De Santana Marlucia Cruz , Silva Júnior Carlos Dias , Santos Paulo Augusto Almeida
Published: May 2021

A necessidade da destinação correta do lodo de esgoto doméstico vem atraindo pesquisas para sua utilização como componente de substrato para mudas arbóreas. Uma das características que permitem essa utilização é a sua composição rica em matéria orgânica e elementos minerais essenciais. Objetivou-se avaliar a viabilidade da utilização de diferentes proporções de lodo de esgoto doméstico na composição do substrato para aroeira e sua influência no crescimento das mudas. A aroeira foi cultivada durante 180 dias em diferentes substratos: T1- 100% Terra Vegetal (T); T2- 100% Sedimento Arenoso (A); T3- 20% Lodo de Esgoto (LE) + 80% A; T4- 60% LE + 40% A; e T5- 100% LE. As variáveis de crescimento foram analisadas mensalmente, enquanto a eficiência do fotossistema II (Fv/Fm) a cada 60 dias. Ao final do experimento foram determinadas as concentrações de carboidratos, proteínas, clorofila total, além da razão entre a biomassa de raiz e da parte aérea. Plantas cultivadas em 100% A apresentaram menores valores para as características de crescimento e bioquímicas avaliadas. Nas proporções de 20% e 60% LE, as plantas alcançaram maior altura, diâmetro do caule e número de folhas, assim como elevados teores de açúcares e clorofila. Entretanto, na concentração de 100% LE, aos 180 dias, as plantas apresentaram redução em altura e número de folhas. Apesar disso, o lodo de esgoto doméstico demonstrou ser viável para composição de substrato para mudas de aroeira em proporções que podem variar desde 20% até 100%.